Wow, how long has this been?! I am so sorry! To be quite honest I totally forgot about this story. It wasn't until I clicked my profile I realised how much I liked this one. So I've decided to try and write the next chapter. Wish me luck!
Tidus sat on the warm sand, his arms hung loosely over his bent knees, while his toes played with the ground, occasionally popping in and out of the warmth. He watched as the waves gently rolled onto the shore, creating a relaxing sound, however, the beauty of a Besaidian sunset was not enough to distract him, his mind was elsewhere. In his hands was the sphere, which he had played more times than he can count on his fingers. The image of the beautiful young lady in the pool of illuminating liquid stuck in his mind. Spheres never showed a clear image, it didn't matter what you recorded on it, there would always be static interference, but Tidus wasn't bothered by that, the projection was clear enough to get a rough idea of what she looked like. But where would he start? The thought of travelling around Spira was exciting, but it was also a job for Seymour, something Tidus hated doing, but he always seemed to comply, no matter what the task was. He saw it as a sort of pass time between on and off Blitz season, yet this task, Tidus couldn't say no. There was something about this girl; woman that Tidus wanted to explore. Curiosity was all too powerful.
"What am I gonna do?"
After his long swim, lasting from mid afternoon to near sunset, he'd thought of nothing but the sphere. Or better yet, the person in the sphere. His hair was damp, but a mixture of sea water and the warmth from the fading sun had made it stiff. Running a hand through it, he turned at the sound of approaching footsteps. An all too familiar face appeared, his bright orange hair making him unnoticeable.
"What cha up to brudda?"
"Just..." Tidus had no idea how to answer. He wasn't even sure how he felt. Confused was definitely there, but he also felt excited, worried and tense. "I'm just thinking is all."
"Ok," Wakka was never one for just plain answers, he wanted to know exactly what was up with Tidus. After his meeting with Seymour, something was off, and Wakka was not about to let his best friend become down because of it. "Thinking about what?"
Tidus looked up at Wakka and saw his face was full of concern. He took a deep breath, and told him exactly what Seymour wanted him to do as Wakka sat down on the sand next to him. While he talked, the sphere was never put down, it always stayed in Tidus' hands.
"I just..." Tidus stalled, figuring out the right wording for what he wanted to say, "I just don't know if I can become some sort of delivery boy for Seymour, you know?" Running a hand through his hair once again, Tidus passed Wakka the sphere. "That's her, Yuna. What should I do man?"
Wakka watched the sphere, intrigued by what he saw. He felt for Tidus; she was a human being, no matter which way you look at it.
"Well," Wakka started, "If she ran away, it musta been for a good reason ya?"
"That's what I thought!" Tidus quipped.
"And," Wakka continued, "Running away means no intention of coming back, ya? So why does Seymour want her back so badly? I mean he either did something to her, so she left, or she did something and couldn't stand the guilt."
"I'm guessing she wanted to escape Seymour." Tidus chuckled to himself, picturing Seymour waking up one morning and Yuna not there. "I mean the guy isn't exactly the nicest person around."
"I know ya." Wakka, "So, what cha gonna do when you eventually find her?"
"I have no idea" He turned towards the setting sun, taking in the last of its warmth, capturing a mental image of it in his head. If he were to go on this journey, this would be the last time he saw a sunset like this until he came back with Yuna. "What am I gonna do?"
"Go for it."
Tidus turned to Wakka. A small smirk lay on the big Blitzball player's face. Wakka only shrugged, and adjusted the blue bandana on his head, then rubbed the back of his neck. Tidus was dumbfounded, he couldn't believe Wakka had been so blunt.
"What?"
"Go for it." Wakka repeated, "What's the worst that could happen?"
Tidus scoffed, turning back to the red sky, where the sun had completely disappeared now, the clouds burning an intense red and the gulls yelling and squarking for food for their babies. Tidus struggled to stand, his legs ached from the long swim, but it felt good to be in the water, so he never complained. Holding out a hand for Wakka, he helped the Blitzer up and they both brushed the sand from their shorts.
"Think about it this way," Wakka started, placing all his weight on one foot and posing in a thoughtful way, similar to how Tidus poses when he thinks, "It'll get your mind of Blitz huh?"
At the thought of Blitzball, Tidus automatically tensed his shoulder and raised his hand to lightly stretched the injury. The fact that he may never play again because of one player with an attitude problem made his blood boil, but Wakka was right, this would keep him busy and his mind at bay, right? Sighing, Tidus nodded, placing the sphere back in his shorts pocket, then bent down to put his boots back on, still slightly moving his shoulders in circular motions.
"C'mon bruddah," Wakka thwomped Tidus' back, encouraging him to walk with him, "Let's talk to Lulu, see what she says ya?"
"Good idea." Tidus agreed. Lulu was like the wise woman of the village; she always knew the right words to say and when to say them. "C'mon Tubby, last one to the village is a deflated water flan!" Tidus yelled over his shoulder, having started a light jog to lighten the mood and become competitive with Wakka.
"Who you callin' 'Tubby'?!" Wakka yelled back, beginning to jog before breaking into a sprint for the race. "I've changed diapers quicker than you run!"
Tidus sat on the floor of Lulu and Wakka's hut, his Blitz boots left by the gap they used as an entrance and an exit. He sat with his knees slightly bent up, with baby Vidina sitting up between his open legs, playing with the teething toy Lulu handed him when he was settled with Tidus.
"This is a tough choice to make Tidus," Lulu started, after hearing the situation from both her husband and her friend. "When do you have to leave?"
Realisation hit Tidus like a thunder spell "You know what Lu? I don't know. Seymour didn't give me specifics, only I had to find her and bring her back."
"I would really think on this one Ti" Wakka interjected, "But if it was me I'd be on the first ferry out in the morning."
Running a hand through his messy hair, Tidus looked down at Vidina as if he had all the answers to this problem. The baby just looked at him with his big brown eyes open wide, his teething toy covered in drool from being chewed. Tidus couldn't help but smile as he brushed his fingers through the orange hair that situated itself on Vidina's head. Looking back up at Lulu, who was seated on the cream framed seat, he made a face that had 'help me' written all over it.
"What you have to remember, is that this a person, and she must have a reason for getting away from this...man," The last word escaped Lulu's mouth like venom. Absolutely no one on Besaid Island liked him, and for different reasons; one being he mocked their accents, another being he complained that the weather was unbearable and demanded change to the village, such as more up-to-date machina to keep the island cool and modern. The natives liked their little island, who was this half-Guado to tell them how to live?
"And when you do find her," Wakka continued, "you'll have to listen to her, you know? Understand why she left, ya?"
"Yeah, I know," Tidus agreed, "it's not like I'm the forceful type. I mean, I can only do so much, I'm not gonna force her to come back." He took in a deep breath, and brushed his fingers through Vidina's hair once more "Heck, I know there is no way I'd step anywhere near him if I left."
Lulu, who held the sphere, turned it on again and played the magical liquid to display the image once more.
"Did either of you notice that?" she asked, waiting for the sphere to stop so she could play it again.
"Notice what?" Tidus replied. He grabbed the baby and rose to his feet, standing with Vidina on his good arm, steady to not strain his injury. He stood behind Lulu, looking over her shoulder to catch a glimpse of what she saw.
"Wait for it..."Lulu shushed, ready to point out what she had seen. "There."
"I didn't see anything." Tidus phased, looking at Wakka who was stood behind Lulu looking over her other shoulder. "Did you?"
"Not really," Wakka agreed, looking slightly confused. "Show us again Lu?"
"Ok," Lulu played the sphere once more, slightly agitated that the boys weren't seeing what was right in front of them. "There, you see?"
"I think so..." Wakka looked thoughtful, rubbing his hand on the back of his neck. "Ti, you see it bruddah?"
"No, what am I looking for?"
"Watch closely" Lulu swapped the sphere for the cooing baby so Tidus could concentrate on looking carefully at the sphere.
The illuminating sphere showed the moving image of Seymour and Yuna sat closely together, occasionally showing just Yuna by herself, Seymour moving the sphere closer to get her to smile, then again went back to the pair of them. Tidus watched as Seymour leaned in for a kiss, however Yuna slightly moved her head, and the kiss landed on her cheek, still no smile gracing it's presence on her face.
"Yuna, stop hiding, it does you no good." Seymour spoke on the sphere, quickly getting out of the shot. The sphere moved closer to her face, and the last image Tidus saw before the sphere buzzed off was Yuna tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Did you see it that time?" Lulu spoke quietly, as if not to break Tidus' concentration.
"Yeah," Tidus breathed, "she didn't want him to kiss her."
"It's as if she doesn't want him touching her." Wakka continued, "So that explains why she ran away ya? Maybe it's an arranged relationship?"
"So do I bring her back?"
"I would say just find her first," Lulu answered, switching the baby from one arm to the other. Vidina was getting restless, so he fidgeted until his mother placed him back on the floor so he could roam around freely. He instantly grabbed his teething toy, placing it back in his mouth, smiling at the sound of his mother's soothing voice. "and you have to listen to her. She has reasons. Just look at the way she moved her head away from him. It's obvious she doesn't want to be with him."
Tidus slowly nodded, sighing slowly as he placed the sphere on the counter nearest the door. Turning back to Wakka and Lulu, his two closest friends, he smiled, shrugged and placed his hands in his pockets.
"What's the worst that could happen?"
As the sun rose, the birds sang the dawn chorus, sweetly chirping as they began their daily activities. Besaid village was stirring; the odd dog stretching and gathering energy for their morning walk. One young man lie still, wide awake and suffering with loss of sleep. The blanket he used to cover himself with was up no further from his waist and twisted in between his legs, the warm Besaidian heat sweeping in over the cool night air.
Tidus had made plans the night before to leave with the first boat out of Besaid; his bag already packed. It was a small Besaidian carrier, light and airy so his clothes could breathe and stay fresh, and consisted of a weeks worth of clothes that Wakka provided and a couple pairs of shoes. His decision to find and talk to Yuna was set; he would try Luca first, ask around, see if she's been spotted, then, from there, on to the Mi'hen Highroad through to D'jose. From there? Who knew.
Remembering he had to be up and about soon, he slowly rose up from the cramped bed in the Crusaders hut, his shoulder subtly reminding him that it still ached and felt swollen and sore. He twisted it slowly, using his other arm to massage the injury.
Within thirty minutes, he was up, dressed and ready to head out. His small pack was hanging from his good shoulder. With everything set, Tidus strolled through the crusaders hut and out into the fresh morning air. Walking towards Lulu and Wakka's hut, he stops, and slowly knocks on the wooden frame, awaiting the arrival of his faithful friends.
"Oh, Tidus," Wakka yawned, obviously just awoken minutes before he answered the knocks, "You off?"
"Yeah," Tidus answered, none-to-happily, "I just wanted to say bye." He outstretched his free hand for Wakka to shake. "And thanks, you know, for everything."
Wakka, looking at the hand in front of him, slowly looked back at Tidus. "Hey, it was nothing. And put that away," he nodded towards Tidus' hand, "I'll walk down with ya."
"Thanks." Tidus smiled.
Behind them, Lulu slowly walked towards them, already up and about with Vidina on her waist. "We'll all go with you." She said, a small smile gathering on her face. Baby Vidina cooed and reached out for Tidus to carry him. Smiling, he handed Wakka his pack and grabbed the small being from his mother, laughing as he wished him good morning and making him chuckle. Lulu handed him the small teething ring, instantly making the baby coo and drool all over his bottom lip and chin.
"Well, when you're ready big guy." Tidus quipped at Wakka, who was adjusting the pack on his shoulder. Wakka smiled and held his hand out for Lulu. She was never one for showing affection during the day, but seeing as it was still early, and most of the village was still settled in their own huts, she gladly accepted this small token of affection from her husband. Shutting the hut with the door cloth, they all set out towards the small boat on the beach.
"So," Wakka started as they climbed the hill towards the shrine, "Luca first eh? Gonna bring back some memories huh? You know, with Blitz an' all ya?"
Lulu, who rolled her eyes at Wakka's lack of tact, gently elbowed him in the stomach. "Wakka, please -"
"No," Tidus interrupted, "It's ok Lu. Yeah, it's gonna be hard, but I'm not there for Blitzball, am I? I'm there for her."
"She's pretty, ya?"
"Yeah," Tidus mused, "yeah she is."
"Don't get any ideas ya? She's Seymours'."
"Wakka!" Lulu elbowed him again. "She's not anyones to possess!"
"Ok Lu, she's not not Seymours," he winked at Tidus, "but still, don't get any ideas."
"You can trust me!" Tidus laughed, still holding the baby in front of him. His arms were crossed and had Vidina sat on his forearms, facing forward, so he could see where they were going. The weight of the baby wasn't too straining on his shoulder, so Tidus carried him like this gladly. This was Vidina's favourite time of day, going out for walks with his parents. He constantly smiled and chewed his ring, feeling relaxed at the sound of his parents, and Tidus' voice.
"But," Tidus hesitated, "what if she, like, comes on to me?"
"Pfftftf" Wakka snorted, "Yeah, ok. You're such a kidda ya?" He turned to Lulu, who was deep in thought. "Can you believe this kid?"
"It is possible" Lulu replied as they walked passed the waterfalls flowing freely behind the path. The cool water was refreshing to the mage's humid, clammy skin.
"See?" Tidus laughed.
"Wakka, you have to admit, Tidus is a good looking young man." Lulu smirked, "I would go for him if I was Yuna. Him over Seymour any day!"
Wakka, having pondered for a moment, shrugged and agreed. "Least you don't have those funny, thick blue veins through your head, ya?" He swiftly looked at Tidus. "Or do ya?" Gently, he poked Tidus head with his free hand, making Vidina wobble and laugh at his father.
"Hey, knock it off! Small person here!" Tidus laughed and slightly raised Vidina on his arms. The baby simply looked at Tidus and giggled, enjoying the small ride.
Finally reaching the beach, Tidus paused, observing the site before him. Old men were fishing, either bring in their catch or going out to sea. The tide was in, perfect to take Vidina paddling, which is exactly what Wakka and Lulu planned to do once Tidus was gone. As the threesome walked towards the boat on the dock, Vidina made small grunting noises, and, keeping his ring in his mouth, stretched his arms out towards the crystal blue ocean.
"Later." Tidus pormised, as he prodded the small head with his chin. He turned back to Lulu and Wakka, who were looking out to the ocean too. "Well, this is me."
"Be safe." Lulu said, as she stretched out her arms to her baby, who instntly complied and accepted her mothering arms. She stepped up on her tip-toes and kissed Tidus' cheek, letting him know she will think of him often until he came back.
"I will." Tidus replied, smiling towards the mage with adoration. At first, he found Lulu a pain, always raining on his parade. He thought it was because he was from a different team, but later found out from Wakka that it was because he reminded her of Chappu, who she was seeing before her husband. He'd joined the crusaders to become a warrior, went out to battle one day and never came back. Eventually she'd warmed to Tidus as she'd slowly began to move on from Chappu, and slowly began to mother him. She couldn't help it, she felt protective around him and Wakka.
"You take care, ya?" Wakka softly spoke, as if brother to brother.
"Yeah, of course." Tidus smirked.
"Listen, you write to us anytime you need to, ok? We're not going anywhere."
"Thanks Wakka." Tidus again stretched out his hand for Wakka to shake. Wakka only looked down at his hand and back up, and walked towards him, enveloping him in a huge bear hug.
"Uh, Wakka," Tidus choked, "need...air...!"
"Sorry brudda, gonna miss ya." Wakka admitted, and handed over Tidus pack. "Got kinda used to you being around, ya?"
"I know." Tidus shrugged his pack on his good shoulder. In the short distanc, they heard the captain call for last entries to the boat.
"That's my cue. I'll see you!"
With that, Tidus turned and walked onto the dock, preparing himself for the journey ahead. What would happen? Only Yevon knows. But he knew one thing, if Yuna did come onto him, there's no way he would turn her down.
(A/N) Yaaay! I know, it's been FOREVER! But I was doing something the other day and this story just popped into my head. If there are any readers still out there please don't forget to review and favourite! My passion for writing is coming back, and I have so many idea's for this story! It's gonna be goood! :D
Take care!