NOTICE TO READERS: I'm very sorry that this fic hasn't been updated in a VERY VERY long time, but I still haven't gotten my A:/ drive fixed so I couldn't transfer my fic to a disk to a computer that has internet so I could update. What I finally did was print every page of my new chapters that I needed to update (which took an hour and a half to print 25 pages thanks to my stupid, slow old printer) and retype it on a computer that has the internet. It was a big pain in the ass, but it was all for you guys. I hope you enjoy these chapters since my printer is now also out of ink. :P

Author: Chapter two! Posty posty posty! Her I go! Lol. It seems that more people enjoyed the first chapter then I thought, so I'm updating it for all you guys who reviewed. (All three of you :P) Yayness! Number two! ::does the peanut butter and jelly dance:: It's peanut butter jelly time! Peanut butter jelly time! ::ahem:: Sorry. That song is stuck in my head.

Baralai: ::rolls his eyes:: Will you get on with it already.

Author: ::whacks him with an ugly stick and all his silver hair falls out:: Ha! Take that! Mmph! :P (sticks out tongue) I'm gonna move on now. Not because Baralai said so but because………um……..yah. That's why.

Baralai: ::in shock:: MY BEAUTIFUL LOCKS OF SILVER! GONE! ALL GONE! ::collapses in grief::

Author: ::sighs:: Anyway, badly over here is getting whiny so ON WITH THE FIC! ::smiles happily:: And lots of huggles for all my readers except for Mr. Flames. (Anyone who doesn't review will cause Baralai to be bald forever! Mwahahahahahaha!!!)

THISISTHESTUPIDLINEDIVIDINGTHEFICANDTHEAUTHORSNOTES

After showing Yuna to her room, Baralai asked Matthew to guard the door and make sure no one disturbed her. "Oh, and Matt?" Matthew looked at Baralai curiously. "If she needs anything just think of yourself as her personal servant. Or come and get me."

He grinned at Matthew's suspicious look. "Just be careful," he said, putting a gentle hand on Matthew's shoulder, "she's been hurt before, so go easy." Matthew frowned at Baralai's back as he walked away. Was it that obvious that he was interested in the girl? Once back in his private quarters Baralai jumped when the door closed behind him on its own. He turned to see Natasha step out of the shadows with a playful smile on her face.

"How did you get in here?" Baralai asked, raising an eyebrow. She held up a dangling set of keys and he felt around in his pocket. "You little thief," he laughed and hugged her warmly. "You know you're not supposed to be in here," he scolded. She pouted and hugged him tighter.

"Just try and stop me. They can't prevent me from seeing you and being-" She was cut off by a knock at the door. Baralai looked around frantically and pointed at the closet. He walked over to the door as she shut herself in the closet. Baralai opened the door and kindly at the messenger on the other side.

"Afternoon, praetor," the young man said respectfully, bowing to him, "the council requests a meeting with you this evening regarding a praetor in training. Also, they seem to be missing Lady Natasha at the moment. They ask that if you see her that you return her to them to finish toady's lessons."

Baralai nodded. "Thank you. If you are able to, can you tell them I'll be there after dinner?"

"Yes praetor." The boy bowed again and left quickly as though he thought Baralai would strike him down any minute. Closing the door firmly behind him and clicking the lock into place, he leaned back against it with a relieved sigh. Natasha appeared from the closet a few moments later.

"I guess I'm in trouble," she grinned. Baralai shook his head at her.

"They're going to tan your hide and mine if you don't get back to your lessons." She turned away from him and went out onto his small balcony, looking out over Bevelle. "Natasha…….," Baralai sighed. He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, leaning his chin on her shoulder. "Don't be upset with me. I want to spend time with you too, but they'll suspect something eventually. If you come back tonight we can watch a new sphere I found and discuss your training."

"Training……….," Natasha muttered, "oh joy." She turned in his arms so that she was facing him. "Then I guess I will see you tonight." Kissing him gently on the lips, she pulled out of his grasp and ran from the room quickly. Baralai touched his lips unbelievingly. It was the first time she had ever kissed him and he hadn't even had a chance to respond. ……..should he ask her tonight?

Yuna flopped down on the soft bed in her room. The place was big enough to fit her idea of a house into it. The cabin of the airship was smaller then the inner chamber. Not to mention there was a dining area and bathroom that branched off from different parts. A light knock at the door alerted her and she sat up.

"Come in."

Matthew pushed open the door nervously and smiled when he saw Yuna. "Oh, sorry." I didn't realize you were resting. I'll leave you be then."

Yuna shook her head quickly and hopped to her feet. "No!..............I mean, I'm not resting. I was just checking out my room." A smile came to Matthew's face.

"All right then. What would you rather do? Let me take you on a tour of Bevelle, or make you dinner?"

"Well, I've already seen most of Bevelle……," Yuna commented thoughtfully.

"Dinner it is." Yuna couldn't help but smile at the young man's eager face. His smile made her heart hurt. Why couldn't she stop thinking about Tidus? Matthew walked past her into the kitchen and she could hear him banging around inside as he began to take stuff out.

"What would you like to eat?" he called out to her. Yuna leaned back onto the bed again.

"Whatever you want to make," she mumbled tiredly.

"All right. I'll surprise you." Matthew peered around the door frame when she didn't answer him. He smiled when he saw Yuna sprawled on the bed with her eyes closed. Poor girl. Everyone expects so much from her, Matthew thought to himself. Fading sunlight came in through a window by the sink and Matthew gazed out it thoughtfully, waiting for the water on the stove to boil. He didn't want to seem to forward, having just met the girl, but he did like her. Would he come on too strong if he asked her to go "out" for dinner with him sometime? He knew some beautiful spots around Macalania.

The lid on the pot began clanging and hissing steam. "Oh crap," he cursed, diving for the bubbling pot. He quickly pulled the lid off and fanned the steam towards the window. Sighing sadly, he dropped some pasta into the boiling water and started cooking his special sauce that his grandpa had invented and taught him how to make. Maybe if he could win her over with his cooking then she'd give him a chance.

Once the food was done cooking he prepared the sauce and poured it over the noodles, putting a small portion on two different plates. Breathing in the delicious aroma, he placed both plates on the table then pulled out a long white candle from one of the drawers and lit it. It cast a soft glow over the table top and he took a deep breath. Here I go. He went back into the room to wake up the sleeping girl.

"Yuna," he whispered softly, shaking her shoulder, "Yuna. Dinner's ready." A small groan acme her lips and her arms went around his neck, pulling him onto the bed with her. "Um……Yuna?" Matthew said a bit louder, "Yuna, you need to-mmph!" Her mouth closed over his and the way she was kissing him made him wonder exactly what her dream was about. I can't take advantage of this. Stop it Matthew. Escape while you still can!

Even as he was thinking 'no', his body was beginning to respond to hers and he was slowly losing control over his restraint. He couldn't help himself as he gently kissed her back, at the same time, trying to pull her arms off his neck. Yuna's eyes shot open suddenly and she paused, pulling back slightly. Her mind seemed to be contemplating the situation. "You," she said softly, sounding hurt and on the verge of tears. Removing her arms from around his neck, he moved back quickly. Leaning forward again, she slapped him angrily, a few tears escaping down her cheeks.

"Get out."

"But Yuna I-"

"NO! GET OUT NOW!" She shoved him off the bed and over to the door, opening it quickly. He stumbled forward through the door and it slammed in his face when turned around to apologize. What the hell had just happened?! Moron! He knocked on the door again.

"Yuna? Please. Give me a chance to explain. Yuna!" He leaned his forehead on the door frame and sighed. I should've taken Baralai's advice, he thought, angry with himself. Now he'd really upset her. Kicking the ground, he slowly headed for his own room.

Baralai leaned over his work with a frown. There was a large pile of work to be done that had been neglected in his absence. It made him realize how much they really needed him. Glancing at his wall clock, he realized it was far past dinner time and the council was probably expecting him. He jumped up from his chair and shoved the work back into a messy pile. He had to hurry now and he hated rushing anywhere. Letting himself out of his large chambers, he started off at a brisk walk towards the council's hall and ignored his grumbling stomach. It took him a good ten minutes to arrive at his destination and he knocked gently on the door, brushing silvery bangs out of his eyes.

"Come in," a booming voice instructed. Baralai entered and bowed to the seven council members that were seated around the table. "It brings great joy to our hearts that you have returned safely to us, praetor," the leader smiled warmly, "we were just finishing up with a student disciplining. Pardon us for a moment." Baralai turned to see Natasha with her fake 'I'm-ever-so-sorry' look on her face. He quickly erased the smile from his lips that had appeared when he saw her and nodded.

"As you wish, Michael. Carry on." As the man turned back to Natasha, a frown came to his face.

"Lady Natasha, you know that, other then your demise, there is no excuse for skipping training that is very vital to becoming a praetor. I don't want to have talk to you on this matter again! I'll leave it up to the praetor to find a suitable punishment for you." It was hard for Natasha to keep a straight face after that comment and it took all her will power not to grin over at Baralai. "You are dismissed. Report to the praetor and don't keep him waiting. He won't be as merciful about tardiness as we are."

Natasha nodded and bowed, afraid to speak for fear she would let her laughter escape. She hurried out of the room and winked at Baralai on her way by. Baralai cleared his throat and walked over to the middle of the room where Natasha had been.

"You wished to speak with me?" he asked softly. The council members all nodded.

"Yes," Michael sighed, "but we only have a few things to address for now. First thing, how was your trip?" Everyone smiled at Baralai's surprised expression.

"Um…………..it was fine. I found a few new spheres that I was planning on watching tonight. Why do you ask?"

"No reason," Michael smiled, "we just want our praetor to be happy. As I was about to say though, the second problem is Lady Natasha." Baralai swallowed nervously and hoped they hadn't figured anything out. "You see, she is an amazing student, but we can't get her to take her studies seriously. She needs to learn some discipline. I personally, don't understand how you keep her under control so well. Care to enlighten us with your gift?"

Baralai felt his cheeks going slightly red. "I…..um, I'm not yet sure of that myself," he lied, "maybe she just fears and respects the praetor."

Michael nodded, "perhaps. That would make sense. Even so, you need to find a way to get her to commit to her choice of becoming a praetor or we'll have to appoint a new candidate." Baralai made a mental note to severely scold Natasha and remind her that not being a praetor meant not being with him.

"I'll do my best," Baralai smiled, "is there anything else that requires my attention before I get back to work?"

Michael frowned as he thought. "Oh, yes. We got another life partner proposal for you yesterday. She seems like a very sweet and beautiful girl."

"I'm not interested," Baralai said, sighing bitterly, "I've had enough of those 'proposals' to last me a lifetime." Michael stood from his seat and bowed.

"As you wish, praetor. Then we shall let you return to your work and have a meeting to discuss Bevelle later on."

"I look forward to it," Baralai smiled, bowing in return, "I shall see you all later then." He quickly exited the room with a sigh of relief. Those people always made him so nervous. Oh well. Time to get back to work……and Natasha. He had a lot to talk to her about.

Yuna slumped back against her pillows, ignoring the delicious smells coming form the kitchen. How could he?! That prick must've known she was sleeping and pounced on her the first chance he got! She wiped her face with her hands, trying to dry the stream of tears that continued. Frustrated and angry, she went into the kitchen and saw the pretty table setting Matthew had taken time to make. She grabbed the candle and threw it in the sink, causing it to break. Slumping down into one of the chairs, she began munching on the pasta. Not bad, she sighed to herself. She was looking forward to going back to sleep after eating. Anything to escape her stupid feelings and emotions.

Matthew entered his room and went straight for the fridge. He needed a beer. Cracking open a can, he took a long drink and slumped down on his couch. What a moron he was. Another sigh escaped his lips and he lifted the can again, gulping down the rest of the contents. He had never really had a girlfriend before, since he always screwed up the 'before-dating' part. It wasn't his fault. He was just always in the wrong place at the wrong time. He stared up at the ceiling for some time thinking about the past. His brother had always been a ladies' man. It drove him nuts. The guy was one of the most obnoxious people he had ever known and yet he was always surrounded by women. Maybe he should take up blitzball and become a stupid star player. Meh. Whatever. People could either like him for who he was or take a hike.

His father had been around a lot when he was a kid and he had always told him about his half-brother, the wimpy crying kid whose mother had chronic depression. Jecht was a star blitzball player, but he always took Matthew with him on his traveling tournaments. Matthew's mom really wanted nothing to do with her son or her husband. Jecht seemed to like the lack of commitment. It gave him more freedom. He had felt sorry for the other boy; Jecht's other son, until he had met him. The over-confident, cocky blonde drove him crazy. He himself was quite shy and tended to keep to himself. The similarities in their looks were creepy though. Whatever happened to that loser anyway? He wondered if maybe they'd see each other again. Hopefully not.

His eyes closed slowly and he hummed a quiet song to himself. One day, maybe he'd get a break.

THISISTHESTUPIDLINEDIVIDINGTHEFICANDTHEAUTHORSNOTES

Author: I know. I know. You're all screaming at me, "but he didn't have a brother! Wouldn't he have disappeared too? What the hell's going on?!" Please, calm down, get back in your seats and think about something much much more important……..like REVIEWING! This is my fic so I'm allowed to twist things around a little. If you don't like my ideas then I'll cry, throw a tantrum and get over it in about five minutes. Lol. Seriously though, I've got some really good ideas for the future of this story. Please bare with me for a while longer and I'll explain all the plot crap to all you nitpicky obsessed gamers who know every little plots detail. Okay? Okay!

Baralai: This fic sucks!

Author: ::glares at Baralai:: Would you like to remain bald forever?!

Baralai: ::pouts:: No.

Author: ::smiles evilly:: Then bow down and say 'sorry master. I'll never disobey you again. I worship and love you eternally.'

Baralai: NEVER!!!!

Author: ::shrugs:: Oh well, your loss. Literally. ::snickers at the sight of a bald Baralai:: Tell you what. If I can get at least five reviews for this chapter then I'll give you your hair back and all the fan girls can celebrate and swoon over your hotness again, all right?

Baralai: Deal! NOW FOR GOD SAKES PEOPLE! PLEASE REVIEW! ::sobs uncontrollably:: DON'T LEAVE ME LIKE THIS! NOW FOR THE ONLY PERSON THAT WILL LOVE ME IS NOOJ! Or Logos. He is pretty desperate. Anyway, REVIEW! AND SAVE MY HAIR!

Author: ::backs away slowly:: He's lost his mind! Along with his hair. Lol. Anyway, please review for the poor sod and I'll update A.S.A. the next chapter is ready. See ya then my loyal readerians.

Sephiroth: ::scoffs:: Loyal. Right.

Author: ::whacks Sephiroth and his hair falls out too::

Sephiroth: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH ::breathes:: HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Author: O.O Well, I'm leaving to hide in a closet now because I've got two men here who are hair obsessed and want to hurt me severely. At least that other one isn't here.

Kuja: Who me?

Author: NOO! Cross dresser alert! Everyone duck and cover! Run away!

Amanda: ::huggles Kuja:: I like metal things. ::winks::

Kuja: ::grins:: Really now? Then I'll just be taking over your world now. And I'll make you my queen!

Amanda: Wheeeee!

Author: OKAY SERIOUSLY! I'M LEAVING NOW! SEE YA NEXT CHAPTER! :D (Oh, yes and…………………..REVIEW!!! . See ya, buh-bye! :D ::gives readers cookies::