ZANARKAND

Rikku never really understood what love was, but as she dropped the last sphere into the water she knew that everything she'd ever loved was gone, and she would be dead before the chance to return to them ever came. Every tear that fell from her cheek hit the water, causing an explosion of ripples to spread outwards, just like every friend she'd ever known... and every ripple was washed away by the waves. How can I live like this? What is there here for me? What... do I do now?

An Al Bhed in a strange world; would she ever find her kind again? Home is a far off dream, a land that no longer exists for her. What was she to become? Could she even try?

The dark thoughts spun through her head, but were abruptly brought to an end by a nudge of Travis. Rikku jumped a little, the usual hyperactive energy flowing through her trying to find an escape in the unnaturally depressed girl.

"Hey Rikku, it'll be okay."

A pout found her lips, hard and fast. "That's easy for you to say! I don't see you losing your whole life recently!" Yuna, Gippal, Paine, Brother... they all flashed through her eyes... more tears, and now her throat closed up as well. She fell to her knees, the hard metal banging up her knees. The pain just added to her worthlessness.

"This is your world, not mine!" she told him bitterly from the ground. Desperately, her body screamed for something familiar to cling to... unfortunately Tidus had already headed out. This last message was a personal one for Rikku. Travis only stuck around to help her find her way back. Zanarkand could be a horribly confusing place.

A gentle arm rested around Rikku's shoulders. She hadn't even noticed Travis sit on the dock next to her, too many emotions were welled up inside.

"It's the same world," he spoke just as gently as he acted. "Just a different time. You'll see..."

"What if I don't want to?"

"Well... you might just have to," he told her. The news hit like solid ice. Shivers ran through her spine; would she really have to learn to live in a place such as Zanarkand? Sure, the Al Bhed liked technology, but after spending so much time with Yuna it seemed almost... wrong. Would Sin come back again? Was that even possible? If Sin did return, could... it return her home? Rikku felt a sudden nausea pass her at that thought; how could she even think that after fighting Sin for so long? How will she survive?

There were just too many questions, and not enough answers.

"E tuh'd ghuf..." I don't know...

"I know, I know..." Of course, Travis had no idea what she said, but he just felt like it was the right thing to say. He didn't know how she felt, but it was heart wrenching watching the spirited girl so down. It wasn't even like she was alive anymore. "Come on Rikku... let's go back to Tidus' place."

Rikku shook her head. "I don't think that I could stand if I wanted to," she muttered.

"Rikku, you've gotta get back up. I hate seeing you like this."

"At least you can see me."

Travis sighed loudly. "You made me do this..."

Suddenly and swiftly Rikku was up in the air. "Whoa!" Surprised, she looked around. Her tear-filled eyes made the surroundings blurry, but she could feel Travis's arms around her shoulders and under her knees. The floating sensation was not her finally waking from a dream, but the fact that she was no longer on the ground. He was carrying her.

"If you can't get up, then I'm just going to pick you up. Quite literally. We have to go see if Tidus is okay, and I don't think I've seen you eat anything for about three days. I'm not letting you die."

I wish you would... the thought came seamlessly. For once, it didn't scare Rikku at all. She wondered if what she was now could even be considered living.

The House

The smell of something delicious filtered through the air. The mix of noodles, bread, and cheese had Rikku's nostrils begging for more. It had been a while since she'd eaten anything at all, and even though the it smelled delicious, her stomach didn't growl. In fact, it protested in pain against even the thought of eating anything. Her eyes scanned up to see Tidus sitting across the room. Their eyes met with the same strange intensity of a great loss. His shoulders hunched, and his hair was ruffled and unkempt. Although he'd been living a while without Yuna now, all of his hope returned when Rikku showed up. All that hope stored up, just to be crushed again when he found out that it was a one-shot deal. Then again, he was a little more used to this than Rikku was, and his eyes had room enough for a sparkle of concern for her.

The blonde really couldn't handle that, and her eyes cast back to the floor. They traveled endlessly across the pattern of the rug, over and over, spiral and spiral... and then they just stopped, too tired to look anymore. Her brain too tired to comprehend anymore. Even sitting on the couch seemed like too much of a hassle.

"Dinner!" Travis's smiling voice could be heard from the doorway. Rikku could smell the steaming hot bowls of food he had with him. His boots clunked over to Tidus, who took the bowl willingly, his stomach not able to withstand the teasing smell of home cooked food. Then, expectantly, he traveled over to her. The soft brown of his blitzball boots entered into her vision, and the overwhelming smell of macaroni and cheese filled her nostrils. He flopped down next to her, nudging her slightly.

"Here's some food Rikku."

"I can't eat."

"Sure you can."

"No, I really can't. My stomach won't."

"Please... you've got to eat something. Just one bite?" He held a fork full of gooey goodness in front of her mouth, just under her nose. The olfactory senses won, and she regretfully took a bite. Her stomach growled in anger. That was enough for the night.

"There."

"Thank you."

Travis knew that she wasn't going to eat any more that night, which bothered him, but he knew it would take time. Her sadness overwhelmed him. He had seen Tidus in action, and knew that he could take care of himself, but this poor girl... at least she was staying with his buddy Tidus. He wouldn't let anything happen to her.

I can't imagine anything close to what they must be going through... He looked at the woman's tortured physique and sighed. And I almost questioned why I was helping her... but I can't help it. The poor girl looks like she won't make it through the night.

After a while the food was finished and the sun began to go down. Unfortunately, Travis had a game in the morning and needed to get back to his own place to sleep. After picking up the kitchen he headed towards the door.

"Hey guys, take care of yourselves, okay?" He nodded to Tidus, looking over to Rikku who hadn't moved since they got back. Take care of her, he thought before exiting. Before he could regret it he moved off into the night. It was going to be a long time before anything was normal again.