The endless throng of onlookers, wellwishers, and friends had finally had their fill. Everyone had wanted to see him, talk to him, affirm that he was back - since his appearance on the beach, no-one had left Tidus alone.

Until now. The crowds were gone, retreated back to their hopes, ships, and temples with the onset of darkness. Tidus stood quietly on the beach he felt more at home than any other place, breathing in deep, even breaths. The night air was clean, comforting, like the rhythmic sound of the waves upon the shore. Overhead, the pinpoint light of stars were scattered over their velvet backdrop.

When the whistle came, it was neither loud nor hopeful, but soft and heartfelt. How so much emotion could be in a whistle, he thought to himself as he whistled in return, turning to make his way along the beach to her.

She was smiling and radiant even in the darkness. She looked different, was dressed differently - not really better or worse, just different. He wondered how much he'd missed. Then he smiled, knowing he would spend days at her side, finding out.

He found himself breaking into a jog then a run to close the last distance between them. It had been nothing but questions and crowds ever since he arrived, and now they had a chance to be alone, to savour that which had been so deeply missed these past two years.

He swept her up into his arms, lifting her off her feet and swinging her around jubilantly just to hear her laugh. She wrapped both arms around his neck, holding him tighter than she'd ever held onto anything. He set her down gently but didn't let her go, and for several blissful minutes there was nothing but the two of them, in each other's arms, on the beach, under the stars.

"Tidus." She wondered why she didn't say his name more. It seemed the most natural word she knew to fall from her lips.

"Yes?" He pulled back slightly, so he could look down into those two-toned eyes he loved so much.

"We should get away from here for a while. Tomorrow... it'll be like this again, I think. We won't have any time... for us."

He smiled, that familiar smile she had fallen for so long ago. "Sounds good to me, Yuna. Where do you want to go?"

She thought for a moment, warm and secure with his arms still wrapped around her.

"You always said... you'd take me to Zanarkand. Remember?"

"He pulled her close again, resting his chin on her soft hair. "I remember."

"We'll take the Celcius." When she pulled back her eyes were bright, a smile beaming from her lips. "While everyone's asleep!"

He smiled back at her enthusaium, certainly not adverse to spending some time alone with her.

"To Zanarkind!" He agreed, and he kept a tight hold of her hand as she led him into the shallows, towards the ship.