Chapter 4: Praetor Trouble

The Airship, on the way to Bevelle, 30 minutes later…

The group had decided unanimously to search for answers from all the largest factions, New Yevon, The Youth League and The Machine Faction. So, their next stop was Bevelle, to see the leader of New Yevon: Baralai.

Chineya had agreed to join them, as their quest was the same.

"Well, I heard that Baralai is real ugly," said Chineya, trying to break the silence. Ever since they had left the Zanarkand Ruins, the group had been in deep thought about this Spite fellow, and what was to become of Spira.

Yuna and Rikku laughed.

"You'll see," said Rikku, smiling.

Chineya raised her eyebrows in doubt.

The others simply kept looking toward the temple that was fast approaching.

Yuna saw the brim of Bevelle, lowered her head and walked to her cabin. Tidus saw her look of remembrance and followed. The others shrugged their shoulders as if to say what's her problem, not thinking of the time that Yuna had married Seymour.

"Hey Yuna, wait up," said Tidus.

Yuna kept walking whilst deep in thought, not hearing Tidus call from behind.

She finally reached her cabin and sat on the bed. Tidus followed and sat opposite her.

"I know what you're thinking, Yuna…its about the wedding isn't it?" asked Tidus, sympathetically.

"Its just…I still can't believe that Seymour…was like he was…it was pure evil," said Yuna, who then reached forward to hug Tidus.

Tidus embraced her lovingly and whispered into her ear "I know."

They hugged for a while, until they reached Bevelle.

&&&&&&&&&&

The temple of Bevelle, 10 minutes later…

The group had arrived in the temple and were awaiting the appearance of Baralai.

"How much longer is this going to take?" asked Lulu, losing her patience.

"Hey…don't worry Lu…he'll be here soon, ya?" said Wakka, reassuringly.

Just as Lulu was about to say something, Baralai walked into the room.

Chineya, who was leaning against a wall unenthusiastically, widened her eyes as she saw the handsome figure of Baralai. She then noticed that Yuna and Rikku were staring at her with a cheeky smile on each of their faces as if to say wasn't what you expected was it.

"Hello friends…what brings you he…re," said Baralai, letting his voice trail off as he spotted their new member of the group.

The others spotted his gaze and looked away awkwardly.

Paine cleared her throat loudly and said "We were hoping you knew about an evil guy by the name of Spite."

"He destroyed my town and I want vengeance," said Chineya, forwardly as she stepped forward.

"I'd love to help you all, but I have not heard of this…Spite. But since you're all here, why don't you stay the night and my people shall prepare a feast for us…perhaps you can introduce your new friend," explained Baralai, with a slight smile on his face as he glanced at Chineya, out of the corner of his eye.

Later on they all sat around a huge table, eating hungrily from the day's activities. Baralai sat at the head of the table, talking to Paine who was sitting to the right of him. He looked down at Chineya who was half way along the rectangular shaped table.

"So what's the story with this new one?" asked Baralai, eyeing Chineya who was happily talking to Yuna.

Paine thought for a moment, frowning and then realised that Baralai in fact liked Chineya, after a number of questions he had already asked about her.

She smiled deviously.

"Why don't you ask her yourself?" asked Paine.

"I don't even know her name, Paine," said Baralai as if this was the excuse he could use for not talking to her.

"Her name is Chineya. If you want to talk to her, then just…talk to her," said Paine, looking towards Chineya.

"I am the Praetor of New Yevon, Paine…I have no time for romance," said Baralai, defending his honour. "Besides, she defies the ways of New Yevon…she didn't even pray before we ate."

Paine smiled and shook her head.

"I didn't pray either," said Paine, as she left to go to bed.

After everyone had gone to bed, Baralai said goodnight to Yuna and Tidus as they headed into their own room. He then climbed the stairs to go up to his own private chambers.

Once he reached his room he removed his cloak and shirt underneath and went to hang it up in the closet, only to find a pretty girl, whom he had met previously that night.

"Chineya?" gasped Baralai questioningly.

"Um…hi!" she said nervously.

Chineya then looked to his bare muscly chest.

She blushed and was glad that is was night, otherwise he would've seen her cheeks flush to a scarlet colour.

"What are you doing in here?" he asked just as embarrassed.

"Um…I…I'm gonna…go now…so…um…seeya!" she said running toward the door. But Baralai ran faster and slammed the door shut with his left hand, barring her path.

"Err…a little too close for comfort here," said Chineya.

Baralai looked into her dark purple eyes. They were so beautiful; he could have stared into them for an eternity.

"Are you right there?" asked Chineya, annoyed, but was secretly staring in awe at his attractive abdominal body.

"Actually…I should ask you the same thing." He said taking a step towards her.

She felt her hand reach towards her samurai sword, but soon felt his hand reach up and gently grab hers as he said, "I don't think so little miss. I'm a praetor and you were caught in my quarters doing Yevon knows what."

She looked away and tried to stop her eyes wandering to his rather attractive body.

"Well, please explain." He said waiting for her explanation.

"Um…I…" started Chineya, but thought of an idea.

She hit away Baralai's arm that was obstructing the door and quickly turned the doorknob and ran out.

Baralai, not thinking, ran after her half naked. However just as they were only halfway down the hall, Rikku stepped out of her room half asleep to see Chineya run past into her room and then Baralai running after her half naked.

She widened her eyes with shock and said, "Hey guys. Watcha doin? Kiss and catch? Can I play too?"

Baralai stopped, stared and stuttered, "Hey I…she was in my closet…and…"

"What? In your closet? Now I see what's goin on here?" Rikku butted in.

Suddenly, Tidus and Yuna, Wakka and Lulu and Paine stepped out of their rooms to see what all the noise was about, to also find a very half naked Baralai standing there, in the middle of the hall.

Then suddenly, Chineya popped her head out of her room.

"Hey Baralai…what are you doing out here half naked?" asked Chineya.

Chineya smiled and Baralai stood, flabbergasted.

"But you were the one being chased by him, Aya," said Rikku, confused.

"Aya?" asked Chineya.

"Its your nickname," said Rikku, simply.

"Oh…right," said Chineya.

"Why was he chasing you, ya?" asked Wakka, forgetting that Baralai was standing only a few feet away.

"He wasn't chasing me…I run from no one," said Chineya.

"Then…you were leading him into your room perhaps?" asked Paine, giving Baralai an evil smile.

Baralai stood in the centre of them all.

"She wasn't leading me…I never let a woman lead me…okay? But that's not what this is about…anyway, she was in my room…in my closet, doing Yevon knows what or why," said Baralai defensively.

"…Right," said Tidus, laughing. "Come on Yuna, let's leave Chineya and Baralai to do what ever they want…I'm tired."

Tidus and Yuna went back into their room. As did Wakka and Lulu and Paine. Rikku still stood there, her gaze going from Chineya to Baralai.

"Well, you kids have fun then," she said, playfully and went back into her room.

Then finally, there was only Baralai and Chineya.

Baralai turned to Chineya with evil eyes.

"You know…I've never met a woman who could embarrass me like you have tonight. I am the Praetor of New Yevon, for Yevon's sake, no one is supposed to embarrass me. People look up to me, you know. I never lose my cool, I never run after anyone and I certainly don't talk to people like you," said Baralai, annoyed.

"Well, it appears that all of the things you just told me are contradictions of you," said Chineya simply, not being offended by his words.

She then left him standing there as she walked back into her room and closed the door.

In Tidus and Yuna's room, the two laid there in the bed wide awake. Yuna was worrying about the situation at hand. She felt that even when and if this new battle was defeated, that a new evil would still come to Spira. Maybe Lady Yunalesca had been right…there would always be sorrow in Spira. Would there ever be a way to rid Spira of evil for good?

A tear ran down Yuna's cheek. Tidus noticed this and held her close.

"Don't worry, we'll find a way to get this guy," said Tidus, in a calm, soothing tone.

"I know, but will it mean the end of Spira in the process?" contemplated Yuna.

Not knowing what to say he planted a kiss on Yuna's lips.

It was soft and welcoming, but still did not rid Yuna of her contemplative thoughts.

A/N: We're back again. How do you think we're going in regards to the romance part of the story? Do you think we should keep up with the Yuna/Tidus and Chineya/Baralai couplings? Well, too bad we're going to do it anyway. Well, toodles.

Yunie and Yuffie signing out!