Disclaimer: I don't own any characters involved in this story, although I have named a couple of locations.

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Chapter 2: Punishment

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Sora rode his bike down to the dock, just a couple of feet in front of Kairi. They screeched to a halt when they saw Selphie and Wakka waiting for them at the boats.

"What took ya so long?" Wakka called.

"Mom made breakfast this morning and I couldn't get out any earlier," Sora replied, chaining up his bike and walking down to the pier.

"I was just waiting on Sora," Kairi added, joining them.

Selphie giggled knowingly. Sora and Wakka shared a confused glance, but nothing else was said.

"Has anyone seen Tidus or Riku this morning?" Kairi asked the others, looking around.

Selphie shook her head and turned to her boat, beginning to untie it from the dock. She jumped in and started rowing. "Last one there's a seagull's lunch!" she cried, laughing as she pulled out of the dock.

No one else moved, causing Selphie to slow her escape from the pier. "What's up?" she called.

"I'm worried," Wakka replied. "Tidus isn't a bad kid, you know? He's been grounded for the past week, and we haven't seen him at all. I'm worried that he did something really bad, ya?"

Kairi nodded. "We should go try to see him," she suggested, to which Sora and Wakka nodded.

"Should we go now, or wait until we get back from the island?" Sora asked the other two children.

Wakka shook his head and crossed his arms. "I'm not goin' to the island today. I'm gonna try to figure out what's goin' on with Tidus."

Kairi nodded. "Okay, then. Don't get in trouble, yourself. I'm going to head out to the island now," she added, turning and retrieving her boat from the boatshack and pushing it into the water. She hopped in and started rowing, quickly catching up to Selphie.

Sora sighed. "I wanna know what's up, too, but I don't think I need to be getting involved. I'm going to head out to the island, too."

Wakka nodded. "Okay. You can take my boat. It's already there," he said, pointing at the last boat in the pier. "I'll head back up to Tidus' house and see if I can talk to him."

Sora nodded again and headed down to the tied up boat. "We'll see you later, then," he called back to the redhead.

Wakka waved and turned back up the hill.

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Riku shook his head, leaning against the lattice outside Tidus' window on the second story of his house. So that's it, he said to himself. The silver-haired boy nodded and stood up. He turned to the street and noticed Wakka walking swiftly up the hill towards Tidus' house.

Riku rushed out into the front yard and intercepted the redhead before he stepped foot onto Tidus' lawn. "Wakka, don't go near Tidus' house," the white-haired boy warned.

Wakka's eyes took on a worried glaze. "What? Why? Is Tidus sick or somethin'?"

Riku shook his head and sighed. "No. His dad," he broke off and caused an awkward moment.

"What about Mr. Jecht?" Wakka asked, crossing his arms and giving the boy a stern look.

"Let's just say that you're not in Jecht's liking right now," Riku finally admitted sheepishly.

"Well he can get over it," Wakka said forcefully. "I haven't seen Tidus in a week, and I wanna know what's going on, ya?"

Riku sighed. "I know, I know, Wakka, but this is serious. I don't think it'd be a good idea for you to be here right now."

"I really don' care," Wakka replied, his eyes hard and cruel. He pushed past Riku and stormed up the front walk. When Wakka reached the porch, he felt a strong grip take his right wrist. He turned to see Riku hanging onto his arm.

"Please, Wakka, don't," Riku pleaded. "Tidus is in enough trouble already."

Wakka snorted. "Exactly. I want to find out why. That's innocent enough, right?"

Riku's unsure expression gave Wakka doubts, but the redhead turned to the door and knocked. Riku let the wrist go and turned to face the street, ready for the worst.

Jecht opened the front door and peered at who it was through the screen door. The instant that his eyes settled on Wakka, they burned with hatred and ire. "You!" he shouted, slamming open the screen door. Wakka and Riku jumped back, off of the porch.

Jecht grabbed something from inside the door and lobbed it at Wakka. The family's priceless vase smashed into dozens of pieces mere inches from Wakka's unprotected toes. Wakka jumped back, smacking right into Riku. The two fell to the ground as Jecht came out of the house and stormed up to them.

"Get away from my house," he snarled at Wakka, who cowered on top of Riku. "I never want to see you or your shitfaced family around this house ever again. Now get the hell out of my sight before I beat the living shit out of you!"

Wakka jumped to his feet as fast as he could and took off down the road at a full run. Riku was right behind him.

"What's wrong with me?" Wakka cried as the two boys stopped in front of Riku's house, straight across from Sora's.

"I tried to warn you," Riku said, shaking his head and sitting on the front step of his house.

"I don't understand," Wakka muttered offhandedly. "Why is Mr. Jecht so upset with me?"

Riku sighed. "You're the reason that Tidus is grounded," he replied quietly, to which Wakka winced. "Tidus made me swear not to tell the reason why he got grounded, but you are definitely the reason why."

Wakka looked at Riku, whose head was hanging down between his knees in embarrassment. "You know why he's grounded and you won't tell us? Why, Riku?"

"I just told you," the white-haired boy replied, "Tidus made me swear against telling anyone. It would just make his situation worse."

Wakka shook his head, not understanding, but he let it go. "I think I'm going to go home," he said quietly. "Do you mind if I cut through your backyard?"

"Go ahead," Riku replied, not bothering to look up.

"Thanks." Wakka turned off the porch and headed around Riku's house.

I promised Tidus I wouldn't tell, Riku said to himself, but sooner or later they'll beat the answer out of me. It's only a matter of time.

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Aren't I mean? Wakka almost got a vase smashed on his toes. Oo Read and review if you'd like. Next chapter up soon.