~Ivalice looks to the horizon

Cerobi Secret/ The Coren Hunt: Chapter 4

2008-11-21T01:06:22Z

Hey guys, I admit I abandoned this place from lack of response to the entries. It's a good little log though so I'll keep it going regardless of whether anyone reads my stories here or not. This chapters been up on FanFiction.net for a few months now so you may have already read it.

Title: The Eavesdropper
Characters/ Pairings: BaschxAshe
Rating: K
Length: 2387
Summary: Basch & Ashe are unaware they have an unwelcome follower, and Vaan spies on Jeyn back at the camp.

A/N:
RENAMED THE STORY. I thought "The Cerobi Secret" sounded too 9-year-old fairytale and "Cerobi" was pretty rubbish. I also got fed up of referring to the Mark as the "Beast" and it's spell "the spell" so they both now have a name: Coren. The Coren Beast and the Coren Spell etc. I've edited the previous chapters a little to involve the old lady Jeyn explaining that the name comes from the Esper named Coren who was originally granted the curse of this spell.
And no it has no relevance to previous ff games, it's just a word that's not too different from "Cerobi" ;)

As I've decided to bring Vaan and Penelo into the main story, but still want it to focus on Ashe and Basch, I'm going to change POV throughout each chapter so that their aren't whole chapters without Ashe or Basch etc. Two of my favourite writers on this site (Sita900 and BaschAshe on FF.net) use this method of writing and I've grown to love it so, yeah, hope I can pull it off ;)

Disclaimer: Still don't own FFXII or it's characters etc. I own the OC's though mwa ha ha haaa

4. The Eavesdropper
Everose hissed a curse at the end of the trail. The tracks she followed simply disappeared over the waterfall and into the pitch darkness below. Surely nobody would be foolish enough to jump from such a height. Perhaps they had fallen in the dark and plunged to their deaths. She paced along the cliff- edge, peering into the frustrating darkness and straining her ears for fiends.

An orange glow flickered at the corner of her eye and she stared hard at it.

Yes!

The light was definitely a small camp fire sparking into life on the banks of the lake. Her elation was soon punctured when she remembered just how the bastards had gotten down there in the first place. Heart pumping in anguish at the prospect of making the jump herself, she scanned the area for other means of keeping up with them.

She would have to wait until morning and find a safe path by which to follow them. She vowed to herself never to lose sight of them again until the moment they slew the Coren Mark for her.

Besides, she wanted to know why this endearingly strong and handsome man's name tugged at her memory. 'Basch'... where have I heard that name before...?
- - - - - - - -

Deep in slumber, Basch dreamed of a memory he thought long forgotten. He lay beside his brother under the same soft cotton sheets, in the same little bed, with the same white pillow as they did every night. For the twins had been as one in those days- what was Noah's was Basch's, and sometimes they even forgot who was named Basch and who was named Noah.

Often their mother would conclude the day by settling on one of their beds to tell them a story and the two brothers would climb in beside her. Landis was cold in the winter and she would pull a blanket over the three of them. They would slowly stop shivering and become sleepy before she even finished her tales of Knights and Princess‘.

And so he had often fallen asleep like that, his mother stroking his hair as she had loved to do and he sharing his warmth with Noah.

Usually Basch would banish a memory like this from his mind for fear of the nostalgia that would trail after it. He feared the heart-wrenching pain he had suffered at the loss of his beloved home. Right now, the memory seemed so precious and real- he was warm and comfortable just like in those times... he could even feel the soft sensation of his mother stroking his hair...

Slowly, Basch began to come to. He became aware that he was cold and damp but utterly tired and comfortable all the same. Disorientated, he stirred and dragged his heavy eyelids open. Vaguely, he caught a glimpse of Ashe's pretty face not far above his own in the dark, but she looked frightened or shocked at something he couldn't see. Before his protective nature could even raise it's loyal head he found the black wave of oblivion tumbling over him once more, and there was nothing he could do to resist it.

- - - - - - - - -

The early morning found Vaan marching straight to the Hunters board. Most of the campers and locals had not yet risen and the peaceful silence helped him to think straight. For a while there was nothing but the sound of the waves softly lapping against the shore and of seabirds floating on the light wind.

Vaan and Penelo had still not decided which Hunt to take on the morning after Basch and Ashe left for theirs. He knew it was up to him to hurry up and choose one, but most of them seemed too advanced for the likes of him and Penelo. He didn't want to put her in any more danger.

Of course, he never said any of this to anyone. Penelo would scoff and make him choose the most challenging hunt just for the reason of proving him wrong. He laughed as he realised he would probably do the same, and they would both worry about each others safety later.

He took in a deep lungful of fresh air and attempted to tame his sleep-tousled hair. Suddenly, the silence was broken by a loud crash from one of the huts to his left. A pained cry followed shortly after, soon muffled, and then a series of violent crashes that didn't sound good to Vaan at all. Frowning and ever the nosey slinker, he casually moved closer to the house, wondering if there was some sort of attack or domestic violence taking place inside and whether he should do the heroic thing and interfere.

The sound of an old woman speaking out of sight reached his eavesdropping ears and he listened for a moment.

"Come on, Tobiah, listen to me... listen to your Grandma, I know you can if you try!" it was the old local who had stitched up Basch's arm the other night. Her voice was full of anguish and desperation. Vaan wondered what could be bothering her so early in the morning.

There was no response from this 'Tobiah'. The old woman dropped her voice so that Vaan had to creep even closer to hear through the door. "Tobiah... I know you can hear me. I want you to take control of that thing, don't let it take you away! We've sent a kind man to get a cure for you so you need to hang on..."

Vaan didn't know what she was talking about. There didn't seem to be an attack anymore and so he was just about to walk away and mind his own business when she said, "He's called Basch and he's going to get that thing out of you, you hear me?"

Basch? Did she just say 'Basch'? Now all thoughts of minding his own business were forgotten. He didn't have a clue what Basch had to do with this old lady except for the hunt. 'Basch is going to get that thing out of you'? Basch is no surgeon, what in Ivalice is she talking about?

And how did she know his name? Surely Basch wouldn't have thrown his real name about so carelessly... He gasped- Penelo had shouted "Get him, Basch!" at the top of her lungs that night as they played in the sea.

Crouching into a more hidden spot, Vaan tried to look innocent as he settled on the ground and leaned up against the side of the hut.

"I know your angry with us," Jeyn continued, "but if you control it and keep your strength we-"

A boy's voice spoke up, scratched and strained, "I'm sorry, Grandma..." he rasped. "I'm just so... so angry... with Everose." His voice began to trail off and slur and his voice sounded weaker as he continued. "It's so hard to... speak..."

A hand touched Vaan's shoulder gently and he almost jumped out of his skin. Fran had found him and he hadn't noticed her appear by his side. "What are you doing, little thief?" she asked him, amused. He hushed her and signalled for her to listen to the old lady in the hut.

Frowning at him, she seemed to realise he was serious. She casually leaned against the hut and pretended to examine her bow.

"Oh, son. It's so good to hear your voice… to know your still with us. You have to understand that Everose never meant for this to happen."

"Jeyn," Fran whispered, cocking her ears.

That must be her name, Vaan realised. "She mentioned Basch," he muttered to her, bring a surprised look to Fran's mysterious face.

"Don't... make excuses for what... what she's done to me..." Tobiah muttered slowly. "Where is she?"

"She's gone to help Basch get the spell to cure you."

"The Coren spell... you told them the legend? Everose would kill... for that spell... she'd never let... any other have it... You know this... She's just... just using them... Like she used m-me..."

As the boy released a sickened moan and- by the sound of it- collapsed upon the floor, Jeyn cried out. "Tobiah, NO! Stay awake! Don't let it take over!"

Vaan felt his eyes widen as he turned to stare at Fran in horror.

- - - - - - - - -

Basch awoke as the sun rose above the cliff and touched his eyelids. The feel of his cold and damp clothes immediately brought back the memory of the night before and the image of Ashe jumping from the cliff flashed through his mind before he had even opened his eyes. Worry rose in him and he sat up quickly, checking around for her and cursing himself for letting her take the full nights watch.

She sat very close to him. Her legs were crossed with her back leant against the exposed roots of a tree. She was clearly asleep and Basch studied her with a feeling that could be excused as nothing but innocent affection. Her head was tilted to the side where her tousled hair rested upon a branch of the tree. A serene expression graced her delicate features and her breast rose and fell with a peaceful rhythm that made Basch rather envy her.

He could not bare to wake her but he had no business watching her sleep, either. Tearing his eyes away from Ashe he got up and made to tend to the fire that she had let die. He was cold and stiff from his night in wet clothes and he could do little to stop the shivers that invaded his muscles as he moved. He began to make a warm drink to sooth the rawness in his throat and pulled off his white shirt to let it dry by the fire.

Just as he was about to cook them something for breakfast, he sneezed so loud that it woke Ashe up with a jerk. She stared at him blearily for a moment and then covered her face and groaned, lightly.

He was at her side in an instant. “Your Highness, are you well?”

She blinked up at him for a moment and said, “I‘m sorry, Basch.” She did indeed owe him an apology for the night before but he had no place telling her off so he merely shook his head kindly and offered his hand to pull her to her feet. Taking her delicate hand in his, he pulled her a little too hard, used to pulling up heavily armoured soldiers such as Vossler. He caught her as she stumbled into him with a gasp.

For a moment, Ashe was so taken aback that she remained close enough that he could feel her breath sweet on his face. Her eyes moved from his own to his lips before she could regain her composure.

A swooping sensation fluttered through him and he suddenly felt too hot- he longed to pull her into a passionate kiss. He could not stop his mind running away with the situation. After several quickened breaths however, Ashe’s gaze returned to his eyes and he suddenly remembered his stance.

Closing his eyes as if blocking out the image of her would be easier with them shut, he released his hold on her arm and took a step backwards. “My apologies, your highness.”

Her response was breathless. “That’s quite all right.”

He watched her, dazed by the sudden onslaught of feelings, as she slid into the pool and carefully began to wash with all of her clothes on. Mesmerised, he completely forgot it was wrong of him to stare in such a way. She did not realise as she was positioned with most of her back to him.

Ashe dipped her whole head under the water and emerged a few seconds later. It was the moment when she slicked her hair over her head, out of her face and her mouth opened in a gasp from the cold water, that Basch really began to see Ashelia B’Nargin Dalmasca in a whole new light.

Realising she was being watched, Ashe glanced over at Basch. Instead of the usual reaction she’d given the perverted eyes of Balthier on many an occasion, a sly grin crept over her face and she turned away as if to hide her pleased response. This set Basch’s mind alive. Does she… want me? She never showed the slightest bit of pleasure when she discovered Balthier or Vaan watching her.

Embarrassed, he quickly went to the little fire to start cooking them some breakfast, making sure his eyes never strayed from his work. Knowing what had just happened in his mind was completely taboo, he banished any further thoughts of her. Desperately he tried to think of something else, anything. Staring hard into the fire, he thought he’d done it- his mind was blank for a few seconds before it invaded.

She is your charge!

No longer, she isn’t; we are nothing now. I am nothing. I am free to do as I wish, as is she.

She deserves better than you. This is ridiculous!

Her light footsteps approached but he kept his eyes strictly on the food he was preparing. Ashe sat down beside the fire and rung out her hair.

There was an awkward silence that made Basch want to burst. Where is Penelo’s morning song when you need it? They had a long hunt ahead of them and if he was going to succeed and make it worthwhile, he was going to have to get a grip on himself.

Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to look up at Ashe and pass her the now cooked food. The sight of her made him catch his breath. She had shed her armour and sat posed with her bare legs- glistening, wet and absolutely perfect- one over the other, her back arched as she ran her fingers through the tousles of her wet hair.

Oh Gods, I am a doomed fool.

A\N: if you read it I'd be greatful if you let me know your response please

The Coren Hunt: Chapter 3

2008-09-15T22:01:33Z

Title: Mishief & Trickery
Characters/ Pairings: BaschxAshe
Rating: K
Length: 1700
Summary: This chapter is to satisfy the BaschxAshe-crazy fangirl in me

The Coren Hunt

3. Mischief & Trickery
"Basch!"

The Coeurl he had just slain thudded to the ground and Basch turned to see why the Princess was scolding him. With a sudden urge to laugh he realised she was very close behind him. Her eyes were closed as if to calm and compose herself a moment.

He moved to a more respectful distance and put away his axe.

"If you keep darting in front of me like that your going to end up as sliced as that Coeurl!”

"My apologies, your Majesty," he replied, fighting to keep his face straight.

Ashe glared at him and they carried on walking through the Tchita Uplands, slightly in front of Basch as was her habit. "I'm serious, just because the others aren't around doesn't mean I'm any less capable, ok? Let me deal with a few foes myself."

They walked in silence for a while, Basch hoping his charge would forget her annoyance with him soon. He couldn't help being over-protective of her, it was instinctive. He still felt that as a woman of such stance, Ashe would prefer to have a man fight blood and guts rather than do it herself. He should give Ashe more credit, she was a warrior now and just as good a fighter as the rest of them.

Admittedly, Basch had worn himself out with fighting all day. The fiends here were stronger the further into the Uplands they travelled and he had tried to take on the bulk of them on his own. It had been hours since they'd let the Chocobos return to the Phon Coast and they hadn't stopped to rest since then. The air was slowly beginning to cool now, the sky awash with purple and red. The old and bandaged gash in the crook of Basch's arm hadn't healed yet and it felt hot and sore.

Eventually they reached a little stream and this was a clear sign as any that they should stop here for the night. In silence they took their fill of water and had a look around to find a safe place to rest. The ritual was so automatic by now that there was no need to discuss it, and the two felt that talking was not a necessity to take comfort in each others company. If he wasn't tired and the night so peaceful he might have missed the general noise of Vaan, Penelo and Balthier at this time of day. The grass looked lush and springy and though there were no trees here at the top of the valley there were many a boulder to take shelter behind.

Before he could set himself down, Ashe's voice carried over to him. She was watching the sunset over the high waterfall, her form bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun. "How old are you, Basch?" Another of her strange up-front questions she came up with when she was silent and thoughtful for too long.

"It's funny you should ask..." he said, thinking that he would not normally say what he was about to but it would help him avoid a direct answer. He calculated in his head, just to check. Ashe turned to him in expectation. "It's my birthday today, actually." If he'd gotten the date right.

Ashe's eyes widened and she immediately began to scold him, "You should have told me! Honestly, Basch-"

Basch laughed and interrupted her before she could go into a string of it. "I only just realised, Ashe, don't worry about it." She stared at him with an expression that made him desperately want to change the subject. "I haven't remembered my birthday for a few years, it seems."

Ashe's expression changed in an instance. Reverting her gaze to the ground and looking fairly anxious. Basch thought he knew what was gracing her thoughts. He didn't wish to cause her distress, so he rarely brought up his two years in prison in her vicinity. It was true that Basch had no way of keeping track of the days while he hung broken in that cage, but celebrating birthdays had been the last thing on his mind.

"Ashe," he approached her, wanting her to be annoyed with him again, anything to lift the expression she held now. As he brought up an arm to touch her shoulder she suddenly glanced up at him, a curious glint in her eye. Taking his outstretched hand in hers, she said, "well you'll remember this one".

She darted forwards pulling Basch into a run with her in a tight grip and with horror Basch realised what Ashe was doing a moment too late. Releasing Basch, Ashe sprinted toward the edge of the waterfall and leapt into the air. Panic darting through his veins, Basch was but a moment behind her, sick with worry and shock... yet feeling suddenly alive.

The edge came all to soon and he was flying, nothing but warm air around him. He caught a glimpse of treetops against an orange sky before his stomach seemed to vanish and he dropped like a stone into shockingly cold water that ripped at his senses.

Completely submerged he thrashed blindly for Ashe, preying she was allright- dreading the sight of her smashed and broken across the stones around the pool.

His hand caught flesh and his heart leapt in relief as her limb moved against his hand. She was alive, thank the Gods, thank the Gods. Oh he was going to kill her.

His head broke the water and he gasped, shaking his hair out of his eyes and grasping Ashe around the waist instead of her bare thigh. Their limbs entwined in the water as Basch held her upright. She was very close, her hair slick and her skin pale with goose bumps. As they both struggled to control their breathing, Ashe leant in a little too close to Basch. He was overcome with an urge to close what little distance remained and his pulse was alive with electricity. Ashe smiled at him, looking pleased. All thought of shouting fluttered from Basch's mind as he struggled to compose himself. Why must his charge be so damned beautiful?

They needed to get out of the water before he did something stupid.

His arms reluctantly released her and they swam a short distance to the banks of the lake. Basch hauled his soaking body out first and turned for Ashe. She refused his hand out of pride and tried to pull herself up alone- to no avail. He tried not to notice how her clothes clung to her body as he pulled her out by other means.

They both collapsed, panting on the bank, soaking and tired now the adrenaline was ebbing away. Finally, Basch found his voice. "Ashe, are you mad?" he said lowly, sitting up wearily and watching her in disbelief. "When you toy with death you toy with a Nation. Whatever came over you?"

Ashe sighed, rolled her eyes and sat up. "Oh, Basch... For just a moment can we forget about Ivalice and remember that I, too am a human being? I must make sacrifices for my people, I know only too well... But one can't grudge another merely for being human. Besides... you loved it... and you won't forget it." She shot him a mischevious smile and Basch was momentarily enchanted.

He knew it was best not to argue with her pathetic excuse so he merely shifted so that he sat up-right against a knarled tree stump and readied himself for the first watch, making sure he was uncomfortable enough not to fall asleep. Ashe chuckled and rose to her feet. "Oh no you don't, I'm taking first watch." She sat on a small bolder in front of him as Basch began to protest.

"Why must you be so disagreeable?" he said tiredly, shaking his head. "I'll wake you nearer morning and you can watch then."

Basch wondered what on earth had come over her today as he wrenched himself to his feet to fetch her pack and pull out the blanket for her. His arms felt maddeningly weak as he rummaged through the bag. By the time he had turned and made back toward her he realised something was wrong. He went down on one knee, not quite noticing when exactly and struggled to hold his head up. Ashe just smiled that mischievous smile she'd been flashing all evening. He realised what she'd done as her face faded from his mind.

"You bewitched... me..." he muttered before he slumped to the ground, saved by Ashe's slender arms. She gently laid him out more comfortably, pleased with her little trick with the sleep spell.

A tiny part of her did feel guilty about putting him through that little drama of hers after he'd worked so hard to look after her all day. Hopefully he would realise that this was how she was thanking him. The sun had set by now and the trees around her blocked out any light that the moon may have cast over them. Resisting the urge to just curl up next to Basch, she set to work and made a small fire. Basch was still wet and the hair on her head would turn icy cold if she didn't dry it soon.

Hours later, a curious shadow appeared at the top of the waterfall, seeming to gaze down on her where she sat with Basch. Ashe stopped her administrations to his damp hair in her lap and peered at the black shape. Why was it that in the dark her eyes played tricks on her?

Basch stirred in her lap and she blushed, cursing her current position. Quickly she whispered the spell again that would have him under for the rest of the night now. She'd have to take his watch as well but that was no problem. She was wide awake now... and the black outline against the stars had disappeared.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Thanks for reading! You got this far, why not leave a comment? ;) Click the 'cerobi secret' tag for previous chapters.

The Coren Hunt: Chapter 2

2008-09-07T19:49:17Z

Title: The Coren Hunt
Characters/ Pairings: Basch x Ashe & full cast for now
Rating: T
Length: 3300 words
Notes: Potential spoilers. (Phon Coast part of the game).
Summary: At the Phon Coast Basch and Ashe learn of a legendary hunt. If they suceed in slaying the mark, a rare and ancient life spell from the Gods will be passed on to the slayer. Will the Gods allow them to toy with death?

The Coren Hunt

2. A Stealthy Glimpse

A/N: Right, I'm sorry it took me so long to update this but the good news is that a lot of interesting ideas have popped into my head since the first chapter was posted. I have a plan: if this story recieves a lot of interest I have a big plot-twist up my sleeve to give it a lot more chapters. Otherwise it will probably be about 10 chapters long.
Also, I hope you don't mind an OC or two- they have the power to fuck things up quite nicely.
And finally say hello to Vaan/ Penelo who have weaved their way into the plot rather slyly. POV will switch about between chapters because, well, it's me.

I have to admit I do not like this chapter and I'm so glad it's out of the way so I can get on with the real story. Please bare with me! Lots of Basch/Ashe next chapter I promise!

-----------

Ashe stretched under the bed covers like a kitten, the soft moan in the back of her throat waking her up more completely. She blinked, having rolled over towards the window through which the morning sun shone brightly on her face. Squinting, she lifted the covers so that they stood propped between the window and her, but they only fell back to the bed.

She sighed and rolled over again- and froze.

Basch was in her bed. A sleeping, half-naked and barely-covered Basch fon Ronsenburg was in her bed.

Heat rose to her cheeks, her heart jumped in her chest and she suddenly felt quite hot...

Her mind kick-started into a whirl of thoughts and emotions. Why were they in bed together? Had they finally crossed the line? How had she even got into this bed? Had she been so drunk from a mere goblet of wine? Had he?

She took a deep breath to calm her thoughts and heart. Don't panic, Ashe, you've slept alongside this man many a night for months, sometimes under the same blankets. Why should being in a proper bed make it any different?

It was just the shock of it. Nothing more. Her heart would slow down in a moment... As long as he didn't wake up. She felt herself relax again. She wondered how he would react- probably jump straight out of bed and out of the hut, apologising on the way. He'd be damned if he reacted any other way.

She smiled, sitting back against her pillows. She couldn't help but gaze at his peaceful form. He was beautiful in a way that men rarely are without looking like boys. His form was godly and perfect despite the many marks that decorated his skin. She had seen his scars before, of course, during the countless times the groups had washed during their journey... but she had never stopped and looked at them properly. It was improper but she stole herself to look just this once. Ashelia B'Nargin Dalmasca always did have a rebellious streak in her.

And so she lay there for a long time while Basch slept beside her. She hadn't the heart to disturb him by getting out of the bed when she had never seen him look so deeply asleep. He deserved it, after all he did for her.

After a while Ashe noticed a shadow under the creak of the door to their cabin. Somebody was standing outside, trying to eavesdrop, maybe even spying.

Curious and slightly outraged, Ashe decided it was time to show her face and get some answers. Careful not to wake Basch she slid out of her side of the bed and crept into the middle of their little hut. She had no idea where her bag, armour and boots were but she was still wearing her travelling clothes. She hoped Fran or Penelo had taken her things into their care for her- it was something Basch would normally have done in the circumstances.

She cursed herself for falling asleep beside the fire. How embarrassing. Anyone could have done anything to her. Holding her breath, she slowly opened the door. It creaked loudly and she shot a glance at Basch. He was still fast asleep exactly how she'd left him.

It was bright and cool outside, the sun reflecting off the sand and the clouds. The moment she set her bare foot on the wooden balcony, Vaan jumped up from his seat beside the door and bounced in front of her.

"How did you sleep, Ashe?" he said, innocently. Penelo appeared at his side, a twinkle in her eye.

That explained everything. Ashe raised an eyebrow Balthier-style. "How dare you put me in a bed with Basch," she hissed a bit too calmly, not as angry as she should be. "What would people say if-"

"Oh come on, Ashe-" Vaan started in his loud and grating voice.

"Shh! Do not interrupt me! And do not mention this to Basch- how could you do this to him? He would be ashamed." Vaan bit his lip like a child in trouble. Annoying as he was, Ashe couldn't stand to be angry with him for long.

"Ashe, of course we weren't trying to shame you," Penelo whispered. "There weren't many spare cabins in the village and we thought you wouldn't mind..." she looked at her hopefully. Ashe rolled her eyes. Penelo was more romantic than she had realised. Vaan opened the door a crack and peaked into the cabin.

Ashe shook her head and descended the steps to the beach. "You two are rediculous." She headed off toward the spot they'd had their fire the night before, looking for her belongings. Penelo followed her tentatively.

"Vaan and I slept beside the fire," Penelo told her. "Basch tried to make us sleep in the cabin instead of him but we told him we weren't going to sleep, anyway... He was already in by the time Balthier and Fran took the cabin that was meant for you."

Ashe sighed. Penelo turned to her so she smiled to show she was thankful they'd looked after her and her belongings. "Come on, let's wash," she said taking her things Penelo handed to her.

The sand was burning under thier feet as the two girls looked for a private spot around the rocks near the shore. Some of the locals were up and about so they had to make sure they really were in a private spot.

"Where are you going?" Vaan ran up behind them, clueless.

"For Gods sake, Vaan," Penelo raised her eyes to the sky looking like she'd quite like to throttle him. "Every morning! Where do you think we're going?!"

Vaan suddenly looked sheepish. "Oh, sorry!" He grinned as he turned around and started walking back towards the village.

"One day I'm just going to pretend I didn't hear him and just strip off right there," Penelo seethed, wading into the sea and unravelling her hair.

Ashe glanced at her, sure she wasn't serious but then Penelo often did take her by surprise. They may have been brought up in the same time and city, but they lived in completely different worlds. At least they did- until now.

Ashe set her things down by the side of a rock pool, catching her reflection on the water. She looked thin still but a healthier colour now that she spent most of her days outdoor. She also noticed a happier glint in her eye and was glad of it.

The two girls washed in silence, the sound of the waves too refreshing to speak over. Ashe quickly changed into a thin dress she'd bought from the locals so that she could wash her clothes, then joined Penelo again in the water.

Penelo heard her wading towards her and spoke over her shoulder as she rung out her hair. "Hey Ashe? Would you mind grabbing my boots and things from the beach?" She sounded like she was up to something. Or maybe Ashe was just paranoid after the events of the morning. Penelo almost never asked her for favours and she was turned carefully aware from her in pretence of being discrete without her proper clothing on.

Would Ashe ever stop acting like the princess she once was? She disgusted herself.

Turning back towards the beach, Ashe stifled a laugh. There was Basch- conveniently positioned and still wearing little- wading out into the sea right in front of Penelo's boots. Vaan and Penelo are on a mission today, she thought. Maybe she should warn Basch about it, play along maybe and see how far they took it.

Ashe stopped. What was she thinking?

Carefully clearing her mind of all thoughts, Ashe kept her eyes away from Basch and his generous display of muscles and went to fetch the boots.

She passed him without eye contact but feeling his eyes on her. To her horror she felt heat creeping up her neck and pool in her cheeks. Suddenly awkward and thoroughly bothered by it, she knelt carefully to gather Penelo's clothes, plotting her murder all the while.

The boots were so big she had trouble picking up the dress and ended up dropping the lot and cursing silently. He was there in an instant, of course, gathering it all up. He would ask where she was taking them and would carry them there for her, she thought. She didn't know how long her eyes could resist him without him noticing her avoidance. Yet again, she wished he would look for more secluded places to wash in the mornings.

"Are you all right?" he asked her gruffly. Ashe wondered how many times he'd asked her this in it's various forms over the past few months. It was definitely getting old. Suddenly, Basch transferred all of Penelo’s clothes to one arm and used his free hand to touch the hair behind her ear. Ashe was stunned, but a part of her registered that she let him do it, and that the gesture made the world seem momentarily angelic.

"Butterfly," he said, withdrawing his hand with a smile. Something creamy-coloured fluttered before her eyes along with the realisation. Of course he wasn't being affectionate, just looking out for her as always, overdoing his job a little, but still just doing his job.

"Thank you," she said finding her voice at last. It was a little higher than usual. "I'll take those to Penelo."

Basch carefully loaded Penelo's things into her arms. Ashe felt something tug at the hem of her dress. She looked down to see Balthier's Moogle, Nono, jumping up and down beside her. "Kupo! Kupo, miss, Balthier would like to see you and-" he looked to Basch with a shy glance, "and your friends. He's over there." The little moogle pointed animatedly towards the beach at where Balthier and Fran sat lazing by the weapon shop. Ashe puffed out a breath. What was the point in worrying about her acting like a pampered Princess when Balthier was ordering Moogle's around like little slaves?

She felt Basch's eyes on her again. "Thank you, Nono," the little Moogle who beamed in response. "I'll be there in a moment."

"I will get Penelo, Kupo."

"No." The Moogle turned back to her, expectant and a little confused. "I'll get her. Have you had any sleep in the last few days, Nono?"

The little Moogle gaped at her. Ashe could see Basch watching her still from the corner of her eye. "You should speak to Balthier about going home for a break sometime, too."

There was a shocked silence. Ashe started back along the beach.

She heard footsteps catching up behind her. Basch of course. She kept walking but with a slower pace.

"That was... nice of you," he said. 'Unexpected' was probably the word he wanted to use. 'Unnecessary', maybe. When she didn't respond he said rather daringly, she thought, "Your efforts haven't gone unnoticed... though it is my belief that they are wasted. Once you regain the thrown you will need the authority you naturally have." Still, she didn't respond and she felt him tense at her side, not wishing to continue for fear of offending her.

She decided to relieve him with a smile. "There is nothing that you miss, is there? One could believe you had served by my side for years rather than months." Basch stared at the ground in silence, not sure what to say. She frowned and shook her head.

"No... that doesn't feel right anymore."

His head snapped up and she couldn't understand the expression in his eyes. Was it panic? Confusion? He looked like a dog that had been abandoned by its owner. Oh. She blushed.

"I mean, it doesn't feel right that I speak of you as my... as someone in my service." She was glad to see that slightly forlorn edge in his gaze now, but wished she had not spoken at all. This conversation could lead nowhere good.

She knew Basch wanted her to explain what she meant. "We're allies, equal now, are we not?" Basch's eyebrows rose. "So therefore I should address you as my friend." Nodding at this more fitting word for him, she felt his arm holding her back gently. She stopped walking and turned to face his serious expression as he leant toward her now.

"Your words touch me more than you could know, Your Highness," he spoke in a low and urgent voice. "But do not lose sight of who you really are- who you will be once our journey has come to an end." Swiftly he let go of her arm as though it burned him.

Ashe stared at him a moment. "How can I forget who I am? Basch, I am only trying to be an easier burden to bare on the way. I am only trying not to be another pain or hindrance to you and the others." She looked away from him to Penelo who was thankfully unaware of them.

"You are neither of those things." Basch took in a breath and his mood lightened in an instance. "Well- if you are sure- I would be honoured to be your friend as well as a Knight in your service." He beamed at her and gave a mocking bow as he carried on walking along the beach. The man had spent too much time around Vaan and Balthier, the hypocrite. What about forgetting his station?

"Wait-" It was her turn to catch his arm. She tried not to think about how rock hard it was, or how smooth. "Basch, I don't think we should tell the others about the true nature of the Hunt just yet. I... I fear they may not understand why I-" Why I should have the Rebirth spell, and no other, she thought. She changed track mid-sentence, "I fear that if we were captured by the enemy, they would pass on the knowledge to the wrong ears." It wasn't really a lie, but she felt guilty wanting them to keep secrets from the group.

Basch nodded as though he understood perfectly. "Then we will need to make sure the hunt can be carried out by two people alone... We cannot risk the beast being slain by other hands." He looked up at her. "What will we tell the others? The Cerobi Steppe could take days to reach even on Chocobo, then we must hunt the creature down across the plains."

Ashe pursed her lips. They would have to make the others believe she would be fine without the help of the full group, and that they wouldn't be missing out on anything important. Coming to a sudden conclusion she shrugged and said "We will say we have little time and many hunts to gain enough money to carry on to Archadia. Therefore we should split up and do several hunts at the same time."

Basch gnawed on his lip a moment before he replied. "As you wish." He caught Penelo's eye as she came into earshot of them and beckoned her over. Ashe leant in toward him urgently.

"Do not think of this as a disservice to them, Basch! I feel as uncomfortable about hiding this from them as you do." He cut her off with a warning glance and she silenced her guilty conscience.

"Put your mind at ease," he murmured.

Penelo beamed as she took her things from Ashe, eyes darting between the two of them. Ashe restrained a large sigh.

"Balthier wants us all on the beach," he told Penelo. "Are you ready to do a few hunts?"

Penelo's eyes lit up. Ashe admired her optimism with relief. "Ready as always!" she practically sang, leading them back along the beach.

A delicious smell of freshly baked bread caught Ashe's attention as they approached Balthier, Vaan and Fran at the ashes of last nights fire. Her stomach growled.

"Nono has informed us that the Strahl is in a bad state," he bristled and Ashe noticed how riled up he seemed to be. A vein was pulsing at his temple. Nono crept behind Fran in an attempt to hide. "The Archadians attacked while Nono tried to fly the ship to Nalbina for safe keeping. The enemy noticed and chased her all the way to the Salika Wood where Nono managed to lose them in the trees." He threw an annoyed glance at Ashe. "Fran and I need to go back and repair the damage so Nono can fly her back home to his family in Dalmasca".

The group then launched into plans of hunts and routes and timing and Ashe left them to it, wondering idly back to the shore.

The tide was sweet in her ears and she allowed to calm her thoughts and wash away the anxious fluttering in her stomach. She half wished they had a day or two to simply relax here at the Phon Coast and give their aches and pains a chance to heal.

She watched the locals go about their daily business for a while, envying their simple lives and lack of responsibility.

Basch was with Vaan and Penelo now. Vaan listened intently to whatever advice Basch was offering them. Suddenly, Basch sensed her watching and turned to return her gaze. Something fluttered in her stomach and she quickly averted her gaze, annoyed that her body should act that way. She knew she would regret her indulgence of the morning.

An awful cry erupted from the hut nearest to her and she jumped. Through the front door she caught a glimpse of a pale young man thrashing in his chair and screaming like a child before the door was slammed shut.

Disturbed, Ashe stared at the closed door a moment before she noticed two women making their way over to her. The shouting in the hut grew abruptly silent.

"Don't you worry about him," Jeynah said to her. She looked just as excited as she had by the fire the night before. "He has fallen ill of late. My Everose is going to find a way to make him better, though."

The young woman beside her nodded slowly. Her expression was unreadable but she stared rather rudely at Ashe through cold, grey eyes.

A warm hand came to rest on her shoulder. She recognised the leather gauntlet. Basch.

"Good morning, Jeynah," he said and Ashe turned her attention from Everose. She was pleased to see that Basch was fully clothed now. "We've decided to take on your Mark," he said. "We will be leaving shortly to do so and would welcome any last advice."

The old womans spirits visibly lifted. She clapped her hands together and exchanged a look with Everose before scurrying back to her hut and fetching two packages she'd obviously prepared for them. Thrusting them into their hands she launched into directions through the Tchita Uplands but Ashe was only pretending to listen.

Everose was staring at Basch with a deadly intense gaze that Ashe did not like one bit. What was with that girl? Animosity rose like bile in Ashe and she fought the urge to shove her face away and force her to look elsewhere.

Eventually Jeynah let Basch go to hire some chocobos, wishing them both luck and shaking their hands numerous times. Ashe returned to the rest of the group to wish them good luck and gather her pack and weapons.

And so they set out at midday, high attop their Chocobos with their spirits even higher. Brimful of confidence that was soon to be shattered.

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A/N: Ung I'm so tired, sorry that chapter got progressively lamer from the start but I am really tired and just want to get them on the god darn road already! Comments would totally make my day! (And pull my ego out of the drain...)

The Coren Hunt: Chapter 1

2008-06-10T11:28:42Z

Title: The Coren Hunt
Characters/ Pairings: Basch x Ashe & full cast in first couple of chapters
Rating: K+
Length: 2316 words
Notes: In-game
Summary: At the Phon Coast Basch and Ashe learn of a legendary hunt. If they suceed in slaying the mark, a rare and ancient life spell from the Gods will be passed on to the slayer. Will the Gods allow them to toy with death?

The Coren Hunt

1. Whisper by the Fireside
Basch leaned back on a sandy rock as he gazed out at the beautiful red sunset. Wispy clouds and rippling waves seemed to still as though in awe of the sky and it's slowly shifting colours. Mulled wine buzzed in his veins and he was filled with a rare feeling of contentment. Slowly he unravelled the tight bandage on his arm and relished the feel of cool breeze on a hot and throbbing wound. He would never tell her, but Ashe always bound his bandages too tight. Penelo was the preferred healer to all but Ashe often felt it her responsibility to heal injuries from blows originally aimed at her. Basch had learned not to protest with his rather stubborn charge.

The journey through the Mosphoran Highwaste had really tested their strength. More than once he had blocked perilous blows aimed at the princess and had received the deep gash in the crook of his arm as a result. Of course, Basch didn't mind that in the slightest, but it unnerved him how weak their weapons and defences seemed to be in this part of Ivalice. They would need to restock here at the Phon Coast. Once they caught up with their finances.

Ashe had recommended they rest at the Hunters Camp -- no doubt having been shaken by the fiends in the Necrohol of Nabudis. The group had agreed heartily, especially after Balthier's description of this little beach sanctuary.

Basch was glad to let Ashe and the others rest here a while. He himself had aching legs and blisters on his feet from their long walk. Not to mention the stiffness of his back from so many nights on the hard ground under the stars. He pulled off his sandals and let the cold sea water wash away his fatigue. His blisters stung but at least they would be cleaned.

Not normally was he granted such a gem of a moment... to just sit and gaze upon such beauty without a worry in the world...

Or so he allowed himself to think on this night.

He sighed, putting away his bandage and turning to check on the group sitting around the campfire. He seemed to have gained the knack of remembering to check on Ashe every now and again. She was constantly on his mind.

The scene was a typical one given the circumstance. A slightly drunken pair of teenagers causing rowdy mischief to the locals, egged on as usual by Balthier. Penelo was monkeying around on Vaan's back trying to snatch an object he'd probably pick-pocketed from her. Vaan threw whatever it was to Balthier who then found a red-cheeked Penelo chasing after him instead. Balthier ran off, cackling into the darkness beyond the firelight, Vaan hot in pursuit and grinning like an idiot.

Fran watched them from a distance with an amused smirk gracing her delicate features. Ashe may as well have been sitting by herself for all the notice she took of her companions.

She sat with her arms around her knees like a child, gazing at the flames with a faraway look. The others had long given up their attempts to involve her in anything trivial. Basch knew they understood that it was because Ashe had been brought up in a Royal Palace without much of a childhood. Penelo had gasped when she'd asked the rules of Hide and Seek. No doubt she had never received a single "tig" either. They knew she was not as distant and cold as she often appeared. Her heart was kind and she showed her friendship and appreciation in more subtle ways.

Basch sat down beside her on the driftwood. He was glad when she turned and smiled at him briefly. It felt like yesterday when he had sat beside her on a night like this and she had frozen stiff as though turned to ice, not to thaw for hours.

They were more comfortable in each others presence these days. Months of eating, sleeping and fighting alongside each other had softened their relationship and Basch felt more in sync with her. He was careful not to cross the line as always but he also knew that Ashe had come to like his company just as much as his protection.

Eventually Balthier, Vaan and Penelo gathered back around the fire to get some food. It was clear who had won the struggle -- Penelo had a very satisfied twinkle in her eyes as the other two fought to catch their breath. Basch suppressed a smile; he had taught Penelo a little "self-defence" trickery the night earlier so that she could catch the two out. Sure enough, she shot him a knowing look by way of thanks. Unfortunately this was caught by Balthier, who cocked his head at him and raised an eyebrow.

Basch chuckled as the silence was broken by the approach of an elderly local.

"So, will you lot be doing some hunting while you’re here, then?" she asked, sitting amongst them and adjusting her shawls.

Basch glanced at Ashe before speaking, looking for approval. She gave a tiny nod.

"Yes," he said. "Some of us plan on hunting over the following week’s though we have not yet spoken with any petitioners."

The old lady nodded slowly, eyeing the gory open wound on his arm. "Been biting off more than you can chew recently, have you? You ought to have that stitched up." She said, nodding at his arm.

"A- Aye," Basch faltered, remembering their cover story. They were to make out that they were hunters from Dalmasca who merely wanted a change of scenery.

She nodded, as if guessing this already from their accents or their clothing. Scrutinising the rest of the group she merely hummed once, and returned her gaze to Basch.

She left them to their food and returned a minute later with stitches for his arm. Fran turned away pointedly as the old lady took her place beside Basch and began to clean the area.

“Thank you, er-”

“Jeyn,” she said, keeping her eyes on the gash.

“Thank you Jeyn, I do not wish to cause you any trouble”.

She made a noise and shook her silver head. Her hands were delicate and she was careful not to hurt him.

A crash and a clank sounded and they all turned to witness Penelo inflating like a bomb. She was covered in her own stew that had been flipped over her and knocked her backward off her rock. Vaan and Balthier both blinked back tears of mirth as they hastily retreated, gobbling down the rest of their stew as fast as they could without choking.

Fran let out a rare laugh, clapping her hands together once as if this show was put on for her amusement.

"Poor girl," the old lady said. She scooped up Penelo's bowl and rinsed it out ready for when she came back for more.

"Watch and you'll see that she will hold her own," Ashe said fondly. Basch's heart soared as it always did to see such a rare display of sheer happiness on the Princess' face.

"Actually..." the old lady leaned closer to them, lowering her voice and putting down the ointment. “I would like to take this opportunity to speak with you privately. I may have some valuable information for your benefit."

Ashe's eyes widened. "Of course," she said.

The lady had a testy look in her eye. Basch began to worry whether this woman recognised their faces or suspected their true identities. Seeing the serious expression he must have held, she seemed to relax- finally having approved of something and completely baffling Basch.

"I want you to understand that I would not tell this story what I'm about to tell you to just anybody." Basch gave a respectful nod, curious. "I also want you to understand that what I will say is mere legend... though I, for one, believe it is truth."

Basch shifted and suppressed a sigh. This could be one of those nights. He was so tired... The old lady began stitching his arm, keeping her eyes on her work as she spoke.

"It is said that an Esper long ago was granted a powerful gift from the Gods. The gift was a spell like no other... a life spell of great value. It is said that the use of this spell when cast by a desperate mind can bring another back from the dead... within moments of death. It would not heal the dying, but it would heal the dead and bring them back."

Basch sat up; suddenly wide awake and eager to see where this story was going. She had said the information would benefit them so surely she must mean...

Smiling at him encouragingly, she backtracked. "Now, as far as we know, the Gods only allow one being to possess this ability in all of Ivalice at one time. It is passed down the line by bloody murder and in this way it has been possessed by creatures and races of many kinds. Man slew Esper, Monster slew man, Bangaa slew monster..." she rung off the deaths with her fingers. "You can see how the trace is lost over centuries. However..."

She glanced around at this, checking that only the four of them were in the vicinity still. Fran appeared not to be listening except for the tense stance of the ear closest to them.

"My late husband and I were travelling on the road through the Cerobi Steppe not a decade ago when we were ambushed by a mighty beast and it's off lings. Of course, Vynne and I were not what we used to be... We did not escape in time and my husband was crushed by a rock slide as the beast blocked our path..."

Ashe placed a hand on the old lady's arm as she bowed her head in grief at the memory. Taking a deep breath she brought her head back up and gazed at Basch.

"Forgive me... but you look somewhat like my husband. Vynne and I... I remembered the beast and the revenge I once sought for my husband’s death." She sniffed and composed herself. "The beast managed to create an explosion that brought down the roads banks upon my husband and me, we saw a curious thing. One of the Beast's off lings had gotten caught in the avalanche and killed. Oho, it was definitely dead. Completely crushed. And yet the mother merely stopped to gather a white mist and the off ling was up and about in no time.

"Of course, at that moment I was too busy trying to free my husband from under the rocks… But I often wonder what could have happened had I slain that Beast and claimed the spell for myself... Vynne would be by my side this very night, maybe."

She trailed off into silence. Basch looked to Ashe who looked back with clear interest. She addressed the old lady.

"Why then, if this spell is so rare and powerful, does the world not know about this? I take it you mean that this beast is still at large?"

"Ah, my child... You rush and do not think things through..."

Ashe did not look pleased at such a patronising comment, but bit back her retort at any rate.

"Had I ran around telling everyone with an ear to listen that this ability had resurfaced so near to Archadia... Well for one -- the Draklor Laboratory would have it in an instant. It is also not known of the rules of such a Life spell. I have read that casting such spells can drain the caster of life in turn. The Gods do not like those who defy Death.

"No... It is best kept secret. That way the man with the spell would not be hunted in turn himself."

"So this Beast is currently residing in the Cerobi Steppe if it still lives," Basch said. "Though you say the road is blocked... can we reach it on Chocobo?"

"Yes!" The old lady said, startling them both with her enthusiasm. "If you travel East through the Thectia Uplands you will reach a road still blocked with rocks and boulders. I believe there is a Chocobo track over the stones. Though you must take caution as you travel through the Cerobi. The fiends are said to be ferocious and plentiful."

Basch considered. They could certainly do with such a spell. They had closely avoided death far too many times on their journey so far and it would be a valuable ability for him should anything happen to his charge...

The old lady smiled and rose slowly to her feet. "Well, I'll let you two think on it." She winked, setting off towards her family gathered around another fire outside her hut. "Oh," she paused, looking back at them. "And you can count me as your petitioner. I want my husband avenged and I'm prepared to give you anything for it... so long as I have it to give of course." She winked and smiled again, hobbling away.

A scream and a splash sent Basch and Ashe running towards the shore in an instant. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, Basch saw Penelo's head bob up from a circle of moonlit ripples in the sea. She thrashed the water, shaking her loose hair out of her eyes.

"VAAN," she yelled as Balthier and Vaan rushed past them, bent double with laughter. “Get him, Basch!!”

Basch caught Vaan around the waste with his good arm and threw him over his shoulder, making for the sea.

Vaan's shouted protests were extinguished as he hit the water with an almighty splash. Basch scraped his hands together as the others laughed. Penelo gave him a thankful salute as Vaan rose to the surface, spluttering.

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Valley Of The Dead: Part Five

2008-06-09T20:56:23Z

Title: Valley Of The Dead: Chapter 5
Characters/ Pairings: Ashe/ Basch
Rating: 12/ K
Length: 1272 words
Notes: Last chapter! Bring on the climax, w00t.
Summary: Raithwall's Tomb part of the game. Basch is hit by the confuse spell and unleashes his deadly anger on the rest of the group. Only one person can bring him out of it. Ashe/ Basch+ full group and Vossler.

Valley Of The Dead: Chapter 5

Basch ran. The air that whipped the hair from his face was sterile and ancient. It blew away his weariness and gave oxygen to the fire that fuelled his heart and limbs. The sweat on his body seemed to chill, though his heart pumped hot blood and adrenaline furiously through his veins.

Basch took fore granted his ability to stay focused so sharply during times such as this. It was one of the reasons he became captain of his squad. The reason so many men had trusted him to bring them to their goal and back home to their family afterwards.

Today was a day he would not forget as long as he lived. Today was the day he let his guard down to the near ruin of Dalmasca… for the second time.

Vossler stood with his sword raised and ready over the still and fragile form of Ashelia Dalmasca on the golden floor of Raithwall's Tomb. It was in that critical moment of finding the missing Princess and yet finding her apparently slain by her own Knight and trusted friend that the confuse spell hit him squarely in the back.

He had been oblivious to the undead that surrounded them, eyes alert to nothing but finding his charge. The undead were slow fiends and the others could take care of them. Fran slew the last the moment it cast the curse on Basch, and collapsed alongside it in a faint. Balthier rushed to her side.

But Basch registered little more. It was as though his most recent nightmare came to life before his eyes. Vossler- how could he? Vossler was a true man, a good man... Basch couldn't think. He felt sick. His head spun and the world made no sense anymore. It may well have crumbled down around him as his heart crumbled in his chest while he tore his eyes away from Ashe.

Revenge screamed in his mind. Guilt would come later.

And with that, Basch Fon Ronsenburg was gone. In his place came a deadly Knight with nothing but murder in his heart.

It was easy. Simple. Physical. It was what he was made for. He felt as one with his sword as he released his wrath on the bastards that surrounded him. Vossler first.

He charged and his target turned to witness the attack. Basch felt a fresh wave of fury as Vossler blocked the blow and raised his own sword- threatening but not attacking. Basch stabbed at him and this time he pierced the shoulder of the his sword arm.

A rush of blonde hair- the girl had leapt on his back in an attempt to restrain him. A mere irritation that only angered him further. He thrust his sword into the boy who was attempting to wrestle the sword from him with his bare hands. This was no match for him. Where was the satisfaction he needed just for a moment to quieten the anguish of his being?

The boy cried out and fell as he was struck, clutching a wound in his side. The girl screamed in his ear words he didn't care to listen to. Growling he threw her off just as the Sky Pirate crashed into him.

Though he was merely knocked back and not injured, his mind whirled once again. He was light-headed and the strength he'd felt a moment ago seemed to drain away until he sagged slightly. Vossler and Balthier took their chance and pounced on him. Basch was thrown down and crushed beneath them, pinned to the ground with fury boiling inside him more than ever.

"NO! I must avenge her!" He gasped, struggling with all his might.

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In her spelled state of petrifaction, Ashe could do nothing to stop the scene that unfolded before her but watch in increasing despair. She cried silently for her friends as they were struck down. She could not see what had happened to Vaan she couldn’t help but imagine him in a horrific state. She could only hear his agony and Penelo's desperate cries for him to hold on.

Had she been too quick to trust Basch? Was this what he had planned all along? To massacre them in the depths of her ancestor's grave where nobody would find them for months, years?

Yet he'd had plenty of opportunity before now. As Penelo rushed to her side and fumbled through their bag of remedies for a Golden Needle, Ashe began to anger. She cursed Vossler silently for his good heart that trusted too quickly.

And yet...

She had caught the look in Basch's eye. He did not seem himself. And then she heard him yell: "NO! I must avenge her!"

Her heart burned and she would have gasped had the spell allowed her. Suddenly understanding, she urged her muscles to move, to show Basch that she was not dead. She must bring him out of this insanity before he killed them all.

Just as Ashe thought Penelo had given up, the girl released the Esuna spell over her and she cherished the return of her body… but only for a second. She must end this. Quickly.

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With an almighty wrench Basch threw off Balthier and rolled Vossler over bodily so that it was him that pinned the other down. His sword was snatched away but Basch had already head-butted Vossler so that the other mans head hit the stone hard. The man went limp underneath him and Basch rushed to his feet, searching for the other.

He and the girl were bent over the boy and his charge. Though they did not seem to be harming her, Basch still wanted them away from her. Sword forgotten he hurtled toward Balthier.

What happened next threw him completely off-guard.

The Princess rushed toward him in an instant, stumbling up against him. Basch felt utterly confused as her beautiful face leaned close and her smooth lips touched his desperately.

His heart beat like the wings of dragon. He was too taken aback to react. He thought that he must have lost his sanity, but how could he care when her lips were so soft, her taste so sweet? Her smell so...

He did not know what was happening anymore, all he knew was that he could not help but respond. He let her lips part his and joined the kiss passionately, sinking into the serenity of her embrace. His arms curled around her waist and his fingers tangled through her soft hair.

This had to be a dream, it was too perfect and yet it was forbidden. It was wrong...

"Basch..." Ashe whispered against his lips. He did not want to kiss to end. Now he had her, he never wanted to let her go. She pulled back slowly in his arms.

"Basch."

He opened his eyes to the full devastation of what he'd done.

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-fin-

Thanks to stormbornxxii for your help and thanks so much to those who commented and reviewed. I'm writing a new story about Basch and Ashe and the new chapter of that will be up very soon :D

Valley Of The Dead: Part 4

2008-04-06T20:51:28Z

I wanted to make this the last chapter but it got a bit long and it's been a while since I posted the last chapter so here is the next installment! Please let me know what you think XD

Title: Valley Of The Dead: Part 4
Characters/ Pairings: Full Cast. BaschxAshe.
Rating: Generally T-ish
Length: 1636 words
Summary: As Basch recovers from a near-fatal head injury in Raithwall's Tomb, a certain member of the group goes missing.

Valley of the Dead: Chapter 4

Basch felt as though the world swayed below him. With an enormous effort he pulled up from that smothered him and opened his heavy lids. The sight that met his eyes was so beautiful that for a moment he forgot to breath. Ashelia held her face close, smiling expectantly and looking every bit the angel. Basch felt then that he looked upon the most beautiful and precious woman in all of Ivalice. This vision of perfection was flawed slightly by the blood on her cheeks and the old belief that he didn’t deserve to go to heaven- he’d killed too many men on the battle field.

Her hand gently released his head and it fell back briefly before he caught it. He felt horribly weary- a feeling that often terrified him to the core. On the contrary, Basch felt unusually safe, dazed and dream-like… except for the sharp ache at the back of his head.

He reached up a hand to wipe the red blood from Ashe’s tear-stained cheek. Her skin was soft and warm. Basch suddenly felt embarrassed at his open display of compassion. He tried to get a grip on himself but his thoughts were scattered from the blow. "Are you well, princess?" he asked, his voice not nearly as gruff as he would have liked.

She rolled her eyes slightly and her angelic smile turned into a smirk worthy of Balthier. "Of course." She moved away from him to a more respectable distance. "You make a soft landing." The smile fell from her face a second later- leaving her looking quite sickened. Her voice deepened as she became somber. "I thank you… "She looked like she wanted to say more, but couldn’t quite find the words.

The memory of their fall swam to the surface in his mind as Ashe stood up. He must have hit his head and fallen unconscious. To put off the moment when he’d have to try and stand up respectably, Basch took in his surroundings. He was sitting in an island of red. The sight of so much blood alerted him, sending adrenaline through his veins and putting his thoughts into sharper focus.

A metal hand gripped the crook of his arm, offering to help him stand. "It’s all yours, Basch. We’re not hurt." Vossler. Relief washed over him and he let his old comrade pull most of his weight as he got to his feet, staggering a little. He felt light-headed and heavy-limbed.

Penelo appeared at his side looking sympathetic. "You had a cracked skull but Vossler managed to heal it," she handed him a canteen of water and joined Vossler as he made his way back up the steps. "Shouldn’t we rest a moment before we go on? We don’t know what awaits…"

Basch could listen to no more. The others were already following Vossler and only Ashe remained at his side. Shelving his pride with shame and reluctance he gave in to his body and sank back to the ground. He could face nothing at this moment. Let us rest… let us rest…
--

Something stirred inside Ashe- sadness? Pity? Anxiety? Yes- it was a mixture of those and much more, it was something she had felt only a taste of before- it was love. She knew it now. It was an ache in her chest, an obsessive need, an intoxicating rush through her veins that rendered her unable to think rationally. It was the force that gave someone the power to utterly break you without even raising a sword.

--

His body rested, but his shaken mind did not. His sleep-controlled imagination was addled with confused images of his friends and old enemies long passed. They fought on the golden tiles now tinged with pools and flecks of scarlet. Nothing made sense- his dreams weaved into one big blurry rampaging battle field where friend fought friend alike and betrayal broke hearts and allies around him.

He knew, in the depths of his being, that he was asleep- that he had suffered a severe head injury and this was his reward- but still instinct urged him to get up and help them. He was a Knight of Dalmasca, sitting in shame on the bloodied earth like a new recruit who was out of his depth. He was stronger than this! But he couldn’t move fast enough- he was spent. Useless. His own body had betrayed him yet again.

Vossler leapt into view possessed with the raw animal ferocity that Basch had come to recognise well from battles spent at his side. He dreaded seeing which doomed soul Vossler was so focused on… and at this thought his mind conjured an image of Balthier, guns forgotten, thrashing at Vossler with Basch’s own sword, his face unrecognisable with eyes filled with alien rage and concentration. Basch wanted to yell a warning to Balthier. The fool was no match for him!

Vossler prepared a feinting attack Basch knew had never failed him and he panicked. He wrenched himself forward and lunged for Vossler, to knock him down, anything. His attempt was not enough- Vossler merely dodged aside and brought down his sword on Bal- no, Balthier was no longer in sight, Vossler’s sword fell as if in slow motion down to shatter Ashelia. An undefended, terrified and utterly vulnerable Ashelia.

Basch roared.

And woke himself up. His shout carried on long after he’d stopped- it echoed around the otherwise silent hall- startling the others.

After that he vowed to stay awake as long as he could endure it.

--

Their footsteps unsettled the ancient dust and grime as they descended the first flight of stairs. The group was wary- Basch noticed how they shot side-long glances at him, though they tried to be discreet.

He could do little to stop his stumbles on the steps and more than once he’d had to grasp the banister for fear of toppling into the others and into the depths of the temple below. He refused offers of more rest though- he had already held them up and would not become a burden. There was little time before the Imperials would arrive to reclaim the princess.

A sharp prick sent a hot sensation through the skin at his throat and he turned to witness a white bats wings retreating in a flurry. He made to draw his heavy sword but was stilled by a light touch at his arm and a knowing look from its owner. Ashe hold him back as Fran shot at the bats with her bow.

Basch didn’t protest as the others insisted that he held back from fighting. It was all he could do to keep his eyes open and not succumb to the blackness that clawed at him from the shadows.

He found himself at the rear of the group with Ashe, paying little attention to his surroundings as they wove deeper into the maze of the tomb. He put his faith in Balthier, Vaan and Penelo who lead the group and took the bulk of the foes with the occasional arrow and healing spell from Fran.

Another light touch to his arm sparked his awareness and he turned, expecting the slender white hand of before. The hand was grey, rotted and the flesh stripped in places to expose human bones. He stumbled backwards away from the zombie instinctively, retching slightly. No man could stomach the stench of its skin, or the pure horror of its dead and hollow face so close.

His breath began to come in sharp gasps.

"The Lady Ashe, Ashe- where is Ashe?!"
The last thought he shouted aloud, drawing his sword against the oncoming undead. There were several now, rising hunch- backed from the stone as though from a long-settled grave.

The others sprinted back to him, shouting and frantically searching for Ashe as though she might be hiding behind a torch. Fire born of fright and fear for his post sent Basch hurtling back along the corridor they’d come, beaten only by Vossler who was already out of sight.

--

Ashe had long slain the undead that crept up silently behind the group. True: she had given her focus to the uncharacteristically apathetic Knight that marched wearily before her, and she hadn’t given much thought to the spell that had been cast on her with apparently little effect.

She’d been a fool to overlook the symptoms. As the group slowly but steadily progressed, her body had ached and became stiff and cold. She did not shiver and her arms felt too heavy to hug herself warm. Each passing minute she had felt the hairs on her arms stand more and more erect at the slightest hint of a threat.

A gunshot broke the eerie silence as Balthier shot at foes in the next room. A fresh wave of fear wracked her- more ferociously than the last, making her gasp. In that unexplainable moment she finally realised what was happening to her.

By then it was too late. She went down hard on one knee, trying to scream in her effort to pull her leaden body upright again, but no sound left her lips but a gush of air. As terror crept up her cold spine to claim her, the weight of her limbs dragged her to the stone floor.

The waiting was the worst part. Her terror was complete and shattering. Her mind screamed but her body would not. She willed her mouth to move, wrenched herself fruitlessly. It was no use. Her thoughts began to fade, freezing over despite her determination to cling on to it. She was completely and utterly petrified.

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-One more chapter to go! I hope you like the climax XD I'll try and get it posted asap because there are parts of this that tie in tightly with this chapter. I can't wait to move onto something longer and more planned out!
- Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy XII, it's characters, settings etc. My stories are completely fictional.
-Please comment! I really want constructive criticism and feedback!

Valley Of The Dead: Part Three

2008-03-11T12:35:01Z

Title: Valley of the Dead: Chapter 3
Characters/ Pairings: Ashe/ Basch. Full cast + Vossler.
Rating: T
Length: 1312
Notes: In-game so no ending spoilers and chapter's can be read as one-offs.
Summary: Things get off to a very bad start as the group take on Raithwall's Tomb. Ashe fears that Basch's selfless loyalty will cost him his life. Some violence.

Valley of the Dead: Chapter 3

A great cracking and crumbling sounded behind Basch as soon as his foot touched the bridge at the rear of the group. Everyone swung round towards the source as one, weapons at the ready and nerves on edge.

The great statue at the start of the bridge appeared to come to life before them, ripping itself from the golden stone it was carved to. It's many legs clawed at the bridge, inching itself slowly but surely towards them.

"Fight or run? Better decide fast!" Vaan yelled from the front.

"To the door, Vaan!" Basch shouted, sending the group running along the bridge. They hurtled through the gigantic double doors only to stagger to a halt, staring at the same view they saw if they looked behind them.

Only the Knights kept their pace, swords raised. "We'll have to fight this one!" Vossler roared over his shoulder. "Destroy it before it can flatten us!"

Their footsteps echoed loudly around the great hall as they sprinted across the bridge to the second Demon Wall, already a good way across the long bridge. Basch reached it first and drove his great sword into the creature with all his strength. The rock of it was easier to penetrate than he had thought from appearance, he almost fell into the creature.

The others began hacking at it's many clawing legs, not having weapons large enough to deal enough damage to the rest of it. Penelo danced aggressively with her daggers. Her strikes were perfect and accurate, slicing leg after leg to the ground. Ashe fought beside Basch and Vossler, aiming for the creatures arms and neck with their long swords.

It was difficult, they had to keep moving slowly back up the bridge to avoid being crushed and the creature clawed at them continuously, it's claws strong and razor sharp. Vossler was knocked forcefully into Vaan and Penelo and Fran was gashed down her leg.

Another great arm swung towards Vossler, who ducked instinctively. Instead it caught up Ashe and tossed her into the air. Basch threw himself in her path, thinking to stop her being cast over the bridge and into the void, but she hit with such force he was knocked off his feet and thrown over the edge with her.

The fall wasn’t as far as the darkness had suggested, they slammed into the ground within seconds. Having fallen backwards with Ashe pinning him down, Basch had no way of breaking his fall. His back struck rock a split second before his head slammed onto the stone with a sickening thud.

The last thing he saw before darkness overwhelmed him was Ashe, safe and unbroken in his arms.

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Ashe had screamed as she’d fallen but it was nothing like the raw piercing sound that escaped her now. She was surrounded by blood, it seeped out from under them at an alarming rate. Basch did not stir underneath her. Panic clawed at her insides as her Knight didn’t respond at the sound of such distress. She could hear the others still fighting the Demon Wall above her.
Trembling, she shifted her weight off him so she would not make his injuries worse. Her mind stalled in her terror as she knelt instead beside him. She was blinded by the realization that Basch was not invincible- that he was just as breakable as her.

She picked him up gingerly and held him to her chest. Stupid, impulsive, but she didn’t want to lose him. Her hand supporting his head met hot, sticky hair and came away trembling, drenched in red.

She felt the soft brush of warm air at her neck and hope flickered inside her. She couldn’t lay him back down on a cracked skull and she couldn’t lift him. All she could do was yell for Vossler, for Fran, for the Gods, anyone.

The Demon Wall screeched above her and she could hear the others sprinting along to the end of the bridge, and down the steps towards her. Penelo stopped short of them, hand over her mouth. Vossler dropped to his knees in front of her. Ashe realized her face was wet and brushed at her cheeks before she remembered her hands were covered in blood.

“Don’t panic“, Vossler said roughly, examining Basch’s head. “Head wounds bleed much more than normal ones.”

Don’t panic? Don’t panic?! Ashe thought wildly. We can hardly scoop all this blood and pour it back into him! She forced herself to take a deep breath.

“Everyone get your healing spells ready, fast!” Vossler ordered. Ashe looked around thinking of Ethers. “No- your majesty- just hold him up for me. He is in better light where you hold him. Apply pressure here.” He moved her hand on Basch’s head and began to examine the wound. Ashe was glad she couldn’t see the gory details.

As the others raised their arms and gathered their magick’s, Vossler said, “It is as I thought, he’s cracked his skull but it’s not fatal if he has not been drained of blood. The healing spells should work… if they fail we‘ll carry him to the gate crystal and return to Rabanastre. There is no doctor in the Resistance, but there are those who have dealt with injuries such as this.” Ashe watched his face to assess how bad the situation really was, but he seemed to be speaking honestly. Concentration was in his eyes as he worked, cleaning the wound. Holding Basch close and supporting his head, she felt better to feel him warm and breathing softly. His golden eyelashes flickered once and she wondered if he was dreaming, or if he knew his life was leaking down his back and over her arms to the ground. She clutched him tighter.

A ball of green light rushed over Basch from Penelo, followed by more of different hue from the others. Vossler applied some sort of remedy to the wound. As the silence began to stretch and Vossler pulled back blankly from the wound, panic flared in Ashe again. “Why is he not waking up? Has it not worked?”

Vossler gave her a small smile, “It is healed, though he may not wake up straight away. That was a big shock and his body is coping with it.” Ashe saw the others relax around her, sheath their weapons and wipe sweat from their brows.

“Thank the Gods for that,” Balthier said. “No offense but we wouldn’t last five minutes in this place without our slightly suicidal Captain here.” His face was still a little shaken to pull of his smirk. Ashe shot him a disgusted look.

“We ought to find a proper healer we can count on back at the Resistance for in case Ashe or Basch get injured like this again.” Vaan said. “We can’t have them being held in hospital by Imperials, and we can‘t turn up at the door of the Resistance and expect them to drop everything and save a King-slayer… ”

Vossler simply nodded. “We should wake him. He may have a concussion.”

Ashe slackened her hold on Basch, slightly apprehensive because of the last time she’d woken him up. Vossler chuckled darkly, seeming to read her mind and taking away Basch’s sword. “I doubt he’ll have the energy, Ashe.”

The others pulled out water and potions and tended to their own injuries. Ashe blushed, realizing Basch would wake up in her arms, possibly wondering how he’d gotten there.

Repressing a smile, she put her lips to his ear and whispered his name.

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- Getting better, no? Well I actually had a rough plan before I wrote this one, which probably helped a lot *headdesk* Comments highly appreciated!

Valley Of The Dead: Part Two

2008-03-07T23:28:49Z

Title: Valley Of The Dead (Chapter 2/?)
Characters/ Pairings: Ashe/Basch (+full cast & Vossler)
Rating: T
Length: 1385
Summary: As the group travel to Raithwall's tomb, Ashe and Basch begin to realise their feelings for eachother. In-Game so no spoilers. Ashe / Basch centered. Read and review please!

(Chapter One here)

Chapter Two

"Basch?" Ashe gently shook his shoulder.

Suddenly, Basch's eyes snapped open and his sword was at her neck in an instant. She flinched, but then she saw recognition soften his eyes and he lowered his arm, panting slightly and passing a hand over his eyes. "I'm sorry, your Highness... you startled me."

They were silent for a moment, listening to their heartbeats return to normal. She studied him in the twilight, Basch's eyes were distant as he remembered the nightmare he'd just had. She wondered what it had been about, he had said her name in anguish as she approached him. Ashe hadn't known him well enough to understand the expression on his face. Was it fear?

"A dream, Captain?"

"Aye." The man was more reserved than she remembered. Thinking back, she couldn't remember her father's most trusted knight ever being one likely to speak unless asked a question or giving advice to her father.

She took a deep breath. "It is going to be very cold soon, you should join the others to keep warm." As he began to rise she added, "But I want to speak with you first."

He sat back again, seeming wary. Ashe looked guiltily at her hands and sat down on the stone-cold sand in front of him.

"I owe you an apol-"

"No-" he interrupted, "you don't owe me anything."

Ashe looked up to glare at him. "Do not interrupt me," she snapped- her natural reaction. She closed her eyes, sighed and looked back at her hands. "Please," and she was glad to hear her tone had softened again. "Let me finish."

Basch said nothing so she began again. "I owe you an apology. I should not have doubted your honesty once I learned of the true events the night Dalmasca fell." She paused, looked at his face with what she hoped was an apologetic expression. She did not like to admit she'd been wrong about anything.

"You were always so highly valued by my father, and I should not be so quick to dismiss all that you have done for my family... For my country." Hesitantly, she put a hand on his arm in a gesture of gratitude. Basch looked away from her eyes to the ground between them. Of course, she realized, he has not had anyone touch him this way in a very long time. The thought made her feel sad and sick to the core. The God's had not favored them these last few years.

She took back her arm. He looked up at her with a haunted expression. "Thank you," was all he said. She nodded once, understanding the things he left unsaid.

Vaan's voice carried over to them from where the others sat gathered around the fire. Ashe tapped Basch's arm and said in a forcefully lighter voice, "Come, let us forget our sorrows for now. Balthier has left you some of his soup." She smiled, handing him his sword as he stood so he could finally sheath it. It had been hours since they'd killed the Garuda and Basch had fallen asleep in exhaustion. The group had found a spring of water near the entrance to Raithwall's tomb, and gathered firewood, and a few herbs and meat for Balthier to make some soup whilst they let him sleep.

"We won't need anyone on watch here," Vaan was saying heatedly as Basch and Ashe sat down near the fire. "By the look of it, that Garuda's been here for centuries, those Urutan Yensa are not stupid enough to come anywhere near the tomb."

Penelo hugged her blanket closer to her as she argued with him. "Someone will need to keep the fire going anyway or we'll all freeze in our sleep."

Vaan crossed his arms. Ashe knew he was only arguing because it was his turn to take a watch. "We can lay together to keep warm-"

"It's all right, Vaan," Basch spoke up, his low voice steady and reassuring. "You have let me sleep too long, I will not need much more. I can take two or three watches."

"I can take one, I'm not tired either," Ashe lied. In reality her body ached with fatigue from their long day, but her mind was alert enough to keep her awake an extra few hours.

"And I will take the morning watch," Fran said in a tone of finality.

After that, the group pulled out their blankets and extra clothing and settled around the fire, talking quietly to one another before they fell asleep one by one. Ashe made herself comfortable for her watch, sitting away from the fire so that she didn't become blinded by it's light. The air was still warm around her as the sun had not long been set. After a while she decided to find a piece of wood to sit on and keep her too uncomfortable to fall asleep. Just as she rose and started back toward the fire and it's pile of firewood, she noticed Basch sitting up, apparently refusing to sleep.

Ashe stopped, put her hands on her hips, smiling slightly at him, still trying to befriend him. She opened her mouth to tell him to go to sleep- that she doubted any attacks tonight. Before she could, he opened his blanket to her without a word, inviting her to sit by him and share his warmth.

Surprised, Ashe suppressed a real smile as she went to join him. She was forgiven for being so cold and suspicious of him these last few days. Basch's face remained expressionless as she sat close beside him on the sand. His arm brushed her neck as he let his blanket fall over her shoulders. She was shocked to feel the skin tingle at his touch. She shivered but he didn't seem to notice.

He was much warmer than her. She could feel the heat of his body through the cotton of her own blanket. Warmer than the fire before them.

They sat comfortably in silence for a time. Watching the fire, watching their companions sleep. Never speaking.

Penelo was curled like a cat close to Vaan who lay sprawled in contrast. Ashe suppressed a chuckle when her eyes found Vossler. He sat furthest away from the group, propped up against a pillar, arms crossed loosely over the sword unsheathed in his lap, a slight frown on his face even in sleep. So typical of him...

She sighed and let her mind drift.

Warm skin touched her arm and she turned to look at Basch. He was watching her intensely, the fire reflected in his eyes. Her breath caught in her throat as his hand moved to her neck with the softest of touches. She tilted her head up invitingly and he closed his eyes slowly. She brushed his soft lips with hers-

Her head snapped up from where it had come to rest on his shoulder. "Oh!" she breathed and felt heat blossom in her cheeks.

"My Lady?" Basch whispered urgently from beside her.

Ashe attempted to clear her head with a small shake. "I... fell asleep," she murmured back. "I'm sorry," she added. The image of Basch so close lingered in her mind, too vivid to shake away. The feel of Basch's lips on hers had felt so real...

"You should get some sleep," he rumbled, pulling the blanket off himself and letting it fall over her. "It is almost my watch now." She nodded and rose to her feet, her head still dazed slightly. She took off his blanket and draped it back over him, letting her hand linger on his shoulder longer than was necessary. "Goodnight, Basch."

She lay down not far from him, closer to the fire and closed her eyes wearily.

"Sleep well, Princess."

And she did, dreaming of his face, inches from her own, with that intense and fiery look in his eyes and hair as gold as the sand beneath them.

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Thanks for reading! Please comment! And feel free to friend for updates and to see past fics :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy XII, it's characters, settings etc. My stories are completely fictional.

Fic #2: Valley Of The Dead. Part One

2008-03-05T00:30:45Z

Title: Valley Of The Dead. (Part 1/?)
Characters/ Pairings: Basch/ Ashe. Full cast + Vossler.
Rating: T
Length: 539
Notes: In-Game so no spoilers
Summary: An exhausted Basch falls asleep outside Raitwalls Tomb, and is haunted by his worst fears. First Chapter. Basch-centred.

Valley Of The Dead: Part One

With the torturing sun beating down on their backs, the entrance to Raithwalls tomb was like a colossal furnace, intent on driving them insane with it's heat. Basch's skin prickled and he fought to control his rasping breath as beads of sweat trickled down his body.

Vossler slid down the pillar beside him, chest heaving under his armour, hands reaching for the water he carried.

The others thought this an inviting idea. They stumbled towards the teasingly inviting shade of the cliff edge and threw themselves onto mercifully cool sand. Vaan actually groaned and stretched out his arms as if to hug the ground.

Basch’s head swam as he sat down dizzily and his back struck rock. It was high time for a rest. The Sandseas were far enough to cross on foot without the unbearable heat, constant stream of foes to slay and Garuda the undead dragon to welcome them enthusiastically here at the Valley of the Dead.

The poor princess had gone from white to red over the last hour or so and didn't look like she could even lift an arm let alone cast a spell to relieve herself.

In fact, Basch could barely gather the energy to raise his own weary, bruised arm. But lift it he did, and slowly summoned the power to cast Cura as Fran cast a spell Basch didn't’t recognize. A shower of icy droplets cascaded blissfully down upon them for a short moment. Balthier swigged the potion.

A light, swirling wind lifted the hair from his neck, cooling him further. He sighed and let his eyelids close before he could stop himself.

Dimly he registered Balthier’s voice. “Poor man’s worn himself out. Of course, it would help if he slept during the night like everybody else, for a change.”

And exhaustion rolled over him like a smothering cloud on the breeze.

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He struggled at the hands that pinned his own behind his back. Thrashed and snarled in panic and desperation. His efforts wasted, his Armour weighing him down, strength ebbing away from his limbs.

“Captain- our King… What have you done?”

Basch froze.

He knew the words, thought the voice was not amongst those that had haunted his endless night in Nalbina.

He lifted his head sharply. Vaan- eyes wide and disbelieving- snaked to the ground clutching his side.

A growl ripped at his throat, dread pounded his heart as he thrashed against his captors with renewed vigor.

A flash of white hair-

He stilled, staring in horror at his King’s thrown.

Ashe-

Her head rested on her blood-drenched shoulder. Her dead eyes gazed unseeingly at the blue carpet beside him.

An eruption of raw emotion took place in his chest. He could not breath. He could not see.

Ashe- my Queen-

Mist shrouded around her where she sat sprawled, animating her sickeningly. Her eyes suddenly focused, unblinking. Her head turned slowly towards him.

“Basch. My Knight, my Guardian,” she spoke in a far away voice that seemed to come from all around him.

“What have you done? My Captain… my Captain…” she trailed off.

“Basch?” she whispered.

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- Please Comment! -

Notes:
- Thanks for reading :D Next part soon.
- Entries are friends-locked after a few days so you must friend this journal to read past fics.
- Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy XII, it's characters, settings etc. My stories are completely fictional.
-Please comment! Constructive criticism welcome, this is only my second fic ever and I don't write much.

Practice Fic lol

2008-03-02T18:56:19Z

Title: The Grass Is Always Greener On The Other Side
Characters/ Pairings: Vaan/Penelo, Larsa, Basch + rest of cast
Rating: K+/ PG
Length: 2349
Notes: This is my first fic ever. Reviews highly appreciated :)
Summary: Vaan is bitten by a snake in Ozmone Plain and has a severe allergic reaction. Larsa's point of view.

The Grass Is Always Greener On The Other Side

The air in Ozmone Plain was heavier and wetter than Larsa was used to in the grand heights of Archades or Bhujerba. It was a small price to pay for the secret elation he felt in his current situation. Surrounded by a small group of the most unlikely combination of characters.

With them he felt so free, unwatched and full of anticipation for the road ahead and it’s adventures. He was by no means ungrateful for the position life had given him as a son of the Empire, but he often wandered what it would be like if his family were that of the usual in Ivalice, if he was a child with nothing more expected of him but to play nicely with his friends. He was swiftly becoming a man, after all, and beginning to realize all he had missed.

He sensed that the others had let down most of their prejudices against him, and he had gained their trust. So he relaxed and listened to the friendly banter of Vaan and Penelo.

“I am not going anywhere near Vaan if he so much as lifts a giantsword,” Penelo was saying.

“Hey! At least I could lift one. No wonder you prefer daggers-” he scoffed.

“Well Basch isn’t about to let any one of us within a square inch of that sword, so you are wasting your breath,” Larsa intervened, amused.

Vaan and Penelo’s discussion about who should be allocated which new weapon had been becoming more like bickering as the evening went on. Jahara and it’s weapon store was miles behind them now.

“That’s right,” a gruff but amused voice said behind them. “I will teach you in time to wield a great sword if you wish it, but at present you are not trained and it would be a safety hazard to us all.” The corners of his lips twitched upwards at that.

Penelo changed tack. “Yeah, Vaan, don’t think I haven’t noticed how you hide behind Basch as soon as a brown chocobo so much as glares at you.”

Larsa knew she was really talking about herself there.

Vaan resigned with a sigh, “I’m cool with the axe, it’s pretty lethal.” He pulled it out and took a swing at the air. Ashe stopped dead in her tracks behind him. Balthier snickered.

“Mind what your doing, Vaan. The bounty on our heads is large enough without slaying our future Queen as well,” he said with a glance at Basch.

“Here,” Basch reached out for the axe. “Hold it like this,” he said and demonstrated a proper swing. It looked impressive to Larsa, who had only been trained with a sword.

“I got it, I got it…” Vaan exclaimed, slightly abashed and taking back the axe.

“Say, Vaan, here comes a Python,” Penelo gazed over the plain at a large green snake slithering through the grass. “Why don’t you take care of it instead of Basch for a change?”

Vaan shot her a look Larsa couldn't’t read. Penelo looked back innocently, but also a little smug. Larsa knew she was being unfair- they normally fought in groups, but he was too occupied deciphering their silent communication to offer him help.

So Vaan rolled his eyes, sighed again in exasperation and ran towards the snake.

Penelo gasped. “No! Vaan I didn't’t mean it! I was only teasing!” She panicked, gathering her own weapons.

“Penelo?”

“He’s allergic to snake venom! It affects him worse than other people!” Balthier groaned and they all ran after him.

Larsa drew his sword as he reached Vaan and the snake. It was dodging his attacks and lashing at him with it’s tail.

“Vaan, what are you doing you’ll get hurt!” Penelo shouted at him. This only distracted Vaan enough to being on the receiving end of a heavy blow in the stomach from the colossal tail of the snake.

A gun sounded along with the twang of a bow from Balthier and Fran. Ashe stood with them, searching the bags they’d dropped. Basch and Larsa began to attack the snake as Vaan bent double, winded and Penelo rushed to his side.

The snake writhed, evading their every attack. Bullets and arrows were no use, the great sword too slow.

Larsa thrust his sword gracefully as it’s head whipped around to thrash at Vaan. Everyone froze as it’s fangs pierced his shoulder, making him gasp.

Penelo roared and rose to the attack. Dagger in hand, she started a fierce flurry of attacks that caused Larsa and Basch to retreat a few spaces. Balthier and Fran stopped shooting for fear of hitting her.

Her dance was a deadly one of rage, her dagger working so fast it blurred. It was all the snake could do to dodge it.

The snake let out a piercing hiss as the dagger finally found it’s mark above the eyes. It collapsed and grew still on the ground.

The fire in Penelo’s eyes remained as they all turned to Vaan. He knelt on one knee, head bowed and gasping. Penelo hurried over to help him to his feet.

“What will happen to him?” Fran asked.

“I’m fine,” Vaan gasped pathetically.

“I’m not sure,” Penelo answered quickly. “I was six when he was bitten last time. I just remember they took him to the doctor.”

“Nothing a good antidote can’t cure,” looking towards their bags.

“There are none,” Ashe spoke up. “We mustn't’t have bought any in Jahara…”

“Do I have to think of everything, Vaan?” Penelo rage. Vaan responded with a grimace and sank to the ground. Penelo’s face went from angry to anxious in a second.

“We will go back,” Fran proposed. “It will not take us more than a few hours at most.”

It was clear that Vaan wasn't’t about to walk anywhere. Penelo let him lean against her on the grass as his gasping grew louder.

Basch took pity. “We will stay. You go with Balthier and fetch some Antidote… and whatever else we missed. Be quick,” he added, his eyes returning to where Vaan sat with Penelo.

“I will go with them,” Ashe said. “Arrows and bullets clearly don’t work on everything out here,” she looked at Basch, who looked torn but nodded once.

“Don’t worry, Captain. The Princess is safe in my hands…” Balthier said in a bored voice as he turned in the direction of Jahara.

---------------------------------------

They made camp for the night near the wreckage of a fallen airship. Basch had carried a weakly protesting Vaan and he lay now, restless, in blankets by the fire. Larsa could tell that Penelo could not stand to see Vaan like this, and that Vaan was trying not to show the agony he was on for the same reason. She sat near him and tried to take his mind off it, teasing or talking about their home.

Larsa had never truly felt lonely until he met this pair of orphans. He half wished he’s grown up with Penelo, though he was glad he hadn't’t been through the horrors that they had. He admired them enormously for the way they dealt with it.

Vaan hadn't’t spoken in a while and Penelo’s distractions subsided. She looked anxious at his silence, though he seemed to be in less pain than before. Larsa wondered if he was unconscious. Penelo was easier to talk to without Vaan distracting her so he went to sit with her at the other side of the fire.

Vaan was not asleep. He lay watching the fire, face turned away from Penelo. He looked truly awful from this close up. Haggard and exhausted. His eyes were half shut, face much paler that usual, moist and glowing in the semi-darkness. Larsa noticed he was shaking despite the blankets and the fire they had built for him. Basch had said it would help to sweat out his fever.

“How are you feeling, Vaan?” Larsa asked him quietly.

“Cold…” he murmured. “Dizzy,” his teeth chattered.

“You need to relax, Vaan,” Basch spoke up, “it will stop the shaking.”

Penelo leaned forward to lift Vaan carefully and raise a pouch of water to his lips. “Stop babying me,” he mumbled, but drank the water like a dying man in the desert. She eased him back down with his head in her lap. He was too weak to protest. He just shivered and winced.

Larsa and Basch watched the two of them without realizing it. She stroked the golden hair from his hot face and dabbed Balthier’s cold, damp handkerchief to his forehead. Vaan soon stropped shaking so violently and his eyelids fluttered shut.

Larsa registered a moment of panic in Penelo’s eyes before she watched his chest rise and she released the breath she’d been holding. She was completely absorbed in taking care of him. Not because he was her master or because it was her duty, but simply because she loved her friend and wanted to ease his suffering.

Larsa envied this about Vaan. He welcomed this envy, was deeply happy these two street urchins- brought up on rats and stolen food and raised on the street- had something he, Lord Larsa of the house of Solidor, had not. He had all the riches, all the food he could ever want, all the finest boys garb in all of the Empire, yet he did not have a friend who loved him like Vaan or Penelo. One who would risk his life and cross the seas to rescue him from captives, or simply watch his back in battle as an act of friendship and nothing more.

Vaan groaned softly, bringing Larsa out of his thoughts. He looked away from him and mentally shook himself. There was no use in him taking his position fore granted. He was Lord Larsa of the house of Solidor, this was his lot in life and he embraced it with all he could give and his head held high.

His gaze came to rest on Basch. He was still watching Penelo, lost in his own thoughts. Curiosity burned in Larsa. What was he thinking about? The Knight must have lost any friend or family or lovers he had on that night in Nalbina. He had lost much more than that.

Larsa sensed that this man did not like to talk of himself to anyone. Whether because he thought it unimportant or because his memories were too painful, he could not tell. He decided to find out. He had spent most of his life with men like Basch. He was not as hesitant as a boy his age should be in probing the thoughts of an infamous Knight.

“You do not talk much about yourself, Captain,” he said quietly. Vaan didn't’t stir as Penelo started.

Basch looked at him, wary, frowning.

“Don’t worry, I am no spy. Merely curious.”

Basch relaxed slightly but the frown remained. After a moment he said tensely, “What has passed is unimportant. We will never see tomorrow if we are looking behind us.”

Larsa nodded, admiring this perspective. Of course, how else would he have survived Nalbina Dungeon? He shuddered.

A silence followed, broken only by Vaan’s uneven breathing.

“Did you have someone, Basch?” Penelo whispered, gazing intently at him. “Before Nalbina…”

Basch shifted uncomfortably, looked away from them into the darkness beyond the ring of light cast by the fire. “I…” he looked back at Penelo and something he saw on her face seemed to change his mind. “No,” he said gruffly, standing and taking Vaan’s axe to cut more firewood, though the pile was already large enough to last the night.

He stopped, his back to them. “Dalmascan Knights have no time for such things. They must devote themselves completely to defending Dalmasca and it’s Masters… Vossler and I formed friendships enough within our everyday company.” He left them with that, striding into the darkness so that they would not ask him to relive and more of his memories.

Larsa lowered his eyes, feeling slightly guilty. He was sure that Basch would have spoken more openly had they not been so young.

Penelo looked like she wanted to follow Basch but she still held Vaan to her. The boy looked white as a ghost and purple under the eyes. His long eyelashes fluttered and didn't’t seem to rest.

“Penelo…” Larsa inclined his head to Vaan.

As she looked down at her lap, Vaan’s eyes rolled open and he gasped in pain again. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

He sat up, trembling, Penelo rubbing his back. “Vaan are you OK…?”

He just pressed his lips together, stood up and swayed dangerously. Penelo jumped up to steady him and he shook her off, stumbling away from the fire. Larsa looked around for Basch but his eyes were blinded by the fire. He heard Vaan groan slightly, not too far away. He put an arm out to keep Penelo from going to him.

“Let him be. He does not want you to see him sick.” For Larsa could see him now, bent over and clutching his stomach.

The grass rustled behind them and they whipped around, sword and dagger at the ready and Larsa still clutching Penelo’s arm by the fire.

Balthier chuckled in the darkness. “Cute,” he commented. Fran, Ashe and Basch were revealed in the firelight after him, looking around for Vaan. “Where is our damsel in distress? Don’t tell me he’s better already, the-” he began, pulling out a bottle of Antidote.

Penelo and Larsa looked back towards the darkness behind them where they could make out Vaan walking back.

Balthier hurried forward just in time: Vaan collapsed against him.

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Notes: This is my first fan fiction ever, so I'd really appreciate reviews to help me with future fics. ETA: I also realise this is one lacks depth and descriptions, I am used to writing scripts so I'll work on it XD

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Thanks for reading! This post will be friends locked in a few days so if you want to read more you should probably friend this journal :)

Ideas for fics much appreciated!

FRIENDS LOCKED! POSTS ARE ALL FICS.

2008-03-02T17:51:47Z

Welcome to dusk_shard! Thanks for stopping by. This is the fan fiction journal of navi_glow. Here I write fics abour Final Fantasy XII (all characters). I may go on to write about other fandoms in the future, but at the moment I'm just starting out and sticking to FF12 :)

I've never been a good writer but I still find this fun and I hope you enjoy them anyway! The idea is that I will get better over time XP

Entries are Friends-Locked after a few days so you need to Friend dusk_shard to read the rest.

You should also know that I'm on semi-hiatus this summer so I might take a while to reply to comments. I rely on comments though so please leave comments! Especially constructive ones :D

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