Disclaimer: I own neither Final Fantasy XII nor its characters.

A/N: A heartfelt thanks to the readers and reviewers, and I hope you enjoy.


Chapter Two: Who Are You and Why Are You Here?

Penelo sighed and shook her head once she was outside of the hut. Boy did he ever have a big attitude. Not that she could blame him; he had almost died after all. Penelo frowned as she remembered the first question he asked her. He had wanted to die. Penelo just couldn't fathom a feeling like that, even after losing her entire family, she still couldn't just give up. Well she would just have to find him a new reason to live, after all she promised she'd take care of him and Penelo could proudly say she had never broken a promise.

She skipped merrily down to the bank of the Sogoht with a basin made of nanna bone. Her feather trimmed braids bounced in time with her movements and she smiled once again. She had stored away her old traveling outfit and had garbed herself in a turquoise and gold halter-vested top that was cut just below her chest and matching bottoms that tied just above her knees. Her arms were now adorned with bangles as were her ankles. Her outfit was certainly more freeing and Penelo reveled in the feeling as she inhaled deeply. She really liked it here. Jahara made her feel at peace with herself and it truly made her happy.

At the water's edge, Penelo knelt down and dipped the white basin into the cool water. She filled it then drew it back out. Slowly she rose and walked back up the knoll carefully, humming all the while. She had almost made it up half way when a towering form loomed over her. The form sighed and she giggled. She turned her head and looked up at Hsemu, one of the Garif warriors.

"Oft have you been told to have the youth assist you." He said from under his enormous mask, but Penelo could hear the amusement in his tone.

"I'm sure they would rather be playing that game that everyone plays instead of helping me carry water." Penelo grinned at him and started her trek again.

"Then once again I must insist." Hsemu said mirthfully as he stopped her and took the bone basin from her hands.

"I'm going to end up weak with you doing everything for me all the time Hsemu." Penelo chided with a smile and began walking once again this time followed by the Garif Warrior.

"The War Chief says you will need your strength for the Hume that cheated death." He said sagely with a nod of his head.

"Yeah," she sighed and then frowned.

"He is difficult already?" Hsemu asked concerned.

"He finally woke up today and I don't think he wanted to live." Penelo said sadly as they came to a stop a few feet from her hut's entrance.

"Humes are strange indeed." Hsemu nodded and carefully handed the basin back to Penelo. "I wish you luck."

"Thanks," she replied with a small smile and watched him walk away.

Penelo turned back to the hut and readied herself. She knew that Noah was in no condition to jump out of bed and come after her, but she couldn't help but be slightly afraid of him. This was the man that had killed Reks, had almost killed Vaan, and had wanted to kill them all. He didn't come to his senses until the very end and Penelo wondered if perhaps Vaan wasn't right. Did he even care enough to regret what he did and should she just forgive so easily? With a deep breath to strengthen her resolve, Penelo made her way into the hut carrying the basin of water.

She watched him turn his head and his eyes met hers the moment she stepped through the threshold. He did look a great deal like his twin, except he was missing the one thing Penelo actually found rather distinguishing on the older man, the scar. Penelo briefly wondered if Noah had been the one to mark Basch, but shook her head. Nothing good would come if she kept dwelling on the bad. She smiled at him and rolled her eyes as he immediately turned his gaze to the hole in the ceiling. She swore he was worse than Vaan and she giggled.

"I fail to find humor in my situation so I am certainly glad that you are able." Noah said icily as he closed his eyes.

"I wasn't laughing at you Noah, just at the way you're behaving." Penelo grinned as she set the basin down by the fireside.

"And am I to apologize for my offense?" he questioned sarcastically.

"You were doing so well earlier," Penelo sighed in exasperation as she went about heating the water in the basin.

"Why did you leave?" Noah grumbled feeling like an ass.

"I had to get water." She explained and then added softly, "don't worry I'm not leaving you."

Noah simply harrumphed but opened his eyes and turned his head so he could watch her. In truth he had been frightened. He was afraid that his only link to his Lord would leave without him, abandoning him to his condition and leaving him alone once again in a place full of strangers. If he was to be robbed of a death he felt he deserved, he certainly didn't want that.

He spent the last four years alone, after his mother's death. Being the head of the 9th afforded him no friends and even fewer allies. He had been forced to rely on bounty hunters and informants that would be just as willing to work for the opposite side if the price was right as for his own. It had been tiring and demeaning.

When he had demanded Basch tell him how he clung to his honor it wasn't because Noah thought he had none, he truly wanted to know how he did it. Noah had forsaken his years ago when he failed to protect his homeland and then tucked his tail between his legs and served the Empire willingly. For what honor is there for a man who had nothing to live for but revenge for a brother who had never garnered his hatred until after their mother's death.

Noah gave a hollow sounding laugh and Penelo looked at him curiously trying to gage his thoughts. She gave him a friendly smile and grabbed a cloth on the nearby crate. His eyes widened as he realized he had been staring at her for the past few minutes.

"My apologies," he said flustered and turned his gaze upwards.

"I don't mind. Besides I hope I'm at least a bit more interesting than the walls." Penelo teased and felt pleased with herself as she watched the corner of his mouth twitch slightly.

"You seem familiar, what is your name?" Noah asked and Penelo grinned, it was certainly about time.

"Well we haven't really had time for a proper introduction, but my name is Penelo." She offered with a smile.

"So we have met before then?" he questioned as he turned his head back to her.

"Well sort of," she said hesitantly and Noah looked at her with confusion.

"The first time we met was at the Riddorana Cataract." She offered in an unsure voice.

"The lighthouse?" he asked as his eyes widened.

"Yeah and then again on the Bahamut, but you sort of had other things on your mind both times so it's okay if you don't remember me." Penelo said hurriedly.

"Why are you here?" he demanded softly feeling guiltier now than ever.

"To take care of you," she replied gently.

"But why?" he demanded again not understanding why he needed the answer.

"Because you need someone to take care of you, someone who won't leave and I don't really have any pressing plans at the moment." She teased him lightly and then decided to add the truth as well in a more subdued manner. "I made a promise to a friend and I never break a promise."

Noah simply groaned softly in acceptance. He found his vision was getting fuzzy and it felt as though his tongue was growing thicker in his mouth. His eyelids drooped as Penelo's form moved closer to him but wavered in and out of his sight.

"The soup had more herbs in it so you're probably feeling woozy. Just go to sleep Noah, I'll be here when you wake up. I promise." Penelo said gently and he felt a warm damp cloth press to his forehead.

Noah stopped fighting and closed his eyes and let sleep take him. Penelo gave a sigh of relief as his breathing evened. He probably would have pitched another fit if he had realized he wasn't wearing anything under that blanket. Not to mention the fact that the only reason Penelo went to get the water was because it was time to bathe him. She smirked to herself. She could just imagine the tantrum he would throw over that.