Worth Fighting For
By Letselina

"I don't know what's worth fighting for,
Or why I have to scream.
I don't know why I instigate,
And say what I don't mean.
I don't know how I got this way,
I know it's not all right.
So I'm breaking the habit tonight."
- Breaking the Habit, Linkin Park

Preview: Chapter Two

"It's awesome!" Tidus cried, jumping up and down like a giddy child. "You guys zoom around Spira in this thing?"

Rikku nodded her head. She was still catching her breath, even though she lost the race. "Yeah, all over! Where do you want to go first?"

Tidus looked at Yuna, smiling. His cerulean blue eyes held emotion like none other, and the brunette's dual colored eyes matched. "Well, what place has changed the most?"

"That's a toughie," Rikku said, putting a finger to her chin.

"D'jose?" Paine suggested.

Rikku's eyes widened with alarm, "Not D'jose!" she cried, jumping up.

Yuna, Tidus, Paine, Brother, Buddy, and Shinra all turned to raise a puzzled eyebrow at Rikku.

"I mean..." Rikku bit on her lower lip, "I think Zanarkand's changed more..."

Yuna tilted her head slightly at Rikku, "I suppose..."

"To Zanarkand then," Tidus said, a crooked grin on his face. Taking Yuna's hand, he squeezed it gently.

Rikku silently sighed in relief. They couldn't go to D'jose - not yet anyway. Gippal would be there. Her fifteen-year-old self had been slightly naïve; she told Tidus everything. By everything, she meant, about Gippal. Of course, during Yuna's pilgrimage, Rikku and Gippal had been dating, but it was a long-distance relationship. He had been in the Crimson Squad, and she, well, had been with Yunie and Tidus.

Somehow, Rikku knew Tidus would remember all the things she said. Gippal was recognizable, that was for sure. And if Yuna brought up Gippal in a conversation with Tidus... she was doomed to humiliation and questioning.

"To Zanarkand!" Brother cried out, ordering Buddy around.

"Come with me," Yuna smiled, taking Tidus by the hand. She led him to the elevator, a shy, but sly grin on her face.

"Wonder what they're up to..." Brother huffed suspiciously. He inched from his place, closer to the door.

"Freeze lover-boy," Paine ordered, a grin of pure humor on her lips. "Yuna's taken now."

"You cannot tell me what to do! I give the orders," Brother growled, "I am leader!"

"Yht fryd y knayd maytan oui yna," Buddy rolled his eyes. (("And what a great leader you are"))

Rikku made her way to her seat near the large front window, watching the clouds pass under them. She felt a grin on her lips, and had a feeling it wasn't planning on going away soon. Everything seemed so perfect. The world was safe, and Tidus was back. What could be better?

They passed over the large mountain, Gagazet, and Rikku felt the normal lightheaded nasuea she got in the thin air. She felt her ears pop and shrugged away the feeling, watching as the magnificent colored sky of Zanarkand appeared before them.

Pyreflies danced in the air as the Celsius landed in the now tourist-free area. Rikku stretched her arms as she jumped up from her seat. "Pops sure got everyone out of here in a hurry," she commented as she headed toward the elevator.

"Where are you going, Rikku?" Brother questioned.

"To go help Yunie with the tour," replied Rikku, hopping inside the elevator and closing the door. When she reached the outside world, she gave another small hop, landing on the ground with a thump. It was sunset, a rare sight. She had only seen it once, two years before.

Of course, Rikku didn't like to remember the other time. It had been so sad. She and Tidus... well, they had run out of so many ideas by that time. Their mission to save Yuna would be deemed impossible by anyone but the two of them.

Yet, Tidus had come up with an idea. Somehow, he had found a way around the thousand-year-old ritual, and saved Yuna... at the cost of his own life. Rikku knew there was no sort of courage that was braver than he had been. No kind of determination that worked harder than they had... No strength of love that kept Yunie from dying...

Rikku was startled from her reminice when she heard a splash and a shout. Curious to the sound, she jogged toward the hilltop where she could see Yuna standing, her hands swinging at her side. She stifled a giggle, imagining Tidus in the water below. 'How much Yunie has changed,' Rikku mused as she stopped jogging.

Like lightning, an idea flashed in her mind, and Rikku began to creep toward Yuna. Her Al Bhed stealth allowed her to walk silently enough to be unheard over Yuna's voice.

Then Tidus yelled, "Yuna! Look--"

There was a surprised shriek, and another loud splash as Rikku gave her cousin a powerful push. Giggling uncontrollably, the blonde reached the ledge, looking down at the water as Yuna's head popped out of the water.

"Rikku!" Yuna gasped for air. Her voice was stern, but a smile betrayed her. "I can't believe you!"
"You did it to Tidus!" the Al Bhed accused.

Yuna stuck her tongue out playfully, unable to come up with a response. With a smile, she floated on her back, looking up at the sky.

"So Rikku," Tidus spoke up, "What did you do before sphere-hunting?"

"Travelled with you and Yunie, of course!" Rikku said automatically, kneeling on the ground. She layed her body across the ground so her arms and head could hang over the edge.

"I mean after that. Yuna said there was about a year and a half between her pilgrimage and the Gullwings," Tidus said.

"Oooh," the blonde propped her chin on top of her fists. "Well... Nothing too much I suppose. I did a lot of salvaging and helping restore machines to Spira."

The blue-eyed blonde took the same position as Yuna had, staring at the red sky. "So everyone uses machina--"

"Machines," Rikku corrected.

"Right... Machines," Tidus frowned, "You people are swayed too easily, you know that?"
Yuna sat up in the water, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well," Tidus sat up as well, "I just mean, look around. You said I was gone for two years... Everything's changed so much."

"Once people stopped believing in that brainwash stuff Yevon came up with, they had to find something else to believe," Rikku guessed, "Machine's were in Spira before Sin, and we Al Bhed just happened to still know how to use it."

"All of those things Yevon said about you though..." the blonde said thoughtfully, trying to piece together the puzzle in his mind.

"We still aren't completely accepted you know," Rikku said grimly. "There are some people who believe strongly in Yevon still."

"Hey," Yuna's voice broke into the conversation.

"What is it?" Tidus turned, looking at the brunette.

"Let's not talk about politics - not now. We still have the rest of Spira to see!" Yuna giggled. "Besides, I'm getting cold!"

"Yeah!" Rikku laughed, the mood changing easily. "Get out before you get all wrinkly and gross."

Tidus grinned, kicking a powerful splash of water at the Al Bhed. "Where to next?"

"Where do you want to go?" Rikku inquired, smiling as the couple climbed out of the water.

A/N: This is all I have written so far. Apologies to all are needed. I'm not working as actively as I had hoped on this because there's lots of things going on. I'm not exactly sure where I want to take this, but I promise, this will be my number one priorty after "Rocky Territory".