Hello people. How have all of you been faring? anyways. This is my first story. Big accomplishment when nothing else has been done. I fell in love with Final fantasy X-2's Rikku and Gippal about the moment they hinted that they had some sort of deeper relationship. So this is Rikku's story, since it seems only fair that she have one, when Yuna has already had one, and that she contributed a lot during X and now X-2.

So here is Rikku's story.

Disclaimer: I do not own FF X-2. Please don't sue.

Dream A Little Dream

By: BlurredFate

Prologue:

Rikku skipped along merrily along the wood walkways of Kilika Island. Holding a bright red balloon in her left hand and muffin in her other hand, looking very much like a child, occasionally stopping by to look at the wares Kilika's best craftsmen had to offer.

She sighed, looking at a very intricate thief's scythe, much like her own, bent for a closer look when someone brushed by her. Kilika Island was buzzing with business as usual. "Well....you're uncharacteristically alone today, love." drawled a very familiar voice behind her. Rikku turned around, only to be momentarily blinded by the bright magenta clothing. "Leblanc? What are you doing here?" Rikku asked, already anticipating the answer.

"Waiting for my Noojie-woojie, of course" Leblanc said nonchalantly, looking over her shoulder and eyeing a bright pair of pink hair clips. "I wasn't allowed into that meeting. I suppose it's for the best. I'd probably distract my Noojie from getting any real work done....."she murmured, so quietly Rikku had to strain to hear her.

Leblanc's eyes snapped back to Rikku's. "Why aren't you at the meeting? weren't you allowed?"

Rikku shrugged "Nah. Sitting down and talking about what Spira's gonna do now that peace is restored, and sitting through endless debates about talks of the future and things like that aren't really my style."

Leblanc harrumphed. "My Noojie has wonderful plans for the future. Spira would be blessed if Noojie were put in charge."

Rikku resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "They're talking about a Tri-power Government Leblanc. Politics were never my thing....but, I'm going on a limb here and say that the Youth League, New Yevon, and Machina Faction are dividing and sharing knowledge to keep the peace, and making pacts with the Guado and Ronso." Rikku said, quoting what Yuna had said a million times, prior to the ongoing meetings.

"What ever you say, Love, but I still wish I could see Noojie make his speech and reduce everyone into eating out of the palm of his hand. My Noojie is such a powerful manly-man after all..."Lebanc said, on a dreamy sigh, walking towards the temple to wait for Nooj.

Once she was out of sight, Rikku did shake her head. A small smile on her face. Leblanc had proved to be an extremely loyal person when it came to Nooj. Six and a half months after Vegnagun was destroyed, she had stuck to his side, refusing to let her "Noojie" get away from her ever again.

Rikku continued her aimless wandering of Kilika Island, waiting for Yuna and Paine to come back. Yuna being the High Summoner was asked to help contribute her Ideas along with the New Tri-power Government established just two months after Vegnagun was dealt with. Paine, Also feeling as if she had something to contribute, being closely connected to the three big shots of Spira went with her. Rikku smiled a little sadly. Even her dad, brother, Shinra, and even buddy seemed to think they had something to contribute. Of course representatives from other races, Like Kimahri, representing the Ronso and Tromell, the new leader of the Guado were also invited to work out their differences.

So far these meetings have progressed a week, with no problems. It went so smoothly that Rikku couldn't help but squirm. Things as big as this never go without glitches. She mentally gave herself a shake. That only happened with machines...something always went wrong with machines that you had worry, if it got to big, it'd have bigger problems.

'This isn't a Machine, Rikku. It's the new Government' Rikku told herself. She was being silly. Yet, she couldn't seem to shake the fact that something wasn't right with this. The government was a good idea, bringing some order into the once chaotic world of Sin. But at the same time, Rikku mourned the loss of the spontaneous spin of Spira. Somehow she felt guilty that she felt that way. Somehow feeling as if she was missing something.

Rikku sighed. Everything was peachy keen with the world and everyone was happy. So why wasn't she happy? All her life she had thrived on protecting everyone around her to the very best of her ability. Through Sin, and Vegnagun she always helped, always envisioning something horrible happening to everyone around her if she didn't do her best to protect them. It saddened her to think that there wasn't anything more to protect anyone from. Spira had finally found peace. Yuna was happy, she had Tidus sitting by her side and helping to try and disagree with the idea of building a Neo Zanarkand just above the Zanarkand Ruins, using the forgotten technology found up on the very top of Mt. Gagazet to make a floating island. Yuna, of course was vehemently against the idea, saying that it would be a repetition of past mistakes. Even Paine had a say in the new ideals of rebuilding the Crusaders. Paine was for the idea, only arguing that tests, such as the Den of Woe, never be repeated.

Yuna had a new purpose, so did Paine, it seemed everyone had a new purpose. It was only poor unfortunate Rikku that had lost hers.

Rikku was sulking, sitting on the edge of an empty dock, staring aimlessly into her reflection. She was alone again, feeling disturbingly like it did when Sin had destroyed Home. The Celsius didn't feel like a hone anymore. Brother and Buddy were always taking around the Youth League and New Yevon to various meetings all over Spira, thus it was always buzzing with people and Never felt like just them anymore.

Yep. Things had sure changed these past two years. 'So I'll be happy dependable Rikku. The one everyone looks to for some amusement'. Rikku sighed. Yes, she was aware that she was the stress relief of the people. She knew her part, she was to keep everyone amused, so they don't fall into the glum of actually going to deep into what they were trying to do, and have a little fun once in a while.

"But I'm getting tired of being amusement...." Rikku mussed out loud. Looking at the balloon she was holding, she smiled faintly. She glanced over at the horizon. The sun was setting. Walking over to the dock with a resigned sigh she sat down at the edge, her feet dangling above the water. She watched the sky with no little appreciation. It was very rare that they, the Gullwings, had time to appreciate the sunset anymore. Everything was so hectic. Going to Bevelle one week, then waking up in Luca the next. Traveling so many places was fun, Rikku silently admitted. But after a while, after you've been just about everywhere you could go, the novelty of it kind of faded. Staring at the sun as it set lower into the horizon, Rikku took a deep breath. She glanced at the balloon. "This represents everything I was, everything that I came into this world as. All my worries, all my accomplishments, all everything I ever felt about anything and anyone." She said to herself. Hesitantly, she let the balloon go. After a moment, she snatched it back, out of the air.

Then she laughed at herself. "You have to learn to let go. Stop depending on people, break out on your own! I only hope I have the courage to do all the things I think I'm brave enough to do......" She stared at the balloon again.

Unbidden, images swirled into her memory as she stared at it. Everything they'd been through, all the good times and the tough times.

"Am I really ready to let go of it all?"

"Am I ready to make my own story?"

Yes.

"Am I ready to find out if I even have a story worth telling?"

Yes.

"Am I ready to face Yunie, Paine, Brother, and Pop's wrath once they figure out I've gone without telling them?"

Er.......not really...but then I'll just have to be really sneaky about it then, won't I?

It'll be tough, but little Rikku isn't needed here anymore.

Gotta strike out on my own. I love everyone. I really do. But nothing feels like it fits anymore. Sure, saving the world twice might give me a little unwanted attention.... but it's nothing compared to all the media Yunie has to go through every where she goes. I understand that she wants to spend time with Tidus. I'm happy for her that she's found happiness. After all that she's had to go through to get to that happiness, she's deserved it.

But what about me? Don't I get a little infinitesimal speck of happiness since I helped? I was there when Tidus told his story. I was there throughout Yunie's. Even Paine had a story that was interlaced with Yuine's. But what about good ol' dependable Rikku?

I'm tired of being just a part of everyone's story. After helping save the world from two potential apocalypses, if it's one thing I've learned, it's that life is too short, and I should live it.

I'm going to hear it from Yunie when she gets back from her meetings and I'm not there. Albeit, hopefully she'll be too distracted staring into Tidus's pretty eyes to actually notice my disappearance for a while.

I don't want to be sneaky. I just know that I need some time alone to think about what I'm going to do with myself. Once I do, I'll probably come back. I don't know how long that could be but I'll try....

Hang on to your seats and buckle your seat belts, ladies and gentlemen. Rikku's story is about to fly. And your in for the ride of your lives!

With that, Rikku laughed, letting her balloon drift off into the sunset.