.:Crystal Dreams:.

Chapter Three
-Decision Making-

Yuna stepped off the airship onto the dock of Kilika, the boards creaking under her boots. The sun was beginning to touch the horizon of the area where she had performed her first sending. The small village was being rebuilt already. She wandered out to the forest, alone. She could protect herself now if needed. There were so many things she feared, and yet... The smiles on the villagers faces as she walked through Kilika told her she had to. There was no turning back. There was always a chance that Sin would be defeated this time and not come back. She found herself standing at the bottom of a staircase, now somewhat destroyed.

Sitting down at the base of the stairs, Yuna tried to think of the possibilities. "Lulu..." she said quietly. "What do you think?" she asked one of the monkeys sitting near her. It tilted its head at her, listening attentively. "She was the first to offer her life. And she's like my big sister, that's a close bond. But..." Yuna sighed. "Lulu could have so much more in life if she continued to live." The monkey twitched slightly, a few of its friends joining her. "Wakka?" the monkeys continued to listen. "Well, him and Chappu were always my good friends. And he'd die to protect the teachings... but I wanted him to go back to blitzball..." Yuna sighed again. "Kimahri," she said, "has watched over me since I was little. He'll go with any choice I decide. But the Ronso need his leadership and protection... Oh..." Yuna held her head in her hands. "I don't think I could ever ask Rikku. I know she meant it when she said she would fight for me, even if I picked her... but I know she doesn't want to be picked. She doesn't want me to do it at all..." Yuna bit her lower lip, "Neither do I anymore..."

A monkey jumped in her lap, nuzzling her hand.

"But you can't tell anyone? All right?" she laughed slightly. "Now I'm talking to the monkeys. All that's left is Tidus."

Another monkey jumped up to her, and soon she was surrounded by a group of them.

"You think I should make Tidus the Final Aeon?"

The monkeys screeched.

"I... would be with him then, in the Farplane that is. I don't think he'd ever find his Zanarkand. Do you think he'd want to? He didn't offer or anything..." Yuna sniffled slightly, wiping a tear from her eye. "But I think I will. Our bond is... love."

"What can we do?" Rikku wondered.

"I guess we just have to wait and find out who she picks," Tidus sighed.

The Al Bhed sat on the dock, kicking her feet in the water. "Oooh, it's just not fair!"

"I know."

"Why can't Yunie just listen and give us more time?"

"She can't," Lulu said, walking into the conversation. "Yuna knows that if she waits much longer, more lives will be destroyed."

"It's still not fair," Rikku said softly, tears escaping her eyes.

Tidus fought to keep his tears to himself, but knew it was a pointless battle. He loved Yuna. Her kindness, thoughtfulness, dreams, determination, everything. She had taken his heart and claimed it for her own. She just wouldn't listen to them. He stood up. He'd go offer to become the Final Aeon for her. Tidus knew he'd be better off dying beside her than living in this world without her. Walking through the forest, he remembered first coming to Spira. All his questions about things like aeons, summoners, Yevon, sendings, ideas, and beliefs. Everything was so different. Looking up, he saw Yuna sitting at the base of the staircase they had once raced up. Taking a deep breath, he approached her.

Yuna glanced up, seeing the star blitzball player walking towards her. "I guess I'll ask him now..."

"Hey," he said casually, hiding the tears that had were bound to fall.

"Hello," Yuna said quietly.

"Listen I--" they both started.

Yuna smiled at him, "You first."

"Well... t-there's a few things. I hope you understand, and realize, that... I love you Yuna," Tidus spoke.

The summoner nodded. She knew and understood, but she wondered if he knew she loved him back.

"And I want to..." he took another breath, "Yuna, I will become the Final Aeon for you. I'd just... I don't think I could live without you."

"Oh..." Yuna said softly, looking away. "I guess... that's what I came to tell you. I've chosen..."

"You have?" Tidus looked at her, an inquisitive look on his face.

Yuna nodded. "I want you to become my Final Aeon. I want you by my side..." she looked up at him, "until the end."

Tidus smiled weakly. "Not until the end. Always."

"Right," Yuna returned the weak smile. "So... is there anywhere else you'd like to go before we head back to Zanarkand?"

I'm... content. As long as you're ready," Tidus took Yuna's hand in his as they began to walk back through the forest.

"I love you too," Yuna said quietly as they reached the outskirts of the town.

"Aww. At least there's one happy ending!" Rikku said, a soft grin on her face. She stood in front of them, with Yuna's other guardians.

"Well that explains what happened at the Macalania Spring, ya?" Wakka joked.

Lulu smiled, "I'm glad."

"Did Yuna choose?" Kimahri asked as they boarded the airship.

"Yes."

"Back to Zanarkand, Pops!" Rikku ordered.