Five fourty-five next morning Quistis stood at the front gate in her crisp Cadet uniform, holding her smallest suitcase, containing a couple of outfits, basic hygienic necessities, and the rest of her gil. Students littered area, at least a hundred, and twice that many were expected to come.

She looked around, and couldn't see Seifer. He would probably be late anyway, it was just in his nature...

Headmaster Martine pushed through the crowd, and to the front.

"Everyone, try to keep closer together!" he yelled. "We'll be leaving in fifteen minutes, so I hope you have everything you intend on taking! It will be a few miles walk to Dollet so I hope you didn't pack heavy!"

Quistis turned her back and rolled her eyes. As if everyone could hear him. She suddenly saw Seifer pushing through the crowd, Fujin and Raijin following. She turned and began walking to the right, in hopes they wouldn't see her.

"Hey Rinthe, where are you headed?" Fujin called through the crowd.

Damn.

Quistis turned. "I was just going to...get some water." she said with, mustering up a half smile.

Fujin's lips curled into a smirk. "But we only just got to meet in the cafeteria. I'd love to spend more time with you."

Quistis was about to respond, when Martine started yelling again. "Alright, Galbadia is landing in the ocean. Dollet is sending out some small motor ships to transport everyone from here to the city."

Students were pushing forward and whining about not beind able to hear. Someone jabbed Quistis in the back. She closed her eyes tight and kept composure.

"When you reach the city, there should be a table with a few Galbadian soldiers passing out uniforms. Take three. Proceed to the next table, and more soldiers will give you your stations." he yelled louder. "Okay here we go!"

Ocean mist rose into the air and floated down around them. Garden had landed. Quistis rose up on the tips of her toes to look over the crowd, and saw Dollet, a few miles away. She could also see the small ships coming toward them, some still at the dock.

A few minutes later people pushed and shove to get onto the boats. Martine's screaming about being "orderly" could be heard in the background.

Soon it was Quistis' turn to board a boat. She heaved her suitcase up into her arms and stepped into the metal military ship, ducking under the small doorframe. She was the first to board this one, so the hull was empty.

There were two parallel metal benches, each on one wall, inside the ship. She took a seat on the left bench, all the way at the end. She situated her suitcase underneathe the bench as more people filed in.

She looked up at the door to see Seifer climb in, having to stoop to practically half his height to fit through the door, not to mention walk like he had a hunchback so he could make it to the bench. He glanced around, then took the empty spot next to her.

Thank Hyne the ship was full, or Fujin and Raijin might have tagged along.

She crossed her arms and avoided eye contact. She was not in the mood to talk to him. He didn't seem too chipper either, the look on his face said enough.

One of the girls across from Quistis was bawling into her hands. The girl next to her stared down at her feet.

She didn't know if anyone could tell, but her insides felt like they were churning. She rested her head in her hands warily.

The ride was fairly short, and Quistis felt the ship's speed slowly decrease to a halt. The metal door swung open and a Galbadian soldier stood in the doorway.

"Out everyone." he said, motioning with his hand for them to follow. Students closer to the door stood up first, grabbing their suitcases and duffel bags. She sat up and moved her hands to her lap.

Quistis felt someone's hand take hers and give it a reassuring squeeze. She looked down to see Seifer's hand over hers. He leaned over and whispered into her ear. She could feel his hot breath on her skin. "You're going to be fine. We'll get you out of this."

She looked over at him. His eyes actually gave off a kind of warmth from this close. They looked so deep. "What do you mean 'we'?" she whispered.

He grabbed his suitcase and pulled her to her feet and toward the door. She grabbed her suitcase, and he led her out into the crowd. They walked to the edge, where the people weren't so pushy and loud, and he turned around to face her.

"You don't want to be here do you?" he asked.

"I'm fine." she said stiffly.

"Bullshit." he said.

She looked up at him, startled. "What do you mean 'bullshit'?!"

"You're lying to me. I can tell." he said.

"How?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at him.

"There's something strange about you, and the fact that I can't put my finger on it, is bothering me." he said.

"What has that got to do with me lying?!" she asked impatiently.

"You're holding something back. I can see it in your eyes." he said.

"Just leave me alone from now on!" she said, turning away.

He grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back. "Oh no, you're not running. Not without a fight."

She shoved him away. "Back off Seifer!"

He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her into a kiss. It was like an explosion erupted within her soul, burning her, melting her at her core. She wanted to push him away, but she couldn't pull her lips away. She felt a million emotions swimming around inside her. She wanted to cry, she wanted to scream, she wanted to laugh. Everything was spinning, making her dizzy, but this kiss kept her from falling down.

She placed her hands against his chest and softly pushed herself away. Her lips tingled lightly, her eyes closed. She swallowed hard as a tear rolled down her cheek. She opened her eyes slowly and looked up at him.

The last thing she saw was the look in his eyes. She felt herself falling, but someone caught her. The world faded to black.