CHAPTER TWO: RESCUE

The water violently rocked the small boat whose only occupants where two females. It was over an hour since they assumed they where safe being allowed to leave and go to supposed safety while their friend Lenne remained captive. Neither Tifa nor Yuna liked the idea, but both went along with it. Now with an island in sight they where being violently tossed around by the massive waves of the ocean.

Another wave hit the small boat and Tifa with a cry fell overboard. Yuna cried out but the roaring of the mighty ocean drowned out her voice. Doing the only thing the former high summoner could she dove into the water. It took all of her strength not to get swept away, Yuna then noticed their small boat get smashed to bits. Yuna scanned the waters but didn't see Tifa, Yuna took a deep breath and went underwater where she saw her. Tifa was unconscious, Yuna quickly swam to Tifa and brought her up.

Yuna luckily found a large plank of wood that used to be part of their boat. She draped Tifa over it hoping it would keep her head above water. Exhausted from the effort Yuna let her strength give out as she too grabbed hold of the plank. While using her other arm to make sure Tifa didn't fall off Yuna drifted to sleep.

Several hours later Yuna awoke, she looked for Tifa and was relived to find her friend next to her. Yuna looked at the sky, night was quickly coming, at least they where on dry land, something Yuna counted as a blessing. Yuna dragged Tifa to drier land so the water wasn't nipping at her feet. She then gathered as much dry kindling and wood as she could find to start a fire. Within minutes with the help of a small fire spell there was a fire. Yuna quickly beamed into a drier version of her gunner attire. Yuna sat down and heard a soft moan, she looked and Tifa was awake. Tifa shook her head in an attempt to shake free the cobwebs.

Tifa stole a moment to look around and to get her bearings. She noticed Yuna who sat by the fire. Tifa herself took a seat hoping to warm her cold bones. She remembered when she and Yuna would do this back in Forestria, before all of this happened. Everything has been turned upside down since then. Tifa sometimes longed for the simple days with her and Yuna. However she knew those days where long past. Tifa looked at her friend.

"You alright Tifa?" Yuna asked. "You seem kind of dazed, you're not hurt are you?"

"Ever think back on the days before this happened?" Tifa questioned. "When it was only you, me, Kate and Shaden."

"Sometimes." Yuna replied. "Those, where easy days for us, we really didn't do much of anything."

"You think we'll ever enjoy those lazy days again?" Tifa questioned.

"I hope so." Yuna replied. "But for now, we need to find a way to get off this island and free the others." Then a rumble of thunder was heard as the dark evening sky became darker. Yuna quickly scanned the area and to her luck she found a cave. She grabbed Tifa's hand and led them to the cave just as the rain started.

Tifa looked around the dark cave, she found some torches laying on the ground, proof that other people had been here. She grabbed two and handed one to Yuna. Yuna then wove her hand above each torch and lit it. When she looked in where they where she grew pale.

Spider webs littered the ground, wall and ceiling, giant cocoons decorated the inside of the cave. Finding the courage Yuna went to a cocoon, and inspected it.

"Careful Yunie." Tifa warned.

"I'm only looking." Yuna replied, then a section of the cocoon burst and a sleeved arm broke through followed by the body of the captain. Yuna let out a frightened squeal as she dropped her torch and ran to Tifa. Tifa handed Yuna her torch and inspected the body.

"She's dead." Tifa said. "a few hours I think." Yuna said nothing it was all she could do to keep from freaking out. "Yunie? You look terrible are you ok?"

"I think now I should tell you Tifa." Yuna said. "I really hate spiders. In fact I think it might have let up outside, let's go." Yuna quickly went to the entrance to be greeted by a sheet of rain outside the cave. Tifa came up beside Yuna.

"Well guess that's out of the question." Tifa remarked, then as she noted Yuna's sour look. "Just stay close to me Yunie, maybe we'll be lucky and find survivors or something." Yuna though clearly not happy with the situation nodded. The two of them carefully explored the caves, though the evidence was around them, neither of them saw any giant spiders.

"Look!" Yuna exclaimed as she pointed. Tifa looked to where her friend pointed to see some cocoons where actually open. Quickly the duo raced over only to find no traces of anyone. Tifa noted footprints, but with so many other tracks in the cave it would be impossible to track them.

"Well at least we know some people made it alive." Tifa pointed out. Yuna simply nodded and leaned against a portion of the wall. "You alright Yuna"

"I'll be fine." Yuna said. "Just tired is all." Tifa should have known, Yuna was still recovering from whatever it was Rimoru did to cause Yuna to be poisoned again. Not to mention the fact it was Yuna who helped Tifa to safety when they where in the water. Tifa knew her friend had to be on the brink of exhaustion. Still Yuna pressed on this long without a word of complaint. Now Tifa went to her and Yuna leaned on her friend with a small smile.

"Come on." Tifa urged. "Let's find you a place to rest without worry." It took some effort but within thirty minutes Tifa found a safe enough looking place. Tifa quickly made a fire with the aide of her fire materia. Yuna sat but also leaned against the wall her eyes nearly closed, Tifa could tell that exhaustion was finally setting in. Tifa sat next to Yuna who took the opportunity to rest her head against Tifa's shoulder.

"Hope you don't mind." Yuna said sleepily.

"Not at all." Tifa replied looking fondly at her. No sooner did the words leave her then Yuna was sound asleep.

Tifa smiled, for the moment the two of them where safe. She knew they had a daunting task ahead of them, but she had every faith that they could handle it. Tifa gazed into the fire, two years, the two of them knew each other. Yet to Tifa it seemed like she knew Yuna her entire life. Tifa knew despite the hard times they recently fell upon, that Yuna would give her life to protect Tifa. Tifa gently moved Yuna's from her shoulder to gently resting her head on Tifa's leg. Yuna's only sound was a soft sigh. As Tifa looked down she saw a smile across the lips of her friend. Tifa then smiled, there wasn't anything she wouldn't do for Yuna.

Sacrifice, the word itself means dying so something more beneficial can occur. Aeris sacrificed herself to ensure the survival of Tifa's home world Gaia. Even though Aeris has comeback since then, the moment of her death was a hard one for her. Now as Tifa sat in the cave with her dear friend, she knew what she would do. Something's are not worth sacrifice, Yuna however. To keep Yuna safe, Tifa knew she would pay the ultimate price. Though she hoped she didn't have to. She wanted to spend as much time as she could with her. Those thoughts on her mind, Tifa gently drifted to sleep, her arm draped over Yuna's stomach.

*****

The City of The Ancients or the Forgotten City, long thought to be lost to the world. An odd city where giant seashells provided the housing for the populace. The place where Aeris Gainsborough sacrificed herself to help ensure the safety of Gaia. It's also a place now where several people with no place else to go have turned to. After Meteor destroyed much of Midgar, those who lived there, started a steady migration to the Forgotten City.

Among those living in the City is Aeris, the flower girl who found a way to return to life through that of her friend and rival in the affections, Tifa. Aeris had returned to her home roughly two weeks ago. She lived alone, her adoptive mother Elmyra, lived in Junon along with former Shinra Head of Urban Development. Aeris was happy for her mother, for finally finding a new love in life.

She would spend the days in her flower garden, content with planting new life into the old soil of the City. Yet lately the young Cetra was troubled, her communion with Gaia told a disturbing story of those out to destroy those who evaded death. Even today she tried her best to avoid the feeling of dread and work on her garden. Yet the feeling was far too strong today, Aeris found herself standing up and venturing to her home. She walked to her closet and grabbed her old Battle Staff, not ignoring the feeling she might need it.

Aeris knew something wrong, and in her attempts to quell that feeling she might have put those she cared about in even more danger. Summoning a portal the Cetra made her way to do what she could.

Sometime later heavy booted footsteps could be heard as they made their way to a particular house. The pursuer knew she was here, that much they could sense. The young one, never meant to live, never mind being given a second chance. The booted foot kicked down a door, only to find nothing. The foots owner a large man with a goatee, and a shaved head sighed. Another same up beside him this one female with short hair. Both donned black.

"She's gone Riok." The female said.

"Makes no difference." Riok responded looked at the female. "You know as well as I do Fenna. This one can be found."

"Come on Riok." Fenna pleaded. "She's one Cetra, if anything we should be trying to reunited those left of us, not kill them."

"This one's different." Riok responded turning his gaze to the house. "She'll kill them, death happens around her, she killed our mother, and she was responsible for her death! Track her down Fenna, and kill her before she can do more harm." Fenna nodded, though she disliked her task. She vanished, as Riok left the City.

*****

In the caves, a young woman awoke, she found an arm draped over her, and smiled when she saw Tifa. Her friend was still sleeping, Yuna got up and looked around, the cave was dimly lit, but from what she could see there was no trace of spiders.

Yuna took some time to gather her thoughts as she made a small fire. She glanced at the slumbering Tifa. She couldn't help but smile, she remembered her past when she was a young summoner. She had a host of guardians, the protective Waka, her sister in a way Lulu, the feline Kilmari, her cousin Rikku and of course Tidus. At the time she felt proud to have so many people protecting her. Now when she looked back on it, she found it a little on the sad side. It had only been four short years since she defeated Sin. In that time she grew, with some prodding from Rikku.

She wasn't the same person, Yuna kept on changing, but in the same sense stayed mainly the same. She still would go out of her way to help those in need. She was still soft spoken and polite. However she now could think and do for herself, she didn't need to depend on her guardians to fight for her. These days her friends fought alongside her.

Yuna smiled again, as she thought of Tifa. Many times Yuna counted herself lucky to know Tifa. She knew they had similarities and differences, but they where beyond the best of friends. The two of them where sisters in all but blood. Yuna know Tifa would do anything to keep her safe, she demonstrated it many a time. Risking her own like to save Yuna's, Yuna loved Tifa for that. Deep inside though Yuna prayed Tifa would never have to make that sacrifice.

Yuna's thoughts where disturbed as she caught movement, she whirled on her heels. Only to see Tifa waking up, Tifa smiled at Yuna, who returned the smile.

"I startle you?" Tifa asked.

"A little." Yuna replied. "so where do we go now?"

Tifa shrugged, in truth they where even more lost now than they would have been if they had remained on the ship. At least then they would have been face to face with the girl who turned on them.

"Maybe we should check out this part of the cave." Tifa suggested. "At least there aren't any signs of giant spiders here."

Yuna nodded, she looked and could have sworn that she saw hints of daylight coming from a tunnel that veered off to the left. Yuna lead they way with Tifa at her side. Yuna smiled to herself, grateful in knowing that Tifa would never leave her. As the duo continued down Yuna spotted a jumpsuit-clad woman, who she instantly recognized as Mariah! The young woman saw them and ran toward them with a happy cry!

"Your both safe!" she exclaimed she then shocked both of them when she embraced Tifa! Tifa said nothing but her face blushed bright red.

"I'm glad your safe too." Tifa finally managed to say after an awkward period of silence. Mariah pulled away her cheeks slightly red.

"Sorry." She offered. "I was just really happy to see you both alright." Tifa nodded with a slight smile.

"Did anyone else make it here?" Yuna asked.

"Only Seneka and myself." Mariah explained. "You find anyone?"

"We found The Captain." Tifa said. "But it looked like some sort of spider got to her before we could find her, by the time we found her, she was dead." Mariah nodded her expression grave.

"She was a good friend of mine." Mariah said her voice choked. "She'll be missed." She took a moment to compose herself "Seneka and I found something here."

"What is it?" Yuna inquired. As the three of them began to walk. Yuna found her question answered he she continued to walk and saw a great city in the distance.

"Is it occupied?" Tifa questioned as the trio drew closer. Mariah shook her head.

"Not that Seneka and I found, no." Mariah stated. "Though we haven't checked it out that much."

"I'm sure the two of you can handle that task." Yuna stated abruptly. "Tifa and I still need to find Lenne."

"Your friend in blue?" Mariah questioned. Yuna nodded.

"I can summon Valefor and Tifa and Myself will look for her, while you and Seneka wait here." Yuna explained.

"So you two get to have all the fun?" Mariah questioned.

"It's not really fun." Tifa cut in. "In all truth I don't even think we should go for Lenne. We gave our word to rescue the others we should try to free them."

"To do that we're going to need all the fighting power we can muster." Yuna replied. "Right now it's only the four of us, Lenne could provide a great advantage, in at least protecting us. Besides, this could prove as something as a safe haven."

Tifa was about to reply when she saw something, as the three of them grew closer to the city, she saw Seneka talking with Aeris.

"Aeris?" Tifa called out. "What are you doing here?" The young Ancient turned towards her friend.

"Good, you and Yuna are both here!" Aeris exclaimed. "but where is Lenne?"

"Captive." Yuna replied. "A situation Tifa and I are going to take care of." Tifa nodded her agreement but couldn't help but be surprised with how determined Yuna was about this.

"Perhaps that would be best." Aeris agreed. "Do you know where she's being held?"

"The ship was called the "Hearts Desire"." Mariah said suddenly. "It's a pretty big ship and the ocean's around these parts aren't known for high ship traffic. So it should be easy to spot. But how do you plan on finding it?"

Yuna replied by summoning Valefore.

"But it's only the two of you!" Seneka added. "You'll need some help. Mariah has been a student of mine for months now. Surely she and I can help, I'm sure, she can too." She motioned to Aeris, who nodded.

"I'm sure we can find a way to follow Yuna." Aeris said as she started walking. She was followed by the other four who where all confused. As they walked through the ancient city, they noticed the once worn down paths they traveled on becoming fresh and new. Like something was restoring the life to this old city. Aeris lead them to an old aviary.

"Here?" Tifa questioned. "Aeris here would be nothing more than.." she stopped as she entered and saw four healthy griffins? "Young griffins ready to go?! What in the world is going on?"

"It's obvious." Yuna stated. "It's been waiting for us. I'm afraid it will have to wait longer though."

Tifa, Seneka, Mariah and Aeris all got on a griffin. Soon the five of them where in the air, seeking to free their friends.

"Truly a work of art."

Lenne cast a halfhearted glance from where she sat in Condet's quarters. For the past hour he's been looking at the sword The Captain gave her. He was like a child, who found the perfect item in the store. He ran his hand over the smooth surface. He was in his own world, with the blade.

Lenne on the other hand, was bored out of her mind. Her lack of interest in weaponry made her not a good candidate for discussion. As Condet found up in his various attempts.

"You should be appreciative that you have such a blade." Condet continued. "Any of my men would give their souls for a blade like this." He handed the blade back to Lenne.

"I abhor violence." Lenne stated as she slide the sword into a strap on her belt. "I feel fighting does nothing."

"Yet you carry the blade with you." Condet pointed out. Lenne gave Condet a sharp look.

"I said I do not like fighting." Lenne said. "That does not mean I do not know how to fight. More I would rather avoid it."

"I see." Condet said as he went to the door. "Beg your pardon, I have business to attend. I shall return shortly." Lenne nodded as Condet left.

Lenne sighed as she got up, for two days now she was in Condet's custody. That's how he liked to put it, in reality, she was more his guest than a prisoner. She was treated with respect, and dignity. A move that didn't fail to surprise her. Still Lenne harbored in the back of her mind, where she was going. For whatever reason, she was sought after, though why was a mystery even to her. She only knew that she was hunted. Lenne lay down on the cot she was supplied.

Her thoughts drifted to her friends. As long as she was hunted they where all in danger. Not all of her pursuers would be a gracious as Condet. It would only be a matter of time before her friends would be in harms way. The best rout would be for her to go alone, and leave her friends for their own good. Yet she knew after the trouble she gave Yuna for the same method that it wouldn't work.

She glanced at the sword resting on the cot. Though she hated violence, she knew there would be times where she would have no other options. Yuna had already offered to spar with her. An offer she balked at when presented with it. Still maybe when she was reunited with her, she would take Yuna up on it.

Lenne let her mind drift to Tifa and Yuna, she prayed they where ok. She knew now that Condet was a man of his word. His second in command Zekia, however, Lenne shuddered. Every time she saw him she would avoid even making eye contact. Something about Zekia made Lenne's skin crawl. At that point Lenne then thought she heard a noise. She lay still and closed her eyes trying to listen to the soft murmur of voices.

"You sure, he's gone?" a first male voice asked.

"Saw him leave myself." A second defensive male voice added.

"Ok, let's nab her and go." A third voice, female, said.

"No, Zekia wants us to end her here." The first one said.

The door opened, and Lenne was on the cot, her eyes closed. To the casual observer she appeared to be sleeping. As the three people entered their intent obvious. The first two where husky males, both brandished large axes, the third was a slender female, who carried two daggers.

"She's sleeping." One of the men whispered.

"Not so tough now is she?" the other added.

"Shut up!" the female hissed. "Come on just do what we need to do, before he finds us here." Her tone was clear, she was a nervous wreck about this.

"Go for it." The two men said. The woman shook her head as she starred at the woman laying on the cot. She took a deep breath as she raised her dagger. However she went for the fatal blow Lenne's eyes snapped open and her leg shot out kicking the female in kneecap.

The two men both let out shocked yelped before rushing Lenne, who on pure instinct drew her blade. The agile singer was able to avoid the clumsy attacks. In a graceful flurry she struck hitting them both in their legs causing them sink in pain. Lenne cast a glance at the female who didn't move. As Lenne was about to question her, the singer felt something hit her in the back of the head. Lenne collapsed to the ground. The female saw Rimoru, flanked by three solders, which she order to kill the men who tried to kill Lenne. Lenne came to with a moan, just in time to see the female fall next to her, dead, along with her two companions.

"Wouldn't want my prize to be hurt now would I?" Rimoru said to Lenne with a smile.

"You disgust me." Lenne hissed. "Why would you do this?"

Rimoru laughed as Lenne got to her feet, her blade was quickly taken from her and her hands bound. Lenne assumed her time as Condet's guest was over and her time as Rimoru's prisoner has begun.

"It's all about power." The treacherous teenager said as Lenne was escorted out of Condet's quarters. "And as long as I keep you around, I'll have power."

Lenne looked around, they where now outside, Lenne saw another ship adjacent to the one she was on. She could only assume it was Rimoru's ship. Out of the corner of her eye, Lenne saw something overhead. She couldn't quite make out what it was however.

"Oh, don't look there." Rimoru said. "Look over to my ship." Lenne cast her gaze over where she saw Katejina and Marjorie both chained up. However she saw no sign of Shara. Lenne was lead to where the two Viera where. She could now clearly see the wounds on both of them. Lenne was quick to treat the wounds on her friends.

"What does Rimoru want with the two of you?" Lenne questioned as she treated Katejina's wounds.

"We're her cargo." Katejina said not hiding the anger in her voice. "Apparently Viera are very sought after in the slave market. I guess that where she is taking Marjorie and myself."

Lenne pressed her lips together grimly, all this time they all trusted Rimoru and all this time she lied to them.

"How could she do it?" Marjorie said as the tears brimmed in her eyes. "I thought she was our friend."

"It is ok Marjorie." Lenne said as she gently embraced the young Viera. "We are still your friends, as for Rimoru I do not know why she put up this elaborate scheme to fool us."

"It's part of life." Rimoru said as she walked up. "Your either a master or a pawn. I refuse to be a pawn!"

"Tifa nearly died for you bitch!" Katejina snarled. "I knew we should have never trusted you!"

"I never asked Tifa to save me!" Rimoru replied angrily. "It was her own dumb fault!"

"So you say." Lenne replied. "perhaps you cared more than you would like to let on."

"Shut up." Rimoru snarled.

"All this time with us." Lenne continued. "It all could not have been a farce, you must house feelings for us. Good feelings, or why go through all the trouble."

"Shut up!" Rimoru demanded.

"Face it Rimoru." Lenne said. "you care for…" Lenne was cut off as Rimoru smacked her across the face as hard as she could. Lenne cried out and fell to the ground, Katejina and Marjorie quickly rushed to her side.

"I said SHUT UP!" Rimoru raged. "Guards! Take them bellow deck to their cells until we arrive at our destination."

Katejina helped Lenne to her feet, the Viera noticed a bruise on Lenne's cheek. Katejina quickly healed the bruise as she glared at Rimoru who was stalking away.

"Are you ok?" Katejina asked Lenne. The young songstress nodded her head. Again Lenne thought she saw something dart across the sky. She felt herself get shoved by a guard.

"Get going!" he barked. Lenne sighed as she moved.

"Rescue is at hand." Katejina whispered. "Get over there," Katejina pointed at the crow's nest "The cheerful one who shoved you has your blade."

Lenne nodded, now she would have to use force. In one fluent motion she spun around and kicked the guard in the face! The guard fell and Lenne quickly grabbed her blade. She quickly freed Marjorie and Katejina from their bonds. Katejina pointed to the crow's nest, Lenne nodded as she followed. Solders noticed and quickly went after them only to find themselves blocked by a wall of light.

"Kill them!" Rimoru cried. "Archers don't just stand there shoot them!" The archers obeyed as the trio quickly climbed the crow's nest, Lenne used her light powers to shield.

"Katejina, you and Marjorie first." Lenne ordered. "I will keep you safe." Katejina nodded her keen sight was able to detect the five mounted flying creatures above them. Mounted on the them she noticed Tifa and Yuna among others.

"Our rescue is at hand." Katejina stated as she noticed one of the flying creatures swoop down! Katejina jumped and found her extended hand grasped by Tifa! Aeris did the same with her griffin as Marjorie leapt and Aeris was quick to grab her hand and pulled her up behind her.

Lenne was more than busy using her light shields to deflect the arrows. She noticed Rimoru her face red with rage ordering the archers to shoot! Lenne noticed Valefore come swooping down. Yuna reached out her hand as far as she could, Lenne had to jump leaving herself exposed! As she did an arrow caught her in the shoulder! Lenne cried out but Yuna still managed to grab her. With their friends rescued the group made their way back to where they came from.

Rimoru boiled with rage as she watched the griffins fly off. She stormed off the Hearts Desire and onto her ship the Sweeping Sword.

"What do we do now m'lady?" a guard asked.

"I know where they are going." Rimoru said grimly. "I'll need to fetch Kalon in order to hunt them down. So back to my keep." The guard nodded and quickly left. Rimoru looked into the air as she muttered an angry curse. She would find them, then she would make Lenne watch helplessly as she killed them all in front of her. She would make them all suffer for making her endure this wretched indignity.