Chapter 1: 2 Sides, 2 Lost Loved Ones
The waves crashed onto the sands of Besaid Island. It always pained her to remember that last moment. One mere Ravenox, against an army of Tiburonians, five million of them. Fighting for the fate of Spira and the rest of the world, and for her, although she wanted him to stay with her. The pain of him not there with her was too overwhelming. Tears fell from her eyes whenever she had a small doubt that he would never return. Sobbing, she hung her head down, and covered her face. She had remembered about him again.

Why didn't I stop him? I should've refrained him from going…

Rikku cried. Tatsu was no longer with her. He was no longer there to calm her when she was out of control, no longer there to embrace her when she cried, no longer there to love her. A great relief filled her from knowing that the Tiburonians wouldn't attack anymore, yet it disappeared as great sorrow filled her as well, knowing that he wasn't there anymore. She wasn't sure if he was gone. Every time she cried for him, a part of her told her to calm down, because she felt as if his presence still lingered somewhere, but she didn't have a clue where. Rikku missed his love, the scent, the way he handled her body, the taste of his lips. Nothing hadn't changed. The houses were there. The beach was there. The clear blue sky was there, but it all felt so empty. A breeze rushed, and she felt something from it that made her gasp and look up. Rikku looked around, seeing nothing, but felt something odd. Having no clue, she stood up from the beach and wiped off the sand. Looking around, she could sense something unusual, yet comforting that was surrounding her. The wind whispered into her ear as she twirled around. It reminded her of when she spent time with Tatsu. They had wondered around the beach, when wind blew into their ears. Snapping towards the garage, she could hear faint voices. Slowly walking towards the garage, Rikku wondered with curiosity, yet was very cautious at the same time. The voices got louder as she got to the garage, which was open at the time. She gripped the door, waiting for the right moment to leap out. Lashing out, she saw Yuna and Tidus, in the middle of a discussion. The only thing Rikku heard was a few words, "Let's tell her." She raised an eyebrow and went and gave Yuna a hug.

"Yunie! How ya been!" she greeted Yuna with a smile. Yuna had a troubled look on her face, which Rikku caught quickly. "What is it?"

Yuna gave a sideways smile and looked at Tidus, who nodded. They had something to tell her. "Um…Rikku. We have some good news for you."

"Lemme guess…you're pregnant." Rikku guessed with a cute smile.

Yuna shook her head and laughed. "Me and Tidus haven't thought of it yet. Here, take a good look."

Yuna handed Rikku a newspaper from Ridgar. The newspaper was today's, and on the front, the headlines said Tiburonian Airship Crash Is Remembered, One Survivor. Rikku's eyes browsed through the newspaper quickly with interest. She read a part from the newspaper:

…The crash survivor didn't state his name but we still remember him today. Local crackhead Rodney "Crackman" Johnson says, "Oh! My brotha, he wore dark clothes like he was a messenger from the dark devil himself! His eyes glowed an eerie looking green (coughs on crack) and, oh, man, it was off the hizzle!" But however, local bar owner of the 7th Heaven Tifa Lockheart disagrees, "I saw him. He took a recovery at my place until he could make his own money, that's all. He is perfectly normal and we have nothing to worry about." Today, he can still be seen here in Rinoa. Next, Rodney "Crackman" Johnson has been taken into police custody for his crack possession, and next week, we interview a cop who bribed a crackhead for his crack, which was crackedly insane along with the crackingly crackers that cracked the crack-busting cracky cop who didn't crack a crack about the cracky crack from the crackingly cracky crackhead…

Rikku couldn't believe her eyes, which were just glued to the newspaper. She looked up at Yuna, who had been smiling at her this whole time. With happiness, Rikku gave her a gripping hug.

"It's Tatsu, Yunie! It's him! I know it!" she started to jump around with excitement.

Tidus bit his lip with doubt. "Rikku, there could be a chance that it's someone else, you know that, right?" he said, causing her to stop laughing with excitement. Rikku paused and thought for a second, then smiled.

"Tidie, I'm pretty damn sure that it's Tatsu. Come on, I went all over Spira with Yunie to look for you, and this is what you're gonna be like?" she teased Tidus, causing him to be a bit speechless.

"But it was Tatsu who led you to me, wasn't it?" he argued back, but was stopped by Yuna.

"Tidus, it's okay. I feel like there's another adventure on the horizon, don't you think, Rikku?" Yuna said to Rikku. She has been craving for adventure ever since Tatsu, her brother, disappeared. "C'mon, Rikku. Don't you want to journey again?"

Fortunately, Rikku did want to go out on an adventure again, seeing the sites, having fun. She had never seen Rinoa before, either. The city of Ridgar in Rhinoa was about 500 miles away from the border of Besaid, into the north. To the southeast was Destonox, the city of destiny and fate.

"Of course I do, Yunie! Just let me get ready." she said, heading back into the house, inviting them in. "Oh, Yunie. Call up the Gullwings. It's time to have some more Gullwing adventures…yes I know, that was corny what I said. Anyway, add Paine to the list, too." she said with a smile, hopping upstairs to her room.

Kairi stood around. Things were always the same around here. Same old same. That was until they came and ruined her life. The heartless. She walked around, bored.She had been for a long time. She craved the life she knew Sora was having: exciting and reckless, and especially dangerous. Sighing, she thought deeply and went to the area where the Secret Place was, right under that gleaming waterfall. The air became warmer and a bit moist as she continued down that cavern. When she entered the place, she looked up, seeing the sunlight from the small skylight. It made her think of her two best friends. She sighed, dropping to her knees next to the drawing on the stone of her and Sora sharing a papou fruit. Her mind wandered, and she was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't realize that she'd gotten up and was pacing the room. She found herself next to the dark door that led to other worlds, where Sora was at this moment. Kairi couldn't resist not opening the door. She opened it and walked inside.

The Celsius hovered over Besaid, and it slowly silenced as it landed on the cement ground. Rikku looked out her window as she packed her things and smiled. She had never had an adventure in a while. Finishing her packing and zipping up the bag, she lifted it onto her shoulder and walked downstairs, eyeing the pictures of her and Tatsu on the wall. Stepping outside and locking the door, Rikku turned and saw Yuna all ready and set to go. Yuna had her hands on her hips and smiled at Rikku. Stepping towards Rikku, Yuna began to speak.

"Ok, Rikku. You ready?" she smiled as Rikku nodded. "Your Gullwings are here. Adding a few people, too." she added, stepping to the side.

Rikku felt herself choke on her own breath.

Oh god, not Gippal. Please not Gippal.

The ramp slowly lowered with a soft whir and she saw the new Gullwings. Yuna walked forward into Rikku's sight, and held her hand out to the team.

"These are the new Gullwings, Rikku." she said and began to name them. "You, me, Paine, Tidus, Buddy, Jr., and the new Gullwings. Rai and Baralai and……uh I believe that's it. Oh yeah, uh Shinra couldn't make it. Too dangerous."

Rikku let out an enormous sigh of relief. If Gippal came along, she'd go by herself. She wouldn't want to be bothered for the whole voyage by a guy who doesn't stop talking, like her. Rikku smiled at the new Gullwings after awhile and walked up the ramp to the Celsius. They greeted her as she walked up along with Yuna. Setting down her bags, Tidus had a briefing with the group.

"Alright, Gullwings. As you all know, I'm Tidus, and I'm the leader of this expedition. Our subject is Tatsumaru. Those who don't know Tatsu, such as Baralai here, he's a good friend of ours who defeated Lexetor and the Tiburonian army." he explained to them, watching them nod with understanding. "He is believed to be seen in Ridgar, um, just about 500 miles away from here, in Besaid. These are the rules: there are no rules. Well maybe you all should watch each other's backs, and that's all. Remember, you volunteered, so you can back out any time you want, which I hope doesn't happen………Rai." he said, snapping to Rai, causing him to scoff and look away into sea.

Rikku took a deep breath and sighed as the ramp lifted up and closed with a thump from the metal. Still a bit worried, she felt Yuna's arm touch her shoulder, causing her to turn around.

"Don't worry, Rikku. We'll find him. Soon you two will be reunited." Yuna said, smiling and making a cute puppy dog face that Rikku would always fall for.

"…Okay, Yunie!" Rikku went along and the ship lifted with a roar as the hovering caused dust to blow off the ground beneath it. The sun was bright and the air was cool; a perfect day for an adventure.