Vision III- The Rebirth of a Star
When Yuna and Issaru made it to the Besaid Temple, they turned to each other, Issaru, in graceful motions, blessing their parting by performing the Yevon prayer motion. Yuna simply bowed, and Issaru smiled gently.
"I see that your battles with Sin have greatly effected you, Yuna. You have really changed."
Yuna sighed slightly and pushed her hair back, gazing up at the clear blue Besaidian skies.
"Can I tell you a secret, Issaru?"
"What?" Issaru blinked and stepped forward some. Yuna locked eyes with him again.
"I wish I really could change. But I feel that even after everything my guardians and I have been through, I haven't. I still feel like the same Yuna, the same naive summoner that traveled through Spira as a pilgrim. I still feel like I'm waiting for something big to happen, something that will truly give me a sign that shows I was supposed to survive all this. I wish...I wish that I had something in life to look forward to. But everyday is the same..."
"What?" Issaru looked very surprised, and concerned. "Yuna, you saved us all! How could you say something so hurtful about yourself like that?"
"I...I don't know..." Yuna looked down and gently kicked at the sands on the temple stairs. "It's been nearly a year since everything happened...and I'm still waiting...waiting for the next stage of my life. Chapter two of Yuna's story."
"Yuna..." Issaru reached up and gently held her shoulder. "Listen. You should stop waiting for the next chapter and just live...live and love and enjoy the beautiful world that you helped bring back to Spira's people. Look around you. People have begun to live again. They no long divide their existence into increments of ten years, because they might of been killed by each return of Sin. Better yet, people are not only living again, they are truly having fun, existing in the moment. You're the one who gave them that gift Yuna...but do not deny it to yourself."
Yuna smiled slightly, and nodded.
"Ok. I will try to keep your words in mind, Issaru."
"You should." Issaru smiled back and dropped his hand. This time, there was no blush on Yuna's face. It was very clear in her mind that she needed to move on, somehow, and stop clinging to the hope of Tidus' return. Issaru wasn't Tidus. The man on the ship that Kimarhi met was not him either. Tidus...he wasn't anywhere, not on Spira, at any rate. Spira had begun its rebirth, and this time...Tidus was not born with it. He was a dream of the Fayth...who had also been left behind in the new Spira. Therefore, he could not exist. However, there was still one thing that troubled Yuna's heart. Issaru's words had inspired her right then and there to take her first step to becoming a new person along with Spira. She would start small- asking questions when she wanted them answered and not leaving them to mull over and eat at her mind.
"Issaru." Yuna suddenly spoke up. "Why...why were you sent here for Shelinda, exactly? What is the Yevonian Council up to?" Her heart began to beat wildly in her chest just at the mention of that council. Issaru's eyes shifted a little, causing Yuna to gasp softly to herself.
No...oh, please don't let my suspicions be correct...I don't want to even imagine what they must be up to...
"Do you promise not to tell anyone?" Issaru suddenly asked, a slightly malicious glint in his eyes. Yuna bit down on her lip.
"....Yes, I promise." Was it possible, or was her heart about to burst from her chest?
"I'm trusting you with this, Yuna." Issaru said a little forcefully, and took a step closer, closing all space between them. Yuna widened her eyes, and blinked. She was starting to see spots of light, her mind was starting to lighten and spin. What was going on? Issaru leaned in and started to whisper.
"I'm here....to do an investigation."
Yuna frowned slightly and tried to keep herself steady on her own two feet.
"An investigation?"
"Yeah, for Shelinda." Issaru pulled back and suddenly broke into a huge smile. "Didn't you hear? She's a big time reporter now, and she's doing a story on the Yevonian council. Apparently, they are making a big announcement at the Blitzball Tournament in Luca next week, and she asked me exclusively to go on the scene and give her the "scoop", as she calls it, on temple activity these days. It's all apart of her broadcast she's going to give. This is going to make her way famous, you know. I can't believe she convinced the council to let her do this story." Yuna stared at Issaru blankly, and thought she was going to pass out from an overwhelming mix of relief and embarrassment.
Issaru was on an assignment...for a news story?
She smacked her forehead. She didn't even want to tell Issaru what she had been thinking- something along the lines of corruption, deception, scandal, the usual associated with Yevon. She could not believe that she had managed to turn Issaru's cryptic replies into a full-blown horror story for Spira. He had only been secretive because of his news report...how unbelievable!
"Something wrong?" Issaru asked, and Yuna shook her head.
"Oh, no...but I think I'd better get going! Good luck on your investigation."
"Thanks! See you later!" Issaru gave a wave, and with that, turned to go inside the temple. Yuna sighed out, all the pent up suspicion and fear inside of her flowing out through that one, steady flow of breath.
"I need a vacation." Yuna moaned and began her trek back to the house. "I need...something. I think too much. Waaaaaay too much."
As Yuna approached the doorway of her humble adobe, she could hear yelling, which made her heart sink. Lulu and Wakka were going at it again, apparently. She did not mean to be nosy, but a loud voice in her mind was pushing her to just burst in there and ask them what the heck their problem was. She hesitated at the door, staring down at her feet. Lulu's voice was strained as she yelled. She almost sounded as if she were about to cry. Wakka sounded pretty upset too, and before she could contemplate it any further, she heard the flap of the doorway open, and there, staring at her, was Lulu, with bloodshot eyes and a clenched fist. Her expression softened slightly when she saw Yuna, but her eyes were still so sad.
"Lulu!" Yuna exclaimed in surprise, turning red for being caught eavesdropping.
"Yuna." Lulu said in that same stoic tone, looking her up and down. "Did you walk Issaru to the temple?"
"Yes." Yuna said hurriedly, turning even redder. Lulu kept staring down at her, not saying anything, at least, not with her lips. Her eyes, however, were screaming some very bad things. Right then, Wakka ran up to the two girls, and took Lulu's shoulder.
"Lu! Listen, don't leave! You didn't let me finish!"
"I don't want to hear you finish!" Lulu cried, whirling around and smacking his hand away from her. Yuna widened her eyes and took a step back. This wasn't living and loving like Issaru was talking about. More than ever, right at that moment, Yuna needed to feel like his words were true, and real. She needed her family to be there with her, and to love her and each other. She needed to ask questions, and get answers that she deserved.
"STOP IT!" Yuna suddenly screamed, her voice bouncing off the sky. Wakka and Lulu both stopped their bickering and turned towards Yuna, a look of shock on their faces. Yuna heaved a heavy breath and jutted a finger towards the inside of the house. "Inside, both of you, NOW!" Much to her surprise, Wakka and Lulu both turned and slipped back inside the house. Yuna followed, her hands on her hips, and watched the two as they sat down and stared up at her, like two reprimanded children. Yuna began to pace up and down, her hands behind her back.
"Now, just to let you know, things are going to start to change around here." She took another deep breath, stuttering slightly with her words, but getting stronger with each passing moment. "I heard you guys fighting earlier today, and now you are fighting again. I want to know what is going on, and I want to know now. You can't leave me in the dark about all of this...if you do...I...I'll..."
"Yuna, it's ok." Lulu stood up and grabbed Yuna as she whirled around to make another pacing round. Yuna stopped and looked up at Lulu.
"Ya, you poor thing, havin' to listen to us holla like dat." Wakka sighed, and stood up also, hands on his hips. "We've just been under a little stress, ya?"
"There's something we should probably tell you." Lulu said, looking up at Yuna with serious eyes. "It might come as a surprise, but believe me, no one was more surprised than us."
"What?" Yuna blinked, and Wakka and Lulu looked at each other.
"Well..." Lulu trailed off, for once at a loss of words, and Wakka suddenly jumped up.
"Lulu is pregnant!"
Yuna stepped back and gasped.
"Wha....Who...Huh....?"
"Wakka is the father." Lulu added, and Yuna blinked. She had no idea what to think, but for some reason, all of a sudden, she was so ecstatic, she felt like she was going to explode.
"Oh, Lulu, Wakka!" Yuna cried, throwing her arms around both of them at once, and forcing them to smash up against each other. Lulu grunted and Wakka grinned, hugging back. Yuna felt her eyes water a little as she kissed Wakka on the cheek and Lulu on the forehead. "I'm so happy for you guys!" She pulled back, and watched their reactions. Wakka was smiling, but Lulu looked too overwhelmed to say much. Yuna fanned her face a little, and smiled slightly. "You guys are happy too...right?"
"Ya, of course." Wakka said, and looked to Lulu, who looked up at him.
"I'm very happy." She said slowly, and pushed her hair back. "But I was not happy with the way you reacted when I told you at first." Wakka frowned some, and leaned in to kiss Lulu's cheek.
"Aw Lu, I know I was a jerk about it, and I'm really sorry, ya know? But I swear it was just because I was so surprised, and ya know how I get when I'm surprised, ya?"
"Yes." Lulu and Yuna both said at once, and Wakka laughed nervously.
"But seriously Lu, I can't wait for our baby to come! I really can't!" Lulu smiled some at this, and Wakka reached down in his pockets, suddenly coming up with a small box and opening it, revealing a glittering ruby and gold ring. "And Lu, I want you to marry me...ya know? Uh, dat is...if you want to marry me..."
"Wakka!" Lulu cried, and Wakka jumped a little at her tone. Yuna looked between them, and Lulu suddenly threw her arms around Wakka, holding him tightly against her and closing her eyes. "Don't be such a fool...of course I'll marry you!" Wakka hugged her back tightly, resting his head against hers, the box with the ring dropping to the floor. Yuna sniffled happily and bent down, picking up the ring and handing it back to Wakka, who fumbled excitedly as he took Lulu's hand and slipped the ring onto her delicate finger.
How wonderful... Yuna thought, her tears spilling down her cheeks. Oh Issaru, you were right...now I have something bright and wonderful to look forward to...my very own little brother or sister...!
~*~*~
A week later...
Luca stadium, like always, was jam-packed with people for the Blitzball Tournament. Yuna, nervously walking up and down the corridor, listened to Shelinda's voice as she spoke to the crowds through her microphone out on the balcony over the stadium. She was revealing a break in the news that seemed to captivate the crowds. The remaining followers of Yevon had decided to reform, and to call themselves "New Yevon", the Yevon for the future. They would be a new organization, she revealed, one that would dispel all the lies and mystery shrouding Yevon's name and bring Truth back to Spira. As she started to explain about the restoration they would donate funds to preserve the temples of Spira that had not already been bought by others, Yuna heard footsteps behind her, and turned. Walking towards her was a short young man, although still a little taller than Yuna, with light, almost platinum blonde hair swept back by a blue bandana. He was wearing beautiful orange and green robes, with the emblems of Yevon and the summons embroidered on the front, and brown leather boots. His skin was tanned and smooth, and his brown eyes were the color of rich chocolate.
"Hello, Lady Yuna." He said, and smiled, giving the Yevonian greeting and smiling. "I am Praetor of New Yevon, Baralai. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, after hearing so much about the legendary summoner who saved Spira."
"Oh, well, hello." Yuna smiled some and they shook hands. "It was very nice of you to let Shelinda tell your story out there for everyone. My friend told me that she really, really wants to follow through with this reporter career. I think she has finally found her calling...she's really good at public speaking!"
"She is very good." Baralai smiled. "We enjoyed working with her, and we hope she'll help us again. Oh, by the way, I met your friend Kimarhi on a ship passing Besaid Port." Yuna raised her eyebrows, things clicking in her head.
"Oh! So you were the young man that Kimarhi was talking about that was asking for me."
"Yeah!" Baralai smiled. "I recognized the Ronso that had helped protect you on your pilgrimage, and asked him how you were doing. He's not much for words though, is he?" Yuna laughed softly and shook her head. Kimarhi wasn't a talker by any means.
There was a slightly uncomfortable silence, and Yuna cleared her throat, still keeping her smile. The crowds outside suddenly erupted into cheers and roars, and Baralai bowed.
"Excuse me, but that's my cue." He started to walk past Yuna, and turned back to her, smiling. "It was very wonderful meeting you, High Summoner Yuna." Yuna blinked, and Baralai winked, parting the curtains to the balcony. "Oh, and happy birthday."
"High Summoner Yuna...?" Yuna whispered, and held onto the wall gently for support of her weakened knees. Her, the high summoner? Was Baralai kidding, or...
"We'll take one thing at a time." Baralai was saying. "One step at a time. One day at a time. Spira has seen incredible progress in just this year alone, and next year, things will be even more amazing. No one will believe that Spira is the same star that it was when Sin reigned over us all. It will be a rebirth, people, a rebirth of everything good and pure and wonderful...and Spira will thrive!" There was more very loud cheering, and Baralai continued. "But a cause for even greater celebration is that today, our very own Yuna, the young woman that saved us all, is turning 18 today. Better yet, she has also been invited here, unbeknownst to her, to be bestowed a very great honor. Everyone, please stand up and cheer for the new High Summoner of Spira, Yuna!"
"Oh!" Yuna exclaimed, nearly lost in Baralai's soothing yet energizing voice. At the sound of her name, she pushed away from the wall and stepped out, her soft violet dress brushing against the curtains as she walked onto the balcony. There, Baralai, Shelinda, Wakka, Lulu were standing at her left, and on her right were Kimarhi, her dear cousin Rikku, and two clergy from the Besaid temple. They all bowed to her, and one of the clergy raised, stepping forward and handing Yuna a beautiful silver staff with an angel wing emblem at the top, with trailing pink ribbons and beads and diamonds glittering from the wings. Yuna clutched it gently and felt herself tremble in happiness.
Finally, Father...I've completed my goal, to become High Summoner like you...to defeat Sin, and to save this world you and Mother loved so much...
Yuna cleared her throat and stepped up to the microphone, looking over the crowds and feeling the words come right to her, as easily as drinking a cool glass of water.
"Thank you, everyone, for giving me this wondrous honor." Yuna sighed softly and leaned in closer, her voice booming now as she spoke. "With this day, I can turn a page in my life and end a very long, arduous, but satisfying chapter in my story. This past year, I will admit, has been very bittersweet for me. I am thrilled at the prospect of Spira growing and progressing, racing towards a future without stopping once to take a breath of air. The past that we once knew, although dotted with bits of happiness, was most often drowned in sorrows and pain. Sometimes, however, I felt almost as if I was being left behind. It was only until very recently that I realized that I too, need to stop mourning over the past that is no more." Yuna stopped for a moment to gather her thoughts. There was not a peep from the stands, although Yuna did hear a familiar squeal of excitement come from Rikku.
"I still think of my father, Braska, and of the guardians I lost that helped guide me on my pilgrimage to defeat Sin. However, lately, I've realized that they were dominating my thoughts, and while it is ok for us to miss the ones we've lost to Sin, we must also look to the future...it holds so many possibilities for us. Today, I cast aside the sadness that has been my veil for this past year, and truly turn toward the future, both as a young woman and as your High Summoner. Let us welcome tomorrow and all it's opportunities with open arms, and all begin a new chapter."
The crowds burst out into cheers and loud applause, and Yuna bowed. As she walked back through the curtains to her waiting area, she handed her staff back to the clergyman who had given it to her, and let out a happy sigh. She felt lighter than air, as if she could just spread her wings and fly away.
"Yunie!" Rikku squealed, and suddenly dove onto Yuna from behind, wrapping her arms around her neck and squeezing tight.
"Ack, Rikku, get off of me!" Yuna cried, but laughed, shaking her cousin off and turning towards her. "And hello to you too, by the way. Why didn't you tell me you would be here today!?"
"I wanted it to be a surprise." Rikku grinned, and bounced up and down. "But more important, there is something I need to show you. I actually only just found it the other day...but I thought today would be the most appropriate to show it to you."
"What is it?" Yuna asked, and blinked. Rikku had turned serious now, pushing her blonde braids away from her face and shifting her eyes.
"I want us to be alone." Rikku said. "Can we go somewhere else? Like my airship?"
"Sure." Yuna said, and with that, Rikku led her outside of the stadium and to the ports, where her airship was docked and waiting. However, much to Yuna's surprise, it was not the same ship that she had flown on with Cid and the others when they had traveled over Spira last year. This ship was red, and shining, and sleek, long with black markings and designs painted along it, the rear end almost resembling a rear car of a motorcycle. As Yuna and Rikku ran down to the end of the dock, Yuna spotted a very tall girl dressed in all black with slicked back light brown hair watching them. She suddenly turned, leaping into the ship, and disappeared from sight.
"Who was that?" Yuna asked, and Rikku shook her head.
"Oh, don't worry, I'll introduce you two later."
"Later? And what is that ship?"
"Well, Brother and Buddy named it Celsius!"
A few moments later, Yuna and Rikku climbed aboard the ship themselves, and stood there within the entrance cabin. Rikku reached in her pocket, pulling out a glowing orange spear, and handed it to Yuna.
"What is this?" Yuna asked, staring at the sphere incredulously.
"I've taken up this little hobby." Rikku explained. "They call it sphere hunting. Brother, Buddy, this Al Bhed kid named Shinra, that girl you just saw, Paine, and I have been exploring Spira together to look for spheres like this. Some of them have pieces of Spira's past recorded on them, and others are just gibberish. Some of them are broken and can't be viewed. However..." She grinned slightly. "It brings in mucho dinero, you know?"
"So that's where you've been hiding all this time." Yuna said, and smiled some. "And what's on this sphere?" Rikku brought a finger to her cheek.
"Well...it's hard to say. But, I wanted you to see it for yourself. If...you can make anything of it...well, then I suppose we can go from there, you know?" Yuna grasped the sphere between her fingers, and swallowed. What was Rikku talking about? However, there was only one way to find the answer to that particular question, and Yuna was ready to take the plunge.
"Ok...let's look at this thing." Yuna said softly, and pushed on the delicate, tiny switch at the side of the sphere. The entire sphere turned blue, and a watery, cloudy image began to appear inside. It was very hard to make out, and at first, all Yuna could see was black. But then, so slowly, a faded picture appeared within the darkness, a picture that looked like it was lined with metal bars, with someone's hands grasping them. Sound began to crackle out, at first incomprehensible noises, and finally, a voice, a voice that was screaming out.
Yuna felt as if her heart were about to stop. Her blood ran cold, and beads of sweat formed at her temples. That voice...it was so familiar...and ever so slightly, she could make out the face behind the bars. The strong, defined, tanned features...the piercing blue eyes...that spiky blonde hair...
"...Let me out of here....!!"
Rrrrrrrrrrrr.....crack....glub....
"....I only did it so I could save the summoner!"
Rrrrrrrr....
"...If she were YOUR girl, what would you have done...!?"
Crack...Hmmmmmm....Rrrrrr....
"Please...I need to see her..."
The screen turned black again, and the sphere made a static crackling noise before switching off on its own and turning back to its original bright orange color. Yuna looked up to Rikku, who was staring at her.
"Rikku..." Yuna's voice cracked as she spoke, slowly and softly. "Was that....was that him?"
"I don't know." Rikku shook her head. "But when I saw it...I knew that I had to show it to you. Something inside me told me it was the right thing to do." Yuna let out a low breath and fell back against the wall, bringing her hand to her forehead and closing her eyes. Her head was spinning so hard, she thought for sure they were all caught in some bizarre whirlwind that had just manifested itself inside the airship. Her knees were weak, shaking, and her hand quickly began clammy against the touch of her own skin.
"Shinra analyzed the sphere." Rikku continued. "However, the results for the date of recording came back inconclusive. The sphere was badly damaged when we found it...but he restored it the best he could, as you can see..."
"Are there more like this?"
"Huh?" Rikku tilted her head, and Yuna looked up. Her voice was coarse.
"Are there more spheres like this one?"
"Oh..." Rikku raised her hands and shook her head. "Who knows? There could very well be...Paine and I find new spheres almost everyday, and Shinra analyzes them for us and keeps them on file. She reached out, taking Yuna's hands into her own and looking up into her cousin's eyes. "I wanted to ask you Yuna, I wanted to ask you to join us in our hunt for spheres. I want you to join the Gullwings. That's the name of our group."
"You want me to become a Sphere Hunter?" Yuna asked, a little surprised. "But I hardly seem the type..."
"So you try something new, no big deal!" Rikku squeezed her hands. "I wanted you to join us ever since I became one, but I never wanted to bother you at home and tear you away from your quiet life. However, once I saw this...I thought that I might try to ask you this time."
"I..." Yuna trailed off, and looked away. "I just told myself...and all of Spira...that I would let go of the past and look to the future. Searching for more spheres with him on them...that would be breaking a very big promise."
"Yuna!" Rikku cried, dropping her hands. "It is not breaking a promise! This is important to you, isn't it? Besides, it's not going back to the past. Sphere Hunting is a big future for Spira...you'll see what I mean in time. Everyone is just starting to get into it...besides, you could unlock all these really cool secrets and discover Spira's past! That is the key to the future you know, the past. No matter what you may say, it is the past that teaches us what to do for the future. You believe that, right?" Yuna looked back to Rikku, and pushed her hair back behind her ears. Rikku continued quickly, before Yuna could say anything else.
"Besides all that, it will just be plain fun! We'll get you some clothes that aren't so frilly so you can explore with Paine and I! We go wherever we want in Spira, whenever we want. Everyday is a new adventure, and nothing is predictable!" Rikku smiled. "Nothing is written or laid out for you, Yuna. You live each day how YOU decide, how YOU want. And..." There was no way she could skirt around the most sensitive issue at stake here. "....If this sphere here turns out to be some sort of red herring...well, then at least you can say you tried, right? What are you going to do now that you've seen this? Are you going to go back to your home in Besaid and just think about it every night until you've cried all your tears and become bitter and hardened over it? Or are you going to be proud, knowing that you tried your best, and that you had fun in the process? That is what living truly is Yuna, taking chances! You took a chance when you defeated Yunalesca, didn't you? You defied laws that summoners had followed for a thousand years, and look at what happened." Rikku spread her arms out to indicate all of Spira.
"Rikku..." Yuna trailed off. She didn't quite know what to say, except for the obvious. Her cousin was right- very right. But, most importantly of all, Yuna did want to do this. She was afraid of their lead turning out to be fake, as Rikku had said there would be a possibility for, but in the end, she was more afraid of passing up the opportunity to begin her new chapter. If she went home to Besaid, she would just do the same thing she had been doing everyday, and nothing would ever change.
"Hey down there." A rough female voice said. Yuna and Rikku looked up above the lift, where the brown-haired girl from before was standing, her hands on her hips and her crimson eyes slightly narrowed. "Are you the High Summoner?"
"Yes." Yuna smiled, and the girl relaxed a little. "I'm also the newest member of the Gullwings, apparently." Rikku gasped and jumped up and down, cheering out.
"Oh Yunie, I KNEW you would say yes! We're going to have SO MUCH FUN TOGETHER!!!!"
"Rikku, you're making my ears bleed!" The girl cried, and hopped down, shoving Rikku out of the way and reaching out to shake Yuna's hand. "Hi, my name is Paine. It's a pleasure."
"Mine also." Yuna smiled.
"Hey!" Rikku cried, recovering from her stumble and staggering back up to Yuna and Paine. "That's no way to treat a fellow Gullwing!"
"Oh, that's funny, I thought we didn't have any rules." Paine smirked. "That's what you said when you lured me into this trap." Rikku paled and started jumping up and down angrily.
"I didn't lure you! You ASKED to join us! I remember!"
"Ahem!" Yuna laughed, and put her hands on her hips. "Rikku, I think we should get going now!" Rikku and Paine turned to Yuna.
"You just want to leave?" Rikku asked, a little confused. "You don't want to say good-bye to anyone?"
"Yeah, I just want to go." Yuna smiled. "I'm afraid that if I tell Wakka and Lulu what I'm doing, they'll try to convince me not to leave quiet, safe Besaid."
"That's the spirit!" Paine grinned. "I like the way she thinks, unlike you Rikku, who doesn't think at all. I can't believe you two are related."
"HEYYY!" Rikku shrieked, stomping her foot, and Yuna laughed, jumping onto the lift and pushing the button for her to ascend higher into the ship. As it started to move up, Paine leaped on with her, leaving Rikku behind to pitch her fit. Paine didn't say anything, but she did give Yuna an understanding smile. Yuna smiled back, and looked up at the high ceiling of the Celsius, which was a perfectly clear dome that revealed the bright blue sky and the little white puffs of clouds that dotted it. A few gulls from the port flew overhead, and Yuna sighed dreamily. Paine turned towards her.
"I'll take you up to the deck later." She offered. "It's a great view."
"Thanks." Yuna smiled more, and took a step onto the control bridge off from the lift. It was her first step into her new life, into her new chapter.
~*~*~
That night, after the Yuna had been officially initiated into the Gullwings (aka, a lot of partying by the members on board of Celsius), Yuna found the other lift that Paine had shown her and rode it to the deck of the ship.
Celsius was gently coasting through the night sky, destination unknown. The stars were out tonight, bright and shining like diamonds, and there wasn't a trace of a cloud in sight. Yuna's hair and dress whipped back from the cool winds, and she sat down on the cool, smooth metal deck, sitting up and bringing her two fingers to her lips, letting out a clear, long whistle, and then another.
For the first time since that night he had disappeared, Yuna's eyes did not water when she whistled. The sadness that always consumed her was replaced with something new tonight: hope. It was something she had not felt since...since when? Since the defeat of Sin? No, even then, Yuna's heart had been torn by the disappearance of Auron and Tidus, and the Fayth. It was further back...back when she first met Tidus, that she had really, truly felt hope. The moment her eyes fell upon his, warm, and blue, just like the ocean, she knew that she would somehow get through her pilgrimage, no matter how painful.
She knew that he would always be by her side...and somehow, inside, she sensed that he still was. She could feel his essence as easily as the wind.
He was just waiting for her to find him.
~*~*~
Fin
03.12.04
When Yuna and Issaru made it to the Besaid Temple, they turned to each other, Issaru, in graceful motions, blessing their parting by performing the Yevon prayer motion. Yuna simply bowed, and Issaru smiled gently.
"I see that your battles with Sin have greatly effected you, Yuna. You have really changed."
Yuna sighed slightly and pushed her hair back, gazing up at the clear blue Besaidian skies.
"Can I tell you a secret, Issaru?"
"What?" Issaru blinked and stepped forward some. Yuna locked eyes with him again.
"I wish I really could change. But I feel that even after everything my guardians and I have been through, I haven't. I still feel like the same Yuna, the same naive summoner that traveled through Spira as a pilgrim. I still feel like I'm waiting for something big to happen, something that will truly give me a sign that shows I was supposed to survive all this. I wish...I wish that I had something in life to look forward to. But everyday is the same..."
"What?" Issaru looked very surprised, and concerned. "Yuna, you saved us all! How could you say something so hurtful about yourself like that?"
"I...I don't know..." Yuna looked down and gently kicked at the sands on the temple stairs. "It's been nearly a year since everything happened...and I'm still waiting...waiting for the next stage of my life. Chapter two of Yuna's story."
"Yuna..." Issaru reached up and gently held her shoulder. "Listen. You should stop waiting for the next chapter and just live...live and love and enjoy the beautiful world that you helped bring back to Spira's people. Look around you. People have begun to live again. They no long divide their existence into increments of ten years, because they might of been killed by each return of Sin. Better yet, people are not only living again, they are truly having fun, existing in the moment. You're the one who gave them that gift Yuna...but do not deny it to yourself."
Yuna smiled slightly, and nodded.
"Ok. I will try to keep your words in mind, Issaru."
"You should." Issaru smiled back and dropped his hand. This time, there was no blush on Yuna's face. It was very clear in her mind that she needed to move on, somehow, and stop clinging to the hope of Tidus' return. Issaru wasn't Tidus. The man on the ship that Kimarhi met was not him either. Tidus...he wasn't anywhere, not on Spira, at any rate. Spira had begun its rebirth, and this time...Tidus was not born with it. He was a dream of the Fayth...who had also been left behind in the new Spira. Therefore, he could not exist. However, there was still one thing that troubled Yuna's heart. Issaru's words had inspired her right then and there to take her first step to becoming a new person along with Spira. She would start small- asking questions when she wanted them answered and not leaving them to mull over and eat at her mind.
"Issaru." Yuna suddenly spoke up. "Why...why were you sent here for Shelinda, exactly? What is the Yevonian Council up to?" Her heart began to beat wildly in her chest just at the mention of that council. Issaru's eyes shifted a little, causing Yuna to gasp softly to herself.
No...oh, please don't let my suspicions be correct...I don't want to even imagine what they must be up to...
"Do you promise not to tell anyone?" Issaru suddenly asked, a slightly malicious glint in his eyes. Yuna bit down on her lip.
"....Yes, I promise." Was it possible, or was her heart about to burst from her chest?
"I'm trusting you with this, Yuna." Issaru said a little forcefully, and took a step closer, closing all space between them. Yuna widened her eyes, and blinked. She was starting to see spots of light, her mind was starting to lighten and spin. What was going on? Issaru leaned in and started to whisper.
"I'm here....to do an investigation."
Yuna frowned slightly and tried to keep herself steady on her own two feet.
"An investigation?"
"Yeah, for Shelinda." Issaru pulled back and suddenly broke into a huge smile. "Didn't you hear? She's a big time reporter now, and she's doing a story on the Yevonian council. Apparently, they are making a big announcement at the Blitzball Tournament in Luca next week, and she asked me exclusively to go on the scene and give her the "scoop", as she calls it, on temple activity these days. It's all apart of her broadcast she's going to give. This is going to make her way famous, you know. I can't believe she convinced the council to let her do this story." Yuna stared at Issaru blankly, and thought she was going to pass out from an overwhelming mix of relief and embarrassment.
Issaru was on an assignment...for a news story?
She smacked her forehead. She didn't even want to tell Issaru what she had been thinking- something along the lines of corruption, deception, scandal, the usual associated with Yevon. She could not believe that she had managed to turn Issaru's cryptic replies into a full-blown horror story for Spira. He had only been secretive because of his news report...how unbelievable!
"Something wrong?" Issaru asked, and Yuna shook her head.
"Oh, no...but I think I'd better get going! Good luck on your investigation."
"Thanks! See you later!" Issaru gave a wave, and with that, turned to go inside the temple. Yuna sighed out, all the pent up suspicion and fear inside of her flowing out through that one, steady flow of breath.
"I need a vacation." Yuna moaned and began her trek back to the house. "I need...something. I think too much. Waaaaaay too much."
As Yuna approached the doorway of her humble adobe, she could hear yelling, which made her heart sink. Lulu and Wakka were going at it again, apparently. She did not mean to be nosy, but a loud voice in her mind was pushing her to just burst in there and ask them what the heck their problem was. She hesitated at the door, staring down at her feet. Lulu's voice was strained as she yelled. She almost sounded as if she were about to cry. Wakka sounded pretty upset too, and before she could contemplate it any further, she heard the flap of the doorway open, and there, staring at her, was Lulu, with bloodshot eyes and a clenched fist. Her expression softened slightly when she saw Yuna, but her eyes were still so sad.
"Lulu!" Yuna exclaimed in surprise, turning red for being caught eavesdropping.
"Yuna." Lulu said in that same stoic tone, looking her up and down. "Did you walk Issaru to the temple?"
"Yes." Yuna said hurriedly, turning even redder. Lulu kept staring down at her, not saying anything, at least, not with her lips. Her eyes, however, were screaming some very bad things. Right then, Wakka ran up to the two girls, and took Lulu's shoulder.
"Lu! Listen, don't leave! You didn't let me finish!"
"I don't want to hear you finish!" Lulu cried, whirling around and smacking his hand away from her. Yuna widened her eyes and took a step back. This wasn't living and loving like Issaru was talking about. More than ever, right at that moment, Yuna needed to feel like his words were true, and real. She needed her family to be there with her, and to love her and each other. She needed to ask questions, and get answers that she deserved.
"STOP IT!" Yuna suddenly screamed, her voice bouncing off the sky. Wakka and Lulu both stopped their bickering and turned towards Yuna, a look of shock on their faces. Yuna heaved a heavy breath and jutted a finger towards the inside of the house. "Inside, both of you, NOW!" Much to her surprise, Wakka and Lulu both turned and slipped back inside the house. Yuna followed, her hands on her hips, and watched the two as they sat down and stared up at her, like two reprimanded children. Yuna began to pace up and down, her hands behind her back.
"Now, just to let you know, things are going to start to change around here." She took another deep breath, stuttering slightly with her words, but getting stronger with each passing moment. "I heard you guys fighting earlier today, and now you are fighting again. I want to know what is going on, and I want to know now. You can't leave me in the dark about all of this...if you do...I...I'll..."
"Yuna, it's ok." Lulu stood up and grabbed Yuna as she whirled around to make another pacing round. Yuna stopped and looked up at Lulu.
"Ya, you poor thing, havin' to listen to us holla like dat." Wakka sighed, and stood up also, hands on his hips. "We've just been under a little stress, ya?"
"There's something we should probably tell you." Lulu said, looking up at Yuna with serious eyes. "It might come as a surprise, but believe me, no one was more surprised than us."
"What?" Yuna blinked, and Wakka and Lulu looked at each other.
"Well..." Lulu trailed off, for once at a loss of words, and Wakka suddenly jumped up.
"Lulu is pregnant!"
Yuna stepped back and gasped.
"Wha....Who...Huh....?"
"Wakka is the father." Lulu added, and Yuna blinked. She had no idea what to think, but for some reason, all of a sudden, she was so ecstatic, she felt like she was going to explode.
"Oh, Lulu, Wakka!" Yuna cried, throwing her arms around both of them at once, and forcing them to smash up against each other. Lulu grunted and Wakka grinned, hugging back. Yuna felt her eyes water a little as she kissed Wakka on the cheek and Lulu on the forehead. "I'm so happy for you guys!" She pulled back, and watched their reactions. Wakka was smiling, but Lulu looked too overwhelmed to say much. Yuna fanned her face a little, and smiled slightly. "You guys are happy too...right?"
"Ya, of course." Wakka said, and looked to Lulu, who looked up at him.
"I'm very happy." She said slowly, and pushed her hair back. "But I was not happy with the way you reacted when I told you at first." Wakka frowned some, and leaned in to kiss Lulu's cheek.
"Aw Lu, I know I was a jerk about it, and I'm really sorry, ya know? But I swear it was just because I was so surprised, and ya know how I get when I'm surprised, ya?"
"Yes." Lulu and Yuna both said at once, and Wakka laughed nervously.
"But seriously Lu, I can't wait for our baby to come! I really can't!" Lulu smiled some at this, and Wakka reached down in his pockets, suddenly coming up with a small box and opening it, revealing a glittering ruby and gold ring. "And Lu, I want you to marry me...ya know? Uh, dat is...if you want to marry me..."
"Wakka!" Lulu cried, and Wakka jumped a little at her tone. Yuna looked between them, and Lulu suddenly threw her arms around Wakka, holding him tightly against her and closing her eyes. "Don't be such a fool...of course I'll marry you!" Wakka hugged her back tightly, resting his head against hers, the box with the ring dropping to the floor. Yuna sniffled happily and bent down, picking up the ring and handing it back to Wakka, who fumbled excitedly as he took Lulu's hand and slipped the ring onto her delicate finger.
How wonderful... Yuna thought, her tears spilling down her cheeks. Oh Issaru, you were right...now I have something bright and wonderful to look forward to...my very own little brother or sister...!
~*~*~
A week later...
Luca stadium, like always, was jam-packed with people for the Blitzball Tournament. Yuna, nervously walking up and down the corridor, listened to Shelinda's voice as she spoke to the crowds through her microphone out on the balcony over the stadium. She was revealing a break in the news that seemed to captivate the crowds. The remaining followers of Yevon had decided to reform, and to call themselves "New Yevon", the Yevon for the future. They would be a new organization, she revealed, one that would dispel all the lies and mystery shrouding Yevon's name and bring Truth back to Spira. As she started to explain about the restoration they would donate funds to preserve the temples of Spira that had not already been bought by others, Yuna heard footsteps behind her, and turned. Walking towards her was a short young man, although still a little taller than Yuna, with light, almost platinum blonde hair swept back by a blue bandana. He was wearing beautiful orange and green robes, with the emblems of Yevon and the summons embroidered on the front, and brown leather boots. His skin was tanned and smooth, and his brown eyes were the color of rich chocolate.
"Hello, Lady Yuna." He said, and smiled, giving the Yevonian greeting and smiling. "I am Praetor of New Yevon, Baralai. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, after hearing so much about the legendary summoner who saved Spira."
"Oh, well, hello." Yuna smiled some and they shook hands. "It was very nice of you to let Shelinda tell your story out there for everyone. My friend told me that she really, really wants to follow through with this reporter career. I think she has finally found her calling...she's really good at public speaking!"
"She is very good." Baralai smiled. "We enjoyed working with her, and we hope she'll help us again. Oh, by the way, I met your friend Kimarhi on a ship passing Besaid Port." Yuna raised her eyebrows, things clicking in her head.
"Oh! So you were the young man that Kimarhi was talking about that was asking for me."
"Yeah!" Baralai smiled. "I recognized the Ronso that had helped protect you on your pilgrimage, and asked him how you were doing. He's not much for words though, is he?" Yuna laughed softly and shook her head. Kimarhi wasn't a talker by any means.
There was a slightly uncomfortable silence, and Yuna cleared her throat, still keeping her smile. The crowds outside suddenly erupted into cheers and roars, and Baralai bowed.
"Excuse me, but that's my cue." He started to walk past Yuna, and turned back to her, smiling. "It was very wonderful meeting you, High Summoner Yuna." Yuna blinked, and Baralai winked, parting the curtains to the balcony. "Oh, and happy birthday."
"High Summoner Yuna...?" Yuna whispered, and held onto the wall gently for support of her weakened knees. Her, the high summoner? Was Baralai kidding, or...
"We'll take one thing at a time." Baralai was saying. "One step at a time. One day at a time. Spira has seen incredible progress in just this year alone, and next year, things will be even more amazing. No one will believe that Spira is the same star that it was when Sin reigned over us all. It will be a rebirth, people, a rebirth of everything good and pure and wonderful...and Spira will thrive!" There was more very loud cheering, and Baralai continued. "But a cause for even greater celebration is that today, our very own Yuna, the young woman that saved us all, is turning 18 today. Better yet, she has also been invited here, unbeknownst to her, to be bestowed a very great honor. Everyone, please stand up and cheer for the new High Summoner of Spira, Yuna!"
"Oh!" Yuna exclaimed, nearly lost in Baralai's soothing yet energizing voice. At the sound of her name, she pushed away from the wall and stepped out, her soft violet dress brushing against the curtains as she walked onto the balcony. There, Baralai, Shelinda, Wakka, Lulu were standing at her left, and on her right were Kimarhi, her dear cousin Rikku, and two clergy from the Besaid temple. They all bowed to her, and one of the clergy raised, stepping forward and handing Yuna a beautiful silver staff with an angel wing emblem at the top, with trailing pink ribbons and beads and diamonds glittering from the wings. Yuna clutched it gently and felt herself tremble in happiness.
Finally, Father...I've completed my goal, to become High Summoner like you...to defeat Sin, and to save this world you and Mother loved so much...
Yuna cleared her throat and stepped up to the microphone, looking over the crowds and feeling the words come right to her, as easily as drinking a cool glass of water.
"Thank you, everyone, for giving me this wondrous honor." Yuna sighed softly and leaned in closer, her voice booming now as she spoke. "With this day, I can turn a page in my life and end a very long, arduous, but satisfying chapter in my story. This past year, I will admit, has been very bittersweet for me. I am thrilled at the prospect of Spira growing and progressing, racing towards a future without stopping once to take a breath of air. The past that we once knew, although dotted with bits of happiness, was most often drowned in sorrows and pain. Sometimes, however, I felt almost as if I was being left behind. It was only until very recently that I realized that I too, need to stop mourning over the past that is no more." Yuna stopped for a moment to gather her thoughts. There was not a peep from the stands, although Yuna did hear a familiar squeal of excitement come from Rikku.
"I still think of my father, Braska, and of the guardians I lost that helped guide me on my pilgrimage to defeat Sin. However, lately, I've realized that they were dominating my thoughts, and while it is ok for us to miss the ones we've lost to Sin, we must also look to the future...it holds so many possibilities for us. Today, I cast aside the sadness that has been my veil for this past year, and truly turn toward the future, both as a young woman and as your High Summoner. Let us welcome tomorrow and all it's opportunities with open arms, and all begin a new chapter."
The crowds burst out into cheers and loud applause, and Yuna bowed. As she walked back through the curtains to her waiting area, she handed her staff back to the clergyman who had given it to her, and let out a happy sigh. She felt lighter than air, as if she could just spread her wings and fly away.
"Yunie!" Rikku squealed, and suddenly dove onto Yuna from behind, wrapping her arms around her neck and squeezing tight.
"Ack, Rikku, get off of me!" Yuna cried, but laughed, shaking her cousin off and turning towards her. "And hello to you too, by the way. Why didn't you tell me you would be here today!?"
"I wanted it to be a surprise." Rikku grinned, and bounced up and down. "But more important, there is something I need to show you. I actually only just found it the other day...but I thought today would be the most appropriate to show it to you."
"What is it?" Yuna asked, and blinked. Rikku had turned serious now, pushing her blonde braids away from her face and shifting her eyes.
"I want us to be alone." Rikku said. "Can we go somewhere else? Like my airship?"
"Sure." Yuna said, and with that, Rikku led her outside of the stadium and to the ports, where her airship was docked and waiting. However, much to Yuna's surprise, it was not the same ship that she had flown on with Cid and the others when they had traveled over Spira last year. This ship was red, and shining, and sleek, long with black markings and designs painted along it, the rear end almost resembling a rear car of a motorcycle. As Yuna and Rikku ran down to the end of the dock, Yuna spotted a very tall girl dressed in all black with slicked back light brown hair watching them. She suddenly turned, leaping into the ship, and disappeared from sight.
"Who was that?" Yuna asked, and Rikku shook her head.
"Oh, don't worry, I'll introduce you two later."
"Later? And what is that ship?"
"Well, Brother and Buddy named it Celsius!"
A few moments later, Yuna and Rikku climbed aboard the ship themselves, and stood there within the entrance cabin. Rikku reached in her pocket, pulling out a glowing orange spear, and handed it to Yuna.
"What is this?" Yuna asked, staring at the sphere incredulously.
"I've taken up this little hobby." Rikku explained. "They call it sphere hunting. Brother, Buddy, this Al Bhed kid named Shinra, that girl you just saw, Paine, and I have been exploring Spira together to look for spheres like this. Some of them have pieces of Spira's past recorded on them, and others are just gibberish. Some of them are broken and can't be viewed. However..." She grinned slightly. "It brings in mucho dinero, you know?"
"So that's where you've been hiding all this time." Yuna said, and smiled some. "And what's on this sphere?" Rikku brought a finger to her cheek.
"Well...it's hard to say. But, I wanted you to see it for yourself. If...you can make anything of it...well, then I suppose we can go from there, you know?" Yuna grasped the sphere between her fingers, and swallowed. What was Rikku talking about? However, there was only one way to find the answer to that particular question, and Yuna was ready to take the plunge.
"Ok...let's look at this thing." Yuna said softly, and pushed on the delicate, tiny switch at the side of the sphere. The entire sphere turned blue, and a watery, cloudy image began to appear inside. It was very hard to make out, and at first, all Yuna could see was black. But then, so slowly, a faded picture appeared within the darkness, a picture that looked like it was lined with metal bars, with someone's hands grasping them. Sound began to crackle out, at first incomprehensible noises, and finally, a voice, a voice that was screaming out.
Yuna felt as if her heart were about to stop. Her blood ran cold, and beads of sweat formed at her temples. That voice...it was so familiar...and ever so slightly, she could make out the face behind the bars. The strong, defined, tanned features...the piercing blue eyes...that spiky blonde hair...
"...Let me out of here....!!"
Rrrrrrrrrrrr.....crack....glub....
"....I only did it so I could save the summoner!"
Rrrrrrrr....
"...If she were YOUR girl, what would you have done...!?"
Crack...Hmmmmmm....Rrrrrr....
"Please...I need to see her..."
The screen turned black again, and the sphere made a static crackling noise before switching off on its own and turning back to its original bright orange color. Yuna looked up to Rikku, who was staring at her.
"Rikku..." Yuna's voice cracked as she spoke, slowly and softly. "Was that....was that him?"
"I don't know." Rikku shook her head. "But when I saw it...I knew that I had to show it to you. Something inside me told me it was the right thing to do." Yuna let out a low breath and fell back against the wall, bringing her hand to her forehead and closing her eyes. Her head was spinning so hard, she thought for sure they were all caught in some bizarre whirlwind that had just manifested itself inside the airship. Her knees were weak, shaking, and her hand quickly began clammy against the touch of her own skin.
"Shinra analyzed the sphere." Rikku continued. "However, the results for the date of recording came back inconclusive. The sphere was badly damaged when we found it...but he restored it the best he could, as you can see..."
"Are there more like this?"
"Huh?" Rikku tilted her head, and Yuna looked up. Her voice was coarse.
"Are there more spheres like this one?"
"Oh..." Rikku raised her hands and shook her head. "Who knows? There could very well be...Paine and I find new spheres almost everyday, and Shinra analyzes them for us and keeps them on file. She reached out, taking Yuna's hands into her own and looking up into her cousin's eyes. "I wanted to ask you Yuna, I wanted to ask you to join us in our hunt for spheres. I want you to join the Gullwings. That's the name of our group."
"You want me to become a Sphere Hunter?" Yuna asked, a little surprised. "But I hardly seem the type..."
"So you try something new, no big deal!" Rikku squeezed her hands. "I wanted you to join us ever since I became one, but I never wanted to bother you at home and tear you away from your quiet life. However, once I saw this...I thought that I might try to ask you this time."
"I..." Yuna trailed off, and looked away. "I just told myself...and all of Spira...that I would let go of the past and look to the future. Searching for more spheres with him on them...that would be breaking a very big promise."
"Yuna!" Rikku cried, dropping her hands. "It is not breaking a promise! This is important to you, isn't it? Besides, it's not going back to the past. Sphere Hunting is a big future for Spira...you'll see what I mean in time. Everyone is just starting to get into it...besides, you could unlock all these really cool secrets and discover Spira's past! That is the key to the future you know, the past. No matter what you may say, it is the past that teaches us what to do for the future. You believe that, right?" Yuna looked back to Rikku, and pushed her hair back behind her ears. Rikku continued quickly, before Yuna could say anything else.
"Besides all that, it will just be plain fun! We'll get you some clothes that aren't so frilly so you can explore with Paine and I! We go wherever we want in Spira, whenever we want. Everyday is a new adventure, and nothing is predictable!" Rikku smiled. "Nothing is written or laid out for you, Yuna. You live each day how YOU decide, how YOU want. And..." There was no way she could skirt around the most sensitive issue at stake here. "....If this sphere here turns out to be some sort of red herring...well, then at least you can say you tried, right? What are you going to do now that you've seen this? Are you going to go back to your home in Besaid and just think about it every night until you've cried all your tears and become bitter and hardened over it? Or are you going to be proud, knowing that you tried your best, and that you had fun in the process? That is what living truly is Yuna, taking chances! You took a chance when you defeated Yunalesca, didn't you? You defied laws that summoners had followed for a thousand years, and look at what happened." Rikku spread her arms out to indicate all of Spira.
"Rikku..." Yuna trailed off. She didn't quite know what to say, except for the obvious. Her cousin was right- very right. But, most importantly of all, Yuna did want to do this. She was afraid of their lead turning out to be fake, as Rikku had said there would be a possibility for, but in the end, she was more afraid of passing up the opportunity to begin her new chapter. If she went home to Besaid, she would just do the same thing she had been doing everyday, and nothing would ever change.
"Hey down there." A rough female voice said. Yuna and Rikku looked up above the lift, where the brown-haired girl from before was standing, her hands on her hips and her crimson eyes slightly narrowed. "Are you the High Summoner?"
"Yes." Yuna smiled, and the girl relaxed a little. "I'm also the newest member of the Gullwings, apparently." Rikku gasped and jumped up and down, cheering out.
"Oh Yunie, I KNEW you would say yes! We're going to have SO MUCH FUN TOGETHER!!!!"
"Rikku, you're making my ears bleed!" The girl cried, and hopped down, shoving Rikku out of the way and reaching out to shake Yuna's hand. "Hi, my name is Paine. It's a pleasure."
"Mine also." Yuna smiled.
"Hey!" Rikku cried, recovering from her stumble and staggering back up to Yuna and Paine. "That's no way to treat a fellow Gullwing!"
"Oh, that's funny, I thought we didn't have any rules." Paine smirked. "That's what you said when you lured me into this trap." Rikku paled and started jumping up and down angrily.
"I didn't lure you! You ASKED to join us! I remember!"
"Ahem!" Yuna laughed, and put her hands on her hips. "Rikku, I think we should get going now!" Rikku and Paine turned to Yuna.
"You just want to leave?" Rikku asked, a little confused. "You don't want to say good-bye to anyone?"
"Yeah, I just want to go." Yuna smiled. "I'm afraid that if I tell Wakka and Lulu what I'm doing, they'll try to convince me not to leave quiet, safe Besaid."
"That's the spirit!" Paine grinned. "I like the way she thinks, unlike you Rikku, who doesn't think at all. I can't believe you two are related."
"HEYYY!" Rikku shrieked, stomping her foot, and Yuna laughed, jumping onto the lift and pushing the button for her to ascend higher into the ship. As it started to move up, Paine leaped on with her, leaving Rikku behind to pitch her fit. Paine didn't say anything, but she did give Yuna an understanding smile. Yuna smiled back, and looked up at the high ceiling of the Celsius, which was a perfectly clear dome that revealed the bright blue sky and the little white puffs of clouds that dotted it. A few gulls from the port flew overhead, and Yuna sighed dreamily. Paine turned towards her.
"I'll take you up to the deck later." She offered. "It's a great view."
"Thanks." Yuna smiled more, and took a step onto the control bridge off from the lift. It was her first step into her new life, into her new chapter.
~*~*~
That night, after the Yuna had been officially initiated into the Gullwings (aka, a lot of partying by the members on board of Celsius), Yuna found the other lift that Paine had shown her and rode it to the deck of the ship.
Celsius was gently coasting through the night sky, destination unknown. The stars were out tonight, bright and shining like diamonds, and there wasn't a trace of a cloud in sight. Yuna's hair and dress whipped back from the cool winds, and she sat down on the cool, smooth metal deck, sitting up and bringing her two fingers to her lips, letting out a clear, long whistle, and then another.
For the first time since that night he had disappeared, Yuna's eyes did not water when she whistled. The sadness that always consumed her was replaced with something new tonight: hope. It was something she had not felt since...since when? Since the defeat of Sin? No, even then, Yuna's heart had been torn by the disappearance of Auron and Tidus, and the Fayth. It was further back...back when she first met Tidus, that she had really, truly felt hope. The moment her eyes fell upon his, warm, and blue, just like the ocean, she knew that she would somehow get through her pilgrimage, no matter how painful.
She knew that he would always be by her side...and somehow, inside, she sensed that he still was. She could feel his essence as easily as the wind.
He was just waiting for her to find him.
~*~*~
Fin
03.12.04