A/N: Yep, guess what, it's another AuRikku fic. And if you're anti-Auron x Rikku, too bad, I'm not changing it. So don't flame me with: OMG AURON IS LIKE DEAD. Yes, I /know/ he's dead. And that doesn't stop me from liking the pair. D Sorry. Rate, Review, just be kind, thanks.
First fan fiction EVER. Thanks.
Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy X; in fact I don't own any of the Final Fantasies. If I did own Final Fantasy X and all the characters, Auron and Rikku would obviously be with Auron, if you can't tell. Anyways.
Pathetically, I do own this story. Any characters that I make up as well I also own. So there. Now enjoy my pathetic attempt at a fan fiction. :D
And lyrics before a story, I've seen multiple times. So, if you started the idea, feel free to tell me to take it down and I will. (:
Turn around and smell what you don't see
Close your eyes ... it is so clear
Here's the mirror, behind there is a screen
On both ways you can get in
Don't think twice before you listen to your heart
Follow the trace for a new start
What you need and everything you'll feel
Is just a question of the deal
In the eye of storm you'll see a lonely dove
The experience of survival is the key
To the gravity of love
Gravity of Love, Enigma.
Wake up in the morning; attempt to fight off two sissy-boys who try to get your dearest cousin back on the road of suicide. Too bad they're not so sissy, too bad they completely /demolished/ the machine you put so much effort into while barely breaking a sweat. Too bad they rescued your cousin, and now she has to go back on her journey towards suicide.
Right after the explosion, as soon as the cousin escaped with the blond and the empty-headed-looking red haired guy, she swam to the surface. Quickly, almost out of breath, considering she was that startled from the explosion; had no idea that it was coming and absolutely no time to take in a good breath before swimming to the surface. Kick, KICK! The slower you go the closer you are to death, and the closer you are to death, the more you'll hear your fathers voice echoing in your head. Telling you that your attempt was pathetic, and that you should've been tougher when fighting. Or maybe telling you that you should suck it up and not drown.
With one last pull of the arms, her head popped up above the surface. Gasping for air, she found herself barely able to pull enough air to satisfy her oxygen-deprived lungs. Her eyelids fluttered as she took in more of the clean air; at last they weren't deprived, or feel as if they were about to burst. Glancing around nervously for the moment, checking about to see if anyone was around. No one. Good.
Now that no one was around, she felt as if she could let herself swim to the shore, and lay on the ground in one pathetic heap. Ready. One. Two. Three. Hoisting herself out of the water, she laid flat on the ground, staring at the warm and welcoming sky, savoring this one moment of peace. It was bliss. It was perfect. Too bad in the near future, moments like this would be completely rare, and maybe not even completely peaceful. But if she was lucky, she would get another moment like this to be by herself, unbothered, left alone. Wouldn't that be the greatest? Yeah, I think so too.
Rolling onto her stomach, she drew in a long breath, closing her eyes; a nap would be pretty great. I mean, you need rest to help take care of cuts, scratches and bruises, right? Well, after that explosion and getting whooped by two guys she didn't know, she was going to need some extra sleep. Her fingers and legs twitched, and for a fact, she knew that when her nap was over, her muscles would cramp up, her bones would ache. They'd probably even scream at her to lay back down and go to sleep. Rolling her eyes from behind her eyelids, she forgot about this, as she slowly fell asleep.
Water droplets slid down her pale skin and collected in a small pool around her small, slender frame. Her hair was messed up, and everything displaced. This didn't concern her, at least not at the moment. It would when the travel back to Home was in order. Would she ever get to see Home again? If she somehow got back there, I mean it was a wonder how she got here.
Then again, she never paid any attention when she wasn't the one who was in charge of getting somewhere. She just tagged along, grinned and made everyone have the time of their life. She was the center of the party. She was, to be straightforward, what kept people grinning. Her high-pitched voice, her bottomless pit of energy, sometimes she even wondered where she got that energy. Her mind began to wander away from her. Mentally she begged for it to come back to her head, rather than walk away into the forest. The soft patting of footsteps against the earthen ground was barely loud enough for her to hear. But she could hear it.
Maybe you can suck in your stomach so much that you start to disappear in the ground. Wouldn't that be great? Because they'd walk by, see that she was an Al Bhed and in one second she wouldn't be just Rikku anymore. She'd be Pizza a la Rikku. She'd be Rikku, tenderly grilled on a barbeque. Just because she was a 'dirty Al Bhed' as she had heard the red head character say loudly as he attacked her with that god-awful ball thing that he had. Wasn't that a blitzball that he used? Huh, never really crossed her mind. Maybe she shouldn't worry about such things especially when there were people, or person, coming in her direction.
But why wasn't she dissolving into the soft grass? Why, why, why! Was nothing going her way? Was it: Let's beat up Rikku day? I guess so; I mean right now she was feeling about as pathetic as could be. In a jumbled heap, still in that skintight Al Bhed costume that anyone could recognize a mile away. Sinking into the ground just wasn't working, so perhaps standing up might do better, standing up and running? If she could feel her knees, she totally would. But the fact that her legs were starting to cramp up, which meant trouble for the young Al Bhed girl as the footsteps just kept on getting closer.
This was like torture! She couldn't get up, and she didn't even bother to turn over to see who was coming. Finally the suspense was killing her, slaughtering her from the inside out. Slowly, she sat upright, leaning back on the palms of her hands, and the feeling that her legs were going to cramp up did not disappear. Though as the footsteps came closer, she began to realize that the outline that was a human was Tidus. Good old Tidus, the guy that she saved after he'd be intoxicated by Sin's poison. And he talked so much about this Zanarkand that was from the past. What he said of it made her want to believe that he was telling the truth. It made her want to actually go and visit this place. Maybe once Sin was defeated he'd take her there, just as friends, just for a visit. After all, all the machina that they had… She'd be in heaven, learn how they worked and bring the technology back to Home.
Yeah. Right. And Yevon-worshippers would stop thinking badly of the Al Bheds and their use of the 'forbidden' machina. Ooo… Scary, no? Yeah, I thought so. Although in this heavily decorated Al Bhed-styled clothing, she figured that Tidus wouldn't recognize her. Then again… He had seen her in the very same clothing on the day he rescued her. Which was a while back, wasn't it? Ah, hell, who knew, not like she paid any attention to the time. Besides, it was probably just another figment of your imagination that Sin created to try and mess you up. Bah. Who needed that crap about Sin? I mean, Sin almost seemed to own any of those Yevon-believers who were so scared of it; they'd jump out of their pants.
The image of this made her giggle that childish giggle that she always had, the one that always seemed to make people raise an eyebrow, or laugh themselves. As Tidus got closer, she began to realize that one of the sissy-looking boys that were fighting her was Tidus himself. Ah man… What a big meanie head! Then again, it wasn't like he knew that Rikku was in that machine trying to protect Yuna from dying. Which was contrary to the popular belief that she was going to try and stop Yuna's pilgrimage because the Al Bhed were going to join up with Sin and take over Spira together! Gasp! That was outrageous! Rikku didn't even know if people thought about it like that. Huh. Curious, but now was no time to wonder, now was the time to have a big old reunion of friends! Group hug! Awww.
"Rikku! Rikku, is that you?" the blond haired male figure asked as he neared, tilting his head in curiosity. It had to be, same small body figure, same curves, same hair, same over decorated costume.
"Tidus! It's been a long time no see, how ya' been?" Her voice was bubbly, lively, the same as it was before.
Tidus gave a corny smile, while immediately his cheeks flushed to a deep red, and while he tried to answer her question, his words became fumbled. His breath was caught in his throat while he pathetically tried to choke up some kind of comprehendible mess of a sentence. Was she doing what he thought she was? Was she… STRIPPING? He was hoping that she had something under that. Yet he couldn't tear his eyes away from her form that slowly emerged from the suit that she wore.
Droplets of water sliding down the bare skin of her arms, and the bit of stomach that showed. Goggles around her neck, a bright orange tank top, skimpy grass green shorts, trimmed with another color of green. Perhaps lace? A glove on one hand, the other was bare, due to the fact that there was no battle going on right now. Except for maybe a mental battle going on in Rikku's head, or Tidus's head. Then finishing pulling off that godforsaken suit, green, brown and tan colored boots now being revealed, as well as much more leg. Rikku giggled again, "Hey! There's nothing to be nervous about, it's just me, tee-hee!"
"… Oh, uh, yeah." Pathetic Tidus, really… Pathetic. The least you could do was answer her question correctly this time. "Oh, uh, I've been doing fine. Coming across Sin here and there, rescuing Yuna from some Al Bhed machina," pause. Why did Rikku look so beat up? "And you… You look more beat up than normal."
"Well I should, shouldn't I!" She paused, becoming slightly hysterical, probably in a way that would make anyone giggle at how funny she looked. "You made my project blow up with ME in it! You… You… You big meanie!"
"Wha-What! YOU were in that machina!" Why was he so surprised? He knew Rikku was an Al Bhed.
"Well, yeah, who'd you think it was?"
"… I don't know, some… Guy."
Wow Tidus, you're sure witty. Wait, who's coming up behind him? Is that… It is! It's Yunie! Cousin Yunie! Rikku giggled and bounced on the balls of her toes some more, Tidus had friends now! Well, he was probably whining and they were probably reluctant on taking care of him. This thought made her giggle some more. Hey… It was the red-haired guy that helped Tidus kick the living goat cheese out of her machine. And her. Time to introduce herself.
Put on your best smile, give that hair a good flick of the hand, and make those guys drop dead to the ground with those gorgeous emerald green eyes. It always works; it always gets them. Then hug your cousin so tight that she can't breathe. Sounded like a good plan. But of course, plans are for people who walk with a stick up their posterior. Plans are for people who are too serious for their own good. Plans are for people who don't believe in having fun, or searching for what you find enjoyable.
"Heya guys! You all know Tidus?" Rikku chirped in a singsong tone.
"You could say that," came a darker, monotone voice from the back. Lulu, the dark mage, the legendary black magician, the… Woman who carried a doll.
"Good to see he found someone willing to take care of him," Rikku chirped. There was a small smile on her face, even before she saw Yuna. But, as Yuna came into view, that small smile turned into the largest, cheesiest grin ever. "YUNIE!" With that, Rikku sprung into action. Although first impressions are important, so was a family reunion, besides, you've gotta' have some fun sometime or another. Rikku ran up to her cousin, and looked her in the eyes. Those beautiful bi-colored eyes, without those cursed Al Bhed swirls, then again, those swirls sometimes swept those guys right off their feet. Her hands were placed on Yuna's shoulders, and for the one moment, she felt horrible for delaying her pilgrimage. It was all in good spirit, right? Not really… They were stopping all those pilgrimages; she was sick and tired of the summoners sacrificing themselves to stop Sin for ten years. Ten measly years. Now if it were for like… say hundred or so years it'd be worth it. Maybe… If she became Yuna's guardian then she could take more chances to save Yunie…
Yuna had decided that it'd be best to introduce everyone to Rikku, I mean, what good was it to have a meeting without her getting to know EVERYONE. So many more new names to memorize. But then again, "Who are all these people? All of them guardians?" Rikku had asked. So the consequence of that question was indeed Yuna's answer.
"You know Tidus, and that over there is Wakka," So Wakka was the red head guy that she was fighting against. The one that said that she was a dirty Al Bhed and Yevon would get her. Except he didn't know that Rikku was the actual one inside the machine. Yuna continued after the short pause, "Over there is Kimahri, he's been my guardian for a long while. That's Lulu over there, she's good with black magic," Rikku gave a friendly wave, and another overly cheesy smile as Yuna continued. "That's Sir Auron over there," Yuna said with a smile, pointing in Auron's direction. Not meaning to be rude, of course, just so that Rikku could see whom she was talking about.
"It's good to meet you all, I'm Rikku!" As she said this, she struck a pose, both hands on her hip, and head held high, looking as if she had a little too much confidence in herself. Of course, it was just for people to get the impression that just because she was younger than everyone here, she wasn't to be taken advantage of. And no, you perverts, not in that way. There was some silence, Wakka gave a wave, and Lulu gave a small nod of the head. Tidus didn't do anything, considering that he, well, knew her from earlier. Kimahri and Auron showed no emotion, but that's not really a big surprise, now is it? "I want to be your guardian, Yuna!" Rikku said at last, to break the silence. Personally, she was surprised that she said that, but she didn't even show that she was surprised that she said it. Even though she knew that becoming Yuna's guardian would mean that she was going to support the pilgrimage, it would have a benefit of being able to talk to her more. You know, the chance to attempt and talk her out of suicide.
I want to be your guardian, Yuna! Why did she even think of doing this? Yuna was equally surprised, but not in a bad way, in fact Yuna would love it. She would have agreed right then and there, but Auron stepped up. The look in his eye suggested that Rikku would just be a burden. Quite frankly, that's what was going through Auron's head, he felt as if Rikku would slow them down, and why? Auron didn't know the answer to why she would, but it was a gut feeling. But maybe, just maybe… Nah, she had too much spirit and too much energy for her own good.
"Are you sure that you want to become a guardian? It takes responsibility; it takes strength and courage. As well as personal sacrifice to your own needs," Auron had emphasized the word responsibility and strength more than courage.
Which, seemed to offend Rikku, but there was no reason for her to show it. "Yes! I'm sure I want to be Yunie's guardian!"
"Look at me," Auron said, flatly, monotone, emotionlessly.
Rikku hesitated, looked up at him, eyes tightly shut. If he knew that she was an Al Bhed…
"Open your eyes." As he spoke he took her chin in her hand, lifting it upwards so he could get a better look at her.
"Uhm…" Once again, Rikku hesitated, but best be on Sir Auron's good side, right? Better make your best impression! She opened one eye, mentally cursing at the swirls that dubbed her as an Al Bhed.
The man standing in front of her made a small grunting noise, as if he was telling her that she was pathetic.
"No… good?" she asked, her eyebrows raised, and her voice gone awfully close to a whimper, or a whiney child.
"And you're positive you want to become a guardian?"
"Yes! I'm more than positive!"
"Then it's Yuna's decision." With that, Auron took away his hand, and stepped away, looking over to Yuna.
"Yes, I'd like Rikku to become my guardian, besides, the more the merrier." It was always amazing how Yuna always stayed so upbeat, even if it was in denial of her future.
"The more the merrier! I'll be the merriest!" Rikku added with another giggle, and she hopped in the air on one foot, and pumped her fist towards the sky. Kind of like a motion of victory. Wakka chuckled under his breath seeing this motion, and at her statement of being the merriest, maybe people would call her an airhead now, and he wouldn't be the target of everyone's airhead insults.
"So then it is decided, we continue," again, the same monotone, deep voice that was Auron had spoke. Before Rikku knew it, there they were, heading into the Macalania forest. Rikku was excited, she'd get to show off her brand-spankin'-new movies, and a super cool ninja battle pose. No way was she going to screw this up! Then again, that Auron guy would probably… End up actually hunting her flaws down. Try to actually find something wrong with what she was doing. But, hey, she wasn't going to let herself be bothered by that if it ever happened.
Now was a time to concentrate, Macalania temple, here we come!
A/N: Hey! My first time writing a fanfiction, ever, and I mean EVER! If you don't like the style I write in, too bad, I'm not changing it. Sorry. But I like my style.
Now please don't review and say: But that's not what everything goes like in the game! Okay? Because, well, I kind of like it when it's not exactly like the game. Of course I'll use some quotes from the game when needed, but I won't do exactly as the game did. Because then that's not fanfiction, right? Right.
Did that make sense? I sure hope it did.
Chapter two will be available… Soon. Because even though I'm not inspired, I enjoy writing this. (: And there WILL be some AuRikku lovins, just not right now. It's chapter one. And stuff like that usually doesn't happen in the first chapter. xD;