You Came Back
by Cat Alex

Author's Note – Uhh, let's see... Disclaimer for Final Fantasy VIII – don't own nothing, except my characters Gaia, Wyvern and Ryden... thanks for reading this, I like feedback, still fragile as now only second time writer so constructive criticism and the odd boot throwing if it's really so bad, though I revel in compliments! Oh, and I apologise for the language, but I felt it was necessary to the character in question (nearly all Seifer's doing). I would also like to thank Mark for being my Beta. Thanks, man.

Chapter One: Grovelling

I came back.

I never thought I would, but here I am a year later strolling in amongst all the other idiots.

I was always angry at failing the SeeD exam. And this is it. My last act of Redemption. My last chance to become a SeeD – to show everyone I could do it. No fucking up this time – no way.

That's what I'm here for – they've got to 'fix' me. I'm not my problem – but I get blamed for it! So, part and parcel with my 'last act of redemption' is getting an attitude change. Maybe the training here will mellow me out. Hah – I like to see it tried.

Fujin and Raijin stayed behind in Fisherman's Horizon, gave their blessing and understanding and let me go and went back to fishing.

"FINE" was all Fujin had to say on the matter while Raijin scratched his head, looked at me with a lopsided grin and said, "It's like Fujin says, ya know, if you want to, we don't mind. Gotta good thing runnin' here, ya know? We'll take care of the fishin' business while you go off for salvation or whatever, right Fujin? – OW! Whaddya do that for, Fujin?!"

I count that pretty much as their blessing.

Probably didn't take me seriously and now they're wondering where they hell I am. Or laughing – well, screw them, I'm gonna do it! When I set my mind to something – I do it!

Thankfully on Puberty boy's orders, Garden has been stationed in its old location in Balamb to 'encourage a sense of security for younger SeeD students'. It saves me a bunch of bloody trouble searching for the damn thing, which is helpful to me.

As I strolled through the main corridor to the lift I got fearfully eyeballed by all the students.

"Hey, it's the traitor!" one yelled. I turned my head in a split second to the person and fixed such a glare it could crack glass. The person was only a junior and cracked pleasingly under my eyes and walked away with a severely worried look. As I thought – all weak. A path materialised before me and I leisurely swaggered and hit the button.

Cid was less than pleased to see me.

"Ah," was all he said at first when I rocked up to his room without an appointment and sat myself down in front of him with a serious expression on my face. I ground my jaw and held my tongue with that stupid 'ah'.

'I want in! So do it!' I wanted to demand. I'd be kicked out so quickly, I wouldn't even hear the schools laughter as big tough Seifer Almasy got hefted out of Garden quick sharp. That'd be a sight to see I suppose.

"... So, I want to be a SeeD. I want to train and take the test." I tempered myself, keeping as courteous as I could hold onto as Cid sat back in his battered leather chair. From his expression, I don't think he's quite forgiven me for the whole trying to help Ultimecia compress time thing.

Cid looked at me. Right into my eyes without blinking and held me in his searching gaze. It wasn't friendly. I could feel him looking for lies.

"Hmm, you're honest and committed." There was no question in his speech.

"So, can I?" I asked a little bored. I'm sick of waiting around for him to give me an answer – it's a yes or no situation and I'm getting fed up. He looked stony faced and drew in a breath.

"Even if I let you in, you know what you'll face from the students. They may eat you alive," he said earnestly, finally dropping away the hardness and letting in some of the old Head Cid care that I'd been accustomed to in past years. My jaw twitched. No-one defeats me!

Especially no punk-ass kids.

I curled my hands into fists.

"I don't care." I tipped my jaw haughtily.

"Well... welcome back." Without a trace of welcome. What more could I expect.

After a long stay at Fisherman's Horizon, I realised it was all or nothing, much to my disappointment. Here or nowhere. I was kind of hoping I wouldn't have to face Cid and Garden again after battling it with Galbadia Garden. Would you call that feeling sorry about what you did? 'Cause if so, I may just take it back – Seifer Almasy doesn't feel sorry for nothing!

"... Thank you," I gritted my teeth at that, turned my heel and left, shutting the doors loudly without any care. Then I wandered to the nearest Garden staff member.

"I've just rejoined," I grinned evilly and the man frowned, "so you need to get me a room."

He stared at me behind shaded eyes and sighed heavily.

"422 is free," he simply said and I opened my arms.

"What? No welcome home hug?" I teased menacingly and the man's lips curled sourly.

"No-one in this facility is likely to 'welcome you home', Almasy," he said tartly and thrust a timetable forward. I snatched it and walked off without a backwards glance.

Huh, timetable. I'd done these classes a hundred times over – this was barely revision.

"Traitor!!!" another junior boldly ventured as I stood outside my newly assigned dorm room. I felt like the big bad that got muzzled. A rage creeping up my spine made me turn angrily. I threw my hand out and roared, "Silence!" The spell was cast and the student with eyes wide ran off mutely. Ha. That'll show 'em.

This place isn't too bad considering Commander Puberty deals with it – though from what I hear he's not consuming his entire life in work, but also indulging in Rinoa.

Ugh, what did I even see in her? I heard they're on some extended break for a while to recover from all the events of Ultimecia. Hah, they need this long a break? In fact, all of them are taking a break – last I heard was that the Little Messenger Girl and the Cowboy were off in Trabia Garden, or the Smokehole – as I prefer to call it - in the snow with Chicken-Wuss, while the Instructor is touring Esthar for some new career direction as a potential Presidential Aide. Don't they just get the best treatment? And what do I get? Nothing, nada, zip!

Well, I guess I could have been arrested and prosecuted, but they probably didn't dare go near me!

I restlessly unpacked what little I had and threw myself on the rickety hard bed. I slept until midnight and woke up to find fucking brats had jammed my door shut. I took out my sword, the Hyperion, and prised it open.

With a foul grin, I decided it was time for some sword practise.