The Troubles of Love
Flaming Soul: I'm back again! With a new chapter! :: Bows:: Thank you, thank you. I shall mention the reviews in the end of every chapter. Ok! I'm sorry for making Paine some what OOCed in the last chapter. I needed one of the trio, to comfort Rikku and I had first thought that Yuna should be the perfect girl of the job, but then I went for Paine instead. So, yah, sorry bout that! By the way in the future chapters Paine might be a bit OOCed.
Seeing as people already know the drill with the disclaimer's and all, the first chapter was the only time I shall every put it on. Seeing as it annoys some of the reader, like me for example. ;; Hehe. . .
"Speaking"
'Thoughts'
(Translations from Al Bhed to English)
Sphere's recordingsChapter 2:The fiend, the sphere, what FUN!
Rikku's eyes slowly fluttered open as the sun hit her eyes. She felt some thing warm around her shoulders, as she looked she flushed red. Yuna's arms were around her. Rikku realized that she was half-way on Yuna's lap and her head had been on Yuna's chest. Rikku's breath caught in her throat as felt some one's warm breath on her neck. She didn't need to look to know. It was Yuna.
Yuna mumbled some thing in her sleep as Rikku tried to get off her lap. Rikku tried some more to get out of the predicament that she was in, as she did so, Yuna's eyes came open.
"R-Rikku?" said Yuna as she blinked. She then saw how her and Rikku were so close, she blushed a pinkish hue. Her face had been on the crook of Rikku's neck. Yuna blushed some more when she realized that she was holding Rikku. Slowly she took her arms off her and Rikku sat down on the sand. Rikku was bright red.
"D-Did you have a good sleep Rikku?" asked Yuna, as she broke the silence between her and her cousin.
"Yes, you?" asked Rikku her voice slightly higher then it usually is.
"Same here. Errr, we should go back to Lulu's hut. I bet that she's really worried about us," said Yuna changing the topic. The pinkish hue around her cheek had gone.
"Oh! Right! I forgot!" exclaimed Rikku. Her blush, gone. Only leaving her face slightly pink. "Lulu's gonna flip!"
Yuna giggled, 'It's good to have the old Rikku back.' "Then I suggest that we hurry back!"
Yuna quickly grabbed the blanket and ran. Rikku smiled and ran after her. Soon they arrived back at Lulu's hut, their faces red from running. They walked in the hut, finding Wakka, Lulu and Paine sitting on chairs beside a table talking.
"Looks like you two ran here," stated Paine, a ghost of a smile on her face. "You do realize that I had already told Lulu and Wakka where you were. So you really didn't need to run all the way here."
Rikku and Yuna gave an exasperated sigh, and sat down on a bed. "Man, we ran all the way here for nothing, where instead we could've just walked?" said Yuna, as her breathing became even.
"Yes," said Lulu. A small smile on her face.
"Why are you two still in your pj's?" asked Wakka, as raised an eye brow.
"Didn't you tell them Paine?" asked Rikku as she looked towards the silver haired girl.
"Yah, but only to Lulu," shrugged Paine. Yuna and Rikku gave another sigh and shook their heads, while Lulu stayed silent and Wakka had a confused look on his face as he looked from Lulu, Paine, Rikku, and Yuna then back to Lulu again.
"You too better get changed, your clothes are covered in sand," pointed out Lulu. "Both of your clothes are on the other bed."
Wakka, Lulu and Paine sweat dropped.
As Rikku and Yuna both looked down at they sand-covered clothes, then to their other clothes on the bed. Both girls then looked at each other, then a second later dashed to the other bed and grabbed their clothes and raced towards the bath room.
"Hah!" yelled Yuna as she got the to the door first. "I beat you Rikku!"
"No fare!" pouted Rikku, as she crossed her arms.
Yuna acting a but childish stuck out her tongue and Rikku before going in and changing. Rikku, sat back down on the bed, her arms still crossed. A few minutes later Yuna can out wearing her Gunner clothes.
"Ok Rikku. You can use it now," said Yuna as she fixed her hair with her hands. She down beside Paine, as Rikku got up and headed for the bath room.
"Where's the sphere?" asked Yuna. She winced when her fingers didn't get through a tangle.
"By the beach, or at least some where near it," said Paine.
"I see," said Yuna, as she worked out the tangle. Soon after Rikku came out, wearing her usual attire, the Thief.
"Shakie, shake our butts down there then," said Rikku as she went back into her hyper mode.
Paine sighed shook her head as she followed behind Rikku. Yuna giggled as she too got up and went out. Wakka and Lulu smiled as the three girls waved them good bye when they were on the trail to the beach.
"Well, where do head too now?" asked Yuna.
"I took a look, it's some where in the water," said Paine as she handed Yuna the directions.
Yuna's eyes lit up, "I know this place! I went there loads of times when I wanted to be alone. But we have to swim to get there, so put on your Thiefs." With that said Yuna switched to her Thief, so did Paine, reluctantly.
Soon the three girls were swimming in the waters. For time to time Yuna would tread water and take her bearings before heading out once again.
Yuna stopped and tread water, she looked around and said to Paine and Rikku, "We're here. But we have to dive. Just follow me and you'll be fine."
Paine and Rikku nodded. Yuna took a deep breath of air, and dived down. The other two girls following suit. They dived pretty deep. Just as soon as Paine and Rikku think that their lungs were about to burst, Yuna headed up. Soon they saw why, light shimmered through the water as they swam nearer and nearer.
Paine and Rikku gasped for air as they came into a cave opening. Yuna on the other hand was breathing lightly and pulled herself out of the water.
"Aren't ::gasp:: you ::gasp:: tired?" asked Rikku gasping for air.
"I came here a lot. So I guess that I've built myself up just by swimming here. My body is well adept in long swims and deep dives," said Yuna. Her breathing still light. She got up and read the directions again.
"So, where are we headed?" asked Paine. Still breathing quite heavily but not as much as Rikku, and not as light as Yuna.
"We'll go once Rikku's got her second wind," said Yuna as she looked at her cousin. Rikku was still in the water, so Yuna grabbed Rikku's arms and hauled her out of the water.
After a few seconds Rikku nodded back to Yuna. And the three headed off, once again following Yuna, seeing as she knew more about the cave, and it's ways.
After a long while walking, the three girls find them selves, in another cave, light from the sun shining through the holes on top. A glimmering sphere lay in the midst of the light.
"Well? What are we waiting for? Let's go and get it!" said Rikku, as she dashed forward in excitement.
"Rikku! Look out!" yelled Paine as a fiend of gigantic proportions leapt out and headed straight for the Al Bhed.
Yuna acted quickly, she got out both of her guns and fired at the fiend. Causing it to forget about Rikku, and it started focusing on Yuna.
Yuna kept on firing, and keeping the fiend busy. Paine on the other hand was preparing to use Excalibur. As soon as Paine had gathered enough power she struck the fiend. It scream in agony, but it didn't fall.
Rikku who by now, got over her shock, got the sphere that lay on the ground and tucked it away. She then changed into her Samurai dress sphere, and joined in on the play. Yuna and Paine were slowly getting tried and the fiend still hadn't fallen.
The fiend rushed at Yuna, with amazing speed for such a large creature, none the less its aim was true. Yuna screamed in pain, as she fell towards the ground. Rikku came right over and managed to catch Yuna before she hit the ground.
Yuna winced at the pain that was coursing through her body. Open cuts, made by the fiend, had deep red blood oozing out.
"Paine, take care of Yuna. I'll get the fiend," said Rikku through gritted teeth. Paine was about to object but when she saw the glimmer in Rikku's eyes, she only nodded. Paine then changed into her Alchemist dress sphere and tended to Yuna.
'I am going to KILL that fiend for hurting Yunie!' thought Rikku, furiously. She quickly changed into her Dark Knight dress sphere (AN: I love that dress sphere.) Rikku dodged quickly away as the fiend lunged at her, although to her misfortune the fiend's horn grazed her leg. Rikku winced as she felt the hot burning pain shoot up her leg.
Yuna tried to get up and help Rikku, but Paine pushed her down, "Your still hurt Yuna."
"But, Rikku!" said Yuna franticly trying to get out of Paine's grip.
Paine looked over to the blonde girl, "She'll be fine. After you get better, I'll go and help her. Ok?"
Yuna sighed, and nodded. She lay down again so that Paine can tend to her injuries. 'Be careful Rikku. . .'
Rikku didn't slow down, even though the pain was shooting up her leg. She dodged attack after attack, then she focused all her might and jumped up and did an attack from above, and slashed down on the fiend.
The fiend screamed in pain and fell. Rikku fell down to the ground, panting. 'That took a more them expected.' Rikku's head swam as she tried to focus on her surroundings. Her eyes were clouded in darkness. She fainted.
Just as Paine had finished tending to Yuna's wounds, Yuna was up and was about to congratulate Rikku. Yuna saw her cousin fall towards the ground.
"Rikku!" yelled Yuna, as she ran. She managed to catch one of Rikku's slender arms. She quickly pulled Rikku towards her and shook her, "Rikku! Rikku! Wake up!"
Paine ran behind Yuna, and handed her a potion. "Here use it on Rikku."
Yuna nodded and used every last drop of the potion. It wasn't enough so Yuna changed into her White Mage dress sphere and healed Rikku.
Rikku stirred, "Wha-? Yuna? Paine?"
"Rikku!" said Yuna as she glomps (AN: Glompshugs) her cousin.
"Rumo lnyb!" (Holy crap!) said Rikku. She reaches a hand over to Paine. Who just laughs. "Fine! Leggo Yunie!"
"Oh, sorry Rikku," said Yuna. "Its just that I'm so happy that your ok!"
"We all can tell that," said Paine sarcasm evident in her voice. "Nice job with the fiend Rikku."
Rikku smirked and danced around Paine, "Gasp! The high and mighty Paine giving me a compliment! Has the world come to an end?!" Said Rikku in mock horror.
Paine scowled, "That's 3 respect points Rikku." Paine just stood there, her face emotionless, but inwardly she was laughing her head off!
Rikku ran around, her arms in the air, "I lost 3 respect points! Nooo!" She ran around some more that is until she ran straight into a laughing Yuna.
Once again Rikku was on top of Yuna, her arms around the other girl's shoulders. Her head rested on Yuna's shoulder as she groaned, the world in her eyes kept spinning around and around.
"Ummm, Rikku?" said Yuna, her voice some what strained. "Can you get off, of me?"
"Huh?" said Rikku. The world around her still spun, she rolled off Yuna, and sat up. She brought her hands to her head, "Why is every thing spinning?"
Yuna giggled, "Nothing is."
"I know how to get Rikku back on track," stated Paine, an evil glint in her eyes. Yuna raised her eye brow, meaning: 'huh?' Paine just smiled at her, then went to Rikku and tickled her.
Rikku giggled and struggled to get the merciless Paine off her, "Yunie!!! HELP!!"
Yuna just stood at the side and giggled. Paine on the other hand was still tickling Rikku, "This is fun!"
Yuna of course after a few seconds came to Rikku's rescue, "Do you guys want to head back now?"
Paine got off giggling Rikku, "Ok. Next time you get to tickle Rikku." Paine then turned and headed to the water again.
Rikku heard this and stopped giggling, "Not fair!" She got up, she then ran, and pushed Paine into the water.
Paine surfaced and spat out water, "Rikku!" She yelled, she got out of the water and began to chase Rikku around. Yuna once again giggled, Paine soon after caught Rikku and threw Rikku in the cold water.
"Paine! You big meanie!" said Rikku, she got out of the water, and saw Yuna laughing. She went up to her cousin and said, "Wanna hug?"
"No way!" said Yuna as she ran away from Rikku.
Rikku smirked and ran after her, as soon as she was within arms length of Yuna, she grabbed Yuna and pulled her into a hug.
"My clothes!" said Yuna, as she tried to get away from Rikku. When she did she saw that there was a wet ring around her waist, and her back was soaking wet. "Ooo! Your gonna get it Rikku!"
Rikku jumped up, grabbed Yuna again and threw her in too.
"Way to go Rikku," said Paine, she high fived Rikku just as Yuna's head popped out of the water. A fountain of water came out of her soft pink lips. "Ok. Since we're all WET now. Wanna swim back or what?"
Rikku jumped right in, followed my Paine, as soon as she had switched to her Thiefs. Yuna, Paine and Rikku swam all the way back to the beach. Sand stuck to their body as the lay on the pearly white sand, breathing deeply for air.
Lulu and Wakka soon came into view. Lulu being considerate brought towels for the girls.
"So?" asked Lulu, as she handed each of the girls lying on the sand a towel each.
"We got the sphere," said Yuna as she dried her hair. She got up and put her leg in the water, washing the sand away and drying it quickly. She did the same with her other leg as well.
Rikku followed Yuna's example, but as hard as she resisted, she couldn't, she cupped a handful of water and splashed it into Yuna's face. Yuna gasped and splashed Rikku as well. Damp towels lay forgotten as the two girls went into a mini water fight.
"Rikku was the one who felled the fiend this time," stated Paine, as she folded the towel. Her sliver-grey hair flopped around as she watched the water fight.
One of Lulu's eye brows went up at this, "Really? How did she do it?"
"I don't know how she did it but all I know for sure is that it's powerful and that I want to find out how to pull off some thing like what Rikku did," stated Paine, as her mind focused on every detail that Rikku did, in hopes that she too can pull off an attack like that.
Lulu mentally sighed, 'That's the Paine that we all know. A fighter that wants to know more.'
A wet Rikku and Yuna came trudging their way to Paine, Lulu and Wakka. Their clothes sticking to their soaking bodies, their hair lay to their skull, the water dripping off their slender bodies.
Paine, Lulu and Wakka all raised their eye brows in confusion.
"What?" asked Wakka. "Is there some thing on my face?" One of his hands flew up to his face, patting it in different places, thinking that some thing was wrong.
Rikku and Yuna shook their heads and giggled, a split second later they were hugging Paine.
"Yuna! Rikku!" yelled Paine as she tried to pry of the two girls. As she felt how cold the water was, sending goose bumps around her waist.
Yuna and Rikku let go as soon as they had felt the goose bumps on Paine's waist. Rikku took her towel from the ground and began drying her hair. Yuna on the other hand was drying off her arms and legs.
Paine took her towel and wiped the water that was still around her waist, she crossed her arms and faced Yuna and Rikku. As the two girls saw that she was staring at them, they both tensed slightly.
Paine a small smirked was on her face as she walked to Yuna and Rikku, she put her hands on her hips and waited. In a swift move, Paine managed to get Yuna and Rikku with their backs on the sand. Paine's hands tickled Yuna and Rikku the same time, finding all their weak spots.
Rikku managed some how to get away and out of Paine's merciless grasp, and was still giggling. She propped herself on her right elbow and watched as Yuna tried to get away.
Paine got off Yuna when she had thought that was enough punishment, leaving a laughing girl completely covered in sand.
"Where were we?" asked Paine as she walked towards a smiling Lulu and Wakka. She dusted off her self as she did.
Rikku got up and held out a sand-covered glove to Yuna, as she finally stopped laughing. Yuna smiled and took her hand, she dusted herself off and walked over as well, Rikku skipped behind.
"Why don't we head back yah?" suggested Wakka, in his weird manner of speaking. Much to his surprise every body agreed and they took off back to the hut.
Paine, Lulu, Yuna, Rikku and Wakka all sat on the table. Rikku dug into her pocket and took out an orange glowing sphere.
"Where's Shinra when you need him?" asked Rikku, as she handed Lulu the sphere.
"Why don't you three go back to the Celsius, watch the sphere, then come back here and tell us?" suggest Lulu as she handed back the sphere.
Paine looked at Yuna and Rikku, who both shrugged. "Ok. Now?"
"I'm guessing that you all want to see the sphere right? So why don't we head to the Celsius, Wakka and I shall come as well," said Lulu as she got up. Seeing the confused faces as she did. "I'm as much curious as you to what this sphere holds."
The rest nodded and got up and walked out. Soon they made it to the Celsius.
Brother was no where in sight, Buddy was reading a magazine and Shinra was as usual on his gigantic computer.
"Here," said Paine as she gave the young boy the sphere.
Shinra took it and analyzed it. A few seconds later a screen popped up, a few figures appeared, it was too dark to make out any thing.
"Do you have her?" asked a deep voice, which sounded like a man.
"You bet I do. What may I ask are you planning on doing with this girl?," replied another, except the tone was higher, like a woman's voice.
"What else is there to do with such a beautiful blossom as her?" asked the man, as heavy footsteps could be heard. "If you haven't figured out yet. What I meant by it was that I'm going to have a little fun with this girl."
"I'm not an idiot. Where's the money?" asked the woman.
A grunt and a thud were heard, "Here, now hand her over!" demanded the man once more, but in a stronger voice.
"Ah! The money! Have the girl!" said the woman. As a yell of a young girl's voice was heard.
All of a sudden a light flickered, much like a candle light. The light was enough to see the young girl's frightened face.
The group in the Celsius gasped, at the girls face.
"Sphere ends here," stated Shinra, his voice some what quiet.
A heavy and awkward silence hung about the group, Rikku stepped away from the computer. Her green eyes wide in disbelief, her head shook from side to side in denial.
"Rikku. . ." said Yuna as she reached a comforting hand to her dearly loved cousin.
Rikku pushed away Yuna's hand and ran out, the hiss of the lift doors being opened could be heard.
Yuna's impulse was to run after Rikku, but to her surprise a muscular arm blocked her way.
"Leave her be," said Wakka seriously.
Wakka looked so serious so Yuna sighed in defeat, Wakka lowered his arm and looked sadly at Lulu.
Yuna sighed again and put her back to the wall and slid down.
Paine sat down beside Yuna and put her hand on Yuna's shoulder. Yuna continued to stare down at the floor, lost in her thoughts. Which only happened to be focused on one single thing:
'Rikku. . . . . .'
Flaming Soul: Another cliffy I know, I'm mean. I needed that! Well R&R!
Thank you to:Armor King: Your welcome! ) Lol. I think that they got the idea. What can I say, I when I get an idea I can't stop typing! Glad that you liked the idea. I know, I haven't really seen that many fics bout Paine and her persona.
Jon ( ): Don't worry I will! Lol! They should! Lol.