Wow, thanks everyone for reviewing! It really makes my tennis-filled day seem worthwhile! Anyway, here's chapter three, and starting chapter four, things should really be getting good! Enjoy! (By the way, sorry for the wait for this chapter! I've been kind of busy...) Anyway, enjoy! By the way, I uploaded this as a different type of document, so the formatting is different. In my opinion, it's easier to read, but yeah. Anyway, for like the hundredth time, ENJOY!
Chapter 3: Time for Victory
Tidus awoke the next morning feeling as if there were hundreds of people watching him. He opened his eyes, and realized he wasn't too far off, either.
All of the Aurochs stood around his bed, staring, as if they'd never seen someone sleep in their lives.
"What's wrong?" Tidus asked, only to remember that Yuna's head was resting on his chest, "Oh...You guys got a problem?"
The Aurochs all shook their heads and all said, "Oh, no...Uh...", and Tidus just rolled his eyes. So apparently Datto wasn't the only nosy one on the team.
"Get, all of you," Tidus said quietly, not wanting to wake up Yuna. The rest of the Aurochs all looked at each other, and ran out of the hut, as if afraid of what Tidus would do to them if they didn't.
Tidus laughed silently to himself, watching as Keepa tripped on his way out and then quickly picked himself back up.
Smiling, Tidus turned to the sleeping Yuna, and kissed her softly on the forehead, causing her to stir.
"I don't want to get up," she moaned, and Tidus kissed her again.
"Come on, you'd better get up before all of Besaid is at the door. Knowing my teammates, they've all each at least told one person that we were sleeping together..."
"They're nosier than Rikku," Yuna just mumbled, not opening her eyes yet, "But I could really care less right now..."
"Don't make me push you off of the bed," Tidus said, causing Yuna to open her eyes and look at him.
"Oh, yeah right," she just said, "Like you wou–!" She only squealed as Tidus rolled her right off of the bed.
"Sorry, but ya had to get up somehow, right?" Tidus said, laughing.
"You're so mean!" Yuna said, slipping on Rikku's robe again, "But anyway, I'd better get back before they all freak at my absence."
"They nosy too?" Tidus asked, kissing Yuna's forehead again.
"Brother and Rikku almost top Datto," Yuna just said, as she waved to Tidus and ran out the door of the hut.
Tidus smiled, and decided that he might as well join up with the rest of the Aurochs, being that he had no idea how they were getting to Kilika. He prayed that they were riding the airship with Yuna, but knowing Wakka, he highly doubted it.
Tidus quickly fixed his hair and got dressed, and ran outside, to be blasted by sunlight, and was trying to figure out where it would have been that the rest of his team had ran off to.
He saw Lulu walking toward the temple, cradling Vidina in her arms, so he ran over to her.
"Hey Lulu!" he greeted her, "Know where the rest of the Aurochs are?"
"I'm not sure," she said, "Wakka's on the hill, praying, though. The rest all ran out of their hut like something had scared them, and then Yuna emerged..." Lulu raised her eyebrows suspiciously at Tidus.
"Yuna emerged? What, when?" Tidus said, playing dumb, although his smile gave it away that he truly did realize Yuna had been there.
"You two aren't even engaged," Lulu said, her emotionless voice sounding even more emotionless than usual.
"We didn't do anything," Tidus said, "She just had a nightmare. That's all. Anyway, I guess I'll go find Wakka, okay?"
"Go ahead. And when you see him, tell him that praying is a thing of the past. He just can't seem to get that through his stubborn head."
"Roger!" Tidus said, and sprinted off toward the hilltop, taking in the gorgeous Besaid view as he did so.
"Hey Wakka!" Tidus yelled, as soon as Wakka came into view.
"Shh!" Wakka said, hushing Tidus, and Tidus realized his eyes were closed, "Can you not see I'm praying?"
"Yeah but–."
"Shh!" Wakka said again, causing Tidus to roll his eyes.
Wakka finally bowed his head and turned to Tidus.
"Nothin' wrong wit praying," he just said, almost sheepishly.
Tidus shook his head, "Yeah, if Yevon hadn't all been a crock!"
"Hey, hey!" Wakka said, shaking his head, "It don't matter, ya. We still should atone, to make sure things don't go back to how dey used to be!"
"Right, right," Tidus said, acting as if he truly agreed with Wakka's words, "Anyway, you know where the rest went?"
"I think dey're at the beach, where dey should be," Wakka said, crossing his arms across his chest, "We have to catch da boat soon, anyway."
"What?" Tidus moaned, "We're goin' by boat? That's totally unfair!"
"According to Jassu, you saw plenty of Yuna last night, am I correct?" Wakka asked, winking at Tidus as he began down the trail toward the beach.
"Uh!" Tidus just said in disgust, as he followed Wakka, "Just what are they sayin', anyway?"
"They're saying dat dere was more goin' on last night than sleeping," Wakka said, shaking his head.
"They're a bunch of liars," Tidus said, "A bunch of gossiping good-for-nothin'–."
"Hey, dey're your teammates!" Wakka reminded Tidus.
"Yeah, whatever," Tidus said, and smiled, deciding to play a joke on Wakka, "They won't be my teammates when I agree to join the Goers though, will they?"
"What?" Wakka stopped dead in his tracks, "You're doin' what?"
"Riding in the airship!" Tidus finished for Wakka, laughing and slapping his captain on the shoulder, "So, I'll meet you guys in Kilika, okay?"
"Oh no," Wakka said, running after Tidus, who had already started off toward the airship, "No member of my team is riding in some machina!"
"I told you," Tidus said in a singsong voice, "I'm joining the Goers!" Then, Tidus sprinted out of Wakka's sight, leaving the poor captain of the Aurochs looking somewhat confused.
"Hey Loverboy!" Jassu yelled as Tidus arrived at the beach. The rest of the Aurochs laughed, and Jassu hid behind everybody else, as if afraid of getting hit, or something.
"Oh, you bunch of jealous buffoons," Tidus just said, rolling his eyes, "Anyway, we're gonna ride the airship! Who's with me!"
"I am! I am!" the Aurochs all began to shout excitedly, just as Wakka made his way down the beach.
"What are you all doing?" Wakka asked, as he came up the rest of the team.
"We're ridin' in the airship! I'm so excited!" Keepa said, and the rest of the team nodded.
"What? Tidus!" Wakka glared at Tidus, "I will not ride in that machina!"
"What's the matter, Daddy?" Rikku said as she came running up to them from behind, "You still afraid of machina?"
"I'm not afraid of it!" Wakka said, crossing his arms, and glaring again at Tidus, who in return just shot Wakka a cheeky smile.
"Well, Brother says you're all welcome to ride! 'Course, Buddy kinda had to talk him into it...But, hey! In the end, you are all welcome aboard!"
"Great!" Tidus said, ignoring the glares Wakka was throwing at him, "Come on everybody, we don't want to miss the scrimmage, do we? What's our goal?"
"VICTORY!" the Aurochs all shouted, chasing Tidus and Rikku toward the airship.
"Who's captain?" Wakka asked nobody, being that his team had all followed Tidus and Rikku. Shaking his head, Wakka decided he might as well join the rest. It wasn't as if he'd never been on an airship before. Maybe Lulu was right, anyway. Yevon was a thing of the past...
It had done nothing but betrayed all of them.
"Wait for me!" Wakka finally yelled, and followed his team.
"Kilika's a mess," Nooj's serious voice was heard over the comme-sphere that both Paine and Yuna looked into, "All we need is for you to help."
"Help with what, exactly?" Paine asked.
"Well, it'll be easier to calm people down with Yuna around, and we could use some extra help to tear down that barrier that's guarding the temple. Not only that, but the people need something to turn to. They've always been followers of Yevon, or of the Youth League or New Yevon. But now that all of that's gone..."
"Don't worry, at the Blitzball tournament, I'm sure that the crowning of the new Maesters will do some good," Yuna said, and immediately wished she hadn't, because she could tell from the look in Nooj's eyes that he was expecting Yuna to agree to rule Spira along with him.
"Anyway, the Blitzball scrimmage today will do some good also, but I'm afraid that if the Aurochs win, it'll only upset people more," Nooj smiled, "However, with the Auroch's history..."
"We'll be sure to win!" Tidus' excited voice came into the room, causing Yuna and Paine to turn around to the entrance, to see Rikku standing there, as well as Tidus and the rest of the Aurochs. Wakka came in soon after, out of breath.
"Tidus!" Yuna said, and shook her head, turning back to Nooj, "I'm sure the game will be a very close one."
"Well, I'll see all of you in a bit," Nooj said, stretching his neck to get a glimpse of what was causing all of the racket that had just entered the airship.
"See you soon, then," Paine said, and Nooj nodded his goodbye. Paine clicked off the comme-sphere, and turned to the rowdy Blitzball players, shaking her head.
"Too bad we can't watch the scrimmage!" Rikku moaned, "Do we really have to do the dirty work?"
"Okay troops," Tidus said to the Aurochs then, ignoring what Rikku had said, "Onward to the cabin, where we will discuss today's plans!"
"VICTORY! VICTORY!" the Aurochs cheered, as they all stuffed themselves into the elevator, on their way to the cabin.
"My, what are you, the little captain?" Wakka asked, smiling.
"Hey, just gettin' them in line for you, Sir," Tidus said, saluting, "'Cause I ain't going in the cabin with you guys! See you later!"
"Wait a minute!" Wakka said, "You're part of this team too!"
"I already got the plan down," Tidus said, shaking his head, "Pass the ball to me, I shoot, I score!"
"This isn't like your Abes," Wakka said, but he was still smiling, "There'll be no star players on my team."
"Whatever, Wakka," Tidus said, smiling, "When we're down, my plan will sound real good."
Wakka shook his head and rolled his eyes, muttering to himself as he entered the elevator, following the rest.
"You sure know how to handle yourself," Rikku said, smiling.
"When you're as good as me," Tidus said, flexing his muscles, "You don't need a plan."
"Is he always this cocky?" Paine asked, shaking her head, "Anyway, I need to discuss something with Buddy. I'll be in the engine room if you need me."
Paine exited the room, and Tidus realized it was empty, besides Yuna, Rikku, and him.
"So, where is everybody?" Tidus asked.
"Something came apart in the engine room, so that's where Buddy and Brother are," Yuna said, "We'll be leaving real soon. As for Shinra, he was needed in Bikanel."
"So, what was all this stuff about the people of Kilika being upset if the Beasts lose?" Rikku asked, looking at the blank comme-sphere screen.
"Nothing," Yuna said, "But Kilika has been known to be bad losers."
"Not nearly as bad as Luca though!" Rikku said, throwing herself in her normal chair, "But wake me up when we get there, 'kay? I didn't sleep very well." Rikku positioned herself so that she was still facing Tidus and Yuna, and said, "Go ahead, do whatever you two want. I have my eyes closed."
Tidus and Yuna stood there, staring at Rikku, not knowing what to do or say. Rikku's eyelids were open just the slightest bit, and Yuna laughed.
"You are such a nosy little spy!" she said, patting her cousin on the head.
"Besides, we don't care if you're here or not," Tidus said, wrapping his arms around Yuna.
"Okay, actually we do," Yuna said, as if to remind Tidus, "That's why we'll go out on the deck!"
"Hey!" Rikku moaned.
Yuna smiled at her cousin and grabbed Tidus' hand, dragging him toward the elevator.
"Well Yuna, whatdya got in mind?" Tidus asked, again wrapping his arms around her slender waist as they entered the elevator.
Yuna laughed and removed his arms. "I have something important to discuss with you, that's all."
"What?" Tidus whined disappointedly. The two reached the deck, and they walked out, the soft morning breeze in their faces.
Yuna sat down, and Tidus sat down next to her, waiting to hear what it was she wanted to talk to him about.
"If I become Maestress," Yuna began, "We'd have to live in Bevelle. And...Well, there's no Blitzball team in Bevelle, and then it'd be hard to play for the Aurochs."
"Yeah?" Tidus asked, "So what. If that's what you want to do, I can forget about Blitzball."
"No, I don't know if I truly want to do that. I love it in Besaid. Or Kilika...Or Mi'ihen. I want to live someplace calm and quiet. But I've always dreamed of becoming the first ever Maestress of Spira..."
"You have all week to decide," Tidus said quickly, deciding that he didn't want to discuss it right then. Not before his scrimmage. He just didn't want to think about it.
"Right," Yuna said, sensing that Tidus didn't want to talk about it, "I do have all week..."
"Whatever you decide," Tidus said flatly, "I'll always be with you. I'll be on your side. Just do what you want to do for once, okay?"
"Okay," Yuna said, nodding.
"So, have any more dreams last night?" Tidus asked, leaning back and staring into the horizon.
"No," Yuna said, and she seemed in thought then, and Tidus wondered if it had been wise to bring up that dream.
"That's good," Tidus said, still worried that it hadn't been the best idea to bring up the dream.
Yuna continued to look in thought, and then finally burst out laughing, causing Tidus to wonder what it was that she was laughing at.
"What's so funny?" he asked.
"You," Yuna just said, as she stopped her laughing, "I've never seen anyone walk all over Wakka like you do!"
"I don't walk all over him!" Tidus argued, not comprehending where Yuna was getting at.
"Oh you don't, do you?" Yuna said, smiling, "Then how come all of the other Aurochs are in the cabin discussing game plans while you're up here?"
"I figured you'd be happy I was here!" Tidus said, but Yuna just smiled wider.
"Whatever, you're totally in control of the team, you know it. Whatever you say goes."
"Well, that's the way it should be," Tidus said surely, "What of it?"
"Nothing, I just find it funny, amusing, I don't know..." Yuna said, still smiling, "I didn't know you were such a control-freak."
"I'm not!" Tidus said, but he smiled anyway. Whenever it came to Blitzball, he was a total control-freak. He'd do about anything to win.
"Anyway," Yuna said, "I'm a little worried about today's scrimmage. The people in Kilika are restless. They're all itching to start something. I'm afraid that if you guys win–."
"You mean "when"," Tidus corrected Yuna with a smile.
"Right, when you guys win, I'm afraid that the people of Kilika just may get a little, antsy."
"You don't expect us to throw the game, do you?" Tidus asked, hoping that wasn't what Yuna was getting at.
"No, I'm just worried, that's all. You know, I thought two years ago we had cleared everything up, but I'm afraid that the people are still on the edge of their seats. It's as if now that Sin isn't around, they don't know what to do. Know what I mean?"
"I guess," Tidus just said, stretching as he did so, "Well, don't worry about it. It's not your problem, Yuna."
"I know, you're right," Yuna said, and stood up, "Well, let's go on in. We should be leaving soon."
"Right," Tidus said, standing up also. He was about to lead the way back into the airship, but something was bothering him. How could Yuna and he be out alone, and act like complete strangers? Or act just barely acquainted? Smiling, he turned around sharply, surprising Yuna, who was right on his heels, and wrapped his arms around her, smiling his usual cheeky smile.
"Sorry," he said, "I just couldn't let you go without giving you a kiss first!"
"Oh, whatever!" Yuna said, although she smiled. The two leaned in toward each other, but just before their lips met, the airship started off, knocking Tidus over backwards, with Yuna landing on top of him.
"Ow!" Tidus moaned, as he back smacked into the airship.
"Oh, sorry!" Yuna apologized, fearing it had been her.
"Naw, you didn't hurt," Tidus said, smiling, "But my back doesn't feel the greatest..."
"That's not going to hurt your game?" Yuna asked, and stood up quickly, being that she had still been on top of him.
"YUNA!" Brother's voice could be heard over the intercom, "Get back in here NOW!"
"Okay, okay," Yuna muttered, reaching her hand down to Tidus to help him up, "We're coming."
"No, just you!" Brother screamed, "Leave that filthy vermin out there where he belongs!"
"What did I do to him?" Tidus asked, and Yuna just rolled her eyes.
"Just ignore him," Yuna said, dragging Tidus into the airship, "Who knows what his problem is."
"Yeah, who knows..." Tidus just said, "But anyway, I'd better get to the cabin. I'll see you later."
Yuna nodded, but again she looked deep in thought as Tidus headed off toward the elevator.
"Oh, and Yuna," Tidus said, as Yuna looked at him, "Don't forget to smile!"
"Right!" Yuna laughed, and Tidus gave a little bow and left the area. Yuna smiled, doing as he told her to, and walked into the bridge, wondering just how things in Kilika were going to go. They would be there in no time flat, and she still hadn't figured out what it was she was going to do about the people's behavior.
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Yuna finally just sighed and decided she would just have to hope for the best. She didn't realize things were going to be much worse than she could imagine.
Chapter 3: Time for Victory
Tidus awoke the next morning feeling as if there were hundreds of people watching him. He opened his eyes, and realized he wasn't too far off, either.
All of the Aurochs stood around his bed, staring, as if they'd never seen someone sleep in their lives.
"What's wrong?" Tidus asked, only to remember that Yuna's head was resting on his chest, "Oh...You guys got a problem?"
The Aurochs all shook their heads and all said, "Oh, no...Uh...", and Tidus just rolled his eyes. So apparently Datto wasn't the only nosy one on the team.
"Get, all of you," Tidus said quietly, not wanting to wake up Yuna. The rest of the Aurochs all looked at each other, and ran out of the hut, as if afraid of what Tidus would do to them if they didn't.
Tidus laughed silently to himself, watching as Keepa tripped on his way out and then quickly picked himself back up.
Smiling, Tidus turned to the sleeping Yuna, and kissed her softly on the forehead, causing her to stir.
"I don't want to get up," she moaned, and Tidus kissed her again.
"Come on, you'd better get up before all of Besaid is at the door. Knowing my teammates, they've all each at least told one person that we were sleeping together..."
"They're nosier than Rikku," Yuna just mumbled, not opening her eyes yet, "But I could really care less right now..."
"Don't make me push you off of the bed," Tidus said, causing Yuna to open her eyes and look at him.
"Oh, yeah right," she just said, "Like you wou–!" She only squealed as Tidus rolled her right off of the bed.
"Sorry, but ya had to get up somehow, right?" Tidus said, laughing.
"You're so mean!" Yuna said, slipping on Rikku's robe again, "But anyway, I'd better get back before they all freak at my absence."
"They nosy too?" Tidus asked, kissing Yuna's forehead again.
"Brother and Rikku almost top Datto," Yuna just said, as she waved to Tidus and ran out the door of the hut.
Tidus smiled, and decided that he might as well join up with the rest of the Aurochs, being that he had no idea how they were getting to Kilika. He prayed that they were riding the airship with Yuna, but knowing Wakka, he highly doubted it.
Tidus quickly fixed his hair and got dressed, and ran outside, to be blasted by sunlight, and was trying to figure out where it would have been that the rest of his team had ran off to.
He saw Lulu walking toward the temple, cradling Vidina in her arms, so he ran over to her.
"Hey Lulu!" he greeted her, "Know where the rest of the Aurochs are?"
"I'm not sure," she said, "Wakka's on the hill, praying, though. The rest all ran out of their hut like something had scared them, and then Yuna emerged..." Lulu raised her eyebrows suspiciously at Tidus.
"Yuna emerged? What, when?" Tidus said, playing dumb, although his smile gave it away that he truly did realize Yuna had been there.
"You two aren't even engaged," Lulu said, her emotionless voice sounding even more emotionless than usual.
"We didn't do anything," Tidus said, "She just had a nightmare. That's all. Anyway, I guess I'll go find Wakka, okay?"
"Go ahead. And when you see him, tell him that praying is a thing of the past. He just can't seem to get that through his stubborn head."
"Roger!" Tidus said, and sprinted off toward the hilltop, taking in the gorgeous Besaid view as he did so.
"Hey Wakka!" Tidus yelled, as soon as Wakka came into view.
"Shh!" Wakka said, hushing Tidus, and Tidus realized his eyes were closed, "Can you not see I'm praying?"
"Yeah but–."
"Shh!" Wakka said again, causing Tidus to roll his eyes.
Wakka finally bowed his head and turned to Tidus.
"Nothin' wrong wit praying," he just said, almost sheepishly.
Tidus shook his head, "Yeah, if Yevon hadn't all been a crock!"
"Hey, hey!" Wakka said, shaking his head, "It don't matter, ya. We still should atone, to make sure things don't go back to how dey used to be!"
"Right, right," Tidus said, acting as if he truly agreed with Wakka's words, "Anyway, you know where the rest went?"
"I think dey're at the beach, where dey should be," Wakka said, crossing his arms across his chest, "We have to catch da boat soon, anyway."
"What?" Tidus moaned, "We're goin' by boat? That's totally unfair!"
"According to Jassu, you saw plenty of Yuna last night, am I correct?" Wakka asked, winking at Tidus as he began down the trail toward the beach.
"Uh!" Tidus just said in disgust, as he followed Wakka, "Just what are they sayin', anyway?"
"They're saying dat dere was more goin' on last night than sleeping," Wakka said, shaking his head.
"They're a bunch of liars," Tidus said, "A bunch of gossiping good-for-nothin'–."
"Hey, dey're your teammates!" Wakka reminded Tidus.
"Yeah, whatever," Tidus said, and smiled, deciding to play a joke on Wakka, "They won't be my teammates when I agree to join the Goers though, will they?"
"What?" Wakka stopped dead in his tracks, "You're doin' what?"
"Riding in the airship!" Tidus finished for Wakka, laughing and slapping his captain on the shoulder, "So, I'll meet you guys in Kilika, okay?"
"Oh no," Wakka said, running after Tidus, who had already started off toward the airship, "No member of my team is riding in some machina!"
"I told you," Tidus said in a singsong voice, "I'm joining the Goers!" Then, Tidus sprinted out of Wakka's sight, leaving the poor captain of the Aurochs looking somewhat confused.
"Hey Loverboy!" Jassu yelled as Tidus arrived at the beach. The rest of the Aurochs laughed, and Jassu hid behind everybody else, as if afraid of getting hit, or something.
"Oh, you bunch of jealous buffoons," Tidus just said, rolling his eyes, "Anyway, we're gonna ride the airship! Who's with me!"
"I am! I am!" the Aurochs all began to shout excitedly, just as Wakka made his way down the beach.
"What are you all doing?" Wakka asked, as he came up the rest of the team.
"We're ridin' in the airship! I'm so excited!" Keepa said, and the rest of the team nodded.
"What? Tidus!" Wakka glared at Tidus, "I will not ride in that machina!"
"What's the matter, Daddy?" Rikku said as she came running up to them from behind, "You still afraid of machina?"
"I'm not afraid of it!" Wakka said, crossing his arms, and glaring again at Tidus, who in return just shot Wakka a cheeky smile.
"Well, Brother says you're all welcome to ride! 'Course, Buddy kinda had to talk him into it...But, hey! In the end, you are all welcome aboard!"
"Great!" Tidus said, ignoring the glares Wakka was throwing at him, "Come on everybody, we don't want to miss the scrimmage, do we? What's our goal?"
"VICTORY!" the Aurochs all shouted, chasing Tidus and Rikku toward the airship.
"Who's captain?" Wakka asked nobody, being that his team had all followed Tidus and Rikku. Shaking his head, Wakka decided he might as well join the rest. It wasn't as if he'd never been on an airship before. Maybe Lulu was right, anyway. Yevon was a thing of the past...
It had done nothing but betrayed all of them.
"Wait for me!" Wakka finally yelled, and followed his team.
"Kilika's a mess," Nooj's serious voice was heard over the comme-sphere that both Paine and Yuna looked into, "All we need is for you to help."
"Help with what, exactly?" Paine asked.
"Well, it'll be easier to calm people down with Yuna around, and we could use some extra help to tear down that barrier that's guarding the temple. Not only that, but the people need something to turn to. They've always been followers of Yevon, or of the Youth League or New Yevon. But now that all of that's gone..."
"Don't worry, at the Blitzball tournament, I'm sure that the crowning of the new Maesters will do some good," Yuna said, and immediately wished she hadn't, because she could tell from the look in Nooj's eyes that he was expecting Yuna to agree to rule Spira along with him.
"Anyway, the Blitzball scrimmage today will do some good also, but I'm afraid that if the Aurochs win, it'll only upset people more," Nooj smiled, "However, with the Auroch's history..."
"We'll be sure to win!" Tidus' excited voice came into the room, causing Yuna and Paine to turn around to the entrance, to see Rikku standing there, as well as Tidus and the rest of the Aurochs. Wakka came in soon after, out of breath.
"Tidus!" Yuna said, and shook her head, turning back to Nooj, "I'm sure the game will be a very close one."
"Well, I'll see all of you in a bit," Nooj said, stretching his neck to get a glimpse of what was causing all of the racket that had just entered the airship.
"See you soon, then," Paine said, and Nooj nodded his goodbye. Paine clicked off the comme-sphere, and turned to the rowdy Blitzball players, shaking her head.
"Too bad we can't watch the scrimmage!" Rikku moaned, "Do we really have to do the dirty work?"
"Okay troops," Tidus said to the Aurochs then, ignoring what Rikku had said, "Onward to the cabin, where we will discuss today's plans!"
"VICTORY! VICTORY!" the Aurochs cheered, as they all stuffed themselves into the elevator, on their way to the cabin.
"My, what are you, the little captain?" Wakka asked, smiling.
"Hey, just gettin' them in line for you, Sir," Tidus said, saluting, "'Cause I ain't going in the cabin with you guys! See you later!"
"Wait a minute!" Wakka said, "You're part of this team too!"
"I already got the plan down," Tidus said, shaking his head, "Pass the ball to me, I shoot, I score!"
"This isn't like your Abes," Wakka said, but he was still smiling, "There'll be no star players on my team."
"Whatever, Wakka," Tidus said, smiling, "When we're down, my plan will sound real good."
Wakka shook his head and rolled his eyes, muttering to himself as he entered the elevator, following the rest.
"You sure know how to handle yourself," Rikku said, smiling.
"When you're as good as me," Tidus said, flexing his muscles, "You don't need a plan."
"Is he always this cocky?" Paine asked, shaking her head, "Anyway, I need to discuss something with Buddy. I'll be in the engine room if you need me."
Paine exited the room, and Tidus realized it was empty, besides Yuna, Rikku, and him.
"So, where is everybody?" Tidus asked.
"Something came apart in the engine room, so that's where Buddy and Brother are," Yuna said, "We'll be leaving real soon. As for Shinra, he was needed in Bikanel."
"So, what was all this stuff about the people of Kilika being upset if the Beasts lose?" Rikku asked, looking at the blank comme-sphere screen.
"Nothing," Yuna said, "But Kilika has been known to be bad losers."
"Not nearly as bad as Luca though!" Rikku said, throwing herself in her normal chair, "But wake me up when we get there, 'kay? I didn't sleep very well." Rikku positioned herself so that she was still facing Tidus and Yuna, and said, "Go ahead, do whatever you two want. I have my eyes closed."
Tidus and Yuna stood there, staring at Rikku, not knowing what to do or say. Rikku's eyelids were open just the slightest bit, and Yuna laughed.
"You are such a nosy little spy!" she said, patting her cousin on the head.
"Besides, we don't care if you're here or not," Tidus said, wrapping his arms around Yuna.
"Okay, actually we do," Yuna said, as if to remind Tidus, "That's why we'll go out on the deck!"
"Hey!" Rikku moaned.
Yuna smiled at her cousin and grabbed Tidus' hand, dragging him toward the elevator.
"Well Yuna, whatdya got in mind?" Tidus asked, again wrapping his arms around her slender waist as they entered the elevator.
Yuna laughed and removed his arms. "I have something important to discuss with you, that's all."
"What?" Tidus whined disappointedly. The two reached the deck, and they walked out, the soft morning breeze in their faces.
Yuna sat down, and Tidus sat down next to her, waiting to hear what it was she wanted to talk to him about.
"If I become Maestress," Yuna began, "We'd have to live in Bevelle. And...Well, there's no Blitzball team in Bevelle, and then it'd be hard to play for the Aurochs."
"Yeah?" Tidus asked, "So what. If that's what you want to do, I can forget about Blitzball."
"No, I don't know if I truly want to do that. I love it in Besaid. Or Kilika...Or Mi'ihen. I want to live someplace calm and quiet. But I've always dreamed of becoming the first ever Maestress of Spira..."
"You have all week to decide," Tidus said quickly, deciding that he didn't want to discuss it right then. Not before his scrimmage. He just didn't want to think about it.
"Right," Yuna said, sensing that Tidus didn't want to talk about it, "I do have all week..."
"Whatever you decide," Tidus said flatly, "I'll always be with you. I'll be on your side. Just do what you want to do for once, okay?"
"Okay," Yuna said, nodding.
"So, have any more dreams last night?" Tidus asked, leaning back and staring into the horizon.
"No," Yuna said, and she seemed in thought then, and Tidus wondered if it had been wise to bring up that dream.
"That's good," Tidus said, still worried that it hadn't been the best idea to bring up the dream.
Yuna continued to look in thought, and then finally burst out laughing, causing Tidus to wonder what it was that she was laughing at.
"What's so funny?" he asked.
"You," Yuna just said, as she stopped her laughing, "I've never seen anyone walk all over Wakka like you do!"
"I don't walk all over him!" Tidus argued, not comprehending where Yuna was getting at.
"Oh you don't, do you?" Yuna said, smiling, "Then how come all of the other Aurochs are in the cabin discussing game plans while you're up here?"
"I figured you'd be happy I was here!" Tidus said, but Yuna just smiled wider.
"Whatever, you're totally in control of the team, you know it. Whatever you say goes."
"Well, that's the way it should be," Tidus said surely, "What of it?"
"Nothing, I just find it funny, amusing, I don't know..." Yuna said, still smiling, "I didn't know you were such a control-freak."
"I'm not!" Tidus said, but he smiled anyway. Whenever it came to Blitzball, he was a total control-freak. He'd do about anything to win.
"Anyway," Yuna said, "I'm a little worried about today's scrimmage. The people in Kilika are restless. They're all itching to start something. I'm afraid that if you guys win–."
"You mean "when"," Tidus corrected Yuna with a smile.
"Right, when you guys win, I'm afraid that the people of Kilika just may get a little, antsy."
"You don't expect us to throw the game, do you?" Tidus asked, hoping that wasn't what Yuna was getting at.
"No, I'm just worried, that's all. You know, I thought two years ago we had cleared everything up, but I'm afraid that the people are still on the edge of their seats. It's as if now that Sin isn't around, they don't know what to do. Know what I mean?"
"I guess," Tidus just said, stretching as he did so, "Well, don't worry about it. It's not your problem, Yuna."
"I know, you're right," Yuna said, and stood up, "Well, let's go on in. We should be leaving soon."
"Right," Tidus said, standing up also. He was about to lead the way back into the airship, but something was bothering him. How could Yuna and he be out alone, and act like complete strangers? Or act just barely acquainted? Smiling, he turned around sharply, surprising Yuna, who was right on his heels, and wrapped his arms around her, smiling his usual cheeky smile.
"Sorry," he said, "I just couldn't let you go without giving you a kiss first!"
"Oh, whatever!" Yuna said, although she smiled. The two leaned in toward each other, but just before their lips met, the airship started off, knocking Tidus over backwards, with Yuna landing on top of him.
"Ow!" Tidus moaned, as he back smacked into the airship.
"Oh, sorry!" Yuna apologized, fearing it had been her.
"Naw, you didn't hurt," Tidus said, smiling, "But my back doesn't feel the greatest..."
"That's not going to hurt your game?" Yuna asked, and stood up quickly, being that she had still been on top of him.
"YUNA!" Brother's voice could be heard over the intercom, "Get back in here NOW!"
"Okay, okay," Yuna muttered, reaching her hand down to Tidus to help him up, "We're coming."
"No, just you!" Brother screamed, "Leave that filthy vermin out there where he belongs!"
"What did I do to him?" Tidus asked, and Yuna just rolled her eyes.
"Just ignore him," Yuna said, dragging Tidus into the airship, "Who knows what his problem is."
"Yeah, who knows..." Tidus just said, "But anyway, I'd better get to the cabin. I'll see you later."
Yuna nodded, but again she looked deep in thought as Tidus headed off toward the elevator.
"Oh, and Yuna," Tidus said, as Yuna looked at him, "Don't forget to smile!"
"Right!" Yuna laughed, and Tidus gave a little bow and left the area. Yuna smiled, doing as he told her to, and walked into the bridge, wondering just how things in Kilika were going to go. They would be there in no time flat, and she still hadn't figured out what it was she was going to do about the people's behavior.
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Yuna finally just sighed and decided she would just have to hope for the best. She didn't realize things were going to be much worse than she could imagine.