-Chapter 6

A/N: Yay! I updated in less than a month of the last chapter! Honestly, I wrote chapter 5 and 6 together, but I was wondering if I should change anything in six before posting it... or making it longer. Honestly, I think it's okay. Hopefully, you will too. *bows* Thank you again to all of you who review, especially to Iseki, who critiques me and points out ... good stuff. I dunno -I actually like not writing pale girl' all the time now... it makes me think of Paine as a piece of paper ^^'.

Oh yeah... and Bobby told me I got the spelling wrong for something in the last chapter. It's Magus, not Mangus. *bows* I'm sorry! T_T I don't have my FFX game or walkthrough right now to double check these sort of things! I'll correct myself from here on in.

Anyway... to the chapter.

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That night, Paine found herself out on the Deck, staring out into the night sky. The ship was docked in Luca for the night, and they were going to head to the Calm Lands the next morning. For the most part she had been able to keep her mind off of it, but now that she had time to herself, she couldn't stop thinking about what the next day might be like.

Where would they even start? Rikku said she knew where that old temple was... maybe they would head there. What was she even going to look for there anyway? Was finding out what her past was like really going to help her in the long run? It wouldn't change how her life was now. It wouldn't change the fact that she spent her teen years without any real sense of a home to go back to...

... Hey Paine, thought you were out here. a voice called out thoughtfully.

It was Rikku.

Paine gave no real acknowledgement to her presence, except maybe an accepting silence. She didn't tell the other girl to go away, so Rikku took that as permission to continue conversation.

... So, what ya doing out here?

Paine replied plainly, not looking over to the blonde.

About tomorrow?

The crimson eyed girl gave a nod. She was in a rather pensive mood at that moment, but she didn't really mind company surprisingly... or maybe it was just because that company was Rikku.

Since when had Rikku become such a comforting factor in her life?

At this, said blonde sat down next to her.

'Think we'll find anything?

I don't know. Paine honestly replied. She paused, and decided to continue.

You might find this funny, but I can relate to how Wakka felt when he was wondering about that sphere of his parents.

Rikku nodded, slightly to Paine's surprise. No, I get what you mean.

This seemed like a side of Rikku Paine never saw before. She was... calm... or maybe more easily accepting.

That, and she herself felt considerably comfortable talking to this same girl about how she felt.

Things certainly had changed from when she first joined The Gullwings, hadn't they?

Paine raised a hand up to her eye level. She had recently taken off her gloves, as they were now laying down next to where she sat. At that very moment, for some strange reason, she felt... human. It was like she was finally apart of the world she was so used to observing.

What do you think? She asked the Al Bhed, taking her vision off of her hand.

About tomorrow? I think we'll find what we're looking for. Rikku replied, hope in her voice.

Paine took in a sharp breath.

But what are we looking for anyway? she asked with frustration.

Rikku blinked, not having expected that response from the other girl. Despite mild shock, she had an answer ready.

Well, what happened to you parents... and about your nightmares.

Something had to be done about Paine's nightmares. Luckily, after last night's events, Paine slept peacefully. But they couldn't same the same for the night before that, or the coming night....

There was a few moments of silence between them, as whatever daylight was left in Luca finally left the sky, and their only sources of light now came from the Blitzball stadium and the moon high in the sky.

Hey Paine... where'd you get your necklace from?

It took a moment for Paine to register Rikku's change in topic. Necklace? She almost forgot she was even wearing one, ... She always had it on.

She said, lifting up the pennant with her index finger.

I've had it for as long as I can remember... Being from the time she was trying to recall by going to the Calm Lands.

Oh. It looks real pretty on you.

A blush rose in Paine's cheeks again. She was thankful it was dark out.

... Thanks.

Before another moment passed by though, the blonde had asked another question.

Do you think you'll be okay tonight?

Paine fought the urge to reply I'll be fine.'. It was such a bold faced lie.

So, instead, she actually told the truth.

I hope so. Her tone was not heavy, but not too light either, so the words didn't sound so awkward coming out of her mouth.

You do think... Is there any thing I could do to help? Rikku asked, now looking at the other girl questioningly. Paine gave a shrug.

Paine... I wanna help. ... I kinda owe you one now, you know?

Just think how much we'd all owe each other if we counted how many times we've done something like that though.

At this, the blonde moved over so that she was looking directly into crimson eyes.

But... this means something to me.

Paine blinked back at the other girl.

... I think we should get back inside.


Once they had gotten back inside, Barkeep had already gone to bed, having closed the bar. They proceeded to get ready for bed. Just as Paine was pulling back the sheets to her bed, Rikku spoke up.

Are you sure there's nothing I can do?

The blonde hated that feeling. The feeling she got whenever someone she cared about was suffering, when she knew that she could do nothing to help them.

The other girl was almost downright annoyed with Rikku, but knew that getting into an argument about this wasn't going to help. So, tiredly, she walked over to the blonde's bed. What's the worst that could happen?

Rikku stood to face Paine, and since neither were wearing shoes, Paine was only an inch or so taller then the blonde. This gave Rikku an advantage. You don't know what it's like. She began, looking the other girl in the eye. Before Paine could speak up, she continued. You don't know what it's like to have to sit there and watch other people... people you care about... get hurt. When you know that they're being hurt, and knowing that you can't do anything about it!

You weren't there... You weren't there when Yunie was on her pilgrimage. I knew... we all knew... that she would have died fighting Sin. And we couldn't do anything to change that. And then after... she did live, but Tidus was gone. She became a sphere hunter so she could try to find him. And she was just so... alone. And all I could do was cheer her on, knowing that she would most likely never see him again! What as I supposed to do?! You have no idea what it's like... Rikku trailed off, tearing.

Paine wanted to retaliate. She did too know what it was like... to watch a friend be hurt and have to resign to just sit and watch. She had to watch Nooj try and throw his life away so many times... And she tried to stop him, she did... twice. And it hurt so much knowing that he got angry when she did it.

But, looking at Rikku, tearing and sniffling... now wasn't the time to be angry. This was the same girl that had almost died in her arms yesterday. As that thought occurred to her, Paine placed a hand on the blonde's shoulder.

Listen, Rikku... I'm sorry. I'll let you know if anything bad happens to me. she concluded sincerely, now turning from the girl to return to her bed. However, she felt a tugging on her night shirt and she turned around.

Maybe you could just... stay here for the night. Rikku proposed, letting go of the other girl's sleeve.

I don't think... Paine began.

No, I'm serious, I wouldn't mind. the blonde spoke, taking her hand. Despite this, a small blush betrayed her words. Paine also had to fight off another blush.

Hesitantly, the ruby eyed girl finally gave a small nod.

Soon after, Paine found herself laying down on her side facing Rikku.

Sleep well.

You too.

The last thing she remembered was a pair of arms wrap around her waist as she buried her face into soft blonde hair.


Sounds... voices... directions. She was supposed to be listening carefully to something... but she couldn't understand it... they were too far away. Or maybe she was the one that was too far away. Opening her eyes, she saw the world around her in disarray. But, it was like an old sphere... too fuzzy to see... No wait.

Things began to clear, the crisp hot smell of Thurnderaga and Firaga spells drifted around her. People, shouting and yelling, were running about aimlessly. Then a distinctive pair of maroon eyes met hers.

A face... this woman was speaking to her, but she could not hear. Not far off behind her, a head of silver hair to match her own moved quickly, collecting up equipment. Something welled up in her chest as the figure of the woman moved toward her -and suddenly she felt a new weight around her neck. A necklace.


My mother's necklace.

Silence reigned throughout the Cabin in the darkness, leaving Paine's words to echo throughout her mind's walls. She stilled, to hear if any movement was made in the room. Nothing. No one had awaken. She turned on her side -only to find nothing but a big mass of yellow. Hair.

That was right. Rikku had gotten her to stay there just in case she had another nightmare.

Well, she didn't have another nightmare, but...

Something seemed to weigh her down from the neck. She blinked, off guard at first. Then Paine recalled everything that was said before, about the silver necklace she always wore around her neck. Her mother's necklace. Given to her ... right before that woman died. ... That woman was her mother?

At that moment, the blonde stirred. Paine froze. She didn't really want to bother Rikku with her sleeping problems anymore that she already had. She could tell the blonde had been loosing sleep over it by looking at her during the day, not that she would tell said blonde that. Paine felt guilty.

The crimson eyed girl moved to get up, but found herself staring at the figure beside her. Rikku looked so peaceful in sleep, the fatigue from the day gone from her features under the clear moonlight. Paine couldn't disturb the blonde's rest. So, she slipped herself out from under the sheets and stood up beside the bed. However, before returning to her own bed, Paine found herself running the tip of her fingers over the other girl's soft cheek, moving some unruly bangs out of her face. She owed Rikku a lot, for getting her started on this whole journey... which would make them even now, wouldn't it?

Taking a deep breathe at the thought of what the next day would bring, she retreated back to her own bed and -eventually- fell back to sleep.

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Next chapter... uh... stuff happens. Action stuff. Woot.

Now review.... pweease?