The Thoughts That Count

CHAPTER ONE: A Whistle On the Wind

Yuna had just boarded Cid's airship again for what seemed like the hundredth time today. Whether she would admit it or not to her companions, she was tired of travelling. She was tired of being at the center of everything--Tired of being relied on! She had needs, too! Yet, no matter how hard she tried, Yuna could not turn down a person, or in this case a whole world, who needed her.

She'd left Luca and the stadium and the Youth League behind. She'd gone through the motions two years ago, what with Spira gathered around just to hear Lady Yuna, savior of the world, say a few things about her journey. She'd decided that she didn't need the glory this time and let the guys savor it for a change.

She was happy. She'd done and seen amazing things and been to amazing places. She'd formed alliances with former foes. She'd discovered a world and a time beyond her own and had lived through someone else's experiences. She had changed a lot since two years ago.

Then, it seemed, she had been a shy, quiet, and naieve girl. She'd been so ready to give up the life that she cherished for something that had turned out to be a hoax. Looking at herself now, she knew she was glad that she'd lived through it. She was glad that she still had life.

She sighed. She owed it all to him. Tidus, the mysterious boy that Wakka had brought home one day. He'd claimed to have been from Zanarkand. Of course, no one had believed him at the time... except for Yuna. There was something about him... That and the fact that he was Jecht's son.

No matter how happy she'd been-and it had taken her a long time to remember what 'happy' felt like-she'd always felt like there was something missing. She knew exactly what it was. Although Sin was gone and Spira could live on without fear, without worry... it all just seemed like she was going through the same motions each day. Waking up, going out somewhere, eating dinner, sleeping. Then she'd begun sphere hunting. It had been after Rikku had showed her a recording of him... or at least it had looked like him.

The recording had really been of someone else. A troubled person with a tragic past who was overwhelmed by thoughts of vengeance and sorrow for losing the one person he'd loved more than anything in the world. Yuna had had to work with the spirit of that lost loved one to stop him. Now they could both truly rest in peace.

She found herself wondering if Tidus was resting in peace, wherever he was. Sometimes she swore she could feel him; his arms around her, his warmth close to her body. But when she would look, no one would be there. He was forever with her in spirit, if not in body. In fact, it was largely because of this that she had made it through the first year without going completely insane.

She'd dreamt about him every night since he'd disappeared. Not all the dreams had been good. He'd been telling her that she needed to go on, that she needed to pull herself out of bed every day and get on with her life. He wanted her to live. He wanted her to be happy. He'd given her the incentive to go on living. And she had, for him and for herself.

Even now as she stood on the deck of the swiftly moving airship, she thought she could hear him whistling. The familiar and sweet sound carried on the wind and swirled around her. She shook her head and turned to head back inside. Something made her stop. Something about the way the whistling sounded. How could she hear it all the way up here with the wind howling and the engine of the airship turning?

She swallowed. No. She wasn't hearing this. It was her imagination acting up again. It wouldn't be the first time...

She stopped again. Something seemed to whisper in her ear.

Yuna.

"Did you say something?" Yuna called out to Paine, who was also on the airship's deck.

"Huh?" The warrior looked confused, "Um... no."

"Rikku?" Yuna looked towards her cousin.

"Nope!"

Yuna stepped out a little. Besaid beach loomed below the airship. The sun broke through the clouds and cast sparkling reflections of the water's surface. Yuna squinted for a better view. She thought she could see a break in the water. Yes. There was a break! Could it just be... a wave? A gull swooping down to catch a fish?

She had to be sure.

Much to the surprise of Paine and Rikku, she stood up suddenly and went to the lift. They followed her, sensing something was up. They didn't ask. No one spoke while the lift descended to the cockpit. Yuna hurried inside and asked Cid if he could lower the airship to Besaid's shore.

"Besaid?" he echoed, "You sure?"

"Yes." Yuna nodded, her face flushed.

"Yunie?" Rikku looked confused, "What's up?"

Yuna shook her head. "I'm not sure."

Paine and Rikku exchanged curious glances.

Yuna ran up to the giant cockpit windows and craned her neck for a better view of the water below. Brother took the ship down swiftly. In no time the blue water was almost level with the ship. Yuna scanned the shore, not even sure of what she was looking for or if she would find it.

Then she saw him. Yes! It was him, she'd know it anywhere.

"Open the hatch!" she shouted suddenly, startling everyone.

"O-okay?" Cid looked confused, but he lowered the hatch all the same, "Take it down gently, Brother. Don't wanna damage her now."

Yuna rushed out of the room and took the lift to the hatch area. She didn't even wait for it to lower completely before taking her chance to leave. She scrambled up the slowly descending ramp, her feet slipping on the metal grating, and when she reached the top of the ramp she leapt off. Her feet crashed through the water just as the airship touched down, sending jets of water spraying everywhere.

Rikku and Paine watched Yuna from the ramp. She was running toward the shore.

Don't stop running. She told herself. Her lungs were burning. The closer she got to him, the more she was certain it was him. He stopped and turned. Yes! It was definitely him!

But is it real? Or is my mind playing tricks on me again? she asked herself.

All her reasoning went to hell. When she got close enough to him, she threw her arms around him. She cried out breathlessly as she pressed her body against his. He was so warm. She could feel his heart racing. That meant he was real, didn't it? She took a step back to be sure.

"Are you real?" she asked timidly.

He gazed back at her, his blue eyes solemn. "I think so."

She looked up at his hair, then down to his feet. Then she looked back into his eyes.

"Do I pass?" he asked, his brow furrowing a bit.

"Mm." Yuna nodded, smiling. It had to be him. "You're back."

"I am back." He said, sounding relieved. He pulled her back into his embrace. "I'm home."

For a while, her arms drooped at her sides. She felt weak, like she couldn't pull them up. She forced herself to and encircled his body with her arms.

"Welcome home!" she announced, her voice shaky from tears of joy that had begun to leak from her eyes.

She flattened her palms against his back and felt his muscles tense in reaction to her touch. Warmth flooded her body, like hot water flowing through her veins.

Rikku laughed from the ramp and waved happily at Tidus. Paine only smirked.

"Hey!" a familiar voice called out to Tidus and Yuna from the beach.

They looked over to see Wakka, the Besaid Aurochs, and Lulu standing on the shore.

"Get a room, you too!" Wakka joked.

The couple looked towards the shore. The crowd had begun to cheer with Wakka and Lulu in the front.

"Wassup?" Wakka called, waving a hand over his head.

"Who asked you to watch anyway, Wakka?" Tidus called back jokingly.

"Aah." Wakka laughed.

Lulu looked up and smiled. She was cradling her and Wakka's daughter in her arms.

"Come on!" Tidus said, taking Yuna's hand and running off toward the beach.

Yuna followed. At first, she lagged behind, but then she sprinted ahead of Tidus. He was obviously surprised.

"Whoa!" he gasped, "You know... You've changed!" he declared.

"Well, you've missed a few things!" she pointed out.

"I wanna heareverything!" he cried.

"Well, it all started when I saw this sphere... of you..."

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