Chapter Six! Which means I'm officially back!

It was a long time before Chappu helped me climb back through my open window. I expected Yuna to be asleep already, but instead found her still reading over one of the old texts.

"So?" Yuna asked, shutting the large book.

"So what?" I replied nonchalantly, heading for a change of clothes.

I could tell Yuna was already getting irritated, though she did her best to suppress it. "Lulu. You know what."

I smiled to myself, but when I turned back to Yuna, my face was expressionless. I wasn't about to divulge anything. Not yet, anyways.

The room was silent as I changed into my pajamas, but Yuna's expectations hung in the air. It wasn't until I slipped into bed that she spoke again. "So…" Yuna repeated, her voice laced with hope.

"Goodnight Yuna." Was my only reply. And with that, the room went dark.

By the time I arose the next morning, Yuna was already off to class. I had no plans for the day, and wouldn't for a while. It would take about a week for Father Laling's letter to reach the mysterious woman in Bevelle, & even longer for her make the trip here. Fortunately, Chappu too had a free schedule. While Wakka promised he could train with the guys every so often, it wasn't going to be a daily thing. Wakka could only pull so many strings.

Pulling my hair into a tight bun and changing into my tight, dark purple sweater dress, I headed out into the hall. I didn't have to wonder where I was going, and within a few minutes I found myself outside of Chappu's door. Suddenly I was nervous. After last night, it had become clear that I had fallen for the younger of the redheaded brothers, and that he shared my feelings. But what was I supposed to do about it? Never before had I felt so divided. The choice was made for me. Before I had the chance to knock or turn back down the hall, the heavy wooden door before me opened and I was face to face with Chappu. His face brightened and my heart melted.

"I'm surprised you're up." I managed, jokingly.

"Well, you know. I was hungry." At that, I rolled my eyes. Typical Chappu.

His fingers lift my chin and I find his lips pressed gently against mine. We break contact after a moment and Chappu just smiles down at me. There are really only three words that could have followed that kiss, and neither of us were ready to voice them. His hand silently slips into mine, and together we head for breakfast.

As we eat, we casually discuss the plans for the day. And though the routine is typical, I can feel change in the air. We weren't the same people we were the day before.

Cloudy grey skies greet us as Chappu and I leave temple. For the next few months, there would be few sunny days. But it was a considerably mild winter compared to many places, and I would much rather have rain than snow. Despite the weather, we head to our secret alcove. There, we stand in silence, no ideas of how to break it. Not that I mind. Chappu's presence beside me is enough. A few more moments pass before Chappu speaks up.

"I guess things won't just stay like this, will they?" His words caught me off guard.

"How do you mean?" In my heart, I know he's right.

My words hang in the heavy air, the crashing of waves filling the pause.

"Soon you'll be off practicing magic and you won't have time to spend like this –"

"I'll always have time for you." I interrupt, but Chappu continues, dejected.

"And over the next few years, Yuna too will begin her training. The end of the Calm will be drawing near and you'll be off on someone else's pilgrimage, trying to save her from herself and her own intentions…" As he trails off, I entwine his fingers with mine, positioning myself in front of him. He speaks the truth, and all I can do is offer some simple comfort.

"But you too will have your own life. You and Wakka will be playing for the Aurochs, bringing your team to fame. Beautiful girls will be falling over you; should you chose to you could have a different one every night. And maybe one day you'll hear my name again and think 'I used to have a scene with her.'"

"But I don't want those other girls. I don't want someone who wants me for the fame. I want to know that, while I'm out playing the championship game in Luca's blitzball sphere, my best friend is in the stands cheering me on. That, at the end of the night, I have a wonderful girl who will love me whether we win or lose. I don't want to wake up one day and find you gone. I don't want to lose you. I love you too much." I wasn't one for tears, but as Chappu spoke, my eyes filled with salty pools.

"I… I love you too." I stammered, fighting the tears. I felt Chappu pull me close, his muscular arms wrapping around my waist. His lips pressed against my forehead before he rested his head on mine. All I could do is cling to him and let my tears stain his shirt. "We should probably tell Wakka, before he finds out from elsewhere…" I suggested, words muffled in Chappu's muscular chest. Chappu merely sighed. Wakka had become more overbearing in the past years, an attempt to give Chappu the father he never really had. I could understand it, but Chappu, though he still loved his big brother, could only see it as a nuisance. With a sigh, the blitz player agreed. Hand in hand, we headed off towards the docks, where the Aurochs usually practiced.

Though we arrived just as the team split for a short break, the rest of the meeting proceeded less than desirably. I wasn't even included in it, for the most part, as Wakka pulled Chappu aside barely after we opened our mouths. But though I was no longer part of the conversation, and the other blitzball players seemed to love teasing me about Chappu and I being together ('about time', they said), I could still listen in on the two brothers.

Wakka seemed less than ecstatic. "Look, I know you like her. She really is special, ya? But you're too young to know love. Did you forget everything we talked about last night?"
I couldn't make out Chappu's reply over the clamor Luzzu was making, but I did catch Wakka's frown.

"This won't change her mind about the pilgrimage, ya. I just don't want you to get hurt."

"I know, okay? Knock it off with the surrogate parent thing and give us both a break. I just need you to be my brother. Why can't you just be happy for me?" Chappu's words shocked Wakka just as much as the surprised me. Chappu, visibly annoyed, came back to my side. His arm around my waist, the younger of the brothers began to lead me back to the village. I didn't protest, but couldn't help looking back. I turned just in time to see Wakka, by then sitting on the sand, punch the ground.

Dinner that night was uncomfortable, to say the least. Though we all sat together like usual, we ate in silence. Even Yuna, totally oblivious to today's events, felt the tension. Chappu was the first to leave, mumbling goodnight before disappearing down the hallway. Yuna followed soon after, claiming it had been 'a long day'. I didn't blame her. No one got much sleep last night. I too stood with every intention of heading to bed as well.

"Wait." Wakka asked, standing quickly. "Can we talk?"

I nodded. We had some time before curfew, so we took a walk beneath the stars.

"Listen. I'm sorry. I know I didn't express it very well, but I am happy for you and Chappu. I just –"

"Stop." I interrupted. I knew his excuse. "I know. And you're right. I'm not going to give up my guardianship. But Chappu knows this too." Though we had fallen into silence, and said all we had needed to, I made no move to head back inside. I knew the questions that were waiting for me once I got there. Sure enough, despite my prayers to Yevon, Yuna was still awake when I got to our room. And she immediately asked about dinner. I loved the girl like a sister, but sometimes she was too perceptive.

"Chappu and I are official. Wakka didn't take to it as well as we had hoped."

It would be another late night as Yuna convinced me to tell her of todays happenings.