A/N: Back again! Remember when I said I would end this two chapters ago? Well forget that! I have new ideas! Well, not really. I just don't feel like ending it yet. Heh..Well, thanks for the reviews! I'm going to try to add a little bit more Yuna/Tidus and Lulu/Wakka in this one. Of course there will Auro/Rikku as well. Anyways, here's fourteen!

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy X. Some rich Japenese guy does.

Chapter 14: Shopping

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"Get up!" Tidus called, running through the hotel room.

"No," Auron groaned. He pulled the cover over his head. It was to early to get up. He had always been an early riser, but not sleeping well for the past two nights could change that.

"Rise and shine," Yuna said in a sing-song voice, pulling the covers off the older man.

"Yunie," groaned Rikku. She had been laying on Auron's chest and now she felt a draft where she should have felt warmth. "It's cold. Give the covers back."

Yuna's response was pulling the blanket of the sleeping pair, folding it, and tossing it in one of the armchairs.

"Guess that's a no," Rikku mumbled, getting up and rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"It's past eight. Get up," Wakka greeted, already dressed in a pair of blue jeans and a white T-shirt.

"You always were an early riser, Auron. What's the difference now?" Lulu questioned, waltzing into the room dressed in a long black skirt and light blue tank.

"Not sleeping well for two days," Auron replied, standing from his bed.

"Are we still shopping today?" Rikku asked.

"I guess," Lulu answered.

"Goody," the Al Bhed said happily. All traces of her earlier sleepiness were gone.

"How can you be so peppy?" Auron queried, directing his question at Rikku.

"I dunno."

"She's just glad that we left you two here alone last night," Tidus said, strolling into the living room sporting a pair of baggy beige shorts and a green shirt that said 'Zanakard Abes'.

Hearing this, Rikku turned slightly pink and gave her cousin an agitated look. Yuna couldn't keep anything from Tidus.

Auron smirked. I know I am, he thought. "Well, I suppose I should be getting dressed." With that said, he walked went into the bedroom, grabbed some clothes, and then proceeded to the bathroom.

"So should we," Yuna announced, walking into the bedroom with Rikku trailing behind.

"Yuna, can you keep anything from Tidus?" Rikku questioned once she and her cousin were in the bedroom.

"No."

Rikku laughed at her reply. At least she was honest. "Does this look okay?" She held up a pair of sand blasted hip-huggers and a yellow spaghetti strap.

"Um hmm," Yuna answered, taking out a pair of blue jean shorts and a red shirt that had a picture of a cheery on it with the saying 'sweet'. "What about this?"

"Cute." Rikku quickly dressed. "Now all I have to do is fix my hair and brush my teeth."

"Are you ready?" Lulu came through the bedroom door with her purse in hand. "I want to get an early start."

"We just have to do our hair," Yuna replied. She went to stand in front of the full length mirror hanging by the dresser. "Now what should I do with it today?"

"I think I'll just do the usual," Rikku said, grabbing a comb, hair bands, and hair spray.

"I hate my hair," Lulu chimed in, moving to stand by the mirror as well. She ran her hands through it. She had already combed it, but she had planned on just wearing it down. Now she wasn't so sure. "I think I'll pull it up."

"Yeah, it's going to be hot today," Rikku said, quickly pulling back her hair and fastening it with a rubber band.

"What's taking so long? Hurry up!" Tidus said, banging on the door.

"Hang on! We're trying to fix our hair," Yuna responed, handing Rikku the hair spray. She heard loud groan from the other side of the door.

"They're fixing their hair," Tidus told the men, returning to front room.

"Great."

"We'll be here all day," Auron added. It had taken him less that five minutes to pull on his pair of black jean, throw on a red T-shirt, comb his hair, and brush his teeth. It would take them fiftteen minutes alone just to fix their hair.

"We can hear you!" Rikku yelled from the bedroom.

"Then hurry up!" Wakka hollered back.

"We're trying!"

"Women," all three men sighed in unison.

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"Can we please rest?" Tidus moaned, slumping onto a bench. It was a bright, sunny day in Bevelle and the storm last night had made the day very humid. He didn't understand how the girls were still going so strong.

"Ya. We've been shopping for hours," Wakka agreed, sitting down next to Tidus.

"Honestly," Lulu sighed, moving over to the side of the sidewalk and out of the way of other pedestrians.

"How can you keep going?" Auron asked, joining Wakka and Tidus on the bench. He was in pretty good shape- if he did say so himself- but he needed a quick rest as well.

"Oh, look at that cute little shop over there!" Rikku pointed to a small jewelry shop across the street, oblivious to the men's agony.

"Please, I need food," Tidus begged. It was well past noon, and he was starving.

"Well, why didn't you eat breakfast?" Yuna asked, shifting her purse strap on her shoulder. They knew they were going shopping today, why hadn't they come prepared?

"Because we didn't have time! You took to long fixing your hair," Tidus accused.

"Oh, we didn't take that long," Lulu replied with a wave of her hand.

"It took you a half an hour," Wakka said dryly.

"Well, we have to tease, and spray-"

"And primp and prune," Auron finished, earning a playful slap on the shoulder from Rikku.

"Anyways," Rikku began, "I'm not hungry."

"Neither am I. Wakka, are you?" Lulu asked, placing a hand on his broad shoulder.

"Naw. I just needed a quick rest."

"Well, I suppose I am rather hungry," Yuna chimed in.

"Then how about we spilt up? Yuna and Tidus can go find something to eat, and Wakka, Lulu, Rikku and myself can continue shopping," Auron suggested, noticing that Rikku was still eyeing the jewelry store.

"Actually, we passed some shops in that direction," Lulu pointed to where they'd came from, "that I'd like to look in. Perhaps Wakka and myself could go back in that direction?"

"All right then. Let's just all met back at this spot in two hours."

"Make it four hours. That way, we can regroup and then go out for dinner," Lulu suggested.

"Four hours it is, then," Auron said, ending the discussion.

"Sounds good," Wakka agreed. He stood and offered Lulu his hand. "Ready, Lu?"

Lulu smiled as she accepted Wakka'a offered hand. "See you all in a while," she called over her shoulder as she and Wakka made their way back down the busy sidewalk.

"Rikku, would you like to go see that shop across the street?"

Rikku smiled happily and nodded her. "Sure."

"Have fun!" Yuna called after her cousin.

"Hope you find something good to eat!" Rikku yelled from the other side of the street.

"Well, let's go find some food," Tidus said, wrapping his arm around Yuna's waist and leading her up the sidewalk.

After a few moments of walking in silence, Yuna spotted a coffee shop. "Tidus, we could get some coffee and muffins."

"We could..." Tidus said slowly. He was wasn't really a coffee person. He was about to suggest going for burgers instead, but the hopeful look on Yuna's face changed his mind. "We could," he repeated, matter-of-factly this time.

Yuna smiled and lead him inside the shop. She approached the counter and scanned the menu hanging above a middle-aged sales clerk.

"Hi. Can I get you anything today?" the clerk asked cheerfully.

"Yes. I will have a tall raspberry mocha and a slice of your banana walnut bread."

"And how about you, sir?"

"Uh, I think I'll have a carmel macchiato and a blueberry muffin."

"All right. Your total comes to 11.25," The woman said, accepting the money Tidus handed her. She gave him his change and said, "I'll fix those right up.

As the woman was busy preparing their drinks, Tidus leaned over to Yuna. "What's a carmal macchiato?"

Yuna giggeled and answered, "It's coffee with vanilla and caramel in it."

"Oh. Sounds good."

"It is," Yuna laughed. She looked at the man standing next to her affectionately. Sure, he was kind of goofy, but he was also sweet, funny, and not to bad on the eyes. Yuna wouldn't trade him for anything.

"Here you are," The clerk said, returning with their coffee's and muffins.

"Thank you." Tidus took their order. "Where do want to sit?"

"Let's go outside. I saw a bunch of tables out there."

Making their way outside, the couple spotted a vacant table and sat down. Yuna surveyed her surroundings. They sat under a large awning. She was grateful for the shade. It was really hot out today.

"So, having fun?" Tidus questioned, taking a bite of his muffin.

Yuna smiled and nodded her head. "Yes. It's a very nice day."

"Very hot day," Tidus replied.

"That too." Taking a sip of her coffee, Yuna asked, "Do you like your coffee?"

"Um hmm. Do you like yours."

"Yes. It's what I always get. Would you like to try it?"

Tidus nodded and took a swig of the beverage Yuna offered him. "Your's is better than mine," he joked, handing her back her drink.

"Well I could have told you that." Yuna nibbled her banana bread, enjoying the peace of the outdoors and her company. She glanced over at the blond man sitting across from her. She wondered -not for the first time- what her life would be like without his pressence it it. I wouldn't even be here she thought. At that very moment she was sure that she fell even more in love with Tidus.

"What are you thinking about?" Tidus queried, downing the last of his coffee.

Yuna smiled at him over the rim of her coffee. "That I love you."

"I love you, too, Yuna," Tidus said softly, sealing his words with a kiss. "But is that really what you were thinking about?"

"Pretty much," Yuna laughed.

Tidus laughed with her and the two fell into a comfortable silence. Tidus finished off his muffin and reached for Yuna's hand. "You ready?"

"I guess so," she replied, grabbing their trash and tossing it in a trash can. "Do you want to a little shopping? We still have three hours before we have to meet the gang."

"Sure." Tidus intertwined his finger's with Yuna's and lead her to the sidewalk. "Where to first?"

"Where do you want to go?"

"Wherever you want to," Tidus answered, not really caring as long as he was with Yuna.

"Clothing boutiques, here we come."

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"Oh, this is pretty," Lulu said, holding up and old clock. She and Wakka were browsing in a store filled with old antiques.

"Ya, it is." Wakka ran his thumb over the small device. "Nice color."

"And detail." Lulu admired the finely crafted clock. A small, hand-made leaf design wrapped it's edges and the mahogany stain gleamed. "Wouldn't this look nice sitting on the mantel in the living room?"

"Suppose so," Wakka replied, picturing the large house he and Lulu had decided to buy. The large Besaidian could just picture himelf and Lulu in that house. Little feet scurrying across the floor...The mere thought of Lulu having his children caused him to smile.

"What are you smiling about?" Lulu asked playfully, tucking the clock under her arm.

"Oh, you know, nothing really."

"If you say so," Lulu said, browsing around some more shelfs.

"So, how much is this thing, anyways?" Wakka questioned, grabbing the clock. He tossed it from one hand to the other.

"Ten gil," Lulu replied, making a grab for the clock.

"That's pretty cheap, ya?" Wakka said, holding the clock above his head.

"Yes, it is. Now give me the clock, Wakka."

"Ah, come on, Lu. You can grab it."

Lulu arched her eyebrows and stuck out her hand. "Give me the clock." She glanced around the store and saw the owner, or so she assumed, eyeing them suspiciously. "Wakka, people are looking," she added in a quieter tone.

"So? Let 'em," Wakka replied, dropping the clock in her hand.

Lulu sighed and said, "I don't know what I'm going to do with you."

"You're gonna marry me."

"Heaven help me," Lulu sighed again, walking towards the check-out.

After paying for the clock, Lulu made her way out of the old store and onto the busy sidewalk. Spotting a large sidewalk sale, she said, "Let's go look over there." Leading the way, Lulu stopped once she reached a rack of clothes that was marked 50

off.

"Look's like were running into a lot off deals today, ya?"

"Seem's like it." Scanning the rack, Lulu found a black shirt with a slightly dipped neckline. "Does this look all right?"

Wakka nodded his head. Picking up a dark blue, knee lenght skirt with a ruffle along the bottom, he said, "This is pretty."

"Look's like I've found me an outfit," Lulu annouced, drapping the items over her arm.

"Hey, look at this," Wakka said, moving over to another rack.

Lulu followed after him with her gaze. Her thoughts drifted from shopping to her fiancé. Calling him her fiancé still felt a little strange. For so many years he had been only a friend to her, and now here she was marrying him. Not that she didn't want to. She loved him dearly, but she always wondered why it had taken her so long to realize that simple fact. What baffeled her even more was the thought: why did Wakka wait on her? He had had other girls who would have happily married him, but he had waited for her...

"Lu, do you like this?" Wakka questioned, holding up a pair of capris.

Instead of answering his question, Lulu asked her own. "Wakka, why did you wait for me?" She wasn't really sure why she the question was troubling her so, but it was.

"What?" Wakka replied, confusion evident on his face.

"Why did you wait on me? You could have married any other woman; why wait for me?"

"Because I love you," Wakka answered, wondering what had brought on this question.

"Is that it?"

"Isn't that a good reason?" Wakka asked, abandoning his search for clothes to stand by his fiancée's side.

Lulu sighed, feeling rather flustered because she couldn't express herself clearly. "Never mind." She busied herself by looking for more clothes.

"Lulu, what are you talking about?"

"I mean, why didn't you just give up on me? Even I would have given up on me."

"Why?" Wakka queried, placing his large hand on her small shoulder.

"Because I was cruel," Lulu replied, obviously frustrated.

"So? That's just you."

"Thanks, Wakka."

"That's not what I mean," Wakka sighed. "Ya, you could be pretty hateful at times, but I learned that was your defense mechanism."

"Defense mechanism?" Lulu asked, eyebrows raised. She knew he was speaking the truth, but it seemed odd to have Wakka tell her about it.

Wakka exhaled loudly. "Lu, I love you. I waited for you because I didn't want to marry anyone else. I want you to be my wife. It's as simple as that."

Lulu looked up at her future husband. Her huband... Why was she worrying about why he had waited? What mattered was that he had. "I'm glad you did," she said softly, wrapping her arms around him.

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"Oh! Aren't these pretty!" Rikku exclaimed, picking up a thin, silver bracelet with small green emeralds embedded on it and matching earrings.

"Yes they are," Auron replied, finding that he was actually enjoying being in a jewelry store. He quickly decided that it must be his company.

Rikku checked the price tag and swiftly sat the pretty trio down. "Sixty gil," she sighed.

"Cheap are we?"

"Oh, please. This from the man who forced us to sleep in the cheapest motels we could find during the pilgrimage."

"Those were the only places available. Would you have rathered slept on the ground?"

"In some cases..."

Auron sighed and shook his head. Picking up the bracelet and earring set Rikku had liked he said, "You know, these would match your eyes."

Rikku smiled. "I know, but I'm cheap."

"But I'm not," Auron replied, pulling out his wallet. "Well, according to some people I am," he added playfully.

"Auron, what are you doing?" Rikku questioned, watching as he pulled out a few bills.

"I'm buying these."

"Why?"

"Because you like them," Auron answered, walking to the check-out counter.

"You mean, you're buying them for me?" Rikku asked, shock evident on her face.

"I'm certainly not buying them for myself," chuckled Auron. He paid for the items and walked out of the store. Upon reaching the sidewalk, he reached into the bag and handed Rikku the box.

"Thank you," Rikku said softly, taking the box Auron offered. She slipped on the bracelet and earrings. "They're so pretty."

"Beautiful, I'd say."

"That works, too."

"I wasn't talking about the jewelry."

Rikku smiled self-consciously. She was very aware of Auron's gaze, and she was sure she was blushing. "Can we go in that store?" she asked, pointing to a store a couple of buildings down. She needed some distraction to calm her nerves, and shopping for clothes was just the thing.

"If you wish," Auron answered.

"Hello. May I help you find anything today?" an older woman asked as the couple entered the store.

"No thanks. We're just browsing," Rikku replied cheerfully.

"All right. If you need anything just let me know," the woman said kindly, disappearing into the back.

"Will do," Rikku called after her.

"Rikku, I'm going to go look around over there," Auron said, pointing to men's clothing section. "If you need me, you'll know where to find me."

"Okay. You know where I'll be," Rikku replied, walking over to a display of shirts. She busied herself by searching through the stacks, trying to find something that interested her.

"May I help you?" a crude voice asked, interrupting Rikku's searching.

Rikku turned to find a young woman, not to much older than herself, standing before her. "No thanks. I'm just looking."

"I see. Well, if you need something let me know," the emplyee replied, walking a few feet away and busying herself with folding another disply of shirts.

Feeling slightly uncomfortable under the watchful eye of the young woman, Rikku moved to another display. Looking up a few moments later, Rikku found the ever watchful gaze of the empolyee still on her. "Excuse me, but is there a problem?"

"No. Not at all," the woman replied curtly.

"Uh-huh," Rikku said, deciding to leave the store. She was on her way to get Auron when she heard something that sounded a lot like 'Al Bhed heathen'. Stopping abruptly, she turned to face the woman that she was sure had uttered those words. "S'cuse me?"

"Yes?"

"Did you say something?"

"No, I did not."

"I'm sure I heard you say something," Rikku said, as nicely as she could.

"No, I didn't say a thing."

"Look, if you can say it behind my back, you can surely say it to my face," Rikku snapped, her patience dwindling quickly.

"I told Betty we shouldn't allow Al Bheds in here," the emplyee sighed.

"And what's that supposed to mean," Rikku demanded, checking the woman's name tag.

"I mean that your kind are nothing but heathens."

"Listen here, Barb," Rikku snapped, seething with anger. "You-"

"Rikku! What is going on?" Auron queried, walking briskly over to the young woman.

When Auron approached the fueding pair, Barb immediately changed her tune. "May I help you, sir?" she asked nicely.

"You could. What is going on?" Auron questioned, glancing between the two women.

"Well-"

"I was just coming to find you when Little-Miss-Thing over here decides I shouldn't be allowed in this store because I'm Al Bhed," Rikku interrupted, her angry stare never leaving Barb.

Barb rolled her eyes. "That is not what happened-"

"Oh, yes it is," Rikku began, wanting nothing more than to pummel the woman standing in front of her. She would have, too, if Auron hadn't intervened.

"Rikku, come. People like these are not worth our time." Auron took Rikku by the arm and steered her towards the exit.

"Wait just a minute!" Barb shouted. "Where do you get off-"

Auron turned around and cut the woman off. "You should be very glad that I am not going to go straight to your surpervisor and tell them what kind of a stunt you have just pulled. Do you know what would happen if I did?" When Barb remained silent, he continued, "You would be fired. Which is exactly what you deserve." With that being said, he grabbed Rikku and left the store.

The pair walked back to the meeting spot in silence. Each person thinking about different things. Rikku's thoughts were focused on Barb and the remarks she had made, while Auron's were centered around his and Rikku's budding relationship.

"Rikku-"

"Auron-" the two started at the same time.

"Go ahead," Auron said, sitting down on the bench.

"I was just going to say, thanks for saying what you said." The young woman sat down next to the older man.

"Think nothing of it."

"And, I'm sorry for loosing my temper. People like that just make me so upset."

Auron put a comforting arm around Rikku's shoulder. "I understand. But, sadly, there are people like that everywhere we go."

"I know," Rikku sighed. "What were you going to say?"

"Just that I'm sorry about what happened."

"It wasn't you fault," Rikku replied, leaning on his shoulder.

"Rikku," Auron said after a brief silence, "we need to talk."

At those words, Rikku immediately became nervous. Those words were rarely good. "Okay."

"About our-"

"Hey guys!" Tidus called. He and Yuna joined the pair sitting on the bench.

"There they are," Lulu said, walking over to her friends. "We got turned around, or we would have been here sooner."

"Hi guys. Have fun?" Rikku asked, rather glad for the interruption.

"Yes. But now I'm famished. How about dinner?" Lulu suggested.

Everyone agreed, so they began making their way towards a restaurant. Yuna and Tidus were dicussing nothing in particular, while Lulu and Wakka talked about wedding details. Rikku's thoughts were centered around what Auron had been planning to say, while Auron's consisted of how to say what he was planning to say.

Once they reached the restaurant, Rikku and Auron forgot about their earlier thougths and merely enjoyed everyone's company.

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Replys to my fantastic reviewers...

LadyInRed: Whoo! You loved it! Hehe...I don't know how I came up with SFC...it just kinda poped in my head. Heh.

Mandyfanforevr: I know it wasn't really an nding place, but I was so tired! I was like, uh, can't type anymore. Ha! I kinda focused on the other couples, but I think Auron and Rikku still got most of the attention.

Cloudude: Yep! Lol!

Ignes Fatui: SFC does sound appetizing, doesn't it? Hehe. Glad you enjoy it! Yep, there's more to come!

Shaunamitchell: It took me awhile to come around to Aurikku. At first I was like, ewwww. And I still think it's kinda ewwww, but I like it. That's why I had to change the ages. A 15 year old and a 30 year old is like major EWWW. Lol. Well, anyways, I'm glad you like it!

Guan: Glad ya liked!

Xmaster: Glad you like it! Yep, more Aurikku. Heh.

Aurikku Lover: What's a chocobo dance? Teach me! Teach me! Ha! Glad you like it!

Tidus101: Well, I'm glad you like it!

A/N: Well, there's chapter fourteen! Wow. Who woulda guesses it would make it this far? I sure didn't! Thanks for all the reviews! It because of you guys that my fic is still going! There will be more chapters, so keep them reviews flowing! I told you I'm as chageable as the weather. Ha! Chapter fifteen should be up soon!