Authors note: Awww! *nudges her readers* You can guess what's gunna happen next!! ^.~ Oh, and ya - sorry the full-on romance wasn't in this chappy, it just wouldn't have worked.. so instead, it's in the next chapter!! Wai! (PS - Jecht so craaazy! lol)
Thanks goes to:
Blurry - Did you ever realise how demanding you are?! lol ^.^ But I still lubb ya! *glomps*
tuatha danaan - Hey, always look forward to your reviews! Oh and, I check your site like, every day - to see if the next chappy will be up, honestly - you sure know how to drive me crazy! lol ^.^ subtle hint: *cough*chappy 25*cough* ^.^
Deathalletta - Lol, well thanks! I'm really pleased that the triangle aspect has been met with such favourability by most, it's truly fun to write aswell!! As you can see.. Jechty is pushing it along nicely in this chappy! lol. Ta for your opinion on the other stories/ideas i'v started on aswell - the Quaguna will be up soon!
DracusXero - Oh, thanks for the subtle hint about what i should have done with the start of this chappy, lol - but by the time i'd gotten your review I'd already written the start anyways.. hope you still like it? *glomps* thanks alot though!!
Demon Star - Coda - Yufsters - lol.. woah.. that's a long name O.O Call me evil again and i'll sic a wasp onto ya! lol j/k.. that's too predictable! *schemes* ^.^
Oh hey - anyone heard of the ffx-2 character that's part of Nooj/Nuji's group (i think) - Gipple? lol, well - that's his name in Japanese anyways - he's the one with short blonde hair and an eye-patch. Anyways.. That just struck me as funny (his name), cos call me immature - but it reminded me of the Seinfeld episode where Jerry dated that girl he didn't know the name of, the only thing he knew was that whatever it was, it rhymed with a female body part.. turned out to be 'Dolores'. lol.. but one of his guesses was 'Gipple' ^.^ Just made me wonder if they're gunna change Gipple's name for the english version!
Anyways, R & R & Enjoy! Al Bhed translations & pronunciations at the bottom! The song below is from my fave J-rock band 'Luna Sea' - hope you like it! ^.^v *Sugi lurvishness!*
*************************************************************************************
The Power Of Change
A Rikku and Auron romance
*************************************************************************************
Chapter Fourteen: 'Unwell, Unsure'
*************************************************************************************
I still can't believe,
That I'm not all alone -
I still doubt it...
I couldn't even see myself,
Until I met you.
I used to walk all by myself,
And I didn't even see this blinding light before me..
I was scared to hold you all in my arms,
(I miss you) I can still see..
(I love you) your eyes.
I'm going to fight my way through,
Life is all about fighting and hurting,
...That's what I believed -
Until the day I met you;
Even if we got hurt on the way,
Our love was still strong..
I want to keep on embracing
this dream that's not going to end just yet,
But...
(I miss you) I know that someday..
(I love you) your wound will heal.
~"Love Song" by Luna Sea (translation)^.^v~
*************************************************************************************
Auron sat quietly on a fallen log some distance from the rest of the group - trying to perform his lookout duties as best as he could despite his constant concern over a certain Al Bhed woman. He could see Jecht kneeling next to her through the partially opened tent-flap, gently mopping her brow with a damp cloth whilst holding her hand reassuringly.. and couldn't help the strong pang of jealousy that hit home.
The only thing stopping Auron from relieving Jecht of his current commitment was the strange fear he felt. Fear of the cluster of emotions Rikku sparked in him with a single lingering look, whispered word.. touch. It wasn't that the feelings were bad - no, no - but rather that they removed him from the rock-solid foundations and focus that he'd stuck by all his life.. and thrust him into a world of uncertainty..
How could he know if it really was love that he felt for her if .. if he'd never felt love before?
Beside Rikku, Jecht's face held a look of undisguisable worry over her current state. Sure, he knew that she wasn't a quitter - raising the odds of a speedy recovery immensely - but having sat beside her for so long.. watching the poison glow greenly as it ran through the veins under her pale skin and waiting for the antidote to slowly take effect.. well, it wasn't exactly the most heartening experience! As well as that, Rikku still hadn't shown any signs of regaining consciousness..
Jecht felt his eyes being yet again drawn to the placid beauty of the Al Bhed's face as he pondered her current state - extending his hand to gently brush away a few strands of hair that clung moistly against her forehead. Involuntarily, he found his fingertips tingling lightly as they lingered against her soft skin, causing his breath to waver at the tremble that washed over his body..
Beautiful..
Unable to resist the urge that took hold of him and pushed all other thoughts aside.. Jecht slowly lent over Rikku's unmoving form - his face hovering above hers in silent contemplation for a single extended moment.. before gently leaning in and brushing her lips with his own.
A subtly reaction was almost immediate - the pretty Al Bhed's closed eyelids beginning to twitch softly against her cheeks as Jecht drew back guiltily, reddening visibly despite his darkly tanned complexion.
Some minutes passed before Rikku's eyes finally slid open, faintly clouded as she struggled to focus on the figure that squatted beside her.
'How ya feelin'?' a voice spoke quietly, tinged with sheepishness - although she could hardly tell in her current state of awareness.
'Jecht?' Rikku smiled up at him as the recognition came to her and he squeezed her hand reassuringly. 'W-What happened?' a faint sigh was expelled from her lips as she tried to shift up into a seated position - finding that her arms wobbled weakly and were unable to support her. 'Kucr..* I remember..'
'Hey, just take it easy..' Jecht insisted, rubbing his neck nervously.
Geez.. I shouldn't have just kissed her like that.. damn..! What was I thinking?!
'Ah, I see that sleeping beauty has awakened! Good to see!' came Braska's relieved voice as he ducked into the tent and smiled warmly at Rikku, 'You're still a little pale though, so you should take some more of the antidote from time to time - that particular wasp had quite potent poison and we wouldn't want to risk it causing permanent damage.'
'Leave it to me,' The blitzer replied, uncapping a flask of pale green liquid.
Turning to Jecht and viewing his gaunt features with a critical eye, The high summoner shook his head. ' ..You need to take a break, or you'll get ill as well - I'll go and get Auron to take over.' With that, he left.
Meanwhile, the dark guardian still sat perched on the same old log, one knee drawn up against his chest as he leant against it - tracing swirling patterns into a patch of soil with the tip of his sword and lost in thought as he attempted to sort out his feelings.
Like.. Love.. When did a casual thing turn more serious? Had it already happened to him?
'Had I been a fiend, you'd most likely be dead now.'
Auron scrambled to his feet clumsily at the sound of a voice interrupting his thoughts, and faced the strangely amused high-summoner Braska - a look of guilt spreading quickly across his face as he bowed apologetically. 'My Lord - forgive me.'
A quiet chuckle bubbled up from deep within the summoner's throat as he studied his guardian's repentant actions, waving them away good-naturedly. 'Never mind, just see that it doesn't happen again. For now I've come to relieve you of your lookout duties - you've been reassigned to bedside-company.'
Nodding in compliance whilst hiding his pleasant surprise as best as possible, Auron made his way over towards the quiet corner of the clearing where the tent was pitched - feeling his stomach erupt into butterflies at the sight of a certain feminine form within.
At first glance, Auron thought that Rikku had fallen asleep, but as he lowered himself into a seated position beside her, her eyelids flickered open - deep green oculars taking him in with sharp fiery alarm.
'Tysh ed* Auron! Did you have to creep in like that? You scared me half to death - I thought you were a fiend!' She glared strongly in annoyance as her eyes held his, seeing the same look mirrored on his face as her words registered.
'Leave me be - I'm only here because Lord Braska wished it of me.'
After some more moments passed between the heated visual exchange, Rikku finally gave in - training her eyes back onto the peaked ceiling above her and sighing.
'I'm sorry.. I'm just feeling abit uptight at the moment - It's my hormones I guess..'
He continued to study her in silence, the look of annoyance eventually being replaced by the hint of a smile on his lips.
'Hormones - right. I wasn't born yesterday you know.'
Hearing those words coming from Auron struck Rikku as being strangely contradictory to his usual stoic manner, and she couldn't help but giggle quietly as her eyes turned back to his. He was right naturally - blaming it on her hormones was just the easy way out.
'Yeh.. but sometimes it just seems better to deny the truth- you know? Even.. even if it hurts to try..' An anguished look slid over the petit Al Bhed's face at extent of her own honesty, fully expecting to be cruelly turned away yet again.
But instead she felt the tender sensation of Auron's fingers brushing against her own, gently taking her small hand into his considerably larger one and holding it delicately.
'I think.. I'm getting know that feeling a little too well.' The dark guardian's deep voice wavered slightly at the confession, and Rikku's complexion brightened somewhat beneath despite her sickly condition -blooming with a hint of red.
So a lingering look ensued, the hint of smiles gently washing away to expose an undeniable longing they both felt for each other.. and they did so without regret. Rikku found her blush stepping up a notch as she spoke the next words.
'What I said to you in the agency last night.. well, I.. I meant it, Auron.'
A shiver crept over her body at that moment - cutting the dark guardian's reply short and causing the skin of her hand that he held so gently to grow suddenly icy. Rikku's eyes took on a slightly glazed look and she slumped softly back against the softness of her pillow.
'Tysh..* what's happening..? I.. feel strange suddenly.'
Pressing his hand against her forehead, Auron's eyebrows knotted together in concern. 'Yevon.. you're burning up!'
Pulling his coat of quickly, he slid it over the Al Bhed and searched for the damp cloth Jecht had used. Gone.
Growling in frustration, Auron pushed himself to his knees and scooped up Rikku's lithe form in his arms - carrying her out of the tent with him.
The natural spring was situated amidst the privacy of a shady grove, bathed in moonlight and home to an array of pale blue butterfly varieties that quickly flittered off as Auron pushed his way through.
He lay Rikku's heavily breathing form down beside the water's edge and tore some material from the bed sheets surrounding her, dipping the material into the cool water he pressed it gently against her forehead, sighing quietly with relief when she smiled in gratitude - at least she hadn't lost consciousness again.
And now.. they truly were alone together.
*************************************************************************************
*AL BHED TRANSLATIONS AND PRONUNCIATIONS:
Kucr.. (KUKoo-ku-ra..) = Gosh..
Tysh ed (TEae-see-ha eay-de) = Damn it
*************************************************************************************
©Erica Runge, 3rd of April, 2003. All characters, etc ©Squaresoft and FFX. ©Luna Sea.
Thanks goes to:
Blurry - Did you ever realise how demanding you are?! lol ^.^ But I still lubb ya! *glomps*
tuatha danaan - Hey, always look forward to your reviews! Oh and, I check your site like, every day - to see if the next chappy will be up, honestly - you sure know how to drive me crazy! lol ^.^ subtle hint: *cough*chappy 25*cough* ^.^
Deathalletta - Lol, well thanks! I'm really pleased that the triangle aspect has been met with such favourability by most, it's truly fun to write aswell!! As you can see.. Jechty is pushing it along nicely in this chappy! lol. Ta for your opinion on the other stories/ideas i'v started on aswell - the Quaguna will be up soon!
DracusXero - Oh, thanks for the subtle hint about what i should have done with the start of this chappy, lol - but by the time i'd gotten your review I'd already written the start anyways.. hope you still like it? *glomps* thanks alot though!!
Demon Star - Coda - Yufsters - lol.. woah.. that's a long name O.O Call me evil again and i'll sic a wasp onto ya! lol j/k.. that's too predictable! *schemes* ^.^
Oh hey - anyone heard of the ffx-2 character that's part of Nooj/Nuji's group (i think) - Gipple? lol, well - that's his name in Japanese anyways - he's the one with short blonde hair and an eye-patch. Anyways.. That just struck me as funny (his name), cos call me immature - but it reminded me of the Seinfeld episode where Jerry dated that girl he didn't know the name of, the only thing he knew was that whatever it was, it rhymed with a female body part.. turned out to be 'Dolores'. lol.. but one of his guesses was 'Gipple' ^.^ Just made me wonder if they're gunna change Gipple's name for the english version!
Anyways, R & R & Enjoy! Al Bhed translations & pronunciations at the bottom! The song below is from my fave J-rock band 'Luna Sea' - hope you like it! ^.^v *Sugi lurvishness!*
*************************************************************************************
The Power Of Change
A Rikku and Auron romance
*************************************************************************************
Chapter Fourteen: 'Unwell, Unsure'
*************************************************************************************
I still can't believe,
That I'm not all alone -
I still doubt it...
I couldn't even see myself,
Until I met you.
I used to walk all by myself,
And I didn't even see this blinding light before me..
I was scared to hold you all in my arms,
(I miss you) I can still see..
(I love you) your eyes.
I'm going to fight my way through,
Life is all about fighting and hurting,
...That's what I believed -
Until the day I met you;
Even if we got hurt on the way,
Our love was still strong..
I want to keep on embracing
this dream that's not going to end just yet,
But...
(I miss you) I know that someday..
(I love you) your wound will heal.
~"Love Song" by Luna Sea (translation)^.^v~
*************************************************************************************
Auron sat quietly on a fallen log some distance from the rest of the group - trying to perform his lookout duties as best as he could despite his constant concern over a certain Al Bhed woman. He could see Jecht kneeling next to her through the partially opened tent-flap, gently mopping her brow with a damp cloth whilst holding her hand reassuringly.. and couldn't help the strong pang of jealousy that hit home.
The only thing stopping Auron from relieving Jecht of his current commitment was the strange fear he felt. Fear of the cluster of emotions Rikku sparked in him with a single lingering look, whispered word.. touch. It wasn't that the feelings were bad - no, no - but rather that they removed him from the rock-solid foundations and focus that he'd stuck by all his life.. and thrust him into a world of uncertainty..
How could he know if it really was love that he felt for her if .. if he'd never felt love before?
Beside Rikku, Jecht's face held a look of undisguisable worry over her current state. Sure, he knew that she wasn't a quitter - raising the odds of a speedy recovery immensely - but having sat beside her for so long.. watching the poison glow greenly as it ran through the veins under her pale skin and waiting for the antidote to slowly take effect.. well, it wasn't exactly the most heartening experience! As well as that, Rikku still hadn't shown any signs of regaining consciousness..
Jecht felt his eyes being yet again drawn to the placid beauty of the Al Bhed's face as he pondered her current state - extending his hand to gently brush away a few strands of hair that clung moistly against her forehead. Involuntarily, he found his fingertips tingling lightly as they lingered against her soft skin, causing his breath to waver at the tremble that washed over his body..
Beautiful..
Unable to resist the urge that took hold of him and pushed all other thoughts aside.. Jecht slowly lent over Rikku's unmoving form - his face hovering above hers in silent contemplation for a single extended moment.. before gently leaning in and brushing her lips with his own.
A subtly reaction was almost immediate - the pretty Al Bhed's closed eyelids beginning to twitch softly against her cheeks as Jecht drew back guiltily, reddening visibly despite his darkly tanned complexion.
Some minutes passed before Rikku's eyes finally slid open, faintly clouded as she struggled to focus on the figure that squatted beside her.
'How ya feelin'?' a voice spoke quietly, tinged with sheepishness - although she could hardly tell in her current state of awareness.
'Jecht?' Rikku smiled up at him as the recognition came to her and he squeezed her hand reassuringly. 'W-What happened?' a faint sigh was expelled from her lips as she tried to shift up into a seated position - finding that her arms wobbled weakly and were unable to support her. 'Kucr..* I remember..'
'Hey, just take it easy..' Jecht insisted, rubbing his neck nervously.
Geez.. I shouldn't have just kissed her like that.. damn..! What was I thinking?!
'Ah, I see that sleeping beauty has awakened! Good to see!' came Braska's relieved voice as he ducked into the tent and smiled warmly at Rikku, 'You're still a little pale though, so you should take some more of the antidote from time to time - that particular wasp had quite potent poison and we wouldn't want to risk it causing permanent damage.'
'Leave it to me,' The blitzer replied, uncapping a flask of pale green liquid.
Turning to Jecht and viewing his gaunt features with a critical eye, The high summoner shook his head. ' ..You need to take a break, or you'll get ill as well - I'll go and get Auron to take over.' With that, he left.
Meanwhile, the dark guardian still sat perched on the same old log, one knee drawn up against his chest as he leant against it - tracing swirling patterns into a patch of soil with the tip of his sword and lost in thought as he attempted to sort out his feelings.
Like.. Love.. When did a casual thing turn more serious? Had it already happened to him?
'Had I been a fiend, you'd most likely be dead now.'
Auron scrambled to his feet clumsily at the sound of a voice interrupting his thoughts, and faced the strangely amused high-summoner Braska - a look of guilt spreading quickly across his face as he bowed apologetically. 'My Lord - forgive me.'
A quiet chuckle bubbled up from deep within the summoner's throat as he studied his guardian's repentant actions, waving them away good-naturedly. 'Never mind, just see that it doesn't happen again. For now I've come to relieve you of your lookout duties - you've been reassigned to bedside-company.'
Nodding in compliance whilst hiding his pleasant surprise as best as possible, Auron made his way over towards the quiet corner of the clearing where the tent was pitched - feeling his stomach erupt into butterflies at the sight of a certain feminine form within.
At first glance, Auron thought that Rikku had fallen asleep, but as he lowered himself into a seated position beside her, her eyelids flickered open - deep green oculars taking him in with sharp fiery alarm.
'Tysh ed* Auron! Did you have to creep in like that? You scared me half to death - I thought you were a fiend!' She glared strongly in annoyance as her eyes held his, seeing the same look mirrored on his face as her words registered.
'Leave me be - I'm only here because Lord Braska wished it of me.'
After some more moments passed between the heated visual exchange, Rikku finally gave in - training her eyes back onto the peaked ceiling above her and sighing.
'I'm sorry.. I'm just feeling abit uptight at the moment - It's my hormones I guess..'
He continued to study her in silence, the look of annoyance eventually being replaced by the hint of a smile on his lips.
'Hormones - right. I wasn't born yesterday you know.'
Hearing those words coming from Auron struck Rikku as being strangely contradictory to his usual stoic manner, and she couldn't help but giggle quietly as her eyes turned back to his. He was right naturally - blaming it on her hormones was just the easy way out.
'Yeh.. but sometimes it just seems better to deny the truth- you know? Even.. even if it hurts to try..' An anguished look slid over the petit Al Bhed's face at extent of her own honesty, fully expecting to be cruelly turned away yet again.
But instead she felt the tender sensation of Auron's fingers brushing against her own, gently taking her small hand into his considerably larger one and holding it delicately.
'I think.. I'm getting know that feeling a little too well.' The dark guardian's deep voice wavered slightly at the confession, and Rikku's complexion brightened somewhat beneath despite her sickly condition -blooming with a hint of red.
So a lingering look ensued, the hint of smiles gently washing away to expose an undeniable longing they both felt for each other.. and they did so without regret. Rikku found her blush stepping up a notch as she spoke the next words.
'What I said to you in the agency last night.. well, I.. I meant it, Auron.'
A shiver crept over her body at that moment - cutting the dark guardian's reply short and causing the skin of her hand that he held so gently to grow suddenly icy. Rikku's eyes took on a slightly glazed look and she slumped softly back against the softness of her pillow.
'Tysh..* what's happening..? I.. feel strange suddenly.'
Pressing his hand against her forehead, Auron's eyebrows knotted together in concern. 'Yevon.. you're burning up!'
Pulling his coat of quickly, he slid it over the Al Bhed and searched for the damp cloth Jecht had used. Gone.
Growling in frustration, Auron pushed himself to his knees and scooped up Rikku's lithe form in his arms - carrying her out of the tent with him.
The natural spring was situated amidst the privacy of a shady grove, bathed in moonlight and home to an array of pale blue butterfly varieties that quickly flittered off as Auron pushed his way through.
He lay Rikku's heavily breathing form down beside the water's edge and tore some material from the bed sheets surrounding her, dipping the material into the cool water he pressed it gently against her forehead, sighing quietly with relief when she smiled in gratitude - at least she hadn't lost consciousness again.
And now.. they truly were alone together.
*************************************************************************************
*AL BHED TRANSLATIONS AND PRONUNCIATIONS:
Kucr.. (KUKoo-ku-ra..) = Gosh..
Tysh ed (TEae-see-ha eay-de) = Damn it
*************************************************************************************
©Erica Runge, 3rd of April, 2003. All characters, etc ©Squaresoft and FFX. ©Luna Sea.