Disclaimer: I do not own FFX-2!
"…" character's speech
'…' character's thoughts
(…) my rambling
Note: Hello everyone! How are you doing today! I'm pretty happy cause this is the first fic that I have written that contains more than 8 chapters! Yeah! LOL! Just a silly little fact that you might wanna know. Anyways I want to dedicate chapter 9 to oOoDancingQueenoOo! I just realized that you have read all of my Rikku and Gippal fics, plus left me reviews on all of the chapters! Thank you for the support and for being such a sweet person! So this is for you! Hope you like the chapter!
Oh, it doesn't mean that the other readers aren't that important, by the contrary your support and reviews means a lot to me! Thank you all for being such lovely people! I really appreciate the time you all have taken to read my simple little fic! So special thanks to:
neko56: Thank you for leaving me a review! Was it really enough? I thought I exaggerated on the fluff, but I'm glad it's the right amount :) Thank you!
green-eyed-blonde: Hum, a kiss wouldn't be that bad, but somehow I thought it wasn't really the right timing. Thank you for reading my fic and leaving me such a sweet review!
Jezzi: Thank you for being such a lovely person and re-reading my fic! I also want to tell you how much I enjoy reading your fic (Lie In The Sound), even though I didn't leaveyou reviews, Ido read it! So you also have to update soon, ok? Thank you once again for reviewing :)
oOoDancingQueenoO: Plz read the note above :)
FairyIce: Hello Jen! Thank you for the lovely review! Yep, Gippal sings and plays the guitar, and in my perspective he is a genius in it :) I'm so glad that you're enjoying my fic! Don't worry here is the next chapter and I hope you sqeel in this one too :) Thank you!
seelenspiel: Thank you for the review! Hope you enjoy this chapter as well :)
lonelyngel: LOL! Tell me about it! I wish guys could be more romantic! Well until then all we can do is make our Gippal portray our dream boys, right? Thank you for the lovely review :)
Back of Beyond: LOL! Yes, we would all say that to Rikku! Don't worry, at least you left me a review now! Thank you for being such a sweet person :)
Z Star: Thank you for the sweet review! Yep Rikku is in love :) Thank you once again!
Ikana Sesako: LOL! I also want a chocobo plushie! Thank you for leaving me a lovely review!
Auron's Fan: LOL! Wish Yevon could do that :) Yep, I agree with you, they do make Gippal a bit meanie, but not in my fic though :) I just see him as a sweet caring guy! Ohh, your such a sweetie for putting my fic into your favorite list! Thank you for the lovely review!
rikku-is-da-best: LOL! That was a great response! Thank you for leaving me a review! You're such a sweetie!
Jamie: Don't worry here is the update! Thank you for leaving me a review :)
Knda Crazie: Thank you for reading my fic! Here is the update and hope you enjoy it :)
So here is the next chapter! Hope you all leave me a lovely review in the end! Thank you once again and enjoy!
Chapter 9
The door to D'jose Temple burst open, as Rikku gleefully ran into the temple, searching for that familiar face. She found him talking to an Al Bhed man, as they discussed about new and additional supplies they needed to purchase for everyone. Rikku waited patiently for the conversation to end, but Gippal noticing her presence, gazed toward her with a smile.
"Anything I can do for you Cid's girl?" He asked curiously.
Rikku's smile widened as she quickly held whatever she hid behind her back, to show it to the Al Bhed man in front of her. He staggered back a bit as Gippal saw a big fluffy thing met his emerald eye. There it was, the cutest little puppy dog dangling from Rikku's hand, as she held him high toward Gippal's eye level. Its little tail wagged around from his back proving that he was a happy little fellow, as he tried to reach out and lick the Al Bhed man before him with the cutest happy smile.
"Isn't he the cutest thing you ever saw!" Rikku gushed as she stepped closer.
Gippal quickly stepped back in nervousness but grinned anyway. "I thought Gip was the cutest thing you ever saw."
Rikku smiled as she remembered her chocobo plushie she won from Gippal. "Gip is cute, but Snowy is cuter!"
"Snowy?" He inquired.
Rikku nodded toward the white puppy dog she held. "Yeah Snowy. I named the puppy Snowy because of his color."
"Where did you find him anyway?" Gippal questioned curiously.
"I was walking back to D'jose Temple when the little thing followed me home." Rikku explained happily.
Gippal raised a questioning eyebrow. "He followed you home, huh?"
"Well, not exactly followed me." She answered innocently, which made Gippal's eyebrow raise a inch more. "Ok, ok, so I took him back home with me. I just couldn't leave the poor thing out there alone!" Rikku pouted.
Gippal chuckled at her cuteness. "Ok, you're right Cid's girl. I'll help you find Snowy's owner later on with you."
Rikku paused a bit hesitant, before she bit her lower lip and asked. "I was thinking of keeping the little puppy."
Gippal stared at her as if she was insane. "You can't!" He protested.
"Why not?" Rikku asked confused. "If you're worried of him making a mess, I'll do the cleaning. I'll take good care of the puppy. I promise."
Gippal just shock his head. "Sorry Cid's girl, but puppies aren't aloud in the temple."
"Come on Gippal, just this once." Rikku insisted. "Please."
"Nope." Gippal simply replied.
"Just take a look at the little thing! You can't say no to this cutie!" Rikku pleaded as she shoved the white puppy dog closer toward Gippal's face.
He quickly backed away as he held his hand up in defense. Rikku looked at him questioning before grinning. "Are you afraid of the puppy?"
Gippal uneasily frowned. "No, of course not!" He replied.
"So let me keep the puppy Gippal. Don't be such a meanie!" Rikku protested.
"I don't know Cid's girl." He hesitated, as Rikku stepped closer with the puppy at hand, who tried to lick Gippal's face.
"Please, pretty please Gippal." Rikku pleaded while she showed him her innocent eyes.
He sighed. This really wasn't fair. How could he say no to those beautiful eyes that belonged to that beautiful Al Bhed girl. She was really making it hard for him to maintain his resolve. Rikku made him say yes whenever she looked at him like she did now. She was just so damn pretty for him to deny anything from her!
"Ok. You win. You can keep Snowy, as long as you keep him away from making any mess." Gippal finally answered with a defeated sigh.
Rikku smiled in glee as she quickly brought the puppy to face her. "Did you hear that Snowy? Daddy let you stay with mommy! Isn't he the best?"
With that said, Rikku hugged the little white puppy in a warm embrace, while Snowy wagged his tale and began licking her face. She giggled before reaching out for Gippal and gave him a kiss on his check, which did leave him blushing, as she turned and left with the puppy.
Daddy huh? Was that his new nickname, and since when was he a daddy? But that didn't matter, as long as she was happy, Gippal didn't care if the puppy stayed or went. Daddy. That didn't sound bad at all, as long as Rikku was the only one using that nickname of course.
"So you let the puppy stay huh?" Spoke the AL Bhed man, who was talking to Gippal about the supplies before Rikku had showed up and took Gippal's attention away.
He nodded. "Yeah, I guess I did." He admitted in disbelief.
The Al Bhed man chuckled. "I thought you were allergic to dogs."
Gippal grinned. "And still am."
...o...
Gippal shifted around in his bed as he heard scratches coming from the bedroom door. This was too much! The dog wouldn't stop scratching the door, making it impossible for him to fall asleep. Even with the pillow on top of his head, he could hear the sound echoing in the dark temple, disturbing him profoundly. Annoyed, he quickly added another pillow onto his head, as he closed his eye tightly once again, wishing that sleep would come to him quickly. Then another sound came, it wasn't the scratch now, it was the puppy moaning for attention.
"Gippal!" Rikku now protested as she threw her pillow onto him from her side of the room.
He pushed himself up from his bed, as he faced Rikku, who was already sitting up on her bed with a frown on her face. She crossed her arms upon her chest and gazed at him in protest.
"What?" He questioned, although knowing the answer.
"Why don't you let Snowy in. All he want is to have some company." Rikku explained.
"Snowy will make a mess in here." Gippal spoke, trying to find an excuse to keep the dog out.
"No he won't." Rikku protested. "He will be quietly sleeping by my side. Come on Gippal, don't be such a meanie! Besides, if you keep him outside forever he will keep on scratching the door and you won't be able to sleep."
She had a point, and besides it was already late and he needed some sleep in order to have enough energy to work tomorrow morning. Sighing, he hesitantly nodded his head agreeing.
"Alright Cid's girl. Go open up the door."
"Thank you." She replied before smiling.
Quickly Rikku got up from her bed and opened the bedroom door to find the little puppy gazing up at her innocently. Rikku grinned, telling him that he wasn't fooling anyone with that look. She then opened the door wider, making space and inviting the puppy inside the room. With a wagging tale he quickly ran into the room happily, finding his way toward Gippal's bed.
Gippal, who had laid back down onto his bed, felt a wet thing lick his check. Startled he quickly turned around to gaze at blue wide eyes staring back at his emerald eye. Frowning he grabbed the puppy into his hand and settled the little cute thing down onto the floor. Not long, Snowy jumped back onto the bed and barked, while he wagged his tale happily. Gippal groaned in disbelief.
"Snowy, get off the bed." He demanded. "Go sleep with Cid's girl, would ya?"
Rikku approached, as she saw Snowy trying to convince Gippal that he wanted to stay with him. She giggled to see Gippal protest and push the puppy away, but that was no use, Snowy was stubborn and wouldn't leave.
"Let him stay Gippal." Rikku spoke, taking Snowy's side in this battle.
He only groaned. "Not you Cid's girl. I agreed to let him in, but not sleep in my bed with me!" He protested as he glared at the puppy.
She only laughed, as Snowy barked, still happy with his wagging tale. Gippal tried pushing once again, but this time Snowy dogged from his hand and quickly pounced onto Gippal's chest as he began licking his face repeatedly.
"Snowy, sto-" Gippal started but was interrupted when he loudly sneezed.
Rikku curiously looked, as Gippal began to sneeze again. Snowy tried to approach him closer, but Gippal made sure to put his hand in front of him, blocking the puppy from coming near. He again sneezed. Rikku sensing that something was wrong, quickly picked Snowy away from the Al Bhed man, as she cradled the agitated puppy in her arms.
"Thanks." Gippal spoke before another sneeze came, making Rikku realize what was going on.
How could she have been so inconsiderate! Gippal was allergic to dogs and yet she practically forced him to let her keep Snowy. That was why he refused to let the white puppy into the bedroom, and she thought he was only being a big meanie. It wasn't her intention to be such a rude person, besides she didn't know about his allergy, and yet Gippal lied in order for her to keep Snowy and make her happy. Rikku felt a bit guilty, she should have been more considerate. Gippal was being such a great guy, letting her keep Snowy, despite his problems.
Rikku looked at him softly. "Why didn't you tell me you were allergic?" She wanted to know.
"How could I when you kept insisting." Gippal answered. "Besides I couldn't say no to you."
Rikku smiled. He was such a gentleman. "You are very generous Gippal." She spoke truthfully.
He gazed away blushing. She was looking at him so intently that he didn't know how to react. "It's nothing Cid's girl."
"Thank you." Rikku spoke honestly before picking the puppy up and bringing him in front of her. "Isn't daddy the best Snowy? That is why you should be a good boy from now on."
Rikku then turned around and headed to her bed where she settled back warmly with Snowy beside her happily. Gippal watched with a smile, what could he do? He just couldn't deny her anything, besides he loved to see her smile.
...o...
He felt something nudge him in the arm as he slept, causing him to protest, while slowly he changed his position comfortably in the bed. The nudge came again, but this time harder. Groaning, Gippal gave up and so slowly he half opened up his eye to find Rikku standing above him. He looked up at her questioning, and hoped she had a good excuse for interrupting his sleep.
"Gippal wake up. Please wake up." Rikku spoke with a quivering voice.
Alert with worrisome, Gippal immediately brushed away his sleep to sit up straight in bed. He focused his attention toward the Al Bhed girl who had Snowy cradled in her arms. Gippal then noticed that the little white puppy was trembling as if he was in great pain, while Rikku gazed up at him helplessly, in the verge of tears.
"I tried everything Gippal, but I don't know what's wrong with Snowy. I don't know what else to do to make his pain go away." Rikku explained desperately.
"Calm down Cid's girl. It won't help if you are worried. Dogs can feel when your sad, and that will make him sad as well. So calm down and sit down." Gippal instructed as he slowly pulled her onto his bed.
Rikku softly nodded her head in comprehension, as Gippal stood up and slowly covered her up with his own warm blanket. He looked down at Snowy, who was still trembling. There was no potions around in the temple, since they were short in supplies, and there was hardly any accidents in D'jose Temple for them to keep any potions around. Rikku didn't have the dresspshere to transform herself into a White Mage, if she did, then he wouldn't have been called for. He didn't know how to make any remedy, he was an Al Bhed, not a alchemist! What could he do?
He couldn't let Rikku down, not now and not ever!
Gippal gazed up to find Rikku trying her best to keep herself in control, holding her tears back, while cradling the little puppy in her arms, hoping that that would ease the pain down. Gippal was surprised. She really did trust him! Never in his life did anyone showed that much trust toward him, and now this Al Bhed girl was giving him that willingly without any hesitation. That meant a lot for him.
Rikku feeling his gaze, glanced up to find Gippal smiling at her, and impressively that soothed her down. Rikku was able to smile back at him, knowing that Gippal would make things ok. She trusted him after all.
Suddenly he remembered of someone who could help them. Without any hesitation, Gippal quickly headed out of the bedroom toward his office room where he could make a call with the sphere, and hope that the person wouldn't get angry with him for waking him up so late at night.
...o...
"There you go." Spoke Keev, a tall Al Bhed man who had his blond hair tied back into a ponytail.
He then handed Rikku a water bottle, since that was the only thing they could find around this kitchen that served as a device to fed the little puppy dog with. Inside the bottle was the remedy Keev had prepared with the herbs he brought along inside his bag. The Al Bhed man, who had taken 30 minutes to arrive because of Gippal's urge, didn't seem a bit angry that his sleep was disturbed. In fact he was surprised he was even called. Keev was not a veterinarian, he in fact was a herbalist that studied the substances contained in plants to find out their use.
He was glad to be able to use his knowledge into practice by helping a puppy dog, who had a horrible stomach ache because of food poisoning.
"No wonder Snowy wasn't hungry when I tried to feed him in the afternoon. He must have eaten something bad he found on the road while wondering around." Rikku reasoned, while she carefully held the water bottle into Snowy's mouth.
"Well, since my job here is done, I better get back home." Keev spoke as he thrust his bag around his shoulder.
"Thank you." Rikku spoke gratefully. "You really helped us out."
Keev smiled. "No problem."
"I'll take you to the door." Gippal offered as he followed Keev, before Gippal left the kitchen he looked back at Rikku. "Hey Cid's girl, go back to bed, you'll be warmer there." She smiled before nodding in response.
As they reached the main doors of D'jose Temple, Keev looked back at Gippal. "It was a pleasure seeing you again Gippal old friend."
He smiled before shaking his hand and giving him a friendly hug. "Thanks for helping us out and sorry for waking you up."
Keev chuckled. "No problem. So tell me Gippal. Do you treat every girl with that much care and attention?" He curiously asked.
Gippal surprised looked back at him in confusion. "What are you talking about?"
His smile widened before he patted his friend's back. "Only a man in love would treat a girl so special like you did back there with Rikku." Keev explained with a knowing smile, but yet he was still impressed on how much Gippal changed from the last time he saw him.
Gippal laughed in disbelief. He in love? This could only be a joke. Keev could only be trying to make a fool out of him as a revenge for waking him up so late at night. Just because he treated Rikku differently didn't mean he loved her, right? Besides Rikku was under his supervision, he was responsible for her, that was why he was so careful of her. He couldn't possibly be in love, could he?
Keev only chuckled at the way Gippal debated with himself upon the simple statement he had told based on the observation he had made this night. He was only presuming that Gippal loved her, but yet he knew that the Al Bhed was changed somehow. Not only because he worried for the girl, but because the way he looked at her so attentively and so softly. Gippal somehow seemed so different from the young rebellious man from before.
"Well Gippal, I have to go now. Take care." With a last hand shack and a last thank you from Gippal, Keev left the temple.
Gippal only sighed tiredly as he felt sleep coming back once again. Not wasting any time, he quickly locked the door and headed back to the bedroom. There he found Rikku sitting upon her bed, while she still cradled Snowy in her arms, carefully feeding the puppy with the remedy. Snowy seemed a lot better, he wasn't in pain anymore. The little puppy dog was sleeping while occasionally drinking the bottle held out for him.
Gippal quietly approached and softly took a seat beside Rikku on her bed. He gazed down at the Al Bhed girl and found her struggling with herself in order to stay awake to attend the white puppy if he needed. Worried that she might be exhausted, Gippal carefully took Snowy away from Rikku. This alarmed her as she gazed up at him in worrisome.
"It's ok Gippal. Leave it to me, I'll take care of him. Besides you're allergic, remember?" Rikku spoke in a tired tone, evident in her voice.
Gippal ignoring her excuse, took the little puppy away and picked the bottle from Rikku's hand. He cradled Snowy into his own arm and held the bottle close to his mouth, as he tried to keep himself from sneezing, not wanting to worry Rikku.
Rikku then gazed up at him with a smile, before her head leaned onto his shoulder tiredly. Not long, she fell asleep, making Gippal carefully take the blanket and cover her up, so that she wouldn't be cold. Funny how this seemed so comfortable. He couldn't help but to feel that this was just picture perfect. They somehow looked right together. Rikku just felt so perfect next to him.
Feeling her slowly shift, Gippal quickly kept still, afraid that he would wake her up, but she didn't, instead Rikku approached to make herself more comfortable. She smiled when she found a perfect spot, and Gippal couldn't help but to admire her. Rikku was a brave girl, keeping herself steady while taking care of Snowy. Even though she panicked in the beginning, he was able to calm her down, and the rest she handled it on her own, making herself strong and ready to help in anything. Gippal smiled. Rikku was indeed a wonderful person.
Gippal then softly planted a kiss upon her head. "Sleep well Cid's girl, you deserve it." He softly whispered before looking down at Snowy. "You gave us a hard time Snowy, but you were a strong boy anyways."
Sleep began to come back to him, as Gippal made one last check to make sure that Rikku was warm and comfortable. He was then surprised to feel her hand slowly wrap around his arm. She then softly pressed herself closer to him, as she snuggled her face at his chest like he was a plushie doll. Gippal furiously blushed, but chuckled anyways at her cute action. He wondered if Gip was treated like that every night. It would be nice to have her snuggle at him all the time.
'Maybe Keev was right after all. Maybe, just maybe, I might be in love with her.' Was Gippal's last thought before his eye finally closed and he fell asleep.
...o...
The next morning Rikku and Gippal woke up late and only began to work when the clock struck 3. Even though Gippal still wanted to sleep, he was called by his friends, wanting to deal with the supplies they still needed to purchase for the temple. Rikku, who could have slept more, was awakened by Snowy, who felt much better and stronger thanks to the remedy made by Keev. So now, they were there with the crowd, helping out.
The door to the temple opened, and a little girl walked in worriedly while she gazed around the place searchingly. Snowy, who was beside Rikku, suddenly began to bark loudly and to wag his tale happily. Rikku gazed down at the little puppy with a questioningly look.
"What is it boy? Do you want something to eat?" Rikku asked with a smile to see that he was indeed recovered.
Snowy only barked one last time before running toward the little girl who hadn't moved away from the doorway. Snowy barked again, this time calling the girl's attention as she smiled widely to see the white puppy dog. She ran toward Snowy with her arms opened wide to receive him in a warm embrace. She hugged the little puppy when he jumped up at her happily. Rikku smiled, so this must be his real owner.
"White you're ok!" The girl spoke gleefully while he licked her repeatedly, making her giggle.
Rikku approached them with a smile. "Hello there."
The girl gazed up with a wide smile. "Thank you lady for finding my dog and taking good care of him."
"No problem." Rikku replied. "It was a great pleasure to have White with us." She spoke while patting the puppy in his head.
"Nikky!" Called a woman who suddenly popped up inside D'jose Temple.
"Coming mom!" Called the girl, who apparently was Nikky. She then gazed back.
"You take good care of White, and don't let him wander off again, alright?" Rikku instructed as she knelt down so that she was in level with the small girl.
Rikku patted Snowy one last time, and couldn't help but to hold her tears back. Even though Snowy or White was with her for a short period of time, he had already made an impact in her life. This little puppy dog was a great little friend and a great companion. She laughed when White began to lick her face happily.
"You take good care of yourself White, and don't go eating everything you find in your way ok?" Rikku spoke to the puppy who began licking her nose.
She laughed and stood up from her position. The girl smiled. "Thank you." She spoke gratefully before turning around and walking away toward her mother.
They waved before leaving, making Rikku sigh and sadly smile. She would definitely miss the little white puppy she had grew to be fond of. Suddenly Rikku felt a arm swing around her shoulder, as she gazed up to find Gippal beside her. He smiled, but his eye showed her that he was also disappointed that the little puppy was gone.
"I'll miss him, ya know?"
Gippal nodded his head. "I know."
"Maybe we could get a dog." Rikku suggested.
He chuckled and shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe." He only answered.
Rikku smiled before hugging him tightly, causing Gippal to blush at her sudden action.
"Yeah, maybe."