A/N: Wow...already on chapter three. Amazing! Well going on, my wonderful friend had quite a spaz attack with this chapter. She just slapped in the back of the head, yelling, 'You should of told me you were thatdamn good! You bitch I would of praised you earlier.' Hmm...awkward moment...but I guess it is a compliment. Anyway, apart from my odd friend, I would like to thank those who reviewed and also those who read this story. So far 134 hits...amazing...truely amazing. So here is a lovely chapter dedicated to those people, crazy Sarah and my other lovely friend Heather. Mucho loveo...oh ya...spanish wiz over here. (sweat)

Chapter Three: Pray For Us All

The sunlight's soft morning rays pressed against a smooth set of eyelids. Releasing a loud yawn the smooth eyelids fluttered open to the new day. A small smile tugged on smooth and thin lips as the Al Bhed jumped out of the summer-red bed. Padding softly toward the bathroom in her flimsy moogle pajamas, she released another loud yawn. Flipping on the lights in the bathroom, she winced as the bold and harsh light stabbed her eyes in the pupils. Rubbing her eyes she opened them once more to find herself staring at her reflection in the spotless mirror.

Giving a nod at her reflection she grabbed her toothbrush and began to brush away the weariness that still clung to her. It has already been four days since she was forced to live with Mr. Smarty-Pants and his preaching cronies. Shaking her head slightly at the thought she countinued to brush her teeth as she shifted her weight to her other side. Spitting out the sky-blue toothpaste and rinsing her mouth with clear, cold and refreshing water Rikku began to strip her clothes off.

Skipping a few steps toward the bathtub she made sure a towel was in arm's reach as she pushed away the shower curtains that blocked her way. She jerked them back to their normal spot to protect her from wandering eyes as she turned the water on. Warm water showered down on her as she stood there for a few moments with her eyes closed in leisure. After washing her hair and body she turned the relaxing water off and grabbed the towel that lay silently on the ground. The soft cotton caressed her body gently as she dried herself off.

Tossing the towel on the ground she bounded toward the dressers. Placing a finger on her chin she hummed softly to herself as she debated to wear her thief attire or her warrior. Part of her wanted to piss the praetor off by walking around in her berserker attire. Giggling as she chose her thief attire, she glanced at the clock and saw that it was bit past eleven. Frowning knowing that breakfast was already served a few hours ago she decided it was time to be a thief. Well I am already wearing the outfit now…might as well. This is going to be fun!

Prancing out of her room she danced her way to the kitchen, which awarded her with quizzical looks from the few priests that often visit Baralai. Grinning happily, she countinued to grind her hips to the music that played in her mind before coming to a stop, for she smelled a delicious aroma. Her stomach growled and the blonde Al Bhed placed a hand over her stomach. "Food." she moaned as she walked further into the kitchen.

However, there was no cooking food waiting for her but just the remaining aromas that taunted her mind. Hanging her head in despair she slowly raised her head in search of something to ease her whining stomach. Something green flashed in the corner of her eyes; spinning around to the object she saw a beautiful site. There it was…a juicy, lime-green, spotless, glowing and yummy apple. Swiping the apple with ease, she danced her way outside toward the courtyard.

The site of the different shades of colors that clung to the flowers, which surrounded the courtyard, made Rikku's spirits rise with admiration. They were flawless and silent beings that shinned their color for other's satisfaction…in a way it reminded her of Yuna. However, Yuna is now the talker just like herself which made Rikku beam with pride…she taught Yuna well. Sitting on an empty bench she rubbed the apple on her skirt before taking a large bite out of it. Moving her shoulders to the music that still played in her mind she took another bite.

"Today is perfect," she murmured after taking another bite.

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"Ou, ruf'c meva?" an arrogant young man spoke in his laid-back voice as he took a seat in front of the tidy desk. "You should become my housewife, 'Lai." Gippal laughed as he nodded his head to the praetor's desk. Running his hand through his blonde hair he gave a flashy grin to the white-haired man that glared at him. "I mean it, 'Lai…look at this room. It screams 'Gippal's new housewife' all over the walls." (1)

Gippal was roughly smacked behind the head by the praetor who was now wearing a victorious grin as he walked to his own chair. Gippal rubbed his head gently before giving another charming smile. "Going on…I came to stop by and tease you for the hell of it. Also because I got word that you were visited by a few celebrities. I never saw you as a lady's man, 'Lai." he laughed as he felt Baralai's victorious grin fade into a frustrated frown.

"You are finally being the true ass that you really are, Gippal. If only you were like that in our Crusader days we would have stayed away from your bubbling mouth. But yeah…I was visited by a few 'celebrities' as you like to say. Before I go on, I got a question for you…how in the world do you deal with Rikku? She's crazy! She just complains and bickers…she just won't shut up!" Baralai sighed heavily as he leaned against his chair; his mind was reeling with disgust and confusion.

Gippal looked off in the distance, ignoring Baralai's first comment, but caught the scorch mark on the carpet. He tied these two together, Rikku and the scorch mark, before looking up at the praetor with a sly grin on his face. "You dirty dog. Wow you really have changed in many mysterious ways. It seems I taught you well…but wow."

"What are you talking about? I asked a simple question about Rikku." Baralai replied heatedly. Gippal scoffed and waved his hand to silence the praetor. Pointing at the scorch mark he cleared his throat and leaned against his chair.

"I'm talking about what happened the past few nights, 'Lai. I still can't believe you had fiery hot sex on the floor with Cid's girl! Worst of it is that you didn't even invite me!" Gippal exclaimed as he placed a hand over his heart in a pained expression. "Share the love, 'Lai." he pouted.

"Gippal…that is not what I meant."

"Sure it isn't…I believe ya."

"Gippal-"

"So how did it go? Was it just on the floor?

"Gippal?"

"Oh…so it was everywhere. How did you clean your desk so well?"

"Will you just-"

"Wow…always was doing the impossible, eh?"

"GIPPAL! SHUT UP!"

"Oui hyikrdo caq veaht." Gippal chuckled as he saw Baralai's face heat up in embarrassment. "So you want to know how to deal with her? When she was in her little moods, I always gave her a nice make-out session with the help of my mad skills," Gippal nodded as he stood up slowly from his chair, "well I have to head back to work. Be good my hyikrdo caq veaht!" Strutting out of the room he left the Praetor of New Yevon flustered and embarrassed. (2)

"I knew I should have got rid of the mark…but how does Gippal even think that was even possible. Scorch marks because of that…ya right." he sighed heavily as he went over Gippal's odd advice. "Kiss her? I rather be possessed by Shuyin than go near that crazy woman." he growled as he rubbed his eyes fiercely.

Life sucks. Thank you Gippal for having your ex ruin my life.

Sighing heavily, which he seemed to be doing often, he ran his hand across his face. A knock filled the air and Baralai's first thoughts were that Gippal came back to give him lessons…or some other perverted crap. Praise Yevon for Gippal's charming way of helping people. Frowning at his sarcastic thought he stared at the door before calling out, "Come in."

It was Isaaru and when the praetor saw the man's concerned expression he knew something was wrong. "You haven't slept yet, sir?" he asked in his caring and sympathetic voice. Baralai raised a graceful eyebrow and nodded his head to the stack of papers to his right.

"How could you tell?" the white-haired man asked softly as he clasped his hands before him.

"Your eyes are bloodshot…I think you should take a week of."

"I courteously abstain, Isaaru. There is still work to be done."

"Baralai…you are going to kill yourself if you keep on doing all of this. Just tell the citizens that requests won't be checked till the end of next week. They will understand…I'll tell them…" Isaaru countered swiftly, surprising the praetor by how determined he was. Twirling his thumbs slowly he bit the bottom of his lip before accepting the impossible.

"Very well," Baralai replied as he got up and watched Isaaru smile before leaving silently, "I guess I'll sped quality time with the blonde demon living in my house." Sulking toward his house he muttered occasional curses as he left the temple that hummed with hymns and praises to Yevon. His world of sulking came to crash when he realized that the sound of hysterical screaming came from a group of young girls. Shit…why am I walking instead of using my lift?

His legs immediately bursted with energy as he felt them lead him to his house before he can himself on the ground with groping girls. Taking a side street the sight of the door to his haven-like house was only a few strides away. Furrowing his brows he reached for his keys but only to see the door opening. Nodding with relief he was at the steps and lunged forward. His fall was graceful as usual as he felt himself bump into something while his foot kicked the door closed roughly.

The sound of despair and even crying were heard outside his door. "Baralai! Call me, love!" a voice cried anxiously from outside. Eyes closed as he released a chuckle as he remained in his face-down position he whispered softly with a small grin on his tanned face, "I forgot how it was to be chased…I really need to reconsider using my lift." Resting his head on the soft floor…soft floor, but the floor is made out of wood. That is when he realized he was not laying on the floor when he realized something moist was pressing on his neck. The thing he was on shifted slightly, what Baralai assumed was legs, and whoever's knee it was raised upward. A harsh shiver ran down his back as the knee gently touched his crotch.

Slowly getting up his chocolate eyes was widened with shock as he stared into a pair of furious eyes. Twitching with frustration he whispered hoarsely to the being he was laying on, "Pray for us...so this won't happen again."

(1) Ou, ruf'c meva? (Yo, what's up?)

(2) Oui hyikrdo caq veaht. (You naughty sex fiend.)