I am so writing this at my bf's house while we watch Vampire Hunter D bloodlust. Their first time
seeing it, my… uh… A lot of times. Borgoff! Eee! Feedback is nice! About five or so more
chapters and then the story will be done. O_0 Yay my first (maybe not last.. :D) Aurikku!
Chapter 26 To Zanarkand
Rikku awoke slowly, her eyelashes fluttering open in the damp air of the cave. She turned to her
side, a hand reaching to Auron, but he was gone. She sat up, yawning into her hand. She turned
around to see the rest of the group wrapping up the camp, Auron helping Yuna put away the
remaining bedrolls. He turned, aware of her eyes on his back. He allowed a small smile to claim
his features as he glanced at the sleepy-eyed girl.
She stood slowly, shaking her head to clear away the cobwebs in her mind. Kimahri gathered her
beddings while the Al Bhed took some of the remaining soup and quickly slurped it up. The liquid
warmed her stomach and helped sooth away the knots in her gut. It was time…
She shivered, her mind starting it's frantic circle of ideas, thoughts, ways to save Yunie. She was
hardly aware as they left the caves, their footsteps heavy, like their hearts. Rikku stumbled over
the rocks, righting herself before falling. A strong arm grasped hers, helping her along. She clung
to Kimahri, happy to have the furry creature at her side. His sure footing was helpful, his tail
keeping his balance. I want one of those, she thought to herself. A tail would be most helpful.
They arrived at the exit of the twisting tunnels some time later, the late afternoon sun's golden
rays washing over the somber party. Auron stopped, freezing before the groups. "Watch out!" He
yelled, drawing his weapon, leaning the heavy blade to his shoulder as Tidus and Kimahri came
to his sides. The three battled the scaled creature in haste, slicing at cutting away at it's tough
hide. Slice after slice, the creature weakened. It's attacks were potent and powerful, but nothing
the three blades could not handle. After perhaps a half and hour, the beast fell, it's large carcass
smacking the ground with a sickening thud.
Rikku stayed with Yuna, unconsciously staying in front of her summoner. When the three men
rose victorious, she relaxed her stance, and furrowed her brow. She found her gaze traveling to
the massive ruins beyond. Behind her, Auron, Tidus and Wakka were having a conversation, but
she wasn't listening. She stared unto the fallen city, the horrible truth of the situation dawning
upon her. There were here…
They had reached Zanarkand.
She closed her eyes, looking away. Please, help me. Give me more time, give me a chance, an
idea, /anything/… Her prayers were unanswered as the others passed her, beginning the trek
across the incline of the mountain. Soon, even Tidus passed her by, and still she stayed behind,
staring into the setting sun. Why? It wasn't fair…
"I know…" A rich voice came from behind her, two arms encasing her frame. She whimpered,
feeling his resolve and courage dwarf hers. "I felt the same way, ten years ago. I felt like the world
was coming to an end, I felt like… I had to stop it. My resolve, it wavered from what it had always
been. I was almost… afraid."
Rikku turned around to face Auron, shocked. The strongest man she had ever known had just
revealed a part of himself that she had never thought to see. He gave a sad smile, his gaze
returning to the decrepit buildings beyond. She huddled in his embrace, enjoying his warmth. She
caught herself wondering how long they had together… for Yuna's sake, the rest of the
pilgrimage. For Rikku's sake, a lot longer… She buried her face in his shoulder, taking in his
scent. Her back was to the setting sun, and she sighed, gazing over his shoulder at the shadows
they cast against the rock wall.
"Come," Auron murmured after a time. He continued on, grasping her hand. They walked in
silence behind the others, staring wordlessly to the ruins beyond.
They paused their journey again at the barren and dusty foothills that lay between Gagazet and
Zanarkand. They sat in a circle, a small fire blazing in the center as the sun set around them.
Rikku sat opposite Auron, if only to stop him from being a distraction to her churning mind. Her
gaze fell to Yuna, as Tidus stood and placed his hand on her shoulder. Her eyes fell downward,
enjoying his touch before he pulled away and climbed the hill that separated them from the end.
Rikku hugged her knees to her chest, fighting this feeling of overwhelming sadness from taking
her whole. She closed her eyes, as if to hide from it all.
Auron nudged Yuna, pointing towards the withdrawn Rikku. Yuna gave a slight nod, and stood.
Crossing the circle, Both Yuna and Auron flanked Rikku. Lulu and Wakka watched in fascination
as the pair sat down, each beside the oblivious Al Bhed. Yuna wrapped her arms around Rikku,
startling the girl. Rikku flinched back, hitting the solid wall that was Auron next to her. Rikku felt
tears threaten to fall as Yuna cradled her cousin. Rikku leaned back into Auron's shoulder, his
arm enwrapping them both. The three sat in silence, the two girls pressing against the elder
guardian. After a while, Auron noticed his burden was growing heavier and he glanced over to the
two girls; both were fast asleep, leaning fully upon Auron's shoulder. He sighed, and gazed up to
where Tidus stood, alone. Poor boy… Jecht had done the same thing. To hope that his home
was there was one thing, but to see the ruins… it was painful and horrifying to those whom once
inhabited the great city.
Perhaps and hour before nightfall, Tidus returned, allowing a small smile to cross his tired face
when he saw Yuna. He sat beside Auron, surprising the swordsman when he curled up against
his robed shoulder on his opposite side. Tidus sighed, his weight easing the muscle Auron was
using to stay upright. The older guardian was grateful.
The hour passed in silence. Auron nodded off once or twice, only to awaken to find his nightmare
real; they were still here. In the end, he gently shook Rikku awake, loosing himself temporarily as
he gazed into her sleepy eyes.
As they gathered themselves, they let the fire burn behind them, for no one really wanted to put
out the last fire they might ever share.
The trip through the ruins was filled with strong fiends. Towards the end, pyreflies began to reveal
memories of a very familiar face. Gasping, Rikku stood a little ways off, catching her breath after
a particularly nasty encounter with a fiend. She turned around to find herself face to face with…
Auron?
He was… translucent, and a seemingly younger version of the man she loved. This Auron was
less… rough around the edges, his hair combed neatly back, his face shaven and unmarred. She
reached a hand to the man… but it traveled right through the image, her fingers passing through
his arm. She shuddered. Those eyes, so full of hope and compassion… the young Auron paused
from his trek and gazed up at the sky. So much had changed…
The image disappeared and Rikku bound back towards the others. There, in the distance, was
the old stadium, the one Tidus played in so long ago. It's decrepit and haunting appearance
caused a shiver to run the length of her spine. To her, the whole place was a giant death trap,
dreary and depressing. She shivered again, her eyes catching sight of the final chamber up
ahead, where they would meet Yunalesca. Suddenly beside her, Auron also saw the massive
structure, and a slight tremor ran through his body, only visible to Rikku. She clutched him
passionately, her hands rubbing his arm. He turned to her, the look of… pain ever so clear in his
eye. She pulled him closer, the wind tossing his coat over the two of them. They gazed to the
place where he had given his life, his faith, and his hope away. He shuddered again, and Rikku
pulled him closer still, kissing his cheek ever so softly. Whatever happened… they would go
together.
***sleep. Must have now. Sorry about the abrupt ending, but this chapter plus my other story and
ahhhh must sleep! ^_^
-Spazkit
seeing it, my… uh… A lot of times. Borgoff! Eee! Feedback is nice! About five or so more
chapters and then the story will be done. O_0 Yay my first (maybe not last.. :D) Aurikku!
Chapter 26 To Zanarkand
Rikku awoke slowly, her eyelashes fluttering open in the damp air of the cave. She turned to her
side, a hand reaching to Auron, but he was gone. She sat up, yawning into her hand. She turned
around to see the rest of the group wrapping up the camp, Auron helping Yuna put away the
remaining bedrolls. He turned, aware of her eyes on his back. He allowed a small smile to claim
his features as he glanced at the sleepy-eyed girl.
She stood slowly, shaking her head to clear away the cobwebs in her mind. Kimahri gathered her
beddings while the Al Bhed took some of the remaining soup and quickly slurped it up. The liquid
warmed her stomach and helped sooth away the knots in her gut. It was time…
She shivered, her mind starting it's frantic circle of ideas, thoughts, ways to save Yunie. She was
hardly aware as they left the caves, their footsteps heavy, like their hearts. Rikku stumbled over
the rocks, righting herself before falling. A strong arm grasped hers, helping her along. She clung
to Kimahri, happy to have the furry creature at her side. His sure footing was helpful, his tail
keeping his balance. I want one of those, she thought to herself. A tail would be most helpful.
They arrived at the exit of the twisting tunnels some time later, the late afternoon sun's golden
rays washing over the somber party. Auron stopped, freezing before the groups. "Watch out!" He
yelled, drawing his weapon, leaning the heavy blade to his shoulder as Tidus and Kimahri came
to his sides. The three battled the scaled creature in haste, slicing at cutting away at it's tough
hide. Slice after slice, the creature weakened. It's attacks were potent and powerful, but nothing
the three blades could not handle. After perhaps a half and hour, the beast fell, it's large carcass
smacking the ground with a sickening thud.
Rikku stayed with Yuna, unconsciously staying in front of her summoner. When the three men
rose victorious, she relaxed her stance, and furrowed her brow. She found her gaze traveling to
the massive ruins beyond. Behind her, Auron, Tidus and Wakka were having a conversation, but
she wasn't listening. She stared unto the fallen city, the horrible truth of the situation dawning
upon her. There were here…
They had reached Zanarkand.
She closed her eyes, looking away. Please, help me. Give me more time, give me a chance, an
idea, /anything/… Her prayers were unanswered as the others passed her, beginning the trek
across the incline of the mountain. Soon, even Tidus passed her by, and still she stayed behind,
staring into the setting sun. Why? It wasn't fair…
"I know…" A rich voice came from behind her, two arms encasing her frame. She whimpered,
feeling his resolve and courage dwarf hers. "I felt the same way, ten years ago. I felt like the world
was coming to an end, I felt like… I had to stop it. My resolve, it wavered from what it had always
been. I was almost… afraid."
Rikku turned around to face Auron, shocked. The strongest man she had ever known had just
revealed a part of himself that she had never thought to see. He gave a sad smile, his gaze
returning to the decrepit buildings beyond. She huddled in his embrace, enjoying his warmth. She
caught herself wondering how long they had together… for Yuna's sake, the rest of the
pilgrimage. For Rikku's sake, a lot longer… She buried her face in his shoulder, taking in his
scent. Her back was to the setting sun, and she sighed, gazing over his shoulder at the shadows
they cast against the rock wall.
"Come," Auron murmured after a time. He continued on, grasping her hand. They walked in
silence behind the others, staring wordlessly to the ruins beyond.
They paused their journey again at the barren and dusty foothills that lay between Gagazet and
Zanarkand. They sat in a circle, a small fire blazing in the center as the sun set around them.
Rikku sat opposite Auron, if only to stop him from being a distraction to her churning mind. Her
gaze fell to Yuna, as Tidus stood and placed his hand on her shoulder. Her eyes fell downward,
enjoying his touch before he pulled away and climbed the hill that separated them from the end.
Rikku hugged her knees to her chest, fighting this feeling of overwhelming sadness from taking
her whole. She closed her eyes, as if to hide from it all.
Auron nudged Yuna, pointing towards the withdrawn Rikku. Yuna gave a slight nod, and stood.
Crossing the circle, Both Yuna and Auron flanked Rikku. Lulu and Wakka watched in fascination
as the pair sat down, each beside the oblivious Al Bhed. Yuna wrapped her arms around Rikku,
startling the girl. Rikku flinched back, hitting the solid wall that was Auron next to her. Rikku felt
tears threaten to fall as Yuna cradled her cousin. Rikku leaned back into Auron's shoulder, his
arm enwrapping them both. The three sat in silence, the two girls pressing against the elder
guardian. After a while, Auron noticed his burden was growing heavier and he glanced over to the
two girls; both were fast asleep, leaning fully upon Auron's shoulder. He sighed, and gazed up to
where Tidus stood, alone. Poor boy… Jecht had done the same thing. To hope that his home
was there was one thing, but to see the ruins… it was painful and horrifying to those whom once
inhabited the great city.
Perhaps and hour before nightfall, Tidus returned, allowing a small smile to cross his tired face
when he saw Yuna. He sat beside Auron, surprising the swordsman when he curled up against
his robed shoulder on his opposite side. Tidus sighed, his weight easing the muscle Auron was
using to stay upright. The older guardian was grateful.
The hour passed in silence. Auron nodded off once or twice, only to awaken to find his nightmare
real; they were still here. In the end, he gently shook Rikku awake, loosing himself temporarily as
he gazed into her sleepy eyes.
As they gathered themselves, they let the fire burn behind them, for no one really wanted to put
out the last fire they might ever share.
The trip through the ruins was filled with strong fiends. Towards the end, pyreflies began to reveal
memories of a very familiar face. Gasping, Rikku stood a little ways off, catching her breath after
a particularly nasty encounter with a fiend. She turned around to find herself face to face with…
Auron?
He was… translucent, and a seemingly younger version of the man she loved. This Auron was
less… rough around the edges, his hair combed neatly back, his face shaven and unmarred. She
reached a hand to the man… but it traveled right through the image, her fingers passing through
his arm. She shuddered. Those eyes, so full of hope and compassion… the young Auron paused
from his trek and gazed up at the sky. So much had changed…
The image disappeared and Rikku bound back towards the others. There, in the distance, was
the old stadium, the one Tidus played in so long ago. It's decrepit and haunting appearance
caused a shiver to run the length of her spine. To her, the whole place was a giant death trap,
dreary and depressing. She shivered again, her eyes catching sight of the final chamber up
ahead, where they would meet Yunalesca. Suddenly beside her, Auron also saw the massive
structure, and a slight tremor ran through his body, only visible to Rikku. She clutched him
passionately, her hands rubbing his arm. He turned to her, the look of… pain ever so clear in his
eye. She pulled him closer, the wind tossing his coat over the two of them. They gazed to the
place where he had given his life, his faith, and his hope away. He shuddered again, and Rikku
pulled him closer still, kissing his cheek ever so softly. Whatever happened… they would go
together.
***sleep. Must have now. Sorry about the abrupt ending, but this chapter plus my other story and
ahhhh must sleep! ^_^
-Spazkit