Hi Hi!!! This chapter is gonna be VERY VERY long so...enjoy!!! Oh, and one more thing, you should know that in italics means the past or mystic, right? or inscriptions. Ok. that's all. just to let you know so you won't be confused.
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy X
Chapter 9
I was laying down on my bed starting up at the blank ceiling. I didn't had a wink of sleep. All night, I was tossing and turning thinking of what I did.
ARGH!! Why did I had to kiss Rikku?!
When the sun came up, I walked out of the hotel and saw people running towards one of the docks. Not sure what to do, I listened to a nearby conversation.
"Can you believe that Maester Mika arrived?" One man said.
"I heard that Lord Seymour is coming too," said a woman.
"Hurry, let's see them," he said.
Totally clueless but curious, I followed the crowd towards the third dock. Wakka, Lulu, Kimahri, and Yuna was already there. I walked next to Wakka.
"Mika? Who's he?" I asked him.
"Maester Mika is the leader of all of Spira, ya." He explained. Lulu continued.
"He came all the way from Bevelle to see the tournament. It is held for his anniversary for fifty years as maester." She said.
"Fifty years?! How old is the guy?" I said, loudly. Wakka smacked the back of my head.
"Watch your mouth, ya!"
"There he is!" Yuna said, eagerly. The crowd cheered. The musicians I saw last night were playing a march song, and Maester Mika was there on top of the ramp, looking down at the people. Guards were around the edge of the ramp to block everyone from coming closer to him. The maester was what I expect to be. Old, feeble, and an impression of royalty. However, he spoke with a loud voice.
"My people, the sun, the sky, and the winds smile down upon us on this day. I thank you all for your enthusiastic welcome." The crowd cheered again, but then they turn to whispers. Yuna gasped.
"Lord Seymour Guado." She breathed, and so did everyone else. The moment I saw him, I couldn't help but feel like he was bad news. He was alot taller than Mika and he had blue hair in the most stupidest style I've ever seen in my life! His robe made him look larger, and his arms were longer than normal. He kneeled down before Mika.
"Rise, Lord Seymour. Son of Maester Jyscal Guado. May the people know your face as the new maester in replacement for the lost of Lord Jyscal." Mika ended and stepped aside for Seymour to be in front.
"I am Seymour Guado," he said with a powerful voice, "It is an honor to be your maester. My father worked endless nights to bring men and guado to join hands. I will continue his dreams and fulfill my duties to the best of my abilities." Everyone cheered as he finished his speech. Soon, the people cleared the way for the two men to walk by. Seymour walked right pass us and I saw his and Yuna's eyes were locked for a brief moment. When the crowd was gone, Wakka, the Aurochs, and I were left as Yuna, Lulu, and Kimarhi left the other direction.
"Alright, we have an hour before the game starts. Everyone get ready." Wakka said to his team and me. The Aurochs, including Wakka, went to the locker room.
However, I turned around to explore the stadium more. I haven't seen Rikku all morning, so I searched for her. I wasn't sure what to say to her when I find her. I walked down the streets and towards the same place where Rikku and I danced. I didn't saw her there either. I looked up at the statue in the center of the area. I walked up towards it. It was a female angel with her arms stretching up and her head looking up at the sky. I read the inscription at the base of the statue.
Two souls combined,
Two eras intertwine,
Two fates becomes one,
One heart beats.
This is Spira.
Bored, I stood up and there was Rikku at the other side of the statue. She didn't saw me, but it looked like she was searching for someone. I walked around the statue but quickly stopped myself. Foolishly, I hid behind the statue and saw Rikku running across the area and towards a man. I remember him. He was on the boat when Rikku found me. His helmet was off, so I could see his face better. He seems close to my age and his tan and eyes were darker than Rikku's. His hair was very spiky and he was very muscular. Rikku's arms were wrapped around his neck in a tight embrace. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but Rikku was crying and he was smiling. They looked at each other and before I knew it, they kissed each other.
I froze at the spot. Now, I know what Rikku meant that the voyage was more than what it was. That guy, Keyakku, was her boyfriend. They didn't broke their kiss. People were staring, and made 'Get a room' looks. But my face was blank. I walked away, and headed towards the locker rooms. I stopped half way and looked over at the water and saw my reflexion. There were no tears, my face wasn't red. I wasn't frowning. I wasn't making any facial expression. I suddenly didn't felt like playing blitzball. But I promised Wakka I would.
Promise...
"I promise to protect you."
My face was still emotionless as I entered the locker room. The team was there, sitting on the benches looking nervious.
"Where's Wakka?" I said with a low, dull voice.
"At the match-up draws...Yevon, please let it not be Luca Goers." Datto said. I sat down and Wakka immediately entered. Everyone looked at him but me.
"We're playing aganist the Al Bhed Psyches first," he said. I felt my eyebrow twitch a little. "If we win, were in the finals. Just two wins, and we're the champions!" Everyone was excited. "Okay, let's review our strategy again, ya."
I was sitting in the back while everyone else was up close to the board. I wasn't even paying attention. My mind was racing, and the only picture in my head was that kiss I've witness. For some reason, I didn't felt sad. Nor angry. Not even a hint of jealousy. Everything I've ever said to Rikku, I meant it, with all my heart. Was I heartbroken? But I didn't felt like crying. Just seeing Rikku smile and laugh makes me happy. She looked so happy with Keyakku, and she cried tears of joy. When she was with me, she often smiles like that, and crys in pain and she's rarely in happiness. I guess...she is happy being with him. They probably know each other for a long time. And how much do I know about Rikku? All I know is that she's Al Bhed, and has Sin's toxin thanks to me. How can I keep my promise to protect her if she wants to be with someone else?
Maybe...it'd be best to let her be with someone...that she loves.
Amazingly, I made a weak smile. Suddenly, I started laughing. Very loudly. I didn't know what was wrong with me, but I just kept laughing. Wakka and the Aurochs turned around and stared at me with weird looks. I calmed down.
"Sorry," I said. I waved my hand at him, "Carry on." But then the door opened. Yuna walked in.
"Hey, have you heard? People said they saw Sir Auron in a nearby cafe." She said. I stood, my eyes wide.
"A-Auron?"
"Yes. Let's go find him!"
"HEY!" Wakka yelled suddenly, "No, no, no, no, no!! The game is about to start...er..come back quick, ya."
"Don't worry, I'll be back in time." I said and walked out the room with Yuna behind me. I didn't care if it wasn't the same Auron. I just wanted to get my mind on something else...
As we walked down the hall, I saw some Al Bhed men in uniform. They must be the Psyches. I heard them whisper to each other, but I didn't care. And we walked pass them. I wasn't sure where the cafe was, and Yuna didn't know either. So we started to walk down the streets, but it was tough because people were surrounding Yuna. Every now and then, I had to wait for her and we continue walking.
"I'm sorry for being so slow." She said. I just shook my head.
"You're just famous. It's not a problem." I said, but deep down I felt a little annoyed.
Then more paprazzi came blocking Yuna and I. Finally, I was angry. I grabbed Yuna's hand and pushed my way through the crowd. Punching a few guy reporters, who wanted to ask Yuna a question, and shoving a camera man out of the way. Yuna was stunned, but she kept up with me until we finally came to a more open area. I let Yuna go, looking around for a cafe, still feeling angry. Yuna walked next to me and I felt her eyes on me.
"Thank you. You make an excellent guardian." She said. I gave her a side look, my eyebrow raised. I pointed at a shop.
"Let's look in there." I said and we entered the smokey cafe.
Yuna coughed and left the cafe for some air, but my eyes were at the end of the cafe. Kimahri was with a fight with another Ronso, but a more larger one. The cafe was packed that it seem impossible not to bump into someone. I saw Kimahri got punched again as another Ronso joined. I wanted to help him.
"Take it outside, fellas." The bartender said, annoyed.
"Kimahri!" I yelled. But he didn't heard me. Then, my attention was drawn to the sphere screen in the bar. I couldn't hear, but Mika's face was on it. He looks like he was making a speech.
The start of the game!
"Oh, crap! The game!" I said to myself and ran out of the cafe.
"Umm!" I heard Yuna said to me as I ran pass her. I sprinted all the way to the locker rooms, but before I got there, I bumped into someone. Embarassed, I fell down.
"Ue, aqlica sa," the man said. (Oh, excuse me) He held out his hand for me and I took it. When I stood up, I saw his face. It was Keyakku. My mouth was slightly open in shocked, but then I quickly closed it and kept my face stern. But he just smiled and walked away. He, too, was wearing an Al Bhed Psyches uniform.
"See you at the sphere," I mumbled to myself. I ran down the hall, and there was Wakka and the Aurochs waiting infront of the door to enter the pool.
"What took you so long, man?" Wakka said, angrily.
"Sorry." Was all I could say because the door open.
It's time to play.
"Oh my Yevon! Did you see that, Bobba?!" The announcer said.
"I did! I've never seen that shot before. Do you how he is?"
"I don't know. But he certainly got talent. I don't think the Psyches will stand a chance!"
You're darn right I'm good! The score was already 5 to 4 to the Aurochs. And I just finished my special Sphere Shot. The Psyches wasn't that bad, but it was harder being with the Aurochs because they were amazingly weak. I was exhausted. It was mainly me doing all of the shots. And after I realized we had weak defenders, I had to block more than I normally do. I wasn't sure what was motivating me, but it felt good beating up the Psyches.
I spotted Keyakku most of the time, but he never once tried to block me, until now. All the other players on his side looked beat up because of my punches and tackles. But Keyakku was fresh and ready. I had the ball, and he came charging at me. I was prepared to dodge him, when he suddenly went under me and kicked me in the back. I droppd the ball and he quickly caught it. Out of all of the players, he was the best in his team. I saw him swimming towards the goal. He shoots...and scores.
Now, we're tied. five to five. We all went back to our postions, with Keyakku and I at the center facing each other. He smiled at me, but I just frowned. The buzzer sounded and we both shot up to grab the ball. He caught it and immediately swam to Keepa. But I quickly blocked his way, along with Datto and Wakka. Datto tried to kick the ball off, but he was too slow. Wakka was a little faster, and managed to hit him, but it wasn't enough. Then, Keyakku looked at me. At first, I didn't charged at him. I stared at him with cold eyes while he gave me a confused look. Suddenly, I hated him. Almost as much as I hated my old man. Even though no one can hear it, I yelled and thrust towards him. I heard a faint 'Oof' underwater as I swam towards the other end with the ball. I could see all the other players coming at me but I punched and tackled my way through, until I finally scored when the buzzer went off as the game ended.
"OH!! Besaid Aurochs won!! Six to five in an amazing win!! I don't believe it!!" Said the announcer. I turned around and saw Keyakku stared at me with his mouth opened. This time, I smiled at him. As we all got back to our locker rooms, everyone cheered as I entered the room. I felt relaxed.
"You were awesome, ya!" Wakka said, wrapping him arm around my neck. I couldn't help but grin. "Just one more, and we win!"
"Victory! Victory! Victory!" The team chanted. Then, the door was swung opened and Lulu came rushing in with Kimahri right behind her.
"Yuna is kidnapped." She said, suddenly. Everyone went silent.
"What?! How?!" Wakka said.
"She was with me when rumors went around saying that Sir Auron is in the city, and she decided to tell you, for some reason." She said, looking at me. My shoulders droop and I scratched the back of my head.
"Oh, ya. She did came and took you." Wakka said, pointing at me.
"Umm," I said, "well, we went into a cafe. But it was full with smoke and Yuna went outside to breath. And then I saw on the screen that the game was starting and I ran down here without her." Everyone yelled at me.
"What?!"
"You idiot!"
"How could you?!"
"Why would you do that?!"
"Stupid!"
"Hey! It's not like I'm her guardian." I said, trying to defend myself.
"Still!" Everyone said, angrily. I hunched.
Do'h.
"Kimahri wants to find Yuna. Not argue who is fault." Kimahri said. We all started at him. It was the first time I heard his voice. Lulu sighed heavily.
"Kimahri is right. We have to rescue her." Lulu said.
"Who took her?" Wakka asked. Lulu sighed.
"The Al Bhed." She said. My eyes widen as Wakka cursed. "Some of them just came to watch the tournament, but then they took her during when you all played. They said for her save return..." she looked at me,"...they want you in exchange." Everyone gasped.
"Me? What for?" I said, completely lost. Lulu shook her head.
"I am not sure." We were all silent for awhile when Wakka said loudly.
"Like that's gonna happen! Even if we did trade, they'll still take Yuna!"
"Wakka is right. We have to take Yuna." Lulu said, looking at me again.
"What are you looking at me for?" I said.
"You should come, so we can just show we brought you. But then, we take Yuna."
"What?! The next match is about to start, you can't go now!" Wakka said, frustrated. Then, Lulu walked right up to Wakka's face and said, acidly.
"Wakka. There are some things that are more important than just a game!" We all froze, staring at them. I could see that Wakka was thinking hard. Finally, he closed his eyes and sighed.
"We'll hold up the game. You go get Yuna." He said. I stared at him as Lulu and Kimahri made their way out the door. Wakka wanted to win so badly this year. I promised him, I'll give him the cup as his last year. He was looking away until he turned around and faced his team to talk strategy again. I felt Lulu grabbed my arm and drag me out the locker room. I could feel that Wakka was upset.
Kimahri, Lulu, and I ran towards Dock 4 where Lulu said the Al Bhed would make their trade. The pier was empty but we saw a ship sailing away.
"Hurry!" Lulu commended. It wasn't that far off, so we all jumped onto the ship. No one was on the deck, but we knew it was the right boat since the Al Bhed Psyches logo was on it. Then, the ship started to tremble. The hatch in the center of the deck opened up and a huge machina appeared. We saw Yuna standing right next to it. We all heard a voice.
"Walk forth, Zanarkand man. And we give the summoner." It said.
I swallowed and walked forward. Yuna started walking away from the machina. When we were right next to each other, I grabbed Yuna's hand and flung her towards Kimahri, who caught her. I ran back but then two more Al Bhed men appeared, surrounding us. Lulu and Yuna were fighting against the men while Kimahri and I tried to take out the huge machina. Lulu easily knocked out the men with her black magic, but Kimahri and I where in trouble. I saw Yuna healing Kimahri, then she looked at me and healed me also. Lulu casted thunder. Even though it was more effective than my sword attacks, it wasn't enough.
"We won't make it! We have to jump overboard!" Lulu yelled. We all nodded and ran towards the water.
"Stop, Zanarkand man!" The machina said. I froze and turned around.
"Hurry!" Yuna yelled. I looked back.
"You go ahead! I'll come back!" I yelled, and Kimahri grabbed Yuna around the waist and dive in the water, along with Lulu who floated with her magic instead of getting wet. I looked back at the machina. Suddenly, it stopped moving and I heard a door open from behind it. A bald man walked around the machina and faced me. My sword was still out and I was in my fighting stance again.
"What do you want?" I said angrily. The man laughed.
"Calm down, Zanarkand man." He said. My eyebrows frowned.
"How...how do you know I'm from Zanarkand?"
"Your necklace." He said pointing at it. "It's the symbol of the Zanarkand people."
"So what?! Maybe I just bought it at a shop." I said, absolutely angry for no reason.
"Sure. It wasn't a big deal back when Zanarkand was at it's glory, but it's very important to us...and we need it."
"And why do you want it?" I asked. He didn't answer immediately. Instead he replied.
"Are you a natural blond?" He asked. I raised an eyebrow.
"Er-" I said. Actually, I'm not. I bleached it when I was ten. "Why do you care?!"
"Nothing. It just weird seeing someone with blond hair but no Al Bhed eyes. Because we are the only ones with blond hair and-"
"What do you want with me?!" I said, furious.
"Give us the necklace."
"No!"
"Fine then." He quickly reached into his pocket and threw something at me. Powder covered my eyes as I fell to the ground, asleep.
"Hey, wake up." said a soft voice. I know that voice. I opened my eyes. I was in, what looked like, a cell. But I heard water outside, so I must still be on the ship. I was laying down on a cold bed and there was Rikku looking down at me.
"Rik-" I said loudly, but she covered my mouth.
"Shhhh! You want my father to hear you?" She said and removed her hand. My mouth was still opened.
"Rikku, what's going on? Did you kidnap Yuna?"
"Listen to me. I don't have time to explain." She got up and handed my back my necklace, which I realized was off as I touched my collar bone. "Here, take it. Then, go out that door, and quietly walk up the deck. No one is up there, I'd made sure of that." I took my necklace and she started walking towards door, but I stood up and grabbed her arm.
"Are you staying?" I asked. She didn't look at me, but she said softly.
"Yuna doesn't want to draw attention that she's traveling with an Al Bhed." I frowned my eyebrows and forced her to face me.
"You know that I'm not leaving, then." I said, but she still refuse to look at me. "What's wrong? Why won't you look at me?"
"I'm sorry, Tidus. I can't go. I don't want you to stay here." She said. This time she looked at me. "I don't want them to have your necklace."
"What's so special about it?!"
"I don't have time to explain. Please, you have to go. For your safety." She said, and started pushing towards the door. Suddenly I blurted out.
"Is it because you don't want me?" I said. She stopped and I turned around to face her. "I said I would protect you, and that I'll always be there for you. Doesn't that count for something?"
"I..." she said, but then she looked at me a little bit angry, "I don't need your protection." I didn't say anything at first.
"Why not? Everything I've ever said to you was true. Everything I did for you was true." I took a step forth and she took one back, "How do you feel about me?"
"I-" She said, but then we both heard voices. "Please, you have to leave when you still have the chance." I shook my head.
"They'll know that you helped me escaped."
"No they won't. Keyakku won't say that." She said. I frowned at her again.
"Keyakku. He's here?"
"Y-you don't even know him. Why do you hate him?"
"I know you love him, Rikku," I said. Her eyes widen, "but don't tell me that everything we've been through meant nothing to you."
"Tidus..." She said looking at the ground.
"I know," I walked closer, "that deep down...there is something. I don't know what, but I feel something more. And I know you do, too. You're just gonna forget about it?!" She looked up. The voices grew louder. She looked back at me.
"When Operation Mi'ihen is over, met me at Djose temple. Go with Yuna, she'll know where it is." She said, rapidly. The voices were close, "Now please, go!" She said. I knew I had no choice. I walked towards the door but then quickly ran back to Rikku.
"If things weren't so complicated..." I said, and let our noses touch gently with my hand on her cheek. Then, I walked out of the room, stealthly walked up the deck, dive into the water and swam my way towards Luca.
OH MY GOD!!!!!!! I love this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it! Please review and feel free to ask questions, i don't mind it you want to tell my if I made a typo either!
