The Fayth


Disclaimer: Gee wiz, I don't own Final Fantasy.

Tidus rushed towards the Bridge of the airship. He had almost dropped his teeth due to surprise when Rikku had asked him that Question. The Faith must be looking out for him, because he would rather face Seymour than Answer her question.

He hurriedly walked down the hallway, the worst part about it was that he had no answer for her. a simple No would have been untrue, a simple yes would have been an exaggeration, and a maybe' was to changeable.

Tidus shook his head, unsuccessfully attempting to clear it, and walked through the sliding Machina doors and looked dully at the Towers of Bevelle. Rikku emerged from behind him and stopped next to him, following his gaze.

Out of the corner of her eye, Rikku could see Tidus. He was staring at Bevelle with a look of bleak determination threaded through his features. Rikku turned her head slightly so she could see him better, and felt the color in her face rise a bit.

Of course he would jump to conclusions because of her question. Of course he would assume that if she wanted to know if he liked her than naturally, she would like him, Tidus could be narcissistic that way. His eyes wavered ever so slightly, and she turned her head totally away from him, had he seen her looking at him? Either way, she was sure she couldn't face him after this.

Cid looked at her annoyed, Are you ready?

Sure, Pops! Rikku bounced, summoning her perkiest smile to her lips.

Then we go.

They all reached forward and touched the sphere, and where teliported to the inside of Bevelle's castle.

***

Rikku's eyes wandered over the ornate ceiling of the room they where in. Her father and Seymour where having a heated argument, and wile the first hour was entertaining, even interesting, as the minutes lagged on, Rikku found herself becoming more and more bored.

What did she care about ancient Treaties of War etiquette or how far the Guado stepped over the line. She had been through worse when she was on Yuna's Pilgrimage. She was the total fifth wheel, or seventh as the case may be.

Her eyes slowly came to rest on Yunie. She is a good actress, Rikku thought. Yuna not only looked interested and engrossed in the argument, which was launching into its third hour, but she had barely looked at Tidus. Her eyes hardly ever strayed from her husband, and when they did they wouldn't make their way toward Tidus.

Rikku realized that it was probably tearing them apart inside, and part of her felt satisfied that they got to feel how she felt, and had to masquerade as being happy as she did, wile the other part felt depressed that this was happening, and in some way, it was probably her fault. She should have just thrown Tidus back into the Farplane the Instant he fell out.

Rikku bit her lip and pouted at the floor, how the heck did she get caught up in this love triangle anyway?

. . . Right Rikku?

Rikku jumped on hearing her name, and looked up to see Cid looking at her expectantly.

I . . . Uhh . . . What was the question? Rikku asked, reddening in shame as the entire company turned to look at her.

Oh Rikku, You don't look so good. Yunie said rising,

Rikku almost said You just noticed, Yunie?' but caught it before it slipped off her tongue.

Why don't you come with my and lay down for a wile?

Rikku nodded, and numbly followed her cousin out of the room.
***

As soon as the left the room and Yuna closed the door behind her, Rikku turned and regarded her cousin with a worried expression.

Rikku! You have to help me!

Rikku's anger at her cousin melted when she heard her desperate tone.

What's wrong Yunie?!

You have to get rid of Seymour. Yuna looked pleadingly at her cousin, I cant, I cant stay like this much more. She laughed ruefully, Three months, God Rikku, cant you do SOMETHING?

Rikku hugged her cousin, What can I do? I don't think you can fix the Farplane with Machina.

Oh, I don't know, Get the Faith to pray, figure out a spell, Put a waterfall and a wall over the doorway, please?

Alright, I'll go to Zanarkand and find a way, I promise Yunie. Then a thought struck her, But then Tidus would . . . Rikku trailed off.

Loose Tidus again? She lost him so many times that it seemed foolish to even try to hold onto him any longer. She lost him once over the Ship, twice to Yunie, and once to death.

Yuna seemed to read her thoughts , they where probably written all over her face.

I know it's a lot to ask you Rikku, but, please . . . ?

Rikku sighed, Yunie was family, they had to look out for each other. She resigned herself to loose Tidus again to death.

Perhaps this time she could muster the courage to tell him she loved him. Aboard the airship she hadn't been able to, Yunie had confessed, and they hugged, how could she have done anything, and what could she have said? Yea, Tidus, I know You love Yunie and all but I just wanted to say I love you too before you died.'

I swear I'll get you out of this Yunie. Rikku promised again. But how do I kill a dead man? she asked herself.

***

Tell me again why were here? Tidus asked, whining to her the same way he had to Auron.

Yunie wanted me to do her a favor. Rikku told him again.

What favor? Tidus pried.

Rikku knew she would have to tell him sooner or later. I'll tell you when we stop. she assured him.

We should stop soon, its going to getting dark.

Tidus, its only noon.

Well Rikku. Tidus said, crossing his arms, Its getting dark, see for yourself.

He was right, clouds where rolling in, and it looked like a storm was looming in the distance.

Why didn't you say anything sooner?! Rikku asked, in mock annoyance, luckily there would be enough time to find shelter. She wasn't too keen on the thunder, but hopefully she would be inside by then.

Come on. she grabbed his wrist, and hauled him further up the rocky path.

***

This will work. Tidus called, moseying into a cave in the wall, and inspecting the mold on the walls.

Just in time! Rikku sighed, the light rain was starting to intensify, and she had heard one or two lone claps of thunder.

In five minutes they had a small fire going, and had used purifying salts to ward off the fiends.

Rikku drew her knees up to her chest, and shivered as the rain started falling in sheets, and yelped in fright as the first thunder started resounding through the cave.

Tuh'd ayd sa! bmayca! [Don't eat me! please!] Rikku yelped, burying her face in her arms and knees.

Tidus stared at Rikku, who was about ready to start crying. He felt a pang of pity, and instinctively reached out a hand.

Rikku, come here. he requested.

She looked up at him, her face blank, and confusion fluttering through her eyes.

Come here, Sit next to me? he suggested, motioning for her to come.

She hesitated, started to shake her head, and then cried out as another crash of thunder sounded.

Hurriedly she crawled over and wrapped her arms around his chest, and to her surprise he gently put his arms around her. Rikku smiled, and rested her head on his shoulder, relaxing almost completely in his strong arms.

Finally he was protecting her from the thunder.

Tidus had no heartbeat, no pulse, not any breath escaped his lips. He was like a Zombie or a Vampire. He was only half there.

Please Rikku, will you tell me where were going?

Rikku cringed. Why did he have to ask her that, now? He would surely shove her away when she told him.

Back to the wall of the faith.

he withdrew slightly, and looked down at her face.

Yunie asked me, no, begged me to help her. Rikku recounted what had happened, and explained to him that they had to find some way to get in touch with the faith again. To ask them to start dreaming again.

When she explained to him that he would probably die again, she couldn't stop the tears from welling up in her eyes.

If you don't want to help me I'll understand. She finally said growing quiet.

Hey were still guardians, right? We gotta help the Yuna any way we can.

That wasn't really accurate, but Rikku nodded, trying to humor him.

We'll probably get there tomorrow, why don't you get some sleep. He tightened his embrace around her, and Rikku felt her eyes closing as she snuggled up next to him.

***

It was over there. Tidus exclaimed. They had reached the wall of the faith, now looking like it tuned to stone.

What is? Rikku asked as Tidus seized her wrist and began dragging her in the direction he pointed.

Where I fainted. Tidus mumbled the last word, slightly embarrassed. They reached the spot, and Tidus stopped, regarding the faith on the wall.

Nothing happened.

Hey you! He yelled, banging on the side, Let me in! Everything reeled for an instant, and then his hand slide through the wall, as if he where immaterial again.

Rikku saw blackness swim up in front of her eyes, and she could feel Tidus collapsing beside her.

***

Rikku opened her eyes, not sure exactly where she was. It looked like a one room apartment in Home. In about a hundred years. There was Machina like she couldn't believe, and she stared in awe out the window.

Tidus sat up, Amazed.

My home!!

Rikku asked, jumping up, and racing to the window.

This is where I lived, in Zanarkand.

Wow, Tidus! This is Amazing! I've never seen Machina like this before!! Rikku bounced, truly excited, and turned to look at him.

I really wanted to bring Yuna to Zanarkand. Tidus remarked, then bit his lip as Rikku turned quickly back to the window, he could see her reflection on the glass and she looked a little hurt.

He was about to try to explain that he was happy to bring her here too when a little boy in purple seemed to materialize out of the shadows.

Its you! He recognized Bahamut's Faith.

Why do you bother us? he asked.

You need to start dreaming again. Tidus knelt down so he was level with the boy.

We don't want to dream. We grew weary of it. We want to stay awake.

Yes but-

We keep dreaming and Sin may come back.

Spira is at war!

Both Tidus and the Faith turned to see Rikku, glaring, fists clenched.

I know you used to live in Spira! I know you care about it. You need to keep Spira and the Farplane separate! We promised Yunie we would find a way.

She managed to keep her voice under control, but her nails where digging into her palms.

You protected the people of Spira by becoming Aeons, so I know you care. Now you gotta maintain the barriers between living and dead. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and blood dripped through her fingers.

The faith looked at her, and seemed to be considering what she was saying.

Tidus on the other hand sprang forward and pried open her hands so she wouldn't hurt herself any more than she already had.

Were not asking you to become Aeons, not to maintain Zanarkand, just to keep the faith behind the Farplane wall.

Rikku felt another tear slide down her cheek. If she convinced the faith, she would loose Tidus, if she didn't convince the faith, she would loose Yunie.

The Faith are escaping? The boy asked, generally surprised.

Tidus said, I got out, the Farplane wall is collapsing. I know if I had the chance I would get out of there.

Alright then, We will dream again, but not as intensely as we have in the past. The boy grudgingly agreed.

Oh thank goodness Rikku sighed, she didn't want to tell Yunie they had failed.

The Faith will be pulled back to the Farplane when we begin dreaming. The Boy told him, We estimate it will take a week of your time.

One more thing? Tidus asked the boy.



Why dose water make me solid?

The boy grinned, impressed, So you found that out? It is because the water of Spira has those abilities. Haven't you wondered how you can hold your breath for so long, and how Sin would keep being reborn though it was only half alive. That's why it would stay underwater most of the time.

Spira's water has magic like a, a necromancer? Rikku was surprised, none of the things that the Faith had said had ever crossed her mind. She had simply accepted them.

Now go, before the fiends get you. the faith said, and Tidus and Rikku found themselves looking up at the blue skies of Spira.

***

Rikku rushed up and hugged her cousin.

Yuna let out a sigh of relief, from the way her cousin greeted her she knew her expedition had been successful.

How long? she whispered.

Five days. Rikku told her, the gleam leaving her eyes, but the smile remaining on her lips.

It was unlike her cousin to be depressed, Yuna could tell she was, she wasn't sure how, but the effervesant blond lacked something, though all her usual cheerfulness was present.

Yuna dismissed it, and joined her cousin in her little dance of celebration.

Yuna excused herself soon after, and made her way to her room. The though of loosing Tidus made her feel sick to her stomach, but she didn't dare let Seymour run amuck any longer. She knew he was behind the civil war, and he was probably behind Rikku's capture, and Tidus's injury as well, though she had no proof.

Yuna stopped, and wondered why her cousin hadn't seemed genuinely happy. She had acted the same way through the Pilgrimage, when she had known Yuna was going to die.

In fact, whenever they where alone, Rikku looked downright miserable. Especially, Yuna thought, when she was talking about . . .

Yuna staggered backwards, the realization hitting her as strongly as any physical blow.

It couldn't be.

It had to be.

What had she done.