Note: Sorry about dis guys! I hope I didn't let u lose ur interest on this story! I was REALLY busy, believe me! ^_^; Anywayz, wondering what happened to Lulu after she was kissed by the awful Kai? Well, I guess you have to find out.


Chapter 4 - Love Knows No Boundaries



A perfect picture was in her mind. Wild flowers in green grassy fields while she watched the birds fly by in the sky. Beside her he sat, watching the sky as well. He turns to her and smiles and her heart starts to flutter. For many years, she has waited, wishing- hoping that he would come back to her life, but as she reached for him, he begins to fade. She called his name, but he faded faster into the air and disappeared. Tears fogged her eyes, her heart starting to feel pain. So this is what heartbreak feels like, she thought. Lulu stood up, wiping the tears away with her hands.

"Don't cry," a voice spoke in the air. Lulu looked around, hoping to find someone, but there was no one there. She heard the same words whispered in the distance and Lulu frantically searched for the source of the voice, but found no one.

"Who's there?" she called.

"I don't like it when you cry. I like it when you smile. Why don't you smile?"

Lulu shook her head. She ran forward- hoping that the person was somewhere ahead. "Where are you?" she spoke. "Is that you, Chappu?" Lulu whispered in the dark. She ran through an even greener grass, her hair blowing behind her. She lifted up her dress so her skirt would not touch the ground and she would not trip on it and ran faster, catching up to the voice that was now fading. Ahead, she noticed a shadowed figure, standing there, waiting for her. She could tell it was male, tall and muscular. She ran towards it again and when she was close enough, the figure turned to face her, only to reveal a face that made her blood run cold.

"Why are you crying?" he spoke.

Lulu backed away and shook her head. "No. Why are you in my dream?"

"I won't allow you to dream of someone who is already dead or anyone else for that matter, Lulu. You're mine!" He took a step towards her and grinned. "Sooner or later, you will be mine, bonded by the souls of eternity!"

"NO!" Lulu screamed.




****************


The skies were clearer this time of day. He stood outside, thinking, wondering if Lulu was okay. He could never tell anything from Lulu's cold expressions. Ever since he, Braska and Jecht left Besaid, he had almost forgotten how Lulu took care of Yuna most of her life with so much effort and skill that. He remembered her to be exuberant and always smiled, but that all changed when she met Chappu, an outgoing young man as explained by Yuna when he returned that same day when their young Summoner became a full-fledge summoner.

"Auron, why have you not told me about Cess?" Yuna spoke from behind.

Auron sighed quietly, knowing that Yuna was going to ask him this someday. "Because it was not my place to say," he replied. He felt tiny hands encircle his large shoulders, then that same small voice say, "I understand that you don't want to talk about it, but... I just want you to know that I'm here for you."

"Thank you," the man spoke quietly. Could she help his situation? His feelings towards Lulu were far greater than he ever had towards Cess. He couldn't understand it himself that he could feel this way about a woman many times his junior. Would Yuna be able to understand? Would she accept it?

All was suddenly quiet and Auron knew at that point that Yuna was waiting for him to say something more about his past. He took a deep breath and shook his head. "For now, Yuna, I do not think you will understand." Was he feeling lonely all of a sudden? Is that why he feels something towards Lulu? Maybe it was just a crush? No... it wasn't some silly crush like some high school kid having a crush over the most popular girl in school. His feelings were far deeper than the average crush. Suddenly, it hit him. Auron winced at the thought. He was not disgusted by it or was in shock by it, but he was rather surprised at it. He barely knew the woman, yet here he was, thinking about how much he loved her. Love... is this what he has been missing all his life? Auron felt suddenly tense and Yuna, aware of it suddenly, backed away and looked up at him worriedly. Something was bothering him, she thought.

"Please, Sir Auron, what bothers you so much?"

Auron turned to look at her and, behind his mask, smiled weakly. "What bothers me, Yuna is how curious you and Tidus can be. I am fine and there is nothing for you to worry about. You seem tired from Ifrit's summoning, so why don't you rest for a while and I will wake you up when we find something about Lulu?"

Yuna frowned. Why won't Auron admit it to himself that he loved her? "Auron, are you scared of something?"

Auron turned to look at her curiously, pretending to be confused. She was good, he thought. First, she figured out about his feelings towards Lulu and now, she knew how scared he was for her and how he was denying his love for her. "I'm not scared of anything." Braska's beloved daughter has definitely grown up to be a smart young girl.

"You can talk to me about it." By now, she could see the land below, a sign that they were now landing close to the Sandar Ruins. In her heart, she believes that Lulu was somewhere there, somewhere cold and isolated, a place where that man could have taken her, where no one can find her. She noticed something moving below, something black running across the forest. "Auron... someone's running down there! It could be Lulu!" She pointed just to their right down below.

Auron followed her finger and saw it as well. He looked at her and nodded. Without thinking, he jumped before the aircraft could fully land. Yuna yelled his name, but Auron was already on the ground, unharmed, running towards the figure that was making its way towards the mountains. Yuna turned around and ran to tell the others.

He was close behind her now, running, pushing his way through the thick bushes that were slowing him down. Ahead, he recognized Cess Marjorie's wavy brown hair as she ran. When his arm was close enough to reach her, he grabbed her arm and forced the woman around. Cess immediately, drew her sword, the sharp end making close contact with his neck and all Auron could do was stand there, waiting for her reaction. Cess frowned by the time she realized it was him and put the sword away.

"So, you're following me now?" she asked, pulling her arm away from Auron's grasp.

"You're going the same way we are, so why don't we work together to find them?" Auron suggested, looking closely into her eyes.

Cess frowned. "I work alone, Auron! I already told you that! I don't need any of you to help me look for the bastard!" She turned around, ready to leave again.

Auron was frustrated now. He was usually the calm and collected type, but he was running out of time. Lulu's life was at stake and he wasn't about to stand here and do nothing about it. In all honesty, he needed Cess' help, but all Cess was doing was running away from her problems, instead of resolving it. "Dammit, Cess!" He grabbed her arm once more and without thinking, wrapped his arms around her and closed his eyes. "You have no idea how much it hurt me when I had to abandon my life for a new one! I loved you very much! You have to understand that Sin destroyed everything in its path, even you, so I had to do everything I can to help Braska with his summoning so he could save the world."

Cess stood there, enthralled by Auron's words. She said nothing as she continued listening to Auron talk. "You were the only who kept me going. I kept thinking of you in every time I breathed, every time I slept and every time I fought a monster! All I could see was your beautiful face beaming in my eyes!"

The woman closed her eyes, shaking her head stubbornly. No, she shouldn't let her emotions get the better of her. She has to move on now. She knows it. Auron knows it. With all her might, Cess pushed him off of her and looked at him, tears flooding her eyes. "I had no idea you felt this way, Auron. But you and I both know that a past is in the past now. I can't let my feelings be in the way of my job. This is the life I chose to live. You chose yours, so I chose mine." Slowly, she turned around and walked away. This time, Auron did not stop her.

"If you love me Cess, then you would do everything for me, wouldn't you?" Auron called out to her. He waited.

Cess paused suddenly. "Like I said, Auron..." She was speechless. She didn't know what to say. Auron knew her better than she did. She would do anything for him- anything, but the thought of him being with another woman... "He'll be at the top of that mountain just ahead. I tracked him down with amount of power he used when he carried her there. Expect him to be waiting for you though, because he knows you're coming. He knows I'm coming too. I know that he's going to use every amount of his magic to keep you from taking her back. But Auron... if you get there before I do and if you plan on killing him, leave him to me. I plan on doing the killing myself."

Auron said nothing as she disappeared once again into the woods.

"AURON!" Tidus and the rest of the gang appeared from behind the woods, gasping for breath. He did not turn around, for his eyes were still attached to the woman who disappeared into the darkness.

"Auron, what happened?!" Rikku's voice rang.

Auron turned around slightly to look into the questioning eyes of the young people and pointed to a mountain ahead. "That is where he's taken Lulu."

"How do you know?" Tidus asked, staring at him curiously. "Did you talk to someone?"

"Yes," Auron replied, nodding. "It was Cess."

"Why didn't you ask her to join us?" Wakka questioned. Yuna nudged him in the shoulders, shaking her head at him slowly. "What?"

Auron stood stiffly. There were times that he wished Wakka never came, but he was a useful lad, so he can just tolerate him. "She wanted to work alone," was all he said, before walking ahead of the others. The others followed suit, their eyes sometimes taking swift, curious glances towards the mysterious man. They could not tell his expression from his eyes that were blocked by the thick, black glasses he usually wore. He adjusted his sword inside its sheath and the large water jug that he carried around him and walked faster, making the others walk a bit faster. There was no time in taking the Cid Plane. They would have to go back and ride there, but them time would be wasted. "If some of you are tired, you can all go back and ride with Cid. I will go on ahead and you can catch up with me."

Tidus shook his head. "And leave you here all by yourself? No way! We're a team, remember?!"

Auron sighed. He disliked it whenever Tidus used the word, 'team' against him.

They arrived a few hours later, looking up at the largest mountain Auron has ever seen. Just over the hills, Lulu was going to be there, waiting for someone to rescue her and that someone would be him. Without giving it a second thought, Auron started climbing, Tidus' and Yuna's pleas fading from his ears. He didn't want to hear anyone. He wanted to hear Lulu's voice and her see her smile for the first time. He would be the one to make her smile, to make her happy. He was going to be the one to let her move on with her life from Chappu. There. He knows it. He could no longer deny it. He loved her. He has always felt this overwhelming affection towards Lulu. Yes, he knows that he is thirteen years older than her, but that didn't matter.

Love knows no boundaries.




****************


She inched away from him, his face close to hers. She couldn't do anything as he spread her legs apart, so he could 'explore' his possibilities. Lulu was frozen. She closed her eyes in agony. She couldn't do anything. How come no one is here to take her away from this fear? Kai plans on taking her whole life away. She has never done this. She hasn't even given all of her life away when Chappu was still alive. She and Chappu were going to wait, but now that he was gone... Tears streaked down her face. Why did everything have to happen to her? She didn't want this. What happened to the boy she knew a long time ago? Kai used to be very sweet. He would never do this. No... she was wrong. Kai was the type of man who would do this to her. He would do anything to take her virginity, so he can claim her for himself. That was his way. Chappu would never do such a thing.

"Why are you resisting me, Lulu?" Kai whispered in her ear. Lulu inched further away, pulling the blanket over her half naked body. Kai was only able to rip the front of her shirt halfway, because Lulu had scratched him at that point. However, despite all that, Kai advanced. He had her pinned under him now and Lulu was too weak from her escape earlier to push him away. The more Lulu resisted, the more Kai advanced.

"I won't give in to you."

"Why? Are you waiting for him? Are you waiting for the dead Chappu? Or are you waiting for someone else? What about that man? Auron was it?"

Lulu gasped. He was close now. He was close to her. Auron? What did he mean?

"I mean that man was practically drooling with jealousy and rage when I took you away. Or, haven't you noticed?" Kai kissed the nape of her neck, grasping both her arms back on the bed.

Lulu closed her eyes. Why couldn't she do it? What happened to all her strength?

"You are going to love me, instead of that man, Lulu. You and I both know it."

Lulu shook her head weakly. "Noo..."

"YES!" He spread her legs farther apart and when he was close enough, he pushed as hard as he could inside her. Pain surged through Lulu's body. How can this be happening to her? How can he do this to her? Is his job to make her life a living hell? This was not what she imagined herself of making love with a man. Making love to someone was supposed to be beautiful, not as painful as it was right now. Making love was supposed to be painless and full of love, not lust nor pain.

"I'm going to make you mine...finally..." Kai whispered in her ear as he entered once more.

Lulu closed her eyes. More tears streamed down her face. How has she become so vulnerable to him? She was now feeling like a whore, a plaything that men would do every night or whenever he felt like it. That's all he wanted. He wanted someone to screw around with. Lulu felt another pain go through her body. She wanted to save herself for someone. Even if it wasn't Chappu, she wanted to save herself for someone who loved her dearly and the one she would love as much as she did Chappu- someone whom she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. Now... This man had taken it away. He was taking her life away. Her whole mind, her whole body...

He was taking away herself.



****************



"Auron! Wait up!" Auron looked down, his mind focused on Lulu and Lulu alone. He could see Tidus, with Yuna carried on his back as she watched up at the man, hoping he's wait for them. Wakka and Rikku were not far behind, both climbing expertly using their hands and legs. Kimahri trailed behind, his large feet as it thumped against the rocks, almost shaking them off. Auron held tighter, putting his arms out behind him so Yuna could grab on. Tidus pushed farther as Yuna grabbed Auron's hand and climbed on his back. Yuna wrapped his arms around Auron and he climbed up at the top ahead of everyone.

After a few more hours, Auron was already halfway at the top, with Yuna close to him. They found a cave ahead and decided to stay there for the night. Tidus, Wakka, Rikku and Kimahri were the last few to arrive and they joined Auron and Yuna inside the cave. Kimahri stood guard outside, making sure no one followed them, while Rikku gathered a few sticks found just nearby and make a small fire around a circle they all formed together. Tidus found his way beside Yuna, while Auron sat on a rock... thinking.

The night moon soon glowed in the distant, casting shadows on each and every individual present inside the cave. They were quiet for a moment, thinking about what was happening with Lulu, wondering if she was all right. Rikku was the first one to break the silence, speaking for everyone. "I wonder if Lulu is okay..."

Everyone turned to look at her. "Of course she is," Yuna replied. "She is the strongest person I know in body and mind."

Rikku nodded and smiled. "I know she is. I didn't mean to doubt that."

"What about that Cess woman, Auron? Is she really going to kill Kai?" Tidus asked, looking up at Auron who was sitting quietly away from the circle.

Auron looked at him. "Yes. It is, after all her job. She was hired to assassinate him and that is all I know."

"That means she's on our side, right?" Wakka asked.

Auron stood up and walked near the entrance to look at the moon, while everyone watched him quietly. "I know she is. She was the one who told me that Kai would be just over the mountains."

"Are you sure she was telling the truth?" Rikku asked. "I mean, isn't it odd how she disappears so fast without us even knowing where she'd gone?"

"That's how she became," Auron replied. "She's turned skillfull and cold after I left her."

No one said anything after that.



****************



Morning quickly came faster than she anticipated. She sat, her eyes staring into nothingness. She could still feel him on top of her, invading her every soul, probing her mind with his. It was as if he ripped her whole heart apart, by the cruelty that he created himself. She was no longer whole. She was now just a piece of meat to be passed around with. Lulu wrapped her arms around herself, shivering as a cold breeze blew pass her naked body. Kai was gone, leaving her to wallow in self-defeat. She no longer feels herself. She felt like someone else. Where was everyone when she needed their help? Where were they when she cried out their names while Kai invaded every part of her? Lulu grabbed her pillow from behind and wrapped her arms around it fully, burying her face against it. How could she have gone weak? With one last breath, Lulu cried against the pillow, until she grew tired and fell asleep.



****************



"I see you found your way here," he spoke, taking a step forward. He curled a strand of hair behind his ear and looked at her, folding his arms across his chest. "I applaud you for that."

The sun was shining against her pale skin as she stepped out of the shade and into the beautiful morning sun. She winced at his sarcasm and took out her sword. "If you go with me quietly I won't have to kill you."

Kai did not budge.

She approached him, sword in hand and lifted her weapon up so the sharp end made contact with the delicate skin of his neck. "Didn't you hear what I said? Give up now, Kai and maybe I won't torture you. Maybe."

Kai lifted up a hand. Alarmed, Cess looked up, pointing his sword to his hand and moved her head to look at him, but before she could even react, the man had one hand around her small neck. Kai glared at her, his eyes boring holes through her head. "Torture me? You can torture me all you like, until you catch me!" He gripped his large hand tightly around Cess' neck and smirked. "No one can keep me away from her!"

"Who said (cough) anything (cough) about her?! (cough)." Cess lifted up a leg and with all her strength, kicked Kai where it hurts. Kai stepped back in pain, stumbling back in shock as a pain surge through his body. He was forced to let go of Cess. Cess quickly grabbed both his arms and pulled them back behind him. She put her arm around his neck and aimed the sharp end of her sword against his neck. "You think you're so slick as to kill me like that! It's not as easy as you think killing me. I'm going to be the one to take you down once and for all!"

Kai laughed. "Oh so this is about your glory and riches, is that it? Very good there, Cess! I applaud you for that as well. You really surprise me. With your ex-boyfriend coming back in your life, who else is going to stop you from killing me? I know you better than that fool! You can't kill anyone! You're still hung up on him! He's the reason why you haven't actually killed anyone!"

"Shut up!" Cess harshly spoke in his ear. "Who says I don't have the guts? I've waited five years for this! It's time I finish my job, get my money and put you in detention for good!"

"You've chased me for five years, that I'm surprised you haven't found me attractive!"

"The only thing I'm ever going to find attractive about you is your head on a platter!" Cess yelled, ready to swipe the sword through his neck. However, Kai was faster. He grabbed the sword before it could kill him and gripped it tightly between his hands, making his hands bloody. Cess fought to take the sword from him, but Kai had grown much stronger than usual and pulled the sword away from him.

"You are an annoying woman, you know that?" Kai spoke, irritably. "I can easily kill you with my bare hands!" He broke the sword with both his hands with barely any effort and dropped the pieces on the ground. He walked slowly towards her.

"I was born to make a living hell out of you!" She charged forward, with just her fists and instincts. Cess barely managed to make a punch as Kai dodged every single one of her attacks. With a surprising look, Cess quickly drew another sword from her back, without Kai's knowledge and charged back at him again. She cast thunder on him, one that was stronger, but slower for Kai's tastes. He used shield to block the attack and retaliated with Waterga, the attack surrounding her. The blue mist danced around her, ready to drown her, but Cess fought back with her sword technique, the Blade of the Immortal. It swiped through the Waterga attack with one blow, dissipating it whole. Kai was more surprised of that.

"You're very persistent, aren't you?" Kai spoke, putting his arms down. "I can understand why you were hired by him. You're one of the strongest assassins that were able to withstand my Waterga attack with just one pathetic sword technique. But that won't stop me. All assassins fall dead with the rest of my magic."

"I quiver in fear," Cess replied, with no emotions whatsoever from her words.

Kai smirked. "Well, I'm glad you're telling me how you feel." He lifted up both his hands and smiled even wider, showing her that his next attack would be an unbeatable one. Suddenly, Kai's whole body started to glow bright. His eyes were now a deep shade of red and his hair has turned into a dark black from its usual color. Cess' eyes glowed in astonishment. She felt an immense power, a power so great it was forcing her to back away. "I'll show you what I can do," he hissed. He lifted his head up into the sky and the glow grew brighter, even giving out a blast that sent chills down Cess' spine.



****************



Auron opened his eyes. He suddenly felt a very powerful, yet evil aura somewhere. He got up from his sleeping position and slowly crept outside into the moonlight. Kimhari had his head rested against his chest, his eyes half closed. He was standing near the entrance, as usual, when he heard footsteps. Kimahri looked up and noticed the tall man walking out of the cave, his eyes blankly staring into nothing.

"What is matter, Sir Auron?" Kimahri whispered, his deep voice quiet, not wanting to disturb the others sleep.

Auron looked at him. "I feel something, Kimahri. I am certain that Kai is nearby. I want you to stay here while I go on ahead. Tell the others not to follow me."

"Why?" Kimahri asked, placing his large hand on Auron's shoulder to stop him.

"Because it's much too dangerous for all of them. It's best that I go on ahead on my own so I can stop Kai."

Kimahri put his arm back down. "Tidus say... we are a team."

Auron nodded. "I understand that. You all have been a great help to me. They can catch up with me later if they want, but they look tired. You should rest too, Kimahri. Just let them know where I have gone."

Kimahri finally nodded. He watched on as Auron grabbed the wall behind him and started climbing. As quickly as they have climbed back up halfway, Auron disappeared behind the rocks and into somewhere that Kimahri is uncertain of. "Please, be careful, friend," he whispered mostly to himself.



****************



She fought hard, but her energy was dying away from her previous contact against the wall where Kai had thrown her at least fifty feet into the air. Cess struggled for her strength as she stood up once again, not willing to give up easily. "Still not giving up?" she heard Kai speak. Blood ran at the corner of her mouth. Her cape was torn to pieces and her left shoulder pad made of metal was scattered to pieces, leaving her shoulders bare with just a fabric of her black shirt.

"I never give up my prize!" Cess spoke back. She felt herself up in the air like before. She flew once more into the air and was smashed against the same wall, her back cracked hard. She could feel her bones crushing. Cess fell on the floor, bleeding.

Kai walked towards her, admiring the woman's courage. "I'm surprised you're still alive after a dozen of beatings from me. I suggest you give up your so-prize and let me kill you fast."

Cess placed an arm across her stomach and stood up once again. "I would rather be eaten by Cerberus than be beaten by you!" she yelled, grasping her sword with her other hand tightly.

"Cess!" She heard a deep voice yell. It was as if God was there himself, but Cess' vision was flooded with the blood from her battle that she could not tell who it was. She could recognize the voice though, but she wasn't certain.

The voice has brought attention to Kai. He turned around and raised an eyebrow at the sight of a man dressed in red, wearing round glasses. "I see," he said, realizing who it was. "You're here to rescue her and then once you're done with me, you're going to bring Lulu back."

"That's exactly what I'm going to do!" Auron spoke, threatening him with a point of his large sword from its sheath. Auron stepped forward, glancing at the horrible shape Cess was now in. He had beaten Cess really good and this made him ache. "What have you done to her?!"

Kai glanced at the woman and smirked. "I did some controlling on the girl. She really is a stubborn woman."

Auron gritted his teeth in frustration, grasping his hand tightly around the handle of his sword. "You really think you can just hit anyone you please without even saying sorry?"

"Well... maybe just a little," Kai spoke. He jerked his hand towards him, casting Thundaga on the man. Auron dodged the attack, then got up quickly and charged at him. Kai did not have time to react as the tall man swiped his large sword at his arm, leaving a gash on his arm. Kai stumbled back, crying in pain at the damage left by Auron. Kai looked at him, his pupils narrowing in annoyance. Kai cast shield on himself and protect, surprised at how fast the man was along with his large sword. "You know, you swordsmen really annoy the hell out of me. Thanks to you, you really ruined my happy day! I just bedded the woman I have always wanted and now this!"

Bedded? Auron paused, his eyes glowing in astonishment. Did he just say what he thought he heard? "What did you do to Lulu?!'

Kai smirked. "I'm sorry to say that Lulu is mine now. She and I have joined souls together and there is nothing you can do about it! Hah! Hah! Hah!" He raised both his hands and cast Waterga towards Auron. The same blue attack that failed to kill Cess surrounded Auron. With his thoughts on Lulu and Kai together, Auron did not have time to react in order for him to escape his attack. Kai watched as the blue wall shrunk in size, ready to drown anyone who was trapped in it.

"Ice!" a feminine voice spoke.

Kai furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. He glanced at Cess, who seemed to be half dead, so the voice he heard could not have come from her. But who? He glanced behind him and noticed Lulu, dressed now in her usual black attire standing there, her eyes as cold as ever. "Lulu! Stop! You're going to destroy my Waterga!"

Lulu said nothing. The blue water that surrounded Auron froze from Lulu's ice attack, stopping it from shrinking. Auron looked up and noticed Lulu standing there; with the same, cold look she usually wore on her face. He brandished his sword high over his hand and broke the ice dome around him. The wall broke in pieces on the floor. Kai jerked his head at Auron and hissed. "Grrr! You're going to pay for that!"

Auron ran towards him, keeping his sword high in the air. He ran faster and before Kai could react, he gave another gash across his stomach. Kai looked at him in disbelief. Blood poured from his gut and Kai landed on his knees on the floor. Auron watched his whole body fall to the ground, until he no longer moved. He ran quickly to Cess, who, in his relief was still alive and looked up as Lulu made her way towards them.

"Is she all right?" Lulu asked quietly.

Auron nodded. "She'll be fine. How are you?"

Lulu looked away and said nothing. She would rather not talk about it.

"You're not going anywhere! I am not letting anyone else have you!" Auron jerked his head at Kai, who was already up in his knees, lifting up two small daggers in his hands and flung them towards Lulu. Auron ran towards her, the daggers just a few inches ahead of him. With his speed, he wrapped his arms around Lulu and they both fell began to fall. It took Auron and Lulu a couple of seconds until they realized that they were floating on air, falling out of the mountain and into somewhere. Auron wrapped his arms tightly around Lulu and everything else after that was darkness.

The last thing he heard was Lulu screaming at the top of her lungs.































GoodGurl: Uh-oh! What has the two gotten themselves into now? Well, sorry for the long wait everyone. I was jut waiting for more ideas that's all! ^_^; Anywayz, see ya next time on...da da da! The next, When the Night Fades chapter!