Something Missing
by Seiri

A/N: I came up with this plot idea in a midterm review in math class. So, it better be worth ignoring most of the notes to plot out this fic. ^^' But anyway, I find that there are few good quality FFX-2 fics out there, and I'm working on going against that. As far as I know, no one has come up with an idea similar to this but -if they have *bows* it was an accident. Okay, enough with my idiotic banter. SquareEnix owns Final Fantasy X-2 and it's characters.

This fic will contain shoujo ai, which is a female/female relationship. If that doesn't float your boat, please leave now. Thank you.

On to the fic.

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Paine awoke with a yelp. She found herself sitting up in bed, breathing heavily -with beads of a cold sweat dripping down her brow. Crimson eyes scanned the room, staring out into the dark of the airship cabin at night. Nothing.

Suddenly, the figures of Rikku and Yuna emerged at her bedside. The former summoner spoke first.

Are you alright?

Then the blonde spoke, sitting down on the bedside.

Yeah, we heard you make a weird noise -are you okay? she leaned in, inspecting Paine down the bridge of her nose. The pale girl frowned and leaned against her pillow.

She had a nightmare. That's what happened. But -why did she react like that? She couldn't remember what had happened in the dream.

She looked back up at the two girls, awaiting her answer. It was just a nightmare.

Yuna nodded, while the younger girl frowned. But nightmares can be really scary sometimes, you know? I remember these ones I used to have about lightning before I camped out at the Thunder Plains... Rikku started.

I'll be fine. Paine said, in the almost cold voice she used whenever Rikku was pestering her for information. The blond stopped, but frowned deeper. But... but...-

Yuna interrupted her cousin. If you're okay then we better be headed off back to bed, right, Rikku?

The Al Bhed looked from Paine to Yuna, and back. But... but...

Stifling a giggle, Yuna lightly tugged on the collar of Rikku's night shirt. The blond finally got up and walked over to her own bed. The pale girl gave a thankful look to the former summoner. In turn, the older girl nodded and walked back across the cabin.

A nightmare... a nightmare had never done anything like that to her in... well, never. Paine racked her brain for any memory or trace of the dream left in her mind... The search was fruitless, excluding this:

An overwhelming, agonizingly sorrowful, fear.


The next day was a bright one. The Celsius was on it's way to Besaid, Yuna was going home.

They were going to arrive in an hour. Paine was in her usual position on the bridge, arms folded across her chest, staring into the clouds they were flying into. Rikku was happily bouncing a few feet off, excited for her cousin. Yuna was going home, to stay... at least, for now anyway. The former summoner had made it clear to the Al Bhed girl that her sphere hunting days were far from over, but she had been far from home for too long. The new threat to Spira had been demolished.

Home... Paine knew of the place in Bikenel Desert that had once been called Home -both Gippal and Rikku had spoken about it on numerous occasions. But... home, one of her own... after the Crimson Squad had collapsed, and she had recovered from being shot... she had wandered from town to town for a while before joining the Gullwings. And before the Crimson Squad... honestly, she couldn't remember much. But, unlike other events in her past, she didn't need to know how that period of her life ended. Paine already knew. Sin.

And from what she had recently learned, the past is the past. She had to look to the future.

At that moment, Yuna landed on the ground a few feet away from her, having jumped over the railing in front of the entrance to the bridge. She was giggling.

Paine's thoughts returned to the former summoner. They shared a common understanding, and Paine figured it was because they had similar pasts. Both of them were orphaned, due to Sin. Although many could say the same, both of them had been trying to search for answers for the past two years for the gaps left behind by certain people and events. Yuna and Paine would at one time have given anything to feel the way they did back then... have certain people around them again... but her answers had been given. Now Paine hoped with all of her heart that Yuna could also find her own answers.

We'll be arriving in Besaid in five minutes. Buddy announced. Hey wait -they're something being picked up in the radar off of the dock in Besaid. he continued.

It's called a boat, Buddy. Rikku piped in. Paine looked over to the blond girl, buzzing around the brunette. Sometimes it seemed like the pale girl was rubbing off more and more on the younger girl.

No, it's too small to be a boat, more like a person -in the water.

At this, Yuna froze.

Yunie? Uh, Yunie? ... Hey Yunie! Rikku began waving her hand in front of her cousin's face. But before she finished, the older girl was gone from the bridge.


They had landed in Besaid, on the beach. Paine and Rikku barely had time to catch up with Yuna as she jumped out of the hanger into the water below. The other two girls continued after the Celsius came to a stop.

The girls watched from the hanger, over to the scene in the water.

So, that was him. That was Tidus.

Rikku had filled her in on the whole story when they had made a pit stop by Macalania on their way to fight Vegnagun. Yuna had asked for a moment alone. For a brief moment, Paine had thought something was wrong. The younger girl had ended up dragging her off back into the woods somewhat, and explained to her the whole story of how Tidus traveled with them two years ago when Yuna was on her pilgrimage. Things started to make a lot of sense after that. The former summoner's actions in some places ... although Paine would never understand what Yuna was talking about when she said she saw an invisible moogle. Then again, sometimes it's best not to ask.

As the couple in the water threw their arms around each other, Rikku and Paine couldn't help but smile. Yuna had finally found what she was looking for. Despite the joy Paine felt for the older girl, she couldn't help but feel a burning sense of envy in the back of her mind. If only she could find happiness like that. Well, the important thing was that Yuna was happy, right?

That night the Celsius docked at Besaid. There was a celebration, the joy of Tidus's return contagious. A bonfire was lit in the center of the village. Paine hadn't seen one like it since Videna's birth celebration. Everyone was dancing and cheering, that is... except Paine. She had sat out the festivities, and was contented to just watch the excitement of everyone else. She was good at that, wasn't she?

Observing the world around her, like Nooj had said, very perceptive. This somewhat worried her, for sometimes it seemed she didn't participate enough in the world she observed oh so much.

The brightest of them all that night had to have been Yuna, face expressing nothing other then pure joy and contentment. The former summoner had remained on the tanned arm of Tidus all night. Once again, Paine felt the odd mixture of joy and agony for the situation.

Sighing, she looked up to the dark starry sky. It was hard to believe that only a week ago, they feared the survival of the planet and themselves. At least, it seemed that way until they ran into the Leblanc Syndicate, Nooj, and Gippal. The sphere Gippal had given her, showing herself... well, the old Paine -or was she really only sleeping? She smiled to herself at the thought, and of Rikku's words of wanting her to wake up. That occurrence, and Nooj's words... although so simple, were the power that helped her go on in that final battle.

See you later.

Maybe... people could start over, ... be given second chances. Things may never be able to return to the way they had been two years ago, but that didn't mean that hope was lost. Maybe they could all continue, although not the same, but just as strong. Just looking and Yuna and Tidus that night proved that.

But before another moment had passed by, a mess of blond hair and braids bounced in front of Paine's face.

Hey! Somethin' wrong? ... You seem kinda bummed, you know? Rikku inquired, kneeling down by the older girl. Paine looked toward her for a few passing moments, slightly put out.

I'm fine. she began, but felt it lacking an explanation.

I just don't... really belong here. I missed everything that happened two years ago, so... Which was true, to Paine's realization. She didn't really fit into this picture... it wasn't like she was here when it all happened. She had her own problems back then...

A look of defeat passed over Rikku's features before returning to her normal cheery demeanor. Well, that can be fixed, right? Come on! the blond spoke, taking Paine by the arm. Before the crimson eyed girl could protest, she found herself face to face with the eldest member of their YRP and the one and (proved) only Tidus. The Al Bhed girl brightly began introductions.

Tidus! This is Paine, she's part of the sphere hunting group Yunie and me joined. Paine, this is Tidus! the youngest girl looked happily back and forth between the two. With a happy smile, Tidus stuck out his hand toward Paine for a handshake. Hey, nice to meet ya, ... Paine. In turn she, although a little caught off guard by how sudden it all was, grasped the young man's hand in a firm handshake. she replied, shaking his hand. Yuna was beaming.

Despite having just met him, Paine could tell that Tidus really was a great guy. He carried an optimistic air about him that was charismatic. She could understand how the absence of a guy like this in someone's life could affect them.

Don't worry, she doesn't smile too much -or talk much either for that matter. Rikku chimed in.

After a moment of silence, Tidus spoke up. Hey, uh... The blitzer started. ... What's a sphere hunter?

Yuna laughed while Rikku giggled, and Paine actually managed a slight smile.

I'm sooo glad that you're back Tidus!! The blond girl exclaimed happily, with a slight jump emphasizing her excitement. At this, the brunette turned to the young man and smiled another amazing smile. I have so much to tell you! she said excitedly. Paine was sure they would be talking much later into the night.

Paine had figured herself right when she was one of the few to return to the airship that night for bed. Other then herself, Buddy, Brother, Shinra, and Barkeep were aboard. She hadn't anything else to do but go to bed, so, after a quick change, she went to bed and quickly fell asleep.

Paine! Wake up!

A voice called out to her from far away. Where was it coming from? Something told her to run when someone suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her back. Her eyes flashed open to a lit cabin, the worried face of Rikku hovering over her. She wanted to move, but found herself entangled in her own sheets.

Wake- Oh, you're up. Are you okay?! Were you having another nightmare? You were tossing and turning and murmuring something... You had me so worried!

At this, Paine's eyes readjusted to her surroundings, and she realized that Rikku was still fully dressed. Lazily, she spoke. Did you just get back?

Yeah, why? Oh -that's not important! What's important is that you're okay! The blond shouted, frustrated.

The older girl thought. What did happen? It was that nightmare again, she suspected. Why was this happening?

I'm fine. ... Why are you back? We're you going to stay in the village for the night?

Rikku's face then turned sheepish for a moment before she replied. Well, ... I didn't wanna bother them, you know? They have so much to catch up on... Paine could sense a hint of sadness behind the blond's tone by the end of the sentence. She wasn't going to press further however, knowing who they' were right away. Instead, the older girl nodded, and slowly untangled herself from her bed sheets.

Are you sure you're okay?

Why wouldn't I be? she replied almost harshly. There was no Yuna around to drag Rikku off and save her from interrogation this time.

Well, it's just that... you say that all the time. The Al Bhed's tone died off.

It's because I mean it every time I say it. So, don't worry about it.
Dejected, Rikku turned away and murmured something under her breath.

... E zicd funno cusadesac.[1]

Paine picked it up and responded, although her tone slightly softer this time around.

Tuh'd funno ypuid sa. E'mm pa veha.[2]

Rikku looked back in surprise for a moment before realization set back in. She nodded before turning away and going to get ready for bed herself.

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[1] -I just worry sometimes.

[2] -Don't worry about me. I'll be fine.

*bows* Hope you enjoyed the first chapter. Any comments? Review.