Authors Note: I rewrote the end of this chapter, because something just didn't feel right, so here's the new version. Not much is changed, just a little.
Chapter One:
Winds Of Change
A figure painted in shadows stood unseen until he was sure, beyond any doubt, that Squall was asleep. In the moment he was sure he moved into view, stopping just before the slumbering brunet, who at the moment looked more like a cute leather ball than the commander of a powerful military organization. Seifer smirked at the thought before scooping the slender brunet into his arms, careful not to wake him.
"Squall always did have a special connection with GF's," Seifer mused as he absentmindedly punched in Squalls security codes. Squalls door slid open with a tiny electronic buzz. Seifer stepped inside the perfectly neat dorm room vaguely hearing the small click of the door sling shut as he made his way to Squalls bedroom. Once inside he gently walked over to the bed and lay Squall upon it. As he pulled the sheets up around his friend he took a moment to brush a few chocolate strands from his eyes. "You're starting to worry me you know that?" he whispered.
Squall leaned into his touch and mumbled slightly as his eyes fluttered open. It took a minute for his eyes to focus but when they did, they went wide with surprise. "Seifer?!"
Seifer pressed a finger to Squalls lips to silence him, the walls were not exactly thick after all. "You were doing it again," Seifer said simply. Squall stared down at his lap for a minute trying to clear his mind and remember exactly why he was here again. It didn't take long. For the past few days, when Squall found himself unable to sleep he'd wandered out of his dorm, usually to the training center. Each time he got distracted by one thing or another and ended up asleep somewhere other than his dorm. Each time Seifer found him and brought him back to his dorm, but this is the first time Squall had ever woken up during the process. The other two times Seifer had mentioned it to Squall the next day.
Squall was deep in thought, as usual, blushing a little in embarrassment, when he hear Seifer say, "Do you know why you can't sleep?"
A pause stretched itself out between them for miles before Squall let out a very audible sigh. "Insomnia…" he murmured, barely above a whisper.
Seifer stared at his former rival with deep concern. When he'd sheepishly crawled back to Garden, unable to escape horrible prejudice and attacks everywhere else, Squall had been the first one to forgive him.
*Flashback*
Everyone had been screaming, no 'discussing' at each other for almost ten minutes now and Seifer had had just about enough. All he wanted was an answer. Would they reject him like every other bastard or would they see the truth… that he'd been controlled…manipulated…used…
"ENOUGH!" The outburst from one end of the table caught everyone's attention. Not only for it's ferocity, but the sheer shock of something like that coming from…Squall?! Hell even Seifer was questioning his sanity after hearing that. Squall straightened, smoothed one gloved hand through his hair, and resumed talking without interruption or further outbursts. "Now you've all made very…interesting points, but as acting high commander I move that Seifer Almasy be reinstated as a SeeD in training immediately." And there it was. No real explanation. Just trust and acceptance of Seifer, by Squall of all people. Seifer didn't know if it was Squall's rank or the fact that he'd actually spoken the made everyone agree, but even Cid didn't move a finger in protest. Seifer looked at his former rival dumbstruck and was rendered even more shocked by what he saw. Squall smiled, actually smiled at him?! It was very brief, but it was still there. They'd been friends ever since. Probably the closest two in the group. When he and Rinoa decided that it wouldn't work between them, he'd been the only one who'd known they weren't right for each other and hadn't pestered Squall about it.
Seifer liked being part of the group again. The old orphanage group, especially now that Rinoa had joined them. She fit right in. It was like after the War she'd become stronger, more self assured. She'd been the only one to approve of Squalls decision to let him back in without a second thought. It wasn't until had thrown him there own little party to congratulate him on finally making SeeD a few months later that he realized and honestly cherished the little family they'd become. There was nothing they wouldn't do for each other. Especially now…
*End Of Flashback*
Seifer ran his gaze over his friend. He was sitting up now, staring down and away, deep in thought. He reached out to him and captured his chin in his hand, turning his head so that they were eye to eye. "Are you sure that's all?"
Of course that was all….wasn't it? Squall nodded, leaning into Seifer's hand as his hand cupped the side of his face. Seifer was the only one he trusted more than Rinoa, and only then because they'd known each other longer. No one knew he remembered Seifer from the orphanage, he'd even just barely known it. It was like it had been dormant in him, until that one night….
*Flashback*
The waltz music drifted softly out onto the balcony, making the evening seem almost out of a film. The stars, the ocean, the mood…it was perfectly romantic. Hard to think they were fighting for their lives only a few months ago…As a shooting star passed overhead he was reminded of the first time he met one of his best friends in the whole world…one of the few people who'd ever wormed their way into his heart. He turned to look at her and they smiled at each other. He knew he loved her, but just lately he'd been wondering exactly what type it was… Determined to find out for himself he turned away from the railing and brought her into his arms. Just before their lips met he felt her breath wash over his face as she whispered, "I have something to give you…"
Their lips touched and their was a spark in his mind… a flash of a memory that wasn't his. Edea was there… calling him… bending his mind to her will… could this be from Seifer? It had to be. He was seeing things through Seifer's eyes… feeling his pain… Rinoa was showing it to him through her powers… And their was more… a younger Seifer… and him?!…Playing together…a friendship…and then he was lost…they were all taken to various gardens for their own safety… both Quistis and him in the same one… but no…his friend was leaving… almost all of them…Seifer…No, I won't cry again…GF's? Guess I have to use them if they say so…Memories slip away like sand…No!…it's another loss…what loss? I can't remember… Whatever…
Rinoa drew away slowly, but didn't leave the circle of his arms until Squall opened his eyes a few moments later… "Rinoa…"
He pressed her finger to his lips. "I thought you should know what I picked up when I was near him and Edea…Especially since he's coming back tomorrow to ask for re-admittance…" More silence… An unspoken agreement…He opened his mouth t speak when she interrupted him again. "I know. It's the same way for me. I guess I'm just not made for a mercenary hu?…Friends?"
She looked up at him questioningly, but hopeful all the same. He smiled again, just for her, and pulled her close again. "Always…" He whispered in her ear as they embraced. He had part of his past back…and now he had to act on it…
*End Flashback*
"Have you seen a doctor about this?" Seifer's voice broke though his wall of thought.
He tried to glare up at the blond but ended up yawning instead.
Seifer laughed as he did so. "No, I guess not. Didn't think you would. You've always been so stubborn." His laughter died as his fingers grazed just underneath Squall's eyes… "You really should try to get some sleep though," he mumbled leaning in to try to examine the slight bags he felt under his friends eyes. That in itself was next to impossible. The only light in the room was the very dim moonlight barely streaming through the curtains. Enough to give them both a soft blue/white glow to their faces and eyes, but not much help for examination. Although, Seifer had to note, that the moonlight really did bring out Squalls eye, so vibrantly blue at the moment…
"I just can't seem to relax… that's all." Squall murmured, breaking Seifer's train of thought.
Seifer's face softened with concern for his friend. He wanted to help him, but if he refused medical aid there wasn't much else he could think to do… "Well you're not getting rid of me tonight…" Seifer said and stood up to strip down to his boxers.
"W-what are you doing?" Squall asked surprised.
Seifer grinned over his shoulder, unable to resist teasing Squall. "Nervous?" Squall blushed furiously at the comment, glad it was so dark out at the moment. "I'm not going to leave and just have to carry you back her again in the morning if you decide to go our again… I'll just save myself the trip."
Seifer threw his cloths over the back of Squalls desk chair and, making a stop at Squall's closet to steal a blanket, settled on the couch in the corner. "Night Squall…" Seifer whispered as he pulled the blanket up around him.
Squall was a little confused to Seifers exact reasons for staying, but he couldn't really object. They were friends now, and on more then one occasion the guys had self imposed upon him to use his dorm for a guys night in. Squall, being as conservative as he was, grumbled and never actually told them they could stay, but he didn't kick them out either. That was just the nature of their friendship. They knew Squall wasn't really opean with his feelings, but he enjoyed their company. Seifer had spent the night once or twice before for dorm construction, or simply too lazy to walk to his own dorm after a party. Squall never complained. It was a comfort to know someone understood him and cared about him. With a small sigh he rolled over on his side and watched Seifer's sleeping form. For some odd reason he found himself comforted by the blond's steady breathing. Before he knew it he was, lulled to sleep by the gentle rhythm.
~~~
Xu calmly made her way towards the parking lot to retrieve Rinoa. After it had ended with her and Squall Rinoa decided to return home and she what she could do to help out her home town. She'd done quite a lot actually, but she never failed to visit the Garden at least once a month to meet up with the gang. She was supposed to arrive earlier that day, but the train had been delayed until nearly dawn. The only reason Xu was sent to collect her and show her to her room was Rinoa's powers. She may have been no threat to anybody, but the general public still feared her. After the second assassination attempt Squall had ordered that she be well protected at least while she was at Garden.
"Hi there!" Rinoa said softly, shoulder sagging with the exhaustion of travel, as she meet Xu.
"Nice to see you Rin." Xu bowed politely.
"Sorry to be so late and cause all this trouble it's the migration," Rinoa murmured pointing upwards to the very same clouds Squall had previously been viewing. Xu nodded understandingly and offered her hand to help Rinoa make it to her room on two feet. Rinoa, tired enough to know she needed the help, gratefully accepted. The instant their hands touched the sky howled and white hot fire energy exploded everywhere.
Both girls were thrown and crushed al at once. Xu struggled to get her bearings, but it was to not avail. The light was everywhere, consuming her, crushing her, burning her… And then their was the voice. Hysteric, deep, and even frightening laughter that resounded through her being. "What…what is this?!" Xu shrieked out.
"You know…" the voice replied with a slow ominous whisper, "…you know…"
Authors Note: Yay! At last another chapter! Only one day of Exams left, but I kept my promise and updated. ^_^ After Monday I'm off the hook for the summer! Ah the havoc I can wreak! Lol ^_^
