Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ A Separate Thread ❯ Snarls in the Thread ( Chapter 2 )

A SEPARATE THREAD

By aurons_girl

Chapter Two: Snarls in the Thread

Everyone is topside, enjoying the ride. A woman with a pair of binoculars is looking out at an island. Tidus sneaks up on her and wrestles the binoculars away. He looks at the island, then at Wakka, then Marina, then Lulu (specifically her cleavage) and finally Yuna, who waves at him; before the woman takes back the binoculars. He waves back at her.

He walks over to Wakka. "Come to think of it I haven't told you where we're going. First to Kilika Island. Then we change boats and head to Luca. 'Fore that though, Yuna's got to pray at the temple. I'll be guarding. We'll be praying for the Aurochs' victory too, so you come along, ya?" Wakka informed him.

They both heard Lulu sigh in annoyance. "Great plan," she said with sarcasm.

"Hey, it is a great plan!" Wakka said angrily, looking at Tidus to back him up.

"Don't look at me!" Tidus exclaimed.

Tidus explores the rest of the ship, talking to various other members of the Aurochs. He also speaks to Luzzu and Gatta again, and learns that their next operation is very secret, and against the teachings of Yevon....they have been excommunicated. He leaves them to their posts and goes back up topside.

He approaches Yuna, who is surrounded by a group of people. He can hear their jumbled comments.

"Word is that summoner's got noble blood!"

"I heard she's Lord Braska's daughter!"

"Ya don't say?"

"Lord Braska's...daughter?" Tidus asks. He doesn't get an answer, so he walks back over to Wakka to ask him about what he had heard.

"So, is Yuna's father famous or something?"

"She's the daughter of High Summoner Braska! You saw his statue at the temple. Lord Braska defeated Sin ten years ago. Yuna's the heir to a great legacy," Wakka answered.

"It's tough when your father is famous," Tidus comments.

"Huh?" Wakka asks, confused.

"Wakka's...a bit lacking in the imagination department," Lulu teases.

Marina, who has joined them, laughs, but says: "That wasn't very nice!"

Wakka just responds with another "Huh?" and Tidus giggles, saying "Thanks Lulu. I'll keep that in mind."

The small crowd finally leaves Yuna, and Tidus walks up beside her. They are standing at the front of the boat, looking out on the ocean. Tidus stretches and both are silent for a while.

"The wind...it's nice," Yuna begins.

Tidus answers with an "Mmm hmm." They both begin to laugh at the absurdity of their small talk, and their awkwardness of each other.

"You're a blitzball player, aren't you? From Zanarkand right?" she asks, looking at him.

"You hear that from Wakka?" he asks.

"Mmm hmm," she answers.

Tidus sighs and turns around to face the back of the boat, and sits on the cables running across the front of the boat. "Wakka...Wakka doesn't believe me at all," he replies.

Yuna takes a few steps backwards, so she can see his face again. "But I believe you!" she assures him.

Tidus mutters a "Huh?"

"I've heard in Zanarkand...there is a great stadium, all lit up, even at night. Great blitzball tournaments are held there, and the stands are always full!" she said excitedly.

"How do you know that?" Tidus asked in shock, stepping closer to her.

"A man named Jecht told me. He was my father's guardian," she answered.

Tidus looks stunned, then annoyed, turning around and muttering "Jecht" in a low angry voice. "My father...his name is Jecht," he tells Yuna.

Yuna gasps in surprise. "Amazing!" she exclaims as she performs the prayer gesture. "You know, our meeting like this must be the blessing of Yevon!" She comes up to stand beside him again.

"Sounds like him, but it can't be him," Tidus replied.

"Why not?" asked Yuna.

"My old man, he died. A little over ten years ago, off the coast of Zanarkand."

Yuna turned away from him. "I'm sorry," she said softly.

"He went out to sea for training one day...and never came back. And no one's seen him since then. Ten years and three months ago...almost exactly."

"Why, that's the day that Jecht came to Spira." Yuna said excitedly. "It's true! I first met Jecht ten years and three months ago! That was three months before my father left. The date fits, doesn't it?"

Tidus fumbles with his answer. "Yeah, but how would he get here?"

"You're here, are you not?" she asked.

They look at each other. Yuna smiles and laughs. Tidus smiles too. All of the sudden, the ship rumbles and shakes, tilting sharply. Yuna falls, and Tidus grabs her hand. As the ship shakes and tilts more, Tidus' grip on her hand slips, and Yuna slides to the side of the ship. She catches herself on a harpoon gun, and Kimahri leaps to her, keeping her from falling into the water.

The ship levels out as a massive gray fin emerges out of the water. A large beast swims beside the ship.

"Sin!" someone shouts.

Everyone gasps, and the man who yelled the warning positions himself behind the harpoon where Yuna landed.

"What do you think you're doing? Stick a harpoon in him and we'll all get dragged under!" Wakka shouted.

"Sin is going for Kilika! We gotta distract it!" a man at the other harpoon shouted.

"Our families are in Kilika! Forgive us, Lady Summoner!" the man at the harpoon closest to Yuna begged. Yuna nods.

"Wait!" Wakka shouts. "Oh boy..." he says worriedly.

They fire two harpoons at the beast, and both lodge in its dorsal fin. As Sin swims away, he drags the ship along roughly behind him. Water floods the deck throwing Tidus and others around. Tidus clings to some secured cargo. Fiends leave the outer skin of Sin and land on the deck of the ship. A battle ensues to rid the boat of the fiends and to weaken Sin. Kimahri and Tidus take out the sin spawn with spear and sword, while Lulu and Marina attack Sin with fire and lightning magic. Wakka lends a hand to the ladies with his spiked ball, and Yuna aids with her healing white magic. Finally Sin rips the harpoon guns from the boat and swims away...but not before drenching the ship with water and rocking it wildly with its wake.

All is silent on deck. Wakka looks around frantically. Tidus is missing. Wakka dives overboard to search for him in the water. He is there, being pummeled by some of the fiends. Wakka chunks his blitzball at them, knocking them away. Tidus floats motionless, unconscious. Wakka reaches for a potion and throws it on Tidus. After a few seconds, Tidus awakens with a jolt. They are confronted by another larger sin spawn. They battle and defeat the large octopus like monster and return to the ship.

Meanwhile, in the quiet village of Kilika, people go on with life unaware, as a massive tidal wave approaches. Two children play with a blitzball while their mother sits near them, holding a baby. They see the wave with Sin approaching...but it is far too late. Almost the entire village is engulfed in water. Everything begins to get sucked up into a vortex. In the sky, a whirlwind of debris is formed above Sin, who is floating on the surface of the water. Finally...the destroyed village is peaceful once more...with debris and a lone blitzball, floating on the surface of the water.

"When Sin attacked Zanarkand that day, I woke up in Spira. I keep hoping it would work in reverse, too," Tidus thought. He was lying on the deck of the ship in Yuna's lap, resting. Marina sat beside them, and she and the younger woman were concentrating their healing magic on him, since the sin spawn had attacked him the most.

"I will defeat Sin...I must defeat Sin," Yuna vowed.

"I was just fooling myself. Maybe because of what's happened, I'm starting to give up hope. I am in a foreign world, I'm not going home. This is my new reality, and I'm stuck in it for good," he thought.

They arrive at the dock at Kilika and disembark. Yuna approaches several people. "Greetings! I am the summoner Yuna. I have come from the temple in Besaid," she tells them.

"M'Lady Summoner!" a woman cries.

"If there is no other summoner here, please allow me to perform the sending," Yuna offered.

"Thanks be to ye!"

"Our loved ones...we feared they would become fiends."

"Please, take me to them," Yuna answered softly.

Two people lead the way. Yuna follows, as do the rest of the group...all but Tidus and Wakka.

"We'll go see what we can do to help in town," Wakka says as he and the rest of the Aurochs run off.

Tidus heads off the find the others. They are gathered with the villagers, preparing for the sending. Tidus approaches Lulu and Marina.

"What's a 'sending'? Are we going somewhere?" he asks.

"You are truly clueless. Are you sure it's just your memory that's the problem? Filled with grief over their own death, they refuse to face their fate. They yearn to live on, and resent those still alive. And in time, that envy turns to anger, even hate. Sad isn't it? The sending takes them to the Farplane, where they may rest in peace," Lulu explains.

"Summoner's do this?" Tidus asks.

"Yes...it is one of their saddest duties...though unfortunately a necessary one," Marina answers.

They all turn to face Yuna. She begins to step onto the water. Beneath her in the water are simple but beautiful wicker coffins. She begins to move, dancing upon the water, swinging her staff around her. In the background, the people of Kilika cry. Lulu, Marina, Tidus and Kimahri watch somberly. Small globes of energy begin to rise out of the water, gathering upward. Nearby the flame of a torch turns blue. The water Yuna is standing on rises into the air, bringing her up with it, as she continues her dance. The strands of energy--the souls of the dead--begin to fly up towards the heavens.

Finished, Yuna walks back to the others.

"It must be tough, being a summoner," Tidus.

"Yuna chose her own path," Lulu began.

"Sometime a choice is no true choice, but the only path lain out in front of us!" Marina interrupted angrily.

"Never less, she knew from the beginning what that meant. All we can do is protect her along the way. Until the end," Lulu continued.

"Until the...end?" Tidus asks.

Everyone turns to stare at Tidus, with the exception of Marina, who turns away, choking back a sob. Lulu gets visibly frustrated.

"Until she defeats Sin," Lulu answers. She turns to walk away. Yuna walks up to her.

"I hope...I hope I did okay," Yuna said quietly.

Lulu puts her arms around the younger woman. "You did very well. They've reached the Farplane by now. But...no tears next time, hmmm?" she says as she releases Yuna.

Marina is the next to embrace Yuna. "You did great. Your father would be very proud."

"I wish there would never be a next time. No more people being killed by Sin. No more sendings for Yuna. Everyone stands here watching her. It is strange, and somehow...horrifying. I never want to see it again," Tidus thought to himself.

The next morning, Datto from the Aurochs runs up to Tidus. "Hey! You awake? Cap'n Wakka's waiting for you!"

Tidus runs along the pier until he finds Wakka, who is helping the Aurochs fix a damaged boat.

"Ah, there you are!" Wakka says. "Besaid Aurochs! Huddle!"

The team leaves the boat to rejoin Wakka and Tidus.

"On to the temple, where we pray for victory!" he tells them.

The team leaves, leaving Tidus and Wakka alone. "High Summoner Ohalland used to live in the Kilika temple here. Yep, Lord Ohalland was once a great blitzer, you know."

"Wakka..." Tidus began.

"Hmmm?"

"Praying for victory's all good...but is this right?" Tidus asked.

"Something wrong with playing blitzball?" Wakka asked.

"Is this really the time?"

"This is the only time! The players fight with all their strength; the fans cheer for their favorite team. They forget pain, suffering...only the game matters! That's why blitz has been around for so long. Least that's what I think," Wakka answered.

"Whatever you say..." Tidus replied with a hint of doubt in his voice.

"Let's play...and win! Right?" Wakka asked.

"Right."

Wakka turns toward the jungle. "Temple's beyond the jungle there. Let's go!"

The two head into the jungle. Lulu, Marina and Yuna are already there waiting.

"Yuna's saying she wants you with us," Lulu states.

Tidus exclaims a surprised "Huh?"

"I want to ask you to be my guardian," Yuna replied.

"Yuna! What? This is no time for jokes, ya? He may be a blitzball whiz kid, but up against fiends he is a newbie," Wakka joked.

"Not a guardian then...I just want him nearby," she said shyly.

Wakka is very surprised.

"What? What do you mean?" Tidus asked, shocked and confused.

"It's just that, well..." Yuna began, unsure of how to express her feelings.

Lulu, sensing her discomfort, interrupted. "We're all going to the temple anyway. Can't this wait till later?"

Yuna nods and turns to face Tidus. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have..."

"There's nothing to be sorry about. I'm just not really sure what's going on," Tidus stated.

"My apologies," Yuna replied softly, just as Kimahri walks up, joining the group. They head off...deeper into the jungle.

The jungle is beautiful, with water surrounding it, and filled with lush tropical plants, as well as some scattered ruins from previous villages. It is also filled with fiends as well. Along their journey to the temple, they are forced to battle fiends that block their path to the temple. Giant wasps, lizards and plant monsters are some of the fiends they face.

About part way though the jungle they encounter Luzzu and Gatta. Behind them in the background is a very large tentacled plant monster.

"Company, halt!" Gazza shouts.

"The fiend before us is Ochu, Lord of the Wood. We've had trouble with this one before. Remember, discretion is the better part of valor," stated Luzzu.

The group decides not to head his advice, but use this as an opportunity to practice for their upcoming confrontation with Sin. They challenge the fiend. It is not an easy battle, for Ochu has the ability to cause multiple status effect attacks, such as poison, sleep and confusion. But relying on Yuna and Marina to use their white magic abilities to heal, they are able to defeat the fiend. The Crusaders are impressed.

"A summoner and her guardians. Very impressive," replied Luzzu.

"Sir, we should fight, too!" exclaimed Gatta.

"We'll get our chance soon enough," Luzzu assured him.

The group says their good-byes for now and head off to the temple. They eventually arrive at a large set of stone steps.

"These stone steps have a history, you know?" Wakka says with a pause. "Yep, Lord Ohalland trained here at his peak."

Tidus looks up at the steps. The Aurochs stretch, and then laugh, somewhat evilly.

"A race, huh?" Tidus asks, catching their meaning. "Think you can beat me?"

Wakka, Tidus and two Aurochs line up in a row, preparing to race.

"Yuna, if you would," Wakka inquires of her.

"Ready?" she asks...and then begins to run up the steps herself.

"Hey! Hey!" shouted Wakka.

Wakka and the Aurochs follow her. Tidus runs up the steps after them, just as the Aurochs are running back down.

"Look out!" yells Datto.

"Everyone, quick! Sin spawn!" Wakka yells to the others.

The others run up the stairs and begin battling another plant type giant fiend. This fiend also uses status effects to attack, but using a combination of physical and magical attacks, the fiend is defeated.

"Yeesh!" Tidus exclaimed, out of breath.

"Sorry about that! Hoped to break you in a little slower," Wakka kidded.

"Being a guardian's tiring!" Tidus said.

"You handled yourself pretty well. You got talent," Wakka complimented.

"Nah," Tidus replied, embarrassed. "So, what are these "sin spawn" anyway?"

"Fiends. They fall from Sin's body, and are left behind in its wake," Lulu answered.

"Leave 'em alone and Sin comes back for 'em. You gotta be quick," Wakka added.

"That moment when Wakka told me I had talent in battle...I think that was when I started seriously considering becoming a guardian," Tidus thought as he watched the others continue up the stairs. He followed them.

"So, uh...they got fiends in Zanarkand, too?" Wakka asked when Tidus caught up to them.

"Just a few. It's a big deal when one shows up though. Hey! Since when have you believed me about Zanarkand, anyway?" Tidus asked surprised.

"I been thinking. Maybe people Sin gets to don't die. Maybe Sin carries 'em through time. Like a thousand years though time. And then, one day, maybe they just pop back, see?" Wakka said, his voice full of hope.

"Amazing. Simply amazing. You make up one theory after another, refusing to face the simple truth. Sin didn't take Chappu anywhere. Sin crushed him and left him on the Djose shore! Your brother won't just pop back. Oh, and one more thing. No matter how much you want it, no one can take Chappu's place. No one can replace Sir Jecht, for that matter. And there is no replacement for Lord Braska, either. You should accept that fact...just as Marina and I have. It is pointless to think about it, and sad," Lulu fumed, as she walks off. Kimahri and Yuna follow her.

Wakka, sitting down, punches the ground. Marina walks up to him and places her hand on his shoulder.

"It's not your fault. She's just hurting. We all are. But I understand how you feel. I've hoped the same thing for ten years...." she said sadly.

"I...I could never be what Chappu was," Wakka said crossly.

"No one's expecting you to," Marina said quietly.

Wakka stands up abruptly, brushing her hand off. "Well, stuff happens. Best not to worry." he remarks, following the others up the stairs.

"Wakka, Lulu and Wakka's brother Chappu. Something had happened between them a long time ago. I was sure of it. Well, whatever it was, it is none of my business, that's for sure. Best not to go there," Tidus thought.

Tidus runs up the stairs and sees the large beautiful temple. It seems to be made of a reddish white stone, with large bubble-like luminescent spheres built into it. There is a sunken area leading to the entrance of the temple, where the floor is made of a bluish-green glass. Underneath the glass, a fire is burning. As the group heads toward the temple entrance, a trio clad in purple uniforms are heading out of it. The three men walk up to the Aurochs.

"You here to pray for victory, too?" Wakka asks them.

"Us? Pray? Who needs to pray? The Luca Goers always win!" one answered.

"Oh, yeah? Then why are you here?" Wakka asks again.

"We've been praying for some competition this year!" another replied. "So what's your goal this time? You gonna 'do your best'? Ha! It's too bad your best isn't good enough! Why even bother showing up?"

"This time, we play to win," Tidus asserted.

"Ooooh! Play away! Just remember even kids can play, boys!" the third chided, as the trio walks away.

"See you in the finals!" Wakka called after them.

"We'll beat them. We have to!" Tidus claimed.

"You know that team?" Yuna asked.

"Putting people down...they're as bad as my old man!" Tidus said angrily.

"But, Sir Jecht was a kind and gentle man!" Yuna exclaimed.

"Well....not my Jecht," Tidus said softly.

"Even ten years after he left...just thinking about my old man got me angry. But maybe that was just my way of keeping him....Nah," Tidus thought to himself, turning and walking away.

Tidus enters the temple and approaches Wakka, who is praying. "Lord Ohalland, guide our feet." Tidus joins him.

A scantily clad woman and an overly muscular man exit the door to the Cloister of Trials, and look toward Yuna.

"A summoner, are you?" the woman asks as the two of them walk down the steps to meet Yuna face to face. The woman is dark skinned with long black hair. She is wearing a tight suede top laced together in the front showing cleavage and part of her stomach. She wears a very low cut black bikini-like bottom, over which is a suede skirt that laces up the front; showing off the fronts of her legs, thighs and stomach. Her skirt also seems laced in the back...only covering the sides of her legs. She wears thigh-high brown leather boots. The man is overly muscled, light skinned and dark haired. He wears white pants with an ornamental purple, yellow and green loincloth.

"My name is Yuna--from the isle of Besaid."

"Dona...from Djose."

"So you're High Summoner Braska's daughter. That's quite a name to live up to," she said tartly. "My, my, my...and all these people are your guardians? My, what a rabble! As I recall, Lord Braska has only two guardians. Quality over quantity, my dear, whatever were you thinking? I have need of only one guardian. Right, Barthello?" the woman asked with a voice that made Barthello sound like more than just a guardian.

Barthello nods, and Kimahri steps forward and faces him...almost challenging.

"I only have as many guardians as there are people I can trust. I trust them all with my life! Even more so than being my father's daughter. Of course, I would never think of questioning your ways, either. So, Lady Dona, I ask of you; please leave us in peace," Yuna requested.

"You do what you want. Barthello, we're leaving," Don replied hotly as they walked away. Yuna sighs.

"A guardian is someone a summoner can rely on. Someone she can trust with her life. I wonder, does Yuna feel that way about me?" Tidus thought. Yuna looks at him and smiles knowingly. "What's she smiling about?" he wondered.

They enter the door that leads to the Cloister of Trials.

"The Fayth is below. Let's do it!" Wakka exclaimed.

"The 'Fayth'?" Tidus asked.

Lulu interrupted: "But first the Cloister of Trials. Kimahri? Wakka? Marina? Ready?"

The group nods. "Strength, everyone!" Yuna states, performing the prayer gesture.

Everyone steps onto the moving platform that leads them down. Kimahri pushes Tidus off. "Hey, what gives?" Tidus asks annoyed.

"You're not a guardian yet," Lulu answers.

"Um...we'll be back as soon as we can, okay?" Yuna assures him.

The platform descends.

"Oh sure! Soon like 'tomorrow' soon, I bet!" Tidus grumbles.

The platform returns, and Dona and Barthello enter again as Tidus attempts to exit.

"Where's Yuna?" Dona asks.

Tidus points to the platform.

"Then why are you here?" she asks rudely.

"Hey, I'm not a guardian, so I'm not supposed to go in, right?" he replied.

"Not a guardian, you say?" she muses.

Barthello picks up Tidus, carrying him toward the platform.

"Hey! Wait! Ah! Lemme go!" Tidus shouts.

Barthello proceeds to throw Tidus onto the platform.

"Ow!" Tidus shouts as he lands. He jumps up. "Hey! What's the big idea?"

"Just a little game," Dona smirks.

"Huh?" Tidus asks, confused as the platform begins to descend.

"This is bad, really bad," Tidus says to himself as the platform reaches the bottom. He can't get the platform to go back up, so he runs to the inner door of the Cloister. "Only guardians allowed, and I'm sure no guardian. Well, I guess it's too late now." he says as he pushes the door open.

Inside he is faced with another series of puzzles. He completes them and is able to find the rest of the group within the Cloister.

Inside a song can be heard It is heard in all areas near the Chambers of the Fayth...it is the Hymn of the Fayth.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Wakka shouted running up to Tidus.

"It was Dona and that big muscle head man!" Tidus tried to explain.

"Yuna will be the one to suffer the consequences!" snapped Lulu.

"What consequences?" Tidus asked.

"She could be excommunicated!" Wakka replied.

As they wait for Yuna to return, Tidus asks: "So what's in there anyway?"

"The Fayth, remember?" Wakka asked.

"Oh yeah, that thing. Right," Tidus replied unconvincingly.

"The Fayth are people who gave their lives to battle Sin. Yevon took their souls, willingly given from their still-living bodies," Lulu informed him.

"Huh?" Tidus remarked, still confused.

Marina continued. "Now they live forever, trapped in statues. But when a summoner beckons, the souls of the Fayth emerge once again. That's what we call an aeon."

"All that in this room? So what's Yuna doing in there?"

"She prays with all of her heart for a way to defeat Sin," Wakka answered.

A little while later, Yuna exits from the Chamber of the Fayth. She walks out slowly, and falls to her knees. Lulu and Marina rush to her side, making sure she is well.

"There was something I didn't tell anyone else there. That song we heard there, in the temple...I knew it from my childhood. It was proof the Spira and Zanarkand were connected somehow. At least to me it was. Maybe that's why, suddenly, I felt like...I just wanted to go home. I want to say something, to tell them. But the words just won't come," Tidus thought.

From this temple visit, Yuna gains a new aeon...a fire aeon named Ifrit.

Back outside the temple, people gather around Yuna, wishing her luck. It brings memories back for Tidus...memories of being surrounded by blitzball fans, wishing him luck, and just wanting to be near him.

"I thought I had put my feelings for Zanarkand behind me. But they were there, and they grew inside me, bigger and bigger, till I was just about ready to burst," he thought.

Yuna sees him in thought, looking sad, and comes to check on him. "Are...are you okay?" she asks with worry.

"I...." he sighs deeply. "I don't know," he replies.

"What...do you want to do?" she inquires.

"To scream real loud," he answers truthfully.

She laughs softly, but is startled when he lets out a scream. So is everyone else, they all turn to look at him.

"Sorry...I just had to..." Tidus said embarrassed.

Marina chuckled. "That's okay...let's go," she said.

They left the temple and headed back through the jungle back to the dock to re-board the ship to Luca. "Off to Luca at last! The matches start as soon as we get there, so rest up on the way, ya?" Wakka shouted.

It is nighttime on the ship. Wakka notices Lulu looking at him. Realizing she wants to talk somewhere private, he leads her to the observation deck. Below, a few of the Luca Goers...as well as some others, surround Yuna, chatting. She laughs, enjoying the company. Kimahri keeps a vigilant watch over her. Marina stands off to the side, looking lost in thought. Tidus is sitting below deck, and decides to go head and talk to Yuna.

"What are you all talking about?" Tidus asked.

"Who are you supposed to be?" one of the Goers, a man named Bickson asked.

"Ah, I remember him. Guy from Kilika," another Goer, Graav, answered.

"Hmm?" Bickson asked.

"You know, one of the Besaid Aurochs. Said somethin' about winning the cup," Graav answered.

"Oh right. You're that idiot," Bickson replied.

"Don't call him that!" Yuna stated angrily.

"But he is an idiot. They don't got what it takes to win the cup," Bickson said.

"Well, they do now that I'm here!" Tidus asserted.

"Yes, they will win! He used to be the star player of the Zanarkand Abes," Yuna exclaimed.

Graav laughs to himself. "Yeah, as if anyone lived in those ruins."

"It's not ruins, there's a big city there! There is!" she claimed.

Every one stares at her as if she is crazy. Tidus tries to recover.

"Uh...I got too close to Sin and--"

Yuna interrupts: "There is a city, really!" she says, turning her back to them.

"Right. Whatever you Ladyship says," Bickson replies soothingly, but sarcastically. He and the others walk away, leaving Tidus and Yuna alone. Marina still stands nearby next to Kimahri. Both can hear the conversation between the younger couple.

Tidus approaches Yuna. "What's wrong? You seemed kinda mad back there."

"They were being rude and...I do believe your Zanarkand exists. I really do, you know!" Yuna told him passionately.

"How come?" Tidus inquired.

"Sir Jecht used to always tell me stories...in those few months before he left with my father and Sir Auron. It'd be great to see your home someday. I'd love to go there," she answered.

"Yeah," he said quietly, as he walked away. She let him go...figuring he needed time to think.

As they listened to the younger couple talk, and hearing mention of Jecht and Auron...Marina turned to Kimahri. "We know Jecht came here...do you think Auron could have gone there?"

Kimahri sighed heavily. "Kimahri not know," he replied.

She lowered her head...trying not to cry. He felt bad about his curtness. He wished he could tell her the truth. He put his arm around her, giving her a hug, surprising her. "Worry not about the past. Talk to Yuna. Yuna needs you," he said softly.

"You're right," she agreed as she pulled away. She headed over to Yuna, after Tidus had left.

"How are you holding up?" she asked the young woman.

"Pretty good, I think," she answered.

"I heard you speaking about Jecht," Marina stated.

"Oh! I'm sorry...that probably brings back memories for you...what with Sir Auron..." Yuna stammered.

Marina stopped her. "It's ok...don't worry. I have no bad memories. All of my memories of Auron are wonderful, precious. We grew up together. We were very close friends for over four years. We had a wonderful eight months as husband and wife. Some of the best years of my life were with him, and I got Aurowen out of that. I don't regret anything. I just...miss him very much...even now. I still love him with all of my heart and soul," she finished.

"I understand. And I'm sorry," Yuna said, hugging Marina.

"You're...getting attached to him, aren't you?" Marina asked.

"Who....Tidus?" Yuna stammered, embarrassed.

"Don't worry. I think it's great...it seems right somehow. And don't worry, I have this feeling that things will work out," Marina assured her. "Well...I am going to find somewhere to rest...you should too. And Yuna...you are doing a great job. Braska would be pleased," she told Yuna as she headed off below deck.

Meanwhile Tidus had decided to find Wakka and Lulu. He hears them talking...and when he discovers it is about him, he decides to listen.

"Well? Say something. You'll take responsibility?" Lulu asked.

"Relax! He's bound to know someone in Luca," Wakka assured.

"And if not?" Lulu asked.

"He could always join a blitz team. Anyhow, it's better than just leaving him in Besaid!" Wakka argued.

"What just leaving him in Luca?"

"What do you want me to do?" Wakka inquired with annoyance.

"Yuna wants to make him a guardian," Lulu replied.

"Oh yeah, geez...There's that too, eh?"

"And who's fault is that?"

"Not mine!" he insisted.

They are silent for a moment. Wakka sighs and hangs his head. "It is mine, huh?" he looks back up at her. "Why do you think she wants to make him a guardian, anyway?'

"Because he's Sir Jecht's son," she replied.

"Oh, right. Wait, you sure 'bout that? He's really Sir Jecht's son?" Wakka asked.

"It's hard to say, but Yuna seems to believe so."

"Okay."

"'Okay? Okay?' That's all you have to say?" Lulu asked angrily.

"Well, yeah, I mean...he's gotta decide for himself, ya? Well, him and Yuna, I guess," Wakka stated.

"You're right, for once," she agreed. "I wonder which is best..." she mused. "Why don't you tell him he should?"

"Should what?" Wakka asked.

"Become Yuna's guardian."

"Why me?" he asked annoyed.

"Because Yuna can't," she answered.

"Why not?"

Lulu sighed. "He hates his father--what he was, what he did. Do you really think she can possibly say to him...'I want you to be my guardian, like your father was to mine'?"

"Aren't you being over-sensitive?" Wakka asked, causing her to sigh loudly in frustration with him again. "All right, all right. I'll try talking to him after the tournament."

"Be discreet," Lulu warned.

"I know. It's his decision. He doesn't like his father?" Wakka asked her.

"Apparently. He told Yuna as much," she stated.

"Hating your own father, huh? I don't even remember my parents. Can't say how I feel about 'em," Wakka replied.

"I...I was just five then, so I remember mine a little," Lulu said softly.

"Thank Yevon for Marina, she's been like a mom. She's gonna miss Yuna the most...just because of that. Dammit! Sin just takes everything away from us," Wakka rages.

Tidus moves to the front of the boat, where a blitzball lies. He begins to have a flashback.

Tidus, as a little boy, has his foot on the blitzball. He takes a few steps back, prepares and runs toward it, trying to kick it. He misses completely, and falls down. He gets back up, but stands there with his head down...looking sad. Jecht has been watching him. He walks up to him.

"Well, well, trying to follow in my footsteps are you?" Jecht taunts. "I usually charge for lessons you know...that shot is done...like this." He performs a series of hits and high-flying maneuvers. "You can't do it kid. But don't worry, my boy. You're not the only one. No one else can do it. I'm the best!" Jecht exclaimed.

The flashback ends, and Tidus decides to try the shot. After succeeding he laughs. "The best? Yeah right!" He turns and finds himself surrounded by the Aurochs.

"Whoa! What's that called?" Wakka asked.

"Doesn't have a name. Anyone can do it if they try," Tidus replied.

"Show us one more time, ya?" Wakka asked. He shows them and then leaves them to try. He walks over to talk to Yuna.

"That was the Jecht Shot, wasn't it?" she asked.

"How do you know that?" he asked with surprise.

"Sir Jecht showed it to me when I was a child," she laughed. "He called it the 'Sublimely Magnificent Jecht Shot Mark III'."

"Stupid name, huh? You know what? There's no Mark I or Mark II, you know? My old man said the name Mark III was just something to hook the crowd. He said they'd come back every night hoping to see Mark I and Mark II. And they really did come back. I used to get so mad," he told her.

Yuna laughs. Tidus, sitting on the edge of the boat, hangs his head. All is silent for a few moments.

"Is he alive, you think?" he asked.

"I don't know. But, Sir Jecht was my father's guardian," Yuna answered.

"So he's famous here, too?" Tidus asked with annoyance.

"Yes. So if anything happened to him, I should think word would get around fast," she replied.

"Uh-huh," Tidus remarks.

She moves in closer to him. "What would you do if you found him?"

"Who knows? I thought he died ten years ago. Well...I'd probably just smack him one," he answers, jumping down from the ledge and punching the air. "After everything he put Mom and me through. And because he was famous, I was always...well, you should know Yuna. Your father's famous, too. Everyone in Spira knows him, right? Ain't it tough?" he inquires of her.

"It is hard to follow in his footsteps as a summoner," she replied.

"Sure," he said.

"But the honor of having a father like him surpasses all that, I think," she answered.

"Well, there wasn't much to honor about my old man, that's for sure," Tidus said.

"You shouldn't say that about your father!"

"I got the right!"

"Hmmm...I guess you do," she replied softly.

"Mmmm....Yuna...I didn't mean it like that...you only knew my father for a few months...I lived with him for seven years. The way he was with you...he wasn't like that with me...I..."

"Its ok....I think I understand," she told him. They part ways to rest before reaching Luca.

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