Yeah, um… I guess I'm not the fastest writer… But hey!  I already have the next chapter almost completely done.

I'll be changing points of view every chapter, but the title of the chapter will let you know who it is.  And, uh, no, this won't be a TidusxYuna, despite the wrapping.  That pairing is a little nauseating.  Haha.

That'll Do – Ch2. Ghost Man (Tidus)

For a moment, I could see our entire future; her pale skin against my browned, witnessing her "everything-is-beautiful" smile on a daily basis, being able to catch her up in my arms and smooth a hand through her hair, my fingers catching on that blue braid behind her ear, drowning myself in aqua-emerald eyes while she smiles and laughs.

"Um.  Excuse me?"  A husky emanation from the young woman shook me out of my sudden delusion.  The average, extraordinary faded away, leaving me with the Calm Lands and some chick standing in my doorway.  After a moment, I leaned against the doorframe, crossing my arms and scowling.  Suddenly, I wasn't so eager to get to know this girl.

We stood for a moment, with her blinking in what seemed like astonishment, and me simply staring at her.  She shifted and opened her mouth to speak, but I cut her off.

"What do you want?"

She reared back slightly, the surprise on her face deepening.  "You don't recognize me?"

The voice sounded… familiar.  It was a little more falsetto, but it was familiar.  I swept her head to foot with my gaze.  Each feature struck a memory, but I couldn't quite bring it up.

She must have seen it on my face, because she placed a hand on her hip and the other to her forehead, shaking her head, uncannily similar to…

"L…Lulu?"

She crossed her arms.  "It's been a while.  Tidus."  She added my name after a moment, as though she was trying to make a point.

I stuffed my hands into my pockets, hunching so my hair fell down to hide my face.

"Tidus."  I couldn't see her face through my hair, but her tone was accusatory.  "I haven't seen you for five years, and you don't even say 'hello'?"

I glanced at her, balling my hands in my pockets.  I stomped into the next room, speaking over my shoulder.  "What are you doing here."  Belatedly, I realized that it sounded more like a demand then a question.

She 'tsked' softly, but didn't remark, spreading her hands.  "I didn't realize that I needed a reason to visit an old friend."

"Don't fuck around with me, Lulu," I warned, turning to look at her.

She sighed.  "You've changed."

I glanced her over, then scoffed, turning so she couldn't see my face.  My voice was on the verge of cracking.  "That happens after six years, Lulu."

She snorted.  "You're telling me!"

I started.  The old Lulu, the Lulu I knew, never would have said that.

She stood now like a normal woman; her head canted to one side, her hip cocked to the other, with one hand resting on it and the other gesticulating in the air. 

Lackadaisical, I thought.  Oblivious.  Sloppy

She was still talking, I realized.  I tuned in belatedly.

"…is all in an upheaval.  Didn't you hear?"

I grunted in the negative.

She spread her hands, embodying urgency.  "Seymour is missing!"

I chuckled dryly. "And you want me to join the party?"

She stomped her foot, and I was a little taken aback.  "Damnit!  Stop acting like a little boy!  Yuna hasn't said anything but- but your name!"

I almost trembled, but caught myself.  No.  No, I won't go running back to her.  "Handle it," I muttered.

She stared at me, eyes narrowing.  'Please, don't make her cry,' I silently prayed to whatever deity that might be.

"You're not Tidus."  She crossed her arms, as if triumphant.

I reeled on her.  "Well, wow!  It took you long enough, for chrissake!"

She mouthed the word 'chrissake', puzzled, but didn't inquire.  I turned away, occupying myself with my longsword.

A moment passed before she spoke again.  Her voice was soft and low… like it used to be.  "Tidus, please.  We need you for this.  I – We couldn't do it without you.  I mean…" She trailed off slowly.

I wanted to go.  A whole new adventure, right?  Yet… A whole new adventure.  With these… people.  The people I used to love…  I breathed in and, cautiously, began to speak. 

"I should probably go with you.  I mean, that's what the 'right thing to do' is."

She brightened.

I held up a hand.  "However, you barged into my house and demanded my attention to do so.  Not to mention what happened last time I saw all of you.  That… that was… humiliating."

Lulu scoffed.  "It wasn't that bad.  All that happened was-"

I hastened to answer before she could reiterate what happened 'last time'.  "I'll go!" I said loudly.

She paused.  "Really?"

I grunted.

"Great!!" Wincing at her suddenly shrill tone, I slouched around my cabin, stuffing a few articles into a shoulder pack and belted on my sword.

***

Weeh!  Next chapter – The Forest Ain't So Peaceful – Lulu.  Stay tuned.