Chapter 13

As the sun broke the horizon the sound of birds filled the air. A calm breeze gently stirred the leaves clinging tightly to their branches hoping to survive another month. It was a beautiful morning by all definitions and though it was nearing fall the air held considerable warmth. On such a day children would still be tucked in their beds while their parents began the day's work. Mothers and fathers alike would be working the fields, cleaning their homes and preparing food without any complaint. It was no coincidence the village was named Harmony as all of the inhabitants worked together to remain completely independent of the outside world. They had no interest in politics nor religion; they had their own beliefs and nothing else mattered.

However today was not the same as every other day. Today was a day they had been met by a group of riders before sunrise that had upset this happy balance. Dozens of villagers were now in shackles walking at a forced march by a small group of the riders. Their destination was unknown to them but by using the sun for guidance they realized they were heading south towards a marshland; an area known for its unwillingness to let go of those that entered.

The rest of the riders remained in the village to keep watch over the families, ensuring none fled or attempted to mount a rescue. The villagers had no intention of either after their original protests had been 'dealt with'. When their elder had refused the riders their demands his head had been struck from his body and placed on a spear in front of his home. The riders had not hesitated in the least and within minutes the streets ran red with the blood of any who did not supplicate them. Bodies of men, women and even children had been cleared from the streets and dumped unceremoniously into a pile before being set ablaze. The families not allowed to bury them; a punishment for their disobedience.

As the last of the riders that had been sent south with captives disappeared over the horizon the remaining riders began their journey west. They had gotten enough from this village and it was time to 'harvest' another one. A small boy stood rooted in place, his mouth agape as he stared at the riders as they passed him on their way out of town. His eyes were locked onto a rider whose hood had fallen back revealing a black-haired woman in her early twenties. Her ruby eyes were the last thing he saw before being trampled underfoot by the uncaring steed and his master.

Paine let out a soft groan as her eyes fluttered open. Her head was pounding, mouth was dry and the room was spinning. Feeling her lips pressed against soft flesh she blinked in confusion. 'What in the-' Her thought was cut short as she realized her face was pressed snugly into the barely covered chest of a woman. Feeling her face heat up she slowly leaned back to get a glimpse of the face the breasts belonged to. 'Please don't be Rikku, please don't be Rikku… How drunk was I last night?'

Just as she was about to be free of her make-shift pillow the arm draped over her shoulder tightened and pulled her right back, pressing her face firmly into the mystery woman's cleavage. 'I can definitely think of worse ways to die.' Paine mused before shaking her head and pushing against the hip in front of her. A giggle froze her in place. 'Not Rikku,' she realized. 'worse.'

Yawning and stretching her free arm, Yuna looked down to see two ruby eyes staring up into her own two-toned eyes. Immediately a blush crept up her neck and she offered her best smile in hopes to diffuse the possible time-bomb in her bosom. "Good morning?"

She wasn't sure what to do in response to Yuna's greeting. She wanted to scowl, to push the younger girl away and scold her but did she really want to do that or was it just habit now? In all honesty she could not imagine a more enjoyable way to wake up. But Yuna loved that idiot crybaby. Unconsciously she thought of his ridiculous laugh that Rikku had been more than happy to replicate for her due to not being present and a shudder ran down her spine.

Yuna saw conflict in her friend's eyes but figured it was more confusion and trying to piece together the events leading up to their current situation. Her smile remained as she talked quietly, aware of the headache to follow such a night of drinking. "When you went to bed last night you must have come to mine by mistake. When I came in, it was dark and didn't see you until I was already in bed."

Paine nodded. It sounded reasonable enough but it still did not explain their current position. She knew Yuna was a cuddler; she had always kept a stuffed animal on the Celsius to hold at night. And back at Sarion's camp she had latched onto Paine the night they slept outside. However this was opposite, Paine was the one wrapped around Yuna and it drove her crazy to not remember how it had happened. 'It would be nice to know for future nigh-' She mentally slapped herself. 'I'm acting like some teenage girl with my first crush. Stop being ridiculous!' With a glance, she looked down at Yuna's arm resting on her back between her shoulder blades.

Blushing, Yuna removed her hand and ran it through her hair nervously. "Oh well, last night you see…" She giggled and leaned closer to Paine with a playful whisper. "You said you were cold to get me to move closer to you."

The blush fully overtaking her face, Paine opened her mouth to speak but a sudden weight landing on her took her breath. Before she could react a gasp followed by a giggle, 'A really annoying giggle…' came from above her and the weight adjusted to settle on her lower back.

"Ohhh what do we have here hmm?"

Yuna blushed and leaned back, pulling the sheet up to cover her bra-clad chest. "Rikku!"

Another giggle came from above Paine causing her teeth to clench. "Yunie, I didn't know you and Paine had something going on!" Looking down at the bare back of the silver-haired warrior beneath her Rikku leaned down to try and sneak a peek of anything still exposed. "Wow Paine, you really DO got it going on!"

Paine growled. "Rikku…"

Winking at Yuna, Rikku ran her hands down Paine's back and purred at the silky quality of the ivory skin beneath her. "Oh Paine I had no idea you were so feminine! You have to share what kind of soap you use!"

"Rikku..." Her voice was restrained violence now.

Rikku turned and pulled at the sheet, trying to catch a glimpse of Paine's now exposed lower body. "Oh wowzers! Paine you got the best of BOTH worlds!" She shouted.

"That's it! Hurt time!"

Yuna jumped back and giggled as Paine flipped around and in moments had the blonde thief begging for her life. She had somehow used her hips to push Rikku off enough to grab her and was now straddling the smaller girl on the floor. The young brunette scooted closer to get a better view, biting her lip as she took in all of Paine's nude form straddling her cousin. Her whole body felt hot and her heart felt like it was trying to beat through her chest. 'Why am I responding like this? Am I really this turned on by… by Paine?'

Rikku's face was turning blue but she was enjoying the view nearly as much as Yuna. "Pai… ne…"

Paine had her wrists scissored across the younger girl's throat with both palms up, using the thick blonde hair as an anchor for her modified choke. It was easy enough to maneuver; she had simply grabbed a handful of hair on each side with the opposite hand and rotated inward to lock in the pressure. With a sigh she released her hold and glared down at Rikku as she gasped for breath.

Looking up at the girl who could have easily dispatched her, Rikku offered a weak smile. She knew her antics often pushed her luck when dealing with Paine but never, not even today, was she afraid the older girl would kill her. Their friendship meant too much even if the typically cold warrior would not admit it.

Shaking her head, Paine got to her feet and sat on the bed. "Rikku."

"Yes Paine?" Rikku's voice was a little hoarse but she felt no worse for wear.

With a smirk, Paine held up her right hand with all her fingers extended. "Minus five respect points."

Blinking in surprise before slumping her shoulders Rikku winced. "How many are left now?"

Paine shrugged. "Forty-two."

Rikku sulked. "That's not good."

Giggling, Yuna reached out and placed a hand on Paine's back causing the older girl to jump. "Paine, would you…" She bit her lip as wide ruby eyes looked back at her before smiling brightly. "Would you mind coming with me to look around some? I haven't really gotten to look around. I'd like to get to know more about the area."

Swallowing with obvious difficulty Paine nodded. "I don't see why not." Her face was still flushed from a combination of grappling with Rikku and her waking situation. It didn't help she was still completely exposed. Bending down she grabbed her pants and pulled them on as she stood. Turning back to Yuna she noticed the younger girl's eyes were clearly affixed to her chest. "Yuna."

Yuna snapped her head up, a deep blush forming. "Sorry Paine but you've always been so secretive with your body that it's just too surprising not to stare!"

With an eyebrow raise for response, Paine picked up her shirt and pulled it on as she walked towards the door barefoot. "I'm going to get cleaned up. I'll meet you downstairs."

As she closed the door Rikku jumped on the bed, landing on all fours. "Yunie! Deets!"

Giggling, Yuna flopped back on the bed, reliving last night to her cousin. She wasn't sure what it was about Paine that made her feel the way she did but the one thing she did know was that was a feeling to repeat.

Sarion sighed and pushed open the door of the tavern. It had been a long night for him but he had pulled through. He was glad; not at still being alive as much as getting to see the girls interact with each other for another day. It was his only desire left to see them happy. They had lost everything they had known; he believed they deserved at least that much.

Sitting at a table near the bar he smiled as he saw Paine coming into the room, her hair still wet. It had grown since their journey had begun and while wet was resting on her shoulders. She wore a simple pair of black slacks that, other than being a little tight on her backside, fit loosely. For a shirt she had managed to find a black halter-top among the purchases made the day before. "Good morning Paine."

She looked up and nodded to him as she approached his table. He looked… tired. His eyes failed to sparkle like they had when they first met and his smile, while genuine, was strained. "You up all night Sarion?"

He nodded. "As I explained to Yuna last night, I don't need sleep since the ritual."

Paine's mood darkened. "Makes sense I guess."

Leaning forward, Sarion took her chin and lifted gently to make her meet his eyes. "I regret nothing I did Paine and I wish you would do the same. You have the chance now to do what you never could before. Or not. It's entirely up to you what you do with your life Paine, I'd never attach a price on what I gave you all.'

She frowned. "You mean besides your life. How can I not feel the guilt from this? I may not be the most emotionally in-touch person out there but having a complete stranger willing to die for me is a bit much to overlook."

Suddenly he leaned back and his smile returned. "I know Paine. How is it they manage to keep this place running with so few travelers?"

As she eyed him curiously she saw Yuna and Rikku enter on the far side of the room and nodded. He obviously didn't want the other two to know and, given their emotional responses yesterday, she couldn't blame him. "Yuna and I are going to go explore a little and get to know the area. Would you please keep Rikku here?"

He almost asked if she meant 'keep Rikku company' but he knew she simply meant keeping her away from them. "I'll try." When she looked at him with her bright, ruby eyes he shrugged. "Rikku, from what I've seen, is a very free spirited girl. She seems to do whatever she likes."

At mention of her name Rikku plopped down in a chair next to Sarion. "I'll take that as a compliment! Now, is there food this early?" Her eyes were eager.

Sarion laughed, surprised when a cough did not follow. "It was one. As for food I haven't seen our host yet but I only just came inside moments before you ladies came out here."

Yuna was wearing a pair of bright pink shorts and a white sleeveless blouse that fit snugly. Rikku was in a pair of similar shorts that were neon green with an orange top similar to Yuna's. Sarion seriously wondered if she even looked before putting them on.

Sitting beside Paine, Yuna smiled at the older girl before addressing Sarion. "So Sarion, is it okay if we go out and explore a little? I mean, it's safe here right? That's why we stopped here?"

With a smile Sarion nodded. "It is safe enough as long as you mind yourselves. Paine should leave her sword here," he met her gaze as she made to protest and interrupted her. "The locals are not keen on ruby-eyed women carrying weapons around, especially this time of year."

"What do you mean by 'this time of year' Sarion?" Yuna was worried. She didn't want anything to happen right now, not when things were finally calm for a few days.

Leaning back in his chair Sarion ran a hand through his hair in thought. "Towards the fall months activity picks up. They move erratically to prevent any form of pattern from occurring and predicting their moves impossible. You two should be fine, I'm sure word has already gotten out about Paine's presence and her lack of affiliation to them."

Narrowing her eyes at the man across from her, Paine shook her head. "No doubt thanks to someone making sure everyone knew, right?"

Shrugging innocently Sarion met her gaze with a smile. "I have no idea what you mean Paine. Anyhow, you two should get going if you're not going to have breakfast. That way you can be back by lunch at least."

Rikku looked over at Sarion, a mixture of curiosity and playfulness on her face. "What do you mean 'two'? Are you hoping I would stay behind and keep you company Sarion?" She giggled and tilted her head to the side.

"I was hoping you would be one to appreciate a trip over to the stables to see about getting you ladies something to ride when it comes time to leave here." He smiled as her eyes sparkled in response.

She jumped from her chair and grabbed Sarion's arm in both of hers, dragging him from his seat. "You two have fun! See you at lunch!" Without waiting for a response she half-dragged the startled Sarion out the door.

"Well," Yuna looked over at Paine with a smile. "let's get going!"

Paine nodded and stood as well before heading outside. She hoped to stop into a trinket store she had spotted the other day. Something had caught her eye but she hadn't brought enough money for it. Hopefully she would have the courage to not only buy it, but give it to Yuna before this very significant day was over.

Rikku stared at the strange, hooved creature with confusion before turning back to Sarion. "What the heck is it?"

Sarion blinked and looked from the horse to the girl. "It's a horse. Have you not seen one before?"

Shaking her head in response she tentatively reached out and stroked the snout. She giggled with glee as it leaned into her touch. "Of course not! When you said a stable I expected a chocobo stable!"

With a frown Sarion looked back out towards the street. "Chocobo numbers have dwindled significantly over the years. There are very few left and are in the process of breeding to survive."

Rikku pouted but nodded in understanding. It had been over a hundred years since their crash; much had changed. "What about New Yevon and the Youth League?"

Sarion walked over to another horse, inspecting it before answering. "New Yevon was disbanded at the behest of the Praetor, Baralai. It took a few years but without a figurehead it was a matter of time. The Youth League stepped up and took advantage of the open system and began sharing their recovered information with the masses."

"Wow, looks like Yunie managed to make more of an impact with that final concert than we thought!"

"Indeed. The problem is through time people realized that information will always be worth something and so the Youth League, once focused on spreading information, began looking into profit. It was years after Nooj died but it still happened." He sighed and nodded with a satisfied smile at the horses. They would do.

Rikku skipped over and wrapped both her arms around his left arm again, holding onto him with a wide smile on her face. He was certainly attractive and his personality was nothing shy of a dream in regards to his respect and generosity. "So Sarion," she began, a coy smile on her lips. "If you've lived your entire life in that forest without leaving it until now have you ever…"

Catching her direction of questioning Sarion cleared his throat as a blush crept up into his cheeks. "If you are asking if I have ever been intimate with another, that answer would be no Rikku. Now can you please count out fifty-one coins from that purse? I am going to negotiate with the stable master."

Giggling as she released his arm, Rikku opened the leather pouch and began counting. As she counted she overheard Sarion declare he would pay seventeen coins each and her hands froze, the pouch nearly falling from her fingers. That would only pay for three horses. Was he not coming with them? Pressing her lips together in a thin line she finished counting and decided to not question him until they were out of earshot of others. She was not going to let him just disappear now.

Yuna gasped and rushed from shelf to shelf, taking in the beautiful jewelry that adorned them. They had every gemstone set in every shape of nearly every precious metal. She had been so far removed from the simple pleasures of being 'girlie' that if she had her way she would buy the whole store.

Pleased to see Yuna was sufficiently distracted, Paine motioned for the shop keeper. Pointing to a necklace set aside from the rest, she nodded when he told her the price. She had it bagged and stuffed into her pants pocket before Yuna had completed her circuit of the store.

"Yuna, there's still a few other places you might like."

Smiling at Paine's friendly behavior Yuna followed the older girl out of the store. As they walked she had noticed a significant change in Paine's attitude while away from the others. She seemed far more open and less distant as they conversed. Every time Paine would look at her, Yuna found herself smiling; it was a nice change.

As they walked through the town they noticed that the tavern was not the only place that seemed short on patrons. Very few people walked the streets and most that did avoided the two unknown girls. Approaching a crowd that was surrounding a statue they noticed each person present wore a bracelet of white leather.

When they came up to the group a young man in his early twenties offered them a forced smile. "I had heard about some travelers coming to SafeHaven during the storm. I am glad you are well and able bodied after such a storm."

Paine scowled down at the man who only came up to the bridge of her nose. "And by that you mean you are glad we are fit to travel again and leave your village."

Yuna cringed at seeing the Paine she knew best come out. She knew that Paine was more than likely correct but her lack of tact could land them in trouble they didn't need. Before she could speak however the man offered an apologetic smile and nod.

"Yes. It is nothing against you miss. We know your ruby eyes are not the same as the Harvesters but your presence is not desired. We are a small village and we take care of our own. We don't mind people passing through but we are not keen to folks staying here."

Paine scoffed and opened her mouth but Yuna spoke first, her eyes glued to the statue she had failed to really notice before. "Who… who is that of?"

Looking up at the statue Paine felt her heart jump to her throat. The statue looked like Sarion but a bit older and his look held none of the warmth. A girl looked up, maybe nearing her thirteenth year and answered. "That is the man who founded SafeHaven. He fought back the hordes that infested the plains and gave the land to our ancestors on the condition we kept a supply route open to the forest to the west of us."

Sharing a look Yuna and Paine figured this man must have been related to Sarion and had secured the trading route to keep him supplied without making him leave the forest. Nodding their thanks, both girls began their trek back to the tavern. It was still a bit before lunch but their stomachs both disagreed with waiting much longer.

As they walked back, Yuna found herself staring at Paine's hair. She had noticed the length difference before but now that she had washed it and dried it properly, Yuna couldn't help but admire how beautiful it really was. Reaching out Yuna ran her fingers through the silver mane when Paine stopped to look at something.

Paine turned to face her, her expression curious but not at all irritated. Yuna smiled and shrugged innocently before starting off again forcing Paine to follow or be left behind. She could really get used to Paine's new attitude.

"What do you mean you're not coming!?" Rikku screamed at Sarion as she held the front of his shirt balled in her fists.

She had asked to take a 'short-cut' between some buildings before grabbing him and forcing him against a wall to interrogate him. Her emerald green eyes were wide and angry as she growled up at him. "You have to come with us!"

Sarion closed his eyes and sighed. It wasn't as though he didn't want to stay with them. He simply didn't wish to force them to witness his death. Paine would likely take it in stride despite her feelings on his actions and Yuna he figured would accept it with enough explanation. Rikku however was having none of it.

"You can't just march into our lives, get us attached to you and then disappear! It's not fair!" Rikku was on the verge of tears. She had lost everyone she had ever known apart from Yuna and Paine. Now she had finally made a new friend and he was going to leave her too? Not on her life!

"Rikku, I don't want to part ways any more than you do but it really is for the best. I would just slow you girls down and you have much to rediscover. Spira has changed since your crash."

Letting out an exasperated sigh Rikku tightened her grip on his shirt. "Exactly! You're going to just abandon three girls in the wild with no direction, no idea on how the world has changed, no history! Just abandoning us!"

He swallowed hard. She was not taking it well, he could see her cracking before his very eyes and knew that the loss of her friends and family was weighing in on this. "You don't understand Rikku-"

"No! No I don't understand! I don't understand why I had to die and be saved only to wake up hundreds of years after everyone but my two best friends have died! I don't understand why the man who risked his life to bring us back is not willing to stay with us! I don't understand it at all! Tell me Sarion! Tell me what there is to understand!"

"Because I'm dying dammit!"

Rikku flinched as if he had slapped her rather than spoken. She slowly raised her eyes to meet his. "You… You…" her mouth twitched a few times as she tried to register what he just said. "That's not funny." She barely managed out in a whisper.

Sarion inwardly groaned. He had not intended to tell her. He definitely had not intended to tell her like that. "Listen Rikku-"

She cut him off. "Tell me you're joking Sarion. Tell me you're going to be fine and we can just go back to the tavern and have lunch and… and…" Her lip quivered. "Tell me you're not dying."

"I'm sorry Rikku. It was the only way to bring all three of you back."

It was as though the world had imploded in on her. Her knees buckled and she collapsed against Sarion with a wail that tore at his very soul. He slid down against the building, holding her in his arms as she sobbed with abandon. Sarion held her tightly as he stroked her hair. She was not yet over losing her family and friends from before just to be struck again with this. It just wasn't fair.

Author's Note

Longer than usual. Would have been longer had I started it earlier! I know, I know "You could just stop and pick up tomorrow!" but that is never good for me. The flow dies. So I really hope I hit some points with this chapter. And it's all before noon! Not too shabby.

It was a nice write so I hope you enjoy it. Expect chapters to grow as the story progresses. I definitely need some reviews after this one because, if you can't tell, the end of it is pretty significant. So tell me what you think should happen and MAYBE I'll consider it. I have my own plans but I have gotten some great PM reviews that made this chapter better.

So, thank you Secret PM Reviewer~ I appreciate you.

Fun note: This chapter is 60% more content than my previous largest chapter. So everyone say "Thank you anonymous reviewer for inspiring Sarion!" :P