Authors Note: Can you believe it!? Chapter 8 at last! Oh, how exciting! I was really not intending to write it so soon, but I came back from hartford and found my review box had been added to quite a bit. Very grateful. Alas, my friends, the romance chapter of my dramatic, somewhat odd fanfic. All you saps'll like this one. It's going to get good, so brace yourself and make sure you didn't take any recent laxatives. a-haha. Sorry. Bad attempt at a joke. Erin: ksjgksdfbh.




Yuna awoke to the slight dripping sound of the morning showers cascading down her tent. She allowed her mind to wander for a minute, and suddenly snapped her eyes open. She had to make sure it was not a dream; but how could it be? She slept so well the previous night, better than she had in such a long time. But that was no guarantee. She had to find Tidus; she had to confirm. She hurriedly slipped on her boots, and brushed her hair out with her fingers. She smoothed out her kimono and raced outside. It was still morning; early morning. But the people were up.


It was a known fact that everyone in besaid were early birds. There was much to be done there, especially now.


But she was not aware of this.


She stepped into the main tent, finding that it was unoccupied. She left almost as quickly as she had come, stopping only to shake her hair free of the falling dew drops.


Yuna stopped a passerby so suddenly, he dropped the bread he was carrying.


Oh, I'm sorry.. She said, bending over to pick up the following pieces. She dusted them off, and then proceeded to talk. Do you know where Lulu or Wakka might be?

She wanted to ask him if he knew where Tidus was. However, if everything was a dream, she would sound more than ridiculous asking for a person long since deceased.


Lady Lulu is over by the cemetery, I think, as for Wakka--I think he went off with Sir Tidus.


The man laughed as he saw the flush in Yuna's cheek when he said the name Tidus'. Before thanking him, she rushed off in the direction of the cemetery.

Her frantic run was stopped momentarily as she noticed a dark smoke rising in the distance.

I wonder what that could be...? She shrugged it off and continued forward to find Lulu.

She didn't want to walk the path to the ocean alone, after all.


* * *


Tidus lyed on the beach, sighing deeply as the gently waves lapped against his body. Rikku sat not too far away, while Wakka floated about two feet away from shore.


It had been only a matter of minutes before he had seen Yuna, but it felt like hours. He wanted more than anything to wake her up, and take her to watch the sun rise. But he knew full well that it would only harm her. She needed rest.

But he yearned to hold her, to talk to her. It was awkward, then, talking to her. They both needed time to get used to his being back. Hopefully, all would be well soon.

Soon, but not right away. War was on the brink of toppling over, and they were in the middle.


It was a bad place to be. Talk of war had spread quickly through besaid, and luckily, it had not spread further. Whispers would reach scalesti if it did so, and Lector as well. It would be a surprise attack, not one predicted. This would give them an advantage. A slight one, but an advantage.


They would need plenty; and they had few.


Tidus thought to himself. There were a few set backs, and even more so advantages against the scalites.


For one, they would undoubtedly use their power to control many people of Spira, thus having more people on their side. Another, the underwater placement of scalesti would be difficult to reach.


On the plus side--


The guardians had a cause.


They had willpower; a reason to fight. Their experience far outweighed that of the scalites; or did it? It was impossible to confirm, but it was most probable. Grand Summoner (as the peoples called Yuna, since she was the grandest of all high summoners) Yuna and her guardians. What better an army could you have?


There was also the help of the Al Bhed and their incredible Machina. This would come in handy when time drew near to blow up Scalesti.


There was the former Crusaders, they had been informed of the upcoming war--and had, as predicted, sided with Tidus & co.


All former summoners, as well, had joined forces with them. The blitzers had gathered their blitzballs and volunteered.



That only left the guado.



They were weak, as most people knew. Frigid little people whom only had power; and that had pretty much been stripped from them.


Words broke Tidus' train of thought.



I'm a little nervous now, been thinking it through. I remembered when the guado attacked our home on Bikanel island...it was so scary. Rikku's voice was filled with an indecisive tone.


Yeah, but we gotta do it to save Yuna...and ourselves... Wakka spoke. Each other. He said, looking at Rikku.


She smiled at him, and nodded. You're right, Wakka. If we have any hope of leading normal lives, we have to kill all scalites--and anyone who gets in our way.


Both Tidus and Wakka nodded at this.


I just don't...I mean...I hope nothing happens to one of us.. Tidus' voice was worried. It was an unfamiliar tone coming from him; it sent a shiver down Rikku's spine.


Hey, we beat sin, remember? All--most of us made it out okay, in the end.. She smiled.



I wish Sir Auron were here with us... Wakka said. His expertise would be useful, ya?



Yeah...they would be. Tidus had not yet shared with anyone the fact Auron came to him in his sleep. It was better that way; he could ask Auron himself, without people pestering him--ask auron this, ask auron that the thought of it gave him the creeps. As if he wasn't pestered enough already.

Rikku looked up, and waddled over to Wakka. She gently placed one of her arms on his strong shoulder. Wakka was surprised at her touch; she had never been like that before..


It'll be okay, you'll see. We don't need Auron, we can do this ourselves. She stood, and walked back over to where she had sat prior to her comforting.


Wakka, still bedazzled, managed a nod and a before speaking fully again.



We still gotta tell Yuna, ya? But first, you better go talk to her, so the first thing out of your mouth isn't hey yuna, we're goin' to war with your fiancé!'


Good plan.


And with that, he stood, and trotted off back to camp; his brotherhood tucked under his belt.



* * *


Yuna tried to be quiet so as not to startle her friend. Lulu stood there, staring off at the grave of Chappu.


She acknowledged Yuna's standing there, and spoke.


I wish...Chappu would come back. Just as Tidus had... Her words came out as a choked up whisper--they seemed to float up into the sky; they were absorbed by the clouds.


Yuna shut her eyes. She suddenly realized just how lucky she was; and at the same time, realized just how ridiculous she had been about Tidus' disappearance. Chappu had disappeared from Lulu, but she did not remain depressed or sad. She instead became a guardian, in her own way, avenging Chappu's death. She had been a women about it.


Yuna had been a baby.


But none of that mattered now, because Tidus was with them. Perhaps, as a blessing bestowed upon them...Chappu would return as well. But it was not likely.


I'm sorry. I didn't mean to--

Lulu was cut off by Yuna's quick response.

No, really...I shouldn't have interrupted.


Lulu laughed. It's all right. Where is he, anyway?

Yuna asked, frowning.


Again, lulu laughed. Why, Tidus, of course.


He's at the beach with Wakka--I was just going to head down there, but I thought I'd come and get you first. She said, kneeling down next to Lulu.


There's no need, she said, gesturing with her head to the area behind Yuna.

The girl looked around, and smiled, as Tidus' tanned figure jogged towards them.


Hi guys. He said. It sounded awkward, not an appropriate first time greeting.


Lulu smiled, as did Yuna.


I was just coming to look for you... She said, it was a calm voice she spoke with.


He smiled back. No need, I came to you.


You always do, said Yuna.


Oh, by the way, can I-uh--talk to you for a minute? Alone? he asked, glancing at Lulu quickly before resting his eyes upon his love.


Lulu stood and left, her long skirts uprising the dust that had settled on the grass.



I--is something wrong? Yuna asked, a look of worry spreading her delicate face.



No, no...well...It depends on how you look at it. He looked away.



You aren't going to leave me again, are you? She asked.


No, no! Nothing like that! He shook his head violently. Yuna...we're going to war with the Scalites. It was so blunt, so straight forward. It probably helped.


I suspected---no, I hoped you would... She said, inching closer to him.


You did? I mean, that's good. Tidus now found himself a few centimeters from where Yuna sat.



Just as long as you are here with me, I can just about withstand anything, she said, placing one of her loving hands on his shoulder.


He responded by placing his own hand on top of hers; he smiled at her. He leaned forward, cocked his head to the side, squinted, and placed his lips on hers.



* * *



Wakka and Rikku had barely said two words after Tidus left. It was awkward, somewhat, being there alone--each of them feeling confused as to how the other felt. Wakka was breaking out in a sweat, it was all too much for him. Rikku remained fascinated by her twiddling thumbs, not able to look up at him.


S-so Rikku, what kinda machina is Cid makin' for us? Wakka spat out the words so quickly that it surprised him. He didn't know what else to talk about--simple talk was just about the only thing he was good at.



Rikku's speaking faded off, for she found herself lost in Wakka's chocolate colored eyes. They were so kind, so welcoming. She wanted more than anything for them to stare at her forever.


He anticipated her answer, but savored the feeling of her staring at him. What was she doing, anyway?



He asked, trying not to break the eye connection.


O-oh! Sorry, I just--I.. She turned a deep shade of crimson, and hid her cheeks with her hands.


Well? Are we just gonna blow em up or what? He asked, trying to loosen her up.



W-well...he's made some missile attachments to the airship--for the big ones. He also made some kinda underwater ship--I think he called it a submarine. We can launch torpedo's at them through that...


Wakka hadn't heard a word she had said. He, too, found himself in the same position she had been in moments before. He continued to stare, a look of longing on his face.


It was then that the thought crossed Rikku's mind--


Was Wakka in love with her?


Authors Note: This chapter was a bit longer, too, I think it's for the better. Sorry the last one was so short, but I was running out of ideas and I didn't want to break the flow of it or whatever. Anyhoo, next chapter is going to be a blow up--hopefully you will like it. Again, feel free to email me with any questions or comments-
rikku@twisted.nu

--Kacey