Chapter Nine: Shoulders, Showers and Ends

Auron's Thoughts - Maester Seymour's Place of Residence - Present Time

Silence as Rikku sees herself out, leaving us guilty and Wakka confused.

"Was it something I said?"

Lulu sighed.

"Someone needs to follow Rikku, who knows where she has gotten to"

"I think Auron should"

Hn?

"I agree with Tidus, Sir Auron, I believe it would be best if you were to follow Rikku. After all, you were the one who escorted her"

"If Lady Yuna wishes it" I declared, standing and straightening my coat.

"Before you leave Sir Auron, may I ask you something. . .Personal?"

I turn to face Maester Seymour once more.

"Why are you still here, Sir?" He said, bowing with a smirk on his face.

I haven't got the time to waste on people trying to back me into a corner.

Seymour stands, "I beg your pardon, it is just that we Guado are keen to the scent of the Farplane"

I turn, and walk towards the tall doors, with full intent of finding Rikku, and ensuring her safety

Rikku's Diary - Guadosalam - Inn - Present Time

I dash past the bewildered Inn Keepers, only stopping briefly to ask for my room key, and then I'm dashing upstairs, hitting the lock with the key until I finally manage to let myself in.

I stumble over my dress while I'm coming through the door. . .That bloody dress, I hate it! It's too big, yet too small for Yunie and Lulu.

Grabbing the hem, I begin to rip it, not caring for the amount of Gil it cost, my thoughts are consumed with how unfair everything is to me and my people.

It's not fair Yunie is the one everyone loves, even if it is because she and her Pops are dying for them.

It's not fair that Lulu gets all the attention just 'cause she's real pretty and is all sophisticated.

And it will never be fair how all of my people have to suffer because we can think for ourselves!

The shoes are the next to go. Throwing them around blindly, I faintly hear the sound of expensive stuff breaking, and thuds as the discarded items land on the floor.

I want him to come and find me.

I want Auron to come and find me, because, somehow, I think he just may understand the unfairness, and just between you and me, I sorta like him, I get a bubbly feeling in my tummy that makes me feel good inside. I don't know what it is, but it doesn't matter, it's not like he will come and find me anyway, he's still sitting at the table.

But. . .isn't anyone going to find me?

Don't they care?

What wouldn't I give for Brother to come and take me home. . .

No, I can't think like that, I need to be strong, come tomorrow, Yunie will see me, and I will be happy as always!

But what if Yunie doesn't want me to be her Guardian anymore?

Tears begin to streak down my face as I run into the bathroom. I ripped the dress. It's shorter now, I won't trip, all I would have to worry about now, is it falling down around my ankles.

The light machina flicks with my first step onto the bathroom tiles, I close the door behind me, and fumble with the lock. The tears are blurring my vision.

I think it locked.

Auron's Thoughts - Guadosalam - Inn - Present Time

I open the Inn door with such force that the bell almost rings off it's hook. The Guado at the reception look up sharpish as I stride up to them .

"I need you to give me the key of the room that Lady Yuna's female Guardians are staying in"

The Guado close to me shuffled a bit and looked up to me.

"I'm sorry Sir, but that room is for the female guests on-"

"I said I need you to give me the key to the room that Lady Yuna's Guardians are in" I spoke, my voice almost rising to a shout.

"I'm sorry Sir-" The Guado began,

"Now!" I barked, and the three Guados rushed to give me the key, the room number and whether or not I wanted, or needed an escort.

"That won't be necessary" I assured them, "Just do not let anyone else have access to that room, if Lady Yuna returns, give her and Lady Lulu another suite"

Rikku's Diary - Guadosalam - Inn - Bathroom - Present Time

I pulled aside the glass door and lunged for the shower curtain, pulling it aside I almost threw myself to the floor. I must've accidentally turned the shower on as I fell, otherwise, why else would there be freezing water mixing in with my tears?

Auron's Thoughts - Guadosalam - Inn - Staircase- Present Time

I take to the stairs and begin to climb them as fast as I can. The room I want is on the top floor, Lady Yuna wanted a bit of privacy. I guess she is starting to adjust to the beings and needs of a Summoner at last.

But now is not the time to worry about Yuna and the Pilgrimage. I doubt that the rest will want to leave in the morning, and for once I will not be the one to push them on. Rikku is my primary concern right now. Though she doesn't know it, I have begun to feel some sort of affection for her since the Moonflow. Not as if I would ever allow anything to come of this.

What would you think Braska, if you knew that the one time I really hurried, it was to find your niece and not your daughter, the Lady Summoner?

Rikku's Diary - Guadosalam - Inn - Bathroom - Present Time

I hate this town. I love my Home.

I won't hate this place tomorrow, I'll be all chipper! I'm not depressed like this normally anyways, and I certainly don't like it, I mean, I feel all sad and pooey, and it's not very nice.

It happens about once a year, not even the Great Magnificent Rikku can be happy the entire time.

I try to claw away the water from my eyes in a hope that I can see a bit more, it sort of works, but all I can see is the shower curtains decorated with the signs of Yevon, and behind that, the shower door. Standing up, I recalled all of my reasons to hate Yevon. How they manipulated and twisted some of the most powerful people in Spira, so they would shun my people, hunt us like animals, force us to disband (Though, since my Pops is so amazing, we got 'em back together) spit at us in the street and search us at any given moment for any reason what so ever. And I took that anger and used it to tear down that stupid curtain.

I fall back on to my bum and hug my knees, and hear someone call----

Auron's Thoughts - Guadosalam - Inn - Landing - Present Time

----"Rikku!" I yell, banging on the door and reaching for the door key, I need to get to her, quickly. Opening the door I look around the destroyed room. I can hear the shower in the bathroom, and I----

Rikku's Diary - Guadosalam - Inn - Bathroom - Present Time

---- Shrank further back into the shower cubicle. Even though I really want the comforting presence of someone near me, I don't think I can bear someone to see me like this, especially Sir Auron! I need to prove to him how good I can be at being Yuna's Guardian! And this won't help! I can hear footsteps getting closer and closer to the bathroom door and I'm so glad I locked it. At least I hope I did. I can't see from here, the waters running into my eyes and it's unbearably cold, I try again at wiping the water from my eyes, but it's no use, my hands are numbing. I hear the person start running at the door, ramming into it with----

Auron's Thoughts - Guadosalam - Inn - Present Time

----All the strength I can muster. She locked the Yevon dammed door! But it's starting to give way, the hinges are old and in need of repair, making it so much easier for me. With one last yell I throw my right shoulder into the door and it crumbled. I stand back, feeling strangely self-satisfied and----

Rikku's Diary - Guadosalam - Inn - Bathroom - Present Time

----Auron walked in! Please Gods no!

He is just standing there. Looking at me, or, in my general direction at least. I smile at him meekly, and watch him start towards me, his long strides eating up the distance. He opened up the shower door and I prepared myself for the long talk that I was sure was coming when he reached over to the temperature gauge and turned the heat up, and the water running down my face became warmer.

Auron's Thoughts - Guadosalam - Inn - Bathroom - Present Time

After turning the water temperature up, colour starts to flood back into her face. And as she looks up to me, I feel a pang of sympathy in the depths of my dead heart for the first time in years. Maybe it's because I harbour a small affection for her. Maybe it's because I'm old enough to be her Father. Nevertheless, I take off my glasses, cowl and coat, and climb into the spacious shower cubicle with her, and sit down. She stops sniffling for a second and looks at me, she must have seen something in my face, or she wouldn't have felt acceptable to bury her face in my shoulder.

Authoress's POV

Tentatively, as if he was not sure what to do, Auron slowly lifted his arm and pulled the small blonde into his lap. He didn't mean it as a romantic gesture, or a fatherly gesture, it was just a way of telling her that he was there. They sat like that for a while. Neither of them said anything. There was nothing to be said. But after a while, Rikku decided there was something she needed to get out in the open.

"Auron? I know this is gonna sound weird, but, I think I like you. As in, like-like you"

He looked down at her heart-shaped face.

"You know nothing can happen. We are Guardians. Yuna is the number one priority."

She looked crest-fallen, and looked to the side.

"I suppose you're right"

"One cannot always do what One wants Rikku"

"Yeah, I suppose"

And then he whispered something into her ear as she was turned away, and she looked back to him, just in time to see him lower his face to hers for one, chaste, kiss. He pulled away, and watched her smile, then bury her face into his chest.

"You know Auron, it's a good thing you took your coat off. Otherwise my card would get soaked"

Auron just smirked.

Rikku's Diary - Guadosalam - Inn - Bathroom - Present Time

I think I know what that bubbly feeling is. I think it just may be some form of love. It sounds silly, doesn't it? Love, after knowing him only a few days. Well, there's love at first sight, isn't there? Well, then again, we didn't really hit it off too well to begin with. . .So maybe it's not love. Maybe it's a crush. Maybe it's just an infatuation. Maybe it's lust. I don't know, and I don't care. I'd like to think that this like-like will become love-love. But I suppose there's no room for Romance on this journey. But there are always side-stories that need to be done. . . . .

And then he whispered something into her ear as she was turned away;

"Always do what you want, regardless of the consequences, for one your one chance may only appear once, and once only"

The End

A/N: I'm so sorry this took so long! I wanted it to be just right! And I hope it is and well worth the wait!

(Though I do believe both Rikku and Auron were slightly OOC)

I can't actually believe I finished what was originally meant to be two chapters/Breaks open the wine\

Important note: I've also considered making a small sequel based in the Calm Lands, skipping all the in-betweeney bits to where Auron and Rikku's relationship has 'developed' and would like to know your views on that!

And cookies and plushies to every, single one of my reviewers, those who stuck by me since the beginning and those who only reviewed a couple of times (still important)

So in no particular order (just as they appear in my reviews):

asakura4ever -Thank you for your kind reviews!

Viva La Kitty-For sticking it out with me

Clue33396-Thank you for the con-crit, it makes me much more aware of my writing style

goodwitch08-You rock girl! Your comments, suggestions and Pro-Seymour never fail to make me laugh!

Xanthia Nightshade-Love ya Xan, I know you're not an FFX fan, but you still stick with me on the web and in real-life. I need to talk to you soon, I'm having life problems again pulls face

Telecontarian-The one-and-only! You've stuck it out with me and have always (apart from this chapter) been my fabulous Beta!

XxRonso-WarriorxX- I updated! I hope you enjoyed it!

Drachegirl14- It's your reviews of "GAH! More!" that motivate me during tough times. Honestly

LordxxAxelxxLover- I've updated! And finished it!

Gining- The Authoress I wish to write as well as, I hope this lived up to your expectations!

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Chaidrin-You inspired me to continue this story further than it's original two chapters, so thank you

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And finally, VampyreQueen24- For being my first reviewer!

ImInDenial, Over and Out xXx