Sins of Our Fathers - Ch7

SINS OF OUR FATHERS


Chapter Seven: Trouble in Paradise</u>

The fire crackled red and orange, contrasting against the light and dark blue hues of Macalania Woods. Everyone was situated around the flames. They had returned a few hours ago from their second session of Choccobo riding lessons. This second time had gone much better than the first. Tidus hadn’t fallen off nearly as much. His leg still hurt from when he had fallen off and landed on it. At least he wasn’t the worst rider. Rikku took that prize with no contest.

When they had gotten back, they re-stoked the fire, got a couple of drinks and were now sitting around relaxing. Tidus was sitting fairly close to Yuna, not quite close enough to make it obvious to everyone, but it was close enough to gain him a couple of warning glares from Wakka.

Since that night by the spring they had been acting differently towards each other. There no longer existed awkwardness between them. In one of the few moments they found to be alone, they had discussed whether or not they should tell anyone. They both decided against it, at least for now. Yuna had said she wanted to keep it just for them, before other people knew. Tidus agreed readily to this, he didn’t need Wakka trying to play the older brother, he already had one. Now that Yuna knew how he felt about her, there was a problem that presented itself. What was he going to do when he had to go away? He didn’t want to end whatever this was, and he especially didn’t want to hurt her. But he found himself torn... if he left without ever telling her, it would hurt her, but if he did tell her, he was sure that she would be hurt too. It was all so confusing.

They all sat talking to each other, cracking jokes, and making conversation until it got pretty late.

“I think I’m going to head to bed,” said Yuna standing up, “Goodnight everyone!”

Tidus smiled at her, “Goodnight.”

Rikku decided to go with her, and soon almost everyone was getting ready to call it a day. Tidus was just standing up when Wakka walked up to him. “I think we need to talk, ya?”

Tidus knew exactly what Wakka wanted to talk to him about, “Alright.”

“Let’s take a walk.” Wakka suggested.

Once they had cleared the campsite, Wakka started speaking, “I think you know what this is about, ya?”

“I could come up with a few good guesses.” Tidus replied.

“I think you and Yuna have been gettin’ a little too close. It’s irresponsible for you to act like you are. If Shuyin were here...”

“But Shu isn’t here,” Tidus quipped, “And you’re not my brother. What I do, and with who is my affair Wakka. I know you are just trying to protect me but I don’t need it. I’m not some little kid.”

Wakka crossed his arms and frowned, “They why you actin’ like one? You can’t think you and Yuna could really have a relationship, you’re from Zanarkand for Yevon’s sake... and she’s from Bevelle! It just doesn’t work like that, ya.”

“Shhh” Tidus shushed Wakka, “Not so loud Wakka, what the hell are you thinking?”

“So what, you plannin’ on not tellin’ her?” he asked, “I’m sorry Tidus, but when we leave, what are you gonna say to her? Where are you gonna tell her your goin’?”

Tidus just glared at Wakka, “Don’t you think I want to tell her. I want to, but I can’t. What would she think of me Wakka? I’d just be some monster from Zanarkand, her enemy!” Tidus’ started taking out his frustration and kicked one of the trees. “Yevon,” he yelled, “Why is this happening to me!”

Wakka walked up and put a hand on his shoulder, “Tidus man, if you want to be with her... then you have to tell her.”

Tidus didn’t turn to face Wakka, “I think I need to be alone right now Wakka.”

Wakka sighed, “Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow, ya.” He walked away leaving Tidus alone in his thoughts.

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Yuna had lain awake in bed for awhile, and then she had tried to get Tidus attention again through the wall of his tent. It didn’t work so she wondered if he was even in there. Yuna then had decided to go looking for him, she was pretty sure she knew where he was if he wasn’t in his tent.

She walked quietly out of the campsite, and in the direction of the spring. When she finally arrived there, she had been right. She could see the back of a blonde-haired man sitting on the bank of the spring.

“Hey there,” she said, trying not to startle him.

He turned around, at first a little surprised, but soon a small smile became present on his face, “Oh, hey Yuna.”

“Mind if I join you?” she asked motioning to his side.

He nodded that he didn’t mind, and she sat down beside him. She felt more comfortable with him since their kiss, but still felt a little silly around him. They hadn’t kissed since but, the first one was still fresh enough in her mind. She glanced over at him. He seemed a little uneasy but she wasn’t sure about what. “Is everything alright Ti?” she asked.

“Yeah,” he said slowly, “Just random thoughts have been popping up in my head.”

“Troubling thoughts?”

“Not really,” he said looking down, “Just... thoughts.”

“Oh,” she said, not really knowing what to say.

Something was bothering him, but he didn’t really seem like he wanted to say anything about it yet. Yuna inched closer to him and slipped her hand into his.

He turned to her and smiled, “So...” he said, “You having trouble sleeping?”

“I’ve always had trouble sleeping,” she said, “But also I wanted to come find you.”

He smiled, “Well you found me.”

She smiled back. Yes I did. Yuna laid her head on his shoulder.

“So do you have any brothers or sisters?” she asked him, she wanted to know more about him, maybe he would tell her the truth of who he was. She could feel him flinch a little at the question, probably not prepared for a personal one.

“Uhh yeah,” he said, “I have a brother, and he has a fiancé, and we’re all really close... I guess you could say that she is like my sister.”

“That’s nice,” Yuna said thoughtfully.

“What about you?”

“Me? Nope... I’m an only child. My mother was too sick to have any other children; she died when I was still young.”

“Oh really?” he asked, “I know how you feel...” he voice took on a sad quality, “My mom died twelve years ago in a lift accident.”

Yuna lifted her head up to look at him, squeezing his hand, “My mom also passed to the Farplane twelve years ago, but she died of a disease. Nobody really knew what it was... she just kept getting weaker and weaker until finally her body just gave up.”

Tidus was looking back at her, “I’m sorry Yuna.”

She gave him a sad smile, “It’s alright, I... I just wished I had gotten the chance to know her better.” Yuna laid her head on his shoulder again.

Tidus wrapped am arm around her, and they sat like that for a few minutes in silence before Tidus said, “I’m glad I met you Yuna.”

She smiled, closing her eyes enjoying the feeling of his arm around her shoulder, “I’m glad I met you too.”

Inwardly Tidus was cursing; at this moment he wanted nothing more then to just tell her everything, but he just didn’t have the strength to do it, and he hated himself for it. Why don’t you just tell her, if she really likes you then she can’t hate you for something that you can’t help?

Yuna worried too about telling Tidus. I have to do it, she thought, just not right now. She decided that she would tell him tomorrow. He seemed so sweet and honest, she knew he would still accept her... and maybe it would prompt the confession of a secret of his own.

“Ti?” she asked.

“Yes Yuna?”

“Will you go with me to the Calm Lands tomorrow,” she said, and then added more shyly, “You know... just us?”

He smiled, “Sure... but what are we going to tell the others.”

She sighed, “I don’t care, but let’s leave early, before they get up so no one can complain.”

“Alright,” he said. “Let’s get some sleep so we can get up as early as you want.”

“Okay,” she turned her head towards him and leaned in closer. He closed the gap, and their lips met. They shared their second kiss before leaving to get some rest at the camp.

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They woke up around five in the morning to avoid waking anyone up. They caught one of the few lift’s to the small town situated in the middle of the calm lands. Yuna had said they had some nice little shops there that she wanted to look at. They hadn’t got a chance to before because of all the Choccobo riding. The town was more or less a small village, the marketplace taking up the most of its space.

Yuna and Tidus walked around, hand-in-hand; looking at all the little trinkets the shops had to offer. Yuna stopped in front of one shop, it looked very old, and there was an elderly lady sitting on a chair in the back, weaving together a bracelet. Most of the things set out to sell looked as if they were home-made. Yuna picked up one of the woven bracelets and turned it over in her hand, glancing at all the intricate details.

“It’s really pretty,” she said to him still glancing down at it.

“Yeah, it is,” he said back to her. Tidus got the attention of the lady who was sitting, “Excuse me Ms.?”

“Yes young man, what can I do for you?” she said, slowly getting up and waddling over to him and Yuna.

Tidus pointed to the bracelet in Yuna’s hand, “How much is the bracelet?” he asked her.

“Ti... you don’t have to...” Yuna cut in.

He turned to her and flashed a winning smile, “Your right I don’t have to... but I want to.”

She blushed, and the elderly lady smiled and said, “For the couple, 50 gil.”

Tidus handed her the money and took the bracelet out of Yuna’s hand. “Allow me,” he said in a mock-gentlemen’s voice and then grinned at her. He undid the bracelet and curled it around her slender wrist.

Yuna smiled and watched him put the bracelet on her wrist. It was made with a brown hemp-like material, and had small blue and green beads imbedded in it. When she looked up again he was looking at her, but still holding her wrist. She smiled back at him but felt a small pang in her stomach, she had planned to tell him today. She wasn’t sure she was strong enough, to be able to handle what would happen if his response was not favorable. She would have to do it soon, before she lost her nerve all together.

“Ti... there is something that I need to talk to you about.” She said, biting her lip.

He nodded, “You can tell me anything Yuna.”

Oh Yevon, she though, please don’t make this harder. “There’s something that you need to know about...”

Yuna was instantly cut off when she felt a hand on her shoulder; she instinctively ripped her wrist away from Tidus’ and turned around. What she saw was something that made her want to faint. Then hand belonged to a tall man with a blonde mohawk, a pair of goggles, and tattoos painted all over his chest.

“Yuna! Ouin vydran ryc paah muugehk vun oui.” He said disapprovingly.

“I know,” she said matter-of-factly.

“Oui yna kuehk du lusa rusa. Fa fana untanat du pnehk oui.” He said a little hint of anger in his voice.

Yuna’s eyes narrowed, “No brother, I’m not going anywhere, and you can relay that to your boss.”

The man with the mohawk crossed his arms over his chest and said, “E's cunno Yuna, pid e druikrd dryd sekrd pa ouin yhcfan.” He then motioned to the two guard-like men behind him.

“Uhh.. Yuna, who are these guys? What are they saying? What’s going on?”

It was only then Yuna remembered that Tidus was behind her, she turn to say something to him, but all she got out in time was a yell as the two guards literally ripped her from the ground into their arms.

“Yuna! Hey get away from her!” Tidus yelled running forward to try and help her escape from their grasps. He grabbed her hand and tried to get them away from her but was violently pushed back onto the ground.

“Ti” she screamed, “I’m sorry”

He couldn’t see her but he could hear the sobs in her voice to know she was crying. What the hell was going on? Who were these people? The man with the mohawk stood over him, and pulled him up by his shirt.

“Yuna,” the man said, “Fru ec drec dnycr?”

Looking past him, Tidus could see Yuna’s eyes widen, “No... No please... leave him out of this. None of this has anything to do with him, Please Brother.” She pleaded with the man.

He turned back from Yuna to stare at Tidus, his face visibly furious. It all happened so fast that the last things Tidus remembered were the feeling of the fist colliding with his face, Yuna’s terrifying scream, and the deep blackness that engulfed him.

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TRANSLATIONS
(1) Yuna! Your father has been looking for you

(2) You are going to come home. We were ordered to bring you.

(3) I'm sorry Yuna, but I thought that might be your answer.

(4) Who is this trash!