Mysterious digidreamer: Thanks for the review. I hope you like this as good as the others.
Chibi: I have a strong feeling that you are going to do more then feed me to the shoopuff for this one. There are some nasty fiends in Omega Ruins that I'm sure would have a field day with me.
A/n: I don't know what possessed me to do this to poor Rikku. I am so gonna get flamed for this I know. But it was a necessary evil. Please don't kill me or I won't get to finish this:(
The trio who had arrived the day before were getting ready to depart. With the addition of one extra member. Tidus had found his brotherhood sword and was outside testing it out.
Auron was about to join him when Yuna placed a hand on his arm. "Sir Auron. Before you go, there is something I want to show you."
He stopped walking and followed her back to the room he had slept in that night. He watched her as she moved around the room looking for something.
"Yuna." He tried to stop her as she crawled on hands and knees to look under the bed.
"Hold on. I know it's here." Auron sighed as she stood back up and checked a dresser again. She opened it up before rooting around inside. With a triumphant smile she held up what it was she had been searching for. "This is Rikku's dress sphere. I found it after you left for Bikanel."
"And I am to do what with it?" He asked unsure as he took it from her hand and stared at it.
"Activate it." She answered as if it was the most obvious thing.
He took a deep breath as he looked to Yuna in doubt. "I don't see why you can't do this."
"Because it wouldn't be the same. The spheres react to each individual."
Not having another argument, Auron concentrated on the sphere. A white light surrounded him before fading away. He stood in the same clothes as always. The only difference was the change in his weaponry. "Rikku's dark knight." He whispered. "But why did my clothes not change like her's when she activated it?" He wondered.
"We found this sphere of you. Rikku used it to make a new dress sphere." (A/n: I know this isn't how they got it, I'm making it up. It just fits as to why Rikku uses Auron's sword.) Yuna continued her explanation. "The armor reflects the original person in the sphere, along with the new user. That would explain why your clothes didn't change."
Auron listened as he looked over the weapon in his hand. "Masamune. I have missed this sword." He held it in front of him before taking a practice swing. "Thank you, Yuna."
Rikku fought back tears as she thought about how long she had been in this place. Granted she was over her fear of the thunder and lightning, but being away from friends and family for so long was getting to her.
"You can cry if you want. I won't tell anyone." Luzzu spoke softly from several feet to her right. He was tied up and sitting deeper within the cave.
"No, I must be strong. I have to be strong." She argued silently so as not to be overheard.
"Rikku no one will see you except for me." He dropped to his side and used his legs to move closer to her. When he was next to her, he pulled himself back into a sitting position.
Rikku leaned on him and wrapped her arms around his neck and cried into his chest. When she was done, she dried her eyes and began to work at the ropes that bound his feet.
"What are you doing?" He asked shocked.
She sniffled before answering. "I'm getting you out of here. One of us has to get help, and it can't be me." She finished with that rope as he turned so she could undo his hands. She worked quickly and quietly so as not to get caught.
"Rikku, before I escape there is something I must tell you."
She stopped what she was doing and closed her eyes. "I know, Luzzu. I know." It was almost inaudible to him.
"There is more. You do not need to worry. Remember when I said that one of the mechanics were teaching me Al Bhed?" She nodded even though he couldn't see her. "I am not upset any more. She helped me to move on."
"I'm... glad." It sounded so feeble, but it was the truth. She finished with the last knot and let the rope fall to the ground.
"Now what?"
"I have one last Al Bhed flash bomb left. I was saving it for an emergency, but this is about as close as we are going to get. When I count to three, I'm going to throw it. Make sure you cover your eyes." She warned him. "You will have about five to ten minutes to get out and escape."
"What about you? Who knows what they will do to you?"
"Don't worry about me. Go to either Guadosalam or the travel agency. Whichever is closer. Once you are around people, they won't be able to do anything."
"Sounds like you have been planning this for some time." He remarked.
"I have. Now on three." She drew her hand back ready to throw. "One, two."
"Hey, what are you doing back there?"
"Three!" Luzzu covered his eyes and ran.
Her wasn't sure how long he ran for. His lungs burned for oxygen, but he dared not stop yet. His heart pounded against his ribs, and his throat was dry from breathing so hard. His legs felt as if they were going to fall off his body from overexertion. They were sore and limp feeling, but he pressed on.
Luzzu had taken a left outside of the cave they were held in. He had figured that either way would take him to where Rikku had told him to go. So far no one was behind him. At least none that he could tell. He had to stop soon; he wouldn't be able to help Rikku if he died from pushing too hard. Seeing a lightning tower just ahead of him, he made a dash for it. It was big enough to give him cover if one of the guards came past, yet small enough where they would not think to look.
He sat down on the ground and pulled much needed air into his lungs. He glanced around taking in the sight around him. Just ahead he could see the top of something when the lightning flashed. With a newfound determanation, he stood and began to run again.
Once they were able to see again, the two men glared at Rikku. Rubbing their eyes to get some semblance of sight back, they approached.
"Al Bhed bitch." Vina snarled. "That was uncalled for."
"As if you kidnapping me was." She shot back.
"Shut up!" He had enough. Vina pulled his foot back and kicked her side sending her as far as her chains would allow. "If I had my way, you would be dead for that little stunt. But for some reason the boss wants you alive for now."
Rikku rolled over to her stomach. A coughing fit wouldn't let her say anything. When she had finished, she looked to the ground in front of her. What she saw there made her open her eyes in shock, blood. And it covered the ground in front of her. She could taste it on her lips and tongue. The coppery metal taste filled her mouth as she coughed again.
Vina stood over her and watched her body spasm in pain and sickness. "Next time I'm sure you will think twice before trying anything like that again." He squatted in front of her, but far enough away where she would not be able to touch him.
Getting over her fit, Rikku wiped the blood from her mouth and glared at him. "E tu hud drehg ed femm pa sa oui cruimt pa funneat ypuid. Uhla Vydran yht Auron veht uid fryd oui ryja tuha, oui femm pa bihecrat du dra vimmacd aqdahd uv Al Bhed myf. Yht dryd'c uhmo ev Auron tuach'd gemm oui vencd." She warned in the most serious voice should. (I do not think it will be me you should be worried about. Once Father and Auron find out what you have done, you will be punished to the fullest extent of Al Bhed law. And that's only if Auron doesn't kill you first.)
"E ys hud clynat uv dra knayd Sir Auron. Eh vyld, fa famlusa res du lusa. Fyed ihdem ra caac rec bnaleuic bnehlacc yht fryd ryc palusa uv ran." He laughed at the fear that filled her face. (I am not scared of the great Sir Auron. In fact, we welcome him to come. Wait until he sees his precious princess and what has become of her.)
Rikku knew now that she was in over her head. She was weak, sick, and was not able to defend herself. He mentioned they wern't allowed to kill her, but that left so much open as to what they could do.
"Hey, Zak, how about bringing that basin of water over here?" He shouted without taking his eyes off Rikku.
"What about the other guy? Shouldn't we go after him?" He asked. He was still rubbing his eyes to be able to see clearly.
"Without a weapon, the fiends probably got him by now. I don't think we need to worry about him."
Zak came to where the two sat facing one another. He set the basin next to Vina. Vina picked the rag up from hanging over the edge. He dipped it in the water before wringing it out and throwing it at Rikku. "Clean yourself off. Nobody likes looking at blood all over someone." If it weren't for the rough way he had spoken, Rikku would have thought he was trying to be nice.
Silently she rubbed the cloth over her face paying special attention to her lips and chin. She never took her gaze off the man who still squatted in front of her. He had some plan and she knew it had something to do with her. Just what that was, she could only speculate.
The four men began their search from Luca. Yuna had called ahead to Kilika and told Lulu and Wakka what had happened. They had agreed to stay an extra day to search.
They split up into pairs to make a more thorough search. Cid had made Auron come with him since he still did not trust the man. Tidus and Brother were sent off to look near the docks and sphere pool, while Cid and Auron searched the city.
It was three hours later before either of them spoke. Cid was the one to break the silence. "You really are worried about my little girl." He asked, but it was more of a statement then an actual question.
"Yes. The fayth had gifted me with a second chance just so I could be with her." He answered as he peered down an empty alley.
"Fayth, huh? Well I reckon that is enough proof for me then."
Auron stopped. He turned to face the older man. Cid stood with his arms over his chest and staring at him. He answered his question before Auron even had the chance to ask. "My little girl is important to me. For some strange reason she likes ya. I can't fathom what that reason could be, but it must have been enough for the fayth to get involved so you could be with her."
"Cid..."
"Don't interrupt when I am talking!" Cid brushed him off.
"My apologies,"
"Now look, I may not like ya much, but now I know I can trust you at least. There is something about Kaleya that rubs me the wrong way.
It has taken me a long time to get to this point, but I just didn't want to see my girl end up the same way as my sister."
Auron was taken aback. For the past week Cid had made it known how much he despised the ex-monk. Yet here he was all but giving his blessing to Auron and Rikku. "I thank you." Slowly he reached one hand out for Cid to shake.
Cid looked at the hand then at the owner before taking it within his own. "Yeah alright. Now let's find Rikku."
"Why don't we head back to the airship and find out if Kaleya has found out any information." Auron suggested. Cid agreed.
"No, Cid. No one has found her yet. I have people searching the desert again even now, just in case." Kaleya sounded worried just like she should have. After all, her lover's sister was still missing. She managed to force a tear to fall to make it look more realistic.
Why would she have to look more realistic? First off Cid was using a video commsphere. Second, she was lying through her teeth. There was no one in the desert. In fact she had forbidden anyone from going and searching saying that Cid did not want them too, because it had already been done.
"Alright then, if you hear anything, anything at all. Give me a call."
"I will do that. And Cid, one more thing. I heard something yesterday."
"What is it? Does it have to do with Rikku?"
"In a way, yes. I was walking in the halls when I overheard someone talking about that monk friend of her's putting Rikku in danger. I'm telling you, he is bad news."
Cid paused a moment. Those were his words that he had used on his will. It wasn't final yet, but if she had seen it... He suppressed the urge to scream at the blond over the videocomm. He was the only one to know that Auron was an ex-monk. Without reading it, Kaleya wouldn't be able to know either. "Thank you, Kaleya. I'll remember that."
"Cid, I'm telling you, he can't be trusted! Just look at him! He should be almost forty, but he's not. It must be some kind of evil magic he's using to hide his true self!" She pleaded with him before he could hang up on her.
"Kaleya, let me deal with the monk. Just keep Home up and running." Without letting her comment, he reached forward and switched off the sphere. "Did ya hear that?"
Auron stepped out from behind the corner he had hidden behind. "Every word."
She slammed her fist down on the table in front of her. "Tysh umt syh. Tysh res! E'mm cruf res fru'c eh lrynka." She picked up a normal commsphere and called the thunder plaines. (Damn old man. Damn him! I'll show him who's in charge.)
"Yes, ma'am? Did you need something?" Vina's voice answered the call.
"Kill her. Kill her and throw her out to rot!" Kaleya spit letting the anger in her voice to come through.
"But ma'am, I thought you didn't want her dead." He argued.
"There has been a change of plans. That brat is causing more trouble missing. Cid is ignoring my last attempt at framing this on the monk."
"The monk ma'am? I don't think I quite understand."
"Sir Auron you eteud!" She shouted in frustration.
"Fine, no need to get so nasty. Does this mean we can't have a little fun with her?"
"I don't care what you do, just don't let her escape." She snapped at him.
"As you say." He said before the call was disconnected.
"I'll show Cid I am not one to be trifled with." She leaned back into her chair and smiled sinisterly.
"Hey girl, wake up!" Zak kicked Rikku in the back to make her stir.
She rolled over so she would be able to look at them. "Fryd tu oui fyhd huf?" (What do you want now?)
"We have some new orders." Vina filled in.
"Yht drao yna...?" She questioned not being able to think strait in her half daze. (And they are...?)
They looked at her with a gleam in their eyes. "But that doesn't mean we can't have a little fun first." Zak said not bothering with her question.
Rikku was awake now. She tried to back away, but the chains wouldn't let her. She opened her mouth to scream, but it already had a hand covering it.
Okay, Gining is going to go hide behind this bullet-proof glass now. But the sooner you review, the sooner Rikku will be saved.