Disclaimer: Don't own it.

Went over to my mom's today, but she doesn't have the internet, so I managed to get two chapters out for ya all. I guess you could say I was inspired since I don't really like to watch TV and all. All I did was save them to disk and bring them home. Great huh?

Again if it is in italics, flashbacks.

mysterious digidreamer: thanks a lot. hope you like this as well.

RPGchick101: Well it did solve the last problem. I kinda planned it that way since the talk, but not really. Hehe, I'll shut up now.

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Rikku awoke early the next morning. So much was on her mind she wasn't able to sleep anyway. She packed all her things up and slid into her coat. Turning her head, she saw Luzzu still sleeping. She let out an inaudible sigh. Figures she would be stuck with someone that slept in.

She made her way to the mouth of the cave. A light dusting of snow covered the trails. Good thing she knew her way around. Otherwise they would be lost here. She took one last glance at her sleeping friend before heading out. She wanted some early morning exercise and what better way then to go find some fiends? With her claw and daggers equipped, she headed out.

--

He searched the mountains knowing she was coming this way. It was only a matter of time before she would become too strong for him. She was already getting closer to her full potential, he could feel it. He could not allow that to happen. If he had to, he would posses two fiends if it came down to it. But first things first. He had to find a fiend before he could do anything, then he would find the girl.

--

Luzzu woke up two hours after Rikku had left. He glanced around thinking she may have left without him, that is, until he saw her bag lying by the entrance.

The fire she had made the night before was only burning embers now. He quickly stood and changed clothes in the dying heat. Just as he had finished, Rikku returned.

"Whew, now that was fun!" She exclaimed when she saw he was up.

"Where did you go?" He asked. He barely managed to hide the worry in his voice.

"Just out for a little exercise. At least the fiends here poise some challenge. The ones in Besaid were pushovers." She giggled lightly proving just how young she really was.

"He was worried about you. Do not take it so lightly." Auron warned her.

She sighed and stared at the crusader for a moment. "Alright, I'm sorry. Next time I'll make sure to wake you up so you can come with me." She was quiet before changing what she said. "Next time I'll wait for you to wake up."

"Fair enough." He picked up his bag and slung it over his shoulder. "Are we ready to go?"

She picked her own up and did the same. "Yup! But be prepared, the fiends here are rather mean. Watch your back." She warned as she left the cave.

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Luzzu walked next to Rikku deep in thought. There was something off about her, but he could not place his finger on it. She was still that happy and chipper person she always was, but there were times like now. He glanced over to see her face. Where Rikku would appear as if she was staring at nothing. It was rather disturbing.

But if he were to bring it up, what would he say? 'Oh Rikku, I noticed you seemed to be spacing out there a lot. Did you want to talk about it?' Yeah, that would go over well. He was getting tired of the silence and was about to open his mouth to say something when she beat him to it.

"Whatever then. Don't talk to me, see if I care." She said before storming ahead angrily.

Luzzu was at a loss. If he would have known she would have acted like that because he didn't talk, he would have said something long before. All he could do now was follow behind and hope he didn't make the same mistake again. Just as suddenly Rikku turned around and looked at him with a surprised expression on her face.

"Oh no." She covered her mouth with her hands eyes open wide. "Did I just do what I think I did?" She asked him though it was somewhat muffled.

"Yell at me then walk off? Yes, yes you did." He answered her. He hadn't meant to be smart about it, but the way her hands dropped to her sides and the way her eyes looked anywhere but to him, he knew he said it wrong.

"Luzzu, I'm sorry. I didn't mean you." She moved closer and placed her hands on his shoulders. "I um, I..." She trailed off at a loss for words.

Now was a good time to say his thoughts. She was already out of it again. And she was looking right at him! "Rikku, I'm not sure how I should say this." Her eyes focused back to his face. "Maybe we should talk. You zone out a lot. Ever since your brother brought you to Besaid Lulu said you have been different."

Her mouth opened and closed a few times looking for words that would not come.

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Auron had not meant to make her angry, but such is the case when one is deep in thought and not paying attention to what is going on around you. He could have smacked himself when she yelled and walked away from Luzzu. The poor guy thought she was mad at him.

Granted it was out of character for him to lose focus like that, but with his thoughts it was hard not to.

Rikku had fallen asleep thanks to Shiva. She turned to the red-coated guardian and spoke. "You understand how important this is. I will not pretend that it is less then it is. After you had defeated Yu Yevon, he awoke. Bahamut had explained to you how his dream summoned Sin. Now that he is awake, his anger is now worse. He will stop at nothing to achieve his dream once again.

"The bond that you create with your summoner will determine how strong you both are. Hence, the stronger she is, you are." She leaned down and brushed a stray hair out of Rikku's face. "Bahamut has chosen well when he picked you two. Yes, I believe you will be the one to give us peace." She stood back up and faced Auron. "Do you know why we gave you the powers of Phoenix?"

He could only shake his head at the question. Truth was he was rather in the dark about it, and that unnerved him.

"Phoenix is only found in Al Bhed legends. It is the bird of life, healing, and rebirth. After Yu Yevon is in the farplane, you have a chance.." She stopped in the middle of her explanation. "I have said too much."

Auron raised his eyebrow. There was more to be done after he was sent? His luck just got better and better. Would he have to wander the farplane with Yevon? But then the way she phrased it made him think. "I will not be wandering in my afterlife with him in my body." It was time to make that clear.

Shiva laughed at his nieveness. "No of coarse not. We would never ask you to do such a thing. That is no kind of reward for defeating the man twice. No, we have something much better for you."

"And you are not willing to share that with me." It may have been a question, but he stated it rather then asked.

"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."

"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. He was already dead. Shiva laughed at him lightly. "Bahamut said you were a tough one. But that is not for me to ponder. It is time to go. Just remember what I have told you, Phoenix." She warned before disappearing.

--

They rested that night in another cave. It was even smaller then the first. It was still early, but Rikku had much to say to her new traveling companion that she did not want to waste time searching for something bigger. She got a fire started and hung her coat near by to dry the melted snow that was on it.

"Luzzu?" She began. He noted that she sounded unsure of herself, but did not interrupt. "When I yelled today, it was not because of you. I was having a conversation, but not with anyone you would have been able to see."

He scratched his chin in thought. It was just the two of them, who else could she be talking to? "Rikku, I don't understand. Do you have a com-sphere with you? I was unaware you brought one."

"Good guess, but wrong. I have a guardian. An aeon if you will. He talks to me to guide me. He makes sure I know what to do next. It is him that I am talking to when you think I am not paying attention. I can see everything that is happening, but I guess I cannot stop my eyes from glazing over."

"I...see. And what is he saying right now?"

"Not much. He is angry with me. You are the first person I have told about this." She huffed before saying more. "Never mind. He's not angry, just thinking. Whatever he is, I haven't been able to talk to him much today."

"I guess he just told you that?" Luzzu asked. "So I am the only one who knows?"

"No, Kimahri knows. He figured it out when he saw him at the village. I'm sure you heard the rumors about how I came to Gagazet."

"A few, but I didn't pay them much mind. My only concern was finding you. How you got there was another story." It was quiet as they both thought about the conversation. Luzzu was the first to break it. "What is the name of this aeon? If you don't mind me asking."

She answered quickly as if she was ready for him to ask. "Phoenix. I have Valefor, Shiva, and Phoenix." There was a twinkle in her eye as she said his name.

"Phoenix, can't say I have ever heard of it. Is there a temple around for it? Somewhere hidden?"

"I don't think so. See he's not like normal aeons. And I did not become a summoner like Yunie or anyone else did. I went to the temples after I gained the aeons." She laughed at how silly it sounded. "But he was different. Is different."

"Then how come you never use him? I have seen the other two and thought that was all you have. I would like to see this mystery aeon sometime."

"Well I would, but I feel weird telling him what to do." He gave a quizzical look. "It's hard to explain. Why don't we just go to sleep? We can get up early in the morning and be in Zanarkand by evening." She suggested.

He nodded in agreement and lay down in his sleeping bag. Tomorrow he would find out more. At least he hoped he would.

"Why did you not tell him who I was?" Auron questioned after he was sure the red head was asleep. "For once I was prepared for it."

"He does not need to know. The only reason I did not say anything to Kimahri was because he had already figured it out. Besides, you two were closer then the rest of us, weren't you? He knew you were unsent the whole time, didn't he?"

"I like to believe he did."

"I thought so. He was always so quiet, kinda like you."

"When there is nothing to say, what is the point of speaking?"

"Are you trying to tell me something? I happen to like to talk, thank you very much."

He could tell that he had upset her. That was not part of what he hoped to accomplish. "My apologies. I did not mean to offend you."

"Auron, you apologize way to much. You are such a gentleman. But I guess that was how they trained you in the warrior monks."

"Yes, I suppose."

Rikku sighed. She knew she should be getting to sleep but a chance to talk like this to her guardian did not come often. "Hey now that I think about it, can you tell me the real reason you did not marry that woman? It's been bugging me for the past four years."

"I could not."

"Was she mean, ugly?" Rikku interrupted.

"No, she was very beautiful. I had never seen one such as her. But I did not love her. Her father came to me wanting to marry his daughter off, but I knew it would never work between us."

"Why? What was wrong?"

"I did not love her. When I tried to explain why I declined her hand, he would not listen. He had me exiled from the monks for that reason. I learned later she had found a husband, and he became a great leader for his people."

"What was her name, if you don't mind me asking?" He had her curiosity peaked now. Auron was being so open with his past that she didn't want to ever fall asleep.

"Ami" He answered softly.

"Wait, isn't that the name of…?"

"Yes. Ami was Seymour's mother. Jyscal married her when I had refused. He was much older then her, but at least he loved her. Seeing what had happened to her, I have had to live with that shame for the rest of my life." His voice dropped and suddenly Rikku did not want to know any more. She had learned enough.

A yawn escaped her lips and she closed her eyes. "Good night, Auron." She whispered before falling to sleep.

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Yes, yes. I know that is not the truth behind Seymour's mother, but I thought it would be fun to do. Besides, it gives a great reason how he would have met the woman, right?