Author's Note: Hooray! 3rd Chapter. I'm actually very proud of this one. If you haven't noticed, there are actuall a few stories going on here. Paine's internal conflict, A little bit of Gippalai (For the Kristenems P), and Rikku's ordeal. This is probably one of the more complicated stories I've written, but I like where it's going. Anyways, review! Oh, and be warned. Wee bit o' yaoi in this chappie. Gippalai. xD
"I never meant for it to end this way."
She had made it to the bottom, down to where the secrets lie. Her journey had begun and she had found her guide, much quicker than expected. She had a pure heart, a sunny disposition, and a brightness that even the most grave secrets could never hope to darken. Though perhaps if she were to dwell within the darkness for too long, then maybe it might start to affect her, even beyond her wholesomeness. Only time will tell if she will make it out of the darkness and succeed in where the secrets lie.
-
"Yuna, get Baralai. We're going to need his help, though I doubt you'll be able to get him here without Gippal." Paine commanded as she draped Rikku's blankets over the girl, who was still out cold. After attacking her for what she had done to them, she had simply passed out. Yuna had freaked out the moment the girl stilled, thinking for some unbeknownst reason that they had killed the Al bhed. Paine managed to reassure her friend that her cousin was fine and that she had merely fallen unconscious due to her laughter. Paine did not begin to worry until after she had washed the clown make-up off and felt Rikku's forehead. The girl was burning up, her face flushing a vibrant shade of red. Paine bustled about, getting dressed before the two boys showed up and ushering Yuna (who was only half ready) out the door.
Rikku's condition was really starting to unnerve her. The girl had fallen ill before, but never like this. Paine was starting to wonder if there was something seriously wrong with the girl. Even though she rarely showed it, Rikku and Yuna meant the world to her. They were the only family she had. Rikku, with her extreme peppiness and goofiness and Yuna, sweet and kindhearted above all others. Even though sometimes they bugged her, as good families do, she would give her life for them. Luckily, Baralai was on his way. He would know what to do. He always did.
Paine breathed out a sigh of relief as she sat down on the couch next to the Al Bhed Princess, whose breaths were ragged and raspy. She was starting to become impatient, though patience never was one of her strong points. What was Yuna doing? It shouldn't have taken this long for her to bring the former Crimson Squad member here. It wasn't like they lived far apart. A small smile former on her face as a possible reason for the delay formed in her mind – and she wasn't far from the truth.
-
"Tuhd nacecd, Baralai, ed ec buehdmacc." That sinfully sweet voice ticked his neck as he turned away. Gippal had been surprising him for the past few mornings in ways he had never thought possible. And indeed, as much as he fought the restraints that bound his wrists and ankles to the bed, it was of no use. He remained quite immobile, even as to delectably soft lips teased the sensitive skin of his neck and those long, lovely, tan fingers traced intricate designs along his bare chest. A purr-like sound escaped his throat as those hands, those glorious hands, trailed lower and lower still, shooting heat through his veins. His lovers caress sending ripples of succulent electric pleasure throughout his body and then...
Knock, knock, knock! Interrupting their passionate act came the sound of knuckles on wood. Gippal released and exasperated groan while his wanton lover gazed on, an expression of need and annoyance on his face. Gippal was considering ignoring their visitor, at least until he heard the panicky voice of the high summoner.
"Baralai, Gippal! Open up. I need your help! Rikku's in trouble!" She shrieked, still beating on the door, rather viciously. Gippal sighed and busied himself with undoing the restraints that held Baralai to the bed.
"Hold on a moment, Yuna! We'll be there in a second!" Gippal shouted back as he hastily got dressed and left Baralai to calm down. Oh the perks of living with the Praetor of New Yevon. He closed the bedroom door behind him as he fled out towards the door, which Yuna was still beating on. He fumbled with the locks on the door and finally opening it, glad to be rid of the high summoners incessant hammering on it. "What's the problem?"
"Rikku just passed out and Paine told me to come get Baralai. She said he was good with all that white mage stuff. Even Paine seemed really worried about her and you know rare that is. Please, I really think this is more than what it looks like." Yuna rambled, looking obviously distraught. Her normally kempt locks were frazzled and sticking out in all directions and she seemed to still be in her pajamas. It was early, though he hadn't seen the clock yet so he wasn't going to judge her by the way she looked because he knew he probably didn't look much better.
"Alright, hold on. Baralai's still getting ready. I'll tell him to forget the details and that you need him right away, kay?" He suggested. Yuna nodded and bounced from foot to foot in the doorway, hoping that it wouldn't take too long. Gippal rushed through the rooms, his shorts almost falling off on the way, until he reached the bedroom He flung open the door and saw Baralai, in a pair of his-Gippal's- shorts and looking through his closet.
"'Lai-kun. Just grab your robe. Something's wrong with Cid's little girl and it's got Paine worried. You better hurry, you know that lady doesn't get all fretful unless something is REALLY wrong." Gippal said, fidgeting while leaning against the frame of the door. "You know, those look good on you." He purred from his vantage point, a goofy smile on his face while Baralai threw his robe on.
"Oh. C'mon Gippal. You are such a boy." His elder said while brushing past him, making sure to make contact with the Al Bhed's lithe frame. Gippal felt a rush from the contact and wanted to pin the man up against the wall and take advantage of him right then and there, despite what could possibly a life threatening situation for a girl he had grown up with. He shook the thoughts from his head as he trailed behind Baralai like an obedient little puppy dog.
"Baralai! Oh thank goodness. Hurry and come with me. I'll explain along the way!" She squealed, grabbing the Praetor by his wrist and dragging him out of their house, leaving Gippal to attend to the locks, and thus get left behind as Yuna beat a trail back towards Rikku and Paine.
-
Paine brushed the damp blue cloth along the girls fevered forehead, praying with all her might that Baralai would get there soon. She had seemed to worsen in a matter of minutes, from her flushed skin and ragged breathing to the occasional screams that raked through whatever dream she was in. Sometimes Rikku would stir and the warriors hopes would rise, though soon fall as she realized the movements were subconscious. This was quite unlike her to get so worked up over someone. She was just about to go and look for Yuna when she heard the door open and slam shut and the muddled sounds of many footsteps. If she'd have been in any other predicament, she probably would've laughed. Apparently Yuna had rushed them in the whole aspect of getting ready, and it was rather humourous.
"Yuna told me what happened. I'm still not too sure what could be wrong with her, I'll need to do a more thorough examination." Baralai said, breathlessly, as he sat beside Rikku and laid a palm to her forehead. Paine rose from the couch and tossed the wet rag into the sink. When she came back, she found Baralai checking the princesses pulse. The warrior stood next to Gippal, who seemed worried as well.
"We should start calling him Dr. Baralai." She joked in his ear, wanting to lighten the mood. The atmosphere had curiously darkened and Paine felt something rather uncomfortable weighing on her heart. Yuna offered a weak smile as she turned multicolored eyes upon her writhing cousin. Paine found it quite odd that each of them had a deeper attachment to the girl than she did and yet she still felt almost as worried, if not more, than they did. Rikku and Yuna were cousins, but that was the obvious connection. Rikku was also Yuna's guardian, and she tried her very hardest to save the high summoner from herself. Her efforts were not in vain, luckily, as they had defeated Yu Yevon and destroyed Sin once and for all. The two were so alike and at the same time, so different. Gippal and Rikku had grown up together in the sandy desert of Bikanel, had been a couple for a while, and then he left for the Crimson Squad. Paine was sure there were some silly childhood memories they were both holding on to. And Baralai, the one Rikku had always looked up to. He had become like a father to her following the defeat of Vegnagun, a person she always ran to in her times of need. And what was she, Paine, to Rikku? She had come to think of Rikku as a sister, but what did the princess think of her?
Perhaps she should stop bottling her emotions up. Perhaps she should be more open with the people closest to her. She didn't want to lose them before she could tell then how much they mean to her. She only hoped it wasn't to late for Rikku.
-
"Auron! Auron! Help me, I'm so scared, Auron!" She screamed, having long discarded his katana in the darkness as the horrific memories taunted her. She fell to her knees and cried at the top of her lungs for him, but there was no answer. She clutched at her hair and wove it around her fingers, trying to curl up into the smallest possible ball to escape the insanity surrounding her. Tears were pouring freely from her eyes as she shrieked and wailed and tried her best to keep her strength. It couldn't end this way. She wouldn't let it end like this! She didn't need Auron's help. So what, he promised to protect her and so what, he had left her when she needed him most. She could do this herself! She was Rikku! Princess of the Al Bhed, vanquisher of Sin! Cousin to High Summoner Yuna! She didn't need that bastard's help! With her newly found resolve, she stood back up defiantly, though fell back down again as she saw the shadow falling down from above "AURON!" She yelled one last time, her voice cracking. And as her vision went spiraling into darkness, again, she heard his voice.
"Fight the darkness, Princess. Remember, I'll always be with you. Just look in your heart."
Fight the darkness, she could do that, she would win! She closed her eyes and looked into her heart, as Auron had suggested. The tenderest memories came whirling back to her in a rush and the darkness faded. As she collapsed, sleep taking her far from this new reality, those sweet memories replayed in her mind like broken record.
The first time she saw him smile, the first time she heard him laugh, their first embrace, his promise, the familiar and comforting sensation of his rough, calloused hands, the secret, their first kiss, and how he faded away, so graceful in the fiery sky.
These were her memories, her secrets, her strength. She would fight the darkness with light, with her smiles, with him at her side. The malignant blackness would not prevail. She would destroy the darkness down where the secrets lie.