Authors Note: Okay, I am fux0ring awesome for writing another chapter when i've been this busy. Thanks for the good reviews, only I wish I was spoiled and there were more ;_; Aw well, I still think you guys rox0r. If you want me to e-mail you whenever I add a new chapter or whatever, you can tell me this at rikku@twisted.nu. 33 much. Btw, I forgot to mention earlier, the lyrics and such for the fic are from the song take a bow by madonna, all copyrights go to her.


_____SERENITY UPRISING-CH5: everyone has their part

I've always been in love with you...
I guess you've always known it's true.
You took my love for granted--
why, oh, why?
The show is over, say goodbye...


Both Tidus and Rikku had a sleep full of tossing and turning. Their minds were filled of Lector, Yuna, and thoughts of what the future might hold for them both. Inside, Rikku strongly believed that Tidus would end this charade with Lector. With Tidus back, there was no way Yuna could marry another...right? Tidus' head was every bit as worried at the moment. Rikku had said that Lector did not love Yuna, but did Yuna love lector? Hell, why was she doing this? He was alive, as alive as could be--from what Rikku told him. So it wasn't because he needed sending. There was only one other option--Yuna was doing this of her own free will. Apparently, she wanted to marry Maester Lector. Did that mean she loved him? Probably not. But the thought lingered.

Both of them awoke early, along with Jecht. The man knew nothing of the night before, and Tidus thought it a good idea to keep it that way. Who knows what kind of stunt Jecht would pull if he knew Tidus was out in the middle of the night with an al bhed...let alone a female al bhed. Not that it really mattered, Tidus could care less what Jecht thought. As long as he didn't interfere with Tidus getting to Yuna, which he wouldn't, all was fine.


Jecht was not happy by any stretch of imagination when he saw Rikku in his room. This truly brought out his arrogance. Yet, he was willing to hear an explanation.

Rikku is staying here with Rin, Tidus excused.

Jecht folded his arms across his chest and gave Rikku a piercing glare. And how did you meet this young lady? He asked.

She was one of Yuna's guardians. Tidus stated, rather bluntly.

Jecht eased up a bit at these words. I see. Well then, any friend of yours is a friend of mine.

The three left the hotel without another world, stopping only to pick up some hi-potions and pheonix downs. Both Tidus and Rikku knew they were not needed, but it was no use getting in an argument with Jecht over. He had the temper of a bull.


Once they were outside, the chilly wind seemed to knock some words into their throats.

Mmm...so what is it you kids have planned? Jecht said, it was more of a statement than a question.


Well...we could use this save point here to board the airship, or we could just walk.

Both Jecht and Tidus responded simultaneously.

Mhm. As I thought.

Tidus walked past Rikku and placed his hand on the travelers sphere, and within seconds they were being transported. Soon enough, their feet felt the clank of the medal floors beneath them. Jecht seemed a bit bedazzled, for he had never experienced being teleported before.


Tidus took quick glances around. It seemed that the ship had been abandoned. Cid was nowhere to be found.



Uh..Rikku? Where's Cid? He asked, drawing his hand back to scratch his blonde head.


Oh, he's probably at our new home. It's over by besaid, actually, a small island there. She smiled at him as she answered, expecting no further questions.


If Cid's there, then how are we supposed to get to--


Before Tidus had a chance to finish his question, Rikku had bolted over to the control panel, slid on her goggles, and activated the motor.

Woo-hoo! Off to besaid! Rikku raised her right arm in a triumphant gesture, but quickly placed it back on the controls.

Lovely. WIth Rikku driving, it'd be a long and bumpy ride.


***


Wakka continued to stare at the statue, it brought a sense of comfort to him. It was the closest to Tidus he would ever be again.

Wakka sighed. It had been three years since Tidus' disappearance, yet his heart still ached for the boy who had...replaced Chappu. He felt shameful for saying it, for Chappu was his brother--but for yevons sake, it was true! Tidus was Wakka's brother in every way that counted to him.

I miss havin' you around, kid. He said, getting somewhat choked up.

I keep prayin' for a miracle, ya? Yuna's gonna marry a real jerk. Keep hopin' you'll turn up somehow.

(Who'm I kiddin'. He's dead. Wakka thought to himself. He knew Tidus was dead, but he never really came to terms with it. Neither did Yuna. In fact, no one had really accepted it other than Kimahri. He had always been he most down to earth of all of them, more skeptical, anyway. Even Lulu had said she missed Tidus. He made her happy, made her feel comfortable...more like a kid. Tidus' disappearance really did a number on a lot of lives. The tragedy was, he never knew how much they all cared about him. He never would.


Dammit', Wakka muttered, kicking the bottom of the statue. He took one last look at Tidus' statue, and turned--there was no use dreaming an impossible dream.


* * *


Back at the main tent, Yuna was holding strong. Her tears had been gone for a while now, and she was smiling again. Lulu had smiled, just a little. They hoped Tidus was happy...even though, deep down, they knew he never could be. Not without Yuna.


You know, I miss him a lot too. Lulu said, an almost-smile pursing her lips.

Yuna laughed, but it was somewhat sorrowful. Yes. We all miss him. He was a wonderful...man.


Kimahri told us about that night in macalania, Lulu teased, with a slight nudge to Yuna.

The girl turned a crimson shade. He did? O-oh! She was embarrassed quite a bit, but at the same time, happy because her friends were relaxed.


There was a slight gust of wind--and they both knew why. Lulu stared at her feet, refusing to stare up at who was inevitably Lector standing at the tent flap. Yuna did the same.



Oh, have I interrupted girl talk? My apologies. He glanced at Yuna and licked his lips.


Yuna shut her eyes, trembling at the mere sight of him. His menacing smile formed on his face, the dark shadows on his forehead were ominous.


Lady Yuna, if you would, come with me. He ordered, stretching out a dark hand.


Please, my Lord, if you would only give us a few minutes...I will...gladly come with you, Yuna said, barely hanging on to the tears which were on the brink of falling.


He sneered at her, and left the tent.


Yuna. Don't go with him if you don't want to.

I have to. She was trying to be as simple as possible, Lulu's words were so tempting.


Lulu paused. Yuna, why are you marrying him? Is it because you are afraid?


It took Yuna a few minutes to answer, it was a difficult question.

Yes...I think so, partially...and another part of me wants to get closer to him, the closer I am...the less I would be suspected if I were to...to eventually kill him. She said these words in a low whisper, she must be cautious with the dark lord so near.

I see... Lulu nodded at her. Yuna, be careful. Do not be hesitant to defend yourself.


She nodded, and trembling, she left the tent. Defend herself? That was a joke. How was she supposed to defend herself over such forces.

No sooner did the besaid air fill her lungs than did a harsh hand clamp around her wrist, dragging her to the nearest empty tent.


* * *


Tidus looked out of the airship window. The clouds whizzed past him, one by one, and they were dark. There was a storm approaching. They had to get there soon--between Rikku's fear of lightening and the fact they were in an airship, the outcome would not be good.

We're almost there, you know? Rikku said, turning to look at him.

Yeah, I know. Part of him was happy. Part of him was stressed. It was unavoidable; he was to dispose of Maester Lector. He was tired of fighting, he was tired of battle wounds. He was tired of wounding. He just wanted to live a happy life, with Yuna by his side. But this was their destiny, they were heroes. They were to destroy the evil the stopped the serenity from uprising to complete them.


Suddenly, a jolt shook the ship.


Tidus asked Rikku.


Nope, we've landed on besaid island! She jumped up and twirled around, proud of her accomplishments.


A flood of happiness went through Tidus. They were there. WIthin minutes he would see Yuna--and perhaps Lector. A confident smile crossed his lips. They defeated Sin, Seymour, and everyone else on the face of the planet. How difficult could one maester be?


* * *

Something is wrong. Lectors voice spooked Yuna...but not for long. Surprisingly, she suddenly felt a flood of warmth.



Authors Notes: Gotta love my cliffhangers. Heh. Alrighty! The reunion is in the next chapter! W00t W00t. It's gonna take me a while to post it, though, because I want to keep you hangin'. XD remember, e-mail is rikku@twisted.nu if you want to ask me to e-mail you when updates arrive. Or you could just be normal and check back every so often...how unlazy-like.