Author's Note: I just want to thank those who gave me reviews… Yuniie, Mayonaka no Ame, zm4u, and thepiratejilt to name a few ^_^

Musical influences for this chapter -
1. Nude – Radiohead
2. Vicious Traditions – The Veils
3. Running Up That Hill - Placebo

Be ready for INTENSE-NESS!
Enjoy!

-Ruby-

Disclaimer: I DO NOT Own Final Fantasy X or X-2

Chapter Twelve: Fortune's Fool

The sun drifted slowly in through the thin white lace curtains that covered the many windows. As the room began to brighten, and the hazy fog of night dissolved into the fresh brightness of morning, Yuna's eyes opened very slowly and groggily. Tidus was asleep beside her, his body was curved in towards her and his face lay serenely on the pillow beside hers. She didn't want to disturb him, so she just watched his slow even breath move his chest up and down.

Last night had been more than she had ever thought it would be. They had talked into the early hours, maybe two a.m., and she felt like they understood each other so intimately now, connecting on a level so private and personal. She reached over and touched some of his blonde hair that was glowing from the sunlight; the light touch was enough to stir him from sleep. His eyes opened gradually and he gave her a lazy smile, "Good morning."

She smiled back, "Good morning."

"What time is it?" He asked in between a yawn.

She glanced at her clock, "Its 6:00 a.m."

He stared at her for a second then grabbed a pillow and stuck it over his face, "It's way too early!"

She laughed at him and tried to grab the pillow from his face, but he was using a vice grip on it. "Come on!" She complained, "I'm wide awake, you can't go back to sleep and leave me all alone!"

While he couldn't see, she reached her hands underneath the sheet they both were sharing and lightly pinched both sides of his bare abdomen. He made a mouse-like squeak, and shuffled away from her hands. He tossed the pillow to the side of him and sat up, looking down at her, "So it's going to be like that, is it?" He flashed her a devilish grin.

The tickle attack lasted until they were both completely out of breath and laughing as quietly as they could. Tidus reached out for her and pulled her close to him under the sheets.

He leaned in and gently brushed her nose with his before his lips made their way to hers. These kisses were not the impassioned, desperate kisses of the night before; these were warm, and soft. He branched off from her mouth, kissing her ear, and down her neck. Her whole body tingled from his touch. Although he lay at her side, his chest was pressed up against hers, skin to skin.

She ran her hand through his hair, as he was lightly kissing her neck. He raised his face and gazed into her eyes, as if seeking permission to continue. He saw his own desire reflected in her eyes.

His hands swept up and down her body, feeling all the curves and surfaces. His touch excited her, and her body responded eagerly to his. He turned to lie on his back, gently pulling her up and over him. She lay on top of him, feeling and absorbing the motion of their bodies, smooth and wavy like the ocean as they explored each other for the second time.

As his body joined with hers, her skin grew hot and her thoughts muddled, being with him this way made it impossible for her to think, but she enjoyed the single-minded bliss it brought her.

With each movement her breath became more ragged. He rolled them over; she liked the feeling of his weight pressing her into the soft mattress of her bed. She pressed her hips up into his with each thrust, deepening the act. He was breathing into her ear, the warmth of his breath felt electric all the way down to her fingers and toes. Her body pulsed, waves crashing all around her. Involuntarily her back arched as she rode the sensations, pushing her up to him even more.

"Yuna," he whispered between breaths, "I need you, I… I…" She could tell his thoughts were as muddled as her own. She felt his body suddenly tense up and he grasped her so tightly to him, their bodies welded together, as he made several final slow movements.

After collapsing on her for a second he rolled beside her, his body cool with sweat, and his breathing a little ragged. Neither of them said anything for a moment. She took his hand and intertwined their fingers. He gathered her up in to his arms, she rested her head on his chest, and they both drifted off into sleep once again.

The sun was higher in the sky now, and Tidus could feel the warmth of it on his skin. He could also feel the warmth of Yuna, asleep, pressed into his chest. He didn't think he'd ever felt so complete, so happy. The last twenty-four hours were beyond his imagination. It was no secret in Zanarkand that he had been a playboy, and had been with women before, but there was something lacking, something vital that until now, he had no idea made all the difference in the world. Love.

There was a gloom looming over his island of happiness however. Seymour. Tidus had never met the guy, and hated him with all the fury he possessed. The girl lying so trustingly in his arms was not going to be forced into some marriage with a scumbag after her father's job. He had promised her during the night that, whatever it took, he would stop that joke of a wedding.

He was running through scenarios in his mind when he felt her movement. She rolled on to her back, covering her mouth as she yawned. She turned her head to look at him, "Hi," she said smiling.

"Hi," he responded, "Sleep well?"

She nodded, "If only I slept this well every night!"

He laughed, "I know what you mean."

He turned to lie on his stomach and propped himself up on his elbows, looking down at her. "Yuna," he said, "There is something I need to know."

"Anything," she said, eyes wide with curiosity.

"How long…" he paused, "How long until the date you are supposed to get married?"

She was silent for a moment. "Three weeks," she said glumly.

He nodded considering, that date was much sooner than the one he had received from Rikku. He had to act quickly. "What would you be willing to do," he started, "To make it so he couldn't marry you?"

She stared in to his eyes, "Whatever it takes," she swore.

"Marry me then," he offered, staring back at her.

Her mouth gaped open, and then she threw her pillow at his face, "Don't joke Tidus."

He tossed the pillow on the ground, and sat up. "I'm serious, marry me Yuna. Please. I know that we haven't known each other that long, but this feels right. It feels like we are supposed to do this."

She was about to open her mouth to say something when a loud knock echoed through the room. Her eyes went wide, "Oh no, you need to get out of here. We can't risk hiding you under the bed again." She said, already standing up and putting on a fluffy pale yellow robe.

He grabbed her hand gently, "Yuna. Please."

"Tidus you have to leave," she pleaded, "They will kill you if they find you in here, naked, and in my bed. They will kill you right on the spot."

He stood up, and she tossed his boxers to him. He quickly threw on the rest of his clothes. He needed to get an answer, even if it was a no. He had to hear her say it. He knew it was lame, as far as proposals go, but he was under very tight time constraints.

She was leading him to the balcony doors, "Can you climb down, without hurting yourself?" She asked concerned.

He nodded, "Down is much easier than up." He opened the doors and swung his legs over the side of the balcony. He was facing her, the railing between them. "Please be safe," he told her.

"You too," she told him.

He started to move to climb down, when she spoke, "Tidus," she said.

He looked up at her, "Yeah?"

"Be here, tonight at midnight." She said, a hint of a smile playing at her lips, "I'll come with you. Find a priest and I will marry you… tonight."

He could feel his face burst out into a gigantic smile. "I will be here."

There was another loud knock at the door.

Yuna rushed to him and grabbed his face in her hands, she pressed her lips tightly to his and then just as quickly ran back into her room shutting the balcony doors.

Yuna walked solemnly down the long, high ceilinged hallways, Lulu at her side. Her father had sent Lulu to summon Yuna to his presence, in his own private chamber. She couldn't remember the last time that he father had sent for her this early in the morning. I'm just glad it wasn't even earlier, she though, sharing a secret smile with herself. Every time that she saw her father lately, he had pushed up the wedding date, so she was preparing herself to hear that again. Now, however, it didn't matter what her father said, her life was hers, and it would be separate from his, and from Seymour's starting at midnight that very night.

She was thinking as she walked about where her and Tidus might hide out. They would be hunted, definitely by Bevelle, but maybe even by Zanarkand. He had not told his family, or anyone in Zanarkand about her. He told her that he would make them understand and accept it, but she felt that it would probably be more complicated that than.

The hallways in the Bevelle Palace were beautiful, and bright. On the outer facing wall, it was all a huge glass window, which let in light and illuminated the whole space. The view of Bevelle was breath taking, and Yuna wondered how much she would miss this city that had been her home her entire life. She paused and walked over to one of the glass windows, taking in everything her eyes could see. It may be the last time I see you like this, she thought. Lulu waited a few paces behind her. She was a woman of few words even at the best of times, so when she spoke it startled Yuna at first. "Yuna, there is something I must tell you."

Yuna turned to face Lulu, "What is it Lulu?"

"It's about your father," she said, " I want to prepare you for what you will see when you go in there." She paused momentarily before continuing, as if to let Yuna absorb the words she had just spoken. "Lord Braska is extremely ill, a fact that I know you were unaware of." She continued, "He has been battling sometime inside of him for several months now, but this last week it has escalated into something that no one could have expected. He commanded that no one tell you, my guess is that he didn't wish to worry you."

Yuna stared at her for a long moment, "My father… is sick?" She said, both to herself and to Lulu. "Has he been treated?"

Lulu nodded, "The doctor can't seem to find a cause, or explain the symptoms. He believes it to be a new disease, one not yet discovered."

Yuna let this information sink in. Her father was such a large, imposing man; it was hard to think of him falling to something like disease and sickness. She gave Lulu a weak smile, "Thank you for telling me."

Lulu reached out and put a comforting hand on Yuna's arm. "I would have told you sooner, if I could have."

"I know." Yuna said.

They continued walking down the corridor, Yuna kept thinking about her father, how could he have been sick all this time, and she didn't even notice. She felt a sense of guilt at the pit of her stomach, while it was true that he left much to be desired in a father, perhaps she also was not a very good daughter. He had been progressively more stressed these past months, and constantly moving up the date of the wedding, it finally made some measure of sense, with this new information.

Yuna knocked on her father's chamber door, and after a moment a portly looking housekeeper opened the door, "Oh, Miss Yuna." She said, "Please follow me." The woman turned to Lulu and gave her a short dismissive head bob. Lulu nodded back, and gave a small curtsey.

"I'll see you back in your room when you are finished," she said to Yuna, after which she turned and left, her long black dress sweeping the floor as she walked away.

Yuna turned back to the housekeeper and followed her into the room. It was a very grand set of adjoining rooms; the furniture was all dark cherry wood from the forest of Kilika, the muted colors of the walls only emphasized the beauty of the items held within them.

The housekeeper led Yuna to her father's bedchamber; she knocked politely on the door. He must be too weak to get up, she thought.

"Come in." Came a voice from inside, but it was not Braska's voice. The door opened and Yuna passed through it.

Her father was sitting up in bed, his back against the headboard. He raised his eyes when she came in. Even though Lulu had warned her, seeing him with her own eyes made her pause in shock for a moment. His eyes were droopy, and had very large black circles underneath them. His skin had taken on a light grey pallor, and she could see beads of sweat on his forehead. He didn't say anything but motioned for her to come over to him.

As she walked over to him she took in the surroundings, in her surprise at Braska's condition, she hadn't noticed Kinoc and Seymour standing at either side of her fathers bed. It would seem that Seymour had taken over Auron's position at her father's side. She silently wondered what Auron would say about that. Braska reached up and took Yuna's hand; his hand was clammy, and cold. She sat herself on the side of his bed, ignoring the men who were both silently staring at her.

"Yuna," her father said quietly, "You look so much like your mother."

Yuna patted her fathers hand, "Dad," she said, "Why didn't you tell me you were sick. How did this happen?"

He gave her a weak smile, "It is the way of Yevon," he said, "We all must take our place in the Farplane. It would seem I must go there sooner, rather than later."

"Don't say that," she said, a lump rising in her throat, "You aren't going to die." They had been at odds more lately, but she didn't want him to die. He was still her father, and she did love him.

It was Kinoc who answered her, "I'm afraid your father doesn't have long. It will be a miracle if he makes it through this weak."

Yuna glared up at him, "You're lying."

Braska squeezed her hand, "He's not. I am dying. That is why I asked you to come to me now. I have something to ask of you Yuna."

Yuna turned back to her father; she could guess what he was about to say. "Yes, father?" Out of the corner of her eye she saw Seymour's posture straighten ever so slightly.

"Tomorrow morning at ten a.m.," He said, "You will marry Seymour, and I will transfer the fate of Bevelle from my frail, dying hands, into his capable hands, and the hands of your children."

Yuna bit down on her lip lightly, and after several seconds bowed her head to her father. She didn't know what else to do, she could not say a word for fear of tears, and she would not cry in front of these men, these leeches. She had no intention of marrying Seymour, but she couldn't say no to her father, lying so weakly before her.

He smiled at her, "You really do look like your mother."

Yuna rose from her position at his side and put on her best smile, "I should go, if I am to get married in the morning there are a lot of things to prepare." She could feel Seymour's eyes burrowing a hole in her forehead, but she would not raise her eyes to meet him. She would not give him the satisfaction, or any satisfaction for that matter. She was surprised with how quiet he had been so far, not saying even a single word. He was usually quite vocal, especially when the topic drifted to their wedding.

She bowed to her father, and turned to go. Kinoc was the one who followed her out into the hallway. "I will accompany you to your chambers," he said stiffly.

She rolled her eyes as he opened the door for her. "I can find them myself," she said angrily, starting to walk away.

He reached out and roughly grabbed her by the arm, this grasp painfully tight. "You will do what you are told," he said, pulling her around to look in his eyes. "I don't know what you are planning, but just know this. It will fail, and I will succeed."

"You're hurting me," She complained, trying to pull her arm away.

He ignored her, squeezing even tighter. "Just know this little girl. You will marry Seymour, you will be his wife, and you will obey what he says, and what I say. Your life is in our hands do not forget that. If you do, it will be my personal joy to make your life miserable." With that he set off walking, dragging her along with him.

When they reached her room he pushed her towards the door. "I will know if you try to leave." He said, "You don't want to test what I'm capable of."

Yuna just stared at him, not saying a word. She turned her back to him and opened the door; she entered the room quickly and slammed the door shut behind her, locking it. She rested her back against the door and slid down, until she was sitting on the floor.

Lulu came over to her, "Yuna?" She asked, "Are you okay?"

Yuna had a strange desire to laugh, but she kept herself in check, "No," she said, "I'm very far from okay." She looked up and met Lulu's eyes, "Lulu, can I trust you with something?"

The older woman nodded solemnly, "Of course."

"My father changed the wedding date to tomorrow morning. He wants everything settled before he… dies." Yuna regained her composure and went on, "I need you to get a message to Rikku, just tell her that my wedding is at ten tomorrow morning." She knew that if Rikku knew, she could tell Tidus. She didn't know how else to contact him.

"I will go," said Lulu. "Is there anything else?"

"No, that's all." Yuna said closing her eyes, fighting against a slew of emotion that she felt completely unprepared to deal with. Things had seemed so perfect this morning, she thought, just how wrong can one day go?

For all Tidus knew he could have been walking on the air itself. Tonight would be the beginning of everything. He had to find a ring and a priest. Then he would go to her balcony and rescue her. The past twenty-four hours were a blur in his eyes, but there were moments he was sure he could describe in their infinite and intimate details.

He was walking down the street in the lower markets of Bevelle. Gippal had told him that the higher-ups never ventured down to this part of town so he felt relatively safe there. He peered in at several of the jewelry vendors but there was nothing that caught his eye. He needed something unique, something that could sum up all of his feelings for her in a single object. He hoped he would be able to find an object that was up to the task.

After an hour of perusing the stands, he found it. It was slender, white gold that twisted up into a spiral setting, which held two stones, one a light emerald, and the other a sparkling aquamarine. The stones resemblance to the color of Yuna's eyes could not go unnoticed. Without wasting any time he bought the ring from the vendor. About 9,500 gil later he was a very happy man. The price didn't mean a thing to him; he tried imagining Yuna's face when she saw it, but he knew whatever he imagined wouldn't hold a candle to the real thing.

As he walked his way back through the winding streets, he heard familiar voices talking. He was about to approach them when he heard another familiar voice.

"I ask you again," Said the heavy accented voice of Brother, "Where is the one called Tidus. I already know he is in Bevelle."

"Well if you already know so much," Said Chappu mockingly, "What do you need us for?"

"Chappu cut it out." Said Wakka nervously. "Look, we don't know anything, ya?"

Tidus had ducked in behind a building, hidden from their view. He could hear them very clearly however. He slipped Yuna's ring into his pant pocket. He couldn't afford to pick a fight with Brother, but it worried him that he knew he was in Bevelle, he wondered where exactly Brother received his orders. Regardless of that, Brother was Yuna's cousin, as well as Rikku's brother. He wanted to avoid him, since he knew the man's obvious dislike for him, and if they met again it could very easily turn into a fight. He hoped Chappu and Wakka could handle it, but he kept watch at the sidelines in case he was forced to intervene.

Brother was walking closer to Chappu, but his two goons kept their positions behind him. "Tell me now you filthy island spawn!" Brother yelled inches from Chappu's face.

Chappu's eyes narrowed infinitesimally, but he said nothing. Brother circled around him, Tidus could see his hand resting on the gun holstered on his side. Brother faced Chappu again, and spit in his face, "Filth." He muttered.

In that instant Chappu jumped at him, forcing him back into a fruit stand. As Brother landed, Chappu sent a fist flying right into his jaw. Tidus couldn't let this go any further; his best friend wasn't going to be involved in a brawl this dangerous on his account.

"Stop," Tidus yelled as he ran into the midst of them. The people around, after seeing the fight break out, had all rushed to the sides, leaving the road empty but for them.

Tidus' bursting in had caused the distraction that he had wanted. Brother had been about to retaliate against Chappu when he spotted Tidus. The two made eye contact, and the two thugs pulled Chappu off Brother.

Tidus stared at Brother, "Let him go." He said, "This is between you and me."

Brother rubbed his jaw with his hand and scowled, after a moment he nodded. "Buddy, mayja dra clis. Drec ec fru fa fyhd." The one named Buddy tossed a disgruntled Chappu over to where Wakka was standing, shocked by the whole event.

"Guys, get out of here." Tidus told them, hoping in vain that they would actually listen to him.

"Not likely," said Chappu seriously.

Tidus shook his head, and turned to look at Brother. "What is it that you want with me?"

Brother looked at Tidus the way a child would look at a worm, right before he squashed it under his foot. "I know who you are," He finally spit out, "I cannot forgive you for your involvement with Yuna. That you breathe the same air dishonor's her, let alone…" He paused, his whole body shaking in anger, "That I will not allow."

Tidus sighed; he couldn't believe this was happening. "Look, Brother—"

"DO NOT--" Brother yelled, " Speak my name you dirty Zanarkand becc-bud, clis vylat, pycdynt cuh uv y vemdro fruna!" He spat on the ground beside him and then glared up at Tidus again. "You will fight me," he said, "He who walks away alive has won."

"No." Tidus said firmly. "Look, I don't want to fight you." He ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

Brother walked up to him, testing him, to see how close he could get. It would seem that Brother was done talking.

"I have more reasons than you know to not want to fight you. So please lets both leave, and you will never see me again. I promise you." Tidus said, trying to talk him out of it.

All Brother would mutter was Yuna's name as he came closer. Finally he stood several paces away. "Drnuf res ouin kih." He called out. The one named Buddy reached to his side drawing his gun. He checked the safety on it and then tossed it across the street at Tidus. It landed at his feet.

"A duel," Brother said.

Tidus refused to look at it; instead he turned his back to Brother, praying that the man's code of honor would not allow him to shoot an unarmed man in a duel.

Brother was screaming at him, "Turn and draw you coward! TURN AND DRAW!"

He clenched his fists together and walked away, "Chappu, Wakka, come on let's go." They needed to get out of there right now; the situation was escalating far too quickly.

He heard Chappu calling out his name, but before he could turn to look he felt something whack against the base of his skull, sending him tumbling into the paved road beneath him.

Brother was screaming incomprehensibly in Al-Bhed, and kicking Tidus hard in the ribs. He felt each blow individually, as if being stabbed. Vaguely he was aware of Chappu and Wakka trying to fight off Brother's men. Brother grabbed him by his shirt and hauled him to his feet, Tidus stood wearily on them swaying, but he would not fight back. For Yuna, he thought, I can't.

Brother sent a fist flying directly into his face, and he felt his lip split, and the blood pouring out; he could taste the metallic flavor on his tongue. The blow struck him straight to the ground again.

Brother got tired of using his fists and started to beat Tidus with the base end of his gun, the metal bashing his flesh, bruising and breaking the skin. He felt like one big bloody wound.

He tried to crawl away, grasping on to the pavement, trying to drag himself forward, but another kick to the ribcage prevented him. This time, he felt something snap in his chest, and cried out in pain. He hadn't been aware that he was holding in his screams in until he heard it. The sound was ear piercing, even to him, and echoed off the tall buildings surrounding them.

There was a pause, for the moment nothing seemed to be battering him. He opened his eyes and saw Chappu dragging Brother by the hair off of him. Brother was kicking and screaming, and Tidus had never seen that look on his friends face before.

Slowly the haze was wearing off, but that only made the pain more clear and Tidus clutched at his abdomen. Chappu, he though, trying to find the strength to pull himself to his feet. He grabbed on to a piece of scrap metal nearby and hoisted himself up. He saw Chappu and Brother fighting, exchanging blows, both of them bloodied and heaving with violence and anger.

Brother saw Tidus rising out of the corner of his eye, and dashed to the side where his gun had fallen. He grabbed it and aimed it at Tidus, though Chappu was too close beside him. The shot hit the scrap metal and Tidus took a dive to the opposite side.

Chappu was trying to twist the gun out of Brothers grasp. Wakka was trying to fight off both other men. How did this happen? Tidus thought. He pulled himself to his feet, his muscles and bones screaming at him in protest. Stumbling over to them, he tried to help Chappu by grabbing Brother by the arms. They were a twisting mass of anger, fear, and desperation. Tidus almost had a firm hold on Brother when he was sent flying backward.

It took a moment to register what had happened. Brother was lying on the ground as well. Tidus could barely see, his vision creating swirls and shapes out of everything. The moment his vision cleared… he wished that it hadn't.

Chappu staggered back, holding his lower abdomen; a strange look of both horror and amusement on his face. Everyone stopped, and stared at him.

It was Wakka who spoke first, "Chappu…"

Chappu closed his eyes and shook his head, "It's nothing," he said. "It's nothing… just a scratch." He let loose a laugh and flashed his trademark grin. "Don't worry." It was the fear in his eyes that betrayed him.

Tidus was able to pull himself up again, and moved towards Chappu, "Hey, let me see…"

Chappu looked down and lifted his arm that was concealing the gunshot wound. A flow of dark red blood pooled out of it, and he stumbled back again.

Tidus stared in horror; Chappu just turned his back to them and started to walk away, Tidus and Wakka followed after him. Tidus ran, even though his body was barely able to. Chappu fell to the ground after several steps, his whole body rigid, and his face a mask of panic and fear.

"Bro," Wakka said loudly, his voice shaking, "It's gonna be okay Bro, we can patch you up, ya?"

Tidus knelt down and grabbed Chappu, helping him sit up. Chappu turned his face towards him, a questioning look in his eyes. Tidus' entire body was a mass of injuries but he could feel nothing. The only thing he felt was his friend's life slipping away in his hands. He ripped off his shirt and placed it over the bullet wound, trying to stop the blood. "I'm sorry," he begged, "I'm sorry."

He moved his arm and placed his hand on Tidus shoulder, and Tidus couldn't control it anymore, he started weeping, clutching on to Chappu, "No," he whispered, "You'll be okay. This isn't real. You're going to be okay." Tidus felt the fat tears trail down his face, stinging all his cuts and bruises.

Chappu's hand moved away and his arm went limp at his sides. Tidus moved back to look at his blankly staring face, and still moving body. He could see Wakka weeping at his side, and could feel Chappu's warm blood soaking his clothes. He gathered him up, pressing him close, weeping into him, as if his tears could bring back the life that had existed in this now empty body. "I'm sorry," he sobbed.

Brother and his men stood a few feet away watching this all unfold. Tidus could feel the waves of red-hot fury washing over him as he thought of Brother. That murderer. He screamed loudly into the air, letting all his anger seep into his voice. He passed Chappu's body over to Wakka, who grasped it tightly, speaking softly to his brother who could no longer hear him.

Adrenaline coursed through Tidus veins as he walked towards Brother who stared at him in shock, and now fear. He started backing away as Tidus came forward.

The sun was setting, and the sky was painted in hues of red, and orange. The Al-Bhed men ran off, with Tidus following in hot pursuit. The image of his dead friend burned into his brain as he ran, he would follow that murderer forever. Chappu's death was going to be avenged, even if he died in the process.

Al-Bhed Translations

1. "Buddy, leave the scum. This is who we want."

2. Essentially "%!#%^!!#&*!$!^(*&, *insert insult on mother*" -- I'm sure you got the gist of that... lol.

3. "Throw him your gun"