A/N: GOMEN! This took me so long… I've been doing so much. Live in japan is pretty hectic… And I have had so many wonderful reviews! Thank-you all so much! Wow, almost 100! I feel so special! Maybe Ill do something special for the centential! Lol. Neways Sorry its late and I hope you all like it. Please don't hate me?
.:How Can I Not Love You:.
After having a long shower and getting dressed, walking slowly down the stairs, Yuna couldn't get her thoughts off her dream. She was so confused. What on earth had made her dream about Shuyin? And like that? She wasn't one to take a lot of notice of dreams, but they had to come from somewhere, right? Why had he called her Lenne and then Yuna? Damn, her mind was doing crazy things to her.
"Hello? Anyone home?" Rikku waved a hand in front of Yuna's face.
"Rikku, it is entirely to early in the morning for you to be so cheery." Paine commented from the table.
"I'm sorry. Just day-dreaming I guess." Yuna silently began to make some toast and a cup of tea.
"A gill for your thoughts." Rikku asked as Yuna sat at the table with her breakfast.
"Huh? Oh… I just… Had a crazy dream last night, that's all." She took a bite of her toast.
"That's it? U can't just leave it at that. You have to tell us what the dream was about!" Rikku whinged.
"She's right you know, Yuna. You can't tell someone you had a crazy dream and then not tell them what it was about." Yuna blushed and tried to hide her face behind her teacup.
"Ohhhhhh!" Rikku giggled and bounced in her seat, "It was THAT kind of dream! Oh, now you HAVE to tell us!"
"You're only without Tidus for one night and already you're having kinky dreams about him?" Paine grinned.
Yuna blushed more crimson. "It wasn't Tidus, it was…" Yuna began and looked at her friends, both of whom, even thought they were both in the middle of breakfast, looked like hungry animals about to be fed. "It was… Shuyin…"
As she said it, Rikku choked on a mouthful of cereal in laughter, spitting milk and cornflakes all over the table. Paine, who was mid sip of her coffee, snorted into it, trying her best not to spill the hot liquid into her lap.
"Oh come on you two, its not like I can control my dreams!" Yuna protested.
"Yes, but…" Paine began, not sure how to finish without bursting into laughter.
"BUT SHUYIN? You had a wet dream about your boyfriend's twin? Damn girl, that's some Jerry Springer shit right there!" Rikku did her best 'go-Jerry' dance and made Yuna blush more.
"Only half of it was… that kind of dream. The other half was just, well… odd. He was talking about the world being a horrible place and how Seymour was going to change all that… I was actually really scared…" Yuna sipped her tea.
"Yeah that was until he started with the bump and grind!"
"Rikku! I'm serious. The way he was talking, it was scary!" Yuna put her cup down.
"As much as Rikku's comments are amusing, she makes a good point. It was just a dream. If he's scary one minute then humping your brains out the next, you should hardly take any notice of it." Paine finished her breakfast and started to clean her mess.
"Well maybe I should tell Tidus about it…" Yuna began, only to get death-stares from both other girls. "Ok ok…" she looked defeated. "It was just so… real."
"You just have sex on the brain, girl!" Rikku piped up.
Yuna sighed. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea telling the others.
"Well. I'd better get going. Don't want to be late to class." She began cleaning her breakfast dishes.
"Do you want a lift? Baralai's coming round in about an hour."
"Thanks all the same, Paine, but I think I'll walk."
"Try not to get run over this time!"
"I wasn't trying last time, Rikku." Yuna laughed as she grabbed her stuff and walked out the front door.
The day passed uneventfully. In fact Yuna was so thoroughly bored in all her classes, she spent the whole day wondering what Tidus was doing. As she began the slow walk home, her thoughts still lingered on Tidus. She pressed the earphones to her mp3 player into her ears and clicked the play button. Music was her one escape. She was always able to lose herself in a good song. Being a writer herself, she was constantly wondering what the writers of other song were thinking when they wrote them.
When the music played into her ears, the song that had been randomly chosen was Birdhouse in Your Soul by They Might be Giants. She laughed at the lyrics about a little blue canary night-light. "Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet…" she quietly sang along with the song. What had these guys been smoking? She wondered.
She was about halfway home, humming and walking in time to whatever song was playing at the time when she looked up as she went to cross a road. On the other side of the small residential street was an all-too-familiar motorbike; the rider still sitting in the seat. His helmet was off, and his blonde hair gently wafted to and fro in the breeze.
Yuna's heart leapt into her throat. Surely she could have a moment with him here. Rikku and Paine would never know! She jogged across the quiet street, pulling the earphones out of her ear and tucking them away into her bag. She tiptoed up behind him, and before he had a chance to hear her, she threw her arms around his shoulders.
"Hey stranger!" she said happily into his hair.
"Lenne?" Tidus turned around and it wasn't till she looked up at him that she realised that it wasn't Tidus at all. Shuyin stared down at her like she had just silently slipped a knife into his belly. "You're not Lenne…"
"Oh my! Shuyin!" Yuna leapt back, tripping on the sidewalk and falling rather heavily onto her bum. "I'm so sorry, I thought you were Tidus, it's just that you're on his bike, and from behind you two look…" Yuna bumbled out a list or excuses, but the shocked look had slipped from Shuyin's face, to be replaced by a friendly smile.
Lifting himself off the bike, he stepped towards Yuna, who quickly shut her mouth.
"That's completely understandable, Yuna, wasn't it?" She nodded. "Trust me, we used to get it all the time." He extended his hand down to her and she took it, blushing slightly as he pulled her up. "I'm sorry I startled you." He added.
"I'm sorry startled you, too." She blushed a deeper red as she realised he was still holding her. Quickly pulling it away and pretending to brush the dirt from her behind, she noticed that he was holding a map in his other hand.
"Are you lost?" she asked politely, trying to change the subject. Shuyin looked down at the map and smiled then looked back at Yuna.
Yeah, I'm supposed to be picking up Tidus from a job interview. He lent me his bike for the day because I had some … stuff… to do."
Yuna noted his hesitation at the 'stuff' he had to do, but she was more interested in what he had said about Tidus.
"Tidus has a job interview?" she asked.
"He didn't tell you? Oh that's right…" he gave a small laugh, "You guys are in trouble…"
"Kinda… oh, but where are you trying to get to? Maybe I can direct you."
"You know, it's so stupid. I dropped him off there, and now I can't find the place. I'm miles away, I know, but I can't remember what route to take… It's a bar called the Celsius."
"What? He has an interview at the Cel?" The shock evident on her face.
"Why? Is that strange?"
"No it's just that my band and I just got a permanent gig there. That sneak!"
"Well he's known about it for some time now, so if he didn't tell you, he probably wanted it to be a surprise if he got the job. Please don't tell him I told you…" Shuyin looked worried. Yuna laughed.
"Don't worry, I'll act totally surprised." She smiled. Shuyin didn't seem that bad. She knew that Tidus had told her about his shady past, but he seemed totally normal now as he returned her smile. Almost… sweet.
Yuna, worried at her thoughts, quickly took to showing Shuyin how to get to the Celsius. It wasn't hard and it only took about five minutes for him to have the way memorised.
"Well, I had better get going. Tidus is already going to be mad that I not only am I late, but that I got to see his little fan-girl." He smiled as he put on his helmet and straddled the bike. Yuna laughed and put her hands on her hips.
"I am not his little fan-girl!" She acted hurt and pouted.
Shuyin nodded and lifted his hand to flip the visa down. With an evil-looking smirk that seemed oddly at home on his face he added, "That's ok. I know who you are, Yuna" and with that, he flipped it down, started the bike, and took off down the street, leaving Yuna with the craziest crimson blush on her face and her eyes as wide as saucers.
There's no way… The exact words from my dream… Something's not right here… She thought to herself as she stood silently on the footpath.
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She had decided not to tell the girls about seeing Shuyin. She didn't want to complicate things even more. The next day passed with even less excitement. Yuna spent the whole day counting the hours until she knew Tidus would call her phone when the 'punishment' was up.
The evening dragged on and Paine and Rikku were getting sick of Yuna's fidgeting. Every ten minutes she would look at the clock and sigh.
"Oh sweet merciful crap, Yuna, just call him already!" Rikku finally grumbled after what seemed like the millionth sigh.
"She's right. If you sigh once more I think I'm going to have to break something… like the clock…" Paine added.
"Really? You mean it?"
"Yes!" Both girls said in unison.
Yuna squealed like a teen and grabbed her mobile from the coffee table. She pressed the speed dial number she had programmed in while waiting for him to call her. Impatiently she tapped her fingers on the table as the line on the other end rang. And rang… And rang… he face grew concerned when a female voice answered the other end of the line.
"The person you are trying to call is busy and might not know you've called. To leave e return number, simply follow the prompts after the tone. Charges will be applied after the tone…" Yuna hung up and looked at Rikku and Paine.
"Message bank…" She said in response to their silent question. She pressed the redial button, but still no answer. "Where could he be?" Again she tried but still no answer.
"Give it half an hour. Maybe he's having dinner…" Rikku tried to comfort Yuna. Yuna furrowed her brows and tried once more.
"Damn it, where is he!" She threw her phone onto the sofa in frustration.
Yuna waited all night for his call, and tried calling him repeatedly herself. Paine and Rikku had gone to bed and she was laying in hers, staring at the ceiling. She couldn't sleep even though it was almost 3:30am. Suddenly her room was illuminated by the bright glow from her phone and her message tone sounded.
Leaping to grab it she jumped back into bed and flipped it open, reading the SMS.
Yuna. so sorry. was going 2 call but wasnt sure if u were awake. I was work! Yeah I got a job! I was going 2 call b4 I stated but didn't want 2 get u in trouble. I will call u 2morrow aftanoon. Luv u –T
She clutched the phone to her chest. So he hadn't forgotten. Relief filled her and she slowly drifted to sleep. This time she didn't dream.
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Yuna finished her classes at 2pm and as promised, Tidus called at about 3. They talked for about an hour before Rikku knocked on her door and come in.
"Yunie I hate to interrupt, but we gotta get some practice in. You remember we have to play at the Cel tomorrow…"
"Oh yeah. Hey Tidus, do u wanna come to our gig tomorrow night?" Yuna asked into the phone as Rikku rolled her eyes and left the room.
"Well I'd love to but I gotta work… I'm sorry!"
"Hey that's right! I didn't ask you where you got the job!" Secretly it was because she had a pretty good idea where, but she didn't want to get Shuyin in trouble.
"Uh… it's a secret…" Tidus said, and Yuna found it hard not to giggle because she knew that he would probably get to see her show tomorrow even if he was working. Unless he got a job as an accountant or something, which Yuna highly doubted.
"Um, Ok…" Yuna faked suspicion.
"I'll tell you tomorrow I promise."
"Ok, well I had better go before Rikku and Paine ban me from seeing you again…" they both laughed.
"Ok. Ill see, uh, talk to you tomorrow."
"Ok, goodnight."
"Night."
Yuna clicked her phone shut and went to practice.
Friday went by and the afternoon arrived. Yuna dressed for the show that night. She decided on her black mini-skirt and blue Singlet. Lacing up the blue arm warmers and clipping on a light blue halfskirt to keep from feeling almost completely naked, she studied herself in the mirror.
"Hmmm." She thought at her reflection. She grabbed a belt from the dresser and fastened it loosely around her waist. She chose her brown boots to go with her outfit and when she was ready doing her hair and make-up, she trotted downstairs to join the others on the way to the Celsius.
"Hows it going, ya?" Wakka greeted them at the back entrance. "I hope u guys are ready for a big night! The crowd's huge!" He helped them unload their stuff and told them they had just under two hours until they were due on stage and if they had time to go and chat with a few of their local fans. As he left to do whatever business he had to do, he winked at Yuna, who pretended like she didn't know why he had done it.
"What was that all about?" Paine asked once he'd left.
"I'm not sposed to know, but I think Tidus has a job behind the bar here."
"What? Since when?" Rikku grabbed Yuna's arm. "That's so cute! The bar bitch dating the lead singer of the band. Of course normally the bar bitch is the girl and the lead singer is the guy, but I think its better this way!" Paine just rolled her eyes.
"Guys, I'm not sposed to know, so that means neither are you, so you have to act surprised, ok?"
"Okilly-Dohkilly!" Rikku chimed, Paine just nodded.
"Ok, lets go mingle so I can FINALLY see my boyfriend." Yuna said as they finished setting up.
Walking into the crowded club, they were immediately recognised and a cheer rose from the dancing people. The three girls smiled and waved. And walked to the bar, receiving pats on the back and wolf whistles from a few of the guys. The other two girls had decided to dress in what they liked to call their 'songstress' outfits, named after Yuna's outfit because they all looked so similar. Paine wasn't to fond of the idea but decided it was better than having Rikku whine at her all night for being a party pooper.
Finally reaching the bar, a few of the patrons made room for them. Looking behind the bar, Yuna noticed the two bar 'bitches' as Rikku called them. One was a girl she knew only by name and reputation as Dona. Apparently a total cow to those who didn't know her. She was, however, civil to the three girls. Yuna had met her boyfriend once; his name was Barthollo, or Bartello or something strange like that. She clearly had him on a leash, but you could tell they loved each other.
The other bar bitch was, in fact, Tidus. The three girls watched him in amusement as he took orders from swooning girls. Yuna was a bit jealous, but he did look pretty sexy in that tight black t-shirt and jeans, baggy at the legs, but tight everywhere that mattered. As they watch, he served a few people and Yuna wondered where he had gotten his bar skills. He made the drinks with a bit of flare and always had the most adorable smile on. The perfect bar bitch…my perfect bar bitch… Yuna thought with a smile.
Placing her elbows on the bar and leaning forward so her cleavage was emphasised, she coughed loudly, put on a deeper accent and called out over the music, "The service in this place is shithouse!" She saw Tidus sigh, knot his brows together and turn to face her, "Listen, buddy, you're not my only…" When he saw Yuna with Paine and Rikku in hysterics behind her, his face went from angry to smug in a second and he finished his sentence, "beautiful girlfriend!"
Yuna gasped dramatically. Then grinned. "Not your only beautiful girlfriend? Oh I'm offended!" She leaned back and put her hand on her hip. Tidus looked her up and down, clearly liking what he saw which made Yuna blush slightly. "I do bet, however, that I am your only beautiful girlfriend who is the lead singer in a popular band."
Tidus pretended to think on this comment then nodded. "Ok you got me." He leaned over the bar and Yuna leaned towards him. Giving her the type of kiss you'd expect after not seeing her for almost 3 full days, he whispered into her ear.
"Hey beautiful. 10 minutes, in the back room." He leaned back and Yuna smiled at him as he smiled at her.
"Hey! Bar bitch! Make with the drinks already!" Rikku slapped the bar and Tidus laughed.
"Coming right up, Bass Bitch!" He winked and clicked his fingers at her. Yuna laughed and even Paine gave a snort of a laugh.
"Hey!" Rikku pouted, which made everyone else laugh more. Rikku was about to launch a stream of abuse at Tidus when someone tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around ready to kill, but squealed when she saw Gippal.
"You made it!" She jumped her boyfriend and then noticed Baralai standing behind him. Still hanging off Gippal, she turned to Paine.
"Dude, I think we need to watch out boyfriends… They are starting to hang out more with each other than with us." Rikku turned to Baralai. "Not that I'd mind a threesome with you, 'Lai, you're damn sexy, I'm just not sure Paine would approve…" She yelped when Paine smacked her across the top of the head.
"Glad you could make it guys!" Yuna added, passing the drinks Tidus had made to Paine and Rikku. "Hate to run but all this smokes getting to me, I'm just gonna sit out the back till its show time." Yuna smiled.
"Ok, don't want that beautiful voice of yours to be tainted!" Rikku said. Paine just gave her a knowing smile.
Taking her drink she made her way to the back room. The same one where she had had her real talk to Tidus. So much had changed since then…
She looked at the clock on the wall. Still 5 minutes early… She thought to herself. She heard the door open and turned to greet Tidus.
"Hey, you're earl…Shuyin?" She stopped when the person standing in the door clearly wasn't Tidus. Although he was the twin, he was wearing different clothes, and he didn't look to well. "Hey…" she greeted him nervously as he walked in and closed the door.
"Did you think you cloud hide from me forever?" He looked at her menacingly and Yuna took a step back.
"What? Shuyin, what are you talking about? I only just met you the other day!" Yuna held her drink tightly in her hand.
"Don't bullshit me, Lenne. You think you can just cut your hair and I wouldn't recognise you?" he took another angry step towards her.
"Shuyin, I'm not Lenne. Its me, Yuna, Tidus' girlfriend…" Yuna took another step backwards.
"Don't mention his fucking name! He has nothing to do with this!" he shouted and walked right up to Yuna, who backed away and suddenly realised she was up against the wall. Yuna could smell the alcohol on his breath and by the way he was moving and talking he was obviously drunk.
"Shuyin, you're drunk… Please, just go home…" Yuna tried to reason with him.
Shuyin suddenly looked unbelievably sad rather than angry as tears lined his reddened eyes. "Don't you understand, Lenne? I have no home without you…"
"Shuyin, I…" Yuna took a step towards him as if to comfort him. All of a sudden, Yuna found herself in Shuyin's arms and his lips pressed against hers. Shocked, she put her hands on his chest and tried to pull away. But he was stronger. He held her tightly and her mind flashed back to her dream. It was trying to tell her something. Damn it! She pushed harder as she heard the door open though her panic.
"I hope you're in here, Beautiful, because I've been waitin…" Tidus stopped in the doorway; Yuna already had tears in her eyes because she knew what this would look like. Shuyin broke the kiss and let go of Yuna, who stumbled back against the wall.
Dear god, what have I done…Yuna thought as she tried to talk, to explain to Tidus but no words would come. Shuyin just stood there, a menacing look cast down at the floor.
Tidus said nothing. He didn't need to. Yuna knew exactly what he wanted to say; she knew exactly how he would be feeling. He simply nodded, blinked once, then turned, walked out, and quietly closed the door behind him.
A/N: um… shit? Lol.