A/n: okay new fic. I was going to wait to post this, but, yeah anyway. I'm rambling.

Summery: This will be AU! I can't stress that enough. Talking to another writer here is what is making me say that now. They had problems with one of their au fics.

Anyway, There is no such think as sin. Auron must take care of Rikku as a favor to her parents. Warning, I had to tweak his age just a bit, otherwise part of this would not work. anyway...on with the show, uh, I mean fic!

Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, I am merely using them for my own fun.

A small girl of about six sat outside picking wildflowers. She had long flowing blond hair that stopped just above her waist. It was a warm sunny day, so today she wore a simple peach sundress. It twirled around her dainty legs as she danced through the meadow they were in. Her bare feet enjoying the petals as they settled in between her toes.

An older man sat at the edge watching her dance and flitter around. His face was battle worn but still held the youthfulness that helped to define his age. He wore simple black pants and dress shirt. Over top of that was an oversized red coat that he was never seen without. On his feet were leather boots. One would be amazed at how he would stay in that outfit even though many others were seeking shelter from the heat. He never complained though, it was as if he was made for the heat.

The girl, forgotten that he was there, finally turned and spotted him. She stopped her dance and bent over to pick a flower that hadn't been crushed by her frolicking yet. It was as red as his coat, with a center almost the same peach as her dress. She held it out to him as she walked over next to him.

"Mr. Auron sir." She said in her sweet voice. "I found this for you. Do you want it?" Her tanned face brimming with innocence and admiration for the older man.

He gently took the flower from her hand and sniffed the fragrance. "Thank you, Rikku. I will treasure this." He gave a rare smile that was only saved for those closest to him.

She clapped and gave a small hop as she ran back to play in the flowers once again. He glanced down at the flower in his hand again. There was nothing overly special about it, just a simple meadow flower, but yet... He looked up to the girl again, she was chasing butterflies now.

He chuckled, it was just like her to be entertained by the most simple of things. While other girls her age were interested in pretty dresses and the best toys, she was happy with nature and machina. He looked up to the sun and saw it was getting late. "Rikku, we must go now." He called to her. He carefully pocketed the flower she had given him.

"Aww, do we have to? I was having so much fun." She whined.

"Yes, I promised Cid I would have you home for dinner."

"Can I take some flowers home with me for him." She begged looking for an excuse to stay for a little longer.

"Find three. Then we must go." He conceded.

She cheered as she ran around looking for the perfect ones. She tried to stall as she found the first two, acting as if she couldn't find a third.

"Rikku, hurry up or you won't be able to pick the last one." He warned her.

With a gasp, she bent over and found one. "I'm ready!" She said as she ran over to him and took his hand.

He held her hand as they silently walked back to the village. Auron didn't offically live there. He was friends with Braska, Rikku's uncle, and Cid's brother-in-law. So a couple times a year, he would visit the family with Braska and his daughter. Then there would be times he would come alone, like this trip. He enjoyed getting away from his duties at the temple and basking in the friendships he had formed during his visits.

When she caught site of her home, Rikku let go of his hand and took off running. "Papa!" She cried when she saw him.

He leaned down so she could jump into his arms. He held her close as they talked. "So did you have a nice time with Sir Auron?"

"Oh yes, papa. He took me to a field and let me play. I saw grass, and flowers, and butterflies. You should have seen it! Then he let me pick some for you." She held out the slightly withered bouquet she carried.

"They are very nice." He said so as not to upset her. "Why don't we take these home, and put them in some water? Your mother should have dinner ready as well." He set her down and pat her behind as she ran past. She giggled slightly but kept running.

Auron watched as his hand felt the soft petals of the flower in his pocket. Cid approached him while he was distracted.

"Auron?" He spoke to get his attention. He snapped his eyes up to meet the man in front of him. "I have a huge favor to ask of you. I will understand if you refuse, but please understand, that there are not many else I can trust."

"Cid, Auron, dinner. Come and eat before it gets cold!" A woman shouted to them.

"We will talk later. After the kids are in bed." Auron nodded and followed the bald man in for food.

--

"And then they all lived happily ever after." Cid's wife, Mariam, finished her story.

"Mama?"

"Yes, Rikku? What is it?"

"Could that really happen? I mean the prince was so much older then her. Why would he want to fall in love with someone who was ten years below her?" The young girl asked.

"I think you mean younger, not below. And yes, it could happen. Your father is eleven years older then me, and we still love each other very much. But now it is time for bed. I'll send your father in." Mariam kissed her daughter's head and left the room.

Seconds later Cid entered closely followed by Auron. He stood in the doorway as the older man kissed his daughter good-night. "Be a good girl, Rikku. Remember no matter what happens, your mother, brother, and I love you very much."

"Are you going away, papa?" The small girl asked.

He laughed softly, but didn't answer. Instead he chose to distract her. "You like Auron, do you not?"

"Oh yes, papa. Very much." She smiled in a way only a child could do.

"Good, because if something were to happen I want you to do exactly as he tells you. Got it?"

Auron stiffened at his place near the door. What was Cid suggesting? He was only sixteen. He wouldn't know what to do with a child.

"Okay, papa. Exactly."

"That's my girl. Now go to sleep." He stood up and turned the light out as he left the room. He placed one hand on Auron's shoulder as he moved past and led him into the living room. "We need to talk." He said after they were sitting.

"What is this about?" The young teen asked.

"I need you to do me a favor." Cid scratched his head at the level of uncomfort that rose in the room. "I need you to take Rikku away, tonight."

Auron jumped out of his seat. "What? What are you talking about?" He tried not to shout and wake the girl in the next room.

"Her brother overheard plans of an ambush on our home. I need you to take her home with you, before they arrive. She is young. I do not care to imagine what they would do to her if she was found. I am leader of the Al Bhed. Think of what they would do if she was found."

"But you can't possibly be serious. I don't know how to take care of kids. What about her brother? He can't do it?" He suggested as an alternative.

"He.. can't. He is seventeen, old enough to fight. He will stay and help defend. Auron, I trust you. I know that you will be able to do this for me."

"But what about the temple? I have duties there." He protested. He began pacing around the room in frustration.

Cid sighed. "I understand, but..."

"But you are here now." Someone finished for him. Mariam stepped into the room and sat next to her husband. "You must leave tonight and take Rikku with you. Take care of her until she is eighteen. Braska will help you, I'm sure."

Auron stopped pacing to stare at the woman. She held his gaze until he conceded. "Very well, I will do it." He answered as his face dropped to the floor.

"Thank you. Rikku trusts you. I'm sure she will do as you say." Cid added.

---

Mariam woke Rikku up not long after that. She quickly packed a small bag for the girl as Auron gathered his things together. He met up with them in the living room after he had finished. Rikku stood rubbing her eyes tiredly.

"Mama, what's goin on? Why am I leaving you and papa?"

Mariam bent on one knee so she could look the child in the eye. Her own had moisture forming as she spoke. "Honey, Mr. Auron is going to take you on a trip. You are going to go visit your Uncle Braska."

Rikku smiled as she looked up at Auron. "Yay, I like Mr. Auron." She clapped her hands with glee.

Mariam stood up again and handed Auron two bags. "This is her clothes, the other is food and water for your trip. Take care of her." She quickly left the room before she ended up breaking down in front of the girl.

Auron took them both without saying a word. He picked up his own bag and slung it over his shoulder. Finally he picked up his katana, and strapped that to his back as well.

He took Rikku's hand and walked into the night. It was silent, but he knew that if the Al Bhed leader had heard of an attack, they were all wide awake.

It was some time later before either of them spoke. Rikku was the one to break it. "Mr. Auron?" He glanced down to let her know he had heard her. "I'm not gonna see them again, am I?"

He paused. She looked up at him wondering why he had stopped. "What makes you say that?" He asked.

"I heard my brother talking about it. That Mama and Papa were sending me away so that I won't get hurt. Is that true?"

"Yes it is." No point in lying. It would only make things worse in the long run. "But your Uncle Braska will take very good care of you."

"You gonna leave me too?" Her green eyes watered as she looked to him waiting for an answer.

"I, I. Look out!" He pushed her off the path when he saw men approaching them. And they did not look friendly. Swords and staffs at the ready. Auron dropped all bags he was carrying and unsheathed his katana.

Rikku hid in the brushes next to the path they were walking. It was dark so they were not able to see her in her spot. She watched as the teenager slashed and parried against all five of the attackers. One by one they fell. Suddenly she felt herself being lifted into the air. She tried to struggle to get free, but he was so much bigger then the small six year old.

"Let me go! I'll hurt you!" She shouted as he laughed at her.

By this time Auron had taken care of the others and looked over when he heard Rikku's shouts. He jumped over bodies to reach her, yelling her name as he did so. He held his katana out in front of him ready to strike.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you. You might hurt the daughter of Cid." The man threatened.

"Let her go. She is of no importance to you." Auron snarled.

"Oh, but I think she is. Someone like her would be worth a lot of gil on market."

He laughed as Auron stood in place. He had to think quick. Rikku was in danger and he had to do something to help her. Without even knowing it, his body had a mind of its own. His feet ran at the man and his arms held his katana above his head. "Nooo!" He shouted as he struck.

It caught the attacker unprepared. Auron's katana found a new sheath in his stomach. He dropped the girl as he defended himself from this wild teen. "I will not go down so easy." He gasped. He stepped back, sliding off the weapon out at the same time and fired a spell in Auron's direction.

The spell hit him in the face and threw him back. Rikku ran to his side as the other man took his last breath.

--

He held a faded red flower in his hand as he thought back to that day. It was almost twelve years ago. Had it been so long? His right hand reached up to the scar that permently limited the use of his right eye. He had gained it from the attack as he defended the child. She had run to him as he fell. Being so young, she had not known what to do. Her mother had just began to teach her the art of white magic, but it would not prove to be enough. The skin had closed, sealing his eye shut. It saved his life, but not his pride. Now he wore a pair of dark shades to prevent people from staring. Granted that after only a year, he had learned to adapt to the loss of sight, it still took its toll on him from time to time.

He placed the flower back into the album from which it came as he thought about what had happened when he returned home. Braska and his family had been slaughtered by the temple. His wife for being Al Bhed, and he himself for being married to her. He had not heard what had happened to their daughter, but assumed she had been killed as well.

When he stood up to the temple for the atrocity, they had kicked him out. So he was sixteen, jobless (if one could call being a monk a job), homeless, and had to take care of a child. How low he had fallen. He packed up what little belongings he had and left Bevelle. He still did not understand why the temple had declared war on such a small group of people. It did not make sense. But then, such things rarely did. The city was in chaos and he didn't want to stay any longer. Besides, Rikku was Al Bhed, it was best to take her away before anyone found out.

He had found a place in Kilika, far away from tension and strife of the city. He told no one why he was there or why he had such a young child with him. At those times, no one asked where you came from. It was a taboo subject. Many probably thought she was some child he had found on the road, while others may have thought she was a sister or niece.

It was here he stayed for so long. Now as he looked through the album, he knew he would have to tell her soon. She did not understand why she had to leave, and he doubted she even remembered that night. Yes, it had been long enough. She would be of age soon, time for her to find a husband and live on her own. He closed the book and placed it back in its spot on the shelf.

"Rikku!" He called out.

"Coming!" He heard her voice from the kitchen. Footsteps sounded as she came into the room. "Lunch is almost finished. What do you need?" She asked already used to his odd requests.

"We must talk."