Chapter Ten:

Secrets

Rikku and Auron had sat down just next to Macalania lake, and weren't aware of the time they spent. They told each other their secrets: Auron on his exile from the temples and Rikku on her life. When he asked of her childhood, she bit her tongue but eventually admitted who her father was, and that Braska really, really couldn't know. When Auron asked her why, she sucked in the air to admit the truth – I am Braska's niece. I am that Rikku.

Auron vowed to keep everything she had told him a secret, because in his eyes it all made sense. He saw a greater meaning behind Rikku's time lapse and their love. Rikku, on the other hand, still couldn't put her finger on it. She hadn't been able to since the moment they had picked her up outside of Luca. And now, even after admitting to him most of her truths, she couldn't put together the pieces of the story. Still, she couldn't tell him how their pilgrimage ends with Jecht, Braska and him... she couldn't bring herself to do it. She didn't want to think about it...

"We have found the love birds."

Rikku and Auron looked up to find Jecht and Braska standing just at the start of the path before the lake. Neither of them looked enthused; frustration and anger was written all over their faces. "Braska..." Auron stood up and walked over to his summoner.

Rikku felt a bit sad. She was the sudden cause of this pilgrimage's difficulties. They would have been able to enter the temple had she not been an Al Bhed, or she had not been with them at all. The looks on their faces didn't ease the feeling. It only intensified it. With all her might, and sore knees, she stood and made her way towards the three men with her head lowered, "I'm sorry, Braska," She said, "This is all my fault."

There was silence. She didn't want to look up to look at her summoner. She heard Auron under his breath say Braska's name again. She was waiting for a yell, a shout. She was waiting to be told she could no longer travel with them. She knew Braska was a kind man, but if her presence brought so much turmoil, why drag her along? "I take all blame," Auron said suddenly, placing his hand on Rikku's shoulder.

She looked up at him suddenly, shocked. Why? Only a while ago did he tell her how traveling with Braska freed him from his horrible thoughts, and worry. Why not want to continue with his summoner? "Auron, stop." Jecht said.

Rikku looked up at Jecht, who as they met eyes smiled at her. She was surprised that only seconds later did Braska react the same way, with a smile. "Rikku and Auron, neither of you have to take blame for anything. I am not upset with you both," he said, "Sure, this isn't how I planned things but I couldn't lose my friends."

"But that man... he was so-"

"Vulgar. Vile. Ignorant." Braska said, "Need I say more?"

Rikku shook her heard. He didn't. "But the Aeons?" Auron asked, "We need to take you back to the temples. We can not do the final summoning..."

Braska shook his head. He removed his hands to place them back inside the folds of his robe, "We took care of that." He said. Jecht nodded in agreement behind them.

Rikku's mouth dropped. "You were still able to get them?"

Jecht laughed a little uncomfortably behind Braska. "Well, I was kinda his distraction. Flung my sword around as he went inside. Did the same thing at Bevelle too... don't expect us to get a warm welcome any time soon." He laughed again.

Auron and Rikku turned to look at each other. At the same time there were trying to count the minutes, hours... however long it was that they were separated from them; they couldn't get it straight. "How long were we sitting down, Rikku?" Auron asked her in a low whisper.

Rikku shook her head, "I-I don't know..." She thought hard about it. Hard. They had talked about everything; her life, his life, the past and the future. Maybe they had taken that long. "So shall we continue?" Braska seemed at ease as he spoke.

Rikku looked back up at her summoner and nodded. Why question the situation? This was it. They were about to reach the calm lands, and climb the slopes of Mt. Gagazet... and reach Yunalesca. They'll reach Zanarkand.

"Braska, wait." Auron reached his hand out and touched his arm. "Are we really alright to continue?"

Braska nodded his head once and turned around to leave the lake. Auron let his hand fall back next to him and looked over at Jecht. Jecht's face said it clear. We're not okay, but we must continue. Rikku's heart sank. She had walked up to Jecht quickly, and leaned in closer to whisper in his ear, "Please tell me."

Jecht sighed. With a shake of his head, he too headed away from the lake. Rikku stood her ground, with her fists clenched at her side. Why wouldn't they tell her? Was it that bad? Did she really make matters that much worse for them, to the point where not telling her made it all easier? It frustrated her. She was his gaurdian. How was she to protect him if she didn't know the whole truth? You're not the only one who has secrets, Rikku... her inner voice spoke to her, maybe you should just deal with it. "Rikku..."

She turned to look back at Auron, who frowned at her. There was concern on his face. "Don't be upset. We have a pilgrimage to finish." he said.

Rikku couldn't help but return his frown. She moved closer to him, placed her hands against his chest and puffed out her cheeks. As serious as she meant it, Auron only laughed. His laughter only made her flush over scarlet and hide her face against his robe. "Come on now." He said, "Let's just finish this."

Rikku nodded her head and turned ahead of him to leave the lake.

It didn't take her long to catch up to Braska and Jecht, who had already reached the road before the Calm Lands. Auron was close behind her. The four had stared at each other for a minute or so. The warm air from the next area was welcoming. Rikku took their silence as they all understood each other; whatever happened, didn't matter and nothing needed to be said. What mattered was the people of Spira, and the destruction of Sin. What mattered was reaching Zanarkand, and obtaining the final summoning. With a huff, she raised a hand into the air, "I'm actually kind of hungry!" she exclaimed.

Auron, with a low groan, covered his face. He then tried to stifle a laugh. Braska eyes went wide with shock, as did Jecht's, but in unison they all laughed. I thought I can make us go back to normal...

Down the slopes of the Calm Lands, each of the four kept pretty quiet and to themselves. Rikku and Auron, on occasion, looked at one another with a gleam in their eye; their secret. Jecht and Braska did the same, without a gleam but with some sort of internal acceptance; it was their secret. Neither of them asked what the others were thinking. The day was nice, and to be away from the cold and the howling words of an unruly yevonite was lovely. It seemed so far behind them at that moment, as if it never happened... Why ruin the day with questions?

With a few skips and a hop, Rikku passed everyone down the slope and into the open area. The grass was high in some areas and the tips the of the blades tickled her legs. Even with the parts of the land in shambles or torn, the Calm Lands were something so beautiful. And to see the Chocobos' roam free, only added to the beauty. In the distance she could see the top of the mighty mountain; Mt. Gagazet. It's almost time.

Rikku bit her lip as the thought passed her mind - it's almost time. She glanced back to see the three men laughing, telling jokes. They seemed happy, and their friendship unbreakable. It was something wonderful to see. It reminded her of Yuna and everyone, and how sometimes they would just stop and laugh; They had to for Yuna's sake. "What's so funny?" Rikku decided to ask.

Jecht laughed again and rubbed his eyes. "Your foot." he said.

My foot...? Rikku didn't realize it until he had mentioned it, but her foot did feel soft. There was also a strange scent that stung her nose slightly. "W-wha..."

"I think you've become good friends with a chocobo..." Jecht laughed.

Rikku's eyes went wide. Around her shoe was a large, brown pile of what she could only think was Chocobo waste. POOOP! she thought to herself, completely freaked. "How can you guys just laugh!?" She yelled, and as she tried to move forward stumbled into another pile.

The three men broke into laughter once more.

WHY DO YOU GUYS HAVE TO BE SO MEAN, YOU KNOW?!