Sorry it took me so long ; I've been kinda busy.. actually I wasn't even sure if I was going to finish the story .. but just a little while ago I got a review from someone asking me to please update. So I have decided to finish the story LoyldIrvingIsMine thankies for the encouragement!! OH! AND ANYTHING IN ITALIC… IS THOUGHTS! well.. without further waiting… I give you …

xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

CHAPTER 17: THE WALK!

Rikku woke up at the crack of dawn the day of the rehearsal. She knew that it was pointless to try and fall back asleep, it never seemed to work. So she sat up, and yawned. She wiped the sleep out of the corner of her eyes, slid her legs off the side of her bed, and slipped her shoes on. Ever since she had switched bodies with Auron she had been waking up early enough to watch the sun rise. It was a big change, but she was beginning to enjoy it. She stretched her arms up above her head and then left the hut. The sun wasn't quite up yet, but it was still plenty light enough to go for a walk. So she set off slowly making her way out of town. She looked around, everything seemed so quiet, so peaceful. She didn't really get to experience anything like this. She always seemed to be the one cheering others up. Which was a big job and she like it, but she never got much of a break. Everyone expected her to be the cheerful one. Everyone looked to her to brighten their day. Everyone looked to her to be the silly one. For once, it was nice to get a break from it all. She looked up towards the sky, and a sense of happiness over came her. Yunie, her cousin, her best friend, was getting married tomorrow. She had saved her, and now she was going to marry the man over her dreams. Rikku couldn't help but smile. Everything just seemed so, perfect today.

Her mind wandered until it came to a certain older guardian, Auron. She had been spending more and more time with him. She was getting to know and understand him better and better. Maybe the whole, switching bodies thing wasn't such a bad thing. It had brought these two together. There must have been a reason for it. She took a deep breath, and realized, she was happy, truly happy. Even if she never got her body back, she knew she'd be spending even more time with Auron. Just the thought made her stomach irrupt into butterflies. Auron and herself could spend the rest of their lives together. She smiled at the thought of him always being there for her. What if they got married? She stopped walking, and an even bigger smile spread across her face. She might actually end up marrying Auron. This made her even happier. She had always imagined her own wedding. But she was never able to place the correct man as the groom. She imagined Auron in a tux smiling at her as she walked down the isle towards him. She couldn't take it anymore. She began twirling down the path that she'd been walking. She couldn't remember a time where she had felt this happy. She stopped swirling when she felt her feet sink into the ground. She looked down and saw sand. As she looked around she realized that she was at the beach. She had made it all the way down here without even realizing it. She smiled and walked up to the waters edge. The sun was just coming up, it looked beautiful. It was casting rays across the water, sending brilliant shades of color to the shore. She sat down at the waters edge and watched the water rise and reside. She smiled as she sat there peacefully watching the sun rise. She picked up the sand a let it slip through her fingers slowly. She had always loved the sand. Hopefully Auron liked it too. Maybe they'd live together where there was a lot of sand. Preferably somewhere near Home, but she wouldn't be that picky. If the place had sand, she'd be happy. Suddenly a woman's laugh echoed from behind her. She turned around and saw Lenne and Brother making their way up to the beach. She was jerked back to reality as she remembered what she had overheard the two talking about last time she had seen them together. She quickly hurried to her feet, whipping the sand off of her, and climbed up the slight slope that was next to her and ducked into the bushes. She waited a few moments and then peaked around and saw that Brother and Lenne had stopped a little ways from where she was hiding.

"When do you think we should tell everyone?" Lenne asked. Both Brother and herself were staring out over the ocean.

"I don't know." Brother replied. Rikku's mouth dropped slowly. Brother wasn't speaking in Al Bhed. Where'd he learn that? She was pulled from her thoughts when the two's conversation started up again.

"Well you should probably announce it fairly soon. Everyone would probably like to know what there is another wedding to prepare for." Lenne said with a smile.

"WHAT!" Rikku said without thinking. She reached up to cover her mouth and fell forward, falling out of her hiding spot.

"Sir Auron?" Lenne said looking at Rikku, she was apparently very startled. "What are you doing?" She asked looked at her curiously.

"I… uh… um… FOUND IT!! FOUND MY EAR RING!!" Rikku said as she moved her hand up to her ear to 'put the ear ring back in.' "I thought that I had lost it! But I found it!" Rikku said and then stood up smiling nervously.

"But um…. Sir Auron you don't have your ears pierced." Lenne said looking at him curiously.

"OH! Yea! I knew that." Rikku said looking from Lenne to Brother. "No wonder I couldn't find it." She said.

"Are you feeling alright Sir Auron?" She asked looking at him in concern.

"Of course! I'm fine! Just dandy!" Rikku said and began to back away, but she tripped and fell. Lenne stepped forward to help her up, but Rikku jumped to her feet. "Well, um… now I'm going to go back to the village. Bye!" Rikku turned and started walking away.

"Right…" Lenne replied as she watched Rikku lose her balance and fall for a second time into the sand. "You okay?" Lenne yelled over.

"FINE!" Rikku said and stood up quickly and hurried off the beach and out of sight. Brother looked over to Lenne who was staring in the direction Rikku had taken.

"E Drehg yincuh'c paah tnehgehk duu silr…" Brother said. (I think Auron's been drinking too much)

"I agree." Lenne replied and looked over at him smiling. Brother smiled back and they turned to the ocean once again to watch the sun rise.

Rikku was running back to the village. Another marriage… but whose…? It took Rikku a second before she realized…

"THEY'RE GETTING MARRIED!!!" Just then she ran into someone knocking them to the ground. "Oh!! I'm sorry!!" She replied and bent down to help the blonde up.

"Oh, it's alright." The blonde replied. He raised his head and Rikku gasped.

"Shuyin!"

"Um…hi Auron." He said with a smile.

"But… uh… you… Lenne… she… uh… hi!" Rikku replied still a little startled. "What are you doing here? I thought you weren't going to be here until tomorrow."

"Oh yea, well I got out of work. My boss let me come a day early." He said with a smile.

"Oh…" Rikku said as she thought of what she had overheard between Shuyin's lover and her brother.

"Well you don't sound too happy to see me." He said looking at her strangely.

"OH! It's nothing! Just…thinking…"

"Well okay. I'll let you think. I heard Lenne went for a walk down to the beach. I think I'll go surprise her!" He said and smiled again. He tried to walk away, but Rikku grabbed his arm.

"What is it Auron?" Shuyin asked looking at Rikku in surprise.

"Um… I…. I just … um… I WAS HOPING THAT YOU WOULD ACCOMPANY BACK TO THE VILLAGE!" Rikku said with a smile.

"…why?" Shuyin asked raising his eyebrow. "Your practically there already and I want to go see Lenne. It's been a while since I saw her last."

"Um…well…." Rikku didn't know what to say. She didn't know how to tell the man in front of her that his girlfriend had found someone else, someone that she was planning on marrying.

"Well….?" He asked.

"Um… well the thing is … Lenne's found –"

"LENNE!" Shuyin shouted. Rikku turned around to see Lenne walking up by herself. Brother was no where to be seen.

"SHUYIN!" Lenne replied. Shuyin tugged his arm free of Rikku's grip and ran up to Lenne.

"Lenne!" He picked her up and spun her around. She laughed and he set her back down gently.

"What are you doing here?" She asked smiling and giving Shuyin a hug.

"I got off a day early." He replied and kissed her gently on the lips.

"That's great!" Lenne replied. Rikku just stood there, apparently invisible to the couple in front of her. They stood there smiling for a few seconds when Shuyin remembered Auron was still present.

"Oh yea! Auron, what was it you were going to tell me?" He asked pulling Lenne in closer to him.

"Oh um… I was just going to say… um… YOUR ZIPPER WAS UNDONE!" Shuyin looked a little surprised and glanced down.

"Um… no it's not." He replied looking back up at Rikku.

"Right! Well, um I'm just going to go back to the village.. um… for a drink!" Rikku said and turned away and continued walking. The couple stood there for a second in silence.

"Don't worry about it." Lenne replied. "I think Auron's been drinking s little much." She said and smiled.

"Oh. That would explain it." Shuyin said and smiled back. "He actually ran into me and shouted… THEY'RE GETTING MARRIED!" Shuyin said with a slight laugh.

"Oh really…?" Lenne replied looking a little startled.

"What is it?" Shuyin asked.

"Oh never mind." Lenne said and quickly smiled. "Lets go for a walk." She said and slipped her hand into Shuyin's. He smiled and they turned back towards the path leading back to the beach.

"UGH!" Rikku grunted. She had been so happy. Everything had seemed so perfect. And in a matter of minutes her happiness had been ruined. Having seen Shuyin with Lenne… she just couldn't tell him. He had seemed so happy with Lenne. How could she do something like this to him. They had been the perfect couple. Everything appeared to be going great for the two. Why'd this have to happen! She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She'd just have to figure out what to do. She didn't want to keep such a secret all to herself. Yet she didn't want to not tell Shuyin and have him find out some other way. She didn't want to see him get hurt. "Brother…" She whispered to herself. She couldn't confront Lenne but she had no problem yelling at Brother. It was his fault that this was happening. Why'd he have to interfere? She signed. It was decided, she'd talk to Brother. But when…? The rehearsal! She could talk to him then. She shook her head. There was nothing she could do now. She'd just have to wait. She quickened her pace, right now all she wanted to do was get away from the beach. Maybe I'll talk to Auron about it. She thought to herself. He'd have to believe her. She'd heard them. They were definitely getting married. Auron would have to believe her. She glanced up at the sky. The sun was barley up. Auron would still be asleep. Why'd she always have to sleep in? She was beginning to discover that some of the traits that they had when they were in their own bodies had stayed behind. Such as her tendency to sleep in late, and Auron's tendency to wake up as soon as possible. Well this was a good enough reason to wake him up as any. She thought to herself. She reached the village and hurried into the hut in which Auron was sleeping.

"Auron?" Rikku whispered as she sat on the edge of the bed. Auron didn't move. "Auron?!" Rikku repeated a little more loudly. Still no movement. Rikku sighed. She always was a heavy sleeper. "Auron!" She said and shook him a little.

"Mhhhm…" was all Auron replied as he rolled over onto his other side. Rikku sighed.

"Auron!!"

"What…?" He replied still facing the other way.

"Get up. I have something I need to talk to you about." Rikku said as she looked at the back of his head.

"Well, is the village being attacked?" He asked.

"Well… no… but."

"Then leave me alone." Auron said and pulled the covers up. Rikku glared at the back of his head.

"Fine. Two can play at this game." She said and then stood up.

"Yea… go play whatever you want." Auron said. There was no reply. Auron smiled slightly. Well she gave up easily. He thought to himself.

"CHARGE!!!!" Rikku yell sounded through the hut. Auron sighed.

"Rikku… will you just UGH-" There was a huge weight on his chest. Auron slowly opened his eyes. "Rikku…. Get off me." He said as he looked up at Rikku, who was currently sitting on him.

"Are you going to get up?" Rikku asked. She was still sitting on Auron.

"Yes. Now will you-" Just then some one walked into the hut.

"Hey guys are you – WOAH!" It was Tidus. "I um… didn't mean to bother you guys…" He said and then looked down.

"What are you..." Auron started and then realized what Tidus must have been thinking. He glanced from Rikku and down to him. "Tidus! It's nothing! It's not what it looks like…" Auron tried to explain.

"Suuuure." Tidus said and then laughed slightly. "I'll just leave you two… to um… your nothing." He said and then walked out of the hut smiling.

"…………" Auron stared up at Rikku. "Get off me." He said and then sighed. Rikku blushed slightly and climbed off.

"Sorry." Was all Rikku could think of. She didn't know what to say.

"It's alright." Auron replied. He sat up and whipped the sleep out of the corner of his eyes. "Now what is it that you wanted?" He asked looking over to Rikku and yawned.

"Oh yea! It's about Lenne. Well… Lenne and Shuyin. And Brother really…. But I'm going to talk to Brother at the Rehersal tonight. But it's mostly about – "

"Rikku… breath. And tell me what's going on." Auron said and shook his head. "Your one of the most confusing people." He said and smiled at her. "Now start at the beginning." Rikku smiled at him.

"Okay. Well it all started when we went to the doctors…" Rikku went on to tell him all about the suspicions that she had had about Brother and Lenne. And what she had overheard when they were at the doctors. Auron had disapproved greatly on the eavesdropping, but Rikku just glared slightly and continued. When she finished telling Auron, he had a serious look on his face. He was definitely considering what Rikku had just told him.

"Are you sure that's what you overheard?" Auron asked looking over at Rikku.

"Positive." Rikku replied and shook her head. Auron stood up and stretched.

"Just leave it alone." He said and then began walking away.

"What!" Rikku said in surprise. "What do you mean… just leave it alone! They're our friends!" Rikku said and hoped off the bed to follow after him.

"Rikku." Auron said and then rounded on her. "This has nothing to do with either of us." He said with a look of seriousness on his face. "We have no right to interfere. If that is really what you overheard, then Shuyin will find out about it on his own. It is Lenne's responsibility to tell him, not yours." Auron said and then turned and began walking away once again.

"But…" Rikku said looking after him. "they're our friends…." She whispered to herself.

"Just leave it." Auron yelled without looking back at her.

"Meanie…" She whispered and then ran to catch up to him. He could be so cruel sometimes. She couldn't just leave it. Shuyin deserved to know what was happening. If Auron didn't want to help her, she'd just have to tell him herself! She smiled slightly as she reached Auron's side.

"What are you so happy about?" He said as he looked over at her with a questionable look on his face.

"Oh nothing. It's just a great day." She said as she smiled at him and skipped away.

"Hey what did I say about skipping?" Auron yelled over to her. Rikku immediately stopped skipping and begun walking and swinging her arms energetically. He just smirked. "Well that is a little better." He said to himself, and followed after her, but at a much slower pace. He watched as she greeted the many Besadians that were just waking up and coming out of their huts. You just had to love her. He smirked and walked a little faster to catch up to her.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

WELL!! THERE'S THE END OF CHAPTER…. 17!! WOW! O.O 17 ALREADY! Well… I'M SO SORRY FOR THE LONG WAIT!! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!!! I kinda… took a break ; A really really really really really long one… BUT I WILL CONTINUE!!! AND MAKE SURE TO SEND IN THOSE REVIEWS! SO I KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY READING! Well… TAKE CARE EVERYOEN!! waves I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

B.m. Fairy