-1

The day went on rather normally, until night. The boys both decided to sleep on the beach, under the stars. Tamar was scared of sleeping outside, so I let her have my bed on the airship.

I sat on the edge of the cliff, staring out at the water. Everything was so beautiful at night, no wonder they wanted to sleep outside.

Soon, a lunar eclipse began to happen, and everything was soon pitch black. I thought I heard someone running in the woods, so I quickly turned to look. I saw nothing, and figured it was just my imagination.

I could faintly see the boys stand up from their spots on the beach and look around. "Maybe it wasn't just my mind.." I said quietly, and then heard someone breathing behind me.

"You're right, it wasn't." The deep, husky voice said, and I froze. This was another man who just sent chills up my spine, and he knew it, which made it even worse.

"W-what do you w-want..sensei?" I asked quietly, not turning.

"I'm here to show you what happens to traitors." He growled, before throwing his large axe towards the airship. It tore one of the front corners of the ship clear off, and sent a jolt through the entire thing.

The axe circled around and I ducked to avoid it, the man behind me catching it with ease. "Better hope no one was in that corner." He said, grinning slightly.

I then heard Yuna's scream and jumped down the cliff, well aware my teacher was following me. "Poor girl." He said, and I turned suddenly and sent a fist into his face, my eyes full of anger.

The blow didn't even seem to faze him, and he easily knocked me away. I had forgotten how big he was, over 7 feet tall with huge shoulders, but that was from the springs he had implanted in his shoulders so the force that was sent back on you when you struck him was tripled.

None of this mattered. He had hurt someone, and I was going to make sure it didn't happen again. My sword appeared in my hand and I swung it at my master. He moved his axe quickly to block it, and I could feel the strain on my arms from the force caused by the springs.

I tried to hit him, but I couldn't land a single blow. I could tell he was growing bored, and maybe that was a good sign. "I'm sick of this." He said, "We shall meet again soon, and you better be ready." He then disappeared.

Instantly, I turned and ran for the airship, leaping inside and hurrying back to the cabin. "Yuna!" I called as I ran, to see if she was hurt at all.

"I'm down here!" Yuna called, from the piece of the airship that had broken off, "I cant find Rikku!" I jumped down and ran to help her dig.

"Don't worry." I said, "We'll find her."

I could hear Yuna whispering to herself that Rikku had to be okay, and I wanted to believe it, but when his master wanted someone dead, they ended up dead.

When I saw the spirits began to float around in the air, I knew that it was hopeless. I heard Yuna's soft sob and I wrapped my arms around her tightly. "I'm sorry.." I whispered.

Yuna buried her face against me and sobbed into my chest. "No..." She moaned, "No…Rikku…not my cousin..." She gripped the back of my shirt and I could feel her body quivering.

"Come on, sit down.." I said softly, pulling her down as I sat myself, never letting go Yuna. This was all my fault, all I ever brought was pain. Why did I have to be so stupid!

After a bit, she calmed down, but she didn't let go of me. "Thank you.." She said, her voice muffled since her face was still against my chest.

"Don't thank me.." I said quietly, "I don't deserve it.."

Yuna pulled away to look at me. "yes you do." She whispered, "you're always there for me." She then planted a small kiss on my lips, and I turned slightly red. I couldn't help it. She stood and I heard a voice from above. "Yuna?" "Paine?" Yuna called up. "what's going on?" Paine asked. "Come down and I'll explain…" She said quietly.

Paine was suddenly there and Yuna looked to the ground, her smile gone. "what's going on?" Paine demanded. "Rikku…" She whispered. 'where is she?" Paine said a little harsher. "She's dead…" Yuna whispered, pointing at the pile. Paine paled and slowly walked over to the pile, she stood there rigged for awhile.

I was silent, staring at the ground. This was all my fault, Rikku was dead, and both Paine and Yuna were hurting, and it was my fault.

Right now, there was nothing I wanted more than to die..