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From the Shoopuf, they reached the other end of the Moon Flow.

"Next is Guadosalam." Wakka reminded everyone.

Passing on, they came across a woman, standing in the middle of the road, worried, biting her nails and being comforted by another with her arms around her whispering, "It'll be fine, don't worry. They've been gone before. Remember how I told you my husband was missing? But he turned out to really be here in Spira?"

Tidus and Yuna both paused, then sped up, recognizing the two women. "Mom!" they called.

"Yuna!" Yuna's mother still appeared worried, with a weak smile. "Yuna, pumpkin. Ohhhh it's been so long." her mother brought her in a very tight bear hug.

"I know, I missed you too."

"Tidus." Tidus's mother was glad to see him again, and kissed him on both cheeks. "How are you?"

"I'm fine."

"Auntie!" Rikku dashed past the last friends to Yuna's mom.

"Rikku! How are you? You're so much bigger now, I can't believe it! How're Brother and Cid?"

It was basically a family reunion, full of questions and answers. The others now knew how it felt back in Besaid.

"These are our friends." Tidus introduced everyone.

"Very nice to meet you." Yuna's mother was slightly more cheerful.

"You too." came out from the three.

"Have you by any chance met up with Jecht, Braska and Auron?"

"Back over Djose, just after the Temple, ya?" Wakka replied.

"Hm... I see. Well, we should be going. We were going to meet with them here, but they never showed up."

"Well, uh, there's something you should know. See, they were trying to find this guy Seymour, and he's trying to bring a lot," Yuna made a gesture to stop him from worrying her mother.

"Long story short: it's not a good idea."

"But I can't go on like this, I need to see if he's alright."

"Mom, it's not a good idea."

"Yuna, it'll be alright, I promise." Yuna's mother wiped a tear.

"I'll see you later. Make us proud, okay? I'm sorry, but I just have to." and with that, the Al Bhed woman left.

"I might as well go too." Tidus's mom kissed Tidus again and fallowed the other lady.

---

Guadosalam, like most of Spira, had changed. There were a lot more people seen in the area, mostly guados, but a mix of other races as well. The building of which Seymour once resided in now belonged to a sphere hunting group. The leader, Leblanc, reminded few of Dona - only because of her get up. Her lackeys were odd, and not known as well as they should be.

"I wonder what the Far Plane looks like, ya?" Wakka thought of the possibilities.

"Empty without the pyrflies." Lulu replied.

"If the pyrflies made up the image of the person you thought of in the Far Plane, how can the people here be real?" Rikku was getting into thoughts too complex and hard for the mind.

"Because we were on the part of the Far Plane you could never reach." Chappu recalled what he had once heard from another.

"Do you think we should check out the Far Plane?" Tidus wondered.

"Don't think so, ya? Best to keep goin'." Wakka shook his head.

"To the Thunder Plains?" Rikku gulped. Rikku's fear of Thunder still existed.

"Yes." Yuna nodded.

Rikku shivered as they marched on through to the entrance to the open area of loud booms, flashing light, and never ending rain.

"Please, can we take a hover or something?" Rikku pleaded.

"Ah, c'mon. It's not that bad. If we hurry, we'll be out in no time." Chappu began to walk.

The others fallowed, leaving Rikku behind.

After a crash of thunder, Rikku yelped out, "Wait for me!" and dashed to the middle of the clutter, clinging to Lulu's arm.

Lulu was about to shoo her away, but seeing her terrified like this, she had to comfort Rikku. She tugged her arm away from the clutches and slowly held Rikku closer. "It's alright. There's nothing to be scared of; It's just a loud noise made by nature."

"But it's so loud and scary." Rikku whimpered after hearing another loud boom.

"Rikku, lots of things make loud booms." Lulu stated the obvious.

"Like what? Not this loud!"

"Maybe not this loud, but lots of machina make noises."

"They do, I guess you're right."

"Nothing to be afraid of." Lulu patted her head.

The brothers watched in admiration as the usually quiet, elegant, sometimes sharp woman was now kind and comforting and soft. Both grinned, but only one went to her side and kissed her, whispering, "Nice thing to do, ya? I bet she looks up to you."

Wakka watched them talk as Yuna slowed to meet up with Wakka. "Wakka, are you okay?"

"I'm alright, ya? I just got side tracked." he shrugged.

"Oh." Yuna didn't have much else to say. "If we're tired by the time we get to Rin's Inn, can we stay?"

"But it's not even lunch time, ya?"

"Well, what about Machalania?"

"We'll see, ya?"

"Thanks Wakka." Yuna went further up to see Tidus.

"Maybe." she spoke just above a whisper.

Rikku settled down and left Lulu as if her fear had vanished. "Thanks Lulu, for keeping me company." Rikku hugged the mage.

"Your welcome." she put a hand on Rikku's shoulder.

"You helped her." Chappu was proud of his dear friend.

"I did." Lulu switched her gaze to Chappu.

Chappu pulled Lulu closer by her shoulders.

Wakka watched, now alone. "Lu, I'm proud -"

"Wakka, I know who you're thinking about." Rikku sang.

"Who?"

"Lulu." Rikku teased.

"No, I was thinkin' 'bout Chappu." Wakka lied.

"Why is your face red?" Rikku tilted her head.

Wakka turned even more red now, not knowing what to say.

Rikku skipped back to Lulu, a wide grin of accomplishment on her face, and disappeared when at Lulu's side.

Chappu left after hearing things he shouldn't, and joined his lonely brother.

"Lulu. I got something to ask." Rikku sang. She was up to something.

"Yes?" Lulu couldn't wait to get out of this gloomy place. Passing the inn was a sign - half way done.

"Why do you like Wakka so much?"

"We're really good friends Rikku, if that's what you mean."

"Why?"

"Because you're always with Wakka and you blush if I say anything about him."

"First of all, we're not always around each other. And second, I do not blush."

"Yes you do. You're blushing right now."

"Rikku, I'm not." Lulu turned her head away.

"Yes you are. Lulu, we'll keep it our little secret." Rikku whispered the last sentence and skipped along by herself.

"Is Rikku right? I'm not sure anymore... What if she's behind this. Lulu, stop thinking like this." Lulu's thoughts were attacking her.

"Lu, you okay?"

Lulu almost jumped. Wakka snuck up on her, but she wasn't about to lose her stoic stance. "Yes, why do you ask?"

"You didn't look too good, ya? Rikku said somethin' to ya?"

Lulu made no comment. She would not admit a child of 15 was manipulating her.

"Oh. She's getting to me, ya? Trying to prove something that doesn't exist." Although, it did. And not admitting it made it feel worse. "If you need to talk to someone about it, you can tell me." That sounded so cheesy. "What are you thinking?!?!"

"Thank you Wakka, but I have nothing to talk about." Lulu turned away from him.

"I always have things to talk about..." Wakka made a worthless attempt at cheering her up.

Lulu had no comment for this.

Wakka didn't know what to say in the silence, but if he had learned anything, it meant he should stop.

---

Reaching the end of the Thunder Plains told them they were heading to Macalania Forest. That was great and all, but one problem: If the woods were disappearing, did that mean they could go in? If they did, would they disappear too? With no delays they entered. It was in pretty bad condition. The once sparkling scenery was dull and clear, almost clear enough to see the calm lands. The sky was purple, and the residents had all been shoved out by the horror - if there even were any.

"It's so much different than I thought it would be." Yuna starred.

"Ya." Wakka agreed.

This place held something important for Tidus and Yuna. It was where they first kissed. Tidus held Yuna's hand, remembering the place as it had been before.

---

The friends made it through, getting lost twice, but they managed. On the other side they found the hotel in Macalania.

"Can we rest here? I'm getting cold." Yuna shivered.

"Please? At least until we get warmed up." Rikku rubbed her arms.

"Alright, alright." Wakka dug into his pocket for some gil as the two girls went out of the cold.

After making reservations and having only two rooms, the girls went to join the men on their next move.

"We'll go to the next temple, talk to Shiva, and go to Bevelle." Chappu confirmed all they said.

"Yup." Rikku nodded.

"Is there a quick way to get to Bevelle?" Tidus questioned.

"I don't think so. Remember how we got there before?" Wakka reminded him.

"Yeah." Tidus nodded.

Chappu was left in the dark, so he pretended to fallow along.

Nothing but talking about routes, roads and cold weather made Rikku sleepy. She yawned, and slipped into slumber. After talking for some time without Rikku was now noticeable. Rikku was lying behind Yuna, silently mumbling Al Bhed. Lulu noted for them to leave her, so everyone left to the next room. Lulu was about to leave as well until she herd her name from behind her.

"Lulu." it was Rikku. She moaned the name softly. "Lulu."

Lulu thought she was awake. "Yes?"

"Wakkaaaaah." Rikku squealed. She was definitely in a dream.

Lulu paused. She tip toed to Rikku and gently helped her lie properly with her head on the pillow and her feet close to the end. She took the covers off the other bed and used the to tuck Rikku in.

"It's worth it. She'll say... Yes. Really!" Rikku exhailed heavily.

"That's sweet of you, ya?"

Lulu swiftly turned her head to see Wakka leaning against the door frame.

"I couldn't leave her on the edge of the bed." Lulu's voice was low as she made her way to Wakka.

"It's still nice, ya?" he shrugged. "What happened? You're all soft now." Wakka chuckled.

Lulu stared at him as she usually did when she was angry.

"I'm sorry, ya?" Wakka's grin faded.

The two went to join their friends, and Wakka shut the door, but only after he heard Lulu barely laugh and Rikku almost whispering, "He loves you."

Rikku's Dream

Rikku twirled around, dancing in the sun of the warm Besaid day. Rikku stopped when Yuna came along with Lulu.

"Lulu. Lulu. I know something you don't." Rikku winked. Yuna knew as well, but wouldn't say. Wakka actually admitted his feelings. Of course, he didn't know Rikku was listening in.

They had a conversation until Yuna said, "I have to go. Tidus and I are going to Luca for the day." and ran while she waved.

Wakka almost bumped into her as he ran to Rikku and Lulu. "Hey Rikku, got a moment?" he was breathing heavily.

"Sure." Rikku beamed. She knew what it was about.

As they stepped away from Lulu, Wakka pulled out a little ring. It was silver and had a white diamond on top. "I wanna give this to Lu, but I don't know, ya?"

"Wakkaaaah." Rikku admired it. "It's beautiful."

"I wanna ask her to marry me, but I'm scared."

"It's worth it. She'll say -"

"No?"

"Yes. She'll say yes. Don't be silly."

"I'll try." Wakka shrugged. "Thanks." Wakka grinned.

Wakka nodded and left.

"What was that all about?" Lulu enquired.

"He loves you."

"Hm?"

"He loves you. And I know you love him too." Rikku slightly jumped.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Lulu left with a red face.

Wakka returned, and spoke to Lulu, not knowing Rikku was here. He got down on one knee, opened a small black box from behind him, to show Lulu the ring.

"It's beautiful." she remarked, even though it wasn't black, it truly was amazing.

"Lu, will you marry me?"

"Yes."

Wakka rose, put the ring on her finger, and hugged her tight.

Rikku awoke with a moan. She sat up, looking down at the blankets over her. "I wish it would happen sooner."