A.N. Well, this is the second chapter like thing…so it isn't a one-shot. Again I don't own the characters, places, and all that so on with the sentences!

People seldom refuse help, if one offers it in the right way.

-A.C. Benson

Two shadows slinked behind some trees and silently crept up towards the village. Keepa, obviously drunk, was staggering through the middle of the village. He yawned and stretched before sitting down in front of one of the tents. "Ku ynuiht dra pylg xieadmo yht lusa eh vnus dra udran ceta," Paine whispers to the thief. (Go around the back quietly and come in from the other side.)

"E's uh ed, Paine." (I'm on it, Paine.)

The blonde tiptoed around the tent that they knew Yuna was in and entered through the back. Paine threw a rock into the woods behind the tent Keepa was sitting in front of; the goalie snorted and got up to see what it was. The warrior entered the tent to find Rikku waiting for her with a smile. The two looked down on the cot and see Yuna with her arms wrapped around Tidus tightly. Seeing as how they can't merely grab and go, Paine grimaced at the sight and picked up a chocobo feather from the nightstand. Touching it ever-so-gently on the gunner's back, it caused Yuna to release her man and roll over on her back.

Rikku jumpped slightly with glee until Tidus reached over and grabbed Yuna's arm. Paine, resisting the urge to punch him in his face, leaned over the cot and tickled his ear with the feather. Tidus smiled and rubbed his ear on his shoulder. "Heh, Yuna cut it out."

Faint blushes crawled up the girls' necks and made them look at each other. Shaking her head, Paine resumed her irritating tactic on Tidus' ear. He let go of Yuna's arm and scratched his ear and stretched both arms above his head. Relaxing into the cot, he continued sleeping. "Knyp ran." (Grab her.)

Rikku took her cousin's arms as Paine took her feet. They lifted her to the ground quickly before Tidus got hold of her again. Now in the sand, Yuna curled onto her side and snuggled her head into her arms. Paine sighed as she picked her up. She walked to the opening and abruptly stopped before retreating, quickly into the tent. Leaning her head to look outside, Paine shifted the gunner's weight in her arms. "Tyshed...Rikku, ku uid dra pylg yht dno yht tnyf Keepa pylg ehdu dra fuutc." (Damnit...Rikku, go out the back and try and draw Keepa back into the woods.)

The Al Bhed nodded and crawled out the back of the tent. She found a stick and threw it toward the trees behind Keepa. Apparently sticks don't go as far as rocks and Keepa was nailed in the forehead. Rikku heard a faint curse, from what sounded like Paine, and scrunched her nose in how could she hit him right in the head. Keepa stared down and tried to focus his vision on the stick. A sloppy grin formed on his greasy face as he stood up mumbling something about Botta being annoying. "Bot-Botta! I know you-you threw that stick at me, ya. Just wait until-hic-I find you."

The drunkard swaggered toward the temple and held onto the stick like a sword. Seeing he was far enough away, Paine dashed out of the tent and made a beeline away from the village. The warrior stopped at the clearing and turned back to find Rikku. The thief was nowhere to be found. Figuring she was already to the Celsius by now, Paine turned around and almost dropped Yuna. Rikku was standing there with the biggest smile on her features. "Thank you so much Paine. I am really-"

"Shhh, now's not the time Rikku," Paine interrupted the thief, "tell me later.'

"O-Okay. Right…let's go."

On the deck of the Celsius, Paine was lying down with her hands behind her head as Rikku jumped around. Yuna was in the cabin, still sleeping, as Barkeep was busy keeping Brother out of the room. "She's back Paine! She's really back! Right now, as we speak, she is sleeping just below us in the bed she always used to sleep in."

"Keep bouncing around like that and she won't be sleeping for long."

The blonde stopped leaping around and tilted her head to the side. Pursing her lips together, Rikku looked at the ground and rocked back and forth from heel to toe. The warrior closed her eyes and sighed, feeling the wind wisp around her form. Feeling warmth on her forehead, her eyes bolted open to find Rikku leaning over her, lips pressed against her skin. A small giggle escaped the blonde's lips when she saw the faint tint of red on Paine's cheeks. Rikku lied down next to Paine and shifted closer. Playing with the older girl's metal studs, Rikku spoke softly, "Thank you a whole lot, Paine. I can't even begin to express how happy I am that Yunie is back. No one had ever done anything like that for me, and I-"

"Don't worry about it. I've missed her too."

Rikku smiled and quickly hugged Paine and rolled onto her back. The two stared up at the sky as it stared back down on them. Rikku's breath began to slow and in a matter of minutes she was sleeping with a smile on her face. Paine stayed on the deck for another hour and until she saw the thief shiver. She would have stayed there until morning had not have been for her. Sitting up, she stretched and looked at the thief. The blonde's hair caressed her face and the warrior knew that gorgeous emerald eyes hid behind those closed lids. The girl was amazing, simply put. She was care-free, kind towards anyone, beautiful, great sense of humor, and really just a great person to be around. How could someone not fall for her? Paine sighed and rubber her forehead. She's wonderful. She does her own thing and it gets her by. Her clumsiness should've gotten her into more trouble than it has but she always finds a way to squirm out of it. She's overly friendly at times and just anyone can take advantage of it…yet she is strong enough to take care of herself. She said that no one helped her me. Maybe I now have special place in her heart. Maybe…

Rikku shivered again and this time Paine picked her up. Carrying the young girl to the elevator, the warrior felt her curl into her and continue sleeping. The woman couldn't help but smile and close her eyes as the elevator doors slid shut. The only sound was the soft breathing of the blonde and the beating of Paine's heart. Ding. The elevator opened and Paine carried Rikku into the cabin. Stepping through the doors and past the bar, the silver haired girl brought Rikku up to her bed near the stairs. Paine became slightly jealous at how Yuna always had the bed next to Rikku's. Tucking the Al Bhed under the covers, Paine walked across the room to her bed and climbed in.

I'm glad that Rikku's happy. She was starting to look like shit for a while there. Paine grinned a little. At least now she and her cousin can bond again. Tidus better not take Yuna away from Rikku like that again…and Yuna better not forget all about Rikku. She deserves better than that…for all she has done for her. She better…not…

Paine drifted off to sleep, her thoughts still with her, not knowing what would be expected the next day.

A.N. Yeah well that is all…I kinda like this story…maybe just a little. Anyways, please review cause they make me feel like a happy school girl…wait…I technically am. They make me feel coooool! Yeah, heh, thanx for reading.