Ho, ho! Welcome back! I knew you would. LOL, anyways, onward with the chapter. You might see a little TidusYuna fluff but only a little. It's still too early in the story to be doing that.

Illusions of Life and Death

Chapter 5
A Painful Cry

Dawn approached, the sun rising, peeking through the trees. It was going to another beautiful summer day on Besaid. Yuna had just gotten up, slipping on her boots and grabbing her guns like usual.

She then quietly walked out of her room, wishing not to disturb anyone's rest. She then made her way down the hall.

"Ah ha!" Came a voice from behind.

Yuna turned around. "Rikku? What are you doing sneaking up behind me like that?" She whispered.

"Well I wouldn't have to if someone wasn't sneaking out so early in the morning." Rikku replied whispering. "What are you up to?"

"Uhh…" Yuna began nervously. "Early patrols of the village?"

Rikku crossed her arms. You could tell that Rikku wasn't going to buy her story. "I want the truth Yunie…"

Yuna tugged on her hair shyly. "I can't tell you. You'd freak out and tell everyone."

"Ah! Who do you take me for? A blabber mouth?" Rikku asked feeling hurt from her words.

"Yes." Yuna simply replied. Well it was the truth as she saw it.

"Well if you don't tell me then I will tell everyone you're hiding something. You're little secret won't last for long then." She then paused for a second. "I promise I won't tell. I swear on my own life."

"…………" Yuna replied. "Well……I've…you see…lately I've been hanging out with someone. His name is Tidus."

Rikku stared at her. "Tidus, eh? Another guy? So what's he like? He does know that you're engaged right? Does he—"

"He's a vampire." Yuna told her interrupting.

Rikku gasped. "What?"

"Shh!" Yuna whispered.

"Are you out of you're fricken mind? What the hell are you thinking? You're putting you're life at risk!" She shouted.

"Tidus is different then the others Rikku! He saved my life." Yuna told her.

"Yeah so he can suck your blood catching you off guard!" Rikku said.

"I trust him Rikku. And he trusts me!" She then paused for a minute. "I knew I shouldn't have told you…you just…don't understand him like I do!" She then ran off, down the stairs and out the front doors. Rikku stood there thinking, deep in thought. She wanted to trust her cousin but hanging with a vampire…it was hard for her to accept.

Yuna walked through her village all alone, her arms crossed over her chest.

Tidus isn't dangerous…right? Or is he really just luring me into a trap? Yuna wondered. What if Rikku is right? Should I even take that chance?

"Yuna…" Came a voice from up ahead.

Yuna looked up and smiled. "Tidus."

He walked up to her. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine, no worries." Yuna replied trying not to worry him.

"If you say so." Tidus began. "So are you ready?"

"I…I'm not really sure about this Tidus. What if its dangerous?" Yuna asked unsure.

"I promise you that nothing bad will happen. Trust me Yuna." He looked into her eyes.

Trust me Yuna. The words going through my mind over and over again. Trust him Yuna, he's not dangerous. He has never hurt me. Tidus is different then the others. Yuna thought to herself.

Tidus stretched out his hand towards her. "Come."

Yuna looked up at him and they're eyes met with one another. Yuna smiled, taking his hand.

Tidus then began to lead her through the forest, on the other side of the island, towards 'the cave.'

There was a light knock at Lenne's door. She had just woken up, sitting up and rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. "Come in." She called.

The door then opened and Shuyin entered. "Hey." He began, closing the door behind him and walking over to her bed. "How are you feeling this morning?" He then sat down on a chair beside her bed.

"Much better, thank you." She looked at her arms and noticed all the bandages. She must have been injured badly last night.

"It was a good thing we were out last night or you could have ended up dead." Shuyin said. "We treated you're wounds as soon as possible, you had lost a lot of blood."

"I am truly grateful for your services hunter." Lenne replied.

Shuyin smiled at her. "So…Lenne, is it not? What brings you here to Besaid?"

"I'm a messenger from Zanarkand. I am here to deliver a message to a hunter named Yuna. Is she here?" Lenne asked.

"Yuna?" Shuyin paused for a moment. "She is currently not present at the moment."

Lenne smiled at Shuyin. "That's okay. I'll wait until she returns then."

"Okay." Shuyin then stood up. "If you need anything at all just let me know. In the meantime, you just get some rest."

"Might I ask you're name hunter?" Lenne asked.

"Shuyin." He replied.

Lenne smiled. Shuyin then left her to rest.

"This is it." Tidus told Yuna as they walked up to a cave.

Yuna looked up at it. "I used to come here as a child. We never went in of course."

Tidus took Yuna's hand and began guiding her in through the long dark tunnels, the only light were small candles that were lit every so often down the tunnel. As they continued walking, they then reached it. The main chamber.

Yuna's eyes widened in shock. "Oh my God……" She mumbled softly.

Tidus chuckled. "This is my home."

Yuna looked around. All the vampires were indeed sleeping in coffins. But they're so many, at least over 150. "I always knew that…there were a lot of vampires but not this many."

"You'd be surprise how fast we multiply." Tidus joked. "Come. This way." He said beginning to walk through another dark tunnel. Yuna followed closely behind.

They then reached another part of the cave. "This is my room."

Yuna looked around. One messed up bed, a desk full of junk, some broken bottles in a corner, ripped cloth on the floor and walls. "Sure is messy."

"I'm not big on cleaning." Tidus told her. "I'm here most of the time during the day. It gets quite lonely sometimes since all the others are sleeping."

Yuna walked around, then stopping at his desk when she noticed something quite interesting. A picture. Yuna picked it up and held it in her hand, looking at it. A young boy, maybe around 6 with his two parents. The father, long brown hair, brown eyes, and the mother, dirty blonde hair, blue eyes. They looked so peaceful all together. "Is this…you and you're parents?" Asked Yuna.

Tidus walked over and stood beside Yuna, looking down at the picture. Tidus chuckled. "Yeah. My father Jecht and my mother Rain." He replied.

"You look so happy together. So…where are you're parents now?" Yuna asked.

"My father is the head vampire of our pact. He's past the big doors in the main chamber. And my mother…she was killed when I was young." Tidus then walked away.

Yuna put the picture back on his desk. "I'm sorry I asked…"

"My mother…she was a beautiful loving person. My father met her when he was living in the Macalania Woods. When I was born I was with my mother, living in a simple village that wouldn't often get attacked by vampires. As I grew up I was sent to my father. I never understood why I couldn't be with them both together. My father lived in the caves and my mother in the village." Tidus told Yuna. He then turned around and gazed into her eyes. "My mother was a human, a mortal, at least that is what my father told me. The villagers found out about my parents and they killed my mother because of it." Tidus looked away from Yuna.

"Tidus…" Yuna spoke softly.

"I don't understand humans. My mother never did anything wrong. I saw the villagers kill her with my own eyes."

Yuna then walked up closer to Tidus, placing her hand on his shoulder.

"Vampires would never kill other vampires. It goes against our code. It shows disrespect to our kind. But…my mother…she was killed by another human." Tidus then turned back around and faced Yuna. "Why do humans kill one another Yuna?"

Yuna sighed. "It's complicated yet horrible at the same time. Not all humans get along with one another. We are not the same as you are with the other vampires. We kill each other for all sorts of different reasons, and yes, sometimes we don't know why. Its just our nature." She explained to Tidus.

Tidus shook his head. "Human Nature is not horrible. It's disgraceful and vile. Nothing good ever comes out of humans." He then walked over to his bed and sat down.

Yuna stared at him. "Lots of good things come out from humans. Maybe if bloodthirsty creatures didn't come and attack us all the time, we would have a more peaceful and relaxing world to live in where we wouldn't have to be disgraceful and vile against others."

"So is that we are to you Yuna? Bloodthirsty creatures? Don't forget that we were once humans too." Tidus replied.

Yuna crossed her arms over her chest. "You have no sympathy for anything but you're quench for blood and human flesh."

Tidus then lay on his bed, closing his eyes. "Maybe. It's a good thing we don't have as many needs as YOU have to worry about and need."

"It just makes all the more worth living. What's life if all you do is eat and sleep?" Yuna asked.

Tidus then sat up and looked over at her. "That's life. Ours at least."

Yuna then rubbed her arms. "I think I should go back to the village now. People might get suspicious that I've been gone so long."

Tidus stood up. "Okay. I'll take you back then."

Yuna smiled. "Thanks."

Baralai walked down the stairs and entered the kitchen where she found Rikku.

"Rikku, have you seen Yuna at all today?" He asked feeling concerned.

Rikku choked on her water. "Um Yuna? Can't say I have. Why, is something up?"

Baralai crossed his arms over his chest. "We were suppose to take Shuyin out into the forest to begin our hunt for the vampire's cave."

"Well then…that's an interesting story. Good luck finding her then." She then resumed her late dinner.

Baralai sighed. He wondered what was up with Yuna. She had been acting so strange lately. But of course he never knew about Tidus, which made him worry even more why she was always gone. Just then the front doors opened. Baralai walked into the hall to see Yuna come in.

"Yuna." He began walking up to Yuna and placing his hands on her shoulders. "I was so worried. Where have you been?"

"Just around, you know, making sure the village is safe." Yuna replied.

"You've been gone all day."

"So? Am I not allowed to do whatever I want and go wherever I please? I'm a hunter Baralai, I can take care of myself. I don't need YOU to follow OR worry OR demand things upon me!" Yuna snapped at him.

"Yuna…" Baralai said softly. He couldn't believe what she had just said to him.

Yuna looked away. "Sorry…I didn't mean-" She then stopped and walked off to her room. Baralai stood there. Yuna had never been so disrespectful to him like that before…

"Prepare to depart brothers!" Seymour instructed, gathering everyone together outside the cave later that day.

The vampires then began assembling outside, but only a short number of 65 would be feasting tonight on the village.

Seymour, an evil smirk covering his dirty face, his eyes intense red, and his fangs thirsty for fresh blood, accompanied Bickson as they began to make way to the village.

Yuna lay on her bed, deep in thought. She had raised her voice to her fiancé, something she had never intended on doing.

There was then a light knock on her door.

"Come in." Yuna called out.

The door then opened and Lenne emerged inside.

"Lenne?" Yuna said sitting up. "You shouldn't be out of bed, your wounds haven't had enough time to recover."

Lenne smiled and walked in. "That's okay, I'll be fine." She then sat down at the end of Yuna's bed. "I came from Zanarkand Milady. A messenger from your father."

"My father? But he has long past away." Yuna replied.

"As to honor one of his final requests, he wanted me to give you this." Lenne then handed Yuna a book.

Yuna accepted then began to skim through the pages. "This is his journal. All his studies on the vampires." Yuna then looked back up at Lenne. "How did you get this?"

"I am only a messenger Lady Yuna. I was told to tell you to put his studies in good hands. That is all."

"I see…" Yuna replied.

Lenne then stood up. "You're father would be very proud of you. I had the chance to meet him myself a few years back before he passed away. He's a brilliant man. He knew much about vampires and the war."

Yuna smiled politely. "Thank you Lenne."

But before further conversation could occur, the cry of screams came within the village. Yuna stood up and ran over to her window as did Lenne and looked out to see the vampires attacking, burning and killing.

"The vampires!" Yuna called out to herself as she continued to watch from her window.

"Lady Yuna, you must fight, please." Lenne told her.

Yuna turned around, grabbing her guns and running downstairs where she just saw Baralai and Shuyin leave the house. Rikku ran up to Yuna.

"Yunie! Yunie! The people need aid. There are so many of them out there!" Rikku panicked.

"Rikku, stay inside and protect Lenne! Don't come outside no matter what!" Yuna ordered her then rushed outside and joined with the other hunters.

Tidus ran through the forest quickly, as fast as he could. He noticed a number of vampires gone and began making his way to the village where he saw Seymour and the others burning it down, sucking the blood of those who were defenseless, eating they're flesh as if it was like eating a chicken bone, and slashing, digging their long sharp nails into they're skin until they screamed out in pain. The sound of crying, of fear and gunshots, he couldn't handle it.

"Get out of my village!" He heard the voice of Yuna. Tidus made his way into the village to see her killing the vampires with her guns.

She was backed up from Shuyin who was killing them without difficulty as if it was just a day to day hobby of his.

"No please no!" A villager cried out being surrounded. Yuna rushed over as fast as she was able to and commenced in combat with the beasts. She managed to shot one in the head but then was tackled down by the other. The two wrestled on the floor, Yuna, trying her hardest to kick the bloodthirsty creature off before it would pierce its long torturous fangs through her skin.

"No……get…………OFF…of………ME!" Yuna struggled to say. Shuyin then came over and pulled the creature off of Yuna just in time. He then helped her up to her feet.

"You okay?" Shuyin asked.

"I'll live." Replied Yuna smiling.

The two were then going to resume protecting the village when the vampires inexpediently stopped attacking.

Yuna and Shuyin looked around them to see all the vampires back down. Seymour then came out, holding a human hostage around his arm. "I have seen enough bloodshed from you pathetic worms." Seymour began. "If you do not meet our demands then I will have to choice then to suck the blood from this hunter."

Yuna then looked up to see it was none other then Baralai being held hostage from the vampire.

"No…BARALAI!" Shouted Yuna.

Shuyin then held Yuna back.

"We know you all value the life of this hunter. If you wish for us to let him go we want the leader of the hunters as well as a hunter by the name of Yuna." Seymour said.

Shuyin continued to hold Yuna back. He immediately knew that she would be in great danger if he had let her go forward. He couldn't allow it. "Don't move." He told Yuna.

"But Baralai…" Yuna softly replied crying.

"There is nothing we can do for him right now. If you wish to live, don't move."

A man then walked forward. "My name is Auron. I'm the leader of the Besaid hunters."

Seymour evilly smiled. "And Yuna?"

Auron looked down.

"Shuyin…" Yuna softly mumbled.

"Shh…just…don't move." Shuyin whispered.

Seymour paused for a moment. "WHERE'S YUNA?" He shouted.

"Shuyin please…let me go…" Yuna told him.

"He will kill you Yuna."

"I need to save Baralai…" Yuna said.

"Even at the cost of your own life?" Shuyin asked.

"Shuyin……" She closed her eyes and continued crying.

Seymour growled, showing his long sharp fangs. "Come out now hunter! I know you value this man's life. If you wish no harm to him, come forth."

Yuna then pulled away from Shuyin and began to walk forward.

Seymour turned his head to see the young girl come towards him. He smiled. "So the bitch has decided to show her face. Pitiful human."

Yuna ignored his words. "What do you want with Auron and I?"

"You're flesh and blood." He began. Seymour then pointed his finger at her. "Kill her."

Yuna flinched closing her eyes as two vampires came charging at her. But against all odds, a person came out and pulled Yuna to the side. He then pushed the two vampires away.

Yuna then opened her eyes to see a man hold her in his arms. But not just any ordinary man.

"Tidus?" She softly mumbled.

"Stop this now Seymour!" Tidus demanded angrily glaring.

"How dare you speak to me like that you worthless half breed! I see. You rather help this human and take her side rather then ours?"

Half-breed? …Is it true? Yuna thought.

"I'm not taking anyone's side just please…don't." Tidus asked him.

"Wrong answer." And with that Seymour dug his long sharp fangs into Baralai's neck, draining him clean.

"NO! BARALAI!" Screamed Yuna. She fell to her knees.

Tidus then charged at Seymour but was just smacked away and fell to the ground. Seymour then threw Baralai's body down. "You're just as pathetic as the humans Tidus." He then walked up to Tidus and kicked him several times in the stomach. "Brothers. Sisters. Were leaving."

Yuna looked up to see Tidus lye on the floor in pain. But even so, nothing was more painful then the pain in her heart. She cried.

Wow, that was a long chapter eh? Well I hoped you liked it. So since Baralai is now gone (sorry for everyone who liked him but this IS a Tidus/Yuna fic) it opens for the love of Tidus and Yuna. Don't forget to review now that you're finished reading and stay right where you are. Chapter 6, Behind The Smile will come soon.