Love Through Jealousy

Natsue Arishima

Chapter Nine: Reunited

His body was freezing, despite the warm currents pounding at him.

He shivered, hating the feel, like being frozen yet on fire at the same time.

His entire body ached and screamed. What had happened? He didn't dare open his eyes, afraid his face would rip apart. A blank memory was all that assaulted his mind, along with the bitter cold of ice and emerald eyes.

Rikku…

He suddenly realized someone was calling his name, over and over again, the sharp voice clouded with worry. He tensed as a shock ran through his body, before another one followed. With each jolt, his mind cleared. Wearily, he opened his eye, which screamed at the sudden light and began to water at the sand. He wrinkled his nose, trying to push up his sunglasses.

A doll was on his chest, zapping him, every jolt sending it flying backwards, cloak flapping. Lulu's Onion Knight. So that would mean…

Red eyes found his, narrowed in worry and anger. Her pale skin clashed with the sand dunes behind her, rolling on endlessly. Braids hit his face, carried on by the howling wind. He winced, closing his eye. To sleep…

"No. Don't you dare."

A cold hand grabbed his shoulder, soft yet firm. Another one found his arm and he was pulled into a sitting position. He could have sworn he heard his back emit a series of cracks.

"Damn…" he hissed, blood pounding into his head.

Lulu shifted besides him, her face out of his line of vision. Warmth suddenly washed over him, the soothing caress that could only be Cure. Not as strong as Yuna's Curaga, perhaps, but still refreshing. Relief spread through him.

The hand on his arm disappeared, winding itself around his waist instead. He braced himself, furrowing his brows as he was hoisted up onto his feet. Lulu let out a small hiss at the weight on her shoulder, gritting her teeth as the man remained upright for a few seconds before leaning on her.

She shut her eyes and summoned another Cure spell, wistfully feeling the magic drain from her. She might need it later, but…

"Never knew you could do White Magic," a gruff voice sounded somewhere close to her ear. She blinked before shaking her head. "I realized that we wouldn't always have Yuna around. I've never really done the actual spell until now." She shivered unconsciously. White and Black Magic. The two were so different. When she cast elemental magic, she could always feel a small prick of pain, depending on the spell. But for Cure, it was always warmth. Never pain.

Shaking herself out of her thoughts, Lulu cleared her throat. "There's water close by." Her arm was becoming numb.

A questioning look. "Water? Looks like a desert to me."

She gazed at him, crimson eyes glittering dangerously, lips in a firm line. After a while, she turned away, adjusting her grip on him. "Oasis," she said simply. She paused for a moment before eyeing him again. "Hang in there, Auron."

---

The water was cool on his lips. He cupped his hands again, dunking them underwater, before raising them to drink. Beside him, Lulu did the same, though not as hastily.

Lifting his head, he rubbed at his scarred eye. It had been itching, probably due to the sand. Sighing, he dropped his hand to the water again before tilting back his head and letting several drops fall into his eye, washing away the grit. The itch ceased immediately.

The wind was less here, the Oasis being guarded by a ring of stone. He leaned back, gazing at the faded blue sky. Bikanel. He couldn't believe they had arrived at Bikanel, of all places. What bothered him was that he didn't even know how, or why, they were separated from everyone else.

As if reading his thoughts, Lulu stepped up besides him and sat down, belts clicking. Staring across the small haven, she ran her fingers through the sand. "Sin attacked while you were unconscious." She waited, silent.

Auron blinked, surprised. Sin, while he was out. Damn.

He pushed himself up onto his elbows. Lulu gave no sigh of noticing his sudden movement. Sighing, he sat up. "What happened?"

She tensed before continuing, forcing herself not to look at him. "I don't know. I somehow ended up here, and you did to, so maybe the others are here as well. I met Tidus a while back." Eyes narrowed. "Yuna wasn't with him."

Silence.

"He and I split up to look for the others. I promised him I'd come back here if I found anyone."

Auron remained silent. Lulu finally shifted, watching him coolly. How was it that she was so calm? He took in a breath. An outburst would not be good.

Wordlessly, he got to his feet, a certain person flaring up in his mind. "Well, let's go." He secretly knew she wouldn't move.

"I would, believe me. But you're in no condition." Her cold voice was now firm.

He shook his head, reaching for his sword. Fine. He'd go by himself. He felt ridiculous and foolish, but didn't, wouldn't, back down. Swinging the massive blade over his shoulder, he turned to Lulu once more but found that she was no longer looking at him. Instead, her eyes were focused on something behind him.

"Don't go, Auron," she whispered. "You'll die."

A scoff, but he spun around, wondering what she found so interesting. His eye widened.

Lulu was up next to him, Onion Knight in her arms. His eye darted over their surroundings, searching desperately. To the side, slightly obscured by an overhanging ledge, was a small cleft. He didn't know how big it was, but it would have to do.

Grabbing Lulu's arm, he nodded towards the ledge and the two of them sprinted over towards it.

---

It was a relatively small cave, big enough to fit the two of them but only just. It was dry and cold inside, guarded by the ledge from the outside. Beyond the rock, the two of them could hear the wind howling, sand beating mercilessly on the rock face. The ground shook below them and small rocks dislodged from the low ceiling. Lulu sighed, leaning against the cold rock. Just their luck.

Across from her, Auron was silent, gazing blankly at his hands. Outside, the sandstorm raged, never ceasing its fury, its roar muffled by stone. It would be a while.

Though she hated to admit it, it was too quiet. She had often dreamed of silence, soothing calm, but now… She was half expecting to hear Rikku's voice over the wind, or the murmured conversations that Yuna and Tidus usually shared. And most of all, the accented voice of Wakka, teasing her, annoying but always there.

Wakka. She frowned, remembering the small chat she had overheard. Anger boiled within her again, but it was duller. Why had he done that? But a small part of her was disappointed, not knowing whether or not Wakka liked her.

She shook her head, disgusted.

Slowly, she looked up at Auron. Rikku had definitely mentioned him. Deciding there was nothing else to do, she released her knight, who climbed up onto her shoulder. "Auron, what do you feel for Rikku?"

At first, she thought the legendary warrior had fallen asleep, until she noticed the sharp intake of breath that had resulted from her question. She eyed him patiently, waiting. He shifted, a hand raising to scratch his collar before shrugging, eyeing his sword.

Intentionally avoiding her eyes.

Her lips quirked up ever so slightly. To see Auron this uncomfortable… "Rikku thinks highly of you."

A grunt this time.

Finally, Lulu sighed. She might as well tell him, though it was strange. She rarely bothered with things like this. Her Onion Knight jumped down and began attacking Auron's foot.

"I overheard the two of them, Wakka and Rikku," Lulu whispered, gazing at the man closely. "They… they're faking everything. They each want something else. And Rikku seemed to want you as a prize."

If Auron was surprised, he gave no sign. The silence stretched on and Lulu leaned back, shutting her eyes.

"Why are you telling me this?"

Another faint smile as she turned to look at him. Auron met her eyes steadily. "I thought you'd be interested."

Perhaps it'd be amusing.

---

Groaning, Tidus cursed, inhaling sand. Wearily, he raised his head, body buried by yellow grains. Damn that sandstorm. It had taken him completely off guard. He only had time to flatten himself to the ground before everything had blacked out.

And now…

He jumped to his feet, shaking himself off and ignoring protesting limbs. He had to find the others. Especially Yuna.

There was a deafening screech behind him and he spun around, Caladbolg in hand. His mouth hung open in surprise as he gaped at the gigantic bird that rammed towards him. Glistening wings, long neck, mouth with twin rows of incisors… He ducked just in time. Glinting claws closed on air.

Shrieking, the bird spun around. It was easily ten times bigger than him, dark shape contrasting heavily with its surroundings. As it neared him, Tidus braced himself, bending his legs. Inches away…

He sprang forward, spinning and slicing. Over and over again, his blade cutting deep into the greasy feathers. Black blood spurted over his skin and clothes, and he's fear slowly ebbed away until pain erupted in his side. Gritting his teeth, he let out a final slice and stood painfully, gripping his stomach.

The bird was on the ground now, its head hanging limply. It eyed him out of dark eyes. The wings glittered.

There was a shout and a blitzball came flying out of nowhere, slamming harshly with the bird's head, who gave a shriek and was knocked off balance. At the same time, lightning came out of the sky, the thick bolt slicing through the massive body. There was a cackle followed by the smell of burning flesh.

Seconds later, someone was behind him, pulling him up. Wakka. Green eyes met his, usually topped with a dazzling smile, and the Al Bhed quickly rummaged in her pouch, producing a bottle and handing it to him. Gratefully, Tidus drank it.

He could feel his skin mend back together, the pain disappearing.

Turning around, he smiled in relief. To his left, Wakka, Rikku and Kimahri, all three of them slightly sandy but unscathed. On his right, Auron and Lulu, Onion Knight perched on Auron's shoulder.

His smile slowly faded.

All of them… except Yuna.

---

Rikku blinked in confusion as she looked at Auron and Lulu. She was partially ecstatic, seeing as the legendary guardian was okay. But he gave no sign that he noticed her and merely stood there, Lulu's knight on his shoulder.

Lulu's knight.

She looked up at Wakka, who looked equally dumbfounded. She turned away too soon to notice realization flicker within his eyes.

What was going on?

---

A/N: I am loving this whole "forcing myself to update" thing, and am completely serious about it! Hehe. I no longing feel guilty about slacking! Anyhoo, Rikku and Wakka are in for a little shock. Forgive me if Lulu seemed out of it in this chapter -- I tried making her seem as normal as possible. Anyhoo, thanks for the reviews! Please keep them coming -- they really make my day. Thanks!

Oh, and next update: December 12, 2004. Getting used to the pattern?

- Natsue Arishima