Paine finally gives us her back-story - and it's a dozy.

Other than a massive amount of editing for grammar/sentence clarity and a few new sentences added here and there this chapter remains mostly untouched. This chapter is the most AU. So much AU it hurts.

Thank you for the follows/reviews (too good too pure).

italics = denotes thought or memory

Not Mine

A History

The ramp to the ship was employed downward for them and Paine could only stare while Rikku seemed pleasantly happy beside her. She was smiling widely her face hiding nothing. Rikku was the first to react waving at her half-brother as he descended the ramp. While their mothers were not the same, and he had had been born out of wedlock she found him smart and enjoyed talking shop with him. They chatted for a moment and then looked up the ramp to see Yuna, who was frowning. Yuna didn't know her cousin all that well, and had only met him once, but in the time she had spent with him in the airship she hadn't been too impressed, even if Rikku seemed to not dislike him completely. He stepped back from Rikku and when he caught sight of Nooj and Paine his eyes darkened, "So it's that bad huh?"

Paine sighed, "Welcome back Gippal."

Shock etched over Rikku's features and she looked back and forth between the trio that was standing before them. She knew her brother had been busy but not this type of busy. He had told her that he was working on a project to help make all Al Bheds equal, but she didn't know that it was with these people. She took a step back, "Wait, you all know each other?"

Nooj quirked an eyebrow, "You didn't tell them."

Paine took this time to stare at Nooj her eyes boring into his, "No I didn't tell them. I have a new mission now."

Somehow Gippal found this hilarious, "You have a new mission?"

Giving Gippal the same pointed look that she had given Nooj she spoke, "Yes, I'm Yuna's guardian. And I have no plans of changing that."

Smiling at Paine Rikku nodded, "That's our job. To protect her."

Yuna looked at Rikku and found that in the hour that she had been gone off getting her Aeon Rikku had grown. Her eyes held an indescribable strength, but they also held a sadness that seemed to go on and on, as if she had done something terrible or seen something she should have not. And Yuna had a sinking feeling that Auron had something to do with it. Forcing her eyes to look away from her cousin she looked at the group that was assembled outside the airship, "Why don't we take this inside. Then Paine can explain just what's going on."

"Yes, please. You're letting in a god awful draft." This was from Lulu had appeared out of nowhere, and was now standing on the top of the ramp.

Looking up Nooj saw for the first time in his life, a dark woman. She seemed silhouetted by shadow and cloaked in pain. It was as if it was all she knew. No one else seemed to see her as he did, but staring at her he understood and he knew that somehow, they were kindred spirits. Deathseekers. It lasted only seconds but it left an imprint in his memory that he could not forget. Lulu on the other hand didn't see him at all, after her conversation with Wakka in the tunnels she was spent, and only wanted to rest. To sleep for a long, long time.

She disappeared and wasn't in the control room where everyone else had gathered. Yuna sat down and looked back to Paine, "I don't want to demand an explanation, but I feel I must and do deserve one. I am tired of the secrets. If you do not wish to share I understand, but then I must ask you to go - please. I, we do not have much time. Tidus is dying and I cannot sit by while this happens. I need to something, I must."

Everyone understood where Yuna was coming from, everyone was tired; everyone wanted this to end. Paine nodded, "It might take a while, here is my story."

Paine took a deep breath before continuing.

"I sat up, my mind was spinning. The Ground beneath me seemed to warp and I clutched my head. It took me a while to gain my senses but the second I did I knew that this wasn't inside father anymore. This place was strange. I heard voices and blinked twice, I was sitting in an alleyway that much was clear. The voices were hushed, "Do you think that she's awake?" one of them asked.

I surveyed the area around me and my heart speed up, a little boy in a purple robe and a lady in a pale blue dress were staring down at me. The only problem was that they were floating. And not just floating, but glowing faintly as well. I had heard rumors of these things from the souls the kept me company inside my father, they had told me that these people were good people. Father had told me that the spirits were lying but now that I had seen them for myself, I knew that the spirits had been right. Their voices were too kind to be anything but good spirits.

Which only meant that father had been lying. When I had asked him years ago, longing in my voice - about who my mother was he said I didn't have one. He informed me that he was both my mother and my father. I didn't understand what he meant then, but I do now. Sin was only one being after all. And I his spawn. The one in the blue robe spoke, "I think she's coming to."

I knew I was past that stage - more awake than was asleep now. He stared in my direction, our eyes locking together, "So, are you awake?" he asked clearly knowing the answer.

I looked up at him, "I'm looking at you aren't I?"

The woman laughed, "She takes after her father."

The boy's face became serious, "I hope not."

Smiling the woman looked down at me, "What's your name?"

"I don't know… they called me Paine once I think."

I could tell that she was trying to get used to the name I had given her. Not many people that I've met have liked my name. They always think I'm dangerous or something because of it. She looked at the boy, "That's kind of vulgar isn't it? Maybe a different name…"

A change of topic was what was needed, I would not stand to have my name insulted so, it was haunting, but it was mine "And your name? What's your name?"

"Those who used me, they called me Anima, but I would rather you called me Aniaca, And this," she pointed at the boy, "Is Bahamut, he prefers however if you call him Braham. His given name."

"Why do you glow as you do?" I asked.

"We are the fayth. And for now, we are your guardians." Braham said.

Finally I stood up and looked back and forth between them. They didn't look like they wanted to kill me, but where I had come from death was a daily occurrence so one never knew. Father had warned me not to trust these people. That they were dirty, and trying to get rid of him - and by extension myself. But I didn't blame them, father wasn't the greatest guy in the world. I loved him - he had made me, created me, but he wasn't a benevolent being. Although I didn't think he was really in control of his actions all the time, not really. In fact, he was downright evil. "I don't need guardians." I told them my face a mask.

It was then that the woman laughed, "Yes you do. You're to live in Bevelle, with Braham." Saying that she held out her hand and light seemed to gather in it, and it formed a sword. I could not take my eyes off it - it was beautiful. The sword was a rapier with a red hilt save for the handle which was black. On the other hand, the blade was a pure white color, offsetting the darker handguard and grip. "This is Belief. The sword of the fayth and our gift to you. Don't lose it, there will come a time when you will need it - and will know what to do."

Reaching out my hand I grasped the sword and when I did I felt a strength that my father could never have given me. And I knew then that by accepting that sword that my father had become my enemy. He was not friends with the fayth.

My sword disappeared and I looked back up at Aniaca, "Let's go."

That was when I knew my life was changed forever.

Days latter I was visited by Shiva, whose name, unlike the others was still the same. It was she who explained to me who I was, and what that meant. I didn't know what a sinspawn was, but when she was done I knew - I knew every horrid detail.

The knock at the door startled me from the history book I was reading. I put the book down and walked over to the door. What greeted me was a young woman dressed in the garb of a female Bevellian priest. Taking her in I knew that only I could see her. This was Shiva. I let her in and she sat down in one of the chairs, "It's good to finally meet you. After all Braham told me about you, and the progress you're making." she told me.

"Did he? And what did Aniaca say?"

She leaned back a cheerless expression on her face, "Nothing. Aniaca is now a slave."

I blinked, this was news to me, "What happened?"

"Her son finally got wise to her. He captured her and now is controlling her spirit. We're working on it, but I don't think she will be free for a long time."

"Oh."

I was shocked, controlled? From what I had seen, the fayth were all powerful, but for someone to actually control one without its say so, to treat it as a tool and not the spirit it was frightened me, "I know, we didn't see it either, but her son seems determined to have his revenge on the world that shunned him," Shiva closed her eyes, "She blames herself. Poor woman."

Not wanting to continue this conversation, not wanting to know what happened to her or how her son, whom ever he was, was binding her and using her, I opted for a change of subject, "So why are you here?"

"To tell you what you are, Brahma would have come but he is busy trying to fix things and will tied up for quite a good long time. I suggest you get used to me. I'm going to be here for a while." she said.

Glad that she had accepted the fact that I wasn't comfortable talking about the capture of Aniaca I continued on, "So? What am I?"

"A sinspawn. The only human sinspawn in many many years. Which is why you're so special. I guess Sin was hoping that when you got down here you would work for him." She chuckled to herself, "Good thing we got to you first."

Although she didn't know it, I couldn't have agreed more. I didn't like my father, a week down here had taught me that. My father was a terrible creature. He killed for no reason, he hurt for no reason, and the spirits that I had contract with were right. In one week I had gone from loving him no matter what, to having that feeling stripped from me, "So what do I do exactly?" I wanted to get to the point and fast.

She smiled brilliantly, "You, as of now are the only person in this word who has a direct connection to Sin. And some of his powers are yours, if you choose to accept them."

I still felt like she was dragging, that something was wrong, and I continued to feel like I had to rush her. Yesterday, in the city market I had met with some less than savory people from the Yevon government. And I hadn't liked them, they had pried me questions. So now I was rushing to finish this - feeling these men nipping at my heels. Despite the danger to myself I was desperate to know of my place in this world that I had come to call home, "When will I know when to accept them?"

At that she smiled, "You'll know." it was a cryptic answer and frustrated me.

As I stewed in the mystery of her words everything felt so complex. In front of me Shiva waited for more questions but it was not to be. It took only a few seconds but I watched her face go from a calm exterior to worry, and then she glanced at the door and then at me, "What?"

"Run."

She shimmered and disappeared, and I was about to take her advice and slip out the back when the front door to my house exploded into tiny wooden shards. At that point, he strode into my life for the first time. He was to be my captor in what would be the longest day of my life. He took a shiny red pistol out the holster on his belt and pointed it at me, "You are under arrest. I should kill you now, but since you are human suspicion will arise from your death in the current situation."

I looked up at him and took in his appearance, he was about my age and young for a law official. He had silver hair and wore a green cloak. It was, I realized, the man from the market. I had no choice to obey. He yanked me up and pushed me to the door. I didn't resist. For how could I?

That night I found myself in the Bevelle underground prison, where they kept other monsters that were too dangerous to be let loose and too hard to kill. In that place I realized I was seen as one of those monsters. They threw me in the cell and appointed him, as my guard. I didn't mind really. Some company was better than none, even if it was the person who had jailed me. I glanced at him, "You got a name?"

"It's Baralai."

I hung out of the bars and stared at him, "So why they'd chose you to guard me?" I tried my hand at nonchalance.

"Unlike the others, I am strong enough to defeat most of these things."

I hated the way he said the word thing, because I knew that I was one of those 'things' that he talked about. To him I didn't have feelings, and because I was related to Sin I was instantly a threat, and instantly fodder, "You won't be able to keep me here. Father will come. He'll hear my call."

Baralai snorted and my hatred ran even deeper for this man. Growing with my rage every second was a hate for the government and everything he stood for. I was practically vibrating with it. My eyes flashed, he noticed, "So your eyes change color when you're mad. Interesting. And no, Sin won't come. He may be the one who created you, but that's all he does, he creates and then leaves. No mercy."

My hands balled into firsts - the strenght that I clenched them at turning my knuckles white. I couldn't contain my anger - anger at him and at the whole world. Anger at Sin, and at the people that didn't understand. A while after we talked we were visited by another, he was a tall man, he wore red and blue. His hair was the color of the sky, and some how without knowing how, I knew who he was. I threw myself against the bars, "Let Aniaca go."

He turned to me, "Ah, the captive. So, you're his human spawn. And her? Who is this her you speak of? I keep none captured, I only work for the beautiful Spiral of death that is Spira and what's best for this place, your death, is one of those things."

I knew he was lying about Aniaca but I couldn't do anything. How could I? I was behind bars, he was not. He turned to Baralai, "I will be back tomorrow, Mika and Kinco might be too put upon to kill a human. But I am not."

He left, just as quickly as he came. However, that night while Baralai was sleeping I noticed a shimmering hooded figure approaching my cell. He looked down at the sleeping for form of Baralai, "Sleeping. That's good."

He waved his hand and my jail cell door creaked open and I felt like running to thank him. But he stopped me, "We will meet again. Now is not the time."

There was a shift in the room and I found myself outside of the city of Bevelle, "So then? Now what?" I asked him unsure of what to do with my freedom now that I had it.

"Head to Mi'ihen. There you will meet a man named Nooj, a friend of mine has told him of your coming. He's operating a coup against the government. For now, he will be the one who watches you."

He shimmered and I watched him disappear, I smiled, "Thank you Brahma."

The trip to the rocky pass that was Mi'ihen was hard, but I eventually made it. When I got there however, all that greeted me were the bodies of the dead, and a failed experiment. That night, in the inn near that temple I grieved. For I knew who had done this - it was Sin. I could tell however that the event had taken place a few days ago. It was that day I first laid my eyes on you Yuna. You had been there during the tragedy and were helping with the clean up. But I knew you were not who I was looking for. The two of us never met and eventually we went our separate ways.

When I woke the next morning a man was staring down at me - this is where you come in Nooj. I clutched my sheets up to my chest in an effort to guard myself and glared at you. At that time I didn't know that you were going to be my new boss, for a few weeks anyway. Before my world would once again fall apart. I glared at you, "Leave now."

"I was told you had a temper." you said.

"Temper or no. You are invading my room. Please leave."

You got up Nooj and left allowing me to quickly get up and and get changed. I met you back downstairs and you looked at me, "By now you must know who I am."

"Nooj correct?"

"Yes."

"I was sent here…."

You took no qualms about interrupting me and quickly did so - it was my first lesson in how straight forward of a man you were, "Yes, you were sent here to work for me."

After that you didn't waste any time in giving me orders. And I was sent out to get all sorts of things. In this time I meet you - Gippal who also worked with Nooj but almost reluctantly, and days passed. Those days turned into a week and soon that week became three. And it was on that third week that the government arrived, to spoil everything.

I was inside the temple when it happened. I heard noises outside and was quick to run the door. However when I approached the door an invisible hand reached out and pulled me back in. I looked behind me and saw a man holding my arm, "Don't. If you go out that way, he'll get you."

"Who are you?"

"Ixion."

"How is it that you able to be here when Aniaca is not?" I had seen Yuna use him before.

He turned to me, "Follow me," as we ran through the tunnels he answered my question, "I chose to go and have free movement, she was captured and so she has none."

He continued to lead me through passages and we finally reached an outcropping. He directed me in the way to escape from the back of the temple and then I quickly fled forward fearing for my life. He told me not look back so I didn't. I knew that if any one survived they would not survive without scars. There was nothing I could do for them.

It was weeks later when I finally ran into you again Yuna, you who I had seen work so diligently to save the survivors of the attack on Mi'ihen and knew that this is what the fayth had prepared me for. I took up your offer and since then, well the rest is history."

Paine stopped her story and all Yuna could do was look at her, "It's no wonder you hate the government as you do. I am sorry Paine, sincerely for everything"

"I really really do." Paine said.

A puzzled look crossed Yuna's face, "Where does Gippal fit into this then?"

This however Paine didn't know the answer to, Nooj did, "He as Paine mentioned, worked for me. He was gone the day that they attacked us and was spared from harm. He since then has been helping me complete a project, that could save Spira. He also was the one who fixed my limbs."

Yuna wondered what the project was that Nooj was talking about but did not think it important enough to ask after. He had chosen them over whatever it was after all, if it came up later it would but that was a battle for another day. Beside her Rikku was looking at her cousin, "You helped fix his limbs? You should have told me! "

Gippal looked at Rikku and shrugged, "You don't know him. It was pointless."

At this Yuna yawned and looked at those around her, "I am a bit sleepy. Time to rest I think. Tomorrow we shall go reunite with another Aeon."

Finally after watching and listening Auron spoke up, "I don't want you to, not tomorrow. Perhaps the day after. You're out of energy."

Yuna looked at Auron sadly, "No, this is something that I need to do. I must."

With that she turned and left the rest of the group stunned. As she headed off to bed, and to another night of restless sleep.

A/N: So Paine is very different in this story than in the original game, however I feel like her experiences allow her personality to remain intact.