Brother
Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy, ok?
Tidus sighed, and regarded his room. He really hadn't felt anything since he had been thrown from the Farplane, and he certainly didn't feel like he would need to sleep.
I cant even touch the bed. he said flatly, I guess I'll just sit around for nine hours until Rikku wakes up.
Tidus began wondering why he had been pushed out of the Farplane, Rikku had said that she had seen Isaaru in Guadosalam, so he might not be the only ghost around.
He sighed, pacing around. Could it have something to do with the Faith? Weren't they connected with the Farplane somehow? The Faith themselves had said they where tired of dreaming, and they wanted to rest. Tidus didn't know, reasoning wasn't his best talent, and soon his thoughts changed to Yuna, and how much he missed her, and how happy she would be to see him again.
*****
Rikku hadn't really slept well that night, and she was almost as exhausted when she woke up as when she fell asleep. The only reason that she could drag herself out of bed was the thought that she would get to travel with Tidus again today, and that was a feeling she had really missed.
He said cheerfully as she returned to the lobby.
she said, lacking her usual energy. They where just walking out the door when Rin walked in to oversee the business.
Oh my! He cried, seeing Tidus, You're dead!
Yea, I still am. He said, passing his hand through a rack of potions.
You have to tell Lady Yuna as soon as possible! He told Rikku urgently.
Yea, Where on our way to Yunie's right now. Rikku told him.
Why don't you stay here? Your brother should be coming with the airship next week. Rin suggested.
I think we can make better time on foot, Bevelle is only about three or four days walk from here.
Rin nodded, But you should tell Brother he is back.
Rikku looked uncomfortable for an instant under Tidus's questioning glance, but all she said was I doubt Tidus can play Blitzball like he is.
Of course.
Could you tell Brother for me when he gets here? Rikku called over her shoulder when she was leaving, You'll probably see him before me.
The then began their trek through the second half of the thunder plains. Rikku estimated they could be at the boundary of Macalania by sunset, then on the road to Bevelle the day after.
They hit practically no fiends, and their progress was hindered only by Rikku's frequent stops. Every time they got to a tower, Rikku would stop, catch her breath, and rest a few minutes, before braving the next mad dash to the next tower.
After about the fifth stop, Tidus began to feel guilty. Rikku, are you sure you want to keep going? We could wait for the Airship at Rin's, it really doesn't matter to me.
It's Ok, Rikku didn't look at him, but she managed to smile a little I wouldn't want to cross the Thunder plains with anyone other than you. She tried to make her voice sound joking, but, what she said was true.
And it looks like our luck is getting worse, the sky is even more overcast than normal, It looks like it will start raining any second. Tidus wasn't too worried about himself, but he knew Rikku would get soaked from head to foot. An image of her all wet after she had been swimming sprung into his head, and he grinned slightly.
That's great. She muttered, Now instead of being cold and scared, I'll be wet and cold and scared. She stood up, shuddering as the thunder clapped again, and Lightening hit the tower they where under. Lets get going, the less we have to walk in the rain the better.
They jogged along for another ten minutes or so, and then it started pouring right as they got to the next tower. Rikku miserably sank down, crossing her arms over her chest, trying not to shiver.
Tidus on the other hand was regarding his arms, and he was shocked to discover that the water was actually hitting him, and then rolling down his arms and face. Was he solid again? He would have to test it.
Hey Rikku! He turned to her, but she was already up.
Yea, I see it, there's a calm in the storm, lets run.
He took off after her and yelled No look!
She stopped and waited for him to catch up, What is it Tidus?
Before he could say anything the sky flashed for a second, and Rikku hastily jumped back. Tidus didn't move, forgetting that he wasn't intangible.
An instant later, the lightening hit him square on the head and he was thrown backwards, like he had been when he crossed the plains in Yuna's Pilgrimage.
Tidus! What the hell happened! Can lightening hit you? Rikku was kneeling next to him, almost before he opened his eyes. She cautiously reached out a finger and brushed it against one of his temples.
She cried, and scrambled back, when she felt that his head was solid.
I think, Tidus reached down and picked up a rock I think that I get solid when I'm all wet.
I don't know, but that's the only thing I can think of.
To his surprise Rikku jumped forward and hugged him Tidus!! That's wonderful!
I guess . . . He muttered, surprised.
Hearing his tone, Rikku released him, and started starring at the ground. We have more good news to tell Yunie. she managed to stutter.
Tidus stared at the Al Bhed girl for a second, he could tell that she was blushing again, why was she always blushing?! He shook his head, the way she kept mentioning Yuna seemed a lot like the way he had kept using Sin's Toxin as an excuse when he first came to Spira.
Yes we do. he agreed, humoring her, but making a mental note to ask her what the heck was the matter later.
*****
Rikku jumped for joy when the clouds broke, and they where entering Macalania, I don't think I could have taken much more of that thunder!
Yea, I was scared to death! Tidus agreed.
Shut up! Rikku pouted, Anyway, this looks like a good place to set up camp, its almost sunset.
In a little wile, they had a fire going, and Rikku sprinkled some purifying salts into the flames to keep the fiends away, then sat down next to Tidus, who was drying, and becoming intangible again.
I had a good Idea to keep you wet! She rummaged in the pouch on her leg. Use this to teach yourself She handed him a black magic sphere, And I'll equip this with Waterproof, so it should just get you all wet. She pulled out a shield she had gotten from a fiend and started rummaging through her pack for some fish scales.
In a little under an hour Tidus could keep himself sopping, it wasn't very comfortable, but he liked being able to hold things again.
He doubted he would need to sleep again that night, but even though he could have made much better time without Rikku, really enjoyed traveling with her.
He glanced over at her, and realized her eyes where brimming with tears, and she was hastily wipeing them away as she watched the flames.
Ok Rikku, what's wrong? You would always be so chatty at night during the Pilgrimage! We never had trouble talking, so something really must be eating you alive.
Rikku looked at him, she would have to tell him something, or else he would keep hounding her. Well, he was kinda slow on the uptake sometimes, he didn't realize that killing Sin would Kill Yunie, so maybe if she made it vague enough he wouldn't suspect.
Well, a wile ago I met this boy. she started.
Oh, a romance problem.
And we where really hitting it off until he met a friend of mine, then he fell head over heels for her, but I still like him too.
Well lets see . . . Tidus began to think about Rikku's Problem, it was almost comical that he didn't realize the boy was him.
Rikku smiled slightly, it would be just like Yunie's pilgrimage, he wouldn't get it until she spelled it out for him. She grimaced at the memory, nobody wants to tell the boy they had a crush on that the girl he had a crush on was going to die. When she had said it he had been so distraught that Rikku had realized beyond a shadow o a doubt that he would never like her as anything more than a friend.
I think you should tell him.
Rikku asked, coming back to reality.
I think you should tell him what a jerk he was, and, and, start crying, guys hate it when they make girls cry. You can do better than a scum bag like him.
Rikku started laughing, in spite of herself, and Tidus grinned, happy that she wasn't depressed anymore. Then she made a mental note, now that Tidus had Solved' her problem, she couldn't let her guard down again.
Rikku and Yuna where similar, they didn't want people to worry about them, and when they where sad they would act like nothing was the matter. Only Rikku was much better at this than Yuna, and the happier she acted, the more torn up she felt inside.
Are you getting tired? Tidus asked, mistaking Rikku's contemplation for drowsiness.
Yea! A little! Rikku replied, plastering a fake smile on her face, I guess I better get to bed! Rikku began setting up her blankets, Aren't you going to sleep?
Not yet, but I'll see you in the morning.
*****
The next morning the sun woke Rikku, and she sat up. Tidus was in the exact same spot that she left him.
Didn't you sleep? she asked smiling.
Oh, no, I don't really get tired now. He said.
Rikku punched him in the arm, but he was dry and her hand passed through him.
You just SAT there for nine hours? She asked.
Tidus! Weren't you board?
Nah, I'm ok, I got all the time in the world.
If you say so.
They headed out again, around lunchtime they got to the fork in the path where the left would take you into the treetops, and the right would take you to Bevelle and the Calm lands.
Rikku let out a strangled cry that made Tidus jump. When He followed her gaze he saw the Airship on its side, he could only see part of it above the treetops, where a cloud of smoke was forming, but it had obviously crashed sometime that morning.
Brother! Father! Rikku bolted towards the airship, slashing anything in front of her, whether it was a bush, or a fiend with such ferocity that Tidus, even though he was intangible would have thought twice before stepping into her path.
Soon enough they reached the site, it didn't look to bad, there was no flames, and gore like he had dreaded, largely, it looked more like an emergency landing than an actual crash.
Rikku located him, rushed over and hugged him.
Tidus got he feeling that they where very close, he had been the one to make a point of asking him in English to protect Rikku before the final battle. Rikku would always sit next to him in the bridge where they had talked softly in Al Bhed. He had Asked Yuna what they where saying once and was surprised to learn that she didn't speak Al Bhed, even though it was her mother's native tongue.
Rikku's brother then caught a glimpse of Tidus. Rikku, Did not he die? he asked in his faltering English.
Tidus grinned and waved.
We have a lot to talk about Brother. Rikku told him, Tidus has come back from the dead, and he isn't the only one, something is wrong with the Farplane, its breaking down or something.
Brother gave her a blank look, and Rikku giggled slightly and repeated herself in Al Bhed.
Yea, I think it has something to do with the Faith. Tidus said all of a sudden.
How do you know that? Rikku asked
They told me they where tired of dreaming, and it seems funny that the Farplane only starts to break down after Sin's defeated, and the Faith stop dreaming, and the Aeons die. he added thoughtfully.
Yea, I bet that's it! Rikku grinned and clapped her hands.
Brother shot her a glance out of the corner of his eye that seemed to say Who do you think you're fooling? Something's really bugging you and you better have a good answer when I ask you later!'
Rikku laughed nervously, shrinking slightly away from his gaze.
And Brother you know what? Rikku told me she likes some guy that dumped her for one of her friends, have you met this guy? He sounds like a real jerk.
Brother froze and starred at Tidus, it looked as if he where deciding whether to laugh or hit him, and he seemed to be leaning towards the latter.
Rikku quickly raised her hand and passed it over her throat, effectively telling her brother to be quiet, and not blow her cover.
I have not meet them. Brother said through clenched teeth, Rikku and me will have talk later.
What happened with the airship? Rikku asked, trying to change the subject.
Over-hot? No, Overheated. Brother told them We fly again by tomorrow morning.
Why don't we stick around? It will save us a day if we go by Airship. Do you think you could take us to Bevelle? Its pretty close.
Why do you want to go to Bevelle so fast? Brother asked, but Rikku could tell he was really asking Why do you want to get their quicker, Wouldn't you rather be alone with Tidus?'
We have important news for Yunie.
Tidus said rather sheepishly, Could we go to Besaid?
Brother raised his eyebrows, Is far, but we where headed there.
Why do you want to go there? Rikku asked.
Well, I wanna see Wakka and Lulu, Maybe they'll come with us, and we can have a little reunion.
Rikku nodded, Tidus was a bad lair, and she guessed he was probably getting cold feet about seeing Yunie.
