I do not own Final Fantasy VII or Final Fantasy X

Chapter 10

Mi'hen Highroad Inn

Hearing that warm and friendly voice ask her that question, Yuna hastily put the sphere inside her sleeve. The young woman had decided as she took in the view, that she would say her goodbyes while she could.

Thoughtful in her feelings and emotions towards each of her guardians whom had become her most precious of friends, Yuna was sad that for one she could not tell the truth of what was to happen.

No matter how much it hurt to hear his words, his promises to take her places.

"Hey what were you doing?"

"Nothing much..." She replied with a smile. "The view...it's nice."

"It is...I don't think I have seen one like it." Tidus responded brightly an emotion that turns the grin on his face to one of an almost saddened expression. Yuna looking at him softly, she can't help but offer a gentle gaze. "Homesick?"

Nodding his head, the blonde sits down upon the ground beside her. Arms resting on his knees as he stares out over the water, "The sunset is beautiful, but seeing those ruins there in front of it...."

"You have become afraid of what you may find in Zanarkand." She said softly.

"Yeah. It's weird you know." He commented. "To want to go home, but be afraid of doing so? I want to believe that Zanarkand is there waiting for me to come home to. The Zanarkand that I know that is...."

"It is not weird at all, you are human." Yuna responded quietly. Her dual colored eyes looking at him gently, she gave a reassuring smile of understanding. "It is human to want to go home."

"But what if I never go back? What if like my dad..."

"Would it be so bad?"

Chuckling a little bit in a mixture of emotions, Tidus shrugged as he gazed back out towards the dimming sun. "I honestly don't know. You, Wakka, Lulu....you guys are not so bad. But I can't help but miss those back home you know?"

"Aahhh, I see. Must be lonely then for you?"

"Not really. I mean I got you guys right?"

Small nod of head, Yuna can not help but feel her heart beat as he looked towards her. Despite the fact his innocent words hurt, she can see the kind and gentle nature he has as he tilts his head curiously.

"What?"

"Nothing, you are right. You do have us." She replied softly. But before anything else was said, the two turn as they hear Wakka calling for them and the others to come inside. Turning somewhat to wave that they heard him, they finally notice the other man who was standing to the side of them.

"Cloud?"

The stockier man turning to look toward them at the sound of Yuna's voice, they both feel the pain radiating from his body.

"Do a sending..."

As confusion radiates from the young woman, she steps back as groups of pyre flies make themselves known around the other man's stoic figure. Dropping to his knees, his blue eyes reflecting the agony he must be going through. "Please...do it."

"I don't...."

"Do it Yuna." Auron stated quietly. "Do not let him suffer their pleas."

Nodding her head, the young woman begins to dance. Her steps soft and light, those who watch her delicate steps pf precision fail to see the oldest among them back away and fight against the pull.

They just see the one whose body releases pyre flies that swarm all around the young woman as her steps guide them to where they need to go. Each swirl, each step, and dip was elegant and yet purposeful. Eventually as the last of the pyre flies erupt from his body, Cloud ceases his trembles as Yuna sends them off to where they must go with her last step.

A small sigh of relief from her, as she looks at him, she can not help but wonder how this could be.

"Are..."

"Am I unsent? No." Cloud said quietly. "Do I wish I was sometimes? Yes." He said painfully.

"Why?" Yuna asked softly as she clutched onto Tidus and Kimahri for support. Her heart was aching for the man in front of her, whose own soul aches with years of loneliness. "Why would you wish for death?"

"To be with those that I love." He replied. "Can you imagine yourself years from now, looking in the mirror and realizing that you remain the same and yet those around you have gotten old? That you seek answers for why you are young, and yet the ones you love have aged?"

That said he walks away and back into the in. No one going after him, they look to Auron who shakes his head. "It is not my story to tell, but know this. Some legends are real. He is proof that they exist."

Walking off himself now, the younger ones looking at one another in confusion, it is Kimahri who holds them back. Shaking his head he remains silent and simply points to the inn.

Understanding that it was simply the Ronso's way of saying to drop it, the others do so. None of them wanting to pester the one who even now, makes their hearts hurt with the loneliness of soul.

Finally as they open the door, Yuna pauses softly. "Do you...do you think he will ever be able to rest?"

Hearing her question, it is surprisingly Wakka who answers with his wisdom that makes the others nod their heads in agreement.

"Who knows? Time will only tell? I can't say I envy the guy. To watch all those you know up and die. Must be worse then Sin ya? Get's awful lonely watching those you care about leave you."

"Yeah." Tidus spoke up as he looked at his friend as he remembers his mother. The same for the others in their small group as they remember watching loved ones pass on. Their sorrow and pity evident on their faces, the blonde with them at the moment sums it up in four words.

"Sucks to be him."

-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-

Further along the path and watching with guarded eyes. A lone Guado studies the group in front of him. Loyal to a fault to the man whom is his Leader, he has observed the aura of pyre flies that the man emanated and is thoughtful.

Having gotten closer to watch as the one, whom the Maester has a desire for does a sending, he expects the man as those around him disappear with each step. But that is not the case.

The blonde figure in black remains firmly where he is and looks very much alive.

This was intriguing and bares investigation as he faintly hears the words being spoken from those present around him. Turning around, he makes the quick run for where Maester Seymour is currently at this moment in Luca.

Having been sent to follow discreetly at his orders, this bit of news will surely be worth something.

Nodding to his companion to continue on, the Guado immediately takes off back for Luca to report what he has discovered.