AN: Hello everyone! First I would like to say, this may be the last chapter I can post for a while. I'm going to be starting college on Monday and that will give me less time to work on my fics. I'll try to find the time to write my fics and hopefully I will be able to update every two or three weeks.
Rikku: That sucks to know. At least my wedding is getting delayed.
Ryu: Great. Now I will never get my job done.
DT: Quit complaining! I have no choice but to go to school.
Rikku: Who needs an education?
DT: Apparently I do. Okay well, enough of this depressing talk. On to Reviewer Feedback.
Blood Pixie: Very glad you like what you're reading. Here is the next chapter!
Riku Hiwatari: I tried emailing you but something was wrong with the email address apparently. Anyway, yes, you were on the ball and don't worry about making early judgments. I think we all do that.
Blu Rose: Not even all the planning in the world will help Brother. It'll still be fun to watch him try though. Hehehe.
DT: That's all for now. I don't own Final Fantasy X-2 or Kingdom Hearts. Enjoy!
Ch 4 The Heartless Return
Rikku was dragging Ryu to the elevator. Ryu looked a bit annoyed with her, but let her drag him along. After they got in the elevator, Rikku let him go.
"Where are you taking me?"
"Away from Brother. Isn't obvious?"
"I suppose it is, but why couldn't you just leave me in the hallway. It wasn't necessary to drag me another floor."
"Umm, oops."
There was a ding and the doors opened. They walked out. Rikku walked ahead of Ryu who was looking around the hall. Like the other parts of the ship, the walls were painted with flames. It made Ryu wonder about Brothers obsession with fire. He looked at Rikku. She was happily skipping down the hall.
"Hey, where are we going?"
"I'm gonna introduce you to Barkeeper!" the perky Al Bhed answered.
Rikku reminded Ryu of a little kid. She seemed to have a lot of energy and seemed to get excited about anything. He didn't have to much experience with that kind of people, but he would have to manage some how. They arrived at the cabin entrance. The doors hissed open. As soon as he walked in, the first thing he noticed was the bar. Behind it sat a Hypello.
"Helloo Mish Rikku? What can I do for you?"
"Hello Barkeeper. I just came to introduce you to Ryu. He's going to be traveling with us for awhile."
"Helloo Mishter Ryu?"
"You can just call me Ryu. No need to be formal."
"Ohh, let me show you to your room!"
'Yep. She has the characteristic of a kid.'. Ryu though as he was once again being dragged to another part of the ship.
Meanwhile in the bridge Paine, Yuna and Tidus were talking.
"I wonder how Ryu and Rikku are doing?" Yuna asked no one in particular.
Paine shrugged. "If he acts like me then he's probably going crazy."
"Well, he seems to be patient." Tidus commented
Just then Rikku walked in. She jumped over the rail and walked towards them.
"Hi guys!"
"How was the tour?" Yuna asked.
"It was great! I showed him all over the airship."
"Where is your bodyguard?" Tidus asked while looking around for him.
"He wanted some alone time so I left him in his room."
"In other words, you got on his nerves." Paine said.
Rikku was about to respond when Buddy interrupted them.
"There's a problem guys."
Paine, Yuna, Tidus and Rikku went over to him.
"What's up?" Yuna asked.
"It seems that those creatures that attacked you guys are popping up and attacking people in some parts of Spira. They've been sending us distress calls. What do you guys want to do?"
Yuna wanted to help. Tidus would agree with her, however, she wasn't sure if Paine and Rikku were up to it. After all, they were suppose to be shopping for the wedding. She looked at them. They knew what she wanted to do. Paine smiled and so did Rikku.
"What are we waiting for? Lets go help those people!" Rikku said excitedly.
Buddy nodded. "So where to first? We got calls from Besaid, Kilika, Luca, Mi'ihen Highroad, Guadosalam, and Mt. Gagazet."
"Hmm, lets go down the list." Yuna responded.
"You got it."
"Here we come Besaid!" Brother yelled and took off.
Rikku was told by Paine and Yuna to go tell Ryu what they were doing.
"Can't one of you do it?"
"So you did get on his nerves." Paine commented.
Rikku pouted. "Did not!"
"Then tell him what's going on." Pained said again.
Rikku sighed and went off to tell Ryu. Yuna giggled and Pained chuckled as Rikku walked through the door.
"Think he'll mind helping us?" Yuna asked Paine.
"I doubt it. If anything he'll probably be happy to be doing something other than just following Rikku around."
Rikku knocked on the door of Ryu's room. At first there was no answer. Then she heard a groan. The door opened. Ryu looked like he had just woken up.
"Yeah?"
"You remember those things that attacked Yunie, Paine and me?" Ryu nodded. "Well it looks like they are appearing all over the place and attacking people."
"And?"
"Well, I just wanted to let you know that we're going to stop those things."
Ryu contemplated what she just said. If they were going to go after those creatures that meant that Rikku was going to be in more danger. However, it was better than sitting on the airship or following her around when they went shopping.
"Sounds fine. Call me when we reach our destination."
"You're okay with it?"
"Gives me something to do. By the way, which is your room?"
Rikku looked at him suspiciously. "Why do you need to know? You're not planning to do something naughty are you?" she said with a mischievous smile.
Ryu snorted. "Hardly. I don't get involved with little girls."
Rikku pouted. "What do you mean little girl?"
"Never mind princess. Now tell me where your room is."
"I have a name you know!" She screamed at him and stomped away. "Hey wait!" Ryu exclaimed.
However, Rikku ignored him and got into the elevator. She crossed her arms over her chest and pouted. She tapped her foot furiously as she thought about what he said.
'I am not a little girl! In case he hasn't noticed, I am a woman!'
The elevator stopped and she walked out. She didn't say a word to anyone and went to take a seat next to Brother. Paine and Yuna looked at her curiously. She was mumbling something and seemed pretty mad. However, they decided not to bother her. The rest of the trip was quite. In fact, they hadn't seen a trace of Ryu since Rikku dragged him away. It made them wonder what had happened. Later that night, Rikku walked out of the bridge and headed to the deck for some fresh air. She was surprised to see Ryu sitting on the deck. She was about to leave when Ryu spoke. He had heard the door open and turned just in time to see Rikku walking away.
"So, I take it you're still mad at me?" he said and turned back around.
Rikku stopped and turned to face him. "What makes you think that?" she said with a glare.
"Perhaps it's the fact that you're glaring at me right now."
Rikku stopped glaring and looked at him in surprise. "How could you tell I was glaring? Your back is to me."
"The fact that you were mad at me when you left earlier is enough. Oh, and your tone of voice just now tipped me off."'
Rikku walked towards him. She stood behind him and put her hands on her hips. "Well, how do you expect me to act?"
Ryu stood up and turned slightly towards her. "Right now, I am not entitled to expect anything from you. I don't know you enough to judge you."
The doors hissed open again. This time Yuna and Paine walked out.
"And that is my cue to leave. I will see you in the morning."
Paine and Yuna reached the Al Bheds. Ryu chose this time to walked past them. "What's going on?" Yuna asked.
Ryu was already at the door. He was about to walk in when Rikku yelled something.
"The third door from yours!"
Ryu turned around and looked at her. "I'm gonna trust you, okay?"
Ryu nodded and waved good-bye. Yuna and Paine looked at her curiously.
"What was that about?" Paine asked.
"Nothing." Rikku answered quickly.
"Riiiggghht." Yuna said.
"Oh, I was just mad at him earlier. That's all."
"It seems you have resolved your differences." Paine commented.
"Yep! So what are you guys doing here?"
"We came to cheer you up since you were in a bad mood all afternoon, but it looks like you're better." Yuna answered.
"So lets get some sleep. We need all our strength for tomorrow." Paine said and began to walk away.
"Wait for us!" Rikku and Yuna yelled and ran after her.
The next morning they all gathered in the bridge. They had arrived in Besaid. Yuna lead the way once they disembarked. As they neared the village, they heard a high pitched scream. They took off and entered the village to find that those yellowed eyed creatures attacking people in the village.
Wakka noticed them running in. "Yuna!"
She ran over to him. "Is everyone alright Waka?"
"Mostly." He said with a frown. "However, those things managed to get some of the people and…."
He didn't finish since the creatures attacked. Yuna went trigger happy on them. Paine and Rikku jumped in and helped some of the civilians. Ryu stayed close to Rikku to make sure nothing happened to her. Suddenly a group of the creatures attacked at once. Ryu stepped in front of Rikku and drew his Katan.
"Wind Blade!"
The creatures were blown away and they disappeared. After they exterminated all the creatures, people began to come out of their huts. Some emerged from the temple. Yuna rushed over to a woman with black hair and a unique black dress that was fashioned with several belts in the front. She was holding a boy in her arms.
"Are you alright?" Yuna questioned.
She nodded. "We're okay, but some of those people weren't so lucky."
The man known as Wakka nodded. "Those creatures some how drew out the hearts of the people. After that the bodies disappeared."
"What do you mean drew out? Did they yank out the hearts?" Ryu questioned.
"No. Umm, who are you?" Lulu asked.
"This is Ryu. He's Rikku's bodyguard." Tidus answered.
"So Cid did go through with it ya?"
"Never mind that." Ryu said. "Please answer my question, Miss…."
"Actually it's Mrs. My name is Lulu. This is my husband Wakka and my son Vidina" Ryu nodded for her to continue. "Those creatures jumped on the people and then this light in the shape of a heart came out. Then the hearts disappeared and so do the people."
After Lulu's explanation, they went to check on the civilians. Ryu sat on the steps of the temple. He looked to be deep in thought.
'Hmm, I don't get it. I thought they were after Rikku, but if that was the case then why did they attack here? Are they trying to lure her somewhere? What is going on?'
AN: Okay that's it. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and don't worry. They'll find out that the creatures attacking are called Heartless soon enough. Oh and in case you're wondering about Shinra, you'll find out in the next chapter. I hope I can update this again soon.
Ryu: Maybe you should get someone else to go to class for you so you can update this story.
Rikku: That's a great idea Ryu!
DT: No, no! I can't do that. Anyway please review and no flames. See ya soon!
