-Author's Notes-

Well, Here's chapter four and btw, I probably won't exceed five chapters with this story, six at the very most. So, It's now time to find out some 'truth' in this chapter. The people from the sphere's identities, their last known location, the Crimson Spheres, Sarah, Paine's mystery-someone and... just read on to find out anything else...

-Celsius/Deck-

Paine has already gone back down via the elevator, probably to get a drink at Barkeep's, leaving Rikku and Yuna on the Deck of the Celsius: Yuna is standing with her right hand covering her right earand looking off into the sky as it scrolls byand Rikku is squatted(for lack of a better word) with her knees against her chest and her left arm around her knees, she's 'drawing' random little shapes with her right index finger and looking down. Yuna soon turns toward the blondehaired Al Bhed girl, her expression immediately changes from thoughtful to concerned, "What's the matter, Rikku?" she asks, her concern leaking into her voice, "Something must be bothering you. Tell me... What is it?"

"... huh?" Rikku responds after a moment, as she jerks her head up toward Yuna, who's still standing up, "Um..." she returns her gaze toward the Deck of the Celsius at her feet, "It's just that... I started this journey to find out who I really am: my parents, my past, where I was actually born... but..." she pauses to swallow and clear her mind somewhat, "It's brought Leonn's painful memories back, Paine's hurt too, and-"

"What do you mean, 'Paine's hurt'?" queries Yuna, blinking twice in confusion.

"Couldn't ya tell, Yunie?" Rikku responds with another question, then says, "It was the way she was actin'... I'm not sure, but I think something about Leonn's past brought up memories of Paine's... maybe..." she sniffles twice and curls her right arm around her knees, "I'm sorry, Yunie... it just feels like I'm causin' my friends pain... all on account o' my own stupid selfishness!" she then quickly buries her face in her knees and starts crying.

Yuna stands there a moment before stepping closer to Rikku and kneeling next to her. She places her left hand on Rikku's right shoulder and Rikku, instantly, spins toward her and buries her face in Yuna's right shoulder, crying. Rikku's hands grip the fabric of Yuna's outfit as the Al Bhed girl cries against her shoulder and Yuna brings her left hand up to cup the back of Rikku's head and the brownhaired girl curls her right arm around her friend's shoulders, "Shhh... Rikku." Yuna says softly into the Al Bhed girl's right ear, stroking Rikku's hair with her left hand, "It isn't your fault. It isn't easy to let go of the past... after all, Leonn's 'still' trying to let go of his. Stop blaming yourself, neither of them blame you... 'I' don't blame you, Rikku. Besides, Leonn and Paine are both strong people, they'll be fine."

Rikku crying soon slows and she leans back slightly to look at Yuna, "A-are you sure, Yunie?" she asks, still sniffling through a few still sheading tears.

Yuna merely smiles and uses her right hand to wipe the tears from Rikku's cheeks, "Of course I'm sure, silly." she giggles slightly, then notices how Rikku's cheeks are slightly pinkish from crying, "You know, You're cute when your face is red."

"Awww, Yunie..." Rikku responds, her cheeks blushing deeper... for a different reason. She looks down and starts acting slightly embarrassed as she twists slightly back-and-forth, "You're just saying that to make me feel better."

Yuna giggles slightly and then says, "Maybe so... but, it's still true." she then places her right index and middle fingers under Rikku's chin and raises her face to where their eyes meet, "I love you." she says almost silently.

Rikku smiles at the former High Summoner, "I love you too, Yunie!" she responds, then leans in toward her. Yuna meets the blonde halfway and their lips touch in short and sweet kiss, before they hear...

"Ahem!" Paine's voice says, "I hope I'm not interrupting."

Rikku and Yuna break away and both girls turn to acknowledge Paine... the leather-clad girl is standing just infront of the elevator with her arms folded in her typical fashion.

"Oh!" Yuna responds, "N-no. Not at all, Paine."

"Yeah! Yunie was just cheering me up!" Rikku adds with a big smile, keeping her arms around Yuna, "Anyhoo, What's up?" she asks.

"I heard an announcement over the com that we're all supposed to go to the Bridge... Leonn's got something important to tell us." Paine replies, "So, I decided to come up and get you two, then we can all go to the Bridge." Rikku uncurls her arms from around Yuna's waist and both girls stand up, then give Paine a quick nod. "By the way..." Paine says, as she spins away from them and toward the elevator, "You two are 'cute' together." then steps into the elevator and tilts her head down slightly, closing her eyes, 'I miss you... Elle...' she thinks to herself as she presses the button for the Bridge.

"Hey! Wait for us!" Rikku and Yuna call almost in unison as the make a mad dash for the elevator before the doors close.

Paine doesn't raise her head, open her eyes, or even turn around as she sidesteps to her left just in time to avoid the impact as Rikku and Yuna trip and fall into the elevator just before the door closes. As the elevator begins its decent, Paine turns to the two girls on the floor and looks down at them, she halfway grins, "I'll give you two a '5' for effort." she says, "But, I'd have to say about a '-1' for balance." she laughs somewhat.

-Celsius/Bridge-

When Paine, Rikku, and Yuna enter the bridge from the hall to the elevator, they see Leonn sitting at the computer at the right wall, tapping several buttons on a keyboard. Buddy is standing near Leonn, looking at one of the computer-screens and Brother's, of course, flying the Celsius. Buddy turns toward the three girls as they walk toward the computer-area, "Ah, Good timing!" he says.

Rikku and the others stop behind Leonn's seat, "We're here." Paine says, folding her arms, "So, What's so important?"

"Yeah." Rikku adds, walking forward and leaning against the back of Leonn's seat, "What's up?"

"I've discovered some very interesting information." Leonn says, without looking away from the computer-screens as he continues hitting keys, "First, I found out the names of the two on that sphere... The man's name was: Krios. And, the woman: Shilaya. Here's their descriptions..." he taps a few more keys and a picture of a man with short light-brown hair and a feint scar on his right cheek appears on one screen, he's wearing: Black pants with the right leg covered by silver armor, brown boots, chain-mesh armor covering his torso, his left arm is fitted with matching armor to his right leg with a black glove on his left hand, his right forearm is covered by a blue gauntlet that even covers the back of his right hand to the middle joints of his fingers (the armor is segmented at his wrist, knuckles and between his fingers to allow his hand free-movement), he also has a metal armor-plate covering his forehead with a small piece coming down to cover the front of his nose. On another monitor, a picture of a slender blonde-haired woman appears, she's wearing: A short-sleeve knee-length dress with a small slit up the right side (think Chinese dress) and ruffled shoulders, a sash-like belt around her waist, a jewel-studded choker around her neck, a matching band around each of her wrists, split-toe sandals on her feet, and shin-guards on both shins (which slightly off-sets the rest of her attire).

The pictures are accompanied by full dosiers on the corresponding people, the following information is displayed...

The man: Name: Krios. Build: Average/Solid. Type: Human Warrior. Class: 'Archaic Arts' Master. Age: 27. Description: Highly trained martial arts master descended from a long line of ancient warriors. His skills in unarmed combat were unsurpassed and he received many accolades for his bravery in battle. Later, however, he was accused of Herecy against Yevon and marked as a traitor, along with his wife; Shilaya. The two were sentenced to death. True disciples of Yevon were sent to find and execute them for Herecy, however... the two escaped, along with their young daughter. Current Location: Unknown.

The Woman: Name: Shilaya. Build: Average/Feminine. Type: Human Guardian. Class: Balanced Melee and Magic. Age: 25. Description: Wife of Krios and a top ranking Yevon soldier... until she was found guilty of Herecy and sentenced to death along with Krios. Missing since the Herecy Examiners were sent to execute them both. Bodies of the Examiners were found at the location they were sent to. Proof enough, though, that one year prior... she gave birth to a baby girl. Current Location: Unknown.

Rikku's spiralled green eyes are wide in astonishment, her mouth slightly agape... Yuna in similar circumstances. Paine looking fairly nonchalant as usual, except for her wider-than-average eyes.

"So..." Rikku finally manages to voice, "Th-they're my parents...?"

"Still not certain of that..." Leonn says, tapping more keys, "However, Take a look at this..."

More information appears on the center monitor, reading-Herecy Examiners' log: Targets located atlocation: Mushroom Rock Road. Preparing to execute on Lead Examiner's order.-

"That reads like a Machina-readout." Paine states.

"Yes, No doubt one of the Machina robots used by the 'True Yevonites'." Leonn explains.

"Is that all?" questions Paine, boredly.

"... not exactly. There's more." Leonn responds, "It turns out those two weren't the only ones who disappeared near Mushroom Rock Road... Sarah did, too..."

A picture and dosier pops up on Sarah, focusing on what happened after she and Leonn were separated at Omega Ruins... ending at Mushroom Rock Road.

"There is one more disappearance described..." Leonn adds, pressing several more keys to bring up another picture of a young woman, who appears about 15-16, with near shoulder-length brown hair, wearing: A blue and white dress (the top's blue, the lower part's white), a scarf-like item drapped around her, and low-top shoes.

However, Before her name and dosier even pop up, Paine's eyes widen, "... Elle!" she states, shoving Buddy aside and stepping closer to the screen. The dosier pops up, verifying that the girl's name is indeed 'Elle'... Ellone, to be exact. Paine reaches a gloved hand out to the screen with Ellone's picture on it, placing her palm on the screen and slowly brushing her hand over the screen to one side. A never-before-seen occurence happens as a tear escapes Paine's right eye, as she looks at the face of the girl on the screen.

"... by the way..." Leonn says, "The information points their likely location as... the Den of Woe. And, The key to opening the Seal over the entrance is the Crimson Spheres..."

Everyone gasps.

!To Be Continued!

Ramblings: Bet none of you saw that coming, eh? If you're wondering... Yes! Ellone is the exact same Ellone from Final Fantasy VIII. Now, I wish to inform you all that the next chapter should be the last one. The confrontation at the Den of Woe with the one responsible for the backstoryline of this fanfic. Tune in next chapter, alright? Ja til then!

P.S. - If you haven't already, Be sure to check out Flaming Soul's 'The Troubles of Love' if you like the Rikku/Yuna pairing. See you next chapter.