(A/N) Hey Everybody! Well I usually update every Friday or Saturday…but due to the fast reviews I have decided to update Monday. Well thank you all, who were concerned with my accident, and I am feeling much, much better now. Well enough talk, I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 11
"Change of Heart"
A petite flame that danced contained by its rosy-glassed chamber lighted the dimly lit room. Fluttering her eyelashes she awoke to an unfamiliar territory. The scent of cedar sprung up from the flooring into her nostrils. Drowsily pushing herself up with her elbows into a sitting position, leaning back against the headboard, she now concentrated her bi colored eyes onto the scarlet tinted walls before her. The room was bare: a vanity, a dresser, a nightstand, a stool, and herself. Lifting her chin, resting the crown of her head onto the redwood finish she stared dubiously up toward the crème pastel ceiling.
"Good evening Miss…it seems that you have awoken…" A pair of aged, gray eyes whispered from the shadows. Rising from her wine-colored, oak chair she stood weakly. Startled at her disturbance, Yuna coiled back, snatching her comforter closer to her chest. Her bi colored eyes anxiety ridden.
"Who…who are you! Where…where…where am I?" Yuna stuttered, smacking violently against reality. The pressure upon her comforter became tighter as she curled her fists in perspiration.
"No need to fret dear Miss… the young master brought you here to rest. Do you not remember at all?" The elderly woman asked calmly. Shaking her head slowly, Yuna seemed to relax a bit toward the woman's gentle tone.
"I see…well your alright now—"Where's my towel!" Yuna yelled, now looking over her body beneath the thick, feathered quilt. A snug, lace nightgown traced her figure, and she once again retrieved the heavy quilt to her chest in suspicion. Smiling faintly the elderly woman inched nearer, now coming into the light's view. She was a slender woman, in her late sixties. Her gray eyes, overcome with patience, her brow furrowed with several aged lines. Her gray hair was firmly pulled back into a bun, with strands brown hanging about; pieces of her youth unwilling to let go. The kindhearted woman took a seat on the edge of the large bed, her thin lips smiling broadly.
"Now Miss, there is nothing to worry about…when the young master brought you in he had covered you with that lavender sheet, the one that is hanging over there," The woman began now pointing to its purple texture suspended in the wardrobe, "However, a couple of the maids and myself included, slipped the nightgown above you, and the sheet from beneath… no harm done Miss." The elderly woman concluded, now clasping her hand unto Yuna's small palm, "You really did give all of us a scare, especially the young master. I believe that he was overly consumed with your condition more then the rest of us." She smiled gently, now releasing Yuna's hand, and standing. Yuna remained quiet, slowly edging off the bed, her feet softly drifting unto the cold wooden floor.
"How long…did I sleep for?" Yuna asked hesitantly, now standing, eyeing her image from afar from the vanity's reflection.
"Only a few hours Miss…it is nearly 11:00 and I don't believe you have had anything to eat?" The respective maid asked, "Would you like me to have anything prepared for you?"
"Oh…no, no that's fine. I'm not really hungry," Yuna spoke softly with gratitude.
"As you wish Miss—"May I ask your name?" Yuna spoke intriguingly, now leaning against the side bedpost.
"My…my name?" The fragile woman questioned doubtfully. Nobody had really bothered to question her name. She was assigned a task, and she did it. What was the point of her name? Stepping shamefully forward she implored.
"You…you aren't going to report me to the Master…are you?" She questioned leaving Yuna with a baffled expression. Yuna's face scrunched, and she tilted her head.
"Emm…no… I just wanted to know your name…you've been so kind to me. My name's Yuna, so no need to call me Miss now." Yuna smiled innocently. For the first time the gray haired woman nodded genuinely, tears nearly filling her eyes. It had been the first time, in a long time that anybody had ever treated her so respectively. Of course, the house had never abused her in anyway, but it was the first time that anybody had truly seen her…as a person.
"My name…my name is Belgemine." She whispered through a fractured voice. Taken back with her emotional battle, Yuna extended her palm, accepting Belgemine was pulled closer into Yuna's affectionate embrace. Slowly pulling away, Yuna smiled.
"Well…I could use…maybe a little snack—"Right away Miss…I mean Yuna. I mean Miss Yuna, right away!" Belgemine yelled joyously, readily busying herself, pulling Yuna by the hand, and to the bedroom door. Swinging it open she tugged Yuna down the staircase, faster then what Yuna thought she could move. Sweeping down the stairs and around corner, Belgemine placed Yuna in a large chair that sat around the table as she clicked the knob of the oven on, while grabbing several ingredients from the cabinets. Giggling into her palm Yuna smiled at these antics, and leant back into the chair comfortably against its emerald velvet layering.
"I believe Yuna…that you…will be…the best thing…to happen to this home," Belgemine yelled behind her while juggling a frying pan, a can of pam, and a spatula.
"Hm? Why's that?" Yuna said naively. Placing the can of Pam onto the counter, Belgemine twisted over her shoulder.
"He's…in actuality very lonely. Ever since his mother… I have never seen him take to anyone so affectionately as you." She concluded smiling. Edging closer off the chair Yuna titled her head imploringly.
"His…mother?" Yuna spoke softly awaiting Belgemine to continue.
"Yes…after Tidus' mother ran away from home…" Belgemine took a moment to think, "I believe he had just started primary school…Master's failed marriage, was due to his focus on business, and politics…Tidus has…never forgiven him, don't know if he ever will. What I am trying to say is… when he speaks to me in reference of you…I can see a more gentle Tidus, and not that angry Tidus that he seems to portray himself as." Belgemine concluded casually, now flipping an omelet with her spatula, "I believe…if it's you, that you'll definitely be able to change Tidus…to the way he once was." Belgemine added sweetly, placing the omelet onto a plate nearby. Wiping her palms onto her apron, Belgemine firmly gripped the plated with her frail hands making her way toward the table.
"Now, you have to try these! My legendary omelets, I guarantee you'll never taste anything so savory!" Belgemine added, placing the plate before Yuna, handing her a fork alongside. Smiling Yuna grasped the fork and took a bite, her taste buds exploding.
"My goodness! Belgemine! These are the best!" Belgemine blushed toward her flattery and returned to clean up her mess.
"Belgemine…may I ask a question?" Yuna spoke, wiping her lip with a small napkin.
"Sure…what is it?" Belgemine asked, now scrubbing her frying pan.
"Has Sir Jecht…changed from his previous marriage…I ask because my mom is planning to marry him…do you believe the same thing will happen?"
"Oh, no. Sir Jecht is not as nearly as busy as he used to be, but that wasn't the only reason…there were…other complications." Belgemine ended bitterly now drying the pan, and placing it back into the shelf. Yuna had just met Belgemine, and figured she was quite an open person. If she didn't want to elaborate she wouldn't. Pushing her plate away, Yuna smiled softly.
"Thank you Belgemine for the food, but I would like to know where Sir Jecht's quarters are? I should really return home. It's quite late."
"The Master is out tonight, wont be back till the morning, something came up all of a sudden at the office." Yuna frowned, eventually sighing in defeat.
"I suppose…I could stay here…just for tonight…" Yuna whispered to herself, glancing back to the stairwell. Bidding her new friend good night she steadily climbed the staircase. Several portraits lined the walls, the floor laid beneath a giant rug, extended from each opposing side of the hallway. Yuna's room was just before her, glancing to her right stood another door.
"Could it…be Tidus' room…" She wondered in thought, inching her way nearer to his door, now placing her palm onto his handle.
"It…couldn't hurt…to at least thank him, I suppose…" Yuna thought, now placing several knocks atop his wooden frame. A slow movement could be heard from within before the door, slowly cracked open. His deep cerulean eyes, astonished to find her standing before him. Clearing her throat, and making eye contact with the floor she whispered barely audible for him to hear.
"Thank you…" She whispered now raising her eye, stopping at his tan hand enveloped with quite a large bandage, "What happened to your hand?" She asked concerned now looking into his eyes, and back to his hand once more for a closer look. Smiling slightly, he shook his head.
"Oh…this? It's nothing. Just burned it at the blitz ball game with one of those generators… the ones that light up the initiation pads. Not a big deal, thanks for your—"Do you have any medicine? I can help you if you want." Yuna leaned closer examining his poorly dressed wound.
"It isn't that big of a deal." Yuna ignored his statement, and pushed through his doorway heading to his bathroom, opening his medicine cabinet. Seeing her determination softly closed the door behind him, making his way to the bed. Returning with a medicine box, Yuna sat down on the edge of his bed, unwrapping his sloppy makeshift bandage. Tidus winced in pain, and Yuna smiled slyly.
"If it hurts…then you should just say so—"It hurts." Tidus cut her off, returning to his former self, seeming somewhat annoyed, and smiling when she looked back toward his injury. His skin was a raw pink where the generator had scolded him. Applying a few potions to his skin with ease, and care she closed the capsule, and pushed away the medicine box. Wrapping his bandage more securely this time she smiled, now looking up. His eyes lit with passion smiled at her seductively. His features relaxed, his light hair tousled about his head. Yuna's smile faded, and now overcome with worry knelt her head downward insecurely.
"Why is he looking at me that way…he really confuses me…""Does it still hurt?" Yuna asked shakily, his eyes scanning her all over. Leaning closer toward her shoulder.
"Are you cold—"I'm fine." Yuna cut him off nervously. Smiling childishly to himself, leaned back, tugging the edge of the quilt from the far side of the bed, throwing it atop of them.
"I'm not cold…really I'm fine…" Yuna stuttered, trying to calm her heartbeat. Edging closer, he rested his head upon her shoulder, nestling himself comfortably against her body. Waiting several moments, she could hear his breathing become deeper. Smiling to herself, slipped from beneath the comforter onto the floor, allowing him to lie back unto his bed. Tucking the covers around him securely she smiled.
"Maybe…he's not too bad after all…like Belgemine said…maybe he is just very lonely…" She thought, having a brief change of heart toward his earlier actions. Patting the comforter she turned to retire to her bedroom.
"Yuna…" Tidus whispered faintly. Stopping to turn to him she smiled.
"Yes?"
"Would you wait until I fall asleep…In case my hand starts to act up?" He asked in a sweet tone. Biting down on her lip dubiously, she hesitantly moved forward still concentrating on his burned palm.
"Well…I guess…I could wait a little while." She said giving in to his request. Smiling gratefully, peering over his shoulder.
"You can sit there if you want." He offered her the other side of his bed. Silently agreeing she walked around to the edge of his bed. Readjusting himself to sleep, he cleared his throat, and relaxed his head against his feathered pillow.
"Well…I guess…just a little while…" Yuna thought, now drowsily closing her eyelids, unaware to how tired she actually was. The moonlight seethed through his curtains bathing them both in its wave of tranquility.
The early morning light, replaced the former shadows of the night that had descended upon them. A red glow shrouded her eyelids, and she ducked her head further into her pillow, avoiding the mere thought of having to wake up. Breathing soundly, her muscles relaxed, she prayed Yevon would allow her several more moments of peace…but that ship had sailed.
"Morning." A familiar voice sounded cheerfully.
"Morning." Yuna replied groggily still yearning to sleep. Readjusting her arms, her eyes flew open, shooting a quick glance beside her. She was still in Tidus' room! He smiled playfully looking into her eyes. Sitting up quickly, nearly tumbling off the bed, she yelled in surprise.
"Last night—"We both slept together."
"Where's Sir Jecht—"Slept in his own room."
"How irresponsible! —"You're wrong…he saw that we were asleep, and didn't feel the need to wake us."
"He should've woke me!" Yuna shot back, desperate to bring this nightmare to an end. Leaning up to Yuna's ear Tidus smiled warmly. Refusing to look in his direction grabbed hold of her knee, pulling it closer in regret.
"Yuna… did you know, that you talk in your sleep?" Tidus smiled, as Yuna turned her gaze set to his navy eyes in disbelief.
"No way—"You said, "I thinking I am beginning... to like Tidus." Yuna shook her head violently before rising.
"No way!" She yelled in disbelief, racing across his mattress, possibly stepping on a shin or two, "That isn't possible! No way!" Yuna continued to yell embarrassedly out the door to the middle bathroom, leaving Tidus weak of laughter as he clutched onto his sides tightly. Slamming the bathroom door behind her, Yuna threw the fountain on, splashing her face, cupping her hand beneath, and throwing the cool water up into her face. Slamming down the fountain she opened her eyes, nearly hyperventilating.
"I slept in the same bed as him! What was I thinking! It was an accident! How could I do such a thing!" Yuna thought now slamming her back against the tiled wall, her hands grasping onto its sleek surface.
"Yuna… did you know that you talk in your sleep? You said, "I thinking I am... beginning to like Tidus."
His words shot back to her in apprehension.
"No…no…no! This can't be happening—
She cut her words short now leaning over the sink, clenching unto the counter before her, "but his facial expression yesterday…was so gentle…why will that memory not leave my head?" She thought taking a deep breath before looking herself in the mirror.
"What is happening…"
The ride to school was an awkward one. After breakfast, the limo driver arrived to pick Yuna, and Tidus up for school. He had coiled up into his frail shell, while Yuna on the other hand had anxiously been looking out the window, chewing down on her lip. He lived much closer to the University so the ride was in actuality a short one, but seemed like a lifetime to Yuna. Tidus laughed to himself softly, not loud enough for Yuna to hear, but just to himself. He had been surprised to wake up to Yuna as well. He had never thought that she would actually have fallen asleep. Her reaction in the morning seemed priceless. The limo came to a halt and the chauffer opened Tidus' door swiftly. Yuna sat hesitantly unsure of whether to get out or not.
"Hey, get out." Tidus sounded in that same tone as before. He wore his baggy jeans, and a black t-shirt beneath. His large jacket fell loosely around him, and his deep blue eyes leant further down, looking at Yuna awkwardly.
"Are you coming or what?" Tidus asked again. Taking a breath, she slid out of the seat, her feet touching the asphalt beneath her. Tidus and herself made their way up the steps neither one of them speaking, but receiving odd looks from their classmates. Yuna could only imagine what all the girls were thinking that had a crush on Tidus. Shifting her eyes about she could no longer take their heavy stares, and ran forward with much haste. Her small tennis shoes stamping their way up the staircase. Pausing a moment Tidus stood still, turning his head to several girls who had begun to whisper.
"You got something to say?" Tidus inclined, but they bashfully shook their heads and continued on their way. Tucking his hands into the pockets of his jeans pressed forward.
"Hey Yunie!" Rikku yelled into her cell phone. Class was about to begin, and she had still not shown. Shuyin sat several desks away, his glance looming over them frequently.
"Hey Rikku, I was wondering if you could take notes for me today…I forgot all about my project due next class, I'm in the library…"
"Yuna! Why does it have to be me! I hate notes!" Rikku detested pulling out her materials onto her desk: a mirror, mascara, liner, and lip gloss.
"Well, ask Lenne for me please! Pretty please!" Yuna begged.
"How come you forgot? You never forget about your homework…"
"Well… I kind of spent the night over Tidus' house last night—"You spent the night over Tidus' house!" Rikku yelled only to be hushed by Yuna. Shuyin's eyes sparked up fully attentive to their conversation.
"Why did you spend the night at his house? I thought you and Shuyin were together? You even went to watch him play blitz ball how did you end up at Tidus'?"
"Umm…I can't talk any more I have to get this project done okay?""Wait! Yunie! Wait!" A sudden silence engulfed the line and Rikku turned toward Lenne who had heard the entire conversation: her mouth still ajar.
"Lenne, close your mouth. It isn't that big of a deal to live in her father-to-be's house. They are going to be a family after all." Rikku shrugged non-chalantly taking her seat opening her mirror case. Pressing down on Rikku's desk Lenne stooped closer, attempting to whisper.
"That is what they say…yes. However we still have to take in account the danger factor of that house…Tidus. He stole Yuna's first kiss!" Lenne had whispered that last part louder then she had expected, and quickly silenced herself as Rikku's glare widened in fear, briefly peering across the rows to where Shuyin sat. A chord was struck deep from within him. His intense gaze steadily rose; pushing his papers to the side he stood, hastily moving from the classroom. Rikku and Lenne stared to one another, both kicking themselves for being so loud and upsetting Shuyin. Leaning closer to Lenne, Rikku whispered as Shuyin stormed from the room.
"I think the nice guy…just blew his cool…"
Nobody seemed to come during the first bell to the Library. It was quite. Peaceful. Relaxing. Just what Yuna needed? Her fingertips trailed the individual bookshelves, its dusty makeup polluting the air.
"What project? What project do I have?" Yuna thought to herself dumbly, "Is it because…I feel guilty?" She said a loud picking some random book from the shelf, reading its title, and then placing it back unto the shelf.
"Why don't I want Shuyin to hear anything about Tidus? I feel…as if I've wronged him…" Yuna thought sensitively, taking a few books she felt that she might be interested in. Turning to exit the aisle she stepped back quickly.
"Shuyin…" She whispered; his head lowered in thought. Raising his gaze, his deep blue eyes pierced through her, catching her breath from within her throat.
"Shuyin…is something wrong?" Yuna asked sincerely.
"What should I do that is better?" His words stung, full of offense. He narrowed his eyes toward her hurtfully, "Even though you didn't hand it to me…when I saw your love letter…and found out me and the girl I had a crush on liked each other…" He paused, his voice tensing up. Licking his lips to part, he stepped forward to continue, "Do you know how happy I was?" Yuna stood still unsure of whether or not to answer.
"But when I see the girl I like kissing another guy…" Shuyin trailed off…his words full of hate pertaining to Tidus. Taking a step forward Shuyin curled his fist angrily, taking a step back Yuna pleaded.
"Tidus…suddenly kissed me—"At the game your eyes could only see him! It was like I didn't exist! How do you explain that! During halftime you both disappear! How do you explain that! Weren't you there to see me!" Shuyin yelled furiously, inching closer to Yuna.
"It…was unintentional…it wasn't like that Shuyin—"Why don't you consider me feelings!" Shuyin spat, backing Yuna closer against the wall. Gripping onto the books nervously, she shifted her eyes about. His eyes intense, staring down unto her, gripping unto her shoulder aggressively pushed her against the wall, her books dropping to the floor. She watched them one by one topple to the floor, and back into his dark eyes.
"I'm very angry, hurt…and jealous…these emotions make me feel strange Yuna…I can't control myself…look at what you've done!" Shuyin yelled, now gripping her other shoulder. Yuna winced in pain, tears falling from her lashes as he jerked her back.
"What should I do…" He asked calmly now leaning closer, "Nice guys…also get fed up." Shuyin whispered evilly. The once gentle Shuyin she had come to love was gone…erased from all existence. His eyes intensely loomed over her, a different motive lay beneath them, and Yuna grew scared, trembling within his grasp…trapped.
The hallway was bare as Lenne peered out through the door, now returning to the empty classroom, to double check the clock.
"Rikku, Yuna went to the library right? She said she'd be here after 1st bell…where is she? What's taking so long?" Lenne questioned concerned falling back into her empty desk. After placing her mirror into her bag Rikku glanced into Shuyin's seat dully.
"Yeah, Shuyin is not back yet either…do you think he would go after her? I mean…the expression on his face…do you think he'd go find Yunie?" Applauding Lenne mocked Rikku.
"Wow! Rikku you have become smarter…I didn't even think of that." Mistaking this insult for a compliment Rikku smiled, and shrugged it off modestly.
"I wonder if Shuyin is going to fix things…there has been a lot of tension between the two…" Lenne continued twisting her long brown hair with her finger in contemplation.
"What were you saying?" An interrupting voice disturbed them, as the young gentleman slid through the door. His hands tucked slyly into the pockets of his jeans, his jacket collar cuffed about his face, his hair lightly tousled, his deep cerulean eyes... demanding an answer.
"Shuyin…please…don't do this." Yuna pleaded, breaking away from his grasp, ducking beneath his toned arm, desperate to run away, but whom was she kidding. The blitz ball captain could outrun the entire University. Quickly catching her before the entrance grabbed her arm, swinging her back into a shelf of books. Pushing himself against her, he stared blindly, his distant eyes numbly searching her face.
"You should like me too right?" He attempted to sound confident, however a spec of doubt was relevant.
"This isn't right…he's supposed to be gentle…" Yuna thought now staring up into his in disbelief.
"Please…please don't look like that…your not the Shuyin that I know—"Who do you think I am then?" Shuyin countered. Yuna froze.
"If you don't know! Don't speak!" He spat now eyeing her tender lips with envy. Moving forward he closed his eyes, holding onto her in his grasp, not allowing her to escape. Coiling back from his hands she shut her eyes tightly, a tear falling steadily down the side of her face.
"Shuyin Myaghi." A voice interrupted causing Shuyin to part. This would be Tidus' second time interrupting his and Yuna's kiss.
"Tidus…" Yuna whispered; a tint of relief lay in her shaky voice. Tidus' deep cerulean eyes, unrelenting, focused primarily on Shuyin. Who had now, retraced his arms with a step back.
"If you are going to do something clandestine, at least find a secretive place to do it…otherwise…disapproving people will sabotage it. Right?" Tidus mockingly spoke forward, the room becoming dense with all the tense air surrounding them. Not far behind Lenne and Rikku ran in nearly stumbling over one another.
"Can you guys all relax a little," Lenne spoke softly, the tense air nearly suffocating her.
"Are they going to fight?" Rikku added in a mere whisper, now eyeing Shuyin's curled fist. Shuyin indeed approached Tidus, the hostility between them steadily rising. With a brush against Tidus' shoulder he passed, parting between Lenne and Rikku he angrily descended the outside stairwell. Realizing he had left Tidus now set his focus to Yuna who had been trembling, fear stricken.
"Are…you okay Yuna?" Tidus asked uselessly. He knew that she wasn't. She just stood there, staring…through the translucent door in which he had left…
Okay this is pretty darn long! LOL! What can I say…. guess I am in just one of those moods! Anyways i would like to thank everybody that has reviewed!!! LoL!! Anyways! REVIEW PLEASE!!! You guyz are awesome!! P