(Author's Note: I do not own any of the characters in Final Fantasy X-2. Enjoy and please review:) thanx)

"Y-yuna!!" Paine's voice screamed out through the sound of the thunder and rain. And although it wasn't the first time Paine had yelled for help, there was something about this time that called for immediate attention.

Yuna's attention had been snatched. She stopped everything she was doing, which was holding up a magic shield to protect her and Rikku, and turned to look at Paine.

A bolt of lightning flashed that very second, blinding Yuna for a moment. As her vision returned, she saw a scene she'd never imagined she'd see.

Paine had fallen to her knees, her body as stiff as a board. Through the pouring rain, Yuna couldn't exactly make out what had happened. There was a gigantic gash on the side of Paine's head. It was bleeding profusely down the side of her face and neck. All Yuna could make out was the blood, and the lifeless expression on her face. Within seconds, Paine's body collapsed, face first into the puddles of mud around her.

Yuna gasped and immediately her heart jumped into her throat. Her attention had been completely veered from the gigantic fiend in front of her.

Standing fourteen and a half feet from the ground, this fiend was definitly more than the three girls could handle. It's right arm and right leg were covered in a thick, gold armor. The other arm, covered in a thick black fur, was used to cast magic spells. He had a large black snout, in which the teeth stretched out at least a foot past his mouth. His eyes were neon orange, and his horns a flaming red color. He fought with a sword more than half the size of him.

Yuna tried to think quickly.

"Rikku! Hold him off!!" she yelled, and ran off towards Paine's body.

Rikku's mouth dropped open. "Y-YUNA!!" She couldn't believe Yuna would just leave her alone to this demon of a monster.

"Just a sec!" Yuna yelled, and threw herself on her knees next to Paine.

"S-s-shit..." Yuna cursed through gritted teeth. If Paine was past knocked out, Yuna couldn't save her. Knocked out was one thing, dead was another. Yuna couldn't get it out of her head that Paine might just be too far gone to reach.

"God, please..." Yuna let out, disguised as a whimper. Her hands shook uncontrollably as she placed them on Paine's shoulders.

Behind them, Rikku was being tossed around like a rabid dog's chew toy. She was fighting with everything she had, but she was running short of strength. Every muscle in her body was ready to collapse, and her heart felt like giving up. But Rikku had to keep going. If she didn't keep fighting, the fiend would get Yuna and they'd all be killed.

The gigantic fiend swung its sword at Rikku once more, and this time hitting home. Although it didn't puncture Rikku anywhere, it slammed her to the ground, and hard. She landed on her back, completely knocking the wind out of her. She stared at the sky, at the rain, the clouds, and the lightning. She couldn't get out of her head that this time, she wasn't getting up. Of all the times her body could give out on her, it had to pick now.

She heard a loud crash, and knew for sure that it wasn't the thunder. She lifted her head as much as her body would let her, which was luckily just enough to see the fiend walking towards her. It took two steps, and was standing right over her. It's eyes stared down at her, red and on fire. It lifted up its arm, clenched its fist, as a bright blue electicity surrounded it.

Just looking at Paine's body made Yuna's heart sink into her stomach. 'It's too late' she kept repeating in her head. This wound was bad, Yuna could hardly even make out Paine's face under the blood, swelling, and whatever else seemed to be coming out of the hole in her head.

"Oh god, please." Yuna kept repeating. She closed her eyes, causing a tear to roll down her cheek, and began to pray. As she spoke, a thin blue light began to glow around them.

Two Weeks Later...

Yuna was standing at the edge of a cliff, staring down at the jagged rocks below and the sea stretching out for miles along the horizon. It was late (or early, Yuna wasn't sure), so the stars and the moon were reflecting in the water.

There was a deep pain in her chest, not a physical pain, but an emotional one. There was an overwhelming urge to take that last step forward and end all the pain. Her heart and mind were set on it, but it was her foot that was too heavy to lift. The emotions had drained her, which was literally the only thing keeping her from ending it all. The guilt of Paine's death was absolutely unbearable.

"It's all because of me..." Yuna sobbed, "If I hadn't been so FUCKING selfish!!" She yelled aloud, preparing to take that last step. The more she repeated those words in her head, the closer she came to making the move. If she could only get angry enough...

Suddenly a soft voice interrupted her thoughts. "Yunie, wait..." It was Rikku. She had snuck up behind her, and was a few feet away from grabbing ahold of Yuna and not letting go.

"Rikku..." Yuna was sobbing so hard she could barely speak, "Please...step back."

Rikku attempted to take another step forward, "Yunie...you don't understand...just"
"NO! You don't understand Rikku!!!" Yuna screamed and turned around to face her.
Rikku's jaw dropped. Not once in her life had she ever seen Yuna yell. Not once.

Yuna could barely stand up. Her cheeks were red and soaked with tears. "It's all my fault, Rikku. All of it"
"Yunie, no"
"Rikku!! I had to go after that fucking sphere! I was too engulfed in sorting out my own life, that I put both of you in danger. It's all because of me"
Yuna hadn't taken a single breath yet, and had to pause to try to calm herself down before she began to hyperventillate.
Rikku sensed that Yuna was weak and ready to collapse, so she took a step closer. She was prepared to catch her when Yuna collapsed.

Yuna held up a hand. "Please, don't come any closer." She whimpered.
Rikku stopped in her tracks, and letting out a big sigh.

There was a long silence, aside from the soft sobs coming from Yuna.
Finally Rikku had to say something. She couldn't stand to watch Yuna cry any longer.
"Yuna, listen to me. Just please don't do this...you're adored by too many people to..." Rikku's eyes began to well up with tears.

"Rikku." Yuna said in a harsh tone. "I'm leaving"
Rikku didn't understand.
"I'm quitting sphere hunting. I'm done being selfish. I'm through chasing after a dream that's long been lost." Yuna finished the entire sentence without needed to gasp for air. Her rapid breathing had slowed down enough for her to speak clearly and confidently.

A tear rolled down Rikku's cheek. "Yuna, no"
Yuna took a step towards her. "It's the only way I can get through this, Rikku. I'll die if I have to look at you and the gang anymore..."

Yuna took the last few steps between her and Rikku. She held up a hand and wiped off the tear rolling down Rikku's cheek. Rikku locked eye contact, not believing a word she was hearing.

"Trust me, you'll see me again. I promise..."