Disclaimer (-er) n. 1. a renunciation, as of a claim, title, etc. 2. a disavowing
Notes: just trying to get some filler to move it along.
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You must stop! That's enough!
The woman stared at up at him with her arms thrown out at her sides. He held her gaze until he heard footsteps echoing in the distance. She too, turned at the sound. Her long brown hair swayed behind her and he jumped down from his high perch.
"Lenne." He took a step towards her and she hesitated.
"Please," she whispered, "don't."
The footsteps drew nearer and he frowned, then moved forward and slid his hand into hers. His grip was firm and he felt her sigh and move against him. They stood, waiting for the rushing sound to stop, but it only became louder.
Without thought, he bolted and pulled her along with him.
Tidus sat upright in the bed and tried to catch his breath. He wiped the small beads of sweat from his forehead and glance about the room, trying to steady his breathing. His eyes drifted to the hut door and he noted the darkness that still hung outside.
A small, cold hand clenched into a fist on his chest and he turned his attention to Liya. She smiled faintly in her slumber. A smile, too, stole him as he watched and listened to her murmur in her sleep. He touched her cheek gently and noted the still cool feeling of her skin. Her lips drew back again faintly when he kissed the cold cheek and he was glad she seemed to be improving.
"Oui kad dra pymm." She mumbled. "E's hud kuehk eh drana."
He smiled again at what he knew to be her ordering Vidina around. The tone was all too familiar.
"Susso." She whispered as her balled hand tightened.
His eyes looked up from Liya to the door that now stood open to see Yuna. She smiled at him and moved towards the bed. Her movement was graceful and she sat down on the bedside. She set her hand gently against Liya's cheek and smiled. Then her eyes looked up at him and she leaned forward to capture his lips with her own.
"I spoke to Rikku." She whispered when they broke. "She said she asked Lu if anything could be done. Lu thinks this is happening for a reason. She saw the Pyreflies and heard what Liya said." She drew a breath, then shifted. "Gippal's heading to Zanarkand with a few other of the Al Bhed." She looked up at him. "He wants to know if you would accompany them."
He face hardened as he looked down at the girl in his arms.
"I'll stay until she's ready to go." Her voice was soft and he turned his attention back to his wife. "Rikku will stay as well while you're gone." She touched his face when he glanced away from her. "They need your help. To rebuild your home."
A smile stole his lips as he thought of home. It hadn't really struck him how much he missed it. He hadn't thought much of Zanarkand since he'd left it. Though desperation had taken him over when he first arrived in Spira to return home, something inside told him that he was.
Let's go to Zanarkand.
He had promised to show her, and now he could fulfill that promise. It lightened his spirit with the thought and he pulled her to himself for another kiss before he slid from the bed and moved towards the back door that would lead to the shower.
Turning back before he left, he smiled inside as Yuna slid beneath the sheets and Liya nuzzled into her mother. Liya's small hand went up to Yuna's face and gave it a small pat before settling once more.
Shaking the water from his hair and slipping into his clothes, he moved around the hut to the village square where Gippal stood talking to Wakka.
Gippal had noticed, that Tidus had strangely taken to dressing like Shuyin within the past several years. It was almost haunting to watch Tidus move towards them, the sight of the young blonde stirred something like fear in the Al Bhed. The idea of being caught between Shuyin's hatred again welled up inside.
He swallowed back the feeling and tried to ease his nerves. The feeling had waned over time, but had never completely left the man. It wasn't until Tidus flashed his distinctive smile, that Gippal's nerves ever truly cooled.
"How's she doin'?" Wakka asked.
"I don't know." Tidus stopped next to the two other men and glanced back at the hut. "I don't know what's wrong. I don't know how to fix it. I don't…" He took a breath to ease his frustration. "I want to protect her, but I can't if I don't know what I'm fighting."
A strong hand set on his shoulder. "She'll make it, ya. She's a strong one."
"She spoke of Zanarkand." Gippal said softly.
"I know." Tidus murmured.
The sound of the Celcius descending to the beach pulled their attention and the trio turned to face it.
"Mad'c ku, puoc." Came Brother's voice from the ship.
The trip to Zanarkand was a rather quick journey. He'd become used to the quick flights in the airship. It was strange to compare it to Yuna's pilgrimage. The trip to Zanarkand took weeks.
Hey! Zanarkand! Let's go to Zanarkand! Not the one in Spira, the one I'm from.
He'd wanted to take her there so badly. He wanted to take her away from her impending death and far to someplace safe. Somewhere where they wouldn't have had to say goodbye. Somewhere that he wouldn't have had to let her go.
Yeah, we can all fly there. Everyone can go! Then we'll have a big party at my place!
She had been reluctant at feeding his desire, but the idea had sounded comforting to her as well. Her reaction startled him at first when she agreed to go.
And then we could see Blitzball!
His excitement had escalated. He couldn't believe that she would actually lay down her pilgrimage and go to Zanarkand with him. The look in her eyes had promised so much in those few moments. He'd wanted to take her to the sea to watch the sun set to sleep.
The city lights go out one by one. The stars fade...then the horizon glows, almost like it's on fire. It's kinda rose-colored, right? First in the sea, then it spreads to the sky, then to the whole city. It gets brighter and brighter, till everything glows.
A feeling of calm had coursed through him.
I'd like to see it, someday.
Well, you can Yuna. We can both go!
His adrenaline had been pounding in his ears and he'd forgotten completely about the pilgrimage, about her need to die to defeat Sin. It had shed away from his mind when she's smiled about his promise to take her to Zanarkand.
I can't. I just can't. I can't go!
It hit him hard when he saw the first tear escape her. It had torn him apart inside. How could he have fooled himself into thinking she'd lay down everything she'd work for to chase after his dream. It was a selfish fantasy.
He'd wanted to wipe her grief away and hold her until she'd stopped crying. He wanted to tell her everything would be all right, but he hadn't been sure. He didn't want to force more tears to stain her beautiful face. He'd already done enough.
But the sight of her shaking form was like a hard jab in the ribs that reached up to his heart. Without thought at all, his feet had moved him towards her and he'd taken hold of her shoulders and drew her to him, pressing his lips against hers. Gently at first, giving her the opportunity to pull away, but she hadn't, rather, she'd pressed it further.
Gippal took a step to stand in front of Tidus. "We're here."
Tidus shook the memory from his mind and looked up at his companion.
"Come on, man, let's go." Gippal said.
Tidus didn't move and Gippal offered him his hand. Tidus stared blankly for a moment, before he raised his hand and set it into Gippal's offer.
"Lusa uh." Gippal muttered as he pulled his friend to his feet.