A/N: Hey everyone I am sorry for the slow updates, but here is chapter 6 and I hope you enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything, sadly not even Gippal...
Notice Me
Chapter 6: Past Issues and Concern
Normal POV
"What do you mean hurt?!" Rikku asked demanding an answer.
Wakka glanced down at Lulu and noticed that she fell asleep in his arms. He sighed and grew nervous. "I don't think this is the right place to talk. I have to bring her home or something."
Yuna nodded and said nothing. No words came through anyone's mouth and Yuna just stroke Lulu's hair back and forth. Wakka tried to fake a smile, but he couldn't. "Yuna can I speak with you?" He asked and she nodded once again. Wakka picked Lulu up bridal style and they both stepped outside, leaving the others to ponder away in thought.
"Come on we're making a scene, let Yuna and him talk privately," Paine finally cut the silence. Everyone left to go back to the table, except Rikku. Paine saw this and put a hand on Rikku's shoulder for comfort. "Rikku, remember I told you if you think too much, then you will go nuts." Rikku said nothing and stared outside. "It's hard for all of us and I know that you are worried, but give it time and we'll figure it out." Rikku, in return nodded and walked with Paine back to the table.
Rikku sat down next to Gippal and he noticed her worried look. "Hey Rikku, everything will be fine just have faith."
Rikku looked at him and noticed for the first time he called her Rikku. She smiled faintly and nodded. "Thanks."
Yuna's POV
There were so many questions that were rushing through my head that I wanted to ask. But I did not want to ask them so quick before he even explained. We decided to sit on the benches they had, which was near a huge water fountain. By now, it was night time and it was really a nice view.
Wakka held Lulu in his arms and he looked like he was trying to think of what to say to me. I thought really hard on what just happened these past ten minutes and knew something was really wrong. My main question was where was Bickson? And when I think of that, I think that's why Lulu is sad. It must have had something to do with him.
"Look, Yuna I just don't know what to say right now, I am shocked and worried. See, the time when you called me and I said I was leaving right?" I nodded. "Well I was driving for a while and reached here and noticed Lu was sitting down here and at first I didn't realize it was her. She was covering her face with her hands, so I went towards her and then I realized it was her. Yevon, Yuna I remember the look on her face. It was really horrible and she looked very miserable." He paused and looked down at Lulu and stoke her hair. "I told her if everything was alright and she tried putting herself together to cover her misery, but it wasn't working on me. I told her to stop pretending that everything was alright and to tell me what happened."
I looked at him with worry. I was not even too sure how to react and I was afraid of what he was going to say. I wanted to hear that everything was alright, but I was not an idiot and I knew that something was wrong. I did have an idea on what he was going to say, but I wanted him to confirm it first.
He continued. "She told me that everything was fine and she didn't want me to worry about it. I did not believe it, it took her a while to burst out that she got hurt."
"Hurt how?" I asked.
"I took her hands and rolled the sleeves off her jacket up and I saw scratches and cuts everywhere in her arm. It was just so horrible, I snapped at her. Screaming on who did this to her, but I knew somehow who would it be and I was ready to kill him. I just can't believe that happened and look at me now, doing no shit!" He clenched his fist and then calmed down. The next moment, he showed me her arm and I gasped.
That's where I really crossed the line. "You're telling me that, that bastard hurt her!" I screamed angrily at him. He nodded. "Okay that's it, bring me now to his house." I stood up. "No I am not letting him get away with this, come on Wakka bring me there and I'll give him something he won't forget!"
"Yuna calm down, I want to do that as much as you want to and he will get what he deserves, but not now," he said.
"HOW DARE HIM!" I screamed rather loud that next moment, not even caring if someone heard. "How dare he do this to her?! No I can't forget about this!" I tried fighting my tears, but they won and they started rolling down from my eyes.
"Yuna, please just calm down. I am trying my hardest to be calm as well and I know it's hard. Can you do me a favor though? Can you-"
"I'll heal her," I cut him off and he nodded. I sat down and looked at Lulu's arm. I took her arm and tried concentrating on her wound to start the healing process. It wasn't that hard, because I focused mostly on her wound and all I wanted to do was heal it. A greenish blue orb of light appeared and I knew Wakka was staring at it. He seen me preform cure and other healing magic around, but I don't think he ever got used to seeing it. A few seconds later as I finished the process, I saw the results I made. Her wounds disappeared and a little of her scratches remained, but she was fine.
"Thanks Yuna," he said.
"No, don't thank me, she deserved it," I said smiling touching Lulu's cheek. My smile faded away and was replaced with a frown. "But I don't get it Wakka! What does this mean? That he's been abusing her all this time! I never noticed anything strange about Lulu!"
"Maybe..." He started saying facing me. "You were wrapped up with your own problems, that you failed to notice, ya?"
"I would never be that wrapped up. I could tell when something is wrong, especially Lulu, but...was I really ignoring her?"
"Look Yuna, you never know when this started. Lulu is a good actress, sometimes you can't even notice what's inside her. Or maybe this is just recent, I can't really tell myself."
"I knew that he was no good, but I don't know Wakka. I never imagined him being an abuser."
"I know how you feel Yuna and don't blame yourself. Whatever that has happened in the past, has happened. We can't do anything about it, I just... I don't know. I really want to kill him," he said angrily. I understood how Wakka was. Wakka was always the person who was kind and also joked a lot. But he cared so much about his friends that he would do anything for them. Wakka really cares about Lulu and never wants to see her hurt. We all don't, especially me.
"So I am guessing we should bring her home?" I asked still trying to get over what just happened.
"Don't worry I will bring her home, you go back to the others and eat," he said standing up with Lulu still in his arms.
I stood up as well. "Are you sure?" He nodded. "You coming back?"
"No, I'll be fine, probably will just go back home and I'll see you guys tomorrow." I nodded sadly and said goodbye to him. He left to go to his car and I could see him placing Lulu in the back of the car. He then went to the front of the car and took one last look at me and waved. I smiled and waved back, watching him get in his car and leave to go to Lulu's place.
I frowned again and sat down on the bench. I kind of lost my appetite after hearing about what happened to Lulu. I was happy that I healed her wounds so that she didn't feel any pain at night. I could tell because the wounds were freshly new. It just wasn't fair that this was going on to Lulu. I just don't understand, because she never told me. But I can't be mad at her, because I don't know all of the story. Maybe he started hurting her or something, but couldn't there be any signs before?
I can't help but blame myself. I look back in the past and all I could think of is how selfish I was before, because I only cared about my problems. How was I that blind to not see it coming? Now that I think of it, she kind of acted different. But I don't know, I just don't know anymore. All this thinking just gave me a headache, great that's just great. A headache is what I really need right now.
I was looking down at the ground, but I could feel someone's presence near me and that person sat down. "Rikku, I really don't want to talk." The person did not reply and I looked up and was startled to see the person I least expected to be there. I thought it would be probably Rikku all confused and everything, but instead it was Tidus.
"Hey," he greeted grinning.
I smiled nervously. "Hi."
"So how are you doing?"
Wait what? I laughed a little, wondering what was in his head. "I wish I could say I was doing fine, but I am so and so."
"Yeah I figured, sorry about Lulu," he said.
"Thanks," I said not even sure what to say. I didn't really know him as much and the silence made me a little uncomfortable, but I did not mind the company. "How is everyone else doing?"
"Well your cousin seems like she is in deep thought just like you and sad. I guess you guys really care for her." I nodded. "Gippal is just being himself trying to cheer everyone up and the other two just seem quiet. Wakka left?"
"Yeah, he went to bring Lulu home," I answered. "And how are you feeling?"
He shrugged. "I just came out here for some fresh air and to see how you were doing. I kind of figured you were finished with the conversation, but don't worry I didn't hear anything if that's what you're thinking."
"Thanks for checking up on me, but honestly I really thought Rikku would be the first to check," I admitted smiling.
"Yeah or Paine and Baralai right? Yeah you probably were like thinking, 'What the hell is he doing here? We hardly know each other and he doesn't understand how I feel or anything!'"
"Hey that's not what I was thinking. I guess I was just surprised that it was you instead of someone else. But I am happy that you are here," I said.
He smiled back. "I am new here still, but that doesn't mean I don't know anything. I know how it feels to see someone you care about get hurt by another," he said, his voice was low. "You have to find out how long it has been happening if you don't know and you want to stop it, as soon as you can."
"Really who?" I asked slapping myself mentally for being so noisy. I blame Rikku...
"My mom and dad were divorced and my mom married this other guy, my step father. He abused her all the time, until a point where she had enough and called the cops. My step dad got arrested and my mom sooner or later became very ill and died."
I looked at him with eyes widened. "That's really awful! I am really sorry for what happened to your mom..." I could admit, there were no words that could express how sorry I was that I even brought it up.
"I could have done something, because I knew for a while. I guess I was just weak," he said.
"Did your father know?" I asked.
"He did not want to be part of it, so at a rate he did not know. He found out when my mom got sick and blamed himself constantly. When she died, I guess we couldn't handle being in the city anymore and just moved here. But what's past is past right?"
"Yeah, as much as you want to go back to change it, you can't," I softly replied looking up at the sky.
"You know it's kind of weird confessing like that," he said and I laughed. "I don't go randomly to each person and tell them parts of my life story."
I laughed. "Yeah I know, but I feel happy that you shared that little bit info of yourself."
"I figure we are friends right?"
"Yeah," I said happily and stared blankly at the ground.
It left me thinking of my father and that day ten years ago. My father had a purpose of dieing, he always wanted peace amongst the people of Spira. I couldn't stop him when I was little, because I did not understand what was going on.
"Mommy when is daddy coming back?" I asked a couple of days after dad left.
I remember Mom didn't know how to answer to me. She remained quiet for a while and smiled at me. "Well you see dear, daddy isn't coming back."
"Why?! Doesn't he love us anymore?"
"No he loves us dear, it's just your father went to save the world."
"Save the world?"
"Yeah like the heroes in the stories I read you!" She said.
"Oh so he is saving the world from evil?" She nodded. "YAY! But why can't he come to visit?" All she did was smile at me and not say anything else. After a while, I forgot about it and I guess mom was relieved. I read books on heroes. They didn't want their loved ones to get hurt by their enemies, and I wondered if dad was like that. I thought that was the best reason to explain why he couldn't visit mom and me.
The days before Dad completed his pilgrimage, Mom went to visit Uncle Cid. I didn't want to go with her, I wanted to stay in Bevelle and there were bodyguards there to guard me, so everything was alright, but I still felt a little lonely. The day when everyone celebrated the eternal calm was the most miserable day of my life. I looked around, lost and confused and wondered why everyone was celebrating.
Mom came back the day of the celebration and I was grateful that she came. She was sad and I didn't understand why. I told her that she could cry in front of me if she wanted to.
"Oh honey I am sorry for bursting like this I just..." She said to me and embraced me. "I miss him so much!"
"It's alright mommy, I miss daddy too. I know you are trying to stay strong, but you can cry if you want. We are all people right?" I asked.
She nodded happily with tears in her eyes. "He did it to save us all Yuna and I don't think he would want us to be sad."
"Yeah," I said happily "Daddy is a hero!" I still did not know that he was dead, until a few days later when I had to find out the truth by myself.
I didn't like living in Bevelle, because I kept getting nightmares and it felt odd to be there. Mom hated living there as well, she wanted us to leave the place and I agreed as well. Mom called Uncle Cid to inform him that she was thinking of moving to Besaid with me. Uncle Cid asked if Rikku and him could move with us to Besaid. Rikku lost her mom, my Aunt, to Sin and she was having a hard time as well, just as me. We were all sad and it might have been easier being all together.
We moved to Besaid and moved into a house. From that day, I have been raised in Besaid and so did Rikku. We met Lulu and Wakka in Elementary School and became easy friends and met others as well. Now, Mom works at Bickanel with Machina and stays at Home. I miss her at times, but I am already used to it. Uncle Cid goes sometimes to Bickanel as well for work and to help out.
I guess I was really lost in thought, that I did not realize someone waving their hand up and down in front of my face. I snapped and looked to see Tidus there. "You okay?" He asked.
"Yeah I am fine, sorry I just blanked out."
"I'll say, it's been around ten minutes."
"Oh," I said a blush forming. "I am sorry, I guess I was just thinking about certain stuff." He nodded and I looked around. "I guess we should get back in, right?"
"Yeah," he said and then stood up as I did the same. We started walking towards the entrance.
"Oh by the way Tidus," I managed to say before entering the restaurant. He turned to look at me and I smiled. "Thanks again for coming to check up on me."
"No problem." I saw the others stare at us, but I mostly focused on Rikku. I half expected that she would jump out of her chair and then ask so many questions on what happened, but she didn't look like she was going to do that. She looked at me and I can tell that she was worried.
We went towards them and I smiled taking a seat next to Rikku. I noticed that the menus were still there and the drinks. "Hey didn't you guys order?"
"No we thought it would be best to wait for you guys," Paine answered.
"I am guessing Wakka left?" Baralai asked and I nodded.
I was actually grateful that no one said or asked anything about what happened and why it took so long for me to come back. Everyone just acted normal again and I just looked at the menu and decided rather quickly. "Want to order?" I asked.
"Finally!" Rikku said returning to her happy self. I smiled knowing that she was trying to remain optimistic. She waved her hand up for the waiter's attention and he noticed her and came towards our table.
"Yes?" He asked.
"I am sorry we took so long and we're ready to order," I said.
"Very well and it's okay, I am sorry about your friend." I nodded. "What can I get you?"
Rikku was first to talk. "Can I have the Meatball Parmigiana?" He nodded and wrote down her order. She then gave him her menu and he took it.
"I'll just have a Buffalo Turkey Wrap," Gippal said handing the menu to the waiter and he nodded taking the menu and writing down his order.
"I guess I'll go," Paine said handing her menu to the waiter. "May I have the Besaid Clam Chowder?" He nodded and wrote down her order as Baralai ordered as well after her. He choice to order Lasagna.
As Baralai finished ordering, I decided to talk. "May I have a Salad?"
"You want anything with it?"
"I guess grilled chicken and ranch dressing." He nodded taking my order and I gave him my menu. Tidus was still looking at his menu, but he decided to take something quickly.
"I guess I will just take the chicken and ribs," he said and closed his menu to give to the waiter. The waiter nodded and left. I guess my appetite was still lost, ever since the whole incident. I tried my hardest not to even think about it and I managed to for a while.
It turned out that five minutes later, one of the waiters came to our table and placed a basket full of buffalo wings. I looked at the wings and then stared at everyone. Gippal smiled. "Well we just thought that maybe if we ordered appetizers ahead of time then after taking orders, they would come and we can eat something." I nodded smiling. Well at least trying.
I guess throughout the waiting, we talked about random things. I thought it was kind of fun and everyone tried doing the best of having a good time. It seemed like everyone was trying to cover their worry, especially Rikku. When Rikku was sad, it would be hard for her to cover the fact that she is depressed. I knew because there were a couple of rough times we had to handle.
Slowly my appetite was coming back to me and our food came like close to a half hour. Everyone dug in, while Gippal was telling a story. "There was one time when Ti and I were at home all bored and having nothing to do. So we decided to throw a party for the fun of it. Ti's old man was out in Luca for business, so we had the house to ourself. We decided to call a bunch of people and they invited their friends, and their friends invited their friends and you get the point. The party was awesome and there were many drunk retards going crazy, but it was still awesome. Supposedly Jecht called and we didn't hear the phone and he left a message. He said that he would come early in the morning. So it was like five in the morning and I can remember waking up to Jecht slamming the front door closed and angrily looking at both Ti and me."
Jecht, where did I hear that name before. I wondered for a while, but then brushed that thought away as soon as I heard Baralai talk. "So how much trouble did you get in?"
"He beat the living shit out of us," Tidus replied laughing. "And then strangely got pissed off at us because we did not invite him." Everyone except Gippal looked at him weirdly. "Yeah so anytime he would go off, he would sent one of his damn friends to check up on us."
"Yeah like we were children," Gippal said taking a bite off his food.
"I could see why," Rikku said taking a sip of her drink.
"Yeah yeah whatever Cid's Girl. Don't make me tell them a story about that time when you were sleeping over my house and then you-"
Her eyes widened and covered his mouth with her hand. "Don't even think about continuing!"
I could tell she remembered and I grew interested in the conversation. "I would like to know about this," I said.
"Yunie!" Rikku said to me angrily.
"I mean, I don't think that is fair for Rikku."
Rikku smiled and then frowned while looking at Gippal. "How could you possibly know this?!"
He smiled and she took her hand off his mouth. "Oh I have my sources. One being my brain!" He pointed and poked the top of his head.
"What brain?" Tidus asked.
"The one that's bigger than yours," Gippal replied back.
"Alright guys calm down we don't want to end up taking a trip to the hospital," Baralai said trying to get everyone to not beat the shit out of each other. Baralai was the best person to get to calm everyone down, aside from Lulu. "Anyways does your old man still do it to you guys?"
"I think he forgot about it, right?" Gippal asked looking at Tidus and he nodded.
"He'll probably remember again what you guys did, when he has to leave again," Paine said joining the conversation.
"Yeah probably," Tidus said.
We just talked a little more, until everyone was finished eating and wanting to go. I glanced at my cell phone and saw that it was getting late and I tried getting the waiter's attention. I raised my hand and he saw and I quickly said, "Bill?" He nodded.
A couple of minutes later we got the bill and everyone started paying for their own food and drinks. I collected the money and went to pay. When I got back, everyone stood up and I decided to place a tip in. Tidus did the same and so did Paine and Baralai.
We all left the restaurant and went outside to the warm breeze. "Well it's getting late so we better be off," Paine said and I smiled saying bye to her and to Baralai. "See you guys tomorrow." They left as we waved goodbye to them. It was only Tidus, Gippal, Rikku and me.
"So where did you guys park?" Tidus asked and Rikku and I pointed towards the car. "Oh alright, our car is right next to yours."
Rikku yawned while we started walking towards the cars. Gippal noticed. "What's wrong Cid's Girl? Tired?"
"You know if I wasn't so tired, I would so beat the crap out of you for not saying my name," she replied.
"Guess I am lucky."
"Guess you are."
"We should do this more often!" Gippal said happily.
"Let's not and say we did." Rikku seemed grumpy and I wanted to know why she was acting the way she was.
I smiled while reaching the car. We did not park very far and I pulled out my keys to press the button for the car doors to be unlocked. "See you guys tomorrow," I said going towards my side of the car and opening the door.
"Yeah see you," Rikku said doing the same.
"Yeah night," Tidus and Gippal said and we waved goodbye to them too and went into the car. They went right next to us to their car and got in.
I started the car and pulled out of the driveway and onto the road. Neither Rikku and I said anything and we sat in silence for a while. Today was tiring and so much has happened in only one day. I sighed knowing that at one point I am going to have to think about Lulu.
I glanced at Rikku and saw that she was looking down and I put a hand on her shoulder. Obviously knowing it was me, she did not dare to look up and just stayed in the same position, looking down. It was hard on both of us, because we knew Lulu since we were little. She was like a sister to us and even if we had problems in the past we still cared for each other.
The drive back to the house didn't take that long and I was grateful for that. I parked the car into the driveway and turned the engine off. I looked at Rikku and saw that she was sleeping and shook her gently. "Rikku we're home."
She just groaned while turning the opposite way of me. I sighed taking off my seatbelt and got out of the car to get to the other side. I opened Rikku's door and took off her seat belt. "Rikku get up!" She didn't budge and I sighed once again. I decided to try to pick her up and it was a success. I tried getting my own weight for support and I knew Rikku was not too heavy. It was just I was weak, but I got her to stand on the ground so that I can close the car door. She fell forward and rested her head on my shoulder. I sighed and wondered why she was still not awake, but she was always a heavy sleeper. I wondered how she woke up earlier than me in the mornings.
I tried picking her up again and walked to the front door and took out my keys to open the door. I went in and it seemed like everything was the same where I left it. I wondered if Uncle Cid was here though. I brought Rikku into the couch and laid her there. I opened the lights and went towards the kitchen and saw my note was still where I left it and wondered if Cid read it.
I went upstairs and went to Rikku's room to get her pillow and covers. I went to my room and did the same and then I looked into Cid's room and saw nobody there. I became worried, but there was nothing to do. I was thinking of calling him, but found out before that his cell phone was on the kitchen counter.
I went back downstairs and covered Rikku with covers and lifted her head to put the pillow underneath. I decided to go to the other couch and lay there. I guess it was not the time to watch TV, but it seemed that something was blocking me from going to sleep. I was rather worried, worried about Lulu mostly. Sighing, I tried closing my eyes and in a manner of minutes I fell asleep.
A/N: Alright I guess this chapter was mostly about Yuna's life and her past. I changed some things, like rather Yuna losing her mom her mom is alive. Braska in the game, his purpose of defeating Sin was so that no one can have to suffer as much as he did with his wife's death. But in the story, it was his dream to go on a pilgrimage and he never wanted to leave his family, but he wanted to avenge the friends and family he lost. Anyways please review and tell me what you think!
