Mystic: (sighs) I thought I mentioned in he other chapter that it was going to be a one-shot. Guess I forgot to put in that smidge of information. Oh well, I make more chapters, but not that many just until I think the story has a good close. At the moment I'm trying to get two other FFX-2 stories started. Plus, I have an idea in mind for a Jak 3 story. Also if anyone's interested, Yu Yu Hakusho. However, since you guys asked for another chapter that's what you'll get. Thank you for reviewing the previous chapter. Now Demon and Angel would you kindly do the disclaimer?
D&A: (sighs) MysticOmega doesn't own anything of FFX-2.
Demon: Pah, I hate saying that!
Angel: Bare with it.
Throughout most of the walk the two were silent. However, it was not the kind of awkward silence most people would find themselves in. No, it was the kind that was both comforting and welcomed. The sort that a pair of best friends would have.
Rikku let her eyes travel to gaze on Baralai's form. While she had been to running to catch up with him it not escape her notice that the silent praetor had looked quite melancholy. Albeit, Baralai always seemed melancholy in a way, but for as long as she had been within watching range he had seemed more melancholy than usual. At least that was what she thought.
Even now he seemed distant. Chewing on her lower lip she tried to come up with a way to snap him out of his reverie or least try and make an intelligent conversation with him. Which would prove to be quite difficult for her. She wasn't Paine or Yuna. Finally she was hit on how to get Baralai to talk to her.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
This caught Baralai off guard. His face quickly turned to one of confusion, curiosity, and the slightest hint of pain. Blinking, he slowly turned toward the energetic Al Bhed, his sorrel eyes almost question marks.
Rikku flashed him a sheepish grin. Truthfully, she didn't know why she had asked the question, save for the fact that she had wanted to erase the sad look that had found home on Baralai's face.
Rikku's back suddenly stiffened so quickly that there was an audible snap. Her emerald orbs filled with shock and fear. Her throat dried while her heart tightened.
Baralai was crying.
It wasn't the sort of crying that had one blubbering to their knees nor was it the kind that had someone sobbing in desperation. No, Baralai's tears were so quiet that a person would have to look him in the face to make sure he was even shedding tears. The melancholy expression had increased ten fold. It swam listlessly in sorrel depths. Never ceasing and forever growing.
Worried and overly confused, Rikku walked closer to him and gave his arm a squeeze. At this the young man gave her a small smile, reassuring the Al Bhed that it wasn't she who caused his sudden crying. But if it she hadn't caused it what had? The question was evident in her eyes as she looked up at him.
"I just remembered that this was the day my mother died." Baralai's sorrel eyes were filled with an understanding grief as if he always told this to people who were crossing the bridge that they were on. Rikku blinked at him, sudden understanding her emerald orbs. She knew what it was like to have lost a parent. Her own mother had died when she was still so very small.
"Just before she died she told me that even though she was leaving and not coming back… she told me that I wouldn't be lonely. She said that she would always be with me. In spirit at least, as long as I remembered heard." He then gave a wry smile. " I don't know why I'm telling you this, Rikku? I've heard the Al Bhed saying that memories are nice, but there's just memories."
She cringed inwardly. She couldn't help it. For once in her life she wished that being an Al Bhed didn't mean that you had to follow that saying. Maybe then, she wouldn't be feeling this horrible mixture of pain and guilt. Licking her lips, she spoke softly" Maybe because you got tired of being lonely." Baralai opened his mouth to say something, but she cut him off.
"Don't try to deny Baralai. Even now you're lonely. I can see it in your eyes."
The Yevonite gulped. Somehow, Rikku had been able to find the black hole of loneliness and grief he had kept inside him until today. For a brief second he wished he hadn't taken this walk. The second didn't last for long when he noticed Rikku staring at him with understanding eyes. Her next words lifted his weary spirits with new hope.
"I'm here. I'm here"
With that said she gently grabbed his hand and the two continued their walk. A sudden understanding in their friendship.
MysticOmega: I'm sorry for not updating in such a long time. I didn't have any inspiration for this fic until today. I also apologize if this chapter is confusing. If you have any question to ask, I answer them in the next and mostly likely last chapter. Thank you and please leave a review.