A/N: Okay people. Finally some answers for you. About time right? Unfortunately the next chapter is the last one so enjoy this one! Shout outs:
pyschostudent06: thanks! You find out what they are hiding this chapter! hope you like it!
XxRhixx: glad you liked the suspense...hee hee, here is par tof the finale so no more big questions.
Rikkulovesauron: lol your reviews crack me up:) Imagine Rikku however you want. For this story I saw her as X-2 just because. Hope you like the answer to the big mystery:)
sparzelli: thanks for your review! Here are the answers!
TheUltimateAurrikkuFan: thanks for reviewing! Enjoy!
Starry34: sorry! They did fall into bed a lot...but you love it don't you! Thanks for reviewing!
Perfect yet broken: here are the answers for you! Thanks for the review:)
VampyreQueen24: lol...stop with the pressure! I'm gonna cut this chapter in half and leave the good part to post later just to mess with you! (just joshing, don't kill me!) Thanks for the review!
Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy or any of the characters.
Answers
Auron never liked Guadosalam. He didn't like the sights or smells. He liked living by the open sky or sea. Not in a huge tree. He hoped this visit would be more pleasant than ones in the past. Auron breathed in the stale air and headed to the Farplane.
"Let's go" He told Tidus gruffly.
Tidus was busy bartering with a weapons vendor when Auron told him to leave. Tidus ignored his older friend and continued to bargain. Auron made a noise in his throat and waited for Tidus to finish. After a few moments Tidus turned away from the salesman with a new sword. He held it up to show Auron.
"Auron look! Isn't it cool? Maybe we can spar soon!"
Auron hit Tidus on the back of his head with his gloved hand. Then he turned and walked to the Farplane entrance.
"Heeeeyyyy! What was that for?" Tidus questioned as he jogged up to Auron.
"For agitating me."
"I'm not ten anymore Auron."
Auron huffed to himself. He was not in the mood for a lecture from Tidus. He wanted answers and he wanted some quiet time in his head. Unfortunately for him, Tidus was in the mood for talking.
"Hey you hear me?" Tidus rubbed the back of his head where Auron hit him. "What's gotten into you anyway? Are you still moping about Rikku?"
Auron stopped to glare at Tidus.
"I do not mope"
Tidus rolled his eyes. "Auron how long has it been since you dated a girl? Don't lie either because I didn't see you so much as look one in Zanarkand"
"Why does it matter?" Auron asked really not wanting to answer that question.
"It matters because you need to read women better. Just because Rikku is hiding something does not mean she doesn't trust you. It also doesn't mean that your relationship is doomed. It just means she has a secret. That's it. You analyze stuff too much old man. Use your heart more. Be more like me!"
Auron chuckled at the thought of aspiring to be like Tidus. He couldn't help but think if Tidus had a point. Maybe he did think too much.
"Okay let's go see my dad."
Auron and Tidus stood together on the Farplane waiting for Jecht to appear. They waited a few moments and then Tidus spoke.
"So if he doesn't come, he is alive somewhere right? What do we do then?"
"We make Braska talk."
"You think they are in this together?"
"Possibly"
"Hmmm...you know we should go into law enforcement. Think of how our women will swoon when we're in uniform. I bet it will make for some interesting nights together..."
Auron was about to tell him to shut up when he heard a deep laughter. Both men looked up to find Jecht materialized in front of them.
"Ok Dad! Want to tell us what's going on?"
Jecht just stood there silently staring somewhere over their heads.
"We know you can hear us Jecht. Remember people came to see us when we were on the Farplane too. We know how it works."
Jecht laughed again. "Okay okay, I was just messing with you guys! How's it going?"
Auron felt his patience thinning. "You know why we're here."
Tidus jumped in. "Yeah! Why did we see you on a tape helping Kyra hurt Rikku?"
Jecht blinked and folded his arms. "I have no idea what your talking about"
"Yes you-"
"Auron!"
Auron and Tidus turned around at the sound of Rikku's voice. She and Yuna were running over to where they were standing. Rikku launched herself into Auron's arms and kissed him. Auron blinked in surprise as she let him go.
Rikku smiled up at him. "Auron I have to tell you something. I was doing a lot of thinking on the way here and I've made up my mind. I am being so stupid."
"What are you talking about Rikku?"
"This whole thing with us! It's stupid. We kept missing each other before because we were scared to tell each other our feelings. Now we're doing it again! Auron I love you. I want us to just be happy okay?"
Auron felt the doubt and confusion lift from his shoulders. "Rikku I'm relieved. I thought you changed your mind about us. It was never about you keeping a secret. It was me finding an excuse to run. This is not really easy for me."
Rikku hugged him close to her. "I know. You're still a big meanie on the inside. I'm gonna help okay?" She looked up at him with a little glint in her eyes.
Yuna and Tidus smiled at each other. They looked over to Jecht who was looking at Yuna's hand.
"So you guys are getting hitched huh? Maybe I can get the Fayth to let us out for a while on good behavior?"
Auron turned to look at his friend. "Good behavior? I still want to know why you helped kill Rikku!"
Jecht sighed. "You really really want to know?"
Auron nodded firmly.
"Come closer and I'll tell you. Closer. A little closer."
Auron walked to the edge of the platform and looked at Jecht. Tidus watched with curiosity as Jecht brought his hand out to Auron's forehead. Then he watched in horror as a bolt of light slammed in to Auron's face and knocked him to the ground.
Yuna and Rikku rushed to the older guardian's side as Tidus yelled at his father.
"What is your problem? What did you do that for?"
Jecht folded his arms again. "It had to be done. Don't worry Tidus. He'll be okay after a while."
"Really? I know when I'm hit in the face with magic and collapse on the ground, I'm usually ok after a few minutes too!" Tidus yelled.
"He will be okay Tidus. Let's get him somewhere more comfortable" Rikku said.
"Yeah he's gonna be out for a while. Where should we take him?" Yuna asked.
Tidus narrowed his eyes and looked back and forth between the two girls. "What do you two know?" he asked suspiciously.
"Okay Tidus, help the girls with Auron and then I'll tell you everything." Jecht said.
A little less than an hour later, Auron was in the inn and Tidus was listening to Jecht talk. He sat in silence as Jecht explained what happened. Or made up what happened. Tidus wasn't sure if he believed him yet.
"I hear what your saying Dad, but it's not adding up. The evidence against you is-"
"Tidus you are not a damn detective"
Tidus laughed. "I know. I believe you. It's just hard to believe."
"I know. Let's go talk with Yuna and Braska."
Tidus looked over his shoulder at his fiancé and her father. Yuna decided to speak with him about her wedding. They walked over and stood with them.
"Tidus! Good to see you again" Braska told him warmly. "I see you asked my daughter finally."
"Yup!" Tidus took Yuna's hand.
"So Jecht," Braska said, "Yuna tells me of a plan you have to attend the wedding..."
Rikku sat in the inn on Auron's bed waiting for him to regain conscientiousness. She stared at him waiting and waiting. After a while she felt her eyelids grow heavy and she rested her head on his chest. She smiled listening to the steady beating of his heart. She fell asleep smiling.
She woke up a little while later when Auron was stirring in his sleep. She sat up quickly and looked at him expectantly. Wakeupwakeupwakeupwakeupwakeup...
Auron groaned. His whole body ached in a way it had never ached before. He felt like someone pulled all his muscles out like taffy and then stuffed them back in the wrong places. He heard a sort voice in his ear. Then he felt a little better. He heard it again. Then felt a little better again.
By the third time, the fog had cleared enough in his head to let him know it was Rikku casting a healing spell.
"Sorry Auron, that's all my magic. I can get Yuna! She's still at the Farplane."
Auron reached out a hand blindly and felt Rikku take it. "That's okay I just need to rest."
He squeezed his eye closed harder to make the pain in his head lessen. He Rikku get up and return a moment later to lay a cold rag across his eyes and forehead. It made the pain a little more bearable.
"Rikku..."
"Auron don't talk okay? I want to tell you everything that happened. Just relax and listen"
Auron nodded slightly and felt Rikku take his hand in hers. She stoked his palm with her thumbs and he closed his hand around both of hers.
"It all started when I got hit by that lightening. I died and went to the Farplane..."
Rikku felt like she was in haze. A purple and pink haze. It confused her.
"Rikku" Who was calling her? Was it Auron?
"Rikku" No it wasn't Auron. It was...Braska?
He eyes flew open and she saw herself standing face to face with her uncle and Tidus' dad.
"Hey girl. Welcome to the Farplane!" Jecht said.
Rikku blinked.
"WHAT? THAT BITCH KILLED ME? Rikku yelled. Now she was really mad. " I'm going to
haunt her soooo bad!"
Rikku remembered what happened now. She remembered the incredible pain in her body from a spell Kyra cast. She remembered Yuna over her. She remembered Auron holding her.
"Auron..."she whispered. Her breathing was heavy with anger. Why did Kyra do this!
Braska smiled. "Did you two get together yet?"
Rikku looked at him an raised an eyebrow. "No. How did you know? Do you guys spy on us?"
Braska laughed. He told Rikku about his deal with the fayth.
"So I talked to Auron when he came to Guadosalam. No spying involved."
"Oh I see," Rikku said, "Hey Jecht, what do you ask the fayth for?"
Jecht smiled. "I haven't asked them for anything yet. I told them I was going to save my wish for something good. I think I've found it."
Rikku looked at him hopefully. "What?"
"I'm going to get them to send you back Rikku. But I have one condition for you."
"Oh! Jecht thanks! Yes anything!" Rikku wanted very badly to go back to Auron.
"So did this condition have anything to do with me lying in bed in severe pain?" Auron asked.
Rikku nodded hesitantly. "Indirectly, yes."
Auron groaned again. "I am going to kill the both of you...again."
"Didn't I tell you to be quiet? I'm not done talking!"
Jecht and Braska looked at Rikku.
"Rikku I know what he's going to ask you and I must tell you that it won't be easy." Braska warned.
"I'm prepared to do what it takes." Rikku said firmly.
Braska smiled. "I'm glad you are there for Yuna, Rikku. I'm very proud of both of you."
Rikku flushed while Jecht rolled his eyes. "Stop stealing my thunder Braska. Rikku I want you to help me give Auron a gift."
"What kind of gift? Why can't you give it to him yourself?"
"Rikku let me explain something to you. I would never admit this to his face, but Auron is the best person I ever met in my life."
Jecht paused and chuckled to himself. "I remember when I first met him, we hated each other. Really annoyed each other and made sure we did it all the time. Not much different than you and Auron during Yuna's pilgrimage actually. It wasn't until later in Braska's pilgrimage that we began to realize that we weren't all that different."
"How so?" Rikku asked.
"Well," Jecht continued, "we both were broken men. I made such a mess of my life in Zanarkand. I disappointed my wife and son so much. It tore me up inside. I wasn't sure I was ever going to see them again and I was almost okay with that because I didn't want to face them again."
Rikku tilted her head and listened to where he was going with this.
"Auron was lost as well" Braska added. "Everything he had been brought up to believe in was starting to crumble around him. As he became more prominent in Bevelle, he started to learn secrets about Yevon. After everyone he knew disowned him after he turned down the high priest's daughter, he lost a lot of faith. When he found out I was going to be a summoner, Auron changed. He tried to tell me that it wasn't worth my life to die for those people, that those idiots in Bevelle should die instead."
"That sounds like something Auron would say" Rikku nodded to herself.
Jecht and Braska laughed.
"So I told him that it was my destiny to be a summoner. After a lot of argument from him, Auron told me I could only be a summoner if he could be my guardian. Obviously I agreed."
"But what does this have to do with-"
"Hold on Rikku. I'll make my point soon enough," Jecht told her. "During the pilgrimage, Auron became more and more disheartened with life in general. He tried so hard to think of a way to save Braska. He stayed up almost every night thinking. One night after I had been with them for a while, I went to talk to him."
"What did you talk about?" Rikku asked.
"I don't really remember. It's not important. What was important was that afterward, we understood each other. I knew what drove him and he knew what drove me. We never talked about it, but we were there supporting each other. He and Braska had my back no matter what and they became my best friends. Then we reached Zanarkand..."
Jecht stopped talking and Braska looked at him.
"We found out about the final summoning," Braska continued for his friend, "Jecht immediately decided that he was going to be the one to die with me. Auron was furious. Both of his best friends were going to die and their wasn't anything he could do about it. We all were chained to this twisted fate..."
Braska looked tired. He closed his eyes for a moment. Rikku watched Jecht put his hand on Braska's shoulder.
"We both knew Auron was devastated," Jecht said, "he had to watch us die and he couldn't join us in the last part of the journey. So I asked him a favor."
"To take care of Tidus right?" Rikku asked.
"More than that Rikku. I asked him to find a way to Zanarkand to care for Tidus, but also to wait for me to think of a way to destroy Sin. I can't even begin to describe how grateful I am to him. Tidus turned out so well, not because of me, but because of Auron. Auron became his father. Auron was there for him when I couldn't be. I knew he had died when I carried him to Zanarkand, and it hurt me so much. My friend was postponing his rest to fulfill his promise to me. He was in so much pain and turmoil but he never broke it. It's my fault Auron became so cold. Just a shell of his old self. I felt horrible. That is why I decided to give him this gift and it is why I brought you hear."
"So what is the gi-...wait, what do you mean you brought me hear?" Rikku yelled.
"Heh heh...Well, Kyra killed you because I told her you were wearing a thunder targe. I couldn't kill you myself and it was the only way to get you here."
"What! I really am going to kill him!" Auron yelled. He went into a fit of coughing after that. Rikku brought him a glass of water and helped pour it down his throat. After Auron calmed down, she spoke.
"Don't worry Auron I already gave him an earful."
Auron sighed. He was curious to know what this gift was. He listened to Rikku's story with a tight feeling in his chest. He knew the story of what happened between him and his friends, but to hear Jecht and Braska tell it with so much emotion...he couldn't describe how that made him feel.
"So anyway..."she continued.
Braska was reminded of his wife when Rikku went off on Jecht. She yelled exactly like her. It must be an Al-Bhed thing.
After Rikku ran out of air, she sat on the ground and crossed her arms. "Do you know what you probably put Auron and Yuna through when you killed me?"
Jecht sighed at her again. "It's done with Rikku, no sense worrying about it now. Are you gonna help or not?"
Rikku scowled at him. "I guess."
"Great! All I need you to do is to give me something of yours."
"Like what?" she asked.
"Like...your necklace will do. Just something that belongs to you. I need to keep this. A little piece of you is going to stay on the Faplane with me okay?"
"Why?" She asked skeptically.
Jecht told her his wish and her eyes widened.
"Now you can't tell Auron under any circumstances Rikku."
"Not even if-"
"NO! Rikku the fayth won't go along with this if he knows okay! Nothing with happen if he knows.Understand?"
Rikku nodded.
"Good, now all I need you to do is keep Auron busy while I set this up and he has to come see me on the Farplane at Guadosalam in a few days."
"Then he sent me back and here we are. I'm sorry I kept this from you Auron, but Jecht said I couldn't tell you or it wouldn't work."
"What wouldn't work Rikku!"
"Open your eyes and look at me Auron."
Auron felt his ego deflate a little. "Eye Rikku. Open my eye."
Rikku took the cloth from his head and kissed both his eyelids. "Look at me"
Auron opened his eye and let it adjust to the light. To his surprise, as his eye was opening he felt his scared eye start to open. Both eyes shot open and looked at Rikku. He found she was crying.
"Jecht wanted you to have back the life that you gave up for him and Braska."
Auron looked down at his body and gasped in shock. He shot out of bed ignoring the pain and sprinted to the floor-length mirroron the wall. He was staring at an image he hadn't seen in almost fourteen years. He saw Rikku come up behind him and wrap her arms around his younger waist.
"He wanted to say thank you. He got the fayth to make you how you were before you died in Zanarkand."
Auron felt a tear escape his newly functioning eye. He didn't even feel ashamed. "Why didn't he tell me?"
Rikku shrugged. "He told me that the fayth wouldn't allow the wish if you knew about it."
Auron was speechless. He suddenly remembered something Braska said to him when he visited the Farplane.
When he opened his eye the second time, he found Braska laughing at him.
"Braska, what happened? Did I die again? I have to contact the people at Spira's Book of World Records about this. I'm sure I'll make the cut."
Braska chucked at his friend and offered his hand to help him up. "No old friend you aren't dead. I'm visiting is all."
"When did they start letting that happen?" Auron asked surprised.
"They didn't. The fayth also decided to reward Jecht and myself. We decided to stay on the Farplane under a few conditions. One of which is I get to visit people who come to see me once a year. Tell Yuna I expect to see her next year."
Jecht gave up his wish for him. He hung his head to hide the rest of his tears.
Rikku moved to the front of him and held him tight. "You have a little piece of me inside now!"
Auron looked up at her. She put her hand over his heart and looked up at him. "That's why Jecht needed me. The fayth said they needed a piece of me to do it. They needed a person that was full of life and love for you give up some of their life for you to have."
"What! Rikku you gave up what! Are you going to-"
"No Auron. I'm not going to die. I gave up some of my live energy for you. It doesn't mean I have any less, just you have more."
Auron looked to the mirror at his twenty-five year old self holding Rikku and smiled.He could finally live his life for him.
A/N: There! Are you people happy:) One more chapter:( it's not going to be very long, just gonna tie some loose ends up. I am super excited for my next story, which I will tell you more about at the end of the next chapter. I still need your help to decide a few things, so hopefully I will get the last chapter up tomorrow night, then the new story right after :) Hope you liked this chapter!
