Disclaimer: The story's getting more depressing. Sorry. And I don't own Final Fantasy 8, as much as I would like to.




The Rose
part 3



"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to mourn the passing of a dear friend and a
capable instructor..."


'Shut up.' Seifer thought, standing in the shadows of a willow tree. In front of him sat
rows of people dressed in black. Some were crying. A priest standing against the
backdrop of a clear blue lake, rippling softly in the gentle breeze, was talking with a
low, mourning voice. Between the lake and the row of neatly pruned willow trees
under which Seifer stood, stretched a grassy bank dotted with black-clad people.


Seifer leaned back against the trunk of the Willow, not paying attention to the priest
or anyone else in the cemetery gardens. He couldn't shake the picture of her from his
mind, how she had lay there in his arms. So still, so lifeless. And yet, so beautiful.


'If only I had let her know I cared.' Seifer thought sadly. He squeezed his eyes shut
and pounded a clenched fist back into the willow. The tree swayed from the impact.
He watched the sermon carry on. 'You know nothing about her.' Seifer glared at the
priest leading the ceremony, 'No-one knew anything about her. The only one she let
get close was...'


Seifer shifted his gaze to the long black haired girl sitting in the front row. 'But you
took it away from her' Seifers hand rested on his Gunblades hilt.


Seifer didn't know who to hate more.


He thought back to all the times when he had had to restrain himself from lashing out
at Squall or Rinoa. They were so obvious. Had they known they were hurting her so
much?


At the Garden Festival, almost two months after defeating Ultimecia, after two
months as a renegade, Seifer had returned to Garden to see her again. He had seen
her, but he had only seen her pining over Squall. That was when Squall had
announced his engagement to Rinoa.


It had broken Quistis. As he comforted her on the balcony in the forbidden area, she
had sworn to him that she would forget about Squall. But he had known that her
brave words had only been put on for him. And now he knew how hard it had been
for her, to say goodbye to the one you love.


A new wave of anger surged through him. Seifer drew his Gunblade suddenly and
slashed it out in front of him. Some of the dangling leaves dropped from the willow.
Seifer raised his Gunblade, holding his arm out in front of him, the site aimed at the
head of the Gardens newest headmaster.


Some people stood, having seen the priests shocked looks and hearing the snap of the
willow. More people stood, shocked and muttering with fear at Seifers attacking
stance.


Squall stood and faced Seifer. Seeing the hate and burning anger in Seifers eyes,
Squall spread his arms out in surrender.


Fighting the urge to refresh the fading scar across the boys forehead, Seifer put his
Gunblade away and with one last glare, left the cemetery gardens.








by Astramina.