Chapter 21
"I hope he knows I love him."
Yuna wasn't convinced her implication had gotten across to Baralai, she wouldn't permit him to die. There couldn't have been one worthy enough motive for her to allow that. Even if it was to remove a tormented soul. Most people in Spira are willing to just let things take their course. Are willing to continue a in a circle for the rest of their lives hoping nothing extraordinary would happen to them. Baralai was still that person. He was willing to just let time take his life whichever twisted path it may lead. Yuna was the same, once in her life. Now she was a different person, not willing to be a spectator any longer.
" Make your move quickly." snickered Fiohn barred from proceeding forward by Paine's massive sword.
Yuna extended for the gun's holstered below her waist. " Fine." She said evenly and the she yanked at the trigger. The bullet fled right by Fiohn's head, creating a whooshing hum as it sped through the atmosphere, slicing the previous silence in two.
Fiohn shaken hunkered to the ground right below Paine. " I thought you were going to send him for a second Yuna." Paine remarked collectedly with an excited glint sparking in her eye. " Always have to do things the hard way?" Yuna affirmed by nodding slightly, ignoring the circumstance she jerked her head slightly in Baralai's direction. He was too badly injured to return the gesture. Consumed in his own pain he wrapped his arms around the wound and closed his eyes. Pyre flies natural light was so brilliant not even he was sightless to them as they arose from his body, like small portions of his soul. Yuna wheezed lobbing her pistol to the floor she scuttled like mad towards her agonizing lover. The pistol stopped not three short inches from Fiohn's scope. Yuna was oblivious to it all as she sobbed heavily holding Baralai to her chest. He breathed shallowly, she could barely feel his heart. "Baralai, you were never dead." She whispered slowly. Baralai gently opening his eyes " I'm sorry I didn't know that till now." He whimpered till she could heard nothing but silence.
Paine watched stigmatized by the sorrow. She remembered her parents and could think of nothing else. Pyre Flies started to consume Baralai, he wasn't dead yet there was the faint breath of life still within him. Paine unobserved Fiohn as she stepped closer to the couple, Fiohn noting the gun abandoned sloppily on the ground reached for it with ease and held it proudly in his right hand. Marveling at the emotional fragileness as well as the vast carelessness of his opponents.
Yuna uninvolved Baralai's hands tentatively from his lesion. His eyes still open she advised him lovingly to keep them open as long as he could. He sought desperately to end this nightmare but for Yuna's sake he focused on her glance as long as he could. She held him there. Profoundly Yuna enveloped her arms around him.
Suddenly the room stirred. The air tore away as a gunshot quaked in the small temple like artificial thunder.
The gunman was Fiohn proudly waving his new toy around. Yuna explored her waist desperately only finding one half of a pair of pistols. " Damn!" She considered. " I must have dropped it." Panic struck Yuna harder than Fiohn's stray bullet hit the coarse stone wall.
" Yuna!" Paine stressed as she lunged ahead. Paine hastily stood before her ally guarding her against the fiendish Praetor. Yuna extracted her pistol, now clamping it more firmly in her hand, vigilant of Fiohn's every move.
"Yuna, now you know Baralai was never dead! Send Fiohn! We can't fight him in these close quarters." Paine demanded pressing her heel into the hard ground.
" No!." Yuna countered composedly," Baralai is dying, he would go also." Yuna fleetingly glimpsed back seeing Baralai lie helplessly a pallid radiance seemed to be hovering over him, his eyes opened ever so slightly.
Paine acknowledged Yuna and slashed at Fiohn with her blade. Fiohn irresolute of how to use a pistol rung back clumsily as the astute blade ripped though his right arm rendering it ineffectual. " Damn woman." He howled persisting with his injured arm and aiming the pistol at Paine. Quickly Paine countered his attack by drawing her sword to his face.
Yuna paused then jumped into the fray. " I'm afraid I'm going have to send you to the otherworld the old fashioned way."
"Hmmp," Fiohn smirked
" I wasn't sent the first time, If I died my pyre flies would merely regroup. You'd do nothing of killing me."
" I can't believe you. You're the one who said Baralai had died. It's not true. So why believe you." Yuna, Paine and Fiohn were all at a stalemate.
" He did die...I wasn't lying. Baralai can never die completely." " Wh...what are you implying?" Yuna asking nervously.
" Hasn't anyone ever explained the theory of atoms to you?"
" Atoms." announced Paine curiously.
" There was a theory thousand years ago, that human's were made of building blocks called cells and atoms."
" What does this have to do with anything."
" That theory was thrown away by Yevon. Yet there is still some truth. Your atom's never die. As soon as a human leaves this world his atoms merely regroup to form another being."
A pregnant pause ensued.
" The same with souls that were never sent. Pyre Flies reorder to form another soul." Paine understood what Fiohn was trying to say can couldn't stand for it.
" Cease Fiohn!" Demanded Paine.
" Baralai can remember dying because he is the reincarnation of Baranaile!"
" You're lying!" shrieked Yuna.
" Why what makes saying that Baranaile is his father so different? Is it more comforting to hear... because we all know that offspring can be different from their parents? Baralai is Baranaile, the story of Baranaile being his biological father was a lie conceived by the elders to protect him. To give the child hope that he could lead a normal life and serve Yevon, be different from his father."" It was all a false hope." Reflected Baralai silently to himself. The words pierced deeply as he commenced to slip in and out of consciousness.
" That's atrocious!" Cried Yuna bitterly. " How could they lie to him?"
" Now you see. I knew all along. If Baralai started to remember his past life Spira was doomed to perish."
Yuna wiped away a tear that was creeping down her cheek.
" Yuna, I don't believe him." Paine consoled " You have to fight. Don't give in to your despair."
" You're right." Yuna spoke softly. " I have something to take care of."
Yuna gracefully stood on her toes and motioned the prayer to Paine. Unhurriedly Yuna began to encircle the room tenderly. Weaving a delicate dance along the murky ancient walls. She saw Fiohn cripple unto the floor at the force of her sending. She knew her job was done once small pyre flies abscond his cadaver by the hundreds.
Paine watched pride fully seeing that her uncle was finally at peace in the far plane. Fiohn's words burned in both Yuna and Paine's minds. Yuna remembered Baralai laying on the floor behind her. She shut her eyes delicately frightened of looking back and not seeing him anymore. Gradually and steadily Yuna turned her head and one eye pried open.
Baralai was still there, unmoving, still ,and silenced but he was still in the same spot Yuna had left him! Yuna couldn't trust it. She ventured farther towards him to prove what her eyes were witnessing. " Baralai." she called out sweetly, hesitant he would respond she bent in closely. His eye's had stayed open. " Yuna." Baralai smiled peacefully.
" You kept your promise to me." Yuna whispered in his ear. She caressed his forehead and laid hers beside him.
Six months ensued.
" Where is Rikku?" Yuna mused playful spying the evening sun drift gently under the horizon as if being consumed by the ocean. Everything was rather peaceful only the occasional evening stirs of the water beat roughly against the grainy sand on the beach. It had been a while since she had landed on the isle of Besaid and she couldn't have been more at peace. Finally she felt as if her troubles had gone out to sea with the morning tide. On calm nights like this one she remembered her loves with great affection.
" Yunie!" Rikku had finally found her way out the beach.
" I see Lulu let you off babysitting duty early!" Yuna laughed through the tears pent up in her eyes.
" Yeah!" Rikku affirmed, happily holding a note to Yuna's face.
" What's this?" Inquired Yuna puzzled by the letter." Aren't we heading to the Blitz ball stadium? Do we have time for this?"
" Read it!" Rikku instructed.
" Okay." Yuna sighed defeatedly. She held the letter and commenced to read. After only scanning the letter Yuna cuffed her hand over her mouth which hung ajar, heavy with shock and amusement.
" Rikku! Oh Rikku!" Yuna began to cry as she held her cousin in a tight embrace. Rikku cried also only it wasn't as evident. " I never thought you..."
" Believed in marriage. Well he asked and I felt so bad for the poor kid I gave him a yes." Rikku jested. " That's your official invite!"
Yuna studied the contents a little further delighted that Rikku had decided to host her wedding in Besaid. It suited the couple quite fabulously! The green palms swaying overhead, the glassy clear ocean and the coffee colored sand created the perfect ambiance for the two. Secretly Yuna was a little fretful about Rikku's immaturity, but her fears died down when she realized she was no better herself when it came to love.
" I'm going to be the maid of honor I hope!" Persisted Yuna placing her hands on her hip.
" I'll think about it." Smiled Rikku coyly.
" Have you heard from Paine?" Rikku asked abruptly." Gippal really wants her to be there."
" Come to think of it, yes." Yuna smirked." She mentioned she was looking for someone and that she's living in Luca now, however her details were quite vague."
" Oh!" Rikku's eyes lit " I wonder who that someone is?" Rikku elbowed Yuna humorously. Yuna elbowed back and chuckled merrily.
" Hmmm." Sighed Yuna. " I wonder what Paine's dream man would look like."
" Me too! Me too!" recanted Rikku.
" Would he have long raven colored hair."
" Or be covered in chains?"
" Or tattoos?"
" Would he be muscular?"
Yuna and Rikku painted a picture in their heads of a brutish, muscle laden man, covered head to toe in rusted chains. Both laughed heartily at their friends expense.
" Yuna, I've been meaning to ask you something."
" Go ahead." Smiled Yuna resting her arm on Rikku's shoulder.
" Ever plan to see Baralai again?"
" I... I don't know." Yuna breathed. " He has to find his own identity and I'd only be standing in his way."
" Oh...so you wouldn't want to see him again?"
" Absolutely! Why wouldn't I like to see him again? I just don't think after everything that happened this is the right time to construct anything from the ruins."
" Do you love him?"
" Yes, Rikku. I love him." Yuna alleged mellifluously.
Rikku gave a small sigh and hugged Yuna. " Yuna, I think it's time for a reunion."
" I'm going to let time decide that." Yuna held hopefully.
A few months had flown by faster than Yuna had perceived. It seemed as if it were only last night that Rikku held the wedding invitation to her nose and demanded her to read it. It was the morning of the wedding Yuna woke up with a massive headache. She had spent the chief of the night thinking of Baralai and how his life had been going. She pondered if his wounds were fully healed by now. If he heard that he was Baranaile's reincarnation and how he was living with that truth. He tender aroma of fresh coffee grounds is what stirred Yuna to her awakening. She was dying for a cup of strong black coffee and cream. Her nose hadn't betrayed her. Wakka was hard at work grinding the arduous black beans. The aroma was spectacular.
" 'Morning Yuna!" Greeted Wakka engaged by the coffee beans.
" Good morning Wakka!" chanted Yuna.
" So what will ya be having for breakfast."" Just a cup of coffee." She smiled watching little Vidina balance a blitz ball on his head.'" '
Coming right up!" Wakka bellowed happily.
" Certainly are a lot of Al-bhed coming in for Rikku's wedding, ya."
" Yes, I think everyone loves it here!"
" It's gonna be a great year for Besaid!"
"Yes, I'm very excited." nodded Yuna. " It's nice to finally start looking forward to the future for once." She exclaimed thoughtfully.
After sipping her cup of strong black coffee she felt her headache drift away and her head clear. Yuna glided on a sliming white, halter dress adorned with a simple pink orchid as a corsage. She brushed her lips lightly with a nude gloss and let her ashy brown hair out of her bun. Her hair draped stylishly below her shoulders.
Wakka had stepped out to accommodate the men in a friendly match of Blitzball to ease the nerves of the groom and groomsmen. Lulu had gone to the Inn to help Rikku dress for her wedding and Cid was drowning out his sorrows in the Celsius with Barkeep. Yuna was left to mind Vidina. Vidina had grown a least two whole inches since last year and had developed a more extensive vocabulary. He knew how to say everyone's name and even started to form broken sentences. " Yunie will you take me beach?" He said holding his little blitz ball. Yuna thought of the time and decided that it wouldn't hurt to take him on a little stroll. "Okay." Yuna beamed. Yuna wrapped her hand around his and escorted him to the beach.
It was a gorgeous day, not a cloud in the sky. Little Vidina broke free of Yuna's grasp and began to run around. Yuna watched him with a pleasant grin on her face. She left Vidina to his play as she meandered gracefully towards the dock. Her dress trailing behind her collecting sand. "The ocean was indeed vast, well standing so close to it you remember how far the ones you love are away from you." She directed to Vidina, but in actuality she was speaking to herself. Vidina tugged at her dress impatiently for Yuna to play with him. He was too young to be aware of her regrets. " I'm sorry." She said holding Vidina's hand again. " Yes, let's go play." She beamed happily.
" I hope it isn't without me!" Yuna turned numb at recognition of that voice. It was unmistakably the voice of the Praetor of New Yevon. He sauntered tranquilly towards the end of the dock where Yuna and Vidina were perched. Vidina was excited to see the platium haired fellow he had played with before and tackled Baralai's leg. Vidina forgot all about pestering Yuna. Yuna's expression was solemn. Baralai scooped Vidina in his arms and planted a kiss on his forehead. Vidina was oblivious to it and howled " Blitz! Blitz!" Baralai only wore a tranquil smile. He anchored the child to the ground and rubbed his soft head. Vidina ran back to the beach to find his father.
Baralai approached Yuna. " I hope you still remember me." he teased pressing his lips into her soft cheeks.
" I've never forgotten. Nine months ago you asked me to leave you. I thought you were the one who was going to forget me."
" I needed time to be with myself."
" Oh," Yuna gave a dragging pause. " What did you do with your life since then?"
" I've been thinking on what makes us who we are. I wouldn't have blamed you for a second if you had run away once you knew who I truly was, but you never ran. You accepted the truth of what Fiohn told you."
" I know who they say you are destined to become, but I don't believe you can be anyone other than Baralai."
" Now I know who I am and you're right I'm me. I've always been."
" Baralai," Yuna spoke softly," Are you going back to Bevelle after the wedding?"
Baralai flashed a huge grin, " I resigned my position this morning."
" Then you've come to stay."
" Yes," Baralai leaned in and gave Yuna a subtle kiss, " To stay." he promised.
Yuna smiled and tepid tears fell freely from her eyes as she embraced Baralai tightly. Yuna's love for Baralai was a far more tranquil feeling than what she felt for Tidus but even then she loved him just as much and it was fine to love that way. The tides lapped against the deck as Baralai whispered " You kept your promise." Yuna remembered that promise she made to him in the temple. They were going to play with Vidina again. " I love you, Baralai." Yuna kissed him once more." It's getting late ,Yuna."
" Yes it is!"
"Well we can't keep everyone waiting can we?"
" No that would be quite rude of us, husband."
" So shall we, wife?"
" Yes, lets!"
Yuna and Baralai walked to the beach hand in hand, they cherished the moment they realized they had the rest of their days to look forward to the future.
FIN -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I just want to express my gratitude for everyone who supported my first true fanfiction. . I love you guys! Thank you so much for giving me the strength I needed to continue my story with your positive comments and your readership. I'm going to miss this story but I decided to end it on a high note. I'm considering writing a one-shot continuation of this ficcy later on about Yuna and Baralai's life together on Besaid, but that'll be later on. Anyways I really hope you liked the way I drew the story to a close. I've also got several other fanfic's on the way.. I love you guys...I can't say thank you enough!