Illusions of Life and Death
Chapter 12
Cry For Love
Pulling herself back together after her downfall when Shuyin found her alone in her room on the floor, Yuna went back to Rikku's side and stayed there in her room until dawn. Her mind was flooded with thoughts about everything that had happened—and what was to come.
She was determined to save both Rikku and Tidus somehow. But she didn't know where she could find the answers that would solve her problems. They felt out of reach, with no solution, no resolve.
But looking back at Rikku, Yuna's thoughts trailed back to her. She was fast asleep there in her bed, sweat dripping down her face, inhaling and exhaling a heavy breath for air.
Rikku…It killed her inside to see the once lively energetic cousin of hers weak and lethargic, with lost hope and thoughts.
I'll find a way to save you, I promise. I won't let you die…"Yuna…?" Came a soft voice from behind. Yuna turned around to see Lenne standing in the doorway, her eyes saddened and worried. "You've been up all night, haven't you?"
She turned away, back at Rikku, holding her hand. "It's okay…I'm not tired."
"Shuyin is preparing for battle. They are going out tonight—going to the cave."
Yuna didn't reply. Just Lenne mentioning Shuyin and battle in the same sentence made her heart race with fear. A fear that haunted herself for Tidus.
"I know that you don't want to be bothered with this now but…Shuyin wants to know if you'll be going with him and the others or if you want to stay here and protect the village tonight?" Lenne continued to speak.
"I…" Yuna began, soft at best. She knew that if she were to go to the cave with Shuyin, that would mean seeing Tidus there fighting, attacking—killing. He wants to help Shuyin and lead him to his father. Thinking about it, there wasn't anything she could do to change that. Deep down, Yuna didn't even know if she was willing to even see Tidus do such a thing. Ever since Baralai had past and Tidus came into her life, Yuna wanted nothing more then to protect him, just like he wanted to protect her. After losing so many people in her life that she cared about, she felt that she had to protect the ones she still had now. Everyone in the village—Wakka, Lulu, Vidina, Lenne, Rikku—Tidus. "…I'll stay here…in the village."
With her mind made up, she realized that she cared for too many in the village for her to go off and whiteness a battle she feared of seeing and being apart of.
"I'll let him know. Excuse me." Lenne finished, leaving the room, closing the door behind her and leaving Yuna there with Rikku.
Closing her eyes, tears began to escape. As much as she wanted to go to the cave and stop both Tidus and Shuyin, she couldn't. Her heart ached for a simple solution—any solution. She didn't want to go through all this pain anymore.
As the many vampires were at their slumber that morning, Tidus was found not. He was walking around the main chamber, getting a good glimpse at what he had called his home for the many years he had been in Besaid. Looking at all his many brothers and sisters sleeping—they were all his family. He knew that his father had worked hard to make it this far. After leaving Macalania when he was a young boy. Day after day, Jecht had never once given up on the colony. And after losing Rain, Tidus mother, he vowed never to lose to the humans ever again, that they'd pay for what they did to her.
Thinking about it made him wonder how far his father would go when the hunters would attack. His father was a very skilled vampire and could probably rip them all to shreds. With his father like that, how was he suppose to lure Shuyin in to kill him?
"Still up you little runt?" Same a foul voice from behind. It was without a doubt Seymour's voice once Tidus turned around and saw him there approach him. "Not out with your little human friend?"
"What do you want Seymour?" Tidus asked, his tone crabby and uncaring.
"Guess you haven't head yet…the hunters are coming tonight to finish us off." He laughed. "To think that they all want to die that eagerly."
"Heh, well if that is true, I better make sure that they do a good job at making sure you're one of those who will be eagerly killed by a hunter." He turned around, making his way out of the main chamber.
"You know that I'm going to have no choice but to kill your little human friend…" Seymour began to taunt, halting Tidus stop.
"Lay one finger on her and I'll be the one to kill you…" Tidus replied, clutching his hand into a fist.
"Why must you be so blind, Tidus? She's a hunter, you know that no matter what you try to do, she will come with the other hunters and attack us. Your affection for her was just an illusion, something that was never real."
"And what would you know about what is real or not?" Tidus shouted, tuning around and looked him in the eyes. "How would you know the difference between life and death? Well? You don't know because you don't care about anything but your—"
"And how would you know?" He interrupted. "You're just a pathetic half breed, you don't know the difference between anything! You know why? Because you're nothing more then a coward! You can't accept the simple truth even if it's right there in front of you! You many not believe a single world that comes out of my mouth but I'm only telling you this because as your elder it's my job to protect you! To protect you and all the others in this colony."
"To protect me? You killed Baralai, you bit Rikku, you've hurt the only person I've ever been close with…that I've ever cared about…"
"She is different from you and I, Tidus. No matter how many times you'd try, she could never understand. Vampires and humans live two different lives, live in two different worlds, whatever we are, they are the opposite!"
"No! They aren't! We aren't…we're not that different…"
"Tidus…" Seymour continued, walking up to him. "Think about it. You have to do what's best for you and Yuna. No one in our colony or even in their village would accept the two of you together. You'd both be living a lie, one that you couldn't keep anyways. We live in the shadows—death. They live in the light—life. That is and will always be. Do you understand?"
Tidus looked away, closing his eyes. He was right. As much as he hated to admit it, Seymour was right. Everything he said…everything that he tried to tell him over and over again was true. "What am I suppose to do then…?" he asked, his voice weak and trembling.
"You don't have to do anything. Just live your life the way we are meant to live them. And let the humans live their lives the way they are meant to live them. Of course, there probably won't be anyone like Yuna you'll ever meet again, but that's the joy of it. Because you'll meet other vampires that are unique in they're own way that you'll learn to love with. Let loose and give in to your vampirism, boy. It is the best gift of all. Your true nature."
"My…true nature…?" Tidus spoke, opening his eyes and looking up at Seymour.
"You're true self. The vampire within you…" He smiled, looking down at Tidus. "Don't be afraid to hide it anymore."
"So do you think we have enough hunters?" Auron asked, standing outside the mansion that morning with Shuyin.
"We have enough for a small army. Should be plenty against the vampires." Shuyin replied, looking over the sheet of the names of all the hunters.
"Good. I want this mess cleaned up tonight…for good."
"And that's why I am here, sir. I'll make sure the job is done."
Just as the two finished up their conversation, both turned their heads over to the mansion as they heard Yuna open the door and come out.
The two men looked back at each other once more.
"Right." Shuyin chuckled. "Excuse me." He finished, walking away and heading over to the mansion, which he entered.
"Yuna could I have a moment with you?" Auron asked.
"…Yes?" She began quietly, walking over to him.
"I heard that you don't want to accompany us to the cave—that you rather stay here in the village?"
"That's right."
Auron sighed. "Yuna, you are one of my best hunters here on Besaid. You're smart, confident, skilled—but lately your work has been slipping. You show up late for your patrolling shifts, sometimes you don't even do them at all, I mean…I know that Baralai's death was devastating, it was to all of us. But tonight is utmost important for all the hunters. Are you sure you don't want to reconsider?"
Yuna looked away, staring at the ground. "I…I don't know…"
"Then at least think about it. I'll come by later for your answer." Auron finished then began to walk away towards the mansion where he entered and followed Shuyin.
Was she to really go out into the forest with the other hunters to slaughter the vampires?
"There is no way I can do that." She spoke to herself, shaking her head. "I couldn't…I can't…"
And there is another chapter for you. Next time: Night comes and the final battle between the humans and vampires begins. Don't worry, there are still a few more chapters to go! Leave your review and I'll see you in chapter 13, Intoxication.