A/N: Ok, this wasn't originally what I had planned as the fourth chapter, so it was held back a little. It picks up where the other chapter left off. Also, I would like to say that this story is, in a way, separate yet together.

Also, I would like to say sorry to everyone for the late chapter!

Chapter 4: Reminisces of a Life Gone

Rikku was eating her breakfast. After all that crying, eating helped a little. Though it was a bit cold from just sitting out in the open, it was the most warming breakfast. It wasn't cooked by the cooks in the kitchen who are tired from constantly cooking, or done with a heart filled with hatred. It was made with the hands of two people who have reunited after many years.

'I guess this city isn't just a crowded city of lights, but a city filled with a variety of different people just trying to find a place.'

Rikku was no longer crying, but she was smiling broadly, with no hidden sadness at all. It was the first time that she was truly happy. She no longer has regrets about running away. At first she was sad about having to worry about parties, marriages, and appearance. Here, she can shout, scream, act childish, and wear whatever. Though most of the clothes belonged to Gippal, she had a few.

'I'm starting to think that running away is the best idea I ever came up with.'

Rikku was going to take the last bite of her egg, but Gippal got to it first. Rikku grabbed her fork and stared really hard at Gippal. He was smiling and chewing the egg. HER egg.

"Forget the thank you! I should use this fork as a knife!"

"Aww, Rikki feeling angry? That's ok, because you'll get over it! The fork won't be used against me! After all, I'm Gippal, your true love!" said Gippal in the most dramatic way possible. Gippal was right, his fork didn't go against him, but he wasn't spared. The second Gippal turned around; Rikku's boot hit him in the back of his head.

"OW! Rikki!"

"You took a bite of my egg! HMPH!" Gippal looked at Rikku in the eyes. Rikku blushed. She hated to admit it, but he's grown a whole lot. He was no longer the cute yet strong Gippal she knew, but someone who's been through a lot and was scarred, yet annoyingly, really handsome. Rikku couldn't take it anymore and turned around.

'Might as well do the laundry. I'm going to burst if I continue to stare at him! I can't believe that I still like him! It use to be a stupid childhood crush!' Rikku started to go toward the laundry room, but Gippal called her name.

"Rikku…" Rikku stopped and turned around. Gippal's voice was quiet yet stern, and he used her actual name. When Rikku looked into Gippal's eyes, there was a hint of sadness.

"I won't see you for a while. There is a meeting that I have to go to. There's a list of where everything is on the table in the living room." With that, the seriousness disappeared.

"Oh, by the way, if you're bored, there are a few books here." He said that with a small smile and left.

The next day, Rikku woke up to a quiet place. Since Gippal was gone, there was no one else around. It was a big change from waking up to lots of people there.

" I guess I didn't realize it because Gippal was here. Ugh! I can't miss him already! Right, he said that if I'm bored, there are a few books!"

Flashback

"Oh, by the way, if you're bored, there are a few books here." He said that with a small smile and left.

End Flashback

"He had a smile on his face…"

Rikku got tired of thinking and got up to make breakfast. It was going to be a long day. Gippal was gone, and it made the house seem like her mansion. It felt cold and empty.

"What to do? Hmm…Oh yeah, there was a big pile of laundry that I didn't finish! I'll do that!" Rikku walked over to the small laundry room and started putting them in the laundry machine. After putting in what she needed to, she went to the kitchen to make breakfast. After eating breakfast, she headed back to the laundry to put them in the dryer. Afterwards, she went to look for the book that Gippal was talking about. After a few hours, she gave up looking for them and decided to take a shower.

"I guess he forgot that I might be bored. Oh well, I haven't taken a shower in a while. Why is there a shower tub here? I'll ask Gippal about that later! Now, to the towels!" When she opened the closet, there were two books on top of a stack of towels.

"Found it! So these were the books that he was talking about? I'll just take a few towels with me."

Rikku took a few towels with her and went into her room. She turned the lights on and started flipping through a book with a green cover. After quickly skimming through it, she realized what it was.

"THIS IS A STUPID PICTURE BOOK! WHAT THE HECK IS THIS, GIPPAL? DO I LOOK LIKE A FRICKIN' THREE-YEAR-OLD? WHY A STUPID PICTURE BOOK YOU STUPID GOLD HAIRED EYE PATCHED MONSTER!"

Rikku took one more glance at it. Then she realized this wasn't any picture book, but the picture book that Rikku bought Gippal for his birthday. She didn't know what to get him, and ended up giving him her picture book.

Flashback

"Hey, guess what Rikki? Tomorrow's my birthday, and as my best friend, I want you to get me the best present possible! All right, Rikki?" asked a 5 year old Gippal.

"Ok! The best present that I can get! Um, what would that be? Pops says that a present's worth isn't…um…metered by money!" Gippal stood there with small buttons for eyes.

"You mean measured?"

"Uh…right! I meant measured!" Gippal looked thoughtful for a moment, really contemplating what she said. Then with a sigh, he just looked at her sadly.

"I guess you don't get it, then." Rikku looked at Gippal with a confused look on her face. When Gippal left with slumped shoulders, she just looked at where Gippal stood quizzically.

"Why did Gip look so sad? I should give him something real good for Gippy! Then he won't be so sad anymores! Ugh, but what should I give Gip?"

Rikku looked around her room for money that day, but only found a few gils. Then, she looked around her room for something that was valuable to her. The most precious object to her at the moments was…

"My picture book!"

"What about your picture book?" Rikku turned around to see her mom with a smile on her face. She bent down to see Rikku who recently took out her treasured picture book. Rikku put on smile herself and showed her mom the book.

"Gippy's birthday is tomorrow and I'm going to give him my picture book! Gippy is special to me and so is this book! I want to make it a happy birthday for him!"

"Is Gippal really special to you, Rikku?"

"Uh-huh! When Gippy's sad, I feel sad to! When he's sad, I also get sad! Plus, when Gippy's around, it's like the fiends go all poofy!" The mother laughed at Rikku. She seemed to understand what Rikku herself didn't.

"I hope everything goes well to you two!"

The next day, Rikku and her mom went to Gippal's house in the morning. Gippal opened the door and saw Rikku with her mom.

"G'morning Rikki and Mrs. Hikari! So, have my present, Rikki?"

Rikku shoved the picture book at Gippal. When Gippal looked at it, he smiled softly at Rikku and hugged her. He whispered a thank you in her ear. He knew how precious it was to her.

End Flashback

Now, Rikku took a look at the other book. This time, it was a small scrapbook of their past. Her mother had made one for Rikku and one for Gippal. Rikku had brought hers with her since it was her most prized possession. She was glad to know that it was Gippal's, too. The book was still in real good condition. Seeing the book brought back a lot of memories that she was hoping she could forget or not be hurt about.

"Ah, I'm crying! I'm so stupid…" Rikku tried to hold the tears back, but they refused to stop. She put the books on the ground and cried on the bed. She realized just how much Gippal and the memories are important. At first, she refused to believe, but now she knew. If she could bring back those times, she would do everything in her power.

"Just a few more days…that's all I need to wait for him to come back…"

Rikku's crying had now stopped, but a million questions were still running through her head.

"I wonder if he would accept my feelings? The time we spent apart changed us both. Does he even feel the same way? Will what he does keep us apart if he does feel the same way? This is so frustrating! I can't stand it anymore!" Rikku through her pillow at the door and let it stay there. She let her eyes roam to the scrapbook and went down to gently pick it up. Despite the confusion and hurt she was feeling from seeing it, her heart felt a lot lighter and her mind clearer. There was a sense of happiness in her heart, as well. Now that she had let out her frustration, these feelings were all that were left in her.

"Thank you, Gippal. I know that you still think of me as at least a friend." With that, she fell asleep from exhaustion.

A/N: Ok, although right now the story seems kind of random and all, the next chapter will show how everything has triggered it all. The book and scrapbook were just something I thought up. Any questions? Feel free to ask! I know it's not that great right now, but I'll improve!

Also, I dedicate this chapter to my friends. You guys are so important .