Ugh, this one was such a jerk to me! I was trying this chapter over and over, but it refused to come out the way I wanted it to! But I won in the end, chapter! HA!

Anyway, I hope you like this one as much as I do!

I don't own Kingdom Hearts.

Scrubbing away at my clothes, I smiled as the dirt fell away and ran down with the river's gentle current. Tonight, I would hang them up and let them dry. Sleeping in the nude was something I wasn't worried about.

The towel slipped down my hips, and I sighed before pulling it off and throwing it over my head. It wouldn't stay, no matter what I did. A cool breeze ran past me, making me shiver in response. I was beginning to think it wasn't such a great idea to wash the only clothes I had.

"Goofy! Could you get me my blanket? It's in the back."

The stallion happily trotted off, going around to the back of the carriage. Going back to the task at hand, I rubbed at a large blood spot that had dried on my shawl, frowning. This was one of my favorite shawls, and Aqua and Sora had made it for me. No way was I going to get rid of this.

Goofy nickered nervously, and I turned to see he had his ears flattened, looking at the carriage as if it were going to eat him. Laughing, I stood and walked over to him, reaching out and stroking his neck. He moved closer, his hoofs twitching.

"What's gotten into you? Nothing's wrong, Goofy." He neighed in my ear, as if saying that I was wrong. "Goofy, relax. Go back with Donald, alright? I'll get the blanket."

He seemed glad to leave, still twitching about every once in a while. My eyes narrowed in suspicion; could he sense something, smell something that I couldn't? Some sort of danger that was invisible to me? Goofy could be dumb sometimes, but if he was still acting strange, then it had to be serious.

I opened the carriage door cautiously, going inside and looking around before snatching up a faced, green blanket and wrapping it around me. The warmth helped settle me as I stepped outside and closed the door. My eyes scanned the area, circling the carriage and looking about. Suddenly, my ears perked up in surprise; a whinny. Donald raised his head, his dark eyes looking the same direction I had heard it.

"You hear that, Donald?" I asked, pointing.

He snorted, his nostrils flaring, a sure sign that something…or someone, was there. I had no choice but to check and make sure it wasn't a threat. I went and bent over my bag, easily finding my dagger before hiding my hands behind the blanket.

"Stay here, Donald, Goofy. I'll go find out what it is."

My bare feet moved towards the sound, another whinny sounding closer. It was definitely a horse. I hoped it wasn't the enemy. My hand gripped the dagger, my feet silent as I walked through the trees, hiding in the shadows. My blanket flapped gently behind me, following. The noises got nearer.

"Who's there?" I whispered.

The unexpected reply was a loud neigh, followed by the sound of pacing hoofs. I glanced to my left, noticing none other than a beautiful horse, standing there patiently. Blinking, I stood there, looking…her over.

"How did you get here? Where's your ride-" I cut myself off. "Oh no."

Racing back to my campsite, I gasped. There, crawling out from underneath my carriage, was the King's general. Ignorant of my presence, he stood, brushing himself off. My mind spun when I put the puzzle pieces together.

The horse, Goofy's odd behavior, the strange feeling of being watched and followed. Eyes narrowed, I stood ready as he raised his head, his eyes resting right on me.

"You." I hissed. "What are you doing here?"

I felt my heart skip a beat when I looked up from brushing away the dirt from my outfit, my eyes immediately going onto the gypsy. He was slightly out of breath, which meant he had rushed back after finding Elenar. His brown eyes, flashing angrily, dared me to attack him.

"You. What are you doing here?" he sneered.

"I don't think I need to answer you, thief." I retorted. "You can't be that dumb."

His face went red in fury at my words, and he brought out his dagger, his blanket flinching at the sudden movement. I stiffened at the challenge, my hand moving towards the sword at my side. His eyes snapped to the sheath, then back to me.

"Go ahead. It'll just give me more of a reason to kill you." he taunted, waving the dagger.

"Ha. Like you're going to win if I do. I think that to be hardly fair."

I saw his body swell in rage, his pride obviously stung by my choice of words. He didn't move towards me to attack, though. Instead, he pulled the blanket tightly around him, his cheeks suddenly flaring. I raised an eyebrow in question, and he blushed harder. What was up with him?

"What's wrong with you?"

"I…forgot I had no clothes on." The gypsy turned his head. "Were…you spying on me while I was taking a bath?" he asked, blushing.

I averted my eyes, awkwardly shuffling my weight from one foot to the other. Hayner's hostility vanished instantly, replaced with nothing but uncomfortable silence. The dagger in his hand glittered in the sun, keeping me wary. He was quick to notice my gaze, and walked forward. I drew my sword and pointed it at his throat, getting him to freeze in his tracks.

"Relax. I wasn't going to attack you, seeing as it would be pointless. I'm injured, remember?"

He walked around me, ignoring the weapon that had been aimed at his neck, going over to his bag and tossing his dagger into it. I sheathed my sword a moment later, curious as to why he hadn't attacked me. He seemed healthy enough to fight me.

"Aren't you supposed to be arresting me, oh great general?"

"It's Seifer." I frowned.

He smirked, picking his bag up and throwing it on the drivers' seat, walking over and picking up his soaking clothes.

"Well, Seifer," He said my name in a taunting way, his brown eyes glowing mischievously. "Why were you following me, then? If you aren't here to arrest and drag me back to the kingdom, are you here to kill me?"

I stiffened at the question, my temper rising at his attitude. He was trying to rile me up, get me to say or do something. I wouldn't let him win that easily.

"Actually, I came here to try and see if I could join you." And to spy on you and find out where the gypsies all are. Of course, he didn't need to know that.

"Oh?" His face showed that he wasn't buying it. "And why the sudden change of heart, general? If you have one, anyway."

Why that little-!

Unsheathing my sword once more, I swung at the brat, hoping to get him. He dodged my attack, chuckling before pulling out two daggers out of nowhere. His smug face was simply asking for it.

"You're under arrest, Hayner Divenity. If you should resist, I have the right to kill you."

"Thing is, general, you have to catch me first." He waved his daggers at me, daring me to make a move. "Just try it."

Running forward, I aimed at his side. He used one dagger to stop the attack, his hand shaking from the effort. With his free hand, he swung his dagger at my face, managing to get my cheek. A look of satisfaction came across his face, and he hopped backwards and out of harm's way. He was good; I had to give him that. But I had the upper hand, seeing as he was severely wounded. I just had to find a way to get to it.

My arm hurt from having kept his sword from stabbing me in the side, and my shoulder was throbbing again. I had to be mindful of it, I reminded myself. If he got to attack my wound, I would be in trouble.

"Come on, general. Fight me!"

He frowned, his blue eyes flashing in anger as he moved towards me, his sword at ready. I cartwheeled to the right as he swung at me. My heart was pounding from the excitement, the challenge he was giving me. I had had many fights before, but never with such an opponent.

His movements, though not as quick as mine, were strong and powerful. He was strategic, and used his strength wisely, countering my sly attacks and dodges. I could see he wasn't fooling around with me; he was serious on his threat.

Our eyes met, his holding a promise to get me. I wasn't going to let him win that easily. Pushing off the ground, I jumped into the air, aimed, and threw my dagger. My aim was true as it stabbed him in the shoulder, getting him to drop his weapon. Smirking, I landed gracefully and walked up to him, my second dagger at the ready. He held his shoulder, wincing slightly. His sword lay at his feet, forgotten.

"Well? Are you going to admit defeat or what?"

"Ha. Never." he growled.

Before I could react, he snatched up his sword, jumped to his feet, and ran right up to me, our faces inches apart. I saw him smirk as leaned closer…closer…

"I win, gypsy." he whispered into my ear.

My mouth opened in a silent scream as the hilt of his sword hit my wound, the pain jarring my vision as my knees buckled. I felt him catch me, picking me up gently. My dagger was gone, and I could hear Donald and Goofy in the background, neighing and pawing the ground in worry.

"Don't…" Don't kill them, I wanted to say.

I tried to understand what he meant, but his eyes fluttered shut for a moment, his body going slightly limp. I walked to the carriage and put him in the drivers' seat carefully, seeing as I had put him through enough agony. Climbing up, I positioned him to lay down, his head lolling from side to side as he whispered something under his breath.

"What?" I asked, leaning down to put my ear next to his mouth.

His breath was warm against my ear as he pleaded, "Don't…don't kill them…"

Frowning, I looked to his stallions, who were both going berserk. Did he mean them? One was a white steed, with black eyes that pierced me. The other was black as can be, with large, brown eyes. Eyes that were so much like his master…

"I won't." I promised quietly.

He seemed to hear me, for he fell unconscious immediately, his body yielding. Sighing, I left him as is, going over to the horses. They saw me, and both whinnied in fear, going up on their hide legs and pawing the air. How was I to tame these wild beasts of the gypsy?

A snort sounded from behind me, and I turned to find Elenar, standing there calmly. I nodded to the two horses.

"Think you can get them to trust me, girl?"

She shook her mane in response, trotting up to the stallions. The other two relaxed a bit under her presence, nudging her with their heads cautiously. She nickered at them, the two speaking back to her. And, only a moment later, the stallions were composed. I could tell that the white one didn't entirely trust me, but that was something I could worry about later.

"Come on. Time to hitch up."

They followed me willingly, allowing me to put the reins and bridles on. Elenar watched from the sidelines, patience. Once they were attached to the carriage, I got up into the drivers' seat, checking the gypsy for any sign of blood. His blanket covered him up nicely. Which reminded me…

"Elenar. Fetch me those clothes. Be careful with them."

She did as she was told, dropping the clothes into my hand. I eyed the wet, colorful shawl and the large pants, wondering where he had gotten them. I decided it didn't matter, seeing as he probably stole them.

"Onward. We have to go to Twilight Town." I smirked as the carriage began to move. "I hope they buy my story." I glanced at Elenar, who was walking alongside the carriage. "Looks like I'm going to become a gypsy, Elenar."

OMG plot twist~!

Yep, Seifer's going undercover as a gypsy, just so he can wipe them out. Jackass. No wonder Donald doesn't trust you, Seifer.

But I hope you liked that long chapter, guys!