And we're…back. Welcome to chapter 5 of Enlighten Me which is rated T for cursing. I once again apologize that the gang gets a little out of character and if there isn't tons of drama in this story but I kinda just wanted to do an inner turmoil kinda thing with Balthier. This chapter is dedicated to Masaki-Hanabusa who has been nice enough to leave three reviews for this story! (Crowd Cheers) So thanks bunches for that! And remember guys reviews earn updates! Enjoy!

Enlighten Me

Chapter 5

Sleep and Screams

Basch's eyes snapped open in sheer panic, his calloused fingers springing to the hilt of his sword as he stood with one fluid motion. Unable to see anything in the dark his hand shot out, releasing a Fira spell in the direction of the charred remains of the fire they'd had earlier. As light sprang from the flames, casting an eerie glow on the walls of the cave, he saw that their shelter had not been invaded by some fiend as he had thought. Still scanning the cave, his eyes came to rest on the sleeping sky pirate, whose screams had quieted and was now twitching restlessly in his sleep. Basch let his grip loosen on his sword and sighed, lightly scratching the scar that rested on his brow. A low moan escaped the pirate's lips, and Basch rested his sword against the wall and made his way over to where the other man lay. He made no move to examine the wound on Balthier's side, he was almost afraid to look at it now…had he known that infection was going to set in he would have never let the others leave, his healing skills were not up to dealing with something like this and the pirate was too weak to even attempt mustering up the magic to cure himself. He knelt down beside the younger man, unsure of exactly what he was supposed to do in a situation like this. Balthier moaned again, and Basch cursed under his breath.

"Balthier?" he said gently poking the pirate on the arm with one finger, "Wake up, it's…it's only a dream."

The younger man only moaned in response, "Nooo…father…wait!"

Basch cursed again, and shook Balthier gently, attempting to wake him…but the other man's eyes did not open.

Ffamran glanced anxiously from one side to the other and pressed himself back against the alley wall as much as he could. He could hear the shouts of the men employed by his father to find him, and they were closer than he was comfortable with. He was unsure of which way to go, and cursed himself inwardly for not having planned the whole thing out better. He'd left in a rush, fleeing his father's harsh words and even harder smacks, and had not so much as thought about where he would go or what he would do once he got away. Hearing voices, he ran in the opposite direction. It was so dark he could barely see, and he had no idea of where he was going, or if he was even running in the opposite direction from his father's house. He bolted around a corner, nearly falling as he did. His breath now came in ragged gasps, and he tugged at the collar of his shirt in an attempt to make breathing easier. He struggled with a button for a moment, letting his guard fall just enough that he didn't hear the footsteps behind him until a heavy hand grasped his shoulder.

"If you would stop acting like a damn child Ffamran," chided Cid, "I wouldn't have to do this."

"Nooo…father…wait!"

But his pleas didn't stop the whip from ripping the skin from his back…

Basch finally succeeded in waking the pirate, but it took a moment for the younger man to realize what was going on.

"You were dreaming," Basch offered, hoping that would be explanation enough to ward off any further conversation on the matter.

Balthier seemed to calm down, and Basch was unsure whether it had been because he now knew that whatever images had been haunting him had only been a dream or because he took some kind of comfort at seeing he wasn't alone. He didn't ask.

"Did I wake you?"

Basch glanced back at the pirate, who was looking at him expectantly, "Doesn't matter. How…how are you feeling?"

"Like hell to be honest."

"Do you think you can muster up a healing spell? Mine are too weak."

Balthier chuckled, "I doubt it, I don't think I could even sit up."

"Fran's right you know," said Basch, "You talk in your sleep."

The glare the pirate cast in his direction could have melted ice, "Just the ramblings of a fever. Nothing more."

Basch eyed him warily and hesitated a moment before speaking, "It's not your fault Balthier. Cid was insane from the nethicite, he's better off now."

He immediately regretted what he'd said when Balthier bolted upright in an attempt to pull away from the other man.

"I'm sorry. I did not mean to pry. It just seems as though you've been…upset lately."

"And what about you Captain Basch? Having your twin try and kill you didn't bother you at all?"

"Perhaps that's why I understand what is going on with you," said Basch, meeting the pirate's stare, "If there's anything…you need to…talk about…well….you know."

"Are we suddenly so close captain?" questioned the pirate sarcastically, "To talk of such things?"

"I just meant if you felt the need."

Balthier stared at him a moment, but offered no additional information as to what was going on in his mind. He wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of a ringed hand, "I'm sorry. Things have been…strange of late."

"I understand. I know that the day will soon come when my brother will fall by my own hand," Basch sighed, looking away from the pirate suddenly, "I…I know I have no choice in the matter, but still…"

Balthier didn't know what to say, so he didn't say anything at all. He merely lay back against the wall and ran his hand through his hair, "We need to try and heal this wound and get out of here."

"I know…"

To Be Continued…

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