Disclaimer: I do not own Auron, Rikku, or any of the other characters for that matter. All storyline similarities are credited fully to the creators of the game.

Chapter 1

It was a beautiful day on the Isle of Besaid... the sun was shining and not a cloud was in sight, a welcome change from the rainy days they'd just incurred. Rikku noted that during the spring the island saw more stormy nights than anything, much different from what she was used to back home to her dismay.

"Why did I let Yunie talk me into staying here?" she wondered aloud, strolling the sandy shores. Rikku gasped as she felt her toes dip into the cool water, her immediate instinct to jump back being halted by how good it felt to be in a place that was at least familiar to her.

She knew why she let Yuna talk her into staying in Besaid. She had nothing left to speak of... nothing to claim as her own. Her father had joined the Al-Bhed in their efforts to seek revenge on the Guado, and Home was nothing but a distant memory. Perhaps the worst loss of all was that of Sir Auron… or Auron, as she had become privileged enough to call him.

"If only we would have had more time…" the young girl whispered, pacing back and forth in the sand. "If only we would have had more time…"

"If only who would have had more time?" Tidus asked, sneaking up behind her in his usual Blitz garb. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, umm… nothing," she stammered, "nothing. I was just thinking… that's all. I'm sorry."

"No need to be sorry… Yuna was worried about you. She sent me out here to see if you were alright. So… uh… are you alright?"

Rikku nodded quickly, digging her toes nervously into the wet sand.

"Okay then… I'll be at Wakka's if you need me."

Turning around she watched Tidus walk away, all too familiar of what it felt like to be alone. Auron had left her that way… back turned without a second glance. She knew he hadn't meant for the departure to be harsh, but Rikku was known for being the emotional one when it came to things she felt strongly about. She felt strongly about Auron that much she knew for sure, stronger than she'd ever felt about anyone…. and whether or not he wanted to admit it, he had feelings for her too. It was the most difficult thing for the young girl to bear, knowing fate had dealt them the wrong cards from the beginning.

Wading out into shallow waters Rikku closed her eyes, tilting her head back and allowing the wind to gently blow her hair about as she remembered the last night they'd spent together. She swore she could almost feel his lips on the back of her neck, his stubble grazing her soft skin the way it always used to. Rikku felt a flush coming over her body as she jolted her eyes open to look behind her… but he wasn't there. Just like every day before this one, he wasn't there… she was still alone.