(A/N) Hey time for another update! It hasn't been as long as last time, but again sorry for the wait. Anyways! I hope you enjoy this chapter, and I would like to say thank you for all the support from everyone!
Chapter 14
"Mind Reader"
The winds cold air cut through him thickly, the rain pelted against his face angrily as it spat down from the skies above. His breaths became deeper, and short lived. His calve muscles flexed in agony, as he pressed further along the dark, winding, asphalt road. His heart beat wildly against his chest, his mind full of contemplation.
"How…how could I lose to him? Out of all people! Why is it him!" Shuyin thought, now fighting forward with every step. It wasn't very wise to run this way after blitz practice, but he needed to vent.
"I like you Shuyin…I like someone else…I like Tidus…" Yuna's words sprung toward him with flight. Shaking his head in fury in attempt to dissemble that memory found himself falling forward, his forearms barely breaking his fall. His limbs had taken all they could take, and had given way beneath him. Landing in the waterlogged soil beneath, gave way to an exhausted groan…a sigh of defeat. Pounding his fist into a near by shallow puddle of water sprang upward the gritty matter back into his face.
"I would have protected you from him! I would never have let him near you again! How could I lose to him! He'll…only end up hurting you Yuna…" Shuyin trailed off, now attempting to stand rather shakily. His limbs were sore, and he still had to walk all the way home. Lifting his arm to swipe away the gritted water from his brow, looking down the road to see a blurred image moving closer toward him. Squinting his eyes for a closer look recognized instantly who it was.
"Yuna!" Shuyin thought jovially running forward, with as much pace as his body would allow.
"I knew you would see that the one you like is me…I never lost faith Yuna!" Shuyin thought pathetically now stumbling closer to the mirror like image of Yuna. Her small hands raised her umbrella slightly still enough to shield her from the rain.
"Shuyin…what are you doing—"Lenne…" Shuyin cut her off in an exasperated tone. Lenne frowned slightly realizing on her own why he had come so quickly. Shaking off her doubts step and inch closer.
"Would you like to share my umbrella?" Lenne asked precariously, looking into his deep cerulean eyes. Shuyin did not reply, but only turned about to look at the never-ending winding road before him.
"Or do you want to sit in the rain a while longer, so people can't tell if it's rain…or tears on your face?" Lenne spoke softly now stepping to Shuyin's side, but still remaining distant.
"You're mocking me…" Shuyin retorted, narrowing his eyes toward his side. Taking a step forward Lenne shook her head in dismay, her soft brown eyes remorseful.
"Why would I mock you? Especially…in your situation…" Lenne bit down on her lip unsure of whether she should have said that. Shuyin turned to her angrily.
"My situation?" Shuyin questioned bitterly, now turning on his heel, jolting forward away from her.
"Hey! I'm not done!" Lenne spat assertively, stamping her small tennis shoe atop the glass plated- asphalt. Shuyin halted, speaking into his shoulder.
"Comfort, Sympathy, or even teasing…I don't want to hear it." Shuyin replied, not bothering to wait for her reply, but moved forward, steadily slicing his way through the rain before him.
"Who said what I wanted to say was comforting, sympathy, or even teasing?" Lenne began, noticing that Shuyin's pace had softened, jogging slowly up toward him she continued.
"I only have one thing to say to you." She whispered just audible enough for him to hear. The wind had blown a little rain beneath her umbrella, and her brown bangs were a now jet-black, clinging to her brow. Her tan complexion lightened her soft eyes; she gripped the handle to the umbrella tightly, firmly, and with an encouraging blow stepped forward.
"Will you please go out with me?" She pleaded quietly. Shuyin had completely stopped his binge of acceleration, and now listening to the rain landing quietly upon the grass, turned to his side, eyeing her from his peripheral vision. Her soft eyes intently listened more than her ears did. Her furrowed brow respectively hung on edge awaiting his answer. The air in her throat held still for a brief moment, and she quietly grasped onto her umbrella's handle, turning her knuckles a fair ivory white.
"How is it possible…" Shuyin sighed in disbelief, "and…why would you want to go out with some one like me…"
"If it is like this, then will it be possible?" Lenne added quickly, letting the wind take her umbrella in a draft as she sprang forward, now placing her lips softly unto his. Time held still, locked away beneath her eyelids. The rain now pelted heavily upon her back, opening her eyes she beheld an awe struck Shuyin whose eyes were wide in disbelief, looking forward, afraid to look anywhere else. Taking a step back Lenne grasped her purse tightly, raising her eyes toward him, and away, toward him, and away, before jolting forward. As she swept away past him, his deep cerulean charms followed her figure.
"If it is like this, then will it be possible?" He thought on her words briefly, now eyeing her umbrella, and back to the road. She was gone around the winding road, with no trail to be seen, but the small shoe prints only to be covered by the rain seconds later.
"To your beautiful eyes!" Jecht exclaimed holding his thin, tall, wineglass in the air, which had already been filled several times.
"Great…he's going to get wasted…" Tidus thought coughing repulsively into his napkin. Yuna eyed his antics with a childish glare, and nudged him, encouraging him to be more polite. The table was set for four, and the life of the city edged on by as the sun set from a near window.
"Cheers to our wonderful future!" Jecht exclaimed once more, now refilling his wine glass cordially.
"Could you drop the romantic act, I'm hungry I would like my food to stay down." Tidus spat very much annoyed with their constant cheers. Nudging him once more Yuna shook her head deniably.
Tidus…Sir Jecht is just being romantic…that's all—"That's right!" Jecht began, "It is great to have such a sweet daughter as you little Yuna!" Jecht ended still holding his wine glass, firmly between his fingertips. The chandelier glimmered about the room, and dimly lit candles lined their table setting. Yuna's mother smiled toward a few of Jecht's compliments, and began to raise her wine glass.
"A cheer to happiness!" Her mother smiled brightly. Yuna raised her glass happily, and turned to Tidus who continued to eat.
"Be a bit cooperative will you!" Yuna whispered pressingly. Ignoring her pleas lifted another mouthful of food from his plate into his mouth.
"So fake! Come on!" Yuna continued, nearly begging as her mother's smile began to fade. Tossing his fork to the side lifted his wineglass into the air, along with the others. A faint flash engulfed the room that caught Yuna's attention.
"Lightening…no…what was that—"So, Yuna how are you and Tidus doing at school?" Yuna's mother interrupted her thought. Choking down her wine replied genuinely.
"Oh, just fine…we seem to get a long well—"Oh! That's just great! It won't be long until were a family!" Jecht interrupted with amusement, refilling his wine glass for another time. Tidus rolled his eyes in disgust as he lifted another mouthful of food into his mouth. Glancing to Tidus from her side, Yuna gently nudged the arm of his chair.
"Wait a minute! I know what's going on here." Jecht intervened.
"You do!" Yuna replied hastily jerking her head forward toward the wine breath dragon. Tidus snickered softly into his napkin now sitting upright to look upon Yuna's surprised facial expression.
"Tidus…" Jecht began, throwing Tidus off of his egotistical trip. Narrowing his eyes toward his father, waited anxiously for him to continue.
"Seeing your rebellious and wounded expression—"Just eat." Tidus cut him off bitterly now lowering his head back to his plate.
"I can't help but see that you're…jealous." Jecht spoke clearly, except for a slight slur toward the end of his sentence. Yuna could feel the tension rise in the room. She had already been informed that Tidus and his father hadn't been on good terms for years, and even though she didn't know the exact reason…she knew that Tidus' fuse was only but so long. Jecht chuckled softly to himself in amusement before continuing.
"I'm so touched son, but let me assure you! I can love little Yuna, and her mother while still loving you…so there is nothing to worry about." Jecht concluded as he took another sip from his glass, conversing much with Yuna's mother. Tidus had previously dropped his fork back into his noodles making little or no sound, glaring across the table toward his father who was rather oblivious to his antics…well at least for the moment. The candle's tiny flame that danced before matched his eyes mutiny.
"Tidus…Tidus…snap out of it…he doesn't know what he is saying…you know that he is probably passed the cities intoxication levels…don't let it get to you…okay?" Yuna leant over to whisper in Tidus' ear, but it was in vain for her short speech had fallen on deaf ears. Sir Jecht and her mother laughed amongst themselves about various things ignoring their two children briefly.
"Tidus…please don't be like this…he doesn't know what he is saying…just…just smile okay?" Yuna implored once more. Turning his head slowly, his blue eyes softened yet held his stone like facial expression.
"Don't want to smile? Fine. I'll make you smile." Yuna stated determined, leaning over the arm of her chair, her index fingers ready to pull at his cheeks. An awkward air engulfed them and she glanced across the table.
"Where's mom and Sir Jecht—"AHHH!" Yuna yelled as Sir Jecht and her mother peered over their shoulders. Throwing herself back into her chair snatched her napkin, suspending it in the air between their chairs.
"Your…you have something above your lip…sauce…you have sauce…" Yuna stumbled embarrassedly. Tidus smiled faintly allowing Yuna to bathe in her own humiliation.
"I can't see it Yuna…could you wipe it away for me?" Tidus concluded sweetly, now smiling sarcastically into her eyes. Wrapping the tip of the napkin around her finger lightly pressed atop of Tidus lip gently.
"You two really are getting along so well!" Yuna's mother screamed in joy, causing the other customers to stare. Yuna's hand shook, remaining only inches away from Tidus' mouth; her eyes squinted in humiliation. Tidus' grin was overbearing as he watched her fumble about shyly with her napkin.
"I'm so happy!" Yuna's mother continued, "You both are at a difficult age, and I was worried that our marriage would cause you both problems." Yuna's mother ended on a doubtful note.
"Are you kidding? Don't worry! Yuna and I will get along well!" Tidus turned about to Yuna's mother smiling charmingly. Nodding her head in gratitude went to return to her chair. Turning back to Yuna who sat dumbfounded in her chair, nearly ripping her napkin to shreds felt Tidus' attendance move closer.
"Don't worry…we'll get along so well…it'll scare you…sister." Tidus whispered evilly into Yuna's ear, causing her to hold her breath. Jecht and her mother went back to their earlier discussion, as Yuna turned her head abruptly toward Tidus.
"What is he thinking? Didn't the other night…the other night he kissed me…he took care of me…no! Why is he resorting back to his hateful ways…why? Was the other night…just a joke to him…if so…these feelings I have…" Yuna thought, anxiety evident within her bi colored eyes. Laughing to himself resumed his dinner, every now and then smirking toward her with playful eyes.
"I can't let this get to me…I am just over thinking things again…" Yuna thought now shifting her eyes for a soft glance toward him, "but…I have seen that he does have a gentle heart…just a rough exterior…that's all…but does he need to be this way…when it's just us two…"
The early bell rang through the hollow stairwells, as Yuna turned off of its heavy stair rail. She had awoken early today, that way she wouldn't need to ride with Tidus and his father to school…it always did make her uncomfortable when other classmates would see them together. A lot of girls like Tidus, which meant they were bound to hate Yuna. Not only that, but a few other reasons awaited her…Lenne. They hadn't talked for days, and Yuna felt that they should both reconcile, for they had been friends for so many years…it'd be a shame to end so quickly. Yuna leant up against the brick wall, aside from their first class. Computer class. It wasn't hard, but they had an analytical report to do almost everyday, so it did eventually grow tiring. Checking her watch almost every thirty seconds heard a familiar voice swoop the corner.
"Looking for me?" Lenne replied casually adjusting her bag to her left shoulder, allowing her right to lean up against the wall.
"Lenne! I just want to say—"How about we forget about the whole thing?" Lenne cut her off, her coffee like eyes smiled warmly.
"But…Lenne…I didn't consider your feelings, and—"I said don't worry about it. Besides…I was the one out of line…trying to control your relationships…and not thinking about what you wanted." Lenne replied regretfully. Lenne was always like this. No matter how big of a fight, her and Yuna were in she would always be there with open arms, ready to learn from her mistakes and start anew. Yuna smiled happily, grateful that it didn't turn out more complicated then it could have. Pushing off the wall Lenne glanced toward the hall's clock.
"Come on Yuna, class is about to start." Lenne said hooking Yuna's arm with hers, making their way through the classroom's door.
"Good morning class! A few of you didn't finish your reports from last class…" The teacher dragged on, as Lenne and Yuna passed notes making plans for the upcoming weekend.
"I feel in a good mood today, so the I'll give the class more time to work on their assignments. However you will need to bring me a rough draft tomorrow of your analytical papers." The teacher continued as Lenne jotted down a few more words before passing her note back to Yuna.
"You may turn your computers on." The teacher signaled. Placing her bag to the side, Lenne outstretched her arm to press the small silver button. A few pages uploaded, before returning to the campus' homepage.
"EXTRA! EXTRA! Happy NEWS for the Campus!" The article read that smothered her entire screen, and the rest of the computers.
"What's this?" Lenne thought quietly to herself. A headliner had never been displayed upon the homepage before, and a few students twisted and turned in their seats to look at Yuna.
"So that's why they have been hanging around each other so much lately…" A student whispered from across the room, holding a mutual agreement with a few others.
"Campus President REMARRIES! President's son is showed here along with his future mother and step sister: YUNA XIAO a fellow classmate"
A small picture was featured below the lengthy written article.
Story by—"Lulu Liana Xiang"
Lenne edged off the seat of her chair, turning cautiously toward Yuna, who was oblivious to her surroundings, too lost in the depth of Lenne's note beforehand. Lenne nudged Yuna softly, to distract her away from her giggling, and penciled hearts.
"Lenne, you really make me laugh—"Yuna…" Lenne whispered softly tracing her eyes about the classroom, which all continued to look upon her in confusion.
"What's wrong Lenne?" Yuna voiced in a more serious tone than before. Her eyes searching Lenne's face for answer.
"Yuna…look at the school's homepage…" Lenne replied softly, and a bit confused, "You are on the front page…" Lenne concluded allowing Yuna's eyes to do the rest. Yuna peered over casually at first, but soon became more than alert, and jumped from out of her chair.
"Why is that there!" Yuna yelled, only creating more of a scene before the class.
"Why are you yelling in class…wait…you're the girl on the homepage…Yuna Xiao in my very own class, the President's future daughter!" The teacher exclaimed happily, glancing to and fro, from his computer and back to Yuna.
"That flash from the night before…somebody was spying on me…" Yuna thought now peering back down to the computer.
"Lulu Liana Xiang…" Yuna quickly memorized before swinging back around to lift her bag. "I'm sorry teacher, but I have to leave. I will turn in all of my homework to you next class." Yuna sped angrily by, and into the hallway. A few students lingered by, casting their index fingers toward her rudely.
"Hey…that's the girl from the paper…" "Yea…she is going to be the President's daughter…" "Well I envy her more…she gets to be Tidus' sister!" A few girls swooned to the side, casting their heavy glares as she passed. Yuna's legs trembled with anger, as she clung onto the next stair rail for support pushing herself up the steep staircase.
"Who does this girl think she is!" Yuna thought fuming at the remembrance of the incident. The lunch bell rang for a few selected classes, and before she knew it the hallway was filled with students who had nothing better to do then point and stare. Pushing her way through unto the next staircase ran several more steps before she came to a tall, white, thin doorway. Placing her hand heavily upon the door handle swung the door open angrily.
"I am looking for newspaper major Lulu Liana Xiang." Yuna spat aggressively. Several students looked up, and back toward the corner where a slender girl was working passionately on another article. The classroom emptied within seconds, and the girl rose to her feet. Her thin stilettos clicked atop the marble floor before turning to face Yuna with crimson stained eyes. Her lavender lips smiled corrosively.
"It's you…" Yuna thought, a painful memory resurfacing.
"Didn't I return your love letter to you…what's your excuse now? Why are you still clinging onto Tidus?"
"Your comments are welcome." Lulu replied crossing her arms atop her chest as she leant back onto a desk carelessly "Is there anything wrong with my Extra Extra?" She added sweetly knowing exactly what Yuna wanted.
"That is my personal life, and I feel that you have no need to post it on the campus e-news." Yuna replied hastily, her nerves far from shot.
"I feel that there is a need…" Lulu began now shifting herself away from the corner table toward Yuna, "Don't think that no one knows what you're thinking…so listen up." Lulu continued now standing only several feet away from Yuna, "I am going to let the whole world know…that you and Tidus…are nothing more…than siblings…brother…and sister." Hissing the last word of her sentence licked her lips knowingly that her plan had already been set in motion. Raising her hand to tap her chin innocently continued.
"I would have never guessed you two were to be siblings…now you can't play any tricks—"What you're doing is an abuse of power!" Yuna yelled forward angrily, but Lulu only shrugged it off amused with Yuna's frustration. Her red eyes, smiled as though they were dancing embers. The tension rose in the room, sweat beads formed along Yuna palms, which lay, curled toward her sides.
"Hey Lu!" Wakka swung in lazily from the door. "Tidus wants to see you in the Cafeteria…like now…" Wakka ended to hasten her speed; "I'll see you there!" Wakka yelled behind him, scurrying away down the hall, not taking the time to recognize Yuna standing there. Leaning in Lulu eyed Yuna repulsively, bring her voice to a mere whisper.
"Tidus wants me…it seems that I have to go…sister…" Lulu ended sweetly swooping past Yuna, brushing her shoulder aside. Leaving Yuna to stand-alone in an empty classroom, her face beat red, the inside of her palms raw, from where her fingernails had embedded themselves into her flesh. Her breaths grew deeper, as she stamped her sandal onto the floor in a tantrum like state.
"No! I won't let that girl do this! That girl won't get the best of me! I won't let her!" Yuna thought furiously, "but…she was right…Tidus, and I are going to be brother and sister…and the worst part is…she does know what I was thinking…she knew exactly what I was thinking…"
(A/N) OKAY! That's all for this chapter!! I'll be updating soon, but I got to do some cleaning tomorrow! UGH! So anyways stay posted for my next chapter!
What is Tidus going to say to Lulu, has he seen the article!? What about Lenne and Shuyin, and where the heck is Rikku!? Tidus joins the blitzball team? WHY? Will Yuna and Shuyin ever be friends again?!?! Just some questions I thought I would let you think on! LOL! REVIEW PLEASE!