Ureta Tsumi (A Ripened Sin)
Chapter Thirteen: For Her True Beloved
By: NurikoLuver (Trudy Haley)
Author's Notes: Mwhahaha! Happy V-day, everyone. ^^;; Sorry for not getting out the chapters more promptly (next week I'll be back to my regular schedule of a chapter a day). I promise this one will satisfy your fanfiction needs for the day. From here on out, please take out the following items essential to a proper reading:
-The Sappiest Song on the Sappiest CD you own. Put it on repeat. If you are a big J-pop fan, take out Utada Hikaru's "True Love", Cocco's "A Will", Sakamoto Maaya's "Call My Name" or Sakamoto Chika's "Perfect World". Any will work effectively, I think. Perhaps.
-Tissues. (I don't know...maybe.)
Please review. x_x I'm not really good at sappiness, and I'm not sure if this chapter was as effective as I wanted it to be. V_V;;;
This one's deticated to the fans. Thank god for the few of you. ^^;;
Evrae was dead. Rikku couldn't help but silently thank Yevon that battle was over. Just an hour ago, she was equipped to the max with Al Bhed Potions, and now she was down to a dwindling few. A dwindling few that would have to be conserved for the battles Rikku knew were to come in order to save Yunie.
She didn't long to relax, as almost immediately, wires temporarily anchored the airship, allowing them passage- passage they needed to take quickly.
Rikku had to admit, wire-gliding *WAS* intimidating, and she didn't have the best sense of balance. But with Auron's encouraging smile and light shove, she was off. If she fell, she fell. There wouldn't be anything she could do about it anyways. She wasn't about to be the fraidy-cat left behind on the airship either.
It was watching the others that almost made Rikku lose her balance. Tidus and Wakka with their clumbsy, impressionable moves. Lulu with her awkward balance struggle. Auron with his sleek, near-motionless glide. And Kimhari. Oh, Yevon, Kimhari. Just to see him wire-gliding at all was amusing, to say the least.
When they finally landed on the bottom, Rikku couldn't help but gasp in amazment. All these soldiers, all these people, all protecting Yuna and Seymour. She couldn't help but feel a little bit jealous. She couldn't think of so many people that would protect her like this. She wasn't THIS important.
And then, she felt stupid. Why feel jealous over Yunie? Yunie was her cousin...she shouldn't feel jealous of her cousin. Yunie was only prettier, stronger, more adored, more popular, more important. But why? Shouldn't she be happy with who she was? Why wasn't she?
"Yuna!" Tidus's voice filled the air- sharp and clear as the wedding bells ringing overhead.
Rikku couldn't help but feel stupid again. Tidus...why couldn't she tell? Why was she so dense?
Tidus led the way forward, shoving (and sometimes fighting) his way to the front of the crowd, where Seymour and Yuna were standing.
"This has gone far enough! Stop!" Kinoc? That little old man? His voice seemed so loud and commmanding. Just as suddenly, Rikku found a rifle barrel pointed at her head.
Rikku glanced at her companions; they looked so brave. Each of them wore a mask of either unstirring determination, blatant rage, or monochromatic solemnity. She...well, she was only trying not to cry, or scream, or laugh. She couldn't even begin to identify her emotions right now. Everything seemed all too fast for her.
Yuna looked so pretty. Even in this unparalleled time of rebel and danger, she couldn't help but notice how beautiful her cousin looked. Her hair pulled up, her snug-fitting pearl wedding dress made of the finest silks in Spira, her eyes burning with...was it anger? Rikku wasn't sure. It was hard to see from so far away.
Despite all the chaos around her, Rikku couldn't help and daydream. Someday, she hoped it would be just like this. Well, not JUST like this. She wanted the white dress and the hundreds of people. Just minus the chaotic atmosphere and the dead scitzophrenic psychopath.
She turned to Auron, ignoring the rifle, which was jabbed closer to her head with her sudden movement. She wondered what Auron would look like in Seymour's robes. She smiled at the visual.
Well, for starters, his face wouldn't be covered. How strange a picture that would be. He'd probably look uncomfortable-- Auron, Rikku guessed, wasn't used to wearing such nice things. Her mind's eye painted a disgruntled expression on his leather lips.
Then, he'd probably be embarassed. Getting married an all- not a life suited for the fiend-killer Auron. A little flustered, maybe. She painted his nose with stripes of red. His embarassment blended with his cynical nature would probably send his eye rolling, as if to say, "I can't beleive I'm doing this!"
And then, surrounding the two of them, would be a barrage of people. Rikku's Al Bhed friends- well- the ones who survived, her dad, Brother, Auron's sister- Asalie, was it? Rikku would be willing to bet tons of denizens of Spira would show up for the wedding of the legendary guardian Auron, all of them cheering. And then, their comrades. Rikku was certain that Tidus would be cheering, whistling, and cat-calling. Rikku wasn't sure if Wakka would be very happy for her. But Yuna, she'd probably be smiling. Kimhari would be Kimhari. She really couldn't imagine him expressing much of anything at such an enginmatic marriage. And Lulu would probably have a similar reaction to Auron- eyes rolling, but smiling. Rikku guessed a marriage between Auron and herself could have never been fortold.
Back to reality...Auron noticed Rikku staring at him and cocked an eyebrow in curiousity.
Rikku blushed and scratched her cheek. She wondered what he thought now. She focused her attention on Yuna, who had just pulled her staff from behind her. Kinoc jammed his rifle closer to Tidus's face.
"You would play at marriage just for a chance to send me?" Seymour chuckled. "Your resolve is admirable. All the more fitting to be my lovely wife."
Yuna waved her wand, beginning the sending.
"Stop! Do you not value your friends lives?! Your actions determine their fate. Protect them...or throw them away. The choice is yours," Mika declared.
Yuna's eyes were filled portrayed her inner turmoil. Her indecisiveness.
Seymour stepped forward, placing his hands on her slender shoulders, moving in for the kiss. Rikku gasped. She couldn't beleive it! This was the sacrafice Yuna was making for their lives! As the couple kissed, she watched as Yuna clentched her fist. She didn't want this as much as everyone else didn't want it for her. But there she was doing it...for them. Yuna pulled away.
"Kill them." Seymour's voice was emotionless.
"I am sorry, but it is for Yevon." Kinoc's finger tightened on the trigger as he aimed at Auron.
Rikku nibbled at her thumb. He was serious this time. He was really going to kill Auron...
"Aren't those weapons forbidden by Yevon?" Auron said simply.
Oh no. Auron was really asking for it this time. If he died...if...if he died. Rikku shook her head. Auron wasn't going to die. No way would Kinoc kill him.
Oh yes he would. Kinoc was a maester. He obeyed whatever the people- whatever "Yevon"- commanded of him. He was going to shoot him. No! She couldn't let that happen! After all Yunie had sacraficed for them, she couldn't let anyone die. There was no way! After all Auron did for her, she couldn't just stand idle. She couldn't just let Kinoc kill him! She tried to move, but her feet were frozen to the ground.
"There are exceptions."
Rikku's feet found the air, then the marble walkway, then the air again. She found herself running, running to him. She would protect HIM now. It was finally her turn.
"Rikku!" Auron called out, as if to stop her.
A shot rang through the air as she shoved Auron to the ground sliding across the floor, her blood streaming in a thick coat of scarlet. They slid across the marble floor, so far Rikku was afraid that if she didn't die from her wound, surely she would plummet to the earth with Auron wrapped in her arms.
When they stopped, she found her back lying on the reassuringly cold marble. Auron stared down at her, his eye and hers connected for one solid second. Rikku found herself blinking back tears. No. She wouldn't cry in front of him. She'd be brave. She could be brave. Just like Renuoige told her.
"You...IDIOT!" He grasped her hand tightly, squeezing it so forcefully she was sure that he was going to break her.
She tried to force a smile, but she couldn't. She tried saying the words, but all what would come was the blood, a vermilion stream sliding from her lips. Her chest heaved with every heavy breath that she managed to swallow. It hurt...but she wouldn't cry. No. No.
She tried to scruntch up her toes. She couldn't even do that.
Seymour started chuckling. "A suitable end for the girl who killed me."
Maybe he was right. Maybe this was her punishment from Yevon for murdering a maester. An eye for an eye, as they say.
Auron glared up at him, drawing his sword from his scabbard.
"No!" Suddenly Yuna, ignored for the past couple of moments, was acknowledged with her sudden words. She stood on the edge of the marble walkway. "Throw down your weapons! Let them go, or else..." She edged backwards a step.
Seymour lowered his hand, and the soldiers, following orders, lowered their weapons as well.
"Leave now! Please!" Yuna urged.
Auron dropped his sword back into the scabbard and scooped the young girl into his arms.
"I'm O.K.," Rikku mouthed, although judging from the stabbing pain in her chest, she knew she wasn't.
Tidus ran up the stairs after Yuna. "You're coming with us!"
"Don't worry! Go!"
"This is foolish," Seymour protested. "If you fall, you will die."
Yuna wiped her lips with her wrist. "Don't worry. I can fly. Beleive." She smiled and fell over the edge, backwards.
"Yuna!"
Rikku reached in her pocket for a flashbomb. Weakly, her hands quivering, she handed it to him.
"Wakka..." he nodded towards the boy, motioning with his head to take the grenade from her hand.
"I...I...dunno 'bout this..." Wakka reluctantly approached Auron. It was seeing Rikku's wound that made him change his mind. He grabbed it hastily, humming it at the crowd of soldiers and monks.
Kimahri picked up Tidus and began running. "Lemme go! I'm gonna kill that Seymour!"
He's already dead, Rikku thought.
"Yuna said leave. We leave!" Kimahri continued running with the boy, Auron, Rikku, Lulu, and Wakka straying not too far behind.
"We'll join up with her later!" Lulu said.
"We're going to have to split up," Auron said, eyeing Rikku, whose eyes were fluttering slightly. "I've got to find Rikku help. You should go find Yuna."
Kimhari nodded and the group split up.
Ending Notes: MWHAHAHAH! I won the Aurikku doujinshi! Whoo-hoooooo! *dances around excitedly* Praise be to Yevon!
Chapter Thirteen: For Her True Beloved
By: NurikoLuver (Trudy Haley)
Author's Notes: Mwhahaha! Happy V-day, everyone. ^^;; Sorry for not getting out the chapters more promptly (next week I'll be back to my regular schedule of a chapter a day). I promise this one will satisfy your fanfiction needs for the day. From here on out, please take out the following items essential to a proper reading:
-The Sappiest Song on the Sappiest CD you own. Put it on repeat. If you are a big J-pop fan, take out Utada Hikaru's "True Love", Cocco's "A Will", Sakamoto Maaya's "Call My Name" or Sakamoto Chika's "Perfect World". Any will work effectively, I think. Perhaps.
-Tissues. (I don't know...maybe.)
Please review. x_x I'm not really good at sappiness, and I'm not sure if this chapter was as effective as I wanted it to be. V_V;;;
This one's deticated to the fans. Thank god for the few of you. ^^;;
Evrae was dead. Rikku couldn't help but silently thank Yevon that battle was over. Just an hour ago, she was equipped to the max with Al Bhed Potions, and now she was down to a dwindling few. A dwindling few that would have to be conserved for the battles Rikku knew were to come in order to save Yunie.
She didn't long to relax, as almost immediately, wires temporarily anchored the airship, allowing them passage- passage they needed to take quickly.
Rikku had to admit, wire-gliding *WAS* intimidating, and she didn't have the best sense of balance. But with Auron's encouraging smile and light shove, she was off. If she fell, she fell. There wouldn't be anything she could do about it anyways. She wasn't about to be the fraidy-cat left behind on the airship either.
It was watching the others that almost made Rikku lose her balance. Tidus and Wakka with their clumbsy, impressionable moves. Lulu with her awkward balance struggle. Auron with his sleek, near-motionless glide. And Kimhari. Oh, Yevon, Kimhari. Just to see him wire-gliding at all was amusing, to say the least.
When they finally landed on the bottom, Rikku couldn't help but gasp in amazment. All these soldiers, all these people, all protecting Yuna and Seymour. She couldn't help but feel a little bit jealous. She couldn't think of so many people that would protect her like this. She wasn't THIS important.
And then, she felt stupid. Why feel jealous over Yunie? Yunie was her cousin...she shouldn't feel jealous of her cousin. Yunie was only prettier, stronger, more adored, more popular, more important. But why? Shouldn't she be happy with who she was? Why wasn't she?
"Yuna!" Tidus's voice filled the air- sharp and clear as the wedding bells ringing overhead.
Rikku couldn't help but feel stupid again. Tidus...why couldn't she tell? Why was she so dense?
Tidus led the way forward, shoving (and sometimes fighting) his way to the front of the crowd, where Seymour and Yuna were standing.
"This has gone far enough! Stop!" Kinoc? That little old man? His voice seemed so loud and commmanding. Just as suddenly, Rikku found a rifle barrel pointed at her head.
Rikku glanced at her companions; they looked so brave. Each of them wore a mask of either unstirring determination, blatant rage, or monochromatic solemnity. She...well, she was only trying not to cry, or scream, or laugh. She couldn't even begin to identify her emotions right now. Everything seemed all too fast for her.
Yuna looked so pretty. Even in this unparalleled time of rebel and danger, she couldn't help but notice how beautiful her cousin looked. Her hair pulled up, her snug-fitting pearl wedding dress made of the finest silks in Spira, her eyes burning with...was it anger? Rikku wasn't sure. It was hard to see from so far away.
Despite all the chaos around her, Rikku couldn't help and daydream. Someday, she hoped it would be just like this. Well, not JUST like this. She wanted the white dress and the hundreds of people. Just minus the chaotic atmosphere and the dead scitzophrenic psychopath.
She turned to Auron, ignoring the rifle, which was jabbed closer to her head with her sudden movement. She wondered what Auron would look like in Seymour's robes. She smiled at the visual.
Well, for starters, his face wouldn't be covered. How strange a picture that would be. He'd probably look uncomfortable-- Auron, Rikku guessed, wasn't used to wearing such nice things. Her mind's eye painted a disgruntled expression on his leather lips.
Then, he'd probably be embarassed. Getting married an all- not a life suited for the fiend-killer Auron. A little flustered, maybe. She painted his nose with stripes of red. His embarassment blended with his cynical nature would probably send his eye rolling, as if to say, "I can't beleive I'm doing this!"
And then, surrounding the two of them, would be a barrage of people. Rikku's Al Bhed friends- well- the ones who survived, her dad, Brother, Auron's sister- Asalie, was it? Rikku would be willing to bet tons of denizens of Spira would show up for the wedding of the legendary guardian Auron, all of them cheering. And then, their comrades. Rikku was certain that Tidus would be cheering, whistling, and cat-calling. Rikku wasn't sure if Wakka would be very happy for her. But Yuna, she'd probably be smiling. Kimhari would be Kimhari. She really couldn't imagine him expressing much of anything at such an enginmatic marriage. And Lulu would probably have a similar reaction to Auron- eyes rolling, but smiling. Rikku guessed a marriage between Auron and herself could have never been fortold.
Back to reality...Auron noticed Rikku staring at him and cocked an eyebrow in curiousity.
Rikku blushed and scratched her cheek. She wondered what he thought now. She focused her attention on Yuna, who had just pulled her staff from behind her. Kinoc jammed his rifle closer to Tidus's face.
"You would play at marriage just for a chance to send me?" Seymour chuckled. "Your resolve is admirable. All the more fitting to be my lovely wife."
Yuna waved her wand, beginning the sending.
"Stop! Do you not value your friends lives?! Your actions determine their fate. Protect them...or throw them away. The choice is yours," Mika declared.
Yuna's eyes were filled portrayed her inner turmoil. Her indecisiveness.
Seymour stepped forward, placing his hands on her slender shoulders, moving in for the kiss. Rikku gasped. She couldn't beleive it! This was the sacrafice Yuna was making for their lives! As the couple kissed, she watched as Yuna clentched her fist. She didn't want this as much as everyone else didn't want it for her. But there she was doing it...for them. Yuna pulled away.
"Kill them." Seymour's voice was emotionless.
"I am sorry, but it is for Yevon." Kinoc's finger tightened on the trigger as he aimed at Auron.
Rikku nibbled at her thumb. He was serious this time. He was really going to kill Auron...
"Aren't those weapons forbidden by Yevon?" Auron said simply.
Oh no. Auron was really asking for it this time. If he died...if...if he died. Rikku shook her head. Auron wasn't going to die. No way would Kinoc kill him.
Oh yes he would. Kinoc was a maester. He obeyed whatever the people- whatever "Yevon"- commanded of him. He was going to shoot him. No! She couldn't let that happen! After all Yunie had sacraficed for them, she couldn't let anyone die. There was no way! After all Auron did for her, she couldn't just stand idle. She couldn't just let Kinoc kill him! She tried to move, but her feet were frozen to the ground.
"There are exceptions."
Rikku's feet found the air, then the marble walkway, then the air again. She found herself running, running to him. She would protect HIM now. It was finally her turn.
"Rikku!" Auron called out, as if to stop her.
A shot rang through the air as she shoved Auron to the ground sliding across the floor, her blood streaming in a thick coat of scarlet. They slid across the marble floor, so far Rikku was afraid that if she didn't die from her wound, surely she would plummet to the earth with Auron wrapped in her arms.
When they stopped, she found her back lying on the reassuringly cold marble. Auron stared down at her, his eye and hers connected for one solid second. Rikku found herself blinking back tears. No. She wouldn't cry in front of him. She'd be brave. She could be brave. Just like Renuoige told her.
"You...IDIOT!" He grasped her hand tightly, squeezing it so forcefully she was sure that he was going to break her.
She tried to force a smile, but she couldn't. She tried saying the words, but all what would come was the blood, a vermilion stream sliding from her lips. Her chest heaved with every heavy breath that she managed to swallow. It hurt...but she wouldn't cry. No. No.
She tried to scruntch up her toes. She couldn't even do that.
Seymour started chuckling. "A suitable end for the girl who killed me."
Maybe he was right. Maybe this was her punishment from Yevon for murdering a maester. An eye for an eye, as they say.
Auron glared up at him, drawing his sword from his scabbard.
"No!" Suddenly Yuna, ignored for the past couple of moments, was acknowledged with her sudden words. She stood on the edge of the marble walkway. "Throw down your weapons! Let them go, or else..." She edged backwards a step.
Seymour lowered his hand, and the soldiers, following orders, lowered their weapons as well.
"Leave now! Please!" Yuna urged.
Auron dropped his sword back into the scabbard and scooped the young girl into his arms.
"I'm O.K.," Rikku mouthed, although judging from the stabbing pain in her chest, she knew she wasn't.
Tidus ran up the stairs after Yuna. "You're coming with us!"
"Don't worry! Go!"
"This is foolish," Seymour protested. "If you fall, you will die."
Yuna wiped her lips with her wrist. "Don't worry. I can fly. Beleive." She smiled and fell over the edge, backwards.
"Yuna!"
Rikku reached in her pocket for a flashbomb. Weakly, her hands quivering, she handed it to him.
"Wakka..." he nodded towards the boy, motioning with his head to take the grenade from her hand.
"I...I...dunno 'bout this..." Wakka reluctantly approached Auron. It was seeing Rikku's wound that made him change his mind. He grabbed it hastily, humming it at the crowd of soldiers and monks.
Kimahri picked up Tidus and began running. "Lemme go! I'm gonna kill that Seymour!"
He's already dead, Rikku thought.
"Yuna said leave. We leave!" Kimahri continued running with the boy, Auron, Rikku, Lulu, and Wakka straying not too far behind.
"We'll join up with her later!" Lulu said.
"We're going to have to split up," Auron said, eyeing Rikku, whose eyes were fluttering slightly. "I've got to find Rikku help. You should go find Yuna."
Kimhari nodded and the group split up.
Ending Notes: MWHAHAHAH! I won the Aurikku doujinshi! Whoo-hoooooo! *dances around excitedly* Praise be to Yevon!