Chapter Ten: Violator
"An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind."
-Buddha
"What exactly were you thinking, Rikku? How could you kiss him?" Cid spat with venom circling his words. Rikku huffed with disgust and shock as she walked away from her father. They were having a 'father and daughter' talk again in the Celsius's engine room…how formal. Rikku tapped her chin a few times before spinning on her heels to face her pops.
"I didn't kiss him," she smiled as she waited for Cid to disagree with her. Cid fumed with rage, what was this girl thinking? Growling like a mad beast he pointed an accusing finger at the blonde Al Bhed.
"Liar! I have witnesses, Rikku. WITNESSES! So stop lying and tell me the goddamn truth," Cid shouted as he glared at his rebellious daughter. She took so much after her mother and somehow that scared him a bit. Sighing heavily as he forced himself to calm down, he let his arms cross against his chest.
"I am, pops. We didn't kiss…we were whispering secrets into each other's mouths," Rikku replied as she left the engine room. Cid grinded his teeth as he found himself stumped and out of comebacks…but it didn't really matter, she was already gone.
He could feel the ship descend before the sound of the hatch down bellow opened. They must be above Kilika Island, for Rikku lived there. It was odd that she chose to live there, but all she would say was, 'It's simple and quite but, it holds an air of mystery.' "Damn kids these days." Cid grumbled as he prayed that Gippal would do his job quickly and successfully.
Skipping on the planks, she waved at the smiling children that dashed beside her. Hidden by the other huts to the far left was her own little cozy home. It was larger than the others, due to it being two-stories, and there were glass windows and doors, instead of the hanging cloth and opened windows. It was her way of showing her crazy quirks in the village that the villagers came to love.
Unlocking and opening the door she silently closed it behind her. Her shinning green eyes traveled to the couches, the coffee table with the commsphere on top of it, the fruit-smelling kitchen and the stairs that led to her bed and the functional bathroom. Smiling, she made her way upstairs as a familiar scent drifted to her nostrils. Hurrying up the wooden stairs she saw a relaxed figure lying on her bed.
"I like your place," the figure murmured to the Al Bhed as he stared at the ceiling. Rikku sat down on the bed and ran her hand through his white hair before leaning down to kiss his tempting lips. She was returned with an even passionate kiss that made her toes tingle in anticipation. Holy Spira…where does he learn to do that? For now on I am going to see what he is eating or drinking…I really think it's the holy water though…
"Glad you liked it…so how did you come in?" Rikku asked as Baralai sat up to get a better look at her. Baralai gave her a sheepish look before leaning against the wall. The Al Bhed noticed how he was wearing casual clothes, which truly surprised her. He wore a slightly loose black t-shirt, slightly faded jeans and a black headband in place of his usual blue one. Hmm so he must have gone to Bevelle to change before crashing at my place…I can get use to this.
"Downstairs window was opened so I climbed in," he replied as his eyes never left her. Rikku giggled and crawled her way toward him; resting her head on his lap, she looked up at him. Wagging her finger at him like a teacher does to a bad child, she continued to giggle. "What's so funny?" the praetor asked quietly as he gave her small smile.
"Never knew you were such a thief…breaking into peoples' houses," Rikku giggled as she stroked his chin lovingly. Baralai lightly ruffled his hair before laughing softly. "So you were taking notes when I kicked your butt in Underground Bevelle. Such a quick learner," she went on as she caught a blush forming on his cheeks.
"I was just being easy on you girls…I didn't want to ruin such a pretty face like yours," he countered as he gave her a smirk. Rikku frowned and sat up before pulling him away from the wall. Quickly pinning him down she awarded him with a cocky grin as her hands pressed on his chest.
"Oh yeah? Want to relieve what happened back there?" Rikku growled playfully as she leaned to nibble on his ear. Baralai's hand traveled to the small of her back as her warm breath kissed his ear. She found herself pulling back to pull his shirt off, which revealed a beautiful and smooth chest. His abdomen was rock-hard which stunned her for a second, so many secrets…so mysterious. Oh Yevon, I love him.
"I dare you to try," he whispered in a husky voice that sent shivers running down her spine. Rikku began to fondle with his chest as he began to bite her neck gently. His tongue lightly touched her skin and it already sent her reeling into a world of ecstasy. Gradually he began to suck on her skin as his hands roamed toward her waist. His tanned and warm hands were about to travel farther down however, a single knock broke the moment. Rikku groaned in distress as her hands stopped on the burning skin on his chest.
Baralai mumbled something softly before pulling her down as their burning skin touched. Attempting to finish with what he started with, the knock reverberated through the air once more. Muttering something about being busy, Rikku gingerly tore herself away from the praetor's loving and mind-blowing touch. "Let me just kick whoever it is in the shin and I'll come back," she spoke in a soft voice as she gave a light kiss on his nose.
Nodding slowly he stared at the ceiling as he felt a smile creep on his lips. Even though she was gone for the moment, he could still feel her hungry hands on his exposed chest. Lightly touching his chest he closed his eyes and allowed his hand to rest on his greedy skin.
Rikku straightened herself up before opening the door. A gasp in shock and awe escaped her lips as she stared at a smiling figure. "What are you doing here?" Rikku asked as she placed one hand on her hip and another on the door. "Gippal, stop grinning and tell me already…I have things to do," she added.
"Can't a friend stop by to say hello? Geez….you haven't changed a bit, Cid's girl." Gippal replied as his eye searched for something outplace on the girl. So far he spotted nothing until he reached her neck, it was a bright red mark and the soft indents of teeth marks were visible. Pretending not to notice he stared quietly at Rikku. Bad timing…
"Well…hey, I have a name. But Gippal, I know you want to catch up and all…it's just that this isn't a good time. Why don't you come back tomorrow afternoon and we can have lunch together and talk. How's that?" Rikku replied in a tired tone, as her fingers tapped on the door. Gippal rubbed the back of his head, so eager to kick me out, eh?
"Sounds good…I'll come around noon and we can…catch up. Well, see ya around Cid's girl," he gave her one of his charming smiles before heading off in his own direction. So she really does like him…I guess I'll just have to kick it up a notch when we have our lunch. Oh we'll talk Rikku…but don't think we will be talking with just our mouths.
Rikku dashed upstairs as her braids bounced on her head with her movements. A grin appeared on her moist lips as she spied on Baralai who was still lying down with his eyes closed. Seeing that he was vulnerable, she dashed up and pounced on him. "I told him to scram…and guess who it was?" Rikku whispered as she began to leave a trail of hot kisses down his chest.
The tanned-skinned man found his mind easily distracted as her kisses began to travel down further. "Mailman?" he gasped out as she unbuttoned his pants to pull them off in two fluid movements. Rikku tugged on his boxers so her hungry lips could resume leaving their marks on his skin.
Rikku paused and smiled up at him, "Nope, it was Gippal." Baralai frowned slightly at this but couldn't help but bite his lip to suppress a wordless moan as she kissed a sensitive spot. "You know, he said he wanted to catch up on things…but the way he said it sounded weird," she added as she ran a finger across his member. Sighing in heavenly content and bliss from just her touch, he motioned for her to come towards him.
Crawling up by his side she felt a protective and strong arm wrap around her. Pulling her close to his warm and comforting body, she felt silky lips kiss her collarbone. Nuzzling his neck, she pushed herself closer to him and allowed her heavy eyelids to slam shut. Baralai kissed her forehead and moved his thoughts to Gippal. Gippal suddenly wanting to 'catch up' with Rikku…I don't like the sound of this.
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The same evening…
Spira continued to be buffeted with angry storms of rain and lightening. The furious clouds would stop, but only to take a break before bursting out in tears. Were those really tears that struck his tanned face as he gazed up at the dark clouds. A sickening sensation seared his skin with its simmering heat. A cruel and consuming shiver ran through his body in a mad race as it left a trail of confusion.
Turning his gaze slowly downward, he noticed the floating rocks to his far right. His brows furrowed together at this sight and a single thought drifted in his mind, 'What am I doing by the Djose Temple?' The blue electricity danced through the soaked rocks in eagerness through Baralai's eyes. A sound of clicking and heavy breathing filled his ears; turning around, he watched as thousands of Al Bheds crouched down or stood up with guns pointing at him alone.
Through the mist of men there were scattered masses of machina with yellow eyes that glowed in the wet air. Rain slid off their exterior as they hovered over the air…waiting for the command to shoot. Scratching his neck in even more confusion, Baralai searched for a familiar face or some explanation. However, instead of a familiar face or a simple explanation came a soft and wise voice.
It was the voice from a child but the tone of the voice was foreboding and dark. Looking down to his right he stared at a small child with a stormy-blue cloak on that covered his eyes with its shadow. "You are looking at your downfall, Praetor of New Yevon. Before you are men, women, and machina that have their minds set on 'kill.' Do you know why?" the young child asked at the stunned man.
Baralai blinked a few times in surprise by these gruesome words, this was no ordinary child…more like a demon or a god. "Not really…I'm just confused. Why is this my downfall? What did I do? Why am I here?" was all Baralai could reply as his mind searched for his own answer to his question. The young child just laughed softly before walking away into the crawling mist that was edging toward him.
"You will find out. For the answers lie inside of you," the child called out before disappearing. Baralai frowned and rubbed his hand gently, this was all odd and abnormal at the moment. The sound of the door from behind him opening made him turn around quickly. There, standing with a smug and confident grin, was Gippal. His arms were folded across his chest and his single green eye laughed at Baralai's confusion.
"Still acting innocent as ever, eh 'Lai? You really think this is just some dream or joke? Well your wrong 'Lai…dead wrong and I intend to show that to you," Gippal growled darkly as he took a few steps toward the praetor. Baralai wore a look of shock, what was going on? He watched as his best friend pulled out a gun and pointed it at his right eye. Gippal just continued to grin as he pointed the gun at Baralai, "An eye for an eye, right?" What? But I never did anything with your eye! For Yevon's sake are you crazy!
A deep purple, a flashing white, a piercing green and a bloody red filled his vision after the sound of the air splitting in two. Pain gripped him and strangled him senseless as a retched and agonizing cry erupted from his dry lips. A thousand daggers seemed to be stabbing his eye constantly as he cupped his hand over the bleeding eye. Tears began to form and Gippal observed how one side spilled salty tears and another warm blood.
There he was, on his knees with a hand cupped around a bleeding eye, crying out at this inhuman pain. He prayed that he could just die right now, end the suffering that clawed at his mind like a blood-spilling fiend. "Gippal…why?" he managed to whisper as his voice left him after a few minuets of crying out from the devilish crime his friend just committed.
"Why…because you didn't have the guts…the balls to fight back. But I do…I always did. Hey! Look at me when I'm talking!" Gippal roared as he pushed his hand on Baralai's forehead so that he could face him. He pressed a finger on his wounded eye and laughed when the praetor whimpered in agony. "I'm surprised you're not dead yet…it should have gone through your brain and BAM! Still struggling to live I guess…but that can be quickly taken care of. But first I want you to meet someone…" Gippal hissed into Baralai's ear.
The white-haired man grasped the ground with his hand as he felt Gippal's finger press on the raw skin of his eye. His finger seemed like fire as more blood gushed out like a miniature fountain. His now good eye, his left, widened as a beautiful blonde Al Bhed emerged out of the temple. Her hair was up as usual and she wore the regular revealing outfit: creamy ribbon sleeves, stunning yellow bikini top and her tanned-colored skirt.
"Rikku…" he whispered softly, finding her a sight for his sore eyes. He raised his hand toward her in a sign of help and comfort; she walked with a sad smile on her face, wrapping her arms around a neck as she lightly kissed the warm skin.
The problem was that she was not kissing Baralai but Gippal, who was still pressing down on his bad eye. Gippal caught Baralai's hurt look and replied in his arrogant voice, "Cid's girl is with me now…you failed to protect and love her. So I came along and made myself comfortable with my only true love. You are a pathetic excuse that entered our lives, Baralai. Don't worry; I'll take good care of her."
Baralai felt his heart freeze over in the cold and unfeeling weather. He snorted softly in the air, "Figures something like this would show up in my life." A remarkable sensation shot up through his veins as he attempted to stand up; pushing aside Gippal's hand, he felt this sensation shove aside the pain in his eye for a moment. His attempts were successful as he now stood face to face, eye to eye and smirk to smirk with Gippal. "You always seem to surprise me Gippal…you know no limits," Baralai snapped at the man and watched as the Al Bhed's smirk vanished.
Baralai looked at himself with his single and lone brown eye; his skin was a pale blue and his hands seemed to obtain claws. "What's this?" he whispered as he stared at his body with fear. Gippal chuckled in his suave voice as he motioned for Rikku to stand back.
"This is the real you…the monster you have become over the past couple of years. All your stored up hate and anguish are now all before you," Gippal replied as he allowed his hands to dangle by his sides. Baralai flashed a glare at the Al Bhed before barring his teeth in disgust.
The praetor hissed as he allowed this rage to consume and caress his frozen heart. Bringing a claw up into the air, he brought it down with full force. Ripping through tender flesh, tense muscles and sturdy bones was a breeze to Baralai. He watched with bitter content. Gippal's highly boasted-about-body collapsed on the floor on his back.
Kneeling by the Al Bhed he found himself clawing, shredding, ripping, hacking, cleaving, gashing, and wrenching open his insides. There before him was the structure of the human body. Stretched before him was an intestine that curled and twisted in different ways. It appeared to look like a slimy slug that was pulled into different curves of the body, as if searching for a way out but finding none. His lungs were now pockets filled with swishing blood as the purple skin appeared to be a wrinkled prune. Gippal's heart looked like a crimson beetle with thin-like steaks of purple and blue. This beetle no longer thrived in this jungle of a body.
"Who's laughing now, you fucker?" he screamed at him as prickling tears ran down his blood-stained cheeks. He bowed down toward Gippal's opened body and had the sudden urge to drink up the burning liquid that rested in his dead body. A shaking hand neared chest as it spotted a pool of blood by his beetle-like heart. Licking his cracked lips he felt his breathing pattern become quick and ragged.
An overwhelming amount of pain filled his senses as a passionless bullet found its way deep through his frozen but still beating heart. The bullet cracked the icy barrier and pierced his heart. Falling face first on the muddy ground he stared blankly at the dead body beside him. A shrill scream filled the air as a world of blackness began to fill his vision.
That is when reality began to sink in.
Baralai jerked his head up and stared at his surroundings: he was in a warmly lit office with piles of papers beside him. Sighing with relief he sank into the chair he was sitting on and folded his hands on his lap. "It was a dream, Baralai. Gippal and Rikku would never do such a thing," he whispered reassuringly to himself before going back to his papers.
A/N: Gruesome, eh? If you didn't think so...damn you have a some guts. For me...I actually hate the sight of blood. It's disgusting, and my mom wants me to be a doctor. Well I'm screwed. So I also want to announce that we have finally reached past 1000 hits! YAY! HURRAH! HAPPY THOUSAND-HITS-NEW-YEAR-PALOOZA! Squeeness! I love you all and expect more mushy, lemony, bloody, angry, lusty and skin-hungry chapters.