Welcome back everyone! I left with you all with a bit of a jaw dropping cliffy eh? Sorry bout that, making you wonder more about what will happen. But I'm back with a fresh new chapter and I'm about to deliver. Enjoy.

Illusions of Life and Death

Chapter 7
Unable to Stay

Tidus stood behind Yuna, sliding his hands down her arms slowly feeling her soft skin, his face leaning in towards her neck.

Yuna could feel his breath on her neck, sending shivers down her spine. But she did not pull away from him. For some reason Yuna enjoyed his company, him being so close to her.

Yuna tensed, closed her eyes. "Tidus…what are you…"

Tidus slowly, began to open his mouth, closing his eyes.

Yuna took a deep breath, she stood there calm as she felt Tidus' lips touched her neck, beginning to kiss her. It sent shivers down her spine but in a good way. She couldn't explain it. To Yuna, she liked the feeling of Tidus kissing her neck at that moment. So soft and tender his lips felt on her skin, she didn't want him to stop.

"…Tidus…" She softly moaned.

Tidus continued, slowly moving up towards her cheek. But before he could continue, he felt his fangs emerging in his mouth. He moved back down to her neck. Just as he opened his mouth more full, Tidus quickly flinched away from Yuna, taking a few steps back.

"Tidus?" Yuna turned around to see Tidus staring out the window, his back facing her. "Are you okay?"

Tidus slightly turned his head. Yuna saw his fangs and took a step back. He had a mad expression on his face that Yuna didn't trust.

Tidus looked away. "I have to go."

"Wait." Yuna protested. "Don't go yet—"

"I'm too dangerous Yuna!" He shouted, interrupting her. Tidus turned around and looked at Yuna saddened. "I could've bit you just now. I put you're life in danger!"

"Tidus…" She began softly. Yuna didn't know what to say. He was right.

Tidus looked down then back out through the window. "Maybe it'll be best if I don't come around anymore."

Yuna looked over at him, tears trying to escape but Yuna kept them in, hoping she wouldn't burst into tears. "……But…why?"

"Yuna…" He turned back to look at her one last time. "You're a human. And I'm a vampire. We're just too different."

"But Tidus." Yuna began, crossing her arms over her chest. "I know the risks of being near you. But even still—" She placed her arms down. "I want to take those risks."

"But I don't Yuna." He paused for a moment. "I don't want you to get hurt by me."

"…Is this really what you want Tidus?"

"Believe me, I don't want to do this. But it's for the best." Tidus paused for a moment then smiled. Yuna stared at him. It was the first time she had seen him smile. It made her feel happy inside, yet sad at the same time. "Just pretend that I was nothing more than an illusion that has come and left. Like I have never existed."

"Just an illusion? …Tidus?"

Tidus nodded smiling.

Yuna chuckled, wiping her tears away. "An illusion that had come and left like the wind."

Their eyes met again.

"Goodbye Yuna. I know you'll be happy, full of life, like the wind." And with that, he jumped through the window and was gone.

Happy, full of life, like the wind, eh? Why must you leave so soon Tidus?

Yuna walked over to her window and looked out. I'll admit, we barely knew each other. But still. I feel like I've known you my whole life. I don't know how to explain it but…somehow you've changed my life. I know that we're different…if only…there was a way to change that.

Yuna took a deep breath. I can't just see you as an illusion. As just a simple fantasy or daydream. Not now anyways. Because I…I'm… "…I'm in love with you Tidus."

Tidus ran through the forest, his head down, and for the first time tears escaping his eyes. So this is what heartbreak felt like…he had never experienced something like it ever since he saw his mother killed. But even then he was young, so he couldn't quite remember it. But now with Yuna…he felt as if he couldn't breathe anymore.

Why did I do that? Why did I leave her? ……It had to be done. I couldn't allow myself to endanger her anymore. She'll be okay in time. She'll forget all about me, right?

Tidus then stopped running and stood there in the darkness, panting. "Why must I be cursed like this? …Why couldn't I have a normal life…?" He asked himself.

"Because that's just the way you are." Came a voice.

Tidus turned around to see Seymour approach him.

Tidus glared angrily. "What do you want?"

"Sorry if I overheard you. I was just out for a snack." Seymour began. He paused for a moment. "So did you're little human friend dumb you?"

"That is none of your business!" Tidus snapped. "Just go away, you already did enough."

"Tidus. I can see it in you're eyes. You're scared."

"Humpt." He crossed his arms over his chest.

Seymour walked around Tidus. "Being a vampire isn't a curse. See it more as a blessing. We can live forever, we have no worries in life, and best of all we get to see others suffer."

"This isn't a blessing Seymour. It's a nightmare. And I want out."

"Well like it or not you can't. You are who you are forever. So you might as well enjoy it." Seymour told him.

"I rather be a human."

"For what? They die after 50 years or so. Or is this because of you're human friend?"

Tidus didn't reply.

"You can't be with her. And even if you can, chances are that 1, you most likely would endanger her. 2, the other humans would kill you the first chance they get. And 3rd, you two are just too different. She could endanger us all."

"I don't care what you say! Yuna would never do anything to hurt me. She trusts me. And I don't have to hear any more crap that comes out of you're mouth! You know you sound like my father?" Tidus then ran off.

Seymour remained there for a few more seconds, smiling evilly. "She trusts you, eh?"

The next morning

Yuna tossed and turned in her bed, waking up just after 6 am from noise coming from outside. She crawled out of bed and walked over to her window, looking out. What she saw shocked her. All the hunters were gathering, fully prepared for battle.

After seeing this, Yuna quickly got dressed and rushed out of her room, proceeding downstairs and outside.

"What the?" Yuna asked herself.

"Yuna!" Came Shuyin's voice. He walked over to her. "So good to see you up so early."

"What is going on?" She asked.

"Why were on our way to slay some vampires, why else would we be preparing for battle?" Shuyin replied sounding somewhat thrilled about the idea.

"Slay the vampires? But none of us have found their hiding place." Yuna told him although lying considering she knew where they were.

"Oh yes we have."

"What?" She asked bewildered. "What do you mean you have?"

"Last night, a villager spotted a vampire in the village making its way into the forest. He followed him deep into the forest to see it enter a cave far west on the island." Shuyin began.

Spotted a vampire in the village last night…It must have been Tidus… damn this is bad. What should I do?

"This cave or what I have heard, used to be a temple years ago, but became abandoned when they built the new one here in the village. That is where the vampires have been hiding." Shuyin told her.

Yuna looked up at him. "Shuyin you can't do this. Please reconsider!"

"What are you talking about Yuna?" Shuyin asked her puzzled.

Auron, leader of the hunters came out of his hut. "Hunters! Prepare to depart!"

Villagers came out of their huts to wish the hunters luck, including Rikku, Lulu, Wakka, and Lenne.

Yuna ran up to Auron. "Auron you must stop! You can't go to that cave!"

"Is there a problem hunter?" He asked her.

"Please just don't go!"

"And give me a good reason why we shouldn't."

Everyone around the two began to stare in silence.

Naturally Yuna couldn't tell Auron of Tidus. Even if she did he would still raid the cave. She didn't reply, instead, she dripped her head down in defeat.

"I don't know what you're up to Yuna but this is no time for games. Now get your guns and get ready to leave." Auron replied then walked away.

Rikku, watching the whole thing, was heartbroken. She ran up to Yuna. "Yunie!" She began.

Yuna looked up at her cousin. "Rikku please just…don't say anything."

"You know that I will. Yunie…what's wrong?"

"Nothings wrong!" Yuna snapped unknowingly. "They just can't go to that cave!"

"Because of Tidus?" Rikku asked already knowing that it was.

Yuna crossed her arms over her chest. "Regardless if this is about him or not, Auron just can't send the hunters out there..."

"Well Yunie…I'm sorry to say but there isn't anything any of us can do to chance his mind." Rikku told her softly. She then paused for a moment. "So how do you know that the vampires reside in the cave?"

"Rikku, this is not the time to be asking me questions."

"Hunters! Move out!"

No! You must not! Please…

"Yuna, were leaving." Auron said. "Let's go."

Yuna's heart sank as she followed her orders and began to head into the forest with the other hunters.

Rikku ran up to Lenne. "Something tells me that this is a bad idea…"

"Me too." Lenne replied.

"All we can do now is wait." Wakka told the two.

Yes, another chapter down. So what waits at the cave? Or more importantly, the forest? Keep reading to find out in Chapter 8, A Life So Changed.