Chapter Two
Yuna was tossing and turning in her bed, a slight sweat on her brow. She became aware of a voice calling her name softly. It seemed so far away, so quiet. A soft hand then began to shake her awake ever so gently, the voice still calling to her. She knew that voice… whose was it… she couldn't remember…damn it, she wished she could. As she struggled to wake a small trickle of recognition started to seep in to her brain. That voice, it was male… Tidus… That voice belonged to Tidus!
Fully awake now she sat bolt upright in her bed, almost hitting the person that sat beside her. She looked around, then at the man beside her. She rubbed her eyes and looked again. It was a trick. This couldn't be. The man that sat beside her was dead. She knew that. She watched him die.
Yet here he was, right beside her. His blond hair sticking up in all directions, his smile, all the love he had for her in his eyes…. She reached out a hand and touched his cheek…
"Tidus…"
"I'm here Yuna. I'm right here."
Bursting out in tears Yuna flung her arms around Tidus and hugged him tight. "Oh Tidus… I thought I lost you-"
Placing a finger gently to Yuna's lips to stop her Tidus said, "Shhh, Don't think about that now. I'm here."
As Yuna tried to pull away she said, "But I saw… I saw-"
"Don't think about that now Yuna, please. I'm right here and that's all that matters." Pulling Yuna closer to him again, Tidus placed a kiss on her brow. "I love you Yuna. I have done for a long time." Pulling her closer to him still Tidus kissed Yuna softly on the lips.
"I want you Yuna..." Tidus whispered, pulling away and looking into her eyes
"But, but what about the others. Rikku and Lulu? Wakka and Kimahri? What will they think?" said Yuna looking a little worried.
"They don't have to know. Not yet." He said, lifting his hand up and stroking Yuna's face. "All I want right now Yuna, is you. I've wanted you for so long, but knowing what you had to do… I didn't want to put any more pressure on you…" Moving close to her ear he whispered "… Can you forgive me…?"
"Of course I can." said Yuna with a small chuckle. "There was nothing to forgive."
Eye's bright with barley-contained emotion; Tidus pulled Yuna into a deep kiss, his hands wrapping themselves in her hair. Very gently, Tidus lowered Yuna back onto the bed and started to kiss her more forcefully, his tongue slipping between her lips.
Slowly, Tidus began to run his hand down Yuna's side. When he reached the top of her skirt he slid his finger ever so slightly underneath, making Yuna giggle. Smiling into the kiss, Tidus slid his hand underneath Yuna's top and traced circles up her stomach.
Breaking the kiss Tidus pulled Yuna up again until she was sitting and tugged her top up and over her head. After staring briefly and Yuna's naked breasts, Tidus striped away his own shirt and started to kiss down Yuna's neck and chest. With his eye's sparkling, Tidus grabbed one Yuna's breasts in his hand and started to massage it, the nipple turning instantly hard against his palm.
Pushing Yuna back down on the bed, Tidus lowered his mouth to Yuna's nipple and started to kiss it very gently.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Sitting bolt upright Yuna looked around the room. Tidus was gone. "It was just a dream..." As another knock came from the door Yuna hung her head in her hands and began to weep.
"Yunie...? Is everything okay...?" Pushing the door open Rikku stepped into the room. Seeing her cousin crying on her bed she rushed over and wrapped the other girl in a tight embrace. "Hey come on Yunie, what's wrong?"
"I saw him... He was here..." sobbed Yuna.
"You mean Tidus...?"
"Yes. I saw him, he was here. Right here!" Crying even harder Yuna crumbled in on herself.
"Yuna, I think you were dreaming. Tidus isn't here."
"I miss him Rikku. I miss him so much."
"I know Yuna, we all miss him. But there's nothing we can do. He's gone now. But we'll always remember him. That way he's never really gone."
Sitting up and drying her eyes, Yuna turned to face her younger cousin. "I know you're right Rikku, but it just seems so hard. I love him so much and now I'll never get to see him again."
"I can't imagine how you must feel..." said Rikku. Suddenly, an image of a certain young women entered her mind. A woman with long dark hair and flaming red eyes... The thought of losing her made Rikku's stomach lurch. "Okay, maybe I can understand a little, but you have to move on Yuna. Remember him by all means, but don't lose yourself in the past."
Standing up Rikku continued. "And to make sure you don't get lost in the past you're going to join me, Lulu and everyone else this evening. We're going to see that singer and we're going to have fun." Rikku held out her hand just as Lulu did to her and smiled brightly. Yuna, who always found Rikku's smile infectious, couldn't help but smile back.
"Okay then Rikku, let's go."
"Hey guys what took you so long?" said Wakka as soon as Rikku and Yuna entered the function room. "Eva is just about to start, you only just made it!"
"Ah you know us girls Wakka, we like to talk and we lose track of time easily" Said Rikku with a bright smile and a wink in her eye. "So where are the others?"
"Over there." said Wakka, pointing to the far wall, "Come on, let's go and join them."
Just as they joined the others by the wall, Eva came on stage and started to sing;
Memories, memories, memories
In this world you tried
Not leaving me alone behind
There's no other way
I'll pray to the gods: let him stay
The memories ease the pain inside
Now I know why
All of my memories keep you near
In silent moments
Imagine you'd be here
All of my memories keep you near
The silent whispers, silent tears
Made me promise I'd try
To find my way back in this life
I hope there is a way
To give me a sign you're okay
Reminds me again it's worth it all
So I can go home
All of my memories keep you near
In silent moments
Imagine you'd be here
All of my memories keep you near
The silent whispers, silent tears
Together in all these memories
I see your smile
All the memories I hold dear
Darling you know I love you till the end of time
All of my memories keep you near
In silent moments
Imagine you'd be here
All of my memories keep you near
The silent whispers, silent tears
As the song finished everyone looked around at Yuna. Tears were falling down her cheeks, but she held her head up high and didn't make a sound.
I'll be strong, thought Yuna, for you... Tidus...