Chapter 1



It was another boring day as the Gullwings were flying across the blue skies of Spira. Yuna, Rikku, and Paine were lying in their bedrooms, trying to think of something to do. There weren't any signs of new spheres lately, so they were just cruising the skies until something came up. Paine was staring blankly at the ceiling, her black leather gloves and boots resting next to her bed. Rikku was sitting on a nearby chair, spinning around out of pure boredom. Yuna, lying in her bed, head rested on her folded hands, staring at the other two. She stared at Paine, not sure of what to think of her. She had known her for 3 months, but she didn't know that much about her. She seemed to probe Yuna's mind whenever she was either caught off guard or when she had a few moments to herself.

As these thoughts began to fill Yuna's mind, Rikku stopped, her braided hair spinning around her neck. She wore a smile as she exclaimed;" I got it!!!"

Both girls looked at her, not sure of what she was talking about.
"…..You got what?" asked Yuna curiously.
"I know what we can do to pass the time.'' Rikku said happily. She got up and softly sat, legs crossed, on Yuna's bed.
"This isn't another one of your games it?" Paine said blankly, letting out a sigh as she closed her eyes.
"It's not one of my games…..even though it is a game. How about we play truth or dare?" asked Rikku, giving Yuna her famous puppy face look. Yuna laughed at this as she said,
"Sure. We haven't played that one yet. As long as it's ok with you Paine.''

             Both girls looked at Paine; Rikku pleading with her mask of sadness, Yuna looking at her innocently. Paine opened her eyes and looked at both of them. She had grown tired of Rikku's childness, but she was fun to hang around with. Yuna…..was so innocent. It surprised Paine when she began to think un-pure thoughts about Yuna. She thought of her like a little sister in a way. But the way Yuna would give her those sweet innocent looks would drive her crazy. She would lock herself in her room to releash her inner lust even if she received an accidental smile from her.

            "……I guess…" she said quietly, regretting what crazy thing she had gotten herself into. Rikku let out a loud cry as she urged them both to sit up. She put her hand, folded up in a fist between them. "Ok girls, lets decide who goes first.'' She said happily. Yuna and Paine followed, putting their fists next to Rikku.

"Rock…..Paper…..Scissors…shoot!!!!'' they all yelled, raising their hands into the air and crashing them into each other, showing what they had. Rikku had scissors, Yuna Paper, and Paine rock. Yuna let out a groan, but she quickly laughed as she smiled. Rikku wore a sly grin as she moved closer to Rikku.

"Ok Yunnie….Truth or dare?"
"Hmm….I think I'll pick truth."
"Ok Yunnie, when did you and Tidus ever do anything?" she said as she began to laugh loudly. Yuna moved back, shocked at her sudden question. As Rikku laughed, a light pink filled Yuna's face as she looked down.

"….We never did anything…like that….we did kiss though….." she said uncompleted, remembering that moment in the lake.

"Awww Yunnie…..that's so cute!!'' Rikku said, as she began to giggle. Paine giggle slightly, not because of Rikku making fun of Yuna, but because of Yuna's innocence. It was cute how she blushed over a simple thing, thought Paine as she looked at Rikku. "Ok…..your turn. Truth or dare?" Yuna asked Paine. She looked at her boldly as she proudly said, "Dare!"

This caught Yuna by surprise. She knew in some way that Paine would choose dare, but she was hoping she would be wrong. She quietly thought to herself as she looked at Rikku. 'What would Rikku ask?' she thought to herself. After a few quite moments, Yuna looked up, smile on her face, as she faced Paine.

"I dare you to tell me who your first love was.'' She said proudly. Rikku smiled after hearing this, and gave her cousin a high five. Paine, however, did not find this funny. She had not talked about 'her' since she ended it. Afraid of what they might think of her, she did not bother to bring up the subject. Now she was forced to shed her fears to someone she liked.

"….Seems I have no choice. Ok, I'll tell you. I was 15 at the time. We had been seeing each other for a couple months. It wasn't supposed to be serious at the time. Just a fling really. But it ended up being a full thing. It was strange for me….because she was the first girl I had gone out with. "She said quietly, looking down at the floor. She bit her lip and closed her eyes, afraid of being betrayed once again for how she was. It wasn't her fault she was different. She waited, silence stabbing her like a blade. With regret, she lifted one eye open and looked at both girls. Rikku was eye wide, shocked. Yuna, shocked as Rikku was, was looking at Paine.

"…..Go on…" urged Yuna. Rikku twitched her head at Yuna, surprised to hear her say that. Paine was as surprised as Rikku that it took her a couple of seconds to actually confirm what she had actually said.

"…..You want me to keep going?" asked Paine in disbelief. She stared at Yuna as she nodded her head. Rikku merely stared at both girls, but reluctantly nodded as well, quietly looking at both of them. Swallowing her fear, she looked up at both of them as she continued.

"It was our 5th date. She took me to a Blitzball game. I forgot who was playing, because I was looking at her the whole time. She held my hand the entire time. When she looked at me, I would quickly turn towards the game, embarrassed. She would laugh and continue watching the game. After words, we went out to the dock and walked, looking at the moon. She held me as we sat behind some boxes. I nuzzled into her chest, warm and happy. I looked at her and saw her smiling at me. I kissed her lightly….she kissed me back…..then…..'' She stopped, looking down at the floor. A tear fell from her eye and dropped unto the bed. Yuna saw this and gasped lightly.
Paine walked up and rushed down stairs. Rikku looked at Yuna as they heard the door slam.

"….Geeze…party pooper." Sulked Rikku as she got up and casually walked to the bar downstairs. Yuna kept staring, face shocked. She was surprised to find out that Paine had feelings like that towards other girls. Yuna was often curious about those feelings….but they weren't meant for a summoner. However, after they defeated sin and she was able to live a normal life, she began to explore these feelings.

She didn't do anything crazy. She just thought about them. Now that she knew Paine had experienced these feelings, she could ask her about them. But she was afraid that she had offended her friend. She got up and quickly walked downstairs, past Rikku who had decided to indulge herself in alcohol, and went down the long hallway. Lightly running towards the metal door, she opened it to the main cabin. Brother was driving the airship, looking ahead. He turned his head slightly and exclaimed happily at Yuna.

"Yuna!!! I'm Glad that you are here." He said, nearly tipping the ship to the side. He fought for control as he leveled the ship. Yuna was impressed how fast brother learned English. Before he would hit on her in his broken tongue; now he was still hitting on her with near perfect speech.

"Sorry Brother, not right now." She said apologetically as she looked around the cabin. She looked over to her right to find Paine, bending down to view a computer screen. Shinra was next to her, explaining something to her. Paine peered over her shoulder and looked over at Yuna. She gave her a cold stare, eyes still moist. She looked away painfully and paid full attention to Shinra. Yuna looked away sadly as she went into the hallway. She leaned against the wall and slumped to the floor. Looking up at the ceiling, she shed a tear as she closed her eyes.