Disclaimer- I don't own Final Fantasy X-2...bummer.
Summary- Rikku's sick of her dad's matchmaking, but she finally gives in, and decides to marry Rin. They hit it off in the airship on the way to Nooj's festival, but things go awry when they arrive. Rin is whisked away when Yuna goes into labor, as are Tidus and Gippal, leaving Rikku, Pain, Baralai, Nooj, and Leblanc. Paine decides to go for a walk, and Nooj and Leblanc disappear, leaving Rikku and Baralai on their own. Lost for anything better to do, they go for a walk, and Rikku begins to think. She decides that what she is doing isn't right, and asks Baralai to take her away. Now, enjoy the next thrilling chapter!
Chapter Four
"Rikku, wake up." Baralai was sitting next to Rikku's bed in the inn, trying vainly to rouse her. They had made it that far on the Mi'hen Highroad before she became drowsy, and begged Baralai to stop and let her rest. But morning had come, and they needed to get moving again if they ever hoped to make it to Bevelle. "Come on...wake up."
Rikku felt someone prodding her, and she couldn't tell if it was someone in her dream or someone in real life. After pondering for a moment, and ignoring the constant jabbing at her side, she gave in and woke up. Groaning, she opened one bleary eye to see Baralai sitting beside her. "Hi there." She whispered. She stretched out her entire body, enjoying the satisfying crack of her back.
"Good morning. We have to go now." Baralai said hurriedly. He grabbed her hand, and tried to pull her out of the bed, but she just chuckled and pulled back.
"What's the rush?" Rikku asked. Still laughing, she got out of the bed, and sauntered over to the mirror. She looked awful. Her hair was an even worse mess than before, and her clothes were terribly wrinkled. Pulling her hair out of the ponytail, she raked her fingers through the knotty locks, ignoring the pain in her scalp that protested. After fighting with her hair, and finally getting it straightened out, she desperately tried to smooth out her clothes. Turning around slowly, she threw one last glance at the mirror, and established that she looked pretty damn good.
"I can't believe I'm doing this." Baralai buried his head in his hands, a sudden feeling of regret washing over him. He had technically kidnapped the "Al Bhed Princess". What would he do if someone confronted them on their way to Bevelle? Surely they would contact her father, and all would be lost. Rin would be furious with both of them, and would most likely want his revenge.
"What do you mean?" Rikku approached him, and placed a delicate hand on his shoulder. She was curious to know what he was thinking.
"I'm worried, Rikku." Baralai sighed, and looked up at her. "What if they think I'm kidnapping you?" He was genuinely worried for himself, and his face suddenly flushed in embarrassment. He was being selfish and rude. Not once did he think about Rikku's well being, and what would happen to her when they were finally found.
"So much drama." She clicked her tongue, and patted him on the head, just like a child. "You aren't kidnapping me. I'm much too old for that." Despite her internal protests, Rikku sat down on the bed across from him, and pulled him into her arms. She felt something for him just then, a sort of pity. She felt bad that he was so worried, but she knew he was more worried about himself than her.
"But..." He began, but was interrupted by Rikku pulling him closer. She was strong for such a tiny woman, he realized.
"But nothing. Straighten yourself out, and we'll get goin'." She said before letting him go. Sitting back a little, she watched as he stood, and pushed the chair back up against the wall. A small noise escaped her lips when he began to stretch out his limbs. She had not noticed that he discarded his jacket, and was wearing only a thin white shirt that showed off his deep olive skin. He was a gorgeous man, from head to toe. Soft silver hair framed his face, even when pulled up in the blue headband he so seldom removed, beautiful caramel colored eyes regarded her as she stared, soft lips were parted ever so slightly as he continued his ministrations, smooth, dark skin was stretched across taut muscles. All in all, Baralai was seemingly perfect.
"What are you staring at?" Baralai asked, pulling Rikku out of her daze. He had noticed her staring as he loosened the tight muscles in his limbs, and he welcomed it. Her unbroken gaze had warmed his body, and made him feel awake.
"Nothing." Rikku shook her head, and stood, straightening out her clothes once again. She felt hot all of a sudden, most likely from embarrassment at being caught staring. Grabbing Baralai's jacket, she dashed out of the room, giggling.
"Come back!" Baralai shouted, chasing after her. He found her outside, gaping open-mouthed at the small troupe standing before her. His lips formed a silent "Oh" as soon as he noticed who it was. They had been caught.
"What the hell were you thinkin'?" Cid asked angrily, spittle flying from his mouth and landing on Rikku's face.
"Ew, gross dad." Rikku said, wiping the spit away with the back of her hand. "I'm running away, dummy." She glanced over at Brother, who was glaring at Baralai. Handing Baralai his jacket, she continued to stare down her dad.
"If you don't come home this instant, I'm gonna...I'm gonna..." Cid's threats were empty. He had no idea what was going on with Rikku, and no idea what to do with her.
"You're gonna what? I'm twenty-two, dad. You can't ground me anymore. I'm a woman, and I'm in charge of myself." After her little speech, Rikku turned on her heel, and began marching off in the direction of the Moonflow, without so much as a goodbye. She was very angry with her father for treating her like a child, but she hadn't even given him an explanation as to why she was running away. Feeling that she owed him that, she turned around abruptly, and shouted her explanation at him. "I DON'T WANT TO MARRY RIN. I DON'T WANT TO MARRY ANYONE RIGHT NOW. I'M GOING TO BEVELLE FOR A LITTLE WHILE, SO DON'T COME AFTER ME. I KNOW THIS ALL SEEMS SELFISH, BUT...I NEED TO DO THIS. FOR ME. SO, GOODBYE EVERYONE. C'MON BARALAI!" She stalked off then, arms crossed in front of her, an accomplished smile painted on her lips.
Baralai stared after her for a moment, before sheepishly waving goodbye, and running after her. As soon as he caught up, he saw that she was crying. "Rikku...I hope that when we get there, to Bevelle, you will tell me more about yourself. It is not customary for a Praetor to bring a woman home that he hardly knows." He said to her, placing an arm around her shoulders.
"I hope that you'll tell me more about you. I don't think it's very customary for the woman not to know who her host is." Rikku said, a giggle escaping her thinned lips. She wiped her tears away with the back of her hand, and continued on with Baralai at her side.
The following morning, just twenty-four hours later, Baralai and Rikku sat at a table in Leblanc's château. When they arrived in Guadosalam, they ran into Ormi, who invited them in to stay. They graciously accepted, and joined he and Logos for breakfast. When they were finished, they stayed a little while longer to chat.
"So, what're you guys doin'?" Ormi asked. He had not inquired about their journey before inviting them in, so he took it upon himself to do so now.
"We're traveling to Bevelle. Rikku has agreed to be my interpreter, for my trip to Sanubia in the next month." Baralai said. He was taking action without Rikku's consent, and secretly hoped it would be okay with her.
"Yeah. He just came up to me at the festival, told me he had a job for me, and whisked me away. Boy, was my dad pissed." Rikku followed along. She wondered, did Baralai really have a trip to Sanubia Sands, and would he take her with him? Would she even be with him in the next month? "By the way...if you see him, don't tell him anything, okay? I just don't want any of his crap." She said.
"Anything you ask of us Miss Rikku." Logos said.
"Well, we had better get going." Baralai said, standing from his seat, and reaching out for Rikku's hand. He smiled when she took it, and helped her from her chair. The two of them left the château, and continued on to the Thunder Plains, hand in hand.
"Are you really going to Bikanel Island?" Rikku asked as they trekked along in the rain. The thunder didn't bother her anymore, not after she cured herself two years ago.
"Yes. I'm sorry." Baralai replied. He glanced over at her, and saw that she was shivering. He shed his coat, and draped it over her shoulders, trying to offer her some kind of warmth until they made it to the temple in Bevelle.
"Sorry for what?" She asked, gratefully pulling the jacket tighter around her chilled body.
"For appointing you my interpreter without asking. It wasn't right of me to do that, and I'm sorry. I don't actually need an interpreter though, but it would be nice to have one." Baralai's expression changed the moment he saw her smiling.
"I would be glad to. Even though you don't need me, I'd be glad to be there for you, just in case you might." Rikku grinned, and unconsciously reached out for his hand, holding it tightly in her own. She felt happy all of a sudden, like it wasn't rainy and gloomy, and her life finally made sense. Even though she had ruined everything for the Al Bhed, and most likely broken Rin's heart, she felt happy. She wasn't being forced to do anything against her will, and she was glad for that. Glad for being able to walk off into the pouring rain with a man she felt she could come to understand and love in time. Glad to be there with him.
A/N- If I don't get more reviews, I'm not going to post. Sorry to make this threat, but I'm beginning to feel as though I'm writing for no one. So...Read and Review! Or I'll be forced to send Vash the Stampede after your ass! .
