A/N: Ouchies. It's been a while. I wouldn't be surprised if there's no one left to read this. I recently became re-inspired to write this, and so here I am. I know it's been over a year. I apologize profusely.

Question

"…with a thousand million questions…"

Wakka looked kinda down, Rikku thought. In fact, from her seat in AP Chem, he seemed almost inanimate. A brief glance around the classroom determined that no one else appeared any different, and that turned Rikku to wondering what Wakka's problem was. Thankfully, Mrs. Badger had given them a worksheet to work on in class and turn in the next day, essentially leaving Rikku's mind free to wander, though she honestly had no idea what was bothering her friend.

She turned in her seat to face Yuna, thinking maybe the older girl might be able to tell her something. Yuna's head rose from her worksheet in response to Rikku's movement. "Yes?" she asked.

Rikku hesitated a moment before gathering some nerve. "What's wrong with Wakka?" she asked quietly, her voice effectively hidden from its subject by the background noise of the room.

Yuna sobered at bit as she replied. "It's just a…phase he goes through every now and then. We just kind of leave him alone until it passes." Rikku nodded in understanding, frowning as she wondered what could cause it. Yuna recognized the look. "Don't try to ask him about it, Rikku. Really, he'll only get more upset."

Rikku murmured a distracted thanks and turned back around in her seat, lost in her thoughts.

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There was something about Wakka's mood that would not leave Rikku's thoughts that morning. She walked preoccupied into lunch and sat down at her usual table, waiting for the others to arrive. Before long, the table was boisterous and happy; normal but for two occupants.

Wakka as well was lost in his own thoughts, though what they were Rikku could not guess. She found herself, unconsciously, staring at him as she thought. When she realized this, she started, surprised, and focused on the conversation around her.

"So I was thinking of Hamlet," Tidus said with a grin at Yuna. The girl smiled back at him.

"And then that would make me Ophelia…?" she teased. Rikku was a tad confused, and Lulu, who sat next to the youngest member of the table, explained.

"Hamlet was prince of Denmark, pretended he was crazy in a plot to kill his uncle, and caused a whole bunch of general mayhem. He was really witty, though, and that's why Tidus likes him. Ophelia was his girlfriend who went crazy and drowned herself." Lulu's voice was, as ever, incredibly level, almost monotone.

Rikku raised an eyebrow at her friend's frank explanation, which caused Chappu to laugh. "And this is for…?" she asked.

"Halloween, of course!" Yuna exclaimed with a grin. Her dichromatic eyes took on a bit of a mischevious tint as she observed her younger friend. "What's your costume?"

Rikku looked at her books on the table, at a complete loss. "I…don't know," she said softly. She remained lost in her thoughts until the bell rang to end the period. Yuna, meanwhile, began some plotting for the coming holiday.

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Rikku nervously clenched the phone in one hand as she dialed the number. After three rings a man picked up. "Storey residence, Braska speaking."

Her eyes widened. Yuna's dad had answered the phone? Cursing internally, she stuttered, "H-hi, is Y-yuna home?"

Braska answered cheerfully. "Yes she is. If you would hold on while I get her?" Rikku nodded even though he couldn't see it and mumbled a yes. A few seconds later a more familiar voice came on the line.

"Hello?" Rikku nearly screamed with relief.

"Yuna! Hey, it's Rikku. Umm…" Rikku began twirling the phone cord in her fingers, "I was wondering if you had any Halloween costumes I could borrow?"

After a minute had passed, Rikku felt it was safe to put the phone back against her ear without fear of losing all hearing. "Are you quite done yet?" she asked, annoyed.

Yuna laughed anxiously. "Sorry about that. I'm not usually prone to loud girlish squealing like that. But I think I have the perfect costume in mind for you. Why don't you come on over and try it on?"

A/N II: Okay, here comes the fun part of the Author's Notes. For starters, I lost the notebook I was writing this in, so this is completely new material you have here. And now, for the shouts!

Vent silencieux: Thank you for reviewing this when it hasn't been updated in so long. ^_^

Firestar9096: Well, now it's updated! ^_^ Hope you enjoyed it!

Morgan Le Fay, Faery Queen: Hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Sakura20: Well, Auron's kind of my antagonist, so I can't be too nice to him. I'm not sure how many appearances he'll be making, though.

That Catuar Muse: Sorry it took me so long to update! Really, though, I'm working on this, at least at the moment.

Kioki: I love the Rikku dance! ^_^ I promise you, the next chapter will be longer and have more R/W action! ^_~

Evil Neko: I'm working on the sub-plot still. And yes, I love the new nickname. ^_^ It's not the first nickname for my nickname, trust me. Hope you like this chapter!