~*~Wow… someone actually likes my fanficcy??? ::blushes uncontrollably:: OMG, I really don't know what to say… thank you Demon Star! You really made my day…I must tell you though, I was very skeptical about writing this story…there are soooo many better writers out there than me ::hangs head in shame:: But thank you ever so much for encouraging me : )

Well, I shall not hold you back any longer!!! Here's Ch.3!!!! lol

Ja Ne! ~*~

After defeating the fiends that had attacked the summoner that day, and encountering more as we traveled, I discovered that I had the ability to steal items right off of the fiends! And if that ain't cool enough, I also had the ability to disassemble machina's, and they were my specialties! Everyone was absolutely amazed at my cool talent and thought it would be wise to have me in every battle for now because we were running low on curative items.

I was known as the bandit within the group.

As we walked down the small and dusty path to the Mi'Ihen highroad, Tidus had pulled Lulu aside from the pilgrimage and began talking to her. I was a little concerned, but I realize that it was none of my business, so I kept on walking. Heading into the next town, exhausted and sore, we stopped suddenly in front of an Al Bhed travel agency.

"Why we stoppin?" Wakka asked. He looked over to Auron who had begun to walk into the entrance of the inn.

"We rest." he said, and walked towards the inn once again.

"But I'm not tired." Wakka demanded. He stepped up to the man and held out his hand. "And I doubt anyone else is too."

Auron stopped and turned his face in Wakka's direction, "Well I am.", and with that, he entered the inn and was out of our sight.

I felt uneasy staying out with them so I scratched my head and walked over to where the chocobo's were being held and began talking to the owner of the ranch. The girl rancher and I started talking about our Al Bhed blitz team, the Al Bhed Psyches and who was the cutest guy on the team. We debated about different sections of the world about who had the most machina materials and who had the most intelligence.

The woman and I talked for quite some time and when I saw Tidus exit from the inn, I said my farewells to the rancher and ran over to him, poking his side as I crept up behind him.

Laughing as he turned around, he tickled me back and greeted me brightly. "Hey you, whacha up to?"

"Well Ti, I was wondering about something for a while now and I made my decision." I hesitated about telling what I was about to say and then I finally let it out: "I would like to become Yunie's guardian."

Tidus stood there as a quizzical expression wiped his face, "Well, uhh, I don't see why not." The boy scratched his head and placed his hand on his hip, "Why don't you go'n ask Yunie now?"

I was a little shocked to hear his reaction to tell ya the truth, but that's because I wasn't used to asking things to people; I was always afraid I might get turned down.

"Come on, I'll come with ya!" he smiled and as he did, it made me smile too. We headed over to the inn and entered to find Yuna sitting on a chair reading a book about machina's.

"Yunie," I said, "can I ask you something?"

The young summoner looked up from her book and smiled, "Why of course, what is it?"

I gulped heavily and scratched the back of my neck, "I-I would like to know, if I may become your guardian."

Yuna was very surprised and set her eyes towards Lulu. The black mage nodded to her, agreeing the request. Yuna returned her attention to me and nodded as she smiled. "Yes, you may be my guardian Rikku, it would be an honor."

I was overwhelmed with joy. A happiness that was so huge filled me and I raise my arm in joy.

"But please," she began, "ask Sir Auron if it is ok with him too."

Right there, she had ended my victory. I stopped jumping as the expression on my face had crashed into worry. I didn't know Auron that well and I didn't know what he might say.

Would he accept me?

I hope so…

I gradually faced his direction when eventually he walked over to the summoner and I. Looking down at us, he gripped his sturdy sword that rested against his shoulder. Standing in front of him, I could only hope that he would accept my offer to Yunie.

I could understand him though, he was just trying to protect the summoner who would conquer and defeat Sin. He only wanted to protect her in his best way.

But I could do it!

Yunie was someone who I truly cared about; I wouldn't let anything happen to her!

I grew angered and determined to protect my new family. "Auron", I stepped up, "I promise to guard Yunie with my own life! I won't let anything happen to her!"

My voice rang with confidence that was powerful. I thought about how protecting Yunie would make me the happiest person alive in Spira. My fist was raised to his face while I continued to prove to all of them that I was worthy.

Snapping out of my commando mode, I saw everyone watching me as I had the nerve to step up to the legendary guardian. Auron looked down at me and saw my hunter green eyes swirling with determination.

"You may become a guardian Rikku." He said with his eyes focused to something in the distance. He lowered his head and looked into my eyes, "Just please get off of my foot."

I looked down and realized that I was standing on his foot. I quickly hopped off his foot and squeaked fearfully as the thought of Auron beating me up ran in my head.

I walked towards Yunie and stood beside her as I watched Auron stare at his foot and then shake it quickly to relieve the pain. Watching him ceasing the pain it made me feel embarrassed. I had actually had the nerve to step up to a man like him. I clasped my hands behind my back and lowered my head, accepting my embarrassment. My eyes had wandered around the guardians when I finally had the courage to look at Auron again. I thought at this point he would never talk to me again. His eyes left the area behind me and concentrated on me. Hoping he wouldn't ignore me now, a small smirk left the side of his face before the group had a chance to even see his hidden emotion.

Wait a minute; did he just smirk at me?

He gently rested his sword against his shoulder and glared at me. At that very instant, my mouth dropped and I stood there, wondering if that was intended for me. I closed my mouth again and I thought about how cute that was. To think that a man his size, a man with such legend, and a man with such wisdom would actually sit there and let it all pass him to make a girl feel good about herself.

Heh, I could get used to this!

After the unusual moment that just passed, I began walking back into the inn when Mi'Ihen's sunset had caught my eye. I turned slowly, never seeing such beauty come from Spira in such a long time. Captured like a prisoner, I followed the sunset until I sat down on the grass, sitting Indian style outside with my chin in my hands. I watched the sun set into the peaceful water as the flare color covered everything in its path.

Quietly approaching behind me, I heard the swooshy noise that only came from one person that I knew: Wakka.

"Whacha up to?" he asked me as he watched the sunset in front of us.

"Oh, nothing." I said quietly, "just thinking about things."

I wasn't thinking about things in general;

I was thinking about him, the cryptic man.

Wakka and I admired Spira's beauty together by sitting next to each other and not exchanging any words. Sitting beside him made me feel very uneasy though; I was terrified about my heritage.

What would he do if he knew I was an Al Bhed?

Would he hate me?

Would he harm me?

I felt so bad about hiding it from him, but I guess it was for his own good. We already had a great time together while traveling here and it would be a shame to just throw it all away now. I was completely confused and then I huddled myself closer to my knees, feeling alone. I sighed and leaned back, lying on the ground, facing up to the sky. Once I rested my head against the ground and opened my eyes, I found Auron suddenly above me. I shrieked in fear and then giggled in pleasure, not actually sure if I was supposed to be scared or not. I rolled over on my back again and continued laughing.

"You're such a trip Auron." I laughed and hit the side of his leg while I rolled around. I stood up and gently pushed his arm playfully as I left the area and finally headed into the inn.

Auron watched her enter the inn and squinted his eyes in attempt to figure her out.  He looked down to Wakka who was already looking behind him as he watched Rikku leave the area too. Auron sighed lightly and then nodded his head at Wakka as a sign of hello. Wakka returned the greeting the same as Auron, and stood to his feet.

"She's cute, ya?"

Auron was about to respond when the thoughts of Lord Braska and Jecht hit him again. He didn't respond and in return, just stood there. He was taught by Lord Braska to stay away from love; for it will ruin a man for life if he chooses the wrong path. And his path was the warrior one. Looking down to his side in sorrow, he let out a deep sigh from his lips. He wished he hadn't listened to them, now that he thought about it. There was nothing he could do though, he was so young and naïve. He let their wisdom seep into his craving mind, wanting to learn everything there was to become a great guardian one day.

And here he was: the legendary guardian.

He had gotten the recognition that he had always wanted and in return, it had caused him to be alone. He had sacrificed so many things in order to become what he was, and now, he wished he could take it back. Then again, he wished that there was just something he could change about himself. Lord Braska had always told him that he would become a famous guardian one day; one who will be known throughout Spira. He told Auron that one day that people will be calling him "Sir" Auron, and that everyone would praise him. "Sir" Auron was all he ever heard, and at times, he wished that it would disappear.

"Sir Auron?" Wakka asked

Auron looked at him, not sure at what he might of said or what he was absent of.

Wakka looked at him and tilted his head, "You hear what I said?"

Auron nodded and straightened his back. Turning his face towards the Besaid islander, his cold stare returned to the area. Auron looked to the inn again and couldn't help but to follow Rikku in.

"Hey!" Wakka shouted, "You never answered me ya know?" Wakka crossed his arms and smirked devilishly.

Auron stopped suddenly and turned his face to the young man. "There is no time for playing games. The journey should be your only priority."

With those cold words, he continued into the inn and left Wakka's sight. The young Besaid man gasped in embarrassment and scratched the back of his head in disappointment.

Later on in the evening, I exited the inn and stretched my arms in the air, and boy, did that feel good! I smiled brightly as the stars above me reflected off the sea below. I walked over to the pillars that supported the Inn's structure and rested against one. I lowered slowly to the ground and wrapped my arms around my knees as I watched the beautiful night sky.

Looking around to the deserted area, I began humming to myself some notes that I have been working on for the past several days. Sitting there alone made me think about my family and about my uncle. My mind shifted to my mother and I began to sob; I really missed her. I missed the way she used to play with me and how we used to go to the markets together and buy pieces of machina to build the ultimate butler. I laughed silently to myself on the thought of my mother and I being so lazy that we needed a robot to do our daily chores. That robot connected us in a way in which we would always be together.

And then she was taken away from me.

Sin was her murderer.

I looked away from the sky and thought about the day Sin had came and attacked my village 2 years ago. My father and I were out on a business trip in Mt. Gagazet for 3 days searching for my brother and a piece of machina that would complete our robot. When we returned that night, Sin already had attacked, and debris was all that was left. 

Maybe this was the reason I joined Yunie's pilgrimage: to get revenge on Sin. Then I thought about how Tidus found me, and then, I thought about Auron. I wondered why I was so attracted to him. He was nothing like me at all! But still, there was something inside me that keeps saying –Ohh he likes you- or –He's flirting- But then again, Tidus did the same thing, only he was more open with it.

Oh well, there's not point in worrying over it. I opened my eyes and found the area quiet and still. I looked to the Inn and the clock had showed that it was quarter past 1 in the morning. I scratched my head and giggled, "Musta fallen asleep I guess."

"For quite some time." A voice had answered me quietly.

I jumped in surprise and turned to the voice to find Auron standing against the pillar next to me, gazing far out into the sea. "Auron," I said in my whiney brat voice, "cut it out!" I looked up at him while rising to my feet and I giggled at the moment.

"My apologies." He answered silently and released his deep concentration from the sea to me.

I smiled back at him and placed my hands around the stone pillar, walking around its thick circular shape. I followed the shape of the pillar till it led me back to the mysterious guardian.

"So, uhh," I began. Trying to start a conversation with this guy was hard, and throughout our journey so far, I kept trying my hardest to unlock this puzzling man. "How come ya never talk much?"

"No need for talking." He answered, "I'm a guardian; I fight and protect."

I rolled my eyes at the fact that he had another short answer to my question. Geeze was this guy a tuff cookie! Honestly, I could never understand this guy. One minute he is smiling at me, the next he sets off from the group and doesn't return till the wee hours in the morning. I guess there was no use in trying to figure him out. Maybe he'll just unravel to me? Who knows!

He lowered his sword down to the ground and rested it against the pillar beside him.  He leaned back behind him and let his back rest against the tall supporter. His right leg also rested against the pillar and as I watched him get comfortable against the stone column, I decided that I would do the same.

I lowered to the ground and paralleled my back with the supporter. My mouth soon grew tired and so did my eyes as the night began to take its place inside me. The two guardians then looked at each other and slowly returned their gaze to the remarkable sea in front of them.

A sigh was released from my lips and I only wished that it wasn't so boring out here. All I wanted to do was to understand Auron, but he refused to open up to me which made me furious. I like to know the people I travel with so I can begin to trust them. Auron though, he was making this difficult! I grunted to myself and he looked down to me and final caught on that I was becoming angry. I folded my arms and pouted while I slowly lost my mind.

Ok, enough with the silence!

"Hey Auron," I said, "how bout you sit down here?"

The man turned his head to the young girl and kept his expression the same. Inside however, he was quite shocked. He did not understand the importance of connecting with someone and when Rikku demanded that he sit with her, it was something very absurd to him. Standing there for several seconds, he asked himself if he should attempt to sit next to her. Although it was a small task to do, Lord Braska's voice once again filled his head. He was torn between the two decisions and finally, he sighed. He lowered himself to the ground and closed his eyes, hearing the voices fill his head with scolding words.

I smiled brightly and cheered, "See, that wasn't so hard now was it?"

Auron didn't respond. If she only knew what his past had corrupted him into. He wanted to open up to her; he always screamed it out in his head. It wasn't as easy as she assumed though. The past haunted him, followed him, and he couldn't do anything about it. He looked at her and watched her smile and felt absolutely horrible for not opening up to her.

-I'm sorry Rikku- he said in his head and looked out to the sea as his only getaway.

"Sooooo" I tried to figure out what to say now that he was sitting next to me, "uhhhh, where ya from?"

Auron kept his eyes out to the ocean, "Spira."

I slammed my hand against my head and laughed softly, "No you goofball, I mean, what part of Spira?"

Auron hesitated and thought about a suitable answer for her.

"Why? Does it have any relevance to you?"

As Auron spoke those harsh words, he only wanted to apologize and take every second back. Doing so though would only make him seem supple.

I opened my mouth and gasped heavily, "X-squeeze me Auron, I'm so sorry that I was trying to make a suitable conversation."  Boy did that make me mad. Not only was he becoming a jerk, he was being rude to me! I grunted to myself and turned my back to him as I folded my arms. Right there, I thought our relationship between us had ended. "You didn't have to say it like that."

There was no use in attempting to find this guy out anymore tonight, so I let it rest. I looked over towards the inn and sighed in disbelief, not really wanting to accept those cruel words that he said. The night grew quieter, causing my eyes lids to fall heavier against my eyes. I shook my head slowly and lowered my skull to the ground while comforting myself in the awkward position.

~*~Well, I am basically trying my hardest to keep Auron's true character and Rikku's character in shape. I really don't know how I am doing though. Oh well…Mush, mush I say to the next Chapter!!!!! Hehe~*~