Augh… forgive me. The fool I am… I couldn't get to writing this. I got sick, depressed, mindless, sick, and just… over all… completely uninspired to do anything at all. Having finally dragged myself out of it I managed to write this chapter. I'm really really REALLY sorry for how late it is, it makes me sick to think of it. So much for updating sooner. Urgh.

When will the next chapter be up? Oie… I hope soon. But I honestly don't know when. One week, two… HOPEFULLY not three. I'll try hard, I promise. Sometimes I just can't write fanfiction to save my life.

In reply to comments...

YuniX-2, thank you very much for your comment. It's always a struggle to battle off depression and I'm slowly realizing I may just need to get help for it. But it seems to be getting better finally, so maybe there's clear weather ahead for me. Anyhow, as for the fights, I'm glad you like them. You know it's funny, only now that you mentioned accessories did I actually think of them. Aie. Well, maybe I can sneak them into a revised edition, maybe. It might have been a little confusing to add though, along with the dress-spheres... eee, no excuse. I can't believe I forgot. And yes, their 'talk' is going to be at the end of the fic. I've seen both the Japanese and the English endings, I tend to like the Japanese one better... somehow it seems more meaningful when she says thank you. But if I had stuck that in the fic people might have got confused and truth be told... I like fluff. Thanks again for the comment, it's wonderful to hear from people.

Thank you again for all the comments, as usual they're wonderful to read, thank you. I can't tell you how much they mean to me. If I didn't get any feedback, I think I would be tempted to quit.

On that note, I am NOT going to quit, as long as people keep reading this. No matter how long it takes between chapters, I'll keep going. I'm just a slow worker sometimes and now that school's back who knows how many breaks I'll get.

I know I've said this probably a thousand times, but I'll try to get to writing this faster. It only really takes me a couple of hours to write it, I just can't find the time/energy most of the time. Also haven't been writing much lately, on anything, so I'm a bit rusty inspiration wise. But it's starting to get better, so… soon. I'll try to get more up soon.

If this chapter seems rushed, probably because it was. Point out any glaring mistakes/OOCs and I'll try to correct them when I do a revised version at the end. Hopefully by that time I'll also figure out how to upload documents properly on Fanfiction. For the life of me I can't seem to get it to come out right. Maybe it's my program... I hope it's readable. Any suggestions on how to get it to behave would be wonderful.

I don't own FFX or FFX-2 or Square or Spira or Mt.Gagazat or Yuna or... You get the point.

Chatter done. Chapter now.

Chapter 18

"Almost there." Yuna attempted a tired smile in Tidus's direction as she walked down the stone steps beside him. They were nearly out of the caves, after what had seemed an eternity. Soon they'd be at the Fayth Scar, where Rikku and Paine were already waiting.

The journey through the caves had been uneventful compared to their previous encounter with the Malboro. They'd run into a couple of fiends, but mostly of the weaker kind. A few seemed to be twisted, but it wasn't anything the two of them couldn't handle. It'd been more of an annoyance then a danger. Beyond that, the path through the dark caverns was no different then it always was.

"It'll be nice to get some rest." Tidus yawned, stretching his arms out as he walked. "Seems like every day we're going through another crisis." He added, sounding a little amused rather then annoyed. For once though, even he looked a little tired. The spark in his eyes though, was still there, as always. Yuna doubted it'd ever leave, even when he was sad.

"Hopefully it'll be over soon." She sighed somewhat wistfully, her eyes fixed on the tunnel in front of them, at the opening that was slowly coming into view. The air was growing cold again, and Yuna regretted having lost her jacket in the lower tunnels. The robes of the white mage dress-sphere protected her somewhat, but they weren't as thick as she'd like.

Beside her Tidus looked even colder. He too had lost his jacket, and he was now only wearing his usual shorts and jacket like outfit. Granted, he'd worn it before when he'd traveled in Mt.Gagazat, but it still couldn't be comfortable.

"I'm fine." He shrugged, as if reading her thoughts somehow. "We'll be at the airship soon, right? What's a little cold." Grinning, he stepped out of the tunnel and into the open cliff-face. The wind was an icy gust, just short of being a blizzard. Though it wasn't yet snowing, the smell of snow was in the air as always. No doubt a blizzard was on its way.

Yuna shivered under her robes. 'Rikku and Paine better be there.' She thought with a grimace as the wind howled by her face. She didn't want to spend anymore time out in the cold then was needed.

Thankfully, it didn't take long to find them.

The pair were waiting exactly where Rikku had said, just below where the cliff rose up into the sky towards the ruins. The air seemed calmer there somehow, as if the rocky cliff face protected it from the wind.

Rikku was impatiently looking around, worry on her face that was clear even at the distance they were. Paine stood nearby, silent and sentinel like, her eyes fixed on the path like a hawk's. As Yuna and Tidus drew nearer, she saw the warrior's head raise. At the movement, Rikku spun around and caught sight of them.

"Yunie!" The Al Bhed shouted, waving her arms at them, as Paine remained as statue like as ever. "What happened to you guys?" She chattered, running up to them as they approached. Her eyes flew to Yuna then to Tidus, and it was evident on her face she was wondering why they weren't wearing their jackets.

"It's kind of a long story." Yuna sighed, hugging her robe tighter to her body. "Can we talk about it later?"

"On the airship. Good idea." Paine nodded, before Rikku could even open her mouth to protest. "I'm sick of standing out in the cold staring at rocks and snow."

Yuna felt her heart sink at the words.

"I take it you guys didn't find anything." Tidus sighed, sounding just as disappointed as Yuna felt.

"Nope." Rikku's shoulders sagged, looking to Yuna sadly. Yuna tried to keep the disappointment out of her face, tried to keep smiling. But it was hard, and it wasn't working. Rikku knew she was putting on a mask, they all did. But still, she tried, perhaps by forced habit.

"I'm sorry Yunie, we looked everywhere! We couldn't find anything at all. Just rocks and snow." Her cousin's shoulders sagged even lower, and her eyes went to the ground. "Buddy said he scanned the ruins while we were looking down here." A sigh escaped her lips in a cloud of puffy white. "They didn't find anything either."

"So… there's no where else to look?" Yuna said quietly, after a long moment of silence.

"We've looked all over the mountain." Rikku nodded, looking more miserable then Yuna had ever seen her.

"We didn't go up to the hot-springs." Paine shrugged, looking a little annoyed that they were still standing around in the cold talking.

"Why not?" Tidus raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms and looking as though he was trying hard not to shiver.

"It's Ronso sacred ground for one thing, and we've been there before. Never seen anything peculiar." Paine shrugged again, looking up above them to where the cliff disappeared into the clouds.

Yuna stood silent for a moment, feeling the icy breeze sweep through her robes and chill her skin. The sky was growing darker and darker. The sun was almost gone. The feel of snow in the air was almost overwhelming. Any minute a blizzard would erupt, she could feel it.

"The hot-springs, huh…" Rikku put a finger to her mouth, looking as though she were plotting something.

"Oh no." Paine said quickly, shaking her head. "Don't even think it. We don't have time."

"Time for what?" Tidus frowned, moving his weight from one leg to the other, crossing his arms even tighter.

Rikku's eyes began to glint mischievously. "Time for a dip!"

Yuna stared at Rikku wordlessly. The idea was tempting, so tempting she was surprised at herself. After all they'd been through, they really hadn't had time for a proper break. The hot-springs had been so refreshing the last time they'd gone, but… But Paine was right, they didn't have the time. She sighed aloud and looked out to the open cliff beside them.

The screams were muted, but steadily growing louder and more urgent again.

"We don't have time." Paine repeated, glaring at Rikku as if somehow it'd get her point across. "Yuna's not going to last much longer. We have to find the temple."

"Paine!" Rikku cried, turning to face the warrior with a look of exasperation. "Where have you been all day? We looked over the whole darn mountain! What did we find? Zippo! All we're going to do now is head back to the airship to sleep! It's not going to kill us to take a dip before we go to bed!" She paused, then with a determined air added, "Besides, we didn't look up there properly. When we're finished with our dip we can check out the area for any signs of the Temple." It was an excuse, Yuna know, Rikku really didn't think they'd find anything. But still… Yuna pondered the idea, and Rikku's logic.
Paine continued to glare, but she didn't say anything. It was clear, she had no argument to defend against that. Rikku began to smile, as if she'd won some kind of victory.

'She has a point.' Yuna thought mutely, staring at her cousin whose eyes were still glinting.

"Sounds like a plan." Tidus grinned, and Rikku's eyes began to glint even more.

"See! He agrees with me! Come on Yunie, we have time! You need the break! It'll probably do you good." The points were coming fast now, too fast for Yuna to argue with. Her cousin did have valid points, and deep down… Yuna really wouldn't mind going.

"But it's Ronso sacred ground." Paine demanded, shooting Yuna a warning look.

"We've gone up there before! Kimarhi wouldn't mind." Rikku argued, rolling her eyes. "Besides, there's been so many people up there since word got out, I bet it wouldn't matter."

Paine sighed, but seemed unable to come up with anymore argument.

"Well Yunie, what do you say?" Rikku turned her gaze back to her cousin.

"Well…" Yuna blinked, looking up to the cliffs above. It was so tempting. Rikku was right, Kimarhi wouldn't mind, they'd never caused any harm before. She felt the impulsive Gullwing manner she'd acquired over the last few months suddenly take hold.

"Okay."

Rikku cheered, and did a little victory dance. "I knew you'd go for it, Yunie!"

"Sounds fun." Tidus grinned at her sideways, and Yuna felt the last of her doubts dissolve.

"What is going on down there?" A voice suddenly cut in, screeching in all three radios.

"Not so loud!" Rikku screeched back, glaring up at the sky as if somehow she'd be able to spot the airship. "We're just talking about going for a dip."

"A DIP?" Brother screeched, so loud even Paine winced.

"Oh goody." The warrior grumbled, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms.

"Yeah, a dip! You guys can come too! We'll just stay on opposite ends of the springs." Rikku waggled her eyebrows at Tidus. "So the guys can't peek at the girls!"

"Hey!" Tidus frowned, looking annoyed she'd ever think such a thing.

"I thought we were running short on time?" Buddy's usual calm voice came on the radio, and Paine looked suddenly hopeful that Yuna would call it off.

"Oh we just went through this!" Rikku stomped her foot, sounding annoyed as she yelled into her radio. "We're just going to go back to the ship anyway! We may as well enjoy ourselves!"

"Well, I guess you're right." Buddy didn't sound too convinced.

"Alright, let's go." Yuna said suddenly, making everyone turn to look at her in surprise. "It'll be fun." She smiled, looking from face to face. "Like you said, maybe the rest will help."

"See? Settled." Rikku grinned, shooting Paine a smug look.

"What about us?" Brother shouted through the com.

"Hurry up and get down here!" Rikku snorted, rolling her eyes and heading towards the cliff face.

"I still say this isn't a good idea." Paine muttered, but Rikku completely ignored her.

"Come on, Yunie!" Rikku grabbed Yuna's hand and began to tug her towards the cliff face. "We gotta get up there before that blizzard starts."

Yuna gathered her robes around her and followed after her cousin. Already Tidus was beside her and Paine was slowly bringing up the rear. The warrior still looked unhappy, but she wasn't about to give up the chance to go to the hot-springs, it seemed.

The climb up the cliffs itself was not difficult. Yuna and the others had done it several times before, and now it seemed almost automatic. The only one who had a little trouble was Tidus, surprisingly. Apparently he'd never done any kind of mountain climbing before.

"Uh, wait up?" He called, as the three girls reached the top. Yuna peered down behind her and saw he was still only half way.

Rikku giggled aloud and put her hands on her hips. "Oh, what's the matter? Blitzer boy can't cope with a couple of rocks?"

Tidus shot her a glare that was more amusement then anger. "Hey, we didn't climb mountains in Zanarkand. It's not my fault."

"Better go help him, Yuna." Paine snorted, looking just as amused as Rikku.

"Hey! I'm fine, just don't go wandering off without me." Tidus muttered loud enough for them to hear, increasing his pace as Yuna peered over the cliff.

"We're not going anywhere." Yuna smiled, waiting patiently as Rikku started to wander off.

"There you are!" Brother shouted from somewhere behind her, the sound of other footsteps heavy behind him. "What is the hold up?"

"Blitzer boy's having a bit of trouble with the mountain." Rikku giggled, waving her hand behind her towards the cliff.

"What?" Brother frowned, starting towards the cliff.

"Jeez Rikku!" Tidus muttered, pulling himself over the edge of the cliff beside Yuna. "Thanks a lot." Rikku giggled some more, then punched Brother in the arm.

"What was that for?!" He shouted, stumbling back only to bump into Cid.

"That's for not telling us you guys could have picked us up here!" Rikku snapped, her arms on her hips. Cid pushed Brother away and shot him a look of contempt.

"We didn't know we could land up there." Buddy interjected, before Brother could defend himself or Cid could start what looked to be another lecture to his children. "But when we were circling around scanning, we found a flat part in the ruins, free of storms. All we had to do was climb down to where we are now."

"That's handy. So we won't have to worry about the blizzard down there." Paine raised an eyebrow, looking towards the cliffs they had just ascended.

"Yep!" Calli peeked from behind Barkeep, grinning from ear to ear.

"Oh, you brought the whole family." Paine rolled her eyes.

"You think I'm going to pass up a chance at the hot-springs?" Cid snorted, crossing his arms. "Never!" Then he looked over to Brother with a somewhat suspicious scowl. "And I thought I better come to make sure nobody gets any ideas."

"Ideas?" Calli frowned.

"Don't ask." Paine sighed, looking at Brother and then at Tidus.

"What?" Tidus said defensively, as Rikku began to giggle again.

"Nothing." Paine shook her head, looking a little amused as she started off towards the hot-springs.

Yuna tried to ignore the whole exchange as she followed after Paine, but Rikku couldn't stop giggling.

"What is wrong with you?" Cid huffed, as the group began to follow after Paine.

"Nothing!" Rikku smiled innocently, stifling a giggle.

"Nothing! HAH!" Cid snorted, shaking his head. "I knew I should never have let you out of my sight. Look what you've become."

"What I've become?" Rikku retorted, scowling fiercely. "Hey pops! I'm happy with the way I am thanks!"

"Hah." He snorted again, shaking his head. "If you hadn't insisted on hanging around with Gippal, you'd have come out alright."

Paine raised an eyebrow and looked over her shoulder. "Oh?" She asked, with a hint of curiosity and amusement. Yuna turned as well, to see her cousin's face go slightly red with anger.

Rikku shot her a glare, turned away from them all, then began to scream something in Al Bhed at Cid. He looked somewhat amused, though still annoyed.

"Alright you two, let's not start a fight. We're supposed to be enjoying our break." Buddy interrupted calmly, as Rikku took a breath to start another spiel in Al Bhed. "Yuna doesn't need this."

That made Rikku shut her mouth abruptly. Though she enjoyed the silence, Yuna felt somewhat bad. They were all worried about her, even Buddy.

'Yuna doesn't need this. Yuna doesn't need that. Yuna needs to stay happy. Don't worry Yuna…' She sighed. They were just looking out for her, but it was still getting a little tiresome.

"We're here." Paine said quietly, after a few more minutes of walking and in some places, climbing.

"About time. I'm freezing." Calli shivered, rubbing her arms and jumping up and down.

"Okay, guys go first. We'll be in the far corner." Buddy said calmly, stopping in front of the tunnel that led to the hot-springs. "Then the girls can come in and stay in the front part, around the corner."

"Sounds good." Yuna nodded, though she noticed that both Rikku, Brother, and even Tidus looked somewhat disappointed.

"Rikku, you behave yourself." Cid scowled, catching the look on his daughter's face. She blinked at him innocently.

"Oh pops, you're so suspicious." She smiled sweetly, though it was obvious she was still raging mad at him for his earlier comments.

"For perfectly good reasons." Cid muttered, storming into the tunnel and out of sight.

"Well, hurry up guys!" Calli put her hands on her hips. "We want to get in the water before we freeze!"

"Yeah! Go on you slowpokes!" Rikku agreed, waving her hand at Brother and Buddy, who were slowly making their way towards the tunnel.

"We're going, we're going!" Buddy chuckled, disappearing out of sight. Barkeep pushed past Brother and waddled after.

"What are you waiting for?" Paine raised an eyebrow, looking at Tidus then at Brother, who were still lingering.

"I'm going already!" Tidus waved his arms with a good natured grin right back at Rikku, then shot Yuna a smile. "See you later."

"Yeah." She smiled, nodding almost automatically as he too disappeared into the tunnel. Only Brother remained, standing almost as if he were lost in front of the tunnel.

"Why are you still here?" Rikku growled, jumping up and down as she squinted her eyes at Brother.

"I… I am Captain! I am just making sure everything is… safe." He muttered, looking a cross between annoyed and disappointed, as he began to shuffle his feet towards the tunnel.

"Oh can't you go any faster!" Rikku ran after him and booted him in the shin, resulting in a roar of pain and Brother disappearing completely from sight.

"That wasn't very nice, Rikku." Yuna sighed, as she stared at the dark tunnel. Brother hadn't been having much luck with anyone lately, and she regretted not having been nicer. She'd been so distracted lately, and so happy, and so… But that wasn't any excuse. She couldn't deny it, Brother did get a little annoying sometimes, but he was still sweet in his own way. He was her cousin, she loved him just like she loved Rikku and Cid. But somehow she didn't think he'd understand if he tried to explain it to him, that it'd just cause more trouble. Knowing that somehow made her sad.

"He deserved it!" Rikku muttered, breaking Yuna's thoughts as the girl began to pace back and forth between the tunnel entrance.

'Did he?'

"So how long are we giving them to get in there and around the corner?" Paine yawned, shivering a little as she shifted her weight to her other leg absently.

"Oh, I think it's fine now." Rikku grinned, devilishly, and started for the tunnel.

"Rikku!" Yuna cried, grabbing her cousin by the arm. "They've only been gone a few minutes!"

Rikku grinned even wider, as if somehow that was the point.

Paine shook her head. "I think your father is right about you, Rikku."

"What?!" Rikku shrieked, the grin gone from her face. "I thought you were on my side!"

"When did I say that?" The warrior raised a elegant eyebrow, a small smirk on her lips showing she was amused by the whole thing.

Rikku scowled, looking hurt and even more annoyed then before. Spinning on a heel she started for the tunnel. "Let's get going already!" She snapped, though the glint in her eyes was back when she turned her head to look at Yuna.

"I suppose it's alright now." She said quietly, though still feeling a little reluctant she followed last, behind Paine.

"Yunie, you worry too much." Rikku sighed from somewhere ahead, but Yuna really didn't hear her. She could already feel the heat from the steam of the hot-springs, warming up her jacket and erasing the chill from her skin. She'd forgotten how nice the air felt, after being out in the cold.

"See, I told you." As they came to a stop in front of the hot-springs themselves, the guys were nowhere in sight. Rikku smiled at Paine as if in a told-you-so manner, but somehow looked a little disappointed.

"I can't wait!" Calli cried, ducking behind a rock to change as Yuna and the others did the same.

"I still say this is a bad idea." Yuna heard Paine mutter, but it was of little meaning now. Against it or not, even Paine was looking forward to the hot-springs, that was clear.

"Paine! Quit worrying! You're as bad as Yunie." Rikku chirped from behind one of the rocks, sounding annoyed at the two of them. "If we followed your advice, we'd never have any fun!"

"You know, having too much fun can be a bad thing." Paine muttered quietly, but Rikku seemed to ignore her.

Yuna was surprised to see she was the first to have gotten changed. Stepping out from behind the rock she carefully placed her extra clothes down in a neatly folded pile. How Shinra had managed to get a dress-sphere to produce bathing suits, she'd probably never know, and wasn't really sure if she really wanted to know. Stretching her arms she slowly walked towards the water, peering through the steam. She couldn't see anyone, but she could hear the guys talking a little ways away. Satisfied that it was safe, she carefully stepped into the water, smiling as the warmth warmed her to the bone. She'd forgotten how pleasant it was.

Sliding into the water she gave a small sigh as she waded over to their chosen corner, sitting down on a rock and letting her arms and legs go limp. The water was so warm, it hardly seemed possible so close to the snow. She closed her eyes and let the peace of the water and the muffling silence envelop her. Feeling so calm, she could barely hear the screams in her head. They seemed to fade to a barely audible whisper.

'Who'd had thought. Being calm makes the screams lessen. I guess it was a good idea to do this after all.'

Her peace however, was short lived. A moment later the sound of Rikku splashing into the water assaulted her senses and caused her to open her eyes. Her cousin was grinning from ear to ear, splashing in the water playfully like a little girl.

"Isn't this great, Yunie!" She made her way over to Yuna, flicking water towards her cousin with a devilish look in her eyes.

"Hey, we came here to relax, not play games." Paine scolded, entering the spring with little more then a tiny ripple as she elegantly moved over towards them. Even though she was taller then any of them and she had the arms and legs of a warrior, somehow she managed to retain a elegant grace. Though somehow, Yuna could see by the look on her face she wasn't happy about being in a bathing suit again.

"Aw, it's called having fun, Paine." Rikku rolled her eyes, flicking a handful of water towards the warrior. "You should try it!"

"No thanks." Paine growled, sitting down on nearby rock and closing her eyes. "Don't start Rikku, I don't want to hear anything like last time."

Rikku pouted, putting her hands on her hips as she turned to Yuna.

Quickly shutting her eyes, Yuna hoped her cousin hadn't noticed she'd been watching.

"Hah! I saw you, Yunie! Don't try to pretend to be asleep!" Rikku cackled, but didn't seem to take any action.

'Maybe she knows I'm enjoying the peace.' Yuna thought quietly, though she wasn't sure. Despite having spent time with her cousin as a Gullwing and traveling with her on her pilgrimage, she really didn't know that much about Rikku's thoughts. Sure, Rikku would talk about them from time to time, and her character seemed easy to read, but… Yuna sensed somehow there was more to Rikku then she let on. Before that fateful day on the Shoopuff, Yuna hadn't even known she'd had a cousin. Of course she'd known she had an Uncle, her father had mentioned it once. Maybe she'd even met him as a little girl, it was hard to remember. But she knew she'd never seen Rikku before that day.

Despite that however, the two of them had gotten along well. Like the cousins they were, or perhaps even sisters at times. They'd always had an understanding, even if Rikku had always been a lot louder and out going than her.

"Yunie, did you fall asleep?" Rikku asked softly, frowning as she leaned over to look at her cousin. Yuna's eyes snapped open, blinking at the change of light.

"No… I was just thinking." She said quietly, noticing Calli had joined them while she'd had her eyes closed, without a word. The young girl seemed to be enjoying herself. There was another person she really didn't know well, yet. It seemed she would be joining the Gullwings, the young girl looked quite attached to the ship and the people on it.

'Joining to make up for the loss of Paine and me.' Yuna thought suddenly, feeling a little sad.

"What are you thinking about?" Rikku frowned, tilting her head and leaning in closer to her cousin.

"Uh, nothing." The reply was too quick, Rikku saw right through it.

"Yeah right! Come on Yunie, whatcha thinking about?" Her cousin prodded, grinning.

"Oh, leave her alone, Rikku."

"No! Paine, stop spoiling my fun!" Rikku cried, splashing a rather large handful of water towards the warrior.

"Ugh." Paine moved away, scowling and wiping droplets of water off her face. "One more time, Rikku, one more time."

"Till what?" Rikku frowned.

"Till I come over there and teach you a lesson."

"Oh, I'm shaking!" Rikku stuck her tongue out as Paine turned her back to her, then spun around to face Yuna again.

"Alright Yunie, whatcha thinking about?" Rikku resumed her inquiries, prodding her cousin's shoulder with a finger.

"Nothing, really." Yuna tried again, but to no avail.

"I bet I know!" The Al Bhed grinned suddenly, leaning back and crossing her arms.

Yuna didn't much care for the look in her eyes, and warily, frowned. "What?"

Rikku grinned even wider, looking as though she was about to burst into a fit of giggles. "The guys!"

Yuna stared at her cousin blankly, not understanding.

Rikku stared back in disbelief. "You mean… you're not?"

"No?" Yuna looked to Paine for help, but the warrior just rolled her eyes.

"Oh." Rikku sounded taken aback, and perhaps disappointed. "Well that's no fun."

Yuna didn't say anything. What could she say? It was obvious Rikku was trying to stir up some trouble. She didn't feel like having that kind of fun, she just wanted to relax…

A silence fell upon the water for a long moment, and for a while, Yuna almost began to hope that it would last. As if to prove her wrong however, Rikku began to mutter to herself again and turned to face her cousin.

"So… Yunie." She grinned, looking mischievous. "Want to tell us what really happened the other night?"

Yuna blinked, trying to understand what it was her cousin was referring to.

'The other night…? Oh, she must mean… Oh.'

Yuna's face went a little red as she turned away. "Nothing happened." How could her cousin even suspect her of doing anything? Did she seem the type that would?

"Oh really!" Rikku edged closer, having seen the look on Yuna's face. "Come on, Yunie, spill the beans!"

"If she doesn't want to talk about it, don't bug her. It's her business, not yours." Paine retorted from across the water, her eyes closed.

Rikku let out a long sigh. "I was just asking!" She cried, looking disappointed as she sat back down beside Yuna and sulked.

"Really, Rikku, nothing happened." Yuna tried again, but her the look her cousin gave her led her to believe she didn't buy it. Sighing, Yuna closed her eyes again and tried to block out everything around her.

"I think it's time you answered a few questions, Rikku." Paine spoke suddenly, making Yuna open her eyes a little to see the warrior resting her head in one of her hands.

Rikku raised an eyebrow, looking suspicious and uncertain of what was going on. "Questions?"

"How is it you know Gippal anyway?" Paine said simply, though the hint of a smile seemed to lurk in her eyes.

The result was quick and loud. Rikku gave out a shriek and stood up, sending warm water scattering. "Nothing!" She shrieked, looking furious. "Why does everyone keep bugging me! He's an old childhood friend!"

"Oh really?" Paine asked, as calm as ever.

"Yes really!" Rikku sniffed, sitting back down and looking even more sulky.

"Do you believe her, Yuna?" Paine asked, outright smiling this time.

"Uh.." She stammered, looking from her scowling cousin to the smiling Paine.

"Leave her out of this!" Rikku snapped, seeing Yuna wasn't going to say anything and looking somewhat thankful for it.

"Calli?" Paine looked over to the young girl who was sitting silently nearby. The girl's eyes snapped open, and she stared at the two of them in horror.

"Er… I uh… Gippal?" She blinked, obviously confused.

"Never mind." Paine sighed, shaking her head. Turning back to Rikku, she continued. "You still haven't answered my question."

"Yes I did! Gippal was just a childhood friend." The Al Bhed looked as though she was grinding her teeth, but somehow her temper had fallen under control.

"That's not the impression I got."

Rikku answered with a scowl. "Gippal gets kicks out of making people think things that aren't true. He was just being a bully. Okay?" Her tone was almost a whine, begging for Paine to just leave it alone.

"Hmm. Fine." Paine shrugged, her smile gone. "Now maybe you'll stop bugging Yuna."

Rikku went silent, and almost seemed to pale. Looking over to Yuna, her face fell. "Oh… I'm sorry Yunie, I didn't mean…" Her voice trailed off. She really hadn't realized how annoying she'd been at times.

"It's okay." Yuna nodded simply. "No hard feelings." She smiled, and that seemed enough for Rikku.

The three of them fell silent, enjoying the water and the steam in silence. Closing her eyes again Yuna let her thoughts clear, the scream echoing away to almost nothing as she did. Her entire body was pleasantly warm, all trace of the cold chill gone.

'I could stay here forever.' She thought with a small smile, a feeling of peace drifting over her.

"Well this is boring." Rikku said finally, breaking the silence. Apparently the guys thought so too, as it was almost deathly quiet over the entire water.

"Can't you sit still for two minutes?" Paine sighed, splashing her hand into the water in an exasperated fashion.

Rikku crossed her arms dramatically and flicked her hair. "This is boring. I'm going to go find the guys."

"What?" Yuna squeaked, opening her eyes to stare at Rikku. "But, that's…"

"Fun!" Rikku completed for her, though it wasn't at all what Yuna had wanted to say. "Come on, Yunie! Let's go!"

"Oh no, I'll sit here and watch you go cause trouble, but I'm not going to let you drag Yuna into it. She needs the rest. Leave her out of it." Paine stood up, wading over to the two of them and glaring at Rikku menacingly.

Rikku threw her hands up in the air with a dramatic flourish. "Oh! You're both hopeless! Fine, I'll go by myself!"

"I'll come!" Calli said suddenly, grinning in the same devilish manner Rikku was.

"Oh great." Paine muttered, sitting down again. "So much for a quiet evening."

"You're not going to stop them?" Yuna asked, looking over to Paine as Rikku and Calli began to sneak off.

"There isn't really anything I can do." She shrugged. "Besides, when Cid finds out about it…" She let her voice trail off.

"Oh." Yuna sighed.

'So much for a quiet evening indeed.'

AN: Yes, short… not much happened. Sort of a lull in the story at this point, if you hadn't noticed. Don't worry it'll pick up again soon. Hope it wasn't too boring, and I promise the next chapter will be up soon. Really.