Title; Sound Check

Full Summary; (Each chapter I submit, the summary changes to an excerpt of the story.)

Genre; AU Drama, Romance

Rating; M

Pairings; Y/T, Occasional R/G here and there.

A/N: Oi. I've had this idea for almost a friggin' year now, but I'm having problems properly articulating it. XD I can't tell you whyexactly it's rated 'M', because I don't want to give anything at all away, but just be, y'know, ready. (No, this story isn't pointless smut. :P) Also, I use a song quote to start off each chapter. I highly recommend each and every one of the songs mentioned, so go check 'em out if you get the chance. :)

Yeah, and feel free to be honest in a review. For me, constructive criticism is just as much a compliment as, "ZOMG, I LUV DIS STORIE!111". :P

Disclaimer: I don't own the song titles/lyrics, the majority of characters in this story, the larger part of locations in this story…or…like…anything else. :D

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You enter rooms with great joy shouts, happy to be meeting…And, bright as yellow, warm as yellow. (The Innocence Mission - Bright As Yellow)

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I can clearly recall when I first saw him. It was my second day in Zanarkand, and Rikku had taken me to a crazy party somewhere in the 'Northside', with her best friend Paine. Rikku was, of course, dancing with anyone of male gender to the lyrically blunt and bass-filled hip-hop, and Paine was munching on snacks with me over in a corner lined with tables. The two of us had been asked to get out there plenty of times, but neither her or I were interested.

We sipped our drinks and stared out into the crowd in comfortable silence. I liked Paine, because she was okay with quiet, unlike Rikku. I love Rikku, but the girl can't stand the silence, and I need it. Both me and her silver haired buddy were observers, more than anything.

Anyways, we were doing just that--observing, when out of the blue, a girl cried out. "Finally, you're here!" Her voice was high-pitched and excited--loud enough to be heard even over the music, well, to the people not distracted by overwhelming hormones and dizzying amounts of alcohol. All of those aforementioned people looked over to catch a glimpse of the drama. 'Turns out there wasn't any drama, just a newcomer. That's when I found out why all of those aforementioned-aforementioned people who weren't distracted… weren't distracted. They weren't wallflowers like me and Paine, they had been waiting for this guy. They all rushed over to him instantaneously. I gave Paine a questioning look, but she didn't see me. She was squinting at the newly arrived focus of attention.

The blonde hair that feel into his eyes was naturally unruly, as was his clothing, but for some reason…it suited him. He wasn't necessarily eccentric, but there was just something different about him, that stood out, and it wasn't just because he was hot. But clearly, I wasn't the only one that thought so.

He took maybe three steps, and was already being dragged off into a corner by a tall, bottle-blonde girl and a crowd of people followed. I turned to Paine, "What was that about?" I asked. I did my best to sound innocently curious, but I think she saw through it.

"I don't know. I know who that guy is--Tidus. He lives somewhere out in C-West. Honestly, I think he deals drugs." She replied flatly. She didn't seem to interested in him at all, but I was. I'd like to say it was a purely platonic interest, but that would be a lie.

I don't know why I was so intrigued when I had barely--no, not even, met this guy. That's just part of his 'charm', I guess. Or maybe, It was because I'd never done anything 'on-edge', and you could tell just by looking at him, that smile, he was definitely involved in some risky business…perhaps, drug dealing…

I knew better than to hang around with people like him. …So, what happened? When did I lose all resolve, wits, dignity? Or more importantly…my heart-?

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The airport in Zanarkand was like nothing the young brunette had ever seen. There was simply no place in the world so diverse. She, in her light blue, flowing peasant skirt, and breezy white tank with pink-lace fringe, was exposed to all sorts of cultural craziness that, in Besaid, would have been shunned vehemently by nearly every village person.

Rikku was a prime example of this, in her bright pink bikini top and neon-green mini skirt, topped off with a crazy array of colored beads hanging from her neck, and fake, bright feathers placed haphazardly in her strawberry blonde hair. She wore expensive, light green-tinted sunglasses over her spiral-adorned emerald green eyes, and green boots that went along with them. Technically, she matched, but there was no way someone could not look twice at her choice outfit.

The second she spotted her nervous-looking cousin, she squealed. "Yunie!", she called, waving her arms side-to-side frantically. The older brunette looked her way, and blinked in shock before giggling at Rikku's unique wardrobe, and waving back. The petite, bouncy blonde hopped over to her and then engulfed her in a hug. "Aww, Yunie, I missed you so much!"

Yuna smiled and pat her back. "I missed you, too. It's good to get away from Besaid, for once. I haven't had a vacation in forever." Rikku pulled back and pushed her sunglasses up to rest on top of her head. She grinned and tugged on Yuna's skirt.

"This is cute! I figured you'd be forced to come in some yucky, curve-hiding jogging suit 'cause of Braska, you know, that overprotective old man!" Yuna laughed out loud with her, partly because it was funny, but also because her close friend LuLu was the sole person who had convinced her father not to stick her in one. "Anywho, is that your only suitcase-thingy? 'Cause I hope so! I can't carry one of those things!"

Yuna grinned back at her and nodded. "Yup, just one. I didn't bring many clothes, because I don't have a lot of them, so father gave me some money to spend. We have to go shopping together."

Rikku gasped. "I take back what I said! I love Braska!"

"For me, Ri-Ri, for me." Yuna joked. Rikku shrugged. "But I did bring you and the family some gifts. I think you'll like them."

Rikku motioned for the two of them to get walking, and Yuna followed her, dragging her luggage behind her.

"Really? What'd ya get me?" The younger blonde hooked her arm in her cousins and led her out the doors.

"Handmade Besaid stuff. I can't tell you what."

"No-one is immune to the puppy eyes!" Yuna stuck her tongue out at her and looked away, resisting the look. "Aw, you're no fun! Just a hint!"

"I did give you a hint. Handmade?"

"Everything can be handmade! You can make a handmade toaster! It's not a toaster, is it?"

"Rikku, you are crazy." Yuna laughed.

"Girl, this city is crazy. But you're gonna love it, I just know!"

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A/N; - I wasn't sure this line made sense, but I liked it. :P She means she lost her heart to him, if you didn't get it. :) Oh, and, that part was a prologue, if you didn't realize it. You'll see that exact scene again, very soon. (Except, not from Yuna's point of view) Also, you'll understand the title (well, not understand, but get a better idea of why it's called that) next chapter, or maybe chapter 3. Haven't decided.

So, what did you think of chapter one? Tell me in a review, please! :

P.S. The second part is very similar to a story I started a bit back with a somewhat similar concept, so if you've seen it before, don't go freakin' out and accusing me of story-stealing. ;P I promise not to delete this one, because I am fiercely dedicated to it. :)

…I might re-write a few chapters though. :D