Disclaimer on 1st chapter.

Author's Note: The story should begin to develop more quickly in the next few chapters. These first few have just been to introduce the characters and their thoughts and feelings within this story.

Actress In The Mirror

Chapter Four - The Posse

The bar was jam packed as it usually was on a Saturday night. Most of the people there were young as they were SeeDs from Balamb Garden and the rest were just locals who lived in Balamb Town.

Perched up at the bar and sipping her drink was Fujin. She was standing on her own but Raijin was not too far away as he had just quickly gone to the toilet. She was deep in thought and so did not notice when a young male sat on the stool which was next to her. He ordered a drink and she sighed to herself as her thoughts led her to Seifer. He had been away for some time even though he had told both her and Raijin that he was only going to be gone for a couple of weeks. Those two weeks quickly turned into three months and she missed him like hell. Sure, it was fun being with Raijin but it just was not the same.

"Hey, what are you drinking? I'll get you another."

The man next to her prodded her arm and she turned to see a familiar face. She tried not to smile but it was a difficult task.

"SEIFER."

There was a slight hint of emotion shown in her voice when she uttered his name. It was something which she never usually did, emotions were what she often liked to hide.

"So," Seifer said. "Where's Raijin?"

"BATHROOM." She answered, acting as if there were not a million questions which she wanted to ask him about his disappearance. She knew that it was probably going to be something which he would like to remain a mystery, like what happened between him and Rinoa that summer.

There was a pause as the pair did not know what to say to the other. These were the things she had missed, just her and him with no Raijin in the background chattering away like he always did.

Taking another sip of her drink she spotted him making his way towards them. He had noticed that the posse's 'leader' was there. Seifer, who had noticed Raijin also, gave a little smirk as he saw the eagerness to speak to him on the guy's face.

"Seifer!" Raijin yelled out happily. "Where ya been?"

Fujin gave him a penetrating stare with her one eye. It was cold and Raijin sensed that maybe it was something which he should not have asked. Still, Seifer did not seem too bothered about it.

"Oh just here and there. No where in particular. You know, Winhill, Fisherman's Horizon," he paused. "And Deling."

The grey-haired woman shook her head. It was like she could read his mind. It was obvious to her what he had stayed there for but she did not want to say it. Raijin was completely oblivious as usual and just kept talking, mainly about what had been going on since he had been away. These were the times when she found herself distanced from the two. Whilst she liked having conversations, no matter how limited they were, Raijin and Seifer could go on for hours about nothing in particular. Of course, usually Seifer would just sit and listen.

The noise level seemed to rise and the dinginess of the place made her feel depressed. Even though she was with her friends she still felt alone. A hand placed itself on top of her shoulder.

"Hey Fujin I need a favour of you." It was Seifer.

Typical she thought. The only time he ever really wants to talk to me is when he needs something.

"That idiot Squall has only gone and invited me to that stupid ball," he said, sounding rather annoyed about it. "Says he wants to forgive and forget. God I hate him like this. Well, I need someone to go with and Raijin obviously ain't the right sort. So would you go with me?"

Fujin wanted to say no but she nodded silently. There was no point in her going to an event like that, she did not fit in. Seifer was only going there to piss Squall off in some way or another and Rinoa was also going to be there.

"It's weird ya know," Raijin started. "You've come back at the same time Rinoa has."

Seifer did not say anything. He preferred to stay quiet on this subject.

"Oh yeah!" the talkative male yelled rather ecstatically. "Have you heard the rumour? Apparently she's gonna be a SeeD ya know!"

Fujin watched as Seifer raised his head, his eyes were filled with a burning rage. Rinoa, his Rinoa, was going to train to become a bloodthirsty warrior? It just could not happen.