"Hey? Hey! Can you hear me?"

A light groan left Sarah's lips, and her eyes slowly fluttered open. It took a moment for her view to adjust before she noticed Tidus sitting on his knees beside her, a look of concern in his bright blue orbs.

"Tidus?" Sarah murmured. A frown formed on her lips after she had sat up, noticing the men from before standing around them with their guns lifted up in warning, and even worse, they appeared to be on a ship out in the middle of the sea.

The green eyed girl from before was suddenly approaching them alongside a muscular man with his blond hair styled in a Mohawk. From what Sarah could tell, he had multiple earrings on both ears while he was garbed in grey pants that were held up by red and blue suspenders, while his exposed chest was covered with blue tattoo's.

He was a little intimidating, to say the least.

"Caynir res!" he said, making strange gestures with his arms while letting out a series of grunts.

"Right. Whatever," Tidus mumbled, having no clue what this guy was implying.

"Tu oui hud cbayg?" the man said, pulling out a pair of goggles where he pointed at Tidus and then at himself.

"I said I don't understand!" Tidus said with exasperation, only to gulp when the guns were being moved closer to him.

"Fyed! He said you can stay if you make yourself useful," the young girl quickly clarified.

"You…you understand me?" Tidus gasped out, only to painfully get hit across his head. "All right, I'll work!"

The girl smiled before placing her hands behind her back. "We found some ancient ruins right beneath us. Its not active now, but there should still be some power left. We're gonna go down there and activate it…and then we should be able to salvage the big prize!"

"So you want Tidus to go back underwater with you?" Sarah said with a small sweat drop, only to slap her head when Tidus jumped overboard. She could understand they didn't have much of a choice in the matter, but still….

"Are you going to come too?" the still unknown girl asked.

"I might as well. I wouldn't want Tidus giving you a hard time down there." Sarah mused, her words causing the blond haired girl to giggle before they were both diving into the water.

Sarah had to admit traveling further down into the bottom of the sea was a bit eerie, especially with the glowing red lights coming from the ruins that looked like multiple eyes staring back at them. Though the inside made her eyes widen since some of this technology looked like what you'd find in Zanarkand. Maybe this world wasn't so different from her own after all.

It would have been peaceful just to explore if it wasn't for the piranha's that had made the ruins their home. And once Tidus had gotten the power to completely restart, an octopus-like fiend blocked the small group, where they had to take it down before they could even leave.

Even though she had enjoyed seeing the dark waters completely lit up, Sarah was relieved when they were back on the ship as she panted lightly once they were on board. She couldn't understand how Tidus still had the energy to walk around and complain.

"Those guys are real pieces of work! After we helped, their just going to leave us out in the cold?!" Tidus huffed, since one of the men had pushed him when he had tried to enter the door they had gone through.

"Well we are technically prisoners. Our well being is probably the last thing on their minds," Sarah said with a shake of her head.

Though she was surprised to see the young girl carrying two trays of food in her hands where she placed them down in front of Tidus and her.

"Whoa! Right on!" Tidus cheered, devouring the food like he hadn't eaten in days.

"Thank you," Sarah said with a faint smile, eating on her food a bit slower where she wouldn't end up getting choked unlike someone else.

"It's cause you eat too fast!" the girl scolded when Tidus snatched a satchel of water from her.

Tidus only laughed, standing up to stretch before he was turning back to the girl with a warm smile. "Hello there. What is your name?"

"Rikku," she answered in an innocent manner, only to look slightly taken aback when Tidus excitedly grabbed her hands due to the fact that she understood him. Though when he asked why she's hadn't said anything earlier, Rikku only gave a small smile and replied, "I didn't get the chance to. Everyone thought oui were a fiend."

"Uh…we?"

"Oh, 'oui' means you," Rikku explained before moving to rest against the side of the ship.

"Well, its nice to meet you, Rikku. My names Sarah and this is my brother, Tidus," the brunette introduced, moving to stand next to the girl. "But um, who are you and those men exactly?"

"Huh? We're Al Bhed. Can't you tell?" Rikku replied, only for a look of worry to creep onto her features when she looked at Sarah. "You two aren't Al Bhed haters, are you?"

"We don't even know what an Al Bhed is…." Sarah said softly with a tired smile.

"Where are you from?"

"Zanarkand. I'm a blitzball player. Star player of the Zanarkand Abes!" Tidus said coolly while doing a kick to show off.

"Did you…hit your head or something?" Rikku said with a sheepish smile, rubbing at her head when Tidus mentioned how they had hit him. "Oh right…So do you remember anything before that?"

Sarah just watched quietly as Tidus started to tell Rikku everything that had happened. What life in Zanarakand was like, blitzball, and Sin's attack…. And how the two of them, along with Auron, were engulfed in a light that some how brought them here.

"Did I…say something funny?" Tidus asked in a soft voice seeing the troubled look on Rikku's face.

"You were near Sin…Don't worry, you both will be better in no time," Rikku encouraged, patting Tidus on his shoulder. "They say your head gets funny when Sin is near. Maybe you just had some kind of dream?"

A dream Sarah pondered, placing her hand over her chest. But no, that couldn't…be right. Her memories of Zanarkand weren't just an illusion. Or at least, that's what she wanted to believe….

"There is no Zanarakand any more," Rikku told Tidus, her words causing Sarah to feel a chill run down her spine. "Sin destroyed it a thousand years ago. So…no one plays blitzball there."

"Wh-what do you mean a thousand years ago? But I saw Sin attack Zanarkand! You're saying that happened a thousand years ago? No way!" Tidus cried out in frustration.

Rikku bit her lip, looking down for a moment before saying, "You said you play blitzball? You know, you should go to Luca. Someone might know who you and Sarah are, or you might find someone you recognize,"

"Luca?" Tidus muttered, only for Rikku to shake her head and walk away from him for a moment, seeming lost in thought.

"Okay, leave it to me! I'll get you and Sarah to Luca, promise!" Rikku reassured, giving Tidus a small pat on the back before she turned to smile at Sarah. Leaving to go tell the others, Rikku paused for a moment to turn back to face Tidus and Sarah with a small frown. "Oh, and one thing. Don't tell anyone you're from Zanarkand, okay? Yevon says it's a holy place. You might upset someone."

Once Rikku had departed, Sarah and Tidus remained in silence, lost in their own thoughts, but Sarah finally found her voice, breaking it. "So do you think its true? That we've ended up in a place where our home no longer exists….?"

"No way…I won't believe it!" Tidus said defiantly, kicking at the ship, only to cry out when the vessel violently jerked where it caused him to tumble backwards.

"A-are you alright?!" Sarah gasped out, moving toward him on wobbly legs. Her eyes grew large when seeing what looked like a large black fin rising up out of the water, realizing exactly what it was. "Sin…."

The monstrous beast caused a large tidal wave to ram the ship, and Sarah just barely managed to grab Tidus' hand before the two of them were being thrown overboard, sinking to the bottom of the sea.


"When we awoke, Tidus and me found ourselves floating in clear blue waters with your island luckily close by. We met Wakka, and he's been helping us out ever since we came ashore," Sarah trailed off with a light sigh.

A troubled look was on Yuna's features while her index finger rested against her lower lip. "So then, you must not know if any of the Al Bhed you were with survived?" she questioned softly.

Sarah blinked since she could tell Yuna looked a bit paler, wondering if she was really that worried about the people she had mentioned? "I'm afraid not. But I'm sure they're alright. Rikku and the others seemed very strong,"

"Yes. I'm sure you're right," Yuna agreed with a small smile. "Thank you for telling me your story. I'm glad I was able to learn more about you."

Sarah nodded with a kind smile, noticing Tidus watching the two of them where a knowing gleam shown in her orbs before she stood up. "Guess I'm going to turn in. Good night."

Heading for the inn, Sarah noticed Kimahri leaning against a nearby tree, and she waved at him when their eyes met before she walked into the large hut; a wave of exhaustion overtaking her when she laid down on the bed, falling asleep right when her head hit the pillow.

"I HATE YOU!"

These words caused Sarah to jolt awake where she noticed Tidus sitting up and panting harshly on his bed, beads of sweat running down his face.

"Tidus?" Sarah asked gently, walking over to him where she placed a hand on his trembling shoulder with concern. "Were you…dreaming about dad?"

Tidus just looked down glumly, feeling relieved he didn't have to answer for the sound of voices coming right outside caught both of their attention.

"He's dead, okay. Dead,"

Quietly peeking out of the blue decorative flap beside her brother, Sarah's lips lightly parted when seeing Lulu and Wakka standing outside, and the dark haired female looked livid.

"He does look a lot like Chappu. I was surprised, too, the first time I saw him," Lulu said in such a light voice, that Sarah barely heard her. "But no matter what he looks like, he isn't Chappu. You shouldn't have brought him or his sister here in the first place!"

"Yeah, but…they needed our help!" Wakka told her, his voice almost even more quiet than Lulu's.

"Excuses again?

"Yeah, but…."

"That's it. No more. Enough, Wakka!" Lulu snapped, storming off where she left a dejected looking Wakka behind.

Tidus quickly closed the flap when Wakka slowly started to make his way toward the inn-Sarah giving him an apologetic look when the orange haired male seemed taken aback to see them both up.

"Scary!" Tidus whistled out, crossing his arms over his toned chest. "So, who's Chappu?"

"My little brother, Chappu. He looked like you,"

"He's dead?"

When Wakka moved to sit down on one of the beds, Tidus and Sarah followed him; the tan skinned male remaining silent for a moment before he spoke.

"He was with the Crusader's when they fought Sin last year. He didn't make it," Wakka said somberly. "I first heard on the day of the tournament."

"Oh, so that's why," Tidus said with a sad, but understanding smile.

"I became a guardian, to fight Sin, ya?"

"You…wanted revenge?" Sarah asked quietly.

"That was the idea," Wakka admitted, folding his hands underneath his chin. "I'm more worried about a stupid game now than avenging my brother…Well, after the next tournament, I'll be a guardian full-time. I know it kind of looks like I'm using you, but I'm not."

Tidus shook his head and sent him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. I mean, I owe you a lot for helping Sarah and me out. So thanks, Wakka," Tidus trailed off, holding out his hand that was covered with a black glove for him to take.

"Heh heh…! Stop, you're embarrassing me!" Wakka said sheepishly while rubbing at the back of his neck. Yet he took Tidus' hand with a grateful look.

After Wakka parted, telling them both to get some rest, the two managed to easily fall back into dreamless sleeps, waking up at the same time where they exited the inn to find that Wakka was standing with Lulu. It seemed they had maybe made up after their quarrel last night.

"Hey there, sleepyheads! There's something I want to give you," Wakka greeted, holding two swords in his hands.

"Whoa! Your giving this…to me?" Tidus gasped out, staring at the beautiful blue blade that shimmered like the sparkling ocean in awe.

"Yeah. Use it well," Wakka said with a faint smile, watching Tidus as he swung it around.

"That's the sword you gave Chappu," Lulu brought up, the words she spoke making Tidus freeze on the spot.

"Well, he never used it," Wakka said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Anyways, this ones for you, Sarah. It's a gift."

Sarah's orbs sparkled as she stared at her new sword that glimmered just as beautifully as Tidus', yet the blade was golden and shaped similar to a bolt of lightning. "You said this was a gift. From who?"

"Let's just say its secret," Wakka said with a mysterious wink that left Sarah confused. "So, where's Yuna?"

"We're taking the same boat as Yuna, right? Why do we gotta wait here?" Tidus asked with his head tilted.

"Yuna came to this village ten years ago, when the last Calm started. Since then, she's been like a little sister to me and Lulu. But she had the talent…She became an apprentice. Now, today, she leaves as a summoner," Wakka explained.

"This is our journey…We should leave together," Lulu added.

The sound of somebody dragging something that sounded rather large caused the four to turn their focus on the temple where Yuna was trying to drag a suitcase with her.

"You really don't need all that luggage," Lulu told her with a shake of her head.

"Ah, they're not really my things. They're gifts for the temples we're to visit,"

"This isn't a vacation, Yuna," Wakka lightly scolded.

"I guess…I guess you're right," Yuna replied back meekly, looking a bit down-hearted until she made her way toward the group; turning to look back at the temple where she performed a gentle bow before following after everyone.


Traversing up the dirt path, Sarah was able to test out the new blade she had just received on the many fiends they encountered. While the sword Auron had given her had done well, this weapon was extremely light and much easier to wield. The person who had given it to her clearly had picked a weapon that suited her perfectly, and she couldn't help but feel warm from how thoughtful their gesture was.

It wasn't long until they had reached a high hillside, and Yuna and Lulu walked to the edge where they gazed down at the village of Besaid. Sarah couldn't help but notice that the mood between the two of them seemed a bit solemn when Lulu told Yuna to take all the time she needed.

"What do you thinks going on?" Tidus murmured when Wakka and Lulu shared looks before following after Yuna when she was ready to leave.

"I don't know. Maybe they're just worried about the trip being dangerous," Sarah mentioned thoughtfully, running a hand through her hair. "Come on. We don't want to get left behind."

They had come to a part of the path where ruins were scattered about, only for a loud growl to catch the siblings attention. Sarah gasped when seeing the cat-creature from before leaping across the ruins above, landing on all fours where he slammed his fists on the ground before standing up, sending a threatening roar at Tidus.

"Hey! What's your problem?!" Tidus exclaimed, wincing when his sword clashed with the halberd the beast wielded.

"C-come on! There's no need to fight!" Sarah cried out with a frown, sighing as neither of them were listening to her and were taking turns hitting each other with fast blows.

The sound of footsteps made Sarah perk up, and only when Wakka shouted out, "That's enough!", did Kimahri cease his attacks. Shaking his head when Wakka lightly touched his broad arm before he was walking off.

"What's with that guy?" Tidus huffed out.

"Kimahri Ronso, of the Ronso tribe. He's learned the fiends way of fighting," Lulu said, though her explanation just left both Tidus and Sarah even more perplexed.

"He's another of Yuna's guardians," Wakka mentioned with a light chuckle at the baffled expressions the two wore.

Yuna giggled and placed her hands behind her back. "Sometimes we don't understand him either. Kimahri doesn't talk much anyway. But he has protected me since I was a child!"

Sarah smiled in understanding, realizing Kimahri either attacked Tidus to test his strength to see if he was worthy to come along on the journey. Or perhaps, he didn't fully trust her brother to be around Yuna.

"I'm going to go on ahead." Sarah said, just shaking her head when Tidus let out an "eh?" as she found Kimahri slowly walking further up the path. She smiled gently at him when he stopped to look at her. "Don't you think you should wait on the others? You don't want to leave Yuna behind, right?"

Kimahri's yellow eyes widened a bit, but he just gave a small nod, waiting on the others as he was surprised when Sarah chose to remain by his side when he led the way to the docks instead of staying with that brother of hers. This woman was certainly a mystery.