Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Final Fantasy 8, any of it's characters, merchandising or anything else affiliated with it... I'm just a writer who is writing for fun.
All right now, things get really tricky from here... Yeah, Irvine avenges Selphie, but only after Seifer starts the initial attack when they find out that the rapists are also murderers.
Remember... sai = three pronged dagger
"Eye of the Storm" -- Part Four
"Valerie..." he acknowledged, narrowing his eyes at her from across the room. "What brings you here? I think you've said... and certainly done... *enough*."
"Zell, there's a reason I did what I did..." Valerie stated, stepping forward.
Seifer, still sitting with Irvine at the table, couldn't help but comment. "What? Is Chicken wuss bad in bed or something?" he asked, mockingly.
Zell shot him such a piercing stare that made him back off instantly; the first time in the last 4 years they've been friends. His eyes turned back to Valerie who shook her head... "No... It's just that... Can we go somewhere to talk about this?"
"You can take my room..." Quistis offered from behind Zell. She made her way to the kitchen, almost laughing at how crowded the room was. "Don't mind the mess..."
"And avoid sitting on the bed..." Seifer added, grinning devilishly.
Quistis smacked the back of his head. "They don't need to know things like that!" she yelled at him in a whisper.
Zell ignored the small spat between the young lovers and turned to enter Quistis' room. Valerie followed, telling Nida to wait in the living room. He watched as Valerie and Zell disappeared into the room, the door sliding closed behind them. He glanced about the room; Squall was asleep in a sitting position on the loveseat, with Rinoa in his arms, sharing a blanket. Two girls he recognized as Squall's adopted sister and cousin were on opposite ends on the couch. His eyes fell upon Irvine, Quistis, and Seifer who were watching him from the kitchen table.
He laughed nervously. "So... um, what's up guys?"
Seifer's expression stayed neutral. "Why'd you do it? Don't give me crap like you loved her... Man, Chicken wuss may be a pain in the ass sometimes, but he isn't a fool..."
What had he gotten himself into? He dared challenge the Commanding Officers? And these were just the Secondary Commanders, the Captains... What about Squall? What would he say when he wakes up? He could lose his job over this... A dishonorable discharge... What would the Garden think of him? Taking the girl of one of the beloved Captains?
Irvine spoke as well. "Hey, you alive in there? Man, what're you thinking? You know the rules in this Garden... SeeD may be an elite military force for Balamb, but we got morals... And taken the girl of a fellow soldier isn't one of them..."
Being an experienced Instructor, Quistis tried to be a bit more compassionate. "Nida, listen... Zell's been a great friend to you... To anyone that wants to be his friend... Is this your idea of repaying his friendship?"
Nida helplessly shrugged, not really knowing the answer himself... It was just a few weeks ago that he went to see Valerie for the first time after discussing a book they both found interesting... Things went from one thing to another...
Nida's thoughts were interrupted when he felt the tip of a gunblade on his throat. He followed along the blade, up Seifer's arm, and to his eyes. "I think you better leave... This isn't a good time to be messing with any of us..."
Nida nodded and left the room obediently. Just as the door closed, faint yelling started to erupt from Quistis' room. Squall woke with a jolt, almost throwing Rinoa from her seat, as he felt the ground shake. Kim fell off the couch in a tangle of sheets as Ellone sat up, gripping the arm rest. Selphie, who had been walking in from her room, grasped the door frame. "Damn hurricane," Squall muttered.
Selphie walked across the room and sat beside Irvine. "I don't think it's the storm... It came from Quisty's room," she commented, noticing a new bump, protruding from Quistis' door.
However, the attention was no longer on the small rumble, instead it was on Selphie. "Are you feeling ok?" Quistis asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Selphie nodded. "Yea... sure... whatever..."
Quistis frowned. "That's not like you, Selphie."
She could feel all their eyes staring at her, penetrating her cuts and bruises, chilling her to the bone. "Everyone's gonna think of me as dirty from now on, aren't they?" she asked suddenly.
Irvine gripped her hand. "Selphie... I know you don't really think that... Everyone loves you to death..." he assured her. 'Me especially...' he added in his mind.
Selphie traced the cut on her face once again and stood up. "Um... You know what, Irvy? I don't feel that hungry anymore... I'll be in my room, sleeping..." She walked back the way she came and closed the door behind her.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Meanwhile, in Quistis' room, Zell just stared out the window, Valerie standing by the door. "Zell..."
"What is it? Huh?! Why? Tell me..." he demanded coldly, not taking his eyes off the gray clouds, pouring rain into the endless ocean. So many times did he feel like letting out all the tears in Heaven, but he wouldn't. He refused to.
Valerie took a step closer. "Zell, things change... *People* change..."
Zell still didn't move, which was very unusual for him. After a long moment, he shifted, leaning against the window with one hand, the other in his pocket. He looked down at the floor and sighed sadly. "True, things change... People change... But when that happens were supposed to change together, or at least talk things out before going and screwing around with friends..."
"Zell... Listen, please... I was going to tell you... I didn't know how without... hurting you..." Valerie pleaded in short, quiet sobs.
"Damn it, Val!" he shouted, finally facing her, his blue eyes raging like the crashing waves outside. "You were *going* to tell me!? You didn't know how?! You didn't want to hurt me!?"
Valerie stood silent as Zell continued. "*Four* years, Valerie! You were all I thought of! Going to the future, killing Ultimecia, it was all for you! For us to be together with a brighter future!" He turned back toward the window. "I thought there was love there, Val... true love... now I'm not so sure..."
Regaining her ability to move, her tears started to flow as she ran and hugged Zell's arm. "Zell, I'm so sorry... I still love you! I never stopped.... It was just that Nida was there when I was down and he understood what I was feeling!"
Zell glared at the girl and ripped his arm away, walking backwards toward the door. "Did it ever occur to you to talk to me first?!" He spun around and punched the door in all his frustration, making the room quake, and denting the metal door slightly. "I gave everything to you... My friends welcomed you... My family accepted you... I loved you!"
Valerie dare not move from her position at the window as she watched Zell through teary eyes... She had left him a broken man, something Zell wasn't suited for. The happy, energetic man she fell in love with was now a shell of himself, a ball of mixed emotions. She couldn't possibly begin to imagine the scar she's left on him in the middle of a bad time in his life... What had possessed her to betray him? She shouldn't be here arguing with him! One of his best friends was raped last night, she should be comforting him... But, it was too late for that... Zell wouldn't be the same... Not for a long time.
Zell, staring at the floor, pressed the button opening the bedroom door. "You better leave," he told the crying brunette. "Now."
Valerie nodded weakly and hurried out the door, through the living room, and into the hall where Nida was patiently waiting. Quistis entered her room to check on Zell, and found him leaning against the window with his forearm, watching the waves with an almost envious passion. Zell watched her disappear from the doorway for a split second, reappearing with Kim in front of her. Shoving the younger girl into the room, she whispered, "You talk to him..."
Before Kim had a chance to protest, Quistis was gone, hiding behind the protection of her lover, grinning wildly at the girl that was now pointing a menacing sai at her. Kim sighed and placed the sai back in it's place at her side. "Zell..." she started to say, entering the room.
"You don't have to say anything if you don't want to... I saw Quistis push you in..." Zell told her, almost with a half smile.
"Um... yea, that... I don't mind really... I was just kinda hesitant about butting in... I mean we just met and all..." she said a little softly.
Zell shrugged, still not taking his eyes from the ocean. "Naw, it's ok... It's not like I'm telling you my life story, right?"
Kim leaned with her back against the window. "Is that what was bugging you yesterday in the Training Center?"
Zell turned his head slightly toward the girl and nodded slowly. "Yea, I'm sorry I was a little rude about it..."
Kim waved her hand aside. "Hey, it's ok... I can't say I've been in the same position as you... But it must be hell... Listen, Quisty, Rinoa and me are gonna let out some steam in the Training Center... Meet us there if you want..."
Kim started for the door. "Hey, Kim... thanks," Zell told her. She nodded as he smiled. "I might join you guys later."
* * * * * * * * * *
Rinoa, Kim, and Quistis left together, promising their friends they wouldn't be separated even for a moment. Ellone was content with staying put in the room, having a commander and 3 captains to protect her, just curling up to read a book.
Irvine had asked Squall to talk to Selphie, since he was still seen as their leader. Squall agreed and knocked on her door. "Selphie? It's Squall..."
A muffled voice came through with an answer. "What do you want?"
Surprised, Squall took a moment to think his words through. "Selphie, we need to talk... I'm coming in..."
As he entered, he found Selphie curled up under her blanket, facing away from him. "What did you want to say, Squall?"
Squall sat down on the edge of the bed. "Selphie, you're strong... Don't let this loser win by sucking out all your spirit and confidence."
"Thanks, Squall... But I can't help feeling so dirty.... Like there was more that I could do... It just hurt so much..." Selphie said softly, a tear running down onto her pillow.
"I know it's hard... but we're all here for you; Rinoa, Quistis, Ellone, Kim, Seifer, Zell, me... and of course there's Irvine... I'll leave you alone for a little while... Come eat when you're ready. You didn't touch a thing this morning..." he said getting up and leaving, closing the door behind him.
She tried to fall asleep, thinking maybe her dreams would offer comfort, but just as her eyes start to fall heavy, the phone in the kitchen started to ring in a frenzy, waking her up. She wasn't a light sleeper by nature, but she had been so jumpy lately. Not sure of whether she should step into the living room or stay in her room, she crept to the door and listened in as Squall spoke to whoever it was that was calling.
Few words drifted into her ears, but enough for her to piece together the events. "... two dead... three injured... signs of rape... Quad... Training Center... Dorms... two attackers at each scene..."
Selphie's eyes went wide, remembering that Kim, Rinoa, and Quistis had been arguing with the guys earlier about going to the Training Center... Two attackers? Wasn't there only one? But... Three were already injured, two people dead... They had to go! Now! Selphie burst from her room. "Squall! Rinoa, Kim, and Quisty! Training Center!"
Squall caught her in his arms. "Shhh... Selphie, I know. Seifer and Irvine are on their way. Stay here with Ellone and lock the door. Zell and I are going to see Doctor Kadowaki."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Irvine and Seifer ran down the dorm halls, both readying their weapons. Dashing down the dim green hall of the training center, they could hear the crack of Quistis' whip, the whiz of Rinoa's Shooting Star through the air, and the short slashes of Kim's sais buzzing through the center. Following the sound, they reached the girls just as Rinoa and Kim were thrown back, leaving Quistis to fend their two attackers; All three girls already equally bleeding, bruised and battered.
As Quistis was thrown back as well, Seifer dove behind her, keeping her from crashing into the water behind them. He brushed the hair from her cheek and felt a thick red liquid from her temple.
Quistis looked up at her knight and smiled weakly, before finally curling up in his arms like a frightened child. Seifer looked up to see one of the two men attacking his friends, leering down upon him, ready to strike a deafening blow. Irvine suddenly appeared, using his Exeter to block the Galbadian blade, bearing down on Quistis and Seifer. "Get your ass up, Almasy, and help me!"
Seifer nodded, setting the unconscious Quistis down, with his coat covering her, and charging the other attacker with his gunblade. Irvine pushed the blade up with his Exeter and struck the handle across the attackers face, knocking him back toward his partner, who had been knocked back by a firaga spell from Seifer. For the first time, Irvine realized he knew the two students. The tall blond one was Craig Talon from Galbadia Garden, a ladies' man, but only second to Irvine. The second man had light brown hair, falling past his eyes; Adam Celeron, an old friend of Irvine's, also from Galbadia.
Craig smirked, seeing the Irvine recognized him. "So, Irvine... How's you're new bitch doing? For the first time since I've met you, I got to a girl before you did..."
Irvine scowled. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"Now, now, cowboy... Is that a way to treat your old friend?" the blond replied.
"We're not friends. We never were friends. And Adam? What are you doing? This isn't you?"
"Damn it, Irvine... I lived in your shadow at Galbadia, and you didn't notice... This is just my way of repaying your friendship... You know, cowboy, I sat there in your wench's living room...Just listening to her squeal," Adam replied.
Irvine shook his head. "Two people are dead... People are injured... Why take it out on them? Why not leave Selphie and the others out?!"
Seifer looked back toward his girlfriend when Adam suddenly called to him. "Hey, General.... Or should I just call you Seifer now? I guess you don't remember we served under you and Edea..." He smirked. "Well, I see you finally got that perdy little Instructor after all... Gee, I wonder what it's like to get a little of that, huh?" he taunted with confidence.
Oh, if Adam had only seen the fire burning in Seifer's eyes. He never gave or took a little of anything to or from Quistis, especially something as emotional as sex. Every time, since the first time, they had gotten together in the heat of passion, it was not to have sex, but to make love; Love that would last for eternity, if Seifer had his way.
Only Irvine had seen the scarlet Fire Cross tattoo on Seifer's left arm seem to fill with blood, coloring it a deeper crimson, and pounding in sync with the beat of his heart. Seifer made an animalistic growl and charged at Adam, still laughing at his expense. It wasn't until he felt the rush of Seifer's gunblade go through this heart and out his back. Seifer kicked Adam off his gunblade, the sickening sound of his organs and flesh wiping against the steel blade. Blood pouring from his mouth and the gap in his chest, Adam fell backwards, his eyes still open with surprise.
Irvine watched as Seifer stood over Adam, panting while leaning against his gunblade. He suddenly realized that Craig was no longer behind him. "Seifer!" he cried out, in an effort to warn his friend.
Before Seifer could turn around, and before Irvine even had a chance to aim his gun Craig had thrust the Galbadian blade into Seifer's side. He looked down at his stomach and saw the bloody tip of a blade poking through his skin. He lifted his hand to his side and then glanced at it. Blood. His blood. He fell to his knees as his eyes closed and the blood trickled from his mouth. Quistis had woken up just in time to catch him, before the blade was jammed any more into his body.
Irvine saw Quistis run to Seifer. Now it was his turn. "Craig!" he called to the tall man, preoccupied with Seifer and Quistis. The blond turned to see Irvine smirking. "You shouldn't have touched my Sefie!"
The world suddenly became a movie in slow motion. Craig's eyes widened as a single bullet entered his stomach, knocking him back a few feet before doubling over. Once Craig looked up from his bleeding wound, Irvine was only three feet from him, aiming a small pistol right between his eyes. He knew there was all water behind him. He glanced to his left and saw Quistis in Seifer's coat, a whip in one hand, leaning against her fallen knight's gunblade with the other. He glanced to his right and saw the two other girls standing up, scowls on their faces, thirsty for revenge -- for his blood. He looked toward Irvine once more and smirked. "She was a good lay, Kinneas."
"I wouldn't expect anything less from my Sefie, but it's a damn shame that you'd be the first to experience it... Now there's two things you can be doing right now, Craigy... One; Think of it as an honor to even catch a glimpse of the beauty that is Selphie Tilmitt... And two; Think of that awful thing you did to her as your ticket to Hell."
A silent moment passed... Irvine gave Craig a smirk of his own. Craig just frowned. "I'll see you in Hell, Irvine!"
Irvine's smirk never left his face, just as his pistol didn't falter from it's position between Craig's eyes. He took his free hand and tipped his hat slightly down over his eyes. "Save me a seat, Craig."
He pulled the trigger without a second thought and watched as blood splattered from the back of Craig's head, at the exact point it left his skull. He fell backwards into the water, lifeless arms flailing; The water around him turning a dull, pale red as he sunk to the bottom of the pond.
To Be Continued...
Like it? Love it? Hate it? Despise it? (for other reasons than new characters) Good? Bad? Great? Sucked? Give me some input! ^.^ I hope that you liked it though... I'd like to know how you thought of it so leave a review or email me if you'd like! Thanks for reading! I hope to keep this series going for a bit!
All right now, things get really tricky from here... Yeah, Irvine avenges Selphie, but only after Seifer starts the initial attack when they find out that the rapists are also murderers.
Remember... sai = three pronged dagger
"Eye of the Storm" -- Part Four
"Valerie..." he acknowledged, narrowing his eyes at her from across the room. "What brings you here? I think you've said... and certainly done... *enough*."
"Zell, there's a reason I did what I did..." Valerie stated, stepping forward.
Seifer, still sitting with Irvine at the table, couldn't help but comment. "What? Is Chicken wuss bad in bed or something?" he asked, mockingly.
Zell shot him such a piercing stare that made him back off instantly; the first time in the last 4 years they've been friends. His eyes turned back to Valerie who shook her head... "No... It's just that... Can we go somewhere to talk about this?"
"You can take my room..." Quistis offered from behind Zell. She made her way to the kitchen, almost laughing at how crowded the room was. "Don't mind the mess..."
"And avoid sitting on the bed..." Seifer added, grinning devilishly.
Quistis smacked the back of his head. "They don't need to know things like that!" she yelled at him in a whisper.
Zell ignored the small spat between the young lovers and turned to enter Quistis' room. Valerie followed, telling Nida to wait in the living room. He watched as Valerie and Zell disappeared into the room, the door sliding closed behind them. He glanced about the room; Squall was asleep in a sitting position on the loveseat, with Rinoa in his arms, sharing a blanket. Two girls he recognized as Squall's adopted sister and cousin were on opposite ends on the couch. His eyes fell upon Irvine, Quistis, and Seifer who were watching him from the kitchen table.
He laughed nervously. "So... um, what's up guys?"
Seifer's expression stayed neutral. "Why'd you do it? Don't give me crap like you loved her... Man, Chicken wuss may be a pain in the ass sometimes, but he isn't a fool..."
What had he gotten himself into? He dared challenge the Commanding Officers? And these were just the Secondary Commanders, the Captains... What about Squall? What would he say when he wakes up? He could lose his job over this... A dishonorable discharge... What would the Garden think of him? Taking the girl of one of the beloved Captains?
Irvine spoke as well. "Hey, you alive in there? Man, what're you thinking? You know the rules in this Garden... SeeD may be an elite military force for Balamb, but we got morals... And taken the girl of a fellow soldier isn't one of them..."
Being an experienced Instructor, Quistis tried to be a bit more compassionate. "Nida, listen... Zell's been a great friend to you... To anyone that wants to be his friend... Is this your idea of repaying his friendship?"
Nida helplessly shrugged, not really knowing the answer himself... It was just a few weeks ago that he went to see Valerie for the first time after discussing a book they both found interesting... Things went from one thing to another...
Nida's thoughts were interrupted when he felt the tip of a gunblade on his throat. He followed along the blade, up Seifer's arm, and to his eyes. "I think you better leave... This isn't a good time to be messing with any of us..."
Nida nodded and left the room obediently. Just as the door closed, faint yelling started to erupt from Quistis' room. Squall woke with a jolt, almost throwing Rinoa from her seat, as he felt the ground shake. Kim fell off the couch in a tangle of sheets as Ellone sat up, gripping the arm rest. Selphie, who had been walking in from her room, grasped the door frame. "Damn hurricane," Squall muttered.
Selphie walked across the room and sat beside Irvine. "I don't think it's the storm... It came from Quisty's room," she commented, noticing a new bump, protruding from Quistis' door.
However, the attention was no longer on the small rumble, instead it was on Selphie. "Are you feeling ok?" Quistis asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Selphie nodded. "Yea... sure... whatever..."
Quistis frowned. "That's not like you, Selphie."
She could feel all their eyes staring at her, penetrating her cuts and bruises, chilling her to the bone. "Everyone's gonna think of me as dirty from now on, aren't they?" she asked suddenly.
Irvine gripped her hand. "Selphie... I know you don't really think that... Everyone loves you to death..." he assured her. 'Me especially...' he added in his mind.
Selphie traced the cut on her face once again and stood up. "Um... You know what, Irvy? I don't feel that hungry anymore... I'll be in my room, sleeping..." She walked back the way she came and closed the door behind her.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Meanwhile, in Quistis' room, Zell just stared out the window, Valerie standing by the door. "Zell..."
"What is it? Huh?! Why? Tell me..." he demanded coldly, not taking his eyes off the gray clouds, pouring rain into the endless ocean. So many times did he feel like letting out all the tears in Heaven, but he wouldn't. He refused to.
Valerie took a step closer. "Zell, things change... *People* change..."
Zell still didn't move, which was very unusual for him. After a long moment, he shifted, leaning against the window with one hand, the other in his pocket. He looked down at the floor and sighed sadly. "True, things change... People change... But when that happens were supposed to change together, or at least talk things out before going and screwing around with friends..."
"Zell... Listen, please... I was going to tell you... I didn't know how without... hurting you..." Valerie pleaded in short, quiet sobs.
"Damn it, Val!" he shouted, finally facing her, his blue eyes raging like the crashing waves outside. "You were *going* to tell me!? You didn't know how?! You didn't want to hurt me!?"
Valerie stood silent as Zell continued. "*Four* years, Valerie! You were all I thought of! Going to the future, killing Ultimecia, it was all for you! For us to be together with a brighter future!" He turned back toward the window. "I thought there was love there, Val... true love... now I'm not so sure..."
Regaining her ability to move, her tears started to flow as she ran and hugged Zell's arm. "Zell, I'm so sorry... I still love you! I never stopped.... It was just that Nida was there when I was down and he understood what I was feeling!"
Zell glared at the girl and ripped his arm away, walking backwards toward the door. "Did it ever occur to you to talk to me first?!" He spun around and punched the door in all his frustration, making the room quake, and denting the metal door slightly. "I gave everything to you... My friends welcomed you... My family accepted you... I loved you!"
Valerie dare not move from her position at the window as she watched Zell through teary eyes... She had left him a broken man, something Zell wasn't suited for. The happy, energetic man she fell in love with was now a shell of himself, a ball of mixed emotions. She couldn't possibly begin to imagine the scar she's left on him in the middle of a bad time in his life... What had possessed her to betray him? She shouldn't be here arguing with him! One of his best friends was raped last night, she should be comforting him... But, it was too late for that... Zell wouldn't be the same... Not for a long time.
Zell, staring at the floor, pressed the button opening the bedroom door. "You better leave," he told the crying brunette. "Now."
Valerie nodded weakly and hurried out the door, through the living room, and into the hall where Nida was patiently waiting. Quistis entered her room to check on Zell, and found him leaning against the window with his forearm, watching the waves with an almost envious passion. Zell watched her disappear from the doorway for a split second, reappearing with Kim in front of her. Shoving the younger girl into the room, she whispered, "You talk to him..."
Before Kim had a chance to protest, Quistis was gone, hiding behind the protection of her lover, grinning wildly at the girl that was now pointing a menacing sai at her. Kim sighed and placed the sai back in it's place at her side. "Zell..." she started to say, entering the room.
"You don't have to say anything if you don't want to... I saw Quistis push you in..." Zell told her, almost with a half smile.
"Um... yea, that... I don't mind really... I was just kinda hesitant about butting in... I mean we just met and all..." she said a little softly.
Zell shrugged, still not taking his eyes from the ocean. "Naw, it's ok... It's not like I'm telling you my life story, right?"
Kim leaned with her back against the window. "Is that what was bugging you yesterday in the Training Center?"
Zell turned his head slightly toward the girl and nodded slowly. "Yea, I'm sorry I was a little rude about it..."
Kim waved her hand aside. "Hey, it's ok... I can't say I've been in the same position as you... But it must be hell... Listen, Quisty, Rinoa and me are gonna let out some steam in the Training Center... Meet us there if you want..."
Kim started for the door. "Hey, Kim... thanks," Zell told her. She nodded as he smiled. "I might join you guys later."
* * * * * * * * * *
Rinoa, Kim, and Quistis left together, promising their friends they wouldn't be separated even for a moment. Ellone was content with staying put in the room, having a commander and 3 captains to protect her, just curling up to read a book.
Irvine had asked Squall to talk to Selphie, since he was still seen as their leader. Squall agreed and knocked on her door. "Selphie? It's Squall..."
A muffled voice came through with an answer. "What do you want?"
Surprised, Squall took a moment to think his words through. "Selphie, we need to talk... I'm coming in..."
As he entered, he found Selphie curled up under her blanket, facing away from him. "What did you want to say, Squall?"
Squall sat down on the edge of the bed. "Selphie, you're strong... Don't let this loser win by sucking out all your spirit and confidence."
"Thanks, Squall... But I can't help feeling so dirty.... Like there was more that I could do... It just hurt so much..." Selphie said softly, a tear running down onto her pillow.
"I know it's hard... but we're all here for you; Rinoa, Quistis, Ellone, Kim, Seifer, Zell, me... and of course there's Irvine... I'll leave you alone for a little while... Come eat when you're ready. You didn't touch a thing this morning..." he said getting up and leaving, closing the door behind him.
She tried to fall asleep, thinking maybe her dreams would offer comfort, but just as her eyes start to fall heavy, the phone in the kitchen started to ring in a frenzy, waking her up. She wasn't a light sleeper by nature, but she had been so jumpy lately. Not sure of whether she should step into the living room or stay in her room, she crept to the door and listened in as Squall spoke to whoever it was that was calling.
Few words drifted into her ears, but enough for her to piece together the events. "... two dead... three injured... signs of rape... Quad... Training Center... Dorms... two attackers at each scene..."
Selphie's eyes went wide, remembering that Kim, Rinoa, and Quistis had been arguing with the guys earlier about going to the Training Center... Two attackers? Wasn't there only one? But... Three were already injured, two people dead... They had to go! Now! Selphie burst from her room. "Squall! Rinoa, Kim, and Quisty! Training Center!"
Squall caught her in his arms. "Shhh... Selphie, I know. Seifer and Irvine are on their way. Stay here with Ellone and lock the door. Zell and I are going to see Doctor Kadowaki."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Irvine and Seifer ran down the dorm halls, both readying their weapons. Dashing down the dim green hall of the training center, they could hear the crack of Quistis' whip, the whiz of Rinoa's Shooting Star through the air, and the short slashes of Kim's sais buzzing through the center. Following the sound, they reached the girls just as Rinoa and Kim were thrown back, leaving Quistis to fend their two attackers; All three girls already equally bleeding, bruised and battered.
As Quistis was thrown back as well, Seifer dove behind her, keeping her from crashing into the water behind them. He brushed the hair from her cheek and felt a thick red liquid from her temple.
Quistis looked up at her knight and smiled weakly, before finally curling up in his arms like a frightened child. Seifer looked up to see one of the two men attacking his friends, leering down upon him, ready to strike a deafening blow. Irvine suddenly appeared, using his Exeter to block the Galbadian blade, bearing down on Quistis and Seifer. "Get your ass up, Almasy, and help me!"
Seifer nodded, setting the unconscious Quistis down, with his coat covering her, and charging the other attacker with his gunblade. Irvine pushed the blade up with his Exeter and struck the handle across the attackers face, knocking him back toward his partner, who had been knocked back by a firaga spell from Seifer. For the first time, Irvine realized he knew the two students. The tall blond one was Craig Talon from Galbadia Garden, a ladies' man, but only second to Irvine. The second man had light brown hair, falling past his eyes; Adam Celeron, an old friend of Irvine's, also from Galbadia.
Craig smirked, seeing the Irvine recognized him. "So, Irvine... How's you're new bitch doing? For the first time since I've met you, I got to a girl before you did..."
Irvine scowled. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"Now, now, cowboy... Is that a way to treat your old friend?" the blond replied.
"We're not friends. We never were friends. And Adam? What are you doing? This isn't you?"
"Damn it, Irvine... I lived in your shadow at Galbadia, and you didn't notice... This is just my way of repaying your friendship... You know, cowboy, I sat there in your wench's living room...Just listening to her squeal," Adam replied.
Irvine shook his head. "Two people are dead... People are injured... Why take it out on them? Why not leave Selphie and the others out?!"
Seifer looked back toward his girlfriend when Adam suddenly called to him. "Hey, General.... Or should I just call you Seifer now? I guess you don't remember we served under you and Edea..." He smirked. "Well, I see you finally got that perdy little Instructor after all... Gee, I wonder what it's like to get a little of that, huh?" he taunted with confidence.
Oh, if Adam had only seen the fire burning in Seifer's eyes. He never gave or took a little of anything to or from Quistis, especially something as emotional as sex. Every time, since the first time, they had gotten together in the heat of passion, it was not to have sex, but to make love; Love that would last for eternity, if Seifer had his way.
Only Irvine had seen the scarlet Fire Cross tattoo on Seifer's left arm seem to fill with blood, coloring it a deeper crimson, and pounding in sync with the beat of his heart. Seifer made an animalistic growl and charged at Adam, still laughing at his expense. It wasn't until he felt the rush of Seifer's gunblade go through this heart and out his back. Seifer kicked Adam off his gunblade, the sickening sound of his organs and flesh wiping against the steel blade. Blood pouring from his mouth and the gap in his chest, Adam fell backwards, his eyes still open with surprise.
Irvine watched as Seifer stood over Adam, panting while leaning against his gunblade. He suddenly realized that Craig was no longer behind him. "Seifer!" he cried out, in an effort to warn his friend.
Before Seifer could turn around, and before Irvine even had a chance to aim his gun Craig had thrust the Galbadian blade into Seifer's side. He looked down at his stomach and saw the bloody tip of a blade poking through his skin. He lifted his hand to his side and then glanced at it. Blood. His blood. He fell to his knees as his eyes closed and the blood trickled from his mouth. Quistis had woken up just in time to catch him, before the blade was jammed any more into his body.
Irvine saw Quistis run to Seifer. Now it was his turn. "Craig!" he called to the tall man, preoccupied with Seifer and Quistis. The blond turned to see Irvine smirking. "You shouldn't have touched my Sefie!"
The world suddenly became a movie in slow motion. Craig's eyes widened as a single bullet entered his stomach, knocking him back a few feet before doubling over. Once Craig looked up from his bleeding wound, Irvine was only three feet from him, aiming a small pistol right between his eyes. He knew there was all water behind him. He glanced to his left and saw Quistis in Seifer's coat, a whip in one hand, leaning against her fallen knight's gunblade with the other. He glanced to his right and saw the two other girls standing up, scowls on their faces, thirsty for revenge -- for his blood. He looked toward Irvine once more and smirked. "She was a good lay, Kinneas."
"I wouldn't expect anything less from my Sefie, but it's a damn shame that you'd be the first to experience it... Now there's two things you can be doing right now, Craigy... One; Think of it as an honor to even catch a glimpse of the beauty that is Selphie Tilmitt... And two; Think of that awful thing you did to her as your ticket to Hell."
A silent moment passed... Irvine gave Craig a smirk of his own. Craig just frowned. "I'll see you in Hell, Irvine!"
Irvine's smirk never left his face, just as his pistol didn't falter from it's position between Craig's eyes. He took his free hand and tipped his hat slightly down over his eyes. "Save me a seat, Craig."
He pulled the trigger without a second thought and watched as blood splattered from the back of Craig's head, at the exact point it left his skull. He fell backwards into the water, lifeless arms flailing; The water around him turning a dull, pale red as he sunk to the bottom of the pond.
To Be Continued...
Like it? Love it? Hate it? Despise it? (for other reasons than new characters) Good? Bad? Great? Sucked? Give me some input! ^.^ I hope that you liked it though... I'd like to know how you thought of it so leave a review or email me if you'd like! Thanks for reading! I hope to keep this series going for a bit!