Chapter 20: Removed
Seifer's POV
I struggled to get through the next few days without anyone by my side except that witch of a companion Edea. It was strange not either Fujin or Rajin by my side after knowing them for so long. I had been granted control over myself once again, very… gratefully by Edea after I had left with her on the train to Deling City. We were now currently sitting on the train, waiting for the countryside to fade into a bustling city, crammed tightly with people waiting for the procession that would be happening tonight.
No matter how hard I tried I couldn't forget anything that happened yesterday. I was still growing in anger and hatred towards Edea, and was slowly coming to realise that maybe this was all a mistake. But I still couldn't come to terms with the fact that she was telling me that I was weak. I can't stand being called weak, because I've always tried to be so strong. And that reason is why I'm still here, reassuring myself with a dying hope that this will all be worthwhile.
Every now and again Fujin's last words to me the night before would wander into my thoughts. It calmed me knowing that she'd be waiting there for me once I came back. I relaxed a little, eased by the thoughts of her in my mind, her sweet face smiling at me…
But nothing could have prepared me for the shock I received on my way coming back.
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Fujin's POV
"What?! We've got to be moved to Balamb? Why?" I pleaded with one of the officers that had rudely woken me up this morning.
"Look, I'm only doing my job. I've orders from Lady Edea that you and your friend here be moved to Balamb for a special mission."
"I've given no consent to be a part of any mission set by her. I'm not going! I've got to wait… for someone." My anger dissolved at my last sentence.
"Fujin…" I heard Rajin intervene from behind me. "What's the problem here sir?" he said now addressing the officer.
"I've been given orders by Lady Edea to transport the two of you to Balamb harbour for a mission." There was a silence between us, while Rajin pondered his answer. Without a word he turned around and returned to his room.
"Rajin!" I called after him.
"Do what he says Fuu. I don't want no trouble ya know." He said as he stopped, turning to face me. I couldn't believe he was giving in…
"Rajin! Aren't we going to wait for Seifer?"
"Seifer won't be returning here, girl," The officer interrupted. "He will be accompanying Lady Edea while she is carrying out her duties in the country."
"What?" The words hit me like a cold wind. "How long will she be 'out doing her duties'? I said a little sarcastically.
"The time is uncertain." He replied. My heart sank. How long would I not be able to see Seifer? With a grunt on anger I turned on my heel and strided towards my room to pack my belongings. I pushed past Rajin and slammed my door as I entered. I picked up my pinwheel from beside my bed, and strapped it to my back. I then opened a bag I had stashed away and threw in all the few belongings I owned, which amounted to a few clothes and some food.
I set out towards the front gates and found Rajin already waiting with three accompanying guards. I strode out to meet them, and we set off together towards the place I had once called home.
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Seifer's POV
"Where are we going?" I asked the single companion I had had for the last week or so. "Aren't we returning to the castle?" She laughed at my question and I felt my anger rise.
"Why would we possibly want to go back there? I have not yet finished my business on this continent."
I paused for a moment, allowing the information to slowly settle in my mind. "Then…I won't be seeing my friends again?" I asked, mainly to myself, but nonetheless out loud.
"Of course not. What do you need them for? I've told you countless times already. They'll only get in our way."
I wanted to reply to her harsh words but I held myself back, swearing at her silently in my mind, knowing that if I retaliated I would suffer more of her cruel criticism. Instead I sighed and averted my gaze to the countryside whizzing past me while I sat in the train to another town. I tried to think of my friends, but each time thoughts of only Fujin took control and I found myself on the verge of tears. Before any of them dared to fall I blinked them away, but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't rid myself of the lump in my throat. I wanted to see her so desperately. I wanted to apologise, and run away with her from this monster beside me.
My mind wandered and I pictured this world where the three of us, Fujin, Rajin and me would be living happily together in an apartment in a town somewhere. We would all be smiling and laughing together like we used to in Garden. Nothing would be able to destroy our happiness. Yet a dark sky remained over our world…
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Fujin's POV
I stared out of the window, gazing at the blurred scenery as the train rocked from side to side. The only thought that filled my mind was Seifer, and my anxiety of never being able to see him again. I thought that something like this might happen. Edea had seemed to be determined to break the three of us apart, for a reason unknown to me. The train ride to Balamb would be a long one and as time dragged on, I found myself becoming more and more tired, and eventually I drifted off to sleep.
***
I dreamt of a place where the three of us lived happily all under one roof, supporting one another. I was laughing with Seifer and Rajin, curled up on the sofa leaning against Seifer's warm shoulder. There was nothing, no secrets or anything between us. I loved Seifer without having to hide it from Rajin. We worked together as a unit, just like a family. I would be happy, content with the feeling of finally belonging to a family. But all too soon that happiness clouded over, and transformed into a living hell.
I was running through damp and deserted streets, searching for someone that could help me. My own footsteps and breathing were the only sounds I could hear, until soon I heard footsteps behind me. But as soon as I saw who it was, my feet started to move and run as fast as they could, for the figure was the one person I was scared of. An all too familiar scene unfolded before me, as I ran down the streets into a forest, crying as I heard the threats and lumbering feet bound behind me. My own mother had her pinwheel raised once more and I tripped just like I had done all those years ago.
But instead of falling to the floor, I fell into something. As I looked up I saw my saviour's face. Seifer smiled down at me and embraced me, shielding me from my fears. I closed my eyes, and let out a sigh of relief. But when I opened my eyes again, I saw Seifer looming over me, holding my hands in an unbreakable grip. His eyes weren't the soft, shining eyes I knew and his smirk was of someone else. His lips grazed mine, and his hands began to roam over my body. I tired to kick him off, but he lay too heavily over my frail limbs. I struggled and screamed under his weight, frightened of the sudden intimate contact. I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping that it would all be over soon…
***
I was jerked awake by a hand on my shoulder, and I jumped as I realised that the train had come to a stop. I gathered myself together, trying to push my dream to the back of my mind, but as I walked and followed the guards out of the station, I realised that Seifer had really scared me that day, and that I still hadn't really forgiven him. I knew that it wasn't his fault, and that Edea had been controlling his movements but…
'Stop thinking about it…' I told myself firmly. "Just stop it…' But still, I wondered why I'd been brought back here…to the place I found a home. What were my orders? What would I have to do to make Edea pleased? All these questions bombarded my head and I tried to shake them away as I gazed over the shoreline. But to no avail they remained, shouting for answers inside my head, along with my other worries of the past week.
We were stationed in the hotel in Balamb's harbour, quite a walk from the Garden itself. Nearly as soon as we were left along I turned to Rajin, asking the questions I couldn't answer myself. I stood by the window, the sun setting as we talked. I could feel my voice break down as I went on, mumbling unanswerable questions, knowing I wasn't making any sense. I just couldn't understand why life had to be like this…
My legs gave way as my body continued to shake and I slumped to the floor, leaning against the support of the wall. Rajin sighed and walked over to where I had collapsed and placed his large hand on my small shoulder.
"It'll be all right ya know," he said reassuringly. "Seifer'll come back…We'll all be together again ya know."
"But…He won't will he?" I cried. Tears were forming at my eye and daring to fall. I looked up at Rajin like a frightened child, wanting the world to be right again.
"Fujin…Stay strong ya know, for Seifer's sake. He wouldn't want you to be like this ya know? You've got to keep going. We'll be there someday ya know. Until then you've got to keep on living Fujin."
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Rajin's POV
I could see it just by looking at her face. All she wanted to was to be with Seifer right now. That was the only person who would make things right for her. After watching her for so long, after loving her like a sister, it made it all the more difficult for me to say these words of encouragement. I knew that I couldn't make the wounds heal, and I knew that I wasn't the one who could help her. But I knew that I was the only person here for her right now.
"Fujin…" I stumbled on my words as I saw her tears fell down her innocent, heartbroken face. "You've got to live on ya know, and make him proud of you when you see him again. He wouldn't want you to be sad…He'd want you to be strong…" I felt like I was repeating myself, but I made me feel better knowing that I was doing the small part in comforting her. "Please Fujin…stop crying…" I wiped her tears away with my thumb and held the small girl close to me, knowing that this was the only thing I could ever do for her.
We knelt there together as the sunset behind over the ocean, until Fujin's tears ceased. I helped her up and carried her tired body over towards her bed. I laid her down and let her sleep as I closed the door and departed for my own room, my heart cracking up as I walked. She would never know how much I cared for her, but I would everything in my power to protect her while Seifer was away. I owed him that much for winning her heart.
As I stepped into my own room, the sun had disappeared over the horizon and the dark blue of the night sky reigned over the skies. I sat down on my bed, not quite ready to go to sleep, wondering what our purpose here was. I knew that Edea wasn't too pleased with us being part of her plan…Maybe she planned to eliminate us…Whatever the objective was, I would promise myself to return Fujin to Seifer…