Tori: Second chapter of the Rikku and Gippal story WARNING FLUFFY, actually I have a confession...I LOVE USHER! Coughs that wasn't it, I wrote the Paine- Baralai story before so that's why I haven't updated lately Bows I'm sorry! PLUS my stupid computer was screwed for a while...
Tidus: ToriTsubasa does not own FFX2 or FFX Thanks the lord
Tori: glares at Tidus OH! And another thing: Does anyone but me notice that at the end of the game they make Gippal a 'little' ugly? I mean I imagined his 'good' anime form to be a lot more hot... that's just me though. And Baralai looked damn cute, I think I like him more than Gippal now... probably not...Well anyway enjoy!
- to end and begin the fic
- switch to where someone is or change of P.O.V
-()- author commentary
Rikku thanked her friends, Gippal hung up the phone and an awkward silence stretched out between the two Al Bhed. Gippal broke it a minute later by telling Rikku she could go change in the bathroom. She gave him a small smile and then gathered the old clothes he had given to her in her arms and walked into the bathroom.
It was a small, white and basic looking bathroom with a sink, a small mirror hanging on the wall above the sink, a toilet, a shower and a cabinet that had towels in it.
The floor was freezing to Rikku's bare feet as she took off her soaking socks and folded them neatly. She slowly took off her skirt and replaced it with his small checkered shorts, then she began to take off the towel...
Rikku's P.O.V
I froze as I realized my bikini top was undone and was hanging on my front, it had held because of the towel I had wrapped around my chest. I reached behind me to try and retie it, it was a type of bikini that wrapped around the neck but had to be tied from the back. Of course as my luck had held I couldn't reach it on my own, I needed help...
I panicked and threw on the large button up shirt Gippal had given me and cursed softly in Al Bhed, you could still tell.
I took in a breath and then slowly opened the door, peeked my head out then called Gippal's name.
"What's the matter?" He asked coming from around the kitchen corner and I came fully out from behind the wall's protection.
"I can't get my top tied, I need your help." I color rushed to my cheeks as he smirked and then slowly came towards me.
I could hear my heart beating in my chest loudly, he was right in front of me and he carefully reached inside my shirt and around my back, he tied it often brushing his hands 'accidentally' up against my skin.
He stepped back when he was finished and asked me if it was tight enough, I just nodded numbly and then quickly buttoned up the shirt to conceal my front.
I rushed back into the bathroom to grab my wet clothes but then suddenly all the electricity went out, I didn't know where I was going so I reached out and grasped the sink counter.
A light came from behind me and I turned around to see a small candle that dimly lit the small room. Gippal bent down bringing the light with him to grab my clothes while I took the time to walk around him.
He put my clothes just on the edge of the shower to drip dry and then I fallowed him into the bedroom.
Thunder and lightning cracked and the whole room was temporarily lit by a bright bluish light. Even after spending a week in the thunder plains I had never gotten 100 over my phobia of it. I mean come on, this is exactaly the type of scene in a horror movie, then some creepy murdurer with come out of the shower and kill the both of us... I shivered, I've got to stop freaking myself out...
"Do you have any flashlights?" I asked having the odd feeling to keep my voice low, I rubbed my arms to keep warm.
"Nope, I only have candle's." He replied in a normal voice and then took out another match from a pack and lit two more brighter candles that illuminated the whole room.
"THE Gippal leader of the Machine Faction has absolutely no flashlights? What IS the world coming to?" I joked light-heartedly while sitting down on the dry part of his couch.
He shrugged and placed down the candle he had in his hand.
"Gippal, shouldn't you change out of your wet clothes as well?" I suddenly asked after noticing that he was still soaked.
He looked at his shirt surprised, I suppose he didn't even realize that he was still soaking in the rain water. "You must be cold!" I commented and stood up worriedly.
"Nah not really-" He started but I touched his arm and felt for myself that his skin was ice cold
"Gippal! Go and change, you could catch a cold!" I scolded placing my hands on my hips.
Gippal ran is hand through his blonde hair and then walked over to his dresser and took out a pair of black pajama pants and a white t-shirt, waving them at me.
"These OK ma'am?" He questioned sarcastically returning to the table to grab a candle.
"I don't know..." I replied in a pretended thoughtful way and plopped down onto the bed, then bounced back up because of the springs.
He rolled his eyes then while chuckling disappeared into the bathroom, I drew my knees up to my chest and put my cheek to them so that I could watch as the candles flickered.
Gippal's P.O.V
I had just finished changing when I remembered I should take of my eye-patch. I turned towards the mirror and slowly began to undo the item that covered my eye.
'It's a good thing that it was too dark for any bright colors of I would have such a head-ache!' I thought grabbing the candle and then walking back into the living room.
Rikku heard me and turned her head to look at me, I laughed at the confused look on her face, she frowned. I suppose this was the first time she had seen me in four years without my eye-patch on.
"What happened to your eye anyway?" She asked, "I mean I didn't ask before when I first saw you after those years and I got used to it so I never thought of it..." She continued leaning back on her hands.
"A snake fiend's venom got in my eye." I explained sitting down on one of the chairs and throwing my clothes in my laundry basket on the way.
"I was on my way through Bikanel Desert when the fiend attacked me, it was fairly easy to beat down to near death but it caught me off-guard and struck at me," I took a second to look at her and continued, "It spit venom at me, got me right in the iris and drained the color from it I'm color blind, it also got me on my ear but that's it." I told her.
"So why do you keep the patch on?" She questioned.
"One eye sees in black and white, other doesn't. The signal's sent to my brain are different and the bright lights and colors cause major head-aches. I can take it off in the night-time since there are darker colors and plus I can see the more dimmer shades of blue." I explained with a uncaring sort of shrug, I pointed towards the room, I guess she hadn't noticed that my whole appartment was inshades of blue.
"And here I was expecting you just kept it on because you thought you looked cool," She teased, I laughed.
"You would think that, wouldn't you?" I replied rolling my eyes at her but smiling anyway.
A comfortable silence fallowed that conversation, I saw Rikku tuck a stray piece of hair behind her ear then look away at something as if trying to find something to say. After another minute of nothing and she finally opened her mouth.
"So why did you teach Paine to speak Al Bhed?"
I wasn't too sure myself, all I remembered was one night we were on the road and some Al Bhed had walked by asking me something. I started talking to them in our language and afterwards that night Paine asked me to teach her. I agreed and didn't ask her why.
"I guess she just wanted to know more languages, it helped her understand you and Brother pretty well didn't it?" I answered looking at my watch, I couldn't believe it was already eleven o'clock.
As if on cue Rikku yawned and stretched out her arms, I looked at her, I had to admit I loved to pick on her but I suppose I just did that because I sort of liked her. She was beautiful, and fun to be around even in the worst of times I knew she would be someone who could lift anyone up. I hated seeing her that way earlier, it didn't suit her. In reality I think I love her and everything about her but I'm not sure if she feels the same way. "You should probably get some sleep," I told her and she looked back on the bed she was sitting on.
"I...I don't want to sleep just yet," She whispered standing up and walking away from the bed.
"What's the matter?" I asked walking over to where she was and putting my hand on her shoulder, she shivered.
"I'm scared." She muttered turning to face me, "I don't want to remember what happened, can't we stay awake a little longer, please?" She told me and I could see the anxiousness in her eyes.
I couldn't say no, when she was looking at me that way I didn't have a choice. But what could we do instead?
"What do you want to do?"
She stayed silent, "Anything, just not that." She looked down and then said quietly "I'm sorry I'm such a bother..."
"You aren't Rikku! I don't want you to do anything you don't want to you've had a rough night and you've done good so far. You are never a bother to be with!" I replied placing my hands on her shoulders, she looked up at me again.
"You mean it?" She asked hopefully and I nodded enthusiastically.
"Thank-you, I'm in your debt!" She cried happily wrapping her arms around me, I blushed a little but returned the embrace automatically, we stood there for a minute then she let go.
"I'll go get my sphere core, I'm guessing you like Sphere break?" With that I got up to grab the core I had received earlier from Rin, taking light with me.
Rikku's P.O.V
'He's been so nice to me, I should find a way to thank him' I thought as I took off my bandana and high pony-tail.
Actually I thought that his eye looked cool, his one eye was like mine- swirled green while the other was swirled gray, the swirled part was one thing all Al Bhed's had.
If it wasn't for Gippal who knows what would have happened to me, I didn't want to think about it. He was like my prince in shining armor, but not with the best circumstances. I wish I could tell him how I really feel about him but I don't want to get rejected. 'Augh! Why does love have to be so damn confusing?' I wanted to know.
'I liked the way he teases me, sure it was annoying at times but, oh I don't even know! And I like that he's cute, people look up to him, he treats me like an equal, (which is way more than many others do) and he's my friend' I mused as I undid my braids.
"Found it," He called from near the small hallway, he came from it with a core in his hand and then placed it on the table, I silently sat down on the opposite side from where he was and before I knew it we were playing... and he was so kicking my ass.
"Aw no fair I was THAT close!" I whined after he had defeated me for about the twentieth time in an hour.
"And you say you got to the finals in Rin's tournament? Maybe I should try next time I'd probably win!" Gippal wondered surprised, "and I just got this a few days ago."
"Show-off!" I mused and then set up the sphere core again, "I'll win this time!"... but I ended up losing again anyway.
"It's a good thing you aren't betting anything or else you'd be broke," He laughed after another half an hour of my losing streak.
"I want to see you play Yuna, she'd over-kill you!" I challenged.
"What you get Yuna to win your fights?" he replied coolly and I hit him playfully on the arm.
"Do not!"
Thunder and lightning boomed close to the apartment, I was so surprised that I jumped, suddenly. After a few moments Gippal burst into laughter, I tried to give him my best silencing glare but it worked to no avail. After his laughter died away I slapped his arm lightly. "Meanie!" I said and then looked out the window.
Then suddenly all the lights came on, Gippal stood up and walked into the kitchen.
"I suppose they got the power back on!" He called from the other room, I fallowed his v's your weakness?" I questioned.
He looked at me, I waited for him to say something he opened his mouth and I leaned forward.
"...I don't know..." I almost fell off the counter at that comment but regained my posture and threw an eraser that was on the counter at him.
He caught it with ease and then looked at me with a sort of evil look to him, I got down from the counter and slowly edged towards the door, he was going to throw it at me. I smiled as I turned my back to him and then ran into the living room and grabbed a pillow.
I heard him walk to the door of the kitchen I raised the pillow and screamed as his hand came around the corner and poked my stomach.
"Cheep shot!" I snapped recoiling, he came around the corner chuckling.
"You are so predictable!"
I took this chance to hit him with the pillow and then squealed as he came at me, I ran over to the bed away from him but he got me from behind and tickled my sides. I HATED it when people do that because I always squeak when they do, Paine always did that to me.
"Looks like you have more than one weak spot!" He said playfully, I had fallen onto the bed when he had tickled me and was now trying to glare at him but I ended up smiling instead. "Try and do that again and I may have to tickle you to death..." He warned trying to sound serious.
"Yeah sure," I poked his side, he began to tickle me again I laid down giggling madly and he came up beside me on the bed with a small smile on his face.
I stopped giggling and looked up into his eyes, he leaned in closer, he was only inches from my face when suddenly thunder cracked and the lights flickered scaring me again, so I hid my face in his chest before I could stop myself. Gippal started laughing again and I flicked his forehead. "Meanie," I repeated.
From the kitchen the kettle began to whistle signaling that it was ready, he got off of the bed and went into the kitchen to go get the tea ready. I cursed inside my head I was THAT CLOSE DAMN-IT!
He returned a while later with the tea in two mugs and gave one to me, I put but hands around it, the hot mug warmed my hands right up.
"It's herbal tea, do you mind?" He asked and I shook my head taking a sip and letting the warmth spread through-out my body, it felt so good.
"Gippal?" I looked at him and smiled, "Thanks for everything,"
"No problem," He waved it off and then took a drink from his cup, I yawned again and then put the mug down on the table.
I lied down again and closed my eyes to rest them for a moment, I began to get drowsier and then fell into a deep sleep.
Normal P.O.V
Gippal smiled warmly as her sleeping form then turned off the lights except for one in the hallway and then pulled the covers back on the bed. He picked Rikku up bridal style and put her under the covers. After making his own small bed on the couch he looked back at Rikku then fell asleep.
Rikku's dreams weren't exactly pleasant, she kept on dreaming she was back on the highroad and Gippal didn't save her. She felt like she would never be happy again, tears ran down her cheeks, she kept on moaning 'No' and 'stop'.
Gippal awoke to the sound of her pleas and walked over to the side of the bed worriedly. He sat down beside her distressed form and shook she shoulders trying to awaken her.
"NO!" She screamed sitting bolt upright and going to shove Gippal off the bed.
Gippal grabbed her arms before she could and Rikku began to yell out and thrash about trying to get away from his grasp. She was crying and so disturbed that she didn't stop to realize where she was and who was holding her.
"Rikku, stop!"
Rikku obeyed and then wiped away her tears to see Gippal right in front of her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his chest breaking down completely.
"Shh, Rikku I'm right here you're OK," He soothed her and she eventually calmed down. He lifter her chin with his finger so that he was looking into her tear-stained eyes. "Rikku... I won't let anyone hurt you." He assured her cradling her cheek with his hand and wiping away her tears with his thumb.
She choked back a sob and bit her lip, he stared into her eyes then his gaze landed on her lips. The storm outside rumbled the apartment again but this time Rikku didn't move.
For the second time that night Gippal leaned in close to her this time it ended with a kiss. She closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of his lips against hers, the storm, room, everything seemed to disappear it was just him with her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, he kissed her twice more before pulling away.
"Rikku, I'll always be here for you, I love you." He told her taking her hands in his, she nodded.
"I love you too... don't leave me." She replied and he swore he wouldn't.
He laid down with her and wrapped his arms around her, she snuggled up to his chest and they fell asleep in each others arms.
The next day
Sunlight poured inside through the window and landed on Gippal's face, it blinded him for a second but he slowly sat up as to not disturb Rikku from her sleep. He stroked her cheek and then directed his attention to the door, sounds were coming from behind it.
"You think their awake?" Came Yuna's voice
"If he laid a FINGER on her I will have his head!" Snapped Brother in a foul mood, Yuna giggled.
"Hey! You two had better have your clothes on!" Called Paine, Rikku stirred and groggily sat up.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, 'HAVE CLOTHES ON'?" Screamed brother angrily
"If we ignore them do you think they'll go away?" She whispered putting her hand over her mouth as she yawned.
"Nope" Gippal answered shortly and then got out of the bed to go open the door for the rest of the Gullwings.
"(Speaking in Al Bhed): Listen Pretty-boy if I hear one word of you touching my sister I will-" Brother started to yell but Rikku was at the door in a flash.
"(Still talking in Al Bhed): YOU will leave him alone moron!" she snapped angrily.
"Tell me why you guys are talking in Al Bhed, everyone here can understand you. Oh Hi I'm Tidus!" The X- guardian announced his presence. (yes he and Yuna could speak and understand Al Bhed)
Rikku sighed, she shrugged her shoulders and shook her head in defeat.
"Whenever Brother gets angry he always speaks in Al Bhed," explained Shinra coming up from behind the group of teens, he nodded towards Gippal in acknowledgement.
He walked over to where Rikku was stretching and handed her the garment grid and dress-spheres. She squealed in delight and threw up the thief sphere, she changed in mid-air and the light died away, she held Gippal's old clothes in her hands and handed them to him.
"Oh you're other clothes!" He remembered going into the bathroom and exchanging the clothes with her now dry ones. "Here," He said giving them to her.
"Thanks!" She replied giving him a small kiss on the cheek.
Brother was flabbergasted, Paine looked at Tidus sourly, she handed him twenty gil, Yuna smiled sweetly, Shinra looked away disgusted and Buddy pulled the stunned Brother back to the airship.
Rikku turned fully towards him and gave him a real kiss, "For everything," She concluded and then promised to contact him soon.
"Oh by the way, other commsphere's can now access yours, so you can call up anyone who had one, there's a list that you can pick from." Shinra explained and then left.
"We'll be going to besaid for a while to if you want to contact us then click on Besaid," Yuna added and then the group left the house.
"See yah," With that he closed his apartment door and sighed happily.
On the celcius Yuna and Paine pulled Rikku to the cabin and demanded to know everything that had happened while Tidus, Shinra and Buddy all held Brother back who was threatening to go jump of the Celcius to yell at Gippal.
Tori: So ends the Rikku and Gippal fanfiction! stay tuned for the Yuna-Tidus, coming soon! Well I hope you liked it, I don't have much to say so please R R!