Chapter Eleven
And then the morning comes...

Eva Harlow: I am evil, in this story you don't get to find out what happens after Sin. I will be writing a sequel. But I felt that this right here was a good, natural ending point. And I am perplexed as to what to do when fighting Sin. Utterly perplexed. So I will continue working on the prequel(Rikku's side up until Zanarkand) and hope that the answer of what to do with Auron in the end will come to me. I really didn't mean for it to end here, it just kind of did and I will be out of town for the next 2 weeks, so I thought it cruel not to at least give people a semi-ending. So I hope you like it, and any suggestions for what happens after Sin will be appreciate ever so much.

Auron awoke again on the cold floor of the observation deck with his darling girl in his arms. It was becoming such a habit, he thought in his early morning state. Then he realized that it wasn't right to start building habits, that he wouldn't be able to continue it. But, it was much too late for him to change now. One day in Macalania and then off to fight Sin. One more day with his little sprite before he had to let her go. Nothing was guaranteed anymore, nothing. He never felt the fear of the unknown so much as he did with her in his arms watching the rising sun.

Rikku, darling, it's time to get up.



The sun is rising.

Auron chuckled, Rikku never had liked the mornings. Especially when he woke her up so early.









No, but good try Rikku.



At that last exclamation she sleepily opened her eyes.

Today we go to Macalania Auron tried to cheer her up, after all it was pretty there, although that knot in his stomach wouldn't go away. And that little voice in his mind was telling him to take her and run. But he forced the nervousness out of his throat.

And I have something I want to give you...since you seemed to like Macalania so much. At this Rikku glanced up at him. Auron brought out the small box. After all of Rin's suggestions about buying something and seeing how much she liked the beauty of Macalania woods he had decided to get her something, something he tearfully thought to remember him by.

Rikku took the box and tore it open revealing a bracelet. Auron anxiously awaited what she would say about it. Rikku seemed to like it.

Oh Auron, it's so beautiful, it reminds me of Macalania woods.

And, it has a lightning guard on it. Auron had been particularly proud of that. It's pretty and useful, just like you.

I love it Auron...why did you decide to spoil me.

Well I just wanted you to have something to...ummm..rem-- As he was saying these words Rikku's expression changed from happy to angry.

I don't want it Auron. You can't be replaced by a stupid bracelet. I just want you. at these words Rikku ran off the deck.

Auron sat there and knew it was going to be a long day.

But the world waits for no man so Auron soon found himself sulking along the path in Macalania Woods. Indeed Auron felt as if he was a small child kicking his shoes in the dirt. Rikku was avoiding him, talking with Kimhari. Or she was talking and Kimhari was listening. Kimhari kept glancing back at Auron. The whole mood of the party was somber. And a petulant Auron just added to the overall impression.

Let's stop here and...rest Yuna declared as she pulled Tidus over toward the pools of water.

Soon everyone dispersed, leaving Auron, alone. As always he thought. But then corrected himself, Rikku was usually with him. Oh well he thought I had better get used to this, this solitude. He thought back on all of Rikku's antics, on their friendship, and then later love. And the scowl on his face grew larger and larger. He thought on the beauty of Rikku. He thought of her hair, her soft skin, her irresistible eyes. And a low growl started in the base of his throat. He thought of her character, her being, her soul. That simultaneous childlike naivety and wise pragmatism. And he screwed he nose up as he started to sniff. He thought back to the nights on the observation deck, their night in the Thunder Plains and every night they had shared guard duty and the scream of frustration stilled in his throat his eyes began to well, well with tears. And then a solitary tear, just like he would always be, drifted down his cheek.

Before anymore tears escaped out of his eyes, he stood up and shook it off. He started briskly walking away. He just needed to fight some fiends, Auron thought to himself. That would make him feel better. But even fiends proved to be no respite from his haunting thoughts. So once he determined himself far enough away he found a small pond, where no one seemed to wait and it let is all out. That single tear that had earlier fallen had been merely a precursor to what happened when the floodgates opened. And with tears coursing down his face he threw back his head and howled a primal scream of loss and regret.

Suddenly he heard a small voice in his head, or so he thought. He couldn't make out what the voice was saying, but it seemed sad. And then he felt a small hand on his shoulder. A small hand rubbing his back, a small body pressing small arms around him. He looked through his tears and saw his darling girl. And he was instantly ashamed. He was know for control and now he had probably just ruined any chance he had with her with his loss of control, with his loss of decorum. Tsch.

I'm sorry Auron. I guess I just don't want to think about what happens tomorrow when we...when we face Sin. I want you to be here forever, I don't want to lose you. But...

Auron sat in silence, his little sprite, his darling girl, the one he caused so much pain in was apologizing to him. He couldn't have that.

Please don't apologize Rikku. Let's not think about tomorrow and live today.

But I don't want to lose you.

I love you Rikku, I will always be here. he said tapping her heart.

But I want you in more than my heart.

Even if I was sent to the farplane I will look after you, and if I can I will come back to you, it just may take me a while.

If you die, I want to die.

Rikku, you can't die for me. There is so much living left to do.

But without you it isn't worth a thing.

Think of Yuna, if I'm right Tidus will be gone to, she will need someone to comfort her.

Once a guardian, always a guardian, eh? And here I thought that defeating Sin would bring an end to that. guess not.

Auron nodded in affirmation. Tomorrow we need to focus on Yuna, if I die, or am finally sent, focus on her. Just like in the Thunder Plains.

Rikku sadly replied, I know, I must protect Yunie...will you be there to find me like you did in the Thunder Plains?

I'll try my best Rikku, if I can, I will.

Well, you know Auron, we have a little bit of time before the others find us....

So the morning and afternoon passed. Ultimate weapons in hand, tomorrow brought the final battle. Tomorrow Sin would be beaten, but at what price, Auron mused to himself. He would miss his little sprite. He would miss his beloved. At least she had accepted the bracelet finally. Auron was a bit scared. He feared facing the farplane tomorrow, but mostly he feared for his darling girl's safety. Speaking of where was she? Rikku had seemed to slip away as he was deep in thought.

Night, found Rikku on the bridge. She thought back to what Auron had said that day, she thought back to their kiss, she thought back to his promise. She thought of the stars. She heard Auron coming towards her on the deck, he always did have such a distinctive gait. As the tears flowed freely down her face she turned to him and smiled. And that is when she knew that no matter what happened tomorrow with the battle with Sin, she would be all right. He would always be there. She held out here arms and he swept her into his embrace. She glanced once more towards the clouds. Oh how bright they shone through her tears.

Fin

A/N: And that my dears is the end. I am a heartless girl, am I not? I still can't decide to do with the whole Sin battle and X-2, I may be writing a sequel but that will be in the future, I am working on the prequel, but I don't know when that will be done. And the prequel will be done before any sequel. Unless I am truly cruel and make the sequel a little one shot.