A/N: Sorry I'm late. The website had an issue with me updating and it would reject anything I could post. I would like to thank those who offered your understanding. So here is the latest chapter so enjoy! Special thanks and credit to for some script dialogue.
Chapter Twelve: Him?
The snowy cave that lead up to Mt. Gagazet looked all the more inviting as flurries blew into the arid climate of the Calm Lands. The cold air whirled around me, making goosebumps shower my skin. It made me more aware of the lack of clothing I was wearing. I sighed and took out my garment grid. A white light soon engulfed me as white feathers fluttered down to my feet. The white mage dress sphere quickly became my second skin as it began to warm me.
"Kimahri happy to see Rikku" a voice from behind me said. I turned around and sure enough I was faced with a cat like face.
"Kimahri! It's great to see you," I said looking up to the blue Ronso.
"Kimahri just come back from Calm Lands. Kimahri want to know why Rikku traveling alone"
"Oh, I just decided to make my own little journey, ya know catch up with myself mentally"
"Rikku must follow Kimahri."
Confusion appeared on my face but the Ronso didn't want to address my curiosity any further. He began walking and I followed. The journey was quiet and long. Kimahri was more of a deep thinker than a talker so I took it upon myself to think of some things while we hiked up the mountain. I was mid-way into my journey and I still had so much of my past to cover. It was all too much but it was something that if I didn't do, it would end up killing me in the end. The journal was going to become my ever-haunting past. What should I do with it at the end? Should I show it someone? Should I burn it? I bumped into Kimahri when he stopped. He turned around and I blushed from embarrassment at my clumsiness. I then noticed my surroundings and saw that we were at the sacred hot spring.
"Rikku need to relax, Kimahri sense tension"
Before I could argue he was already walking back. I decided that maybe I did have some tension in my world and dropped my bag at the edge of the spring. I stripped down to my underwear and walked into the steaming water. Sitting down near the edge, I could feel the warmth work my knotted muscles loose. It was pure ecstasy that could have surpassed the pleasure of sex.
I reached for my journal and dried my hands with the towel from my bag. I used the edge as a desk and began writing another entry.
Journal Entry #11
The ship rumbled and I held on to my seat. I squeezed my eyes shut thinking the worse. Thinking that the new air ship that Brother and Buddy had excavated had finally given out.
"Oops" I heard Brother as he lifted a lever that looked like the break.
"We're here," Buddy announced.
He came over and put his hand on my shoulder. The gentle squeeze made me open my eyes and meet gaze. I smiled at him, happy that he forced Brother to take me to Mt. Gagazet. I'd been meaning to train there since I was bored of all the fiends at home. I couldn't stand staying in the desert, it was so…mundane. It was all to predictable and I was beginning to hate every second of my life, living as just another Al Bhed doing what ever they can to make ends meet.
"Great!"
I cringed at Mitchell's voice in the background. He was becoming impossible to deal with. Always in my face and asking so many questions. He wanted us to get close yet I couldn't stand the mere sight of him. I didn't hate him…it just got to the point that his annoying aura seriously made me think about killing him. Something that I knew I could get away with if I really put my mind to it.
I jumped out of my seat with a plastered smile on my face and ran towards Mitchell. He laughed as I tried to play fight with him.
"Call us when you need us ok? We'll be near, we're just going to make a stop at Zanarkand to check on the temples of the Aeons since there aren't going to be any summoners now traveling to it" Buddy said crossing his arms in front of his chest.
I nodded my head smiling. I swear my cheeks were beginning to hurt a little. Brother came down from his seat. His face was serious. A curious Shinra peeked from his chair from the computer to see what was going to happen. The awkward silence that soon erupted into the air began to grow thick and made it difficult for me to breathe. As he walked towards Mitchell and me, I mentally hoped that he wouldn't do or say something so stupid that I would die right there from embarrassment.
"If there is one hair out of place on her head I will go out and hunt you down!" he yelled pointing at Mitchell.
I rolled my eyes and sighed. Brother was such an idiot to think that I couldn't handle my self.
"Don't worry, if I get in trouble I'll call for Kimahri" I said cutting in before Mitchell cracked a wiseass comment.
He grunted and looked a Mitchell, the simple jester made me think of pops, but soon those thoughts died as I snapped back into reality.
Buddy cleared his throat and stepped into the middle of brother and us.
"Just don't hesitate to call us"
"Right"
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The door hummed as it went down and made contact with the rock hard floor. We walked down the rim and I gasped as the sudden burst of cold air rushed through my bare legs. The desert weather was the only atmosphere my skin was accustomed to so the sudden change in temperature made goosebumps appear.
Mitchell didn't expect it to be this cold and the look on his face was that of shock and confusion. But as soon as he looked at me his face went hard, as if he tried to hide the fact that the cold bitter air didn't bother him.
A sudden bust of cold air pushed us as the airship lifted it self up from the ground and took off into the murky sky. I saw the ship become a distant crimson star in a matter of seconds.
"So what's the game plan for today?" Mitchell said making my head turn to look at him.
"Just train, I want to see how difficult the fiends are here"
I took the lead and began walking towards the mouth of the cave. He followed suit with out saying a word. The cave was dim with large luminous crystals hanging from the ceiling. The gruff walls were covered with shadows made from near by rocks. Mitchell looked around taking everything in. I on the other hand looked around hoping to see any fiends that I could provoke. There was nothing but silence surrounding us. The thickness of it was bothering me and the echoes of our footsteps probably was the only thing that seemed alive.
We walked down some stone steps and made it to. I felt like we were in my mind and we were traveling into the deep crevices trying to find my secrets. I stopped in my tracks not wanting to go any further. Would I be confronting with a piece of my past as I venture in deeper into the cave? My legs were shaking and my feet were numb. My toes tingled as the blood tried to rush through them.
"Rikku, are you ok?"
I began to breathe again. My lungs filling up with the cold air making my head feel dizzy with relaxation.
"Y-yeah…listen, I'm going to check over here for anything ok?"
"Sure, I'll be here studying these" he said pointed to the large crystals.
I nodded my head and went further into the cave. I didn't know where I was going. The cave became vast in size making me feel small and insignificant. I was just a tiny puzzle piece within it. I stopped. Was this also reflecting my life? Where was I going? Did I going to live forever fear my past? I dropped to my knees and winced as the rough ground scraped against my bare skin. The burning sensation began to travel upwards to my thighs. I sat down to nurse my wound when I heard a growl echo through the cave.
I looked around as I held in my breath trying to concentrate through the silence to listen to the growl again. The sound of nails being dragged against the ground echoed. It was coming from Mitchell's direction. I scrambled my self to my feet and slowly crawled my way back to Mitchell. I saw him but thankfully he didn't see me. He was quivering as he was backed into a wall. I took another step forward and saw that a pack of rouge Lupine wolves were in front of him. I took another step and slipped a little. My weight shifted drastically and I landed on my back. The impact knocked the wind out of me and my eyes widen in alert. I stayed sprawled on the ground praying that the pack of wolves didn't want to investigate the noise. But nothing came.
I slowly got up and peeked from the rock that hid me. They growled as they inched on to their prey. My legs shook. I could have jumped over the rock to save him but something was telling me that I should watch this scene for a little while longer.
His tanned face paled, making him look almost green. The head wolf jumped ahead and snapped its mouth. It used its hind legs to kick up and fore legs to grab on to Mitchell. The cave soon became colorful with screams of pain and agony. The head wolf dug into Mitchell's neck as it tore flesh away. Blood began to gush out and a refreshing pool was created around them. The other wolves licked the thick liquid. Their thick tongues were crimson and their eyes full of a lust that made them glow. The head of the pack dropped down with Mitchell's corpse and then the feast began. The wolves like greedy vultures, feasted upon Mitchell, they took away body parts ruthlessly. The tearing of flesh from joints and the crackle of bones as they were being chewed. It was all truly fascinating and I didn't want to look away.
Violently shaking their heads they tried to take apart his torso. They decided that it was best to drag it back. I saw them, working as a team, drag Mitchell's torso away into the darkness. I noticed that I was holding in my breath and I forced my lungs open. The stench of blood and death stung my nostrils and left a sour taste at the back of throat. I stood up confident that the wolves were not going to come back and walked over to what was left of Mitchell.
The pool of blood was now sticky. It would soon be slippery when the cold air around. There was nothing left but rough edged bones and some pieces of pink flesh. I didn't feel guilty. In fact, I felt angry and disappointed. Why did I let them do it? I could have just jumped over the rock dealt with the wolves and killed Mitchell myself. My ears grew hot in jealousy. Those wolves got to him before me.
A tiny sparkle at the corner of my eye. Ignoring the bloody foot prints that followed me I walked over to the wall full of large crystals. There was a sphere lodged in between two shafts of glass. I pride it out and examined the sphere. It was heavy, like it carried all the secrets of spiral. I tried to activate it but it didn't work. It was a dud. I could have tossed it away but my gut was telling to keep it and give it to Shinra. I placed the sphere in my pocket and headed down the cave again, this time I embraced the darkness that it provided.
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When I reached the bottom I was happy to finally see the long snowy road that lead to Kimahri.
"Kimahri" I said
"Kimahri surprised to see Rikku"
"I decided to visit and see how you're doing"
"Kimahri doing fine,"
"Well it's great to see that you're finally the leader!" I cheered
"Responsibility is on Kimahri's shoulders but Kimahri can handle it fine."
Kimahri reached behind him and pulled out a golden sphere.
"Kimahri found this at sacred mountain top near Zanarkand." He took out a sphere that looked like the one that I found.
"Did you activate it?"
"Kimahri think Rikku should activate"
I took the sphere in my hands, feeling the smooth icy surface as I tried to find the small button. I activated it and soon a snowy image began to shine. It was a blond haired man in a cage. He looked so familiar. His golden looks were spiked and his clothes were unusual. The strongest asset he possessed were his deep blue eyes. Then it all clicked in my head. Could it be…him?
"What the hell do I get arrested for? Let me go already!" he yelled. His voice was different. It was deeper and full of rage.
"You hear me, don't you? What'd you think if she was your girl?"
By this time he reached the bars and shook them violently.
"Who cares if I used the enemy's machina? It was the only way to save the summoner!"
"What would you have done instead!"
He shook his head as if he was giving up.
"Let me out of here…let me see her"
Then he sat down in the cage and the scene went black.
I almost dropped the sphere.
"Rikku?"
I looked up at Kimahri and smiled.
"Kimahri! I have to show this to Yunie! Do you think it's him?"
"Kimahri not know"
"Oh…" I said disappointed.
"Kimahri would like Rikku to keep sphere"
"Thanks!" I said pocketing the sphere.
"Rikku, we're landing where we dropped you off, time to go home" I heard buddy say from the small communication device in my ear.
"Right,"
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"Fascinating" Shinra said as he watched the sphere again.
"Is it who I think it is? Is it him?"
"It's quite difficult to tell, but if anyone should know it should be Yuna and the others who knew him well, like you."
Brother huffed from a distance. He wasn't too happy about the sphere.
"Where's Mitchell?" buddy asked
"Oh…um…he said that he had some family in the calm lands and decided to stay there for a while"
"Really? I never knew that" he said scratching his head
I didn't want to press the matter any further.
"Hey can you look at this one. The button to activate it is missing"
He examined the sphere and placed it into the computer. After a couple of minutes he reviled a snowy image of some one running.
"Hey come back here! Someone stop them!"
The image went black
"Whoa, what was that all about?"
"It might have been someone who must have taken something valuable"
"Hmm"
"It may be a dud but I think I can make it useful for you"
"Really?"
"Yeah, I can make it into a dress sphere. From what we've seen and if my assumption is correct than the image that we saw was that of a thief. I've been working on a new invention that lets the person take on the abilities the sphere hosts. In this case those skills of a thief can be put to good use"
"Cool, not that I need anymore help in that department but I guess I'll try it out"
"Great, here" he said giving me the sphere.
"Huh?"
"Try it out, I already did it, just activate it"
I looked at the sphere
A white light engulfed my body as I felt naked for a millisecond. My heartbeat grew rapid as panic began to take over. What the hell did Shinra invent? Soon the light was gone and I was left with a slight sensation of warmth and air passing through parts of my exposed body. I looked down and gasped at what I saw. I had on a yellow bikini top with matching thong and a beige skirt. The knitted scarf that was wrapped around my neck was red and faded into orange and yellow. I also noticed that my hair was up, a mess of braids and beads held up in a ponytail and a blue headband. The long sleeves were soft and the silk texture made air pass through them efficiently making them all right to wear in warm weather.
"Great it worked!" Shinra
"Do you think you can make one for Yunie?"
"Yeah, I think I could make one from the sphere that wasn't a dud"
"Great!"
"I can't believe it worked…but then again I am a genius"
"What worked…whoa!" Buddy said looking me up and down and then blushing.
"What the HELL ARE YOU WEARING?" It was the first time Brother had said something with out a strong accent
"It's called a dress sphere! Shinra invented it" I said putting my hands on my hips.
"Um…oops?" Shinra chuckled nervously
"I will kill you"
"Hey calm down, I'm sure it's..." but Buddy kept checking me out. I couldn't help but feel a little shy around him now. I felt my cheeks get warms as I began to blush.
"Stop staring at my sister!"
"Sorry" Buddy said turning around. I pouted.
"I think it's cool, right Shinra?"
"The outfit is quite becoming!"
Brother growled and soon he was chasing Shinra, cursing the day he was born.
"Hey buddy, can you take me to Besaid, I really want to see Yunie"
"Sure anything for you!" he said not making any eye contact with me.
I decided that it was best to take off the dress sphere. if I wanted Buddy to at least look at me again.
I put the notebook away and leaned on the edge of the spring. It was great to be able to relax. I closed my eyes and submerged into the warm water.
A/N: Thanks for reading and remember to review
Responses:
Shi-Sha Hariken: it's great that you're reading something that you wouldn't normally like to read. You look like an open person and I admire that. Thanks for supporting my view on Baralai!
ChErRyBlOsSoMs-FlOwErOfDeAtH: I think that the side story with Baralai won't come up anymore in the up in coming chapters. To tell the truth I think that's all the attention until the sequel. But it will be in X-2 mode after this so hang on if you're a TidusxRikku and/or GippalxRikku fan. It's going to get very dramatic.
Hitomi Fanel: I don't want to give the ending away but she will expose the journal, to who I haven't decided yet. The Baralai side story will not be addressed anymore, but look at my bio if you want to know why. Don't worry; I didn't bring up Baralai randomly. He will have a major role in the future.
RiPa: thank you. And yes you hit the nail right on the head.
ElusiveFoxFire: Hey from your profile I can tell you're a fan of the pair. I wish I could do a story that involves Paine (all dark and stuff) and connect it with Crimson Confessions but I already have the sequel planned and Paine already has a love interest. I'm not very good at writing yaoi/yuri fics. So I tend to stay away from writing those so that I don't embarrass myself. But that doesn't mean I don't read them cuz I love boy/boy (hence my obsession with Yami no Matsuei and Gravitation) and I don't mind reading yuri. I would like to try to write one and if in the near future I do I will make it PainexRikku. I'll probably start out small with a one-shot and make the romance subtle. I've been writing for this website for about seven months now and I think I'm still pretty green, so I think with time I'll be able to explore other genres and pairings. I wish I could create what you want but I don't think I'm ready at the moment. I want it to be well written. So when that beautiful day comes that I get an idea for it I will let you know and I will dedicate it to you. Just don't wait on me and get your hopes up too high, I'm pretty lazy. If you're exploring with the "darkness thing" then you can write your own Paine fic or one shot dealing with her, I bet it would be great.
Anichan: She is basically death with a cute face. I don't know what her final count will be at the end of the fic but I'm sure she's breaking records.
Keep Me In The Shadows: I had no idea on how to write O'aka. So I did the stereo typical and mocked all his words. I wanted Tidus to have some game. I mean I didn't want all those looks to go to waste.
Leila Nami: Thanks for your positive criticism. I always enjoy improving…or trying to anyway. I hope in this chapter the sentences weren't that choppy. I think they still are. I tried my best making them flow so I hope this chapter did better!
Sum1special: Thank you so much. I'm just not feeling very happy but as I'm writing this I don't feel as bad. Hopefully when I leave on vacation I'll get better.
Blood Pixie: Man you sure know how to pick me up lol. I'm just going to take some time off to be away from people who are making things difficult for me to live. But don't worry I'm not feeling as bad as before, like I said time away will do me some good.