Jino, Missaw, Xuxu, Mandyfanforevr: Glad you like it!
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Sorry I didn't update last weekend, I was out of town. Enjoy!
Glaciours: I think you're my most avid fan so far! I'm very grateful for your support.
I'm back! Sorry for the delay, I was at a seminar over last weekend.
Chapter Four
Yuna stretched her stiff muscles as she climbed down from the Hover Craft in front of the Thunder Plains Travel Agency. Lulu came to stand next to her as Wakka saw to the craft, covering it in a tarpaulin to protect from the rain.
A smile touched the former summoners lips as she remembered the last time she had been at the Agency. She remembered Rikku's insistence that they stop. Glancing at Lulu she saw the black mage had a similar expression of amusement and was no doubt thinking the same thoughts.
Lulu walked ahead and entered the warmth of the agency. Yuna lingered briefly, reliving the past, before starting to follow. She had only taken two steps when she heard a sound, which nearly stopped her heart. A piercing whistle.
Immediately she told herself not to be daft. Could be anyone, she reasoned.
But she was wrong, she knew. Only one person beside herself could make such a sound. Her heart beating wildly she walked slowly around the agency to the source of whistle.
Coming around the back of the building, she froze. Then she blinked hard and her hands flew to her mouth. Any sound she may have made was drowned out by the storm and thus the unmistakable figure before her did not turn, instead he continued talking to the Al Bhed in front of him.
For Yuna time seemed to congeal. She didn't know how long she stood there but it felt like a lifetime. In reality it was only a few seconds for at that moment Tidus finished his conversation, which seemed to have annoyed him, and turned.
Yuna didn't know what her face looked like but she imagined Tidus must have mirrored it. His eyes bugged and his jaw dropped. His shock was not as much from the actual presence of Yuna, as he already knew they would meet eventually, but from her appearance. He made a visible effort to keep his eyes on her face, but they were dragged inexorably downward.
Yuna let her hands drop, feeling slightly dizzy, she opened her mouth to speak but no sound came out. She took a tentative step forward, her hands rising automatically in a grasping motion.
The gesture seemed to break the spell for in a moment they were in each other's arms. Yuna clung to Tidus as if she was afraid he was just a figure of her imagination and would disappear.
"I knew it," she whispered and then, realizing just how much she had missed him, burst into tears.
Hearing her tears Tidus held her away from him and gently wiped her face with his fingers, "It's okay," he said, "I'm here for good, Yuna. I told you I'd stay with you always and I will."
Yuna face broke into a smile but her eyes kept running with tears.
Tidus frowned helplessly, "Don't cry," he pleaded.
Yuna laughed lightly, "I can't help it," she whispered, "I don't think I've ever been this happy in all my life."
Tidus smiled and kissed her impulsively. Yuna returned the kiss letting the immense feeling of relief and ecstasy run though her making her feel as weak as a kitten.
Tidus hesitated at the door of the Agency as Yuna led him along by the hand. The hand she hadn't released since their reunion behind the building. Feeling his unwillingness, she stopped and looking at him questioningly.
"I..." he paused, "I'm not sure what to say. They'll be surprised won't they? Maybe you should tell them first?"
Yuna shook her head, "It's okay," she said, "This way's quicker. And easier."
Tidus nodded and let her lead him through the door.
Lulu and Wakka sat across from each other at a table by the fire. As they watched Wakka leaned across and kissed Lulu lightly on the lips.
Tidus grinned, "About time," he said without thinking.
Hearing his voice, Wakka leapt back guiltily and his eyes darted around for the source of the voice. His eyes finding Tidus, his mouth fell open. There was a short gasp of shock from Lulu.
Tidus' grin turned sheepish and he ducked his head, "Hi guys," he said.
Yuna beamed and squeezed his hand looking at her former guardians expectantly.
Lulu was the first to recover, "But how..." her voice trailed.
"It's a long story," Tidus said, "I'll tell you later."
Then Lulu did something she rarely did. She smiled, widely and happily. Rising she gave Tidus a swift hug, over so quickly he wasn't sure it had happened at all.
Lulu being as she was sat down looking faintly embarrassed at this display of emotion. Wakka was still giving Tidus a queer look; he stood slowly and came to stand in front of him.
"Wakka-," Tidus began but his words were smothered as the big man suddenly engulfed him in a hug that threatened to crack his ribs.
Wakka released him then mussed his hair, "Good to have you back, brudda," the blitzball coach looked sombre suddenly, "We all missed you," he said.
Tidus grinned, his discomfort gone (except from his ribs). Suddenly he felt immensely sad at how close he had come to losing the people he cared so much for but brushed aside his worries and glanced at Yuna.
She still looked slightly dazed but elated at the same time. Together the four friends sat and Tidus started his story.
"After I...left," he started uncomfortably, "I saw Auron and my father. And your father too Yuna," he looked at her and she gave him a quizzical look caressing his hand subconsciously, "They didn't say anything but they made me feel better somehow. After that, well, I don't know were I was but the fayth, from Bevelle, you remember?" he asked Yuna who nodded.
"He talked to me," Tidus continued, "I should explain though, before I go on, the Fayth dreamed the memories from all those who lived in the real Zanarkand to dream like life. I was one of those dreams, so was my father. But when we came to Spira, we changed. We were touched by Sin and became..." Tidus paused.
"Real?" Lulu asked.
"Partly," Tidus replied, "But not entirely. When I disappeared I did not die. But I wasn't just a dream anymore-."
"So you couldn't just disappear," Yuna murmured, "But you did."
"That's why they sent me back," Tidus told her, "To live before I can die."
"Die?" Yuna asked gripping his hand harder.
"Not anytime soon though. I hope," he added.
"They gave you life," Lulu surmised.
"As we gave them rest, yes," Tidus replied.
"But you were gone for two years," Yuna said in confusion.
"Yes, but it felt like a moment," Tidus said, "I met Rin," he smiled at the memory, "Man, was he surprised. Anyway, he told me how long it had been and it was quite a shock. You've all changed so much."
Yuna smiled self consciously, "But you have too," she said touching his face gently, "You look older."
Tidus closed his eyes briefly at her touch, then smiled, "I guess," he said, "I certainly feel older."
"You've been through a lot and loss ages people," Lulu said wisely, her face showing her familiarity in the subject.
"I guess," Tidus said his gaze not leaving Yuna's face.
Lulu pursed her lips to suppress a smile. She turned to Wakka, "We should probably be getting to bed," she said pointedly.
Wakka looked at her in some surprise, "But it's still earl-," he started but Lulu inclined her head ever so slightly toward the newly reunited couple sitting across from them. "Oh," the blitzball coach caught on, "Yes. Bed. Let's go."
Lulu stood, "Goodnight you two," she said kissing Yuna on the cheek and smiling at Tidus.
Tidus returned the smile, "Goodnight Lulu," he replied.
Wakka ruffled the blonde blitzer's hair, "G'night, brudda. Good to see you again, ya?" he said before following Lulu out the room.
Yuna watched them go then turned to Tidus suddenly feeling self-conscious. Tidus was giving her an adoring look, "I missed you," he said suddenly, "And I was only gone for what felt like a moment."
"I missed you too," Yuna replied, "But I had to learn to go on."
Tidus nodded slowly, then looked away abruptly, "I'm sorry," he said sadly.
Yuna frowned and turned his face back to her, "For what?" she asked.
Tidus shrugged looking uncomfortable, "Guess I feel responsible," he muttered, "I would never hurt you Yuna, never!"
Yuna laughed, "Don't be silly, I know that. And it wasn't your fault," she added fiercely.
Tidus looked a little wary, "Gosh you really have grown," he said, "Guess being a senator makes you more... forthright, huh?"
Yuna groaned, "Not you too," she said.
"Not me too what?" Tidus asked confusedly.
"Everyone's teasing me about being too grown up," Yuna sighed.
Tidus laughed, "It's true," he said then ducked a playful punch Yuna directed at him.
He suddenly eyed her seriously, "So, what's with the new get-up," he asked casually.
Yuna smiled knowingly, "You like it?" she asked innocently.
Tidus grinned, "Yes," he said truthfully.
"Well, a lot has changed," Yuna explained, "Rikku thought...what?"
Tidus had suddenly looked contemplative at mention of the blonde Al Bhed, "Rikku must be older too," he said thoughtfully.
Yuna smiled, "Yes," she replied, "But you wouldn't think it."
Tidus chuckled, "Good ol' Rikku," he said with a grin, "I sort of expected to see Kimahri on Gagazet, but there's no one there," he added, "Where is Kimahri?"
Yuna looked sombre suddenly, "There are only a few Ronso left in Spira. They've chosen to leave Gagazet and set up their knew home near Lake Macalania. Maybe one day, when there are more of them, they'll return to the sacred mountain. Kimahri is their Elder. We still see him, from time to time."
Tidus and Yuna talked for hours that night, the hours slipping away like minutes as they lost track of time and became immersed in their own world. A world, which consisted of only each other.
They spoke seriously and light-heartedly alike until weariness finally caught up with them and they slept heads resting near the others on the table, hands entwined.
Tidus stood on the Calm Lands again except this time he stood at the head of the army he had seen himself leading. Next to him stood Yuna, Lulu, Wakka, Rikku and Kimahri. In the distance he could see the opposing army led by Mika.
As he watched someone in the other army broke rank and came to stand next to the unsent Maester.
Seymour, Tidus glowered.
Instead of ordering his army to attack Mika started what Tidus recognized as a summoning. Beside him Yuna started to do the same.
Summoning what? Tidus thought.
"What else can summoners summon?" said a voice beside him.
Tidus started and turned. Beside him stood Auron, wearing the same blank look he had before. Suddenly all the people around them disappeared leaving only Tidus and Auron alone on the plains.
"What does this mean?" Tidus asked in frustration.
Auron appeared to laugh before turning and walking away.
"Wait!" he shouted and started to go after him but stopped when he heard his name being called. He looked around but saw no one.
Again someone called his name, "Wake up," they added.
Of course, Tidus thought, it's not real. It's only a dream.
And the dream melted away.
A slightly shorter chapter I know, but I'm busy with two other fics as well and I don't have as much time on my hands as I would like. I must really stop over committing myself. I'm having a problem with os thoughts aren't in italics but it's not too hard to figure out. R&R please.