A/N: This is the first in my series of never-before-posted Auron x Rikku oneshots. This one is my explanation of how Rikku came to have Auron's Masamune in X-2. This one's rated K+. More fluff than anything. :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Auron, Rikku, Masamune, FFX, or anything of the like. I just borrow them and play every now and again.

Warrior's Heart

Auron's Masamune was the last one. The final Legendary Weapon that they needed to acquire before the fight with Sin. It was the easiest to obtain, but they had put it off. After the battle with Yunalesca, no one really wanted to face the end. The end meant that Auron would be gone. He'd go to the Farplane for his well-deserved rest.

Masamune was no ordinary Legendary Weapon. It was said that it was the biggest blade in Spira; that it was the most powerful katana forged by human hands.

Rikku kinda thought it should be harder to get if that was the case. She'd spent over a week chasing those Yevon-be-damned Cactuars around the desert. It had only taken a couple of days to collect the requirements for Masamune. Honestly, Rikku thought it should be impossible to get. That way they wouldn't have to face Sin, and Auron wouldn't have to go away.

She liked him a lot. A lot a lot. And she sorta felt like he liked her too ... but they'd never be able to find out. Because Auron was dead. And he had been the entire time she'd known him. She'd fallen in love with a corpse. A pretty corpse, but still, a corpse.No. He would never be that -- a corpse -- to her. He walked, he talked, he breathed, he had flesh and blood and bone. And scars. He was just Auron. Just a beautiful disaster of a man that she had met at the worst time.

She was trying to form plans with Tidus -- plans to save Yunie, plans to save the world -- when Auron came to her. They were only a few minutes away from Mushroom Rock, where Masamune was reported to be. Funny, they'd just been there a few days ago getting Godhand. And now they were back.

"Rikku." He said her name brusquely and she shot a look in Tidus' direction. He shrugged.

"Y-Yes, Auron?" She didn't bother with the "Sir". It was too stuffy and formal for her liking. Besides, calling her friends "sir" was silly. That'd be like calling Tidus, Sir Tidus. The idea caused her to giggle. Auron shot her a look and she stopped.

"I'd like to speak with you." He shot a look at the blond blitzer over his dark glasses. "Alone."

Rikku's green spirals widened nervously. "Uh, yessir." She followed Auron as he led her to the deck of the airship. "What's up?" she asked when they arrived.

"I'd like you to come with me," he said simply. "To get Masamune."

Rikku's brow furrowed. "Auron?"

"Please." Auron never said "please." How could she refuse?

The airship landed on the only available strip of land in the area. Rikku and Auron had a bit of a hike in store. He didn't say anything at first, and Rikku was nervous.

"Um ... Auron?" she finally began.

He looked at her out of his one good eye. "Hold this," he said, holding out his current blade, the Muramasa.

"Uh, very funny. You never let anyone touch your blades," Rikku said cautiously.

"Hold it." He said it firmly, left no room for argument.

"It's as big as me, you know?"

"Get used to how it feels. It's heavy, so be careful," he said gently.

She took it and her tiny body crumpled a little under its weight. Auron frowned behind his cowl. He hoped that this wasn't a mistake. But Rikku proved to be a quick and skillful learner. He showed her how to swing the blade for maximum damage, and how to carry it without hurting herself or causing her body too much strain. Then, just as quickly, he took his blade back and continued walking toward the statue of Lord Mi'ihen.

Rikku was even more confused, and now, on top of that, she was all sweaty from that impromptu workout.

They finally reached the statue and Auron performed the ritual. The Masamune appeared, just as glorious as all the legends said, and Rikku jumped up and down. "Wow. You definitely have the best weapon," she said, gazing at the sword.

"You do," he said.

Rikku looked at her Godhand warily. "I hardly think that this ..."

He cut her off by speaking softly, almost inaudibly. "Masamune is mine for the final battle with Sin ... but afterwards, I'll have no need for it," Auron said. Rikku looked down. "Look at me, Rikku," he said. She forced herself to look up, blinked back the tears that were forming. "Masamune is a weapon of the heart. It takes someone with a warrior's heart to wield it."

"I understand," Rikku said, even though she didn't.

"I want you to have it, when I'm gone," he told her.

"What? Auron ... I -- I can't take Masamune."

"You can. I brought you here for this. I want you to have it. It's yours." He spoke firmly, never took his eyes from her.

"That's why you wanted me to hold Muramasa. To show me how to wield something that size," Rikku replied. Auron nodded. "But Auron ... I mean ... you just said that only someone with a warrior's heart can wield Masamune. I don't ..."

"You do," he said quietly.

"No. I'm a thief, and a machina specialist, not a warrior," she babbled.

"You may not be a warrior, Rikku. But that doesn't mean you don't have a warrior's heart." He looked at her pointedly. She shook her head in confusion. "Rikku. I am a warrior."

"I know you are, Auron ... Oh. You mean ... Ohhhh." She looked up at him. "You mean you. Your heart. I have your heart." The tears fell freely now, and she didn't even try to stop them.

"Will you take it? Keep it for me, after I'm gone?" he asked.

Rikku looked first at the glimmering blade of the Masamune, and then at the man before her. "I will," she told him through her tears. They kissed for the first and last time, standing there with the heart of a warrior between them.