Okay People! Chapter 9…yeah, yeah I know, its been a while, but I am back in business! Thank you for the reviews, my faithful readers!! Well here it is! ENJOY! And REVIEW!!

Through out the night Yuna had slipped through interrogation behind a façade of smiles. "Just…keep smiling," She thought. Her act had worked upon her audience; Rikku had teased Lulu all night about her pink pajamas, which her mother insisted she wear to the slumber party; fed up Lulu continued to pound Rikku with her pillow in the corner. Not learning her lesson she would yell in between hits.

"HEY!! Stop ya big meanie!!"

"Well…I do say Lulu…you look so pretty in pink!" Laughing to herself Rikku continued to catch a mouthful with every swing. Looking away Yuna slipped through the balcony doors unnoticed, closing them tight behind her. After a breath of exasperation she gripped the railing tighter. His words that were lost to time, resurfaced.

"Just smile Yuna…when things get hard…No matter how tough it may be…just smile." The final moments…the last moments they had…together.

"Tidus please don't leave me! You can't go…not now."

"Yuna…I don't have a choice! I have to. I can't leave my mom…I wont be like my old man."

"Why do you HAVE to go back to Zanarkand? Why can't you just stay here?" Tears had begun to well up into her eyes, shaking her head, refusing to let them fall. Biting his lip, he tugged her hand pulling her closer to him.

"We lost the house Yuna…my old man left us. The only place we have to go is Zanarkand, that's where my mom's family is. They'll help us get back on our feet. Yuna… she needs me right now, I won't leave her. I… can't." Pulling away from what was to be their last embrace; tears now flowed softly down her rosy cheeks. Calling from the end of the dock his mother hurriedly waves him. Turning his head back to Yuna he held her hand firm. Searching each others eyes for an escape, Tidus, being the first to realize there was none. Trying not to be selfish she loosened her grip, slowly pulling away. Gripping tighter, pulling her closer he looked into her bi-color eyes. Whispering faintly he said, "Just smile Yuna…when things get hard…No matter how tough it may be…just keep smiling."

As the memory faded back into the depths of her mind and heart, a tear slipped from her cheek embracing her warm hand. She hadn't realized she had been crying. She also was unaware that Rikku and Lulu had stepped out onto the balcony. Rikku's face lay with concern, but could hardly be taken seriously with the red marks remaining from her prior pillow slashing. Lulu's crimson red eyes closed shortly feeling Yuna's pain. After opening them she took a step forward.

"Yuna…are you willing to listen to our plan." Embarrassedly she wiped her cheeks. Registering Lulu's word she look confused at Rikku who was now smiling, and back to Lulu.

"Um…what are you talking about? What plan?" Smiling they ushered her back into room. Collapsing into the pile of pillows, Rikku clapped her hands.

"We have been thinking on it for a couple days. A way for you to get Tidus back!" Interfering Lulu cupped Rikku's mouth.

"What she means is—"What must I do?" Releasing her hand Rikku and Lulu sat in silence. They were unsure before, but now they knew they must continue. Adjusting the pillows Rikku grabbed her purse from beneath the bottom. Rummaging through she pulled away a small picture, handing it to Yuna for evaluation.

"His name is Shuyin—"Lenne's old boyfriend!" Looking away from the picture Yuna implored an elaboration. Fidgeting with the pillows Rikku leaned forward, "Yup, yup!!"

Shaking her head, Yuna returned the picture to Rikku. However Lulu pushed it back to Yuna insisting that she consider.

"You want to hit Lenne where it hurts? Your weapon is right in your hand!" Nodding her head reassuringly Rikku smiled, "Yup, he's only the one that has even caused pain to that reincarnated Sin." Yuna nodded remembering when Shuyin and Lenne use to date. She had fallen head over heels for him, but still managed to cheat on him. That was tenth grade year. He made her beg for him back in front of everybody in the cafeteria, his blitz ball team, and her friends; and when she did, he walked away. Ever since that public display of humiliation she loathed him, but on rare occasions she confessed in private to Yuna that she still loved him.

"If you date him, Lenne will leave Tidus. She knows you want him. So act like you don't. Then she'll try to get back together with Shuyin. When she does, Tidus will be yours. Just act like you like Shuyin, and make Lenne jealous enough to leave Tidus." Lulu's words were genuine; they wanted to help Yuna, to ease her pain. Yuna continued to look at the picture; he was in his blitz ball uniform. It was after they had won in the semi-finals last year. "Act…act like I like him…" Placing the small wallet size portrait down, she smiled broadly.

"I'll do it. It seems to be the only way." Smiling they sensed her strength, her endurance. Slightly smiling she continued, "Just smile Yuna…when things get hard…No matter how tough it may be…just keep smiling."