Authors Note: Wow, chapter four... I would like to take this moment to thank all my readers/reviewers. When I get reviewed, I get inspired. Anyway, much fluff in this chapter methinks. Aurikku, Lukka, Tuna... The works, ya? Oh, and when Tidus gives Rikku a hug, it is a brotherly one. Hence on the Aurikku. I just thought it would be cute if Tidus were something like a brother to Rikku. Okay, as always, I apologize for being so lazy. You guys are great. Such patience, wish I had some... Okay, I'm gonna shut up now. Enjoy!
Chapter 4- Finally, out of the Thunder Plains
Hey, Tidus," Rikku said hotly.
"Yeah?" Tidus asked.
"Nobody said anything about the Thunder Plains."
"Yeah, so?" Tidus asked, clueless.
"No, no. I'm afraid of it."
"Huh?"
"When- When I was little, I was swimming, and a fiend attacked me. My brother, well, he attempted a thunder spell, but he missed and hit... me," Rikku explained.
Tidus put his arm around Rikku, and gave her a friendly squeeze, "Aw, c'mon Rikku, it'll be okay."
Rikku nodded.
A huge lightning bolt split the sky. Rikku yelped, and jumped back.
"I- I think I left something back in Guadosalam," Rikku said hurriedly.
"Nice knowing you," Auron commented.
Rikku was hurt, but dismissed this, "Okay, fine... I'll go."
They walked for ten minutes, and were attacked by fiends.
Auron took up his sword. The work of a dead man was never done. Auron surveyed the situation. 10 fiends. Not much time to be tactful.
"Kill what you can!"Auron bellowed.
Lulu ran towards an aqua flimflam, "THUNDAGA!"
Auron charged head on at a larva. It did half damage, and the larva simply used a thunder spell on itself.
Shit, Auron thought, No matter what I do... hhhmmm, I think I know some magic. It's terrible, but it's something.
Auron concentrated very hard, "WATER!"
The larva was momentarily stunned. Auron saw his chance, rushed forward, and slashed it. And, with a yell, he sunk his blade deep into what would have been the larva's heart. He did not stay to watch the pyreflies rise up.
Rikku sighed. Three ice flimflams. This was not her day, or battle.
Hm... how did it go? If you want to kill a water flam, thunder is quite nice. But if you wish to eliminate fire, the way to go is ice, Rikku thought, remembering an old Al Bhed rhyme, Fire, fire...
"Aha!" Rikku said, and whipped out a grenade. She quickly dodged an ice spell, pulled the pin on the grenade, and ran. Luckily, she was farther away from everyone else. The grenade exploded good and true. The flimflams were dead. Rikku's mischievous thief skills kicked in. She pulled the cork of a small bottle she had, and ran forward, catching one of the pyreflies.
"Trophy?"Auron asked, coming up from behind. The battle was over, Wakka, Kimahri, and Tidus having dealt the finishing blows.
"Whoa!" Rikku exclaimed, "You scared me, you big meanie."
Auron chuckled, "You thief. Stealing a pyrefly. That's very disrespectful."
Rikku smiled, and batted her eyelids innocently, "Heh heh. Well, I didn't know you cared. I'll throw it away if you'd like."
Auron shook his head, "Keep it. When this journey is over, use it to remember your friends."
Use it to remember me, Rikku, Auron couldn't help thinking. He nodded his head courteously, smiled, and walked off.
Next Scene
"Heh heh heh..."
"Cut it out Rikku! You're freaking me out! And get off my leg!" Tidus said, shaking his leg.
Another lightning bolt. Rikku screamed.
"Pleasecanwegointotheinn?I'mscared.Please,please,please?"Rikku begged.
"Auron," Tidus said in an irritated tone, "She's not gonna let go if we don't stay there."
Auron took pity on Tidus and Rikku, "One night, and only one night."
"I know, I know," Rikku said, and ran into the inn before Auron could change his mind.
Next Scene
"Hey Yunie, pass me that magazine," Rikku said casually from the bed she was sitting on.
"Get it yourself."
"Yunie!"
"Fine, fine, here," Yuna tossed the Spira-Teen magazine over to Rikku.
Rikku reached out and caught it with ease, "Where's Lulu?"
"Out," Yuna said, "Wakka had to talk to her."
"Oh, right," Rikku said, "Yunie, if he knew that I was an Al Bhed, would he hate me?"
Yuna nodded slowly, "Yes, Rikku. I think he would. I'm sorry, it's just that, Wakka's very religious."
Rikku shrugged, "This one's used to it."
Yuna, for the first time since they had gotten to the Thunder Plains, looked up from Your Aeons and You. She took in her surroundings. Pink room, three beds, one color TV. Not much, but roomy.
"Rikku, on channel 15, the Goers are up against the Psyches."
Rikku, smiled, and flipped to fifteen.
Next Scene
Wakka looked up as Lulu entered the room he was with Tidus. Tidus had gone to check on Yuna and Rikku.
"You wanted to see me?" Lulu asked.
Wakka nodded, "Lu, it's about Tidus. Or Yuna. Actually, it's about both, ya? They're getting too close. How is Tidus gonna take it when we explain that Yuna has to… has to…"
"Die." Lulu finished, "I don't know Wakka. I really don't."
She had never noticed just how handsome Wakka looked. But now…
Forget about it, Lulu thought to herself, He probably doesn't feel the same way about me anyway.
Lulu sighed, "Well, there's not much we can do about it. Yuna's not a child anymore. You, Kimahri, and I did our best to take care of her. Now it's her turn. We can offer advice and be there for her, but she has to make her own decisions. Besides, when the time comes, we'll worry about it then."
Lulu turned to leave.
"Lu?"
"Yes?"
"Meet me outside tomorrow at 5:00 A.M."
Next Scene
Lulu walked into her room to find Yuna, Tidus, and Rikku sitting on Rikku's bed, screaming at the TV. The only time Yuna ever raised her voice was during a blitzball match.
"Hey! No fair, that was a foul by the Goers!" Tidus yelled, as they were all for the Psyches.
"Come on ref, where did you're eyes go?" Yuna yelled.
Rikku turned momentarily, "Hi Lulu."
Then she was back staring at the game.
"This guy's been paid off!" Tidus exclaimed.
"Cheap bastard!" Rikku yelled.
"Wait! There go the Psyches!" Yuna said.
"GO! GO! GO! YES!" Tidus, Yuna, and Rikku yelled as the Al Bhed Psyches took the point that decided the match.
Tidus thanked Yuna and Rikku, said goodbye to Lulu, and left.
"Wow!" Rikku exclaimed exhaustedly.
"Yeah, they did great!" Yuna answered.
"I gotta talk to Sir Auron," Rikku said, "Maybe we can stay another night."
"Go ahead," Yuna said.
Lulu laid down on her bed.
I wonder what… tomorrow… will bring… She thought, as she closed her eyes.
Next Scene
Auron shook his head, "No, we cannot stay another night."
Rikku nodded, "I- I understand. I'll go then."
She left, and Tidus walked in.
"Hey, roommate."
"Where's Kimahri?" Auron asked.
"Oh," Tidus said, "We switched rooms. Wakka was bitching about how the Al Bhed won the game. And I can't sleep through that. Kimahri sleeps like, well, a Ronso. So…"
Auron nodded, "Fine."
Next Scene
Lulu walked outside. It was 5:00, cold, and she had barely gotten any sleep. She was staring at the ground, but then looked up.
"Oh, Wakka… But how?"
The sky was swirled with a stormy purple, blue, and green. Framed against it, Wakka looked more handsome than ever.
"It's a phenomenon. Happens every 4 years in the Thunder Plains. Saw it was gonna be today on the news," Wakka explained.
"It's… It's beautiful, Wakka."
"Just like you," Wakka muttered.
"Wh- What?" Lulu asked.
What did he--? Lulu thought.
"Lu… We've known each other for a long time, ya?"
Lulu nodded, wondering what he was getting at, "Yes…"
Wakka didn't know what to say. He looked at Lulu's apprehensive face. He didn't need words.
"Wa--?" Lulu started. But was stooped, as Wakka leaned in, and kissed her. He then turned, and walked off into the inn.
Lulu brought her fingertips to her lips, wondering if that had just happened. The kiss still lingered on her lips, soft and sweet. She sighed happily. Her moogle was clapping for her. She stroked it fondly, feeling a little guilty.
But, Lulu thought, Chappu would have wanted me to be happy. I know he would have.
For the first time in a while, Lulu smiled, and laughed. Things were finally looking up.
Next Scene
"So," Tidus said, "You know then."
Auron nodded slowly, knowing exactly what Tidus meant. There was no way he could tell Tidus about Yuna dying to bring the Calm. But then, how was he supposed to tell him not to get too close to Yuna. Auron sighed.
If Jecht were here, he'd know exactly what to say, Auron thought. Auron didn't see himself as a good father figure. Well, not a good one anyway.
"Tidus… don't get so close to Yuna. You…. Shouldn't…" Auron said, knowing that he sucked with a vengeance at these things.
"Why not?" Tidus asked.
Auron shook his head, "One day… Just, trust me, don't."
Auron shouldered his blade, and turned to leave.
"Wait, but Auron," Tidus said, "Auron I love her."
Auron sighed and shook his head, "Tidus, if I were Jecht I would know what to say. But I'm not you're father, and I can't tell you what to do. Just, listen to me, don't get close to her."
Auron then left.
Next Scene
"Um, Rikku."
"What's up Yunie?"
"Rikku why are you up there?"
Rikku had climbed up onto a ledge jutting out of the wall. It was a spot high up. Yuna couldn't reach Rikku.
Lulu walked in, "Hello. Rikku, what on earth--?"
"I am not going back out there!" Rikku exclaimed.
"For Yevon's sake Rikku!" Lulu said.
"Um, you wouldn't happen to know any gravity spells, would you Lulu?" Yuna asked.
Lulu shooked her head, "No…"
Auron walked in. He looked in disbelief from Yuna, to Lulu, to Rikku. Lulu shot him a talk-to-her look, and dragged Yuna out of the room.
"Rikku?" Auron asked.
"Please don't make me go out there!" Rikku begged.
Auron hesitated, but then held out his hand to her, tall as he was. He gave her a small smile.
"Trust me," he said, "I won't let you get hurt. I promise."
Rikku seemed skeptical for a moment. But after a minute, she took his hand, and allowed him to help her down. She realized that she was holding his hand, and made to let go. Auron held her hand firmly, and Rikku looked up. They're eyes met.
Auron stared into Rikku's emerald eyes. He put his free hand on her waist, and gently pulled her in for a kiss. When his lips met Rikku's, she did not attempt to pull away. He pulled away, and stared once more into those emerald eyes, and then turned, and left.
Next Scene
"Over here," Yuna said, motioning towards a small shelter.
Auron silently cursed himself for speaking so harshly to Rikku when they were about to leave the inn. She seemed afraid of hi now.
"Yunie, what's wrong?" Rikku asked Yuna.
Yuna cleared her throat, "Tidus, Rikku, Wakka, Lulu, Sir Auron, I have decided to… to get married."
Tidus's face was a mixture of shock and hurt, "Yu--"
Auron cut him off, "One thing, Lady Yuna…"
"I will continue my pilgrimage, Sir Auron." Yuna said, bowing slightly.
Auron paused, "Then it is… fine."
The party started to leave. Tidus grabbed Auron's arm.
"You're gonna let her do this?" Tidus hissed quietly at him.
"She has agreed to continue her pilgrimage. The rest are her affairs. It is the summoner's privilege," Auron answered.
"Don't give me that crap!" Tidus yelled as Auron walked away, "Hey, I'm talking to you!"
Auron ignored him, and followed the rest of the party.
"T-Tidus?"
Tidus turned, realizing that Yuna had been there all along.
Tidus took Yuna's hand, "Yuna, why…?"
"Play along ok. What happened was, Seymour killed his father Jyscal. Jyscal's sphere, it said that we should stop Seymour. And so, just know, I don't love Seymour," Yuna blushed a light crimson, "I love you."
She kissed Tidus on the cheek, and made to run off, but Tidus caught her around the waist. He turned her around, and dropped a kiss on her mouth.
"I love you too, Yuna."
The walked off, their arms around each other's waist. They lagged 10 feet behind the others, so they could stay that way a little longer.
Next Scene
"Finally, out of the Thunder Plains!" Rikku cheered, "Where to next?"
"We travel to Macalania Temple," Lulu answered.
"Let's move." Auron said.
Authors Note: Like it? Please review! Sorry for the fluff, Spikespunxrocker, but I had to add some. My life has been hectic. There's been a lot going on… I'm sorry.
-BlackRose555