AN: I do not own any of the characters in the story, they belong to their respectful owners.

The plot is my own, although some event are loosely based on those of Final Fantasy X.

Enjoy!


The sun… it's so bright. And the wind… it's nice.

Wait… who are you?

Chapter 1: First Steps

She awoke, a cold sweat coating her body as it tried to rid itself from sleep. She groaned, shielding her eyes from the light pouring in through the poorly built hut. She had no idea what time it was, or even what day had dawned upon the isle of Besaid. All she knew is that the sun was irritating her. The drape covering the entrance to the hut was thrown aside as a tall figure strode in.

"Good, you're awake. We leave in an hour." Pulling the sheets self consciously around her frail form, Yuna, only daughter to High Summoner Braska, looked up at the form of her eldest guardian.

"Sir Auron, I am yet to pray at the temple for a safe journey. An hour is not enough time." The teen protested. With a mere sigh, the guardian turned on his heel and moved swiftly out of the hut.

Only a tender age of 17, Yuna had embarked on a quest that would take her to the grave. She had assumed the role of Summoner, like her late father before her. Her mother had been an Al Bhed, which had led to controversy and doubt among the people of Bevelle, Yuna's former home and birthplace. Yuna's face resembled her mother's, but her eyes were bi-coloured. One emerald green, like her mother's and the other a deep ocean blue, like her father's. Her cropped, shoulder length auburn hair was inherited from her father, as was her strong-willed and caring nature.

Running her hand through her tangled hair, Yuna rose from the bed, shedding her night dress as she moved to the dresser. Yuna's attire was very plain, she had gathered several pieces of cloth and sewn them together to make very simple clothing. The upper part of her clothes consisted of a plain black bra and a length of material, crossed once behind her neck and placed over each breast. Her skirt consisted of two layers of voile. The under layer was a dark plum purple, with the outer a slighter lighter shade, trimmed with a slightly lighter satin ribbon, the lower right corner of the voile was detailed with a flower ensemble stretching across the bottom of the skirt and up to her right thigh. Both the top and bottom layers were held together with a yellow ribbon, patterned with flowers and ivy décor. Her simple black leather boots completed the outfit. Yuna admitted it wasn't much, but she needed lightweight clothing for her pilgrimage. The only expensive thing Yuna wore was a necklace her mother had left her on her deathbed. It was a beautiful piece. The chain was made up of pearls from the island of Luca, and the sapphire from the caves of Mt.Gagazet. Yuna treasured this necklace greatly, it had brought her luck, and she hoped that it would allow a safe journey for herself and her guardians.

Exiting the tent, Yuna paced cautiously to where her five guardians awaited her. Tidus was the first to acknowledge her presence. She smiled at him as he gave her his trademark grin. He was the joker of the group, always cheering people up and making sure everyone was laughing. At six foot, Tidus sported gentle sun kissed skin and an untidy mess of golden locks. He wore strange attire which usually consisted of dungarees with mismatched leg lengths, a yellow jacket, far too small for him in Yuna's opinion, and an arm guard made of solid gold. He sported a chain with the Zanarkand Abes emblem attached to it, a team which were at the top of their game when Sin struck a thousand years ago.

Giving him an affectionate smile, Yuna danced off to the temple. Praying for a safe journey was a necessity. Yevon taught that not praying sent bad luck… and Yuna didn't want that.

The temple was cool and quiet compared to the village outside. Glancing to the familiar stone statue of her father, Yuna quietly crossed the floor and knelt at his feet, instantly losing herself in prayer. She was unaware of the sound of Tidus's heavy footfalls behind her. He stood for a moment, watching her arched back rise and fall with every breath she drew. Having decided she'd prayed enough, Tidus stepped forwards, placing a hand on her shoulder and startling the young Summoner.

"Oh, Yevon… you scared me, Tidus!" Yuna gasped, placing a hand over her heart and trying to steady her breathing.

"Lady Yuna, it is time for us to leave." Tidus returned, sarcasm heavy in his voice.

"How many times must I beg of you to drop the formalities?"

"Ah, but Yuna, it's funny watching you cringe." Tidus stooped into a very bad impression of Yuna wincing at being called 'Lady'.

"Oh Tidus… behave!" Smiling, she playfully clipped his arm as she passed him on her way to the exit.

The boat ride to Kilika proved uneventful and boring. Yuna spent hours standing on the bow, staring out at the wide stretch of ocean ahead of her, occasionally throwing a Blitzball ball back at Tidus who was practising with the Besaid Aurochs. All was quiet for a few moments before she heard footfalls behind her. Turning to look behind her, Yuna's gaze fell upon Tidus who was, unsuccessfully trying to sneak up on her. Giving him a smile, she stepped aside to let him stand beside her. Stretching as he walked forwards, Tidus took the empty space beside Yuna and bent forwards to lean on the cord forbidding them from accessing the very edge of the bow. Sighing to herself, Yuna watched the waves part as the ship cut through them like a knife in warm butter.

An unusual awkward silence followed until Yuna broke it, unable to stand the tension between them.

"I see… I see that you have faith in me…" Why had she said that? It was such a stupid thing to say. Her cheeks flushed red as she continued. "Faith to… complete this pilgrimage… but Tidus, you do know what will happen at the end… don't you?" Feeling uneasy, Yuna stepped back and clasped her hands together. Tidus turned and sat carefully on the cord. He simply gave her a smile, before staring off in to the depths of the deep blue sky above them. Yuna emitted a girlish laugh and resumed her position beside him.

"It's a little, silly, don't you think?" She queried.

"Silly?" Tidus replied. Yuna nodded and put her fingers to her cheek in thought.

"This vicious cycle of death, despair and heartache that Sin leaves in its wake. Is there really any need?"

"It's not our fault that our predecessors were thoughtless sods. And yet, we have to repent for their sins… so yes, I suppose you could call it silly."

"Yuna, dinner's being served." A sharp feminine voice sounded out from behind Yuna, who spun around instantly to see Lulu standing in her line of vision.

"Lulu, you startled me." She gasped, putting her hand to her chest and calming herself. Lulu was a very powerful black mage. Her jet black hair was pulled back in to long braids with colourful pins holding a bun securely in place. Her piercing wine eyes tended to say more than she could, often fixing the person in question with a stare of disbelief or disapproval. Lulu wore a long black robe with a skirt made of belts, she would often be found sewing a new voodoo doll together to aid her in battle or practising new spells for the same purpose. Lulu could be terrifying if she wished it, and so Yuna and her companions had learned not to get on the wrong side of her.

Nodding once to her only female guardian, Yuna swept past her, shortly followed by Tidus.