A/N: Hey everybody, its Dragoon Tidus coming at you once again! This is a new story I decided to write. Its basically an improved version of Our Story. I know a lot of you were waiting for me to update that one, but this will be even better, I promise. So, without further to do, I present you with the first chapter of A Tale of Two!

A Tale of Two

Sphere One: Reunion

I awoke underwater. I could feel my lungs burning. I opened my eyes, only to see a school of tropical fish swimming by. Instinctively, I kicked my feet towards the surface. As my head broke that silver lining, wondrous salty air filled my nostrils. I could tell instantly where I was. I was home. Besaid Island. I stated to swim towards the shore line. With my natural speed in the water, I covered the distance quite easily. Soon I was standing in the shallow waters of the island.

I cast my eyes around. Not much had changed since I had disappeared with the fayth. Then again, who knows how long I had been gone. It could have been a day, a year, or even a century. Just then a whirring sound was heard behind me. I cast my eyes behind me and I was nearly slammed in the face by an airship. I fell to my knees to dodge, and once it landed, I saw someone jump from the hold. There was no mistaking who it was. She ran to me, arms outstretched. Within seconds, her heterochromatic eyes were in my range of vision. My arms opened unconsciously and she threw herself against me.

"Are you real?"

I nodded and my arms closed around her instinctively. She looked up at me, tears in her eyes. Her mascara was running. With my right hand, I brushed her tears away.

"I think so."

She rested her head on my chest. It was almost too much for me. Back with her, it was a dream come true. I tilted her head back and so I could look into her eyes. I smiled and I chuckled.

"Do I pass?"

She nodded.

"Of course. Welcome home."

In my mind, I thought one thing. This was my home. Home was wherever I was with Yuna. My thoughts broke and I took her hand and I drew her close, my arms around her back. She slowly returned the embrace, and we shared a gentle, passionate kiss. A voice rang out that shattered the moment.

"Hey, get a room you two!"

I turned to look back at the shoreline. A lot of people were standing there, but front and center was Wakka and Lulu.

"Who asked you to watch Wakka?"

He laughed heartily and then he waved. I took Yuna's hand and we started running for the shore. After a few steps, she started to run faster and she was pulling me.

"You know, you've changed."

She giggled and I laughed.

"Well, you've missed a few things."

I closed my eyes as we reached the shore.

"I want to hear everything."

We stopped once we reached the lagoon. I had fond memories of this place. I stopped to gaze at the water, crouched down by the water. Then I was hurtling face first into the water. Once I had hit the water I saw Yuna up on the cliff, laughing.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist."

A few seconds later she had dove into the water as well. When she surfaced, she paddled her way towards me, until our faces were a few inches apart. She looked into my eyes and I smiled.

"I missed you Tidus."

She said to me. It was the first time she had said my name since I had returned. How long had I been gone for? I closed my blue eyes and I nodded.

"I know. I'm sorry to keep you waiting for so long. How long have I been gone?"

Yuna laid her head on my shoulder and she kissed my cheek before she answered.

"Two years. A lot has happened Tidus. We need to have a long talk."

I nodded and I listened to everything she told me: about the Youth League and New Yevon, about sphere hunting, Vegnagun and even Paine. It was a lot to take in all at once. Then she told me she had been practicing Blitzball. This made me grin from ear to ear.

"You Blitz now Yuna?"

I said excitedly. I was known as the Blitz Ace two years ago. I led the Besaid Aurochs to their first victory in ten years. If she had been practicing, I wanted to see how much she had improved.

"Why don't we do some moves in here? There's enough room Tidus."

She said and I nodded hurriedly. She pushed a rock into the wall and a Blitzball dropped into her hands. I laughed.

"I'm guessing this is your training ground then?"

I asked of her and she nodded.

"I'm not very good, so don't laugh ok?"

I smiled and I watched as she dove under the water and she kicked the ball into the air. It looked like the setup for the Sphere Shot, one of my signature moves. I grinned as she shot out of the water, flipped upside down and then she delivered a kick to the ball, sending it careening into the rocky walls that surrounded the lagoon. It hurtled straight towards me. As it came within reach, I kicked it against the wall. When it rebounded, I kicked it again and then I leapt into the air, spinning in circles. When it came back to me, I kicked it one more time. It careened into the walls on the opposite side of the lagoon. Yuna clapped happily.

"I love watching you do that. Will you teach me one day? After I learn the Sphere Shot?"

I hugged her and I laughed.

"You already have it down perfect. You may be a natural Blitzer Yuna."

Yuna smiled at me, her eyes glistening in the sunlight. Her eyes were the most beautiful part of her body: one blue, one green due to her al Bhed mother. Yuna looked into my eyes and she pressed her soft pink lips to mine. I closed my eyes and I took her hand and I laced our fingers together, our palms touching. She broke our kiss, and I smiled at her. She spoke three words to me, ones I had heard before, but I didn't respond to them at that time.

"I love you."

She looked into my eyes, and I placed a soft kiss on her lips.

"Two years ago, I couldn't say that to you Yuna, because I didn't want to cause you more pain. But I love you too. I always have, I always will."

Yuna let a tear run down her cheek, which I instinctively brushed away. She slung her arms around my neck and she rested on me.

"I'm so happy."

I nodded and I held her close to me. I heard soft footsteps from above. I cast my head skyward to see who was watching us. A flash of blonde made me laugh. I lifted Yuna's head and she laughed too.

"Come on out Rikku!"

Yuna said. The young girl stepped out and she laughed.

"Hey. How did you know it was me?"

Yuna rolled her eyes playfully at her cousin.

"Oh come on. We all know you like to watch us."

Rikku shook her head, causing her golden braids to fall around her head. I took a good look at her and I smiled. Rikku had really grown up since I last saw her. Rikku sat down on the rock wall and she giggled.

"Anyway, I was just here to tell you that there's going to be a party tonight. To celebrate your reunion. It starts at nightfall, so don't be late you lovebirds."

Yuna blushed and I laughed.

"We get it Rikku. We'll be there."

Rikku laughed and she stood up and she dashed back into the jungle, out of sight. I turned my gaze back to Yuna and I looked into her eyes. Her gaze locked on mine and we laughed loudly. She smiled at me once the laughter had subsided.

"Want to go see the waterfall?"

I nodded happily. We swam and we reached the waterfall after a few minutes. I felt a strong and familiar presence coming from the cascading water. Yuna smiled and she motioned for me to follow her behind the falls. I stepped behind the torrent and I saw my most precious possessions, my swords, the Brotherhood and the Caladblog. Yuna smiled at me and she took them off the wall and she handed them to me.

"I kept them in good condition for you. I knew you would want them back. I used them both to defeat Vegnagun. Here."

I took my swords back into my hands and I smiled at Yuna. Now I had everything that was important to me. I sheathed both blades on my back and I took her hand.

"Let's go back to the village. The sun is setting."

Yuna smiled and we exited the waterfall cavern. Once we had reached the end of the lagoon, we walked the short distance back to the village. The sun was just dipping below the horizon, and the moon was coming up from the east. A fire was roaring in the middle of the village. The scents of roasting meat filled my nostrils. Yuna and I sat down by the fire.

Today was truly just the start of the rest of our lives together.

TO BE CONTINUED…