A/N: Yes! I finished my L.A. It's 23 pages long. O.O Eek!

Happier news—Thanks soooooooo much for all the reviews! No one understands that those bits of writing make my day so much better! . Thanks!!

PS: I know that Rikku got over her fear of lightning-but I needed it to work-okay, I didn't, I just wanted to add it in there. Anyhoo, on with the story!

Same Day, Later On-Rikku's Boat

"WHADDYA MEAN IT'S HUGE?!" Rikku shrieked, eyes shut tightly together. "PLEASE TELL ME YOU'RE LYING!"

The thrashing of the ocean waves had forced Rikku to scream, and she could feel her throat drying up from the salty air. She sputtered up a mouthful of sea water and began to cough. Gippal squeezed her hands tighter, and she grinned shyly at him.

"There's only one thing we can do!" Sunny cried, grabbing onto the railing to brace his body against the stormy waves, "we have to fight it!"

Rikku moaned against her clenched teeth. Fight? Look at what it did just swimming, let alone fighting!

"Fine!" She called, pushing on the inside of Gippal's hands with her own, which told him to let go. Reluctantly, he did, helping to stand her up.

"You're going to fight it?!" Gippal asked, his eye wide with worry. "You're crazy!"

Rikku grinned up at him, her wild hair whipping around her head from the wind created by the waves. "I know, but I'm a crazy person!" She shouted back, grinning stupidly. With a wave she jumped off of the boat deck in one swift movement.

"RIKKU!" Gippal cried, seeing her body gracefully dive into the watery depths. Soon she vanished, paddling bravely against the strong undercurrents.

"What a stupid girl." He muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. He would never go jumping in water to fight a fiend-anywhere else, just not water.

"She'll kill it before we get a chance!" Gippal heard Lienn cry, laughing. He watched, filled with some twisted, fascinated, horror, as the three men also jumped off of the boat and into the black water. He shivered, wondering just how cold it was.

"You're CRAZY!" He called after them, hands gripping tightly to the rail. "All of you!"

Yevon, now I remember why I hate boats so much. He thought, stomach turning and rolling just liked the ocean. This is the scariest thing I've ever been on… A sudden lurch of the boat caused one arm to fly off of the railing. His eye widened in panic, and he quickly grabbed back on. Sweating, he stationed his legs shoulder width apart, bracing his body against the tides.

This is going to be a looong wait. He thought, dejected.

Rikku could have screamed as soon as the icy water hit her body. It was like rolling around in snow in nothing at all-but worse. She blinked her eyes rapidly, still amazed at her ability to be able to see underwater-and hold her breath for long periods of time.

What have I gotten myself INTO? She asked, quickly swimming against the undercurrents. Am I seriously going to fight this thing alone? She shivered at the thought, hoping at least one of the men on board was following her.

She struggled against the waves, forcing her body to keep moving. She wouldn't have guessed going on those journeys would help her physical strength so much-especially since swimming was one of her worst things.

She heard an almost hissing noise from below her. She froze in mid-paddle, eyes wide. What was that? She shivered as she heard another hiss, and took a big gulp.

Well, here I go. She thought, unsheathing her twin blades.

I'll miss you, Gippal. Rikku thought once more, wondering if she'd even make it out alive.

The young girl swam deeper down, feeling the insides of her ears slowly pop. Man, that was annoying. Why did she have to be so reckless?!

There. She saw it. She gasped. It was huge. And when she thought huge, she thought enormous, gargantuan; super sized, extra big, HONKIN huge!

The thing seemed like an octopus-or was it? It had not eight tentacles, but ten-it had not two eyes, but what looked like 100…almost like spider's eyes. Its skin was a light pink, thought it didn't even look like flesh. It looked almost jelly like. And—that was freaky-deaky-on each side of the eyes were two large…arms?! Yep. Arms. With long, sharpened claws on the end that looked like they could kill Rikku in one swipe.

Ohhhhh Lordy. She thought, stomach knotting in fear.

I'm a goner.

Lienn, Sunny, and Bilak swam along at a lazy pace, weapons hanging loosely from their hands. The strong tow of the current didn't bother them-thanks to a new gadget from the boss; they could swim through a whirlpool and manage to come out alive.

Sunny felt a little bad for Rikku, having to try and fight that thing on her own. But remembering Gippal and her snuggled up close on the deck caused his anger to flare up again.

But he had to keep his cool-they all did. This little monster here was just another step of the plan-it was all intended.

But Sunny had a little plan of his own tucked under his sleeve.

A hand shaking his arm caused him to snap out of his daydreaming. He glanced down to see Rikku darting at the octopus, trying to hit the most vulnerable spot-the eyes. He couldn't help but smirk, and looked to see Lienn and Bilak chuckling just a little. She was pretty smart…but she couldn't actually beat that thing. He held out an arm as a sign to stay put: they weren't to go just yet.

Not yet.

Rikku yelped in pain as a long claw extended to slash at her arm. She glared at the retreating arm as she paddled away to heal herself up with a potion. Nervously she fumbled with her garment grid, trying to find the right dressphere.

Machina Maw? No, it'll sink. Not Trainer, nor White Mage. Ack, why can't they have a DOLPHIN one or something?! She cried in her mind, fingers trembling. This thief one wasn't working out-she needed something to attack it from far away.

Aha! My Black Mage-hopefully it won't affect my swimming. She gulped and quickly transformed into the black mage garbs. Holding her staff out in front of her, she collected the power flowing through her veins, sending it to her staff. She needed…thunder. Yea, lightning was stronger than water!

In a matter of seconds she did a little spin just for the fun of it, held her staff out, and sent a forceful jet of lightning at the thrashing octopus. She was giddy to see it hit right on target. The octopus seemed dazed for a moment, its tentacles waving lazily. Rikku grinned, despite the situation.

This would be easy.

No, no, no! Sunny thought desperately, seeing her pulverizing the octopus with her magic. Whenever it was dazed, she charged up once more, sending another blast. The stupid creature never reacted fast enough. Sunny growled deep in his throat-he wanted his moment of glory.

And he was going to get it, no matter what.

Whirling around, he signaled to Lienn and Bilak to throw grenades right below Rikku. Without questioning him, the two fumbled in their pockets, seconds later bringing out the small bombs. Holding up his fingers until three were held up, the men chucked the grenades in the direction of Rikku, pins in hand. Praying, Sunny saw the bombs explode right beneath Rikku, causing her to glance down in fright.

Everything would be fine.

Rikku felt an odd tingling sensation in her feet. Glancing down, she gasped. Something had exploded beneath her! Without questioning what it had been, Rikku darted to the side, knowing what was about to happen. A burst of flame shot up in the water, right where Rikku had been floating. It heated up the water around it, causing Rikku to feel her skin prickle. With a sigh she smiled as the explosion wore away. She had moved just in time…

Now back to the octo-something clawed at her back before she had a chance to finish her thought. The creature! With having to dodge the explosion, that stupid thing had had enough time to come out of its daze! She gasped as she saw a tentacle reaching out for her from below, and another from above. She hurriedly glanced to the right and left, but with no surprise, a tentacle was swarming towards her from each. She started to paddle away, but a tentacle wrapped easily around her middle, the other three grabbing her legs and arms. With a bubbly shriek Rikku tried to pull away, knowing these tentacles could crush her in a second. But the thing just wouldn't let go! Rikku struggled helplessly, feeling the slippery tentacles slowly smushing her body with each passing second. She was doomed.

Sunny could have danced a happy dance once he saw the octopus awaken from its daze. With a sense of pride he watched the fiend grab out for her, wrapping her body tightly. He felt a ping of pity watching her struggle, a look of utter terror on her face.

He glanced back to see Lienn reaching for the controls on a hand held remote-the thing that would drive the beast away. Sunny grabbed for Lienn's arm, motioning for him to wait until Sunny gave him the signal.

Confused, but obedient, Lienn stopped from pressing that good old, obvious, round red button. Sunny swam quickly towards Rikku's prison, feeling his heart jumping around in his ribcage.

This was perfect.

Rikku could have cried with happiness as she saw through her blurry vision, Sunny swimming her way. She struggled even harder, knowing her friend would be no match for the monster.

But Sunny just calmly swam up to thing, resting an arm on an outstretched tentacle. Rikku froze, eyes wide with wonder.

What is he DOING?! She thought. But her eyes closed wearily, the pressure of the tentacles just too much.

Sunny glanced back at the girl to see her eyes closed, body floating lifelessly within the tentacles. Good, good. He waved at Lienn, who willingly pressed down the button.

A roar echoed around them. Sunny clapped his hands to his ears, the noise was so deafening.

But it seemed like music to the monster. It stopped gripping at Rikku, and Lienn pressed the button again. A good old, sea monster mating call. In one swift movement the creature was gone, swimming speedily into the deeper depths of the ocean. Sunny felt his chest swell with pride at his invention-it had worked like a charm. Glancing down he saw Rikku beginning to sink down. He calmly paddled down to her and grabbed her frail body in his arms. He grinned widely, knowing she would practically worship him once she awoke.

He began to swim back towards his friends, waiting impatiently for the return to the boat.

………………..

Gippal and Rikku had talked all evening after sharing a laugh. Gippal had now gotten used to sitting down on a boat, and lifted his head up now. Him and Rikku sat down beside the crane the rest of the evening, watching the sunset slowly, casting a purple glow on the waters. The man had felt at peace, at least for a moment, with Rikku-for so long, it had been painful to be in her presence.

But she just…didn't know why he had to break up with her. If only she understood, things might have been completely different between them…

"Look! A shooting star!" Rikku had cried out, tugging at his arm. Gippal grinned and looked up, just barely seeing the tail of the star flying away. Rikku giggled happily, reminding Gippal of old times.

Rikku yawned and laid her head on Gippal's shoulder. He felt his spine shiver at her touch, but shook it off.

"Tired?" He asked quietly, looking down at the top of her head. God, she was beautiful with her hair down…

"Mhm." Rikku answered sleepily, and he saw her eyes flutter.

"Well, it IS pretty late." Gippal stated, realizing his own exhaustion.

"Oooh, but I don't wanna sleep yet!" Rikku cried, sitting up straight with a grin plastered on her face. "I'm not REALLY tired, really—"

Gippal gasped slightly as, out of the blue, Rikku's body fell limp, and her head fell softly onto his lap. Seconds later loud snores could be heard from deep within her. Gippal couldn't help but chuckle.

"You were always odd." He muttered quietly. Suddenly, feeling like a little boy doing something naught, he lifted a trembling hand. He let out a quiet giggle. GIGGLE? Whoa. Weird.

Slowly he laid his shaking hand on her head. With a sigh of relief he saw she didn't stir. Then, slowly, ever so slowly, he began to stroke her hair. It was a quiet night, and Gippal breathed in the ocean air deeply. He remembered doing this with her all the time—it had always calmed her down when she was in a state of fear or sadness.

"Oh Gippal…" He heard her muttered. He felt his hand fly off of her head, his eye darting nervously.

"Err-yes?" He asked, blushing madly. Slowly she rolled over on his thigh so her face was looking skyward-up at him.

She gave him a sleepy smile and let out a yawn. "Did you know that I love you?"

These words nearly caused Gippal to have a seizure. "W-W-What?!" He asked, feeling his whole body tense up. She was clearly dreaming-she was so sleepy, he barely believed her. And yet…there was always that tiny glimmer of hope…

"Yea. Pretty weird, huh? Considering you dumped me, left me for Nhadala, and than strut around like everything's all right…" She yawned once more and stretched an arm. "But there's just some thing's you can't help, eh?"

Gippal realized his tongue was bleeding from biting on it too hard. Was this ACTUALLY happening? Rikku had just blurted she loved him, and she had stated true facts like it was nothing…but he knew she was still near sleep. She could never truly act so lazy with a statement like that.

"Uh-yea. Weird."

"Do you love me?"

"Err-uh—I guess so." He answered stupidly, blushing like mad. She grinned up at him and sat up shakily, resting her head under his chin. These few sudden bursts of affection were really starting to confuse Gippal.

"Uh-Rikku?"

"Mhm?"

"Are you still sleeping?"

"Probably." She grinned up at him, eyes shining. "I probably won't remember this tomorrow-but you know, I hope you do." She leaned up and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips. It lasted for only a second, because the young girl soon pulled away, eyelids already closing over her swirly green eyes.

But as she lay there on his lap, lost in sleep, Gippal was awake: and giddy. Had she just kissed him? Yes? Yes! This was GREAT!

"But she probably won't remember it…she must have been REALLY tired…" He sighed, running a hand through his hair. Delicately his fingers found themselves on his lips, touching the place where she had kissed.

Suddenly he shook his head, giving himself a cocky smirk. "Knock it off, Gippal. She was probably dreaming…it's not like she actually has feelings for you again."

If only, if only…

The young man could have cried out in joy as the tumulus waves began to disperse, and the ocean surface started to even out once more. Slowly, he pried his feet off of their position on the deck-he felt his tense muscles and groaned. How long had he been standing in that position for? His hands ached, and his body was shivering with cold: the splashing waves had soaked him.

"Al Bhed are not made for this." He muttered, stretching an arm wearily. "Hopefully Rikku's…still alive."

As if on cue, a wild splashing from the watery surface caused Gippal to, nervously, of course, gaze down into the water. He let out a small gasp as he saw Sunny arise to the air, carrying a very pale, bruised, and limp looking Rikku. Lienn and Bilak soon surfaced after him, glaring up at Gippal.

"Well? We're freezing! Send down the ladder!" Bilak called up at him rather grouchily.

Gippal shook his head, escaping his eye from the terrible looking Rikku.

"Err—ladder-right." He mumbled, pivoting around on the heel of his foot. Eye glancing nervously around, there was an awkward silence. He then spun back around.

"Where's this ladder?"

Bilak sighed heavily, causing Gippal to grow red. How did these guys always make him feel like a small child who'd broken the rules?

"It's hanging on the edge. You just have to toss it." Lienn stated, smirking. "Or is that too tough?"

Gippal took two angry steps towards the ladder, glowering all the while. He threw the ladder forcefully over the edge, causing a loud splash. "I'll show you tough, you big-mouthed, snobby little—" Gippal muttered under his breath, taking a few steps away.

Sunny emerged first, and it was then Gippal went slightly pale. Rikku looked so-so helpless. He wasn't used to seeing her like this. She was always so bouncy, strong, and full of life. Now she looked-he hated to say it-dead. Sunny carefully laid her down on the deck, brushing back her golden bangs. Gippal felt a slight ping of jealousy rage through his veins. Eye narrowed slightly, he glared at Sunny.

"What happened?" Gippal's voice came out rude and abrupt, but right now he could care less.

"She went to go fight the fiend-"

"No duh."

Sunny glared at him. "And we went to go help, unlike some little boys."

Gippal felt renewed anger fight its way up to his head, but Sunny continued on with a little smirk.

"She was getting beat up pretty bad, so I went in and chased the fiend away with a handy Al Bhed machina. I rescued her, for she was now floating limp, and we came back. It was pretty tough, but then again…some are capable, and some aren't, eh?"

He gave Gippal one last withering smile before he glanced down at Rikku.

Gippal closed his eye, breathing carefully. He must not lose his temper; he must not lose him temper…

"I'm going to have to do CPR." He heard Sunny's voice say. Gippal stopped in mid-meditation, shocked beyond belief.

"What?!"

"I'm going to have to do CPR-she took in lots of water to the lungs. But you wouldn't know that, would you—Gippy?" Sunny's lip curled, and Gippal glared back.

"If you touch her in any way that's out of order, I swear I'll—"

He stopped, breathing heavily. God he hated this kid. Who did he even think he was? He didn't even know why Gippal hadn't come down.

Because you were a chiiickkeeennn. Sang a voice in his head. Gippal refused to listen to it, and instead, watched in disbelief as Sunny bent down over Rikku. Gippal felt his breathing get shallower as Sunny closed his eyes and pinched her nose. For some odd reason Gippal felt jealousy as never before, realizing now Sunny was going to have to lock lips with Rikku, filling her his oxygen—

As Sunny finally rested his mouth on top of hers, Gippal watched carefully, his eye narrowed and trained on Sunny like a Mother Hawk. If he took one toe over the line…

Gippal unclenched his hands, not even realizing he had been holding them so tight, for now blood from his fingers was starting to leak out of his palms.

Hmm…wait a minute…Sunny wasn't even taking his mouth off of Rikku…

Gippal felt his stomach knot up as he saw Rikku's arm twitch lightly. She hadn't taken in any water at all! That Sunny-freak-twisted, bloody, freak—

"Get OFF of her, you PERVERT!" Gippal roared, eye flaring with anger. In one swift motion he had swiped Sunny off of Rikku with an easy whack of his arm. Sunny went flying into the deck railing. With a moan he glared up at Gippal.

"What are you doing?!"

"She doesn't need stupid CPR!" Gippal cried, grabbing Rikku around the shoulders and under the knees, lifting her up easily.

"You're just taking advantage of her because she's not fully around!" His eye was filled with an anger not seen by many people-if it had been; they usually never lived to tell about it.

Sunny smirked up at him. "Are you saying—"

"Oh, you KNOW what I'm saying!" Gippal cried, gripping Rikku tighter. "I'm only staying on for Rikku's sake, but if you EVER, EVER touch her AGAIN, I will rip your head off and shred you to pieces!"

Rikku let out a soft moan, and Gippal's little spaz moment was cut off as he looked nervously down at her. With one final angry glare at Sunny, Gippal strode over to the hatch door, kicked it open with a force unknown to even himself, and trotted down the stairs with Rikku still in tow.

The door closed with a loud hiss. Sunny rubbed at the back of his head as he stood up shakily. He then gave Lienn and Bilak a nervous smile.

"We didn't know you were going to do that, Sunny." Bilak stated, his voice a little hurt.

"Yea, she didn't swallow no water."

Sunny rolled his eyes. "Come on you two, I was taking advantage of the little boy! He thought I was doing CPR, but…oh no…" He smiled at them, eyes flashing.

"I've just helped Rikku onto the…right path, you might say."

A/N: There. An update. Took a long time, but I have writers block. Any ideas? Email me! I'd appreciate it! Thankies! Now Review. –poke- I love them to bitsies.

PS: Now you know what happened the other night when Rikku woke up beside him! Yaay.