Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy X or anything Square-Enix has created...capeesh?

grumble I hate finding mistakes in my stuff. I had to reload this chapter. Anyways, same thing with changes. Same message HypernatedRikku.This is aTikku and there will be more of it soon. I promise.

Like Warm Sunshine

I sat at the edge of the ship, watching Kilika get closer and closer. No one else was around, and I just watched the green trees come. The waves were lapping at my boots and the sea breeze was making my hair fly, but I didn't care. It was rare that I got moments to myself. Auron had gone inside a few moments ago, after telling me what Tidus had said.

"Rikku, Tidus wants you to know something." I flicked my head around, awaiting the news. "He wants to tell you, that he is thankful you have helped him through this, and he wants to talk to you, when we reach Kilika Temple."

"Ok, Auron. I will do that."

"Avoid him for now, Rikku."

And he disappeared inside. So that brings me to the present moment. I am avoiding him, waiting for this 'talk' tonight. I didn't really look forward to it.

It's times like this you wish you were dead, its times like this you wish you were somewhere else. It's times like this you wish Yuna hadn't died.

That night, when we were all in our cabins getting ready for bed, Lulu decided to talk to me properly, establishing a conversation.

"I have been watching you, Rikku," she started.

"Oh yeah? And what have you seen?" I said.

"Tidus, you. You both seem close. Have you ever considered…"

"Lulu! Can you stop with the love thing?" I turned my back on her, full of hate. "I don't love him! I can't! He loves Yuna, not me. Please, just stop it, ok?"

"It…just looks like something is going on. That is all. I didn't mean to offend. It wasn't always this easy to have so much fun. With Yuna gone, everyone seems depressed, but you seem to of brightened Tidus right up, is all I am saying." She sighed and crossed her arms. "Right?"

"Right, Lulu." I jumped into bed and flicked out the light. "Goodnight!" I heard Lulu sigh and get into bed. So that was that.

I lay in bed for a while that night, considering many things. Affection and care for Tidus, no. I cared for Yuna and I was really sad when she was gone, but Tidus loved her more then a friend, he cared for her, would do anything. He said he'd find a way, but he didn't. It wasn't his fault though, Yunie had accepted death. She knew what was coming and Tidus was just starting to accept that she was gone.

The trees of Kilika temple aren't all that flash really. I had enjoyed Macalania Woods a whole lot more then this. Everyone didn't seem to notice the moss around the place and the flies. I just ran on with everyone else. We had to wind our way through paths, battling fiends, very easy though. Tidus was taking out his rage on the little things.

Everything seemed at peace and I came to the conclusion Yuna could not be here, but she may be. I kept telling myself no, though. We reached the steps of the temple a few minutes later, all of us looking tired and worn. Tidus's eyes were longing for Yuna, but she wasn't there.

"We will ask around the temple," Auron said and walked up the steps.

"Last time we were here, Yuna set us off for a race, ya?" Wakka was saying. "It brings back memories."

"It's ok, Wakka," Lulu said. "We are all sad."

"Maybe if we just don't think about the sad things, everything will be ok," I heard the quiet Liane say.

She then went marching up the stairs. I started up the stairs slowly, tired from our hike through Kilika.

"Rikku, I just wanted to say…" Tidus started.

"You just wanted to say Thanks. I know, I know. There isn't much need to do this, you know?" I gave him a half smile. "But Lulu, she suspects something between us…Can I ask you about this?"

He nodded.

"Right…She thinks something is going on, something like 'love'. To be honest, I have never been in love, but you have! You loved Yuna didn't you, didn't you?" I said.

"Yeah, I did. That's why I am so sad. Lulu, she is…Half-right. I don't really want to say much more, but I will."

At that, Lulu and Wakka swept past us, walking up the stairs leaving us alone. I sighed.

"Yes, go on."

"Rikku, I care about you, like I cared for Yuna. It isn't love, but it is a start, ok?" He put his hands behind his head and looked at me in the eye.

"Ok, Tidus. One last question though. What does love feel like?"

"Like warm sunshine on your back, but it is inside. You just care for them so much that it feels like you are going to explode. It is a wonderful feeling, Rikku." I nodded at him, saying thanks and heading for the temple afterwards."

We reached Kilika Temple and I saw Auron talking to an old looking man. Lulu, Liane and Wakka were over by a statue, talking to a villager.

"Lady Yuna, an unsent soul?" I overheard a woman saying. "She hasn't been here, but now that we know. Oh, this is such a shock. Thank you, Lulu, Wakka, Lady Liane. We will keep our guard."

I folded my arms as Tidus and Auron came closer to me. It had been a quick visit.

"Is it really necessary, to visit every single temple again?" I asked.

"Yes, she could be at any one," Auron said.

I nodded as Lulu, Liane and Wakka came. "Let's stay the night. We have the time!" Wakka suggested and clapped his hands together.

"No," Auron said.

"Yes Auron. Kilika is such a beautiful place, lets!" Liane said, making Auron grunt.

I snorted at this comment, Kilika, beautiful? Unlikely!!!

So we all stayed in that forest, that warm night. All of us were a little pleased that Yuna hadn't come that far to Kilika. Auron had thought she was in Bevelle, seeking revenge on the Maesters for dubbing us Traitors. Lulu suggested where we had fought Sin, remembering the day she died, but I didn't think that. She could be anywhere, floating along; unaware we were searching for her. I could see Tidus start to melt inside again, about to cry. But this time he held back. He didn't cry, but just frowned and whimpered. It was an improvement.

As I thought about Tidus improving from a cry baby, about me helping him, the feeling Tidus had described, the sunshine, it started to flood my body. I tried to hold it back, but it was there. I couldn't deny it. I loved Tidus.