((I'm going to try to keep as true to FFX-2 as I possibly can while keeping up with my own plot line, characters, and plot--or lack of. So, I don't really have much to say besides enjoy. And, I promise, this isn't just another high school, over used story line FanFic. -cough- OKAY, so maybe just a little... I will however, add real life common things: magazines, cell phone (cellular commspheres...), TV (spherescreen), Internet, cars, maybe even a few renamed celebrities or clothing stores. Overused, yes, but I'm going to try and make it worth a read. At least, I hope it is. Depending on the feedback, I'll continue with the story, or remove it. Oh and sorry sorry if the characters are out of character...I'm seriously trying not to do that.))

Disclaimer: I only wish I could own anything related to Final Fantasy. I will never own anything but my Original Characters...and my horrible plotline. So yeah. NO suing please.

Running Away

Chapter One:

The Lion's Den

All across the world there are different people, that is a given. All kinds of people. People who at first glance, you might consider a freak, or a loser, someone unworthy of your time. And, sometimes, those are the most amazing people. Like my father. In all of his eccentricities, is one of the most influential people I have ever met. He is that cool father you all hope for. He understands...or tries to... and gives the most clever answers to all your questions when you didn't even know you had the question to start with. He's perfect in the most distorted way possible. It is probably just my on bias talking though. After all, he's my dad.

When I think about the whole world of Spira, then I think about how insignificant I truly am. Like a strand of gray in a head of hair or a brown grain of sand in the tan shore. I think it's amazing how you meet someone and you make the tiniest of impressions on them. They meet another person, have an impression on them, and those people continue the never ending cycle of impressions and chance words. Till one day, you hear the thing you said or action you did from someone else, another person that you've never met. In simpler terms, I love the fact that my life is just insignificant...even when it seems so important to me.

Still, I have a life and a story. A story with tests and trials to see if I'm worthy of another. I like to think I've handled my trials with a much grace as I can get away with. That, because I made it over one hurdle, I was able to jump another. So, I face all my challenges with a light heart. My mother told me once: 'Rikku, promise me that no matter what happens, you'll keep trying with hope. That you'll try and try until you can't possibly go on, and then, you'll push further all the harder.'

I take that promise I made to her to heart. So, when my father, Cid, told me that we were moving, I stayed optimistic. At least, as much as I could.

Come on, everyone is a little afraid of the unknown, right? Our little family of three was moving away from the safety of Home.

(Home, if you didn't know, is a city in the desert, hidden by magic that I'm not sure exists. But, the proof is right there I guess.)

The day we left, we left everything we ever knew. Everything we ever loved. Our home, our friends, our comfort. It was heart wrenching to be honest. I left all of my friends behind. I'd known them all my life, and in a matter of minutes, I knew I'd never see half of them ever again. Not that I didn't want to see them again, but I knew that eventually, I'd stop talking to them. They'd be nothing but a dear memory, like everything else.

I left my house. OUR house. The house I grew up in. The house my mother loved. The house where we experienced her loss. The house I always pictured myself raising my own kids (if I ever had any) and growing old in. Yet another broken memory. It was hard to say goodbye to Home. It contains so many memories. Not just mine, but Pop's, Mom's, my brother...uh...Brother's, and the rest of the Al Bhed's within it's depths. I was sad to leave, but the thrill of a new place was exciting. Intoxicating even. It took two hours by way of a specially made machina car to get to the docks, where a boat was waiting. The last time I would see home was from a machina recovery boat. It was a speck of metal in an ocean of sand. For the billionth time in days, I felt like crying. But I couldn't, no matter what I felt like. I had to be strong. For Pop's, for Brother. To prove myself worthy of another trial, I had to show no fear. Nerves took over from there, leaving my emotions behind. We were about to step into the lions den.

Bevelle.

Where my people are hated because everyone is told to by the temple. The people of Spira follow the temples without question. And we are about to waltz in there, acting completely ignorant of our hatred. Sounds fun right? And here I wanted a normal life. So much for that dream. I can only hope Mom is protecting us in the wherever she is. I know we'll need it.

0-0-0-0-0

"Hey, Rikku, are you okay?" Brother asked, watching me with curiosity. Pop's had warned us to not speak to each other in Al Bhed while in public. It could start up some stuff we didn't want. He claimed his goal was to sneak into Bevelle unnoticed by the masses. The thought is hysterical. Not to sound too completely pessimistic or anything, but that's completely impossible. How many abnormally tanned, blond haired, loud, boisterous, and swirly eyed people do you see walking around in the middle of Bevelle?

None. My point exactly.

I shook off my morning reverie and looked up at Brother. "Peachy," I whined, turning a eye to the Bevelle gates. Two guards stood menacingly, each holding guns that I could have sworn were machina. Sounds mighty hypocritical to me...stupid temple... I was craving to take the machina and rip it to shreds then rebuild it, but father gave me that stern look, the one that made me cringe every time. I swear, sometimes he's empathic. I just know it.

"I need to go have a chat with the guards, you two keep out of trouble, ya hear?" Pop's eyes followed our nodding heads before walking up to the guards.

"Are you ready for your new school?" Brother took a stab in the dark with conversation. The thought of Bevelle, and the people within it was making my stomach tie itself in knots.

"I...maybe. How about you? Ready for college in Bevelle?" I laughed at how quickly he paled. "Hey, you brought it up."

"Cunno." He said sheepishly. Along with Home, and the mass hating, we Al Bhed have a language all of our own. I mentioned it earlier for the slow crowd...don't feel bad...I forget things too. As far as I know, only us Al Bhed know it. So, 'cunno' means 'sorry' in Spiran.

"Okay, kids, lets go." Pops thundered. He grabbed a few bags of luggage and walked past the guards, who smiled at us. Okay, to repeat for emphasis.

The. Bevellian. Guards. Smiled. At. Us.

Al Bheds! Hm...If I didn't know better, I'd say something is definitely up.

"Okay, what's up?" I guess I don't know better.

"What are you talking about Rikku?" Father prodded my back harshly and I jumped forward. My braided hair fell into my face. The beads that held the braids in place hit my head violently; shivers ran up my spine. I hoped I didn't look like a complete moron. I heard Brother laughing behind me...it was a choking sort of noise...with plenty of wheeze-laughs...you know the sort...right? Pops let a loud snort echo on the street, crushing my hopefulness. A few passersby watched with puzzled looks. I blushed a deep crimson before regaining my composure that made a heap on the floor.

Yar, this chapter has been editted. :3 7/21

Please Review.