Took me forever, but I came back~! I just posted an AuRikku story, but it ended with Rippal in the end. Haha. Well, here's chapter 4. We're more than half way through with the story. So I hope you enjoy my Rippal goodness. I don't own!
Chapter 4
Rikku sighed. "So, I'm here for another two weeks? I already repacked all of my things!"
Cid shrugged. "Then unpack them! It's not like you were dying to leave, is it?"
"Well, no…" Rikku said, leaning back in the chair in Gippal's office. "But…"
"Then it's settled. Two more weeks. Talk to you later girl."
"Bye, Pop." Rikku said before disconnecting. She propped her head up on her hands and blew on her bangs. "Well, I guess it's not all bad…"
"Can I come back in?" Gippal called from the other side of his office door. Rikku sighed.
"Yeah, it's okay."
Gippal opened the door and saw his childhood friend moping. "What's wrong?"
"I have to stay a couple more weeks. It's no big deal, but I don't have anything else to do here…"
"I can figure something out for you to do." Gippal said. Rikku got up and sat on his desk.
"I know I just don't like the fact that Maroda knows where I am. He stops by every other day, asking for me. It's such a hassle."
"Then why don't you pound some sense into him?"
"Violence is a last resort." Rikku sighed.
"Well, anyways," Gippal said. "Just get back to work." Rikku nodded and left out. When he was sure she was gone, he quickly called Cid.
"You're welcome boy." Was the first thing Cid said. Gippal smirked.
"How'd you know that's what I was gonna say?"
"I know how you think. I was a lot like you when I was younger."
"So does that mean I'm going to be like YOU when I get old?" Gippal smirked. "If so, no thank you."
"Do you want me to trade Rikku for a digger?" Cid warned. Gippal immediately stopped laughing, making Cid grin. "That's what I thought. Just keep on your toes, okay?"
"Right. Thanks again." Gippal said before disconnecting. He heard some commotion outside his office door, but paid it no mind. It just sounded like someone dropped some tools.
The day after that, though, Rikku seemed to be her polar opposite, and requested to take a personal day. Gippal really had no choice in the matter, because she declared she would take on even if he didn't approve. Of course, at lunch, he decided to check on his lovely, but irritated, princess. When he asked around, no one had seen her, but he had a good guess where she'd go. After checking to see that his airship was gone, he sighed, used an extra airship, and flew to Bikanel.
"So, you finally came, huh?" Nhadala asked as soon as Gippal got out of the ship.
"So, she is here." Gippal sighed.
"Yup, she went to the Oasis. Hopefully, she blew off some steam. What'd you do this time?"
"This time, I don't think it was me."
"Well, find out for me. It's a shame to see such a nice kid so upset." Nhadala said before returning to work.
Gippal got the hover driver to take him to the Oasis. He found Rikku sitting on a ledge overlooking the water, her knees drawn up to her chest.
"I found you." Gippal stated simply. Rikku looked up and quickly looked back down.
"Yeah, you found me… What do you want?"
"To find out what's wrong with you. You've been acting weird today. Weirder than normal."
"I don't normally act weird… And it's Maroda…"
Gippal got serious. "What'd he do?"
"I found out that he'd been spreading rumors saying we hadn't really broken up, and that I'm the one that was on my knees begging for him to get back with me. I don't think a lot of people believe him, but the fact that he would even say things like that makes me sick."
"Are you sure we can't use violence?" Gippal asked seriously. Rikku giggled.
"I'm positive."
"Well," Gippal said, "just talk to him, then."
"I would if I wasn't afraid he'd get the wrong idea. Then he might really have something to talk about…" Rikku sighed.
"Well, what if I help?" Gippal said. Rikku looked at him.
"You'd do that?" Rikku asked. "You'd be amazing!"
"Of course. You just have to be a messenger for me."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Just check up on Baralai and Nooj to see if they like their products."
"Okay. I guess it's a fair trade." Rikku smiled.
"That's better." Gippal said with a smirk. Rikku made a puzzled face.
"What is?"
"It's much better when you smile. You look weird if you aren't smiling."
Rikku gave a little giggle. "Okay. And Gippal?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. I appreciate this."
Gippal wrapped his arm around Rikku's shoulder, and kissed the crown of her head. "Anything for you. But I may need someone with me to hold me back."
"You can get Tidus." Rikku said, hugging Gippal. "He can usually make sure people don't get too hurt. Unless they're Seymour."
"Well, now that that's settled, let's leave so I can treat you to lunch." Gippal said, standing up.
Rikku nodded, and followed Gippal's example. After a brief lunch at Luca, the two went back to Djose and Gippal put a call into Besaid, asking for Tidus' assistance. Tidus replied that he'd be there first thing the next day. Then Gippal called Nooj.
"I was just about to call you."
"What's up, Noojster?" Gippal smirked.
"I need you to set Maroda straight. Ever since the break-up, his work has been sub-par. He needs to get back on track, and over Rikku." Nooj explained.
"And how do I do that?"
"Scare him straight if you have to. And to be honest, he never had a lasting chance with her to begin with."
"Thanks I guess. Just send him to my place tomorrow then. I'll trade him for Rikku. Just keep her busy for half the day, and then send her to Bevelle. I'll call Baralai to make sure he's in on the plan too."
"Thank you Gippal." Nooj said before signing out. Gippal called Baralai and explained the situation to him.
"Isn't that what we pay Paine for?" Baralai said.
"Then let Rikku help her out for the day. I'm sure Dr. P wouldn't mind the company."
"Well, that's fine, I suppose." Baralai smiled. "I'll be sure to tell her to pick up Rikku in the morning. She goes all over Spira in about a day, and I'm sure it gets lonesome.
"What time will she be here?"
Baralai put his hand on his chin. "I can't say for sure, but you may want to have Rikku ready at five in the morning."
"Ugh… Just what I need. A cranky Rikku in the morning. But it's worth it, I suppose." Gippal said. "Thanks Baralai."
Said person nodded and signed off. Gippal sighed, called Nooj about the changed plans, and got up to find Rikku, who was working on a little project she started for Vidina.
"What's that?"
"A coyote toy. Vidina just LOVES these things ,no matter how dangerous his parents tell him they are. So, I decided to make him this, so he doesn't worry Wakka and Lulu." Rikku smiled.
"How nice." Gippal said. "So, I think I have a better way for you to spend your time away from here tomorrow."
Rikku knitted her eyebrows. "What do you mean?"
"Paine's going to go with you as a messenger. You would just spend the day with her."
"Okay. That's fine, and sounds fun." Rikku smiled. "Just make sure you guys get through to Maroda. Beat it into him if you have to."
The next morning, Rikku (begrudgingly) got up bright and early, and left with Paine, who arrived shortly after the former got dressed. They were out of there shortly before Tidus arrived.
"So, when do we put the hurt on him?" Tidus asked with a huge smile. Gippal just smirked.
"Rikku told me you would be good for damage control, not putting the hurt on someone."
"Damage control is BORING! Anyways, where is my favorite cousin?"
"I sent her away so that Maroda doesn't get to distracted."
"Good man!" Tidus smiled. "You make a good match for Rikku. Just be careful you don't do anything stupid. It won't be Cid or Brother you'd have to worry about."
"Would it be you?" Gippal asked.
"Nope. It would be Yuna." Tidus laughed. "And possibly Paine, too."
"Oh, Yevon, no! Not Paine!" Gippal moaned, leaning back in his office chair.
"So, what do you do in a day, Dr. P?" Rikku asked.
"I go to all the places influenced by either the Youth League or New Yevon to get info." Paine explained. "Why'd you join me? An order?"
"Kind of, I guess. Gippal and Tidus are gonna have a talk with Maroda, so I was kicked out."
"Why wasn't I informed about this?"
"Um… Because Gippal wanted to do this WITHOUT someone getting hurt."
Paine smirked. "I guess he can be forgiven for that. Anyways I thought you were supposed to be back on board the airship with Brother and Buddy." She said, switching to Al-bhed as they made their way down the Moonflow.
"I was, but Pops changed his mind at the last minute. SO, I'm stuck at Djose." Rikku said without a sound of remorse.
"You don't sound too upset about it."
"Maybe I'm not. I would miss the authority that I have there. Not to mention-"
"Gippal?" Paine smirked, making Rikku blush.
"Well, not just him… I'd miss the workers too. A-and I wouldn't mind working in the desert."
"But Gippal's not there."
"S-so?"
"I'm sure you'd be pretty lonely."
"No, I wouldn't!" Rikku said. "But I would miss him… I mean, we've gotten really close this past month. I've really been enjoying my time at the temple.
"Well, something tells me he's been enjoying your company too." Paine replied. Rikku blushed and smiled.
A knock came to Gippal's office door while he and Tidus were arguing about Blitzball strategies. Gippal called on the worker on the other side of the door to come in.
"Sir, Maroda's here. He's asking to see you."
"Well, send him in."
The worker nodded, and half a minute later, Maroda strolled into Gippal's office.
"Hey guys." Maroda said familiarly, almost making Gippal gag in disgust. "Where's Rikku?"
"Not here, but I'm glad you brought her up. I've heard that you've been trying to spread a rumor that you two were back together. Is that true?"
"Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. What do you care anyways? It's not like you two are dating."
"I care because she's special to me. Plus, I'm trying to stop this before it goes anywhere further." Gippal explained.
"And by that he means Cid, Brother, Yuna, and Paine." Tidus quipped.
"You think that will scare me?" Maroda asked, hiding his nervousness.
"If that doesn't, then maybe this will." Gippal said pulling out a weapon. "You keep spreading those rumors instead of focusing on your job, then I'll make sure to castrate you and I'm sure I'll have more than enough help from Cid and Brother. So keep it up. Your balls are on the line, not mine. How does that sound?"
Rikku opened the front door and found Gippal and Tidus working on a machine together. They looked up when Paine slammed the door shut again.
"Hey, you two!" Tidus said, his face covered in grease. "I finally learned how to fix a machine!"
"Well, Yevon knows I wouldn't teach you." Rikku laughed.
"So, aren't you going to ask me how it went?" Gippal asked.
Rikku smiled. "How'd it go?"
"I feel like you scared the crap out of him, and he ran with his tail between his legs." Paine said, playing with a machine.
"Thanks for ruining it, Paine." Gippal said before he turned to Rikku. "You're problem is solved."
Rikku ran up to Gippal and threw her arms around his neck. "Oh thank you so much! I knew I could count on you!" Gippal returned the hug, wrapping his arms around her tiny waist.
"Hey!" Tidus called, putting his hands on his hips. "I helped out too!"
Rikku released Gippal from the hug and went over to her cousin with a smile. "And I couldn't forget about you." She said, hugging him. "Thank you so much."
"Of course. Anytime." Tidus said, giving his cousin a pat on the back. "I gotta get home. If I hurry, I can feed Bayla."
"Well, have a good trip back." Rikku smiled. "And tell Yunie I said hi."
"I'm gonna head out too." Paine said. "Lots of stuff to do tomorrow. Congrats Rikku."
Rikku waved as Tidus and Paine left. She gave Gippal a smile, and started off to her room. Gippal sighed.
"Of course he would do that…"
I have been typing all day. Haha~! But it's all good. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed. After this story, I'm thinking about making an AU… And AuRippal AU. That's AuronXRikkuXGippal, if you didn't catch that. But that probably will take some time. I hope though that if I do put it up here, you'll tune in! Lots of Love~!
