A HUGE apology to my reviewers and fans. My Computer has been dead (literally) for the last while. I hope you're not too pissed off. Here's the next Cahpter, hopefully I managed to save this story from my lost files! Enjoy!
Tidus opened his eyes. He felt stiff and realized he had been sleeping with his head on the table.
Yuna was staring at him with an expression somewhere between uncertainty and concern.
"You were calling out in your sleep," she said, "What were you dreaming about?"
Tidus raised his head, massaging his neck, "Don't really remember," he murmured, "What time is it?"
"Still early," Yuna replied. She ducked her head with a smile, "It was strange to wake up next to you," she confessed, "For a moment I thought I was dreaming."
Tidus smiled, "You'll get used to it," he said.
"I hope not," Yuna replied.
Tidus gave her a quizzical look.
"I like it," Yuna said, "It makes me feel thankful. It's only now I realize how much I really missed you. I've been hiding my feelings these past two years."
Tidus gave a smile, "I had a promise to keep," he said with a shrug, "You don't have to worry, Yuna." He paused and grasped her hands in his, "I love you," he said earnestly.
Yuna smiled happily, "I love you too," she replied then looked up as someone entered the room.
Tidus also looked toward the door and saw Wakka standing there, staring at him uncertainly.
"Hey man," Tidus called by way of greeting.
Wakka gave a smirk and rubbed his eyes, "I thought I had a funny dream, ya?" he said, "Mornin', by the way."
"Good morning," Yuna said, "Where's Lulu?"
"She's comin'," Wakka said sitting down across from them, "She got me up."
"We should be heading on," Yuna agreed.
"Where to?" Tidus asked looking from Yuna to Wakka.
"Oh, Bevelle," Yuna said, "We must meet with the New Yevon order and try to placate them."
"Rin told me about them," Tidus said his voice betraying his disgust, "I can't believe they have the nerve to-."
"The New Yevon order still has many followers despite the truth of Yevon's deception," Lulu interrupted as she entered the room.
"Not as many followers as the Free People though," Wakka said obviously sharing Tidus' opinion.
"They still are capable of leading an attack on us if they declare war however," Yuna added, "That's what we must avoid."
Tidus looked thoughtful, "But with the Al Bhed and their machina, not to mention all the other followers, surely we're stronger," he reasoned.
"We are," Lulu said, "But the New Yevon are very sure of themselves and that worries us. They might be hiding something."
"I guess," Tidus said, "Who leads them?"
Yuna looked disapproving suddenly, "We never deal directly with their leader, only with his Aide," she said irately.
"No one knows their leaders name or what he looks like," Lulu supplied.
"But they call him the Keeper of Yevon," Wakka told him.
"Yeah," Tidus murmured, "Not even that guy the other night knew."
"What guy?" Wakka asked with a frown.
"Oh," Tidus looked evasive suddenly, "Just some guy, had something against me."
"From the New Yevon clergy?" Lulu asked suddenly.
Tidus nodded, "He also referred to his leader as the Keeper."
"How could the New Yevon know you're back?" Yuna wondered.
Tidus shrugged, "I avoided Bevelle, but they could have seen me anywhere," he said, "I'm surprised the assa-." Tidus stopped abruptly.
"You were going say assassin, weren't you?" Lulu said accusingly.
Tidus looked uncomfortable, "It's nothing," he said.
"The New Yevon sent an assassin after you?" Yuna asked furiously, her eyes blazing.
"Son of a Shoopuf," Wakka swore.
"It's all right," said Tidus, "He was taken care of."
Yuna did not look placated however, "This is the most blatant aggravation they've dared yet," she said, "This has to stop, soon."
"You can use this at your meeting with them," Lulu said, "It's about time they took responsibility for their actions."
"The New Yevon have been using terrorism to try and sway the people's favour towards them," Yuna explained to Tidus, "Of course, we could never prove it."
"Terrorism?" Tidus looked shocked.
"No one's been hurt, yet," Lulu told him, "Just small acts, but it's only a matter of time. The New Yevon clergy are becoming more aggressive it seems."
"Especially towards the Al Bhed, ya?" Wakka added.
Tidus gave Wakka a funny look, "Did you just defend the Al Bhed?" he asked.
Wakka looked affronted, "I like the Al Bhed fine enough," he said.
"And their Machina even more," Lulu added wryly.
Tidus looked at her in mock amazement, "No!"
"Yes!" Lulu returned trying hard not to laugh.
"Bah!" Wakka exclaimed stalking out the door.
"But seriously," Tidus said suddenly, "Wakka and Machina?"
"Rikku's been teaching him a lot," Yuna told him, "He even restores some ancient Machina himself."
"Wow," Tidus said, "Things have changed."
"I'll say," Yuna replied following Wakka outside.
Tidus glanced at Lulu who was looking at him speculatively. He suddenly realized she wanted to ask him something.
"What?" Tidus said looking at her sidelong.
Lulu ducked her head in what Tidus could have sworn was embarrassment; "I wanted to know..." she trailed off.
"Yes?" Tidus prompted.
"I wanted...to know," Lulu started again, "When you were, um...gone if you saw...Chappu?"
Tidus smiled sadly and faced Lulu, "I'm sorry, but no," he told her.
"Oh," Lulu cleared her throat, "That's ok."
"But you can still see him, right? In Guadosalam?" Tidus said.
Lulu faced hardened and Tidus got the feeling he had put his foot in it, "The Guado allow none past their borders," she said bitterly before stalking out the door.
Tidus looked after her for a few minutes, "Scary," he said eventually then laughed and headed out the door himself.
As the hovercraft was made for three people, Tidus opted to make the journey to Bevelle on his now repaired bike. As he wheeled it out from behind the Agency Wakka's eyes lit up.
"What's that?" he asked eagerly looking the machine over.
Tidus grinned, "A motorbike. Rin gave it to me," he replied.
Wakka came forward and started inspecting the bike. Tidus shook is head, still unable to belief the orange haired blitzer's love for machina.
Before long the four friends were on their way. It took them very little time to get to Bevelle as they circumnavigated the forest of Macalania as Tidus had done earlier the previous day. When they arrived they were greeted with much courtesy as the presence of Yuna demanded.
After being escorted to the throne room and their vehicles stowed away with barely concealed revulsion, the Keeper's aide, a man called Lorin, soon joined the four.
Lorin offered them drinks, which were politely refused. Yuna, who had been angered by recent events, got straight to the point.
"Lorin," she started, "We can no longer pretend our beliefs are not at odds. Do you intend to make war against those who do not share your beliefs?" She decided not to single out the Al Bhed specifically.
Lorin gave her a patronising smile, "Good heavens no, my dear," he said, "We would never dream of acting in violence."
Yuna gave the aide a frosty look, "So you deny sending an assassin to kill this man," she gestured at Tidus.
Lorin's eyes flickered briefly to the blitzball player, "Yes," he said smoothly, "I deny that allegation."
Yuna pursed her lips, "I see," she said carefully, "The assassin we have in our custody would say otherwise."
"Then he is lying," Lorin snapped. He stood, "I thought these were meant to be peaceful discussions."
Yuna remained seated and looked at the aide with disdain, "And these are meant to be peaceful times," she said, "But someone is not willing to let them be so."
Lorin glared at the ex-summoner, "Are you accusing my clergy of inciting violence, my lady," he asked in a tight voice.
Yuna stood and looked Lorin in the eye, "Yes," she said.
Lorin took a step back and looked to the doors, "Guards!" he called. Immediately two Warrior monks appeared in the room. Tidus did a double take.
"They still have warrior monks?" he muttered to himself.
Lorin looked at Yuna with malice, "This meeting is over Lady Yuna," he said, "Guards, escort the lady and her associates out of the building.
One of the monks came forward and made to take Yuna's arm. She glared at him, "Touch me and your career as a warrior will be cut short due to the loss of a limb," she told him succinctly. The guard backed off but gestured to the door.
The ex-summoner sighed and made for the door, Lulu and Wakka followed but Tidus lingered looking curiously at Lorin. The man looked familiar to him.
Lorin looked at him, "Was there something else?" he asked loftily.
Tidus smiled as he realized where he knew the man from, "Yeah," he said, "Give my regards to Mika."
Lorin blanched. The warrior monks escorting them muttered to themselves in astonishment. Yuna, Lulu and Wakka looked at him in surprise then directed their gazes at the aide who was looking weak and pale.
"How do know the name of our sacred leader?" he whispered.
Tidus gave him a dirty look, "Just a hunch," he said with a sniff.
Yuna looked furious, "So Lord Mika didn't send himself," she said, "He still walks among us as an unsent."
"And a great leader," Lorin added, "He has kept the wisdom of Yevon alive."
"Wisdom!" Lulu spat, "Yevon the Deceiver should never have been worshipped and never will be again when this is over."
Wakka put a hand on the black mage's arm, "Easy," he murmured.
Lorin smirked at her, "Speak your mind, my dear," he taunted.
"Lulu," Yuna warned.
Lulu glared at the aide, "Don't worry," she said, "He is beneath me."
Lorin scowled, "Enough," he said, "Get out of the temple. Get out of Bevelle."
Yuna nodded, "Fair enough," she said, "But know this, now that we know the true face of your clergy all hostile actions on your part will be reciprocated."
Lorin sneered, "Is that a threat my lady?" he asked derisively.
Yuna smiled charmingly, "Yes," she said sweetly.
The aide sneered, "Very well," he said, "I think you have outstayed your welcome."
After they had been escorted out of the palace and were on the outskirts of Bevelle Lulu turned to the ex-summoner.
"Was that wise?" she asked, "The New Yevon may see this as an opportunity to openly declare war."
"Then we will fight that war," Yuna said smoothly, "Lulu the New Yevon have to be stopped, if not now then eventually. And with this new revelation I don't see how this cannot spiral into violence. Doesn't mean I have to like it though," she added remorsefully.
"You did your best," Wakka assured her, "Besides, I think the Al Bhed would love a chance to kick some New Yevon butt, ya?"
Yuna smiled at her old friend but Lulu was frowning at Tidus, "How did you know Mika was their leader?" she wanted to know.
The blitzer shrugged, "It was a bit of a gamble," he admitted, "I had this dream about a war between them and us. In it, Mika led their army."
"Really?" Lulu sounded interested, "What else?"
Tidus leaned against his bike, looking thoughtful, "Seymour was there too," he said, "He was summoning something. So were you Yuna," he added looking at the ex-summoner who raised her eyebrows speculatively.
"What were they summoning?" Wakka asked from up top the hover craft were he had settled himself.
Tidus shrugged again, "No idea," he said then added, "Oh yeah, then Auron appeared and basically asked the same thing."
Yuna was frowning, "What else can I summon?" she asked, "With the fayth gone summoning should be impossible."
Tidus held up a hand, "It was just a dream," he reminded them as he started up his bike.
"Sounds more like a vision," Lulu told him before climbing aboard the hovercraft.
"Where to now?" Wakka asked Yuna starting the hovercraft up.
The ex-summoner paused in the process of climbing aboard, "Luca," she decided, "There is nothing more we can do here."
Sorry again for the huge delay, update soon, I promise! R&R always appreciated.