Final Fantasy X-2: Road Trip!
Disclaimer: I own FFX-2 like a scarecrow owns a heart.
Gippal: Um, that was the tin can man who wanted a heart. So that would mean that you do own us. She means like the tin can man owns a heart.
You know what, Gippal? GO HOME!
Gippal: I WOULD IF YOU HADN'T KIDNAPPED ME!
…You are SO no fun.
Tidus: Okay, SDS forgot some reviewers in her little review-and-reply thing in chapter 8 for chapter 7 and she totally apologizes for that! Here are the reviews for the last chapter that she didn't mention! (For that, those reviewers get presents!)
ANIMEGURL04- Aww, I have a turtle! Can he play with yours? (points to ones in the pools…laughs at Gippal) (holds up her turtle) This is Kujo! Say hi Kujo! (turtle waves paw…foot…whatever they have) Aw, they can be turtle buddies:-D For my stupid mistake, you receive…a free trip to a resort in Hawaii:-) Don't ask how I get these. Tidus pays for them. :-)
CrYstalBLUe89- AWW, THANKIES! That's sweet:-) For that, you will get a free trip to a resort in Jamaica!
And now, reviews for chapter 8!
oOoDancingQueenoOo- :-) Aww, thanks, love! That's very sweet. Thank you for reviewing!
darkestsoul- Lol, thank you! This chapter has got a LOT of randomness…especially the beginning…so enjoy!
Al bhed Princess- Now hold on! If you feed me to your dog, I won't be updating! In fact, no one will! Unless your dog will have a computer in his stomach…still, it will take me a while, since it's stomach acid will burn the computer and myself to death. Thanks for reviewing.
Kelley- :-) Thanks! This story is going to have 13 chapter at the least, so I hope you enjoy!
Tidus4yuna- Oh, you're a Paine fan? You'll definitely like this chapter then. :-) Lol. Hope you enjoy!
Alright, without further a due, here is Chapter 9!
Chapter 9: My Girl
"That was delicious," Rikku smiled gratefully at the young man sitting across from her.
"And so are you," Gippal winked playfully at the girl as she rolled her eyes and kicked him underneath the table.
"Can you NOT talk dirty while we're out at a nice restaurant?" Rikku sighed, shaking her head. She cast her eyes at Gippal, unaware that the two teenagers were drawing attention.
"Come on, Cid's girl, what am I going to say?" Gippal smirked, "Meet me under the table in 5 minutes." Sarcasm was nothing new to Rikku.
She rolled her eyes, "Well, I'm just saying, can you wait till we are out of this restaurant before you even start your stupid pickup lines?"
"Why would I need to pick you up, love?" Gippal cooed adoringly. Now about half of the restaurant was staring at the couple.
"Go home, Gippal." Rikku rolled her eyes.
"As long if you go with me." Gippal winked playfully as he bent down on one knee, "Cid's girl…"
Rikku's heartbeat fastened for a brief second before sighing. (I wish. Probably doing it to catch everyone's attention.) But for the heck of it, her eyes watered and she fanned herself with her hand. In a debonair voice, she answered swiftly, "Yes?"
"Will you marry me?"
Now the entire restaurant fell silent.
Rikku snickered. (Hm…should I ruin his reputation or should I make him seem like the hottest thing around?) she sat for a moment pondering and it wasn't long before Gippal interrupted her. "Yes? Really? Oh darling, you've made my day!"
"I…excuse me?"
The entire restaurant fell into applause, cheering and whistling.
"Come, my love! We shall party like it's '99!" And without warning, Gippal scooped her into his arms off her chair.
"You know," Gippal sighed, announcing this loudly, "I had been told you were the prettiest girl at this resort…" he smiled adoringly at her, "I had no idea that you would be the most beautiful woman I had ever seen in my life…"
The restaurant "Awww"ed and applauded softly.
"Alright, love! Let's go upstairs and do the nasty!" Gippal grinned cheekily at her while some of the restaurant members looked offended as he lead her out of the restaurant doors. The applause of the people in the restaurant was still loud and clear. Rikku made a disgusted face before smacking him on the arm.
"Careful baby, or I might drop you."
"I would love nothing more…" Rikku sighed before blinking again. "Oi! Gippy! My purse!" she waved her hand in his face when he didn't respond, "YOU FORGOT MY PURSE, ASS!" she smacked him on the head.
"Ow! Geez. Sorry, honey bunny. I'll fetch it now." He smiled at her, walking back in. Lucky for him, someone picked the purse up and handed it to Rikku.
"Thank you!" she shouted as Gippal whisked her away.
Outside…
"Wasn't that fun?" Gippal grinned.
"The hell? Fun? Freaking terrifying!" Rikku rolled her eyes. (What the hell are you talking about? It was the time of your LIFE!)
"Sure, Cid's girl," Gippal smirked, "I know you had the time of your life."
Rikku's eyebrows furrowed together, (How…How does he read me like that?) she rolled her eyes and muttered a, "Whatever."
An awkward moment of silence passed by before Rikku murmured, "Y…You can put me down now…"
"Huh?"
"My legs are falling asleep. I can walk now."
"Oh!" Gippal rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Sorry about that." He smiled apologetically at her as he ever so gently placed her down on the warm sand.
"It's almost 6…should we head in?" Rikku asked him, looking over at the resort.
"Well…do you wanna take a walk with me? Really quick, I swear." Gippal answered.
Rikku blushed, "Sure." She murmured quietly. (It's like some kind of dream. A walk on the beach with the sun rising…) she smiled to herself. (Perfect…)
Gippal looked down to her, thinking the exact same thing. "Ya know Cid's Girl…I uh…I'm glad you came." He smiled charmingly at her.
She smiled, "I'm glad you invited me." She answered, cherishing the cool breeze blowing in her hair as the pair walked on the warm sand.
The two stayed silent for a long period of time, but it wasn't awkward. It was a more comfortable silence, in which Gippal wished could last forever.
(We may be young, but…we're growing older. And we're both maturing. Mentally and physically.) Gippal reminded himself as he eyed the girl discretely. She was beautiful, no doubt. Every single thing about her was beautiful. Her soul was one of the most beautiful things he admired about her. She had such a wonderful, light hearted, sweet, generous and loving personality about her and it drove Gippal crazy. (And her body…) he blushed to himself as he looked her over. He couldn't deny it- she had curves of a Goddess and her body at times drove Gippal insane as well.
(Uck. Just tell her already. "Rikku. You're hot. I'm hot. Let's get together and burn." Well, that wasn't stupid sounding. Uh…"Rikku. I love you. I've loved you for years. Please tell me you love me too, or else I'll break down in tears and lock myself in a dark small room and never let myself out again until I hear that you love me back, but since I'm so stupid, I'll probably just smirk and go, "I wasn't serious, Cid's Girl. Or should I say Gippal's girl?" and ruffle your hair.)
(Tell her.)
(Are you stupid?)
(What's there to lose?)
(How about self pride and dignity? Oh, and it might help that it could possibly crush his heart.)
(You know what? I'm so sick of you! Trying to take control of Gippal's mind. I have needs too, dammit!)
(GO HOME!)
(Fine!)
Gippal paused and coughed nervously. (I gotta get this checked out one day.)
(Will we always be like this?) Rikku asked herself, sighing. (Will I always avoid my true feelings for him so childishly with pokes and teases? I love him, but what do I say to him? "Hey Gippal. I like you. You're the hottest guy I've ever met, your hair is hot, your eye is hot, EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU DRIVE ME MADLY INSANE AND I WANT YOU NOW!) she paused before scrunching up her nose.
("Gippal. I love you. I've never had the courage to say it before because I was too shy. Oh, you love me too? Wonderful! Now let's ride our moonlit carriage home and make tons and tons of babies!")
She paused. (That last one wasn't too bad.) she blushed softly to herself. Gippal was an attractive man. Killer bod (she blushed harder) and even though he only had one…his eye was the most beautiful thing she had ever set her gaze upon. It was like an window to his soul.
"Rikku."
Rikku was surprised to hear Gippal use her actual name but smiled and gazed over at him. "Yes?"
"Do you ever think about the future?" he asked. Rikku blinked. (Is he serious? I was just thinking the same way…)
"Yeah," she replied honestly, "I think about it a lot. I think about love, family, friends, careers…" she blushed, "sometimes Gippal, I even think about us."
Gippal looked over at her, shocked to hear this. "I…huh?" (Is she…?)
"Will we always fight like we do? Will we be 59-years-old when we act like 12-year-olds? Don't get me wrong, it's always fun to play fight and stuff, but I wonder if we'll ever change. You know what I mean?"
Gippal felt a grin tug on his face. "Gippal's girl, I was thinking the exact same thing."
Rikku turned to him, eyes wide, "Gippal!" she smacked his arm.
Gippal winced before chuckling. "Alright sorry. But seriously, I was thinking the same thing. Great minds think alike, eh?"
Rikku couldn't help but giggle, especially around him. "Yeah."
The two found themselves back in front of the resort. Without words, they walked in and into the elevator.
When they reached Rikku and Paine's room, they paused. "Well…I had a wonderful eve- uh…morning." Rikku smiled sweetly at Gippal, "Thank you for the proposal." She teased lightly.
"You're very welcome, love. Anytime." Gippal winked, "I'll see you later."
(Do it. Do it.) Rikku's mind chanted. She was wondering to kiss him on the cheek or not as a "thank you". But the bad thing about Rikku? When she would wonder what to do in a situation and she was giving a possible choice that she was ponder over, instead of actually thinking over that choice, she would carry it out.
Gippal felt his cheeks heat up as Rikku's lips brushed against his cheek. "Thank you Gippal. I really had a lovely time."
"Me too." Gippal grinned. Rikku was about to shut her door closed before Gippal stopped it.
"What's wrong?" Rikku asked, walking back out.
"I forgot to give you this." Gippal chuckled as he handed her a ring box and ring; the ones from the restaurant.
"How much was this ring, Gippal!" Rikku gasped, looking at the beautiful diamond studded ring.
"My mother gave it to me when I was younger." (To give it to my bride.) he finished in his mind. "I just thought that you deserved something special for having to put up with me for all these years."
"Thank you, Gippal…it's really beautiful…"
"Oh! And I forgot to give you this too," Gippal bent down and kissed her quickly on the cheek. "Night Gippal's girl." And walked over to his room. He grabbed the room card key and unlocked the door.
Rikku turned a slight pink color before smiling and calling out, "Night Rikku's boy."
Gippal stopped in his tracks before chuckling and closing the door.
(That Afternoon)
"I need some help some inspiration, but it's not coming easily! Whoa oh! Trying to find the magic, trying to write a classic…don'tcha know, don'tcha know, don'tcha know…Whoa oh…Waste bin full of paper- clever lines, see ya later…" Rikku sang to herself as she blow dried her hair from the shower. She hummed to herself as she walked out of the bathroom. "La la la la la…"
The blonde did a twirl as she waltzed into the bedroom. She spotted Yuna and Paine outside and the two waved to her. "These words are my own, from the heart…I love you, I love you, I love you…" she sang as she waved back and closed the curtains before dancing over to her luggage case and searching for clothes to wear.
Yuna grinned, looking over to Paine. "Why is Miss Rikku so happy, might I ask?"
Paine smirked. "Well, I dunno, but she had a "meeting" with Gippal yesterday. It most likely has to do with him."
Rikku walked out, wearing a pink mini dress. "Hey guys." She smiled brightly, "What's up?"
"Rikku, you're glowing!" Yuna giggled, "You're smiling even wider and you seem a lot happier…"
"Details." Paine simply urged with a uncharacteristic grin on her face.
"Okay, okay. But! Paine's details first." Rikku smiled at her friend.
"I- huh? Why me!"
"Cuz Yuna already has a man. And plus, I wanna hear all about your date!"
"It wasn't a date! It was a meeting!"
Yuna almost snorted. (How sad. She says it's pathetic that Rikku calls a date a "meeting"…hypocrite.) she smirked. "Whatever! I want to hear about both of your dates!"
"MEETINGS!" the two girls cried.
Yuna cringed. "Okay, okay. Paine, tell yours first, then Rikku."
Paine crossed her arms. "Fine."
(Time Scene changes to Last Night at the Fancy Restaurant)
"Well…I had an older brother named Fyre who died before I was born," Paine paused, "and my father's name was Auron. But he died shortly after I was born as well. Just when I was 4. My mother died giving birth to me…" she trailed off. She remembered how terrible life was when she was younger. She remembered asking herself why everyone was dying when she was born. She would think she was some sort of curse to this family. And what was worse is that she was spilling this all to Baralai, a man who she had only met 5 weeks ago. (it's been about 1 week since driving to California)
Why, she didn't know, but she felt relief in her as she was talking to Baralai. And she couldn't stop. It was like opening the gate way to a dam. The gate way was the barriers around her heart and her feelings and stories were the flooding water that just kept flowing out.
"Paine," Baralai's eyes softened as he watched the ruby-eyed girl turn her head away, "you couldn't be a curse. You aren't a curse, not the least bit. You are a truly intriguing and sweet girl underneath that exterior of yours…"
"Thank you." Paine murmured quietly. She wasn't going to cry; she barely remembered that emotion. But she felt a deep sadness in her heart, an ache for family and the love that she had never received.
"Are you going to be alright? Do you want to go home?" Baralai asked kindly, looking up at the girl. The two had finished their dinners and dessert and it was time they got going.
"I'm going to be fine. And I don't want to go home right now…"
"So we'll go for a walk."
"I…" it was too late, for Baralai had already paid the check and dragged the girl out. So the pair walked around and settled by the park and sat on the swings.
("It wasn't exactly an awkward silence. It was more comfortable." Paine told her friends.)
And then, they talked. About love, life, friends, family and everything there was to talk about.
(Back to the present time)
"It was…really nice." Paine admitted, sighing. She stopped herself immediately at first before questioning, "So dear Rikku, do tell us your story of love!"
Rikku's grin grew even wider if possible as she revealed her friends the most romantic evening she had ever had.
(With the men)
"I say Baralai."
"What! Baralai! Baralai? Why Baralai!" Gippal whined.
"Because 1) face it Gippal, you are TOO shy to ask Rikku out! You're scared of rejection. You need her but you're scared to tell her. 2) Realistically when you think about it, Rikku's a harder nut to crack then Paine, especially since it's Gippal." Tidus pointed out.
"But it doesn't mean he'll be the next one to get a girl." Gippal complained, popping a piece of popcorn in his mouth.
Baralai smiled at his two childish friends before chuckling and shaking his head. "Anyway, does it matter?"
Gippal blinked. Baralai was blushing. He grinned. "Hey Baralai. I gots a deal for you."
Baralai raised an eyebrow before smirking. "Yeah?" Baralai was never one to back out of a deal.
"You ask out Paine, I'll ask out Cid's girl."
"You mean Gippal's girl." Tidus corrected him.
"Okay, okay, my girl." Gippal grinned to himself. He then chuckled. "Tidus, you have no clue how good it feels to say that, man."
(End of Chapter 9!)
In the mood for a cliffy? Look at the very bottom of this page!
SDS: Okay, this chapter was REALLY short, I know and I'm sorry! I just needed to get it out before Thursday, which is when I'm leaving! I'll only be gone for a week though. Hey, this was my quickest update! Lol! Here's a little sneak preview of Chapter 10:
"I know, I may just come off as annoying." He said quietly, his eyes down cast. "But that doesn't stop me from caring about you. I don't care if you feel the same way as me, but…I thought I should let you know that…I love you."
Ooo! Who is that intriguing quote from? You'll have to tune in for Chapter 10. :-) Love you guys and be sure to review!