Hey it's Seventowers here with another story! I want to thank everyone that reviewed my other story, lots of love to you and I hope that you like this one just as much.

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy X or Final Fantasy X-2, or any other characters I may have ripped from other Final Fantasy games. Thank you.

This is not a crossover, just a slight AU on the X and X-2 game stories. While I will not be following the X-2 story line but I will certainly be taking some of the characters and inserting them into this story. I'm also trying to work with different characters' viewpoints.

Chapter 1- Musings

I don't know what hurts worse. The fact that he is gone or that I am still alive. They say hindsight is 20/20 and now that I look back I see that is true. Wondering how many times did he try to tell me he knew of his fate. I look back and realize that it wasn't until the very end he knew, when he touched the prayer child. Sadly though, in order to keep one promise, he had to break others. He told me he would find a way, and he did… at the cost of his own life. As I watched him go I found myself in a state of shock or grief, maybe both. After my final declaration to him, I didn't say a word for nearly two weeks, until it was time for my speech in Luca. The relief on everyone's faces when I said 'I'm ready' still clearly forms in my mind's eye.

It's been two months now, since my guardians and I defeated Yevon and his twisted creation, and things are changing rapidly. I am not sure how to handle everything, and if it weren't for my remaining guardians' silent understanding and support, I don't know how I would even be holding up.

I hear the rustling of my tent flap and I without even looking up I know who it is, just by the sounds of her movements. Khimari taught me how to do that…

"Hey, Lu. You put a good one on me last night, didn't you." It wasn't a question. I even spared her a grateful smile, when I finally turned to face the woman that I have come to consider my sister.

"You were pushing yourself to hard again, dear. I had to do something to make sure you get enough rest." The red-eyed woman replied with a snort and continued with a sly smile of her own, "Lord knows, if I waited for you to ask for it, the time would be well past midnight."

The 'it' she is referring to is a sleep spell, something I haven't been able to do on my own since Sin's defeat. At least not very well, I can generally catch about an hour before I wake up again without it. It's not even nightmares doing it, I… just wake up. It could be depression I suppose, but I have heard rumors that other former summoners' have been suffering the same thing. Two have already taken their own lives, and if the situation I was in was just a bit different I might be tempted to do the same. The reason for this deep depression is the absence of the Aeons' massive presence in our minds. Even our soul's seems to have been bound in some way to the Fayth. After receiving news of the two suicides, it was decided that the remaining ex-summoners were to be watched carefully until a way was discovered to help us fill that gaping void in ourselves. Lulu and the others, and a good majority of Spira, have been hovering around me non-stop, scared I'll do something stupid. I won't lie, it gets a bit annoying; ok it is very annoying. They won't say it, but I know they think that because Tidus left the way he did, that I might be even more tempted to join him. It hasn't been easy, I can't fully explain the bond a summoner shares with their Aeons. I can only describe it as… fulfilling. I guess it is kind of like loosing a limb, but worse. With their deaths and while I was doing their sending, I literally felt most of my 'will' and 'purpose' for living being sent with them.

Some may even ask why I have held on so long, anyhow. While others still may speculate that a High Summoner is different than normal people and therefore probably immune to such disparities. I am here to tell you, that's BULLSHIT. Heh, it would shock those people wanting to sanctify me if they could read my mind. But I digress, the reason I will not take my life so selfishly is because Tidus knowingly ended his in order to keep his promise that I would live. I still don't fully believe he is dead. I prefer to think of this separation as a test of sorts. I think of it as, he ended his TIME in the waking word. There, yes that sounds much better.

Quickly setting out some glasses I ask "Want some tea?" hoping my face doesn't show any of my inner musings, while I wait for her reply.

"Yes, thank you. Just what I need this morning." Wow… Lulu answered that rather cheerfully. I cut my eyes over at her with a look that I know clearly communicates that I know that something is amiss. I can't help but set some bait to get to the truth.

"Hmm, did someone have a good ni… I mean evening?" I ask playfully with a smile. Poor Lu, she looks so relieved at my act of levity. Of course, not all of it is an act. I had my first real laugh last night as I say Lulu invite Wakka into her hut. His was way later than propriety would allow such thing between two unmarried people. That was, of course, before she slipped into my hut unheard and waylaid me with a sleep spell.

Lulu then game me a smile, the likes of which I hadn't seen from her since before Chappu died! She must have noticed my shock because I nearly knocked over the tea set I was preparing. Then she laughed! She laughed out loud!

Quickly setting down the set before I broke what remains of my mother's china, I rushed to the obviously delirious black mage's side in hopes to find out what was wrong. Hopefully it wasn't terminal and I could somehow alleviate the problem before it becomes worse. Surely this wasn't healthy for her. Shockingly enough, my actions only provided to provoke the woman into a fit of giggles. GIGGLES, I say!

Slapping my hands away, thankfully for MY sanity, she regains some semblance of self control, "Really, Yuna, nothing's wrong. Now sit down before I change my mind about asking you to be my maid of honor."

My jaw must have dropped, had to have dropped clear down to the floor. I knew it was coming just by the way they had been acting around each other, when they thought no one was looking. I know my arms were useless at this point, but somehow I managed to slump down into one of the dining room chairs before the room started spinning. I knew it was coming, honestly. Even I was surprised at my reaction. So, being female, and being the one that always wants everyone to be happy I…

"That's great, Lu. I knew something has been going on with the way you to have been slipping off!" I found that once I physically shook the shock away, that talking excitedly came a whole lot easier. Leaning forward, "When are you planning to have it? Where? When do we go dress shopping? OH, I can't wait to tell Rikku!" which is who I know I must possess a strong resemblance to at this moment for all my carrying on. "I'll bet she will know what to do for the bachelorette party." I had to add that one in. She probably doesn't know what one is, Tidus was teasing me about it one of those times he got to talking about when we were to get married. Once we 'take out this Sin, thing, of course!'

"Bachelorette party?" She asked, but she must have noticed where my thoughts have turned to. Even if I did just think about him for a moment. I swear anything and everything is able to trigger a memory unbidden. At least I have them though. Shaking off the melancholy I put on a smile in order to give her a proper explanation.

"Yes, a party. The night before the wedding a few of your friends will steal you away to have a night of fun before the 'Big Day', to help shake off wedding day jitters." I couldn't help but grin as I said this. Lulu is obviously happy with this reaction and didn't object at all to this party idea of mine. Heh, who knows, I may be reviving a thousand year dead custom.

I have to shake away further memories of that particular conversation with Tidus. Parts truly were too painful for me to remember, and I certainly didn't want to ruin Lulu's moment. "Oh drat, the tea will be getting cold if I don't serve it already!" I must be highly amusing this morning, because she is laughing at me again!

Remembering my earlier questions, she starts to give me the details, "It will be held next month. Here, of course, silly. We go shopping in three days. I've already sent word for Rikku to meet us in Bevelle then, but you are the first person I have told. So this should be a pleasant surprise for the girl." I looked at her in amazement first then gave her a big hug and a thank you. Lulu must have known I was about to cry cause she gently averted my attention back to the task I had set out to do. "I believe the tea is getting cold?" She asks playfully with just a hint of her normal personality coloring her tones.

Once served, we just sat in comfortable silence for a few moments. I lean back in my chair, close my eyes and just bathe in the sounds and scents of Besaid. By the Fayth I love this island.

"Yuna? Are you alright?" Darn it, I always end up making them worry, especially Lu.

"I'm fine, Lulu. Just thinking about how much I love this island. I guess I am just taking in some of the things that others may take for granted. Did you realize that the air here always smells of a mixture of gardenias, sea water, and a hint of honeysuckle?" I never once opened my eyes as I said this, only made the gesture with my hand to show that I only smell a pinch of honeysuckle. I finally do open my eyes to see Lu smiling sadly at me, yet at the same time with complete understanding.

I don't know what I would do without them. It is at this moment, in the quiet sheltering embrace of my hut, I promise myself that I will tell Lulu everything after they get back from their honeymoon. Heh, and with Rikku's help I am going to plan one sure to leave them speechless!

Ok, this is the end of chapter 1. I hope that everyone likes it, but I love good honest reviews! Don't hesitate to tear it apart if you want to. :D

Come on. I can take it. LOL I would also like to note that I will be centering on Wakka and Lulu for the next 2 chapters and any suggestions you want to throw my way is greatly appreciated. just email me at sevenbrokentowers at yahoo dot com. hehe had to type it in that way.

Lots of love,

Seventowers