In Her Eyes
Title: In Her Eyes
Category: Final Fantasy X
Genre: Drama/Romance
Pairing: Auron/Rikku
Rating: PG – mild language
Dedication: This fic is for my friend Felicia, who has been begging me to write a tear-jerker romance story involving Rikku and Auron. I dunno about tear-jerking, but I'll try. Just review for me, okay?
Summary: Sir Auron has always been quiet and kept his true emotions inside, wrapped up in his deep red coat. However, when his coat is tossed aside and he finally admits to caring about a certain young Al Bhed girl perhaps to much, how will she take it? (Drama, Rikku/Auron)
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy X and all copy rights, characters, and Trademarks do not belong to me. I do not own anything and I am not making any profit whatsoever off of this particular work of fanfiction.
AN: Please review. It would be greatly appreciated, as this is my first Final Fantasy X fanfiction. The game is nothing short of amazing, and I would like to thank my friend Louis for getting me dragged into this breathtaking story.
This story will be written in Sir Auron's point of view.
RECKLESS, CONFIDENT, BEAUTIFUL – Chapter 1
"Show me your face," I said quietly. If someone new was going to be guarding Lady Yuna, then I damn well was going to know who they were.
She whimpered as she raised her face slowly, her eyes tightly shut. I found myself reaching for her, resting my hand upon her shoulder. "Open your eyes," I said a little more softly. I was vaguely aware of everyone staring at us.
She hesitantly opened her left eye and immediately I heard Tidus say something, but I wasn't listening to him. I gazed into her eyes, my mouth parted slightly in shock... I moved closer, trying to lose myself in her eyes once more, trying to fall deeper into her swirling orbs...
She shrank back and offered a weak smile. "No good?" she asked timidly.
"Rikku's a really nice girl!" Tidus piped up, jerking me into reality. "Really! She'll be a big help! She rescued me before!"
I glanced at Tidus and frowned, returning my gaze to this girl, Rikku. I didn't answer, but silently debated whether or not I wanted this new girl following us around. Would she be a nuisance? Would she be a setback? Would she be like Jecht?
I moved towards Tidus, my frown deepening. Quietly, "Wakka will not approve..."
"No one needs to know," Tidus said, his voice barely a whisper. "Please...let her stay!"
I sighed. It seemed I had already lost. I had nothing against this girl. Nothing against her appearance, her ties to the Al Bhed, or her eyes. Certainly not her eyes...
I turned around and found Rikku smiling and talking excited with Lady Yuna and Lulu. Lulu listened silently and Yuna nodded in admiration as Rikku continued to talk animatedly.
I glanced at Wakka, who was leaning against the tree, trying to look occupied with himself. I watched him as he stole looks at Rikku, surveying her with admiration. Nothing more than friendly terms, mind you. He stared at her with complete respect and honesty. He spun a blitz ball half-heartedly and tried to make friendly conversation with the Ronso at the same time.
"Why is it my decision whether she stays or not?" I said quietly to Tidus, and no one else. "She may stay," I said a little louder to grab the other's attention, "It is Lady Yuna's decision. This is her pilgrimage after all,"
I heard Tidus breath a sigh relief from behind me.
"Yuna? You have no problem, ya?" Wakka said as he stopped spinning his ball and pushed himself from the tree.
"No, no problem at all!" Lady Yuna smiled warmly as she hugged Rikku and said, "Welcome!"
Rikku seemed to beam with joy. She ran to me, her eyes sparkling. "Thank you, Sir Auron!"
I shrugged.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The road to Guadosalam had proven tough for most of us. Fiends sprouted up like weeds, attacking us every time we made little progress towards our destination. Rikku proved to be helpful to us, but for some reason, she kept her goggles on when she fought alongside Wakka. I supposed Tidus had informed Rikku about Wakka's opposed feelings towards her kind.
I watched her stance. She moved slowly from side to side, as if to convince herself she was ready for anything. She had an air of confidence around her, but perhaps too confident as Lulu had said:
By nightfall, Tidus, the Ronso, and Lady Yuna had returned with firewood. Rikku sat closest to the fire, giggling as she talked with Tidus and Yuna. I kept my distance, my eyes keeping watch over our campfire. Fires could attract any kind of monster in the night, and I wasn't going to be caught off guard. Not this time.
"Sir Auron," Lulu said quietly, "is something troubling you?"
I glanced at Lulu and shook my head. "No. Just watching out for—"
"Fiends," Wakka finished, taking a bite of bread and cheese, "Ya, ya, we know, huh? That's all you ever do,"
Lulu suppressed a chuckle.
"The way of the guardian is to protect the Summoner at all costs," I said quietly, focusing back on the rustling trees in the distance.
"Even if it costs a good night sleep?" Lulu asked, "I think not. Come, eat for a while,"
"I'm not hungry,"
Wakka frowned, "What d'you think of that new girl, ya?"
"Bright," Lulu said, "She's very bright and cheerful,"
I nodded nonchalantly. "Optimistic."
"Confident, ya,"
"Perhaps a little too confident," Lulu whispered.
"What's that?" I looked at Lulu, who merely smiled.
"I'm just saying she may be a bit—er—reckless." Lulu murmured, gazing into the fire, "A little to quick to act. I'll be worrying about her as well as young Tidus and Lady Yuna."
I smirked, "Perhaps Wakka could show her the way of the guardian?"
"Oh, no!" Wakka said quickly, standing up and dusting off his pants, "I will do nothing of the sort! I'm here to protect Lady Yuna, not to baby-sit!"
"Baby-sit?" I chuckled. I never thought of it that way.
Tidus, Rikku and the Summoner were staring at Wakka.
"Baby-sit who?" Rikku asked innocently.
Another grin fell upon my face.
"No one," Wakka said casually, "No one."
"Hey!" Tidus said, "You're not talking about me, are you? I can handle myself, you know!"
"Ya, we know," Wakka was grinning now as were most of us, "You really handled yourself well when that bird thing flew past your shoulder, eh? Really acted tough then, huh?"
Lulu and I exchanged glances. She laughed as I smiled. Those two did indeed act like brothers, but mostly due to their habit of picking at each other.
I caught Rikku's eye and quickly glanced away. She was quiet and almost looked...somehow, sad. I didn't know what was wrong, but I intended to find out. She wasn't like this during the day. She was so positive and alive. As she called it, she was bringing "joy, happiness, and a little annoyance" into our day.
Maybe she had realized we spoke of her when Wakka said "baby-sit".
"Sir Auron!" Lady Yuna gasped as a creature flew past me, coming straight towards Rikku.
"Get down!" I grunted as I pushed myself up and thrust out my sword, cutting the creature straight in half, the point of the sword mere inches from young Rikku's face.
She was panting and staring at the blade in horror. Tidus quickly bent down to help her up and asked her repeatedly if she was alright.
"Auron!" Wakka shouted, "What were you thinking?!!"
"It was coming after her. His teeth were ready to sink into her!" I protested, sheathing my sword. "What did you want me to do? Let it eat her?"
"You could've been a little more careful, ya?"
I frowned and stepped into the darkness, leaving the camp behind. Save a life, be lectured. I silently cursed myself. I had been the one too hasty to act. I had probably drained the life out of her instead of saved her, pulling a stunt like that. I heard Lady Yuna call my name, but I paid no heed. I had let my guard down again, and it nearly cost someone her life.
I suppose you could say I was angry. I was angry. Very angry. But it wasn't at Wakka or Tidus or Lulu or anyone for that matter. I suppose if I was man enough to admit it, I could say I was angry at myself for doing something so stupid and making myself look like such a fool in front of young Rikku. She was probably scared of me now. She was probably afraid of me now. And I had no one to blame but myself.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I was acting like such a child. I was letting something get under my skin and bother me. I was acting selfish and immature and out of character. I didn't like how I was behaving, nor did I know why. I sat upon a fallen tree and gazed out into the darkness, the hint of the pilgrimage's campfire burning in the distance. I chuckled. Even when I was angry with them, I still watched over them like a protector. I blinked slowly and put my collar up. It was becoming cold, and I knew it would only get worse.
"Sir Auron?"
I jumped, a little alarmed, but otherwise kept myself from unsheathing my sword and attacking whoever could be behind me. Not everyone is a fiend. But not everyone isn't either.
"Sir Auron? Are you okay?"
"Rikku?" I breathed, casting a weary glance behind me, "What're you doing here this late?"
"I...I wanted to thank you. You know, for...helping me and all," she said awkwardly, folding her hands across her chest and offering a weak smile. She came up from behind me and sat down slowly on the hollow tree and shivered.
"Are you...are you cold?" I asked, making an effort to remove my coat.
"Oh, I'm fine, thank you," she smiled warmly as she refused my coat. "I just wanted to know if you were alright,"
"I should ask you the same," I muttered. "Did I scare you?"
Rikku giggled. "I'd be lying if I said no,"
I grunted and only continued to stare out into the fireplace.
"Well, I better go see the others," Rikku said as she pushed herself off of the tree and made her way towards the dim light in the distance. "Oh, and Sir Auron," she said, turning around briefly, "Thank you for letting me accompany you,"
"Thank Lady Yuna. I had nothing to do with it,"
She smiled. "I will,"
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
From then on, traveling was tense. As usual, I walked ahead of the others with the Ronso in front of me while Wakka and Lulu strayed nearby. Lady Yuna and her "guardians" (I found it more appropriate to call Tidus and Rikku her friends, yet in their own way they were a help) trailed behind, an occasional laugh reaching my ears. We walked briskly, as we were in no mood to be attacked, ambushed, assaulted, or in any way bothered by any fiend.
Wakka and Lulu spoke quietly, their hushed voices not reaching my ears, but I had a rough idea of what they were talking about. They must've spoken of me and my rash actions the previous night. I couldn't say I was proud with my behavior. On the contrary, I felt that Rikku's appearance last night wasn't of her own will, but out of pity for me.
"Sir Auron," I heard Lulu say, "do you hear that?"
I paused, planting my feet in the ground firmly, my ears straining to hear whatever Lulu heard.
"Everyone, be still," I said impulsively, "Lady Yuna, get down,"
She obediently obeyed with Tidus standing over her protectively. The Ronso was running back to us, his spear raised. I caught Rikku reaching into her pouch, but when she caught my eye I shook my head, weary of any attention her grenades could bring.
"Lu, prob'ly a good time for that shield, ya?" Wakka said uneasily, his eyes darting in all directions.
She nodded and raised her hands, palms outward, a sphere-like dome surrounding us. At first it sparkled brilliantly, but soon flickered and blinked, disappearing with a blink of an eye.
"Where'd the shield go?!!" Rikku cried desperately.
Lulu looked just as bewildered, "I...I don't know. I don't understand...I can't do anything!" she said furiously.
"Machina," Kimahri said gruffly, "They're ahead,"
"Those—!!" Wakka began, but Lulu put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"How far off?"
"Not too far," The Ronso answered simply.
"Can we avoid them?" I asked quickly.
Kimahri nodded.
"Be quiet!" Tidus shouted, taking cautious steps towards the front. "I can hear them," Everyone was silent as a low hum filled the forest, steadily growing louder and louder.
Wakka tensed up. "Machina," he hissed, the word spitting out like some vile, twisted taste.
I glanced at Rikku. She and Tidus exchanged worried looks as she shifted uncomfortably, wrapping her arms around her thin frame.
"Quiet," Lulu whispered.
The trees swayed as the rumbling grew more distant, and we all breathed a sigh of relief.
"The Al Bhed still follow us!" Wakka said heatedly, "They're still after Lady Yuna!"
"Wakka, I'm sure if they were after her they would've stopped and attacked us now," Tidus said quickly. I could see the desperate plea in his eyes for Wakka to stop getting so worked up over the Al Bhed, but Wakka paid no heed to his eyes.
"They're biding time!" Wakka said darkly, clenching his fists as his blitz ball fell to the ground, "They're waiting for the right moment to ambush us and kidnap the Summoner!"
"I'm sure," A hint of a smile played along the corner of my lips, a little drop of sarcasm rolling off my tongue. I caught Rikku's eye and winked, and she smiled and muted a giggle.
Wakka, however, seemed unaware of my tone.
"Come," I said, hoisting my sword onto my shoulder, "We're not letting this delay our arrival. Measter Seymour's home, Guadosalam, if not far off."
Tidus blinked. "That...that Seymour guy?"
"Lord Seymour, to you," Lulu said quietly.
I chuckled. "Yes. Lord Seymour is expecting us." Tidus' face didn't hide his distaste for Lord Seymour. I supposed Lady Yuna had mastered the art of covering her feelings towards Lord Seymour. The thing that played across my mind, however, was how she was horrible at hiding her emotions with Tidus.
"I am sure he will offer us his hospitality," Lulu said reassuringly, "We will reach Guadosalam before nightfall,"
"About time," Rikku said, "I'm kinda hungry!"
I smirked. Gotta love that kid's honest attitude.