Okay, so I know it's been forever! You have full permission to be mad at me, but please tell me how you think this chapter is! I pretty much hate my iPod for doing this to me... But whatevs. I hope this chapter turned out well! Lemme know! ^o^

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Hate (I Really Don't Like You)

The Plain White T's

All I wanted was your
Love love love love love love
Hate is a strong word
But I really, really, really don't like you

"Rikku, I don't understand!"

"No, Yunie, you don't!"

I was currently almost running down the streets of Lucafrom my darling cousin. We had been at a celebration that honored Yuna and all of her guardians, and who randomly shows up after three years?

Auron!

Sir freakin' Auron!

He just frickin' walked up and said hello! No explanation! No apologies! Just a pathetic little hello! Needless to say, that didn't sit to well with me. I stormed off, and Yuna followed me trying to calm me down. Calm down? Yeah. Right.

"Rikku!" Yuna stumbled over her feet. "Slow down!"

"No!" So I'm acting a little immature. Who cares? I think I have a right.

Yuna sighed behind me. "What's the matter Rikku? I thought you'd be happy! Didn't you love him?"

I stopped dead in my tracks and whirled around just in time to have her crash into me. I grabbed her shoulders and held her at arms length.

"Do not say that, Yunie!" We were both out of breath.

"But, Rikku..." Confusion whirled in her eyes.

"Yuna," a familiar voice said from behind her. "Leave us, please."

She turned around to see Auron with his eyes on me. As she looked back and forth between us, apparently she made up her mind. With one pleading look at me, she ran back to the stadium. I waited until she turned the corner to send an icy glare at Auron. I turned on my heels and started to walk away, my hair swinging in the wind.

"Stop."

I stopped.

What the crap?

I felt him walk up and stand right behind me. I could feel his coat brush my skin.

"Rikku.." His voice rumbled as he said my name. His hand came up to touch my arm.

I spun around, the beads braided into my hair hitting my face. "No! Don't touch me!"

Loathing was burning in my eyes, I could feel it. But I couldn't tear my eyes away from him.

"Rikku..."

"No! You hurt me, Auron!"

"Please just--"

"No! I hate you!" I turned my back on him. My heart felt like it was on fire. I thought that after I said that I would feel better... but I only feel worse. He was quiet a moment before he spoke.

"Rikku..." His voice sounded so soft and damaged that I couldn't help but turn around. My heart wasn't on fire anymore. It felt like it had been shot and was now bleeding to death. How could I say that? I'm so stupid!

He began again, but I couldn't look at him. "I'm sorry, Rikku. I should have let you know sooner..." His hand tilted my face up to meet his gaze. "I cared about you so much that... I wanted to keep the pain from you as long as I could. I can see now that it only made it greater... I'm sorry."

His last words sounded so defeated. He dropped his hand and turned around. As he walked away from me I felt a million things at once. My hate for him dissapeared. Longing returned. My love for him returned as well. As he got further and further away I felt sadder and sadder until I just couldn't take it anymore.

"Auron... Wait!"

I ran to him. He didn't even get a chance to turn around before I had my arms around him. I cried into his back whispering apologies of my own. He broke my grasp only to turn around and pull me into his own embrace.

"I'm sorry for saying that Auron... I am so, so sorry..."

He squeezed me tighter. "Rikku, there's no need to apologize. I understand why you said it."

I looked up at him with tear filled eyes. "I shouldn't of said it... I'm sorry..." A whole new crop of tears overflowed and he started to rub my back in soothing circles. When my crying died down he lifted my chin up so he could look into my eyes.

"I hurt you Rikku. I understand your harsh words... But I need to know that you forgive me."

I searched his face before I answered. "Yes... Yes Auron, I forgive you."

For a moment we only looked at each other, not saying a word. Then he smiled. He smiled a true smile, and hugged me tight. I breathed in his scent, and smiled. Auron... My Auron was back. Honestly, I don't think it could get any better than this. Nothing could make this better. Nothing at all.

"Rikku... I love you."

Okay. So I was wrong.

I looked at him, stunned. "Wh-what did you say?"

His voice was strong, and his gaze intent. "I love you, Rikku."

I couldn't speak for a few minutes, but I finally found my voice. I laughed. "I love you too, Auron! So much..."

As I pressed myself against his I heard him laugh.

"And you don't hate me?"

I laughed again. "No Auron... I really really really love you."

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Cheese, right? I know. Tell me if you liked it though! Hopefully it won't be too terribly long till I get the next chapter out...

Review! ;D