I hope no one is getting bored with this, the scenes back and forth between Auron and Rikku. It would kill me if it was. But then again, let me know and I'll see what I can do about it. An author's only as good as her fans are numerous and happy. :)

Take it away, Auron.

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Auron

The Farplane. I never thought I would see it until after Zanarkand. A place of death, memories gone, and sadness…

Much like myself, actually.

As I sit there, watching the others go on, I cannot but help think why I am left out here with the smallest member of our pilgrimage. The one with the eyes that kill me. The chocobo-girl. It's…ironic. A bit too ironic for my liking.

Surprisingly, and thankfully, she isn't trying to engage me in some sort of stupid conversation. On the way here, she wouldn't shut up. Kept on chattering and chiriping constantly about her journey here, her favorite color, her thieving skills…never giving my eardrums a rest…

Not that she was talking to me. Oh no, she was speaking to mostly Yuna and Tidus. But the volume of her voice penetrated all my attempts to block her out. The boy was listening avidly, and so was Yuna, though with more outward calm. The blitz captain was watching her, and the dark mage kept her red eyes on the road ahead, though I knew her ears were listening intently. Kimhari, of course, walked ahead of us, vigilant as always, and unconcerned about anyone butYuna.

The girl's thief skills…those were something else entirely. She was indefinitely valuable to us when it came to battles. Her lightning speed, fast reflexes, and knack for finding the correct items gave us the upper hand in any fiend encounter we had. And then at the end, she would lean on one leg, rest her claw on her hip and taunt the pyreflies with her free hand. I almost scoffed at that the first time I saw her doing it. She was undoubtedly full of it. And her strength wasn't…completely useless, but she would learn from Tidus or myself. Or perhaps she wouldn't need it…she could become a mage, like Yuna or Lulu.

I look up sharply as I hear, "EEK!" and the sound of body-on-floor impact. I sigh as the scene unfolds. Of course, the chocobo had enough sense to fall over backwards, landing so that she looked like she was doing some sort of…ghastly…workout exercise. Well…I probably should get up to see if she's alright.

I push off from my leaning position on the stone wall and stride over, looking at her upside- down predicament. I'm so tempted to say "What the hell, Rikku…"

Though…it's rather amusing to see her there, with a shocked and pained expression on her face, her blonde plume spread out under her like a bright fan, and her large green eyes widening in embarrassment. A slight flush fell across her cheeks and she laughed sheepishly at my stare.

Suddenly my stomach convulses…I immediately restrain my wincing so that she can't see it underneath my cowl. Why…now…all of a sudden…?

Was it because…her eyes were once again on mine?

Yes, I realized. Her life force was coming dangerously close to seeping through my walls, my defenses. Don't drop to the floor, Auron. Do not.

I turn quickly and walk away, returning to my position on the wall. I'm trying to make it look like she had no effect on me, so that she couldn't see my pain…or my death. I hear her scrambling to her feet and her eyes are on me again. Though I do not dare to look up.

Suddenly, I hear her laughing. She was laughing. At what? At me?

I peek up through my sunglasses and see her bent over slightly, laughing hard. Her eyes are squeezed shut and her small mouth is open wide, emitting a sequence of high-pitched little shrieks that count for her as noises of amusement. Why the hell is she laughing?

Forget it. I roll my eye and look back down. I don't have time for her foolishness. If she wants to be childish then so be it. I won't listen.

I block her out and return to my thoughts. The pilgrimage…focus on the pilgrimage, Auron. How to keep Yuna and Tidus out of harm's way. How to keep them from getting hurt…where to go from here…the Thunder Plains, then Macalania…damn Seymour…

Then I realize the laughing has stopped and she asks me a question.

"Auron, why aren't you with them?"

I look at her, thinking. Though, mind you, I don't look at her stare. Do I ignore her, or make up some excuse? She turns away, obviously tired of waiting, and I decide to give it to her without revealing anything.

"It is…not my place."

She pivots back to my eyes in a flash. I'm able to look her in the eye, though it makes my stomach turn. This time I tolerate it. I take the time to look at her eyes again, admiring the way that they are set in her face, and the way that when she blinks her eyelashes bunch together. Her head tilts in confusion, and her eyes blink a couple of times, making her look quite…cute….actually-

Stop.

….I did not just think that.

She asked me what it meant. I do not answer, now afraid of my thoughts more than her eyes. Then she speaks again…I assume she's trying to get me to talk to her, since she can't keep her mouth closed for more than a few minutes once it opens….

"Heh, it's not like you're so old you could be mistaken for dead, right? I mean, as far as old goes, you're pretty up there, but not that far up-"

Wait, what did she say?

I look up at her in alarm. Does she know? Yevon, she can't! How did she…?

I ignore the look of immediate apprehension on her face and get up, slowly walking to her. If she knows, she can't be allowed to speak. "What are you implying?" I ask, dangerously. She backs up against the wall, leaning on it with her arms and trying to distance herself from me as much as possible. I move closer, so that my face is just a foot away from hers and our bodies are almost touching. "N-nothing!" She stammers, and keeps on stammering until she stops and realization floods her face. My eye widens.

No…please don't figure it out…

Her hand covers her mouth as she mutters, "Oh…god…" and then she screeches, so damn loudly, "YOU'RE DEAD?!"

Instinctively I grab her arm, harder than I wanted to. Does she not have the sense to keep her voice down?! "Lower your voice. Now." I growl angrily.

She winces in pain, nodding. I let go of her arm. She grabs it and mutters angrily in Al Bhed. I can catch a few words of what she's saying, but don't think of it. I can feel her rage through her gaze and she snarls, "You're a…big, FAT meanie!" I ignore her insult.

I am still…unnerved. "You cannot tell anyone about this. Do you understand?" I hiss. If she doesn't comply, I will silence her myself.

"Yeah, yeah, I got it. Big, stupid, red coat-wearing, mean…" she kept on murmuring insults at me.

I have the urge to make her as frustrated as I was. Why not have some fun, Auron? Let's play a game with the little Al Bhed chocobo. I smirk, and say,

"You blame me, for your big mouth?" Ouch, that one's going to hurt.

She looks at me indignantly, and yells, "Hey! You didn't have to grip my arm like it was a…a…some sort of fiend, or something! That hurt!" I start to turn and walk away. She calls me a jerk, then.

…I deserve to be called a lot more than that.

I tilt my head though, and pretend to be offended. I hear her shifting behind me, no doubt getting protection before I twist that arm of hers off. I can't keep the amusement out of my voice as I state with a smirk, "Well…I didn't have to grab you if you had kept your big mouth shut…"

How old am I, exactly? I can't remember the last time I made fun of a woman. I think the last time I did so was….back in Bevelle…with Kinoc...though there, it would be seriously considered an offense. Here, it was just…child's play. I smile to myself.

She muttered "Stupid meanie" under her breath at me. I decided to play with her further. "That insult is getting old…you said it already numerous times." I returned to my leaning position on the wall.

She looked shocked. "Hey, you understand me?"

I move to get comfortable. Something tells me I've just initiated a conversation. "I learned a little…what I could, anyways, from Braska." He did teach me a few words. Not any that I would say in front of her though. Braska, he was...

...I am…tired.

She looks at me more, appearing to be thinking. I'm waiting for her to turn around and get back to her little mind, so I can wait further for the rest of the group to arrive.

She's coming closer…what-

I shoot her a look as she takes my hand in her own. Confusion...I don't like being confused. Her hand's warmth seeps into me, and I can't move. I literally freeze from her. That sick, nauseating feeling...the warmth of the living...it's killing me...I need to hurt it...

NO. FIGHT IT. DO NOT GIVE IN. I take a few mental breaths, shake off the impending dizziness, and gaze sharply at her. What was her purpose?

"What do you think you're doing?" I am most curious to see what she comes up with now.

"Auron, do you feel my warmth?" She asks me, her eyes darting back and forth across my face seriously. What does she want with this information? Is she wondering if I have the ability to feel…her..warmth...?

Realization fills me. Ah. Well. This is strange...but I will answer her. If only, to make her let go of my hand.

"Yes, Rikku. I feel your warmth on my hand." And I need you to let go. Now.

She nods, and lets my hand slip through her fingers.

…I feel…empty…suddenly...

"…Your hands are really cold." She murmurs, and is not able to look in my face as she digs her boot in the ground. I notice suddenly with surprise at the slight color in her cheeks once again. Is she…blushing?

"Being dead does that to you… Oui kad icat du ed." I decided to let her feel more at ease with me. I figured talking in her language would help that…

But Auron, the question I want answered, is why are you doing that? What makes you want to make her feel more at ease? You never cared if anyone felt comfortable in your presence. Take it or leave it, that was always your motto, right?

…Shut up. I did it, so deal with it.

She breaks my thoughts with a question. I dread it, I fear it, and she asked it to me.

"Auron, how did you die?"

I look up at her with surprise, but then hide my emotions quickly. She can't know, Auron. No one can. Not yet. Not until we're ready.

I hear noises and see the group walking back down the stone steps leading to the Farplane. Thank Yevon. I sneak a quick glance at the girl, and she looks disappointed for a minute. She cannot tell anyone what she knows. I send her a look that she catches without anyone noticing. Her eyes search mine for a minute, and then she nods. She understood. Rikku rushes over to talk to Yuna and I get up.

You were saved Auron. But next time…it won't be that easy.

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Okay, I know there wasn't a lot of action in that, but I decided to throw in an extra set of sentences so that I wouldn't leave you all hanging and bored. w00t.

Lemme know what you think about this Auron. Was it worse? I think it was slightly worse…don't worry, next chapter will be some random awesome fiend battle, in Rikku's favorite place…THE THUNDER PLAINS!

Let there be light…and reviews.

-SV