Wow, chapter 11 already! Uh-oh, I have to get writing...I'm on a small stuck-point on chapter 16! Eep! Oh well, I'm sure I'll get over it soon. Anyway, I personally really like the chapters that are coming, so I hope you enjoy! AND, happy (early?) 4th of July to all of you Americans, and if you're not American, well, it is Gackt's birthday! Haha, which is totally means for celebration! Haha, enjoy!

Chapter 11: Uncertain Plans

"Yes! I was wondering when your dad would tell us it was time to go to Besaid!" Rikku squealed, "How many people did he say we could take?"

"Two more besides us," Yuna answered, "I was thinking of maybe inviting Paine?"

"Paine's on that study abroad program, remember?" Rikku said.

"Um, how about Lucil?" Yuna asked, "Elma?"

"They're both interning at that camp by Luca, remember? Everybody is except for us!"

"That's right," Yuna said, leaning back in her chair, "Why didn't we do that again?"

"Who knows?" Rikku said, "Because we wanted to go to Besaid instead! Okay Yunie, I know this is going to sound weird and you're going to be totally against it, but can we maybe invite…Gippal?"

"Definitely not!" Yuna cried, "What is my father going to think when he finds out we invited a boy? He's going to be ticked!"

"Ah, come on Yunie! There's no one else we can invite!"

"Then it can just be you and me!" Yuna said, smiling, "It'll still be fun. We'll go to the beach and hang out, get pedicures and manicures, massages, facials…"

"But Yunie, it'll be during Gippal and my two-week anniversary!"

"Oh please, Rikku, you two need a break from each other! Besides, what's Gippal going to do when we get manicures and pedicures? Please don't tell me you want to skip out on that!"

"I know!" Rikku said, her voice raising, "Invite Tidus! Then those two can hang out!"

"Weren't you just telling me not to hang out with Tidus?" Yuna cried, "Remember?"

"Well…Yeah, but," Rikku said, slowly, and she sounded confused, "Didn't he dump his girlfriend to be with you?"

"What?" Yuna cried.

"He just talked to Gippal, and he said that he dumped his girlfriend, because he slept with you, or something like that."

"He's telling lies," Yuna said, shaking her head, "We did nothing of the sort."

"Well, I figured that part was a lie," Rikku said, "But he did dump his girlfriend for you, right?"

"No, I don't know why he dumped her," Yuna said, "And no, neither of them are coming to Besaid."

"Aw, come on Yunie! Okay, I really did think that Tidus was a horrid player, but come on, there must have been a reason he dumped that girl! Gippal said they were going out for years! They had history together like none other! True, they spent most of their time cheating on each other, but still. And then he meets you and just breaks up with her?"

"Rikku, just a week ago, you told me that a guy like Tidus would never have any interest in a girl like me. And now you're saying that he dumped his girlfriend for me?"

"Well…Maybe he didn't for sure, but he definitely dumped her for some reason or other. Anyway, please Yunie! Please let them come!"

"No Rikku! My father would never allow me to invite guys. It's just something he wouldn't like, and you know that!"

"He won't even know!" Rikku cried, "Oh please Yunie! Please!"

"The answer is no, Rikku! You've spent the entire last week with him anyway. Not to be mean or anything, but it's making me sick."

Rikku laughed and she said, "Don't be jealous Yunie!"

"I'm not jealous!" Yuna cried, "What is to be jealous of?"

"Yunie, you're jealous because Gippal takes all of my time from you. Plus, it's natural to be upset that you don't have a boyfriend."

"Rikku, you have it all wrong!" Yuna cried, and at that moment, none other than Tidus walked into her house, as if he owned the place, wearing a huge smile.

He opened his mouth to say something, but Yuna pointed to the phone before he could utter a sound. A pout came across his face, and he walked up quickly to Yuna, and before she could respond, took the phone from her and said, "She'll have to call you back, bye!" and he hung up.

"Hey!" Yuna cried, "Rikku and I were discussing something very important!"

"Not as important as what I'm about to tell you!" Tidus said, "I just got off the phone with the editor of the Bevelle University newspaper, and our party is most likely going to be voted Bevelle's best party of the year!"

"Uh, great," Yuna said, rolling her eyes, "What was so wonderful about it anyway?"

"I guess the food was good," Tidus said, "Your baked goods were definitely a nice touch."

"You mean my baked items for the bake sale?" Yuna cried, "You put those out?"

"Yeah, those cookies were excellent."

"Give me that phone," Yuna cried then, "Rikku and I are in the midst of planning our summer trip."

"You go on a summer trip? What, to camp or something?"

"No, it's a secret, and I can't tell you," Yuna said, taking her phone from him.

"Why not?"

"Because you'll want to follow me, and I could really use a week without you," Yuna said, and she gave him a cute little smile.

She dialed Rikku's number then, while Tidus stood there looking rather hurt.

"Hey Rikku, sorry about that," Yuna said as soon as she heard Rikku's voice.

"Was that Tidus?"

"Yeah, it was," Yuna said, and then she had to turn and say, "Tidus, that's my lunch, not yours!" for Tidus had sat down to the sandwich that Yuna had prepared for herself.

"But I already took a bite," Tidus said with his mouth full.

"Oh cute, he's eating your lunch?" Rikku's voice was heard, "Ask him if he wants to go to Besaid! Ask him, ask him!"

"No!" Yuna cried, "They aren't going. Goodbye, Rikku!"

Yuna hung up then, and shook her head.

"They aren't going where?" Tidus asked, "And are 'they' Gippal and me?"

"Why would you think that?" Yuna asked, shaking her head, "'They' are Lucil and Elma."

"Me and Gippal!" Tidus just said, giving Yuna a cheeky smile, "So where are we going?"

"Nowhere!" Yuna cried, "You two aren't going anywhere."

"Aw, come on Yuna, a nice trip away from here would do us both good, and do some good for our relationship."

"Tidus, we don't have a relationship!" Yuna cried, "And I can assure you that we'll have even less of a relationship if you come!"

Tidus was silent, but he said, "Is that what you really think? Do I really mean nothing to you?"

"I mean nothing to you!" Yuna said, "I'm just the girl you use to break up with your girlfriend, which gives people the wrong idea, because word seems to travel pretty quickly."

Tidus' mouth opened and he furrowed his eyebrows and said, "Is that what you think you are to me? Just some girl I use? Yuna, you don't even understand! You think I'm manipulative? No, Dona is the manipulative one. I've been trying to break up with her for years, but every time I try, I end up having sex with her! Finally, this morning, when I was with you, I got the courage to break up with her. True, I stretched the truth a little, but the point is, she's out of my hair! You have no idea how awesome that feels. And I really couldn't have done it without you!"

"What do I have to do with anything?" Yuna cried, "How do I give you the strength to break up with your slutty girlfriend?"

"Because!" Tidus cried, standing up, "I look at you, and remind myself that I'd rather have a girl like you than her any day! And then the words just came to my mouth, and Dona was out of here."

Tidus' words took Yuna aback. Before she could respond, he had walked out the door, and was heading across Yuna's now-clean yard toward his own.

"Tidus wait!" Yuna cried, and started toward him, only to stop as her phone suddenly started to ring.

Yuna sighed and turned back to answer her phone, knowing it was Rikku.

"Please Yunie!" were Rikku's first words.

Yuna looked back outside just as Tidus climbed the steps to his deck and went into his house, and said, "I don't know Rikku. I don't understand Tidus right now."

"Why? What'd he do?"

"He…I don't know," Yuna said, shaking her head, "He told me that I gave him the strength to break up with his girlfriend because he'd rather have a girl like me."

"See!" Rikku shrieked in Yuna's ear, "I told you he broke up with her for you!"

"I don't think that's it though," Yuna said, "Besides being his normal flirty self, Tidus hasn't made any sign that he likes me."

"Uh, he just flat-out told you, Yunie. Now invite Gippal and him!"

Yuna shook her head, "I can't, Rikku. Especially if he likes me!"

"Why not?" Rikku said, loudly.

Yuna swallowed, and she said, "Because Tidus isn't my type, and I don't care what he says, I'm not his. He's…He's Tidus!"

"Tidus the hottie," Rikku said.

"Tidus who you were telling me to stay away from just the other day!" Yuna cried, "Rikku, I don't understand you."

"Look Yunie," Rikku said, and Yuna knew she was cutting to the point, "Gippal feels horrible for missing your party, and to be honest, I do too. So Gippal wants to make it up by hanging out with Tidus more, and I want to hang out with you more, so Gippal and I started thinking, and we think that you two should just hook up, and then we can double date!"

"Or," Yuna said, growing angry, "You can be without Gippal for ten minutes and come and visit me!"

"Yunie," Rikku said, her voice rising as well, "Gippal and I are in love. You just don't understand because you've never been in love before!"

"I have too!" Yuna cried then, and she instantly shut her mouth.

"What? With who?" Rikku cried, "You've never even crushed on someone!"

"My father's going to freak if he finds out that I invited two guys," Yuna just said, her voice cracking in defeat.

"What? What do you mean?" Rikku asked, her voice growing rushed, "Yunie, if you do this, I swear to Yevon that I will do whatever you want! If you just want to hang out with me, I'll just hang out with you!"

"Whoa, hold on there," Yuna said, biting her lip nervously, "There are going to be some rules."

"Of course!" Rikku said.

"The boys will sleep in separate rooms than us."

"Got it."

"The boys will not be allowed to see us past ten."

"…Um…Okay…"

"There will be a girls-only day."

"Okay."

"If Tidus gets annoying, you have to make sure he stays away from me."

"Alright."

"Even if that means sending him home with Gippal."

"…Fine."

"Got it?" Yuna asked.

"Got it Yunie! Oh Yevon, I'm so excited! I can't wait to tell Gippal that you okayed it! This is going to be a blast Yunie, I swear! You'll get to know Gippal better, and I'll get to know Tidus better! It'll be so perfect! And tomorrow, we'll go shopping to get some clothes, just you and me! Okay?"

Yuna had to smile at her cousins excited state, and she said, "Alright. Goodbye, Rikku."

"Bye!" Rikku said, and Yuna heard her squeal before Yuna hung up.

"This is a bad idea," Yuna said, wondering why she had changed her mind, actually. She sighed, knowing that it was simply to change the subject. It had worked nicely, too. Still, having Tidus in the same house with her for an entire week? It was bad enough having him next door!

Yuna took a deep breath, and went outside quickly, following the same trail that Tidus had just moments ago.

She reached his deck and marched right up it, and knocked on his sliding door.

"Tidus!" she called, "Tidus, open up!"

It took him a while, but he finally appeared and opened the door. He crossed his arms and said, "What?"

"I'm sorry for blowing up on you like that," Yuna said, "Do you forgive me?"

"Uh, I'm sorry for lying to Dona about you and me," Tidus said, "I don't know what came over me."

"It's alright," Yuna said, "Anyway, I came over here to invite you to go to Besaid with me, Rikku, and Gippal."

"Besaid? That's where you're going!"

"Yeah, is that alright?"

"That's awesome!" Tidus cried, "The beach there is one of the best blitz training areas in Spira!"

"Great," Yuna said, sarcastically, of course, although she almost meant it, "Well, you and Gippal can spend your time playing."

"Yeah, I guess," Tidus said, "So…Honestly now, was it your idea to invite me, or Rikku's?"

"Let's just say that Rikku brought up the option, and I okayed it," Yuna said, "But, there are rules!"

"I can handle rules!" Tidus said, smiling, "When do we leave?"

"The day after tomorrow," Yuna said, "So be packed and ready to go."

"Will do!" Tidus said, his eyes shining brightly.

"Alright, I'll see you then," Yuna said, "Maybe it's a good thing you handed out my baked goods, since I won't be able to go to the bake sale after all."

"I'll donate stuff, how's that sound?" Tidus said, "I feel kind of bad about that…"

Yuna laughed and said, "Someday when you're a blitz star, just donate some money. Who knows, maybe you could have the humane society named after you!"

"Yeah! And we can turn half of it into a tanning salon!" Tidus said, laughing.

Yuna laughed too, and she said, "Let's not go that far…"

Tidus nodded and said, "Yeah, you're right."

Yuna laughed again and said, "See you later."

"Yeah, bye," Yuna said, "Oh, and if you want me to replace your bed or something, let me know."

"How wild were you?" Yuna cried, disgusted.

"Not at all, trust me," Tidus said, "I just feel really bad."

"Don't, it's alright," Yuna said, "See you later."

"Yeah, bye!" Tidus said and he waved at her.

Yuna smiled and started back toward her yard, wondering if it really was a good idea to invite Gippal and Tidus. She figured it probably wasn't.

-

"That swimsuit is adorable!" Rikku cried, "Do you think it'll look alright on me?"

"I don't know," Yuna said, "Don't you already have a cute one?"

"Yeah, but this one's cuter. Besides Yuna, this is Besaid we're talking about!"

"You just want to impress Gippal," Yuna said, rolling her eyes, "What's he doing right now anyway?"

"He's at Tidus'," Rikku answered, "Yunie, this is going to be the best trip of our lives! I can't wait!"

"I still think this is a bad idea," Yuna voiced her opinion, although Rikku simply chose to ignore her.

"It'll be fine," Rikku said, and she purchased two bikinis, "Come on, let's go back."

Yuna followed her cousin, feeling horridly uncertain about the next day.

-

"Alright, spill it. What the hell is up with Yuna and you?"

Tidus poured the remaining chip crumbs from his last bag of chips into his mouth and said, "What do you mean?"

"Why did Yuna go along with this?" Gippal asked, "Was it all Rikku's begging, or did you have something to do with it too?"

"It was Rikku," came Tidus' reply.

"Okay," Gippal said, nodding, "But according to Rikku, Yuna's definitely got a thing for you. How the hell did you turn her around?"

"The same way Rikku turned you around," Tidus said, "Ever heard of being whipped?"

"Dude, you don't even understand," Gippal said, "Because you don't have a real steady girlfriend."

"I've been with more girls than you!"

"Being with girls has nothing to do with it. I know I sound corny, but have you ever been in love, Tidus?"

"Gross, you're saying you're in love with Rikku? Yeah, she has you whipped. Well, are you at least getting some good ass out of it?"

"Tidus, grow up!" Gippal cried, "For your information, I haven't had sex with Rikku."

"No way! It's been two weeks! What the hell is taking so long?"

"It's not about sex, Tidus!" Gippal cried, "Besides, Rikku's so sweet and innocent and…"

Tidus laughed and said, "And you don't want to taint her, that it?"

"No, that's not it," Gippal cried, "We'll do it when we're ready."

"Oh Yevon, what a corny line! She has you whipped!"

"Maybe," Gippal said, "But you didn't answer my question. What is your relationship with Yuna?"

"We're friends," Tidus said, shrugging, "I hang out with her since you're no longer around."

"You like her," Gippal said, "You know you do."

"Do not," Tidus said, "Yeah, if she wanted to sleep with me, you know I would, but otherwise, I think of her as a friend. She's pretty much your replacement."

"You replaced me with a girl?"

"No, I replaced you with Yuna," Tidus said, "She's kind of fun to hang out with, actually. True, she won't go to open blitz with me, and she won't play Frisbee with me, but we have fun."

"You disgust me," Gippal said, shaking his head.

"No, you disgust me!" Tidus cried, "Are you having trouble being away from Rikku right now?"

"Well, I miss her…"

"See, I don't miss Yuna. Not a single bit," Tidus said, shaking his head, "She could never come back and I'd be alright."

"Are you saying I could never come back and you'd be alright?" Gippal asked, giving Tidus a quizzical look.

"Bingo!" Tidus said, just as Gippal's phone started to ring.

"Yeah?" Gippal answered his phone, "Oh, okay. Yeah, I'm at Tidus'. See you in a little bit."

"Was that the wife?" Tidus asked, rolling his eyes.

"Sure was," Gippal replied, "Yuna and her are coming back from shopping."

"So that means you and the wife are going to be heading out for dinner?"

"Right," Gippal said, "See you tomorrow Tidus! Be ready for sunny Besaid!"

"Sunny Besaid my ass," Tidus said, "I don't even want to go anymore."

"Whatever, you do too," Gippal said, "Besides, Rikku told me that Yuna bought a really sexy bikini."

"Big deal."

"You're kidding me, right?"

"No," Tidus said, shaking his head, "See you tomorrow, Gip."

Gippal sighed and said, "Yeah, see you later…"

With that, Gippal left, slowly, but very surely.

Leaning back on the couch, Tidus took the bag of chips and searched for any remaining crumbs. Of course, there were none.