Hand In Hand

Chapter One: Visit to Bevelle

A/N: This is another Baralai/Paine fanfic. I dont own any of these characters. Reps to Square Enix and Squaresoft!

Paine was on board the airship. She stood on the deck and looked out into the open sky. Paine sighed. Yuna entered the deck, stepping closer to Paine.

"Hey Paine, something wrong?" Yuna asked.

"Huh?" she asked. "Oh, Yuna. Whats up?"

"Nothing, Im just seeing if somethings up. You seem like you had something on your mind." she said with the sound of concern in her voice.

"I dont have a problem really." Paine said.

"Are you sure?" Yuna asked.

"Of course I am." she replied. "Just go back to the bridge. Ill be there."

"Okay, sure." Yuna said as she turned around and headed back to the bridge.

'Though I know not much about Paine, I know that theres something on her mind. Its pretty obvious anyway.' Yuna thought.

"Phew." Paine said after she left. "I thought shed never leave. Ugh, I need to be alone. By myself. Where no one can bother me."

"Gullwings! Nabund du dra pnetka!" Brothers voice over the intercom called as Paine headed to the bridge.

"Whats going on?" Paine asked.

"We got a message from Baralai to come visit him in Bevelle, tee hee!" Rikku giggled.

"Great, just great. When can we go somewhere important?" Paine scowled.

"This is something important, Paine. Besides, Tidus has never met him before and were just gonna be there for 1 night. Itll be great." Yuna said.

"Yeah, Yunies right! Hes never met him, and hes from your old team anyway right?" Rikku asked.

"Yeah, but why?" Paine asked.

"We already told you why, stop hating." Brother said. "Now lets go already!"

"Ugh, fine. Whatever." Paine said as she left the bridge and went to the cabin.

Tidus entered in. "Hey, whats up with Paine?" he asked.

"I dont know really. Come on, were gonna visit a friend." Yuna said as Tidus swung an arm around her and walked closer to Buddy.

"Haqd cdub, Bevelle!" Brother exclaimed.

'Oh great. Why do we have to visit him.' Paine thought as she lay on her bed. 'Why cant we go somewhere else?' She sighed angrily as she fell asleep.

A little later on, someone woke her up. "Wake up, sleepyhead!" Rikkus voiced cheered. "Were here!"

"Ugh…" Paine groaned as she groggily got up. They reached ground as Baralai and other people trailed behind him with a warm welcome.

"Welcome, my friends. Please follow me as I take you to your quarters." Baralai said. Paine followed the others as she rolled her eyes.

They reached their rooms as Baralai had another announcement. "Well, I hope you rest up well or take a stroll around, whichever you please. We will be having dinner in 3 hours so be ready then." he said as he closed the door and left.

Paine, Yuna and Rikku shared one room. Shinra, Buddy, Brother and Tidus shared another room. As they unpacked, the girls had a little conversation.

"Why do you think he invited us anyway?" Paine asked.

"I dunno, dont ask me." Rikku said as she put her clothes in the closet.

"Yuna? Your opinion?" Paine asked.

"I dont know, maybe he just wants to see you?" she replied.

"Why would he?" Paine replied.

"Why are you asking us? Talk to him. Hell give you answers." Yuna said as she put her clothes away and left the room.

"Wait for me, Yunie!" Rikku said as she chased after her.

Paine rolled her eyes. 'Thats not a bad idea.' she thought.

Yuna walked down the hall as Rikku finally got to her. "Yunie! I told you to wait up!" she said.

"Oh, sorry." Yuna replied.

"Is something wrong? Is there anything I should know? I can keep secrets ya know." Rikku pried.

"Its not me. Its Paine. Somethings wrong. Everytime I mention Baralai, she flips. And she keeps on asking about him, like theres some sort of problem. She wont tell me anything." Yuna said.

"If I ask, do you think shell tell me?" Rikku wondered.

"I dont think so. Youd probably be the last person on her list to tell. No offence." Yuna said.

"None taken." Rikku said. "Do you think well ever know whats really on her mind?"

"I hope so." Yuna said as they continued walking down the hall, wondering what about Paine, and this continuing problem.