A/N: Well it's been quite a while, hasn't it? Finally spring break is here and I can make my chapters longer than before. Isn't that great? But saddly this isn't one of thos chapters yet. So my deepest apologizes but you will like this one. So drink up and enjoy!

Chapter Four: Lying Can Be Done Through Silence

"I still don't understand why they would run off, Baralai. Was it something you said?" the older male asked as he pushed his glasses up. His brown hair was held up in a firm ponytail as the wavy clumps of hair rested on his back. Dark eyes stared curiously at his troubled companion, comrade, and friend. He wanted to help Baralai but something told him to keep his mouth shut as the main entrance door opened.

Through the corner of his eye he watched two young men step inside. They wore the traditional robe like Praetor Baralai except for the color. One wore a black and white robe and the other wore a red and back robe. Somehow these colors seemed to be the polar opposite of traditional. As he quickly observed the stunned boys he noticed their olive-tinged skin, pure eggshell-white hair, and burning emerald eyes. Ah, so these are Baralai's sons. I wonder who the mother is? But then again, those striking eyes already tell me the answer.

The Praetor of New Yevon was to busy rummaging through his mind to notice Nooj's gaze. "I don't think it's something I said…it's more of what they saw of me," Baralai chewed out his words carefully, "They saw a sphere of my past when I was younger…and now they want to know more about me." Baralai clenched his hands into tight fists as a painful though slashed through his mind.

Seymour…that's what I'm truly worried about. What if they find that sphere? The more I think of this, the more I believe that it may be resting in here. Yevon, why have you forsaken me?

Nooj was now interested as he heard the words, 'sphere' and 'my past'. "Hm? That's new, but what do you have to worry about? You are a clean person, Baralai," Nooj replied softly as he watched the younger man flinch violently at those words. So you have some horrible secrets? Now this is something new.

"We all make mistakes in our life," Baralai whispered softly as he casted his eyes to the ground. Nooj stared curiously at his fidgeting friend and wished it was just that easy to ask what happened and get a clear response. However, it isn't that easy and he knew he would just be invading on icy grounds.

"Well, if I happen to see those two I'll call you right away. Don't worry, Baralai, they'll be back home in no time," Nooj gave a plastic smile as he watched the boys scurry to the next room quietly from below. Baralai was to busy staring at his feet as Nooj's words slowly began to process through his brain.

"Nooj..."

"Hn? Yes?"

"Thank you, this means a lot to me."

"Anything for a friend."

Baralai looked up and smiled weakly, "Well I better head back to Bevelle. Who knows what trouble is now breaking out. I guess I'll see you later then. Farewell and take care." Giving a short nod, the Praetor of New Yevon left quietly. His breath hitched as he watched the abnormal, graceful, and beautiful Guados walk about with ease. Swallowing the lump in his throat he lightly touched his neck before hurrying off.


Koruko and Tatchi grinned appreciatively as they listened to Nooj as he showed them their rooms. Koruko fidgeted slightly as a question prodded him mind. "Why didn't you tell dad that we were here?" he finally blurted out as his eyes blinked in curiosity. Tatchi sighed heavily at his brother's eagerness.

Nooj stared quietly at them and watched their faces read different expressions. One read curiosity another read irritation. "Let's just say that I am also curious on why Baralai is so secretive all of a sudden. This doesn't mean I can help you, I'm just curious at the moment," Nooj finally replied after a pregnant pause.

Koruko and Tatchi looked at each other before disappearing into their new room. Nooj closed the door and leaned against the wall with his ear pressed against it. Their voices were clear as day as they began discussing their next move.

"We need to get out of here fast."

"What for? We have food, nice beds, and I bet a lovely lady is hidden in the closet. I smell perfume, so don't give me that look."

"Dad came here...so he might come back again to check up on things."

"Oh...right."

"I say we head to Luca. Then go on an airship to Gagazet."

"Huh? Gagazet! Tatchi, why Gagazet? Why Luca?"

"We need to go farther away from dad's range...and Gagazet is a holy place to many. What better way to find the great sphere of a holy praetor like dad?"

"After that one sphere...I doubting dad is "holy" but I agree with you."

"When do we leave?"

"Sometime tomorrow afternoon."

Nooj walked off silently as he brooded over this new information. He could tell Baralai or he could let the chase continue. A smirk danced across his face as he muttered into the still air, "I was never good at multiple choice."

Grabbing the commsphere he took a seat at the nearest chair and dialed Baralai's number. An image flashed on and an eager face appeared before him. "Yes, Nooj?" the praetor asked as his brown eyes searched for the answer.

"I found something that you make want to know about..." Nooj replied as he ran a hand through his dark hair.


Tatchi growled angrily at his brother, who insisted on exploring the house in the dead of night. It's been three hours and nothing was going well at the moment. They managed to steal food for the trip to Luca but not a sphere. Leaning against the wall, Koruko sighed and mumbled a curse.

"You would expect a man like Nooj to have at least one sphere of dad. I guess we should take a look at this one and head back to bed," Koruko exhaled as he picked up the last sphere on the shelf.

Tatchi stood by his brother and watched as the sunburst-colored sphere erupted with life.

Rin's Travel Agency stood in the background along with a clear blue sky. A group of young looking men huddled together as they talked with smiles plastered on their faces.

"Come on...one more for old times sake," a female voice spoke as her voice was filled with laughter. The group didn't seem to hear her, and they continued laughing softly. Soon breaking apart and waving off, the camera turned to two of the three young men.

One had dove-white hair and the formal priest attire, while the other had unruly blonde hair and a black eye patch. The sound of thunder cracking filled the air as the dove-white haired man fell on the floor. The blonde man turned around wildly in surprise, but only to meet the same fate as the other.

The camera jerked to the left to glare at a tall, brown-haired man with glasses and a smoking gun. "I said your work was done," the man barked as he advanced with the fury of a raging storm. His eyes burned like coals as the camera broke off as if to silence the piercing scream to come. That man who did this retched act was no other than Nooj...

"Silence is the true friend that never betrays...am I right," a voice purred as the boys turned around to face narrow eyes and barring teeth.


A/N: Short...I know. I'm just a lazy bum at the moment...you have the right to throw muffins or whatever at me. I do deserve it. So I hoped you liked this chapter, despite it's shortness.