Title: Thousand Cranes
Author: Kuri Tessy
Feedback: Yes, please!
Pairings: Quistis/Seifer
Rating: PG
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.
Shout outs: I want to give a BIG BIG BIG thank you to Verdanii! Wow, I've never had someone review my story so much in that amount of time. You're such a sweetie! I of course can't leave out everyone else that reviewed my story including BePoPsGiRl88, jeangab057 (and don't worry, I have problems reading w/ my bad eyesight too ^_^), Quistis88, frost, Kei Ayame, and Mystic_Moon_Empress. You all rock my world! Thank you again! Oh, and BePoPsGiRl88, thanx for your review, helped increased my motivation!
So here we go, hopefully we're going to get into some more Seifer and Quistis action here, if you know what I mean everyone. :D Heh.
Chapter Ten, Do You Know the Way?
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The uncomfortable feeling of lying upon a hard surface for several hours stuck with Quistis even after she had come to. She hadn't asked where she was, she knew all to well that she was in a Balamb Seed boat, and a stolen one at that.
Quistis had deduced fairly quickly what the situation was and groaned. She was in Seifer's hostile custody, once again, despite her previous best efforts to escape.
But what could be done? Quistis gave herself a mental assessment. Her head was pounding, the headache like a dragon constantly scratching at the fringes of her mind.
It took all of her control not to just break down again and submit to her body's will. Oh how she wanted to sleep and let it all go. One moment would be all that she needed. Only one.
Quistis firmly ran her hands down her ankles, working her way up to her thigh. Her forceful rubbing increased her blood supply, but most importantly assured Quistis that she had full use of her legs.
One could never be too sure, Quistis told herself as she rubbed her aching temples. Quistis had an idea the something was wrong with her. She had continuously pushed it to the back of her mind, thinking that it was due to the stressful situation she had found herself in this past week.
In one week her life had been completely flipped upside down and things weren't looking too bright and happy. Quistis chastised herself, really, she was acting like a little child. When had she started to whine so? Was it the pain? No, it couldn't be because she had dealt with pain before, on all levels.
Her mind answered for her, 'It's because you fear the unknown.'
Indeed, Quistis did fear what was happening to her. It wasn't every day that your body suddenly started to break down on itself. And it definitely wasn't everyday that one got kidnaped by a former student.
There was a time in Quistis's life when she viewed herself as reliable, a little stuffy, but just mainly boring. Day in and day out was the same. Her life was like one never ending cycle seeking to age her to forty before she even turned twenty-five.
Looking back, a part of her liked it that way. It was...comforting. She knew what was going to happen when she woke up in the morning, and what she had to do. But not anymore. The other part of Quistis cried out in joy. A little action, some adventure...surely she could allow herself some freedom and spontaneity.
Quistis slightly smiled to herself and looking around at her enclosed environment. If a week with Seifer would come out of some freedom and spontaneity, she would gladly go back to her original boring life.
The back of Quistis's mind nagged at her though. Something inside of her hinted that perhaps she would never go back to her old life.
Did it have something to do with the constant dizziness?
It was one thing to have temporary lapses in health, but the constant instability of her entire being as of late was just getting ridiculous in her opinion.
Quistis ran a hand over her brow and pulled it away quickly when she felt sweat collecting below her hairline. She scowled. She probably looked like she had just fought a red dragon. It didn't help matters at all that her body was aching like she had.
Just wonderful.
'This will go away, Quistis. You are not weak. This is only a phase and you will overcome it like every other obstacle you have faced before.'
Confident from her last mental remark to herself, Quistis easily rose from the ground, standing on firm legs. Or, that was what she had in mind to do.
Rather, Quistis grunted from the extreme effort of stilling the incessant shaking of her legs as she struggled to rise to a standing position.
Her hands trembled as she clutched onto a side rim of the boat for support. Quistis glared balefully at her own rebellious hands as if it would deter then from constantly shaking.
Steeling her mind, Quistis took a deep breath and concentrated. If she could become a Seed at fifteen, an instructor at seventeen, and save the world before her nineteenth birthday, then she could definitely compose herself enough to stand properly.
It didn't matter how strong she was mentally, her body just wouldn't cooperate. Quistis let out a disgusted sigh as she felt her knees collapse.
Before she could fall to the metal floor, strong arms encompassed her frame. Quistis felt like she wanted to slap herself silly. Seifer had most likely seen her weakness and would flaunt it in every way possible.
'Oh, he has such perfect timing!' Quistis savagely thought to herself as she was hauled to her feet.
Quistis waited for the snide remark that would be uttered from his smirking mouth. But, he said nothing. Seifer just held her there, supporting the dead weight of her weakened body.
"How long have you been standing there?" Quistis winced at the possibility. He hadn't seen the entire embarrassing scene, had he?
Seifer peered down at Quistis's face, a slight frown settling upon his features. He stonily regarded the way her face captured the essence of her self-loathing.
"Long enough."
Quistis groaned and raised her eyes to briefly meet his. They were open, waiting for him to attack her physical disabilities. However, there wasn't a reaction.
His face resembled an impenetrable wall. The odd thing was, Quistis noticed, there weren't any emotions escaping from his eyes.
That disturbed Quistis. In all the numerous years she had known Seifer, there had always been emotions reflecting from his eyes. The man was a cauldron of mixed feelings, and rarely did he ever hide them. They were the source to his power, his anger and pride fueled his dreams. She knew, because she watched how he was consumed by them.
Quistis couldn't bare to look at his intense gaze any longer. It was unnerving to say the least. It wasn't much more than a year ago she was the one giving the superior looks, and he was the student. But then again, he had never lost one of their staring matches back then. He was just as stubborn as ever.
Seifer's expression remained closed as Quistis turned her eyes from his in defeat. He looked at her as if he could read what she was thinking. And indeed he could. Seifer could see right through her facade. She was trying so desperately to cover up the fact that something was wrong with her...
Seifer tightened his grip around her mid-section and Quistis snapped her head up and a glare settled upon her features. Her eyes slowly traveled down to where his hand was possessively touching her side.
"You can let go of me now, I'm perfectly able to stand on my own," Quistis sniffed in disdain at having to make contact with Seifer. But Quistis noted that a strange warmth radiated from his hand and seeped into her waist. A sharp contrast to the pain she had been currently feeling. 'Not too unpleasant either- no, Quistis you will not think such thoughts.'
A smirk replaced Seifer's previous blank expression as he watched Quistis's internal struggle with herself. It was interesting to watch the uptight twenty year old try to disregard another person's touch. She was a complete enigma. Or maybe she was just a prude.
Seifer wasn't going to walk away from this opportunity. He was going to have fun with her. A predatory light entered his eyes and he pulled her forcefully against the length of his body. A slight gasp of astonishment sounded in the air.
While keeping his hand firmly against the small of her back Seifer leaned in close to the side of her face. He made sure to slowly breathe so that the small hairs around her neck stood on end. Quistis tensed to the point where she was completely still against him.
Seifer continued his path towards her ear, making sure to lean directly into her frame as he spoke softly to her. His second hand tenderly slid from his side to tantalizingly caress her hip. Quistis betrayed herself as she let loose a shudder as his hand lightly grazed her sensitive skin.
"Are you so sure you want me to let you go?" His masculine voice permeated the air, holding a slightly mocking tint. As he did so, his hand abandoned her hip and gently stroked the side of her face.
Quistis involuntarily closed her eyes. This was...nice. No, no, no, this is wrong, all wrong! Her mind kept screaming at her to slap him away and make him pay for his advancements. But her weak body told her a different story. It wasn't often that she was touched this way. Not often at all.
Peering up through her disheveled hair, Quistis studied her captor. He had a slight smirk upon his face, as if pleased with his ability to make her swoon, if only slightly. His scent was undoubtable masculine, a mixture of leather and gun powder, and it filled the air with it's scent. His stance was dominating, not allowing her any chance to flee or escape.
It was Seifer's next comment that snapped Quistis out of her reverie, "Who would have thought that out of this pissy ordeal I'd get some...company to share it with."
Company? Company! What exactly was he referring to? Quistis narrowed her eyes and him and forcefully shoved him away from her body. Absolutely disgusting, how could she have dropped that low and actually allowed him to touch her? Quistis's frame shook in restrained fury and distaste.
That was the last straw! "Who do you think I am, Seifer? I'm not some whore that will willingly leap into your arms! After all you've done to me this past couple of days you actually think I would let down my guard and let you have your way with me?" Quistis practically screeched the last part.
Seifer crossed his arms, nonplused, and regarded her with a cool expression. His eyes swept down her form, focusing on certain areas more than others. Quistis snarled as she watched his line of vision.
Seifer shrugged, "You were about to anyways."
Quistis threw her hands in the air and let out a undignified shriek, "I WAS NOT! HOW DARE YOU PRESUME THAT-"
Her tirade was forcefully cut off as Seifer swiftly closed the distance between them. She found herself with her back up against the wall and his chest pressed into her own.
His eyes burned her as he looked into her blue orbs. "I could do anything to you right now Quistis, and you wouldn't be able to do a thing."
Quistis opened her mouth but he raised a hand to her mouth and continued, "You think that I haven't noticed that something's wrong with you. In your pitiful state you could barely pass a simple cure spell let alone stop me."
For a brief second fear flashed in her eyes as Quistis realized that everything he said was true. But...he wouldn't do anything to her, would he? A flashback to the slightly crazed look in his eyes as he shot Zell flashed through her mind. He could...he could...
Quistis winced as her back was uncomfortably pressed against the unyielding wall. What had made Seifer turn out this way? Was it the Sorceress War, or something more?
But as Quistis looked at Seifer's face, she couldn't find any trace of insanity. Perhaps she had some hope then.
"You wouldn't Seifer...you wouldn't..." Quistis whispered as she searched his face for his reaction. Please, she thought.
He scowled at her. Silence hung in the tense atmosphere for several minutes as if he was contemplating what she had said. Quistis swallowed and several emotions played across his sculpted face.
In a split second, the hands that her pinned against the wall released her. She sighed in relief but cried out as his fist embedded itself into the wall right beside her. As he withdrew his hand, she caught the glimpse of blood running freely from his split knuckles. She observed the wall and saw that it now sported a nice looking dent.
"You have too much faith in me Quistis. Too much." Seifer's voice sounded weary as he said that. He turned his back to her, his fists clamped tightly by his side.
Quistis cocked her head to the side, slightly confused by his statement. What exactly did he mean?
"Seifer, I trust you that you wouldn't do that to me. You are...more honorable than that. I know this doesn't make sense, considering that you have kidnaped me, so perhaps I should think the worst of you. But, for some reason I don't think you're capable of rape." Quistis didn't know what had compelled her to say that, but it had seemed right. It was what needed to be said.
Seifer slightly turned towards her. "You have no idea what I'm capable of. Your ignorance astounds me."
Quistis waved his statement off flippantly. For some reason he clung desperately to this twisted image of himself, and she was ready to call his bluff.
"I seem to remember you saying something along those lines to me back at the hotel. What I wonder is, why do you feel like you have to prove yourself?" Seifer blinked slightly at what she asked him.
"Why in Hyne's name do you care, Quistis? I don't remember you ever caring this much even when you were my instructor," Seifer spat out the words like they were poison.
Quistis cringed as she absorbed his comment. It was true, she had never given him the proper council when he probably needed it. However, that was in the past, there was only the future to look forward to.
"I don't honestly know why I care. Perhaps it's because we have a history, I feel like I know you. It wasn't all that long ago that we were junior classmen together," Seifer snorted in disbelief, "but mostly I feel like you could have done better, been something greater."
Seifer snarled as he heard this, "I was and am something great! You and the rest of this pathetic world just couldn't see me as that!"
Quistis's eyes widened in understanding. So, that was where some of his hatred had come from. It had pushed him off the edge. In reality they weren't that different. Both of them shared the need to constantly prove themselves to others, to be respected, needed, acknowledged...
Except, Seifer chose the darker path than she did. Not surprising considering the obstacles that had been thrown his way. She had an easier childhood than him, she realized. She had been adopted, where as he hadn't. She was encouraged to excel. Seifer...for most of his life people were wary of his capabilities and his attitude. He had never been give a chance.
Perhaps she did understand...
Quistis slowly stepped to his side, she still wasn't even halfway to recovering to move quickly. But, she managed. She raised her hand and lightly rested it on his taught shoulder. Seifer flinched from her touch.
"Seifer, why are you doing this?"
Seifer closed his eyes in frustration at her question. He knew exactly what she was asking. Why had he kidnaped her when he knew that he would never get away with it? The depressing thing was, he didn't even know the answer himself. It wasn't long ago that the idea had seemed ingenious, and his plan for ransom money flawless. But just as he saw that Quistis wasn't quite right physically, Seifer recognized that he wasn't quite well mentally.
It was like watched a movie where you knew the character was about to get into trouble, but you couldn't warn or stop them. He saw his sanity drift in and out, sometimes days on end. How long had he been like this? He clutched to life, seeing the world in the broken fragments of his mind.
As soon as he had started to navigate the ship from Dollet, his sensibility had finally decided to return to him. He realized that for the past couple of days he had officially screwed himself over. It was obvious that the Seeds and Squall would eventually catch up with him. This escapade, this escape from the reality of his dreary life would soon be over.
A small part of him yearned to be caught...just so that he knew where he stood in the world. He had been lost for the past year, just wandering and never quite finding what he was looking for. Dammit, he didn't even know what he was looking for. Typical.
It had been an interesting week, he supposed. He couldn't think of how the company could have been better. After months of being alone, even the sickly Quistis was welcome in his opinion.
Quistis cleared her throat expectantly. Seifer snapped out of his gaze and thought of an answer to her question. There was no way that he could tell her what he has just thought to himself. Ah hell, he might as well give her something to chew on.
"I can't give you a clear answer because I don't have one. This entire ordeal was just something that...happened. I hadn't pre-conceived it. Rather, I was just as surprised as you were when I saw you at that hotel. I admit that my recent actions, they were...wrong and unjustified," Seifer slightly swallowed as he said that, apologizing left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Quistis urged him to continue by nodding her head, "In all honesty, I haven't been myself for a long time now," Seifer admonished with a blank look in his eye, "and I don't think that I ever will be again."
He didn't say anymore after that and Quistis didn't press for him to. He had summed it up without telling her the full story. Quistis felt honored that he had even said that much to her about the subject.
"If it's any consolation Seifer, you don't have to be the same person. You can change, for the better."
Seifer's bitter laugh cut through the air, "Oh little innocent Quistis, always looking at the best in every situation. Once your little friends come and rescue you there won't be any forgiveness for me. No, if I'm lucky I'll be put in a prison in Galbadia instead of executed."
Quistis frowned at the lack of hope in his last statement; he seemed so defeated. Had the man she once knew really been beaten down beyond repair?
"I won't let that happen," Quistis firmly stated.
Seifer looked at her with apparent shock, "Are you delusional Quistis? For Hyne's sake, even I know that I deserve whatever punishment they give me. You can't save me from my fate. Besides, why do you want to?"
Quistis chewed slightly on her lip, that was a good question. One that she hadn't fully explored the answer to yet.
"Look, I am well aware of how many people you have killed, and the crimes you've committed. But I am not without forgiveness. Seed has not completely trained that human emotion out of me yet. Besides, forgiveness if not given to those to deserve it, but to those who need it."
For a brief moment gratitude and relief sparked through Seifer's eyes. He face relaxed and he gave Quistis a slight smile. Quistis watched in wonder at the transformation.
What a magnificent man he could have been if only the world had given him a chance.
"You are a fool for thinking that Quistis."
Quistis ducked her head and said nothing. Maybe she was a fool, but she wouldn't back down for what she thought was right.
The entire conversation had completely knocked her out emotionally and physically. Once again her knees protested against her weight and she collapsed to the cold floor. She was so tired. Just let me sleep, she thought to herself.
Quistis felt the sensation of being carried and heard barely whispered words echoing throughout her mind before she gave into unconsciousness.
Another whisper upon her ear...
"Thank you."
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Hey everyone! Kuri here and I'm hoping that you liked this last chapter. I really gave it my all and I'm now feeling like Quistis did after the conversation...exhausted. Please review and tell me what you think. The plot is thickening, and finally Quistis and Seifer have somewhat of a working relationship going. About time right? I love you all and thank you for reading!
Author: Kuri Tessy
Feedback: Yes, please!
Pairings: Quistis/Seifer
Rating: PG
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.
Shout outs: I want to give a BIG BIG BIG thank you to Verdanii! Wow, I've never had someone review my story so much in that amount of time. You're such a sweetie! I of course can't leave out everyone else that reviewed my story including BePoPsGiRl88, jeangab057 (and don't worry, I have problems reading w/ my bad eyesight too ^_^), Quistis88, frost, Kei Ayame, and Mystic_Moon_Empress. You all rock my world! Thank you again! Oh, and BePoPsGiRl88, thanx for your review, helped increased my motivation!
So here we go, hopefully we're going to get into some more Seifer and Quistis action here, if you know what I mean everyone. :D Heh.
Chapter Ten, Do You Know the Way?
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The uncomfortable feeling of lying upon a hard surface for several hours stuck with Quistis even after she had come to. She hadn't asked where she was, she knew all to well that she was in a Balamb Seed boat, and a stolen one at that.
Quistis had deduced fairly quickly what the situation was and groaned. She was in Seifer's hostile custody, once again, despite her previous best efforts to escape.
But what could be done? Quistis gave herself a mental assessment. Her head was pounding, the headache like a dragon constantly scratching at the fringes of her mind.
It took all of her control not to just break down again and submit to her body's will. Oh how she wanted to sleep and let it all go. One moment would be all that she needed. Only one.
Quistis firmly ran her hands down her ankles, working her way up to her thigh. Her forceful rubbing increased her blood supply, but most importantly assured Quistis that she had full use of her legs.
One could never be too sure, Quistis told herself as she rubbed her aching temples. Quistis had an idea the something was wrong with her. She had continuously pushed it to the back of her mind, thinking that it was due to the stressful situation she had found herself in this past week.
In one week her life had been completely flipped upside down and things weren't looking too bright and happy. Quistis chastised herself, really, she was acting like a little child. When had she started to whine so? Was it the pain? No, it couldn't be because she had dealt with pain before, on all levels.
Her mind answered for her, 'It's because you fear the unknown.'
Indeed, Quistis did fear what was happening to her. It wasn't every day that your body suddenly started to break down on itself. And it definitely wasn't everyday that one got kidnaped by a former student.
There was a time in Quistis's life when she viewed herself as reliable, a little stuffy, but just mainly boring. Day in and day out was the same. Her life was like one never ending cycle seeking to age her to forty before she even turned twenty-five.
Looking back, a part of her liked it that way. It was...comforting. She knew what was going to happen when she woke up in the morning, and what she had to do. But not anymore. The other part of Quistis cried out in joy. A little action, some adventure...surely she could allow herself some freedom and spontaneity.
Quistis slightly smiled to herself and looking around at her enclosed environment. If a week with Seifer would come out of some freedom and spontaneity, she would gladly go back to her original boring life.
The back of Quistis's mind nagged at her though. Something inside of her hinted that perhaps she would never go back to her old life.
Did it have something to do with the constant dizziness?
It was one thing to have temporary lapses in health, but the constant instability of her entire being as of late was just getting ridiculous in her opinion.
Quistis ran a hand over her brow and pulled it away quickly when she felt sweat collecting below her hairline. She scowled. She probably looked like she had just fought a red dragon. It didn't help matters at all that her body was aching like she had.
Just wonderful.
'This will go away, Quistis. You are not weak. This is only a phase and you will overcome it like every other obstacle you have faced before.'
Confident from her last mental remark to herself, Quistis easily rose from the ground, standing on firm legs. Or, that was what she had in mind to do.
Rather, Quistis grunted from the extreme effort of stilling the incessant shaking of her legs as she struggled to rise to a standing position.
Her hands trembled as she clutched onto a side rim of the boat for support. Quistis glared balefully at her own rebellious hands as if it would deter then from constantly shaking.
Steeling her mind, Quistis took a deep breath and concentrated. If she could become a Seed at fifteen, an instructor at seventeen, and save the world before her nineteenth birthday, then she could definitely compose herself enough to stand properly.
It didn't matter how strong she was mentally, her body just wouldn't cooperate. Quistis let out a disgusted sigh as she felt her knees collapse.
Before she could fall to the metal floor, strong arms encompassed her frame. Quistis felt like she wanted to slap herself silly. Seifer had most likely seen her weakness and would flaunt it in every way possible.
'Oh, he has such perfect timing!' Quistis savagely thought to herself as she was hauled to her feet.
Quistis waited for the snide remark that would be uttered from his smirking mouth. But, he said nothing. Seifer just held her there, supporting the dead weight of her weakened body.
"How long have you been standing there?" Quistis winced at the possibility. He hadn't seen the entire embarrassing scene, had he?
Seifer peered down at Quistis's face, a slight frown settling upon his features. He stonily regarded the way her face captured the essence of her self-loathing.
"Long enough."
Quistis groaned and raised her eyes to briefly meet his. They were open, waiting for him to attack her physical disabilities. However, there wasn't a reaction.
His face resembled an impenetrable wall. The odd thing was, Quistis noticed, there weren't any emotions escaping from his eyes.
That disturbed Quistis. In all the numerous years she had known Seifer, there had always been emotions reflecting from his eyes. The man was a cauldron of mixed feelings, and rarely did he ever hide them. They were the source to his power, his anger and pride fueled his dreams. She knew, because she watched how he was consumed by them.
Quistis couldn't bare to look at his intense gaze any longer. It was unnerving to say the least. It wasn't much more than a year ago she was the one giving the superior looks, and he was the student. But then again, he had never lost one of their staring matches back then. He was just as stubborn as ever.
Seifer's expression remained closed as Quistis turned her eyes from his in defeat. He looked at her as if he could read what she was thinking. And indeed he could. Seifer could see right through her facade. She was trying so desperately to cover up the fact that something was wrong with her...
Seifer tightened his grip around her mid-section and Quistis snapped her head up and a glare settled upon her features. Her eyes slowly traveled down to where his hand was possessively touching her side.
"You can let go of me now, I'm perfectly able to stand on my own," Quistis sniffed in disdain at having to make contact with Seifer. But Quistis noted that a strange warmth radiated from his hand and seeped into her waist. A sharp contrast to the pain she had been currently feeling. 'Not too unpleasant either- no, Quistis you will not think such thoughts.'
A smirk replaced Seifer's previous blank expression as he watched Quistis's internal struggle with herself. It was interesting to watch the uptight twenty year old try to disregard another person's touch. She was a complete enigma. Or maybe she was just a prude.
Seifer wasn't going to walk away from this opportunity. He was going to have fun with her. A predatory light entered his eyes and he pulled her forcefully against the length of his body. A slight gasp of astonishment sounded in the air.
While keeping his hand firmly against the small of her back Seifer leaned in close to the side of her face. He made sure to slowly breathe so that the small hairs around her neck stood on end. Quistis tensed to the point where she was completely still against him.
Seifer continued his path towards her ear, making sure to lean directly into her frame as he spoke softly to her. His second hand tenderly slid from his side to tantalizingly caress her hip. Quistis betrayed herself as she let loose a shudder as his hand lightly grazed her sensitive skin.
"Are you so sure you want me to let you go?" His masculine voice permeated the air, holding a slightly mocking tint. As he did so, his hand abandoned her hip and gently stroked the side of her face.
Quistis involuntarily closed her eyes. This was...nice. No, no, no, this is wrong, all wrong! Her mind kept screaming at her to slap him away and make him pay for his advancements. But her weak body told her a different story. It wasn't often that she was touched this way. Not often at all.
Peering up through her disheveled hair, Quistis studied her captor. He had a slight smirk upon his face, as if pleased with his ability to make her swoon, if only slightly. His scent was undoubtable masculine, a mixture of leather and gun powder, and it filled the air with it's scent. His stance was dominating, not allowing her any chance to flee or escape.
It was Seifer's next comment that snapped Quistis out of her reverie, "Who would have thought that out of this pissy ordeal I'd get some...company to share it with."
Company? Company! What exactly was he referring to? Quistis narrowed her eyes and him and forcefully shoved him away from her body. Absolutely disgusting, how could she have dropped that low and actually allowed him to touch her? Quistis's frame shook in restrained fury and distaste.
That was the last straw! "Who do you think I am, Seifer? I'm not some whore that will willingly leap into your arms! After all you've done to me this past couple of days you actually think I would let down my guard and let you have your way with me?" Quistis practically screeched the last part.
Seifer crossed his arms, nonplused, and regarded her with a cool expression. His eyes swept down her form, focusing on certain areas more than others. Quistis snarled as she watched his line of vision.
Seifer shrugged, "You were about to anyways."
Quistis threw her hands in the air and let out a undignified shriek, "I WAS NOT! HOW DARE YOU PRESUME THAT-"
Her tirade was forcefully cut off as Seifer swiftly closed the distance between them. She found herself with her back up against the wall and his chest pressed into her own.
His eyes burned her as he looked into her blue orbs. "I could do anything to you right now Quistis, and you wouldn't be able to do a thing."
Quistis opened her mouth but he raised a hand to her mouth and continued, "You think that I haven't noticed that something's wrong with you. In your pitiful state you could barely pass a simple cure spell let alone stop me."
For a brief second fear flashed in her eyes as Quistis realized that everything he said was true. But...he wouldn't do anything to her, would he? A flashback to the slightly crazed look in his eyes as he shot Zell flashed through her mind. He could...he could...
Quistis winced as her back was uncomfortably pressed against the unyielding wall. What had made Seifer turn out this way? Was it the Sorceress War, or something more?
But as Quistis looked at Seifer's face, she couldn't find any trace of insanity. Perhaps she had some hope then.
"You wouldn't Seifer...you wouldn't..." Quistis whispered as she searched his face for his reaction. Please, she thought.
He scowled at her. Silence hung in the tense atmosphere for several minutes as if he was contemplating what she had said. Quistis swallowed and several emotions played across his sculpted face.
In a split second, the hands that her pinned against the wall released her. She sighed in relief but cried out as his fist embedded itself into the wall right beside her. As he withdrew his hand, she caught the glimpse of blood running freely from his split knuckles. She observed the wall and saw that it now sported a nice looking dent.
"You have too much faith in me Quistis. Too much." Seifer's voice sounded weary as he said that. He turned his back to her, his fists clamped tightly by his side.
Quistis cocked her head to the side, slightly confused by his statement. What exactly did he mean?
"Seifer, I trust you that you wouldn't do that to me. You are...more honorable than that. I know this doesn't make sense, considering that you have kidnaped me, so perhaps I should think the worst of you. But, for some reason I don't think you're capable of rape." Quistis didn't know what had compelled her to say that, but it had seemed right. It was what needed to be said.
Seifer slightly turned towards her. "You have no idea what I'm capable of. Your ignorance astounds me."
Quistis waved his statement off flippantly. For some reason he clung desperately to this twisted image of himself, and she was ready to call his bluff.
"I seem to remember you saying something along those lines to me back at the hotel. What I wonder is, why do you feel like you have to prove yourself?" Seifer blinked slightly at what she asked him.
"Why in Hyne's name do you care, Quistis? I don't remember you ever caring this much even when you were my instructor," Seifer spat out the words like they were poison.
Quistis cringed as she absorbed his comment. It was true, she had never given him the proper council when he probably needed it. However, that was in the past, there was only the future to look forward to.
"I don't honestly know why I care. Perhaps it's because we have a history, I feel like I know you. It wasn't all that long ago that we were junior classmen together," Seifer snorted in disbelief, "but mostly I feel like you could have done better, been something greater."
Seifer snarled as he heard this, "I was and am something great! You and the rest of this pathetic world just couldn't see me as that!"
Quistis's eyes widened in understanding. So, that was where some of his hatred had come from. It had pushed him off the edge. In reality they weren't that different. Both of them shared the need to constantly prove themselves to others, to be respected, needed, acknowledged...
Except, Seifer chose the darker path than she did. Not surprising considering the obstacles that had been thrown his way. She had an easier childhood than him, she realized. She had been adopted, where as he hadn't. She was encouraged to excel. Seifer...for most of his life people were wary of his capabilities and his attitude. He had never been give a chance.
Perhaps she did understand...
Quistis slowly stepped to his side, she still wasn't even halfway to recovering to move quickly. But, she managed. She raised her hand and lightly rested it on his taught shoulder. Seifer flinched from her touch.
"Seifer, why are you doing this?"
Seifer closed his eyes in frustration at her question. He knew exactly what she was asking. Why had he kidnaped her when he knew that he would never get away with it? The depressing thing was, he didn't even know the answer himself. It wasn't long ago that the idea had seemed ingenious, and his plan for ransom money flawless. But just as he saw that Quistis wasn't quite right physically, Seifer recognized that he wasn't quite well mentally.
It was like watched a movie where you knew the character was about to get into trouble, but you couldn't warn or stop them. He saw his sanity drift in and out, sometimes days on end. How long had he been like this? He clutched to life, seeing the world in the broken fragments of his mind.
As soon as he had started to navigate the ship from Dollet, his sensibility had finally decided to return to him. He realized that for the past couple of days he had officially screwed himself over. It was obvious that the Seeds and Squall would eventually catch up with him. This escapade, this escape from the reality of his dreary life would soon be over.
A small part of him yearned to be caught...just so that he knew where he stood in the world. He had been lost for the past year, just wandering and never quite finding what he was looking for. Dammit, he didn't even know what he was looking for. Typical.
It had been an interesting week, he supposed. He couldn't think of how the company could have been better. After months of being alone, even the sickly Quistis was welcome in his opinion.
Quistis cleared her throat expectantly. Seifer snapped out of his gaze and thought of an answer to her question. There was no way that he could tell her what he has just thought to himself. Ah hell, he might as well give her something to chew on.
"I can't give you a clear answer because I don't have one. This entire ordeal was just something that...happened. I hadn't pre-conceived it. Rather, I was just as surprised as you were when I saw you at that hotel. I admit that my recent actions, they were...wrong and unjustified," Seifer slightly swallowed as he said that, apologizing left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Quistis urged him to continue by nodding her head, "In all honesty, I haven't been myself for a long time now," Seifer admonished with a blank look in his eye, "and I don't think that I ever will be again."
He didn't say anymore after that and Quistis didn't press for him to. He had summed it up without telling her the full story. Quistis felt honored that he had even said that much to her about the subject.
"If it's any consolation Seifer, you don't have to be the same person. You can change, for the better."
Seifer's bitter laugh cut through the air, "Oh little innocent Quistis, always looking at the best in every situation. Once your little friends come and rescue you there won't be any forgiveness for me. No, if I'm lucky I'll be put in a prison in Galbadia instead of executed."
Quistis frowned at the lack of hope in his last statement; he seemed so defeated. Had the man she once knew really been beaten down beyond repair?
"I won't let that happen," Quistis firmly stated.
Seifer looked at her with apparent shock, "Are you delusional Quistis? For Hyne's sake, even I know that I deserve whatever punishment they give me. You can't save me from my fate. Besides, why do you want to?"
Quistis chewed slightly on her lip, that was a good question. One that she hadn't fully explored the answer to yet.
"Look, I am well aware of how many people you have killed, and the crimes you've committed. But I am not without forgiveness. Seed has not completely trained that human emotion out of me yet. Besides, forgiveness if not given to those to deserve it, but to those who need it."
For a brief moment gratitude and relief sparked through Seifer's eyes. He face relaxed and he gave Quistis a slight smile. Quistis watched in wonder at the transformation.
What a magnificent man he could have been if only the world had given him a chance.
"You are a fool for thinking that Quistis."
Quistis ducked her head and said nothing. Maybe she was a fool, but she wouldn't back down for what she thought was right.
The entire conversation had completely knocked her out emotionally and physically. Once again her knees protested against her weight and she collapsed to the cold floor. She was so tired. Just let me sleep, she thought to herself.
Quistis felt the sensation of being carried and heard barely whispered words echoing throughout her mind before she gave into unconsciousness.
Another whisper upon her ear...
"Thank you."
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Hey everyone! Kuri here and I'm hoping that you liked this last chapter. I really gave it my all and I'm now feeling like Quistis did after the conversation...exhausted. Please review and tell me what you think. The plot is thickening, and finally Quistis and Seifer have somewhat of a working relationship going. About time right? I love you all and thank you for reading!