Finally! We have come to the end. I know it sure took me a while to get this out, but I wanted it to be perfect. It's not quite there, but close enough. I want to thank each and every one of you for your reviews and such. Esspesialy Chibi and Mako. Without you two listening to me and giving me advise, I would have never have finished this for a long time. So here you go! -throws out 2 sets of aurikku plushies- Enjoy!

Disclaimer: squares, not mine. I only 'borrowed' them.

The sun rose the next day as its rays hit the sand of the desert. One could see a blond haired woman and two men tied to a large stake in the middle of nowhere. They all struggled against the binds that held them, but they held fast. In the distance a small group of people watched to see what would happen next.

This was one of the most extreme cases of capital punishment that the Al Bhed had, but it was not used often. However, the plot of kidnapping and attempted murder, and in the case of the men, rape of the leader's daughter; was one of the highest crimes known to the tribe.

A few people wept at the scene in front of them, but others held a grim face. They had to do what needed done. Kaleya was a woman bent on power, if she had not been stopped, who knew what could have happened to the tribe next? Who knows how far her hunger would have gone? No, it was best she was stopped now.

A figure in black came over the sand dune. He had not been present at the ruling, nor for the carrying out of the punishment. But he knew enough Al Bhed law to know why they were here. He paused briefly as he passed them.

Kaleya scowled at him noticeable enough for him to stop completely. He did not look at her as he spoke, it would have made what he had to say that much worse. "Why do you look at me like that? I played no part in your trial. What has been decided for you was not in my control." He said it softly, almost as if he felt bad for not being able to do something for her.

"That bitch took everything away from me! And you helped her. You are just as guilty as she is!" She spat on the ground at his feet. Only missing by centimeters.

"Sorry you feel that way then." He started to walk away when he stopped. "Maybe you will think twice about hurting my wife if you manage to live." Then he walked away from her screaming form.

"Get back here! What are you talking about? I demand you tell me!" The two men with her wisely kept their mouths shut.

He stopped once more before taking a few steps closer to her. "My wife, Rikku, she means the world to me. What you have done is inexcusable." He looked over the horizon. "The fiends come." He said quietly before leaving them.

He joined the small group gathered on the next dune over. He moved next to Rikku and gently squeezed her shoulder in comfort. She knew it was not much, but coming from him, it was all she needed.

He refused to watch what happened next. Keeping his back turned he closed his eyes to the screams that he could hear coming from behind. Kaleya and her comrades would not be able to live, of that he was certain. If only it did not have to be this way.

At this point, it should be noted that fiends do not eat a person as many are led to believe. The anger and hatred they harbor towards the living do not allow them to do that. They only live (if one could call it a life) to kill those who are still alive. The envy they have makes it impossible not to hurt those they come in contact with. As it has been told in times past, fiends are the dead who have not been sent. They stay on Spira looking to make those who are living, become like they are. We must make sure that is understood before we are to move on.

Kalaya, Vin, and Zak watched as the Zu and two cactars moved closer to them. Fear filled them, as they knew what was coming next. This was not going to be pretty. That fear soon began to turn to anger at those who had put them in this situation, as it is wont to do as stated above. The Zu was the first to reach them since it was able to fly over the dunes quickly. It found the poor convicts as anger took over seeing the living in front of it. It moved in swiftly and dove for the closest person, being Zak, and brought its beak across his chest.

He yelled out in pain as blood ran down the front of him. The cactars were not far behind now. They moved in and hit Vini with ten thousand needles. He was able to hold most of it back, but a small cry of pain still escaped. Kaleya watched as she was ignored for the moment.

She thought about what the man in black had told her. Did he just say that Rikku was his wife? If that were so then that would mean that the celebrations she had heard the other day were for them. A primal scream left her throat as she thought of this. Them, it had to be them! It was too much. She knew the fiends would be coming for her next. Not if she could help it. She glanced around at the sand. The men lie twitching in the sand. Blood coated the top layer around her.

She could see eyes open in horror staring lifelessly to the sky. Just the sight of it made her gag. The slightly metallic smell hung in the air. Now that the men were dead, the fiends would come for her.

She held her head high as a cactar jumped and landed on her thigh. It moved back, but not before leaving several small needles where it had hit. She stifled a scream of pain before the Zu moved in. It charged itself as it flew over her creating a quick sonic boom. It made her eardrums burst as blood slowly poured from them. Tears flowed down her cheeks, as she knew there would be no way out for her now.

Needles suddenly shot from what seemed like nowhere as they stuck all over her. If only they could hurry up and end it for her soon. It was almost too much to bear.

Rikku hid her face in Auron's chest. She couldn't stand to watch the scene down below. They didn't stand a chance. She hated to see it; Rikku had never imagined it could be so grotesque.

She heard one last shout from below before panicked shouts around her caught her attention. "Fiends! Lusehk drec fyo! Muug uid!" People scrambled to get away before they would be joining those who lie below.

Rikku and Auron turned to face them head on. His katana sat on his shoulder ready to be used. Rikku pulled out her twin daggers from her hip and swung them. She was ready as well. He glanced at her and nodded. They then ran together and charged before the fiends could get closer. As they ran, Rikku charged up a protect spell and cast it on themselves. It would help to cut down on some damage.

Auron took care of the Zu as Rikku took on the cactars. Her speed would prove to be invaluable. She would need to be quick is she wanted to live through this. She rushed in and swiped at the fiends. One down, the other had escaped. She tried to dodge as it came in close. She still wasn't quite fast enough. It caught her in her calf as she moved away. A stream of blood ran down her leg and into her sock. She scowled at it and stood up. Sand covered her side, but she ignored it as she prepared a spell.

The flame danced in her palm before it shot out hitting the cactar.

Auron watched her out of the corner of his eye. He had watched how she took care of the first fiend right away and seen how the second had got her leg as she dodged away. The Zu in front of him was weakened, he could tell as it landed on the sand. One more hit should take care of it.

His katana hit one wing nearly severing it. It screeched in pain as it tried to smack him with its beak. It caught the warrior on the arm. Grunting, Auron made one last attack before the fiend disappeared in a cloud of pyerflies. He glanced over to the woman on his right. She had just shot off a fireball. It didn't seem to do much damage, as he could see the confusion on her face after it stood watching them.

He slowly moved closer. "Don't make any sudden moves." He warned. "It's hesitating."

"Ok, got it." She answered without ever moving her attention from the fiend in front of her.

"Prepare another one of those spells. I need you to distract it while I move in to attack." He advised taking charge of the situation.

"But what if I hit you by mistake?" She asked concern written on her face.

"I trust you, Rikku." He whispered as he stepped up.

The cactar watched as Auron came close. It bent over slightly to prepare for its ten thousand needles attack. Taking the initiative, Rikku threw a fireball off to the right of the fiend. Being as it wasn't too smart, the flame distracted the fiend long enough for Auron to rush in at the same time. His only mistake in moving too close to the dwindling fire. It singed the hair on his arm, but the fiend was successfully eradicated.

He grunted in pain somewhat as he stood back up straight. Rikku rushed over to him. "Auron! Auron, are you alright?"

"Yes, I am...fine." He answered.

"Don't you lie to me!" She scolded. "I hit you and you know it. Now stay still while I heal it up for you."

"Now is not the time. We must get back inside Home before we can do that."

People had begun to gather again on the dunes. Yuna had noticed that the two ex-guardians were not behind them. She turned around and ran back as fast as she was able. "Rikku, Sir Auron!" She shouted hoping that the fiends had not killed them as well. Tidus caught up to her quickly and held her back.

"Yuna, you can't!" He warned. "Let them go, they can take care of themselves." What he didn't add was the words, 'I hope.'

He was right when two shaped began to materialize on the horizon. The smaller leaned onto the taller as they walked. Together they slowly made their way to the rest of the group. Yuna recognized them right away as Auron and Rikku. She broke free of Tidus' grasp and ran to them. She was out of breath by the time she made it.

"Are, are you alright?" She asked.

"We are fine. Battle worn, but fine. Do not worry yourself on our account." Auron answered.

"Yeah, we are tougher then any ol' fiend. Can't keep us down!" Rikku agreed.

Auron and Yuna chuckled at her enthusiasm as they joined everyone else back Home.

It was four months later before things really started to go back to normal. Luzzu had ended up marrying the engineer he had met back before the Kaleya fiasco. He gave up being a crusader to live with her on Bikanel. Then just the week before he had found out he was to be a father soon. He was very excited and ran around the whole complex telling everyone he met. His learning of Al Bhed had really taken off as well. He could almost speak it fluently now.

Kimahri went back to Gagazet. He had a job as leader there was needed often. The Ronso tribe helped to preserve the ruins of Zanarkand. Many people would come and try to search for anything they could find in the ruined city. They helped to make sure it would not be defiled anymore then it had already been.

Tidus and Yuna were expecting their child any day now. Yuna was so eager that it was hard for her to sit still. She was tired a lot, but that was normal. She would spend all her energy cleaning and preparing for the new baby. Tidus tried to stop her at first; worried she would hurt herself, before Lulu stopped him. She said it was a perfectly normal thing for her to do. Woman at the end of a pregnancy would go through a time when they would have bursts of energy and would clean. She called it 'nesting'. He seemed to back off some after that, but still kept an eye on her secretly.

Lulu and Wakka kept in touch with the Al Bhed leader, letting him know when Yuna was about to deliver. Cid had said he wanted to be there when the baby was born. They had agreed that he would be the first they would call. Vidina kept them busy, as he would ask constantly when the 'bebe' would come. They would laugh a little and tell him soon, very soon.

As for Rikku and Auron? Well once Kyo agreed to take over as leader of the Al Bhed after Cid either died or resigned, they began to travel. No one knew where they had gone, only that they planned to be back soon. It was rumored that they had moved to Gagazet, but not many believed that. Rikku was not known to be able to handle cold weather well. She was a desert dweller.

It was time; Yuna was ready to have her child. Villagers gathered outside her hut in hopes of being the first to hear the baby's cry. Inside the hut, Lulu moved with a practiced precision. She knew what needed to be done and when. Tidus stayed with his wife and held her hand each time a contraction came on. It took many hours and still it seemed as if the child did not want to come.

"Come on, Yuna. Just a little more." He encouraged her. "You can do this. I know you can."

"But what about Rikku and Auron? I wanted them here for this too." She managed to pant.

"You should not worry about them. You have yourself to be concerned with." Lulu scolded gently as she prepared Yuna for the next stage. "Now, when I tell you to, I want you to hold onto Tidus' hand and push. Got it?"

She nodded letting the mage know she understood. "Good now push."

Outside people could hear a scream echo inside the small hut. They knew it wouldn't be long now. Smiles spread through the crowd as the waited anxiously.

Cid pushed his way to the front of the crowd. His niece's baby was coming and he wanted to be with her when it happened. A few tried to stop him until the recognized his face. Nodding, they gave him passage. He opened the door and entered.

"Is he here yet?" He asked when he saw them.

"Any moment now." Lulu answered. A cry broke out and they all knew it was finished. She smiled. "Yes, Cid. He is born. Say hello to the newest member of Spira." She wrapped the child up and handed him to Yuna as she finished what she needed to do.

Tidus and Yuna smiled as they looked upon his face. "He's so beautiful." Yuna whispered and Tidus could only agree.

"So what are ya going to name him?" Cid asked roughly as only he could.

"I think," Yuna began as she stroked his cheek, " he should be called Riku, after my cousin. I know he will grow up to be as strong as her."

Those in the room agreed.

Meanwhile as those in the village waiting to hear the news on the high summoners child, a couple slipped into the town unnoticed. They each carried a black carry bag on their shoulders. If anyone had seen them, they must have assumed that they were merely travelers. The couple made their way to the hut of Lulu and Wakka. From there they would find a place to rest. No one was home. Why would they be? Everyone was outside waiting to see the new baby.

They put their bags down and scurried around hunting for something for dinner. They would have a surprise for the owners of the hut when they came home.

"That sure was something, ya? Everyone was so happy. Little Riku sure is cute though."

"It's just a shame though, that his namesake couldn't be here to join us." Lulu added to her husbands comment.

"Ya, and Sir Auron too. I wonder what has happened to them. Haven't heard a peep from them in four months."

"I wonder." Lulu thought as she switched Vidina from one hip to the other.

They walked in silence for a moment before Wakka broke it with a question. "Lu, did you happen to leave a fire burning?" He asked as he scratched his head.

She didn't answer as she glanced to see what he was talking about. Sure enough, smoke billowed out from their hut from where Wakka had made a hole so Lulu could cook without smoking up the hut. They took off for their home, (well Lulu as fast as she normally goes) to find out who was there.

The site that greeted them was nothing like what they were expecting.

"Hi guys!" Rikku greeted as they stood in the doorway in shock. "Come in, come in. Auron is out back getting more wood. I hope you're hungry. I'm making some stew. It's my own recipe." She smiled as she dipped a ladle in and tasted what she had so far. "Wanna try some?"

Wakka was speechless. Rikku kneeled in from of the pot acting as if this was nothing out of the ordinary. Lulu managed to find her voice first as she put Vidina down.

"Rikku, what are you doing here?"

"I'm cooking, can't you tell?" She answered before going back to what she was doing and humming to herself as she did so. "Almost done. Oh, Auron! Great, you're back!"

The mage and blitzer parted to give him room to enter. He gave a nod in greeting.

"That's not what I meant, Rikku. What are you doing here, in our home?" She raised her arms to indicate what she was talking about.

"Oh, that. Well, everyone was so busy that we couldn't even get to the crusader lodge. So we thought that we would come here and surprise you. I hope you don't mind." Her voice trailed off at the end of her explanation. Would they be mad for what they did?

"No, it's just that you surprised us, ya." Wakka answered.

"We apologize for upsetting you." Auron spoke for the first time. He turned to face his wife. "Is it ready?"

"Yes!" She jumped to her feet. "We will be right back." She told them. We have something for Yunie and Tidus. Plus I want to drop off some stew for them. I don't think Yunie would want to eat Tidus' cooking right now."

"You got that right." Wakka agreed. They all laughed as Rikku dipped some stew into a container to take over to the new parents.

"While we are gone, feel free to have some. We shall be back shortly." Auron said before following Rikku out the door.

"Well, shall we?" Wakka asked as he moved to dip some out.

"I suppose. It can't hurt to try it."

"Do you think they will like it?" Rikku asked as they walked.

"I'm sure the stew will be fine. I'm not dead yet." Auron said as he pulled her close to himself.

"You're teasing me again!" Rikku laughed. "That's not what I meant and you know it." She gave him a playful punch on his chest.

Since his second chance at life and his relationship with Rikku, he had learned to be more outgoing. His playful side came through once in a while. It did not happen often, but when it did Rikku would cherish it. "They will love the gift as well. I'm sure of it." He was serous as he kissed the top of her head.

"Well, here we are." Rikku noted as they came to the hut. They entered and made their way to the bedroom. "Yunie, Tidus? You feeling up to guests?" Rikku called out.

A blond head peeked out to see that his ears were not deceiving him. "Rikku? Auron? That really you?" He came out completely to make sure.

"Who else would we be?" Rikku teased.

He ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah, well, it's been so long we wondered if you were ever going to come back." He admitted.

"We had some things to take care of first." Auron cut in. "How is Lady Yuna doing?" He asked changing the subject.

"Yeah! How is she? Is it a boy or girl?"

"Why don't you go in and find out?" Tidus answered with a teasing smile.

"Humph. You men, always teasing me." She replied before entering.

Tidus stopped the older man before he could follow. "So what have you been doing these past couple months?"

"You will find out soon enough." He answered before moving past. When he entered he saw Rikku sitting in a chair next to the bed as she held the infant.

"Auron, it's a boy. He's so cute too. And guess what, they named him after me!" She almost shouted the last part in her excitement.

He merely gave an affirmation as he moved closer. He rested a hand on his wife's shoulder as he glanced down. "He looks just like you, Yuna." He said after a moment.

Yuna blushed as she sat eating the stew Rikku had brought. "Thank you Sir Auron. And thank you too, Rikku. This is really good." She replied as she took another bite of stew.

Be glad you didn't have any of the first batch I ever made. Auron and I were both sick for a week." Auron groaned as he remembered that week.

"But you have improved since then." He encouraged. "Where has Tidus gone? We have something for you both."

"I'll get him!" Rikku offered.

"No, you stay right there. I'm sure he's just outside the door." He objected. Sure enough, Tidus stood where Auron had left him. "What are you doing out here, boy? Come in here. Rikku and I have something the both of you need to see."

"Sure thing." He said as he came into the room.

Meanwhile, Rikku had placed the infant in his bed and was rummaging in her bag looking for something. "I know it's here somewhere. I packed it myself."

Tidus and Yuna stared at her as if she lost her mind, while Auron watched knowingly. Her head popped up shortly and she beamed as she held a sphere above her head. "Found it."

"Rikku, what is that?" Yuna asked.

"This is why we were gone for so long. It took a lot of work to get this, but we just finished it about a month ago. As soon as it was done, we came strait here to give it to you" She explained as she handed it over. "Go on, play it."

Tidus took it and turned it on. It was images of Zanarkand as he remembered it to be. The buildings were how he remembered, all the way down to the last stone on the path that led to his old house. Tears began forming in his eyes. "How, how?" He couldn't even complete the question.

"A lot of time, that's how." Rikku answered. "We used Auron's memories to do it."

"Rikku wanted to give something to the baby so he would be able to know where his father came from. This was what she came up with."

The two didn't know what to say to this. They sat next to each other as they watched the sphere. Auron and Rikku smiled as they silently left the new family to themselves.

"So what are you going to do now?" Wakka asked.

The couple had gone back like they said they would. Night had fallen and Lulu had offered them a bed for the night. Vidina was sleeping as they sat around catching up on the latest events.

"We haven't discussed it yet." Auron answered truthfully. He pulled his wife closer as she leaned on his chest. "What did you want to do?" He asked her.

"I don't care, as long as you are with me." She whispered.

Lulu smiled secretly. They had been through so much. They would be together for a long time, just like her and Wakka, and Tidus and Yuna. She could see that. Even after death on the farplane, they would have each other. Some stories have happy endings, and theirs was one of them.

That night and many more like it, Auron and Rikku consummated their love. Each time was just as special as the first as they knew they had found someone they wanted to spend the rest of their lives with and beyond. How did they spend their lives? Well that, my dear reader, is up to you. What they did, how many children they may or may not have had. Where they lived, all that matters is that they lived and lived together.

And now we have come to the end of this chapter and the end of this story. I hope you all have enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it! Now if you don't mind, there is a little purple button down there that says review. Would you be so kind as to tell me how I did? Did you love it, hate it? Or just thought of it as alright? Let me know. I'm always lookingfor ways I can improve. Gin