Chapter One - Hope

Lulu walked along the dock. She was given the task of getting Yuna for her speech. It only made sense to send her. Lulu understood this, what she didn't get was what in all of Spira she would say to make it better. Her love had left her, she was hurting. Lulu knew that nothing she said could make her feel any better. It hurt Lulu's heart to see Yuna go through something that she wouldn't wish on her worst enemy.

Finding Yuna wasn't hard. All you had to do was follow the whistling.

"Yuna, it's time."

It was the briefest of words; it held no emotion, no sympathy, no remorse. Yuna had barely heard them over her whistling. Lulu couldn't express her sympathy, not now at least. She had to lead by example, how else was Yuna supposed to learn. They made their way back toward the stadium. Lulu slowed down so Yuna could fall into step with her. When they entered one of the Grand Sphere's locker rooms Yuna spoke.

"Thank you all, for doing this with me..." She looked tired, sad and wounded. Her face stained with the remains of the many tears she had shed. Lulu noticed how she tried to stay strong even at a time when she was allowed to be weak. It reminded her of someone.

Rikku stepped forward as if she wanted to say something, the words never came. Khimari assumed his usual stance; arms crossed and looking forward, but not even the Ronso could help but look just a little sad. Then there was Wakka. He never was good at hiding his emotions, and even now you could see the hurt written across his features. He turned and looked at Lulu. She hated when he looked at her in that way. It was as if he thought she had all the answers, and she didn't. She didn't even have half the answers. So why did he trust in her word so? Lulu gave him a slight nod, the one she often gave when even she didn't know what to do, It was her way of agreeing that they were both unsure. Yuna then turned and headed for the balcony where she was to make her speech as High Summoner. Without a second thought, they all followed.

"Everyone...everyone has lost something precious."

"Everyone here has lost homes, dreams, and friends."

"Everybody..."

"Now, Sin is finally dead." Her words full of pain and pride. The crowd erupted into cheers of praise.

Yuna began her speech. It touched everyone's heart, and she was glad because that's what she wanted to do in the first place. Isn't that why she went on a Pilgrimage? To touch the heart of all Spira? That was the duty of a Summoner.

When she was done the crowd erupted in more cheers. Yuna's face welled with tears as she turned her back to the crowd; All Guardians stepped forward in concern but were halted by her hand,

"I will be ok, let's go home."

So they were off. They didn't even stay for party thrown in her honor. Though the ride home was anything but relaxing. No one ran around and asked questions, the spot in the hall of the airship where Auron usually stood was empty. Empty, it was how they all were feeling. Rikku punched in the coordinates to Besaid and walked over to Yuna.

"We did good Yunie" she said reassuringly with a hand on her cousin's shoulder. That brought the first small smile out of Yuna. She wasn't sure if it was to please her cousin, or if it were genuine. She looked up and touched the arm Rikku used to comfort her.

"We did didn't we?" she turned to all of her other Guardians. "We all did really well," and with that, the slow painful healing process began.

------

Nightfall came quickly, and even though no one said it, they were all glad to be given an excuse to be alone. Cid insisted on making dinner but Yuna politely turned him down. She needed some sleep. When she slept, she dreamed, and when she dreamed, it was of him. The twisted logic of the syllogism that would never let him escape her thoughts held Yuna ten feet above ground.

"Lulu," Rikku asked in a whisper as she knocked on the mages sleeping quarter's door. She heard movement then stepped back as the door opened. Lulu was still in her black mage dress but her wavy raven hair adored her back along with the few braids she left intact for when she redid her hair in the morning. She wasn't wearing make up either, Rikku stood for a moment gazing at her.

"Come in" Lulu said when she noticed that Rikku wanted to talk. She sidestepped and let the youngest Guardian in. Rikku walked into the small room. It was dark, save for a small candle that sat near the bed and the airship blinds were slightly open, letting in the moonlight. Rikku took a seat on the edge of the bed and waited for Lulu to follow. She still didn't know Lulu well, but from what she has seen and heard she knew she could be trusted, and she was a good person. All grown up.

"Lulu, do you think Yunie will be ok?" Rikku asked shyly as the mage sat beside her, Somehow Lulu knew that this was what she wanted to talk about. She had been mentally preparing for the occasion as she did her hair.

"Yuna will be fine, though it will take some time, she is strong." Lulu said in a quiet voice. Rikku nodded then began fidgeting with the frilly hem of her shorts.

"I was thinking," she glanced up at Lulu then continued. "What if I stay in Besaid, with Yunie y'know? Do you think that will help?" What Rikku lacked in years she made up for in heart.

"I think that would help a lot Rikku, but what about your father?" Rikku waved her off with a small smile.

"Pops still thinks I live on the airship," Rikku said goodnight then exited the room just as quietly as she came. Lulu was about to change out of her dress when she heard her door knock again. She smiled a little. Not that anyone could see.

"Rikku, don't worry Yuna will be- Wakka?" she gave him a perplexed look when she opened the door. Of course she had to look up a little or she would be staring into his broad upper chest. Wakka scratched the back of his head and looked down at her. The first thing he noticed was how her hair was let down and trailed behind her. It wasn't the first time he saw her like this but he could count all the times he had on one hand.

"Hey Lu, uh Rikku went to her room" he said, he tried to be quiet. Apparently the two had been talking. Lulu crossed her hands over her midsection and tilted her head. Her sleeves drooped down to the middle of her skirt where a few belts crisss crossed.

"I see, and what of you?" Her voice wasn't cold in any way it was friendly. But somehow, it still possessed the authority it always seemed to have. Wakka cleared his throat and was about to speak. What was he there for anyway? He quickly racked his brain for the answer. Lulu stood there patiently awaiting his response

"Oh me? I just wanted to see how you were doin ya? Long day today y'know?" He shifted a little when she didn't answer.

"It has been, for all of us" she said in a somewhat far off tone that completely disappeared when she spoke again. "All the more reason for you to get some rest." Wakka nodded. He concluded that she wasn't in the mood to have a conversation. She did look a bit tired, and even he felt the effects of dragging screaming people away from Yuna starting to kick in.

"G'night then"

"Goodnight Wakka," she started to close her door but then stopped and watched him walk down the hall to his room. Wakka was a good friend, her best friend next to Yuna. It was just that sometimes he could be so dense it drove her crazy, or he would do something that reminded her of Chappu. She was terribly rude to him at times, and for that she was truly sorry. He didn't deserve it half the time, but he never let her apologize. As if her actions were some how justifiable. She knew he cared for her that was just how he was. He cared for all of his friends. The Pilgrimage had defiantly made that clear when he had to decide between his religion and their safety. Lulu closed the door and slipped out of her dress and into a velvety purple nightgown that stopped mid thigh. The airships' sheets felt like wrapping paper, but it was a welcome change from the cold ground and tree trucks she was used to sleeping on. She closed her eyes while taking in a nice deep breath. Then opened them quickly when she felt the airship sink dramatically. Seconds later Rikku was pounding down her door.

"Lulu! Fiends!" That was impossible, once they killed Sin the fiends were supposed to be gone as well. Lulu quickly jumped out of bed, she had no time to put on her dress so she grabbed her moogle and ran outside. Rikku was holding her claws, clad in kiddy pajamas with little chocobos on it. She jumped back at how fast Lulu had gotten out of bed. "On the deck!, I'll get Yunie, you get Wakka, Khimari's already out there." She said in a frantic voice that sounded like a whine. Lulu was off down the hall in a matter of seconds. Without thinking she quickly opened Wakka's door and ran square into his chest, sending her stumbling backward onto the floor.

"Wakka!, Watch where you're going!" she growled from her spot on the ground. Her hands cupped her nose as she winced at the pain.

"But Lu, you were coming into my room." His truth made her even more annoyed at his presence. Wakka leaned down and tried to help her up only to be pushed away by her soft, yet surprisingly strong hands.

"I'm fine," she assured in a voice that could cut stone. Wakka looked hurt. "Fiends are on the deck." She informed as she stormed down the hall. Wakka had suspected something like that and was on his way to check when Lulu ran into him. He clutched his spiked blitzball against his chest as he ran off after her. When they reached the bridge Khimari was already in his battle stance. Rikku jumped next to him.

"Hey big guy, leave some for me!" Khimari looked to her then back to the fiend. A large eagle looking creature known as a Zu hovered closely to the airship. "Hey what's this doing so far from home?" Rikku questioned aloud. The Zu was usually a fiend found on Bikanel. They were somewhere between Besaid and Luca.

"Who cares ya? Let's just get rid of it!" Wakka said as he assumed battle stance and hurled the blitzball as hard as he could at the Zu's head. "Woo ha!" he exclaimed when it connected perfectly.

"Why?" Yuna asked just above a whisper, though it went unnoticed. The loud hum of the engine and the sound of weapons connecting with flesh made it hard to hear anything. Lulu wondered the same thing as she raised her hand above her head to conjure a spell. Why was a fiend here in Spira? They had all left when Sin was destroyed. Lulu knew whatever the answer was it couldn't be good. A large amount of thunder flew down from above onto the Zu. The fiend only seemed to get madder. Yuna prayed when Rikku was nipped by the fiend's claw. They were cutting it to close, probably because they were so tired. They hadn't been able to sleep since the night before their battle against Sin, and even then they were all too nervous to get a decent nights rest. Lulu casted Reflex on the party. Khimari saw her plan and casted Jinx, then Lancet. Wakka was going to catch his ball when one of the Zu's claws reached for him. Luckily Lulu's Reflex spell allowed him to tuck and roll away from the attack. When they noticed that they were no match for the Zu because they were all so tired, Rikku thought of idea.

"Hey Yunie, if there are fiends, then maybe there's-"

"Aeons!" Wakka finished excitedly as he evaded yet another attack. Yuna thought on it.

"It's worth a try, Yuna" Lulu said as her hair whipped around the green and blue aura that engulfed her when she readied a spell. Yuna nodded and started to summon Valifer. Sure enough the Aeon known as Valifer swooped down and awaited Yuna's faithful pat. Yuna stood in shock. A strange uneasy feeling came over her.

This can't be....

"Please, aid us." she breathed. Valifer did somewhat of a nod and began to attack the Zu making quick work of it after its overdrive. Soon brown feathers began to fall like autumn leaves. Valifer then flew away without so much as a glance their way.

"Wait!" Yuna called as she began to run after it. What ever was going on the faith would know. Khimari's strong blue paws grabbed her before she could fall off the edge of the airship. "Wait" she whispered again as she slumped to her knees. They could tell her where he was.

"Uh...What are fiends doin' here ya? Thought Sin did away with em' when....we....did away with it?" Wakka panted as he watched the Aeon disappear somewhere near the moon. Lulu stood beside him.

"One can only speculate." she said as she uncrossed her arms and walked toward Yuna and everyone else. After making sure Yuna was ok the group dragged themselves into the main hall.

"What was that ya?" Wakka asked to no one in particular it was getting way to quiet he had to say something.

"The Aeon left, he… I can feel that he is no longer…here" Yuna said. That Summoning took a lot out of her.

"Maybe it's best we talk about this in the morning/" Lulu said taking over the situation quickly. The last thing Yuna needed was to stay up and talk about this,… what ever this was.

Everyone was surprised at Yuna's cheerful mood the next morning. Wakka was sitting across from Lulu at the long table in the airship-dining hall when she and Rikku entered. Rikku trailed behind her with a grin on her face. Yuna was speaking rather quickly.

"- and if Uncle Cid-"

"Pop's!, nuh uh Yunie no way" Rikku said shaking her hands in protest. The morning had been fairly quiet. After they defeated the Zu everyone agreed to meet and talk about it in the morning when they could think straight. Wakka and Khimari spared that morning. Something they had started to stay in shape and so Wakka could learn better combat skills.

FLASHBACK

"Would you stop playing with that ball and focus!" Lulu called as she dodged an attack then casted Fira on an ice Flan. The two had been assigned of keeping the groups' campsite clear of fiends for the night. Wakka was in such a rush to help fight that he carried along the wrong ball. How could he attack fiends with a normal Blitzball? Wakka looked over to Lulu, she was beginning to get surrounded by the other fiends. He was about to drop the ball and run to her side when he heard her get hit, but Khimari came out of nowhere and saved the day, When the battle was won Wakka was about to apologize for his stupidity when she gave him this look as she walked right by him without so much as a whisper. It was still imprinted in his mind to this day. Wakka cursed himself and his ball as he kicked it off as hard as he could. Khimari approached him.

"Lulu not mad"

"....I know, I just...I just wish I could protec-...forget it ya?" He slumped his shoulders and cursed again when he realized that he kicked away his only playing blitzball.

"Khirmari help," The Ronso said as he placed his axe down and assumed his fiend battle stance.

END FLASHBACK

Ever since that time in the Macilania Woods the two have been meeting early every morning to practice when time allowed it. Wakka was actually getting good and he fought back the urge to tell someone. Khimari told him that the best warrior was the one who was not seen as a warrior. They were given an upper hand in battle.

The Ronso in question was standing by the door; arms crossed and looking forward. The airship crew woke up even earlier to eat breakfast and begin their chores on the ship. So the airship chef made extra breakfast for Yuna and her Guardians. Wakka sat with a half eaten plate of thick buttered bread and chunks of dried apricot and banana. Lulu sat across from him with a similar plate yet her portions were a lot smaller than his. Wakka noticed the two walk in and raised an eyebrow at Lulu. Lulu looked over her shoulder then turned to him, she finished chewing before answering.

"Hope," she said simply.

"Hope?" He questioned in a hushed tone. Lulu nodded. Wakka sat back a little and gave another quick glance over to Yuna and Rikku, Who hadn't yet noticed Lulu and Wakka at the table. They were heading into the kitchen to get breakfast.

"Well we'll just have to go check then!" Rikku said excitedly.

"Maybe they will have some answers..." Yuna trailed off.

Wakka turned back to Lulu who was slowly eating her bread. He couldn't help but watch her. She ate so gracefully, with small bites at a time, truly enjoying the delicious meal as if it were her last. He quickly averted his gaze before she noticed. He found himself doing that a lot lately, but he stopped himself every time. He felt ashamed, how could he do such a thing? To his dead brother no less.

"I can never be what Chappu was...."

She had actually told him that. He would repeat this to himself over and over until he was able to look at her without the aching feeling in his chest. He didn't dare dabble in what the feeling meant. Why? There was no need.

"Oh.....hope for.....y'know?" Wakka asked after thinking on what she said. They all still had their questions for Tidus. He left so suddenly though. And weather they all wanted to admit it or not, he had affected them all in some way. Lulu looked up. She was impressed, though her features didn't show it. Usually she would have to spell it out and sound it out for him.

"Precisely" Lulu said quietly.

"Good morning Lulu, Wakka," Yuna greeted as she made her way over to the table with a plate of her own. This shocked both Guardians. She hadn't eaten a thing in days. Lulu would have to sit with her at dinner and wait until she ate something or she couldn't leave to go and sleep, dream, of him.

Hope was a powerful thing.

Once Rikku and Yuna sat down for breakfast they all began talking about what happened the night before. As it turns out neither Rikku nor Yuna could go to sleep last night so they stayed awake and talked for hours.

"Maybe they're just left over's ya?" Wakka supplied as he pilled some of his dried fruits onto the thick bakers bread. Lulu wondered how he could even eat at a time like this.

"That would explain the fiends, but the Aeons?" Lulu said after sipping her tea.

"That's what I said!" Rikku exclaimed with a mouth full of food. "Yunie said that the Aeon acted differently, like it felt distant." Lulu looked over to Yuna. In their entire journey she never realty thought to ask how it felt to Summon. Obviously it must feel like something. When She casted a spell she could feel the magic run through her body all the way from her toes to her fingertips. She loved the feeling. Each element had a different feeling. Fire spells made her feel warn. Water spells made her feel weightless, Ice spells made her shiver slightly, and electric spells made her heart beat quicken, like the random moments when she looked at Wakka. She paid those feelings no mind, in fact she never was able to correlate the two happenings together. So her heartbeat quickened, but remained unnoticed, it was just that small.

"Yuna?" Lulu asked. Yuna nodded.

"It didn't feel like I was Summoning, more like…. a sending."

AN: Hey all, I know it has been a while since I've been updating but I'm here now lol. This Fic actually started mid way through my other Fiction Just Noticeable Difference. It was a way for me to get out of writers block and continue JND. Well I'm not sure why but I have really been working hard on it lately, so I decided to post it for you all. Please let me know what you all think. I have high hopes for this Fic.

KathleenDee