I ran through the hallways of the burning palace. My gaurd, Yoshio, guided me through the flames, his hands so tight on my wrists I was sure I had bruises. The smoke blinded me and choked my lungs. I was so scared, but not just for myself. Where was my father? Did he make it out of here? Would he make it out of here? And Rikku - my cousin, my best friend. Where was she? Just the thought of losing them made me feel sick.

Yoshio pulled me further and I could finally see the door. We burst out and I fell to the ground, breathing in as much of the fresh air as I could.

"Yuna? Yuna!"

My head was spinning slightly as I searched for the soource of the voice.

"Father?" I said weakly.

"Oh, Yuna," he sighed with relief,"Are you alright sweetheart?" He sank to the ground next to me and pressed his hand lightly to my cheek.

"I'm fine. What happened? Is everyone okay? Where are Rikku and Cid?" As I spoke, I searched through the crowd of my father's servants, cooks, and visitors, praying silently that everyone made it out.

"They're fine. They made it out before you. I believe you were the last one out. And everyone seems to be fine," he assured me.

"Can you make sure?" Most everyone that worked in the palace I've known for years. How could I loose any of them?

My father nodded.

"Yoshio?" he called.

"Yes, Lord Braska?" he answered in his deep voice.

But it was I who answered.

"Yoshio - please - I need a count of everyone out hear to make sure no one is still in there," I pleaded.

"Yes, Lady Yuna." He bowed his head and walked off.

"I do hope he has rested enough," Father mused. He cared for his people. He loved them as I did and that was something that I admired about him very much.

"What happened?" I demanded.

He face was warry. The saddness seemed permanentley carved into his face. "We were . . . attacked." There was a strange note of reluctance to his voice.

"Why?" I asked but I already knew. This was the second time this has happened but I hardly remember because I was five.

He signed and I could tell he didn't want to tell me. But I could handle it. This was what I'd been waiting for.

"They were . . . looking for - "

I didn't make him finish. My voice was just below a whisper.

"Me."

You would think that, with my father being the one to lead the rebelion against Yevon, they would want him. After all, he was the one who saw the flaws in the teachings that split Spira in half. But what good would that really do? The Revolutioners (that was the name for the followers of New Yevon) would become even more angry and determined to defeat the Originals (the name for the followers of Yevon). So instead, they decided to go after his most prized possession - me. They would hold me hostage and demmand my father to call back the Revolutioners for my safe return. And he would. He would let the Originals take over Spira and force the whole country to follow the false teachings of Yevon just for me. And the enemy knew that and would use it against us.

My father couldn't speak, he only nodded.

I nodded, too. I was not afraid. I would not let them get me. I would not let my great people fall.

"What do I have to do?" I asked of him, catching his hand. He opened his mouth to answer but he was interrupted.

"Yunie!" I turned to see my cousin dashing towards me.

"Rikku!" I cried happily. She came flying at me and toppled over me so hard my head hit the ground.

"Yunie, I was so worried! When I didn't see you come out I thought you were stuck." As she was talking she was still on top of me and that made it very hard to say anything back. "And then Dad and Braska wouldn't let me come and find you so I snuck away and when Dad finally realized he came after me and I was almost at the entrance then when -"

"Okay, okay, Rikku," Cid came into my vision now. He looked worn out, from chasing his fiesty daughter, I imagined,"She needs to breathe. Now get off her."

"Oops," she said like she just realized she was crushing me. She crawled off and jumped up to her feet.

"Lady Yuna," Yoshia adressed.

"Yes?"

He offered his hand to me and I took it gladly. He pulled me up to my feet. He was very strong.

"Thank you," I said as I brushed dirt off my skirt.

He nodded then continued. "Everyone has been acounted for. No one's been left behind." There was a small smile on his lips with the good news.

My smile was grander. "Oh, thank you, thank you!" I'd been so worried that one of my people would be killed because of me.

He nodded again.

"Father. I asked you before. Now what must I do to protect myself and my country?" I took his hand again as his expression fell.

"I've already planned for a situation like this," he admitted sadly,"In Zandarkin, one of my best generals runs an underground city for refugees. It's the safest place for Revolutioners because no one suspects a city in those ruins."

"But that's so far away!" I paniced," I'can't possibly make it to Zandarkin without getting captured."

"I told you, I've already planned this. Kannon will send his beest trooper to escort you. I've already spoke to him. Very impressive. And he's climbed reached higher in rank so quickly! I have no doubt he will be more then capable then protecting you." As he spoke, I could here the unmistakable admiration.

"I will trust him, because I trust you," I told my father.

He leaned down to kiss my forehead and said softly,"Only the best for you."

"Now Father, who is this man?"

"His name is Tidus."