This is the first part of a two-parter. Since there's a big cliffie here, I'm gonna update the next part within 24 hours. I already have it done, but I might add to it.

Rikku was brushing her teeth the next morning, Gippal standing next to her shaving again, like usual. She had more or less gotten used to the routine of the morning, even if she hadn't lived with him for more than two days. She looked at him from the corner of her eye, before finishing up and rinsing out her mouth. He hadn't tried anything in that time. What was holding him back? She knew he liked her.

As soon as she finished, she heard a knock on the door. "I'll get it," she said.

Still in her nightclothes, she went out to the front door, that had been replaced earlier. She answered the knocking and an anonymous worker was there. He bowed and handed her a note.

"Dryhg oui," she said, before closing the door. At this, she went back into the bedroom and opened it. (Thank you)

"What's that?" Gippal asked, already half dressed. He pulled on a shirt over his head. He already had his eye-patch on.

"A letter," she said, reading it. "It's from Elhana. She's already in the office at this time. She likes to open up," she told him. "She says I have a visitor."

"Who?" he asked curiously, slipping on other things that he wore during the day.

"Minaki?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

That day, Rikku walked in her office in a dress, instead of a two piece outfit. It was still short and covered as much as her other clothes, though. She thought since this was a person she'd never met, she should have looked a little nicer.

She still carried her bag of things with her as she came into the room. The first thing she saw was a Ronso, standing there in the center of the room. Her arms were crossed and she wore a yellow dress, her eyes matched in color. Her longer, blue hair came down to her shoulders. She was shorter though, like most females and looked over to Rikku when she came in the room.

The Ronso nodded to her. "Princess of Al Bhed, and cousin and guardian of Lady Yuna, Minaki introduces herself," she said.

Rikku looked over to Elhana, sitting at her desk, who nodded. It was as if she said, 'Yes, this is the visitor,' in her eyes. She smiled at Minaki and looked up to her. She was about the height of Kimahri. "It's very nice to meet you," she said.

"Thank you," she said. "But Minaki has come with a message for the princess."

"Yes?"

"Elder Kimahri sent Minaki to bring the princess to Mt. Gagazet."

The blond blinked. "Now?" she asked, brow wrinkling in disappointment. "Like today? Is it really important?"

"Elder must give Princess Rikku message immediately and in person."

She sighed and bit her lip. "Is it that urgent?"

Minaki nodded. "Very."

Rikku went over and gave Elhana her work. "Tell Vech that he's taking over for you and you for me," she said. "I'll be back soon. You can take care of things while I'm gone?"

"Yes of course, malady."

She winked and turned. "I'll let Sanron know you'll be free later."

Elhana blushed as her boss and the Ronso made their way outside.

Rikku came out of the housing building in her White Mage outfit. It was cold on Gagazet and she wasn't covered with fur like Minaki. Still, instead of the rod she used with this outfit, she brought along the Black Mage one. That way, she wouldn't have too much to carry, she'd be able to protect herself and stay warm as well.

With a bag over her shoulder and her rod attached to her back, she headed past all the construction with her hood down. It caught some attention, seeing as she was wearing all white.

"Where are you going?" Adedrea asked, in the middle of something. Unlike most Al Bhed, she wore her hair long like Rikku had. That was why she wasn't wearing gloves, goggles or even a bikini or corset dress. She had been someone Rikku knew while growing up, which was why they were so comfortable around each other.

"Gagazet," she replied. "I'll be back soon though."

"Going alone?" she asked, brow wrinkling.

"No, I have a personal escort."

She raised an eyebrow with a mischievous smile. "A certain Machine leader?"

Of course, she didn't forget the previous night. Rikku rubbed her temple. "No," she said. "Don't even go there."

"Hey, I wasn't the one sitting on him," she said, with a laugh. "I'll take care of things, alright, I know Vech has a desk job right now."

She nodded. "Thanks. You've seen Sanron?"

"Gippal's assistant?" She pointed in a direction. "That way, I think. He and Gippal are more hands on. They're inspecting something...not sure what it is."

"I've got a message for him," she said. "So, thanks again."

She waved as she went off in the direction she told her. She went into an enclosed area towards the temple that the Machine Faction had taken over. It was a building that needed repairs, that they were working on more than the machines. She went past the guards when she said she had to talk to one of the workers (plus, she was Cid's daughter, so that got her somewhere), and found a few workers.

Finally, she went over to Sanron and gave him a note, from Elhana of course. He thanked her, but then she was greeted by a voice behind her.

"Taking a trip?"

She turned. Guess who.

The workers, seeing them talking, quieted a little. People didn't look in their direction, but you could definitely tell that ears had opened. Gippal seemed to notice and his brow wrinkled. "Back to work people. I don't pay you to ease drop on my conversations," he said, waving them off.

Rikku rolled her eyes. Guys gossiped more than girls; usually the machine faction had all males working. Not that women couldn't do it, it was just that sometimes, with Al Bhed, women could be distracting.

"Yes, if you don't mind, I have to get going," she replied, arms crossed. "I'm visiting Kimahri."

He seemed interested. "The Ronso Elder and ex-guardian of your cousin, Kimahri?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"And you have to go to him?"

"He can't leave the mountain and I have to talk to him," she explained, sighing and looking to the side. "He sent Minaki for me."

"Who?"

"I'm pretty sure he trusts her with my safety. She's my escort. Is there a problem?"

"You're climbing a mountain?"

"Yes. I've done it plenty of times before. And I've armed myself." She blinked, as though in surprise of his questions. "Is there some kind of problem?"

"No, not now," he said smugly.

Rikku gave him a confused look. "Why not?" she asked, shaking her head slowly.

Gippal just leaned over slightly and tapped her nose. His lip turned up in a sinister smile. "Because I am coming with you."

"You know, you really didn't have to come," Rikku said. "Really. I mean it."

Gippal shrugged. As they walked up the path to Gagazet, Minaki led the way and Rikku was following with Gippal right next to her. She rested her hands on the straps that held up her backpack. She gave him a look of 'Go away,' but he wouldn't take the hint.

"I just felt like coming," he replied. "Just think of me as an extra body guard. Besides, I have nothing else to do."

Gippal had changed into warmer clothes, with a sweater and an extra overcoat. He also changed to walking boots, and carried his gun inside a holster under his arm. He seemed perfectly content with the new environment. Though, is ears were turning red.

"Minaki will not be taking you back down the mountain," the Ronso stated in his defense, hearing their conversation. "I have another assignment from the Elder."

"See?" he said proudly.

Rikku felt her expression dim. Now she did need him to come along. It was never really save to travel alone, especially through the mountain. There were many fiends and this was a climate she wasn't accustomed to. She bit her lip. Just great.

As the group walked, Rikku lagged behind a little. She sighed and stared at her feet as she walked through the ice and snow. They were almost there, walking along the bridge that was made up completely of ice, so there was only a bit to go.

Still, she paused suddenly. The other two didn't seem to notice, who kept going. With her hood up, it was harder to see, but she swore that she had heard something a moment ago. She looked around, looking for the source of what she heard; an almost growl.

The princess searched the area, ready to grab the staff on her back. Her eyes shifted carefully and she made no sudden movements. She stood and just waited.

Then, right in her ear she heard the largest of growls. She whipped around, hearing a, "Rikku!" in the distance, but then the wind was knocked out of her and she slid across the bridge.

Tumbling on sideways, she tried to find somewhere to hold onto while she slid, knowing the edge of the bridge was near. She tried to stop rolling, but nothing worked. With a scream, she felt the ground under her disappear and reached out to grasp anything she could.

Her hands clasped the edge, grabbing on with such strength she'd never thought she had. She tried to relax, but she as she looked around, she couldn't. She was dangling above a ravine that looked endless and she could feel her hand slipping. Above, she heard gunshots from Gippal, and growling from Minaki, she thought.

With all the strength she could bear, she pulled herself up, resting her forearms on the walkway. She tried the whole way, but then she caught a glimpse of the fight. Minaki, who had been carrying a spear, was fighting it and her own Ronso skills. Gippal took a few shots at the thing, that she couldn't get a good look at.

Rikku reached out her hand and tried to grab onto something else, in attempt to pull herself up the entire way. Her efforts were limited, for her hand slipped on the ice, not grabbing anything but snow. With it, she slipped a little more.

This was the exact reason she hated her luck. Things like this had to happen to her, all the time. What did she ever do to deserve all this?

She didn't have time to rant to herself, for she slipped again. The pulling herself up plan wasn't working. She was loosing some of the feeling in her arms. She waved her feet around, trying to get them to grasp something. Then she remembered there was nothing there and tensed. She was slowly losing her anger, that was turning into panic. What if she fell?

Then a solution hit her. Call for help. Her two companions were both still in a fight. But it looked like Gippal was reloading his weapon, though. Maybe she could get his attention.

"Gippal!" He paused to look at her. "Help!"

It was then that he finally noticed she was dangling there. His eye widened and he turned back to the fiend. He finished reloading his gun and shot at it. "I'll be right there, princess!" he yelled, showing his impatience with the monster.

"Hurry!"

Rikku looked around, noticing that she was slipping again. The ice beneath her weight, right on the edge, was melting. Melting made it slippery. She let out a panicked noise, as she slowly started falling again.

She couldn't hold on. Her arms were tired and her eyes widened in fear. Her arms fell down and she was just holding on with her hands again, the material of her gloves making it slippery. "Gippal!" she yelled. "Hurry please! I'm falling!"

Her hands suddenly began to weaken and she couldn't hold on anymore. slowly, her fingers lost grip as she continued to panic. Then her hands slipped completelyand she let out a scream.

"Rikku!"