The Paine in My Heart – Shinobi of Darkness
Chap. 3
[Disclaimer: I don't own anything of final fantasy, so you can't sue me. And like Shinra says: "I'm just a kid." ^.^ Technically, not anymore, but…you know. ¬.¬' I'm a fan. So I write Fan Fics. Live and let live. u.u.
This chapter may be shorter than the others, only because I was running out of ideas. ;_; Sorry.]
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"You guys never answered my question." Paine looked over the others as they stood along the deck of the ship. Nooj had his back turned on the others, with one hand against the railing of the ship. Gippal and Baralai sat side by side under the pole that secured the sail. They seemed to be engaged in a conversation about a machina that could topple Sin while Nooj stared out into the ocean. It was nighttime and the stars twinkled endlessly within the sky. The moon cast its face against the ocean's surface to reflect its radiance, as does the sun when it sets. She stood next to Nooj and pressed her hands against the railing.
"…Nooj?" It took a moment for him to turn to her. When he did, she looked him over.
"What is it?"
"…After Operation Mi'Hen, You guys mentioned to the head official that you saw an apparition. An apparition of what, exactly?"
Nooj let his eyes fall back to the ocean in front of him as he began to think. Paine waited as he patiently took his time.
"It's hard to describe. It was something dark and angry. Something terribly lost in pain and anguish. It was like someone's raw emotions just took over."
"Someone's raw emotions?"
"Yeah, and the apparition, it transformed into something huge. It loomed like death and growled, almost."
"Growled?" She looked over to him. Nooj stared straight, letting his eyes fall over the dark waters under the ship that crashed against it and raged. She dropped her eyes to her hands and he continued.
"When in that cave and when the pyreflies surrounded us, everything that I was seeing had changed. I no longer could control myself. My movements, my feelings, or thoughts, weren't attainable through my own actions. A sudden rage of anger took a hold of me, and I could only feel that which had consumed me." Gippal looked over to the two, catching the last of their conversation. He tapped Baralai on his shoulder and motioned him to join Nooj and Paine's conversation.
"Hey, you guys talking about Mi'Hen?" Asked Gippal, stepping up to them. They turned to face him and Paine nodded.
"What did you see, Gippal?"
"Just about everything that Nooj said. Nothing different about it."
Baralai nodded. "Same here. It was indescribable."
Paine shook her head and leaned forward, bracing her hands against the rail. Gippal rubbed his head as he watched her. She stood up then turned to face them, folding her arms.
"Indescribable?"
"Yeah." They answered together.
"Okay."
"When we find out more about it, you'll be the first to know." Paine nodded in Baralai's direction.
"I'll be looking forward to that."
"Now," said Gippal turning on one heel. He took a few steps forward, propping his hands against his hips. "What do you say we get off of this ship and browse around?"
"Do you think its safe?" asked Paine.
"It's a risk." Answered Nooj, not quite amused by Gippal's suggestion to leave. Baralai stepped up to Gippal.
"Okay, Navigator," He smiled, placing an arm on Gippal's shoulder. "Where are we?"
Gippal raised his hands forward toward the harbor that the ship was strolling through. "Mushroom Rock Road, of course."
"Yip…-pee." Paine said dryly, rolling her eyes. Nooj stepped past them, heading toward the cabin. Gippal and the others watched him carefully step down the stairs and disappear through the doorway. Gippal swung around.
"Wonder where he's going…?"
"Probably to get away from you." Answered Paine. She uncrossed her arms and took off in the direction Nooj had gone. Baralai shrugged and followed, leaving Gippal to stand alone and rub the back of his head.
--
"What exactly is this place?" Paine asked, looking around at the small cave. She crossed her arms as she stepped around, looking over the aging walls and arches above her head. Baralai stood over Nooj's shoulder as he watched him work. Gippal leaned back against the wall with his arms folded behind his head.
"The Den of Woe." Answered Nooj. He stood before a large golden door with azure lines connecting to sphere holds. The large door began glowing as he passed his hand over it. "Paine, watch the entrance to the cave. Make sure no fiends of sphere hunters enter."
"Why? What's behind that door?"
"Are you questioning your captian?" Nooj looked back at her, over his shoulder. She shrugged, turning to leave. When she was out of sight, he nodded to Gippal. "Make sure she doesn't enter either. I'll call you when I'm done here."
Gippal nodded. "Right-o, Cap. I'll go keep her company."
Baralai waited until Gippal left the room before he stepped over to Nooj. "Think it was wise sending him after Paine?"
"No. But he'll keep her busy, none-the-less."
"You could of sent me."
"I could have. Now, take the rest of these spheres so I can seal this place."
--
Paine sighed in disgust. "Gippal."
"Aw, not happy to see such a lovely face? That's okay, but I'm not leaving."
"What…do you want?" She finally asked after a moment of silence. Gippal shrugged.
"Nothing, really. Just wanna talk, is all." Paine rolled her eyes.
"So start talking."
"Fine." Gippal took his steps in front of her, then to her right, leaning against the opposite entrance wall. He folded his arms behind his head. "So what's going on with you and 'Lai? Played Smooch, lately?"
She narrowed her eyes on him and turned in his direction. "What?"
"Oh, nevermind. You don't have to tell me anything. I was only pushing your buttons, kid."
"I'm not a kid."
"Fine, Fine," he shrugged, shaking his head. He held out a hand in her direction. "You're the recorder, then. But Pain, seriously, when will you and I get together? Huh?"
"Me and you?" she scoffed "Never in a million years."
"C'mon! Not even a date?"
"No. Not even a date." She looked elsewhere, rolling her eyes.
"C'mon now, I can't be that bad. You have to like me at least to a small decree."
"Not even that. Maybe in another life and when you've figured out that life isn't all fun and games."
"So you like the serious type huh? I can be serious. Watch." Gippal passed his tongue along his thumbs and ran them over his eyebrows then swiped a hand through his spiky blonde hair. He tugged on his apparel, and donned a serious look. Paine glanced in his direction, catching his hard stare. A very small crease formed into a smile on her mouth. She shook her head with a light chuckle.
"You're trying too hard." She muttered. Gippal smirked, lifting his nose to the air. He nodded in triumph.
"But I made you smile. …kinda."
"Kinda is right. Besides, I'd never date an Al-Bhed like you."
"An 'Al-Bhed like me'? You got something against Al-Bheds?"
"No. Just one named Gippal." She smiled. Gippal shook his head.
Nooj and Baralai came walking past them and the entrance. They stopped and Nooj turned halfway to face them. He nodded to both, Paine and Gippal.
"It's time to go. We need not to stay here any longer. Come on." Paine and Gippal looked at each other in silence then turned back to Nooj. They shrugged and followed the others out of the cave.
"So what's behind that door, Nooj?"
"…Pandora's box, I believe."
She frowned, looking at the back of him. She knew that was an effort to deter her from questioning him further on the mystery behind that golden door. She shrugged, letting it go. Nooj glanced back at her from the corner of his eye. He then eyes Baralai.
"You said we'd be leaving for Mi'Hen. Why should we depart from there?"
"It seems like the right place to leave from. Since the Maester passed, and the crimson squad's disbanded, the older members won't think to look for us there." Answered Nooj.
"And how long until we get there?"
"I'd say about a full day." Answered Gippal.
"One more day on that ship isn't so bad, I guess."
"Don't worry, Paine," grinned Gippal, slinging an arm around her shoulder. She shrugged it off, quite disgusted. "I'll make the last day of us together, worth it. You know I'm good for it."
Baralai looked away from the two. He shook his head. Nooj and the others stopped at the swirling blue orb stationed just a few feet from the cave that held the Den of Woe and pressed their hands against it. A smoke screen soon engulfed them, transporting them back to their ship.
Paine opened her eyes, blinking against the chest of someone, and batted away with a free hand, the smoke that came with her. She looked up to find a grinning Gippal with his arms wrapped around her, holding her in his arms. She gasped, jumping down and pushing him away. She stumbled back, cringing, balling her fists.
"Gippal!"
He smirked. "What?"
She couldn't bring herself, this time, to go against that endearing smirk of his. Instead she smacked a hand against her forehead, covering her eyes and screamed through clenched teeth. She stalked off.
"She wants me." laughed Gippal, watching her disappear through the cabin door. He pulled up a chair beside the others. Baralai stared at his glass.
"You shouldn't mess with her like that." He said without lifting his eyes from the glass.
"Why not? Afraid I'll take your crush from you?"
Baralai frowned at his words. "No. She just gets upset with you doing that."
"Aw, chill out, 'Lai. God, you act like I'm really interested in Paine. She's hot, yeah, but me and her? It'd never work out!" He rolled his eyes, then looked over to Nooj, pointing in Baralai's direction. "He's trippin'."
"Trippin'?" Nooj blinked. Gippal nodded.
"Yeah. You know, acting crazy."
Nooj nodded as if trying to understand. "….Right."
"ugh! Will you two lighten up? Why am I the only one who likes to have fun while doing serious things? Huh?" Gippal shook his head, bracing a hand against his forehead. He sighed heavily. "I swear, you two are the most boring people I know. The only person that gives me a real laugh is upstairs planning my demise."
"Ha. You may be right about that." Shrugged Nooj from behind his glass.
"What do you mean? Did she say anything?" Gippal's smile instantly faded.
"Oh, not a matter of saying. But much more of doing." Baralai shrugged.
Gippal took a moment to think and let their words settle in his mind. He gasped, racing from the table to the bar's exit. Baralai and Nooj could hear his heavy footsteps against the stairs. Seconds later, they heard him scream. In Al-Bhed he yelled:
"Oh my friggin' machina!! My clothes!!!"
"Serves you right! Lets see you find something to wear tomorrow!" yelled Paine, followed by the sound of a familiar blade.
Nooj and Baralai both engaged in hearty laughter.