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

A Glance Into The Past, A Gaze Into The Future

Rikku slowly walked through Besaid early the next morning. She was lost at thought like she usually was on that day. The day "He" left. Rikku paused for a moment and held onto her finger containing the ring he had given her.

((I still feel like you're with me.)) Rikku thought

The wind blew and Rikku turned to face the direction it was coming from.

((The wind really has been blowing differently. I wonder what's up.))

Rikku took a step forward. Her eyes began to water and she turned her head to look down at the ground.

((I miss him.))

Rikku began to silently cry.

((I miss him so much.))

Rikku wiped her tears, looking up at the sky and smiling.

((I'll see him soon.))

Rikku then went back home making sure to walk quietly because Yuna was still sleeping. As soon as she got to her room she closed the door behind her. She laid down wanting to go back to sleep, but every dream she had "He" was in it.

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"What favor do you owe me?"

"You can go back to Spira."

"Are you...For real?

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Rikku sat up, her hair messy as it cascaded down her shoulders and back.

((Why can't I sleep?)) She thought.

Sighing, she laid back down turned to her side. She stared at her hand that was resting on the empty pillow on the other side of her pillow.

(("He" should be here.))

Rikku gently closed her hand.

((It shouldn't be empty.))

There was suddenly a gentle knock at the door.

"Come in." Rikku said.

The door opened and Yuna came in closing the door behind her.

"Good Morning, Rikku." Yuna said, sitting down on her bed.

"Morning Yuni." Rikku said, sitting up in her bed.

"Ready for today?" Yuna asked.

Rikku gently smiled and nodded.

"When does the festival start?" Rikku asked.

"It's later on this afternoon so we have the day to ourselves."

Rikku nodded in understanding.

"I'll be up soon. I'm just tired."

Yuna gave an aknowledging nod, smiled and left the room closing the door gently behind her. Rikku just stared at the door.

((Tomorrow she'll know the truth.)) She thought.

She brought her knees to her chest.

((Then maybe I won't feel so heavy this time of year.))

Rikku's head tilted to the side as an interesting thought came into her mind.

((What would I do if "He" came back?))

She sat and thought for a moment.

((I don't think I would know what to do with myself. All I know is that I would want to pull him away from everyone else.))

She slowly laid down onto her pillow as her thoughts continued.

((I wonder what "He" would do. Everyone would want to see him, but I'd probably be selfish as soon as everyone said 'hello'.))

Shaking her head to get rid of the thoughts of what she might do, she finally got up and went downstairs. She sat down on the couch and turned on the tv to the news for the weather forecast. there was going to be severe winds that could cause the ocean waves to be more constant. She turned off the tv and went onto the airship to see how Paine was doing.

"I'm surprised you're up." Paine said, sitting down in a nearby seat as she crossed her legs.

"Why?" Rikku asked.

"I'd think you'd be upset sense you mentioned what day it is today." Paine responded.

Rikku look slightly saddened.

"I figured... "He" wouldn't want me to be upset." Rikku replied.

Paine nodded then stood up. Both girls exited the airship and went back to the village. Paine went ahead of Rikku as they walked and Rikku began to slow down as she felt her heart begin to race.

((I feel odd. Why do I feel... Warm, suddenly?)) Rikku mentally asked herself.

Rikku held her hand to her chest.

((My heart is beating faster than usual.))

She decided to shake it off and continued on, seeing the festival stand being put up as she walked. The festival was going to start in an two hours.

"Hello, Rikku." Lulu said, walking up behind her.

"Hey Lulu, you should be inside. There's going to be heavy winds today." Rikku said.

"I know. I still need fresh air." Lulu replied.

"For the baby?" Rikku asked, smiling. Lulu chuckled and smiled back.

"Yes, for the baby."

"It still amazes me seeing you pregnant."

"It can't be too surprising."

"You're so lucky to be having a baby." Rikku said, smiling in an unspoken wonderment.

"You'll be this way someday and I'll do to you what you do to me." Lulu teased.

Rikku fell silent as her eyes trailed to the ground but she managed to grin. Lulu just looked at her with a look of sad endearment.

"You'll have children someday, right?" Lulu asked.

Rikku looked back up at Lulu and smiled warmly.

"Someday." Rikku replied.

"And... When will that be?"

"When "he" comes back... "His" children... Are the only ones I want."

Lulu leaned forward and hugged Rikku giving her a quick squeeze before stepping back.

"I'll be looking forward to it."

Rikku's eyes lite up hearing that and she smiled. Lulu then spoke again.

"So, are you looking forward to this festival?" Lulu asked.

Rikku nodded and smiled.

"Yuni especially is looking forward to it."

"Well, I hope today will be special."

"I think it will be. I have a good feeling."

Lulu nodded as she smiled.

"How about we help everyone set yup?"

"You should be resting not working!"

"If I sit too long I'll feel useless."

Both girls chuckled and began walking side by side.

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He slowly began to open his eyes not sure of where he was. When his eyes were fully open all he could see was the blue of the water he was in. Suddenly being alert, he swam up to the surface. As he took in a big breathe of air he frantically looked around trying to see his surroundings. There was nothing but more water all around him.

"Where am I?"

He began to swim in one direction, but then stopped. He didn't even know where he was going. He looked around again and saw the thinnest speckle of a shore line. Deciding to move towards it, he began to swim. The winds were picking up making it harder for him to swim.

He kept swimming, but now the ocean waves were rising and making it even more difficult for him to swim. He felt unusually tired and was having a hard time gathering his strength. Suddenly a large wave took him under. He swam back up and began to cough. He tried continuing to swim, but water hit him in the face making it difficult for him to see. He was taken under water again, feeling the burn of salt water in his lungs.

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Everyone was laughing and having a good time. The festival had started and everyone was out enjoying the atmosphere.

"Rikku, it's about time for us to entertain!" Yuna said, laughing as she placed her hands on her arm.

"Aw, come on Yuni, it's embarassing!" Rikku protested.

"You promised you'd do it!"

"I know, but can I take it back?"

Yuna stopped to think for a moment.

"No." Yuna said, definitively.

Both girls laughed.

"Can you go first Yuni?"

"Fine, but then you."

Rikku nodded. Everyone cheered as Yuna got ready. As Yuna's music started up Rikku looked around at everyone as the slightly heavier winds blew. Rikku turned her attention once again to Yuna. Rikku suddenly got a weird feeling and turned her head to look around. Yuna then finished.

"Come one Rikku! It's your turn!" Yuna shouted, happily.

Rikku smiled and took the mic.

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He washed up on a beach, his vision blurry from the salt water. He started to slowly walk, but fell to his knees. He began coughing up sea water.

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As the music began to play, she looked down at the mic feeling the need to be somewhere, but she didn't know where. She decided to ignore the feeling she had and began to sing. Everyone clapped and applauded as she sang a slightly faster song that held a catchy tune and beat. After she was done everyone clapped.

"That was really good." Lulu said.

"I feel so embarrassed!" Rikku said, covering her face.

"Why? That was good." Yuna said, encouragingly.

Rikku sat back down next to Lulu and watched as Yuna went back up to sing.

As the winds picked up later into the evening, everyone decided it would be better to wrap things up for safety reasons.

"Good-night everyone!" Rikku said, walking back home. Yuna had already gone ahead of her and was already in the house asleep.

Rikku slowly walked back to the house. As she entered, she quietly made her way to her room. The window was open and the wind was still blowing, causing the curtains to blow in the wind. Rikku let her hair down and began to change.

She began to slow down and turned to look out her window. She still had a strange feeling nagging at her.

((I really need to get some sleep.)) She thought.

Rikku finished changing and turned off her lights, but kept her window and curtains open allowing the moonlight into her room. She laid down and grabbed her other pillow as she closed her eyes.

((If only this was you...))

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He got up and tried to walk again, but stumbled as everything around spun in a dizzy spell. His vision still hadn't cleared.

"Where am I?"

He slowly fell to his knees then to the ground in uncounsiousness.