Another chapter...what! I'm having too much time on my hands lately and a sudden boost in inspiration. I'm not sure what to make of this chapter, except it was written in a couple hours(a lot of that was just me staring at the screen, juggling different ideas). I'm drawing a complete blank as of what chapter 9 will consist of, so expect some delay on that. I do appreciate that some people are still following the story and enjoy it. Though it didn't take me long to write this chapter, which means there's probably errors, I felt like I had to update to atleast try to make up for just under 3 years of absense. So please, enjoy the mushiness.

Yuna yawned as she slowly opened her eyes, only to turn into a squint as she took in the light that streamed through the blinds. She stretched her arms above her head, only to have her hand collide with something. She looked over to her side, startled, and the shock set in when she realized that what she had thought was a dream was a very much reality. She sat up and looked down at the blonde man, looking at the peaceful look upon his sleeping face. She tried to rack her brain on what to do with the situation in front of her. Should she wake him up, or wait and see what would happen?

She quickly abandoned thinking of a plan as a soft knock was heard.

"Mommy, are you up?" The voice of Kate came from the other side of the door.

"One second, sweetie." Yuna quietly called out, trying not to wake Tidus. After hurriedly throwing on her clothes, she slowly approached the door, unlocked it, and slipped out quickly before closing it behind her.

Yuna smiled when she saw the yawning girl in front of her "Good morning sweetie." She greeted her by giving her a kiss on the head.

Kate gave her mother a tired smile, before she put her hands on her stomach, "My stomach wants food, mommy." She cutely told her.

Yuna giggled Kate's choice of words, "Do you want pancakes?" She asked her. Kate's tiredness quickly wore off at the mention of pancakes.

"Yes! I want chocolate pancakes!" She exclaimed, rushing down the stairs, pulling on her mother's hand.

Yuna chucked, "Alright, alright, chocolate pancakes it is." And with that she took one glance at her closed door before letting her daughter lead her down the stairs and into the kitchen.

While Yuna and Kate were making pancakes, Tidus was trying to figure out how to feel about the events that happened last night. He was currently sitting at the edge of the bed, contemplating on what to do. He had heard Yuna get up and leave when Kate knocked on the door. Of course he was enthralled about what occurred last night, but he wasn't too sure if that was the way to start a relationship with Yuna, he knew it wasn't. He hoped that if Yuna still wanted him, she wouldn't think any less of his commitment to her just because they basically dived into bed together. It wasn't only him that took part in the kiss that led to that; hell, it wasn't only him that took part in that in general.

Tidus's thoughts were interrupted by the creaking of the door. He looked up to see Yuna closing the door behind her.

"Kate woke up. She was hungry so I went to go make her pancakes and I made some for you, too. I didn't wake you up because you never were the morning person." She told him, while chewing on her lip, a habit that her father said she picked up from her mother when she got nervous.

Tidus gave her a small smile, "Thanks, but I think I'm going to jet out before Kate sees me and starts asking questions." He said. Though he knew leaving was the last thing he wanted to do, he just didn't want Kate to see him and start making assumptions.

"She fell back asleep. She usually never wakes up this early on the weekend, but I guess she was really hungry."

"Nobody can sleep with an empty stomach, especially me." He said, smiling at her, which she returned.

For what seemed like a long time, they just looked at each other, unsure of what to say. Yuna was the one that broke the silence.

"I wouldn't blame you if you thought last night was a mistake." She told him softly, while keeping her head down.

Tidus shifted uncomfortably on the bed, "Do you think it was a mistake?" He countered.

"I asked you first." She said sharply. Tidus gave out a small chuckle.

"Alright, you got me." He said, getting of the bed and stretching his arms out. He sighed and looked her straight in the eyes.

"Honestly…no, I don't think it was a mistake. I think we may have jumped the gun a little early on what we did, but I've always wanted to have something with you again, regardless of whether we have a kid or not." He admitted. He looked at her face, which still hadn't changed from its blank stare. He hoped she would show any sign of emotion.

Finally, she blinked her eyes and it seemed like she snapped out of the state she was in. She furrowed her eyebrows together, as if trying to figure out what to do.

"Tidus," She finally said, "I know what I want, but I'm not sure if the timing is just right now."

"And what do you want?" He asked her, urging for an answer from her.

"Why are you even asking me that, Tidus? I thought last night told you what I want." She gave him a look of bewilderment.

"I don't know, I just thought you didn't want me anymore; I don't think I'm enough for you. I think you deserve someone who'll always be there. Yuna, I'm going to be gone a lot once my hand heals up… I won't be able to be here for the both of you a lot until the summer. Even, then I'll have practices. I'm not saying I don't want to be with you –believe me I do- it's just that I want you to know what you're getting into to and-" He stopped when he felt a finger press to his lips. Yuna was now in front of him, which he hadn't noticed because of his constant avoiding of eye-contact.

"Tidus, I know. Believe me, I know. I don't want to talk about the what-ifs, I just want to enjoy now… right now," She cupped his face in her hands and made him lean down so her forehead was leaning against his, "I want to be with you."

Tidus couldn't help the grin that had made its way onto his face, which was now reflecting in Yuna's.

"You know," He started, grabbing a hold of her waist, "I thought about you probably more than I should have in Zanarkand. I fantasized about everything that could have been. I thought about marriage, children, and growing old together… all that stuff you see in movies that looks too good to be true for the guy that I was."

"Was?"

Tidus laughed and pulled her close and started swaying back and forth, "Was. I'm willing to dedicate myself to you. I'm in it for the long-run, Yuna." Yuna smiled into his chest, getting reacquainted with that old warm feeling she use to get with him.

"I'm glad." She whispered.

A phone ringing interrupted their moment. Tidus gave out a frustrated sigh at the familiar ring tone. He reluctantly pulled away from Yuna and went to retrieve his cell phone from the floor (he had flung the phone on the ground after being woken up last night by Kai).

"Hello, Mr. Buzzkill." He answered.

"Tidus now is not the time for your comments about me. People are starting to wonder why you're taking so long in Besaid. Their wondering if you're considering joining the Aurochs because you're best buddies with Wakka. I can't keep them off you for much longer. I know you're busy with that girl, but you need to come back…today." Kai's voice was laced with anger and urgency.

Tidus glanced at Yuna, who was looking at his with curious eyes, "I don't know if I can today, Kai; I'm very busy at the moment, actually." He said, flashing a smile in Yuna's direction.

"Tidus, I don't know what you're up to, I don't even think I want to know, but if this gets out that you're in Besaid because you want to be with your daughter, let's just say the you and your baby mama won't be too happy with cameras being shoved in your daughter's face; don't worry, the media hasn't gotten a hold of this information yet, I don't think they will, but if you keep spending so much time there, people will get suspicious."

Tidus sighed and rubbed him temples, "I know, I know. I'll come in today, just for show, of course. I'll do this as long as I can come back without the media on my trail."

"Okay, but you need to get this whole situation worked out. You're going to be playing as soon as that hand is healed, so I would have a talk about arrangements with them and with me so I can get them seats and what not. Listen, another option is possibly joining the Aurochs when the season ends. I'm sticking by you one-hundred percent no matter what you chose, of course."

Tidus hadn't thought about the possibility of joining the Aurochs. He never had because he never envisioned living in such a small place. He thought he would never settle down; on the other hand he never thought he would be a father, but things definitely change.

"You're a good friend, Kai." Tidus told him.

"But an even better manager. Now get your ass moving." And with that, Kai clicked his phone off. Tidus shut his phone off and turned back to Yuna, who looked very upset.

"You have to leave?" She asked, knowing the answer.

"Yeah, but I'll be coming back soon, I promise." He said, wrapping her in his arms which was a way of saying he was sorry.

"It's okay. It's just something I'm going to have to get use to, I suppose." She mumbled into his chest. He pulled away and gave her a small smile.

"You won't have to wait long," He pulled her back to him, but this time gently grabbing her face with his hands and giving her the kiss that always made her feel so weak, but at the same time, make her feel like she did when they were teenagers.

"I'll see you soon." He whispered, making his way to the door. Before he left, he turned back to her

"Tell Kate I'll be back in a couple days and that I love her."

"I will." She nodded at him. He gave her a wide grin, before quietly making his way down the stairs and out the door.

Yuna watched from the window as he made his way to his car with Rocky and drive off down the road. She smiled to herself. This is going to be a hard journey, but I'm confident we'll conquer the battles in our path and come out victorious…if not for us, then for her.