I'm With You
{In The End}
Disclaimer:I don't own anything
Thank you all who reviewed,I am SO SO SO happy with all of the responses with this story and thanks to alot of hard thinking,your suggestions and sad music I now know what I want to end the story with!!!
Thank you to:
Belsidate
Clifton G. McJames
phrozen-heart
RdawgX
Callik
Kati Dincht aka MiNi SoRcErEsS
Xtreme Nuisance
KiLlEr SaFtY PiN
Bandit-Gurl42
acrazylinkinpink
keebler-elmo
Cyber Pheonix
angels kissx
Deathlordofdoom
punkygal
Cryptic Dragon
and all of the people who reviewed for the 4th chapter after I posted this!
WOW! what alot of people...I feel loved *hugs all of people above*
AND A SPECIAL NOTE TO:Belsidat;
OMG,thank you so much for your review,the idea you had about Resku and Tidus having a friendly conversation was brilliant,expect to see it ahead,Sorry I can't use your Idea about Kimarhi thou,that does make since,but I want to readers to feel that Rikku trusts the person she is attached to with anything,Thanks again luv!
Now for chapter 5
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Rikku finished the dishes quickly,she had some other chores to do...like mend the tank in her fathers vehicle.
The only reason she didn't mouth off or refuse was because she was afraid she would be denied the chance to go to the party,and for once she REALLY did want to go to one of Yuna's stupid party's!
"RIKKU!!!" Yuna's voice came from upstairs just as Rikku had opened the door to the garage...Yuna must have tried to wash her hair....
All day Rikku made a big deal out of going because if Yuna found out that she really did want to go then she would be staying home all night.
"It is suppose to storm very bad tonight so the festive's will be moved inside" Rikku herd Yuna tell one of the planners over the communicator as she towel dried her hair.
Rikku went back to wrenching the bolts of her machina bike.She was kind of glad it was going to rain again,she enjoyed the rain on the windowsill much more than she liked the sunshine through the curtains.
Rikku ran a hand through her hair and it fell in front of her face,she could smell the shampoo and it soothed her so she kept it in front of her face.
When she was done with her bike she washed her oil soaked hands.
She still had a bit left under her finger nail's but she wasn't worried about it,She hadn't run into Tidus all day...to tell the truth she had been avoiding him,busing herself with the bikes just in case he came down...but she hadn't seen him.
"Dad,have you seen Tidus?"Rikku asked,
"What?..Oh,uh...yeah he left early this mourning,you were in the garage,he won't be back until the party"He said and went back to helping Yuna with the attendance list.
'Out? I wonder where he is...he probably did it so he wouldn't have to see me,like I blame him...'She thought to herself.
She decided she should go and look for him,so she went out of the front door,the rain clouds were already in view,she could smell the crisp,pre-rain air.The wind picked up and it chilled her arms but she didn't care.
She walked around the block and around the south part of the city for almost two hours but Tidus was no where to be found and it frustrated Rikku.She walked down to the ocean,her only true friend for the past couple years.The water was being tossed by the wind,stirring up potential waves.
She grabbed her hair tightly,clutching it and she yelled to the sky.
"Damn Tidus!"She said to the stirring waters,she let go of her hair and slowly paced on the beach," 'Rikku lets talk','Rikku who are you?','Your not the Rikku I know'!"She repeated to the waves in a snobbish voice,"Well I tried finding you,but guess what Tidus! You aren't there!"She kicked the sand and the grains went flying.She let out a frustrated,strong yet tired growl and kicked the sand again.
She couldn't take it anymore,she collapsed on the sand and curled her arms around herself and the tears started to come.She choked and sobbed,all of the pain,misery and loneliness pouring out.Tonights banquet pushed from her mind as her body racked with tears.No one there to comfort her,no one to wipe away her tear,no one to tell her everything would be ok,and the one man who said he would be there to do all of those things ran away from her.
'There I go again'She thought,'being mad at him and then he'll go and do something stupid like being sweet'.
Rikku couldn't tell you when it began to rain,she really couldn't.All she could tell you was one minute she was on the dry sand and the next she was standing in the rain at the ocean mouth.She looked down at her watch and cried out,It was an hour before they left for the banquet.
She said her goodbyes to the ocean and ran full speed to the house.She swung open the door,kicked it shut and raced to her room,she didn't care if the floor was sandy,she would just promise to clean it up later.
When she reached her room she kicked off her shoes and shed her cloths to find new ones.It was the outfit she wore on the pilgrimage,she hadn't seen it for almost 4 years...she decided to hide it,along with the memory's that came with it.She slipped on the orange shirt,green shorts and blue and white boots.She snapped on her brown belt and arm guards.Yuna wanted everyone to dress like they did when they defeated Sin.
She went to her mirror and quickly brushed her hair straight.She got out her band and pulled it up into the bun she had always use to wear.She let the ends spoof out and she grabbed two strands from the back of her neck.She quickly braided each strand and tied it with two pieces of orange cloth.
She looked at her reflection and,aside from the bun and braids being a tad longer because of her hair growing out,and her paler skin...she actually looked like her 15 year old self.She remembered those days,when she was hyper and happy...but even then,despite the mask she put on day after day she still held some burdens...but those burdens had tripled over time and weighed down on her heart,crushing it and pushing her into depression.
She dried away a tear as she herd her father call,"Rikku,were leaving...come now!"She quickly left her room and darted downstairs and out the door her father was holding open for her.
~(---------------------------------------------------)~
They had to get their early so Yuna could help coordinate the decorations.Rikku so far just sat down in one of the chair's with her head down,facing the door so she could see Tidus...and the other person she was itching to see again.Rikku looked down at her watch,it was going to start it 15 minutes.
A few important people,old men with long white beards and long purple,blue or green robes.Rikku once wondered why all of the important men were old.She remembered asking her father and him chuckling,saying "Well now,Rikku.Not all important men are old,why...look at me!" and then Rikku had said,"But papa,you are old".They had laughed about that one for a while...the joke of him being old lingered,Rikku would always call him "Old Man" whenever she wanted to joke with him.But that was in the past,before sin was defeated and Rikku was a happy,loved and warm little girl.Her and her fathers bond had been severed almost completely when Yuna came into the picture,after Sin.
Rikku sighed and propped her head on her arms,she was so anxious for the party to start that all this sitting around had begun to make her tired...she hoped someone would get here soon.She looked down at her watch,14 minutes to go,Rikku sighed very loudly and flopped her head on the table.
~(---)~
About 5 minutes 'till the door swung open and in stepped none other than...Resku.
Rikku watched wide eyed as he walked over to Yuna and they began talking,She looked around and saw,for the first time,no one else was in the room with them...'I wounder where everyone went?'she thought to herself.She slowly and carefully slid under the table and crawled on all fours,there was a line of tables right next to the one Yuna and Resku were talking near.She slowly and carefully crawled on all fours under the tables,careful not to disturb any of the legs,chairs or table cloth.
About 5 tables later she finally herd clearly Yuna and Resku's voices.She lied flat on her stomach under the table and she could see Yuna's black boots and Resku's large brown ones from under the dark purple table cloth.
"Don't Resku...not here,Rikku's right there"She herd Yuna say and Rikku's breath caught in her throat,Damn,they knew she was here."Were is she,I don't see her..."Came Resku's voice,Rikku saw his boots turn to face the table she had been sitting at and she let out the breath she had been holding softly,they didn't see her go under the table...Thank God.
"She must have left..."Yuna's voice trailed off,Resku took a step closer to Yuna,"Resku"Yuna giggled softly,"Someone could see".
"They're all out getting ready"Resku's husky voice replied,"Aww...Resku that tickles...stop"Yuna giggled.Rikku scrunched up her face in disgust,she didn't even want to know what was going on.
"Come one,we need to get ready for the guests"Yuna said and they walked away.Rikku slowly peeked out from under the table to find she was all alone in the room.She sighed and slid out from under the table and picked herself up,"Eww!"She said,cringing at what she just herd..."Gross,I'm never spying on those two again!"She promised herself...but then remembered she never gave up a chance to spy on Yuna and gather black-mailing information.
She went into the corner as people began to file in,and the party began.
It wasn't long before the banquet hall was full of people.Rikku had to stand on her tip-toes to look around...Finally she saw her.
She raced to head of black hair she had seen over the crowd,pushing people out of her way earning many "Ohh","The nerve of her" and "Children these days".
"Lulu!"Rikku called and ran up to the tall woman.She wrapped her arms around her and smiled,"It's been so long!"Rikku exclaimed.Lulu smiled and hugged Rikku back,"Look how tall you've gotten Rikku,your hair is longer too"She picked up one of the braids and examined it before dropping it back onto Rikku's shoulder.
"How have you been?"Rikku asked,smiling,"I've been fine,Wakka and I got married not long ago"Lulu said,showing her the silver band on her long,pale,dark purple polished finger.Rikku held her hand closer to her face and examined the perfect silver band,"Wow,it's beautiful Lulu"Rikku exclaimed.
"Thanks you,so Rikku,is there any guy I should know about?"Lulu asked as they took a seat.'Yeah,Resku that low,down rotten,scumbag!',Rikku smiled "No,not really...I kinda like life alone",She told her simply.
Rikku took a quick glance around,Yuna was talking to some old people with Kimarhi by her side,Cid was talking to some of Albhed,Brother was examining someones machina bit,Wakka was joking around with some of the old Aurochs,Resku was talking to other old guys but glancing at Yuna every other sentence.
Rikku and Lulu spent alot of time catching up,yes,Lulu was the one Rikku was waiting to see.At the beginning of the Pilgrimage,when Rikku first joined Lulu had been a bit cold to her,they were two completely different people,Lulu was calm,quiet and serious while Rikku was wild,crazy and goofy.It wasn't until later that they began to understand each other,they found they had somethings in common and Rikku learned she was able to rely on Lulu,to tell her everything and Lulu never laughed at her,made fun of her or made her feel bad,she was always wise and supportive and always knew what Rikku needed to do.
After sin was defeated Lulu and Wakka went off,They kept in touch for a little bit,but when Rikku started getting depressed she cut herself off from everyone...and Lulu never sent her anything asking what was wrong so Rikku just figured she didn't care or just didn't notice.
"I haven't seen Tidus yet"Rikku said aloud quietly,Lulu looked at her and then scanned the crowd,"Oh,there he is!"Lulu said,pointing over to the right.Rikku's head jerked up and she smiled as she saw Tidus standing there talking...to Resku?
Her smiled quickly faded and she felt her insides twist,she wanted to cry and scream at the same time,but she was also very curious.What kind of game is Resku and Yuna playing?She watched reluctantly as Resku and Tidus were chatting it up like old friends.Lulu watched Rikku's emotions with interest as she watched the albhed watch the men talking.Lulu could sense a change about Rikku's aura when she hugged her,something was different about the young Albhed,that much was for sure,but what,Lulu just couldn't put her finger on it.
The talking died down as Yuna took the podium,Just then Wakka slid down next to Lulu,"Hey Baby!"He whispered,slipping next to her,handing her a drink.Lulu took the drink from him,and said in a quiet,slightly annoyed yet monotone voice,"I told you not to call me that".Rikku chuckled at that,she loved the chemistry between the two,it was so wrong it was right.
"Oh,Hey Riks"Wakka said,finally noticing her,she smiled and waved.Wakka had gotten over the whole,Rikku=Albhed thing and they actually began to get along...he became like her big brother almost.
Yuna began talking about the honors of working with such wonderful people and something about the difficulties of destroying Sin,but Rikku stopped listening.
About 15 minutes of Yuna's droning the whole party was called to the stage,"Come on Rikku"Lulu hissed at her,Rikku had fallen asleep but was quickly pulled up by Lulu,so no one noticed,"Thanks"Rikku whispered quickly before they were up on stage.
Everyone clapped as they all bowed or waved or something,except for Kimarhi,who just stood there,looking slightly annoyed with having to be here.
They were aloud to leave the stage and the party went on,the rain had stopped so people were aloud out on the many balconies on the building."Come on,let's go get some fresh air Rikku,I have something for you."Lulu said,leading her to the north balcony.
~(---)~
When they reached it,it was all empty,Lulu closed the doors so they wouldn't be disturbed.The moon shown bright and filled the night with a luster of light.The crashing ocean was below them,it had calmed a bit after the storm,but the waters were still stirred and murky.
Rikku sat down on the bench,that was dry thanks to the large umbrella that covered it,Lulu sat beside her.
She pulled out a medium sized white box and Rikku's first reaction was 'cloths'.
"Happy Birthday Rikku"She said happily,Rikku took the box,eyes wide in aww.
"You remembered?"Rikku asked in disbelief and looked up at Lulu.
Lulu gave a chuckle,"Of course I remembered,how could I not with you complaining 3 years ago about having to track down Sin on your Birthday,you drove us all nuts"She said smiling,Rikku smiled too,as she remembered that day.
It was her birthday and they were hot on Sins trail and she kept on complaining about how she was 16,sweet 16,and she didn't even get a present...So of course to shut her up everyone threw her a surprise party,she didn't get any presents because supply's were limited,but they still had a good time.
Rikku opened up the white box and inside was a small moogle."Ahhh!"Rikku squealed in happiness,"A Moogle!! I've always wanted one"She took it out of the box and hugged it close to her chest and she buried her face in it's head.It had a white,soft body and head,it's eyes were shut and it had a large red nose and a small pink bow between it's ears.It was true,she always loved watching Lulu fight with her moogles and always begged her for one,she knew she didn't have the power to make it move,or do any attacks but it was still very cute,and nice to have.
"I remembered you wanted one,this is the first one I ever had"Lulu told her with a smile,happy she could pass on her prized treasure on to someone who appreciated it.
It almost brought tears to Rikku's eyes,"Lulu"Rikku said sadly...this was it.
"Yes?"Lulu asked her curiously,wounder about the change in attitude to quickly.
"Not everything is alright"Rikku finally told her.
"What do you mean,is someone is trouble or what?"Lulu was becoming very confused.
"I mean,not everything is as they seem...something has been happening...to me and to someone else..."Rikku began meekly.
"Rikku,would you tell me what is going on!"Lulu demanded
Rikku let out a deep breath and burst out crying,"Oh Lulu! Things have been terrible,people have been ignoring me,pushing me out...so I started to push them out,and I've been isolating myself and I just feel that people don't care anymore.I've been getting in trouble for everything little thing,I only go out when it rains or at night.I don't know how I let it get this bad,I just...just,don't feel human anymore,and then when Tidus tried to reach out to me I shoved it in his face and now I think he's avoiding me! I don't know what to do"She buried her face in her hands and began crying.
Lulu had listened to the whole thing intently,and it came as a shock to her.Never had she imagined the hyper,uplifting Albhed to be so full of dark emotion like this...she had experience the same thing when she was her age and she really hadn't warmed up until the pilgrimage.Yet,all of this made sense...at least it explained why Rikku stopped writing.
"Rikku,come here"She said and she gathered the crying girl into her arms,"Don't worry Rikku,everything will be fine,I know everything feels hopeless now,and it probably will feel like that for a while...but your strong,you'll get through it."
"Am I?"Rikku asked,picking her head up,"Am I really that strong...I don't think so,I thought so,but not anymore.I can't handle everything!"Rikku cried.
Lulu sighed and let the girl cry on her shoulder,when she remembered something...
"You said something about,someone else...something happening to someone else."Lulu said,"What is it?"
Rikku sat up and dried the tears from her eyes,she wasn't sure if she wanted to tell Lulu about Yuna cheating or not,would Lulu believe her? She had known Yuna longer,who's side would Lulu take?
"I...uh...that is to say..."Rikku tried to find words to start out...
Lulu said nothing,just waited for her to start
"I think,that is,that...um...Yuna is...err..."Pause,"CheatingonTidus"She said that part quick,hoping that Lulu hadn't understood that.
"What?"Lulu said in disbelieve.
'Damn,leave it to Lulu to be able to understand me when I'm talking quick.'Rikku thought.
"Are you sure? That's not it Yuna's nature,are you sure your not making up story's?"Lulu asked.
"What?"It was Rikku's turn to stare wide-eyed.
"You just said yourself that people have been ignoring you,are you sure this isn't a cry for attention?"Lulu asked.
"Urg!"Rikku grunted,"No! I'm telling you the truth! God,I knew you wouldn't believe me,I should have known you would have brushed me off as a foolish little girl making up story's,just like everyone else!"Rikku said angrily and went to get up.
"Rikku Wait,I believe you,sit down."Lulu said sternly.
Rikku huffed,but sat down anyway.
"Now,have you told anyone else?"Lulu asked.
"No,your the first."
"Well,who is she cheating with?"
"Resku"
"Senator Resku?,man,I knew that guy was a womanizing jerk but..."Lulu's sentence trailed off.
People inside were starting to leave,"Hey Lu,let's head out!"Wakka called.
"I'll be right there!"Lulu called back.
Lulu turned back to Rikku and placed her hands over the young girls hands,"Everything will be alright,if anything goes wrong,or something doesn't seem right or you just need help,don't be afraid to seek me out."Lulu told her and with a quick hug and goodbyes,Lulu was gone.
Rikku sighed and wrapped up the moogle in the box again and put the box under her arm.
She went inside the building,most of the people were gone and everyone who got here early were helping clean up.
Rikku slumped into one of the chairs and sighed,she needed to find Tidus.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wow,Hows that for a long chapter.Don't worry,I don't have a poll today,I wanna keep you guys in mystery and also Rikku will seek out Tidus to apologize in the next chapter,promise...I have something planned out,I hope the next chapter is as long as this one.
Thank you for reading R&R
{In The End}
Disclaimer:I don't own anything
Thank you all who reviewed,I am SO SO SO happy with all of the responses with this story and thanks to alot of hard thinking,your suggestions and sad music I now know what I want to end the story with!!!
Thank you to:
Belsidate
Clifton G. McJames
phrozen-heart
RdawgX
Callik
Kati Dincht aka MiNi SoRcErEsS
Xtreme Nuisance
KiLlEr SaFtY PiN
Bandit-Gurl42
acrazylinkinpink
keebler-elmo
Cyber Pheonix
angels kissx
Deathlordofdoom
punkygal
Cryptic Dragon
and all of the people who reviewed for the 4th chapter after I posted this!
WOW! what alot of people...I feel loved *hugs all of people above*
AND A SPECIAL NOTE TO:Belsidat;
OMG,thank you so much for your review,the idea you had about Resku and Tidus having a friendly conversation was brilliant,expect to see it ahead,Sorry I can't use your Idea about Kimarhi thou,that does make since,but I want to readers to feel that Rikku trusts the person she is attached to with anything,Thanks again luv!
Now for chapter 5
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Rikku finished the dishes quickly,she had some other chores to do...like mend the tank in her fathers vehicle.
The only reason she didn't mouth off or refuse was because she was afraid she would be denied the chance to go to the party,and for once she REALLY did want to go to one of Yuna's stupid party's!
"RIKKU!!!" Yuna's voice came from upstairs just as Rikku had opened the door to the garage...Yuna must have tried to wash her hair....
All day Rikku made a big deal out of going because if Yuna found out that she really did want to go then she would be staying home all night.
"It is suppose to storm very bad tonight so the festive's will be moved inside" Rikku herd Yuna tell one of the planners over the communicator as she towel dried her hair.
Rikku went back to wrenching the bolts of her machina bike.She was kind of glad it was going to rain again,she enjoyed the rain on the windowsill much more than she liked the sunshine through the curtains.
Rikku ran a hand through her hair and it fell in front of her face,she could smell the shampoo and it soothed her so she kept it in front of her face.
When she was done with her bike she washed her oil soaked hands.
She still had a bit left under her finger nail's but she wasn't worried about it,She hadn't run into Tidus all day...to tell the truth she had been avoiding him,busing herself with the bikes just in case he came down...but she hadn't seen him.
"Dad,have you seen Tidus?"Rikku asked,
"What?..Oh,uh...yeah he left early this mourning,you were in the garage,he won't be back until the party"He said and went back to helping Yuna with the attendance list.
'Out? I wonder where he is...he probably did it so he wouldn't have to see me,like I blame him...'She thought to herself.
She decided she should go and look for him,so she went out of the front door,the rain clouds were already in view,she could smell the crisp,pre-rain air.The wind picked up and it chilled her arms but she didn't care.
She walked around the block and around the south part of the city for almost two hours but Tidus was no where to be found and it frustrated Rikku.She walked down to the ocean,her only true friend for the past couple years.The water was being tossed by the wind,stirring up potential waves.
She grabbed her hair tightly,clutching it and she yelled to the sky.
"Damn Tidus!"She said to the stirring waters,she let go of her hair and slowly paced on the beach," 'Rikku lets talk','Rikku who are you?','Your not the Rikku I know'!"She repeated to the waves in a snobbish voice,"Well I tried finding you,but guess what Tidus! You aren't there!"She kicked the sand and the grains went flying.She let out a frustrated,strong yet tired growl and kicked the sand again.
She couldn't take it anymore,she collapsed on the sand and curled her arms around herself and the tears started to come.She choked and sobbed,all of the pain,misery and loneliness pouring out.Tonights banquet pushed from her mind as her body racked with tears.No one there to comfort her,no one to wipe away her tear,no one to tell her everything would be ok,and the one man who said he would be there to do all of those things ran away from her.
'There I go again'She thought,'being mad at him and then he'll go and do something stupid like being sweet'.
Rikku couldn't tell you when it began to rain,she really couldn't.All she could tell you was one minute she was on the dry sand and the next she was standing in the rain at the ocean mouth.She looked down at her watch and cried out,It was an hour before they left for the banquet.
She said her goodbyes to the ocean and ran full speed to the house.She swung open the door,kicked it shut and raced to her room,she didn't care if the floor was sandy,she would just promise to clean it up later.
When she reached her room she kicked off her shoes and shed her cloths to find new ones.It was the outfit she wore on the pilgrimage,she hadn't seen it for almost 4 years...she decided to hide it,along with the memory's that came with it.She slipped on the orange shirt,green shorts and blue and white boots.She snapped on her brown belt and arm guards.Yuna wanted everyone to dress like they did when they defeated Sin.
She went to her mirror and quickly brushed her hair straight.She got out her band and pulled it up into the bun she had always use to wear.She let the ends spoof out and she grabbed two strands from the back of her neck.She quickly braided each strand and tied it with two pieces of orange cloth.
She looked at her reflection and,aside from the bun and braids being a tad longer because of her hair growing out,and her paler skin...she actually looked like her 15 year old self.She remembered those days,when she was hyper and happy...but even then,despite the mask she put on day after day she still held some burdens...but those burdens had tripled over time and weighed down on her heart,crushing it and pushing her into depression.
She dried away a tear as she herd her father call,"Rikku,were leaving...come now!"She quickly left her room and darted downstairs and out the door her father was holding open for her.
~(---------------------------------------------------)~
They had to get their early so Yuna could help coordinate the decorations.Rikku so far just sat down in one of the chair's with her head down,facing the door so she could see Tidus...and the other person she was itching to see again.Rikku looked down at her watch,it was going to start it 15 minutes.
A few important people,old men with long white beards and long purple,blue or green robes.Rikku once wondered why all of the important men were old.She remembered asking her father and him chuckling,saying "Well now,Rikku.Not all important men are old,why...look at me!" and then Rikku had said,"But papa,you are old".They had laughed about that one for a while...the joke of him being old lingered,Rikku would always call him "Old Man" whenever she wanted to joke with him.But that was in the past,before sin was defeated and Rikku was a happy,loved and warm little girl.Her and her fathers bond had been severed almost completely when Yuna came into the picture,after Sin.
Rikku sighed and propped her head on her arms,she was so anxious for the party to start that all this sitting around had begun to make her tired...she hoped someone would get here soon.She looked down at her watch,14 minutes to go,Rikku sighed very loudly and flopped her head on the table.
~(---)~
About 5 minutes 'till the door swung open and in stepped none other than...Resku.
Rikku watched wide eyed as he walked over to Yuna and they began talking,She looked around and saw,for the first time,no one else was in the room with them...'I wounder where everyone went?'she thought to herself.She slowly and carefully slid under the table and crawled on all fours,there was a line of tables right next to the one Yuna and Resku were talking near.She slowly and carefully crawled on all fours under the tables,careful not to disturb any of the legs,chairs or table cloth.
About 5 tables later she finally herd clearly Yuna and Resku's voices.She lied flat on her stomach under the table and she could see Yuna's black boots and Resku's large brown ones from under the dark purple table cloth.
"Don't Resku...not here,Rikku's right there"She herd Yuna say and Rikku's breath caught in her throat,Damn,they knew she was here."Were is she,I don't see her..."Came Resku's voice,Rikku saw his boots turn to face the table she had been sitting at and she let out the breath she had been holding softly,they didn't see her go under the table...Thank God.
"She must have left..."Yuna's voice trailed off,Resku took a step closer to Yuna,"Resku"Yuna giggled softly,"Someone could see".
"They're all out getting ready"Resku's husky voice replied,"Aww...Resku that tickles...stop"Yuna giggled.Rikku scrunched up her face in disgust,she didn't even want to know what was going on.
"Come one,we need to get ready for the guests"Yuna said and they walked away.Rikku slowly peeked out from under the table to find she was all alone in the room.She sighed and slid out from under the table and picked herself up,"Eww!"She said,cringing at what she just herd..."Gross,I'm never spying on those two again!"She promised herself...but then remembered she never gave up a chance to spy on Yuna and gather black-mailing information.
She went into the corner as people began to file in,and the party began.
It wasn't long before the banquet hall was full of people.Rikku had to stand on her tip-toes to look around...Finally she saw her.
She raced to head of black hair she had seen over the crowd,pushing people out of her way earning many "Ohh","The nerve of her" and "Children these days".
"Lulu!"Rikku called and ran up to the tall woman.She wrapped her arms around her and smiled,"It's been so long!"Rikku exclaimed.Lulu smiled and hugged Rikku back,"Look how tall you've gotten Rikku,your hair is longer too"She picked up one of the braids and examined it before dropping it back onto Rikku's shoulder.
"How have you been?"Rikku asked,smiling,"I've been fine,Wakka and I got married not long ago"Lulu said,showing her the silver band on her long,pale,dark purple polished finger.Rikku held her hand closer to her face and examined the perfect silver band,"Wow,it's beautiful Lulu"Rikku exclaimed.
"Thanks you,so Rikku,is there any guy I should know about?"Lulu asked as they took a seat.'Yeah,Resku that low,down rotten,scumbag!',Rikku smiled "No,not really...I kinda like life alone",She told her simply.
Rikku took a quick glance around,Yuna was talking to some old people with Kimarhi by her side,Cid was talking to some of Albhed,Brother was examining someones machina bit,Wakka was joking around with some of the old Aurochs,Resku was talking to other old guys but glancing at Yuna every other sentence.
Rikku and Lulu spent alot of time catching up,yes,Lulu was the one Rikku was waiting to see.At the beginning of the Pilgrimage,when Rikku first joined Lulu had been a bit cold to her,they were two completely different people,Lulu was calm,quiet and serious while Rikku was wild,crazy and goofy.It wasn't until later that they began to understand each other,they found they had somethings in common and Rikku learned she was able to rely on Lulu,to tell her everything and Lulu never laughed at her,made fun of her or made her feel bad,she was always wise and supportive and always knew what Rikku needed to do.
After sin was defeated Lulu and Wakka went off,They kept in touch for a little bit,but when Rikku started getting depressed she cut herself off from everyone...and Lulu never sent her anything asking what was wrong so Rikku just figured she didn't care or just didn't notice.
"I haven't seen Tidus yet"Rikku said aloud quietly,Lulu looked at her and then scanned the crowd,"Oh,there he is!"Lulu said,pointing over to the right.Rikku's head jerked up and she smiled as she saw Tidus standing there talking...to Resku?
Her smiled quickly faded and she felt her insides twist,she wanted to cry and scream at the same time,but she was also very curious.What kind of game is Resku and Yuna playing?She watched reluctantly as Resku and Tidus were chatting it up like old friends.Lulu watched Rikku's emotions with interest as she watched the albhed watch the men talking.Lulu could sense a change about Rikku's aura when she hugged her,something was different about the young Albhed,that much was for sure,but what,Lulu just couldn't put her finger on it.
The talking died down as Yuna took the podium,Just then Wakka slid down next to Lulu,"Hey Baby!"He whispered,slipping next to her,handing her a drink.Lulu took the drink from him,and said in a quiet,slightly annoyed yet monotone voice,"I told you not to call me that".Rikku chuckled at that,she loved the chemistry between the two,it was so wrong it was right.
"Oh,Hey Riks"Wakka said,finally noticing her,she smiled and waved.Wakka had gotten over the whole,Rikku=Albhed thing and they actually began to get along...he became like her big brother almost.
Yuna began talking about the honors of working with such wonderful people and something about the difficulties of destroying Sin,but Rikku stopped listening.
About 15 minutes of Yuna's droning the whole party was called to the stage,"Come on Rikku"Lulu hissed at her,Rikku had fallen asleep but was quickly pulled up by Lulu,so no one noticed,"Thanks"Rikku whispered quickly before they were up on stage.
Everyone clapped as they all bowed or waved or something,except for Kimarhi,who just stood there,looking slightly annoyed with having to be here.
They were aloud to leave the stage and the party went on,the rain had stopped so people were aloud out on the many balconies on the building."Come on,let's go get some fresh air Rikku,I have something for you."Lulu said,leading her to the north balcony.
~(---)~
When they reached it,it was all empty,Lulu closed the doors so they wouldn't be disturbed.The moon shown bright and filled the night with a luster of light.The crashing ocean was below them,it had calmed a bit after the storm,but the waters were still stirred and murky.
Rikku sat down on the bench,that was dry thanks to the large umbrella that covered it,Lulu sat beside her.
She pulled out a medium sized white box and Rikku's first reaction was 'cloths'.
"Happy Birthday Rikku"She said happily,Rikku took the box,eyes wide in aww.
"You remembered?"Rikku asked in disbelief and looked up at Lulu.
Lulu gave a chuckle,"Of course I remembered,how could I not with you complaining 3 years ago about having to track down Sin on your Birthday,you drove us all nuts"She said smiling,Rikku smiled too,as she remembered that day.
It was her birthday and they were hot on Sins trail and she kept on complaining about how she was 16,sweet 16,and she didn't even get a present...So of course to shut her up everyone threw her a surprise party,she didn't get any presents because supply's were limited,but they still had a good time.
Rikku opened up the white box and inside was a small moogle."Ahhh!"Rikku squealed in happiness,"A Moogle!! I've always wanted one"She took it out of the box and hugged it close to her chest and she buried her face in it's head.It had a white,soft body and head,it's eyes were shut and it had a large red nose and a small pink bow between it's ears.It was true,she always loved watching Lulu fight with her moogles and always begged her for one,she knew she didn't have the power to make it move,or do any attacks but it was still very cute,and nice to have.
"I remembered you wanted one,this is the first one I ever had"Lulu told her with a smile,happy she could pass on her prized treasure on to someone who appreciated it.
It almost brought tears to Rikku's eyes,"Lulu"Rikku said sadly...this was it.
"Yes?"Lulu asked her curiously,wounder about the change in attitude to quickly.
"Not everything is alright"Rikku finally told her.
"What do you mean,is someone is trouble or what?"Lulu was becoming very confused.
"I mean,not everything is as they seem...something has been happening...to me and to someone else..."Rikku began meekly.
"Rikku,would you tell me what is going on!"Lulu demanded
Rikku let out a deep breath and burst out crying,"Oh Lulu! Things have been terrible,people have been ignoring me,pushing me out...so I started to push them out,and I've been isolating myself and I just feel that people don't care anymore.I've been getting in trouble for everything little thing,I only go out when it rains or at night.I don't know how I let it get this bad,I just...just,don't feel human anymore,and then when Tidus tried to reach out to me I shoved it in his face and now I think he's avoiding me! I don't know what to do"She buried her face in her hands and began crying.
Lulu had listened to the whole thing intently,and it came as a shock to her.Never had she imagined the hyper,uplifting Albhed to be so full of dark emotion like this...she had experience the same thing when she was her age and she really hadn't warmed up until the pilgrimage.Yet,all of this made sense...at least it explained why Rikku stopped writing.
"Rikku,come here"She said and she gathered the crying girl into her arms,"Don't worry Rikku,everything will be fine,I know everything feels hopeless now,and it probably will feel like that for a while...but your strong,you'll get through it."
"Am I?"Rikku asked,picking her head up,"Am I really that strong...I don't think so,I thought so,but not anymore.I can't handle everything!"Rikku cried.
Lulu sighed and let the girl cry on her shoulder,when she remembered something...
"You said something about,someone else...something happening to someone else."Lulu said,"What is it?"
Rikku sat up and dried the tears from her eyes,she wasn't sure if she wanted to tell Lulu about Yuna cheating or not,would Lulu believe her? She had known Yuna longer,who's side would Lulu take?
"I...uh...that is to say..."Rikku tried to find words to start out...
Lulu said nothing,just waited for her to start
"I think,that is,that...um...Yuna is...err..."Pause,"CheatingonTidus"She said that part quick,hoping that Lulu hadn't understood that.
"What?"Lulu said in disbelieve.
'Damn,leave it to Lulu to be able to understand me when I'm talking quick.'Rikku thought.
"Are you sure? That's not it Yuna's nature,are you sure your not making up story's?"Lulu asked.
"What?"It was Rikku's turn to stare wide-eyed.
"You just said yourself that people have been ignoring you,are you sure this isn't a cry for attention?"Lulu asked.
"Urg!"Rikku grunted,"No! I'm telling you the truth! God,I knew you wouldn't believe me,I should have known you would have brushed me off as a foolish little girl making up story's,just like everyone else!"Rikku said angrily and went to get up.
"Rikku Wait,I believe you,sit down."Lulu said sternly.
Rikku huffed,but sat down anyway.
"Now,have you told anyone else?"Lulu asked.
"No,your the first."
"Well,who is she cheating with?"
"Resku"
"Senator Resku?,man,I knew that guy was a womanizing jerk but..."Lulu's sentence trailed off.
People inside were starting to leave,"Hey Lu,let's head out!"Wakka called.
"I'll be right there!"Lulu called back.
Lulu turned back to Rikku and placed her hands over the young girls hands,"Everything will be alright,if anything goes wrong,or something doesn't seem right or you just need help,don't be afraid to seek me out."Lulu told her and with a quick hug and goodbyes,Lulu was gone.
Rikku sighed and wrapped up the moogle in the box again and put the box under her arm.
She went inside the building,most of the people were gone and everyone who got here early were helping clean up.
Rikku slumped into one of the chairs and sighed,she needed to find Tidus.
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Wow,Hows that for a long chapter.Don't worry,I don't have a poll today,I wanna keep you guys in mystery and also Rikku will seek out Tidus to apologize in the next chapter,promise...I have something planned out,I hope the next chapter is as long as this one.
Thank you for reading R&R