Selphie's Friend
(Author's Note: Don't own anything! Don't you just think that the Powerpuff Girls rock? I mean they are sweet little girls one minute, then killer supergirls the next. I mean, three of my friends are in a band, it's called Aura, and they all resemble the Powerpuff girls. It's untrue. Anyhow, thnks to those of you who review, I'll have an acknoledgements page up soon, probably at the end of each story, saying thanks to those who reviewed. If you like the fics then please spread the word, I'm fed up with only getting one review per story.)
Chapter Six: Bedbound
I sat there for hours. I couldn't think of anything. Bahamut had asked me to teach Garden the Shumi Meditation technique, but it took years to get yourself prepared enough to project yourself into the Elemental Plane, and even then it was a struggle the first few times. Getting the entire SeeD populace of Garden there was a joke. I looked at my bedside, there was a note I hadn't seen before.
Destiny,
I came by but you were still asleep. I didn't want to wake you up. Just so you know, I've had words with some of the staff here about the GF Plane. None of them have any idea what I'm on about. Destiny, I don't disbelieve you, but it's going to take something big to make them believe me.
I hope you get better soon. I'm sure it's nice to have rest though. The last time I had a rest was... hell... I can't remember. Maybe I'll get Irvine to shoot me too?
Get better fast!
Squall
I smiled and put the letter down. I thought about the fact I was resting. I guess not many SeeDs and senior members of SeeD got to rest, it was kind of nice to be able to rub it in. I then thought about one SeeD in particular, grinning I settled down into my bed.
It must have been hours later when I woke again. I looked up to see Zell's face, along with a face I didn't know. Zell beamed down at me with a mischievous look in his eyes. I raised my eyebrows, then looked pointedly at the person next to him. She blushed bright red.
"I'm Krisha, the student librarian. I don't think we've met," She explained. I nodded and sat up and shook her hand. Then I tried to flatten my hair. Zell looked at me in a way that clearly said, 'be very nice to her.'
"Hi, I'm Destiny. I don't think we have, then again apart from Zell and the gang, I have't met anyone. It might be nice to talk to someone who hasn't saved, or half-destroyed, the world for once," Krisha smiled and blushed. Zell rolled his eyes then the mischievous look returned.
"I heard you and Seifer are getting on well," Zell stated. I didn't reply, I just looked up to the librarian. She hit Zell on the back of the head.
"That's none of your business Zell!" She told him. I began to gnaw on my lip. I didn't know if I was officially going out with Seifer or if he was messing with me. I suddenly wished very much that he was there. I wanted him there so much. I wanted him to be able to reassure me. This was the only time I had ever thought about why I like Seifer, and I found I was quite stumped. I just did, we were both misunderstood, both of us had strings of failed relationships, both of us wanted a bit of fun before we died, we were so alike.
"I don't mind, it's just I don't rightly know. He's so confusing, it's hard to know if we are or not?" I trailed off into thought. Were we close? I looked out the window and saw the rain pouring over the trees outside. I blinked and then remembered I had bigger fish to fry than Seifer Almasy.
"I don't care at the moment anyhow. As much as I like my love life splashed all over the gossip columns, it isn't healthy," I said sarcastically. Krisha suddenly jumped up and saluted. I followed her gaze to see Seifer standing in the doorway. I sighed.
"It's rude to eavesdrop," I told him. He looked at me with a glare that would have chilled the blood of Ifrit then turned to Krisha.
"Cadet Forton, get back to your station, Commander Xu is looking for you. Dincht, beat it," He ordered. Krisha almost ran from Seifer, she looked terrified. Zell looked my way with an apologising look. I swallowed, he could really take this the wrong way, but I knew that my excuse for putting him second would be stupid.
"Seifer-" I began but he cut me off by sitting down heavily beside me. He looked tired.
"Save it, don't want to know. I understand if you don't think we should go out, I did kill you family, friends, destroyed your home," He stopped. I swallowed, even thinking about my parents made me cry. Then I felt something, a warmth spreading from my torso through-out my body. I closed my eyes and I knew, somehow my mother was here.
"I don't know what to say Seifer, just don't what to think about that. I want to forgive you Seifer, and I am willing not to hold it against you, and I'm sure that in time I won't even think about it. I have to move on, even if I hated you, people change," I said. Seifer put his face in his hands and rubbed his face, only when he brought his hands down again did I see the guilt on his face.
"I blame myself. I should have fought the sorceress control harder. I should have fought her with everything I had. Hell, it's my fault!" He turned to me. "Isn't it? Almasy, the lap dog, Seifer the sorceress knight, all of it will be written down in the history books. I'll always be the bad guy!" He then seemed to take control of himself again.
"Seifer..." The warm feeling seemed to be telling me something, but I couldn't quite figure out what. "Don't blame yourself. It's not you, you are a SeeD, SeeDs don't do things like that. The way I see it, everyone has their own destiny, fate just prepares us for the tasks we have to fulfil. If we don't do anything wrong, we'll end up like sterotyped beings who's only exsistence is to follow orders." Suddenly I realised what I was saying. 'everyone had their own destiny, fate prepares us for the tasks we are to fulfil.
"I think we better stay unofficial. I'm not a liked man, it'll only cause trouble for you if people find out about us," With that Seifer stood up and left. He was about to leave when I managed to call out.
"Bye then, smart ass!" I called. I heard a 'whatever' and giggled to myself. The warm feeling disappeared. I sighed, why couldn't the world be simple? I watched the rain, this was going to be a long week.
Two hours later I hadn't thought of anything. I looked up when I saw the entire group, including Seifer, trooping into the Infirmary. I heard Doctor Kadowaki giving them strict instructions about something or other then they all came and sat around my bed. Irvine sat farthest away, guilt was written all over his face.
"Hey sweetie!" Selphie squealed, then launched herself at me. She must have forgotten the reason she was in the Infirmary because a few seconds later I was clutching my hip and biting my lip really hard.
"Damn Selphie! That bloody hurts!" I hissed as she pulled away. She blinked at me a few times in a hurt way then began yapping again. While she talked aimlessly, I was cursing like a soldier, then reminded myself that I was one.
"I'm impressed, you almost have the same vocabulary as me," Seifer commented, smirking. I giggled helplessly as Selphie continued yapping.
"You'd be surprised, my first words were 'winnie the shit'," Everyone snorted, only then did Selphie realise that no one was listening to her. She put her hands on her hips and glared.
"Listen!" She commanded. Irvine put his arm around her shoulders, I glanced at Seifer and he glanced back at me. I don't think anyone understood what an ass Irvine was. He was playing with Selphie before moving onto bigger fish. I had to warn Selphie, the only problem being that she might think I'd lead him on.
"Selphie, we aren't going to. I have too much on my mind to think about the Garden Festival," I told her sternly. I got a few puzzled looks. I cleared my throat and began to fiddle with the blanket. If I told them, I might sound just slightly mental.
"Yeah, about that. As soon as you can, I want a report outlining everything on that subject. From rumour to what you actually know. Also I need to know if any other Gardens are involved, any Sorceresses, any major GFs, I want to have it all on my desk in say... Three days," Squall ordered. I nodded, speed was essential. I thought about what I did know about the Elemental Plane, and the war. Not much.
"Squall, isn't that a bit harsh? You've had Seifer and Irvine's report, why do you need hers? Anyway, how could Gardens or Sorceresses be involved in a matter of Balamb Garden security?" Rinoa questioned him. I cleared my throat and then thought about the way my life was going. I had a feeling that I was going to have to go to the Elemental Plane again.
"Sir? Um, if I start to fit in my sleep, please wake me up," I said before blacking out into the water.
I rose into the city, moving quicker than I had ever done. My tower of light and my usual calming presence was destroyed. I felt the rejection to my presence. I heard footsteps behind me, but when I checked there was no one there. I began to move even faster. It wasn't until I was on the steps of the Palace that my stalker appeared.
It was a shadow Guardian, so it's shape was constantly changing. It had two glowing red eyes. They were classic assassins, as they could melt into the background as easily as any other shadow. I found myself preparing for battle. I wondered what exactly I should do if it vanished.
It moved gracefully, trying with right and left hooks. I dodged easily, then it picked up the pace slightly. I found myself beginning to struggle a little bit. The pace of the fight got faster and faster. I tried to dodge but sometimes I was hit, sendint the bruises back to my body on the bed in the Infirmary.
I then kicked at the shadows feet, but it brought me down with it. Suddenly a knife appeared in its hands, from deep in the creatures matter. I cursed and tried to stand, trying to desperately scramble to my feet. It slashed across my cheek, I screamed in anger and pushed what I thought was it's forehead back. I heard the crunch of bone as it's neck broke. I pushed the limp body off me and ran up the steps, into the main hall.
"Sire sire!" I cried, then I realised what had happened. Bahamut was standing, arms raised to the heavens. It was sickening. His hands had been nailed to the walls. His head was hanging limply. His heart had been torn from his body, a pool of blood at his feet. I wretched, my poor friend Bahamut. I threw up my head and keen, howl after howl of angony and anger. Then I awoke in my bed.
"What the hell? Bad dream?" Squall's face was above me. I shook my head and realised I had sick in my mouth. I gestured to the bowl on the side, Squall brought it over. I spewed into it, then took a glass of water from the side, swilling my mouth out. I rubbed my face, everyone was there, waiting for me to explain. Oh what the hell.
"Bahamut... He's been murdered... He was nailed to a wall, his heart torn out. It must be the work of the rebels. Hyne! He was the only one who had the courage to talk to me! We're screwed, big time," Squall understood, the rest looked puzzled.
"What do we do now then?" He asked. I put my hand to my cheek then realised it was bleeding, I took my hand away again.
"To hell if I know. I'll see what I can find out, without getting myself killed... Don't expect anything though, from what I've seen, I don't think we can prevent this war," I told him. I felt someone grab my arm. I looked, it was Seifer.
"Spill the beans," He said simply. I felt more spew coming up and I grabbed the bowl just in time. I had seen lots of death, but I was always affected in this way, that's why I had taken up fist fighting, so I could never kill anyone. Bahamut's death must have been barbaric. Unbidden the visions came, I tried to block them out but they played in my head anyway. I was still wretching when I had nothing left in my stomach.
"Fuck them! Fuck them all!" I screamed. Finally I stopped and looked up to Squall. "We're gonna beat the bastards. Even if I have to do it alone! Hell, one sorceress against the entire force of hell, what fun," I said sarcastically. Then I realised what I'd said. Where had that come from? Sorceress? Me? I had just said it, the warm feeling came again, my mom. She was encouraging me to look deeper into myself.
"Sorceress?" Quistis asked. I frowned then thought about it. The GFs were always respectful to me, always afraid of me would be a better word. I had had so many clues. Hell this was going to be hard! I looked at my hand and thought really hard about what to reply to that.
"Erm... Please, just don't take my word for that... Why does everything happen while I'm stuck in one place! When I can't go and hide!" I then pulled the covers over my head. I really needed to sort my head out.
(Author's Note: Don't own anything! Don't you just think that the Powerpuff Girls rock? I mean they are sweet little girls one minute, then killer supergirls the next. I mean, three of my friends are in a band, it's called Aura, and they all resemble the Powerpuff girls. It's untrue. Anyhow, thnks to those of you who review, I'll have an acknoledgements page up soon, probably at the end of each story, saying thanks to those who reviewed. If you like the fics then please spread the word, I'm fed up with only getting one review per story.)
I sat there for hours. I couldn't think of anything. Bahamut had asked me to teach Garden the Shumi Meditation technique, but it took years to get yourself prepared enough to project yourself into the Elemental Plane, and even then it was a struggle the first few times. Getting the entire SeeD populace of Garden there was a joke. I looked at my bedside, there was a note I hadn't seen before.
Destiny,
I came by but you were still asleep. I didn't want to wake you up. Just so you know, I've had words with some of the staff here about the GF Plane. None of them have any idea what I'm on about. Destiny, I don't disbelieve you, but it's going to take something big to make them believe me.
I hope you get better soon. I'm sure it's nice to have rest though. The last time I had a rest was... hell... I can't remember. Maybe I'll get Irvine to shoot me too?
Get better fast!
Squall
I smiled and put the letter down. I thought about the fact I was resting. I guess not many SeeDs and senior members of SeeD got to rest, it was kind of nice to be able to rub it in. I then thought about one SeeD in particular, grinning I settled down into my bed.
It must have been hours later when I woke again. I looked up to see Zell's face, along with a face I didn't know. Zell beamed down at me with a mischievous look in his eyes. I raised my eyebrows, then looked pointedly at the person next to him. She blushed bright red.
"I'm Krisha, the student librarian. I don't think we've met," She explained. I nodded and sat up and shook her hand. Then I tried to flatten my hair. Zell looked at me in a way that clearly said, 'be very nice to her.'
"Hi, I'm Destiny. I don't think we have, then again apart from Zell and the gang, I have't met anyone. It might be nice to talk to someone who hasn't saved, or half-destroyed, the world for once," Krisha smiled and blushed. Zell rolled his eyes then the mischievous look returned.
"I heard you and Seifer are getting on well," Zell stated. I didn't reply, I just looked up to the librarian. She hit Zell on the back of the head.
"That's none of your business Zell!" She told him. I began to gnaw on my lip. I didn't know if I was officially going out with Seifer or if he was messing with me. I suddenly wished very much that he was there. I wanted him there so much. I wanted him to be able to reassure me. This was the only time I had ever thought about why I like Seifer, and I found I was quite stumped. I just did, we were both misunderstood, both of us had strings of failed relationships, both of us wanted a bit of fun before we died, we were so alike.
"I don't mind, it's just I don't rightly know. He's so confusing, it's hard to know if we are or not?" I trailed off into thought. Were we close? I looked out the window and saw the rain pouring over the trees outside. I blinked and then remembered I had bigger fish to fry than Seifer Almasy.
"I don't care at the moment anyhow. As much as I like my love life splashed all over the gossip columns, it isn't healthy," I said sarcastically. Krisha suddenly jumped up and saluted. I followed her gaze to see Seifer standing in the doorway. I sighed.
"It's rude to eavesdrop," I told him. He looked at me with a glare that would have chilled the blood of Ifrit then turned to Krisha.
"Cadet Forton, get back to your station, Commander Xu is looking for you. Dincht, beat it," He ordered. Krisha almost ran from Seifer, she looked terrified. Zell looked my way with an apologising look. I swallowed, he could really take this the wrong way, but I knew that my excuse for putting him second would be stupid.
"Seifer-" I began but he cut me off by sitting down heavily beside me. He looked tired.
"Save it, don't want to know. I understand if you don't think we should go out, I did kill you family, friends, destroyed your home," He stopped. I swallowed, even thinking about my parents made me cry. Then I felt something, a warmth spreading from my torso through-out my body. I closed my eyes and I knew, somehow my mother was here.
"I don't know what to say Seifer, just don't what to think about that. I want to forgive you Seifer, and I am willing not to hold it against you, and I'm sure that in time I won't even think about it. I have to move on, even if I hated you, people change," I said. Seifer put his face in his hands and rubbed his face, only when he brought his hands down again did I see the guilt on his face.
"I blame myself. I should have fought the sorceress control harder. I should have fought her with everything I had. Hell, it's my fault!" He turned to me. "Isn't it? Almasy, the lap dog, Seifer the sorceress knight, all of it will be written down in the history books. I'll always be the bad guy!" He then seemed to take control of himself again.
"Seifer..." The warm feeling seemed to be telling me something, but I couldn't quite figure out what. "Don't blame yourself. It's not you, you are a SeeD, SeeDs don't do things like that. The way I see it, everyone has their own destiny, fate just prepares us for the tasks we have to fulfil. If we don't do anything wrong, we'll end up like sterotyped beings who's only exsistence is to follow orders." Suddenly I realised what I was saying. 'everyone had their own destiny, fate prepares us for the tasks we are to fulfil.
"I think we better stay unofficial. I'm not a liked man, it'll only cause trouble for you if people find out about us," With that Seifer stood up and left. He was about to leave when I managed to call out.
"Bye then, smart ass!" I called. I heard a 'whatever' and giggled to myself. The warm feeling disappeared. I sighed, why couldn't the world be simple? I watched the rain, this was going to be a long week.
Two hours later I hadn't thought of anything. I looked up when I saw the entire group, including Seifer, trooping into the Infirmary. I heard Doctor Kadowaki giving them strict instructions about something or other then they all came and sat around my bed. Irvine sat farthest away, guilt was written all over his face.
"Hey sweetie!" Selphie squealed, then launched herself at me. She must have forgotten the reason she was in the Infirmary because a few seconds later I was clutching my hip and biting my lip really hard.
"Damn Selphie! That bloody hurts!" I hissed as she pulled away. She blinked at me a few times in a hurt way then began yapping again. While she talked aimlessly, I was cursing like a soldier, then reminded myself that I was one.
"I'm impressed, you almost have the same vocabulary as me," Seifer commented, smirking. I giggled helplessly as Selphie continued yapping.
"You'd be surprised, my first words were 'winnie the shit'," Everyone snorted, only then did Selphie realise that no one was listening to her. She put her hands on her hips and glared.
"Listen!" She commanded. Irvine put his arm around her shoulders, I glanced at Seifer and he glanced back at me. I don't think anyone understood what an ass Irvine was. He was playing with Selphie before moving onto bigger fish. I had to warn Selphie, the only problem being that she might think I'd lead him on.
"Selphie, we aren't going to. I have too much on my mind to think about the Garden Festival," I told her sternly. I got a few puzzled looks. I cleared my throat and began to fiddle with the blanket. If I told them, I might sound just slightly mental.
"Yeah, about that. As soon as you can, I want a report outlining everything on that subject. From rumour to what you actually know. Also I need to know if any other Gardens are involved, any Sorceresses, any major GFs, I want to have it all on my desk in say... Three days," Squall ordered. I nodded, speed was essential. I thought about what I did know about the Elemental Plane, and the war. Not much.
"Squall, isn't that a bit harsh? You've had Seifer and Irvine's report, why do you need hers? Anyway, how could Gardens or Sorceresses be involved in a matter of Balamb Garden security?" Rinoa questioned him. I cleared my throat and then thought about the way my life was going. I had a feeling that I was going to have to go to the Elemental Plane again.
"Sir? Um, if I start to fit in my sleep, please wake me up," I said before blacking out into the water.
I rose into the city, moving quicker than I had ever done. My tower of light and my usual calming presence was destroyed. I felt the rejection to my presence. I heard footsteps behind me, but when I checked there was no one there. I began to move even faster. It wasn't until I was on the steps of the Palace that my stalker appeared.
It was a shadow Guardian, so it's shape was constantly changing. It had two glowing red eyes. They were classic assassins, as they could melt into the background as easily as any other shadow. I found myself preparing for battle. I wondered what exactly I should do if it vanished.
It moved gracefully, trying with right and left hooks. I dodged easily, then it picked up the pace slightly. I found myself beginning to struggle a little bit. The pace of the fight got faster and faster. I tried to dodge but sometimes I was hit, sendint the bruises back to my body on the bed in the Infirmary.
I then kicked at the shadows feet, but it brought me down with it. Suddenly a knife appeared in its hands, from deep in the creatures matter. I cursed and tried to stand, trying to desperately scramble to my feet. It slashed across my cheek, I screamed in anger and pushed what I thought was it's forehead back. I heard the crunch of bone as it's neck broke. I pushed the limp body off me and ran up the steps, into the main hall.
"Sire sire!" I cried, then I realised what had happened. Bahamut was standing, arms raised to the heavens. It was sickening. His hands had been nailed to the walls. His head was hanging limply. His heart had been torn from his body, a pool of blood at his feet. I wretched, my poor friend Bahamut. I threw up my head and keen, howl after howl of angony and anger. Then I awoke in my bed.
"What the hell? Bad dream?" Squall's face was above me. I shook my head and realised I had sick in my mouth. I gestured to the bowl on the side, Squall brought it over. I spewed into it, then took a glass of water from the side, swilling my mouth out. I rubbed my face, everyone was there, waiting for me to explain. Oh what the hell.
"Bahamut... He's been murdered... He was nailed to a wall, his heart torn out. It must be the work of the rebels. Hyne! He was the only one who had the courage to talk to me! We're screwed, big time," Squall understood, the rest looked puzzled.
"What do we do now then?" He asked. I put my hand to my cheek then realised it was bleeding, I took my hand away again.
"To hell if I know. I'll see what I can find out, without getting myself killed... Don't expect anything though, from what I've seen, I don't think we can prevent this war," I told him. I felt someone grab my arm. I looked, it was Seifer.
"Spill the beans," He said simply. I felt more spew coming up and I grabbed the bowl just in time. I had seen lots of death, but I was always affected in this way, that's why I had taken up fist fighting, so I could never kill anyone. Bahamut's death must have been barbaric. Unbidden the visions came, I tried to block them out but they played in my head anyway. I was still wretching when I had nothing left in my stomach.
"Fuck them! Fuck them all!" I screamed. Finally I stopped and looked up to Squall. "We're gonna beat the bastards. Even if I have to do it alone! Hell, one sorceress against the entire force of hell, what fun," I said sarcastically. Then I realised what I'd said. Where had that come from? Sorceress? Me? I had just said it, the warm feeling came again, my mom. She was encouraging me to look deeper into myself.
"Sorceress?" Quistis asked. I frowned then thought about it. The GFs were always respectful to me, always afraid of me would be a better word. I had had so many clues. Hell this was going to be hard! I looked at my hand and thought really hard about what to reply to that.
"Erm... Please, just don't take my word for that... Why does everything happen while I'm stuck in one place! When I can't go and hide!" I then pulled the covers over my head. I really needed to sort my head out.