Ahoy, mates! Here be another chapter for ye t' read. Yarr!

Sorry this took so long, but again I wanted to make sure that the next few chapters were correct. I'm happy to say they are, and there are two more chapters in editing right now. Now, off to reading for you!

I don't own FFX-2 or anything to do with SE. I just own the story. 

The past three hours had revealed much about Auron's 'friend'. She described with a passion her stint as Guardian, and the construction of a place called 'Home'. She knew too much about the temples and the rites of Yevon for the pilgrimage to be a lie. Also, she left out many things. She would pause in her narration at times, looking at him, deciding what to say. For instance, she admitted to helping her summoner gain 'all' of the aeons. A summoner can not gain entrance to the city of Zanarkand without all five aeons, yet she spoke as if there were more. Rikku also declined to clarify just how, exactly, the summoner party made an enemy of Yevon.

When he asked, she gave him a grin and said 'you'd rather not know.' and left it at that. This, of course, made him wonder all the more, but she refused to elaborate on anything. Rikku seemed to enjoy annoying him, and she knew just how much and how far to push him.

A surprising revelation, to his mind, was how the Al Bhed were demonized where she came from. They were viewed as heathens and barbarians simply because they used machina. Why this was evil he could not fathom. The Machina War a thousand years ago had destroyed civilization as the world knew it, but it did not mean people tried to use the left over machines for good. One machine had been made to keep food cold. Another kept people from entering a dangerous area with flashing lights and projected warning signs.

Despite the treatment her people had dealt with, she held no grudges against Yevon. She had even gone to help the followers of Yevon rebuild their lives after some kind of disaster. This was another thing she would not elaborate on, but this was because she did not trust him to believe her. Auron could not blame her. What she had already told him was fanciful enough. Yet it rang of truth.

Rikku put an end to the conversation by stretching and announcing she was going to get a shower. Auron watched her go, unable to keep himself from doing so. She moved with a grace that was unrivaled in his mind. Not just in walking, but in all aspects of movement. She used deliberate care when picking items up or walking around objects. Her fingernails did not offer to hit the glass she was drinking from, nor did he feel them when she touched his skin.

"Why do you move like that?" Rikku paused, turning a quizical face at him.

"Like what?"

"You use more care in your movenments than anyone I've ever seen. Why?"

"Well," She tilted her head, one hand scratching the back of her head. "Two reasons. I'm a theif, remember? No noise or you're caught. And, remember these scars?" Rikku held up her hands. "When you're three miles from any help, and you have no potions, you learn to be very careful of how you use your hands when they're injured. Anything else? Or would you like to keep the conversation going in the shower with me?" Auron blinked before answering.

"I doubt there would be much actual conversation going on."

"My, you really are a naughty boy, aren't you?" She gave him a smile before heading back for her shower. "I'm glad you don't hide it like you used to. I was the only one that got you to loosen up."

"Were you?"

"Yeah, you said it was a shame I was so young, else you'd take me to bed."

Rikku skipped off into the bedroom before he could do more than gape and stutter. Acutally, he gaped and stuttered well after she left. What the hell? How could I think such a thing? She was fifteen years old when 'I' met her! I'd never...would I? I know the way she affects me, and she doesn't even try. It must have been the same then, but...fifteen? Auron shut his mouth and stood up. Movement always helped him think, and he needed to think now. He replaced his book on its shelf and brought the glasses and a bowl of cut fruit back into the kitchen. After that, he paced. He could take exactly six steps from wall to wall, which is what he did while examining his thougths.

He was vaguely aware of the presence of two people in the room, but he dismissed it as unimportant. If his mind ignored them, then he knew and trusted them. Pieces of their conversation interruped his thoughts enough to make him pay attention.

"...never seen someone pace in such an enclosed area."

"He always paces when he's thinking hard. He'd pace in a three foot by three foot cell if you told him something really, really weird."

"Is that so? I take it you said something of that nature?"

"Maybe."

Auron came to himself with a start. He found Braska and Rikku sitting on his couch, staring at him curiously. Rikku was more amused than anything else. He frowned at her slightly before turning to the summoner.

"You should have said you were here, my lord."

"I did. Several times. We've been watching you for the better part of an hour."

"I said I'd snap you out of it, but Braska here said that he would have to leave for me to do that and it would defeat the purpose." Braska laughed while Rikku just gave him an impish grin. Auron shook his head at them.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Yes." They both answered, smiling innocently. Auron frowned at them.

"Well, now that I have your attention, would you like to join my family for dinner? You've been absent for so long Mari is starting to think you don't like her cooking."

"Auron! How could you let someone think you don't like their cooking? See if I ever make you blueberry pancakes again." Rikku said this while crossing her arms and turning her head to the side, not looking at him.

"Now that would be a tragedy. I'm quite hungry, so yes, I'd like to join you. Are you coming, Rikku?"

"What, and miss a good meal? You're more than crazy. Don't get in between me and food. You'll come out the loser. And a hungry one at that."

"Well, shall we go?" Auron indicated that Braska was to lead the way, and he offered his arm to Rikku as they left the house. She gave him a smile before taking his arm, and he felt like he had just done some noble deed.

"People will continue to think I'm your wife if you keep acting this way, you know."

"Yes, but your safety and well being means more to me than a small lie. Or would you rather I treat you with no respect at all?"

"Noooo, I like your behaviour just fine, thanks. I like you being all polite and kind toward me. Much better than indifference, or being mean and taking liberties just cause you feel like it."

"Now, who would treat you like that, Rikku?" Braska asked, falling in beside them as they walked.

"Oh, just some punks that thought they could have me. It was kind of funny, in the end. They all wound up with partially activated lightning marbles down their pants." Braska and Auron both laughed out loud, startling a woman who was walking to her own home. "I'm glad you thought it was funny. Most guys cringe and pull away from me when I say that."

"I've done nothing to warrant such behavior, so I'm safe. As is Lord Braska. And you know very well I would never with anything but the utmost respect."

"That's one of the things I love about you, Auron. You're such a gentleman." Rikku sighed and laid her head on his shoulder. "YAY! I smell food! Is that Mari's food I smell, Braska?"

"Yes, it is. She's waiting for us, I expect." They follwed Braska into his home, and were immediately set upon by a young girl. Yuna ran and hugged her father first, then hugged Auron. She looked at Rikku, who had squated down to be at eye level with the girl. "Yuna, this is Rikku. Rikku, my daughter, Yuna."

"Hi there, Yunie!" Yuna giggled quietly then bowed.

"Hello, Rikku. Are you going to stay for dinner too?"

"Yep, yep! Your mom must be a great cook for it to smell this good!"

"Oh, she is! And dinner's almost ready, father."

"I'll go see if Mari needs any help. Please, make yourselves at home." Braska dissapeared into the kitchen, while Rikku, Auron and Yuna settled onto the plump sofa to wait. Rikku and Yuna were chatting as though they were sisters, giggling and leaning on each other as they laughed.

"Auron? Why didn't you say you had a wife? Father says she was really sick and that's why you both came here."

"I...didn't want to burden anyone. You have been a joy to be around, cheering me up when no one else sought to, and I thank you for that." Yuna blushed happily, partially hiding her face behind Rikku.

"You've kept Auron company while I wasn't with him! That's so sweet of you, Yunie!" Rikku hugged the girl, who happily returned the gesture. "He sure seems to be grumpy, but he's so nice behind that." Yuna nodded her agreement.

"Grumpy?" Auron raised an eyebrow. Rikku was about to respond when Braska came back into the room.

"Dinner is ready, everyone."

"YAY!" Rikku and Yuna both raced to the dinner table, with Yuna slightly in the lead.

"I take it they are hungry?"

Yarr! Read and Review, else ye'll walk th' plank, ye will!

Cap'n Tagg