" The distinct aroma of freshly baked bread coated the air in cinnamon scent as the sun loomed high above the island of Besaid. Faint, departing shadows streaking their way across the terrace with every minute passing by them as it beckoned further and further away by the sun rising higher, descending it's rays upon every shaded spot to obliterate every waiting shadow relentlessly. Shifting to disperse yet causing in the process."
" Yuna, sitting quietly on the edge of her bed with the palm of her hands caressing her face, sobbed silently beneath her breath. Tears, glimmering the sunlight that beamed through her window, individually streaked down her face. Falling in a sparkling drop to the wooden floor as it slapped against the surface in an unheard splash."
Words, so constant in the woman's weeping mind on the day of Lu's confession, echoed interminably through the parting of her cries. Releasing gasps between the ceaseless tears that moistened her cheeks with liquid passing when a crystal orb shimmered it's way through her eyes padded with palms, striking the surface once again with a silent splash that even she did not come to acknowledge, going about in sorrow unaware to the river she alone had come to forge."
I don't think you should be with him…" Those words, so hated and despised, rang perpetually next to her throbbing head that thumbed against her skull. Headaches so painful and agonizing, pounding against her mind like drums banged raucously by a hyperactive player, tapping the edge of the instrument with rapid fingers that caused her to cry out when a high note was hit, building pressure with every touch behind her eyes that made her want to dig them out. So her crying could stop, so her pain could end."
W-why…" Came a distorted stutter between her flowing tears and rasping breaths." Why d-did she say that….." She pondered questions unable to be answered, only able to seek by seeing, only able to know by one knowing." H-he did everything for me….. A-and yet she still told me to l-leave him…" The thought struck her mind like a sword ripping through her flesh." Ahhh! He sacrificed himself for me! He loves me! He won't leave me!
" She stubbornly told herself that. Those words she had so openly spoken next to a cracking voice, " He will never leave me", words she thought yet told herself where true, knowing though she was oblivious to the truth. She didn't know… If he would leave her again. The fact, that she refused to admit, always seemed to frighten her. Like the moment she sat here weeping, Tidus would be fading. Dispersing from existence before she could save goodbye, yelling for her to come yet unable to be heard. His voice draining quickly, fading as his body became transparent. "
Sunlight, peering through the window and opening of her door, rayed in upon her through the shadows shrouding around the room so ominously. The lighting rays diminishing them all with a simple glow that spread from the doorway, across the floor, up the bed and on the walls until the whole room glowed with shine. Raying softly upon her face that sparkled with tears as her hand reached to remove them."
" Thoughts of nearing things seemed to blitz across her mind in a majestic play as her eyes shifted subtly to the floor now lit with glorious light. The distant roar of waves slapping the shore soothing her mind edging with tension as she wiped a tear that still obstinately clung to her cheek drenched of color. The warmth and life drawn out by worry and disbelief, extracted by thoughts of exile and abandonment. Thoughts that could only bring another tear, then stir a series of many."
We'll go away…." Came her voice once again within a forced smile." We can…. Go some place far.. Far away. Away from everyone, where…. It's just me and him. Together forever…" She imagined the thought deep within her mind. The perfect vision of joy and laughter as they spent their days hand in hand surrounded by the tree's, sand, and waves that rolled against the shore upon their feet as they lie gazing up to a clear, cerulean sky that did not shade with a single cloud. The sun, distant somewhere behind, beaming down a gentle ray that comforted them both within the other's arms. A soft, cool ocean breeze drifting it's way upon them as the wind whispered in their dreams, sweeping away over time."
" As she whispered quietly to herself of things she wished to occur, she did not notice the shadow that formed in her doorway as Tidus emerged from the beach. His blue, shining orbs quietly scanning her body to the tears dampening the floor, Finding it difficult to retain the will to embrace her, taking a step forward on impulse the immediately caught the woman's attention."
Oh Tidus!" She whimpered out as she heaved her body off the edge in despair, flinging her arms around his chest as she dashed across the floor and burrowed her face against his shirt before digging her nails into his back. Making him wince in pain yet attempted to ignore when the tears rolled faster than ever." S-she said I shouldn't be with you!
" Tidus could only sigh, as his eyes, becoming glossy, veered to the glowing the room illuminating the sunshine. Placing his hand upon Yuna's silky hair as he stroked it ever so gently with the tip of his fingers, clutching an occasional strand that tangled between his nails and caught upon his hand." It's ok…" He tried desperately to comfort her." I'm not leaving you…. I'm not going to abandon you….I don't care what anyone says…..
" The woman was glad to hear those words spoken from her lovers mouth as a smile gently formed upon her face, pleased for the assurance her offered to support her crumbling emotions that cracked from the words Lulu had spoken. Comforting her weeping soul with a sentence all needed to calm her, bringing her tears of sadness to nothing more than a tear of happiness to be in his arms. Knowing he was still here."
You'll never leave me…" The woman whispered as she clutched his arms." You'll never leave me….
--------------------------- Later that evening
YUNNIE!!!" Came a high pitched voice that echoed through the air as Rikku bounded off the Celsius with arms opened wide."
" Yuna, standing with a smile broad and happy, held out her arms as her cousin fell into an embrace warmer than she had remembered. Releasing a sigh of satisfaction having seen a familiar face that could greet her and not make her worry like most others did."
" Hesitantly, after pulling each other tightly in the others arms, they finally broke free from the embrace that brought a tear to the Rikku's eye. Just to see Paine who chuckled silently beside them as if waiting for her turn to be held, yet keeping her arms firmly crossed upon her chest with a stare sending chills up both of their spines. "
Well now…" the woman finally answered with a small, amused shrug as she tossed a glance to Tidus." To what do we owe the please of being called here?
Paine!" Rikku yelped as she patted the air swiftly with her hands." I know your happy to see Yuna again! Don't try to hide you big softy!
" Rikku received a cold, frightening glare in response."
Ep!" She yelped before dashing behind Yuna for protection."
" A sudden outburst of laughter poured from Paine's mouth as she motioned the frightened Al Bhed that it was alright. Trying to retain the series of giggles that made her face glow red with lack of breath as her hand covered her mouth." Get back here Rikku…" The woman ordered the wave of her hand."
That wasn't very nice you know!" Rikku lashed out as she stepped from behind Yuna with an angry expression." You really had me scared there!
Well If I didn't you'd probably get so annoying even Yuna would beat you…" She chuckled at the comment."
" A fear of terror struck Rikku's eyes as she turned worriedly to Yuna to who stood somewhat bedazzled by Paine's words." That's not true is it?" She spoke almost pleadingly."
No!" There was laughter within her voice from how aghast the young Al Bhed looked." I wouldn't ever do that!
" As the bickering between the two of them continued with interminably, Tidus found himself gazing off in another direction. His mind, wandering somewhere far, occupied by a distant voice that seemed to call him through the slapping waves. Not certain if he was simply hearing things or merely listening to closely to the wind rolling off the sea."
Tidus….. Tidus…..
" Tidus immediately jerked his head to the sound that echoed faintly in his mind. Tossing it in every direction as he searched for the voice to come again, trying to decide as to where it was coming from, to follow it to it's owner, to trace it to who was calling him."
" Paine, shifting her eyes away from Rikku, locked them to on Tidus who seemed rather paranoid. Watching him awkwardly as his head tossed and turned in every direction as if trying frantically to find something, causing her brow to perk in confusion." Hey Yuna…" She finally spoke." I think your man is freaking out..
Huh?" Yuna had forgotten about Tidus's presence being here during the skirmish where she had attempted to calm Rikku down from Paine's insulting comments. Focusing her eyes on her lover who seemed rather upset for something unknown, titling her head confused as she watched him try strangely to find something unseen." Tidus?
" Slightly reluctant to submit his attention, Tidus found himself relieving a certain percent to Yuna's voice that called upon him again when no response was giving. Allowing himself to distract away from his constant search for the mysterious voice." Oh, yeah?" He spoke, not yet giving 100 in the beginning of his conversation."
Is something wrong?" Yuna asked with concern." You seeem rather…. Well…. Paranoid.
No!" Tidus forced a laugh as he veered his wandering gaze upon her magnificent figure." Just thought I heard something calling me…. Everything is alright.
Soon……… soon….." The voice came a final time, as the wind staggered off the sea. And the cherry blossom's the fell upon the sand, was swept away in a single gust."