A week later
Yuna sighed and looked down over the village of Besaid. It was late evening and the sun was setting in the west, illuminating the sky in various shades of red, orange, and yellow. From her vantage point she could easily see all of her hometown with the ocean looming far away in the background. She was sitting on top of the Besaid Temple trying to clear her head.
It's been a week since the abduction and so far there has been no leads. As much as Tidus wants to believe Mangus stole Chappu, she thought to herself, it just doesn't make sense. Mangus, the stern, balding man who is one of Luzzu's chief agents could not have been involved. He was in Bevelle that day and the next, with witnesses to validate where he was and when. But Tidus swears up and down that he saw him with a "suspicious looking bundle" in his arms. Tidus also said that he looks more like a mercenary than a political ally.
She sighed again. Her legs were dangling over the side of the temple. Even though she was about three stories into the air the height didn't seem to affect her much. Actually, truth be known, this is her favorite place in Besaid. She used to sneak up here with Wakka, Lulu, and Chappu when they were kids. They repeatedly got scolded for it, Wakka and Lulu probably the most because they were a few years older. They were supposed to be the responsible ones and looking out for the younger kids. Little did the parents know that they, Wakka especially, were the most mischievous ones of them all. But he wasn't to blame; all of them would never listen to reason. Their family always used to say "You're going to play around up there and fall off one day," but that never seemed to faze them. They really didn't have true parents, due to Sin. But they were kind of adopted by the village elders and those parents whose children were killed by Sin's attack.
Going up here was like a forbidden thing that the kids could and would do. Just the sheer exhilaration of doing something that they were not supposed to, coupled with the thrill of being on the highest point of Besaid, was enough to continually tempt them as they were growing up.
Yuna seldom comes up here much anymore, and when she does, it's either to reminisce or try to relax. Ever since Chappu went off to war they quit coming up here. It just never quite seemed the same. That was the time that she had officially quit growing up. After that Lulu went on her first pilgrimage as a guardian. When they got word Chappu died in battle, she came back immediately. The loss was huge to Yuna, even though she wasn't his girlfriend like Lulu was and wasn't family like Wakka was, the pain still was insurmountable. He was family, she thought, just not the same blood.
Life was so much simpler when she was growing up. All she had to worry about was her studies and what to do after classes. Even the more complicated things seem trivial. If somebody stole a cookie and you thought it was the kid down the street, and you searched long enough you found out you were right. There was no massive conspiracy, no arch criminal, nobody who was a serious threat. It was always objective, something you could find, something you could fight, and it was always simple.
She sighed again as she stood up. The sun had fallen below the horizon now. Obviously Tidus was going to wonder what happened to her. Why hadn't I invited him up here with me? She thought to herself. It was only obvious that she would want her man up here when she was going through a lot. Trying to comfort your best friend after her infant child was snatched was quite a lot to go through. Plus trying to deal with an amnesiac boyfriend was a lot of pressure also. But he's not an amnesiac, her mind defended. He remembered his time in Zanarkand.
And that was what Yuna didn't like. Why did Tidus not remember the things that were important to him? Or the things that was important to her? Maybe those memories aren't as important. Maybe his time in Spira wasn't the best times in his life. "No," she said aloud shaking her head. But still she couldn't shake the thoughts. Tidus is gone, another thought erupted through her mind. "No," she said, louder this time. There's always some part of her mind that wants to draw back from this whole situation. There's always some part of her being that expects the worst. This part of her mind still loves Tidus. The statue that was erected in his honor, the one that she passed on her way to the roof, will always represent the Tidus that she loves. No matter what happens to her, that part of her mind is always there, nagging, saying things like 'He will never be the same.' That's probably why she wanted to be alone. She cared immensely for him, but something just wasn't the same. Ever since that night, a week ago, when they were as close as she has ever been with any guy, they've slipped apart some. She didn't know if it was tension, the situation, or just how everything has changed this past week, but something was there.
If there was only some way out of this, she thought to herself. If there was some way that I could get out of this downward spiral of death and disappointment. Looking downward, she morbidly found a way. No way, she viciously thought while shaking her head. I'm not going to do anything like that. True, it would be a way out, but it would be a cheaters way out. Besides, people depend on me; Lulu needs me, and I love Tidus.
'But it isn't the Tidus you love,' the small voice persisted. She shook her head and a look of determination suddenly impressed across her face. I'm strong, she thought to herself. Just like my father before me. A sudden feeling of pride came over her at the thought of her dad. I won't cop out that easily, she finally thought.
Tidus stepped out of Wakka and Lulu's hut. He had been consoling Wakka almost non-stop for the past week. Lulu somehow always hid her emotions well, or so everyone told him. So she had been relatively in better shape after the initial hysteria worn off. Wakka on the other hand has been a complete mess. He always seemed as if he needed someone by, just to talk to, or to be with. Kimahri was more than willing to be there for him and Lulu both. Granted he was the best listener someone could ask for, he wasn't much on the consoling part. So Tidus had volunteered to stay by their side. In light of the news, Rikku decided to take a leave of absence and come back for a few days. Tidus suspected that wasn't the most approved action she has recently done in the Assembly.
And now in the late evening, Tidus stepped out of Lulu and Wakka's hut wanting nothing but to come home and sleep. As he was walking down the street towards his hut, he couldn't help but realize how different the feel of his town has changed. Since the abduction, the entire village has been put on edge, with people suspecting everyone and everything of the crime. He realized that some people probably suspected him too. They probably thought that him claiming to see Mangus was a smokescreen. People had even asked him why he was out that late anyway…
Tidus suddenly clinched his teeth and grabbed his head. "Ahh," he groaned. For the past few days he has been experiencing some bad headaches. This one has all the potential to be the worst one yet. He put his head inside both of his arms and bent over a little bit. The pain was excruciating.
"Hey," he heard a voice call out.
He could barely recognize the voice, and whom it belonged to.
"Are you all right??" it came again. Rikku, his mind lulled.
"My head," he managed to stumble out. "It hurts."
"Easy," she said as she came up and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Easy there. Lets get you home."
The trek to his hut seemed to take forever, but by the time they made it the pain lessened a little. "Here," he heard Rikku say as she sat him down on his bed. "Lay down, wontcha?"
Tidus wasn't going to argue. He plopped down and immediately the pain alleviated some.
"You need anything?" Rikku asked precariously.
"No," Tidus replied. "I'm just going to rest."
"Ok then," Rikku started. "Take care of yourself, you hear me?"
"Thanks," he muttered. But already he could feel the warm blanket of sleep wrap its arms around him.
Rikku sighed before adding, "What would you ever do without me?" Not getting a response, she shook her head then walked out the door.
-----
The wind had picked up, blowing her clothes and hair back. All the light had drained out of the sky by now, enveloping Besaid in a veil of blackness. The only light to be seen was the soft candlelight coming out of the windows of the huts. There was no moon tonight, and everything seemed a lot darker. It was fitting, she thought. Yuna was still standing on top of the temple in the middle of town. For some reason, she couldn't find the strength to go back down, even though the air suddenly had a cold hint to it. Far off in the distance she could see lightning ripple through the sky. It was still far away, out in the depths of the sea. She stared as more lightning came, shooting down and touching the ocean. There's a storm coming, she thought to herself. Her toes were dangling off of the edge, as she was standing precariously close. She was three stories high. More than enough, she thought to herself. Yuna closed her eyes, trying to block out the world, and everything in it. Suddenly her eyes shot open and her body jumped in shock. Somewhere off in the distance, the thunder clapped loud enough to be felt in her chest…
Yuna fell.
------
"Hmmm," Tidus moaned into the darkness.
He was in the stage between sleep and awake. The part where images came to life and everything had a mystical quality. He was in the state where a thought could take off on it's own power and turn into a rampant dream. Tidus was tossing and turning as if he was having a nightmare, or if his headache was back. They all seemed to be connected: his headache, the images, and nightmares. Outside a loud crack of thunder startled him, but more importantly, it startled his mind. Images fluttered through his brain. Battles, fighting, a lot of fighting, the Calm Lands, Mount Gagazet, and finally, Macalania Lake.
"Yuna!" he screamed as he woke up, rising up out of the bed. Suddenly more images flooded his mind…
-----
Images flooded her mind too. Her first thought was, I'm going to die. Then more thoughts and feelings came into her mind. Macalania Lake, Tidus, her father, Lulu, the last time she saw her, the sending, and finally…
The sandy streets of Besaid rushed up and struck her at the end of her fall.
----
Author's notes
1—Ok, I know that was a bit brash, and I know some of you people think I went waaay out of character here with Yuna. Many of you are probably pissed and wont even read any further. You guys are the ones that want to take my head off right now. However, things aren't quite as they seem.
2—Everything's owned by Squaresoft….even my soul.
3—That was the angstiest chapter so far, and that's probably as dark and angsty as this thing will get, a great relief for you and all of you Yuna lovers (myself included, contrary to popular belief).
4—Wow, there was a mad rush of reviews. Thanks guys, 'preciate it. Oh, Sanguine Guardian, just so you know, during the game before the battle of Mi'Ihen Highroad, your choices affect the fate of Luzzu and Gatta. When I played through, Luzzu was left to live and Gatta died in battle. That's just the way I played and the way this story is based on. (I think you have to talk to Gatta twice and pick the bottom option both times, but I'm not exactly sure.) Thanks for that insightful review though. Yeah I know, that whole "scenario" you referred to was risky, and I did have second thoughts about doing it, but I think it was kinda necessary in the grand scheme of things.
5—Thanks for the support everyone (Fire Rules, Sanguine Guardian, Cloud, Shooting Star), and especially Trey Loose. You've been there since the beginning kid.
