In the morning, Tidus awoke with a yawn and a stretch. It only took him a moment to realize he was not alone in bed.

He glanced to the side and noticed that Yuna had snuggled up to his back, spooning him. They should have been getting up and getting ready, but he decided to indulge a little. Slowly, carefully, he turned and wrapped an arm around her, so she was cuddled to his side instead. Then he rested, closing his eyes and letting the warmth of her seep into him. His wife.

This was far from the first time he'd shared a bed with someone, but this felt more meaningful than the other times. Maybe it was their titles of husband and wife. Maybe it was the depth of his feelings he hadn't quite figured out yet.

Could you love someone after a week of knowing them?

Yuna shifted slightly, taking a deep breath. She made a cute little whine in her throat and snuggled into his pectoral.

Then her eyes shot open violently and she looked at him.

"Hiya." He smirked.

She scrambled away from him. "I'm so sorry! I didn't—I wouldn't!"

In her haste, her robe loosened, and a lot of skin was visible.

Tidus got caught staring before she tugged it shut.

"Don't look at me!"

"I'm not! I didn't!" He totally did. "Yuna, it's fine. I didn't mind that you snuggled up next to me. It was cute."

She peered up at him, looking sheepish. "Really?"

"Yes. I knew that could happen if we shared a bed. It's fine. Please don't worry about it."

It took a lot of coaxing, but she eventually relaxed from her feral state and calmed down.

He added, "if you want affection, or want to show me affection, go ahead. I really don't mind."

She seemed to smile at that, before the smile pulled into a frown. "Oh. I appreciate it, and I'd say you could return the favor, but we mustn't be public about our relationship."

"Why? Do you want it to be a secret?"

"No no, I just…it's improper. We mustn't let anyone think that I'm doing anything…sexual. Even if it's a hug or a kiss. It looks impure."

"Even if you're married?" He asked, incredulously.

"I know. It seems rather silly, doesn't it?"

Once again, Tidus cursed his limited knowledge of the religion, and decided it was best to just let Yuna take the lead. Instead, he decided to change the subject. "We should get up and meet with the others."

"Of course! We need to be on our way! We have so far yet to go!" She scrambled out of bed, diving over him to get to the floor. "My clothes!"

"They're right there," he pointed to a neat stack next to his own. "They took them to clean, remember?"

She breathed a sigh. "Right, of course. I'm sorry, I'm just…a little frazzled today."

"Why is that?" He asked as he took his stack of clothes and turned his back to change.

"I'm not sure. A lot happened yesterday, and I'm a little embarrassed."

"About the wedding?"

"Is that awful to say? It was my idea, but it happened so quickly, and I didn't get to say anything to the others afterwards. I worry what they may think."

"They love you, Yuna. They want to see you happy. As long as you're happy with this marriage, I don't see why they'll give us a hard time."

She didn't say anything, but the rustling of fabric told him she was still dressing. He glanced over, and saw she was trying to tie her obi.

He stepped up behind her and took the strips of cloth from her hands and finished tying the bow. "You are happy with this, aren't you? Please tell me if you're not."

"I am happy! Just…overwhelmed." She turned to face him. "I hope that doesn't hurt you."

He just smiled at her. "I get it. You're the least selfish person I know, and now you're feeling guilty for doing something for yourself."

Her eyes widened. "Thats-that's it exactly! How did you know!? I didn't even think of it like that! But you're completely right!"

"What can I say? You're easy to read."

"I am not!"

"Are too!"

"Hey!" Wakka shouted from the doorway. "If you two are done bickering, we've packed up camp and had breakfast already!"

Tidus didn't skip a beat. "You're just jealous that we got to sleep in a real bed and bathe in warm water! While you cleaned up in the river and slept on rocks!"

Yuna rushed to the door, though. "Have you been waiting on us long? I'm so sorry!"

The rest of the party was waiting in the main hall of the temple. Lulu approached and fretted over her. "There's no rush. Here, let me fix your hair."

"First day of being married, and you let your wife be seen with bedhead?" Wakka ribbed.

"Maybe I like messy hair!" Tidus shot back.

"Is it that noticeable?" Yuna ran her fingers through her hair.

Lulu smirked. "He probably didn't notice because he's so tired. Probably couldn't sleep with all your snoring."

"What, is it 'pick on Yuna' day?!" She pouted.

Auron chuckled. "You just make it too easy."

She whirled to look at Tidus, pout accentuated. "Aren't you going to defend my honor?"

He gasped. "Of course, dear! She doesn't snore that loud."

"That's it!" She crossed her arms. "I'm going to Zanarkand on my own!"

Her tiny tantrum was just too precious, and Tidus burst out laughing. He looked at the group around him and belatedly noticed that while they were smiling, their gazes were sad.

The road to Moonflow was lowly populated. Wounded soldiers were still dragging themselves to safety, or back home. There was talk of the Crusaders disbanding all together.

When there was no one watching, Yuna very slowly reached out her hand to hold Tidus's as they walked. But as soon as someone else appeared on the road, even if they were in the distance, she would let go.

He understood why, of course, but that didn't make it hurt less.

He wondered what it would be like if yesterday had just been a date. Would she still want to hold his hand? Logically, they were at a first date level of romance, besides sleeping in the same bed.

Though some people back in Zanarkand did that on the first date, Tidus had a feeling that practice was not common nowadays.

Once again, Yuna took his hand, rubbing her thumb against his knuckles. "Is this okay?"

"Sure!" He turned his hand so their fingers were intertwined. "Now no one will be able to kidnap you!"

"Oh! You're right!" She beamed. After that, she didn't pull away when someone else appeared on the road.

Late midday, the party arrived at the river, the pyreflies floated just above the surface and gave the water an ethereal glow.

"Wow! That's beautiful!" Gushed Yuna. "Those are moon lilies right? They attract pyreflies!"

"It's even more fantastic at night," said Lulu. "The whole river looks like a sea of stars."

"Then we should hang around to see it!" Said Tidus.

"No," said Auron. "We shouldn't dawdle. The Mi'ihen operation took up a lot of travel time. We're not tourists here for sightseeing."

"Harsh, but fair." Tidus shrugged.

"I'll go see to getting us tickets for the Shoopuf." Auron stated, already starting to walk away.

Kimahri went with him, likely wanting some peace and quiet.

As soon as they had left, Wakka spoke, "So what happened last night? You two enjoy the ceremonial baths?"

Yuna blushed, but Tidus answered for her. "It was really nice. My first proper bath since ending up here. The showers in Luca before the game were too quick and cold. You know?"

"And then what happened?" Asked Lulu. They were both very obviously fishing for information.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" He cheeked.

"Yes, we would."

"Well, Yuna is a very private person, so I don't feel it's necessary to divulge all the juicy details of our nightly rendezvous."

"There shouldn't be any juicy details!" Wakka protested.

"Nothing happened." Yuna confessed. "We shared a bed, but only because I really didn't want him to have to sleep on the floor."

"And we smooched~" Tidus sang, leaning into her space.

"Y-yes...we...we kissed." She blushed.

Tidus squeezed her shoulder. "Alright, I'll stop teasing you, Yuna."

Auron and Kimahri returned, with bedrolls and tents.

"Well kiddos, you got your wish. The Shoopuf has a stomachache, so naturally, we camp. And then we have dibs on the first ferry in the morning."

"Yes!" Tidus and Yuna high fived.

"Here," Auron handed a tent to Wakka and Tidus. "A large tent for the men, a small tent for Lulu, and a small tent for the newlyweds. Do us a favor and set up a little ways away, okay?"

Yuna covered her face, bashful. "We aren't going to do anything!"

"Sure." He snorted.

Lulu interjected, "you know, Sir Auron, I'm perfectly capable of setting up my own tent."

"I know, but someone has to haggle with the Hypello for dinner. You want to give Wakka that job?"

"Hey! Sir—I can haggle!"

"You know him too well, already." Lulu smirked.

"It's not my fault for wanting to support people making an honest living!"

"It's not honest if everyone in Spira knows to overcharge you." She turned her back and started to walk away before he could rebuttal.

"Damn woman knows exactly how to push my buttons." He muttered to himself.

Without a word, Kimahri wandered off to get firewood, while the men got to work setting up the tents.

"Is...can I help?" Asked Yuna, awkwardly.

"Just relax Yuna," Wakka answered. "Your husband has it under control."

"Actually," Tidus clarified. "If you could snap these poles together, that would be a huge time saver."

"Don't make her work!"

"I want to help!"

"Let the girl help!"

About an hour later, camp was set up, dinner was acquired and cooked, and everyone sat around the fire while the sun creeped close to the edge of the sky.

"Would we have slept in Guadosalam if we had made it across the Moonflow today?"

"More than likely, yes." Answered Lulu. "Though we would have arrived rather late. If I remember, it takes at least an hour to cross the river, if not longer. And the sun is starting to set already."

"What's Guadosalam like?" Asked Tidus.

"You'll see it tomorrow," said Wakka, shortly.

"Ignore him," Lulu smacked Wakka in the back of the head. "Guadosalam is the home of the Guado, ruled by Maester Seymour."

"Oh." Said Tidus dully. "We're going to that guy's house? Barf."

"Maester Seymour is a holy man of Yevon! He is good and honorable. You shouldn't talk bad about him!" Wakka reprimanded.

"What do you dislike about him, anyway?" Asked Yuna, with no accusation in her tone.

"He just rubs me the wrong way. He had this look on his face while looking at you, Yuna. Looked like he wanted you."

"Sounds like someone's jealous." Wakka laughed.

"I'm not. I swear I'm not. How old is this dude anyway?"

"I'm sure he wasn't looking at Yuna with any sort of intent. He probably respects her as a summoner as well. You'd do well to reign in this distrust when we get to Guadosalam." Lulu chastised.

It felt like being chastised by his mother, something she didn't do very often. It was enough to get him to stop arguing and sit in silence.

"Kimahri does not like Maester Guado either," Kimahri said, after a beat of silence.

"Ha!" Cheered Tidus. "Kimahri, you're my new favorite!"

The slight lift in his jowls may have been the only indication that Kimahri was smiling.

After a while, Tidus asked, "hey, earlier, I saw the platform where the shoopuf was. Wasn't that Machina? And the stadium in Luca…it confuses me. Why are those allowed?"

"Yevon tells us what kind of Machina are allowed. The Machina during operation Mi'ihen? Those are forbidden."

"So…weapons."

"And the like."

"They could start another war. And violence draws Sin in."

"A war? There was a war?" Asked Tidus.

"About a thousand years ago, between Zanarkand and Bevelle. Bevelle had Machina, and Zanarkand had it's summoners. Then Sin came, and swallowed Zanarkand, and just like that, the war was over."

"I used to live in Bevelle," said Yuna, "up until my father defeated Sin. Then Kimahri and I went to Besaid. I remember the city being made out of a lot of ancient, untouched Machina. Like they couldn't take it apart, but they didn't want to use it. Some still worked. Lots of moving platforms. It's very beautiful, and the seat of Yevon now."

"Ah." Said Tidus. The name Bevelle sounded familiar, but he couldn't place it. Had they played against them in Blitzball? But if Zanarkand was destroyed by Sin, and he was there when it happened, why didn't he remember the war?

"Your Zanarkand," Yuna pressed. "What was it like?"

He scratched the back of his head. "I don't know...Wakka always gets testy when I bring it up."

"It's because we should be helping him get his memory back, and not feeding into his toxin-fueled delusion!"

"Hey! Auron spent the last ten years in Zanarkand! He was there to tell me all of my mistakes after every game! Ask him!"

"Bah! He's just part of your delusion! I bet he was with you wherever you're from, but it's not Zanarkand!"

Yuna, not dissuaded, asked the man. "What was Zanarkand like?"

Auron was quiet for a moment, before saying, "I miss their coffee."

"What's wrong with our coffee?" Lulu asked.

"It's bitter. Weak. All the same brand. No variety. In Zanarkand, you could get coffee in a hundred different ways, imported from all around Spira. They made it with Machina that served it hot, strong, and smooth." He glanced at Tidus. "Like the Pizzeria kitty corner to your house."

"Old man Wayhem! Aww his pizza was the best! All of his food was good!"

"What's Pizza?" Asked Yuna.

Tidus died a little inside. "It's...food. Imagine flatbread, with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, garlic...and whatever toppings you want. Sausage, pepperoni, green peppers...oh, I want pizza!"

Auron gave him a look of pity. "You'll be hard pressed to find people that make specialty cheeses. In a world where everyone is surviving day by day, a lot of artisanal foods are forgotten."

"Wait. They don't have mozzarella?! It's not that artisanal!"

"Someone may make a soft cheese. But I doubt anyone calls it that."

"I'm supposed to live in a world without pizza...when will this torture end?"

Wakka scoffed. "Must be nice coming from a world where people don't have to worry about dying suddenly."

"It was nice. Maybe you'll get to enjoy it someday." Tidus snarked back.

Evening turned into dusk, and the pyreflies became active in their dance over the river.

Auron suggested everyone get to bed since they had to wake up early.

Tidus had set up their tent so the opening looked out over the river. So they both laid on their stomachs, and silently watched the show.

"I know it's a small thing, but I'm glad we got to stay and watch this." Yuna commented.

"Well, I would have brought you back anyway, after we defeated Sin. We'll go on a proper honeymoon and tour all of Spira. We'll do all the tourist things."

She smiled, but didn't look at him. "Sounds like a lot of fun."

She fell silent, as the group often did when the 'after' part of Son was mentioned. Did they not think they could do it? Did they think they would perish?

What did they know that they weren't telling him?

Hard pressed to find a new topic, he asked, "if you weren't a summoner, what would you want to be?"

"What?"

"You know, if you never became a summoner. What else would you have been?"

Yuna hummed and hawed, mulling it over, before stating, "well, I love to dance. And sing. I bet I could have been an entertainer. But there's not a lot of them. Not much of an audience either. People don't really have time for entertainment outside of Blitz."

"You guys don't do half time shows?"

"Half time is usually filled with prayers from Yevon, or a Maester will speak."

"Even in sports, hmm?" He drawled.

"Is Yevon really that upsetting to you?"

"No no. Look, I get it. I believe in the Fayth. I've seen the aeons, I believe that they really do hold the power to defeat Sin. However, as I've been here, a lot of things the temples do have been a little...hypocritical. Like allowing some Machina, when it benefits them. And something about Seymour and Kinoc's attitude towards the crusaders and Al Bhed made me uncomfortable. They didn't care."

"It's not really a Maester's job to care about people, it's their job to make sure the rules are being upheld."

"So they're the judge, jury, and executioner?"

"It sounds really bad when you say it like that..." she lamented.

"Sorry. I just want to make sure you believe in the temples on your own, and not because the Maesters are telling you to."

"My faith is my own. My father instilled me with truth, but I grew on my own. The Maesters, as honorable and wise as they are, are only men. I respect them greatly, but they are not who I pray to when I summon. Does that answer your question?"

"I suppose so. I'm sorry, Yevon is really important to you. I've only been in Spira for a little over a week and I'm criticizing it? That's not really fair."

"Yevon isn't what's important. Bringing peace and happiness to Spira, that's what's important."

"Oh. Yeah, I guess it is." He pondered this for a moment. Yuna's heart was big. She cared about everyone, he would say sometimes too much. "Wanting to be helpful and bring joy is really honorable, Yuna."

"Thank you."

"But..."

"But?"

"It's okay to be selfish every once in a while, you know? You can't help others when you're suffering and unhappy. That's...that's kind of why I said yes to marrying you. I like you a lot, sure, but I saw you bending over backwards for the benefit of others. It's admirable, but I'm going to stop you from destroying yourself."

She didn't look at him, and she stayed completely silent as she stared out over the river. She seemed melancholy, though he didn't know why.

"Thank you." She finally said. "I just wanted my journey to be filled with laughter. But it seems like you're set on making me feel all kinds of emotions."

"Damn straight!" He chuckled. He joined her gaze out onto the water, which really looked like a galaxy, just like Lulu had said. A moving galaxy of tidal waves of color. The only thing that kept it from being peaceful was the eerie cry of the pyreflies as they danced.

"Hey, we never had a first dance!" Tidus declared.

"A what?"

"You know, a first dance! When a couple dances together for the first time after they get married? Or do they not do that anymore?"

"No no, we do. Just, not often. Usually only in a time of calm. Most weddings during the time of Sin are more like elopements. Like we had. So not a lot of partying."

"Well, let's break the norm! When you did that sending in Kilika, and you danced on the water, is that a summoner thing only?"

She gasped. "I know what you're thinking! Take off your shoes and follow me!"

Tidus shucked off his boots and followed Yuna to the shore. She already stood in the very shallows, on top of the water. "Do you know any water magic?"

"I don't know any black magic, only Haste. Are you telling me it's only water magic? You're not some miracle goddess that can walk on water?!"

She giggled. "Sorry to burst your bubble." She held her hands out for him, beckoning him to her.

He took both hands, and then stepped out on the water, feeling it solid under his feet. "Wow, it feels like I'm standing on glass!"

"Now," Yuna said, as she pulled him out further onto the water. "I don't know how to dance with a partner, only by myself. So you'll have to help me."

"Will that break your concentration on the water?"

"No, I'm a great multitasker." She grinned.

He pulled her close with an arm around her waist. "To be honest, I don't know how to properly dance. But…" He moved her arms around his neck, and then started to sway with her. "It's all about being close."

She blushed, but smiled nonetheless. "It's nice."

The pyreflies surrounded them, wrapping their glowing essence in a spiral around them. The shore was invisible in the dark, and all that existed was them on the mirrored water.

"You just kind of rock, like this. And sway." He started humming some nameless tune, just so they would have music.

"You sing?" She asked, surprised.

"Not in the slightest. I can carry a tune alright, but my talents went into Blitz and apparently sword fighting."

"I want to hear, let me be the judge. Song me a song from Zanarkand."

He thought about it for a moment, flipping through the songs he knew. Did he know the lyrics to any of them well enough?

Ah.

Yes. That one. He had gotten a 100% on that one at a drunk karaoke night. His rendition was apparently perfect.

"I got one, but it's not a slow dance song. So follow my lead, okay?"

She looked curious, and a little bit apprehensive. "Okay?"

He imitated a guitar strumming, and then started to sing as he led them in a trot over the water.

"When I wake up, well, I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man who wakes up next to you.

When I go out, yeah, I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man who goes along with you."

He switched directions.

"If I get drunk, well, I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man who gets drunk next to you

And if I haver, hey, I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man who's havering to you."

The next part turned into gratuitous arm swinging and hip gyrating. Yuna watched for only a minute, before attempting the bizarre dance too. Of course, she made it look easy, and coordinated, and not like she was having a seizure.

"But I would walk five hundred miles, And I would walk five hundred more.

Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles to fall down at your door."

He hooked an arm with her and they returned to a trot.

"When I'm working, yes, I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man who's working hard for you.

And when the money comes in for the work I do, I'll pass almost every penny on to you."

He switched arms and changed direction.

"When I come home oh, I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man who comes back home to you.

And if I grow old, well, I know I'm gonna be. I'm gonna be the man who's growing old with you."

Though the song was so different from what was usually sung, Yuna couldn't help but feel giddy. He had picked this song for a reason, and she hoped it had to do with the lyrics.

Though he was singing it with a bizarre accent. Was the original singer not from Zanarkand?

Tidus grabbed Yuna's hands and tugged on one side at a time, making her shimmy. "But I would walk five hundred miles, And I would walk five hundred more.

Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles to fall down at your door."

"Okay, this part is really important. I need you to repeat after me: Da lat da."

"Da lat da?"

"Perfect! Now just repeat that when I get to it, okay?"

"But what does it mean?"

"It doesn't mean anything! Are you ready? Let's go! DA LAT DA!"

"Da lat da?"

"DA LAT DA!

"Da lat da!" She said with more enthusiasm.

"Da-da-da dun-diddle un-diddle un-diddle uh da-da...DA LAT DA!"

"DA LAT DA!"

"HEY!" Wakka shouted from the shore. "If you're going to rebel against bedtime, try to be quiet about it, ya?!"

"It's called 'romance', you killjoy! You should try it sometime!" Tidus shot back.

Yuna started giggling, snorts being thrown in as she fought to breathe. "Wakka? Romantic? I don't think he has it in him."

"Well, now that he's effectively killed the mood, are you ready to go to bed?"

"Hmm mmm." She hummed, as she finished a yawn.

He took her hand, but didn't lead her back to shore.

"Tidus?"

"You can stop me, if you want." He said, leaning closer.

Her heart raced as she realized what he was doing. He was initiating a kiss! He wanted to kiss her, all on his own!

But before they could touch, Lulu's voice pierced the night. "BED! NOW!"

Tidus scoffed, but pulled away. "A pair of killjoys. They're perfect for each other."

Disappointed, but not disheartened, Yuna took his hand and walked back to their tent together. "Don't say that too loudly near them. That will open a whole can of worms."

They returned to the tent, and got settled in for bed.

"Tidus?"

"Yes, dear?"

She smiled. "Would you hold my hand while we sleep? Since there are summoners going missing and all?"

"Of course, Yuna." He held out his hand, and allowed her to take it, before entwining their fingers. "No one is going to take you on my watch."

"Thank you."

He spoke too soon.

In the morning, Tidus awoke with the sun on his face, and the ground rocking underneath him. Quite the difference from the tent he had fallen asleep in.

Opening his eyes, he looked around to see the Moonflow. And more Moonflow. And nothing but the Moonflow.

He was on a shoddy wooden raft, basically a couple pieces of wood nailed together, and floating in the middle of the wide, wide river.

"Very funny, Wakka." He growled.

Luckily, his pranksters had placed his boots on the raft with him. And he still had his inventory.

Now it was just a matter of finding the others.

"Oi!" A voice beckoned from behind.

It was Wakka and party, riding on a Shoopuf.

"What's the big idea, man?! This some kind of guardian initiation?!"

"Whatcha talking about brodda? You're the one who went missing! Is Yuna with you?"

His heart sank. This was no prank! "Does she look like she's with me?!"

"Just swim over here and we'll figure something out!"

Taking a dip wasn't really the first thing he wanted to do in the morning, but nevertheless, he dove from the raft into the chilly river.

And saw what laid beneath the water.

A city, ruins of Machina like he had seen sprinkled across Spira. But these were huge, clustered, and still rather preserved, despite being sunken. They had the same style of architecture that he had seen in his Zanarkand.

And there was a Machina moving around, exploring the ruins. On the back of the thing was an air bubble. It was still far away, but he could swear there was a swath of blue, the same blue of Yuna's skirt!

So he swam. He used the speed of a star Blitzball player to get closer.

Sure enough, he had found Yuna, and she looked to be asleep. Or unconscious, however undesired that outcome was.

He took his sword from his inventory, and attacked, trying to cut her loose, or ruin whatever made the thing move.

It responded by attacking back, shooting rockets and snapping heavy metal claws.

Tidus dodged all of it, flipping and twirling in the water like an aquatic acrobat.

Finally, he dealt the killing blow, and the air bubble popped, releasing Yuna.

He didn't stick around to see if the Machina was really done, just sheathed his sword, scooped Yuna up, and made a break for the surface.

The Shoopuf was a good distance away by now, and the group on board were standing and looking over the edge, probably in vain to spot him.

Keeping Yuna's head above water, he kicked toward them.

"H-hey!" He shouted. "Over here!"

The Shoopuf turned, and started coming towards him, but Wakka had already jumped ship to help.

"You found her?" Asked Wakka, as he got close.

"Yeah, a Machina had her."

"Damn those sandblasted grease monkeys! What do they want with Yuna anyway? This can't possibly have anything to do with Luca, can it? Or the operation?"

They reached the Shoopuf, and it's long snout wrapped around them and placed them in the carriage. Tidus immediately laid Yuna out on the ground. He placed a hand just in front of her mouth and nose.

"Shit! She's not breathing!" He immediately got to work, starting chest compressions.

"What do you mean, she's not breathing?! Does she have a pulse?!"

"She's still warm. I think she was unconscious, and she might have inhaled water when I freed her from the machina." He then plugged her nose, and breathed in her mouth.

He went back to chest compressions, and watched her face for any movement.

Nothing, but her lips were turning blue.

"Come on, Yuna. Don't make me a widower already!" He sealed his mouth over hers again, and breathed.

Then she rolled over violently to upheave water from her lungs, Tidus rubbing her shoulders in comfort.

When her coughs subsided, she nearly collapsed, only to be caught up in a hug. "I gotcha."

She relaxed, exhausted, and in pain. "Thank you..." she whispered.

"Drink a potion," Lulu offered. "You took a real beating."

"How did you know how to do that?" Wakka asked.

"CPR? It's custom to be trained on it when you play Blitzball. Underwater sport and all...you guys don't do that here?"

"Nah man, you just got to hope you don't drown."

Yuna just rested her head on his shoulder, despite the potion taking the pain away.

Kimahri crouched in front of her. "What happened to Yuna?"

"They took me early this morning, at dawn. They came into our tent and covered my mouth before I could scream. Then they rolled Tidus onto a raft, and pushed him out onto the river, before pricking me with a needle. Next thing I knew…I was here."

"I'm going to kill those sons of bitches!" Wakka shouted, passionately.

"Hey Wakka, chill out, would ya? Yuna's safe now, and we'll continue to protect her."

The Hypello driver called back. "Are we's go to goes?"

"Yes," said Auron. "Please continue."

Everyone settled into their seats and, thankfully, the rest of the ride was uneventful, and dare I say, peaceful.

"I'm sorry you had to rescue me," Yuna confessed, sitting up straighter. "I should have been more on guard."

"Yuna, we were asleep," he chuckled. "And in a tent, of all places. I can't expect you to just stay awake all the time. If anything, it's my fault for not doing anything sooner...though I'm usually a light sleeper and an early riser, so I don't know why I didn't wake up."

"They were being rough with you. My guess is that they drugged you first."

"Look, you have nothing to apologize for. I'm your guardian first and foremost. I'll always protect you."

"Really?"

"Absolutely."

"Hmm thank you."

They arrived on the West Bank, and proceeded onward towards Guadosalam.

The walk was pleasant, all until they saw a figure laying on the dirt road.

Tidus, Yuna, and Lulu rushed to check them out.

"Hey! Are you alright?"

The figure started moving before they reached them, slowly standing, staggering, before unzipping the wetsuit they were trapped in.

A familiar face glared back at Tidus.

"Hey! Rikku! Yuna, Lulu, this is Rikku, she saved me when I first came to Spira."

"And you repay me by cutting my oxygen line? Thanks a lot!"

"Wait, that was you?" He pointed to the water.

"In the machina? Yeah! What the heck were you doing in her tent?!" She pointed at Yuna.

"Well, she's my wife..."

Rikku's anger evaporated as she heard this. "You're her—? So that means—!" She excitedly jumped on her toes.

At this point, the other men arrived.

"Yo! Who's this newbie?" Asked Wakka.

"This is Rikku, she helped me when I first came to Spira. She's an Al Bh—Bh—alright gal!"

Lulu gave him a glance that said 'nice save.'

"Oh hey, nice to meet you. A friend of Tidus' is a friend of mine!"

"Now, if you don't mind, we need to talk." Lulu said, steering Rikku and Yuna away.

"Yeah! Girl talk!" Then after a minute, she grabbed Tidus and yanked him along. "And husband too!"

The boys shrugged and let them go.

"What I was going to say," Rikku began, her giddiness returning. "Welcome to the family!"

"Family?" He asked.

"Rikku is my cousin. Her father, Cid, is my mother's brother."

"Oh that's right. You said not to tell Wakka, because he hates Al Bhed." Then he turned inquisitive. "Wait, if you are related, why would you kidnap her?"

Rikku looked at him. "To stop her pilgrimage, duh. Why else would we?"

"She's definitely going to defeat Sin, though. Why would you try to sabotage that?"

Rikku turned to Yuna, and gestured wildly at her. Yuna only shook her head. They proceeded to have a conversation with looks and hand motions only.

Then Rikku turned back to Tidus and declared, "because it's super duper dangerous! And we think there has to be another way!"

"There isn't." Said Lulu.

"Well, then I'm joining the party! I'm going to find a way to keep Yunie safe!"

"You'll have to clear it with Sir Auron," Lulu urged.

"As long as it's okay with Yuna," added Tidus.

"It's fine with me. We'll just have to hide it from Wakka."

"Yay! I get to be a guardian!" Rikku cheered.

"I'm almost jealous. I had to journey with you guys for like two weeks before I was made a guardian."

"You also got named Husband, so you can't be jealous."

"Touché."