Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Fire and Ice. Enjoy the 1200-word chapter. I don't own FF; Atsushi and a few others do.

Seko sat wrapped in bandages. He still allowed the makeshift blindfold. Not that he had much say in it, but he'd rather have Maki and Fire Force know he trusted her.

Seko found himself curious as to why he trusted the burly soldier. Maybe her kindness and slight trust in him caused him to reciprocate it. He knew she was just following orders; most people would be furious… But Seko? He found himself for some reason considering what drove him to WANT to be here.

Control of power? Yes, part of him would like nothing more than to understand what these strange abilities were.

Perhaps a duty or such? He enjoyed helping others and wanted to make a difference in the world… But it didn't in his opinion explain this massive change of ideals.

No, it didn't much explain anything in his mind when it came down to it. Perhaps he was insane and just managing to convince himself that he wasn't.

Seko was taken from his thoughts by the sound of footsteps, one set was heavier than the other. He knew one of them belonged to Maki. She had told him she'd be coming by at least once a day to speak to him.

"More questions?" Seko asked and blinked behind the blindfold wrapped around his eyes. "I would like to inform both of you that the water has been acting up." Seko added while clicking his tongue against the roof of his mouth.

Maki paused to see the spheres of water were back. They orbited Seko like stars now. It was somewhat amusing to her before she decided to handle her orders.

"Seko?" Maki asked as she took a seat next to the 19-year-old teen. "This is Captain Akitaru Obi. He's the one in charge of company 8." Maki added which caused Seko to hum.

"Oh, I didn't know your commander would be here." Seko said as he crossed his legs under him. "I'm sorry for the lack of formalities. I'm still adjusting to… This…" Seko said while gesturing to the speres of water dancing around his head in the moment.

"Your taking this awfully well for someone who was taken off the street." Obi pointed out which caused Seko to look at him.

"I understand people doing their jobs, sir. I can't fault them for that." Seko responded before tilting his head slightly. "Plus, I like talking to Ms. Oze here. I trust her to do what's right… No offense to you, I just feel like I can relate to Maki." Seko stated and cracked his fingers.

"Seko…" Maki said before Obi held up his hand.

"That's alright, I wouldn't trust someone I just met so easily either." Obi stated as he turned to look at Maki. "She did also volunteer to talk to you." Obi pointed out which caused Maki to freeze up for a moment.

"Is this power dangerous?" Seko questioned with a cock of his eyebrow. "I don't know for a fact what this control over water will do without proper training… And it scares me to think of what could happen without control over it." Seko put in while humming and then starting to ponder what could happen.

There was so many things that could go wrong down this path when it came down to it. But it made him so scared, far more then he was or could be from being brought here.

Here was safe, secluded he hoped from the people that could possibly hurt him when it came down to it. Whatever came next? He would wish to be ready for it, ready for any pain or hardships that would come next.

"Seko?" Seko heard which pulled him from his own thoughts.

He blinked and turned to look at both Obi and Maki. He blinked to himself before clearing his throat for a moment.

"Sorry' I'm just worrying about what will happen when or if something bad happens…" Seko stated while he cracked his fingers and tilted his head towards Maki. "The last thing I want to be in the world is something as terrifying… Well, as the infernal." Seko stated as he shook his head back and forth.

Maki looked at the concern on Seko's face. Some people thought his control over water could use it as a weapon. She only saw someone who was trying to help them as best he could.

"I doubt things will get that bad." Obi said as Maki sat next to Seko. "Why do you act like it would?" Obi questioned which caused Seko to hum to himself.

"Because part of me knows that if I don't get it under control?" Seko questioned to Obi as he shifted his seat on the chair he sat on. "Then people are going to get hurt… And I don't want people to get hurt at the end." Seko stated as he clicked his fingers together as he turned to Maki.

"I don't know what these powers are. Do you know anyone who can control water?" Seko asked as he turned his head to look between the duo. "Because I don't… And that's why I'm scared. Not of either of you, not what the government might want from me… But me and whatever those ice monsters were, the world doesn't need more monsters running around in it." Seko said while he ran a hand through his temples and let out a sign in annoyance.

Maki hummed and then sat next to him. Seko didn't need to look through the bandages to know that she was.

"I'll leave you two to talk for the moment." Seko heard Obi state as he turned and walked away.

He hummed and turned to Maki, curling up into a ball at the moment. He sighed and shook his head back and forth.

"You know I used to be scared during training to be a soldier." Maki said while sitting down next to Seko turned to her.

"I'm just… I've lived not making much difference." Seko stated as he hummed. "I just don't want someone to get hurt. I don't know, I'm just not ok with the thought of someone getting hurt. Not someone who can do something good in life…. It's frustrating, you know?" Seko asked and got a nod as he rubbed at his temples once again.

He didn't know what tomorrow would bring, but perhaps it would hopefully deliver something to enjoy.

It had to be, right? It couldn't be this sad and stupid when he thought about it.

Seko closed his eyes for a moment as he sighed with frustration. He was tired and wanted to rest for the moment.

Author Notes

Phew. Another chapter done! I want to point out that Maki and Seko will be bonding slowly and such. Next chapter will be in 2-14 weeks and will show Maki training Seko to fight and such along with more bonding and such. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!

P.S: Next chapter will be 900-2000 words or such and will hopefully be soon or such possibly.