I'm sorry, I lied! I didn't put it up soon did I? It's just that I've been doing my Tarzan thing - needs improvement, homework, trying to prise the laptop out of my brother's grubby hands to write my new chapter, general laziness...you know, girly stuff! So I finally got it and found that I had only written the first half of the chapter. So, I will be improvising this as I go.

PS: thanks for the reviews, love all you guys!!!!

PPS: thanks to Sheyak for suggesting to put Gippal, Nooj and Baralai in the story. I was considering it and hopefully they should come in a bit later on.

Chapter 10

Weeks passed like days and before Yuna knew it the spring term had arrived. She had made several new acquaintances, been doing considerably well in classes despite their difficult nature and felt herself becoming increasingly enthusiastic about life. Plus the fact that she had Yevon Studies several times a week cheered her up even on the most miserable of days.

One example of a bad day would be the one Yuna was living now. Old habits had been sneaking up on the tawny haired girl, making her late for her first period. Mr. Rin had been slightly upset by her sudden appearance and asked to see her at the start of lunch. When Yuna had told her cousin this, Rikku had nearly stormed back in to impress their teacher with her 'extensive' Al Bhed vocabulary. It took all four of the girls to restrain her as she was carried away kicking and shouting.

Once Rikku had calmed down briefly, Yuna and Lenne headed off to Study of White Magic. Having finally mastered all their cure, esuna and null spells, they practiced on mice to perfect the skills. Shelinda was very impressed and decided that both girls were so ahead of the class maybe they could move ahead to the harder spells normally reserved for higher level students.

Eventually the lunch bell rang, reminding Yuna of her meeting with Rin. Apparently, the only reason he asked for her to come was to discuss whether she was okay.

'You look preoccupied. Is there anything the matter?' he asked in his deeply accented voice.

'No sir. Everything is fine', she replied banishing his worries with a friendly smile.

'Good, Yuna, you are one of my best students. I believe you will do well with this subject, remember that. You may go', waving his hand towards the door.

Hurriedly, Yuna jogged down to the quad, spotting Lenne and Rikku sitting in the sun talking and giggling amongst themselves. Upon seeing Yuna arrive the girl's remembered their friend's meeting with Rin and came over to meet her.

'Hey, where are you going?' Yuna asked mildly confused.

'Oh, we were going to see how Shuyin is fairing at Spherebreak. They've set up a competition and anyone can enter. He said that he was going to, wanna come?' Rikku teased Yuna, raising one eyebrow cockily.

Shaking her head in amusement Yuna declined,' No thanks. I think I'll just wait for the others to come back'. Placing her bag down on the seat beside her, Yuna looked back to her friends, thanks though'.

'Suit yourself', Rikku giggled, slyly looping her arm through Lenne's.

'We'll be back soon,' the dark haired girl promised as Rikku dragged her away.

Sighing, Yuna took her seat and had a sip of her drink. Looking around dazedly at the clear blue sky she never saw the menacing smile and cold stare that came walking towards her in the form of a blue haired Guado.

'Hello'.

Surprised at the sound of another voice, Yuna whipped round to face the young man, his eyes pouring over her. Shifting uncomfortably in her seat Yuna replaced her bottle in her bag. Maybe the chance to go with Rikku and Lenne was still available.

'Uh...hi...'

'I'm Seymour, but maybe you already knew that?'

'Yeah...that's nice...'

His smile widened as he gestured his hand to the table as if wanting to sit. Yuna nodded and stood as he sat, desperately feeling the urge to leave now before anything...unpleasant happened.

'No, don't go. I want to talk to you', he stopped her by resting a chilled hand on her arm.

'I really have to go', Yuna tried again, but this time she felt his grip tighten and his fingernails dig into her skin.

'No, you really don't'.

'Let go of me', anger began building in Yuna as his face inched closer to hers, his putrid breath stinking up the air. All Yuna could see now was his face, and it scared her.

'Why should I?'

'Because now I'm asking' came a voice Yuna only dared to hope was real and not just her imagination.

Looking backwards, Seymour's eyes fell upon a familiar tall blonde. His soft cerulean eyes full of rage, focusing only on Seymour.

'This is none of your business. Get lost', and with a wave of his hand the blue haired freak turned back to face Yuna and once again leant closer to her.

Grabbing a handful of the long tendril-like strands, Tidus yanked backwards hard, pulling Seymour's head away a safe distance.

'Let. Her. Go', Tidus spelled out.

Responding a moment later the Guado released Yuna from his vice like grip, hissing in pain. She took a few good steps back, unable to take her eyes away from the scene unfolding in front of her.

Pulling his weasley body away from the bench Tidus shoved Seymour away in vehemence. Giving him a threatening glare Tidus watched the Guado as he began to walk away. Only once he was a good few feet away did he turn to face Yuna, his eyes filled with concern and worry for her.

'Are you alright?' he asked taking a step closer to her.

Yuna was about to reply when she saw a flash of blue emerge behind the blonde.

'Tidus, look out!' she cried.

Whirling back around in confusion he was given just enough time to see Seymour running at him full speed, colliding with him in a rugby tackle, forcing Tidus to land hard on his back against the solid tarmac. Having had the wind knocked out of him it took the blonde a moment to see Seymour snaking his way back towards Yuna. She was helpless to his rancour.

Feeling his anger renew at the thought, Tidus stumbled to his feet groaning silently and ran at Seymour who turned round upon hearing the blonde's footfalls. Speeding up as he got nearer to the Guado Tidus raised his fist behind his head and the next second felt it connect with Seymour's nose. Sending him flying backward Seymour crashed to the ground, making a pitiful sound as he did so. Walking up to his body, Tidus grabbed his shirt stained with blood oozing from his dripping nose. Ready to pummel Seymour's pathetic form into a pile of blue dust Tidus raised his arm yet again. However, Yuna caught his fist before it could connect with the Guado's face, holding it forcefully but gently in her grasp.

'Tidus stop! Don't do it - he's not worth it', Yuna pleaded, attempting to stop him from doing something he would regret. Flashing his eyes at her, Yuna was frightened by what she saw. Tidus' eyes were normally the colour of the sea on a calm day -peaceful and still, but now they burned feverishly with a withheld rage.

Seeing Yuna's face as she took a step away from him, Tidus realised what he had been doing. He had nearly given into his anger for Seymour coming anywhere near her, hurting her. He didn't even know why he had gotten this mad.

Feeling his features soften as he gazed at her scared form, Tidus felt his grip loosen on Seymour and allowed him to slide out of his grasp. He seemed to be in a similar state of shock that Tidus had let him go that he didn't even pause to think why he'd done it. Assuming they were still fighting, Seymour sent his fist colliding into Tidus' stomach, making the blonde keel over in pain, then sending it straight up into his chin. Soaring backwards Yuna gasped in shock as she saw Tidus land awkwardly, rolling as he landed and eventually stopping on his front. Though he felt like lying there for a few more hours to recover Tidus looked up from the ground to Seymour's smiling face, hatred for him igniting in his eyes. Spiting blood from his sore mouth, Tidus wiped his face with the back of his hand as he attempted to stand, though his knees dared to give way at any moment.

A shadow crossing his face alerted Tidus to Seymour who was now standing right over him. Bending low enough for Tidus to hear, Seymour whispered :'Looks like you lose, 'Blondie'. But don't worry, I'll take good care of Yuna'. Tidus felt the heat in his eyes intensify as he glared up at the Guado. Flicking his gaze behind Seymour, Tidus focused on Yuna who was looking thankfully at someone nearby. Whoever it was, if Yuna looked that happy to see them, it couldn't be bad. Noticing his stare, Yuna looked to him worriedly. By simply looking at her, Tidus had to give her a slight shake of his head as he saw her coming to help him. Her eyes pleaded with his, but he was determined. Turning his face back to Seymour, Tidus stared up at him and grinned. His resilience to admit defeat was frustrating the Guado.

'What are you so pleased about? You're going to be in a hospital for a week after I'm done with you', he gloated pointing to Tidus' body.

Grinning even more, Tidus stated,' I don't think it'll be me this time, Seymour', then looked back behind the blue haired teen's confused head. Following his gaze, Seymour met a tall woman standing behind him, dressed all in black with short grey hair styled in a spike on top of her head. Her wine red eyes blazed with anger as she glowered up at him.

The look of fear in Seymour's eyes showed that he knew enough about Paine that he should stay away from her. She was a brilliant fighter and it was rumoured throughout the school that she had been trained in the arts of self-defence from a young age. Seeing the anger building in her eyes, Seymour backed away but was too slow to avoid her punch to his face and knee to his already bloody nose as he bent over in pain. Grabbing him by his shirt Paine turned round, pulling him round in front of her as she did so.

'Lu', she called over his shoulder to another tall woman dressed all in black, a ball of flames hovering just above her fingertips. 'Ready to teach this guy a lesson?'

'Anytime you're ready,' she replied absently brushing her long fringe out of her eyes.

'Wait! Wait! Please don't set me on fire! Please!' Seymour cried pathetically.

Considering his offer, Paine looked him over suspiciously,' if we do, you are never to go within a mile of Yuna, never touch her, talk about her or even think about her. And you will stay away from all of us unless you want to get hurt some more', Paine warned him as he tried to squirm away from his captor's clutches.

'Yes, yes. Alright, just don't burn me! Please'.

'You swear?' Paine warned him.

'I swear!'

Throwing his body away from hers, Paine walked up to Lulu who extinguished the ball of flames as soon as Seymour had run out of sight. Both girls then turned to Yuna, who had run over to Tidus' side the moment Seymour had left. He was now lying on the floor, smiling painfully as he looked up to Yuna who was scanning his injuries with her gentle eyes.

'Yuna?' Lulu asked cautiously.

Looking up to them, Yuna smiled a grateful yet shaky smile.

'Thankyou for coming, I don't know what might have happened if you hadn't. Any of you,' Yuna said looking at all her friends in turn.

'No big, someone needed to let him know he was a jerk sooner or later. Are you okay now? Did he hurt you?' Paine asked, concern for Yuna ebbing the flames in her eyes.

'I'm fine, but what about you?' Yuna asked turning back to Tidus who was gazing up to her, trying to keep the worry from his eyes.

'Just a few grazes - I'll be okay as long as I don't have to get up,' he teased her.

Releasing a slow breath, Yuna smiled down at him, tempted to hit him playfully but knowing it would probably hurt him some more. 'Come on, let's get you to the reception'.

Seeing him comply with her, Tidus began to struggle to his feet. Noticing his pained expression as he rose Yuna helped him up, giving him a friendly smile as he looked at her, his eyes full of embarrassment. Slipping one of his arms over her shoulder for support and wrapping her own arm round his muscular waist, Yuna found it hard not to let her mind fantasise about touching Tidus when he was obviously hurt. She had to concentrate on the task at hand.

'Want us to come?' Paine asked as the couple began to head up the hill towards the main buildings.

'Nah, s'ok. I'm good, honestly!' Tidus called back.

'Yeah, we'll be okay', Yuna said as she saw the two girls stand watching them leave.

Walking in silence for a few minutes, Yuna felt questions burning inside of her; how did Tidus get there in time? Why did he have to get hurt for her? Did he do it out of friendly protection, or was it something more? How had Paine and Lulu also come just at the right time? Why hadn't Tidus let her help him when he was about to be beaten to a pulp? Would he have -

'Yuna. Tidus'.

Stopping in their tracks, Yuna and Tidus both turned round to see a tall man with one eye open and the other sealed shut. His gruff voice held a severe but gentle tone and he stood the way a man of great importance would.

'Yes?' Yuna replied unwarily.

'Come with me please, I need to speak with both of you' was all he said before walking past them and up some stairs to the main building on the campus - where all the teachers and the headmaster were based.

Pausing for a moment before beginning to help Tidus walk, Yuna whispered to him,' who was that? I've never seen him before'.

'That's Sir Auron, he's headmaster here. Didn't you know?' Tidus replied teasingly as he smiled down at her.

'Hmmm...' Yuna smiled back and continued to lead him after the headmaster.

Sitting outside his grand office Yuna and Tidus sat quietly as they saw the queue of people to see Auron diminish until it was just a few left. The questions still imposed on Yuna's mind and it was their turn after an unhappy teacher that she decided to ask him.

'How did you know?'

Looking over to her, Tidus' face was blank.

'S'cuse me?' he asked, bewildered.

'How did you know I was there...with Seymour? Did you just magically appear out of nowhere, or was it just pure luck?' Yuna queried.

Thinking this through he finally came to an answer,' I was going for lunch where we normally eat. I didn't think anyone would have been there - you know Shuyin was practising Spherebreak - I thought everyone would be with him. But when I came out I saw Seymour,' the name seemed to taste vile in his mouth,' and he was holding someone. I was going to ignore it, but then I saw you there...looking so angry. That's when I came over to you', he finished looking over to her solemnly.

'Oh...it makes sense now that I think about it. I was waiting for everyone else to come back from Spherebreak, I didn't expect anyone to be back for a while. I'm glad you showed up when you did', Yuna confessed, a small smile creeping across her face.

'No problem, that's what friends are for', the sound of the word made him regret it instantly. It didn't seem quite adequate enough for what he was feeling for her right now.

The same thought also seemed to cross Yuna's mind as she looked down into her lap.

'Just one thing though,' raising her head Yuna caught a glimpse of Tidus' shining eyes,' try not to get me beat up too often, please. Unless, y'know theres some real quick way you can heal me that I don't know about. Then I'd do it more willingly!' he smiled.

Suddenly getting a brilliant idea, happiness danced across Yuna's face when she realised there was a way.

'Close you're eyes'.

'Huh?'

'Just do it!' she laughed.

Looking intensely at her, Yuna felt her pulse quicken from Tidus' gaze. Why hadn't she thought of this before? Turning to face him straight on Yuna placed one hand on his smooth cheek and the other over Tidus' chest. Feeling his heartbeat beneath her fingers speed up, she looked deeply into his soft cerulean eyes.

'Please?'

Obeying her a second later, she saw him swallow awkwardly and close his eyes.

'Don't worry, this won't hurt', Yuna cooed to him.

'I trust you, Yuna'.

Feeling the smile crossing her face earlier now light up her features Yuna tried to focus on Tidus' wounds. Healing magic crackled through the tips of her fingers, gently melting the damage Seymour had inflicted upon him away. Moments later Yuna reopened her eyes to see Tidus looking down at her gratefully.

Reluctant to move her hands away from his body Yuna stared up at him helplessly drawn into the depths of his eyes.

'Does it hurt anymore?' she asked hopefully.

Merely shaking his head Tidus couldn't look away. She still held onto him and he was finding it harder and harder to draw away from her. Then, as if someone else had taken over his body, Tidus covered the hand held to his cheek with his own, holding it close. Brushing his lips across her palm he felt her body tingle with surprise, but still she made no move to leave or tell him off for doing something so personal.

Involuntarily, Yuna felt herself being drawn closer to Tidus, relishing in his proximity to her. It was something she'd only ever dreamed of in Yevon Studies - being this close to him without worrying about the rest of the world. He was so close she could feel his breath tickling her face, he was so close she could feel his eyes washing over her, his hair teasing her...

'Tidus, you may come in now', came gruff voice from the headmaster's door making both of the teens jump in surprise. Slowly and reluctantly moving away from her Tidus gave her a quiet 'thanks' and gave her a last look before entering after Auron.

This was going to be one of those days.

End of Chapter 10

Wow, that took a while. Probably the longest one I've written I think. Well, whaddaya think? If any of you like anything or don't please let me know, and I'll be back soon. I promise!