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

A/N: My thanks to those who have reviewed and those who are reading this. Enjoy!


Chapter Three: Soothing His Pride

Four days later and Noah was no more enlightened as to why he was being sheltered in Jahara. Penelo would evade his question every time he asked and he was getting irritated. It seemed many things she did irritated him. The way she moved about the hut with ease as he lay still on the cot, the way she would smile every time he would frown, the way she would just laugh and poke fun whenever she felt, it was all irritating.

Noah wanted to move again. His herb dosage had been gradually reduced but the only thing he had been able to accomplish was yesterday he raised an arm for a few seconds before exhaustion took him and his arm fell back to the cot.

Penelo told him he should be happy because he was awake more often than he was before and the hard stuff will come later. Noah scoffed at this. What good was being awake if he couldn't move? But he could see her point, begrudgingly, and somewhere inside him he could feel a slight glimmer of hope that one day everything would be okay.

That one day seemed far off at the moment though. This morning, Noah was able to sit up and had suffered through the indignation of finally noticing he had been wearing nothing under his blanket and then learned that Penelo had been the only one to care for him, which included bathing. His face had turned about every shade of red under the sun and the fuss he made actually drew a small amused crowd outside their shared hut. Penelo stormed out after being called one too many insults and ran smack into the chest of War-Chief Supinelu as the small crowd of Garif watched on in amusement.

"It appears the Hume who cheated death is growing well." The tall imposing War-Chief offered as he placed his hands on Penelo's shoulders to steady her.

"More like throwing a tantrum." Penelo huffed and rolled her eyes as a few of the Garif chuckled.

"Perhaps we can come to an agreement then," Supinelu said as he waved a hand to dismiss the onlookers.

"I take it you won't let me drug him to get him to sleep for his baths?" Penelo looked up at him hopefully making him laugh.

"Though it would seem easiest it is not the wisest course to take." Supinelu replied in amusement.

"I was afraid you were going to say that." Penelo sighed. "So what do I do then?"

"The youths of the village grow curious and to stem their curiosity, I shall have them assist you." Supinelu offered with a nod of his head.

"How? I don't think he's going to let them bathe him either." Penelo grumbled and crossed her arms.

War-Chief Supinelu scratched his finger against the front of his mask in contemplation while Penelo looked on. She knew she was right. Noah was always difficult when it came to things that he should be able to do himself. He was unbearable at mealtimes, refused to let her comb his hair (so she waited until he slept), and he even grumbled at the way Penelo made her own bed.

"They can carry him into the Sogoht and the river shall do the rest." Supinelu finally stated crossing his arms.

Penelo nodded her head, "Yeah, maybe he won't be so grumpy if he thinks he's doing it himself."

"All men are prideful creatures Hume child, but do not doubt that he is grateful. Even if he does not show it now, one day he shall." Supinelu offered kindly with a pat on her head.

Penelo just looked up at him with a smirk. She tolerated the Garif's paternal instinct because she knew they aged differently than Humes and to them she really was a child. She wondered if Noah was viewed the same.

"It had been another matter I had thus come." Supinelu interrupted her thoughts.

"Is everything alright?" Penelo asked concerned.

"All is well Hume child. Your companions have sent word ahead that they shall arrive today." He replied in a tone that suggested he was smiling.

"I guess I better tell him," she glowered in return.

"I would talk with you more first. We should instead let him have his bath." Supinelu offered and though she couldn't see it, Penelo swore the man had a cheshire grin.

The two walked down the knoll and came to a few of the Garif youth. Supinelu instructed them on their new duties and the three jumped up eagerly. Penelo giggled, she hadn't realized that they really were a curiosity. She had thought Supinelu said that simply to put her at ease.

Penelo followed the War-Chief across the bridge that lead to the chocobo stalls. She watched him with interest as he approached the penned gate. She doubted he had wanted to take a ride across the plains. Most Garif used their own two feet and not the birds.

She watched as the elder Garif pulled a long spear that leaned against the stall and Penelo grinned. He hefted the spear into the air in Penelo's direction and she caught it deftly, spinning it above her head for good measure. For as much as he called her a child, he didn't treat her like one all the time. Penelo followed the War-Chief out onto the plains with a big grin on her face. She needed this, if only to vent her frustrations that Noah had caused.


Meanwhile, Noah was trying to deal with his own frustrations. He hated not being able to move and the thought that the child had been bathing him brought the flush back to his face. He hadn't been angry, just horrifically embarrassed. He was certain she couldn't have been older than fifteen though he realized he didn't truly know her age. And he hadn't meant to insult her so harshly, but he just couldn't think straight.

Noah startled when three very imposing Garif's entered the hut. His eyes grew wide as they drew nearer and Noah was actually afraid.

"We come to assist you to the Sogoht." One of the masked men voiced down at him.

"The Sogoht?" Noah questioned, not familiar with the name.

"The river that runs through Jahara," the same man voiced in explanation.

Noah was confused. He no longer felt afraid of these Garif, but why was he being taken to a river?

"For your bath," another Garif spoke, noticing Noah's confusion.

"But the girl, Penelo," Noah started feeling flushed again.

"She has gone with the War-Chief out on the plains to hunt." The Garif standing nearest his feet explained. "We three shall be the only witnesses."

"You have my thanks," Noah stated in obvious relief.

Two of the Garif youths went about gathering Noah in his blanket and hefted him up. The third made short work of changing the linens on the cot and then grabbed a towel. The four made their way down to the river banks and true to their word, they hovered around Noah as they held him in the river so that no one else could see what they were doing. Noah was more grateful than words could express.

The water was freezing, but Noah's pride had been soothed and he felt more like a living being than he had in a long while. His bath complete, the three Garif carried him to the hut and settled him back on the cot. After placing a new blanket about him, the three left him in solitude once more.


Penelo was enjoying the feel of her muscles hard at work once again. She had helped Supinelu take down a couple vipers and a black chocobo. They would talk as they searched for more game and though it was nothing more than views on the weather, it helped Penelo relax. After an hour, Hsemu came out to greet them. He exchanged a few quiet words with the War-Chief who then excused himself and went back to the village.

"Your friends have come," Hsemu informed her.

"Well it's about time," she grinned at him.

She began heading in the direction of the village when another viper sprung up and surprised her. Hsemu was there in an instant to fend it off with his great clawed hands and Penelo managed to suffer only a small scratch on her arm from the snake's sharp tail. Between the two, they made quick work of the beast and both shared a good laugh when Penelo made a quip about always being the damsel in distress.