AUTHORS NOTE: Ooh! Here ya go! The next chappy! & look! *points* Cyndi Lauper lyrics! ^_________^ I grew up listening to her music & it suits this chapter well! *sighs* romantic ^.^
REVIEW PLEASE!!! Next chappy up VERY soon!! Thanks to-
Blurry: *OUCH!* quit it! *snaches his stick away* ^.^ Oh, and about the brotherhood sword - Jecht could have one. Reason being that I made a second brotherhood sword in ffx by adding special abilities to one of the lesser swords (if you'de like, I can find you the 'recipe' ^.^). SO.. who says that Jecht couldn't have done that? *pokes her tongue out*^.^
MaxMyu: Aw man.. would you all quit complaining about the length of my chapters?! lol isn't it enough that i submit a new chappy about once a day?! sheesh! *grumbles* awww.. but i still luv yas all!
Rinny Leonheart/Rikku: I assure you that this ficcy will be completed, as will 'Angel Reborn' so dun worry!! I hate it when stories go unfinished - so you have my word, k?
tuatha: thanks for the lesson! lol, although could you email me the mistakes next time? it's abit embarrassing seeing this huge review filled with all my spelling & grammer mistakes!! err.. make that two reviews! lol.. *blushes furiously* i'd appreciate it! (I do still want to have them pointed out but - just not on *that* page.. if possible! thanks)
Rinoa's Girl: ya, that IS a huge mistake!! O.O -_-" lol.. *runs to change it* and don't worry - this fic will be going for a looooooong looong time (really!).. unless i drown in my mistakes! lol
now everyone enjoy!! *huggles her Auron plushie* (I really do have one you know.. 2 actually.. tho ones sorta.. lacking some of it's stuffing! lol)
*******************************************************************************
"The Power Of Change"
*a Rikku and Auron romance*
*******************************************************************************
Chapter Eight: 'Unduly Feeling'
*******************************************************************************
If you're lost you can look and you will find me,
Time after time.
If you fall I will catch you - I'll be waiting ,
Time after time.
After my picture fades and darkness has
Turned to gray,
Watching through windows you're wondering
If I'm OK,
Secrets stolen from deep inside,
The drum beats out of time,
If you're lost you can look and you will find me..
Time after time.
~"Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper~
*******************************************************************************
Auron and Jecht were relaxing in the Guado doctor's house, sipping tall frothy mugs of beer and awaiting his permission to go and see Rikku, who was in the other room being tended to. Braska had exhausted himself with his attempts to revive and heal the pretty Al Bhed girl when she'd first sustained the injuries, so he'd taken to resting in the inn they'de booked for the night - afew doors down.
Whilst Auron ran his eyes over the decor of the Guado's home, studying the strange antiques the doctor kept nestled in every available place in the room, Jecht sat in his chair frowning unabatedly.
Dammit, how much longer do I have to wait before I can see her?
Auron noticed his fellow guardian's apparent distress and decided to say something. 'Jecht, you know she'll be okay - it'll benefit you none by worrying incessently like that.'
'What do you care Auron? You've never lost a wife and child before, never known what it's like to know they're still alive - one-thousand years in the past!' Jecht sighed, pushing the dark hair off his forehead and adjusting the bright red band holding it. 'I can never go back to them, no matter how much I want to.. I'v finally accepted that, even if i'm not overjoyed by the fact! But.. to risk losing another one.. another person I'v began caring for.., ' he trailed off, slamming his fist onto the bartop he sat at.
Auron couldn't help but feel a little shocked at the blitzballer's confession. Jecht had feelings for Rikku?! No, of course not in THAT way! Or.. was it really possible that..
'She's a great kid,' the tanned guardian rasped, an almost invisable smile crossing his lips.
'Since she'd been with us.. there's more energy in the group - reminds me of life in Zanarkand a little.'
Auron had never seen Jecht get so emotional over anyone before, save the time he first found out that getting back to his home was not an option. Oh sure, there was no doubt that he would have shed his share of tears when he was alone.. but infront of Auron - he'd always been too proud. Now, in an instant.. over a woman still foreign to their group.. he was choking up.. incredible.
Auron than did probably the worst thing anyone could have possibly done in the situation at hand.
He laughed.
A deep, rich bout that pulsed from his soul and filled the silence of the room, ringing foreign in his own ears and resulting in a piercing glare from the blitzballer.
'What's funny?' Jecht demanded, reminding Auron of the position he was currently in. The two guardians had a friendship, yes - but usually it was on somewhat shaky ground, concluding that the occasion deep-and-meaningful they shared had to be taken seriously if all relations weren't to be severed indefinately.
Auron simply rose to his feet, draining the last of his beer and making his way towards the door. 'Let me know when she awakens.'
Jecht glared at the younger guardian's retreating back and sighed, turning his downcast eyes to the bartop and leaning heavily against it.'Insensitive bastard.'
Just than the Guado doctor came padding out heavily - it was just how their race walked, as if they weighed a ton. He nodded towards Jecht with a reassuring smile. 'The one you call Rikku is sleeping still.. however, if it will ease your mind you may visit her.'
'Right. Doc, she'll be okay?'
'Yes, undoubtably so. She's quite strong for such a little thing, and although her blood loss was quite severe when you brought her in - all shall be as normal after a day or two of rest.'
Jecht thought about that for a moment. He was certainly happy to hear the news, but he wasn't sure how Auron would react knowing that the pilgrimage would be set back afew days.. dispite the fact that Braska would probably be less concerned than the guardian himself!
Making his way into the dimly lit room - as was common to Guadosalam houses due to the restriction of light in these parts - Jecht spied Rikku's slightly pale face sunken down into a fluffy great pillow, the mass of blonde strands usually arranged neatly atop her head now brushed out to lie softly by her shoulders.
The blitzballers' stomache did strange little flip-flops at the sight.
Even as those two brilliant green orbs of her eyes were softly covered by richly-lashed lids - hidden from the world - the complete tranquility written over her face was beyond beauty itself.
Jecht had to physically shake himself to snap out of the trance he'd fallen into as he looked at her.
Taking a seat by the bedside, he took Rikku's small hand from it's position by her side and held it in his resonably larger ones, delighting in the feel of the tender skin against his own.
He began to think about where she may have come from before her unfortunate meeting with Sin. Perhaps she had a family out there somewhere who were worrying about her, wondering where she could possibly have gone to not be returning home.. missing her terribly. Maybe.. maybe she had a significant other.. someone who loved her with all of his heart and mourned every day she failed to come back to him.
Oh, Jecht knew how that felt.
He hoped that she wouldn't be unfortunate enough to have anyone like that alive.. the pain would be unbearable should she ever appear at her home.. only to remember nothing of what she had ment to that person.
To many people, Jecht seemed the sort of man who was somewhat uncaring and brash. In a way.. similar to Auron. But he was human - flesh and blood and most certainly feeling - and much like the younger guardian.. he did hurt.
He wasn't as skilled with concealing it as Auron.. but it was enough for his son, Tidus, to believe.. and hate him for it. Throughout his years in Zanarkand.. living the crazy life as a Blitzball star, Jecht had had little time for the child - during that period he had believed that this emotional neglect he bestowed apon his son was a type of remedy, shielding him from the pain feelings could trigger. It was only after he knew that Tidus was lost to him forever
that Jecht realised his error.. began to wish he would have treated his son a little differently.. .
But it was no use mourning over that now, it was in the past.. and thus - unchangeable.
Jecht watched Rikku's peaceful face for a short while longer, smiling wryly before running his hand gently down the side of her face and exiting the room.
Better go and get Auron, he thought - feeling some annoyance rise. Although knowing him.. he'll probably try and smother her.. . Jecht sighed and left the house, heading to where Auron sat on the edge of a bridge leading towards the Farplain - seemingly off in his own world.
'You can go and see Rikku.' Jecht stated, stopping behind the seated figure and crossing his arms forebearingly.
'She's awake?'
'No, but I don't know how long it'll be before she is.., ' the tanned guardian chuckled deep in his throat. 'Visiting hours will probably end soon.'
Auron slowly pushed himself onto his feet, eyeing Jecht slowly before nodding. Without another word or backwards glance he made his way down to the doctors cottage, walking at an easy pace that suggested he was in no immediate hurry to reach the Al Bhed.
On entering the room, Auron was suprised at how small the figure lying on the roughly-hewn bed appeared in comparison to all around her - as if the slightest breeze could lift and sweep Rikku out of the open window.
So he took to staring down at her sleeping face as he stood by her side, taking in the gentle contours of each individual feature. Undoubtably she was a beauty of sorts - Auron could finally admit that to himself - but nevertheless, it did nothing to change his views of her or her race.
Besides, he'd known many attractive women during his life - most of which had developed an interest in him and openly showed it - but he'd been detached from those feelings himself. As for the matter of the Abbot's daughter.. well, Auron had been far too busy with his duties as a monk of Yevon to even begin to feel the way she did about him. He'd explained this to her.. and although she had been rather upset for some time, she'd eventually understood and let him be. Of course, the Abbot had been furious at Auron's refusal.. and thus - banished him. The man had never been able to accept anyone going against his will.
At that very moment Auron was forced back to reality by a subtle murmer from the lithe figure reclined infront of him, although she remained fast asleep. He stared down at the blonde woman with a mixture of suprise and curiousity.. What had she just said?
Straining his ears a little, the whispered words came again.. slightly louder this time.
'Auron..'
The guardian felt a feeling of unease rise in the pit of his stomach as the word registered. Was she having a dream.. about him?
Her head tossed back and forth a little, the mask of serenity cloaking her face dissappearing fast - only to be replaced by swiftly forming tears. They slid effortlessly down her palid cheeks as her face screwed up involentarily, causing her to grip onto the access bedding tightly in both hands. 'Auron..! please.. please.. '
Than her body grew still again, beginning to relax as she whimpered softly.
Auron stared at her with unshrouded confusion written clearly over his face. What in Spira was she dreaming about?!
Some minutes passed, the dark guardian continuing to observe Rikku and awaiting any further words to be spoken - but instead a small sigh escaped her lips, her eyelids fluttering gently before opening to reveal the sparkling green orbs beneath. For a moment she stared up at Auron as if trying to make sense of the face she saw, but than she simply smiled wanly, and carefully reached for his hand.
He hardly noticed as her fingers brushed against his at first, so focused on the enchanting green eyes that looked deep into his own that he was unaware of anything besides, but when she clasped one of his large hands in both of her smaller ones he couldn't supress the tremble that worked its' way through his body.
'Hello Auron. What.. what am I doing lying here?' she asked quietly, her luminescent oculars taking in the room around her with some confusion before moving back up to man's face.
'You do not remember?'
Rikku shook her head once slowly, indicating that she didn't.
Auron sat down in the seat by her bed and looked down at her hands holding his, unsure of what to do in the situation. Did she expect him to comfort her? Should he let go of her hand?
It was so smooth and soft compared to the rough skin of his own.. and.. it was nice.
Seeing her in such a vulnerable state.. Al Bhed or not.. just made Auron want to protect Rikku. The feelings stirring within him as she stared up at him so trustingly.. they were driving him crazy.
Rising from the chair just as soon as he had sat down, Auron removed his hand from hers and began to leave the room. 'I'll send in Lord Braska to explain it all. Rest.'
Than he was gone.
*******************************************************************************
©Erica Runge, 8th of March, 2003. All characters, etc ©Squaresoft and FFX. Songwords ©Cyndi Lauper.
REVIEW PLEASE!!! Next chappy up VERY soon!! Thanks to-
Blurry: *OUCH!* quit it! *snaches his stick away* ^.^ Oh, and about the brotherhood sword - Jecht could have one. Reason being that I made a second brotherhood sword in ffx by adding special abilities to one of the lesser swords (if you'de like, I can find you the 'recipe' ^.^). SO.. who says that Jecht couldn't have done that? *pokes her tongue out*^.^
MaxMyu: Aw man.. would you all quit complaining about the length of my chapters?! lol isn't it enough that i submit a new chappy about once a day?! sheesh! *grumbles* awww.. but i still luv yas all!
Rinny Leonheart/Rikku: I assure you that this ficcy will be completed, as will 'Angel Reborn' so dun worry!! I hate it when stories go unfinished - so you have my word, k?
tuatha: thanks for the lesson! lol, although could you email me the mistakes next time? it's abit embarrassing seeing this huge review filled with all my spelling & grammer mistakes!! err.. make that two reviews! lol.. *blushes furiously* i'd appreciate it! (I do still want to have them pointed out but - just not on *that* page.. if possible! thanks)
Rinoa's Girl: ya, that IS a huge mistake!! O.O -_-" lol.. *runs to change it* and don't worry - this fic will be going for a looooooong looong time (really!).. unless i drown in my mistakes! lol
now everyone enjoy!! *huggles her Auron plushie* (I really do have one you know.. 2 actually.. tho ones sorta.. lacking some of it's stuffing! lol)
*******************************************************************************
"The Power Of Change"
*a Rikku and Auron romance*
*******************************************************************************
Chapter Eight: 'Unduly Feeling'
*******************************************************************************
If you're lost you can look and you will find me,
Time after time.
If you fall I will catch you - I'll be waiting ,
Time after time.
After my picture fades and darkness has
Turned to gray,
Watching through windows you're wondering
If I'm OK,
Secrets stolen from deep inside,
The drum beats out of time,
If you're lost you can look and you will find me..
Time after time.
~"Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper~
*******************************************************************************
Auron and Jecht were relaxing in the Guado doctor's house, sipping tall frothy mugs of beer and awaiting his permission to go and see Rikku, who was in the other room being tended to. Braska had exhausted himself with his attempts to revive and heal the pretty Al Bhed girl when she'd first sustained the injuries, so he'd taken to resting in the inn they'de booked for the night - afew doors down.
Whilst Auron ran his eyes over the decor of the Guado's home, studying the strange antiques the doctor kept nestled in every available place in the room, Jecht sat in his chair frowning unabatedly.
Dammit, how much longer do I have to wait before I can see her?
Auron noticed his fellow guardian's apparent distress and decided to say something. 'Jecht, you know she'll be okay - it'll benefit you none by worrying incessently like that.'
'What do you care Auron? You've never lost a wife and child before, never known what it's like to know they're still alive - one-thousand years in the past!' Jecht sighed, pushing the dark hair off his forehead and adjusting the bright red band holding it. 'I can never go back to them, no matter how much I want to.. I'v finally accepted that, even if i'm not overjoyed by the fact! But.. to risk losing another one.. another person I'v began caring for.., ' he trailed off, slamming his fist onto the bartop he sat at.
Auron couldn't help but feel a little shocked at the blitzballer's confession. Jecht had feelings for Rikku?! No, of course not in THAT way! Or.. was it really possible that..
'She's a great kid,' the tanned guardian rasped, an almost invisable smile crossing his lips.
'Since she'd been with us.. there's more energy in the group - reminds me of life in Zanarkand a little.'
Auron had never seen Jecht get so emotional over anyone before, save the time he first found out that getting back to his home was not an option. Oh sure, there was no doubt that he would have shed his share of tears when he was alone.. but infront of Auron - he'd always been too proud. Now, in an instant.. over a woman still foreign to their group.. he was choking up.. incredible.
Auron than did probably the worst thing anyone could have possibly done in the situation at hand.
He laughed.
A deep, rich bout that pulsed from his soul and filled the silence of the room, ringing foreign in his own ears and resulting in a piercing glare from the blitzballer.
'What's funny?' Jecht demanded, reminding Auron of the position he was currently in. The two guardians had a friendship, yes - but usually it was on somewhat shaky ground, concluding that the occasion deep-and-meaningful they shared had to be taken seriously if all relations weren't to be severed indefinately.
Auron simply rose to his feet, draining the last of his beer and making his way towards the door. 'Let me know when she awakens.'
Jecht glared at the younger guardian's retreating back and sighed, turning his downcast eyes to the bartop and leaning heavily against it.'Insensitive bastard.'
Just than the Guado doctor came padding out heavily - it was just how their race walked, as if they weighed a ton. He nodded towards Jecht with a reassuring smile. 'The one you call Rikku is sleeping still.. however, if it will ease your mind you may visit her.'
'Right. Doc, she'll be okay?'
'Yes, undoubtably so. She's quite strong for such a little thing, and although her blood loss was quite severe when you brought her in - all shall be as normal after a day or two of rest.'
Jecht thought about that for a moment. He was certainly happy to hear the news, but he wasn't sure how Auron would react knowing that the pilgrimage would be set back afew days.. dispite the fact that Braska would probably be less concerned than the guardian himself!
Making his way into the dimly lit room - as was common to Guadosalam houses due to the restriction of light in these parts - Jecht spied Rikku's slightly pale face sunken down into a fluffy great pillow, the mass of blonde strands usually arranged neatly atop her head now brushed out to lie softly by her shoulders.
The blitzballers' stomache did strange little flip-flops at the sight.
Even as those two brilliant green orbs of her eyes were softly covered by richly-lashed lids - hidden from the world - the complete tranquility written over her face was beyond beauty itself.
Jecht had to physically shake himself to snap out of the trance he'd fallen into as he looked at her.
Taking a seat by the bedside, he took Rikku's small hand from it's position by her side and held it in his resonably larger ones, delighting in the feel of the tender skin against his own.
He began to think about where she may have come from before her unfortunate meeting with Sin. Perhaps she had a family out there somewhere who were worrying about her, wondering where she could possibly have gone to not be returning home.. missing her terribly. Maybe.. maybe she had a significant other.. someone who loved her with all of his heart and mourned every day she failed to come back to him.
Oh, Jecht knew how that felt.
He hoped that she wouldn't be unfortunate enough to have anyone like that alive.. the pain would be unbearable should she ever appear at her home.. only to remember nothing of what she had ment to that person.
To many people, Jecht seemed the sort of man who was somewhat uncaring and brash. In a way.. similar to Auron. But he was human - flesh and blood and most certainly feeling - and much like the younger guardian.. he did hurt.
He wasn't as skilled with concealing it as Auron.. but it was enough for his son, Tidus, to believe.. and hate him for it. Throughout his years in Zanarkand.. living the crazy life as a Blitzball star, Jecht had had little time for the child - during that period he had believed that this emotional neglect he bestowed apon his son was a type of remedy, shielding him from the pain feelings could trigger. It was only after he knew that Tidus was lost to him forever
that Jecht realised his error.. began to wish he would have treated his son a little differently.. .
But it was no use mourning over that now, it was in the past.. and thus - unchangeable.
Jecht watched Rikku's peaceful face for a short while longer, smiling wryly before running his hand gently down the side of her face and exiting the room.
Better go and get Auron, he thought - feeling some annoyance rise. Although knowing him.. he'll probably try and smother her.. . Jecht sighed and left the house, heading to where Auron sat on the edge of a bridge leading towards the Farplain - seemingly off in his own world.
'You can go and see Rikku.' Jecht stated, stopping behind the seated figure and crossing his arms forebearingly.
'She's awake?'
'No, but I don't know how long it'll be before she is.., ' the tanned guardian chuckled deep in his throat. 'Visiting hours will probably end soon.'
Auron slowly pushed himself onto his feet, eyeing Jecht slowly before nodding. Without another word or backwards glance he made his way down to the doctors cottage, walking at an easy pace that suggested he was in no immediate hurry to reach the Al Bhed.
On entering the room, Auron was suprised at how small the figure lying on the roughly-hewn bed appeared in comparison to all around her - as if the slightest breeze could lift and sweep Rikku out of the open window.
So he took to staring down at her sleeping face as he stood by her side, taking in the gentle contours of each individual feature. Undoubtably she was a beauty of sorts - Auron could finally admit that to himself - but nevertheless, it did nothing to change his views of her or her race.
Besides, he'd known many attractive women during his life - most of which had developed an interest in him and openly showed it - but he'd been detached from those feelings himself. As for the matter of the Abbot's daughter.. well, Auron had been far too busy with his duties as a monk of Yevon to even begin to feel the way she did about him. He'd explained this to her.. and although she had been rather upset for some time, she'd eventually understood and let him be. Of course, the Abbot had been furious at Auron's refusal.. and thus - banished him. The man had never been able to accept anyone going against his will.
At that very moment Auron was forced back to reality by a subtle murmer from the lithe figure reclined infront of him, although she remained fast asleep. He stared down at the blonde woman with a mixture of suprise and curiousity.. What had she just said?
Straining his ears a little, the whispered words came again.. slightly louder this time.
'Auron..'
The guardian felt a feeling of unease rise in the pit of his stomach as the word registered. Was she having a dream.. about him?
Her head tossed back and forth a little, the mask of serenity cloaking her face dissappearing fast - only to be replaced by swiftly forming tears. They slid effortlessly down her palid cheeks as her face screwed up involentarily, causing her to grip onto the access bedding tightly in both hands. 'Auron..! please.. please.. '
Than her body grew still again, beginning to relax as she whimpered softly.
Auron stared at her with unshrouded confusion written clearly over his face. What in Spira was she dreaming about?!
Some minutes passed, the dark guardian continuing to observe Rikku and awaiting any further words to be spoken - but instead a small sigh escaped her lips, her eyelids fluttering gently before opening to reveal the sparkling green orbs beneath. For a moment she stared up at Auron as if trying to make sense of the face she saw, but than she simply smiled wanly, and carefully reached for his hand.
He hardly noticed as her fingers brushed against his at first, so focused on the enchanting green eyes that looked deep into his own that he was unaware of anything besides, but when she clasped one of his large hands in both of her smaller ones he couldn't supress the tremble that worked its' way through his body.
'Hello Auron. What.. what am I doing lying here?' she asked quietly, her luminescent oculars taking in the room around her with some confusion before moving back up to man's face.
'You do not remember?'
Rikku shook her head once slowly, indicating that she didn't.
Auron sat down in the seat by her bed and looked down at her hands holding his, unsure of what to do in the situation. Did she expect him to comfort her? Should he let go of her hand?
It was so smooth and soft compared to the rough skin of his own.. and.. it was nice.
Seeing her in such a vulnerable state.. Al Bhed or not.. just made Auron want to protect Rikku. The feelings stirring within him as she stared up at him so trustingly.. they were driving him crazy.
Rising from the chair just as soon as he had sat down, Auron removed his hand from hers and began to leave the room. 'I'll send in Lord Braska to explain it all. Rest.'
Than he was gone.
*******************************************************************************
©Erica Runge, 8th of March, 2003. All characters, etc ©Squaresoft and FFX. Songwords ©Cyndi Lauper.