Chapter 2
One of the losses to Spira had really hit close to home, especially for her fifteen year old friend Wakka. She looked over at Wakka who was sitting on the beach, his head in his hands. His shoulders were shaking with sobs. He had been very close to his brother, Chappu, who had joined the crusaders. It hadn’t been a few weeks to the day that Chappu set out, when Sin attacked his group of crusaders, killing all of them.
The new kid, fourteen year old Tidus was sitting next to him, with a comforting arm around Wakka’s shoulders. They had become good friends over the last few weeks.
Yuna stomped her foot in frustration. “It’s not fair!” She cried, in a quiet voice. Sin . . . just you wait. When I’m ready, I’ll defeat you. You kill everyone we care about. My dad, Tidus’s dad. Probably Sir Auron as well, and Chappu. Why did you have to go after the crusaders? Poor Wakka, now he’s an orphan and an only child.
Rikku hadn’t really known Chappu that well, but she was feeling sad all the same, seeing all the sorrow around her. She walked over to Yuna and patted the girl on the shoulder. “Yuna,” she said in a worried voice. Rikku was dressed in a pale yellow shirt, and blue jean shorts, but even though she was dressed lightly she was still sweltering, in the hot Besaid sun. She put her hand over her eyes and looked at Yuna.
Yuna smiled, “I’ll be okay.” She glanced at Wakka. “I’m more worried about Wakka.” Yuna looked back at Rikku, faintly smiling. Yuna who was wearing a green sun dress that was flowing in the wind, wasn’t as hot as Rikku. She was used to Besaid’s weather.
Nodding, Rikku bit her lip, “yeah, I know. This really hit him hard.” Rikku looked down, kicking the sand with her bare foot. Some of the sand stuck to her legs, but she didn’t care. She wasn’t one to care about her appearance, at least now in her young years. Looking up at Yuna, through her blonde bangs, Rikku frowned, “Yuna, I’m going to be leaving soon. Daddy and Brother’s coming to pick me up. They’re working on something, and want my help.” Who knows what that something is, Rikku thought.
Yuna blinked, surprised. She had gotten used to having Rikku around. But she knew she was only staying with her temporarily. “Oh,” Yuna smiled, “tell Uncle Cid I said hi.” Rikku and Yuna were not truly cousins. But she called Cid, uncle Cid all the same. Yuna’s dad had married a woman who had given birth to her. Then a few years later, Sin killed her. Later Braska had meet and fell in love with Rikku’s aunt, Cid’s sister.
Rikku smiled, “I will. Oh and Yuna,” Rikku blushed, “when you start your pilgrimage, will you call me? I want to be here to see you off.”
Yuna nodded, “of course I’ll call you. Rikku I wanted to ask you to be one of my guardians.”
“Really, but I’m only twelve.”
Yuna grinned, “well I expect you’ll be older when I start my pilgrimage. My training will take at least a few years.”
Rikku nodded, “in that case, okay. I’d be honored. Hehe, this means I have to start training too.”
“Yep, you better be in good shape, missy.” Yuna giggled and poked Rikku in the ribs, “no gaining weight.”
“I won’t, don’t ya worry about that. And I’ll become one of the best fighter Spira’s ever seen.” Rikku smirked and flexed her muscles.
Yuna giggled, “good.”
Yuna and Rikku glanced at Wakka one last time, before walking back up to Besaid.
Wakka who seemed to be finished crying, looked over at Tidus, who was frowning, looking off in space.
“Hey, Tidus,” Wakka whispered, “thanks for sitting with me.”
Tidus jumped, coming out of his thoughts, “of course Wakka. I’m really sorry,” he waved his hand, “about you know.”
Wakka sadly smiled, “thanks.” Standing up, Wakka reached down and helped Tidus to his feet. “Come on, lets head back up to Besaid.”
Tidus nodded, surprising Wakka, when he didn’t let go of his hand, “right, come on.” Tidus smiled, leading Wakka back to Besaid.
Seventeen year old Yuna sighed, looking up into the sky. “Rikku, what happened to you?” It had been nearly three years and Yuna was finally ready to venture into Besaid’s Temple and try and acquire Valefor. She had tried to contact her friend and ‘cousin’, Rikku. But the girl has seemed to disappear off the face of Spira.
Yuna frowned, gripping her newly bought staff harder in her hands. She walked over to her friend, Lulu and her own hut, going inside, “Lu,” she called.
Nineteen year old Lulu looked up, her little mog mocking her movements, “yes, Yuna.” Standing up, Lulu held the mog close to her side. Yuna almost giggled, the mog was so cute. It just didn’t look right next to the tall, dark, almost goth girl. Lulu had changed a lot over the three years. Her hair had grown way out, and was currently in a dozen braids. She now wore a full length black dress that was made out of many belts over lapping each other. It looked like it would be hard to wear, but Lulu had told her it was very breathable, and didn’t restrict her moving at all. Lulu also now wore make up, purple lipstick and eyeshadow.
Her relationship with Luzzu hadn’t worked out either. She was now back to being single, which didn’t bother her one bit. She almost preferred it.
“I’m ready,” Yuna told her. Lulu nodded. Lulu had been asked by Yuna to be one of her guardians.
The two girls had become family to each other. Ever since she’d let Yuna move in with her, when Sin had killed her adopted parents. That had only been a year ago, but in that short amount of time, Yuna and Lulu had become very close.
“Is Kimahri ready too,” Lulu asked? Kimahri Ronso, was another one of Yuna’s guardians. Yuna had met him after her father defeated Sin. And over the years he’d been in the background keeping a watchful eye on Yuna. He was small for a Ronso, but did well in a fight, and Yuna felt very lucky to have him on her team.
“Yes, he’s waiting for us in the temple.” Lulu smiled walking over to Yuna.
“Well, let’s get this over with,” she said. If you looked really close, you could see the small amount of pain on Lulu’s face. She knew what becoming a summoner meant. But this was what Yuna wanted, so there was nothing she could do, but support her on her pilgrimage.
“Yes!” Yuna grinned, “let’s go,” she grabbed Lulu’s hand and nearly dragged the taller girl out of her hut. Lulu laughed, and let the girl pull her.
Coming to the front of the temple Yuna slowed down, dropping Lulu’s hand. Taking a deep breath, Yuna and Lulu walked in.
Yuna smiled, nervously at the little priest waiting at the entrance to the cloister of trails.
He was nervously eyeing the big blue cat standing next to him. Kimahri smiled his scary smile at Yuna, but didn’t say anything.
“Hello father, hello Kimahri,” Yuna smiled and did Yevon’s prayer. Kimahri nodded, and the priest returned the prayer.
“Hello Miss Yuna, the cloister of trials await. Are you and your guardians ready?”
Yuna looked at Lulu and Kimahri who nodded, “yes, father we’re ready.” The priest smiled and stepped aside, allowing the three to enter the cloister of trials.
“Hey, Brudda,” Eighteen year old Wakka jogged over to Tidus, pulling him into a noggie.
“Oww, ow,” Seventeen year old Tidus whined, “lemme go.”
Wakka grinned, “have something I want ta ask ya.” He let go of Tidus, and Tidus rubbed his head, giving Wakka a mocking glare.
“And that is?”
“A major blitz tournament's coming up.” He smiled, “and welllll.”
“Oh, you want me on the team.” Tidus grinned. He had been playing blitz for as long as he could remember, but never on a team. This would be a first, and very fun.
“Yeah, so what do ya say?” Wakka gave the boy a pleading look. Now that he had become the captain of the Besaid’s Aurochs, he was really wanting to turn their losing streak around.
“Sure!” Tidus nodded, “sounds fun.”
Wakka smirked, “dude, our teams gonna rule, eh? Don’t ya think?”
Tidus nodded.
Tidus yawned, laying down on Wakka’s couch.
“Tired, eh.” Wakka looked at the blonde, “take a nap.”
“Hmm mm,” Tidus mumbled, falling asleep.
Even though the two had become great friends, Wakka had never told the boy, his sexuality, and that he had a crush on the blonde. Can’t do that, I’d freak him out. Wakka thought, looking at Tidus as he slept.
Hearing a noise, Wakka walked to his door. “Yes,” Wakka whispered to the old priest that was standing outside his door.
“It’s been nearly a day,” the priest said, sounding worried. “Maybe you should go check on her.”
Wakka looked shocked, “but it’s a rule! We can’t interfere.”
Unbeknown to the two, Tidus had woke up and overheard their whole conversation.
The priest nodded, and he and Wakka walked out of the hut.
Tidus set up, worried. They were talking about Yuna. Jumping up, he ran out of the hut, going to the temple. Going in he saw a worried looking Wakka talking to the priest.
“What’s going on,” he asked?
Wakka looked at Tidus, “Yuna hasn’t come back from the trials yet.”
“Oh,” Tidus started to inch toward the entrance of the cloister of trials.
“A day’s already gone by.”
Tidus frowned, “is it very dangerous in the cloisters?”
Wakka grunted, “sometime it can be, yes.”
“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go help her.” Tidus went to go into the cloisters.
Wakka put his arm out and stopped him, “we can’t, guardians are already in there with her. And it’s forbidden, for non guardians to go in.”
Tidus shook his head, pulling his arm out of Wakka’s grip, “but what is she dies.” He ran up the stairs, pass the startled priest.
“The precepts must be obeyed.” The priest yelled.
Tidus was already through the door, “like I care,” he called behind him. Geez Tidus, bad mouth a priest, that was very smart. But some of these rules are ridiculous. If I can, I want to help.
Tidus walked through the room, seeing the weird puzzle of the cloisters, man, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.
The next fifteen minutes were spent solving the puzzle and when he pushed the pedestal in, Wakka appeared behind him.
“Hey! What's gotten into you?” Tidus looked down, his face falling in shame. Wakka sighed, “Hey, it's okay. Only summoners, apprentice summoners, and their guardians can enter here. It's a tradition. Very important.”
Tidus nodded, he already knew that, but hadn’t been thinking. Yuna had become one of his friends. He just couldn’t stand the thought that one of his friends could be in danger.
“Sorry, but what about you?”
Wakka smirked, “me! Oh, Yuna asked me to be a guardian, after the tournament, I’m going to become a full time guardian.”
Tidus was surprised, “really! That’s great! You’ll be a good guardian.”
Wakka blushed, “nah. But thanks for saying so.”
Tidus nodded, walking onto the platform, that would take them to where Yuna was. Wakka grinned, and followed.
When the platform started to move, Tidus shrieked, then flushed in embarrassment. Wakka looked at him and chuckled.
When it got to the bottom floor, Wakka and Tidus nervously approached the room, where Lulu and Kimahri would be waiting for Yuna.
Lulu was the first to notice them. She raised her eyebrow in surprise. “What are you doing here,” she hissed? “Yuna could be punished.”
“Sorry Lu,” Wakka muttered.
“Is Yuna okay,” Tidus shouted?
Lulu eyed Tidus and was just about to say something when the door behind them opened. Everyone turned their eyes to it, and watched as a tired and wobbly Yuna walked out.
Yuna lazily smiled at everyone, “I . . . I did it!” She exclaimed, lurching forward, but not falling, “I’ve become a summoner.” This time when she fell forward she did fall. Everyone ran to catch her, but it was Kimahri who got there first. He caught her, and carried her down to everyone else.
Wakka and Lulu smiled, pain behind their eyes, “that’s great Yuna,” Lulu said, brushing Yuna’s hair, out of her eyes.
“Good for ya,” Wakka patted her on the head.
Tidus was the last to exit the temple, and noticed that a large crowd had gathered. He smiled, looking around for his friends.
“Hey,” he heard Wakka yell. “Over here.” Tidus followed the voice and yelped when two strong arms grabbed him.
“Ow,” he whined. “What?”
Wakka laughed, pulling Tidus through the crowd. “You’ve got to see this!”
Tidus rolled his eyes, “I can’t see anything, Wakka.” Tidus broke out of Wakka’s grip and turned around seeing Yuna standing in the middle of the crowd.
“Ready,” Wakka called to Yuna?
Yuna nodded, then started a little dance, waving her staff around. In a second, little pyreflies flew around her head, and there behind her stood a great big winged aeon. Valefor.
Everyone clapped, amazed by it all. Yuna grinned, petting Valefor on the snout. The aeon purred, then took off, flying over everyone’s heads.
“Wow,” a little girl cried.
“Amazing,” an old man shouted, jumping up and down, acting like the village children.
Tidus, Wakka and Lulu, and Kimahri who was standing to the side, nodded their approval. “That was wonderful,” Wakka told Yuna.
“Thanks,” Yuna grinned, loving the praise. She called Valefor back to her, thanking him. In a blast of pyreflies, the aeon disappeared.
Later that night everyone set around a camp fire. Tidus talked with the other Besaid blitz players, then went and talked with Yuna.
“That was really cool,” Tidus said, meaning Valefor.
“Really?” Yuna looked behind Tidus and noticed Wakka watching the boys back. Hmm, Wakka. Do you have something you want to tell me? Yuna silently laughed, looking back at Tidus.
“Yeah. I’ve seen aeons before, but never that close.”
“Well, you’re traveling with us to Luca, so you’ll probably see it again.” Yuna waved, then went to play with a little girl.
“Don’t get a crush on her,” Tidus jumped, looking at the black mage.
“WHAT,” he shouted, “me get a crush on her.” He seemed shocked, that Lulu would think that. “No offence to Yuna, but she’s not my type. You are,” Tidus teased.
Lulu rolled her eyes, being able to tell he was teasing, “I’ll keep that in mind.” Seeming relieved that Tidus was not interested in Yuna, Lulu walked away.
Scratching his head, Tidus watched her go, now, what was that about? I should be able to crush on whoever I want. Why would Lulu tell me not to crush on her? Ohhh right . . . the final summoning. Man, I forgot about that. Tidus grunted, he never thought it was fair that at the end of a summoner’s pilgrimage, the summoner died, saving Spira.
Tidus made his way over to Wakka, setting down, stifling a yawn.
“Tired,” Wakka questioned? “I made a bed up for ya.”
Tidus nodded, yawning again.
“Come on,” Wakka helped Tidus to his feet and, lead him to where he had made his bed. “Get some sleep.”
Nodding, Tidus laid down, and was asleep in a mater of seconds.
Wakka let him stare for a few minutes, blushing. He’s so cute, when he’s sleeping.
Tidus set up, stretching his arms wide, “ah, good sleep.” Standing up, he made his way out of the hut. Seeing Wakka and Lulu, he jogged up to them.
“Hey,” Wakka grinned, “I’ve got something for ya.” Wakka sort of blushed as he handed Tidus a sword.
Tidus gave Wakka a surprised look, but took the sword. “Wow,” he looked at the sword, “this is for me?”
“Um, yeah . . . it might come in handy and uh . . . I wanted ya to have it.”
“Thanks, Wakka.” Wakka smiled, grunting in surprise, when Tidus leaned forward and hugged him. “It’s great!” Tidus blushed and pulled away.
Slightly blushing, Wakka grinned, “you’re welcome.”
Lulu looked back and forth between the two teens, and hid a smirk. Ah, now I know your type. She turned from the men, and watched as Yuna walked out of Besaid’s Temple, carrying two bulging suitcases.
“Yuna, you don’t really need all that.”
Yuna looks down at the bags and frowned, “oh. But they are gifts for all the temples we are to visit.”
Wakka turned to Yuna, “this is no vacation, Yuna.”
Sadness passed over Yuna’s face, and she sighed, “I guess you’re right. It would be hard to carry them around.” Taking one last look at the bags, Yuna ran down to join Wakka, Lulu, and Tidus.
R&R Please!