I am so sorry I haven't updated in so long. I was really stuck as I said in my author's note and I couldn't think of anything good. Truth be told I'm not sure how this will turn out but I figured I owed it to my reviewers to get something out. Thank you for being so patient with me. So here's the next chapter.

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Chapter 4 of Love is Sweeter Than Thee

Healing

Six months later...

Yuna had gone through the grieving process and was able to cope much better with the loss of Tidus. For the past few weeks Yuna was even cheerful again, and could be heard laughing at a joke Rikku had told her. Everyone was still careful not to mention Tidus though, because she would get a look of profound sadness and not speak for days. Yuna told Lulu once, not too long ago that if it wasn't for her she would never have been able to move on. Lulu had told her she was glad she could help so much, though secretly she wished that she had not gone through the experience at all.

As Lulu talked Yuna through her heartbreak it assisted in mending her own. She no longer dreamed of Chappu every night, waking with tears running down her cheeks. Whenever Yuna would ask a question about how much she missed him and if the pain ever left, Lulu was able to answer without going into a depression. Wakka had noticed that she seemed happier as well. Happier for Lulu anyway, she was still the secluded black mage she had always been.

Wakka and Lulu treated each other as they always had, like the best of friends. They had not however been alone with each other either.

"Hey Lulu!" Rikku called into her hut early one morning. Lulu came out of the kitchen still in the middle of braiding her long tresses.

"Yes?" Lulu asked in her cool voice.

"Me and Yuna are going to go shopping in Luca. You wanna come?" The blond asked practically bouncing up and down at the thought. Lulu hid her smile.

"I really don't need anything new Rikku. You and Yuna go ahead."

"Aww come on Lulu!" Rikku whined and gave her puppy dog eyes. Lulu shook her head.

"Really, you two will have more fun without me." Lulu replied and went back into the kitchen and set herself at the table. Rikku ever persistent followed the sorceress.

"Please Lulu, it'll be really fun!" Rikku gave one of Lulu's long black braids a tug as she said this. Lulu gave Rikku a look.

"Do you want me to use Thunder to make you leave my house?" She said deadpan. Rikku gave a squeal and bolted out the door. Lulu chuckled to herself.

"Works every time."

Half an hour later when she was finally done braiding her hair she went out into the bright Besaid sunshine. Her long black leather dress attracted heat like nothing else and Lulu hurried to find some shade. Stepping under the awning of the local fruit vender Lulu saw Wakka strolling up the street towards her. Lulu quickly paid for two Papayas and walked out to meet him.

"Here." She said by way of greeting and put one of the fruit into his hands. Wakka smiled at her and took a bite.

"I thought you had gone shopping with Yuna and Rikku?" Wakka said as they strolled towards the beach. Lulu arched a thin eyebrow.

"Did you?" Wakka chuckled.

"Guess I shoulda known better ya?"

Lulu did not dignify his statement with a response. She took another bite of her Papaya.

When they reached the beach Wakka slipped off his sandals and strode into the surf. Wakka beckoned her forward but Lulu stayed where she was.

"Wanna go for a swim?" He asked splashing around. Lulu politely declined.

"No."

"You used ta love ta swim Lu." Wakka prodded. Lulu wavered as she watched Wakka strip down to his Blitzball shorts. Looking back at her Wakka went deeper and started swimming in circles.

"You want me to beg ya?"

Lulu laughed, a clear ringing sound that made Wakka's skin tingle. Bending down she unlaced her tall boots, then reached behind her to unlace her dress. Although it didn't look like she could wear anything under her in-some-places revealing dress, Lulu wore a skintight black sleeveless one piece that she swam in. Shrugging out of her heavy dress Lulu set it out of the tide's reach and waded into the cool water. Wakka tried not to stare.

"Happy?" Lulu said coolly. Wakka just nodded and went under the water. Lulu swam out further to where she could just touch the sand with her toes and have her head still be above water. Looking around she could not see Wakka and wondered whether he had swam out deeper. Suddenly, Lulu felt hands clasp her ankles and let out a very uncharacteristic shriek as her companion unceremoniously pulled her under the water. Wakka let go almost immediately and she surfaced with a look that could that could crack the ice mountains on Mt. Gagazet. Wakka had the grace to look sheepish as he poked his head above the water.

Wakka saw Lulu mutter something under her breath and had a moments curiosity before he felt and electric shock run through his body that made him jerk violently.

"Ouch Lu!" Wakka cried. Lulu looked very smug with herself.

"Amazing how water conducts my Thunder spell so well, don't you think?" Lulu said in all seriousness. Wakka grumbled.

Now even, they swam without antagonizing each other too much for most of the day. That evening Lulu and Wakka were sitting by the village fire together on the same log when Yuna and Rikku returned with many packages looking tired but happy.

"It's a shame you didn't come shopping with us Lulu." Yuna said as she sat down by them.

"Thank you Yuna, but I enjoyed my afternoon all the same."

Lulu sensed rather than saw the gleeful grin that now spread across Wakka's face.

Yuna noticed as well and smiled to herself knowingly.

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I know that my chapters aren't very long and I apologize for that. This is a bring you up to date and filler chapter. I hope you guys enjoyed it, I liked writing it. Please review.

love

elvenangel