Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Forever Silent ❯ Island Home ( Chapter 4 )

And again…same disclaimer.

Island Home

Laying on his back on the small bed provided to him, Wakka stared up at the ceiling through the darkness of the small room, listening to the chorus of snores coming from Jassu and Botta as sleep eluded him. Visions of Kenzi's face haunted his mind. He couldn't stop thinking about the pain swimming in her beautiful gray blue eyes. What had he done? What had he even been thinking?! He shouldn't have even tried to kiss her. It was wrong. She was Al Bhed (not the best argument but it was all he really had to go on) and he was….kind of….with Lulu.

With a sigh he reached over and picked up Botta's watch off the crudely built nightstand. 12:58. He should have been exhausted but he was wide awake and had a feeling he would stay that way. As quietly as he could he sat up, slipped his sandals on and left the room. He needed air. But when he slowly climbed the stairs and walked out onto the deck, he saw that he wasn't the only one having problems sleeping.

Kenzi was leaning up against the ships rail, her back to him, and the pale moon bathing her in its silver blue light. Her strawberry blond hair was unbound and fell in waves a little past her shoulders. Small white and blue feathers were bound at the ends of four tiny braids on either side of her head. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other and Wakka felt his mouth go dry as he watched her hips sway gently with the movement. `I wonder if she's still mad at me,' he thought, slowly making his way across the deck to where she stood. When he reached her she lifted her head, showing that she knew he was there but continued to stare out at the vast expanse of dark, calm water.

"Hey," he said softly, leaning on the rail beside her.

Kenzi's full lips curved up in a gentle smile. "Hi."

"You….mad?"

The young woman sighed and dropped her gaze to where the water broke against the ships bow. "I was," she murmured, "but I understand. At least I think I do. My mother used to tell me to always be an understanding person. It would make living a little more easy."

"Smart woman." Wakka watched the silken strands of her hair brush against the side of her face and a sudden urge to reach out and tuck those soft wisps behind her ear caused his hands to itch with an almost undeniable need to touch her. "So are your parents okay with you playin' for us?" he asked, trying to make conversation to get his mind off of doing something he may later regret.

Something changed in her expression. It became sad, withdrawn. Without her even saying anything Wakka understood what had happened. "Sin," he muttered softly.

Kenzi nodded slowly. "Yeah. He took all of them. My mom, my dad and my brother." She pushed off the rail as she spoke, turning her back to the water and leaning once again on the railing. "Sometimes I wonder how many other people now share my story."

"I'm sorry Kenzi," Wakka said, turning to face her.

She smiled sadly and shook her head. "They're happy where they are. I can feel that. My brother's probably so proud of me right now. He spent years teaching me that shot I used when we played the Goers." She laughed and shook her head again. "I can still remember the first day I finally got it. He took me out to this restaurant and snuck me a beer saying it was okay as long as it was for a good reason but if he ever saw me doing it again the consequences would be unimaginable."

Wakka smiled at that admiring Kenzi for her bravery. She was so young and she had lost so much yet she could still laugh and happily reminisce about her past instead of constantly thinking about how it was all ripped away from her. He was glad that she was able to do that. A smile that gorgeous would be a shame to waste.

"So what's your deal Wakka?"

He jerked his head up, taken off guard by her question and too lost in thoughts to realize that she had been watching him, her smile growing with each passing second that he remained silent. "What?"

She turned to face him and gave him a lop sided grin. "What's your deal? I come to the island and it was obvious that you didn't want me there. Then you act all civil on the ship but as soon as we get to the stadium you start in on me again. And now-," her voice trailed off and she cocked her head to the side.

God, she was adorable. "Maybe," he said at length, "it's cuz I think that whole hero worship thing is cute."

Kenzi's mouth dropped open as her eyes went wide. "You….you heard all of that?" she asked in a horrified whisper.

Wakka nodded. There was no hope for him now. He knew that even if he tried it would be impossible for him to deny that he had feelings for her. She intrigued him; she made him feel like there was more to life then what he was doing with it. And he wanted her. He just plain and simple wanted her. So he took the risk and closed the distance between them for the second time that day, carefully wrapping his arm around her waist and drawing her fit body up against his. "Kenzi," he whispered huskily, gently pushing her bangs out of her face and cradling the side of her face in his palm.

She didn't move. It was as if she was too scared to. But he could see the desire flaring in those deep gray eyes. She wanted this as badly as he did. "Wakka," she murmured unsurely, her hand coming to rest on his bicep. She closed her eyes and he leaned down, gently brushing his lips against hers. It was a simple kiss, questioning and innocent and that's how it stayed. Before it had even begun it was done. Wakka backed away, let his arm fall back to his side and offered the beautiful Al Bhed a smile. "Goodnight Kenzi," he said, turning and walking away from her.

Kenzi watched him go, watched him until she could no longer see him then she leaned back against the railing. Smiling, she brushed her fingers against the place where his lips had just been. "Good night Wakka," she whispered. She looked up at the stars, said a silent prayer of thanks and went back down to her room to sleep until they reached the island of Besaid.

Two hours later Kenzi trudged wearily along the beach of Besaid along side Jassu and Keepa. Following behind them was the rest of the ships occupants, most just as tired as the three Aurochs ahead of them.

"I am going to sleep the entire day away. Any of you even try to wake me and I'll rip you're arms off, you hear?" Jassu muttered irritably.

Kenzi gave a snort of laughter. "Won't be me. I bet I'll end up sleeping way longer then you do." She rolled her aching shoulders and looked over her shoulder at Rikku who was slowly approaching them, her shoulders slouched in weariness. "But then again Jassu," she said, an idea forming in her tired mind, "if you had something to cuddle I bet you would never leave that bed."

Jassu gave her an odd look and she threw a pointed glance at Rikku as she started to move past him. His tired eyes suddenly became bright and a huge, goofy grin spread across his face. With an animal like growl he lunged forward, picking up a shrieking Rikku and cradling her in his muscular arms. "Woman! You're coming with me!" he commanded.

Rikku gasped as she stared up at him, her cheeks growing bright red. "You shouldn't say things like that Jassu," she whispered urgently, "it's not decent. We're not even together."

Jassu looked thoughtful for a minute, frowning as he stared up ahead of them. A second later the goofy smile was back and he was staring down into Rikku's startled face. "So go out with me then."

The little blond Al Bhed stared up at Jassu in wide-eyed shock. "I….I-."

As she stammered away Kenzi made a disgusted sound and slid a sideways glance at the bleach blond man. "That was your romantic idea?" she asked incredulously.

Jassu shrugged. "I'm more of a `go on impulse' guy." He looked back down at Rikku, giving her a small shake in attempts to pull her out of her daze. "So?"

Rikku slowly raised bright green pleasure filled eyes to him and smiled. "Okay."

The two shared a sweet kiss, both of them smiling like two lovesick teenagers and Kenzi laughed softly, turning away and increasing her speed to give the new couple some time alone. She sighed softly, gazing up at the many stars twinkling in the midnight blue sky, capriciously wondering if anyone was up there watching out for them, protecting them from hungry fiends. Before she knew it they were in the village and each of the team members started to go their own way, calling out soft goodbyes.

Kenzi stopped dead in her tracks and stared at the town, apprehension twisting her gut. Where was she going to sleep? She had just arrived there yesterday by airship before they had left for Zanarkand and hadn't had a chance to secure a place to stay. And she was so tired! All she wanted to do was find some place comfortable to rest her aching body.

"Don't have a place to stay do you?" Tidus asked, coming up beside her with a half asleep Yuna tucked securely under his arm.

"Actually no. Is there an Inn somewhere?"

Tidus shook his head. "Checked it this morning before we left. Every bed is taken. Lots of people came for the game."

Kenzi dropped her head in defeat. It looked as if she would be making the sand her bed tonight. Oh well, she had had worse.

"You could stay at Wakka's."

The strawberry blond turned to see Lulu approaching them. Wakka was at her side, looking for the entire world like he was about to fall flat on his face from exhaustion. "No. I couldn't impose on him like that," she started to protest, only half meaning what she said. Silently she was saying "hell yes I'll stay with Wakka!" but saying something like that out loud would probably be a bad move on her part.

Lulu gave her a smile. The gesture startled Kenzi and once again set her at unease. For some reason she knew that smile was not genuine. She steeled herself for what the woman was going to say next.

"Oh, but I insist. Besides, Wakka will be staying with me so his place will be free for you to use."

Okay, she had not steeled herself enough for that. Kenzi's heart sank and her eyes immediately sought out Wakka. The Auroch Captain was staring at Lulu as if she had just grown two heads. His mouth moved but no words came out.

`Come on Wakka. Tell her no! After that moment on the ship how could you say yes? How could you?' Kenzi's mind screamed.

"It's settled then. Wakka will come with me and you can have his place. Come Wakka, I'm tired," the dark mage said, looping her arm though his and giving it a hard jerk.

Wakka threw an apologetic look over his shoulder but followed the dark haired woman across the sand.

Kenzi drew in a ragged breath, forcing herself to remain calm. She would not let this get to her. It was such a minor thing. So he was staying with the woman whom so obviously hated her, she could deal with that.

Yuna gained her attention, placing a hand lightly on her shoulder. "Kenzi, I'm sorry," she murmured.

The Al Bhed shook her head and smiled. "It's okay. So where is Wakka's place?"

Yuna and Tidus exchanged worried looks, and then hesitantly lead her into the village, showing her into a well sized hut on the other side of the small village. Kenzi bade them goodnight and entered the hut. Two beds were on either side, a dresser sitting against the wall between them. One bed was made while the other held several blitzballs, a few articles of clothing and worn pair of sandals. Far to the left was a small washing area with several teal colored towels hanging from a long towel rack.

Kenzi let her bag slide off her shoulder and land with a dull thud on the floor. She wished Wakka was here with her. Why hadn't he said anything? Why hadn't he told Lulu about what had happened between them? There would be so much less confusion if he would have just said something. Sighing, Kenzi pulled off her boots and replaced her bikini top with an overly large t-shirt that had once belonged to her brother then she went to the bed, pulled down the covers and crawled under them, pulling them back up around her chin once she was comfortable.

The bed was fit to him, she could tell that right away. There was a dip that could have been formed only from his large, muscular body. A smile graced her features as she buried her nose in the pillow, inhaling his scent. It was so unique, a mixture of wilderness, sand and the sweet salty tang of the sea. Well, if she couldn't be with him at least she could have this. With a smile still on her face, she snuggled further into the blankets and fell fast asleep.