This chapter contains the obligatory sake drink. Now, I know that someone did a sake rant, but I feel I must add. Most sake *is* utterly disgusting cold. There are, however, special sakes that are intended to be served cold. They are typically hard to find period, let alone at any level of quality. Cold sakes are usually found at high end (read: expensive) Japanese and pan-Asian restaurants, and tend to run at the high price end of the sake spectrum. Remember, the Japanese language contains over ninety words used to describe the taste and texture of sake (it's like Eskimos and snow!), so there are plenty of varieties. So I've come to this conclusion: Auron spends good money on his sake so he can drink it cold. Either that or he's cheap and holds it over the campfire before he takes a swig. I'm leaning toward the former. But then again, who knows? Auron could be a fan of vodka.
Whee...this is a long one! Enjoy!
_________________________________________________________
Rikku's delicate mental balance had been shaken. Lulu's question had prompted soul searching and deep thought. The resultant decision was, well, not a decision, but more confusion. She hadn't thought about her interest in Auron in *that* way. Did she, you know, *like* him?
***
They sat at the campfire; Kimahri, who had planted himself on the log between them, safely separated Rikku and Auron. The woods were unbelievably dark and eerie noises issued from the trees. Rikku rocked gently back and forth in place, shivering slightly in her brief attire. There was some light conversation, but the wood's ominous pressure put no one in a talking mood. Yuna was staring out into space. They all wondered what the coming day would bring.
Camp had been established quickly once they had decided to halt for the evening. Their tents were ready and waiting, one for Yuna, Lulu, and Rikku, and one for Tidus, Auron, Wakka, and Kimahri, but no one wanted to leave the feeling of protection the fire provided just yet. Suddenly, Auron stood. "I'm going for a walk," he stated simply, striding out of the clearing and leaving no room for argument. Neither Tidus nor Wakka made any move to follow, despite their "babysitting" duty. Auron clearly wished to be left alone.
He left the circle, walking silently toward a smaller clearing that he knew was within shouting distance. Auron liked to drink alone, and after the day he'd had, he needed one. He found a rock and sat down, uncorking his flask and taking a slow sip of sake (AN: Vodka? Scotch? Gin? Bourbon?), savoring it as it ran down his throat. If only Jecht could see him now, the pious warrior monk, drinking himself into oblivion. He gazed into space and let his mind wander. It was the only part of him that still felt alive.
***
Rikku watched the scarlet cloaked guardian leave with mixed feelings. On one hand, this saved her from further embarrassing herself by attempting conversation. On the other, she found his presence comforting. She sat with the others, staring listlessly into the fire. She wondered what Auron was doing. She blamed Lulu for turning her thoughts toward him. She wondered how she really felt about the man. She wanted to talk to him privately again. She made a decision.
She got up, stretched, and walked toward the tent as if heading for bed. Wishing the others goodnight, she entered the tent. She then exited the tent by shimmying under the back end, out of sight of the fire. She didn't want the fact that she was going to talk to Auron to be common knowledge, especially after her conversation with Lulu. Did everyone think she had feelings for Auron?
Once out of the tent, she crept silently through the forest, going wide around where the others were still gathered by the campfire. She headed in the direction that Auron had taken when he had left the group.
***
After sitting together at the fire for another few minutes, Yuna decided it was time for her to join her cousin and turn in as well. The others watched her walk into the tent, then walk right back out of it.
"Rikku! She's...gone!" Yuna looked extremely worried.
They had seen Rikku go in, but they hadn't seen her come out. That could mean one of two things. She could have been attacked by fiends, but they had heard no noise and could find no sign of conflict. The other choice, and the more likely one, was that she had gone to find Auron. Which meant they needed to find Auron too, as Rikku was presumably with him.
***
He was sitting on a rock, his scarlet clad back facing the approaching girl. He appeared not to notice her, but as she drew closer he said without turning around, "Leave me alone."
Rikku paused briefly. "No." She padded over and sat down on the rock next to him. His good eye glanced at her, apparently indifferent to her seat's proximity to him. She could smell the alcohol he had been drinking; the scent was musky and exotic.
They sat in silence that was almost amicable for several minutes, Auron occasionally taking sips. Rikku wondered how much he had imbibed, and how much more he would have to before he would be considered drunk.
"Auron," Rikku said after a moments thought, "You don't like me very much, do you?"
He snorted lightly. "I don't hate you, if that's what you're wondering."
"I'm glad. I guess...I've been pretty annoying, haven't I? I wouldn't blame you if you did, you know?"
Auron didn't reply for several long seconds. "It would be shallow of me to hate someone just because of a few antagonistic encounters. You rubbed me the wrong way, that's all."
Rikku mulled this over. The man's logic was indisputable. Yet, in all her brief experience, when emotions were concerned, logic never won out.
"Does this mean you're going to be civil to me from now on? Cause I don't like being ignored, you know?"
He nodded, the barest hint of a smile playing on his lips. "If you insist."
Rikku cocked her head so she was looking straight into his sunglasses. It didn't matter to her that she couldn't see his eye; it was so dark that it wouldn't have done her any good. She wondered briefly how Auron could see in the dark with those glasses on. She leaned in, so they were almost touching noses. Then she smiled cheerfully. "Great!"
Auron shook his head softly at her enthusiasm, though his lips were curved in a gentle smile.
***
"Oh dear! It seems they've bonded!" said Yuna worriedly. The others looked on in horror. Auron and Rikku were sitting *way* too close for comfort.
"Uh oh! They're getting pretty close, ya?"
"Any closer, and they'd be kissing," said Lulu, unable to contain her glee.
"Well we've gotta do something!" exclaimed Tidus. He spotted a rock on the ground and picked it up. Yuna, who realized what he was about to do, looked absolutely horrified.
"Should I?" Tidus asked, looking for confirmation. He knew it would be rude, but they couldn't take any chances. Wakka nodded. Kimahri didn't move. The smile fell off of Lulu's face. Yuna hung her head and they could hear her muttering "I'm so sorry Sir Auron. I'm so sorry Rikku," quietly under her breath.
"Quick Tidus, I think he's moving in!" Wakka exclaimed, despite the fact that the two figures hadn't moved an inch.
Tidus took aim and heaved.
***
"Shit!" Auron exclaimed, jumping up so quickly that he and Rikku banged heads. She fell to the ground and muttered nasty things in Al Bhed.
"What happened?" she asked, rubbing her forehead. Auron had already picked up his sword and was wandering toward the woods.
"Something hit me in the back of the head," he replied, looking over the top of his glasses and squinting into the bushes. They heard scrambling noises as whatever it was made its getaway.
"Sounds like more than one of whatever it was," Rikku commented lightly. Somehow, she felt like Auron would protect her from the things that went bump in the night.
"Sounds like whatever they were, they're gone now." Auron shook his head. All this conversation was getting to him and he felt the urge to kill whatever it was. That, and his head *really* hurt. Whatever it was had a damn good arm.
Rikku walked over to where he was standing. "I think I'm going back to camp now." She gently touched the sleeve of his jacket before creeping off into the bushes.
As she walked back to her tent, she could see the others. 'Good,' she thought, 'they're still sitting around the campfire. No one will know I was gone.' And she squeezed back into the tent. Phew, home free.
_________________________________________________________
I've got something to say. So, how many of you out there have been reading my story since the beginning? And of that number, how many of you have reviewed? (sigh) You people are lucky I'm not some stupid twit with an inferiority complex who stopped writing because I didn't reach my review quota. I'm not stupid. I know more than fifteen people have read my story. But why is it that only fifteen individuals have reviewed? Honestly, I don't give a rat's ass numerically how many reviews I get and how many people actually read what I've written. I'm not going to stop writing. As long as I know that at least one person enjoys what I do, I think it's worthwhile. And since *my* fun has nothing to do with numbers of reviews, there will always be that one person, even if it's just me. I've seen people issue ultimatums along the lines of "Ok guys, I'm not posting the next chapter until I get at least twenty reviews." I think that's pathetic and lame. But I also think all you out there who read and *don't* review are pathetic as well. Thanks so much, all of you that *have* reviewed. Just because my life doesn't rotate around reviews doesn't mean I don't *really* enjoy getting them (and I reciprocate!). And when I ask for reviews, I'm not saying 'Compliment, please!' Go ahead, tell me you *don't* like my story. I'd actually love to see that, too. I've said my piece. Now click on the little box down there and say yours.
Whee...this is a long one! Enjoy!
_________________________________________________________
Rikku's delicate mental balance had been shaken. Lulu's question had prompted soul searching and deep thought. The resultant decision was, well, not a decision, but more confusion. She hadn't thought about her interest in Auron in *that* way. Did she, you know, *like* him?
***
They sat at the campfire; Kimahri, who had planted himself on the log between them, safely separated Rikku and Auron. The woods were unbelievably dark and eerie noises issued from the trees. Rikku rocked gently back and forth in place, shivering slightly in her brief attire. There was some light conversation, but the wood's ominous pressure put no one in a talking mood. Yuna was staring out into space. They all wondered what the coming day would bring.
Camp had been established quickly once they had decided to halt for the evening. Their tents were ready and waiting, one for Yuna, Lulu, and Rikku, and one for Tidus, Auron, Wakka, and Kimahri, but no one wanted to leave the feeling of protection the fire provided just yet. Suddenly, Auron stood. "I'm going for a walk," he stated simply, striding out of the clearing and leaving no room for argument. Neither Tidus nor Wakka made any move to follow, despite their "babysitting" duty. Auron clearly wished to be left alone.
He left the circle, walking silently toward a smaller clearing that he knew was within shouting distance. Auron liked to drink alone, and after the day he'd had, he needed one. He found a rock and sat down, uncorking his flask and taking a slow sip of sake (AN: Vodka? Scotch? Gin? Bourbon?), savoring it as it ran down his throat. If only Jecht could see him now, the pious warrior monk, drinking himself into oblivion. He gazed into space and let his mind wander. It was the only part of him that still felt alive.
***
Rikku watched the scarlet cloaked guardian leave with mixed feelings. On one hand, this saved her from further embarrassing herself by attempting conversation. On the other, she found his presence comforting. She sat with the others, staring listlessly into the fire. She wondered what Auron was doing. She blamed Lulu for turning her thoughts toward him. She wondered how she really felt about the man. She wanted to talk to him privately again. She made a decision.
She got up, stretched, and walked toward the tent as if heading for bed. Wishing the others goodnight, she entered the tent. She then exited the tent by shimmying under the back end, out of sight of the fire. She didn't want the fact that she was going to talk to Auron to be common knowledge, especially after her conversation with Lulu. Did everyone think she had feelings for Auron?
Once out of the tent, she crept silently through the forest, going wide around where the others were still gathered by the campfire. She headed in the direction that Auron had taken when he had left the group.
***
After sitting together at the fire for another few minutes, Yuna decided it was time for her to join her cousin and turn in as well. The others watched her walk into the tent, then walk right back out of it.
"Rikku! She's...gone!" Yuna looked extremely worried.
They had seen Rikku go in, but they hadn't seen her come out. That could mean one of two things. She could have been attacked by fiends, but they had heard no noise and could find no sign of conflict. The other choice, and the more likely one, was that she had gone to find Auron. Which meant they needed to find Auron too, as Rikku was presumably with him.
***
He was sitting on a rock, his scarlet clad back facing the approaching girl. He appeared not to notice her, but as she drew closer he said without turning around, "Leave me alone."
Rikku paused briefly. "No." She padded over and sat down on the rock next to him. His good eye glanced at her, apparently indifferent to her seat's proximity to him. She could smell the alcohol he had been drinking; the scent was musky and exotic.
They sat in silence that was almost amicable for several minutes, Auron occasionally taking sips. Rikku wondered how much he had imbibed, and how much more he would have to before he would be considered drunk.
"Auron," Rikku said after a moments thought, "You don't like me very much, do you?"
He snorted lightly. "I don't hate you, if that's what you're wondering."
"I'm glad. I guess...I've been pretty annoying, haven't I? I wouldn't blame you if you did, you know?"
Auron didn't reply for several long seconds. "It would be shallow of me to hate someone just because of a few antagonistic encounters. You rubbed me the wrong way, that's all."
Rikku mulled this over. The man's logic was indisputable. Yet, in all her brief experience, when emotions were concerned, logic never won out.
"Does this mean you're going to be civil to me from now on? Cause I don't like being ignored, you know?"
He nodded, the barest hint of a smile playing on his lips. "If you insist."
Rikku cocked her head so she was looking straight into his sunglasses. It didn't matter to her that she couldn't see his eye; it was so dark that it wouldn't have done her any good. She wondered briefly how Auron could see in the dark with those glasses on. She leaned in, so they were almost touching noses. Then she smiled cheerfully. "Great!"
Auron shook his head softly at her enthusiasm, though his lips were curved in a gentle smile.
***
"Oh dear! It seems they've bonded!" said Yuna worriedly. The others looked on in horror. Auron and Rikku were sitting *way* too close for comfort.
"Uh oh! They're getting pretty close, ya?"
"Any closer, and they'd be kissing," said Lulu, unable to contain her glee.
"Well we've gotta do something!" exclaimed Tidus. He spotted a rock on the ground and picked it up. Yuna, who realized what he was about to do, looked absolutely horrified.
"Should I?" Tidus asked, looking for confirmation. He knew it would be rude, but they couldn't take any chances. Wakka nodded. Kimahri didn't move. The smile fell off of Lulu's face. Yuna hung her head and they could hear her muttering "I'm so sorry Sir Auron. I'm so sorry Rikku," quietly under her breath.
"Quick Tidus, I think he's moving in!" Wakka exclaimed, despite the fact that the two figures hadn't moved an inch.
Tidus took aim and heaved.
***
"Shit!" Auron exclaimed, jumping up so quickly that he and Rikku banged heads. She fell to the ground and muttered nasty things in Al Bhed.
"What happened?" she asked, rubbing her forehead. Auron had already picked up his sword and was wandering toward the woods.
"Something hit me in the back of the head," he replied, looking over the top of his glasses and squinting into the bushes. They heard scrambling noises as whatever it was made its getaway.
"Sounds like more than one of whatever it was," Rikku commented lightly. Somehow, she felt like Auron would protect her from the things that went bump in the night.
"Sounds like whatever they were, they're gone now." Auron shook his head. All this conversation was getting to him and he felt the urge to kill whatever it was. That, and his head *really* hurt. Whatever it was had a damn good arm.
Rikku walked over to where he was standing. "I think I'm going back to camp now." She gently touched the sleeve of his jacket before creeping off into the bushes.
As she walked back to her tent, she could see the others. 'Good,' she thought, 'they're still sitting around the campfire. No one will know I was gone.' And she squeezed back into the tent. Phew, home free.
_________________________________________________________
I've got something to say. So, how many of you out there have been reading my story since the beginning? And of that number, how many of you have reviewed? (sigh) You people are lucky I'm not some stupid twit with an inferiority complex who stopped writing because I didn't reach my review quota. I'm not stupid. I know more than fifteen people have read my story. But why is it that only fifteen individuals have reviewed? Honestly, I don't give a rat's ass numerically how many reviews I get and how many people actually read what I've written. I'm not going to stop writing. As long as I know that at least one person enjoys what I do, I think it's worthwhile. And since *my* fun has nothing to do with numbers of reviews, there will always be that one person, even if it's just me. I've seen people issue ultimatums along the lines of "Ok guys, I'm not posting the next chapter until I get at least twenty reviews." I think that's pathetic and lame. But I also think all you out there who read and *don't* review are pathetic as well. Thanks so much, all of you that *have* reviewed. Just because my life doesn't rotate around reviews doesn't mean I don't *really* enjoy getting them (and I reciprocate!). And when I ask for reviews, I'm not saying 'Compliment, please!' Go ahead, tell me you *don't* like my story. I'd actually love to see that, too. I've said my piece. Now click on the little box down there and say yours.