Hello again, my friends. Sorry I took so long to update, I was on vacation and had no time to work on the story. Anway, I'm glad that those who reviewed enjoyed the beginning of what I hope will become a rather lengthy story. However, there were some things that I neglected to explain and/or didn't clarify. Allow me to do that now.

This story is slightly AU. It doesn't conform to Final Fantay X's exact storyline in the fact that Auron didn't die. Instead, he was injured by Yunalesca. I made this change not only because Auron is my favorite character, but because I saw no benefit to his death. It didn't help the story along at all. And so, I felt that by bringing him back, he might develop into something more.

And now, I respond to the reviews. Always. I think it makes the reader fell more connected to the writer, more involved with the story.

bbychrangel: I'm glad it touched you in that way. That was my intent. But you wait no longer, this is what happens.

CyanideSmiles: I hope that what I said above cleared some things up for you. Sorry about my vagueness. Anyway, I'm glad that you're so fervently believing in this story. It makes me feel good to have such a good start to a new area (to me) of I don't know though . . . Auron being the best cook kinda clicked in my head . . . maybe it's a weird idiosyncracy I have. Oh well . . . here's the next chapter for you. Enjoy!

Shadygt09:Some people don't like the sap, but that's okay. As long as you extract what you like from the chapter, that's the important thing. Stay interested! Here's the next chapter.

mandyfanforevr: Thank you. I like making convoluted plot lines.

Well, I won't keep you waiting.Chapter two is waiting for you! (oh God, I rhymed again . . .)

Chapter 2: Power Awaiting

Hand-in-hand, Wakka and Lulu strolled the path along Besaid Falls. It was very soothing and refreshing, the falls making the rushing sound as the water fell to the ocean below. Mist came off the falls and hovered in the air. As a result, the two were pretty well-misted by now. Lulu's jet-black hair had gradually grown shinier and shinier with dew, and Wakka looked as though he were sweating. It was a warm day out, and the mist was a welcome asset to their walk today. Both Wakka and Lulu always took a walk down to the beach at about this time. It was really the only time that they could spend alone together, so they made sure to enjoy every minute of it.

Today though, their walk seemed to be progressing a little slower than usual. The morning hadn't necessarily been the best. Both were eating breakfast when they saw Auron, Rikku and Yuna enter the small kitchen, Yuna's eyes red once again. Wakka had tried to console her, but that only seemed to make matters worse. Immediately after, she said that she had to use the restroom, and they could definitely hear her sobbing again as she ran down the hall. She did not return to the table. Naturally, this made Wakka feel terrible. Auron had shot a reproving look his way, but said nothing. Eventually Rikku left too, probably to go comfort Yuna. And as it was early in the morning, it was Wakka, Lulu and Auron left at the table, eating their eggs and bacon in silence. It was so like the breakfasts they had on previous days . . . Yuna had made it through the whole way only once.

Both adults had known Yuna for almost eleven years. There was nobody on Spira that knew her better than Wakka and Lulu. And in those eleven years, they had never seen her as sad as they did now. She barely said a word, the smile that was always on her face was gone. Her radiant happiness and steadfastness that had surrounded her like invulnerable auras on her pilgrimage had disappeared. Disappeared and replaced with the exact opposite: depression and lassitude. It wasn't the Yuna that they knew. They wanted the old Yuna back.

"Do you think she'll ever get over him?" Wakka asked. "I mean, he was like a brudda to me too, but . . ."

"I had hope in the beginning that she would, but I'm starting to second-guess myself," Lulu sighed. "I mean, it seems like it's gotten worse. It's as if her emotions were a balancing scale, with hope on one side and depression on the other. And with every day that goes by, hope is taken away. Therefore, the scale gets heavier on the other side."

"The depressed side," Wakka said.

"Yes," was all Lulu said.

They walked in silence for a minute or so. Soon they would come to the beach. "Lu?" Wakka said, turning to her.

"Hm?"

"I'm afraid, ya?"

Lulu turned to him, shocked. It wasn't like Wakka to admit feeling. "Of what?"

"Not of," Wakka corrected. "For. I'm afraid for Yuna."

"She can take care of herself," said Lulu reassuringly. "She did manage through all the hardships on the pilgrimage, remember?"

"Yeah, but . . ." Wakka said, struggling to find the correct words to describe his thoughts, "the pilgrimage had an end to it. We got to Zanarkand, we beat Sin, it's over, ya?"

"What's your point?" Lulu interrupted.

"Well, unlike the pilgrimage, I can't see an end to her sorrow. Not unless Tidus somehow comes back-"

"Doubtful," Lulu said.

"-or she finds a way to end it herself. Like . . . well, you know, Lu? What I mean?" Wakka finished, as though pleading with her to understand so he wouldn't have to finish his thought.

"Suicide?" Lulu guessed. Wakka, looking apologetic, nodded. "Don't even think about that. How could you even consider that?" she asked, appalled. "Yuna would never commit suicide. She's too strong for that. Too young, innocent and pure to do that."

"But Tidus . . . he left a big impression on her, ya?" Wakka countered. "He left a big impression on me. I think he did on all of us."

"He was a good friend and a joy to be around," Lulu replied. "But I wouldn't kill myself over him! I didn't kill myself over Chappu!"

"But you and Yuna are different people," Wakka argued. "She probably handles grief differently than you, ya? And probably not as well." Lulu said nothing, so Wakka continued. "After Tidus came up with the plan where she didn't have to die to defeat Sin, she probably imagined spending the rest of her life with him. Loving him . . . starting a family with him, you know?" All Lulu could do was nod.

They had, by now, reached the beach. Choosing their favorite little alcove on the far side of the beach, opposite the docks, they sat down there together. 'Loving him, starting a family with him . . .' that's what Lulu hoped to do with Wakka. She couldn't imagine losing him on top of Chappu. It had taken her three years to let go of Chappu and accept the fact that Wakka loved her. Now, she was remembering how happy she was when she and Chappu were together. How she felt with Chappu and how she felt with Wakka were one and the same. But now, with the issue with Yuna, she could feel the bliss ebbing away like so much jetsam in the tide.

Wakka settled himself down on the sand, cross-legged, looking out at the sea. The tide was low. When the waves trickled onshore, they would deposit some foam. And then, when the wave returned, it would scoop up the foam and take it back out to sea, only to leave some behind in its place. Wakka sighed and patted his lap, inviting Lulu to sit. She obliged and sat on his legs, her own off to the right side, just as they were when she was riding the speeder with Tidus. Wakka wrapped his arms around Lulu's waist and pulled her closer to him, as though he was hugging a cat he had thought long-gone. She smiled and rested her head against his shoulder, closing her eyes.

They sat there in silence for the longest time. Wakka had his left arm around Lulu's waist, his right hand toying with the sticks in her hair. Lulu knew that he was trying hard to not make this time that they spent together as tense. That was fine by her. Silence was cleansing. It allowed the mind to flow, to gather thoughts, to become aware of the senses. Eventually, it overtook her, and she fell asleep. Wakka, hearing her altered breathing, took that opportunity to kiss her forehead and then lean back against the earthy wall.

"I love you, Lulu."

> > > > >

Auron and Yuna were standing at the sink, clearing away the remnants of breakfast in silence. Yuna had finally returned to the table, only to declare that she wasn't hungry. She paid no attention to the look that Auron shot her, a look mixed with disapproval and worry. Instead she busied herself with helping Auron clear the table, and now they were finishing the last of the dishes. They worked in silence, not saying a thing to each other. It was probably better that way, too. It was a few minutes later that Auron finally broke the uneasy silence.

"Thanks," said Auron after they were finished clearing the dishes.

"No problem," Yuna replied, turning and going to her room.

Auron followed her. "Yuna, it's time you worked on what needs to be done," he said. "The ceremony is tomorrow."

"Sir Auron . . . no, I'm sorry."

"It's fine."

"Auron, I'm nervous. What if they don't like what I have in mind?"

"Then they don't like what you have in mind," Auron stated firmly. "The people chose you to be the President of Spira. And personally, I think your ideas are for the better of Spira. We need change to come to the world, or we'll never get past the days of Sin."

"You're right," Yuna said, nodding. Then, an idea struck her. "Auron, can I ask you a favor?"

"Certainly."

Yuna took a deep breath. "Would you . . . would you write my acceptance speech for me?"

Auron, the legendary guardian of Spira, was taken aback. "Pardon me?"

"Well," Yuna began tentatively, "it's just that I've never been that great a writer. I can think of things to say when people ask me, but I'm too worried that my nerves would make me stutter if I tried to, uh . . . 'wing it'."

Auron did his famous grunt. "Hmph," he said. "You'd probably find yourself in quite a fix that way. But why me?"

"Haven't you heard yourself?" Yuna said. "You're wonderful at saying things. An ordinary sentence or statement is given new life when you say it. You can connect with people. You make them realize things about themselves and the world around them in a way that nobody else could explain it. And if you're as good at speaking as we all think, you're probably an even better writer."

Yuna paused. "All I'm saying is . . . I trust you to do this, and I want you to do this. Please?" she finished.

Auron said nothing for a moment, Yuna watching him apprehensively all the while. He seemed to be thinking. By now, the two had entered her room. Or almost . . . Auron was once again leaning against the doorframe. And slowly, very slowly, a smile was beginning to creep across the veteran guardian's face. Yuna was slightly confused. Of all the facial expressions imaginable, she couldn't understand why the one to surface on Auron's face would be a smile.

She didn't have to wonder for long however, because Auron broke the uneasy silence. "It's funny how other people can bring new parts of somebody else to light that that person didn't even know about," he said, chuckling.

"Pardon?" said Yuna, tilting her head slightly to one side. "I don't understand."

"I had no idea you thought so highly of how I communicate," Auron replied simply. "I thank you for the compliment." He paused. "Now it's my turn. What you don't know is that you're no less talented with touching people than I am. You're just not confident in yourself."

"I know," said Yuna.

"That's got to change," said Auron. "And I'm telling you this because you need to hear it. When you make a decision, you have to be confident in that decision and extend that aura of confidence to the people so that they feel comfortable with the choice."

"I understand," said Yuna.

"I'll write your acceptance speech," Auron said. "But this will be the only speech I'll write for you. The rest you're going to have to figure out for yourself."

Yuna rushed up to Auron and hugged him. "Thank you so much!"

"You're welcome," Auron said. "Now, I will retire to my study. The burden is on me now. I must think. Tell Rikku she is not to disturb me."

"I will," said Yuna. "Where is she anyway?"

"She went down to the beach to contact Cid," Auron responded. "He'll be picking us up sometime tomorrow afternoon. That means we all must be ready by tonight."

"I agree," Yuna said. "After all, if we wait until morning, we might forget something important."

"Right," Auron said, turning to leave. "Oh, and Yuna?"

"Yes?"

"Try to get a good night's rest tonight. You look like you could use it."

"I could," Yuna sighed. "I'll try. But, I don't know . . . I-I'm sorry . . ."

She was remembering Tidus again. Not knowing how to react, Auron quickly retreated to his study. He felt bad for her, but there wasn't much he could do to comfort her. He didn't know how, quite frankly. Relationships had never been his forte, out of fear that this very situation just might occur in his life. He was afraid that he would react like Yuna . . . so he learned not to even let himself get attached. Auron knew that it cost him much, and it made him seem like a cold man at heart, but celibacy was a lifestyle he was used to by now.

He had reached his study. The room was small and plain, just enough to suit Auron's immediate needs. A small desk with sheets of paper scattered across it rested against the right wall. A small cot was positioned in the far corner. The walls were an eggshell color and there was one window, off to the side of the cot and facing the north. His bottle of sake lay on the nightstand next to his bed. Auron liked his room like that. Small and bare, it minimized any distractions from the tasks at hand.

And that would definitely come in handy now.

Auron pulled out the antique wooden chair from underneath his desk. The wheels that made moving it easier squeaked as it rolled across the hardwood floor. Auron sat down in the chair and swept off all his notes to the side. He had more notes to make. But first: Yuna's speech. He drew out a feather pen and a bottle of ink. After that was situated, he rifled on the top of his desk for a blank sheet of paper. The paper was ready to go, and he was ready to write. Dipping the tip into the jar, he poised the pen over the paper and scratched out the first lines of the speech.

Today . . . is a day that will be remembered by Spira for ages to come . . .

> > > > >

Wakka woke later with a severe cramp in his neck. He had apparently drifted off to sleep with Lulu, and his head had drooped into an unnatural position soon afterward. Lulu was still asleep in his lap. She had slid down to where her head was resting on his left leg. Wakka smiled down at her peaceful face. She looked so calm, so free of spirit in this state. He wished that he had as many untroubled sleeps as she did. Wakka was a light and restless sleeper. Woken easily, he hadn't had an uninterrupted sleep in a very long time.

Wakka gritted his teeth and slowly raised his head. It hurt like Hell, but when his head had been facing the ground for at least two hours, it was to be expected. He moved it as much as the pain would allow. Unfortunately, it wasn't much. But as he looked ahead, he realized just how long he had been sleeping. The sky was blood-red. Rays from the dying sun flew to greet his eyes from between the clouds, dancing and reflecting off the ocean. The whole sky, lit up by different shades of red from the sun, which was to Wakka's back, mesmerized him. He had to wake up Lulu for this.

"Lu?" Wakka whispered. She began to stir. "Wake up, sleepyhead."

"Wakka?" she mumbled. Her head turned to face him, and she opened her ruby-red eyes. Then, a smile caressed her face. "What do you want?"

"We slept in kinda late," Wakka chuckled. "But feast your eyes on this sunset!"

Lulu sat up and looked up at the sky, out toward the ocean. Immediately, Wakka heard a sharp intake of breath. It was almost hypnotic. Lulu felt her eyelids growing heavy again as she stared out into the distance. The water, undisturbed by the calm breeze that was blowing, reflected the sky like a giant mirror. The ocean, the sky, almost everything before Lulu's eyes was a beautiful red color.

But then, Wakka broke her from her reverie. "It's really late. We should probably be heading in. Auron promised some steaks tonight, and I don't feel like missing that, ya?"

Lulu put her hand up to her forehead as she always did when she felt exasperated. "We've rarely seen a sunset like this, and you're thinking about Auron's steak?"

"Well, I . . ." Wakka started. Then he sighed. "Yeah, I guess I was."

Lulu shook her head. "At least we could stay here a few more minutes. After all, this is probably going to be the last Besaid walk we'll have for quite some time."

"Ah, you're right," Wakka said. "That new gig Yuna's got for us."

"It's not a 'gig'," Lulu scoffed. "It will become one of the most important jobs in Spira. Remember, it's our job. We're doing it together."

"And that's the only reason I accepted," Wakka said, smiling down at her. "At least we can shoulder the burden that way. We always have in the past, eh?"

Lulu said nothing, but stood up shaking her head. She wasn't angry at Wakka, not at all. On the contrary, she felt kind of sorry for him. Sometimes, she didn't understand how he was able to put up with her. No matter how she treated him, the man she loved looked past that to understand what she was really trying to say. Take now, for instance. Lulu wasn't trying to demean Wakka for only thinking about food. Rather, she wanted to stay with him to enjoy the sunset. Lulu mentally kicked herself for being so harsh again.

"I- I'm sorry," she mumbled.

"Sorry for what, Lu?"

"For snapping at you again," she said.

"Hey, don't worry about it," Wakka replied, brushing it off. "It's you. I don't mind it, really. I know you mean differently right there." He pointed to her chest where her heart was.

'It's you.'

"I have a favor to ask you, though." Wakka continued. "It's an important favor, one that may affect whether or not I spend the rest of the evening with you."

"Hm?" Lulu said distractedly.

Wakka grunted. "Would you help me up?"

Lulu laughed for the first time in quite a while, and extended her hand.

> > > > >

Dead?

The word rung in Tidus's ears like a cymbal. Dead. It was such a definite, final word. But . . . how could he be dead? He was standing, thinking, and breathing. It didn't make sense. More than that, it wasn't fair. He had a plan to keep him and Yuna living together for the rest of their lives. A plan to banish Sin from Spira not just for five years, not just for ten years, but for good. Infinity was a big number.

Of course, he knew he couldn't spend that amount of time with Yuna. However, he had hoped that what little time he did have on Spira, he could spend with Yuna. She and Wakka were the first people that made him feel at home, away from home. Tidus knew that sounded strange, but he couldn't figure out any other way to describe how they made him felt on his first days in Spira. Wakka was his best friend now, Auron was like his father, Lulu and Rikku were also good friends, and Yuna . . . well, 'love' wasn't a decent enough word to describe how he felt about Yuna. But now, he was dead. He would never see them again, according to the Fayth.

"Dead?" Tidus repeated the word timidly.

"Oh yes, quite dead," the Fayth replied. "You died before coming here. The fall instantly killed you; there was nothing I or any of the others could do."

"'I died before coming here,' you said," Tidus quoted. "Where is 'here'?"

The Fayth sighed. "I believe I've already answered that question."

"That doesn't tell me anything!" Tidus shouted, patience finally running out. "Start making sense, damn you!"

"You're neither here nor anywhere else," Bahamut replied. "We're all shadows, memories . . ." here the Fayth paused, and a cryptic smile spread across his face. "and . . . dreams." The Fayth emphasized the last word.

Tidus lost it. Springing up and grabbing his sword, he screamed, slicing through the air and into the Fayth's body. However, the sword acted as though it was just cutting through air. It went straight through the little boy's body, not even phasing the boy. Tidus continued to swing the sword wildly, not necessarily aiming the sword at the Fayth anymore. He was channeling his anger into his swings, making it look as though he were dueling with a nonexistent entity. Tidus's rage lasted for about a minute before he collapsed to the ground, panting. And for all that time, Bahamut just stood there, watching, amused.

"Apparently the pilgrimage taught you something about how to use a sword," said the Fayth.

"Shut up!" Tidus hissed from where he lay on the ground, trying to catch his breath.

The Fayth ignored him. "Well . . . we've gone a long ways, haven't we? From Nothing to Nowhere. I guess I wasn't able to make myself clear enough to you."

Tidus threw up his hands. "You just now realized that!" he said.

Once again, Bahamut ignored his outburst. "Let me try a new approach. Maybe it will be easier for you to realize why you're here if I ask the questions, not you."

"Whatever," Tidus said, sitting up. "Just as long as I understand one damn thing about what's going on, I'll be happy."

"So," the Fayth said, sitting down cross-legged across from Tidus. "Let's begin." Tidus said nothing, but watched the boy warily. "They're personal questions. I hope you don't mind."

"Does it look like I care?" Tidus said. "Make your point!"

"Well, why do you want to live so badly?" The Fayth asked.

"Who doesn't want to live?" Tidus asked.

"Those who are willing to sacrifice themselves for something greater and more important," the Fayth replied. "Those who see more benefit in helping the living through death. I am- was, a prime example."

"Oh," was all Tidus could say. "But that could be switched to mean the exact same thing!"

"Pardon?"

"What if someone sees more benefit from living than dying? What if that person could benefit Spira more through life than death?"

The Fayth paused, and smiled thoughtfully. "You are referring to yourself when you say this, aren't you? You want to live simply because you're afraid of dying, aren't you?"

Tidus reeled back. "I- ah- uh . . . no," he lied.

This fayth wasn't stupid. It was very true that Tidus was afraid of dying. Twice, he had lost people he loved and the land he was used to. Twice, he had to endure the pain and suffering of having to get used to everything again. And twice, it was the cause of only one being that had caused him so much pain. Sin tore him away from Zanarkand, and then it tore him away from Spira in a similar manner. Away from everything he knew.

"You're a poor liar," the Fayth added. "Although I liked the bit about conforming what, I said to fit you, that was clever."

"I swear. There's more to it!" Tidus said. "I- I miss those who are still on Spira. I want to see them again."

"You're . . . not going to become a fiend, are you?" Bahamut questioned.

"I said I miss them, I'm not jealous of them," Tidus snapped. "There is a difference."

"You're right, for once," said Bahamut.

Something clicked in Tidus's memory. Where had he heard that before . . . he knew the quote sounded familiar . . . who said it? And then, he remembered. On the boat from Kilika to Luca, Wakka and Lulu were talking on deck and Tidus was eavesdropping on the stairs next to them. She had said that after Wakka said "It's up to Yuna and Tidus to make that decision" or something like that. He couldn't remember exactly. But now he at least knew how Wakka felt when Lulu made that remark.

"So, you want to see your friends again?" Bahamut said. "I'm sure I could ask any other dream like you the same question, and they'd all respond with your answer."

"So?" Tidus said childishly, folding his arms.

"What's special about your ties to your friends? Is there anything more to your feeling?" The boy asked.

"I- really want to see Yuna again," Tidus admitted, letting his arms fall and his head droop, as though he were ashamed of admitting it.

"As do many others who've been separated from loved ones," the Fayth responded. "Now you're not answering my question. What's so special about your friends? Why do you hope that by talking to me you'll see them again?"

"Because you appeared to me on Zanarkand," Tidus said. "You showed me the truth about my father, about Auron, and about my ties to a future Spira. You can show me a way to get back with my friends. I know you can."

Bahamut smirked. "It's amazing . . . the delusions that hope can create in one's mind. But let's not worry about that."

"Please, I know you can!" Tidus begged. "I love her! Why do you tear her away from me like this?"

"Suddenly," the boy said dramatically, "the blame took a 180-degree turn from Sin to the Fayth who first appeared to him in Zanarkand."

"You know what I mean!" Tidus shouted.

"Naturally," the boy smiled. "You want to see Yuna very badly. But just how badly do you want to see her?"

"Huh?" Tidus asked blankly.

"Would you go to the ends of the earth for her? Would you do what she requests?" the Fayth questioned.

"I would die for her," Tidus said firmly.

Here, Bahamut actually laughed. "But you see, my friend, you've already done that!"

Tidus opened his mouth to shoot something back at the annoying little fayth, but stopped short when he realized that Bahamut was right. In reality, he had died for her. By changing her plans to acquire the Final Aeon, he had ultimately sacrificed his life to save hers. He hated it when he didn't realize that he was wrong. It always made him look stupid.

"Okay, you're right. I did die for her. But . . . I want to live for her too!"

It was here that Bahamut's satisfied smile faded. For the first time since he and Tidus had started talking, he began to look serious. Apparently Tidus's last sentence had struck home with him. In reality, it was just what the little boy wanted to hear. He was tired of people saying that "I would die for him/her." Many people said that; it was the easy and deceptive way for people to show care. But to live for someone who was dying would be an even harder, more noble task. Was Tidus willing to do this?

"You would live for her?" Bahamut repeated.

"Yes!" Tidus said.

"If she wanted to die, die to protect you, would you heed her sacrifice, knowing that her wish was fulfilled?"

"I would, yes," said Tidus firmly.

"Even though you'd be compelled to ignore her wishes and sacrifice yourself for her life, again? You would still . . . live for her?"

"Yes, I would live for her," said Tidus, in the most sincere voice he could muster.

Bahamut said no more. He walked up to Tidus and placed his small hand on his shoulder. Tidus, startled by this sudden action, jerked back, but the Fayth pulled him forward so that his hand could rest on Tidus's shoulder. A white light began to envelop both of them. It was dim at first, but then it intensified in brightness. Tidus shut his eyes for fear of growing blind, but the Fayth just stood there motionless. He said only one thing before both disappeared.

"Then there may yet be hope for you and Yuna."

Well, there you have it. I hope that quenches your thirst until I update with chapter three. And please review. I know it's time-consuming and a bit of a pain at times, but it would be much appreciated. Thanks to those who do.

Until then, see you around.

SirGecko>