An: What the hell is UP, fuckers! Ya'll miss me? ;) Well, well well… Look who's mothafuckin' BACK, bitches! :]

R&R mothafuckas! NOW!

Incomplete

Chapter 18
Tomorrow Never Knows...

By: Chou-san

-Celisus, Quarters, Upstairs…-

"Say whaaaaaat," Rikku was staring at a visibly shaken Yuna with an eyebrow raised. Paine looked stunned as well, unfolding her arms somewhat.

"What exactly do you mean 'the right one', Yuna," Paine asked tentatively, standing up slowly, moving closer to the gunner as she herself struggled to find an answer. She began to twist and wind the sheets between her delicate fingertips, biting her lip.

"Yunie? Talk to us," Rikku said softly, sitting next to her, putting her arm around her as her opposite hand rest atop Yuna's fidgeting hands. The action caused Yuna to stiffen somewhat, taking a breath and snapping back into reality. Looking up at Paine who stood at the foot of the bed with her hands firming gripping the sheets, glaring into the depths of Yuna's herterochromia.

"What…did…you…mean," The vehemence heavy in Paine's voice was apparent as the ghosts within her eyes, spoke volumes. Yuna opened her mouth to speak, feeling herself on the threshold of tears.

"There was…just something…off about him," Yuna started, trying to hold back her tears as Rikku hugged her, looking up at a confused Paine. The crimson warrior growled.

"What the fuck does that mean, Yuna!" Paine shouted.

"I don't know! I don't know, ok! His eyes…they were filled with…such hatred," Yuna stated, tears falling as she sat quietly, shaking her head at what she just said. Paine furrowed her brows together, putting her hands on her hips as she stared at Rikku mouth agape.

"He was really pissed, Yunie. But I'm not sure that would mean he was a—"

"It wasn't him, Rikku. I know it wasn't!" Yuna interjected, pounding her fists into the bed. Paine just crossed her arms and left abruptly, bounding down the stairs and heading towards the elevators. Rikku watched, unable to stop her, more concerned with Yuna.

"Talk, come on. Tell me everything," Rikku spoke as she moved to sit, Indian style in front of her best friend. Yuna quietly met her gaze, moving to hold the Al Bhed's hands in her. As she spoke, her voice would break.

"I know…that wasn't Baralai," She whispered, keeping her eyes locked onto Rikku's.

"How? What gave it away?" Rikku asked, shrugging as she tightened her grip on Yuna's soft hands.

"He was much to angry. There was just…so much hatred in his eyes," She looked off to the side as if remembering the way his eyes burned holes into hers. Blinking as she shivered slightly to clear her mind of the thought. But it wouldn't go away.

"What do you want from me!"

Yuna cried, ducking away from his Razor Rod as it gashed the couch. Baralai was angry, he was furious. The gunner fell to the floor, looking to find her guns several feet away. This wouldn't work. She needed to subdue him. Closing her eyes as the New Yevon leader neared, she changed dresspheres, her body being bathed in lights.

Opening her eyes, she looked up to find that Baralai had stopped and the look in his eyes had changed dramatically. His rod was at his side as she stared down at the gunner. Yuna was quiet as she watched him, her breath coming in quick short gasps.

"1000 years, and this is moment is all we get…"

"What…on earth…did you mean," Yuna spoke softly as Rikku looked on. Heavy steps could be heard as the two of the looked for the source. Paine's expression was that of anger, reaching the top of the steps, glowering at the pair on the bed. Gripping the railing, she pursed her lips before speaking softly.

"Yuna was right. Baralai wasn't himself…" Rikku's mouth dropped, jumping onto her feet.

"Ok, now seriously, what the HELL is going on," The Al Bhed huffed, standing, her angered gaze bouncing between both Yuna and Paine. The warrior sighed, leaning against the banister.

"He was…possessed. By what or who, I couldn't tell you. But apparently something was left behind after we killed him. Other than blood, some other substance was pooling around him according to Shinra," Paine stated as she crossed her arms. Yuna grew quiet, thinking back to what she had endured. The thoughts caused her body to react in a shudder of fear. Something was wrong and something was strong enough to control him with such precision. And to do it completely under the radar made whatever this was gravely dangerous.

"That doesn't make a lick a sense," Rikku said, blinking as she too, crossed her arms in confusion. Yuna sat in deep thought, moving to stand up.

"I…need to get some air," And the gunner soon excused herself. Rikki and Paine were left alone, as the two remained silent. The thief moved to comfort Paine but was brushed side.

"I need to be alone right now, Rikku," Paine said quickly and leaned back, going down the stairs away from the shocked Al Bhed. Rikku stood at the top of the stairs, drumming her fingers along the banisters, frowning. If Paine still wasn't comfortable confiding in her, what was she to Paine? Just a piece of ass or something to relieve stress? Rikku began to think irrationally, slamming her small fist against the banister denting it forcefully at the thought of being used after everything they had been through.

-Celsius, Deck…-

"Who took control of you, Baralai," Yuna whispered to herself. She sat, leaning against the ship as the now darkening sky, illuminated by thousands of stars, painted her path. At least she knew she wasn't crazy when Paine confirmed it. But she never mentioned how Shinra found out about his possession. Who could do such a thing? She was damn near death if the team hadn't arrived. Baralai was insanely powerful to just be holding his own. She sighed, crossing her arms and legs.

The whole thing just didn't make sense to her. No magic could be that powerful to control another human being so flawlessly. Not even her own magic was capable of such feats. This was a power beyond her knowledge. Yuna bit the insides of her cheeks, staring hard into the horizon.

"Just what…the hell…were you, Baralai…?"

-Celsius, on the bridge-

Brother had noticed Paine in the corner, staring out into the darkness, silent as she sat. He didn't think much of it since she is always so dark and brooding. But after the situations that had been occurring between her and Rikku, it struck him as unusual that she would be alone. Rubbing his chin, he silently beckoned Buddy.

"Yea, what's up," Buddy whispered to a curious Brother.

"The Dark One, she is not well," He motioned at her as Buddy looked on. He nodded, shrugging.

"Something is up and I think Shinra was the one who cleared it up but I can't tell you what was said," Rubbing the back of his head as Brother just nodded, stroking his chin.

Did she kill someone other than Baralai?

If that were the case, then that could be why she felt so guilty afterwards. Paine closed her eyes as she thought about it. His eyes didn't seem right and she knew it. Yuna was right, but Paine didn't want to believe it. Sudden rushes of images plagued her about her first time during her stint in the Crimson Army. Even then, Baralai showed some type of compassion but now, during that fight? None. There was nothing but malice in his eyes. He was never direct in his statements to her. She recalled how he would be so vague.

Paine wasn't sure what he said to Yuna. But she would find out and try to see just what this possessor knew about her. It made her skin crawl that someone or something invaded Baralai. The thought of how whatever it was accessed his deep subconscious mind, his memories of what he did to her, his feelings towards her, his overall emotions. The thought caused her to shake her head, barring her teeth angrily as she narrowed her eyes.

"No, whatever I killed, I killed him with it too," She seethed, clenching her fists.

End Chapter 18…