Bowling Ball

Superchick

Maybe he'll change, if you could be better
But maybe it's not your fault, he's checking out the waitress now
But someday you'll change, one day you're stronger
And you will have changed enough that it's time to get out

"Maybe no one will notice?" Rikku sat on a secluded balcony in the Bevelle Temple.

The gang had all come to see about holding Tidus and Yuna's wedding there. Something about it being important to her father. It should of been a happy occasion, and it was. For everyone except Rikku that is.

You see in addition to their beloved group, they'd also brought another. Rikku's "first love" and current boyfriend, Gippal. To start out with, he and Rikku had been so happy. They seemed like "the cute little couple", and Rikku felt lucky. How many other people get to actually have a relationship with their very first crush? But... The happiness didn't last.

Gippal liked to flirt. She knew that before they started going out, but she wanted it to stop. He would flirt right in front of her. And one time he even told a girl that Rikku was his sister. She didn't know how they were still together after that one. She just wanted this to work so badly.

But lately it'd gotten worse.

Rikku didn't know if it was on purpose, or truly an accident like he claimed. But lately, she'd started getting hurt. If she said something he didn't like, he would push her and she would fall into things, or he would grab her really hard until she bruised. Rikku had taken down many fiends, but taking down a human being is completely different. Especially when you care for them.

Now Rikku sat lightly rubbing her right wrist, which had a large hand print on it. She had swapped her normal bikini top in for her old orange t-shirt to hide her bruised ribs. She'd made Gippal angry and he had pushed her into a railing in the temple. She felt lucky no one saw. He apologized, but... She wasn't sure if he meant it or not.

Rikku looked down at her bruise, which was dark purple and clearly in the shape of a hand. Oh how she wished she'd brought some chunky jewelry. Then maybe no one would notice. Perhaps she could try and keep it out of sight? Surely everyone would be too focused on the wedding to notice her little wrist.

While contemplating all of this, she didn't notice someone coming up behind her.

"Rikku?" She jumped and nearly fell off the railing of the balcony, which was probably not the smartest place to be sitting.

"Oh! Auron! Um... Hey." She tried to resume her normal cheery voice.

"Is something wrong?" He started to walk a little closer to her.

"Nope! Nothing at all!" She put her wrist by her side, trying to hide it. And she flashed a big smile.

He didn't seem to believe her, and walked even closer. This made Rikku a little uncomfortable, and she couldn't help but flinch away just a little bit. But it was enough for him to notice. He reached out to touch her shoulder, and that made Rikku flinch even more and start to fall off the railing.

Auron was quick to grab her, but it was around her middle and as he pulled her up she couldn't help but scream in pain. When she was safely on the ground again, she pushed away from him. He was startled by her scream and for once couldn't think of anything to say. After just looking at each other for a moment, Rikku finally got her head back, and laughed.

"Oopsie! Sorry Auron! I'll be more careful next time!" She shot him a dazzling smile.

Which didn't fool him.

He narrowed his gaze, and moved closer to her. "Rikku... What's wrong?"

"Nothing Auron! I already told you!"

As he took steps towards her, she retreated until her back was against the wall. He towered over her.

"Rikku. What happened?" It sounded more like a demand that a question.

She looked up at him, and couldn't help but feel tears sting in her eyes. His gaze stayed hard, but the hardness wasn't for her. He reached out to put a hand on her ribs, but Rikku grabbed it before he could.

"Auron, please don't..." She couldn't look at him, but she felt him stiffen.

"Rikku..." He grabbed her hand gently. "Who did this?"

Her eyes shot up to him. "U-um... I did it. Clumsy me!" She laughed nervously.

Auron fingered her bruise gently, and looked into her eyes. His gaze was soft this time. "Rikku... Who?"

She tried to keep eye contact with him, but it only brought more tears to her eyes. "It... It was Gippal..."

"Excuse me." She felt him let go of her and start to storm off.

"No!" She cut him off. "Auron please don't!"

"He hurt you Rikku."

"It was just an accident!"

"He bruised your wrist and your ribs by accident?" She could hear the anger in his voice even though he tried to hide it.

She couldn't do anything but grab on to his coat and hang her head. "Auron... Please..."

She could almost hear the wheels turning in his head, and it was a long moment before he said anything.

"Well? What are you going to do?"

She looked up at him, her eyes red. "What do you mean?"

"You can't possibly tell me you're still going to stay with him." The anger was back in his voice, and she could only stay silent. "Rikku... has this happened before?" Again, she couldn't bring herself to make words. "Excuse me."

He tried to move past her, but she only held on tighter to his coat.

"Auron, no! You can't hurt him!"

"I'm not going to hurt him."

"Then what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to kill him." He said that so calmly, and yet Rikku knew it was probably true.

"Auron, you can't. Please. Just... Stay with me."

The stars were starting to come out, and she pressed herself against him. He seemed to be processing something, and then tenderly took her in his arms. He sat on a bench that was against the wall, and sat her in his lap. And for the first time in a long time, she felt safe.

It started to get cool out, and she couldn't help but shiver. He noticed, and tucked her into his coat. She wanted to sleep so badly, but her mind couldn't find any rest. That's when he spoke.

"Rikku. You have to leave him."

She stayed quiet. Maybe he would think she was asleep?"

"Rikku. I know you're awake."

Crap.

"Auron," she whispered weakly,"I can't..."

"Yes. You can." She felt his grip tighten around her ever-so-slightly.

"I don't know if I'm strong enough..."

He pulled her up so she would look at him. "Yes you are."

She shook her head and buried her face in his chest, crying again.

He sighed and stroked her hair. "What can I do Rikku?"

She let her tears subside before speaking. "You'll stay with me, right?"

"Right."

"How long?"

He looked at her, so she would know he meant it. "Until the end."

"Promise?" He could see a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"I promise," he answered slowly.

She got up. "Then let's leave."

"What? And go where?"

"I don't know... Anywhere!" She bounced excitedly.

He followed her. "That's not a very good plan Rikku..."

"You promised Auron! I may not be strong enough to end this face to face... But I can leave. And if you're with me..." She stepped close to him and grabbed his hands in hers. "I know I'll make it."

He looked at her for a moment, then chuckled.

"Alright. Let's leave."

_____________

A/N: My ipod's trying to kill me. This song isn't romantic at all! Gah....

I'm not sure if I like this one or not... It kinda came out in a jumble because I wrote it right before work. And I think the spacing's a little off, so don't kill me. I know!

Please review! I like me some feedback! :D

3