You took it back
How could you go and do something like that
My fingernail phase
Worst has got the best of you
I ask you and I know I need to change
You took it back
You ripped my heart out of me then you put it back
I'm pulling my hair
I let you just a million times
I love you even though it isn't fair

-"Greener With the Scenery" by the Used

"Rikku, don't be angry with me..." Yuna said, walking faster than I've ever saw her little boots carry her to catch up with me.

The group was spread out over the path, Tidus dancing ahead getting electrocuted, Auron just behind him, stubbornly looking forward as he mindlessly walked to the next destination. Yunie and I were next in line, then Wakka and Lulu were farther behind, talking of Blitzball and coconuts, for some odd reason. Kimahri brought up the rear, stabbing his Lance into the ground for every step that he took, and keeping watch for the fiends behind us.

I grunted, sounding a bit like Mr. Meaniepants himself, and kept up the pace. She sighed quietly, and then tried again. "You didn't waste my time, really, you didn't."

"Obviously I did, or else everyone wouldn't have looked at me like that when he said it," I mumbled, glaring at the tall, dark, handsome... MEAN, MEAN, MEAN person in front of me. I don't know why I was being snotty with Yunie, she didn't deserve it at all. But, she didn't back down, and I admired her for it. I certainly wouldn't want to talk to me at this point. "And I'm not angry with you, I'm... pouting, I guess."

She smiled slightly, and I had the odd feeling that she was amused with me, which made me feel even worse. "Yes, I noticed. What's the matter, Rikku? You know you can tell me."

"I can't tell anyone, Yunie, or else you would already know," I muttered, looking up at the lightning above us. The sky lit up every few seconds, and although I was scared out of my mind, I was kind of starting to think that death by lightning would be the preferred way to go.

"It's serious though, isn't it?" she asked quietly, and I nodded, figuring that she deserved to know that much. "Well, it must be, considering you're pouting and Sir Auron hasn't looked at you since we left the inn."

"Oh, really? I haven't noticed," I said, pretending to be indifferent, even though that comment really made me feel even worse than I already did. I, of course, noticed that he hadn't looked at me, but I was thinking maybe he snuck a glance when I wasn't looking at him, which would have had to be within the five seconds of the last hour that we were walking. Unlikely, yes, but a girl can dream, can't she?

"Yes, you have," she replied. "You've been staring at his back for the past hour, Rikku."

Embarrassed, I turned to look at her. "That's... That's not important right now, Yunie. I want to know what happened when I wasn't standing there at the Farplane."

"Tidus told you?" she asked, shocked. "I told him you didn't need to worry about that right now."

"No, the person who doesn't need to worry right now is you. That, along with the whole Maester Marriage Extravaganza is enough to make anyone go nuts, but you shouldn't have to worry about it, so tell me," I nudged her when she didn't start talking, and batted my eyelashes obnoxiously at her. "Oh please, please, Miss Summoner Lady Yuna of Besaid, tell me everything!"

She smiled slightly, again, but this time it wasn't realy with amusement. "I can't tell you anything without telling everyone else. And I will tell... soon."

Telling... everyone... else? What the... My mind started racing at the implications of that statement, and I remembered something that Auron said to me earlier.

"Yuna is under the impression that his marriage proposal is real."

Real. This cannot be good.

"This is starting to sound serious, Yunie... And I don't think I like it. I don't like it one bit," I said stubbornly, crossing my arms and grunting a few times for good measure.

She sighed, looking away from me. "You probably won't, but it has to be done."

We walked silently a few more steps, getting soaked by the rain that just wouldn't stop. "Sometimes, Yunie, I think we're too much alike for our own good," I mumbled slowly, breaking the silence.

"Us, alike?" she said, shocked. "Rikku, I don't think we're that much alike, personality wise, at all. I mean, you're loud, I'm quiet. You're cheerful about everything, I'm always worried. You're hyper, I'm calm..."

"But, we both seem to have this complex where we have to save everyone in the world, regardless of what else happens," I interrupted. "We're alike in that way, and the longer I have this personality trait, the worse life seems to get. It was so much easier when I didn't even care..."

She paused, thoughtful. "You're right... But, who are you trying to save?"

"Two stubborn people who don't listen worth crap," I grumbled, kicking a few rocks along the side of the dirty path.

She burst out laughing, "Well, good luck with that, Rikku."

Silence overcame us, and we both walked quietly along the path, ignoring all of the conversations buzzing around us. Wakka and Lulu were still talking of Blitzball and coconuts, and Tidus was pestering Auron about something... probably me, actually. The sky was still black, and lightning still streaked across the sky.

And I was still pouting. Great. Life couldn't possibly get any worse.

Or... maybe it could.

"Rikku, watch out!" Yuna screamed at the top of her lungs. My mind wasn't working properly though, and instead of moving like any sane person, I looked up at the sky very... slowly...

And saw the longest, hugest, brightest lightning bolt that has ever existed coming down on top of me.

Everything moved in slow motion. I turned my head from side to side... Saw the horror in everyone's eyes... Saw Tidus turn around... Heard everyone shout, but couldn't make out the words...

And Auron turned around... Moving faster than I've ever seen him, he started running towards me...

I reached out... But, it was too late.

The fear on Auron's face was the last thing I remembered before everything went black.

AN: Hey everyone! Yes, being uninspired is apparently helpful, considering this chapter just randomly popped out today. So, hopefully it's up to par, and whatnot... On the subject of Auron's OOCness... Yes, I know he's a bit.. off. Okay, I admit it, lol. But,here's my thoughts on it. I tried to keep him as close to in character as possible during the moments where they actually show them together in the game. But, during the parts that I make up, he can be slightly more talkative, because he's with just her, and don't most people talk more when they're only with one person, opposed to a group with a bunch of huge talkers? I know I do... But that's my logic.