A/n: Special thanks to Tari for helping me see what was missing from this. Sometimes one really needs an outside influence to see what we ourselves cannot. Anyway, summery time. Rikku has made a wish, it's the fayth that take that wish too far in granting it. After the wish was answered, Rikku was thrown fifteen years into the past...or has she? Things are not always what they seem.
Disclaimer says Gin does not own any rights to any article, person, place, or thing inside this work of fanfiction. I simply write for the enjoyment of it, and to hone my skills as an author.
Green eyes stared out at the expanse that used to be home to many Al Bhed. Had it really been five years that it once stood proud? Three years since the high summoner saved the world once again after that? The ruins and sands were filled with memories that Al Bhed never liked and pyerflies that refused to leave.
But those green eyes could not seem to pull the courage to leave the ruins below. It was almost as if they were begging, no pleading with those eyes never to forget what had occurred so long ago. To remember the pain and loss that came with those ruins. But after seeing this, it's not as if they felt like they could. They wanted to, wished they could, but every time those green eyes closed, the image was still there. As if the scene was burned on the back of the lids.
"Sometimes, sometimes I wish this never happened. That maybe if an Al Bhed had not been traveling with the high summoner, they could have been spared." She sighed before hanging her upper body forward. "Oh, who am I kidding?" The light that used to fill her eyes had long since begun to fade. Five years ago, she was able to pretend the world was a different place. That those bad things that happened, it was only because someone else chose the path of destruction. Now she wasn't so convinced.
Rikku shook her head just as the sun was going down bathing the ruins in shadows. The desert was a dangerous place at night, but she wasn't scared. This used to be her home for so long, she knew all of the sands secrets. There was nothing the desert kept hidden from her, unless you count that big fiend during the whole Shuyin incident, and the talking Cactars, and- never mind.
"Nothing ever happens anymore," Rikku complained to the darkening sky and stars above. "I know almost all there is to know about Spira because I've seen it all! Just once I wish that I could forget everything and start over!"
"Wish granted."
Rikku spun on her heel sending sand flying in all directions. She could have sworn she heard something. She stood on the top of the dune and listened wondering if maybe she might hear it once more, but the sound was not made again. The desert only spoke her normal night time vocals.
With a huff of exasperation, she shook her head forcing tiny colored beads to clink against one another before sulking down the dune. "I need to get away and relax. That's what I need. Maybe a visit with Yunie and Lulu would do the trick. I've been out here for so long they probably wonder if the sun or fiends got me yet. And maybe when I'm done there I can go see Paine." A small smile spread across her youthful face. Rikku was twenty, and certainly more mature, but being out under the sun and sands helped her retain her youthful appearance. The desert was a great way to keep her mind and body sharp.
By now, she had reached her tent that she had been staying for the past six months. Pulling back a flap, Rikku poured out some water and rinsed her face and teeth as best she could before laying down for sleep. Her dreams that night were more realistic then anything she ever had in the past. Even the pain she suffered in the week after Home had been destroyed could not compare to this. She woke up several times during the night, but unable to recall exactly why she woke up.
Every time she fell back to sleep, it felt as if a little more of her was being drained away. Away to some place where she would be unable to follow, at least not yet. By the time morning arrived, Rikku was more tired then she had been when she laid down. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she glanced around the canvas tent. "Well, home, looks like I'm going on a little trip. Try not to miss me too much, ok?" She laughed at her attempted witticism before gathering all that she thought she would need into one small sack and weakly throwing it over her shoulder.
Her sand skimmer waited for her outside. It was low on fuel, but it wasn't as if she planned on going far. The oasis was the single most popular place to meet with airships and caravans and travel to places around Spira. Over the last three short years, Al Bhed had found out how prosperous it could be to dig in the sand and others wanted a part of that as well. It broke Rikku's heart a little inside. For years her people had been tormented because they wanted to know more about the world around them and did so by searching underground for answers. Now it was almost normal to see an ex-monk with his hands in the sand as well. How the times had changed, and while it was good to see the groups all getting along, it seemed almost hypocritical. Greed was almost becoming the new Yevon.
Taking a deep breath, Rikku approached one of the crafts that seemed to be leaving soon for the main land. "Is there still room for one more to board?" She asked while trying to keep her eyes on the man in front of her and not the overdressed one to her left.
"Absolutely, Miss! Tickets are one hundred gil each." He grinned like the Cheshire cat would after cornering his victim. With a hidden roll of her eyes, Rikku paid the man, took her ticket, and climbed the plank. It seemed as if everyone out here wanted only one thing.
The stub in her hand told her which room she would be in. It was made for two people to travel in, but it appeared as if she would be alone for this trip. For that, Rikku was relieved. She had always worn her thoughts on her sleeve, but today, she wanted to keep them to herself. There was so much she wanted to think on and she didn't have the energy to keep them hidden. Leaving her bag, Rikku took a stroll around the ship before heading up to the top deck. It was the one place on the Celsius she loved to just sit and watch the clouds roll by as they sailed.
Unfortunately, things were not going to be that way this time. Lots of people milled about talking to one another about treasures or gil found out in the sands of Bikanel. It was enough to drive Rikku back to her cabin. It was here she lay down and rested until they reached Besaid.
The sun was bright and shining down on the small island. It had grown a bit since the world learned that this was where the High Summoner resided. What used to be only a few huts was now a small village of sorts and still growing. Yuna managed to ignore the stares she received from just walking down the street. Today she was down at the market with Lulu selling cloth and fruit to those that passed by. Tidus was down at the beach with Wakka and the rest of the Aurochs practicing for the next tournament.
Yuna smiled as she handed change to the last customer to visit. "Thank you, and have a nice day!" She called after him as he walked away.
Lulu was off to the side refolding fabric that had been discarded by customers looking for something else. "You know, it would be nice if some of them could actually be neat when they look. It's a pain to have to do this hundreds of times a day," She complained lightly.
"Oh, Lulu. It's not that bad is it?" Yuna chides her before continuing. "I mean, at least people are buying. Some of the others don't fare as well as we do."
"That's because you are the High Summoner. Everyone wants to buy from you." Her dark friend reminded her causing the half Al Bhed to blush. "You're famous, better get used to it."
"I know, but I just wish I could be treated like everyone else for a change. I wasn't the only one fighting, you know."
Lulu pulled her friend close for a comforting hug, "I know that, but it's going to take time for others to see that too. Just continue to be yourself."
Yuna smiled at the complement before glancing over the path leading to the sea's edge. Whatever it was she wanted to say was pushed back down as she saw three people coming up the path. Well four if you count the child in the arms of the female of the group. "Rikku's here!" Her grin doubled in size before she was going out the back of the stall and running to greet her cousin that she hadn't seen in at least half a year.
Lulu shook her head gently before being distracted. "Excuse me, how much is it for this basket?" Another customer arrived, she would have to talk to Rikku after she could close up.
Meanwhile Yuna had caught up with Rikku and was busy asking all sorts of questions to the young blond. Most of them revolved around the fact that she was on the island. "What happened in Bikanel? Did you find what you were looking for?"
Rikku looked away and to the dirt under her. It wasn't until the child in her arms reached out for her face did she look up. "Huh? What's up, Vidina? Don't worry, Auntie Rikku isn't hurt. She was just thinking."
Vidina smiled before leaning over and hugging her. He didn't talk much yet, even though he was three years old, but he more then made up for it in hugs. Rikku couldn't help but smile at how much he resembled his father, yet kept his mother's quiet personality.
"'Eh, Rikku? How long ya here for?" Wakka could seem to tell she was feeling rather uncomfortable, and so quickly changed the subject. Hearing his father's voice, Vidina struggled to reach him.
Rikku handed the boy over as she answered Wakka's question. "To be honest, I'm not really sure. I left Bikanel early because I just had a hunch I was supposed to."
"A hunch, huh?" Tidus spoke up as he scratched the back of his head. "Seems these hunches of yours are pretty good?" He dropped the hand before stepping closer to his wife and wrapping it around her waist. "Yuna has told me about them. If that's the case, I say you go with it. It's worked in the past."
And that was how Rikku found herself staying in Besaid for the night. However the morning would change everything she ever knew, and some she didn't.
Little short I know, but it sets it all up...