Disclaimer: I own neither Final Fantasy XII nor its characters.
A/N: Again, you have Lady PenThier to thank for the double-chapter posting, as well as the inspiration for the direction of this story. My thanks to all those who read and review! And it's awful to think that this story is now nearing completion. Only two more chapters left, possibly three...Enjoy!
Chapter Ten: Don't Tempt Me!
Penelo had spent the last two days trying to figure out what it was she had done this time to make Noah upset. He had hardly said two words to her since the morning he had opened up to her. He had seemed fine that afternoon when he went off with Supinelu, but the next time she saw him was early in the evening and he wouldn't say a word.
He had already left the confines of the hut two hours ago to go with Supinelu once again. Noah seemed almost eager to leave her on her own. Penelo frowned and stared at his empty cot. Perhaps he was tired of her mothering. Noah had almost snapped her head off when she asked to examine his foot the previous night. Whatever his problem was, if he didn't get it straightened out in his head soon, she was going to give him a swift kick in the butt.
Penelo grabbed the black pot intent on going down to the river for water, but once she crossed the threshold she stopped dead in her tracks. The pot was quickly put down as she ran down the knoll as fast as her legs could carry her.
Noah limped alongside Supinelu in silence. His trademark scowl set on his face. There was nothing in need of mending today, but Noah couldn't bear being in Penelo's presence for too long. He had tried to be cruel, but found that every time she looked at him he was no longer able carry out his intent. Instead he spent the last two days in a forlorn silence.
"Why is it you talk less and less with each growing day?" Supinelu said in a subdued tone, finally breaking the silence.
"I have nothing to say." Noah replied tersely.
"That I do not believe. Mayhap the right words elude you?"
Noah sighed and shook his head.
"Perhaps you have the words, but are reluctant to use them?" The War-Chief questioned curiously and turned his masked head towards Noah.
Steel blue eyes narrowed as Noah turned his head to face Supinelu. The two had stopped walking.
"I have nothing to say," Noah stated again forcefully.
"And yet you come with me to avoid her?" Supinelu questioned harshly and placed a hand up to stop Noah from interrupting before continuing angrily. "I know not what it is that troubles you, but I do know you will gain nothing from behaving as a child. Though she is a strong willed Hume, even she can be broken and I would rather not see it done by one I call friend."
Noah bowed his head and exhaled slowly as he ran a hand through his hair in agitation.
"I do not mean to be harsh, but this cannot continue Noah." Supinelu stated, swaying his masked head.
"I am aware," Noah replied quietly.
The War-Chief placed his clawed hand on Noah's shoulder. "What is it that troubles you so?"
"She deserves a life far better than being my caretaker." Noah replied reluctantly as he shrugged the hand from his shoulder and began walking again.
"She does not seem to mind," Supinelu stated walking beside him.
"That is not true." Noah growled and stopped once again.
Supinelu cocked his head to the side waiting for the man to continue.
"Two days ago, after we had repaired that hut, I found her asleep. She had been crying because of something I had destroyed in my fit the night previous." Noah explained as his eyes scanned the horizon.
"Surely this she forgave?"
"That is just the problem, she always forgives!" Noah exclaimed now visibly upset.
Supinelu tsked and shook his head. "You have not even spoken to her to discern the situation."
"Nay," Noah sighed and shook his head.
"Too often do you dwell on matters she has already moved past. It would surprise me not to find her source of discontent lies elsewhere and not with yourself." Supinelu lectured sternly.
Noah had looked up into the man's mask and was about to reply when a shrill scream disturbed the stillness. Both men turned their heads sharply in the direction the sound had come from. Supinelu took off in a run towards the sound and Noah followed as quickly as he was capable. His stomach began to knot with dread and he silently prayed that Penelo was safe.
Penelo couldn't help it anymore. She threw her arms out in front of her and let out a high pitched squeal as she tackled the young blonde who stood before her with a smirk on his face.
Vaan's arms wrapped tightly about her as he picked her up and swung her around, making her giggle with delight. She kissed both his cheeks twice for good measure and hugged him again before drawing back and placing her hands on her hips. Her features settled into an all too familiar scowl and Vaan knew he was in trouble now.
"A month!" Penelo growled at him and Vaan took a step backwards. "How could you not visit for a whole month Vaan? Did you forget about me?"
Vaan rolled his eyes and smirked at her. "Like you'd ever let anyone forget about you? Besides you could come visit too you know."
"How Vaan? You expect me to cross the Ozmone and all of Giza by myself?" Penelo glared at him and began tapping her foot on the ground in agitation.
The blue eyed young man placed a hand behind his head and rubbed the back of his neck in contemplation then answered sheepishly. "I guess I did forget about that part."
Penelo just grinned at him and wrapped her arms around him once again. Vaan returned her embrace and knew all was forgiven. He had missed her too.
"We've been apart before ya know Penelo." The bright blue eyed man said gently.
Penelo sighed as she rested her head on his shoulder. "I know. It just seems so long."
"Hey, I'm here now." Vaan said softly and then grinned. "Besides, I brought some visitors for you."
"Visitors?" she asked as she looked up at him curiously, slowly pulling away from him.
Vaan nodded his head in the direction of the bridge that crossed the Sogoht. His grin widened as Penelo's eyes sparkled when she saw two chestnut haired Humes start running across the wooden planks.
"Penelo!" the two cried in unison as they ran towards her.
"Filo! Kytes!" Penelo exclaimed happily as she held her arms open.
Filo tackled Penelo enthusiastically while Kytes had stopped just short of running into her and waited patiently. The eleven year old girl wrapped her arms tightly about Penelo and squeezed. Penelo returned the embrace whole-heartedly and the two began to giggle.
"You've grown!" Penelo exclaimed as she released the girl and looked her up and down.
Filo beamed proudly. "I know! I'm taller than Kytes now!"
"Hey!" the ten year old boy exclaimed indignantly.
"Well I am." The brunette grinned and crossed her arms.
Kytes gave a scowl which was immediately replaced with a look of terror as he spotted something running towards them. He squeaked and quickly took cover in Penelo's arms as Filo, now seeing what Kytes saw, ran to hide behind Vaan.
"Ah, I see your companions have come." The booming voice of Supinelu said as he joined them.
"Oh I'm so sorry," Penelo apologized. "I didn't even think. I hope I didn't cause too much trouble."
"Only for myself and Noah," the War-Chief stated and then added with a chuckle, "but the exercise is good for us both."
Penelo looked behind her worriedly and watched as the hobbling figure of Noah came into sight. She turned around to face him, Kytes still ensconced in her arms. Noah stopped cold. He was too far away to gage his expression, but Penelo could tell just by the way he held himself that something was wrong. She frowned as she watched him turn and slowly make his way to their hut.
"He's upset again." Penelo stated with sigh.
Supinelu's masked head nodded in agreement. "Aye."
"Who is he?" Kytes asked curiously.
"His name is Noah." Penelo replied gently.
Penelo turned her head to look at Supinelu. The towering Garif shrugged his shoulders as he shook his masked head. She then turned her gaze back to Noah and watched him disappear into their hut.
She sighed, "I should go talk to him."
"Nay, if he is to sulk let him do so." Supinelu scoffed and waved a hand in dismissal.
"Oh that does it!" Penelo huffed angrily as she pushed around Kytes causing him to stumble forward with a squawk.
The War-Chief had never been on the receiving end of Penelo's wrath and he was beginning to understand how something so small could indeed be so terrifying. The Garif and the three Humes watched as the twin braided blonde stomped off in the direction of her hut.
Noah's head snapped up as the small wisp of a girl fumed in the entryway of the hut. He groaned inwardly from his place on his cot as he gazed on the all too familiar scowl set on her face with her fingers tapping in agitation on her hips. At least she was angry with him finally, but he doubted it was for any reason that would truly warrant a rage.
"We have company," she tersely informed him.
He eyed her warily, wondering if he really should speak. He opted for silence and turned his gaze to the non-burning fire pit.
"I said we have company," she said icily.
"They are not here for me." He muttered.
Penelo stomped her way to stand in front of him. He could feel the heat of her gaze and briefly felt the need to do anything to appease her. The need was fleeting as he realized that perhaps now was the time to finally make her realize that her life was wasted taking care of him.
"They're here to visit and I'm not going to just let you sit in here and sulk." Penelo berated him angrily.
Noah raised his head slowly and met her gaze. His face was stone.
"And I said they are not here for me."
"Noah!" Penelo exclaimed in exasperation.
"Do you think me as naive and foolish as you?" he hissed angrily. "The man hates me for the death of his brother. The other two, I doubt, will be as forgiving if they truly knew who I am."
"You just need…" she attempted.
"I need nothing!" Noah roared as he hefted himself up from the cot, towering over her. "Nothing, but for you to leave me in peace once and for all."
"Oh don't tempt me Noah!" Penelo growled back, pushing a finger into his chest.
Noah grabbed her wrist and her eyes widened in shock as he tightened his grip. His conscience was in turmoil as he read the fear and confusion on her features. He almost gave in to the need to be the person she saw in him, almost. But the platinum blonde man now stood at the threshold with a glare that could have sent him straight to the hells and Noah knew that if he didn't get her away from himself, she could end up losing her friends as well. He refused to be the cause of any more of her pain.
"You are nothing more than a nuisance and you know naught of what I need." He stated coldly, looking down at her.
"Oh I'll tell you what you need right now!"
He was tempted to smirk, but had spent long enough in the military to ensure his face remained guarded. She wasn't going to back down, no matter how frightened. Noah found it hard not to admire her spirit, but it was too late to make amends now.
"You would do better to leave." He said grimly. "I have no use for a girl who can forgive a man that has murdered in cold blood as readily as she could forgive a child for taking a sweet without asking."
"You bastard," Vaan growled as Noah felt the sharp flash of pain to his right cheek.
A/N: This story will not be updated next week due to my being on holiday!!!! Sorry. :(