A/N: Now, updates on Mondays and/or Thursdays:)

Hope everyone had a very merry Christmas/(any other holiday that you might celebrate)! Thanks very much for your answers. Even though I might not use them for this fic, it really helps me get an overall feel for the game.

I've finally got the plot figured out, and well, eh heh, it's not as fantasic as I had hoped it would be. But still, it's alright ahha. Hope you'll enjoy this chapter cause this is when things get interesting...

It feels like Hell itself is breathing down on me, burning my body, killing me slowly with the scorching sunlight rays browning every inch of exposed skin. Every breath I take in I want to spit back out into the sultry, humid air. Never have I ever seen the desert so hot with rage that it threatens to suck away every drop of water from any Al Bhed that dares to challenge its nature.

I feel so miserable for them all; especially the ones carrying the tons of building materials from one construction site to the next. And especially sorry for the ones that are standing out in the fatal glare of the afternoon sun, with no trace of a cloud in the sky or the sympathy of the shade of a shadow while they work away tiredly.

I can't really argue though; the launch of the rebuilding of Home brought merriment to Al Bhed everywhere. Even though we are slowly being accepted into society, it's still of significance to us to have a place which we can call our own once again.

I must say, I'm darn proud of Pops for taking on this massive task for our people; but I must also add that I'm darn pissed off too that he's not really doing much physical labor as the rest of us sweating workers. I mean, the guy's sitting in his air-conditioned tent going over the blueprints and ya-de ya-de ya-da… He should be out here having his sanity, like ours, murdered brutally buy the flaming sunlight rays. And you know what else? I must say that–

- EEEEEEEEK! WHO THE SPIRA ARE YOU! How dare you be listening to my thoughts and whatnots! I don't even know you!

… What do you mean we've met? I don't think so buddy!

… Say what?

… (GASPS) Holy geeperrrrrrs! It's you! Oh, my good friend, you've returned! (Big hug) I'm sorry; I didn't recognize you after all these years! My how long has it been… 3 years now? And oh you've grown to be so beautiful/handsome!

… Hmm? (Blushes) Aww, shucks, thanks!

Oh my, we sure have a lot to catch up on don't we?

… Huh? Yuna? (Glares) You've been with my cousin all this time? (Frowns) You left my mind to go to Yuna's? Well, that's alrighty-o, since I was with her for the most part too! Oh so, I guess there's not that much we need to catch up on. But hey, now you've returned to me!

Let me guess: her lovey-dovey thing with Tidus was what made you leave, no? Yeah, same. They need their privacy. Hmm… what about Paine? Oh, gee have you talked to her lately?

… No, I haven't. Paine told me she died and not to bother her. Seeshhh… you sing and dance and try to liven the girl's party just ONCE and she throws a tantrum at you. Sighhh.

…Hmm? Who? Gip-

"Rikku."

Oh, hold on, I'll be right back! (Turns around) "Yeah?"

The Al Bhed kicked the apparatus beside him. "There's something wrong with the generator. Can you fix it?"

"Again? Chuo, I just helped you not even twenty minutes ago!"

He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Um… so you'll help?"

I sighed and gathered all my energy to stand up. I adjusted my tool belt to comfort and carefully stepped out of my shady working area and into the flesh-burning sun. It smoldered me like a grill. I squinted my eyes. "You're gonna owe me big time."

He reached out for me and as if I were as light as a feather, quickly pulled me into his embrace, blocking the sunlight from seeing me. "Okay," he said, "I promise."

A smile snuck out from the corner of my lips and I gently slipped away from him. I walked over to the machine. Other men were gathered around it, delicately screwing, unscrewing bolts and cautiously banging on its metal surface as if it were to blow up in their faces in an instant. I took one glance at it and I felt the urge to strangle Chuo for making me come all the way over here. "You idiot," I told him and pressed down on the switch. Noises resulted and gears moved. "You turn it on."

The other men all stared at Chuo while he stood like a statue with his arms folded across his bare chest, trying to maintain his pride. He looked at me, the men, and then turned away in humiliation.

I smirked and patted him on the shoulder. "You'll get over it."

He didn't answer and instead shoved me playfully. "Why do you always have to make me look so stupid, Rikku?"

I stuck out my tongue. "Cause you are."

And in an instant I was pinned to the ground on the hot sands of our lovely Bikanel Desert, a shitless, grinning, cutie on top of me. I couldn't help but giggle. It's been long since I've felt this giddy for a guy. Been very long…

The sound of my father's footsteps startled me and we immediately separated. I didn't dare look into Pop's eyes when he came, worried that he had seen us.

"Rikku," he said, sounding as if he were suppressing his anger. "We need to talk."

Crap, he saw. I stood up and folded my hands sweetly. "Oh, what horrible trouble pesters you so that you require the need to talk about it with me, my dear father?" Hah, good one Rikku.

He raised his eyebrow.

Okay, un-crap that. He didn't see, yay!

"The oh-so-horrible-trouble of our lack of certain equipment." He handed to me a sheet of paper. "I need someone to go pick up these supplies I ordered."

I scanned the list. "I'll do it!" I can't bear the heat any longer. "Where do I go?"

He pointed to the addresses listed beside each item. "Luca, Bevelle, Besaid… It's a lot…and hmm...very far from this desert heat..." He suddenly snatched the sheet back. "On second thought, you can stay here. I'll go get them myself."

I grabbed it back. No way was he going to wiggle his way out of Operation Rebuild Home. "No, Pops. They need you here. I'll go."

He winced. "Are you sure?" He looked around at our surroundings.

An Al Bhed suddenly faints from the heat.

Pops patted my shoulder lightly. "It just such a lovely day today."

I rolled my eyes. "When would I be leaving?"

He sighed in defeat. "As soon as the airship comes to pick you up. It should be arriving in a few minutes."

Finally! I could escape the wrath of the desert sun and go on a vacation around good ol' non-corrupted Spira! Woooooooooohoooooo! Ahh, chill Rikku. "Yeah, whatever, fine, I'll do it."

And I immediately made a run for my tent to pack my things before he could stop me. But instead, I found myself eventually bumping into Chuo. I stumbled back a bit and then looked up at him in surprise. He looked sad.

"You're leaving?" he barely whispered.

I turned away sadly. "Yeah."

"Will you be gone long?"

I kicked the sand bashfully. "Just for a while." Gosh, I was acting so love-sickened.

He hesitated. "Hold on. I'll meet you in your tent later."

I smiled. "Why? Where are you going?"

He turned to leave. "Just gotta –I'm gonna- uh, get something… I'll be right back!"

Awe, he was so cute. I stood watching him run for a while.

When his figure was no longer distinguishable among the others, I jogged inside my tent and began to gather my things. It felt even hotter in there than outside since all the heat was trapped. But nevertheless, I was egger to get my things and prepare for days of relaxation on an air-conditioned airship!

Let's see… what do I need?

Suddenly the tent flap opened.

Wow, that guy's fast.

"…Ohhhh Cid's Little Girl," a teasing voice bellowed out.

I froze like an ice cube.

Remind me to bolt that flap down…

Thanks for reading. Please Review.