"Yuna...? Are.... are you alright?" Lulus face appeared above Yuna as she
opened her eyes.
"Y-yeah.... fine.... I think...." Yuna blinked and sat up. "What happened?"
"You.... Collapsed...." Rikku supplied as she appeared.
"I-I what?"
"Fell over.... like you were dead.... you know." Rikku tilted her head slightly.
"I know what it means, Rikku, but.... I was just.... surprised, that's all.... I saw...." She trailed off.
"You saw what?" Lulu asked.
"Tell us, please Yunie!" Rikku begged.
".... Shuyin.... Lenne.... And...." She stopped again.
Rikku gasped. "Was it.... him?"
Yuna sighed as a tear rolled from her green eye. "I think so."
Rikku turned and whispered to Lulu something Yuna couldn't hear. "She looks paler then usual, and it looks like she's put on a few pounds...."
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~
"Auron, isn't there any way I can get out of here? To see her?" Tidus lay on the edge of a waterfall in the glen. "I.... I really need to."
Auron stood silently behind him, his sword in the wet rock once again.
"You don't understand." Tidus said simply, though anger was rising in him. "I need to see her. I need to tell her what I didn't get to tell her before!" He stood quickly and looked towards Auron. "Is there anyway I can get out of here to see her?" He stated clearly and loudly again.
Auron focused his gaze on his sword as he spoke. "No."
"How did you do it?" Tidus was almost yelling now, he really needed to see her. "I... had a promise to keep." Auron stated.
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~
"I know that you're hiding things, using gentle words to shelter me.... your words were like a dream.... but dreams could never fool me.... not that easily.... I acted so distant then, didn't say goodbye before you left.... but I was listening.... you fight your battles far from me.... far too easily...."
"What was that, Yunie?" Rikku looked around from Shinras computer.
"Nothing...." Yuna sighed.
"Yuna, is there something wrong?" Paine asked.
"No.... I'm fine...."
"Yuna, I know when you are lying." Lulu said to Yuna with a bit of worry in her voice.
Rikku jumped up and walked toward Yuna, Paine, and Lulu. "You're right, Lulu, I think Yunie is lying. Look at her, she is miserable!"
"I'm FINE!" Yuna got to her feet swiftly and ran out of the room, taking the elevator down to the cabin.
"Mish Yoona, what can I doo for yoo?" Barkeep asked his usual as she stormed in.
"Nothing!" She ran up the stairs and dived onto her bed, her face wet with tears.
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~
"Excuse me, miss? Are you alright?"
The girl awoke with a sudden blast of pain. Her brown eyes shining with tears, she looked up. Where....
"Miss?" It was a man who was hovering over her wearing strange clothing.
"Where.... where am I?" She asked, though it hurt to talk.
"You're at the Mi'ihen Highroad, miss," The man answered. "I'm Hijiro, the Travel Agency owner."
"The Mi'ihen Highroad..? Where in Spira..." She trailed off, it was too painful to speak.
"Miss, what is you're name? I can give you a room if you'd like."
"Lenne...." She murmured. "I don't.... have any gil...."
"That's alright; I can see you're injured greatly. Please, let me escort you to a room."
Lenne got slowly to her feet with the help of Hijiro and smiled. "How kind of you...."
"I could use some company; after all, all I have is a machina robot in my shop."
"A.... machina?" Lenne said questioningly.
"Sure, you know, machine, mechanical robot type thing."
"Oh.... sure...." Lenne kept wondering how on earth she got to this place she'd never even heard of. Last thing she remembered was Shuyin staring down at her, reaching for her, calling for her.... and falling. How did she end up here?
Once inside her room, she lay immediately on the bed, everything hurt. Her back, legs, arms, head, neck, feet, fingers, ears, eyes, everything....
"Miss Lenne, you wouldn't mind if I let another person share this room with you, would you? I mean, it seems that you, too, would like some company, and I may have too many guests for my amount of rooms." Hijiro asked kindly.
"Oh, no, I wouldn't mind at all."
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~
Tidus sat alone at the edge of a stream, pyreflies all around him. The air was calm and quiet, though he did not match the atmosphere. He was angry at Auron for not telling him what he had wanted to hear, angry at Yuna for not coming to the farplane, angry at himself for leaving her in the first place.
"I'm sorry.... Yuna...." He whispered.
He pictured her standing along side Rikku and Lulu, as she once did three years ago. Then he thought of her as she was when he last saw her, a gunner and a free spirit, standing with Paine and Rikku. Rikku had always been there for her, like he wished he had. Always to be by her side, helping her whenever she needed.... But he couldn't. This made him angry. Angry at Auron, angry at Yuna, angry at himself, and now angry at Rikku just for being with Yuna. He sighed, anger would get him nowhere.
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~
"Yunie?" Rikku was standing behind her, leaning on the bar of the balcony. "I'm sorry.... was it something I said?"
"No, Rikku.... its not you," Yuna said, reassuring Rikku as she rolled over to see her. "I was just.... I'm sorry Rikku. Just the dream I had the other night; that flash of thought that I had when I fell a little while ago; everyone being together again.... It is just a little hard for me. It's been so long, you know, since I've seen him, since I've been back here with everybody.... I.... I miss it, you know?"
Rikku nodded and sat at the end of her bed. "I know. You.... should come on a mission with us once we get the airship going. Just one? Pleeeease? It would be just like old times, it would take your mind of things, wouldn't it?"
"I think that's a great idea, Rikku." The leaned forward and gave her cousin a hug. "Thanks, I don't know what I'd do without you."
Rikku smiled and tilted her head in joy. "Great! As soon as Shinra gets the ship up and going, we'll take Lulu and Vadenie back to Besaid, then check out some missions! Oh, this is going to be so much fun, Yunie!!!"
Rikku hopped to her feet and pulled Yuna up, jumping up and down happily.
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~
"Miss Lenne?" Hijiro peeked in the room as Lenne slept peacefully. "Miss Lenne? You've got some company. Would you mind if I let them in now?"
Lenne stirred and opened her beautiful brown eyes slightly. "No, I'd love to meet them."
"You seem to be healing nicely, Miss Lenne. That is good news."
"Yes, I feel much better, thanks to you're-" Lenne stopped as she thought of him. Where had he gone?
"Miss Lenne? Are you alright?"
"I'm.... fine..... I just.... never mind." She said, though her mind was on what she last remembered.
Lenne was slightly relieved that her 'room mates' hadn't come in yet, though she was sure later she'd want some company.
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~
*Awake in a field of beautiful flowers, waterfalls all around, leading nowhere. Little lights fluttered past, everything was calm. Lenne shuddered and stood. "What is this place?" She wondered.
A form appeared through the mist and she gasped as it took the shape on Shuyin.
"Is it.... really you?" She asked.
"It is me, Tidus." The man said. "You finally came. Auron told my you wouldn't, but I knew you would.... Yuna."
Lenne turned away. "But I'm not Yuna...." The man didn't seem to hear her, he kept moving closer.
"I got so angry," he said. "I even got mad at Rikku, for no reason. I wanted to kill Auron, he told me you'd never come. I was through waiting; I just wanted to see you. To tell you.... I want to.... to.... be with you...."
He wrapped his arms around her and held her close, though her back was still to him. His embrace was warm and loving, just like Shuyin's had been. She felt like she wanted to embrace him as he did her, but she knew it wasn't her one love. And she wasn't his. It wasn't fair....
"Auron hasn't really changed at all, he seems the same, he can't leave the stubbornness behind. Or his failure to protect your father."
He placed a hand on her shoulder and turned her quickly, his eagerness showing in his face.
Don't touch me.... she thought.
"Yuna.... I love you."
Then.... then.... his embrace tightened and she was now so close to him she could see the silver flecks in his cobalt blue eyes. She suddenly felt the warmth of his lips on hers, the softness of his kiss was pure bliss. His mouth played open just slightly, he had a perfect technique. Lenne remained still, slightly stunned at this motion. Pity arose within her as he kissed her with his soft kiss, he obviously hadn't seen this girl, Yuna, in a truly long time. She felt the emotion and love in his kiss and wished she could feel for him what he did for who she thought she was. She closed her eyes as a tear rolled down her cheek. She could not bring herself to embrace him, for he was not who she wanted him to be, and he was not who he wanted her to be. A chill ran through her as his hand ran down her back and came to rest around her hip.
{Whose emotions are these? Yunas?
Mine?}*
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~
Yuna woke up feeling ill and sleep deprived, though she had slept quite well. She rolled onto her side and clenched her stomach, feeling queasy and faint. And cold. She was freezing, like she'd just been out on the deck at midnight with a strong wind blowing. She shivered slightly as she got up and nodded to Lulu, who was rocking Vidina.
"Yuna, you look a little pale, do you feel alright?" Lulu asked.
"Actually, I do feel a little ill.... Is it just me, or is it really, really cold in here?"
"It's just you." Rikku said as she climbed the stairs. "Yunie, wow.... you look... horrible."
"Thanks, Rikku," Yuna said sarcastically, though she smiled. "I feel horrible."
"Yuna, you should lay down, I don't think you're well," Paine added as she too came up into the cabin.
"I.... feel.... dizzy...." Yuna fell backwards onto her bed as darkness faded over her eyes.
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~
Lenne rolled over and opened her deep brown eyes, she'd been dreaming of the kiss she shared with that unknown man in that unknown place. It was a sad dream, rather then a happy one, and she now thought the name Yuna, which the man had called her, was vaguely familiar.
"Miss Lenne?" Hijiro stepped in the room holding a platter of some delicious looking food. "Are you hungry at all?"
Lenne smiled and nodded. "I am rather hungry, thank you, Hijiro. I wish there was some way I could repay you."
"There is no need, ma'am." Hijiro placed the tray on the table and smiled as he left the room.
Lenne ate and drank in peace and silence for a few moments, but soon the door opening disturbed her. She looked up to see who was entering the room, but was completely taken aback by who she saw....
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~
"Yuna! YUNA!" Everyone seemed to be calling for her.
She stirred and moaned once, obviously in some kind of pain.
"Look, she's waking up! Yunie!" It was Rikku.
Yuna groaned and curled her legs up to her chest, opening her pretty mismatched eyes.
"I think there's something wrong with you, Yuna, you've been passing out a lot." Paine was sitting next to Yuna on the bed, her hand on Yunas back.
"I agree, Yuna, perhaps you shouldn't go on a mission with the Gullwings just yet. Wait a while," Lulu was very worried, it was easy to tell.
"I just.... need more sleep. Really, I'll.... I'll be fine." Yuna reassured.
Paine nodded, trusting her, but Rikku and Lulu looked at each other slightly disbelieving. Rikku tried to smile, and Lulu looked at Yunas pale form. She glanced at Rikku again, communicating without words.
"I wanna believe you, really, I do." Rikku said. "But, Yuna, you've always had this problem with obligation, you just don't seem to ever be selfish or listen to your own needs. I think this time you should listen to Lulu and stay in Besaid for a few days. We'll take you on a mission when you're better, I promise."
"I won't take no for an answer, Yuna, you're coming home, if only for a few days." Lulu sounded quite stubborn and serious.
"Fine.... I will." Yuna muttered, though she knew they were right.
"Rikku, go help Shinra, Buddy, and Brother fix the airship. The sooner we get them back to Besaid, the better." Paine spoke quietly, as if whispering.
Rikku nodded and hopped off the cabin deck onto the bar floor. In a moment, she was gone. Vidina wailed loudly once and Yuna reached out her hands to take him. The child stopped crying as soon as he saw Yunas face.
"You've always been good with children, Yuna." Lulu smiled at her. "Perhaps one day you will have one of your own?"
Yuna smiled. "Perhaps...."
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~
"Shuyin!" Lenne gasped.
"Lenne....?" Shuyin seemed just as shocked to see her as she was to see him. "Lenne, I thought I'd lost you, for sure.... I was.... when you.... why did you...." He was at a loss for words.
Lenne smiled. "Shh, now is not the time for talking. Explanations will come later... now, I just want...." She stood and moved towards him just as he moved towards her.
She felt his embrace just as she had Tidus', but this time she felt a strong love for the one she was embracing. His warm lips caressed her soft cheeks, moving towards her own lips. Their kiss was sweet and full of love, like the wind in ones hair on a hot summer day. It was like water for someone lost in the desert, food for the starving, dying for the tortured soul. And yet, it didn't feel right. She pulled back ever so slightly to see his face. It was him, Shuyin, just as she'd hoped. His electric blue eyes gazed down at her, lit up by a caring smile that played his lips so well.
Silence reigned for a few moments as their gazes locked. Lenne's large, dark eyes welled with tears as she looked into his cool, welcoming blue ones. She leaned her head against his chest and let her tears fall. He held her to him, his hands gentle on her back and head.
"Lenne? What's wrong?" Shuyin asked.
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~
"Great news! The airships up and moving!" Rikku jumped in and smiled.
"Good, the sooner we get her home, the sooner I can make her some medicine, the sooner she can get well again." Lulu sat with Paine on Yuna's bed. Yuna seemed to have once again passed out.
Rikku frowned worriedly and moved towards the bed. "I'm really worried about Yuna.... She isn't doing well lately. I'm.... to tell you the truth, I'm kinda scared." She sat down as she confessed.
"You know what, Rikku?" Lulu glanced at her. "So.... So am I."
Paine remained silent, though she looked as if she too were frightened. Yuna shifted slightly, drawing her legs closer to her chest. She groaned slightly, her mismatched eyes opening.
"We're almost to Besaid, Yunie, just lie down." Rikku said seriously, though it was slightly squeaky as if she was holding back tears.
"Rikku.... I'm fine...." Yuna trailed off, speaking was painful. She sat up and gazed around the room.
Rikku pushed her backwards onto the bed forcefully. "No, lie down."
Everyone looked surprised, but no one spoke. Yuna nodded and willingly stayed down on the bed, Rikku hardly ever got like this.
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~
"I don't know. Something's just not right." Lenne looked up at Shuyin, into his beautiful, calming eyes.
"How did you get here, Lenne?" He asked as he loosened his embrace and gazed into her deep brown eyes.
"I.... don't remember." She moved back and from him and sat on the bed. "The last thing I do remember is...." She stopped.
"Is.... Is what?" He sat beside her and brushed her hair from her face. "What?"
She shook her head and gently took his hand, pulling it into her lap, moving her fingers along the creases in it. He smiled, she used to do this to him all the time when she was nervous, like before a show. As she continued to trace the lines on his hand with her fingers, he felt a droplet of water fall into his palm. She was crying....
"Lenne? Please tell me what is wrong, I can't bear to have you so sad."
She looked up at him, tears welling within her large and deep eyes. "I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what? You never did anything that needs forgiving, except steal my heart." He wiped a tear from beneath her eye lovingly.
She smiled sadly. "I'm sorry...." She said again.
"Don't be, please."
"No.... really, I'm sorry...."
"Why? What happened?"
"I.... he.... The Farplane." She couldn't form the sentences to tell him what she needed to. "I was there.... and...."
"How.... How did you get to the Farplane?" He was already questioning her.
"I don't know.... But I was there, and...." She looked away from him and resumed tracing the creases in his palm.
"And what? Lenne, please tell me what is wrong."
"He....." She couldn't do it. She just couldn't tell him what happened.
"Who is he?"
"I don't- I don't know.... But...." She stopped. Why was it so hard? She didn't really want to keep it a secret. Or, did she? Why had she pulled away from Shuyin? Why couldn't she tell him that she kissed someone else? And why was she crossing his hands with her fingers? An old habit, and one she wasn't particularly fond of. "But...."
"Y-yeah.... fine.... I think...." Yuna blinked and sat up. "What happened?"
"You.... Collapsed...." Rikku supplied as she appeared.
"I-I what?"
"Fell over.... like you were dead.... you know." Rikku tilted her head slightly.
"I know what it means, Rikku, but.... I was just.... surprised, that's all.... I saw...." She trailed off.
"You saw what?" Lulu asked.
"Tell us, please Yunie!" Rikku begged.
".... Shuyin.... Lenne.... And...." She stopped again.
Rikku gasped. "Was it.... him?"
Yuna sighed as a tear rolled from her green eye. "I think so."
Rikku turned and whispered to Lulu something Yuna couldn't hear. "She looks paler then usual, and it looks like she's put on a few pounds...."
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~
"Auron, isn't there any way I can get out of here? To see her?" Tidus lay on the edge of a waterfall in the glen. "I.... I really need to."
Auron stood silently behind him, his sword in the wet rock once again.
"You don't understand." Tidus said simply, though anger was rising in him. "I need to see her. I need to tell her what I didn't get to tell her before!" He stood quickly and looked towards Auron. "Is there anyway I can get out of here to see her?" He stated clearly and loudly again.
Auron focused his gaze on his sword as he spoke. "No."
"How did you do it?" Tidus was almost yelling now, he really needed to see her. "I... had a promise to keep." Auron stated.
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~
"I know that you're hiding things, using gentle words to shelter me.... your words were like a dream.... but dreams could never fool me.... not that easily.... I acted so distant then, didn't say goodbye before you left.... but I was listening.... you fight your battles far from me.... far too easily...."
"What was that, Yunie?" Rikku looked around from Shinras computer.
"Nothing...." Yuna sighed.
"Yuna, is there something wrong?" Paine asked.
"No.... I'm fine...."
"Yuna, I know when you are lying." Lulu said to Yuna with a bit of worry in her voice.
Rikku jumped up and walked toward Yuna, Paine, and Lulu. "You're right, Lulu, I think Yunie is lying. Look at her, she is miserable!"
"I'm FINE!" Yuna got to her feet swiftly and ran out of the room, taking the elevator down to the cabin.
"Mish Yoona, what can I doo for yoo?" Barkeep asked his usual as she stormed in.
"Nothing!" She ran up the stairs and dived onto her bed, her face wet with tears.
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~
"Excuse me, miss? Are you alright?"
The girl awoke with a sudden blast of pain. Her brown eyes shining with tears, she looked up. Where....
"Miss?" It was a man who was hovering over her wearing strange clothing.
"Where.... where am I?" She asked, though it hurt to talk.
"You're at the Mi'ihen Highroad, miss," The man answered. "I'm Hijiro, the Travel Agency owner."
"The Mi'ihen Highroad..? Where in Spira..." She trailed off, it was too painful to speak.
"Miss, what is you're name? I can give you a room if you'd like."
"Lenne...." She murmured. "I don't.... have any gil...."
"That's alright; I can see you're injured greatly. Please, let me escort you to a room."
Lenne got slowly to her feet with the help of Hijiro and smiled. "How kind of you...."
"I could use some company; after all, all I have is a machina robot in my shop."
"A.... machina?" Lenne said questioningly.
"Sure, you know, machine, mechanical robot type thing."
"Oh.... sure...." Lenne kept wondering how on earth she got to this place she'd never even heard of. Last thing she remembered was Shuyin staring down at her, reaching for her, calling for her.... and falling. How did she end up here?
Once inside her room, she lay immediately on the bed, everything hurt. Her back, legs, arms, head, neck, feet, fingers, ears, eyes, everything....
"Miss Lenne, you wouldn't mind if I let another person share this room with you, would you? I mean, it seems that you, too, would like some company, and I may have too many guests for my amount of rooms." Hijiro asked kindly.
"Oh, no, I wouldn't mind at all."
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~
Tidus sat alone at the edge of a stream, pyreflies all around him. The air was calm and quiet, though he did not match the atmosphere. He was angry at Auron for not telling him what he had wanted to hear, angry at Yuna for not coming to the farplane, angry at himself for leaving her in the first place.
"I'm sorry.... Yuna...." He whispered.
He pictured her standing along side Rikku and Lulu, as she once did three years ago. Then he thought of her as she was when he last saw her, a gunner and a free spirit, standing with Paine and Rikku. Rikku had always been there for her, like he wished he had. Always to be by her side, helping her whenever she needed.... But he couldn't. This made him angry. Angry at Auron, angry at Yuna, angry at himself, and now angry at Rikku just for being with Yuna. He sighed, anger would get him nowhere.
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~
"Yunie?" Rikku was standing behind her, leaning on the bar of the balcony. "I'm sorry.... was it something I said?"
"No, Rikku.... its not you," Yuna said, reassuring Rikku as she rolled over to see her. "I was just.... I'm sorry Rikku. Just the dream I had the other night; that flash of thought that I had when I fell a little while ago; everyone being together again.... It is just a little hard for me. It's been so long, you know, since I've seen him, since I've been back here with everybody.... I.... I miss it, you know?"
Rikku nodded and sat at the end of her bed. "I know. You.... should come on a mission with us once we get the airship going. Just one? Pleeeease? It would be just like old times, it would take your mind of things, wouldn't it?"
"I think that's a great idea, Rikku." The leaned forward and gave her cousin a hug. "Thanks, I don't know what I'd do without you."
Rikku smiled and tilted her head in joy. "Great! As soon as Shinra gets the ship up and going, we'll take Lulu and Vadenie back to Besaid, then check out some missions! Oh, this is going to be so much fun, Yunie!!!"
Rikku hopped to her feet and pulled Yuna up, jumping up and down happily.
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~
"Miss Lenne?" Hijiro peeked in the room as Lenne slept peacefully. "Miss Lenne? You've got some company. Would you mind if I let them in now?"
Lenne stirred and opened her beautiful brown eyes slightly. "No, I'd love to meet them."
"You seem to be healing nicely, Miss Lenne. That is good news."
"Yes, I feel much better, thanks to you're-" Lenne stopped as she thought of him. Where had he gone?
"Miss Lenne? Are you alright?"
"I'm.... fine..... I just.... never mind." She said, though her mind was on what she last remembered.
Lenne was slightly relieved that her 'room mates' hadn't come in yet, though she was sure later she'd want some company.
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~
*Awake in a field of beautiful flowers, waterfalls all around, leading nowhere. Little lights fluttered past, everything was calm. Lenne shuddered and stood. "What is this place?" She wondered.
A form appeared through the mist and she gasped as it took the shape on Shuyin.
"Is it.... really you?" She asked.
"It is me, Tidus." The man said. "You finally came. Auron told my you wouldn't, but I knew you would.... Yuna."
Lenne turned away. "But I'm not Yuna...." The man didn't seem to hear her, he kept moving closer.
"I got so angry," he said. "I even got mad at Rikku, for no reason. I wanted to kill Auron, he told me you'd never come. I was through waiting; I just wanted to see you. To tell you.... I want to.... to.... be with you...."
He wrapped his arms around her and held her close, though her back was still to him. His embrace was warm and loving, just like Shuyin's had been. She felt like she wanted to embrace him as he did her, but she knew it wasn't her one love. And she wasn't his. It wasn't fair....
"Auron hasn't really changed at all, he seems the same, he can't leave the stubbornness behind. Or his failure to protect your father."
He placed a hand on her shoulder and turned her quickly, his eagerness showing in his face.
Don't touch me.... she thought.
"Yuna.... I love you."
Then.... then.... his embrace tightened and she was now so close to him she could see the silver flecks in his cobalt blue eyes. She suddenly felt the warmth of his lips on hers, the softness of his kiss was pure bliss. His mouth played open just slightly, he had a perfect technique. Lenne remained still, slightly stunned at this motion. Pity arose within her as he kissed her with his soft kiss, he obviously hadn't seen this girl, Yuna, in a truly long time. She felt the emotion and love in his kiss and wished she could feel for him what he did for who she thought she was. She closed her eyes as a tear rolled down her cheek. She could not bring herself to embrace him, for he was not who she wanted him to be, and he was not who he wanted her to be. A chill ran through her as his hand ran down her back and came to rest around her hip.
{Whose emotions are these? Yunas?
Mine?}*
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~
Yuna woke up feeling ill and sleep deprived, though she had slept quite well. She rolled onto her side and clenched her stomach, feeling queasy and faint. And cold. She was freezing, like she'd just been out on the deck at midnight with a strong wind blowing. She shivered slightly as she got up and nodded to Lulu, who was rocking Vidina.
"Yuna, you look a little pale, do you feel alright?" Lulu asked.
"Actually, I do feel a little ill.... Is it just me, or is it really, really cold in here?"
"It's just you." Rikku said as she climbed the stairs. "Yunie, wow.... you look... horrible."
"Thanks, Rikku," Yuna said sarcastically, though she smiled. "I feel horrible."
"Yuna, you should lay down, I don't think you're well," Paine added as she too came up into the cabin.
"I.... feel.... dizzy...." Yuna fell backwards onto her bed as darkness faded over her eyes.
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~
Lenne rolled over and opened her deep brown eyes, she'd been dreaming of the kiss she shared with that unknown man in that unknown place. It was a sad dream, rather then a happy one, and she now thought the name Yuna, which the man had called her, was vaguely familiar.
"Miss Lenne?" Hijiro stepped in the room holding a platter of some delicious looking food. "Are you hungry at all?"
Lenne smiled and nodded. "I am rather hungry, thank you, Hijiro. I wish there was some way I could repay you."
"There is no need, ma'am." Hijiro placed the tray on the table and smiled as he left the room.
Lenne ate and drank in peace and silence for a few moments, but soon the door opening disturbed her. She looked up to see who was entering the room, but was completely taken aback by who she saw....
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~
"Yuna! YUNA!" Everyone seemed to be calling for her.
She stirred and moaned once, obviously in some kind of pain.
"Look, she's waking up! Yunie!" It was Rikku.
Yuna groaned and curled her legs up to her chest, opening her pretty mismatched eyes.
"I think there's something wrong with you, Yuna, you've been passing out a lot." Paine was sitting next to Yuna on the bed, her hand on Yunas back.
"I agree, Yuna, perhaps you shouldn't go on a mission with the Gullwings just yet. Wait a while," Lulu was very worried, it was easy to tell.
"I just.... need more sleep. Really, I'll.... I'll be fine." Yuna reassured.
Paine nodded, trusting her, but Rikku and Lulu looked at each other slightly disbelieving. Rikku tried to smile, and Lulu looked at Yunas pale form. She glanced at Rikku again, communicating without words.
"I wanna believe you, really, I do." Rikku said. "But, Yuna, you've always had this problem with obligation, you just don't seem to ever be selfish or listen to your own needs. I think this time you should listen to Lulu and stay in Besaid for a few days. We'll take you on a mission when you're better, I promise."
"I won't take no for an answer, Yuna, you're coming home, if only for a few days." Lulu sounded quite stubborn and serious.
"Fine.... I will." Yuna muttered, though she knew they were right.
"Rikku, go help Shinra, Buddy, and Brother fix the airship. The sooner we get them back to Besaid, the better." Paine spoke quietly, as if whispering.
Rikku nodded and hopped off the cabin deck onto the bar floor. In a moment, she was gone. Vidina wailed loudly once and Yuna reached out her hands to take him. The child stopped crying as soon as he saw Yunas face.
"You've always been good with children, Yuna." Lulu smiled at her. "Perhaps one day you will have one of your own?"
Yuna smiled. "Perhaps...."
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~
"Shuyin!" Lenne gasped.
"Lenne....?" Shuyin seemed just as shocked to see her as she was to see him. "Lenne, I thought I'd lost you, for sure.... I was.... when you.... why did you...." He was at a loss for words.
Lenne smiled. "Shh, now is not the time for talking. Explanations will come later... now, I just want...." She stood and moved towards him just as he moved towards her.
She felt his embrace just as she had Tidus', but this time she felt a strong love for the one she was embracing. His warm lips caressed her soft cheeks, moving towards her own lips. Their kiss was sweet and full of love, like the wind in ones hair on a hot summer day. It was like water for someone lost in the desert, food for the starving, dying for the tortured soul. And yet, it didn't feel right. She pulled back ever so slightly to see his face. It was him, Shuyin, just as she'd hoped. His electric blue eyes gazed down at her, lit up by a caring smile that played his lips so well.
Silence reigned for a few moments as their gazes locked. Lenne's large, dark eyes welled with tears as she looked into his cool, welcoming blue ones. She leaned her head against his chest and let her tears fall. He held her to him, his hands gentle on her back and head.
"Lenne? What's wrong?" Shuyin asked.
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~
"Great news! The airships up and moving!" Rikku jumped in and smiled.
"Good, the sooner we get her home, the sooner I can make her some medicine, the sooner she can get well again." Lulu sat with Paine on Yuna's bed. Yuna seemed to have once again passed out.
Rikku frowned worriedly and moved towards the bed. "I'm really worried about Yuna.... She isn't doing well lately. I'm.... to tell you the truth, I'm kinda scared." She sat down as she confessed.
"You know what, Rikku?" Lulu glanced at her. "So.... So am I."
Paine remained silent, though she looked as if she too were frightened. Yuna shifted slightly, drawing her legs closer to her chest. She groaned slightly, her mismatched eyes opening.
"We're almost to Besaid, Yunie, just lie down." Rikku said seriously, though it was slightly squeaky as if she was holding back tears.
"Rikku.... I'm fine...." Yuna trailed off, speaking was painful. She sat up and gazed around the room.
Rikku pushed her backwards onto the bed forcefully. "No, lie down."
Everyone looked surprised, but no one spoke. Yuna nodded and willingly stayed down on the bed, Rikku hardly ever got like this.
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~
"I don't know. Something's just not right." Lenne looked up at Shuyin, into his beautiful, calming eyes.
"How did you get here, Lenne?" He asked as he loosened his embrace and gazed into her deep brown eyes.
"I.... don't remember." She moved back and from him and sat on the bed. "The last thing I do remember is...." She stopped.
"Is.... Is what?" He sat beside her and brushed her hair from her face. "What?"
She shook her head and gently took his hand, pulling it into her lap, moving her fingers along the creases in it. He smiled, she used to do this to him all the time when she was nervous, like before a show. As she continued to trace the lines on his hand with her fingers, he felt a droplet of water fall into his palm. She was crying....
"Lenne? Please tell me what is wrong, I can't bear to have you so sad."
She looked up at him, tears welling within her large and deep eyes. "I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what? You never did anything that needs forgiving, except steal my heart." He wiped a tear from beneath her eye lovingly.
She smiled sadly. "I'm sorry...." She said again.
"Don't be, please."
"No.... really, I'm sorry...."
"Why? What happened?"
"I.... he.... The Farplane." She couldn't form the sentences to tell him what she needed to. "I was there.... and...."
"How.... How did you get to the Farplane?" He was already questioning her.
"I don't know.... But I was there, and...." She looked away from him and resumed tracing the creases in his palm.
"And what? Lenne, please tell me what is wrong."
"He....." She couldn't do it. She just couldn't tell him what happened.
"Who is he?"
"I don't- I don't know.... But...." She stopped. Why was it so hard? She didn't really want to keep it a secret. Or, did she? Why had she pulled away from Shuyin? Why couldn't she tell him that she kissed someone else? And why was she crossing his hands with her fingers? An old habit, and one she wasn't particularly fond of. "But...."
