Kinda short because I typed it all in one class, but I hope it is not rushed. I might have the next chapter done today too!
Chapter 4
Purify
Upon boarding the air ship, Cloud walked with his head down. Sora could tell that Sephiroth was an experienced fighter, and to die that way did not do him much justice.
No one really paid much attention to them as they boarded. Some welcomed Vincent, but everyone seemed busy colloecting information they retrieved.
"Sephiroth was killed," Cloud said in a loud clear voice, slicing through the chatter like a knife.
"Dead?" Cid asked, almost sypathetically, but not much. Yuna stood forward.
"This is a hard lesson everyone, but it just goes to show that we all are in danger, regardless of skill. These things are starting to understand and adapt to our attacks. We can't get overconfident. And we can't waste time looking for people who are probably already dead," Yuna said, shooting a spiteful glare at Paine. "We must stay on task. We will all go to Traverse Town and rest up. That is, after we clear it up-"
"Clear it up?" Paine asked suspiciously.
"Yes. Cid has developed a device that will completely eliminate these creatures with a powerful toxin-" Yuna explained as Cid stood proudly at his accomplshment. Riku gave Sora a look of confusion at this plan.
"That's sychotic! What about survivors?" Paine asked.
"Did you not hear the woman! No survivors! There is no way! We aren't a search and rescue team. We got enough damn trouble saving ourselves. Our plans have changed. We are going to have to simply clear out the worlds one by one with and means necassary!" Cid yelled.
"That makes no sense! That is what the world's want. To rid everyone from their grounds. Now you want to turn on our own people and vanquish them with these creatures?" Paine yelled, clenching her fists tightly.
"Was it not you who so brutally fought in Sprira's war to kill people who simply supplied the enemy. Now you suddenly want to save them. What Paine? Has your conscious got you? You feel you have a debt to pay?" Yuna asked stepping up to Paine's face.
"Yuna," Lulu stepped forward to stop them. "Please, this is a matter that everyone should have a say in. We have to think of the risks, but we also must consider the benefits, no matter how hard it is. We all have lost people, or are still looking. Do not take it upon yourself to assume you are the only one who is looking."
"Wakka?" Paine said.
"Enough!" Yuna cried. We will accomplish nothing by looking-" Yuna yelled.
"Yuna, just because you watched Tidus die, does not mean everyone should give up hope for friends!" Paine said.
"She is right Yuna," Lulu said, taking her in her arms to comfort her in a sisterly way.
"Well, to Traverse Town then. With or without the toxin?" Cid asked. Yuna looked at everyone and decided.
"Without," she said.
Everyone cleared out of the room. People were silent. Lulu stayed.
"I don't understand how someone could be that cold," Riku said.
"You mean Yuna?" Sora asked.
"Yeah. I mean, that is careless isn't it?" Riku asked. Lulu looked over at him.
"You must understand her position. She has been through so much in her life, losing everone she loves one after the other. She used to be talked into saving anyone and everone from every situation. Now she simply feels that no matter how much she works to save other people, no one is aiding her in helping the people she loves. She lost her husband, Tidus. She tried to save him, but it was impossible alone. No one was there for her. Everyone had already been killed or captured," Lulu said.
"It makes sense that way, but still," Riku said.
"How is are the worlds reacting to the wars? How can they feel what is happening? And why are they purifying themselves because of it?" Sora asked. Lulu sat in a chair, rubbing her forehead.
"This really can't be explained. I mean, if you think about it, if you had a hotel, and you let people stay for free, but then they took advantage. They fought, they stole, they bickered, would you let them stay?" she asked.
"No," Sora said.
"This is what the situation is. Mother Nature is done giving people the gift of life on her worlds. She wants revenge and is going to show people why they should not deface her lands," Lulu explained.
"It seems like it is too much. Not everyone is to blame," Sora said.
"No, but that is life. You must deal with the mistakes of others sometimes. Don't worry. We will adjust, as we often do, and sort it out. Just keep your friends close," she said, eyeing Riku with a smile. She stood up and walked out of the room.
"So much for dwelling in the past I suppose," Riku said.
"Riku, do you think anyone else on Destiny Islands lived. I mean, maybe their are other air ships with survivors," Sora said.
"I would not count on it, but maybe," Riku said, looking Sora in the eyes.
Riku's Thoughts
How can he be so concerned with other people's problems. How is he not concerned about me. I am concerned about him. Look at those eyes. He is so sweet. God, he is adorable. I can't concentrate on anything. Why must he pull away. What is their to be embarrased about. These people don't care. Kairi isn't here being a bitch, so what the hell is wrong with him. Ohh, he is stretching. I love it when he strecthes, and lets out that sexy groan and his shirt comes up a bit revealing his soft, tan skin. If I could just let him know. Hint at how I like him. I mean, isn't obvious! hasn't he figured it out by now. He has to know why I am staring at him like this!
Sora's Thoughts
I wonder why Riku is staring at me like that. He seems different. Actually, now that I think of it, he is exactly the same. He still talks to me like we are on the islands, so friendly and nice. I wonder why? It is weird that he is handling this so well. What is keeping him so calm. I feel awkward around him sometimes, not that I don't like being around him. I definitely do! Something about our relationship is different though. Maybe I am missing something.