10. Monster Guts
Yuna and Rikku returned to the Celsius, footsteps clanging against metal floors. They arrived at the cockpit, Rikku hopping into her usual seat.
"So, what's the deal with this signal from the Moonflow, Buddy?" Rikku asked.
"It appears to be some kind of ruin. I'm not sure, but the sensors detect there may be treasures inside," Buddy replied.
"Ooh! Treasures, eh? Count me in!" Rikku said.
"Yeah. Let's take a look," Yuna added, the ship taking off toward the Moonflow.
The Celsius landed on the banks of the river, the girls leaving the ship before heading into town. They crossed through the village, saying hello to a few familiar faces. They then arrived at the forest, Rikku taking out a small device.
"...Hmm. Looks like the ruins are pretty deep in these woods," she said.
"It's getting late," Yuna said, eyeing the orange sky. "If it's going to be a long trip, why don't we call it a day and head into the woods first thing tomorrow?"
"Good idea. It's been a long day, huh?" Rikku asked, stretching.
"I'll say," Yuna replied.
As the two turned around, a shadowy figure greeted them on the path. It gave a low growl, getting larger and larger as it neared.
"Uh, oh...!" Rikku said, craning her neck at the beast.
"Oh, my...," Yuna said, doing the same as she stared up at the towering creature.
The two gazed upward, eyeing a massive Ochu blocking the way. The monster was large, standing four stories tall and wide as a house. Most Ochu were large, but this was a particularly sizable specimen.
As the creature swiped its claws, Rikku dodged, swiftly and elegantly drawing her knives. She then dove forward, suddenly slicing off one of the Ochu's arms. The monster gave a shrill shriek, birds flying from the trees from the sound. Yuna then raised her guns, firing a flurry of rounds into the Ochu's gut. It wavered several times, suddenly falling dead with a thud.
"Hmph," Yuna said.
"Too easy!" Rikku grinned.
Just then, the Ochu's body twitched. Green blood shot from its wounds, Rikku shrieking as some of it got on her and Yuna.
"Aww, man!" she said, frowning at the ooze.
"Oh, dear. We should head toward the river and clean up," Yuna replied.
The girls headed back into the village, making their way toward the river. As they arrived at its banks, the sky slowly turned a deep purple.
"Bleh. Monster guts," Rikku said, flinging green goo off her clothes.
"I know. I thought our days of monster slaying were over by now," Yuna said.
"Guess not," Rikku replied. She then raised her arms, suddenly removing her top.
"...Rikku!" Yuna exclaimed, eyes wide as she looked around.
"What?" Rikku replied, casually throwing her top on some rocks.
"Are you crazy? What if someone sees you?!" Yuna asked.
"Oh, lighten up, Yunie. We're soaked in monster guts, here. We've gotta wash off!" Rikku said.
She kicked off her boots, removing her sleeves and blue headband. She then looked around, smirking as she grabbed her miniskirt. In a single motion, she took down the rest of her clothes. She tossed her miniskirt and panties on the rocks, suddenly standing butt naked on the banks of the river.
"Rikku!" Yuna said, going red.
"Ahh... feels good!" Rikku said, raising her arms as she felt the cool breeze. It kissed her bare flesh, brisking past her breasts and shaved pussy.
"Honestly... I'm amazed at how free you Al-Bhed are with your bodies."
"And I am amazed at how uptight you are about yours, Yunie!" Rikku said. "You've got a nice figure. Show it off, already!" Rikku yelled, diving into the water.
Yuna heaved a sigh, again looking around with cautious eyes. Spotting no one, she raised a hand, taking off her shirt. She then bent down, untying her boots and stepping out of them. Rikku watched while drifting by, perfectly still as she floated on the surface of the water. As Yuna approached the shore, Rikku paused.
"Oh, come on, Yunie. Get naked, already!" Rikku said.
"Just underwear is fine," Yuna replied modestly. "Unlike some people, I'm not overly free with my body."
"Ha! But you are overly uptight about it!" Rikku retorted. Yuna entered the water, at once feeling refreshed by the cool river. "Nice, huh?"
"Yeah...," Yuna replied, closing her eyes as she leaned back, treading water.
"...Ya know, this river's kind of nostalgic," Rikku said.
"What do you mean?"
"Look. Over there. That's the shore where I first met Tidus. Without a mask, I mean."
"...Ah. That's right. I remember, now. It was you, me, Tidus... Lulu, Kimahri, and Auron back then. It seems like a lifetime ago that we all stood on these shores together...," Yuna said, nostalgia coming over her. Rikku smiled.
"...I remember how surprised I was," she said, elegantly floating. "I was taken aback by how Tidus looked up close. I gotta say, I thought he was cute right away," Rikku admitted, blushing. Yuna turned to her.
"...Rikku. Do you...?" she asked hesitantly. Rikku shook her head.
"No. It's not like that," she said, starting to tread water. "I mean, it was just an innocent crush. What you two have is real, though. Like, really real."
"Rikku...," Yuna said softly. "I had no idea you felt that way."
"...Sorry. Ya can't help who ya like, right?" Rikku asked, still blushing. As Yuna quietly stared at her cousin, Rikku flashed a grin. She then raised a hand, splashing Yuna with water.
"H-Hey!" Yuna said, closing one eye.
"There! You've got Ochu blood on your face! Keep still! I'll get it!" Rikku said, continuing to splash her with water.
"Cut it out, already!" Yuna replied, splashing back as the girls both laughed in the river.
As the two played around, a trio of shady figures watched from afar. Their eyes glowed red, steadily vanishing off into the trees.