HEY ALL!!! summoner angel here with a brand, spankin' new story! YAY! its been a looong time since i submitted anything 'cuz my computer's been less than helpful *sweatdrops* anyhoo, i hope you enjoy my FFX-2 fanfic. R&R please and thank you! ~~~summoner angel~~~
DISCAIMER: I don't own any of the characters in this story 'cuz SquareEnix owns them all *growls*. oh poopie! i guess i can always make up my own! *bows low* please don't pull a law suit on me! *winks*
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Chapter 1: Sand and Moon
Rikku smiled with all the rest of them, grinning uncontrollably when she saw Yuna run to his open arms. It was touching and incredibly wonderful, considering she had to listen toYuna gripe for two whole years about it. She looked over at Paine, attempting to relay these emotions without speaking. Paine seemed to get it and nodded, smiling widely. Paine always got it, no matter what language Rikku spoke. The bouncy blonde figured Gippal had taught Paine Al Bhed when they were doing that Crimson Squad thing together. Just as Rikku saw Tidus lead Yuna towards the shore, the small Al Bhed felt a brief flash of sorrow and lonliness. Paine started jogging for the shore, too, and then she really was alone. Wringing her partially gloved hands, Rikku shoved that horrible shadow of sadness to the side and grinned. Nodding, clapping, and skipping a little, she slipped back into normal Rikku-Mode; the Hide-What-You're-Feeling-So-No-One-Sees-You-Crying Mode.
It was only after all the partying and reminiscing about the past that Rikku was finally alone. They were spending the night in Besaid and were camping out in the small clearing just outside the village. The sounds of the older guys still going at it near the fire pit kept her awake, but other than that, it was silent. Luckily, they had found a way to seperate Yunie and her Tidus shadow so everyone could sleep in peace. Staring up at the clear-bright stars, Rikku remembered something from their journey two years ago.
~Flashback~
They were camping out in Macalania Forest, right after the trouble with Seymour in Bevelle. She was trying to sleep and Auron was on guard, near the fire at the center of their camp. Yuna had already returned from the spring, flushed and soaking. Tidus was supposed to be on guard with Auron, but he was curled up at the legendary guardian's feet, obviously exhuasted from something. Auron snorted as Tidus murmured in his sleep and rolled over. Rikku got up and silently sat next to the looming figure of Auron. His good eye darted to her, perceptively taking in her fear of reaching Zanarkand. "We're almost to Zanarkand, you know. Just have to head through the Calm Lands and up Gagazet." He said quietly, more a question than a statement. Rikku, sighing heavily, nodded as she drew her knees up to her chest.
"I know. There just has to be a way to save Yunie, ya know? I mean, she doesn't HAVE to die, right?" A long silence followed in which Rikku started crying. She hated to cry in front of people but this was unbearably aweful. Auron was the last person she wanted to show emotion in front of, especially after the Thunder Plains incident. But, at that moment, she couldn't have cared less about what Auron thought. She bawled quietly into her knees, rocking back and forth. Softly, Auron started to hum the Hymn of the Fayth in a gruff sort of way. She suspected he was trying to comfort her the only way he knew how. Auron's humming grew louder as Rikku's sobs softer and soon, they were both humming the Hymn. ~End~
Rikku flashed back to current day, staring at the stars of Besaid Island. Deciding she would never get any sleep out in the jungle like that, she silently slipped away from the camp. Trying not to think of her lost mentor or the hundreds of fiends that were most likely watching her from the trees, the small Al Bhed hurried along the path out of the village. It was a warm, balmy night in Besaid, but Rikku was shivering. Quickening her pace, she attempted to hum the Hymn to comfort herself when a fiend growled loudly in the bush. The melody slipped away from her and all she was left with was the empty glimpse of Auron she had seen on the Farplane. He had been floating right there, but she couldn't hear his gruff laughter or just barely make out a smile over the rim of his coat collar. It wasn't him. 'Just a memory. Memories are nice, but that's all they are.' Rikku reminded herself, nodding as she rounded the bend at the crossroads where the shrine was.
Glancing at the shrine, Rikku thought of how happy Wakka and Lulu were all the time. They were a perfect couple, working gracefully together to take care of their son or to cook for the Gullwings. They balanced each other out so sweetly and it pained Rikku to think of them. She was happy for them and all that, but it made her think of a time when she could've sworn she'd be that happy wife one day. Smiling as her lanky husband bumbled in looking confused, having to chide him for being late again while he blamed it on his blonde hair, falling asleep in his arms while the desert sang its night song. Tears welled up in her emerald eyes, glimmering in the clear starlight. Turning to her left, she ran down the sloping path to where there was a sea of sorts. Taking a running start, Rikku leapt off the small cliff and into the warm salt water with a soft splash. She let the water engulf her and hold her tightly in its liquid arms, forgetting the world and all its trials.
When she came up for air, RIkku drank in the warm night greedily. 'I just want to fade, like TIdus did. Then I wouldn't have to play happy and smile all the time. I just can't stand being so fake. What about my heart? Who's going to suggest a quest to regain my lost love?' Bitterly, Rikku thought of how everyone always paid attention to Yuna and all HER problems. Seriously, they were cousins and Rikku never got a second glance. A vivid event stuck out in her mind like a sore thumb. Once, when Yunie, Paine, and Rikku had visited Djose Temple, Gippal had somewhat affectionately referred to her as "Cid's girl" while showering praise all over Yunie. Huffing like an injured cow, Rikku swam angrily all the way to the shore by the beach. She stomped across the white sand beach that glowed silver in the moonlight towards the silent Celsius. Everyone was up at the village, so she had the ship to herself. She could even steal it, if she wanted to. Smirking at the thought of leaving all her oblivious friends here, she paused to look back at the island.
The sand and the moon, they seemed so sad somehow. 'How could sand seem sad?' She wondered as she turned to the ship. Then, it flooded back to her; that night in the desert. Rikku saw herself standing on top of a sand dune shivering fitfully in the cold desert night wind. She was waiting for someone to show up, holding onto a coin strung on a simple chain. "Oh, where is he? He's ALWAYS late!" She groaned through chattering teeth. Rikku recalled that this was two years ago, before her journey with Yuna. She had been living happily in Home until that night. She had been happily dating a certain tall Al Bhed guy until that night. She hadn't had a care in the world, living honestly care-free, until that night.
~Flashback~
She was gripping the coin with all her might as she shivered in the pale moonlight. Suddenly, two long arms wrapped themselves around her and the familiar mixture of gasoline, machina oil, and a hint of some kind of soap washed over her. "Sorry I'm late." The lilting voice spoke in Al Bhed from above her head.Rikku whirled around, still in the circle of arms created by the taller guy. "Gippal!" She squeaked, wrapping her arms around his waist lovingly. He chuckled, messing up her hair oh-so-maturely. Rikku play punched him and giggled when he feigned injury. "How long were you waiting?" He ventured, running a dirty looking hand through his spikey hair. Rikku glanced down at the coin in her hand and then glared up at Gippal. "A loooong time, meanie!" She spat, placing her hands adamantly on her hips. Gippal threw his hands up, mockingly. "Sor-ry! Your Pops sure does like to work a man to his bones. Oh, how I ache!" He moaned, rubbing his lower back and groaning. Rikku giggled and shoved him playfully. "You're not a man! Shut up!" Gippal whimpered, staring at his feet.
Suddenly, as if by some incredible whim, glanced back up at Rikku with a mischievious glint in his eyes. "Rikku, I'm not a man yet 'cuz I'm waiting for you to make me a man." Rikku blushed crimson, blessing the night for being dark. "Shut up! Omigod!" She screeched, turning away from him in an attempt to hide her embarassment. Gippal cracked up. "Come on! You know I was playing, Rikku." He purred, sliding his slinky arms around her waist possesively. He rested his chin on her shoulder and sighed happily. Rikku smiled and placed her hands over his, closing her eyes and wishing that this could last forever. But, just as the moon neared the rim of the desert, Gippal spoke again. His voice was soft and gentle, as if by being quiet and gentle about it would make the news easier to bear. "Rikku, I'm going to leave Home and join the Crusaders. I want to protect you from Sin. But, I'll be away for who-knows how long and-" "WHAT?!?! The Crusaders? Are you crazy?" Rikku had pulled herself away from him and was staring, shocked and horrified.
Gippal shrugged. "I feel so helpless here while Sin attacks whenever it feels like it. I mean, what would happen if it attacked Home one day and it...and it...what if I couldn't protect you?" He cried, his hands were clenched into fists and his eyes looked fierce. "I couldn't live with that! I can't watch you die, Rikku! I have to go stop Sin before that happens! I have to!" Rikku felt the hot tears spilling down her cheeks just as the sky gained its dawn blush. Gippal was heaving in deep breaths, fighting the urge to break down. He fell to his knees during her next statement. "But, what if you die saving me? Then what? How do you think I could live with that? Knowing you were trying to protect me and you died? Huh? How is that fair?" Rikku knew he had been planning to leave, but the Crusaders? That was insane!
Rikku glanced through tear-streaming eyes at the coin in her hand. When they were kids, Gippal had found in it the Cactaur Nation outskirts and given it to her. He said it reminded him of her. It was a gold coin with some kind of complicated symbol on the back and the image of a shining, flowing goddess whose robes became the desert sands. Later on in life, Gippal told her it was the ancient Desert Goddess, Ahir who had protected their ancestors for ages. He had also given the coin to her as a sort of symbol of their relationship. Back then, in the innocence of childhood, they had been best friends; inseparable. They grew up and their friendship blossomed into a powerful bond of deep, true love. Rikku gripped the coin tightly before kneeling in front of Gippal.
"Gippal," She breathed, staring straight at the sun as it broke across the sky. "Promise me that you'll come back here, to this spot when Sin is gone and the Calm is for real. Promise me that you'll come back to me, in one piece." Rikku opened her hand and held out the coin to him. He stared at it and then at her face, studying it to remember forever. "I promise." She smiled weakly and slipped the coin on its chain around his neck. Her hands slid to his face and she held that usually open and bright face dearly. He tried to smile, but only grimaced. She nodded, knowing what he was thinking without having to hear it. Gippal silently pulled her closer, kissing her one last time. ~End~
Rikku found herself on her knees sobbing when she pulled herself back to reality. Wiping her tears away, she hurried to punch the code into the panel to open the door to the ship. She ran in, forgetting to close it behind her and ran all the way to the cabin, where she slept fitfully.
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AN: sooooo, what did you think? good, bad, ugly, tre poopy? i guess its been awhile since i wrote fanfiction and my original fiction's dark and moody. hence the angsty feel here. if Rikku is, in your opinion, OOC let me know! love you all! please review!!!! *smoochies* ~~~~sa~~~~
DISCAIMER: I don't own any of the characters in this story 'cuz SquareEnix owns them all *growls*. oh poopie! i guess i can always make up my own! *bows low* please don't pull a law suit on me! *winks*
~~~~~~~~~~******~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 1: Sand and Moon
Rikku smiled with all the rest of them, grinning uncontrollably when she saw Yuna run to his open arms. It was touching and incredibly wonderful, considering she had to listen toYuna gripe for two whole years about it. She looked over at Paine, attempting to relay these emotions without speaking. Paine seemed to get it and nodded, smiling widely. Paine always got it, no matter what language Rikku spoke. The bouncy blonde figured Gippal had taught Paine Al Bhed when they were doing that Crimson Squad thing together. Just as Rikku saw Tidus lead Yuna towards the shore, the small Al Bhed felt a brief flash of sorrow and lonliness. Paine started jogging for the shore, too, and then she really was alone. Wringing her partially gloved hands, Rikku shoved that horrible shadow of sadness to the side and grinned. Nodding, clapping, and skipping a little, she slipped back into normal Rikku-Mode; the Hide-What-You're-Feeling-So-No-One-Sees-You-Crying Mode.
It was only after all the partying and reminiscing about the past that Rikku was finally alone. They were spending the night in Besaid and were camping out in the small clearing just outside the village. The sounds of the older guys still going at it near the fire pit kept her awake, but other than that, it was silent. Luckily, they had found a way to seperate Yunie and her Tidus shadow so everyone could sleep in peace. Staring up at the clear-bright stars, Rikku remembered something from their journey two years ago.
~Flashback~
They were camping out in Macalania Forest, right after the trouble with Seymour in Bevelle. She was trying to sleep and Auron was on guard, near the fire at the center of their camp. Yuna had already returned from the spring, flushed and soaking. Tidus was supposed to be on guard with Auron, but he was curled up at the legendary guardian's feet, obviously exhuasted from something. Auron snorted as Tidus murmured in his sleep and rolled over. Rikku got up and silently sat next to the looming figure of Auron. His good eye darted to her, perceptively taking in her fear of reaching Zanarkand. "We're almost to Zanarkand, you know. Just have to head through the Calm Lands and up Gagazet." He said quietly, more a question than a statement. Rikku, sighing heavily, nodded as she drew her knees up to her chest.
"I know. There just has to be a way to save Yunie, ya know? I mean, she doesn't HAVE to die, right?" A long silence followed in which Rikku started crying. She hated to cry in front of people but this was unbearably aweful. Auron was the last person she wanted to show emotion in front of, especially after the Thunder Plains incident. But, at that moment, she couldn't have cared less about what Auron thought. She bawled quietly into her knees, rocking back and forth. Softly, Auron started to hum the Hymn of the Fayth in a gruff sort of way. She suspected he was trying to comfort her the only way he knew how. Auron's humming grew louder as Rikku's sobs softer and soon, they were both humming the Hymn. ~End~
Rikku flashed back to current day, staring at the stars of Besaid Island. Deciding she would never get any sleep out in the jungle like that, she silently slipped away from the camp. Trying not to think of her lost mentor or the hundreds of fiends that were most likely watching her from the trees, the small Al Bhed hurried along the path out of the village. It was a warm, balmy night in Besaid, but Rikku was shivering. Quickening her pace, she attempted to hum the Hymn to comfort herself when a fiend growled loudly in the bush. The melody slipped away from her and all she was left with was the empty glimpse of Auron she had seen on the Farplane. He had been floating right there, but she couldn't hear his gruff laughter or just barely make out a smile over the rim of his coat collar. It wasn't him. 'Just a memory. Memories are nice, but that's all they are.' Rikku reminded herself, nodding as she rounded the bend at the crossroads where the shrine was.
Glancing at the shrine, Rikku thought of how happy Wakka and Lulu were all the time. They were a perfect couple, working gracefully together to take care of their son or to cook for the Gullwings. They balanced each other out so sweetly and it pained Rikku to think of them. She was happy for them and all that, but it made her think of a time when she could've sworn she'd be that happy wife one day. Smiling as her lanky husband bumbled in looking confused, having to chide him for being late again while he blamed it on his blonde hair, falling asleep in his arms while the desert sang its night song. Tears welled up in her emerald eyes, glimmering in the clear starlight. Turning to her left, she ran down the sloping path to where there was a sea of sorts. Taking a running start, Rikku leapt off the small cliff and into the warm salt water with a soft splash. She let the water engulf her and hold her tightly in its liquid arms, forgetting the world and all its trials.
When she came up for air, RIkku drank in the warm night greedily. 'I just want to fade, like TIdus did. Then I wouldn't have to play happy and smile all the time. I just can't stand being so fake. What about my heart? Who's going to suggest a quest to regain my lost love?' Bitterly, Rikku thought of how everyone always paid attention to Yuna and all HER problems. Seriously, they were cousins and Rikku never got a second glance. A vivid event stuck out in her mind like a sore thumb. Once, when Yunie, Paine, and Rikku had visited Djose Temple, Gippal had somewhat affectionately referred to her as "Cid's girl" while showering praise all over Yunie. Huffing like an injured cow, Rikku swam angrily all the way to the shore by the beach. She stomped across the white sand beach that glowed silver in the moonlight towards the silent Celsius. Everyone was up at the village, so she had the ship to herself. She could even steal it, if she wanted to. Smirking at the thought of leaving all her oblivious friends here, she paused to look back at the island.
The sand and the moon, they seemed so sad somehow. 'How could sand seem sad?' She wondered as she turned to the ship. Then, it flooded back to her; that night in the desert. Rikku saw herself standing on top of a sand dune shivering fitfully in the cold desert night wind. She was waiting for someone to show up, holding onto a coin strung on a simple chain. "Oh, where is he? He's ALWAYS late!" She groaned through chattering teeth. Rikku recalled that this was two years ago, before her journey with Yuna. She had been living happily in Home until that night. She had been happily dating a certain tall Al Bhed guy until that night. She hadn't had a care in the world, living honestly care-free, until that night.
~Flashback~
She was gripping the coin with all her might as she shivered in the pale moonlight. Suddenly, two long arms wrapped themselves around her and the familiar mixture of gasoline, machina oil, and a hint of some kind of soap washed over her. "Sorry I'm late." The lilting voice spoke in Al Bhed from above her head.Rikku whirled around, still in the circle of arms created by the taller guy. "Gippal!" She squeaked, wrapping her arms around his waist lovingly. He chuckled, messing up her hair oh-so-maturely. Rikku play punched him and giggled when he feigned injury. "How long were you waiting?" He ventured, running a dirty looking hand through his spikey hair. Rikku glanced down at the coin in her hand and then glared up at Gippal. "A loooong time, meanie!" She spat, placing her hands adamantly on her hips. Gippal threw his hands up, mockingly. "Sor-ry! Your Pops sure does like to work a man to his bones. Oh, how I ache!" He moaned, rubbing his lower back and groaning. Rikku giggled and shoved him playfully. "You're not a man! Shut up!" Gippal whimpered, staring at his feet.
Suddenly, as if by some incredible whim, glanced back up at Rikku with a mischievious glint in his eyes. "Rikku, I'm not a man yet 'cuz I'm waiting for you to make me a man." Rikku blushed crimson, blessing the night for being dark. "Shut up! Omigod!" She screeched, turning away from him in an attempt to hide her embarassment. Gippal cracked up. "Come on! You know I was playing, Rikku." He purred, sliding his slinky arms around her waist possesively. He rested his chin on her shoulder and sighed happily. Rikku smiled and placed her hands over his, closing her eyes and wishing that this could last forever. But, just as the moon neared the rim of the desert, Gippal spoke again. His voice was soft and gentle, as if by being quiet and gentle about it would make the news easier to bear. "Rikku, I'm going to leave Home and join the Crusaders. I want to protect you from Sin. But, I'll be away for who-knows how long and-" "WHAT?!?! The Crusaders? Are you crazy?" Rikku had pulled herself away from him and was staring, shocked and horrified.
Gippal shrugged. "I feel so helpless here while Sin attacks whenever it feels like it. I mean, what would happen if it attacked Home one day and it...and it...what if I couldn't protect you?" He cried, his hands were clenched into fists and his eyes looked fierce. "I couldn't live with that! I can't watch you die, Rikku! I have to go stop Sin before that happens! I have to!" Rikku felt the hot tears spilling down her cheeks just as the sky gained its dawn blush. Gippal was heaving in deep breaths, fighting the urge to break down. He fell to his knees during her next statement. "But, what if you die saving me? Then what? How do you think I could live with that? Knowing you were trying to protect me and you died? Huh? How is that fair?" Rikku knew he had been planning to leave, but the Crusaders? That was insane!
Rikku glanced through tear-streaming eyes at the coin in her hand. When they were kids, Gippal had found in it the Cactaur Nation outskirts and given it to her. He said it reminded him of her. It was a gold coin with some kind of complicated symbol on the back and the image of a shining, flowing goddess whose robes became the desert sands. Later on in life, Gippal told her it was the ancient Desert Goddess, Ahir who had protected their ancestors for ages. He had also given the coin to her as a sort of symbol of their relationship. Back then, in the innocence of childhood, they had been best friends; inseparable. They grew up and their friendship blossomed into a powerful bond of deep, true love. Rikku gripped the coin tightly before kneeling in front of Gippal.
"Gippal," She breathed, staring straight at the sun as it broke across the sky. "Promise me that you'll come back here, to this spot when Sin is gone and the Calm is for real. Promise me that you'll come back to me, in one piece." Rikku opened her hand and held out the coin to him. He stared at it and then at her face, studying it to remember forever. "I promise." She smiled weakly and slipped the coin on its chain around his neck. Her hands slid to his face and she held that usually open and bright face dearly. He tried to smile, but only grimaced. She nodded, knowing what he was thinking without having to hear it. Gippal silently pulled her closer, kissing her one last time. ~End~
Rikku found herself on her knees sobbing when she pulled herself back to reality. Wiping her tears away, she hurried to punch the code into the panel to open the door to the ship. She ran in, forgetting to close it behind her and ran all the way to the cabin, where she slept fitfully.
~~~~~~~~~~~~******~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AN: sooooo, what did you think? good, bad, ugly, tre poopy? i guess its been awhile since i wrote fanfiction and my original fiction's dark and moody. hence the angsty feel here. if Rikku is, in your opinion, OOC let me know! love you all! please review!!!! *smoochies* ~~~~sa~~~~