She looked around. What had happened? Why wasn't she in the Calm Lands? She held her head, feeling slightly light headed; like one who had just woken from a long, dark sleep. Then it hit her. She had died. She had gone to the Farplane. She had been given a second chance.
Rikku stood up. The blonde al bhed felt awkward in her 15-year old body. She looked down. Yes, it was true. Her old knee-high boots with the delicate orange feather falling off them. Her green frayed shorts at the top of her long slender legs with the pale belt hanging loosely over them. The tight – tighter than it should have been, now she looked at it – orange tanktop she was strapped into with the long blue ribbons, elaborately embroidered in white. There was no denying it now. She hadn't worn this outfit since it happened. She cringed as her mind began to wonder back to the day they had gone against Sin: her, Yunie, Lulu, Wakka, Kimahri, Tidus – and Auron.
Feeling hot tears begin to sting her eyes, she blinked them away and took at step forward.
"Hey, Rikku? You listening?"
She looked up, her head spinning. She was confused – and now she had to go diving? Thinking she better say something quick, she managed to stutter,
"Err…Yea. Sorry, I'm just kinda tired, ya know?"
"Well," a tall, rough looking man in orange turned round to her, "you better wake up. You're going down with Tetra-Squad. We found some ruins with a high source of fuel nearby so we need you guys to go gather some for the machina."
As if on cue, the rest of the Tetra-Squad spewed out from the hangar onto the deck and presently began to dive down into the murky depths of the Submerged Ruins. Rikku, still unsure in her adolescence, walked tipsily towards the edge of the ship and took a deep breath, ready to dive.
"Aren't you going to gear up first?"
Thinking hard, she thought for a brief shining second that she remembered doing something before diving but no, it was gone before it was even there. She waved her hand, dismissing the subject.
"Ermm…No. I'll chance it, ya know."
And with that, she dived down into the thick polluted water, surrounding her frail body.
+++===+++===+++===+++
He had journeyed long and was extremely tired but it was his determination to get Rikku back that had kept Ryua going. He had just arrived in Bevelle and still had a long way to get to his destination. However, after fighting numerous fiends on his travels so far, the sleep that was depriving his senses of their usual sharpness was beginning to win and so, the rugged al bhed walked into the nearby inn. Eager to start his journey again to tomorrow, eager to continue his search for his lost love one, he finally gave in to the sleep that was plaguing him.
+++===+++===+++===+++
Yes, she could remember this perfectly. The same old crumbling building. The same deafening silence surrounding her squad. She stepped through the ancient doors and sure enough, there was Tidus fighting that brutal Klikk. Just like the first time it had happened, he was thrown onto the floor like a mere rag-doll. Giving in to her urges to help the man she, in the past, had come to know and love, she ran forward and screamed,
"Tidus!"
He looked at her, seriously puzzled. How did this girl know his name? He scratched his head as he stood up. The Klikk seized this opportunity and leapt forward, digging it's razor-sharp claws into Tidus' bear leg. Tidus gasped. Near to death now, he couldn't help but watch as blood began to ooze out of the deep cut above his knee.
Rikku had to do something, she couldn't watch him in pain for much longer. She knew that this had to be her time to shine. If she did nothing, the blitz player would surely die. The he's never go to Besaid. Then he'd never meet Yuna. Then he'd never become a guardian. Then he'd never-
The Klikk began to stalk forward, it's beady eyes staring at Tidus' weakening body, it's mouth foaming in wait for it's next meal. It prepared to jump…There was an explosion. The Klikk was hurled backwards, damaging one of its claws in the process. Rikku was already searching for another grenade, wishing she had her claw with her. How she wished she were back with Ryua – at least then, she'd have her Godhand.
"Dammit," she cursed. She had no grenades left. Rikku jumped forward, swiping the Klikk in an attempt to steal anything she could use as a weapon. She was in luck; her hand returned with another two grenades.
Another grenade, another swipe, another grenade and a slash of her claw and the Klikk's lifeless body fell to the floor. A few of the squad rushed forward, looking to scavenge any meat that could be used on board ship. Just as she remembered, the squad leader – Rid if she remembered rightly – stepped towards Tidus. He was going to attack him again. But judging by the state Tidus was in; Rikku doubted he would survive this time. Rid was getting nearer…and reaching for his Tempest Claw.
"No!"
Rikku jumped in the way, barely fitting in the small gap between the two men. However, her face caught the steel-tooth grip of Rid's claw and cringed as it tore through the flesh on her cheek. But still, she stood strong.
"Rikku – move. We must destroy the fiend."
Blurry eyed with tears, she stood her ground.
"No. He is no fiend. He is to come with me. We will return back to the ship."
Her short, sharp sentences gave her voice an edge of authority – reminding herself of when she was commanding her troops in the Mi'Ihen Highroad raid on fiends. Of course, now she thought about it, it had never happened. Nothing she had done in her life had happened. Nevermind that now, she reached down and helped Tidus up. He was weary of this girl, after all she had weapons and - judging by the rest of her people - weren't afraid to use them, but he was in pain and gladly accepted the help he was offered.
Moi===+++===+++===+++===
Okay – I know this chapters a bit boring too but you need them to set the scene. Be happy ^^ Please r+r and let me know if you have any idea's for storyline twists (but I guess that will ruin the surprise) Hmm…guess I'll upload this now :) By for now!
Major twist in the next chapter (I hope).
Ciao!
..::Rikku::..
(rikku__al_bhed)