Part 2- The Garden
What happened after that is not really important. We were not even a dozen kids in the vessel. We disembarked in Balamb town. I don't really remember about it. We just walked through the city and out the field where we reached Garden. Everyone was staring at it with wide eyes, even Seifer. Not surprising, we always were in the orphanage, no big buildings around.
In the courtyard, we all froze looking all the way up with our mouth wide open. Cid Had to remind us we were supposed to go INside.
So we did and we were given a tour of the place. The infirmary with a young woman named Kadowaki, the Quad which only appeared like a huge balcony to us, the cafeteria which reminded some of us we were hungry, the Dormitory where we were given our rooms. Seifer had his far from mine and I'm surprised to remember he seemed deceived... but about what?
We saw the under constuction Parking Lot, the Training Center (which was empty then) and the Library with empty shelves but dozens of piled boxes all around the floor. We were told the elevator could go to the second floor where were the classes, the third floor was prohibited. There was Cid's office. There also was a basement which also was a restricted area.
After the tour, we could walk all around, free to go eat, explore on our own and get familiar with our new environment. That's probably the day I had the biggest surprise of all...
*****
"So, wha'cha gonna do, Squall?" Seifer asked.
"Put things in my room."
"And then?"
"Dunno. Maybe eat... Why?"
"Uh... 'cause I thought I'd go eat so maybe we could go together see what there is?"
Squall wasn't too sure about that.
"I dunno, Seifer..."
Seifer frowned.
"Then when you know, you can come to the cafeteria. That's if yoo don't get lost!"
And he spun around to run away. Squall traced him a while then walked to the Dormitory. He placed his clothes in a drawer and sat on the bed. The room wasn't really big, but at least, he was alone inside, not like the room he shared with all the others at Edea's.
He sighed. Gone for a few hours and already missing everyone.
His stomach growled.
"Awright..."
He found his way to the Cafeteria and looked around. Few kids were already at the tables or at the counter.
"Hey!"
Squall turned his head and saw Seifer waving discreetly at him. Squall walked to him and saw there was nothing on the table.
"Wha'cha doin'? You didn't eat?"
"Saved yoo a place," Seifer answered. "There're lots of kids."
Seifer got up.
"Now that yoo're here, yoo watch the place. I'll get the food. Wha'cha want?"
"Anything."
"'Kay."
And Seifer walked to the counter while Squall sat up. What was wrong with Seifer? He never was like that before! Since they left the orphanage, he really acted strange. While he's usually cold and hard, even mean, now he's... almost friendly. Was the fact of leaving the orphanage that made him like this?
Seifer came back, carefully carrying two trails, slowly walking to the table. Squall got up and helped him carry the trails. When they sat down, Seifer looked at Squall.
"Didn' know what yoo like so yoo got just like me."
"That's fine..."
They ate in silence while the rest of the kids were pretty noisy.
"Do yoo realize?" Seifer suddenly said. "We don't know anyone here."
That was so right! In the orphanage, they knew everyone but here, they were alone. Maybe that's why Seifer acted so strange: because he felt alone too!
*****
Maybe... but after that day, we started classes. While I was staying alone, Seifer started making friends...or tried. I was always hoping to see Sis appear around the corner, but of course, it never happened...
Time past, Seifer spent less and less time with me. In fact, he started to be mean again. Even more seeing nobody was to be friends with him. I always happened to be around when he felt like passing his anger or boredom on someone...
*****
Squall was walking in the hall of the second floor, a math book in hand, trying to solve a problem mentally. He was not looking where he was going and that was a good opportunity. For a ten years, he was studious but also careless. That's why he didn't see the leg in his way, tripped on it, and fell on the floor. The students around laughed at him while he stood on his knees to take his books.
"What's wrong?" a blond boy teased. "Squally doesn't know how to walk anymore?"
"That's a good one, you know! Seifer, you're great!"
A dark skin young boy and an albinos girl were standing each side of Seifer. They have entered Garden not long ago and found in Seifer a funny guy to hang with.
A blond girl stepped through the crowd to help Squall gather his books. Squall has seen her a few times, but they were in different classes so he couldn't recognize her. Unlike Seifer who always was in his class for 5 years!
"He's so mean! Are you okay?" the girl asked handing Squall his books.
"I'm okay. I gotta do my best by myself or else I won't be able to see Sis."
"Huh?"
But Squall got up without any answer.
"My name is Quistis Trepe. I've been here for a year now. Who're you?"
"... Squall Leonhart... I've been here all my life..."
And he walked away, leaving Quistis alone tracing him.
*****
It's strange how memories work... In five years, I forgot all about the others even though I was always around Seifer. But it's true you tend to forget unhappy things and kids forget lots of things. After all those studies, Maybe I felt like I've really been there all my life. Well...whatever...
After that day, I happened to see a lot of Quistis. Especially around the off days when Seifer felt like beating me up. The Training center was now open but only for the older people. Too dangerous for kids.
*****
Walking may sound boring because that's the only thing you do: walk. But while you walk, you think and that's what Squall was doing best. Until he past by the Quad where he heard:
"Hey, Squall!"
'Don't turn around, don't turn around...'
"You're mother was so ugly...!"
'Don't turn around, don't turn around...'
"She was an Ochu!"
'Looks like Seifer studied monsters...'
"And your father..."
'Don't turn around, don't turn around...'
"Was a Malboro!"
Squall turned around, on the verge of tears, and ran to Seifer who had a wide smile.
"I have no parents!" he answered as he threw himself on Seifer.
"Yeah! Show him!" the dark boy exclaimed.
Squall punched Seifer. For a twelve, he was strong but Seifer, a year older, had the advantage. Squall couldn't see a thing he was crying too much. Seifer punched him right in the eye.
A small crew started gathering around the fighters. Until...
"Oh, no! Stop this you two! Squall stop!"
It was Quistis. Just behind her came the albinos.
Quistis grabbed on Squall and held on tight while the other girl held on Seifer.
"Let go, Fujin! I'm not done!"
"Enough, Seifer!" she said. "We must not fight among students!"
Squall cheeks were full of tears as he tried to free himself from Quistis' grip.
"That's enough, Squall!"
The little boy was sobbing when Quistis pulled him through the people to take him to the infirmary.
"Not again!" The doctor exclaimed when she saw Squall's face.
"Yes," Quistis said sorry.
The doctor treated his eye with care.
"Either you'll be the best fighters of this place or you'll end up killing each other..."
*****
I didn't see much of Seifer for a few days but when I did, he was really mad at me, more than ever and Fujin had a bandage over an eye. I didn't know why and there's no way I'd have asked what happened. Was Seifer so much willing for a fight he picked it up on Fujin?
He'll tell himself...
*****
As Squall was taken away, Seifer felt unsatisfied with the black eye he gave him. He wanted to fight more...
"Hey," he called his friends. "Let's go to the Training Center."
"Again?" Fujin said.
"We'll be caught!" Raijin objected.
Fujin frowned at him and kicked his leg.
"Why don't you say it louder!"
"Ouch! That hurts!"
"Shut up you two!" Seifer ordered. "So what do you say?"
Raijin and Fujin looked at each other and shrugged.
"More practice," Fujin stated. "Why not?"
"If you become stronger, maybe you'll beat up Squall some more next time!" Raijin commented.
"Yeah... let's go."
They carefully made it to the Training Center, always looking around if there was anybody but they were clear. Just by the inner entrance, the kids reached for something hidden under bushes. Seifer took out a large stick, the end was pointy and the handle smaller, like a sword. Raijin had a long wooden stick he held in the middle. He could swing it pretty well. Fujin had a round piece of wood. It looked like a freesbee but the circle was sharpened. It could not cut much but it could do some damage.
There were only grats in the Training Center but they were not too much of three to take care of them. They were always going there together and staying close to the exit in case they'd have to leave quickly. Would either of them get just a bit hurt, they would leave. They could always pretend one had a fight, but would they be hurt too much, it would be hard to explain what happened.
They usually met one or two grats at a time. Fujin was throwing her wheel at it, Raijin always slapping it, and Seifer was slashing it. When they happened to meet two at a time, two of them would fight one so they would be killed quickly.
This time, they were attacked by surprise by two grats. They were really close to the exit because they were thinking of leaving soon.
"Be careful!" Seifer commanded.
They attacked together as usual. Raijin was taking care of one while another one went for Seifer. The young boy saw something move in the corner of his eyes. He turned his head to the exit and saw Squall standing there looking around, his black eye kept closed. When he saw Seifer, he frowned with curiosity.
'Oh, no!' Seifer thought. 'He saw us! He's gonna tell we were here!'
"Seifer!"
He quickly turned around and was pushed away by Fujin when the grat was about to hit him with one of its arms. It slashed accross Fujin's face. With a scream of agony, she put her hands over her face and dropped on her knees. She kept yelling with pain as blood was rolling down her face.
"FUJIN!!" Seifer yelled.
He hurried to her while Raijin attacked the grat all by himself. He finished it then went to the others.
"He's dead, ya know..."
Fujin had a hard time breathing, still screaming while Seifer was trying to make her move her hands.
"Let me see, Fu... Please take your hands off, let me see..."
"No! It hurts! My eye, my eye!"
Seifer looked at Raijin with tears of fury in his eyes.
"Let's take her to the infirmary."
"What are we gonna say?"
"The truth..."
*****
That's something I didn't know... I was there? Yes, it's true. After I left the infirmary, I heard some faint noises coming from the Training Center so... I was curious.
Hum, Squall if you allow me, I'd like to add some more... I don't know if you remember but... I took you responsible for what happened to Fujin.
...... yeah, that's right.
*****
"What were you doing there?!" The Instructor yelled.
After taking Fujin in the Infirmary, the doctor asked Seifer and Raijin who was their Instructor. The doctor called him then they were forced to explain everything. Fujin was being treated meanwhile.
Seifer had his fists clenched each side of him and his head down.
"You know only too well you're not permitted in the Training Center until you get your own weapons! Not some piece of wood! So I guess it was not your first time, eh?"
Seifer kept silent.
"Answer, Almasy!"
"... no, sir. It was not the first time..."
"And you dragged Raijin and Fujin along all these times? You could have them killed!"
"Untrue!" a voice cut.
Seifer, Raijin and the Instructor turned their head to the door. Fujin was standing there, a bandage around her head hiding an eye. Kadowaki was just behind .
"Seifer never forced us," she said. "We followed him on our own will. We're friends!"
"That's right, ya know!"
Seifer looked at the wounded girl with guilt on his face.
"Fu..."
"If you have to blame someone..." Fujin started walking towards them.
"Blame us too!" Rajin finished.
They stood each side of Seifer. The blond looked from one to another.
"Rai... Fu..."
The Instructor stood in front of them, amazed by the bond they were sharing. He almost smiled.
"But you still have to be punished because you disobeyed one of the rules. Even though you went there of your own will, the Training Center is still off-limits for youngsters. I'll discuss this with the headmaster. Meanwhile you're confined inside Garden."
"Yes, sir..." the three said.
They left the infirmary. Seifer didn't look at Fujin anymore. He didn't want to see her, didn't want to see what has become of her.
"You should go rest, Fu..." he simply said.
"He's right, you know."
"I'm fine. A bit dizzy, but that's all. It doesn't hurt as much as it did before."
Seifer shut his eyes and ran from his friends.
"Seifer!" Fujin called.
"Running's prohibited!"
But Seifer didn't care. He ran straight to the dorms, cursing Squall's name again and again, saying it was his fault and swearing he would pay for that.
A few hours later, the punishment was known. Since they had so much energy to spare they would risk their lives in the Training enter, they would use it to clean every classes every evening for a whole month!
Seifer didn't go in class for a while. The instructor tried to get him but Seifer was rude. He still always appeared at the end of the day to help his friends. Sometimes even taking Fujin's part of the job. Some students really wondered what happened to Fujin but the instructor refused to tell in case some students would be inspired to do the same thing.
After five days, Seifer reappeared in class. Each time he was passing by Squall, he would give him the maddest face he had. Squall didn't understand of course. How could he?
Unfortunately, the time would come where he would understand.
Seifer outpast the confinement and took Squall outside to fight him so no one would disturb them this time.
He punched Squall in his face, in his stomach, yelling and shedding tears in the same time.
"It's your fault!" he screamed as he punched. "It was all your fault!"
Squall dodged a punch and tried to hold his fist but Seifer broke away.
"If you hadn't shown up, I wouldn't have been disturbed and Fujin...Fu..."
Tears were rolling down his cheeks while he was clenching his fists just as hard as his teeth.
"She would still have both her eyes!!"
He missed a punch and lost his balance, falling flat on the ground. He remained there a moment.
Squall used to fight back whenever Seifer fought him. He never even had a reason but this time, he had one. He wanted to place the blame on someone else. He knew it was his fault, he couldn't face it... He had to beat up someone and it had to be Squall as usual.
The brown boy didn't say a thing this time. But seeing Seifer wasn't getting up, he crouched down to his level.
"Seifer?" he asked reaching for him.
Seifer swung a hand back and hit his. Then he turned around and threw himself onto Squall to punch his chest. Squall had a hard time keeping his balance but he waited.
"Why did you show up, why? Fujin... Fujin... It's all your fault you hear? All your fault! Fujin...Fujin..."
His punches became weaker and weaker until they were just fists on Squall's chest. Then Seifer lowered his head and cried freely.
This anger and sadness was held inside him for five days. Maybe that's why he didn't fought Squall right away or maybe it would have been worst.
Squall remained silent and placed a hand on Seifer's shoulder but not in an attempt to comfort him, just to let him know he was still there.
Seifer wide opened his eyes and quickly got up, his face turning red as he realized what he just did.
"I'm not done with you..." he muttered before running back in Garden.
"You never are," Squall said as he got up to get back in.
*****
After that day, Seifer seemed to hate me even more. He never really liked me, but at least he didn't HATE me!
Of course! I was so ashamed that I cried in front of you... but I still used the incident as an excuse.
And you didn't even hide yourself anymore. You beat me up when you felt like it... or when you were seeing me in the hall. But I got tired of being peated up for the same old reason so I fought back. And the day came where Seifer would beat me up for the last time.
*****
About two weeks after the incident, Seifer dragged Squall for another fight, apparently still for everything being his fault.
"Won't you ever get tired?" Squall asked punching Seifer.
"Not until you pay!" Seifer replied blocking the fist.
"And when will I have paid you back?"
Seifer frowned and threw himself on Squall baring his teeth.
"When you too will lose an eye! It was your fault!"
"SEIFER!"
The blond boy suspended his fist while his other hand had grabbed Squall's collar of his uniform. He turned his head and saw Fujin standing there, Quistis behind her. Fujin seemed shocked, in disbelief. The bandage from two weeks ago was switched for a black patch.
Seifer slowly brought his arm down.
"Fu..."
"Was it true?" she asked.
"What?"
Squall was still under Seifer but he didn't try to move.
"Is it true that you take Squall responsible for what happened to me? Are you beating him up for two weeks because of that?"
"It... it's his fault!"
"Shut up!"
Seifer froze. Fujin was frowning at him. She never used to be so hard.
"It's not true! It was no one's fault. Rather mine. 'I' placed myself in front of you, 'I' wanted to protect you, no one threw me there!"
She was furious.
"You want to beat up Squall, do what you want, but don't use me as an excuse! Don't do it in my name!"
She spun around and hurried away.
"Fu!"
Seifer got up and went after her. When he caught her, she turned around. Quistis was helping Squall getting up even though he said he didn't need any help.
"Squall!" Fujin called.
The brown boy looked at her.
"Forget, forgive..."
Then she turned around again and left.
*****
That day was the last one Fujin spoke a full sentence. From that day, she started talking only with some words. She wasn't screaming them yet though...
Some time later, some older guys tried to have youngsters getting ear pierced. They said it would bring them respect. I don't know if I believed them but... that's when I got my ear pierced.
One detail: Seifer stopped fighting me from that day. He still whispered me insults but they say words can't hurt... maybe if you don't listen to them...
We started studying weapons, soon to chose our own. I didn't know what to chose so we past some tests and it seems I was to have a gunblade...the basic model: the Revolver. Coincidence, Seifer had another kind: the Hyperion.
I was 15 when I got my gunblade. My necklace came along (that explains the chain on the handle) but coincidence? It was like my ring. In fact, our instructor gave the junk shop something from each of us and he had to put a particularity on our weapon.
Once we had them, we could enter the Training Center but we were not supposed to go alone. Who could I go with? We usually went there with the whole class and in team. Believe it or not, Seifer and I used to be a team. I think he just wanted to see how good (or bad) I was.
While I was studying, Quistis had become a SeeD already. One day I was at the cafeteria, she appeared by my side.
*****
Squall had a hand on the table, the other one holdinh his kork. A blond head with blue eyes appeared in front of him.
"Hi!" she said.
Squall startled and looked at her. Then he recognized the girl.
"Quistis..."
She sat down in front of him.
"How are you doing?"
"My best."
"You got your weapon didn't you?"
"..."
"Are you good?"
"..."
Quistis frowned.
"Hey!"
Squall roughly put his fork on the table and sighed.
"What is it?" he asked rudely.
Maybe too rude. Quistis startled and had a move backward.
"Well... I haven't seen you for a while because of the missions and I thought... well... forgive me..."
She got up, sadness on her face and Squall knew he hurt her. He closed his eyes.
"Sorry..." he said.
She looked at him and had a smile then she saw his hand. She bent over.
"Hey, nice ring!"
"Thanks."
"Where did you get it?"
"I don't remember. A long time ago."
"Does it have a name?"
"... a name?" Squall asked arching an eyebrow at her.
"Yes, the creature on it. You should give it a name. I t will bring you luck."
"It's stupid."
Quistis shrugged.
"You're not forced to do it..."
She walked away.
"Oh, Squall!" she called turning back.
He looked up at her.
"I'll be taking the instructor's class. I don't want to remain a SeeD, I want to be an Instructor."
"That's your choice..."
She sighed and left.
Squall looked at his plate, then his hand. He turned it to make the light play with the carved winged lion. A name... for luck? This ring never brought him anything but sadness and pain since the day he got it. When Sis disappeared. What was her name already? Leaving him alone, being beated up by Seifer... nothing but grief.
"Grief... Griever..."
*****
That's how it was named Griever. Yes for it brought nothing good to me...except Rinoa, maybe.
We then had to fight with partners. That's how Seifer and I ended up fighting together. Because we were the only ones to have gunblades, it was the fairest way.
Oh, speaking of Seifer. He started playing discipline on people so that's how it was decided that Raijin, Fujin and him ended up at the disciplinary commitee. Zell entered Garden that year. Poor Zell. Seifer liked to run behind him to say he couldn't run around Garden. It's true was noisy, always making a story out of nothing.
Remember Seifer often called Raijin and Fujin 'Rai' and 'Fu'? Guess what's on that plate on their arm? They stand each side of Seifer and they have that plate on their arm.
Quistis obtained he instrucor's license the next year. I was 16. Since she became my instructor it was odd. She was just a year older than me, but I still respected her.
The following summer, I didn't saw much of Seifer... and I know why. We could leave Garden if we wanted to now. Back then, I didn't know what he was doing but now I know: he was seeing Rinoa. She doesn't reely like to talk about that time and I'm glad like that. I don't want to hear about it... What-Ever!
Time past again. I was assigned two GFs: Quezacoatl and Shiva. I junctionned them and practiced using them in the Training Center. Maybe is seems easy but you need time and concentration to summon GFs. But the more you use them, the easier and quicker it becomes for them to answer.
Soon, I past the written test. Then I knew I had to go to the Fire Cavern before taking the Field exam. Seifer has already taken it a couple of times. In Garden, when test occurs, you take it if you feel you're ready. I wonder how Seifer managed to past the written test: I never saw him study before!
I'm not quite sure why he failed his field exams. Maybe for the same reasons he failed the one he took with me: disobeying. Whatever...
The thing is, here comes the last event that has some importance in my life until today, until Ultimecia's thing, until everything started changing...
The day I had to go to the Fire Cavern...
*****
When Squall woke up, he knew it was the day. There have been rumors about the field exam being for today. He past the written test the week before but he still had to take the Fire Cavern for prerequisite. He had to have a support. It would probably be Quistis, his instructor.
He got up and looked outside. The sky was dark. It was still early but there were clouds. Rain would probably come soon.
He dressed up in his leather clothes. When did he start wearing those already? And why? Maybe to look though... Or maybe more to be unnoticed.
He was opening the door, putting his jacket on when he froze. A blond guy was looking at him wearing a grey trench coat. Squall frowned.
"What do you want, Seifer? I just got up."
"So did I. What do you say we have some practice this morning?"
Squall stated walking down the hall, Seifer following.
"Now?" Squall asked.
"Yes, now! If the rumors are true, we must have a last training session before."
Squall stopped and looked away. He was hoping to get Quistis to get him to the Fire Cavern before class. He looked back at Seifer. That strange shine in his eyes was new. He frowned at that sight. Did Seifer had something in mind?"
"... All right," Squall gave up. "Where?"
"On the rocks behind Garden in ten minutes."
"Ten?"
No breakfast...
"Let me get my gunblade and I'll join you..."
"All right! I won't go easy on you this time."
'Like you ever went easy on me before...'
Seifer walked away, Squall tracing him a while. Then he went back in his room to get his gunblade.
When he got out of Garden, he found the air heavy, it was certain it would rain. He walked to the mountains, his gunblade on his shoulder. He saw Seifer not far, his gunblade standing in front of him. Squall placed his in the groung too. Thunder cracked.
"So you're here. I was afraid you'd chicken out!" Seifer teased.
"Why would I be afraid of some training?"
Seifer placed his hand on the handle and pulled the gunblade out of the ground before pointing it at Squall. A lightning struck.
"Get ready!"
Squall took his gunblade in two hands and ran to Seifer...
*****
What happened after that is not a secret to anyone: we got our scar that day. After using the rough divide on Seifer, I think I collapsed. Seifer was in better shape than I was and believe it or not, he carried me to the infirmary. He told me that.
I wanted to humiliate Squall the day of the exam so he'd know who's the strongest of us. But I wasn't expecting him to get up after my strike. That's why I got him to the infirmary, out of respect for his strenght.
Thanks...
Well that's it. Those were what appears like the most important events of my life. I was reluctant at first but now... I feel whole. Like I've been missing something for years and finally got it back which is true: I lost my memories because of the GFs.
Think of this as a Diary but since Seifer wrote some things in it, it's more like a collective diary... Rin..?
Hi! I thought it wasn't fair for Squall and eifer to have all the interest. I must think of the time Laguna met my mom... it's starnge... but if he wouldn't have met Raine and go back to Julia, neither Squall or I would have been born! But I think it's fate: our mom and dad couldn't love each other so it was our role to fulfill their destiny...
Wow... I never thought about it but...it's true... If Laguna would have gone back to Deling to Julia... that's funny how destiny can play us sometimes.
I think that's all. For finish, I think I have to thank the ones who helped me do this...or forced me to do this. Edea, Ellone, Seifer, everyone, thanks a lot. And I hope this is not useful just for me... maybe it would inspire them to write their own lives down...
END
Carole M.
Written dec 17 2001
11:00 P.m
Typed august 14 2002
10:00 p.m.
It took me two years just to write down this story (not talking about typing it)! Because I have the bad habit of writing lots of stories in the same time. I always start with the ones I'm most inspired with. And I had to be sure the game parts were the same so I played twice to copy everything.
It wasn't starnge to be Squall even though I thought it would. Maybe because I like him so much But with FFX, I thought my FFVIII fanfics would go behind schedule since I still have so many to write! But I don't have much ideas for FFX fics yet. I'll try my best, promise! I know it's bad when you start reading an unfinished fanfic and you don't know if the author will ever finish it...I read a lot of these...
Now be patient and look forward my trilogy: 'Squall's Sister' (done and online!), 'The Forgotten Guardian Force', (on the way) and 'Hyne's Comeback'. The third's all planned and is gonna be damn good!!
Thanks for reading!
P.S. I'm still looking for a name for the GF I'm bringing in The Forgotten Guardian Force. It's gonna be like an underwater monster but not a sea snake like Leviathan. Anyone has an idea? They're welcomed as well as comments!!