A/N: Hmmm...Can't think of anything to say... Happy reading I guess )
Disclaimer: Still don't own anything... etc etc
Chapter 3: Everything will be ok
"Hey! Wake up sleepy. Time to work!" Paine heard a voice say in the distance. She didn't think too much about it though and let her warm dreams wrap around her again.
"Don't you ignore me! Wake up Painey! Or I'll have no choice but to take your covers." The voice said, now sounding like Rikku, just above her head. She opened her eyes slowly and found Rikku's face looking down at her. Paine blinked a few times and then just turned around, face down.
"Ugh, go away Rikku! I wanna sleep some more..." She told her through the pillow. A split second later she felt a cold gush of air on her body and realized that it must've been Rikku who took her covers away, leaving her in only her underwear. She turned around quickly and found Rikku standing there with a smile and a small blush.
"Give them back Rikku, I'm not going to get up now!" Paine said trying to sound dangerous. Rikku just threw the covers onto her own bed and giggled. Paine growled and sat up on the bed. Why is she doing this to me? She was up as late as me, she should be as tired...
"35 respect points left Rikku!" Paine said with an irritated voice. Rikku looked shocked.
"Hey! You can't take ten points just because I'm doing you a favor!" She squealed. "Oui pek sayhea!"
"How would this be doing me a favor?" Paine asked with a growl as she reluctantly started to get dressed.
"Buddy and Brother is up, they already found a sphere, aaaaaaand I thought you might want some breakfast or maybe coffee before they start yelling." She said with a hopeful smile. Damn that's a cute smile! Now I can't be mad at her! Paine nodded to the younger girl and started to get dressed.
"Ok let's have breakfast then... And Rikku" She added with a small smile. "If you take my covers again, I kill you.. But for now you're back at 45, with the chance to earn more of them back if you're nice today."
"Yesss!" She said and threw her fist in the air. Paine just chuckled and went down the staircase and sat down at the bar, Rikku soon joined her. They ate their breakfast while talking about nothing and everything. Ten minutes later they heard a loud noise from the speakers, almost sounding like a person speaking.
"GULLWINGS! NABUND DU DRA PNETKA!" The voice of Brother sounded, cutting like a rusty blade through their ears. Why does he have to be so loud in the morning? He's getting hurt!
"Can't we even have breakfast in peace? E sayh lusa uh!" Rikku yelled at the speakers. Paine just shook her head.
"Let's just go before he starts shouting again." Paine suggested with a small smile, followed by a sigh. Because if he does, I'll kill him!
They made their way to the bridge, getting a loud greeting as they entered. The energy gathered up by lying in bed for three days was showing a bit too much in Brothers behavior. He flapped around and screamed a good extra much, giving Paine a headache. She turned to Buddy who didn't seem quite so hysterical.
"So, what do you have for us today? A walk in the park or some excitement?" Paine asked Buddy in her usual monotone voice. Buddy just looked at Brother for a moment, who was flapping around yelling at Shinra for some reason, and shook his head.
"You're going to a small island in the vicinity of Kilika. We've picked up strong sphere waves from there, and we don't know much about the place except that it's uninhabited and have been since before Braska's calm." Buddy explained to Paine, who was about to do some serious hurting to a certain captain.
"Ok, ok just send us down there before Paine kills this vmyppanzyppan of a person!" Rikku squealed while she covered her ears to block out the argument that had broken out between Brother and Shinra. Why does his voice have to sound like nails on a chalkboard?
They were set off in an inflatable boat some distance from the island, the island itself being too covered in extremely tall trees to land on. When they reached the beach, they dragged the boat up and tied it to a tree. The island was rather small, but big enough to live on should you clear some of the forest away. They had been told to walk to the center of the forest, being that the waves emitted from there.
"Wow these trees are the biggest I've seen in all of Spira! No kidding there!" Rikku exclaimed as they reached the edge of the forest. Paine just looked at the little thief in front of her. The light of the sun reflected on her slightly sweaty body and in her golden hair, making her look like some shining being sent from heaven. Damn! She is just too beautiful... Paine thought and trailed off. Noticing what she was doing, she slapped herself mentally and landed back in Spira. Their eyes met and Paine nodded to the angel in front of her, getting a smile in response followed by a nod. They walked into the forest, weapons at the ready.
They passed through the woods, giant trees looming all around them, but without any fiend encounters. The woods got thicker and the roof of leaves didn't let much sunlight in. They found a small, overgrown path that seemed to lead into the heart of the dark forest and followed it. Paine suddenly got a feeling in her gut, and it wasn't a good one. This being an uninhabited island, there should be more fiends. Well it may just be my imagination but something nasty might be in there. She decided to share her thoughts with Rikku who just nodded and Paine could see her shiver, not from cold.
"This place is creepy.. Why the heck is this forest so damn BIG? I mean, these trees really make you feel like a mouse or something!" Rikku said in a low tone of voice, sounding scared. Oh come on Rikku! We defeated Vegnagun and you even fought Sin! You can't be scared now... Even so... I get what you mean. Paine thought and looked around at the trees, knowing exactly what Rikku meant by feeling like a mouse. She didn't like this feeling, she wasn't used to it.
As they walked along, not seeing so much as a single animal except for a few rather big insects, they started to see an opening and sunlight fall in between the trees. They looked at each other confused, thinking that they can't have walked right across the island yet. But as they emerged where the sun shone brightly they were met by a beautiful sight: A large opening where the sun could shine down upon a vine-covered set of ruined walls and what might have been huts a long time ago. In the middle of these ruins a large stone cupola rose up from out of the ground looking like a sphere, buried to the half. The stone cupola had a big hole on the side, large enough to fit more than two Ormis in. The whole area was covered in wild flowers shifting in deep shades of blue and purple, making everything look magical.
"Look Paine! It's just so beautiful!" Rikku squealed as she walked over and sat down on a piece of wall. Paine smiled and watched Rikku enter the scenery, thinking that any more beauty in the same place would not be good for her eyes. Paine resisted the urge to just walk up to her and kiss her where she sat, but after a while, the bad feeling in Paines gut came creeping back, a shiver running down her neck. What the heck is that feeling? Why am I, Paine, big hard warrior getting the chills from a place like this?
It was too quiet. No birds, no crickets, no nothing. Not even a gust of wind. She walked over to Rikku and put a hand on her shoulder, making her jump a bit. The blonde turned around and Paine could see her face looking a bit scared. Apparently Paine wasn't the only one with bad feelings.
"Lets get this done shall we." Paine said and got a determined nod in response. Both of them feeling very cautious, like some big predator was watching them, they made their way to the hole in the cupola, not finding any other entrance to the place where they assumed the sphere would be. As they reached the hole, they looked down: They couldn't see a thing. It was solid darkness down there. Even though the sun was shining brightly, the hole was on the shadowy side of the cupola.
Paine took out a flare from her backpack, lit it, and threw it in. It fell about ten meters before it hit the bottom and bounced, lighting the place up vaguely. For a moment they couldn't see anything down there and made the rope ready for descending. But a split second before Rikku was about to jump down, rope in hand, they started to hear a vague flapping sound, followed by another flapping of large wings. As the seconds passed, Rikku still standing on the edge looking uncertain, more and more flapping sounds could be heard from the room below, until the whole place started to tremble from the mass of wings being waved around down there.
"Rikku get back!" Paine called out just as the hole exploded from the mass of feathered bodies that tried to get out at the same time. Rikku, who had heeded Paines warning in time, screamed as the huge amount of fiends all flew out with lightning speed. As a whole lot flew out of the hole, more joined them, coming from the treetops of what seemed like the whole forest. They were pitch black and had huge beaks filled with sharp teeth They gathered in a huge flock above their heads, squeaking and skwarking amongst themselves. Paine lost count at around thirty, but knew there must've been at least twice as many, and it was no problem seeing this was not going to be a walk in the park.
"Why the heck does this always happen to us? Can you see the size of those things, they're fatter than a mega-tonberry, and so many!" Rikku squealed and made her daggers ready. Paine raised her sword as the first wave of devilish bird-fiends started to descend towards them.
After almost an hour of intense fighting, the girls had both suffered a few dozen small cuts each and they were both extremely tired. The once beautiful scenery was now littered with the slowly dissolving bodies of the fiends, but there were still a few of the big birds remaining, one of them looking almost twice as big as the rest. As one descended towards Paine she stepped to the side and sliced out with flametongue, setting the fiend ablaze.
At the same time the bigger one descended at Rikku, diving full speed towards her. Paine watched as the thief readied herself and then threw her daggers towards the attacking fiend. Another one of them dived at Paine from the other side, making her turn her eyes from Rikku for a few seconds. When the fiend was taken care of, she turned and looked at Rikku's fight.
Suddenly, as Rikku's daggers buried themselves deep in the skull of the bigger bird, before Paine could realize what had happened, another one of the bird-fiends came down from a tree and buried its claws in the blonde girl's shoulders from behind. Holding her in it's claws, it then started to ascend carrying Rikku with it. It all went so fast. Paine just watched as the bird descended, gripped Rikku, and started to lift her off the ground. No... no... why didn't she see it? What... How could that happen I mean we defeated a lot more dangerous fiends than this... Paine was in some sort of shock, but when she heard the girl scream in pain, she came to and started to think fast. Damn! I saw that bird why didn't I react? What do I do? Damn! damn!
"Paine!" The al bhed called out. "Please just kill it or something! Aaah!" She screamed in agony again, her arms immobilized by the fiend's grip. Paine then grabbed her sword with both hands, and swung it around, sending it spinning towards the bird-fiend. The blade connected with the bird's legs, chopping them right off, sending Rikku tumbling towards the ground.
"RIKKU!" Paine yelled in horror as she realized how high up she was. She ran to try and catch her, but too late. Rikku had already hit the ground hard. A loud cracking noise was heard as she connected with the stone laden path. Paine killed the last bird and then ran as fast as she could to Rikku. Damn! Fuck! Damn! Why didn't I think? What is wrong with me today? And why am I panicking? Ah Fuck!
"Rikku!" She called out again as she reached where the younger girl lay sprawled on the ground. Her eyes was closed and her left leg looked broken. The wounds the bird had made in her shoulders were deep and a lot of blood were flowing out. Paine cursed again and took out a hi-potion, stopping the blood flowing from the shoulder wounds. She then took her last one and it made the wounds knit themselves back together. A horrible thought then struck Paine. Oh no! what if her back is broken! It was a high fall and...that noise! She had to act took out a phoenix-down and used it to get Rikku's consciousness back. Paine laid Rikku's blonde head in her lap and waited for the phoenix to take effect.
"Paine...wha' happened?" Rikku whispered with a confused tone as she opened her eyes. Paine just ran her hand down her cheek and shushed her.
"Rikku, I need you to move your legs for me.. I need to know if.. if your back is broken." Paine explained carefully to the al bhed who looked really scared. She nodded and winced in pain. Oh please let her be safe, please let her be alright! Damn it Paine stop shaking! She realized that she was shaking and she felt something wet in her eyes. Rikku moaned a bit and then shook her head.
"I can't move...my legs...they hurt too much..." She gasped out, looking tormented. Paine felt a big relief flowing over her. She can feel her legs, her spine is ok. Her leg seemed to be broken though, and by the look of it in two places. She might have internal damage as well Paine thought and now couldn't stop her tears from coming. If I only had another potion!! What do I do? The look of pain in Rikku's eyes was unbearable to see and she gently caressed Rikku's cheek to try and comfort her. Paine never imagined she could ever care this much for a person. As Rikku looked in her eyes, a small smile came over the wounded girl's face. Paine saw how Rikku's hand reached towards her face, but stopped half way there as she winced. She wouldn't budge though, and continued to reach up to Paines tearstained cheek. When she reached it, she brushed a few tears away from under Paines eyes and cupped her cheek.
"Don't cry Paine..." She whispered." It'll make me cry... Besides..I'll be fine...Don't you worry..." She whispered and tried to smile. Paine just took her hand and kissed the palm. She couldn't stop herself now. Her emotions had taken control.
"I'm so sorry Rikku...I should've helped you, I could've stopped this, had I just been thinking rationally!" Paine said, tears still coming. "I'm sorry..." She wispered.
"Don't be...sorry. You are here now... aren't you? You said you would... always be here for me Paine...That was the sweetest thing... anyone ever..said to me." Rikku said in a quiet voice. Paine blushed a bit, then nodded and held her hand tightly. Rikku continued, still smiling a small, vague smile.
"I...just want you...to know. I think I have a...crush on you or something...And I must say..." Rikku said, but stopped as she moaned a bit from trying to shift her position. Is she saying what I hope she is saying? Is she feverish from the wounds or is she serious? She really...have a crush...on me? Why is she telling me this now? Damn it I have to stop crying before Brother and Buddy come here! I sent that damn signal ages ago, where the hell are they? Rikku took a pause and breathed deeply. Paine just looked at her with a deep blush and an unbelieving expression. She wasn't sure what to think or do at the moment, her heart raced. Rikku however just continued.
"I...bet you will hate me now..." she said, looking sad. "But I just... had to tell you...seenig you worried like this..and... You've been so... cute to me lately, and I almost think I'm... falling in love with you..." She turned her eyes away at the last sentence, looking ashamed she said it. Paine however, didn't believe her ears. She...she really likes me? Loves me? It's not some cruel joke? No, she is in too much pain to be trying to trick me... But how...when? But when she saw the look of fear and shame in Rikku's eyes, she didn't hesitate anymore. She let her emotions talk for her as she gently turned Rikku's face to hers and caressed her cheek.
With a few tears still in her eyes, she gently sat Rikku up in her lap, so that her head was level with Paines. Rikku winced a bit from being moved, but Paine just looked deeply into the swirling green eyes of the wounded angel in front of her, and saw fear, but also unbelieving anticipation. She closed her eyes and gently brushed her lips against Rikku's. As Rikku returned the kiss shyly, Paine deepened the kiss a bit. After a few seconds, they broke apart. Tearstained crimson eyes met swirling green orbs. Without hesitation, Paine then spoke her mind in a quiet tone.
"I love you Rikku... I know this isn't the best time for this but... I have been in love with you for some time now..." She paused as she saw the look of both shock and happiness spreading on the blonde's face."And as I said, I'll always be here for you.. and you can't imagine how glad I am you told me that you...you like me too..." Paine whispered with an almost shy smile. I'm not dreaming! This is really happening! She's smiling...
"E... drehg E muja oui duu Painey..." Rikku whispered and Paine kissed her again, deeper this time. After that they just sat there in the sun, the dark warrior with her golden angel in her arms, Rikku's pain almost forgotten in the rush of emotions so suddenly awakened in the two girls. Suddenly a voice echoed in the clearing. A voice very much resembling a noise, calling out for the two.
"What are you doing? Did you find sphere? Where is it? WHY DIDN'T YOU ANSWER THE COMM LINK!?" The disgusting voice of Brother sounded behind them. Rikku and Paine just sat there, Rikku still in Paines arms, not responding. When Brothers questions got even louder, they heard a thumping sound followed by a groan of pain from Brother and the voice of Shinra.
"Hey! they couldn't use the comm link because the trees here is blocking the signal, I told you that already. They were lucky the distress signal has a booster or we would've had to search the entire woods." Shinra said to Brother, silencing him. Buddy's voice was heard right after.
"And, they probably didn't get the sphere, get into trouble or had some other problem. Otherwise they wouldn't have used the distress signal now would they? How stupid can you be?" This was followed by a lot of resigned growling from Brother, but it really shut him up. Which was a "very good improvement of the situation" as Rikku whispered to Paine, making her chuckle softly and plant another kiss on her loved one. She then stood up, carrying the smaller girl in her arms, and started to walk out of the clearing. When she passed Brother, he looked at her with a strange expression and started yelling.
"Why are you leaving? Sphere is still here! Find it!" He said, making Paine a "little" mad. She walked up to him, fire in her eyes. He's lucky I've got her in my arms or he would have to say hello to my fist!
"Rikku is hurt! She could have D-I-E-D! I'm taking her to the ship..." Paine said in a tone that would make Vegnagun whimper in fear. She started to walk again, but stopped at the edge of the forest and turned around.
"The sphere should be in what's left of the stone cupola thing! All the fiends should be dead by now and even you should be able to handle it!" She called back to the boys, she smiled again and started to walk out of the forest towards the Celsius. Well I guess there will always be sun after the rain... I sound like an old geezer...But it seems we really have been slacking off lately... This could've gone really bad... But really, today...life is good! She looked down at the now sleeping angel in her arms and smiled, kissing her on the forehead. Everything will be ok, I'll take care of you.
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There it is, chapter 3. I hope you like it as much as i did when i wrote it ;) I know the paragraphs are a bit long and stuff but ah dun' care! I'll update in...hmmm... a week maybe! (I hope)
