ch 25…..how come I don't name my chapters?...hmm

When Lulu made it to the beach Tidus, Wakka, and Yuna were already in the water. They didn't notice Lulu sit down under a tree with a basket and a huge leather bond book.

Lulu was really getting into the book when suddenly the light she was using to read went overcast. She saw droplets of water cascade onto her page and she prayed for the person who ever ruined her book.

'hey Lu c'mon in the water' came Wakkas cheery voice from above. Lulu got mad herself, she knew she couldn't get mad at Wakka for something he didn't do on purpose, he knew better. Now if it was Tidus that would be another story entirely. She sighted.

'I'd rather not' she said not taking her eyes off of her book, knowing that her attempts for solitude would be worthless. She felt him sit down next to her.

'why not?'

'I'm reading' she said, her tone suggested annoyance but Wakka just shrugged it off.

'what!? reading? Ah c'mon Lu reading is boring come in the water with me' he was starting to sound a little desperate but Lulu didn't notice she was to into her book.

She didn't answer.

'Luuuuu' Wakka called. When she didn't answer again he had an idea that was sure to get her attention. Sure it was very risky but Wakka felt it was necessary. How could one read in such beautiful weather? He pulled the book down and when Lulu turned her head to yell at him her lips met his. She was going to pull away when Wakka deepened the kiss making it difficult for her to even breathe, the exact definition of breath taking. Wakka placed the book down making sure not to loose her page and brought his free hand behind her head. Lulu soon forgot that she was supposed to be mad at him, all she could think about was how warm and inviting his lips were and soon she couldn't think at all. The kiss got a heavy, something Wakka really didn't intend on happening. Lulus hand now rested on his muscular wet chest.There breathing got heavier and the beach and Lulus book were forgotten entirely that is until….

'eeww Yuna is that what we look like?' Tidus asked jokingly as Lulu was first to pull away. That was the second time she got caught kissing Wakka in a suggestive way.

'I suppose so' Yuna said while trying to hide her giggles. Wakka was still lost in what ever he and Lulu were sharing a moment ago. Lulu on the other hand returned rather quickly to reality. She cleared her throat.

'may I help you two?' her voice hinted at embarrassment and amusement. In other words Lulu made a joke. Yuna and Tidus both laughed and Lulu smiled a little too. She then turned to Wakka who still was a little hazed out.

'are you ok?' she asked.

'gee Wakka I didn't know Lulu had that effect on you man' Tidus joked. Wakka looked at him, his ears getting redder as he realized the situation. He turned back to Lulu.

'uh um yea, im alright ya?'

'good so lets eat already!' Tidus said excitedly as he and Yuna took a seat on the picnic blanket and began eating. It was rather quiet when they ate, probably because Rikku wasn't there. Once everyone was done with their healthy lunch, Tidus spontaneously got up and ran into the water.

'Tidus!' Yuna called after him. 'you cant swim right after you ate!!' she began to get up 'what if you drown' then she ran after him 'I cant marry you if your dead you know!' Tidus swam farther.

'aw Yuna don't you know parents just tell you that so you don't go swimming anymore, plus you actually drown when you have no food to make carbohydrates……..c'mon with me!' Yunas to life long guardians watched as she ran into the water. Wakka turned back around to see Lulu back in her book. He sighted then watched her patently until she finished the chapter she was on. Which didn't take long, Lulu was a fast reader. When she was done she put her bookmark in the book and looked at Wakka.

'happy?' Wakka nodded his head up and down like a child, then outstretched his hand for the book. Lulu hesitated at first then handed it to him. Wakka took it and safely rest it to the side then put out his hand again. What now? Lulu thought then realized just what Wakka wanted. She put her hand in Wakkas and he brought her to a stand then led her towards the sparkling waters edge.

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Rikku was sitting in her room on the air ship. Her knees were tucked under her and she was staring out the window at the passing clouds. Her thoughts on a certain legendary Guardian. They would be in Besiad within the hour. Rikku sighted outwardly.

'why did he have to leave so soon' Just then she heard her door knock.

'lusa eh' she said. Brother walked in with a smile on his face, then it changed when he saw his baby sister on the verge of tears.

'Rikku, wrong what's?'

'nothing'

'Riiku…… Vydran ec funneat yht cu ys E [Father is worried and so am I you not act like Riiku' Brother sat on her bed side and wrapped his arm around her. Rikku buried her face in her brothers embrace. What's wrong with me…..big meanie…….rrr…wait till I see him…

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Yuna and Tidus were on there way back from the beach. Tidus had a picnic basket in one hand and Yunas in the next.

'I still don't see why we had to leave….'

'Tidus….they need some time to talk, did you see Lulu this morning and well did you see her now?'

'she seemed fine to me' Tidus said. When it came to Lulu he just didn't know .Yuna decided to drop the subject for now.

'plus, we still have much to do sweetie' Yuna said while looking at Tidus.

'mmmm I don't know, I'm already in "relax" mode' Tidus half yawned half joked. They both laughed and headed for Yunas hut to get some last minute things together.

Meanwhile…….

Wakka and Lulu were sitting near the surf. From afar they still looked like the childhood friends they had grown up to be. Both were sitting next to each other, this time a little closer than before. The Just Noticeable difference in their mannerisms towards one another,

'that was good food ya' Wakka said as he lazily laid back onto the sand and rubbed his stomach.

'thank you' Lulu was still hugging her knees next to him. They were quiet; listening to the sea breezes and the seagulls. It was really a nice day, not one cloud in the sky. 'So, do you know when you'll have to go into Luca?' Lulu asked. Wakka went into Luca at least once a year with the Aurochs to the Spria Blitz Ball Convention, It was held around this time and all the teams came together and signed autographs and talked with kids and even received endorsement deals. The Aurochs were hot this season and they were personally invited by the Yu Yeven league leaders. Unlike other years they were usually just mailed an invite. This year Wakka had to be on his game. Lulu knew he was nervous, though he did his best to hide it, Wakka wore his feelings on his sleeves…well technically speaking of course. That's what Lulu thought because she knew him so well. Wakka looked to his right then back at Lulu; her ebony hair whipping in the breeze behind her.

'well, it starts in a couple of weeks and lasts for a week….we have plenty of time ya'

'are you nervous?' Lulu knew Wakka was going to try and appear macho, she was completely knocked off guard when Wakka sat up and looked her in the eye.

'yea, Lu I am….the Aurochs never really won till now and I don't know what everyone expects from me ya'

'just do your best, all will follow' Lulu said simply even though she was a little nervous for him too. Wakka looked off into the ocean pondering on Lulus words. Easier said then done ya. Then he remembered something really important. Cyrie ya!, I forgot about the trip and …..the ring……….. I'm not so sure that's the best thing for us now though...did Lu remember? She must have…what now? Wakka was busy pondering his next move. He looked some what hopeless, considering the days events…especially their talk, wouldn't Lulu be a little overwhelmed by his proposal? Would she expect it?

'Lu, remember I asked you to go to a Luca game with me?'

'yes' she turned away from the ocean and looked at him.

'well…since the SBBC is during the same time……what im trying to say is' Lulu couldn't help but smirk a little. She rested a slender hand on his shoulder as a way of comfort.

'Wakka its ok, you worry too much' her words were slow to emphasize her statement. Wakka smiled then looked at her hand on his shoulder. Then back up to Lulu with an even bigger grin.

'you touchin' me Lu?'

'shut up' she said with a quiet smile as she moved her hands to her lap. Wakka chuckled then scooted back to his regular position next to her. He leaned in and lightly kissed her cheek then turned and looked over the water. Lulu smiled a little as his stubble tickled her face, then her usual indifferent expression showed as the two drifted into their own thoughts while gazing at the beautiful scenery in front of them. For the majority of the afternoon they stayed on the beach in silence. Lulu was thinking about what was going on in her life and how everything changed so drastically with one trip to Luca with Wakka two weeks ago. The nightmares had stopped for the most part. She still had one every now and then yet it wasn't as intense as the others. She found herself in a better mood too, could it be that a little bit of Wakka had been just what the doctor ordered? Though she still mourned Chappu, she did it less often. The gnawing feeling when she kissed Wakka disappeared and was replaced with a blissful one, she no longer felt guilty for loving. However she still was troubled. Not only about Wakka but about everyone, Yuna, Tidus and most defiantly Auron and Rikku. Something seemed wrong to her. It just didn't make much sense, Auron shows up older with more secrets then before he joined the party at the beginning of Yuna's pilgrimage. Not to mention his hasty and unfavorable response to her and Wakkas evolving relationship. He didn't seem much like himself, and poor Rikku just as confused as ever, Then Leo shows up? Somehow all this was connected, it always was. Lulu stole a glance at Wakka. His features were relaxed yet bothered. That meant he was thinking,,,,, and Wakka and thinking don't exactly go hand in hand, He tended to not want to think. Live care free, what ever was bothering him, it must have been important because he never said a word. Usually the silence would be killing him and he had to do something or he would go crazy. Like Tidus and staying indoors for to long. Maybe the meditation is actually working? Lulu thought. Auron taught him well then. Lulu found her thoughts drifting back to the warrior monk from Bevell. He was so shady and secretive…..like I was? Lulu thought. No wonder they found comfort in each other. Lulu shut her eyes tightly. The right thing to do would be to tell Wakka everything, it wasn't anything bad….he just deserved to know. She opened her eyes and found Wakkas concerned look grow even more troubled. He touched Lulu bare shoulder; the slight physical contact sent a small sure down Lulus spinal cord, bringing the rest of her senses alert.

'are you ok Lu?'

'Wakka, we hav-….I'm fine' The words "we have to talk" wouldn't sound right…not now anyway. Maybe she was just scared of what he would think; maybe that's what stopped Lulu. Wakka wasn't fooled. But what could he do? Forcing Lulu into the water was a piece of cake compared to getting her to talk. When she was ready he was sure he would know all he needed.

'when your ready ya?' Wakka said softly and Lulu nodded her head in agreement.

AN: how's that for a chapter! I know it's a little short but I really wanna end this one here. I think this is the first time I actually used the title in the story! But maybe now you'll see why I named it Just Noticeable difference. Anywho I got this book called 'The Zero Game' by Brad Meltzer and I can't put it down it's so good! I was supposed to read chapter one for class and I'm on chapter 20! But yea don't worry ill still be updating this and Hidden, as long as my laptop wants to cooperate they be more chapters. Please review it keeps me motivated.

KathleenDee