Okay wow, I am so so so so sorry that it took me this long to update! Seriously, switching over to Yuna's POV has been harder than I was originally expecting it to be. Oops. Oh well, it's a good challenge. And, if you want to hear some excuses, I've been working like crazy on a novel tentatively titled "THE" (weird title, right? Haha) and I'm borderline obsessed with it. Meanwhile, I'm also making way on Combined Yards 5 (yes, I've written FIVE parts. Oh, my offer still stands to anyone who wants to PM me their e-mail addresses for the opportunity to read the novelized Combined Yards + Combined Yards 2... and if you ask real nice, I might even send Combined Yards 3 and 4! Haha). And then my tennis elbow started acting up (mostly because of a rather disastrous trip to the driving range heh heh heh) and I was out of commission for an entire week! And THEN my favorite holiday, aka the Fourth of July, came up. Whew. But anyway, excuses aside, I just have been struggling with this.

BUT, here is Chapter VIII. And I have Chapter XI written, so hopefully I won't wait too long before posting that.

Oh, and this chapter (and honestly, a bit of the next) kind of follows the new movie a bit. Which is weird, because I hated everything about that movie except for Leonardo DiCaprio. But, whatever. Anyway, enjoy!

VIII. The Party

I hummed a song to myself as I brushed my hair, slowly, as though no matter how many times I brushed it, the tangles wouldn't leave.

"You're awfully happy today," Baralai said at my side as he spit out his toothpaste. He walked away without rinsing it down the sink, which always grossed me out.

"I'm always happy," I said, although I didn't sound convincing at all.

"What are you up to today?" Baralai asked. "I thought maybe we'd catch Gippal's game?"

"Can't," I said, quickly. "I'm meeting Rikku."

"Doesn't she have to work today?"

I turned to face Baralai, a look of shock on my face.

"Does she?" I asked.

"I don't know," he said, shrugging.

"Well, she told me she'd like to have me over for lunch."

"Weren't you just over there yesterday for tea?"

"Mm-hm. Rikku and I are becoming best friends."

Baralai was tense at my side.

"You know, I know she's your cousin and all, but Rikku and I were always really good friends."

"So?"

"So… I want to hang out with her too."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Of course Rikku wasn't a good enough alibi. I should have known that.

"Well, aren't you going into the city today?" I questioned. "I know—take someone else to the blitzball game!"

"You would hate that."

"No, honestly, I wouldn't," I said, finally putting my brush down. "How do I look?"

I spun around slowly in front of him, glowering slightly. I knew I looked perfect.

Baralai made a face and said, "Where are you two going to lunch at?"

"Her neighbor's," I said casually.

"Oh? Who's her neighbor?"

"Hm? You don't know him."

"Him?"

"Yevon, Baralai, can't I have male friends? Yevon knows you have plenty of lady friends—"

"What are you trying to do, Yuna? I'm not going into the city today. Does that make you happy?"

"No."

"Then what would make you happy?"

"If you would just stay out of my business!" This conversation was escalating quickly.

"Yuna, what the hell is going on with you?" Baralai asked, but he just sounded tired. "I told you, I'm not going to the city today."

"Well, you have fun. I deserve to have fun, too, right?"

"Is this some phase you're going through?"

"I doubt it's a 'phase."'

"Whatever. I'll let you go through this little phase. Have fun with Rikku and her neighbor."

"I will," I retorted, happily. It wasn't often I had an argument with Baralai. And it was even less often that I had an argument with Baralai that he even cared about.

So, feeling rather proud of myself for numerous reasons, I climbed in my car and headed off towards Rikku's—well, not really, of course. But at this point, I couldn't bring myself to even think that I was heading off to Tidus'.

I stretched my arms in front of me and admired my tan skin as the droplets of water that covered them shimmered in the sun. Then, I folded them and tucked them under my chin. My elbow bumped his just slightly, which caused us to exchange bright smiles, the sort of naïve smile of an early love. But this was no early love. Oh, but it certainly felt like one.

The pool spread across us and was as cerulean as the sky. And it all seemed to match his eyes—his eyes that he never took off of me.

"That was the first time I've ever swam in this pool," Tidus said. He was on his back while I was on my stomach, and his arms were folded behind his head, our elbows still just touching.

"It's a lovely pool," I said, staring off past the blue, clear water and off to the bay. I stopped my eyes, though, before they reached the other side of the bay.

"I'm glad you like it," Tidus said, grinning at me. I found myself fighting the urge to reach over and touch his hair.

"This entire place is incredible," I said, rolling over just slightly to look behind me at the enormous mansion. "How long have you lived here?"

"Only about three months," Tidus answered.

"Where were you before that?" I asked.

"Zanarkand, of course," Tidus said.

"Do you miss it there?"

"No. Do you miss Bevelle?"

I blinked a few times and swallowed. Yes. I missed Bevelle terribly. I even missed Zanarkand.

Tidus was waiting for an answer, but I smiled and said, "Not really."

"I'm having a party tonight," Tidus said then. "Would you like to come?"

"A party?" I asked, looking around his massive grounds where there were fountains and gardens and greatness.

"Yes. I would have liked to cancel it, honestly, but it was too late. I've already had it scheduled."

I was about to tell him that of course I would come to his party, but then my eyes went downcast.

"I'm supposed to go to a dinner with Baralai tonight," I said. "It's for some charity or something. I promised I would go."

"You promised Baralai?"

"No—I promised the lady who's putting on the dinner. It's much too late to cancel."

"Well, come after," Tidus said. "My parties go all night."

"I don't know if I'll be able to get away from Baralai," I said.

"Then bring him with," Tidus said. I searched his eyes—did he really want Baralai there? But Tidus was looking back at me with the same expression as always—and he seemed perfectly fine with the thought of Baralai being there.

For some reason, recognizing that Tidus was comfortable with inviting Baralai to my party made me feel a little uncertain. Did Tidus consider us to be nothing more than just friends? We hadn't, after all, kissed since yesterday. When I'd arrived at his door earlier, he had only thrown on a huge smile and told me we were going swimming. And then we just splashed around and laughed and…

I decided to press—"Don't you think it'll be a bit, I don't know, awkward if Baralai is there?"

"No, of course not," Tidus just said. Upon seeing the face I made, though, Tidus instantly sat up and said, "I don't consider him a threat."

"What do you mean by that?" I asked, sitting up as well.

"I just… I know he's not right for you, Yuna. I know you're not happy with him."

How could Tidus possibly know such a thing? Or was he just hoping? When I looked back at him, I noticed there was a sort of hopeful gleam in his eyes. That had to be it—he was simply hoping I would confirm that Baralai wasn't right for me and that I wasn't happy. But for some reason, I couldn't seem to say anything of the sort.

"So it'll be okay if I bring him…" I just said.

"Yes, of course." Tidus stood up then and stretched. "Do you want lunch?"

"Tidus…" I said, unhappy that he was so casual about Baralai. "What are we doing?"

"What do you mean?" he asked. He took his seat again, close to me, but yet with a safe distance between us.

I took a deep breath and said, "Do you love me?"

He didn't hesitate before saying a breathless, "Yes."

"But I'm married."

"Yes?"

"Doesn't that bother you?"

Tidus took a deep breath, and said, "Look, Yuna, I understand. I know you couldn't wait for me. I know you had things you had to do, things you had to fix—I know there were things expected of you. I was angry at first, as you can probably imagine. I was angry at a lot of things. I just… I thought it was all unfair, you know? I even thought of taking my own life."

I gasped, but Tidus continued, cutting me off.

"But then one day—one day, Yuna—I realized that I didn't have to give up. I realized I could make a second chance. That's what this is, Yuna—a second chance."

At that moment, I admired him in a way I had never admired him before.

I looked up at his house, using my hand to shield from the sun that was shining on it.

"Did you do all of this for me?" I asked.

"Yes," he said. Then, he was suddenly on his feet and was pulling me up with him. "Come with me," he said.

He led me into the house, apparently not caring that either of us were tracking water in. He led me up the stairs and into his bedroom, which is where he dropped my hand. He went off into the other room and returned with what appeared to be a scrapbook of sorts.

He opened it, and I was surprised to see a picture from my wedding. He continued flipping it—all pictures of me, clipped from different newspapers and tabloids.

"You did a great job, Yuna," Tidus said, flipping from page-to-page. "You really got your good reputation back."

I couldn't take it anymore. I walked over to him and took the book from him, closing it loudly.

"And if I cause a scandal, it's going to all go…" I couldn't seem to finish my sentence. I had felt angry, but now, holding that book, looking at Tidus, I couldn't seem to feel angry.

Tidus gently took the book from me and took it back to where it was. Then, he walked up close to me, and slipped his arms around my waist.

"It'll all go to shit," he said, finishing my sentence.

"Yes," I said, but this word was said into his mouth, for he kissed me then.

"Baralai," I said, leaning over to whisper it, "I got us invited to a party tonight."

Baralai had acted annoyed the entire evening, and now he put down his wine glass with a cling, and said, "What kind of party?"

"A—A house party of sorts," I answered. "Rikku and Gippal are both going to be there as well."

"And where is this house party?"

"It's at Rikku's neighbor's."

"Oh, splendid."

"Does that mean you want to go?"

"Honestly, Yuna, no, I don't want to go."

"Why not?"

"You're the one that never wants to do anything fun and social. Why the change in heart? Who is this neighbor anyway?"

"His name is Tidus," I said, as casually as I could manage—which was more difficult than I had originally anticipated it being.

"Tidus…" Baralai said, but there was absolutely no recognition. Which I was momentarily thankful for.

"So we're going, right?" I asked.

"Yes, but only because I could use some excitement after this boring dinner."

I couldn't help but smile slightly, because that was the first thing Baralai had said that I agreed with in far too long.

"What the hell is this?" Baralai asked as we stepped out of the car. My mouth was dropped in amazement—Tidus' place looked even more impressive when it was all lit up, shining with wonder and excitement. I almost couldn't breathe at the sight of it.

Baralai, though, was staring at it with his face scrunched up in a sort of disgust.

"Why are we here?" he asked.

"Come on," I just said, taking his arm forcefully and leading him to the door. Music was blasting and people were dancing all around. I hadn't seen anything like it in my entire life!

"Look, there's Rikku!" I said, laughing and running up to her. I hugged her quickly.

"Oh, hey Baralai," Rikku said, and I noticed she looked a bit uncomfortable at seeing him. I wanted to tell her that it was all fine, but I wasn't sure how to. So I just smiled at her.

"Where's Gippal?" I asked.

"I'm not sure," she answered.

"Do you live around here?" Baralai asked.

"Yeah, I live right over there," Rikku said.

I wasn't really listening to them at all, though. I was looking for Tidus. And when I saw him, standing across from me, with only a colorful fountain between us, I felt a warmth in my body. He was smiling at me through the water that was splashing out.

"What are you looking at?" Baralai asked. He had such a grumpy tone.

"Why don't you go get some drinks?" I just said to him.

He rolled his eyes at me but he shuffled off to the nearest bar.

"Are you sure you want to bring Baralai here?" Rikku asked as soon as he was far enough away. "Won't it just be… awkward?"

"Rikku, please, don't worry about it. Enjoy yourself! Gippal's coming, right?"

RIkku answered by giving me a serious face.

And then, Tidus was at my side.

I turned and greeted him with a smile, wishing I could greet him with a kiss instead.

"What do you think?" he asked.

"About this party? I've never seen anything like it."

"And doesn't my place look fantastic all lit up?"

"It does."

Baralai had walked back to us. He handed Rikku a drink and then handed me a drink. He was giving Tidus a very suspicious and unfriendly look.

"Baralai, this is Tidus," I said.

"We've met before," Tidus said, shaking Baralai's hand. "Remember?"

I didn't know they had met. Rikku was giving me a sort of guilty look.

"Oh, right," Baralai said, slowly. He didn't really look like he remembered.

"You do remember?" Tidus continued to press.

"Right, you were with Rikku here," Baralai just said, dismissively. This caused Tidus to frown.

At that moment, a man came up to Tidus and said something to him. Tidus looked upset, but he excused himself, telling us—although he looked at me when he said this—that he would be back shortly.

As soon as he was gone, Baralai let out a scoffing sound.

"I bet he's importing drugs or something."

"He's a businessman," I answered quickly.

"Well, I'm going to figure out for sure. What kind of business is he in, anyway?"

I looked at Rikku, but she just looked back at me and shrugged.

"I think he said something about oil and something about drugstores?" Rikku answered.

"Drugs. Just drugs," Baralai said. He looked sour as he took a drink.

I was already annoyed that Baralai was there. I looked behind me, wanting Tidus to reappear.

"Well, what do you think, Rikku?" Baralai asked. "Is he an honest man?"

"Is who an honest man?" I interrupted, even though I knew who he was talking about.

"Oh, you know who I'm talking about!" Baralai said.

"I think he is an honest man," Rikku answered then, her voice small. "There's something very likable about him."

Baralai made a hmph sound and I smiled at my cousin.

"Oh, look, there's Gippal!" I said, suddenly feeling almost as relieved as I would have had Tidus returned. "Gippal, over here!"

Gippal saw me and smiled immediately. His smile faded slightly, however, when Baralai stood up to shake his hand.

"You come to these wretched parties too?" Baralai was saying to Gippal, but Gippal was looking at me and then at Rikku and then at me. He seemed to be asking us why Baralai was there.

I wished I had an answer for him.

And then, Tidus was suddenly standing behind me, smiling at us all as though we were all friends.

"Sorry about that," he said, and he took the vacant seat next to me. "Business."

"And just what kind of business is that?" Baralai asked, leaning forward.

"The drug business," Tidus said, very seriously. So seriously, in fact, that the expression on Baralai's face was rather amusing.

"I have my hand in some drugstores," Tidus said then, clarifying. "I'm sorry that some of us have to work for our money."

My mouth twitched when Tidus said that, mostly because he had just taken a dig at Baralai that Baralai hadn't caught. Or, at least, I didn't think Baralai had caught it. But the sly smile that formed on Baralai's face said otherwise.

"Look here," Baralai said, leaning forward, being that he was across the table from Tidus. "You can wow everyone with all of these great things, but everyone is just going to come here, use your amenities and drink your liquor and then go back to their civilized lives. And when they all get sick of it, they won't even remember your name. Because these people and you have nothing in common."

I wasn't sure what Baralai was trying to get at. He'd drank heavily at dinner and he had already finished his second cocktail of the party. Gippal even gave me a look as if to ask what Baralai was rambling about. But there was a strange sort of expression on Tidus' face, as though he could break through Baralai's drunken code and see what the real message was. And whatever that message was, Tidus was not fond of.

"Baralai, why don't you go introduce yourself around?" I asked then, before Baralai could continue any further. "Here, you can even take my little pencil and take down addresses. I know that's what you want to do anyway."

Baralai glared at me, but he must have known what I was insinuating.

"Fine," he said, or rather, growled. "Gip? Want another drink?"

Gippal caught my eye and then looked at Rikku, who he nodded to.

"Come on, Rikku," he said, starting to follow Baralai. "Let's get another drink."

Rikku looked at me, for a second, almost as if she wanted to make sure she had my permission. So I stood up quickly and said, "Keep Baralai occupied, okay?"

"Yeah, sure," Rikku said. "See ya, Yunie."

As soon as they disappeared into the crowd, I turned to Tidus. He looked back at me with a smile and stood up, taking my hand and pulling me away. He led me quickly through people, weaving in and out of their revelries. We were just about to the gardens when one of Tidus' servants stopped him.

"Tidus, Sir," he said, his voice sounding urgent. "There's a phone call for you."

"Tell them I can't come right now," Tidus said, sounding as annoyed as Baralai had throughout the night.

"But Sir, it's—"

"I don't care," Tidus said. "Now please, see that I am not bothered."

Then, he turned to me with a grin and pulled me along. There wasn't a soul where we were and there was a beautiful clearing that allowed the moon to shine through.

Tidus turned to me and put his hands gently on my waist.

"I love you so much," he said to me before kissing me.

"I love you too," I said, so quickly that I felt as though I was trying to use my words to prove it. Then, as if suddenly inspired by the night, I said, "Let's just run away together!"

"Run away?" Tidus choked. "Run away? Yuna, that wouldn't be admirable! Just think of what everyone would say about you! I can't—we can't have that. Besides, look at my house—look at all of this! I did this all for you!"

"But Tidus, divorcing Baralai is already going to cause a fuss—don't you realize that?" I suddenly realized I was feeling angry. "Besides, you had your chance, Tidus. You never wanted to marry me."

He looked as though I had just slapped him. His eyes were wide and full of some strange sort of fury. His lips were pressed tightly together but they slowly loosened until his mouth was just slightly agape.

Finally, he blinked a few times and said, "I couldn't marry you then. You know that!"

"Yes you could have!" I retorted. "I wouldn't have said no if you had asked."

He shook his head slowly.

'You know I couldn't," he just said again. "I didn't have anything, Yuna. I never could have provided for you! But now I can! Now, Yuna. Now."

"Well, it's too late," I just said, perhaps stubbornly.

"No, Yuna, it's not too late," he said, taking my hand in his and entwining his fingers with mine. "It's not."

I wanted to believe him. I did. But the idea of going through the tabloid nonsense all over again felt like a nightmare. I could just see it now—my face on cover after cover, the whispers, the people who would tell me I was a disgrace to my father's good name. Dona calling me and saying, "Ah, the great Yuna has fallen again."

"I think I need to go home," I finally just said. And then, maybe because I couldn't imagine leaving him without doing so, I took his face in my hands and kissed him.