Happy February! That last week went quick. It seems like moments ago I was posting chapter 4!
Well, here's number five. This actually turned out to be a reasonable length, unlike all the others.
Anyways, read, enjoy, and please leave a review. Numbers on my traffic stats page are nice and all, but I'd love to hear what you think!


Chapter Five

Tidus watched as one of the sailors peered through a pair of binoculars at where Kilika Island must be. Wakka had told Tidus earlier that the S.S. Liki, the boat they rode on, would stop in Kilika for a night, then they would catch another boat headed for Luca. The journey would span two days, but Tidus was happy just to be on the move. Maybe sooner than later, I'll find my way back to Zanarkand.
Tidus walked over to the sailor, who was too consumed with whatever he was looking at to notice. The sailor did notice when Tidus swiped the binoculars out of his hands.
Tidus didn't hear the sailor's sharp cry. Instead, he tried to find whatever the man had been staring at. He caught sight of another boring little island and swung his view back towards the deck. He spotted Wakka by the cabin and Lulu nearby. Kimahri stood next to Yuna near the bow, surrounded by a crowd of passengers. As Tidus directed his gaze over to the summoner, an amused smile crossed her lips and she waved back.
Tidus had no time to respond, because the sailor wrenched the binoculars out of his hands. Tidus spotted the man's glare and rubbed the back of his neck, chuckling nervously.
"He, he, he; sorry about that."
The sailor rolled his eyes and stalked off. Tidus glanced back at Yuna, wondering what all those people wanted. Well, I guess I should go find out.

Dozens of people crowded around Yuna near the bow of the ship. A few of them were speaking with her, while the others just hung back and stared, chattering amongst themselves. Tidus drifted at the outskirts of the crowd, listening to their murmurings.
"Word is that summoner's got noble blood!" one man said to the person next to him.
"I heard she's Lord Braska's daughter!" a third man said, glancing back at the two.
"Ya don't say?" one of the men replied.
Lord Braska...? Tidus thought he had heard that name in the temple. So Yuna knows what it feels like…
Tidus glance up at Yuna, who spoke with a teenaged girl apart from the group. The summoner's eyes were kind, and Tidus could imagine the soft tones she used.
Lord Braska's daughter… But who's this Braska? Tidus glanced back at where Wakka stood with Lulu by the door to below deck. Alrighty, Wakka; let's see if you've got any more answers!

Tidus almost felt bad about interrupting. Wakka and Lulu were talking quietly, not seeming to notice the crowd that flocked around Yuna. Lulu's red-amber eyes looked serious as always, though Wakka's face was light. Tidus waited for a break in the conversation before approaching.
"So, is Yuna's father famous or something?" he asked tentatively.
"She's the daughter of High Summoner Braska!" Wakka answered emphatically. "You saw his statue in the temple. Lord Braska defeated Sin ten years ago. Yuna's the heir to a great legacy!"
The heir to a great legacy… Tidus thought about all those times his mother had told him that he was Jecht's son, and that that fact should spur him onward. But that childish part of him had always wished for his own identity.
"It's tough," Tidus sighed, almost to himself, "when your father's famous."
"Hmm?" Wakka cocked his head in confusion at Tidus.
"Wakka's… a bit lacking in the imagination department," Lulu commented, looking the closest to amused Tidus had ever seen her.
"Huh?" Wakka looked a little offended.
Tidus chuckled. "Thanks, Lulu. I'll keep that in mind."

Saying quick goodbyes, Tidus left Wakka and Lulu and moved back over to the railing. He breathed in the refreshing scent of salt spray and enjoyed the sensation of the boat cutting through the waves. He noticed the water out in the open ocean was deep, sapphire blue. Though no less beautiful, it was nothing like the vibrant turquoise waters of Besaid.
Pulling his eyes from the waves, Tidus looked back up at Yuna. She was speaking with an older couple, now, her eyes soft and warm. The sea breeze stirred her sandy-brown hair and made the folds of her skirt billow about. The sunlight caught her eyes, showing a bright glimmer in their quiet depths.
Yuna nodded to the couple and made a solemn prayer gesture, and the crowd dispersed, as if by signal. Yuna stood alone at the bow, staring out over the waves.
Well, Yuna, you said you wanted to talk on the boat, Tidus thought. I wonder why you would believe me about Zanarkand?

Tidus tried almost too hard to look nonchalant as he walked up beside Yuna. There was a moment of awkward silence before Yuna spoke up.
"The wind… it's nice," she said quietly.
Tidus nodded slowly, then silence returned. The whole thing felt so forced and uncomfortable that Tidus felt a grin of amusement worm across his face. He could see the same expression forcing itself upon Yuna, too. The grew into a surprised giggle, then they both were laughing. Tidus couldn't really see why, but it felt good. He had been thinking so much about Zanarkand, he hadn't taken the time to enjoy any of the things he'd seen or heard. Yuna's laughter was like clear stream water bubbling over smooth silver pebbles, brighter than the birdsong back in Besaid.
The moment of unreasonable laughter was over all too soon, and Yuna spoke first.
"You're a blitzball player, aren't you? From Zanarkand, right?"
"You hear that from Wakka?" Tidus asked. Then he sighed. "Wakka doesn't believe me at all."
"But I believe you!" Yuna insisted. Tidus stifled the urge to scoff. The young summoner seemed genuine enough, but why would anyone in Spira believe him?
Yuna turned away from Tidus and stared dreamily over the waves. "I've heard in Zanarkand there is a great stadium, all lit up, even at night! Great blitzball tournaments are held there, and the stands are always full!"
Tidus felt his eyes growing wide. "How do you know that?"
Yuna turned back to him with a gentle smile on her lips. "A man named Jecht told me. He was my father's guardian."
Jecht? Tidus didn't know what to think. It can't be…
"My father…" he mumbled out loud. "His name is Jecht!"
"Amazing!" Yuna's eyes brightened. "Our meeting like this must be the blessing of Yevon!"
Tidus sighed and shook his head. "Sounds like him, but it can't be him."
"Why not?" Yuna frowned.
"My old man, he died," Tidus fought to keep him breathing steady. "Ten years ago, off the coast of Zanarkand."
"Oh," Yuna set her gaze out over the sea, her voice soft and full of emotion. "I'm sorry."
"He went out to sea for training one day… and never came back. And no one's seen him since then." Tidus clenched his teeth, memories of waiting with his mother on the dock running through his mind.
Yuna looked back sharply, realization flashing over her features. "Why, that's the day that Jecht came to Spira!" she exclaimed. Tidus frowned cynically.
"It's true!" she continued. "I first met Jecht ten years and three months ago! I remember, that was the day my father left."
Tidus worked his lips silently, trying to think of a response, trying to think at all. Yuna looked back at him with shimmering eyes.
"The date fits, doesn't it?" she asked, her voice quiet and gentle.
"Yeah, but how would he get here?" Tidus replied, his voice growing hot.
"You're here, are you not?"
Yuna smiled delicately, her vivid eyes lighting with the expression. Tidus couldn't help but return it.

A sharp rumbling split the air and a harsh wave shook the boat. Yuna stumbled backward with a gasp, and Tidus caught her by the wrist. The ship tipped dangerously, and Tidus planted his feet down hard to keep both him and Yuna upright.
What's going on?
The swell lurched, and the ship rocked again, breaking Tidus and Yuna apart. Tidus felt a rush of panic and Yuna tumbled backward over the ship's deck. No! Where are all those guardians who're supposed to be protecting their summoner?!
As if summoned by his thoughts, Kimahri leaped forward and caught Yuna. Though the young woman tried to hold her balance, the tall beast-man held her firmly. Yuna looked back up at Kimahri, her eyes, one blue, the other green, glittering with fear. Fear, but also determination. Should her guardian release her, Tidus knew Yuna would instantly be searching for the rest of her friends, quiet and strong despite her fear.
Not a lot could have stolen Tidus' focus from Yuna at that moment, but something did. For the sea just beyond the boat, a massive grey fin soared skyward. It was like a dolphin's fin, only it seemed to be made of stone and rose higher than the ship's mast. Tidus' mouth dropped open.
What in the world is that?
The turbulence caused by the creature's surfacing had died somewhat, and Tidus tried to steady his footing. Across the deck, Kimahri released his grip on Yuna.
"Sin!" one of the sailors screamed, his cry barely audible over the roar of churning waves.
Sin? The image of a massive ball of water menacing the sky over Zanarkand floated through Tidus' mind. He remembered the huge, dark shape moving around inside it. So this is what Sin is.
The man who had cried out scrambled behind one of the harpoons attached to the Liki's deck. Franticly, he aimed at the massive fin gliding passed the boat.
"What do you think you're doing?" Wakka shouted. Tidus was relieved to see the blitzball captain hale and whole.
"Stick a harpoon in him and we'll all get dragged under!" Wakka continued, frowning fiercely. Yuna now stood beside him.
"Sin is going for Kilika! We gotta distract it!" the man shouted in a panic. He looked pleadingly up at Yuna. "Our families are in Kilika! Forgive us, Lady Summoner!"
Yuna was silent. She closed her eyes and nodded solemnly. The man let out a long breath, then fired.
"Wait!" Wakka shouted, but uselessly. He sighed and held a hand up to his forehead. "Oh, boy…"
Tidus clenched his teeth and watched in horror as two harpoons sank into the massive fin. The ship jerked along and an alarming pace, and Tidus found himself clinging to the railing.
Not again… he thought, squeezing his eyes closed as he fought to keep his grip. I can't get sent away again. Wakka, Lulu, Yuna… It's almost like I belong. But maybe this'll bring me back to Zanarkand at last! I couldn't take another thousand years in the future, but Zanarkand!... Maybe I'm almost home!
Something crashed into the deck, and Tidus forced his eyes open. A row of massive scales was planted in the wooden deck, lining the ship like they had the streets that night in Zanarkand. Oh, no…
Tidus pushed away from the railing, rushing over to Wakka and Yuna. Kimahri had joined them, and Lulu stood was approaching from a little ways off. The first of the scales started unfolding, but before then, the group had already drawn their weapons. Wakka held out his blitzball, ready to smack anything that dare approach his summoner. Kimahri clenched his mighty fists around his lance, solemnly standing guard over his charge. Lulu now stood beside Yuna, a cloud of energy slowly gathering around her. Yuna had taken up her own staff, prepared to fight along with her guardians. Tidus wasn't sure he belonged in that wonderful portrait of trust and friendship. But Yuna saw him.
"Tidus!" she called out, her voice soft even as she shouted. "Come help us!"
Pulling out the sword Wakka had lent him, Tidus sprinted over the deck and stood at Yuna's side. A small smile crossed her face.
"Here's a good place to test your fighting skills!" Wakka exclaimed.
"Right," Tidus grinned. I really do have friends in this strange world.
Then the first scale attacked.

Tidus swept a wide arch with his sword, feeling satisfaction well up inside of him at the sound of splintering carapace. Behind a wall formed by Tidus and the guardians, Yuna danced, light swirling around her as she summoned the strange bird creature everyone had seen back in Besaid. During their trip to the boat, he had heard the beast referred to as Valfor. With a crack like the sound of distant thunder, Valfor swooped down from the sky and began to tear through the swarm of scales. A crack of lightning from Lulu scorched three more at once, and Wakka's constant pummeling kept them far away. Kimahri raced through the mass of monsters, cutting them to shreds with his lance. Tidus grinned as he sank his blade into the nearest insect-like creature; it was nice to work in a team.
As soon as the creatures died, the burst into bright pyreflies, clearing the deck of what would have been an untidy mess of bodies. The battle progressed quickly, and no new scales reinforced the ones on the Liki. Soon, all the creatures were dispatched.
Before Tidus could ask "what next," someone cried out, pointing across the waves towards the massive fin. The harpoons lodged in its flesh snapped away from the Liki's deck, causing the vessel to jerk while the great fin disappeared beneath the waves. The force of the motion knocked Tidus off his feet. He scrambled, trying to keep his footing, but he was thrown into the railing, catching his head on the wooden beams. Everyone else's attention was on the massive fin vanishing below the surface, so no one noticed when Tidus tumbled unconscious into the waves.