AUTHORS NOTE: Huzzah! Chappy five ^.^ (I'm taking Era Yachi's advice here.. and making my A/N's shorter ^.^). Thanks to-
Demon Star: Hey! you reviewed my 'Angel Reborn' ficcy too, no? ^.^ thank you!.. sorry, no romance yet (I can't just slot it in y'know! It had to have a time/place/reason! ^.^).. patience my friend!
Crimson Rogue: Hee hee.. thanks for saying I'm writing Auron well.. I was actually a little worried he'd be OOC.. but I guess i was just lucky huh ^.^ oh and.. yeh.. i DID spell 'guardian' wrong -_-" thanks for telling me (now read this chappy and see the CORRECT spelling! *grins*).
Blurry: I'm happy you like the story! I was feeling really sick as of late.. and nice reviews healthied me better (ooh.. personalised expression there! *cheesy*) ^.^ so enjoy!
Era Yachi: ^_____^ aww.. you gave me some great advice!! I'm glad you did actually - I'll try and take it into account as best i can (although.. I dun know what programs allow you to save in a bold font.. I dun have MS Word anymore -_-".. so I can't put the A/N in bold.. *sighs*). Oh and, I'v already read Turbulence (it was one of the first Aurikku's I read on ff.net!).. so FAR anyways ^.^
Lemon? Yes.
On Fanfiction.net? nope - personal site.. though I'll put a tamed version on here for PG-13.
When? When I get to the chapter!.. hey - give Auron and Rikku a chance to get friendly first! ^.^
****************************************************
****************************************************
"The Power Of Change"
*a Rikku and Auron romance*
****************************************************
Chapter Five: 'Understand Me'
****************************************************
Doing everything that I believe in..
Going by the rules that I've been taught,
More understanding of what's around me..
And protected from the walls of love
All that you see is me,
And all I truly believe..
That I was born to try..
I've learned to love,
Be understanding,
And believe in life..
But you've got to make choices -
Be wrong or right,
Sometimes you've got to sacrifice the things you like..
But I was born to try.
No point in talking what you should have been..
And regretting the things that went on,
Life's full of mistakes, destinies and fate -
Remove the clouds, look at the bigger picture..
~"Born To Try" by Delta Goodrem ~ www.deltagoodrem.com ~
***********************************************************
The night wrapped it's dark cloak around the four weary travellers walking the road towards Guadosalam, pyreflies being the only source of light as they left the Shoopuf station behind and searched for a place to set up camp and rest.
This proved to be no easy task. Rikku found herself stumbling blindly into Auron several times, quickly apologising before continuing to gather firewood as best she could. The dark guardian said nothing when she did, causing Rikku to wonder if he wasn't in fact sleep-walking instead of looking for tinder.
Somehow Jecht and Braska had managed to pitch two tents in the complete darkness, now unpacking some food and awaiting Auron and Rikkus' return.
After a short moment of relitive silence between summoner and gaurdian, Jecht began to speak in hushed tones. 'Rikku.. she's kinda spunky.. for an Al Bhed woman.'
Braska was a little suprised at these words, but hid it with a smile and raised eyebrow. 'She's definately exuberant - a wonderful quality in these times.. but what brought this on?' the blitzballer just chuckled and shrugged at the question.
'Just an observation. I'm glad she's with us, you know? Lightens the mood a little.'
'Unforunately Auron's been abit harsh around her.' Braska sighed, 'It could get a little difficult if he doesn't change his manner somewhat.. and soon.'
'Yeh.. but changing Auron..' Jecht sucked in a breath with emphisis, recieving an understanding nod from the summoner in return. 'Good luck!' They both laughed.
As if on que, Auron and Rikku emerged from the surrounding darkness with an armload of wood each, throwing it onto a pile near where Braska and Jecht sat.
'Burn! Burn! Burn!' Rikku encouraged enthusiastically to the smoking nest she'd created, having struck two pieces of flint together afew times in a vain attempt. Ok, so she wasn't too good at lighting fires.. nothing a nice shot of Fire magic couldn't see to! 'Lord Braska? Could you please--'
Raising a hand swiftly, a band of transparent magic swirled in the air around Braskas' fingers and ribboned it's way over to the dry twigs and branches infront of Rikku.. before she'd even finished the question - setting the wood alight with a bright orange spark. 'Light it for you? Sure.' Rikku giggled and flashed him a smile.
'Thank you.' She paused for a moment, pressing the pad of her index finger to her lips in silent contemplation. 'You know.. I'm also really grateful that you've all been so accepting of my Al Bhed heritage..' she lowered her eyes momentarily, hiding the bittersweet expression that crossed her face at her own words.
Even if it isn't entirely true for all three of you.., she thoughts sadly - recalling the way that Auron had taken to acting around her since she'd joined Braskas' pilgrimage, I could never hold it against him.. my heart just wouldn't allow it of me.
'I mean..' she broke the silence that had followed her initial confession, making eye contact first with Braska and than Jecht, but avoiding Aurons sharp gaze that she could feel burrowing into the back of her head. 'Most people would immediately shun me because of my race.. without even getting to know me as an individual. And.. although I strongly believe in the ways of my people, I would never let my heritage prevent me from thinking for myself.' Rikku took to chewing on her bottom lip before she finished up, 'So.. I guess what I'm meaning to say is.. I'm happy that you can see me for.. me.'
Braskas eyes crinkled with warmth whilst Jecht released his usual trademark chuckle before motioning to the space next to him. 'Come here, Rikku.'
Shifting over to the darkly-tanned Blitzball ace, she was taken by suprise when he gave her a gentle hug from where he sat, offering her another genuine smile when he drew away.
Rikku wasn't the only one who was a little shocked at Jechts sudden outward show of affection - Braska's eyes had widened slightly, whilst on the other side of the fires flickering flames Aurons eyes narrowed slightly - although they both remained wordless at what they had witnessed.
After the initial suprise had subsided from the blonde Al Bhed, she decided that the warm comfort of Jechts' embrace was actually quite welcomed by the loneliness she harboured in the depths of her heart.. and so she couldn't help but grin a little. Of course, after seeing Jecht as he was in Braska's travelling spheres during Yunas' pilgrimage, Rikku would never have guessed that a man as rough-cut as he had been could in fact be capable of.. a genuine hug!
Unaware of how fatigued she'd become from the long days' ordeals, Rikku stifled a yawn and climbed to her feet slowly. 'Is it okay with all of you if I hit the hay now?' she asked her three travelling companions, receiving a round of agreement in response. 'Okay! I'll see you tomorrow.. bright and early!'
Rikku took a quick glance at Aurons shadowed face before she left, watching as the light of the fire flickered against his skin - setting his eyes aglow with radiant warmth and causing her to sigh quitely to herself. As if sensing he was being watched, Auron's gaze slid from it's place on the fire to meet with hers, bewildering her with the unavoidably dark confrontation it instilled between them. Tearing her eyes away as she felt her stomache burst out with a fresh batch of butterflies, Rikku hurried off towards her tent and dissappeared from view - leaving Auron to return to his inner sanctum of thoughts just as swiftly as he had left it.
Some time later the remaining guardians and summoner decided to retire for the night themselves, putting out the smouldering remains of their fire and stretching respectively.
'Right, I'll be taking the other tent,' Jecht informed his friends with a smile, 'along with Braska. Auron, you're sleeping with Rikku.'
'Sharing a tent, you mean.' Auron growled in annoyance, fixing his fellow guardian with an unappreciative look. Jecht chuckled in his raspy voice, holding up his hands defensively.
'Right, right. That's it. What did you THINK I ment?' the blitzballer teased, enjoying Aurons discomfort secretly. He's such a stiff sometimes!
Braska simply shook his head at his guardians continued heckling and bid them both goodnight.
'I'm going now.' Auron stated plainly, ignoring Jechts last barrage of playfully-taunting comments as he strode toward the tent containing Rikku.
'Have fun!'
Rikku was fast asleep when Auron entered, her delicate face a mask of pure serenity in her state of oblivion. The Yevonite guardian watched her sleeping form impassively for a short moment, before settling down into his own bedroll on the opposite side of the tent.
She was an Al Bhed.. and Auron wanted nothing to do with her.
..But how was he to know that his unfair judgement wasn't to last?
**************************************************************************
©Erica Runge, 28th of February, 2003. All characters, etc ©Squaresoft and FFX. Songwords ©Delta Goodrem.
Demon Star: Hey! you reviewed my 'Angel Reborn' ficcy too, no? ^.^ thank you!.. sorry, no romance yet (I can't just slot it in y'know! It had to have a time/place/reason! ^.^).. patience my friend!
Crimson Rogue: Hee hee.. thanks for saying I'm writing Auron well.. I was actually a little worried he'd be OOC.. but I guess i was just lucky huh ^.^ oh and.. yeh.. i DID spell 'guardian' wrong -_-" thanks for telling me (now read this chappy and see the CORRECT spelling! *grins*).
Blurry: I'm happy you like the story! I was feeling really sick as of late.. and nice reviews healthied me better (ooh.. personalised expression there! *cheesy*) ^.^ so enjoy!
Era Yachi: ^_____^ aww.. you gave me some great advice!! I'm glad you did actually - I'll try and take it into account as best i can (although.. I dun know what programs allow you to save in a bold font.. I dun have MS Word anymore -_-".. so I can't put the A/N in bold.. *sighs*). Oh and, I'v already read Turbulence (it was one of the first Aurikku's I read on ff.net!).. so FAR anyways ^.^
Lemon? Yes.
On Fanfiction.net? nope - personal site.. though I'll put a tamed version on here for PG-13.
When? When I get to the chapter!.. hey - give Auron and Rikku a chance to get friendly first! ^.^
****************************************************
****************************************************
"The Power Of Change"
*a Rikku and Auron romance*
****************************************************
Chapter Five: 'Understand Me'
****************************************************
Doing everything that I believe in..
Going by the rules that I've been taught,
More understanding of what's around me..
And protected from the walls of love
All that you see is me,
And all I truly believe..
That I was born to try..
I've learned to love,
Be understanding,
And believe in life..
But you've got to make choices -
Be wrong or right,
Sometimes you've got to sacrifice the things you like..
But I was born to try.
No point in talking what you should have been..
And regretting the things that went on,
Life's full of mistakes, destinies and fate -
Remove the clouds, look at the bigger picture..
~"Born To Try" by Delta Goodrem ~ www.deltagoodrem.com ~
***********************************************************
The night wrapped it's dark cloak around the four weary travellers walking the road towards Guadosalam, pyreflies being the only source of light as they left the Shoopuf station behind and searched for a place to set up camp and rest.
This proved to be no easy task. Rikku found herself stumbling blindly into Auron several times, quickly apologising before continuing to gather firewood as best she could. The dark guardian said nothing when she did, causing Rikku to wonder if he wasn't in fact sleep-walking instead of looking for tinder.
Somehow Jecht and Braska had managed to pitch two tents in the complete darkness, now unpacking some food and awaiting Auron and Rikkus' return.
After a short moment of relitive silence between summoner and gaurdian, Jecht began to speak in hushed tones. 'Rikku.. she's kinda spunky.. for an Al Bhed woman.'
Braska was a little suprised at these words, but hid it with a smile and raised eyebrow. 'She's definately exuberant - a wonderful quality in these times.. but what brought this on?' the blitzballer just chuckled and shrugged at the question.
'Just an observation. I'm glad she's with us, you know? Lightens the mood a little.'
'Unforunately Auron's been abit harsh around her.' Braska sighed, 'It could get a little difficult if he doesn't change his manner somewhat.. and soon.'
'Yeh.. but changing Auron..' Jecht sucked in a breath with emphisis, recieving an understanding nod from the summoner in return. 'Good luck!' They both laughed.
As if on que, Auron and Rikku emerged from the surrounding darkness with an armload of wood each, throwing it onto a pile near where Braska and Jecht sat.
'Burn! Burn! Burn!' Rikku encouraged enthusiastically to the smoking nest she'd created, having struck two pieces of flint together afew times in a vain attempt. Ok, so she wasn't too good at lighting fires.. nothing a nice shot of Fire magic couldn't see to! 'Lord Braska? Could you please--'
Raising a hand swiftly, a band of transparent magic swirled in the air around Braskas' fingers and ribboned it's way over to the dry twigs and branches infront of Rikku.. before she'd even finished the question - setting the wood alight with a bright orange spark. 'Light it for you? Sure.' Rikku giggled and flashed him a smile.
'Thank you.' She paused for a moment, pressing the pad of her index finger to her lips in silent contemplation. 'You know.. I'm also really grateful that you've all been so accepting of my Al Bhed heritage..' she lowered her eyes momentarily, hiding the bittersweet expression that crossed her face at her own words.
Even if it isn't entirely true for all three of you.., she thoughts sadly - recalling the way that Auron had taken to acting around her since she'd joined Braskas' pilgrimage, I could never hold it against him.. my heart just wouldn't allow it of me.
'I mean..' she broke the silence that had followed her initial confession, making eye contact first with Braska and than Jecht, but avoiding Aurons sharp gaze that she could feel burrowing into the back of her head. 'Most people would immediately shun me because of my race.. without even getting to know me as an individual. And.. although I strongly believe in the ways of my people, I would never let my heritage prevent me from thinking for myself.' Rikku took to chewing on her bottom lip before she finished up, 'So.. I guess what I'm meaning to say is.. I'm happy that you can see me for.. me.'
Braskas eyes crinkled with warmth whilst Jecht released his usual trademark chuckle before motioning to the space next to him. 'Come here, Rikku.'
Shifting over to the darkly-tanned Blitzball ace, she was taken by suprise when he gave her a gentle hug from where he sat, offering her another genuine smile when he drew away.
Rikku wasn't the only one who was a little shocked at Jechts sudden outward show of affection - Braska's eyes had widened slightly, whilst on the other side of the fires flickering flames Aurons eyes narrowed slightly - although they both remained wordless at what they had witnessed.
After the initial suprise had subsided from the blonde Al Bhed, she decided that the warm comfort of Jechts' embrace was actually quite welcomed by the loneliness she harboured in the depths of her heart.. and so she couldn't help but grin a little. Of course, after seeing Jecht as he was in Braska's travelling spheres during Yunas' pilgrimage, Rikku would never have guessed that a man as rough-cut as he had been could in fact be capable of.. a genuine hug!
Unaware of how fatigued she'd become from the long days' ordeals, Rikku stifled a yawn and climbed to her feet slowly. 'Is it okay with all of you if I hit the hay now?' she asked her three travelling companions, receiving a round of agreement in response. 'Okay! I'll see you tomorrow.. bright and early!'
Rikku took a quick glance at Aurons shadowed face before she left, watching as the light of the fire flickered against his skin - setting his eyes aglow with radiant warmth and causing her to sigh quitely to herself. As if sensing he was being watched, Auron's gaze slid from it's place on the fire to meet with hers, bewildering her with the unavoidably dark confrontation it instilled between them. Tearing her eyes away as she felt her stomache burst out with a fresh batch of butterflies, Rikku hurried off towards her tent and dissappeared from view - leaving Auron to return to his inner sanctum of thoughts just as swiftly as he had left it.
Some time later the remaining guardians and summoner decided to retire for the night themselves, putting out the smouldering remains of their fire and stretching respectively.
'Right, I'll be taking the other tent,' Jecht informed his friends with a smile, 'along with Braska. Auron, you're sleeping with Rikku.'
'Sharing a tent, you mean.' Auron growled in annoyance, fixing his fellow guardian with an unappreciative look. Jecht chuckled in his raspy voice, holding up his hands defensively.
'Right, right. That's it. What did you THINK I ment?' the blitzballer teased, enjoying Aurons discomfort secretly. He's such a stiff sometimes!
Braska simply shook his head at his guardians continued heckling and bid them both goodnight.
'I'm going now.' Auron stated plainly, ignoring Jechts last barrage of playfully-taunting comments as he strode toward the tent containing Rikku.
'Have fun!'
Rikku was fast asleep when Auron entered, her delicate face a mask of pure serenity in her state of oblivion. The Yevonite guardian watched her sleeping form impassively for a short moment, before settling down into his own bedroll on the opposite side of the tent.
She was an Al Bhed.. and Auron wanted nothing to do with her.
..But how was he to know that his unfair judgement wasn't to last?
**************************************************************************
©Erica Runge, 28th of February, 2003. All characters, etc ©Squaresoft and FFX. Songwords ©Delta Goodrem.