A/N-Reeally sorry this took so long. I had a chapter written but I decided that I didn't like it so I started over. So I hope you guys all like this chapter, it's long! And a special loving thanks to my beta, she helped me with a lot of it. So anyway, please leave a review, it's much appreciated and enjoy!

War of the Water

"Dad, I thought you said this was just going to be dinner," Yuna said to her father as they stood among at least 30 people who were milling about their house, most carrying drinks and various finger foods.

"Did I say that?" asked her father, his brow furrowed. "Well…" His expression cleared. "You know how it is, honey: you invite a couple people and before you know it, you've invited the entire department. Everyone knows everyone and it's hard to just have a small get-together. Ah, there's Jerard, I have to go, sweetie." With a quick peck on the cheek, Braska was hurrying off towards a stout man with a very sad looking excuse for a toupee.

Yuna rolled her eyes and stalked off to wait for Tidus, who, to her knowledge, had yet to arrive. So far, she had exerted an admirable amount of self control as she walked past numerous servers carrying drink-filled trays, but finally her will crumbled, and she grabbed a blue martini. She just hoped that she'd be able to consume it without her father seeing.

She had only taken a couple sips before she managed to knock shoulders with some stranger, her glass nearly flying out of her hand.

"Oh, geez," she took a step back from the person she had nearly bowled over. "I'm really sorry, I-" her voice caught in her throat as a pair of bright blue eyes settled on her, glinting with amusement.

"Hey, maybe you've had enough, hm?" Tidus said, casually relieving her of her drink.

Yuna's eyes grew wide, "No! I'm not-er I mean that's just-" Yuna breathed through her nose before trying again. "What I'm trying to say is that I'm not drunk."

Tidus raised an eyebrow before a smile broke across his face and he began to chuckle. "Whatever you say." He looked around for a moment, all the while sipping at her glass, before he spoke. "Some party you've got going on. I was under the impression that it was going to be a small family thing."

Yuna let out a small laugh. "You and me both. My father likes to have parties with people he works with. He says it makes everyone feel 'part of the family.' Supposedly they all get along really well," she said with a shrug. "But it could just be drinks."

Tidus snorted. "My dad used to have parties for his blitzball team all the time. Always seemed like everyone and their mom showed up, drinking and eating till three in the morning. But I have to say they weren't nearly as classy." He plucked a cracker from a passing tray and popped it in his mouth, then made a face. "Bleh, though I have to admit I never had a taste for caviar."

Yuna laughed and shook her head gently, her earrings making a small tinkling noise as they moved. "Come on, let's get out of here."

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Yuna led Tidus through several rooms before they finally reached a set of large double doors that lead to their pool.

Even though the pool was located just outside their house, it seemed as though they had traveled to some secluded island like Besaid or Kilika. They were completely surrounded by exotic flora and their pool (if that's what you could really call it) looked as natural as if it had been there for a hundred years. A steady flow of water cascaded from rocks set several feet above their heads into the crystal clear water, which was at least 20 feet deep. Yuna smiled gently whenever she was in this part of their estate, partly since it had been created especially for her mother.

"My dad had this place made for my mom after they moved into the house. He figured he was being real romantic and dashing since they got married under a waterfall. But I guess it worked since it was always her favorite place to go," Yuna said, walking over towards the water.

Yuna stopped at the edge of the softly lit pool and flicked off her sandals before sitting at the edge of a smooth stone, Tidus following suit.

"The water's gorgeous," Tidus commented softly. A plethora of rose-shaped candles floated gently on the pool's surface. "Sort of reminds me of the blitzball stadium in Luca during the summer, it's clear like this."

"I've never been to a game in Luca before," Yuna admitted sheepishly. She had an idea of what Tidus's reaction to this statement was going to be like.

"What?" Tidus turned sharply to face her, his face etched in incredulous disbelief.

"Yeah, I know." She hung her head slightly to show that she was ashamed. "My father goes every year with some of his old friends. It's sort of like a vacation for him. It lets him pretend to be young again, which is why I've never asked to tag along. I think it'd sort of ruin it for him."

Tidus relaxed. "Well, I guess that's reasonable. I was just afraid that you didn't go because you have a deep hatred for sports or something."

Yuna shook her head. "Nah, I've been to all the high school games."

Tidus smiled and, turning to face the water again, he said, "I know."

Somewhat taken aback by his response, Yuna was about to ask how he would know when Tidus was suddenly on his feet. He extended a hand to Yuna, who accepted and allowed him to pull her to her feet. She let her hand linger in his warm palm a little longer than what would be considered normal before releasing it somewhat reluctantly—his hand was warm and…comfortable.

"Do you swim often?" Tidus asked as Yuna smoothed her skirt.

"Not particularly, why?" Yuna looked up at Tidus, his mouth forming a mischievous grin that she recognized instantly as a danger sign.

"Maybe we should change that."

Before Yuna could even open her mouth to protest, Tidus had both hands on Yuna's waist and was jumping over the edge into the water, narrowly avoiding several candles.

"Tidus!" Yuna sputtered as soon as she resurfaced.

"What?" Tidus schooled his features into something resembling innocence before breaking the façade and grinning madly, obviously pleased with himself.

"We're—we're supposed to be studying!" Yuna burst out, somewhat hysterically. She was all too aware of her hair plastered across her face and how her mascara must be running. She was also painfully aware of the fact that her clothes were sticking to all her curves…

There was a moment's silence before Tidus burst out laughing. He was quickly followed by Yuna who was shaking her head.

Tidus shook his blonde locks, spraying Yuna in the face.

"Ack! Tidus, cut it out!" Yuna shrieked as the spray hit her face, although her makeup was a lost cause by this point.

"What?" Tidus laughed. "You're already soaked," he pointed out.

"Yeah, well that's not the point." Yuna pouted, praying to God she didn't look like some sort of feral animal caught in a downpour.

As she stared, Yuna couldn't help but notice that the warm, faint candlelight was reflecting very nicely in Tidus' golden hair. He looked suddenly serious, and her pulse quickened instantly. She realized that they were actually very close together in the water. Her face relaxed to mirror his and she began to wonder what he was thinking. He's going to kiss me, she thought, half excited, half very nervous as he started to slowly float towards her.

Their faces were so close together that Yuna was convinced she was about to explode with anticipation. Tidus, the star blitzball player, was in a pool with her, drenched to the skin. She couldn't believe her luck, one of Zanarkand High's most sought-after mouths was little more than an inch from her own.

And then, to her shock, she was quite abruptly underwater. She could faintly hear Tidus' laughter through the water filling her ears, and it took her a moment to realize that she had been dunked. What a little prat! He's going to pay for this, she thought indignantly, coming up for air. Making me think he was going to kiss me…

After blinking all the water out of her eyes, Yuna noticed for the first time why others seemed to think Tidus was an arrogant little rich boy. He was wearing a very pleased smirk on his face that seemed to positively begin to glow with conceit when he saw the anger on her face. But to her relief, his expression faded after a moment and was replaced with something that looked like worry.

"Come on, you're not mad at me, are you?"

Instead of answering, Yuna sent a shower of water at him, forcing him to swim backwards towards the waterfall. "I'll show you!" Yuna launched herself at him, grabbing any part of his body that she could get a hold of.

Tidus seemed to find this highly amusing; he took a defensive strategy and let her pummel him while biting back a laugh. He couldn't control himself for long, though. After a moment he burst out laughing and began to take part in their little water war, Yuna's shrieks and Tidus' laughter filling the night air.