Disclaimer: The characters and FFXII do not belong to me. The are copyrighted to SE.
Author's note: Thank you for the 2 people who rewiewed on my first chapter! Please everyone, if you notice language mistakes, write me a rewiew and describe it so I can improve my skills! :D
EDIT: THANK YOU VERY MUCH Adelheid A, for correcting some of my language mistakes and weirdly-speaking Vaan. XD
Warning: shounen-ai, maybe.
Chapter II: The Haunted Mines.
_"Vaan? Hey, Vaan."
The half-asleep young man opened his eyes. The sun had gone very low onto the skyline, and the Ozmone Plains were getting darker and darker already. Rocked back and forth by the calm steps of the chocobo, Vaan had slowly fallen asleep, his head on Bakthier's shoulder, lying against his back.
_"Mmh... Whassup?"
_"We have nearly made it. Look."
Vaan raised his chin. Not so far away from them, they could see the banks of the Sogoht and the bridge at Jahara's entrance. The teen looked back to the others. Penelo was squeezing Fran against her chest, as pale as a ghost. The Viera looked exhausted herself.
They arrived to the bridge. The garifs guarding the way looked at them with curiosity. Vaan let go of Balthier's waist and jumped down onto the ground, his legs numb with their travelling. The brown-haired pirate went down himself and came to hold back Fran's chocobo, whils she was helping Penelo to get off the blonde teen grabed her shoulders and supported her as the princess was approaching the leery garifs.
_"Good evening. We are but exhausted foreign travelers and here we come friendly and unarmed, applying for a rest in your noble village."
_"You are welcomed, humes. If this is a night of rest you are seeking, ask for the inn, on your right after this bridge..." answered the suspicious guard.
Ashe thanked him, then the group passed the Sogoht and entered the garif village. Heading straight to the inn, they were welcomed by a female garif with a gruff tone of voice, who led them to two small yurts. The night was falling upon Ivalice, and fires were already roaring into their hearths. The three women took over the first yurt, and the men entered the second one, closing the entrance with thick curtains. Vaan put his pouch down and threw himself onto the bed, uttering a sigh of relief and removing his clothes hurriedly. As the heavy pants flew in the air, revealing two long and thin but strong legs, Basch had a smile and Balthier raised an eyebrow.
_ « May I ask what you are doing ? » the scarred captain said, half amused-half surprised.
_ « I'm tired, I'm going to bed. » retorted the almost naked teen while sliding into the bed, and he fell asleep immediately, obviously exhausted by this painful day.
Basch and Balthier exchanged an glance, then the candles were extinguished, and they went into their own beds. Balthier looked up to the yurt's ceiling for a few moments, was recalling the day's events, one by one. The sanctuary, the Empire's assault, the fight against the Judge Magister, the blood, the fire in the valley, and their awaiting journey to Archadia... He remembered the freezing blizzard, Vaan's hesitating hands wrapped around his waist, the heat of his body against his own, his slow breathing while he was sleeping on the chocobo, the same breathing he was now hearing in the yurt... Balthier shook his head and rolled to his side, sighing. He was having weird ideas, he said to himself as he closed his eyes...
On the following morning, the atmosphere had slightly gotten better, evolving to a relatively good mood. They woke up early, as the first sun lights were touching Jahara. Balthier dressed quietly and sat next to the outside fire, stretching his arms and shoulders. Penelo and Basch were cooking eggs and slicing bread. Fran gave the brown-haired pirate a bowl of light soup, and the man looked around the fireplace.
_ « Where is Vaan? »
_ « He must be still sleeping. He's a kinda a sleepyhead. » Penelo said with a faint smile.
_ « Ya shouldn't talk behind people's back, y'know. » a sleepy voice said.
Numbed by his slumber, Vaan came out from the yurt and sat next to Balthier. His blonde hair was messed up and he was trying to keep his eyes open, blinking quickly. He yawned deeply.
_ « Put your hand on your mouth while yawning. » Penelo said.
_ « Grrmmh... Not my fault. Basch snored all night long. » the young man pouted while gulping his breakfast down.
_ « Did I really make that much noise ? » Basch said smiling.
They had their breakfast while talking like they had always done before, the sun slowly rising above the skies. Vaan raised his head and covered his eyes with his hand.
_ « It's a beautiful sunrise, isn't ? » he said with a slightly sad voice.
_ « It sure is. » the pirate answered, looking up at the clouds and the colorful sky.
After their breakfast, Ashe came back, escorted by a garif with white and large horns.
_ « I just spoke with the present High-Chief Zayalu. He graciously accepted to offer us some food and water, so we may continue our journey. »
_ « That's good news. I will pack our luggage.» Fran said, heading to her yurt.
The garif looked carefully at the group and he laid his eyes on Vaan, who was finishing his slice of bread. He approached him with his slow heavy steps.
_ « Excuse me, but... »
_ « What is it ? »
_ « Have you come for the mark hunt ? »
_ « A mark ? »
_ « You are a hunter from clan Centurio, aren't you ? » the garif said, pointing an emblem on Vaan's belt. « I sent them a request. »
_ « Hum, let me think... Oh yeah, I remember a note about Jahara. What's it about ? »
_ « Well... A frightning creature called Ixtab runs wild into the Henne Mines, attacking our warriors and animals. But we garifs do not have the power to defeat it, thus I called for the clan's help. Slay that thing and you will be rewarded. »
_ « Hem... I ... » Vaan began.
_ « We do not have much time left, Vaan. We should leave by now. » Ashelia grumbled.
_ « Pardon me, my lady, but this young lad has a duty as a hunter, and... we could spend one day more here. » Basch interrupted.
_ « Thank you, Basch. » the blonde said, and he turned back to Zayalu. « I accept the hunt. Tell me everything I need to know. »
_ « Thank you. The Ixtab is somewhere on the second railway junction into the west shafts of the Henne Mines. It's a terrifying creature which will try to scare you to death before attacking. But the true danger lies within its scythe-shaped teeth and claws. The Ixtab's venom is a lethal poison, which kills slowly with unbearable sufferings. But it is also a very sought-after sorcery component, and so, I will ask you to bring me back that poison, as proof of your succeed. But please be very careful, and I wish you luck. »
_ « Thank you. » Vaan said, and he put his bundle on his shoulder.
_ « You won't be going alone. I am coming with you, and I won't change my mind anyhow ! » Penelo squeaked, grabing her hammer with a smile on her face.
_ « I will be coming as well. The mines are deep and the two of you could get lost into that place. » Balthier said while counting his bullets.
Vaan protested a little, then resigned and grabed his weapons. There was no easy way to the Henne Mines, so they went to take back their chocobos from yesterday. Ashe seemed worried.
_ « Come back soon, alright ? »
_ « Don't worry, we'll be back in no time! » Vaan shouted with a large smile on his face.
And in the blink of an eye, the three of them were off on their chocobos, running through the plains...
Chapter 2 END.
That took a soooooo long time to translate ! T-T French language has so much idioms and expressions that do not even EXIST in english, it's awful ! Awful but funny. XD
In the original french version, the dialogue about the sunrise did not exist, but I just wanted to write a line about the beauty of the scene. :)
Please, rewiew !:D