Sparkle in the Silence of the Night

Squall Leonheart was having the worst day of his life.

It was bad enough that he was sucked into some sort of alternate reality, but the universe just had to hate him. If it didn't, he'd at least be able to get back in peace. But things just weren't working out like that (they never seemed to) and he was stuck working on some kind of mission that he had no idea how to complete.

The tall, silver-haired man wasn't too bad. He was quiet, and when he spoke it was to share something useful. Even if it was just the two of them, Squall felt like he could get the job done. Matter of fact, they were already halfway there, regardless of whether or not Squall felt like it was going to drag on for hours.

Maybe that feeling had something to do with their other companion.

"Why is this necessary?" Squall asked, looking back at the perky blonde girl who had decided that in order for him to keep the sword, she had to stay close to him.

"I need to protect it. I mean, it is mine, you know?" Rikku asked, then grinned seductively. "Unless you really wanna keep it..."

"Rikku, stop fantasizing about Squall's sword," Baralai ordered, and Squall felt himself blushing despite himself.

Okay, forget it. I could do without him, too. Squall thought irritably. "How about we just get this done so I can go home?"

Rikku was glaring daggers at Baralai. "How about we just kick Baralai's ass?"

"Because Baralai knows what he's doing," Baralai grumbled, looking ahead. "I think we're here."

"Apparently, Baralai thinks he knows what he's doing," Squall grumbled bitterly.

"Enough!" Baralai exclaimed, then dug out the item list. "All right. Rikku, check this and make sure we have everything."

"Okay," Rikku called, taking the list from him. She started checking it slowly, reading everything over piece by piece. "All accounted for."

"That's a relief," Squall grumbled. "Now where's this magical incantation I have to read?"

Baralai pointed forward, indicating an enclosure formed by several drooping trees. "You'll find everything you need inside."

"You stand guard outside!" Rikku shrieked, pointing at Baralai. "Squall and I have work to do!"

"All right, all right. But don't screw around, you both know how serious this is," Baralai complained. crossing his arms and leaning upon his staff.

"Yeah, I know," Squall acknowledged, walking forward. Rikku was only a few steps behind. Once they entered the enclosure, they found it to have more than one twisting path. "Split up?"

"No way. We both need to be there to save Yunie," Rikku admonished, then looked at the two tunnels. "Let's take the left one."

"Why?" Squall asked, looking towards the right. "I was going to suggest the other one."

"Listen to your instincts," Rikku insisted. "I guess we could take the right one if you really want to, but if there's some kind of horrible gut-eating, juice-spewing fat monster down there, I'll never let you hear the end of it."

"It's a risk I'm willing to take," Squall grumbled, walking in front of her.

"Wait! It's...you know, dark in there! What if we get separated?" Rikku asked, dashing up to him and taking his arm.

"I'm sure we won't get separated," Squall spoke, then raised an eyebrow at her. "You can let go now."

"No, I can't! We have to do this for Yunie!" Rikku wailed, taking his hand. "I'm not going to bite you, geesh!"

"I'm not worried about you biting me..." Squall sighed, then shrugged. "Oh well."

"Cu, oui'na ehdu dryd geht uv cdivv? Dryd'c rud!" Rikku giggled, and Squall had a feeling he really didn't want to know what she just said.

"Whatever," he grumbled. "Let's just get this over with."

A/N: First off, anyone wondering what Rikku said? XD "So, you're into that kind of stuff? That's hot!" :D Silly Rikku. Anyway, I can't believe I went so long without updating this! I was just out of ideas and uninspired. :X Hopefully I won't let it sit this long ever again, and you can expect another update from me soon:D In the meantime, don't forget to review, because I'm a review slut. XD