Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, or any of the Final Fantasy games.

I realize that some people have noticed the OOCness in Naruto. Especially with the whole torture thing last chapter. That is because in my story Naruto isn't an annoying blonde urchin with a below 0 I.Q. (Well, I suppose he is still sort of annoying.) While Naruto is still optimistic and happy most of the time, he is capable of getting angry. I guess he is also going to go to greater lengths to protect his precious people. Remember, it was partly the two brother's fault Rikku was eaten by the sand worm. Besides, where Naruto came from being stabbed was a normal everyday occurrence. He didn't even kill the two, only hurt them a LOT.

Rikku awoke from her sleep about an hour later, and was a bit disappointed that Naruto had already taken care of the two brothers. She wasn't put down by this very much though. She was simply content to be back in her own bed and home.

Gippal also ended up coming by, but Rikku felt weird with him around. She no longer got that warm, fuzzy feeling whenever he hugged or kissed her. She began to feel slightly disgusted by it actually. She didn't hate him or anything, and he was still her friend, but she didn't think she liked him in 'that way' anymore. And the poor girl had no idea why. (So naive) The Al Bhed knew that she would have to break up with him but she didn't want to hurt his feelings. Gippal still seemed to like her. If she could just figure out a way to break it off without destroying the small friendship they had, that would be perfect. However the poor girl couldn't think of a way. She just had to lay it all out for him, and hope that there were no hard feelings.

Rikku found Gippal later that day with some of his friends, including a raven-haired Al Bhed girl who was practically clinging to him. The blonde girl didn't particularly care about this though. She didn't like him anymore, so he could be with who he wanted. She went over and asked him could she talk in private. He talked with the guys for a few more seconds, and then followed her out the door. They ended up stopping in a hallway to the pantry. The people usually only go there first thing in the morning to get food for the only restaurant in Home. The Al Bhed go there, get the food, take it to the restaurant, people buy it. Simple. Although some people try to take food straight from the pantry to avoid paying.

The two Al Bhed stopped halfway down the hallway with Gippal looking even more smug than usual. He looked very handsome standing tall like he was, with his gun strapped tightly to his back. Although she didn't find him really attractive anymore either. Rikku really had no idea what was wrong with her. She even found herself mentally comparing him to Naruto. The Al Bhed girl shook it off in order to prepare for what was going to transpire.

"So Rikku, why did you call me back here?" Gippal asked, although he sounded as if he already knew what she wanted.

"Well, you see Gippal..." She said starting to slow down. No don't stop, remember just say it quickly and get it over with. "I don't think that we can be... together, anymore. I don't really think I like you in that way. No hard feelings?" She asked hopefully.

Gippal was silent for some time. This was obviously not what he was expecting. After a short time of silence, you could tell he was angry. In that moment she knew that whatever remained of their friendship was gone.

"You're... breaking up with me?" He said, sounding much more angry than heartbroken.

"Yes, I am. I'm sorry Gippal." She said, now a little more scared.

"There's another man isn't there!" He said, now starting to raise his voice and sounding furious.

"Wha-" She started before being cut off.

"I said that there's another man isn't there? Who is it! Wait... its that Naruto kid isn't it!"

"What are you talking abou-"

"I knew that you two were spending to much time with each other! You two have probably already shared a bed!"

Rikku was now starting to turn several shades of red, but not all of them were from embarrassment. Many were from anger. How dare he accuse her of cheating on him when he was with that floozy girl! She was practically seething. She may not have cared about the two being together now, but she bet that they were acting like that when she and Gippal were together as well.

"I never want to see your face again! Get out of my sight Rikku! You will be sure that your father will hear about you having a relationship with an outsider!" Gippal yelled at her.

"Fine then! I never wanted to see you again anyway! Why else would I break up with you!"She yelled as she pulled back her fist and decked him right in the face, sending him to the floor.

"Yo-you...you... hit me..." He started surprised, but that too soon turned to anger. "You'll regret doing that." The man said as he stood up once again, and slapped her. Rikku fell to the ground just as he did, with tears brewing in her eyes.

"I'll make sure you regret hitting me." Gippal said again, raising his hand back to strike her again. When his hand was grabbed from behind and pushed further on his back causing pain. His arm was bent further back than it was supposed to.

"Hey now, there's no need for that. Are you alright, Rikku?" Naruto said, as he kept Gippal still. He had obviously been in the pantry the whole time, listening to their conversation if the apple in his hand was any indication. Rikku was starting to get slightly annoyed with constantly being 'saved', but she supposed that it wasn't unwelcome. He was very nice, and he cared for her. Unlike Gippal. At the moment she wished she were strong enough to kick his ass on her own. However she knew that it wasn't going to happen. Not yet at least. Maybe she should take the training a bit more seriously?

"Yes Naruto, I think I'm alright." Rikku told him while absently rubbing her red cheek and trying to dry the few tears that were left. When Naruto saw this he tightened his hold on Gippal making him scream for a second, before pushing him towards the exit to the corridor.

"Leave now Gippal. You won't like me when I'm angry." Naruto said seriously. The foolish Al Bhed was about to attack the blonde boy. However he quickly changed his mind when he saw Naruto's eyes flash blood red. Gippal left slowly and throwing a backwards glance at the two that seemed to promise pain. When the ninja was sure the man was gone, he turned back to Rikku.

"Are you sure you're alright?" He asked, worried.

"I'll be alright soon, Naruto. I just need a bit of rest. Can we leave now?" The shinobi nodded, and Rikku dried her last few tears before she smiled and went back to the room with Naruto.