They stood in complete silence for a few moments. It was Rikku who
finally
spoke up.
"But…how is that possible? We killed Sin and merged with the Fayth's dream
world. It's over." Rikku shivered, and Tidus pulled her near.
"Well," Wakka started, "It seems that Seymour wasn't really sent. He's been
stuck inside some pre-farplane existence. Auron- when Yuna sent him, he figured
it out, and followed Seymour. He's been keeping him at bay, but Seymour found
some way to merge with Sin and come back out."
"But Yunie!-"
"She's alright. Kimarhi's with her. Auron too, now. He was pulled back out
with Seymour. That's how we know…" Wakka broke off. Rikku shut her eyes, then
shook her head hard.
"Well, we'll just have to go after him, then!" she said.
Lulu broke in. "It would appear that Seymour has acquired unimaginable power.
We do not know what the final battle may hold."
"You mean, we could…" Rikku paused, and gulped. "We could die?"
Lulu nodded slowly. "That is a possibility. But I believe that you are
stronger, too."
"We have to try. Yunie'll want to try," Rikku said, her voice barely audible.
Tidus sighed and nodded slowly. "Better for us all to be together then, I
guess. When do we leave?"
Wakka shifted uncomfortably. "Well, ya know, I think me and Lulu are out this
time. I wanna help, ya know, but little Chappu, and Verda…" he trailed off.
Tidus looked embarrassed, and flushed as he mumbled, "Oh, yah. Sorry man."
Rikku looked at Tidus, then at Wakka. Both men were looking at their feet.
"Well, that's ok, Wakka!" she chimed in. "Yunie's already been on her
pilgrimage, so we'll just need to do a little planning, then from there it's
cake! You won't be missing much!" She tried to keep a cheery exterior, even though the familiar feeling of dread was eating away at her stomach. She didn't want to risk loosing Yuna, her cousin, any more than anyone else, but she knew Tuna would go with or without them, and with them was better. They should be together.
Wakka perked up a little. "If we can do anything to help before you go, let us know!"
Lulu nodded. "I will teach you some black magic, Rikku. It will not take long."
"That's a good idea." Rikku almost chocked on her words. If this was going to be as easy as they were pretending, she wouldn't need any black magic.
Tidus looked up. "Do you know where O'aka is? We'll need supplies."
"Yah. He's in out hometown, Besaid. Stuck with us, even after, yah," Wakka said.
"Ok. That's good. Well- I guess we'll all stay here the night, then leave for Besaid in the morning." Tidus looked uncomfortable again.
"No, no," Lulu said. "We have to go back. But you will join us as soon as you can. Supplies can be bought then, and I will teach Rikku spells."
Rikku trembled. Tidus pulled her closer. He was disappointed that his friends couldn't stay, and deeply troubled by their news, but secretly he was glad that they couldn't, so he could spend the night alone with Rikku.
Wakka spoke first. "I guess we aughta be going, then."
"Ok. Don't worry. We'll meet up with you soon," Rikku said, giving him a hug.
Wakka nodded. "We'll be waiting."
"I wanna stay!" Chappu said suddenly, running up to them. "Their house is neat!"
The group smiled. "Sorry, bud, but we have to go now. But we'll come back," Wakka said, picking Chappu up.
"You sure will!" Rikku said. "And I'll even bake you brownies!"
Chappu brightened at this, but Tidus groaned inwardly. Sure, she tried to cook, but, well, it was pretty much a failed attempt.
Wakka smiled unknowingly. "We'll be counting on it." He turned then, carrying Chappu, Lulu with Verda following him. "See ya real soon!" he called as they left the house.
Tidus and Rikku stood in silence for a few minutes, digesting what had just been said.
"I-" Rikku started. She didn't know how to put her feelings into words.
"I know," Tidus said. "You don't have to say it. I know."
Tears trickled down Rikku's face. Tidus closed his eyes and drew her near. She trembled in his arms.
"I'll protect you, just like always. You'll see Rikku. Everything will be fine, once we're all together again."
The words brought her little comfort. They wouldn't ALL be together, anyway. But she snuggled closer to Tidus, feeling safe in his arms.
They stood in silence to a few moments, seeking comfort in each other's love. Rikku wasn't feeling much better, but she smiled for Tidus anyway. After all, she was supposed to be the cheerful one, wasn't she? She'd had enough to be cheerful about after they beat Sin last time, and Tidus had confessed his true feelings for her. After that, she'd had everything she'd ever wanted. Until now.
Rikku looked up at Tidus, eyes glistening. She grinned, and took a step back. Tidus watched her with a look of confusion. Rikku grinned wider, put one hand forward, and pushed it against Tidus' shoulder. "You're it!"
Tidus watched her bouncing back and forth. He couldn't help but grin. He shook his head. "You think so, do you?" he asked, lunging forward at her.
Rikku ran around the back of the sofa. Tidus leaped over it and caught her. They both collapsed on the floor in a fit of giggles.
Tidus, a huge grin on his face, looked over at Rikku. She looked so beautiful, her big green eyes shinning brightly. Love shone in them. She had this strange effect on him, always able to make him laugh. Just seeing her always made him feel better.
Rikku poked Tidus in the ribs. He winced a little, not out of pain, but surprise, then tickled her back. Her laugh was like an angel's voice, bringing him an intense feeling of joy and peace. They wrestled around for a little while, until they were both breathing hard.
Rikku huffed in and out, watching Tidus. She felt so much love radiating from him. He made her feel so good, better than any other rush she'd had before. She watched him for a little while, watched his breathing slow back down. She threw her arms around his neck, and pulled his lips to hers. He responded immediately, hugging her back. A few moments later, Rikku rolled onto her stomach, looking at Tidus.
"We should probably pack," she said, hating to spoil the mood, but knowing it had to be done. But apparently there was no worry there.
"Race you there!" Tidus said, jumping up.
"Hey!" Rikku rolled over and got up, tackling Tidus. "Not so fast, buddy!" she said as they both fell down. Rikku got up right away to keep going, but she felt a hand grabbing her ankle.
"Two can play at that game!" Tidus grinned.
Rikku grinned wider. "They sure can!" she exclaimed, wrestling her ankle out of his grip. Tidus stood halfway up, and Rikku pushed him over. She ran towards his room, hearing him say, "you'll pay for that one!"
When Tidus finally got there, he found Rikku flopped down on his bed. He couldn't help but smile at the look of victory on her face.
"Think you won, do you?" he asked, moving to a drawer and grabbing an armful of clothes. He winked at her, then threw the bundle on her head. She shrieked.
"Tidus, you jerk!" Rikku struggled to get the clothes off of her. "You come here!" she said, getting the last shirt off of her head. He plopped down beside her, grinning like a 5-year-old who'd just won his first baseball game.
"This isn't what I meant by packing." Rikku stuck her tongue out. Tidus just grinned at her innocently.
"Ok, bonehead. I'm going to my room to pack. I suggest you do the same." Rikku turned and went across the hall to her room. There really wasn't much to pack- shouldn't bring anything but the necessities. She already had an overnight bag, which she grabbed, as well as an Al-Bhed first aid kit. Two extra pairs of clothes. She was just grabbing her favourite battle gear- goggles, green shirt, orange shorts- when Tidus came bursting in.
"Need any help?" he asked.
"No, thank you. I am a perfectly functioning person, you know. I was just finishing up." She stuck her tongue out at him again.
"Ok, ok! Just asking!" Tidus put his hands up in defense. Rikku rolled her eyes.
"C'mere, you big dork," she said. Tidus moved closer to her and kissed her forehead.
"I think you missed." Rikku giggled.
"Did I?" Tidus smirked, and kissed the tip of her nose. "That better?"
Rikku laughed at him. "Not quite!"
"No? How about here?" he said, then kissing her ear. He had successfully kissed every inch of her face before she feel back, laughing.
"Guess I got it, huh?" Tidus grinned, falling back beside her. She just grinned and shook her head. Tidus wrapped his arms around her, drawing her into his lap. He startled her by standing up, still holding her.
"What are you doing?!" she shrieked. Tidus didn't say a thing, but walked over to his own room. With her still in his arms, he pulled back his bedcovers, and placed her gently under them. Crawling in beside her, he whispered, "Just wanted to have you close tonight."
Rikku's heart caught in her throat. She realized this would probably be their last night alone together for awhile. Curling up, she moved closer to him, and he put his arms around her. She snuggled as closely as she could to him, then let her eyelids droop closed.
"I love you," she whispered.
"I love you, too."
Wrapped warmly around one another, they peacefully fell asleep.
Little did either of them know how those words would soon be tested. It was the first time they'd really said it to one another, but the bonds of love had long been there. However, would they be strong enough to hold together against what was to come?
spoke up.
"But…how is that possible? We killed Sin and merged with the Fayth's dream
world. It's over." Rikku shivered, and Tidus pulled her near.
"Well," Wakka started, "It seems that Seymour wasn't really sent. He's been
stuck inside some pre-farplane existence. Auron- when Yuna sent him, he figured
it out, and followed Seymour. He's been keeping him at bay, but Seymour found
some way to merge with Sin and come back out."
"But Yunie!-"
"She's alright. Kimarhi's with her. Auron too, now. He was pulled back out
with Seymour. That's how we know…" Wakka broke off. Rikku shut her eyes, then
shook her head hard.
"Well, we'll just have to go after him, then!" she said.
Lulu broke in. "It would appear that Seymour has acquired unimaginable power.
We do not know what the final battle may hold."
"You mean, we could…" Rikku paused, and gulped. "We could die?"
Lulu nodded slowly. "That is a possibility. But I believe that you are
stronger, too."
"We have to try. Yunie'll want to try," Rikku said, her voice barely audible.
Tidus sighed and nodded slowly. "Better for us all to be together then, I
guess. When do we leave?"
Wakka shifted uncomfortably. "Well, ya know, I think me and Lulu are out this
time. I wanna help, ya know, but little Chappu, and Verda…" he trailed off.
Tidus looked embarrassed, and flushed as he mumbled, "Oh, yah. Sorry man."
Rikku looked at Tidus, then at Wakka. Both men were looking at their feet.
"Well, that's ok, Wakka!" she chimed in. "Yunie's already been on her
pilgrimage, so we'll just need to do a little planning, then from there it's
cake! You won't be missing much!" She tried to keep a cheery exterior, even though the familiar feeling of dread was eating away at her stomach. She didn't want to risk loosing Yuna, her cousin, any more than anyone else, but she knew Tuna would go with or without them, and with them was better. They should be together.
Wakka perked up a little. "If we can do anything to help before you go, let us know!"
Lulu nodded. "I will teach you some black magic, Rikku. It will not take long."
"That's a good idea." Rikku almost chocked on her words. If this was going to be as easy as they were pretending, she wouldn't need any black magic.
Tidus looked up. "Do you know where O'aka is? We'll need supplies."
"Yah. He's in out hometown, Besaid. Stuck with us, even after, yah," Wakka said.
"Ok. That's good. Well- I guess we'll all stay here the night, then leave for Besaid in the morning." Tidus looked uncomfortable again.
"No, no," Lulu said. "We have to go back. But you will join us as soon as you can. Supplies can be bought then, and I will teach Rikku spells."
Rikku trembled. Tidus pulled her closer. He was disappointed that his friends couldn't stay, and deeply troubled by their news, but secretly he was glad that they couldn't, so he could spend the night alone with Rikku.
Wakka spoke first. "I guess we aughta be going, then."
"Ok. Don't worry. We'll meet up with you soon," Rikku said, giving him a hug.
Wakka nodded. "We'll be waiting."
"I wanna stay!" Chappu said suddenly, running up to them. "Their house is neat!"
The group smiled. "Sorry, bud, but we have to go now. But we'll come back," Wakka said, picking Chappu up.
"You sure will!" Rikku said. "And I'll even bake you brownies!"
Chappu brightened at this, but Tidus groaned inwardly. Sure, she tried to cook, but, well, it was pretty much a failed attempt.
Wakka smiled unknowingly. "We'll be counting on it." He turned then, carrying Chappu, Lulu with Verda following him. "See ya real soon!" he called as they left the house.
Tidus and Rikku stood in silence for a few minutes, digesting what had just been said.
"I-" Rikku started. She didn't know how to put her feelings into words.
"I know," Tidus said. "You don't have to say it. I know."
Tears trickled down Rikku's face. Tidus closed his eyes and drew her near. She trembled in his arms.
"I'll protect you, just like always. You'll see Rikku. Everything will be fine, once we're all together again."
The words brought her little comfort. They wouldn't ALL be together, anyway. But she snuggled closer to Tidus, feeling safe in his arms.
They stood in silence to a few moments, seeking comfort in each other's love. Rikku wasn't feeling much better, but she smiled for Tidus anyway. After all, she was supposed to be the cheerful one, wasn't she? She'd had enough to be cheerful about after they beat Sin last time, and Tidus had confessed his true feelings for her. After that, she'd had everything she'd ever wanted. Until now.
Rikku looked up at Tidus, eyes glistening. She grinned, and took a step back. Tidus watched her with a look of confusion. Rikku grinned wider, put one hand forward, and pushed it against Tidus' shoulder. "You're it!"
Tidus watched her bouncing back and forth. He couldn't help but grin. He shook his head. "You think so, do you?" he asked, lunging forward at her.
Rikku ran around the back of the sofa. Tidus leaped over it and caught her. They both collapsed on the floor in a fit of giggles.
Tidus, a huge grin on his face, looked over at Rikku. She looked so beautiful, her big green eyes shinning brightly. Love shone in them. She had this strange effect on him, always able to make him laugh. Just seeing her always made him feel better.
Rikku poked Tidus in the ribs. He winced a little, not out of pain, but surprise, then tickled her back. Her laugh was like an angel's voice, bringing him an intense feeling of joy and peace. They wrestled around for a little while, until they were both breathing hard.
Rikku huffed in and out, watching Tidus. She felt so much love radiating from him. He made her feel so good, better than any other rush she'd had before. She watched him for a little while, watched his breathing slow back down. She threw her arms around his neck, and pulled his lips to hers. He responded immediately, hugging her back. A few moments later, Rikku rolled onto her stomach, looking at Tidus.
"We should probably pack," she said, hating to spoil the mood, but knowing it had to be done. But apparently there was no worry there.
"Race you there!" Tidus said, jumping up.
"Hey!" Rikku rolled over and got up, tackling Tidus. "Not so fast, buddy!" she said as they both fell down. Rikku got up right away to keep going, but she felt a hand grabbing her ankle.
"Two can play at that game!" Tidus grinned.
Rikku grinned wider. "They sure can!" she exclaimed, wrestling her ankle out of his grip. Tidus stood halfway up, and Rikku pushed him over. She ran towards his room, hearing him say, "you'll pay for that one!"
When Tidus finally got there, he found Rikku flopped down on his bed. He couldn't help but smile at the look of victory on her face.
"Think you won, do you?" he asked, moving to a drawer and grabbing an armful of clothes. He winked at her, then threw the bundle on her head. She shrieked.
"Tidus, you jerk!" Rikku struggled to get the clothes off of her. "You come here!" she said, getting the last shirt off of her head. He plopped down beside her, grinning like a 5-year-old who'd just won his first baseball game.
"This isn't what I meant by packing." Rikku stuck her tongue out. Tidus just grinned at her innocently.
"Ok, bonehead. I'm going to my room to pack. I suggest you do the same." Rikku turned and went across the hall to her room. There really wasn't much to pack- shouldn't bring anything but the necessities. She already had an overnight bag, which she grabbed, as well as an Al-Bhed first aid kit. Two extra pairs of clothes. She was just grabbing her favourite battle gear- goggles, green shirt, orange shorts- when Tidus came bursting in.
"Need any help?" he asked.
"No, thank you. I am a perfectly functioning person, you know. I was just finishing up." She stuck her tongue out at him again.
"Ok, ok! Just asking!" Tidus put his hands up in defense. Rikku rolled her eyes.
"C'mere, you big dork," she said. Tidus moved closer to her and kissed her forehead.
"I think you missed." Rikku giggled.
"Did I?" Tidus smirked, and kissed the tip of her nose. "That better?"
Rikku laughed at him. "Not quite!"
"No? How about here?" he said, then kissing her ear. He had successfully kissed every inch of her face before she feel back, laughing.
"Guess I got it, huh?" Tidus grinned, falling back beside her. She just grinned and shook her head. Tidus wrapped his arms around her, drawing her into his lap. He startled her by standing up, still holding her.
"What are you doing?!" she shrieked. Tidus didn't say a thing, but walked over to his own room. With her still in his arms, he pulled back his bedcovers, and placed her gently under them. Crawling in beside her, he whispered, "Just wanted to have you close tonight."
Rikku's heart caught in her throat. She realized this would probably be their last night alone together for awhile. Curling up, she moved closer to him, and he put his arms around her. She snuggled as closely as she could to him, then let her eyelids droop closed.
"I love you," she whispered.
"I love you, too."
Wrapped warmly around one another, they peacefully fell asleep.
Little did either of them know how those words would soon be tested. It was the first time they'd really said it to one another, but the bonds of love had long been there. However, would they be strong enough to hold together against what was to come?