Back again! To continue, you all know the story of me becoming a guardian of Yunie. Well, if Tidus hadn't seen me on Moonflow, I might be dead right now.

Though that wouldn't have been that bad of an alternative then.

For that whole tirp, I was bouncy, and, heck it WAS fun. I have to admit that. Pops was al excited when I found Yunie, but I felt all awkward when the Al Bhed had taken her.

And there were sad moments. Like when Home burned down, or when Tidus died...(He's back)! But the worst weight on my shoulders possible was that of Gippal.

I said a little prayer to him every night, and watched the stars as promised. I wondered if he had done the same thing...sometimes I swore I saw him. I know I did in Luca, walking down the street, strutting with all his might.

I didn't realize it until later, though. And it got me thinking...he had been different. He had an egotistical air about him-with heavy armor on and a different hairstyle to match.

And probably a different girl.

When I realized it was him I wanted to search the whole city for him again, to cling on and give him the biggest hug in the world...but I couldn't. He was surrounded by numerous people; and I was alone.

(I wasn't with the group yet, remember?) So...yes...anyway...

I'll let you see things from a different perspective now.

GIPPAL'S STORY

I saw her. I know I did.

There she was, all alone in Luca, standing nervously in line at the store.

I almost died. Right then, right there. My first thoughts; why was she alone? Did she come to see me? Where was Brother? Why did she look scared?

...

Did she still have feelings for me?

But I didn't race up and acknowledge her. I felt bad enough for not sending her letters. And eventually, it had died out.

We had died out.

And I have to admit, I changed. A lot.

I had different hair, different clothes, different friends and ways of walking; and a different attitude.

I didn't particularly like what I had become. I could even have called myself a monster. I was pompous, full of myself, an all time jerk. I thought I could have every woman I wanted, just because once upon a time I had had Rikku.

But it was all lies. I had Baralai, Nooj, and Paine. No one else then.

And I had to restrain myself. I didn't want to seem like a fool. I doubt she even saw me...

But I swear our eyes locked. Just for a fleeting second. But then I was swept off in the crowd.

The Crimson Squad was the ultimate place to be, I must admit. It was fun and full of action...just the way I like it. I was so happy, and so was everyone else. I felt in place, like I had friends—but every moment I was guilty...guilty for leaving the only girl I've ever loved, guilty for not writing to her and—guilty for following someone else.

Gippal stooped low, blowing at the embers of the small fire.

"I'll never get the hang of this." He muttered, poking at it with a stick. HE had had machina to do stuff like this his whole life.

'I wonder what Rikku's doing.' He thought to himself for the millionth time. He looked up into the sky and watched the stars silently for a while, just remembering his promise to Rikku while everyone slept on.

A small cough sounded behind him. Gippal leapt up, his heart beating 10 times its usual rate.

"Holy Yevon!" He cried, turning around. He gave an exasperated sigh as he saw Kalla standing there, an innocent smile on her face.

"Sorry Gipp."

He cringed. That's what Rikku called him.

"S'okay." He muttered, sitting back down on the log. "Why are you still up?" He asked.

"I could ask you the same question." Kalla said in a silky voice, layered with want. But Gippal was too thick to notice things like that.

She gingerly sat down on one of the logs. Kalla was not fighting in the war, but she was the daughter of the high-time leader of the Crimson Squad, and had to follow him everywhere. But she wasn't too disappointed this time.

Over the months Gippal had gotten to know Kalla—perhaps a little too well. Everytime she appeared he got that knot in his stomach. Not as strong as it had been with Rikku, but it was still there.

And Everytime it WAS there he felt like murdering himself.

"What's wrong?" She asked, concerned.

"Whaddya mean?"
"Everytime I come near you now you back off like some wounded fiend." Gippal just shrugged. "I have stuff on my mind."

Kalla just shook her head irritably. "Come on Gippal! Be happy! You're part of one of the best armies in Spira! Pick up the pace! You're usually better then thi-"
"Kalla!" Gippal hissed so he wouldn't wake everyone up.

"Just shut up, okay? I could care less about your concern, to put it frankly."

Kalla shrugged. "Whatever you say, handsome." She flashed him a smile, and got up. As she walked away she traced one fingernail slowly across his should and up his neck.

"Whatever you say." She whispered again.

Gippal felt his arm twitch slightly. 'Control.' He thought. 'Think of Rikku.'

"Sorry Kalla, I've already got a girl.' He suddenly said. Wow, that took effort.

Kalla stood back a little. "You'll never keep it up, being here." She frowned slightly. "And NO ONE'S ever ignored me."

Gippal grinned. "Then I'm honored to be the first."

Kalla sighed and walked away, but what she didn't know was that Gippal was sighing as well—having to live without Rikku...and with that temptation walking away.

A/N: I'm SORRY, I'm SORRY, I know it sucks HARD, but trust me, next chapter goes into X-2 and their first meeting at Djose! Oooh...sorry for the shortness and ugliness of the chapter! Oo