When they awoke the next morning, nobody bothered speaking as they gathered up the rest of the uneaten fish sandwiches, packed up, and set off on their way. They knew there was a harbor on the other side of the island, and hoped to get there before the end of the day, to try to catch a ride on any ships that were heading out. As usual, it didn't matter where the ship was going, as long as they got there without being found. But it would be a very long walk to get there, and they were already tired from running halfway, because Raijin had been sure he'd seen some Esthar soldiers snooping around in a forest they'd trudged through, and Seifer didn't want to take any chances. But when they'd become too weary to run, they'd slowed down, and now they were exhausted. They didn't know how long they'd been traveling, but it didn't really matter. All Fujin could think about was how nice it would be when they finally got to sit down. Even the gritty sand and hard ground they'd slept on last night seemed inviting compared to this constant moving.
Just when they felt they couldn't walk any more, and were ready to drop down right in the middle of the ground and sleep, they heard a vague rumbling sound in the distance. Seifer's eyes widened in horror. "GET DOWN," he roared, jumping behind a nearby rock. Fujin and Raijin clambered over and ducked down just in time, staring forward and preparing themselves for the rush of Esthar soldiers that were sure had finally caught up with them, or maybe had been behind them the whole time without them noticing. But instead of soldiers, a blur of yellow sped by, and then another, and another, and another, seeming without end. "CHOCOBO," said Fujin in surprise, releasing her death-hold on Seifer's arm, and standing up behind the rock. She watched the seemingly thousands of chocobos run by, fascinated despite herself at how fast and agile they really were. "Yeah," said Seifer slowly, a smile spreading across his face. He opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Raijin leapt forward, grappling one of the chocobos around the neck.
At first shocked at his move, Fujin suddenly burst out laughing when she watched Raijin, attempting to mount the chocobo, get dragged along behind it as it careened around and tried to buck him off. She and Seifer ran forward, still laughing in both relief that it was only chocobos when she'd thought it was soldiers, and at Raijin's pathetic attempts at getting on the chocobo. She grabbed one of the other chocobos that were speeding by, and managed to throw on leg over its back and hoist herself up. She steered it alongside Raijin's, and pulled him up onto his own chocobo, before looking over her shoulder, and saw Seifer behind them on his. She had to admit; it looked a little strange, strong, handsome Seifer, his golden hair waving around him in the wind as he rode, with a bright beaming smile on his face, riding an awkward yellow bird, but she found herself staring at him, at the way his eyes gleamed as he smiled, at the way his long coat billowed around him, at his profile as he pulled alongside her. She shook herself, wondering what had come over her. She'd never really noticed these little things before.
They rode along, all three of them side by side, in a much better mood, laughing and joking. Fujin loved the wind in her hair, and the feeling of it against her face as she rode. They'd get to the harbor now, no problem, and would undoubtedly find some ship that they could go on, to some new place, some new possibilities. Why had she ever doubted, she wondered, when the harbor loomed into view an hour or so later, that Seifer would get them here?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
When they got there, they found out that the next ship was a cargo ship, leaving for Trabia, but not for a good two hours yet. So excited and happy from the unexpectedly fun ride here, they didn't bother hiding themselves, like usual, but walked around freely, not really caring if anyone recognized them, as they'd be gone from here soon enough. So they entered the junk shop without disguises or trickery, and walked up to the counter. There were some samples hanging around on the walls, and Fujin picked up the upgrade to her present weapon. They all knew they didn't have the money to buy it. They had almost no gil at all, but as Fujin stood there, her red eyes flashing as she twirled it in her hands, Seifer couldn't help realizing how beautiful she was. He noticed the grace with which she handled the weapon, and wished to Hyne that he could buy it for her, that somehow they could obtain it, just to see her face light up with one of it's rare smiles.
I love
her, he realized, and the thought hit him like an accurately thrown brick. I
love her, and I'm dragging her all over the world because I'm too afraid
to pay for my sins. What is she doing here, with me? She's so goddamn beautiful
and perfect and wonderful and I only now just noticed it, and it's too late for
her to get away from me before I destroy her life! Not realizing that Fujin
and Raijin were staring at him, he ran his fist into the wall, and the
shopkeeper raised his eyebrows and opened his mouth to speak. But before he
could kick Seifer out, Seifer walked out himself, and then started running once
he reached the exit, hearing Fujin and Raijin's footsteps on his heels. Dammit,
he thought, don't follow me! Go and lead your own lives, get away from
me before I kill you! Can't you see it, you stupid girl? When they catch me,
you'll both die too! You're too beautiful to die…
"SEIFER!" Fujin had finally come alongside him, and grabbed his sleeve. "STOP!" Raijin came running up, puffing out his breaths in exhaustion. "What's the hurry? Nothing to run away from, ya know?" Seifer shook his head in internal agony. If only you realized, he thought. You should be running away from me…get out while you still can…why can't you hate me for what I've done to you? But they stood and stared at him in concern, and with both their gazes locked on his, he hung his head and sunk to the ground, finally letting the tears spill forth. Go away…run away…