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Tidus leaned over Yuna and gave her a soft kiss on the lips... a pleading sort of kiss, begging her to wake up. He squeezed her hand and stared off into the distance, musing over different ways to kill the fiend that had put her in danger.
"Hey, looks like it worked, ya?" Wakka said. Tidus looked down at Yuna and saw her eyelids fluttering.
Darkness surrounded Yuna and she was desperately trying to fight it off. Where was she, and what were they doing to her? She felt a hand close tightly around her own and pushed it away with all her might. "Get off of me! Get away!" she cried in her semiconscious state.
Tidus fell over, half from her push and half from pure surprise. "Yuna, it's me." He laced his fingers through hers and gripped her firmly, yet tenderly. She continued to struggle, not knowing where she was or who she was with. She managed to get a hand free and scratched him.
"Let her go brudda, she's going to hurt you," Wakka told Tidus.
Tidus grabbed her hand again. "No, if I do she might hurt herself. Just wait." He turned back to Yuna and said in a comforting voice, "Yuna, it's okay. Shh, it's just me."
Yuna's struggles died down and she blinked away the darkness at last. She looked around, her eyes still a bit blurry, and found Tidus' face. "Tidus." Her eyes traced the room, slowly recognizing her surroundings. "Besaid." She looked relieved, almost as relieved as Tidus.
"Oh thank goodness you're okay." He hugged her tight. "You are okay, right?"
"I thought we told you not to do that again, ya?" Wakka scolded.
"I'm sorry," she apologized, not sure what she was sorry for, or even sure she was really okay.
Rikku rushed in holding a bottle in her hand. Lulu was carrying some shards of broken glass, not far behind "I got the pot-- Yunie! You're awake!" She ran over and hugged her. "Yunie? Are you all right? You look kind of funny." Lulu was kneeling by the couch beside Tidus, running her fingers over Yuna's hair.
"I -I, think so. Yes, I'm fine," she assured them.
Tidus could tell she was distressed just by looking at her. "She just needs some air. You guys are crowding her too much."
They all quickly backed off (except Tidus) and Yuna breathed a little sigh of relief. Rikku noticed Tidus hadn't moved even though he was the one saying they should back off. What made him so special? She tried not to be upset, she was glad Yunie was okay and all, but she was her cousin after all. She pushed the pang of jealousy away, trying to remember that Yuna's well being was what was important.
Yuna was absently running her fingers along Tidus' hand and arm and saw the long scratches she had inflicted. "You're hurt."
He looked down. "Oh, that's nothing. I'll be fine. Don't worry about it."
"Looks like somebody's fingernails did it," she commented.
Not wanting her to feel guilty, he tried to think of an explanation. "Well, uh, you know, it's no big deal. I'm such a klutz, you know, and--"
"I did it, didn't I?" she interrupted.
"You didn't mean to. Don't worry about it, Yuna," he assured her.
"Let me heal it," she offered, and raised her hand to case Cure.
Lulu jumped in. "Don't Yuna. You need your strength."
"But--"
"She's right. Rikku, where's that potion?" Tidus questioned.
"Oh!" Rikku rummaged in her pockets, having put it away when she noticed Yuna was awake. "Here it is."
Tidus poured a bit onto the scratch and it healed most of the way. "See? No problem."
Yuna nodded even though she could still see a faded mark. If she had done it, that wouldn't be there. Deciding to change she subject, she asked, "How did you find me?"
"We found that page you ripped from the book hidden in the bottom of that box in your room," Wakka told her.
"I found," Rikku corrected.
"You went through my things?" Yuna questioned.
"They found," Rikku said, changing her mind about wanting the credit.
"We only did what we had to," Lulu said.
"Yeah! If you hadn't been hiding it from us in the first place we wouldn't of had to go looking for it," Wakka complained, still hurt that she didn't trust him.
Tidus jumped to her defense. "Hey, hey. Leave her alone. We did what we had to and she did what she had to."
"Yeah, but--" Wakka started.
"Enough. It doesn't matter now, does it?" Lulu told them all in a "drop it or learn what a black mage really is" tone of voice.
"You didn't... read anything else in there... did you?" Yuna asked tentatively. If Tidus had read that poem...
"You mean that one poem where you said you wanted to--" Rikku began before Tidus clamped a hand over her mouth.
"We just glanced through it," Tidus lied. Yuna's cheeks turned bright red and she couldn't even look Tidus in the eye.
"I think-- I think I'm going to rest upstairs," she said and stood up, ready to rush away, but Tidus picked her up in his arms.
"No you don't. You need to take it easy, remember? That means no stair climbing," Tidus scolded her with a grin.
She playfully pounded him with her fists. "Put me down!"
"No way," he said while shaking his blonde hair.
Yuna feigned a distressed look, which wasn't very convincing with all her giggling. "Won't any of you help me?"
Rikku laughed at her and shook her head. "We've saved you enough for one day!"
"Put Yuna down," Kimahri said. Ronso always were a bit on the serious side.
Tidus pouted but knew better than to challenge Kimahri. "Well, okay..."
"Maybe you could put me down upstairs?" Yuna suggested and Tidus' grin came right back.
"Ooh lala!" Rikku teased.
"Upstairs we go!" Tidus exclaimed and carried Yuna up the stairs, her giggling all the way.
Rikku laughed. "They sure are happy together."
Her companions nodded in agreement. It was true, they had never seen her so carefree or happy before. She had always been so formal and proper, never sad or angry, but never really happy either. Tidus brought out a completely new side of her. Wakka looked at the glass still in Lulu's hands. "What'd she break?" he asked.
Lulu looked down and realized what he was talking about. "Just a few potions. We can buy more, but it does need to be cleaned up." She got up to take care of it but Wakka stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.
"I'll do it. You look stressed, maybe you should take it easy, ya?" Wakka told her.
"If you want," she replied. Lulu watched him head to the kitchen with an uncharacteristic, almost daydreaming look in her eyes.
"He's kind of cute, isn't he?" Rikku commented.
"What?" Lulu asked in disbelief.
"He's too old for me, you know, but still cute. Don't you think so?"
"You'd have to be out of your mind. He's so boyish, he'll never grow up. And that hair..." Lulu complained.
"I like his hair. Hey.." she said as if she had just realized something and put her finger to her chin in a thoughtful manner. "You like him, don't you?"
"Don't be ridiculous!" Lulu said, now angered.
Rikku's eyes went wide. "You do! You have a crush on Wa--" Just then Wakka walked in and Lulu gave Rikku the coldest stare that only she could give.
"What are you guys talkin' about?" he asked.
Rikku started to say something but Lulu mouthed "Thundaga" at her and she promptly shut her mouth as all the color drained from her face. "N-nothing!" Lucky for her, Wakka wasn't very perceptive, or "a bit lacking in the imagination department" as Lulu had put it, so he just shrugged it off. Lulu sat back with a smug smile, pleased with her cover up.
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Tidus dropped Yuna onto her soft bed and collapsed next to her. "You're heavier than you look!" he complained, breathing hard. She giggled and turned on her side to face him.
"I'm not that heavy," she insisted and poked him in the side, "Maybe you're just out of shape."
"Me? I defeated strong fiends, a maestor -- four times! --" he stood up now, flexing his arm muscles for effect, " and the all powerful Sin!"
This sent Yuna into a fit of laughter. He looked so silly, prancing around, showing off like that! She just laughed and laughed, enjoying the bliss and complete freedom she now had. She had never laughed so hard in her life.
Tidus looked down at her and frowned. "What's so funny?" He had to wonder if she had completely lost it.
"It's just... you... when..." She managed to say between bursts of laughter and gulps of air, but quickly gave up the hopeless cause.
He plopped down next to her, mocking offense. "Don't think I'm tough?"
She somehow managed not to laugh more at this. It wasn't that she thought he was a wuss, it was just she had always cherished how gentle he could be, and the two characteristics clashed. Besides, compared to Wakka and Kimahri -- or even the now sent Auron -- he wasn't all that tough. It wasn't really all that funny, she just enjoyed being able to laugh -- really laugh -- that much. Her laughter died down and she smiled at him. "You're wonderful," she assured him.
"Hmm. Now I'm not so sure." He scratched his chin thoughtfully.
Yuna picked up a pillow and whacked him with it. "You are!" He picked up the other pillow and tried to hit her back, but she dodged it and jumped off the bed.
"Hey!" Tidus chased her to the other side of the room. "I thought I told," he grabbed her around the waist, "you to," and tackled her back onto the bed, "take it easy!"
She giggled again. They sure weren't going to get much rest like this! He was still on top of her, having not moved after he tackled her. Yuna smiled and ran her fingers through his hair. Nothing could ever take him away again, nothing. She wouldn't let it, no matter what the cost.
Tidus watched her smile fade as her mind wandered. "What's wrong?"
"I was just... thinking..." she explained, not really explaining anything.
He cocked his head and grinned at her. "You think too much."
"Hm." She nodded and smiled back. "You're right." She stared into his eyes. It was so easy not to think then, just to get lost, lost in those clear, blue eyes... He was looking back into her own eyes, one blue, one green. Suddenly they were lost in each other, wanting nothing more than to be together, just to hold each other, kiss each other. Tidus leaned down to do just that and Yuna's lip quivered, nervous for some reason, unbeknownst to even her. Just being close to him did that to her... it was as if the world was perfect, but yet it was nothing she had ever expected, or even hoped, to have. Her whole life she had planned to defeat Sin and give her life in the process. There had never been the time, nor the need for romance. But Tidus... he made it all different.. He gave her the chance to live a life she never knew she wanted, a life she had only longed for around him. The unfamiliarity of such a future made her nervous, but she was more afraid of giving into it and then losing everything than anything else. But now his lips were touching hers, brushing against them ever so softly, and it was far too late to turn back. She put her arms around his neck and let out a contented sigh. He traced the seam on her dress with his finger.. how beautiful she was. Yuna gripped the front of his shirt and pulled him closer, not wanting an inch of space between them, and pulled the sheet over them.
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Yuna awoke with Tidus sleeping beside her, still gripping her tightly. She gently pulled his hands away from her waist, hoping not to wake him up and put on a sheer nightgown that was near the bed. It was something she would never wear in the daylight or in front of her friends, but all young girls have their secret pleasures. It was just about her only one.... until now. She glanced back at her sleeping lover, now sprawled out across her bed. He never had been formal or proper, or conformed to anything. It even showed in how he slept, and she couldn't help but laugh softly, even though she had always admired the trait, in a way. What must it be like to not care what anybody thinks? She supposed he never had to in Zanarkand, being a famous blitzball player. The fans would love anything he did. Her light feet didn't make a sound as she walked to the window, wondering if he still missed his home. The light breeze blew her hair and the salty air from the sea smelled good. There was the slightest sliver of a moon, it's light reflecting off the tallest parts of the waves just before they crumbled on the shore before them. The moon's return after the pitch black night where she had danced in the water seemed a promise of better things to come. The moon always faded and reappeared, like the waves that always crashed after reaching their most glorious moment had another close behind. Always the cycles, everything fell after it rose, and rose after it fell, cycles which could not be stopped. But nothing is impossible, she reminded herself. Everybody thought Sin's rebirth was eternal, but they had ended that. How many more truths would they destroy in the future? But for the first time in as long as she could remember, she wasn't worried. Spira's fate, the fiend that had attacked, none of these thoughts troubled her. Things would come and they would deal with them, just as they always had. Somehow she was convinced everything would be fine... amazing what a night with Tidus could do for her perspective on life. She looked over again and saw the slightest mark on his arm, leftover from the scratch she had inflicted earlier. One little spell wouldn't hurt, would it? She cast a small curing spell and the mark disappeared. A shiver raced through her body but she dismissed it to the wind. Her blonde companion stirred.
"Yuna?" he called and reached for her, finding nothing but air. "Yuna!" He jumped up and grabbed his sword, ready to slash whoever had taken her this time. Laughter drifted from the other side of the room.
How ridiculous he looked! His hair was a mess and he was only wearing boxers, yet he was about to jump on an unseen evil. She walked over to him and wrapped a bit of his hair around her finger to examine it. "And you all teased me about my bed hair!" Tidus chuckled and reached for a comb. "No, leave it. I like it," Yuna said. There was something endearing about his disheveled appearance, it was so much truer than the fancied version most people wore of themselves during the day.
His eyes took in her own appearance. "Nice outfit," he remarked. She looked down and smoothed it self consciously. Tidus pulled her close and whispered to her, "We should get back in bed. You'll be cold in that and you need your rest." She lay her head against his chest for a moment, breathing in his aroma and feeling the gentle rise and fall of his chest as he breathed before doing as he suggested. He followed, never letting go of her hand and slipped his arms back around her waist before dozing off to sleep.
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Lulu glanced impatiently up the stairs. "It's nearly midday and they're still asleep."
Rikku leaned back against the couch. "I wonder what they did last night to make them so tired?" she joked.
"You aren't suggesting..." Lulu trailed off.
"You know how they are together." Rikku made kissing noises to make sure her point was clear.
"Yuna wouldn't.. would she..?" Lulu asked, now uncertain.
"I was just joking. You shouldn't worr--" she started but stopped when she saw Lulu was already halfway up the stairs. "Lulu, wait!"
"Tidus!" Lulu yelled.
He wouldn't dare
"Tidus!!"
do that, not to her
"You better be dressed when I get up there!"
innocent, little Yuna. She slammed the door open and it banged against the wall loudly.
Rikku rushed in after her, trying desperately to restrain her. "I think we should just go dow--" Lulu tossed a thunderbolt her way and she shrieked and huddled in the corner of the room. Tidus was just beginning to wake up and Yuna was still fast asleep.
"What the?" Tidus asked when he saw Lulu in a rage. She grabbed him by the arm and dragged him out of the bed. "Hey! Watch it!"
Lulu scrutinized his attire. "Just boxers?" she asked with a stare that was just daring him to think up an excuse.
"Yeah, well, what's it to you?" Wrong answer.
Just as she was ready to perform some heavy black magic on the defenseless boy, Wakka burst in behind them. "What's going on? I heard yelling. Rikku, are you okay?" he asked when he found her curled up in a ball in a corner.
"Mmm," came a groggy moan from the bed. Yuna opened her eyes to find the entire gang in her bedroom. Even Kimahri was there, standing in the doorway, just watching as he always did. "What are you all doing in here?" she asked, somewhat embarrassed by being found in bed with Tidus.
Wakka took one look at Lulu and said, "Looks like somebody is about to get fried." Yuna gave him a pleading look, begging him to find a way to calm Lulu down. "Hey, um, Lu?"
She turned around to look him in the eye and her cold stare nearly sent him running then and there. "Yes?"
"Maybe we should... uh.. let him get dressed and give him a chance to explain?" Wakka suggested.
Lulu looked back to Tidus, who was just getting around to getting off the floor. "Fine. Get dressed.." She tossed his clothes and him and he sat down on the bed to pull his pants on. "Outside!" she boomed. He jumped at her voice and quickly gathered up the clothes and ran outside the room. After Lulu, Wakka and Kimahri left Yuna got out of bed and put on her dress. She was just about to go downstairs and make sure Lulu hadn't killed Tidus when she heard whimpering coming from the corner of her room.
"Rikku?" Rikku was still huddled against the wall, shaking. Yuna crouched down in front of her and put a hand on her shoulder. "Rikku, are you okay?" There was no response as far as she could tell. She waved her hand in front of Rikku's face, hoping to get rid of the glazed look in her cousin's wide, green eyes. Running out of ideas, she picked up a glass of water on her nightstand and dumped it on her.
"Hey! You big meanie!" Rikku jumped up and tried to shake the water off of her hair.
Yuna laughed. "I had to do something, you were in complete shock."
"You didn't have to do it like that, you know."
Yuna hugged her to make up for it. It was always a good way to calm her down. "Lulu hit you with a lightning bolt, didn't she?"
Rikku nodded. "She was really upset! I've never seen her like that. She's usually so mature and calm."
"Usually. But when something angers her..." Yuna said and laughed a little. "I remember when I was little and had recently come to Besaid. Between my father's.. death, and a town I had never seen before, I was pretty scared. Lulu had given me one of her stuffed dolls, a chocobo, to comfort me. I was outside holding it tight and this big boy came up and took it from me. He kept taunting me, holding it just out of my reach! I was near tears when Lulu came outside, raging like a storm. By the time she was done the boy was ghost white and shaking like a leaf, begging for my forgiveness!" Lulu really always had been a big sister to her, always looking out for her, even when she didn't think she needed it. Even now.
"We better go downstairs then, who knows what she'll do to Tidus!" Rikku exclaimed and ran out the door, with Yuna close behind.
Tidus was fully dressed now, sitting on the couch. Lulu was standing impatiently, casting glares at Tidus every now and then. Kimahri almost seemed to be enjoying the scene but Wakka was beginning to look desperate. "'Bout time you two came down here, ya?" he said, relieved to have backup.
"Sorry Wakka," Yuna apologized. "Lulu..?" Yuna was the only person Lulu was never really harsh to, sometimes she was even gentle. Even so, she was a bit nervous about directing Lulu's wrath her way.
"What were you doing in that bed together?" Lulu asked.
"We were.. sleeping. I just didn't want him far away is all." It wasn't really a lie, they had slept, and she hadn't wanted him out of her reach, but it wasn't the whole truth either.
"Sleeping?" Lulu asked with an eyebrow raised. Yuna nodded, hoping she would drop the matter. Lulu instead turned to Tidus, asking for his confirmation with a glare.
"Don't look at me," he protested. Trying to change the subject, he said, "We should be focusing on a way to defeat the fiend that kidnapped Yuna."
Wakka decided this was his opportunity to help. "He's right, this can wait. Yuna's safety is most important, ya?" Rikku nodded enthusiastically in agreement.
Yuna's well-being was the reason she had brought up the topic up in the first place, but she could see she was outnumbered. She would quiz Yuna alone about it later, she decided. "Magic seems to be its only weakness. Everyone will have to learn some spells if we are to kill it."
"Ooh! I've always wanted to be able to set things on fire!" Rikku said and imitated Lulu's spell casting gesture at a vase, although it didn't actually catch fire, of course.
"I was thinking Thunder would be a better choice," Lulu said.
Rikku paled. "But why?"
"It's the element it seemed to dislike the most. Perhaps it will be good for you to learn to control your fear."
"Can I just avoid my fear instead? I'd really like that!"
Lulu chuckled. "You'll see, once you get the hang of it. Come, I know where we can practice." She quickly gathered a few water glasses and pieces of fruit. Teaching them all black magic would take awhile, she knew.
Once outside the door, Wakka asked, "Lu, where are we going?"
"There." She pointed to the far end of the village.
"But there's nothing but a big rock wall over there." Lulu just smirked, obviously knowing something he didn't, and led the way.
As they walked, Rikku leaned over to Yuna. "Do you think there's any way I can get out of this?"
Yuna laughed and shook her head. "When Lulu has her mind set, you don't stand much of a chance of deterring her."
"That's what I thought," Rikku mumbled.
"Maybe she'll teach you Water, too, then you can get back at all those lightning fiends," Yuna suggested.
"Yeah!" Rikku exclaimed, back to her chipper self. "Thanks Yunie." Yuna just smiled at her, glad to have cheered her up.
Up ahead, Tidus was pondering Lulu's earlier behavior. Why didn't she trust him with Yuna? Did she really think he would hurt her? How dare she, he would never do anything like that! Getting angry, he decided to ask her. "Lulu?"
"What do you want?"
"Why were you so upset earlier?"
"I don't want to see Yuna get hurt," she said simply and sped up her pace, obviously having nothing more to say on the matter. Tidus, on the other hand, had other ideas. He jumped in front of her path, causing her to stop walking.
"Why would you think I'd do that?" he demanded. "I wouldn't, not ever!"
She stood looking at him. The boy sure had some nerve, talking to her like that. "You already have."
"Huh?"
"Do you think your leaving was easy for her? Do you know she couldn't even bring herself to eat, and barely spoke a word? Do you think that we couldn't all see her drowning in pain? Why do you think she was out in the sea that night?" Lulu said, letting out more emotional than she intended. She took a breathe and tried to put on a calm exterior. "I don't want to see her like that again." She started walking off again.
"Hey! That wasn't my fault! I'm not leaving her, never."
Lulu didn't even bother turning around to give him a final burn. "That's what you told her before you left, isn't it?" He let her walk away that time, not having anything to say.
Yuna walked up behind him and took his hand. "It wasn't your fault."
Tidus kicked at the dirt. "No, she's right. I promised you I would always be by your side then left you to think I was never coming back."
"You're here now, are you not?" She smiled at him, trying to tell him it was okay. He smiled back and squeezed her hand.
He looked up ahead. "We better catch up before we lose them."
"Race you!" she called and took off running.
"Hey, wait!" he called back and chased after her.
Rikku walked slowly behind them, smiling at how happy they were, but a bit sad at the same time. She had never had somebody like that, somebody she could claim her own. She would never dream of taking Tidus away from Yuna, she had always been the independent type anyway, but now she wondered what she was missing out on. Even Wakka and Lulu seemed to be sharing something at the moment. Perhaps that was why she had really been jealous when Tidus pushed everybody aside when Yuna awoke, because nobody had ever done anything like that for her. Sure, all of the Al Bhed were like family to each other, but it wasn't the same as having somebody to yourself. Kimahri was the only person around, he always tended to stay in back so he could keep an eye on everything. Rikku elbowed him in the stomach. "Guess we're all alone then, huh?
"Rikku never alone," Kimahri assured her, then added, "Unless Rikku keep walking slow." Realizing she had been left behind, Rikku ran after everybody else with Kimahri at a lazy trot behind her.
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Wakka was far from the most perceptive person ever, but even he could tell that Lulu was still fuming. Something had really gotten to her, and he wondered what it was. "Lulu?"
"Wakka?" she answered in a surprisingly civil manner.
"What got you so worked up back there? We all want Yuna to be happy, but that was a bit harsh, ya?"
"I remember.."
"Ya?" he urged.
"When... when Chappu died."
"Oh. I'm sorry, Lu, I didn't mean to..." he trailed off, feeling guilty about bringing it up.
"It hurt too much. I don't want Yuna to go through that."
"Had me fooled, you never showed it. Not once have I seen you sad," Wakka said.
"I had to look strong. It was the only way I could convince myself that I actually was." Why was she telling him all of this? She must be out of her mind, Wakka wouldn't want to hear about his dead brother, he missed Chappu, too. It was stupid and selfish and completely unlike her... But she couldn't help herself, she had kept everything to herself for so long, and now more than anything she just wanted to tell him everything.
"Lu," Wakka said softly.
"I wonder... if I'll ever find somebody like him again." Her voice had dropped to a whisper. He could never say he had never seen her upset again, because as much as she tried to shove it away, it was there and visible. He put his arm around her shoulder.
"You will. I know you will."
Before she could say anything a blonde boy running at full speed crashed into her and fell to the ground. Luckily she had Wakka for support or she would have done the same.
"I beat you!" Tidus yelled to Yuna. She was breathing hard but was only seconds behind. Rikku wasn't far behind that but she didn't look tired... must be because she's always so energetic, Tidus thought to himself.
"That's not fair!" Yuna said while gasping for breath.
"Not fair? You had a head start!"
"But you play blitzball, you're used to this!" she said and they both laughed at how ridiculous of an excuse it was.
"Then I'll have to teach you sometime," he offered. Rikku pouted at being left out and he quickly added, "And Rikku too! Even Lulu can join." Lulu looked at him as if he was suggesting she go streaking or something equally offensive. "Or not, that's cool, too."
They were now standing at the bottom of the rock wall Wakka had mentioned earlier. He pulled his arm away and gestured at the obstacle ahead. "So, Lu, what now?"
"Let's see," she said and ran her fingers along the many vines at the base until she found a spot where the vines caved at her touch and exposed a narrow entryway. She pulled them to the side and gestured for them to enter.
"Wow, how'd you find this place?" Rikku asked, her voice echoing in the small confines. Lulu followed them after they had all gone in and she let the vines fall back into place. It was much more open once they got inside, more than big enough for two people to stand side by side. The stone walls were smooth, appearing to have been sanded and polished until it was like marble. The ceiling was arced and high enough for even Kimahri to walk through without trouble. Green designs glowed on the slick walls, enveloping their faces with a low light and turning them an unnatural color. A soft sand covered the ground, several inches deep, comfortable to walk on even in bare feet. It looked as if somebody had spent quite a lot of time making the area perfect, but even Lulu didn't know who. She grabbed a candle laying on the floor and lit it with a match that was sitting beside it to help them see better.
"Looks like you know your way around," Tidus commented. Instead of answering she slid past and led the way.
She couldn't have answered if she wanted to. This was a place Chappu had shown her and they had spent so much time here. It was their secret escape from the world. She remembered the week before he had left to join the Crusaders they had been here, laughing more than she had ever laughed before. He had a handful of grapes with him and was trying to throw them into her mouth, but his aim was horrible and he never got a single one in. She teased him that his aim must be why the Aurochs always lost and he had threatened to tickle her in return. She had run all the way to the other end to escape him but it was of no use, he caught her anyway but decided to let her off the hook for once. He had warned her that he wouldn't let her off so easy next time... if only there had been a next time. Neither of them had known what was to come. As she walked, she ran her fingers in her free hand along the wall, letting the memories flow. Here was a scratch where Chappu had scraped the wall with a lantern. He had felt so guilty ruining the glassy finish that they decided to always use candles in the future to keep it from happening again. And here was the faintest scorch mark from when their candle had gone out and she tried lighting it again with a fire spell, but couldn't see well enough and missed. And then there was this... Chappu had decided that since they had already left marks of mishaps, they might as well balance it out by carving a heart with their initials. He had a strange kind of logic, but was so good at talking her into anything that she eventually agreed. It read "C & L," written from the top left of the heart to the bottom right. His handwriting had always been so sloppy and primitive, while her L was fancy and curved. They had carved the "&" together, both of their hands clasped over a sharp rock, and in result it was wobbly and nearly impossible to tell what it was... but she knew, and just thinking about it created a pang in her heart. She reached the end of the tunnel now, and sunlight shined from the hole high above. She saw in the ground the imprint of where her lost love had tackled her to the ground after teasing him about his aim, still there after all this time. Between the vines at the front and the long, narrow tunnel going straight up, not much wind -- or anything -- made it in. It was as if the tunnel was immune to the passage of time, nothing fading, every grain of sand remembering it's place, every scratch in the wall refusing to be rubbed away. She wiped the sand with her foot, erasing the imprint, not wanting to see any of it any longer.
They all looked up. "We don't really have to climb that far, do we?" Rikku asked, oblivious to Lulu's thoughts.
"It's not far," Lulu told her and blew out the candle before setting it on the ground. She had thought differently the first she had been here, even though she wasn't afraid of heights. Chappu had climbed up behind her, promising to catch her if she fell. She had slipped once or twice and he had kept his promise.
"Why don't you go first then?" Rikku suggested.
"If you go last, nobody will be there to catch you when you fall," Lulu said, quoting Chappu almost exactly. She never expected the memories to be this strong, if she had known she would have never suggested they visit. But maybe, deep down, she had known. And maybe she had known that to let go of the memories she had to first relive them. It was the first time she had visited the sanctuary since his death, and while it was painful, it was almost a relief. Rikku clambered up the rope ladder at Lulu's words, apparently taking them to heart. Yuna, Tidus and Kimahri followed, but Wakka stayed behind with Lulu for a moment.
"Lu? How are you doing?" he asked.
"Why would you ask?" she replied.
"You've been quiet.. quieter than usual. Something's been bugging you, eh?"
"It's just.." Lulu's glance fell upon the carved initials and heart on the wall, but she didn't want to talk about it. Not here, not now, with everybody in hearing range. "I'll tell you later." She gestured at the ladder. "Aren't you going?"
"You go. Wouldn't want you to fall with nobody there to catch you, ya?" he said, stealing her line, not knowing it was once Chappu's. It almost made her smile.
"You're the clumsy one," she teased but went first anyway. By the time they got to the top everybody else was checking out the area. There was lush, green grass on the ground and rocky walls surrounding them. To their side that faced the village was the highest wall, towering above them. It sloped down in the other direction until it met the sea, and curved around them. Trees grew on one side, their long, leafy branches shading over half the area. In the shade were some short, flat rocks, perfect for relaxing on, although the grass was plenty comfortable. It was cozy but not cramped, even with 6 people.
"Lulu, you've been holding out on us!" Yuna cried, pretending to be aghast that she would perform such an atrocity.
"Yeah, this place is great!" Tidus was glad Lulu couldn't read his mind and know what he was thinking the place would be so great for. Rikku was too busy jumping, trying to reach the leaves on the tree, to give her own two cents, but Wakka nodded in agreement.
"Right, nice place you've got here," he said.
"It isn't mine," Lulu said.
Rikku had managed to grab a leaf so her attention could be directed back at Lulu. "Whose is it?"
"Later, we need to work on your magic skills now." Lulu set everything she was carrying on a rock under the tree and filled the water glasses with a small water spell. "We should be able to cast spells on the rock wall without damaging it, no doubt it has already sustained years of battling the elements. Come, Rikku."
"Yes ma'am!" Rikku said and followed her to the sunny side of the enclosure. Everybody else sat back and watched, sure they were going to be entertained.
"It isn't hard if you learn to concentrate," Lulu started while Rikku watched a butterfly flutter past. "Rikku!"
"Huh? What'd you say?"
"I said you need to concentrate." This wasn't going to be easy...
"Oh, right. Then what?"
"Imagine there's a thunderhead above you, completely in your control. A bolt strikes down towards you, and you catch it in your hand." She swung her hand into the air to simulate it, and Rikku cringed at the thought. "Then send the bolt flying through your fingertips, directed at your enemy. It's as simple as that."
"Through my fingertips?" Rikku squeaked. Lulu finished her demonstration and threw a thunderbolt against the rock wall. Rikku squealed, dropped to the ground and wrapped herself around Lulu's legs. "Mommy!"
Tidus laughed. "It isn't that bad, Rikku, she didn't even cast it towards you." Rikku just whimpered in reply.
Yuna had a more comforting approach, as always. She kneeled next to Rikku and put a hand on her shoulder. "I know you can do it, I believe in you."
"Yunie.." Rikku said.
"Come on," Yuna urged and held out a hand for her to grab. Rikku did so and she pulled her up. Rikku threw her arms around Yuna.
"But I hate thunder!" she cried. Yuna hugged her back and gently pulled Rikku's arms off of her.
"Give it another try," Yuna suggested. Rikku nodded and stood back by Lulu.
Wakka put an arm around Yuna. "Always our healer, ya?" Yuna glanced down at the ground, slightly embarrassed.
Rikku shut her eyes tight and did as Lulu said and imagined a thunderbolt coming down to her. But she couldn't take it and ended up squealing and jumping away. Lulu shook her head and Yuna smiled weakly. "I'll help her keep trying while you teach it to somebody else," Yuna said.
"Who next?" Lulu asked. She was hoping Wakka would volunteer but instead Tidus jumped at the chance.
"I'll go!" he said, pumping his fist into the air.
"Very well. You heard what I told Rikku, correct?"
"Yep," he replied.
She gestured for him to try. "Then strut your stuff."
Tidus laughed. He put his arm into then waved at the wall, but nothing happened. "It didn't work."
"Take a deep breath, close your eyes and still your mind." He did so. "Now try again. Imagine the thunder rumbling, the clouds building, the lightning striking down into your fist. Now let it flow through you and toss it at the wall." Tidus followed her every word, trying to obey, but yet when he gestured at the wall there were still no results.
"Lulu, it isn't working!" he complained
Lulu sighed heavily, he always was so whiny. "Try it this way instead. Picture yourself holding a ball of electricity, feel it tingling in your hand, tickling your fingers, then throw it." Once again he followed her instructions and threw the "ball" at the rocky wall... and once again, nothing happened.
"Maybe we should try items instead," she said, obviously losing hope in his ability to perform the spell.
"Yeah, Lulu, you're right, I'm no good at this," he pouted.
Kimahri came up and cast Thunder against the wall. Whether he was trying to show him that it was possible for anybody to learn or was just showing off was anybody's guess.
"Well done, Kimahri," Lulu congratulated.
"Kimahri watch much," he explained simply.
Just then a large crackle sounded and the whole area lit up. They all turned to look at it's origin. Rikku stared at her hand in shock and Yuna was clapping.
"You did it Rikku! I knew you could!" Yuna exclaimed and hugged her cousin.
"Wow," Rikku said simply. "It didn't hurt or anything."
Wakka punched her on the shoulder. "Way to go!"
"How come she can do it and I can't?" Tidus whined.
"Thunder is very strong in her mind, she has no trouble picturing it at all. Her only obstacle was her fear, which she overcame, as I knew she would," Lulu said. "Thunder is nothing to you, you've never concerned yourself with it, so you don't have the same affinity with it that she does.
"What about you, Lulu? You don't strike me as the type to ever be afraid of anything," Tidus asked.
"But I always watched the elements. You don't need fear to have a relationship, it just happens to be a very strong form of one."
"How am I supposed to get this "relationship" then?" Tidus asked.
A mischievous grin spread over Rikku's face and she ran up to Lulu and whispered something in her ear. Lulu nodded and they both stood poised in front of Tidus. Rikku started counting, "One..."
"What are you guys doing?" Tidus questioned.
"Two.."
Wakka burst out laughing as he realized what they were up to and whispered their plan to Yuna. "No, don't!" she cried, but it was a lost cause.
"Three!" They both sent a Thunder spell his way and he barely managed to dodge them.
"Hey!" he cried. "You trying to get me killed or something?"
Lulu cast it again and Rikku said, "We'll stop once you zap us back."
Tidus ducked but still got hit by Lulu's last attack. It wasn't very strong, though, so it didn't hurt him much. "Hah! I'm suppose to be afraid of a weak spell like that?"
Lulu's eyes flashed. She could have easily fried him then but didn't because she was trying to be nice, and this is how he thanked her? Well, then, she would just have to find a way to "strike" a bit more fear into him.
"Uh oh. Now you've done it!" Wakka exclaimed.
Yuna saw the anger in Lulu's eyes as well. "Think of it as a blitzball made of lightning," she suggested, trying to relate it to something he knew.
"A blitzball of lightning? Hmm." He might be able to work with that. Lulu was lifting her arm to perform a much stronger spell now, so he had to work fast. Tidus mentally formed a blitzball shaped ball of lightning, then tossed it at her with all his might.
Lulu stumbled back from the shock but looked pleased. "That wasn't so hard, was it?"
Yuna ran up to both of them. "Are you two okay? Do you need healed?" They both shook their heads, saying they were fine, that she shouldn't worry about it. Of course, that's what they always said, and she usually couldn't get them to admit that they needed healing until they were nearly sprawled out on the ground. She giggled at their stubbornness to herself and cured them anyway. Afterwards she felt a bit dizzy and excused herself to get a drink of water. Before she left she suggested to Rikku, "Why don't you show them that Reflect spell I taught you?" Rikku nodded and Yuna walked over to the lush grass under the tree, sipping at a glass. Ever since she had been taken to Omega Ruins she felt funny after casting a spell, why? She tried to remember what had happened there but it was all a blur. One moment she was being carried, the next she had woken up on a table of sorts. A table? What would a fiend be doing with a table? There was something more that had happened but she couldn't quite grasp the memory, like a butterfly that flutters away every time your fingers get achingly close to it. All she could remember was shadows of faces, whether they were human or of fiends she couldn't quite make out, and a feeling of absolute dread. What had they done to her, was there any way to find out?
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Time for shoutouts to the reviewers!!
unicornfan -- I love Evanescence, Amy has a voice to die for. The only person who can even compete is Rikki!
I've listened to them all countless times, lol. My Immortal (and that's what it's labeled as on the CD and site!) is my favorite.
Yeah, it fits too, plenty do, but I didn't want to overdo it.
Hehe, I know, seeing Lulu fall for Wakka is just too entertaining.
Good, her poem was supposed to be lovesick.
Author Alert only works if you're a paying member, I think. So, yeah... Thanks for the long review and chatting on MSN with you is a blast!
Hiasha -- Hehe, glad you enjoy it. Sorry that my updates aren't exactly in a timely manner, I just have the shortest attention span and it's hard for me to finish things! Hopefully it's good enough to make up for it... hopefully... ~Bites nails nervously~
Sauratos -- Anything else Master? ~Kisses your feet~
kingleby -- Then the Wakka/Lulu moment was as good as I hoped.
Err, missed some reviews because unicornfan's confused me. Okay, here's the rest:
LeighLRDrckr -- Heh, the whole reason I started writing this was because I couldn't stand waiting for FFX-2 anymore. I'm happy to hear (er read) that you think the characters are accurate, I've been trying really hard to make them that way! And I have no idea who Golum is and I've never played Kingdom Hearts... so no, nothing to do with that, lol. How odd.
Kurai Yume -- I never doubted you would be back!
Hopefully me spending a whole chapter on it is a good thing... I'm trying to make this really long (long enough to last until X-2!) so that's bound to happen a lot, lol.
Hehe, good, everybody enjoyed it. I wasn't really sure I'd like it myself but I think it was a good move!
Oh, everybody's reviews are my main motivation, it makes me want to post another chapter so I can reply to them! So that means you all should review lots and lots, ya hear? (Although you are already so that's good!)
Yes, I made sure to put in quite the romantic scene. I would have added more but I don't want to get in trouble for ratings or anything...
Ars Arcanum -- Just reading that line about Tidus carrying Yuna makes me laugh soo much. I don't know why! It is pretty cute, though. ^_^
Okay, okay, I'll do what I want.. because you told me too... isn't that counterproductive? Hmmm.. In any case, I wasn't going to erase what I had already written, lol. I guess you're right though! I'm not sure Wakka can survive with Lulu though... with that temper she'd probably end up killing him or something.. lol. I guess we'll to see!
Yep, I have the CD. Two people with "My Last Breath" as their favorite, eh? I just love listening to My Immortal.. you can feel her pain... it always makes me want to cry.... "My Last Breath" is the same way, but not quite as heightened. For me, anyway.
unicornfan -- Wow, you reviewed a lot, lol. I didn't mean to make you cry, you know!(Geez I must say that as much as Rikku.)
Sorry, I didn't know! I thought they were supposed to be like this!
Nah, I love Yuna too much to kill her.
Squaresoft's downfall. They didn't kiss NEARLY enough in the game. I was very disappointed.. but I will try to make it less repetitive somehow!
Okay, I think that's everything. Thanks for the reviews guys, it really is the highlight of my day!!