Author's Note: I have a lot to tell you guys I suppose, so I'm gonna save alllll my author's notes for the end, okay? Okay! :D

Chapter V: More than a Shadow of Doubt

"We are losing ground… their numbers are far too many for our small military to control. We need some help from outside forces, or we will not be able to contain them much longer."

They all sat across from Imam Guado, President of Guadosalam, in the large boardroom of the mansion. Tidus thought it was far too close to the enemy for comfort.

It had been about a week since the army of undead arrived. Undead… it was the best way to describe them, he thought. He and Yuna decided that it would be best for Tidus to stick around until they were positive the Farplane needed his assistance.

They had just returned from their anniversary vacation in Luca when they found out about the attack on Guadosalam. When Yuna gently touched his shoulder, Tidus' thoughts returned to the conversation at hand.

"I see," he proclaimed irately. Things were looking bleak… he and his wife had made a decision together. They had decided that he would go to the Farplane to check things out. Yes, it was unfortunately becoming quite obvious that he had to leave.

He hadn't told anyone, with the exception of Yuna, about his visions. Maybe it was time to spill the beans.

"The problem needs to be taken care of from the inside," Tidus said softly. His comment roused the attention of his comrades, and he looked serenely at them all. Yuna urged him to continue.

"There's something Yuna and I haven't been… forthcoming about. Let me explain."

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"So you're telling me that your buddies from the Farplane have been giving you whacked out messages, telling you to come help them?" Wakka asked curiously. Tidus nodded slowly in response. It *did* sound ludicrous, now that he thought about it.

"Brudda, are you feeling alright?" Wakka looked at his friend. He never thought Tidus to be crazy, but right now he had his doubts.

Yuna decided she needed to interject.

"Everyone… he's telling the truth." Yuna looked at Tidus, visually prodding him. "Come on, show them sweetie."

"After the last conversation I had with my dad, Yuna and I found this in our house. We have no clue how it got there."

He pulled out the emerald blade… everyone gasped and immediately knew that Tidus was telling the truth. The banishing blade he was talking about… its craftsmanship was *not* of Spiran origin.

Tidus looked at the blade in disgust. They didn't stumble across it until they returned from their vacation. "Thank goodness," Tidus thought solemnly.

He remembered Yuna's reaction when she saw it. Hysteria wouldn't be the word… more like immense sorrow. At that point, she knew all of it was for real. At that point, any hope she had to keep her beloved on Spira crumbled. It wasn't a joke or a mistake… he would have to leave.

"So what does this all mean?" Rikku asked, interrupting Tidus' thoughts. "It's giving me a headache."

Ignoring Rikku's pouting, he started speaking once again. "It means I have to go and find out what's going on. I really *don't* know what it means… all I know is that Kaemon needs to be stopped."

"Alright… when do we leave?" Wakka asked matter-of-factly.

"*We* don't leave," Tidus said stoically. "I leave… they only asked me to come. I don't want all of you getting wrapped up in this." Rikku shriveled her nose at the comment.

"Men… you pig headed man! Big fat stupid head, you left for the Farplane like that last time. You're not gonna do it again without some help!"

Rikku looked at her cousin, her green eyes wide with enthusiasm. "Right, Yunie? You want him to have some help!" She looked at her carefully. "Right?"

Yuna was unsure if Tidus would get upset with her if she were to agree. The prospect of him having assistance and companionship, however, sounded like a good idea. She would have gone with him herself, but a certain something kept that from happening…

She looked at Tidus respectfully and lifted her head so her eyes could meet his. "I think it *would* be a good idea… at least for the camaraderie."

Tidus looked miffed. "Yuna, I…"

"No buts!" Lulu interrupted harshly, surprising everyone in the room and causing Tidus to jump. "I will not stand here and see Yuna's heart broken once again. You need to go, and I understand that… but you must go with some help. You *will* return to your wife."

If looks could kill, Tidus would have been stone cold dead.

Lulu's terrifying stature reduced Tidus' reaction to a fearful shrug in agreement. It was clear that he was too shell-shocked from Lulu's outburst to object receiving assistance, no matter how badly he might have wanted to. Lulu looked satisfied, and Rikku gave her an ecstatic grin and a victorious thumbs-up when she walked by to take her seat, much to Tidus' consternation.

"Me an' Rikku should go with you, ya? Lulu can take care of Yuna until we get back, right Lu?"

Nodding in response, Lulu looked at Tidus evilly once again, emphasizing the fact that he had to comply with their wishes. "What about Kimahri?"

"No can do," Wakka stated flatly. "He's still not back from Gagazet, and we don't have any way to contact him... the only thing we could do is wait for him to get back, I guess."

"We don't have time for that," Tidus stated. "I guess it'll just be the three of us."

Rikku giggled shortly thereafter. "Then it's settled! It'll be just like the olden days, like when we fought the underwater bad guys and such!"

Imam Guado waited patiently for the interlude to near its completion… upon finding an opening to speak, he took it greedily.

"About the issue with reinforcements… Lady Yuna, would you be kind enough to contact Luca or Bevelle for some troops? We can't hold out much longer."

Her fame in Spira was nothing to sneeze at, and it would be relatively easy for her to get some troops for Guadosalam.

Yuna nodded vigorously in response. "Of course… I'll contact them in the morning, if it can wait until then." Imam nodded in relief.

"Out of curiosity, Imam," Lulu said questioningly. "What have these… creatures been doing with your defeated men? You mentioned earlier that they just seem to disappear."

"That's a good question, Lady Lulu," Imam replied. "The only thing I can make of the situation is that they've been taking them back through the gate…"

"They want more baddies," Rikku said, interrupting the Guado leader. Noticing the questioning stares she was receiving she decided to elaborate.

"Well, duh! They're undead creepy zombie monster things, right? They're killing the soldiers and taking them back to make more undead creepy zombie monster things. It's like an endless cycle, y'know?"

Everyone's face brightened at Rikku's theory. It made perfect sense, in a Rikku sort of way.

"That would explain what my dad was talking about," Tidus said to no one in particular.

"He said that nothing was keeping the living from the Farplane. Kaemon's welcoming the living with open arms, so they can… become dead." Tidus averted his gaze to Imam.

"Imam, have your soldiers had any luck in killing those things?"

"Why yes," he replied. "We've destroyed a great deal of them with guns and swords…"

Tidus looked at his emerald blade. "This thing probably won't work against them then… how can you banish something to hell when that's where it came from in the first place?" Everyone nodded in reply.

"So, when should we leave?" Wakka asked curiously.

"Tomorrow… first thing in the morning," Tidus said sternly. Yuna looked at him sadly.

So soon?

Every fiber of her body wanted to scream in protest. Instead, she looked sadly at her husband for a moment and shifted her gaze to the plush carpeted floor.

She then thought about her husband… how his leadership abilities have grown. He always was the hero. Yet again, it was his story… she held back the tears.

"Speaking of which," Tidus proclaimed, looking in Wakka's direction. "I… I don't think that blitz ball of yours is gonna work."

"Wha…" Wakka stuttered. "But I like my blitz ball brudda! Come on, World Champion would work!"

"I think Tidus is right," Lulu said, ignoring Wakka's forlorn gaze. "A blitz ball would be rather ineffective against these foes."

"You can use Avenger… it has death strike, so it should be pretty effective," Tidus proclaimed. "I know you don't really kick butt with a sword, but you'll learn pretty quick."

Wakka nodded weakly in reply, too upset to object. Rikku smacked him repeatedly on the back, feigning comfort.

"Rikku, can your dad fly me to Besaid so I can get it for him?"

Rikku stopped smacking Wakka on the back and looked at Tidus. "I'm pretty sure… I'll get in touch with him and find out, k?" Tidus nodded and looked around the room.

"Well, it looks like we're all set. We'll leave at sunrise, I suppose… let's get out of here."

Everyone looked at Tidus and stood up from their seats. Upon bidding farewell to Imam, they all departed for the inn.

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Lulu stood on the patio of the hotel restaurant. Having just finished talking to Yuna, she sighed at the mental image of the crying young woman. At the time, Tidus was off getting Wakka his sword, and Lulu comforted her friend the best she knew how.

He admired the strength that Yuna was trying to show her husband. And on top of that… the pregnancy. "How hard it must be for her," she thought sadly.

Tidus… she would've been lying if she were to say that she wasn't angry with him. To think that he wanted to go alone! The nerve of him… Rikku summed it up nicely when she said "pig headed man." But at the same time, she realized that he meant well... no one could stay mad at Tidus for *very* long.

"Hey."

Lulu jumped in surprise, only to find out that it was Wakka.

"You startled me."

"Sorry."

Wakka walked up to stand beside her on the edge of the patio and joined her in star gazing.

"You would've thought all this fighting would have been over by now, ya? Makes me wonder if we're ever gonna get a break."

Lulu had to nod in agreement. Fate kept throwing Spira so many curve balls, and she had to ponder if it *would* ever end.

"I feel bad for Yuna."

"I do too," Wakka said sadly. "And she was so happy… I never saw her so happy in my life!" he proclaimed vividly, illustrating his comment with goofy gestures.

Lulu turned to face Wakka. "You and Rikku are going to get him back safe?" Wakka nodded in response.

"You betcha... you're gonna be a good midwife for Yuna, ya? She'll need all the help she can get while Tidus is gone." Lulu nodded briskly and looked at Wakka pensively.

"*You* are going to get yourself back in one piece… right?" Wakka looked at her for a moment and grinned.

"As long as I can learn this sword, ya?" he proclaimed, pulling the sword out of its sheath and waving the blade around wildly. Lulu turned away from him abruptly.

"That's not funny."

Wakka regretted his actions and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry. I guess all these hard times are making me try to be a little lighthearted… ya?" Lulu said nothing, but turned around quickly and embraced him.

"Just come home… for me."

After the initial shock of her embrace left him, he tightened his hold on her slender waist.

"I will…"

Lulu decided to try her hand at a joke. "If you don't, I'll have my Onion Knight finish the job before the zombies do."

Wakka laughed loudly, not noticing the tears that were streaming down Lulu's face.

From a distance, Rikku saw them embrace… she smiled and decided that privacy would be good for them. As she turned and walked in the direction of her bedroom, she glanced at them one last time. She would do her best to get Yuna and Lulu's men back to them…

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"Hold me this one last night…"

He really didn't like those words. Yuna, always the optimistic Yuna, being pessimistic. He *really* didn't like it.

"Don't say things like that," Tidus proclaimed softly, trying to make her realize that he would do everything he could to return to her.

He didn't want to leave in the first place.

Yuna trembled softly in his arms… a dead give away that she was crying. Tidus concluded that her pregnancy must make her already unbearable situation even worse, and he wrapped his comforting arms around her to ward off the tears.

"Yuna, it's okay. I'll have Wakka, Rikku... and Kimahri with me." Yuna looked up at him questioningly, and Tidus decided to explain.

"He was waiting for us in Besaid when I went to get the sword... he returned from Mount Gagazet early and insisted on coming with me after I explained what was going on. You know Kimahri wouldn't let anything happen to me..."

Tidus looked at her carefully... his soothing words weren't helping. "Lulu will be here to take care of you too... everything will be fine." She fidgeted in his arms a little and looked up at him.

"Then why won't you promise me you'll come back?" she asked sadly.

"Because I'm not gonna make myself a liar if I can't. Just… trust me." She didn't reply, but simply buried her head deeper into his chest, her disheveled hair brushing past her husband's forehead.

He took in the scent of her hair… he wouldn't be able to smell that familiar smell for a while, and it upset him. Not being able to hold her in his arms… it angered him. He just wanted peace, with Yuna by his side.

Obviously, the powers that be thought it was too much to ask… so, here they were again. They were at another crossroads in their relationship, but yet again it was through no fault of their own. Tidus tightened his grasp on her.

Yuna looked at her husband, tears streaming down her face. She would remember the look that he gave her at that moment. Pure love… it was the best way to describe it. She would cherish that gaze forever.

"If I never see you again…" she started.

"I told you, don't talk that w-…"

"Let me finish… please," Yuna begged, looking at Tidus pleadingly. He nodded in reluctant agreement.

"If I never see you again, just… just know that you were the best thing that ever happened to me, to all of Spira." She tearfully collapsed in his arms once again, consuming his warmth for any comfort she might have been able to grab from it.

He held her for a few moments. He didn't want to say it… he couldn't say it. But he slipped, and he *did* say it... he prayed he wouldn't regret the words.

"I… I'll come back… I promise." Yuna looked up at him, a glimmer of hope renewed on her face.

"Even if it's a lie," She said. "Even if it turns out to be a lie… I'll cherish that lie forever. I'll cherish *you* forever."

She kissed him hotly as she melted into him once again.

"Make love to me… make love to me tonight," she gasped as Tidus kissed her neck passionately.

Tidus undressed her hastily and gazed at her… he'd never thought maternity could look so good on a woman. Maybe it was his love for her… maybe it was because she was beautiful regardless. It didn't matter.

"You… you were the best thing to ever happen to me too," Tidus said solemnly as he crawled on top of her. In unison, they said it together.

I love you…

As they made love that night, possibly for the last time, they cherished their bond with each other. Their bond… it was one that could never be broken, never would be.

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They held each other in bed, their naked bodies keeping each other blissfully warm. It was late… Tidus would be drained in the morning, but neither of them wanted the night to end.

It was too… perfect.

"You should go to sleep," Yuna said softly as she kissed him tenderly.

"Nuh uhh… I'm not going to leave you just yet. Sleep… would be me leaving you."

Yuna couldn't help but giggle. "You must be really tired… that hardly made any sense." Tidus grinned sleepily and nestled his head on top of her shoulder.

"You know I don't wanna leave, right?" he asked slowly.

"Of course… but it has to be done."

"But why can't someone else do it?" Tidus asked, demanding an answer from no one in particular.

"I've questioned that myself… because you're Sir Tidus, savior of Spira, and a pretty good blitz ball player too," she proclaimed, grinning awkwardly.

"I'm glad you're smiling."

"Me too… I won't be tomorrow though." Tidus sighed.

"At least you're being honest." Tidus yawned loudly, subconsciously tightening his hold on Yuna.

"You *should* go to bed… I don't want you getting yourself killed because you were tired from a night of passionate lovemaking with your wife."

Tidus laughed... "Yeah, okay… love you."

"Love you too."

They fell asleep in each other's arms, maybe for the last time, maybe not. Tidus knew one thing… he would do everything he could to get back to her. After all, he made her a promise... he wasn't about to break it.

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Author's Notes: Well, there you go, Chapter Five… I was gonna make it a little longer, maybe by about 1000 words or so, but it just felt completely, entirely, totally, *finished*. I guess it's just one of those author things.

Ahh, Tidus and Yuna, and Gaspeth! Lulu and Wakka…! I dunno, it reminds me of a movie or something, the men heading off to war, leaving their women. As for Rikku, well, you'll see… muhaha!

For all of you who are reading this for the non-fluff aspect of the story, sorry… but there couldn't be any other way for Yuna and Tidus to say their goodbyes, right? Besides, I wanna please *everyone* who's reading this story. Besides, I really do like fluff… but this is fluff with a plot. ^_^

Alright, this is the long part… I'd really like to apologize for the lack of updates. It's been almost one month since I've written a chapter, most definitely the longest I've ever gone without updating. There are a number of reasons for that, but most of it boils down to a very stressful Timmeh.

Let's see, in the course of one month, my wife and I have been worried that she was pregnant, which turned out to be not the case. I'll tell you, waiting for the news is actually worse than getting the news, you know?

Also, we bought a new car, which is a big financial strain initially due to the down payment, insurance prorated increases, etc.

School started as well last week, and in that same week I was sick, so that left out writing.

And worse of all, and it came down really hard on my wife and I… a good friend of ours… his father killed himself a couple of weeks ago. It was really disturbing, as he was such a good man, and well, I'm pretty sure I don't have to explain myself too much.

So yeah, writing has kinda been not a major priority lately. But I *am* glad to have written this chapter, and I really hope to write with greater regularity real soon.

"Shadow of Doubt," composed by Yoko Kanno and Majme Mizoguchi kept me going while I was writing this. It's from Escaflowne… *wants to see Escaflowne* Ahh well, I'm too poor for expensive anime, and I have no broadband internet, so boo hoo for me.

Hehe, note the chapter name too… I decided it's easier to get chapter titles from anime and music than thinking of them myself ^_^

And last but not least, thanks to Shad for helping me out with minor details on this, such as one of Tidus' swords names, etc. Shaddeh, you're always a great help in everything, and I appreciate it *a lot*

Anyways, please tell me what you thought of this chapter. A little encouragement would be, uhh, really encouraging. This author needs some of that right now. *Holds up a big "I'm not begging" sign.* Seriously, I'm not… but some reviews would be realllly nice. Thanks a bunch, and until next chapter.

Fire Rules