Illusions of Life and Death

Chapter 10
False Identities

"I want you to…meet the others. Shuyin isn't here, you'll be safe. I'm sure."

"…Are you sure about this?"

Yuna nodded her head.

"If you really want me to then, okay."

Yuna was currently downstairs eating breakfast with the others telling them about Tidus. Sure he was nervous about the whole thing but he wanted to make Yuna happy.

She was the first person he revealed himself to. Normally Tidus wouldn't get involved with humans but Yuna was different. Whenever she was around him it made him feel so untroubled. She was unique. And because of that, he knew he could trust her.

Tidus began walking around the room. She was sure taking her time downstairs which began made him anxious. Just relax, everything will be okay, he thought to himself over and over again, trying to get the message through. He then walked over to the window. The sun was rising so he had to cover most of his view with the shutters. He watched as the village woke up and everyone came out to continue on with their busy lives. People shopped, talked to one another, kids would play tag or kick around a Blitzball, it sure was peaceful.

The life of a human…It sure was more complex then the life of a vampire. As he watched the people, he couldn't quite help but smile. He wished he could step into the warm sunlight with Yuna, walking on the sandy beach gazing out at the ocean as it sparkled. If only he could. Tidus then closed the shutters, looking away sadly and sighing. Even though he wanted to do all those things with Yuna, he knew that he couldn't. That's the price he had to pay as being a vampire. He belonged to the nighttime while Yuna belonged to the daytime. That's all there was to it.

"…Tidus?" He resumed back into reality and looked over to see Yuna at her bedroom door. She smiled at him. "Ready?"

Tidus needed his head. "Yeah."

The two headed out, down the hall, down the stairs and into the dining room where Rikku, Lenne, Wakka, Lulu and Vidina were. The second they entered, all their heads looked up at the man who stood besides Yuna.

"Umm…" Yuna began nervously. She then held Tidus' hand in hers. "Everyone…this is Tidus." He nodded at them. "Tidus, these are my friends, Rikku, Lenne, Wakka, Lulu and Vidina who is Wakka and Lulu's child."

"Nice to meet you all." Tidus began politely.

"Wow." Lenne said smiling. "Besides the pale skin, he looks like just a regular human. Amazing."

"I've never been this close to a vampire before." Lulu said holding little Vidina in her arms. "Nonetheless though he is still dangerous."

"Uh…well...I-"

"Oh, no." Yuna began interrupting Tidus. "He is very friendly."

"I don't mean to be insolent towards you Tidus, but I don't agree with this idea. As friendly as you say he is, he is a vampire. Their minds are much sharper then ours and can slip easily." Lulu explained.

"I agree with Lu on this one too, Yuna. But for me it's quite elating to be up close to one of them." Wakka told her.

"Tidus is different, I assure you." Yuna replied trying to convince them otherwise. "He is actually half human."

"Half vampire, half human you say?" Lenne asked. "Wow, you don't see many of those kinds around."

Tidus stepped forward. "I know you're all probably concerned about my behavior around Yuna. As you said, yes, my mind can easily slip from normal to vicious. But I don't hurt humans out of pleasure as my brother's and sister's do. I reject almost all there is in being this. I try my best to get out during the day, I don't hurt others and foremost, I don't drink other's blood. Only when necessary to keep my energy."

"Heh." Lulu snickered. "You're all talk. Come Wakka, let's go now." She then began to head out of the room.

"Right, coming." He began to walk out but then stopped when reaching Tidus and Yuna. "I'm sorry about Lu, Yuna. She's had bad experiences with vampires so try not to let what she said get to ya." He told them then left.

"Well I like you Tidus." Lenne told him. "As long as you don't hurt Yuna, right?"

Tidus smiled nodding his head. "Of course."

Lenne returned the smile. "Good to hear." She then turned her head towards Rikku. "Let's get going Rikku. You're still helping me shop, right?"

Rikku jumped. "Yeeeeeah!" The two headed out of the room leaving Tidus and Yuna alone.

"Well…that went pretty good." Tidus told her.

"Yeah, I'd say so too." She looked up at him peacefully. "As long as you're good mister." She teased.

Tidus smiled at her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Whatever your heart desires, conceder it done."

Yuna gazed into his eyes happily. She had never met someone like he was. She felt this mysterious vibe when she was around him and it made her feel so content. Tidus was all she could ever wish for.

As they both slowly leaned in to kiss,

"Yuna!" Came a voice from down the hall.

The two lovebirds quickly pulled apart from each other just in time before Auron came walking in on them. "Yuna what are you doing? You should be out patrolling now. It's your shift."

"Oh!" She exclaimed shockingly. "I almost forgot I had the early shift today. Sorry sir, I'll get right on it."

"Yeah, well, get to it soon." Auron told her. He then looked over to see the blonde figure that stood beside her. He slightly tilted his head at him awkwardly. "You look awfully familiar. Have I seen you around somewhere before?"

"Uh…I umm…well…" Tidus trailed off nervously.

"Actually…" Yuna began standing in front of Auron. "This is Tidus. He's uh…new to the island in fact. I was just showing him around. He's………interested in…becoming…a…vampire hunter." She lied but hopefully it'd convince him otherwise about Tidus.

"Is that so?" Auron observed him carefully. "Alright then. Have him come by my office sometime to get him settled in."

"Of course sir. Thank you." Yuna concluded as she watched him walk away.

"Becoming a vampire hunter, eh? Nice cover." Tidus teased.

Yuna sweat dropped. "It was all I could think of at the time."

"Hmm." Tidus smiled. "Well besides Shuyin, your boss is another who worries me." He then scratched his head discomfortingly. "Speaking of Shuyin…where is he?"

"Oh uhh…Shuyin…well you see…he's actually in Luca and…"

"…He's sending in more recruits for the vampire hunt here…right?" Tidus finished her sentence.

Yuna nodded her head sadly. "I'm sorry…I should have told you…"

Tidus looked away. "No…it's okay. I understand." He then walked a few steps away from Yuna and sighed. "Well…I better get going."

Yuna turned to him.

"You have patrolling now anyways and I can't be seen hanging around here." He turned her way and smiled at Yuna. "I…have a request."

"A request?" Yuna asked.

"Tonight, just after the sun sets, meet me down by the beach." Tidus asked.

Yuna nodded her head. "Sounds nice. I'll be there."

"Great. Well I'll see you later then."

"I'm glad to see that things are working out on Besaid, Shuyin. You're doing a great job in keeping it safe although, it's unfortunate that that young Baralai never made it." The old man of Luca spoke.

"Yes, his death was hard on the entire village. But I hope that if I could bring them safety and reassurance with the extinction of vampires, not only Besaid but all of Spira can rejoice and feel secure when they are outside." Shuyin explained.

"Yes. If the vampires were rid out of Spira, everyone would be much happier for sure. So what can I help you with young Shuyin?"

"I came here to ask for a request. If possible, I would like you to send me as many hunters available to come with me to Besaid. I know without a doubt that the heart of the vampires lies within the forests of Besaid. If I can find the source and kill the lead vampire, I'm positive I could end the vampire race."

"Hmm…" The old man ordered. "Well Shuyin…I have much faith in you. That is why I took you in when you were a young boy."

"And I thank you much for that."

"After your parents were killed by vampires, I couldn't just leave you alone. As you grew up, I felt warm hearted to hear that you would devote yourself to become a vampire hunter." The man then stood up. "I'd be glad to send hunters to Besaid for you."

Shuyin stood up smiling. "Thank you. It means much for me to hear those words from you."

The sun had just set. Tidus sat in the sand staring out at the ocean thinking about all that has happened since he met Yuna.

Meeting Yuna and falling in love with her was one thing. Then the death of her fiancé came. Making love then meeting her friends, it was all so overwhelming and happened so fast.

I was never supposed to fall in love with a human, he began to think to himself. This is as old I'm going to get for at least another few thousands years…If only…there was a way for Yuna and I to be together forever without turning her into a vampire. Tidus shook his head. I could never turn Yuna into a creature like me. I would never want to see her live a cursed live as I do. But then…what else is there for me to do? He almost felt as if it would have been better if he had never met Yuna.

Without knowing, Yuna quietly snuck up behind Tidus and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Hey you. I hope you weren't waiting long." She then sat down beside him and stared out at the ocean with him.

"…Thanks for coming out with me tonight." Tidus began to tell her.

"Of course. Besides, I've always wanted to sit down at the beach with you."

"It must be a lot prettier with the sun out then at night…"

"It is…But the ocean looks just as pretty with the stars reflecting off of it." She then looked over at Tidus seeing that something was troubling him. "What's wrong Tidus?"

Tidus looked down at the sand. "I don't know…so much has happened lately and…I don't know. It just doesn't seem right."

"What are you talking about?" She asked linking her arm with his.

"I feel as if…I mean we shouldn't be…" He then stood up and sighed. Yuna stood up as well and brushed off the sand, looking over at Tidus. He turned around and gazed into her eyes sorrowfully. "…We…can't be together Yuna."

"What…?" Yuna asked, her voice soft yet hurt.

"You and I…we're too different. You're a human and I'm a vampire. Think about it. Is this really what you want? To be with someone who can't go out into the sunlight…who's a complete monster...who's…not like you and your friends. You know what that's like?"

"But Tidus you're different then a normal vampire! You're special…unique…you're not like the others!"

"Yuna…" He began again but spoke more softly. "I live by draining the lives of others...you know that feels? That's my entire life. Most times I can't bear it. So I stopped drinking. A starvation diet if you wish to call it. It tears me up inside that I have to live like this…this way. And now that I've met you and we've shared this bond together...but it's not real! You'll continue to grow and live, becoming older…but I'll be left behind…" He paused for a moment to see Yuna beginning to cry. Tidus knew that she knows that he's right. He looked away. "Yuna……one day...you'll die. But I'll keep on living."

Yuna looked over to see his back faced towards her. She continued to cry. "Then…I want you to…turn me into a vampire."

Tidus quickly turned around and looked at her shockingly. "What? What are you talking about?"

"Suck my blood and turn me into a vampire like you. That way we can…be together."

"You know I can't do that. I won't."

"Why not?" Yuna yelled.

"Because!" He began to walk around in circles. "I live a cursed life Yuna. Killing others, drinking blood... I can't condemn you to that!"

"At least we'll be together…"

"You'd be living a lie! I'm a monster Yuna. A monster, you understand?" Lonely tears began to escape his eyes. "You already have a wonderful life. You have friends and family. I couldn't take that away from you!"

Yuna looked down. "Now that you are here with me, I don't ever want to let you go." The two looked at each other. "What about those words that you told me last night? Did they mean nothing? Were they all in vain? What about my feelings? Do you even care about them?"

"Of course I do."

Yuna walked up to Tidus and gazed into his eyes. "I told you that I wasn't afraid. That I wanted to be with you. That I was willing to take the risks! Tidus…" She held his hands. "Please…don't leave me…not now, not like this. I need you…" She placed a hand on his cheek. "You can feel me, can't you? You can see me, hear me, create memories with me…see? It is real. It always has been."

Tidus wrapped Yuna in his arms and held her close. "Yuna…"

"I love you Tidus. Now and always. My words are true."

He pulled apart from Yuna to see her face. He smiled, wiping her tears away. "Come on. Let's head back now. Together."

Yuna smiled warmly at him. She was able to keep him and that made her feel wonderful inside.

Upon arriving back in the village, hand-in-hand, in the distance they saw a crowd of people gathering around the front doors of the hunters mansion. Concerned, Tidus and Yuna ran over and pushed their way through the crowd. Once done, they found Lenne on the doorsteps crying.

Yuna ran up to her. "Lenne! What's wrong? What happened?"

Lenne looked up at Yuna. "Yuna! …It's…Rikku…she's…it all happened so fast and…"

"Try and calm down, okay? I need to know what happened. What happened to Rikku?" Yuna asked calmly, trying to calm Lenne down as well.

"Rikku…she…she was attack by………a vampire!"

FINALLY I have updated this long awaited chapter for this story. Anyhow I hoped you all enjoyed reading and don't forget to check out the next chapter coming soon called, Rikku's Struggle, Shuyin's Return.