Walking back to Home was hell. It was hot and there was no wind. How the hell did she think that I was going to get to the ceremony on time?...Well she probably didn't want me there, so I guess that's why.

It took twenty-five minutes of intense running to get Home, and then I had to shower. There was no way in Yevon or Hell that I was going to make it on time. She was right on one thing for sure; Cid was going to kill me as soon as he sees me.

I walked slowly to where Cid was standing, waiting for the ceremony to begin.

I inhaled deeply and made my way over to Cid, walking as slow as possible so I could think of something to say.

"Grippal…Why aren't you wearing a shirt?" Cid asked me as he spotted me.

"Well…you see, I went to find Rikku and it was really hot, so I took off my shirt. I put it on my hover, which Rikku so kindly took from me, leaving me alone at the Oasis." If I was going down so was she.

"Well I heard about this from her, but I didn't think she was telling the truth. She's a handful you know."

"Yeah I know she is." I grumbled more to myself then to anyone.

"Well, don't just stand there. You have ten minutes to get ready before you go on. I really don't want people in the front row to be able to smell you like I can right now. Now go!" Cid pushed me off towards the shower facility.

I took a five minute shower, and released I forgot that I didn't grab clothes to change into.

I pocked my head out of the curtain and look to see if I could find my old smelly clothes…They were nowhere to be found.

"Stupid, little girl."

Putting a towel around my waist, I began the long journey back to my tent where all of my clothes were. Hopefully I still had some clean clothes left.

Trying not to be seen while doing this was easy enough, especially with everyone already at the ceremony.

I snuck into my ten and closed the flap behind me. I walked over to my small suitcase, which thankfully had some clean clothes, and grabbed the first things I could get my hands on.

It ended up being a purple T-shirt and a dark pair of jeans, which worked fine with me. Sliding on my boots I ran out of the door.

"Thank you everyone for coming. Now I'd like to introduce the man who did most of the building for Home. Welcome Gippal up here!" Cid introduced.

I was assuming that was my cue to walk up and take the microphone form Cid. "Well, thanks Cid. Such kind words."

Everyone laughed and had their eyes on me.

"Uh…Well, welcome to Home!" The first words that came into my head and the crowd cheered. "I hope everyone is having a good time so far. Well I'd just like to add that making Home possible, it wouldn't have been possible without all of the diggers that worked in the sand here, Rin for his large donations, and of course our Leader Cid. There was also a group in the beginning that helped out a lot, but are no longer together due to personal things, and that group would be the Gullwings. Without these people we would still be all around Spira. Let's give them a big hand"

Everyone began to cheer even louder than they had before. I hadn't even thought my words through before I when up to give my speech.

Throughout the rest of my speech I didn't see her anywhere. She wasn't in any mass crowds or even off to the side all by her lonesome. I didn't even see her by her family or by her friends. It hurt more then she would ever know. The fact that she didn't want to hear what I had to say about Home, the place we both grew up in and love.

"Well, that's all I really have to say. Thanks for letting the Faction help with rebuilding Home. Here's Elder Cid once again." I handed Cid the mike and walked off the stage.

What I didn't understand was why she didn't come and listen to me…I was going to find out if it was the last thing I did.

"Gippal!" Yuna beamed when she saw me. Maybe she would have some idea of where Rikku was. "How have you been?"

"Okay, you?" I didn't want to make it seem like she was not important, I mean if it wasn't for her the world probably would be destroyed to smithereens, so I tried to go with small talk….not my best area.

"I'm okay. Just a little busy. You know, all the people that don't leave me alone and with Tidus finally back to where he belongs. Oh and Rikku! She keeps on rambling about some guy. Come to think of it I don't think I've ever gotten a name out of her. If-" Yuna would not stop talking! I was beginning to think I would never get out of there so just stopped her before she could continue.

"Hey, speaking of Rikku, do you know where she is?"

"-Uh…I think she said she was going to get her luggage out of Brother's airship. So, do you-"

"Thanks!" I yelled over my shoulder as I ran towards the airship. I hope she doesn't hate me after interrupting her twice in the same day…She doesn't seem like the type right?

That thought can wait! I scolded myself as I continued running. I need to focus more on Rikku then anything else.

I got to the lift of the airship and took it to the Cabin. It took a lot longer than it should have, but then again I did have to do something and if it wasn't done right away it just feels like it takes too long.

As soon as I got up there I found her. She was sitting on the bar stool with her head on the bar all alone. Not even the barkeeper, what was his name again?, was there. The way that her body was shaking it seemed as if she was crying or was about to cry. Both of which would not do with me.

"Rikku? You okay?" I asked as I walked up behind her and put my hands on her shoulders.

"Mmhmm." Her body was shaking underneath my hands. Pretty badly too.

"Rikku, please look at me."

She lifted her head from the bar and looked over at me. The only thing was that she still wouldn't look at my face. This was going to be a very long night if this was what was going to happen all night.

"Look at my eye, Rikku."

Slowly she shifted her eyes to mine. They were red and puffy, and yet she still turned me on like she did on her most beautiful days. Now if I could find out why she was crying and possibly the person that caused her to cry, I would put an end to it. When I get mad I will and can kill the son of a bitch that did this to her.

"Rikku, what's wrong? Do I need to hurt someone? I'll do it just like back when we were little." I offered in a very serious tone, hoping she would get the point that I cared for her a lot more than anything else in the world.

"No, Gippal." I think I heard her laugh, but what did I say to make her laugh? Obviously my attempts were not working very well. I even said everything with all honesty. "You don't have to beat anyone up. I'm having boy problems, just like when I was younger. Nothing new."

"Oh, do you need help? I am pretty good with this stuff considering I did have two older sisters before I lost my eye." I know that would get her attention and get her to listen to me, because it was almost as much of a sore topic for her as I was for me.

"Okay, you can take a crack at it." She was laughing, that's a good sign right? It makes me very happy knowing that she was feeling better though. "Hmm…let's see. He's Al Bhed of course."

"Naturally."

"I rarely see him because of work and I can't date him because we work together, which kinda makes me mad."

I instantly thought of Buddy. She doesn't see him as much because the Gullwings had broken up as soon as Yuna and who's-his-face got back together and Paine realized her feelings for Baralai. "I see."

"He's easily jealous and knows my brother will kill him if he so much as looks at me."

"Okay. Anything else?"

"I can't get him off my mind at all! Got any advice?"

"Well, I'd say just break the rules if it's what makes you happy. Brother wouldn't hate him if you were happy. I'm sure of it. And Cid will be happy as long as you have kids. Any time I came over by him he would tell me how much he wanted grandkids. That was so weird, let me tell you." I smiled over at her.

"Gippal," her eyes casted downwards. "Do you even know who I'm talking about?"

"Yeah, it's Buddy right?" I looked down not wanting to see her face go red in front of me. I don't think I would be able to live another day of my life then.

"Gippal, please look at me."

I looked up and saw her eyes. They showed no embarrassment. They had some sadness. "Hmm?"

She leaned over and kissed me, hard on the lips. She knocked me right off of my chair, with her on top of me.

I broke apart the kiss gasping for air and going right back to her lips. I don't know why she was doing this for me. Clearly she liked Buddy. Was I really that obvious when it comes to her?

Suddenly I felt something on my bottom lip. My eye shot wide open to find out that she wanted inside of my mouth. This was defiantly going to be a turn on.

I pulled her on top of my lap and lean up against the bar. It did not feel right lying fully clothed with her on top of me.

This time she was the one to break apart. Her forehead rested on top of mine. "Gippal, do you think you understand my feelings a little better now?" She asked me while nipping at my lips.

"Uh…I think I do. Now child why in the name of Yevon didn't you tell me you liked him? All he's been talkin' 'bout all summer was you. It was so hard to put up with him. If you would have told me, I could have put you both out of your misery." Cid called into the room, causing Rikku to jump off of me, much to my displeasure.

"Vydran! You scared me!" Rikku said stumbling back even farther away from me.

I glared at Cid. He sure knew how to ruin a moment. First time I see her in ages and he goes and makes her back away from me like I had the black plague.

"Sorry. Yuna told me Gippal ran over here and I needed to talk to him. I wasn't expecting to see you two all over one another. Gippal, when you're done here I'd like to see you in my office." Cid gave me the look saying 'you better not touch her or harm her in any way'.

Cid walked out of the airship and left me alone with Rikku. I turned to look at her. She was paler then had ever seen her before. "Rikku…you okay?"

She nodded her head and some of the color came back into her face. "Yeah. I'm fine. You should probably go see what the old man wants. I'm sure it's important." She stood up, her face had a light blush and her legs were a little unstable.

"Do you need any help? I could bring you some water and help you to bed."

Her face became darker. I really didn't mean it in a perverted way though… "No, I'm fine. I'm just going to take a shower and get the rest of my things. Good luck with Vydran."

I smiled at her. "Thanks, I'm probably going to need it." I waited for her to laugh. She never did. Something was very wrong with her.

I headed out the door trying not to think about it.