Disclaimer: I already said it in the first chapter!
*knock. knock knock knock knock. knock. knock.*
Seifer opened the door.
"Oh my dear Aerian, I'm so glad you kept our date! Please come in," he said sarcastically.
She rolled her eyes and entered the room, then staring in amazement.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Aerian asked incredulously.
"You've been here 5 hours and this place is already a Hyne damned frickin' mess!"
"Aw, you're so cute when you talk like that!"
"This coming from a guy who's known me for less than a day. Shut up and sit down on the bed. I'll take the chair."
"Why won't you sit here with me?"
"Sit down now."
"Come on baby, don't be like tha-"
"THAT'S IT!" Aerian exploded, walking over to the door.
"What, you're giving up on me already?"
"Nope. Come with me. We're leaving the building and going outside."
"Why?"
"Because I don't want to cause you intense humiliation in front of your peers so soon after returning. However, it can be arranged."
"Tch, fine." He followed.
When they had reached the grassy outside, Aerian said,
"8 laps around the entire Garden perimeter. Each lap in 4 minutes or less. Starting... NOW!"
"What? What the hell?"
"You're losing time! You'd better hurry!"
Seifer growled, threw off his long gray trench coat, and started running. After 3 minutes, Aerian saw him coming around the turn.
"That was 6 minutes! You've gotta do this faster!" She shouted.
"No it fucking wasn't!" Seifer yelled as he ran past.
"I have a watch, too!"
Damn, Aerian thought.
After he'd finished his 8 laps, Seifer returned to the starting point, only to find Aerian asleep, wearing his trench coat. He couldn't help but think that it looked so... right? He had to bite his tongue to avoid saying anything, though. She apparently didn't appreciate those types of comments. Seifer stood next to her for a moment, thinking how to wake her up. If he kissed her, she'd go even further over the edge. He settled for kicking her slightly in the shoulder. Aerian's hand suddenly shot up, grabbed his ankle, and the next thing Seifer knew, he was on the ground. Brown eyes flashed open.
"Oh my Hyne, I'm so sor- Oh, it's you. Never mind then."
Aerian stood up, stretched, and yawned.
"That was needed... As long as you're on the ground, Seifer-"
"You'll get down here with me and we can-"
"Seifer."
"Aerian"
"SHUT THE HELL UP."
Silence.
"As I was saying, push ups. Now."
"How many?"
"Until I saw you can stop."
"Goody," Seifer said as he began. Several minutes passed.
"Headmaster was right about you. Your main needed lesson is discipline. No fighter is complete without it. Along with that comes respect. You will respect me, Mr. Almasy, no matter if I am younger than you. I still am an instructor and SeeD. Understood?"
A muffled 'yes' came from the ground. Aerian smiled to herself. He was getting tired.
"You can stop now. When was the last time you dueled?"
Seifer stood up, rubbing his arms.
"A year. I haven't fought humans since..."
She nodded her head.
"You're most likely stronger than some SeeDs... What a pity."
"Hmm..."
"We'll spar tomorrow. For now, let's go back to your room and review this time."
"What?!" he exclaimed.
"You heard me."
The instructor started walking back towards the Garden, but turned around, taking off Seifer's gray trench coat.
"I nearly forgot I had this on. I hope you don't mind I borrowed it."
"Not at all. You should keep it. I think it looks very... fitting." He smirked.
Rolling her eyes, Aerian threw it balled up at him.
"So, how old did you say you were?"
"I didn't."
"Come on Aerian, how old are you?"
"18, like Rin, Selphie, and the rest."
"Is that a fact..."
* * *
"And the type of magic that cures status ailments is...?"
"Esuna. Come on, try somethings remotely hard."
Aerian set down her botebook.
"Why could you never stick to orders in the field exams?"
"...how did you know that?"
"I looked through your files earlier today, including your test scores. That's always where you lost credit and were unable to pass."
"You want the truth?"
"Nothing but."
"I don't know. I needed non stop action. If there wasn't anyone to fight, I'd go look. But I'm smarter than that now, I've learned. I know this is my last chance. And I'm going to pass this time, Aerian, without a doubt."
The intensity of these last few words made Aerian rub a strange coldness from her arms.
"I hope you're right, Seifer. I really hope you're right."
The dark haired girl sighed and glanced at her silver watch. It had to be her favorite thing that she owned. Made of pure sterling silver, it had a small engraved design on the back, which no one actually knew of but her. A crescent moon pierced by a single sword. It was a parting gift from her brother...
"Well, I'm off now, goodnight." Aerian opened the door as Seifer frowned.
"Don't I at least get a goodnight hug?"
"You can get a good morning ass kicking tomorrow morning. Make sure you're in the fighting circle in the Training Center at 10AM."
Aerian shut the door quickly before any rude retort could be made.
What an ass.
What a bitch.
* * *
"Aer! Wait up!"
Aerian turned around to see Quistis and Rinoa running towards her.
"We'll walk you to your room! How was it?" Rinoa asked.
"You ask it like I've just had surgery!" she replied, smiling.
"Surgery, tutoring Seifer, close enough! I'd know!" Quistis added. All three giggled at this last remark.
"Really, how'd you do?" Quistis questioned again.
"He really does want to become a SeeD. But he seriously needs more discipline. He was hitting on me nearly non stop. Before I left, he wanted me to give him a hug."
Quistis and Rinoa laughed once again.
"And what did you say?"
"That I'd give him a beating tomorrow instead. He hasn't dueled in awhile, so we'll be working on that."
The two looked at each other.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"Rin, I beat Squall, didn't I? Sure, I passed out a few seconds after he did, but I'll be fine!"
The trio has reached her room.
"Goodnight guys! Thanks for walking me back."
"Anytime," Quistis replied.
There was a chorus of 'goodnights' as Aerian shut the door and Quistis and Rinoa continued down the hall.
"Who do you think will win?" Rinoa asked.
"Tough call. All I know is that they'll both be pretty beat up by the end of it." Quistis sighed.
So, what'd you think? R/R please or this fic will continue being horrible! Oh, I will try to get more interaction between Seifer and the others soon!
