My Love for a Traitor (Final Fantasy 12 fanfic)

Rabanastre: The Bazaar (5 years before the war)

"Please! You have to help me! My sister, if she doesn't get that Remedy she'll..." I trail off, not wanting to say it. "No Gil, no Remedy, now move along!" The nasty Bangaa says waving his arm. My eyes water and I walk away with my head hung low. Penelo...I've failed you... I sit on the steps, bring my knees to my chest, place my arms over the top of them, and rest my forehead on top. I try to picture my life without Penelo and tears fall down my cheeks as I silently cry. I can't lose her too...I just can't... The sound of metal armor catches my attention. "Hey Captain, look over there." A male's voice says. I snap my head up, seeing three guards staring at me. One guard, takes a step forward. I am up and running before I know it. Why are they after me? I bet that nasty Bangaa had something to do with this! Whatever the reason is, I'm not sticking around to find out what it is, I didn't do anything! "Wait! Stop!" A deeper, husky males voice calls out. I speed up when I hear armor chasing after me. I refuse to be arrested! I've done nothing wrong!

As I turn a corner, someone grabs my wrist, and makes me fall into the captor. This hand is covered in armor... I slowly look up, my eyes widen, and I freeze. The Captain... I quickly shake out of my fear and struggle against him with all my might, though it was futile. "Let me go! I haven't done anything wrong, no matter what that Damn Bangaa said!" I say and struggle more. "Bangaa? What Bangaa?" The Captain asks confused. I stop struggling and look at the helmet hiding the man's face. "You were going to arrest me. That's why you came after me isn't it?" I ask now confused. "Arrest you? What are you saying? My men and I were just passing through. One saw you crying and pointed you out. I just wanted to know if you were alright. When you ran, I had no choice but to run after you. Are you aware that running from a guard is a sign of a guilty conscience?" He asks. "I...just thought you were..." I trail off feeling embarrassed for running. "Do not worry. Now, what were you crying for? Did someone hurt you?" He asks. "Penelo..." I say trailing off. "Who?" He asks. "She's...she's my little sister..." I trail off. "Is she alright?" He asks. Tears sting my eyes again and I shake my head no. "She's...she has the same plague as our parents had...and...if I don't get that Remedy that Bangaa has, Penelo is going to..." I trail off as tears fall down my face. I...can't lose her too... "I have to go back! Please, you have to let me go!" I say and struggle some more. "This Bangaa, did he refuse to sell it to you?" He asks. "I don't have enough Gil. So he told me to leave." I say. "I see." He says.

"Maya! Hey! Let her go!" I hear a familiar young boy's voice. My head quickly turns toward the boy. "Reks? Reks, what are you doing here?! I told you to stay with Penelo and Vaan!" I say. "You were gone a long time, I was worried! Penelo's fever has gotten worse, I don't know what to do..." Reks says. Her fever is worse... Reks is 12 this year. Vaan is 10, same as Penelo. Our parents were young when they had me and my brothers, our brothers went off to battle a few years back, sadly they didn't make it. So, now I was the oldest at 20. "Go home and rewet the cloth on her head, put more blankets on her. I'll be there soon." I say. "But...the Capta--" I cut him off. "I'm alright. Don't worry." I say. "Okay..." Reks says and starts to run back to our house. "Hold it." The Captain speaks. Reks stops and turns towards us again. The Captain lets my wrist go. "What are you..." I ask confused. "Allow me to go and get that Remedy." He says. "The Bangaa won't sell it, I already told you." I mumble so only the Captain can hear. "He won't have a choice. Give me your coin purse and tell me where you all live so I can bring it to you." He says. My eyes widen and my heart leaps for joy. I'm going to be able to save Penelo! "Wait...you aren't going to hurt the Bangaa are you?" I ask. "No, I'm just going to convince him, that's all." He says. I exhale in relief, hand him my coin purse, give him the directions, thank him, and follow after Reks.

Once there, we enter quickly. "Maya! Reks!" Vaan calls out. "Vaan, is everything okay?" I ask running into the room. "Maya..." Penelo says quietly. I run to her side. "Shh, I'm right here, just hang on Penelo, you're going to be alright." I whisper to her and kiss her forehead. She's burning up...Captain...please hurry... She nods her head slowly and closes her eyes. I gently run my fingers through her soft Blonde hair. Vaan falls asleep with his head on the side of her bed, while Reks stays up with me. "Maya...do you think the Captain will actually bring the Remedy to us?" Reks whispers. I sigh. "I don't know, I hope so..." I whisper back. Reks leans his head on my arm. "Maya, I'm tired." He says after a while. I smile softly. "Go ahead and sleep, I'll stay up." I say quietly. He nods and soon falls asleep. A few minutes after, someone knocks at our door. My head snaps to the door. I gently lay Reks' head on the bed before quickly going to the door.

I open it quickly and freeze. An older man about 30 years of age, stood a few inches away from the door. He had Blonde hair and Pale Green/Blue eyes. He had armor on, all except his head. Is he..? His armor looks just like the Captain's.. "Captain?" I ask to be sure. He nods and holds out a small Brown sack, which I recognized as my coin purse. I gently take it, feeling something inside. I pour it into my Palm and my eyes widen. This is it! It's the Remedy! I look back at the Captain with a thankful smile. "You have no idea how thankful I am Captain. You just saved my sister's life!" I say gripping the small tube of Blue liquid to my chest. "You aren't going to be reprimanded are you?" I ask. He smiles and shakes his head. "No, the Bangaa was a greedy man. Charging more than necessary for his goods." The Captain says. "I'm glad. Thank you Captain, truly." I say and shake his hand. "You're very welcome. Now, go give that to your sister." He says and takes a step away. I nod happily and close the door, before running back to the room.

I gently shake Penelo awake, while calling her name. Her eyes open weakly. "Maya...what is it?" She asks. "I have your medicine. Can you sit up?" I ask. She tries but is too weak, so I help her. Once she was upright, I open the tube of liquid, and hold it to her lips. She swallows it eagerly until it's gone, and I lay her back down. "How do you feel? I ask. "Nothing's changed..." she says. "Wait...something's happening..." she says as we notice a bright light start to shine at her chest, it gets brighter and bigger, until I have to shield my eyes. Then, just like that, it's gone. "Penelo? Are yo--" I'm cut off. "I'm alright, it's gone!" She says happily. I smile brightly and pull her to me. "Thank goodness you're alright..." I say hugging her tightly. She giggles and squirms out of my hold. "Vaan! Reks! Wake up! Look!" She calls shaking them awake. They wake up, see her smiling happily, and both tackle her. "You scared us half to death!" Vaan says. "We were worried!" Reks says. Penelo laughs happily, hugging them both to her as they all giggled. I smile relieved. Thank you Captain...you saved her.