Author's note: Well, my fellow readers, it's been what, two weeks since I posted the last chapter? Oops. I can explain! I've had play practice, dance, LOTS of homework, homecoming, and many other things. Oh, and I've been sick these past few days, but whatever. I highly doubt anyone cares. I've just gotta say thanks to all my readers and my two wonderful reviewers! But how about we all boost that two up to something like ten, eh? Please?! Yeah, didn't think so. Does it really hurt to write a two second review? No, I don't think so! I don't even care if it's a smiley face, anything is fine with me! I'll give you a cookie if you review! Okay, I'm done being stupid. On with another short chappie! Heh, I swear I will try to make them longer in the future!
Gippal was having a bad day. He had found tacks on the chair in his office after he sat down, had spilled water all over himself due to the fact that there was a hole in his cup, slipped on a puddle that just happened to be in front of his office, and many other little things that weren't exactly enjoyable and there was at least three more hours before closing time. There was absolutely no way that all of this could be a coincidence, someone had to have been messing with him. Even though he should have been worrying about catching the prankster or doing something about the whole Shinra situation, he caught himself thinking about Rikku.
"Gippal, sir?" He groaned as his thoughts were interrupted by an employee.
"Yeah?" He asked as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Well sir, somehow word got to Cid about group G going missing and he is angry. He uh, wants you to fill out a full report on what they were doing that day, when they were seen last, and who they were being led by. He also said that he'll be here in a few days to, well, he said and I quote 'kick your ass into shape.' He really didn't sound too happy, sir," the man said with a nervous expression on his face.
Gippal groaned. Just what he needed, more paperwork and a visit from Cid. He walked past the employee and started to go to his office, but stopped when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around and looked at his employee with a raised eyebrow.
"Uh, sir, are you okay? All of us are worried about you. You haven't been as cheerful as you usually are, these past few days. We can tell that you have a lot on your mind and I would recommend a break, but you really need to get working on that report for Cid. Still, try not to overwork yourself, boss. We can't run this place without you."
"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for the concern," he said and walked to his office. Thinking about how much the faction cared about him brought a huge grin to his face, which was quickly washed away when he remembered that Cid would be at the faction in a few days.
"I say we just leave her," Paine said as she shrugged her shoulders. She was in no mood to go hunt down the overactive Al bhed.
"Paine! We can't just leave her! For all we know, she might be in danger. I think we should go look for her," Yuna said with her hands on her hips. When Paine stayed motionless, Yuna walked over to her and tried to pull her. "Come on! We gotta go find Rikku!" Paine glared at the older girl who was desperately trying to get her to move.
"Just leave her. We don't need Rikku!" Brother shouted as he paced around the bridge of the Celsius.
"Get Tidus to go with you," Paine said, completely ignoring the fact that Brother spoke, as the members of the Gullwings usually did.
"But he's asleep and he'd be useless anyway! Come on, Paine! She might be in trouble!" Yuna whined as she tugged harder.
"Honestly Yuna, it's Djose. Not even Rikku can get into trouble there." Yuna stopped tugging on Paine's arm and put her hands on her hips again.
"Fine. I guess I'll just go by myself, but when I find her, I might just happen to tell her about what I caught a certain swordstress doing with a certain Praetor." Yuna said in a sing-song voice causing Paine to blush.
"Fine, I'll go." Paine said as she rushed out of the Celsius with Yuna following not far behind.
The two girls walked next to each other and went straight into the Djose temple, not bothering with anyone or anything outside of it. They looked around the front room for exactly four seconds before spotting Rikku. Yuna started giggling at the sight and Paine crossed her arms over her chest as she glared in the direction of the seventeen year old. She groaned at the fact that she walked all the way over there to find the girl hiding behind a machina in front of the right antechamber.
"Mind telling us what you're doing?" Paine asked Rikku after walking up behind the Al bhed girl. This surprised Rikku and made her to jump, almost knocking the machina over.
"Shh! Gippal's in there." Rikku whispered and looked at Paine as she brought a finger to her lips.
"Your point being?" Paine asked as she raised her eyebrow.
"He can't know that we're here, so pipe down." Rikku whined in another whisper and Yuna started giggling again. She joined her cousin by crouching down next to her behind the machina.
"So, it would be a bad thing for me to walk in there and maybe say hi?" Paine asked with an evil smirk on her face.
"Yes! Now get down before he leaves the room!" Rikku whispered as she tried to pull Paine onto the ground. Paine resisted and started walking to the door.
"Paine, no!" Rikku yelled as Paine opened the door. A bucket filled with ice water fell and landed on Paine's head. She turned around and pulled the bucket off of her head. Rikku shuddered at the glare on her face.
"Eh heh. I can explain?" Rikku said nervously as she stood up from her crouching position to backup a few steps. This action caused Paine's glare to get even worse and Yuna burst out into full laughter.
"Uh, I'd say now isn't a good time to talk, is it, Ladies?" Gippal said as he walked over to stand next to the soaked Paine.
"No, it's not." Paine confirmed as she pulled out her sword, still glaring at Rikku.
Author's note...again: Review! Review! Review! Review! Seriously, I do have cookies! Review, flame, favorite, subscribe...I don't care which, just do something. Okay, maybe sugar is a bad thing at 5:30 in the morning, That's right, 5:30. IN THE MORNING. Now that's dedication! Maybe you should review! Eh?