Title: Behind Green Eyes

Author: sabor ice

Main Pairing: Gippal/Rikku

Rating: T...could possibly get a higher rating later on...

Author's Note: The italicized sentences are Gippal's thoughts/narration.

Summary: This story is told out of Gippal's POV. It's a little over a year since the incident with Vegnagun. Gippal wants to find an old friend that he misses dearly. But, what will he find in the process?

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter One

Spira still hasn't changed much since the Calm began three years ago, but I guess in this case, it's a good thing. I gotta say what all the summoners did for us, it was really something special. I had friends that were summoners. Some of them died. I had friends and family who helped fight in the war against Sin. I didn't find out until after Lady Yuna brought the Calm how many had died when Home was attacked and destroyed. I heard, though, that the High Summoner and her guardians helped save who they could. I can't say I am very close with Lady Yuna's former guardians, but I am still grateful for what they did. Furthermore, it took alot of guts for them to do what they did. They went against their faith, the lies that had been taught to them over the years, to save the world. I hope no one hears me say this, but how cool is that?

I never go visit the Farplane anymore. After Sin, it was a regular thing for me. I wanted to go visit my family and friends that had passed on. Mostly, I just wanted to make sure a summoner had sent them, and they hadn't turned into fiends. Now, I just get creeped out by it.

After Home was destroyed, I heard a group of summoners gathered just to send the dead. Yuna is part Al-Bhed, but even though she had never lived there, I know deep-down, she helped, too. After all, her and Rikku were almost like sisters rather than estranged cousins...

Rikku.

It's almost strange saying her name now. The last time I saw or spoke with her was after the Vegnagun issue was resolved. I knew she was happy that it was over. She was happy for her cousin, her friends, for everybody. I never heard her complain, not once. I don't think I ever saw a time where she wasn't smiling. Even in the heat of battle, she was smiling. It was as if she was laughing at the world, telling everyone who she was and not caring if anyone else cared or approved. She was just care-free, cheerful, outgoing; she knew no boundaries. I know I always made fun of her and teased her. I even told her sometimes that I didn't like her, and that I found her annoying. She'd just laugh and poke fun right back at me. I never stood down and neither did she. We were both just too stubborn to admit our mistakes, and too proud to apologize to one another. She and I weren't the serious type. But, I have to admit something to myself now. I miss her. It's been so long now, and I miss her.

I figured since I had some time off, I might as well take the opportunity to go catch up with an old friend. The only trouble was that I had absolutely no idea where she was. We had had no contact in over a year. I was surprised I hadn't even seen her on Bikanel Island while I was over-seeing the reconstruction of Home. That place had been her home, her haven. I couldn't understand it.

I decided to start looking and asking around. The most logical thing was to ask her family if they had seen or talked to her. So, I contacted the Celsius, an Al-Bhed airship that Rikku had once been aboard while she was a sphere hunter...

The Commsphere buzzed a fews times as I tried to fix it. The one downstairs was busted, so I decided to try the one in my room. I sat cross-legged on my bed as I finally got it working. I punched in the coordinates to the ship and waited for a reply.

"...This is Buddy," came a familiar voice.

"Buddy," I replied, with a smile. "What's up, my man? How's life treatin' ya?"

"Gippal. I must say this is a first. You never call us up here. What do you need?" the Al-Bhed answered.

As I was about to answer, I was interrupted by another familiar voice.

"Who's this? Gippal!" came Brother's voice. "Gippal, good to see you!"

I chuckled. Brother was alot like Rikku in certain ways. He was just as hyper as she tended to be. I was surprised how good his English had gotten since last time I had spoken with him. It was a big improvement. Usually, by now, he would end up spitting words out in both English and Al-Bhed.

"What's up, Brother? Shinra and Barkeep still with you, too?" I wondered.

"Ya, ya. They're here," Brother replied.

"Yo, Brother, stop yapping and start flying this damned ship better," Buddy interjected, before adding. "Cid and O'aka the XXIII are around, too. Paine comes aboard now and then, but not lately. She's found other things to entertain her, or so I hear."

I laughed at this. I knew exactly what Buddy was referring to. It had been rumored for some time that Baralai and Paine had hooked up romantically. I seriously can't see it. They're both so serious all the time; it almost hurts to look at them. But, whatever makes them happy, I guess.

"Yeah, yeah, it's all good. Hey, listen, I just called because I wanna ask you something. Have you seen Rikku around lately?" I asked.

"Hmm," Buddy said. "Nope, haven't heard from her in awhile."

"Rikku thinks she's too good for Buddy and her own big brother," Brother grumbled, momentarily slipping back into the Al-Bhed language as he spoke.

Damn.

"All right, then. If she gets in contact with you, tell her I'm looking for her," I replied.

"Will do," Buddy said. "And, hey, you might want to go check out Besaid. Yuna may know something; she and Rikku are cousins after all."

"Ooh! Can we go see Yuna!" Brother clapped excitedly.

Everyone knows Brother has a crush on Yuna. People usually just ignore him. After all, he isn't always the brightest. I guess he never got it through his thick skull that because Rikku and Yuna are cousins, that also makes him and Yuna cousins. Someone should tell Brother to get a life.

"Yeah, well, thanks, Buddy. Later," I said, before switting off the Commsphere.

I laid down on my bed, just thinking. So, Rikku hadn't even contacted her own flesh and blood. What the hell? Hopefully Yuna had an answer for me. She and Rikku had always been close. Hopefully, going to Besaid would be worth it. By the next day, I would hopefully be talking with Rikku again. I couldn't wait.

End, 'Chapter One.'

TBC...

R&R