A new chapter has finally arrived! Enjoy, and reviews are loved. :D

Warnings: Girl love

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy X-2

Gippal paused outside Besaid, leaning against the cool stone pillar that marked the entrance to the village. He didn't really have time to be pausing; he could hear the jangling of chocobo armor coming down the path, signaling the arrival of New Yevon's troops.

If only life wasn't sucky, he thought. Peeling away, he entered the village only to run right into Lulu, who's purple eyes were alight with amusement.

"You took your time," she said, her low voice oddly soothing for the turmoil rushing through his thoughts.

"Uh, yeah. You saw me?" He rubbed the back of his neck.

"You might want to hide," Lulu continued. "Unless you want Baralai to think you warned Paine."

Gippal felt the sudden urge to bash his head into the wall. "I am an idiot!"

"Don't worry. Just go to the temple, or hide in some brush if you would prefer. Baralai will not get past me."

"Lady, Rikku's told me you're powerful but I don't think-"

"Go on."

Gippal obeyed, slipping under the cover of the brush and tent wall just as the troops approached the entrance. Lulu looked small, seeing as how the chocobo's height was twice her's, but the confidence she radiated made her seem all the more powerful.

"Praetor Baralai. To what do we owe this visit?" Lulu asked.

Baralai swung down, smiling easily as he extended a hand. Lulu ignored it.

"I just have a few questions," Baralai said.

Dammit Lulu! He's dangerous. What are you doing?

"Since when did asking questions require troops in a peaceful village?"

"I would really like my questions answered," Baralai replied, smile dropping.

"Oh, so you're threatening me now, are you?" Lulu's voice dripped with sweet patience as she stared the man down. Gippal wondered how she could do it when it was obvious that the man could over power her in a heart beat.

"I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation. Now. Yuna and that boy, as well as the Al Bhed girl were spotted entering Bevelle as well as trespassing into our lower floors. Trespassers are not tolerated. I was wondering if perhaps you knew why they would commit such a crime. They were after all, living with you."

"I am under no obligation to tell you anything. I think it is best that you take your leave," Lulu said, still not moving an inch.

"I will destroy this village if you do not tell me where they were going." Baralai's threat was not a light one, and both Lulu and Gippal knew it.

"I hope you're prepared for the consequences of that move, Trema. Because that commsphere back there has recorded everything so far and all the data has already been transmitted somewhere else. So, if you're going to make your move..." Lulu stepped back and to the side, clearing the way. "Then move."

"You know? Then they must know as well." Baralai grinned, one similar to what had marred his faces the day he had tried to shoot them all in the back. "Thank you, for you have answered my question. Farewell."

Several cries from the troops echoed in the air as Baralai collapsed on the ground. As he fell, pyre flies began to hiss out of his body, rising up into the air, twisting and tangling with one another as they began to fade from sight. Panicked murmurs rushed through the troops, though they silenced as Baralai stirred, slowly rising to his knees. His vision was cloudy, blurred and confused as he stared at the ground.

"Where...where are we?" he whispered.

Lulu knelt, grabbing his chin and jerking him around to look at her. "I suggest you get a good hold on your memories right now and stop those men from attacking our village."

Gippal snorted at the shock in Baralai's eyes at being handled so roughly, but he obeyed nonetheless, standing up and facing his troops.

"Stand down. In fact, go back to Bevelle. Wait for me to send word."

(INSERTBREAKHERE)

Paine woke slowly, pushing herself up off of Rikku's thigh which she had been using for a pillow. The woman gave her a reassuring smile, though it was tired. "How long was I asleep?"

"Not important. You needed it," Rikku said.

"We should...get going then. I don't want to waste anymore time," Paine said, getting to her feet and picking up her sword.

"I don't think regaining our energy so we don't pass out after two steps qualifies as 'wasting time'," Rikku said, following after Paine to another edge.

Paine didn't dignify Rikku's retort with a response, instead launching herself off the edge and into the inky blackness. Her landing was much smoother this time as she ducked into a roll. When she came out of it, she saw that they were faced with a long hallway, devoid of any fiends. At the very end, the corridor rounded off, so sharply that she couldn't get a single glimpse at what could possibly lay on the other side.

"We'll have to be careful," Paine said, keeping her sword before her as she inched down the hallway.

Rikku made a soft noise of agreement, and together, the two women made their way down towards the corner. As they walked, they became more and more aware that they were not alone, the backs of their necks tingling in anticipation. Together, they pressed themselves against the wall of the corner, weapons held tight to their bodies so that their opponent would not see them first.

Paine took a deep breath and then craned her neck around the corner, grimacing when she saw what lay beyond them. An Elder Drake was staring straight at her, it's hot breath puffing out of its nostrils in thick clouds.

"It would be our luck to run into one of these," she breathed, ducking back around the corner. "Elder Drake. How do you want to do this?"

Rikku looked down at her grid, rearranging her dress spheres as she thought. "How about we go in as Berserkers, and I'll change into a white mage when you need it?"

Paine thought a moment and then nodded, accessing her own grid and letting the Berserker form come over her. Rikku grinned and did the same.

"If it starts to look bad, pull out," Paine said. "I'd rather run and come back later for revenge."

"Got it," Rikku said, and then dove around the edge, sprinting towards the Elder Drake with a battle cry.

Paine followed suit, ignoring the Elder Drake's challenging roar and springing right at it. It swung it's heavy head towards her, catching her in the side with it's large horns. She wrapped herself around it though, sinking her claws in and yanking back before getting her feet underneath her push off the large horn, flipping through the air and landing on all fours. As soon as she landed, she lunged forward once more, catching the beast across the nose.

It retaliated almost instantly, catching her in the side and flinging her into the wall. The wall cracked from the blow and her vision spun, but the Berserker instinct kept her from backing off, instead making it so that the pain only enraged her. She gathered her feet beneath her and leapt, landing on the dragon's head, claws digging into it's thick hide to help with balance. It tossed its head side to side, trying to shake her. Paine slammed her foot down at the joint that connected one of it's horns to its head, letting out a scream as she did so.

A sickening crack hit her ears, making her fumble in surprise as the horn broke off, a fountain of blood and muscle rushing out of the gaping wound. The beast let out a roar as it stumbled around, and Paine tumbled down it's neck and onto it's spine. She sunk her claws in to stay on top of the beast, not willing to take a fall from such a height. She was dimly aware of Rikku's running footsteps, and glancing behind her to see that the blonde was now standing a fair distance away from the stumbling dragon. Which was a good sign that she should probably get down before she got crushed.

She released her strong hold on the beast, sprinting across its spine before launching off into the air, ducking into a roll at the last second and coming up behind Rikku. The Elder Drake fell with a resounding crash, making the ground tremble beneath their feet. They waited, tense, to see if it was still alive, but when it ceased moving, they both released a long sigh.

"Shiva, Paine. Didn't know you were angry enough to break its freaking skull," Rikku muttered before glancing over at her. "Also, you should lay down while I heal you.

Paine looked down to see her outfit was torn with a huge gash across her stomach pulsing blood in a steady stream. All at once she became aware of the pain and she stumbled backwards, reaching out an arm so she could make a somewhat graceful descent to the floor. Rikku quickly changed into a white mage, casting several Curaga spells, followed up by a Regen to help anything that didn't heal with the first spells.

"Way to scare me there," Rikku said. "I didn't even have to do anything you were so fast. I don't think I've ever seen you fight like that. You should really get angry more often."

Paine snorted, shifting back into her Warrior sphere and using her sword to push herself back up to her feet. "I'd rather not, though it might be useful in the future. Thanks, for healing me I mean."

Rikku smiled. "Well, let's keep going. I bet Yuna and Tidus have made loads of more progress while we sit and chat."

"Oh, now who's lecturing who on wasting time. What a hypocrite," Paine said with a smirk.

"You know that's not even fair," Rikku whined. "The two are not comparable."

"Comparable? That's a big word for you," Paine said.

"That's cheap!" Rikku cried, giving the warrior a small shove.

Paine snickered, looping an arm around the thief's thin waist as they made their way down the hallway. "I play dirty, what can I say?"

Rikku stuck her tongue out at her, but didn't protest.

(INSERTBREAKHERE)

Baralai avoided Lulu's gaze, keeping his back to his troops until they were gone, disappearing up the hillside.

"Will someone tell me what's going on now?" he asked softly.

"You really don't know?" Lulu asked. "Gippal, please restrain him. We will discuss this in the temple."

"Alright. Come on," Gippal said, grabbing Baralai's arms and wrenching them behind his back. "I can't believe you don't remember anything."

"My...memories are fuzzy. Did I...did I do something to Paine?"

Gippal stopped pushing the man forward. Lulu continued on her way though, seeming to sense that this was a conversation she should not hear. Gippal turned the man around so he could look him in the eye properly. "I don't know. Something bad."

Baralai wrenched away, catching Gippal by surprise, and hurled himself into the bushes. A heartbeat later, the sound of painful retching reached his ears, and Lulu paused at the steps of the temple, an unreadable look on her face.

"Where is she?" Baralai's voice was rough as he stumbled back to where Gippal was.

"I don't know! We have to talk to Lulu," Gippal said.

Upon reaching the temple entrance, Lulu took the lead once more. Gippal could feel Baralai shaking under his grip, and he wondered if he even wanted to know the other man's side of the story. Lulu entered one of the side rooms, shutting and locking the door behind her once they were all inside.

"Now. Baralai. What do you know?"

"Lulu, give the man a break," Gippal interjected.

"We don't exactly have time for that," Lulu shot back. "Now tell me."

"I don't know! But I can tell you that if he's left me, it's to go back to his own...body. That means his body was in a vulnerable position, but now he's back to full strength, wherever he is," Baralai said, more to himself than anyone else.

"Someone needs to tell the others. They won't be expecting that," Lulu said. "But we can't reach them quick enough."

"Tell me where they are. I can do it," Baralai said.

"No. I suggest you stay here and think, Praetor Baralai. You are a man in a very powerful position, and it is obvious that your soul is too weak to keep intruders out. Perhaps you are not the man for this job." Lulu turned, opening the door. "Come on, Gippal. We have much to discuss."

(INSERTBREAKHERE)

"I want sunlight."

Rikku's frustrated groan echoed around the empty green room.

"I'm fine," Paine said, glance sliding over to where Rikku was walking beside her. "You're just a whiner."

"Am not!"

Paine was about to retort, but in the next moment, the ground began to shake. Alarmed, she whipped out her sword, going back to back with Rikku without a single thought. The shaking grew worse, and then a loud hiss sounded from above them, a familiar hiss of pyreflies. Red eyes widened as the swirling mass descended upon them, passing through their bodies in a rush. Pain ripped through her, each pyrefly feeling like a knife slicing deep into her skin and opening her wounds wide.

Hm, you seem to be doing well. I do not approve.

No! Get out of my head!

Memories flooded her vision then, Baralai's face, distorted by pyreflies, his bruising and crushing grip on her hips, her wrists, his-

"Paine!"

Paine hit the ground with a gasp, Rikku sprawled out on top of her.

"Shiva, Paine! Don't ever do that again. I could've killed you!" Rikku's voice was breathless in her ear and the stickiness of her sweat clinging to her skin barely registered.

Rikku pulled back, staring into Paine's eyes, gaze blazing. In the next moment, Paine's lips were covered by Rikku's soft ones. It was quick and hard, the pressure gone in seconds. Panting, Paine's head hit the ground, eyes blank and chest heaving.

"Titan's nuts. This is crazy," Rikku muttered as she rolled off the warrior and flopped onto her back. "You attacked me. I thought I was going to kill you. Shiva."

Paine let out a nervous, tittering laugh at Rikku's curses, finding them absurdly funny for some unfounded reason that she didn't care to examine. "I wasn't in control of my body. I'm sorry."

"Who do you think that was?" Rikku asked, turning her head to look at Paine. Without thinking, she reached out and twined her fingers with Paines, squeezing.

"Trema. Definitely Trema," Paine murmured. "Which means he's probably left Baralai's body to come deal with us."

"Is that good or bad?" Rikku asked, her own nervous giggle escaping her lips.

"Both," Paine said with a shrug.

She shook free of Rikku's tight grip, forcing herself to stand up. Rikku followed, legs shaking a little.

"So what does this mean for us?"

Paine didn't answer the blonde's question at first, instead checking over her grids and weapons to give herself something to do. Finally, "Nothing. We keep going on as we have been."

Rikku reached out, brushing her hand agains the back of Paine's arm. She expected Paine to jerk away, but instead, the warrior leant into her touch for a moment of reassurance.

"Are you okay?"

Paine turned, flashed her a rare, soft smile. "Probably not, but that's okay. Just a little while longer and everything will be fixed.

"I don't know if that's a good answer or not."

"I don't know either. But we've gotta keep going," Paine said, striding forward. There can't be much more of this."

(INSERTBREAKHERE)

Yuna froze as her eyes locked on the form at the end of the hallway. Tidus reached down to grab her hand, squeezing it tightly as he kissed her cheek.

"It's not really her, it can't be," he whispered.

Despite his words, Yuna couldn't stop the fear that was thudding through her veins with each beat of her heart. At the end of the hallway, Yunalesca stood, her gaze steady as pyreflies wrapped in and around her shadowy form, her eyes seeming to mock the ex-summoner's fear. Tidus released her hand and strode towards the woman, his courage giving Yuna the strength to trot after him, both guns out and ready to fire. Before they could even get close, the figure dissolved into a towering Chac, its glowing red eyes fiery as it stared them down.

"See, told ya," Tidus said, slipping into a fighting stance.

"Yeah, because this is better," Yuna said.

She sent several bullets straight at the Chac, feeling a little bit of satisfaction as the beast recoiled, twisting in on itself. Tidus jumped in then, hacking away at anywhere his sword could reach as he dodged the sharp scythes the Chac was flailing around. As the two moved faster, Yuna switched into her thief sphere, not wanting to chance hitting Tidus with one of her own bullets, and knowing that the added speed could help her keep up.

She dove in beside Tidus, slashing at the beast's hide wherever she could get a hit. Soon enough, their attacks were hitting the Chac so hard it couldn't keep up with them, and the ground grew slippery with the blood that was leaking out of the various wounds they had sprinkled over its body. Slowly but steadily, its movements grew slower and slower, until it was merely writhing on the ground in pain, unable to find the strength to fight back. With a cry, Tidus leapt up and drove his sword deep into its neck, and with a quick slash, severed its head.

Yuna changed back to her gunner sphere, panting a little as the Chac dissolved into pyreflies.

"You know, Yuna, I forgot how strong you got. Not just a summoner anymore," Tidus said.

"Excuse me? Just a summoner?" Yuna said, eyebrows raised.

"I don't mean that in an insulting way," Tidus said quickly, waving his hands in surrender.

Yuna laughed. "I know, Tidus, I know. We should keep going though. I want to catch up with Paine and Rikku sooner, rather than later."

Tidus was about to respond, but the ground began to shake, cutting off any response he had. Both of them looked into the inky blackness as an all too familiar hiss reached their ears, only to see a cloud of pyreflies shoot down towards them. They sprang apart, watching as the cloud flowed straight into the ground, vanishing before they could do anything more than watch.

"What was-" Yuna started.

An echoing scream reached their ears, almost deafening in its strength. For a moment, the pair could only stare at one another with questioning gazes, but all at once, Yuna realized who the scream belonged to.

"Oh Shiva, Paine!" Yuna cried, racing towards the nearest edge.

She flung herself off the edge, heedless of Tidus's protesting cry. When she reached the bottom, she saw Paine and Rikku standing up from the ground, and she could see that they were talking though her ears couldn't quite pick out what they were saying. Paine turned and began to walk away, sending Yuna into a sprint after them.

"Paine, Rikku!" she shouted, waving her arm at them.

She glanced behind her when she heard Tidus land, and he raced after her to catch up.

"Yunie!" Rikku exclaimed.

The warrior and thief turned around and made their way over to them, both looking relieved to see the other pair.

"You're okay," Yuna said, as if unable to believe it. "I thought I heard you screaming. A whole bunch of pyreflies flew past and then there was this loud scream and it...sounded like you."

"It...was," Paine said, frowning. "But don't worry about it. I'm alright now."

"Well, what was it?" Tidus asked. "Those pyreflies came out of nowhere."

"It was Trema, returning to his true body," Paine said. "Which means he's going to be harder to take down, but once we beat him here, it's over, completely. We don't have to yank him out of Baralai or anything like that."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Tidus asked, eyes bright. "We need to get moving so we can get out of here."

Paine nodded. "Right, let's go."

She started to turn but Yuna caught her gaze, letting Rikku and Tidus proceed a little ways away from them. "You and I are going to have a talk later, and you're going to tell me what happened, okay?"

Paine looked down but nodded. "Yeah. Okay."

Yuna reached forward and hugged her tight, not really caring that the responding hug wasn't very enthusiastic. "Take care of yourself, okay? I don't want you to get hurt. I don't want any of you to get hurt."

Paine pulled away, giving a small, reassuring smile. "I'll do what I can, but I make no promises."

"I guess that's all I can ask for."