Disclaimer: Of coarse I own Final Fantasy X. It was all my idea. Don't believe me? Good, because it all belongs to Square-enix.

--

Rikku swung the sword as if it was an extension to her arm. The power and control she had was quite impressive. Needless to say, Auron was impressed with her himself. He remembered the night they had watch together and she had asked if she could hold his sword. Back then she could barely pick it up. Now it appeared as if she trained in sword fighting since she was little.

"You have improved." He said giving the rare compliment.

"I had a good teacher." She answered with a smile on her face. She glanced around to see that she had taken care of all the nearby fiends. Rikku then changed back into her regular outfit, skirt, tank top, and boots. She shivered as the cold air hit her skin.

"Let's go, Shiva is waiting for us."

Rikku nodded and began down the snow-covered trail to the temple. A guado guard stood at the doors when she arrived.

"Halt!" He shouted as he held up one hand. "This temple is closed. It is for Guado use only."

"But you don't understand. I have to come in. I have to see Shiva's shrine."

He glared at her before seeing the swirls in her green eyes. His own opened wide as he realized what this meant. "You're an Al Bhed."

"Well duh! I'm Rikku. You know the Al Bhed that helped save Spira from the big fish thingy, Sin." She spoke as if she was talking to a three year old. And for the entire amount he was listening to her, she might as well have been.

The guado stood strait and held his ground. "That changes nothing. You Al Bhed are forbidden from entering this holy place." He snapped.

She reached down and grabbed the hilt of her blade. Shiva was waiting on her and she was going to get in one way or another.

"Fighting will not solve this." Auron spoke. "You must think this through before you act."

"Huh?" She asked softly before figuring out who it was that spoke. "It's your lucky day." She glared to the guard before storming off.

When she was far enough away that she was sure not to be overheard, she began to speak out loud. It helped to deal with the frustration she was feeling. "Okay then, Sir Auron. How do you suggest we get in?"

"Relax and think this through. What do you know about the temple?"

"I know that some dumb guado guard won't let me in."

If he could have, Auron would have sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose in aggravation. "I meant the temple itself."

"I know, I know. I was just letting off some steam." She stopped walking and found herself looking down the path to see where they had fought crawler four years ago. Her face brightened and she took off running.

"What are you doing now?"

"I have an idea. You can fly, right?"

"Why don't I like the sound of this?" He asked himself, but Rikku only giggled at his displeasure.

She reached the lake ice and glanced around. Nobody was here. That was good. She walked over to the edge where not many traveled. She didn't want anyone to fall because of her. Raising her arms above her head, she concentrated on the spell she wanted. "Firaga."

A column of flame appeared in front of her effectively melting a hole in the ice. "Now, Auron. Are you gonna help me or do I have to summon Valefor?" She was teasing him, but her tone showed she was serous.

"You play with fire and you're going to get burnt." He answered cryptically. He wasn't about to show up for just anything, that was not what he was here for. They had a job to do.

"Take your own advice, Sir Auron." Rikku snapped back at him. She was getting tired of his attitude. He was an aeon and she the summoner. She began the motions that would summon the firebird.

Auron tried to resist, but the pull of the summon was too great. Red light circled Rikku just as it did the first time he appeared. It gathered together above her head and formed the aeon phoenix. He hovered in front of her and she smiled and nodded her head in satisfaction.

Tenitively she reached her hand out to touch the aeon. She expected the fire to singe her hands, but was surprised when that didn't happen. Instead she could feel herself feeling refreshed. The cold didn't bother her anymore, and the magic she used to make the hole, it was as if she had done nothing.

"Alright now, let me up. We are going to fly to Shiva." The bird let out a screech as if in protest, but let her on nonetheless. "Here we go!"

Together they flew through the hole in the ice and down to the chamber of the fayth. Rikku leaned in close and held tight. She had never been able to be this close to the guardian before; he would not let anyone in. However, the flight was over before she knew it.

Phoenix landed on the ice path in front of the door leading to Shiva's chamber. Rikku slid off and watched as it flew away only to disappear before reaching the lake ice. "Well I'm here. Now how do I get in?" She scratched her cheek in thought. Suddenly the door opened in answer to her question. "Guess she knows I'm here."

Rikku nervously stepped into the chamber. She had been here once before, but then there were seven of them. Now she was alone. "Um, hello?" She called to the empty room.

The brown stone statue of Shiva became colorful once again. Rikku could see it taking form as Shiva's fayth appeared in front of her. "You have arrived summoner. I have been waiting for you." She spoke in a cool calming voice.

Rikku wasn't sure what to say or do. She stood frozen in her spot. "Um, yeah." She grimaced at how stupid she sounded.

The fayth urged the blond to come closer. "There are things you must know before you can continue your pilgrimage. You have been given a great responsibility. Yu Yevon lives to create sin anew. When Bahamut called you to the farplane, it was then we knew you would be the one to do this job. Some of us have chosen to go with you."

"Yeah, you and Valefor, right?" Rikku questioned.

The fayth nodded. "Yes, but there is one more. One who guides you. You had a dream recently, did you not?"

"How, how did you know that?" Shiva merely smiled. "Can you tell me what it meant?"

"I'm sorry little one, but you must find that out on your own. "

Rikku sighed. "Can you at least give me a hint?"

Once you understand, you will be able to help him. Now, call him. Call the newest fayth." She gently commanded. "There are things he must hear as well."

Rikku nodded in understanding. She lifted her blades to call the aeon.

--

"You have a large responsibility. You have been charged with keeping her safe. To guide her and make sure she does not fail."

"I am aware of that."

Rikku had been in the chamber for well over three hours. Shiva had explained in detail what she must do once she finds Yevon. It was more then just sending him; she had to get him to enter an aeon. Together she would send them to the farplane. That way he would not be able to escape once again. Now she slept on the floor as the two fayth talked.

"But you cannot do that unless you let her in. Just as you will be keeping her alive, she will be doing the same for you." Auron grunted in response making Shiva laugh. "Bahamut said you were a tough one. I think he misjudged by just how much. But that is not for me to ponder. It is time to go. Just remember what I have told you, phoenix." In a glittering flash, Shiva was gone.

Auron nodded and disappeared as well. From Rikku's mind, he gently coxed her to wake up. "We must go now. Zanarkand awaits us."

"So what did Shiva tell you after I fell asleep?" Rikku asked him once they were walking again.

"I would… rather not talk about it."

"Oh, okay. Auron, after we find Yevon, you'll disappear again. Won't you?" Rikku had slowed down as she asked. For some reason thinking about what Shiva had told her, scared her. She had found another of her friends, and they would be leaving them again. This time by her. When the time came, she didn't know if she would be able to do it.

"Yes. That is the goal of what we are doing. I am… to be sent, and take Yu Yevon with me. You have doubts?" He wondered. If she couldn't do this then all of Spira would be in trouble. It was too late to get cold feet now.

"No. I can do this." She shivered in the night air, "Tomorrow we cross the calm lands. It may be a bit different from what you are used to. But with any luck we can rent a hover and cross in the afternoon."

She came to the intersection that would lead her either to the calm lands, the lake, or to a small clearing. She went right, taking the path that would lead to the lake. Standing on the edge she stared out over it. "Did you know this is where Tidus and Yunie confessed their love for each other?"

"I was aware of that." He quipped. "He came to me the next day to tell me."

Rikku squatted and sat on her heels. "I see." She closed her eyes as she thought about what Shiva had told her. Once she understood her dream, she would be able to help him. What did she mean by that? Just who was the 'him'? Certainly she couldn't have meant Auron. That was just impossible. He was the tough stoic guardian, he didn't need her.

She opened her eyes and sat down correctly. Slowly she slipped off her boots and stretched her toes so they just barely wiggled in the water. She sighed and stood up to move farther out. When the water was about to her shoulders, she took a deep breath and dove under. Even though she knew she couldn't escape her thoughts, it was nice to relax and pretend to.

Little did she know, but Auron was deep in his own thoughts. He also was thinking about what Shiva had said. If they were to survive, then he would have to treat Rikku as more then just his 'charge'. Shiva hinted that she wanted him to be friends. Friends; what was the point? Every one he had ever befriended ended up being killed.

His parents died when he was young, leaving him in the care of the temples. Worrier monks died in battle next to him. Braska and Jecht died during the final summoning. And then Kinok, a man though changed, died by the hands of Seymour Guado. What was the point of becoming friends if they were going to die?

--

"You know, Auron, I think I like you better as phoenix. You talk a little more. Back on Yunie's pilgrimage you never did say much." By now Rikku had left the lake and sat in a makeshift bed within the branches of the trees. Being alone, it was safer up here if fiends decided to attack.

"Humph." That one sound summed up all he had to say.

"Guess I was wrong. You haven't changed all that much. But don't worry, I'll help you. Yeah, that's what I'll do. I owe you that much."

"And just how do you plan on doing that?" Truth be told he doubted that she would be able to help him at all. She was a silly girl with silly ideas.

"I'm not sure yet, but I'll think of something." She whispered before closing her eyes and falling asleep.