I don't own FFX-2, though I wish I did.

As it turned out, Lulu had already made more sweet cakes. She knew that Rikku would want some, even though she had not eaten any earlier. One of Lulu's great secrets is that she is a wonderful cook, something that is not lost on the population of Besaid. She is delighted with the expressions on the faces of her diners. "Well, I'm glad that you decided to visit, but I have the feeling that you had an ulterior motive for coming."

"Aw, Lulu, you know that we just love you!" Rikku said.

"And my sweet cakes, it seems."

Rikku and Yuna giggled, knowing that it was true. "Lulu," Yuna said "you are the best cook on Besaid. We were going to offer to baby-sit for you in exchange for some more cakes!" Rikku just nodded in agreement, having a mouth full of sweet cake. There was no way that she would waste some by accidentally spitting it out to agree with Yuna verbally.

"I see. In that case, why not watch Vidina for me now, in exchange for dinner?"

The two cousins both said "YES!" and began their adventures in baby-sitting. Not that Vidina was much trouble, being only a few months old, but there was enough noise coming from the trio that people thought trouble was brewing anyway. Several curious heads popped in, just to make sure things were all right. All three were laughing and giggling and playing, Rikku being the loudest. Lulu watched them, smiling to herself. Personally she was amazed. Not by Yuna, because she had already known Yuna liked children. She was amazed at Rikku.

"I never would have thought you would be so good with children, Rikku. You will make a great mother."

"Me? A mom? NO WAY! I just like Vidina! He's soooo cute!"

"Don't be silly, Rikku. I've seen you playing with the other children on the island as well. They seem to instinctively trust you."

"Maybe it's because she's like a kid herself." Yuna said with a laugh. Upon hearing this, Rikku picked up Vidina in her arms and pretended to ignore Yuna.

"Do you hear that, Vidina? They're making fun of your Auntie Rikku! That is so mean! You wouldn't make fun of me, would you? No, you wouldn't, 'cause you love your Auntie Rikku, don't you? Yes you do!" As she said all this, Vidina looked up at her, listening to every word. This only reiterated Lulu's point, but Rikku didn't care. Or she didn't notice. Lulu just shook her head and returned to her cooking. Yuna laughed at Rikku's antics, and they commenced entertaining Vidina.

Near the time dinner was ready, Wakka and Tidus came into the tent, still damp from Blitzball practice. The atmosphere was a happy one, what with the girls and Vidina giggling and playing on the floor. Tidus walked over to Yuna and sat down beside her, and started playing with Vidina as well. Wakka stood in the doorway with his arms crossed and said "I gotta watch how much you play with Vidina, Rikku; else you'll make him loud, like you!"

"HEY! You better apologize; else you'll lose a first-class baby-sitter!"

"I was just kiddin', ya? You're doing great! I'm glad you guys help me and Lu."

"You'd better be, Tubby."

Wakka went over to the group on the floor and picked up his son, who squealed in delight. "So, what's for dinner Lu? Whatever it is, it smells good! We could smell it down at the beach. Ain't that right Tidus?"

"You betcha!" he said with a grin.

"How is it you know when dinner is ready, Wakka? You always show up just when it gets done." Lulu gently chided her husband.

"Can't help it Lu. Your the best cook on the island, ya? I'd cook, but my cooking's not as good as yours."

"So I've been told."

Rikku and Yuna shared a look and burst out laughing. Yuna fell over onto Tidus' shoulder and as her laughter died down, he put his arm around her. It was something that came naturally to them. It rekindled Rikku's earlier thoughts. I want to find someone who'll be like that with me. Tidus turned toward Rikku, and asked "So where are you off to, Rikku?"

Rikku sighed and lay down on her back, looking at the ceiling. "I thought about going to Bikanel, do some machina hunting. Or maybe I'll visit Khimari. I can't decide." She was frowning as she thought, an expression foreign to Rikku's face. It felt strange to her. She had always been the happy one, ever since childhood. She had lost her Mother when she was still young, and everyone had been so sad; Rikku hid her own pain and tried to make everyone else forget theirs. Even the fights between her brother and father were just a distraction from their worry. She had not intended to stay the ever-cheerful-Rikku. It just stuck with her, maybe as a way to keep things the same. Change was frightening sometimes, and Spira had been changing so much, Rikku had clung to her happy persona as an anchor. Not that she wan not a happy preson, but no one would ever believe that she had serious thoughts or feelings.

She decided at that moment, it was time to be herself, no just ever-cheerful-Rikku. It would be a great reason for her journey. "I think I'll go to Luca first. I haven't been there in a while. Besides, there is always a party to go to, or Blitzers to watch practicing." She said this with a impish grin and a significant look at a certain High Summoner. Yuna blushed slightly and looked away from Rikku, not rising to the bait. Tidus laughed, noticing Yuna's blush and hugged her closer.

"Have you been spying on me, Yuna? Hmmm?"

Yuna hit him gently on the shoulder. "I most certainly have not!"

By this time, the food was ready. Lulu decided to nominate Tidus to set the table since the girls had been baby-sitting. Rikku gloated over this turn of events. She hated house hold duties, and anything having to do with dishes was the worst. Dishes are SOOOO evil! The only thing they're good for is eating off of. Glad I'm not doing them. snicker

After the meal was eaten, (with many compliments for Lulu) Wakka announced that Yuna and Rikku would be doing the dishes. This news was not greeted with enthusiasm by Rikku.

"Why aren't you doing the dishes, huh? All I've seen you do is play with Vidina."

"Hey, a father and son need to bond, ya? And you don't really want Lu to do them, do you?"

Rikku mumbled something obscene under her breath in Al Bhed and stalked over to the sink Yuna was already occupying. Grabbing a towel she began to dry the dishes Yuna had washed. Wakka made a lot of noise while playing with his son, and when Rikku turned to glare at him, he just smiled and said "Thanks Rikku!"; which earned him a death glare and more muttered curses. Yuna elbowed her in the ribs 'on accident', to make her start drying again.

With a sigh of defeat, Rikku ceased complaining about the dishes. Wakka was making more noise playing with Vidina than was really necessary. When she turned around to look, Wakka asked "So you're really leaving Rikku?"

"Yup yup! It's just that time, know what I mean? Here today, there tomorrow, who knows where next week. But don't worry. I'll keep in touch. You are really going to miss me when you need an emergency baby-sitter because Yuna is off on a 'walk' with Tidus." Yuna blushed, and splashed some water at Rikku 'on accident' again.

"I'm sure that Yuna can spare some time from on of her 'walks' to help out." Lulu said with a too-straight face. Rikku burst out laughing, while Yuna turned beet red. One look at Yuna's face made her fall on the floor with mirth. Tidus was laughing too, but much to his credit he held most of it in to spare Yuna's feelings.

"Sorry Yunie!" she said in apology, while trying to catch her breath. "I think Lulu has developed a great sense of humor." Then in a whisper, "Either that or she's spying on you!"

"I hope not..." Yuna whispered back.

"Hey! What's so funny over there? Let us all in on the joke,ya?" Wakka said.

Tidus could not hold it in anymore and proceeded to roll about on the floor consumed by laughter. Lulu shook her head and told Wakka not to worry about it. "One of those 'girl' things, huh?" was all he said before reverting his attention back to Vidina. Thankfully he let the subject drop.

Maybe I should leave tomorrow. It'll be a happy start, and no sad goodbyes. Rikku thought to herself. Or she thought she thought to herself.

"Well, it would be a happy start, but we will still miss you very much, Rikku." Lulu said from where she had joined Wakka on the sofa. "Especially Vidina. You are his favorite baby-sitter, next to Yuna."

At that moment, Wakka held Vidina in front of his face and began talking in a baby voice. "Auntie Rikku, you can't leave! Nobody else makes me laugh as loud as you do,ya? I'm going to cry when you leave. You don't want me to cry do you, Auntie Rikku?"

"Awwwww!" Rikku said as she scooped Vidina up into her arms. "Don't you worry! Auntie Rikku's going to visit all the time! Yes she is! We can't let Wakka have any peace and quiet, can we? No we can't. So don't you cry or I'm going to cry too!" Vidina gurgled with happiness while Rikku talked, looking for all the world like he understood her words. "And when I come back I'm going to tell you ALL about my adventures as loudly as I can, so we can annoy Daddy!"

The evening continued on like that until Vidina fell asleep and started drooling on Rikku's shoulder. As she handed him over to Lulu, she said softly, "You're one lucky guy, Vidina. I'd punch anyone else that drooled on me." With that everyone went to their respective tents. Rikku snickered to herself when she saw Yuna and Tidus going out for a 'walk' again.

I'm going to miss everyone here. Oh well. I've gotta find me some time. Might as well be now.

Please forgive any typos. My writing program decided to crash and like a dummy I forgot to save my work. :( boo-hoo, huh? Anywho, I was up late rewriting this, and I have to be up early in the morning, so I hope it is good!

Thank you to scatterkat and kinglby for the time it took to r&r. I truely appreciate it! Thank you bunches!