Hello there! I know, who doesn't love crack crossovers? Anyway I may change this story to a regular fiction, depending if anyone bothers to read this or not. Al bhed, marked by * can be found translated at the bottom of the page. I haven't written many stories, and yes, I know I have grammar issues, but hopefully there aren't to many. Enjoy and don't forget to review (constructive criticism appreciated!)

Chapter one: The Liar

Read blueprints. Gather parts. Build machina. Machina breaks. Read again. Look at Machina. Read again. Throw blueprints.

It was becoming a routine. She had always excelled when it came to machina, but being stuck in Djose for weeks on end was causing her brain to malfunction. Gippal was bad enough by himself. Of course he can be nice and all, but one can only take so much. Not to mention the empty Yevon temple alone freaked her out.

Rikku dropped down landing sitting with her legs folded, head in hands. Pieces of machina lay scattered throughout the room. She looked out the window into the darkness and gave a sigh of relief. Time to leave, however little progress was made. Locking the door behind her, she could fell the presence of another certain cocky al bhed down the hall.

"Hey Cid's girl, where you headed?" yelled Gippal, running up to meet Rikku.

"Wouldn't you like to know," She retorted with a smirk and turned to leave.

"How's the machina coming along?" he continued to strut along beside her and she frowned.

"I'm stuck, Gip! I don't know what else I can do." Gippal cringed at his childhood nickname, and then shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know what to tell you. I can give you a break, but I'd have to assign someone else to your machina. Your old man sounded pretty urgent when he told me this one was vital to rebuilding Home."

"Yeah, I get it," she replied, now angry.

"Hey, why don't you take that break, just for a day or two. Clear your head, ya' know?" he offered sounding concerned.

She fiddled with one of her braids unconsciously while thinking over her reply.

"If you say so."

Gippal smiled and grabbed both of her shoulders, spinning her around to face him. Noticing their close proximity, she blushed, causing him to smile wider. He still knew how to push her buttons.

"Cheer up, alright? Get out of Djose, visit Yuna or something."

"Whatever you say Gippy! Poa*!" she said happy with her revenge nickname. She knew she needed a vacation, but she wasn't about to admit it.

X.x.X

Rikku's P.O.V

There are a few things I know for certain. Machina, (or at least I thought,) how to kick a fiend's butt, and food. I LOVE food. It has the magic ability to make you fell better even in your worst moods. My favorite personally, is chocolate.

I finished the bar and plopped face down onto my bed, wondering what I would do with myself for two whole days. 'I'll most likely visit Besaid, or maybe annoy Paine and Baralai in Bevelle,' I smirked inwardly. Gippal was right for once, but I doubted that the effects of the vacation would last long. I've been restless ever since the defeat of Vegnagun. I constantly feel the need to move or to find something new. I guess that's why I enjoyed being a sphere hunter so much. 'I hope Yunie doesn't see this, she has already told me to settle down once. The last thing I need is another fight with her.' I couldn't help but worry.

'This is that damn machina's fault! What is Pop's using it for anyway? I mean, a machina that opens portals to places? Isn't that what airships are for?' I knew I was wrong, but I didn't know what else to blame it on. What if I lost my special touch with machina because of that infernal pile of metal and gears? I knew I wasn't going to get any answers, so I fell asleep.

x.X.x

Narrator P.O.V.

After a stern talking to from brother about last minute arrangements, Rikku boarded the Celsius and made her way into the cabin. Nothing had changed in the year that had passed since she was a sphere hunter. She sat on her bed, looked at the other two empty ones and sighed. She pushed the surfacing memories to the back of her head and went up to the deck. It was always relaxing and a good place to think. Rikku put her hands behind her head and close her eyes, but not before being interrupted by Brother.

"Rikku!"

"Fryd?*"

"Lusa tufh, fa yna myhtehk!*"

Rikku rolled her eyes. She stopped in the cabin to say hello to bar keep and stock up on potions and such, just in case.

X.x.X

Besaid hadn't changed one bit. She had her way through the town in search of Yuna, Tidus, Lulu, or Wakka. She was about to enter another tent when she heard the familiar booming voice from behind her.

"What do you think you doing, ya?" he said with a smile.

"Hey Wakka! How have you been?" Rikku gave him a hug, happy to see him again.

" Good, but tired. Being a father ain't that easy…" Rikku giggled.

" I bet!"

It wasn't long before the others showed up. They weren't surprised she was there even though she came unannounced. This was Rikku after all. She filled in everybody about life with the Machine Faction and Lulu told her about the baby. Yuna stared into Rikku's eyes the whole time, knowing something was wrong, although unable to figure out what exactly. Yuna waited until Waka and Lulu were putting the baby to bed and Tidus left to ask or pry out whatever was bothering Rikku. *Insert awkward silence*

"Alright Rikku, tell me."

"What, I can't just visit you?" Rikku said trying to sound innocent. Yuna chuckled.

" I know this time there's some thing else."

"No! There's not!"

"Tell me." Rikku sighed.

" Well I'm supposed to build this machina, but it's impossible to fix! It's driving me crazy!" Lair. Rikku thought to herself, but Yuna seemed buy it.

"Oh c'mon Rikku, that's a silly reason to be unset," Yuna stated.

" I know, maybe its… Gippal! Yes, it's Gippal!" would you stop lying already? Rikku giggled nervously.

"I knew you still liked him, just give him another chance, maybe things will work out."

Rikku despised lying to people she cared about. The guilt was biting at her with every passing moment. She hated that she wasn't strong enough to tell Yuna the truth, but she hated fighting with her more.

" I don't know..." Rikku said in a quiet voice " maybe I'm just loosing it."

"Don't talk like that Rikku, I know Gippal can be a womanizer and all, but just talk to him, tell him how you fell."

"I can't, Yuna. I'm the problem and I don't know why," Rikku let tears fall, but not for the reason Yuna thought. Rikku was going stir crazy.

"What happened, Rikku? I don't remember you ever being like this. You're always happy." Rikku broke down in Yuna's arms.

Tidus re-entered the hut and saw the cousins holding each other. Unsure of what to do, he walked into the next room after exchanging a glance with Yuna. They stayed like this for at least what Rikku thought was fifteen minutes. Rikku wasn't even sure why she was crying herself, but being able to vent her emotions felt good… chocolate good.

x.X.x

Her skin had grown slightly paler in the weeks she spent a Djose. She could fell the warmth from the sun seeping through her skin and into her blood. She missed how the sun felt, spreading its warmth to everything below it. The sun was healing her wounds from last night.

" Rikku, are you playing blitz ball or not?" came the taunt from Tidus. Rikku smiled and gave her answer.

" Sorry boys, the machina are calling! I'll show you guys how to play another time," she said with a smile. Tidus chuckled and rolled his eyes. Rikku was back to being herself it seemed like. She stopped to look at besaid one last time before turning to say goodbyes.

"Don't worry, you can do it!" Yuna encouraged her, still unaware of the truth.

"Y-yeah…" Was Rikku's shaky reply. The cousins embraced each other one last time. Hugs were given everyone else as well and Rikku boarded the airship.

When she returned all of the others were still working, so she returned to her apartment. Having nothing better to do, she put on her stereo at almost full volume. Random shouts of "JAY HO!" caused the other al bhed to get suspicious, but Rikku ignored the knocks at her door.

"And he ill, he real, he might gotta deal, he pop bottles and he got the right kind of bill,

He cold, he dope, he might sell co-"

"RIKKU! Dinh dryd uvv*!" was the upset cry of her neighbor, Rynal.

After a few grumbles she turned it off and her discussion with Yuna flooded her memory…

"Your always happy…"

As much as it seemed like, it wasn't true. Rikku still didn't understand how Yuna could settle down so easily. The events, or lack there of, were driving her into insanity. Feeling utterly bored, she grabbed the keys to the workshop the machina was in and sneaked out of the apartment complex. She made her way silently to the other side of the temple with out any confrontation. Upon approaching the door she found the correct key and unlocked in. What she saw shocked her.

It was finished! In only two days! Stomping she inspected the machina and its parts. Still doubtful, she turned it on and waited for proof. The machina started to shake and rattle the floor. Suddenly, a bright light exploded from the machina and covered the room. Rikku couldn't out run it. She made quickly for the door, but was too late and fell backwards into the light.

So, there it is! First chapter. I am going to continue with the next chapter before I decide whether or not to stop. Rikku hasn't made it to Middle Earth yet!

Al Bhed: *

Poa – bye

Fryd- what

Lusa tufh, fa yna myhtehk- come down, we are landing

Dinh dryd uvv- Turn that off

Disclaimer- I don't own anything! *tear*