Island Life

Muzai

Chapter 8: Hit or Miss

Tidus is back and trouble followed

Selphie

Today is a lot better that yesterday, mainly because seems to have cheered up some. Probably because we were able to leave a get-well gift for Tidus, two innocent creatures keeping each other company. Stretching, I leaned back on the dock.

Bored….

So bored…

Boring….

Kairi hadn't come yet…nor Wakka and Chappu usually follows his brother…

So it was just me… alone.

"Boring!"

"Yeah, but I'm sure it's not your fault…"

Sitting up I saw Tidus standing in his boat, attempting to tie it single handedly.

"Hey shorty, give us a hand, will ya?"

"I'm not short." I fumed but moved to help him.

"You're the only one here?" he asked as soon as we finished.

"Yeah, some commotion at the mayor's so Kairi, probably won't be here for ages, but Wakka and Chappu made a break for it early I think."

"Ah."

"Speaking of that, how come you're out and about?"

"I snuck out…"

"What about your arm? Aren't you gonna get it healed?"

"Pops says it'll keep me out of trouble…plus all the healers are busy, most of them went out with the big search parties, no one's got time to deal with a silly broken arm.…"

"Ah, good to have you back then." I pulled him close and squeezed.

"AH! My arm, Selphie!"

I ignored his protests in favor of revenge. Serves him right for making us worry.

"If you're not careful you'll get hurt again." I told him as we settled down on the dock.

"I'll try not to," he laughed "but I was goin stir crazy at home."

"What's the difference?" I asked, leaning down on the docks. The planks were warm beneath my shoulders.

"Funny, you might want to get up, you're gonna be in the way."

I stuck my tongue out at him. "I'm comfy."

"Flowers again I see…"

Jerking up, I immediately moved to push down my skirt.

Looking up I glared at Chappu.

Chappu grinned from his boat and waved at Tidus. Wakka sighed, but greeted him nonetheless. Selphie slowly stood and walked to the end of the pier. Smiling sweetly she answered Chappu in dulcet tones.

"Thanks for noticing," before she shoved him into the salty water.

Chappu came up sputtering; he shook his head, causing droplets to fly everywhere.

Tiny bead of water ran rivulets down his neck. Catching Tidus' amused glance, laughed it off.

"She's just mad about yesterday."

Wakka patted Tidus' shoulder before taking his usual spot by the stairs.

"What's taking Kairi?" Tidus asked perching on the stairs.

"No clue, Me 'n Wakka bailed early, before we got drafted."

"Something going on?"

"Probably," Chappu shrugged "Some big to do…everyone was actin' pretty scatterbrained so we left.

A loud squeal from Selphie caught their attention.

"Watch out!" Kairi called as she maneuvered a rather large skiff towards the dock.

"Hey!" Tidus waved with his good arm and she replied in kind.

"What's with the huge boat?" he asked as she began tying the larger boat to the docks.

"Because, I had company,"

She stepped to the side to reveal two young ladies upon the skiff with her.

They were clad in soft woven fabric, which was hardly seen on their island. Wakka moved over easily offering his hand. Tidus a step behind him reciprocated the gesture. Standing up the younger of the pair reached for it. Chappu choked, shock registering on his face.

"Yuna?"

The shorter girl smiled up at him.

"Nice to see you again."

Short brown hair framed her face, the bangs brushing against her eyelashes. A single pupil was the color of fresh leaves, the other resembled the sky. Pulling her up, Tidus was captivated by her beauty. She stumbled on the uneven wood and Tidus moved quickly to steady her. Her soft hair tickled his skin and made him think of butterflies.

Wakka helped the elder, helping her step up to the dock. Her black hair braided in steep rows crowned her head, held up with long pins. Deep crimson eyes widened as she saw him, and a rare smile snuck across her face.

Kairi jumped up to the dock and began introductions.

"Tidus the young lady who's hand you've neglected to release is Yuna,"

Instantly he released her as if her palms had scalded him. Selphie giggled.

"And Wakka this is Lu-"

"I know, we've meet." He answered quickly.

"It's been a long time Wakka."

"Hey Lu." he muttered sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. Looking towards Tidus' new acquaintance, his grin magnified.

"Well if it isn't little Yuna!"

Turning in Tidus' grasp, she smiled and Tidus felt his heart skip a few beats.

"Tidus, you better not be doin anything funny to Yuna, or I'm gonna have to break you other arm."

Yuna turned to inspect the arm bound close to Tidus' chest.

"I'm not hurting you am I?"

Tidus shook his head, the sheer joy of having such a beautiful girl fussing over him momentarily overriding his pain receptors.

"I'm fine" he answered slowly.

Brushing her fingers along his arm, Yuna sighed when he winced.

"Let me help you." She whispered.

Tidus' cheeks blossomed with color as she spoke.

Lulu interjected, "Yuna…I-"

Chappu caught her hands in his dripping ones.

"Let her, it can't do any harm."

Slowly Yuna slid the linen strips from Tidus' arm. Closing her eyes, she exhaled slowly and placed her hands on his skin. Warm light sparkled from her fingertips and grew, enveloping the healer and her patient.

Tidus' breathing slowed, almost as if time had stopped. Just watching as she worked was awe inspiring. To know she was pouring all of her concentration and energy into helping him.

No one moved, everyone was intent on staring at the proceedings. The light faded and Yuna leaned back. Tidus lifted his arm up, slowly out of the sling. Smiling he pumped his fist before letting out a loud whoop. Turning he caught Yuna around the waist and spun her around.

"Thankyouthankyouthankyou!" he shouted. Setting her on her feet Tidus leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. Blushing Yuna only shook her head

"You're welcome." She whispered,

Wakka cleared his throat noisily. Lulu crossed her arms and looked disapprovingly at the boy. Slowly Tidus released Yuna and smiled weakly. Chappu lunged for hem and they went sprawling into the water. Breaking the surface, Tidus waved to the others standing on the dock.

"Hey Selphie, up for a game?"

"Maybe."She answered turning away from the beach. She strode back down the dock hips swaying as she moved. Stopping abruptly she kicked off her sandals, spun on her heel and tore down the dock. At the edge she leapt, plunging into the cool waves. Surfacing she swam out into the surf.

Wakka joined her at a much more sedate pace.

"Let's get this started ya?"

Waving off the game, Kairi took the newcomers on an impromptu tour of the island.

She led them from the beach up to the higher paths, making their way through the treetops. Nibbling on her lip Kairi turned to regard the young healer.

"Yuna?" She asked slowly.

"Yes?"

"That spell…do you think you could teach me?"

"I don't see why not…"

"Not everyone has a talent for white magic…" Lulu reminded her.

"I have to try…It's all I can do."

"Goal!" Chappu cried loudly. He high-fived Selphie, ignoring Tidus protests. Wakka patted his back "Calm down we're just warming up."

"Alright," Chappu cheered "Round two!"

"This is our tree house." Kairi explained tapping the ancient tree.

"Who made all of this?" Yuna asked fingers brushing against the hollow of the tree.

"No idea..." Kairi shrugged "It's been here since we were little, but the most recent repairs were us."

Gesturing she led the pair down the ladder and further down the stairs.

"Ever once and a while the shack leaks." she muttered eying the left over tools strewn about the floor.

She lead them back down the curving round the stair case that hugged the tree.

Kairi pointed towards the spring.

"It's one of the sources of fresh water, the other's in the cove on the other side of the island."

Yuna gently tapped her shoulder.

"What's that?" She pointed to a small hole obscured by palm fronds.

"Would you like to see it?"

Yuna nodded emphatically, Lulu however eyed the dark entrance warily.

"Don't worry it's safe."

Lulu frowned but followed the tour guide into the mysterious cave.

"This is our secret place."

Yuna wandered through the patch of sunlight streaming down from the roof.

"It's beautiful." She breathed.

"Yeah..." Kairi whispered, as Lulu examined the intricate scribbles along the wall.

Following her gaze, Kairi stopped her mouth forming around little o.

"Sora..." She whispered dropping to her knees, fingers caressing the star shaped etched into the wall.

"Who's Sora?" Lulu inquired gently.

"My friend...he and I drew there when we were little." She brushed the star again tears rimming her eyes."If you share a paopu fruit your destinies will be intertwined forever."

"Did you?" Yuna pressed, urging her to continue.

"No..I wanted to." Kairi admitted tears rolling down her cheeks. The older girls gently patted her back as she cried out her frustration.

"I couldn't do anything! I was helpless!" As suddenly as it hat come the out burst was over, and all that was left was haze of tears.

"It's alright to be sad, but try to smile." Yuna offered.

As strange as her suggestion was Kairi tried it and felt a little better.

Lulu's soft voice caught her attention.

"It seems to me she needs a distraction...It would be best to practice out side."

The weak smile blossomed into a grin.

Hours later they were still at it. The blitzers played in the surf,struggling over the bi colored ball. They hadn't ever broken for lunch.

After noon, Kairi's first magic lesson began. Yuna directed her gently insisting she focus. Lulu sat in the shade of a palm tree, watching the waves deep in thought.

"Close your eyes, concentrate on the breathing."

Willing away her anxiety Kairi began to relax. The cool breeze blowing the scent of flowers her way. Above the crash of the waves she could hear she could practically taste the sea.

"Now," Yuna instructed "Look inside yourself, what do you feel?"

Kairi vainly searched her psyche, looking for any hint of potential.

She found nothing.

Her disappointment reflected in her eyes as she opened them.

Yuna was nonplussed.

"Try again."

Sliding her eyes closed, she focused again.

Searching down, deep down, deep deep deep down in her mind.

"Well?"

"I".

Her face contorted in frustration, she was worried sick and they were who knew where...

"Hey ladies!"

From the water the previously engaged players were moving up the beach soaking and exhausted.

Chappu lead the pack grinning.

"We won." His grin was wide an infectious like Sora's, on the rare occasion he beat Riku.

Sora..Riku.. Boys how incredibly stupid! She thought angrily.

Lulu snapped to attention as he came closer. The air charged around them it was almost as if...

"Chappu!"

The sudden explosion was deafening, Chappu had moved at the last second and escape harm. Instinctively Yuna and Lulu had dived clear of the blast.

Chappu looked from the smoking crater to the fuming girl.

Wakka appeared suddenly covered in sand, Selphie and Tidus were right behind him looking equally shocked.

"Lulu what did you do that for?" He demanded hotly,"Someone coulda been killed ya know?"

"I didn't she replied calmly dusting herself off, "She did"

"Kairi?"

The girl stared blankly at the blacked sand. Her eyes widened in realization of what she'd done.

"She has a talent in black magic," Yuna exclaimed excitedly, "That's wonderful."

"No it isn't...even if she got the talent it don't mean you gotta teach her."

"She wanted to learn."

"That's dangerous stuff, she's way to young."

"Wakka that's her decision."

Turning Wakka tugged up his brother."C'mon Chappu get the ball, we're going home."

Silence was the only thing that met him.

"Chappu?"

"Uh Wakka?" Tidus answered slowly "I don't think your ball made it."

"What?"

"It's gone man."

The game ball was flat and charcoaled, melted to slag. It looked bad and smelt even worse.

Wakka knelt and retrieved the melted equipment.

""Oh Wakka, I'm so sorry." Kairi murmured.

The angry teen ignored her, glaring at Lulu.

"This is all your fault" he snapped "I'm never gonna forgive you."

And he marched off to the docked boats.