Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Dreams Come True ❯ Out of the Blue ( Chapter 4 )

"They're just like little kids," Yuna remarked with a grin later that afternoon, watching Tidus and Wakka from a window. Lulu stood beside her, chuckling under her breath as well at the two boys practicing their 'encounter' tactics for blitzball. The women of the house had moved the brawling blitzers from the living room to the spacious, grassy areas around the back of the house, for fear of them breaking some of the expensive-looking pillars, vases, et cetera.

In truth, their 'blitzball' practice was little more than a wrestling match. Rare was the move that would have actually been *used* in blitzball - it always turned into some competition of strength, some mix of slamming bodies and grunts and taunts and laughter. At the moment, Wakka had Tidus in a headlock; Tidus was bent over and awkwardly trying to trip his opponent, to no avail.

"It must be a...*guy* thing," Lulu remarked, matching Yuna's grin.

"Definitely."

"Yuna, I don't think I've ever seen you so happy."

"I don't think I've ever *been* so happy." Yuna countered, laughing as Tidus finally tripped Wakka, broke free, and sat down heavily on the redhead's stomach with a smirk. It was then that he noticed the two women looking on from the window, and waved sheepishly to Yuna. She twinkled her fingers back, Wakka's insistent complaining and futile struggling making her giggle.

"What's going to happen now, then, Yuna?" Lulu asked simply, looking at her lady.

"You're asking *me?*" Yuna looked back, confused.

"Yes, I'm asking you." Lu tilted her head towards the rutting males; one of them, having caught the attention of the desired female, was now thoroughly showing off. "What about him?"

"Tidus...he's staying, no matter what." The young Maestress replied firmly.

"You'll let him be the center of your life?"

"Lulu, I never implied that...-"
"I know I'm going to burst your bubble by saying this, and I don't want to say it, because I would want the same thing in your position. But I've got to, so forgive me. Just don't forget that you are High Maestress, which means -"

" ...which means I'm the head honcho, and whatever I say goes, and I have endless decisions to be made." Yuna recited with slight aggrevation. Wakka had given her the same speech not too long ago; only it was about slipping out at odd hours of the night to go sulk and stare at the ocean, then being exhausted the rest of the day. "I've got treaties to authorize, governors to keep an eye on, and with all that I've got to clean up after Yevon and meanwhile find a new religion for the majority of the rest of the world. Trust me, I know my responsibilities, Lulu."

Her guardian winced, sighing lightly. "I must sound like such a nag."

"Well, sometimes."

"Yuna...I'd love to see you just let everything go and simply just *be* with him - I know you want to - but it's my job to not let you. You understand? What guardian would I be if I said, 'Yuna, love, go be with Tidus, and forget all about the rest of Spira.' But that's what I want to say, because so many other people have that..."

Yuna looked out at the two blitzball players outside, who were now holding their hands out to cup the air and evidently remarking on a light drizzle. The brawl was forgotten. Tidus was smiling - he always had the sweetest smile, so serene and joyful. Head arched back to gaze at the heavens, she could see him laugh to himself, and then his lips moved, ever so slightly, in silent speech.

Thank you...

Dad.

"Everyone has their responsibilities to each other, don't they, Lulu?"

"Yes."

"Do I not have a responsibility to him?"

"Yes, and he has a responsibility to you, too. I don't think he would keep you from being a good Maestress. He'll understand that you have a job to do - if he doesn't, then he's not so bright as I thought."

"It's hard..."

Lulu nodded, faintly smiling. "You'll figure it out in time."

Yuna shook her head, her lips curving upwards wryly. "I didn't mean it that way. I meant it's hard just to be away from him, even to be standing here. I want to go outside and just cling to him, in case he might simply vanish again. Lulu...maybe...maybe I can say it this way."

The young summoner turned to face Lulu, the ghosts of tears in her eyes.

"What would you do if Chappu were to just...reappear? If he just came out of nowhere, simply and solely to be with you...would you deny him that? Deny it of yourself? Even if you had other responsibilities. Tell me, would you?"

Lulu's face went completely and unnaturally expressionless.

After a long moment, she smiled; but only grimly.

"I...no...I would want the same thing, Yuna. I would. But heaven help me if I wouldn't give him the worst yelling-at he's ever had first."

Yuna laughed lightly, and the tension broke; Lulu chuckled as well. "Yuna, all I'm saying is, don't forget your *other* responsibilities. You've got a conference with the leaders of Spira today; they should be here soon."

The High Maestress nodded, then gave Lulu a tight hug. "You're almost *too* much like a big sister, Lu."

"Yuna, I *am* your big sister, because like any big sister you will *never* get rid of me, no matter how much you want to. Got it?"

Yuna giggled, then nodded. "Got it. Thanks, 'sis!'"

With that Yuna dismissed herself and trotted over to the base of the stairwell. "Rikku!"

"Yeah?" A muffled response came from the second story.

"Come here!"

Within moments Rikku was bounding down the stairwell; once she reached Yuna she landed firmly beside her cousin with a satisfied *thump* of shoe against marble.

Yuna whispered in her ear - Rikku's eyes lit up, and she nodded enthusiastically.

"Yeah!!" The hyperactive Al Bhed cheered, once Yuna had finished explaining. Exchanging a conniving grin, they both fled to some other section of the manor.

Lulu stood confused for a moment, then gave up wondering and headed into the massive conference room to finish tidying it up for the soon-to-be-arriving leaders.

Meanwhile, Yuna and Rikku stood together about to go outside.

"So, you know what to do?"

Rikku nodded, prancing from foot to foot. "Uh huh, you bet!"

"Alright, let's go!" Yuna grinned.

"Wakka?" Tidus spoke thoughtfully, ignoring the rivulets of rain coarsing down his skin.

"Ya?" Wakka was no better - the light drizzle had intensified to a rich, steady downpour.

"Do you think I'm going to stay?"

Wakka looked at his flaxen-haired companion, thinking. "Well, I dunno, brudda, but you'd better - for Yuna's sake."

"You know I wouldn't go if I could help it. I don't even know what brought me back - I don't really care, as long as I can stay. But I can't promise her that. Dammit, why can't I so much as say I'll *be* here and be able to keep my word?"

"Tidus, I think she understands, ya? She may not like it...but she understands. Huh, I wonder why the hell you're back if you're not back to stay." He brushed some of the water away from his hair and face with one hand, but it did little good.

"Me too. Wakka...you know if I stay, if I can...I'm going to end up aski-"

"Wakka! Come on, you lazy bum!" With trademarked perfect timing Rikku came out of nowhere, leaping up to the redheaded blitzball player, feet tossing rainwater with every step. Tidus silenced himself immediately, forcing a laugh as she grabbed his hand with both of hers and proceeded to swiftly drag him away. "Lulu needs help setting up the conference room!"

He watched them go, shaking his head in amusement.

"Tidus."

She'd snuck up on him - he hadn't even heard her coming up behind him. But there she was, hands suddenly resting lightly on his shoulders. He turned around, grinning at her and letting her slip her arms easily around his neck.

"Hey, you." He pressed his forehead to hers, chuckling as he watched rain drip from her nose. "Aren't you cold?"

"Yes, but I'll be fine."

"Yuna...how long has it been? Since Sin?" *Since I left you.*

"One month and eighteen days."

"My, you're rather precise." *You counted. I mattered that much...caused you that much pain.*

"Well..." She shrugged lightly, not meeting his eyes.

Tidus lifted her chin back up, grinning. "Hey, don't give me that face. Let's see some cheer."

A smile crept onto her lips, and she nodded once. "Okay."

He bent his head and kissed her gently, taking his time. It was reparation; asking for forgiveness for the damage unwittingly done with his absence. It was a gentle apology, and a promise of devotion - not of his presence, because he wasn't sure he could promise that, but he could sure as hell promise love.

"You know, if Braska saw you kissing his daughter like that, you'd be dead before you could beg for mercy."

A new voice now, unmistakably hoarse and forever sarcastic. Tidus broke the kiss immediately, jerking his head to the sound of the voice. Yuna's impending prank was forgotten - her hands slid from his neck, gripping his arms.

The figure's outline, too, was unmistakable; standing tall and proud as any warrior, arms crossed in a gesture of impatience and cynicism.

Instinctively Tidus moved in front of Yuna, as if to shield her; his own voice was but a mixture of surprise and apprehension.

"Jecht."