A/N: Wee! I think I had the most fun writing this chappy. Sorry it took so long to put up. I was going to post it up on Tuesday, and I couldn't get online long enough, then I was going to post it up on Wednesday, but our phone got disconnected, and the stupid centry tell people didn't put it up yesterday... and today my dad got it reconnected so... HERE YAH GO!
To Aj-sama: Yay another new reader! I'm glad you like it so far
To Emrelle: It's hectic but you love it... thanks...? lol
To Dr. P: Yesh you are lazy for not signing in but that's okay. Me 2. yeah, I had a burst of ideas and had to quickly write them before it was too late. blush I'm not that good of a writer, I just need a way to express myself.
To Daniel: YESH! Long live Yuffie!
To dark dragon: Thankies!
to songstresslenne: here you go!
to blushnbabe: Thankies
Chapter Twenty
A Bright Turn
Yuna sat up, groaning slightly. Her body was stiff and sore. Her mouth and teeth were covered in a slime that kept her from swallowing properly. Quietly, she snuck out of her bed, tip toeing down the stairs. Even Barkeep and Darling were asleep. She grabbed a cup from a cabnet, filling it with water. She had to grasp the cup tightly with both hands, because she was trembling. Even standing still was a problem. She drank the glass of water, gulping it down quickly. How long was I asleep? she wondered. After another glass of water, she felt nourished enough to lie down again.
Walking back up the stairs, she passed a mirror. There was no silver-haired murderer standing behind her. Just Yuna. Good. The brunette climbed back under the covers, but not before kissing her blitzball star on the forehead. She thanked him and the others silently for watching over her. Closing her eyes, she realized she was tired. Maybe she hadn't been sleeping... just unconscious...
Yuna cracked open a sapphire eye, the sun lighting up the room. Everyone was still asleep. But she told herself it was long enough, and they should wake now. Slipping out of her blankets, she crawled to the end of her bed, where Tidus snored lightly. "Hey," she whispered, poking him in the shoulder.
"Iiiieeenoo...." Tidus uttered.
Yuna giggled quietly. "Wake up!"
Tidus opened his eyes, looking back into the sapphire-emerald orbs staring back at him. Immediately, he shot up, trapping Yuna in a tight embrace. "Yuna!" he cried softly. Tears spilled from his eyes, quiet sobs escaping his lips. "Yuna... I thought you were gone forever..."
"I'm here. I'm awake now," Yuna said, hugging him just as tightly. "I'm sorry." She found tears rolling down her cheeks as well. She had missed him so much.
"Don't ever do that again," he said fiercely. He pulled away, holding her face in his hands.
"I don't plan on it," Yuna replied quietly. "I was afraid I was going to never see you again," she whispered.
Tidus smiled a teary smile, setting his forehead against hers. "I told you. I wouldn't be able to go on without you. You mean the world to me Yuna. I hope you understand that..."
Yuna nodded, tears pouring from her eyes. "No one could ever take me from you for long..."
Their tearful reunion was interrupted by a quiet sob from Rikku. "Oh, it's so beautiful!" she wailed.
Yuna grinned, looking at her cousin. The others were awake too, making her wonder how long they had been watching her. "Hi guys," she said with a smile.
The Al Bhed princess limped over to Yuna, "I'm glad you finally came back Yunie!" she cried, hugging her cousin.
Gippal waved from the bed. He had a crutch, so Yuna assumed he didn't have the strength to walk on his leg alone yet. "About time too!"
Paine embraced her fellow friend, smiling. Yuna caught a glance of a tear in her eye, but was quickly blinked away. "You sure are more trouble than your worth, aren't you Yuna?" she joked.
Yuna chuckled softly. "Was it really that bad?"
"It was terrible," Paine replied.
Aeris walked up to her new friend, grinning. Tears sparkled in her eyes. "I found out what the mark on your chest was," she smiled softly, "It's the symbol for the goddess of hope. It means she's marked you as one of her daughters. You bring hope to everyone."
Yuna smiled, feeling a blush creep up her cheeks. "Are you you aren't making this up?"
"Why would she?" Rikku asked.
"Everyone knows it's true," nodded Paine.
"Yeah!" Gippal agreed.
Yuna hugged Aeris. "Thank you... everyone."
"Two weeks was a long time, but we managed," Paine said.
"Two weeks?!"
"Well actually, three. But Tidus, Paine, Aeris, and Lenne came back after a week," Gippal said.
"I've been gone for so long. What about Seymour? And Sephiroth? Any news of them yet?" Yuna asked.
They all shrugged. "Little tidbits here and there. But nothing serious," Aeris sighed.
"You said something about Lenne though," Yuna spoke. "Why was she here?" She was with me in that... place for a while...
"Lenne's spirit was still with you. She left for the Farplane a few days ago. Said something about how you would be okay," Gippal said.
"Oh..." Yuna scratched the back of her head. "So now what?"
"Well I suggest you get cleaned up," Paine said with a grin, "because we came up with a plan. We'll tell you all about it after your ready."
"Oh all right," Yuna said, walking into one of the Celsuis' bathrooms. She showered and quickly, anxious to hear about her friends' plan to stop the two who had ruined so much already. The former summoner dressed in a blue and green strapless top and a pair of khaki shorts. When she finally walked out of the bathroom, everyone had also gotten dressed. "So what's the plan?" she asked.
"Not yet," Rikku said, "we have other things do to first. Like EAT!"
"Rikku, you haven't stopped eating since we got back," Aeris said.
"I'm feeding two people, remember!!" Rikku said.
"Yeah, we believe you Rikku," Gippal teased. He elbowed Tidus, muttering something unheard to the others. "Come on guys, let's go find some food!"
"Yay!" Rikku laughed, skipping along.
"H-hey Yuna," Tidus stammered. Yuna turned to face him. She noticed his face was slightly pink. "Before we eat, will you come to the deck with me? I-I need to talk to you."
"Sure," Yuna nodded, following him out. The smirks on the others' faces worried her a little. The door to the deck opened to the morning sun. She watched as Tidus walked onto the deck. What's wrong with him? she wondered. She walked out onto the large, red deck of the Celsius. "Are you okay?" she asked worriedly.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he said, his back still turned to her.
The former summoner looked at him, a bit confused. "You don't seem fine," she said quietly.
Tidus turned around, looking at her. She looked so majestic, so iperfect/i. "Your right," he said. "I'm better than fine. Yuna... I've been thinking for a long time."
"About what?"
"About you. I love you Yuna. There isn't a part in me that can deny it," he said. Tidus took her hands in his, squeezing them softly.
Yuna fought to keep her body from trembling, and she was losing. Why was her heart beating so rapidly? He had said he loved her before. But this time was different... "And I love you too," she said, her voice soft.
"What I'm trying to say is..." Tidus paused, searching for the right words. "I want to be with you, always. Yuna..." he took his hands from hers, and pulled out a small box, revealing a small ring. "...will you marry me?"
The former summoner felt her heart skip a beat, or two, or twenty. She felt tears burn in her eyes, happy tears. "Of course!" she cried, throwing her arms around his neck. "Yes, I'll marry you..." Yuna broke the embrace, looking into his cerulean eyes. "There's no one I'd rather be with. Ever."
Tidus smiled, tears of joy in his eyes as well. He slipped the ring around Yuna's finger, taking a moment to admire her beauty as she looked at the ring.
It wasn't very big or fancy, but it was amazing. On a simple silver band was a cut azure stone. Yuna reconized it as a Zeal stone. The Zeal jewels had been recently discovered in the Macalania Woods. They had been left after the woods had completely disappeared. "It's beautiful," she said quietly, looking up at Tidus.
"It reminded me of you, and our journey," he said. Softly, he brought his lips to hers, slipping his arms around her waist.
Yuna closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around his neck. She had spent so long searching and waiting for him, she nearly forgot how happy she felt with him.
After a few moments, he broke away, smiling at his fianceè. "Come on," he said, "let's go get some food!" Lacing his fingers with Yuna, they walked back into the cabin.
"That's the Yuna I know!!" Rikku shrieked.
Yuna grinned. It's probably true. Everyone knows a happy Yuna.
"So that just leaves me and Aeris," Paine smirked. "While you and Rikku are complaining about looking like you swallowed whole watermelons, Aeris and I will be running around. Just in spite of you," Paine laughed.
Yuna couldn't comment on that. Tidus and Gippal had gone off to the bridge, probably to find a place to eat.
"Don't worry," Aeris smiled, "we won't make fun of you. Too much."
"Thanks, I think," Yuna said.
"Anyways! Now it's time to put happy-go-lucky-Yuna on pause and bring out kick-ass-Yuna!" Rikku said, punching a fist in the air. "While the guys find us a place to grab some food, we'll explain the plan to you."
Yuna nodded, plopping herself down on a chair. "I'm all ears."
"All right," Aeris said. "Seymour and Sephiroth are still weak. They've probably gone into hiding until they've fully recovered. We think they will either be in my time, or hiding somewhere here. They won't be hard to find, that's for sure."
"Then what?"
"We attack with Ancient magic and seal them back in the Farplane," Aeris said simply.
"Sounds easy."
"It will be," Paine nodded. "If we play our cards right. We still have to weaken them before we'll be able to seal them."
"Okay!" Yuna said, somewhat excited. "This might just work!" She looked at Aeris, "But what about you? Are you going to stay?"
Aeris shrugged. "I don't know yet. Most likely. I like being with you guys."
"Gullwings and Aeris!" Brother said over the intercom. "We've landed at cafè! Time to EEEAAAAAT!"
"Yippee!!" cried Rikku, hopping out of the cabin, the other three following behind.
A/N: THERE YAH GO! The first happy-go-lucky Disney chapter in a looooooooong time. I hope you all liked it! AND no cliffhanger! In the immortal words of Rikku, "YIPPEE!" Thankies for the awesome reviews so far! The story will be coming to an end soon, but I am planning a possible sequel.
To Aj-sama: Yay another new reader! I'm glad you like it so far
To Emrelle: It's hectic but you love it... thanks...? lol
To Dr. P: Yesh you are lazy for not signing in but that's okay. Me 2. yeah, I had a burst of ideas and had to quickly write them before it was too late. blush I'm not that good of a writer, I just need a way to express myself.
To Daniel: YESH! Long live Yuffie!
To dark dragon: Thankies!
to songstresslenne: here you go!
to blushnbabe: Thankies
Chapter Twenty
A Bright Turn
Yuna sat up, groaning slightly. Her body was stiff and sore. Her mouth and teeth were covered in a slime that kept her from swallowing properly. Quietly, she snuck out of her bed, tip toeing down the stairs. Even Barkeep and Darling were asleep. She grabbed a cup from a cabnet, filling it with water. She had to grasp the cup tightly with both hands, because she was trembling. Even standing still was a problem. She drank the glass of water, gulping it down quickly. How long was I asleep? she wondered. After another glass of water, she felt nourished enough to lie down again.
Walking back up the stairs, she passed a mirror. There was no silver-haired murderer standing behind her. Just Yuna. Good. The brunette climbed back under the covers, but not before kissing her blitzball star on the forehead. She thanked him and the others silently for watching over her. Closing her eyes, she realized she was tired. Maybe she hadn't been sleeping... just unconscious...
Yuna cracked open a sapphire eye, the sun lighting up the room. Everyone was still asleep. But she told herself it was long enough, and they should wake now. Slipping out of her blankets, she crawled to the end of her bed, where Tidus snored lightly. "Hey," she whispered, poking him in the shoulder.
"Iiiieeenoo...." Tidus uttered.
Yuna giggled quietly. "Wake up!"
Tidus opened his eyes, looking back into the sapphire-emerald orbs staring back at him. Immediately, he shot up, trapping Yuna in a tight embrace. "Yuna!" he cried softly. Tears spilled from his eyes, quiet sobs escaping his lips. "Yuna... I thought you were gone forever..."
"I'm here. I'm awake now," Yuna said, hugging him just as tightly. "I'm sorry." She found tears rolling down her cheeks as well. She had missed him so much.
"Don't ever do that again," he said fiercely. He pulled away, holding her face in his hands.
"I don't plan on it," Yuna replied quietly. "I was afraid I was going to never see you again," she whispered.
Tidus smiled a teary smile, setting his forehead against hers. "I told you. I wouldn't be able to go on without you. You mean the world to me Yuna. I hope you understand that..."
Yuna nodded, tears pouring from her eyes. "No one could ever take me from you for long..."
Their tearful reunion was interrupted by a quiet sob from Rikku. "Oh, it's so beautiful!" she wailed.
Yuna grinned, looking at her cousin. The others were awake too, making her wonder how long they had been watching her. "Hi guys," she said with a smile.
The Al Bhed princess limped over to Yuna, "I'm glad you finally came back Yunie!" she cried, hugging her cousin.
Gippal waved from the bed. He had a crutch, so Yuna assumed he didn't have the strength to walk on his leg alone yet. "About time too!"
Paine embraced her fellow friend, smiling. Yuna caught a glance of a tear in her eye, but was quickly blinked away. "You sure are more trouble than your worth, aren't you Yuna?" she joked.
Yuna chuckled softly. "Was it really that bad?"
"It was terrible," Paine replied.
Aeris walked up to her new friend, grinning. Tears sparkled in her eyes. "I found out what the mark on your chest was," she smiled softly, "It's the symbol for the goddess of hope. It means she's marked you as one of her daughters. You bring hope to everyone."
Yuna smiled, feeling a blush creep up her cheeks. "Are you you aren't making this up?"
"Why would she?" Rikku asked.
"Everyone knows it's true," nodded Paine.
"Yeah!" Gippal agreed.
Yuna hugged Aeris. "Thank you... everyone."
"Two weeks was a long time, but we managed," Paine said.
"Two weeks?!"
"Well actually, three. But Tidus, Paine, Aeris, and Lenne came back after a week," Gippal said.
"I've been gone for so long. What about Seymour? And Sephiroth? Any news of them yet?" Yuna asked.
They all shrugged. "Little tidbits here and there. But nothing serious," Aeris sighed.
"You said something about Lenne though," Yuna spoke. "Why was she here?" She was with me in that... place for a while...
"Lenne's spirit was still with you. She left for the Farplane a few days ago. Said something about how you would be okay," Gippal said.
"Oh..." Yuna scratched the back of her head. "So now what?"
"Well I suggest you get cleaned up," Paine said with a grin, "because we came up with a plan. We'll tell you all about it after your ready."
"Oh all right," Yuna said, walking into one of the Celsuis' bathrooms. She showered and quickly, anxious to hear about her friends' plan to stop the two who had ruined so much already. The former summoner dressed in a blue and green strapless top and a pair of khaki shorts. When she finally walked out of the bathroom, everyone had also gotten dressed. "So what's the plan?" she asked.
"Not yet," Rikku said, "we have other things do to first. Like EAT!"
"Rikku, you haven't stopped eating since we got back," Aeris said.
"I'm feeding two people, remember!!" Rikku said.
"Yeah, we believe you Rikku," Gippal teased. He elbowed Tidus, muttering something unheard to the others. "Come on guys, let's go find some food!"
"Yay!" Rikku laughed, skipping along.
"H-hey Yuna," Tidus stammered. Yuna turned to face him. She noticed his face was slightly pink. "Before we eat, will you come to the deck with me? I-I need to talk to you."
"Sure," Yuna nodded, following him out. The smirks on the others' faces worried her a little. The door to the deck opened to the morning sun. She watched as Tidus walked onto the deck. What's wrong with him? she wondered. She walked out onto the large, red deck of the Celsius. "Are you okay?" she asked worriedly.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he said, his back still turned to her.
The former summoner looked at him, a bit confused. "You don't seem fine," she said quietly.
Tidus turned around, looking at her. She looked so majestic, so iperfect/i. "Your right," he said. "I'm better than fine. Yuna... I've been thinking for a long time."
"About what?"
"About you. I love you Yuna. There isn't a part in me that can deny it," he said. Tidus took her hands in his, squeezing them softly.
Yuna fought to keep her body from trembling, and she was losing. Why was her heart beating so rapidly? He had said he loved her before. But this time was different... "And I love you too," she said, her voice soft.
"What I'm trying to say is..." Tidus paused, searching for the right words. "I want to be with you, always. Yuna..." he took his hands from hers, and pulled out a small box, revealing a small ring. "...will you marry me?"
The former summoner felt her heart skip a beat, or two, or twenty. She felt tears burn in her eyes, happy tears. "Of course!" she cried, throwing her arms around his neck. "Yes, I'll marry you..." Yuna broke the embrace, looking into his cerulean eyes. "There's no one I'd rather be with. Ever."
Tidus smiled, tears of joy in his eyes as well. He slipped the ring around Yuna's finger, taking a moment to admire her beauty as she looked at the ring.
It wasn't very big or fancy, but it was amazing. On a simple silver band was a cut azure stone. Yuna reconized it as a Zeal stone. The Zeal jewels had been recently discovered in the Macalania Woods. They had been left after the woods had completely disappeared. "It's beautiful," she said quietly, looking up at Tidus.
"It reminded me of you, and our journey," he said. Softly, he brought his lips to hers, slipping his arms around her waist.
Yuna closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around his neck. She had spent so long searching and waiting for him, she nearly forgot how happy she felt with him.
After a few moments, he broke away, smiling at his fianceè. "Come on," he said, "let's go get some food!" Lacing his fingers with Yuna, they walked back into the cabin.
"That's the Yuna I know!!" Rikku shrieked.
Yuna grinned. It's probably true. Everyone knows a happy Yuna.
"So that just leaves me and Aeris," Paine smirked. "While you and Rikku are complaining about looking like you swallowed whole watermelons, Aeris and I will be running around. Just in spite of you," Paine laughed.
Yuna couldn't comment on that. Tidus and Gippal had gone off to the bridge, probably to find a place to eat.
"Don't worry," Aeris smiled, "we won't make fun of you. Too much."
"Thanks, I think," Yuna said.
"Anyways! Now it's time to put happy-go-lucky-Yuna on pause and bring out kick-ass-Yuna!" Rikku said, punching a fist in the air. "While the guys find us a place to grab some food, we'll explain the plan to you."
Yuna nodded, plopping herself down on a chair. "I'm all ears."
"All right," Aeris said. "Seymour and Sephiroth are still weak. They've probably gone into hiding until they've fully recovered. We think they will either be in my time, or hiding somewhere here. They won't be hard to find, that's for sure."
"Then what?"
"We attack with Ancient magic and seal them back in the Farplane," Aeris said simply.
"Sounds easy."
"It will be," Paine nodded. "If we play our cards right. We still have to weaken them before we'll be able to seal them."
"Okay!" Yuna said, somewhat excited. "This might just work!" She looked at Aeris, "But what about you? Are you going to stay?"
Aeris shrugged. "I don't know yet. Most likely. I like being with you guys."
"Gullwings and Aeris!" Brother said over the intercom. "We've landed at cafè! Time to EEEAAAAAT!"
"Yippee!!" cried Rikku, hopping out of the cabin, the other three following behind.
A/N: THERE YAH GO! The first happy-go-lucky Disney chapter in a looooooooong time. I hope you all liked it! AND no cliffhanger! In the immortal words of Rikku, "YIPPEE!" Thankies for the awesome reviews so far! The story will be coming to an end soon, but I am planning a possible sequel.