Chapter Nine: Real Emotion

Two months after Yuna's birthday, a rather big celebration was being held on Besaid. The work on the temple was completed. Tidus had risen to village elder, along with Yuna, Lulu and Wakka. More and more people were coming to Besaid to see the statues and the Chamber of the Fayth. Miliyah's handiwork was to be admired. She was one of the best masons in Zanarkand. They had decided to hold a small concert on Besaid to dedicate the reopening. Yuna was singing 1000 Words, but Miliyah was looking for a song to sing. Tidus was managing the show. Seeing the stage he had built, Yuna smiled and hugged him.

"It looks great. You really have a talent for this kind of thing."

Tidus wrapped his arms around her from behind, and rested them on her stomach. Yuna was almost four months pregnant now. She still looked amazing, despite her stomach bulging very slightly. Tidus was never happy before he met Yuna, and now that they were happily married, and expecting twins, he was always happy.

"Thank you. I don't think it's that great. I could build it higher, more-"

Yuna cut him off, and turned to face him, gently leaning into a soft kiss, and whispered to him.

"I love you, more than anything. The song I'm singing tonight is for you. It was how I felt, after you left. Miliyah wants to sing as well. Do you know a good song for her?"

Tidus thought for a few minutes, and nodded.

"In Zanarkand, she used to sing Real Emotion all the time. She should sing that."

As if on cue, the familiar purple hair swept in his face. She's always had a bad habit of doing that to me¸ Tidus thought.

"Did someone say Real Emotion? I've been practicing while I work. Yuna's heard me. I'm good aren't I?"

Yuna looked to Tidus, a grin on her face, and couldn't help but laugh.

"Yeah, you have a nice voice Miliyah. You're descended from Lenne. Hey. Who's the little guy in red? He keeps saying 'yup yup.' He wants to make something called "Yunapalooza II." Care to fill me in?"

Yuna's eyes went wide with shock. Oh crap, she thought.

"He's Tobli. He's the guy who annoyed the crap out of me, Rikku and Paine. He's not a bad guy, just kind of annoying to be around. We should get home soon. We need to go over final preparations for the big show tonight. And you are one lucky guy Tidus. You get to be in charge of advertising. You're going to Luca in a moogle suit. I had to do it, so you do too. This is our big breakout."

Tidus was a little shocked at the request, but he smiled. He knew how important this was to her and his cousin.

"Moogle suit? No problem. I'll leave now if you want me too."

Yuna shook her head.

"Not yet. Wait until the afternoon. There are more people there in the afternoon. So let's go back home, rest and get ready. I need to sit anyway. I'm almost four months pregnant, so I have to stay off my as much as possible."

Tidus nodded, and smiled, sweeping her off his feet, holding her in his arms, bridal style.

"How's that?"

Yuna said nothing, but smiled. He was always so gentle. She rested her head over his heart, and closed her eyes, as he carried her up to their room, and lay her down, supporting her head with a soft pillow.

"Just rest Yuna. I'm going to do something, and then I'll rest with you. I'm still sleepy from all the work on the stage."

Tidus kissed her cheek, and rolled into the sheets next to her, and kissed her goodnight. Yuna closed her eyes, and rested her body against his. They both slept for many hours, until Tidus awoke with a start, shaking the bed slightly. Yuna opened her eyes, and peered outside the window. The sun had set, and the full moon was rising higher into the sky. She quickly did a spherechange to the Songstress, and Tidus smiled as she did a little twirl for him.

"It's show time, Tidus. Try and keep the lights to a minimum on me, please. The bright lights kill my eyes."

"For you anything. I'll be heralding this whole thing. From the sound of the chants, there's a lot of people here."

The deafening cries of hundreds of people chanting for Yuna were starting to hurt his ears. He took her hands in his, and kissed her gently, and walked with her down to the stage, where they had set up a small room for Yuna and Miliyah to wait for their song. Miliyah was up first, and Yuna would follow shortly after. Wakka hit the lights, and two crossing beams of silver light illuminated the center of the red curtain. Tidus stepped out and spoke in a voice loud enough to reach the people in the last few rows.

"Thanks for coming to Besaid to watch this special show. My one and only cousin, Miliyah, worked long and hard so that the temple of Besaid could be restored to its former glory. This concert is dedicated to not only Yuna and Miliyah, but to Spira as a whole. Please enjoy the show."

Tidus stepped off the stage, and Miliyah stepped out, in the dress she always had worn when she sang in Zanarkand. It was long and flowing, made of the finest silk. A soft beat began to play as she sang in her enchanting voice.

What can I do for you?

What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?
I can't hear you

What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?

Far beyond the hazy borders of my heart
I could see a place that's something like this
Every now and then I don't know what to do
Still I know that I can never go back

But the things I've seen in those hazy dreams
Can't compare to what I'm seeing now
Everything's so different
That it brings me to my knees

And though I know the world of real emotion has surrounded me
I won't give in to it
Now I know that forward is the only way my heart can go
I hear your voice calling out to me:
"You'll never be alone"

What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?
I can't hear you

What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?

I don't plan on looking back on my old life
I don't ever plan to rely on you
Even if by chance everything should go wrong
You'd come anyway and try to save me

Though from time to time it's an upward climb
All I know is that I must believe
'Cause the truth I'm seeking
Always was inside of me

And when I find the world of real emotion has surrounded me
The many things that you taught me then
Will always be enough to get me through the pain
Because of you I am strong enough to know I'm not alone

What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?

What can I do for you?

What can I do for you?

What can I do for you?

What can I do for you?

I can't hear you

And if I find the real world of emotion has surrounded me
And I can't go on
You are there the moment that I close my eyes to comfort me
We are connected for all of time
I'll never be...

And though I know the world of real emotion has surrounded me
I won't give in to it
Now I know that forward is the only way my heart can go
I hear your voice calling out to me:
"You'll never be alone"

What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?
I can't hear you

What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?
I can't hear you
I can't hear you

Every single person in the crowd of a thousand cheered thunderously for her. They don't even realize what her voice can really do, Tidus thought. He went backstage, to see Yuna before the show. He kissed her once, and placed a hand to her cheek.

"Knock them dead Yuna."

She smiled and stepped out onto the stage, and started to sing 1000 Words, as Tidus stood there listening intently.

I know that you're hiding things
Using gentle words to shelter me
Your words were like a dream
But dreams could never fool me
Not that easily

I acted so distant then
Didn't say goodbye before you left
But I was listening
You'll fight your battles far from me
Far too easily

"Save your tears cause I'll come back"
I could hear that you whispered as you walked through that door
But still I swore
To hide the pain when I turn back the pages
Shouting might have been the answer
What if I'd cried my eyes out and begged you not to depart
But now I'm not afraid to say what's in my heart

Though a thousand words
Have never been spoken
They'll fly to you
Crossing over the time and distance holding you
Suspended on silver wings

And a thousand words
One thousand confessions
Will cradle you
Making all of the pain you feel seem far away
They'll hold you forever

The dream isn't over yet
Though I often say I can't forget
I still relive that day
"You've been there with me all the way"
I still hear you say

"Wait for me I'll write you letters"
I could see how you stammered with your eyes to the floor
But still I swore to hide the doubt
When I turn back the pages
Anger might have been the answer
What if I'd hung my head and said that I couldn't wait
But now I'm strong enough to know it's not too late

Cause a thousand words
Call out through the ages
They'll fly to you
Even though we can't see I know they're reaching you
Suspended on silver wings

Oh a thousand words
One thousand embraces
Will cradle you
Making all of your weary days seem far away
They'll hold you forever

Oh a thousand words
Have never been spoken
They'll fly to you
They'll carry you home and back into my arms
Suspended on silver wings ohhh

And a thousand words
Call out through the ages
They'll cradle you
Turning all of the lonely years to only days
They'll hold you forever

Tidus stood there in silent tears, a hand over his mouth, as he watched her sing, and how everyone else was listening just as he had. He loved her more than ever, and in four months time, they'd have twins. He waited for her to come back to him, and he held her in his arms for a long time.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Author's notes: Thanks for reading Our Story. This story is a runaway hit. Thank you to all my readers, and to my continued inspiration.