-Chapter 4

A/N: Wow, this got a way better responce then I thought it would. Not that would affect how I write it, it is, after all, my story. *laughs at lame joke* Anyway, the reason why this was posted so far after the last chapter was because I was stuck at a certain point in writing it, and wasn't inspired to continue, until I realized I wanted to change things around slightly. I really like the way it turned out. Hopefully, it won't take as long to write the next chapter. ^^'

And, once again, -THANK YOU TO ALL WHO REVIEWED! It inspires me to get off of my lazy ass and post the next chapter. And WOOT to all PainexRikku fans. XD

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A few minutes after they had entered the Cabin from their day in Bevelle, Paine moved over to her bed and pulled aside the sheets. Instead she found a rather sullen Al Bhed girl in the next bed staring off to the other side of the room. Not thinking the blond noticed her, she took a step towards her.

I miss Yunie.

The voice almost made Paine jump out of her skin. Still unsure if the other girl was talking to herself or to her, the older of the two's eyes fell on the vacant bed across the room, where Rikku's vision lay.

She'll be back, someday. Paine finally spoke up, now letting the blond know that she was not alone in the room.

In the back of her mind, she noticed how much more optimistic that last comment was compared to her usual sarcastic replies. What's with the change in heart?

Was Paine getting soft?

Sadly, part of her wanted to deny that she was cold hearted. Because, truthfully, she wasn't. Though she knew another part of her prided itself on maintaining her cool and distant exterior to the rest of the world. Paine didn't know whether to feel hurt or proud of this.

But, back to Rikku's form on her bed, her back visible to the former Crimson Squad member, the blond spoke again.

But... didn't you say yourself that leaving the Gullwings was always a possibility'?

True, she had said that. But that was before the defeat of Vegnagun. Since then, her feelings towards her situation in life had... changed. Paine had made peace with her past of two years ago, the bullet wound finally healed. She had moved on.

Back then... she didn't know. Didn't know about tomorrow, didn't want to make promises.

Promises that could be broken.

Trust that could be betrayed.

She hadn't wanted to let anyone in. Paine had never dropped her cold, distant mask, the nearly aloof shell... the sarcastic but mature wall she had built around herself from the time her Nooj, Baralai, and Gippal had parted ways.

She didn't want to be hurt again.

She would have done anything to avoid that kind of suffering again.

It was alone.

Empty.

Isolated.

Things were different now, they've changed.

Paine felt, ... connected again. Maybe not the same way she was before, but..., she thought as her eyes traveled over the Al Bhed girl who had now turned around and stood in front of her, she wasn't alone anymore.

A hand had reached out to push some of the golden bangs away from hindering the sight of green eyes. Her own.

True. I did feel that way...

Expectant green eyes continued to gaze upon her, even after the pale hand had returned to her side.



Paine just met Rikku's gaze with her own.

What was she about to say again? Oh yeah...

We're a team. The words didn't feel very strong at first, but as they left her mouth, they became stronger. They *were* a team.

It felt as if a string inside her chest was pulled.

... And nothing will change that.

Something about what she was saying bothered her though...

It wasn't the fact that it felt like a lie...

But, it was the fact that it felt like the truth.

At that, the the Al Bhed's mouth turned up into a contented smile.

So, any idea where we're going tomorrow? Rikku asked, now happily jumping back onto her bed.

Macalania, I think.

Do you remember anything about living there at all?

Paine was silent as she sat down on her bed. She shook her head. Rikku, sensing self-doubt, got up and sat down beside her.

Don't worry, we'll find something. the blond spoke calmly, covering the hand Paine was leaning back on the bed on with her own. Her tone and the touch nearly surprised the older girl, who turned to look at her. The Al Bhed just gave her a reassuring smile. Paine felt a blush crawl across her cheeks. Why was it that she kept blushing lately? She wanted to open her mouth to say something... like... Thank you? Rikku bit her lower lip.

Listen, Rikku...

Maybe this whole... journey... wasn't just a waste of time. Maybe she could find out more about her past. She had never really given it any thought before. The Crimson Squad seemed all the family she'd ever need... Gippal and Baralai the closest things to brothers she would most likely ever have. Nooj, being the one they could all look up to, the one that she admired with all of her heart -their captain. But after they fell apart... and how things were now... maybe it was about time she learned about her real family. Maybe then... she'd be happy. Maybe...

... Thank you. Paine finally made out, crimson eyes looking away from the face of the sprightly Al Bhed girl. In the corner of her eye, she saw the other girl smile before she felt a pair of arms wrap themselves around her waist, and something in her chest felt alight. Paine turned so that she faced the blond, and in turn wrapped her arms around Rikku's waist. The other girl moved her arms up from the older girl's sides and up to her neck, hugging her tightly. Paine felt something in her chest flutter again, and smiled. They would find something tomorrow.

Paine, do you think you'll be okay tonight?

Actually, that was a good question, as much as Paine hated to admit it. Then, the blond pulled away from the embrace and bright green eyes looked into her ruby ones.

If you say I'll be fine', I'm going to kick you in the spleen! Rikku stated firmly.

Paine had to ask, wondering if Rikku even knew where a spleen was.

Answer my question!

I'll let you know if anything happens, okay?

This response caused the younger girl to bite her lower lip again, as if contemplating this to be the truth or not.

... I promise. Paine finished, softly.

Rikku replied, tired.

The blond stood up and moved over to her own bed.

Kuuthekrd, Rikku... Paine said to the back of the figure lifting the covers of the bed next to her own.

Rikku looked back to see the crimson eyed girl smiling back at her. The blond giggled, and replied while slipping under her own covers.

The forest was beautiful, even so close to death.

This made Paine wonder if the fact that the forest was dying made it any more beautiful.

They arrived at Oaka and Wantz's and restocked up on some Hi-potions before heading back out.

Um, how are we planning on searching the temple? Rikku asked skeptically, looking down into the watery pit that used to be the pathway to Macalania Temple.

The sudun nyvd(motor raft) Shinra gave us. Paine replied, walking over to the water's edge.

He did? Where?

It was then the older girl pulled out a small square shaped black package from her inventory. He said to press this button and stand back... She set the package down on the icy ground. She pressed a button on one side of the package and stood back.

A whistling sound could be heard as the package expanded. At first it seemed to be a dark blob that stood out against the white snow of the ground. Then it started to take shape. It was a wrinkly circle that grew into a wrinkly oval... and finally into a not so wrinkly oval, but a small raft with a functional motor at one end. A small emblem of a gull could be seen on the side opposite that of the motor. Cute.

Hop in. Paine said, placing her hands on one side of the raft, as to push it into the water. Rikku hopped in just as the raft entered the freezing water, followed by Paine.

Well, let's get moving! the Al Bhed said, turning on the motor before the older girl could notice. They sped forward, and into the old pathway that led to the temple. Rikku wasn't sure they'd be able to tell when they got to it's old spot, but when they reached it, they knew. The former entrance to Macalania Temple now was nothing but a large lake, the tips of the temple's old towers surfacing, forming small glimmering frozen islands.

escaped the blond's mouth as she looked around, the raft continuing over the pathway leading to the main part of the building.

We can stop here. Paine announced. Her companion turned the motor off and the raft came to a halt in the water, letting it be pushed around aimlessly.

Where do we start... the older girl asked, more to herself then to her fellow sphere hunter. Crimson eyes scanned the waters and artificial islands, trying to devise some sort of plan of action, a way to safely search the temple for it's old files.

I got a plan. Rikku started, cheerily. Paine turned to her to see the girl readying herself near the edge of the raft.

Are you crazy?! You'll freeze!

Ah, I'll be right back. I'll be fine. the blond replied with a wink. Just as Paine reached out to grab Rikku's scarf, it disappeared underneath the icy water.

Damn it! the crimson eyed girl swore as she glanced over the side of the raft for any sign of life beneath the water's surface. That girl would freeze before long. Stupid. All Paine could do now was wait.

A few minutes passed while Paine made herself increasingly nervous with every second that passed by. It was then she saw light coming from beneath the raft. That was a Firaga spell. Rikku had gotten into a fight. Making sure she had a grip on her sword and without a second's worth of hesitation, she jumped.

Paine held back a yelp as the freezing water bit into her from all sides, and opened her eyes. She half wished she could stop and admire the way the temple looked underwater, how the light from the overcast sky filtered threw the water and waved shadows over the mysterious dark spots. But another Firaga spell went off a dozen feet below her and she swam downward.

It was then she found Rikku, battling a Georappella*. Her companion was not faring well, for she was moving with extreme slowness, due to what Paine could guess was the cold. A Georappella was a tough match against two people, but with only one person it was a massacre. The blond had just switched from Black Mage to Alchemist when the older girl finally arrived at the scene. Rikku mixed a Mega-Potion for the two of them as Paine launched an Excalibur attack at it. The next round, the older girl repeated her assault as the Al Bhed shot at it in an attack, a pitiful attack, but an attack none the less. The blond's fingers were too numb to mix anymore, and she felt the freezing cold eat away at her consciousness. Just as the fiend was preparing a double Wataraga spell at the two, a final Excalibur attack finished it off.

There was no time to celebrate the victory as Paine saw her companion's body go limp in the water. As fast as she could, for she felt the cold begin to weigh her own body down as well, she grabbed the blond's body and swam for the surface. As soon as she broke the surface she called for the Celsius.

Brother, Buddy! Kad ouin mywo yccac tufh rana huf!(Get your lazy asses down here now!)

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*Georappella -that fish like thing that you had to fight at Baaj in Final Fantasy X, and the thing you had to fight in Bevelle in order to get to where Vegnagun was.

Yes, a little bit of a cliffhanger. ^^'

It was because I put the end of this chapter into the begining of the next one. *bows* Sry. Let me know what you think of this one though, will you?