Light. The feeling of Light. The scent of brightness and heat. The buoyancy of one's soul when immersed into such purity was all Cloud knew. His name existed, it was there somewhere in the universe, but it wasn't important right now. Right now he was simply enjoying the feeling.

The scent of flowers floated across, making him aware of closed eyes and fingertips.

"Hey there sleepy head."

The woman in pink smiled, as did the man with wild black hair.

Bathed in light, the walls and floor of the bar room had disappeared, replaced instead by flowers and endless white light. Tifa was still standing behind an invisible counter, stock still where she had been wiping glasses dry. Flyaway hairs had escaped her ponytail and crimson eyes smiled at the figure sitting in front of her. Vincent cradled a glass in his hand, ice glistening off of amber liquid as he held up a hand to stop Yuffie's excited questioning. It was only seconds before that he and the bartender had announced their engagement.

Barrett was leaning against an absent wall, hand beside what was once a dart board while Cid stared at the bar in shock. A single dart was still touching his fingers, but only barely, soon enough it would be in Barrett's hand.

"Whats wrong this time?"

They only ever seemed to show up when something was going wrong. He was no longer consumed by the guilt of their deaths and Sephiroth was most assuredly dead. ShinRa was behaving as well, the Turks opening a school for orphans while Rufus set about to funding various eco-friendly power sources. The world was safe, secure, and quiet.

"I know what yer thinking," Zack moved over to Cloud's seat, glancing back and forth between Tifa and Vincent. "It's boring as hell up here isn't it?"

Cloud snickered into his beer. "I'm ready to start a hoax just to get out of the house."

"Zack! Cloud!" Both males winced lightly at Aeris' tone. "Boring is a good thing."

"Good for blowing my brains out," Cloud argued. "Please, please tell me you have something for me to do. I'm begging you. There's got to be a giant dragon or a crazy whack job or something. Please."

Aeris narrowed her eyes but the smile on her lips was unmistakable. "You're lucky we like you. There is something you're needed for." Aeris walked over to an empty bar stool and sat down, looking at Tifa with a smile. "She's going to be a beautiful bride isn't she?"

Zack took over as Aeris got lost in the idea of Tifa in a wedding gown. "When the planet fought against Meteor and Geostigma, it called on help from one of it's sister planets. At least that's what I got from Cupcake over there."

Cloud nodded his head, letting Zack know he understood before walking over to Barrett and moving his hand away from the dartboard. The gunman only had the one left. "So now what? I have to go and help them out of a crisis?" When silence met his ears he smiled, turning to the couple by the bar. "I do, don't I?"

"Seems so little buddy," Zack laughed putting an arm around Clouds neck. "Complete with dragons and behemoths and all sorts of baddies you can fight. But don't worry. We'll set you up with who ya need to be with."

"I'd hope so. But I can't just be hunting down monsters."

"You need to prevent the same mistakes from happening." Aeris had broken out of her fantasy to look at both of them with sad eyes. "They're about to go on a journey much like ours, with the same outcome. But if you help them, no one will have to die."

Cloud turned to ask her what she meant, frowning when the images around him began to brighten dramatically, until they blended into the pure white light. Even the lilies at his feet began to dissolve into puffs of rainbow light. The lightness of body he normally felt in these visions was instead replaced by an overabundance of gravity, pulling every bit of his body down. His eyelids sank turning the light to the crimson of blood rushing through his eyelids before the inky darkness of unconsciousness overtook him.

The next time he opened them, it was to see a pair of eyes blinking down at him curiously. One as blue as the oceans of Costa while the other rivaled the most verdant of jungles. A pert nose was a bit farther below the eyes, right above a pair of rosy lips. Moving lips, he noticed.

"Are you alright?" If her eyes were bewitching, her voice sang the spell.

Yuna brushed some hair out of her eyes, looking down into the shocking blue orbs of her patient. They were so bright and she had never even guessed they might be blue. He appeared on the beach two weeks ago, clutching a massive blade in one hand and a colorful dart in the other. She'd been drawn to him at once, ignoring the warnings as she rushed into the surf to drag him onto the beach.

"I'm fine," His voice cut through her thoughts. It was smooth and masculine. "Where...Where am I?" He asked, trying to sit up.

"Besaid village, you washed up on shore almost two weeks ago," Yuna spoke, trying to push him back onto the bed. He was stronger than she thought, almost smiling at her as she tried to force him down. "You really should cooperate with your nurse. My name's Yuna by the way."

Cloud had to smile at her efforts. She was cute when she got annoyed.

"My nurse? I guess you'd be the one to ask about my clothes." She was cuter when she blushed..

"No! Oh my no," she stuttered through her words. "That, Lulu did, I could never, it just wouldn't be right you see, and because I'm, but you probably don't...It wasn't me."

Yuna didn't understand why she'd started babbling so suddenly. One minute, this man had her frustrated with his stubborn behavior and the next she was showing him her best impersonation of a brook. In any other instance she would have remained clam. She spoke to the Blitzball team, and Wakka and she bathed with Lulu and the other women. Nudity was a part of life on Besaid and most children didn't start wearing clothes until they were three or four. Why was this man so different?

"It's alright you know," Cloud spoke as he looked around the hut for his belongings. His sword has leaning against a wall, newly polished by some kind soul while his gear bag sat atop a low table, cinched tight. "Uhm...if I give you my name can I have my shirt?"

"Of course."

Yuna moved from his bedside to look through a chest at the foot of the bed. As she dug through, Cloud took the time to adjust and consider his situation. He was supposed to help someone save the planet. Was this the girl? He hadn't done a very good job helping her do anything. His head jerked over when she hit hers on the lid of the trunk. He darted over to her side, thankful he had his pants on when he knelt beside her.

"Let me see." Her hands backed away from her head as he inspected her injury.

"Is it bleeding?" She asked worriedly. "It feels like it is."

"Nah, just a bump," He assured her. "Cloud."

Her head tilted to the side questioningly at his response. "Sunshine?"

"My name," he corrected her, smiling at her response. "It's Cloud Strife."

"Oh! I see," She smiled then. Tifa often gave that smile when she was worried about something. "Well, as I said earlier, my name is Yuna. Is it okay if I call you Cloud instead of Cloud Strife, it's a bit long."

"Please do."

He shifted his weight, wondering whether or not he should tell her what he was doing here. If he told her and she wasn't the right person, he would succeed in bringing another innocent life into a war. If she was exactly the right person, he would have to behave and make sure she took him on as a companion. Then again, he could keep silent about the whole affair. Tag along behind her no matter what she said or keep her completely oblivious that her home was about to be destroyed.

He would have to put his decisions off for now. She was standing above him, smiling a real smile as she pulled him to his feet.

"Come on, the rest of the village will want to meet you."

The teen began to drag him through her small hut and into the sunlight of her home, barely giving him enough time to grab his sword. The sudden jump from the muted interior to the brilliance of the sun was a shock to normal eyes, Cloud's Mako enhanced senses were sent into shock. Combined with the weakness he felt from being bedridden, Cloud suddenly found himself stumbling into his kind eyed nurse.

"Sorry," he apologized.

Yuna was blushing madly trying to help him stand without actually touching his skin. Between the dig for a shirt and his presence outside, he hadn't actually put a shirt on. Now that he was outside he was thankful. The warm sun and the gentle breeze were too nice to put clothes on.

"This is my village, Besaid Village."

It was rather small so far as villages went, but it was beautiful. Perhaps twelve huts circled a burn pit, framed all by trees and a tall woven fence. A few villagers made their rounds, delivering and picking up various goods. One girl played with her dog while smaller children ran about in circles, laughing at each other carelessly. A few teens were hanging out over beside one of the larger tents, the males glaring at Cloud as the girls whispered and giggled behind their hands.

"Your friends don't seem to like me very much."

"Some of the girls have been trying to take care of you." Yuna turned to smile at him, the blushing and joy in her eyes had shifted once more once they exited the hut. "Their boyfriends and husbands aren't very fond of the idea."

An approaching woman stopped Cloud from asking about her boyfriend. She reminded him of Vincent with her dark hair and crimson eyes, but she dressed like someone you might pay to spank you. Her entire being seemed to scold those around her but she carried love in her eyes. And a moogle in her arms. Strange.

"You're awake I see." Her voice was smokey and dark. "I'm Lulu."

Yuna watched Lulu and Cloud played nice. Once they exited her hut, the teen had been struck by the image of the temple. Reminded of her looming destiny, she was able to control her more emotional side and talk to Cloud comfortably. She was able to talk to him without being distracted by his exposed chest. Though now that it was in the sun, catching the light and getting a bit of a glisten from his sweat, she wondered if she could talk to him at all. Especially when she had something important to talk to him about.

"Wakka has decided to train with the Aurochs rather than join us in the temple today." Lulu spoke, pinching the bride of her nose. "Honestly, what kind of guardian doesn't put his summoner first?"

"It's alright. Cloud," Yuna turned to her charge. "Do you know what it means to be a guardian?"

Lulu gasped at Yuna's question. She could hear it, she could see Lulu's mouth open from the corner of her eye. But Cloud stopped Lulu's scolding with his answer.

"I was a guardian for my sister."

"You 'were'?" Lulu asked curiously.

"For Aeris." Yuna spoke softly. "When I last prayed in the temple she came to me. She said she would send you to me, to make sure I succeeded in my journey. She and the Fayth told me that until I took you as my own, I could not be a summoner." Yuna turned to Cloud. "If it's okay with you, I'd like you to become my guardian."

The swordsman seemed to fight with himself for a moment.

"I would be honored."

Lulu simply sighed, muttering about Yevon's will and pigheaded Fayth as she walked away from them. Yuna didn't doubt Lulu's destination for a minute. Whenever the twenty year old got frustrated, she ran to Wakka and vented. Yuna had seen it enough times as they grew up. Even when Lulu was engaged to Chappu, she always ran to Wakka.

Well, she certainly wasn't going to wait around for them to come back. Not when she needed to get ready for the cloister.

"We need to go and find Khimari." Yuna took Cloud by the hand once more. "He's one of my guardians. Once we find him, we can begin our journey."

"And I can see the rest of the island." He must have been looking forward to that, she could hear it in his voice.

Their walk to find Khimari took longer than expected. For all that he was a warrior, Cloud stopped often and inspected no few bugs. Even the fiends he fought we subject to inspection as he battled them. He did seem a bit upset as they dissolve into pyre-flies, but he would be distracted only a few moments later by some trail or hidden chest.

"They look kind of old," she settled on saying as he dropped down from the bridge into the waterfall. How could he be so fearless? The chest was at least twenty feet down and one misstep could take her guardian away as quickly as he'd come.

"Well the locks are rusted shut. So I'd have to agree." Cloud grinned up at her, blinded by the sunlight behind her. Pulling the knife from his boot, Cloud broke the lock and managed to return to her four potions richer. About halfway through their walk back to the village, Cloud asked her about the sandals dangling from her fingers. He questioned her quite heavily about them and about the journey they were about to make. Only when she let him inspect one of her sandals did he stop asking her.

"Cloud, why...Cloud?" The soldier had his weapon drawn, eyes narrowed as he looked up at the ruins.

"You should probably stay back."

The beast that had been prowling atop the ruins was now crouched in front of them, growling as he pulled himself upright and drew a spear. He was a blue Nanaki with bird wings, armor and a broken horn. He also seemed to be waiting for Cloud to finish drawing his weapon. The slow sound of steel being drawn overtook the fall of water and the birds.

It was a sparring match. Nothing more. A fight between an established member and a newcomer to find a place. Cloud needed to prove he was strong enough to take care of Yuna and the others who might join them. The spear was thrust at him with skill Cid had possessed closer to the middle of their journey. He could help this creature, Khimari, grow in skill, together they could protect Yuna. Maybe even be friends.

"Stop! Please!" the two heard Yuna scream. Their fight was at an end now and the desperation in Yuna's tone made Cloud put his weapon away. Khimari followed suit, his spear coming to rest at his side while Cloud put a hand on Yuna's hair.

"I'm sorry. We were just having some fun."

"Fun? Trying to kill each other is fun?" Yuna scolded.

The blue beast nodded his head at her.

"Don't worry about it," Cloud ruffled her hair with a smile. "Guys are dumb. We punch each other for fun." Cloud glanced over at Khimari, catching a strange grin on his catlike lips. "You remind me of Nanaki actually. Only standing on two legs, with wings. And Nanaki talks...a lot."

"Really?" Yuna asked leaning forward to hear more. Her sandals were back on her feet and Khimari had moved closer tot hem, interested in this Nanaki fellow he supposedly resembled.

"Yeah, he's like a red feline creature, but the tip of his tail is on fire."

Cloud continued his explanation of Nanaki as they traipsed back to the village. From the school he ran in Cosmo Canyon, to his recently born children. Twins who hadn't yet learned to control their tails. Their sparks gave Tifa no small amount of grief as it so happened. He felt himself talking about all of his friends soon enough. From Cid's spear wielding to Reeve's mechanical moogle. All the while battling fiends with Khimari and inspecting this new world.

"Tifa sounds very nice," Yuna smiled her fake smile again. Cloud was tired of seeing false smiles, especially on a face so kind as hers. Her gem-like eyes should be shining with happiness, not sorrow. "Adopting all those kids and caring for them. Not to mention running two business'...I'm so envious."

"I'm just glad she's got someone to share her life with now. Tifa and Vincent make a nice couple."

Cloud noticed Yuna relax a bit when she heard that, leaning closer to him as they walk. Not for the first time that day, Cloud stumbled into the young woman. Khimari had bumped into him as he passed causing the warrior to either let Yuna fall, or wrap his arms around her.

Mako blue met jade and sapphire when he caught her. She was soft he noticed, curving in all the right places and perfect in his embrace. The world slowly faded as the dying sun brought fire into their eyes. A fire that was only beginning to spark deep within their souls. A fire that would one day consume them both. One day. Right now the two were transfixed by their matching heart beats and the look in the others eyes.

Her pink lips were wet by a tongue, each leaning slightly closer to the other.

"Eh! Yuna!" The spell was broken. The fire in Yuna's eyes was dimmed while the blaze in Cloud's soul began to grow.

A large man was running towards them, ignorant of what he'd interrupted. Dressed in bright yellow overalls, the tanned ginger was waving his arms, upset by something yet unknown. "Oy! Yuna! Whats da meanin of dis ya?"

Cloud moved forward, neither obstructing Yuna nor leaving her open. Yuna, for her part, felt a deep annoyance at her brother figure. Something had nearly happened. She had felt something in Cloud's arms that she'd never felt anywhere else. A perfection she had never thought to feel before her journey came to it's end.

"What's wrong Wakka?" She asked sweetly.

"What's wrong...oh dats a good one! You goin and makin a new guardian without tellin me! Not to mention he's a blonde kid," He shook his head in annoyance. "What if he gets mistaken for an AlBehd ya? Then where we gonna be?"

"Wakka, I..."

"It's not up to you," Cloud spoke up for her. Saving her by drawing Wakka's ire onto himself. His voice was soft and steely, eyes faintly glowing as he looked at Wakka. "This isn't your journey. It's not your story. It's Yuna's. Yuna's life to do with as she pleases." Cloud walked forward, this time stepping in between them. "She has the power. She makes the choices."

Cloud left the two of them to stand by the waiting Khimari.

"Wakka," Yuna spoke softly. "Cloud is very strong. And he has experience. Maybe-."

"Ah, don't worry about it ya?" Wakka scratched the back of his neck. "'sides, he's right. It's your life. Your choice."

Yuna awoke the next morning to find Cloud missing. His shoes were gone, but his sword was still sheathed against the wall so he couldn't have left the village. The more she looked around, the more she saw his personal affects still decorating her hut. His shirt was folded neatly beneath his gear bag, the bag itself looking slightly less full than it had before, while his accessories sat on his pillow.

Where on earth was he? Dressing in a light yukata, the soon to be summoner darted into the village to find out where he was. Every answer she got was vague. 'Somewhere near the shop' was as specific as it got, but when she entered the shop, it was missing what she wanted. Another set of questions sent her towards the tailor's shop on the other side of the village.

Unfortunately, he was absent from that location as well. She did discover something interesting though. Cloud had made a special order this morning.

"Oh yes yes yes, he had quite a bit of gil on him that one. And his pants!" The old man sighed in happiness and envy. He wasn't much better at answering her questions than the rest of the villagers. "Oh I've never seen such finely woven cloth! I must discover his secret. Are you still here?"

"I'm just leaving," Yuna smiled before turning to him. "Oh, sir, do you think you could possibly make me a travel skirt?"

"Of course of course, just come by in two hours and it will be done, I promise."

The sunshine hit her as she crossed over to her domicile. Moments later a feeling of frustration washed over her as well. Sometime between her entering the tailor's hut and leaving, Cloud had come back, grabbed his shirt and sword, and run off once more. It was frustrating and confusing and all manner of things. Had Wakka done this, or Jassu or even Khimari, she might not have cared so much, if at all. But when he'd looked at her yesterday...

"Maybe I should look for him?" she wondered silently to herself. The sun was setting now, the blue sky replaced by pinkish orange and faded lilac. Her skirt had been made and claimed, worn around the village and into the temple, she was debating removing it now in favor of pajamas.

A cacophony of noise drew her out of her hut. The laughter and shouting of the blitz team was joined by a voice she had been waiting on. As she stuck her head out of the hut, she could see Cloud laughing with the boys, telling stories and joking around. Wakka walked beside him, listening or questioning where appropriate. They seemed to have made up.

"I don't think I was ever so speechless in my life," Cloud laughed as they got closer. "Oh, hey Yuna."

Yuna glared.

"Are you okay?"

"You're in for it now brudda," Wakka laughed as he placed a consoling hand upon Cloud's shoulder. "Aurochs! To my place for drinks ya?"

As the athletes left for the safety of Wakka's hut, Cloud walked up to the teen. She was in a mood.

"Did something happen?" he tried again. He put his hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes. "Yuna, please if something is wrong...you changed clothes." She felt him back up a bit. His hands were still on her shoulders as he appraised her. Yuna could feel his eyes trace a path along her body, pausing every so often as a slight smile formed upon his lips. "I like it. It makes you look older."

Yuna blushed lightly as his words extinguished her fury. She'd had an entire speech prepared involving responsibility and worrying people but he'd been so concerned when he saw her frowning. His eyes had been so sincere and piercing. Then he complemented her.

"I kinda got you something." Cloud smiled, taking her by the hand.

"Oh?"

"Yeah, for the journey." Cloud led her into the hut they'd been sharing. "If you keep wearing your sandals you're going to get hurt. Stubbed toes or blisters or maybe even frostbite." Cloud trailed off before reaching beneath his bed and removing a box. "I dropped them off here when I came back for my sword."

Yuna took the offered gift. Leather boots awaited her within. Laced with satin ribbons, they were sturdily built with supple leather and thick soles. For all their rugged appearance, the inside was feather soft. A smaller box fell out when she removed the boots.

"I was looking for that," Cloud said. He took the box from where it had fallen by his feet. "It's from Terra. It was my sister Aeris'." Yuna leaned closer when the blonde opened the velvet box. A brilliant silver charm rest within, attached to a similar chain.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. She would have wanted you to wear it. I'd like you to wear it too."

"Thank you."

Cloud shrugged before taking one of her boots from her. Living on an island, he wasn't surprised to see her having difficulty with them. With a small laugh he sat on the ground and began to lace them for her. From this angle, Cloud decided he would much rather run his hands along her legs than cover them up in leather. Maybe.

"I feel like a little girl." Her statement shook them both into reality. Cloud remembered what he was doing while Yuna calmed her heart. "No-one has tied my shoes for me since my father left."

"Your father? What was he like?"

"I can't remember High Summoner Braska very well. I know he must have been very compassionate, because he went on the same journey I'm about to go on. I hope to carry on his legacy. To make him proud and save my people."

Cloud didn't think Yuna had ever truly met her father. Everything she'd told him matched perfectly what Wakka and the blitz team had told him only a few hours ago. Legacies only existed because someone had died, work left unfinished in hopes someone else might succeed.

"Back home, I wanted to do the same thing. To be a hero like...well, he wasn't much of a hero in the end. He killed Aeris as she prayed. Right through the heart." Cloud focused his attention onto her laces. "It was hard to smile for a long time after that."

"When my father died, I learned to laugh at everything that made me sad. I'd find myself practicing to smile and laugh in the mirror." Yuna looked at him expectantly. "What were the best things you two did together?"

"We used to race chocobos." He smiled up at her then, one hand resting on her calf, warm through the leather of gloves and boots. "You shouldn't smile unless you feel it." Cloud moved to her other foot, switching the subject just as quickly. "Tell me what you remember about your parents."

The two of them stayed awake through the night, remembering their families as best they could. When it came to actual memories, neither had much to offer the other. The scent of a mother's perfume, the sound of a man's voice, the vibrant pink of flowers. This was what they knew of those who bore them. Even with so little information to give, the two of them stayed up through the night, watching as the first fingers of dawn began to stretch across the sky.

"Its a good thing we got these on. Maybe we can go exploring for real today."

"Should it take an entire night to put them on?" Yuna's tone was teasing as she inspected her feet. "I might have to ask you to tie them through the whole trip."

"You are a cruel mistress," Cloud laughed as he helped her to stand. Yuna was easy to be around. She wasn't demanding or clingy. She only asked that he check in with her if he was going out. He could do that, but from this point on, he had no intention of letting her out of his sight.

"Cruelty is Wakka running around in his underwear," Yuna laughed, pulling him to stand. "Come on, let's go and explore."

They crested the hill, watching as the sun rose from the depths of the ocean, setting the entire world ablaze.

"Good morning Yuna."

"Good morning Cloud."

They returned to the village sometime after noon. Each was covered in dirt, dust, and green stains. Mud coated the bottom of their boots and Cloud's sword was in dire need of cleaning. But they were happy. An excited pair of children all too likely to sneak away again. Anyone could see it, including the nearby Lulu. She'd been searching for the two of them earlier, but looking at them now, Lulu had to wonder if she'd ever seen Yuna at all.

"Lulu!" Yuna dashed over to her, pushing the bag of goods at Cloud. "We explored the island. It was amazing, Cloud managed to get us into the ruins under the hill and inside of the ruins by the ocean."

"It wasn't too hard," Cloud moved the bag. "The hard part was getting you to pay attention."

"She is easy to distract," Lulu agreed. Even she had to smile when Yuna punched her new Guardian in the arm."So what do you feel like doing now Yuna?"

"We will go into the cloister of trials once Khimari gets here," she spoke in her soft voice. The laughter in her eyes was dimming and the joy in her voice had diminished slightly. "After that I go to pray and hopefully I'll become a summoner.

Khimari didn't arrive until Cloud had dropped their treasures off and Yuna had changed her shirt. Her torn pink top replaced with a white backless thing. Yuna's most daring garment was something Lulu had given her last year.

It was nice to see Yuna giving genuine smiles as she teased Cloud. The teasing was something new, something Lulu hadn't heard before, but it was welcome. It made Yuna smile.

The cloister was actually quite simple for Cloud and Yuna to solve. Small glowing spheres unlocked hidden walls and doors, revealing yet more treasures. Each of which Yuna darted in to grab before anyone else. She was quite the treasure bug he'd discovered today. There wasn't a single item left in any of the ruins they'd gone to investigate. Maybe they could go adventuring once this was all done. Find other places like the temple they were now in. Maybe they could breath new life into the history of Spira's own ancients.

The antechamber of the temple was surprisingly vibrant in color, especially compared to what they'd been walking through. Cloud walked up the steps with her, leaving Lulu and Khimari at the bottom as she opened the gate the the Fayth.

"Good luck," he mumbled. He took a chance, kissing the top of her head as her held her tight. "Now go. I'll be here. Waiting."

"Cloud...You better be." She walked through the gate, glancing back only once before shutting it behind her. Only when it was secure did Cloud rejoin Lulu and Khimari down on the floor.

"You like her don't you?" Lulu asked.

"I do."

"I suppose its alright." Lulu moved to sit on the stairs. "Just don't tell Wakka, he might try and kill you."

"Well isn't that assuring." Cloud joined her on the stairs, sitting a few steps closer to Yuna. "He wouldn't actually kill me, would he?"

He swore he heard Aeris laughing. Zack too. Lulu only smiled at him.

Hours passed within the antechamber. It seemed like an eternity for the Guardians in the room, and somewhere in his mind, Cloud was sure night had fallen. He could feel the air grow just a bit crisper, colder almost. He could hear the prayer soften in volume. Even the candles seemed to dim.

Lulu was lounging on the bottom step, bangs hanging in her face to hide her closed eyes. Her moogle was behind her, unbraiding and brushing her hair, signaling that she was indeed asleep. Khimari was also sitting, though he was in deep meditation, his lance balanced perfectly behind the stub of his broken horn as he rest upon a single toe.

That left Cloud sitting like a puppy in front of the door. This puppy however was twirling his knife around in his hand and picking his nails with the edge. While Lulu and Khimari had moved about the chamber, trying to keep awake, Cloud had moved ever closer to Yuna. Even Khimari had teased him in the beginning.

Cloud was almost ready to close his eyes when the antechamber door burst open. Wakka stood there, a hand on the shoulder of a blonde teenager as he tried to pull the stranger back. The noise of the blonde and the slamming of the door had not only woken Lulu. It had woken her wrath.

"What are you doing here?" Lulu immediately questioned Wakka, pinning him under her gaze. It reminded him of Tifa questioning Cid. "Didn't think we'd be able to handle it?"

"No, it's uh...it's just..." He turned to the blonde beside him, "See, I told you she gets mad easy."

"Is the summoner all right?" He asked curiously and somewhat snobbish.

"Who the hell are you?" Cloud asked, making himself known. Wakka spun around, hand on his chest in shock, while the blonde kid stumbled from surprise. Cloud walked down the stairs, hiding his amusement as he thanked Vincent for lessons in stealth. "Isn't it taboo to bring an outsider in here?

"My name's Tidus, star player of the Zanarkand Abes!" He puffed his chest out importantly.

"Is that supposed to mean something to me?" Cloud asked, raising a brow. He ignored the indignation from the boy and focused his attention on Wakka. "I thought you weren't going to be joining us. Practicing for the crystal cup right?"

"I, well this kid, he washed up and..."

The door to the Fayth began to slide open, ending Wakka's stumbling explanation and bathing the chamber in light. Yuna came forward from the depths, sweating and gasping for air as she leaned heavily against the frame. A shaky step was made. The second step sent her tumbling. For the first time, Cloud was grateful for everything ShinRa had done to him. Without the Mako treatments and training, Yuna would be on the cold stone rather than in his arms.

"That first step is a doozy," Cloud smiled, brushing her hair back. "Happy?"

"I am. I have become a summoner."

She leaned into his chest, fingers curled into his shirt, as she fell asleep. It was easy to scoop her into his arms and descend down to the others. Easy and a much better feeling than the last time he carried a woman. Khimari opened the door for him, following close as he took her back to their hut to rest.

"Wow, that guy's a really dedicated brother," Tidus said, watching as the summoner was carried out of the room. Tidus had dealt with brothers before. This one might be a bit scarier, but nothing was going to stop him from-

"Brudda?" Wakka asked. His laughter had snapped Tidus out of his planning. "Please, Puff's not Yuna's brudda."

"You mean they're?" Tidus questioned.

"Ever since he arrived they've been sleeping together," Lulu answered him. Cloud had already admitted his intentions to the black mage; she would much rather have a nameless stranger for Yuna's beloved than an athlete. "She tended his wounds so faithfully, just like a wife."

~!~

"Cloud," Yuna laughed pulling away, "I'm going to drown if you make me drink anymore water."

He mumbled an apology to her before scratching the back of his head. He worried about her. That much was obvious during their day trip. He'd pulled her away from snakes, stood between her and the many lupine fiends, he even helped her to cross streams. This afternoon was different. As she exited the cloister, suddenly rushing to meet the temple floor, she could feel his concern wrapping around her in two strong arms.

Cloud escorted Yuna out of their hut a few moments later to find themselves the focus of the villagers. More people were watching them than Cloud had ever seen in Besaid Village; was the whole island here? They were waiting for her. Waiting to see what she'd spent so many hours praying for.

"Watch." She pushed him gently towards Wakka an the others, smiling as she drew her staff.

She was so much more graceful than anything Cloud had seen. When he and his friends used summon materia, it was quick, precise and simple, but this...this was in a league all it's own. It was beautiful and intricate, something passed down through generations. Glyphs shone on the ground around her as the sky itself became part of her dance. Clouds funneled above them as a creature came diving down. Birdlike and rainbow colored, it reminded him faintly of a painting in Cosmo Canyon. A Thunderbird. The creature landed in front of her, cooing as she stroked it's feathers. She performed a dismissive motion, and the bird flew off, dissolving into glowing balls of light the further it climbed into the sky.

Yuna was trying hard not to stumble as everyone rushed to congratulate her. The second time she wavered she fell into Cloud's embrace. Yuna glanced at him thankfully before she continued accepting thanks. As he held Yuna in his arms, looking across the gathered crowd, he could see Tidus glaring at him. It wasn't so much a glare as it was a challenge. Tidus glanced down at Yuna and licked his lips before turning back to him.

Cloud unconsciously tightened his arm around the new summoner as he glowered at the annoying gnat of a man.

He kept Yuna at his side throughout the day. Silent, watching, protecting her from bug bites.

"Yuna." She was changing behind a screen in their hut. "What are the glowing balls of light that come off of the fiends and aeons?"

"Pyre-flies," Yuna replied as she pulled her shirt from the screen. Lulu had laundered them since they'd exited the temple. When she came out from behind the screen she was wearing a pair of tall socks beneath her skirt. "Uhm...Cloud, do you think you could maybe?" Yuna held out the necklace he'd given her a few days before. Not the boots. "I had to take it off while I showered."

"You shouldn't worry, it's mythril, so you'll be able to wear it no matter what." He clasped the chain in his fingers while she turned. Her skin was soft as his fingertips grazed her neck. It was the first time he'd ever touched her skin. She leaned into it.

"I have something I have to show you after the party." He faltered for a moment when she nodded. "Tidus, I don't trust him."

Yuna nodded once more before the two of them headed out. The firepit had been dead this morning, empty of even dirt when Cloud and Yuna went inside. A two story bonfire was roaring now. Smaller fires burned off to the side, pots hung over one, a pig rotated over another. The entire island had turned up for this. Elders rested in a semicircle, across from the Aurochs and their horseplay and the flying blitzball. A few of the athletes waved at him, while the others invited him over.

Yuna chose to sit beside the elders. Children joined them moments later, convinced that Cloud needed to be defeated.

The youngest boy of them all was climbing up his back, trying to take him down while an older boy was helping out, taking him by an arm. The girls were poking him with wooden swords, the same way Marlene did when Denzel jumped on Cloud. Was there some unwritten law that demanded children attack adults? Or were they all enacting some ancient and instinctive ritual of blood sacrifice? And why did he still love kids?

Cloud slowly stood up, roaring like a monster and causing the kids to laugh delightedly. He marched around a few feet, only faintly surprised when the girls jumped on him too. He marched around for quite a few minutes until the children's arms got tired of holding on. Mako was a good thing when dealing with children. He'd discovered this long ago.

"Let me introduce you to the team," he heard Wakka say to Tidus. He almost felt bad for the boy, from what he'd seen of the Aurochs, they were a rough team. Wakka was talking about Tidus having a fuzzy memory and saying odd things. He was awkward introducing himself and the rest of the team seemed less than enthusiastic. Especially when he changed the team goal. Wakka seemed okay with it though, and made the team more at ease with the new plan until they were all but shouting "Victory".

"Victory! Victory! Victory!"

Cloud ignored it, deciding to play to the kids that he was tired. They let him go long enough to sit down beside Yuna. They moment his rear touched the ground they were creating a dog-pile. He looked up when he heard Yuna laughing at him.

"Help, please." Yuna laughed and was about to help him when the villagers began shouting some incredibly kind things to the newest guest. One of the kids even got up to yell at him.

"You heathen!" An old man wheezed out, shaking his cane angrily.

"Stay away from the summoner!" His wife agreed.

"You're a bad man!" This came form the child who'd previously sat on his head. At least the kid was off him now, but Yuna was walking over to Tidus, assuring everyone that she would be fine near the stranger.

"I'm Yuna," She introduced herself, trying to ignore the looks he was giving Cloud behind her. "Thank you so much for your help earlier."

"I'm sorry about that." Tidus laughed, "Wasn't that... Wasn't I not supposed to... Guess I...kind of overreacted."

"Oh, no, Cloud was actually getting ready to get me out."

Tidus flinched at the name of the other man. He glanced over, seeing a little girl braiding Clouds shaggy blonde hair. He wondered if his cold reaction was due to how the older man acted.

"Um, I saw that aeon thing," Tidus started anew, hoping to get on the brunettes good side. "That was amazing!"

"Really?" Yuna asked. "Do you think I can become high summoner?"

"Lady Yuna," A kid ran up yelling. "Cloud needs to be prettier! Will you please come help us?" Both teens turned around to find that Cloud was now sporting a stylish crown of flowers, as well as a necklace. The boys had armed him with a wooden sword and a crudely made spear. The girls were mashing up berries for warpaint, he looked like a tribal king.

"He's so kind to them," Tidus heard Yuna sigh happily. "So, tomorrow then."

Tidus started. "Tomorrow?"

"We're going on the same boat, aren't we?"

"Oh, really?"

"We can talk more," Yuna commented. "You can tell me all about Zanarkand!"

Tidus watched her walking back over to the broody, yet child-friendly man. They did look good together, but he was older than she was. Not to mention he wasn't a superstar! Tidus' musing's were cut short by Wakka's arm around his neck."She's cute, ya?" The dark man commented, waggling his eyebrows.

"Yeah," Tidus said nodding.

"Don't get no ideas."

"No promises there, big guy," Tidus laughed, trying to shake of Cloud's eyes. They almost seemed to glow. "Hey, but what if she, like, comes on to me?"

Wakka scoffed at the very thought. "That's not going to happen. Those two were made for each other ya? I just hope... Hey, if you get tired, let me know. I had a bed made for you."

Back by Cloud and Yuna, the whole village was taking part in decorating the ex-SOLDIER. He was a surprisingly good sport about all of it, the elders would whisper. He's being so kind for her, The elders would whisper. He's falling in love with her, the elders would whisper. He could save her.

"Una, ould oo ury uh," Cloud asked, trying not to move his mouth too much. She'd been painting on and around it for the last ten minutes and Cloud had to yawn.

"Hold on," Yuna said, her own mouth open as she painted him. She couldn't explain how, but she could understand him perfectly, whether he was mumbling, muttering to himself, or talking as she painted him up. She even understood the words he spoke in his sleep. Such sad and anguished words, even now she hadn't asked him about it. During her time with the Fayth, Aeris had once again showed up, revealing to Yuna Cloud's secret origin and the condensed history of their planet. Hence the extra time inside the stoney walls.

"All done!" Yuna said happily. She watched the blondes mouth stretch impossibly wide as he yawned.

"Good," Cloud said, resisting the urge to itch right below his left eye. Botta had come over and painted the Aurochs team logo right there, making sure that it was detailed down to the smallest line, before scrawling the team cheer beneath it. "Come on, I wanted to show you something." Cloud stood and helped Yuna up and began walking to the village gates. He made sure to unsheathe his sword in front of Tidus as a warning however.

"So?" Yuna asked. "What is it?"

The moon was high above them as they stood before the monument. Stars were twinkling down, brighter than any Cloud had ever seen, and more brilliant than any Yuna had known.

"Materia," Cloud said pulling a rainbow orb out of his bracer. "Master summon materia. It summons creatures the same way you can summon...what do you summon?"

"Valefor," Yuna filled in with a smile. "Are you saying you want to fight them?"

"No, I want to teach you to use materia," Cloud said. "Master Summon should allow full access to all of the summons from my home. For now though, I want you to have a way to defend yourself if you can't summon or we're in close quarters."

Yuna nodded, leaning closer to inspect the materia. It was glowing, shimmering with magic and life.

"I only have mastered materia with me, so you'll have to be careful," He said, exchanging his summon sphere for something else. It was greenish in color, and a bit larger. "Now, this is master magic. Equip it by pushing it into your ring. It'll fit." He waited until she did so, however hesitantly. A few seconds later he was rubbing his shoulder; was it his fault she was so cute when she was surprised? "Alright, I'm going to tell you a spell to focus on alright? Lets start with something simple..."

"Cure?"

"No, you might end up using the kind you're used to...bingo," Cloud said, spotting a fiend. "Now, I want you to imagine that fiend turning very very small alright?"

Yuna nodded, focusing on both the unsuspecting flan and the materia. Tiny flan, tiny flan, tiny flan. The materia in her ring was reacting sluggishly and reluctantly, she heard Cloud whispering for her to keep steady. Be insistent, yet undemanding. The magical sphere flushed then and exited through the summoner's fingertips, right at the now miniscule flan.

"I did it!" Yuna was amazed at the sphere on her ring, so docile now. "It was so strange...I'd never cast any spell like that before."

"That's materia. Honestly I'd never seen spells cast without it until I came here." He walked over to the quarter sized Flan and picked it up. "Think Lulu would let us keep it?"

"Defiantly not," Yuna shook her head. "She's actually kind of scared of them."

"Are you serious?"

"Dead serious."

"Amazing." He shook his head before setting the fiend back on the ground. "Oh, one more thing, from now on, whenever you cast a spell using materia, use a motion you wouldn't normally use," Cloud said taking the materia back. "That way you don't end up catching your bunk on fire."

"What's yours? And what do you mean bunk?"

"Mine?" Cloud gave the tiny flan to Yuna before casting his own Toad spell on it. She mimicked his motion for a moment before scrunching her nose in distaste. She would find her own gesture.

"And bunk?" She asked.

"I was in the army once. ShinRa's army to be exact. I was training to become one of the elite's. A SOLDIER, first class. I wanted to be just like my hero."

Yuna watched as his eyes grew hard as he remembered the terrible events Aeris had spoken of, breifly. The soft glow she'd seen before had turned cold, his mouth had drawn tight, and his fists were clenching ever so slightly. She didn't like to see him this way. It hurt to see him so angry. Slowly, she moved towards him, settling a hand on his arm. His anger didn't leave him, but he softened, nodding at her before he took her by the hand and began walking back to the village.

~!~

"You really don't need all that luggage," Cloud heard Lulu say when they exited. He looked down at Yuna's bags, compared to Tifa and Marlene, that wasn't much at all. As single trunk opposed to the garment bags, shows boxes, hat boxes, etc...

"They're not really my things," She explained, adjusting they way she carried her staff. "They're gifts for the temples we're to visit."

"This isn't a vacation, Yuna," Wakka chided. Something had happened last night between he and Lulu. Cloud wasn't sure what, but he'd heard raised voices before falling back to sleep across from Yuna.

"I guess...I guess you're right," She said letting go of the handle.

"I thought we discussed this sort of thing already," Cloud spoke up in Yuna's defense against Wakka for a second time.

"Fine, but you're carrying it!" Wakka blinked a few times before remembering what Cloud was talking about. What in the name of all Holy had happened last night to make him so upset? This wasn't regular crabbiness or the usual grump Wakka tended to lean towards.

Lulu however was intrigued.

"What discussion?"

Wakka seemed embarrassed and Cloud flat out refused to answer, leaving her to question Yuna. She didn't quite know know either, but promised to find out on the boat and tell her everything. There wasn't much Cloud could hide from her. Tidus was curious as well, asking Wakka why Cloud was leader of this expedition. Why wasn't someone else in charge, someone younger and more daring?

"He's got what Yuna wants as his top priority," Wakka answered. "I'm doin this for revenge and because Yuna's like a baby sister to me. Lu's doin it to atone. But Puff, he's doin this because it makes Yuna happy. Plus, he's been through the whole thing before." He spoke up louder this time, addressing the whole group. "Okay! Off we go!"

Cloud waited with Yuna as she glanced back at the temple. Her home for ten years she'd told him. The place she grew up and learned how to climb rocks and cook fresh fish and play blitz-ball. This was the only place she'd ever known, the furthest she'd ever visited had been with him. She turned back slowly, head bent as she hid her tears. She was shaking as she leaned into him. Her faint tremors echoed in his own frame.

"Cry, I won't tell anyone."

The group once again made it to the top of the hill, battling fiends as they went. Cloud was called in to help a few times by Tidus and he successfully wiped out all of the low level monsters in barely a swipe each.

"Take your time." Lulu said as Yuna prayed at the stone odalisque.

"Let's get going, man!"

Cloud was beginning to like that blonde kid less and less. Either he'd never had to wait on anyone before, or he'd never been faced with a separation such as this. Either way, Cloud found himself planting his feet more firmly into the ground.

"We're gonna wait," Wakka said. He was finally starting to get with Clouds plan to let Yuna make the decisions of the trip. While perhaps not the most logical choice, it was the more compassionate one. They all knew what Yuna was walking towards and they all knew that her life had been highly orchestrated growing up in the temple. The two athletes walked away from them all, Cloud following behind as Lulu talked with the teen. Khimari was planning something.

"What's the big deal about that?" Tidus asked. What's going on?"

Wakka explained the custom of prayer before a long journey, for safe journeys. His face saddened, remembering Chappu, a name Cloud had heard during last night's muted argument.

"Chappu didn't pray that day. Said he'd miss his boat." Wakka performed the gesture as well, and for some reason, Cloud felt compelled to do the same.

"That should do it!" Wakka said. "We should catch up with the girls ya?"

Yuna was beside Cloud as they walked through the ruins and past the flora of the island. Every so often, he would lift a plant and double check it's species with Yuna. When the two of them saw a very tiny flan crawling along a vine near Lulu, they had to laugh. Behind them Wakka was telling Tidus the different plays for the Aurochs. Lulu was playing with her moogle in an odd, childish way. The beginning of a journey was always full of excitement and energy.

"See this?" Yuna had pulled him slightly off the path.

It was a whole chain of periwinkle blue flowers, each one no bigger than his pinky nail. They were close together, covering the whole vine. "They're very rare. They only bloom once a year, and whenever they do, a boy will pick them and make a wreath for the girl he likes. That's how men propose here on Spira." She pointed out a similar plant, with pink blossoms the size of his palm. "Those blossoms are the ones a girl gives a boy to propose or accept. The only difference is that she makes a crown."

"Hm, so what if I give you this one?" Cloud picked a more innocent white blossom. The same kind which had grown in Aeris' church.

Yuna's eyes widened. "I've never seen one of those before!"

"I have. It's a Sun Lily," Cloud admitted. "They grow on Terra."

Yuna blushed as he tucked it behind her ear, thanking him silently before pecking him on the cheek and dashing over to Lulu. She didn't see Cloud reach over to grab the blue flowers. He barely knew he was doing it until they rest in his pack, stop spell making each petal shimmer with magic. They would stay until he saw the perfect moment. He nearly laughed at himself. Three days and already he was waiting to propose. It was mad. He adjusted the blossoms so they wouldn't get crushed.

When he rejoined them, it was to see Tidus fighting against Khimari. Yuna was smiling at the whole affair despite the anxiety in her eyes. Men were dumb. He whispered this into her ear as he came to stand beside her. She knew, hence the smile rather than the screams she'd cried last time. Lulu seemed to have known. Not just the lack of intelligence nd love for violence men had. She knew about the kiss.

"That's enough!" Wakka said running up to the both of them. He was apparently done watching the fight.

"What's with that guy?" Tidus asked, catching his breath.

"Khimari Ronso, of the Ronso tribe." Lulu spoke. "He's learned the fiends' way of fighting."

"That's not what I meant!" Tidus shouted.

"He's another of Yuna's guardians." Wakka said.

"Sometimes we don't understand him either," Yuna explained. "Khimari doesn't talk much anyway. But he has protected me since I was a child."

"He was really just saying 'welcome to the group'," Cloud joined in. "He did the same thing to me, you should feel loved."

Cloud was a bit surprised at how many people were there to say good bye to Yuna, all those who hadn't been in the village, the tiny fishing community, a medicine maker from deeper in the jungle. He'd met them all last night, every last one. They were all so sad, silent tears running down their faces as Cloud handed the luggage to the men who worked on the ferry. Yuna turned to Cloud and he helped steady her as she climbed on board. Her took her bag from her so she could continue to say her goodbyes, performing the prayer gesture a few times as the boat pushed off. A whispered "Goodbye", and she was once again leaning into him.

"C'mon," Cloud said, pulling her away from the rail. "Lets go look around the ship. Find you a room so you can rest."

So, for my long time readers, I really hope you enjoyed reading the revamped version of Cloud in Wonderland. What a difference a few years can make! There will be shifts, changes, ideas are more planned out that before...

If you've been paying attention to my other updates, you'll know I've been doing other things as well. If you haven't, my life has been full of amazing and grand changes. I'm finally in my dream school after three years in oblivion and I've never been so happy. Which, if you've been paying attention to my other updates, seems odd.

Anyway, please leave a review, they do give me encouragement ^_^