Welcome to Gaia! ::

Rikku goes around the awkwardly parked hover-cycle instead of over it as she normally might. Her mind was set, but the female did not want to let go of her cousin's hand just yet. It was like a security blanket. Rikku did not recall ever having a need for such a thing before (except maybe when she was on the Thunder Plains & still afraid of lightning) but this was a special situation. She had never been in love before... & she was terrified that despite Yuna's encouraging words she might lose her best friend forever by telling him how she felt.

The Al Bhed opened the door to the shop, her cousin more beside her than behind her. Seeing Naruto happily eating his ramen & talking up a storm her heart fluttered wildly in her chest. She wanted to throw herself into his arms & Fayths damn getting covered in ramen! At the same time, she did not want him to be hungry. She nearly had to pinch herself as she forwarded time in her head and was cleaning the noodles off of Naruto's face.

Somehow, she kept all of this in check. She did smile with unabashed delight at the shinobi as the girls approached. "Hey guys! How was the ramen?"

Winking to Yuna to get her to sit in Tidus' lap, the Al Bhed wiggled onto Naruto's -being mindful of both Ramen cup & chopsticks. She would wait until he was finished, but just in case... she wanted to... well, just have something else to savor.

Of course sitting on Naruto's lap made her mind wander. Surprisingly to their talk about the metal knife the shinobi had in his shorts. Wondering if he had one there now, Rikku blushed.

To cover that, she put one hand on the ramen cup & one hand on the chopsticks. "You're making a mess again, Ruto." She grinned, hoping he did not notice how nervous she was. "Here. Let me."

The Al Bhed pouted cutely. She had wanted to feed him the rest so his arms would be free to hold her. Her tail swished nervously against his leg as she waits for Naruto to finish eating or put the cup aside. The action sent shivers through her & Rikku curls tightly against his chest, one hand tucked up on his chest beside her head, the other resting lightly on the shinobi's tummy with the thumb just barely over the symbol beneath his clothes.

She sighs, closing her eyes & just breathing in his scent as she snuggles in. So this was what love was like... but did he love her too? Her lithe body shuddered once with the tiniest internal chocked sob. He had promised never to leave her. She would hold on to that.

((If only because I want to record this... & Relm needs some attention too...))

The thundering sound of equine hooves could be heard outside the shop. On the back of the Ninau Timex the artist once again put a hand up to hold on her beret. Seeing a glint of metal through the trees Relm put a stilling hand on the ninau's neck. He started to slow, approaching the machina. Even as Timex tossed his mane to drink in the scents of those who had been here the artist took note of the haphazard way the cycle was parked. That together with the note she had found outside told her that those two oblivious blondes were together. "Blondie & her Romeo, Timex." She said aloud for no reason other than to say it.

The ninau nodded his great head. [And two others, dear one. Male & female of your kind. The Female One near kin to our sunny sister, from the scent.]

Relm sat stone still as she assimilated that. Only one could she think of that might fit that description. oooo! What was it Trel had been hinting at? That it might be very soon someone Blondie knew would be able to get her to see?

Her head jerked up from where it had been leaning thoughtfully to her hand & brush. Light green eyes danced with excitement. If it was that the artist was most fortunate to be around at this moment! Perhaps she was not to late to see some of the show!

Nudging Timex lightly with her knees the artist leaned across his neck to whisper in his long ear. "Drop me off at the shop for a bit, will you Timex? My sister sense is tingling. I've a feeling there's something I want to paint inside."

He nodded, turning around & trotting back to the shop. Coming out they saw a couple the artist only vaguely recognized by description only. She held the ninau back until they walked from view. "On the other hand... lets go around to that window."

Timex snorted. [Spying? Relm... don't interfere.]

Smiling coyly the artist patted the strong white neck. "Of course not... it would ruin the moment, and the moment must not be sullied or my art will suffer."

She kissed his ear & the ninau sighed, stepping around to the window.

Rikku had made a small squeak of protest that Yuna and Tidus were leaving and had pleaded with frightened eyes for her cousin not to leave her alone. She bit her tongue beyond the squeak, managing a weak wave at their retreating backs. It was selfish of her to want to keep them here. Rikku understood how much Yuna missed the Blitzer... she just really wanted the support right now. Gripping Naruto's jacket tightly in her hands she buried her face into his chest, wrapping her tail tightly around his leg.

Peeking inside & seeing Rikku so still the artist was momentarily stunned. Regaining her composure Relm pursed her lips as she worried about her sister. Without a word & with very little sound save the rustling of her clothes, Relm pulled out her art pad & began to paint.

Inside, the Al Bhed struggled to find her voice. "Naruto? I... I have something I need to tell you...

Rikku pulls back from the shinobi very slowly; only so much that she is able to better see Naruto & watch his face. Her bright green eyes swirl with emotions: fear, hope, uncertainty, love. There is an extra shine from the excess moisture forming but not falling. "Wrong? No. At least I hope not. But yes... a little scared."

For a moment she looked away from those piercing blue eyes. How should she tell him? Just blurt it out? Could she?

Opening her mouth she found she could not. "I... I.." She makes a face, frowning slightly. Maybe she should work up to it. "I was talking with Yunie and ... and ... oh, 'Ruto!"

She flung her arms around his neck, crying softly. She squeezed her eyes shut tightly but her tears still slid out onto Naruto's neck where she hid her face. "Yunie's RIGHT! I don't want to find someone for you! I want... I want to be the someone for y-you!"

Rikku shuddered, clinging to the ninja tightly. "Naruto... I... I love you..."

His silence & stillness was tearing her apart. If she was not so afraid that this might be the last time she would get to hold him Rikku might have run away in anguish. It seemed to last forever, though it was probably only moments. Then she felt his arms tighten familiarly & a shaky sob escaped her just before the ninja's lips found hers.

It was amazing. She felt as if her feelings were being reflected back at her, but in a good way. All the feelings she had just realized where her love for Naruto bubbled over. Rikku never wanted the kiss to end. It was perfect. Perfect.

Rikku was left breathless by the intensity. Her breathing came in raged little bursts, her heart pounded, her head swam, & her green eyes swirled with emotions. Seeing Naruto's smile, she smiled too. He was not upset. Closing her eyes, Rikku sighed.

"I love you too...Rikku..."

Rikku had to strain to hear the faint words, the barest whisper from the shinobi's mouth. Her heart fluttered happily in her chest before Rikku's head caught on to what had been said.

"Oh!" Her little exclamation fairly lit her face. Green eyes sparkled as she smiled & smiled & could not seem to stop smiling. She felt as if her heart was singing and over & over in her head resounded one thought: he loves me he loves me he loves me!

She could never remember when she started, but Rikku always would remember kissing Naruto all over his face as she repeated his name with a voice full of tenderness & love.

If there was any lingering fears they were banished at the sound of Naruto's laughter. Rikku giggled, then laughed with him. She relinquished dominance of kisses to the shinobi, throwing her head back in blissful, relieved laughter. "Ah! By the Fayths, Naruto! I love you!"

Her fingers slipped happily into Naruto's short blonde hair. Rikku had thought she was happy... now she was beginning to glimpse that she was ever so much more than happy.


Outside, the artist finished her latest work. She sealed it with magic before shutting the art pad & putting it away. "Let's go home, Timex."

The ninau tilted his great head, fixing her with a knowing bright eye. [You'll give Rikku her privacy at last?]

Relm smiled softly. "I peeped enough as a child before to know enough of what goes on behind closed doors. Whether or not the lovebirds do or don't is neither something I want to see nor something that concerns me." Laying across Timex's strong neck she stroked his mane gently. "I was here for the moment. That is all. But we should inform the others that no one will need to hunt her down tonight. Just in case." The artist snickered and Timex tossed his mane in quiet laughter.

They left soon after, but not before leaving a note pinned to the hovercycle. It bore two words: Curfew Lifted.

She melts into the kiss, shivering against Naruto on his lap. Rikku strokes his hair, his ear his cheek, his neck... just wanting to touch him. She moans softly, her lips parting slightly. She feels like an open book -knowing her feelings & offering them all to Naruto with every touch, every caress every fibre of her being.