Title: Thousand Cranes
Author: Kuri Tessy
Feedback: Yes, please!
Pairings: Quistis/Seifer
Rating: PG/PG-13
Warnings: Angst and Death
Disclaimer: FF8, characters, and other nice things don't belong to me. It's
sad, but true.
Notes: In Japanese class I watched a video on Sadako Sasaki and the story of the one thousand paper cranes. I was touched by the video's message and got the idea of writing a fanfiction piece about it.
My Thanks: I looked at my last chapter and was disgusted at the shortness of it. Honestly, I have to give you all more. Besides, I have a lot of ideas swirling around in my head and I have to let them out. (At the pace that I'm going w/ the plot I can tell this is going to be a story with a lot of chapters.) I appreciate everyone who has reviewed! I love you all for your support! I hope that you like where I'm going with this. If you don't..feel free to tell me. I'll be gone for a couple of weeks, so there won't be a lot of updates. Heh, what's new right? Anyways, enjoy!
Thousand Cranes, Chapter Eight!
'Balamb Garden, Quad'
Selphie watched as a streamer slowly fell from it's perch upon the wall. It lazily floated down and then rested upon the tile floor. Selphie pouted at the stationary piece of paper. It had taken her so long to plan for Quistis's party, and now everything was falling apart because of her late absence.
Selphie wasn't really angry, no not at all. Selphie wasn't the type of girl to be upset with a friend, let alone Quistis. Selphie forlornly glanced at her surroundings. She had worked so hard to get it just perfect! From the streamers, to the multicolored balloons, and even previously melted ice sculptures, Selphie had thought she had outdone herself.
But, Quistis hadn't communicated back with Garden. Not too upsetting, missions did get delayed after all. With that thought Selphie pouted even more and slumped down into a nearby couch. The thing was that Quistis's "mission" wasn't even a mission! The whole Zone and Watts thing was just a ploy to get stuffy uptight Quistis out of the Garden. Hyne knows that if it wasn't for her friends, Quistis would have completely forgotten about her own birthday.
The call from Zone and Watts two days later from when Quistis had left on the train was what caused them all to start worrying. She hadn't arrived at her destination, for one reason or another. Selphie rung her hands, she wasn't stupid, she knew how the world community was still in chaos after the second Sorceress War. Being a Seed didn't necessarily mean that you could defend yourself from everything.
Selphie hit herself on the forehead, she didn't know why she kept on worrying. She was forgetting about Rinoa. Thank Hyne for Rinoa! After the call, Squall was prepared to send out a search party but Rinoa said there was no need for it. What Selphie wouldn't give to have the ability to search for people with your mind. Imagine that!
No, Selphie's main problem now was just making sure that the junior classmen didn't rough up the Quad too much with their games. Already they had thrown chunks of the melting ice sculptures at each other. Selphie had to put down her foot at that.
Fingering the streamer, Selphie smiled. One way or another Quistis would return. It was only a matter of time. Once Rinoa had "found" Quistis, Irvine and Zell were sent personally to retrieve her. Rinoa reassured the group that from the patterns of her energy flow, Quistis wasn't harmed in any way. Selphie shook her head, she didn't really understand all of it but she was comforted.
Getting up from the couch and grabbing a push pin, Selphie reflected that although Rinoa said that Quistis wasn't in trouble, Selphie detected a slight frown on Rinoa's features. Selphie shrugged and continued on with her work, perhaps she had imagined it. Besides, if something was really wrong with Quistis, Rinoa would let everyone know...right?
~~~~
'Dollet'
Heavy booted feet drug their way through the cobble stoned streets of Dollet. Seifer's face was pensive, yet thoughtful. Catching the sight of a bench and a telephone booth nearby, Seifer plopped down on the bench.
It wasn't that he didn't know what to say, Seifer always had something to say about any given situation. No, when Seifer called Squall and told him what had happened to Quistis, he wanted it to be a memorable conversation. No mistakes. In fact, Seifer wanted what he had to say to hit the scum back at Garden where it hurt. He knew how much the pansies cared for each other, and he was going to use it against them.
It was going to be glorious! His final revenge upon the unsuspecting Garden! How he loved it! He had already achieved the hardest task and that was having Quistis trust him. Too bad for her she wasn't suspicious long enough to delay his trap.
Seifer smirked and mentally patted himself on the back. He was a genius, through and through.
Finding her suitcase back at the hotel in Deling was entirely too convenient. Seifer really hadn't planned any of that to happen. Instead, everything just happened to fall in place. The first time anything in his life had happened that way, Seifer mused.
Seifer didn't have any qualms anymore about a life of crime. What else was he supposed to do? Get a job? That in itself was a laugh considering that just about everyone recognized who he was and what he was responsible for. The person that hired him would have to be blind, or utterly deranged. He knew what his life would be even after Fujin and Rajin left him. He was wanderer, not quite fit to be a part of the world.
But, no matter. He was finally winning and getting his own! Now, back to his speech that he would deliver to puberty boy. Seifer grinned just trying to imagine Squall's reaction. The phone could wait, he still had more thinking to do. Getting up from the bench Seifer slowly meandered his way back up to the hotel. It was time to visit the damsel in distress again.
~~~~
A damsel in distress no longer! Quistis smiled to herself in triumph as the ropes that were previously tied to her slipped down to the floor. Although her wrists were a bit bruised from her struggles, she had managed to loosen the stubborn knots. Freedom at last!
Not wasting any time, Quistis snatched her whip up from the desk and glanced out the window. The street below was empty and there was no sign of Seifer. It wouldn't be safe to go out the front door, she decided.
Unlocking the window and pulling back the panel, Quistis prepared to hoist herself up and onto the outside ledge. Looking for a quick escape route, Quistis spotted a lone dumpster positioned on the side of the hotel wall. It would have to do.
"Yay, for two story buildings," Quistis grumbled to herself. Before she could get her foot on the ledge, Quistis heard sharp footsteps approaching the outside door.
Seifer! Quistis's eyes widened in fear as the footsteps came closer and finally stopped outside the door. Berating herself for just standing there, Quistis quickly slid through the window and placed her feet on the edge. Move, Quistis, move, she screamed mentally to herself.
The sound of a doorknob turning thundered in her ear. Just one more step and then I'll be out of sight, she thought to herself. Just as the door swung open, Quistis cautiously took another step on the narrow ledge and clutched the wall. Adrenaline pumped through her veins as she struggled to calm her rapid breathing. That was too close, she decided. And it wasn't over yet.
"QUISTIS!!!" Seifer's enraged yell echoed throughout the neighborhood and filled her ears. Quistis winced at the sound. A frightened bird that was perched on the roof directly above Quistis squawked in surprise and lifted it's wings to fly.
But not before it left a little present on top of Quistis's head.
Forgetting herself and her position momentarily Quistis responded to her present, "Aww, shi-!" Clamping her hand down before she could finish Quistis glanced to her left back at the edge of the window sill. She didn't even want to touch the top of her head. Damn Seifer and the bird.
Sure enough, Seifer's head popped out and his eyes focused on her form. Immediately, he began to climb through the window and out onto the ledge. Not waiting for him to get any closer, Quistis precariously inched her way across the ledge. She had to get to the dumpster!
Without any hesitation, Quistis jumped down from the ledge several feet onto the dumpster. Her breath slightly knocked out from the impact, Quistis unsteadily climbed down to the street. Her vision was partially clouded in black, but Quistis was determined not to get caught.
Running as fast as her boots and skirt would allow her, Quistis sprinted down the street searching for a place to hide. If all else failed, she would fight him. The sound of Seifer jumping onto the dumpster and pounding steps behind her fueled her legs to go faster.
Down the streets she ran, sometimes running into pedestrians in her haste to lose her captor. It was difficult for her to see through the darkness that obstructed her vision. With every step she took, it only seemed to get worse. Gritting her teeth, Quistis continued despite the familiar haze that settled over her.
Through the spots of black Quistis made out the beach and distant ocean before her. So consumed was she to running towards the ocean, Quistis didn't notice the stairway leading down to the sand. With a jolt, Quistis slipped off the first stair and painfully hit the ground and rolled down the rest.
When she finally stopped her agonizing descent to the beach, Quistis groggily looked up from the sand. She beheld the most wondrous sight she would ever see.
One form knelt down by her and gently lifted her into their arms. The second form casually loaded a bullet into his rifle and aimed it at an approaching figure.
"I'd back away if I was you, Almasy," The second figure spoke with a southern drawl and Quistis lazily grinned at the sound of it.
Strong arms enfolded around her and a slightly boyish voice fell softly upon her ears, "Don't worry, Quisty. Everything will be all right."
Quistis sighed in relief and laughed when Zell asked, "Uhh Quistis, what is that in you hair?" Only Zell would ask a question like that in a tense situation.
A low growl issued forth from the third figure. A blinding object was lifted and pointed at Quistis's general direction. "She's mine! Don't forget that you aren't the only one with a gun here, Kinneas. If you don't give me Quistis right now I'll blow off Chicken Wuss's head."
A silence met Seifer's demand and Zell's hold on Quistis tightened. The ominous click of a safety being turned off resounded in the air. A tense atmosphere surrounded the four.
Seifer's angry voice once again filled the air, "Let's see Kinneas, you have only one shot. Hyperion is capable of several. I wouldn't mind blowing of your head as well. Do what I say!"
"No way, Seifer! I don't know what you want with Quistis-" Zell's tirade was cut short as Quistis struggled out of his arms and to her wobbly feet.
Zell drug her back into his arms and hissed in her ear, "What are you doing?"
Quistis snapped her head to look up at her friend. Through her clouded vision she could make out his troubled eyes searching her own. Her friends had come to save her and here she was going to go back to the one who had caused the trouble in the first place.
"I can't have him hurting you guys over me. I won't allow it," With the last of her strength Quistis staggered over to where Seifer's blurring form stood. With lightening reflexes Seifer snatched Quistis into his arms and held her against his chest.
"You see, she wants to come back to me! Just try shooting Kinneas, and you'll hurt your pretty little friend here."
Irvine cursed in response and Zell clenched his fists and leapt after Seifer with a yell. With a valiant cry Zell shouted, "We're not giving her up without a fight!" Sand flew from Zell's thundering feet as he assumed an attack position.
A shot rang out as Zell's charge was cut short and Seifer's laugh cut through the air.
Ohh, I know, I'm oh so evil. To top it off I'm not going to be able to write for another two weeks. Sorry guys! Hopefully I'll be able to find a computer somewhere. Are you liking how the story is turning out? Thank you for reading everyone!
**Please review and tell me what you think if you've got the time. :D**
LUV Kuri!
Author: Kuri Tessy
Feedback: Yes, please!
Pairings: Quistis/Seifer
Rating: PG/PG-13
Warnings: Angst and Death
Disclaimer: FF8, characters, and other nice things don't belong to me. It's
sad, but true.
Notes: In Japanese class I watched a video on Sadako Sasaki and the story of the one thousand paper cranes. I was touched by the video's message and got the idea of writing a fanfiction piece about it.
My Thanks: I looked at my last chapter and was disgusted at the shortness of it. Honestly, I have to give you all more. Besides, I have a lot of ideas swirling around in my head and I have to let them out. (At the pace that I'm going w/ the plot I can tell this is going to be a story with a lot of chapters.) I appreciate everyone who has reviewed! I love you all for your support! I hope that you like where I'm going with this. If you don't..feel free to tell me. I'll be gone for a couple of weeks, so there won't be a lot of updates. Heh, what's new right? Anyways, enjoy!
Thousand Cranes, Chapter Eight!
'Balamb Garden, Quad'
Selphie watched as a streamer slowly fell from it's perch upon the wall. It lazily floated down and then rested upon the tile floor. Selphie pouted at the stationary piece of paper. It had taken her so long to plan for Quistis's party, and now everything was falling apart because of her late absence.
Selphie wasn't really angry, no not at all. Selphie wasn't the type of girl to be upset with a friend, let alone Quistis. Selphie forlornly glanced at her surroundings. She had worked so hard to get it just perfect! From the streamers, to the multicolored balloons, and even previously melted ice sculptures, Selphie had thought she had outdone herself.
But, Quistis hadn't communicated back with Garden. Not too upsetting, missions did get delayed after all. With that thought Selphie pouted even more and slumped down into a nearby couch. The thing was that Quistis's "mission" wasn't even a mission! The whole Zone and Watts thing was just a ploy to get stuffy uptight Quistis out of the Garden. Hyne knows that if it wasn't for her friends, Quistis would have completely forgotten about her own birthday.
The call from Zone and Watts two days later from when Quistis had left on the train was what caused them all to start worrying. She hadn't arrived at her destination, for one reason or another. Selphie rung her hands, she wasn't stupid, she knew how the world community was still in chaos after the second Sorceress War. Being a Seed didn't necessarily mean that you could defend yourself from everything.
Selphie hit herself on the forehead, she didn't know why she kept on worrying. She was forgetting about Rinoa. Thank Hyne for Rinoa! After the call, Squall was prepared to send out a search party but Rinoa said there was no need for it. What Selphie wouldn't give to have the ability to search for people with your mind. Imagine that!
No, Selphie's main problem now was just making sure that the junior classmen didn't rough up the Quad too much with their games. Already they had thrown chunks of the melting ice sculptures at each other. Selphie had to put down her foot at that.
Fingering the streamer, Selphie smiled. One way or another Quistis would return. It was only a matter of time. Once Rinoa had "found" Quistis, Irvine and Zell were sent personally to retrieve her. Rinoa reassured the group that from the patterns of her energy flow, Quistis wasn't harmed in any way. Selphie shook her head, she didn't really understand all of it but she was comforted.
Getting up from the couch and grabbing a push pin, Selphie reflected that although Rinoa said that Quistis wasn't in trouble, Selphie detected a slight frown on Rinoa's features. Selphie shrugged and continued on with her work, perhaps she had imagined it. Besides, if something was really wrong with Quistis, Rinoa would let everyone know...right?
~~~~
'Dollet'
Heavy booted feet drug their way through the cobble stoned streets of Dollet. Seifer's face was pensive, yet thoughtful. Catching the sight of a bench and a telephone booth nearby, Seifer plopped down on the bench.
It wasn't that he didn't know what to say, Seifer always had something to say about any given situation. No, when Seifer called Squall and told him what had happened to Quistis, he wanted it to be a memorable conversation. No mistakes. In fact, Seifer wanted what he had to say to hit the scum back at Garden where it hurt. He knew how much the pansies cared for each other, and he was going to use it against them.
It was going to be glorious! His final revenge upon the unsuspecting Garden! How he loved it! He had already achieved the hardest task and that was having Quistis trust him. Too bad for her she wasn't suspicious long enough to delay his trap.
Seifer smirked and mentally patted himself on the back. He was a genius, through and through.
Finding her suitcase back at the hotel in Deling was entirely too convenient. Seifer really hadn't planned any of that to happen. Instead, everything just happened to fall in place. The first time anything in his life had happened that way, Seifer mused.
Seifer didn't have any qualms anymore about a life of crime. What else was he supposed to do? Get a job? That in itself was a laugh considering that just about everyone recognized who he was and what he was responsible for. The person that hired him would have to be blind, or utterly deranged. He knew what his life would be even after Fujin and Rajin left him. He was wanderer, not quite fit to be a part of the world.
But, no matter. He was finally winning and getting his own! Now, back to his speech that he would deliver to puberty boy. Seifer grinned just trying to imagine Squall's reaction. The phone could wait, he still had more thinking to do. Getting up from the bench Seifer slowly meandered his way back up to the hotel. It was time to visit the damsel in distress again.
~~~~
A damsel in distress no longer! Quistis smiled to herself in triumph as the ropes that were previously tied to her slipped down to the floor. Although her wrists were a bit bruised from her struggles, she had managed to loosen the stubborn knots. Freedom at last!
Not wasting any time, Quistis snatched her whip up from the desk and glanced out the window. The street below was empty and there was no sign of Seifer. It wouldn't be safe to go out the front door, she decided.
Unlocking the window and pulling back the panel, Quistis prepared to hoist herself up and onto the outside ledge. Looking for a quick escape route, Quistis spotted a lone dumpster positioned on the side of the hotel wall. It would have to do.
"Yay, for two story buildings," Quistis grumbled to herself. Before she could get her foot on the ledge, Quistis heard sharp footsteps approaching the outside door.
Seifer! Quistis's eyes widened in fear as the footsteps came closer and finally stopped outside the door. Berating herself for just standing there, Quistis quickly slid through the window and placed her feet on the edge. Move, Quistis, move, she screamed mentally to herself.
The sound of a doorknob turning thundered in her ear. Just one more step and then I'll be out of sight, she thought to herself. Just as the door swung open, Quistis cautiously took another step on the narrow ledge and clutched the wall. Adrenaline pumped through her veins as she struggled to calm her rapid breathing. That was too close, she decided. And it wasn't over yet.
"QUISTIS!!!" Seifer's enraged yell echoed throughout the neighborhood and filled her ears. Quistis winced at the sound. A frightened bird that was perched on the roof directly above Quistis squawked in surprise and lifted it's wings to fly.
But not before it left a little present on top of Quistis's head.
Forgetting herself and her position momentarily Quistis responded to her present, "Aww, shi-!" Clamping her hand down before she could finish Quistis glanced to her left back at the edge of the window sill. She didn't even want to touch the top of her head. Damn Seifer and the bird.
Sure enough, Seifer's head popped out and his eyes focused on her form. Immediately, he began to climb through the window and out onto the ledge. Not waiting for him to get any closer, Quistis precariously inched her way across the ledge. She had to get to the dumpster!
Without any hesitation, Quistis jumped down from the ledge several feet onto the dumpster. Her breath slightly knocked out from the impact, Quistis unsteadily climbed down to the street. Her vision was partially clouded in black, but Quistis was determined not to get caught.
Running as fast as her boots and skirt would allow her, Quistis sprinted down the street searching for a place to hide. If all else failed, she would fight him. The sound of Seifer jumping onto the dumpster and pounding steps behind her fueled her legs to go faster.
Down the streets she ran, sometimes running into pedestrians in her haste to lose her captor. It was difficult for her to see through the darkness that obstructed her vision. With every step she took, it only seemed to get worse. Gritting her teeth, Quistis continued despite the familiar haze that settled over her.
Through the spots of black Quistis made out the beach and distant ocean before her. So consumed was she to running towards the ocean, Quistis didn't notice the stairway leading down to the sand. With a jolt, Quistis slipped off the first stair and painfully hit the ground and rolled down the rest.
When she finally stopped her agonizing descent to the beach, Quistis groggily looked up from the sand. She beheld the most wondrous sight she would ever see.
One form knelt down by her and gently lifted her into their arms. The second form casually loaded a bullet into his rifle and aimed it at an approaching figure.
"I'd back away if I was you, Almasy," The second figure spoke with a southern drawl and Quistis lazily grinned at the sound of it.
Strong arms enfolded around her and a slightly boyish voice fell softly upon her ears, "Don't worry, Quisty. Everything will be all right."
Quistis sighed in relief and laughed when Zell asked, "Uhh Quistis, what is that in you hair?" Only Zell would ask a question like that in a tense situation.
A low growl issued forth from the third figure. A blinding object was lifted and pointed at Quistis's general direction. "She's mine! Don't forget that you aren't the only one with a gun here, Kinneas. If you don't give me Quistis right now I'll blow off Chicken Wuss's head."
A silence met Seifer's demand and Zell's hold on Quistis tightened. The ominous click of a safety being turned off resounded in the air. A tense atmosphere surrounded the four.
Seifer's angry voice once again filled the air, "Let's see Kinneas, you have only one shot. Hyperion is capable of several. I wouldn't mind blowing of your head as well. Do what I say!"
"No way, Seifer! I don't know what you want with Quistis-" Zell's tirade was cut short as Quistis struggled out of his arms and to her wobbly feet.
Zell drug her back into his arms and hissed in her ear, "What are you doing?"
Quistis snapped her head to look up at her friend. Through her clouded vision she could make out his troubled eyes searching her own. Her friends had come to save her and here she was going to go back to the one who had caused the trouble in the first place.
"I can't have him hurting you guys over me. I won't allow it," With the last of her strength Quistis staggered over to where Seifer's blurring form stood. With lightening reflexes Seifer snatched Quistis into his arms and held her against his chest.
"You see, she wants to come back to me! Just try shooting Kinneas, and you'll hurt your pretty little friend here."
Irvine cursed in response and Zell clenched his fists and leapt after Seifer with a yell. With a valiant cry Zell shouted, "We're not giving her up without a fight!" Sand flew from Zell's thundering feet as he assumed an attack position.
A shot rang out as Zell's charge was cut short and Seifer's laugh cut through the air.
Ohh, I know, I'm oh so evil. To top it off I'm not going to be able to write for another two weeks. Sorry guys! Hopefully I'll be able to find a computer somewhere. Are you liking how the story is turning out? Thank you for reading everyone!
**Please review and tell me what you think if you've got the time. :D**
LUV Kuri!