Lightning bolts scattered across the sky. The rain had stopped but the thunder continued to roll across the plains. The air was cold and thick with moisture. In the distance, several tall malformed pillars, towered across the thunder plains. Fog rose from the rain soaked earth, swirling and drifting slowly across the plains.

"Oh no. We're here!" whimpered Rikku as she huddled up next to Sir Auron.
Auron rolled his eyes. "Oh brother...." he thought to himself.

"How are we supposed to cross that?" asked Tidus.

Lulu answered, "Do you see the lightning rod towers? The lightning is drawn to them...Hopefully."

"We head north, not too near and not too far from the towers, ya?" said Wakka.

Lulu rephrased Wakka's statement.

"In other words, we should stay away from wide open spaces."

Lightning struck not too far off and the thunderclap was right behind it. Rikku cowered almost shivering.

"Oh, I hate lightning...." she mumbled.

Lightning struck again, this time closer. "BANG" thunder crashed reducing Rikku to a crouch.

"Ummm..." exclaimed Rikku, " I think I left something back in Guadosalam!"

Auron grimaced in disgust, "Fine, nice knowin ya..." he said to her as he quickened his pace.

Rikku was nearly in tears. She was petrified of lightning.

"Alright, Alright! I'll go." Rikku sniffled as she wiped a stray tear.

This girl was under most circumstances brave and determined. However, the thunder plains had her at a disadvantage. Lightning was her worst enemy. But at least she wouldn't have to face it alone. Yuna and Tidus strode up next to her. Yuna tried to comfort her.

"It is ok Rikku. We will walk with you. We'll all be alright. Ok?"

"Ok. Thanks Yuna. I am sorry.. I am not usually such a...," thunder crashed around them, Yipes!" Rikku jumped.

"As I was saying, I am not usually such a wimp, but my brother was struck by lightning once while we were on a mission. He really has never been exactly the same since. Oh it just scares me!!!"

"It's ok Rikku." said Tidus. "We understand. Just ignore Auron, he tends to be grouchy...I should know."

Yuna giggled for the first time since leaving Guadosalam. She was definitely reoccupied.

The three walked on following Kimahri through the plains, dodging and running when necessary.

Wakka decided to catch up with Kimahri. Kimahri wasn't much of a talker but he was good at sensing the storms direction, and was excellent at dodging the bolts. Wakka figured it was a good idea to hang with him. Less chatter, he just wanted to get on out of the thunder plains.

Auron was carefully striding swiftly in between bolts. He had been here before after all. He had a good idea of how to avoid the strikes. He knew it was not necessary to run, just to be quick and alert.

Lulu quickened her pace and strode up beside Auron. She was familiar with the plains herself, and she had a few lightning warding spells up her sleeve, however she didn't want to brave the plains alone. He didn't notice her until she was right next to him trying to match his pace. He nodded at her to acknowledge her presence but kept on moving. He remained quiet. He was stealthily plotting each move to avoid the lightning bolts. Lulu watched his moves and followed his steps.

Auron stopped for a while to take a drink from a spring that happened to be sheltered by a large rock formation. Auron stood still resting for a few minutes, and thinking. He leaned up against the formation and glared off towards the horizon. He was preoccupied like Yuna, Lulu could tell.

She did not know Auron well at all. But she knew enough not to interrupt him while he was meditating.

Lulu decided to sit for a few minutes while she waited for Auron. She smoothed down her skirt and being careful not to allow it to bunch underneath her she made herself comfortable on a small boulder. She was tired. She hadn't slept well after visiting the farplane in Guadosalam the night previous. Her thoughts had kept her tossing and turning all night. On top of it she was not used to this heavy, moisture-laden air. It was hard for her to breath. She felt a little weak.

"It is just that I haven't slept." she thought to herself.

Lulu glanced over at Auron. He was deep in thought. The wind was lightly blowing across the plains. It rippled through Auron's onyx colored hair and whipped his overcoat around gently. It was dark on the plains but Auron always wore those eyeshades. Lulu briefly wondered what color his eyes really were. He was a pillar of dignity standing there, gazing off into the distance. She watched the quietness of his gaze. She remembered seeing pictures on the sphere if when he was younger. He didn't have the scar over his eye then. Yet, his appearance was pleasing to her now, even with the scar. It made him even more handsome, at least that is what she felt. Lulu started to feel a slight warmth rising through her body slowly, until finally it reached her face. What was this, was she blushing? Why? Lulu was startled. Immediately she jumped up and smoothed out her dress. She was nervous. She hoped he hadn't seen her staring.

Auron caught her attention with a glance and nodded for her to follow. He was ready to leave. Quickly, Lulu conjured up her Cait Sith and clutched it tightly within her fist, and she was off. She tried to follow Auron's every step in order to avoid the lightning, which was now striking furiously all over the plains. They walked on and on for what Lulu felt was miles. Lulu could still see Tidus and Yuna up ahead of them. Their pace was slowed compared to Wakka and Kimhari, due to Rikku.

"Poor Rikku. Dear girl..." Lulu thought to herself giggling a little and smirking a half grin in her serious sort of way.

Lulu was feeling really tired. She crept up next to Auron and gently placed her hand on his forearm. It startled him a bit.

"Auron, might you slow down a tiny bit so that I may keep pace with you? You are taller than me and you have a bigger stride, I cannot keep up and I wish not to be left behind, here in the thunder plains."

Auron glanced down at her from above his shades and sternly began to remind her, "One must be quick, and ready for anything when crossing these plains. The storm never ceases here, and if we do not reach the other side by nightfall we....", Lulu interrupted him. "Yes I know Auron, but just slow down a little so that I may stay at your side." He was a little surprised at the way she had interrupted him, and that she had neglected to call him "Sir Auron". It wasn't that he cared, as if he felt he deserved the title, but he was just a little surprised. A faint grin escaped his lips.

"Very well..." said Auron as he pushed his sun shades up a bit on his nose, "We are nearly to a shelter anyhow." Auron slowed his pace a little to match Lulu's and together they walked to the next shelter.