Love ya guys,I'm glad to see some new names on my review list and I'm happy seeing people who have been with me since chapter 1 still putting up with my nonsense ^_~
I LOVE YOU ALL *smiles insanely and pulls everyone into a big group hug*
Thank you to all who reviewed to Chapter 8:
punkygal:Thanks ^_^
Callik:Aww thank you,It's my wildest dream to own FFX,your so sweet.Also,Great guess with the necklace thingy...maybe that was my plan,maybe it's not,you'll just have ya wait and see.
Psycotic_teen:Naw,Yuna's not being controled,sorry,I just wanted her mean cuz I felt like it,I mean,no one is THAT nice,sweet and innocent,everyone has a naughty side,weather they found it yet or not ^_~
phrozen-heart:Guess you'll just have ta see why the scars so important,thanks for your support.
SjabRox:Oh,yeah,that could kinda make this confusing,but thanks for staying tuned ^_^
angels kissx:Aww,thank you soo much,Sorry Auron can't help ya,Angels knows alot...your own your own buddy ^_^ Thank you sooo much for your review and Update your story soon PLEASE with sugar and chocolate and sprinkles and and and...um...more good stuffies on top.
Fanfic-Lover:I'm working on it ^_^
Sinopa:Thanks bestest buddy,I'm glad you reviewed...I reviewed to your one fic on your other account...yah ^_^ Luv ya sis.
MiNi SoRcErEsS: You won't be confused for long,I hope, anyway,thank you for your review and I hope you stay tuned!
Celestial Skye:Ok,thanks for the tip...it's a bit confusing so I'm just gonna go back to how I was writing it before,thanks for trying thou...
FinalFantasyGuru:Aww,thanks for being so patient with me then,I'm glad your enjoying the fic.
RdawgX:Ok good,Thanks for bringing that to my attention,I had no idea I didn't make that clear till you said something,thanks alot ^_^
Belsidat:Don't worry,I won't forget my roots...I have it all planned,thank you for your review.
Ami-M:Yeah,We do need more Tikku's,I'm sooo sick of all the Rikku/Aurons (eww) and Tidus/Yunas (eww) lol,thanks for the review!
Rikku4Eva:Here's your chapter,lol,don't go to bad with those withdrawal symptoms,just do what I do when I get withdrawal symptoms from a fanfic I like-Re-read from the begining to the last chapter they posted over and over and over and over and...over until they update,cures it right up more makes me even more impatient...sometimes does both lol.Thanks for reviewing.
Cyber Phoenix:Guess you'll just have to read this chapter to find out huh ^_^,thanks for the review.
Frost/Trinity:Thank you so much,I'm trying to keep it pretty vague until the end when it all comes together and you have to slap yourself on the forehead and go "Duh,I should have seen it coming"...or something to that jist (is jist a word?) anywhoo,thanks for the review (that rhymed in a non-rhyming kinda way...hmm...weird)
sayinjinj7:Thanks a bunch! Glad to here you like it.I'm very happy that your very happy with my story (man,try saying that 5 times fast; I'm very happy that your v...ohh,I can't do it...) thanks for your review.
Xtreme Nuisance:Aww,I'm sorry,but hey,now you can say WHOOHOO again,lol,I say ding it all the time! What a cawinkidink,ding it ding it ding it ding it ding it...kinda loses it's meaning after a while...oh well,thanks for reviewing ^_^
Burning Ice:Yup,Boo Yuna,Yeah Rikku...that's how all should think,yuna's a big meanie! Thanks for the review!
yuna-chan:Wow,3 whole reviews just for me,thankies! I'm glad you like it and I did read one of your storys BTW,I reviewed to it and I enjoyed it...it was your Zelda one cuz I'm not really familiar with the other subjects you've written on...anyway ANYONE WHO IS LISTENING(..err..reading),YOU SHOULD READ YUNA-CHAN'S ZELDA FIC!
Thank you to everyone who reviewed to the 8th chapter after this is posted and I'm sorry I didn't get to mention you here,but I will mention you next time ^_^.
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Rikku sat down on the bright orange hammock she had called her bed for the past two days.She took a deep breath and felt her eyes water.Being on the Albhed ship again,treasure hunting with a crew,made her remember and feel the good old days from the past...her happy days,before she met stupid Tidus,fell in stupid love and got her stupid heart broken.Back in her treasure hunting days she was so much happier,she didn't remember ever crying in her room or in the middle of a thunderstorm,She remembered hiding under her bed during thunderstorm instead...
Being on this ship had helped her remember those good ol' days...but not for long.
Tears trickled down her face and dripped down her chin onto her lap.She really hadn't got to think much at all in the past two days,everything had been going on...and she had to heal from her beating in the sea.But now she had time to think...Paine and some of the crew were discussing the whereabouts on the next gem...Paine had been very discrete when it came to her employer and wouldn't say much about him or her.
Rikku choked out a sob as the dock scene played back in her mind,tears were pouring down her face and spilling onto her lap.
She had really only the intention of apologizing to him for her behavior toward him,she hadn't meant for her feelings to get out...spilling what she was feeling meant she was to weak to keep them in...and maybe she was,but she had wanted to keep fighting,but she failed and she told Tidus her feelings,and he had ran away from her! She hated him and loved him at the same time,until now she didn't think it was possible.She loved him with all of her heart and soul but she also hated him with ever fiber of her being...
All she wanted to do was thank him for that stupid necklace.
At the thought of the necklace her hand went to her chest were it was hanging...or should hang.
Rikku's eyes got wide.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tidus paced around the airship impatiently.Besaid Island,were Lulu and Wakka resided was only an hour away with the airship,but it was an hour to long.
Lulu's moogle was clutched gently in his hand,it's soft fur blew back and forth as he walked left to right.
He was all alone on the ship,Cid was to busy helping Brother and a handful of others,build an extension to the Stadium.Tidus was furious with them for putting a stupid stage extension ahead of Rikku's safety.
So,since Tidus himself couldn't fly the airship he got Brother to teach him to put it on an auto pilot like command that would take him to his destination.
Suddenly the control panel began beeping and a red light on the dashboard began flashing.
"Destination Achieved" and annamotronic voice rang.
"Yes!" Tidus sighed in relief and he pressed the button for an automatic landing.
The Airship slowly lowered its self onto the land and shut it's self off.Tidus opened the hatch door and walked down slowly,moogle still clutched between his fingers.When his boots touched the soft soil the hatch closed with a snap.
He was in the middle of a forest clearing,but there was a dirt path that looked like it lead to the main road.
Tidus stumbled out of the brush as he whacked back some vines until he made his way to the main road...a road he all to well recognized.
He was on the hill that looked over the whole village.It had changed so much since Tidus had been there last,There were alot more houses,the huts had been torn down and replaced to look a little more modern,but the houses were only small cottages so the homely feeling still came from the village in big waves.
Tidus smiled as a small gust of wind blew his soft blond hair and the smell of the past filled his nose.He ran down the road that winded down the hill and stopped at the beginning of the street.He looked down the road and looked into the statue eyes of a summoner from the past that stood at the foot of the stone steps leading up to what use to be a temple,and now was a tribute to all of the Summoners who died fighting sin and of course Yuna,the one who brought the Eternal Calm.
There was a hustle and bustle about the streets,small markets were set up selling things from fruits to swords.Tidus walked down the road until he came to the third hut on the left.
It was small and built with large stones,it looked very sturdy.There was an orange,woven tarp hanging over the dark green door,and just the color made Rikku pop into his mind.
He knocked on the door and he could here rustling from behind it.
"Wadda' ya want Brudda?"Wakka asked but his eyes lit up when he saw who it was.
"Tidus! Whadda' ya doin' here?"Wakka asked as he let his friend in.
Tidus smiled as he was greeted with a hug and stepped into the warm and friendly cottage.
"Actually Wakka,I'm here to see Lulu,there's something very important I need to discuss with her."Tidus answered seriously.
"I understand Brudda,but I have to warn you,she's been a bit upset after Rikku's disappearance ya,I'm wit' you and Lu,It's jus' not Rikku's style to run out o' da blue like dat,ya"Wakka said and led him to the small living room,where Lulu was sitting in an arm chair by the fire.Her purple eyes watched unblinkingly as the flames danced before them.Her lips were in a thoughtful pout,like she was pondering something in her head.
"Lu,"Wakka began carefully,Lulu didn't turn to face him.
"Guess who stopped by to pay a visit ya" He continued with a smile.
Lulu turned around in the arm chair and her eyes landed on Tidus.
"Tidus..."Her voice was soft yet slightly cracked,like it hadn't been used for hours.
"Hi Lulu,I came down here...because I wanted to know if you knew anything about this...?"He asked as he held up the moogle.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"No..."Her voice was above a whisper.It was gone,the necklace that Tidus gave her was gone!
Her dried cheeks became wet once more at the thought of the loss of her treasure,the one treasure she had so dear to her that it wasn't placed in her special glass cabinet,it was placed over her heart.
The anger that had been boiling deep within her spilled over.She clenched her fists,"I'm glad it's gone!" She said,her voice hard.Her stormy green eyes darted about the room and she stood up from where she was sitting.
The boxes of storage piled up in the corner caught her eye and in her rage she ran over to them and knocked them over,tears spilling from her eyes and teeth tightly clenched.
"No more reminder of him and his so called feelings,I don't ever wanna see him AGAIN!" She screamed in frustration,anger and sadness.
She started punching the wall.Cold steal met soft flesh and she pound over and over,She burst out in loud,heavy sobs as all of her energy was drained.
Her hand began to bloody,she could feel the warm liquid run down from her knuckle all the way down to her elbow,were it dripped in small droplets to the floor.
Soon,a small puddle of blood and tears sat at Rikku's feet as she fell to her knees,hugging herself,numb to the throbbing pain in her hand,but not to the mind blowing pain in her heart.
She curled up in a corner,knees hugged to her chest,for what seemed like hours before Paine opened up her door and looked inside.
Her red eyes got wide at the sight of smeared blood,and a small dent in the wall.The boxes of supplies had been tipped over,fortunately the contents had not spilled out.
Then her eyes traveled over to the corner,were Rikku was curled up,hand bleeding,blood trickling down her leg from the open wound on her hand.Rikku's head was down and her body was still except for the shaking.
"What happened here?"Paine mused to herself,worried for the young girl.
She walked into the room and picked up the boxes,stacking them again.
Then she walked over to the corner,and knelt down next to the small,shaking body.
"Wanna tell me what happened?" Paine asked,debating on weather or not place a hand to comfort her.
"No,I don't wanna talk about...I'm done with this."Rikku answered,picking her head up and whipping her face with her arm.
"Alright,but if you ever need to talk..."Paine began.
"I won't!"Rikku said again as Paine helped her from the floor.
"Did you want something?" Rikku asked as she was on her feet.
Paine blinked,thinking for a moment until she remembered why she came down to see Rikku in the first place.
"Right,I wanted to tell you that we think we've found the location to the fourth gem..."Paine began
Rikku just stared at her,expressionless,waiting for her to go on.
"and...?"Rikku asked when Paine said nothing.
Paine looked at Rikku,"Do you think your up for a little treasure hunting?"
Paine could have sworn Rikku's eyes lit up,but it was hard to be sure because if they did,it was gone as quickly as it had come.
"What's in it for me?"Rikku asked,hand on hip.
"You get paid as if you were one of my crewmen once we get all of these little gems."Paine answered,"Besides,I know you have to be missing the hunt after all these years,you are Albhed after all"Paine said with a smirk.
Rikku began contemplating this,turning the scenario's over in her head.
Rikku's non-bloody hand stuck out infront of her,"Deal"
Paine smiled and shook it.
"Alright,were about to head out,let's get your suit ready"
Rikku was led out of her room and up a couple flight of stairs until she reached a large room with 5 glass tubes about 7 feet in length.Three of them were empty,but two of them had,what Rikku recognized as Albhed water suits.
One of them was black,with silver buckles.
The second one was dark purple with black and silver buckles.
Paine opened the hatch to the black suit and easily slipped it on.Rikku helped her into it by zipping up the long zipper up the back.Paine snapped on the armor plates onto her arms,chest and legs.She strapped on her large black boots and put on a black head mask with a small gray mouth piece,for air under the water.
The mouth piece also had a built in microphone,and the head mask had small,water proof speakers,so you could talk,and hear people talk under water.
Paine opened up the second tube and handed Rikku the dark purple one.Paine helped her zip into it.It was exactly like Paines,with all the same pieces,only it was colored differently.
Paine snapped small black goggles around her neck and tossed Rikku a pair of red ones.
"Oh,and one more thing..."Paine said,she went over to a small,metal cabinet next to one of the doors.
"We found this on you when we pulled you from the sea,we had to take it from you...you understand,better safe than sorry,but you might need them on our hunt."She said as she opened one of them and pulled out Rikku's set of Ninja Claws!
Her eye's got wide,she didn't even remember having them.They looked different.They were less dirty and they had small spikes around the blade.The brown leather straps were replaced with black ones.
"It looks different" Rikku commented as she strapped them onto her wrists.
"Yeah I know, our weapons master, Keinu, was fascinated with them, I mean, it's not often you see a set of Ninja Claws these days...expecually in such good condition,their a rare piece of equipment,but of course you know that" Paine said.
"He couldn't resist adding little things on there,like those spikes,but the brown straps had broken so I ordered that new one's be fixed onto it."She explained.
"Come on,there waiting for us" Paine said and walked to the door.
"Who is waiting for us?" Rikku asked.
"The best Treasure Hunting team on the seas" Paine said with a dignified smile.
From that room Paine led her up on deck."How did you get an extra suit? This one fit's perfectly."Rikku asked,she doubted the suit was made for any of the big,hulking guys from the crew.
"I had a female crew member,about your size,doing exhibition work,that was hers,looks like I was right,thinking that it would fit you."Paine answered.
"Yeah It does"Rikku replied,moving her arms in big circles.Her right hand was gloved in black,but her left hand was rapped in a blessed cloth that was tightly wrapped around her hand to stop the bleeding and to heal it.Her Ninja Claws fit over them.
"Rikku,time to meet the team"Paine announced,she had taken her head mask off and was holding it under her arm,Rikku had done the same.
"This is Saja" (Pronounced:Say-ja) She said,pointing to a girl in a dark green suit.She had long black hair that was held in a ponytail.Her eyes were dark blue,almost black from Rikku's position.Her figure was lean,she was stretching her calf muscle over the side railing.
"Over here we have Giha"(Prounounced:Gee-Ha)She pointed to a tall guy in a dark red suit. His hair was blond and spiked up.His eyes were stone gray and they looked cold.Rikku didn't exactly get a comforting feeling around him.He seemed like the kind of guy that could hold his own in battle.
"And we have Raden"(Pronounced:Ray-Den) She pointed to another girl,she was clad in a silver and gray suit.Her hair was short blond,it grazed her shoulders.Her eyes were bright blue and she was about Rikku's hight,Rikku figured she was about her age,give or take a few months.
"Hi Rikku"Raden greeted with a smile as she extended her hand,"Welcome aboard,It will be easier to hunt with five people on our team again!" Rikku smiled and shook her hand.She was very friendly,and Rikku could feel she could be trusted.
"Your Rikku,Former Vice Capitan of the Gullwings?"Saja asked,looking up from her stretches.
"Yah,I ran it after my Dad left,but I left shortly after..."Rikku explained.
"Right then,enough catching up,we need to get down there..."Paine began,the team huddled around her.
"Ok,There is an underwater cave just under this boat.It's entrance is about 25ft from the water surface,and from what the probes have picked up,there is just one air pocket in then entire thing. The gem is estimated to be about one mile from the cave entrance. Now,we also have to be careful,there are going to be sea creatures swimming all around,some are going to be harmless...others,well..."Paine made a grimacing face and Rikku knew why she returned her Ninja Claws,"Just be careful."She warned.
"Got it boss!"Raden said with a smile,giving her a thumbs up and slipping on her gray mask and blue goggles.
"Let's do this" Giha said,his voice was deep.
Raden smiled and jumped over the railing and into the water below.Giha jumped in after her,and Saja after him.
Paine stepped back from the railing,"After you" She said with a smirk as she snapped on her black goggles and let Rikku pass.
"Just like the good ol' days" Rikku whispered,and with a wink to Paine, snapped her own goggles on and followed her team members over board.
Once Rikku hit the water her air tanks were activated and her heard the immediate splash of Paine jumping in after her.
"What took ya?" Giha asked impatiently.Raden was watching the bubbles from her mask float to the top and trying to pop them under water,resulting in more bubbles being made.
"I think I see the cave" Saja's voice came in over Rikku's speakers and Rikku spun around and saw her pointing below them.
Rikku kicked her feet to remain under the water,"Let's go then!" Raden's chipper voice came in,her attention now pulled from the bubbles and to what was below them.
Paine began to kick her way down and the rest of them followed her.
By the time they made it to the cave entrance,Rikku could feel a small burning sensation in her legs,she really needed to exercise more.
Paine turned on a small,underwater flashlight that was attached to the wrist of her armor,Rikku looked down and noticed she had one to.There was a small red button and Rikku pushed it,a small white light sprung from her wrist armor.
"Cool" Rikku commented.
"Aren't they, We just had 'em installed, makes finding glinting gems in a dark cave a hell of alot easier."Saja said,turning her's on as well.
"I hear that!" Raden said,her's already on.
"There should be four different tunnels ahead,since there are five of us,two of us our going to have to go down one."Paine said.
"Can you say duh?" Raden commented,but Paine shot her a look and she mumbled what sounded like a "sorry boss."
They hadn't been swimming for long before they reached the four tunnels.
Paine took one,Giha took the one next to it,then Saja.
"So I guess it's you 'n me huh!"Raden said to Rikku and they started toward the fourth tunnel.
Rikku and Raden had swam a good five minutes in silence before Raden finally spoke.
"Wow! I can't believe I'm on a treasure collecting mission with the famous Rikku of Gullwings!" Rikku herd over her speakers.
"Excuse me? What was that?" Rikku asked curiously,that couldn't have been right...she wasn't famous...was she?
"Well,It's just that, your the best Treasure Hunter ever! And a Capitan at such a young age! I mean,your the reason I wanted to be a treasure hunter."Raden explained.
"Wait a minute,you mean...look,It's not that big of a deal,I just liked what I did...we had better pick up our pace."
Raden looked a little disappointed but she nodded her head in agreement and swam after her.
Rikku was beginning to become tired,her muscles had one from a slight discomfort to a slowly increasing burn.
That's when Rikku saw it.
A small silver glint.
"What the..."Rikku whispered as she squinted her eyes to get a better look.
"Huh?"Raden asked,curiosity laced in her voice.
"Up ahead...that's...oh no! Raden,we've got company!" Rikku called out.
Up ahead was a swarm of fifteen small silver fish,but they weren't as harmless as they sound.
Each one had a wide mouth full of large,white,jagged teeth.There body's were covered in thick,silver scales that served as a shield.Rikku had ran into these kind of monsters before,and if you weren't careful,you could lose a limb or two.
"Raiders" Well,that was the slang name for them,the proper name was unknown.
"Yup, eww,they look angry..." Raden commented.
"It's our flashlights, Raiders hate light!" Rikku realized.
Raden went to turn her's off but Rikku stopped her.
"If you turn it off we'll be fighting blindly,there already mad,nothing we can do now except kill 'em." Rikku told her,and clutched her fists around her Ninja Claws.
The Raiders saw them coming and swam towards them with uncharted speed.
"Get ready..." Rikku warned.
"Here they come..." Raden said with a nod as she got out her long,bladed spear.
Rikku lunged forward, claws out and caught the first three that had come toward her.
She glanced over and saw Raden thrust her spear,stabbing four of them at once.
Rikku looked back just in time to claw out and catch two with one hand and three more with her other.
Once Raden had taken out the last three she cleaned off her spear and put it away.
"Well,that was easy." Raden commented.
"Yeah, a little two easy if you ask me..."Rikku pondered, usually it took more than a couple swift hit's from her Ninja Claw to break through the tough scales of a Raider...
"Hey Rikku,theres light ahead!" Raden pointed and indeed a head of them the tunnel opened up and Rikku could see three small beams of light flashing around.
"Let's go!" Rikku said and they swam as fast as they could toward the mouth of the tunnel.
When they reached it,they found they had swum into a gigantic room. It was the biggest room Rikku had ever been in. She looked up and actually saw a hint of the water's surface.
"This room is open from the top" Saja's voice commented over the speakers and Rikku jumped.She looked around and saw Paine,Giha and Saja pointing their flash beams around the room.
That explains the three beams of light.
"So,your tunnels led you guys here too?" Raden asked.
"Obviously" Saja said,examining the walls.
"We seem to be in the center of the cave..."Paine mused,brushing away some algae from a pillar standing tall.
"We seem to in some sort of ruin...look at the pillars,and the broken tiles on the floor...the water rotten wood,this was defiantly a building of some kind." Rikku pointed out as she examined the place around her.
"Well, as fascinating as this is," Giha began sarcastically," I say we find what we came down here for."
"Were looking hello! Gosh,Why do you gotta be so impatient all the time!"Raden asked,exasperated.
"Why do you have to be so bubble headed Raden! Were being timed,we do need air,and if we stay around looking at what was,instead of looking for what is,were going to run out of it very soon."He told her firmly.
"Oh,right...air,I forgot about it being a priority," Raden said meekly.
"Come one guys,let's find that fourth gem so we can get back on the ship and eat!"Paine said and they each split up to look for the gem.
"The gem has got to be somewhere in this room" Paines voice came over the speakers.
Rikku searched every nook and cranny in the east section but came out empty handed.
"Guys...I think I found it!" Raden's voice squeaked in Rikku's ear.
"Right,were are you?" Rikku herd Paine ask her.
"South sector" Raden answered.
Rikku swam as fast as she could to the south part of the room.
Thats were she found Raden and the rest of the group and in the center of them was a gleaming blue gem sitting on a pillar,held in by rock...like it was cemented to it.
"Ahh,sweet victory" Raden said with a smile and reached out for it...
"Raden no!" Paine yelled but it was to late, Rikku felt the waters around her quake,suddenly,the open ceiling above them began to close up,Rikku watched as the last ray of sunlight was shut out and it was completely dark except for the five small beams of light.
"oops" came Raden's meek voice from the sullen silence.
"Opps is right,when a gem like that is set in stone like that,theres always a trap around it!" Saja said angrily.
Suddenly the water was becoming more violent and Rikku herd a thundering sound,she quickly looked around her.
"That's...bad" Rikku said and grimaced.
"Come on,We have ta get out of here!" Saja yelled and started swimming for the only tunnel that wasn't filling with rocks.
Paine snatched the gem from Raden angrily and stuffed it into her pocket.
"Come on we have to hurry" Giha called.
They all zoomed down the tunnel,rocks falling behind them.
Raden started falling behind.
"Come on Raden,get it together!" Giha called
"I'm trying! The currents are to strong!" She called desperately.
"Stop moving your lips and work on moving your ass!" Saja yelled.
"Come on crew,were almost there!" Paine said,Rikku looked and Paine was indeed right,they were almost there.
Paine,Saja and Giha zoomed out of the closing tunnel,Rikku closely followed.
Everyone turned to face the Cave opening,waiting for Raden to get through.
"Almost there you guys!" She called happily.
"Nooo! Raden!" Paine called,but it was to late,just as Raden made it to the mouth the whole thing fell down,the entire cave going down in to the dark abis.
"S-she's...-" Saja started,she couldn't bring herself to finish it.
"-gone" Rikku whispered,so low it didn't make it over the speaker.
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Wow,talk about a long chapter! Thank you guys for your reviews!
Aww man,can you believe it,My computer got a virus so I lost all of my chapters that I saved! I was so ticked,but I got this one to ya. So,review and tell me what you think.
I LOVE YOU ALL *smiles insanely and pulls everyone into a big group hug*
Thank you to all who reviewed to Chapter 8:
punkygal:Thanks ^_^
Callik:Aww thank you,It's my wildest dream to own FFX,your so sweet.Also,Great guess with the necklace thingy...maybe that was my plan,maybe it's not,you'll just have ya wait and see.
Psycotic_teen:Naw,Yuna's not being controled,sorry,I just wanted her mean cuz I felt like it,I mean,no one is THAT nice,sweet and innocent,everyone has a naughty side,weather they found it yet or not ^_~
phrozen-heart:Guess you'll just have ta see why the scars so important,thanks for your support.
SjabRox:Oh,yeah,that could kinda make this confusing,but thanks for staying tuned ^_^
angels kissx:Aww,thank you soo much,Sorry Auron can't help ya,Angels knows alot...your own your own buddy ^_^ Thank you sooo much for your review and Update your story soon PLEASE with sugar and chocolate and sprinkles and and and...um...more good stuffies on top.
Fanfic-Lover:I'm working on it ^_^
Sinopa:Thanks bestest buddy,I'm glad you reviewed...I reviewed to your one fic on your other account...yah ^_^ Luv ya sis.
MiNi SoRcErEsS: You won't be confused for long,I hope, anyway,thank you for your review and I hope you stay tuned!
Celestial Skye:Ok,thanks for the tip...it's a bit confusing so I'm just gonna go back to how I was writing it before,thanks for trying thou...
FinalFantasyGuru:Aww,thanks for being so patient with me then,I'm glad your enjoying the fic.
RdawgX:Ok good,Thanks for bringing that to my attention,I had no idea I didn't make that clear till you said something,thanks alot ^_^
Belsidat:Don't worry,I won't forget my roots...I have it all planned,thank you for your review.
Ami-M:Yeah,We do need more Tikku's,I'm sooo sick of all the Rikku/Aurons (eww) and Tidus/Yunas (eww) lol,thanks for the review!
Rikku4Eva:Here's your chapter,lol,don't go to bad with those withdrawal symptoms,just do what I do when I get withdrawal symptoms from a fanfic I like-Re-read from the begining to the last chapter they posted over and over and over and over and...over until they update,cures it right up more makes me even more impatient...sometimes does both lol.Thanks for reviewing.
Cyber Phoenix:Guess you'll just have to read this chapter to find out huh ^_^,thanks for the review.
Frost/Trinity:Thank you so much,I'm trying to keep it pretty vague until the end when it all comes together and you have to slap yourself on the forehead and go "Duh,I should have seen it coming"...or something to that jist (is jist a word?) anywhoo,thanks for the review (that rhymed in a non-rhyming kinda way...hmm...weird)
sayinjinj7:Thanks a bunch! Glad to here you like it.I'm very happy that your very happy with my story (man,try saying that 5 times fast; I'm very happy that your v...ohh,I can't do it...) thanks for your review.
Xtreme Nuisance:Aww,I'm sorry,but hey,now you can say WHOOHOO again,lol,I say ding it all the time! What a cawinkidink,ding it ding it ding it ding it ding it...kinda loses it's meaning after a while...oh well,thanks for reviewing ^_^
Burning Ice:Yup,Boo Yuna,Yeah Rikku...that's how all should think,yuna's a big meanie! Thanks for the review!
yuna-chan:Wow,3 whole reviews just for me,thankies! I'm glad you like it and I did read one of your storys BTW,I reviewed to it and I enjoyed it...it was your Zelda one cuz I'm not really familiar with the other subjects you've written on...anyway ANYONE WHO IS LISTENING(..err..reading),YOU SHOULD READ YUNA-CHAN'S ZELDA FIC!
Thank you to everyone who reviewed to the 8th chapter after this is posted and I'm sorry I didn't get to mention you here,but I will mention you next time ^_^.
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Rikku sat down on the bright orange hammock she had called her bed for the past two days.She took a deep breath and felt her eyes water.Being on the Albhed ship again,treasure hunting with a crew,made her remember and feel the good old days from the past...her happy days,before she met stupid Tidus,fell in stupid love and got her stupid heart broken.Back in her treasure hunting days she was so much happier,she didn't remember ever crying in her room or in the middle of a thunderstorm,She remembered hiding under her bed during thunderstorm instead...
Being on this ship had helped her remember those good ol' days...but not for long.
Tears trickled down her face and dripped down her chin onto her lap.She really hadn't got to think much at all in the past two days,everything had been going on...and she had to heal from her beating in the sea.But now she had time to think...Paine and some of the crew were discussing the whereabouts on the next gem...Paine had been very discrete when it came to her employer and wouldn't say much about him or her.
Rikku choked out a sob as the dock scene played back in her mind,tears were pouring down her face and spilling onto her lap.
She had really only the intention of apologizing to him for her behavior toward him,she hadn't meant for her feelings to get out...spilling what she was feeling meant she was to weak to keep them in...and maybe she was,but she had wanted to keep fighting,but she failed and she told Tidus her feelings,and he had ran away from her! She hated him and loved him at the same time,until now she didn't think it was possible.She loved him with all of her heart and soul but she also hated him with ever fiber of her being...
All she wanted to do was thank him for that stupid necklace.
At the thought of the necklace her hand went to her chest were it was hanging...or should hang.
Rikku's eyes got wide.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tidus paced around the airship impatiently.Besaid Island,were Lulu and Wakka resided was only an hour away with the airship,but it was an hour to long.
Lulu's moogle was clutched gently in his hand,it's soft fur blew back and forth as he walked left to right.
He was all alone on the ship,Cid was to busy helping Brother and a handful of others,build an extension to the Stadium.Tidus was furious with them for putting a stupid stage extension ahead of Rikku's safety.
So,since Tidus himself couldn't fly the airship he got Brother to teach him to put it on an auto pilot like command that would take him to his destination.
Suddenly the control panel began beeping and a red light on the dashboard began flashing.
"Destination Achieved" and annamotronic voice rang.
"Yes!" Tidus sighed in relief and he pressed the button for an automatic landing.
The Airship slowly lowered its self onto the land and shut it's self off.Tidus opened the hatch door and walked down slowly,moogle still clutched between his fingers.When his boots touched the soft soil the hatch closed with a snap.
He was in the middle of a forest clearing,but there was a dirt path that looked like it lead to the main road.
Tidus stumbled out of the brush as he whacked back some vines until he made his way to the main road...a road he all to well recognized.
He was on the hill that looked over the whole village.It had changed so much since Tidus had been there last,There were alot more houses,the huts had been torn down and replaced to look a little more modern,but the houses were only small cottages so the homely feeling still came from the village in big waves.
Tidus smiled as a small gust of wind blew his soft blond hair and the smell of the past filled his nose.He ran down the road that winded down the hill and stopped at the beginning of the street.He looked down the road and looked into the statue eyes of a summoner from the past that stood at the foot of the stone steps leading up to what use to be a temple,and now was a tribute to all of the Summoners who died fighting sin and of course Yuna,the one who brought the Eternal Calm.
There was a hustle and bustle about the streets,small markets were set up selling things from fruits to swords.Tidus walked down the road until he came to the third hut on the left.
It was small and built with large stones,it looked very sturdy.There was an orange,woven tarp hanging over the dark green door,and just the color made Rikku pop into his mind.
He knocked on the door and he could here rustling from behind it.
"Wadda' ya want Brudda?"Wakka asked but his eyes lit up when he saw who it was.
"Tidus! Whadda' ya doin' here?"Wakka asked as he let his friend in.
Tidus smiled as he was greeted with a hug and stepped into the warm and friendly cottage.
"Actually Wakka,I'm here to see Lulu,there's something very important I need to discuss with her."Tidus answered seriously.
"I understand Brudda,but I have to warn you,she's been a bit upset after Rikku's disappearance ya,I'm wit' you and Lu,It's jus' not Rikku's style to run out o' da blue like dat,ya"Wakka said and led him to the small living room,where Lulu was sitting in an arm chair by the fire.Her purple eyes watched unblinkingly as the flames danced before them.Her lips were in a thoughtful pout,like she was pondering something in her head.
"Lu,"Wakka began carefully,Lulu didn't turn to face him.
"Guess who stopped by to pay a visit ya" He continued with a smile.
Lulu turned around in the arm chair and her eyes landed on Tidus.
"Tidus..."Her voice was soft yet slightly cracked,like it hadn't been used for hours.
"Hi Lulu,I came down here...because I wanted to know if you knew anything about this...?"He asked as he held up the moogle.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"No..."Her voice was above a whisper.It was gone,the necklace that Tidus gave her was gone!
Her dried cheeks became wet once more at the thought of the loss of her treasure,the one treasure she had so dear to her that it wasn't placed in her special glass cabinet,it was placed over her heart.
The anger that had been boiling deep within her spilled over.She clenched her fists,"I'm glad it's gone!" She said,her voice hard.Her stormy green eyes darted about the room and she stood up from where she was sitting.
The boxes of storage piled up in the corner caught her eye and in her rage she ran over to them and knocked them over,tears spilling from her eyes and teeth tightly clenched.
"No more reminder of him and his so called feelings,I don't ever wanna see him AGAIN!" She screamed in frustration,anger and sadness.
She started punching the wall.Cold steal met soft flesh and she pound over and over,She burst out in loud,heavy sobs as all of her energy was drained.
Her hand began to bloody,she could feel the warm liquid run down from her knuckle all the way down to her elbow,were it dripped in small droplets to the floor.
Soon,a small puddle of blood and tears sat at Rikku's feet as she fell to her knees,hugging herself,numb to the throbbing pain in her hand,but not to the mind blowing pain in her heart.
She curled up in a corner,knees hugged to her chest,for what seemed like hours before Paine opened up her door and looked inside.
Her red eyes got wide at the sight of smeared blood,and a small dent in the wall.The boxes of supplies had been tipped over,fortunately the contents had not spilled out.
Then her eyes traveled over to the corner,were Rikku was curled up,hand bleeding,blood trickling down her leg from the open wound on her hand.Rikku's head was down and her body was still except for the shaking.
"What happened here?"Paine mused to herself,worried for the young girl.
She walked into the room and picked up the boxes,stacking them again.
Then she walked over to the corner,and knelt down next to the small,shaking body.
"Wanna tell me what happened?" Paine asked,debating on weather or not place a hand to comfort her.
"No,I don't wanna talk about...I'm done with this."Rikku answered,picking her head up and whipping her face with her arm.
"Alright,but if you ever need to talk..."Paine began.
"I won't!"Rikku said again as Paine helped her from the floor.
"Did you want something?" Rikku asked as she was on her feet.
Paine blinked,thinking for a moment until she remembered why she came down to see Rikku in the first place.
"Right,I wanted to tell you that we think we've found the location to the fourth gem..."Paine began
Rikku just stared at her,expressionless,waiting for her to go on.
"and...?"Rikku asked when Paine said nothing.
Paine looked at Rikku,"Do you think your up for a little treasure hunting?"
Paine could have sworn Rikku's eyes lit up,but it was hard to be sure because if they did,it was gone as quickly as it had come.
"What's in it for me?"Rikku asked,hand on hip.
"You get paid as if you were one of my crewmen once we get all of these little gems."Paine answered,"Besides,I know you have to be missing the hunt after all these years,you are Albhed after all"Paine said with a smirk.
Rikku began contemplating this,turning the scenario's over in her head.
Rikku's non-bloody hand stuck out infront of her,"Deal"
Paine smiled and shook it.
"Alright,were about to head out,let's get your suit ready"
Rikku was led out of her room and up a couple flight of stairs until she reached a large room with 5 glass tubes about 7 feet in length.Three of them were empty,but two of them had,what Rikku recognized as Albhed water suits.
One of them was black,with silver buckles.
The second one was dark purple with black and silver buckles.
Paine opened the hatch to the black suit and easily slipped it on.Rikku helped her into it by zipping up the long zipper up the back.Paine snapped on the armor plates onto her arms,chest and legs.She strapped on her large black boots and put on a black head mask with a small gray mouth piece,for air under the water.
The mouth piece also had a built in microphone,and the head mask had small,water proof speakers,so you could talk,and hear people talk under water.
Paine opened up the second tube and handed Rikku the dark purple one.Paine helped her zip into it.It was exactly like Paines,with all the same pieces,only it was colored differently.
Paine snapped small black goggles around her neck and tossed Rikku a pair of red ones.
"Oh,and one more thing..."Paine said,she went over to a small,metal cabinet next to one of the doors.
"We found this on you when we pulled you from the sea,we had to take it from you...you understand,better safe than sorry,but you might need them on our hunt."She said as she opened one of them and pulled out Rikku's set of Ninja Claws!
Her eye's got wide,she didn't even remember having them.They looked different.They were less dirty and they had small spikes around the blade.The brown leather straps were replaced with black ones.
"It looks different" Rikku commented as she strapped them onto her wrists.
"Yeah I know, our weapons master, Keinu, was fascinated with them, I mean, it's not often you see a set of Ninja Claws these days...expecually in such good condition,their a rare piece of equipment,but of course you know that" Paine said.
"He couldn't resist adding little things on there,like those spikes,but the brown straps had broken so I ordered that new one's be fixed onto it."She explained.
"Come on,there waiting for us" Paine said and walked to the door.
"Who is waiting for us?" Rikku asked.
"The best Treasure Hunting team on the seas" Paine said with a dignified smile.
From that room Paine led her up on deck."How did you get an extra suit? This one fit's perfectly."Rikku asked,she doubted the suit was made for any of the big,hulking guys from the crew.
"I had a female crew member,about your size,doing exhibition work,that was hers,looks like I was right,thinking that it would fit you."Paine answered.
"Yeah It does"Rikku replied,moving her arms in big circles.Her right hand was gloved in black,but her left hand was rapped in a blessed cloth that was tightly wrapped around her hand to stop the bleeding and to heal it.Her Ninja Claws fit over them.
"Rikku,time to meet the team"Paine announced,she had taken her head mask off and was holding it under her arm,Rikku had done the same.
"This is Saja" (Pronounced:Say-ja) She said,pointing to a girl in a dark green suit.She had long black hair that was held in a ponytail.Her eyes were dark blue,almost black from Rikku's position.Her figure was lean,she was stretching her calf muscle over the side railing.
"Over here we have Giha"(Prounounced:Gee-Ha)She pointed to a tall guy in a dark red suit. His hair was blond and spiked up.His eyes were stone gray and they looked cold.Rikku didn't exactly get a comforting feeling around him.He seemed like the kind of guy that could hold his own in battle.
"And we have Raden"(Pronounced:Ray-Den) She pointed to another girl,she was clad in a silver and gray suit.Her hair was short blond,it grazed her shoulders.Her eyes were bright blue and she was about Rikku's hight,Rikku figured she was about her age,give or take a few months.
"Hi Rikku"Raden greeted with a smile as she extended her hand,"Welcome aboard,It will be easier to hunt with five people on our team again!" Rikku smiled and shook her hand.She was very friendly,and Rikku could feel she could be trusted.
"Your Rikku,Former Vice Capitan of the Gullwings?"Saja asked,looking up from her stretches.
"Yah,I ran it after my Dad left,but I left shortly after..."Rikku explained.
"Right then,enough catching up,we need to get down there..."Paine began,the team huddled around her.
"Ok,There is an underwater cave just under this boat.It's entrance is about 25ft from the water surface,and from what the probes have picked up,there is just one air pocket in then entire thing. The gem is estimated to be about one mile from the cave entrance. Now,we also have to be careful,there are going to be sea creatures swimming all around,some are going to be harmless...others,well..."Paine made a grimacing face and Rikku knew why she returned her Ninja Claws,"Just be careful."She warned.
"Got it boss!"Raden said with a smile,giving her a thumbs up and slipping on her gray mask and blue goggles.
"Let's do this" Giha said,his voice was deep.
Raden smiled and jumped over the railing and into the water below.Giha jumped in after her,and Saja after him.
Paine stepped back from the railing,"After you" She said with a smirk as she snapped on her black goggles and let Rikku pass.
"Just like the good ol' days" Rikku whispered,and with a wink to Paine, snapped her own goggles on and followed her team members over board.
Once Rikku hit the water her air tanks were activated and her heard the immediate splash of Paine jumping in after her.
"What took ya?" Giha asked impatiently.Raden was watching the bubbles from her mask float to the top and trying to pop them under water,resulting in more bubbles being made.
"I think I see the cave" Saja's voice came in over Rikku's speakers and Rikku spun around and saw her pointing below them.
Rikku kicked her feet to remain under the water,"Let's go then!" Raden's chipper voice came in,her attention now pulled from the bubbles and to what was below them.
Paine began to kick her way down and the rest of them followed her.
By the time they made it to the cave entrance,Rikku could feel a small burning sensation in her legs,she really needed to exercise more.
Paine turned on a small,underwater flashlight that was attached to the wrist of her armor,Rikku looked down and noticed she had one to.There was a small red button and Rikku pushed it,a small white light sprung from her wrist armor.
"Cool" Rikku commented.
"Aren't they, We just had 'em installed, makes finding glinting gems in a dark cave a hell of alot easier."Saja said,turning her's on as well.
"I hear that!" Raden said,her's already on.
"There should be four different tunnels ahead,since there are five of us,two of us our going to have to go down one."Paine said.
"Can you say duh?" Raden commented,but Paine shot her a look and she mumbled what sounded like a "sorry boss."
They hadn't been swimming for long before they reached the four tunnels.
Paine took one,Giha took the one next to it,then Saja.
"So I guess it's you 'n me huh!"Raden said to Rikku and they started toward the fourth tunnel.
Rikku and Raden had swam a good five minutes in silence before Raden finally spoke.
"Wow! I can't believe I'm on a treasure collecting mission with the famous Rikku of Gullwings!" Rikku herd over her speakers.
"Excuse me? What was that?" Rikku asked curiously,that couldn't have been right...she wasn't famous...was she?
"Well,It's just that, your the best Treasure Hunter ever! And a Capitan at such a young age! I mean,your the reason I wanted to be a treasure hunter."Raden explained.
"Wait a minute,you mean...look,It's not that big of a deal,I just liked what I did...we had better pick up our pace."
Raden looked a little disappointed but she nodded her head in agreement and swam after her.
Rikku was beginning to become tired,her muscles had one from a slight discomfort to a slowly increasing burn.
That's when Rikku saw it.
A small silver glint.
"What the..."Rikku whispered as she squinted her eyes to get a better look.
"Huh?"Raden asked,curiosity laced in her voice.
"Up ahead...that's...oh no! Raden,we've got company!" Rikku called out.
Up ahead was a swarm of fifteen small silver fish,but they weren't as harmless as they sound.
Each one had a wide mouth full of large,white,jagged teeth.There body's were covered in thick,silver scales that served as a shield.Rikku had ran into these kind of monsters before,and if you weren't careful,you could lose a limb or two.
"Raiders" Well,that was the slang name for them,the proper name was unknown.
"Yup, eww,they look angry..." Raden commented.
"It's our flashlights, Raiders hate light!" Rikku realized.
Raden went to turn her's off but Rikku stopped her.
"If you turn it off we'll be fighting blindly,there already mad,nothing we can do now except kill 'em." Rikku told her,and clutched her fists around her Ninja Claws.
The Raiders saw them coming and swam towards them with uncharted speed.
"Get ready..." Rikku warned.
"Here they come..." Raden said with a nod as she got out her long,bladed spear.
Rikku lunged forward, claws out and caught the first three that had come toward her.
She glanced over and saw Raden thrust her spear,stabbing four of them at once.
Rikku looked back just in time to claw out and catch two with one hand and three more with her other.
Once Raden had taken out the last three she cleaned off her spear and put it away.
"Well,that was easy." Raden commented.
"Yeah, a little two easy if you ask me..."Rikku pondered, usually it took more than a couple swift hit's from her Ninja Claw to break through the tough scales of a Raider...
"Hey Rikku,theres light ahead!" Raden pointed and indeed a head of them the tunnel opened up and Rikku could see three small beams of light flashing around.
"Let's go!" Rikku said and they swam as fast as they could toward the mouth of the tunnel.
When they reached it,they found they had swum into a gigantic room. It was the biggest room Rikku had ever been in. She looked up and actually saw a hint of the water's surface.
"This room is open from the top" Saja's voice commented over the speakers and Rikku jumped.She looked around and saw Paine,Giha and Saja pointing their flash beams around the room.
That explains the three beams of light.
"So,your tunnels led you guys here too?" Raden asked.
"Obviously" Saja said,examining the walls.
"We seem to be in the center of the cave..."Paine mused,brushing away some algae from a pillar standing tall.
"We seem to in some sort of ruin...look at the pillars,and the broken tiles on the floor...the water rotten wood,this was defiantly a building of some kind." Rikku pointed out as she examined the place around her.
"Well, as fascinating as this is," Giha began sarcastically," I say we find what we came down here for."
"Were looking hello! Gosh,Why do you gotta be so impatient all the time!"Raden asked,exasperated.
"Why do you have to be so bubble headed Raden! Were being timed,we do need air,and if we stay around looking at what was,instead of looking for what is,were going to run out of it very soon."He told her firmly.
"Oh,right...air,I forgot about it being a priority," Raden said meekly.
"Come one guys,let's find that fourth gem so we can get back on the ship and eat!"Paine said and they each split up to look for the gem.
"The gem has got to be somewhere in this room" Paines voice came over the speakers.
Rikku searched every nook and cranny in the east section but came out empty handed.
"Guys...I think I found it!" Raden's voice squeaked in Rikku's ear.
"Right,were are you?" Rikku herd Paine ask her.
"South sector" Raden answered.
Rikku swam as fast as she could to the south part of the room.
Thats were she found Raden and the rest of the group and in the center of them was a gleaming blue gem sitting on a pillar,held in by rock...like it was cemented to it.
"Ahh,sweet victory" Raden said with a smile and reached out for it...
"Raden no!" Paine yelled but it was to late, Rikku felt the waters around her quake,suddenly,the open ceiling above them began to close up,Rikku watched as the last ray of sunlight was shut out and it was completely dark except for the five small beams of light.
"oops" came Raden's meek voice from the sullen silence.
"Opps is right,when a gem like that is set in stone like that,theres always a trap around it!" Saja said angrily.
Suddenly the water was becoming more violent and Rikku herd a thundering sound,she quickly looked around her.
"That's...bad" Rikku said and grimaced.
"Come on,We have ta get out of here!" Saja yelled and started swimming for the only tunnel that wasn't filling with rocks.
Paine snatched the gem from Raden angrily and stuffed it into her pocket.
"Come on we have to hurry" Giha called.
They all zoomed down the tunnel,rocks falling behind them.
Raden started falling behind.
"Come on Raden,get it together!" Giha called
"I'm trying! The currents are to strong!" She called desperately.
"Stop moving your lips and work on moving your ass!" Saja yelled.
"Come on crew,were almost there!" Paine said,Rikku looked and Paine was indeed right,they were almost there.
Paine,Saja and Giha zoomed out of the closing tunnel,Rikku closely followed.
Everyone turned to face the Cave opening,waiting for Raden to get through.
"Almost there you guys!" She called happily.
"Nooo! Raden!" Paine called,but it was to late,just as Raden made it to the mouth the whole thing fell down,the entire cave going down in to the dark abis.
"S-she's...-" Saja started,she couldn't bring herself to finish it.
"-gone" Rikku whispered,so low it didn't make it over the speaker.
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Wow,talk about a long chapter! Thank you guys for your reviews!
Aww man,can you believe it,My computer got a virus so I lost all of my chapters that I saved! I was so ticked,but I got this one to ya. So,review and tell me what you think.