A/N: I am back with Chapter 3! I know. It's been a while! Well, it's not like the past few days have been heaven. School started, I caught a cold (yes, I am one of those dorks who catch a cold in the summer), and a bunch of other stuff.
I would like to thank:
oOoDancingQueenoOo
Kotono116
Procrastinator-starting2moro
kingleby
Note: I mention the song Niji in this chapter. It's Rainbow in English and is sung by L'ArcEnCiel for the Rurouni Kenshin movie opening.
Chapter 3: Not So Bad
Clank…Clank…Clank…
"Mmm…" groaned Rikku.
Clank…Clank…Clank…"Good grief, what is that noise!" shouted Rikku. All those clanks were driving her crazy. She couldn't have a decent nap with the sound. She got up and headed toward the sound's direction, hoping she could shut it up. The sound led her to the "living room". She saw Gippal in there with another man. Both of them seemed to be making something.
'Well, it can't hurt to see what they're doing…' thought Rikku. She decided to go up to them, though a bit afraid that she might irritate Gippal.
"Um…Gippal? What are you doing?" she asked nervously.
"Morning, sleepyhead. Right now, I'm making a gun. She's going to be the best one so far!" said Gippal with a smile. He didn't seem irritated by her presence, or the fact that she was asking him questions. In fact, he seemed to be using the situation as an advantage to brag. However, the other man seemed irritated that Gippal was easily giving out information to her.
"Gippal, we don't let just anyone know what goes on in our organization!" said the man, glaring at Rikku.
"Relax, Jerra! She's mine, and besides, to whom would she tell? Above all that, I trust her." Said Gippal. Rikku was touched and mad at the same time. He called Rikku his, but said he trusted her. How was she supposed to feel? When he turned to smile at her, she decided that she would forgive him, this time.
"So, Gippal, are you going out again today?" asked Rikku.
"Nah, I'll spend some time with you. It's not like I go out every night." Said Gippal while patting his lap. He was motioning for her to sit there. She was going to refuse but there were only 2 chairs. She decided to make breakfast instead.
"That's ok. I'm hungry. Want me to make something, Gippal?" said Rikku.
"Yeah, that'd be great. Want to stay and eat Jerra?"
"I don't need your little girl to do anything for me. She's just some girl anyways." Rikku was about to defend herself, but the next thing Rikku knew, Gippal grabbed Jerra by the collar and glared at him. The table was overturned and the gun they were working on was on the ground.
"She isn't just some girl Jerra! Watch your mouth!" said Gippal. He was glaring at Jerra with a look that frightened him, but he was too stubborn to admit that he was afraid. He gathered up all his courage and spoke.
"Fine. She has nothing to do with me though." Gippal put Jerra down and started putting the table back on its four legs. He then turned to Rikku with a smile.
"Just make breakfast for you and me." Rikku merely nodded and headed toward the kitchen. Since she passed the kitchen yesterday she knew where it was. While she looked around the kitchen she heard the door shut. She turned her attention back to making food. She found eggs, apple juice, bacon, and some bread. She decided to make breakfast from these. While making it, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned around to see Gippal there with a frustrated look.
"Sorry about that, Rikku. Jerra isn't very trusting of people. You have to understand that the people I work with all have lost someone or something very important. That's why we do what we can to make sure that it doesn't happen to anyone else. Not all are that righteous, though. Others do it for revenge. Since the way we do it is by murder, we have to be cautious."
"It's alright. You stood up for me. Still, you didn't need to call me yours." Gippal smiled at that.
"You honestly think Jerra would trust you the slightest bit if you weren't?" Rikku felt a little pang at that. It felt like he was saying he said it as a cover up. She swiftly turned around and started flipping the eggs.
"True, but still. Oh well, I don't mind too much." Said Rikku, trying to cover up the disappointment. She didn't even know what she was disappointed about. She got over her childhood feelings for Gippal already. Her love for him was in the past. Right?
"Rikku, the eggs are done. You can put them on a plate now." Said Gippal.
"Ah, right! The eggs!" Rikku found the plates while looking around, so she opened the cabinet and took two out. She was about to get started on the bacons, but Gippal already started.
"I can do this. You relax."
"Thanks, Gippal."
"That way you have enough energy to do your other chores!" At that, Rikku threw a rag at him.
"Forget I said thanks!"
'Still, he did stand up for me. Not to mention, he decided to help.' She took one last glance at him before she left the kitchen. She wasn't sure how she should feel about him. She remembers their childhood memories like she saw a video on it yesterday, but how she feels about the present was like naming the streets of Zanarkand in alphabetical order. It was currently impossible.
'I wish Yuna was here, she'd no what to do or say. Even Tidus would be better than no one, though I doubt he could help with anything besides fighting and blitzball! Oh gosh, I miss everyone.' She started crying onto her shirt. It was like all the emotions from the past 2 days were spilling right then. The disappointment from what Gippal said, Jerra's words to her, running away and leaving behind everything, she took them all in, but now it was too much.
'I have no one now…'
"So now you're Miss Crylady? How many things are you?" Rikku looked up to see Gippal above her, holding out a handkerchief for her. Instead of taking the handkerchief, she hugged him tightly and cried onto his shirt. Gippal hugged her and stroked her hair.
"Let it all out, don't hold anything in. You know you can talk to me. I may not be able to help much, but talking should make you feel better, right?" Rikku merely nodded, still not letting go. Gippal picked her up and put her on his lap, while he just sat on the ground. He was singing Niji to her. Though it wasn't the best singing she's ever heard, it calmed her.
That's when she knew for sure, life here is not so bad. She had Gippal for comfort. Though he kills, he kills for a purpose, and he would never kill an innocent person. The person that he has turned to is not so bad, either. Though she didn't spend that much time with him yet, these she knew for sure. These she knew without a doubt.
"Stairway to heaven
Labyrinth to heart…" Gippal ended Niji and just continued stoking her hair.
"Thank you, Gippal." Said Rikku.
"So, you feeling better?" asked Gippal.
"Yeah, much better."
"Ahh, I see."
"Huh?" Rikku was now completely confused. Then he saw his already trademark smirk. Knowing that the next things coming from his mouth won't be anything near compliments, she prepared her hand.
"You were feeling sad because I told you that I called you mine for a cover-up!"
"GIIIIIPPAAALLL!" The palm of Rikku's hand met Gippal's face. Satisfied, Rikku went to go eat breakfast, reassured by the presence of the one she just hit.
A/N: Short, I know. The next one will be hopefully longer! Besides, it's not like high school is the easiest thing in the world. Just be glad I'm not in college…unless you want a really well written story…
Well, if you have any suggestions, feel free to give them out like candy! If candy is your treasure, then give them out like fake pennies.
