Notes: I don't own FFX or X-2 or any of that! Though I do own my OC's! Bleh! This fic ties X and X-2 together sense it begins at the end of X and ends at the beginning of X-2. It explains how Baralai comes to power in Bevelle, Rikku and Gippal's mysterious relationship, and why the hell Rin has Gippal's Sphere. (pairings: YunaxIsaaru, YunaxTidus, RikkuxGippal, BaralaixShelinda)

"Was it worth it?" Isaaru stared at her as she looked out over the ocean in Luca, having just finished her speech. "I've never…seen you so sad before. Even after Operation Mi'ihen you smiled but now…" He placed his hand on her shoulder trying to offer some solace. She bit her lip hard, making a small amount of blood run. She couldn't keep her mind off the fact that she gave up her true love's life for that of her own. All she had left of him was his sword, which she held on to with all her strength silently praying for his return.

"Never trust your heart in the hands of some one who is willing to throw their life away, Lord Isaaru…" she turned around to face him. He had his normal calm smile on, which seemed to melt at the site of her puffy, red, tear streaked face. He sighed slightly and mumbled something under his breathe though she couldn't tell what. He put his arm around her shoulder and walked her to the boat to Besaid.

"Take care, milady. Have a s-" he was interrupted by her begging him to go with her. She fell to her knees, gripping his robe, crying. He looked down at her and nodded silently. "Let me tell Pacce and Maroda where I'm going first, alright…?" She nodded, sniffling and rising to her feet. He turned quickly and rushed to the blitz ball registry office, where Maroda was treating Pacce and his friends Taro and Hana to ice cream. "Take care of Pacce while I'm gone, okay?" Maroda looked over Pacce when his brother said this. "High Summoner Yuna…she needs me more than any one right now." Maroda nodded but said nothing showing that he was mad but wasn't about to stop Isaaru. Isaaru then rushed back to the boat. Yuna heaved a heavy sigh of relief seeing him return. She feared he had just said that and took off, though that wouldn't have been like him at all. "Let's go then, milady." He smiled, took her hand, and walked calmly onto the boat.

"Oui'na myda ykyeh." Suzu looked over at her son with glazed eyes. "Oui'na hajan rusa,Gippal... ouin vydran ec kaddehk funneat ypuid oui...E's kaddehk funneat ypuid oui..." He stared at his mother teary eyed. She and his father never did approve of him leaving for the crusaders.

"...sudran...E-E...E's cu cunno!" He fell on his knees in front of her with tears streaming from his one eye. She placed one hand on his head and smiled comfortingly at him. She stroked his head as he sat there crying. He had never cried so much sense his childhood.

"Ed'c ugyo...huf ku caa Rin."

"E's cunno pid hu."

"Ra mujac oui, Gippal. Oui ghuf dryd, nekrd?" She said gripping his hair causing him to wince in pain slightly. "Dra lnicytanc ryja syta oui cbuemat...oui tuh'd ybbnaleyda ymm fa ryja bnujetat. Y veha feva. Y lusvudypma meva. Oui mavd ymm dryd vun y meddma ytjahdina! Tet oui rayn dryd Rusa fyc tacdnuoat eh ouin ypclahla? Oui fanah'd drana du ramb ic tavaht ed ykyehcd dra kiytu!" She gritted her teeth in anger and tugged a little on his hair. As soon as his mother said "feva" his eye snapped open and his mouth dropped open.

"Rikku! Frana ec so Rikku!" He yelled at his mother from his knees. His mother stared down at him with intense eyes signifying that something was wrong. "CRA LYH'D PA TAYT! E PALYSA Y LNICYTAN DU BNUDALD RAN!" His mother shook her head slightly.

"Cra'c fedr Brother yht Cid...cra fyc Rekr Cissuhan Yuna'c kyinteyh. Cra zuehat dra 'cyja dra cissuhanc' knuib palyica OUI mavd ran." He then hung his head in shame. If he was there, he could've gone with her to protect her.

Baralai sat silently brooding in Luca. After the terrible events of the Crimson Squad he had become Maester Seymour's disciple but now that he was gone, Baralai didn't have a leaning stick with the government. He had lived comfortably, studying the teachings dutifully. He didn't have anything left now. The guado spurned him and humans weren't any friendlier. The only person who showed him sympathy was a simple-minded ex-acolyte named Shelinda. She was one of the few still sympathetic to the ways of Yevon and thus gladly took in any straggling priests and nuns. Her home in Luca was small, full of people, and constantly busy but he found it oddly comforting. He had grown so use to every one there. Though he did like living with these people, he yearned for governmental power again. It unsettled him not knowing what was going on in the political world. He sat there musing over how to get control again. After a while he went walking and over heard two women talking about "the chair men of new yevon and his son at wild party though hardly any one knew it was them.". He smiled slyly having just the path to power again.

Chapter 1 END