Chapter One: Where Blame Belongs.
"Therefore he's less likey to have one of his famous outbursts on you." Headmaster Cid
You won't cry for my absence I know
You forgot me long ago
Am I that unimportant
Am I so insignificant
Isn't something missing
Isn't someone missing me
Evanescence "Missing"
The loud rolling drums of thunder played across the cold night sky, screaming at the sleep deprived humans that laid awake due to her show. Her black blanket streched across the endless sky, hiding the comfort of the stars and the moon from the world as her tears raced to the ground below. Landing in the mud and puddles, the ground rejected them, as it was already full. There was no where for the raindrops to reside and so they huddled together in large groups, forming a puddle. Humans hid inside from her tears. Frowned upon the weather and muttered about wishing they could see the stars. Feel the moons comfort. As it always was, they favored the moon and its stars, though the rain which was needed to keep the land green was frowned upon. Shunned.
And still she played her drums, and lit the sky with her anger and cried upon the world and all but one ignored her. While others hid from her show one stood out on a balcony, pale face up turned upwards, allowing the rain to pelt her creamy skin and run threw her blonde hair. Her outfit clung to her small, fragile body as the rain had mixed itself in with the soft fabric. A pair of glasses rested ontop of her face, Her eyes closed as she merely listened to the sound around her. She seemed to be oblivious to the fact that the rain pelting her exposed skin stung, or the fact that a cold wind blew. Oblivious to all discomforts around her as she stood out in the rain. In the cold, lonely night air. Two hands rested on the railing in front of her, though they barely had a grip. She merely stood there, breathing in and out. No response to the tears of the sky. Absolutely no reason to be like this.
Finally, movement made its way to her limbs and she opened her eyes, looking out over the land of green valleys and forests... though not taking in any of its comfort. Her blue eyes were troubled, sad. A door opened behind her and the sound of someone moving was followed by it, but not a word was spoken to the newcomer. The door was closed again though the new arrival did not leave. He was still there, hiding from the rain underneath an umbrella.
Moving closer to the female he held the umbrella out so that both she and he were protected from Mother Nature's wrath. He arched a blonde eyebrow watching the girl infront of him. She was struggling with some unforeseen dilemna, and it was hard to see someone he cared for and respected to be in such a state. "Quistis?" His low voice broke the silence of the night. "What's up?"
She gingerly turned her face away from his, not saying anything for what seemed like forever. Until, at last, she let a sigh excape her. "I failed him Zell." The man behind her ran a hand through his spiked blonde hair, the side of his cheek had a tattoo upon it, but hearing her words had shocked him. She didn't need to specify whom 'him' was. They all knew.
"He dug his own grave Quistis. Don't blame yourself for what he did." It was the only words of comfort he knew how to give. He never had been good at this sort of thing. Comforting others. When he got upset he would punch the living life out of a pinned up punching bag until he felt better again. Though a women such as Quistis... no... she wouldn't do that.
As she was once Seifer's teacher, she put the weight of his decisions on her chest. Telling herself that she should have seen it coming. That she should have done more to help him. Anything. She should have been there more for him. But it wasn't her god dn fault if Seifer didn't let anyone past his walls. Hell, no one even knew if he cared for his friends. Rajin and Fujin whom would follow him to hell and back again. And probably already have... he added.
"Lets go inside. You'll catch a cold out here."
Quistis stood still for a moment, watching the rain pour down before she turned away. "Okay." Was all she said, and with that she left. Zell behind her.
----
Darkness filled the hotel room. Complete and utter darkness. Consuming all the secrets the room had to hold. The deafening silence broken only by the never ending pounding of the rain against brick and glass. The occasional cries of thunder and two human voices arguing with each other. The darkness only failed when lightening would illuminate the room. Sending shadows racing about, growing and shrinking again all under a second. Showing the silhoute of a solitary young blonde man standing at the window. Emerald eyes watching the tears of Mother Nature pelt the world. Watching her never ending fury.
"RAGE!" the female in the next room shouted, followed by a grunt and colourful language on her partners behalf. As well as thumping and something falling, something breaking...
"We should let him rest, ya know." The male responded in his low, gruff voice. Somehow, sounding as if he were as short as a two year old.
Their arguing continued on into the night, until hours later the hotel manager kindly asked them to keep it down - for the third time.
However, the one in question, was not asleep. No, he stood at the window in the darkness. Finding comfort in her cold embrace. Though it was a thing virtually unheard of for this man, he had a frown written across his usually cold face. Sadness burned like wildfires in his emerald eyes. How long has it been? he silently thought to himself. His thoughts seemed to slice through the thick atmosphere, and bounce off the walls of the room he occupied, and yet he had said anything allowed yet. He had approached the Headmaster of Balamb Garden not too long ago, asking for himself and his two noisey friends to be accepted back into Garden. Back into their home. The old headmaster had promised to send his old instructor, Instructor Quistis Trepe, to him soon with an answer.
How long ago had he spoken with Cid? He didn't know. Everything over the past few months blended together. Nothing was the same... not even his friendship with Fujin and Rajin remained the same after Edea and Ultimecia.
Each raindrop that fell from the heavens seemed to carry fragments of his memories over the past year and all its events. The scenes flashing through his mind just as quickly as they had come.
Training with Squall. Slash. Fire. Blood, Squall's. Slash. Blood, his.
Parade. Edea. Him. Fireworks.
Rinoa. Adel released. Him.
Fishing. Rajin and Fujin. Splash. Laughter. Garden.
Mother Nature's song seemed to be mocking the once proud Seifer Almansy, taking her chance to gloat over the fact that he had messed up. Royally.
Though who was to blame for his leaving of Garden? Him. Who was to blame for his eagerness to be Edea's lap dog? Him. Who was to blame if he lost his home? He was. Who was to blame if Fujin and Rajin had to pay for his decisions? Him.
Who's was to blame for this whole mess?
Him.
And he knew it.
It screamed at him, loud and clear. Each raindrop, each cloud, everything fought over what would be the final thing to bring Seifer down completely. To an all time low for the gunblade weilder. For the proud, arrogant ass that he was. Turning away from the window, away from Mother Nature, keeping his back to her, he slipped off his beloved trenchcoat, the thing had seen many battles, it was like a second skin, though despite popular belief, he didn't sleep with it on. He carefully rested the article of clothing onto the back of a hotel chair before lifting his shirt off too, exposing his well toned and muscular chest. Though none but Mother Nature could see. He slid into the warmth of the bed, taking in its security from the cold night and the mocking Mother Nature. Though sleep would not come for Seifer Almansy this night.
----
"Seifer Almansy will not be returning to Garden." Headmaster Cid told the stict, well composed Quistis whom stood infront of him, his blue eyes frowned behind his glasses. It was a bright morning, the sub shone with all her majesty after the previous nights storm.
Quistis Trepe's blue eyes opened in shock though as Cid said it. Before she even realized she was thinking it she blurted out "Why?".
The Headmaster of Balamb Garden seemed a little taken back with the sudden abruntness of her question, but he supplied an answer. "He hasn't given us any reason to believe he'll remain loyal. But despite what you may be thinking I have his best interest in mind, Quistis. Seifer wouldn't be safe if he were to return to Garden right now. He upset and angered many students after his betrayal and I worry that some may act on impulse if he were to return. Corner him and gang up on him. It is for his own saftey that after much consideration I must decline his request to return. Though Fujin and Rajin are welcome to return due to the fact that many students have already forgiven them."
Okay, so it was a good excuse. The blonde SeeD - once instructor - Quistis had to admit that much.
"He's staying at the hotel in Balamb. I wish for you to tell bring the new of my decision to him Quistis." Cid added after a moment of silence. Though Quistis was now the one taken back by the Headmaster.
"But sir..." She began to protest, falling silent as the old man held up a calm, patient hand, silencing her.
Why me? I'm not an instructor anymore! I wasn't even his friend!
As if in answer to her unspoken question Cid explained. "You were his instructor at the time he had left.
And as such I failed him...
"Therefore he's less likely to have one of his famous outbursts on you."
I should have seen it coming...
"I think on some deep down level..."
I should have paid more attention to him.
"That he..."
I should have stopped it before it began...
"Respects..."
God, why wasn't I there for him? Why didn't he come to me?
"You, Quistis."
Now he's going to loose his home as well! And who's fault would that be? Mine! That's who!
She hadn't realized that Cid had stopped speaking, nor did she register the fact that she had uttered some response and nodded her head, accepting her mission. She didn't notice the kids in the halls as she passed them, brushing past students and friends a like as if she were a lost soul. A wandering ghost. In fact, it wasn't until she was out in the parking lot of Balamb Garden, starting up one of the Garden's cars, that she returned to the present. And as she did so, she drove the car out of the lot and away from the Garden, heading towards Balamb City to tell Seifer Almansy the bad news...
Little did she know just how very wrong things were about to turn.
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Chapter Dedication: Everyone involved with Liberi Fatali ;) Thanks for being my inspiration guys!
Next Chapter: Plunge Into Darkness