Written for the Ten-by-ten fan fiction challenge on LJ a while ago. But I enjoyed it, so here it is. Ten related parts to this, from Yuna's point of view on the lead up to, and during FFX.
(I seem to be making all of my subjects insane today. But Yuna is not supposed to be. It's called a coping mechanism. Keep that in mind, because this will make no sense otherwise.)
Disclaimer: I don't own FFX or any related material. Copyright of Square. Also, title from the Evanescence song "Taking over me".
But who can decide what they dream?
And dream I do…
Part One- A Stray Child
She is standing at the edge, subdued, looking over the railings at the submerged city below, when she first sees him. The shoopuf jolts and she glances back warily at Kimahri, alert on the bench, and there he sits- a child about her age, a little flaxen-haired boy with tattered Blitzball-styled clothes. She recognises him instantly from the familiar grey-blue eyes peering through a set of grubby hands.
Somewhere deep in her subconscious, she knows he's not there, he's somewhere far away in another time or world or maybe he never existed at all. But she can't quite bring herself to care. All she can think of is that he's here, making the journey too, only he doesn't seem to be taking the change as well as she is. He's gazing at her now with his wide eyes, rimmed red from crying so hard, looking a little lost and afraid, curled up in a ball, knees clasped to his chest.
He tries to smile and manages it feebly. She smiles back; the urge to comfort him is strong in her, because she knows that they share the same suffering- they are both lost and grieving and far from all that they know. But somewhere in her awareness, she knows she can't console because, more than anything else, she'll probably break too.
She feels powerless to help him. He's small and frightened and she can't make everything all better with simple words of hope for a brighter future. What do either of them have left to hope for? Her thoughts almost launch her into despair and she reels away from it, looking for something to keep her strong and banish all his fears.
And an idea hits her.
Her smile becomes a mischievous one- she almost winks at him- and without hesitating or giving Kimahri the chance to stop her, she launches herself off the platen.
Arms flailing, eyes unable to close, for a moment she feels free. She forgets who she is, where she's going and why. For a moment, there's nothing but the wind and blue sky and shimmering water as she hits it, the glorious cool river a relief after the days of dusty warm travel. She pushes herself to the surface, and glances up.
And, if she squints, she thinks she can see his face peering over the railings, the astonished face of a child, the son of the great Blitzball player and guardian, too scared to make the jump himself, but elated by her own daring. The effect works and she almost laughs. She thinks she sees him for a moment before Kimahri flings himself at the barrier and growls her name. She thinks she tastes strength and freedom.
But then both he and the feeling are gone with her protector's roar and she isn't sure.
I'm unsure how user-friendly this is. But keep an eye out for the rest and review if you like.
