She awoke to find herself on the Farplane. Instead of a twilight sky, it was dark and starless, a pitch black. The fields of endless flowers were dead and rotting. Around her were glowing blue and red pyreflies dancing around, more ominous in appearance than lovely. She was clad in her summoner's garb, only it was all grey and black in color. She looked and out of the mist of the Farplane came Tidus towards her. His eyes were dull and he reached out for her.

A voice suddenly spoke in her head, booming to the point she had to grab the sides of it, lest it explode. Why did you forget about me? I loved you! It was his voice.

"I…I…you were gone…and…what do you want from me?!" Yuna cried.

I loved you…I loved you…I loved you…you betrayed me.

"No! That's not true! You would want me to be happy and I am!" She pleaded.

Why did you not bring me back when you had the chance? Do you not want me to be happy? Was not the whole point of your journey to find me?? Why did you forget me…why…why…why?

The word kept repeating in her head, growing louder and louder as he stepped closer and closer to her. Slowly he began to decay before her eyes as he reached out to take her into his arms.

Why…WHY…WHY?!

She screamed and fell to the ground.

Yuna awoke with a flash of pain in her back and neck as she hit the floor of her bedroom. She scrambled to her feet, quickly taking in her surroundings. She looked around the bedroom franticly. Her blankets were on the floor in a mound. Her pillows lay in a heap against a far wall. She put a hand to her throbbing neck to rub it and realized it was drenched with sweat, along with the rest of her body. She stumbled through the haze of the darkened room out the door and into the main part of Wakka's hut. Overcome by her dizzying thoughts, overwhelming emotions, and getting up too quickly, Yuna cried out and fainted.

Am I dead?

"Is she alright?"

No I'm not alright. I must be dead. Everything is black.

"I heard her yell, ran in and found her passed out on the floor. I went to pick her up and she was burning up real bad like she had a fever, ya. Something must've made her sick or…somethin."

I'm not dead? That's good, that would be unpleasant…or would it? Bad thoughts!

"Sick or letting something get to her…you know how she is when she's bothered by something. She'll let it gnaw at her until she bursts."

It was that awful nightmare…it was not the first…

"You've been at her side for awhile…you want me to stay with her a bit, ya?"

"I hate to leave her, but I think I could use the fresh air...let me know the moment she wakes."

But I am awake, I'm just not sure talking to you would be healthy right now, Auron.

"I promise I will"

Wakka?

Yuna stirred in her bed after Auron left the room. She opened one eye slowly, finding herself to be in a room in the temple. She looked and saw Wakka leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees, his head in his hands.

They must be worried…I'm really okay, Wakka.

"Wakka…"Yuna whispered softly.

The man looked over at her, and he seemed to have aged considerably overnight.

"Yuna!" Wakka exclaimed.

"Shhh!" Yuna commanded weakly, "Don't tell him I'm awake! I need to talk to you."

"What?" Wakka asked in a confused tone, "Are you feeling okay? Are you sick? I know you had a horrible fever."

Yuna sat up slowly, her whole body ached. He head was swimming

"I had this dream…Tidus was coming for me and he was hurting me…the Farplane was black, I was dressed in black…it was so frightening," Yuna explained, shivering as she recounted the horrible dream. Wakka listened closely to her as she talked, a comforting hand placed on hers.

"This wasn't the first dream I've had of him…this has gone on since he disappeared. But it was the first nightmare…I am afraid, Wakka."

"But why, girl? It was just a dream, ya?" Wakka offered.

"Because I had the chance to bring him back…and instead I chose to bring back Sir Auron…I guess I am afraid he's mad at me." Yuna admitted.

"Hmmm...I'm not too good at this stuff, let me go get Lu," Wakka said, rising to leave the room. He poked his head out of the doorway where Lulu was sitting, holding Vidina. Wakka spoke a few words to his wife that were inaudible to Yuna, took the child from her arms, and sat down around the corner. Lulu walked in and kneeled down by Yuna's side.

"When you have troubles with men, you really let it get to you, huh?" Lulu said, half-smiling.

"I'm sorry…I just haven't ever felt so…indecisive before," Yuna said, hanging her head.

"What is the matter?" Lulu asked.

"I had the chance to be reunited with Tidus…and at the time I didn't feel like I needed him back physically. He'll always be with me here," she gestured to her heart, "But after I used my chance to bring back Sir Auron and…you know, he's younger and really…umm" Yuna faltered.

"Good looking, strong, kind, approachable…a different Auron altogether?" Lulu added.

"Yeah…I began to feel extremely guilty as I felt more and more attracted to…Auron. Of all the people in all of Spira…Sir Auron…" Yuna shook her head.

Lulu nodded, "I cannot pretend to understand what you're going through, child, but I think I might have some idea. I felt similarly when I lost Chappu, however, when I saw him on the Farplane, I knew he was at peace. It was where he was supposed to be, and that is okay. One day I will see him again, but I cannot just wait to die. We all must go on living, and I am living with Wakka and we are happy. Chappu would not begrudge us our happiness, nor would Tidus begrudge you yours."

Lulu paused a moment, then continued, "You know I've watched you and Auron these past days that you two have been here in Besaid. When he is with you he is more animated. He talks more, smiles more, he's hardly the man I remember from your pilgrimage. Do you know why that is?"

Yuna looked at Lulu curiously, "because he is different now?"

Lulu nodded, "He's younger and has a second chance for a peaceful life. He is taking it before your very eyes, and he is inviting you to come along. The only choice before you is: Will you choose to long for the past, or will you make peace with it and make a future with someone new?"

Yuna listened carefully to Lulu's words, smiling to herself at the last part, "I will always wonder what could have been, but now is not the time for regret. Now is the time to make peace. I think I have to leave Besaid. I have to go to the Farplane myself, to make some kind of peace with Tidus."

"Are you going to tell Auron of this?"

Yuna shook her head, "I would not feel comfortable with him knowing what I am going to do. He may take offense, and I do not want to hurt his feelings."

"When do you plan to set off?" Lulu asked.

"Now. I will get in touch with Rikku and have her come get me in the Celsius. I'll go grab my garment grids from your house and be on my way to the Farplane. Please…don't let Auron see me leave here." Yuna asked.

"Of course, now go and find peace of mind so you can be the happy and healthy Yuna I know and love," Lulu said, smiling broadly at Yuna.

Yuna nodded and slipped out of the bed. Lulu went ahead of her and took Vidina from Wakka's arms. She pinched the baby lightly on his rear end, which caused him to fuss and yelp.

"Auron!" Lulu called, "Auron can you help me with him? He's fussing and I need you to hold him a moment while I go get his toys."

Auron groaned and held out his hands to receive the crying baby, grumbling inaudibly as he did so. Lulu made off to Wakka's hut while Yuna slipped out of the back of the temple and moved along the side walls, avoiding Auron's sight. She darted over to Wakka's hut, meeting Lulu inside. Activating her communicator, Yuna asked Rikku to come get her. She then donned her garment grid, changing into her thief dressphere.

"I hope you find what you're looking for," Lulu said, "Hurry home."

Yuna nodded, "I will…I hope…thank you, Lulu, for everything. Tell Wakka I said thank you."

Lulu nodded and hugged Yuna. Then the thief disappeared into the night, making her way to the beach where the Celsius would be waiting.

"What do you mean she's gone?!" cried an incredulous Auron.

"She had a personal errand to run. If she had wanted you to go with her, she would have asked you." Lulu informed him.

"Where did she go? Why did no one tell me she was even awake?! I never saw her leave…" he groaned.

"Auron, please, there is no need to worry. This isn't like you. Why do you fuss so over her?" Lulu asked, knowing full well the answer.

Auron was silent.

"You are not her guardian anymore, yet you protect her like she was more precious than jewels or gold. Tell me what is going on." Lulu prodded.

"It is not your concern," Auron said tersely.

"I am not blind…you care for her…and not just in a friendly way," Lulu observed, "Do you love her?"

"I have not been back among the living for a week, yet I find myself…drawn to her…" Auron began.

"Many are 'drawn' to her…what is your reason?" Lulu asked.

Auron paused, considering his words carefully. "Before, I looked at her and saw the salvation of Spira: Hope, youth, beauty, and strength personified. Now, after being brought back, I look at her from the perspective of my own youth, and I see not only everything I described before, but I see someone who has grown, changed, and become a wild flower, beautiful and alive. Being around her is intoxicating…I am rambling. This is embarrassing."

Both were quiet for a long while.

"She has gone to the Farplane. The reason for her illness was that she has been conflicted over her feelings for Tidus…and her new feelings for you." Lulu revealed.

Auron looked at her, his dark eyes wide.

"He was her first love…losing him hurt her a lot, and she has carried that pain for a long time. Now she feels very guilty, like she has somehow betrayed Tidus with her newfound interest in you."

Auron looked at the ground, "I never meant to cause her harm."

Lulu nodded to Auron, "You could not have known, she's gotten better at hiding how she feels."

Lulu was quiet a moment, unsure whether or not to ask the question she wanted to ask. "You're going to go after her, aren't you?" She asked finally.

"I have to talk to her," Auron informed.

"It cannot wait until she returns?" Lulu asked.

"I have to see her on the Farplane…I have some peace to make there as well," Auron admitted.

Lulu nodded, "Go, and take this," she handed him a communicator.

"It was Tidus' aboard the Farenheit. I have already contacted Cid. He's on his way to come get you."

Auron paused, suddenly very confused, "You planned this the whole time?"

"Your situation is most unusual. You two are familiar with each other, yet it is a new and different experience for both of you," Lulu explained, "while she will always hold their relationship dear, she needs to let him go, and you can help her in that. Now go, by now Cid is probably waiting at the beach."

Auron simply nodded before running out of Besaid, never stopping until he reached the shore. Lulu soon spotted the Farenheit lifting into the air and setting off in the direction of Kilika, the nearest temple with an opening to the Farplane abyss.