Disclaimer: Since this is the first fanfiction I have ever had the guts and time to attempt I'll start it out properly, I do not own any characters in this story because this all belongs to Squaresoft. (If I did I wouldn't be writing this-I'd be partying). Besides, I'm poor.so please don't sue. NO profit is made off of this.

Note: For those of you out there who don't like Tidus+Yuna story.DON'T READ THIS. This is written from Yuna's point of view. Reviews are a must for readers. I don't want to continue something I won't get feedbacks on. BE NICE. Don't bruise my already delicate ego.

Summary: The first time on the road to Macalania temple. I always thought that the group should have gone together so this differs from the game because-as we all know, Yuna was escorted there.

Rating: I guess PG for high gag romance rate? It may get higher ratings if I decide to continue.

Only In Memories Chapter 7

By pk_angel

With the bitter wind whipping all around us, a strange feeling of helplessness arose in me. I did not like to feel that way. How utterly awful it was for us that Auron has officially announced that we were lost. Without a compass and no other navigation tool there was no hope for us to get to Macalania temple let alone survive the harsh conditions.

Lulu smacked Rikku on top of the head when she started to hysterically panic. "Be quiet." She snapped. "We wouldn't be in this mess if you didn't lose the compass to start with." Even though, by now, all of our patience was hanging on by a hair we must still keep sanity. Nothing can be solved when your mind is in a chaotic state. I was sure of that. But it was hard. Even the stone hard composure around Lulu was shaking, threatening to collapse at any moment.

"Please, Lulu." I heard myself say, "I'm sure Rikku didn't mean it. We're all tired. Nothing can be done about the lost compass." Before I could continue Tidus came from behind me.

"She's right," he turned to me and gave me a comforting smile before addressing the group. I looked up at him in appreciation of his defense. He then continued, "Right now we need to find shelter. Night is coming soon and it's dangerous to rest out in the open like this. Not with fiends lurking anyway."

Lulu growled. Her already short temper was almost nonexistent after all this, "How? How are we suppose to find shelter, genius?" She snapped and Tidus flinched and came closer to me, as if to hide from Lulu's building rage. "Look all around us," she motioned. There was nothing but a desolate, snowy white wasteland without any shelter in sight. Plus there was blinding snow flying to limit our view to practically nothing. Lulu's voice of reason came, "Do you see anyplace we can hide? Too top it all off, we have no means of warming ourselves." To conserved heat we traveled in a tight packed, with everyone breathing on the other. Quite unpleasant indeed. Tidus seeing some truth in her words lowered his head, ashamed of himself. For the first time since my father passed, I was angry. Furiously angry. That was completely uncalled for. Tidus had simply supported me. What was worse was the fact that Lulu had given up the only thing we had left-hope. I glanced at every member of the group. Wakka had his head down. Auron never changed. Kimahri shook his head giving up. Rikku fell onto her knees and started to cry.

"We're all going to freeze to death!" She sobbed burying her fist in the snow. Her tears blanketing the thick snow her fists were in.

I heard someone snarl and under any other circumstances would have been shocked to find out that it was coming from me. "Enough!" That caught everyone's attention. I stalked to the center of the huddle.

"We can't give up. Some many," I said with a shaking voice. My tears threaten to fall so I had to stop. My body was shaking but not from the freezing weather. Once I gathered I continued slowly, "So many are depending on us. We can't let them down by not trying. Think of how much we have already lost! How much more do you want to lose?" Lulu, for once, had no snappy comment or approving statement to make. She was at a lost for words, surprised at what had just happen. When she recovered she smiled at me.

All my life I have never voice my disapproval at anything. Preferring instead to hide inside myself and just go along with others. Lulu had told me once that she hated that the most. She had always, unsuccessfully, tried to break me out of my shell. What I saw in her eye now was sheer, uninhibited pride at my actions. I returned her smile, bursting with emotions on the inside but composed on the outside. For a long time, none of us moved. Except for Rikku. She stood us and wiped the remaining moisture from her eyes and the snow from her knees. She looked a little embarrassed at her recent outburst. Finally, just when I thought that we were going to freeze this way, Kimahri moved ahead.

"Everything done, yes? Kimahri go ahead then."

I snapped out of my reverie and nodded approvingly to Kimahri, "Yes. Let us come with you."

Praise be to Yevon. A few meters from were we stood was a cave. Hidden by the blinding blizzard, but found when Rikku accidentally slammed into it. She backed right into Kimahri rubbing the right temple of her head, "Ow." She whimpered, "I slammed into something hard." Kimahri squinted his eyes and light up at his discovery. He turned back to us, the trailing portion of the group, and shouted right into Wakka.

"Rikku finds cave." Wakka pushed Kimahri away. "Hey. Not so loud. I'm right in front of you, ya."

I jumped up, feeling that old spark re-igniting, "Finally." But I was stopped before I could dash into the cave. Tidus held me back, "Wait, Yuna. Let me go ahead. Who knows what's in there." I nodded glad that he was so considerate. I followed behind him as we entered the cave. Even though the cave had such a gloomy atmosphere it was a blessing from the storm raging outside. Rikku shouted and giggled when she heard her resounding echo. So much energy pack into her she always appears ready to burst. Even after our hardships to get here. A way inside the cave Lulu announced that she thinks it's best if we made camp here. Rikku dumped from her backpack several pieces of reusable firewood, Al Bhed invented of course. Setting it up in the center she signal for Lulu to use her fire magic.

I looked up at the roof of the cave. It seemed almost boundless and dark. Much like my future with Seymour, I grimly thought. Auron rested himself on a rock nearby watching the fire. He was lost in his thoughts again. He always seems to be thinking of something so far away from here. With the flames reflecting in his dark glasses he was almost a painting in a stilled and dead environment.

Rikku dig further into her backpack muttering to herself, "Now I know I had it somewhere here. Ah. Here it is." She came out with mini food packs and a small pot. Lulu looked over from where she was sitting, "Hey. I saw a water hole over there somewhere." Rikku nodded and confirmed, "I know. I saw it too." She turned and winked at me, "Don't worry, I'll be right back." Then she was off to retrieve water for our meal. Lulu slapped the sleeping Wakka next to her. He sat up with a start and looked around dazed, "Huh? What? Morning soon?" Lulu let out an exasperated sigh before telling him, "No. Not morning. Go and follow Rikku. Make yourself useful." He was confused at first but soon figured out what was requested. He quickly did as told.

Tidus sat as far away from me as he could without drawing my attention. But of course I noticed the great distance he put between us. It was almost like the two great oceans of Spira. I hated it.

After a small, but fulfilling meal everyone was fast asleep. Everyone except me. I was staring at the campfire, like I have done a thousand times before. The thoughts came again. This was so hard. Everything was just so hard. So much was expected of me and I was so very, very tired of it. I had finally admitted it and I hated myself for it. Why was it this way? If only I could-

Everything became blurry as I felt the first of my tears fall to hit my hand. The fire became an angry red cloud before me. I had forgotten how many nights I had cried myself to sleep ever since then. Not that I don't remember. I just lost track of the numbers. Alone only then could I let my insecurities devour me. Only alone could I break down and just be human for once. I was so utterly lost and worst of all--alone. If the world thought I was the savior then damn the world. I was only Yuna.

"Oh." I tried to sniffle the tears back. But once unleashed little could stop it. Like a flood it came washing away all the façade. It washed away the unbreakable mask that wore a smile like a cruel joke.

"Yuna." Oh Yevon! Someone was awake. I panic and quickly wiped the tears away, praying that no one noticed. It was Tidus. He approached me. I just hope that my eyes weren't red. "Were you crying?" He asked with obvious concern in his whisper.

I promptly denied it, "No. I just-had some dust in my eyes." I shouldn't have hesitated. If anyone could tell I was lying it was him. But for some reason, he didn't point it out. Maybe it was for me that he did that. He probably didn't want me to feel uncomfortable. Taking his usual seat next to me he remained strangely quiet. I waited for something, anything to break this silence. I guess he knew that I was in distress and that he only needed to be there to comfort me. No words necessary. Just his presence.

"I--" I really didn't know what to say. I wanted to tell him that I hated Seymour, the world, and the never-ending pressure. Oh Yevon, if I could only tell him so much of what is within he would drown in my misery. I wanted to pour my heart and soul out. I wanted-what I really wanted, no what I needed to tell him was that--that I loved him.

I have always. I know that now. From the moment he swept in from the sea he had swept my heart with him. I was so tired of denying again and again to the duty bound girl that I loved him. But I would die before confessing. So I sat there with my hands in my lap and my eyes resting on his. I was unable to pull away yet unable to form words. My heart raced and my throat constricted. Could he know? He must have sense some longing from me. There was that determined look across his face he placed his hand on my shoulder and pulled me close so I could rest my head on his shoulder. "Tidus, I--" I couldn't continue. I couldn't even think if my life depended on it. He encircled his arms around me, providing a blanket from the cold chill of the cave.

"I know," he whispered into my hair, blowing the little wisps around. What he meant by that I'll never know myself but I knew he understood. I buried myself in his arms, inhaling that deep, clearly masculine scent. In his arms, right now, I was safe from all the harms the world may dish at me. This was my safe haven, my sole lifeline to sanity.

"You know--"He began slowly, catching my attention. I turned up a bit but still unable to see his eyes from where I was.

"What?" I felt him stir a little. So I shifted slightly and felt him search for a more comfortable position. He relaxed when he found it before continuing.

"Back in Zanarkand--"Ah, yes. Zanarkand. His home. Jecht's home. Not the Zanarkand I feared and dreaded. I nodded to let him know that I haven't fallen asleep. "People use to make crickets out of grass. It was lucky to give it to a friend. I made it once to give to a girl I knew--"

I interrupted, seizing the opportunity to make him feel uncomfortable for once. "A girl you liked, right?"

He paused, unsure of how to continue. Then came the hesitant response, "Kind of." I giggled a bit wondering what this girl was like. Who could have caught his fancy? "Anyways," he started, clearly trying to avoid the subjects of crushes. "The girl lost it. Actually, I found out later that she accidentally stepped on it," He laughed nervously. "Yuna, if you like, I could make you one. You know, for luck against Sin and other stuff. With me making it, I'm sure you'll be invincible."

"Sure," I quickly replied. Our vocal conversation ended then. Although I'm sure Tidus will never stop reading my mind. After a few silent moments I yawned and settle deeper onto his shoulder, using it as my pillow. Not as soft as the chocobo-feathered pillows but I wouldn't choose anywhere else to fall asleep. Then came the dreams of happily ever after. With all the wrongs in the world, being here with Tidus, was a rare and unequivocal right.

A few moments later I was awoken by a loud clanging noise. I sat up quickly, sleep evaporating faster than I could breath. I glanced around and realize that the noise came from the pot Wakka had knock over in his sleep. Behind him was Rikku, who was using Kimahri's back as a pillow. She had such serenity asleep that she resembled an angel with a little bit of drool from the corner of her mouth. She was Al Bhed and, in some way, was an undeniable part of me. Auron had slept in one place and hasn't shifted position since. He had one hand on his sword, always on alert even in dreams.

Finally I looked over at my guardian angel. He was so beautiful with his eyes closed that way, dreaming of something so far from here. Unconsciously, I tucked one of his stray hairs behind his ears. I wonder, what was he dreaming of? Was it of home? I know I have been dreaming of Besaid ever since the start of this journey. He must really miss his home.

I settled back into his shoulder and looked around the cave. But sleep was dashed away when I realize that Lulu was missing. So I stood up, dusted myself off and went in search of my missing friend.

My search leads me to the mouth of the cave. The storm had died since we found this cave and I found Lulu standing ahead of me, gazing at something above. She must have heard my footsteps behind her because she turned and greeted me, a little surprise. "What are you doing up?" She asked.

I smiled, "I should be asking you the same question."

She looked away and towards the sky before answering, "I was thinking." I should have known.

I came and stood next to her, wrapping my arms tightly about myself to keep from shivering. "What were you thinking of?" I asked, curious about what could possible wake Lulu up in the middle of the night and cause her to stand outside in the freezing cold to contemplate.

She looked at me affectionately, "I was thinking of you. How you handled yourself this afternoon. I'm proud of you. You have grown, I think, as a- leader." I flushed, filled with pride. To have Lulu compliment me was the greatest thing in the world. Because of all people, I respected her most.

I tried to deny myself the chance to inflate my ego, "No. It was nothing. I had to."

"I know. That was why. All leaders must do what they do because they have to." Finally I accepted what she said as truth. Whatever Lulu observed was truth.

She returned to gazing the star filled sky. In this cool weather the night sky was clear. There was nothing to cover the endless majesty of a sky without limits. It was so---beautiful and awe inspiring. There were simply no words for it's aesthetic wonder. It was moments like these that make you realize how vast the universe is and how insignificant you are.

Lulu broke my trance, "I saw you, in there."

"What?" What was Lulu referring to? My mind reached a conclusion and I flushed bright red. She must have seen the scene of Tidus and me in the cave. Think Yuna! Make up a good excuse! "I was---we were just---" I was never really good at making excuses.

Lulu watched me, amused at my struggle to formulate a lie. She finally had mercy on me. "Don't worry," she told me, "I won't tell."

I let out a sigh of relief. Dear Lulu, I will get you whatever you want for your birthday.

"Hey Lulu," I started, gazing upward at the ever expanding sky, "how many stars do you think are out there?"

She shook her head, "I don't really know. There may be billions out there. Maybe even zillions or an infinite amount."

"Sure is beautiful, huh?"

She let out a slow breath, "Yeah, beautiful."

I looked back up and started to count the stars. I noticed a particularly bright one when I turned around. Isn't that the---

"Lulu, isn't that the North Star?" I asked, excited at the prospect.

She observed it for a bit before responding enthusiastically, "Yes. I do believe it is."

My heart skipped a bit, "That means."

"We could use it to navigate our way to Macalania temple," she finished. She gave me a brilliant smile, teeth and all. "Yuna, wake the others. By dawn we should be there with the help of the map."

At that I rushed into the cave eager, and scared to continue my journey. But in the end I have to conclude that miracles do happen. After all, Tidus came floating out the sea that fateful day.

******* Done! My longest chapter thus far. I hope I didn't keep anyone waiting. Can't believe I'm up to seven chapters. Hope you like. Respond if you want the 8th installment. Questions? Comment? OOC? I want sufficient reviews. You can fix my grammar if you like. I'm more than interested, and grateful, to learn where I can improve. Some mistakes may just be typos. But always compliment me before you dish the bad, alright. Just kidding. By the way, I really can't wait for the sequel to this awesome game (ffx-2). Also, I don't recall any clear mention that Cid was Rikku's father before the destruction of Home so I don't know if Yuna knows if Rikku is her cuz. Yeah! So that's all for me. PEACE EASY!