DISCLAIMER: I do not own FFX or FFX-2 or any of the characters or places associated with it. I do, however, own the twisted idea for this story.

DO NOT COPY MY STORIES!

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I have had problems with my fics being stolen. Reviewers of the Silver Wings trilogy know all about the situation. Please keep an eye out for this story or any of my others posted on any other sites. I only post here and I only use the name "akksgurl". If you think my story has been stolen, please contact me so that I can look into the situation. Thanks a lot in advance for your help.

Author's Notes: I think the title pretty much spells it out.


TWISTED DESTINY
by akksgurl
Chapter Eighteen: Guados, Caves, and
Seymour…Oh My!

The only thing worse than going to meet his girlfriend's husband, was going to meet his girlfriend's husband with all of her friends tagging along. Tidus wasn't thrilled with the idea of trekking through this unknown world to meet this Seymour person that had tricked Yuna into marrying him. Judging from Rikku's squeals of displeasure at the thought of Yuna going to see Seymour, Tidus got the distinct impression that Seymour was a lot worse than he'd originally thought. He'd done some bad things from what Yuna had said, but Rikku's response was as if he was the epitome of evil.

Maybe he was.

Yuna had changed her clothes before embarking and was now wearing a pair of Rikku's black shorts and a white blouse, paired off with the skirt she'd worn when he first met her. It was ripped and torn at the seams because of the fight with Sin and so Yuna had taken one of Rikku's knives and cut a slit clear up to her hip with it and quickly stitched the seam back together. Tidus didn't quite know what to be more shocked about. The fact that Yuna wasn't afraid to bare her leg anymore, or the fact that she was more creative with sewing than his mother – the homemaker extraordinaire. His mind wandered back to the Yuna who had been too shy to let the sheet fall from her body and decided that he was more surprised by her lack of modesty than by anything else.

Her friends had been about as open mouthed shocked as he had been when she'd come out of the hut dressed as she was, but hadn't said a word. In fact, he was wondering if they could sense the same thing he was. Yuna was dressing like that to show a certain amount of courage – the courage she would most likely need to confront Seymour.

Guadosalam wasn't anything like Tidus had pictured. He hadn't visited it even in his world and had never seen a Guado before. He had always assumed they were like the Al Bhed – human beings from a different culture. Therefore, when he first caught sight of a Guado at the entrance to the underground city, he let out a startled cry.

"What's the matter?" Auron asked him.

The Guado looked at him curiously but decided that he wasn't worth any more consideration and continued along. Tidus licked his lips in nervous consternation, "It's green…you didn't tell me they were green."

"And your point?"

The squeaking of the large double doors of Guadosalam quieted Tidus and he rushed forward to be closer to Yuna. She smiled at him when he took his place on her left, "Here we go." She whispered.

The Guados were all over the strange city of Guadosalam. Green men, women, and children wandered the rock roads. The city was built almost like the roots of a tree with twisting roads leading upwards and downwards and around in circles. Her entrance to Guadosalam was another in which she did not go unnoticed, however instead of people rushing to hug and kiss the returning summoner, the Guados kept a wary distance, some pushing their children behind them for safety. Tidus briefly wondered why, until he remembered that Yuna was back from the dead with an angry expression on her face and she had tried to kill their leader. He supposed they had reason to fear her.

She marched unwaveringly to the largest doorway on the far end. It looked like a house from the outside, except a house built directly into the walls. No guards were outside which made Tidus wary, but Yuna marched up to the doors like she owned the house and pushed them open. From his vantage point at the doorway, Tidus saw a tall Guado staring at her with shock in his eyes, his mouth gaping open for several moments.

Yuna marched passed him and stormed into the center of the room, "Seymour!" she shouted, circling back and running halfway up the stairs on the right to the landing above, "Seymour!" She came back down the stairs and walked right up to the shaking Guado, "Where is he, Tromell?"

The Guado – Tromell – took a steadying breath, "Lady…Yuna? How…how are you…?"

"I'm not here for pleasantries, Tromell. Where is Seymour?"

Tromell swallowed hard and forced a smile to his wrinkled, green face. He turned to Tidus and Yuna's guardians who were standing in the doorway, "Please, do come in. Lord Seymour will be so happy to have guests again…"

"Where is he?" Yuna asked again, an edge creeping into her voice.

"He had to step out, Lady Yuna." Tromell explained as he motioned toward the door in the back of the main hall, "Would you like to wait in the other room? I expect him back shortly."

Yuna cast a glance toward Tidus and he shrugged. He didn't know if it was a trick or not. If he had to guess, he'd say that Tromell was telling the truth – or at least most of it. Yuna nodded, "Yes, we'll wait for him."

Tidus was the last to follow everyone into the other room. It was a nice room, all silver and blue with a large table of fruit in the center and comfortable blue sofas lining the walls. Gippal sat on the furthest one from the table with Rikku beside him. They were engaged in a quiet argument with Rikku wildly motioning her hands around the room. Tidus assumed she was upset about being there. Wakka was sitting with his head in his hands on the sofa against the right wall while Lulu was standing by the table of food staring at it pensively. Auron leaned casually against the far wall as if he owned the place, his eyes watching Yuna carefully. She was biting her nails, indicating that she wasn't as confident as her clothes would lend some to believe.

Tidus went up to her and kissed her bare shoulder, "You okay?"

"He was plotting world domination the last time he made us wait." She said with a wry grin, "Then he proposed to me. I wonder what he's got up his sleeve this time."

"This time," Tidus reminded her, "He doesn't know you're here…or alive."

"How did you survive, Lady Yuna?" Tromell asked, pointing out for the first time to Tidus that the Guado had been standing on the other end of the table of food the entire time.

"It's a very long story, Tromell. One that I only intend to get into with Seymour if he wishes to hear about it."

"Very well, m'lady." The Guado said with a nod, "I'll excuse myself and await my lord in the main hall."

Tromell was halfway to the door when a slam came from the main hall followed by several footsteps, "Tromell!" came a voice from the other side as the door began to open, "Why did you leave the front door ope…."

To say Tidus was surprised by the look of Seymour Guado was an understatement. He was shocked senseless. He could tell instantly that the man in the doorway wasn't human. His blue hair and blue veins cutting across his forehead and cheeks gave that away. Yet he wasn't green like the other Guado. Seymour was flesh colored and at least six feet tall. He was wearing long flowing robes like others Tidus had seen but his was open to the belly, revealing an intricate tattoo on his chest. Seymour's fingers were long and almost femininely delicate with pointed blue fingernails that jutted out an inch from the tip of each finger. Seymour, in Tidus' estimation, would have almost been attractive if it hadn't been for the evil that vibrated off of him in palpable waves. Tidus had to stifle a shudder as he moved to the side and away from Seymour's immediate perusal.

"Yuna?" Seymour asked, taking another step into the room and letting the door slam behind his heels. The blue-haired man didn't take his eyes off of Yuna, drinking in her appearance as a thirsty man would down water.

"Hello, Seymour."

Seymour cleared his throat, seemingly finally realizing he had lowered his guard considerably at the shock of seeing his bride alive. He straightened to his full height and a smirk of distain colored his lips again, "And I see your guardians are here as well." He spoke elegantly, as if giving a speech to millions of Spirans. His eyes went to Rikku, Wakka, and Lulu, "To what do I owe the honor?"

"I came to speak with you about a matter of great importance."

Seymour nodded, "I assumed as much." He lifted a regal nose toward Gippal and sneered, "A Crimson Squad member…what a distinct pleasure." His lips curled around his teeth as he spoke and Tidus shivered again. Now he understood what Rikku was so upset about.

Next Seymour gazed upon Auron who was still leaning against the wall as if he owned the entire house. Seymour's gaze was almost amused as he said, "And I see my darling Yuna isn't the only person who has pulled a reappearing act. Hello, Sir Auron."

Seymour's perusal finally connected with Tidus and he awaited a snide comment but was struck dumb by the look of sheer shock – almost horror – that registered on the Guado's face, "…you…"

"Excuse me?" Tidus asked.

"You're a determined little twit, aren't you?" hissed Seymour angrily.

"Seymour, don't be an idiot." Yuna snapped, catching the Guado's attention again, "I know you like playing your little games, but I'm not going to fall for it this time. There's no way you know Tidus, so stop pretending like you do."

"Tidus…?" Seymour's tongue played with the name as he gazed back to the blonde with a thoughtful expression, "…interesting…"

Yuna rolled her eyes and looked at her guardians, "If you'll excuse us, everybody. Seymour and I have a few things that need to be discussed."

"I don't think that's a good idea." Tidus said, grabbing Yuna's elbow and pulling her toward him, "We should stay here with you."

Yuna shook her head, "I'll be fine." She looked right at Seymour and continued, "Besides, Seymour and I always have our finest discussions when we're alone. Right, Seymour? Remember when we discussed your father?"

Seymour glared at her, "Ah yes." He replied sarcastically, "The highlight of my day, I remember."

"I'll be okay." Yuna said to Tidus again. Lulu nodded and started toward the door with Wakka on her heels. The other guardians followed suit until Tidus realized that unless he wanted to make a fool of himself by sticking around when he wasn't wanted, he should probably leave to.

He let the door close quietly behind him, but stayed next to it…just in case she needed him.

0000000000000000000000000000000000

Yuna instantly regretted sending her guardians away as soon as Seymour approached her. He always managed to make her uncomfortable as he did nothing to hide the blatant lust in his eyes – even when she was a summoner.

She took a deep breath to steady herself as he came within a few inches of her and lowered his face to hers, "Hello, my love."

"Don't call me that." She spat back, turning and walking quickly away from him. She felt uncomfortable turning her back on him, but even more uncomfortable was the prospect of having his lips inches from her own. He was stronger than her. She didn't want to tempt fate.

"Why not, Yuna? That's what you are. My love…and my wife."

"That's precisely what I wanted to talk to you about."

Seymour smirked and sat down on the nearby sofa, "I assume your friends told you that I had our marriage reinstated."

"Yes they did." She replied, "And I have to tell you that I was not pleased to hear about it. Our marriage was a fraud and was treated as such. What makes you think you had the right to change that?"

"We married for the happiness of Spira." Seymour replied, "I wanted to give them that happiness back."

"No you didn't. You wanted to use my name and stature for your own personal gain."

Seymour smirked wickedly, "Just a bonus, my love, I assure you."

"I said…STOP CALLING ME THAT!" she shouted.

Seymour licked his lips as he gazed at her, "Your beauty is only enhanced by your anger. Your flushed cheeks. Your wide eyes. I'm so glad you're back, darling. We didn't get a chance to have a proper wedding night." He winked at her and patted the seat next to him, "I don't think your guardians would object."

"But I would."

"A little fight in a woman is arousing." Seymour replied, crossing his ankles in front of him.

"You're a disgusting pig." Spat Yuna, her fury making her shake unwillingly.

Seymour laughed gutturally as he brushed a strand of his long blue hair from his face, "What is it that you want, Yuna?"

"I want you to annul this ridiculous excuse for a marriage."

"So you can cuddle up with loverboy?" he asked, venomously, his eyes flashing with a hidden rage. Yuna bit her lower lip and Seymour smirked angrily, "I'm not stupid, my love. I saw the way blondie looked at you with those love struck eyes. We're married less than a year and you're cheating already." He feigned shock, "What would the Spirans think!"

"They would think that I finally found a man that I love and not a man who fooled me into thinking that I was helping Spira by marrying him."

"You call him a man?" Seymour asked, incredulously. The look on his face would have been amusing if Yuna hadn't been so angry, "He's barely a boy."

"He's more of a man that you'll ever be." She spat back, her fists bunched up at her sides.

"You don't exactly have all the knowledge to back up that claim, do you?" Seymour winked at her and patted the seat next to him again, "Come over here and I'll show you what a real man can do."

Yuna was sick of playing games. She was sick of his disgusting flirtations and sexual innuendo. She was sick of him. Leaning down so that her face was inches from his, she hissed, "Annul the marriage."

"Why should I?" he asked back, his voice low and laced with danger.

Yuna stared at him, arms akimbo, and decided that this was the right time to deliver her offer. She smiled sweetly at him, "Here's the deal, Seymour. You annul the marriage and I'll keep my mouth shut about everything I know about you." It was her turn to wink at him, "And that's quite a bit, mind you."

He lifted a brow, "And if I refuse?"

"Then I'll annul the marriage…and I'll probably develop some loose lips while I'm doing it."

"Are you threatening me?" he asked, fiends seeming to be more friendly than he was at that very moment.

"No." she replied, still keeping her sweet smile on her face, "Just giving you a warning, Seymour. You may have the Yevon masters on a string, but in the long run who do you think the Spirans are going to believe…you…or me?" She smirked sweetly at him and bounded with Rikku-like joy to the door, turning the knob slowly as she turned and winked at him, "Think about it. I'll be expecting an answer in 24 hours."

She felt more proud of herself than she'd ever felt in her life as she skipped happily into the main hall where she met up with her friends and exited the building, ignoring Tromell's farewell. Tidus slipped an arm over her shoulders and pulled her against him, "How'd it go?"

"He'll do what I want." Yuna said, confident in what she was speaking, "He won't risk going against me."

"What did you offer him?" Lulu asked from Yuna's far right. The mage was currently walking with Wakka's arm around her waist and his head on her shoulder.

Yuna lifted a brow, "Before I answer that…" she said, pointing to the two of them, "I've been wanting to ask you guys about this."

Wakka grinned, "Looks just like it is, ya."

Lulu wasn't as amused and just shrugged, "He started to grow on me. He's like a fungus." She nudged him off of her, "What did you offer Seymour?"

"My silence." Yuna stated simply, lacing her fingers through Tidus', "I told him that if he annuls it without a complaint, I won't spill all that I know about him to everybody who will listen."

"And you will if he doesn't!" squealed Rikku, jumping up excitedly, "Woo hoo! Great idea, Yunie!"

Yuna had to admit that she was quite proud of her idea. It was perfect for the situation she found herself in. Seymour was too vain to allow anything – even the truth – to get in the way of his grand schemes. And besides, just because she said she wouldn't spill anything didn't mean nobody else could. She smiled to herself at that. Rikku couldn't keep a secret. Maybe she'd divulge what she knew to Rikku…

"Yuna!"

The voice shook her from her thoughts and Yuna turned around to see Seymour coming toward her from his house. They hadn't gotten very far – only about halfway to the exit of Guadosalam. Yuna was surprised that Seymour had made up his mind so quickly. She released Tidus' hand, "Yes, Seymour?"

He looked pointedly at Tidus and then at her other friends before turning his eyes back to her, "May we talk privately?"

"The last time you wanted to talk privately, you proposed." Yuna reminded him, trying to hide the shudder that went through her at the memory.

Seymour winked, "No…the last time we talked privately was a few moments ago."

"Oh…right." Yuna muttered, feeling insanely stupid for a moment and then hating herself for letting him make her feel that way. She nodded and accompanied Seymour back to the doorway of his home and into the main entry. She stifled a shudder as the door shut quietly behind her. Maybe she should have made this conversation occur outside…

He smirked at her, "You're awfully proud of yourself, aren't you?" he asked, his voice laced with a mixture of approval and malice. It was almost like he was impressed that she'd managed to back him into a corner.

"Yes I am."

"Well, since I'm a decent man I'm willing to go along with your little offer and annul." He replied, acting as if he didn't mind when the entire time Yuna could tell he was seething at the prospect of losing what he'd fought to achieve.

Yuna grinned triumphantly, "Excellent. I expect it done immediately."

"Fine."

Yuna nodded at him and turned to walk back to her friends when his hand wrapped around her upper arm and pulled her back, "Just one other thing, Yuna."

"What is it?" she snapped, wrenching her arm away from him and gaping at him in shock at the manhandling he'd just done.

"Your blonde friend." He replied, "Watch out for that one."

Yuna growled low, "The only person I need to watch out for here, is you."

"I'm serious." Seymour stated, his voice devoid of any joking or anger. Yuna felt her stomach flipping. For the first time ever, she truly believed that Seymour was being serious and telling the truth – or, at least what he thought was the truth. She could always sense when Seymour was lying, even when her own faith in Yevon would deny her the ability to call him out on it. Something in her gut always screamed that he was lying to her and yet she couldn't let herself believe it since he was a Yevon Maester. She didn't feel that instinct now.

"What are you talking about?" she asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

Seymour frowned, "I…I know him." He said quietly, "Or rather…I know his face."

Yuna lifted a brow, anger forming in her again. He was repeating the same blather he'd stated when he'd first seen Tidus. The same bunk she knew was impossible now. She threw her hands in the air, "What do you care, anyway? Even if he is a threat, wouldn't you be paying him to kill me? That way you don't have to annul anything."

Yuna swore she almost saw hurt flash through Seymour's eyes for a moment before it was replaced just as quickly with anger. He leaned in close to her, "Think what you may, Yuna, but know this. I never wanted anything to happen to you."

"So that's why you tried to kill me." She retorted sarcastically, "Thanks for the clarification."

"I'm just trying to warn you." He snapped, "I'm just trying to keep you safe."

"Why?"

"Because I love you." He replied in a hiss, "Even though you don't believe it."

Yuna lifted her nose regally, "You're right about that. I don't believe you." She turned quickly but he grabbed her again. Yuna felt fury flow through her and she smacked him hard with her right hand.

Seymour dropped his grip on her and glared, "I just wanted to give you something."

"I don't want anything from you." She snapped quietly, "I never did."

Seymour sighed and turned his back to her, reaching into the drawer on the sideboard table beside the entrance. She watched with mild curiosity as he pulled out two pistols from the drawer and handed them to her, "Take these."

Yuna took a step back, scrunching her nose in distaste, "I don't want them."

"Just take them, Yuna." Seymour replied with a sigh of annoyance in his voice. He pressed the handles of the guns into her hands and used his own fingers to twine hers around the weapons, "For your safety."

She gaped, eyes focusing from the weapons to his face several times, "What do I need these for? Do you honestly think Tidus would hurt me?" she paused and shook her head, "Don't answer that." She ordered, putting the guns on the table and turning to leave, "I don't want to hear any more of this."

Seymour grabbed her arm and handed the guns back to her, "Just take them." He said, his eyes pleading with her in a way she'd never seen before, "Please…"

"Why?" her voice was quieter than she'd intended. The intensity of the moment was getting to her.

"I know you don't believe me." He said, "That's fine. I wouldn't expect you to. Just…" he paused, pressing the guns more firmly into her hands, "Just keep them. Just in case."

Yuna looked down at the dark metal weapons in her hands and then back up into Seymour's face. There was a worry in his eyes that she'd never seen before. His eyes were usually laced with malice and evil, but this time there was only a concern. A concern for her. She didn't believe for a moment his odd fear of Tidus, but for some reason Seymour felt the need to bestow deadly weapons into her hands.

Yuna nodded, "Okay. I'll keep them." She said.

Seymour sighed and gave her a small smile that, for once, was of true happiness and not the mask of evil intentions, "Thank you."

Yuna gave him a small smile in return but didn't reply as she stuck the weapons into the back of her skirt, held in place by the elastic and hidden by her blouse, and walked out of the building. She had no intentions of ever using the weapons on Tidus because there never be a reason to. But eventually, Yuna was certain, she'd be using Seymour's own guns against him. He wouldn't be thanking her then.

Tidus looked at her with concern but asked nothing about her conversation with Seymour. She was grateful for that. She wasn't going to tell him – or any of them for that matter – about the guns. As soon as they got back to Besaid, she was going to hide them somewhere and be done with it. She didn't like having them with her. She just smiled at Tidus, "He's agreed to annul." She said, grabbing his hand and holding it tightly, "Everything's going to be great."

Without any further words, the group continued out of the main doorway to Guadosalam and down the path leading to the shoopuf crossing. Yuna could tell Tidus wasn't thrilled with getting on another shoopuf by the way he turned slightly green but there wasn't any other way home.

"Lady Yuna!" came a voice from the side of the path.

Yuna turned and smiled at the Guado who poked his head out cautiously. She recognized him as the same Guado Tidus had squealed at on the way in, "Hello."

"I'm so glad you're alive, Lady Yuna." The Guado said with a genuine smile, reaching out to touch Yuna's hands in a sign of reverence, "It's a miracle. Now you can save Spira from him again."

"From who?" she asked, even though she felt in her gut that he referred to Seymour.

"Lord Seymour." The Guado clarified, "He's up to something, Lady Yuna."

"Really?" Yuna asked, immediately intrigued by what this Guado might know about Seymour's activities.

The Guado nodded, "He leaves at all hours to tend to a mysterious project Maester Mika gave him. Tromell is my cousin and told me he's been sworn to secrecy about it. I did overhear a conversation between them, one day while I was visiting. Something about a cave under Mushroom Rock Road." The Guado smirked at Yuna, "I don't trust Seymour any more than you do, my lady. He's done some terrible things and I'm afraid that this might be another. I wish I had more information for you, but that's all I know right now."

Yuna squeezed the Guado's hand in thanks, "I'll be sure to look into it." She told him with a smile, "But please don't endanger yourself anymore for this information. I insist you stay out of it."

"It was truly an accident I came across the information originally." He said, "But I do want to continue to help."

"No. I want you to pretend that you know nothing and that this conversation never happened. Seymour will retaliate if he finds out. He usually does."

Officially placated, the Guado meandered back in the direction of Guadosalam and Yuna turned to her friends. Rikku bit her bottom lip in a show of uncharacteristic thoughtfulness, "A cave under Mushroom Rock Road? I've never heard of anything like that."

"Neither have I." Admitted Lulu who looked at Wakka. He nodded in agreement.

"Tidus?" Yuna asked, "Was there a cave under Mushroom Rock Road in your time?"

Tidus nodded with a smile, "Yeah. It was a hot makeout spot before the war."

"So you know where it is?"

"Yeah."

Yuna smiled, "Could you show us?"

"I...I don't think that's a good idea." Gippal stammered suddenly, making his presence known for the first time since leaving Guadosalam, "I…I mean…what if there's a reason…that they want it kept quiet."

Rikku lifted a brow at him, "Wait a minute! I remember now. You wrote to Pop telling him about how the Crimson Squad was going to have their final training in some cave!" she poked him in the chest, "Betcha didn't think he'd tell me that, didja?"

"Gippal?" Yuna asked, "Do you know about the cave?"

"…yes…" he replied quietly before lifting his eyes to Yuna's, "and I don't think we should go there."

"Why?" Rikku asked snippily, poking him again, "Scaredy-cat?"

To Yuna, Gippal looked more terrified then scared and she immediately started to worry that maybe this was something she should stay out of. He opened his mouth to Rikku's retort with what Yuna hoped would be logical reasons but after a few seconds of hanging open mouthed, he obviously chickened out and said, "Its…dirty."

"Dirty?" repeated Rikku.

"And…and dark."

Rikku rolled her eyes, "Well, I'm not scared of dirty and dark, are you Yunie?"

Yuna shook her head. She wasn't scared of dirty and dark. She was scared of Gippal's face, though. He was hiding something. She was sure of it. She couldn't prove it, though, and she couldn't not investigate because of a face Gippal was making. With a smile more lined with confidence than she felt she had, she said, "Let's go. Next stop, Mushroom Rock Road."