Chapter 8

The sun was setting in the west over Mi'ihen Highroad, bathing the landscape in the colors of blood. It was composed of a wide meandering dirt road through sparse grassland, interspersed with crumbling ancient ruins. The northern reaches of the road spanned across rope bridges that joined rock outcroppings together. The remains of the old road wound the valley below. At the midpoint of the Highroad the Al Bhed had built a travel agency, with circular walls. It sat in the middle of a large clearing that overlooked the open ocean. Yuna sat near the edge of the cliff, with a clear view of twin pillars with an arch between them, far out to sea. Although she could clearly see Tidus there, she had never felt him so far away. Her guardians stayed back a respectful distance, knowing that Summoners often needed their space.

"Is he still moping?" inquired Lulu as she emerged from the traveler's agency with a cup of water. Yuna took the cup and nodded slightly.

"He hasn't spoken to anyone for days," she replied. She noticed a new doll tucked under Lulu's arm, a blond-haired Blitzball player, but she decided not to ask about it.

"Wakka should go to talk to him," suggested Rikku.

"Again?" he lamented dryly, his arms folded across his chest.

"Could you?" asked Yuna hopefully.

"Sure thing," he replied good-naturedly, "That's all I'm good for, ya?" Lulu gave him a faint smirk.

"Get going already," she chided gently.

Wakka laughed and dove off the cliff into the clear blue waters of the bay. He quickly swam up to the pillars and began climbing the closer one. Once at the top he shook the water off his clothing. Tidus was sitting on a round capstone on the other pillar. Wakka ambled over, trying to look casual.

"Hey buddy," he began. Tidus didn't seem to hear him at first. It took him a moment to break his gaze from the water to his visitor.

"Oh, hi Wakka," he said wearily, "I couldn't save her."

"Who do you mean?" ventured Wakka, "Or do you wanna talk about it?" Tidus shook his head.

"Not right now," he said with a sigh, "Although I'm glad you came."

"Oh yeah?" asked Wakka. Tidus nodded with a faint smirk.

"I think you should ask Lulu out when this is all over," he suggested.

"Huh, how come?" asked Wakka looking confused.

"Call it a hunch," he said with a hint of amusement.

"We're not here to talk about me," said Wakka hastily. He didn't like the way the conversation was going.

"I don't know where to begin," said Tidus, "All I know is that I'm not cut out to be Yuna's guardian." Wakka frowned at that.

"Well could you at least talk it over with her?" he suggested. Tidus thought it over; Alma had managed to convince him that they were being selfless when in fact they had both acted very selfishly. And the other Fayth had been caught in crossfire.

"I need to talk to someone else first," he said suddenly, "Could you go ask Yuna a favor for me?"

From the shore Yuna saw Wakka turn and wave to her before he dove back into the water. He emerged up the side of cliff a few minutes later. It took him a moment to catch his breath.

"What is it?" asked Auron, noting Wakka's lost expression.

"I dunno," he answered, "He wanted me to ask Yuna to summon-."

"Not Anima!" said Yuna fearfully, clutching the handle of Nirvana tightly.

"Nah, he wanted to talk to Valefor," he added hastily.

"Why?" asked Kimahri in a bass rumble. Wakka shrugged.

"Something must have happened to him when he was held by Anima," stated Auron thoughtfully. Yuna looked around to her other guardians.

"I don't see any harm in it," said Lulu reassuringly.

"Right," said Yuna. She held out her staff and a faint glow enveloped her body. The clouds above parted and a giant flying creature swooped down into view. It had a long beige body with matching membranous wings. Its lower half ended with purple back legs with talons and a segmented tail, while three vicious hooks protruded from either side of its torso. A series of fine golden hoops dangled from the lowermost hooks, while its birdlike visage was crowned by a mane of crimson colored feathers. The Aeon landed gently on the ground and nuzzled Yuna as she wrapped her arms around its neck.

"Thank you for coming Valefor," she whispered, "Can you fly over to Tidus?" The Aeon glanced over to the pillars, then back to Yuna uncertainly.

"It's okay," she said soothingly, "Go to him."

Valefor unfolded its leathery wings and took off into the air again. It swung out its feet as it landed in the middle of the arch, using it as a perch.

"Hey there," said Tidus as he turned to face the Aeon, "You wanted my forgiveness, right?"

Valefor bowed its head slightly, an expression of contrition visible in its silvery eyes.

"I forgive you then," he said, "But, you know, I need your forgiveness far more." The Aeon opened its beak and made a plaintive squawking sound.

"I wanted to keep my promise so badly I was willing to let you get hurt," he said looking away in disgust, "No dream is worth that." Valefor leaned over and nuzzled against his shoulder.

"Hey stop that!" he protested weakly. Still, he couldn't help but smile a bit. He ran his hand over the brilliant plumage, surprised in how soft it felt.

"Thank you," he added, "You know; I hope we'll meet up again after this is over."

With an impish gleam in its eyes, Valefor reached out and snapped its beak over the hood of his sweatshirt and launched into the air, with Tidus dangling in its grip.

"Whoa!" he shouted in panic. The Aeon flew back to shore and dropped Tidus in front of Yuna. They regarded each other uncertainly for a moment. Tidus scratched his head nervously before Valefor draped its huge wings over their shoulders. He touched the skin of the wing lightly.

"You're right," he said, "I still have my friends."

"What's wrong?" asked Yuna looking up at her Aeon. Valefor replied by pushing them close together with its wings.

"Uh…," she stammered, turning red.

"Hey!" said Tidus.

"Aw, how sweet!" squealed Rikku putting hands together. Lulu and Auron stood to one side watching from afar.

"I don't get it," she said with concern.

"He's been changed," he replied, "By a mother's love, perhaps." Lulu looked at him strangely for moment. But she quickly grasped his meaning; Auron had looked after Tidus for many years and had seen him grow up as an orphan.

"You mean Anima?" she asked. He looked at her over his glasses with his one good eye.

"They filled each other's needs," he added. Somehow the Dark Aeon had been able to tap into that secret despair in Tidus' heart, and he into hers.

"So what will become of her?" she asked.

"Once Sin is defeated the Fayth will be freed," said Auron, "And she will seek out her son."

"I hope she finds the right one," said Lulu wistfully. He did not reply to that. They watched as Yuna lost her patience.

"That's it!" she yelled in good-natured exasperation, "You're going back!" She raised her staff and Valefor faded away into the evening light. Tidus fell over backwards onto the ground.

"Uh, her heart was in the right place," he said sheepishly as he got up. Yuna nodded, still looking flustered.

"I know," she said, "I'm glad she likes you."

"Yeah, how about that?" he said.

"Will it be alright if we go back to the airship?" she asked. Tidus nodded.

"I'm sorry I'll never get to take you to my Zanarkand," he said as they walked together up the Highroad, followed by the other guardians.

"That's alright," she replied, "I feel like I've already been there."

"You have?" he asked looking a little pale. She nodded.

"Sure, from all the stories Sir Jecht and you have told me," said Yuna.

"Oh," he said, looking crestfallen.

"Although I heard that you been staying with Aviva," she fumed, "So who is she?"

Rin could hear Tidus' laughter all the way back at the traveler's agency.

THE END

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Author's Notes

Alma mater is Latin for 'foster mother'.

A big thank you to all my reviewers and readers: your encouragement and criticism have made this story possible.