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Forever Silent	By : Drea Category: Final Fantasy X > Het - Male/Female Views: 892 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy X, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 2
- 3
Authors Notes: And a
note to myself�don�t use bold or the words are just going to jump out at you
guys. Okay! Next chapter, hope you like it and same disclaimer applies. I�m too
lazy to actually write it again.

Bittersweet Victory

Three hours after their arrival in
Zanarkand, the Besaid Aurochs stumbled into their locker room, exhausted but
wearing bright smiles of victory. Many of them sported ugly bruises and yet
those did nothing to lessen their exuberant attitudes. They had beaten the Luca
Goers. It had been a long and difficult game, not to mention incredibly
hostile, going into 20 minutes of overtime. The final score, 6 to 5, the
winning goal executed beautifully by the newest additions to the Besaid
Aurochs, Kenzi.

*~*~*Flashback*~*~*

Kenzi
winced as she watched a dark man with black hair named Abus slam into Botta.
The red headed Auroch doubled over in pain but thankfully kept his firm hold on
the blitzball. After making sure his target was clear he passed the ball
halfway across the sphere pool to Jassu. When the bleach blond man turned,
Bickson, a red head with a wicked smirk and an appalling attitude was right
there waiting for him. Using the wither tackle technique, Bickson shot forward.
Jassu braced himself, clutching the ball tightly. This was going to hurt.

Bickson
hit him hard, dragging him back in the water and forcing the air from his
lungs. The wither tackles toxin immediately took effect, spreading through his
body like wild fire. But the ball was still in his possession. They could still
win this.

Jassu
lifted his head tiredly and found Tidus several feet away. �I can get that far.
No problem.�

Everything
from that moment on seemed to drag out in slow motion. Jassu passed the ball to
Tidus. Taking his eyes off of the ball for a split second, Tidus turned his
head to the side, his gaze meeting Kenzi�s across the pool. He jerked his head
up, motioning to the top of the sphere pool and she nodded, propelling herself
up through the water. Tidus turned in time to catch the ball. He twisted,
hurling it up at Kenzi and praying that she would nail it.

The
strawberry blond Al Bhed broke the surface of the water, the blitzball right
behind her. �This is it Kenzi,� she thought as she sailed out of the sphere and
into the cloudless sky. �Time to show them why they recruited you.� She twisted
on her side, her back arching gracefully as she swept her leg around her in a
roundhouse kick. She saw the ball, watched as it connected with her foot and
went flying back into the sphere pool with amazing speed. The silence stretched
out agonizingly then was broken when the buzzer sounded and the crowd filled
stadium erupted with cheers. Kenzi smiled as she dove back into the water. They
had won.

*~*~*End Flashback*~*~*

�Way to
go guys!� Wakka congratulated his team, grinning from ear to ear. �We�re on to
the finals!�
&;
�Yeah,
thanks to legs here!� Jassu exclaimed proudly, wrapping his arm around Kenzi�s
shoulders.

�No
kidding,� Botta spoke up, gingerly rubbing the large bruise forming on his
side. �Were you watchin� capn�? It was a great shot.�

Wakka
watched the blond Al Bhed blush and duck her head. �Yeah, I saw it,� he replied
softly.

He�d seen
it all right. He had watched every second of it wondering how it was humanly
possible to have the incredible body she had. He hadn�t been able to take his
eyes off her, not even when the buzzer sounded signaling that they had won the
game. All he could do was watch her, swimming with sure strokes, an angelic
smile curving her full pink lips.

Then, of
course, had come that guilt again. He really hated that feeling but he supposed
it was his own fault. Ever since they had left the ship he had been
particularly cold to her and he wasn�t even sure why. Maybe it had something to
do with their little run in on the deck. When her small body had been pressed
against his and she�d been staring at him with those beautiful gray-blue eyes
something had stirred inside him. He had suddenly stopped looking at her as an
Al Bhed and starteeingeing her for the woman she really was. It had shocked him
and ever scared him a little. When Lu had commented on it, she had been nothing
short of furious. He�d listened to her insults, staying silent the entire time.
He had learned long ago that it was pointless to argue with her.

But when
he had gone back to join the team in the deserted area behind the stadium where
they were practicing, he had immediately started taking his anger at Lulu out
on the unsuspecting Kenzi. He�d cut her down, corrected moves that didn�t need
correcting over and over again and basically just been a complete ass to her.

He knew
he owed her an apology. And he knew he had to do it before their next game. His
sudden cruelness had thrown her that much was obvious. Sure she had played good
but Wakka knew she could have played better. They probably would have destroyed
the Goers and avoided over time all together had Kenzi not been afraid he would
yell at her again.

�Yeah,�
he thought, watching the guys compliment Kenzi. �I defiantly owe her an
apology.� He cleared his throat and called out to her. �Hey, Kenzi.�

The perky
Al Bhed�s head snapped up and her stormy eyes focused warily on him.

�Could
you come here for a sec?� he asked. �I want to talk to you about somethin�.�

Kenzi
shot a look at Tidus. He gave her an encouraging smile and she separated
herself from the group, crossing the room slowly to where Wakka stood waiting.
�What�s up?� she asked cautiously.

�Listen,
Kenzi�.I think I owe you an apology,� Wakka started off awkwardly, rubbing the
back of his neck. �I came down pretty hard on you today and I didn�t� mean to.
Me and Lu, we weren�t getting along too well and I took it out on the wrong
person.�

Kenzi
pointed to herself, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

Wakka
grinned sheepishly and nodded. �Yeah, you,� he said, glad to see laughter
sparkling in her eyes once again, �I�m sorry Kenzi.�

�Apology
accepted,� she murmured.

They
stared at each other for a moment longer, and then Wakka wrapped a muscular arm
around Kenzi�s shoulders and pulled her close to his side. �You hungry?�

�Starving,�
Kenzi replied, trying to ignore the erratic beating of her heart.

�Alright
then. Yo! Aurochs!� Wakka almost shouted. �We got a while before our next game.
You feel like grabbin� a bite to eat? I�ll pay.�

�Capn�s
payin�? That means I�ll be able to get twice as much food!� Keepa said.

Jassu
rolled his eyes and elbowed his y fry friend. �You do that and there�s not
gonna be anything left for the rest of us.�

�I could
use some food. Last time I ate was breakfast if that�s what you can call the
junk they carry on the ship, ya?� Datto said while adjusting the green band he
wore around his head. �What about you Tidus, Botta? You guys in?�

Botta
nodded. �Hell yeah. Can�t turn down free food.�

Tidus
shook his head, slowly backing towards the door. �I think I�m going to�ahh�see
Yuna.� As he expected the entire team broke out in a chorus of �ooooooo�s.� Tidus laughed and pushed the
door open. �Whatever guys. You just wish you all had a girlfriend as fine as
mine!� he yelled over his shoulder as he disappeared.

�Damn
kid�s got a point,� Jassu muttered, his shoulder slumping.

Wakka
laughed and reluctantly loosened his hold on Kenzi. �Come on guys. Let�s get
out of here and find a good place to eat, ya?� He led the way out of the locker
room and everyone followed, Jassu and Kenzi trailing behind.

Kenzi
slid a sideways glance in Jassu�s direction, surprised to see that he was actually
still sulking. Had what Tidus said actually gotten to him? It seemed like it.
Jassu was much more quiet then he normally tended to be. She could fix that
though. �Um�Jassu?�

�Hmm?�

�You know
if you wanted a girlfriend all you would have to do is ask a certain Al Bhed
with green eyes.�

At that
Jassu perked up, regarding Kenzi with curiosity. �You mean Rikku? Seriously?!�

Kenzi
nodded. �Yup. I thihe�she�s been interested in you for a while. She�s probably
going to kill me for telling you that but I think it was worth the risk, wasn�t
it?�

�Yeah.
Wow, I never thought she would feel that way about me. Always thought she was
cute, ever since the day Capn� Wakka brought her back after their fight with
Sin. Guess I just didn�t know how to go about tellin� her, ya know?�

Kenzi
smiled at the taller man, gently bumping her arm against his. �So are you going
to tell her then?�

�You bet.
I�ll think of some romantic way to say it. You girls go for that kind of
stuff.�

Kenzi
started to reply when a group of goggled men walking towards them caught her
attention. �Oh hell,� she yelped and ducked behind Jassu, keeping herself well
hidden from the men. There was no way that she wanted to be confronted by the
Al Bhed Psyches, not right now.

�You
know, they�re gonna see you sooner or later legs,� Jassu said, looking over his
shoulder and smiling at the way Kenzi was gripping his arm and maneuvering
herself around him to keep the Al Bhed�s from seeing her.

�I prefer
later,� she muttered dryly. She moved in front of her blond teammate and walked
backwards, looking over his shoulder at the retreating backs of the Psyches. �I
wonder if they even know I�m here?�

Jassu
shrugged, gently pulling Kenzi back to his side to avoid tripping over her and
taking them both down. �I guess we�ll find out if they win this next game. Then
it�s just us and them.�

Kenzi
didn�t like the sound of that. The Al Bhed had become very hostile over the
league season. She liked to refer to is as �victory lust.� They were just about
as tough as the Luca Goers but not half as sneaky. The way the Al Bhed Psyches
went about winning was basically by use of brute strength and it was scary to
see how far they would sometimes take it.

Lost in
her thoughts, Kenzi almost missed the restaurant they had chosen to stop at.
She would have walked by completely if Jassu hadn�t reached over and tugged on
her arm, pulling her inside. The place they had gone into was more of a sports
bar then a restaurant and it was dedicated entirely to the game of Blitzball.
Worn uniform framed under glass lined the walls along with several pictures of
famous Blitzball players. The far wall was made up of glass windows, looking
out over the gigantic stadium and sphere pool. A big screen hung suspended
above the bar, playing the previous game taking place between the Al Bhed
Psyches and Guado Glories.

Most of
the Besaid Aurochs were already seated on bar stools around a large elevated
table. Jassu grabbed a seat and the last one left, Kenzi noticed with a waver
of nervousness, was the seat next to Wakka. She took a deep, calming breath and
slid up onto the bar stool, quickly grabbing a menu and burying her face it.

�Findin�
anything you like?� Wakka asked after a while, leaning close to her.

Kenzi
turned to look up into his liquid amber eyes and smile. �You,� she thought
dreamily. �Not yet. Everything looks way too good.� Her eyes traveled from the
menu to his strong leg only inches away from her own, then up to the arm
propped on the table beside her. She had to force herself not to go further.

Wakka
moved a little bit closer, unaware that he was even doing it and said, �You
should try the behemoth burger. They�re pretty good. That�s what I�m getting.�

�Okay,�
Kenzi replied breathlessly, handing her menu over to Wakka.

�Keepa�you
just see that?� Botta asked quietly, hitting the Auroch goalie none-to-gently
under the table.

Keepa
smirked. �You bet I did. How sweet huh? Our capn� helpin� the newbie order.�

�It�s
soooo romantic,� Botta gushed, batting his lashes like an over flirtatious
female. �Yeah, we all know what Wakka wants to order and it ain�t nowhere in
that menu he�s holdin�.�

The two
enjoyed a good laugh before the waitress came to take their orders. While they
waited for their food the team watched the game going on, noticing grimly that
the Al Bhed�s were killing the Guado�s.

�Something
tells me goin� up against those guys isn�t going to be much fun,� Datto
muttered, nodding to the waitress as she set his food down in front of him.

Botta
looked up at Kenzi, noticing that she was still watching Wakka avidly. She had
it bad. Botta just hoped that in the end it would all work out. Kenzi was one
hell of a girl. One he would have gone after himself had he not noticed the way
she watched Wakka like he was the only man on earth. �Hey legs, what do you
have to say about it?�

Kenzi
looked up. �Huh?�

�I said
what do you think about the Al Bhed. You think we stand a chance?�

Kenzi
paused to dip a fry in catsup and pop it in her mouth, chewing it thoughtfully.
�They�re tough. When I was playing with them it seemed like they just got more
and more angry with each game they played. But I think we can do it. Steer
clear of their elbows and you should be fine.�

The rest
of their meals were eaten in quite conversation, most of it revolving around
strategy. When they finished Wakka paid for everything and they left the
restaurant. Outside the sun was steadilttintting, casting gold and violet
colors streaking across the sky. People were heading towards the stadium in
large groups and children were laughing as they threw blitballs back and
forth.

�How much
time we got?� Jassu asked, folding his hands behind his head.

�We got
about an hour,� a voice called out from ahead of them. Tidus pushed through the
crowd and rejoined his team. �How was the food?�

�Pretty
good,� Wakka said. He put a hand over his full stomach and grinned. �How was
Yuna?�

Smiling,
Tidus rolhis his eyes. �Wouldn�t you like to know? We should get back to the
locker room. Stretch out a bit.�

Kenzi
pulled one leg in and stretched the other out to the side, then leaned over it
sighing as the muscles began to stretch. She tried to keep her mind focused on
the game. It was not an easy thing to do. She kept wondering how the Psyches
were going to take it, seeing her with another team. Would they be upset? Would
they get her back during the course of the game? God, she hopped not. Then she
realized something that made her stomach turn in sickening knots. She was
playing center, right across from Blappa. �He is going to be so pissed,� she
thought as she finished stretching and pulled on her thick leather gloves,
strapping them halfway up her arms.

Tense
silence filled the room as each player stretched and started doing their pre
game rituals. Botta went off in the corner and placed his elbows on his knees,
resting his head on his folded hands. Datto adjusted and re-adjusted his
sandals and headband. Keepa sat on another bench, rolling a blitzball back and
forth under his foot. Wakka and Tidus talked in hushed murmurs across the room.
Jassu however came to sit next to Kenzi, wrapping his arm around her shoulders
and pulling her into a brotherly half hug. �Doin� okay?�

Kenzi
nodded nervously, then changing her mind, shook her head quickly back and
forth.

�What�s
up?�

She
sighed, running her hands over her head. �I�m playing across from my ex and we
did not part on good terms.�

Jassu
gave her a gentle shake. �No worries, ya? We got your back. The jerk tries
anything and he�ll have a whole team pissed off at him.�

Kenzi
smiled. �Thanks Jassu,� she said, reaching up and hugging him.

�Okay
guys,� Wakka spoke up, breaking the tense silence. �Suns down. It�s game time.�

Each
Auroch stood slowly and formed a tight circle around their captain. Hands went
in, one over the other. Wakka slowly looked around the small group of faces,
pausing on Kenzi. She was worried about something. He could see the anxiety
swimming in her eyes. �When you guys get out there remember to have fun. Win or
loose were still the best team Spira has to offer, ya?�

�Ya!� The
team shouted in unison.

�We
should go out there now. I wto gto get there before the sphere�s filled,� Tidus
said. Excitement practically radiated from him. If there was one person ready
for this game it was him. �You guys just got to see it. It�s awesome.�

Wakka
nodded and slapped his friend on the shoulder. �You heard the man. Get out
there. Good luck guys!�

The team
filed out, Kenzi once again lagging behind. Wakka gently grabbed her shoulder
and pulled her back. When she raised her eyes to him they were filled with
trepidation. He brushed his thumb softly over her jawbone, unable to help
himself. �You okay?�
< !su !supportEmptyParas]>
She
nodded hastily. �Yeah. I just want to get this over with. I have this
feeling�it�s silly really,� she said, trying to turn away.

Wakka used
his fingers to pull her face back around so that he could watch the emotions
swimming in her eyes. �What is it Kenzi?�

�I
just�.� Kenzi shrugged. �I have this feeling that they�re going to be really
brutal.�

�To you?�

Kenzi
nodded mutely.

�Hey. Don�t
worry okay? You�re gonna be fine. You�re the best I�ve seen aside from Tidus.
They wont be able to touch you,� he said, smiling down at her.

Kenzi
smiled hopefully back up at him. �Really?�

�Yeah,
really. Now get your ass up there. Tidus wants all of you guys to see the
sphere get filled. He�s�kinda strange that way, you know?�

Laughing,
Kenzi impulsively threw her arms around Wakka�s neck. �I know. Thanks Capn�.�
She placed a quick kiss on his cheek and before she could spare a second to be
embarrassed she ran out of the locker room to join the rest of the team. They
were lined up alongside the sphere. Apprehension filled the air. Across from
there stood the Al Bhed, each of them crossing their arms over their chests.

�You guys
ready for this?� Tidus asked smiling.

Kenzi
gave him a strange look. �How is this going to be any different from any other
time they fill up the sphere pool?�

Tidus
laughed and shook his head. �Just watch.�

As he
spoke, energy began to build around them, moving in electrifying waves. Kenzi
felt her breath leave her in a sudden rush as she watched it collect in the
middle of the sphere, moving forward in neon beams of light. The entire crowed
stared in awe as the beams moved faster, forming a blinding ball of energy in
the middle of the sphere, then is suddenly exploded, the blast forcing people
back into their seats.

�Wow�.�
Kenzi murmured, watching water spill over and ar the the sphere.

�Told you
it was going to be awesome,� Tidus said smugly. �Alright guys! Let�s do this!�

The
Aurochs entered the sphere and moved in to position. Kenzi braced herself for
Blappa�s reaction and wasn�t disappointed. The young Al Bhed swam up, took one
look at her and his jaw dropped.

�Kenzi,
fryd dra ramm yna oui tuehk rana?!�

Kenzi
couldn�t resist smirking at him. �I�m playing. What does it look like I�m
doing?�

Before
Blappa could get in another comment the buzzer sounded and the game began.
Tidus scored the first goal after ruthlessly breaking through the Al Bhed�s defense
and carrying off a perfect sphere shot. Then Blappa tied the score, almost
taking Keepa out of the game with a nap shot. After that the game remained
tied. Each Auroch team member poured their hearts into the game and just when
they though they were getting somewhere, using every technique in the book,
something went wrong.

There
were three minutes left in the first half and Botta had the ball. He had an
open shot for Kenzi, so he signaled to her and passed. Kenzi watched the ball,
not paying any attention to Blappa who was swimming up behind her. She caught
the ball and spun around, finding herself face to face with her ex. Too late
she noticed the malicious smirk curving his thin lips. He shot forward to
tackle her and his elbow came down, connecting solidly with her temple. As her
body went limp, the ball dropped from her fingers and buz buzzer sounded. �End
of the first half,� she thought as she blacked out completely.

Immediate
chaos broke out. Datto went for Blappa, screaming profanities and Botta held
him back doing his own share of vulgar yelling. Tidus started yelling at the
refs, demanding they call a foul. Closer to Kenzi then any of the others, Jassu
shot through the water and grabbed her sinking body, cradling it close to his.
He motioned to the rest of the Aurochs to leave the pool and then swam for the
exit. After getting out of the pool he went straight to the locker room, Tidus,
Datto, Botta and Keepa quickly following behind him.

The door
was jerked open by a fierce looking Wakka. �Put her on one of the tables,� he
said, trying hard to control his anger.

Jassu
looked back at Botta and Datto. The two nodded and moved past him, grabbing a
large table from against the wall and pulling it into the middle of the room.

�Do you
want me to go get Yuna?� Tidus asked, coming up to stand beside Wakka.

The
larger man shook his head, watching as Jassu carefully set Kenzi�s unmoving
body on the table. �No time. The second half starts in five minutes.� With a
sigh he left Tidus and went to the table, staring down at Kenzi�s pale face. He
gingerly ran his blunt fingertips over the nasty bump forming at her temple and
cursed. �How hard did that guy hit her?�

�Pretty
hard,� Datto muttered. �From any othnglengle I�m sure it looked like he tackled
her but from where I was�.I saw him hit her. He was smiling capn�. He meant to
do it.�

Wakka�s
fists clenched in fury. He actually felt sick. He couldn�t believe that the guy
had intentionally hit Kenzi! He wanted to hunt him down and beat him within an
inch of his life for even thinking about hurting her. �Anyknowknow why he�d
wanna do somethin� like this?�

Jassu
nervously cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the group. �She told me
the guy is her�ah�ex.�

�She
dated that guy!?� Datto yelped, earning himself several glares. �Sorry.�

Wakka
swore again and drug a hand over his face. �No wonder she was so worried about
goin� out there.�

Kenzi
stirred and the room went silent, all the guys turning to watch her. �Wakka,�
she murmured, twisting her head to the side.

If the
red headed captain thought it was strange that she had called out his name he
didn�t say anything. The rest of the Aurochs however gave him interested looks
but he ignored them, leaning down and sliding a hand under the curve of her
neck. �Kenzi?�

She
stirred again, this time turning her head towards him. Her lids slowly drifted
open, revealing deep pools of dazed gray. Her thin brows drew together in
uncertainty and she tried to move her head further, wincing when the lump above
her temple brushed the unyielding surface of the table.

�Careful,�
Wakka murmured, gently cradling her head in the palm of his hand. �You took a
pretty hard hit out there, ya?�

Kenzi
made a sound of disgust and winced again, then glared up at the offending lump
that was keeping her inhibited. �Blappa is such a freaking ass. I should have
seen that one coming.�

�You
shouldn�t have had to,� Datto said hotly. �He hit you on purpose Kenzi. That
ain�t right.�

Kenzi
smiled at him, touched by the fact that Datto had gotten so angry because
someone had hit her. �I know it�s not right but that�s how those guys work. Or
at least that�s how some of those guys work.� She tapped his arm lightly with
her foot and was rewarded with a shy grin. �You want to help me up?�

�Sure.�
He moved around the table and took her hand, slowly helping her sit up.

Watching
her legs dangle over the edge of the table Kenzi took a fortifying breath.
�When do we go back out?�

Wakka
gaped at her, unable to believe those words had come from her mouth. She�d just
gotten knocked out, she could barley hold her head up and now she wanted to go
back into the game? Well, that wasn�t going to happen. �We�re goin� now. You�re
stayin� here,� he said.

Kenzi
raised pleading eyes to him, eyes he knew he could never resist. �Please Wakka,
let me go out. Just for a few minutes.�

�Why?�

�It�s a
pride thing,� Kenzi said, frustration evident in her tone. �I�ll be fine. Just
give me time to go in there, score and take care of that asshole Blappa.
Please? I�ll have Jassu call time out when I start losing it. I promise. Just
please let me go in there and do this.�

Wakka
crossed his arms over his muscular chest and simply stared at her, demanding
himself to say no. There was no way she could do this. It was amazing that she
had even come to after a blow like that. �Why should I say yes?�

Kenzi
leaned against his arm and tilted her head up, giving him a melting smile.
�Because I was with the Al Bhed for a year. I know their tricks. I can do this.
You can run and get Yuna and I promise�PROMISE�I wont be out there longer then
five minutes. Pleeeeease?�

He almost
laughed. Almost. �Kenzi, you sure about this? What if you black out as soon as
you leave the locker room? Then what?�

Kenzi slid
off the table as the Aurochs filed out of the locker room. After making sure
her feet were firmly planted and she wasn�t going to pass out and fall flat on
her face she turned to Wakka and placed her hands on his chest. �I�ll be okay.
Trust me,� she whispered, never allowing her eyes to leave his.

Wakka was
lost. Lost in her eyes, lost to her words, lost to his own will. Before he knew
it he was resolutely nodding his head, giving into the little minx, allowing
her too keep her pride as his took a drastic fall.

Kenzi�s
smile was blinding as she reached up and wrapped her arms around Wakka�s neck.
�Thank you. I promise you wont regret this.�

�Yeah
yeah. Get out there before I change my mind,� he muttered, smiling as he
allowed his arms to wrap around her small waist. If there was no game to think
about he would gladly stay like that for the rest of the night, or at least
until someone found them. But he couldn�t. There was a game to be played. He
released his hold on her and she let her arms fall back to her side. �Go,� he
said, giving her a shove out the door.

Kenzi
smiled and bounced out the doorway. It was only far from that door that she cut
the theatrics and started to stager. Spots swam before her eyes. Pain exploded
from the spot where Blappa had hit her, but she refused to give up. She had to
do this.

An arm
came around her and she leaned against its owner, looking up into kind brown
eyes. �Jassu.�

The
Aurochs left defense grinned and nodded. �You may be able to fool capn� Wakka
with your sweet talk, but not me. Saw right though it Kenzi.�

�Only a
few minutes, then I�m out. Just tell the rest of the guys to watch their mark
and keep them away from me,� she said, dragging in an unsteady breath.

�You got
it.� Jassu helped her to the sphere pool then let her go in on her own. Once in
the water Kenzi immediately started feeling better. The cool water caressed her
skin and eased the pain throbbing in her head. She moved into position in the
center of the sphere, smirking at Blappa�s stunned expression and the game
began.

The ball
flew up between Kenzi and Blappa. Kenzi let the jerk have it, smiling as he
moved toward her. He was almost setting himself up for this one. The smirk on
her face disappeared, replaced by a cold glare. Blappa stopped in front of her,
shaking his head. He didn�t think she had it in her to take him down. He was so
very wrong.

With a
powerful kick Kenzi shot forward. She tackled him hard, slamming her body
against his with jarring impact. �Now for the pain,� she thought, shoving her
shoulder up hard into his chin and snapping his head back. But it wasn�t
enough. Kenzi�s fingers closed around the ball and she did the one thing she
never thought she would do to a man. As she came out of the tackle she brought her
knee up between his legs and it connected hard with its target. Kenzi silently
congratulated herself as the ball slipped from Blappa�s fingers and into her
possession.

She
didn�t spare a moment to make sure the Al Bhed was okay. Why should she? He had
brought it upon himself. With a laugh she swam forward, increasing her speed
and surprising her entire team but adapting Wakka�s freestyle stroke and easily
making her way to the goal.

She
stopped several feet away and looked down at the blitzball. �Now what was it
that Nimrook just hated?� She looked up at the Al Bhed goalie and smiled.
�Venom,� she whispered. The blitzbaespoesponded to her words and started
glowing a filthy green color. She saw Nimrook�s eyebrows shoot up and laughed.
�Sorry Rook! I�ve got to make the capn� proud.� She released the ball, kicking
it as hard as she could and it sailed through Nimrook�s hands and into the
goal.

Kenzi
laughed and floated on her back, reeling with the euphoria of her victory. Not
only had she proven herself to be much stronger then she looked but she had
shown her captain that she was a woman of her word. Her joy didn�t last long
though. As soon as she straightened up and started to swim back into position
her head began to pound with an almost lethal force. She looked up at Jassu,
not surprised to see him watching her avidly. She gave him the nod and he
called time, allowing her to exit the sphere.

While she
was swimming away someone grabbed her arm and pulled her back. She swung around
and stared up at the face of an Al Bhed with dark circles around his eyes, a
bright yellow mohawk, and worn gray overalls. Brother.

The
handsome Al Bhed looked back to where Blappa was floating, clutching his
stomach and muttering several curses in Al Bhed. With a chuckle he turned back
to Kenzi. �Good shot Kenzi. It�s nice to see you again,� he said in thick Al
Bhed.

Kenzi
offered him a weak smile. �Thanks Brother. It�s good to see you again too. Nice
to know the entire team doesn�t hate me for leaving.�

�No.� Brother
shook his head. �I didn�t believe a word of it.�

Giving
his hand a quick squeeze, Kenzi said goodbye, turning to leave the sphere. She
trudged to the locker room, feeling weaker with every step she took. She wasn�t
even sure she was going to make it. She could just picture herself falling flat
on her face, unconscious in the middle of the walkway. It wasn�t a pretty
picture. When she reached the door it opened for her and she fell against the
solid wall of Wakka�s chest.

�You did
good Kenzi. Now it�s time to rest, ya?� he murmured close to her ear while
rubbing her back with his hand.

The
blonde Al Bhed could only manage a small nod as Wakka picked her up and carried
her back to the table, setting her down gently on top of it.

�Heal
her, will you Yuna?� Wakka asked, unable to tear his worried gaze from where
Kenzi lie.

Yuna
stepped forward from where she had been standing quietly against the wall, a
casual observer of the goings on. She placed a hand on her good friend
shoulder, trying to get his attention. �Wakka, go. I�ll take care of her. By
the time you get back it will be like nothing happened.�

The tall
man stared at the woman on the table a moment longer, then with a curt nod,
turned and left the room.

Yuna
smiled and shook her head at Wakka�s retreating back. �So there really is
something between you two,� she said softly, turning back to the unconscious
Kenzi. �Well, I honestly hope it works out. But I don�t suppose it will if I
don�t heal you.�

Quickly
conjuring up a cura she placed a glowing hand over the swelling lump on Kenzi�s
head, smiling as the bruise subsided and the lump disappeared. As Yuna had
promised it was like nothing had even happened. �You can wake up now,� Yuna
whispered, laughing when Kenzi scrunched up her nose.

�But
sleep feels so good!� the blond Al Bhed cried. Slowly she opened her eyes and
experimentally turned her head from side to side. The pain was gone. �Thank you
Yuna,� she said, smiling up at the summoner.

Yuna
pulled up a bench and sat down, turning to the screen that hung in the corner
of the room so that she could watch the game. �You�re welcome Kenzi. Anything
to help a friend.�

�So are
they playing yet?�

�Wakka
just entered the sphere pool now,� Yuna replied, pointing to the screen.

Kenzi
flipped around on the table. She propped her shoulder on the surface and rested
her chin in her hands, watching Wakka as he swam through the water. Heat spread
through her as she thought back on all of the moments they had shared today,
recent one most defiantly included. Oh, the things he made her feel. She wished
she could tell him, explain how deeply her feelings ran for him. Explain that
every time he touched her she had difficulty breathing and resisting the
temptation his arms held.

�Kenzi,�
Yuna said, breaking her from her wistful revere. The young Al Bhed turned to
her soft-spoken companion expectantly. �I�m not really sure how to ask you so
I�m just going to come out and ask you, okay?� At Kenzi�s nod Yuna tentatively
continued. �How�how long have you had feelings for Wakka?�

�Six
years,� the blond replied flippantly, turning back to the game.

Yuna
almost fell off of her seat. �Six years?!�

Kenzi
nodded, sending her gaze to the floor with a secretive smile. �Mm-hm. I�ve
liked him since the first time I laid eyes on him. Something about him was
so�different from other guys. I couldn�t stop myself from adoring him. Even
when Sime ame and I went years before I ever saw him again, the feelings never
went away.� She looked up at Yuna, her blue-gray eyes sparkling with warm
pleasure. �I can�t really explain it. Sometimes I think it goes much deeper
then a crush, but I�..I�m not sure what to call it.�

Yuna
smiled. Young love, that�s what she would call it. �I understand. I felt like
that about Tidus once. I was so torn between what I should and shouldn�t call
it.� She took a deep breath before she continued. She never liked to remember
what had happened after they had defeated Sin. The memory was still too fresh
in her mind. �Before he left I figured it out and the last thing I told him was
that I loved him. And since he�s come back I haven�t gone day without telling
him just how much I love him.�

Kenzi
sighed and laid her head on her arm, the silken strands of loose hair from her
ponytail trailing over her skin. �I don�t know if I�ll ever be able to tell
Wakka how I feel about him. He would probably laugh and tell me I�ve lost it.�

�I guess
you�ll never know unless you tell him,� Yuna said with a smile.

Kenzi
merely scoffed and turned her attention back to the screen in time to see Wakka
brutally take out Blappa and pass the blitzball to Tidus who scored another
point putting the Aurochs ahead by two. The time wound down, Kenzi and Yuna
cheering from their spots in the locker room, and the Aurochs held their ground
playing mostly defense to keep the Psyches from scoring. They were determined
to win and in the end their determination paid off. The Besaid Aurochs were the
winners of the tournament.
f !sf !supportEmptyParas]>
After
giving Kenzi a hug, Yuna left to congratulate the team and Kenzi started
packing up her belongings. For some reason she was sure that the group of men
would want to return to their island home instead of spending the night in the
crowded town of Zanarkand. She tossed
her gloves in her bag and zipped it up right as siwdy wdy men came barging
through the door.

�Legs! We
won!� Jassu yelled, picking her up and swinging her around.

Kenzi
laughed and hugged him back. �I know. Yuna and I watched the whole thing.
Congratulations guys!�

Botta
snatched her away from Jassu and gave her a suffocating bear hug, complete with
a friendly pat on the back. �Wanted to tell you that tackle you pulled off on
Blappa was great.�

�Bet he�s
really regretting that he taught me how to do that,� she muttered. She ruffled
Botta�s hair and moved out of his embrace, grabbing her bag off the floor and
giving Keepa, Tidus and Datto hugs before she started to head for the door
where her tall captain waited.

She
stopped in front of him, content just to stare up into his gorgeous ambyes.yes.
�Good game capn�,� she finally said, breaking the silence.

Wakka
smiled, rubbing the back of his head. �Yeah. I think you really shook up that
Blappa guy. Shoulda seen the look in his eyes when I came after him.� He looked
at Kenzi, unconsciously lifting a hand to brush his fingers over her temple
where the lump had once been. Not even the slightest bruise marred her soft
skin. �You feelin� better?�

�Much
better, thank you.� Kenzi felt like pressing her cheek into his palm and
kissing the salty flesh of his wrist. The idea came out of nowhere, stunning
her and leaving her breathless. Again she saw desire flash in Wakka�s tawny
eyes and knew she had to get out of there before she did something she may
regret. �Are we�.going back to Besaid?�

�Yeah.
We�ll leave as soon veryveryone�s packed up.�

She held
back a sigh of disappointment as his hand dropped away; leaving the skin that
he had been touching feeling cold. �Okay. I�m going to go wait on the ship.
I�ll see you guys there in a little bit.� She offered him a shy smile, and then
pushed the door open and walked out of the locker room.

Kenzi
found her way around easily after being told by one of the few security guards
patrolling the area where she could find the correct dock. She strolled lazily
along, smiling as children with cotton candy ran past her, giggling as their
parents tried to playfully chase them down, and nodding to people she
recognized from previous blitzball games. Harsh white lights illuminated the walkway,
helping spectators to feel safe as they made their way back to their homes for
the night.

Ken>Kenzi
sighed and hugged herself. She loved the game of blitzball but even better was
the feeling that came after a well-fought game. The satisfied weariness, the
happy families passing you by and congratulating you on your victory, the
feeling of a long day well spent. Nothing could possibly ruin this night. Well,
almost nothing.

As Kenzi
passed by a large pillar a hand snaked out and wrapped around her arm. �Is it
just me or is this happening a lot today?� she wondered as she was slammed
against the stone wall of the pillar. She slowly raised her head and smiled
with feigned sweetness at her captor. �Why hello Blappa, what a surprise,� she
muttered bitterly.

�I should
beat the hell out of you for that little stunt you pulled today you psycho
bitch,� he hissed, his thick accent slightly distorting his speech.

Kenzi
sighed and slapped impatiently at his hands. �Oh as if you actually could. You
tried that before, remember? And as I recall you didn�t get very far.� She
ducked under his arms to get away but again her grabbed at her, holding her
firmly in place.

�So you
finally got what you wanted, huh. You�re such a slut.� He smirked at her
shocked expression and continued, resentment dripping from his voice. �Didn�t
think I noticed how you were always watching him? It was sickening Kenzi. Your
obsession for that freak Wakka was so obvious.�

�Don�t
you dare talk about him like that,� Kenzi growled, moving forward and jabbing
her finger into Blappa�s chest. �He�s more of a man then you will EVER be.�

�Oh, and
I suppose you would know that too, wouldn�t you? You probably begged him to fuck
you once you got within five feet of him, didn�t you? But I suppose the poor
moron hasn�t had a good piece in a lifetime being stuck on that island with a
bunch of idiots. Probably thought your hero worship was cute.�

�I said
don�t talk about him like that!� Kenzi hissed, pulling her hand back to slap
him.

Blappa
laughed and grabbed her hand before it made contact with its target. He brought
his other hand up, digging it painfully into her hair and yanking her head
back. Kenzi winced, tears of pain gathering in her eyes. But she wouldn�t give
in. �What�s the matter Blappa? Does it make you jealous that the entire time I
was with you I was thinking about him? Wishing that I was with him instead of
some slimy shit head like you?�

That
wiped the smirk right off his face. He growled and yanked her head back
further. God, he was going to break her neck. Where was everyone? Hadn�t the
streets just been filled with people not even ten minutes ago? Kenzi closed her
eyes tightly, waiting for the jerk to hit her, but he never did.

Suddenly
his hands fell away and Kenzi stumbled back. She looked up, her jaw dropping
when she saw Wakka holding Blappa up against the pillar by the collar of his
shirt. The powerful Auroch loomed above Blappa, his hard gaze boring into the
Al Bhed�s. �You ever lay a hand on her again and I�ll break every damn bone in
your body, you got that?� he asked in a low, menacing voice. The Al Bhed nodded
his head jerkily, shaking with fear. With a sound of disgust, Wakka tossed
Blappa aside and waited for the shorter man to run off before turning back to
Kenzi.

When he
started walking towards her it was with slow, deliberate steps and Kenzi knew
that he was beyond angry. She forced herself not to run, planting her feet
firmly and standing her ground. If he was going to decide to be mad at her yet
again at least this time she would be ready for it.

He
stopped in front of her, staring down at her with those gorgeous golden brown
eyes. Tense silence stretched between them. Suddenly Wakka gave her a str
lo
look and started laughing.

Kenzi�s
breath left her in a relieved rush and she slapped his arm playfully.

�Thought
I was gonna yell at you?�

�Well,
can you blame me?� she asked quietly, lowering her head to avoid his piercing
gaze. She hated feeling vulnerable but Wakka�s presence always seemed to evoke
that emotion.

�No, I
guess not,� he replied, his deep voice sending a wave of sultry heat washing
through her. �He didn�t hurt you, did he?�

Kenzi
shook her head. �No. Almost ripped a chunk of hair out of my head but I�m sure
I�ll live.�

�You�re
getting into a lot of trouble with that guy today. Why is that?�

�He�s�umm,
he�s my ex boyfriend.� She shrugged hericaticate shoulders while releasing a
helpless sigh. �I knew he had issues from day one but he just kept bugging me
every day until I just couldn�t take it anymore and�and I caved.�

�Did you
even want to be with this guy?� Wakka a, ta, taking a step forward and leaving
nothing more then an inch of space between them.

Kenzi
swallowed hard. He was too close. She couldn�t think straight. She lifted her
eyes to his, stormy gray clashing with liquid amber. Kenzi�s breath caught and
she knew right away that she was in trouble. �No. I wanted to be with someone
else�but it was impossible,� she murmured as she clasped her trembling hands
before her, willing them to stop shaking.

Wakka�s
gaze flickered to her hands and back to her face. �You cold?� he asked, his
voice much softer then it usually was.

�No,�
Kenzi replied breathlessly.

Wakka�s
hand came up, gently gripping her upper arm. She knew what was coming. She knew
and she didn�t care. He murmured her name, she responded with a sigh of
complete surrender, swaying close to him.

�Hey
Wakka! Is that Kenzi with you?�

The two
jumped apart at the sound of Jassu�s voice and Wakka took a step back, turning
to face the younger man and the four other Aurochs that trailed behind him.

�Oooh!
Busted!� Botta exclaimed, lightly elbowing a laughing Keepa.

Wakka
held his hands up in front of him. �It�s not what it looks like guys. Kenzi had
another run in with Blappa. I was just makin� sure she was okay, you know?�

�Riiight,�
Tidus drawled, earning more laughter from the group.

Even
Kenzi smiled, but it was forced. She was trying hard to fight off the sting of
disappointment that Wakka�s careless words had caused. She should have been
ready for it. She had known that she could never have him but for one second
she had dared to dream.

That
was a mistake my dear. You should really be more careful. The voice of evil
filled her head and Kenzi bit back an agonized gasp as it painfully ripped at
her insides. �Cool it Kenzi,� she silently commanded. There was no way she
would allow herself to fall apart in front of her team. �I�.I�m going to go
back to the ship. I�ll see you guys there,� she muttered, turning on her heel
and quickly walking away before any of the guys could question her.

The
laughter from the group of Aurochs died away as they watched her retreating
form, wondering what had just happened. Only Wakka understood the reason for
her hasty retreat. He had hurt her.
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