A Thousand Tides
Inspired by "On Your Shore"
Summary: "...because in the midst of all the beckoning whistles, blitzball games, and expensive glasses of foreign champagne, she had gathered the courage to fall for those blue eyes of his..."
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy X and quite possibly never will.
"Maybe part of loving is learning to let go."
-The Wonder Years
1
The nights of Besaid were uncannily peaceful, as always.
Yuna remembered sitting out on the beach with her father, watching the waves lap gently to the shore with their feet buried underneath the shifting field of cool sand. She remembered how he'd name each and every constellation in the sky to her, tracing out the faint dots of light with the tip of his finger. She remembered how they reminisced on the golden days when her mother was still with them, and how strained his laughter was for them both when words died away and all that was left was a chasm of dead silence in between to fill the empty spot of their hearts.
She remembered the bittersweet nostalgia that had tainted her memories of those long gone nights. The same nostalgia she felt now... as she sat under the blanket of stars alone and wistful.
Her father's funeral had been a grand affair, hosted in Bevelle where millions of people attended - a sea of black gathering before the glinting ebony coffin. There were many whispers of condolences in her ear, both meaningful and indifferent. Her smile remained intact the whole day, sore and bland.
She supposed a more sensible person would have cried at the death of a father. Especially a little girl. A sheen of moisture should have been glazed over her eyes, a muffled sob should have escaped her tightly pursed lips. But how could Yuna have cried when she knew fully well her mother would not be there to wipe away her tears? Or that her father would not be there to laugh away all the pain?
It had been Lulu who had fingered the stray strands of hair that fell over Yuna's face lovingly as she kneeled on her father's fresh grave when the mourners dispersed, like a flock of ravens ready to depart from another hallowed place of death. It had been Wakka who had gingerly picked up the little girl she once was and carried her to their home in Besaid without an inch of reluctance in his easy gait. It had been them to gently ease her into the new life she now had, one void of the parents who had brought her to the world, but one filled with the laughter that she thought she'd never find again.
And now this reality she had learned to embrace was being taken from her as well. Even Lulu and Wakka were drifting away, and she was powerless to stop the changes constantly altering her future...
Yuna did not cry. She had never cried, not even at the news of her father's passing ten years ago. And she wasn't going to start now.
She supposed some part of her refused to.
Tears were just another way of admitting defeat and succumbing to self-pity, something she had been taught never to do.
Distantly, she heard Lulu's footsteps sink into the sand as she neared the shore.
"Yuna, it's getting cold."
She could only nod, running a finger absently over the goosebumps that had snaked down her arms. "I'm fine."
A sigh drifted to the wind as Lulu stepped closer, gently patting her shoulder. Something much like a mixture pity and guilt glittered in her maroon irises, "Come. I've prepared dinner already."
…
The moment Yuna had stepped into the house; a honey glow bathed her face, draping her in familiar warmth. She smiled as Wakka fretted over Vidina, fruitlessly trying to cease his son's anguished cries.
"Lulu! Yuna!" He turned to them and all sense of nostalgia disappeared as she desperately tried to stifle a laugh.
In the front of Wakka's shirt was a large - and rather colorful - stain that stretched across his torso, and immediately she knew Vidina had done it again.
"Oh for Yevon's sake," Lulu hissed as she strode to her husband, towel in hand. Briefly running her pale fingers through her dark, braided hair she smacked his arm. "That's the third shirt of yours he's puked on. What are you doing wrong?"
"Something's wrong with our son, ya?" Wakka protested as his wife wiped the vomit away in quick, impatient swipes.
"Maybe he just doesn't like your shirt," Yuna said, skipping over to the crib where the baby was. Vidina was swaddled in purple robes, his cheeks flushed as tears trickled through his squinted eyes. Wagging in the air were his tiny fists, trembling just as hard as his body.
"It is rather hideous," Lulu agreed, stepping back to get a proper look at Wakka. "We should have gotten it in a different color." Her eyes traveled to her husband's hair, frowning at the slick red strands all jutting up to a point. "Or maybe he's scared of your hair."
Wakka scowled as Yuna carefully lifted Vidina off the crib, handing it over to a hassled-looking Lulu who had disposed of the towel quickly.
"I'll take him upstairs." Lulu nodded to Wakka, cradling her baby to her bosom and rocking it softly. "Get the plates ready."
"Aye aye." Wakka turned to Yuna as soon as his wife was out of earshot, whispering, "Lu made a special dish with all your favorites today, ya? You better not be shy about eating up."
Yuna smiled wearily, only her eyes betraying the panic settling in her.
They were nearing their final meal together.
"You're okay, ya?" Wakka asked, nudging her gently with a fatherly smile she had grown to cherish so much. "We'll make the most of your last days here, Yuna. I promise."
She could only nod in agreement. She would do just that. She would spend every waking moment memorizing every detail of this place and make Lulu and Wakka smile as much as any human possibly could before…it.
…Before the airship would come and whisk her away from home.
…
…
Rikku scrambled past the upwards-sloping path that served as the grand entrance to the Blitzball Stadium, Brother and Cid in tow as they struggled to match her pace and determination.
Cid himself was not a big fan of blitzball. But the deal he had made with Rikku was final: she'd be perfectly nice and courteous to her cousin once they'd pick her up if he'd take her to the game. And then of course, his mohawked moron of a son opened his trap and threw a tantrum about how unfair it would be. And so, for the sake of his sanity, Cid took him too.
"C'mon!" Rikku hollered back at them impatiently. "The Stadium doors are going to close at any minute!"
"Frah tet oui kad cu vycd?" Brother gasped out, his breath hitching in his throat at the effort.
"Shut it!" Rikku snapped as they bolted through the open doors, golden flags representing the Zanarkand Abes logo stationed up high above it, splaying forth into the air, acknowledging their place as defending champions. They hastily shoved their tickets to a startled-looking staff member as they brushed by without a word.
Rikku practically tripped over her own legs to make it to the snack stations, cheerfully paying the cashier a handful of gil—which she had coerced from her wary father—as she ordered their food. Cid crossed his arms with a grunt, still more than a little displeased at the fact that his daughter conveniently failed to inform him that tickets to the Abes game were much more pricey than he had originally thought.
'The least she could have done was ask that Blitz playing friend of hers to give us a discount…'
"E tuh'd ajah mega pmedwpymm dryd silr…" Brother grumbled after Rikku's momentary trip to buy refreshments, watching his sister as she hastily shoved through the crowded aisles all filled with rowdy teenagers and cheering hardcore fans. Already accustomed to his daughter's frantic antics, Cid allowed himself to be pushed into his chair, tugging Brother down to his.
Rikku settled in by her disgruntled father, and was soon cheering just as loudly as the people around her, green eyes were glinting with the pure thrill of it all.
"Are those nachos?" Cid asked obtrusively, snatching the very same article of food out of her hands. She only huffed in response, clutching her soda closer and taking tiny sips between shouts of joy.
Brother let out an exaggerated sigh; taking temporary comfort in the ice-cream bar Rikku had bought for him. 'Mmm…irulumyda…'
The announcer boomed through the gigantic speakers positioned around the stadium, his deep voice only adding to the rapidly growing excitement of the crowd.
"…What a lovely night it is, Zanarkand, and it's about to get a whole lot better! You can just feel the excitement in the air, folks, as the Abes get ready to face off to the Duggles! But before the game starts, we have a special performance for you today—as promised— by the one and only…Lenne!"
It was then that Rikku launched herself into the air with a delighted squeal, effectively spilling half of her drink on her father's new jacket.
Cid rubbed his temple in frustration.
This was most certainly not worth the gil he had paid…
…
…
Tidus knew he was late.
Crowds of people who had not pre-ordered their tickets or simply couldn't afford to do so had already gathered outside by the closing stadium doors. There were a few reporters scattered amongst the mass, microphones held at ready before their mouths as cameras trained on their faces.
This could only mean that the pre-game entertainment was drawing to a close and Lenne would soon step through the very same door; no doubt the people would then be ready to ambush her with praise and the reporters harass her with pesky questions.
Something akin to panic settled on his heart as the roar of the stadium echoed through the air and he increased his pace, ignoring the wide-eyed stares he could feel fixed on his back as he rushed by. The wind tore through tufts of his blond hair and he blinked at the cold sting it brought to his eyes.
Whispers flew in his wake, like murmurs of harsh wind.
"Look! It's him!"
"Why didn't he come with his team earlier?"
"Why I'll be! Is that the young'un you've been pining over Macy?"
"Shhh! Grandpa, you don't have to be so loud!"
"That's Jecht's son, right?"
Tidus frowned at that, the sparkle of his eyes darkening suddenly. Jecht's son.
The people had given him the name unanimously; often congratulating the Blitzer as if sharing the same blood with the man was an honor that had been bestowed on his unworthy self by some lucky twist of fate.
He'd bet a nice amount of gil that they probably hadn't even bothered to know his actual name after finding out who his father was. After finding out that he was Jecht's legacy - 'Jecht' referring to that great, great man that represented all that was good and whole in Zanarkand.
He used to think so too, admittedly. At least until the liquor bottles came and wiped away any lingering respect he held for his old man. What good was it being Jecht's son if it was all the people could see in you? He certainly hoped that whenever people turned to look - really look -at him, they wouldn't see a raging alcoholic who practically lived to drink away years of his life.
"Tidus!"
The voice broke though his trance and he pressed on, shaking away to clear his head of the thoughts. A tall, imposing man with dark aviator sunglasses stood beyond the half-open door, arms crossed.
Without warning, the young Blitzer shot through the thickening mob circling him, slipping swiftly under the door just as it slid to a thunderous close. He looked up at the man, grinning cheekily. "Made it, Auron."
"Yeah, you did." The man hefted him up roughly to his feet. "Late as always…"
"Don't worry." Tidus shot him a confident smile. "The game would never start without me."
...
Lenne had come to personally greet the team.
Had they all not been so humbled and awed by her presence, the Abes would have showered her with witty, yet flirty comments as they usually did to other girls. Tidus inwardly thanked his lucky stars he was immune to being star struck as he shook hands with Lenne.
The singer looked at him, her lovely face a picture of fascination. "You know, you look an awful lot like my fiancé."
The team let out whistles at that and Tidus raised a brow, letting his grip loosen. Was she coming on to him?
He decided to play it safe and refrain from his using his womanizing phrases. "Well then, he must be an awfully handsome fellow."
She giggled at that. "I guess so."
…
The crowd roared in approval as he stepped on the platform, blitzball tucked securely on the crook of his arm. He kept his eyes locked onto the field, a daring grin curling the edges of his lips as he watched the floors part, water shooting to the sky in graceful arcs.
Energy gathered and pulsed through as the glinting streams crisscrossed in unison; the roof of the stadium opened with a tremendous clang. Everyone held their breaths for one single moment, waiting…
The hum of the machine was audible and then… the Water Sphere exploded to life, flecks of the clear liquid spraying his face. Tidus grinned and the stadium lit up to life, lending their garish blaze to the blue of his eyes. The crowd cheered his name lustily, their yells and screams coming together as one overwhelming surge of noise that shattered the peace of the night and circled around all of Zanarkand like a woven blanket of happiness and Blitz.
The only two things one needed to survive the city's eccentric nightlife.
Without another word, the players dove to their position, sleek bodies gliding flawlessly across the water.
The arena lights lifted to the sky, rays of gold splashing against the black velvet sky and streaking across the stars as it proclaimed the start of yet another blitzball game.
"Blitz off!"
And it was with those words that Zanarkand truly came alive.
…
…
Wakka sat on his couch, letting out a haggard sigh. His hand automatically reached for the table before him, grabbing a remote and turning on the Sphere TV, quickly flipping through the channels until he reached the blitzball game.
"Oh, this is the life…" he grinned, sinking further into the cushions. Lulu frowned, settling down next to him with a look of consternation. Her hands were still slightly damp from washing the dishes - something Yuna had offered to do, but the older woman had already shooed her off to bed with a curt 'goodnight'.
"Wakka?" she said.
"Hm?" her husband nodded absently, eyes trained to the Sphere. The Duggles wouldn't stand a chance against the Abes, he decided.
"How do you think…" Lulu began with a hint of anxiety in her voice, "…Yuna feels about this whole arrangement?"
Wakka shrugged, his attention suddenly torn. "I'm not exactly sure."
"Because to me…it feels like we're giving her up, you know? Sending her away from us... the only family she's ever really known." Lulu fidgeted with her fingers, a nervous habit that she had developed ever since entering parenthood.
"Nah," Wakka nudged her teasingly. "You're overthinking it. Yuna knows why we have to do this. Ever since I've stopped coaching, money's been tight. And now that we have Vidina she knows we can't afford for her to stay much longer."
"I know, but-"
"Besides," Wakka cut in, shooting his wife a reassuring look. "She's gonna live with her Uncle Cid in Zanarkand. They're her family too."
"Zanarkand." Lulu mumbled hoarsely."That's so far away, Wakka…"
"Listen," Wakka told her firmly, grasping her cold hand in his warm ones. "We have three days left with her before she leaves, and I promised her that we would make the best of them. Now how can we do that if you keep tearing up at every minute?"
Lulu stared up at him, and he could see her shoulders sag as she surrendered to the idea. She smiled bravely, ignoring the constriction in her chest which grew tighter everyday. "You're right."
"I usually am, ya?"
She scoffed at that, resting her head on his shoulders contentedly, her eyes flicking to the screen with mild disinterest. "Why are you watching the game?"
"I always watch the game."
"It's pointless," Lulu argued back, trying to lighten the mood for both of their sakes. "The Abes are going to win. They always do."
"I know that." Wakka scoffed, waving away her words. "It doesn't mean I'm going to stop watching." He dropped the remote on his lap, pointing to a player in the field, a blur of gold as they rocketed across to the goal. "That Tidus kid… man, he's just incredible. If he had been with the Aurochs, I bet he would have taken us straight to the championships." There was a trace of wistfulness in his voice, and he cringed, all too aware of it.
"Hm," Lulu's face was effortlessly blank and she cocked her head to the side inquisitively. "Who is Tidus?"
Wakka's jaw dropped and he diverted his full attention on the woman sitting next to him. His throat dried up and he almost choked on his own words. "You're joking, ya?"
"Do I look like I'm joking?" Lulu blinked at him, her perfect brow arching.
Wakka nearly told her that even while she was joking, Lulu never quite looked like the part. Instead he opted for a stupefied, "You…really don't know?"
Lulu turned her gaze back to the sphere just as the Abes scored their winning goal. She watched the crowd rise in amazement, their cheering lifting into the air, lively and triumphant.
Wakka leaned back, exhaling loudly through his mouth. "Wow, Lu. I know you don't really watch Blitz games and all, but… not knowing the star of the Zanarkand Abes? The son of Jecht himself?"
"Would it shock you even more if I told you I don't know who Jecht is either?" There was a dry trace of amusement in her tone that suggested she really couldn't have cared less if it did.
"Agh, you're killin' me, Lu." Wakka shook his head in amazement, laughing as he rubbed the nape of his neck. "If Yuna doesn't know who he is—Yevon forbid—she won't last a day in Zanarkand."
{Translations}
"Frah tet oui kad cu vycd?" {When did you get so fast?}
"E tuh'd ajah mega pmedwpymm dryd silr..." {I don't even like blitzball that much...}
"Mmm...irulumyda..." {Mmm...chocolate}
{...}
Author's Note: That had been 10 pages. Not too shabby, if I do say so myself.
I'll get into more detail about how all this ties together in the next chapter, and don't worry...Tidus and Yuna will be meeting soon. I'll be updating as quickly as I can if anybody's interested in my continuing..:)
Thanks to Final Fantasy Wiki for all the information and kudos to the online Al-Bhed Translator.
Leave a review please.