Disclaimer: FFX, FFX-2 – neither of them belong to me, I'm just a poor, starving fan : )

A/N: Hah – I did it! I finally beat stupid Trema and saw the perfect ending : ) : ) HUGE thanks go to JesiLee for all the great advice you gave me – I couldn't have done it without you!!

And on to more interesting news: the results of the little challenge I idly set last chapter. I was amazed by the response – and how good they all were! – which either tells me you guys have WAY to much time on your hands, or you REALLY hate Elhandra : )

Okay – seriously, I was really impressed with all the 'entries'. Everyone who submitted an entry gets a cookie ::hands out big plate:: Anyway, here are a few peeps I felt deserved recognition for their entries:

Kiwifroot and poplollyblues – the weirdest entries (I laughed, stared, then laughed some more)

MoMo-ChAn1 and Marsie – the multiple deaths entries (poor Elhandra!)

Crazy Katy – the longest entry (we're talking pages – hehe)

But there can only be one winner and that is .... Hella! With the short but very funny Elhandra-death. Congratulations and this chapter is dedicated to you : )

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Rikku's Story

By: JoeyStar

Timeframe: Set a month or so after the 'perfect' ending of FFX-2

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Chapter 11

It was night in Guadosalam. A few lone lamps glimmered in the darkness but for the most part, the streets were deserted. However, the darkness did little to diminish the sorry state of the ancestral home of the Guado. Nothing could hide such destruction.

I don't know what I had expected but the extent of the damage made me stop in my tracks. The centrepiece of Guadosalam, the house that had once belonged to Seymour and was now Leblanc's home, had been reduced to little more than a pile of rubble. If part of the front wall hadn't still been standing, supported by the tree branch that had sheltered it from the blast, it would have been impossible to tell that a house had ever stood there in the first place.

But even worse than that was the blow that the terrorist had struck against the backdrop upon which Guadosalam had been constructed. The vast branches and roots that embraced the city had been irrevocably damaged, so much so that it was no longer possible to reach the entrance to the Farplane. What had once been a sturdy path up to the sacred area had caused catastrophic damage to the lower levels when it had been torn away from the rest of the vast tree and had proceeded to crush the settlements that lay beneath it.

By the extent of the destruction, it seemed as if the instigator of these attacks had only been toying with us in Bevelle. There, one room had been targeted. Here, it was a whole town – a whole race. Somehow, I couldn't quite get my head around it. Things like this weren't supposed to happen anymore. It was over, the good guys had won, you know? We'd destroyed the all-powerful Sin; we'd beaten Shuyin and things like this were still happening. And you know what made it worse? The fact that whoever was behind these attacks was human. Or Al Bhed. Or Guado. Or Ronso. Not some evil entity from beyond the stars.

A citizen of Spira had done this.

It was enough to make me swear retribution right then and there.

No Rikku, I told myself sternly. Focus on the mission.

Right. I hefted the camera that rested on my shoulder and turned so that the miniature sphere inside could capture and record everything that I was seeing. As I did so, I lost my footing and stumbled against an exposed tree-root. My arms flailed in the air, desperately trying to maintain the grip I had on the camera. The stupid piece of machina was lucky and my grip held, but I wasn't so fortunate. I ended up sprawled in an undignified heap on the floor, my hair covering my face.

"Tyssed!" (Dammit!) I grumbled, tossing my head in a futile effort to get hair out of my face as I recalled the cursed conversation that had led to my current predicament ...

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Two days earlier

"So ... what do we know?"

It had been Lreav's idea to spend the first part of the journey to Guadosalam planning our next move. Elhandra had immediately protested, citing that she had far more important things to do with her time than spend it with me. However, I saw the logic in Lreav's suggestion – it gave me less time to worry about Gippal – and with my backing, Elhandra had no choice but to comply.

It didn't mean she had to be helpful though.

At my question, she stretched like a cat and I thought for once that she was going to offer a decent contribution. Her delicate red lips parted, I caught a flash of white teeth and braced myself for a pearl of Elhandra's wisdom.

Of course, being Elhandra, she could never make things easy for me. She met my eyes and I know she knew I was waiting for a response because she smiled slightly.

And then yawned.

All of this had only taken a second or so but I still ground my teeth together, seeing yet another way in which Elhandra had mocked me. But it wasn't just the personal affront that irritated me; it was the fact that she appeared completely unconcerned that Gippal's future hung in the balance and anything we discussed now could really help him. She was meant to be his friend, you know? So why was she doing everything in her power to be a burden on the investigation?

Luckily, Lreav could evidently think of someone beside himself. He sat forward in his chair and tapped one of the objects that lay in the middle of the table. It was the half-ruined bomb that Gippal and I had picked up in Bevelle.

"We know that whoever is behind these attacks is using one type of bomb."

"One conveniently displaying the insignia of the Machine Faction," I put in thoughtfully. "Do you think our terrorist is trying to frame the Machine Faction, or is simply a part of it and using the most convenient bombs?"

Lreav ran his fingers over the bomb. "In the last few years the components that make up such a bomb have become readily available to anyone who wants them. I imagine there's quite a flourishing black market by now. After all, just because not everybody likes the Al Bhed, doesn't mean that they don't recognise that our knowledge of machina is far superior to others."

"What are you saying?"

"He's saying that anyone with half a brain could have made this bomb," Elhandra drawled condescendingly. "It's the most basic of Al Bhed technology."

I ignored her tone, too interested in the fact that having opened her mouth, she'd actually said something worthwhile. "Doesn't that suggest our terrorist may not be an Al Bhed? After all, what Al Bhed would make such a basic, inelegant bomb?"

"If it gets the job done, who cares how it's built," Elhandra argued. "Whether it was sophisticated or not hardly matters."

"Don't you want to try and narrow the field?" I demanded.

"Of course," she responded haughtily, tossing her mass of braids back in a gesture that was becoming irritatingly familiar. "But grasping at straws is not going to help us."

I would have snarled something equally unflattering back at her but Lreav interrupted in his customary diplomatic tone. He began discussing the intimacies of the bomb's wiring but instead of sharing his fascination as I would usually, I found my attention wandering to his sister.

I wasn't just being paranoid; Elhandra had a personal vendetta against me. Which was ridiculous considering that I've never even met her before Gippal had introduced us back at the temple. So, obviously, something had happened in the few days we'd known each other which had really, really gotten up her nose.

And it didn't take a genius to work out what that was.

Gippal.

Elhandra hadn't taken any pains to disguise her interest in him. I don't think he'd noticed - Gippal's a guy, he's cute but hasn't a clue where feelings are concerned – but I certainly hadn't been able to ignore it. I don't know whether she's in love with him or anything – Spira I hope not – but when we were back in Djose, she took every opportunity to rub their relationship in my face.

But, you know, I could deal with Elhandra's moods. The question that I did worry about; the question that really bothered me was, how did Gippal feel about Elhandra? He'd mentioned that they were friends certainly, but there had been no indication that they were anything more. And hey, Gippal should have been too busy worrying about what was happening between us to think about Elhandra, you know?

As if my thoughts had summoned her attention, Elhandra's piercing eyes met mine once more. Her smile, when it came, was almost feral and I knew in that moment that even if Gippal hadn't existed, we never would have become friends.

I think she's just one of those people I'm born to dislike, you know? Maybe there's something in our genetic makeup that means we're incompatible. Wouldn't it be funny if life actually worked liked that? I wonder what mine and Gippal's genetics would have to say about each other?

"Enough about the bombs," I said abruptly, drawing my attention back to the conversation. "We need to decide what we're going to do when we get to Guadosalam."

Elhandra rested her chin elegantly on her hands. "We're all ears."

Damn her! Why did she always expect me to come up with every idea? Couldn't her pretty little head cope with the idea of planning?

"We can't just walk in," Lreav worried. "By the time we reach Guadosalam it'll be swarming with people."

"Yeah – and don't forget Baralai's investigators," I reminded them. "They'll be there too, digging through the rubble."

"For all the good it did them last time," Elhandra muttered.

"So where does that leave us?" I asked, looking between the siblings. Elhandra ignored my gaze and simply looked moody, while all Lreav could manage was a sympathetic smile.

Not for the first time, I really wished that Gippal was with us. Yes he might be annoying at times but Gippal was a natural born leader with a flare for crazy plans. After all, hadn't he been the one who had started this whole journey off by dragging me from Bevelle?

I tried to think both logically and rationally – something I have to admit that I'm not very good at. We needed to get into Guadosalam, that much was clear. But unlike when Gippal and I had visited the bombsite at Bevelle – when we had snuck in ahead of the crowds – the bombing in Guadosalam was now days old. It would be overrun by victims, tourists, the media ... all of which would mean security would be impossibly tight. There was no hope of simply walking into the Guado city.

But if we couldn't get inside Guadosalam, then how on earth were we going to investigate the area?

"Night!" I realised suddenly, amazed that it had taken me so long to come up with the answer.

"Night?" Lreav echoed, sounding confused.

I nodded feverishly. "Yes – night! We'll go to Guadosalam at night!"

"And what makes you think that that will be any easier than entering the city during the day?" the thorn in my side asked.

I refused to be deterred. "It's a start isn't it?"

"Not enough of a one," Elhandra countered. "Not unless you want to go walking straight into the Bevelle authorities." Her tone insinuated that that might not be such a bad thing.

I shot her a scornful look. "Please. Do you think that's the extent of my plan?"

Elhandra's eyebrows rose. "Obviously not. Do tell."

Oh why did I always manage to get myself into these situations? I could have sat back and talked any ideas over with Elhandra and Lreav but no, my stupid pride got in the way and now I was on my own. And they were both looking at me expectantly. I knew I had to come up with something; I couldn't give Elhandra the satisfaction of seeing me fail.

"Um ..." I looked wildly around the room, searching for inspiration and my eyes alighted on an object that was sitting behind Lreav, half-hidden by his chair. "Camera!" I blurted, my mind struggling to catch up with my run-away mouth. "We can use a camera!"

"Go on," Lreav urged.

I warmed to my theme. "We can go in at night and ... and use the camera to record everything! That way we don't have to take too long and we can review the recording as many times as we like afterwards!"

"It would be useful to be able to select certain parts to view again." Lreav agreed. "And we could even pinpoint specific places that warrant further investigation!"

Well, apparently I had Lreav onboard so I found myself looking to Elhandra for a reaction. She held my gaze for an unending moment and I knew she was going to make me break the silence.

"Well?" I asked, not caring how rude I sounded.

"What?"

I blinked in amazement. "You're not going to argue?"

She shrugged. "Why would I? You've finally come up with an idea that isn't completely insane."

I didn't know whether I should feel affronted by her comment or comforted that she finally seemed to be showing an interest in our quest for justice.

I decided not to let her response dampen my spirits. "Then it's settled. We'll go in with the camera and record the damage first hand." I sat back in my chair; pleased with the way I had managed to solve our problem.

"Well if we're all finished here ...?" Elhandra rose before anyone could disagree. "I have other things to attend to."

I breathed an inward sigh of relief when she swept out of the room and was about to suggest to Lreav that we follow her, when I caught sight of his face. He looked like he had something more to say.

I was right.

"Rikku ... I don't think we should all go to Guadosalam." He was staring at the bomb in the centre of the table and wouldn't meet my eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"I think that only one of us should go."

"Why? Because of the danger of being caught?"

He shifted in his chair as if it had suddenly become uncomfortable and it was only then that I realised how accurate my words were. He really was worried about the danger!

"If I was working with strangers then it wouldn't be such a concern," Lreav admitted, eyes still fixed on the bomb. "But Elhandra's my sister and you're – you're ..."

I'm what? Now it was my turn to feel uncomfortable as Lreav fumbled for his words. I'd certainly noticed the bond growing between myself and Lreav but surely he, better than anyone, knew about me and Gippal! How did Lreav feel about me?

"You're Rikku," he finished lamely.

Which meant what exactly?

I flashed him a sunny smile. "I was the last time I looked."

"I don't want either of you to get into trouble." Lreav's cheeks coloured. "After what happened with Gippal ..."

I reached across the table and took his hand. "Hey – don't be sad! If that's what you want then that's what we'll do!"

"Thanks Rikku," he whispered, finally looking up to meet my eyes. I patted his hand and released it again, not wanting him to get the wrong impression.

"So ... you or Elhandra?"

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Present

As it had turned out: neither. Lreav had claimed that he was completely unsuited for such under-cover work and when I'd broached the subject with Elhandra, her expression of disgust had said enough. Which is why it was me who was stumbling through the city, struggling to keep the heavy camera aloft.

On the other hand, I could see the sense in the decision. Having viewed the original bombsite myself, I had some idea of what I was looking for – as Lreav had pointed out. In fact, that had been the argument that had swayed me; combined with the fact that out of the Al Bhed we had at hand, I was by far the best choice for the mission.

And yet, as I picked myself up off the floor, I was seriously beginning to regret that fact.

I'm probably riddled with bruises by now, I thought bitterly. Spira knows what I'm going to look like in the light of day! Everyone will think I have some strange, exotic disease ... and my arms are beginning to hurt.

I let the camera drop so that it was resting against my hip and glanced at the surrounding area, locating myself. As far as I could tell, I was standing in front of what had once been Leblanc's house. A twinge of pity struck me as I aimed the camera up at the ruins; I didn't particularly like Leblanc but the complete destruction of her home must have been terrible. She had still been in Bevelle when the bombs had gone off but media reports suggested she was in the area now. I wondered if I'd bump into her but seeing that as it was the dead of night in Guadosalam, well it was kind of unlikely you know?

Especially considering that I wasn't even supposed to be here.

Not that slipping past the guards had been particularly challenging. I think Gippal had been right in his assessment of Baralai's New Yevon investigators. Sure, they might wear pretty robes but they weren't the most observant. And even if they had caught me it would have been the work of moments to make them regret it. I'd put them on a par with the Yevonite soldiers that had hunted us during Yunie's pilgrimage – and they'd hardly been anything to write home about.

Turning away from Leblanc's house, I let the camera roam over the rubble nearby. I was grateful that the technology inside the machine was such that even though I was recording the destruction in the dark, we would be able to view it in natural lighting once I got the camera back to the Melatha.

Once again I blessed Shinra for yet another one of his mind-blowing inventions. I mean, I'm pretty handy with machina but comparing me to Shinra is like comparing a bite bug to a behemoth.

As I moved the camera over the ground, the tiny light on top picked out something on the ground; something that glinted a dull silver. Curious, I carefully lowered the camera to the floor and knelt, once again bruising my already abused knees on the uneven ground. I left the camera running and tugged the silver object out from under the tree root that was overshadowing it. Not surprisingly, the familiar ragged wires poked out from the wreckage of what I knew was a bomb. Sighing, I shoved it inside my bag and stood up again, grimacing under the weight of the camera.

I'd been in Guadosalam for a while now and I knew that if I stayed much longer then I'd be pushing my luck. As if those thoughts had cursed me, the murmur of voices rose to my ears and I danced back into the shadows.

A pair of robed men appeared out of the darkness and I recognised them as two of the guards that periodically swept the city. I tensed and shrunk back as far as I could, holding the camera tightly against my chest.

"It's quiet tonight."

"Makes a change."

"Have you heard the latest? Turns out an eyewitness has come forward."

"Really? I thought there weren't any."

"Seems this woman was caught up in the bombing. She only spoke out this evening."

"How do you know?"

"I was on duty outside the investigation room when Alon brought the news in to Praetor Baralai."

Baralai? I almost dropped the camera in shock. Baralai was here in Guadosalam? Were things really that serious?

And who was guarding Gippal in Bevelle?

"So?"

"So what?

"So what did the eyewitness say?"

"Oh, nothing we didn't already know."

"The Al Bhed?"

I tensed.

"She saw one of them. Here in Guadosalam. Stared right into those famous eyes." The guard laughed; it was an ugly sound. "Those machine-freaks aren't going to be able to wriggle out of this one."

I bristled at the deprecating term for the Al Bhed.

"Yeah, we'll nail them good this time ..."

The guards ambled off and out of my earshot; unaware of the effect their words had had on me.

So now I had the answer to the question that had passed through my mind earlier. The person behind the bombing, behind the destruction of both Bevelle and Guadosalam, was an Al Bhed. One of my own people. Perhaps even someone I'd met.

My eyes passed over the destruction once more, without really seeing it.

I could have understood if it had turned out that the culprit was some kind of obsessive Yevonite. Though the whole Yevon business had been one big fat lie that the Maesters had used to control the people, the Al Bhed had defied their so-called rules and as such, animosity wasn't exactly unexpected. Spira, I'd experienced enough of that myself – even from people I called friends, like Wakka. Sure, that had been several years ago but it wasn't too far-fetched to think that there were some people in Spira who still held tightly on to the twisted beliefs that Yevon had instilled within them.

I could even have understood if it had been a Ronso, attacking on behalf of his slaughtered people and simply using the easiest technology. Striking out against the enemies that had almost led to the destruction of the entire Ronso race – the Guado – and Spira's new 'peaceful' leaders that refused to grant the Ronso retribution.

But to learn that the bomber was not a righteous zealot, or a vengeful Ronso, but a member of my own race was completely devastating. I'd had my suspicions of course. After what I'd seen at the first bombing – the Al Bhed figure leaving the room ahead of the explosions – I could hardly not have suspected it, but to have it confirmed in such a way was both brutal and painful.

Even thinking about it made me feel sick to my stomach.

I mean how could someone do something like that to their own people? It was like facing Seymour all over again and I began to wonder if my life was cursed to repeat itself forever, in a never-ending loop of battles and quests for justice.

But you know, even though Seymour had completely lost it by the time we faced him down in Highbridge and then later on Mt. Gagazet, he had always had some kind of aim. His actions – though vicious – had made a crazy kind of sense and he'd never let go of what he saw as his final destination: becoming Sin. Everything that had happened; all the pain that he had caused had simply been a means to an end.

So could this situation be the same? Could what was happening to the Al Bhed simply be the beginning of something more? What if someone was just using these bombings to obtain another objective?

Or I could be completely wrong and was this far more personal? An Al Bhed hater within the Al Bhed – it hardly bared thinking about. And yet, what could have driven someone to commit such crimes? That no one had died so far was a miracle but it couldn't last forever. If this was the result of a personal enmity, or perhaps a way of seeking revenge then the culprit was either completely insane or incredibly clever. Because this wasn't just personal anymore; it was turning into a world-wide conflict. With the Al Bhed on the losing side.

Suddenly I just had to get out of there. The careless way in which the guards had slated my people was upsetting but it also worried me. We Al Bhed had finally got our lives back on track; we were finally undoing the prejudices that had isolated us from the rest of the people of Spira for so long. And now, because of the actions of one insane individual, all of that could be destroyed. Forget Blitzball, it looked like Al Bhed-hating was going to become Spira's number one sport again, you know?

My heart sank and I suddenly longed for Gippal to be standing beside me. I was normally so strong in the face of danger but now ... now I just felt weak and scared by what I learned. And somehow I knew Gippal would be able to make me feel better; with a sarcastic remark or that annoying way he had of turning everything into a joke ...

I could hardly believe I was admitting to actually needing Gippal. Maybe it was because things around me were changing so quickly and I was looking for something constant in my life that I could cling to. And like it or not, Gippal had become that constant.

But he wasn't here. He was miles away, imprisoned by our own friends and all in the name of politics.

Which meant I really was alone.

And though I tried to convince myself that everything was going to be okay, I couldn't help considering a darker possibility. That after everything that had happened, everything we'd fought through and how weakened we'd become, the Al Bhed wouldn't survive this.

That Spira was on unstoppable course towards civil war.

And that finally, we'd reached the inevitable beginning of the end.

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Wow – that was a dark ending! Sorry for the lack of Rikku/Gippal fluffiness in there but it's kinda hard to write when he's so far away ... hehe : ) A big thanks to everyone who has reviewed this week ... and onto the individual thankyous:

Captain Rikku: oh there will definitely be Rikku/Gippal fluffiness when he gets out of jail! Oh and I hope my review on your work was okay – I just said what I thought and I hope you weren't offended! Of course you can join the 'we hate Elhandra' club – come join the insanity and death ; ) and yes, you're entry was TOTALLY bizarre : )

Kiwifroot: chocobo stampede? Hehehehe – that had me laughing : ) : ) I'll have to see if I can work that in somewhere!

Riyue: I just thought it would be funny to see what people could come up with in terms of killing Elhandra. I had no idea it would precipitate such a response!

Sariah Loire-Valentine: blowing up Elhandra? Hmm ... I might have to consider that ... hehe

Lady D3ath: GREAT Elhandra-death entry : ) : ) Seems like you had serious fun with that!

i won't tell: I'm glad you liked the tension between Rikku and Yuna – I had some really mixed reactions about that : ) Ouch – death by Ormi! Talk about evil!

killkikyopeople: don't worry, this story's gonna have a happy ending – so Rikku will definitely make up with everyone she's fallen out with!

Paperback Rider: yeah – I kinda forgot about Gippal in this chapter. I could have had Rikku worrying about him for pages and pages but I thought that would get a bit boring ... oh dear – now I think I should have mentioned him more!

Hella: thanks SO much for what you said about the Rikku-Yuna situation. I had such mixed reactions from people about that, but you saw it in exactly the same light as me. Rikku isn't really angry with Yuna, she's just upset and needs someone to blame : ) Hehe – you're Elhandra-death idea made me laugh aloud when I read it! You seem to have the same sense as humour as me : ) Congrats on the win!

poplollyblues: glad I could make your day better. And thanks for the 300 reviews congrats – bring on 400!! Hehe : ) And the mascot dress-sphere idea really made me smile!

Rikku Kicks Arse!!!: thanks for the review – it's great to hear people are enjoying it. Hope you keep reading and reviewing : )

Tamelia: really? Better than Squaresoft?? Wow ::blushes:: you're so kind! Sorry about the wait for the update but life's been really hectic lately, what with everyone leaving for uni : ) I'm going off to study Drama and Creative Writing but I do intend to keep updating as regularly as I can – so don't worry! This story WILL be finished : )

kingleby: sure – you can be member number 9! Welcome to the club – hehe. Good, I'm glad you're doing English at A Level – not that I'm biased or anything : ) Yup, I definitely want to be a writer when I'm older. I just hope someone will publish me when I finally get to that stage!

JessyS.: aah, the plight of Gippal. Who knows what's going to happen? Well, me, but I'm not telling! But I can tell you one thing: I'm not done with the Rikku/Gippal fluffiness in this story so don't worry : )

Back of Beyond: oh that would be evil – I actually feel sorry for Elhandra : )

Cute-kitty2: Aren't I always warning you guys that I'm evil? Hehe – don't worry about Gippal. I'm not gonna leave him there forever! I'm glad you had fun in Menorca – never been there myself but I've heard it's nice : )

Al bhed Princess: death by cheese? Hehe – that made me smile. I HATE cheese so I could see how that could work : ) As for who planted the bombs ... I'm not telling! Not yet anyway : ) Hope your dog is okay ... et merci pour ta review, c'etait tres amuse et j'aimait ca! Au revoir mon amis!

Crazy Katy: hehe – you had WAY too much fun with the whole killing-Elhandra thing! But the evil plushies ... that was funny : )

Letselina: heya – sorry if you think Yuna was OOC, I didn't mean for her to be angry, just kinda worried/stern. I was trying to convey the fact that she hated the fact that she had to arrest Gippal but had no choice over the matter – sorry if I didn't get it across well enough! I'll do better next time : ) As for Elhandra, you will have to wait and see. I will say that I hate 2D characters who are nasty just for the sake of being nasty so ...

God I would LOVE for your friend to put my story up on her site! I had a look at it and it looks really good : ) It'd be so great to have a link up there – so tell her to check this story out!!!

A Nobody: 'course I missed you! You're one of my oldest reviewers! Thanks for the 300 congrats – I can hardly believe it myself. When I started this fic I was guessing that I'd get maybe 100 by the end of the whole thing. And we've still got loads of chapters to go yet! And I'm so glad you like the shock-factor : ) somehow I actually seem to pulling the cliffyness off! Of course you can join the club! Everyone's welcome : )

oceanbang: thanks for supporting the beginning of the chapter – I had a lot of mixed reviews about that so it's great that you saw the scene the same way as I did : ) And I'm also glad you're liking the plot of the fic – cos I've had to work extra hard on that part of the story! Ah – if only I could just write Gippal/Rikku fluffiness ...

Xtreme Nuisance: hehe – good theory, but I'm not giving anything away!

Verdandi2216: oops – sorry about the lack of Leblanc's reaction! Maybe we'll see it next chapter – I might decide to bring her to Guadosalam ...

Lttlwings: thanks for saying lovely stuff about my writing – as always : ) And yet another reviewer who wants me to blow up Elhandra – hmm, you've got me thinking now ...

Starling94: hehe – at least your back on track with your reviewing now! That's one of the things I love about Rikku – the fact that she over-reacts : ) She's so much fun to write!

Sarah: welcome to the story! Thanks for a great review and ewww – disgusting death! What a way to go – hehe!

Marsie: yeah! Prison break for Gippal!! And you're good at crime ... you can pick the locks then! We'll get him out of there – don't worry Rikku!!!! Oh and GREAT Elhandra-deaths. Brutal, my friend, brutal : )

Phoenix Felor: yeah – Elhandra's a cow isn't she? Beaten to death with a no.2 pencil? Hehe – that really made me laugh : )

Bulma BriefsYue Lover: you can join the club! You'll be the ... er .. I've kinda lost count : ) 12th member? Wow – you're related to your science teacher? Weird : ) the worst I had at school was being taught by one friend's mum and another friend's dad. 4 kids in our year had teacher parents at our school! Um ... who's George McClellan? I'm feeling ignorant here

Taryn: Customary great review – I LOVE your reviews!! Hehe : ) Don't worry – Gippal will definitely be coming back, I just can't promise when at the moment. He's just gonna have to stew in jail at the moment : ( Lreav IS cool, isn't he? But he's never gonna get anywhere with Rikku – she's taken! And as for Elhandra ... cow. Enough said.

missaw: hehe – the Wizard of Oz Spiran style – I likey! : )

ruledbythemoon: thanks for both reviews! And the Butcher dress-sphere? That's SUPER evil!!! As for who the ultimate bad-guy is, I'm giving nothing away. I've dropped hints in various chapters but if I came out and told you all now, it would spoil it : )

Diamond King: yeah – Leblanc's okay. Her house isn't though : ) thanks for the review!

MoMo-ChAn1: yup – and I'm loving that climb : ) Great Elhandra-deaths, though I'm quite worried by your statement – 'God, I miss planning deaths'. Just what do you get up to in your spare time? Hehe : ) Yup – the Guado's are suckers. And Tromell is the guy who served with Seymour. We might meet him next chappie ...

miyazawa kano: good to have you back! Whew, it's great that you like the plot! I've worked hard on it and sometimes I wish I'd just started a bog-standard fluffy fic – I think it would easier! I just hope my plot makes sense and people don't work out who, how and why before they should do! As for Elhandra, I have plans for her. She will find her redemption eventually and that's all I'm gonna say : )

Rikkytie: thanks SO much for the great review! I really hope you keep reading and enjoying the story : )

As always, read, review and enjoy : )