Chapter 4: Rescue and Reality

Rajin's POV

I heard a scream echo through the noise of the crowded streets. It was faint but I still hear the high pitch shriek. A lump formed in my stomach, forever growing larger as I stood there. I hoped that the owner wasn't who I thought it was, although I had a 99% suspicion I knew exactly who it was.

The cry of pain sounded again, and instinctively I ran towards the source of distress. My feet carried me to the familiar back streets of my home. I knew that it was rough around here but most nights it was fairly quiet. Why did it have to be today that something happened? Why did it have to be Fujin?! She'd never ever forgive me if she thought I led her into that!

Before I knew it I saw the horrifying scene right before my eyes. Three muscle bound louts were surrounding their prey, laughing and thrusting their arms into their game. My chocobo was no where to be seen, but that was the last thing on my mind.

More screams and whimpers came from the circle as I tightened my grip on my staff.

"Hey!!" I shouted at them angrily. Rage was seething through my body as my eyes glared at their senseless brutality. The three thugs ignored my shout and continued their onslaught, gaining more cries of pain from the victim.

"Rajin!" a voice screamed from the middle of the gang. I knew her voice the moment it entered my ears.

"Hey!!!" I shouted again, this time gaining attention.

"What do you want punk?" One said.

"You after your girlfriend here?!" another answered. But before that third spoke, I cut him off.

"Shut up ya know! Let her go!" I aimed my staff directly at the group and all three backed off, revealing a very beaten and sore Fujin.

Her eye was black and swollen as her limb head lay on the cold pavement. Her limbs lay lifeless in her torn clothes. Blood dripped from her cut fat lip and bruises showed themselves on numerous parts of her skin and her platinum hair was dirty from the filthy ground. Her hand groped along the floor as consciousness regained control of her battered body.

"Rajin…" her feeble voice whispered softly as she saw me. I felt my heart soar as her gentle voice entered my ears. She needed my help, and I would be there to lend it to her. I couldn't just abandon her here, but I felt scared all the same. Something in the back of my head was telling me to charge right in there and face my fears and to save my new and only friend. For a fleeting moment, everything seemed to stop and it was just me staring at Fujin on the ground. If I had a choice I would run to her and hold her tightly in my arms, not wanting to let her go, but then I had to fight to save her. I had to be her knight and rescue my princess from the fiery pits of hell.

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Fujin's POV

Rescue had finally come to save me from the depths of death. I tried to reach out towards my saviour with my free hand, but I couldn't get very far. Everything was out of my grasp, and I couldn't reach anything I saw. I wanted to die right here on the spot that I was so tangled up in, but something was there, giving me hope. Someone was watching over me from the heavens and I could feel his blue eyes look over me. I closed my one eye and imagined myself away from all this horror and back to where I wanted to be. I wanted to be with my friends, back home at the orphanage. Back with Seifer.

I wished that he were here to come and take me away from the pain and suffering. But I had left him behind on my own selfish journey, only seeking what I was looking for. I didn't think about what others were looking for…

The sound of wood hit the cold hard floor, and shouts of battle filled the air. I couldn't see what was happening, but I knew what was going on. Voices mixed together in my tired and beaten ears confusing the voices, but I knew that Rajin would come through for me. I knew he would.

Thuds and collapsed bodies fell to the floor behind me and quickly scrambled away, but I was listening for one sound. A small clink of metal falling to the ground. But it didn't come. I waited and waited all through the raging war of survival, but I heard nothing.

My heart sank as I heard the three bullies run from the battle. I was glad that they had fled, and I was glad that I wouldn't be hurt anymore, but my soul was being ripped into two as I thought about my lost pinwheel.

I opened my eye and tried to sit up, trying my best not to cry. My whole body screamed in pain and my head felt dizzy and my vision spun around and around. I saw a blurred Rajin kneel down beside me and lay down his staff. My eyesight cleared a little and I could see his cuts and bruises that he had just received. His face was so solemn and saddened. His teeth were grinding inside his mouth and his eyes winced as he suddenly apologised.

"I'm so sorry ya know!" he enveloped me in a bear hug and pulled me tightly to him. I was shocked by his bold actions, but it was comforting to know that he cared. His warm body brushed my cold bruised skin as he apologised over and over again.

"It wasn't your fault…" I whispered as I let my tears fall. It had bee a long time since I had been held like this. But it felt slightly uncomfortable for some reason. I didn't know why, but Seifer was much warmer. I fitted in his arms perfectly and he in mine. I knew Rajin meant well, and I felt a lot better, but there was still that something lurking in the shadows making this uncomfortable.

Rajin pulled back and placed his hands on my shoulders, forcing me to look directly into his eyes.

"What do you mean it wasn't my fault! I let you get lost ya know. It was my fault that you got hurt ya know."

"But…" I adjusted myself so I sat up properly. "I'm ok now…" I lied wincing inwardly at the pain. Silence laid its blanket over us as Rajin didn't reply. I scanned the area frantically for any sign of my pinwheel. I couldn't bear to wait any longer, and I turned my head this way and that way keeping a keen lookout for my beloved weapon. It was nowhere at all.

Inside I felt my heart break and sink to the lowest part of my stomach. It was gone. Everything I owned had gone. I had put so much time and work into my blade, I felt like I had lost a part of myself. A huge hole was missing inside me as reality struck home in my soul.

"Looking for this?" Rajin's voice interrupted my breakdown. I snapped my head round and came face to face with my weapon.

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Rajin's POV

I noticed her getting agitated as I held her. 'Maybe I shouldn't have done that' I thought, so I let go of her. As I watched her, her distressed face looked lost and scarred as she whipped her head back and forth looking for something. She must be searching for her pinwheel…

I sought behind me and brought her blade into my hands.

"Fujin?" she didn't hear me as she her eye broke down in tears.

"You looking for this?" I said placing a hand on her shoulder. As she came round to face me, I saw life come back into her face as her fragile hand came to gently touch the shining talons. She said nothing as I handed her belonging back to her. But I didn't need words of thanks. The expression on her face was enough to satisfy me as a warm feeling spread inside me. However, this new feeling coursing through my body was new and foreign to me, but it felt good. I felt slightly light and dazed and happy all at the same time. In the short time that I'd known this young girl beside me, I felt a little shocked at I realised what was happening. I was falling for Fujin…..

AN: Sorry for the lack of Saifuu-ness but I promise you it will come soon! Sorry that these chapters are so…..kinds boring, but I promise, promise you that Saifuu-ness is on the way!