Thanks for your reviews! I got like 5 the first day I posted this, that's awesome! I appreciate it. I'm glad that you guys think I can write for these characters :). This chapter is for you Sarah :).

Disclaimer: No I don't own the rights to FFX, sadly.

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Chapter 2 of Love is Sweeter Than Thee

Feelings Like These

The Airship ride back to Besaid was quiet and somber. Yuna's remaining guardians tried vainly to cheer her up, but with no result. The ex-summoner was heartbroken, and seemed to be drawing into herself, much like Lulu had when Chappu died. If anyone understood Yuna's pain, it was the black mage.

Wakka and Rikku had gone to explore the ship, the depressing mood in the cabin being too much for them to handle. Kimahri had chosen to stay behind in Besaid, Ronsos weren't known for entering the Farplane. Cid had at first attempted to make some jokes for his niece's benefit but soon realized she wasn't to be amused. Lulu stood off to the side and watched her friend and surrogate baby sister as she sat and stared into nothingness, the loss of her beloved clearly written across her face.

After a long time Yuna stood, and without saying a word left the main cabin. Cid caught Lulu's eye and she soundlessly followed her friend. Lulu found Yuna in her room, Cid have given each of them their own room since they traveled by his Airship so often. Lulu sat next to Yuna and waited for her to say something.

Finally Yuna lifted her tear-filled eyes to her long-time friend, Lulu could hardly stand to see the pain in her bi-colored orbs; knowing that hers looked exactly the same. Lulu leaned over and wrapped her arms around Yuna in a hug. The young ex-summoner burst into tears. Lulu rubbed her back gently, but didn't say a word. Nothing could be said. After a time, Yuna's sobs faded into hic-ups. She pulled out of the mage's embrace. Yuna's tear-streaked face stared into Lulu's empathetic one.

"It hurts." Yuna said brokenly. Lulu's scarlet eyes were soft.

"I know."

Yuna knew how well that Lulu knew. Most people say that they 'know and understand' but have never felt the same depth of loss and pain that Yuna was going through. She knew that Lulu went through the same thing though with Chappu even though she never spoke of him.

"Does it hurt this bad....forever?" Yuna asked, her voice raspy from crying so hard. Lulu averted her eyes so she wouldn't have to see the heartbreaking look in Yuna's.

"Yes." Lulu admitted softly. Yuna sniffed.

"I'm sorry Lulu." she said quietly. Lulu shook her head.

"No need to apologize Yuna. You are hurt, I understand." Lulu stood quickly and swiftly left the room. They both knew, that was not how Yuna meant it.

~ ~ ~

Once the Airship dropped them back in Besaid, Yuna went into her hut and shut the door. Rikku went to follow but Lulu grabbed her shoulder.

"She needs to be alone." Lulu told the young Al Bed, gently but firmly. Rikku sighed.

"But Yunie needs to have someone to cheer her up." Rikku pleaded with the older woman. She desperately wanted to make her cousin feel better.

"You won't be able to, not for a long time." Lulu spoke from experience. Rikku glanced back to Yuna's hut.

"Alright." she said sadly, then wandered off into the village.

Wakka turned to see Lulu stride off towards her own hut. Taking Lulu's own advice he chose to let her be, for now.

They had arrived back on the island in the evening and soon the sun was set, it's last pink and blue rays fading into darkness. The villagers in Besaid kept a bonfire going almost every night, so they could have warmth and time to congregate in the evenings. None of them knew the emotional turmoil of their summoner, but they accepted Wakka's excuse on her behalf that she was too tired from their journey to come out of her hut.

It was close to midnight when most of the villagers went off to bed. Rikku had retired to her hut as well, she had trouble dealing with the heavy atmosphere. Wakka peeked into Yuna's hut, to see her curled up on the couch in the fetal position, fast asleep. His heart ached for her. Gently, he picked her up and carried Yuna to her bedroom and tucked her in. Sighing he quietly left her house and continued to Lulu's, he wanted to be sure she was alright. He was in for a surprise when he found her hut empty.

"Lu?" Wakka called into the darkness. He hadn't seen her since they got back to Besaid, and she wasn't at the bonfire either. Wakka recalled Lulu once confessing to him that she liked to go to a lake in the woods to think. Wakka figured he had a good chance of finding her there.

Walking through the forest quickly, but quietly he soon found her lake. It wasn't that large but it had a small island in the middle and the water was clean and clear. Coming out from the trees he saw Lulu in the water. She was deep enough that the water rose to chest, her hair was wet and she had her back to him. Slowly so as not to startle her, he waded into the water.

Sensing a presence behind her Lulu peered behind her shoulder and met Wakka's eyes. He almost fell in shock, Lulu's eyes had tears streaming from them. Wakka paused, uncomfortable in her presence suddenly. Lulu turned her head back around, looking away from him.

Wakka slowly came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. Lulu stiffened, but did not pull away. His arms were wrapped around her shoulders loosely from behind and he bent his head to rest his chin on her bare shoulder. After a few minutes Lulu relaxed and leaned back into his embrace.

The water was cool and completely still as they stood there, in the middle of the lake. Lulu's wet braids tickled the side of Wakka's face and he nuzzled into her hair. One of his hands rested on the wet fur on the top of her dress, and he played with it absently. Lulu didn't seem to mind, and for that Wakka was pleased.

For so long she had avoided touch with him. Wakka did not pretend to not understand why. There was always that impassable rift between them, no matter that they had been best friends their whole lives. Wakka did not know if Lulu felt anything for him beyond friendship, though he did towards her. Wakka was disinclined to say anything because of the obvious, she had been engaged to his brother. Wakka's self-respect dropped at that thought. He was awful for wanting his dead-brother's ex, but he couldn't help it. Wakka had loved her his whole life. To see Chappu be the one to make her happy, and make her laugh was like stabbing his heart with broad-sword. Wakka was honorable though, and never said a word about his feelings, now it was too late. He had cared about both of them too much to do something atrocious to break them apart. Lulu and Chappu had been the two most important people in his life, save Yuna.

Lulu inwardly berated herself for letting herself be held by Wakka. It was bad enough he had seen her shed tears. Lulu was scared to let down her front, even in front of her best friend. Ha, best friend, isn't that ironic? Lulu thought sourly. For the past year or so Lulu had developed deeper affection for Wakka than merely friends. Of course, she never said anything because she had been in love with his brother. What would Chappu say if he knew that she had fallen in love with his brother after he died? What kind of person did that make her? The first brother gets killed so she moves onto the other? Lulu would not let herself behave so despicably, despite what she might feel for the blitz-ball player. Besides, Lulu reasoned with herself, it's not as if Wakka would consider it. She would most likely lose his friendship if she said anything.

So, they stood together late at night in the water, Wakka wrapped around Lulu, and they both savored it for all they could. Neither suspected that the other longed for this to be the norm, for this to be expected and acceptable. They both respected Chappu too much to do anything with each other.

Lulu couldn't help it, she let more tears fall, making ripples in the water when they met it. Wakka nuzzled her again.

"I'm here for you Lu." Wakka whispered barely audible into her ear. Lulu gave a nod of acknowledgement to what he had said. Closing her eyes, Lulu promised herself she would never let a situation like this arise again; but for the moment she cherished it.

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I am a believer in quality over quantity. I hope you guys liked this chapter. I don't know when the next one will be out, so encourage me with your reviews!

love

elvenangel