"You're dead."

The smile which graced Chappu's face, fell. It was replaced by a stern look. A hard set of the eyes.

Yevon, he looked so much like Tidus that it nearly scared her.

"But I'm alive! The reports of my death were false!"

"I severely doubt that." Lulu's face was cold. Her eyes glittered like garnets, hard red gems. Her lips were pursed until the line of her mouth was simply a slash.

Like the others, she too, had been sucked into Sin. The great, pulsating mass had swept the area with seawater, and then pulled the whole of it inwards. And like the others, she too, had blacked out. When she came to, she had been laying on the beach at Besaid. The sun shone down on her, and made her eyes tear up. It caressed her skin, and warmed her. The sea breeze floated in. The white sand beneath her was a pleasent heat against her skin. The sea glittered just as she remembered it.

She was naked, unarmed. To her amazement, she was no longer wounded. The great bandage no longer covered her side. She was no longer aching from her illness.

And that was what told her that this wonderous illusion was not all it seemed. Then Chappu came, with his blinding red hair, and his wonderfully blue eyes.

"Lulu, sweetie, don't be like this. I'm here. I'm alive!"

"No. You're not here. You're dead."

"Lulu!"

Lulu folded her arms, and stared at the illusion in growing anger.

"I saw your body. Sin cracked your head in two pieces like a melon. Your body was crushed. I watched you go into the grave." She spat at his feet. "You are not real."

The arms that had been held out to Lulu dropped. The stern look became a glare. Chappu's eyes burned on her; turning as red as hers in fury.

This sight raised a bell of warning within Lulu's belly. She took two steps backwards, her toes sinking in the soft sand.

"You were not as easy to fool as the others."

Lulu drew in an audible breath.

Chappu's voice had become deeper, changed. More menacing. Obviously.

"I would have given you everything you wanted."

"And you would have taken my life. My soul!" Lulu held her ground. She did not allow the expression on her face to change, forcing her lips to remain in the frown, forcing her eyes to stay on his and not look away.

'Chappu' did not seem to like this.

"Is it such a great price? Spira is a vortex of death..."

"That will change."

"No, it will not. You only know the half of it, Lulu..."

'Chappu's' eyes began to melt. The white flowed down the curve of his cheeks, which began to melt downward in a river of flesh. The skin of his hands, his chest, his shoulders liquified and dripped towards the sand.

As he reached out to grasp her shoulders, with bones showing through the melted flesh, clouds began to gather in the sky. In less than a few seconds, black stormclouds blotted out the sun, the blue sky, and the sea began to churn.

Lightening struck down, cracking the trunks of trees. Rain and half began sheeting down, and the wind tore up the roots of plants and trees.

Lulu screamed.

She backed away furiously, but not nearly fast enough. 'Chappu's' hands closed on her shoulders, and she screamed in terror as the skin dripped from his face, and only a animated, grinning skeleton was left.

The sky got darker, as if night suddenly rolled in behind the black clouds. Blackness closed around, and she could only see the flashes of a screaming, white skeleton grasping her during the cracks of lightening.

Lulu screamed again.

She screamed until her throat went hoarse.

Her heart pounded in her chest, and leapt into her throat. It spasmed as if it were about to explode, and blood drained from her head.

She screamed, and tried to tear free from the skeleton, but it held her in a grip of iron. The sharp fingerbones, where they gripped her, slashed deep into her skin, deep into the muscle beneath.

And just when the terror reached it's peak, her heart gave out, and stopped. It lay silent and prone within her ribcage.

The world went black.

The day had been good.

When Wakka had finally been able to pull his lips away from Lulu's, he taken her hand, and they had strolled along the beach until the sun had started to dip towards the horizon. The sky painted itself red then, and the two had retreated to a sand dune to sit, and watch the setting of the sun, with hands and heart twined together.

Wakka had stepped into the very gate of the Farplane. He did not think he could be happier if he tried.

When the night fell, Lulu had taken his hand, and led him through the forest. To his amazement, there was the village of Besaid. It was just as he remembered it. The great bonfire was lit in the center plaza. The townspeople were gathered about. A huge feast had been spread, and there were oceans of ale and wine flowing.

Wakka saw Yuna and Tidus, sitting together, hands clasped. He saw Kimahri standing guard, arms crossed, as Rikku stood talking to him enthusiastically.

Auron was plunked down in the center of a group of elders. He sat, drinking sake with the old men, and regaling them with tales. Music played, and there were dancers circling the bonfire.

Lulu led him to the side of the bonfire, and they joined the dance. She was not ashamed of her nakedness, and Wakka found that he could think of no reason why she should be. She held out her arms, making small motions with her fingers. She clinked bells together with her fingers, and Wakka found he could not think of where she had gotten the bells.

He could only watch Lulu's hips swaying in the light of the fire. He could only watch her tiny feet step in and out of the steps. He watched as her long hair swung. She danced inwards towards the fire, teasing it, offering herself to it, and then stepped backwards, laughing as she refused.

Wakka was mesmerized. He stepped away from the line of dancers, and sat on the ground. He could not tear his eyes away from Lulu. She was the most beautiful, and sensual vision he had ever seen.

Lulu caught sight of him as she turned around, and she laughed. Then her smile turned smoldering, and she began to dancer towards him. The drumbeat seemed to carry her. The mournful strain of a flute seemed to be in synchronization with her swaying hips. Lulu danced to where Wakka sat, and stood over him.

She clinked those tiny bells together in time with the music. Her little feet traced designs in the dirt before him. Her eyes never let his go anywhere else except for on her.

Eventually, the flute died off. The drumbeat slowed to the slow, gentle beat, and Wakka found his own heartbeat mirrored in the pounding.

Lulu stretched a hand down to him. Wakka's went up to it before he could even think.

Gently, with feet still moving in dance steps, Lulu pulled him to his feet. She brushed the hair back over one shoulder, and her breast shone in the light of the fire. Her nipple was dark red, so very rosey, and Wakka could not tear his eyes away from that one naked breast.

Her finger went up to tip his chin upwards, forcing Wakka to look into her eyes. They smoldered at him.

Wakka opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out. Lulu placed her finger on his lips, to hush him.

Turning away, with her hand still entwined with his, she led him to her hut. The hangings that served as a door parted, and she stepped inwards. They brushed over Wakka's skin as he stepped into her home. The inside was so fragrant with the scent of her, that Wakka's head swam.

Lulu stopped, and turned backed to look at him. They stood like that, for a while, in the darkness of her hut, broken only by the thin slashes of light from the fire outside. She stood, with her hands resting on his chest.

Wakka could not draw breath.

Slowly, Lulu stretched up to stand on her tiptoe, and laid her lips against his.

Wakka's arms suddenly went about her waist, and a growl sounded in the back of his throat. He crushed her to him; his hips ground against hers. His tongue darted into her sweet mouth, and his hand slipped up to grasp her hair.

Lulu made the sweetest, softest gasping sound. It only deepened Wakka's lust.

He backed her up to her bed, and pushed her down on it. She landed with a soft thump on the pillows, and when Wakka spied her face by the light of the fire outside, there was a smile on her lips.

He bent, and stripped off those green shorts, which were the only thing hiding his nudity, and his desire for her. They did not do such a good job at that. He nearly groaned in pain, with the strength of his desire.

A knee went down on the edge of the bed, and he leaned over her. His hardness brushed against the softness of her thighs. Wakka gasped.

Lulu's lips came up, and she nibbled on his lips. Tongue searched his mouth, and explored every fold. Damned near dying to touch her, Wakka stroked his fingertips down between her breasts. He brushed her hair away from her chest. Lips came down on the full roundness. Tongue and teeth followed. Lulu moaned, and hugged Wakka's head to her chest.

Suddenly, Wakka could not wait. He could not take this slow. He had to have Lulu naked with him, open to every touch that he wanted to lay on her body. His hands moved down to her lips, and he gently stripped the bikini bottoms from her body.

Lulu's arms wrapped around his neck, and she pulled him down on top of her. Ragged breath seeped from Wakka, who wrapped his arms around her, and rolled them so that Lulu rested on top of his body. The warm wetness between her legs brushed over Wakka. He nearly shouted his pleasure.

"Are you sure about this?" Lulu whispered to him. The tip of her warm tongue brushed his earlobe. Wakka shivered.

"Yes."

"Do you want me for the rest of your life?" Her voice came teasing, but Wakka tightened his arms around her waist, and pressed himself against her. Lulu gasped in pleasure.

"You know I do, Lu." He nibbled at her jawline. "Want you with me like this forever."

"So be it." She kissed him. "Leave Yuna behind forever."

Her words penetrated the fog in Wakka's brain. It struck him as not right. Wakka frowned. Lulu kissed him once more, but when she moved away, Wakka looked up at her, confused.

"What you mean, leave Yuna behind forever? She's right outside."

"No, she's not."

"Huh?"

"She's in Bevelle, and you're laying half-dead in the Sanubia Sands, on Bikanel Island."

Wakka gaped at her. What was this? He was laying in Lulu's bed in Besaid. But...

"You are mine." Lulu's eyes focused on him. He stared up into those crimson eyes in horror as fire began to glow in them. The dark lips parted, and her teeth were jagged, bloody, Yevon...every one of them a fang. A hand reached up, and Wakka watched, terrified, as the nails grew out to claws, talons, and she closed that hand around his throat.

With a scream, Wakka braced his hands at Lulu's shoulders, and shoved her off of him. He heared the crash of glass breaking, and knick-knacks hitting the floor. But in his panic to leave, he did not even think of that broken glass, and as he launched himself from the bed, his bare feet came down on the shards.

Wakka was barely aware that the scream which ripped through the air was coming from him. With a few swift strides, he was at the entrance of the hut.

But he would go no further.

"Burn!" A hate-filled voice behind him hissed.

And just as he turned to watch the woman that he loved become a beast, an inferno engulfed his body.

Agony ripped through him. He burned, screamed, and burned some more until there was nothing but blackness.

The coldness of Lulu's cruel laughter followed him into oblivion.

He felt his strong child kick beneath his fingers. Lulu's soft laughter tinkled through the room, and it forced a smile on Auron's face. How could the world be bad when Lulu laughed? How could he do anything other than smile, when Lulu was happy?

His child.

How he'd wanted a child. How he'd wanted these maester's robes on his back.

How he wanted Lulu.

And here she was, with a golden band on her finger, with his baby in her belly.

Auron wished he could raise up his voice to the heavens, and dance with his joy.

That little voice in the back of his head cried out in happiness with him.

See. You got all that you wanted, because you deserve it, it said.

Auron wished that voice had a face, a body, so that he could embrace that body, and look on that face and called it friend.

"Where is everyone?" Auron asked Lulu. "Where's the rest of the group? I want to see them."

"Everyone's downstairs, waiting."

"Yuna? Tidus? Wakka? Everyone?"

Lulu's eyes faded a bit, and she looked away. Auron did not fail to notice this. His fingers went to her chin, and he faced her back at him.

"What's wrong?"

"You know that Yuna isn't there."

Auron frowned.

"What? Where is she?"

Lulu's went back up to his, snapping sudden anger.

"You know she's dead, Auron." She glared at him. "This game isn't funny."

"I didn't..." He stared at her in surprise. Yuna dead? "Pretend that I don't know for a second. Humour me. How did she die?"

"In childbirth. She married Seymour, and died giving birth to his child." Lulu's voice dripped disgust. "You should know. You did her sending, after all."

"I...? But I am no summoner."

"You are a maester."

With a pained frown on her face, Lulu turned from him. She wrenched her hand away from his, and crossed the room to leave. Auron's voice halted her at the door.

"Wait. What of Yuna's pilgrimage?"

"She gave it up." Lulu looked back over her shoulder at Auron. "Tidus convinced her to stop, but she married Seymour when Tidus died."

Auron was shocked. He gaped at her.

"How did Tidus die?"

Lulu looked away from him. Her voice held dissapointment, as if she were ashamed of him, that he did not remember these things.

"He was murdered." She said softly.

There was heavy silence in the room. Lulu stood for a moment, with her head bowed.

And then she exited the room, leaving Auron frozen in shock.

Tidus...murdered? Yuna dead in childbirth?

This wasn't how it was supposed to be. They're supposed to be alive.

You know everything doesn't work out exactly how it's supposed to be, the little voice said.

But not Yuna and Tidus!

"That's the price." A deep voice rang out behind Auron.

Auron's head snapped to the side, to look behind him. He turned.

It must be my day for shocks, he thought.

Nothing had changed about the man. The wild hair, the multi-coloured pants and bare feet. The garish tattoo across his chest.

"Jecht." Auron muttered, turning to face his old friend.

"You're late, Auron."

"I'm right on time."

"Heh." Jecht snorted, as if he could beg to differ,and crossed his arms before him.

"What is all this?" Auron asked, gesturing around the room, plucking at his robe.

"It's what you always wanted. But it looks like you drove your little woman out of the room. Maybe you were asking too many questions?"

"But Tidus and Yuna aren't supposed to die."

"Shit happens. People die." Jecht's voice was flat, and hard.

Auron stared at him thoughtfully.

"This is not what the Jecht of ten years ago would have said."

"I ain't Jecht from ten years ago!" The man snapped. His voice rose several decibals.

"You want all this, you know the price!"

"Tidus and Yuna's lives? Is that all?"

Jecht did not answer. Auron's hand came up and began to unbutton the collar of the maester's robes. Jecht watched this with a hateful glint in his eyes.

"That's not all, is it?"

Jecht was silent.

Auron pondered. So long as he lived, Tidus and Yuna could not die. He would see this whole thing through to the end. He knew that. How then could they both die? Yuna, as Lulu had said, in Seymour's child-bed? Tidus from a knife in the dark?

Auron stared at Jecht in silence, thinking.

And it dawned on him.

If Auron was not there to prevent Tidus from doing so, he would pressure Yuna to quit her pilgrimage. Tidus would be murdered, and Yuna would marry Seymour, only to die later.

That was...if the things Lulu had told him were actually the events as they would happen.

And all it would take for all this to happen, was for Auron to die.

Or be taken from reality, as the case may be.

Jecht's eyes narrowed. He was able to read Auron's thoughts. This room that Auron stood in was not reality. It was inside his head.

"You figured it out." Jecht nodded towards a portait that showed Auron and Lulu, presumedly on their wedding day. "You want it? Pay the price."

"It wouldn't be her." Auron said. "Not really."

"I can make 'er as real as you want 'er."

"No." Auron yanked the maester's robes from his body.

Jecht glared at him.

"Yer gonna pay for that." He hissed. "No one denies Sin."

Clawed hands closed around Auron's throat from behind. He choked. He could not draw a breath, so tight was the grip, and the blood began to pound in his head.

From the corner of his eye, he could see Lulu's sweet face, albeit with a few changes. Her flesh was bloated, and washed out, as if she'd been floating in the water for several days, dead. The tip of her nose was chewed off. Her eyes were white with cataracts. Her tongue swelled out of her mouth, and her hair lay in tangled clumps.

Auron wanted to scream. His dead heart began to pump.

"Take a good look at 'er, Auron. That's what she's gonna look like when I'm through with her."

No! Auron's mind screamed out at him. He closed his hands around the hands at his throat, and to his horror, the flesh tore off and slid beneath his hands. He felt the brittle bones beneath snap, and he could not get a hand-hold.

Bile rose in his throat at the great stench of the rotten flesh. He began to gag.

"You ready?" Jecht asked him.

Auron's eyes snapped to him. Powerless, held by Lulu's rotting corpse behind him, he watched as Jecht drew back the wicked curved blade.

Thought I gave that sword to Tidus, Auron thought, just before the blade descended on him, and his world went to black.