A big thank you to everyone who left me positive feedback---I love you all! Just like the previous chapter this one is edited, hopefully taking care of all grammatical and comma errors! (Edited November 23, 2005)

I would like to thank all my reviewers:

Sakura Mei Yunalesca; JJ Chow; Yuna But Blonder; SavannahX; The Elven Ringbearer; ihatefish; and Dragon-Charmer16.

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy X in anyway, shape, or form. I am making no money from this. Squaresoft is reaping the benefits, not me!

Angel Wings

II. Chapter One: Keeping Faith

The commotion throughout Besaid Village was intense. Lady Yuna, daughter of High Summoner Braska was praying inside Besaid Temple for the first Aeon so that she could begin her quest to become a High Summoner. And if she kept her faith, and obtained all the Aeons, she would travel to Zanarkand and gain the final Aeon.

And Sin would be defeated, and The Calm would be brought to the weary people of Spira. With Sin gone Spira's inhabitants could sleep in their beds without fearing an attack from Sin.

But than, ten years later, Sin would return, and the terror would repeat itself.

&())($$

Yuna kept her face serene as she exited Besaid Temple with her Guardians surrounding her. Kimahri, ever protective, walked beside her; Wakka talked with Tidus in front of her, and Lulu brought up the rear, her eyes moving restlessly around the small village, ready to protect Yuna at the first sign of trouble.

Yuna could not stop watching Tidus. Her heart beat a frantic tempo in her breast and her hands felt sweaty. Tidus, her Tidus, was just as she remembered. His short hair, as untamed and golden as ever surrounded his head like a halo. And his tan skin glowed in the hot sun.

His aqua eyes were just as intense as ever. Even meeting his gaze briefly when she had emerged from the Chamber of the Fayth had made her legs feel weak, and her blood turn molten hot. She wanted Tidus by her side. She ached for his love and support. But more than that, she just wanted to find a way to keep her Tidus by her side, forever…

Wakka turned and faced her, his eyes twinkling. Yuna felt her face heat as Tidus turned and looked at her also, his eyes unreadable. Yuna smiled at Tidus, pleased when his eyes widened, before she nodded at Wakka.

"Are you ready?" Lula asked, crossing her arms.

Yuna smiled before she walked through the throng of people surrounding the center of the Village. Yuna spread her arms and her weapon, Rod of Wisdom, materialized in her hand. Yuna twirled her staff expertly before steadying it in her hands, and her eyes drifted shut.

'I miss Nirvana already …this staff is weak in comparison. I wonder if I'll be able to Summon Valefor?' Yuna thought anxiously. She could hear the crowd whispering as they waited for her to do something. Yuna tried to summon, but she couldn't seem to connect with her Aeon.

'Oh no,' Yuna thought, panicked, 'what if the Fayth messed up when they sent me back? What if I'm unable to Summon? How will I defeat Sin?' Yuna bit her lip hard enough to draw blood, her thoughts frantic.

Than like a cool breeze on a hot summer day, Tidus' voice pierced the panic clouding Yuna's mind. "Yuna, you can do it."

Hearing Tidus--even now, when he had only met her a couple of minutes ago, and knowing he supported her--calmed Yuna down, and sent her heart soaring. Able to think, finally, Yuna realized her error.

'I was thinking of the end of my quest when I had all my Aeons. I was able to send their spirits into my rod, Nirvana, and simply send some of my magick to where my Aeons rested, and Summon them with ease.'

'But this is different. I do not have my Ultimate Weapon, nor all my Aeons. Valefor rests in my mind still.'

Yuna opened her eyes and smiled at an old woman standing near her. "I'm sorry to keep you all waiting." Yuna said.

Yuna closed her eyes as she raised her rod in the air and opened her mind. She felt her heart jump when she sensed Valefor's wise presence.

'Come to me Valefor.' Yuna thought, connecting with her Aeon.

A tremendous surge of power blasted through the crowd and a strong gust of wind shook the nearby trees, sending sand swirling into the air. Yuna's extended arms were buffeted by harsh wind, and her pink sleeves whipped around her, blowing her brown hair into her eyes.

Yuna moved foreword when Valefor landed beside her and she patted his head. She looked up and saw all of the townspeople kneeling in the sand, their eyes wide with shock at Valefor's appearance.

"Thank you Valefor. You may go." Yuna whispered, her eyes drifting to Tidus, who was talking to Wakka trying to discover what she had done.

Yuna bowed to the awestruck crowd kneeling in the sand and turned and walked back to Wakka's house, Kimahri next to her. She needed to rest before the evening festivities began.

She was officially a Summoner.

&(+&$$

"Lady Yuna are you frightened?" A young boy asked, his eyes filling with tears. Yuna smiled and patted the child's hand comfortingly. "You're going to…die. Lady Yuna, don't go! Stay with us! Let someone else defeat Sin!"

Yuna felt her chest tighten as the young boy broke down crying, his mother drawing him into her arms and rocking him gently. "I'm sorry Lady Yuna."

Yuna nodded and crossed her arms as she settled more firmly in the sand. She was cold despite the heat lingering from the afternoon's heat and the fire close to where she sat.

"It's all right. I wish to rid Spira of Sin so that you and your mother, and everyone else can go about their lives without fear or sadness…that is why I must go. If you'll excuse me…"

The woman nodded. "Of course, Lady Summoner."

Yuna stood and moved away from the crowd. She smiled at Wakka and Lulu who were talking to each other a little ways away from the crowd, and moved to where Tidus stood, looking at the water.

She knew Tidus was going to talk to her in a little while, but she wanted to meet him first, before her small entourage shooed him away.

"Hello." She said, her voice cheerful, her eyes moving over features she knew by heart. 'He's here, he's really with me, oh Tidus, and I love you so much…'

"Hey! You're that lady, um…Yuna, right?" Tidus asked, a goofy smile spreading across his face.

"Yes. And you're Tidus?" Yuna asked, her heart beating madly from Tidus' proximity.

"Yes." Tidus said, moving closer to her. Yuna pretended not to notice as she glanced at Lulu and Wakka, hoping her two friends wouldn't notice her speaking to Tidus. She wasn't ready to leave yet.

"Hey, what you did earlier today, that was really amazing." Tidus said, smiling sincerely.

Yuna glanced at Tidus, smiling brightly, her hands clasped over her heart. "Truly? You really thought it was neat?"

Tidus laughed, his eyes sparkling. Yuna could only gaze at Tidus and fight down a stupid grin. Her heart fluttering in her breast and her sweaty palms were distracting, nearly making her miss Tidus' response.

"Yeah." Tidus said, stretching his arms into the air and inhaling deeply.

"Do you think that I could be a High Summoner like my father?" Yuna asked, resting her hand on Tidus' arm, even as she looked at Tidus inquisitively.

"Yeah sure! I bet you could be better than him too!" Tidus said optimistically.

Yuna sighed and removed her hand from Tidus' arm, her eyes downcast. "I still have a long way to go, though." Tidus put his arm around her shoulders and hugged her gently. Yuna's eyes fluttered closed, and her body shuddered from the heat of his body, and her breath caught in her throat.

"Will you…be with me the whole way?" Her voice was breathless, and Tidus' breath ghosted over her head, warming her ear.

"If you want me to." Yuna frowned at the uncertainty in Tidus' voice.

Yuna nodded. "Yes I do. Even if you're not my guardian, I would…like you near me."

Before Tidus could respond, Kimahri and Wakka moved towards them, Wakka frowning at Tidus, and Kimahri's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Hey, you two break it up!" Wakka yelled, his voice disapproving.

Yuna moved out of Tidus' arms reluctantly, and smiled at Wakka and Kimahri before she whispered, hoping Tidus would hear, "Talk to you later."

$&()+

Yuna gazed at the night sky, Lulu beside her, guarding her as always. 'And of course,' Yuna thought, 'She's here because she's my friend, and she wants to support me however she can.'

"I would like to make him my guardian," Yuna said, her eyes focused on the sky. She knew that she didn't need to elaborate; Lulu had no doubt already spoken with Wakka and heard what the Blitzer and Kimahri had interrupted.

"Are you sure Yuna? We don't know if he can fight, let alone guard you." Lulu said, her voice stern.

Yuna nodded, appreciating Lulu's concern. "I know Lulu. We don't have to make a decision yet. Maybe we could see if Tidus can fight and if he has the necessary skills. Tidus doesn't have to guard me…yet."

Yuna started towards the Inn's door, stopping when her hand reached the knob. "I would just like him to stay…you know?"

Yuna crept up to her bed and laid down, saying goodnight when Lulu settled in the bed next to hers. She gripped her pillow tightly, her face resting against the cool material.

'Tidus I will find a way to keep you from fading, I swear. And I know for a fact: Love conquers all.'

End of Chapter

I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter! Now on to Chapter Three!

StarryFIF