Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 10 or any of the characters used in this fiction.

A/N: Sorry about the wait for this chapter. I've been very busy with school and didn't have much time to work on this fic. Also I didn't want to rush through this chapter just to get it done.

"Haste does not bring success."

*Thanks again for all of the reviews.^_^



As his last comment registered, my heart stopped beating.

'Did he just say I was pretty?!'

I realized I wasn't breathing and deeply inhaled the cold, crisp air. I didn't know what to do, but I thought it would be best if I continued with the conversation.

"At least you're still nice."

I decided to change the subject, fearing it would be awkward to continue on the current one.

"Hey, do I look like Yunie, you think?"

"Huh?" When I mentioned Yuna, Tidus's smile disappeared. I wonder why.

"Well, my dad's sister is Yunie's mother, you get it?"

"Oh. I had no idea! If you say so."

"Umha." I nodded my head even though Tidus couldn't see it.

"Okay! I guess you're guarding your family then."

"Yuna's not the only one that I want to protect." My voice came out softer then usual.

"Huh?"

"We Al Bhed want to protect all of the summoners, you know?"

I could have sworn he was disappointed with my reply.

"Summoners are...well, you could say that...they sacrifice themselves to well...to bring happiness to Spira."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh."

'He doesn't know, does he?'

"Rikku?"

"Yes?" I tried to sound as innocent as possible.

"sacrifice themselves?"

"You know the pilgrimage...it, ah, takes a lot out of you."

"Oh, right."

I leaned back, relieved that I hadn't told him everything.

"But you know, Yuna's real serious abut being a summoner. For Yuna, well the pilgrimage kinda means everything to her. You are going to help her, too, aren't you, Rikku?"

"Of course."

"So you shouldn't say that Yuna's sacrificing herself."

I pulled in again, returning to my original position.

"Rikku?"

"I hope you're right."

I knew right then that I couldn't deny it from myself anymore. I had thought it was before, but quickly dismissed it.

I now know that I...I love him.

I have to tell him now, even if he doesn't reciprocate the same feelings for me. At least then I would have told him and my conscious would be cleared. I yearned to tell him immediately, but feared the awkwardness that might follow seeing as how we would be stuck together until we reached the temple.

Wait a minute! If I was to tell him in Al Bhed, he wouldn't even know what I was saying. That would make it a lot easier on me.

"E muja oui."

I let out a sigh of relief. I had finally told him.

'Why didn't he ask me what I had said?'

"E muja oui, duu."

'What did he just say?! He knows how to speak Al Bhed!? When did he learn to...what did he just say?!'

He said he...he loves me,too.



This chapter was kind of short, but I wanted to end it there. Hopefully, if all goes well, I should have chapter 4 posted in a week or two.