Please Remember

By Tari

Hi, guys! Sorry for the lateness of this chapter – I had actually hoped to update quicker than this. This chapter is going to be a nice long one so maybe that will make up for things! I hope you enjoy this chapter!

This chapter is dedicated to my awesome buddy, Gillian, who I met in college. You give a whole new meaning to the word "hilarity" – and you really know how to make me laugh – especially in our never-ending rants and raves about politics!! Besides who else would bother chasing after Power Rangers and Stripey people? You really brighten up my day, doll. Don't ever change! -Huggles-

Eh, okay so I think that this story is going to be turning into an AU. Let's just say that Auron and Rikku are going to have some adventures of their own before they return to the Pilgrimage.

A big thank you to Shirox, digitalgirl89, BlackRikku, Gothic Godess, losttoxichope, rr1963, otaku dreamer and Drachegirl14 for their reviews on Chapter four. Your comments and criticism mean a lot to me. GROUP HUG!

Eh… yeah. This AN keeps getting longer and longer. Anyways, I was playing with my rabbit the other night – whilst doing my homework – and giving him pencils to throw. When I turned my attention away from him, he kept putting his paws on my stomach, nudging me and giving me pencils – I ended up with about six or seven of them all in! So I continued writing this story. What I am trying to say is: thanks for being my physical muse, Thumper. --

Disclaimer: I own a laptop, iPod, PS2, television, a psychotic inner self – everything except Final Fantasy really. Although, my laptop seems to hate me and sometimes I wish I didn't own it…

Chapter Five: Breaking Free

Auron heaved a deep, troubled sigh as he clutched Rikku's farewell letter in his calloused hand, his brow furrowed slightly as he contemplated the emotively written words before him. Never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined the young, foolish girl to throw all caution to the winds and forsake her cousin as a result of a few brash words being spoken at the spur of the moment…

As he cast his body heavily down to the ground, he stole a furtive glance at his young Summoner whose normally cheerful disposition was marred with hurt and confusion towards her cousin's inexplicable actions, the spent tears still clearly visible upon her face. Removing his glasses, Auron rubbed the bridge of his nose in exasperation. The first rule of the Guardian was to put your Summoner before everything else – a rule that Rikku obviously had yet to learn. Yuna was participating in a race against time to defeat Sin. If her Pilgrimage was unsuccessful, who knows how much destruction Sin could have unleashed upon Spira before another Summoner was willing to face Yunalesca in Zanarkand in their quest for the Final Aeon?

Auron gave a small ironic smirk. Here he was, bound to Spira by his promise to protect his friends' children and yet he was willingly pushing them ever onward to face their inevitable doom.

And yet, Auron always knew that Yuna would undoubtedly follow in her father's footsteps. It was a Summoner's "privilege" to suffer for the future of Spira, after all – their blood being spilled so that the innocent - blissfully unaware of the true nature of a Summoner's sacrifice – could sleep soundly in their beds without fear or the knowledge that they may never live to see another sunrise. Blood-shed was relied on to call a halt to Spira's suffering – which would commence again with the indefinite birth of Sin.

Auron was drawn from his thoughts at the mention of his name and he looked sharply up to see that a discussion was being held to consider their options. After all, Yuna would never have willingly left any of her Guardians behind - nevertheless her cousin - without knowing of their fate.

As always, they were looking to him for guidance.

Leaning dependently upon his sword, Auron rose to his feet and brushing the grass from his coat, made his way over to where the group were expectantly waiting. "So what is to be our course of action?" he asked coolly, pushing his glasses further up onto his face.

Yuna stepped forward; her head timidly lowered downwards, a faint blush accentuating her cheeks.

"Sir Auron," she began hesitantly, her tone hushed in his presence, intimidated by the man who seemed to dominate despite speaking a word. "I do not want for Rikku to be left behind"

Against his better judgement, Auron nodded in acceptance of her request. "As you wish."

As a plan quickly formulated in his mind, the excommunicated monk turned to Kimahri and eyed him solemnly. "Whilst I am gone," he ordered, entrusting the Ronso with the task of protecting Yuna at all costs – an order that Kimahri had been carrying out since their first meeting – "I wish for you to lead Lady Yuna to Guadosalam and remain lodged at the inn there until I return for you."

"But, Sir Auron!" exclaimed Wakka as he stepped forward, his fist outstretched as he eyed the legendary guardian with apprehension. "You aren't leaving us, are you?"

Auron turned and regarded the Blitzballer with determination shining in his hazel eye. "Yes, I am," he replied simply, turning to regard the group. "If every one of us were to turn back to continue the search for Rikku, this Pilgrimage would be placed disastrously behind schedule. But if I were to locate her, we will not be slowed down any."

Yuna took another tentative step towards her father's guardian and placed a gentle hand upon his muscular arm. Auron, unfamiliar with a tender touch, hissed under his breath and drew sharply away, leaving the confused Summoner in his wake. "I am entrusting Kimahri to guard you with his life whilst I am gone," he continued roughly, hastily stowing his few belongings into his pack and hefting it onto his shoulders. Stooping slightly, he lifted his blade from where it lay propped against a tree and sheathed it before turning back to face the party.

"I trust that you will all be waiting for me at the inn of Guadosalam when I return – do not travel further without the presence of both Rikku and myself. As he turned away, ready to return in the direction of the Moonflow in his search for Rikku, he added as an afterthought: "I do not wish for you to consult with Maester Seymour either whilst I am gone," and without giving a explanation for his words, Auron walked off into the dawn, the weak sunlight a stark contrast to his dark, brooding figure.

The sun bore relentlessly down upon Auron's back as he walked and small beads of sweat began to break out upon the warrior's forehead as he trudged tirelessly along the path, despite his lack of sleep. A refreshing breeze whispered in from the West and momentarily, Auron stopped in his tracks and tipped his chin back, allowing the wind to caress his face briefly before resuming his steady pace. He had no worry for the group that he had just left – he had immense faith in the Ronso warrior that he knew would protect Yuna even at the cost of his own life. He had no doubt whatsoever that the party could defend themselves – even Yuna's survival skills had astounded him on many an occasion.

He knew that Rikku could not be that far away – of which he was certain. Although he knew of the thief's natural ability to fend for herself, the fact still remained that Rikku was scantily armed and had probably had very few dealings with the fiends that resided in the vicinity. The man let out a deep groan of frustration. If it had not been for Rikku's little escapade and Auron's current "duty" of babysitting, Yuna would not be in this current predicament of having to travel to Guadosalam minus two Guardians.

The day progressed on and Auron found himself nearing the shore. Taking this chance to refill his canteen, the warrior settled himself comfortably in the long grasses and removed his dark glasses, allowing the light to touch his face. Scanning his environment to ensure that no one was around, he quickly removed his coat and proceeded to wash himself quickly with the cool, sparkling water before quenching his thirst. As he straightened his body, instantaneously refreshed, Auron noticed a form lying prostrate upon the ground, their limbs curling into their torso in the foetal position, protecting itself from a long forgotten foe. He rose slowly to his feet and in one swift, fluid motion had drawn his katana from its sheath and advanced upon the figure, prepared to defend himself if necessary. Covering the separating ground with long, easy strides, Auron approached the person and sensing no immediate danger, knelt upon the ground. He then placed a hand upon the waist, turned the body to face him.

Auron let out a groan. It was Rikku.

Freezing cold to the touch, the young Al-Bhed had obviously been exposed to horrendous conditions for a few hours at least prior to her discovery. Her slender frame was marred with many cruel burns; the majority of which looked to be potentially fatal. Bruises and numerous scratches patterned her face and her torso, caked with mud, contrasted starkly with her deathly pale skin. Scrambling clumsily, Auron pressed two fingers to the column of Rikku's throat and was thoroughly relieved to detect a steady although somewhat weak pulse beating beneath her skin. Tipping the unconscious girl's face toward him, he tenderly brushed the stray locks of golden hair away from Rikku's face and dismissing all propriety; he held her close to his muscular chest and lowered his face so that his chin rested upon the top of the girl's head, murmuring gentle words of apology.

Careful so as to not aggravate her injuries any further, Auron eased one arm under Rikku's legs and draped his other arm around her shoulders, rising slowly to his feet and cradling her mangled body. Auron knew that he was going to have to find somewhere to rest for the girl was in no condition to travel. Her wounds were going to have to be tended to – and fast.

Snatching up his discarded cloak, Auron carefully wrapped it around his bundle and took a moment to ponder the decisions that lay before him. Whilst there was no Travel Agency in the immediate area, Auron was no fool to realise that Rikku desperately needed urgent medical attention. The sky had steadily begun to grow darker and the first, faint, red hues of sunset had stealthily crept amidst the piercing blue. An ominous rumble of thunder reached his ears and as a trickle of rain swept down the warrior's brow, Auron knew that another storm was to take place that night. He had to find shelter quickly.

His hazel eye came to rest upon a cave nearby. It wasn't exactly a palace, but at that precise point in time, Auron could not have cared less if Sin itself had been lurking inside it. Trying not to jostle Rikku, the man made his way over to the gaping mouth and entered the interior cautiously, expecting some fiend or another to have made its nest here. Auron sat down upon the cold, rocky ground – the unconscious woman balanced precariously on his lap – and extracted a blanket from his pack before laying Rikku tenderly down upon it, mindful of the injuries she had sustained, and tucked his cloak securely around her lithe form.

The gentle movement was enough to seep through to Rikku's consciousness, however, and her eyes fluttered open, pain visible in the depths of the emerald orbs. Her cracked lips opened and Auron realised that she was trying to speak his name.

"I will be right back," the warrior whispered, stroking Rikku's hair and watching as she once again succumbed to the welcoming blackness, retreating so that she would not have to suffer from the pain she was experiencing in reality.

Auron rose to his feet and left the cave in search of firewood. He knew that if Rikku were to last the night, her wounds would need tending to. Pausing briefly against the solid rock that formed the exterior of the cave, the warrior ran a distracted hand through his dark hair, prematurely peppered with grey, and took a large mouthful from his sake jug before resuming his search for firewood. He sincerely hoped that Rikku was indeed the fighter he knew her to be – for it would take every ounce of the girl's strength that she possessed to be able to survive the night. Scanning the area around him once again, a smirk passed briefly over Auron's countenance. If his memory was correct, this was the exact spot in which the party had camped on the night Rikku had requested to join the Pilgrimage.

Striding over to the small gathering of trees, Auron collected together the remnants of the unused firewood that had been left behind for travellers following in their wake. Re-entering their make-shift lodgings, Auron lay the firewood down in the middle of the cold, filthy cave floor, praying that the dampness was not so great as to extinguish the fire.

Arranging the logs in a circular fashion and laying them carefully to ensure that the spark would catch, the warrior struck the flint and tinder together and a few minutes later, a fire crackled merrily within the confines of the cave, momentarily raising Auron's spirits before he returned his attention to the task on hand.

Rikku still lay where he had left her; Auron's large coat dwarfing the girl's lithe frame, making her look infinitely fragile as if the slightest touch should break her. Rummaging through his pack, the warrior extracted various remedies and antidotes and began to add them both to the water that was happily bubbling away over the fire for sterilisation. As he waited for the concoction to boil, Auron gathered Rikku into his arms, frowning as he detected the first stirrings of fever that were beginning to surface upon her skin when placing his large hand upon her forehead to brush the stray locks of golden hair away from the Al-Bhed's eyes.

Slowly dipping a soft cloth into his water flask, Auron soaked the rag before shaking off the excess liquid and moistening Rikku's brow and cheeks in an effort to decrease her temperature. In reaction to the coldness, the girl shivered in her sleep and gave a little moan of discomfort to initially voice her disapproval.

Auron chuckled to himself. Even in sleep Rikku tended to be irksome.

A pleasant aroma filled the air and Auron knew that the potions had blended together to create a soothing remedy for Rikku's wounds and busying himself with administering the concoction, Auron worked well past midnight, tending to the many burns and cuts that lingered tormentingly over the girl's body. He was thankful to whatever force that happened to be watching over Rikku that she was unconscious and did not have to suffer the cleansing process.

Only when Rikku's malevolent fever finally broke sometime near dawn and her body temperature began to cool rapidly did Auron allow himself to sleep, his weary eyes drifting close into a watchful yet fitful slumber.

AN: Phew! That seemed to take forever, didn't it? Well, I hope you guys enjoy this pretty meaningless chapter (in my opinion!) and I shall try and get started on Chapter Six relatively quickly!

Tari