Chapter 9: Pain

I woke up feeling a sharp pain in my head. What the hell happened?

I got up to see a ton of beer bottles on the floor.

"Ehh... must have had too many drinks." I said to myself, standing at the center of the room confused and rubbing my head.

Hmm this is strange... where is Rikku? She usually wakes me up early… it's kind of sad how I didn't get to see her cute little self this morning.

Holy fuck. Speaking of time, I looked at the clock. It was 1:00 in the afternoon. That was one damn hangover.

I should go look for Rikku.

5 minutes later...

Ok... checked her room. Not there, nor has anybody seen her.

I started to get worried. What if she was still so mad at me from what I said to her last night at the party? Does she hate me for saying those things? ...Did she run away?

Or maybe... something happened while I was having that little hangover...

Ugh I don't know.

I looked down on my shirt that I wore to the party in which I also wore to sleep. There were bloodstains. What was I doing? Why did my head hurt so much? Why do I have bloodstains on my shirt?

The only thing I remember is that I was outside when something struck me. I don't know who or what--- or how I got back inside.

Hmmm… the guard must know something. I had better find out what happened last night.

I changed out of my clothes and walked out to the entrance of Djose.

"Umm hey... I got a bit drunk last night. Any idea what happened and where Rikku might be?"

"Last time I saw you... you were dragging Darren out somewhere and that pretty lady was crying and asking where you were. Told her you went outside... beating the crap out of Darren. Somehow you passed out so me and the other guard had to carry you back in."

"...Crying?? Wait what? Why didn't you stop me?"

"Sir, obviously because you were drunk at the moment and would have fired me."

I had a sudden flashback hearing the name Darren... and Rikku crying. I remembered him kissing her... and I guess I got a little out of control. Possibly scared her. But that doesn't explain where she went.

"Okay... good point there. Anything else?"

"No sir."

"Fine, I'll look for her myself."

Damn it Rikku... where are you?

... And where is Darren?

I paused during my train of thoughts... wait... that's it! Both Rikku and Darren are missing, which means they must be somewhere together.

"Ugh." I grumbled in disgust.

The thought of them together just sickens me. I knew I should have killed him while i had the chance.

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I took the hover down Djose Highroad and to Old Road at Mi'hen. Apparently, Darren has a little house there according to file; other than at the Machine Faction, which I don't think he'd dare come back to after that nice beating. Besides, he knows well enough I wouldn't give him back his job. I would expect him to take Rikku away here... I think. Did he make her come or did she run off with him?

Well… time to find out.

I banged on the door.

"Whoa I'm coming. Back so soon Rikk--?" I heard Darren say until he opened the door fully, I grabbed him by the neck.

"Where the hell is Rikku?"

"Why would I tell you?" He replied. I tightened my grip and brought up my fist for another beating.

"OKAY OKAY--j-j-ust let go first!" He choked out. I let go. He panted and rubbed his neck.

"She's at Rin's Travel Agency. I don't think she wants to see you though."

"That's none of your business!" I said angrily as I headed out the door, this time walking towards the other end of Mi'hen.

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I spotted Rikku sitting right outside the Travel Agency, her gaze on the ocean.

"Hey Cid's girl!" I shouted, but no response. Ouch. She really was mad at me.

"Listen, I'm sorry about what I said last night--- or what I did. I didn't want you to go back with Yuna... I mean..." I paused for a moment. Not knowing what to say next.

"I like having bouncy Rikku around at the Machine Faction..." I continued softly, mumbling the words out.

She turned her gaze towards me and it looked like she lightened up a bit. I turned away, not knowing what her response to that would be.

"Gippal..."

"Umm yeah, so you want to go back to the Machine Faction with me? We have a lot of work to do..." I interrupted.

"But... I can't leave Darren... he's a good friend you know. I promised him I'd find him a job after last night..."

Hearing his name provoked me—a lot. I can't believe she would even think about him.

"You just met him last night!" I snapped, grabbing Rikku's arm and pulling her up from where she was sitting.

"Just leave him alone and come back with me... He's no good; besides, I could care less about him. In fact, I wouldn't give a shit if I killed him last night!" I tightened my grip on Rikku and tried to make her walk away with me but she just fought back and stayed put.

"Rikku!"

"Let go of me! Don't talk about Darren like that! I care about him..."

"So what? Are you saying you're just going to abandon your job at the Machine Faction to stay with that bastard?"

"Shut up Gippal! He's a better friend than you!" I let go of Rikku and stood there in disbelief. Those words were extremely hurtful.

"I can't believe you! You've only known him for one day... and we've been friends since your father first built Home. Don't you remember all the memories we shared?"

"But..." Rikku started breaking down into tears.

We had the best memories back at Home. Even though I teased her so much, we shared so many laughs and had so much fun together. I liked being with her so much and I miss those days so bad; the days before Sin was reborn and before Vegnagun. Before she had left me.

"Fine Rikku. If you want to stay with Darren... I can't stop you. You obviously care more about him than you could for me. Don't even bother coming back to the Machine Faction." I walked away from Rikku, on my way back to work.

I was still hurt from what she said earlier. Those words... they destroyed me. She thought Darren was better than me, after only one day with him. I spent so much time with her but I guess I wasn't good enough for that one moment Rikku and Darren shared.

"Where.... where are you going?!" Rikku stammered.

"Leaving you. Isn't that what you want?" I replied, trying to hold together my emotions. I continued walking away from Rikku.

"Tuh'd mayja sa ymuha...!!!" ("Don't leave me alone...!!!") She dropped down to the floor, burying her face in her hands crying even harder.

"Bmayca...Gippal!!!" ("Please...Gippal!!!")

I kept walking, not looking back once. It would just hurt more. I would just be wasting my time, after all... she's interested in Darren not me.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Man, am I that evil? LOL… You guys are dying while making those reviews oo;; I mean… you even threaten to stab me with rusty spoons! shivers Hey well… at least I updated…

BTW fixed chapter 5, that was interesting… riding a hypello X.x;; Big mistake there haha XD

Oh and no telling how Rikku feels x} I need to keep you all in suspense…

REVIEW before I die and never update again!

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:O JK!