here's chapter 8. it's almost as short as the previous chapter.

Chapter 8: Gippal

It was night time. Gippal was sitting near by the fire inside the Calm Land's only bar. Most of the men from the Al Bhed Tribe were here, drinking beer and wrestling. Gippal, however, wasn't in the mood. Brother came around, holding a can of beer.

"Gippal?"

"I can't believe it." Gippal finally spoke. "Me? Rejected? No one says no to me!"

"Never." Brother agreed.

"She humiliated me." Gippal sneered. "Who does she think she is anyway?"

"The princess of the Al Bheds." Brother simplied answer.

"Be quiet." Gippal mumbled, resting his chin on his hand.

"Come on, Gippal. Don't be so down 'cause my sis turned away." Brother said, trying to cheer him up. "Everyone in the Tribe admires you. And it's not very hard to see why."

Someone must have heard their conversation, because one of the drunkards yelled a comment. Soon, all the other men joined in.

"No one's as strong as Gippal."

"No one's hair is as spiky as Gippal!"

"No one's so quick as Gippal."

"No one has an eyepatch like Gippal."

Gippal sat there and a small smile appeared. He stood up and walked towards the crowd. He greeted them, some patted his back, passing him a mug to drink, a couple of fan girls sighed in admiration as he pass them.

"I know I'm intimidating." Gippal agreed.

"No one fight's like you, Gippal."

"No one's as brawny as Gippal." A fan girl cried.

"What about brainy?" A sober man spoke. Everyone glared at him, and someone threw him out the door.

The crowded bar continued to cheer and praise Gippal as he went around, being carried by some, or demonstrating his bicep power. Then, the door was burst open again, but Cid came in.

"Someone! Help!" He yelled in the bar. The crowd didn't really paid much attention, but Gippal saw him.

"Look who shows up." Gippal said to himself. Cid grabbed the nearest person and plead at his face.

"You've got to help me." Cid said. The man just pushed Cid off of him.

"What'd you want, old man?"

"Go back to your hut, crazy man."

"Please!" Cid cried. "It's Rikku-" Suddenly, Gippal was right in front of him.

"What is it, old man?" Gippal said.

"Rikku!" Cid yelled again. "She's in danger."

"Danger?!"

"She's taken prisoner by a hideous monster." Cid said.

There was a long and awkward pause, and then every laughed at Cid. Gippal was only one that just smirked. All the drunks came toward Cid.

"Was it a tall beast?" A man asked, but joking.

"Yes!"

"With a fierce yellow teeth?" Another shouted. There was more laughter.

"Yes, exactly!"

"And with a long, ugly snout?"

"Yes. Yes! Will you help me?"

"Sure, crazy old man." Someone said, dragging him closer to the door. "It's right out there!" And he threw Cid outside.

Everyone laughed and drank more beer. Gippal was the only one that sat down and thought about what Cid pleaded. He stared at the fire, and Brother came around.

"Crazy old Cid, huh?" Gippal mumbled. "Crazy old Cid...Brother...I've been thinking-"

"Not something you usually do." Brother commented.

"I know." Gippal said, irritated. "But still...he is Rikku's father. And if I can't convince Rikku, then I'll-"

"What?" Brother asked, and Gippal whispered the plan into his ear.

"And then-" Gippal said.

"No...wait. Yes!"

"Got it?"

"Yeah. Let's go!"

Suddenly, the crowd behind them started singing.

"My what a guy, Gippal!!"

ugh, this chapter to me was a PAIN, because i didn't want to do it. and i want to hurray it up so i can start on the next chapter with more tidus and rikku. so yeah, this chapter is like a filler, but important, (gag! i hate it!)

so yeah, this chapter was really short, even for me. but lately, i've tried going back to read tikku storys, and i realized that i'm just skipping through alot and just reading the dialogues. (am i the only one that does that?)

be honest, and tell me you too hum(or sang) that one part where brother said, 'and it's not very hard to see why.'