I don't OWN ffx.

Now onward!

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Chapter 3

Pleasure cruise, the sending

Glancing back one last time at Besaid, I turned away, thinking I would never see it again. Goodbye... I will at least have memories to take with me to the Farplane. I remembered Lulu and Wakka refusing to let me be a summoner; I remembered praying to Yevon with them; and every villager's face. I remember coming here, only seven, and clinging to Kimhari who was going to leave. Goodbye.

I could feel tears forming in my eyes as I waved goodbye. I prayed to Yevon for them, that Sin would not come to Besaid, and that they would all stay safe. Then the ship set off. I wiped the tears off my face and smiled. The smile I had practiced for so long, the smile that wasn't really a smile, but that fooled those who were desperate for hope. A smile that pretended that this journey was not a suicide mission but a pleasure cruise, a tour of Spira - a smile of sorrow.

I boarded the S.S. Winno, and waved to Tidus who was looking around with binoculars. Then I walked over to a group of people and struck up a conversation with them. They talked about everything BUT Sin, the thing I wanted to know about. I wanted to know about their missions, but all they would talk about was my pilgrimage. So I left them and stood at the front of the boat. The wind made me feel free. I left all regret behind me and actually smiled. I breathed the clean air and relaxed. Maybe this won't be so bad after all...

"Yuna?"

It was Him. My heart raced and I couldn't breathe properly. Thinking quickly, I moved aside for him. He leaned on the railing. An awkward silence, which I unsuccessfully attempted to break.

"The wind...it's nice." Awkward silence. That's the stupidest thing I could have said. He probably thinks I'm really stupid. I giggled. And then we both started laughing.

"You're the Blitzball player from Zanarkand."

"Wakka told you that, right? Not that he believes it."

That reminded me of someone. Maybe he knew him! I remember, Sir Jecht had a similar story to Tidus'.

"I believe you! I've heard that in Zanarkand, the stadium is all lit up at night, and the stadiums are always full. A man named Jecht told me that."

Tidus blinked at me. "My...old man's name was Jecht!"

What a coincidence! A blessing of Yevon! Something to talk about!

The waves lurched suddenly. He grabbed my hand, but the tossing was too much. I almost fell off balance, but Kimhari caught me and steadied me. The salty spray washed across the deck. A fin protruded out of the rolling waves. Sin! Two men reached for the harpoons.

"What do ya think you're doin'?" Wakka cried out, "Stick a harpoon in him and we'll all get dragged under!"

"Our families are in Kilika! We gotta distract it!" a man replied, "forgive us, Lady Summoner." I nodded. Let's all just die right now, it'll save us the tension later. Sin jostled the boat around, banging it against its fin. It shot Sinscales out at us, but we took care of them. We made battle to Sin, but it wasn't enough. It had broken free. Shit! NO this isn't happening! But it was inevitable. And the people of Kilika wouldn't see it coming.

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I knew it was coming, but it was hard to believe the destruction. The tears and the pain on the villagers' faces was heartbreaking.

"I will perform a sending." I said. The priest nodded. "Good luck Lady Summoner." He replied, praying to Yevon. I bowed and prayed as well.

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The water rippled as I stepped onto it. It felt cool against my feet. The wind was still and the setting sun illuminated the water, causing it to shine red and orange. I stopped, feeling eyes on me. And then I danced.

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Thanx for the ones who are kind enough to review. I wanna hear what people think and how I can improve as a writer.

The next chappie is : Facing forward, facing Trials

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