Awkward Feelings

Meva had always been a heavy sleeper. Yojimbo could have sent his dog on her and she wouldn't have stirred. But Paine woke suddenly to Baralai's touch. She decided to feign sleep though. She did, however, feel nervous when he removed her boots and robe. Pretending to have a nightmare, she twitched and mumbled a "no!" and he backed off. Paine waited for him to leave. But he didn't. Instead, he waited and walked closer. Paine felt herself being lifted and still pretended to sleep. A warm material was brought over her head and her arms pulled through. She took this as okay and relaxed. She opened her eyes when Baralai ran out.

Paine looked at her current clothes. Her dress was very comfortable, but seeing the symbols of Yevon, she scowled. She wanted nothing to do with the temple after what happened. It all reminded her of being a summoner without her guardian sister. Paine stood up. Without knowing where she was going, she started to walk outside the hut. There she saw Baralai in the woods. Running behind a tree, she watched him. Concentrating, he slowly lifted his large staff and waved it forward. A great wateraga spell came crashing down into a ditch, forming a stream. Paine sighed in awe. Taydr had been the one to learn black magic. Baralai looked up, but Paine was not fast enough to duck back behind the tree. A stop spell hit her and Baralai walked over. He smiled. Paine eyed him warily. The stop spell wore off and the pair started walking through the woods.

"Why did you give me the dress?" asked Paine.

"Your robe was bloody," he replied.

"Why did you dress me?" she insisted.

"I knew you wouldn't wear the dress if I left it. And you do look lovely in it anyways," replied Baralai with a smile.

Paine sat down on a fallen tree. "Where is my robe?" she whispered.

"I have it," Baralai said, "why?"

Tears formed in Paine's eyes. "My mother wove it for me. I was to be a summoner. 'A robe for my little Meva' she would always say."

"What happened, Meva?" asked the teenager with concern.

"My name is Paine!" she snapped. And with that, she ran out to the beach and swam back to her old island, collapsing on the shore, crying.

Hours later, Paine woke up in a field. She tried to get up. But she realized that Baralai was holding her against him. Her back curved with his stomach. She remembered sleeping in her father's arms that way when she was little. It felt familiar sleeping like that, so she snuggled back up to Baralai and closed her eyes again.

Author's note: sorry it's so short. I can't think of anything to lead up to the Crimson Squad. This is hard to do. Please give me ideas in your review! I love you all

Elizabeth

P.S. Sorry the update took soooooooo long.