Welcome to chapter 7, I hope you enjoy. Hopefully they will not get too out of character. And yes, finally, they are leaving Giza! Please review, because it earns updates. Oh and I still don't own em'.

Enlighten Me

Chapter 7

Wash Away the Blood

"I'm not sure this is a good idea," said Basch as he eyed the pirate warily.

Balthier hoisted his pack onto his back, attempting to hide the pained expression on his face as he did, "It'll be fine, I'm more than healed enough to get back to the Strahl."

"We don't even know if it is still where we last saw it; Ashe could have had Fran fly them anywhere."

"Fran knows better than to move my ship without telling me," the pirate grumbled, placing a ringed hand gently on his injured side, "Plus we can't stay here forever. We need to move on."

Basch frowned. The younger man's injury was nowhere near healed. The infection seemed to have lessened, but he could tell that Balthier was suffering. He could barely walk, and he was pale…too pale, with dark circles under his eyes. He was also covered in a clammy looking layer of sweat that Basch was sure was the product of a fever. It was the first time he'd seen the other man looking so ragged and pitiful.

"Come on, we're wasting time."

Balthier knew damn well that attempting to leave the cave in his condition was a bad idea, but he didn't see any alternative. He also knew that Basch was not fooled at all by his swearing he was fine, still though, he still kept up the lie. It wasn't too bad at first, and it helped that Basch was keeping his pace slower than he normally would have. They crossed a bridge over a flowing stream; and Balthier couldn't help but wonder if places like this reminded Basch of the little boats he and his brother used to sail as a child. He knew that when he flew the Strahl it never ceased to remind him of sitting atop his father's shoulders, flying a toy airship that made him feel like he was on top of the world.

"If you need to stop," said Basch, turning slightly in the other man's direction, "say something. If you overdo it out here there is nowhere for us to take shelter. It could quickly turn into a disaster."

"What did I say about nursing me?"

"I'm just saying, Balthier."

"Well don't."

Basch sighed and shook his head; he could only do so much. He'd be glad when they found the others, or at least got to civilization so that he could get some potions and things, maybe even hire someone to heal Balthier if they didn't find the others first.

"Your stubborn you know," he finally said, raising an eyebrow and falling in step with the younger man.

"I'm the leading man," explained the pirate, still gripping his side, "I don't need a nursemaid, and I don't sit out injured while others have all the fun."

Basch chuckled, but said nothing. He knew the others had headed to Rabanastre, but there was no way he could be sure that they would still be there at this point. They had been supposed to meet them there days ago, and they had probably moved on, assuming that he and Balthier would catch up with them eventually. Had he been a praying man he would have sent up a prayer to every one of the gods that they would find the others, and soon. They did their best to avoid the few fiends they saw along the way, and it seemed to be working for the moment. Nothing had really bothered them, and the few that had Basch had made quick work of.

"How long until we reach Rabanastre? That is where we are headed isn't it?," asked Balthier.

"A day or so I suppose. I'm not really sure."

The pirate sighed, "The Strahl is several miles outside the city, perhaps we'll reach it by nightfall."

"If it's still there," muttered Basch, not loud enough for the pirate to hear.

They walked for what seemed like forever, Basch keeping his pace as slow as he could without letting the other man know he was doing it on purpose. Still, Balthier was lagging behind. He was just about to give in and tell Basch that he couldn't make it when he heard a low growl behind him. Basch must have heard it as well, because he spun around at the same time the pirate did. Several hyenas were closing in on them from the rear, only three or maybe four…nothing huge, but as Balthier spun around he felt a gut wrenching rip in his side…

Basch's sword made short work of the first two, while the pirate's gun quickly finished off the last of them.

"You're ok?" asked Basch when the last fiend fell.

"Naturally," lied Balthier, quickly hiding the blood running from his side with the palm of his hand.

Basch didn't seem to see the blood, and Balthier was nothing short of relieved. The older man walked off ahead of him, and the pirate quickly glanced down at his bleeding side. He couldn't see past the growing red stain spreading over his white shirt, but there was too much blood for it to be anything short of a disaster. He quickly tried to cleanse the bit of material with the rain that was pelting down on him, but it didn't do much good, the blood wouldn't wash away. His steps were becoming slower and slower, his limbs becoming more tired with every step.

"Basch…" he finally called out, as his vision began to swim.

The blonde stopped and turned around, quickly gauging the situation when he saw the tiny streams of crimson running between the pirate's fingers that were clutched to his side.

When Basch heard the tone of Balthier's voice he spun around as quickly as he could, his eyes catching the crimson stain that spread along the other man's side. "Balthier?" he asked, starting to trot back in the other man's direction, "Fucking hell," he muttered under his breath as the pale pirate collapsed to the soggy terrain just before he could reach him. Balthier was still conscious, but barely.

"I may have been wrong," the pirate whispered, the pain evident in his voice.

"Shhh, don't worry about it. It's…its fine…everything will be just fine," Basch promised, but he knew it was a lie as he looked up to see a hungry pack of wolves glaring at them.

To be continued…

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