A/N: Here's another chappy! A lil fluff too!
To Bloodfang: Oh don't worry, it will probably get worse ¤grins ebilly¤
To PrimaDonna49: Yup! Aeris and Yuna rock!! And if I ever get FF8, I'll prolly do somethin bouts Rinoa. It's really you're favorite? YAY!!! ¤hugglez¤
To Albhed Nightmare: your story sounds interesting. I don't think there will be any aeons, I thought it was dumb when they re-used them in FFX-2.
To Emrelle Elendal: Exactly!! Cliffhangers make you guys come back blehehehe!!!
Chapter Ten
Heading Back
Aeris and Yuna found themselves back at the airship in no time. "Should we tell them?" Aeris looked at Yuna, her face showing fatigue and confusion.
Yuna shook her head. "Not yet. The day's already been hell enough."
"Right," Aeris said, walking onto the bridge.
"Hey Yunie," Rikku waved slightly. Her energy seemed drained. Everyone's did. "You okay?"
Smiling softly, the High Summoner walked over to her cousin. "I'm... a little confused. But I'm all right. What about you?"
The Al Bhed shrugged. "Things are bad, and they can only get worse. Gippal left for Home earlier. Something turned up about Pop." She blinked a tear out of her green orbs. Sighing, Rikku patted Yuna on the shoulder. "I'm sure it will be nothing big."
"Anyway," Yuna said, "I suppose we should turn in for the night. Maybe we can try the Time-Porter tomorrow."
"As long as no crazy guy attacks us again," Shinra shrugged.
"Besaid?" Paine suggested.
"Yeah," Aeris yawned, "I'm still really tired."
Tidus took Yuna's hand, giving her an assuring 'everything-will-be-okay' grin that made her weak in the knees, and started to walk back to the village. Aeris, Rikku, and Paine soon followed. The others would stay on their airship. The silence between them, other than Rikku's humming, was awkward and deafening. Saying a quiet good-night, each walked into their own hut for the night.
Yuna and Aeris changed into pajamas, coming out to see Tidus dressed as he had the night before. "You two sure you're okay?" Tidus asked, worriedly. It was too quiet.
"We're fine, really," Aeris smiled. "It was a long day."
Yuna nodded quicky to agree. "We're okay. Good night Aeris," she said, a smile on her face, but her eyes showed different.
"Night Yuna, Tidus," the flower girl said, rolling over to face the wall of the hut. She felt her eyes close and fell asleep to the tranquil chirping of nighttime animals and the whispers between Yuna and Tidus.
Yuna climbed into the bed with her blitzball player. She leaned against Tidus' chest, letting the rhythm of his heart calm her nerves. She felt his fingers playing in her hair. "As soon as this is over, I promise we'll find some time to be happy."
Resting his chin on Yuna's shoulder, he chuckled quietly. "But I am happy," he whispered, "Happy to be back in Spira. Out of the Farplane. Here with you."
Turning to face him, Yuna felt tears in her eyes. "I know. But everything..."
"Shh," he said, putting a finger to her lips. He brushed away a tear with his thumb, holding Yuna's face in his hands. "It's okay. Yuna, because of you, countless amounts of people get to smile each day. They are allowed to live. You've saved the world, more than one time. And I'm making it my purpose to see you smile just like the people of Spira," Tidus said softly, leaning his forehead against hers.
A teary smile played across her face. "I wish I could spend every moment with you, just like this."
"Someday, we will," Tidus said. "Until that day, we have to make the best of everything, okay?"
"Okay," Yuna whispered. She pulled him closer, until she could feel his breath against her own lips. They stayed together for a few moments, then pulled apart. "Good night," she said, a playful grin on her face.
"Good night. I love you," he said softly.
Yuna felt her face become a bright shade of crimson, and rolled over. "I love you too," she said blissfully. She closed her eyes as Tidus wrapped his arm around her waist. Yuna found his hand with her own, and laced her fingers through his as she fell into a light sleep.
Yuna stirred, her eyes opening to a dim light. Day had barely begun. No nightmares, she thought happily. Careful not to awaken Tidus, she slipped out of the bed and walked into her shower room. She needed to bathe badly. Turning on the hot water, she undressed and stepped into the shower, letting the water wash away the dirt. Scrubbing her scalp with a special shampoo, her thoughts wandered. She quickly rinsed the soap from her hair and body, and turned off the water.
A yawn escaped her lips as she wringed the excess water from her hair. She noticed it had grown a bit longer. It now fell past her shoulders. She dressed in a white tube top with a denim short-sleeved jacket, and a pair of white capri pants. She walked out of the shower room, brushing her hair out. Yuna nearly gasped out loud as she passed the mirror. She saw him again. Sephiroth. Even though she figured he couldn't see it, she gave him a rude gesture with her hand. Don't get comfortable, she thought darkly. She then walked into the main room again, where Tidus was still asleep.
Aeris waved to Yuna, and went to go take a shower herself. Since the morning was still early, Yuna decided to take a walk through the village. Her sandals clopped against the ground as she took in a deep breath of the morning air.
"Auntie Yuna!"
Yuna turned to see Vidina running to her, Lulu following. "Morning Vidina," she said with a bright smile. The toddler jumped into her arms. Yuna wasn't his real aunt, but it seemed to fit well enough. "Are you being good for your mommy?"
He shook his head, his red hair blowing wildly in the wind.
"Thanks for catching him," Lulu chuckled. "He's been running away all morning."
"Mommy wants to cut my hair!" he cried.
"But don't you want your hair shorter? It won't be in your eyes then," Yuna said, trying to reassure the three year old.
"No! It'll hurt!"
Yuna grinned. "Don't worry Viddy," she called him by his nickname, "It won't hurt. And it will make your hair like your daddy's."
"I don't believe you!"
Lulu shook her head, "It's no use. He won't listen to anybody."
"It'll make you better at blitzball," Aeris said, walking towards the group.
Vidina looked up. "Really?"
Aeris smiled brightly. "Yeah. Then your hair won't be in your face and you can swim faster."
"Well okay!" he said joyfully. Climbing down from Yuna's arm, he squeezed Aeris' legs, then ran past his mother. "Come on Mommy! You have to cut my hair!"
Lulu raised an eyebrow at Aeris. 'Thanks' she mouthed, running to catch up with her son.
"You sure have a way with kids," Yuna grinned. She looked at Aeris, "Where did you get those clothes?"
"From Rikku... they aren't too much are they?" she asked modestly. Aeris was dressed in a form-fitting sleeveless sky blue top with a low collar, and a faded jean skirt that stopped just above her knees. All of her hair, except for a few expertly placed bangs, was pulled back with a blue ribbon.
Yuna shook her head, "It looks great on you. I could have guessed it was from Rikku."
"Well I want to look different, you know?"
"Are you nervous?"
"Only about," she looked around, then whispered, "you know... those two."
Nodding, Yuna pushed a strand of hair from her face. "I don't think they are ready to do anything yet."
"Who's not ready?" Tidus asked, coming from behind her.
"They aren't," Yuna said, biting down on her lip.
"Who's they?"
Yuna shrugged, giving him a sideways, coy look. "You'll have to find out for yourself," she smirked. She looked at Aeris from the corner of her eye. Laughing, the two brunettes ran past the confused blitzball player, the dew of the grass soaking their feet. They sprinted past the falls again, still way ahead of him. Finally, arriving at the beach, the two young women stopped, giggling to a point of tears.
When Tidus caught up, he started another round of the girls' giggling. "What's so funny?!" he demanded.
"The.. look... on... your face!" Aeris managed to say between breaths.
Tidus stuck out his tounge. "Well you cheated!"
Yuna grinned. "No one said it was a race."
The trio sat on the beach until they caught their breaths.
"Hey you three!" Rikku yelled. "Whatcha doin' here so early?"
"Waiting for you!" Tidus yelled back.
When Paine arrived, the five boarded the airship. "Going back five thousand years," Paine said in amazement.
"It'll work," Shinra said with confidence. He began to type furiously at his keyboard. The Time-Porter didn't look very special. It was a door, that opened to nothing when turned off. Only Shinra knew how to work it, and he believed no one else had the intellect to understand it. This had caused some pointless arguements with Brother at one point. Finally he pressed the last button and a bright light flashed from the door. "Open it," he commanded.
Taking in a deep breath, Aeris set her hand on the doorhandle. "I'm not going to blow up or anything, am I?"
"Of course not!" Shinra said, as if it was a silly question.
"Okay..." she turned the door handle, opening it. In front of them stood a whole different world. A group of people were collected around a small flower bed in a church. Yuna reconized it as where her dream had taken place. "Cloud," Aeris whispered.
"Now what?" Rikku asked, excitedly.
"Walk through."
"How do we get back?" Paine questioned.
"Just say so. I'll open a portal by you so you can get back to this time. I'll be watching you the entire time so nothing goes wrong."
Aeris looked at Yuna. "You go first," she said, nervously.
The High Summoner sighed. "Come on, we'll go together." She set her hand on Aeris' shoulder. "It'll be okay."
The flower girl grinned. "Okay."
"They probably won't even reconize you," Tidus said.
Yuna and Aeris took in a deep breath and stepped through. It didn't seem like anything had happened. They stood at the entrance of the church as Rikku, Paine, and Tidus slowly followed. They were silent, listening to the group of people speak. Aeris had clutched onto Yuna's arm, trembling slightly.
"Damn. Must be creepy comin' back 'ere afta all these years," said a tall black man.
The man Aeris knew as Cloud nodded. "This is where I met her."
A brunette dressed in a white top and black skirt put her hand on Cloud's shoulder. "It's okay. We all miss her. Even after five years, I can..." she trailed. "I can see her face."
The silence between them was broken by a small sob from Aeris.
The group turned and faced Yuna and her friends. "How the hell did you get in here? I locked the door!" said a man with a cigar in his mouth.
"Umm... no it wasn't?" Rikku said.
"Who are you? You're disturbing a ceremony!" exclaimed a loud ninja female.
"We know Aeris," Yuna said softly, in spite of the girl's forceful tugging at her arm. "I don't think she wants you to be sad for her."
"Yeah, but who are you?" asked a red creature.
"My name is Yuna. These are my friends, Rikku, Paine, Tidus, and..." she looked at Aeris, nodding.
Aeris smiled, still trembling slightly, "I don't suppose you reconize me. After all, I'm not dressed in pink..." She stood in their silence, waiting for a reply.
A/N: Haha another cliffhanger. I'm so glad you are enjoying this. But I don't know what's going to happen... Hmm.... Well Thanx for all your reviews so far!!
To Bloodfang: Oh don't worry, it will probably get worse ¤grins ebilly¤
To PrimaDonna49: Yup! Aeris and Yuna rock!! And if I ever get FF8, I'll prolly do somethin bouts Rinoa. It's really you're favorite? YAY!!! ¤hugglez¤
To Albhed Nightmare: your story sounds interesting. I don't think there will be any aeons, I thought it was dumb when they re-used them in FFX-2.
To Emrelle Elendal: Exactly!! Cliffhangers make you guys come back blehehehe!!!
Chapter Ten
Heading Back
Aeris and Yuna found themselves back at the airship in no time. "Should we tell them?" Aeris looked at Yuna, her face showing fatigue and confusion.
Yuna shook her head. "Not yet. The day's already been hell enough."
"Right," Aeris said, walking onto the bridge.
"Hey Yunie," Rikku waved slightly. Her energy seemed drained. Everyone's did. "You okay?"
Smiling softly, the High Summoner walked over to her cousin. "I'm... a little confused. But I'm all right. What about you?"
The Al Bhed shrugged. "Things are bad, and they can only get worse. Gippal left for Home earlier. Something turned up about Pop." She blinked a tear out of her green orbs. Sighing, Rikku patted Yuna on the shoulder. "I'm sure it will be nothing big."
"Anyway," Yuna said, "I suppose we should turn in for the night. Maybe we can try the Time-Porter tomorrow."
"As long as no crazy guy attacks us again," Shinra shrugged.
"Besaid?" Paine suggested.
"Yeah," Aeris yawned, "I'm still really tired."
Tidus took Yuna's hand, giving her an assuring 'everything-will-be-okay' grin that made her weak in the knees, and started to walk back to the village. Aeris, Rikku, and Paine soon followed. The others would stay on their airship. The silence between them, other than Rikku's humming, was awkward and deafening. Saying a quiet good-night, each walked into their own hut for the night.
Yuna and Aeris changed into pajamas, coming out to see Tidus dressed as he had the night before. "You two sure you're okay?" Tidus asked, worriedly. It was too quiet.
"We're fine, really," Aeris smiled. "It was a long day."
Yuna nodded quicky to agree. "We're okay. Good night Aeris," she said, a smile on her face, but her eyes showed different.
"Night Yuna, Tidus," the flower girl said, rolling over to face the wall of the hut. She felt her eyes close and fell asleep to the tranquil chirping of nighttime animals and the whispers between Yuna and Tidus.
Yuna climbed into the bed with her blitzball player. She leaned against Tidus' chest, letting the rhythm of his heart calm her nerves. She felt his fingers playing in her hair. "As soon as this is over, I promise we'll find some time to be happy."
Resting his chin on Yuna's shoulder, he chuckled quietly. "But I am happy," he whispered, "Happy to be back in Spira. Out of the Farplane. Here with you."
Turning to face him, Yuna felt tears in her eyes. "I know. But everything..."
"Shh," he said, putting a finger to her lips. He brushed away a tear with his thumb, holding Yuna's face in his hands. "It's okay. Yuna, because of you, countless amounts of people get to smile each day. They are allowed to live. You've saved the world, more than one time. And I'm making it my purpose to see you smile just like the people of Spira," Tidus said softly, leaning his forehead against hers.
A teary smile played across her face. "I wish I could spend every moment with you, just like this."
"Someday, we will," Tidus said. "Until that day, we have to make the best of everything, okay?"
"Okay," Yuna whispered. She pulled him closer, until she could feel his breath against her own lips. They stayed together for a few moments, then pulled apart. "Good night," she said, a playful grin on her face.
"Good night. I love you," he said softly.
Yuna felt her face become a bright shade of crimson, and rolled over. "I love you too," she said blissfully. She closed her eyes as Tidus wrapped his arm around her waist. Yuna found his hand with her own, and laced her fingers through his as she fell into a light sleep.
Yuna stirred, her eyes opening to a dim light. Day had barely begun. No nightmares, she thought happily. Careful not to awaken Tidus, she slipped out of the bed and walked into her shower room. She needed to bathe badly. Turning on the hot water, she undressed and stepped into the shower, letting the water wash away the dirt. Scrubbing her scalp with a special shampoo, her thoughts wandered. She quickly rinsed the soap from her hair and body, and turned off the water.
A yawn escaped her lips as she wringed the excess water from her hair. She noticed it had grown a bit longer. It now fell past her shoulders. She dressed in a white tube top with a denim short-sleeved jacket, and a pair of white capri pants. She walked out of the shower room, brushing her hair out. Yuna nearly gasped out loud as she passed the mirror. She saw him again. Sephiroth. Even though she figured he couldn't see it, she gave him a rude gesture with her hand. Don't get comfortable, she thought darkly. She then walked into the main room again, where Tidus was still asleep.
Aeris waved to Yuna, and went to go take a shower herself. Since the morning was still early, Yuna decided to take a walk through the village. Her sandals clopped against the ground as she took in a deep breath of the morning air.
"Auntie Yuna!"
Yuna turned to see Vidina running to her, Lulu following. "Morning Vidina," she said with a bright smile. The toddler jumped into her arms. Yuna wasn't his real aunt, but it seemed to fit well enough. "Are you being good for your mommy?"
He shook his head, his red hair blowing wildly in the wind.
"Thanks for catching him," Lulu chuckled. "He's been running away all morning."
"Mommy wants to cut my hair!" he cried.
"But don't you want your hair shorter? It won't be in your eyes then," Yuna said, trying to reassure the three year old.
"No! It'll hurt!"
Yuna grinned. "Don't worry Viddy," she called him by his nickname, "It won't hurt. And it will make your hair like your daddy's."
"I don't believe you!"
Lulu shook her head, "It's no use. He won't listen to anybody."
"It'll make you better at blitzball," Aeris said, walking towards the group.
Vidina looked up. "Really?"
Aeris smiled brightly. "Yeah. Then your hair won't be in your face and you can swim faster."
"Well okay!" he said joyfully. Climbing down from Yuna's arm, he squeezed Aeris' legs, then ran past his mother. "Come on Mommy! You have to cut my hair!"
Lulu raised an eyebrow at Aeris. 'Thanks' she mouthed, running to catch up with her son.
"You sure have a way with kids," Yuna grinned. She looked at Aeris, "Where did you get those clothes?"
"From Rikku... they aren't too much are they?" she asked modestly. Aeris was dressed in a form-fitting sleeveless sky blue top with a low collar, and a faded jean skirt that stopped just above her knees. All of her hair, except for a few expertly placed bangs, was pulled back with a blue ribbon.
Yuna shook her head, "It looks great on you. I could have guessed it was from Rikku."
"Well I want to look different, you know?"
"Are you nervous?"
"Only about," she looked around, then whispered, "you know... those two."
Nodding, Yuna pushed a strand of hair from her face. "I don't think they are ready to do anything yet."
"Who's not ready?" Tidus asked, coming from behind her.
"They aren't," Yuna said, biting down on her lip.
"Who's they?"
Yuna shrugged, giving him a sideways, coy look. "You'll have to find out for yourself," she smirked. She looked at Aeris from the corner of her eye. Laughing, the two brunettes ran past the confused blitzball player, the dew of the grass soaking their feet. They sprinted past the falls again, still way ahead of him. Finally, arriving at the beach, the two young women stopped, giggling to a point of tears.
When Tidus caught up, he started another round of the girls' giggling. "What's so funny?!" he demanded.
"The.. look... on... your face!" Aeris managed to say between breaths.
Tidus stuck out his tounge. "Well you cheated!"
Yuna grinned. "No one said it was a race."
The trio sat on the beach until they caught their breaths.
"Hey you three!" Rikku yelled. "Whatcha doin' here so early?"
"Waiting for you!" Tidus yelled back.
When Paine arrived, the five boarded the airship. "Going back five thousand years," Paine said in amazement.
"It'll work," Shinra said with confidence. He began to type furiously at his keyboard. The Time-Porter didn't look very special. It was a door, that opened to nothing when turned off. Only Shinra knew how to work it, and he believed no one else had the intellect to understand it. This had caused some pointless arguements with Brother at one point. Finally he pressed the last button and a bright light flashed from the door. "Open it," he commanded.
Taking in a deep breath, Aeris set her hand on the doorhandle. "I'm not going to blow up or anything, am I?"
"Of course not!" Shinra said, as if it was a silly question.
"Okay..." she turned the door handle, opening it. In front of them stood a whole different world. A group of people were collected around a small flower bed in a church. Yuna reconized it as where her dream had taken place. "Cloud," Aeris whispered.
"Now what?" Rikku asked, excitedly.
"Walk through."
"How do we get back?" Paine questioned.
"Just say so. I'll open a portal by you so you can get back to this time. I'll be watching you the entire time so nothing goes wrong."
Aeris looked at Yuna. "You go first," she said, nervously.
The High Summoner sighed. "Come on, we'll go together." She set her hand on Aeris' shoulder. "It'll be okay."
The flower girl grinned. "Okay."
"They probably won't even reconize you," Tidus said.
Yuna and Aeris took in a deep breath and stepped through. It didn't seem like anything had happened. They stood at the entrance of the church as Rikku, Paine, and Tidus slowly followed. They were silent, listening to the group of people speak. Aeris had clutched onto Yuna's arm, trembling slightly.
"Damn. Must be creepy comin' back 'ere afta all these years," said a tall black man.
The man Aeris knew as Cloud nodded. "This is where I met her."
A brunette dressed in a white top and black skirt put her hand on Cloud's shoulder. "It's okay. We all miss her. Even after five years, I can..." she trailed. "I can see her face."
The silence between them was broken by a small sob from Aeris.
The group turned and faced Yuna and her friends. "How the hell did you get in here? I locked the door!" said a man with a cigar in his mouth.
"Umm... no it wasn't?" Rikku said.
"Who are you? You're disturbing a ceremony!" exclaimed a loud ninja female.
"We know Aeris," Yuna said softly, in spite of the girl's forceful tugging at her arm. "I don't think she wants you to be sad for her."
"Yeah, but who are you?" asked a red creature.
"My name is Yuna. These are my friends, Rikku, Paine, Tidus, and..." she looked at Aeris, nodding.
Aeris smiled, still trembling slightly, "I don't suppose you reconize me. After all, I'm not dressed in pink..." She stood in their silence, waiting for a reply.
A/N: Haha another cliffhanger. I'm so glad you are enjoying this. But I don't know what's going to happen... Hmm.... Well Thanx for all your reviews so far!!