Prologue

Let's get one thing out of the way, right off the bat. I'm Rikku, and I am Al Bhed. I am proud to be Al Bhed. I know that the Yevonites of the past thought that we were all sand-blasted heathens, but you know something? I never saw too many Yevonites coming out to Bikanel to try and get to know us. I guess it was easier to make up stories about people that you didn't know.

To be perfectly honest with you, the Al Bhed had waaaaay more reason to hate the Yevonites than vice-versa. I mean, Yevon destroyed not one, but two of our Homes. That's a lot of rebuilding for us. I mean, there have never been a huge number of Al Bhed on Spira. Probably because Yevon kept killing us off.

But I digress. You see, I'm not actually here to criticize Yevon. Because if it weren't for Yevon ... Well, you'll see.

Looking back on Yunie's journey now, it all seems so very simple ... and so incredibly complicated. How did we end up at this place? This is sooo not where I thought we would be.

I mean, how in Spira had any of this even happened? My instructions from Pops had been clear as crystal from the Macalania Forest.

Get Yunie and take her to the Summoner's Sanctum

Nowhere, not once, did Pops ever tell me to join Yunie's pilgrimage and become her sixth guardian. And he sure as sand didn't tell me to go falling for a damned pious, righteous, annoying as hell Yevonite.

But, I'm Rikku, and I've never been very good at following directions ...

A/N: Aaaah!!!! I'm freaked out by this plotbunny, so I thought I'd just get it rolling and take whatever I get from it. I've still got to wrap up "The Guardian", but this one is so completely OPPOSITE of anything I have ever done that I figured I might draw a whole new audience in with it ... or just alienate everyone. lol I hope that doesn't happen ... I just want everyone to know that my heart forever and for always belongs to Aurikku, that's the whole reason I am here ... But I wanted to give this a shot ... So I hope you like it ... I hope I can make you guys give a damn and understand why I felt the need to tell THIS story ... Please R&R ... No flames though. If you don't like Wakka/Rikku - centric stuff, then this is not the place for you ... If you think of Rhianna-Aurora as strictly an Aurikku writer, well, I'm hoping to branch out. PLEASE let me know what you guys think ... Thanks so much, I love you all! Oh, and I apologize for any typos or spelling errors -- I have uploaded this chappie about five thousand times since last night, and it seems to keep f'ing it up ... Hopefully it's okay, now though.