Eyes On Me

chapter 1: "I just want to rest"

Zell bounced up and down a bit in front of the training center waiting for his buddy, Squall. He swatted at air a bit, then decided to pull off a nice back flip. He tipped backward and his back arched as he popped his feet up and let his weight down on his hands.

"CHICKEN WUSS!"

"Frickin hell?!!!!!!!" Zell's legs kicked a bit as he fell over, landing in a crouch. He

stood up fast at the voice.

" I should write you a ticket...... You know, jumping around like that is against the rules, chicken wuss," Seifer smirked.

"Yeah, whatever. You're not even on the disciplinary committee anymore. Besides, I'm a hero, I can do these things...," Zell grinned cockily.

"... You glory time is over, chicken wuss," Seifer knew it. He had messed up big by joining the sorceress and attacking the Garden. he'd blown his chance at ever becoming SeeD. He was lucky the Garden was willing to take him back. Normally he'd be too stubborn to come back, but in this case he made an exception. He would lead the SeeD candidates into field exams, and help train them to deal with real monsters outside the training center.

"Are they? Tch, I wouldn't be so sure about that. You know I have access to all hotdogs in the cafeteria, anytime I want one, I got it," Zell swept his hand out in front of him.

"...Uh huh.." Seifer looked at Zell quirking a brow, wondering how he ever made it this far, "I guess it's true what they say about blondes...."

"H-Wha? You are a blonde!" Zell stepped back a bit looking Seifer over.

"Nah, I'm golden blonde... not platinum blonde, there's a difference...," Seifer shrugged and pointed to Zell's hair.

"W-," Zell was about to say something when that familiar figure with the serious expression approached heading from the dorms, "Yo, Squall!."

"Hi," Squall joined the two. He had his gunblade at his side he was obviously ready to fight.

" Well if it isn't Mr. Leader himself," Seifer again smirked and crossed his arms turning to Squall.

Squall's blue eyes looked to Seifer, "Whatever..."

"Hmph, gonna go fight chicken wuss? Not much of a fight there. You won't even break a sweat..," an arrogant grin spread wide across Seifer's face.

"WHAT WAS THAT?!" Zell began to shake his fists ready to rumble.

"Calm down, Zell," Squall gave him a quick glance. "What is it, Seifer?"

"Oh, you know me so well, Squall," he patted Squall's shoulder. Squall watched his hand cautiously. he still wasn't sure why Headmaster Cid had even let Seifer back into Garden.

"C'mon, one round. You and me," Seifer gave Squall the "if you back out, I'm better" look.

Squall knew what Seifer was up to. Seifer wanted a chance to show off, to prove he could beat the hero, Squall. But Squall's skills had improved greatly, Seifer only though he was stronger.

"Sure..," Squall shrugged and headed into the training center, "We'll train afterwards, Zell. This shouldn't take long."

It was like a smack to the face for Seifer. Squall had said "This shouldn't take long." What did that mean?! Was he saying Seifer was a pushover?! That he was weak?!

Seifer glared at Squall's back and followed him. Either way, he thought, I'm the better man, always have been, always will....

"Alright, Seifer, you know the rules, no severely injuring your partner during training, that means magic..," Squall still remembered that day Seifer cast fire and Squall's face was forever scarred. No matter how many GF's he would junction he'd always remember.

"What? Are you going pansy on me, Squall? Afraid I might add another scar for ya?" Seifer mocked.

"Whatever..," Squall was a bit annoyed by that remark, It did make him sound scared.... but he wasn't. Or was he? It had been a while since he had fought Seifer.. maybe he got as well. Squall couldn't ignore that.

" Yeah, no cheating, Seifer," Zell added crossing his arms and leaning against the wall.

"Ah! I'm deeply hurt by that! how could you assume, that I, a fellow SeeD, would cheat in training?" Seifer faked a pout.

Zell saw a golden opportunity, "You're not a SeeD, Seifer, and even if you were, you'd still cheat. You're just that kind of guy."

Seifer almost growled at Zell, " That's right chicken wuss, you're a SeeD and I'm not. So how can it be I can still kick your ass?"

"Tch, whatever you say, Seifer," the tone in Zell's voice was shaky.

"That's enough, you wanted to fight me, Seifer? Well, let's go," Squall was getting sick of waiting. He held his gunblade ready, his eyes focused on Seifer.

"That's right," Seifer got his gunblade ready. Who would strike first? Seifer naturally. He spun gaining some power and brought his gunblade around for a downward slash. Squall was quick, he brought up his gunblade to block it. They clashed, and few sparks flew. Seifer drew back, only to strike upward this time. Squall again was quick to react and knocked Seifer's blade away.

"Not bad, Squall.........," he taunted, as he lunged again. He sliced the air where Squall had been second before.

"Hey! That was kinda violent, Seifer!" Zell was refereeing the match.

"Shut up, chicken wuss!"

"Don't make me beat you down!" Zelll began hopping a bit. Seifer ignored him, knowing that no chicken wuss was gonna take him down. As Zell said this, Squall swung his gunblade forward pushing Seifer's into the dirt of the training center. Seifer grinned as he just threw a punch at Squall, catching him in the jar. Squall stumbled back a bit surprised.

"Seifer, you're such a cheater!" Zell stopped jumping and just walked over.

"Shut up, Chicken Wuss."

"Look man, that's just jacked up, ya know?" he thought of Raijin and smirked.

"...," Squall touched his lip, and looked at the blood on his black leather glove.

"Hey, you okay, man?" Zell offered a hand up. Squall shoved Zell aside aside as he drove his fist into Seifer's face. Seifer was not expecting this and hit the ground, then propped himself up on his elbows, his eyes looked enraged, he jumped up and tackled Squall.

"Holy sh-!" Zell started but found himself trying to pry Seifer off of Squall. Seifer fought back, by shoving Zell to the side, but the blonde chicken wuss kept trying.

"Stop that right now!" a mature feminine voice demanded, sounding a bit angry.

Seifer looked up, getting hit with a blow from Squall.

"Ohh boy, you're in trouble now, Seifer!" Zell snickered looking from Seifer to Quistis.

She put her hands on her hips and sighed, much like she did the one day in the infirmary.

"Why is it you two are always the one's who cause ruckus in this garden?" Quistis walked over looking down at both Seifer and Squall. She had recently been promoted to instructor once again. After her heroics with Ultimecia, it was the least Headmaster Cid said he could do.

" Gonna assign them a detention?" Zell snickered.

"Zell, go study before I assign you a detention," Quistis turned her eyes towards Zell.

"Sheesh! Fine, okay, don't have to get all authority-like," Zell held up his hands as he backed up and out of the training center. Quistis turned back to Squall and Seifer.

"Alright you two, do you have an explanation?"

"....."

" Instructor, who really cares? We didn't hurt anyone but ourselves, and this is the training center," Seifer raised his eyebrows as he stood up dusting himself off. Squall did the same, only he didn't raise his eyebrows.

"Seifer, you are in no position to-"

"He's right... this is the training center... neither of us are severely injured..."

Quistis looked shocked at Squall's defense for Seifer. She thought for a moment, then sighed.

"Alright, do as you like," Quistis looked from Seifer to Squall shaking her head. Squall just walked past Quistis and out of the training center, he had a lot on his mind.

"Hmm," Seifer followed Squall. " Hey, maybe you'ree smarter than you look, i mean siding with me and all so we wouldn't get in trouble. Heh heh." he patted his shoulder.

"... That's not why" he pushed his hand away.

"Oh?"

"I didn't want to hear you complain... it's annoying..," Squall crossed his arms and looked to the side.

"Annoying, eh?" Seifer headed off snickering. Squall started down the hall.

"Squall!"

"....," he turned around to see Quistis walk towards him.

" Is there something wrong?" Quistis looked him over with a concerned look.

" No.... why would there be?"

" Well you sided with Seifer and-"

Squall cut her off. " Just because we don't get long doesn't mean we don't share the same views.."

" Ah, I guess you really are more complex than I think.."

Squall went to his dorm hoping to get a bit of rest. He hadn't had much since the battle with Ultimecia. How long had it been now? A month? Afterward everyone celebrated and things were going good, then they had to come back to reality and deal with more problems, like the repair of the Trabian Garden. Squall had played an important role in all of this, but once it was over, he chose to fade from the spotlight. He didn't like it very much, he'd rather be left alone. So, he told Cid that he just wanted to continue being a SeeD, not a leader. Cid was a bit shocked and tried to convince him otherwise, the young man kept his decision final. He still had no clue about Laguna and Raine. Laguna chickened out before he could tell Squall.....

Squall quickly fell asleep, he was exhausted..

The annoying sound of the alarm clock woke the sleeping lion up. He opened his eyes to see light shine through his blinds. He sat up on his bed and rubbed his eyes, forcing himself up and to the bathroom. He looked in the mirror, he looked like a guy who had gone without sleep.. He washed his face and sighed hanging his head over his sink in thought. ...I just want to rest.... When will things calm down? So much has happened so fast.... I just can't keep up. But everyone else is trying hard too... I have to think of them..... I need to stop thinking.....

" Yo, Squall, you in there?" Zell's voice came from outside his dorm.

"What is it?" Squall wiped off his face and opened the door.

"Whoa... man, you look kinda.... pale."

"Whatever..... What do you need?"

"Heh well," He rubbed the back of his head "we got a situation."

Oh great..... he thought

"Situation?"

"Well .. ehehehe. Ya see, Cid has agreed to help Esthar out .. So...uhhh,"

"So what?" Squall grew impatient.

".... Heh, I never saw you in your pajamas. Nice Griever pants..,"

"......," Squall slammed the door on Zell.