Final Fantasy 10
Guilt
By Selina
Warnings: Rated R for later chapters.
Pairing: Tidus/Lulu, I've thought of others now but you'll have to read to find out. ^_^
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 cause I'm broke.
Setting: Lulu is ready to leave the Al bhed Shop/Inn and takes to the road with Auron.
Authors Quick Note: There is a little nudity in this chapter. So you've been warned.
Chapter 5 –Feelings
Lulu smiled at herself in the mirror. She was looking just like her old self again. Her dress had been cleaned and no one would ever had thought that she'd been mauled by a Dual Horn a couple of days ago. She stretched a little then headed for the door of the room she was recovering in.
When she stepped into the shop section she saw Auron waiting for her by the exit. She couldn't tell if he was looking at her because of those dark glasses he wore but she was sure he was.
Lulu examined the shop for a little while and decided to buy some potions and a new weapon. She then headed towards Auron when she'd finished. "Do you know where Maechen is?"
Auron gestured to the door. "He's outside."
She nodded then proceeded through the exit. When she departed the shop/inn she stopped and closed her eyes. The wind caressed her skin had the slight smell of grass and of the ocean. She inhaled and tilted her head up. Then slowly let out the breath as she opened her eyes. It felt good to be outside again.
Lulu looked over by the Chocobos and was glad to see Maechen standing there, his back facing her. Quickly she rushed to him and tapped his shoulder. He turned and smiled; he was happy to see her.
"Ahh Miss Lulu. I'm glad you're feeling all better now." Maechen said reaching up to put a hand on her shoulder.
Lulu grinned. "Yes. I feel as good as new." She took both of his hands and held it in hers. "Thank you so much for your help. If you hadn't been here I would have died for sure."
"You must not speak that way. I'm just glad to help. And it is an honour to be of service to a guardian of Lady Yuna's." His smile wavered. "But I have to admit, I wasn't completely convinced that you'd pull through even after I used the potions and herbs on you."
Lulu grin broadened. "But I did. And now I feel stronger than ever and ready to face any fiend, thanks to you."
Maechen bowed. "This is clearly the work of Yevon."
She nodded then let his hands go to perform the pray.
Auron stepped up behind Lulu. "We should be leaving now. The others are a day and a half ahead of us."
Lulu looked at him over her shoulder. "You're right." She looked back at Maechen. "Is there any thing that you would like in return? Gil or potions?"
"No no no no no. I did not help you to get something in return…."
Lulu smiled. "Isn't there some way I can repay you for all of your help?"
Maechen thought for a moment. "Yes there is actually."
"How?" She asked eager to know.
"By taking care of yourself. Do that and I'll be satisfied."
Lulu bowed her head. "I'll take care."
"Very good. Now you must go and catch up with Lady Yuna."
She nodded. "Goodbye."
"Farewell Miss Lulu and may Yevon be with you."
*
That's it! From that day Lulu had decided to avoid the Mi'hen Highroad once Yuna's pilgrimage was over. It was so long. The Al Bhed shop/inn was situated near the middle of the Highroad so there was still a while before they reached Mushroom Rock Road.
They were now at the north-end of the Highroad, which was more like a forest than a road. There were huge bushes everywhere and the cliffs were covered in greenery and flowers. It was all quite beautiful.
They'd been travelling for almost half a day and it seem like they were travelling through an endless loop. She was sure where they were walking through the same place they were walking an hour ago.
Auron on the other hand, didn't seem bothered by the road at all and hadn't said a word to her apart from giving her advice when dealing with certain fiends. She glanced at him; he was as cool and calm as ever. He didn't even seem bother by the heat even though he was wearing a huge red coat.
Lulu let her mind roam. She wondered how Yuna was getting on, if she'd reached the Djose Temple yet. Hoping that she was okay with her two guardians missing. She also thought about Tidus and how he was copping with being a real guardian.
Lulu smiled slightly but not for long. Her smile dropped when she looked at Auron. He had stopped walking and had turned to face her.
She looked at him curiously. "What's wrong?"
"I think I hear something." He drew his sword and surveyed the area with his eye.
Lulu tensed and tried to listen carefully for any faint sounds. There was a slight rustle from the bush by Auron and he quickly turned to face it.
"Do you know what it is?" Lulu asked ready to fight anything that came out of the bushes.
"No."
There was absolute silence for the next two minutes. Both Auron and Lulu never moved an inch and their eyes were locked on the bush.
There was another rustle from there and then a Red Element fiend rose from its cover and hovered towards them.
Lulu sighed. "Is that it?" She was relieved that it was nothing bigger than that. As the fiend came closer she slowly raised her hand preparing to use her elemental magic. She pointed towards the creature and it was encased by ice easily.
Auron then rushed to the frozen monster and sliced it in half using his large sword. Auron looked towards Lulu and nodded. "Lets go."
She nodded back and then continued up the Highroad. Another hour passed by and they finally reached the gate at the end of the road. There were a few Crusaders wondering around but other than that the area was deserted. Lulu felt completely exhausted and it was almost dark.
"We'll rest here." Auron said as if reading her mind.
She looked at the older man who stood behind her. "Is it safe?"
He gazed down at her. "Nowhere is safe. But this'll have to do."
Lulu examined the area and decided to sit down by a large rock next to the gate. She sat and pulled her legs up and wrapped her arms around them. She felt so tired but she didn't feel safe sleeping out in the forest. Even though that particular area was clear, who knows what was lurking in the bushes?
"Sir Auron?" Lulu turned her head slightly.
Auron stood in front of the gate. "You can sleep here. I'll scout the area to see what's here."
Lulu yawned and slowly closed her eyes. I wonder how he does that, she wondered. It's like he can read my mind. That was the last thought than ran through her head before she fell asleep.
*
Tidus opened his eyes; his mouth was full of water. He sat up and stared ahead at the dead ocean. Sin had destroyed everything. The Crusaders and the Al Bhed who were taking part in the Operation Mi'ihen were lying all around him, dead. Sin had crushed them all and just swam away. Parts of the Al Bhed machinery lay broken and smoking on the sand. There was nothing left.
But when Sin had come he felt his father's spirit from within the huge beast. And that's when he knew for sure. Auron wasn't lying, Jecht was Sin. He was the one responsible for killing everyone here. Or maybe not…what if it was Sin's toxins playing with his mind. But Tidus was sure he sensed Jecht in there.
Slowly Tidus stood not taking his eyes off the sea where Sin had disappeared after the destruction. He brushed the sand off his arm.
"Why are you doing this?" He muttered. "How did you turn into this monster?"
Tidus suddenly felt an urge to run. To keep running until he was back where he belonged, in Zanarkand. Things were so much simpler there. There was no Sin and not many fiends either. It was so much better there. That was all he wanted at that moment…just to go home.
He couldn't stop thinking about Zanarkand and of how things used to be. Also thought of his father, whom he had thought had died ten years ago. What had happened to him? Why was he killing so many people? How did he turn into that creature?
"Ooohhh…."
Tidus turned around to see where that moan came from and saw Yuna lying on the floor. It looked like she was knocked out too. He walked to her and pulled her to her feet. She looked up at him, her eyes full of sadness.
Yuna slowly looked around at the dead soldiers on the sand and took in a sharp breath. Tidus put a hand on her shoulder to comfort the young summoner. She turned back round to face him.
"How could this happen?" Yuna whispered. "All those people…."
Tears flowed from Yuna's eyes and she began to sob uncontrollably. Tidus reached for her and pulled her into his arms. He rested his hand on her head and held onto her. Yuna clung onto him unable to stop herself from crying.
Tidus turned his head to look back at the sea. The sky was almost black and instead of the ocean looking inviting, it looked dark and dangerous. Even if Sin was his father, he wouldn't back down. He would help Yuna eradicate Sin.
Slowly Yuna pulled away from Tidus and walked towards the bodies of the dead. She held onto her Staff tightly then began to perform the Sending so that the dead would all reach the Farplane.
Tidus watched with the few survivors as Yuna danced. She was still weeping but her face was one of sheer determination.
Tidus tilted his head back and stared up at the sky. "Lulu…." He whispered wondering if she left the inn yet. He was glad that she hadn't been here today. He was sure it would have brought back memories of her former lover.
He had learned a little more about Chappu that day too, from Wakka. He had heard Chappu died performing an operation similar to the one that just failed. Also that Chappu had planed to ask Lulu to marry him one the mission was over.
Tidus sighed. It must have been terrible for her to find out that he was dead. Someone so close…
"You okay?" Wakka asked placing a hand on his shoulder.
Tidus shook his head. "Who would be at a time like this?" He muttered.
Wakka let out a breath slowly. "When Yuna has finished the Sending we're going straight for the temple. But first we have to head up the Djose Highroad to get there."
Tidus nodded then continued to watch Yuna. As she finished the Sending she closed her eyes then sighed. Kimahri stood by her as she watched over the bodies.
"Yuna…" Wakka whispered loudly.
She turned and walked towards them, the whole time her eyes on Tidus. Tidus stared back at her blue and green eyes. For some reason he couldn't look away from them. They were filled with so much pain and anguish. The usual glow or glimmer of hope in them was gone replaced by emptiness and misery.
All the pain…all the people who died was killed by his father. Lulu's loss was tied to him. His father killed Chappu, his father killed hundreds of people, and his father made people cower in fear. Tidus couldn't take much more of this.
All the unanswered questions running through his head, all the guilt he felt…. He needed something to stop him from feeling this way, something to make him forget about everything even for a little while. He needed Lulu….
*
Lulu's eyes snapped open and she quickly sat up. She had no idea what made her wake up like that. But it felt like someone was calling to her. Looking around, she noticed that it was dark and that she was alone.
Lulu stood cautiously. Where was Auron? Why had he just left he like that? What if a fiend had showed up while she was asleep?
She frowned and headed for the bushes to look for the older swordsman. Manoeuvring her way past the tall and narrow trees, she began to wonder even more. Maybe a fiend got to him…or…. Lulu dismissed those thoughts from her mind knowing that they would only make her worry even more.
After a while Lulu managed to find a clearing that took her breath away. There was a beautiful lake in the centre with the reflection of the moon on its surface. There was no breeze at all so the lake was absolutely still. It was surrounded by tall grass about four inches high.
Lulu stepped into the clearing and headed for the water. She knelt down by the edge and touched the water softly and watched the ripples expand. The water was lovely and cool. With her hand in the water she couldn't help but fear that something was lurking under there.
She concentrated on her hand and using her magic sent a wave of thunder through the water killing anything potentially dangerous in there.
Lulu looked over her shoulder to make sure no one was lurking in the shadows then proceeded to undress. Naked she began to climb into the lake and as she touched the water a shiver went through her entire body. Once she was in there she began to swim forward while enjoying the feel of the water on her body.
Chappu used to love swimming with her in the nude, back in Besaid. She smiled at the memory.
*
Lulu turned away from Chappu while she stood naked in the small lake close to Besaid Village. Her arms were folded across her chest and she had a deep frown on her face. Chappu swam towards her slowly with a grin on his face but stopped dead when she shot him an angry look.
"Hey…don't be mad. It's not my fault." He whined not wanting to argue.
"Oh yes it is." She countered throwing her dark hair over her shoulders. "You're the one who joined that damn group."
"Hey Lu. There's no need for that. Don't worry I'll only be gone a couple of days then I'm though." He said appreciating her from behind. Her hair stopped short at the base of her spine so her had a clear view of her nice, firm buttocks.
Lulu furrowed her brow. "What do you mean you're through?"
Chappu smiled at her confusion. "Just what I said. I'll be though."
"I'm not in the mood for your games Chappu. What do you mean?" Lulu barked.
Chappu pouted. "You're too grumpy Lu. What I mean is that after this mission I'm going to leave the Crusaders."
Lulu turned fully to face him disbelief all over her face. "You'll leave the Crusaders?"
He nodded then stood up straight. "Definitely." He began to walk towards her.
Lulu looked down at his nudity and blushed slightly. "You mean it?"
"Yes. This'll be the last one." His face was dead serious and Lulu knew he was telling the truth. She rushed towards him and threw her arms around his neck. "I'll do this for you Lu."
Lulu looked up into his face. "I love you Chappu." She kissed him softly.
He pulled away from her gently and looked down at her. "I love you too, ya?" Slowly a grin appeared on his face again. "You know Lu, you look absolutely dazzling when you're all wet like this."
"Hmph." She couldn't help but smile.
"It's true. The Wet Goddess that what I'm gonna call you from now on." Chappu rested his hands gently on her hip.
"Chappu?"
"Ya?"
"Stop talking and just kiss me."
"Okay…I really do love you Lulu."
"I know."
*
Lulu smiled at the memory, tears falling from her face. She didn't care anymore about keeping her walls up. If she felt like crying she would, if she wanted to scream she would. And Tidus was the reason for all that. He probably didn't realise how much he had helped her that night on the boat.
Tidus….
Lulu backstroked through the water while thinking of him. What was he doing now? Where was he? What was he thinking about?
She sighed and continued to swim for a long while. Lulu rested against the shore and stared at the moon. She then looked down at her shoulder and touched it.
She'd been so close to death she could taste. Since Chappu died all she had wanted to do was to join him, to be with him again. But when the fiend attacked her she prayed to Yevon that she'd make it. Lulu wanted to live now. She had to protect Yuna but that wasn't all now.
Tidus…she wanted to know what would happen between them. Would they get together? How long would their relationship last? Would they ever get married or would something tragic happen again? Will he go back to where he came from…?
Where did he come from? Lulu's head filled with questions. Was he suffering from Sin's toxin or was he really from Zanarkand, the city dead for a thousand years. Would he go back there? Would he just leave them all behind…leave her behind?
Lulu sighed. "Too many questions." She muttered to herself climbing back onto the shore. She stood on the grass for a moment and gazed at the lake.
"Lulu…."
Lulu's eyes widened and she spun around to face Auron. Auron was staring at her but something about him made her burn inside. He wasn't wearing his glasses and his collar was undone so she could see his face fully. She'd never been drawn to anyone just like that before. It happened in an instant and didn't stop.
She stared into his dark grey eye. Everything she was thinking of before vanished from her mind, she couldn't focus on anything but Auron. That intense eye watched her closely and she couldn't pull away from it.
Slowly Lulu raised her arms to cover her chest. But Auron wasn't looking anywhere but into her eyes. Her breath caught in her throat and she couldn't even speak. Lulu just stared at him and he stared back at her. Every nerve tingled and she felt herself grow more and more hot with each second that passed. She had no idea what was happening to her or why she was feeling the way she was. Never before had she felt such an overwhelming desire just by looking at someone.
Not even Chappu made her feel this way just by looking at her. And it was from that moment everything changed…. For everyone….
To Be Continued….
Author's Notes
What do you think? Hope you liked it, but I'm sure some of you are disappointed because Auron is now in the mix. But there is going to be an interesting twist but obviously I'm not going to say just yet. But you'll find out if you keep up with the new chapters. Let me know what you think so far by submitting a review.
Thanks to 'Solid Snake Fangirl' for your reviews and helpful hints about FinalFantasy10 that I'll be sure to use.
Also to 'Dark Flame Sorceress Starlight'. I'm glad you keep up with each chapter and review on the ones you've read. I'll try my best to update as often as I can but my Easter Holiday's are coming to an end now so there maybe little gaps between my new chapters cause of homework and all. Anyway I'll do my best….
Thanks for Reading!
^_^
Selina
