Title- Open Tears, Hidden Lies

Pairings- RikkuXAuron, TidusXYuna

Disclaimer- Sadly, I don't own X or X-2, but if I DID… Wakka would have named his son a MANLIER name. Vidina, pfft.

WARNING!- Alright, this story is POST X-2, with the GOOD ENDING, so… if you haven't got the good ending, and don't want to know what it is then don't read. And there are plenty of spoilers from both games, I believe. So, yeah. Enjoy!

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Chapter One- Journey Repeated

Did you know that the gravedigger's still
Gettin' stuck in the machine
Even tough it's a whole other daydream.
It's another town it's another world,
Where the kids are asleep, where the loans are paid
And the lawns are mowed.

-Consequence of SoundRegina Spektor

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Joyous sounds echoed in the small village. Every man, woman and child stood around the young man, cheering as he preformed his father's famous move once again. The blitzball flew over their head, over the silent temple and far out reach. He silently cheered as the surrounding people made various noises of unhappiness.

"Aw, Tidus, did you really have to do that?" Rikku said as the young man approached her.

"Hey, hey, hey. You'd do it, too. Besides, that's my Old Man's trick. I'll figure out one by myself." He responded, not really looking at Rikku. His eyes remained fixed on a lone figure by the temple.

Green eyes followed his, already knowing what they would see. A slow smile crept up onto her face as he pushed him forward, laughing as he spluttered in false anger in her direction.

"Aw, go get her you love bird." Rikku was all smiles when he responded without complaint. She could feel her eyes welling with joy for her cousin; feel the happiness bubbling about inside her until she about burst. Which she did.

"Score one for the Gullwings!" The blond shouted, jumping into the air and pumping her fist towards the heavens. Beside her the Besaid Aurochs shouted their various sexual innuendoes, each one rooting for the male that had helped win them the trophy two years ago. From her spot she could see Tidus turn around and glare at the group fiercely, and she knew a blush was on his tan cheeks. If Yuna had heard the shouts, she gave no notice.

"So…" A low voice appeared from behind her, melodic and soft. "That's Tidus?" Rikku beamed as her shipmate emerged from the shadows.

"Hehe, yep! Star player of the Zanarkand Abes, or so he says!" She said, giggling and leaning towards Paine to whisper the words.

"Zanarkand Abes, huh? Sounds like he's the male version of you. Great." Sarcasm was laced into her voice, though she meant it not in a way of malice. Paine knew Rikku would merely whine for a moment before returning to her cheerful disposition. It seemed far too happy of an atmosphere for anyone to stay unhappy.

"Paine! That's not very nice! Take that back! You know you love me, and couldn't live without me and would totally die without me!" Her shrieking bought the attention of half the village, each one staring with hesitant eyes, as if the blond teen had finally lost what little marbles she had left.

Paine shook her head and walked away, her boots making odd impressions in the village dirt. Rikku stared with phony anger, her arms hanging low and swinging too-and-fro before her attention was stolen away by a horrid realization.

A hideous shadow had overcome the quaint village.

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Silence surrounded the Temple. The palm trees seemed to be the only companion to the dark, looming figure that had shaped most of Yuna's life. She felt a certain form of pity for the building. For the empty statues that gathered dust in the unlit sanctuary. But, something just wasn't right. Mis-matched eyes stared long and hard for some sign as to why this place seemed to be emitting a plea of help, or why she would even feel that way.

The only answer she could come up with was the Fayth, though that seemed incredulous in itself. The Fayth wanted to sleep. Spira was at peace. In fact, she should be joining in on the festivities, enjoying the first night of the man she'd searched for for so long. Multiple times, since arriving at the village with her hand wrapped in his, she had tried to shake the feeling away. Yuna wanted to revel in his company; she wanted to spin her tale, her story.

But the minute he'd gone to talk with Wakka and Lulu, eying little Vidina as if the child might bite, she'd been drawn to the Temple. Her legs moved without her mind, and she stood before the stone doors now, contemplating what it was the Fayth wanted.

'Come see us, Yuna.' Her very soul echoed, it was too much like when they'd asked her to sacrifice them to Yu Yevon. Too much like the pitiful 'sorry' the Bahamut child had given her before the battle against Vegnagun. Though her very being seemed to fight against compliance, she knew her heart would win.

It was only until she'd reached the door to the Chamber that she realized Tidus stood by her side, his face serious, his eyes worried.

Realizing her hesitation the man flashed her his half smile, clenching his fist together to urge her forward. "C'mon, Yuna. You want to go see the Fayth, right?"

Yuna shook her head swiftly, prepared to turn back around and join the group of happy people outside the Temple. She hadn't wanted to worry him, not tonight. "No… no… I just-" She felt a gloved finger touch her lips sending an odd wave of warmth through her body. Blue eyes looked down on her, mirth dancing about.

"You're a bad liar, y'know." He spoke from memory, repeating the words he'd pretended not to hear from the journey they'd traveled together. "Besides, the Fayth needs you."

His hand moved to cup her cheek and he leaned forward to place his lips on hers. They lingered for a moment, his eyes watching her reaction with both eagerness and apprehension. Yuna smiled into his kiss.

"Let's go." She whispered, feeling her breath entering his parted mouth and the low chuckle the reverberated from his chest.

They parted from their closeness, Yuna taking hold of Tidus's gloved hand and stood before the Chamber door. The door opened, and waiting in the round room was the child Bahamut and woman Valefor. Neither seemed to be in a pleased disposition, nor had the couple expected them to be. Taking a deep breath, Yuna led Tidus into the lightless room of the two Aeons.

"Hello, Yuna." The Bahamut child said, glancing over at Tidus as he did so. "I see your wish was granted."

"We've no time for polite banter. No time at all. We've come to the dream's end but still we continue to wake, unable to fall into the death sleep that awaits all of Spira's children." Bahamut gave a quick nod to Valefor, accepting that fact almost unwillingly.

"Do not ask questions, for we cannot answer them. We had hoped, Yuna… Tidus, that after your last journey you would no longer have to save Spira again. We'd hoped you would be able to rest, as we would. But, as we were to fall into our sleep and finally be granted passage into the Farplane, we learned something. And we were only able to save one." His voice was fading fast; the two images of the Fayth began flickering before their eyes.

"You must hurry!"

"Forgive me, Yuna! I could not stop it, but listen!"

When peace is close at hand,

The harbinger of fear shall sweep the land.

The dead will rise, the dream will lie,

Together they shall shake the Earth and Sky.

Should he that lives but does not take his last breath,

Spira shall surely fall unto death-

Bahamut was cut off, a low scream of a child echoed into the temple. Valefor looked at Yuna with pleading eyes, Bahamut's only held fear. Tidus could feel Yuna shaking, from anger or sadness he knew not.

Another scream came to their ears, high pitched. Both knew it to be Rikku's. Tidus whipped around, tearing his hand from Yuna's as he raced from the Temple without a second glance, impelled with fear. Yuna did not follow.

"What- what do you mean?" She questioned, going over the supposed prophecy once again. Her hand moved to her gun holster, fiddling softly with the metal. The question was never answered; a great shadow covered the Aeons. The woman tried, in vain, to shield the child Bahamut. The woman faced the frozen Yuna, eyes filled with terror.

"Find us! We will help you! Again! Even if it means we can never sleep, we shall not let terror befall Spira!" Her words faded, and the child gave Yuna a final sad smile, meant not only for her.

They left her alone in the Temple, shaking with anger and confusion. Another scream, the smell of flame. Yuna's anger fled to make room for a new emotion. One she was surprised hadn't arrived the minute the boy-child she knew so well from the village had screamed. The hand holding the gun whipped out in front of her, the other grabbing yet another gun. She raced out of the temple, only to be greeted with a scene of tragic.

Each hut lie in ruins; surrounded in purple flames, flame of magic. She could smell the acrid scent of magic in the air. Magic far darker than any Lulu could ever hope to conjure. The fiends had taken advantage of Besaid's sudden weakness, attacking the camp in multitudes.

Without thinking, Yuna ran forward towards Tidus. He held no weapon, but he stood before an unconscious Rikku with the ferocity of a man that could take on the world and then some. A pack of Tindalos Hounds surrounded the pair, snarling and drooling, each with knowing eyes of a feist to come. Yuna allowed herself a mere second surprise for the fiends that weren't originally in this area of Spira before she let loose a series of bullets.

A small sign of recognition was given to her as she joined the party, releasing more bullets on the strong fiends before her as Tidus groped in his pockets in hope of a Phoenix Down or a Potion. Yuna glanced at Rikku's bloodied figure, hoping the Phoenix Down would work on her cousin. Scratches covered her bare mid-drift, her hair had been torn out of the pony tail. Next to her hand was a dress sphere she had been trying to transform into when attacked.

The Phoenix Down didn't work. Yuna could hear Tidus curse something as he leaned down, exposing him far too much to the enemy. More rounds were fired; she began running out of ammo. He was picking her up, carrying her light body as if she were a feather. He looked at Yuna, and nodded towards the hill where she was certain the people of the village had fled.

Backing her way from the vile fiends, she picked up Rikku's dropped sphere and turned to chase after Tidus, not even daring to glance at the ruins of her home. Tears pricked at her eyes without notice, she allowed them to remain.

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A/N- Alright everybody. Chapter one is done. This is my first try at fanfictions, so… yeah. Any constructive criticism is greatly appreciated, or just anything nice! I love to hear from people! I'll try to update regularly, though I warn you… I am moving in a Month's time and don't know how well it will work out for me. Also, if I make any mistakes, please tell me. I hope you enjoyed it! I'll try and make the next chapter longer. Farewell, and have a great holiday season!