(A/N: Thank you all for your faith in this story.)
Chris: This story is simply based on Yuna's point of view. You will occasionally get a few thoughts from other characters, but this is Yuna's story. Just clearing that up.
Ochako: Ah well, beaches are a main factor in Caribbean cruises! Sorry if it seems unoriginal, heh…
On to chapter ten!
Standard Disclaimer
The tiny island was more than just a collection of beautiful beaches. Inland, the native people were trying to attract tourists. Some were playing tribal beats with wooden percussions. Rikku and Gippal quickly went ahead to a collection of very small shops. The islanders would take a small piece of land and set up a display of their items. Before Tidus and Yuna continued any closer, Tidus stopped her.
"Just letting you know, unless you are seriously considering buying something, just keep walking," He warned her. Yuna lifted an eyebrow. "I've been here before, and if you touch any of these people's items, they will continue to offer you prices until you pay, or break down and cry," He continued, the last bit being a joke. Yuna laughed at him, clearly underestimating his warning.
"They can't be all that bad," Yuna replied, obviously disbelieving.
"Well, I'll let you see for yourself," Tidus then said with a smirk.
As they neared the shops, Yuna and Tidus caught sight of an islander placing a necklace on Rikku. The blonde giggled at the compliments she received from the islander, admiring the necklace. Gippal nodded, but they could tell he was completely against the idea. The islander must've told him a price, because Gippal's eyes widened in horror and a few obscenities were heard. Baralai and Paine were nowhere to be seen.
When Tidus and Yuna had reached a distance of five feet from the shops, they were virtually swarmed. The islanders were motioning towards their shops, all speaking their broken English at once and making it near impossible to understand them. "No, thank you," Yuna found herself politely repeating. Within minutes, the two had actually made their way through the small bazaar. Tidus shrugged with an expression of "it wasn't too bad that time", and they made their way to an empty hammock by the beach. They sat at opposite sides, staring into each other's eyes with a smile.
"So tell me about yourself, Yuna," Tidus began, inviting Yuna to share her past with him. She told him her story, consisting of the more important events in her life. They must've gone on for hours, because they finished their conversation just as the sun met the horizon. They were both equally astonished by one another. The deepness of their conversation had left Yuna feeling so…different. Her stomach had tied in knots, and her heartbeat was rapid. She looked down for only a moment, and when she looked back up she noticed Tidus slowly moving closer to her. Yuna slowly moved in, completely led by her heart as opposed to her realist mind.
"Hey lovebirds!" Came Gippal's loud voice.
"Yunie, let's go! The boat's leaving in ten minutes!" Rikku then shouted over at them. The awkwardness of that moment could be cut through with a knife…
Yuna quickly leaped off of the hammock, running in Rikku's direction.
Immediately after another casual dinner, Yuna led Rikku and Paine to the bow end of the ship. They took the lift up to the deck, and Rikku's patience ran thin.
"Where're we going, Yunie?" Rikku asked her anxiously. The doors spread and the girls walked out.
"I found this place yesterday during the morning," Yuna told them as they approached the entrance to the arcade. Rikku leaped with joy, running into the arcade without another word.
Paine sighed, then muttering the word, "kids." Yuna shrugged at her with a grin.
"It could be…interesting," Yuna anticipated.
"Whatever," Paine simply replied, walking into the arcade calmly. Yuna quickly followed them.
The room was full of loud, video-game-like noises, among other things. There were younger kids scattered all over the place, obviously hyped up on sugar. There was one particular little boy, and his voice was accompanied with a very heavy English accent.
"Well aren't you just adorable," Rikku commented as she approached the little boy.
"Wot? Step off, wench," He told her, almost instantly disappearing into a crowd of children. Rikku just stood there, wondering whether a five-year old had just insulted her…
"Kids are cruel…" She muttered to Yuna and Paine, hanging her head.
"You're telling us…we have to hang out with you all day," Paine joked with a serious expression.
"Hey! Leave me alone," Rikku replied, folding her arms. Suddenly, a pink teddy bear in the crane-game caught her attention. She lit up, running towards it.
"She'll be there for a while," Paine realistically told Yuna, shaking her head. Yuna nodded after exhaling a laugh. They both walked to the other end, were apparently passengers could exit onto a roofed part of the deck. Then, they saw it…
It was Tidus, and he was leaning against the railing rather calmly, having a conversation with…her…
"Gabriella," Yuna muttered under her breath. "No…" She then whispered, shaking her head in disbelief. Gabriella flirted rather obviously with Tidus, being very touchy and what not.
"I'm sure there's some logical reasoning behind this, Yuna," Paine assured her, taking a step closer to the glass doors. "If not, we'll kick her ass together," She then attempted to comfort Yuna.
"Let's just go…" Yuna gave up rather quickly. She knew the risks, yet she allowed herself to fall for this boy.
"Give me two seconds," Paine then told her, walking through the doors and approaching Tidus and Gabriella. Yuna watched as words were spoken, and Tidus looked rather ashamed. Paine suddenly turned to Gabriella, and she noticed a very threatening expression on Paine's face. Gabriella looked a little shocked, but she kept her attitude. Paine turned and walked back inside, quickly followed by Tidus. Yuna was gone…
Meanwhile, Yuna had slipped away and was now at the secret spot. She sat down on one of the sunbathing chairs, wrapping her arms around herself as her eyes welled up with tears. The sound of a person ascending the stairs was heard, and she quickly wiped her eyes. Oh no…
"Well, if it isn't the bitch," Gabriella actually acknowledged Yuna's presence. Yuna stood, turning to walk away.
"Go ahead and walk away. I'll make sure Tidus never talks to you again. He'll be too wrapped around my finger," Gabriella continued to taunt. Yuna clenched her fists, turning back to face the girl.
"You're not worth my time," Yuna simply told her, then turning away and leaving. She found another abandoned area, another lounge area on the opposite side of the ship, and she stayed there…