A minor note about this chapter...there is some Al Bhed sentences in it, so you might want to find an Al Bhed translator online. That's how I was able to translate it quickly and accurately. I found a really good one, but i'm not sure if i'm able to put the website in here. Just go to Google and type in "Al Bhed Translator," and you should find it. (Sorry if it's a pain...but it's not really relevant to the story...it's just a little humor. It didn't seem right to put the translation right next to it...it seemed too weird.)

8. A New Adventure

"How come whenever I enter your room I feel like I'm interrupting something?" Tidus and I both jumped perhaps a foot when we heard Rikku speak. We both whipped our heads toward the door and we saw Rikku and Gippal standing there.

"I told her she should knock." Gippal stated when Tidus and I both had blank looks on our faces. Tidus and I could only look at each other without saying a word.

"Are you guys okay?" Rikku asked as she walked over to us. "You guys look totally pale."

"Um, yeah, we're...fine..." I said as I cleared my throat and shook my head in hopes that all the bad memories would go away. It was exactly like Shuyin and I in the Farplane...The way he put his hands on my shoulders, the way he whipped me around, the way he hugged me...the way I felt...What is going on here? I exhaled slowly as I walked over to my bed to grab my bags.

"Okay, are we all set?" Rikku said as she bounced on her toes. That was definitely a clear sign that she was excited to go on a new adventure. I didn't even feel like we were going on a real adventure though...we were just going to check everything out and see what was going on. Maybe Baralai just left Bevelle without warning, who knows? I wouldn't put it past Yevon (or anything with the word 'Yevon' somewhere in its name) to make a big deal out of nothing.

"Yeah, I guess so." We all walked out of the house and as we started to walk out of Besaid, I stopped in my tracks.

"What is it, Yunie?" Rikku said as I gave my stuff to her for a second. She was shocked and didn't have time for a reaction as I ran to Lulu and Wakka's house. I couldn't just leave without saying a word again. Wakka told me that I caused a huge fuss, and I knew that I couldn't do that to Lulu, Wakka, or anyone in Besaid again. I had to at least warn them that I was leaving again for a short while. (The shorter the better really...)

I pushed aside the curtain to Wakka and Lulu's house and Lulu jumped perhaps a foot. "Oh, sorry, Lulu."

"My god, Yuna, you scared me. What is it?" I walked into her house and gave her a hug. Lulu hugged me back, but was kind of hesitant about it.

"I'll be back, Lulu. I guarantee it." Lulu exhaled as I let go of the hug.

"Where are you going this time, Yuna?" She asked as I reached into Vidina's crib to play with the baby.

"I'm going to Bevelle. A friend of mine is missing, and I want to see what's going on there. I heard that Bevelle is all shut off and stuff, and I just want to make sure that New Yevon isn't pulling any tricks or anything again. Even though New Yevon and the Youth League kind of joined forces, I don't trust either group." I leaned over and kissed Vidina on the forehead.

"Just be careful, Yuna." She reached over and gave me another hug. As she had her arms around me, she exhaled. I looked up at her in questioning. "You follow your heart, Yuna. That's an admirable trait to have. Never lose it."

"I won't." I started to walk toward the door so I wouldn't burst into tears. "Would you tell Wakka that I said goodbye?"

"Of course I will. Take care of yourself." I told her that I would and I walked outside. I took a couple of deep breaths to stop the tears that were welling up in my eyes as I met up with Tidus, Gippal, and Rikku near the edge of town. Tidus put his arm around me to comfort me, and we all walked toward the Celsius.

Being on the Celsius again was like returning home for me. I lived on that ship for so long, and as painful as it is to say it, it was good to be back. We all walked onto the bridge where Buddy and Brother were in their usual spots. Wow, just like old times. It was strange not to have Shinra with us, but he left to go work on a huge project for Home. I guess he just didn't want to go on another adventure. Brother jumped out of the cockpit and gave me a huge hug.

"Tysh Yuna, E'ja landyehmo seccat ryjehk ouin payido ynuiht sa ymm dra desa." I had no idea what he said to me, but by the look of disgust on Rikku, Gippal and Buddy's face, I'm glad I didn't understand him.

"Oui'mm hajan ajan maynh, femm oui?" Rikku said to Brother as she rubbed her forehead in shame of what Brother said. "E's zicd kuehk du bnadaht dryd oui'ja hajan syta yho caqiym nasyngc dufynt ran."

"Crid ib, Rikku," Brother said as he stormed back to his seat.

"All right, everyone," I said getting a little impatient because they were talking in Al Bhed, "I want to understand what you're saying. I don't want you to say anything about me."

"Don't worry about it, Yuna," Gippal said as he shook his head. That was definitely a hint that they were talking about me and I shouldn't know what they were saying. That was fine with me. "So, we're off to Bevelle?"

"Yeah, I guess so," I said as I leaned up against Tidus. I almost felt bad for Tidus. I mean, he's been back for a little less than two days and we're already on another adventure. Hell, I'm still tired from the last adventure that I was on, and here I am, on another one. "Do we actually know anything? Besides the fact that Baralai is missing?"

"Well, we're not even sure of that," Buddy said as I gave him an annoyed glance. "We only heard rumors that the Praetor is missing, meaning Baralai."

"But, we're not even sure if the rumor is an actual fact?" I said in disbelief. "I mean, rumors go around like crazy in Spira. I mean, look at the rumors that have flown around the last few years; mainly the one saying that the Al Bhed were saying that I was a traitor during my pilgrimage. Anyone remember that one?"

"Even though I haven't been around the last two years, Yuna, it's obvious that whenever rumors are flying around, Yevon or New Yevon or whatever it's called these days uses that as a way to protect themselves." I thought about it for a second and realized that Tidus is right. "The only reason why they said that the Al Bhed were spreading rumors was so they could use you. You were their only hope in defeating Sin."

A sigh escaped my lips as I walked over to the edge of the airship. Even though we haven't taken off yet, I wasn't sure where to go first. Gippal walked over to me, leaned against the airship, and rubbed his forehead. "Here's the thing. If we do go straight to Bevelle, they might just let us in." I looked at him in confusion.

"Why would they do that?" I asked as Rikku hopped her way over to me as well. "I think I've betrayed Yevon in every way imaginable."

"No, that's not true, Yunie." She said in a perky tone. "Even though they said that you betrayed Yevon...and we did destroy Yunalesca and Yu Yevon...but we saved a lot of people's lives in the process. You destroyed Sin and became High Summoner. Plus I think that you formed an alliance with both the Youth League and New Yevon last year when you helped contain their squabbling."

We all gave her a surprised look for giving such an intellectual answer. Gippal put his hand on her head and ruffled her hair, "Wow, way to go, Cid's girl."

She gave him an annoyed glance as she fixed her hair. "How many times do I have to tell you that I have a name, Gippal!?" She let out a frustrated groan and crossed her arms.

"I only do it cuz it pisses you off." He gave her a smirk and I quickly smiled, then wiped the smile off my face. As entertaining as it was to watch Gippal and Rikku rip on eachother, I wanted to get this mission thing done as quickly as possible and I wasn't in the mood for jokes and games.

"Okay, since we're really not getting anywhere we might as well head for Bevelle. Rikku actually had a good point and they might let us in. Or maybe just let me in." I said as I paced a little bit. Tidus stood right in my path so I would stop.

"Whoa, hold it right there. I am not letting you go in the hands of Yevon alone. Who knows if it's a trap or something?" He put his finger underneath my chin and lifted my chin up so he could look me in the eyes. "I just came back here Yuna, and I'm not going to lose you."

I sighed and tried to think of another option. I highly doubted that they would just let us all waltz into Bevelle while they're having a complete shutdown. Even if I asked the guards, they wouldn't let everyone go through, I didn't have enough power. I gasped as an idea sparked into my head. I turned toward them as I had a really guilty look on my face. "Um, I have a really dumb idea."

Thank you everyone who has responded!!! I have been extremely happy with the way the story has been turning out so far...up until now. I am having a bit of trouble with wording the next couple of chapters...so give me a few days until I can be happy with the product!