Ureta Tsumi (A Ripened Sin)
Chapter Seven: A Man-to-WoMAN talk
By: NurikoLuver (Trudy Haley)
Author's Notes: Blargh, some use of Al Bhed. Man, this chapter is so crappy. Sorry folks. Maybe something decent will come with the next chapter. *sniff sniff*
Anyone else notice that burgler in Al Bhed is Pinkman? XD
Al Bhed Notes:
*Lemme alone...
**Rikku! What are you doing, protecting the summoner from us?!
***I am Yunie's guardian now. It is my duty to protect her.
****Cusadesa cuuh, oui femm ryja du lruuca padfah ouin pnudran yht Oihy. Oui femm ghuf fryd ec nekrd.
Ah! A nice hot shower. There was nothing Rikku loved more than the short, overnight stops they made whenever they reached Travel Agencies. Yevon bless that Rin! Without his travel agencies, she'd be spending another night on the cold, dirty ground. And as for a shower, forget it. No such thing in the middle of the woods. And working toliets. Oh, how Rikku envied the days when she could flush a toliet; this journey taught her more than one thing-- and for one, it gave her a sense of appreciation for things she would have never otherwise given a second thought to. Toliet paper. Her dad. Fresh Water. Chocobos.
"Ahh..." Rikkus sighed contendedly, running her hand through her hair. Wet, it cascaded nearly halfway down her back, sticking to the soft corridors of her flesh.
Suddenly, she was hit with that sudden passion that hits nearly everyone once they get comfortable in the shower: that unsurpressable need to sing. Before she could stop herself, Rikku began, "I thought you were strong, because your arms were bravely reaching toward the sky.That's why I though you could live by yourself...But you were wounded..."
"Rikku, you almost done?"
"Yunie?" Rikku grew flustered. Had Yuna heard her sing? She hoped not. "Yeah, I'm almost done!"
"Okay, I'll be in our room." Rikku heard the door close this time.
Rikku quickly soaped up, rinsed off, and hopped out. She dressed herself quickly in her nightclothes and scampered off to the room she shared with Yuna.
"Yunie, all done," Rikku smiled, drying off her hair.
"Okay, thanks." Yuna departed.
Rikku plopped on her bed, thinking she would have a few minutes to herself, but almost immediately after Yunie left, she heard a knock on the door.
"Yunie, forgot something?" Rikku jumped up to answer the door. "Auron?" Standing right there- right in front over her was that tall monster of a man that towered over her.
Yes. Auron!
"Are you busy?" he asked.
"No..." For a minute, Rikku was filled with nervous giddiness. Was Auron waiting for Yuna to leave? I mean, it had to be more than coincidence if right after she left, he came in. Was she in trouble? Oh no! "...um...uh, come in to my humble adobe!" Rikku gestured to her bed.
"Hmm. Nice room you got here." He sat on the edge of the bed, looking around.
"Um...so...uh, why didja wanna come see me? You've never really paid a visit to me before, you know?" Rikku scratched her nose. Wow, could Auron make her nervous.
"No reason."
NO reason!? That made Rikku even more apprehensive. Rikku struggled to find something to talk about- for the first time in her life. Before she could think of something to say, Auron started, "Your hair looks cute down. You should wear it like that more often."
"Cute? Really?" Rikku had never been called CUTE before. Well, sure, by her dad. And once or twice by her brother. But never by another guy. And certainly, she would have never anticipated AURON of all people, calling her- or her hair- cute. Maybe Tidus, but NEVER, EVER did she think Auron would say that.
Auron nodded.
Rikku blushed. "Auron, sometimes you have me wondering..."
"Wondering what?"
"When you became so kind."
"So...kind?" Auron's words were detatched.
"I never would have ever thought that you and I would end up like friends like this...you know?"
"Friends?" It had been such a long time since Auron heard that word addressed to him.
"Yeah, friends, silly!" Rikku grinned up at him. "I feel as though I can trust you, you know? I mean, you're still sort of intimidating and all, but it's not as bad now."
"Intimidating...?" Auron chuckled.
"Yeah! Well, with that big sword and the trenchcoat and your...I mean...um...uh..." Rikku scratched the back of her head sheepishly.
"My scars?" Auron finished.
"Um...well...yeah." Rikku suddenly felt stupid.
"Don't feel bad." Auron looked up at the ceiling. "I guess they're hard NOT to notice."
"Auron..." Rikku couldn't help but feel ashamed. "I didn't mean it in a bad way...your scars...well, they give you a lot of character, you know?"
"Character?" Auron grunted.
"H...how..." Rikku struggled to force the words. "...did you get those scars?"
For a second, there was silence.
"Um...nevermind. Stupid question," Rikku's words filled the deep stillness.
"Rikku..." Auron turned to her, gazing into those emerald green eyes, glazed with concern and at the same time, shame for that concern. Did she care about him? "...that's a story for another time..."
"Oh...okay." Rikku was greatful he didn't get upset right away; she wouldn't have had a clue what to do.
"You're always asking ME questions, so how about...I ask YOU some?"
Rikku nodded dubiously. Atleast now it was impossible for her to say something stupid if HE was asking the questions.
"Your brother...you mentioned him back at the Farplane..." Auron started.
"My brother?" Rikku interupted. "His name is Renuoige. He's nineteen. I love him so much," she squealed. "Sure, he's stubborn, but I know other guys like that." She looked intently at Auron, grinning. "Ever since I was little, he's always taken care of me, you know? I guess that's just what big brothers do...hey, you're a big brother, aren't you?"
Auron smiled at Rikku's discursive words. "I thought it was my turn to ask questions."
"Ah!" Rikku blushed. "I'm sorry, it's just, you know..."
"No, it's all right. Asalie was about six when I left." Rikku nodded at Auron in recognition of his words. "I wasn't a very good brother. Maybe it was stupid of me to leave her when she was so little...even if Braska did need me..." Was that cracking Rikku detected in Auron's voice?
"You did the right thing, though," Rikku attempted to comfort her friend. "I mean, if you hadn't gone with Braska, do you think that Sin would have been gone for the past seven years? Do you think your sister would ever be able to experience life without Sin?"
"Is it right...to sacrafice a life without a big brother in exchange for a couple of years without a Sin that just keeps coming back?"
Good Point. "Maybe you should go see her. I'm sure she'd understand."
Auron suddenly looked nostalgic. "...I really don't even think she'd remember me. Or even WANT to remember me. I..." His voice became uneven. "I...I just wish she knew that..." He stopped in mid-sentence. Was it because words couldn't explain what he wanted to tell his sister? Was it because he was ashamed of his feelings- of showing his true self?
"Auron..."
Suddenly, Rikku found herself wrapped in his embrace. Whether it was incited by herself or by Auron, she didn't know. All she could feel was his warmth. All she could smell was his essence. All she could taste was the air scented with his sake.
Auron shuddered suddenly as Rikku pulled off his sunglasses. Were those tears she saw? He pulled away, and stood up, turned away from view. He stood, motionless, staring at the wall, trying to dull his tears.
He's...just like me, Rikku realized. He doesn't want anyone to see him cry...he doesn't want anyone to worry about him. He and I...we both don't want anyone to lose sleep over us.
That's why he acts so solemn all the time.
Instead of always being so happy and cheerful the way Rikku covered her emotions, he glazed his emotions with a stoic attitude. But under that skin, he was just as frightened and lovable and hopeful as Rikku was.
She approached him from behind, wrapping her arms around his waist and interlocking her fingers, as if in prayer. Then she began to do what she thought she would never do in front of anyone- and certainly, never in front of Auron. "I thought you were strong," she began, singing in a whisper. "Because your arms were bravely reaching toward the sky. That's why I though you could live by yourself, but you were wounded." She stopped, uncertain of the stupidity of her actions. But Rikku felt Auron's hand softly squeeze the top of hers, as if urging her to go on. She cleared her throat. "I was given birth, searched for tomorrow, gave up something, and lost someone, but I kept demanding. Gathering love flowing out of my fingers, I will give you everything. Sleep and lay your body inside these soft arms and cry...Holding you and swinging."
"Rikku..." he turned around, pressing his hand on her face. Surprised by the abruptness of his actions, she blinked. He smiled. "You should goto bed." He pressed his wind-chapped lips against her forehead, and before she knew it, Auron was gone.
She brought her hand to her forehead. She still felt his kiss. Sure it was on her forehead, somewhere where it really wasn't important. But...suddenly, she felt warm.
Plopping down on her bed, she felt no shame at being Rikku. She felt no shame at singing her song or at asking questions as soon as they popped from her head and to her lips.
That night, she slept with her hair down and a smile on her face.
"Rikku...Rikku...time to get up," Yuna shook her cousin's shoulder. "Rikku?"
"Massa ymuha*...mmmm," Rikku mumbled in Al Bhed.
"Time to get up..."
"Eh? Yunie?" Rikku inquired in mid-yawn.
"Time to get up..." Yuna repeated, smiling.
"Oh...man..." Rikku got up from her bed, stretching. "That was a GREAT dream."
"A dream?" Yuna tied the ribbons on her arm-warmers.
"Yeah...a dream. You know, one of those great dreams you just don't want to ever wake up from," Rikku said, throwing on her shirt.
"Really?" Yuna's voice was curious.
Rikku nodded happily, pulling her hair up into her ponytail and braiding the rest.
There was a sudden knock on the door. "Yuna?" Rikku immediately recognized the voice as Kimhari's. "Yuna have visitor."
"A visitor?" Yuna quickly finished getting ready. "Tell him I'll see him immediately."
"Hold on Yunie!" Rikku hopped one foot into her shorts, tossed the other through the vacant hole and buttoned up. She shoved her foot into one boot and laced it up before Yuna left. Rikku grabbed the other shoe, hopping one footedly to the front of the shop and outside, managing to, somehow, get the other boot
on.
"Yuuuuunie! Wait up!" Rikku ran after her cousin, who was steadily proceeding to the visitor: Tromell. Everyone else was already standing by them. Rikku felt embaressed at her tardiness. Oh well. Better late than never.
"I have come to welcome you, Lady Yuna. Your presence was unexpected- we didn't think you'd have a decision so quickly. Allow me to speak on behalf of Maestar Seymour," he greeted.
Ewww... Rikku shuddered at the mere look of him. He resembled something of a male Medusa. Gross! Rikku didn't like Guados at all.
"Thank you," Yuna said, bowing. "Actually, I have only one question."
"Anything."
"If I do marry Maestar Seymour, will he permit me to continue with my pilgrimage?"
"Actually, he EXPECTS you to continue on with your pilgrimage."
"I'm going," Yuna announced, taking her place next to Tromell.
"We have a Guado custom. You will have to stay here for awhile. I promise, Lady Yuna will be back soon to greet you," Tromell proceeded away.
Yuna turned, as if to say something.
"Your guardians will always be waiting. Do what you are happy with," Auron told her.
"Yes!" Yuna smiled with a nod, and then chased after Tromell.
Tidus ran after for a second. "Yuna!" He signaling to her with a whistle. Yuna turned around.
"Understood!" she started to leave.
"Yunie..." Rikku whispered.
"Rikku, this is her story..." Auron pressed his hand on her tiny shoulder.
Rikku nodded, smiling up at Auron. What a curious guy he was. But as she looked up, she heard the familiar mechanical clamor of a machina- gathered around Yunie.
"YUNIE!" Rikku was the first to respond, running to her cousin's aid. The other guardians followed her.
"Al Bheds!" Wakka said pointedly.
"Leave it to us," Auron turned to Tromell.
Yuna pulled free of Tromell's grasp, joining the group.
"Lady Yuna!"
"I will fight too..." she declared.
"That big machina can seal magic and summon beasts," Rikku said, pointing up at the small Negator floating in the sky.
"Good," Auron said.
And it was mutually decided that Auron, Wakka, and Tidus would be the party for the beginning of this battle. Rikku watched Auron from the sidelines in interest, studying his technique.
His trenchcoat flapped in the wind, his arm freed from the binding chains of his trenchcoat. He'd swing effortlessly every time. Rikku sighed spontaneously. If only she was as good as everyone else. She was always the weakest- the one always watching from the sidelines, hoping for her day of glory. And it never came.
Maybe it was because she was jealous- and she was. Who WOULDN'T be jealous of Tidus or Auron's sword-swinging skills or Yuna's summons? Who wouldn't ever wish for that cool spear Kimhari had, or Lulu's black magic, or even Wakka's fiend-bopping blitzball? They were all better than her.
Why was she even a guardian? Because she wanted Yunie to live? Even that hope was as bleak as this cold, wintery weather. She turned back to the battle.
Eek! Not looking good. Everyone was in need of that Mega-Potion they got back in Macalania. With one last hit, Wakka managed to destroy the Negator. Yuna, Lulu, and Kimhari took the places of Tidus, Auron and Wakka. Rikku worked as relief worker.
"You sure you okay?" Rikku asked, tipping Auron's head back as she fed him a high potion.
"Yeah...fine." Auron pulled free from Rikku's grip. "You don't have to baby me." Even so, he smiled up at her. Yevon, he was so cute when he smiled.
"OH-kay!" Rikku jumped to her feet. "Waaaaakka!"
"Oh no..." Wakka sighed.
"Tee-hee, trust me, this'll taste good!" Rikku handed him a high potion. "Mmm....yummy in your tummy!"
"No way, man."
"Would you rather that I rub it all over you wound?"
Wakka winced. Eeek. Boy, did High-Potions hurt when applied directly to a wound. "Okay, okay, give it here..." Wakka gulmped it down hastily. "I doubt I'll ever get this taste out of my mouth, yah?"
Rikku giggled. Boy, could Wakka be a dork.
She crawled over to where Tidus was laying. Boy, did he look bad. Poor guy. Rikku offered him a High Potion, which he reluctantly accepted.
"Want me to feed it to you?" Rikku smiled. She meant it in all seriousness, but it came out sounding more like a joke.
"No, I'm fine." Tidus forced a smile, taking a sip.
Eeek! That smile! Rikku sat next to Tidus, watching as Yuna summoned Ifrit and Lulu and Kimhari retreated to the backlines.
Summon. Shield. Firaga. Dismiss. Attack. Attack. Attack.
Same old. Same old. Over and over and over again. Rikku could only wonder when these battles would end- and when she could finally go home.
"Rikku!" Yunie called for relief and Rikku went scampering in. Yes! Finally!
She started off by mugging, returning with a Lunar Curtain. Goodie! She hadn't gotten one of these before. Lulu cast Firaga as Kimhari simply scanned.
"Rikku, it almost dead. Finish it off."
With one last blow, Rikku managed to finish off the Crawler, sending two men retreating from the the inside of the Crawler's protective armor.
"Lady Yuna!" Just as Yuna left with Tromell, Rikku thought she recognized the two men.
Rikku blinked. No. It couldn't be.
"Rikku! Fryd yna oui tuehk, bnudaldehk dra cissuhan vnus ic?!**"
"E ys Yunie'c kiynteyh huf. Ed ec so tido du bnudald ran.***"
"Cusadesa cuuh, oui femm ryja du lruuca padfah ouin pnudran yht Yuna. Oui femm ghuf fryd ec nekrd.****" Before Rikku could exchange any more words, her brother Reniouge, and his friend were gone.
"Ah ha ha ha..." Rikku scratched the back of her head sheepishly, forcing a laugh. "I said I was Yuna's guardian...it's no use."
"Why do you use the Al Bhed language? Huh?" Wakka exchanged a look with the rest of the group.
"Because...I'm from the Al Bhed tribe," Rikku said. "That guy, he was my older brother."
"Did you know?!" Wakka was freaking out. Great. Stupid Yevonite. Just minutes ago, he was perfectly calm around Rikku. Now it seemed he lost his blitzballs.
Lulu and Tidus nodded.
"Why didn't you tell me?!"
"Are you angry?" Lulu asked.
"This is the worst...I'm travelling with an AL BHED. The people who defy Yevon's teachings."
Rikku couldn't stand his self-righteousness. "We aren't rebelling against Yevon!"
"Don't you use the machina against the teachings? It was probably because of people like you that Sin was born!"
Rikku was definitely losing her temper. "What about the proof?! Show me the proof!"
"It's Yevon's teachings!" defended Wakka.
"That answer is stupid! Teachings are teachings! Think with your OWN head," Rikku demonstrated, tapping her index finger on her head.
"Well, then tell me why Sin was born!"
Rikku scratched her cheek. "I...I don't know."
"Huh! You make defy Yevon's teachings, and THAT is your conclusion?"
"But if you don't do any thinking and only say that it's the teaching, then that's all
there will be! For as long as you live, nothing will change!"
"It's okay if nothing changes!"
"And it's okay that Sin continues to be reborn?! I'm not sure, but we may be able to stop that."
"If we atone for our sins, Sin will not be resurrected," Wakka declared.
"Atone for our sins?! How do we atone for our sins?"
"If we live by Yevon's teachings, we can atone for our sins."
"I...can't put up with this sort of talk." Actually, Rikku felt like she was going to burst, caused by that atomic creation fused inside of her caused by her need to cry and scream at the same time. Rikku scruntched up her toes inside of her boots.
Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry, don't cry.
Don't scream, don't scream, don't scream, don't scream.
Thankfully, she was saved by the redemption of Auron's voice. "Hey...do these things work?" He gestured to a snowmobile-like vechile.
Rikku scampered over to Auron. "I think they do..."
Blargh, I didn't know what to stop. I know that's a lot of information from the game, and usually I hate repeating it (it's dull re-reading the same thing over and over again, and also writing it.) Fortunately, that's my favorite dialogue in the game, so I promise that it won't happen again. (Eeek, horrible paraphrase, nee?) I promise, if you didn't like this chapter, the next chapter will be uber-cooler. ^^;; Now, why don'tcha gimme a review?
Chapter Seven: A Man-to-WoMAN talk
By: NurikoLuver (Trudy Haley)
Author's Notes: Blargh, some use of Al Bhed. Man, this chapter is so crappy. Sorry folks. Maybe something decent will come with the next chapter. *sniff sniff*
Anyone else notice that burgler in Al Bhed is Pinkman? XD
Al Bhed Notes:
*Lemme alone...
**Rikku! What are you doing, protecting the summoner from us?!
***I am Yunie's guardian now. It is my duty to protect her.
****Cusadesa cuuh, oui femm ryja du lruuca padfah ouin pnudran yht Oihy. Oui femm ghuf fryd ec nekrd.
Ah! A nice hot shower. There was nothing Rikku loved more than the short, overnight stops they made whenever they reached Travel Agencies. Yevon bless that Rin! Without his travel agencies, she'd be spending another night on the cold, dirty ground. And as for a shower, forget it. No such thing in the middle of the woods. And working toliets. Oh, how Rikku envied the days when she could flush a toliet; this journey taught her more than one thing-- and for one, it gave her a sense of appreciation for things she would have never otherwise given a second thought to. Toliet paper. Her dad. Fresh Water. Chocobos.
"Ahh..." Rikkus sighed contendedly, running her hand through her hair. Wet, it cascaded nearly halfway down her back, sticking to the soft corridors of her flesh.
Suddenly, she was hit with that sudden passion that hits nearly everyone once they get comfortable in the shower: that unsurpressable need to sing. Before she could stop herself, Rikku began, "I thought you were strong, because your arms were bravely reaching toward the sky.That's why I though you could live by yourself...But you were wounded..."
"Rikku, you almost done?"
"Yunie?" Rikku grew flustered. Had Yuna heard her sing? She hoped not. "Yeah, I'm almost done!"
"Okay, I'll be in our room." Rikku heard the door close this time.
Rikku quickly soaped up, rinsed off, and hopped out. She dressed herself quickly in her nightclothes and scampered off to the room she shared with Yuna.
"Yunie, all done," Rikku smiled, drying off her hair.
"Okay, thanks." Yuna departed.
Rikku plopped on her bed, thinking she would have a few minutes to herself, but almost immediately after Yunie left, she heard a knock on the door.
"Yunie, forgot something?" Rikku jumped up to answer the door. "Auron?" Standing right there- right in front over her was that tall monster of a man that towered over her.
Yes. Auron!
"Are you busy?" he asked.
"No..." For a minute, Rikku was filled with nervous giddiness. Was Auron waiting for Yuna to leave? I mean, it had to be more than coincidence if right after she left, he came in. Was she in trouble? Oh no! "...um...uh, come in to my humble adobe!" Rikku gestured to her bed.
"Hmm. Nice room you got here." He sat on the edge of the bed, looking around.
"Um...so...uh, why didja wanna come see me? You've never really paid a visit to me before, you know?" Rikku scratched her nose. Wow, could Auron make her nervous.
"No reason."
NO reason!? That made Rikku even more apprehensive. Rikku struggled to find something to talk about- for the first time in her life. Before she could think of something to say, Auron started, "Your hair looks cute down. You should wear it like that more often."
"Cute? Really?" Rikku had never been called CUTE before. Well, sure, by her dad. And once or twice by her brother. But never by another guy. And certainly, she would have never anticipated AURON of all people, calling her- or her hair- cute. Maybe Tidus, but NEVER, EVER did she think Auron would say that.
Auron nodded.
Rikku blushed. "Auron, sometimes you have me wondering..."
"Wondering what?"
"When you became so kind."
"So...kind?" Auron's words were detatched.
"I never would have ever thought that you and I would end up like friends like this...you know?"
"Friends?" It had been such a long time since Auron heard that word addressed to him.
"Yeah, friends, silly!" Rikku grinned up at him. "I feel as though I can trust you, you know? I mean, you're still sort of intimidating and all, but it's not as bad now."
"Intimidating...?" Auron chuckled.
"Yeah! Well, with that big sword and the trenchcoat and your...I mean...um...uh..." Rikku scratched the back of her head sheepishly.
"My scars?" Auron finished.
"Um...well...yeah." Rikku suddenly felt stupid.
"Don't feel bad." Auron looked up at the ceiling. "I guess they're hard NOT to notice."
"Auron..." Rikku couldn't help but feel ashamed. "I didn't mean it in a bad way...your scars...well, they give you a lot of character, you know?"
"Character?" Auron grunted.
"H...how..." Rikku struggled to force the words. "...did you get those scars?"
For a second, there was silence.
"Um...nevermind. Stupid question," Rikku's words filled the deep stillness.
"Rikku..." Auron turned to her, gazing into those emerald green eyes, glazed with concern and at the same time, shame for that concern. Did she care about him? "...that's a story for another time..."
"Oh...okay." Rikku was greatful he didn't get upset right away; she wouldn't have had a clue what to do.
"You're always asking ME questions, so how about...I ask YOU some?"
Rikku nodded dubiously. Atleast now it was impossible for her to say something stupid if HE was asking the questions.
"Your brother...you mentioned him back at the Farplane..." Auron started.
"My brother?" Rikku interupted. "His name is Renuoige. He's nineteen. I love him so much," she squealed. "Sure, he's stubborn, but I know other guys like that." She looked intently at Auron, grinning. "Ever since I was little, he's always taken care of me, you know? I guess that's just what big brothers do...hey, you're a big brother, aren't you?"
Auron smiled at Rikku's discursive words. "I thought it was my turn to ask questions."
"Ah!" Rikku blushed. "I'm sorry, it's just, you know..."
"No, it's all right. Asalie was about six when I left." Rikku nodded at Auron in recognition of his words. "I wasn't a very good brother. Maybe it was stupid of me to leave her when she was so little...even if Braska did need me..." Was that cracking Rikku detected in Auron's voice?
"You did the right thing, though," Rikku attempted to comfort her friend. "I mean, if you hadn't gone with Braska, do you think that Sin would have been gone for the past seven years? Do you think your sister would ever be able to experience life without Sin?"
"Is it right...to sacrafice a life without a big brother in exchange for a couple of years without a Sin that just keeps coming back?"
Good Point. "Maybe you should go see her. I'm sure she'd understand."
Auron suddenly looked nostalgic. "...I really don't even think she'd remember me. Or even WANT to remember me. I..." His voice became uneven. "I...I just wish she knew that..." He stopped in mid-sentence. Was it because words couldn't explain what he wanted to tell his sister? Was it because he was ashamed of his feelings- of showing his true self?
"Auron..."
Suddenly, Rikku found herself wrapped in his embrace. Whether it was incited by herself or by Auron, she didn't know. All she could feel was his warmth. All she could smell was his essence. All she could taste was the air scented with his sake.
Auron shuddered suddenly as Rikku pulled off his sunglasses. Were those tears she saw? He pulled away, and stood up, turned away from view. He stood, motionless, staring at the wall, trying to dull his tears.
He's...just like me, Rikku realized. He doesn't want anyone to see him cry...he doesn't want anyone to worry about him. He and I...we both don't want anyone to lose sleep over us.
That's why he acts so solemn all the time.
Instead of always being so happy and cheerful the way Rikku covered her emotions, he glazed his emotions with a stoic attitude. But under that skin, he was just as frightened and lovable and hopeful as Rikku was.
She approached him from behind, wrapping her arms around his waist and interlocking her fingers, as if in prayer. Then she began to do what she thought she would never do in front of anyone- and certainly, never in front of Auron. "I thought you were strong," she began, singing in a whisper. "Because your arms were bravely reaching toward the sky. That's why I though you could live by yourself, but you were wounded." She stopped, uncertain of the stupidity of her actions. But Rikku felt Auron's hand softly squeeze the top of hers, as if urging her to go on. She cleared her throat. "I was given birth, searched for tomorrow, gave up something, and lost someone, but I kept demanding. Gathering love flowing out of my fingers, I will give you everything. Sleep and lay your body inside these soft arms and cry...Holding you and swinging."
"Rikku..." he turned around, pressing his hand on her face. Surprised by the abruptness of his actions, she blinked. He smiled. "You should goto bed." He pressed his wind-chapped lips against her forehead, and before she knew it, Auron was gone.
She brought her hand to her forehead. She still felt his kiss. Sure it was on her forehead, somewhere where it really wasn't important. But...suddenly, she felt warm.
Plopping down on her bed, she felt no shame at being Rikku. She felt no shame at singing her song or at asking questions as soon as they popped from her head and to her lips.
That night, she slept with her hair down and a smile on her face.
"Rikku...Rikku...time to get up," Yuna shook her cousin's shoulder. "Rikku?"
"Massa ymuha*...mmmm," Rikku mumbled in Al Bhed.
"Time to get up..."
"Eh? Yunie?" Rikku inquired in mid-yawn.
"Time to get up..." Yuna repeated, smiling.
"Oh...man..." Rikku got up from her bed, stretching. "That was a GREAT dream."
"A dream?" Yuna tied the ribbons on her arm-warmers.
"Yeah...a dream. You know, one of those great dreams you just don't want to ever wake up from," Rikku said, throwing on her shirt.
"Really?" Yuna's voice was curious.
Rikku nodded happily, pulling her hair up into her ponytail and braiding the rest.
There was a sudden knock on the door. "Yuna?" Rikku immediately recognized the voice as Kimhari's. "Yuna have visitor."
"A visitor?" Yuna quickly finished getting ready. "Tell him I'll see him immediately."
"Hold on Yunie!" Rikku hopped one foot into her shorts, tossed the other through the vacant hole and buttoned up. She shoved her foot into one boot and laced it up before Yuna left. Rikku grabbed the other shoe, hopping one footedly to the front of the shop and outside, managing to, somehow, get the other boot
on.
"Yuuuuunie! Wait up!" Rikku ran after her cousin, who was steadily proceeding to the visitor: Tromell. Everyone else was already standing by them. Rikku felt embaressed at her tardiness. Oh well. Better late than never.
"I have come to welcome you, Lady Yuna. Your presence was unexpected- we didn't think you'd have a decision so quickly. Allow me to speak on behalf of Maestar Seymour," he greeted.
Ewww... Rikku shuddered at the mere look of him. He resembled something of a male Medusa. Gross! Rikku didn't like Guados at all.
"Thank you," Yuna said, bowing. "Actually, I have only one question."
"Anything."
"If I do marry Maestar Seymour, will he permit me to continue with my pilgrimage?"
"Actually, he EXPECTS you to continue on with your pilgrimage."
"I'm going," Yuna announced, taking her place next to Tromell.
"We have a Guado custom. You will have to stay here for awhile. I promise, Lady Yuna will be back soon to greet you," Tromell proceeded away.
Yuna turned, as if to say something.
"Your guardians will always be waiting. Do what you are happy with," Auron told her.
"Yes!" Yuna smiled with a nod, and then chased after Tromell.
Tidus ran after for a second. "Yuna!" He signaling to her with a whistle. Yuna turned around.
"Understood!" she started to leave.
"Yunie..." Rikku whispered.
"Rikku, this is her story..." Auron pressed his hand on her tiny shoulder.
Rikku nodded, smiling up at Auron. What a curious guy he was. But as she looked up, she heard the familiar mechanical clamor of a machina- gathered around Yunie.
"YUNIE!" Rikku was the first to respond, running to her cousin's aid. The other guardians followed her.
"Al Bheds!" Wakka said pointedly.
"Leave it to us," Auron turned to Tromell.
Yuna pulled free of Tromell's grasp, joining the group.
"Lady Yuna!"
"I will fight too..." she declared.
"That big machina can seal magic and summon beasts," Rikku said, pointing up at the small Negator floating in the sky.
"Good," Auron said.
And it was mutually decided that Auron, Wakka, and Tidus would be the party for the beginning of this battle. Rikku watched Auron from the sidelines in interest, studying his technique.
His trenchcoat flapped in the wind, his arm freed from the binding chains of his trenchcoat. He'd swing effortlessly every time. Rikku sighed spontaneously. If only she was as good as everyone else. She was always the weakest- the one always watching from the sidelines, hoping for her day of glory. And it never came.
Maybe it was because she was jealous- and she was. Who WOULDN'T be jealous of Tidus or Auron's sword-swinging skills or Yuna's summons? Who wouldn't ever wish for that cool spear Kimhari had, or Lulu's black magic, or even Wakka's fiend-bopping blitzball? They were all better than her.
Why was she even a guardian? Because she wanted Yunie to live? Even that hope was as bleak as this cold, wintery weather. She turned back to the battle.
Eek! Not looking good. Everyone was in need of that Mega-Potion they got back in Macalania. With one last hit, Wakka managed to destroy the Negator. Yuna, Lulu, and Kimhari took the places of Tidus, Auron and Wakka. Rikku worked as relief worker.
"You sure you okay?" Rikku asked, tipping Auron's head back as she fed him a high potion.
"Yeah...fine." Auron pulled free from Rikku's grip. "You don't have to baby me." Even so, he smiled up at her. Yevon, he was so cute when he smiled.
"OH-kay!" Rikku jumped to her feet. "Waaaaakka!"
"Oh no..." Wakka sighed.
"Tee-hee, trust me, this'll taste good!" Rikku handed him a high potion. "Mmm....yummy in your tummy!"
"No way, man."
"Would you rather that I rub it all over you wound?"
Wakka winced. Eeek. Boy, did High-Potions hurt when applied directly to a wound. "Okay, okay, give it here..." Wakka gulmped it down hastily. "I doubt I'll ever get this taste out of my mouth, yah?"
Rikku giggled. Boy, could Wakka be a dork.
She crawled over to where Tidus was laying. Boy, did he look bad. Poor guy. Rikku offered him a High Potion, which he reluctantly accepted.
"Want me to feed it to you?" Rikku smiled. She meant it in all seriousness, but it came out sounding more like a joke.
"No, I'm fine." Tidus forced a smile, taking a sip.
Eeek! That smile! Rikku sat next to Tidus, watching as Yuna summoned Ifrit and Lulu and Kimhari retreated to the backlines.
Summon. Shield. Firaga. Dismiss. Attack. Attack. Attack.
Same old. Same old. Over and over and over again. Rikku could only wonder when these battles would end- and when she could finally go home.
"Rikku!" Yunie called for relief and Rikku went scampering in. Yes! Finally!
She started off by mugging, returning with a Lunar Curtain. Goodie! She hadn't gotten one of these before. Lulu cast Firaga as Kimhari simply scanned.
"Rikku, it almost dead. Finish it off."
With one last blow, Rikku managed to finish off the Crawler, sending two men retreating from the the inside of the Crawler's protective armor.
"Lady Yuna!" Just as Yuna left with Tromell, Rikku thought she recognized the two men.
Rikku blinked. No. It couldn't be.
"Rikku! Fryd yna oui tuehk, bnudaldehk dra cissuhan vnus ic?!**"
"E ys Yunie'c kiynteyh huf. Ed ec so tido du bnudald ran.***"
"Cusadesa cuuh, oui femm ryja du lruuca padfah ouin pnudran yht Yuna. Oui femm ghuf fryd ec nekrd.****" Before Rikku could exchange any more words, her brother Reniouge, and his friend were gone.
"Ah ha ha ha..." Rikku scratched the back of her head sheepishly, forcing a laugh. "I said I was Yuna's guardian...it's no use."
"Why do you use the Al Bhed language? Huh?" Wakka exchanged a look with the rest of the group.
"Because...I'm from the Al Bhed tribe," Rikku said. "That guy, he was my older brother."
"Did you know?!" Wakka was freaking out. Great. Stupid Yevonite. Just minutes ago, he was perfectly calm around Rikku. Now it seemed he lost his blitzballs.
Lulu and Tidus nodded.
"Why didn't you tell me?!"
"Are you angry?" Lulu asked.
"This is the worst...I'm travelling with an AL BHED. The people who defy Yevon's teachings."
Rikku couldn't stand his self-righteousness. "We aren't rebelling against Yevon!"
"Don't you use the machina against the teachings? It was probably because of people like you that Sin was born!"
Rikku was definitely losing her temper. "What about the proof?! Show me the proof!"
"It's Yevon's teachings!" defended Wakka.
"That answer is stupid! Teachings are teachings! Think with your OWN head," Rikku demonstrated, tapping her index finger on her head.
"Well, then tell me why Sin was born!"
Rikku scratched her cheek. "I...I don't know."
"Huh! You make defy Yevon's teachings, and THAT is your conclusion?"
"But if you don't do any thinking and only say that it's the teaching, then that's all
there will be! For as long as you live, nothing will change!"
"It's okay if nothing changes!"
"And it's okay that Sin continues to be reborn?! I'm not sure, but we may be able to stop that."
"If we atone for our sins, Sin will not be resurrected," Wakka declared.
"Atone for our sins?! How do we atone for our sins?"
"If we live by Yevon's teachings, we can atone for our sins."
"I...can't put up with this sort of talk." Actually, Rikku felt like she was going to burst, caused by that atomic creation fused inside of her caused by her need to cry and scream at the same time. Rikku scruntched up her toes inside of her boots.
Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry, don't cry.
Don't scream, don't scream, don't scream, don't scream.
Thankfully, she was saved by the redemption of Auron's voice. "Hey...do these things work?" He gestured to a snowmobile-like vechile.
Rikku scampered over to Auron. "I think they do..."
Blargh, I didn't know what to stop. I know that's a lot of information from the game, and usually I hate repeating it (it's dull re-reading the same thing over and over again, and also writing it.) Fortunately, that's my favorite dialogue in the game, so I promise that it won't happen again. (Eeek, horrible paraphrase, nee?) I promise, if you didn't like this chapter, the next chapter will be uber-cooler. ^^;; Now, why don'tcha gimme a review?