Disclaimer: I don't own Squaresoft, or Auron or Rikku or any other square characters that may appear in this fic. Blah blah, yadda yadda, you know the rest.

A/N: Again, this is not a direct sequel to either of my other Aurikku's, but they do coincide with each other. If you like this, you can read my other two for more in-game Aurikku, but it's not required to get the story.

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Chapter One: Recognition

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Auron was sure that, had he not already been dead, he would have died of a heart attack when he saw the girl that Tidus was talking to just North of the Moonflow. That girl… She looked unmistakably like *her*… But… How could that be possible?!?

He stopped dead in his tracks, thanking the stars that all his years of self-discipline was finally paying off. Otherwise, there would have been no way he could stand on his two feet while looking the girl in the face while keeping his impartial expression.

"Hi! I'm Rikku!" She said very brightly to Yuna and her Guardians as the approached her and Tidus.

Now Auron could no longer prevent the lump that formed in his throat. Rikku? Impossible! It just couldn't be… Unable to mask his face any longer, he turned his back on the group, who took no notice, as they knew Auron was never the very sociable type anyway.

It had been so long… Auron plunged into long suppressed memories and emotions of the past… That girl… She could not be Rikku! It was impossible. Yet, as he watched her talk to Yuna and Lulu out of the corner of his eye, he could not deny the uncanny appearance. Blonde hair tied up in the same spunky style… The two long braids that fell down her back… Even pink tank top and green shorts remained the same.

You're mind's playing tricks on you, old man, He thought, and shook his head.

"Sir Auron." Yuna's voice called from behind him.

He straightened and somehow pulled himself together, willing himself to face Yuna and the young girl beside her with his usual, unreadable face.

"I'd like Rikku to be my Guardian." She stated. Obviously she was looking for his approval, as her most respected Guardian and looked up to him whenever she needed advice or guidance.

This somewhat shocked Auron even more, but again, he hid it. He paused for a moment, and then strode over to Rikku. She was looking at her feet, avoiding his single-eyed gaze. However, it was already obvious that, if it was really her, she didn't recognize him.

"Show me your face…" He heard himself say. There was only one other feature that he had to see before he knew for sure.

"Um… Okay." She lifted her face slowly upwards, but her eyelids were closed, concealing the evidence that Auron was after. Her face was so astonishingly the same… If it was her, she had be miraculously untouched by time… In fact, she looked even more youthful than he remembered.

"Open your eyes." He instructed, amazed at how well composed his voice was. He certainly didn't feel how he sounded.

Slowly, Rikku lifted one eyelid to reveal what Auron had sought to see- and sure enough, a bright, emerald eye with a spiralled pupil me his gaze.

"…As I thought." He said, his voice still miraculously neutral, to say the turmoil inside him made him feel like the world was spinning as though in some sort of chaotic dream. His mind reeled in an endless circle, experiencing a succession of overpowering emotions ranging from shock, to pain, to disbelief. It was just too much of a coincidence.

"Um… No good?" The girl asked, who was now undeniable the Rikku he had hoped and feared she was.

Auron blinked, and then realized that she must think he disapproved of her because she was an Al Bhed.

He paused. Should he ask her if she remembered him? No. It was definitely evident from the way she acted that she had no clue that he was. It was best to this revelation to himself until he could figure out exactly what was happening. He then remembered that he was supposed to be evaluating on whether or not Rikku should be a guardian to Yuna.

"Are you certain?" He finally managed to say.

"One-hundred percent!" She chirped. "So, can I?"

"If… Yuna wishes it." He replied, and decided to say no more for fear his voice would begin to betray what he felt.

"I do." Yuna responded.

And that was it. 'Rikku' was now an official Guardian of Yuna's. By the time the party had reached Guadosalam, there was no doubt left in Auron's mind. The way she talked, the way she fought, right down to her astounding ability to pilfer items from her enemies, she was the same girl as the one from his past.

Somehow, by some inexplicable miracle by some unknown entity… Rikku had once again entered his life, and she would undoubtedly turn his life upside- down.

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A/N: Just so you know, this is the only chapter in the story that takes place during the actual game. This is my first attempt at a multi-chapter Aurikku, and feedback would be great. Reviews are good. Reviews are my inspiration. Flames are not nice, so please no flamey me, okie? Thanks! ^_^