I'm apologizing in advance for this chapter: I was forcing myself to write it despite some SK writer's block, so if it sounds choppy and absolutely awful, I'm sorry. But I wanted to get it to you guys within a few weeks to try and set up some day I post each chapter.

The quote is from Balthier, whom should be in Dissidia, instead of Vaan. I am NEVER going to stop ranting about that until Square Enix finally decides to bring him in! Uchi means Home. I considered it for last chapter because of the poem, but then a sappy video on Youtube changed my mind and thus this chapter name was born.

Also, later Yuna mentions they had been in Dissidia a few weeks. Let's all start pretending the warriors were there for quite a while for the story's sake, shall we?

And let's pretend I don't make you all pretend and assume so much.

Please R&R.

Chapter 27- Uchi

Roses have thorns - this much I've come to expect. But you, my dear, poison yours. You've no sense of fair play.

((((()))))

"They were going to die fighting for us."

There was complete silence on the Calm Lands as it lived up to its name. The breeze carried a distant laugh from somewhere on the plain and a chill from the cool ocean. Tidus only shook his head, still aghast that Kuja and Astos would just let themselves die like that. Anyone else he would have understood, as horrible as it was to think, but not those two. Neither of them seemed to good-guy complex- not until the end.

That was pretty biased, Tidus also knew, considering he really hadn't known Kuja and Astos. At least, not as much as his father, Light and Mage. The blitzball star looked around at their solemn faces.

Light didn't make any leader-like response to that, and no one else looked like they had much to say, so Tidus asked, "How are we supposed to contact Rikku?"

Yuna immediately took out their crystal and flipped the switch on the bottom. Its battery must have completely died in Dissidia. The gunner sighed, suddenly falling on her back. She frowned up at the repulsively blue sky and muttered, "It will never happen, will it?"

She covered her eyes with her arms and said, "Before anything good can happen, we'll always loose a friend. Every time."

Jecht sat down next to her. "That's true. But you've got to remember, kid, that everyone's story has got to end sometime. One day, mine's gonna end, Tidus's will end, and yours will, too. Everyone has to suffer loss. But, you know, we've just got to keep moving on. Our stories can't stop for someone else."

"What if your story ended the second a new chapter began?"

Jecht turned around to scowl at Light, who had the kind of solemn face you'd see at a funeral. "Then that's called self pity."

Light only turned a paler shade of white, and went silent.

"Okay, I've got to know. You guys are keeping something from Yuna and me. What is it?" Tidus suddenly asked, crossing his arms. "Terra and Chaos knew, but they didn't get the chance to say. Just what are you hiding, Light?"

He didn't respond. Instead, in a quiet voice, he suggested, "Even if there aren't any in the immediate area, we should set to finding your friends before any fiends find us first. I don't suppose anyone is up for a battle, are they."

Mage's worried eyes flitted between Tidus, getting more annoyed by the second, and Light, who looked weary and on the verge of breaking. She understood why, too, and it made it even worse.

Light had failed. He promised that no one would die, but Gilgamesh, Kuja, and Astos did. Mage started to doubt that anyone else would make it through the rest of their journey unscathed.

As soon as she thought it, she realized it wasn't just a journey to restore power to the crystals, defeat Chaos, and save the day. It really was their story, just as Jecht had said, and if they were going to have a happy ending, they had to stop Chaos. They had to make sure Kuja and Astos's stories didn't end in vain.

"We're cranky because we're all tired," Mage pointed out coolly to try and calm Tidus down. "There seems to be a residence of some sort over there. How about we go and ask for a place to rest until the morrow?"

"That's Rin's Travel Agency," Yuna said, looking off at the rounded building. "Rin is a good friend of ours, so he'll let us stay the night."

"After we pay him an arm and a leg," Tidus grumbled, grudgingly following after the gunner.

Yuna only rolled her heterochromatic eyes.

((((()))))

"Welcome to Rin's…. Tidus?"

Tidus grinned. "The one and only. So, can you hook me and my friends up with a place tonight?"

The Al Bhed quickly shut his gaping mouth with an instant smile. "Right away, my friends. How many rooms do you wish to rent for your party? We have three currently vacant."

Tidus turned to Light. "Two," the warrior decided. "One for the girls, and one for us."

"Ah, of course. But there are two beds, and three of you."

"I'll take the floor," Jecht said before Light could. "Got any extra pillows?"

Rin nodded and fished for their room keys under the counter. "Here you are," he said handing them over. Before Tidus moved to go, Rin asked, "When did you come back, Tidus? It has been two years, and even I have took part in searching for you."

Tidus tossed him another smile and said, "Who said I even left? Saving the world puts you at the mercy of a lot of fame. I'm into sports fame, not the hero kind."

When he reached the door to his room, Tidus turned around and asked, "Could you not tell Rikku and the others that we're back until morning? I actually want some sleep before I'm subject to her wrath."

"Sure. Have a nice stay."

((((()))))

Yuna had to end up buying a new pair of pajamas for herself and Mage, and she felt so much better finally change out of her muddy clothes.

On the subject of clothes, Mage said, "I'm surprised my own clothing did not change back to their original look after Cosmos died."

The gunner shrugged, fluffing up the pillows on her bed- which she was incredibly thankful for after sleeping on dirt, cold tile, and rain for a few weeks.

"Maybe the spells she cast beforehand were permanent. Like… maybe I still have my Summoner powers," Yuna offered, combing out her hair.

She suddenly paused, leaning towards the door. Mage walked over and stuck her ear to it, also hearing it.

Rin had another customer, and they seemed to be talking their crazy language. They spoke too fast for Yuna to try and translate. "Dryhgc vun lymmehk ic, Rin."

"Oui yna famlusa. E fac dumt hud du ehvuns oui, cu pa lynavim."

The peppy customer happily chirped, "Ugyo!"

(Thanks for calling us, Rin.)

(You are welcome. I was told not to inform you, so be careful.)

(Okay!)

"Does she sound familiar?" Mage asked Yuna, her expression sour.

The gunner was grim as she replied, "Unfortunately." Yuna ever so quietly opened the door just a crack. Her face turned even darker. "Rin, you traitor," she grumbled, silently shutting it back. Yuna leaned up against the door and moaned, "I hope Tidus is ready for the apocalypse."

((((()))))

"RUNNING WATER!" Tidus cried, diving for the faucet. "Ah ah! And it's hot!"

"Geez, kid. You act like you've never lived a day out of Dissidia," Jecht rolled his eyes. Tidus ignored him and proceeded to splash some on his face, laughing at the simplicity of it all. "Hey, don't waste it all!"

"Ugyo!" someone outside cried happily. Next the guys heard Yuna groan.

Tidus turned off the water and wiped off his face. "Why did that sound familiar?"

Light and Jecht exchanged confused looks.

But instead of further investigation, Tidus sighed in bliss, falling back on his bed. "Fluff. Oh, and a real pillow- not someone's cape or my blitzball…."

Jecht rolled his eyes as he flicked off the light. "Pitiful, kid. Real pitiful."

((((()))))

Yuna wasn't sure when Rin bought alarm clocks for the room, or how the heck it had even been set, but she did know that were it not for Mage in the room, the thing would be chucked at the opposite wall, splattering into a thousand metal pieces and screws.

So, as to not destroy someone else's property, she fumbled to turn it off without opening her eyes from the semi-stasis of sleep she was still in.

As soon as the annoying buzzing clicked off, Yuna's eyes snapped open. "Rikku and Paine. They're here," she remembered in horror. We're not ready for a karaoke party just yet, let alone how Rikku and Brother are going to freak out over Tidus and Jecht.

She hopped out of bed, yanking on a pink robe as she opened the door into the hallway.

Across the hall, the guys were still asleep- their awful storing made that perfectly clear. Afraid that a certain ecstatic Al Bhed would pop out, Yuna tiptoed back into the lobby. Rin was already at his faithful post. "What time is it?" Yuna asked, already aware it was probably long past noon.

"Ah, good morning. It is almost two," he said with perfect innocence.

"Okay. So, when did Rikku and Paine get here?" the gunner asked, just as innocently.

Rin's smile faltered. "I apologize. I had promised them before you arrived that I would inform them of anything regarding you or Tidus."

Yuna sighed. "I figured. Did they stay in the Celsius last night?"

"They took the last vacant room," Rin said, pointing to one right beside hers and Mage's.

"Then Rikku is planning to jump us once Tidus and the others wake up. Well," Yuna grinned, spinning on her heel, "I'll go ahead and wake them up early. Thanks, Rin."

Oh, boy, I'm going to die if she drags us back for a party….

(((((())))))

"You can't be serious!"

"But we are," Astos said, eyes carefully averted from Jecht, Golbez, and Leon's appalled faces. "It's the only way- you know we aren't going to be able to defeat Chaos without a catalyst to break his power. Cosmos won't be enough."

Jecht turned to Kuja, who suddenly found his boots very interesting. Feeling Jecht's gaze on him, he sighed, "I hate that I have to go only for Zidane's sake. But he's the only one that doesn't want to skewer me on sight, so he'll get over it. But Jecht, you have Tidus. You're a father. And Golbez and Leon, I'm not going to steal you away from your family. Cosmos and I have already discussed the plan. All I need is for Zidane to get the Chaos crystal and I'll be able to halt his power's growth with it. That should keep the playing field leveled for when you go home to restore Cosmos's power within the crystals."

"Wait- we're going home?" Leon asked incredulously.

"Cosmos taught me the spell," Kuja explained.

Jecht angrily rose to his feet. "You idiot!" he burst. "It's not just Zidane, it's us, too! Did you honestly believe we'd let you two go along with this?"

Golbez grimly nodded, standing as well. "I agree. I can't sit by and allow you two to sacrifice yourselves for us. It doesn't matter who would be missed the least."

"It's the only way," Astos repeated coldly, glaring at them each in turn. "Our minds are set, and you can't stop us."

"And I'm supposed to be dead anyway," Kuja airily reminded them. "I was never supposed to get out of the Iifa tree. Neither of us were."

Frowning, Jecht said, "Zidane would punch you for saying that."

"Tidus would cry- don't deny it, we all knew he loves you- if you were in our place," Kuja pointed out with the role of his eyes. He finally stood up and crossed his arms, looking straight at Jecht. "I appreciate it, but- how does Tidus put it? My story is nearing its final chapter. Yours still has a long way to go, Jecht. You still have a lot to do."

It was no use trying to sway either of them, but Jecht still asked, "But how do you know your story doesn't still have a few chapters to go?"

"Because everyone writes their story, Jecht. It's not fate that determines what happens to us, but ourselves. And I've decided to end it there." Kuja slowly shook his head, turning towards the horizon behind him. "It's time for us to go. Edea is dead."

((((()))))

An annoying strand of light had been on Tidus's face all morning long and, no matter which way he faced, it still ended up in his face, stealing an awesome night's rest. He yawned and slouched over to the door to try and hustle some food from Rin. If he really looked pitiful and broke enough, hopefully the Al Bhed would spare a muffin or something.

He almost ran into Yuna, looking quite sophisticated in a pink robe. To be fair, Tidus probably looked worse in his old muddy, crinkled clothes. "Uh… mornin'!"

She smiled, but her thoughts seemed to be elsewhere. "Good morning. Mage and I could hardly sleep with all the snoring going on your room."

"Blame my old man," Tidus shuddered in disgust. "He almost blew me and Light away with his awful honking."

Yuna laughed. "Well, do you think you're up to a surprise?"

Tidus instantly grew wary. "It was them last night?" he slowly asked. "Rikku's here with that other chick."

"Paine," Yuna nodded. "Rin ratted us out, but I'm sure Rikku had him at knife point."

They both stood there in silence a moment. "Are we gonna…?"

"Do you want to face Brother now or later?" Yuna dryly asked, walking towards the dreaded door anyway.

"I'm not sure," Tidus honestly replied.

Yuna knocked on the door.

…They were rewarded with silence. Eyes wide, Yuna muttered, "This cannot be good. Rikku? Paine? Are you in there?"

"Allow me," Tidus said. He cleared his throat and blew a screeching whistle. "RIKKU, I'M BACK."

His eyes slowly grew wide in terror as well. "What are they planning to do to us?" Tidus asked in a hushed voice.

Yuna slowly shook her hand, hand reaching for the door knob. "I don't know," she admitted, "but prepare yourself for flashing lights and a karaoke party."

She swung the door open wide.

((((()))))

"Truth or dare?"

"No."

"Mmm… how about charades."

Paine gave Rikku a look that dared her to suggest another stupid game. The Al Bhed sighed, forlornly setting her chin on her knees. "Are you sure we can't go and wake them up?"

"No."

Rikku cocked an eyebrow. "'No', as in you don't know if you're sure, or 'no' as in we can't go jump on Tidus and make him scream like a girl?"

Sighing, Paine put down the sword she had been polishing and said, "Rikku. We are not going to jump on anyone."

"But we can still wake them up?" she asked hopefully, bouncing on her bed.

"No-"

"RIKKU, I'M BACK."

She bolted to the door and swung it open. "Tidus!"

But Tidus and Yuna didn't notice her, both blushing like mad at the room across from theirs. "I-I'm so sorry," Yuna stuttered, cheeks aflame in embarrassment. "W-we had the wrong room."

The person inside slammed it in their faces. "We're failures at life," Tidus shamefully grasped, palming himself.

"Tidus!" Rikku burst again, this time getting his attention. She squealed in delight and practically jumped in his arms. "You're back you're back you're back you're-"

"Geez!" he burst, letting her drop.

Rikku stuck out her tongue and jumped back to her feet, just as excitedly as before. She turned away from Tidus and threw herself at Yuna, letting out a shrill, "Yunie!"

The gunner laughed, slightly stumbling from her friend's hug. "It's good to see you, too, Rikku."

Paine, whose expression had barely changed from bored to a small, pleased smirk, pulled Rikku off of Yuna. After giving Tidus a once-over, eyebrows raising at noting the similarities between him and Shuyin, Paine turned back to Yuna, eyebrows drawing together in confusion, and commented, "Nice look you've got going."

Yuna laughed. "You think so?"

Paine actually grinned, shaking her head. "Well, Brother has the ship around in Gagazet. We had to calm down the Ronso- Kimahri was sending out search teams for you."

"Oh… then we'll have to go and tell him not to worry, won't we?" Yuna said, wondering how much trouble she caused Lulu and Wakka if Kimahri was so upset. "Oh! But first, you two have to meet Mage and Light!"

As if on cue, the Warrior of Light walked out into the hall, looking wide awake and alert. He blinked at seeing Rikku and Paine. "You're… Yuna's comrades?" Light checked.

Rikku giggled. "You have horns."

Tidus groaned into his hands. "You just insulted the Warrior of Light."

But to the blitz ball star's confusion, Light chuckled. "I suppose it is silly, isn't it? Your father was still fast asleep when I woke up," he informed Tidus. "Until we figure out how to restore power to the crystals, I suppose we could… rest a while?"

"Who are you and where is Light?" Tidus asked. He grew grim. "Ultimecia?"

Light rolled his eyes. "Of course not. I figured that with all the fighting we've had to go through as of late you would want a break. But, if you would prefer we head off right away…"

"Eh… no thanks," Tidus said. He sighed, turning back to Rikku, Paine, and Yuna. The girls were already giggling over something- something Tidus hoped was not him. "Uh, so, if it's cool with you two, can we hang out on your ship?"

"YES!" Rikku burst, punching the air. She grabbed Tidus's arm and starting dragging him towards the lobby. The Al-Bhed took out a small metal remote-like device and gleefully exclaimed, "Brother, we've got guests! Fire up the karaoke machine, make sure Barkeep has some soda and popcorn ready!"

From the machina came a heavy accent: "Yuna? Is Yuna there!"

"I'm back, Brother!" she called, knocking on her and Mage's room. "We're getting ready to leave, Mage! Rikku and Paine are here already."

"I'll wake Jecht," Light offered, nodding to Tidus.

Rikku froze in mid-cheer. She looked over at Tidus with wide eyes. "Did Spiky just say Jecht?"

"Uh… yeah. Old Man was in Dissidia, too."

She let out a cry and shook his shoulders, yelling, "No no no! You're not a dream of the Fayth! Nooooo!"

Tidus slapped her hands away. "Rikku, calm down! I'm here, aren't I? And I'm solid?"

Rikku poked him once more for good measure before nodding in consent.

"Then I'm not a dream."

"You're not Shuyin?" the blonde checked.

"No."

A smile spread on Rikku's face again and she seized him by the arm, marching off towards the Celsius outside. "Good. I would scream if he was back. Do you know what he made me, Yunie, and Paine go through? It wasn't pretty. Used his ghosty powers to make us fight each other. Oh, by the way, I forgot to ask! Who're your friends? Are they from Dissidia too? Does Spiky have actual horns, or are they fake? What kind of name is 'Mage', anyway? Ooh ooh! Is it a codename? Is Mage a secret agent or something? That'd be so cool!"

Tidus turned around and mouthed "Help me," back to Yuna, who was explaining the situation to Jecht, who looked half-asleep still. Mage had her hat in her mouth, trying to pin her hair back while she gave Light a muffled lecture about "going easy" because of the gash in his shoulder. Without any white mages around to patch up injuries, everyone would have to be careful.

But then again, this was Spira and not Dissidia. There wasn't a war going on. Manikins didn't roam the land seeking blood. No, Spira had eccentric Al-Bhed and ostentatious flame-painted red airships piloted by a group of sphere hunters called the Gullwings.

Spira was safe, they were safe.

It really made Tidus wonder if the other warriors had ended up somewhere as safe as them.

Okay, as I have said over and over again, was it not for Youtube and Final Fantasy Wiki, I would be absolutely NOWHERE in this story. That really was actual Al Bhed, and geez, did it take a while to type.

There was a lot of Rin's Travel Agency in this chapter. Not sure how that happened… but it did. I guess he has that affect on people (and O'aka, since I couldn't possibly leave him out).

Please review. And thanks so much to all of you that did for the last chapter! I nearly had a happy-breakdown from getting so many reviews at once.

DRYHG OUI! (More Al Bhed, heh!)