February 12, 2012
A/N: Thank you for giving my story a try and don't forget to read the trailer at the end.
Chapter 3: As Dreams Roll Down Hill
They were standing on one of Luca's docks, the commotion of the afternoon having finally settled. Tidus was escorted into a transportation cell carrier while Yuna and her friends were returned to their families. Yuna had kept silent after the debacle. She was in her own world, having removed herself from everyone.
"Yuna, now that everything has been taken care of, what happened?" Kunimi looked over at her daughter. Placing a loving, tender hand on her small shoulder, Kunimi continued, "You've never been so . . . insubordinate, Yuna. Leaving without a guard is dangerous. You're not home, ruhao (honey)."
"I'm sorry, sysy(mama). I was not thinking." Yuna sparked with hypocrisy. She was not sorry; in fact she thought it was thrilling to challenge someone without the knowledge of winning. "I was concerned for the player." Yuna peered up from her view of the floor boards, sensing her mother was going to question her about Tidus she quickly excused herself, promising to be more considerate if a similar situation were to arise.
Yuna was certain to be given a stern lecture from her father in regards to her desire to be a liaison for the two races she embodied. It was a heavy responsibility that she knew came with a lot of publicity. Helping fugitives would damage her young career. She understood this, but her father would remind her again. She so wished she had wings like the gulls, able to fly away.
-FFX2-
It was dark, dreary, and smelled of stale water. Little light filtered into the corridors that Seymour had the guards dragging him through. The rusted door at the end of the long hallway whined as it opened, a burst of musty, old air hit everyone. Tidus tried to break free as the guards coughed viciously from the dirty cloud that came rolling through, but his plan was unsuccessful.
With a loud thud the cell door was sealed behind the blonde. Most of the guards had been dismissed; one or two of the Yevonite soldiers remained to protect the maester. For a long moment Seymour measured his captive from head to toe. "The elusive Al Bhed, the favored prince of my father."
"Power hungry freak!" Tidus raced to the edge of his cell, clasping the bars that separated him from the free world. He wasn't entirely sure where he was, but he knew it was too far for anyone to rescue him.
"I don't understand why my father bestowed you a pardon after having trespassed on sacred ground, but I am here to serve the justice that was wrongfully omitted all those years ago." Seymour smirked, cocky and spoiled with his cleverly hidden wickedness. He turned and retreated to the passageway they had all just come from. "I'll be back you heathen."
Tidus snorted, already looking for an escape. The place was obviously some unvisited part of Bevelle. He remembered rumors drifting through the excavation boat he had been working on, they spoke of hidden secrets underneath the city. Tidus never believed in them fully. He was very wrong as he was certain he was sitting in a section of long forgotten history.
Hours of trying to find loose bricks, secret passages, and weak frames only resulted in him coming up empty handed. If he was lucky he could trick one of the guards into letting him out . . . that's if they ever came back. As night slowly punctured the sky, Tidus felt his hopes dwindle.
Father Zuke knelt to face Tidus, they were alone so they could talk privately. "You must not mention your birth place, Tidus . . . ever." Father Zuke intently watched the little boy's face for confirmation.
Off to the side were a small group of Yevonite guards explaining to the superiors how a small boy could have slipped past them. Unbeknownst to them, Tidus never entered the ruined city; he was simply trying to get out. Resigning to the grim situation the colorfully clothed priest quickly explained, Tidus thought best to do as suggested. Tidus felt confident the man was not trying to trick him. Looking at the others, he spotted a young boy not too much older than he, who looked very strange with long, spindly blue hair. Next to the boy was Praetor Jysical who was delegating to the guards and talking to the priests.
Tidus shivered when the boy finally spotted Tidus looking at him. Right away Tidus knew that he had found enemy that day. "My name is Ti," he said, finally answering the priest.
Father Zuke smiled then waved some people over. They were thoroughly covered in different leathers and cloths. Tidus almost runs from them, thinking they were monsters. Father Zuke spurts out some language Tidus is positive is completely made up. Then he's given a gentle shove toward the two people. By now, Tidus has figured out one is a man and one is a woman.
Praetor Jysical explains that Tidus was poisoned by Sin – something evil Tidus understands from the gasps that ripple through the group and those on the outside. He knows it's a lie, but is reminded again by Father Zuke, who crouches down next to Tidus and whispers in his ear, "Remember, who you are and where you came from must always be a secret. You must lay low forever, my son. Otherwise, you will be in a grave danger. Always a secret, Ti."
The flashback ended and Tidus shook his head as he lay back on the bench. "I should have listened. How in Spira am I going to get out of this?"
-FFX2-
Yuna growled, effectively backing Shelinda into the corner of her room. Her nursemaid was frightened stiff. So afraid, Shelinda's attempts at talking were moot. "I – I can't believe they don't trust me!" Yuna, who was exhausted from her fit, flopped on her bed.
Hesitantly Shelinda inched to her charge's side. Gently she sat down and looked down at her friend. "Your parents worry. They care about you a lot, Lady Yuna. Plus," Shelinda paused, as if thinking of retracting her current thought from being vocalized, "you recently . . . experienced an uncharacteristic event where you temporarily disregarded any regal training and practice to search for a stranger." Shelinda stood up and moved to clean up Yuna's rampaged room and start packing the young woman's things for her trip to Home.
"He wasn't . . ." The protest was cut short. Yuna hadn't divulged that she had made friends with him, just merely talked. Despite her berating herself for the lack of courage she had to defend him, she only sunk lower by trivializing one of the best moments of her life so she could win her parents' trust and step into their good graces again. "I'm pathetic." It was more for her than Shelinda, but her cheery nurse replied nonetheless.
"You're not pathetic, Yuna. You had a lapse in judgment, that's all."
Is that all it was? Yuna thought. Had she gone temporarily insane? Her lips curled into smile thinking about the man she met at Luca Stadium. No matter how much she tried, even using her fingers, Yuna couldn't budge the smile she wore or shoo away the glee she felt.
Yuna stirred from her reverie, hearing Shelinda call her, each time more frustrated than the last. Shelinda was meek, kind of like Yuna, except Shelinda was lower in class, either way her nursemaid would never show anger or be angry with Yuna. She held up a top for Yuna's approval before packing it. When the approval was given, she continued with her work.
"I will prove them wrong," the summoner's daughter proclaimed.
"Uh-huh," Shelinda replied, folding more clothes into the chest. She began to hum; no longer worried her charge would tear her in half. Yuna huffed, still lying on her bed. Something bothered the future ambassador. With a sudden surge of confidence, Yuna vowed, I will. I'll prove them wrong . . . I have to.
-FFX2-
She ached from head to toe. 'Playing in the sand' was a poor definition by Rikku's standards. The Al Bhed shuffled her feet into the administration of the Home and Sand Excavation Offices. The sudden dimness of the metal hallways compared to the blinding sun made her weariness turn into whininess.
She reached the room, which always felt small because of all the paperwork that was dumped into it by different workers and departments waiting for things to be filed. The normally cheery Al Bhed was looking forward to chatting with her cousin until she seen the mirrored look of misery on Yuna's face.
Yuna sighed, stopping mid-filing to see her cousin hanging in the doorway. She smiled then moved on with the copious amount of work assigned to her by her Uncle Cid. Papers were stacked neatly and while Rikku was impressed by the new management, she was clearly aware that Yuna was unhappy.
"What's up?" Rikku asked, skipping into the room and hopping on the desk. Yuna hastily reached for the swaying stack of paper that Rikku's ungraceful movements caused.
"Nothing, I'm just . . ." She took a second to look around her temporary office, " . . .overwhelmed." Yuna slouched in the chair and met her cousin's eyes.
Yuna had been working inside for weeks, since the Bevelle native had first touched foot at Bikanel Island. Since the ambassador-in-training had no experience with sand terrain, excavation, or defending herself from fiends, Cid dismissed the idea of her working in the field. Yuna was much better suited for office work. It was a softer and more mentally arduous job. Of course, Rikku agreed with her father, for once. Yet, looking at the saddened face of her cousin, someone she called her best friend, Rikku realized that maybe that wasn't what Yuna wanted.
It's so hard to know sometimes. Yunie never says what she wants and it's just so much easier to tell her, anyway. Rikku pondered the thought then made plans for she and her cousin to meet up later. The blonde Al Bhed had some things to take care of first.
-FFX2-
They were throwing wads of sand at each other; if a person were blind they would believe the cackles and cries were from seven-year-olds and not two seventeen-year-olds. Rikku arched her back to narrowly dodge a mushy ball of sand that Gippal had thrown at her. The nights in Bikanel brought cool, crisp air. It was a stark contrast to the day, and for almost every resident of Home, it was something looked forward to.
The desert was topsy-turvy. Day was night and night was day to the Al Bhed who lived here. Everyone worked in the morning and then slept from afternoon to evening. When the sun fell and the moon rose so did everyone from their homes. The night life in Luca had nothing on the night life in Bikanel. Another cry from Rikku stirred Yuna from her trance and dragged her attention to her cousin. Gippal had his arms wrapped around Rikku, spinning her around and around. Eventually, after a few revolutions, the two dropped into a heap.
Yuna was watching them from a balcony at one of the lounges that was a little less boisterous. "It's not hard to understand why most men don't bother going after Rikku." Yuna slowly turned her head, seeing it was Nhadala standing next her, the newest excavation worker smiled.
Nhadala was as hard as nails and took no shit from anyone, including Cid. Yet, there was this feminine side to her, she was very pretty, her eyes soft and sensitive. Yuna surmised that's maybe why she was never seen without her goggles on during the day, if any worker – man or woman – knew how kind she could be they would be inclined to take advantage of their Director of Sand Excavation. Yuna was first intimidated by her, but now she knew that there was no need, well, as long as she didn't get in Nhadala's way.
"Well, Rikku is Cid's . . ."
". . . daughter, I know, but that's not why men do not seek her out like ravenousness dogs to meat. If Rikku could detach herself from Cid she would – you should know that better than anyone being the summoner's daughter." Yuna was about to interject but wasn't given any room. "Gippal and Rikku have been toddling after each other since they could first walk. It's pretty much recognized that they are off limits regardless if they are together or not. No one wants to incur the jealous wrath of either Rikku or Gippal. Few have tried and none have escaped unscathed. In a few cases, Gippal was asked to leave Home for a short period by Cid."
"But, I didn't know they were . . ."
"They're never "officially" together . . . it's just understood," Nhadala informed.
"It's nice . . . that they have each other." Yuna combed her fingers delicately through her hair, slightly surprised that the other woman let her get out a complete thought. She didn't look at her superior, just at her cousin and her "boyfriend" playing outside in a secluded part of the city.
"Everyone has that. They have that ability. It's that people are ignorant." At this, Nhadala looked directly at Yuna, her soft swirled eyes intently looking into Yuna's eyes. "People push it aside or hide themselves away from love because finding your soul mate, your other half, is scary and time consuming. But, everyone can have that, Yuna." Yuna was certain that she was speaking from experience and that Nhadala was giving Yuna some advice.
"I'm headed inside. I want to enjoy tonight before it fades to morning." Yuna waved, but she was already inside.
-FFX2-
It wasn't long before Yuna was visited by someone else. She glimpsed the end of the blessing gesture custom of Yevonites. Baralai, dressed in is colored robes (mostly blue because of his place in the hierarchy) of apprentice praetor, better known as high governing priest, came beside the half Al Bhed, half Yevon woman. "My lady," he greeted.
Yuna chuckled. Even in private, he was ostentatiously polite. He seemed to never let his guard down. Yuna realized what part was dominating, stereotyping a culture she was just as easily allied with. It was hard being born into rivaling races, and it was a burden unbelievably hard to describe to be assigned the task of unifying them.
"What are you doing here, Baralai?" Yuna asked, pretending to be annoyed with his arrival. She was still outside. Now leaning on the rail of the balcony to hold her tired feet, she waited for him to reply.
Baralai laughed at her feigned aggravation at him. "I 'escorted' Paine to Bikanel on the false pretense I was attending to you." It was evident that Baralai need not escort nor help Paine. She was the daughter of the Crimson Guard leaders. She was more than capable of handling herself, which is why he had to use Yuna to make his reasoning for going convincing. Everyone would believe that she would be having a hard time, since she was so fragile.
"Eventually, you will have to come clean that you and I have no interest past friendship. How do you think Paine feels about this?" Yuna asked. Yuna had agreed to Baralai's idea of a pretend courtship so he could skirt any matchmaking from his parents and secretly date Paine. Yuna consented to the idea, thinking suitors would be less likely to pursue her with such a pivotal person linked to her. The sad thing was that soon or later she and Baralai would have to confess they were putting on an elaborate ruse.
"I know, but Paine is willing to play along so that she can advance through the ranks without her parents believing she is being weighed down by affairs of the heart. Her parents met through the system then married after each had earned the highest rank available. They're the commanders of the whole Crusader Army. They are currently in the process of putting together an elite task force called the Crimson Guard. Paine can't afford for her parents to believe she is being distracted by some high governing priest."
Paine was expected to achieve the same rank her parents held without any help. Yuna was cut so much slack nothing was worth working for, it was given without protest; on the other hand, Paine had to fight tooth and nail for everything and had been given nothing. Yuna felt compelled to help her friend, even if it meant going along with such a ruse.
The Crusaders, after the death of Sin, were more involved with public safety. The Crimson Guard in which Baralai referred to were more aligned with Yevon, but functioned separately, working to protect important people and facilitate the removal of more dangerous fiends, along with other highly dangerous tasks. Yuna dared not ask to intern with them, knowing she would undoubtedly be in over her head.
"When I do let the chocobo out of the bag, you will be vulnerable." Baralai was looking straight at Yuna.
"I will be fine, Baralai. I know that I cannot outrun the inevitable forever." Yuna heaved a breath. She forced herself to look away so she could regain some of her wavering composure.
"The inevitable?" Baralai gently turned his friend back to him.
"They will decide who I marry." It was said as a fact, no hint of difference. "You know that."
They were quiet for a little until Baralai started the conversation again. "Yaibal has been asking about you. Paine keenly threatened his life if he didn't leave her alone. She was no messenger. Nonetheless, he is interested in seeing you. I believe our charade is unraveling."
Yuna sighed and didn't answer. She didn't want to think about seeing Yaibal again. Yaibal was a liaison between the Youth League, the sphere hunters' headquarters, and New Yevon. He was nice and polite. Still, Yuna couldn't find anything excitable about him or in him. He was loyal and optimistic, but he was also narrow-minded and dependent . . . and he placed her on an even higher pedestal than anyone else. He nearly worshipped the ground she walked and it was unnerving.
"You will find someone, I know it, Yuna. And it won't be Yaibal. It will be someone just as grand as you." Baralai smiled, leaving as quietly as he arrived.
"Not if my parents have anything to do with it. I doubt love – true love is in the cards for me." Yuna yawned. It was very late and with one last look at the stars she turned to go inside and return home for some shut eye.
-FFX2-
"I never said she was heartless! You're putting words into my mouth." It was very late and quiet. Most everyone was sleeping in preparation for tomorrow's labors. The glow of Rikku's bedroom light is what led Yuna to investigate. That, and Yuna could hear the muffled voices of two people quarreling through the thick steel walls.
"No, but you may as well have." Their boots echoed against the hard floor. They were circling each other like territorial fiends. Yuna couldn't see them, but leaning in close to the door that was jarred open was giving her a good ear full.
"Come on Rikku, can you honestly say that she is the best choice to be ambassador for our people – a people that was oppressed for hundreds of years for trying to accomplish the same thing that Yevonites did, but differently?"
"Watch it, Gippal. That's my uncle you're talking about." Suddenly Rikku and Gippal came into view. The perky, blonde Al Bhed looked very small against the Machine Faction's Lead Engineer. Gippal looked shocked by Rikku's nerve to poke him repeatedly in the chest with each word.
"There is a difference between caring about people and being able to get things done. I think she is very giving and caring, but really . . . Yuna's not . . ." Gippal trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck. Even with his eye patch facing her way, Yuna was able to glimpse his other eye glue itself to the floor.
"What? Finish what you were going to say," Rikku demanded. She crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her left foot impatiently.
"She can't stand up for herself. You were there for that Luca disaster. Don't give me that look! That's exactly the words you used. She doesn't know how to get what she wants if she even knows what she wants that is."
Yuna covered her mouth in horror. Just as she felt her heart sink into her stomach at the finalized way he talked, she crumpled when she heard Rikku's voice. "I know, but she can learn. I know she can."
"Really, Riks. Is that why you invited Paine?"
"What do you mean, Gip?"
"Paine isn't the type to play in the sand on her own. And I'm shocked that your cousin bought that lie you concocted. Why in the world would Paine want to get away when she is geared up to take over that damn Crimson Squad – Guard – thing? I know that you asked – begged for her to take time away from her work to help you in making your cousin feel less weak and incompetent. But, you, me, and everyone else, including your father knows that she is so inexperienced that she needs two babysitters just to keep her ass safe from . . . everything!"
"Who told you?" Rikku exasperated. Her shoulders slumped as she deflated completely.
"Because it's obvious that if Yuna's to work in the field that she would obviously have to have some form of protection," Gippal explained.
"Damn, and I thought I had been really good at making it look official." Rikku sighed, resigning her façade of being angry with him. "I had to plead with Pa to have Yuna transferred. She was so excited, too. But after just one day of simple excavation I knew I couldn't do it myself. Paine said she would stay until Yuna was to return to Bevelle. She would then make up some excuse for her to return, too." Rikku leaned against her closet. "She was so happy – really she was – when I told her the news that Pa wanted her to get experience in the field as well as the administration part. I couldn't take it away from her. Promise not to tell Yuna?"
Yuna was fleeing back to her room, tears running just as quickly down her face. She never did hear Gippal's response, and quite frankly, she didn't care. There was nowhere to hide or run, it was plain and simple and clear for everyone to see. Yuna was unable to take care of herself. She was weak, bottom line. Or was it? Sitting on her bed, against the wall, she gripped the blanket. That's it! I will show them! I will grow stronger. I'm tired of being a burden and worry for everyone.
-End Chapter 3
A Shadow of a Chance Trailer
Cheering was heard all over Spira . . .
Yuna, who is seven years old, runs to her father and hugs him. Braska spins them around, Yuna cackling in joy. Her father defeated Sin forever.
That was the last that Spira was supposed to face extinction . . .
Father Zuke kneels to face Tidus. "You must not mention your birth place, Tidus . . . ever." Father Zuke intently watches the little boy's face for confirmation.
"My name is Ti," he answers. Father Zuke nods.
But, insidious plans bridge together two unlikely heroes . . .
Standing on the outskirts of Bevelle, Tidus addresses Yuna. "Say good-bye, princess. This will probably be the last time you see this place." The city is so far, it looks untouchable. Yuna looks at the city she called 'home sweet home' for so long and realizes she is gifted with her wish . . . freedom.
To save Spira, the line between good and evil will be crossed . . .
Yuna watches Tidus smooth talk a free passage for them. The sphere hunter women guarding the airship lift giggle and swoon for his charm. The summoner's daughter feels her blood boil and her hands tighten into fists.
"That's Ti for you, a charmer. I wouldn't take too much stock in what he says. He'll do anything or anyone to get his way," says the woman who had just sauntered over. Yuna watches as Tidus continues to string the girls along on false words.
Alliances will be made . . .
"Move mage!" Luzzo is firm in his words. Lulu does not budge. Wakka's fingers twitch in anticipation of the battle that is sure to ensue between magic and machine.
"I will not let you cross, Luzzo." Lulu breathes deeply, and looking into her eyes, Wakka knows that even she is scared.
"You leave me no choice than." His words are solid, but his eyes plead for her to turn and move. Their friendship is over with the next action.
Risks will be taken . . .
Rikku and Yuna peer in between some tall grasses near the Moon Flow. People are starting to gather to wait for a turn to cross the water, but no soldiers have showed up yet. "It's now or never, Yunie."
Will they win . . . ?
"If you love Yuna, you will get up and fight!" Paine says to Tidus, watching the man struggle with staying alive. The huge machina groans in protest from years of nonuse. Tidus sucks in more air, the gunshot wound to his chest pulsing violently.
A Shadow of a Chance
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