You Don't Know The Real Me - Chapter 6
We're Not Who You Think We Are
"All right, we have to spots for you twoin the very front, so you enjoy the show. We plan on having you onstage by next concert or the one after." Gippal explained, the group walking out of the dressing room.
Rikku nodded, the beads in her hair clinking softly together. "Got it. Come on Paine, I want to make sure they're good spots!" As the girls ran off, Gippal smiled slightly at their retreating figures.
"You've got it really bad." Baralai said, shaking his head.
Gippal nodded sadly, "I know. But, I'll tell you this is the most wonderful feeling in the world."
"Oh great. Note to self, don't fall in love."
"Ha! Let's see how long that lasts!" Gippal laughed, walking toward the stage entrance.
"DJOSE!" Blythe cried into his mic as he ran onstage. "Whoa, we finally made it! I must say, that is THE last time I sleep on the hover. Man, talk about some kinks in the neck!"
"Watch, you'll pass out on the ride to the Thunder Plains." Amon teased as he calmly walked onstage. The crowd laughed, and Blythe starred at his companion.
"What's gotten into you?"
"Huh? Nothing, why?"
"Oh, nothing… could have sworn you were struck by a love arrow or something… you know, there is a wonderful young lady in the audience-"
"You don't want to finish that sentence." Amon said hurridly, glaring at his friend.
Blythe backed away, "By the look you're giving me, I never want to finish that sentence!"
"That's about right." Amon said, nodding once. "So… we're open to requests… as always. But, we pick in the end, so don't get your hopes up."
"What do ya'll wanna hear?" Blythe said.
The crowd screamed a few songs, and Amon shook his head. "We didn't catch that. Pick one and stick with it."
"Gunning Down Romance!"
Blythe rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh… you guys really want to hear that?"
The crowd roared, and Blythe looked over at Amon and covered his mic. "I REALLY don't want to do that one."
"Same here. It was cool while we were recording it, but it just doesn't fit anymore." Amon replied, covering his own mic with his right hand.
"I know… dang it. But we just can't ignore what they want!"
"Make up an excuse or something… I don't know."
Blythe nodded and turned back to the crowd. "As much as we would love to sing that one… Amon and I haven't sung that one in a LONG time. We don't want to ruin the concert with bad singing… so any other requests?"
The crowd groaned in disappointment, then began to shout out multiple songs. Amon grimaced, "This will never end! That's it! I'm going to just go ASK someone!"
"And who are you going to ask?"
Amon made his way over to the edge of the stage, and girls were squealing, trying to get in front of him. He laughed, "Now, I'm going to ask one of you lovely ladies, and whatever you say, we'll sing." He found Rikku in the audience, and pointed back to her. "Yes! The stunning Al Bhed beauty in the back! Come up here, and tell me what you want to hear!"
Rikku blushed, and made her way through the parting crowds.
"Now, any requests?" Amon asked, "Now don't you dare say Gunning Down Romance!" he added quickly.
Rikku laughed, "Nah, I want to hear something different." She said.
"All right then, what is it?" Amon questioned, and held the mic down to her so she could speak into it.
"Don't Cry." She said clearly, and Amon smiled.
"Excellent choice if I may say so myself, good pick." He said softly, and gave her a wink. Rikku blushed a deeper red, and went back to her spot next to Paine.
"So, it's Don't Cry?" Blythe asked.
"Sounds like it! Let's go! DJ, Maestro, or whatever you're called… hit it!"
((A/N: Just like last time. Gippal/Amon is bold, Baralai/Blythe is italicized, and both is both of them singing.))
This song was a more mellow song in a way, so the crowdquieted down a bit. Blythe started off the song, Amon hanging in the background. The music was slow and every word could be heard clearly.
Don't be so hard on yourself
Those tears are for someone else
I hear your voice on the phone
I hear you feel so alone
My baby
Oh my baby
Please my baby
My baby
The music picked up a little bit of speed, the orchestra coming through. The notes were rich and ear pleasing to the crowd. The tranquility was broken when the orchestra backed off, letting Blythe sing once again.
When we were young,
And truth was paramount
We were older then
And we lived our life without any doubt
Those memories
They seem so long ago
What's become of them
When you feel like me I want you to know…
Don't cry
You're not alone
Don't cry tonight
My baby
Don't cry
You'll always be loved
Don't cry tonight
My baby
Today I dreamed
Of friends I had before
And I wonder why
The ones who care don't call anymore
My feelings hurt
But you know I overcome the pain
And I'm stronger now
There can't be a fire unless there's a flame
Don't cry
You're not alone
Don't cry tonight
My baby
Don't cry
You'll always be loved
Don't cry
Ooohhh...
Limousines and sycophants
Don't leave me now
Cause I'm afraid what you've done to me
Is now the wolf
In my bed
In my head
In my head
In my head
The challenges, we took were hard enough
They get harder now
Even when we think that we've had enough
Don't feel alone
Cause it's I you understand
I'm your sedative
Take a piece of me whenever you can
Don't cry... you're not alone
((... Don't be so hard on yourself...))
Don't cry... tonight, my baby
((...Those tears are for... someone else...))
Don't cry... you'll always be loved
((...I hear your voice on the phone...))
Don't cry... tonight, sweet baby
((...I hear you feel... so alone.))
Don't cry...
Don't cry...
Don't cry...
Don't you cry...
Cry...
Don't cry...
Cause you still be loved
Don't cry
Don't cry tonight
Ohh…
My baby my baby
My baby my baby
My baby my baby
My baby my baby
My baby my my baby
My baby my baby
My baby my my baby
My baby my baby
My baby...
Don't cry tonight
You'll still be loved
As the last note died, the crowd busted out in applause and screaming. The crowd wanted another song, and the poor boys ended up singing Gunning Down Romance anyway.
As the walked back to the hotel around 1 A.M., Paine ventured a question.
"Why didn't you guys want to sing Gunning Down Romance the first time?"
Baralai took a deep breath. "Well, we recorded that when we were hopeless romantics saying that it wasn't meant for us."
Rikku raised an eyebrow, "When did your opinions change?"
Gippal answered this time. "We were used to the obsessed fan girls, and not charming and non obsessed women such as yourselves."
"So romance isn't all that bad?"
"Well, I can't really answer that, seeing as I've actually never been in love." Baralai laughed.
"You've never been in love?" Rikku gasped.
"How? You've got women who would die-"
"To be in your position right now." Amon interrupted with a small smile. "See, those are the obsessed ones, who will stop at nothing for us to smile at them. We haven't met many women who won't faint when they see us. And the fact that you two beat Vegnagun is a whole different matter in itself."
"Every woman is one of a kind, but you two are a special one of a kind, one that a man spends his entire life looking for." Baralai finished, smiling at Rikku and Paine. The both of them blushed.
"So, what are we doing for breakfast in a few hours? Please say not another café…" Rikku said.
Gippal chuckled. "Nope, I discovered that this place has 24 hour room service. I'm ordering something."
Her eyes lit up, and she stopped walking to look at him. "So that means I can order say, chocolate cake, as soon as I get back?"
"Yes you could. Does that suit your fancy? I'll order it if you wish."
"Only if you'll help me eat it."
Gippal smiled warmly, and held out his left hand to her. "Then let's go order that chocolate cake." She smiled back at him, and took his hand. Together, they ran off toward the hotel to order their chocolate cake.
Paine and Baralai watched the two running figures until they grew too small to see. They looked back at each other, and then doubled over in laughter.
"Are they… seriously going to get chocolate cake?" Paine gasped out.
Baralai managed to straighten up, and helped Paine stand. "I think so. Now, I know that chocolate cake might not fit the bill for you right now, but how does a nice cup of coffee sound?"
Paine smiled. "Coffee sounds nice."
"And would you kindly honor me with your presence and that cup of coffee?" Baralai asked, eyes twinkling.
She nodded, taking the arm he offered her. "I think I can do that."
The next day was rainy and foggy, so everyone stayed inside. This was the perfect opportunity for Gippal and Baralai to get out of the hotel without being mobbed. Rikku went for a walk, and Baralai followed her out. Paine was reading a book, and Gippal was sleeping in for a change.
Baralai wandered toward the temple, and stopped on the bridge. He spotted Rikku leaning on the railing, and walked towards her.
"I didn't know you were out here." Baralai whispered as he stood beside her.
Rikku jumped, but smiled when she saw who it was. "Yeah… wanted to get out before everyone else did."
"I can understand that. This is the kind of weather where it's safe for me to emerge for a while."
Rikku laughed, and starred at the water running underneath the bridge. They stood in a comfortable silence, each of them thinking their own thoughts. She had asked to see Gippal, but his second in command said that he was on vacation somewhere in Spira and was only to be contacted in an emergency.
Baralai saw that her gaze had wandered up to the temple. "He's not there, is he?" he whispered.
Rikku turned to look at him, "Who?"
"Gippal. He's not there."
She sighed and looked back down at the water. "No, he's not."
"Did you want to talk to him?" Baralai asked. When she nodded, he pressed on. "About what? I'll listen if that'll help."
"Only if you won't tell Amon anything about this, okay?"
"I promise."
Rikku turned around, and sat down on the bridge, her back against the railing. Baralai sat down next to her, and listened to her thoughts.
"I've always had a thing for Gippal, right? But… it kinda never worked out. He even admitted to liking me once, but we never got together because he left for the Crimson Squad, and I went of to become Yunie's guardian. Then once Sin was gone, and Vegnagun was defeated, I wanted to get together with him… but he seemed to forget all about me.
"Then there's Amon. I seriously think he's got me hook, line, and sinker, and I don't mind one bit. But, I don't want to lead him on if Gippal shows some interest in me again-"
"You would drop Amon to run back to Gippal?" Baralai asked, fully aware that they were talking about the same person.
"I… I don't know, and that's what confuses me. Two men have my heart, and I can't figure out where it should go!"
Baralai sighed, and put an arm around her shoulders. "You know what? I think that you should enjoy the tour, and worry about Gippal after this is over. Amon is going to think that he did something, and he's going to want to know what's wrong. If I'm a good judge, you don't want him to know about this, do you?"
"Not really…"
"Right. So, keep an open mind on the both of them, and enjoy, or hate, the month that you're on tour with us."
Rikku laughed, "I couldn't hate you guys."
Baralai chuckled, "Oh trust me, we can fix that."
'You really can hate us when you learn who we really are… oh Rikku… I don't want to see what'll happen when you find out Gippal and Amon are the same person…' Baralai thought sadly. 'Oh Paine, I'm so sorry…'
"Well, I want some breakfast-"
"And chocolate cake with Amon?" Baralai said slyly, helping her up.
"Hey! That was sweet of him to get me chocolate cake at one in the morning, and help me eat it!" Rikku protested, blushing.
"I know. Speaking of which, what did you do last night? Paine and I heard you giggling until you left his room." He asked as they began the slow walk back to the hotel.
Rikku smiled at the memory.
-Flashback-
"All right Rikku, it's huge!" Amon said as he put the cake on the coffee table. "You sure that you can eat all of this?" he asked, handing her a fork.
"Who said I was eating eat? You are so helping me buddy!"
He laughed, and began to dig in.
After a few bites, they began talking, exchanging stories and laughing loudly.
"Uh, Amon, you've got some cake on your face…" Rikku said, pointing to his cheek.
"Huh? Where?" he said, eyes twinkling.
"Right there! On your cheek!" she cried, giggling.
"I'm sorry, I didn't catch that, where?" Amon asked again, trying not to laugh.
She giggled even harder and reached her hand up to wipe it off. Her fingers lightly brushed his cheek, and it sent shocks down her spine.
Her touch on his skin sent new sensations down his spine. How he wished that he wasn't lying to her about he was… he hated that he had to act like a Yevonite. He wanted to smear the cake all over her face, then kiss it of. But he couldn't do that… that was to bold, even as Gippal.
Rikku managed to wipe it off, but she was beet red when she was done. She turned back to her cake and was silent.
Amon, in attempts to lighten the mood, tried to start a conversation a few times. Then, as a last resort, he got a small piece of cake on his fork, and pulled it back, taking aim. He let go…
… and hit his target dead on. Rikku reached up into her hair, and pulled out a piece of cake. She glared up at a snickering Amon, and decided to give him some pay back. She grabbed a slightly bigger piece of cake, and Amon jumped up and began to back away.
"Uh… Rikku… okay, now, let's talk about this… you really don't want to be doing that…"
"Oh, I really think I do…" She jumped, and smeared her piece of cake all in his hair.
"RIKKU! Oh, so not cool! This means war!" he cried, and dashed back to the supply of cake. He was back in a split second, and aimed for her face, but Rikku danced away. Amon ended up getting cake all over Rikku's neck and left shoulder. She ran back to the cake, and aimed.
She scored true, smearing the cake in his face. She stopped, collapsing on the floor, cackling with mirth. Amon starred at her, and removed his shirt to get most of the cake on his face and hair off of him with it. When he was done, he threw the shirt to the side.
Rikku looked up, and her eyes went wide. Amon shirtless wasn't something she'd seen before, and would have no problem seeing again. He bent down over her, smiling.
"Are you quite done?" he asked in a mock serious tone. It just made her giggle even more. "Hey, are you even paying attention?" When she didn't respond, he shook his head. "You leave me no choice…"
"NO! No, please, have pity!" Rikku screamed as he began to tickle her sides. He just laughed and continued to tickle her to death. She tried to roll away, but he just dragged her back. In attempts to cease his tickling, Rikku tripped him with her leg. He fell on top of her, and laughed even harder. The tickling didn't stop, only increased. She was laughing so hard tears were pouring down her face. Amon continued to tickle, and Rikku tried one more tactic.
She pushed against his chest, forcing him off of her. But, he had a firm hold on her, so she rolled with him, landing on his chest. Both of them starred into each other's eyes, not saying a word. Then Amon's lip twitched. Rikku busted out laughing again, and he joined in. After their laughing spree was over, her head was resting on his shouler, her hands flat on his bare chest. He had an arm around her waist, and his other hand played with her beaded hair. Amon looked over at the clock and sighed.
"You better head back to your room, it's-" he began, but stopped. "Rikku?" he said softly, looking down into her face. He smiled to himself, "How you can fall asleep laying like this is beyond me…"
-End Flashback-
"Spira to Rikku!" Baralai said, waving a hand in front of her face.
She jerked, and blushed. "Sorry… thinking."
"And by the look on your face, it was last night."
"Yeah… we had a cake fight."
Baralai raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? How did that – wait, I don't want to know how that happened. Glad you guys had a fun time. But I need you to remember something, all right?"
"Okay."
"Everyone has secrets, some small and some huge. Amon and I… we have a few big ones hidden up our sleeves. Just remember this; we're not who you think we are." With that said, he walked into the hotel.
Rikku glanced up at the sky, and sighed. "We're not who you think we are…" His words rang clearly in her head.
"How can you not be what I think you are Amon? You're a sweet, kind, and great guy… how can you be something different?" she whispered to the gray sky.
A/N: Yay! Update! And a funny cake fight with it! Yes! I couldn't help it... it was completely spur of the moment while I was typing. Well, hope this had your daily dose of fluff in it. Don't worry, you'll see some PainexBaralai fluff in here later. It's hard to do since Paine is so reserved, you almost have to get her drunk... ((idea pops into head)) OOOOOOOHHHHHHH!
Vemmie-Daezure - Yeah, the girls are kinda falling for the star guys, but Baralai and Gippal are going to do anything they can think of to act more like themselves so the girls fall in love with the real them... if that made any sense. Heh, glad you found last chapter funny. I was cracking up typing this chapter, making my family look at me like I'm so weird maniac... which I am.
for always x - I'm having the time of my life writing this! Seriously, you try something this fun, and just think about how fun it can get... times 5. Yeah, I'm having fun... tee hee! ((And I'm glad you like reading it as much as I like writing it.))
marajade963 - Yeah, BaralaixPaine fluff is harder for me to write because Paine is so reserved... UGH! But, I promise it's going to be in here! Dun dun dun! Besides, GippalxRikku fluff is SO MUCH FUN! ((As if you couldn't tell from this chapter... ahem.)) I hope I had you laughing with the cake fight... hehe. As for crazy boy fans... I'm not sure. That's a little too creepy for my taste, and I'm the Queen of Creepy.
anime-punkass-luvr - You said you needed the next chapter, so here it is!
Kitsu Kurasei - AW! I missed one of my fav reviewers! I'm glad that you're back, and that you're loving this! And yes, school will FOREVER remain evil! ((lol))
Paine jnr - AHAHA! IT'S YOU! Sorry, I liked Beautifuly Savage Crimson Eyes... totally loved it. You know, I may need you to give me pointers on writing believeable BaralaixPaine fluff... cuz I can't. Then again I haven'ttried... but I know it won't be as nice as my GippalxRikku stuff. Oh well... ((I'm SO a GippalxRikku girl... now anyway. Together At Last was a one time thing... most likely. I don't know... ugh.))
Disclaimer: Nothing is mine...
Song:
Don't Cry - Seal ((thanks for reassociating me with this guy Paine jnr! Thanks to her, I have redone my song selections for this entire for the fic. That's good, trust me.))
Read and PLEASE review!
-Vincent's Angel of Chaos-
