A/N: Hey everyone, I'm back!
Now school is finally over and I'm able to return to my beloved fic… and to update it for all of you who have been impatiently waiting.;-) Thanks for sticking around and reviewing. I sure hope you enjoy this chapter - it was not very easy to write, because it deals with a lot of emotion, but I tried my best. Here it goes….
Chapter 9
Gone a boy, returned a man
"Hey, Yuna!" I looked over my shoulder to find Gippal racing towards me at the end of the school day. "Wait for me!"
Two days had passed since that very strange dream I had had and I was already beginning to forget it, putting it in the back of my mind, not giving myself time to think about it. It had been strange and odd and out of the ordinary, but hey, it had been just a dream, period.
"Damn, you're fast…" he panted when he reached me, resting his hands on his knees and bending over to recover his breath.
I looked down at him with an amused look in my eyes. "I wasn't even running, Gippal. You're the one who's getting too slow."
He straightened up and gave me his trademark smirk. "Y'know, I never had to run after a girl before, usually it's the other way around."
I smiled and shook my head. "Yeah, I bet it is…"
"Anyways, running after you is always a pleasure, Yuna." He continued as he started walking by my side "You have a very nice… back to look at."
"Gippal!" I slapped him in the arm "You'll never change, will ya?"
"Why should I?" he replied, his green eye sparkling at me "I know you like me just the way I am…"
"What? A conceited jerk?" I asked, letting out a laugh.
He stopped, looking at me like I had slapped him again. I looked back, a small grin playing on my lips.
"What now? Don't tell me you're offended…"
"It's not that." he admitted to my surprise "It's just that… you sounded just like Rikku right now."
I laughed again. "Well, it's natural, Gippal. We're cousins and we've lived in the same house for almost four years. Some of her mannerisms must have rubbed off on me."
"Yeah, you're right…" he walked up to my side again and offered me his arm, which I took, falling into pace next to him until we reached the college's parking lot. "So, where's your car?"
"I haven't brought it today." I told him "Uncle Cid needed to do some improvements on it, so… I'm walking."
"Do you want a ride?" Gippal asked, pointing at his black convertible.
I eyed him suspiciously. "Why are you being so nice? Walking with me and offering me a ride… What's the catch?"
"Why, Yuna, there's no catch. Why would you think that?"
"'Cause this is not like you at all. I mean, of course you're a great friend and all, but gentleman is like an unknown word in your vocabulary. So, tell me. Whaddya want?"
He bent his head forward and then held it up again, looking at me. "I wanna talk to you 'bout Cid's Girl."
I smiled. So that was his real objective. "What 'bout her?"
He hesitated for a moment, but then ended up asking "Is it true that she's dating a new guy?"
"Why would you want to know, Gippal?" I teased, tilting my head.
"'Cause… 'cause I wanna. And she doesn't tell me. Says I got nothing to do with that."
"Well, maybe she's right… You don't tell her about your girlfriends."
"What girlfriends?"
"Nhadala, Ushka, Sunua, Minya, Orhan… Do you want me to keep going?" I asked ironically.
"Are you gonna tell me if Rikku has a boyfriend or not?" he snapped back, bending down his head.
I could tell he was getting annoyed, so I just answered him. "Well, as far as I know, she's seeing someone, but it's nothing serious. Anything is ever serious with Rikku…" I added.
"Okay." He said simply, starting to move again, heading to his car.
"Gippal…?" I called.
He looked over his shoulder without stopping and gave me a smirk. "Well, girl, don't ya want a ride? Then move!"
I narrowed my eyes and let out a little smile. What had been that conversation all about? Should I read between the lines and see the obvious, that Gippal was just jealous because he cared about my cousin, or should I just try to ignore all of it? Well, either way, one thing I knew: I wanted that ride he was offering! So I just ran after Gippal until I reached his car. He unlocked it and motioned me to step in, while saying, with his usual smirk "I knew you would be running after me sooner or later, Yuna…"
-----XX-----
Later on that evening, I just laid on my bed, listening to music and relaxing. I was so glad the school week was over; I needed a well deserved rest, for I had been unable to have a good night of sleep for quite some time now. I closed my eyes, enjoying the sweet music that filled the air ― it was some love ballad about a broken heart, or something like that… I wasn't really paying attention, I was thinking about my plans for the weekend: meeting Shuyin in the hospital, visiting Lulu, hanging out with the girls…
"Yunie! Yunie!" Rikku yelled, entering my room without even knocking first. She was jumping around, squealing excitedly, "Get ready!"
I opened my eyes and sat up quickly, startled by her sudden appearance. It was already dark outside and my room was soaked in shadows. I turned on the light on my bedside table and looked at her: happiness was stamped on her pretty face.
"What's going on, Rikku? You scared me." I rubbed my eyes.
"Oh, Yunie, c'mon, get yourself ready! Everyone's at Lulu's; we must go too." She pulled my arm and started dragging me off the bed.
"Why, Rikku? I'm tired and I―"
"Pwease, Yunie, pwease! It won't take long and you really, really, really need to come!"
I pulled my arm back and sat on the edge of my bed tiredly. "If I go, will you stop screamin' in my ears?"
She nodded vehemently and stood really quiet while I searched for my sneakers. Then I put on a black sweater and pulled my short hair in a ponytail. "'Kay, I'm ready. Happy?" I asked, turning to her.
She shook her head and whispered to me. "You can't wear that!"
"Why not? And why are you whispering?"
"One, because you look sloppy in those clothes; c'mon, Yunie, you're a lot more stylish than that. Two, I'm whispering 'cause you told me to be quiet…"
I laughed, not feeling sleepy anymore. "Okay, Riks, I'm gonna dress nicely just for you. Want to help me choose my clothes?"
I knew that was a mistake, but it made her happy and I was glad just to make my cousin smile. She could cheer the whole world with just that smile.
Fifteen minutes later, we were leaving our house. I was dressed in a short denim skirt and in a light bluish-green halter with a denim jacket over it. Rikku was also wearing some of my clothes: short pink shorts and a red t-shirt under a baby-pink sweater. My clothes were a little big for her, because of her small frame, but she still managed to look cute on them.
We made our way through the gardens and knocked on the back door. Paine opened it up for us and stepped aside to let us in. The sound of happy voices talking and laughing was coming from the living room; it seemed like Lulu and Wakka had guests. I gazed at Paine questioningly, but instead of answering me, she turned to Rikku "You told her?"
Rikku bounced on her feet, smiling guiltily. "Huh… um… Oopsie?"
"Oh, Rikku! You should've prepared her first…" Paine reproved.
I waved my arms in front of them both, annoyed that they were leaving me out of the conversation, and even worse, that they were talking about me. "Well, excuse me. I'm here. Can you please tell me what's this all about?"
Rikku kept her guilty smile as she turned to me. "Well, Yunie, you see..."
She trailed off and Paine shook her head, disapprovingly.
"Well, right now you might as well see for yourself." She said.
I narrowed my eyes but ended up nodding and starting moving towards the living room, while Rikku stayed behind talking with Paine in whispered voices. It was only when I reached the living room entrance and saw who was in there that I understood what Paine had meant about "preparing me first".
Lulu and Wakka were sharing the sofa and in front of them, with his back turned to me, was… him. I stopped dead in my tracks, not truly wanting to believe in my own eyes. I could not see him clearly, but I didn't really need to see him; his features were carved in my heart forever… How could he be there?
"I still can't believe you two are married!" he exclaimed.
"Well, we are, ya! And all thanks to you!" Wakka replied with a laugh.
"To me? How?" he sounded confused.
"Well, if it hadn't been for you and Shuyin, I would probably still be trying to find a way to ask her out, ya."
Wakka laughed loudly and Lulu smiled too, amused. He chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck with one hand. My breath caught in my throat ― that gesture was just so familiar…
In that moment, Rikku ran past me and into the living room, jumping onto his back and screaming in a high-pitched voice "Tidus!"
He turned just in time to grab her in his arms, holding her tightly and lifting her off the ground, with a huge grin on his lips. "Rikster! The most beautiful and the funniest Al Bhed girl in the whole world!"
She giggled, rounding his neck with her arms. "I missed you SO much, you stupid blonde! What took you so long to come back, huh?"
He stopped laughing and put her down, looking a little sad. She looked up at him and he let out a little smile, kissing her forehead. "I've missed you too, Rikku. More than you'd know."
I felt something move beside me and turned my head to look at Paine, who was leaning on the wall next to me, looking at them with her arms folded across her chest. She must've felt my gaze, for she gazed back.
"You should've told me…" I whispered, barely even hearing myself.
"Yeah, we should." She said in a low tone "I told Rikku to explain everything to you, but I think she didn't want you to not come. This was important to her…" she trailed off, but then she added "Tell me, if you'd known, would you have come?"
"Probably not…" I admitted.
She nodded and returned her attention to what was going on in the living room. Tidus and Rikku were once again embracing and when they broke apart he held her at arms-length.
"But let me look at you, girl! Lemme see how much you've grown in these two years!" she spun around to give him a better look of her, all dressed in pink. He smiled broadly. "You're so beautiful! But you got thinner…"
He frowned a bit and tugged at the sweater, making her realize that he was talking about her somewhat large clothes. "You're so silly!" she laughed, slapping his arm playfully "These are not mine, they're Yunie's."
He followed the direction of her pointed finger and his beautiful blue eyes met mine. "Yuna…" he whispered, letting go of Rikku.
I stiffened in my place, not tearing my eyes from his. He took a few uneasy steps in my direction and I felt my heart starting to race in my chest. Suddenly the whole world stopped ― I could no longer hear my friends (I think they were holding their breaths too, but I'm not quite sure…), I could no longer see the room around me (in fact, I could not see anything else but him), I could no longer feel anything else but my heartbeat pounding so loud in my ears…
He was now in front of me and we both stood there, looking at each other, none of us knowing what to say. It was so strange being there in front of the guy who had once known me better than I ever knew myself and not being able to pour out my heart like I had done so many times before… But the circumstances had changed; nothing was the same anymore. He was not my love and my life anymore and even though that hurt, I couldn't simply erase those two years and pretend that nothing had happened. I just couldn't open my arms and welcome him back into my life when I was still so hurt with him. No, I couldn't… and I wouldn't let him know just how hard, sad and painful that was to me.
"Hey, Yuna." He whispered, giving me that beautiful smile of his, his eyes tender with memories. "How are you?"
I wanted to be polite with him, to tell him that I was fine and to show him that he didn't affect me anymore. I really wanted to. But I couldn't.
"What do you care?" I snapped back, in a much bitter tone than I would have desired.
He backed away as if surprised by my sour response and the smile vanished from his expression. "Hey, what's wrong?"
"You're asking me what's wrong? Now?" I should've stopped there, but I was unable to. There was so much I had kept inside during all that time that now that he was in front of me I could not keep my cool. "Don't you think you're a little too late, like, two years!"
I could see that he didn't expect my reaction and that it had hurt his feelings. Even so, at that moment I didn't feel like feeling sorry or even apologizing to him. I was just too damn mad at him for leaving me, for making me suffer, for breaking my heart…
He narrowed his eyes. "You're different, you know…"
Yeah, I knew. "Well, you've missed a few things."
"You're making it sound like I was the one who lost touch!" Now he was getting angry and his eyes had lost the sweetness from moments ago.
Rikku suddenly made herself visible, by stepping between and pushing us away. "Hey, you two!" she said, her tone a little sad and disappointed. "Now's not the time to argue! You're not gonna start, are ya?"
We both looked at her, then at each other once again. Finally Tidus gave in and started to smile again. "Yeah, Rikku's right, ya know, Yuna? Let's not argue right now… I'm sorry if I did something to upset you, 'kay?"
Two years ago I would have melted in that smile, forgiving and forgetting everything that he had done wrong. But now I had two years of sorrow, loneliness and anger inside of me and I really didn't know if I could, if I wanted to, forgive and forget.
"You just want my forgiveness so you can feel less guilty about what you've done." I said, trying to keep my voice from trembling. "But right now, lessening your guilt is the last thing I'm interested in."
And with that I turned around and ran up the stairs, without even realizing where I was heading. I felt the tears running down my cheeks and I just wanted to lay down on my bed and cry until I had no tears left, but I knew that was not the answer. It's funny, I thought I would never cry again because of any guy, particularly that one; I thought I had depleted all my tears two years ago, drowning all the sad feelings in them; I thought I had got over that love disillusion, and now there I was, crying once again, feeling sad once again, reminiscing all the times we had spent together once again… How pathetic was that, huh?
-----XX-----
I had no idea how long it had been since I had fled to the first-floor bathroom, but the house had quieted down for a while now and I was beginning to think that maybe it was time for me to go back. I felt quite ashamed for running away like I had done, and locking myself up in a house that was not even my own, but I was also very grateful that no one had disturbed me. I think Lulu and Paine had understood that I needed some time alone, and I really appreciated it. My only company had been Lulu's Moogle, with his sweet personality and tender expressions.
"Thanks for putting up with me, little buddy." I told the Moogle, softly patting his head. The Moogle closed his eyes and leaned against my hand, making a pleasured noise. I stroked his red pom-pom one last time, before standing and opening the door.
I stepped out of the bathroom and made my way down the stairs. The lights were all out, except for a small one in the living room. Maybe Lulu was still awake; I just hoped she wasn't awake because of me…
I was about to enter the room when I heard two people speaking in low voices. First I thought that maybe it was Wakka and Lulu, or even Paine and her sister, but then I heard him…
I took a quick peek inside the room and saw them seated in one corner. Lulu was resting on the couch and Tidus was sitting on the armchair next to it. They were too far for me to distinguish them clearly in the dim light. But that meant that they could not see me either, so I returned to the shadows of the wall and leaned against it, listening to them.
"I felt like I didn't know her anymore, Lu."
"Maybe you don't." Lulu reasoned. "Yuna's changed a lot in the past few years…"
"But why?"
I knew that Lulu was smiling when she said "Because of you."
"Whaddya mean?"
"When Yuna first arrived from Bevelle, she was just a child who was growing up. She was very pure and innocent and―"
"Are you saying I took those qualities away?" I could tell he was angry with her implied accusation.
"I didn't say that." She replied. "What I mean is that when she met you, she started growing up faster and learning a lot more about life. You taught her many things, Tidus. And when you went away, she kept learning and changing and growing up… She's no longer the girl she was when she came to Besaid."
"No, she's not." He agreed. Then he added as a second thought "Now she's a very beautiful and breathtaking woman…"
Lulu chuckled a little. "You still care about her, don't you?"
He was quiet for a while and I stole a look into the room. He had his head down, as if he was thinking ― or maybe remembering… Would he answer Lulu's question? I tried to tell myself that I didn't care anymore, but the truth was that I was anxious to hear what his answer would be.
But I never got to hear it, for the Moogle, coming out of nowhere, decided that that was the best time to make his appearance and strolled into the living room, heading towards Lulu. She saw him coming from the corner of her eye and the moment she turned her head to look at him our eyes met. I quickly returned to the shadows of the wall and felt my face burning. I had been caught eavesdropping on their conversation! I knew I would have to explain myself to Lulu, but I truly hoped she wouldn't tell Tidus ― that would be the worst!
Thankfully, just like I expected, Lulu didn't say a word, acting as if nothing had happened and changing the subject, as she patted the Moogle. After a short time, though, Tidus said "Well, I think it's time to leave. You need rest 'cause of the baby and by this time Auron must be thinking that I'm spending the night with some girl…"
He had said it as a joke, but it still hurt and I didn't know why. I looked into the room once again, just in time to see him standing up and rubbing the Moogle's head in a way that was meant to be smooth, but that left the Moogle spinning around for about five seconds before falling back. Lulu was also standing and Tidus helped her to her feet.
"Thank you." Lulu ran a hand over her huge stomach "This boy's getting way too big for me to carry him around."
"Oh, it's a boy!"
Lulu's smile widened. "Yeah, it's a boy. But Wakka doesn't know it yet. He wants it to be a surprise, so please don't tell him, okay?"
Tidus nodded and gave her a hug. "You know, Lu, it's good to be back."
"Well, it's good to have you back." she replied.
His voice was gloomy when he said "I don't think Yuna has the same opinion…"
"Maybe." Lulu said vaguely.
"I just wish I knew what's on her mind… and how to get to her and tell her―"
"You've told her enough for one night." Lulu softly interrupted him with a mysterious smile. I knew what she was talking about ― what he was going to say next was not meant for me to hear like that. Besides he thought he was alone with Lulu and that was unfair for him. And Lulu was the fairest person I had ever met, so…
She escorted Tidus to the front door and then came back to the living room. I had come out of the shadows and was now sitting on the armchair where Tidus had been. She sat in front of me, eyeing me closely. We stayed there for what seemed like an eternity. She was the first one to speak.
"Feeling better?"
"Not much, but it'll have to do for now." I told her.
"How much did you hear?"
"Not enough." I answered honestly. That little bit of conversation had not been enough for me to understand ― understand the way I was feeling, what had happened that night, how Tidus felt towards me and so many other things. But in a sense, it had been more than I had expected. "But it made me realize some things…" I added as a second thought.
"The right things, I hope." She smiled "You know, Yuna, you and Tidus have both changed and your relation is different now ― the way you look at each other. But there are things that prevail, you know?"
Instead of answering her, I changed the subject. "I'm sorry about tonight, Lu. I promise it won't happen again. I was just caught off guard; I didn't know he had come back. Next time, I will be more civilized."
"As long as you know what you're doing…" she replied. Then, after a short pause, she added. "Just… try not to hurt him on purpose, Yuna. You'll not feel good about that and you won't be able to forgive yourself. Because of the story that you shared, you are connected and that won't change, my dear. Come what may."
-----XX-----
I silently made my way out of Lulu's house and into my own. Everyone was already fast asleep, I supposed, for I could not hear anything except for the loud snores coming from Uncle Cid's room.
I climbed the stairs and tiptoed to my bedroom, where I locked the door, so that no one would bother me the next day. Then I started to undress myself, taking off the jacket and thinking how stupid it had been of me to listen to my cousin and prep myself up. I was only glad I hadn't put on any make-up otherwise I would have looked completely horrible due to the tears that had fallen that night… Then I heard his words again: You're different, you know…; Now she's a very beautiful and breathtaking woman…
I walked over to the full-length mirror I had in my room and looked at myself in it. Yes, I was different. So different from the little girl I used to be… My body had changed ― I was a little bit taller and also a little bit thinner; my hair was shorter; even my clothes were different ― I no longer wore the long skirts and the modest shirts I had used during the boarding school days, now I liked to wear short skirts and tops, clingy jeans and elegant shirts… Yes, I was different indeed. But was I as beautiful as he had said? I'd like to think I was…
Thinking of him, I recalled his image. Lulu was right; he too was changed. His blonde hair was as jumbled as always, his cerulean eyes had the same sparkle in them, his skin was still as tanned as I remembered… But his body was now bigger; he was taller, his muscles had been worked out and were visible through his t-shirt, his shoulders were larger and his features were no longer those of a boy.
I smiled at myself, thinking that, in fact, he was not a boy anymore. He was a man. And a very handsome one…
As I lay in my bed and closed my eyes, one last thought came to my mind.
He is… breathtaking.
A/N: Well, that was it for now. What did you guys think? Don't forget to tell me if you liked it or not, I would really like to know…
And thanks to everyone who reviewed, you made me so happy. Here goes my individual thanks:
Tidus&Yuna: I'm sorry I couldn't update sooner, but school was making it impossible to write. Anyways, I'm glad you loved last chapter, hope you think the same about this one.
Sum1special: Thanks, the finals went well and here's the update. Thanks for waiting.
Da KeR MysTeRr: It wasn't a cliff hanger… :pouts: Well, maybe it was, but… Anyways, I'm glad you liked the chapters. Shuyin and Lenne will be in the next chapter, I can promise you that.
WhiteWolf125: Well, even if it wasn't reality, it sure was a sweet dream… I already know what it was (of course, I'm the one who's writing it), but I'd like to keep you – and Yuna – without knowing it for a while. It's part of the plot, you see… But don't worry, the truth will be revealed… in time.
Euphoria's Tragedy: Thank you so much, I'm very happy to know that you do love the story. Here's the update. And I hope that your English exam went well, 'cause I would hate to be the cause of any problems…
Duderman: Well, first of all, thank you so much for your review – it sure gives me strength to keep on writing; I'm just so glad you like my story and the way I write. Thanks. Second, Tidus finally showed "his blonde ass"; Yuna's really confused right now, and about Baralai… Well, I've already got his destiny planned, so… You'll find out sooner or later. :-))
Seelenspiel: Here it is: the "real" reunion. This time Yuna knew it wasn't a dream, but she didn't react all that well… But she has her reasons for that. Anyways, I hope you liked it nonetheless.
LennesLostSoul: Well, I can't talk much about Tidus' feelings, because that would be ruining the plot, but you can see a glimpse of them in this chapter. About Yuna… Right now she wasn't ready to accept him, but maybe in time, who knows? Anyway, thanks, the finals went well and now I'm finally free of school. YAY.
EmmyroseKhan: This is what happened. Glad you like it.
Renegade: Updating now. hope you like it.
tidusXyuna637: It's okay, sometimes I forget to review too… You liked it and that's what really matters. If it was a dream or reality, I'm leaving it for you to guess for now, and here's some more for you to read. Thanks.
Well, this is getting better: 11 reviews for last chapter! I'm so happy! Thank you so much, all of you…
Hopefully, I'll update sooner this time, after all it's vacation time! So, I'm hoping to see you soon.
Oh, and by the way. Next chapter, Tidus and Shuyin will meet again. How will they react? ;-)