The Side Effects of Unoriginality

Disclaimer: I do not own FFX-2. I simply own the plot and grammatical errors.

Author's Note: sorry for the hiatus guys. I was entertaining and working. Yay me… But now I'm back, and oh, how I've missed you guys!

The first part is a little…steamy, let's say. Nothing too bad, I think. There's another part that's also steamy. It's not a lemon, though I still marked it for you sensitive viewers.

Chapter 16: I Like You! I Like You! I Hate You! I Love You!

The next morning, I found myself unwilling to get out of bed. I lay there with my hand trailing up and down my stomach. I wasn't seeing the ceiling above me; my mind was somewhere else entirely. All I could see was him.

My head was full of half-naked thoughts of Gippal, water drizzling down his body. I was curious as to where that water went. I watched silently with my eyes as the water cascaded down his stomach, disappearing behind the towel wrapped so tightly around his tapered waist. Even though I wasn't really dreaming, I couldn't help the feelings that plagued my nether regions. Biting at my bottom lip was all I could do to repress the moan that threatened to break the silence.

This dream Gippal must have heard this. He stepped closer I could almost feel his eyes on my body. He reached out and cupped my face, his wet hands enticing my senses. I was riding some ecstasy overdrive, every inch of my body on fire with thoughts of him. He trailed his hands downwards and cupped my left breast, his left hand trailing further down my body. He gripped tightly at my hips, trying to control me as I bucked under his ministrations. His mouth found the side of my neck and his hand was busily palming at my breast. What I wanted more than anything, though, was for his hands to—

"Rikku, it's time to get out of bed."

My eyes sprang open suddenly. I guess I drifted off, after all, which would explain some of those odd feelings and why there wasn't really a room, just a ceiling. Groaning inwardly, I realized it was only a dream. The hand that hovered over my warm mound was actually my own. Gippal was nowhere to be found. What a bummer.

I got out of bed reluctantly, stumbling into the bathroom to shower. Fifteen minutes later, I came out with a towel wrapped around my neck, my hair dripping dry onto it. I walked back into my room and got dressed, preferring my Thief's uniform once more. I spent the next ten minutes braiding my hair and adjusting it properly. It was such a pain having to braid it and unbraid it every single day. As I sat on the edge of my bed, I thought about cutting it. Picking up a pair of scissors, I measured how short hair would look on me. I was immediately reminded of the age of Sin.

On second thought, long hair was fine.

I finished getting dressed and made up my bed. Rosemary always told me that a clean room was the start of a good, productive day. I believed her; she always had good days, after all. Once I was finished there, I clamored down the stairs and found Rosemary setting the toast on the table. She peered up and smiled at me.

"Good morning, dear," she said softly. She came over and kissed my forehead. "Did you sleep well?"

"Uhm, yeah," I answered nervously, thinking back to how I woke up.

"I thought as much," she said knowingly. "I decided to make breakfast. Your Vydran is stopping by later. Knowing you two the way that I do, I figured you would both need something to eat. Aren't you returning to Djose today?"

"Yeah," I said with a smile. "You know Gippal. He can't function without me telling him what to do."

"You're probably right," Rosemary replied. "Your Vydran is a lot like that, I've noticed."

Rosemary and I sat to a calm breakfast, each of discussing the personality quirks we enjoyed about our beaus. I hadn't realized it at the time, but I had somehow gotten into the habit of calling him "mine." It was "My Gippal this" and "My Gippal that." If I didn't know any better, I would have to say I was quite smitten with the man. I smiled on the inside, realizing how very true that statement was. There was no longer any use in denying it; I loved Gippal. Plain and simple though it may have been, it had taken me all of this time to figure it out. Shame on me, I know.

But cut me some slack! I'm working on it!

After we finished eating, I cleared away the dishes while Rosemary put the rest of the food away for Pops, whenever he decided to show up. He was a very busy man and was always looking out for the Al Bhed. He was likely tied up in some meeting or another, trying not to strangle the life out of whoever it was he was meeting with. According to most Al Bhed, myself included, Al Bhed are the only ones capable of fixing Al Bhed problems. They're our problems, why shouldn't we have some hand in the solution?

"You should pack up your things, Rikku," Rosemary called after me as I went up the stairs. "When Cid gets here, he'll eat and probably be the one to take you back to Djose. Unless you had other plans?"

"Nope! It was my plan all along to mooch a ride off Pops," I called back.

"It figures. Well, hurry up then."

Upstairs, I packed my things into the bag I decided to take with me. I left the dress I wore last night in the closet. I didn't want to risk getting monkey grease or some other damnable substance on it. The dress was too pretty to only wear once; I was determined to find another place to wear it and show off. I looked damn good in it!

When I came back downstairs, Pops was sitting at the table, crunching on a piece of toast. In his other hand was a folded up piece of paper; they looked like blueprints for a machina. Behind him, Rosemary was washing our dishes from earlier, agreeing to something he just said. She wasn't actually paying him any attention, but sometimes, it was good to just have someone agree with you so that you could have someone to throw your ideas off of. In reality, you're talking to yourself, but with another person there, you seem less crazy. I do it all the time.

"Mornin', Pops!" I called out cheerily.

"Ah, mornin', Rikku," he shouted back gruffly. "Rose tells me ya need be gettin' back to Djose and ya need a ride. That so?"

"Yup. I was hoping you could help me out, Pops."

"Yeah, all righ'." He drained the last of his coffee and folded the paper. He shoved it into the pocket of his overalls and smiled, giving Rosemary a kiss on the cheek. "Uh, I'll, uh, be back soon. I haven't forgotten about this afternoon, Rose."

"I know you haven't. If you had, I wouldn't have made you breakfast," she said sweetly, kissing his shiny, bald head. "You two be careful and Rikku, tell your Gippal I say hello. As a matter of fact, tell them all I say hello. Your boys are so wonderful, especially that Turrang fellow. He's nice."

"Will do," I said, giving her a hug. I followed Cid out the door shortly thereafter. I felt a sense of peace washing over me; I was returning to Gippal.

My plan was foolproof. Or, at least, it was as foolproof as could be with me involved. Just a little of this, a little of that. Then BAM! What could go wrong? These were the words echoing in the back of mind while all of this happened. Keep that in mind, ok?

The week started off oh so normally. I was still working my butt off in Djose. Occasionally, I'd shout out some order or another to someone and get back to busying my hands in the tightly wound wires. There were still some kinks to work out; whenever I'd take off with her, she'd shudder before straightening out. I was working on a way of fixing that. I was knee-deep in wires when I felt someone's hand on my shoulder.

I turned around and found Turrang, smiling at me cheerfully. He held out a bagel for me, which I took happily. Ever since I left Rosemary's house a week ago, the food had been lacking. Still, a toasted bagel was better than nothing. As we stood there eating happily at our bagels, Turrang leaned against me playfully, a part of some inside joke he and I had been laughing at since the day before.

Gippal sent us somewhere to go get this steering wheel he absolutely had to have. Turrang accompanied me. As we were walking, he and I saw this man performing alongside several others. From what we gathered, it was a play—or its rehearsal. There were definitely some kinks that needed to be worked out, which is where our joke comes into play.

The man was in the process of professing his long to this woman, but tripped over something and went smashing into her. Their lips pressed together in some awkward kiss, where he promptly apologized, but then continued on with his lines as though nothing happened. The woman berated him, before he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and proceeded to say something about their futures being intertwined or something. I couldn't hear anything over Turrang and I laughing.

As we stood there with our arms intertwined, I felt someone's gaze upon me, but figured it was nothing. It was probably just one of the grunts trying to figure out what we were going on about. For a bunch of men, they were particularly nosey, go figure. A few moments later and the feeling passed.

"So—how's the plan coming along?" I asked him.

"Good. Gippal should be going up to his office right about now. When he does, that's your cue. Hopefully, no one will come walking in. if that's the case, though, I'll be standing in the hallway to ward off whatever intruder decides to come," he said, poking his chest out triumphantly.

"I really appreciate this, Turrang," I told him kindly, playfully punching his shoulder.

"What else can I do? If you didn't come up to me, I was forced to drag him down here by his ear and make him do something similar," he laughed. "I will give you two that much. You have to be two of the most thickheaded people in all of Spira. I wish you two luck in the long haul."

"Gee, thanks," I quipped.

"Well, get going," he said, pushing me gently in the direction of Gippal's office. "There are hearts to woo and professions of love to be made!"

I knocked on Gippal's door with a wide grin. When he opened it—after the third knock, mind you—I wasn't smiling anymore. I was slightly miffed that he'd taken forever to answer. I even told him it was me on the second knock. The jerk.

"Hey, machina man," I greeted cheerily, determined to do what I came to do. Remember that plan of mine? Watch it in action!

"Oh, uh, hey, Cid's girl," he said, sounding rather forced. He let me in, but didn't close the door. Instead, he shuffled about nervously. What's with him?

I walked into his office and pretended to be interested with something on his wall. He finally closed the door, walking around to sit at his desk. When I heard him sit down, I turned around and faced him nervously. I hadn't actually planned what I was going to say to him…but it was supposed to be something along the lines of a full-out confession of love. But, he was making things more difficult than they needed to be. For machina's sake—he wouldn't even look at me.

"Is there something you needed, Rikku?" Gippal asked, staring at something on his desk. "I'm kinda busy—lotsa work to get done. So, uh, make it quick, would ya?"

"What is with you today?" I growled at him, miffed that he had the nerve to be rushing me! "Why are you being so mean to me?"

"Me?! I'm being mean to you, Rikku?" he roared, getting to his feet. He made my name sound like something foul; I didn't like that.

"Yes! You're being mean to me, you idiot! All I did was come up here to talk to you about something and you're acting like I've somehow offended you!"

I don't know what in that sentence made him angry but whatever it was, I hit the mother load with it. My blonde Al Bhed stormed over towards me, blocking me into a corner, where I cowered. Gippal was actually mad at me and for the first time in my life, I didn't understand why. What did I do?

Then I felt his lips crashing against mine, painfully so. All of his rage, his passion, his raw anger—I felt them collide within me. It was a maelstrom of foreign emotions that made my knees quiver beneath me. My hands reached for him, digging lightly into his hair. I tugged, pulling his body into mine. I could feel his heart beating against mine. His arms wrapped around me, lifting me from the ground. When I landed, I was sitting on his desk, Gippal pushing himself between my legs. I couldn't help but moan.

XxxxxX

Gippal's name rolled off my tongue and poured into his ear. He tugged at my hair, snapping my head back. He bit down into my neck, eliciting another moan from me, my bruised, reddened lips singing praises to their god. He tore my bikini away without mercy, squeezing another shudder from me. His cold hands cupped my breasts as he sighed in appreciation. I wrapped my legs around his, binding the blonde man to my body.

I couldn't take it anymore; I needed to feel him. My tiny fingers dug into his chest armor, feverishly removing the layers that blocked me from feeling his skin against mine. When I succeeded, Gippal growled into my neck, before ravaging the soft flesh, sinking his teeth softly into my skin. I returned the simple gesture, pulling him flush against me. When I bit into him, he bucked against me, his hardness poking into my stomach.

He leaned down to kiss me again, softer this time. His tongue traced across my bottom lip and I allowed him entrance. His tongue slid against mine and I suckled it softly. He nibbled on my bottom lip, his hands pressing into my back. I could feel his need to become a part of me. I wanted to feel him inside of me.

I pulled away from him, falling backwards onto the desk. I moaned against when his mouth found my nipple, his other hand massaging my right breast. I writhed beneath him. His tongue worked wonders, running circles around the sensitive area, his hand softly pinching the other. I was delirious with want, rubbing against him to try and relieve the pressure building inside of me. He bucked against me again, pinning me down with his hands. He stared into my eyes curiously. I only wished I knew what he found there; I would have hidden it better.

XxxxxX

Gippal pulled away from me, untangling our mess of arms and legs. I got up and stared at him strangely. What had just been the equivalent of a lover's fantasy was suddenly starting to feel very dirty. He was gawking at me as though I'd done something wrong.

"W-What's wrong?" I asked nervously. I hopped down from the desk and walked over towards him. I reached my hand out towards his face, cupping the side of his cheek. "Gippal?"

"I…I don't think this is a good idea anymore, Rikku," Gippal said. He pushed me away from him with his arms, refusing to look at me. "I don't think things can work out between us, all right?"

"W-What do you mean?" I asked. I stepped closer to him, trying to hide the pain I felt welling up inside me. What had changed between him throwing me onto his desk and now? I don't recall do anything too silly—had I?

"What…what did you come here for, Rikku?" Gippal asked, pulling out of my reach again. He turned his back to me, as though shunning me for something I'd done. He wouldn't even look at me. I really wish he would have; if I could see what gears were churning in his mind, perhaps I could help him understand better.

"I-I thought t-that was obvious," I trembled, holding my bikini top up properly. "Isn't that what you wanted…?"

"No. I don't. I'm into that sorta thing, Rikku," he hissed coldly. "And the fact that you are sickens me."

"But, Gippal—" I whimpered, feeling my heart breaking inside of my chest.

"I'm not into you like that. And I never will be."

That didn't make sense. Nothing that he was saying was making any sense, to be honest. But that last bit—that made nothing close to anything. What happened? I really wish I knew the answer to that. If I could, I would try it all over again until I could figure out how to make this morbid pulsation disappear entirely. Until such a time, I was left to drown in my own sickness. Until I could figure out how to reverse the flow of time, there would be no escaping the pain that washed over me next.

In hindsight, I should have seen it coming.

My knees quaked beneath me, and the world suddenly felt empty. I was falling. My legs gave out from the violent way my innocence shattered around me. It echoed painfully against the silence that was building—mounting—between us. It screamed in agony, the likes of which I'd never felt before. It was traumatic. It was painful. The words kept echoing in my head, but I couldn't make any sense of their meaning. What did he mean? Finally, something clicked.

My hand met the side of his face, leaving an angry, red imprint. I glared at him, feeling, for the first time in my life, anger beyond reason. He stared down at me with his one good eye, not sure if what he thought happened had actually occurred. I stood there, disbelief coursing through my veins. Had I just done that? Terrified at the answer, I ran away—away from the place where my heart broke; away from the truth I couldn't bear; away from Gippal, who didn't love me.

I didn't leave my room for the next two days. I kept Dezba near me at all times; he was the only source of comfort I had. As I lay in bed, rethinking my entire one-sided romance, he remained there with me, holed up in that tiny room, resting his head on my bare stomach. Whenever I would spasm with emotion, he would cluck and purr at me soothingly. I would wrap my arms around him and cry until my eyes and throat stung. Then I'd fall asleep, only to wake up again, threatened by some nightmare of my reality.

By day three, I was an emotionally drained wreck. I could barely stand on my own two feet. It took all of Dezba's will to get me out of bed and only then because my stomach felt like it was caving it. It would serve me right for such dutiful neglect. I would hunker down to something and return to my room before I had to face someone and talk. Not that I could have—I think my throat and voice box were rebelling against me. Still, it was a surprise to me that I had even managed to stay holed up so long without anyone noticing. Surely, someone must have realized by now? Surely someone cared…?

Stupid Gippal probably told them I was sick. In a way, I was. I was sick in the head for ever believing it was all right to love someone like him. What had I been thinking? It was Gippal, after all, the man of thousand lovers. He was the Al Bhed playboy—of course he didn't want a committed relationship. Why would he when so many women threw themselves at him every single day? Why get tied down at all? It was only me that wanted to get myself hopelessly tangled up inside his madness. And tangled up I had become.

Dezba squawked softly, the sound gurgled up in his throat. He batted his lashes at me prettily, before shifting his gaze to the door. Had someone been knocking?

"Kaaw, oui muug mega ramm," Turrang said with a soft smile. (Geez, you look like hell.)

"Dryhgc. Dryd'c ruf E vaam," I sighed, stepping back to let him in. (Thanks. That's how I feel.)

"I was…worried about you," he said, scratching the top of Dezba's head. "Gippal said you weren't feeling well. One or two days is all you would need to get over whatever ailed you. However, we haven't seen you in nearly four days. And…Gippal was making no particular effort to come and see you."

"I forget how smart you are sometimes."

"It wouldn't take a genius to figure out what didn't happen between you two, Rikku," he sighed in response. He took a seat on my bed, smiling at me sympathetically. "I understand if you don't want to talk about it. But, understand that I am here for you, Rikku. You are…a close friend to me. It pains me to see you in such distress."

I felt compassion. I felt adored. I suppose that's why Turrang was one of my favorite Al Bhed in the whole world. He was kind and he only spoke when he had something to say. I could hang around him all day and be at peace. He was a good friend.

"I…wanna go somewhere," I told him sheepishly. "I've been cooped up here for almost four days. Please, please, please, please!" I begged with a wide grin.

"If you promise to keep that smile on," he laughed. "And take a shower—immediately."

"Hey! You big meanie!" I pouted, in good humor.

"That's the Rikku we all know and love," Turrang said, getting to his feet. He kissed my forehead and patted my head. Moments later he was on the other side of the door, humming a soft, nameless tune.

Turrang and I didn't return back to Djose until well after the sun had gone down. Somehow, he convinced me to see Tobli again. In the end, after the Shoopuff show, I was glad I did. Although we did a lot of running around, we eventually got a chance to enjoy the show. It was a good show with lots of fireworks. I only wish Gippal had been there; he liked fireworks, too.

I ran circles around Turrang, walking past Djose temple for the second time. I wasn't ready to go back and I think he knew as much. I'd been making excuses since before we'd even started walking back. I was never one for tact, just straightforwardness. We walked along the bridge, after a while, simply pacing the length of the stone bridge. I was still eating from my cup a half-melted ice cream delectable. Turrang got it for me when we were prepared to walk home. He felt bad for not having fed me before hand. To my left, Dezba chirped happily.

"…And then Tobli had us passing out tickets. Of course, he didn't give us a price range," I said, recounting one of the many adventures Tobli had us running for him. Beside me, Turrang smiled in thought, casting his swirling green eyes on me. "He also helped us get the concert in the Thunder Plains. Because of him, I think, it was a success."

"I was there. Lady Yuna has a beautiful voice," the man commented. "I saw you and your companion there, too. Paine, right?"

"Yeah. Paine hadn't really heard Yuna sing before. But when Yunie sang for all of Spira, it was so amazing! I don't think she's ever sang so hard in her life," I reminisced. "Now, of course, she's married to Tidus, one of my friends. You know him, don't you?"

"The blonde kid, right? He's a damn good Blitzer," he said. "What about Paine?"

"Oh. Well, she and Baralai—the old Praetor of Yevon—the last time I saw either of them, they were in one another's arms. They've… gotten close," I said, recalling how often I'd begun to see them together. It left a pang of loneliness inside me. It seemed that all of my friends had found someone. But no one, it seemed, wanted me. Not even Gippal…

"Does that upset you?"

"No. It's just that…" I wasn't sure if I wanted to tell him yet. Sure, he and I were friends, but how close? Was I ready to tell someone totally unrelated the weakness of my own existence?

"You don't have to say anything," Turrang said, almost as if sensing my hesitation. He gave me a cheerful smile and continued to walk with Dezba and I. I was grateful that he wasn't pushing me. I needed time to sort out my thoughts, anyway.

He and I paced the bridge several more times before I made up my mind.

"I think I'm ready to talk now, Turrang," I said suddenly.

"Oh? Well, then the whole day wasn't for naught after all," he said, taking a seat on the side of the stone bridge. I sat across from him, casting about nervously. "Whenever you're ready; I won't rush you."

"Well, a while back, I thought I couldn't live without my friends. I'd gotten myself pretty down because I didn't have either one of them anymore. Yunie got married to Tidus. Since they hadn't seen each other, naturally they wanted some alone time. Paine wanted to see all of Spira on her own time…and Baralai went with her. And that just left me, digging about in the desert with Pops and the other Al Bhed. I didn't mind it, but—

"It wasn't what you want to do. It wasn't as adventurous as the previous years had been," he filled in for me. "It was lonely without your friends"

"Right. So, when Gippal came and found me in the desert, well I couldn't have imagined how much that would all change. The desert was boring; when I came here, though, I was…I was happy…"

"I think I understand," he said, getting to his feet. "The one person that you wanted to fill that emptiness in you doesn't quite understand your feelings. You want him to, but you also understand that he's an idiot at times. Though he is my friend, I'm not ashamed to admit it. He needs…work. But I promise you, Rikku, I'll help you make him see. You two deserve one another; you make each other happy. It would be no greater honor to me than to assist you in being happy."

Turrang crossed halfway to the middle of the bridge and held his arms out for me. I ran to him, smiling softly. I wrapped my arms tightly around him. He knew Gippal as well as I did; the only difference—he also knew me. Perhaps, with his help, I could maybe make Gippal understand. Maybe we could—

"Turrang? What are you—?"

I chose that moment to turn around and peek over my shoulder. In the dim moonlight, I don't think he saw me, pressed so close to his best friend. When I moved, though, he spotted me. Gippal was furious for some reason.

"Don't let me interrupt," he sneered viciously.

"Gippal, it's not like that—," I started, moving towards him. His glare froze me in place.

"Hmph. And here I was thinking I'd been too harsh," Gippal sneered coldly. His one good eye flashed in his friend's direction then he turned the icy glare on me again. His lip sneered upwards in disgust. I hated that look. "Looks like I'm out of a job. I'm glad you found yourself a quick fix."

This time around, I couldn't bring myself to face the world for another week. Try as he might, not even Turrang could get me out of my room. I didn't move from the place I collapsed on the floor. Not even Dezba's soothing purrs could get me to move. I was weighed down by the obvious fact that Gippal not only didn't want me but he was apparently disgusted with me, too. How had things gotten so bad in such a short amount of time? I suddenly wished I hadn't doubted Brother's theory of time travel. Maybe then…

But if that was the case, I wouldn't know how to go about making things any different than what they already were. I wouldn't have known what to say or not to say to change things. Chances are, I'd end up in the exact same predicament I was in, only with a much larger headache and a much deeper gash in my heart. Imagine having to constantly relieve through your most painful memory in an attempt to better understand the situation. In the end, you've only put yourself through unnecessary damage to try to understand a situation that is without logic.

And the worst part about the whole entire situation—there was no one to blame but myself. I should have made myself clearer, should have annunciated my purpose just a bit better. Maybe if I had, I'd been asleep with Gippal lying beside me and not my avian companion, not that I minded Dezba's company, but it just wasn't the same. I don't think he'd take offense.

"Not that he'd even want to, it seems. He's just…not interested in that," I sighed. Dezba remained completely silent. It wasn't as though I was actually expecting an answer, but the eerie quiet was grating on my nerves. I could barely handle it.

Moments later, however, my stomach answered. It was hungry and demanded immediate payment. Realizing I couldn't deny it anymore than I could deny myself, I got up from my bed and trudged over to the door. Dezba chirped sleepily at me. He was hungry, too, which didn't surprise me. He'd been at my side for an entire week and only ever ventured out when I did. He needed to eat if he was going to survive this emotional binge with me.

Downstairs in the room the Al Bhed gutted and turned into a sort of kitchen, I found several leftovers from the night before, meaty morsels of something fancy. I threw it into the microwave and waited patiently. After a minute, I heard girlish giggles coming from the main room. My cheeks were tinged when I heard another, huskier voice that was probably the source of those giggles. They were probably having a good time, probably a subordinate and a girl he'd picked up at the Moonflow. As I realized that I would have to walk past and interrupt their merriment, I became sullen.

"Oh well," I sighed, collecting my heavily ladled plate and liquid-filled cup. I tried to keep my shuffles to a mere minimum; maybe I wouldn't interrupt them if I was really, really quiet. Unfortunately, my luck didn't hold; it was I who broke the silence. "Gi-Gippal?"

The man peeked up slowly from the busty brunette that squirmed about in his arms. When his eye met mine, I was in total disarray.

"Rikku. This isn't—

"No, I-I get it," I said softly, though my insides were screaming at me. Was I insane for being so calm? Probably. But it was all I could do to prevent myself from crumbling in front of him. My pride wouldn't allow me such a blatant show of weakness—I wouldn't allow myself even that much. "I-I-I understand Gippal. She's…she's better than me. That's ok…as long as you're happy…"

Gippal removed himself from the busty woman's embrace and took a hesitant step towards me. I begged him silently—mentally—not to come near me. I didn't want to have to feel him in ways I never could again. I didn't want to remember what it felt like to be in his arms. Seeing him with her—it was too much.

"I hate you." Yes, that's it. It's anger…so it's hate.

"Rikku—," Gippal started, reaching for me.

"Don't touch me!" I cried, tearing out of his reach. In the process, the plate I'd been holding fell to the ground and shattered. Wearily, I glanced back up at him.

"I hate you… I hate you…" I murmured. No, that wasn't entirely true, but that's what it felt like. It felt like my heart was being ripped out. He was standing there, as though it was all right for him to be in the arms of another girl. How could one man be made up of so many contradictions all at once? How could be both hot and cold? How?! How—I needed to know! I had to know because this was no longer making sense. Or maybe it was…I wouldn't know. I couldn't see past the blinding rage that suddenly had its way with me.

"I hate you!" I screamed loudly, my voice surely waking everyone in the entire temple. "I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!"

And then I broke, unable to contain myself any longer. I backed away from him and rushed as far away as I could. Blindly I ran, my eyes clouded with the tears I'd been keeping inside of me for two weeks. After minutes—or maybe hours—of running, I finally collapsed in an empty hall. Painful shudders wracked my body, reducing me to a heaving pile of tears and pitiable whimpers. That was what I deserved, I guess. After all of this time, hadn't I realized that much already? Gippal had—why couldn't I?

"You don't look so good, Rikku."

I turned in the direction of the soft voice, finding Turrang there, holding a tissue out for me. I took it graciously, wiping my face, dabbing my eyes. I would still shudder every now and then, but the painfulness of it had subsided moments ago. He crouched down beside me, a sympathetic look on his Al Bhed features.

"All of this…for him," I murmured softly. Shrugging at the complexity of my own mind, I walked off of whatever train of thought I decided to ride to arrive at that particular conclusion that I, myself was insane or perhaps mentally unstable, though I would assume it to be the latter given my current predicament. (If you followed that, then I congratulate you; even Turrang would have looked at me funky.)

"Matters of the heart are rarely ever simple," Turrang said softly. "Perhaps, one day, men and women will learn to communicate their emotions far less taxingly and understand the simple value of making clear, accurate points when trying to express one's self."

"Rikku?! Rikku, where are you?"

I recognized the voice anywhere; it was Gippal. I couldn't fathom why he was looking for me, however. I glanced up at Turrang, begging him to handle Gippal. In my current state, I don't think I could handle another run in with he and his lady friend. Sniffling softly, I got to my feet and hid myself in Gippal's office; how ironic. This was where it all began…and ended. Surely, it should also be the source of my refuge. I only prayed that it was enough to sustain me while I waited and endured whatever excuse Turrang would make in my defense.

"Ah, good evening, Gippal," Turrang said, not quite so warmly as the message should have been. "Looking for something?"

"Yeah, you seen Rikku?"

"Why would you be looking for her? Don't tell me something's gone wrong…?"

"I think…maybe I did."

"The last time I saw her, she was crying," the man said, in my defense.

"Crying? W-Why is Rikku crying? What'd you do to her?" I heard Gippal ask—demand, rather.

"Me? I didn't do anything. You on the other hand…well…. You really are an idiot, aren't you?" Turrang snapped. "For the intelligent man I first pegged you to be, you're turning out to be rather thick. Rikku isn't crying because of something I did or said. She's like that because of what you told her earlier."

"But—"

"She doesn't have a romantic interest in me, you twit," Turrang ground out, finally at his wit's end. "She is, has been and will always be hung up on you. I don't know why, especially after what you said, but…love is a funny thing like that, isn't it?"

"Yes. It was what she was trying to tell you, before you turned her away in your stupidity," the man told his friend. "She wanted to become one with you. It was the only way she knew how to tell you her true feelings. But you, being the muscle-headed dork that you are, couldn't see the purity of her action and stupidly lumped her in with all of the other hussies you've associated yourself with in the past, no matter how brief or unfulfilling."

"Wh-Where is she?" he stammered.

I can only assume that Turrang tilted his head towards the office door. Moment later, the doorknob turned and standing before me was Gippal. I stared up at him nervously, biting my bottom lip as he crossed the room to me. We stood there in complete silence, simply staring into one another's souls, in search of something…anything. Finally, when his hand cupped my face, I knew we both found it. Ever so slowly did Gippal kiss me and I realized the truth.

He loved me, too.

Author's Note: I am so sorry about the long wait. But, it was worth it, wasn't it? I really hope everyone enjoyed it. Just for everyone's information, after this…I can only see being able to squeeze maybe three or four more chapters. Who knows?

It would mean the world to me if you would review and give me your honest opinion. Thank you.