Lust for Sin

A Story by Rikku-Hoshi

Hmm...Not the longest chapter, but that's alright, isn't it? At least it's on time for once! Anyway, I actually really liked this chapter, just because I think the story is finally beginning to get underway! So now I'm excited, because for the most part, I think it'll be getting exciting. (Action, fluff...Whatever else!) Well then, enjoy!

Chapter 8: Regret

Already, quite a few people had gathered in the square outside of the temple, which was where the scaffold stood. Yuna saw it coming into view as she followed quite a ways behind Tidus and Paine, just managing to keep them in view.

Tidus and Paine pushed their way through the people, who gasped and moved aside, whispering things that sounded like "Vermin, the lot!" and "They should all be burned!"

Yuna stopped outside the group of people and just looked up. Wakka, along with the sheriff were standing there, and Lulu's hands were tied by rope. She stared out amongst the crowd, looking shocked and worried, but for the most part, her dignity remained.

"Wakka, cut this foolishness out," Yuna heard Tidus say, as Tidus attempted to bound the stairs to the scaffold, only to be stopped by a townsman, who stood in the way.

Paine just hid in the crowd, Yuna noticed, but looked up in anticipation.

Finally, Yuna pushed her way through the crowd, that was actually beginning to thin out, as the rain began to fall more heavily.

"What's going on?" Yuna asked, moving over to Tidus' side.

"We're finally burning this witch, like we should've long ago," the man who was blocking Tidus just said, "Surely you can understand, Lady Yuna."

"Do you even have permission?" Yuna asked, which caused Tidus to give her a look as if to question what side she was on.

"We have Wakka's the man just said, and Yuna's eyes went to where Wakka was standing. Wakka's eyes were downcast though, and he seemed to look as if he regretted what he was doing.

"Well just stop it," Yuna said, which caused the man to look alarmed, "We needn't burn her, not now. Not ever."

"She's been be-witchin' our children!" the man just said, "My little girl came down with the flu last night. I know it's this witch's fault!"

"What makes you so certain?" Tidus asked.

"It was right after we got a doll from her!" the man just sneered, "Our daughter came home last night, saying that Lulu gave her a dolly. We of course took it away from her, but now she's ill."

"That's ridiculous," Yuna put in, "The flu has been going around. Anybody could catch it, doll or no doll."

By then, the sheriff made his way over, and said, "You two again?"

"Sir," Yuna said, before Tidus could open his mouth, "By what proof are you burning this witch on?"

"She was found guilty last year," the sheriff just said, "Why not burn her now?"

"In the rain?" Yuna questioned, as the rain fell harder. Thunder rolled, and Yuna knew it was only a matter of time before it began to heavily storm.

"Why not?" the sheriff just said.

"This is wrong and immoral," Yuna just said, "You haven't any right, nor evidence, in which to base this women's death upon. Come now, this is ridiculous. No one, other than this man here, and Wakka, are here to even care or watch. Look, everybody has returned to their houses to get out of the wetness."

The sheriff looked around, only to see that indeed everybody, but some curious Al Bhed, and Paine, had left.

Tidus finally pushed his way through the man that had been guarding his route to the scaffold and ran up there, and began to talk to Wakka.

The sheriff at first appeared as if he was going to stop Tidus, but finally shook his head, and said, "You're right. Besides, it's getting dark. Who knows when the beast would come out...Especially after what happened last time."

Still, the sheriff gave a nosy look at Yuna, and said, "May I question why you care, M'lady?"

"I care because...It's not right," Yuna just said quickly, "I bid your farewell, Sir. We will take care of things from here."

The sheriff looked from Yuna to Tidus, who was up on the scaffold, then to Lulu and Wakka, and then back to Yuna, before sighing and heading off, mumbling to himself.

Paine ran out of the crowd then, and said, "What are you doing?"

"What do you mean?" Yuna asked, turning around. Paine was smiling at her, though, which eased any worry that Yuna had done something wrong.

"You just...Saved Lulu," Paine said, "And all by talk."

"What else would have saved her?" Yuna just said, with a shrug.

The two girls then bounded up the stairs, where Tidus was yelling at Wakka as he released the embarrassed Lulu from her shackles.

"What the hell were you thinking!" Tidus roared at Wakka, "Didn't you cause enough of a mess a year ago?"

"I didn't have anything to do with it!" Wakka just said, "Honestly, I didn't. That man that blocked your path did it. I was here to help Lu!"

"Yeah right, you rotten–." Tidus sneered, only to have Lulu interrupt him.

"Wakka's telling the truth, Tidus," Lulu just said, and Lulu looked at Yuna and Paine, who were walking toward them, "Wakka tried to save me."

Tidus just shot Wakka a nasty look, and said, "Come on, you're soaked. Let's go back."

Paine joined Tidus and Lulu, and the three of them started off. Yuna meanwhile turned to Wakka, who was giving her a suspicious look.

"Didn't I tell you to stay away from Lu?" Wakka just asked, but then just shook his head, and hopped down from the scaffold. He looked up though, and said, "Thanks...though..."

Yuna just continued to stare at him blankly, and waited until he was out of sight. For some reason, things really were beginning to fall into place. She felt as if she then had all of Besaid figured out.

Besaid was a place full of suspicion and evil. That's why the temple meetings were so harsh. The teachings themselves were so harshly practiced. The Al Bhed were all demoralized and treated like trash. The leaders of Besaid could do as they pleased, even if what they did was sinned. The rest didn't trust anybody and would rat on their neighbors any day to save themselves. That's what made Lulu different. It wasn't her clothes or her strange way of living. It was her character. The same thing with Tidus' and Paine's. They weren't typical people. And neither was she. That's why she felt like she belonged with them.

"Yuna!"

Yuna snapped out of thought as she saw Tidus bounding the stairs.

"You goin' home?" Tidus asked her, as he approached her.

"I...I guess I should," Yuna just said, shivering as more rain fell on her.

Tidus' hair had fallen, and was dripping wet. It almost appeared to be more of a brown colored than brown, being that it was so wet. However, his face shone in the rain, and his eyes still sparkled a brilliant blue. She had thought Seymour's eyes to be beautiful upon first arrival, but they were as ugly as rocks compared to Tidus'.

"I just wanted to say thanks," Tidus said, smiling at her, "You've earned all of our respect."

Yuna smiled upon hearing that. It was as if she had passed some trial they had put upon her. Now, it was as if she was officially invited to their clan, the clan that she hopelessly wanted to be apart of.

"I didn't really do much," Yuna just said.

"Yeah, but I would've lost my temper and somebody would have lost their head," Tidus just said, laughing slightly, "Paine and I wouldn't know what to do without Lulu..."

"Has this thing happened before?" Yuna asked, "I mean...Well, what did you do when she was first accused?"

"Nothing really," Tidus said, "That was kinda before we were attached to her. That was when she still had other friends."

Yuna just nodded slowly, and smiled and said, "What if we got out of the rain and talked?"

"Sounds good," Tidus said, laughing. He led the way down the wet scaffold and underneath an awning from a building.

"Lulu was in love with Wakka's younger brother, am I correct?" Yuna asked Tidus upon reaching the somewhat dry area.

"Yeah," Tidus said, "She was crushed–and really, still is–when he died. I think...Honestly, it's horrible to say this, but I think she almost dreams of dying on the scaffold, just as he did before her. That's why she never really puts up a fight. Paine and I have to fight for her."

"If she wants to die," Yuna said, "Wouldn't it almost be better just to let her have her way?" Of course, Yuna was thinking of her almost sad attempt when she had first arrived in the village. It made sense though.

Tidus though, looked shocked. His eyes were round and he stared at Yuna, but it was almost as if he wasn't staring at her. He seemed to be very deep in thought.

Finally, he swallowed and said, "Yeah, you're right."

His answer surprised Yuna, but he shook his head then, smiling, and said, "But sometimes it's not right. You need to have a good reason to die. A very good reason. Believe me, I know."

Yuna cocked her head to the side, confused at Tidus' words.

Tidus continued though, as he looked at Yuna, and said, "You haven't wanted to die, have you?"

"Once or twice," Yuna managed, fumbling with the ring on her finger, "But probably for stupid reasons...That's why I never went through with it."

"It's painful," Tidus said, and to Yuna's shock, pulled up his shirt. Yuna shielded her eyes, afraid of seeing something, but Tidus just laughed and pulled her hands from her eyes.

"See this scar," he said, pointing to a big spot on his chest, "I stabbed myself once."

Yuna looked quickly, but looked away again. Not because she was afraid of seeing him, because from the glimpse she'd seen, she wasn't going to regret it, but because of the fact that he had just showed her a large red scar.

"Why?" Yuna asked, as Tidus put his shirt down.

Tidus shrugged and said, "I wanted to die. But you see, Yuna, some of us have good reasons."

"Alright then, what was your reason?" Yuna asked.

"Regret," Tidus just said, "Anyway, I should get back. Will I see you again?"

"Of course," Yuna said, smiling, "Hopefully tomorrow."

"Right then," Tidus said, smiling at her, "Tomorrow."

"Goodbye," Yuna said, almost hesitant to leave him.

"Goodbye," Tidus said. The two stood there for a while, as if there was more they wanted to say, but Tidus, with one last nod, finally started off.

Yuna watched him go, sighing to herself. Then, she bit her lip, and started toward her own home.