Final Fantasy 10
Guilt
By Selina
Warnings: Rated R for later chapters.
Pairing: Tidus/Lulu, maybe others later I haven't thought that far ahead.
Disclaimers: Characters and places from the game mentioned in my story are from FFX belonging to Squaresoft not me. So don't bother to sue me.
Setting: The Group have reached the inn and are waiting for news on Lulu
Chapter 4– Fear
Tidus stepped out of the Al Bhed inn and stared in awe at the fading sunset. The sunset was different from the one in Kilka. It was quiet, almost gentle. He looked over by the cliff and saw Yuna sitting alone by the edge gazing at the horizon. Wakka sat outside with his back facing the shop, legs crossed and arms folded. He had refused to set one foot in the Al Bhed inn/shop even though Lulu was in there. He seemed to have a real problem with the Al Bhed for some reason.
Auron stood by where the Chocobos were kept watching silently over Yuna, with the motionless Kimahri by his side.
"Are you okay?" Tidus asked walking up behind Yuna.
She turned and smiled at him then looked back towards the ocean. "It's pretty." She said, her voice but a whisper. There was a little breeze coming from the direction of the sea and the air was cool and fresh.
Tidus nodded then crouched on the grass. "Sure is." He watched the sun slowly disappearing behind the ocean.
"I wish I could live in a place like this." Yuna sighed and rubbed her arms. "I'd be so happy and we'd all be safe."
Tidus glanced at her. "Do you think she'll be okay?"
Yuna looked down placing her hands in her lap. "I don't know. Maechen said that she'll be okay and ready to travel again in a few days."
Tidus sat back. "But I don't understand why your magic couldn't heal her."
"Neither do I. Maybe I'm not strong enough to cure such a serious wound." She said sadly.
"And we couldn't even heal her with Potions because we used them all up on the Highroad earlier today." Tidus stated angry with himself. Maybe if he had found just one Mega-Potion she might've been all right now.
Yuna sighed. "But I believe in Maechen and I'm sure his treatment will work."
Tidus stared up at the sky and breathed out. "Lulu…."
Yuna regarded Tidus for a while then looked back at the sea.
"Excuse me!"
They both turned to see Maechen standing by the door of the Al Bhed shop. Maechen was an old man who they had met earlier in the day along the Highroad. He had told them that he was a scholar on a journey studying the history of Spira and seeking its stories and secrets.
When they brought Lulu into the Al Bhed shop/inn Maechen was talking with Rin, the shops owner. He had told them that he knew how to mix medicines and potions together to heal her but that it would take a little while to work. It had been an hour since then. "Lulu's awake." He called. "She said she wants to speak to all of you!"
Tidus jumped up and Yuna stood brushing the strands of grass from her skirt. They both rushed into the shop followed by all the others. Maechen led them through the shop and to the room she was in. As he opened the door Tidus was overwhelmed by the smell of strong medicines and herbs.
They all slowly approached Lulu's bed and stared down at her. Her dress had been removed and placed onto the chair next to the bed. A thick patchwork blanket covered her nudity. To Tidus it looked like she was barely alive. All her make-up and jewellery had been taken off. Her long, black hair was free from its plaits and fanned out on the pillow. Her eyes were closed but both of them could be seen because her hair was shifted out of her face.
She looked so fragile it made Tidus's heart ache. He bent over her and slightly pulled the blanket down so he could see her injury. It had been cleaned up but it still looked terrible. There were four large wholes along her neck and shoulder and several little ones in between them. The flesh beneath the skin was clear to see. It was amazing she'd survived from an injury like that.
"How's she doing?" Auron asked Maechen.
Maechen looked over to her sadly. "Not too good I'm afraid. It will take time for me to heal her with these medicines but I'm trying my best."
Auron nodded and turned to Lulu. "How long will it take?"
Maechen pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "It could take only a few hours or a couple of days. It's hard to say right now really."
Yuna stepped forward and placed her hand against Lulu's forehead. "It doesn't matter how long it takes as long as she gets better."
"Isn't she in pain? I mean those aren't tiny scratches she'd got there." Tidus asked hysterically.
"I've used a special kind of numbing potion on her. She will feel tired but virtually no pain." Maechen stated.
Lulu stirred a little then opened her eyes a crack. "Yuna…?"
Yuna smiled. "I'm here. We're all here."
Lulu looked at all the people around her. When she reached Tidus she felt touched by the expression on his face. She smiled a little then tried to think back to what happened to her but couldn't remember anything.
Tidus felt so torn when she looked at him, seeing both her eyes for the first time. Her pupils were shaking slightly; she must still be in shock. Her wine-coloured eyes were paler than before. She smiled tenderly at him.
"What happened?" She asked weakly looking at Auron.
Wakka stepped forward. "We were attacked by a fiend. You…it…." He trailed off.
"How much damage did it do?"
"Well…" Maechen folded him arms. "You have punctures along the left side of your neck and shoulder. There was severe muscle damage along the neck and there was heavy bleeding from the wound. But you don't need to worry about it, I used magic to stop that. A lot of blood was lost though. Umm…also your right arm and leg was broken. But I've seen to them and they are now good as new."
She nodded understanding the situation. Lulu turned her head slightly to look at the young summoner. "Yuna, I want you to listen to me…."
Yuna leaned in closer to her injured guardian. "Yes?"
"I want you to go on without me." She began holding up her hand slightly to stop anyone from interrupting. "Maechen said I'd be fine in a day or two but you can't waste time here. You must continue with your pilgrimage."
"Lulu I won't leave you." Yuna said determinedly.
Lulu shook her head; she looked exhausted. "You have to. Don't worry, when I'm better I'll follow you."
Tidus stepped closer. "But how will you make it on your own."
"He's right." Wakka cried. "If we were overwhelmed as a team how are you going to make it on your own?"
"I will. Please Yuna you have to keep going…" Lulu began to cough and blood sprinkled from her mouth.
"Lulu!" Tidus, Wakka, and Yuna cried in unison.
Auron stepped forward. "That's enough. We will leave in the morning towards the temple. Lulu, when you feel ready you will follow us."
Tidus glared at him. "She won't make it on her own! I'll stay with her."
Lulu looked up at Tidus. "There's no need…."
"I'll stay with her." Auron said stoically.
Everyone turned to the older warrior. "You'll stay?" Yuna asked surprised.
Auron turned and headed for the door. Just as he opened it he looked over his shoulder at the group who were still staring at him. "If I stay we'll be able to catch up with Yuna a lot faster than if you were alone."
Lulu was just as astonished as the others were. She then nodded. "Thank you Sir Auron."
He nodded back. "We need to let her rest now so lets go." With that he walked out of the room followed by Kimahri.
Tidus held Lulu's hand and squeezed it gently. "Take care. I'll come and see you in the morning before we leave."
"Okay…" She answered weakly.
He smiled at her then left the room followed by a reluctant Wakka. "Look after yourself Lu."
"I will."
The summoner stood not taking her eyes off her injured guardian. "Are you sure you want us to leave? I'll stay if you wish."
"No Yuna. Don't worry Sir Auron will assist me. Just be careful out there."
"I'll do my best."
*
"Is everyone ready?" Yuna asked joyfully.
It was the next morning and everyone was ready to leave the inn, everyone but Lulu and Auron.
Wakka grinned and patted her shoulder. "We're just waiting for the kid." He said.
Yuna looked around. "Where is he?"
"Humph. He's saying he's goodbyes to Lu." Wakka folded his arms.
"He is? He seems…to like her a lot." Yuna said blushing.
Wakka looked down at her. "You noticed huh?"
Yuna brushed her hair back from her face. "I did."
*
"I told you not to worry." Lulu said harshly. She was feeling much better now. Her wounds had completely healed up and there were no traces of the wholes anymore. She was only feeling weak and still a little numb from the potion Maechen had given her.
But Lulu had decided to stay in the Al Bhed inn until the next day. She felt that she wasn't ready to travel yet and that if she had to fight against another fiend, in her current state, it wouldn't take long for her to collapse from exhaustion and end up back at the inn.
"I know sorry." Tidus shrugged pacing up and down the room. "But I can't help it."
"Well try to. Yuna needs you now and she needs you to be strong for her. And so do I." Lulu stared back at him, determination in her eyes. She was now sitting up in the bed with the blanket wrapped around her naked body.
"Lulu I just watched one of those fiends chomp down on your neck and throw you about twenty feet away. I watched you tossed and crash against the floor like you were a doll. Your blood was on my face. I thought you were dead." Tidus explained sourly. "And now your sitting there telling me not to worry."
"If you worry about me you won't be able to concentrate on your duties. Remember you're a guardian now." She continued to watch him as he paced up and down the room.
"I know that." He said quietly. "But I…."
"Yuna needs you more than I do." Lulu muttered looking out of the window for a while. She cast her gaze at Tidus again and smiled. "I'll be leaving this place tomorrow and with Sir Auron with me we'll catch up in no time."
"I guess." Tidus said quietly.
Lulu tilted her head to the side and smiled at him. "Sit here." Lulu patted the space next to her on the bed. As Tidus sat down she grabbed his face in her hands and pressed her lips to his. Lulu felt Tidus tremble as their lips met.
At first she didn't move too much until she felt the intense heat coming from Tidus. Her eyes gazed at him, his eyes were closed, and the expression in his face suggested he was glad she'd made the first move. Lulu closed her eyes then slowly moved her lips against his. She felt total peace flowing through her entire body. He responded strongly licking her lips then by slipping his tongue into her warm mouth.
As for Tidus he was overwhelmed with happiness. He never thought she'd taste this good. And her smell…that intoxicating aroma. He held onto one of her shoulders and massaged the skin in his hand. It felt like he was touching silk.
Lulu stroked his tongue with hers. She deepened the kiss by leaning forward against him exploring the walls in his mouth, running her tongue over his teeth and sucking his lips.
There was definitely a difference between kissing Tidus and kissing Chappu. Chappu loved being fierce with Lulu, not that she didn't enjoy it but sometimes she had wished that he'd be a little gentler with her and take things slower. But with Tidus there was a sense of innocence in the kiss. She could tell he hadn't had much practice at that sort of thing.
She gently pulled away from him and gave him a seductive leer. Tidus stared back at her breathlessly. He couldn't believe she just kissed him.
"Remember Tidus you are Yuna guardian, not mine. You're here to protect her and help her defeat Sin even at the cost of your life. If I were to die on this journey I would be glad knowing I did to help Yuna destroy Sin once and for all." Lulu said weakly. She was beginning to feel tired again.
Tidus gazed into her eyes letting her words sink in. He was still a little giddy from her kiss but her words were loud and clear. They were going to help Yuna kill Jecht; he was going to help Yuna kill his father once and for all.
His eyes fell and he sighed. "Lulu I…."
"Go." She interrupted. "She's waiting for you. They all are. I'll see you in a day or two."
Tidus nodded and touched her face with his gloved hand. "Just be careful."
Lulu closed her eyes and covered his hand with hers. "I will."
To Be Continued…
Authors Notes
Well they finally kissed! I was looking forward to writing that part. Don't you think they suit? And I knew from the beginning of this story that I had to make Lulu make the first move. I didn't want Tidus to be too forward. He's only seventeen remember? Some guys his age wouldn't kiss a girl like Lulu just like that unless they wanted a black eye and a fat lip. She's older (twenty-two, if you forgot or didn't know) and more experienced than he is so she had to be the one to make the move first.
If you think different or have an opinion then let me know by submitting a review.
^_^
Thanks for reading!
Selina
P.S. I didn't realise that I didn't accept anonymous reviews before. I just checked under 'setting' and I saw that I had it set that way by mistake. Sorry to those who tried to send anonymous reviews before. But I've changed it now so I should get them. Sorry for any inconveniences!
