Chapter 26 – I Love You

Her knees ached and her heart pounded roughly as the rain started to fall harsher. "Tidus…" she whispered, wondering if her weak voice pulled through.

"Y-yeah. I'm still here," He replied, though his voice was muffled by the screaming thunder. "Hold on, I think I see you." He informed. Kairi looked to her left and saw Tidus through the scattered trees. He ran off the trail and around the many trees that blocked his way. Kairi hung up her phone and put it into its holder. She pressed her weight onto the tree she sat near and started to stand back up. Her knees still ached from the fall but she tried her best to stay up.

Tidus appeared out of the trees and ran to her, "Kairi!" he said, by his voice she could tell she looked like a mess. Once he got close enough, Kairi allowed herself to fall into him. Out of habit, he held her close. "Don't scare me like this ever again," He whispered into her ear firmly. Kairi wrapped her arms around him tightly and looked up at him, his eyes were glossed with held back tears. Her large, blue eyes looked sadly at him; she'd never seen him cry except when they were little. He looked so fragile to her now, like if she said anything bad he'd break. Like how I used to be.

"I'm sorry…I didn't mean to…" Kairi replied in little above a whisper. She felt his embrace tighten, pulling her closer to him. She pressed her cheek to his chest, not able to look at him any longer.

"C'mon, let me get you home," He stated while he pulled away the embrace, but still kept strong arms to support Kairi's standing. She mumbled in agreement and he got her in his arms bridal style swiftly. He started walking, making Kairi a little nervous, but Tidus seemed unchanged. He chuckled a little, "Where'd you fall?"

She looked up at him, his eyes looked less glossy. "Um, back there," she responded as she gripped his shirt for a little more reassurance of his feelings. She didn't know how he felt, it just seemed like he was all over the place. "Tidus…"

"Yeah!" He smiled as he started walking as fast as he could.

I love you.

"I…I just wanted to say…I thank you," Kairi muttered. She mentally smacked herself on the forehead. Idiot…

Tidus laughed gently and nodded, "It's no problem, as long as you never do it again," He smiled, though it seemed a little pained.

She was hesitant to reply, "Well, I can't promise anything because I really didn't mean to, Tidus! Honest!" She said trying to reassure him that she'd never purposely do that. "And I'm sorry about lunch!" She wanted everything off her chest before she got home.

"Do you mind on not moving? It's hard enough carrying you with this storm going on," he smirked at her. To her surprise, she was moving around a lot before he said anything.

"Sorry-"

"Enough of the apologies, Kai, its fine," he assured while he moved his hands to get a stronger grip on her. He looked at the trail before him, looking for the safest route even if it took longer. Kairi gazed up at him and pouted slightly. "Don't give me that look. Forget about it," he smiled. She jolted a bit, wondering how he saw her. Her expression turned neutral then and laid her head on his chest silently.

The storm's harshness increased as Tidus continued to trek out of the forest. Both teens were soaked and Kairi could tell it was harder for him to walk from all the mud around. "Tidus, you wanna take a break?" She asked gently while her vision focused on him.

He shook his head, "I don't think I can."

"It'll have to die out sometime right? We can just go under a roof where the picnic tables are!"

"There are no picnic tables around," he sighed. By the tone of his voice, it sounded like he already thought of it. She could tell he was beginning to get tired. The storm was no help either, but he continued to walk out of the park, not knowing when they'll get out.

"I don't want you to stress yourself, you know?" Kairi pouted as the rain fell onto her face harshly, making her suck her bottom lip in quickly. She dug her face into Tidus's chest once more. Kairi found herself dangerously sleepy suddenly.

Tidus smiled at her words and nodded, "Maybe we can rest for a little bit…I see a bridge up ahead." He informed. Kairi turned to look in front of them, squinting her eyes to prepare for the rough rain in her face, but it never came. Tidus curled his back just enough to cover her. She smiled sweetly to herself and saw the bridge was there. "We're going to stay underneath it for a while, you alright with that?" He asked gently between the thunder.

"Sounds fine to me!" Kairi agreed, not thinking of any other way. He picked up his pace a little more and carefully walked down the decreasing elevation. The bridge was made of concrete and stone, which should easily provide for shelter. Several times, Kairi found herself gasping because she felt Tidus misstep. Once they were out of the rain, Tidus set her to lean on the ground gently. Tidus sat beside her tiredly.

"How are you feeling?" He asked while he looked at her scratched knees then her eyes. Kairi also took a look at them, they were still red and she could see little cuts on them. She turned back to Tidus and gave a weak smile.

"Alright," She muttered while her eyes started to drop close but she strained them open. Tidus nodded and took her around her waist and leaned back with her. She laid down near him, her face on his chest and his arm around her protectively.

He exhaled softly as the thunder roared through the air loudly. She looked up at him and smiled to get his attention. Tidus looked down at her and returned it. "What?" He asked playfully.

Kairi climbed up so her head was above his. His eyes widened and blushed as soon as she was that close. I have to say this now. "Tidus…"

"Kairi…I don't know if we should-"

Her lips just barely touched his in caution, wondering if it was safe to keep going. Tidus didn't seem to object so she deepened the kiss gently, not wanting to overstep too much. His arms wrapped around her loosely, almost as cautious as her. She broke their kiss and looked into his blue eyes that were staring straight into hers.

"I love you."

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