A/N-Yay! I've passed the 100 review line! Thanks, you guys! It just feels so…great when you have three digits in your reviews…Hee-hee! Well anyway, I'm glad you guys really like this story and are staying with it! It gives me something to do, and I really don't wanna work on my Joan of Arc research paper, or my piano master class songs…Have you heard of one of these : Spanish Dance and True Light (DNAngel)? I feel like talking more than writing the story right now, so thanks to those who actually read my author's notes.   Spring Break is almost over, and that really sucks, because the reality of school is gonna wham me a good one. sigh I hate my life right now. I've been stuck on videogames all break, and only trying SO much on my research project (I managed to write down the bibliography for 1/30 source notes). I've mostly been playing Kingdom Hearts, trying to finish up the game. SO confusing! I'm at the End of the World, leveling up. I'm trying to get the Ultima Weapon. All I need for Deep Dive are Dalmatians 94, 95 and 96. What a PAIN! Besides that, on FFX-2, I'm working on the Via Infinito Cloister thingy. 60 more levels to go! depressed sigh Well, enough chatter! Let's get going!

♥Every Heart♥

Chapter Ten: Pet Peeve

                I looked Gippel straight in the eye, opened my mouth, and spoke firmly, "Gippel, I think that…" I trailed off as his piercing gaze made me feel uncomfortable. My mouth went dry and my words died on my tongue quickly as I tried to choose my words carefully.  "Um…I think…maybe…well…" Gippel's eye was blank and he looked down, as if he was masking his hurt.

                "I understand, Rikku," he said quietly, getting up to leave.

                "Hey, wait!" I cried, grabbing his muscular arm. Muscular?! I turned beet red at my random thought, feeling his arm tense as my fingers pulsed erratically. Ooh, why did this have to be so hard?! I huffed. Might as well just say it. But say what? I looked at him then, and he was staring right back at me with his jaded eye, patiently awaiting my answer. "Gippel," I started, encouraging myself to go on.

                "Yes, that is my name," he replied arrogantly. I could see right through him in that one moment. I saw the apprehension in his eyes, almost inconceivable by the smirk etched onto his face. The pulse in his arm that I hadn't let go of was slightly off-beat and his smirk faltered for a second.

                "You're a great guy. I know that. And sometimes you can be a jerk," I smirked slightly as he tried to conceal his wince, "But I'd like to get to know you better." I finished my statement and released my hold on his arm, awaiting his reply. He remained glued to the spot, looking like he was still ready to leave as I plopped back down and shoved the rest of my burger down my throat, grinning.

                "So…is that a yes?" he asked slowly after a few seconds, staring at me. I grinned up at him, rolling my eyes, and nodded. His tense form seemed to relax and he smirked at me. "I knew you couldn't resist a chance of marrying someone like me." He just had to ruin the moment. I frowned at him slightly as he chuckled, slapping some gil onto the counter. I stood up as well and we left the restaurant, both of us in a good mood. I felt a whole lot better knowing that he hadn't even hinted or spoken of the incident this morning, of which I was glad. The sun had risen high above the sky now, its golden wings giving warmth to the people below. The sky was light blue and the air was fresh, giving energy to my lungs. I felt like dancing!

                I didn't notice that I had started humming until Gippel pointed it out.

                "Whoops!" I exclaimed sheepishly, slapping a hand to my mouth. "Sorry, did that bother you?" I whispered, my voice coming out muffled. I removed my hand from its clamped position on my mouth. He merely chuckled and walked faster, not answering. What was that about? I shrugged and quickened my pace as well, and soon we were crossing the stone bridge to Djose Temple.

                Gippel stretched out his arms and yawned, walking towards the admission booth where some haggard-looking people were signing up. I stood there in the middle of the area, glaring at his back, lightly placing my hands on my tanned hips.

                "Aren't you even gonna say bye or something?!" I yelled at him, feeling annoyed. He merely acknowledged that he had heard me by waving a hand nonchalantly in my direction, back still faced to me. Ooh! What a meanie! I grumbled and stomped on the ground, crossing my bare arms over my tank top. That guy made me sooo mad! I rolled my eyes to no one in particular and headed towards the temple when I rerouted my path, deciding to stay outside some more.

                Replacing my previously sour mood caused by none other than Mr. Poopy, I skipped off to the bridge. I wasn't gonna let that jerk get me down! He was rude, incompetent, and mean! I nodded my head vigorously and screeched to a halt in the middle of the bridge, crossing over to the right side. I propped my elbows against the cool hard support, blankly glancing out towards the mountain's horizons. My hair shifted in the breeze, stray ends tickling my nose. I wrinkled my nose and placed my chin in my right hand, sighing deeply. So…what now?

                "There you are!" I didn't realize that that voice was directed to me until a purple gloved hand turned me around none too gently. I nearly screamed at the sudden contact, but just glared as I saw who it was.

                "Hey! What was that for?!" I glared at Leblanc, who was clad in her usual revealing outfit, diamond chopsticks neatly placed in her fair locks. She had her hands placed on her slim hips, matching my glare evenly.

                "Well, if you must know, love, I was searching all over this Yevon-forsaken place for you and lover boy. I finally had to ask your summoner friend, and when she told me you guys left without me, your personal wedding adviser…well, you know, I was mad!" She strummed her slender fingers against her waist, pink lips set in a frown.

                "Sorry, Leblanc. I didn't know you had to be everywhere with us," I returned her outburst sarcastically, rolling my eyes.

                "I wasn't finished yet, love. As punishment—"

                "Punishment?!" I exclaimed, feeling my swirled eyes bulge. "What punishment?!"

                "I was getting there, love, if you would stop interrupting," Leblanc huffed, leaning back a little, "As I said, as punishment, you and lover boy will go on a first date to a restaurant of my choice," she raised a hand to silence me as I was about to protest, "And you will listen to all of my advising. I will turn you two into the perfect loving couple!" She finished, sighing dreamily. I blanched.

                "Well…" I stuttered, trying to dig a way out of this, "I certainly don't want to do this, so if Gippel also doesn't wanna do this, you can't make us!" I yelled triumphantly. Leblanc only continued to smile evilly at me. "W-what?"

                "I already informed lover boy, and he seems perfectly fine with my idea," she said coyly, examining her hidden fingernails. I wanted to strangle him!!! Why would he want to do this? I growled and whimpered quietly, feeling betrayed.

                "Ooh…I'm really gonna kill him this time!" I ground out through clenched teeth as Leblanc smiled happily.

                "Don't worry, love. You two are so perfect for each other…" She patted me affectionately on the head before turning around and sashaying back to the temple. I watched her retreating back, stunned by her last words. You two are so perfect for each other…

…Really?

                My eyes widened as my conscience spoke up quietly and bashfully. I balled my hands into small fists and banged my hand repeatedly, knocking some sense into my head. I sighed and looked up at the bright morning sky. Well, it won't be that bad. I mean, as long as it isn't as mushy as Leblanc wants it to be. I shivered involuntarily. Why did she, out of all the people in Spira, have to be our wedding adviser?

DjoseTemple; Supermachina Room-Gippel and Leblanc

                "Gippel, fa haat Yccaspmo Beala Z yht S."

                "Ug!" Gippel called back as the Al Bhed ran back inside the temple doors. He strolled over to an unoccupied digger who was chatting away with a she-goon, drinking water from a flask. He tapped the man on the shoulder, noting with slight disgust that the grease on the digger's shoulder had left a stain on his glove. "Hey you, if you're not busy, go find Assembly Piece Z and S pronto. If it's under two minutes, I'll give you an extra five hundred gil as a bonus."

                "Yes sir!" The man stood up quickly, saluting Gippel and trotting away at a fast pace, shovel bouncing up and down as he hurried away. Gippel rolled his eye and placed a hand on his hip, looking around. Well, there seemed like there was nothing else to do here. He sauntered back inside the temple and walked casually up the stairs where a guard stood. The soldier nodded at his leader and moved aside to let Gippel in, standing back in front of the entrance as Gippel walked past.

                The young Al Bhed walked down the halls and climbed a few more stairs until he entered a space-y room that was nearly filled by a huge machina. He walked around it and examined a few broken off pieces that sent small electrical sparks flying in the air. Several Al Bhed men were working furiously on the supermachina, sweat dripping down the side of their faces. Placing a hand thoughtfully to his chin, he called over a worker.

                "So, how long until we can try this thing out?"

                "Uhla fa ryja druca dfu Yccaspmo bealac dryd Ouccha ycgat vun, ed cruimt pa vehecrat. Rufajan, drana yna cusa bnalyideuhc, caaehk yc dra sylrehy rych'd paah icat oad," the worker answered eagerly, staring at the supermachina with pride.

                "Good, good." Gippel nodded his thanks to the man and motioned him back to work.

                "Ah, I knew I'd find you here, love." Gippel turned around quickly, surprise evident on his handsome features.

                "Leblanc?! How'd you get in here? There's supposed to be someone guarding the doors!" The woman merely rolled her eyes and flashed him a seducing smile.

                "Flattery will get you everywhere," she remarked smoothly, sashaying over to him. "Anyway, I won't be wasting your time long. I just wanted to tell you that Rikku has been informed of the dinner."

                "I'm guessing she isn't taking it well?"

                "My, my, you're dead on the money, love." The two exchanged a smirk as Leblanc pulled out her sharp red fan from under her sleeve, waving it around flirtingly as Gippel rolled his eye.

                "Yeah, ok. Thanks, Leblanc." He all but shoved her out the door as the woman laughed, walking outside the room.

Djose Temple; Rikku's Room- Rikku, Yuna, and Paine

                I stared at myself in the mirror. A few minutes ago, Leblanc had intruded in on my moping, saying that the dinner date was at eight sharp. I glanced at my moogle alarm clock. A virtual image of a white moogle with small lavender wings and a yellow bouncy antenna ball popped out as the numbers changed to 7:30, the little creature dancing while chirping, "7:30, kupo, kupo! 7:30, kupo!" I tilted my head to the side, wondering where the species had disappeared. I shrugged and faced the mirror again, wondering what to do.

                The door opened, and in came a rush of jasmine, smiles, and clothes. I blinked, standing up to face my intruder.

                "Hey, Rikku!" Yunie chirped as she practically bounced into my room stumbling around and placing the heap of clothes onto my bed, hangers clinking together. Paine soon entered the scene, but her steps were much more suave then Yunie's. Her ruby eyes glanced at me briefly as she crossed her arms across her chest, leather gloves shining ominously under the light's faint glow.

                "Hey, Yunie! Hey, Paine!" I masked my fear of the dinner date and Paine quickly, skipping over to Yunie. "Whatcha got there?"

                "Clothes for you to try on," Paine replied indifferently. I sighed. I didn't want Paine to be mad at me! I walked over to her and got in her face, biting my lip as she narrowed her eyes at me. "What."

                "Wah! Paine, I'm sorry if I made you mad!" I opened my arms to her as she stared at me.

                "Don't worry about it, Rikku. I forgive you," she replied after a while, smiling faintly. I grinned. Yay! "But I don't think I need a hug." I pouted and put my arms back to their sides.

                "Rikku, we only have twenty minutes for you to decide what to wear!" Yunie snapped me back to the world and I panicked, crumbling to a heap beside Paine's boots.

                "Nooo! I don't wanna go, Yunie!" I whined futilely as my cousin dragged me to the bed, shoving me into the closet to try on some clothes. I looked at them. Wow, Yunie had pretty good skills! I was usually the one who designed the clothes, but one look at Yunie's designs and I could tell hers rivaled mine perfectly. I grinned, slipping into a pale yellow sundress.

                I stepped out of the room and twirled around, the edges of the dress floating upwards as the air breezed by. It was a perfect fit! Not too tight or loose, and it was light!

                "Hey, I like this one, Yunie. I don't think I wanna try on any more."

                "Alright, Rikku. But if you'd like to try some more of my designs, you're welcome to."

                "Thanks! Hey, when did you start designing anyway? These are an awful lot of clothes."

                "Oh. Well, I started a little after Tidus came back. I was wondering if…um…" Yunie bit her lip, searching for some words.

                "Yeah, yeah?!" I hopped up and down, examining myself in the full-length mirror.

                "Well, since I know for sure you're designing my wedding dress, I was wondering if I could…" She trailed off, looking away. I smiled sincerely and squealed, managing to drive away a blush.

                "Of course, Yunie! I'd love that." Yunie looked at me and smiled, nodding.

                "Let's work on your hair!" She winked at me as I groaned, pulling the beads from my hair and untangling my messy braids. I pulled off my favorite bandanna and let my long blonde hair fall down. She wore a concentrated look on her face and soon she was experimenting with my hair, smiling the whole time.

Djose Temple; Hall/Date- Gippel, Rikku, and Leblanc

                Gippel stood beside Leblanc in front of Rikku's room, fist poised to knock. He felt like a complete dork. Leblanc had dressed him in a black polo shirt ("Girls love a man in black!" Leblanc had said) and blue jeans. His eye patch was in its usual position, and his hair was spiked up as well. He wasn't wearing his gloves, and he had to admit that he felt uncomfortable without them. Leblanc had gone as far as to give him a cologne called Haizhe Ice (for those who don't know, Haizhe is the fiend that looks like a miniature Quezacotl and it shines, and there's two types: Deep Haizhe and just plain Haizhe. They're so pretty!), which she had said made girls go mad. He rolled his eye. As if.

                "Well? Knock already, lover boy," Leblanc whispered from beside him, impatiently strumming her fingers against her hip. Gippel took in a deep breath and knocked three times on the door, nervously looking around. Why do I feel so awkward? Some shuffling was heard and a giggle that sounded strangely like Yuna's was heard until the door swung open. Gippel gaped at Rikku, and she stared innocently back at him.

                She was wearing a pale yellow sundress with a small diamond pendant shimmering from its position around her neck. Cute white sandals adorned her small feet, which were painted a faint white like her fingernails. Her hair was down, reaching her mid-waist, a single braid on the right side of her face, tied by a small red bow. He noticed that she still wore the orange-white feather earrings, despite the fact that they kind of mismatched, but he found he liked it that way. His voice caught in his throat as he continued to take her in, feeling like a stuttering idiot, except a stuttering idiot actually had something to say.

                "What? Do I look that bad?" Rikku pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. A poking in his side snapped him out of his trance and he smirked, resisting the urge to ruffle her perfect hair.

                "No. Not that bad," he replied hoarsely, surprised by how husky it sounded. Rikku stuck her tongue out at him childishly, earning a chuckle from Gippel. Offering her his arm, he smirked. "Shall we?" Rikku grinned and wrapped a slender arm around him and the two departed, followed by a smirking Leblanc.

                Yuna and Paine watched from their place at the door as the two young Al Bheds and Leblanc walked out of the temple and into the night, a knowing smile on both of their faces.

Djose Temple; Rikku's Room- Rikku, Yuna, and Paine

                Gah! It was eight already?! I started to panic as Yunie finished with me, a gentle smile on her pretty face.

                "All done!" she exclaimed merrily, backing away.

                "How do I look?" I asked quietly, afraid to look in the mirror.

                "Beautiful!" Yunie replied, giving me a reassuring hug.

                "You look great, Rikku. Stop worrying, I can read you like a book," Paine said from her position by the door, red eyes smiling. I returned the smile and stood up, glancing at myself in the mirror. A knock sounded at the door and Yunie giggled, shoving me forward. Paine moved out of the way and the two hid behind the bed, waiting to watch the scene unfold. I rolled my eyes, took a deep breath, and twisted the knob.

                As I opened the door, I resisted the urge to blush. I'd already done that enough times today! I'll admit that Gippel looked handsome in his black shirt and jeans, face unreadable as he stared at me. I looked over at Leblanc as she winked at me and I shyly looked down, feeling uncomfortable under Gippel's gaze. I decided to break the ice as a thick silence spread around us.

                "What? Do I look that bad?" I pouted, crossing my arms. Gippel's face smirked down at me as Leblanc poked him in the side, as if cueing him.

                "No. Not that bad," he replied. I stuck my tongue at him playfully and smiled as he chuckled lowly. The next thing he did surprised me to no end, but I managed to hide my bemusement. He offered his arm to me and I stared at it for a moment before grinning and happily obliging, wrapping my left arm around his right. He started to walk and I followed beside him as Leblanc silently followed. After we left the temple, she passed by us, leading the way to her surprise restaurant.

                After walking for a while, Gippel decided to talk about something. He poked the feathers on my ear and murmured, "Why do you wear those?"

                "These?" I questioned, playing with the soft feathers on my ears. He nodded, trying to look like he didn't care. I giggled and dropped my hand back down. "Well, I wear these feathers because they hold many memories. They were there when my mom died, and when Yunie and her guardians--including me—went on the pilgrimage to stop Sin, and they were there when I saw Yunie and Tidus kissing—"

                "What, you had a crush on Tidus or something?"

                "Well, yeah," I said, blushing faintly, "Anyway, basically these feathers and I shared the good and bad moments together, and they still continue to. I guess it sounds stupid, but it's nice to hold onto something, you know?" I finished, glancing up at him. He merely nodded and we continued on our trek, a comfortable silence wrapping around us.

                "Ah, here we are!" Leblanc exclaimed, coming to an abrupt halt. Yep, this place was really romantic. Heck, we weren't even inside and I could tell! The restaurant was named Lover's Loot, there were neon hearts lighting the outside, and the tables were in the shape of huge hearts. There was even a photo booth outside colored pink and guess what shape it was? Yep. A heart. This was definitely Leblanc's dream place, considering the tattoo she had on her chest.

                "Wow, Leblanc, you certainly know how to choose the places," Gippel spoke, sounding edgy. Leblanc clapped her hands together and walked inside.

                "Let's get going, loves!" She cheered and walked up to the hostess. "It's under Leblanc Trio," she replied casually, waiting for the hostess to find their names.

                "Ah yes, I see. Right this way, please," the hostess smiled and grabbed three menus, leading us to a large table near a window. "A waiter will be here shortly." And with that, she left.

                I sat next to Gippel on the cushiony long seat, picking up a menu.

                "No, no, no!" Leblanc cried, snatching the menu away from me.

                "Huh? Hey, what?" I asked so intelligently.

                "The man must always order for the woman," she admonished, waggling a finger in my face.

                "Ok…Gippel, order me something with chicken!"

                "Um…ok." Leblanc sighed and slapped a palm to her head.

                "No! The man must always know what to order for the lady because they share a tight bond." I leaned over to Gippel.

                "Why'd you choose her to be our wedding adviser?" I whispered, feeling frightened of Leblanc's wrath.

                "I don't know what came over me," he whispered back. I nodded like I understood, then flashed an uneasy smile towards Leblanc. The waiter soon came, introduced himself, took our orders, and whisked away, disappearing behind the kitchen doors.

                "Now," Leblanc started, propping her elbows on the table and clasping her hands together so that her chin could rest on them, "let's pick pet names." If she didn't sound so serious, I would've thought that she was joking, and I would've laughed. Unfortunately, Gippel thought she was joking. He started laughing like there was no tomorrow, and then stopped quickly as Leblanc glared at him.

                "You gotta be kidding me," he exclaimed incredulously.

                "…No."

                "What?! I have to call him by a pet name? What's wrong with 'Gippel'?" I asked pleadingly.

                "Yeah! What's wrong with 'Gippel'?!"

                "Oh, stop your whining. Now pick. Rikku, you first." I gulped as I turned to Gippel, who was glaring at me. Basically, his stare said, "Name me something stupid and you die." But then, I could get back at him for all those times he was mean to me. I smiled and spoke.

                "Gippy-Wippy."

                "What?! That sounds so…!!! WIMPY!" That earned a few stares from the neighboring tables. I raised a brow.

                "Fine. Would you like it to be Gippy-Wimpy?"

                "N-no!"

                "Alright then. Gippel, your turn." Leblanc seemed to really enjoy this. I scowled at Gippel as he grinned evilly at me, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

                "Hmm…RiRi…Oh!" He snapped his fingers together. "Your name, my dear, is Wee-Wee."

                "Wee-Wee?! How'd you get that?!"

                "Well…Rikku, Ri-Ri, and that sounds like Wee-Wee!" He finished cheerily, smirking at me. I huffed. This was so…argh!

                "Wonderful!" Leblanc exclaimed trying to conceal her laughter. The new couple, Gippy-Wippy and Wee-Wee!" She lost it there. Full out gales of laughter escaped from her mouth as she clutched her chest, heaving and clutching the table edges for support as she went down…ok, now she was on the floor. I sighed, exchanging a dreadful glance with Gippel. And so, the dinner went on as Leblanc hiccupped every now and then, smiling into her meal.

                After the meal was finished, Leblanc insisted that we take a picture at the photo booth to remember this wonderful moment. The three of us crowded into the booth, Leblanc in the middle, Gippel on her left, and me to her right. We both had scowls on her faces as she smiled for the camera, but those were quickly replaced with cheesy and fake smiles once she told us that if we didn't smile, we'd have to announce to the restaurant that we were going to get married, using our new pet names.

                The good part about the photo was that we all looked so happy together. The bad part was that when the photo had been printed, our names were beside our faces, and guess what names Gippel and I had? Yep.

                 Thankfully, when we got back to the temple, Leblanc didn't make us kiss like I had thought earlier. "It's too early for that!" she had said.

                I escaped to my room, slamming the door to find Yunie and Paine staring curiously at me.

                "Leblanc made us choose pet names for each other," I ground out, feeling embarrassed already.

                "Dare I ask what they are?" Yunie asked, smiling. I sighed, handing over the picture taken at the photo booth.

                "Gippy-Wippy and Wee-Wee," Yunie muttered aloud for all to hear. It had pretty much the same effect on Yunie and Paine as it had on Leblanc. Both of them crumbled to the floor in laughing heaps, tears escaping their eyes.

                "Ooh! It's not funny! You are supposed to be supportive!" I exclaimed, turning even redder.

                "Oh, I'm totally supportive," Yunie gasped for air.

                "Shaddap."

A/N-Aren't you guys so proud of me?! This is the longest chapter I've written for this story so far! I decided that you guys deserved an extra long chapter for giving me over a 100 reviews, cause that made me happy, and I want my readers to be happy! wink Well, doesn't it suck that Spring Break is almost over? I don't wanna go back to school! pouts Ah well! Don't forget to review! And thanks to knivesgirl346. Your reviews really inspire me and I loved your moogle so much that I thought of the moogle alarm clock thingy. Hee-hee! Until next chapter, people!

Moshi Moshi Mai

Translations:

"Gippel, fa haat Yccaspmo Beala Z yht S." : Gippel, we need Assembly Piece Z and S.

"Ug!" : Ok!

"Uhla fa ryja druca dfu Yccaspmo bealac dryd Ouccha ycgat vun, ed cruimt pa vehecrat. Rufajan, drana yna cusa bnalyideuhc, caaehk yc dra sylrehy rych'd paah icat oad."  : Once we have those two Assembly pieces that Ouccha asked for, it should be finished. However, there are some precautions, seeing as the machina hasn't been used yet.