Chapter Two
But to my surprise the door swung open and I fell to the floor (once again and the second time today!). I didn't dare look up to the face of the golden angel. "Yunalesca?" he said in a surprised voice. "It's a pleasure to see you again. If you wanted to talk you should have just knocked. I would have been glad to talk to you...in fact I wanted to talk to you." "You did?" I shuddered without thinking. "Yes," he replied quickly. "Please. Would you like to come in?" Would I..? I'd love to! I might even run in!! I thought stupidly but caught my tongue before I could say it out loud. Instead of doing that I, as graceful as I could, walked inside (somehow I could remember my "lady lessons" at a time like this). His room was a dark midnight blue. All over the walls were pictures of Aeons or as my family called them, "Guardian Forces". "Cool!" I exclaimed. "You're interested in the study of Aeons! My family called them 'Guardian Forces'. Not many humans are interested in work of these beautiful, but yet powerful creatures!" Tidus nodded and smiled showing his beautiful, white sparkling teeth. I stood there in a daze. "Kind of reminds me of a young woman I know," he said still smiling. "Strong, but born with unimaginable beauty." "You mean Princess Aeris?" I said, once again not thinking. "Oh, much more beautiful and powerful then Princess Aeris." he said looking me straight in the eye. "So much more. It's unthinkable...I believe someday she could possibly become a High Summoner. If it weren't for my sister I think she would almost be one today." "You must mean my cousin Saleen," I said..not thinking again. How many times does it take for me to shut up?! "No, she's really not my type." he stated. I could see he was getting frustrated with me. For some reason at that time I wouldn't let myself think this wonderful woman could ever be me. "Well, if you love her she really must be a wonderful and honorable woman." I said and then suddenly, "I think I should go now. I'm just getting annoying." And I just got up and opened the door and left. He didn't try to stop me..no man probably would. I don't think any man even wants me. No wonder Squall broke up with me. I just ruined it! the thought ringed through my head. How stupid I am!! It was obviously me and I was just too blind to see that. But..what if it wasn't me? I could have made a real big fool out of myself back there. Then another voice informed me, Not as much as a fool as you just did back there. I sighed and laid my back against the cold marble wall. It possibly wasn't me. Why would a prince of his rate want a little girl like me? I am, just to inform you again, two years younger then he is. Does he not even care?! Maybe he doesn't know. But how could he not know? Just then I began to cry. My first real tears since my break-up with Squall..I remember crying for weeks on end after that. It was Endymion and the finding of Tidus that brought me back to see the good things in life again...without Squall or anyone to lean on. With all of this in mind a scary thought came into my head, Was suicide an answer? The only way out...? No, it wasn't. I had learned in my Bible studies that if one killed themselves they would surely go to hell. I wasn't about to do that...life was much better. I noticed someone was creeping down the hall in my direction. I quickly stood up straight and looked around the corner to face my stepbrother and his best friend. "Hey Endymion...Cloud." I said nodding my head. "Yuna. We heard what happened. What's up? I thought you absolutely loved Tidus." Cloud said. "I guess I was just too nervous," I told him. "And stupid...naïve." "I understand..." Endymion spoke up. "Love is such a terrible thing at sometimes. But it has great rewards in the end." That was the truth and I knew it...the cold hard truth, something I guess I couldn't handle yet. "You should tell him that!" Cloud said, cupping my chin in his hand. "Little Yunalesca, it's about time you finally had a good relationship. Squall's love wasn't real. Let me tell you one thing: Tidus' love is real. He's been through a lot and knows how to heal people with power of love. It's beautiful really. Just give him a chance and you can experience that." "But I don't know if I'm ready yet," I quivered. "I'm only 15...and the looks of it, still a girl." "You're not a girl, Yuna," Endymion told me. "Shante's a girl. You are a woman on the inside. You need to be that before you can be one on the outside. Believe me. You don't want to end up like Shante in a year, do you?" I shook my head right away. I would give death a try before I ended up like Shante the brat. "What should I do then? Go back there and tell him how I truly feel..?" "No, if Tidus is anything like his normal self he'd probably be wondering why you came back. Pretty boy there can have any girl he wants...even the angelic Princess Aeris." Cloud reminded me. "But we're not gonna let that happen, are we, Lady and future High Summoner Yunalesca Rosalay Wingly?" "How do you...?" "That's not important!" he broke in. How in the world did Cloud know my whole name? Normally me and Endymion don't give out our full names or each others. Now I know..stupid big mouth Squall!! "What is important is that he knows! And we're going to tell him and remind him how great you are! We'll have him thinking that he absolutely can't live a living moment with his 'Summoning Princess Yunalesca' as he puts it." I raised an eyebrow at the thought of that. Tidus thought of me as a Summoning Princess? A Summoning Princess (or Prince in some cases I guess) even surpass the great High Summoners. None have existed since the beginning of time (or so I'm told). Did he really expect that much out of me or saw some kind of hidden power deep within me? That I would have liked to see since I am such a weakling (according to Princess Shante who can't even stand a beetle or spider). "Does he really say those things?" I asked in disbelief. "Why does he like me?" Endymion placed his hands on my shoulders and looked down into my eyes. "Yes, he really did say those things," he said taking a deep breath. "And second..you really want to know why he likes you? You're full of life, energy, and power. He wants to protect that precious light until the end...being your lover or just guardian. You do have great powers, Yuna. You're only 15 and have much time to grow. Remember that." "That's right," Cloud spoke up again. "Be proud of who you are. You are one of the last remaining Summoners of our time, Yuna. And to keep your powers and let them grow I think you need to be with one of your own." "One of my own?" I said. "What do you mean? You mean Tidus is a...Summoner?" "That's right," Endymion said. "And me and Cloud think you guys should stay together. It almost seems kind of like fate...having two Summoners in this palace." I had to agree on that one. Wasn't it kind of strange that two of the last Summoners in the whole world together in one place (Mother doesn't count because she's a High Summoner). During my studies I found out there are only 20 Summoners alive today and 6 High Summoners. What happened to them all? Were they all killed or what? I feel really sorry for those who died probably because of their powers. Did Endymion understand my pain for them, being half Summoner and all? "You're right," I agreed. "I want to tell him all of these things but I fear he wouldn't even listen to me anymore. I ruined it and I feel so stupid!" "We still have one more chance, Yuna," Cloud said. "Tomorrow night is the birthday of Princess Shante and everyone will be all dressed up. Maybe if we disguised you enough he wouldn't be able to realize it's you and that would give him the chance to get to know you better." "But don't forget everyone will be there.." Endymion broke in. "Including Princess Aeris." "-Bad word- That totally sucks!" Cloud exclaimed. "But how about we get both Shana and Saleen to dress them up? The two of them should make this easy." "Maybe..." I just stood there in a daze. I could see it right now...the lovely Princess Aeris in my golden angel's arms, dancing with him, and much worse. I won't let that happen! I thought to myself. I'll die before I let that happen, I can tell you that much! "I'm getting tired..." I told them, which wasn't exactly a lie. All these thoughts and memories re-filling my head made me somewhat drowsy. I needed to get to my own room again to let out some steam...to cry. I think Endymion understood and nodded Cloud good night and ushered me off to bed. "You know, Yuna," he said once we were outside my bedroom door. "If there's anything you want to talk about, anything at all. Maybe about being a Summoner or the painful destruction of Sitora...I just want you to know, I'm right here." I bowed my head and murmured, "Thank you. You must really understand." With that I opened my bedroom door and he walked away, down the cold, frigid halls. After I closed my door I looked around my room. My walls were painted a midnight blue (just like Tidus' I might add) with decorations of stars, feathers, and moon flowers plastered on. I straightened out my baby blue rabbit bed spread before I threw myself onto it. I guess I still was a little girl. This is all too much, I thought releasing a heavy sigh. Why did I have to go and make things so complicated? I ruined everything as I always do! What the heck is wrong with me?! I think I seriously need help or----- A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. I jumped up and slowly walked over to the door, afraid to open it. You know it's not going to be Tidus, I told myself. You totally scared him away. With this in mind I opened the door to face my best friend, Shana Twilight...another survivor of the terrible destruction of Sitora. We told each other everything and I think she was the person I needed to see right now. "Oh Yuna..." she said giving me a hug and reading my mind. "May I come in? I want to hear everything, honey." I nodded and she walked in after me, closing the door behind me. "Some things just never change, do they?" she said with a smiled. She must have been talking about my bed spread. A little grin appeared on my face...I was feeling a little better already. After that moment I found myself spilling out everything that came to mind, even the immature things. Shana nodded but didn't interrupt. Her icy blue eyes were filled with concern and she kept playing with her short dark brown hair. It was also like she felt my pain as a Summoner...but I guess deep down inside we are the same; human. Once I was done telling my story she stood up off of my bed and looked down at me. For some weird reason I was turning a bright red. "There's something you're not telling me," she said. "What is it?" "What? I told you everything from the heart." I informed her, which was the truth. "Well, I think there's more. Tell me." She was so demanding but I didn't know what she was talking about. I had told her everything, hadn't I? Wait a second! I didn't tell her that Tidus is a Summoner. I felt it was my duty to protect him and as a Summoner myself, not tell anyone else about him. Even though Endymion and Cloud had said it so casually like it was an every day thing I took it very seriously. Didn't they know how many Summoners are left? Shouldn't we be keeping this to ourselves since there are spies all around the palace. Does our race not matter to them anymore? Or has everyone turned their backs on me? "I can't..." I shuddered. "Why? Is it about Tidus? Is the truth that you made out with him and then told him, 'We can't be together because I'm a Summoner'?" she joked. I didn't laugh because; 1) Shana knows that I can't even really kiss a guy properly. 2) I guess that was half the truth. I said those things to him because I thought I was just a lowly Summoner and he could never love me. "Half of that is the truth," I said. "The half about me making out with him is not possible, but the Summoner part is some what correct. The reason I thought he could never love me was because I thought I was just a lowly Summoner who hasn't gotten very far with my powers." "But we both know that's Shante's fault." Shana reminded me. "She's the one that won't let you become a High Summoner because she can't get a fricken' boyfriend!" I shook my head and looked down at the ground. Sometimes Shana's modesty can really scare me. "I'm going to tell him about this and he'll be wanting you back for sure!" she yelled and stormed out of the room. -Bad word- I should have stopped her! Now she's going to make things even worse. If I could have stopped her we would have just come by Cloud's plan. I might as well just get it into my head that it's over. He has Aeris now. I sighed and fell back onto my bed. I found tears streaming down my cheek and felt terribly weak. Now I was just a lowly Summoner with no life, and no love! My meaning is gone. I am going to die....
But to my surprise the door swung open and I fell to the floor (once again and the second time today!). I didn't dare look up to the face of the golden angel. "Yunalesca?" he said in a surprised voice. "It's a pleasure to see you again. If you wanted to talk you should have just knocked. I would have been glad to talk to you...in fact I wanted to talk to you." "You did?" I shuddered without thinking. "Yes," he replied quickly. "Please. Would you like to come in?" Would I..? I'd love to! I might even run in!! I thought stupidly but caught my tongue before I could say it out loud. Instead of doing that I, as graceful as I could, walked inside (somehow I could remember my "lady lessons" at a time like this). His room was a dark midnight blue. All over the walls were pictures of Aeons or as my family called them, "Guardian Forces". "Cool!" I exclaimed. "You're interested in the study of Aeons! My family called them 'Guardian Forces'. Not many humans are interested in work of these beautiful, but yet powerful creatures!" Tidus nodded and smiled showing his beautiful, white sparkling teeth. I stood there in a daze. "Kind of reminds me of a young woman I know," he said still smiling. "Strong, but born with unimaginable beauty." "You mean Princess Aeris?" I said, once again not thinking. "Oh, much more beautiful and powerful then Princess Aeris." he said looking me straight in the eye. "So much more. It's unthinkable...I believe someday she could possibly become a High Summoner. If it weren't for my sister I think she would almost be one today." "You must mean my cousin Saleen," I said..not thinking again. How many times does it take for me to shut up?! "No, she's really not my type." he stated. I could see he was getting frustrated with me. For some reason at that time I wouldn't let myself think this wonderful woman could ever be me. "Well, if you love her she really must be a wonderful and honorable woman." I said and then suddenly, "I think I should go now. I'm just getting annoying." And I just got up and opened the door and left. He didn't try to stop me..no man probably would. I don't think any man even wants me. No wonder Squall broke up with me. I just ruined it! the thought ringed through my head. How stupid I am!! It was obviously me and I was just too blind to see that. But..what if it wasn't me? I could have made a real big fool out of myself back there. Then another voice informed me, Not as much as a fool as you just did back there. I sighed and laid my back against the cold marble wall. It possibly wasn't me. Why would a prince of his rate want a little girl like me? I am, just to inform you again, two years younger then he is. Does he not even care?! Maybe he doesn't know. But how could he not know? Just then I began to cry. My first real tears since my break-up with Squall..I remember crying for weeks on end after that. It was Endymion and the finding of Tidus that brought me back to see the good things in life again...without Squall or anyone to lean on. With all of this in mind a scary thought came into my head, Was suicide an answer? The only way out...? No, it wasn't. I had learned in my Bible studies that if one killed themselves they would surely go to hell. I wasn't about to do that...life was much better. I noticed someone was creeping down the hall in my direction. I quickly stood up straight and looked around the corner to face my stepbrother and his best friend. "Hey Endymion...Cloud." I said nodding my head. "Yuna. We heard what happened. What's up? I thought you absolutely loved Tidus." Cloud said. "I guess I was just too nervous," I told him. "And stupid...naïve." "I understand..." Endymion spoke up. "Love is such a terrible thing at sometimes. But it has great rewards in the end." That was the truth and I knew it...the cold hard truth, something I guess I couldn't handle yet. "You should tell him that!" Cloud said, cupping my chin in his hand. "Little Yunalesca, it's about time you finally had a good relationship. Squall's love wasn't real. Let me tell you one thing: Tidus' love is real. He's been through a lot and knows how to heal people with power of love. It's beautiful really. Just give him a chance and you can experience that." "But I don't know if I'm ready yet," I quivered. "I'm only 15...and the looks of it, still a girl." "You're not a girl, Yuna," Endymion told me. "Shante's a girl. You are a woman on the inside. You need to be that before you can be one on the outside. Believe me. You don't want to end up like Shante in a year, do you?" I shook my head right away. I would give death a try before I ended up like Shante the brat. "What should I do then? Go back there and tell him how I truly feel..?" "No, if Tidus is anything like his normal self he'd probably be wondering why you came back. Pretty boy there can have any girl he wants...even the angelic Princess Aeris." Cloud reminded me. "But we're not gonna let that happen, are we, Lady and future High Summoner Yunalesca Rosalay Wingly?" "How do you...?" "That's not important!" he broke in. How in the world did Cloud know my whole name? Normally me and Endymion don't give out our full names or each others. Now I know..stupid big mouth Squall!! "What is important is that he knows! And we're going to tell him and remind him how great you are! We'll have him thinking that he absolutely can't live a living moment with his 'Summoning Princess Yunalesca' as he puts it." I raised an eyebrow at the thought of that. Tidus thought of me as a Summoning Princess? A Summoning Princess (or Prince in some cases I guess) even surpass the great High Summoners. None have existed since the beginning of time (or so I'm told). Did he really expect that much out of me or saw some kind of hidden power deep within me? That I would have liked to see since I am such a weakling (according to Princess Shante who can't even stand a beetle or spider). "Does he really say those things?" I asked in disbelief. "Why does he like me?" Endymion placed his hands on my shoulders and looked down into my eyes. "Yes, he really did say those things," he said taking a deep breath. "And second..you really want to know why he likes you? You're full of life, energy, and power. He wants to protect that precious light until the end...being your lover or just guardian. You do have great powers, Yuna. You're only 15 and have much time to grow. Remember that." "That's right," Cloud spoke up again. "Be proud of who you are. You are one of the last remaining Summoners of our time, Yuna. And to keep your powers and let them grow I think you need to be with one of your own." "One of my own?" I said. "What do you mean? You mean Tidus is a...Summoner?" "That's right," Endymion said. "And me and Cloud think you guys should stay together. It almost seems kind of like fate...having two Summoners in this palace." I had to agree on that one. Wasn't it kind of strange that two of the last Summoners in the whole world together in one place (Mother doesn't count because she's a High Summoner). During my studies I found out there are only 20 Summoners alive today and 6 High Summoners. What happened to them all? Were they all killed or what? I feel really sorry for those who died probably because of their powers. Did Endymion understand my pain for them, being half Summoner and all? "You're right," I agreed. "I want to tell him all of these things but I fear he wouldn't even listen to me anymore. I ruined it and I feel so stupid!" "We still have one more chance, Yuna," Cloud said. "Tomorrow night is the birthday of Princess Shante and everyone will be all dressed up. Maybe if we disguised you enough he wouldn't be able to realize it's you and that would give him the chance to get to know you better." "But don't forget everyone will be there.." Endymion broke in. "Including Princess Aeris." "-Bad word- That totally sucks!" Cloud exclaimed. "But how about we get both Shana and Saleen to dress them up? The two of them should make this easy." "Maybe..." I just stood there in a daze. I could see it right now...the lovely Princess Aeris in my golden angel's arms, dancing with him, and much worse. I won't let that happen! I thought to myself. I'll die before I let that happen, I can tell you that much! "I'm getting tired..." I told them, which wasn't exactly a lie. All these thoughts and memories re-filling my head made me somewhat drowsy. I needed to get to my own room again to let out some steam...to cry. I think Endymion understood and nodded Cloud good night and ushered me off to bed. "You know, Yuna," he said once we were outside my bedroom door. "If there's anything you want to talk about, anything at all. Maybe about being a Summoner or the painful destruction of Sitora...I just want you to know, I'm right here." I bowed my head and murmured, "Thank you. You must really understand." With that I opened my bedroom door and he walked away, down the cold, frigid halls. After I closed my door I looked around my room. My walls were painted a midnight blue (just like Tidus' I might add) with decorations of stars, feathers, and moon flowers plastered on. I straightened out my baby blue rabbit bed spread before I threw myself onto it. I guess I still was a little girl. This is all too much, I thought releasing a heavy sigh. Why did I have to go and make things so complicated? I ruined everything as I always do! What the heck is wrong with me?! I think I seriously need help or----- A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. I jumped up and slowly walked over to the door, afraid to open it. You know it's not going to be Tidus, I told myself. You totally scared him away. With this in mind I opened the door to face my best friend, Shana Twilight...another survivor of the terrible destruction of Sitora. We told each other everything and I think she was the person I needed to see right now. "Oh Yuna..." she said giving me a hug and reading my mind. "May I come in? I want to hear everything, honey." I nodded and she walked in after me, closing the door behind me. "Some things just never change, do they?" she said with a smiled. She must have been talking about my bed spread. A little grin appeared on my face...I was feeling a little better already. After that moment I found myself spilling out everything that came to mind, even the immature things. Shana nodded but didn't interrupt. Her icy blue eyes were filled with concern and she kept playing with her short dark brown hair. It was also like she felt my pain as a Summoner...but I guess deep down inside we are the same; human. Once I was done telling my story she stood up off of my bed and looked down at me. For some weird reason I was turning a bright red. "There's something you're not telling me," she said. "What is it?" "What? I told you everything from the heart." I informed her, which was the truth. "Well, I think there's more. Tell me." She was so demanding but I didn't know what she was talking about. I had told her everything, hadn't I? Wait a second! I didn't tell her that Tidus is a Summoner. I felt it was my duty to protect him and as a Summoner myself, not tell anyone else about him. Even though Endymion and Cloud had said it so casually like it was an every day thing I took it very seriously. Didn't they know how many Summoners are left? Shouldn't we be keeping this to ourselves since there are spies all around the palace. Does our race not matter to them anymore? Or has everyone turned their backs on me? "I can't..." I shuddered. "Why? Is it about Tidus? Is the truth that you made out with him and then told him, 'We can't be together because I'm a Summoner'?" she joked. I didn't laugh because; 1) Shana knows that I can't even really kiss a guy properly. 2) I guess that was half the truth. I said those things to him because I thought I was just a lowly Summoner and he could never love me. "Half of that is the truth," I said. "The half about me making out with him is not possible, but the Summoner part is some what correct. The reason I thought he could never love me was because I thought I was just a lowly Summoner who hasn't gotten very far with my powers." "But we both know that's Shante's fault." Shana reminded me. "She's the one that won't let you become a High Summoner because she can't get a fricken' boyfriend!" I shook my head and looked down at the ground. Sometimes Shana's modesty can really scare me. "I'm going to tell him about this and he'll be wanting you back for sure!" she yelled and stormed out of the room. -Bad word- I should have stopped her! Now she's going to make things even worse. If I could have stopped her we would have just come by Cloud's plan. I might as well just get it into my head that it's over. He has Aeris now. I sighed and fell back onto my bed. I found tears streaming down my cheek and felt terribly weak. Now I was just a lowly Summoner with no life, and no love! My meaning is gone. I am going to die....