As The World Falls Down
4 months later
"Rikku…" Gippal said behind her. She spun with a smile on her face. He didn't look happy, but she just guessed he was having a bad day.
"Hey there!" She said, giving him a small kiss. He half smiled, half cringed. She tilted her head to the side. Huh? "Something wrong?" He just shook his head.
"Can I talk to you? Some where else?" He said quietly, staring at the floor. Rikku was worried. What is wrong with him? She nodded concern in her eyes. Gippal turned away, walking quickly away. Rikku caught up to him and slipped her hand into his. He kept his hand limp for a few moments, and then tightly gripped her hand, making her knuckles go white. She winced but didn't take her hand away. She felt that he needed comforting at the moment. Something was definitely wrong.
Gippal and Rikku eventually arrived at the Oasis on his hover (which he now had a license for). He helped her off it and walked towards the banks, sitting down and beckoning for her to come and sit next to him. She sat with a thud and watched him carefully. He looked at her and his eyebrows knit together in an unreadable emotion. Anger? Confusion? Pain?
"Where's the earring I gave you?" he asked. Rikku looked at him quizzically for a moment.
"Oh! Right, hehe." She held up her small braid to show him the feather tied into the bottom of them. He looked blankly at it, and then looked at the water. Rikku pursed her lips and scooted closer to Gippal, pushing him with her hips as her did.
"Hey… I love you…" she said as a slight question. Gippal remained silent for a few seconds.
"I… love you too." He said slowly, as if he thought carefully about each word. Rikku felt her patience flare into impatience. She jumped up and stood in front of him, her hands on her hips.
"What the hell is your problem? Do you wanna break up or something? Because you're gonna have to say it!" Gippal gave her a hollow stare and she sank to her knees. She felt tears starting to well up to her eyes. She tried to fight them back in vain. They started to spill out. "Why?" she whispered, half to Gippal, half to herself. "What did I do?"
"You didn't do anything! It's just… y'know." He said, his hands finding their way to her shoulders.
"I don't… I don't…"
"Well… I know we both thought it was impossible… but… I-uhh…"
"What?"
"I got accepted to the Crimson Squad… and I don't want you to think much about me while I'm there." Rikku felt as though he had ripped her heart out. It just wouldn't beat anymore. It felt like it wasn't even there.
"Why…? They don't need more people. Why do you have to go? You could die! I might never see you again."
"Which is why I don't want you to think of me. The only reason that I'm going is because I've seen people who've lost their families to Sin. I'm just looking for a way to make sure that that won't be me. I want to keep Sin away from you." Rikku found the strength to stop crying. She wiped her tears away and looked up at him. She was slightly shocked to see Gippal's eyes shining. He quickly squeezed his eyes shut and mumbled something Rikku couldn't hear. Is this really the end? She tried to smile.
"That's okay… I was gonna go to see those ruins with pops and Brother anyway. Gonna be gone for a few months. Maybe… it's coming at a good time. Maybe it'll be easier if I have work to do." They watched each other for a moment, and then with sighs they both hugged warmly. Rikku pulled a bit away and pressed her lips to his. If this was her last moments as his girlfriend, she didn't want to end it by just hugging him. When they broke apart, she said to him,
"Just promise me something?" He nodded slowly, watching her. "If we see each other again, I wanna pretend like nothing happened."
"Huh? Wh-why?" he asked.
"Because! It's gonna be hard enough to forget you. It'll just get worse if I have to be reminded of it. Please?" she said. After a minute, Gippal nodded slowly.
"Well… I guess that's it then. I leave tomorrow morning, and you leave tomorrow night." Gippal said. Rikku nodded, and together they walked back to the hover.
It was some time in the evening when they got back. Gippal took Rikku to her home, the whole time keeping silent. Neither wanted to talk. When they got to her door, they glanced sadly at each other for a second. Rikku then turned and put her hand on the doorknob. She then spun around and flung her arms around Gippal.
"Bye Gippal." She mumbled into his chest.
"Bye Rikku. I'll miss you like hell." He said, squeezing her tightly. She let go of him reluctantly. She wanted to keep him with her forever. But this was maybe the last time she would hold him. She quickly pushed away from him, feeling fresh tears prick her eyes. She spun around, quickly opened the door and rushed in. When she got inside, she slammed it shut and slid to the floor. I'll be in hell when you come back, Gippal.
I'll be there for you as the world falls down
Well, all done this chapter. There's more, never fear! Anyway, once I'm done this, I'm gonna start working on a SoraxKairi and a RoxasxNamine
