A/N: Hello people! I hope you enjoy reading this one! And by the way, if you want to know what will be the pairings of this fic, I suggest you better read on since I'm not sure yet! XD

DISCLAIMER: FFX2 belongs to its respective owners.

SUMMARY: Just what happens when Rikku and Gippal, who've been neither enemies nor friends since forever, are bound to be tied by marriage? Will they do everything to untie the knot or will they stop their hearts from falling for each other?

CHAPTER ONE- NO WAY!

"You're just joking, right?" asked Rikku

Cid held his daughter's shoulders "Do we look like a bunch of jokers, Rikku? We're serious. We do not plan to say such jokes to both of you."

Gippal sighed "Marriage is no joke, Cid."

"I know."

"If you know that getting married is not a joke, how come you're telling us a stupid joke that we should get married?" asked Rikku angrily

Gippal's mother stood up and faced Rikku "Rikku, we're not joking. We're serious. We want you two to get married."

Gippal raised his eyebrow "But why?"

"And of all people I should marry!" Rikku said sarcastically "Pops! I must admit that I wanna settle down but if I will marry this guy, no way! I don't want to marry him!"

"And who told you that I want to marry you? I don't want to live forever with an annoying brat who still thinks that she's a kid!" asked Gippal

"Who do you call a brat?"

"STOP IT YOU TWO!" Cid yelled

The two stopped arguing. Gippal turned his back to avoid further argumentation with Rikku. Rikku, on the other hand, sat down beside her father.

"Tell us…" Rikku asked calmly

"What is it?" Cid asked back

"Why should I marry Gippal? And why are you forcing us to settle down? I haven't even fulfilled half of my dreams!"

"Rikku…sorry to tell you this but…we've arranged this eight years ago…"

The girl was shocked "Eight years ago? You mean…"

"…yes. We arranged this while you're away."

"Damn!" Rikku muttered "I appreciate the fact that you're helping me prepare my future. However, the one thing I don't appreciate is your choice of my future husband. Marriage is not just a game and we should think a hundred times before considering your decision that you should indeed want to get married. You should also be sure if the one you'll marry is really him or her. In my case, I haven't found the guy I will be with for the rest of my life. And of all people, why did you choose that cocky, arrogant freak? You should have consulted me first about this!" Rikku replied

"Rikku, I understand how you feel but this is what the law of the Al Bhed states. The daughter of the leader can't take her place as a leader just yet unless she gets married. Gippal is a very fine man and he can handle such task very well that's why I chose him to be your husband."

"I have a brother remember? How about him? You can always entrust the responsibility to him!"

Cid laughed "What? You want me to choose Aniki as our next leader? It's like you're asking me to have a monkey as our next leader!"

Rikku sighed "Well. If you want me to be the leader, that's fine by me. However, marriage is not fine by me. I will choose the man I will marry myself."

"I agree with her. Being entrusted with such responsibility is fine except for marrying a brat. I don't want to be her babysitter!" Gippal replied

Rikku glared at Gippal "Excuse me?"

"Unfortunately that is the truth…"

"And who would want to marry a cocky, arrogant guy? Come on, tell me! The prostitute?"

"Who do you call a prostitute?" Gippal asked angrily

"Uhm…what was her name again?"

Gippal glared at her "Don't you dare call her a prostitute! Chloe is not a prostitute! She is a very decent woman unlike you."

"It's not my fault that I call her like that. Just look at the way she dresses! And don't you dare compare me to that bitch!"

Rayjah, Gippal's mother, stopped the heated argumentation between the two people "Stop this, once and for all you two! Unfortunately, whether you like it or not, you two will get married!"

"Mom!"

"Rayjah sighed "I'm sorry."

"Sorry? Is that all you could say?" and Gippal walked away

"Forgive me, Lady Rayjah, Pops, but I think…I kind of agree with him…" Rikku walked out of room as well, leaving the two parents behind.

"Well, Cid?"

"You give up already?"

"That's not it. What should we do then?"

---

They knew each other since they were very young. They were not exactly enemies but they're not exactly friends either. Confusing, isn't it? This kind of relationship was the primary reason why the parents of the unlikely couple arranged their future wedding rites. They both send their kids to Bevelle University after they graduated in high school in hopes that their relationship will grow. But what happened is far from what they've expected. Gippal met and fell in love with a certain woman named Chloe, who happens to be the daughter of the owner of one of the popular TV stations in Spira. Rikku turned down all her suitors during the time she's busy studying. And what's worst, there was no development in their "neither friend nor enemy" relationship.

---

"Hey cousin! I'm so glad to see you! It's been five years!" said Yuna as she hugs her cousin who visited her in her home in Besaid.

"Yunie! I missed you so much!"

Yuna lets Rikku in and lets her sit down in the couch in front of the 24 in. TV set. Rikku watched TV as her cousin prepares their drinks.

"So, what's up? I heard from Uncle Cid that you graduated summa cum laude. Congratulations. Too bad, Dad's not here. He went out together with his friends on a vacation. You should have told us that you're coming."

"No, it's okay. It's just that I only came here because I'm very angry."

Yuna puts down the tray on the table and sits down beside Rikku "Angry? Is there anything wrong?"

"Pops puts me in an arrangement." said Rikku as she takes a sip of espresso.

"What arrangement?"

"Wedding arrangement, Yunie. And of all people he chose to be my stupid betrothed is none other than that jerk who goes by the name Gippal!"

"Gippal? You mean the son of Rayjah, one of the stockholders in the Luca Stock Exchange? And the one who always annoys you ever since you're kids?"

"Yes. That was him. They did it because they believe that we can handle our responsibilities as the next leaders. And because, I can't take my place as the next leader unless I marry."

"How about Brother? He has also the right to be the leader, right?"

"Yeah but Cid won't allow him to be the leader after him because of his stupidity."

Yuna turns off the TV set "Did you tell Uncle that you don't want to marry him?"

"I told him but Pops and Lady Rayjah said that whether we like it or not, we'll get married. Yunie! Help me! I don't want to settle down with that guy!"

"Rikku…you know that I can't meddle with your Pops' decision just like that. But don't lose hope just yet. I'll talk to Dad when he comes back and I'll tell him about this. We'll try to ask Cid to cancel the wedding."

Rikku hugged her cousin "Thanks, Yunie! You really are the best cousin and friend I ever had! Thanks a lot!"

Yuna chuckled "You're welcome, Rikku. Oh wait, let's change subject. Can you bother telling me what has happened during your busy years in Bevelle University?"

---

"Chloe, you don't have to be mad at me. How many times do I have to tell you that we don't have any relationship?"

Chloe took a deep breath and faced Gippal "If you really don't have any relationship with that bitch, how come your parents, including her parents, arranged for your marriage?"

"I…I don't know! Why don't you ask them?"

"I don't have time for jokes right now, Gippal. All I need from you is explanation."

Gippal puts his arms around her waist is kissed her on the neck "I told you, Chloe, I don't know. And besides, I don't have plans of marrying that brat."

Chloe looks at Gippal "Really? I thought you were warned that you will marry her whether you like it or not."

"There's no problem with that, honey. After all, I will tell them that I don't want to marry her. And I will tell them that you're the one I want to marry."

Chloe chuckled "Wow. How sweet of you."

"Of course. You're my sweetie after all."

"Indeed. You're mine and I'm yours."

After their sweet moments, Gippal and Chloe kissed each other on the lips.

---

That night, Rikku was busy reading a book when someone knocked at the door of her room. Annoyed, she placed the bookmark on the current page of what she's reading and closed the book.

"Cut the crap! I'm busy reading! Who the hell are you?" yelled Rikku

"It's me."

"What's your problem, Gippal?" asked Rikku

"We need to talk!"

"Look, if you'll say something, say it now!"

"It's too privy I can't risk anyone listening to our yells."

Rikku rolled her eyes and stood up to open the door. Her face was only a few centimeters away from his. Feeling that her cheeks have warmed up, she immediately turned away from him and told him to go inside.

"Now what? You're inside my room and we can now talk to each other without taking the risk of being heard by other people. Tell it to me now before I lose my patience on you!"

"It's about the wedding, Rikku…"

TBC…see you next chapter!

Master Thief/Shizuku06/heavenlystrike