A/N: I'm sorry about not updating as soon; I just got dragged into AP English Lit. (Damn another class now I have a summer assignment)and I'm doing a journalism program. So I will have an extremely busy summer. This means that updates will be irregular which I hate because I want you guys to have the best. Oh yeah and I decided to shout people out on the bottom from now on.

Disclaimer: I don't own FFX or FFX-2 and neither do you. ha. ha.

Chapter Nine: Lust

I traveled back through the labyrinth of the dark forest and made my way to the lake. Still no fiends but I made it through quickly. My heart skipped a beat at the scene that stood before me. The lake shimmered in beauty and life. I slowly walked up to the shore hypnotized. I almost felt like I was swaying side to side. The trees surrounding the area were in blossom with their transparent flowers.

I dropped my bag and decided to absorb the fleeing memory. I sat down and stared right ahead. So many things happened here that I couldn't begin to explain. I took out my journal and decided to put them down in form of words instead.

Journal Entry # 8

Early the next day we were on our journey again. The Thunder Plains looked exactly the way it did when we stopped there. I frowned disappointed that my wish of sunshine and clouds didn't come true.

We walked through the rest of the plains. From a distance we could see our next destination. That was my motivation to keep going.

"I've made my decision" she said out of no where. The group stopped dead in its tracts. Yuna wanted to stop and get shelter near a small dome that was built for travelers who waited for any rain to pass.

We were all quiet. We stared at her calm gentle face. The sound of Thunder menacing us with rain was completely ignored. Only Yuna mattered.

"I will marry him"

I was surprised at her decision. She explained that in this time of Sin a wedding would raise people's hopes. She wanted to make the people around her happy. I didn't like her decision. She didn't love Seymour and I doubt that she would ever will. So why did she want to deceive the people of Spira with a false marriage of unrequited love? Simple, to give them hope. And as much as I hated her at the moment for making such a foolish decision, I had to love her for her selflessness.

Tidus didn't look happy about it either. I guess Seymour really did rub him the wrong way.

So the decision was final and we made our way to Macalania woods. I practically kissed the ground there, grateful that we were out of the horrid Thunder Plains.

We went to the shop where we met up with O'aka. Then we traveled to the center of the woods. It was quiet a beautiful sight. The water escaped easily from the prison of the ground and the stiff authoritarian roots of the trees. It was as if the forest was being flooded but it was still beautiful. Like a beautiful death you didn't want to disturb.

From the water a large clear like blob emerged. It took a sphere like form. It shimmered and glowed. Then it attacked with Blizzara which almost hit Wakka. It was battle time but Auron and Yuna went ahead to participate. Lulu, Tidus, Kimahri and I stood on the side for back up.

Wakka used his blitz ball and aimed at the fiend. The large sphere seemed unaffected and changed from its clear form to a light green shade. It charged up and glowed again. It did a Firaga spell on Wakka. He screamed in pain. Yuna ran to him, Lulu almost jumped from her position in concern and fear. But she stayed knowing that it wasn't her turn.

Yuna performed a quick healing spell that closed his wounds but it was obvious that Wakka was still in pain. Auron ran towards the sphere like fiend and embedded his sword in its thick skin. The fiend was still unaffected.

"Physical attacks don't seem to do anything" Tidus said

"Maybe magic will" Lulu stepped forward.

"Wait I can go! I can combine my gems and knock it out for the count!" I said stepping in front of her.

Lulu nodded her head.

"Alright but pay attention to what color it's changing too. Something tells me that it's the fiend's way of exposing its weakness"

"Right" said going into my battle mode.

Yuna helped Wakka escape and left him with Lulu. Then she came back. I saw the fiend change colors again. It went from a light green to a dark purple. I took out an ice gem and threw it. Nothing happened but the fiend seemed to have gotten stronger. I basically undid any work.

It changed into a light orange. I guess and attacked with a fire gem. The fiend got stronger and came up to me. It shaped into a long cylinder and drove downwards. I jumped out the way in time. It changed colors again and got ready for another spell. It went over to Yuna who was going to summon an Aeon. It did a Blizzara spell but Auron took the hit when he jumped in front of Yuna. In that time Tidus quickly grabbed her and took her to safety he came back with brotherhood. I felt strong hands grip my shoulders and pick me up. I was face to face with Kimahri. He walked me over to where Wakka was recovering.

"Rikku wait here" he said putting me down.

Lulu went in my place. The fiend changed colors again. It did a thunder attack aimed to Tidus but he jumped out of the way in time. Lulu got ready and attacked with Waterga. The fiend was weakened quickly. Tidus attacked by slicing through. In between Lulu's quick spells and Tidus' quick feet the fiend couldn't change into another element. The battle was finally won when the sphere disburse into pyreflies and it melted back into the water.

Everyone looked relieved that the battle was over. It left behind a sphere which Tidus picked up. Auron looked angry. He walked up to me.

"Who do you think you are coming into a battle you knew nothing about?"

"I was only trying to help."

"You were foolish enough to think that you could take that thing on, that is irresponsible"

"Look, I'm sorry! Ok! I couldn't tell what element it was changing too, I tried my best at guessing its weakness"

"You were reckless and attacked blindly. Yuna could have gotten hurt" he said looking towards her. "What were you trying to prove?

"I'm trying to prove a lot!" I said. My ears grew hot. I was both angry and embarrassed that everyone was watching our fight.

"You're proving to be worthless, THAT is what you just proved now"

I didn't say anything. My eyes glazed over with water but I refused to shed a tear for Auron. I refused to let anyone see me cry. I stomped my way through and stormed off into the woods on my own. I reached a secluded area and plopped myself down on a log. Tears flowed freely but I quickly wiped them away.

"Just ignore Auron. He insults me all the time" I heard a voice say.

I wiped my face and turned around to see Tidus. He walked over and sat next to me on the log.

"It's nothing. He just bruised my ego a bit. No big deal"

He chuckled. "Really? I didn't know you had one. I wear a protective cup on mine when I play bliztball"

I tried to stop myself but I just laughed so hard that I snorted. Then I laughed at that. He smiled happy to see me laughing. He knew how to make me laugh even if it made him look dumb.

"Thanks, I feel a little better now" I said

"It's nothing" he got a little closer to me. I felt the edge of the rough bark scratch my leg. Any closer and I might have fallen off the log. I felt weird and awkward.

"I could have sworn I saw smoke coming from your hair" I laughed trying to change the atmosphere. I stood up and walked over to a tree.

He looked at me confused.

"Huh?" he stood up as well and followed me to the tree.

"You know, in the Thunder Plains, you were a bolt magnet" I said

"Oh yeah! Well at least they didn't hit you" he said coming in closer.

I laughed nervously because there was no way of avoiding the closeness between us. I couldn't escape even if I tried. His left hand laid flat against the tree while his other hand rested on my hip. My arms were at my sides. I felt my heart beat slowly as reality hit me as to what type of situation I was in. We looked at each other. He truly was beautiful. From the shape of his haunting clear blue eyes to the shape of his lips. He leaned in and I closed my eyes expecting his lips to cover mine. I braced my self…then…he started to tickle me.

We both fell over laughing. He stood up and helped me. I stood against the huge tree regaining my composure. He closed the huge gap that was between us again.

"Sorry about that, couldn't resist," he sounded out of breath from all the laughing.

I giggled. Then silence crept its way back. I wanted to a void any eye contact with him but I ended up looking into his eyes. Their glow sparkled with the surroundings. The heat his body was giving off was making my knees go weak. He leaned into my neck, a weak spot that Gippal had many times kissed over. His lips only brushed my skin. It was as if he was trying to take in my scent. I closed my eyes and did the same. I let my nose bask in his scent, which oddly enough smelled like the sweet salty body of the ocean.

His lips moved to my ear. They lightly brushed my earlobe and opened slightly. "I really missed you since the attack on the ship" his voice was deep and soothing. This caused goose bumps to arouse to life on my skin.

He lightly kissed my ear lobe and I was surprised that I didn't collapse at the moment. Hot soft kisses trailed down my neck and I just stood there not breathing. His hand that was on my hip was now on the other side of my neck. A gloved finger traced my jaw line and turned my head towards his. Our breaths mingled. I stared at his face. His golden tan made his eyes stand out even more. My eyes traveled down to his lips as he slowly leaned in. He tilted my face upwards and kissed my bottom lip.

I felt my body grow stiff then it relaxed. I let my lips take their own course. As our kissed deepened I felt this warm sensation rush through me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he pulled me in closer as he wrapped his around my waist.

He unbuttoned my shorts and un-zipped them. I let my hands travel down to his chest. I found that he was as nervous as I was because his heart felt like it was going to go into over drive. Our lips parted and my lungs were thankful for the air.

He placed a kiss on my chin and moved along my jaw line and towards my neck. My hands buried themselves in his strawberry blond hair. His lips reached my ear and I almost giggled as he nibbled on it.

I closed my eyes and placed butterfly kisses on his neck. Each time I parted my lips felt cold and naked making me want to kiss his warn skin even more.

"I love you" he whispered huskily in my ear.

My eyes snapped opened from their trance. Did my ears deceive me or did he say "I love you"?

I felt an incredible weight of guilt pull at my heart. Why? Why did he say that?

What made it worse was that he wanted me with a feeling that I myself have no business messing around with…Love. And I wanted him with the horrid beast that always got me into trouble…Lust.

"I'm sorry" I whispered.

He stopped confused at my sudden apology.

"W-what?"

"W-we can't, I'm sorry," my hands dropped to my sides. He saw that I was serious and he stepped away from me. He sat down on the log and looked like he was trying to figure out what he did wrong. He looked confused, frustrated and horny.

"It's just not right." I said. He didn't look up to meet my gaze.

I looked at my feet. I backed away slowly and left him alone. I walked until I far enough from him. I was trying to walk it off. I could still smell him on me. I could still feel his body heat hovering on mine.

I reached an area and looked around. I sighed happy that he didn't follow me. I was surrounded by trees. A cool wind swept in. I closed my eyes and took in the air.

I reached into my pocket and took out some small darts. I focused my vision on the tree and I threw a dart. I did that for a while. It was just me and the darts. It kept my mind off of Tidus.

I heard some bushes rustle. I stopped what I was doing and stood silent. I tried to listen to my surroundings. I heard nothing. I shrugged and went to get my darts.

"What are you doing here alone?" a raspy voice asked.

I turned around to see a guado. I put my darts in my pockets.

"Nothing" I said quietly.

"You shouldn't be here; you have to stay with your group"

"Hey, I just took a walk; is that a crime?"

He looked at me and then he looked to the tree that once had my darts.

"What were you doing here?"

He walked up to the tree and touched its bark. He looked down angry that I hurt a precious thing of nature. He walked up to me and grabbed my arm tightly. His root like fingers felt rough against my fleshy arm.

"You were defacing our property!"

I snatched my arm away from him. Anger boiled inside of me

"You can't be serious! The tree is fine!"

"I want you to leave" he said. I stood my ground.

"There is no sign saying that I can't be here so, no! I won't leave!" he was getting annoyed with me but I wasn't going to let him tell me what to do. He unleashed a spear and got ready for battle.

"Then you leave me no choice" my jaw dropped.

"You have to be kidding me!" he charged at me but I was quick enough to dodge.

"You really want to fight me don't you?"

I stood in my own battle stance and ran to him. I rammed my fist into him. He stumbled back a little but got a hold of my arm and threw me on the ground. The hard ground knocked some wind out of me. He came and wanted to jam his spear into my chest.

I rolled over and heard the sound of metal meeting ground. I jumped up and dug into my pockets. He was trying to get his spear out of the ground. I took out an ice gem and combined it with another one. I hit him with my overdrive and he froze in his place. Ice crystals pointed out his body.

I walked up to him and saw the look of shock on his face. I tapped his frosted face and found it to be rock hard. I stood back and gave him a strong kick. He fell and shattered into pieces. The ground shined as much as the crystals in the trees. I heard rustling again. I looked around but saw no one. I got scared. Someone must have seen me. I left the broken guado and ran back to camp.

I found that the group set up camp with out me. Lulu was talking with a bandaged Wakka. Auron was at a distance looking around or staring into space. I saw Yuna sitting with Kimahri. She was chatting away softly and the blue ronso listened with a serious face in his eyes. I looked around and noticed that a certain person was missing. I didn't see Tidus anywhere.

I went to Wakka and lulu.

"Hey where's Tidus?'

"He said he wasn't feeling well and went to bed early." Wakka said

I nodded my head in thanks of the information. Lulu pointed to the tent that Tidus was in and I made my way there.

I slipped in and I saw him lying there staring up with a lost blank stare.

"Hey" I almost whispered

"I'm sleeping Rikku" he said not even making eye contact with me.

"Oh" I said getting the point that he indeed was upset about earlier

"I guess I'll craw my way back out then" I said turning

"Wait"

I stopped and I heard him sigh.

"Don't go…I'm sorry I don't mean to be mad at you" he said

I sat down in front of him.

"No I'm sorry; I shouldn't have run away like tha--"

"And I shouldn't have kissed you with out knowing if you felt the same"

There was a small silence between us.

"I'm sorry Tidus…but I just don't want to ruin what we already have you know? You're my best friend and I don't want to lose you. And if I do then I don't know what I'll do. I know that you can do better than me. And I know who, Yuna"

"Yuna?" he asked raising an eyebrow.

"Why not? She's beautiful and kind and giving and has it going on"

"You want me to be with Yuna?"

I laughed nodding my head and he smiled. I felt happy to see his smile.

"You're looking for something that I can't give you and she's looking for someone who's going to be there for her. It's a perfect match"

He nodded his head absorbing like a sponge what I said to him

"So are you still mad at me?"

"I could never be mad at you Rikku. You're too cute for that" he said poking me.

"Hey that tickles!" I laughed.

I heard someone clear their throat angrily outside. I peeked and saw a familiar red coat.

"Oops I guess I'll leave you to your rest" I said looking at Tidus. I turned to leave

"Hey Rikku" he called out, I turned my head.

"Thanks," he said. I smiled

"No problem" I left his tent and went to where Wakka and Lulu were. I stared at the hungry fire for the rest of the night.

I bent down to the water and saw my reflection stare back at me. The frown of disappointment was clear. My finger tips touched the icy water's surface and created ripples that destroyed my image. But my reflection came back in one piece and stared at me still. It's like nothing can change what I've become.

I stood up and looked around one last time. The woods would one day disappear along with any memories that were conceived in its presence. I turned around and started walking towards my next stop. Hopefully Bevelle would be a little more exiting.

A/N: well that was chapter 9, I put some Tikku in there (please tikku fans don't hurt me, I bruise easily) Thank you so much for reading and don't forget to leave a review.

Responses:

Fanfic-lover: Thanks a lot; I'm happy you're enjoying it

TearsOfInfinity: I'm glad you like things that are sad and dark because God knows this is drenched in it. Thanks.

Elusivefoxfire: Thank you so much. I did use both games for help especially in description of areas and some dialogue. The kappa thing was my favorite thing to write, but knowing me a plastic bag would make me laugh.

Celsie: Thanks and your story rocks

Shiroi Hikari: Groovy name, Thanks a lot, I tried my best not making it too dark and too gory, and trust me I love that stuff but I didn't want to over do it. As for the whole Gippal/Nhadala thing, why not? I haven't seen it in a fic so I guess I'll it a try. I know there doesn't seem to be any type of evidence in the game but hey, I just thought "what if?" I guess I just wanted Gippal to fall for a regular girl who isn't all that pretty (no offence to YRP) my beta said that it adds to his character, you know he's not just after a pretty body and a pretty face.

RiPa: Aww don't cry I feel guilty now. But I'm glad it's to your liking.

To anyone else who takes the time to read this, thank you!