Prisoner





Disclaimer: Nope, don't own it now either.

Rikku opened her eyes slowly, trying to remember where she was, her legs hurt from kneeling on them all night, her head felt oddly heavy as well. Tidus! Where was he?

She bolted upright, seeing with relief that Tidus was awake, alive and well.

Rikku! Your up! he greeted her happily, lifting his hand from her head.

Oh thank goodness! Rikku reached forward and hugged him, Do you know how worried I was? What where you thinking jumping at the Fiend like that?

Just trying to guard you.

Rikku released him, How long is it going o take to heal? she asked.

Your brother said a few months, unless I get some X-potions, then maybe a few days? Tidus guessed.

Rikku jumped up, finally, something she could do to help, Leave the X-potions to me, I'll bribe some Valahas.

She trotted to her room, deciding what she would need to take. Some ethers, her Targe with the pickpocket ability, her Godhand, hmm what else . . .

When she was done she surveyed her room. Hurricane Rikku had just passed through, and she would have to spend hours neatening it up later.

***

Brother sat at the computer screen, listening to the chatter of two Al Bhed girls behind him. He was supposed to be checking the messages transmitted from Bevelle, and send one to Yuna, telling her that Tidus was recovering here. That's what he was supposed to be doing, but instead he was staring off into space, Rikku had been acting strangely since her and Tidus had gotten back to the airship, but he couldn't figure out what had happened.



Brother jumped at his name, and turned around to face his father.

Dryd vneaht uv Tidus', Wakka E drehg, ec rana. [That friend of Tidus', Wakka I think, is here.]

Brother stood up, Ruf luimt ra ghuf?Fa teth'd pnutlycd yhodrehk ypuid rec ehzino, Rikku sicd ryja dumt res. [How could he know? We didn't broadcast anything about his injury, Rikku must have told him.]

Famm ra ec rana, lyh ra jeced Tidus? [Well he is here, can he visit Tidus?]

Oac, E femm cruf res eh. [Yes, I will show him in.] Brother didn't really like the Idea of that psycho yevonite prancing around Home, criticizing and condemning everything, but he knew Tidus would want to see him.

He walked to the main entrance, located Wakka and began leading him through the maze of Machina to his friends room.

Hey, Why didn't Tidus come meet me himself? Wakka asked after a few minutes.

Brother stopped, confused, Did not Rikku tell you to come?

No, I haven't seen Rikku for weeks, last I heard she was staying at Guadosalam, ya?

Well, if Rikku's not the one, then who tell you to come? Brother inquired.

Man, I heard what happened to Yuna, How she's married to Seymour, I went to Bevelle to find Tidus, Yuna said he vanished, and she asked me to find him and give him this letter. He held up an envelope, I guess he's here, ya?

Brother nodded, When he left Bevelle, he was hurt bad. Rikku brought him here, now she looking for X-potions.

Wakka made his hands into fists, Wha happened to him? He's alright, ya?

Brother shrugged, He and Rikku do not speak of what happened, I think big fiend attacked them. he was having trouble understanding him through his accent, Maybe he tell you.

They arrived at Tidus's door, and parted, Brother heading back to his father, Wakka entering the room to cross examine Tidus.

***

You feeling better, ya? Wakka asked his bedridden friend.

Well, they gave me some painkillers. Tidus informed him, Unfortunately, now I cant feel anything from my stomach down.

Ha ha, that bad, brudda? Wakka pulled up a chair next to Tidus, I went to Bevelle to find you as soon as I heard, but you had already split by the time I got there.

Sorry, Wakka.

Oh, no need to apologize, I would do the same thing if Lu left me. He produced the letter, When I got to Bevelle, Yuna begged me to find you and give you this.

Really? What's it say?

How should I know? I don't read other people's mail, or barge into other people's rooms . . . Wakka teased him.

He opened it, it was hand written in Yuna's delicate script, and started reading.

Tidus,
I know no amount of apologies can ever make up for what I have done to you. I guess it was selfish to want both you and Spira. Please try to understand, The people still love Seymour, and an alliance between the tribes of Spira is crucial.
Also Seymour is very powerful, and I was afraid if I turned him down to be with you, he would hurt you. You guarded me through my Pilgrimage, and now I shall return the favor, and protect you from Seymour the only way I can. I will always choose your safety over my happiness, and I hope you can find love, even if its not with me.

Yuna


Tidus rested his head back against the pillows, ignoring the tears that leaked out of his eyes.

That bad, Ya? Wakka asked quietly.

Tidus roughly brushed the tears away with the heel of his hand, Wakka, what do I do? Yuna means so much to me!

Wakka shook his head, I dunno, but I told you not to get any Ideas. he tried to coax a smile onto his friends lips.

Just then Brother burst in Where's Rikku?! Tidus did she say where she was going?

She said something about Valahas, so I guess the Sunken cave. Tidus sat up, alarmed by Brother's urgency. His stomach seemed to catch on fire, and he moaned, and grabbed the wound, apparently the painkillers had their limits.

Lie still. Brother commanded him, We receive awful news. The Guado and the Ronso have declare war. Seymour and Yuna have be trying to make peace, but it just not help enough. The Ronso want avenge their fallen comrades, and the Guado deny that they have anything to do with massacre.

Rikku is so close to Mt. Gagazet, do you think she's in danger?

The Ronso and Guado will fight in Calm lands most likely. Brother told him, She'll be cut off, I get Airship.

I wanna go with you! Tidus slid his feet out of bed, ignoring the black spots that danced in front of his eyes when he tried to stand.

Hey man! Ya cant get up! Wakka grabbed his shoulders, trying to force him back down.

Wakka let me go! Rikku's in trouble!

Tidus, its just Rikku! She can take care of herself, ya! Wanna make yer injury worse? Wakka let him go afraid that he would hurt his friend more, because he was struggling so much.

Tidus staggered forward, and gripped the chair Wakka had been sitting in for support. He cast around for his shirt and Overall like top, and realized with a start that Rikku had probably forgotten them in Macalania.

Dismissing that drawback, he stumbled forward, only to have Brother stop him with a firm fist on his chest.

We leave in two hours. he informed him, shoving him backwards. Tidus was something, one second he was crying about his cousin, and the next he was practically committing suicide over his little sister.

I'm going with you.

Brother shrugged, You will have to convince Father. and with that, he turned on his heels and left.

What's with ya, brudda? Wakka asked when Brother had left. He helped Tidus back to his bed.

Remember when we traveled through Macalania? Tidus asked his raising his hand to his face in an attempt to hide a blush.



Remember I told you what happened when I went to find Yuna.

You kissed her. Wakka answered, Not something I would recommend, ya.

I loved her then, I honestly did, and I still do now, but now . . .



Tidus almost growled in frustration, I think I have a crush on Rikku.

Wakka laughed, No way man!

Yea, ever since We left the Farplane together, and I've just liked her more and more, and now I'm so screwed up I don't know what to think.

You love her, ya? Wakka whispered, it was more of a statement than a question.

No, I cant, I cant love her because I love Yuna! I don't know what the hell goes through my head because one second I'm pining over Yuna, and the next I'm kissing Rikku!

Wha? You kissed her? Wakka asked, shocked.

It's just, she was saying how she couldn't stand to see me like that, and then we slipped on the Ice, and before I knew what I was doing I had grabbed her and -

Woah, Ya weren't kidding, you are a mess.

What should I do Wakka? I don't want to lead Rikku on! I'm not even sure if I AM leading her on!

Ya just need to think about it. Wakka told him, Lu would say make a list of pros and cons or something.

Then something resurfaced in his mind.

Something else wrong, ya?

I just remembered, Rikku told me she likes someone else!

We talkin about the same Rikku? Wakka asked, Lu had told him after the Pilgrimage, that Rikku fancied Tidus, but she had never dared say anything because of Yuna.

No, when we where traveling, she said she liked this guy who totally blew her off.

Well, that means you got a chance, ya!

***

I recognize her! One of the Guado guards said.

The one who had her tied yanked hard on her hair so that his men could see her face better.

She was hanging around Guadosalam a few weeks ago.

So your a spy! The leader said triumphantly.

No! I'm not! I- But the man struck her across the face, and Rikku stopped talking, too stunned to do anything but glare.

They had caught her when she was on her way back from the Sunken Cave, it had taken a wile, but she had managed to get her hands on three x-potions.

She had been caught by surprise, seeing humans wasn't a very common occasion, she had thought they where some sort of new squad, patrolling the Calm lands, and had walked right up to them.

Stupid.

She sat tied to a pole, along with a few Ronso. Having spent the last week underground in a moldy drippy cave, she hadn't heard anything about a war between the Ronso and Guado. From what she had gathered, they had declared war only an hour ago, though there had been plenty of violent encounters beforehand.

Brother would come looking for her, probably with the airship, and Kimhari would be an officer in the Ronso army. She could talk her way out of this, right?

Rikku shook her head, trying to shake off the ache under her left eye, which was busily turning itself into a bruise. Another great accessory to add to her face, man why hadn't she DUCKED!

Yuna never has black eyes. Rikku complained to herself.

Shut up, heathen. One of the guards hit her knee with the butt of his Machina gun.

Yet another bruise to add to the collection. Rikku had always envied girls like Yuna and Lulu, they seemed to be made of porcelain. Always primped, proper, and looking like they had just stepped out of a damn tea party.

Rikku had always been considered one of the guys. She could swim, fight with physical attacks, and do all sorts of stuff that boys did, she just couldn't be ladylike. Great way to impress Tidus. She thought to herself, for guys, looking like a human Blitzball is a definite turn on.

Rikku, in spite of herself had to bite down a snicker, Tidus, the Blitzball junkie that he was, could damn well think that looking like a Blitzball is a turn on.

Tidus, Brother, get here quick. Please for the love of MACHINA get here quick.

***

Boy, I cant let you come. Cid told Tidus, his stomach wound had all but reopened.

Please Cid, please I have to go with you. Tidus begged.

You shouldn't even be out of bed! Cid scolded the Blitzball player.

I have to go with you! I would never forgive myself if Rikku gets hurt. Tidus's eyed where covered by his spiky bangs, but his voice was pleading.

Come if you must. Cid grumbled, I don't have time to stand here and argue.

Wakka gave him a final clap on the back and said Knock em dead, ya!

Tidus nodded, and followed Cid onto the airship. He sat by a window, trying to ease himself against the wall. He had never realized just how much the airship jostled its contents, and every bump felt like a knife in his gut.

He knew the Guado could be merciless, he had experienced it first had during their attack on Home. They had killed the Al Bhed in cold blood, and now he was scared for Rikku.

***

Ugh, Where are they? Rikku thought to herself. The Guado where packing up their camp, but they made no signs of taking their prisoners with them. Probably going to leave us to the fiends, she thought angrily.

Within an hour the Guado where almost out of sight, and Rikku busied herself with trying to escape. Black magic wouldn't work, she wasn't advanced enough to cast spells without hand movements. Her Godhand had been placed on the ground just out of her reach. She couldn't open the pack on her leg, so she couldn't use any of her explosives.

God damn it. she swore, her legs where cramped horribly, but she struggled to her feet. She grabbed the pole, which looked like it wasn't buried more than a foot or two into the ground, and hauled upwards.

To her surprise it gave a little, and she smiled, she could get herself out of this jam yet.

She was so busy trying to free herself that she was startled to see the airship on the horizon. Finally! She watched it descend and land on the grass about 50 yards away. Several people got out, Three came over to her, Brother, Cid, and . . . Tidus?! He shouldn't be out of bed! What the hell did he think he was doing?

Brother knelt down beside her, and began cutting the ropes on her wrists, Who did this to you?

The Guado. They thought I was a spy, cause I had been at the Farplane. She rubbed her wrists.

Come on! Cid roughly grabbed her sore wrist and dragged her forward, she stumbled a bit, but managed to keep up.

Where are we going? She winced.

To Bevelle, Seymour is going to have to answer for this!

Both she and Tidus stopped, not liking the Idea of going to Bevelle.

I don't want to go! Rikku whined.

You not mad? Brother put an arm around her waist, guiding her forward.

Of course I'm mad, but-

Well then its settled. Cid told them, We set a course for Bevelle.

***

Rikku sat sulking as the ship started, her eye was swollen, and she was fretting about confronting Yunie. On top of that, Tidus had not spoken to her since she had gotten on the airship. Finally she sighed, she would break the silence, she wasn't scared.



The blond boy looked up, he had been hunched over, arms wrapped around his stomach, and drops trickling down his face from the Water spell.

I have some X-potions. she produced them and held them out.

He regarded the three potions she held out, and his face which had been glum became even more depressed.

It's my fault.

What is?

Everything, its my fault that you where out there, and that you got hurt! he brought one of is hands up to her face, and ran his thumb gently underneath her left eye.

She flinched slightly, since any sort of pressure hurt.

Tidus! Nobody knew! It's not your fault. she had expected him to be apologetic, but not to try to take full responsibility. A black eye is nothing! I've had tons! I would suffer through a lot more to heal that cut on your stomach. she reassured him.

He gave her a sideways glance, but looked unconvinced.

Anyways, what are you doing up? she asked, trying to change the subject.

I had to make sure you where safe. he told her, Your the only one left.

She stopped, not quite understanding what he meant.

The last one left other than me who hasn't been able to move on. From the pilgrimage I mean. It was Hell at home, and depressing in the Farplane, the Pilgrimage was just a great escape, like Blitzball.

Rikku nodded, she couldn't remember her ever open up to Yunie, and that confirmed what she had suspected, even feared. She was just a replacement, a memory of Yuna, and he was attracted to what she represented, not her.

She put the X-potions down next to him, and fled, she had no excuse for crying, and she didn't want him to see.

***

She had hoped to calm herself down alone, but things hadn't been going the way she hoped lately, and now was no exception.

Rikku, Drana oui yna! [Rikku, There you are!]

She looked up at the speaker, she recognized him as one of Brother's friends, but in her hysteria, she couldn't remember his name.

Ku yfyo. [Go away.] she told him shortly.

Ouin lnoehk! [Your crying!] he remarked surprised, and sat down next to her, Fryd'c fnuhk? [What's wrong?]

She stared at him, Judda was his name if she remembered correctly.

Fryd sygac oui drehg cusadrehk'c fnuhk? [What makes you think something's wrong?]

Edc dryd Huh-Al Bhed puovneaht uv ouinc ech'd ed? Tet ra tisb oui? [Its that Non-Al Bhed boyfriend of yours isn't it? Did he dump you?]

Rikku shook her head. Her and Tidus spent so much time together that the rumors and gossip where probably that they where an Item.

Hu, ra tuach'd mega sa. [No, he doesn't like me.] she informed him, looking down.

Awww Rikku. Judda said sympathetically, and he leaned over to give her a kiss on the cheek.

She looked back up at her name, and the kiss headed for her cheek landed on her lips instead.

Judda yanked back surprised, and opened his mouth to apologize, but before he could say anything, she heard a familiar voice, uttering something between a choke and a yelp of surprise.

She was on her feet in an instant. What could she say? It's not what it looks like! But what had he seen? Before she could do anything other than call his name he had whirled around and headed quickly back the way he had came.

Cunno! Cunno! Judda jumped up too, looking distraught, he could tell that the encounter had been a negative one.

Not your fault. Rikku yelled back, taking off after Tidus.

***

Tidus mind was a whirl of confusion. Was that the boy Rikku had liked? He had used the X-potions and then gone to find her, to thank her. He had walked in just in time to see the boy kiss her.

True she had seemed as shocked as when he had kissed her, and she had leapt up to try to explain almost instantly. And he remembered that Cunno' meant sorry, the boy had been apologizeing when he left.

He yelled shaking his head. Was he jealous? It had felt the same way when He had crashed Yuna's wedding.



It was Rikku.

After the way he acted she would be suspicious, wouldn't she?

There you are! Rikku rounded the bend in the hallway and ran her fingers nervously over her hair.

Tidus couldn't help grinning at her flustered appearance.

You weren't supposed to see that. she stammered.

That doesn't change the fact that it happened. He shot back, You kissed that boy.

No, he kissed me, and it was an accident!

You didn't get mad! Tidus reminded her.

Judda is a friend of Brother's, and I didn't get mad when You kissed me, and that was on purpose! It must have been the mood of Macalania that had possessed him to do such a thing.

Yea, well, that was different. He snarled.

Why are you so mad Tidus?! she asked, taking a step back, Tidus could be scary when he got mad.

You love Yunie! she reminded him when he didn't answer, Why are you so mad? She took a deep breath, bracing herself, Are you mad because you like me?

She bit her lower lip, there, it was out in the open, she had asked the question whose answer had been tormenting her since she met him.

Tidus anger left him and was replaced with an awkward embarrassment. He did like her, but she ad said herself that she liked another boy. Admitting his feelings would probably ruin their friendship.

He was saved from having to answer because just then Cid's voice came onto the intercom.

--Tidus! Rikku! Brother! Get your butts to the Bridge we've reached Bevelle.--

Rikku snorted as Tidus leaped up and headed for the bridge. She followed him, brooding slightly, His discomfort was a good sign, and he hadn't said no. Maybe she could squeeze an answer out of him later.