These characters don't belong to me, so please don't sue me!

Final Distance

Rikku was sitting on a large rock on the beach as she swung one foot as the other rested on top of the rock. The wind brought in a cool salty breeze, gently blowing her hair in the wind. It had been two years sense they had defeated Sin. Much of Spira had been rebuild, but Home was still under construction. She had came to visit Besaid Island on one of her periodic trips. Every time she came to the island, she would sit on the beach and sing jazzy ballads to the sea as if she was singing to "him".

It was a place of peace for her to come and revisit her past memories. Much had changed sense then. She had matured a lot and her clothing choice had changed. Living in the desert caused her to wear a yellow bikini top with a short green skirt, boots, bow ties up and down her arms, brown gloves, and her hair was pulled back and extremely long now. Rikku wasn't the only one who changed. Yuna got ride of her summoners dress and traded in for a pair of shorts, a white deep V cut shirt with necklace type piece, boots, and only one section of her summoners dress remained on her. Yuna decided to keep only a part of her dress for the memory of their time together and her memory of "him" as well. A section of her hair had grown out and was tied into a long braid and the short part of her hair was in a stylish spike cut now. Wakka and Lulu were now married and Lulu was pregnant. Rikku had flipped when she heard Lulu had marries Wakka. Everyone had changed, but only one thing had stayed the same. Everyone still wished for the return of Tidus.

"Rikku!" Yuna called.

Rikku jumped off the rock and waited as Yuna ran over to her.

"Paine told me you came down here." Yuna said smiling.

Paine was a girl Rikku had met during her travels and she had become one of Rikku and Brother's crew members of the Gullwings. Rikku smiled back.

"The breeze is so nice today." Rikku said.

"Yeah, it is." Yuna said, as both girls turned to look out at the sea. Rikku had grown taller than Yuna by a few inches.

"This breeze feels different though." Rikku said.

"It feels like the wind that came when Sin was gone."

Both girls remained silent. Yuna then spoke.

"Rikku?"

"Yes, Yuni?"

"Can I tell you something?"

"Sure, Yuni, anything."

"It's been two years sense "he" was here, and during that time I've had a lot of time to think."

"About what?"

"About how things were. I often wonder if "he" came back would things be the same."

"And what do you think?"

Yuna shook her head.

"I've change a lot. We would have to get to know each other all over again."

"You haven't changed too much, Yuni."

"But still, it's enough. You have better luck with that than I do."

Rikku turned her head to look at Yuna confused.

"Huh?"

"You two both had the ability to change yet still be the same person. That's probably what I admired most." Yuna said, smiling.

"I know you felt more than admiration for him." Rikku replied.

Yuna nodded.

"It's true. I never thought I would never feel "It", but I did and I'm glad I did."

"Do you still hope "he" would come back?"

"All of the time. And you?"

"Same. Something feels like it's missing when "he's" not here. I can't even bring myself to say his name without tearing up."

"Do you ever go to the Farplane?"

Rikku shook her head as she looked back out at the sea.

"I'm afraid to see him there." Rikku answered.

"Me too."

Paine then came walking up behind them.

"Lulu and Wakka are waiting for you guys." Paine said.

Paine looked like a younger Lulu with short grey spiky hair and red eyes. Her outfit was an all black and chain ensemble. The two girls then followed her to Lulu and Wakka's house.

\\\\\\\\\\

"I can get my own water, Wakka." Lulu said, as she was led to her armchair by Wakka.

"Ya, but you shouldn't. I'm your personal servant so don't worry." Wakka said putting his fist to his chest.

"You're too good to me." Lulu said, grinning as she shook her head.

"That's why you married me." Waka said, grinning before going to get her water. The girls then walked in.

"Lulu!" Rikku said, running up to her excitedly.

Lulu smiled at the young girl.

"Hello Rikku." Lulu said.

The two had an older sister younger sister bond ever sense "he" was gone. Rikku had sought advice and comfort from Lulu many times and they always stayed in touch. No one knew except the two themselves.

"Can I touch your stomach?" Rikku asked.

Lulu nodded. Rikku grinned from ear to ear as she rubbed her belly. Wakka then re-entered and gave Lulu her water.

"So, what ya been up to?" Wakka asked Rikku.

"Just traveling really. When I'm not doing that I'm helping rebuild Home." Rikku replied.

"I'm going with Rikku and Paine on their next trip." Yuna said, smiling.

"It will be good for you to get out." Lulu said.

Yuna nodded in agreement. The room suddenly fell silent. Lulu looked around at everyone.

"You're all thinking about "him" aren't you? It's like he's in the air all of a sudden." Lulu said, breaking the silence.

"How did you know?" Yuna asked.

"Early mother's intuition." Lulu said, grinning. Yuna smiled back.

"Who was this guy anyway?" Paine asked. Rikku winced at her termology.

"He was one of my guardians when I was a summoner going to defeat Sin." Yuna answered.

"And yet you felt strongly for him?" Paine asked.

Yuna nodded.

"But he turned out to be a dream and once the Fayth left so did he."

"And have you ever tried to bring him back?"

"We...Don't know how. I've come to... accept the fact that he's gone, but I will honor his memory."

Paine then looked at Rikku.

"Same for you?"

Rikku shook her head.

"I've always had hope for his return."

"Even though it's been two years?"

"Yes, even though it's been two years. He's my best friend and I want him back."

"it's interesting you said is your best friend." Lulu said smiling. Rikku smiled back.

"I guess I just can't accept it, huh?" Rikku said, sadness in her voice.

Yuna put her hand on her shoulder.

"That's not a bad thing." Yuna said smiling.

Rikku then decided to lighten the mood.

"So, how about we all go out to eat!" Rikku said, cheerfully.

"Great! I'm starvin'." Wakka said.

Everyone just laughed.

\\\\\\\\\\

Night had come and everyone had returned home. Paine had decided to sleep on the aircraft and Yuna and Rikku decided to stay at Yuna's house. The day had been great and Rikku sat in her room just thinking about everything.

((It's going to be the anniversary of "his" departure the day after tomorrow.)) Rikku thought as she stared out her window.

((I wonder if Yuni pays respect whenever it comes around.))

Rikku looked down at the Blitzball ring on her finger that Tidus had given to her. She never took it off.

((I can tell Yuni still has a deep fondness for him. I still haven't told her how I feel.))

Rikku sighed.

((To honor my promise to him I'm going to tell her...After the anniversary. Then I can finally breath easy.))

Rikku brought her knees to her chest.

((I wonder how things would be if he never left. Would we still be together? Married? Children? Would Yuni be with some new guy happily married? I guess it's her hope that keeps her single, but it's my own personal vow to him that I will never be with another. I'm still in love with him even though I haven't seen him in two years. It's amazing what love can do.))

Rikku then turned off her bedroom lights, opened the window, and got in bed. The wind blew through the room bringing in fresh air.

((I might even be able to watch old spheres of him without crying. That way I can see him sooner then I thought.)) Rikku thought before drifting to sleep.

\\\\\\\\\\

The next morning Rikku woke to someone jumping on her bed.

"Get up Rikku!" Yuna said, excitedly.

Rikku groaned turning over trying to cover her head with the sheets. Yuna then pulled the sheets off the bed as she jumped down.

"Ok, ok, I'm up. Can you please tell me why you're so excited?" Rikku asked, sitting up.

"There's a festival taking place tomorrow!"

"Huh? Oh, well, that sounds fun, but why are you so excited?"

"Well, to be honost I'm not really that excited I was just having fun waking you up." Yuna said, chuckling. Rikku chuckled.

"You find the weirdest things amusing. Anyways, what are we going to have to do?"

"They want us to help with entertainment."

"Why do we have to? Can't we just show up and eat?" Rikku asked, smiling.

Yuna shook her head laughing.

"That's what they asked. It will be fun." Yuna said.

"Did you forget we've never sang in our life."

"That's the fun part."

Rikku shook her head.

"Sometimes I wonder about you. Ok, I'll do it." Rikku said, laughing.

((I guess I do need something happy for tomorrow. Considering what day it is.)) Rikku thought

\\\\\\\\\\

"Hello?"

"Hello!"

"Is anyone there?"

"Can someone tell me what's going on? Where am I?"

((Calm down))

He spinned around looking for who was speaking. A body appears in front of him.

((We're doing you a favor))

"How are you doing me a favor? Can you tell me where I am?"

((Look down.))

He looks down and stumbles back. He was floating high above Spira.

"What's going on? Why am I here?"

((We owe you a favor.))

"What favor?"

\\\\\\\\\\

Yuna and Rikku were helping to set up the festival as well as Paine.

"This is going to be great Yuni!" Rikku exclaimed.

"I can't wait to see how everything turns out." Yuna replied.

"I don't see why you're so excited, it's just a festival." Paine said, hanging up lights.

"Yes, but everyone needs a happy occasion to free their thoughts." Rikku answered.

Yuna walked off to go and get more lights.

"Isn't tomorrow-Uh, "his" anniversery." Paine asked.

Rikku froze for a moment.

"That's exactly why." Rikku answered, continuing to hang decorations.

"You liked this guy too, didn't you?" Paine asked.

"He's my best friend." Rikku replied, emotion in her voice.

"Friends don't respond with as much emotions that you are."

"We were close."

"You can trust me to keep a secret you know."

Rikku sighed, slightly slumping her shoulders before straightening her back and continuing on.

"You haven't trusted me with your past." Rikku said.

Paine crossed her arms.

"I never tell anyone." Paine replied.

"And neither do I." Rikku responded.

Paine grinned.

"You know you may not realize it, but you're just as secretive as I am. I'm just more mean than you are." Paine said.

Rikku chuckled.

"Yeah, I guess." Rikku said.

"He must have been really great. It would have been interesting to meet him."

Rikku turned to her smiling.

"Who knows, you just might."

Yuna then came back and the conversation ended. After they were done setting up, the girls went their separate ways. Rikku decided to go and talk with Lulu. Wakka was out, so Rikku was free to talk about anything she felt like.

"It's almost here again. That time of the year. He's most missed on that day." Lulu said, sitting down in her chair. They were in the living room.

"Not for me. I always miss him. When it's that day I just miss him even more." Rikku said. She was sitting on the floor at Lulu's feet.

Lulu just looked her in the face. She could tell she was bottling up her emotions.

"It's amazing how strong you can love, even with time to forget the pain." Lulu said, her face becoming slightly sad. Rikku smiled sadly.

"Time just strengthened it." Rikku replied.

"That's a rare thing. To strengthen and not forget."

"It's more painful."

"It's beautiful."

Rikku then began to cry.

"I feel like my heart's died. I don't know what to do." Rikku cries.

Lulu opened her arms and Rikku immediantly embraced her. Lulu gently rubbed her head.

"It's ok Rikku. Everything hasn't been so bad has it? I'm proud of you for keeping it together all of this time."

"That's all I can do. I know that's what "he" would have wanted."

"Do you think he would want you to be crying now?"

"I can't help it. He was my first love and my only. I feel so lonely without him." Rikku sobbed.

"But you're not alone. We're all here with you."

"Physically the others are, but emotionally only you are here for me."

Lulu gave her a slight squeeze.

"I know. And I always will be. It's hard to love and loss, but if you hold on a little longer, love will find it's way back to you."

Rikku looked up at her.

"You always say the right thing." Rikku said, wiping away her tears.

"It's just the baby talking." Lulu joked.

Rikku giggled and Lulu smiled.

"Now wipe your tears. You're going to be fine." Lulu reassured.

Rikku did as she was told and sat back on the ground.

"Do you think I'll ever see him again?" Rikku asked. Lulu smiled.

"If you keep that hope alive, then I think it's possible." Lulu replied.

Rikku smiled standing.

"Thanks Lulu."

"You're welcome."

Rikku then turned to leave.

"Oh, Rikku?"

Rikku turned back around.

"Do you think you'll ever be ready to tell Yuna?" Lulu asked.

"I'm going to tell her after the anniversary. I figure there's no point in hiding my feelings from her. She deserves to know the truth and I deserve to release myself of the guilt."

"You truly felt guilty?"

Rikku nodded.

"Everytime I looked her in the face." Rikku answered.

Lulu smiled.

"It's comforting to know you have such a big conscience." Lulu said.

Rikku smiled before leaving. The sun was setting and Rikku decided to go back down to the beach. She sat on her favorite rock and just watched the horizen as the wind blew. She felt as if she could smell his scent in the wind.

((Even if he said he was just a dream... Not all dreams are fake.))