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: Well, it's been a couple of months....or maybe just more than one month. Ah, I give up! I can't keep track of time during the summer. After chapter eight I had run into a dilemma with my writing. I had absolutely no clue as to where to go. However, some of my imagination has returned to me (thank goodness) and I'm ready to continue! I want to thank everyone who reviewed! You're all so kind and I appreciate every single thing you have to say. And it doesn't hurt if you keep reviewing. ^-^ Here we go...
Let's see, we had previously left off with...
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.
Chapter Nine, The Foolishness Is Over
Zell's cry of anguish broke through the stunned silence that had fallen after the echoing of the gun shot. Quistis watched in horror as her childhood friend slumped to the ground as if he was a puppet with his strings instantly cut.
A sickening dread consumed Quistis as she replayed the image in her mind again and again. The blackness that had tugged at the edge of her vision heightened with the daze that settled over her. The sound of the crashing waves roared, almost as if in anguish, cutting through her shock. Rage and fury soon replaced the stupor that had befallen her and Quistis used it to yank herself away from Seifer's embrace.
Seifer's eyes had a look of intense satisfaction and Quistis reeled at the sight of it. Winding her arm back Quistis slammed her fist into his face with a force she didn't know she possessed. Seifer grimaced but quickly recovered from her assault. But Quistis didn't waste time as she quickly latched her hand onto his trench coat and started shaking him like a madwoman.
Seifer, disturbed and annoyed by Quistis's change of attitude nonchalantly hit her on the side of the head. Quistis's form crumbled to the sand as she was knocked unconscious.
He sneered as one of the two forms laying on the ground struggled to stand. "Well, aren't you lucky that I didn't intentionally aim for your head? Consider my first shot a warning."
Zell groaned as he clutched his wounded leg, the bullet had been embedded far into his quad muscle. Irvine rushed over to his side and slung Zell's arm around his shoulder for support.
Irvine, troubled by how the situation had turned towards Seifer's favor spat out a question in his frustration, "Seifer, just what in Hyne's name do you think you're doing?"
Seifer shrugged at the inquiry. "Just having a little payback, that's all. Now, excuse me boys, but the pretty lady and I are going on a vacation. Do yourselves each a favor and don't follow us, I wouldn't mind firing another one of my bullets into your pathetic hides."
Seifer lifted Hyperion slightly in the air as a warning to back up his bold statement. Irvine gritted his teeth as he watched Seifer roughly lift Quistis up from the ground and hold her in front of him.
'That bastard! I can't get a shot in with him holding Quistis!' Irvine thought as he was forced to watch his friend being used as a shield.
Seifer glanced back at the city of Dollet. It wouldn't take long for Zell to completely heal himself and for the two to track him down. Taking the train would be too risky he decided.
'Now, how exactly did they travel to Dollet then?' Seifer pondered as he swept his eyes over the rugged landscape.
The familiar sight of a Balamb mission boat filled his vision and Seifer grinned in triumph. 'That's how!'
Racing backwards towards the water while still facing Zell and Irvine (just in case they did try to attack him) Seifer ran past the open latch and into the vehicle.
Angry shouts filled the air as Irvine sprinted towards the boat after their quarry and Zell attempted to hobble towards it.
Seifer deposited Quistis on the cold, metal floor and searched for the latch to close the door. Irvine cried out in desperation as he helplessly watched the boat slide away from shore.
Zell reached his companion's side, gasping from the pain radiating from his leg, as he too watched the boat's departure. The air sang and was filled with the cleansing sensation of healing magic. Zell signed in relief as his ruptured veins and torn arteries were repaired by the curaga.
Irvine yanked his hat of his head and turned towards Zell. "I need you to contact Squall and update him on Quistis's position."
Zell's face fell when he heard this. Squall was not going to be pleased with what have happened, and it was just one more reminder of their failure. Not only had they failed their mission, but Quistis as well.
During Zell's musings Irvine had already started to head up the beach back to Dollet. Zell signed in resignation and jogged to catch up with his partner's pace. Zell thanked Hyne for curagas as he wouldn't have normally been able to walk, let alone jog.
"So then, what are you going to do while I call Squall?"
Irvine's usual laid-back attitude was completely replaced by a fierce, determined exterior. Irvine shouldered his sniper rifle and answered, "We had previous orders to retrieve Quistis and return her to Balamb. I have every intention to do just that."
Zell stopped walking abruptly and threw his hands in the air, "How do you expect to do that, huh? We don't have a boat, Seifer just stole ours!"
Irvine rolled his eyes at Zell's outburst, but Zell continued undauntedly, "And even by the time we did find another boat, they'd be long gone!"
Irvine shrugged and increased his pace, "Then I'll just have to work fast."
Zell shook his head. He wanted to find Quistis just as much as Irvine did, hell, she was a part of the group. All of the group had stuck around for each other, through thick and thin. This wasn't going to be any different.
However, the situation was slightly complicated. Zell mused to himself that it was one thing to be confronting an enemy that only knew you as a Seed. They all had experience with that type of situation. Usually, you dealt with it as professionals. But, they were dealing with Seifer. A slightly insane Seifer, on top of that.
It had turned personal and things could get slightly messy.
Seifer was no force to be reckoned with, and Zell knew that for a fact. Seifer had an advantage, more so than just any other regular kidnapper. Seifer knew each and everyone of their strengths...and weaknesses. Seifer knew how to strike within the group, because he had done in before, multiple times.
To sum it up, Seifer was ruthlessly cunning. Looking back, Zell realized that all of their fights against him when he was the Sorceress's Knight were as a group. Three against one were good odds for going up against Seifer. Zell knew that one on one...it might be a different story. Thus, he feared for Irvine's sake on top of Quistis's well being.
Zell shook his head, he knew what he had to do. Irvine couldn't face Seifer alone, that is if Irvine was even able to find Seifer at this point. The great expanse of the ocean was the perfect place for Seifer to flee to. It would be more than difficult to locate him if he got too much of a head start. For all of Irvine's bravado, he would need some backup.
Racing down the cobblestone streets of the sleepy town of Dollet, Zell burst into a sidewalk café, startling the customers. Spotting a telephone and not bothering to ask if he could use it, Zell tapped in the direct line to Balamb.
Xu's monotone voice picked up, "Balamb Garden, this is Xu."
Zell gritted his teeth, he was running out of time, "Xu, this is Zell. Get me Squall and fast, we have an emergency!"
Location: Balamb Garden
Squall was currently gripping the back of the chair Selphie was seated in. While Selphie was preparing the Ragnarok with an unusual urgency not usually seen from her, Squall was desperately trying not to bark at her to hurry up.
Squall's usual blank mask had slipped ever since Zell had explained Quistis's situation, and Irvine's renegade mission to rescue Quistis on his own. He was slightly amazed at how quickly a simple mission could turn into a monstrosity of a problem. Then again, Squall reflected, Seifer was in the middle of this mess, which would explain a few things.
When Zell had told Squall that Seifer had kidnaped Quistis Squall found that he wasn't all that surprised. He had never trusted Seifer, even more so during the recent Sorceress conflict. After Seifer had thrown Rinoa to Adel, the Squall's opinion of Seifer had gone from bad to worse. This current situation only enhanced Squall's misgivings of Seifer's character.
Seifer's actions were desperate and actually following a pattern of history. No, Squall wasn't surprised and he wasn't going to show mercy this time. One of Garden's most valuable Seeds was captured, and furthermore, his friend. Whether Squall admitted it to himself or any other or not, he valued Quistis's opinion as a comrade and as a person. His days of giving her the cold shoulder were pretty much extinguished once they had both completely grown up after the war.
A comforting hand was placed on his tense shoulder and warm brown eyes filled his vision. Rinoa would not be deterred by Squall's instance for her to remain at Balamb. The image of Rinoa being forcefully handled by Seifer still burned in Squall's mind. She had stubbornly refused, pointing out that Quistis was her friend too and as such she would help in every way possible to get her back.
"We will get her back, don't worry Squall," Her soft voice helped to slightly ease the tension that was building in his body.
Squall gave her a curt nod, appreciative of her presence, and returned his attention to Selphie. As if sensing his growing impatience, Selphie gave him a quick thumps up and the Ragnarok was skillfully raised into the air.
Rinoa gave Squall's arm a slight tug, leading him over to one of the chairs. She sat in one across from him and quickly closed her eyes. To a normal person, it would appear that she was attempting to fall asleep. Squall knew better as he felt the waves of her summoned power start to radiate off of her.
Rinoa's brow was furrowed in concentration as she tried to hone in on Quistis's energy signature. It was difficult because for some reason it had dropped since she had last tried to locate her. A sinking feeling crept into Rinoa's mind as she also detected something off about Quistis.
As a sorceress she was able to "scan" people, detect their power and their overall being. Whether this was a defense against possible enemies or an aid to help find a successor, Rinoa didn't know, but she didn't question her abilities.
Whatever was wrong with Quistis only left a nagging sensation in her mind. It wasn't to prevalent, but still there nonetheless. Rinoa frowned, but tucked the feeling away until another time when it could be dealt with. Right now, she needed to guide Selphie in the right direction to Quistis.
They quickly passed over land and flew above the ocean. The waves looked like nothing more than broken ripples at the height they were soaring at. Squall's gaze burned as his eyes drank in the blue of the ocean. 'Quistis, hold on. We're coming.'
Kuri here. Well, I was debating whether or not to leave it off at that, but I suppose it will do. I am very happy to announce that I have the entire plot finally laid out...so no more writer's block for me! Whoo, I kicked that bad thing out of the way. I just realized that my type of writing is kinda of short and spastic. I only divulge small chunks of the story...and I realize that's slightly annoying. I'll try to get better and start writing more out in my chapters. I'd love it ya'll reviewed! I really do appreciate all of your comments! Whether good or bad.
Not to single you out, jeangab057, but you had asked what the thing on Quistis's head was and I'd just like to answer your question. Quistis doesn't actually have anything on her head. But, she's developing a condition that's affecting her health...I won't tell you more cause it will be revealed later what's going on. Sorry I couldn't tell you more. :D But, thank you for your question.
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: Well, it's been a couple of months....or maybe just more than one month. Ah, I give up! I can't keep track of time during the summer. After chapter eight I had run into a dilemma with my writing. I had absolutely no clue as to where to go. However, some of my imagination has returned to me (thank goodness) and I'm ready to continue! I want to thank everyone who reviewed! You're all so kind and I appreciate every single thing you have to say. And it doesn't hurt if you keep reviewing. ^-^ Here we go...
Let's see, we had previously left off with...
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.
Chapter Nine, The Foolishness Is Over
Zell's cry of anguish broke through the stunned silence that had fallen after the echoing of the gun shot. Quistis watched in horror as her childhood friend slumped to the ground as if he was a puppet with his strings instantly cut.
A sickening dread consumed Quistis as she replayed the image in her mind again and again. The blackness that had tugged at the edge of her vision heightened with the daze that settled over her. The sound of the crashing waves roared, almost as if in anguish, cutting through her shock. Rage and fury soon replaced the stupor that had befallen her and Quistis used it to yank herself away from Seifer's embrace.
Seifer's eyes had a look of intense satisfaction and Quistis reeled at the sight of it. Winding her arm back Quistis slammed her fist into his face with a force she didn't know she possessed. Seifer grimaced but quickly recovered from her assault. But Quistis didn't waste time as she quickly latched her hand onto his trench coat and started shaking him like a madwoman.
Seifer, disturbed and annoyed by Quistis's change of attitude nonchalantly hit her on the side of the head. Quistis's form crumbled to the sand as she was knocked unconscious.
He sneered as one of the two forms laying on the ground struggled to stand. "Well, aren't you lucky that I didn't intentionally aim for your head? Consider my first shot a warning."
Zell groaned as he clutched his wounded leg, the bullet had been embedded far into his quad muscle. Irvine rushed over to his side and slung Zell's arm around his shoulder for support.
Irvine, troubled by how the situation had turned towards Seifer's favor spat out a question in his frustration, "Seifer, just what in Hyne's name do you think you're doing?"
Seifer shrugged at the inquiry. "Just having a little payback, that's all. Now, excuse me boys, but the pretty lady and I are going on a vacation. Do yourselves each a favor and don't follow us, I wouldn't mind firing another one of my bullets into your pathetic hides."
Seifer lifted Hyperion slightly in the air as a warning to back up his bold statement. Irvine gritted his teeth as he watched Seifer roughly lift Quistis up from the ground and hold her in front of him.
'That bastard! I can't get a shot in with him holding Quistis!' Irvine thought as he was forced to watch his friend being used as a shield.
Seifer glanced back at the city of Dollet. It wouldn't take long for Zell to completely heal himself and for the two to track him down. Taking the train would be too risky he decided.
'Now, how exactly did they travel to Dollet then?' Seifer pondered as he swept his eyes over the rugged landscape.
The familiar sight of a Balamb mission boat filled his vision and Seifer grinned in triumph. 'That's how!'
Racing backwards towards the water while still facing Zell and Irvine (just in case they did try to attack him) Seifer ran past the open latch and into the vehicle.
Angry shouts filled the air as Irvine sprinted towards the boat after their quarry and Zell attempted to hobble towards it.
Seifer deposited Quistis on the cold, metal floor and searched for the latch to close the door. Irvine cried out in desperation as he helplessly watched the boat slide away from shore.
Zell reached his companion's side, gasping from the pain radiating from his leg, as he too watched the boat's departure. The air sang and was filled with the cleansing sensation of healing magic. Zell signed in relief as his ruptured veins and torn arteries were repaired by the curaga.
Irvine yanked his hat of his head and turned towards Zell. "I need you to contact Squall and update him on Quistis's position."
Zell's face fell when he heard this. Squall was not going to be pleased with what have happened, and it was just one more reminder of their failure. Not only had they failed their mission, but Quistis as well.
During Zell's musings Irvine had already started to head up the beach back to Dollet. Zell signed in resignation and jogged to catch up with his partner's pace. Zell thanked Hyne for curagas as he wouldn't have normally been able to walk, let alone jog.
"So then, what are you going to do while I call Squall?"
Irvine's usual laid-back attitude was completely replaced by a fierce, determined exterior. Irvine shouldered his sniper rifle and answered, "We had previous orders to retrieve Quistis and return her to Balamb. I have every intention to do just that."
Zell stopped walking abruptly and threw his hands in the air, "How do you expect to do that, huh? We don't have a boat, Seifer just stole ours!"
Irvine rolled his eyes at Zell's outburst, but Zell continued undauntedly, "And even by the time we did find another boat, they'd be long gone!"
Irvine shrugged and increased his pace, "Then I'll just have to work fast."
Zell shook his head. He wanted to find Quistis just as much as Irvine did, hell, she was a part of the group. All of the group had stuck around for each other, through thick and thin. This wasn't going to be any different.
However, the situation was slightly complicated. Zell mused to himself that it was one thing to be confronting an enemy that only knew you as a Seed. They all had experience with that type of situation. Usually, you dealt with it as professionals. But, they were dealing with Seifer. A slightly insane Seifer, on top of that.
It had turned personal and things could get slightly messy.
Seifer was no force to be reckoned with, and Zell knew that for a fact. Seifer had an advantage, more so than just any other regular kidnapper. Seifer knew each and everyone of their strengths...and weaknesses. Seifer knew how to strike within the group, because he had done in before, multiple times.
To sum it up, Seifer was ruthlessly cunning. Looking back, Zell realized that all of their fights against him when he was the Sorceress's Knight were as a group. Three against one were good odds for going up against Seifer. Zell knew that one on one...it might be a different story. Thus, he feared for Irvine's sake on top of Quistis's well being.
Zell shook his head, he knew what he had to do. Irvine couldn't face Seifer alone, that is if Irvine was even able to find Seifer at this point. The great expanse of the ocean was the perfect place for Seifer to flee to. It would be more than difficult to locate him if he got too much of a head start. For all of Irvine's bravado, he would need some backup.
Racing down the cobblestone streets of the sleepy town of Dollet, Zell burst into a sidewalk café, startling the customers. Spotting a telephone and not bothering to ask if he could use it, Zell tapped in the direct line to Balamb.
Xu's monotone voice picked up, "Balamb Garden, this is Xu."
Zell gritted his teeth, he was running out of time, "Xu, this is Zell. Get me Squall and fast, we have an emergency!"
Location: Balamb Garden
Squall was currently gripping the back of the chair Selphie was seated in. While Selphie was preparing the Ragnarok with an unusual urgency not usually seen from her, Squall was desperately trying not to bark at her to hurry up.
Squall's usual blank mask had slipped ever since Zell had explained Quistis's situation, and Irvine's renegade mission to rescue Quistis on his own. He was slightly amazed at how quickly a simple mission could turn into a monstrosity of a problem. Then again, Squall reflected, Seifer was in the middle of this mess, which would explain a few things.
When Zell had told Squall that Seifer had kidnaped Quistis Squall found that he wasn't all that surprised. He had never trusted Seifer, even more so during the recent Sorceress conflict. After Seifer had thrown Rinoa to Adel, the Squall's opinion of Seifer had gone from bad to worse. This current situation only enhanced Squall's misgivings of Seifer's character.
Seifer's actions were desperate and actually following a pattern of history. No, Squall wasn't surprised and he wasn't going to show mercy this time. One of Garden's most valuable Seeds was captured, and furthermore, his friend. Whether Squall admitted it to himself or any other or not, he valued Quistis's opinion as a comrade and as a person. His days of giving her the cold shoulder were pretty much extinguished once they had both completely grown up after the war.
A comforting hand was placed on his tense shoulder and warm brown eyes filled his vision. Rinoa would not be deterred by Squall's instance for her to remain at Balamb. The image of Rinoa being forcefully handled by Seifer still burned in Squall's mind. She had stubbornly refused, pointing out that Quistis was her friend too and as such she would help in every way possible to get her back.
"We will get her back, don't worry Squall," Her soft voice helped to slightly ease the tension that was building in his body.
Squall gave her a curt nod, appreciative of her presence, and returned his attention to Selphie. As if sensing his growing impatience, Selphie gave him a quick thumps up and the Ragnarok was skillfully raised into the air.
Rinoa gave Squall's arm a slight tug, leading him over to one of the chairs. She sat in one across from him and quickly closed her eyes. To a normal person, it would appear that she was attempting to fall asleep. Squall knew better as he felt the waves of her summoned power start to radiate off of her.
Rinoa's brow was furrowed in concentration as she tried to hone in on Quistis's energy signature. It was difficult because for some reason it had dropped since she had last tried to locate her. A sinking feeling crept into Rinoa's mind as she also detected something off about Quistis.
As a sorceress she was able to "scan" people, detect their power and their overall being. Whether this was a defense against possible enemies or an aid to help find a successor, Rinoa didn't know, but she didn't question her abilities.
Whatever was wrong with Quistis only left a nagging sensation in her mind. It wasn't to prevalent, but still there nonetheless. Rinoa frowned, but tucked the feeling away until another time when it could be dealt with. Right now, she needed to guide Selphie in the right direction to Quistis.
They quickly passed over land and flew above the ocean. The waves looked like nothing more than broken ripples at the height they were soaring at. Squall's gaze burned as his eyes drank in the blue of the ocean. 'Quistis, hold on. We're coming.'
Kuri here. Well, I was debating whether or not to leave it off at that, but I suppose it will do. I am very happy to announce that I have the entire plot finally laid out...so no more writer's block for me! Whoo, I kicked that bad thing out of the way. I just realized that my type of writing is kinda of short and spastic. I only divulge small chunks of the story...and I realize that's slightly annoying. I'll try to get better and start writing more out in my chapters. I'd love it ya'll reviewed! I really do appreciate all of your comments! Whether good or bad.
Not to single you out, jeangab057, but you had asked what the thing on Quistis's head was and I'd just like to answer your question. Quistis doesn't actually have anything on her head. But, she's developing a condition that's affecting her health...I won't tell you more cause it will be revealed later what's going on. Sorry I couldn't tell you more. :D But, thank you for your question.