Chapter Twenty-Two
Until I Find You Again

They reached Bikanel at seven-thirty that evening. Two and a half hours late to stop the ceremony. But that didn't bother Auron one bit. He didn't care if he had to run from the Al Bhed for the rest of his life. He wasn't leaving this Yevon-forsaken island without Rikku.

"Everyone is celebrating. They all seem so happy," Yuna speculated. "Don't they realize that the bride is miserable?"

Auron shook his head. "There's no time to stand around and speculate. You know what to do, let's do it."

Yuna nodded. It was just she and Auron right now. They had worked out a plan on the airship to get Rikku to Auron without causing too much of a stir. They wanted to give the lovers enough of a head start so that they would be long gone by the time anyone even noticed Rikku was missing.

Auron took off, as was the plan, and sent Yuna to the cavorting group. She found Rikku standing off to one side, looking absolutely pitiful. She looked like she wanted to die.

Yuna quickly went to her side. "Rikku?" she whispered softly.

Rikku's eyes widened and she managed a small smile. "Yunie? I'm so glad to see you!" She hugged Yuna impulsively, and then whispered, "You have to get me out of here!"

"That's why I'm here," Yuna said quietly. "To get you out. We have the airship waiting a few miles out."

Rikku breathed a huge sigh of relief. With disdain, she pried the ring Gippal had given her just a few hours prior off her finger and dropped it to the ground. "Let's go."

Yuna shook her head. "We have to go at different times. We can't let them see us leave together, or they'll know where to find you. I don't think that you'd like the punishment they would mete out for you." Yuna nodded toward the back of the building. "You go that way. It's about four miles out. I'll go this way, and meet you there."

Rikku nodded. "Okay." She hugged her cousin again. "Thank you," she breathed. Then she headed toward the back of the building. She stopped to tell Gippal that she was going to bed, that she was tired – seeing as she was pregnant, no one could argue with her logic.

Yuna watched her disappear and crossed her fingers that everything went as planned. Little did Rikku know, that there was no airship waiting for her four miles out. Just a man who was going to "kidnap" her and take her back to a cozy hut that belonged to one of the airship pilots who would be gone for the evening. He had kindly offered it for Auron and Rikku's use.

The airship that had brought Auron, Yuna, Lulu, Wakka, and Kimahri to Bikanel would take the others back to Macalania, where they would wait until morning for a second airship – the one carrying Auron and Rikku.

Four miles from the group, and Rikku didn't see an airship – didn't even hear one in the distance. "Oh, no," she whispered. "If I get caught out here . . . No, don't think about that!" She walked a little further. Where is it? There's nothing here! I must've heard Yunie wrong! She was beginning to panic.

She heard footsteps behind her and froze. The footsteps grew even closer. "Yunie?" she ventured carefully.

Rough arms grabbed her from behind. "Not Yunie," a sneering voice said.

Rikku sniffled. Gippal – He must've found out I was missing and sent someone out for me. He's probably going to kill me now.

"I – I'm sorry!" Rikku cried. "E's cunno!"

"Girl, I have orders to kill you on sight, do you understand? You have publicly humiliated Gippal and your father. But – seeing you – I'm inclined to take matters into my own hands," the man's voice continued.

Rikku's brow furrowed as she contemplated the voice. Why did it seem so – familiar? "What – what are you going to do to me?"

"That's none of your concern right now," the man barked. "Now, walk! I'm sure I was followed out here, and if anyone sees that I allowed you to live this long, we'll both be killed."

Rikku obeyed, figuring she was lucky to still be standing. Where is that airship? After walking for several minutes in silence, Rikku tried to peek at the man that stood to her side, holding onto her arm tightly.

He had the collar of his dark leather jacket turned up, so his face was hidden. Rikku was disappointed. "Where are you taking me?"

"Away," was all the man said.

"From what?"

"The pain that awaited you back there," he replied after a few moments of contemplation.

Rikku laughed derisively. "Well, you shouldn't have put your life at risk for that, Mister. There will be pain for me wherever I go."

The man stopped. "Why is that?"

"Why should I tell you? Aren't you just going to kill me later?" Rikku pressed. That voice – Must keep him talking!

The man lowered his voice to a near-hiss. "I'm helping you to escape, girl. Don't you get that? But if someone is following us, this has to look like a kidnapping, got it?"

Rikku could see dark eyes glittering from above the collar of the jacket. "Why are you helping me?"

"Because I saw you back there – you looked miserable. And I know that you loved whoever the father of your baby is very much, and that he died. And I can sympathize. I lost a love once too." He shook his head in exasperation. "Look, I'd love to reminisce all night with you, girl, but we really gotta move."

"Fine," Rikku said. He walked ahead of her a short ways, hand still on her arm. She studied his form as he walked. I hope I can trust you was the only thought running through her head as she followed this stranger into the night.

A/N: Another wretched cliffhanger, I know how you love those:) But -- I don't have to work tomorrow, so that means I can spend all day finishing up this story! It's very exciting for me, and I hope you guys like this installment as well as the next few that are coming. Sorry I did not get more updated today, but trust me, tomorrow will be a day of goodness! So enjoy for now and until latah -- Rhianna :) (Who wants to remind you to keep the awesome reviews rollin'!)