Four

Tidus helped himself to a third plate of food. Somehow a dinner of fresh fish had turned into a village-wide feast, and more dishes were added as various people joined the buzzing group around the large fire. It was dark now, and Tidus stood munching away, transfixed by the flames. He debated whether or not he should try to be social, but he couldn't picture "Hi, I'm Tidus, I can't remember anything about my life, so let's just talk about you!" being a very good conversation starter. He sighed, and took a seat on a nearby log next to Paine, who seemed just as transfixed by the flames as he was. She didn't strike him as an especially social person, so he figured it would be safe to sit by her. Hopefully she wouldn't probe him with any questions or...

"So, remember anything yet?" she said coolly, a mocking edge to her tone.

"Uh... not really," Tidus said, grimacing at his previous thoughts. He was starting to think some of the Gullwings regarded him as some sort of a joke. Maybe it was because he wasn't remembering his past fast enough or maybe it had something to do with...

"Rikku sure knows how to pick them," Paine murmured under her breath, stifling a laugh. Tidus nearly choked down the food in his mouth.

"Ok, what do you mean by pick? She found me, she didn't pick me," Tidus said defensively.

"Oh, she found you alright," Paine said, her laughter escalating.

"What's so funny? Is this all some sort of a joke? Are you all just playing a big trick on me? I really don't remember my past," Tidus said, Paine's laughter growing with each of his assertions.

"No kid, it's no trick," Paine said, Tidus raising his eyebrows at her use of the word "kid". She didn't look any older than himself, so who was she calling "kid"? "I don't know how much Rikku has told you about herself, or her past, so let me fill you in,"

"Uh... okay..." Tidus said, surprised and intrigued by Paine's words.

"The war began about ten years ago. Everything was nice and neat in Spira until somebody began killing the leaders of every major city. It was a mystery at first, and because there was no leadership people began attacking each other out of anger and assumptions. After a year of this, different groups had formed. Some fought city against city, and some fought against each other within their own city. With all the chaos and destruction, many places were completely wiped out. Nobody was strong enough to take a leadership position against the strongest groups, so those who were sick of all the fighting tried to find a way to assassinate those at the head of the different groups. Kind of ironic, huh?" Paine explained.

"Yeah, but what does all of the fighting have to do with Rikku? Surely she wasn't old enough for battle," Tidus said, gauging his rescuer to be at least a year or so younger than himself.

"Rikku's family was assassinated, so she stowed away on Brother's ship when she was twelve to help the fight in any way she could. Originally, the Gullwings were part of a vigilante alliance bent on destroying a particular group from the city of Bevelle, the group that had murdered Rikku and Brother's family," Paine continued.

"Let me get this straight," Tidus interrupted. "Somebody murdered the leaders of the cities, and instead of figuring things out, everybody just started fighting?" Paine nodded. "And then, the fighting became so violent that there needed to be vigilante groups that took out the most violent people so the fighting would cease?" Paine nodded again, looking slightly annoyed. "So then... why were they fighting at all? I mean, nobody bothered to find out who really killed the leaders? They all just killed each other and started a war?"

"Yes, essentially. With no leaders, it allowed corrupt people to rise to power and struggle for land and power over all of Spira. With the ensuing war, nobody had the resources to try and investigate who really killed the leaders. It's been speculated that those who came to power throughout Spira during the first year of the war had all been part of a group that wanted to take over the world, but their plan backfired when they couldn't agree on anything, and thus the war escalated, going on for years," Paine said, clenching her fist.

"So... how did it end?" Tidus asked. Paine stared at him like he was joking. "I mean... it doesn't seem like there's a war going on now," Tidus continued, motioning to their calm island surroundings. "So who finished the fight?"

"You really don't remember anything, do you?" Paine said, somewhat aghast. Tidus raised an eyebrow and nodded. "He ended the war," Paine said after a pause. She remained silent, staring contemplatively into the flames. A few minutes passed. Tidus cleared his throat.

"Sorry. Uh... he? Who is he?" Tidus asked, emphasizing "he" the way Paine had. She turned and glared at him once more.

"He was our friend, fellow fighter, and the savior of the world. He defeated each of the corrupt leaders, allowing our world to return to peace after eight terrible years," Paine said emotionally, the scars of the war showing in her usually placid voice. There was another long pause before Tidus got up the nerve to keep questioning.

"So... where is he?" Tidus asked simply, assuming the guy to be overlord of Spira, or something along those lines.

"He's gone," Paine said simply, sadness crossing her face.

"Gone?" Tidus echoed in surprised.

"Yes. Gone," Paine retorted sharply. "He disappeared after the battle. After he said goodbye to Yuna, he just... disappeared," There was another pause, before Tidus realized what Paine had just said.

"Wait, Yuna? Why would he be saying goodbye to Yuna?" Tidus asked. She looked at him and raised her eyebrows.

"Because they were in love," she responded.

"In... love?" Tidus echoed, shocked. Paine scoffed at the expression on Tidus' face.

"Oh, did somebody have a crush? Don't even think about it kid, that girl's love life is too screwed up for anyone new. And on top of that, her life is far too busy for someone to just start interfering with, especially someone like you," Paine said aggressively.

"Woah, hey! What do you mean, someone like me? And I don't have a crush!" Tidus stated defensively. Paine just laughed.

"Okay kid, whatever you say. Just stick to Rikku and you'll be just fine... for awhile, anyway," she murmured the last bit under her breath, and Tidus struggled with trying to find an immediate subject change.

"So... the Gullwings rescue refugees from the war? Like, people displaced from their homes and families?" Tidus asked eagerly, hastily managing to change the topic of conversation.

"Duh. What do you think a refugee is?" Paine said, rolling her eyes. "Bumbling idiots like you who can't remember anything," she chuckled and stood up. "Thanks for the conversation, but I'm done giving history lessons for today," Paine stretched, and then tossed her dinner scraps into the fire before turning back to face Tidus. "Good night. Be sure to get some rest. We've got an early start tomorrow, and Rikku will probably be the only one who remembers to wake you up!" Paine said with a smirk, before turning and heading off toward the rows of huts.

Tidus sighed, not sure what to make of the discussion he had just had. It had only made him even more confused! There had been a war raging for years, but he couldn't recall anything relevant to war. All he could remember were glimpses of Yuna, Wakka, Lulu, Besaid Island, and the sword he now carried with him. Feelings and images, none of which were congruent with the story he had just been told. He wondered if somebody had wiped his memory. Maybe he had been some sort of a spy, and after gathering information his memory was wiped for his own safety. But... for some reason... his entire memory was now gone. Tidus griped his head and shook it in frustration.

"Am I interrupting something," a gentle voice questioned. Tidus looked up to see Yuna standing next to him, a smile playing at her lips.

"No! I'm just... uh... finishing dinner?" Tidus said, fumbling with his dinner plate and stuffing a piece of fish into his mouth. Yuna laughed and took Paine's vacated seat next to him.

"It's okay, you can tell me what's really going on," Yuna said forcefully, but her gentle tone made Tidus actually want to tell her everything. He opened his mouth to begin, but then he realized that he'd just wind up sounding like an idiot. Instead, he put another bite of food in his mouth.

"Good dinner, right?" he said in between bites. Yuna stifled a laugh, and put her hand on his leg. Tidus almost choked on his food as the memories flooded him again. Yuna's face, illuminated by the firelight, faded away as a different silhouette of her figure floated into his vision. Her smile, her eyes, her demeanor... it was all the same. Tidus began to struggle with which picture was reality. Could it be possible that they were both reality? Yuna stood on a whirling wave of water. Light swirled around her as she danced, twirling a staff around in time with her movement. The wave grew higher and higher as more lights began to surround her. It was such a beautiful sight, and Tidus immediately felt protective. He would guard this girl with all that he had, he wouldn't let harm befall her, he wouldn't let anyone touch her, except for maybe...

"Tidus! Hey! You okay?" Yuna's voice snapped him out of his latest flush of memories.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine," he said with a smile, realizing it had happened again.

"Oh... okay, good. Because you kind of spaced out there for a minute," Yuna said, her hands now resting in her lap. Tidus looked over them thoroughly, before he looked up to meet the girl's penetrating gaze.

"Sorry! I guess I've been doing that a lot lately," Tidus said, shoveling more food into his mouth so things didn't get awkward.

"It must be difficult," Yuna began hesitantly. "Not remembering anything or anyone. I couldn't bear it, my memories are some of the most important things I have," Yuna clenched her fist, her voice wavering. "I'd be lost without them,"

"Then you can imagine how I feel," Tidus laughed. Yuna smiled back at him.

"I'm sorry, I'm being tactless. How rude of me!" she said. "Let me start over, please?" Yuna apologized. Tidus grinned, surprised at the contrast of Yuna's kindness to Paine's blunt demeanor. "Ask me any question you want, absolutely anything," she said with a wink. Tidus wasn't sure what to make of her words, his mind being thrown for a loop for easily the hundredth time that day. He gazed at Yuna, her kind smile lighting up her porcelain face, her eyes sparkling in the firelight. Paine's words from earlier drifted into his mind. "Because they were in love," Tidus wondered if asking Yuna about him was over stepping his bounds, but he was so curious! And Yuna had just invited him to ask her absolutely anything...

"Are you in love?" Tidus asked. Surprise crossed Yuna's features before a soft smile crossed her lips.

"Yes. I am very much in love. But... I'm afraid I'll never see him again," Yuna said sadly.

"Him? Who is he? Where did he go?" Tidus asked, gently probing for more information. Yuna gave him a sad smile.

"He used his strength to save Spira and stop the war without killing any more innocents," Yuna explained proudly. "But after the battle, he told me he had to leave. He told me... to live a happy and fulfilling life. He told me not to worry. He told me to just keep going..." Yuna paused, her voice quavering.

"So, you have no idea where he went?" Tidus asked slowly, not wanting Yuna to cry. She looked up at him, that familiar look of gentle determination in her eyes.

"No, I have no idea," she sighed. "I've stayed with the Gullwings instead of settling down here in Besaid because all along I've been hoping to find him. And, during his time in the war, I too became somewhat of a public figure. I don't want the masses swarming Besaid only for me. So, I travel to meet with people, to let them know that everything is truly okay now. I speak and sing and promote a peaceful future," Yuna explained.

"I'm sure you're great," Tidus said, a dumbstruck smile crossing his face as he gazed at her. Yuna smiled and began to blush when she realized Tidus wasn't looking away.

"Oh... thank you. Thanks," she said with a nervous chuckle, Tidus realizing that he was gawking. "I uh... I'm performing in Luca and meeting with the current leader of Spira. We're leaving in the morning so... so we should probably both go get some rest," Yuna said standing up with a nervous laugh. Tidus stood up a second after her, not wanting their conversation to get anymore awkward.

"Oh yeah, definitely. Sure thing! Well... great talking to you Yuna," he said, scratching the back of his head nervously.

"You too Tidus. I'll see you soon," she said with a smile and a nod before turning toward the huts.

"Yep! See you soon!" Tidus called awkwardly, waving his hand in the air and then dropping it when he realized Yuna couldn't see him waving with her back turned. "Oh boy..." he muttered under his breath. "That was embarrassing," he shook his head and turned to walk toward the huts in the opposite direction, his only about twenty yards away. He pushed back the aqua colored canvas to reveal a small, dimly lit area. His eyes surveyed the room; table, chairs, dresser, bed, Rikku...

"Hey cutie, thought you'd never come to bed!" Rikku said, jumping up from the bed and stepping over to him. Tidus' mouth dropped. Rikku put her finger to his lip and smirked. "Don't say a word hot stuff, I can do all the talking," she grabbed his shirt with her other hand and pulled him over to the bed. "Or," she began, letting go of his shirt. "We don't have to talk at all," she smiled, reaching up and weaving her fingers gently into his blond hair. Their eyes locked, and Tidus suddenly found it difficult to breathe. Their lips inched closer and closer until they finally touched in an explosive kiss. Tidus wrapped his arms around Rikku's waist, and she gently pushed him onto the bed. She straddled his stomach, her hands cradling his head, kissing him passionately. Overwhelmed, he held on to her tiny waist as she kissed him deeper. After a minute, she sat up, allowing Tidus to wriggle into a half-sitting position. Rikku smiled at him, somehow managing to half-melt his heart.

"I uh... didn't know you felt that way about me?" Tidus said nervously, still kind of breathless. Rikku laughed, and leaned down to kiss him again.

"You're funny," she said, continuing the kiss. For once, Tidus was no longer confused. He let his mind overflow with sensations; touching, smelling, hearing, seeing, tasting. He didn't need to remember a thing, all he needed to do was live in the present.

And he really, really liked the present.

Author's Note: Hey, thanks for reading! I hope all of the back-story made sense. I've got a few more surprises planned, one coming in the next chapter ;P Please review! I would really appreciate your thoughts and feedback : ) Stay tuned for chapter five!