AN: I have too much free time XP only cause I have no school and I don't have to work today cause there's so much snow ^-^ It's up to my knees, and lemme tell ya, I'm 5"8 ΒΌ and I have long legs XD Okay now that I've babbled enough, here's the next chapter of Blinded by the Light. I'm only doing two updates in a row cause I got a lotta reviews about people threatening me XD
So keep up the reviews/threats and you'll get another update soon.
Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy X.
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"Welcome Rikku, I've been expecting you." Seymour held his hand out towards her. Yuna gasped and looked from Seymour, then back to Rikku.
"Rikku?"
Tidus stepped forward but didn't touch her. She only had eyes for the Maester in front of her.
"Come, Rikku. I told you I'd protect you." He spread both arms open wide. Rikku took one step, then another, until she was standing between Seymour and the group behind her.
"Maester Seymour!" Yuna's voice halted all further discussion. The Maester of Yevon looked at her, arms still out to welcome Rikku.
"Lady Yuna? Have you decided?"
"I.I'm sorry, but I can't marry you." She looked away. Tidus silently cheered happily. Seymour narrowed his eyes.
"Very well then. Rikku, come here." His voice was slightly colder than before, but Rikku didn't seem to notice. She took a few more steps until her cheek brushed against Seymour's outstretched claw. She shuddered and slumped forward, unconscious.
"Rikku!"
Yuna gasped as she watched Seymour catch Rikku in his arms. He leaned down and whispered something in her ear, and there was a blinding light that lit the room. When it faded, Rikku was dressed in the same black crush velvet dress as in her dream. Wakka's eyes widened in shock as he watched the Maester caress the Al Bhed's cheek. "M-Maester! She's Al Bhed!" He sputtered and pointed to the young girl who still hadn't stirred. Seymour looked at him and smiled.
"I know." He slowly bent over and dressed his lips on her neck. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open.
"Come now, Rikku. Would you like to join me?" Seymour helped Rikku upright and she looked up at him, eyes glazed and void of emotion.
"There. They are the ones that betrayed you." He pointed one claw towards the group. Slowly, Rikku looked over them. If she recognized any of them, it didn't show on her face.
"Rikku! Hey! It's us!" Tidus frantically waved his hands above his head. Rikku looked at him blankly. He shrunk back and moved towards Auron. The big guardian had been quiet threw it all.
"Auron, what's wrong with Rikku?"
"..."
Auron said nothing. He tried to take in what was happening. She had been fine until she had the confrontation with the spherimorph. What had happened that they had missed?
"Seymour, I swear, if you do anything to Rikku.." Tidus had turned his attention back to the front of the room. Seymour chuckled and stroked Rikku's bare arm. She shivered under his touch. Auron felt his fist clench slightly.
"You'll what?" Seymour snapped his fingers and two Guado Guardians appeared on either side. He pointed forward and had Rikku stand beside him.
"Go."
And then the battle begun. Yuna, Tidus, and Lulu started out. Yuna cast protect and Tidus cast haste. Lulu cast spells and sent them at the two Guado Guardians. They would stagger, but just as quickly heal themselves and the Maester.
"This is wrong. All wrong." Wakka cradled his head in his hands from his place on the side. Auron stood next to him, eyes trained on Rikku. She stared out before her, eyes not seeing anything. Two screams on the field brought his attention back to the two guardians. They both fell. One taken out by Tidus' sword, the other by Lulu's fire spell. Seymour should have been worried. His guardian's deaths didn't phase him in the least. "Auron! Switch in for Yuna!" Tidus ordered as he watched Yuna sway slightly. She had taken a massive amount of damage and her MP was drained. Auron took her place, sword poised and ready. He took a few seconds to plan an attack before rushing towards the unarmed Seymour.
Without warning, Rikku appeared in front of him. His eye widened as he raised the blade, and quickly swung it wide. Seymour laughed.
"You can't hurt me until you get through her." He pointed at Rikku, who stared back at Auron. The room was quiet, waiting to see what would happen.
"Rikku, move. I don't want to hurt you." Auron poised his sword again, watching Rikku closely. She shook her head.
"You all used me. I refuse to let you hurt him. He's promised to protect me." To make her point, she wrapped her arms around the Maesters' neck. Seymour chuckled and held her tightly against him. Auron couldn't get a good shot at him without hitting Rikku. "Rikku! Wake up!" Yuna stood wearily, Khimari's arm the only thing holding her up. Rikku stared at her.
"You didn't want me to save you. I tried. Tidus, I tried to battle that Qactuar but you yelled at me. Wakka hates the Al Bhed. I'm Al Bhed. Auron...you're cold. So cold." Rikku shuddered and wrapped her arms around her waist. She backed away slowly from Seymour, shivering. Auron saw this as his chance and struck. Seymour's eyes widened, and he grabbed Rikku's arm.
She gasped as he tossed her into the blades' path. It was too late. Auron was too slow. The sword cut through Rikku's stomach and she screamed. Auron stared in shock as the young Al Bhed slumped forward, towards the ground. Auron dropped the sword and caught her.
"Rikku!!!"
Yuna pulled away from Khimari and stumbled, falling to her knees. Tidus rushed over to her and cradled her in his arms. Lulu and Wakka watched the scene before them wide eyed. Khimari looked away.
"You said you'd protect me..." Rikku stared up at Seymour, eyes suddenly filled with pain, sadness, and confusion. Blood soaked the black dress, the fabric clinging to her wound. Seymour stared at her blankly.
"I trusted you. I betrayed them because..." Rikku coughed, blood trickling out of her mouth. Her vision swam. She could hear her heart in her head. She was vaguely aware of Auron shouting something at her. She fought to keep her eyes open. She stared up at Auron's face. He had taken his collar off and was pressing it against the cut in her stomach. She winced, but raised a hand and traced her bloody fingers along the stubble on his chin. His eye widened.
"I'm sorry I didn't trust you...I said such mean things.." She grinned sleepily and her hand dropped back to her side. Her eyes fluttered closed and her body went limp. Seymour grinned and disappeared.
"Rikku! Rikku!"
Auron heard someone shouting the young Al Bhed's name. And it was him. Yuna had come up next to him with just enough power left to cast a cura, then collapsed sobbing into Tidus' arms. Auron cradled the body to his chest. Her bleeding had stopped, but it wasn't enough. Tidus threw Rikku another potion, praying for her to wake up. "Everyone back up."
"Sir Auron?" Yuna sniffled and looked at the elder guardian hopefully. Silently, they did as they were told. Auron gently laid Rikku down on the cold marble floor and leaned over her. He took her chin in his hand and squeezed gently, her lips parting slightly. He took a deep breath before pressing his lips against hers'. Yuna gave a muffled sob as she buried her head in Tidus' chest. He said nothing as he watched Auron.
Auron ignored everyone and everything around him, intent on saving Rikku. Her body was limp, but still warm. He knew if he couldn't get her breathing again, then she'd turn cold. He felt her twitch from under him, and he pressed harder on her chest. Rikku's eyes opened and she looked around wildly. Auron pulled away and helped her into a sitting position.
She began to cough violently, and Auron moved closer, rubbing her back. It was a small level of comfort, but Rikku, once she could think clearly, found it the most reassuring. She whimpered and pressed herself against him, head buried under his chin. Too relieved that she was breathing again, Auron didn't mind that she was in his arms. "Rikku!" Yuna stumbled towards her cousin. Rikku pulled away from Auron and smiled weakly.
"Yunie..I'm sorry." She whimpered and hugged her cousin. Auron missed the warmth that Rikku had provided, but he didn't say that out loud.
"He promised me..He lied and told me that you were using me." Rikku whimpered and let a few tears escape. Yuna smiled and held Rikku closer.
"It's okay, Rikku." Yuna soothed her as she gently rubbed her back. Slowly, Rikku pulled away and wiped her eyes. She turned to face Auron, head bowed.
"Thank you. I'm sorry I said so many mean things." Rikku sniffled and looked up at him. Auron looked away first and suddenly felt very naked without his collar to hide his face.
"We should get going." Auron stood and fixed his coat. He had just bent to et his sword, when two arms encircled around him. He froze and glanced over his shoulder. Rikku's cheek was pressed against his back, eyes closed.
"I mean it. Thank you."
"I was the one who hit you."
He said it bluntly, trying to understand exactly how this girl thought. He straightened up and waited until she pulled away before looking at her.
"It was also you who helped save me. Not only now, but in the fight against the Qactuar and the spherimorph. And just now, when you saved me again." Rikku smiled, and Auron wiped the blood from her mouth. She gasped when his finger brushed her skin, but didn't say anything.
"We need to get moving. The cloister of trials is just ahead." Auron motioned forward and everyone followed him. Rikku had to smile, and then hurried inside.
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AN: So this chapter was a little short. Oh well! Hey, this is two updates in a day! Be happy ^-^ Again, the idea of Rikku feeling betrayed wasn't mine. ^-^ But it was a really good idea, ne? Arigatou Andrew!
Read and Review Please!
~Neoshipper~
