Chapter Two
Yo-Yo Yojimbo

After a long discussion involving the Godhand and cacturs which then of course dissolved into a discussion of Home and how the Al Bhed would rebuild even better than before. Rikku and Auron were called up to the bridge. Or more precisely there was an announcement for the group to report to the bridge. Auron and Rikku took care to make sure they arrived at different times, Auron didn't want anyone to suspect anything amiss. Although he wasn't sure what was so amiss, it just felt like something that needed to be private. Quickly they arrived at the Calm Lands.

And then Auron sneered, not that you could tell. But truth be told he hated, absolutely hated chocobos. The stupid yellow, happy, chirping birds always put him in a bad mood, never the less Tidus was going to have to get to know them pretty well. And for that reason they had decided to spilt up, briefly. Tidus and Wakka were to stay in the lands and Tidus was to race, to try to get that Sun Sigil. If Auron had his way Rikku would be staying there too, it was much safer in the Calm Lands. But she was determined to go along with Yunie. And no one could stop a determined Rikku.

The rest of group, Kimhari, Yuna, Lulu, Rikku and Auron mounted up on the chocobos and headed, first to get the Nirvana and then to find Yojimbo. As the group rode away Auron though ruefully to himself, at least the chocobos were able to avoid fiends. So they were quickly able to cross the normally chaotic lands.

As they fought their way towards Yojimbo all of a sudden they encountered those evil jars. And Rikku was about to Mug it.

"Rikku no" Auron shouted and melodramatically threw himself on top of her to prevent her from moving. Lulu raised an immaculate eyebrow at this and tossed him a questing glance. Oddly it was Kimhari who answered.

"Seem like no threat. Kill all unsuspecting"

Yuna and Lulu looked surprised. But thankfully the death glares that Rikku had been throwing at Auron ceased.

"But it's just a little jar...I didn't think it could hurt...I'm sorry."

"You apologize too much, it doesn't always, but I avoid them, let's flee this one. " Auron grunted as he pulled Rikku to her feet and took his place back in the group as if nothing had happened. Inside though he was a mass of confusion, he has thrown himself not on his summoner to protect her, but on Rikku. In this instant it would be overlooked, he was stopping her, or so it appeared, but really he was trying to protect her. Tysh dryd kenm! He was a guardian, he was supposed to be taking care of Yuna. How could he do that if his first thought was her Tysh ran.

The rest of the journey was no big trouble, they successfully negotiated to have Yojimbo join their team. Auron was glad Wakka wasn't their, although he seemed to be getting over the shock of the deceptions of Yevon, he wouldn't have liked the bargaining fayth. They headed back out several thousand gils less rich, but one more aeon on their side. And besides they were well stocked. And soon they could start to sell weapons, once they all got their ultimates.

There return to the Calm Lands was uneventful, although it would have been nice to have Wakka with them for those stupid flying and floating things. If only I wasn't so slow, Auron thought, but that certainly isn't going to happen. Luckily for us we have lots of potions, and Yuna is here. When did I start to depend on these people so much, when did I stop being so self sufficient, this will not do. With that thought Auron tried to separate himself from the group, but found that it didn't last long.

"Hey sayhea, whattcha doing" Rikku came skipping along. She was in rare spirits today, his little sprite was bursting with energy. Hold up, HIS little sprite, where did that come from. Auron internally sighed, emotional Auron decided to make a claim a girl that was too young and too good for him, besides it would further complicate this mess of a situation.

"Hmpf"

"Well I see that you are back to normal form, hmpf-ing your way along the path"

"Hmpf"

"So I was thinking, you need some new clothes"

"What!"

"Honestly the arm in the sling thing is a little old. And while red is your color, I think that some golden browns would be good for you. And maybe we could get you some shorts, it's going to be hot when we go to the desert..."

Rikku continued on her joking tirade about Auron's lack of fashion sense. Although Auron thought to himself, anyone who wears orange and neon green together really couldn't be lecturing him..or at least teasing him. And he liked it, Tysh dryd kenm!But in his heart he couldn't really hate her. What was the world coming to.

Astride the monstrosities know as Chocoboes again they headed back to Rin's travel agency to see if Tidus had indeed completed the races. As soon as they came in sight of the travel agency they knew he had for there he sat with a very self-satisfied expression on his face. Just like the luckily little blitzer to figure out how to ride a chocobo. Auron though contrarily, just like Tidus to go and figure out something that Auron still had trouble with.

"Back up to the ship then I suppose." Yuna suggested. And so up to the ship they went. Auron knew he should be happy. No one had to night guard when they were on the ship, and it didn't cost any money to stay there, but it was his turn to guard with Rikku and he was looking forward to it. Dinner came and passed and night settled in, but Auron couldn't sleep, so up he climbed, up to the observation deck. There was something calming about the air. Something relaxing about watching the clouds and the night sky.

Auron settled in and was surprised to find Rikku wander up a little later.

"Guess you couldn't sleep either. Or are you watching the sky to make sure no baddies appear out of nowhere." Rikku prompted softly and with a touch of humor.

"Right on the first count, but I find the sky relaxing." With the Rikku settled down next to him, he ignored that part of his mind that was happy she was so close. He ignored his nose as he breathed in her heavenly, unique scent. But what surprised him was that she scooted next to him. She couldn't could she?

"See that cloud out there, I think it looks like Marlboro, and that one looks like a Chimera."

Auron didn't say anything.

"You know what I used to see in the clouds?"

"Hmmm?"

"I used to see shoopufs, and chocobos. I used to see happy things that reminded me of Home. I used to see machina. But now I don't, I don't like it. I want to see the clouds of my childhood. I don't want Yunie to die. I wish we could all go Home." she almost sobbed.

"No you don't."

"What do you know" she said as she burst into tears. Now crying females had never been his forte, but he wanted to comfort her, he wanted for her not to cry again. So he awkwardly put his arm around her. She then launched herself into his chest. So he ignored how happy it made him feel, and tried something his mother used to do for him when he was young and sad. He started to rub small circles on her back.

"You may want to go home Rikku, but you know that if we don't succeed there will be no use in going home. And while part of you wants to hide, you are braver than that. The clouds will never go back to the way they once where, but if you survive this one day they might start to resemble other things, happier things. Childhood is a blissful time, but you are mature now and you know you can't go back."

Her sobs had stopped by this point but she didn't remove herself from his chest.

"Really?"

"Yes, my little sprite" and with that he placed a kiss on her head. And then he froze. He had just called her that nickname he had only called her in his head. And...and kissed her. She was going to run screaming now. His stomach felt nauseous.

"I think I like that name" was Rikku's only response as she fell asleep curled up next to him.

Auron tried to think straight. Auron tried to think logically. But he had a sleeping girl. On his chest. And he didn't mind. The world was coming to an end, that's all there was too it.

Now how was he going to get her back to her bed....

A/N: a little fluff, but just like I'm horrible at writing dialogue, I'm horrible at writing fluff. In fact I have decided the only thing I can do with some success is write one-shots. But that doesn't stop me from trying!