Kind of a short chapter here... but it's late, and I wanted to get another chapter out before I went off to bed. Reviews are welcomed!

CHAPTER 2

It's been about three weeks since I found myself on this ship. And to be honest... it's actually one of the best things that could have happened to me in my life. I've made real friends with the Al-Bhed... I've expanded my horizons and learned about cultures Spira wide... and I've even learnt a new language, all three with the help of Rikku. I don't think I'd ever have done anything like this back in Zanarkand, and I'm much better for it. This morning, I was woken with a knock at my bedroom door from Brother. We've become like brothers, despite the short time since our meeting. He even gave me the spare bedroom.

"Hey Tidus! Rise and shine! I think we're going to arrive in Luca today!" he said.

"Awesome!" I replied with a grin.

"We've got breakfast on the go, so come on out." said Brother in a welcoming tone.

"I'll see you out there." I replied. Brother shut the door behind him, as I jumped out of bed. I got dressed, and exited the room, when a voice beside me spoke.

"You seem happy this morning"

"Oh, hey Rikku. I guess I am, huh? I'm just amped up for Luca today. It'll be great to be surrounded by my fellow blitzers again." I explained.

"And maybe you'll find someone who recognises you, huh?" she included.

"Maybe. Let's go eat. eh?" I suggested as I walked into the eating area. I'd made friends with the other two Al-Bhed there as well. There's Neko... who's a real hothead, and Dyren, who isn't a big fan of Yevonites. One of the big reasons why it took him so long to warm up to me. But he's great when you get to know him. The two of them, as well as Brother sat at the table, and beckoned me to sit with them. I took a seat beside Dyren. Rikku sat beside me.

"Morning Neko, Dyren, Brother. How's everyone this morning?" I greeted. I got a collective of positive responses. "So Luca today eh? This should be good."

"There's the big blitzball tournament on today too. We've got 4th row tickets!" Neko shouted in joy.

"Really? It's a shame there's no teams I could enter though... or even support" I said, feeling a bit left out.

"Hey, it's ok Tidus. You can join us and follow the Al-Bhed Psyches!" suggested Dyren.

"Hmm... yeah, you're right!" I said. It's much better to cheer on a team with people other than by yourself. I just wish I could play... I think I'm probably getting rusty.

"Anyways, finish up." said Brother. "We've got a big day ahead of us!"

"Uh... is the answer Besaid?" I asked.

"Correct!" shouted Rikku with a smile. "Wow Tidus, you've sure learnt a lot about Spira since we found you. Are you sure you don't remember anything yet?"

"Nope..." I replied, my mind still fully focused on the Zanarkand I remember.

"Well... I guess you've still got a long way to go then until you remember." Rikku said with a sigh.

"How 'bout a break?" I asked.

"Sure... whaddya wanna do?" replied Rikku with a question of her own.

"Wanna just talk or something?" I asked.

"Alright." she replied. We exited the mission room, and entered the common room of the ship. It had two couches, and a small table in the middle. We both sat on a couch in silence for a moment... neither of us knowing what to say.

"So... tell me about Home." I asked.

"Well it's on Bikanel Island, so it's pretty much always hot and windy. Inside Home though, it's much cooler. The place is filled with all these cool machina." she explained. "Phew... speaking of hot, it's boiling in here. Well, Brother isn't around... I guess it's safe for me to take off this suit."

Rikku stood up, and piece by piece removed her Al-Bhed armour. This was the first time I'd ever seen her without her suit on. Underneath, was this fragile looking... small girl... she wore an orange top, and green shorts... she was beautiful... wait... did I just use the word beautiful? No... you must have thought of something else Tidus... keep it together. Rikku sat back down beside me.

"Anyways, Home is divided up into 3 sections, the barracks, where all the Al-Bhed..." she starting explaining. To be honest... I wasn't really listening. I was watching her... she had such a beautiful face... I guess that helmet she wore clouded all that up... her hair was... damn it Tidus! Quit thinking these awkward thoughts, and pay attention!

"...so any summoners we find are kept there." she finished.

"Wow, that's amazing" I said, not having heard one word she said.

"Anyways, they're planning on adding a new section to Home called..." Rikku gave me a funny look. "Uh... do I have something on my face?" she asked. I think I was staring... and she just noticed... I decided to be honest.

"No... you're just... beautiful..." I said slowly.

"Well... uh..." Rikku stammered... unsure of what to think. I made her awkward and uncomfortable. Damn it, I had to bail.

"Uh... sorry... I shouldn't have said that." I said as I quickly averted my gaze from her.

"No, it's all right Tidus." replied Rikku. She attempted to continue but stammered about. "Uh... anyways... the uh, new section will... uh... be where... we take care... of uh... anybody found wandering in the, uh... desert.." I looked up at her... her lip trembled. "And we'll... uh... take care of... them... as long as..." I couldn't hold myself back... I leaned right in, and kissed Rikku. At first she was shocked... but she let her emotions take control, and she began to reciprocate. This one kiss felt like a lifetime... but it all happened in a matter of about five seconds. Our lips separated... and there was still a sense of awkwardness in the room... "Well uh... that was interesting..." said Rikku as looked to the floor, blushing.

"Y-yeah..." I said, embarrassed of my actions. The awkward silence that followed, was broken by a shout on deck.

"LAND HO!" shouted Brother. I guess that meant that we were at Luca. Rikku and I both exited the ship, and stood up on deck... neither of us talking about the moment we just had. I could see Luca in the distance. It was quite a big looking city. Smaller than Zanarkand, but still pretty big. I wondered if I'd meet anyone I knew there... and if I did... would I ever get to talk to Rikku about that moment?