--Chapter Two--

-My Sacrifice-

"Hey Tidus," waved the songstress, walking down from the stage. "Glad to see you're back."

I looked up, seeing the pretty girl. She was probably just a little older than me, long strawberry blonde hair. She wore a lilac colored outfit, a low v-neck dressed in white ruffles. White ribbon criss-crossed to her elbow where the same colored sleeves clung to her arms. A soft lacy khaki colored skirt was mostly covered by a white shawl that hung from her right shoulder. I remember seeing her perform before. I think her name was Leigha. "Thanks," I said quietly. I sure wasn't glad to be back.

"You all right?" she asked. She sat beside me, pushing strands of hair behind her ears, revealing one emerald and one sapphire eye. It startled me. "You seem a little bummed."

"Nah, I'm fine," I lied.

"Really?" she peered into my eyes, almost looking into the depths of my soul. I couldn't help but stare back into her orbs, I felt so confused.

"Everything is just... strange. I wanted for a long time to come back here and now... I don't. This isn't really my home anymore," I sighed. I wondered why I was opening myself up to her. Maybe because she reminded me of Yuna; sweet and determined.

"Where were you? I didn't know there was much else other than Zanarkand," Leigha spoke. Her voice was soft and comforting.

"I'm not sure anymore," I said.

"Well, I don't know what I can say," she said, "but good luck tonight. Hopefully you'll feel better so you can play like the pro everyone knows you are," Leigha said with a smile. She got up, and walked back to the stage as her band started up another number.

Wonderful, I thought to myself. I had a game that night. I leaned back, watching her as her band played a rock beat. I remembered dating her at one point. I don't know why we broke up. She seemed nice.

"Hello my friend we meet again. It's been a while; where should we begin? Feels like forever. Within my heart are memories of perfect love that you gave to me... I remember," she sang. Leigha seemed to be looking at me, the entire time. It was sort of bone chilling. "When you are with me I'm free…I'm careless…I believe. Above all the others we'll fly! This brings tears to my eyes. My sacrifice."

Her song reminded me of Spira.

"Don't worry. I can fly. Believe," Yuna said. She jumped off the balcony to her inevitable doom as Rikku tossed a flash grenade. I had never felt so scared. Or angry. My heart was racing. What if she had died? Why did I feel like this? Did I... no it couldn't have been. But it was. I loved her. I had finally realized it.

Standing up, I shoved my hands in my pockets, feeling sorry for myself again. People greeted me as I sulked down the main road. Maybe I ought to try and be friends with my father. After all, I didn't have anyone else. Everyone seemed so... far away. This world was simple compared to Spira. There was no such thing as summoners, the Fayth, aeons, nothing. Even machina. We had machines in Zanarkand, and they didn't cause Sin to appear.

And what was with Leigha? I seemed to have memories of her but I couldn't remember many. Maybe it was just because she reminded me so much of Yuna. The lyrics of the soft rock song still echoed in my mind. That had been my sacrifice. To save Spira, I had to sacrifice everything I had gained. Friends, adventure, and love. Love. I had thought to be in love before with the countless fangirls and celebrities I had dated here in Zanarkand. But no. That was lust, or something completely different and stupid. I now knew what the word love meant. To want to be with someone enough that sacrificing anything to make her happy, and free.

I guessed what we did was best. Had we continued with the Final Summoning, Yuna would be... dead. And so would someone else. And I'd be trapped in Spira, without Yuna. Had Yuna quit her pilgrimage, we'd be together, yes. But happy and free? No. We'd be trapped with the ever growing threat of Sin haunting her day and night. Yes. We did the best thing we could.

With nowhere else to go, I stomped back inside my house, angry, depressed, and confused. Almost immediately, I was bombarded with a few blitzballs. "Hey! What's the big idea?" I cried.

"So kid, are you ready to play?" Jecht asked me.

"Yeah, sure," I muttered, stalking up to my room. Tossing a blitzball against a wall, I threw myself on my bed, thinking of anything I could do. I had to get out of here. I had to go back to Spira. "Damnit!" I cried outloud. I didn't care if anyone heard me swear or sob. I just wanted to go home. To be back inYuna's arms, where I could feel... safe.


A/N: I know it's a bit short but I do want to continue this story. Thanks to all reviewers and I look forward to your responses on this update. BTW, the songstress, her outfit is supposed to look like a pink version of Lenne's and her name is pronounced like Leah, but spelled Leigha... yeah.
LYL - Letselina