Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Dreams Come True ❯ ad astra per aspera ( Chapter 18 )

Note: Blatant allusions here to a one-shot I wrote a long time ago, Remembrance. Go read. It's my baby. >3 Also, I'm pushing the wedding chapter back a little bit...I'd intended this to be it, but that wouldn't have gone as smoothly as I wanted it to. And yes, I promise I'm revising Ch. 17.

Just slowly. I don't want writer's block again...

Also, as a note, 'ad astra per aspera' means 'to the stars through difficulties.'

_______________

I thought...

I thought it would all be very simple. That everything was under my control.

Everyone seemed to be happy. Bahamut had the answers we needed, and Spira was peaceful.

But I overlooked one very important thing.

After all is said and done, when the day is over, no matter what queen or empress or Maestress presides...

Civil hate remains, and it isn't easily forgotten, even in this beloved, brittle Eternal Calm.

_______________

It took another five days before the scheduled meeting between Yuna and Nav actually took place. Both leaders would have held it earlier, given the chance, but old Tromell had always served as the scribe, and he was off in Macalania running one errand or another.The Guado leader was insistent on having him present at the event. It was suggested to Nav that he just get another scribe, but he insisted on the old routine. Formality and custom, Yuna was learning, was of high priority to him, even despite the reckless nature that was the trademark of his blitzball career. She had to admit that he was shaping up to be a fine leader: in the days that they'd spent there in wait, Yuna had seen how he handled his status, and she was impressed. He outwardly seemed to brush each matter off, but with or without the easy, dismissing attitude, he never abandoned a problem, and he often - not always, because he was still learning, but often - made the wisest choice available. It put her mind at ease.

Meanwhile, Yuna and her companions settled into a pensive kind of normalcy. She admitted that she couldn't say any of them were relaxed - it wouldn't be true. But they weren't on their toes as they had been the first day. Tidus teased her often about her constant inability to slow down and stop working, more out of an effort to get her to do so than for the humor of it. She was always either discussing whatever leaders discussed with Nav, in the Guado library composing some future speech, or playing with the few remaining children and mingling with the adults. Tidus wasn't often with her, but it compensated somewhat that as soon as she released herself from her duties, he was the first person she rushed to see (and it didn't hurt that when she did find time to flop down and sleep, it was with him). Despite her half-exhaustion, Yuna did look happy; her mood was lighter, her body more animated. Even Lulu noticed.

Alas, on the morning of the fourth day after her arrival, whatever fragile peace that might have been constructed was shattered.

Yuna had slept in a little, which was uncommon for her. But it was a warm morning, and peaceful, so she was deliberately slow and unhurried in her rituals to take advantage of the rare moment of calm. As usual, Tidus hadn't even remotely considered waking up by the time she was ready to leave, so she didn't disturb him. Nevertheless, she was in a good mood, and stopped to have a short, friendly conversation with Amia, who sat curled up with a book and some tea in a corner of the inn's reception room.

Despite all Yuna's doubts, there was hardly any tension at all in the group. She and Amia, despite their differences, found enough in common to become fast friends; Lulu, however, would need a little more persuasion. The woman was slow to approach Amia, more out of Lulu's general personality than any mismatch of attitudes, but it was going well enough.

As soon as she stepped outside the inn, Yuna realized something was wrong. Usually at least a few Guado were out and about across Guadosalam by the time the sun rose; it had been up for more than an hour, and there was not a soul to be found. She stopped in her tracks to listen for a voice, puzzlement on her face. To her relief, she did hear voices - faint, but many of them, and angry, and coming from the direction of Nav's manor. She contemplating going back to get Tidus and the others, but snuffed the urge for the figurative "security blanket" and stepped forward towards the source of the fuss.

"This is an unpardonable crime!" she heard someone declare.

"Something has to be done, leader! You cannot let this go!"

The young Maestress saw Nav almost literally up against the wall, facing what was surely every Guado in the settlement, trying futilely to pacify them. "Now, please, all of you, be calm..."

"Calm?! There is vengeance due here!" A Guado man cried fiercely, and the answering, angry shouts of several more people reinforced the statement.

Yuna realized at that moment that whatever the problem might be, it was serious, and it was going to make for a long, exhausting day. She wished she had brought Tidus along after all; just the thought of what lay ahead made her weary.

"Everyone!" Yuna addressed the crowd loudly, and most turned and looked at her, for the most part silencing themselves. "Be reasonable..."

"Lady Yuna," Nav acknowledged, bowing, and she could see the relief in his expression. She had adopted something of a rule, trying her best never to interfere with the way he or any of the other regional leaders exercised their power, but the situation was getting - and likely had been - out of his control.

"Please, all of you, if you will..." Yuna nodded to the crowd before her, speaking more softly. "I'd like to have a moment with your leader. I promise it won't take long."

A few soft murmurs could be heard, whether protest or gossip, but nevertheless they cleared a path for her and she was able to step through the manor's doors with Nav. He closed them against the mob, sighing in obvious frustration.

"So what's happened?" asked the Maestress.

"Tromell," said Nav wearily, "was killed on the Lake Macalania path yesterday."

"Oh...I'm so sorry...! What happened? How'd he--"

"Shot, Lady Yuna. Murdered. With a bullet in his chest to prove it." The Guado's expression shifted to exasperation. "The traveler who brought the news gave the rest of Guadosalam wind of it, and today they all fear for their lives!"

Nav let Yuna soak in that news; she leaned against the wall, sighing heavily, rubbing her temples.

"Oh, no..." Not now. Not with all that I've done to make good between the Guado and the rest of the world...it couldn't have come to nothing, right...?

"Forgive my weakness, Lady," sighed the Guado leader, "but I don't know what to tell them. I certainly can't tell them that they're safe, but that's what they want to hear..."

"Do you know who did it?"

"Not a clue. Tromell had been there awhile by the time the traveler - a priest - actually found him. He told us...we just fetched the corpse early this morning. No footprints, no scuffle, nothing."

"Is the priest still here?" Yuna asked, tugging at her sleeve nervously, thoughtlessly.

"No, he was on his way to Djose, and he couldn't stay. He said he'd be back within a week. I was able to ask him a few questions, though...he said he didn't see it happen. Just that he saw the body. He didn't disturb it, thankfully."

"Was he armed? The priest? Did you catch his name?"

"No, no, of course not. Well, he said his name was Cheb... "

Yuna sighed deeply again, shaking her head. "I don't know why someone could...do something like this...why..."

Nav's answering smile was bitter.

"Because we are Guado, Lady Yuna, and they are not."

"Nav, believe me, I'm doing all I can to make it safe for you."

"Maestress, not even the command of High Summoner Ohalland could make a hateful heart love us. That's...just the way it is."

"I have pacts signed from every region promising no harm come to the Guado, or the Ronso, or Hypello. If we find out who committed the crime, Nav...the punishment! I'll have no choice...!"

"Can you send him?"

Yuna looked perplexed for a moment, put off by the sudden question, before realization took her.

She looked down thoughtfully for a moment, frowning.

How to explain...? And would he believe me?

"I..." she began, and then paused for a long moment, thinking. "...Nav, can it wait? Just an hour or so?"

"Of course, Lady Yuna."

"I need to tell my companions about this," Yuna explained, bowing slightly.

"Absolutely. Take your time, Maestress."

It was with a strange sort of numbness that Yuna solemnly made her way past the crowd outside - which didn't seem to have gotten any smaller - and walked back towards the inn. Her heart was heavy; despite what Nav had said about the situation being out of her hands, she didn't believe it.

Too many have died already, and now more. And it's senseless. Did I do something wrong? Did I forget something? Could I have prevented this with another speech, another law, a treaty?

Was it my fault?

*****

Tidus was still peacefully dozing when she returned.

Sleepyhead...he's lucky.

In another room she could hear Jecht's voice; Amia's, Rikku's, Wakka's. All spoke loudly, cheerfully. Amia seemed to be teaching Rikku a card game of some sort.

"Aw, but...!" whined the Al Bhed, and Yuna couldn't help but don a small, fond smile.

"Sorry, those are the rules."

"Can't I just--..."

"Nope."

"...Go fish...?" offered Rikku weakly.

"Rikku, this is poker!"

"Hurry up," Yuna heard Jecht say with amusement, "or I'll lay down my hand and cash in right now."

"Ooh, you meanie-person!" accused Rikku. "...That means I lose, right?"

The rest of them laughed, Rikku protested, and Yuna knew all was well with them. For the time being.

Closing the door, she sighed, pausing to absorb the serenity and quiet of the room while it lasted. It was a cozy chamber - while the Guado didn't have much going for them as far as windows were concerned, they did make sure that their guests were comfortable. And of course, there was Tidus, still curled up and sleeping like a baby. There was something...eternal about the entire moment. Her dearest friends all together, contented; Tidus at her side, happy, safe. All of it peaceful.

I wonder, thought Yuna, with a smile, how somebody can sleep so much when they do so little.

Nevertheless, she crawled gracelessly to Tidus, stretching out at his side and resting her chin on his shoulder gently.

"Where've you been, huh?" he muttered, startling her.

"I thought you were asleep."

"Halfway." Tidus smiled lazily. "Didn't have a reason to get up quite yet."

"Trickster." Yuna nuzzled the strong curve between his shoulder and neck. "How did you sleep?"

"Like a fiend." grinned Tidus. "Dreamed about blitzball, breakfast, and naked Maestresses. How about you?"

Yuna did laugh then, planting a happy 'good morning' kiss on his lips. "Just fine, thank you!"

"Good. So, what were you up to this morning?"

Her happy expression faded halfway; he noticed, and raised a hand to toy affectionately with a lock of her hair. He murmured, "Somehow I think that was the wrong question."

"No, it wasn't," Yuna shook her head. "because there's a lot I need to tell everyone. And I came in here to think."

"What's going on?"

"Tromell was shot and killed in Macalania yesterday. No one knows who did it, but it was deliberate, and there's..." Yuna sighed, brows furrowing in frustration. "Tidus, there's nothing I can do! I've done everything I can to make it safe for the Guado, I've established heaven only knows how many laws against hurting this race or that race, and now this...everyone in Guadosalam's afraid. The men want vengeance, but they're all scared...and Nav can't do much...he's struggling just to keep them at bay. Even he's afraid. And overwhelmed."

Tidus looked up at the cieling, closed his eyes, exhaled a long, slow breath, and swore.

"I think," began Yuna, laying her head on his chest and speaking in a tone that could only be described as apologetic, "I just ruined your morning."

"No, you didn't." Tidus looked down at her and embraced her lightly. "I'm glad I heard it first. Poor sweetie...heh, it never ends for you, does it?"

"I doubt it."

"What can I do?"

Yuna released herself from his grasp, standing up and slowly, thoughtfully pacing the floor. "It's...not so much Tromell's death that I need to think about...oh, this is going to sound so pathetic. Nav wants me to send him."

"Well, why not?"

She turned away from him, staring at a small collection of apparently unscented candles burning purposelessly in one corner. Her voice turned soft in remembrance, and she felt suddenly very self-conscious, afraid of what he might say. "Because...when you left, at...the end...I performed a sending. For you. And...I promised myself I wouldn't do any more sendings after that. It was over. That would be the last. Sounds ridiculous, I know...but...it was important to me." Raising her head, she closed her eyes, sighing slowly. "It was...sort of like...goodbye."

There were a few moments of silence between them, in which neither moved; Yuna listened to the soft sound of his breathing, and was strangely grateful for that small allotance. And then she heard sheets shuffle as he got up; heard a brief scuffle and a muffled 'Ow!' as he stumbled over something, making her hide a smile.

"Yuna..."

She turned to face him, a confused sort of half-smile on her face. "It's...okay, Tidus, it's just...sort of a bittersweet memory, you know? Kind of...I don't want to let it go. I don't want to forsake something like that for fear of inconvenience."

Tidus embraced her tightly. "What'm I gonna do with you, huh?"

Yuna looked up at him, her half-smile more true. "Kiss me. And then go wash up. I need to eat breakfast - I'm starved - but I want you there with me when I let the others know what happened."

He did. "Okay. Care to join me?"

And Yuna laughed. "Nice try, but you haven't got a chance."

"Never hurts to give it a shot," he grinned, chuckling. "Eat up. Love you."

*****

"I'm not much one to know about government and politics and so forth," said Amia dryly, much later, "but I'm guessing this is bad."

"That's an understatement," agreed Jecht darkly.

"So, what're we gonna do about this?" Tidus asked, folding his arms. "What can we do, for that matter?"

They sat (or stood, or knelt, respectively, whichever they felt like) at the entrance to the Farplane once more, and Bahamut among them.

"Little, from what I see." said the fayth.

"That seems to be the most prevalent option, no matter what comes upon us. Do nothing, because we can't do anything else." Lulu grumbled.

"But it's true..." countered Yuna. "I don't think I can do much more for them...there are laws against undue harm to pretty much everyone, and when I find out who did it I have to follow through with the punishments, no matter whether it was an individual act - which I'm sure it was - or if one of the leaders was involved. Another speech, and it'll make the Guado look like endangered animals in a reserve..."

"Well, aren't they?"

Annoyed, Yuna retorted, "I think not!"

"There are perhaps thirty Guado left in all, at the most. That might not even be enough to bring back the population. They are sanctioned and protected by yourself, the Lady Maestress. What of all the ranting and railing done over a single death? People die. Tromell was too old. He wasn't of any use to the Guado as a species."

Lulu rubbed her temples in frustration, teeth clenched. "You can't be justifying this..."

"Not justifying it," Bahamut conceded, "simply expressing that his death is not as massive a loss as some would make it seem. Maestress, if the population isn't large enough, there's nothing you can do to stop its downfall. There would be no use in weeping and railing over the loss of a member of a doomed race. In contrast, you would not pursue the murder of a human man with half the urgency you do now. Murders happen, and sometimes they are entirely random. The Guado are, because of their history, more prone to this particular kind of untimely end. You already know all of this."

"Yes." affirmed Yuna. "I do. And I see no reason why I shouldn't do all I can to help them, even if it's futile."

"I realize that such a perspective comes from being a summoner, as you were. But I fear that you are still learning to tread carefully in political waters, Lady Yuna, and--"

"--And who are you to tell her such things?" snapped Lulu.

"...and I fear it may be dangerous," continued Bahamut, an edge of impatience in his voice. "which I only mention, Lulu, because one sees many things in a thousand years. Even if one appears to be a mere child."

Yuna tilted her head thoughtfully, taking a moment to contemplate what he said. "How so? Er, dangerous, I mean."

"You have many representatives working under you, Yuna. Many leaders. Please, understand that I stress that word. Leaders. How many of them care nothing for the Guado?"

"Well --"

"Forgive me, that was rhetorical. Let me continue. You do not even know all of them. Yuna, Maestress, you may trust many of them, and many indeed may safely be trusted -- your uncle, or the priestess, for example. The Ronso leader, the Guado leader. Yuna, understand, the wretched of the earth would follow you without a moment's hesitation because you promise them safety. But what of your human brethren? When they realize that the majority of your efforts are going towards babysitting the ones they harbor grudges against, how glad do you think they will be? And how much more are they going to resent the Guado? That's what will happen eventually...I promise."

"Well, Bahamut, which is better? Being momentarily disliked or being remembered for helping salvage an entire race?" Rikku asked; Yuna was surprised by her cousin's sober tone.

"This," sighed the small fayth, "is the start of the Eternal Calm. Everything is up in the air, so to speak. Figuratively, it's sink or swim, and while a few are floundering, no one's gone under quite yet. The Ronso, I think, will do fine. They've not hurt anyone; they have their corner of the world, and it's rarely visited. Kilika's completely restored, and for all it's worth, it's more prosperous than ever. The sands of the Djose shore are no longer stained with blood. Spira is united under Maestress Yuna. And, being united, it has the power to use that unity to eliminate those whom they hate and fear. The Guado."

"I would never allow that to happen!"

"Lady Yuna, of course you wouldn't. But that doesn't matter. It doesn't have to be you that makes the decision; don't you see where I'm going? And how can you punish a region for disobeying your laws? Send an army against them, your own people? The southern islands don't have enough people to constitute any sort of military force, and Besaid is a good deal smaller than Kilika. It would be a foolish move, anyhow. If you gathered an army, so would they. Whatever may come will come; let it happen, Yuna, instead of fighting the inevitable. Sheltering these poor souls shouldn't be your main concern. The wheels have already been set in motion. There is little you can do now that would accomplish more than hurting your own reputation...and in politics, I'm sure you know, reputation is --"

"--is half the game. I know."

Bahamut nodded slowly. "The people seem perfectly happy as they are. I simply fear that this is something to be handled very carefully...don't misunderstand, I'm not asking you not to be charitable to the Guado. By all means, do. Just be careful. Be so preoccupied with preoccupying the rest of the world that they don't even take notice of the good you do for the Guado. That would mend things well enough."

Yuna sighed deeply, silently. It was mute, and she hardly moved as she did it, but everyone noticed. And they all understood what she meant.

And Tidus, at least, agreed wholeheartedly.

*****

Yuna uneasily explained to Nav the reasons why she had to turn down the request of a sending, and to her surprise, he was readily alright with it.

It must be that honor aspect of his personality. Vows are, thankfully, serious business to him...

Nav sent a runner down to Djose both for a request for a priest and to call back to Guadosalam the first known witness of Tromell's corpse. He told Yuna that it would be at least a day or two before either came; she asked him if he might be able to hold the prearranged meeting without a scribe. With some thought, he agreed, and they both decided to keep the conference where it had originally been: the next day.

"Politics is boring." Yuna proclaimed much later, at dinner with Amia, Tidus, and Rikku. The latter giggled.

"That has to be the philosophy of the century, Yunie,"

"Why don't you quit?" asked Amia curiously. "If you don't like your job."

Yuna shrugged thoughtfully. "I guess...I want everything to settle smoothly. Like Bahamut said, things are still up in the air. And I don't know if anyone else that happened to be in my position wouldn't just act in their own favor."

"So you're obligated."

"A little bit," admitted the summoner, "but I'm very glad to help people."

"Seems like a royal pain in the ass to me." Amia chuckled, taking a bite of her meal. "No offense,"

"You're not the only one." Tidus mumbled agreement through his burger.

"Swallow, then talk." Amia advised, beaming. "Sorry, but it's been too long since I've been able to say that."

"Mom..."

Yuna nudged Tidus' ribs, hiding her laughter behind her knuckles. "Mind your mother!"

"Traitor!" he accused playfully.

"Besides, I didn't think you'd still have those bad habits, Tidus," grinned Amia. "Maybe I should ground you."

Tidus looked heavenward, begging, "Shoot me, just shoot me. Put me out of my misery. This is embarrassing."

The women laughed, and when that laughter settled, they drank and ate and smiled.

Amia turned to Rikku to ask a question about the Al Bhed, a topic of intense interest to her; to avoid interrupting them, Yuna leaned in close to Tidus, murmuring,

"I think I might go and rest for a little while after this. Sorry, it's just that I'm very sleepy."

Tidus nodded. "Want me to go with you?"

"No, that's alright. I might just end up falling asleep on you."

"I don't mind,"

"Shouldn't you get in some practice time with Sir Jecht and Wakka? Don't stop practicing blitz, or you might just go soft around the belly," Yuna teased happily, poking his stomach.

"Probably so, but since you're trying so hard to get rid of me, I guess I'm just gonna have to give you a hard time about it," countered Tidus with a smile.

"Oh, I am not, and you know it. But it's boring being with someone who's fast asleep. It's not very good for conversation, if anything! Besides, there are better things to do."

"I guess you're right."

Yuna kissed his cheek contentedly. "I'm sure you'll find something to keep you busy."

Several minutes and a few finishing bites later, they sat back, finishing off the last of their drinks with a bit of sparse conversation. They gradually dispersed themselves, Rikku wandering off to go to bed, Amia (ever the scholar, Tidus thought, and so typical of her) hitting the Guadosalam library to research something that Rikku had mentioned about the Al Bhed, Yuna retreating to her room to doze.

Tidus sat at the table alone for a few more moments, lost in thought, relaxing; as he did, Bahamut approached him, sliding into the chair across from his.

"Hi," Tidus greeted him in almost-confusion. Bahamut, for all he knew, hated him; what reason would he have for any contact with someone he didn't like?

"You're not so bad after all, you know."

A peaceful word coming from a little boy dressed in purple whose chin barely cleared the top of the table was sort of puzzling, but Tidus smiled wryly. "Coming from you, I guess that's a compliment."

"Don't misunderstand. I still don't like you."

That made him chuckle. "I empathize entirely, don't worry."

"You love Yuna."

"Yeah." Tidus nodded. "A lot."

"You'll keep her safe?" pressed the small fayth.

"You betcha, little guy. The very best way I know how."

"She has a long road ahead of her..."

"That's alright. I'll be with her."

"I wasn't sure," explained Bahamut, "how you would react to something like this. Like what happened today."

Tidus stretched one arm lazily, then the other. "Did I pass your test?"

"I'm glad you can keep her at ease."

"Tell me, did you plan all this? Tromell dying? You sound like you expected it or something."

"No, fayth never interfere in ways like that. But we knew that something of the sort would happen."

"D'you mind telling us how you guys can predict that sort of stuff? We'd love to know..."

"I can't."

"Ah."

"You have a lot to learn before you marry Yuna. It's a sad maester that doesn't know a whiff about his own realm. You need to learn."

"Hn...you're probably right."

Bahamut slid out of the chair, face slipping below the surface of the table in an almost comical manner to pop back up as he squirmed free.

Without so much as a word, or a goodbye, he turned and left.

Taking a final drink of his beverage, Tidus stood up and, with a sigh, headed for the library.

*****

Yuna was already fast asleep by the time Tidus returned. Stepping softly so as not to wake her, he moved about the room, washing his face and stretching to relax himself. After he finished, he sat and stretched out on the sofa, being careful not to flop, as he was usually inclined to do. Yuna needed sleep, and he'd feel guilty to no end if he were to disturb her.

A long day.

It's been one hell of a long day.

Tidus yawned and rubbed his eyes. He wasn't much of a bookworm - staring at pages on pages of tiny text gave him a headache. But it helped. He'd learned a few things, whether it be what he was looking for or something he didn't quite want to know.

It's a sad maester, Bahamut had reminded him, that doesn't know a whiff about his own realm.

That had also reminded him about what his marriage with Yuna would make him. Maester.

Maester Tidus...? God, what an ugly title. Not me at all.

I guess I'm beginning to see where Yuna's coming from when she says she's not sure about it...

Yuna wanted a simple life. Uncomplicated. Frankly, so did Tidus, but he wouldn't dare force her either way. What kind of life she would lead would be her own decision; he would happily follow her either way. But it made him worry over her to see her working herself so hard.

Bahamut, however, was right. He would be useless unless he knew about Spira. And while he could rant for hours about the evils of the Church of Yevon, and had been pretty much everywhere there was to be on the planet, he couldn't say much about anything else.

So Tidus had given up his evening and shoved his nose into about fifteen books. It seemed to have paid off, though he'd have to squeeze (or kiss, or tickle, whichever seemed to be most effective) some more out of Yuna the next time she had a break.

And God only knows when that'll be.

So, maybe it would be awhile. But he was determined not to be useless to Yuna. He could, he speculated, make her job a good deal easier once he learned the ropes. And as it stood, Yuna looked like she seriously needed a vacation.

Or better yet, a honeymoon.

Tidus debated for a moment whether he should crawl in beside her, being careful not to rouse her, or just leave her be for the night.

Eh, she'll forgive me...

He met up with Lulu on his way out; she merely gave him an acknowledging nod and stepped past him. Tidus wondered if something was wrong - normally, she would have stopped, given him some sort of evil eye, and raved about acting responsibly. Confused, he turned to face her, scratching the back of his head.

"Aren't you going to say something?"

Lulu stopped, turning her head. "What do you want me to say?"

"Er...I didn't want you to say anything...well, you know what I mean, about..."

"About Yuna?"

"Uh huh." Tidus shook his head. "Don't mean to offend you, or anything, but I just thought you'd have said something about it by now. Given me some long lecture, or something like that."

Lulu thought about that for a second, then said, "My job is to protect Yuna...and maybe I should lecture you. I do still worry about her, you know. Very much. But I know it was her choice, and she wouldn't choose something like that unless she was sure."

"Ah..."

Her icy tone returned. "Just be glad I know you well enough to be sure of that."

Tidus, a breathy chuckle escaping his lips, nodded. "Yes'm."

Making an encore appearance when she realized he failed to even attempt taking her seriously, her evil eye complimented her expression, which was as full of scowl as Rikku was full of energy.

"Jeez, take it easy, Lulu." Tidus sleepily let his hand fall to his side. "You don't have to babysit Yuna. She's a grown woman. She can take care of herself. And I'm taking care of her too. I wouldn't let anything happen to her. She's...my wife, you know...?"

"Well, not quite..."

So much for the emotional appeal.

"You're going to pick over technicalities?"

"Better me, now, than the rest of Spira, when Yuna walks down the aisle hiding a baby under her wedding dress. They'll pick at technicalities, too, and far more than I do..."

Damn it, why did she have to be here, in this hallway, right at this moment?

"Yes, I know that, Lulu. We've been over that already. She knew from the beginning. It was her decision alone, so stop acting like you can't trust me. Besides, you said you wouldn't lecture. You can stop mothering Yuna, you know...she gets along just fine on her own two feet without your opinion and commentary on everything she does."

"Tidus, whether you like it or not, I'm only doing this in her best interest."

"Yuna's the one that knows what's best for Yuna. Leave it at that, Lu...the last thing she needs right now is someone else judging her."

Lulu reasoned impatiently, "She's like a sister to me. You know that. I only want the best for her."

"A sister? I know you love her, Lulu. But I'll be damned if that's the way you care for a sister. She has the rest of her life ahead of her, now, and that's a hell of a lot more than she had before. Honestly, let her choose how to live it by herself. Let her confide in you because she wants to, not because you expect her to."

He caught a vague glimpse of her hurt, angry expression in the darkness before she swiftly and unceremoniously slapped him.

Tidus had winced as a reflex, stifling the more immediate urge to block the blow.

Oh, no, mustn't hurt the *ladies,* he thought sarcastically.

She had, in that brief moment of time, turned on her heel and stormed off, belts and bangles clacking unhappily.

"Y'know," Tidus called softly after her, knowing she heard, "I told you it wasn't meant to offend you."

Lulu paused for the briefest of moments, listening, but didn't answer; she chose instead to continue her furious retreat and disappear into another room.

Tidus sighed, gingerly rubbing his cheek.

"Thank god she didn't use her nails," he mumbled to himself.

I wonder if I could get Bahamut to resurrect the people who figured out how to make Midol. Winter's coming on -- do they celebrate Christmas here? That could be my gift to Lulu. Or maybe just as a peace offering. Or maybe not - women being women, she would think that it was an admission that she was right.

Like her, I want Yuna to be happy. But it's my job to help make that happen; it's Lulu's job to make sure Yuna looks like a walking fairy tale. Happiness comes second to image, and I think that Lulu gets the two confused sometimes. It's exactly the opposite with Yuna - she understands that responsibility comes before happiness, but image and reputation mean very little to her. I've never seen her happier than when we were together, simply being ourselves, not just Maestress and Legendary Guardian. She appreciates what we have very much, probably because we lost it for awhile and thought it gone forever but got it back. And she could have her happiness by simply planting herself down in a small house in the country and giving her time to raise a family and live her life in peace. But there's work to be done, so Yuna will sacrifice her own happiness for everyone else's. Devoted...to a fault.

Putting it that way, Tidus realized with a little bit of surprise how strange everything must have been for her in the beginning. She was living in a world entirely opposite from the one she thrived and wanted to be in. Yuna probably felt, in a sense, something like a fish out of water.

With a yawn, he retired to his own room, happy to be able to stretch out and relax. Shedding his gloves, shoes, and shirt, he was all too glad to bury himself in the warm flannel sheets.

So he closed his eyes, the trials of the day catching up to him, and his train of thought gradually faded into that of dreams.