A/N:You guys are lucky that I'm updating today because Iwon't be able to at all over the weekend. This chapter has to be my favorite so far. I just love it and I'm proud to be able to share it with you guys. So I guess it's my gift to you guys enjoy!

XCJ: she is ooc in this story so I think she is completely justified in killing him.

Fanfic-Lover: Thank you so much for your review. I'm sorry to say but her writing in the journal is the whole plot, what ever she writes is the story line. (there is a subplot while she is traveling but it isgoingto pick up soon) But don't worry; I will make what happens before and after she writes an entry interesting.

TearsOfInfinity: I LOVE your name! it's so…deep. I'm happy that you are enjoying the fic. Knowing that you will r/r makes me feel so happy. You made my day today.

Discalimer: I live in the Ghetto, 'nough said.

Chapter Eight: Not Quite Right

I arrived at Macalania woods. Everything was so peaceful. I looked around the area. The trees frowned upon me. Maybe they knew that they were going to disappear soon. The crystal bulbs that used to bloom into large glass flowers were gone. The leaves looked naked and alone. The bark that used to be dark with a healthy hue of auburn was now a light ashy gray. All of these were an indication of a dying forest.

The crystal road was gone. It looked like I was going to hike my way to O'aka's. Like the Thunder Plains there weren't any fiends. The silence the forest provided made it look even more lifeless.

A couple of feet before me stood O'aka's small travel agency. The wind howled as the bitter cold nipped at my nose. I walked up and opened the door.

As soon as the bell rung from the door I saw him jump up. "Welcome to O'aka, how may I help yee?" I giggled and walked up to the counter.

"Is business good?" he frowned and walked around the counter to face me.

"It's been very slow around here. The fiends are the only ones that knock on the door…and even they aren't biting"

"So what you're saying is that there aren't any fiends around?"

"None at all"

We were quiet for a second

"Do you think it's because of the woods disappearing?"

He crossed his arms and rubbed his chin in deep thought.

"I never really thought about that" he put his arms down. The red head shop keeper looked at me.

If the fiends in the woods were disappearing along with the forest, then what explained the ones in the Thunder Plains? What about that chimera? It was glowing beyond the point of being oversouled. It was all too weird.

"Would you mind doing thee a favor?" his voice snapped me out of my train of thought.

All of my questions seemed to die at the moment. I smiled and nodded my head.

"Can you watch the shop for me? I won't be long; I want to run some errands"

"Why not close it down?"

"Well yee never know when business comes a knocking" he cheered

I went behind the counter and sat down on a stool. I placed my bag next to my feet.

"I'll keep your shop safe"

"Great, I owe yee a lot. Don't worry I'll be back in no time." He got his green back pack and headed out the door. I propped my head with my hands. I was already bored. There was nothing to do in the shop. I swung my legs back and forth. I kicked my bag by accident and remembered the journal. I took out since I really didn't finish the last one. I opened it to a clean page. Maybe a new entry would be better. I took a pen from the desk and began to write.

Journal entry # 7

Tidus told me all about what happened after the attack. He woke up in the water in front of an island. That's where he met Wakka, the captain of the Besaid Aurochs. He said to be careful since Wakka wasn't Al Bhed friendly. Wakka introduced him to Lulu and the ronso named Kimahri. Yuna asked Tidus to become her guardian and he accepted. He also told me that Auron was the same guy that brought him into Spira in the first place; he too became Yuna's guardian.

I wanted to show them that I was a good addition to their group. During battles I showed off my skills and my overdrive. I also told them that I could synthesize their weapons if necessary.

We made it through the forest and went down a tunnel. We were in an underground city. Everything around me was built with roots and tree bark. Bright colors of burgundy, olive, gold and sapphire painted the portrait known as Guadosalam. It all looked new and exotic to me. The Guado looked like walking trees. They had a hard looking skin, almost like bark. Some had an olive hue to their skin. Long finger like roots occupied their hands.

I caught up with the group. They stood in front of what looked like a huge red door. The door seemed to spring to life as it opened. We walked inside and waited for some one to assist us.

"Hello, I am tromell, this way please" he led us through the double doors into the dinning room. The room was decorated with an assortment of flowers and food. My stomach rumbled.

"Master Seymour will be here shortly" he gave a small bow and left us.

A minute later Seymour walked in. He had a unique presence. Walking in with a high confidence that would make even Yevon self conscious, he stood before us. His blue hair looked similar to those of the Guado except it didn't appear to be as stiff as bark. He was tall and had strange symbols embedded in his chest. His mixed breed body looked like it was having a fight over which gene would dominate the other.

"I trust that everyone is comfortable" he spoke eyeing everyone.

He spoke of the importance of defeating Sin and Spira's happiness. He showed us a hollow gram of Zanarkand. The city had large bright buildings and people rushing through us trying to get to a destination that they will never reach.

He talked about a woman named Yunaleska and her story.

Afterwards he wished to have a private talk with Yuna. I took this chance to politely stuff my face. Tidus was very impatient. He kept moving around talking to everyone. He stared at Yuna and Seymour talking. I saw the envy radiate from his crystal blue eyes. It made them glow with an unnecessary evil. I stopped what I was doing and walked up beside him.

"I don't know why everyone thinks he's such a big shot" he snorted

"Jealous?"

He turned to see me. I grinned.

"It's not like that!" he spat.

I saw Yuna head for a glass of water and gulp it down in incredible speed.

"Wow you're beat red" if she got any redder then I would have sworn she would have been choking. Everyone waited for her to relax a little.

"What did he say?" Auron's voice asked.

Yuna took a deep breath and let it out.

"He asked me to marry him"

Everyone was quite again. Either too shocked to speak or not brave enough to speak up, Auron broke the silence.

"Are you going to accept?"

"I told him that I would have to consult with my father"

"And where is he?" Tidus asked

"The Far Plane"

I almost paled at the mention of the name. The group started moving and went up the winding bridge. The Guado guard let us through. I was behind the group as we inched in deeper and deeper into the dim hallway. My heart pounded when we reached the cryptic decaying steps.

I questioned my mind and its nervousness. The Far Plane was a place where one's memories of the dead became almost real due to the pyreflies. Why was I scared of pyreflies?

My heart skipped a beat. It knew the real reason. It knew that I was reluctant to confront my past. My mom, the solider and the kids. Would I be able to look them straight in the face and apologize? I didn't even want to think of my past lovers. Because of me they didn't even get the privilege to be sent to the Far Plane. I sat on the rail with my legs over the never ending pit of darkness.

"Aren't you coming?" Tidus asked. I looked up and stared into his eyes.

"No…I like to keep my memories inside" I softy said. He slowly nodded his head as if trying to figure out the real reason for me not going. He gave up and went to Auron.

"What about you?"

"It's not for me" he monotonously replied.

"Right" Tidus said and went up the stairs. I looked at him hesitate. He put in his hand first then he slid in.

I looked at my dangling feet in shame. Why was I such a coward? My mind raced with emotions, trying force my body to pick one and feel it. Everything around me was gone. My mother's voice crept up behind me.

"Rikku, don't you want to see mommy?"

I shook my head no. Her voice was so gentle and kind. I could see the smile on her beautiful face.

"Mommy loves you"

"I love you too" I said. I felt the tears come down. They were hot and sweet.

"Rikku look at me" she said.

I shut my eyes tight. I didn't want to see her. I didn't want to see what I did to her.

"Look at me" it was with more authority.

"No" I weakly replied

"Rikku look at me!" Her voice got aggressive and I was scared.

I gripped my ears trying to block her voice but she got louder and louder

"Look at mommy! Look at me Rikku!"

I screamed in retaliation. I opened up my tear soaked eyes and saw that I was still at the Far Plane entrance. I turned around to see Auron. He looked at me with curiosity and suspicion.

"Will I have to kill you?" he asked emotionlessly.

I wiped my face and looked down. I shook my head no.

"I'm sorry" I whispered. I went back to stare at my feet dangling over the dark abyss. I wondered if insanity was the only key to unlock my mind.

Auron and I never spoke of the events of the Far Plane. But the Thunder Plains were a different story.

"Do we have to go?" I asked hoping we could avoid the Thunder Plains. I didn't like it. It wasn't safe with all the bolts landing everywhere.

"Can't we stay a little longer?"

"We can't delay our journey" he said

"Fine I'll stay"

"It's been nice knowing you" and he went ahead. I put my hands on my hips and pouted. The group started moving forward. I groaned and followed.

The dark atmosphere of the Thunder Plains was anything but comforting. The loud sounds of thunder bolts made me feel like my heart was trying to escape my body.

A bolt hit right before I could take another step. I was stunned on the ground as I felt the electricity vibrate through my body. Tidus gave me his hand but he was struck down.

I stood up with my arms around my self looking around a safe haven. Tidus stood up and cleaned himself off. Another thunder bolt grazed me and in fear I attached myself to his leg. It wasn't the smartest thing to do since he turned out to be a bolt magnet.

I trembled.

"Are you ok?"

A thunder bolt came hit the ground separating us instantly. I hugged my knees into my chest and closed my eyes. The sound of the thunder bolts rendered me deaf. I rocked back and forth trying to calm my self down.

"It'll all go away" I told myself.

"What will go away honey?"

Mom's voice was back. And it was so sweet and loving. I wanted to be in her arms and never let go of her. I hugged myself tighter.

"No, it'll all go away" I whispered

"I can't go away"

"Yes you will"

"I'm here forever; mommy will never go away" she said in a touch of dark humor.

"Leave me alone!" I rocked back and forth trying to shake her voice off me.

"Don't talk back to mommy, you know better Rikku"

"Go away"

"Not until you look at me" she demanded. I didn't want to look at her beautiful angelic face. Her shimmering emerald eyes full of glee and happiness. I didn't want my eyes to travel down to the gaping hole in her torso. I didn't want to see right through her and have her smile back at me like if everything was going to be ok.

"What's wrong with her?" an outside voice echoed.

I looked up to see the group staring at me. Yuna had the most worry written in her face.

"We must move" Auron said. Another thunder bolt came in my direction and I attached myself to the closest thing near me, which happened to be Tidus's leg.

"You're really freaking me out" he said.

"Do we have to go through here?" I asked.

"Yes" Auron said and kept on walking ahead of the group. I detached myself off of Tidus's leg and cautiously moved with the group.

We reached the midpoint of the plains where an inn stood. I almost fell on my knees and prayed to Yevon in thanks.

"Can we please rest?" I pleaded.

"No, we have to reach our next destination" Auron put his hand on his jug.

"You can't be serious" I said

We stared at each other. I would have challenged his authority but I knew full well I would lose.

"We should rest" Yuna spoke out from behind Auron. "I am feeling kind of tired"

I took my gaze off a very angry and annoyed Auron and looked at her. She smiled and winked my way. I grinned happily that she was on my side.

We came inside the inn. Auron was talking to the woman at the desk about rooms. Yuna and Lulu were talking about something. I decided to stay by my self. The thunder bolts still carried on outside and I still flinched every once in a while.

"So why are you so scared of thunder?" I turned around and faced Tidus. I hesitated before opening my mouth, I didn't want to sound foolish but I trusted that Tidus wouldn't laugh at me.

"Well," I began. "When I was little pops took me and my brother to the beach. A water fiend attacked and my brother tried to save me with a thunder spell. But he aimed it at me accidentally and then boom, boom, boom. I was shocked."

Tidus nodded.

"Don't worry. I'll take the bolts for ya"

I smiled but my attention turned to the new presence in the room. Tidus also turned around. I saw my Uncle Rin smiling at me. I almost sighed in relief to see a familiar face.

I looked at Wakka and then gave my uncle a knowing look of 'be careful what you say to me because the red head doesn't know I'm Al Bhed.' He nodded as if knowing exactly what I was thinking.

"Welcome to Rin's travel agency. I hope you have a relaxing stay"

He then went up to Tidus and started talking to him. Auron came back from the desk and handed Lulu a room key. I went to her.

"We'll be sharing a room, I hope you don't mind"

"No, it's great!" I cheered. I wanted to go to bed early. After what happened today I needed it. I told Lulu and she gave me the key. I left her alone with a talking Wakka.

I unlocked our room and stepped inside. The room had two small beds. I dimmed the lamp a little and laid down on the bed farthest from the door. I stared at the ceiling looking at the lighting flash different patterns from the window. With each blink my eye lids grew heavier and heavier, then darkness followed.

I woke up on the hard floor. I wasn't in the Inn anymore. I stood up and felt that everything seemed bigger to me. I looked at my hands and body and saw that I was six again. The dome was around me. It looked exactly the way it did that day.

I looked around. Amidst the debris and small fire there was no one to be found. Not even a dead body. My small steps echoed in the dome. I walked slowly, trying to figure out exactly what I was going to do.

Then I heard a roar. I covered my ears in an effort to block it out. The area rumbled a bit. I stood my ground. The rumbling stopped and I saw my mother. She stood some feet away from me. My heart almost rose to my throat.

"Mommy!" I yelled. Maybe she knew the way out.

I took a step forward. But something enclosed its grip around my left ankle. I look down to see a hand. My eyes traveled up the arm and my mouth opened into a silent scream.

It was the soldier that tried to save me. I tried to pull away but his grip tightened. Since half his head was missing blood oozed thickly from his jaw line. I was paralyzed with fear.

I looked at my mom crying.

"Come on Rikku, come to mommy" she said waving to me.

The soldier climbed his way up to my height. His tongue was long and slimy with blood. I cried and cried but no one saved me. Around us bodies started to appear. The dead looked like they suffered before their demise. Sin roared again.

The soldier's crimson tongue licked my face of its tears. It left a sticky mess of blood that smelled decayed. He gargled and blood spewed onto my face. It felt hot.

I looked over to my mother. She was still happy and beautiful unaware that dead bodies were appearing around her and that I was in trouble.

"Come on honey," she bent down to her knees with her arms out "Come to mommy"

The soldier hugged me close still licking my face. I glanced at my mother. She stood up and I saw right through her gaping hole. Her clothes were soaked with blood. She was still unaware of this.

"Come on honey!" she smiled and waved. Sin roared and the dome began to rumble again.

I screamed as loud as I could to make everything go away.

I shot up in a cold sweat. My pulse raced. My breath was heavy. I felt someone embrace me and on instinct I tried to get away.

They held on tightly. I stopped struggling and cried because I wasn't at the dome anymore. I cried until I couldn't anymore. When I stopped I let go of who was holding me. It was Tidus.

"Are you ok?" he asked.

I felt like a fool. I acted like a little kid who had a bad dream. I nodded my head and looked down at my hands. I felt my face grow hot in embarrassment.

"Everyone has night mares" he said.

There was a short silence.

"I know" I whispered.

He put his around my shoulder and I did the same to him. And like a true friend he stayed with me until I fell asleep.

I heard the bell ring by the door. I looked up and closed my journal. O'aka came in with a picnic basket.

"I'm sorry I took so long, I brought yee some lunch to make up for it."

I shook my head then smiled. "No problem, I kind of lost track myself" I tucked my journal way in my bag.

He walked over and placed the basket on the counter. He unveiled luscious pastries and fruits. We dined talking about non important things but I really wanted to talk about the fiends. I decided that O'aka wasn't the best person to discuss it with. After my fill I took my back pack.

"Thanks for lunch"

"No you deserved it; yee knew yee could have left my shop alone. I thank yee immensely"

I giggled.

"O'aka, are we having a moment?"

He turned bright red. I decided I had enough fun teasing. I took my back pack.

"I should be on my way" I headed for the door.

"Thanks O'aka" and with that I left the small shop.

A/N: I tried my best with O'aka's character. Anyways review and tell me what you guys think your comments are helpful.