Sorry I don't add many author's notes, but I don't really think the story
needs them. I'm not real concerned with how I wrote it, but if you feel the
overwhelming need to respond, go right ahead. On to the story! --Jikester
The dull light of the airship shone on it. A pale gray, so smooth it glistened. Traum slowly moved the fingers back and forth, examining his own hand. There was no skin, no muscle. Nothing except bone up to his dark coat. Traum looked away from his left hand and turned toward Lulu. She was still smiling, her mouth slightly open.
Traum took one last look at the skeletal hand and put his glove back on. He slowly knelt down and scooped up Rikku in his arms, gently shaking her. She stirred, quietly moaning and opening her eyes. She realized where she was and began trying to thrash herself free.
"Ah! Put me down! Don't touch me with that!" Rikku screamed. Traum set her down, and she ran to Lulu, embracing her. Lulu looked to Traum, but he showed no pain at the remark.
"It's alright," he reassured. "I've been around awhile. I'm used to it."
Rikku released Lulu and slowly walked over to Traum. She looked up at him. "I..." she began. Traum placed his right hand on her cheek and smiled from behind his dark glasses.
"It's alright," he repeated. He held out his left hand. Rikku looked at him hesitantly, then took his hand. It felt...normal. She was amazed.
"Unbelievable," she said. She finally smiled back at him. "How much..." she stopped. She decided to act instead of speak. She took another step so that she was as close as she could be to him. Traum gazed curiously down at her, then smiled. He began to put his arms around her, but she stopped him by grabbing his elbows. Then, she continued. She brought her arms back up and put them around Traum's sides. He leaned in, trying to kiss her. She brought her hands to his chest and pushed him away. "Traum. Not now, okay?"
"Sorry," he apologized, standing straight up again.
She paused for a moment, then slowly moved her hands toward his shoulders. As she moved her hands outward, she slid his trench coat down to his elbows. Traum then allowed it to slip off the rest of the way. His short-sleeved red leather shirt was entirely revealed, along with his left arm. Rikku noticed the arm was only skeletal up to the elbow, less than a foot of it showing above his glove. She smiled and shrugged. "I think I can handle that."
"Now?" Traum asked, smiling.
"Yes, now," Rikku said, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling herself closer to him. He finally put his arms back around her waist and gently began to kiss her.
"Excuse me," Lulu said, annoyed. Rikku and Traum didn't respond. "Excuse me!" Lulu shouted. They showed no signs of stopping. Lulu gave up. "Fine!" she scoffed as she left the room. She saw Auron as she walked through the hallway.
"I take it went well?" Auron asked.
"Shut up," Lulu said, not looking at him and keeping her stride.
Auron raised his eyebrows and walked in the opposite direction as Lulu, toward Traum and Rikku.
"Alright, you two. Give it a rest," Auron said casually as he neared them. Then he stopped.
Rikku laid her head on Traum's chest. "Please, Auron. Just a few more minutes."
Fine, but we're almost to the Calm Lands," Auron said, turning around.
"Wait," Traum stopped him. "Why are we going to the Calm Lands?"
"For you," Auron raised his eyebrows again, looking at Traum. "You'll see when we land." He continued out the door toward the bridge.
Traum shrugged. "Where were we?"
"You know, there are sleeping quarters on this ship..." Rikku trailed off.
Traum smirked. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" he asked.
"No, I'm thinking it'll be more comfortable than just standing here. I have a few tricks of my own, so don't try anything," she smiled.
"Hmm, you might have to show me sometime."
"Careful. I'm faster than Lu."
"Well, in that case, this could get interesting."
"You have no idea." Rikku kissed him, then put on his jacket and took his hand again. The two walked towards Rikku's room, hand in hand, holding each other close. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Yuna and Tidus had left the bridge. They decided to check in on Rikku and Traum, so they headed towards the rooms. Sneaking around wasn't difficult because they weren't many people in this area of the airship. Once at Rikku's room, Yuna stooped down and carefully put an ear to the door. Tidus stood behind her, trying to contain his laughter.
"Okay," Yuna whispered ever so quietly. "I definitely hear them kissing, but nothing else."
Tidus was giggling ((yes, giggling)) quietly. "How would you know what to listen for?" he smirked.
Yuna was caught off guard. "Uh...I..." She looked around quickly. "Umm...I wouldn't," she concluded. After a pause, she added, "But I could guess."
"Uh huh. Guess. Sure. Whatever," Tidus mumbled to himself, still keeping his laughter somewhat quiet.
Inside the room, Traum slowly stopped kissing Rikku. He whispered directly into her ear, "Tidus and Yuna are outside the door." As Rikku began to respond, Traum put a finger to her lips. "I'm going to have some fun. Wait right here, I'll be back soon." He kissed her once more, then released her and stood up, walking to the door. Smiling, he turned back to her and disappeared. Rikku smiled and began to giggle.
Back outside, Yuna was still telling Tidus what she heard. "Oh, now I hear Rikku giggling." She smiled and waited for Tidus to complete the thought. "Tidus?" she asked curiously. Still no response. "Tidus?" she asked again, concerned. She turned to look for him behind her, but he was gone. Yuna thought to herself, "He's not that quiet. And why would he just leave me here?" She looked around a little more, scoffed, and put her ear back to the door.
"Yuna, help me."
Yuna spun around. "Tidus, it isn't funny. Where are you?"
"Up here," Tidus said, still whispering.
Yuna looked up and her mouth dropped. Tidus was hanging from the ceiling, pinned up by his shirt and shorts. Yuna was pretty sure she knew who had done it, too.
"These ceilings must be twelve feet high. I can't reach you. But just hang on...I mean, don't move...I mean...forget it." She knocked on the door to Rikku's room.
Rikku opened the door, pretending to look innocent. "Hey, Yuna. What's up?" Yuna tried to glare at her, but couldn't help it. The two girls broke into a roar of laughter. Tears were welling in their eyes as they doubled over.
"I'm up!" Tidus yelled, not seeing the humor. "Tell Lover Boy in there to let me down!"
"Who, me?" Traum stepped into the doorway. "What makes you think I'm capable of getting you down?"
"Don't pull this crap with me, you freak! You're the only one who could do this! Not to mention I'm stuck up here with your knives!"
"Good point," Traum replied. "And since you asked so nicely..." he trailed off as he climbed the wall. He crawled toward Tidus upside down, getting right in his face. "I'll let you down nice and easy," Traum finished.
Tidus fell to the floor, landing on his face and knees. Traum gracefully dropped onto his feet, sheathing the four knives.
Yuna wasn't laughing anymore. She was furious again. "That wasn't necessary!" she yelled, walking over to Traum. She drew back her hand to smack him.
"You...don't want to do that," he advised, as he firmly pressed the knife under her chin.
"You can't threaten me like this," Yuna glared.
"Watch me." Traum smirked. Then, he fell to the ground, his sunglasses flying off. Yuna stood in shock at what had just happened. Auron stood above Traum, looking down at him. As Traum sat up, groggy, Auron pushed him back down and held him with a boot to his chest.
"I told you, she's off limits. You're here to protect her, not to kill her!" Auron commanded down at Traum. Lulu, who had followed Auron, along with Wakka, noticed Traum's eyes. Without the dark sunglasses, the red eye on the right began to glow. Traum started convulsing violently.
"Get back! Everyone!" Auron yelled, still pinning the shaking man down. The others ran a ways down the hall, watching for what would happen. Auron removed his foot from Traum's chest and took a step back, drawing his sword.
"A-A-Aur-r-on..." Traum gasped between spasms. "D-d-do it n-n-now-w."
"No! Not yet! Snap out of it!" Auron commanded.
The group looked on in shock. None of them knew what was happening. Rikku felt a strange pull. Suddenly, Traum's trench coat pulled itself off of her, flying towards Traum.
"Rikku! Get his glasses! Now!" Auron screamed. Rikku ran back to Auron and found the glasses on the ground. She brought them to Auron and awaited his instructions. "When I tell you," Auron explained, "put the glasses back on him."
"Okay," Rikku agreed hesitantly.
Traum continued to shake, and he suddenly rolled over. On the back of his red shirt was the same symbol he had on his necklace and wrist. All three began to glow as well.
Auron placed a well-aimed kick straight into Traum's side, rolling him back over. Auron threw down his sword and sat on top of him.
"Traum! Close your eyes! Pull it together and close your eyes!" Auron was still yelling.
Traum continued convulsing, but slowly shook his head back and forth. He finally, after several attempts, managed to shut his eyes.
"Rikku! Now!"
Rikku ran over and put the sunglasses onto Traum's face. "It didn't do anything!" she cried.
Auron continued to command her. "Run!" He got off of Traum, flipped him back over, and ran to the others.
Traum stood up, still shaking, and spread his arms out wide. The trench coat found it's home, and Traum froze. He slowly turned around. "Sorry about that. Like I said, I get a little carried away sometimes." He smirked.
Auron spoke. "Lady Yuna, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. But your friend here seems to have a problem," she scoffed.
"I am truly sorry about that. If you'll allow me to explain..." Before Traum could finish, Cid came over the loudspeaker.
"Hey! We're at the Calm Lands!"
Yuna looked at Auron. "Explanations will have to wait. Sir Auron, would you like to tell us why we're here?"
"A race," Auron smiled. He began to leave.
"Sir Auron, I would prefer if you kept a closer watch on your friend here."
"Very well, Lady Yuna." Auron stopped and waited for the others to pass.
Traum was last. "A race?" he asked. Auron nodded. "Just like old times?" Auron nodded again. "Aww, I thought you actually had a challenge for me." Traum smirked.
"Oh, don't worry. I've thrown in some new surprises." Auron smiled. He paused. "Traum? What if I had done what you asked me to?"
"Then there wouldn't be much of a race, would there?"
The dull light of the airship shone on it. A pale gray, so smooth it glistened. Traum slowly moved the fingers back and forth, examining his own hand. There was no skin, no muscle. Nothing except bone up to his dark coat. Traum looked away from his left hand and turned toward Lulu. She was still smiling, her mouth slightly open.
Traum took one last look at the skeletal hand and put his glove back on. He slowly knelt down and scooped up Rikku in his arms, gently shaking her. She stirred, quietly moaning and opening her eyes. She realized where she was and began trying to thrash herself free.
"Ah! Put me down! Don't touch me with that!" Rikku screamed. Traum set her down, and she ran to Lulu, embracing her. Lulu looked to Traum, but he showed no pain at the remark.
"It's alright," he reassured. "I've been around awhile. I'm used to it."
Rikku released Lulu and slowly walked over to Traum. She looked up at him. "I..." she began. Traum placed his right hand on her cheek and smiled from behind his dark glasses.
"It's alright," he repeated. He held out his left hand. Rikku looked at him hesitantly, then took his hand. It felt...normal. She was amazed.
"Unbelievable," she said. She finally smiled back at him. "How much..." she stopped. She decided to act instead of speak. She took another step so that she was as close as she could be to him. Traum gazed curiously down at her, then smiled. He began to put his arms around her, but she stopped him by grabbing his elbows. Then, she continued. She brought her arms back up and put them around Traum's sides. He leaned in, trying to kiss her. She brought her hands to his chest and pushed him away. "Traum. Not now, okay?"
"Sorry," he apologized, standing straight up again.
She paused for a moment, then slowly moved her hands toward his shoulders. As she moved her hands outward, she slid his trench coat down to his elbows. Traum then allowed it to slip off the rest of the way. His short-sleeved red leather shirt was entirely revealed, along with his left arm. Rikku noticed the arm was only skeletal up to the elbow, less than a foot of it showing above his glove. She smiled and shrugged. "I think I can handle that."
"Now?" Traum asked, smiling.
"Yes, now," Rikku said, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling herself closer to him. He finally put his arms back around her waist and gently began to kiss her.
"Excuse me," Lulu said, annoyed. Rikku and Traum didn't respond. "Excuse me!" Lulu shouted. They showed no signs of stopping. Lulu gave up. "Fine!" she scoffed as she left the room. She saw Auron as she walked through the hallway.
"I take it went well?" Auron asked.
"Shut up," Lulu said, not looking at him and keeping her stride.
Auron raised his eyebrows and walked in the opposite direction as Lulu, toward Traum and Rikku.
"Alright, you two. Give it a rest," Auron said casually as he neared them. Then he stopped.
Rikku laid her head on Traum's chest. "Please, Auron. Just a few more minutes."
Fine, but we're almost to the Calm Lands," Auron said, turning around.
"Wait," Traum stopped him. "Why are we going to the Calm Lands?"
"For you," Auron raised his eyebrows again, looking at Traum. "You'll see when we land." He continued out the door toward the bridge.
Traum shrugged. "Where were we?"
"You know, there are sleeping quarters on this ship..." Rikku trailed off.
Traum smirked. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" he asked.
"No, I'm thinking it'll be more comfortable than just standing here. I have a few tricks of my own, so don't try anything," she smiled.
"Hmm, you might have to show me sometime."
"Careful. I'm faster than Lu."
"Well, in that case, this could get interesting."
"You have no idea." Rikku kissed him, then put on his jacket and took his hand again. The two walked towards Rikku's room, hand in hand, holding each other close. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Yuna and Tidus had left the bridge. They decided to check in on Rikku and Traum, so they headed towards the rooms. Sneaking around wasn't difficult because they weren't many people in this area of the airship. Once at Rikku's room, Yuna stooped down and carefully put an ear to the door. Tidus stood behind her, trying to contain his laughter.
"Okay," Yuna whispered ever so quietly. "I definitely hear them kissing, but nothing else."
Tidus was giggling ((yes, giggling)) quietly. "How would you know what to listen for?" he smirked.
Yuna was caught off guard. "Uh...I..." She looked around quickly. "Umm...I wouldn't," she concluded. After a pause, she added, "But I could guess."
"Uh huh. Guess. Sure. Whatever," Tidus mumbled to himself, still keeping his laughter somewhat quiet.
Inside the room, Traum slowly stopped kissing Rikku. He whispered directly into her ear, "Tidus and Yuna are outside the door." As Rikku began to respond, Traum put a finger to her lips. "I'm going to have some fun. Wait right here, I'll be back soon." He kissed her once more, then released her and stood up, walking to the door. Smiling, he turned back to her and disappeared. Rikku smiled and began to giggle.
Back outside, Yuna was still telling Tidus what she heard. "Oh, now I hear Rikku giggling." She smiled and waited for Tidus to complete the thought. "Tidus?" she asked curiously. Still no response. "Tidus?" she asked again, concerned. She turned to look for him behind her, but he was gone. Yuna thought to herself, "He's not that quiet. And why would he just leave me here?" She looked around a little more, scoffed, and put her ear back to the door.
"Yuna, help me."
Yuna spun around. "Tidus, it isn't funny. Where are you?"
"Up here," Tidus said, still whispering.
Yuna looked up and her mouth dropped. Tidus was hanging from the ceiling, pinned up by his shirt and shorts. Yuna was pretty sure she knew who had done it, too.
"These ceilings must be twelve feet high. I can't reach you. But just hang on...I mean, don't move...I mean...forget it." She knocked on the door to Rikku's room.
Rikku opened the door, pretending to look innocent. "Hey, Yuna. What's up?" Yuna tried to glare at her, but couldn't help it. The two girls broke into a roar of laughter. Tears were welling in their eyes as they doubled over.
"I'm up!" Tidus yelled, not seeing the humor. "Tell Lover Boy in there to let me down!"
"Who, me?" Traum stepped into the doorway. "What makes you think I'm capable of getting you down?"
"Don't pull this crap with me, you freak! You're the only one who could do this! Not to mention I'm stuck up here with your knives!"
"Good point," Traum replied. "And since you asked so nicely..." he trailed off as he climbed the wall. He crawled toward Tidus upside down, getting right in his face. "I'll let you down nice and easy," Traum finished.
Tidus fell to the floor, landing on his face and knees. Traum gracefully dropped onto his feet, sheathing the four knives.
Yuna wasn't laughing anymore. She was furious again. "That wasn't necessary!" she yelled, walking over to Traum. She drew back her hand to smack him.
"You...don't want to do that," he advised, as he firmly pressed the knife under her chin.
"You can't threaten me like this," Yuna glared.
"Watch me." Traum smirked. Then, he fell to the ground, his sunglasses flying off. Yuna stood in shock at what had just happened. Auron stood above Traum, looking down at him. As Traum sat up, groggy, Auron pushed him back down and held him with a boot to his chest.
"I told you, she's off limits. You're here to protect her, not to kill her!" Auron commanded down at Traum. Lulu, who had followed Auron, along with Wakka, noticed Traum's eyes. Without the dark sunglasses, the red eye on the right began to glow. Traum started convulsing violently.
"Get back! Everyone!" Auron yelled, still pinning the shaking man down. The others ran a ways down the hall, watching for what would happen. Auron removed his foot from Traum's chest and took a step back, drawing his sword.
"A-A-Aur-r-on..." Traum gasped between spasms. "D-d-do it n-n-now-w."
"No! Not yet! Snap out of it!" Auron commanded.
The group looked on in shock. None of them knew what was happening. Rikku felt a strange pull. Suddenly, Traum's trench coat pulled itself off of her, flying towards Traum.
"Rikku! Get his glasses! Now!" Auron screamed. Rikku ran back to Auron and found the glasses on the ground. She brought them to Auron and awaited his instructions. "When I tell you," Auron explained, "put the glasses back on him."
"Okay," Rikku agreed hesitantly.
Traum continued to shake, and he suddenly rolled over. On the back of his red shirt was the same symbol he had on his necklace and wrist. All three began to glow as well.
Auron placed a well-aimed kick straight into Traum's side, rolling him back over. Auron threw down his sword and sat on top of him.
"Traum! Close your eyes! Pull it together and close your eyes!" Auron was still yelling.
Traum continued convulsing, but slowly shook his head back and forth. He finally, after several attempts, managed to shut his eyes.
"Rikku! Now!"
Rikku ran over and put the sunglasses onto Traum's face. "It didn't do anything!" she cried.
Auron continued to command her. "Run!" He got off of Traum, flipped him back over, and ran to the others.
Traum stood up, still shaking, and spread his arms out wide. The trench coat found it's home, and Traum froze. He slowly turned around. "Sorry about that. Like I said, I get a little carried away sometimes." He smirked.
Auron spoke. "Lady Yuna, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. But your friend here seems to have a problem," she scoffed.
"I am truly sorry about that. If you'll allow me to explain..." Before Traum could finish, Cid came over the loudspeaker.
"Hey! We're at the Calm Lands!"
Yuna looked at Auron. "Explanations will have to wait. Sir Auron, would you like to tell us why we're here?"
"A race," Auron smiled. He began to leave.
"Sir Auron, I would prefer if you kept a closer watch on your friend here."
"Very well, Lady Yuna." Auron stopped and waited for the others to pass.
Traum was last. "A race?" he asked. Auron nodded. "Just like old times?" Auron nodded again. "Aww, I thought you actually had a challenge for me." Traum smirked.
"Oh, don't worry. I've thrown in some new surprises." Auron smiled. He paused. "Traum? What if I had done what you asked me to?"
"Then there wouldn't be much of a race, would there?"