Chapter 5: Trains and Traumas

Fujin's POV

Yet another day on the train…We had fled Esthar ever since that brutal day, however I wasn't too sure whether I'd wanted to go. Rajin had been acting very strange lately, always concerned about me, always worrying about our safety at night, mainly mine. And I wasn't sure whether I should welcome his concern or not. Everything in my mind was in a complete daze. Nothing was going the way I wanted it to, nothing ever had.

Now that we had lost our chocobo, we had to get the train to our next destination. Rajin had suggested going to somewhere called Balamb. I didn't know where that was, but I heard it was on an island somewhere up north. There was a military campus there and from what Rajin said, it sounded quite good.

It would be different to be in an atmosphere that was familiar to us both. To finally be somewhere that felt a little homely would be such a wonderful relief from the unrest of the last few years.

Rajin and I had talked it over a few days ago, as we had set up camp. It as strange though. He had just blurted out the question completely out of the blue.

*** Flash back

"So…where do we go from here?" I asked as laid down on the grass and leaned against the supporting rock.

"You want to go to Balamb Garden ya know?" he said with his back to me.

"What's that?" I asked a little shocked.

"It's the SeeD training campus. They go all around the world on missions sorting out the problems on the continents."

I remained silent and mulled the thought over. I guess things couldn't get much worse, and from what Rajin said, it sounded quite inviting.

"Okay."

*** End Flash back

So that was where we were heading. The journey by train under the sea would take at least a couple of days, where we would switch trains at Timber and go straight to Balamb.

There was nothing to do except stare out of the window which was pitch black. Our train took us deep under the sea to a new continent, so unfortunately there wasn't anything to pass the time. Rajin was lying on the bottom bunk bed in our cabin sleeping. I decided that I should get some sleep as I read the late hour on our clock. We should be up on land again tomorrow…

I climbed the wooden stairs to the top bunk and rested my head on the soft pillow. My eye closed itself off to the world as oblivion engulfed my consciousness.

---

I was running…I didn't know from where or from whom. My feet carried me over the soft sand while the wounds on my shoulder stinging as the wind brushed small granules of sediment over the bleeding flesh. Tears streamed down my cheeks as my head swam with clouded thoughts. I couldn't remember why I was here, or where I was. I couldn't figure out what I was thinking or why I was distressed. The wounds on my shoulder didn't bother me. I had completely forgotten that they were there as the pain in my heart succeeded in conquering all possible suffering. The burning stings on my flesh were a tiny scratch compared to the void in my broken heart. But I didn't know why I felt this way…..

I looked up and slowed my pace as my runway of sand came to a dead end. The towering cliffs of the edge of the land rose up above my tiny form, blocking further entry forwards. I could hear the soft lapping of the waves clearly now, sighing in and out, breathing it's breath of life to everything around it. I could feel it's salty air circle around me, making me feel at one,…and at home.

Soft, muffled footsteps entered my line of thought and I turned round. No one stood there. The stretch of shore was completely empty. But just then a flicker flashed across my vision. It was a human, but that was the only thing I could register in my head before it disappeared. Something appeared again, this time it was an invisible figure. But you could see it move by the reflecting light of the moon. Shadows clung to the clear figure's feet, revealing were the mystery figure should be.

"What are you?" I called out to no one.

"Fujin…? It's me…" I didn't hear his last word. An image of his face flashed before my eyes just as he said his silent word. I knew that this was familiar, but I couldn't remember…..

The boy began to become visible, but his face stayed blurred as if a cloud of mist had settled over his features. I knew this…I knew I should remember! I searched my mind, tracing back everything I could remember, but there was nothing to indicate that I knew this…

My body began to tremble with fear. Why couldn't I remember? Everything about this place, this event… Every single detail should be lodged in my memory forever, but nothing came to aid my search.

It's me Se…" Again I couldn't hear his sweet voice. His words suddenly cut out like a broken light, and I could feel tears of fear begin to well up in my eye.

"Who are you?!" I cried out showing all my pain and fright.

"Don't you recognise me? Fuu…" Suddenly a flash of crimson light covered my eye, blocking out everything. It lasted for only an eye blink, but I couldn't describe the scene that faced me. The boy lay on the sand motionless, with blood slowly enveloping him in an ever-growing puddle on the sandy floor.

My mouth hung open as I observed the sight. Small gasps escaped my mouth in horror as a lump caught itself in my throat. I ran over to him, not caring about who or what did this, and collapsed next to his now visible form. I hurriedly pulled him over onto his back with shaky hands, and almost died when I saw his face.

His short blond hair lay lifeless and speckled with blood against his face. His blue eyes were wide open with shock and his mouth hung open a little. I couldn't bear to look at the poor boy like this, so I pressed down his eyelids and closed his gaping mouth. His skin was so cold against my warm living flesh. My own dried blood that had dripped down from my shoulder had marked his face where I'd touched his soft, icy skin. I pulled the dead boy close to me and cried out loud, allowing my tears to fall, freeing all the built up emotion trapped inside my own heart.

My only friend was gone. He had been pulled from this world in front of my own eyes, just like my…father…There was truly no one left in this world for me to love. Nobody…

His ripped torso bled against my thin night clothes, and I could feel his blood soak against my own skin. His heart lay against mine as I pulled the fallen boy closer to me, trying my best to remember…I wanted to die with him right there and then. I knew that there was a un-denying bond between this unknown boy and me. But there was nothing there…

---

I woke with a start. I sat bolt upright in my bed with the covers strewn everywhere. I could feel the sweat on my forehead drip down my cheeks. I brushed it away, and laid back down against my pillow. I lay there thinking about what had just happened, trying over and over again to find an answer.

But nothing came… I couldn't remember anything…I couldn't even remember his name!