A/N: As I'm sure everyone can figure out, this chapter, like the previous ones, is edited.(Revised December 5, 2005)
Special Thanks to everyone who reviewed: Ihatefish, Litwolf689, NO, JJ Chow, Vampiress24, Damson and Dragon-Charmer16.
Disclaimer: Just in case you didn't know I do not own any rights to Final Fantasy X and I am making no money from this fanfic. If you feel the need to sue me, there's not much you can take. I guess you can have my CDs, but I'll fight for them…I don't want to loose Green Day…
Angel Wings
Chapter Three: Through These Eyes"Tidus!" Yuna cried as she watched the love of her life fall, his body already far from view. She felt breathless and anxious, her eyes locked on the last place she had seen Tidus. She needed to find Tidus as quickly as possible.
Anything could have happened to Tidus. He could have broken numerous bones and be unable to move, or even worse, be hurt and attacked by fiends. Or the unthinkable could have happened. Tidus could be dead…
NO! she couldn't think like that. If she gave up hope than how could she expect to defeat Sin? Where was her unshakable resolve, her inner strength that she had relied so heavily on during her first Pilgrimage? If she continued to think negatively than she had no hope of accomplishing anything.
The Fayth had entrusted her with a mission that could turn out badly. They had known, logically, that if she didn't find a way to keep Tidus with her than she would be unable to defeat Sin. In order to destroy Sin, Tidus needed to be there. Sending her back to the beginning of her Pilgrimage meant that any number of things could go wrong.
And if she continued to stand here like a statue than she would help no one, including Tidus and the people of Spira.
"Yuna!" Lulu's voice startled Yuna out of her thoughts. Yuna turned and managed a weak smile at the black Mage. "Where's Tidus? What happened? Are you all right?"
Yuna nodded, seeing the worry flit across Lulu's face. "Yes. Tidus and I were attacked. Tidus fell off the edge…" Yuna pointed in the direction the Blitzer had plummeted.
Lulu gasped and exchanged a long look with Wakka. Kimahri moved foreword and peered over the edge, his face unreadable. "Long fall. Tidus gone."
Yuna moved towards the Ronso, her face pale. "No! I'll find him!"
Wakka shook his head. "Yuna, we need to move out, ya? The ship is going to be leaving soon, and we're already late. It's not going to wait much longer."
Yuna stiffened her shoulders and stood defiantly, facing her Guardians. "I will find Tidus. I cannot leave a friend when they could be badly injured." Yuna met each of her Guardian's eyes, staring back unflinchingly, and her gaze steady and fixed with steel.
Kimahri nodded his agreement and Lulu sighed, shaking her head in resignation. Wakka opened his mouth to disagree but Lulu silenced him with a stern glare. "It's Yuna's decision, Wakka. If she would like to go after Tidus than we go."
"But Lu, the ship…"
Kimahri moved to the edge of the mountain, his blue fur shinning in the sunlight. "Kimahri guard Yuna. Where Yuna go Kimahri follow. Kimahri carry Yuna and Lulu down cliff."
Yuna clasped her hands and bowed to Kimahri, infinitely grateful for the Ronso's unwavering loyalty.
"How do I get down?" Wakka asked.
Lulu sat beside Yuna who was already perched on Kimahri's back, a wry smile on her face. "Climb after us."
Wakka paled and sat down in the dirt. "Oh Yevon…"
&()$$$$
"Oh…where could he be?" Yuna wondered, looking around the small glade and silently cursing the dense trees that hindered her search. Where could Tidus be? How far could he have fallen? Could Tidus be conscious and looking for us?
"Yuna, I don't see…" Wakka began, but a swift slap to the back of his head immediately quieted Wakka.
"Quiet Wakka. You did not see how Yuna acted around Tidus. He appears to mean a great deal to Yuna, even though she just met him. Allow Yuna to find whatever joy she can from her Pilgrimage. If Tidus makes Yuna happy than we find him."
Wakka's mouth fell open in shock. He had never heard Lulu, his stoic, cold friend talk so passionately about anything before. She had closed up after Chappu's death and to hear her talk about Yuna needing Tidus…It was strange.
"Kimahri doesn't see Tidus."
Yuna patted Kimahri's shoulder. "Don't worry, we'll find him."
Wakka and Lulu looked around, trying to pierce the dense foliage with their eyes. Kimahri moved around restlessly, every now and than leaping up onto a low tree branch, and swiftly climbing to the top of the tree to try and get a better view of the area.
Yuna sighed and sat down on the dusty ground, heedless of the dirt swirling around her from her friend's movements. The young Summoner sighed and wiped her forehead, feeling faint from the day's events. Too much had happened in the span of a couple hours; it was amazing.
Ouch, something's shining in my eye, Yuna thought irritated. Wait a second, where's that light coming from? It's not the sun…Oh, it's Tidus' necklace!
Yuna cried out and sprinted over to a wild, untamed bush, her hands spreading the wide branches until she was partially encased by the green leaves. One of her hands grasped Tidus' shirt collar and she pulled as hard as she could, trying to dislodge the unconscious Blitzer trapped in the branches. Yuna smiled gratefully at Kimahri who had moved behind her, his strength easily freeing Tidus from the bush.
"Is he hurt?" Wakka asked.
Yuna was relieved to see that Tidus had no serious or life threatening injuries. He was a little banged up and his face had a few scratches, but other than that he appeared to be fine. She didn't even need to use Cure as the nicks would heal in a matter of days.
"He's fine. He's a little scratched, but nothing else. I don't even need to heal him." Yuna told her Guardian's as she gently brushed a few strands of Tidus' hair from his face. Tidus grunted and his eyes fluttered open.
"Where am I? Oh no, the Garuda!" Tidus cried, his body tensing and his hand reaching for his sword still gripped in his hand.
"It's okay Tidus. The fiend flew away after it knocked you off the cliff. You're all right, I'm here." Yuna whispered, her hands sifting through Tidus' hair soothingly.
Tidus relaxed, his eyes locking with Yuna's, and Yuna felt her heart melt at the relief she saw flooding his eyes. Yuna smiled, her heart in her eyes. Tidus smiled back, his eyes drifting to her mouth.
Yuna's breath hitched, and before she could stop herself, she bent her head towards Tidus', their mouths inches apart, breath mingling…
"Hey you two! We need to move out, ya?" Wakka called.
"Oh!" Yuna cried embarrassed. How could she have forgotten her Pilgrimage? She had been so wrapped up in Tidus that she had momentarily forgotten about her quest for the Final Aeon….
"Come on Yuna." Tidus said though Yuna noticed the blush on the young Blizter's face. "We should go."
"Yes. We need to move." Yuna agreed, eyes widening as Tidus draped his arm over her shoulders. Yuna was secretly shocked her Guardian's didn't protest.
&()$$$
"Are you really gonna defeat Sin Lady Yuna?"
"Are you going to get the Final Aeon?"
"Are you going to bring us the Calm Lady Summoner?"
"Are you actually going to pray at every Temple?"
Yuna smiled at the crowd of people surrounding her, though her Guardians remained close. She bowed to the crowd, her heart aching when she saw women weeping and small children looking at her with a mixture of awe and sadness.
"I will try my best." Yuna said softly, her voice quiet as the wind.
"Lady Yuna!" the sea of people chanted, simultaneously performing the Prayer of Yevon.
"Yuna it's time to leave." Lulu said, gently moving Yuna through the throng of people and on the S.S. Liki. Yuna followed Lulu quietly, stopping every now and than to wave to her child hood friends and neighbors.
Yuna moved to the side of the ship, waving furiously as the ship pulled away from Besaid. She started when Tidus moved over to her side and gently touched her shoulder.
"Are you sad?"
"A little. But I've been preparing for this moment for many years. I can handle it."
Tidus smiled and blinked sharply when a gust of wind blew in his face. Yuna felt the now familiar feeling of her heart fluttering whenever Tidus was near.
"You're very brave."
Yuna blushed at Tidus' compliment. "I do my best. Being a Summoner is no easy task."
The hand on her shoulder tightened and Yuna found herself leaning against Tidus before she could stop herself. The Blitzer didn't protest, rather drew her closer, and rested his head on hers.
"Yeah it must be. You have to defeat Sin and get what was it, the Final Aeon."
Yuna stiffened at the mention of the Final Aeon. Yevon's lie, their betrayal to the people of Spira. Lady Yunalesca's tainted "gift" to the Summoners, all in the name of defeating Sin.
"Yes…" Yuna whispered, her voice less than convincing.
Yuna bit her lip to keep from crying out when Tidus lifted his head and attempted to peer into her eyes. "What's wrong? You sound angry."
Yuna shook her head. Now was not the time to reveal the true purpose of her Pilgrimage to Tidus. If she told Tidus too soon her Pilgrimage could change drastically. Well, more so than when she discovered how she could keep Tidus from leaving.
"Maybe a little. It's nothing though."
Tidus laughed nervously and tried to move away. Yuna grasped Tidus' hand and drew him back to her side. "You don't have to leave. I want you to stay."
"You confuse me Yuna." Tidus said, his fingers caressing Yuna's hand.
Yuna flushed, pleased. Tidus was so adorable; she wanted to be held by him, to feel his heat against her body, to know that Tidus was real and with her. She would die if she lost Tidus again. She wouldn't let him disappear; she would keep him with her, no matter what.
"I know." Yuna whispered, amused.
Tidus brushed a lock of Yuna's hair behind her ear, his eyes cerulean in the sun's light, his tanned face more peaceful than Yuna ever remembered seeing it. Tidus looked so young and yet not, just so…strong. The strength and iron will that Yuna loved so much embodied him, made him irresistible.
"Tidus…" Yuna breathed, her eyes shining. Her breath hitched and caught in her throat, eyes fluttering closed as Tidus leaned towards her, his breath fluttering against her lips…
Oh Yevon Tidus is going to kiss me! Yuna thought, her body feeling light as a feather, electricity racing over her skin at the delicious feeling of Tidus' hands stroking her skin.
Yuna's eyes opened as she felt Tidus' lips settle on hers, her knees instantly going weak…
"SIN!" Yuna gasped and moved away from Tidus, her heart jumping to her throat.
"Yuna!" Wakka called, appearing from the stairway leading to the cabins, Lulu and Kimahri close behind.
Tidus moved in front of Yuna holding Brotherhood in his hand, eyes narrowed. Yuna moved beside Tidus, ready to summon Valefor and pray for a miracle. Was she strong enough to prevent Sin from attacking Kilika?
She didn't know, but she was definitely going to try.
End of Chapter
Did you enjoy this? Want to see what happens? You do? Than on to the next chapter!
Kristen