A/N: Sorry for the long period of no update. I kinda had a run-in with a lot of school work and I've been pretty busy. I'm very sorry and I hope that I can try and make it up to you. Thanks for the reviews and I hope you enjoy this chapter!

The Irony of Relationships

Chapter One

By Fanfic-Lover

(F)(I)(F)(T)(E)(E)(N) (Y)(E)(A)(R)(S) (L)(A)(T)(E)(R)

"Rikku!"

A young woman with her long blonde hair tied into braids turned her head to see who had called her. Her swirly green eyes lighted up with happiness as she saw who it was. Standing a few feet away was Brother; someone she had not seen for nearly five years. With a squeal of happiness, Rikku rushed over and pounced onto her Brother as she threw her arms around him in an embrace.

"Ed'c paah cu muhk!" she exclaimed. (It's been so long!)

"E'ja seccat oui duu, Rikku," he replied as he hugged her back. (I've missed you too)

"Ruf ryja oui paah, Brother?" Rikku asked as she pulled back to look up at him. (How have you been?)

"Zicd veha," replied Brother. "Druikr, dra crub ryc paah kaddehk macc yht macc licdusanc." (Just fine. Though, the shop has been getting less and less customers.)

"Dryd'c y crysa," commented Rikku with a frown. (That's a shame.)

"Oayr, E ghuf" agreed Brother with a sad look. (Yeah, I know.)

"Fuimt oui mega sa du lusa po cusa desa yht ramb oui ytjandeca vun dra crub?" Rikku asked after a few minutes of silence. (Would you like me to come by some time and help you advertise for the shop?)

"Tu oui drehg dryd femm fung?" he asked. (Do you think that will work?)

Rikku shrugged. "Ed'c fundr y dno," she replied. (It's worth a try.)

"Ugyo, cu frah tu oui fyhd du lusa po?" said Brother. (Okay, so when do you want to come by?)

"Frah tu oui bmyh uh nadinhehk?" asked Rikku. (When do you plan on returning?)

"Dusunnuf sunhehk," answered Brother. (Tomorrow morning.)

"Zicd lusa belg sa ib vnus Pajamma," said Rikku. (Just come pick me up from Bevelle,)

"Saadehk?" asked Brother. (Meeting?)

"Oayr," replied Rikku. (Yeah,)

Brother nodded and headed off toward Cid's office. Rikku waved and headed out. She and Yuna were going to a meeting that had to do with the temples of Yevon all across Spira. Truthfully, Rikku could care less about going but Yuna had asked her to go. So, here she was on her way to her cousin's place.

Rikku arrived at the two-story mansion and walked up to the doorway. She knocked and waited for about thirty seconds before Yuna answered the door. They greeted each other and Yuna shut the door behind her. From there, the two headed for the boat dock.

"How are you doing today, Yunie?" Rikku asked.

"Just fine and dandy," answered Yuna with a smile. "How about you?"

"Same as ever," replied Rikku. "So, why do we have to attend this meeting again?"

"All the Lords and Ladies of Spira are to gather in Luca to talk about the temples of Yevon," explained Yuna. "It is extremely important to the educators that live within the temples."

"I guess," replied Rikku as she placed her arms behind her head. "I don't understand why they just don't go live in a regular home."

"Maybe they feel better when they're in the temples," said Yuna.

Rikku scoffed. "Sure," she said; her voice dripping with sarcasm.

(S)(E)(V)(E)(R)(A)(L) (H)(O)(U)(R)(S) (L)(A)(T)(E)(R)

Rikku and Yuna got off the ship and entered the ports of Luca. They stopped at one of the stores to get a few items before continuing on their journey. While they headed for the Mi'ihen Highroad exit, they stopped when they heard a familiar voice calling to them. Both girls turned around to see their friend, Paine, running over to where they stood.

"Hello, Paine," greeted Yuna. "How are you?"

"Paine!" exclaimed Rikku and embraced her friend.

"It's good to see you too, Rikku," replied Paine giving Rikku a few pats on the back. "How are you two?"

"We're just fine," answered Yuna. "We're actually headed to Bevelle for the meeting."

"I'm headed there too," added Paine.

"Let's travel together!" said Rikku with an excited smile.

Paine chuckled a little. "Alright," she replied.

"Yay!" exclaimed Rikku and hugged Paine again.

"Well, let's get going," commented Yuna. "We've got exactly two days to get there."

Rikku pulled away from Paine and nodded. Yuna laughed a little before the trio headed for the Mi'ihen Highroad.

(S)(C)(E)(N)(E) (C)(H)(A)(N)(G)(E)

"Tidus, hurry up!" exclaimed a young woman as she peered up the stairwell. "We're gonna be late!"

"I'm coming!" Tidus called back.

Kitana scoffed and paced back and forth at the bottom of the steps as she folded her arms across her chest. A few minutes later, she heard footsteps and turned around to see Tidus coming down the stairs. He made his way over to her and she reached out to fix his collar shirt. Tidus brushed her hands away and moved to fix it himself.

"Geez, you act like you're my wife or something," he commented before he turned away to look at himself in the mirror so he could fix himself up.

"You never know," replied Kitana. "We could end up getting married some day. Maybe even soon."

Tidus faced Kitana. "I don't think so, Kitana," he commented and headed for the exit.

Kitana followed after him. "Why not?" she asked. "I mean, we've been together ever since we were kids."

Tidus stopped as he laid a hand on the doorknob. "I just…don't see myself getting married," he announced and opened the door.

Outside, Kitana continued on pursuing him. "Well, do you have an eye on anyone who'd like to date?" she asked.

Tidus shook his head and walked on ahead. Kitana frowned and ran up to his side. She grabbed his arm and pulled him to face her. For a few minutes, they stared at each other.

"What?" Tidus asked.

"Why won't you answer me?" she asked in a whiny voice.

"Because I don't like anyone!" snapped Tidus as he threw his arms up in the air.

"So…you don't like me?" Kitana assumed with a sad look.

"You're my childhood friend," Tidus explained. "Of course, I like you. Just not in that kind of way." Kitana looked up at him with sad eyes. "Now, come on before we miss the boat."

"Okay," she replied and followed Tidus towards the boat dock.

(S)(C)(E)(N)(E) (C)(H)(A)(N)(G)(E)

Rikku swiftly rammed her Twin Blades into the fiend and stepped away as it dissipated. "You'd think that they had a tight security here," she muttered breathlessly.

"Apparently, no one walks down Mi'ihen Highroad," replied Paine as she tucked away her sword.

Rikku wiped off some sweat and replaced her Twin Blades. "I guess," she commented. "But, you need the exercise."

"That's not what the rest of Spira thinks," said Paine.

Rikku sighed and Yuna giggled. "Let's just keep going," said Yuna and the three girls continued on.

A while later, they arrived the Al Bhed travel agency. They entered the building and received a greeting from Rin. Since Rikku's father, Cid, was known as the "leader" of the Al Bhed, Rin allowed them to stock up on some more items for a discount. Afterwards, they bid each other "farewell" and the girls headed off again.

The girls continued on and didn't stop until they reached Djose Temple. Yuna and Paine went to restock once again in the inn beside the temple and Rikku went inside to greet her old friend. Inside, the temple was filled with machina and many Al Bhed people rushing back and forth to get things done. Rikku greeted one of them and was directed to Gippal's office.

"Hello?" Rikku said as she poked her head into the room.

She stepped in and shut the door behind her. She made her way towards the desk that stood in front of her and looked around. She wondered where Gippal had gone. But, she stopped when she saw him enter the room from another door.

"Hey, Gippal," she greeted with a wave.

"It's Cid's Girl," said Gippal with a smile.

Rikku frowned. "I have a name," she replied. "Why don't you use it?"

"I don't feel like it," he said and sat down at his desk.

Rikku walked over and plopped down in the chair in front of the desk. "So, how's the work been?" she asked.

"Just fine," answered Gippal as he flipped through his paperwork. "A lot of paperwork and very busy, but I think everything is okay."

"That's good," replied Rikku as she sat up.

"What are you here for?" Gippal asked.

"There's a meeting in Bevelle that's discussing what should be done to the temples of Spira," explained Rikku. "Yunie and I are headed there now along with Paine."

"I see," replied Gippal.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Rikku asked when she noticed the bags beneath his eyes.

"Are you worried about me, Cid's Girl?" he replied with a side grin.

"Of course, I am," she countered. "You're my best friend. Why shouldn't I?"

Gippal chuckled and sat back in his chair. "Don't worry," he said. "I'm just…tired."

"Oh, okay," replied Rikku. "Well, we want to get to Bevelle within the next few hours. I just wanted to stop by and see how you were doing. Talk to you later, Gippal."

"See ya," he replied and Rikku left the room.

Rikku met up with Yuna and Paine outside the temple. From there, they continued on to the Moonflow and through Guadosalam. They stopped and restocked again at the travel agency before they continued on. Then, they continued on through the Macalania Woods and arrived in Bevelle around mid-day.

"We're finally here!" exclaimed Rikku as she ran towards the palace. "My, that was a long journey!"

"It only took us half the day," replied Yuna. "It wasn't that long."

"Yeah, but you have to remember that Rikku can't even sit still for ten minutes," commented Paine.

"I suppose you're right," replied Yuna with a laugh.

"Hey, that's not nice!" countered Rikku with a pout. "I can sit still for ten minutes."

"Stand there without saying a word for five minutes then," instructed Paine.

Rikku remained where she was standing and didn't flinch. She kept her mouth shut and clamped her hands behind her back. She would prove to Paine that she could sit still. However, it wasn't even a minute before she started jumping and complaining that she wasn't ready.

Paine shook her head. "Just admit it," she said and headed for the palace.

"Paine!" exclaimed Rikku as she rushed after her friend.

"Oh, you two!" called Yuna as she followed after them with a laugh.

A/N: A chapter of nothing but background stuff. I hope it didn't bore you. I know that there isn't any Tikku fluff in here but they haven't met yet. After all, they haven't seen each other for fifteen years! Haha…well, hope you enjoyed it somewhat and don't forget to review!