Chapter Eight: Clouded Skies
A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous.
-Ingrid Bergman
His breath rolled lazily out of his mouth as his breathing pattern quickened in the cold atmosphere. Climbing upward, it was quickly penetrated by the speeding bullets of raindrops. His eyes were narrowed into fine slits as he watched the Al Bhed crackle with laughter. A tanned hand fidgeted by his side as his other hand held up the metal gun with experience and practice. This isn't the first time I pointed this gun to a friend.
The crackling laughter filled the air with malice and disbelief. Blonde braids flew up in the sky as the Al Bhed tossed her head back to the crying clouds. They were pregnant with rain as their dark textures grew a shade lighter. Releasing their tears, that splattered on her smooth face, she opened her mouth and allowed a few drops to land on her tongue. Eyes closed as she moved her head toward Baralai, she licked her lips with quiet satisfaction. "You are a terrible liar," she concluded as she placed her hands on her hips as her eyes flashed opened.
Slowly turning to face the stairs she gazed at the stone steps that were soaked with rain. A soft wind caressed her face, telling her that this storm will end soon. I can tell…but will I live to see that happen? She thought this question to the wind but there wasn't any response except for the loud staccato of the rain smacking the floor. "Will you really shoot me? Do you even have the guts to do such a sinful act? I thought you were the Praetor of New Yevon…does Yevon's teachings approve of this method?" she added as she gave a smug look to Baralai as she turned her head slightly to his direction.
Baralai's train of thought stopped in their endless tracks as he pondered over her words. Rikku turned to face the silent praetor, a victorious grin crossing on her face as she finally struck a nerve. Baralai felt his hand, that held the gun, lay limp by his side. "Hmm. Yevon's teachings don't approve of this, not at all. However, being possessed by you and almost destroying Spira isn't exactly a pat on the back. Sorry, but I'm willing to upset Yevon's teachings once more to wipe that smirk off your face…permanently," Baralai finally responded as he quickly raised his gun back toward Rikku.
With that said, Rikku stared with shock as Baralai's finger closed in on the trigger. "Are you mad!" she shouted in anger and distress, but it was too late to stop the tanned-skinned praetor. An ear-splitting shot resonated through the thunderous atmosphere as it tore through the roaring of the thunder. Rikku fell backward on the stone floor as the pyreflies quickly exited her body in a hurry. Baralai watched them forever disappear into the dark sky, leaving a bleeding body on the ground.
Placing his gun back inside his robe, he made his way toward the limp body on the ground. Blood oozed out of lush and beautiful skin as Baralai rubbed his hands for warmth and concentration. Kneeling by her he placed his hands on her left shoulder and whispered softly to her in a soothing voice. A gentle and dove-white light emitted out of his hands as the blood halted to a stop. Taking in the sweet air that was now tainted with the scent of life's liquid, he carefully scooped the girl into his arms. I stopped the blood…I hope she will do fine with that.
He shot close to her heart and to his amazement Shuyin believed he struck her heart and she would be a useless body to him. He was wrong and didn't even take the risk of staying. Chuckling as he walked to the heart of Luca, he spoke confidently to the passed out Al Bhed, "One thing at a time." That is when he noticed that her skin was white as a sheet; blinking in surprise, he felt his legs break into a mad sprint.
You really did kill her, you moron!
W – What I didn't know…I thought I just struck her shoulder!
Yeah…great job, what are you going to say to Yuna and her friends?
I…don't know…leave me alone.
Licking his lips he searched for a hospital or just some place that could help Rikku. Finally finding a magnificent creamy colored hospital that was hidden by the stadium, he quickly walked inside. It was quite and only one nurse stood behind the counter. Trotting toward her he watched her eyes turn to him and then Rikku. "What seems to be the problem?" she asked in a bored voice.
Baralai frowned and motioned toward Rikku, "She was on the Mi'ihen Highroad and a man accidentally shot her." The nurse nodded and finally noticed the wound, pushing a button on the side wall the sound of an angry voice emitted out of a nearby speaker. Liar…why lie to her?
"Why are you bothering me, Lurea? I'm busy watching my show," the voice growled. The nurse rolled her eyes and gave a glance at Rikku before turning back to the small speaker by the button.
"Female shot in the shoulder, she's losing the fight fast," she hissed in anger. The sound of books and papers rustling filled the room. The door leading to the heart of the building flew opened and an elderly looking man ran toward Baralai. Baralai watched as the doctor asked silently, with his movements and gestures, for Rikku. Gingerly giving her up the doctor motioned for the nurse and Baralai to follow him.
Baralai found himself confused and lost as he followed the bored nurse and the silent doctor. Entering a room, the man placed her carefully on a bed. Staring at her wound the man leaned closer to her shoulder and observed her wound for the next fifteen minuets. "She is still breathing but just barely. The bullet didn't go that deep…I can easily get it out. I advise you wait in the lobby, sir. This might get messy, I'll notify you when you can come back to see her," the man sighed softly, as the nurse ushered the praetor out.
This is going way to fast for me. The praetor felt his body move but his mind still lingered by Rikku's side. The nurse left him in a chair as she searched for something around her desk. Baralai stared at the floor as he finally allowed the guilt to sink in like a weight. I shot her…will she even hear me out when he wakes up? If she wakes up…
A cottony white towel hung before his face and he grabbed it quietly. The nurse tapped on Baralai's shoulder and waited for the praetor to look up at her. "There is a bathroom right over there…you can dry yourself off if you want," she held her finger to her right as she chewed on her gum noisily. Nodding dumbly, Baralai got up and shuffled toward the bathroom.
The lights flickered on when he opened the door, revealing a large mirror that reflected his horrific appearance. His robe wore blood stains from holding Rikku and temporarily healing her, his hair hung limply around his headband and his eyes were bloodshot and cold. Tossing the towel on the dry floor, he began to take of his clothes. His clothes clinged to him like a second skin, as he struggled to peel them off. Finally he managed to take them off and he stood there with only his boxers on.
Rubbing the back of his head he took of his headband, allowing his hair to droop down on his face. Running a hand through his snow-white hair he realized how young he looked without the headband on. He appeared to be eighteen again…back when he was in the Crimson Squad, when he first met Gippal, Nooj and Paine. Smiling to himself he grabbed the towel and began to dry himself off.
Running the fluffy towel down his chest he stopped when he paused at a large scar that slashed across his chest. It was in the Bikanel Desert, a large fiend came upon him by surprise. Gippal came to the rescue but unfortunately the fiend died after slashing at Baralai with its massive claws. That single talon ripped through skin and then sank deep into his flesh and muscles. One swift movement, muscles were torn, flesh now in strands and blood seemed to be a blanket that covered his chest. Baralai lightly traced the scar with his index finger before drying off the rest of his body. Content and satisfied with a job well done…he grabbed his clothes and wondered if he could somehow dry his clothes with his Fira spell.
A part of him reminded him that it could also burn his clothes. Sighing heavily he rung out the water that still held on to the fabric before gingerly putting them on. Turning to the window he began to mess around with his damp hair but, every time he got the snow-white hair how he wanted…it just fell back down. Shrugging his shoulders he grabbed his headband and shoved it in his pocket. "No way am I putting that wet thing on," he mumbled as he exited the bathroom with the towel slung on his shoulders.
Laying the towel on an empty seat, he plopped down on the cushioned chair beside the towel. Breathing in deeply he quietly went through today's events…it seemed so unreal and unlike him. "It was the only way," his whispered to himself as he caste his chocolate eyes downward. Clasping his hands together, he rested them on his left knee before sighing heavily. Back hunched, he felt all his work, skills, abilities, which he polished in his life as praetor, crumble beneath him. "This is all wrong...this was never meant to happen," he muttered as he felt the nurse's eyes rest on him with curiosity.
Ignoring her gaze he fell into an endless battle with his conscience. Constantly he was badgered with insults and threats. Broken promises were brought up and the whole Shuyin scene was added in. His mind was racked with sour and horrible thoughts that he somehow managed to keep hidden until now. Den of Woe…just those three words sent a cold sensation crawling up his skin.
Friends killing friends with proud smiles on their bloody faces, bullets ripping through the air as it pierced flesh, and the continued screams echoing through the dark cave. There the three of them stood, holding up their guns at each other, possessed by another's hate due to their own despair. Guns quivered with anticipation not fear, they all smirked with dancing eyes, and they cried out with all of their anguish as their fingers moved toward the triggers.
Stop.
It was such a simple phrase and word, but it woke them up out of their lust for each other's blood. Looking at each other's ashamed faces as they recalled the feeling to taste each other's blood in their mouths, to rip their insides out by hand, and to roar with triumph afterward. Then to bring your own gun, that you killed your comrade with, and bring it to the side of your head. In one fluid movement you are lying on the ground as warm blood seep out of your life-taking wound. But the three of them stopped when they heard that simple and pure word.
Arms were brought down to their sides as they turned to face their savior. There she stood, staring at them with disbelief as this scene continued to be filmed. Nodding their heads at each other they headed back to the entrance in silence. Occasionally a soldier would run by and momentarily stop before committing suicide
Baralai looked up with a vacant look on his face; Paine's word rang through his mind. Her single word tore him out of his sorrowful thoughts and memories. Smiling, he mentally thanked Paine, before leaning back into the seat. Closing his tired eyes he trusted Rikku to live through his blow as he fell into a dreamless sleep. You'll live and smile once more…for I have something to tell you. Just tell death 'stop' and all will be well.
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The sound of thunder filled her sensitive ears as the hospital's light appeared red through her closed eyelids. Opening her eyes slowly she released a moan in discomfort. Placing a hand on her eyes she suddenly noticed the soft breathing of another; gingerly moving her hand away, she saw white-washed walls. They surrounded her like a cage without a welcoming window in sight. However, she could hear the pounding thunder through the thin walls.
Turning her gaze downward she saw Baralai sitting in a chair that was pulled up to her side. His head rested on the bed as he slept quietly except for the soft and relaxed breathing that filled her ears. Rikku scanned the room in confusion, where am I? Sitting up slowly, the sheet that covered her slowly slid down to her lap. Her eyes traveled to her own body and growled softly when she saw her left shoulder bandaged up.
Carefully getting out of the bed from the opposite side of Baralai, she spotted her garment grid. Giggling happily she suddenly quieted down as she remembered that the praetor was sleeping. Switching into her songstress dressphere she allowed the gentle light to caress her body slowly. She could feel her previous garments quickly change as the light began to fade.
Her tanned boots felt snug around the bottom half of her legs as she straightened out her ocean-blue skirt. Grinning, she stuck the petit garment grid in the side of her boots. Making sure the headband on her head was alright she skipped her way to Baralai's side. Tilting her head as she observed his closed eyes, she grabbed his shoulder and shook him gently. "Hey Baralai. Baralai? Wakey-wakey Baralai…it's sunny…wait…um. Heh…umm." Rikku pondered as she wondered what the sky looked like, was it morning or night?
Baralai opened his eyes gingerly and stared at a pair of swirling green eyes; wiping his mouth with his sleeve, he stood up and gave her a small smile. Glancing around at the room, he realized he was in Rikku's not the lobby. How did I get here? Did I sleep walk…so Isaaru was right. Ugh…great. Wait…that rude nurse got me awake and told me it was alright to see Rikku, now I remember.
"Come on, let's ditch this place and get some food! I'm starving…also you can tell me why I'm here," Rikku smiled as she clapped her hands excitedly. Not waiting for a response, she grabbed him by the hand and pulled him out of the hospital. The cool air kissed his face as he noticed it wasn't raining at all. But the thunder seemed to playing an endless symphony for Spira.
They found a small café and sat themselves outside to enjoy the pleasant wind and the soft thunder that echoed through the air. Quickly ordering there coffees and sandwiches, they stared at the table before them in a brooding silence. "So why was my shoulder all icky looking?" Rikku finally broke through the silence, making Baralai look up at her with a guilty expression.
"You don't remember last night?" the Praetor of New Yevon asked as he adjusted his clothes. Rikku shook her head and watched as Baralai gave out a heavy sigh. "Last night you were coming from the Mi'ihen Highroad and you came up to me. I hate to say this but you were possessed by a leftover of Shuyin's anger, which rested in Underground Bevelle," Baralai stated in his smooth and calm voice.
"Bummer…so how did I get this?" she asked in an ashamed voice as she pointed to her left shoulder, which was covered by her clothing. Her emerald eyes sparkled with curiosity as she watched him shift uneasily in his chair. There coffees and warm sandwiches was placed before them. Taking a sip from his steaming but yet comforting drink, he cleared his throat.
"You tried to kill me…and I was forced to shot you. Of course I did it to scare Shuyin out of your body. He thought I actually shot in the heart so he fled out of your body," he spoke out slowly as he moved toward his sandwich.
Rikku nearly choked on her half-eaten sandwich that she immediately began to devour; quickly taking a drink of coffee, she stared at her smooth hands for a minuet. Looking up at the weary praetor she turned her gaze to her coffee. Grabbing it, she allowed the cup's warmth to tingle through her hands.
"I'm…sorry," Baralai murmured as he took another sip from his drink. Sighing softly, he took a bite of his sandwich and turned his gaze to the polished table.
"Why should you be sorry? That…what you done…was the sweetest thing anyone did for me," she looked at him and flashed him a bright smile that seemed to put the sun to shame. Finishing the rest of her coffee she watched as Baralai gave her a puzzled look. You…what…you're thanking me? But I shot you…you almost died in my arms? Wait, 'sweetest thing?'
Rikku cleared off the table, seeing that Baralai was finished, leaving Baralai with his coffee. He stood up with his drink and asked quietly, "What do you mean?" Rikku grinned and linked her arm with his, which lay silently by his side. Baralai felt himself blush but the blonde Al Bhed pretended not to notice.
"When I was younger I found myself with Gippal. Life seemed great and all hunk-a-dory. But when I was playing around in Bikanel Island…a fiend appeared. Gippal never came when I called out for him…my pops came and he took care of it. But ever since that day, I always felt distanced from Gippal. I knew he couldn't hear me…but if only he comforted me in the end, which would have been the only thing that mattered to me. You saved me Baralai and you also stayed by my side…I think that is the sweetest thing anyone could do for me," she replied as she watched Baralai finish the rest of his drink before tossing it in a nearby trashcan.
"Rikku…I'm glad that you think that of me…that is why I have to tell you something," Baralai licked his lips as he turned her to face him. Rikku smiled and placed her index finger on his moist lips. She gave him an understanding smile as she felt Baralai tremble slightly under her finger.
"Crr, e muja oui duu," she whispered as she removed her finger and wrapped her arms around his neck. Leaning forward she gently kissed his lips and hesitated to continue. Baralai slowly closed his eyes and answered her hesitation by placing his hands on her hips and returning the kiss. There they stood silently, for words were useless now, as they felt the rain drops patter on their heads. A single drop slid between their lips, but it didn't stop them. (1)
"Cdub! Kad yfyo vnus dra kenm!" a voice shouted; gingerly they parted away, they stared at the dozen of Al Bheds. There guns were pointed at Rikku, who gave them a quizzical look. "Cra ehzunet Munt Rin! Cra sicd civvan!" another Al Bhed shouted over the thunder. Baralai caught the words, 'injured, Rin, and suffer.'
Rikku stammered softly for the praetor to hear, "I…wouldn't…I don't remember doing that." Baralai frowned and stood in front of Rikku and the Al Bhed's guns. "Baralai…what are you doing?" she whispered nervously.
"Oui femm hud nyo uha ryht uh ran un ajah crud ran. Vun ymm e lyna oui lyh cruja druca deh lyhc oui rumt ib ouin ycc," Baralai shouted back at them. He watched ass they took a step back in surprise. Rikku stared at Baralai's back like a chocobo who just saw a fiend. Touching his hand she soon grabbed it and stood beside him.
"If you are going to throw insults as these guys and expect to live…you are crazy. Good thing you have me to save ya…we can shaky-shake are way out this now," she laughed as she placed a soft kiss on his cheek. Baralai smiled and looked down at her with a look that said, 'Oh really?' The sound of guns being loaded jerked their attention to the Al Bhed's soldiers. "Never fear…Rikku is here!" she laughed as thunder continued to go on with their symphony.
A/N: Hoped you liked it! Also I would like to say that I am really impressed and thrilled with you guys...you make my socks dance! 823 hits...wow. I feel like I can rule the world now! Well...not really...but I can rule my chair! Anyway I'm really happy! God I feel like three again... So thank you guys for making me feel like I'm three years old again... You know I missed having nap time, in highschool all you do is work and mess around with your friends. What about nap time!I really do miss those blue mats...they were so poofy. Hmm. Good times...good times.
(1) Crr, e muja oui duu. Shh, I love you too.
(2) Cdub! Kad yfyo vnus dra kenm! Stop! Get away from the girl!
Cra ehzunet munt Rin! Cra sicd civvan! She injured Lord Rin! She must suffer!
(3) Oui femm hud nyo uha ryht uh ran un ajah crud ran. Vun ymm e lyna oui lyh cruja druca deh lyhc oui rumt ib ouin ycc. You will not lay one hand on her or even shot her. For all I care you can shove those tin cans you hold up your ass.