A/N: Sorry I tried to update yesterday morning, but mycomputer was being a piece of crapola and wouldn't let me Ok well I'm back and to say the least I am not at all pleased with this chapter, I had a lot of difficulty writing it. I had major writers block and I forced this out of me, which means it's really bad. However I reread it, hopefully catching most of my mistakes so my grammar should be good! I hope… lol, well sorry for the crappy chapter and sorry for the long wait… I'll try and make it up to you next chapter! And I will also try to update a lot sooner lol, ok well I'm actually going to go and work on the next chapter now, so toodles!
Oh and before I forget :hands out popcorn: Here ya go everyone, I hope that somewhat makes up for the crappy chapter! And if that doesn't help here :hands out glow sticks: you can entertain yourself with this!
Disclaimer: chapter 30 and you still aren't sure… wow…
The school day passed without any problems and now Kerri, Gippal, Tidus, and Wakka were heading to the sphere for a quick practice for tomorrow's game and also to pick up their uniforms.
"Yo, Brudda, I hear the B-Team got some good players this year seeing as how we only had six spots on our team," Wakka said to Tidus.
Tidus nodded. "I know, but we got the best," he replied as he shot Kerri and Gippal a glance. The couple smiled back at him as they walked over to the Coach.
"Alright, I want to run a few basic drills. Then when we're done with that before everyone leaves I want you all to make ten shots in the goal from Mid-court. Then you can all go home. Ok?" He grabbed a box and pulled it open. He took out black shirts with yellow writing on it that said 'Besaid Vikings.' "This is what you'll be wearing for the game tomorrow. They have your names on the back so only take yours."
Tidus leaned over to Kerri and Gippal. "I got yours already they're both at my house." They nodded as the coach continued talking.
"The jerseys for the new players will be in on Wednesday," he clapped his hands together, "And with that said. Get dressed and let's practice!"
The teens walked to their locker rooms and got changed into their bathing suits. Kerri walked out of the girl's locker room, with an orange bikini top on with a mesh orange vest over it and a pair of black shorts. The rest of the team was sporting a pair of bathing suit shorts and a muscle T.
After doing the drills over a hundred times, the coach called Kerri out of the sphere. When she approached him he said, "Since you are the only girl on the team, I figured I'm just going to give you the key to the girl's locker room." He handed her a key that was attached to a small wristlet. "This way you don't have to hunt down one of the coaches to get in."
She smiled as she took the key. "Thanks." He nodded as she ran over to her things and put the key in her bag. After securing the key in her bag, she returned to the sphere.
"What'd coach want?" Gippal asked as she neared.
She smirked as she replied, "He said that you suck and I'm taking your spot on the field for the rest of the year."
He crossed his arms and frowned. "That isn't funny…"
"I thought it was." She shrugged. "He gave me the key to the girl's locker room." She swam passed Gippal to Tidus. "Ok, well let's just get these 10 shots in so we can go home…"
Tidus passed her the blitz ball. She let it drop a short while before she reeled her leg back and kicked the ball right through the goal. She swam to the back of the line that had formed before the goal. They continued this formation until they completed their ten shots.
When all four of them finished, they headed for the school parking lot. Tidus and Kerri walked over to his car only to be followed by Gippal and Wakka. Tidus looked at the two guys for a few moments before saying, "What happened to your cars that I'm stuck driving you two home?"
"Transmission's blown, brudda," Wakka replied.
Gippal shrugged as he said, "No gas." He climbed into the back seat positioning himself behind the passenger seat. Kerri hopped in the front passenger seat and Wakka climbed in the back behind the driver's seat. Gippal looked at Wakka like he was a three-headed fiend before he finally said, "And why isn't my girlfriend sitting in the back with me?"
"Cause the back seat doesn't do this," she said as the seat reclined onto Gippal's lap.
He looked down at her smiling face. "No, no way, put this chair up in the right position."
She pouted. "But… but…"
He crossed his arms. "But nothing, Miss. I-don't-wanna-sit-with-my-boyfriend."
"Fine, jerk!" she replied as she put her seat in the correct position.
The car ride was filled with conversation from Tidus and Wakka telling Kerri and Gippal, well mostly Kerri, about Blitz Ball and what to expect tomorrow. After Tidus finally dropped Wakka off at his house, Tidus drove to Gippal's.
"See ya later, Ti," Gippal said as he stepped out of the car.
"Bye."
He walked over to Kerri's window. "I'll see you later, Babe." He leaned through the window and puckered his lips and went to kiss her. She simply patted his cheek and said, "I'll see you later, sweetie."
He took a step back and looked at her with a hurt expression. "No kiss?"
She smiled. "Not for Mr.Jerk-face." She began to roll up the window. "I'll call you later, lovie."
Tidus laughed as they pulled away. "You're probably the only girl that could get away with doing that."
Kerri turned her gaze away from the window to Tidus. "What do you mean?"
"Well," he started. "He was never one for letting a girl have power in the relationship." He made a turn onto their block. "You're a good influence on him."
She smiled. "I guess you could say that."
After they pulled up to the house Tidus hit the steering wheel with his fist. "Damn it."
Kerri gave him a curious look before he continued. "I should have given Gippal his shirt for tomorrow." He stole a glance at the clock. "I can't do it now either. I have to shower and stuff. I'm going to some party for Yuna's uncle…"
"I'll do it," Kerri said as she opened her door.
Tidus bit his bottom lip as he hesitantly said, "I don't know, Ker…"
"Well…" She said as she got out of the car, "I am going to do it. Whether it be with you knowing about it, or if I have to take your keys while you're showering." She shut the door and continued talking to Tidus from across the hood. "Listen, Gippal is my boyfriend. We both play Blitz, so when we go out he won't be like God, why didn't you shower? Cause he'll know why and besides we're going to just hang out. Nothing special, don't need to spend hours getting ready."
Tidus sighed and reluctantly handed her the keys. "Fine."
Kerri grabbed the key out of his hand and walked into the house. "The shirt is in my room. On the night stand," Tidus said.
Kerri nodded and ran up the stairs to his room. After grabbing the shirt she came back down the stairs to be greeted by Auron. "Hey, Auron!" she said as she hopped down the last few steps.
"Where are you going?" he asked as she neared the door.
She placed her hand on the handle and said, "I have to drop this off at Gippal's." She waved the shirt at Auron. "He needs it for the game tomorrow."
"Alright, but why not get dressed first?" he asked as he motioned to her attire.
"Auron, I'm not changing till I take a shower. And Bubblebutt needs to use it now, so I'm going to drop this off first." She looked at his face and before he could reply she said, "Don't even suggest it. Remember what happened last time Tidus and I used the two showers at the same time?"
He nodded. "You used all the hot water. I had to take an ice shower."
"Yea, you weren't the only one. In the middle of washing my hair the water went ice cold. It wasn't fun." She opened the front door. "I'll be back as soon as possible."
She ran over to the driver's seat of Tidus' car and hopped in. She sped off to Gippal's house parking behind his BMW. After getting out of the car, she hopped up the stairs and knocked on the front door. A few minutes passed before Gippal's little sister answered the door. "Hey, Selrama! How are you?" Kerri greeted.
The girl smiled. "Hi, Kerri. I'm fine." She let Kerri in the house. "Gippal's up in his room."
She nodded her thanks as she walked past the younger girl and ran up the stairs. She knocked on Gippal's door and waited for a response. However, the one she got, she was not pleased with. "Go away…"
"Well!" She placed her hands on her hips. "Don't be mad when you try to hug me later and I tell you to 'go away'"
Some movement was heard through the door before Gippal poked his head out. "Ker?"
She rolled her eyes before she sarcastically replied, "No, It's the tooth fairy."
He smirked before opening the door all the way. "I didn't know the tooth fairy dressed so provocatively."
She gave him a light shove with her left hand. "I didn't know you knew how to use big words like 'provocatively.'"
He rolled his eyes as he dropped himself on the bed with his arms behind his head. "So what brings you here. Cause I mean. It's a little early for our date and uh, not that I'm complaining, but that isn't the appropriate attire for just hanging out."
She threw the shirt at his head. "I'm bringing you the shirt for tomorrow's game."
"Oh yea," he said as he took the shirt off his face and placed it on the nightstand beside his bed. "I knew I was forgetting something when he dropped me off." He paused before he smiled and said, "but ya know when people deprive me of my everyday needs, I tend to forget things."
She put on a fake shocked face. "Oh No! Who would ever do such a horrible thing?"
He shook his head before continuing. "This girl, her name is Kerri and she refused to kiss me. It's completely messing with my head."
She sat on the bed beside him and in a sympathetic voice she said, "Well that is awful."
"I know." He made a sad face. "It seems I keep forgetting things," he continued as he motioned to the shirt.
She put her hand on his bare chest. "Is there anyway to reverse this?"
"Well, there is one way," he said with a smirk. "But… I will need your help."
She smiled as she leaned closer to him. "And how can I help?"
"You're going to have to," He paused and looked around his room. He then lowered his voice to a whisper as he continued, "Make me a sandwich."
She slapped his chest and sat up. She laughed lightly as she said, "Between you and Tidus all you think about is food!" She went to stand up, but Gippal wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back down. She let out a yelp as he rolled onto his back and then onto his side with her in his grip.
"You are going no-where my dear," he said as he laughed 'evilly'.
"Oh no, what will I ever do?" she replied in a sarcastic tone.
He kissed the crook of her neck and said, "You'll stay here with me forever."
"But what if I have to go to the bathroom?"
He laughed as he said, "You're problem not mine…"
She rolled her eyes as she continued, "But I need to shower."
He took a quick sniff of her hair as he said, "I don't mind if you smell."
"Alright then." She sighed. "I guess I can't make you a sandwich then…"
He paused before he exclaimed. "You're right!" He released her from his grip. "Now, go make my sandwich then come back to me, where I will eat it and you will stay with me forever." He let out another 'evil' laugh.
Kerri stood up. She looked back down at him and gave him a kiss on the nose. She walked to the door and said, "Oh by the way… your evil plans have been thwarted… I'm not gonna make you your sandwich…"
He stood up on the bed and pointed at her. "Treason!"
She looked at him confused. "What!"
"You will not escape!" He jumped down off the bed and ran at her.
She let out another yelp as she took off down the hall and down the stairs. She was just about to reach the front door when an arm snaked around her waist and lifted her off the ground. "I've got you my dear! And now I won't let you go." Gippal said while letting another evil laugh escape his lips.
An exasperated sigh came from the adjacent room. "Machina, he is so embarrassing…"
Gippal spun around with Kerri in his arms and glared at his sister who had a few friends over. "Crid ib, Selrama. (Shut up, Selrama.)"
"Oui yna cu aspynyccehk, Gippal. E tuh'd ghuf ruf cra lyh bid ib fedr oui. (You are so embarrassing, Gippal. I don't know how she can put up with you)" the younger blonde said to Gippal.
"Palyica cra megac sa, pid oui fuimth'd ihtancdyht dryd palyica oui tuh'd ryja yho vneahtc. (Because she likes me, but you wouldn't understand that because you don't have any friends.)" Gippal replied as he stuck his tongue out at her.
Selrama glared at her brother. "Famm cra sicd pa lnywo. (Well she must be crazy)"
Kerri rolled her eyes and sighed. "E ruba oui dfu ynah'd dymgehk mega drec cu E tuh'd ihtancdyht palyica eh lyca oui pudr vunkud, E gehty belgat ib dra myhkiyka. E sayh padfaah, drec ruica, Rikku, Yuna, yht haatehk du ghuf ed vun clruum, E kud bnaddo kuut. Tuh'd oui drehg? (I hope you two aren't talking like this so I don't understand because in case you both forgot, I kinda picked up the language. I mean between, this house, Rikku, Yuna, and needing to know it for school, I got pretty good. Don't you think?)"
Gippal laughed as his sister's expression dropped. Kerri smiled at her and said, "Yea, hate to burst your bubble."
"Don't ya just love her?" Gippal said as he swung her around. "She's just full of surprises."
By this time, Gippal's dad walked into the room. He was a tall man that was mirror reflection of Selrama, just older and in the male form. "I heard Al Bhed and there was three voices." He looked to Selrama. "Your friends know Al Bhed?"
Gippal carried Kerri over to his father. "Nope, Ker does."
The older man eyed her curiously. "I didn't know you spoke our language."
Kerri smiled and nodded at the man before saying, "E belgat ed ib yvdan y frema. E sayh padfaah cbahtehk desa rana, Yuna, Rikku, yht haatehk ed vun clruum, ed ymsucd lysa hydinymmo. (I picked it up after a while. I mean between spending time here, Yuna, Rikku, and needing it for school, it almost came naturally.)"
He patted her on the shoulder. "Well to say the least I am impressed, not to mention your accent is pretty good too."
Kerri smiled. "Thank you, sir."
Gippal shifted Kerri's weight slightly and said, "Well, Kerri here has to go shower and get ready for our 'date' later. So say bye Kerri."
Kerri rolled her eyes as she waved goodbye to the Sagona family. Gippal walked her to the front door before setting her down. "I'll come by round 7 ok?"
Kerri nodded as they walked to Tidus' car. Kerri got in the front seat and Gippal leaned in the window. "Do I get my kiss now?"
She hesitated before giving him a quick kiss. "Happy?"
He nodded with a smile. "I'll see you in a little while."
She started up the car and drove back to Tidus' where he was waiting on the front stoop. Kerri smiled as she tossed him the keys. "Have fun, but not too much! And I want details when you get home!"
He smirked as he caught the keys. "Alright, same goes for you," he said as he got into the car.
Kerri walked into the house and her dad was walking out of the living room. "Well there's my daughter who I see less and less of as the days progress."
She smiled and ran over to give him a hug. "Hey dad!" She then turned and went to go up the stairs.
"Wait? So that's it? I get a hug and that is supposed to make up for all the times I don't see you?" he said in a mock hurt voice.
She nodded. "Uh-huh. You pretty much him the nail on the head."
He laughed. "Alright, kiddo. I'll let you go do whatever it is that you need to do. We'll talk later…"
She smiled as she ran up to take her shower. Scott turned to go back into the living room, but Auron was standing near him giving him a stern look. "What? Auron, I am not going to upset her over something like this?"
"Oh no of course not." He turned his back to Scott and walked into the living. "I would never expect you to have to do that. It'll be my job to tell her and she's going to flip out, but I'll be the one that's going to have to deal with it." He looked at him over his shoulder. "Jecht did the same thing to me. Only difference was, Tidus hated Jecht and Kerri loves you."
Scott sighed. "Listen, I know what you mean, but I can't bring myself to tell her. It just isn't fair. Do you know what she told me at the diner the other day?"
Auron shook his head. "No, enlighten me."
"She told me that for the first time in a while she's happy. She loves it here and she is happy. After years of sadness she is happy. And you want me to just tell her that that happiness is going to come crashing down soon?" He sat on the recliner next to the couch Auron was sitting on. "I can't do it. She's my kid and I can't just kill her happiness."
Auron sighed and rested his head on the back of the couch. "I know, but I just don't want something to happen to you and have her regret not spending enough time with you while she could."
"Well, it's a doubled edge sword." He sat back. "It's either I tell her and have her happiness come crashing down and have her cling to me like a little child because she doesn't want to loose me and she looses interest in everything because she's counting down to doomsday, or I let her be happy and when it is absolutely necessary break the news to her…"
Auron stood up. "I'm not going to tell you how to deal with it. But I am warning you now. If I am forced to take the brunt end of her 'wrath' I will come to wherever you are and kick the crap out of you. Understand?"
Scott smirked. "You're afraid of a 17 year old girl?"
"No," He started to walk away. He then said out loud but to himself. "I'm afraid of what's she's gonna do when she finds out…"
888
Finally, it was Saturday and it was time for the Blitz game. Kerri and Tidus had just finished getting ready for the game and met up in the hallway between their rooms. "Alright you ready for this game?" Tidus said as he and Kerri started down the stairs.
Kerri smirked and started to say, "I was..."
"…born ready." Auron and Scott finished for her.
She looked down at them with a smile. "You know I hate it when you two do that…"
Scott smiled up at her. "Aw, my little baby is going to her first Blitz Ball game. I am so excited!"
Kerri rolled her eyes. "Dad… seriously now, it isn't that big a deal."
"Sure it is, now before we go, let's get a picture of the team captain and the new be," Scott said as he grabbed his camera.
Kerri groaned. "Oh no, they have the cameras out again," she said to Tidus.
Tidus laughed and said, "Well they want a picture of the best Blitz Player in Besaid."
She gave Tidus a shove. "I know I'm great Tidus, but really let's not underestimate me. The best in Spira is more like it!"
He just shook his head and said, "Let's just take the stupid picture so we can leave."
"Fine." Tidus leaned his arm on Kerri's shoulder and smirked and Kerri crossed both her arms mirroring Tidus smirk. After the camera flashed, they both dashed out of the house for the car.
888
They were introducing the members of the B-Team and Kerri wasn't really paying attention to the names being called. That was until she recognized a certain name.
"And finally, last, but certainly not least, we introduce to you Seymour Guado," the announcer voiced bellowed through the stadium.
When that name sounded through the stadium, the only thing Kerri could hear was her own heart beating in her head. He's on the B-Team? She gave a frantic look to Gippal whose mouth was ajar as he watched Seymour swimming into the Sphere. Kerri turned to Tidus and said, "Did you know about this?"
He shook his head. "I had no idea. I don't worry about the B-Team." He watched Kerri's frightened expression and he quickly added, "Don't worry, Ker. If he pulls anything, either me, Gippal, or Wakka will be on the field with you."
She nodded and stared at the sphere, completely dreading the game. She jumped as she felt someone wrap their arms around her shoulders, but relaxed when she saw it was only Gippal. "Don't worry, Ker. I'm not going to let anything happen to you."
She gripped his arms as she replied, "And you better not get hurt either…"
The team slowly walked to the top of the sphere. Then one by one, the members of the team were announced, beginning with the Captain Tidus and then Wakka, followed by the rest of them until it was finally Kerri's turn.
"Now, for the first time in twenty years, we have a surprise for everyone. Please give a warm welcome to the newest addition to the Blitz Team, Kerri Muratore!"
Kerri dove into the water and swam to the center of the sphere. She smiled and gave a wave to the crowd. She laughed when she saw Rikku jumping up and down in the stands, screaming for her and Paine who was glaring at Rikku, threatening her to sit down. A few moments later, the rest of the team joined her in the middle of the sphere and huddled together discussing what they were going to do.
They started the game off without Kerri and Wakka. She and a few other members of the team, whom she had yet to remember their names, were on the bench. Kerri watched the game intently. Hey being on the B-Team is nothing to be ashamed of. It is really good. I think it's more like an 'almost A-Team.'
By the end of the first quarter the score was 1-0 the A-Team. Kerri jumped up and gave Tidus a high five. "That was an awesome shot!"
Gippal stood to the side with his arms crossed. Then to himself, but loud enough for Kerri to hear he said, "Yea, Gippal, you looked so hot, I am so proud of you. You are so great…"
Kerri turned to him with a sly smile as she replied, "Gippal, I'm beginning to think you like talking to yourself more than you like talking to me…"
Gippal opened his mouth to reply, but the coach cut him off. "Alright, kids. As you can tell, the B-Team is pretty good. Now Tidus, you're going to sit out for now and Wakka is going to take your place." He turned to Kerri, "You're going to go in for Jassu." He switched in another few people and the team headed back out into the sphere.
As the ball was released, Wakka jumped up quickly grabbing it and passing it to Gippal who started swimming down the left side of the sphere. When he got close to the goal, he was surrounded by one of the offensive player and one of the defensive players. He threw a pass to Kerri on the other side of the sphere. She swam closer to the goal until an offensive and defensive player too surrounded her. She clutched the ball close to her waiting for the tackle, but it never came. She raised an eyebrow at the two defenders, and then smirked. Hesitation, I've become all too familiar with it. She broke through the two guys and took an open shot on the goal. Making it 2-0 the A-Team. After scoring she swam back a little to the two guys that were blocking her and shook her head. "Don't give me special treatment because I'm a girl."
The two teams got into their set positions once more, but before the ball was released the coach on the B-Team called for a time out. Wakka swam over to Kerri and whispered, "I think Seymour's coming out, ya?"
She shuddered. "I figured that…"
"Don't worry. You got me and Gippal in here with you," he said as he gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Not to mention Tidus is watching from the side lines and if anything happens he'll tell coach to call a time out. So no worries, ya?"
She smiled at him. "Yea, no worries."
With that, their assumption was proven correct as Seymour swam out into the sphere. He was positioned in front of Kerri. He sneered in her direction as he said, "Don't worry, I won't hurt you, much."
Kerri gave him a dirty look. Then as the ball was released she swam past him and said, "I can't make any promises."
A member of the B-Team had the ball and was coming up Kerri's side of the sphere. She quickly went to block him. The boy smirked at her. "Are you going to try and take the ball from me?"
"I don't need to try." She smiled sweetly at him as she tackled him causing his to loosen his grip on the ball. She grabbed the ball and quickly passed it to Wakka who was positioned before the goal.
Wakka was just about to shoot on the goal, when Seymour came from behind him. He tackled the ball out of his hands and started towards the other goal. Gippal and Kerri exchanged glances before taking off down the sphere after him. When the caught up with him, Seymour smiled and said, "Took you long enough."
Gippal shook his head and said, "I've been waiting for an excuse to hit you." He then tackled Seymour, taking the Blitz ball from him in the process. When Seymour recovered from the hit he was face to face with a smiling Kerri. "Isn't my boyfriend great?" she asked him as she started swimming past him.
When she got far enough down the field, Gippal passed the ball to her. She caught it and was setting up for a shot, when out of the corner of her eye she saw Seymour coming for her. She spun around and passed the ball back to Datto, just as Seymour was approaching. However, instead of him stopping he tackled her full force.
Since the area of the ball had change so had the attention of the referee and no foul was called. When she recovered from the hit she turned and glared at him. "What the hell was that!"
888
Meanwhile on the sideline, Tidus was flipping out. "Coach did you see that? There was no foul called either! That could have really hurt her! What the hell is wrong with him?"
The Coach closed his eyes as he replied, "I know it's against the rules but she has to expect to take hits like that every so often, if it were anyone else you wouldn't be acting like this."
"Yea exactly this isn't just anyone, it's my sister," Tidus said as she sat down on the bench frustrated.
He wasn't the only one who saw that either. All her friends, including Auron and Scott saw as well. Rikku started screaming at the sphere. "What the hell wrong with ya, Ref? You didn't see that? ARE YOU BLIND?"
Paine pulled her down in her seat. "Rikku, stop it. You're causing a scene."
Rikku was about to sit down when Yuna had started yelling at the sphere. "Seymour, you are such a creep! What is wrong with you? You knew she didn't have the ball!"
So, Rikku smiled at Paine and stood up with her cousin and continued yelling at the sphere. Paine rolled her eyes and turned to Lulu. "Do you believe these two? They act like they can hear them."
Lulu nodded. "I know. They aren't nearly loud enough."
"I kn- wait… what?"
But before Lulu could answer she too was standing up with the other two girls screaming. "Are you stupid? That's it, Wakka kill him! Kerri, don't let him do that to you! You get him back! And Gippal, take his head off!"
Paine stared wide-eyed at Lulu as she muttered, "and this is why I don't come to these games…"
888
Seymour twisted a smile on his lips as he replied, "Oops."
Kerri narrowed her eyes at him. "You knew I didn't have the ball, what do you mean oops?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "Sorry, it was an accident."
She clenched her fist as she swam near him. "Oh, I'll show you accident." But before she could get any closer the horn sounded, marking the end of the first half of the game.
Gippal swam over to her and took her by the hand. "Come on, Ker. Leave him. He isn't worth your time."
Kerri glared at him once more before swimming to the exit of the sphere. Soon both teams were assembled around their coaches awaiting instruction. "Ok, kids. We're ahead 2-0. Thanks to Tidus and Kerri and our wonderful defense. Now let's try to keep this lead in the second quarter, even make the lead bigger. Now we are going to start the second half with Tidus, Letty, Jassu, Keepa, Datto, and Wakka." He pounded his fist into his hand. "Let's show 'em why we're the A-Team." He placed his hand in the center of the huddled teens. "Everyone, hands in."
Everyone placed their hands in the center and the coach continued. "Alright on the count of three."
"1" Tidus shouted.
"2" Wakka said.
"3!" Gippal yelled as everyone pushed their hands down.
"Go Vikings!" the entire team screamed as they brought their hands back up into the air.
The six teens left the team and entered the sphere and Kerri and Gippal took their respective seats on the bench. Kerri wrung the water out of her ponytail and Gippal shook his head letting the water spray all over the place. Kerri gave Gippal a light shove as she said, "Jeez, Gippal, no consideration for others."
He laughed as he placed his arm around her shoulders. "Are you ok? I saw that hit, it was really hard."
She nodded. "I'm fine, just he caught me off guard, he isn't supposed to hit me unless I have the ball."
"I know," Gippal turn his gaze to the sphere. "But it doesn't seem to bother him much." Kerri nodded and intently watched the game.
Tidus had gotten the ball again and was swimming down the sphere, he passed the ball to Jassu, who had taken the lead. Once the ball was out of Tidus' hands he got a knee to the back. He turned around, fist balled and narrowed his eyes at Seymour. "What is your problem?"
Seymour shrugged. "Sorry, my 'brakes' aren't that well trained yet." Tidus was going to say something else, but shook it off and got back into the game.
Kerri looked over to Gippal. "Did you see that?"
Gippal nodded. "Like I said, it doesn't seem to bother him much."
Kerri clenched her fists and watched the game again. The ball was heading toward their goal and Wakka and Datto were going after the kid with the ball. Wakka was catching on him, when Seymour came from his left 'accidentally' elbowing Wakka in the nose. Wakka immediately stopped swimming and grabbed his nose, the water around him beginning to turn red.
Kerri's eyes went wide and she stood up and screamed, "He's bleeding!"
Gippal grabbed her wrist, before she took into the sphere to punch Seymour in the face. She turned to Gippal. "What?"
"Calm down. You breathing fire isn't going help Wakka."
She sighed and sat back down. The coach called a time out, since the referee seemed to be blind. Gippal and Kerri swam out to him in the sphere. Kerri took his arm. "Wakka, are you ok?"
He nodded and through clenched teeth he growled, "That Seymour is asking for it, ya?"
Kerri nodded. "Oh you bet."
Gippal took Wakka's spot on the field and Kerri helped him out of the sphere. After he sat down she ran off to get ice for Wakka's nose. When she came back his nose had stopped bleeding. She handed him the ice pack. "Here ya go."
He took it and nodded his thanks. "I've been playing Blitz for years and never once did I get elbowed in the face without it getting called."
Kerri sat down next to him. "Yea, something isn't right here…"
When the third quarter came to an end, Gippal and Tidus exited the sphere looking battered. "Are you two ok?" Kerri said as they neared.
"Yea, if you call ok getting fouled left and right with nothing being done about it," Tidus said as he grabbed a towel and put it around his shoulders.
"I know I haven't been on the team for a year, but I don't think I should be taking such a beating. I don't remember being this bruised after a game, even the championship games," Gippal said as he took a seat on the bench.
"That's because you never were…" Wakka said as he removed the ice pack from his nose.
The coach walked over to the four teens. "Are you guys ok? I mean you took some beating out there."
"No kidding," Gippal said sarcastically.
Tidus stood up at eye level with the coach. "What's going on? Why isn't the ref calling any fouls? I mean I expect to get hit when I have the ball, but when I don't?"
The coach sighed. "Tidus, if I could tell you what's going on I would."
Kerri rolled her eyes as Tidus pushed past the coach and over to the water cooler. When he came back the coach said, "Ok, well my two center forwards are on the bench. Wakka's hurt and Tidus need a break, so who am I going to put in?"
"You can put me in," Kerri said rather shyly.
The coach raised an eyebrow at her. "Kerri, you do see the beating the team is taking right?"
She put her hands on her hips. "I've taken worse hits fighting with Tidus."
Tidus nodded. "It's true and she's really good. I mean who else are you going to put in?" He paused then continued. "And you can put Gippal on the left side of her that way if she gets in trouble, he'll help her out."
"Alright," the coach agreed. "Get out there Muratore. Show me exactly why I put you on this team."
She hopped up and jogged over to the sphere, Gippal following her soon after. As they swam to the center Kerri asked, "Now if he has the ball, any hit is fair?"
Gippal nodded. "Brutal game isn't it?"
Kerri smiled and laughed, "Not for the weak of heart that's for sure."
They took their positions in the field and before the ball was released the coach of the B-Team switched some of his players around, resulting in Seymour facing off against Kerri. She narrowed her eyes at him and jumped up as the ball was released.
Just as she was bout to grab the ball, Seymour inconspicuously kneed her in the stomach. She involuntarily bent forward grabbing at her abdomen. That son ofva… She quickly recovered and took off after him. As he was deciding whether he should pass the ball or shoot, Kerri came up behind him hitting him in the back and ultimately making him fumble the ball.
Gippal dove down towards the ball and retrieved it. He quickly passed it to Jassu who was down the field. Kerri went to swim away, but Seymour grabbed her hair. "Don't cross me, Muratore."
She gave him a quick elbow to the stomach. "Don't touch me, Guado," she replied as she placed her feet on his stomach and pushed off him.
By the time she reached the other side of the sphere, Jassu had scored a goal, making it 3-1 the A-Team, making up for the lost goal the B-Team got in the third quarter. After repositioning Seymour smirked at her. "Just give it up, Kerri. Why do you fight me?"
She glared at him. "Listen, Seymour, why don't you do everyone a favor and kill yourself?" she said as she pushed off to grab to ball that had been released into the sphere. As she passed the ball to Gippal, she felt something make contact with her jaw. She winced in pain as she pulled her hand to her jaw. She opened her eyes to see Seymour rubbing his shoulder. She ignored his looks and swam past him towards Gippal.
She positioned herself in front of the net and Gippal was going to take a shot on the goal. Just as he set up the hit, Seymour came out of nowhere slamming into Gippal and taking the ball. Gippal grabbed his head and closed his eye. Kerri swam over to him and touched his arm. "Gippal, are you ok?"
"I'm going to kill him. He isn't supposed to hit you in the head like that," Gippal said as he opened his eyes once more.
Kerri smirked. "What say you to a little pay back?"
Gippal smiled, "I knew there was more to liking you than your looks."
She laughed as she shook her head and motioned to Seymour. "Just get him near the edge of the sphere and leave the rest to me. And Gippal, make sure he still has the ball, I don't want to play dirty…"
He nodded and the two took off swimming down the sphere after Seymour. Gippal got in front of him and smirked. "Fancy meeting you here. I have a friend I want you to meet. I call him my right foot," Gippal said as he kicked him with his right foot.
Seymour was sent back a good 6 feet nearer to the edge of the sphere. However, he still had the ball. "Way to go, Tweak. I still have the ball."
"Which just make this all the more perfect," Kerri said with a hint of malice.
"What are you going to do, Muratore? Pull my hair?"
Kerri smirked. "Not quite." Then with all her strength she plowed herself into Seymour's abdomen. From the force of the hit, Seymour not only released the ball, but he went sailing out of the sphere and into crowd. Kerri crossed her arms and smirked in his direction as she kicked the ball down to Gippal.
Gippal caught the ball, still in awe over what happened. He quickly shook it off and he threw the ball up in the water. He did a back flip, giving the ball a bicycle kick, sending it straight into the net making the final score Besaid Vikings A-Team 4: Besaid Vikings B-Team 1.
After doing a victory lap, the team exited the sphere. The coach approached the team with a smile of his face. Kerri whispered to Gippal, "Am I going to get in trouble for doing that to Seymour?"
He shook his head. "Not from Coach…"
She bit her lower lip and meekly replied, "…Seymour?"
He nodded as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "But don't worry about him. We won and I'm going to treat you to ice cream!"
"Or Auron and I will treat all you kids to pizza," Scott said as he approached the team.
Gippal shrugged. "Yea, we could do that too."
"Alright, I hope you brought your bank card because I am starving," Tidus said as wiped water off his head.
"Alright team, regroup," the coached beckoned to the teens.
After the team collected around the coach he gave them a speech on their performances and that there will be a practice on Tuesday. "Alright, kiddos, hit the showers!"
The guys went into the boy's locker room and Kerri ran over to the girl's locker room, securing the door behind her. Leaving on her bathing suit she stepped into the shower and quickly washed. She dried herself off with the towel and put her shorts on over her bathing suit bottoms.
She walked out of the locker room with a towel around her neck to meet up with the others. "Hey guys!" she called out to her friends.
Rikku turned around and glomped Kerri. "Ker! That was so awesome when Seymour flew out of the sphere! I'm so proud of you Kerri!"
Kerri tried to laugh before she replied, "Rikku… I can't breathe…"
She giggled as she released Kerri. "Sorry about that."
"Rikku, you have to watch out for your strength," Yuna said with a laugh. "I mean you look small and harmless, but then you hug people and can choke the life out of them."
Kerri nodded in agreement. "It's true."
Gippal lifted Kerri up off the ground and said, "Less talk… more Pizza!"
Kerri squeaked in fear as she was lifted off the ground and was positioned over Gippal's shoulder. She sighed, "You know I don't like this, Gippal."
Everyone ignored the couple's antics and continued conversing among themselves, until Gippal 'coughed'. They all turned to him and he said, "I said, 'Less talk…more Pizza!' So, let's go get pizza!"
"Alright, well as soon as you put my daughter back on the ground we'll go," Scott said from behind him. Gippal laughed nervously as he placed Kerri back on the ground. Scott patted Gippal on the shoulder as he said, "Ok now let's go get some pizza."
As they were leaving the sphere area, they saw someone trying to cast white magic on Seymour. When Kerri heard an anguished cry come from him she smiled smugly to herself feeling accomplished. Gippal leaned over and whispered in her ear, "I am so proud of you…"
A/N: Yea that was really bad. Like… really really bad. But I hope it doesn't drive away my reviewers! PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME! Ok well, I'm going to try and make it up to you next chapter, soo please don't go! Oh and in case you were wondering, I'll probably hit the 200 marker with this chapter since I only need like 3 reviews lol, but the fluff chapter won't be in here for a few chapter, I want some things to happen before I put htat in cause I already know how it's going to tie into the story (Yea, I know I was going to write it even if I didn't get 200 reviews, but now that I will get it, I love all you!)
Thank Yous
The Earth Mystic: lol Super sorry for the long wait for an update and then this chapter wasn't even so great, just I had some major writing block, so I was like arghh.. must get chapter out! So I forced myself to write it and like yea it was just really bad. Thank you so much for the compliment, I really appreciate it! It makes me feel so much better about my work, though not much can be said about this pathetic excuse for a chapter… Ok well Thank you again!
loveable-M: Well hello! Lol I'm glad you like the story and here I am updating, and I will update again soon, because I need to get the back feeling of this chapter out of my system…
NeRrr: lol heyy NeRrrr, you aren't in summer school for religion! Woo go NeRrrr! We definitely have to hang out soon, call me!
paSs 3: hehe thanks! I'm glad you liked it and yes, you should make Willy, I mean uh Michele, read it… Did you know that Selrama is Al Bhed for Michele? Lol wow I need a hobby
BuBbly happiness: … Ok thanks! And I did update! I hope you review again!
Unknown: Yea, I'm glad you reviewed again, so Thank you again! And yea I updated not so hot, but I hope the next chapter will be better, I hope, I keep saying I'm gonna make it better, it's definitely going to come out like crap .. Oh man I hope not, ok well I hope you kinda sorta like this chapter!
LoserKid05: Yupp Kerri and Gippal are so awesome! Lol I will most definitely have that special chapter! And I know exactly how I am going to tie it in, but it won't be for another few chapter! So you'll just have to wait, sowwy … lol Thanks for the reviews though
ChakaTehMoogle: Girl Power! Thanks, I'm really proud of this story in a whole, not this chapter though… oh well… And I'm under house arrest because ym family is running around doing errands for some great uncle I've never met and I'm stuck babysittin everyones kids and taking phone calls and doing all that fun stuff I love to do…….. not…
GiGgLyGaL: I'm glad we share the same view about the Kerri/Gippal pairing. I will be putting that chapter up because not only will I have the reviews, but I will need it to get to an important chapter, Oh man this story will be coming to a close soon, well soon as in months but sh soon..
Akiraine of Gia:Well, to say the least, that was a LONG REVIEW lol, but I loved reading it! So here's a long thank you! Seymour got tossed out of the sphere pool today so woo! Lol and yea everyone was asking about it, but I'm not annoyed. It takes more than that to bother me. And about the bubble butt thing all I have to say is 'Hehe' and smile innocently. Yea I know Yunalesca is hard, it took me a few times to beat her… But ya see with her third form you have to have someone with Zombie inflicted on them other wise when she does 'death' or 'mega death' or whatever that person won't die and can bring everyone back to life, though it is kinda annoying it helps, or if you have auto life yet, that is a great white magic spell, though It is possible to beat her without it because I didn't have it when I versed her. Yea I heard about Auron being in Kingdom Hearts 2 and I know that's true and to say the least I am sooo excited about it! Yes, I beat her it is possible, just takes a while, but if you think she's hard wait to you get to not the final boss, because that's just ridiculous, but the boss before it… THAT was HARD! Lol Yea I've played Kingdom Hearts as well and I beat it, I was so pissed at the ending, stupid Sora – but I'm not going to ruin it for you, so you'll just have to play to find out lol well I hope you feel better and toodles!
CeE CrOw: lol yea thanks and you are coming over tonight so we can work on your little fic thing hehe that shall be fun!
DarkFairyWarrior: lolol, well I'm glad you like the last chapter and although you hate Blitz Ball I hope you liked this chapter
Leah: mmm cookies… :looks around suspiciously: not that cookies make me update faster or anything… hehe :sweat drop: right! Ok well um… Thanks! Lol Talk to ya lates toodles!
green-eyed-blonde: That's really cool, I for one can not play hockey, it's just really bad. I can sorta ice skate… not really. Ok I can go around the thing without falling does that count? I can't stop though lol, yea I'm one of those people who crash into the wall to stop lol That's pretty cool though, yea I used to play on a Co-ed soccer team, that was always funn…. Right. Lol
KrystallTrensk: Don't worry about not reviewing, I'm just glad you liked the chapter, It means a lot to me. Hopefully you'll sort of like this one. Because this one is just plain bad, wow I'm practically talking myself into completely rewriting it, but if I do that then well you will never get an update…
Umm..Noname..I wish I had one: Honestly, I am flattered by your compliments. I really didn't think my writing was all that good. I am so happy to hear my story is a favorite of yours! That's so cool! Well I hope this chapter lives up to some kind of expectations, though it is really bad. I apologize again!
Labrat-seph:gasp: you better not tell Auron:shakes fist: Don't make me go all evil on ya! Lol I know this chapter wasn't like complete payback for Seymour but between you and me, and whoever in their right minds came all they way down here to read this, I have another thing or two planned for Seymour, possibly in the next chapter lol