Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy, Squeenix, or any of the affiliates.
Rikku, Sunday April 14, 1912
After morning services, Rikku and Yuna had unwillingly been pulled into a tour of the ship by Rikku's parents. Apparently, the two had caught wind that Yuna was spending much of her time with a steward and they were bound and determined to make sure neither of the girls had any time in which they weren't being watched. They'd been walking around the ship for a good three hours, learning about every nook and cranny of the first class section of the vessel.
"I don't understand why these lifeboats are here," Arianna spoke up toward the end of their tour. "Doesn't it seem like a waste of deck space, considering that the Titanic is unsinkable?"
Their tour guide laughed and slapped the side of one of the lifeboats affectionately.
"That is true, but it's a maritime law for us to have them. As it is, the shipbuilder requested that another row of boats be added, but he was eventually worn down. These boats each hold sixty-five people."
At this point, Rikku found it necessary to speak up. "But, sir…I've only counted seventeen boats across the entire ship. If they can each hold sixty-five passengers, that adds up to…" Rikku paused, rechecking the math in her head. "about 1100…surely there are more people aboard then that?"
The guide smiled at her as if she were a stupid child. "That is true, miss. There are 2200 aboard, but the lifeboats are only a precaution. The Titanic is unsinkable."
Rikku shook her head in disgust. "She's made of iron. She can sink."
With these as parting words, she took Yuna's hand and led the girl away from the group. Much to Rikku's surprise, her mother said nothing as they left the vicinity.
"I don't understand why everyone is so adamant about Titanic being unsinkable," Rikku sighed. "Surely they can't all be so ignorant?"
"It's the arrogance of man," Yuna replied simply. "They created the vessel, therefore she must be perfect in every way." The sun was drawing close to setting over the horizon, the colors painting the water in various shades of pinks, blues, purples, and oranges. It was quite the breathtaking sight.
"Rikku?" Yuna spoke quietly; almost as if she were afraid of what she was going to say next. Rikku frowned at the tone and came to a stop, taking her cousin's hand and pulling her into an empty room just off the deck.
"What is it, Yuna?" she asked. "You sound disturbed."
Yuna shook her head, her cheeks glowing faintly pink.
"No, cousin, not disturbed…exhilarated more like. I've…made a decision…and I want to know what you think. I won't have my mind changed, keep in mind…I just thought I ought to hear your opinion on the matter before plunging head first into my plan."
Rikku waited, slightly impatient, for Yuna to reveal her grand plan.
"When the ship docks in New York…I'm getting off with Tidus." Rikku could feel her eyes widening to the size of dinner plates as she stared at her usually not-so-compulsive cousin.
"Yuna…what? Really?" Rikku gasped a plethora of mixed feelings in her chest. Yuna nodded, looking both excited and petrified at the same time.
"I love him, Rikku. He's the one I'm supposed to be with, I can feel it! I've always dreamed of finding someone…someone that I loved so much I could throw everything away for, just as my mother did…and I've found that! There is no way that I can just let him slip through my fingers so easily!"
"Yunie…are you sure about how you feel for him?" Rikku asked hesitantly. "Are you sure you aren't just…getting carried away because you want to believe you've fulfilled your life long dream?" She tried to pose the question carefully as not to offend her cousin, but Yuna just continued to smile blissfully.
"Do not worry. I know what it is I'm feeling and I am not disillusioned. I love Tidus and he loves me. I am positive we will be happy together for a very long time."
Rikku, finally convinced by the blissful look on her cousin's face, smiled and hugged the girl. "I'm very happy for you, Yunie. Maybe even a little jealous. You must promise me that you'll write and tell me of all your wonderful adventures." While I toil away in boredom with Gippal.
"Of course Rikku! I'll write every day if I must!" The girls separated and Yuna kissed Rikku's cheek once.
"I must go find Tidus. I have to tell him!" She was gone with a swish of her dress, her face pink with excitement and life.
Rikku really was happy for Yuna, but she couldn't help but feel a bit betrayed at the same time. Yuna had the choice to head off for the horizon at any moment. Rikku…had to stay. Despite all her protests, she knew that she would end up marrying Gippal and living out her life as the quiet trophy wife.
She had no doubt now about Yuna's question from a few days
before. She was devastatingly attracted to Auron and she even admitted it to herself, but she couldn't allow herself to be carried away by her fantasies. She couldn't be with him, even if they both wanted to, because she couldn't bring herself to slander his good name. No matter how much she might want it, she had to be strong. For him.
She just hoped that he would restrain himself. After that near kiss the night before, she knew if he so much as tried again she wouldn't resist and then all would be lost. Because somehow she had fallen hopelessly in love with him.
Yuna, Sunday April 14, 1912
Yuna rushed past the other passengers, her eyes set upon one head in particular. The messy blonde tresses nodding politely at people as they passed. Tidus was playing the part of steward again, his starched white shirt and black pants looking stiff and almost unnatural on him. She couldn't seem to make her feet properly and she kept tripping on the hem of her dress. Finally, in exasperation, she raised her voice and called out his name. He came to a stop, turning to look at her, a soft smile spreading over his features. She approached him, ignoring the strange looks they were receiving from passerby.
"Tidus, I must talk to you, it's terribly important," she said quickly, keeping her voice down a bit. His eyebrows shot up and he nodded quickly, glancing around and then taking her hand and leading her down the hall and into a room labeled 'Crew only'.
Belatedly, she realized how worried he looked and felt a bit guilty for worrying him so. She hoped that her news might make up for the distress she might have caused him.
"Yes, Yuna? What is it? Has Rikku gotten herself into trouble again?"
Yuna giggled at Tidus' assumption and shook her head.
"Not to worry, love," she assured him. "I come bearing only good news."
He looked relieve and then intrigued, bringing a hand up to ruffle his hair as he watched her closely.
"Well then? What is it?" he asked.
"I have decided…that when Titanic reaches New York, I am not leaving with my relatives." Tidus stared at her in confusion, obviously not understanding what she was hinting at. She tried again, feeling the beginning fluttering of nervousness come alive in her stomach.
"Tidus…when we reach New York, I'm staying with you. That is, if you'll have me," she said, all of a sudden not as confident as she had been.
He blinked stupidly for a very long time and she had to fight the urge to run from the room in tears. When a huge grin split across his face, she was very glad that she hadn't.
"Are you completely serious, Yuna?" he asked. She nodded, her own smile returning.
"But…I can't give you the life you have now…I can't give you beautiful things…"
"I don't need beautiful things, Tidus. All I need is love and with you, I have that. As long as you're with me, I'll have the most beautiful thing in the world."
"You're the most beautiful thing in the world," he answered breathlessly, pulling her into a wonderful, heart-warming kiss.
"I love you," she murmured between kisses.
"I know. I love you too."
Rikku, Sunday April 14, 1912
Avoiding Auron had lasted all of two hours until he'd cornered her just around the corner from her suite.
"You're avoiding me," he said bluntly, his even gaze focused on her face. She let out a shuddered breath.
"I…am sorry. But I must, Auron. It…it is what's best."
He made an angry noise that sounded like a mix between a snarl and a growl.
"It is the best for who, Rikku? For you? For your parents? It most certainly is not what's best for me."
She shook her head, fighting the tears threatening to spill over her eyes.
"Yes it is, Auron! I'm doing this for you! I don't want to ruin everything you've done to make something of yourself, it's not fair!"
He looked livid, his brown eyes flashing angrily, small tendrils of hair that had escaped his ponytail sticking to his cheeks.
"I don't care about reputations, Rikku! I don't care about any of that. It's all pointless, don't you see?"
He seized her arms and kissed her firmly on the mouth, completely startling her. At the same time, though, she could feel herself melting in her clothes. He tasted like smoke and whiskey, but also something else, something completely foreign yet delicious. Her hands moved to clutch at his jacket and keep him close before her mind caught up with her and she shoved him away, now unable to stop the tears.
"I can't, Auron. I'm sorry, I can't. I…I am to marry another. It…it's what is expected of me. I'm sorry." She slipped out from under his arm and scurried quickly down the hallway and into her room. She wanted very much to burst into tears, but Yuna was there, looking happier then Rikku had ever seen her. She couldn't bring herself to destroy that. Instead, she changed in silence and slipped into bed, ready for the whole trip to just be over. Her last thought before falling asleep was that she would do anything, anything, to get off the Titanic that night.
Had she known the future, perhaps she might have chosen her words more carefully.