Sphere Hunters, Nicknames, and Goodbyes

Disclaimer: I don't own the motley bunch, but I own the crazy story!


Yuna's POV

"So, you've returned?" the Fayths voice echoed through the clearing.

"Yes. I've made my decision." I nodded, "I want to be with him again."

"Very well. Then I shall explain the rules."

I stood there a little confused, and I'm sure it showed on my face.

"Rules?"

"As I told you before, Lady Yuna, this isn't going to be easy. You have to fight your way back to him."

"Whatever I have to do, I'll do it. Just point me in the right direction." I said as I tightened my fists by my side.

"You don't have to prove your love to me, but the guardians at the border of the two worlds will have to determine if you can pass through. They will test you, judge you, and decide if you are worthy enough to pass."

"If I'm worthy? Not to sound...egotistical, but have I not already done that? I mean..."

"Lady Yuna, the guardians are not aware of what happens on Spira, or the Farplane." he cut me off, "Since the beginning of time, they have guarded the border. No one has been allowed to pass back into the living after their souls have made it to the Farplane. Many have tried, and failed."

My mind was being sent into overdrive. Test, judge...fight? I was never doubting my decision, but more or less doubting myself. Would I be able to do this? Is our bond strong enough? Will love be enough to prove myself? Apparently everyone thinks so, otherwise I wouldn't be where I am right now. Tidus, do I have what it takes to come back to you?

"You said...I'd have to give something in order to get what I wanted. What did you mean by that?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

"That is not for me to decide. The guardians will upon they're decision. There's really nothing else I can offer you, Lady Yuna." he sighed and looked up at me, "Are you still certain that you want to do this?"

I thought about a lot of things when he asked me. If I passed, I would be leaving everybody on the Farplane behind. But then again, I would be with Tidus. I wanted that more than anything. One day, death would find me, and I would be back on the Farplane when my time came. And I was ok with that mind set.

"Yes. I still wish to have my second chance with Tidus." I replied with a renewed determination resounding in my voice.

"I'm glad to hear that your resolve has not waivered. I expected no less from you, Lady Yuna." he smiled, "I will have your companions escort you to the 'Gate of Ages'. From there, you will have to continue down your path alone."

"Thank you. For everything." I bowed respectively.

"Good luck to you, Lady Yuna."

With one final bow, the Fayth disappeared. I turned to make my way back to my friends and family with a new desire burning deep inside me. It was a familiar feeling. I let it all soak in as I approached the exit. Each time my footsteps echoed through the mist, I felt my confidence growing. Lifting my eyes up, I looked at them standing there. They had waited for my return.

"This is it." I nodded, "I need to make my way to the 'Gate of Ages'."

They nodded in unison, and my father held out his arm. I wrapped my left arm around his right, and we lead the rest toward my destination. I will not fail. I can't. Tidus, I'm coming home.


Tidus' POV

After I convinced Rikku I didn't have to be dragged to the airship, I found myself wondering what she'd been up to. After all, if she had visited in the past year, I was too far gone to realize it.

"So, you said you were traveling with friends?" I asked.

"Oh, yeah! You remember Brother?"

"The freak with the tattoo's and mohawk? Yeah I remember him. He's weird..."

"Tell me about it! I don't know how I can put up with him, but I do." she giggled. "Well there's me and Brother...let's see. OH! You remember Buddy?"

"Uh...I'm not sure. That was a pretty crazy time to be remembering anyone outside of our little group. Except uh...your dad. Which reminds me, is he uh...gonna be on the ship?" I asked nervously. The last time I talked to Cid, I promised nothing would happen to Yuna.

"Oh, pops isn't on this airship. Brother and I decided it was high time we got our own and did our own thing. But I suppose you're right about Buddy. Anywho! Shinra, whom you don't know, is there and this...really weird chick named Paine. You don't know them."

"Nope. Doesn't ring a bell. So anyway, what is it you do exactly?" I asked Rikku, and she hopped up in front of me, causing me to stop in my tracks.

"Well, we're Sphere Hunters. Gullwings at your service!" she giggled before bowing dramatically.

"Uh...Gullwings?" I chuckled.

"Mhmm! We travel looking for spheres. I can't complain, it's something to do. I've never been the type to sit in one place for too long. Gotta go go go!"

"Sounds...fun." I laughed. Rikku was truly, one of a kind.

"Rikku! Kad ouin pidd pylg du dra Lamceic bnuhdu!" I heard someone screech out.

Rikku stomped her foot and balled up her fist, taking in a huge breath, "Ohhhh pipe down! I'll come back when I'm good and ready, you hear!" she screeched back louder.

"Rikku! I am leader! Me! Not you!" the voice shrieked back. I wasn't sure if it was...a man or a woman.

Rikku sighed and turned back, "Come on, Ti. Let's get back before Brother blows a gasket."

"'Ti'?" I questioned, "Since when did you decide to call me that?"

"Well, I figured I used to call Yuna, 'Yunie', so it only makes sense, ya know?" she giggled as she grabbed my hand racing toward the beach.

I chuckled and nodded. This ought to be an interesting journey.


Yuna's POV

As we approached what I knew as the 'Gate of Ages', my stomach tied up in knots. It was actually quite intimidating. The gates seemed to tower over us and stretched upward, never ending. I squinted my eyes as I looked. They gave off a bright glow and shimmered in a spectrum of all kinds of colors. I shouldn't have been been surprised, but I was.

"So, this is it?" I whispered more or less to myself, but they heard me.

"You'll be fine, Yuna. You can do this." my father smiled coming up behind me and placing a hand on my shoulder.

I sighed and turned to face them all. This was it. I had to say my farewells now before I out.

"I just wanted you all to know, that I'm grateful to have spent time with you. It really meant a lot to me...and well..."

"Yuna, we know. This is something you need to do for yourself, and we understand." Auron chuckled. I think I even picked up on a smile under his crimson coat.

"Hey, Lil Yuna?" Jecht called out to me.

"Yes?"

"Tidus had the right idea. When you got the ball, you gotta score! This is your ball, Yuna. It's your turn to make a goal!" he said making motions with his hands excitedly. I couldn't help but to giggle. Though they might not have admitted it, Sir Jecht and Tidus were a lot alike in that department.

I turned to my mother who was standing off to the side, "You know, I hate leaving you here with these three." I giggled softly.

"Don't you worry about me, Yuna darling. I know how to keep them in line. This is your time to shine. Love only comes around once in a lifetime, cease the opportunity. We all have faith in you." she smiled.

I nodded and sighed, "So, I guess this 'goodbye'."

"No," my father smiled, "It's never 'goodbye'."

"It's 'see you later'." Jecht chuckled.

"Ok, see you later, then!" I laughed, "And hey, give me my privacy once in a while, hmm?"

They all nodded and waved as I turned on my heels and approached the gates. With one final sigh, they opened and I stepped through.

"Well, there's no turning back now..." I whispered as I started to walk further into the depths of the unknown.