Dedications and et cetera:
Aria O. Will: I tried to write quickly ^^'' I might take a bit between updates since I'm not used to being a fanfictionist anymore ^^'' Usually either my best work or my worst comes out when I stay up late…hehe ^^ It's fun to experiment ^_^
Tansoku: I'm glad you like my story so far ^^ Isn't it amazing what things can inspire a person, like food? Hehe ^^ I hope my story's interesting…it might just be strange now though, because I wrote most of this chapter while trying to act like I was listening to my chatterbox science partner ^^'' heh
Mazianz39: Thanks for the compliment! I'm hoping to continue this ^^ I like the plot so far…maybe if I get into writing this story more, I'll write more fanfiction again ^_^ That would be fun!
Von: Sorry for keeping you waiting! I was grounded from the computer for a while…*sweatdrops* I'll try to update it more often! I'm not sure if I'll update it incredibly soon, however, because I'm going to Japan for a week and ½ , starting Thursday ^^ I'll have to write between then and on the plane. I was going to make this a longer chapter, but if I'd gone with that plan I probably wouldn't have updated until after I came back…my friend told me that I'd better simply post what I had, in case all of you got together and planned to murder me…heh *sweatdrops* I hope that you like this smallish chapter, neway ^^ Don't really know if it's going to be "heavy" or not…I've got a rough outline, but I'm also kinda making it up as I go ^^ I'm fairly sure that it'll be light for the next few chapters or so though ^^ It depends on what you mean by "heavy"… puuu…there might be some angst at the end, but nothing rated R or anything like that… ^^''
Yaoi Junkie: Yay! I'm so glad you like my fic so far!! ^_^ It was nice to read your comment, especially since I've read some of your stories…. Eeh, I feel like I should be the one to praise you! You're such a great writer ^^ Wakka/Tidus forever! Hehe ^^
mana: Sorry! I'll try to update more often!! Really! ^^'' If I start to update less just review or email me and tell me to stop being lazy! ^^'' One of my friends is mad at me because I've written chapters to stories, but have never typed them ^^'' heh…I have an evil habit of procrastinating…-_-;;
Okay ^_^ Now that I've said hi to everyone that reviewed so far (thanks! I love getting reviews! Hehe ^^)… on to the next chapter!
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"Urgh…" Wakka slowly came back to consciousness, groaning slightly as his senses became clearer. A dull ache resonated throughout his body, and he coughed, clenching his fists. Each second passed with more clarity than the one before, and he opened his eyes. Vision blurred, he gazed towards his right at a fuzzy yellow object. He focused on it, starting when his sight cleared and he realized that the thing was actually Tidus' head. The blonde boy lay a ways away from him, partly on his side and partly on his stomach, still unconscious. Wakka groaned and moved to sit up, gasping slightly as a gash on his arm grazed the pebbly ground. He crawled over to Tidus, head pounding with headache and dizziness. Tidus' breathing was shallow, understandable as he was face down in the dirt. Wakka hesitated, checking the younger boy for broken bones (there were none) before turning Tidus onto his back. He winced as he caught sight of Tidus' front; cuts and bruises swamped the majority of his body. Imprints of dirt and pebbles scarred his face. Wakka unlaced his vest, folding it and placing it under Tidus' head to serve as a pillow. He checked himself for injuries as well; he had suffered a nasty cut on his lower right arm, and had notable more bruises than the last time he'd checked ('Probably from that fall, ya?' he mused as he looked back up at the rather tall cliff), but all in all he hadn't seemed to take much damage. At least in comparison to Tidus. Wakka sighed and grabbed a small medical pouch from his pocket; he had a lot of healing to acomplish.
~Tidus' Dream~
Falling. They were falling. 'They? Who's they?' 'I don't know…' All he knew was that he wasn't alone. Tidus turned to see who the other person than himself was, but suddenly couldn't see anything. All was dark; his senses were clouded with shadows. "Where am I?" he wanted to scream, make himself heard, but he couldn't open his mouth. It reminded him of the first time he'd met Sin; everything was dark, painful, confusing, chaotic. Tidus squinted, having stopped falling for the meantime. He was in a dark expanse, the only light coming from a shadowy form in the corner. The form moved, growing larger and taking human shape. It started towards him, gaining size and brightness with each step. Tidus recognized the person as they loomed nearer, and he choked and started to back away. "…Jecht…!"
~Real World~
Wakka carefully fed the remains of the hi-potion to Tidus, making sure that the boy swallowed everything. He had cleaned and bandaged his own and the younger boy's wounds, and now that they were sure to not be infected from the outside it was only right to drink a potion to heal the body from the inside as well. It would make the pain and actual wound heal incredibly faster. Wakka drank part of a hi-potion as well, feeling his cuts and bruises begin to scab over and disappear as he did so. His body would be as good as new within a few hours, and Tidus' as well a while after that. Both guardian's looked sufficiently less scruffy after the treatment, and Wakka sighed in relief. His head stopped throbbing as he looked up at the cliff. A winding path climbed up the cliff from where he sat. It would surely take a full day to arrive at the top, not counting their ailments. The sunlight was fading through the surrounding trees already, and Wakka shivered as he thought of how long he'd been unconscious. Now that the day was swiftly meshing with night the road would soon be riddled with fiends. Wakka stood and stretched while gazing warily about. The place they'd been stranded on was open, vulnerable to an attack. They would need to travel further up the path to a more protected area to be able to rest and wait out the night. There was only one problem….
Tidus was still out cold. And judging from the slow rate that the boy's wounds were healing at, he probably still would be for a few more hours. Wakka sighed. He'd have to carry the younger boy, as there was no time to wait for Tidus to awaken. Even if Tidus woke, he still might have to help him walk, as it would be hard for the boy to carry himself far with his weakened body. Wakka knelt and lifted Tidus slightly, resting the boy's head on his lap as he put his vest back on. Then he scooped Tidus into his arms and stood up, cradling him gently. He began to walk up the path, slowly as to not trip over anything in the darkening twilight.
~Tidus' Dream~
He tried to run, escape from his old man. But no matter how fast he ran, Jecht was always faster. Jecht always won. Tidus cursed; maybe he'd never get away…. His father's voice taunted him, shouting, "I'm the best." Tidus slowed, hatred coursing through his mind. He didn't want to fight…not now. Not alone. He turned around to face his father; there wasn't any use wasting energy trying to flee from the inevitable. Jecht came nearer to him…Tidus could see the self-confident sneer on his lips, smell the all-too-familiar scent of alcohol in his breath. Tidus blinked. He mustn't be afraid. He had to stand up to his father, show him that he, Tidus, was worth something. He had to stop his old man; if what Auron said was true, that Jecht was Sin, he would have to stop his old man from destroying anything again. He mustn't cry. Jecht couldn't always be the best. Tidus swallowed and looked up at his father's face, feeling anger and fear obstruct his throat. But before either of the emotions could grow and flood his mind, a hand touched his shoulder. The hand stayed, seeming to symbolize comfort and protection as warmth radiated from it into his body. He remembered that he wasn't alone…. He turned and looked up at his companion. Tidus smiled, a childish warm feeling of protection smiting his anxiety as Wakka drew him close. Wakka wouldn't let Jecht hurt him. They could defeat Jecht together. His vision darkened as his sudden calm enveloped him, and Jecht disappeared. He was all alone with Wakka. His legs felt weak and his head throbbed as they gave out. His vision swam as if he was feverish, and he collapsed against the older boy. He was so confused. He felt drowsy as Wakka lifted him, feeling as if he would drift into sleep at any moment. Strong arms circled his body and held him up, and he pressed his face into a warm shoulder. He was so tired…he couldn't think anymore. The only feeling he had was gratitude towards his hero….Wakka was his hero, wasn't he? He had saved him from Jecht. He yawned, whispering a thank you to Wakka, and leaned up, pressing his lips lightly against Wakka's jaw. He closed his eyes, feeling Wakka draw him closer, and curled up tightly against his friend, falling asleep.
~End of Tidus' Dream~
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I hope that that wasn't too crazy ^^'' I tend to write dreams strangely…ah well, I write them as I dream them ^_^ I don't think they're meant to be very clear and understandable. Sorry that it was kind of short! ^^ I'll try to write out the next chapter soon, but don't expect it for at least two weeks or so…yay! I can't wait to go to Japan! Hehe ^_^
As always, I love reviews ^^
See ya!
-Miniji ^.~