-Chapter 2

A/N: The first and second chapters were originally one big chapter, but I figured it was too long and decided to make it two. So, having read the first chapter plus this one, .... well, whatever. I suppose that they're are hints of Paine liking Yuna, but it's all on how you interpret it. Paine sure as hell isn't aware of her feelings for Yuna in that case, I can tell you that.

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And that's the way things went for the next few days, Tidus and Yuna were inseparable, which was to be expected, leaving Rikku and Paine to keep themselves from being idle. They had ended up exploring the island again for any possible item they may have missed.

Sighing, Rikku sat down on the edge of the ruins near the beach. Paine stood, leaning against the wall, arms folded across her chest.

There isn't anything else here from the last time we checked. Paine stated with an almost sigh. the younger of the two grumbled.

You wanna head back? the crimson eyed girl continued. We've already explored this place about five times by now.

With a mix between a groan and a grunt, the blond nodded and stood lazily.

Halfway back to the village, the Al Bhed girl finally formed a full sentence. Hey... when do you think we'll be leaving?

The older girl's eyes shifted over to her companion to the left, raising an eyebrow. Of course she knew what she meant, but she didn't know how to answer it. Not aware of Paine's thoughts, Rikku continued.

You know, from Besaid.

With a shrug, Paine honestly answered. I don't know.

The blond whimpered. It's not like I wanna leave Yunie or anything... it's just.... she grew frustrated at not being able to express her thoughts.



Well... yeah.

You know, we could pick things up again without her, ... for the time being. Paine suggested.

was Rikku's immediate reaction. Then, she paused, and sighed. Maybe your right.... she sounded defeated.

It was odd, somehow, watching Rikku act like this. She seemed different. Not as... bouncy. Maybe the absence of Yuna added to the fact that the former summoner had Tidus again made the Al Bhed girl... feel a little left out. The girl did seem downright clingy to her cousin sometimes. But Paine could understand that, Yuna was that kind of person. A good person -that most likely goes through a lot more suffering then they deserve. And all Rikku ever wanted was for Yuna to be happy. It seemed now that her job had been completed... and she felt a little down about it. Yunie didn't need her anymore.

Paine felt a twisting in her chest at the thought of what the younger girl was going through, and wanted to help somehow. After all, they were still a team, Tidus or no. They had to stick together..... right?

Before the crimson eyed girl had time to dwell on this, however, she found herself back at Besaid village.

Hey, let's go get some food, kay? The blond turned to her, saying. With a nod, Rikku headed off, Paine shortly following behind.

There was a dirt path beneath her feet, but it was moving... no, she was moving. She felt a noticeably smaller hand in hers as she moved, now recognizing it as a run. The sun shone down upon them, but could not overthrow the feeling of dread drenching her senses. Not too far behind her she could hear explosions and the casting of various spells, and she realized she had tightened the grip she had on a sword in her other hand. Suddenly, the sky shrieked and dropped a league of Sin spawn down to the earth in front of her. The young being she faintly recognized whimpered and stood behind the older girl. Just as she pulled away from protecting the child behind her, a scream that would resound in her ears forever was heard behind her. The blood drained out of her body as she stopped mid swing of her sword. Her mouth opened up to a scream-

Paine gasped as she felt her chest rise from the mattress of the bed to the ceiling. She was panting heavily.

She remembered it. Every detail, color, smell, feeling... Before it had just been fear -but now it was clear to her what happened in her dreams. Paine could have jumped out of her skin as two figures emerged at her bedside once again, still not completely over the thrill of the nightmare.

Are you okay?

It was Yuna's voice. She had spent the night back on the airship, having given Tidus a tour of it. This must have been the first time she spent away from him since their return. Rikku had been elated to show Tidus the ship, and Brother was no where to be found. Sulking, no doubt. But now the blond Al Bhed girl was kneeling down by the side of the bed, concerned look on her face.

The crimson eyed girl meant to give her usual I'm fine.' but something else escaped her mouth instead.

... Yeah. I think so.

At this, Rikku quickly jumped up onto the bed next to while Yuna moved in closer.

Damn, why'd she say that? Now they'd want to know what's going on.

I told Yunie what happened earlier too. the youngest of the three spoke, as Paine pulled herself into a sitting position.

So, this isn't the first time this has happened. What's going on? the former summoner spoke, voice laced with concern and slight confusion. A pale face looked down, away from the questioning faces of the other two. She couldn't just keep it to herself now, could she?

I don't know.

-You don't know? How could you not know?! This is only the- the blond exploded, but was stopped by her cousin.

Can you remember what happened in your dreams?

Crimson eyes pierced right though Yuna's body, and she suppressed a shiver. The former summoner wasn't expecting that.

Paine glared at the older girl. It was one of anger, for not being left alone, surprise, for somehow knowing what was wrong, and fear, for not knowing what it all meant. But before she responded, she looked down yet again and shook her head. It's none of your concern. I'll be fine.

At this, Rikku couldn't take it anymore.

Paine! Don't gimme that! You keep saying you'll be fine, and you're only getting worse! she paused, catching her breath from yelling. The whole airship might as well have heard her. She took a deep breath before continuing, in a more calm tone. ... Maybe, it'd help you to tell someone else? It was a plea.

The room was silent after the out burst. Two pairs of eyes watched Paine expectantly, waiting for some kind of response. The pale girl didn't know how to respond. She honestly felt that it wasn't their problem, but then again... they were a team, weren't they? She didn't think telling them would make her feel anything, but if it would get them off of her back...

I keep having these dreams about running. I'm outside on some kind of dirt path, and some small kid is behind me. We're running away from something. A chill ran down her spine. It was unnerving just to recall it. An unsure look was on her face, but she continued on. Just as I go to attack something in our way, I hear a scream of the kid behind me and I- she breathed, looking off into the darkness of the cabin, eyes not focused on anything. ... wake up.

She subconsiously felt the arms of the Al Bhed girl wrap around her tightly. Paine was still there, in the moment before she awoke, turning around to see what happened behind her. Screaming.

After a moment, the oldest of the three of them spoke up again. Do you think... she paused, still in a thought process. ... that maybe, it could be a dressphere? Paine senses finally came back to the world around her, and she looked to Yuna. I don't fall asleep in any of them., referring to the time Yuna fell asleep as a songstress and dreamt someone else's memories from 1000 years ago. You're right. But it couldn't hurt to check.

Pale shoulders shrugged, and it seemed that just then Paine realized the pressure being put on her ribs.

Rikku! Kad uvv! Oui'na lnicrehk so nepc![4] Rikku! Get off! You're crushing my ribs! she exclaimed, struggling to get out of the grasp of the girl. Having heard her, the blond let go and gave an apologetic smile.

Do you think you can go back to sleep? Yuna asked, tapping Rikku on the shoulder, meaning she should leave Paine alone.

The crimson eyed girl thought.

I have to fall back to sleep sometime, right?

Rikku bit her bottom lip in worry.

You'll tell us if anything happens again, won't you?

Another half moment of silence.

We'll see.

The blond was ready to protest more, but realized that that was the best she would most likely do for now.


The next day, Rikku finally had her time to catch up with Tidus, for they were absent most of the day, while Yuna actually stayed behind on the Celsius. Paine walked onto the bridge, to see the former summoner bent over Shinra's desk. The older girl was nodding to something the wudnerkind was saying.

So, you're sure that it's not any sort of dressphere?

I'm sure; none of the other dresspheres are haunted or anything.

... Okay. -Oh Paine, Yuna greeted cheerfully. Paine nodded in reply. She hadn't slept well. Although she didn't have the nightmare again, she didn't get much sleep.

I had Shinra check up on the dresspheres-

-I heard. I knew it wasn't a dressphere.

The crimson eyed girl said, shooting down what the older girl had begun to say.

Defeated, but not about to give up, Yuna continued.

So, what do you think it could be?

Paine stared into the distance. Honestly, I have no idea. She paused.

But, thanks for your help anyway.

The older girl nodded.

I'm gonna head off to met up with Tidus and Rikku soon, okay? ... You can come too, if you want.

She knew this had been coming. Suppressing a sigh, the pale girl replied.

No thanks. I'm gonna be around here. I'll see you later.

But Paine... are you sure you'll be okay here alone?

The younger of the two shot a glare at her.

I'll be fine. I can take care of myself.

Yuna's face fell, not meaning for her words to sound offensive. Feeling that it was best to leave now before she worsened the situation, the former summoner nodded and walked off the bridge.

The bitterness she felt and the thought of the time Yuna, Tidus, and Rikku were spending together was a constant ebbing sensation down her throat that day, as much as she hated to admit it. It was foolish really, to get jealous of a person who had no idea what they had done wrong -and who had been technically out of existence for the past two years. It was even more foolish when you feel extremely lonely that one day despite the fact that you've lived most of your life alone.

That night, Rikku had returned with some news that changed her outlook on the situation somewhat.

It was late evening, and Paine was get ready for bed, when the blond Al Bhed girl bounced into the cabin.

Hi! How'd things go today?

Crimson eyes shot over to the constantly moving form of her fellow sphere hunter. Same as they have been going for the past month now.

Seemly ignorant to the harsh tone in the older girl's voice, Rikku continued. Oh, well, today was great for me, I finally got to hang out with Tidus! He hasn't changed at all! I missed him so much! she continued to speak excitedly about the details, but Paine's mind had begun to block it all out.

... So I was thinking, maybe we should leave Yunie here. What would you think about leaving tomorrow?

Paine was ignorant to the girl's question as she pulled the sheets to her usual bed back.

Uh, hello? Are you listening?

-Huh? What did you just say? I didn't hear you.

I was asking you if you wanted to leave tomorrow. the Al Bhed reiterated lamely.

Paine's eyebrows raised. That was unexpected. Well, why not?



Okay, I just gotta tell Yunie tomorrow. Okay?