I knew something about that day was different. I woke up that
morning so anxious and excited, ready for anything! It confused me not
knowing what it was that I was looking so forward too. I decided to go out
and sit on the deck for fresh air. Rikku and Paine where still asleep. It
was too early for anyone to be up, even me. But it was such a beautiful
morning. I felt like the sun was calling me.
The wind was motionless; everything seemed so still as I lay on top of the airship watching the sun come up. We were hovering right over Killika Port. The early light had brought a few people out to the docks so far below. I closed my eyes and just enjoyed the peace and quiet.
I lay there letting nature's peacefulness soothe me when the sound of a faint whistle jarred me out of my trance.
A whistle.
How many times had I heard it in my dreams? How long has it haunted my past? How many times have I chased it for it only to be the wind? But this time I knew. It was him! And he was so close!
As the bon-fire rose high into the night sky, it threw up flames and carried sparks through the air. Paine leaned up against a ship on the docks of Besaid. Every one here was celebrating, Nooj and the entire Youth League, Barilei, Gippal with some Al-Bed, former summoners, former guardians, Heypello, Ronso, Guado, along with the entire population of Besaid and the Gullwings. Enchanted musicians played a constant and familiar tune, and there was no bigger picnic feast than what was laid out on that beach. Everyone from all over Spira had gathered for the welcome home party for Tidus.
But who was Tidus, really? All Paine knew of him was that he was Yuna's long lost love, a former guardian from her pilgrimage. But other than that, Yuna never really talked about him. She must have thought that he was something that she had to keep inside, like a memory. Until now.
Paine watched them from the dock as they held hands and tasted the delicious food. She watched them speak to old friends, slipping their arms around each other like couples do. They never left each other's sight.
Being around all these people just made Paine feel more isolated.
"What's s'matter?'' Rikku said skipping over to her lonely friend.
"Nothing", she answered, but she was confused. "Nothing's the matter, every thing is perfect and back to normal, right?" She avoided Rikku's cheerful grin and kept her eyes on the party.
"Well, yeah. But you look so down."
"I always look like this."
Rikku giggled, "You know what I mean," she teased, giving her friend a little shove. Paine just kept her gaze ahead.
"Something just doesn't feel right," she finally confessed. "With me, not with the Party or anything," she added quickly.
"Well, come and join the rest of Spira and have some fun!" Rikku cried, kicking it into one of her favorite dance moves.
"No thanks," Paine laughed, "I'm having more fun watching."
"Suit yourself," She muttered something in Al-Bed as she skipped away.
On the other side of the beach, away from the docks, Tidus and most of the rest of Spira were seeing Lulu's new born for the first time. He had just finished a feeding and was cuddled up half asleep in his mother's arms.
"Isn't he cute?" Yuna cooed to Tidus. She looked up at him with a gleeful look in her eye. He smiled and slipped his arm gently around her lower back.
"He's amazing Wakka, maybe he'll blitz some day."
"Ya, his name's Vendina," Wakka chuckled, "I still say it's a good thing he doesn't look like me." Tidus then took notice of the baby's red hair and tan skin.
"Yeah, good thing," he agreed. The small crowd that had gathered when Lulu emerged from her hut with Vindina had now dwindled off. Her skin appeared more pale than usual, looking almost sickly. But still, she remained calm and collected.
"I should take him back now, It's late," she said, relaxed now that there weren't so many people around. She pulled Vindina close to her.
"So, you and Lulu, who'd have thought huh?" Tidus spoke up after she was gone.
"Ya, I know! It was all kinda sudden. And with the baby and all..." he paused. "But I gotta say that I've never been happier."
"Good for you Wakka," Yuna beamed clasping her hands together. "Vinney is so adorable!" Tidus couldn't look away from her. This was the first time her had ever seen her truly happy, and it made him feel that way too. But now that he was back, everyone knew that things weren't going to be the same. Where they really going to change for the better?
"I'm glad you think so, cuz we was hopin the Gullwings could baby- sit sometime."
Yuna smiled.
"But don't you two get any ideas!" Wakka warned. Tidus let out a nervous laugh. "You're young, you don't need to be getting married and havin' kids. They're a lot of work. I honestly think that it's makin' Lu sick."
"She does look a little ill," Yuna said quietly. A serious look took over her face.
"Ahh, don't worry about it," Tidus assured them. "She's probably just worn out from being a new mom."
"Yeah, you're probably right," Wakka said, "I hope."
"RIKKU!" Brother's voice ringed over in the speaker her ear, waking her up to find herself alone on the early morning beach.
"Uhh hu ugg," she groaned. Sitting up, she knocked on her head to get the sand out of her ears. I'll never do that again, she swore to herself.
"Rikku! This is you're leader speaking!" Brother said, annoyed.
"What?!" she whined. "What's wrong?"
"I can't find Yuna anywhere!" Rikku brought herself to her feet and brushed herself off.
"So?" she said.
"So! So, we were suppose to leave for Gagazet a half an hour ago!"
"She slept in, I don't blame her," Rikku replied.
"Yuna is missing!" Brother panicked. "Find her Rikku, and that is an order!"
"Ohhh!" She whined, and stomped toward the Village.
Yuna also awoke and found herself alone on the beach far away from the Village. She realized that she must have fallen asleep there, but the events and happenings of the night before were still shady in her head.
Had it all really happened or was it all a dream?
"Hey, there," a familiar voice called behind her. "Good morning." Yuna spun around to find the person from all her dreams. "Hey," she yawned as she rubbed her eyes awake. "Did you fall asleep too?" "No," Tidus said. "I've been up all night. To much energy to sleep." He sat down beside her. "But don't worry, I was close by." "You haven't slept at all?" She laid back down, letting her body spread out and soak up the morning sun. "No way. I've never felt more alive, Yuna." Yuna's happy thoughts faded. Was he really alive now? For good? If not, for how long? Would they ever find a way to bring him back for good? "You know, it was around this time yesterday that I heard you whistle," She said. "I knew you would," Tidus said confidently. "Really?" she questioned? "How did you figure out where you were or that I was even still around?" "I just knew," he answered, tracing the blitz ball emblem on her chest. Yuna grinned, "You like?" The waves from the ocean drew in closer, almost reaching their feet. Her smile captured him like he never thought anything could. To see her this way was his reward for all they had ever been through together. He remembered the how she acted on her pilgrimage, pretending to be reposed and under control. He remembered how her laugh was uneasy and empty. Now she giggles constantly. It ripples through people and brings them joy. He liked her better this way, beautiful and free spirited, like a butterfly. She wore that emblem on her chest to remember him, and because she missed him. Deep down, Tidus wished that he could have missed her too. But when you don't exist, you can't feel anything. "A lot of things may have changed, Yuna, but I want us to stay exactly how we are right now." "We will," she replied taking his hand. "You promised to always stay with me." He peered deep into the mystic jewels that were her eyes. So pure, so wise. "Hate to interrupt, but uhh..." They turned away from the sea to find Gippal, leaning to one side with his hands on his hips, his blonde hair disarrayed, as usual. "Rikku's running around all over trying to find you guys," he crossed his arms and kicked at the sand. "Brother's in hysterics thinking that Yuna ran off somewhere." Tidus looked up and ran his eyes over him as if to size him up. Gippal did the same. What's up with that stupid eye-patch thing? Tidus wondered. What's up with that girly hair do? Gippal thought. When both were satisfied they looked away. "Oh, that's right!" Yuna jumped up, alarmed. "We're suppose to go to Gagazet today and see Kimari." "And take a look at those hot springs you were telling me about," Tidus added. "But what are you still doing here?" he looked at Gippal. "Shouldn't you have left by now?" "I was hopping to catch a ride since Cid was coming back with me." "He is?" Yuna asked, "Why?" "We've got a project to work on in Djose... top secret."
The wind was motionless; everything seemed so still as I lay on top of the airship watching the sun come up. We were hovering right over Killika Port. The early light had brought a few people out to the docks so far below. I closed my eyes and just enjoyed the peace and quiet.
I lay there letting nature's peacefulness soothe me when the sound of a faint whistle jarred me out of my trance.
A whistle.
How many times had I heard it in my dreams? How long has it haunted my past? How many times have I chased it for it only to be the wind? But this time I knew. It was him! And he was so close!
As the bon-fire rose high into the night sky, it threw up flames and carried sparks through the air. Paine leaned up against a ship on the docks of Besaid. Every one here was celebrating, Nooj and the entire Youth League, Barilei, Gippal with some Al-Bed, former summoners, former guardians, Heypello, Ronso, Guado, along with the entire population of Besaid and the Gullwings. Enchanted musicians played a constant and familiar tune, and there was no bigger picnic feast than what was laid out on that beach. Everyone from all over Spira had gathered for the welcome home party for Tidus.
But who was Tidus, really? All Paine knew of him was that he was Yuna's long lost love, a former guardian from her pilgrimage. But other than that, Yuna never really talked about him. She must have thought that he was something that she had to keep inside, like a memory. Until now.
Paine watched them from the dock as they held hands and tasted the delicious food. She watched them speak to old friends, slipping their arms around each other like couples do. They never left each other's sight.
Being around all these people just made Paine feel more isolated.
"What's s'matter?'' Rikku said skipping over to her lonely friend.
"Nothing", she answered, but she was confused. "Nothing's the matter, every thing is perfect and back to normal, right?" She avoided Rikku's cheerful grin and kept her eyes on the party.
"Well, yeah. But you look so down."
"I always look like this."
Rikku giggled, "You know what I mean," she teased, giving her friend a little shove. Paine just kept her gaze ahead.
"Something just doesn't feel right," she finally confessed. "With me, not with the Party or anything," she added quickly.
"Well, come and join the rest of Spira and have some fun!" Rikku cried, kicking it into one of her favorite dance moves.
"No thanks," Paine laughed, "I'm having more fun watching."
"Suit yourself," She muttered something in Al-Bed as she skipped away.
On the other side of the beach, away from the docks, Tidus and most of the rest of Spira were seeing Lulu's new born for the first time. He had just finished a feeding and was cuddled up half asleep in his mother's arms.
"Isn't he cute?" Yuna cooed to Tidus. She looked up at him with a gleeful look in her eye. He smiled and slipped his arm gently around her lower back.
"He's amazing Wakka, maybe he'll blitz some day."
"Ya, his name's Vendina," Wakka chuckled, "I still say it's a good thing he doesn't look like me." Tidus then took notice of the baby's red hair and tan skin.
"Yeah, good thing," he agreed. The small crowd that had gathered when Lulu emerged from her hut with Vindina had now dwindled off. Her skin appeared more pale than usual, looking almost sickly. But still, she remained calm and collected.
"I should take him back now, It's late," she said, relaxed now that there weren't so many people around. She pulled Vindina close to her.
"So, you and Lulu, who'd have thought huh?" Tidus spoke up after she was gone.
"Ya, I know! It was all kinda sudden. And with the baby and all..." he paused. "But I gotta say that I've never been happier."
"Good for you Wakka," Yuna beamed clasping her hands together. "Vinney is so adorable!" Tidus couldn't look away from her. This was the first time her had ever seen her truly happy, and it made him feel that way too. But now that he was back, everyone knew that things weren't going to be the same. Where they really going to change for the better?
"I'm glad you think so, cuz we was hopin the Gullwings could baby- sit sometime."
Yuna smiled.
"But don't you two get any ideas!" Wakka warned. Tidus let out a nervous laugh. "You're young, you don't need to be getting married and havin' kids. They're a lot of work. I honestly think that it's makin' Lu sick."
"She does look a little ill," Yuna said quietly. A serious look took over her face.
"Ahh, don't worry about it," Tidus assured them. "She's probably just worn out from being a new mom."
"Yeah, you're probably right," Wakka said, "I hope."
"RIKKU!" Brother's voice ringed over in the speaker her ear, waking her up to find herself alone on the early morning beach.
"Uhh hu ugg," she groaned. Sitting up, she knocked on her head to get the sand out of her ears. I'll never do that again, she swore to herself.
"Rikku! This is you're leader speaking!" Brother said, annoyed.
"What?!" she whined. "What's wrong?"
"I can't find Yuna anywhere!" Rikku brought herself to her feet and brushed herself off.
"So?" she said.
"So! So, we were suppose to leave for Gagazet a half an hour ago!"
"She slept in, I don't blame her," Rikku replied.
"Yuna is missing!" Brother panicked. "Find her Rikku, and that is an order!"
"Ohhh!" She whined, and stomped toward the Village.
Yuna also awoke and found herself alone on the beach far away from the Village. She realized that she must have fallen asleep there, but the events and happenings of the night before were still shady in her head.
Had it all really happened or was it all a dream?
"Hey, there," a familiar voice called behind her. "Good morning." Yuna spun around to find the person from all her dreams. "Hey," she yawned as she rubbed her eyes awake. "Did you fall asleep too?" "No," Tidus said. "I've been up all night. To much energy to sleep." He sat down beside her. "But don't worry, I was close by." "You haven't slept at all?" She laid back down, letting her body spread out and soak up the morning sun. "No way. I've never felt more alive, Yuna." Yuna's happy thoughts faded. Was he really alive now? For good? If not, for how long? Would they ever find a way to bring him back for good? "You know, it was around this time yesterday that I heard you whistle," She said. "I knew you would," Tidus said confidently. "Really?" she questioned? "How did you figure out where you were or that I was even still around?" "I just knew," he answered, tracing the blitz ball emblem on her chest. Yuna grinned, "You like?" The waves from the ocean drew in closer, almost reaching their feet. Her smile captured him like he never thought anything could. To see her this way was his reward for all they had ever been through together. He remembered the how she acted on her pilgrimage, pretending to be reposed and under control. He remembered how her laugh was uneasy and empty. Now she giggles constantly. It ripples through people and brings them joy. He liked her better this way, beautiful and free spirited, like a butterfly. She wore that emblem on her chest to remember him, and because she missed him. Deep down, Tidus wished that he could have missed her too. But when you don't exist, you can't feel anything. "A lot of things may have changed, Yuna, but I want us to stay exactly how we are right now." "We will," she replied taking his hand. "You promised to always stay with me." He peered deep into the mystic jewels that were her eyes. So pure, so wise. "Hate to interrupt, but uhh..." They turned away from the sea to find Gippal, leaning to one side with his hands on his hips, his blonde hair disarrayed, as usual. "Rikku's running around all over trying to find you guys," he crossed his arms and kicked at the sand. "Brother's in hysterics thinking that Yuna ran off somewhere." Tidus looked up and ran his eyes over him as if to size him up. Gippal did the same. What's up with that stupid eye-patch thing? Tidus wondered. What's up with that girly hair do? Gippal thought. When both were satisfied they looked away. "Oh, that's right!" Yuna jumped up, alarmed. "We're suppose to go to Gagazet today and see Kimari." "And take a look at those hot springs you were telling me about," Tidus added. "But what are you still doing here?" he looked at Gippal. "Shouldn't you have left by now?" "I was hopping to catch a ride since Cid was coming back with me." "He is?" Yuna asked, "Why?" "We've got a project to work on in Djose... top secret."