Wow! I went away for a day at the beach, and I come back to something like seven reviews! Needless to say I was quite shocked. Not that I minded. But now so many people are upset at my 'sad' ending. Do not worry, the great Gining will not leave you all hanging like that. I like happy endings too.
blackstaroscor: see above note. and don't worry.
mysterious didgidreamer: thank you so much for still liking it even if it was so sad, and what if the fayth let it go right there?
Thunder Demon: I had to add depressing! It keeps you wondering what I'm gonna do next.
Chibi-sorrow: I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make you cry. I didn't mean it really. But maybe I can make you hap... oops I said too much. um.. Read On!
Ginger: Hey don't worry. I don't mind. It let's me know that you will come back if only to see what happens next. And as for your problem with suffering from Auron depravation, well...
MakoAnima: Yup, I know exactly what I am doing, I think.
Neko- Yuf16: And she didn't wake up? Aiya! Well it helps when you have no life so I can get two out so fast. Believe it or not that second chap was written only hours after the first so I posted it. And no, you are not obsessed, because I do it too.
------
"You have done well. We thank you."
"Then, I ask that I may be left alone to have my peace."
"I'm sorry. That will not be possible."
"Not possible? Why?"
"There is still one more thing for you to do."
Disclaimer: This will be the last time I say this. I do not own Final Fantasy X of anything else in this fic. That all goes to Square. And really that will be the last time. This is the last chapter.
--
Rikku sat in her room staring out the window. There was nothing there except for some forest, but that did not matter to her. She wasn't even looking at it anyway. She had been sitting in this seat for the past three months. Ever since 'he' had left. But it wasn't as if he had left and she was waiting for him. Rikku had been the one to send him. What a horrible sick feeling it left in her stomach.
Before his sending with Yu Yevon, he had done one last thing for those wounded on the beach. His healing power spread over them. After she had cried her grief into exhaustion, Tidus and Luzzu had woken up to see her sprawled out on the sand. Luzzu had picked her up and carried her back to the village. They took her back to Yuna where she slept for two days. In her hands she clutched a string of beads. No matter what they tried, she would not release them, so they finally left them be.
Kimahri had visited her before he had left. He said nothing, but shook his head as he walked out. Rikku could see moisture in his big yellow eyes as he did so. Her father tried to get her to return with him to home, but Yuna had insisted she stay with her so she would be able to take care of her cousin. He relented and left her on Besaid.
Brother ended coming out with a black eye when he talked to her. He had tried to tease her and tell her she was acting immature, but it ended up backfiring, hence the black eye.
Rikku turned her head away from the window over to a small table that sat by her door. On it sat a tray of bread and a glass of water that Yuna had brought in the night before. She still hadn't touched it. She stood from her chair and walked over to the table. She then picked up a piece of the bread and brought it to her lips. She changed her mind and lowered it back onto the plate. Water would be enough again. She picked the glass up and downed half the clear liquid. It was warm from sitting out all night but she didn't care. Rikku didn't care about much as this point.
Auron had made her promise to live on and marry and have kids since he would not be there. But did that mean she had to move on right away? She hoped not. She sat back down in her chair to stare at nothing out the window.
Her door opened and Yuna came into the room carrying another tray. Breakfast. Rikku didn't even turn her head to see. She did, however, move her eyes to watch her move about the room. Yuna spoke to her as she made her bed and picked up a few things. "Rikku, you really should eat. A half glass of water a day is not going to help you. I don't know what happened to you after the beach incident, but you are wasting away to nothing."
The blond only rolled her eyes to give any sign she had heard her cousin.
"Rikku, are you listening?" She sighed. "Luzzu came by again today. He's been worried sick about you."
Luzzu, he had been by every two or three days. He would occasionally drop something off for her, then leave saying he would be back soon to check up on her. A sigh escaped through Rikku's nose that seemed to shout "Whatever!"
"You're going to be twenty in five days. I'm going to talk to Tidus. I think you need a night out. Something to get your mind off whatever it is you are so depressed about. It will do you some good." She walked back over to the tray she had brought in. Picking up a mango she held it out in front of her. "Here, I want you to eat this. Sitting here and doing nothing isn't healthy. I don't want to see you collapse in starvation.
Slowly she took the fruit from her cousin's hand and took a small bite. Yuna looked on with a smile on her face. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
--
He awoke with a start. The last thing he remembered was being on the farplane. Bahamut had told him he had one last thing to do. He had allowed Yevon to take over his body in order to bring him to the farplane. He had left the girl he loved back on Spira. What could he possibly have left to do?
"There is still one more thing for you to do." Bahamut told him quietly.
"I have done as you have requested. Now all I ask in return is that you leave me to my peace that I deserve."
"I'm sorry, Sir Auron. We cannot do that."
By now the ex-guardian was ready to throttle the boy. What he would give to have his katana at that point.
"We are sending you back."
"Back? What more do you want from me?" He shouted. It was uncharacteristic of him he knew, but he was done. He just wanted to be left alone to grieve for the love he would not see for years to come.
"Did you think we would ask for such a responsibility from you without giving something in return?" Bahamut chuckled.
That had caught his attention. Yevon was gone, separated from his body as soon as he crossed the barrier. Now he also had rest, no longer would he wish to destroy. The anger gone from his mind.
Auron glanced around at his surroundings. "Macalania springs." He whispered in shock. Not caring about much else he picked up his coat and sake jug. He thought of the beads that used to hold it to his waist. Frowning, he dropped the jug back to the ground. He wouldn't need that anymore. Looking around again he saw his katana. It was then he realized something. Dropping his coat back on the ground, he brought his hands up to his face. The scar was gone, he was seeing through both eyes. The fayth had restored him to what he was before his untimely death.
"Hello again." Someone spoke from behind him.
He turned quickly to see a superimposed image of Ami. "What are you doing here?" He asked her.
"I had one last thing to tell you. This will be the last time any of us will meet again this side of Spira. You have been given a gift. The gift of life. Enjoy it, cherish it, waste it, that is up to you. It is your reward for helping in the defeat of Yevon. I will go now to meet with my husband. I have missed him for so long. He is waiting for me just as someone waits for you. Go to her. Find her."
"Where is she?"
"You will know. Follow your heart. In it resides your light." She said just as she faded.
"My heart?" He placed a hand over his chest. "Besaid. I must talk to Yuna." Now with a new found determination, he picked up his coat and sword and started out.
His traveling took four days. Someone had seen him in Macalania woods and gave him a lift on their hover craft to the entrance of Guadosalam. That had saved plenty of time for him. From the moonflow he found a boat heading for Luca. It seemed as everything was working out for him. Even the winds pushed them faster. But for his aching heart, it could not go fast enough. He longed to be able to hold her in his arms again. He could hear murmurs of those around him. Once in a while a name would catch his ear. They were talking about him, he knew. But he did not care. Let them talk.
When he arrived in Luca he found he would have to wait a few hours before a boat would arrive to take him to Besaid. He took the opportunity to go to the cafe to get something to eat. He was famished. Now that he was alive again, feelings like this would take some time to get used to. He sat down and looked over the menu provided.
"What can I get for you, hun?" A woman asked from next to him.
--
Yuna reached into her closet and pulled out some clothes. Rikku sat on her bed and looked on not saying anything. She really did not want to go anywhere, but her cousin would have none of that.
"Here are some of my best things. Go ahead, pick one out. You'll need something to wear when we go shopping in Luca."
Rikku looked to her in amazement. Shopping, in Luca? That was what she had planned for her birthday? She looked over the colors spread out over the bed. Shirts, skirts, and pants lay out on the mattress. She reached out and chose a red halter and black mini-skirt. The top was simple, slightly short so that an inch of her stomach would peak out of she leaned back. The bottom, while not as short as her thief outfit, came just above mid thigh. Tiny crystal fringes, cut from Macalania woods, hung from the edges.
"That will look great. Now you need a bath. I'll put these away while you go get ready." Yuna said as she ushered her into the bathroom. "After you wash your hair, call me so I can brush it for you." She thought about what she had said. Thinking better of it she corrected herself. "Better yet, I'll just check in on you."
Rikku had gone mute since she had woken up three months ago. They had tried to get her to speak, but it was impossible. She was just too upset and no one could do anything to help her out of it. She began to undress and slipped into the water Yuna had already prepared for her. She figured she would start with her hair. No point in getting Yuna upset because she hadn't done it. She dipped her head under and scrubbed at the filth that collected.
When she came up, Yuna stood at the door smiling. "That's better. You're making progress." She picked up a brush and began running it through Rikku's blond hair as she finished washing. "I really wish you could tell us what had gotten you so depressed. We can't help you if you don't tell us."
'I don't want help.' Rikku thought. 'I just want to be left alone so I can grieve. If he were here, then I could be happy. But he's not.'
Yuna had continued talking not even noticing that Rikku was not listening. "There, done." She finally said after ten minuets. She held a towel out for Rikku to dry off with. "I left your clothes over there," Rikku followed her finger to the pile. "When you are dressed, we can go. Tidus is waiting outside for us."
Rikku silently obeyed, as if she would do anything else. When she finished she left through the door to see Tidus waiting for her. Yuna was next to him. She gave him a quick kiss before running over to the Al Bhed.
"Alright. You look great! Let's go." She grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the village.
Yuna noticed how fast they seemed to be going. The winds seemed to want them at their destination sooner then they had planned. She leaned into her husband's chest as she felt the breeze in her hair. "We sure are making some good time." She commented.
Tidus reached around her and rubbed her slightly swelled stomach. She was just short of five months along, and he knew that in another two months she would be showing. "I'm glad. Rikku hasn't been herself for so long. She really needs this chance to get out. She cooped up in her cabin?"
"Yeah. No matter what I said, she refused to come out. Maybe she will meet someone nice in Luca."
"I hope so."
Below deck
Rikku lay on her back in bed. She had already counted how many cracks were in the ceiling. (152 by the way) What they would do in Luca. And even what Tidus and Yuna would name their baby when it was born.
Her thoughts drifted back to the day at the beach. He told her he loved her, and she knew she returned the feelings. But he was gone now and never coming back. She wouldn't see him again until she was sent to the farplane. Little did she know though.
--
Auron watched as the boats came in. People filed off in masses. He waited until they were gone before he boarded.
"This boat won't be leaving until tonight. Do you still want to board?" A sailor asked him as he walked past.
"Only to drop off my things then." He answered.
"Very good, sir. Here is a key to your cabin."
Auron took the key from his hand and made his way below deck. Once there he dropped off his sword and coat before heading back out to see the sights of Luca. He walked around the shopping district window shopping. He thought about picking Rikku up something for when he did meet her again.
He strolled past a jewelry shop. Inside he saw the most beautiful necklace ever. It was a gold fifteen inch chain, with a green heart shaped gem pendent. It reminded him of her swirling green eyes. He had to pick it up for her. Opening the door he headed in.
A saleswoman saw him right away and headed over to him. "Can I help you with anything, sir?"
"Yes, that necklace in the window, how much is it?" He asked her pointing to the one he had seen.
"The green one?" He nodded. She looked him over from head to toe. Her mouth opened slightly in shock before she said anything. "Amazing." She said softly.
"What is it?" This was becoming weird.
"A little boy came in here yesterday saying that someone of your description would be in asking about that necklace. I didn't believe him at first, but he was persistent. He told me I shouldn't let anyone but it. I was worried when he asked me to display it that someone else would see it, but here you are." She explained.
Auron glanced over her shoulder. Hovering in the air was the fayth of Bahamut. He smiled from under his hood. So even now they were helping him. "I think I will take it. How much is it?"
"Five hundred gil."
He pulled a sack out from his belt and counted it out. Handing it over she took it and put it in the register. "Glad that we were able to help you." She reached in the window and grabbed the necklace. She then packaged it up for him in a black velvet box. "I do hope that your lady friend likes this."
"She will. I know she will." He answered as he took the box and put it in his pocket.
After the strange meeting he sat down on a bench and watched as people shopped around him. At one point he thought he saw a head of blond hair that looked much like Rikku's. He put that thought out of his mind when another Al Bhed walked out from the group he saw it in. He was so excited to see her that he was imagining things. He dropped his head in thought.
--
Meanwhile Rikku had been walking along with Yuna and Tidus. She held so many bags in her hands that she thought her arms would fall off. As she walked with them she thought she saw someone familiar sitting on a bench. When she glanced back to see for sure, they had their head bowed. She was about to go over to make sure when Tidus grabbed her arm.
"Come on, Rikku. One last store then we can go."
She nodded at him before taking one last glance at the bench; it was empty.
--
Auron stood and moved closer to where he thought he heard her name. It sounded like it came from his left so that was where he looked first. There was nothing. Just more people he didn't know. Giving up he headed back to the boat that would take him to Besaid.
--
Rikku dropped her bags off on the floor and collapsed on her bed. That was a long day! How could Yuna walk so much in her condition, she would never know. She sat up and grabbed the beads from the stand next to her bed. She needed to get out of this room. It was too stuffy for her.
Wrapping the beads around her waist like a belt she went above deck. Little did she know what she would find when she got there? Auron had not seen the trio who boarded hours after him. He lay in his cabin to take a nap. He was tired from traveling so fast from Macalania. He awoke after then sun had gone down. Leaving his cabin he went above deck to relax in the night air. He then went even higher to the top deck. Lucky for him no one was here. He moved to the edge and leaned over the railing. He stood in the silence for a short time when an intake of breath caught his ear. Auron turned his head to see who was coming up.
Rikku had not been expecting anyone to be there when she went up. Most of those on board were in bed. Tidus and Yuna stood at the front of the boat talking. That was when she decided to come up here. A man stood with his back to her. She drew a breath in surprise. She had wanted to be alone. But he must have heard her, for he then turned to see who had disturbed him.
Her jaw dropped when she saw his face. He looked so much like Auron. Granted a much younger Auron, and without sunglasses or cowl. He wore a black leather shirt that seemed to fit him very well, along with black pants and boots. Quickly she closed her mouth and tried to escape. She would have apologized had she been able to speak.
She stopped suddenly when she heard her name. "Rikku?" He called. "Is that you?"
She turned to get a better look at him. She opened her mouth to say his name, but could not. Her throat refused to let any sound out. Months of disuse caused her to forget how to speak, that and the excitement coupled with being reunited with Auron. She climbed the last few steps and ran to his waiting arms.
"I missed you so much." He whispered in her ear as he held and kissed her.
Emotion welled up inside her and she could not help it as tears poured down her face. But these were different then the ones she had shed the last time she had seen him, these were tears of happiness. "Au.." She began only to find herself unable to say it.
"Rikku. It's okay."
"Auron." It came out cracked and hoarse sounding, but she said it. "Auron." She said again. This time with more force.
"What is it?" He asked confused.
She could hear Tidus and Yuna calling for her. Pulling away from his arms she leaned over the rail to see them. "Up here!" She shouted letting them know where she was.
They looked up to see her waving and ginning wildly. They rushed up together to see what had happened. When they reached the top deck, they could only stand and stare. Rikku stood in the arms of none other then...
"Is that Auron?" Tidus asked. "He looks.."
"Different." Yuna finished.
"He's back. He came back." Rikku said as she moved closer to her old friend, and now lover.
--
Okay, I know I said this was the last chapter, but it was getting so long that I have to end it here. But don't worry. I'm going to add a sequel to this. Just give me a couple days. Wonder what Besaid will say when they see the legendary guardian. Or better yet, Cid. Hehe. Anyway, leave me a review. I hope that this was what many of you were hoping for.