Zanarkand city centre never slept. The huge shopping district never disappointed its customers, the complex full of varied shops and restaurants dazzled in the fading autumn sun. The pavements were filled with people, shopping, taking photographs, generally socialising. Zanarkand was a famous tourist attraction in Spira. Being the sight of an infamous war oddly did wonders for the city's economic growth. Walking into the grand entrance of the main shopping centre the three young girls were ready to spend a lot of their parent's money. The trio darted from shop to shop never agreeing on each other's new outfits, but as they all had their separate styles they all finally agreed to let the other choose what they wanted. Strolling around the restaurant district, each of the girls complained about being tired and hungry. Walking past a small pizzeria they decided to stop for food and rest their tired feet. Being shown to a booth each of them sat down, with only Rikku over exaggerating her exhaustion.

"Yevon I'm tired. I could eat an entire large pizza now," The blonde huffed loudly while scanning the menu lazily. Kicking her shopping bags under the table, Yuna took out her phone to check if anyone had called or text her. Lulu sat examining her new purchases, feeling slightly guilty about spending so much, but knowing she deserved it after her grades last year, straight A's.

"So, what are you getting? I'm going for a massive pizza covered in chocobo and behemoth meat," Rikku asked rubbing her stomach eagerly anticipating the meal. Yuna scanned the menu quickly, choosing a random pasta dish, Lulu did the same, neither of them understood how Rikku always had such a big appetite yet never put on any weight. "Rikku do you mind ordering for us, I'm dying for a cigarette? Yuna, do you want one?" Lulu asked getting her pack of Ether brand cigarettes out of her bag. Yuna nodded.

"Fine leave me in here alone you dirty smokers!" Rikku shouted after them, just as the waiter turned up.

The two girls stepped outside into the busy street and lit their cigarettes. Watching the hordes of people walk by both girls smoked silently, Lulu wanted to ask her friend so many questions, but could not figure out where to start. They had been best friends before both their families moved to Zanarkand; however Lulu had seen a dramatic change in Yuna's personality the past six months, she now seemed very defensive and lacked the confidence she had once possessed. Lulu wanted so dearly to find out what was the cause of this change, with the idea that the presence of Seymour in her friend's life only coming to mind. Lulu knew she could not go in all guns blazing, as every time in the past few weeks it had never worked and seemed to strain their friendship. The raven haired girl simply decided to make small talk about the school day just past to try and build up trust.

"So, how was your first day back Yuna?" she started simply. The brunette blew the smoke from her cigarette into the air before answering.

"Yeah it was good, nice to be back in a routine actually. How did you find it?" Yuna asked turning to her friend. "Same really, summer was good and all but even in the sun in Besaid I failed to get a tan, as bloody usual. I guess I am destined to be pale," Lulu said laughing. "I miss you over summer. We missed your eighteenth birthday; we'll have to plan something to make up for it. Did you do anything nice for it?" Lulu continued feeling annoyed that Seymour had kept her friend in Bevelle for her birthday. Yuna stared at the flocks of people in the square, remembering her birthday last week. Remembering how it may as not well have been her birthday, having being promised a full day of loving things from her boyfriend to having everything shattered.

"Yeah it was really good. Saw my father, had lunch and a day out with him, then a lovely dinner with Seymour in the night," Yuna explained, not lying completely. She had gone out with her father, however the evening she was promised by her so called loving boyfriend turned into something much more horrific.

"That sounds nice, but we still have to do something with all of us to celebrate, and since you are now eighteen you can buy all our booze for whatever we do," Lulu said smiling at her friend. Yuna laughed stubbing out her cigarette and throwing it in the ash tray.

"Thank you, is that what I am going to be used for now, buying all the booze for you young ones? I know I'm going to have to buy everyone's for tomorrow night Rikku has already informed me about that one," Yuna joked. "Hey do you mind if we have another cigarette quickly? Being dragged around all those shops for so long without a cigarette break has made my cravings for tobacco go crazy."

"Yeah sure, but don't you have your own?" Lulu asked passing Yuna another cigarette.

"Yes I do, but since I'm everyone's alcohol donkey for tomorrow I think I should get some cigarettes in return," Yuna half joked before lighting up her second.

"Okay fair enough. So will Seymour will be gracing us with his presence tomorrow night?" Lulu asked lighting up her second.

"Not sure yet, I haven't told him about it, not sure if I want to." Yuna said without thinking, "So how's Wakka liking being a senior?" she asked, quickly changing the subject. Lulu did want to question the answer; however she stuck to her plan of easing Yuna into the topic of Seymour.

"He's loving it, no surprise there as he's is back to Blitzball practice after the summer off. He spent a lot of time helping Tidus to get back into shape after that incident at the final in Luca. I noticed you speaking to Tidus quite a bit last lesson, what were you guys talking about?" Lulu asked, intrigued by what she saw earlier. Yuna finished her second cigarette before answering.

"Not a lot really, just talked about our summers and how he was doing with his shoulder, nothing seedy i assure you." Yuna knew what her friend was thinking. Lulu finished up and opened the door to head inside saying,

"I wasn't implying anything, I was just curious."

Walking over to the booth, they noticed Rikku was flirting with one of the waiters. "It's a wonder if she's actually ordered the food yet."

Tidus sat in the lavish living room of his home, playing with the card Yuna had given him. Phone in one hand, he could not decide whether he wanted to go through with the treatment. He could not stop thinking what his team would think of him; weak, talentless. Blitzball was his life, he believed there was nothing else that he could do as well as he played in the sphere pool. Hearing his father coming into the room the young blonde panicked hiding the card, pretending to play with his phone. Jecht noticed his son's odd behaviour, sitting in the chair opposite him, waiting for him to look at him. Tidus could feel his father's eyes staring at him.

"What are you staring at?" Tidus asked not taking his eyes off his phone.

"Nothing son, just wondering why you have been acting so strangely since you got home from school," Jecht answered, continuing to stare at the blonde. Tidus exhaled loudly, not knowing whether to tell his father about this treatment he wanted to try, thinking that he would look down on him after telling his father that his shoulder was better again. Jecht shook his head, "Just tell me what's bothering you son, I can't help if you won't tell me!" Jecht said a bit more forcefully than he intended. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to shout at you. Just please tell me. I'm starting to worry about you. Since the incident in Luca I've noticed you just go into your shell around here." Tidus looked up at his father surprised. This was the first time that he believed his father actually cared about him as his son, not just a player in his team. Tidus noticed Jecht's face actually did look genuinely worried. The younger man had to give it to his father, he had been strong for so long. Tidus thought back to a year ago. Watching his mother leave with another man, leaving his father devastated. As a father and son they were never close personally, they were always coach and player. However, in the last year Tidus had seen his father struggle emotionally, but had no idea how to approach it. Tidus always thought about how he was shocked about his mother's betrayal at first; however he knew she had never truly cared for him, making it fairly clear she had never wanted him. The blonde teenager however knew how much his mother meant to Jecht and seeing his father actually break down because of her departure had let him see that his father wasn't emotionless or neglecting Tidus, but trying to juggle between a horrible woman and the son he had always wanted. Looking back at Jecht, Tidus thought maybe he should give him a chance to be the father he wanted to be, but usually failed due to pride and ignorance.

"It is about my shoulder. It's not a healed as I've been leading on," Tidus admitted, waiting for a reply. Again shaking him head Jecht stood, walking over to sit next to his son.

"Why didn't you tell me? With all the training we've been doing it is never going to get better." Jecht said slightly disappointed his son would keep this from him.

"I don't know. I guess I just didn't want to lose out in Blitzball this season. I have to play!" Tidus answered realising how stupid he had been. "I know I should have let it heal up but the doctors said it could take up to two years. By that time I would have lost my chances of joining the Abes and any chance of a scholarship to Zanarkand University." The young man went on, not being able to stop himself now the flood gates were open; he had not shared this with anyone before and was even more surprised he was admitting this all to his father.

Jecht was shocked to hear all this in one go. He could finally see the stress he had put his son under when it came to the sport they both loved. Noticing the card Tidus had carelessly tried to hide; Jecht picked it up examining it.

"Hey is this for that Curaga therapy, like what I had when that shoopuf attacked me?" he asked his son.

Tidus cursed under his breath for not hiding it better, knowing his dad would only call it 'hippie crap'. "You should give it a go son. Need to try everything out there if this injury is still that bad." Tidus looked up confused. Did he just hear his father right?

"I thought you said it didn't work?" he asked intrigued by Jecht's change of view.

"I only had the two sessions, you are supposed to have two to three sessions a week for about three months or so, depending on how severe the injury is. That's if I remember right. I only had the two sessions because your mother hated having some woman touch me, but we know how much of a bitch your mother is," Jecht joked not remembering that it was his son he was saying it to. "Sorry I don't mean to be so petty," he apologised.

Tidus actually laughed at what his father had said. Jecht continued, "So how about we book some sessions for you boy; are you willing to try it?" Tidus didn't even think before answering, "Yes, I have to try it at least."

Jecht clapped his hands together and while standing to leave simply said, "Sounds good, give them a call this week then and we'll get you in there as soon as possible. Now I have to go and see your Uncle Auron about some supplies, I shouldn't be back too late." Tidus smiled, thinking how that was the first time he ever felt close to his father. He also thought of a cunning plan while dialling the number for the therapy centre into his phone.

The two girls returned to their table, rolling their eyes as they sat down to watch Rikku's shameless flirting with the spiky haired waited. They had to give it to her, she oozed confidence. The restaurant was fairly quiet for the time of day. Having enough of waiting to be served, Lulu butted into disgusting conversation between the two blondes.

"Well if you are quite done trying to get into my friend's pants, I would love to get some food over here," Lulu said bluntly staring at the dumbfounded waiter. Rather flustered by the remark from the beautiful raven haired girl.

"Sorry, what can I get for you all?" The young waiter asked. He could not have been much older than the girls.

After Lulu ordered for them all she was met by a cold stare from the blonde. Rolling her eyes, Lulu looked over to her friend. "What Rikku? We would have been here all night with the rate you were going. I'm surprised you didn't just let him take you on the table in front of the entire restaurant." Lulu said smiling, knowing she would not get much of a response. Rikku again just stared at her friend in response to the comment, dropping her jaw. "Oh, don't look like that. We all know you are going to slip him your number when we leave, and by the looks you are still getting from him, I haven't ruined your chances." Lulu continued brushing the stare from Rikku off. Yuna witnessing everything that just happened burst into hysterics.

"I'm pretty sure I sealed the deal before you two had gotten back from your dirty habit," Rikku stated while writing her number on a napkin with the intention of slipping it to the 'lucky' waiter later. The trio continued to chat while waiting for their food to arrive. Their conversation was cut short by Yuna's phone ringing. Noticing it was from the therapy centre she excused herself and headed outside before answering it.

"Hello," she answered wondering what they could want.

Lulu and Rikku resumed their conversation as Yuna left. Seeing that she was outside on the phone Rikku jumped at the chance to talk to Lulu about Yuna.

"Have you noticed Yuna has been a bit different lately? Like she never wants to come out with us anymore, always going to see Seymour and stuff," she asked. Lulu nodded agreeing with her.

"I don't want to say it but she's well boring now, it's like she thinks Seymour will look down on her for still being a teenager or something. I mean we didn't even get to celebrate her eighteenth with her!" Rikku said getting rather annoyed with her cousin's behaviour. Lulu couldn't help but laugh at the boring comment, however she could not have said it better herself.

"I've noticed it too, I've tried asking her about it but I haven't gotten anywhere with her," Lulu explained. Rikku exhaled loudly expressed her dislike of the situation.

As their food arrived, Yuna returned to their booth smiling. Her two friends looked up to see this very intrigued to find out what the phone call was about.

"What's put a smile on your face?" Lulu asked, while slowly twirling her spaghetti, ready to take her first bite.

"Well that was work. They said I've been personally requested to do intensive healing sessions for three months for a new client apparently. They said I would be getting paid a hell of a lot if I choose to do it." Yuna explained, slightly confused but very happy she had been chosen.

"Yunie that's great news!" Rikku shouted hugging her cousin. Rikku was happy for Yuna, but she did realised that this would mean even less time that they could spend together, well over the next three months anyway.

"Did they say who it was for? I bet it's some rich businessman from Luca." Rikku said still squeezing her cousin. Releasing herself from Rikku's death grip Yuna answered,

"No they didn't say. Apparently it's a client who would like everything to be kept confidential, so even when I do find out I can't tell you anyway, especially you," she explained looking straight at Rikku.

"Fine," Rikku huffed. "Must be someone pretty important then," the energetic blonde said trying to think of anyone it could be. Yuna smiled to herself, finally something good happening in her life she thought.

Time flew by; the girls had been in the slowly emptying restaurant for over two hours. The three girls continued to chat about anything and everything, wondering who this mystery client could be that had requested Yuna. Yuna let her mind wonder to a certain blonde she had been speaking to today, still speculating to why he was suddenly very interested in her. She thought back to any attention she had received from him before. It had always been a fleeting conversation here and there. As she thought back harder, Yuna could always remember a slight compliment slipped into each conversation. He had always seemed flirty with every girl he came in contact with, even his close friend's girlfriends; however never openly with her. The young girl could not make any sense of these thoughts or information. As the thoughts left her she heard a cold sadistic voice say her name.

"Yuna," The voice simply said.

She turned to meet the source of it. Seeing the long blue hair of it she knew exactly who it was.

"Hi, Seymour," she said with no emotion, not even making eye contact. Seymour was tall, with a large build figure, easily shadowing Yuna's. Lulu noticed the emotionless language between the two of them, more so than ever before.

"Yuna, could I speak to you outside?" Seymour said holding out his hand, attempting to show a bit of affection towards his girlfriend. Yuna nodded and rose from her seat collecting up her belongings, before being led to the exit. The remaining girls looked slightly confused but chose not to object knowing they would not win against Seymour persuasion.

Yuna blindly followed behind the towering figure of Seymour, being led around the corner of the restaurant into the shadowed alley behind. Deciding that they were a sufficient distance away from any crowds in the city centre, Seymour turned to his following girlfriend. Stepping towards her, she had no choice but to back intothe cold brick wall behind her.

"Why didn't you ring me? You have been here for hours," a harsh, sinister voice asked.

"I thought you were still in college, I was going to in a bit," Yuna said quietly, while trying feebly trying to stand her ground.

Seymour took a step towards Yuna as she took another back only to be met by the cold brick to her back again. He grabbed her one wrist and held it by her side while leaning into her face. Her look of pure hatred grew into pain as he started to squeeze her trapped wrist. She knew if she screamed she would just get much worse torture from him.

"Now listen to me," he growled as he dug his sharp Guado nails into her wrist. "If you choose to go out whoring yourself out with your friends before consulting me, I will put you through more pain than you have ever felt before, understand?" He finished with his voice dripping with cruelty. Yuna simply nodded not turning from his gaze. Seymour released his grip on her and stepped back. Yuna, not wanting to show weakness, ignored the pain pulsing in her wrist. She could tell just by the feeling that he had left a 'loving' mark behind once again. Yuna wondered why she was still with this disgrace of a man; but often thought 'If he treats me like this when we are together, what the hell would he do to me if I broke up with him?'

Back in the restaurant the two girls were met by Wakka and Tidus. The two blitzers slid into the booth next to the girls, engaging in idle chatter before being interrupted by Lulu's phone ringing.

"Ach, who the hell could that be?" the pale slender girl muttered to herself. Her phone flashed the word 'message'. Opening it, it read; 'Hey, I don't feel that well, think it may have been the food, I'm going to go home with Seymour. Yuna xxx.' Lulu thought to herself that something must have been wrong as her friend had been absolutely fine no more than ten minutes ago. She didn't have to guess that Seymour had had something to do with this sudden disappearance. Frowning at the thought she turned her attention back to the group of friend at the table around her.

Unbeknownst to her friends inside, Yuna was only around the dark, dingy side of the café. The damp air seemed to accommodate the uncomfortable tension between the two figures shrouded by shadows. Slapping the illuminated phone shut, Seymour held it out towards the detached brunette standing a mere metre away from him, before stating, "That should deal with that interfering mage 'friend' of yours." His slender fingers let the phone wave a little in front of Yuna's face, catching her attention. Removing her gaze from the floor besides Seymour's feet, Yuna slowly grasped the phone out of his hand, simply saying in her head, 'Don't argue or you will regret it. It's easier to just agree and go along with it.' Her irate look met his. Taking a stride towards, the young brunette, Yuna backed away again only to meet the rough, cold brick. 'Fuck. I'm a bloody idiot,' she thought. Seymour's face was now barely an inch from her pale one. Her skin crawling with disgust as his slender fingers traced up her arms and side slowly. Her stomach immediately dropped as he went in to forcefully kiss her. She felt physically sick. Seymour's vigorous actions placed upon the girl in front of him gave him the upper hand in taking full advantage. Seizing her reluctant hands in his he pushed them above her head, pressing them firmly into the walls, making sure his 'girlfriend' could not escape easily. Yuna's eyes remained open. She felt disgusted with herself, for letting him do this to her. Seymour pulled away slightly, smirking at his captured prey. "You don't seem to be enjoying yourself. Maybe I should help you," Seymour went in for another kiss, but Yuna sub-consciously moved her face away, 'Fuck, why the hell did I do that? Now what's he going to do?' Ignoring the reaction her got he simply moved his attention to neck smooth, pale neck. Biting and sucking at it, only inflicting pain, not desire. Feeling Yuna flinch against him, Seymour let one hand trail down her body, stroking every curve and crevasse he could reach. Yuna dared not to squirm underneath him, simply knocked her head continuous on the wall behind trying to distract herself from what was happening to her.

Seymour continued to let his invading hands crawl over Yuna's body. His face came up from neck, positioning his lips a mere inch away from her ear,

"You're learning not to displease me. As we know what happens when you do," the demon whispered, trailing his hand up to her neck, tracing lines along her shoulder before digging, scrapping his long nail across it drawing blood. Yuna could only let out faint whimpers to the sharp pain she felt, knowing that he loved to see her in pain. Yuna felt herself build up with anger; trying to divert it anyway she could as not to be put through anymore of this torture. The sound of his phone broke the sinister atmosphere, much to Yuna's relief. Snapping open his phone, he smiled before saying,

"Seems like we will have to cut this short, I have business to take care of," He approached her one last time, kissing her one last time, "Don't worry I'll be sure to see you soon," He said before leaving her in the deserted alleyway. Waiting a few minutes, hearing his car pull away, Yuna guided her fingers to where his nail had been dragged. She felt the warm drops of blood before pulling her top up to conceal it. Straightening herself up, the brunette made her way quickly to her car, hoping that she would beat Lulu and Rikku home, thinking on the way of how to explain this new 'affectionate gift' off Seymour.