Yeah, I cranked this one out. It helps having half of it done, haha. Next chapter just needs some finishing touches and that'll be done too. I know my chapters are short, but there's only 3 or 4, (5 if I push it), left in the story. This one should be a little longer (hopefully). Well, I hope you like it; don't forget to review!

Me plus writing FFX-2 fanics equals not owning FFX-2.

Rikku's POV.


Not So Ordinary

Chapter Six - Bestbestbest Friends Forever!

Yuna and Tidus are getting married, not surprising in the least. It does seem a little rash for level-headed Yunie, but I guess she's finally realized her happiness is what's important. Quickly after the announcement was made, everyone set up a big bonfire in the middle of the village to celebrate. I think the Besaidians love any excuse for a party. As happy as I was for my cousin, part of me could just picture Pops telling me to, "Settle down and act like a young woman should!". I'm so glad he was too busy to make it out here, now my ear is safe from his sickening speeches. I really didn't want to be in a party atmosphere with these thoughts floating around my head, but I had to congratulate the happy couple. So off I went, skipping my little Rikku self towards the huge crowd of people that I was sure they were in the middle of.

I squeezed through a gap in the many people that were in fact surrounding Yuna and Tidus and threw my arms around Yuna's neck.

"I'm so happy for you Yuna! I know this is what you've wanted for so long." As I pulled back I winked at Tidus. "You better take good care of her or you'll have me to answer to!"

The poor guy blushed, probably a little embarassed that a tiny girl like me was threatening him, but laughed heartily nonetheless. "I'll definitely try my best to avoid your wrath."

Yuna, also laughing, pulled me back towards her in a tight embrace. "Thank you so much. Umm...Rikku? Would you mind being a bridesmaid in the wedding?"

Using her charm on me too? I thought it was a Tidus only talent. Sadly, I couldn't help that old saying from fluttering into my brain, "always the bridesmaid; never the bride." Oh Spira, I'm so pathetic.

I pulled back again and slipped on a typical hyper Rikku smile. "I'd be honored Yunie! Do you have the dresses picked out yet?"

Her eyes lit up immediately and she grinned from ear to ear. "I have some picked out at this boutique in Luca, my dress too. You, Paine, Lulu and I will have to go for a fitting soon." Then her giant grin faltered. "Do you think Paine will mind pink?"

Inside I was a bursting at the seams with giggles. A mental picture of Paine in a huge pink frilly dress with, "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to", playing in the background popped into my head. What was with my brain today?

But instead of giggling I managed an evil smirk worthy of Gippal. "She won't have much of a choice, will she?"

Yuna looked worried...Paine is a touchy subject. I could only imagine the amount of respect points Yuna was going to lose after making Paine wear a girly, pink bridesmaid dress. But I decided my mind and Yuna's worked a lot differently and waved my hands around to calm her down. "Yeesh, I was just kidding! I'm sure she'll be fine with it." Little white lies never hurt anyone, right?

Loud music and chaos surrounded me and I realized that this was the last place I wanted to be right now.

"Errr...Yunie, Tidus, congrats again, but I've got to get going, you know...uhhh...important business."

At that exact moment an arm threw itself around my shoulders and Gippal loudly agreed. "Oh, c'mon Cid's girl, you promised earlier that you'd help me with my mountain of Faction paperwork. Sorry Yuna, so much to do and so little time to do it. Congrats and see you on the wedding day."

Poor Yuna looked confused but waved as Gippal dragged me willingly out of the town and towards the beach. Then I heard her call out, "Hey Rikku! Even as a bridesmaid you still need a date!".

She did it all on purpose. Asking him to bring me to Besaid, telling me I needed a date when his attention was on me. High Summoner, Vegnagun defeater, and now matchmaker. Having Gippal as a date wouldn't be so bad though...I remember when we were younger he wasn't all bad of a dancer. Or, at least, we could get drunk together and complain..or..maybe...just get together? Bad Rikku, gotta keep my head on straight. He'll never ask me, he'll probably bring some bimbo who works at the Faction with him, (and who he sleeps with on the side).Let's just change the subject.

"Thanks for helping me out back there."

"Yeah, well, I'm not in much of a party mood and you certainly don't seem to be in one either. So what's the point of being party-poopers, eh? It'd discredit our wild Al-Bhed reputation." He took his arm off my shoulder when we reached the water, (I couldn't help but be a little disappointed), sat down on the sand, and patted the spot next to him. Okay, this was getting a little wierd. Gippal not being a smartass was something I hadn't witnessed in years. He didn't even tease me about the date yet. I think the Farplane just might have frozen over. Well, I obliged anyway, (because who could resist Gippal?), and took a seat next to him on the soft sand.

He gazed out towards the horizon. "Every time I'm in Besaid I have to stay for the sunset. I'll call the Faction in awhile and have them send an airship. If you need a lift...I don't mind."

Gippal? Sunsets? "Are you feeling okay?"

Sometimes I really need to think before I open my mouth.

His face scrunched into a look of bewilderment. "I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

Shrugging, I told him, "It's not like you help me out or make me watch sunsets with you often. Actually, I wasn't sure a manly-man such as yourself was allowed to partake in such romantically cute acts as sunset watching anymore."

A chuckle escaped his lips. "I certainly don't ask just anyone to sit and watch sunsets with me, you know?"

"Well...thanks then."

Earlier today I was all about the seduction of beautifully tanned and toned Gippal. Now it seems that he's the one doing the seduction.

I added, "We have't done anything together in a long time. We haven't even had a real conversation since you left for the Crimson Squad. Remember our 8 year old pinky swear? Best friends forever and ever until we die and then even on the Farplane." Thinking maybe he needed a little reminding, I held my pinky up in front of his face.

Another chuckle. "I've been meaning to. You're a busy girl, and for awhile I could hardly keep up at the Faction. When have we really had time since the good old days? But lately things have calmed down so much that it's almost boring. You should drop by sometime...I could use the company."

He tore his gaze away from the fast approaching sunset and looked at me instead, and he smiled. Not a smartass smirk like usual, but a genuine Rikku-melting smile.

"I'll definitely have to make some stops at Djose then. Maybe we can dig around Bikanel like old times."

He set his eye back on the gentle waves lapping the shore. "Yeah, like old times."

I followed suit and looked out at the ocean. The sun was finally setting and reflecting a hazy pink glow on the water. Maybe for once Gippal might be feeling the same way I was. Have courage Rikku! One deep breath and then...

"Wanna go to the wedding together?"

"Spira, Rikku, you beat me to the punch. I was just going to ask you the same thing. I will gladly go with you under ONE condition...please get me some pictures of Paine when you guys go to get your dresses fitted. I overheard Yuna tell you they were going to be pink...I can only imagine how happy she's going to be."

Gosh, he thinks just like I do. Shaking my head in agreement, I smiled and exclaimed, "You've got a deal!" Yuna might just be sorry she ever got us troublemakers together.