Tidus sighed heavily and leaned his head back against the rock wall behind him, closing his eyes. The young man was sitting chest-deep, naked, in a luxurious hot spring located under the Al Bhed encampment in a spacious stone cave that had been hollowed out long ago. The cavern was lit only by clusters of candles placed on stone shelves here and there. Tidus had not known of the hot springs' existence until Rikku unceremoniously told him that he needed to bathe and directed him to the guest spring, where he would be given some privacy away from the residents. There was a decent-sized yet fairly discreet hole above for ventilation. It gave him a lovely view of the stars that were only just beginning to emerge.
He still could not believe that no more than two hours ago he had been arguing and debating with Sir Auron and Mistress Lulu, trying in vain to convince them not to come along with himself and Yuna on the journey. He would have appreciated their company, and would have been relieved at having their wisdom and warrior skills to back him up, but at the same time he felt guilty about letting them put themselves in danger for a cause that had little to do with either of them. They should get married and have children together in some secret location where harm could never come to them. The conspiracy was Tidus' and Yuna's concern, and the young man had no desire to involve others if he could avoid it.
Then again, both he and Yuna had dangerously underestimated the warrior and mage's stubbornness. They had argued and debated for a long time until it became all too clear that both Auron and Lulu were completely dedicated to putting a stop to the conspiracy, and no amount of pleading or frustrated demands could bend their will.
Tidus' thoughts were interrupted when he heard a gentle splashing noise in the cave. He opened his eyes and lifted his head up to find Yuna wading through the steaming water, naked like himself, her hair still tied up in a loose horse tail. She smiled at him when she noticed him looking at her, lips parted slightly as he took in the sight of her.
"Rikku told me where I would find you," she explained, drawing nearer to him. Her voice echoed softly in the cave, and her supple body made ripples in the otherwise tranquil water. Once her strength had returned, she healed the bruises mottling her skin. Tidus smiled back at her and moved over on the ledge he was sitting on, making room for her to join him. She eased her way into the seat and leaned against the warm cliff at her back, sighing in relaxation. Tidus slipped an arm around her and pulled her against him, allowing her to adjust her position so her head nestled in the curve between his neck and shoulder.
"I don't know if we did the right thing, allowing Lulu and Auron to join us," he told her after a moment of comfortable silence.
"Something tells me they would have come whether we said they could or not," Yuna replied, smiling dryly against him. "They don't strike me as a very submissive pair."
"I know," he agreed. "Still . . . it doesn't seem fair to them."
He explained his thoughts and feelings to her as the sky darkened above. She listened closely with a look of understanding interest, patiently hearing him out. The stars were brighter, more numerous as they blossomed from their invisible daylight hiding places. The top of Yuna's head and shoulders glowed a pale silvery blue from the night sky above them, but the lower half of her body gleamed a soft gold from the candlelight of the cave. Her skin looked sleek, shiny from sweat and steam. She was beautiful.
When he finished speaking, Yuna pulled away slightly to look him in the eye.
"But the conspiracy is not solely ours to worry about, Tidus," she told him gently. "If we don't succeed, and we both know what the chances of that are, think how many other innocent people may be chosen. If we do not find a way to stop Seymour, the Children of Light ceremony could continue for goodness knows how long. Lulu lost her home to the Yevonites. Sir Auron lost his best friends to the conspiracy. I think we owe them the chance for vengeance and justice."
To his own embarrassment, Tidus had not thought of it that way. He had been so concerned with getting to Bevelle that he had not stopped to think of what could happen should they fail, or die before reaching their destination. He sighed and lowered his head against Yuna's.
"You're right," he said quietly. "You're absolutely right. Auron and Lulu have as much right to join us as anyone. This is Spira's problem, not just yours and mine."
"Of course," Yuna replied with a smile. "And besides, we could certainly use their help."
"Hey," Tidus protested, frowning in mock hurt. "Are you saying I'm not a good enough guardian for you?"
She giggled, going along with the game. "Well, you have your moments, but let's not be foolish, boy. You are no Sir Auron."
" 'Boy'? Now you've done it," he sniffed. "You've gone and hurt my feelings."
Her warm hand reached up and grabbed him by the shoulder, pulling him back to the ledge so that his back rested against the rock wall. He felt her lips press against his ear, sending delicious chills down his spine. Suddenly he was reminded of that night in Lulu's village, before the screams and explosions had interrupted the two of them. They had never finished that conversation by the hot spring . . .
"Let's make love," Yuna whispered, her arms circling his neck.
"Here?" he asked in a low voice, his eyes glazing over.
"Yes. Here in the water, under the stars."
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He was scared. No amount of self-reassurance or Yuna's trusting smiles could sway him of the feeling. He was afraid of failing the mission and accomplishing nothing for the rest of Spira. He was afraid of dying in Bevelle at gunpoint, never reaching their ultimate goal. It frightened him, imagining the inevitable confrontation with Lord Seymour and Sin.
Most of all, Tidus was scared of the prospect of seeing Yuna die, and somehow being left alive without her. Could he survive such a thing? Should he by some horrible miracle go on living after Yuna might die facing Sin, how would he be able to wake up every morning to an empty bed? Not even the prospect of death frightened him more than that.
Perhaps that is why it was so difficult . . . no, damn near impossible for him to say that he loved her when he knew she wanted to hear it, and when he wanted desperately to tell her. Maybe if he told her those few small words, it would in some way bind his soul to hers in a way that would make separation unbearable. It would be officially declaring that she was a part of him, and any risk to her life was a risk to his life. If he were to never see her again, or if he were to watch her die and be utterly incapable of saving her, it would tear him down from the inside out and he would never be complete again.
The young man sat morosely by the enormous bonfire, food and wine forgotten in front of him. Cid and Rikku had decided to hold a celebration in honour of their guests, and insisted on having music played. It was strange, alien music to Tidus. Rather than drums and lutes or other primitive instruments he was used to in Besaid, the Al Bhed had unusual electric appliances and technological devices warping the sound. It was rather interesting to listen to, but Tidus was miles away from it all, lost in the depths of his distressing thoughts. He was clean and refreshed from his bath, but his mind would give him no peace.
In some ways he wished he had never met Yuna. In some ways he wished he had never been chosen to accompany her to the Final Sending. Life would have remained simple, blissfully ignorant of the temple's secrecy. He never would have fallen under her spell, nor allow her to seep her way into the core of his soul. No woman had been able to bury herself so deeply inside him. Nobody had ever become a part of him like that.
Then again . . .
He lifted his azure eyes to see Yuna, standing and talking to Lulu and Rikku with a placid expression on her face, obviously enjoying the carousing around her. The firelight danced in her hair and eyes, making her flesh glow. The desert garment Rikku had loaned her earlier that day hung loosely around her figure. Sensing his eyes on her, Yuna seemed to pause in mid-sentence, turning her head slightly to look directly back at him. Their gazes held, and she smiled at him, holding her hand up to wave.
Tidus smiled back and returned the silent greeting. No, it had all been worth it. Just to see the happiness on her face made everything feel worthwhile.
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Crimson eyes flickered open. Pale dawn blushed outside the tent walls, and somewhere outside a solitary bird was whistling.
The woman closed her eyes again and snuggled further into the bed, showing uncharacteristic refusal to face the day. Departure day. Just a few more minutes of sleep wouldn't hurt. It was so warm and comfortable here, so quiet and peaceful . . .
"Nice try," a deep voice behind her said. "But we have to get up." A strong arm tightened around her waist, and a pair of lips smiles into the back of her neck, amused. She sighed and rolled onto her other side, resting her face against his.
"Do I have to?" she asked with a fake pout, keeping her eyes closed so that she would not see the humour in his remaining eye staring back at her. "I can think of a few good reasons to stay here."
She brought her hand up and ran it along his firm chest and down his hard stomach, clearly hinting at something particular. Even though he made hardly sound, she could feel him chuckle as he folded his hand over hers.
"Much as the idea appeals to me," he said, sitting up and stretching on the double cot, "I'm afraid we don't have a choice. The earlier we set out, the better."
Still curled up on her side, the woman watched her lover as he stood up to get dressed, admiring his figure in the golden glow of morning. In spite of the fact that he was pushing forty, Sir Auron was in undeniably excellent shape. There were only a few streaks of grey in his black hair, and even the long scar running through his one permanently closed eye did nothing to take away from his rugged features. In fact, it made him all the more attractive. And Lulu was a woman who dearly enjoyed attractive men, young or old.
It had been a long time since she had seen Auron last, but the two of them had parted on good terms, and the chemistry between them had never faded. When she met up with him in the forest, not long after her village fell, she had instantly wanted to be at his side again, remembering the feelings he so easily invoked in her. Without hesitation he took care of her, nursed her through the pain of losing her people and captain Jardo, who had been one of her oldest friends. She appreciated his stoic silence and dry sense of humour that virtually mirrored her own. She treasured his ability to be either extremely tender or grim and warrior-like. He was courageous, as the legends and stories proved, and it seemed that there was nothing in all of Spira that he feared. Of course, Lulu knew him well enough not to believe that. Auron feared many things, but he possessed a stubbornness that forbade him from ever showing it. Only she of all people really understood that Auron did indeed have a vulnerable side, but he kept it carefully concealed.
Auron dressed quickly, completely aware of her smouldering ruby eyes following his every move. He smirked, keeping his back to her as he strapped his massive Katana to his broad back.
"I'm grateful for the attention, Lulu, but we are going to be leaving in less than an hour. I suggest you get ready. There's a long journey ahead of us, and the first day is the hardest one to get through."
Smiling, Lulu sat up and arched her back in a luxurious stretch, rolling her head to rid herself of any remaining kinks in her neck. She felt Auron's gaze on her, watching her fountain of ebony hair fall gracefully around her shoulders and back, admiring her much like she had admired him moments ago.
"Do you think they are in love?" she asked, trusting him to know whom she was talking about. Both of them had seen the affection between Tidus and Yuna last night, and neither of them was surprised.
"More than I believed possible," he replied, standing nearby as she slipped into her favourite black corseted dress with the belted skirt. "Jecht used to say that some day they could make a nice-looking pair. It figures."
Lulu finished tying up her corset strings (after having practiced doing so on her own for quite some time) and began arranging her hair into its usual fashion, pulled back in a bun with clusters of braids spilling down.
"I think it will make things all the more difficult," she told him, thrusting the last hair stick in place. "I cannot say I know exactly what will happen, but I fear for them. Losing one would mean torture for the other."
"And they are both so young," the man commented behind her, his voice softening. "I had hoped they wouldn't fall for each other so soon. What are the chances of them succeeding? Yuna means to defeat Sin once and for all. That's no easy vow to follow through with and stay alive."
"The chances have improved, now that you are here," Lulu said generously, turning to smile at him.
"We'll both help them," he corrected, opening his arms to her. She embraced him tightly, melting against him as she had done many times before.
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Breakfast was eaten hastily in the meeting tent, a meal consisting of bread, cheese, and fresh milk. Auron and Lulu ate next to each other, and Rikku sat across from them behind the small fire. In spite of her small size, Rikku ate with a fierce hunger rivalling that of a desert jackal. Cid stood nearby, having already eaten, a solemn look on his round face. Tidus and Yuna sat side by side, eating silently. Both of them had the exact same thoughts in mind.
In the short time they had spent in the Al Bhed camp, it had begun to feel like a temporary home. They had become accustomed to it, and Tidus would sorely miss the company of the people he had once considered enemies. It was with a heavy heart that he would leave this place, and he knew Yuna would be just as unhappy about it.
"Well, we should get going," Rikku said, setting her plate aside and standing up cheerfully. "It's better to travel by morning and evening, since it gets way too hot in the afternoon."
"Does that 'we' include you?" Lulu inquired, raising a delicately arched eyebrow. Tidus and Yuna glanced up with surprise. Auron simply stared at her. Cid released a heavy sigh and rubbed his temples, not looking at all surprised. Rikku stared back at the Black Mage pointedly.
"Uh, yeah?" she snorted. "You thought I was going to stay behind?"
"You are mistaken, Rikku," Auron cut in sharply. "You accompanying us was never part of the agreement."
"Well, like it or not I'm coming with you," the Al Bhed girl replied firmly, placing her fists on her narrow hips. "No way am I going to sit around while you guys take on an army of Yevonites, not to mention an ancient demon monster! If you want me to stay, you'll have to tie me up in chains."
"That can be arranged," Auron said threateningly. Rikku glared back, completely unafraid.
"Hey, since when did you become the king of free will?" she demanded, sounding very much offended. "I should be allowed to help! It's my duty as an Al Bhed to make sure you guys stay out of trouble."
"Flattered as we are by your concern," Lulu said smoothly, resting a pacifying hand on Auron's knee, "I really don't think your supervision is necessary. I am sure you are much more needed here."
"Like hell she is!" Cid barked from his standing position behind his daughter. "May the stars above help you if one of you tries to get in her way. When my little girl puts her mind to something, she sticks with it."
"Yunie?" Rikku said, changing tones abruptly to a pleading voice. She eyed Yuna imploringly. "What do you say, huh? I can come, can't I?"
"I-I, well . . . uh . . ." Yuna stammered, clearly unsure of what to say. She shifted her gaze from the Al Bhed teenager to Tidus, to Auron and Lulu. "I don't really know, Rikku."
"Oh, come on!" Rikku protested. "You mean to say you'd turn down your own cousin?"
For a moment there was nothing but stunned, confused silence from each individual present. Yuna's eyes widened.
"Wh-what?" she whispered. "What did you say?"
Rikku frowned at her, puzzled by the young woman's amazement. Then she seemed to realize something displeasing, because a furious glare came to her face and she whirled around to face her father. Cid had gone very pale and was licking his lips nervously, almost flinching as his daughter's murderous gaze fell on him.
"You didn't tell her?" Rikku shouted, loud enough probably to wake the whole encampment. "You had the while damn night and you didn't even tell her she was your niece?"
"Come on now, kiddo," Cid said weakly. "It's big news! I wasn't sure how to bring it up. I mean, it was difficult enough trying to tell you, and . . ."
"Excuse me, but . . . I'm . . . your niece?" Yuna interjected, her eyes darting between Rikku and Cid. The Al Bhed man sighed heavily and gave her an apologetic look.
"I'm real sorry I didn't tell you sooner, Yuna," he said slowly, trying to ignore the displeased expression on his daughter's face. "But it's true. Your mother was my sister."
"My mother . . ."
"Yup," Rikku said, her voice much less shrill. "So, you're half Al Bhed, Yunie. And my cousin!"
"Wow," Tidus whistled through his teeth, placing a gentle hand on Yuna's shoulder.
"But . . . this is so unexpected," the summoner's daughter said softly. "I had no idea my mother had living relatives."
"Look, I'd love to answer your questions, but you guys gotta hit the road soon. Like Rikku said, you should make a head start before noon sets in. The heat is something terrible," Cid told them, scratching the back of his head and avoiding their stares.
"Let Rikku come," Tidus said suddenly, smiling sympathetically at Yuna's newly discovered relative. "She can answer Yuna's questions on the way. Anyway, I think she could be a big help. I mean, she knows this desert like the back of her hand right?"
"Right!" Rikku chimed in, raising a fist emphatically. "You bet I know this place. I can show you all the safest paths, how to watch out for quick sand and desert fiends, and poisonous plants, and flying thorn traps! Oh, and I can teach you how to take shelter during a sand storm. And-"
"All right!" Auron snapped, quick to interrupt as she began to ramble. "All right. You can come along. Just don't expect us to go easy on you. We'll be travelling hard, Rikku, so you'd better keep up."
The blonde gave him 'a look'. "Sir Auron," she said haughtily, "by the end of the day you will be begging me to slow down."