Strange Spirits

Chapter 6

Yuna stared at Squall in amazement. She didn't want him to start a fight again and moved to push his gun-blade down at his wrist. She then sincerely met his gaze and said, "Squall, this is Tibus. The one I just told you about."

Puzzled, the swordsman lowered his weapon and turned to look away. "Fine…whatever."

He then moved to walk away, but Yuna tried to stop him and called his name, "Squall, no don't go—"

However, it was too late. The scared-soldier left and began to walk away while leaving Yuna and Tibus alone. Yuna felt Tibus' eyes gazing at her from behind and turned to face him and drink him in for the first time since he left. She saw that he hadn't changed. He was the same man she loved and parted with since they defeated Sin. Though, oddly she noticed he was giving Squall's retreating form a glare before softening to a smile as he met her eyes.

"Hi, Yuna."

The former-summoner smiled, "Tibus…is it really you? Are you really here?"

"Yeah, I'm back."

The two then hugged in a tight embrace and at last he felt solid and real. It wasn't a dream or an illusion. He was really here. He was right here in her arms. Joyfully, Tibus pulled back and brushed back her hair.

"Yuna, I've missed you. I'm sorry I took so long to get back."

She instantly shook her head and replied, "No, it's ok. You're back, that's what's important."

"Yeah, but who was that guy? The cranky scar man."

Yuna giggled at Tibus' description and covered her mouth to stifle her laugh and said, "Oh, that was Squall. He's a new friend."

"A new friend, uh? Well, he doesn't seem that friendly."

The former-summoner frowned and said, "No, Squall's just serious. He's actually a good person. He's helping us look for Sin. I think the new Sin sighting might be connected to him somehow."

Shocked, Tibus said, "Sin! You mean that thing is back? I thought we took care of that already."

Yuna shook her head. "No, we saw it again. We're trying to find it, Lulu, Wakka and Squall. Rikku might help too, but she wants to finish some business in town first before we leave. She's in a singing competition here in Luca."

Please, Tibus crossed his arms over his chest and said, "Wow, it looks like almost everyone is back. I can't wait to see them again."

Yuna smiled and took his hand. "Yeah, lets go find the others. Then, you can tell us where you've been."

The former-summoner then began to drag Tibus through the streets in search of their friends. She was sure she'd be able to find Lulu and Wakka. They were sure to have missed Tibus too. Though, unknown to her Squall was watching from afar. The lone lion watched as the two navigated the streets and inwards he could shake feelings both happy and annoyed. On one hand he was happy for Yuna that her friend had come back, yet he was also annoyed since he didn't like him. Tibus wasn't what Squall expected. He was a fine swordsman, but something about him was off. Was he just jealous that Yuna and him were friends? And why did he leave her in the first place? It just didn't add up.

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When Squall returned to the party at the meeting place he saw that Tibus was surrounded by his friends and catching up. Everyone looked happy to see the former-guardian again. It was obvious that they missed him.

Rikku jumped up and down with joy and gave him a hug and exclaimed, "Oh my gosh! Tibus you're back! Where on Spira have you been?"

The blue-swordsman laughed and answered, "Jeez, I don't really know. One minute I was here and the next I just sort of faded away, but now I'm back."

Wakka threw his arm around his shoulders and said, "Yeah, but how'd you get here?"

"I swam. I woke up some where off shore and made my way to the city."

Lulu frowned and tilted her head. She hummed to herself thoughtfully and said, "Hmm, we'll that's an odd explanation, but then again you aren't exactly normal to begin with."

"Yeah, thanks Lulu. I've noticed that too, but what's this thing I hear about Sin coming back. I thought we made Sin into history. They're weren't any more aeons. Sin had nothing left to possess.

"That's impossible," he replied. "Yu Yevon is gone. There are no aeons for him to manipulate."

Anxiously, Yuna pressed her lips nervously and said, "Um, actually there is another aeon in Spira."

Surprised, Tibus turned to her and noticed Squall approaching them from up the road. He saw her fidget and say, "Squall has an aeon. He's a summoner, but it's an aeon I've never seen."

Tibus narrowed his brow and glanced towards the scared-soldier's direction and shouted, "Him! He's a summoner? He doesn't look like any summoner I've ever seen. He uses a sword."

Irked, the former-guardian stoked up to him and grabbed a fist full of his robe. Squall instantly held his wrist to stop his advance, but Tibus was seething with mistrust and irritation. Hotly, he said, "You! You're a summoner? Do you have anything to do with Sin returning to Spira?"

Shocked, Yuna shouted, "Tibus! Don't!"

Squall remained silent and turned his head away. He indifferent showed no sign of anger or rage, but simply ignored Tibus like some pest. Annoyed, Tibus shoved Squall away and stepped back to try and calm down. It wasn't like him to snap, but if Sin really did return to spread death than he wasn't going to let anything get in his way.

Though, unexpectedly Squall spoke and said, "I really wish I could tell you something useful to help the situation, but I don't have any answers. And like I told Yuna I can't remember everything. My past is still a blur. All I can offer is my corporation."

"Then get rid of your aeon!"

At Tibus' words, Yuna and her friends gasped. They all knew that as a former-summoner Yuna was very close to the aeons. Their death had affected her profoundly. She knew them in ways that only a summoner could make.

However, in response Squall said, "No, Greiver is a part of me. He and I are one in the same."

"Yeah, and what exactly is that supposed to mean?"

Squall frowned and said, "It means Greiver stays."

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TBC

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I'm back! I appreciate the reviews and please keep them coming. I love positive feed back. And my story has a fantastic idea for a big finish, but I just can't figure out what should happen in between. I'm also on the fence if this should be a Yuna/Squall shipper or Yuna/Tibus one instead. Jeez, too many decisions.

Please review. Thank you.