Chapter 7:

The next day- Luca Stadium.

None of them wanted to be there; not on that particular day, the day they were going to have to face the reality that their friend was truly gone and there was nothing they could do about it. No longer would they hear his incessant boasting about his manhood and machina skills, although everyone knew the latter was true even though they wouldn't admit it. The saddest thing at that moment was the daughter he had that wouldn't know just how funny and kind her father really was despite the cockiness and self appreciation.

Paine sat to Rikku's right, and to the right of her were Nooj and Baralai. Yuna took a spot on Rikku's other side, sitting in black and lilac colored robes with her hands neatly folded in front of her. She watched Paine, Nooj and Baralai as they all seemed to stare at Lelah, fixated on the little one that so eerily resembled Gippal. Yuna did not question Baralai when he asked her if he could sit by his former squad members; she knew the three once four of them were a tight knit bunch who had gone through so much together and he felt like he needed them more than ever. Their sons were together at Paine's house on Mushroom Rock Road, no doubt running Elma and Lucil ragged, but she didn't think two little boys should be at a memorial, or rather- a funeral service. Averting her gaze from the three, Yuna turned her eyes on Rikku, who had been staring into space while clutching her daughter like a security blanket. There were no trickling tears, but her eyes were definitely moist around the bottom lids and her nose was red. It seemed like the black dress she was wearing sucked all of the happiness or what was left of it out of her more than usual thin frame while she sat there. The former summoner flashed herself back to when she first lost Tidus and remembered all too well how her cousin was feeling. She was thankful now for Baralai and felt guilty for having him when Rikku had no one. She was jolted out of her thoughts when Nooj spoke.

"It looks like the ceremony is starting." He turned to Paine, gingerly taking her hand. "Did you finish your speech?" She nodded without making eye contact, and Nooj turned the other way to Baralai. "And you as well?" Baralai too nodded and smiled weakly. "We should stand together. He would have wanted us to be together, don't you both agree?"

"Yes" they said in unison, and Nooj nodded.

"Very well. Yuna, will you be all right with Rikku here?" he asked Yuna.

"Of course. We'll be fine, right Rikku?" She looked at Rikku sympathetically.

"Yeah." Rikku replied softly, still clutching Lelah tight and not making eye contact. "Whatever." She glanced up and looked slowly around at the people as they gradually filled every seat in the stadium. There were all kinds of races there; Al-Bhed, Ronso, Hypello, New Yevonites, and even some Guado, although she wasn't too surprised considering all of the work her husband and the other guys did to make sure there was peace all over Spira. There was someone, however, that Rikku didn't see and she pointed it out straight away.

"Has anyone seen Slovak? He was supposed to be here with Pops representing the Faction." The others had begun to groan at the sound of his name but she cut them off. "Now stop that. Despite his…oddness he is still kinda running things and needs to be here. He's also, or was also Gippal's good friend. He needs our respect."

The others didn't say anything further but knew she had a point. "I haven't seen him around anywhere at all this morning." Baralai quickly added, pretending to look around for him. "I'm sure he'll be around shortly." And as he finished the last sentence the dome closed up from above and music started playing.

The stadium was packed with people right down to the floor area. Three black caskets rested on platforms in front where Rikku and the rest sat, each with intricately woven cloths draped over them. Since there were no bodies in them, people were asked to put mementos of the three in the caskets instead. Paine threw in a recorder and a sphere with footage of the three of them on it, Baralai put a sash inside that had the New Yevon's crest embroidered on it; it had been the one Gippal wore for Baralai when he represented him at his and Yuna's wedding three years ago. Nooj placed a ratty stuffed shoopuf inside the casket; Juin told him it would protect Uncle Gippal if he was scared out on the Far plane. In all his years seeking out his own death Nooj never imagined one of his friends would beat him to it, not that he was looking anymore since his marriage to Paine and the birth of his son. He realized that the past could not be changed and the future should be embraced by new, positive changes and he wanted to see what his son would do when he reached his age.

Lastly, Rikku had put in several items she thought represented Gippal the best. The first being an eye patch she made for him when she was eight and he was nine. Rikku back then noticed he was uncomfortable with nothing to cover it so she fashioned one out of a piece of leather she got from a suit she owned. He wore the piece until the strap snapped when he was sixteen from so much wear. The second item was a washcloth he used to wash the dishes for her while she was pregnant; the one he was holding when he asked her if she could name their child after his mother. Gippal was never a sentimentalist, but Rikku thought the rag represented a moment in time that she wanted to remember so she initially had it in a memory box for Lelah when she grew older. Lastly, Rikku put in a pacifier and two pictures; one of her and Gippal on their wedding day, and one of her and Lelah at the clinic when she was born.

"Everyone shut up and give me yer attention!" A voice boomed through the microphones at the podium. Everyone turned their attention to Cid, who didn't seem too comfortable up there but stood his ground nonetheless. "You all know I ain't good with words, and I'm definitely not good with these types of ceremonies either, so if ya give me any flack fer it you know where the exits are. It isn't about me today" He paused, lowering his head and drawing in a deep breath. "It's about the three that are being remembered by those empty caskets below me. They were good men…" Cid paused again and glanced at his daughter. She had her head rested gently on top of Lelah's and she sobbed quietly. If there were ever a moment in Rikku's life where Cid could go back in time to make things right this time would have been it. The worst part was that unfortunately he could relate to his daughter, having lost his own wife when Rikku was as tiny as the bundle in her arms. Looking back up to the audience, Cid proceeded.

"Now these fi…"

"Wait!" Called a voice from the far entrance of the stadium. Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and noticed Slovak approaching Cid, but he wasn't alone. There was someone behind him; dirty, thin, and they were in hand shackles with a chain that connected to shackles clasped on their feet. The crowd stood to their own feet simultaneously and there was a unanimous gasp among them when they recognized who it was, especially from the five in the front row.

Rikku wiped her eyes with a free hand and focused on the person behind Slovak. She wasn't sure at first, but as he got closer to them her eyes grew wide and new tears emerged.

"G-Gippal?"

In an instant Rikku's legs gave out and she collapsed. Yuna grabbed a suddenly scared Lelah from her arms and Paine caught Rikku from behind before she hit the ground.