The party goes on and everyone has a little something to say.

I'm going to finish this fic y'all. It's time. I've had the chapters written for the longest and I just need to put them out there.

Thank you for the follows/reviews.

italics = denotes thought or memory (for the most part)

Not Mine

The Night Of

Night came swiftly. The whole ceremony had lasted longer than Yuna had been aware of, and by the time it was over the sun hung low in the sky - light spilling across ground, and casting shadow. Yuna was tired but knew that there was still more to do. The party was to celebrate, but it was also to show unity of the politicians. That they were all excited for this new path they were about to forge. The excitement didn't stop her body from being exhausted from what she had done on the balcony however. It had felt like a miracle - Yuna though. An Aeon summoned without loss of life. Yuna doubted it could be done again, doubted that anyone could do it without the power she and Tidus possessed. But it had been a sign, a promise of the time to come. Of a future full of life without needless death and suffering. It was easy to be lulled into serenity by that, by Tidus's heartbeat. Her head resting on his chest. Not even the carriage as it bumped them down the road could pull out of her her thoughts.

And then they were there. A road wound down the beach, fenced in by large stately metal fence posts. One gate allowed passage to the road and as they approached it Elma leaned in and touched the glyph there. The gate swung open and their cart bumbled down the pathway. At the end of it their new home stood, the huge thatched hut starting up at them from the sandy beach on which it lay. Tidus touched her shoulder, "We are here."

"So we are." Yuna said to him.

Stepping out she was greeted by thousands of flashing lights. Media who had been given day passes to her home. Taking Tidus's hand, she let them get their fill of photographs. When she could take no more she pulled Tidus into the house and the two of them ascended upstairs to change into outfits that felt more party appropriate. Downstairs she could hear that everyone else had already arrived, but Yuna wanted one more moment to herself - one last chance to gather herself, before seeing her friends.

In what was to be their room until Yuna passed the torch of her leadership onto someone else, Yuna begun the process of changing. Of stripping off her formal dress and becoming something a little less restrained. Which was not to say that neither parts of her personality were incorrect, just that it was often good to enjoy life from a place of looseness, instead of rigor. A shrill noise from the corner of the room altered her to the comm system that had been installed there.

Walking over to the large table top she tapped it and was greeted by Shelinda's smiling face, "We will be at your house in twenty minutes. Please be ready to go by then My Lady."

"I look forward to it." Yuna answered and Shelinda laughed quietly before killing the connection.

By the time the words were out of her mouth Yuna was already walking across the room to the back of it. She sat down in front of her vanity and took down her long hair, shaking it out so that the waves hung just right. When she was satisfied with it she grabbed the dressphere that she had been saving for this very occasion. Rikku had given it to her as a gift a few months back, having found it on an excavation. Neither she nor Paine had enjoyed the outfit, but when Yuna had tried her version on she had known she would keep it. The dress was a faded pink kimono, decorated with orange shapes and moogle pictures. The obi was white and lined with green hearts, and blue and orange circles. The neckline was orange. The whole thing wasn't particularly stately, but it was fun - and perfect for an after party.

Turning she found that Tidus's had changed into a formal white hakama, with a red long sleeved haori and a gold haori himo. For a moment she found the words stolen from her. It wasn't often that Tidus dressed up, in fact he had worn traditional Besaid island wear for the ceremony. Which, while colorful and beautiful - was not known for being traditionally fancy. This was something else, "I thought you might like it."

"It's beautiful. I love it." She told him.

Honestly the whole thing was very like Tidus. To dress up when the time for it had passed, instead choosing to show off privately - for her. It was one of the reasons she loved him so. No matter how many years passed, or how time changed he would always be her atypical love. He comm flashed again and she moved to answer it, "We are here." Shelinda said.

"We'll be down in a few seconds."

"See you there then." Shelinda told them.

Holding out his arm for her, Tidus and Yuna linked arms and walked back downstairs. Crossing the foyer they entered the large open spaced living and dining room and were greeted by the sound of cheers. Yuna cleared her voice and said happily, "Thank you to everyone who could come - but this is less a time for policy and politics and more a time for friends and family. Let us treat it as such and for just tonight forget the flashing lights outside, and pressing questions."

"I couldn't have said it better myself!" Rikku cheered.

Having already made a trip to the bar, Auron held up the glass of whiskey he had already poured himself, "Salute."

With that out of the way the music began to play, the sound of trumpets and brass instruments filled the room. Rikku ran up to her cousin and grabbed onto her arm, "Come on. You're dancing with me."

Yuna looked at Tidus and shrugged, following her cousin out onto the dance floor, "You seem very eager." She told Rikku.

As the two of them begun to dance to the swing music that took up the space between them Rikku shrugged, "You're not going to forget us right?"

The question was said with casual nonchalance but Yuna could see that her cousin meant it. There wasn't fear in her eyes, but the way she couldn't quite keep her brow from furrowing showed just the smallest bit of worry, "I could never forget you."

"Sometimes I wish you were an adventure like me. So we could just hunt for things together, no responsibilities - just the open sky and open sea." Rikku said.

"Rikku…" Yuna wasn't sure what to say to that, out of everyone she hadn't expect this from Rikku.

"But then I realize that I might not have Naimi or Auron and that's just unacceptable. So you have to promise that when you have time off," She held up a finger before Yuna could interrupt her, "and you will have time off. You have to come visit us, at least once a year."

"I promise." Yuna said.

"Good."

Together they danced for a few more minutes before a tap on her shoulder had Yuna turning around to look at Auron, "May I cut in?"

Yuna smiled, "I didn't take you for much of a dancing man."

Looking over her shoulder at his wife Auron smiled, "For the right woman, I can be many things."

Stepping out of the way Yuna let Auron take over. Moving to the table with all the hors d'oeuvres she grabbed one of the shrimp kabobs and slid the red pepper off the top of it. As she ate she watched Auron and Rikku dance and wondered at the miracle of their love. How it could cause a man such as Auron to dance uninhibited. Watching him twirl Rikku made Yuna decided that it was a good look for him, "You're very lucky aren't you." She said to Naimi who had slid up to the table and was nibbling on a cookie.

"Hm?" The girl asked mouth full of food.

"To have the parents you have." Yuna commented.

Wiping the crumbs off her mouth Naimi shrugged, "I guess?" The girl grabbed another cookie, clearly trying her best to pay attention but also very distracted by the food, "Sometimes though, I remember the way my tyt - my birth tyt, used to look and it hurts." As she said this Yuna could tell that Naimi had realized that she had said too much, "Don't tell tyt that."

"Have you asked them to take you to Guadolasm?" Yuna asked, "It could be good for you."

"I don't want to hurt tyt." Naimi said, now fully invested in the conversation.

"Sir Auron is made of sterner stuff than that. He won't be upset just because you asked them to take you to the farplane border. He knows you love him."

Naimi shook her head, "Not like that. Sus says that the farplane does things to tyt since he's unsent. Sometimes it makes him a little wonky."

"Ah." Perhaps she had misjudged her cousin's concern then, Yuna thought, "You should still ask. Your father is very strong."

A shout across the room caused both Naimi and Yuna to look up from their conversation. Across the room Shinra waved in Naimi's direction and Naimi looked up at Yuna, almost asking for permission to leave the conversation. Yuna nodded and, cleaning her mouth of cookie crumbs once more Naimi took off across the dance floor. She reached Shinra and the two of them begun talking animatedly.

From there Yuna was passed off from person to person, friend to friend as they all congratulated her and gave her hugs. For Yuna who knew this was a social event as much as it was a chance to network, the party didn't completely feel like it had begun until every single pleasantry was out of the way. She smiled at Lulu in front in her who had finally rescued her from the throng of people and took a sip of her wine, "I feel as if hours have passed but I'm sure it has been almost no time at all."

"The sun has finally set so I'm sure some time has passed." Lulu said in regards to Yuna's comment.

"Some."

The sound of a piece of silverware on a wineglass interrupted their small conversation and in the middle of the room Baralai cleared his throat. From the way he stood Yuna could tell that he was nervous but trying to hide it, "So, I know this is supposed to be Yuna's event but Paine and I saw no reason to put our announcement on hold. After all, there is food and music to spare. Or so we hope." He fiddled with his collar, clearly nervous and next to him Paine sighed.

"Baralai and I are engaged to be married."

At Paine's words a sort of silence settled around the room and then Rikku cried, "I knew it!" Both Paine and Baralai turned their heads to look at Rikku who was further across the room, "What?" She said sort of obviously.

"You knew?" Paine asked.

"Well not knew, knew. But one day I ran out of flour and maybe borrowed some from your house, because I do that all the time when you are home - so why not when you weren't. Which now that say it sounds kind of bad? Anyway it rained on the way there so I had to grab a towel which turns out you store in your laundry room, where I found clothes that were decidedly not yours that I was pretty sure belonged to Baralai. Which, you know - kind of weird. Once I had time to think about it, it was pretty easy to sort of put the pieces together in my head. In the end I decided not to say anything because it honestly wasn't my business and I figured you would tell us on your own time." Rikku finished out of breath.

"How long ago was this?" Baralai asked.

"A year or so ago?" Rikku said.

"That's a long time to hold onto the information." Lulu remarked.

"Well, it's like I said. It wasn't my business. Instead this is cause for more celebration so let's celebrate." Rikku told them.

As she said this servers came into the room with serving platters that had glasses with bubbly wine in them, and begun passing the glasses around. Once everyone Yuna held her glass up, "I actually have a few words to say. If everyone doesn't mind, and they are not sick of my speeches?"

At her question Tidus laughed, "One more for the road isn't going to hurt anyone."

"Speech please." Kimahri echoed.

"Alright. Okay. So." Yuna took a small sip of the wine she had been given to calm her nerves. To speak to a crowd was one thing, but these were the people she loved most, "I wanted to thank all of you. For being with me, for putting up with my flights of fancy and my ability to get into dangerous situations, for not giving up on me when I had given up on myself. All of you have gotten me through so many hardships, have fought for me and done so many things I could never repay you for. People often look to me to guidance, but the truth of it is - I wouldn't know half the things I know, or understand what I understand without any of you. One thing I have become more certain of as I grow is how much I need each and every single one of you. For the laughter you provide me, for the tough advice, for the many shoulders to lean on. This is the family that helped me defeat Sin, this is the family that helped put a stop to a war. Tonight isn't just for me. It's for you too." She raised her glass, "To family, to friendship, to love, and to all my beautiful guardians. You mean the world to me. Cheers."

"Cheers!" Returned to her with a ferocity.

Once they were done Lulu navigated her way through the crowd of people congratulating Paine and Baralai and to Yuna who was watching them with smiling eyes. Paine looked a bit overwhelmed with the number of people around her but Baralai was doing a good job of fending them off. Yuna grinned as she approached, "Hello Lulu."

"Hello." She said.

"Come to finally tell me what has been on your mind?" Yuna asked.

"I knew about Paine and Baralai. I found out a few days ago." She admitted, "I thought it was unkind that they had hid it from you for so long. I was thinking about telling you. Hearing Rikku speak about it made me feel so ashamed though. She had known for years and had somehow managed to be quiet about it. Rikku of all people."

"But you didn't tell me." Yuna said.

"What do you mean?"

"I could see that not saying something was bothering you, but I think you knew in the long run it would do more damage to say something than to be quiet about it. Paine is my friend, but I also share a mind with her sometimes. When she came back from the dead she was happy for a very short time, but then something changed. It wasn't that she was unhappy, just discontent I think. She decided to leave Besaid to find herself, and I tried to get her to stay. Looking back at it, that was very selfish of me. Eventually that feeling of discontent faded away to be replaced by joy. I think Baralai played a role in that. How could her happiness ever be something bad? Especially when her happiness sometimes helped become mine."

"Are you going to go congratulate her?" Lulu questioned.

"What is to say that I haven't?"

Yuna's eyes traveled across the room and she and Paine shared small smiles. Tidus who was sitting next to her, looked up as well and then made his way over to where Yuna was standing. The two of them hadn't spent much time together tonight save their small time in their bedroom. Lulu took that as her cue to leave and backed away, going over to Paine to congratulate the woman herself, "Want to go outside?" Tidus asked.

"I'd love to." Yuna told him.

Taking his hand the two of them escaped out of the room and out to the balcony that overlooked the sea. Yuna leaned on the railing and stared out at the waves. Closing her eyes she listened to them lap at the shore, letting the noise of the ocean drown out some of the sound coming from inside the house. Tidus moved to stand next to her and let his pose mirror hers, "It's a beautiful night. I can't believe my daughter is getting married." From the way he leaned Yuna could tell that he was trying to be nonchalant, but his voice betrayed a vulnerability.

"Nor can I." Yuna said and then paused, "I'd always choose you." She continued, not looking at him, "You know that right? No matter what happened, or who I met, or if fate placed us in another world, another time - I would always choose you."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Who you are, what you do - blitzball idol, Sin, Yu Yevon, a faraway dream - I'd always choose you."

"You're overthinking things." He said.

"You've been doing your best to be positive this week but some of the sadness has leaked through. It wasn't until this morning that I understood." The waves crashed against the shore and Yuna turned to look at him, "You asked me to marry you once and I said no. I don't regret what I said, but I regret how it made you feel. Every day."

"If I asked you now, would you say yes?"

Yuna took his hand in hers, "If it was what you wanted, if you really thought we needed it, if it made you happy - yes."

"But not for you."

"Not for me. I don't think having a ring would make me feel any different about you, about us. About how no one can make me feel as loved and as cherished as you do. This afternoon our love did something incredible."

"An Aeon without sacrifice of life." He said, "It should be impossible."

"But because you loved me enough, we were given this bond. And today it created something beautiful. Something impossible."

"And that's enough for you." Tidus said.

"Shouldn't it be for anyone?" She paused, "Here let me show you."

Taking the hand that was already in hers Yuna interlaced their fingers. Without so much hesitation Yuna opened up the connection between them letting out a slow breath. Unafraid Yuna let her love flow into him freely and unrestrained. As it swelled through them, Yuna watched as one tear snaked down Tidus's cheek - and then another. His tears were restrained but undeniable. A gift, for her and her only under the moonlight. For Yuna knew that Tidus's tears were rare and precious, something to be treasured. As minutes stretched between them Yuna slowly eased off the connection they shared until the emotions she had flooded him with were brought to a much more manageable level, "It's enough for me too." Tidus finally said.

"Good. Because I don't think I could do this without you."

"Me either." He answered.

An easy quiet descended upon them. The waves lulling them into a sense of tranquility. A balmy wind rustled Yuna's hair, and soothed the heat of the night on her skin. Finally she nudged Tidus's arm and gestured out into the ocean, "I don't think so." He told her.

"Come on. I'll race you." She said.

"What about decorum? The party?"

To that Yuna made her way to the stairs that lead down to the sand. By the time she was at the bottom, she had already untied her obi and was in the process of hanging it on the wooden rail of the staircase, "It's my party, so I figure I can do whatever I want to."

"What if the press catch you? Catch us?"

To that Yuna tisked, "It's a private beach. And they cannot expect the Emissary to be stately all the time can they? If they catch us, I suppose they catch us."

"I feel like we do this a lot." Tidus told her.

"It's our beach tradition!" Yuna yelled back, the rest of what she said lost to the sound of the roar of the waves.

She shucked off her dress and her sandals and clad only in her undergarments begun to book it to the ocean. Glancing behind her, she looked to see if Tidus had decided to follow. She was not surprised to see that he had. Fancy clothing thrown to the side, he raced after her.

Above them the moon cast its beams into the sea. Tomorrow was another day, but for tonight - they had each other, and the rush of the ocean.

A/N: I feel like all the stories I write for this series end with Tidus and Yuna in the ocean so, why change that now? Although this isn't the full end - there is an epilogue.

I'm also really enamored with the conversation between Yuna and Naimi. Naimi is mostly still a child but I feel like because of who her parents are, she's surprisingly wise for her age. It shows here in a really honest and open way that I don't think Naimi always gets to have because of her age.

In this chapter Yuna is wearing the Festival dressphere. I found it cute and appropriate.

Only one more chapter left ):