Author's Note:
Last chapter. Blah blah blah, whatever... Then I can start my next fanfic, which, (by the way), is going to be much better than this one. Okay...so hurry up an finish reading this chapter. Then you can read my next Barikku and Gipaine story!

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Chapter 15

Paine woke up late the next day. She didn't know why, but she was just so tired.

Guess it was from running around the temple the whole day. she thought.

She turned over on her bed to see if Rikku was awake. Paine was so surprised when she found her sitting upright on her bed, looking down at her.

"How long have you been staring at me like that?" asked Paine, putting her arms behind her head and looking at the Al Bhed girl who was still in her pajamas.

Rikku smiled. "I just woke up a few minutes ago," she replied calmly.

Paine slowly sat up. As she ran her fingers through her grey, silvery hair, she saw that something was bothering Rikku. It wasn't like her to be silent like this.

"What's wrong?" she asked concernedly.

Rikku laughed at her question. "Nothing, silly. I'm just…" Rikku trailed off.

"Hey, come on. You can tell me," said Paine, looking at her friend.

Rikku looked into her eyes and noticed something different. Before, they said 'Stay away from me or else I'll kill you.' But now…it's…very different from before. Now, it's 'Rikku, are you alright? Do you want to talk about it?'

Rikku was shocked at this sudden change, but she liked it.

"Well…I'm just…too in love. You know, I've never been in love before. Kinda makes me dizzy sometimes," she laughed.

Paine looked at Rikku and smiled slightly. She was relieved that this was nothing serious.

Rikku suddenly caught sight of a ring on Paine's bedside table.

"So he really asked you?" she asked curiously.

Paine sighed. "Last night, when I walked him back to the temple..."

She looked at the ring and remembered every single detail that happened last night.

"Baralai hasn't asked me yet…" said Rikku quietly.

"Hey, don't worry. He'll ask you soon. Just look at how many times you kissed," said Paine, shaking her head.

"Hey! It was only…a few times!" opposed Rikku as her face began to get red.

Paine smiled. It was really nice to have these conversations with Rikku. It really made Paine relax and be herself. Rikku's the only person she could treat like a close family member.

But somehow, she just couldn't be as open as she is to Rikku than to Yuna. This is the weirdest part of all. Yuna is older and more understanding than Rikku will ever be, and Rikku is a big mouth who acts like a little girl, despite her real age. But why is Paine telling her everything, and not Yuna? Is it because of the fact that Paine had always wanted a little sister to take care of?

I don't know. But…that might be a huge possibility… she admitted as she looked out the window into the cloudy sky. She also remembered Baralai being her older brother during the Crimson Squad. I guess brothers and sisters were made for each other. she thought amusedly.

Suddenly, a red flash separated her from her thoughts.

"Rao! Yna oui dfu yfyga? Desa du belg ib Yuna!" shouted Brother over the intercom.

(Hey! Are you two awake? Time to pick up Yuna!)

"Famm, ajah ev fa fana ycmaab, ouin yhhuoehk juela fuimt'ja fugah ic ib ymnayto!" shouted back Rikku.

(Well, even if we were asleep, your annoying voice would've woken us up already!)

Brother sighed. "Dnuipmasygan..." And the speakers turned off.

(Troublemaker...)

Rikku and Paine soon changed into their normal dresspheres. Paine didn't forget to put on the ring Gippal had given her.

"It's about time we picked her up," said Paine as the airship got ready for landing.

"Yeah. It's almost been a whole week," agreed Rikku.

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When the Celsius landed, Paine and Rikku got off and headed for Lulu's tent. When they entered, they were greeted by Yuna, Wakka, and Lulu herself. Rikku ran to embrace her cousin as Paine took a seat next to Lulu, starting a conversation with her. Then soon, it came to the point when Yuna finally finished explaining the things she did in Besaid.

"So, Rikku, Paine, what did you guys do in your 'short vacation'?" she asked.

Paine and Rikku looked at each other. "Oh…not much…"

THE END

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Not much to say again. Well, that's all. It's gonna be a while for me to write my next fanfic, but I'm at least 90 percent sure it's gonna be good! Well...c'ya!