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

Thank you bunches to the people who reviewed! I am glad you like my story!

Ok! Chapter 3! Here we go...

Chapter 3

The next morning was beautiful. A spectacular sunrise had graced the island of Besaid, coaxing the birds and people to rise earlier than usual. There was a refreshing breeze coming from the ocean that the seagulls were taking advantage of at the pier. The S.S. Liki was buzzing with activity, making ready to set sail. Rikku and the others were gathered at the beach, to wish Rikku good luck on her trip. Even little Vidina was there, pulling Wakka's head band over his eyes. Yuna was hugging Rikku tightly, already missing her cousin.

"Don't worry, Yunie. There's nothing out there that can take me down!"

"I know, but I'm going to worry about you no matter what you say." Yuna replied.

"I said I would keep in touch! And if I get in trouble, I'll just bring out Ghiki. That monkey can scare a Behemoth!" They both laughed at that, and parted. Tidus gave Rikku a hug as well, making sure to squeeze all the breath out of her. "Uh, I kinda...need to breath!" she said.

"I guess so. You take care now. I don't want to have to get your butt out of trouble!"

"Hey, hey, hey! I can take care of myself, thank you very much!" she said, with her hands on her hips. Tidus chuckled and shook his head in amusement. Rikku turned to Wakka and Lulu, and gathered Vidina into her arms. "Alright Vidina, you make sure to be as loud as you can for Daddy, huh?" He answered with a high squeal and giggle, as if he understood the order. She returned Vidina to his father and gave hugs to Lulu and Wakka.

"And I'm off! See you guys later!" Rikku walked down to the pier and boarded the S.S. Liki. Once she was on deck, it pulled anchor and began to move out of the harbor. She waved both arms in the air wildly at her friends until they were out of sight. She then moved to the prow of the ship, watching the waves break in front of the ship. A smile grew on her face, because she knew that she was on her way to finding herself. This is going to be great! she thought.

"Watch out Rikku!" she shouted at the waves, "Here I come to find you!"

The next evening...

Rikku hopped off the deck and onto one of the docks in Luca. People were rushing to and fro, trying to load or unload cargo onto the ships. There were families being reunited with joyous laughter, and heckling from the dock workers. It was loud and it was busy. Rikku loved it. She was a people person, always craving the company of others. It made her feel more alive to connect with them. A social butterfly, that is what she was. There was no better place to find things to do with other people than Luca.

After looking around for a moment at the bustle of the docks, she headed out towards the plaza, passing the Blitzball stadium. It was not Blitz season, so there was almost no activity at the stadium. Maybe I'll make use of the gym equipment. And find some hot guys that want to show off for a lady! Hehehe! First, she had to find an inn. While Rikku didn't mind sailing, she wanted to sleep in a bed that wasn't moving side to side. At least the Celsius was stable. Let's see, where was the Sun Rose Inn? Oh, yeah! A block past the café.

Rikku arrived at her destination, a wonderful little inn that almost no one really knew about. The fact that it was owned by an Al Bhed man and run by his Spiran wife had something to do with it. Elizza, the wife, was a small woman, with brown hair and eyes and possessing a beauty that rivaled that of women half her age. Rikku had found the inn on her first trip to Luca; she had been immediately drawn to the Sun Rose because it obviously had Al Bhed origins. The minute she first stepped into the inn, it felt like a home. Not her home, or the Al Bhed Home, but a home that belonged to someone, and would welcome anyone who entered.

Rikku felt welcome every time she went there. She now stood in the small lobby, drinking in the homey-feeling that radiated from the building. It still looked the same: worn but comfy. Bookcases lined the walls, even around the windows. (They had been specially built by Raas, Elizza's husband.) One could find a book on nearly any subject in this room, even some on Machina. Not that an Al Bhed house-hold was odd for having anything to do with Machina. Not many books about Machina survived because of Yevon's attitude about them. Bits of machinery sat around, some pretending to be book-ends, some assuming that they were statuary and some had been converted into lamps or foot stools. There was a multitude of very comfortable chairs and one sofa. All were situated to make the most of daylight and the placement of the lamps. A plush carpet lay on the floor, decorated in a traditional Al Bhed design. Plain curtains hung from the windows, casting a gentle shade over the bright sun light. Plants were living in nooks and crannies throughout the room. Stairs ran up the back wall, leading to the rooms on the second floor. Elizza and Raas lived on the third floor, while the dining room was through a door in the wall next to the stairs.

"How can I help you- oh! Rikku! Dear, you've been away too long. How are you?" Elizza exclaimed from behind the counter. She looked the same as ever, with the exception of a few more smile lines on her face. "Are you staying long this time?" she asked wistfully. Elizza had been lonely since her son had left to join the Crusaders two years ago. He had died in Operation Mi'Hein.

"I'll be here for a while, Elizza. You have a room for me, don't you?" she asked while scuffing the floor with her boot, pouting.

"For you, we always have a room! Come on, lets get you settled in. I was just about to put on some tea. Would you like some?" She said all this while helping Rikku carry her baggage up the stairs and into her room. It was the one she always stayed in. Second door on the right, with the sun emblazoned on the top half. The design was repeated on the back of the door, so that you always saw the sun no matter the weather.

"Sounds good to me! Let me get a shower first, though. I want to get the salt out of my hair." Rikku said, pulling her hair in front of her face and frowning at it.

"Use that conditioner I keep telling you about after you wash it. Just leave it in while we have tea. It will make it unbelievably soft." Elizza knew everything about beauty and fashion and hair things. Rikku never really bothered with it, but she indulged Elizza because it would get her more goodies from the kitchen.

"Alright, you go get yummy stuff ready, and I'll meet you in the kitchen."

Elizza nodded and smiled, then left the room. Rikku sighed, feeling more relaxed at that moment than she had been in a long time. Alright, shower time! Let's get clean! The shower felt wonderful, and Rikku scrubbed her hair and body of salt. She sighed when she got out, and slathered the conditioner into her hair. It took a while, because her hair was quite long and tangled. When she was done, a towel was wrapped around her hair, and clothes were put on. Rikku then wandered downstairs to the kitchen, not in the least embarrass by having a towel on her head. The smell of tea and baked goodies lured her towords her goal. Elizza greeted her with a cup of tea and a plate of goodies. This is gunna be good...

Ok, not much happened, but it will get better in the next chapter! Enter Gippal! duh duh duhhh! What will happen next? Will Rikku catch his attention, or will he strike out? Stay tuned to find out!

Thank you bunches to my reviewers! Like I said before, I write these late at night, so if something is blatantly wrong, let me know, please. And I am very happy because a coworker gave me a chocolate chip cookie the size of my face today! Isn't that great? munch, munch...yummy cookie... Want to share my cookie? NO! What am I saying?! I'll never share my cookie! Mwahahaha!