Note: Wahahahaha!!!!!!!! A different type of Auron romance and sorry about that Aurikku fans, but this is something I like about the pairing. This is a very depressing romance between Lulu and... Auron? Wonder how that happened! Read and find out!
When The Night Fades
Chapter 1
The night sky seemed to be the only sword through his unbearable shield of defense. He didn't know how he came to this. Why did he become attached to these people? Why did he become attached to her? She was here, yet he... he was stuck between worlds. He was stuck between the living and the dead. He glanced towards the only person left sitting around the campfire. Everyone else had gone in for a rest, but he could still hear Rikku making ideas about how to defeat Sin, some of which, to what he thought, were ridiculous. He looked up and sighed quietly. He was ready to contemplate on the night sky, of how beautiful it was simply just by looking at it. The stars were even more beautiful if he paid more attention to it. He never really watched the night sky like this. When he slept, he would have nightmares, as if the night itself was the only thing that made him weary than any monster that he has ever faced.
"Why are you afraid of the night?" He blinked, unaware now that the figure sitting a short distant from him had been watching this whole time. He never really understood why he was attached to this woman. She was mature for his age, true, but he never really understood. She was just a little girl then, but she grew quite different than what he remembered her to be. At twelve, she was just as happy as little Yuna, when they introduced her to Besaid Village. He has often wondered what made her be this way, so dark and mysterious and very much like him.
"I'm afraid of sleeping and not waking again," he replied with a deep voice. He watched her nod slightly and turn her attention back to the night sky. Her belt clinked as she moved to her left. She placed her hands on her lap and leaned forward and pointed a finger towards the dying fire. After a few seconds, sparks flew from her fingers and he could smell the burning amber as the fire started again. He continued to watch as she shifted once more to her left, but he wasn't sure if she was inviting him to sit with her, or just moving to the left to be more comfortable.
With a slight turn of her head towards him, she nodded. "Do you plan to stand there all night, Sir Auron?" she spoke, her voice deep and soft.
Auron wasn't sure if it was his place to be near her. It's been far too long that he has spoken to anyone like this. The only time he has spoken to anyone about his personal life was with Lord Braska and Jecht, before they left him to be alive. Why did he have to be here?
Lulu said nothing as she turned her head towards the fire. There were no more words to say in her part. She was inviting him too much. True, they have not spoken that long, but she felt close to him in a way. They had a lot in common. They have lost someone. "Everyone has lost someone in this group. But no one seemed to have said anything about it," Lulu suddenly spoke, surprised even at herself for speaking so suddenly.
"That's because they would rather forget the painful memories than remember it all over again..." Auron replied, sighing. He knew all about Lulu's lost loved one and he too lost someone dear to him. His two best friends.
"True..." She paused, unsure of what to say. This was, after all, Sir Auron. "But sometimes we all blame ourselves for our own loss. Because we couldn't protect them."
Auron stared at her. He hadn't moved from his spot, but he could see rejected tears from Lulu as she blinked them away from her mind. If he could cry, he could do it, but he couldn't. Lulu could cry, if she wanted to, but she was forcing herself not to show her emotions. "Yes, that's true. I even blame myself for losing against Yunalesca and being weak to save Lord Braska and Jecth from death." He wasn't sure why, but after what he had said, he was beginning to move forward towards her.
Lulu closed her eyes. "It's different for me, Sir Auron." Her voice was weak and almost ready to crack, but she was holding it too much that Auron couldn't tell whether she was crying at all. She was too good at it.
Auron sat down beside her, giving them both enough space and found himself staring into the fire along with her. "How are we different, Lulu? We are all the same here. We blame ourselves too much that we don't even think of who the people we cared for were blaming."
Lulu shuddered. Suddenly, it was beginning to feel cold. "No, Sir Auron. We ARE different. I blamed Chappu for his own death. I blamed him for being so careless and being unable to save himself from death. I blamed him for leaving me!" Auron found himself staring at her. The light from the fire gleamed at her face, making dances across her cheeks and her eyes. There was a glint of tears from the corner and before he could stop himself and before Lulu had a chance to wipe it away, Auron reached out with his good hand and cleared her face away with her tear. He surprised her and even himself.
They stared at each other, confused at the sudden event that just took place. Auron was still touching her face, but he quickly pulled it away and stood up. "Well, you better get to bed, if we want to leave early tomorrow." He turned and walked away, deciding on heading to the hilltops to think of what he just did.
Lulu blinked and shuddered again. There was something in his touch that felt empty, isolated and dejected that she couldn't help but watch him walk over the hills and stopped to sit down. Although the darkness enabled her to see exactly what he was doing, the light from the stars and the moon from above made it clear that he was thinking deeply again. Whatever happened to the clear, thinking man she met all those years ago? She shook her head and decided to think of something else. She cursed herself for being so careless about her tears. She promised herself before that she wouldn't cry. She was stronger than that! Lulu stared back at the fire, but it had already died down. Once again, she wanted to make another, but rejected the idea and stood up.
Before she turned towards the inn, she quickly took a quick glance at the man in the darkness and frowned. They were the same.
With that thought, Lulu stepped inside the tent and closed the door behind her.
****************
The bright morning woke her up from her sleep, with thoughts of last night still running through her mind. She often wondered why Sir Auron was afraid of the night, when he had the courage to face it. She envied him for that. She was too afraid to face her own fears, even if it means having to conquer it.
Suddenly, the door flew open and through it, appeared a bouncy blond making her way towards the bed. "Good morning Lulu!!!!" she yelped, jumping on her bed. She grabbed Lulu's hand and pulled her up. Lulu grimaced and stared at her. She wanted to scream at the girl for waking her up like this, but as she looked into the innocent eyes of Rikku, Lulu couldn't help but be kind to her. After all, Rikku has helped them through many dangerous situations.
"Good morning, Rikku," she spoke softly. Rikku stepped back to let her stand up from bed. Even with the optimism, Rikku knew not to disturb Lulu even when she is in her happiest of moods. She was even more mature than she thought. Lulu shivered again. For some reason, she's been shivering ever since leaving Besaid as if the presence of the dead was nearby. Lulu felt her cheeks burning, but she brushed away the thought of that and followed Rikku as she ran out of the room and into the main hall where everyone was waiting.
When Tidus noticed Lulu coming, he clenched his fists and happily punched the air. "All right, everyone! Let's go beat Sin!!!" Everyone else cheered, except for Lulu and Auron, who just nodded and spoke small simple words such as, 'yes, we will' or, 'we will beat Sin.'
"There is no backing out now," Auron spoke, hushing everyone who was present. Lulu glanced at him, standing beside Tidus. "This is your last chance to back out now if you wish." He looked around at everyone.
No one spoke.
"Good! Everyone really wants to beat Sin, right?!" Tidus spoke, rather loudly.
Lulu pressed a finger at her temple. Right now, Tidus' voice irritated her. Her head were thumping in pain, yet she chose to ignore it. Tidus' voice has never irritated her, until now and Auron noticed it. Hoping no one did, Lulu put her hand down and continued to pay attention to the people around her.
"But..." Tidus stopped short and stared at everyone. His eyes stopped at Yuna, who was looking at him curiously. "What happens after we beat Sin?"
Yuna smiled sweetly. "What do you think? No more Sin and no more danger here in the world. That means we have saved the world, thanks to you." She stared into his eyes.
Tidus blushed and rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "I haven't really done much."
"Yes you have, Bro. You made us believe we can beat all the monsters in our way, ya? I mean, without you, we would never have won the cup at the Blitzball championship and showed those Luca players what we're made of!" Wakka threw his blitzball in the air and caught it with his pointer finger, the ball twirling around on it.
"Yeah! And without you, we would never have beaten Seymour... you know?" Rikku tugged at Tidus' shirt and smiled up at him.
Tidus smiled back. "Without me? Well, you could have beaten Seymour by yourselves and-"
"With your determination and skills, you made us believe in ourselves and with it, I know we can beat Sin together," came Auron's voice. "You were meant to be here, Tidus. You were meant to be with us so you can show us the way. I was meant to send you back here so you can show us the meaning of courage and determination."
Lulu glanced at Auron. She had no idea Auron had a side of him that spoke words of wisdom. Yes, she knew Sir Auron had wisdom, but never in that kind of subject before. She is never good at those kinds of stuff. She had to think of a way to encourage Tidus somehow, but none came out of her lips. So, she pursed her lips together and did what she could only do. Nod.
Tidus looked at her and smiled. "You all believed this? You believed that I did all of this to help you beat Sin? The reason that I'm here is because I am meant to help Yuna beat Sin?" All six heads present nodded in unison.
Lulu never believed it at first that Tidus could help Yuna. To her, he was a strange sort of man with no knowledge about the Summoners. She knew he wasn't of this world, but since Yuna grew fond of this boy, Lulu had no choice but to keep her mouth shut. The words in Yuna's mind crept back inside her. She knew that the young Summoner had to die somehow to save millions of lives, but Lulu had this aching feeling of wanting her to live. She knew that everyone also wanted her to live and the one who was struck much more in the heart, was Tidus. His love for Yuna meant everything to him and Yuna as well. But deep down, no one had any idea that Lulu would be even more struck if her only companion who she ever treated as her little sister would soon leave this world just like her father. First, Chappu, soon, it would be Yuna who is next in line to die. She chocked back tears that threatened to fall from her face. Death. It was a word that felt like ice in her heart. There has been too many deaths in her life. Her parents were an example and she thought that she could hide her emotional despair with Chappu, but Death followed her there. Ever since the news reached her ears that Chappu had died, Lulu chose to close her heart and herself from the world. She wanted to love Chappu and only Chappu. She wished to only love him and no one else. Lulu sighed quietly, unaware that Tidus had already left the inn, followed by the others. She was left standing alone, except for a figure hiding in the shadows of the inn. He was watching her this whole time.
"Are you ready, Lulu?" Auron spoke quietly.
Lulu looked at him. Since last night, it has been awkward between them. Before, it was hard for them to speak to each other, now it was even harder to even look the other in the eye. She simply nodded and went on ahead of him outside, where everyone else was waiting. It would be a few more hours until they reach the Zanarkand Ruins, as Wakka noted, but since everyone were into defeating Sin so much, no one slept that night. Lulu was the only one who had closed her eyes until Rikku once again woke her up for another morning. They rested for a bit inside the airship, but earlier the next morning, everyone already prepared for the fight. Lulu felt another headache coming on as she followed suit beside Auron, who seemed to notice Lulu's discomfort as they headed for the Zanarkand Ruins.
"Are you all right, Lulu?" Auron spoke, glancing at the others to make sure no one was listening. "You seem ill." He glanced towards her, Lulu's face filled with pain.
Lulu nodded. "I am fine, Sir Auron. There is no reason for you to worry about me." She could feel him staring at her again, but she didn't need this. She needed to get away fast and not have him watch her so closely. Lulu walked away from him and caught up with Rikku, who was skipping beside Yuna. She listened as the two women chatted about things that only 'young women' talked about. Lulu felt herself drifting away from that sort of topic. Love. She didn't need this kind of torture. Auron watching over her like a hawk. A topic about love. Yuna having to sacrifice herself. She didn't need this now. It was too much. Lulu closed her eyes in annoyance. "Shutup, Rikku! Is this really the time to talk about love?! Sometimes Rikku you can be so annoying!!!"
Rikku stopped short, closing her mouth in silence. She glanced at Lulu and frowned, feeling hurt by the woman whom she considered as her older sister. Yuna glanced towards Lulu and stared at her curiously. Lulu seemed ill and she could tell by the pain in her eyes.
"Lulu, are you okay?" Yuna spoke softly, placing a hand on her shoulder gently.
"I'm fine, Yuna," Lulu responded, removing Yuna's hand from her. She stared ahead and noticed that the airship was just nearby. She ignored the stares resting upon her and began to walk ahead of them.
"What's wrong with her?" Tidus asked.
No one answered that question.
****************
Aboard the plane, no one asked, nor talked about Lulu's outburst. Rikku was still quite hurt and was quiet during the trip. Her father had asked her what was wrong, but she just shrugged and put on a smile on her face. Lulu was seen entering one of the small rooms in the lower deck and when Auron heard this, he decided to visit her. Everyone took no notice as Auron left the bridge. Immediately after the plane took flight, Wakka was the first one to finally make the starting conversation on Rikku's behalf about Lulu.
"Has anybody noticed how Lu's been acting strange lately, ya?" Wakka looked around for an answer, but all heads just shook in response. "What? You mean none of you have noticed? Or was it just me and Auron?"
Tidus looked at him confusingly. "Auron? He knew something is wrong with her?"
"Auron and I have known her since well... forever, ya? So has, Yuna, but I'm surprise you haven't noticed, Yuna." The large man glanced at Yuna.
Yuna looked up and nodded. "I have, but I never really said anything. Lulu has been acting strange lately ever since we left Al Bhed City. I knew there was nothing for me to do, because I figured it would just disappear. I know Lulu too well."
Wakka nodded. "That's true." He looked towards Rikku. "How are you feeling, Rikku?"
Rikku nodded and said nothing. Cid glanced at his daughter, and then looked at the people around him. "Care to run through that again with me? Because all I got was how Lulu has been acting odd and Rikku's feelings." His daughter placed a hand on his shoulder and shook her head.
"It's not important anymore, daddy. I think we all just had a bad day, you know?"
****************
Lulu couldn't lie down on the bed, nor sit down. She needed to get out and see the skies. For some reason, looking at the sky calmed her. She tossed and turned on her bed, the guilt inside growing rather painfully. Rikku had said to her once that she was like a sister to her. Lulu bit at her lower lip and sat up. She was feeling insecure in this place. She needed to get out. The black mage opened the door to her room and stepped out of the quiet hall. He could see a child running up and down the inclining platform and a woman walking around, but other than that, no one else roamed the lower portion of the aircraft. She turned right, deciding on going to the higher levels and out into the balcony to see the scenery. It was still early, but at least she can still catch a glimpse of the darkness fading in the distance, while the sun moved to replace the night with day. She crossed a short bridge and was making her way through another hallway, this time, desolate. The wall to both her sides made criss-cross patterns around it and as she knocked on the wall, it felt hollow and metallic. She continued to walk straight and, with her memory, turned right to find the balcony just a few more walks ahead of her. The balcony was always empty. No one seemed to enjoy the view, but she did. Every night, she enjoyed watching the sunset. It brought back memories to the time when Chappu made picnic by the beach. They slept on the sands and watched the sunrise and fall when night had soon came. He was the reason Lulu became enchanted by the beauty of the sun. Normally, she would never go out just to see the glowing sphere, but now, she always went to see it and would never get tired of it. Only now, it felt different. Chappu was no longer with her. She rested her arms on the bars and stared at the sky. The wind blew her dark hair behind her and only her ears could hear the clinking of her hairpins. She clutched her Moogle doll close to her chest and took a deep breath of fresh air, closing her eyes as much as she wanted. Suddenly, she felt the same headache again, this time, much worst than before. Lulu felt a pain surging through her brain and she went down on the ground on her knees. She clutched at her head and screamed inside with agony.
Large footsteps were suddenly heard nearby. Lulu wanted to stand and pretend nothing happened, but the voice made her stop. The deep, richness of the tone of a man, made her stop short on her knees, one hand clutching tightly at her doll, while the other gripping hard on the bars.
"Lulu, you seem in pain." He attempted to steady her, but Lulu just pushed him away with as much strength as she could and glared at him.
"I am fine, Sir Auron," she spoke, rather harshly.
Auron stared at her in shock, but said nothing in the matter. Lately, he noticed Lulu edgy and irritated. He could tell that the black mage was also ill, ill with fever and if possible, grief over her loss. She was still pining for Chappu. "You seem ill, Lulu. I'm worried about you."
Lulu looked up and frowned. "You don't need to worry about me, Sir Auron." She brushed pass him, but Auron had grabbed her arm harshly, pulling her close to him. She would never dare go against the wishes of a man who had treated her so kindly, but this time, she needed to. She didn't need a man to worry about her. She was strong and no man can ever take the pain away from her. Why does Death have to happen? "Please let me go, Sir," she hissed. He was irritating her.
Auron released her immediately, shocked by her tone. "Lulu, stop locking your heart inside. Let someone in." He placed a hand on her shoulder gently, but received a sharp blow in his face.
"You don't know how I feel!" Lulu yelled, shaking his hand from her shoulder. She walked pass him and decided to go back to her room to sleep. What did he know about expressing feelings? He did the same! He was doing what she was doing! How ridiculous! Auron watched her go, feeling regretful of ever touching her. She could never let a man touch her, unless she let go of the past.
GoodGurl: Depressing, eh? Please be nice people! This is my first AuroLu fic and yeah.... Please r/r. k? Thanx a bunch!!!!!!!!!
When The Night Fades
Chapter 1
The night sky seemed to be the only sword through his unbearable shield of defense. He didn't know how he came to this. Why did he become attached to these people? Why did he become attached to her? She was here, yet he... he was stuck between worlds. He was stuck between the living and the dead. He glanced towards the only person left sitting around the campfire. Everyone else had gone in for a rest, but he could still hear Rikku making ideas about how to defeat Sin, some of which, to what he thought, were ridiculous. He looked up and sighed quietly. He was ready to contemplate on the night sky, of how beautiful it was simply just by looking at it. The stars were even more beautiful if he paid more attention to it. He never really watched the night sky like this. When he slept, he would have nightmares, as if the night itself was the only thing that made him weary than any monster that he has ever faced.
"Why are you afraid of the night?" He blinked, unaware now that the figure sitting a short distant from him had been watching this whole time. He never really understood why he was attached to this woman. She was mature for his age, true, but he never really understood. She was just a little girl then, but she grew quite different than what he remembered her to be. At twelve, she was just as happy as little Yuna, when they introduced her to Besaid Village. He has often wondered what made her be this way, so dark and mysterious and very much like him.
"I'm afraid of sleeping and not waking again," he replied with a deep voice. He watched her nod slightly and turn her attention back to the night sky. Her belt clinked as she moved to her left. She placed her hands on her lap and leaned forward and pointed a finger towards the dying fire. After a few seconds, sparks flew from her fingers and he could smell the burning amber as the fire started again. He continued to watch as she shifted once more to her left, but he wasn't sure if she was inviting him to sit with her, or just moving to the left to be more comfortable.
With a slight turn of her head towards him, she nodded. "Do you plan to stand there all night, Sir Auron?" she spoke, her voice deep and soft.
Auron wasn't sure if it was his place to be near her. It's been far too long that he has spoken to anyone like this. The only time he has spoken to anyone about his personal life was with Lord Braska and Jecht, before they left him to be alive. Why did he have to be here?
Lulu said nothing as she turned her head towards the fire. There were no more words to say in her part. She was inviting him too much. True, they have not spoken that long, but she felt close to him in a way. They had a lot in common. They have lost someone. "Everyone has lost someone in this group. But no one seemed to have said anything about it," Lulu suddenly spoke, surprised even at herself for speaking so suddenly.
"That's because they would rather forget the painful memories than remember it all over again..." Auron replied, sighing. He knew all about Lulu's lost loved one and he too lost someone dear to him. His two best friends.
"True..." She paused, unsure of what to say. This was, after all, Sir Auron. "But sometimes we all blame ourselves for our own loss. Because we couldn't protect them."
Auron stared at her. He hadn't moved from his spot, but he could see rejected tears from Lulu as she blinked them away from her mind. If he could cry, he could do it, but he couldn't. Lulu could cry, if she wanted to, but she was forcing herself not to show her emotions. "Yes, that's true. I even blame myself for losing against Yunalesca and being weak to save Lord Braska and Jecth from death." He wasn't sure why, but after what he had said, he was beginning to move forward towards her.
Lulu closed her eyes. "It's different for me, Sir Auron." Her voice was weak and almost ready to crack, but she was holding it too much that Auron couldn't tell whether she was crying at all. She was too good at it.
Auron sat down beside her, giving them both enough space and found himself staring into the fire along with her. "How are we different, Lulu? We are all the same here. We blame ourselves too much that we don't even think of who the people we cared for were blaming."
Lulu shuddered. Suddenly, it was beginning to feel cold. "No, Sir Auron. We ARE different. I blamed Chappu for his own death. I blamed him for being so careless and being unable to save himself from death. I blamed him for leaving me!" Auron found himself staring at her. The light from the fire gleamed at her face, making dances across her cheeks and her eyes. There was a glint of tears from the corner and before he could stop himself and before Lulu had a chance to wipe it away, Auron reached out with his good hand and cleared her face away with her tear. He surprised her and even himself.
They stared at each other, confused at the sudden event that just took place. Auron was still touching her face, but he quickly pulled it away and stood up. "Well, you better get to bed, if we want to leave early tomorrow." He turned and walked away, deciding on heading to the hilltops to think of what he just did.
Lulu blinked and shuddered again. There was something in his touch that felt empty, isolated and dejected that she couldn't help but watch him walk over the hills and stopped to sit down. Although the darkness enabled her to see exactly what he was doing, the light from the stars and the moon from above made it clear that he was thinking deeply again. Whatever happened to the clear, thinking man she met all those years ago? She shook her head and decided to think of something else. She cursed herself for being so careless about her tears. She promised herself before that she wouldn't cry. She was stronger than that! Lulu stared back at the fire, but it had already died down. Once again, she wanted to make another, but rejected the idea and stood up.
Before she turned towards the inn, she quickly took a quick glance at the man in the darkness and frowned. They were the same.
With that thought, Lulu stepped inside the tent and closed the door behind her.
****************
The bright morning woke her up from her sleep, with thoughts of last night still running through her mind. She often wondered why Sir Auron was afraid of the night, when he had the courage to face it. She envied him for that. She was too afraid to face her own fears, even if it means having to conquer it.
Suddenly, the door flew open and through it, appeared a bouncy blond making her way towards the bed. "Good morning Lulu!!!!" she yelped, jumping on her bed. She grabbed Lulu's hand and pulled her up. Lulu grimaced and stared at her. She wanted to scream at the girl for waking her up like this, but as she looked into the innocent eyes of Rikku, Lulu couldn't help but be kind to her. After all, Rikku has helped them through many dangerous situations.
"Good morning, Rikku," she spoke softly. Rikku stepped back to let her stand up from bed. Even with the optimism, Rikku knew not to disturb Lulu even when she is in her happiest of moods. She was even more mature than she thought. Lulu shivered again. For some reason, she's been shivering ever since leaving Besaid as if the presence of the dead was nearby. Lulu felt her cheeks burning, but she brushed away the thought of that and followed Rikku as she ran out of the room and into the main hall where everyone was waiting.
When Tidus noticed Lulu coming, he clenched his fists and happily punched the air. "All right, everyone! Let's go beat Sin!!!" Everyone else cheered, except for Lulu and Auron, who just nodded and spoke small simple words such as, 'yes, we will' or, 'we will beat Sin.'
"There is no backing out now," Auron spoke, hushing everyone who was present. Lulu glanced at him, standing beside Tidus. "This is your last chance to back out now if you wish." He looked around at everyone.
No one spoke.
"Good! Everyone really wants to beat Sin, right?!" Tidus spoke, rather loudly.
Lulu pressed a finger at her temple. Right now, Tidus' voice irritated her. Her head were thumping in pain, yet she chose to ignore it. Tidus' voice has never irritated her, until now and Auron noticed it. Hoping no one did, Lulu put her hand down and continued to pay attention to the people around her.
"But..." Tidus stopped short and stared at everyone. His eyes stopped at Yuna, who was looking at him curiously. "What happens after we beat Sin?"
Yuna smiled sweetly. "What do you think? No more Sin and no more danger here in the world. That means we have saved the world, thanks to you." She stared into his eyes.
Tidus blushed and rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "I haven't really done much."
"Yes you have, Bro. You made us believe we can beat all the monsters in our way, ya? I mean, without you, we would never have won the cup at the Blitzball championship and showed those Luca players what we're made of!" Wakka threw his blitzball in the air and caught it with his pointer finger, the ball twirling around on it.
"Yeah! And without you, we would never have beaten Seymour... you know?" Rikku tugged at Tidus' shirt and smiled up at him.
Tidus smiled back. "Without me? Well, you could have beaten Seymour by yourselves and-"
"With your determination and skills, you made us believe in ourselves and with it, I know we can beat Sin together," came Auron's voice. "You were meant to be here, Tidus. You were meant to be with us so you can show us the way. I was meant to send you back here so you can show us the meaning of courage and determination."
Lulu glanced at Auron. She had no idea Auron had a side of him that spoke words of wisdom. Yes, she knew Sir Auron had wisdom, but never in that kind of subject before. She is never good at those kinds of stuff. She had to think of a way to encourage Tidus somehow, but none came out of her lips. So, she pursed her lips together and did what she could only do. Nod.
Tidus looked at her and smiled. "You all believed this? You believed that I did all of this to help you beat Sin? The reason that I'm here is because I am meant to help Yuna beat Sin?" All six heads present nodded in unison.
Lulu never believed it at first that Tidus could help Yuna. To her, he was a strange sort of man with no knowledge about the Summoners. She knew he wasn't of this world, but since Yuna grew fond of this boy, Lulu had no choice but to keep her mouth shut. The words in Yuna's mind crept back inside her. She knew that the young Summoner had to die somehow to save millions of lives, but Lulu had this aching feeling of wanting her to live. She knew that everyone also wanted her to live and the one who was struck much more in the heart, was Tidus. His love for Yuna meant everything to him and Yuna as well. But deep down, no one had any idea that Lulu would be even more struck if her only companion who she ever treated as her little sister would soon leave this world just like her father. First, Chappu, soon, it would be Yuna who is next in line to die. She chocked back tears that threatened to fall from her face. Death. It was a word that felt like ice in her heart. There has been too many deaths in her life. Her parents were an example and she thought that she could hide her emotional despair with Chappu, but Death followed her there. Ever since the news reached her ears that Chappu had died, Lulu chose to close her heart and herself from the world. She wanted to love Chappu and only Chappu. She wished to only love him and no one else. Lulu sighed quietly, unaware that Tidus had already left the inn, followed by the others. She was left standing alone, except for a figure hiding in the shadows of the inn. He was watching her this whole time.
"Are you ready, Lulu?" Auron spoke quietly.
Lulu looked at him. Since last night, it has been awkward between them. Before, it was hard for them to speak to each other, now it was even harder to even look the other in the eye. She simply nodded and went on ahead of him outside, where everyone else was waiting. It would be a few more hours until they reach the Zanarkand Ruins, as Wakka noted, but since everyone were into defeating Sin so much, no one slept that night. Lulu was the only one who had closed her eyes until Rikku once again woke her up for another morning. They rested for a bit inside the airship, but earlier the next morning, everyone already prepared for the fight. Lulu felt another headache coming on as she followed suit beside Auron, who seemed to notice Lulu's discomfort as they headed for the Zanarkand Ruins.
"Are you all right, Lulu?" Auron spoke, glancing at the others to make sure no one was listening. "You seem ill." He glanced towards her, Lulu's face filled with pain.
Lulu nodded. "I am fine, Sir Auron. There is no reason for you to worry about me." She could feel him staring at her again, but she didn't need this. She needed to get away fast and not have him watch her so closely. Lulu walked away from him and caught up with Rikku, who was skipping beside Yuna. She listened as the two women chatted about things that only 'young women' talked about. Lulu felt herself drifting away from that sort of topic. Love. She didn't need this kind of torture. Auron watching over her like a hawk. A topic about love. Yuna having to sacrifice herself. She didn't need this now. It was too much. Lulu closed her eyes in annoyance. "Shutup, Rikku! Is this really the time to talk about love?! Sometimes Rikku you can be so annoying!!!"
Rikku stopped short, closing her mouth in silence. She glanced at Lulu and frowned, feeling hurt by the woman whom she considered as her older sister. Yuna glanced towards Lulu and stared at her curiously. Lulu seemed ill and she could tell by the pain in her eyes.
"Lulu, are you okay?" Yuna spoke softly, placing a hand on her shoulder gently.
"I'm fine, Yuna," Lulu responded, removing Yuna's hand from her. She stared ahead and noticed that the airship was just nearby. She ignored the stares resting upon her and began to walk ahead of them.
"What's wrong with her?" Tidus asked.
No one answered that question.
****************
Aboard the plane, no one asked, nor talked about Lulu's outburst. Rikku was still quite hurt and was quiet during the trip. Her father had asked her what was wrong, but she just shrugged and put on a smile on her face. Lulu was seen entering one of the small rooms in the lower deck and when Auron heard this, he decided to visit her. Everyone took no notice as Auron left the bridge. Immediately after the plane took flight, Wakka was the first one to finally make the starting conversation on Rikku's behalf about Lulu.
"Has anybody noticed how Lu's been acting strange lately, ya?" Wakka looked around for an answer, but all heads just shook in response. "What? You mean none of you have noticed? Or was it just me and Auron?"
Tidus looked at him confusingly. "Auron? He knew something is wrong with her?"
"Auron and I have known her since well... forever, ya? So has, Yuna, but I'm surprise you haven't noticed, Yuna." The large man glanced at Yuna.
Yuna looked up and nodded. "I have, but I never really said anything. Lulu has been acting strange lately ever since we left Al Bhed City. I knew there was nothing for me to do, because I figured it would just disappear. I know Lulu too well."
Wakka nodded. "That's true." He looked towards Rikku. "How are you feeling, Rikku?"
Rikku nodded and said nothing. Cid glanced at his daughter, and then looked at the people around him. "Care to run through that again with me? Because all I got was how Lulu has been acting odd and Rikku's feelings." His daughter placed a hand on his shoulder and shook her head.
"It's not important anymore, daddy. I think we all just had a bad day, you know?"
****************
Lulu couldn't lie down on the bed, nor sit down. She needed to get out and see the skies. For some reason, looking at the sky calmed her. She tossed and turned on her bed, the guilt inside growing rather painfully. Rikku had said to her once that she was like a sister to her. Lulu bit at her lower lip and sat up. She was feeling insecure in this place. She needed to get out. The black mage opened the door to her room and stepped out of the quiet hall. He could see a child running up and down the inclining platform and a woman walking around, but other than that, no one else roamed the lower portion of the aircraft. She turned right, deciding on going to the higher levels and out into the balcony to see the scenery. It was still early, but at least she can still catch a glimpse of the darkness fading in the distance, while the sun moved to replace the night with day. She crossed a short bridge and was making her way through another hallway, this time, desolate. The wall to both her sides made criss-cross patterns around it and as she knocked on the wall, it felt hollow and metallic. She continued to walk straight and, with her memory, turned right to find the balcony just a few more walks ahead of her. The balcony was always empty. No one seemed to enjoy the view, but she did. Every night, she enjoyed watching the sunset. It brought back memories to the time when Chappu made picnic by the beach. They slept on the sands and watched the sunrise and fall when night had soon came. He was the reason Lulu became enchanted by the beauty of the sun. Normally, she would never go out just to see the glowing sphere, but now, she always went to see it and would never get tired of it. Only now, it felt different. Chappu was no longer with her. She rested her arms on the bars and stared at the sky. The wind blew her dark hair behind her and only her ears could hear the clinking of her hairpins. She clutched her Moogle doll close to her chest and took a deep breath of fresh air, closing her eyes as much as she wanted. Suddenly, she felt the same headache again, this time, much worst than before. Lulu felt a pain surging through her brain and she went down on the ground on her knees. She clutched at her head and screamed inside with agony.
Large footsteps were suddenly heard nearby. Lulu wanted to stand and pretend nothing happened, but the voice made her stop. The deep, richness of the tone of a man, made her stop short on her knees, one hand clutching tightly at her doll, while the other gripping hard on the bars.
"Lulu, you seem in pain." He attempted to steady her, but Lulu just pushed him away with as much strength as she could and glared at him.
"I am fine, Sir Auron," she spoke, rather harshly.
Auron stared at her in shock, but said nothing in the matter. Lately, he noticed Lulu edgy and irritated. He could tell that the black mage was also ill, ill with fever and if possible, grief over her loss. She was still pining for Chappu. "You seem ill, Lulu. I'm worried about you."
Lulu looked up and frowned. "You don't need to worry about me, Sir Auron." She brushed pass him, but Auron had grabbed her arm harshly, pulling her close to him. She would never dare go against the wishes of a man who had treated her so kindly, but this time, she needed to. She didn't need a man to worry about her. She was strong and no man can ever take the pain away from her. Why does Death have to happen? "Please let me go, Sir," she hissed. He was irritating her.
Auron released her immediately, shocked by her tone. "Lulu, stop locking your heart inside. Let someone in." He placed a hand on her shoulder gently, but received a sharp blow in his face.
"You don't know how I feel!" Lulu yelled, shaking his hand from her shoulder. She walked pass him and decided to go back to her room to sleep. What did he know about expressing feelings? He did the same! He was doing what she was doing! How ridiculous! Auron watched her go, feeling regretful of ever touching her. She could never let a man touch her, unless she let go of the past.
GoodGurl: Depressing, eh? Please be nice people! This is my first AuroLu fic and yeah.... Please r/r. k? Thanx a bunch!!!!!!!!!