The Reason
by freakochicko
CHAPTER TWO: Losing the Calm
Whoa. He's a fast runner, Rikku thought as she ploughed through Besaid. The man in front of her had tried to kill her best friend. Her cousin! And she wasn't going to let this horrible villain get away with it. No way.
"Come back here, you coward!" she screamed, hoping to cause the man to falter. No such luck, in fact her warning only made him run even faster. Rikku could clearly see his hair, a strikingly visible red, which disturbed the Al Bhed slightly. He was lean, had unusually long legs, which is why he runs so fast, she thought angrily, and he was glowing...?
What the...? Why was he glowing? And it finally dawned on the girl why he was emitting such a light. He was readying some sort of spell.
"Oh, shi-"
The man made a sharp turn, causing Rikku's heart to do a huge flip and nearly stop. His face held a look of pure concentration as he uttered a single word.
"Blizzaga."
Rikku froze. Literally. Blue light suddenly engulfed her entire body and her breath became uncomfortably short. She braced for the impact that she was sure the ice shards would make. And they came, fast and excruciating. She let loose a loud scream before collapsing. Everything went black and she couldn't see anything. She couldn't feel anything. Am I dead? she wondered weakly.
And then she heard it. Footsteps in the distance. Someone was running. Loud, she thought incoherently due to the fact that her hearing senses were heightened but she still couldn't see, still couldn't feel anything.
She could make out someone shouting and then she sensed the presence of someone bending over her. She thought the voice sounded familiar but she couldn't be sure. She didn't have the strength nor the ability to talk; to tell whoever it was that she was okay. She was alive...
But maybe she was wrong. Maybe she wasn't okay... She felt her consciousness slip away as the seconds ticked by, felt her body go limp.
"No, no, no! Wake up, Rikku! Say something! Anything! Damnit, Cid's Girl, don't do this to me!"
The voice sounded distant; faraway. Rikku's mind was in a whir as she tried to hold on, tried to stay awake. Cid's Girl. He called me... Cid's Girl. He came for me. He came for... me.
Gippal.
And she slipped into unconsciousness.
-xxxxx-
Gippal thought he'd be running forever but when he saw Rikku motionless on the ground, his heart crumbled. "Oh, great Aeons above. Rikku!" He rushed up to her and knelt by her side. Get up get up get up! Tell me you're okay...
But she didn't. She didn't get up. She wasn't okay.
"No, no, no! WAKE UP, RIKKU. Say something! Anything! DAMNIT, CID'S GIRL, don't do this to me!" he shouted in desperation.
There was no response.
Then, he heard it.
He swore he heard his name escape from Rikku's lips and a wave of mixed emotions overcame Gippal at that very moment. He felt angry. Angry that Rikku had gone and got herself hurt, angry because Rikku had run straight into danger and never once stopped to think of the consequences, angry that some idiot had tried to even hurt her. He felt upset. Why didn't she at least tell me? Tell someone? Instead of just run off like that? He felt afraid. Afraid for the frail and weak little girl in front of him. But most of all, he felt relieved.
She's alive, he told himself, unconscious, but not dead. That was a good sign. Right?
He reached forward to clutch her limp hand. And nearly dropped it. Yevon! She's freezing! There was a pulse however, and that kept his hopes up.
Who the hell did this to her? I swear I'm gonna' rip his... Gippal thought of going off to hunt down whoever was responsible for this unspeakable crime but decided against it. Rikku needed help.
The sound of footfalls echoed and Paine soon came into view, "Gippal, what-?" She took one look at Rikku's state and immediately strode up to the two Al Bhed, demanding an explanation.
"She's alive," he told her flatly. And that was all he said before lifting Rikku carefully off the ground and walking back to the beach.
-xxxxx-
Back at the beach, everyone was huddled around the lone figure on the platform where, just minutes ago, Yuna had been singing. Yuna herself was rushed away by a protective Kimahri, who was by her side, supporting her. Meanwhile, Wakka and Baralai were tending to Tidus as they tried their best to stop the blood gushing out from his shoulder. It wasn't serious, just a graze. But the bullet hole looked as though it were enough to cause unbearable pain.
"Tidus! Hang in there, brudda!" Wakka said, heaving the star Blitzball player into a sitting position.
Tidus' head swam and he grunted in pain. "Don't worry, I'll live. Is Yuna okay?" he asked.
"She's in shock. But we're more worried about you. You took the bullet, not her. Now, don't move. This may sting a little." Baralai took out a Potion bottle and emptied its contents onto Tidus' bad shoulder.
And he was right. Tidus hissed inaudibly as the Potion washed over his wound. It hurt like a bitch. But seconds later, it felt much better. Much, much better.
"Alright. We gotta' get you back to the village. You need a bed and some rest, ya." Wakka said matter-of-factly to Tidus, helping him up on his feet and slinging his arm around his shoulder, supporting him in a standing position.
But the injured man struggled weakly, "No. Wait. I wanna' see Yuna."
"I'm here," Yuna said, immediately rushing up to Tidus. Tidus noticed her cheeks were tear-stained and her eyes were red. She threw her arms around him and gave him a tight embrace, "Oh Tidus..." she mumbled, "I thought I was going to lose you. Again." Tidus could feel her body shaking, she started to cry a second time.
"Don't..." Tidus said softly, "I'm all right, Yuna. Serious!"
But that only made Yuna cry even harder.
At that moment, Leblanc went up to them. "Alright, loves. Break it up! We're all alive, healthy and young. No need to get all emotional about it! So pull your act together... because here comes trouble."
Everyone turned to see two approaching figures coming out from the forest. A solemn Gippal, with Rikku in his arms, and Paine following close behind looking awfully worried.
Horror dawned on Yuna. She had almost forgotten that those three had run after her assailant after worrying so much about Tidus. Rikku... she looked like... Something must have happened. Something must have gone horribly wrong. Yuna stumbled away from Tidus and approached Gippal and Paine with a sickening feeling in her stomach. She was at a loss for words. Tidus, supported by Wakka, followed right behind.
"Rikku..."
Yuna looked at her cousin's limp body as Gippal put her gently down on the sandy ground. She looked so pale and weak. Helpless. Yuna's gaze travelled up to Gippal. "What-?"
"GET OUT OF MY WAY!" came a rough voice, cutting across Yuna's question. Cid had pushed his way through to the front of the crowd, shoving Rin aside, and was now standing a few feet away from his daughter. Disbelief was written all over his face. "Rikku. Oh Fayth! What happened?"
What happened? How the heck would I know? I tried to get to her but she was too fast. She shouldn't have run. She should have just stayed where I could keep my eye on her. Damnit...
"Gippal! FRYD RYBBAHAT?" (WHAT HAPPENED?)
Snapping out of his reverie, Gippal looked at the Al Bhed leader, "I don't know. She... was like this when I found her. I don't know what happened. But she's going to need something 'cause she's freezing. We have to get her to the village. Now."
Cid nodded, hefting his daughter over his shoulder as carefully as possible. "Alright, people! Clear a path! Let my girl through!" he shouted, "I said MOVE IT!" he snapped at the stupid penguin-creature standing in his way.
The crowd stirred; as though the event that was just displayed stopped them all in their tracks for awhile.
"Alright. This party is over. Go home, all of you, as quick as you can. It's not safe here anymore." Yuna and Paine were trying their best to tell everyone there that the appearance of a murderer was a sign to pack up and leave.
-xxxxx-
The blackness was so dark it was blinding.
Oh Fayth, I must be dead!
But it's so dark!
... That means I'm not in Heaven am I?
Heaven's all bright and welcoming.
Then am I in Hell...?
Hah! Then why am I so cold?
Maybe I've gone to the Farplane...
NO WAY NO WAY NO WAY!
NOT THE FARPLANE!
-xxxxx-
"Hey! I think she's waking up!" Yuna whispered. It's been over three hours since the party. Over three hours since Rikku had been knocked unconscious. Yuna made a sound in her throat as she frowned, "No wait, she's not. She just twitched." and she heaved a sigh as she eyed her fallen friend who had a noticeable pained expression plastered onto her face. Nightmare maybe...?
Yuna and Paine had been keeping watch over their comrade in one of the village tents. Rikku was on a hastily-made bed, still very much dead to the world. Everyone else had probably gone to sleep. Lulu and Wakka was sure to be with Vidina, asleep in their tent. Tidus was resting because Yuna had commanded him to, although he wanted to stay with them to look after Rikku, after all she was like a sister to him. Cid, Brother, Buddy and Shinra were not too far off in another tent. Paine was becoming frequently annoyed with Cid popping in every half hour or so to check on his daughter. Although everyone else from the party had gone home, Gippal had opted to stay for a few days. This caused Baralai and Nooj to stay as well, at least till morning; after all, what's the point of going back to Bevelle and Mushroom Rock Road so late at night?
"I wonder," Paine said finally.
"Hmm?" Yuna said, turning to her companion.
"What really happened to Rikku? Who or what attacked her?"
Yuna frowned for a second time and looked over to where Rikku was lying, "Must've been somebody really powerful. Rikku's a strong girl. I'm astounded that someone could actually manage to hurt her."
"She was alone." Piane reminded her, "She didn't have me or you around to help her out."
"Still..." Yuna's voice faded.
"Yeah. Anyway, the attacker is still out there somewhere. We best be on our guard. It was clear enough that whoever it was was trying to get to you."
"Someone who had the guts to do it in front of everyone at a party," Yuna said, recalling the gunshot she heard, "Must've been a good sharpshooter as well, seeing how accurate he was."
Paine nodded.
Yuna shook her head, "That reminds me. Could you look after Rikku on your own? I'm gonna' go take a look at Tidus."
Paine stared at Yuna. "But you did that not too long ago. It's not like he's going to die or disappear you know."
Yuna stuck her tongue out at Paine, "He's Tidus. I'd visit him even if he didn't have a hole in his shoulder."
"Whatever you say."
And Yuna walked out of the tent... only to almost walk straight into Gippal. Apparently the Machine Faction Leader had been pacing up and down the entrance of the tent with an evident scowl plastered onto his face. He looked up when he saw Yuna emerge.
Yuna gave him a curious look, cocking her head to one side wondering what in Spira was troubling the man so much that had to wander around in the dark.
"How is she?" were the first words out of his mouth.
"Oh," Yuna said softly, "Rikku? She's alright. She's been shifting around in the bed actually, which means she's not exactly unconscious anymore. She's just resting. Don't worry about her, she's a strong girl."
Gippal nodded, his frown lifting slightly, "Of course."
And then there was a moment of silence, punctured only by the sound of crickets and other insects flying by.
"Well..." Gippal said awkwardly, thinking of something to say.
"You can go see her if you want," Yuna offered helpfully, "I'm guessing you're really worried about her."
Gippal scratched the back of his head, a sign that gave away his nervousness and embarrassment, "Ah... yeah, that's what I was going to intent to do." Just didn't know when the right time was, he thought to himself, I guess it's now or never.
"Paine's in there keeping watch. I was just going to go see how Tidus is doing."
Gippal nodded with a slight smile, "That Tidus guy's a real saviour. He saved your life. Now I know why you two were meant for each other."
Yuna smiled, remembering everything Tidus himself did in the past to try to save her life. He became my Guardian.
-xxxxx-
"No... Farplane... nooo..."
Paine eyed the blonde girl tossing and turning in her bed with a raised eyebrow. Farplane? That's right. Rikku was always freaked out by that place. Paine smiled subtly as she recalled the times they had when all three of them flew around Spira as Sphere Hunters. She would never admit it out loud to anyone, but she missed those days. We've gone a long way, the crimson-eyed warrior thought. And what a long way too. She vaguely thought of the days where she wouldn't openly talk to Rikku or Yuna unless the reply was a straight answer. It wasn't because she hated socialising, no, that wasn't it at all. It was trust. Trusting someone after that 'incident' wasn't easy. Now however, it was a different story. The impossible had happened: Paine had opened up. Paine had started to trust Yuna, Rikku, the Gullwings. And she was glad she did.
Just then, someone entered the tent quietly. As an unconscious reflex, Paine shot up, made a grab for the hilt of her sword and got ready to swing it at the intruder.
"Oh. It's just you," Paine said shortly, loosening her grip on the sword and sitting back down on her chair wearily.
Gippal, already used to her act-on-impulse reactions because of all the time spent in her company with the Crimson Squad merely shrugged, "If you wanna' kill me so bad, just say so."
Paine rolled her eyes. Typical Gippal.
"So," Gippal said, striding over the foot of Rikku's bed, "so..."
"So what?" Paine said, as loud as she dared to go without disturbing the peace of the sleeping girl.
"Has she... Is she, well, do you think she'll get up any time soon?"
Paine was about to say she had no idea when all of a sudden, Rikku sat up in bed quickly, letting lose an ear-piercing scream.
"I HATE THE FARPLANE!"
Shocked silence followed her sudden outburst.
The girl slowly took a look at her surroundings, eyes landing on Paine and Gippal.
"Uh... heheh..." she giggled nervously, "umm... this... this isn't-"
"The Farplane. We know." Paine said bluntly.
Rikku heaved a relieved sigh and then looked up, embarrassed, "I think I-"
"Woke everybody up?" came a voice from the entrance of the tent, "you got that right."
Yuna, Tidus, Wakka and Lulu were at the doorway, all looking intently at the flustered Al Bhed.
"Oops?"
-xxxxx-
-(A/N)-: Yay! Rikku's conscious again! Ooooh... The first signs of Gippal showing SOME affection for Rikku.
Sorry I had to make this chapter short. The next one'll be longer. I hope. Review, please. I love constructive reviews that tell me things like how I should improve things and what your favourite parts were, etc. Reviews are what keep me going. (:
RESPONSE TO REVIEWERS:
marajade963 Glad you liked the start. It gets better, just you wait. :)
jen0va Tanith Lee is an awesome writer. I haven't read The Black Unicorn but I've read the Claidi Journals and they're awesome. Glad you liked the Light-Sphere concept. Haha!
Wind Seal Aww... You liked my first chapter? Thanks! Well, what did you think of the second one?
darkerstardom Thanks for the review! I'll do my best to make my reviewers happy. (:
xXpinknblackemotionsXx Thanks for reviewing! Here's your update. I love Cid! He's cool and adds comic relief. Hee.