Disclaimer: I own nothing that pertains to this fic. Unless you count the idea for it, in which case, I own that.
The rain had lessened by the time he left the inn. The problem remained as to where he would stay now. He stood on the front step deciding what he should do. A shadow moved in front of him and his hand shifted to the hilt of his katana in reaction. It was late and the rain still fell, who would be out now?
The shadow moved closer at a steady pace. It was hard to distinguish in the dark, but he could swear the shape did not appear human. He was sure of that once he saw the shape of a tail behind it. He dropped his bag and pulled his katana out of its sheath and held it in front of him prepared to battle what seemed to be a fiend if necessary.
"Why you want to fight Kimahri?" The beast asked in a low almost growl sound. "Kimahri come to help traveler."
Auron stepped back in shock. Whatever was in front of him could speak! He shifted the weapon to his shoulder. "Who are you?" He asked without fear.
"Kimahri watched travelers enter town, see you outside. I came to offer place to rest." He growled (at least it seemed that way to Auron) softly.
He relaxed and put the weapon back into its sheath. "Very well. But how can I be assured I can trust you?"
"Ronso have honor. Ronso never lie." The beast answered.
So that solved it. He was speaking to a Ronso. Auron had heard about them, but had never seen them up close. He had heard of the pride of the tribe, and as such, knew he would be able to trust the figure in front of him. "Very well. Lead the way." He consented.
Kimahri turned and headed back the way he had come from. Auron stepped into the rain making sure to keep him in sight. He could only hope this wasn't a trap.
--
Rikku woke early the next day. The rain had stopped of that she was sure. The pitter- patter of it falling couldn't be heard anymore. She climbed out of bed and rummaged through her travel bag looking for something clean to wear. She finally found a yellow and white sundress folded at the bottom. The rain had made her hair and body smell damp. So seeing the bathing room off to the side made her smile.
She walked into the room and began to draw water into the tub. While it was filling, she searched through cupboards looking for soap and towels. She found both under the sink. She filled the tub with a bubbly soap mixture and stepped in after stripping out of her clothes.
The water surrounded her tired and sore muscles She closed her eyes and relaxed. The soap had a sweet floral scent that she was not familiar with, but it was still pleasant. It must have been made from some of the island's flora. It was so relaxing that she nearly fell asleep. Dipping her head under helped to wake her up. It also washed the grime and muck out of her hair. When she came back up though, she screamed. Two figures stood above her.
Auron stood without his coat scratching his chin. The blue beast behind him, however, turned to leave the room.
She tried to use her arms to cover herself as best she could as she screeched. "Auron, what are you doing in here?"
He turned around, but did not leave. "I called to you, but you did not answer. I came to make sure you were alright."
"Well now you know I am. Could you please leave now?" She all but begged. "This is embarrassing." She muttered.
"What is wrong? I have seen you without clothing before." He heard her let out a quiet growl. He sighed, what was wrong with her anyway?
"Very well. I can see I amupsetting you. Get dressed. There is something we must discuss." He walked out making sure to close the door behind him.
Rikku let out a breath of relief. That was too close. She reached out for her towel and wrapped it around herself, then grabbed another for her hair. She wrapped it on her head then dried herself off and got dressed. She threw the first towel aside and opened the door as she dried her hair.
"Alright, Auron, what did you...want?" She barely finished as she caught sight of the blue figure he was talking to. She remembered seeing him when she was bathing, but did not pay him much attention since her attention was focused on her caretaker.
"Rikku, meet Kimahri." He started with the introductions "He is a..."
"Ronso." She finished for him. "I learned about your tribe from a book I read once. But why are you here and not in Gagazet?" She wondered as she scratched her cheek.
Kimahri grunted a bit before answering. "Kimahri left mountain years ago. Now live here in Besaid." He replied.
"Kimahri has been kind enough to give us a place to stay." Auron filled in. "He also has given me some valuable information.."
"About what?" She asked innocently.
"Nothing that you need to be worried about. Finish getting ready, he has offered us some breakfast." Auron answered as he led the beast from the room. "We will wait outside for you." He added just before closing the door.
Rikku growled. What was he thinking? Why couldn't he just tell her what was going on? She was an adult now. He used to tell her everything back on Kilika. What had changed?
She slipped on some sandals and took her time brushing her hair. If he was going to rude and keep secrets, then he could wait. She sighed and hunched her shoulders. She wasn't fooling anyone. She knew all she wanted to do was to make him happy. Making him wait for her was not going to do it. She pulled her hair into a high ponytail and headed out.
"I'm ready," She announced once out of the inn. "What?" Auron was glaring at her over the top of his glasses.
"You're late." He replied. "Come, Kimahri is waiting." He turned away knowing she would follow.
--
Rikku was surprised at how well the Ronso could cook. She had never tasted such fine food. She sat quietly on her mat eating and listening to the two of them talk. She eventually became lost to her thoughts until Auron's voice broke through.
"You ready? We have things we must do today."
"Huh? What? I haven't even finished my food." She objected as she shook her head to get her thoughts back.
With a smirk he pointed down to her dish. She had been concentrating so hard; she failed to see that it was, in fact, gone. She sighed relinquishing to the fact he was right.
"Very well. What shall we do first?" She asked in all seriousness.
"Kimahri tells me of a mage who lives in the village. She can help you learn your magic. I believe her name was Lulu." He turned his head for conformation. The Ronso nodded.
"I guess then, lead the way." She put on a false smile and hopped up from her seat.
She followed along behind him silently as she admired the flowers that grew in front of the huts. This island certainly was beautiful. She wondered what this Lulu would be like. She pictured an older woman with short brown hair, maybe to her shoulders? And the name, Lulu, sounded like someone bubbly and outgoing. Little did she know, but she would be off on all her assessments.
Auron led her to a hut on the edge of the village right next to the wall that was built to keep fiends out. He knocked on the frame of the doorway and waited. A well-built man with orange hair answered. Rikku almost giggled when he began talking.
"Can I help you, ya?"
"We are searching for a woman by the name of Lulu. I was told she lived here." Auron answered with his deep voice.
"You got the right place, brudda, but who are you?" He questioned as he stared at the duo, inwardly debating if he wanted to let them in or not.
"Ah, forgive me. My name is Auron. A Ronso by the name of Kimahri has sent us."
The redhead made a soft humph sound before turning his attention to Rikku. "And you are...?" He asked waiting for her to fill him in.
Before she had a chance to reply, Auron cut in. "Her name is not important. Will you, or will you not allow us to see Lulu?" Rikku silently pouted behind him.
"Wait right here. Ill go get her." He disappeared into the hut leaving them to stand outside. A moment later a dark haired woman in a leather dress stepped out.
Rikku was able to hold her shock as she took in the older mage before her. She had long, amazingly long hair. It came almost down to her thighs. And that was with it pulled up and braided. She wore a black leather dress, corset top, with belts to hold the front of it together. Many, many belts, she noted. The woman was obsessed with them. She glanced up to see her face and noticed she used her hair to hide half her face. Was she hiding something just like Auron tried? Did something bad happen to her too?
"Honestly, Wakka, you could have at least let them in." Rikku heard her say. "Sorry about that. Wakka tends to be a bit untrusting at times."
"So I have noticed." Auron answered.
"Anyway, I am Lulu. I hear Kimahri sent you?"
"That is correct. He said you would be the one to talk to about black magic training."
"That's right. But you don't look like the type for the black arts." She said, as she looked him over.
Auron let out a small chuckle. "It's not for me." He reached back and pulled Rikku in front of him. "It's for her."
"And what is your name?" Lulu asked as she bent over slightly so she could be face to face with the blond.
"Ri..."
"Riana." Auron interrupted. Rikku turned and scowled, but said nothing.
"Hmm, I see." She stood up again. "Training is not free, you know?"
"Gil is no object. She needs to learn. If you as good as I have heard, there will be no problem." He began what Rikku liked to call his 'patented stare down.' The one he used when he didn't want any questions asked, but needed something to be done right away.
The woman nodded and led her away. "Come now, Riana. We must first see if you have the talent to be a mage.
Now content, Auron turned and went for his own training.
--
Slash, block, dodge. The fiends of Besaid were easy compared to most places, but after hours of training he had built up a considerable amount of sweat. He had already discarded his coat some time back. An hour ago it was his shirt. He kept them within seeing distance so he could pick them back up before going back.
After taking care of the last fiend he walked back over to his clothes and sat on the ground. He reached into a pocket of his oversized coat and pulled out a small vile. Popping off the cork, he greedily gulped it down. Right away he began to feel refreshed. His hand grazed something else as he put the vile back. With a questioning expression, he pulled it out.
It was a slightly wilted but still recognizable red flower. Where had it come from? He did not remember ever putting it in there. His fingers stroked the petals, careful not to ruin them. It was a reminder of his past, something that he would prefer to forget. He still wondered, till this day, why Cid had asked him to take Rikku. Surely there were other, more able men who could have taken care of her.
An uncle or aunt. Even her brother. Cid could have saved his children by sending them away. The excuse he used, because he was there at the time, didn't hold water. Not to him. He had been a warrior monk. Not used to children other then the teens he trained with, but they, like him, were not there to be children. They had days full of hard work and discipline. What had the man been thinking?
Because of Rikku, he was now in hiding. But how long would he be able to hide from the temples, and what would happen when they spread themselves all over Spira? He was so deep in thought that he was not paying attention to what was going on around him. A dingo had caught his scent, and was slowly getting ready to pounce on him.
Auron had heard the snap of branches just as it left the brush it was hidden in. But it was too late. His katana lay too far away for him to grab. He used his arm to block the brunt of the attack, and gritted his teeth as he felt his skin being pierced.
--
Rikku had just finished with her training when she heard the shout. She ran to the village center to find out what had happened. A man came in carrying a bloody and injured body. Right away she recognized it as being her caretaker.
With a gasp, she rushed forward. "Auron!"
"Quick, I need the healer!" The man shouted.
Lulu came out of her hut as well and saw what had happened. Determined, she headed to find the healer. Moments later she returned followed by a woman with short brown hair, black hot pants with a blue lace half skirt on one leg, and a white tank. "I'm here. What happened, Keepa?" She asked as soon as she saw them.
Rikku kept her mouth shut and watched as she held Auron's hand. She had known only a little white magic, but not enough to cure the damage that had been done.
"I'm not sure. I was walking the path down to the beach when I found him. I used my blitz ball to scare away a dingo, and then brought him back." He explained.
"Ok then. Set him down here. I'll do what I can to stabilize him, then we can move him to the inn." Rikku watched as she pulled a sphere out of her pocket and in a flash of light she stood in a white robe and boots. She held a staff in her hand and twirled it slightly as she chanted.
Auron's smaller wounds began to close and his breathing became more regular as she finished. "That should do it for now. Let's move him and I can do the rest.
Without another word, Keepa picked the warrior up and followed the brown haired woman. Rikku stayed where she was not sure what to do next. A tear escaped as she pictured life without him around. She felt a hand on her shoulder before a gentle face entered her field of vision.
"Don't worry. If anyone can heal your friend, it's Yuna."
--
I know, I brought in a bit of X-2. Since there are no summons and all, and this is an AU fic. So it's gonna be a little diff.
