Dissimulation

Chapter 5: Death of a Dream

The curtain has fallen

There's no one behind

Corrected one mistake

But I am still around

-Death of a Dream by Epica

The cool water felt refreshing as Tidus's eyes flickered open. He took a long stretch and a smile started to play on his lips. He wasn't sure where he was, but he was grateful to feel the cold water on his face once more. It was definitely a lot better than the cold, lonely feeling he left just hours before. The wager still weighed down in his mind, but the fact that he was alive seemed to overshadow the danger. Instead, he focused on seeing her again. He couldn't wait to enter her warm embrace once more.

Tidus looked above him, wondering where he ended up. With his luck, he was probably stuck halfway between Kilika and Besaid Islands. There was only one way to find out, he decided and so, he began his long swim up to the surface. After what seemed like ages, he gratefully felt warm sunshine suck the outside of his face. The slender shore of Besaid decorated the horizon and Tidus was pleased.

Tidus slipped his fingers into his mouth and let out a shrilly whistle. "What was that?"Yuna asked with large surprise in her voice.

Tidus giggled, "In Zanarkand, we do this to cheer on Blitzball players." Tidus whistled again and Yuna's eyes widened with surprise. "You try it too! Put your fingers in your mouth like this," Tidus said with his fingers between his mouth.

Yuna copied, "Like this?"

Tidus shook his head, "Uh huh, not like that. Like this. Then you just blow." Yuna tried repeatedly, but she was unable to accomplish the same shrilly whistle that Tidus was able to produce effortlessly.

"It's not working," Yuna complained, with apparent frustration in her voice.

"Practice," Tidus smiled.

Yuna nodded, "Okay."

"Hey, use that if we get separated. Then, I'll come running, okay? Well,

guess we should just stick together, then, till you can do it," Tidus explained.

Tidus lifted his fingers to his mouth once more and produced a whistle. The shrill echoed throughout the atmosphere. He then floated on his back, enjoying the warmth of the sun on his face.

Yuna paced back and forth, wringing her hands together. They were currently on their way back to Besaid. The desperate plea that the fayth had given her still was ringing in her head. The alarm in their voice still sent chills down her spine. Rikku and Kimahri stood close by, watching her every mood. "Yuna, please calm down," Rikku whispered to her cousin.

"I am not going to be calm until we get there," Yuna snapped. Rikku stepped back, taken back by the sudden burst of anger that flowed out of Yuna's mouth. Kimahri placed a hand on Rikku's shoulder and directed her to stand close by and leave Yuna alone.

Yuna peered out the window and watched Kilika Island fly by and she felt her nervousness and anxiety begin to escalate to unbearable levels. Would he be there, waiting for her? Why was the fayth so concerned and why did they seem so angry. The mystery that shrouded the situation was all too unbearable. She wanted answers and she wanted answers now.

As soon as Yuna felt the familiar feeling of a rapid descent, she started to make a move towards the exit. The world moved like a blur then. She began to hear the ramp open and she jogged down. To her bewilderment she found the familiar figure staring at the contraption. Tears began to fall down her face as she ran down the ramp. She couldn't wait until the ramp reached the bottom, so she made a perilous jump down into the water below and began to run towards him. He opened his arms and allowed her to fall into him.

"There you are," he whispered softly. Yuna nodded and pressed her face against his firm chest, accepting the warmth that he gave her. She couldn't believe it, the world just moments before felt so empty and cold. Just seeing her sends warmth throughout her body.

"I missed you so much," Yuna whispered lightly into Tidus's ear.

"How long was I gone?" Tidus asked.

"Only a couple of days," Yuna answered. Tidus smiled and pressed his soft lips upon Yuna's. Yuna almost collapsed in that very spot as she felt his very soul press up against her. The last days she had been craving this very moment and now it was here. She couldn't believe it. He was back, standing right here, pressing his loving lips upon her. The dreams that she always held, but never ever thought she would receive these dreams.

However the moment of bliss immediately passed and fell down towards her womb. She knew she would have to tell him, but when would the right time? When they are standing here, so happy within each other's arms?

"You bastard!" somebody yelled suddenly. Yuna and Tidus pulled apart and their eyes fell upon a scowling Wakka and Lulu. Tidus looked down upon Yuna, fear flashing before his eyes.

"Let me handle this," Yuna said shakily. She took a deep breath and began to walk towards the scowling group. Tidus trailed closely behind, fear and confusion fogging his senses. What were they so angry about? He was hoping for a happy welcoming, but they were obviously angry about something. "Please don't do this now," Yuna urged suddenly.

"I am going to do what I damn well please, ya! He needs to pay for what he did!" Wakka growled.

"What did I do?" Tidus asked angrily. He could feel the familiar boiling feeling of resentment clouding the air. Wakka stood there, his face red hot. Lulu was standing close behind, her lips pursed and her eyes fiery with anger.

"Lulu, Wakka, please don't do this now!" Yuna begged. She stepped in front of Tidus, trying to hide the tears that were beginning to come out uncontrollably. Tidus had a dumbfounded look on his face.

"Get the hell out of the way, Yuna. I need to teach this bastard a lesson!" Wakka growled. He started cracking his knuckles and his face was starting to turn a deep shade of purple. Tidus's face was beginning to pale.

"Please! Not now!" Yuna cried, but she couldn't stop Wakka's larger form from plowing through and punching Tidus square in the jaw. Tidus knocked backgrounds, shocked by the sudden impact. "No!" Yuna shrieked, but Lulu grabbed her before she could run and try to pry Wakka away from Tidus.

"You defiled her, you bastard! How dare you!" Wakka screamed. He punched Tidus again, knocking Tidus to the ground. Tidus lay there like a log, too shocked and scared to fight back. "You just better get the hell out of here, ya! You are no longer welcome!" Wakka spat. "Not to mention, you don't even fight back! You are a fucking weakling, ya!"

"You're wrong!" a hoarse voice suddenly called back. Wakka turned around to find Tidus standing up. A light trickle of blood was streaming out of his nose and a large bruise was beginning to swell on the corner of his jaw, but he didn't seem to notice. "You are going to pay for what you just did!" Tidus snarled. Then he charged at Wakka, knocking him back a few feet.

"You fucking deserve it, you bastard!" Wakka screamed as he wiped the blood from his swollen lip. Tidus's eyes flashed again and he pushed Wakka down to the ground and started to kick him repeatedly in the stomach. His body was stiff with anger and it appeared that he had lost control.

"Stop!" Lulu screamed. She ran towards him, but Tidus pushed her and knocked her to the ground.

"Tidus, please, stop!" Yuna cried as she grabbed Tidus's waist and pulled him back. Tidus, however, was not done and he grabbed Yuna's arms and pried them off of her and went after him again. "TIDUS!" Yuna screamed. Tears were beginning to stream down her face again as she watched Tidus continue to kick Wakka in the ribs. Wakka rolled up in a ball, unable to do anything else. Lulu finally stood up and sent a lightning bolt down upon Tidus. Tidus fell to the ground, unconscious.

"So we see Tidus's true colors," Lulu mumbled. She bent down towards the crumpled Wakka and started to cast several cure spells to ease the pain. Yuna crawled over to Tidus's unconscious body and placed his head into her lap. Whispers suddenly echoed through the air and to Yuna's horror, a crowd had begun to develop.

"Oh Tidus, what have you done?" Yuna whispered. She began to run her fingers through his soft hair. Something was different about him, but she couldn't pinpoint what. His eyes seemed different. They didn't seem like the soft, caring eyes she had fallen in love with. Instead, something about them made them seem darker and angry. Did his trip to the farplane change him that much?

What alarmed her was the fact that about half the village had witnessed the event. There was no way they would be able to accept her pregnancy now. Yuna touched her stomach tenderly and tears began to well up again. Rikku and Kimahri knelt down next to her, touching her shoulders tenderly for comfort.

"Oh good, Kimahri, will you please carry Wakka back to the village?" Lulu asked suddenly. Kimahri nodded and walked over towards the limp Wakka. "Yuna, let's go." Lulu ordered. Yuna just shook her head and hugged Tidus closer to her. "Yuna, there is no way I am going to let you be with this madman. You saw what he did to Wakka, who's to say he won't do the same for you and the baby," Lulu growled.

Yuna's eyes suddenly flashed with fear as she saw the crowd gasp. They now knew the secret she wanted to keep hidden for just a little longer. "I can't leave him," Yuna begged, but Lulu wasn't going to take no for an answer. She and another Besaidian that Yuna didn't recognize picked her up and drug her away from her unconscious love.

"Rikku, get that beast off of this island, he is no longer welcome on these lands," Lulu snarled.

"Rikku!" Yuna cried as she tried to break free from Lulu and the other man's tight grasp, but Rikku had two Al Bheds pick up Tidus and carry him back towards the airship. Just when the two had finally gotten back together happily, they were torn apart once again. Would there be an end to this? Only the future could tell.

A/N: Sorry for taking so long to update. I've been busy with college and stuff. However, I finally found some time and decided to write a chapter quickly. I know it's not very good, but I didn't want to keep you hanging anymore. Also, I know it is short, but this seemed like a good ending spot. I will try and update a little sooner, I promise.