Author's Note: *Phew* It's been a VERY long time. And I am really,
terribly sorry! I know it's my fault! I know it's all my fault! But I
really want to thank all of you for supporting me and reviewing and reading
my fic! It means so much to me to come back from a rough day of school to
be able to read so many wonderful reviews from all of you! Thank you so
much! And you should all know that this fic is completely dedicated to all
of you because if it weren't for your magnificent reviews, this story would
not have existed. Thank you all so much! I luv you all! ^.^
*ahem* So now, on with the usual, I would like to thank all of you!
Starlight4u - You're constant reminders and reviews are so gratifying! You cannot understand how much you have done for me just by reminding me to write this story! And I would also like to thank you for reading my 'Wanted Love, Unwanted Person' fic! That was is really old now, and I don't exactly remember what happened, but when you remember your idea (sorry for the delay once again) please email me it and I'll tell you if you could write a sequel, alrite? I hope everything is going well for you, and that school isn't as bad as it was before, and well, do you really think Quistis loves Seifer? You might have to finish reading this whole fic before you actually find out! Thank you much for the pocky you have shared with me (I love pocky ~.^) and also for the lollipop! But next time you try to bribe me to hurry up and write, I'm expecting some very delicious iced cappuccinos! Oh, and please thank you sister for ummm, listening to my fic? Lol! Thank you so much!
Ghost140 - How can you be so cruel to me? Making me lose so much sleep!! Lol, I'm joking! ^.^ So, as a peace offering, I offer you this stash of many cupcakes that I have baked for you... actually, those cupcakes look really good... hmmm, maybe I shouldn't share them ~.^ Lol. Well, I'm terribly sorry for not updating in such a long time, but either way, I hope you enjoy this chapter! Actually... I'm not too sure about that... hmmm... anyway, thank you so much for your umm 'positive' comments! (I personally do not like fearing for my life when I sleep) Lol.
Verdanii - Hii!! Thanks for reviewing all the chapters! So, in thanks, I finished this chapter! Yay! Hope you enjoy!! ^.^
punkygal - Thank you so much for your praises! You are awesome! And I'm glad you were smiling so much while reading chappy 6! But I'm not sure you'll be smiling as much for this chapter...
Tomato Seed/Onion Seed/Kiwi Seed - I love your names! They were so funny when I read them! Especially the last one! Haha, that was good laugh! ^.^ Thankies for reviewing all my chappies also! It was very nice of you! Especially your comments! ^.^ It's very sweet of you to write so much in a review and tell me what you enjoyed in each chapter! It was very nice of you!! But... to be truthful, I'm not too sure you'll enjoy this chapter as much as the other ones... I personally, don't really like how this chapter turned out... but I shouldn't say anything about this chapter until you read it ~.^ Plus, you get to find out if Seifer accepts or declines the offer!
Starchild1 - Sorry I didn't update soon, but here's chapter 7! Thank you for reading and reviewing! I hope you enjoy this chapter!
frost - Thank you for reviewing! And I'm glad you enjoyed the transition of emotions between characters! I was really afraid that I was going completely out of character and such . But I hope you enjoy this chapter as well!
Quistis88 - Yay! I'm so hapy that you liked the chapter! And yes, I agree, cliffhangers are evil, but the strange thing is... I love writing them! ^.^ I'm so evil sometimes *shame* Lol, well, the update wasn't soon, but here it is!
VegaKeep - Yes the heartbreak, but will it be good? I have no idea, you gotta tell me what you think! As for the important question, all I can say is, you'll have to wait and see! ~.^
Angelic Sorrow - Yay!! If you thought the chappy was sad, then I've done my job! I love it when my readers can feel some of the emotions coming from the chapters... it just makes me so happy! ^.^ As for it Seifer and Quistis get together in the end... who knows? Maybe they don't, maybe they do... to find out, you gotta keep reading! ^.^
chococat2 - Oooh!!! So you know who the 'dark blue nails' thing is? I wanna know!! I wanna know!!! Lol, tell me if you guessed it right! ! ~.^
Firess Ifrit Devil - Although I didn't update it soon... here's chapter 7!! I hope you enjoy this chapter and the rest to come! ^.^
The Twilight Rose - Okay... I should have updated sooner... my house has been flooded by your tears... I'm so sorry!! I really wished I did update sooner! But I hope you enjoy this fic still! ^.^
Okay, so it's time to start Chapter 7 - Together.
Will you enjoy this chapter?
Or will you despise it?
Honestly, I didn't enjoy this chapter too much... It seems awfully terrible compared to all the other chapters... but nonetheless, I believe that the next chapter will be much better. MUCH.
Enjoy!
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*Charles*
We've been here in this dreaded garden for about a week now. This school is unimaginable boring. And to think, this garden has stood its ground longer than my own and Trabia. These dorm rooms seem small and cramped compared to the luxurious ones at my school. Even the furniture, window curtains, bed sheets and blankets seem like crap.
I sighed. [This school is in no ways better than Galbadia. but why do they produce such promising young SeeDs?] Some questions would never be answered. My eyes shifted to Elaine. She sat uncomfortable on the sofa applying a clear later of nail polish on. The room reeked of nail polish smell.
I plopped myself beside her, wrapping an arm around her slender waist. She stopped applying nail polish and looked straight into my eyes, the deadly glare sent a chill down the back of my neck. Quickly, I removed my arms from her.
"Do that again, and I will remove your arm permanently." She went back to painting her nails.
"Oh come on! If we're gonna be a couple, we should act like it too!" I urged, in hopes that she would soften up a little. But my efforts were in vain. She completely ignored me and continued her artwork. "What's so great about this Seifer anyway? Sure, he joined forces with some sorceresses and nearly destroyed the planet a few years ago, but why him? Why not Squall? He stopped Seifer. Or better yet, Rinoa. She's a sorceress you know."
Elaine looked up at me and smiled. It wasn't one of those warm, nice smiles. It was deadly and I could feel daggers coming at my way. Elaine has this aura around her. Seductive she was, but deadly she is. She continued to smile. It wasn't as if she had a wicked grin, but it felt dangerous. All this time I had been with her, I still did not exactly know what she had in mind. I don't know why I didn't ask her what the plot was, I just felt like I couldn't. And I didn't know why I let her do anything she wanted -even using me as a puppet-I just did. I had no explanation to why I followed her around everywhere. I did not know.
"My dear, dear Charlie. Can you not see?"
"See what?" I was dumbfounded. I had no idea what she had meant.
"Why darling, he is the easiest to mold." She paused momentarily. "Com now, it is time." She hooked her arm around mine and led us out.
I didn't understand this woman at all. One minute she's threatening to cut off my arm, the next, she voluntarily wraps around it. But aside from that, I did not understand what she meant by 'easiest to mold'. Mold what? And mold into what? I didn't like the feeling that I had. I knew nothing. But what made me more frustrated was how I couldn't ask. Maybe I was afraid. Afraid of Elaine, or afraid of the answer? I could not tell. There was so much I did not understand.
"Oh my! Someone's an early bird. I like that. Good morning dearest Seifer, did you sleep well?" Elaine and I had just entered Cid's office. Cid, Edea, and Seifer were already waiting for us.
"It's Seifer. Not dearest Seifer. Seifer. Just Seifer." He gave us a disgusted look.
"It'll grow on you within time." She stated, seemingly so sure of his decision. "I presume you bring me good news?"
"Perhaps. Or perhaps not. Depends on which way you want to see it." Seifer replied turning his gaze away from her. Something I could never do.
"Seifer, dear, are you happy with your decision?" Edea placed her delicate hand on him.
Cid was a lucky man to have found such a gorgeous person like Edea. She seems sweet, innocent -okay, so she messed up big time once, but hey, she's sorry and she's trying to make up for it right? -She's beautiful, caring and understanding. Some things Elaine lacks.
"Yes." Seifer replied after a few seconds of silence. "I have decided to..."
* * * *Selphie*
Today was a delightful morning. I had woke up by the lovely song the birds sang. The sun lit my room warmly and Seify hadn't woken me up at night. At least, I thought it was a delightful morning. The reason Seify hadn't woken me up was because he was crying. His soft doggy whimpers made my heart ache. I had no idea what was bothering him. I tried nearly everything to cheer him up. I brought him his favorite toys, a bunch of snacks he loves, and I even brought the chair he occasionally does his business on. But he didn't even move.
"Seify... what's wrong?" I sat down beside him stroking his head. "Can you tell mommy what's wrong?" He still did not move. "Maybe Seifer would know what's wrong with you." Surprisingly, he lifted up his little head and looked at me with his sad, droopy face. "Seifer! Do you miss your daddy?"
Almasy wagged his tail a few times, making a soft thudding sound.
"Alright then! Let's go visit Seifer!" I grabbed my purse and carefully placed Almasy into it. "Well it's still pretty early, I don't think many people are up this early, so you shouldn't have to go into that wretched box! Let's go Seify!" We headed towards Seifer's room. Luckily no one was wandering the halls this early and therefore no one noticed Almasy's head poking out of my bag.
Just as I was about to knock on Seifer's door, it slid open. To my greatest surprise, Matron came out holding a pile of bed sheets and blankets in her arms.
"Matron?"
She looked up at me and gave a weak smile. "Selphie, you do know that pets are not allowed at the garden."
[Oh crap.] I smacked myself lightly on the forehead.
"Don't worry, as long as he keeps quiet and doesn't make a mess I won't tell your headmaster."
"Thank you so much Matron!" I was about to jump and give her a hug, but I soon realized I would have only hugged the stuff she carries. "Matron, what's all that you're carrying?"
"Oh..." Her voice lowered. "Seifer's old stuff..."
"Oh. Is Seifer in his room?"
Matron looked down, it seemed as if she was sad or something was bothering her. "No." She replied after a few seconds of silence. "He left this morning."
"He left this morning?" I repeated. "He never told me he had a SeeD mission... unless I forgot about it. Do you know when he'll be back then?"
"No." Matron looked straight into my eyes. I could tell her eyes were watery. Was... she crying? "He did not leave on a SeeD mission."
I backed up slightly in shock. [No. This couldn't be. Seifer worked so hard to be SeeD! He couldn't have just left like that!!! He couldn't have quit SeeD!! This was all wrong!! Seifer, what the hell is wrong with you?! Why didn't you tell me?! You BASTARD!]
"Seifer... he left... to Galbadia Garden."
Time seemed to have slowed down for me. Her words seemed to stumble out of her mouth. I could almost see the words coming out. My breathing quickened and to my ears they seemed to echo in my head. This could not have happened.
"Left...? To Galbadia?" Disbelief was written all over my face. "Why...? Why?! Why did he leave?!" My voice rising in anger.
"That... he would only know." Matron turned away and headed back to the main foyer.
I couldn't believe it. He had left this morning. And I couldn't even say one last goodbye to him. He left without me knowing. He left without telling me. And he probably left for good. I knew a lot of people didn't accept him here, but still, Seifer was strong, he would never let anything like that chase him away. At least, I didn't think so. But I couldn't think of any other reason Seifer would leave Balamb. Why would he leave Matron? Why would he leave little Almasy? And... why would he leave me? I had only just begun seeing a glimpse of the real him. The little boy inside of him buried under his tough exterior. And now? Now I would probably never see him again. Much less talk to him.
"Seifer... couldn't you have at least told me?" I muttered as a tear slid down my cheek.
I quickly wiped it away and rubbed my eyes. I looked at Almasy who seemed to sense my sadness and smiled brightly at him. "Don't worry Almasy, you'll see your daddy some other time okay?"
Patting his head, I headed back to my dorm. But on my way, I saw Quistis. She wore her usual attire, the peach battle suit with her whip hanging on the side. Her glasses perched upon her nose, straight posture, calm, cool exterior, and the invisible barrier shielding her from all emotions. She looked exactly the way she did couple years back, during the time of the Sorceress War. I disliked it.
"Morning Quisty!" I beamed with joy, attempting to hide any negative feelings all together.
"Good morning Selphie."
Just as I was passing by her, I noticed something new. Something looked a little different about her. Something out of the ordinary. She wore a silver chain necklace. What was written on the necklace I could not make out, but I knew one thing for sure. It was the same necklace I had seen Seifer hiding that night in the foyer. I stopped walking. [Could it be?] I asked myself. I spun around.
"Quistis?" I called out.
She too stopped walking and turned to face me. "Hmm?"
"Where did you get that necklace?"
She looked down and touched it lightly, as if deep in thought. After a brief moment she looked back up. "I found it."
"Where?" I could tell. She knew where it came from. She knew it was from Seifer.
"In my purse last night."
[Last night...?] I tried to think what might have happened. [The date! Of course... Seifer and Quistis were on that date. It must be. It has to be!] My blood seemed to have begun boiling.
"From who?"
"I'm not sure. I found it..."
I cut her off. I couldn't take it anymore. She knew who it was from. She was merely going in circles! "From Seifer. You know it was from Seifer!"
She didn't say a word.
"What did you do to him?!" My voice rising again.
"Excuse me?" She seemed surprised. Of course she was. She didn't know that Seifer left.
"He left Quistis. He left because of you! It was you!!! He's a changed man you know, he's not the same as he was couple years back! Let it go!! Why did you have to do this to him?! I can't believe you." I had begun yelling and tears of frustration welled up in my eyes. I couldn't take it anymore. I had to leave.
I stormed back towards my room wiping the tears away. [I hate you. I hate you both.] Almasy licked my arm as I headed towards the dorms. I looked down at him through the frustrated tears.
"I don't think you'll be seeing your daddy anytime soon."
* * * *Quistis*
I just stood there, appalled and shocked. Words and emotions spilled out from Selphie, but I could not comprehend them all at once. [He left. Seifer left. Left the garden. Why...? Selphie said... it was because of me. Is that true?] I didn't know. I couldn't tell. My breathing slowed quite a bit. I grasped my sleeve and tightened my grip. [This wasn't true. It couldn't be. Seifer would never do something like that because of me. What was I to him anyway? Ex-instructor, ex-tutor, ex-person-on- his-almost-killed-list. I couldn't have possibly had that big of an impact on him. What did I do? Okay, so maybe I rejected his proposal, but he was only trying to make a joke of me... right? I could care less if he left!]
"That's right... I could care less." I mumbled to myself.
[But... if I could care less, why did I wear his necklace?] My grip on my sleeve loosed and reached to clutch the necklace. [No. It's not true!]
I sprinted. I raced towards his dorm. It couldn't possibly be true. Selphie and Seifer were only setting me up on this joke of theirs. It couldn't have been true! Pounding on his door made me realize I had began to develop some sort of awkward feelings to him. I didn't know what had gotten into me. I had never, ever felt like this towards him before. Nor did I ever think I would. [This is all a big joke. Or maybe it's a dream. I don't care about Seifer. He's Seifer. I don't care about anything that deals with him!]
Someone was shuffling in his room. I stopped knocking. It was all a big joke. Seifer was behind the door and he was going to start laughing at my gullibility. [Bastard.] I swore, turning around to head back. I heard the door slide open.
"Yes?" A male voice asked. But it didn't sound at all like Seifer.
I spun around to see who it was. And it wasn't him. It didn't even look like him at all. "I... is Seifer about?"
"Seifer?" He didn't seem to know what I was talking about. "Oh, you must mean the guy who used to live in this room. Oh no, no. Headmaster assigned this room to me now. I'm Thomas by the way, nice to meet you."
I didn't care for his name. Nor did I care for him. Seifer was gone. He had left. And... it was all because of me. I had let him go...
* * * -A few days later-
For the past few days, I had been doing the same routine, nothing ever changing. Get up bright and early, head to the bathroom for my cold morning shower to wake me up from the restless night, get dressed, walk to the dresser, put on the necklace Seifer gave me, think about the night before he left, then head out to help Kianne teach her class. I would act as if nothing was wrong, nothing had happened, and nothing bothered me. Until I came back to my room, I tried not to think about Seifer too much. Once back into my room, I would get ready for bed, and then lie there for most of the night thinking about how harsh I had been to Seifer. It hurt. But of course, no one else knew about it, nor would I tell anyone of it.
With Seifer gone, everything seemed to have quieted down. At least, it seemed to me. Zell no longer bitched about Seifer, Squall and Rinoa seemed to be in their heaven once again, and Irvine didn't seem to care one way or another. Selphie, on the other hand, was a bit different. I hadn't talked to her since she yelled at me. Occasionally I did see her, but she would not say anything to me and continued her business. I didn't say anything to her either. I didn't know what to say. I was afraid to anger her some more. I knew it was my fault too. I just didn't know how to make up for it.
Today, however, was going to be different. So far I had done everything the same up until I started thinking about Seifer while touching the necklace. Today was a Saturday. I did not have to go to class with Kianne. I didn't know where to go.
"Quistis?" A meek voice called from behind my door, while rapping lightly.
I opened the door and was surprised to see Selphie there.
"Selphie?" I wasn't sure if I was dreaming.
"I'm sorry Quistis." She looked down to the ground, afraid to make eye contact with me. "I didn't mean to say all those things I said to you. I was just angry and frustrated. I'm really sorry Quistis. I don't know if you'll forgive me for my actions, but I just needed to let you know that I am really, really sorry. I didn't come talk to you sooner because I was afraid you might get even more angry with me..."
I couldn't let her finish her sentence any longer. I reached out and pulled her into a big hug. She was my friend, a really, really close friend, how could I ever stay mad at her?
"It's not your fault Selphie. I'm really sorry too."
"Thanks Quisty..." She pulled back after a short while and smiled at me. "I really, really do miss him though." Selphie looked down at the ground sadly. "He's a changed man. He's a lot different than he used to be. So much kinder, so much sweeter, and so much more innocent. At least, he was. Maybe he's forgotten about us..."
I gave her another quick hug. "I bet he really misses you too." Actually, somehow, in the depths of my heart, I doubted it. I only said that to make her feel a little better. But, I too, believed he would forget about Balamb Garden. Why would he want to remember this place anyway? The only memorable things here for him would be Matron and possibly Selphie. No one else. He would want to forget about me especially.
"Maybe..." Selphie's voice started cracking. A few tears began sliding down her cheeks. "Almasy misses him a lot too..."
"Almasy?"
"Almasy... Seify... all the same doggy." She wiped her tears and put on a smile for me. "He's the only thing that'll make me feel like Seifer is still here with me."
I gave her a puzzled look. I didn't know what she meant or what she was talking about. Why would a dog... remind her of Seifer?
As if reading my mind, she answered my question. "Seifer gave me Almasy for my birthday." She looked up at me once again and smiled. "But it's not like any of that matters, I highly doubt I'll ever see or talk to Seifer again." She turned around about to head off. "Well, I better get going, I'll see you around Quisty!"
I too turned around and closed my door. Selphie was right. He did seem like a changed man. A man who would repent his sins and take responsibility for his actions. He did not run away after his crime during the Sorceress War. He did not run away from me either. Like everyone else, I turned my back on him. I was the one unable to change. I left him to choose another destiny.
* * * -Two months later-
"I don't know why Quistis! It's just... I don't know if I can take this anymore! He doesn't even notice my feelings for him! I've tried, and tried, but he still does not take the clues! And I can't just tell him straight out! I can't... it's too hard..." Kianne looked up at me through tears of sorrow. "I don't think it's meant to be..."
"Kianne, don't be ridiculous!" I held her hands tightly. "I'm sure he just needs a little encouragement. I bet he's just as afraid as you. Maybe he likes you too! Maybe he's afraid to ask you!"
"Quistis... you and I both know that's not true. We're just not meant to be... I guess." She continued to sob, and continuously wiping the tears away. "But he's like no other person I have ever met before. He is so kind and caring. And I just love his personality and how he acts and... it's just, so adorable to me. He tries to act so manly, but really, he's just a big kid." She laughed slightly. "He's almost like the perfect guy in my mind!"
"Then... why can't you tell him that you have all these feelings for him?"
"I can't Quistis. I just can't..."
"Why not?" I usually wasn't so nosy about other peoples' business, but I was really curious as to why Kianne wouldn't. Kianne showed off this aura to me. She was like one of those girls who would do whatever they felt like without any restraint. She was a tough woman, but here, she portrayed a weak, innocent child.
"I... it's... I..." She struggled to begin, I was about to let go of the subject, but she continued. "I... learned from the hard way that I shouldn't bluntly say my feelings to any guy..."
I didn't understand what she meant. [Why would she be so afraid to show her feelings to Zell?]
"... my first boyfriend... and fiancée were killed shortly after I confessed my feelings to them... I'm afraid if I do this again, someone might get hurt."
"It can't be Kianne. It was just pure coincidence!"
"No... it's not Quistis. I know. I'm bond to this ill-Fate." More tears rushed down from her eyes. "Thank you for being here with me right now. I really appreciate it." She gave me a weak smile.
* * *
I could not sit around and let Kianne mope like that all day. I had to do something about it, and something I would do. Just after Kianne had fell asleep after crying so much, I left her room in search of Zell. If Kianne couldn't tell him, then I would. I could not bear to see her suffer so much for loving someone. I knew exactly how it felt for someone to suffer for love, and I did not want anyone else to have to experience it.
As I had assumed, I found Zell in the Training Centre, brutally murdering some T-Rexuars as usual. Beads of sweat were dripping from his face, and monster gut smeared all over his gloves. As I neared him, he also reeked of monster guts.
"Zell! Do you have a minute?" I called out to him.
He turned to face me and smiled. "Quistis! Wanna train with me? I'm on a roll today! You should have seen how many I've knocked down in the past couple hours! Boo ya!"
"Actually, I was wondering if you could take a break for a few minutes."
"Oh." His excitement evaporated. "This sounds serious." He picked up a bag lying nearby and led me to the Secret Area. He then grabbed a towel out from the bag and wiped his face. "What's wrong?" His voice muffled by the towel.
"Zell, tell me, what do you think of Kianne?"
"Kianne? She's a nice girl. Kinda cute too. Why do you ask?" He stuffed the towel back into the bag and grabbed a water bottle. Untwisting the cap, he drank over three quarters in one gulp.
"What do you see her as?" I asked, staring closely at him.
"Umm... a person?"
"No, no. I mean, as a friend? An acquaintance?"
"Oh, a friend." He dropped the water bottle back into the bag and zipped it up.
"Only?"
"Quistis, what are you trying to get at here?" He looked at me with a puzzled expression on his face.
"Kianne likes you." I stated. Might as well get it over with.
There was an awkward silence as Zell seemed to remain indifferent with the subject and emotionless. I couldn't tell what Zell was thinking nor could I tell how he was feeling. I began to feel unsure of my decision to tell him. Would he take it like a man? Would he act different around Kianne? Was this a bad idea? I was now afraid that I had done more harm to Kianne then helping her.
"I..." He paused briefly. "... already knew that."
Another moment of awkward silence came to us. This time, I was shocked and surprised. All this time I had thought that Zell hadn't known her feelings and that someone had to tell him. But with what he said, it changed everything.
"I just, hoped it wouldn't be true." He continued.
"What... why not?" I was still stunned.
"I don't feel the same for her. She's a really nice girl, but I don't like her that way. I acted as if I didn't know and that I didn't care because I didn't want to ruin our friendship. It would hurt her and our friendship if I told her that." His hand tightened into a fist. "I don't want that to happen!"
"Zell, do you have another girl in mind?"
"Well... no... but..." He couldn't finish. Maybe he didn't know what to say, or maybe he didn't want to finish.
"Then why don't you give her a try? How are you to know for sure that you don't like her at all if you don't try...?" Maybe this lesson here was better off for me...
"And if it doesn't work out? It'll hurt her even more! Not only that, but we might not even be friends anymore." He continued to argue.
"It would set her mind at rest. You don't know what she's going through now because you show absolutely no feelings to her. Either this, or at least, tell her that you don't like her as she likes you. You shouldn't drag it on." [Nor should you make hasty decisions.] My mind told me.
"I... don't know. I need some time to think. I'm gonna go shower. See ya later Quistis." Zell picked up his bag and swung it over his shoulder and jogged out of the Training Centre.
I looked up to the sky and sighed. If only I did not let go... maybe things would have been better. Or perhaps, things were better off this way? I did not know, nor would I ever. I smiled at the clear blue sky. Why was I feeling like this anyway? I did not even love that man to begin with. I cared nothing of him. I don't even know the meaning of 'love', so how can I possibly say that I 'loved' a man I hated all my life? I laughed. The things life does to a person.
* * * *Elaine*
I sat on sofa staring into the pool of water. The water began swirling and soon an image formed. The image of a man. A tall blonde man. He was the key. He is the only one who is able to make my plans succeed. It is him, and only him, that will lead me to my greater destiny. In which, I will be Queen, the all-powerful, the all-knowing. I dare not to dream this anymore, for it is time, that it will become a reality.
"Elaine, my dearest darling. What mischief are you up to now?" A male voice whispered into my ear as his arm snaked down my sides.
Turning around swiftly my hand clasped around his neck, my nails digging into his skin. I smiled sweetly at him. He, of course, was not dumb, hastily removing his arms, I let go of his neck.
"Care to do that again?"
"Elaine, we've been together for so long, why is it that you won't open up to me?" He took a seat beside me.
"Correction. We've NEVER been together. Dare to dream."
Suddenly the door slammed open, we both turned to face the intruder. We were once again not surprised to see Seifer. Charles took advantage of this intruder and wrapped his arm around my waist. I could not do anything to him with Seifer in the room. [Damn that bastard. He will pay.]
"Tell me, why is it that I have done nothing for the past two months I have been here? What are you taking me as?! I'm a SeeD! I should be going out on missions, not babysitting some juniors who are afraid to hold a fukkin' weapon!" Seifer slammed down a broken dagger. "How can they specialize in a certain weapon if they don't even know how to throw it properly?! What kind of garden is this?!"
I only smiled. He was perfect. His attitude, his temper, his strength, his power, his everything, he was the only one fit for what I had in mind. "Seifer dear, calm down." I stood up to pull away from that wretched man's embrace. "In due time you will be sent on a SeeD mission. Right now, we're just trying to get you acquainted to our Garden." I placed one delicate hand on his shoulder, but he only roughly shrugged it off.
"I'm a SeeD, not a babysitter." He stated out angrily.
"Seifer, please, you must try to understand. I can't just send you out for any mission. I need you here in case of a real SeeD mission. You must not be so... feisty." My fingers brushed over his face. He didn't move, but it didn't seem like he cared. I leaned in closer to him and whispered in his ear. "I can't afford to lose you."
Immediately after, behind me was the sound of glass shattering. I whipped my head around and saw Charles hand curled into a fist, his face red with jealousy, and a shattered glass on the floor. Seifer took advantage of the situation and left the room. I merely smiled at Charles.
"Why him?! Why couldn't you have picked someone else? Quistis, Selphie, Rinoa! Why not a girl?!"
"Charlie, my dear. Seifer is the most perfect one to do this. He will no doubt follow orders soon. We must train him. Train him to listen to us. Then Charles, can I finally fulfill my dreams." I smirked. This was too easy.
* * *
Slowly and carefully turning the knob into Seifer's room, I licked my lips gradually. I could taste victory dancing upon my lips. The door creaked open and I slipped in. It was way past midnight, and I was sure Seifer would be sleeping. This would make the perfect time to complete Seifer's 'training session'. I carefully slid onto his bed until I was sitting right next to his sleeping form. My hand moved in the darkness and easily made it's way to his chest. Lightly placing my hand on his chest, I could feel his slow, rhythmic breathing.
"Darkness overwhelm me. Give me his strength." I mumbled to myself drawing my hand away from his chest. Despite the darkness I knew my curse was working. I could feel the invisible red string coming from my palm connecting with his heart. Like so many others before him, this would bound his Fate.
"Who's there?!" The voice beside me suddenly burst out as the lamplight turned on.
The invisible string snapped before it completed its job, causing me to jump back. I managed to land on the ground, but the power flooded into my mind, causing me to lose my vision temporarily. My sight slowly came back to me, but it was still rather blurry. My head felt like it was spinning and I could feel a major migraine closing in fast.
"What the hell are you doing in my room?!" Seifer demanded.
Despite the fact that I could not see properly or think properly, I managed to push myself up from the ground and force out a lie from my mouth. "Oh! Seifer, I'm terribly sorry. I thought you were Charles... I must have came into the wrong room." I used all my strength to force myself out the door, walking normally. Once I stepped outside and closed the door, I could no longer walk properly.
My energy seemed to be flowing out of me as I tried hard to regain my posture. Before long, my legs began to feel weak and seemed to collapse on me. I fell down on one side, but before I landed on the ground, someone had caught me. I looked at the person, but only barely managed to make out who it was. Charles.
"Elaine! Are you alright?"
I could not remember what happened next, because once I regained my vision back, I found myself in my bed, and Charles sitting beside the bed, pouring a glass of water for me.
"Elaine... what happened?" He asked while handing me the cup.
"Seifer... he woke up before I could finish." I remembered, taking a sip of water. "I've never felt so much power shoot back at me before."
"It's okay Elaine. You should rest and regain your strength. You can try again tomorrow."
"I can't. The string isn't strong enough... We'll have to use plan B to 'train' Seifer." I paused and looked Charles straight in the eye. "This will have to do... if I try it again, it could kill him. And I cannot risk that." I looked down at my trembling hands. "My dreams will have to take a little longer to fulfill."
* * * *Rinoa*
I was reading quietly in my room before I was suddenly interrupted by a knock on the door. The knock wasn't loud or rude or anything of that such, it was just that after being so deep into a book and then unexpectedly disturbed was rather very annoying for me. I curled my lips in disgust as I grabbed a bookmark and shoved it into the book. The person knocked again making me even more irritated.
"I'm coming!" I snapped, as I opened the door. All my displeasure vanished as I saw who was knocking. "Oh! Squall!" I was surprised. I wasn't expecting him because he had told me he had some paper work to do.
"Are you busy?" His eyes shifted everywhere except in my gaze. Something was wrong, but I couldn't pinpoint it out yet.
"Oh no, no. I was just reading. I wasn't expecting you to come tonight." I smiled brightly as I moved aside to let him in. "I thought you had some stuff to do."
"I finished early." He took a seat on the sofa in my room, I took a seat right beside him. "How was your day?"
Something was really wrong. Squall did not normally make small chit chat like this with me. Either something was bothering him, or he was keeping something from me... or maybe I was just being a little too paranoid. I glanced at his hands momentarily before speaking. He kept on rubbing his hands and fidgeting ever so slightly. Something had to be wrong.
"Oh, I went to visit Mrs. Dincht and Angelo this morning. I feel so sorry for her, she's getting old now and she always seems to be alone. Squally, we should go visit her more often! I'm just glad Angelo is with her to keep her company. Oh, that reminds me, Mrs. Dincht invited all of us to her place for dinner next weekend. I haven't promised her that we'd come 'cause I wasn't sure if you were busy. So can we go?" As much as I tried to ignore the feeling in my heart that something was wrong, I kept a straight face and managed to sound as normal as possible.
"Sure." He stated, almost like he hadn't even heard a single word I said. Something was distracting him. I wanted to ask, but I was also afraid to ask.
"Oh, you know who else I saw today in Balamb?"
"Who?" His voice still distant, his mind occupied.
"Zell! And you'll never guess who I saw him with... Kianne! But, that's not it! I saw them holding hands!! You know, I think he finally knows that she likes him! And if you ask me, it seems like they're going out now! I'm so happy for them! They are just so cute together!" I looked at Squall straight in the eye. "Don't you think?"
Instead of answering me with words, Squall leaned in and kissed me on the lips. I pulled back quickly in shock before the kiss grew intense. Squall never did anything this un expecting before. It made me scared. Something was definitely wrong.
"Squall, what is wrong? I can tell something about you is really off today. Is there something you want to tell me?" My voice was cracking, I don't know why, but I could feel the tears rushing to my eyes and ready to fall.
There was a moment of silence before he did anything. He got up from the sofa, with my eyes glued on him, and took a step forward. He stopped for a few seconds, which made my heart pound faster and harder every moment. He turned around and stared into my eyes. Squall then went down on one knee, took my hand and kissed it ever so softly.
"Rinoa, you're the most beautiful person I've ever met. You're the only one who has been able to see past my tough exterior. You're the only one I would ever dream about being with. I love you for who you are Rinoa. I love they way your stunning hair dances with the wind, the way your eyes shine like the brightest star in the sky, the way you lips brushes against mine, the way hands always finds a way to wrap around me. I love you Rinoa. You are an angel. The most perfect angel of all. You're too perfect. But... I want more..." He stopped.
My heart also stopped. It stopped beating. Was he going to break up with me? Sentences that begin with 'but' never have a happy ending. My breathing quickened. I could feel my whole body trembling. I had to keep blinking repeatedly from letting the tears fall. I knew it. Something was wrong the moment I saw him. He was planning to break up with me all along. Why did I not see this coming? I should have let him kiss me. I shouldn't have pulled away.
"I want to be the luckiest man forever. Rinoa, will you marry me?" He finished.
I stopped breathing and my heart stopped beating completely. The tears finally flowed from my eyes freely. But these were not tears of despair, these were tears of joy. I nodded my head.
"Of course!"
* * * *Quistis*
Life was dull. Everything was beginning to have to same routine. Day in and day out, I would normally do the same things. Nothing new. Nothing interesting. That was life of Quistis Trepe.
Times like this... made me think a lot. And thinking wasn't the best thing for me. Why? Because I would always think of Seifer. It's been over two months since I last saw or talked to him. As much as I hate to admit it, I missed him. I missed him a lot. And... I wish I hadn't let him go. But... that was the past, and I can't live a life of regrets... so I live a life of memories now. Although I don't really like living this life, I must cope with it. It was Fate. The destiny I have chosen.
I look at the person staring back at me in the mirror. I can tell she hides many things. She's not acting as herself. I know the pain she goes through. The regrets. The truths. The facts of life. This was her choice. No way of denying it.
"Quistis... you have changed. You weren't ever like this. How could you change so much because of one person?" I ask myself. "Quistis. Get a grip. This is life."
Just then, I felt this strange feeling coming from my chest. I've felt it a few times this week already, and every time I do, I get a little dizzy. [Something is wrong with me. I should really go check this out with Dr. Kadowaki.] I blinked a few times before I had to bolt to the toilet. I lifted the seat and threw up. Maybe I'm dying...
* * * *Irvine*
"Irvine... I'm so happy today!" Selphie jumped in the middle of the circle that Seify was making in the sand. "Almasy, you're such a good boy aren't you?" She began petting the dog.
Ever since she had gotten that dog, I was used to this. She'd talk to me one minute, and the next she'd be playing with the dog. But what I didn't get was why she kept calling the dog 'Almasy' after Seifer left. I didn't bother to ask though, I just figured she missed Seifer so much that she renamed her dog. But to me, I still call the dog Seify.
"What happened?" I asked, bending down to pet the dog as well. Today he wore a little purple bow in his tail.
"I was talking to Kianne earlier! She's so happy! And I'm so happy because she's happy!"
I was a little confused. "Why? What happened to Kianne that made her so happy which made you so happy?" I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her down to sit on the sand. Seify ran off to play with the low tide waves.
"Oh! Zell finally asked her out! I'm so happy for her!" Selphie sighed like a love struck person. "Ahhh... they are so cute!"
"What about us? Don't you think we're cute?" I whispered into her ears.
"Ha! You wish!" Selphie laughed as she pushed me away and ran towards Seify. I quickly got up somewhat tackled her down, making us both fall into the water. "Irvy!! You cheated!" She pulled herself away from my embracing arms and splashed water in my face. "Almasy is going to attack you for that! Right Almasy?" The dog merely panted and wagged his tail a few times.
Seify no longer seemed to be the energetic dog he was. I've noticed that for the past few months he has been less and less active. It was as if... he knew Seifer had left and he was sad. Why he would be? I had absolutely no idea. But not only did the dog act different, I've noticed that Selphie had been too. I hadn't told her before because I knew she was still a little upset that Seifer had left. Actually... come to think about it, everyone acted a little different after he left. For the better or for the worse? It was for them to judge. But to me, some were in it for the worse.
Selphie for example, she, like Seify, was a lot less energetic. She no longer had brightness and spark in her eyes. Now it was merely a dim light being forced to shine a little. And because of that, I wasn't as happy as I used to be. Sure, she would try and cover up any sadness with sudden outbursts of 'joy', but I knew, I knew that in the depths of her heart, she was missing Seifer. It made me a little jealous to be truthful. How could one man she hardly knew anything about, make her feel in such a way? There were many times that I wanted to tell her. Tell her how I felt about her being like this, but I knew I couldn't. I knew that if I did, it would only upset her even more.
Much like Selphie, Matron hid a lot of things behind her warm smile. Of all the people Seifer knew, she would have to be the closest person to him. Matron was like a mother to him. She was like a mother to all of us. Even Squall and Rinoa were a little different after he left. Rinoa got a little more mature, and doesn't seem so clingy to Squall in front of us. And Squall, well, he seems happier now yes, but I honestly believe that Seifer being here was an essential part of him. Seifer was the one who kept him on the tips of his toes. He was always ready for anything unexpected, he was always so prepared. But now? He's a lot more laid back. Maybe that's a good thing. Maybe it's not. Having a rival seemed to have drove Squall's life forward, he was striving to be better, be the best, however, now he's laid back... a little too laid back.
Quistis has been acting different too. She's been... going back to being her normal self. Stoic, calm, and all professional-like. It seems like she hardly has time to just hang out with her friends now. That is... if she even counts us as her friends. I know something is wrong with her. I asked her once, but she denied it as I had expected. She doesn't tell any of us anything. But I know something is wrong. And I'm pretty sure it's because of the pain coming from her heart. She probably misses him too.
"Earth to Irvy pumpkins!" Selphie waved her hands in front of my face. "What are you thinking about?" She tilted her head to one side.
"This!" I quickly took advantage and wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her close to me. "And this." I gave her a quick kiss and winked at her.
She paused momentarily, doing absolutely nothing. Then as if a lightning bolt had struck her, she pushed me away once again. "Hey!! You cheated again!"
* * * *Seifer*
Hell had frozen over. Since when did I care about other people? Since when did I think about the past? Since when did I think about the consequences of my actions? That's not the Seifer I knew. That was the attempting-to-be-better Seifer. But he died. He was killed. He was murdered. He was murdered by one, Quistis Trepe.
I was the Seifer Almasy. I am the Seifer Almasy. And I will forever be the Seifer Almasy. I didn't care about how people saw me until I wanted to redeem myself. But that attempt was completely futile. Worthless. Pathetic. Weak. I will never be like that again. People feared me. People hated me. And forever it shall remain this way. Why? Redemption is for the weak. Redemption makes people even weaker. And I am not weak. I am strong. The best of the best. The most feared of all people. I am THE Seifer Almasy. No one is ever going to take that from me again. Not Quistis, not Matron, nobody.
"Seifer?" A female voice called from beside me.
I had been standing in my bathroom with only a towel around my waist after a hot shower. I had been looking at my reflection in the mirror. The person in the mirror looked exactly the way he did a few years ago when he was the most feared, most hated, most dangerous man alive. And today, he will live once again to reign over all that was once 'good'. But of course, there is no such thing as 'good' or 'evil' in this world. It was merely a label of perception. But with power, you can change everybody's perception. I craved that power. That was what I strive to live for now.
I turned to face the intruder and was slightly surprised to see Elaine, but either way, I did not show any surprise. I turned to look in the mirror again.
"I didn't hear you come in." I stated.
"Maybe you were too busy looking at the handsome devil in the mirror." Her tone of voice was quiet but seductive. She moved close to me and looked in the mirror as well. Her hand placed against my face. "So much anger... so much hate... I can feel your pain... Seifer, I know you're suffering. I don't want to see you like this..." She turned to face me. Closing her eyes she leaned even closer to me, whispering in my ear, "I can help you."
Swiftly wrapping my arms around her waist, I dipped her, myself leaning very close to her. She looked surprised at first, but soon a triumphant grin appeared.
"I..." I leaned even closer to her, almost to the point that our lips were touching. "...don't need your help." I pulled her back up and walked out of the bathroom, heading towards my drawers for some clothes. Once I got my clothes, I turned around to head back into the washroom, but Elaine closed in on me, and placed on hand on my chest and pushed me into my drawer.
"I know what troubles you Seifer. I know what it is that you want." Again she leaned close to me, only this time she gave me a short, sweet kiss on the cheek. "I know what it is that you need."
Without letting me say a word, she walked out of my room. But just before she left, she added one more comment. "I can provide for you. I can give you everything you ever wanted. Everything that you need. I can help you."
Just as the door closed behind her, my tough exterior softened slightly. What was wrong with me? Never had I softened up when a girl was trying to seduce me. Never have I nearly broke out. If she had continued her seductive ways, I would have cracked. I would have gave myself up to her. I had never felt this way before. Not even when I had 'proposed' to Quistis. Never. And when her hand was on my chest. It was as if she was tied to me. It felt almost like she was controlling me. I had never felt so weak around a girl before. This was all wrong! She wasn't supposed to be like this! She's engaged to Charles. She's not supposed to be flirting with me. She's not supposed to mess up with my head. I'm a tough guy. I'm cold. Merciless. I'm the Seifer Almasy.
* * * *Quistis* -One Month Later-
"Doctor Kadowaki, has the results come out yet?" I asked as I sat in front of the desk in the Infirmary.
"Quistis, can you tell me how you have been feeling lately?" She sounded concern. Very concerned. Concerned was an understatement.
"Been feeling a bit dizzy lately, I get headaches occasionally, and I'm throwing up a lot more often. At first I thought it was something I ate, but it's been happening a lot lately. And now I'm feeling some stomach pain, so...Doctor, please tell me the truth... I feel like I'm dying..." My hands were getting sweaty, my head seemed lighter, and I couldn't quite think properly. Something was definitely wrong.
"Quistis... I..." She stopped, afraid to continue.
"Just tell me Doctor. Please don't drag this on any longer. I can handle this. I can handle it."
"Quistis... I hate to invade in your privacy, but have you been seeing someone lately?"
I was confused. What did she mean? "I... I don't think I understand what you mean doctor."
"Quistis... you're pregnant."
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Author's Note: As I had mentioned earlier... I didn't really enjoy this chapter much... it seem so out of place, and everything seems to be thrown in at random times... But what can I say? It's been a long while since I worked on this fic... school has been stressing me out a lot... but either way... this chapter was more like the... "transitional" chapter. Things will start to unravel, and patches will be mended... Stay tuned for the next update,
Chapter 8 - Jealousy
*ahem* So now, on with the usual, I would like to thank all of you!
Starlight4u - You're constant reminders and reviews are so gratifying! You cannot understand how much you have done for me just by reminding me to write this story! And I would also like to thank you for reading my 'Wanted Love, Unwanted Person' fic! That was is really old now, and I don't exactly remember what happened, but when you remember your idea (sorry for the delay once again) please email me it and I'll tell you if you could write a sequel, alrite? I hope everything is going well for you, and that school isn't as bad as it was before, and well, do you really think Quistis loves Seifer? You might have to finish reading this whole fic before you actually find out! Thank you much for the pocky you have shared with me (I love pocky ~.^) and also for the lollipop! But next time you try to bribe me to hurry up and write, I'm expecting some very delicious iced cappuccinos! Oh, and please thank you sister for ummm, listening to my fic? Lol! Thank you so much!
Ghost140 - How can you be so cruel to me? Making me lose so much sleep!! Lol, I'm joking! ^.^ So, as a peace offering, I offer you this stash of many cupcakes that I have baked for you... actually, those cupcakes look really good... hmmm, maybe I shouldn't share them ~.^ Lol. Well, I'm terribly sorry for not updating in such a long time, but either way, I hope you enjoy this chapter! Actually... I'm not too sure about that... hmmm... anyway, thank you so much for your umm 'positive' comments! (I personally do not like fearing for my life when I sleep) Lol.
Verdanii - Hii!! Thanks for reviewing all the chapters! So, in thanks, I finished this chapter! Yay! Hope you enjoy!! ^.^
punkygal - Thank you so much for your praises! You are awesome! And I'm glad you were smiling so much while reading chappy 6! But I'm not sure you'll be smiling as much for this chapter...
Tomato Seed/Onion Seed/Kiwi Seed - I love your names! They were so funny when I read them! Especially the last one! Haha, that was good laugh! ^.^ Thankies for reviewing all my chappies also! It was very nice of you! Especially your comments! ^.^ It's very sweet of you to write so much in a review and tell me what you enjoyed in each chapter! It was very nice of you!! But... to be truthful, I'm not too sure you'll enjoy this chapter as much as the other ones... I personally, don't really like how this chapter turned out... but I shouldn't say anything about this chapter until you read it ~.^ Plus, you get to find out if Seifer accepts or declines the offer!
Starchild1 - Sorry I didn't update soon, but here's chapter 7! Thank you for reading and reviewing! I hope you enjoy this chapter!
frost - Thank you for reviewing! And I'm glad you enjoyed the transition of emotions between characters! I was really afraid that I was going completely out of character and such . But I hope you enjoy this chapter as well!
Quistis88 - Yay! I'm so hapy that you liked the chapter! And yes, I agree, cliffhangers are evil, but the strange thing is... I love writing them! ^.^ I'm so evil sometimes *shame* Lol, well, the update wasn't soon, but here it is!
VegaKeep - Yes the heartbreak, but will it be good? I have no idea, you gotta tell me what you think! As for the important question, all I can say is, you'll have to wait and see! ~.^
Angelic Sorrow - Yay!! If you thought the chappy was sad, then I've done my job! I love it when my readers can feel some of the emotions coming from the chapters... it just makes me so happy! ^.^ As for it Seifer and Quistis get together in the end... who knows? Maybe they don't, maybe they do... to find out, you gotta keep reading! ^.^
chococat2 - Oooh!!! So you know who the 'dark blue nails' thing is? I wanna know!! I wanna know!!! Lol, tell me if you guessed it right! ! ~.^
Firess Ifrit Devil - Although I didn't update it soon... here's chapter 7!! I hope you enjoy this chapter and the rest to come! ^.^
The Twilight Rose - Okay... I should have updated sooner... my house has been flooded by your tears... I'm so sorry!! I really wished I did update sooner! But I hope you enjoy this fic still! ^.^
Okay, so it's time to start Chapter 7 - Together.
Will you enjoy this chapter?
Or will you despise it?
Honestly, I didn't enjoy this chapter too much... It seems awfully terrible compared to all the other chapters... but nonetheless, I believe that the next chapter will be much better. MUCH.
Enjoy!
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*Charles*
We've been here in this dreaded garden for about a week now. This school is unimaginable boring. And to think, this garden has stood its ground longer than my own and Trabia. These dorm rooms seem small and cramped compared to the luxurious ones at my school. Even the furniture, window curtains, bed sheets and blankets seem like crap.
I sighed. [This school is in no ways better than Galbadia. but why do they produce such promising young SeeDs?] Some questions would never be answered. My eyes shifted to Elaine. She sat uncomfortable on the sofa applying a clear later of nail polish on. The room reeked of nail polish smell.
I plopped myself beside her, wrapping an arm around her slender waist. She stopped applying nail polish and looked straight into my eyes, the deadly glare sent a chill down the back of my neck. Quickly, I removed my arms from her.
"Do that again, and I will remove your arm permanently." She went back to painting her nails.
"Oh come on! If we're gonna be a couple, we should act like it too!" I urged, in hopes that she would soften up a little. But my efforts were in vain. She completely ignored me and continued her artwork. "What's so great about this Seifer anyway? Sure, he joined forces with some sorceresses and nearly destroyed the planet a few years ago, but why him? Why not Squall? He stopped Seifer. Or better yet, Rinoa. She's a sorceress you know."
Elaine looked up at me and smiled. It wasn't one of those warm, nice smiles. It was deadly and I could feel daggers coming at my way. Elaine has this aura around her. Seductive she was, but deadly she is. She continued to smile. It wasn't as if she had a wicked grin, but it felt dangerous. All this time I had been with her, I still did not exactly know what she had in mind. I don't know why I didn't ask her what the plot was, I just felt like I couldn't. And I didn't know why I let her do anything she wanted -even using me as a puppet-I just did. I had no explanation to why I followed her around everywhere. I did not know.
"My dear, dear Charlie. Can you not see?"
"See what?" I was dumbfounded. I had no idea what she had meant.
"Why darling, he is the easiest to mold." She paused momentarily. "Com now, it is time." She hooked her arm around mine and led us out.
I didn't understand this woman at all. One minute she's threatening to cut off my arm, the next, she voluntarily wraps around it. But aside from that, I did not understand what she meant by 'easiest to mold'. Mold what? And mold into what? I didn't like the feeling that I had. I knew nothing. But what made me more frustrated was how I couldn't ask. Maybe I was afraid. Afraid of Elaine, or afraid of the answer? I could not tell. There was so much I did not understand.
"Oh my! Someone's an early bird. I like that. Good morning dearest Seifer, did you sleep well?" Elaine and I had just entered Cid's office. Cid, Edea, and Seifer were already waiting for us.
"It's Seifer. Not dearest Seifer. Seifer. Just Seifer." He gave us a disgusted look.
"It'll grow on you within time." She stated, seemingly so sure of his decision. "I presume you bring me good news?"
"Perhaps. Or perhaps not. Depends on which way you want to see it." Seifer replied turning his gaze away from her. Something I could never do.
"Seifer, dear, are you happy with your decision?" Edea placed her delicate hand on him.
Cid was a lucky man to have found such a gorgeous person like Edea. She seems sweet, innocent -okay, so she messed up big time once, but hey, she's sorry and she's trying to make up for it right? -She's beautiful, caring and understanding. Some things Elaine lacks.
"Yes." Seifer replied after a few seconds of silence. "I have decided to..."
* * * *Selphie*
Today was a delightful morning. I had woke up by the lovely song the birds sang. The sun lit my room warmly and Seify hadn't woken me up at night. At least, I thought it was a delightful morning. The reason Seify hadn't woken me up was because he was crying. His soft doggy whimpers made my heart ache. I had no idea what was bothering him. I tried nearly everything to cheer him up. I brought him his favorite toys, a bunch of snacks he loves, and I even brought the chair he occasionally does his business on. But he didn't even move.
"Seify... what's wrong?" I sat down beside him stroking his head. "Can you tell mommy what's wrong?" He still did not move. "Maybe Seifer would know what's wrong with you." Surprisingly, he lifted up his little head and looked at me with his sad, droopy face. "Seifer! Do you miss your daddy?"
Almasy wagged his tail a few times, making a soft thudding sound.
"Alright then! Let's go visit Seifer!" I grabbed my purse and carefully placed Almasy into it. "Well it's still pretty early, I don't think many people are up this early, so you shouldn't have to go into that wretched box! Let's go Seify!" We headed towards Seifer's room. Luckily no one was wandering the halls this early and therefore no one noticed Almasy's head poking out of my bag.
Just as I was about to knock on Seifer's door, it slid open. To my greatest surprise, Matron came out holding a pile of bed sheets and blankets in her arms.
"Matron?"
She looked up at me and gave a weak smile. "Selphie, you do know that pets are not allowed at the garden."
[Oh crap.] I smacked myself lightly on the forehead.
"Don't worry, as long as he keeps quiet and doesn't make a mess I won't tell your headmaster."
"Thank you so much Matron!" I was about to jump and give her a hug, but I soon realized I would have only hugged the stuff she carries. "Matron, what's all that you're carrying?"
"Oh..." Her voice lowered. "Seifer's old stuff..."
"Oh. Is Seifer in his room?"
Matron looked down, it seemed as if she was sad or something was bothering her. "No." She replied after a few seconds of silence. "He left this morning."
"He left this morning?" I repeated. "He never told me he had a SeeD mission... unless I forgot about it. Do you know when he'll be back then?"
"No." Matron looked straight into my eyes. I could tell her eyes were watery. Was... she crying? "He did not leave on a SeeD mission."
I backed up slightly in shock. [No. This couldn't be. Seifer worked so hard to be SeeD! He couldn't have just left like that!!! He couldn't have quit SeeD!! This was all wrong!! Seifer, what the hell is wrong with you?! Why didn't you tell me?! You BASTARD!]
"Seifer... he left... to Galbadia Garden."
Time seemed to have slowed down for me. Her words seemed to stumble out of her mouth. I could almost see the words coming out. My breathing quickened and to my ears they seemed to echo in my head. This could not have happened.
"Left...? To Galbadia?" Disbelief was written all over my face. "Why...? Why?! Why did he leave?!" My voice rising in anger.
"That... he would only know." Matron turned away and headed back to the main foyer.
I couldn't believe it. He had left this morning. And I couldn't even say one last goodbye to him. He left without me knowing. He left without telling me. And he probably left for good. I knew a lot of people didn't accept him here, but still, Seifer was strong, he would never let anything like that chase him away. At least, I didn't think so. But I couldn't think of any other reason Seifer would leave Balamb. Why would he leave Matron? Why would he leave little Almasy? And... why would he leave me? I had only just begun seeing a glimpse of the real him. The little boy inside of him buried under his tough exterior. And now? Now I would probably never see him again. Much less talk to him.
"Seifer... couldn't you have at least told me?" I muttered as a tear slid down my cheek.
I quickly wiped it away and rubbed my eyes. I looked at Almasy who seemed to sense my sadness and smiled brightly at him. "Don't worry Almasy, you'll see your daddy some other time okay?"
Patting his head, I headed back to my dorm. But on my way, I saw Quistis. She wore her usual attire, the peach battle suit with her whip hanging on the side. Her glasses perched upon her nose, straight posture, calm, cool exterior, and the invisible barrier shielding her from all emotions. She looked exactly the way she did couple years back, during the time of the Sorceress War. I disliked it.
"Morning Quisty!" I beamed with joy, attempting to hide any negative feelings all together.
"Good morning Selphie."
Just as I was passing by her, I noticed something new. Something looked a little different about her. Something out of the ordinary. She wore a silver chain necklace. What was written on the necklace I could not make out, but I knew one thing for sure. It was the same necklace I had seen Seifer hiding that night in the foyer. I stopped walking. [Could it be?] I asked myself. I spun around.
"Quistis?" I called out.
She too stopped walking and turned to face me. "Hmm?"
"Where did you get that necklace?"
She looked down and touched it lightly, as if deep in thought. After a brief moment she looked back up. "I found it."
"Where?" I could tell. She knew where it came from. She knew it was from Seifer.
"In my purse last night."
[Last night...?] I tried to think what might have happened. [The date! Of course... Seifer and Quistis were on that date. It must be. It has to be!] My blood seemed to have begun boiling.
"From who?"
"I'm not sure. I found it..."
I cut her off. I couldn't take it anymore. She knew who it was from. She was merely going in circles! "From Seifer. You know it was from Seifer!"
She didn't say a word.
"What did you do to him?!" My voice rising again.
"Excuse me?" She seemed surprised. Of course she was. She didn't know that Seifer left.
"He left Quistis. He left because of you! It was you!!! He's a changed man you know, he's not the same as he was couple years back! Let it go!! Why did you have to do this to him?! I can't believe you." I had begun yelling and tears of frustration welled up in my eyes. I couldn't take it anymore. I had to leave.
I stormed back towards my room wiping the tears away. [I hate you. I hate you both.] Almasy licked my arm as I headed towards the dorms. I looked down at him through the frustrated tears.
"I don't think you'll be seeing your daddy anytime soon."
* * * *Quistis*
I just stood there, appalled and shocked. Words and emotions spilled out from Selphie, but I could not comprehend them all at once. [He left. Seifer left. Left the garden. Why...? Selphie said... it was because of me. Is that true?] I didn't know. I couldn't tell. My breathing slowed quite a bit. I grasped my sleeve and tightened my grip. [This wasn't true. It couldn't be. Seifer would never do something like that because of me. What was I to him anyway? Ex-instructor, ex-tutor, ex-person-on- his-almost-killed-list. I couldn't have possibly had that big of an impact on him. What did I do? Okay, so maybe I rejected his proposal, but he was only trying to make a joke of me... right? I could care less if he left!]
"That's right... I could care less." I mumbled to myself.
[But... if I could care less, why did I wear his necklace?] My grip on my sleeve loosed and reached to clutch the necklace. [No. It's not true!]
I sprinted. I raced towards his dorm. It couldn't possibly be true. Selphie and Seifer were only setting me up on this joke of theirs. It couldn't have been true! Pounding on his door made me realize I had began to develop some sort of awkward feelings to him. I didn't know what had gotten into me. I had never, ever felt like this towards him before. Nor did I ever think I would. [This is all a big joke. Or maybe it's a dream. I don't care about Seifer. He's Seifer. I don't care about anything that deals with him!]
Someone was shuffling in his room. I stopped knocking. It was all a big joke. Seifer was behind the door and he was going to start laughing at my gullibility. [Bastard.] I swore, turning around to head back. I heard the door slide open.
"Yes?" A male voice asked. But it didn't sound at all like Seifer.
I spun around to see who it was. And it wasn't him. It didn't even look like him at all. "I... is Seifer about?"
"Seifer?" He didn't seem to know what I was talking about. "Oh, you must mean the guy who used to live in this room. Oh no, no. Headmaster assigned this room to me now. I'm Thomas by the way, nice to meet you."
I didn't care for his name. Nor did I care for him. Seifer was gone. He had left. And... it was all because of me. I had let him go...
* * * -A few days later-
For the past few days, I had been doing the same routine, nothing ever changing. Get up bright and early, head to the bathroom for my cold morning shower to wake me up from the restless night, get dressed, walk to the dresser, put on the necklace Seifer gave me, think about the night before he left, then head out to help Kianne teach her class. I would act as if nothing was wrong, nothing had happened, and nothing bothered me. Until I came back to my room, I tried not to think about Seifer too much. Once back into my room, I would get ready for bed, and then lie there for most of the night thinking about how harsh I had been to Seifer. It hurt. But of course, no one else knew about it, nor would I tell anyone of it.
With Seifer gone, everything seemed to have quieted down. At least, it seemed to me. Zell no longer bitched about Seifer, Squall and Rinoa seemed to be in their heaven once again, and Irvine didn't seem to care one way or another. Selphie, on the other hand, was a bit different. I hadn't talked to her since she yelled at me. Occasionally I did see her, but she would not say anything to me and continued her business. I didn't say anything to her either. I didn't know what to say. I was afraid to anger her some more. I knew it was my fault too. I just didn't know how to make up for it.
Today, however, was going to be different. So far I had done everything the same up until I started thinking about Seifer while touching the necklace. Today was a Saturday. I did not have to go to class with Kianne. I didn't know where to go.
"Quistis?" A meek voice called from behind my door, while rapping lightly.
I opened the door and was surprised to see Selphie there.
"Selphie?" I wasn't sure if I was dreaming.
"I'm sorry Quistis." She looked down to the ground, afraid to make eye contact with me. "I didn't mean to say all those things I said to you. I was just angry and frustrated. I'm really sorry Quistis. I don't know if you'll forgive me for my actions, but I just needed to let you know that I am really, really sorry. I didn't come talk to you sooner because I was afraid you might get even more angry with me..."
I couldn't let her finish her sentence any longer. I reached out and pulled her into a big hug. She was my friend, a really, really close friend, how could I ever stay mad at her?
"It's not your fault Selphie. I'm really sorry too."
"Thanks Quisty..." She pulled back after a short while and smiled at me. "I really, really do miss him though." Selphie looked down at the ground sadly. "He's a changed man. He's a lot different than he used to be. So much kinder, so much sweeter, and so much more innocent. At least, he was. Maybe he's forgotten about us..."
I gave her another quick hug. "I bet he really misses you too." Actually, somehow, in the depths of my heart, I doubted it. I only said that to make her feel a little better. But, I too, believed he would forget about Balamb Garden. Why would he want to remember this place anyway? The only memorable things here for him would be Matron and possibly Selphie. No one else. He would want to forget about me especially.
"Maybe..." Selphie's voice started cracking. A few tears began sliding down her cheeks. "Almasy misses him a lot too..."
"Almasy?"
"Almasy... Seify... all the same doggy." She wiped her tears and put on a smile for me. "He's the only thing that'll make me feel like Seifer is still here with me."
I gave her a puzzled look. I didn't know what she meant or what she was talking about. Why would a dog... remind her of Seifer?
As if reading my mind, she answered my question. "Seifer gave me Almasy for my birthday." She looked up at me once again and smiled. "But it's not like any of that matters, I highly doubt I'll ever see or talk to Seifer again." She turned around about to head off. "Well, I better get going, I'll see you around Quisty!"
I too turned around and closed my door. Selphie was right. He did seem like a changed man. A man who would repent his sins and take responsibility for his actions. He did not run away after his crime during the Sorceress War. He did not run away from me either. Like everyone else, I turned my back on him. I was the one unable to change. I left him to choose another destiny.
* * * -Two months later-
"I don't know why Quistis! It's just... I don't know if I can take this anymore! He doesn't even notice my feelings for him! I've tried, and tried, but he still does not take the clues! And I can't just tell him straight out! I can't... it's too hard..." Kianne looked up at me through tears of sorrow. "I don't think it's meant to be..."
"Kianne, don't be ridiculous!" I held her hands tightly. "I'm sure he just needs a little encouragement. I bet he's just as afraid as you. Maybe he likes you too! Maybe he's afraid to ask you!"
"Quistis... you and I both know that's not true. We're just not meant to be... I guess." She continued to sob, and continuously wiping the tears away. "But he's like no other person I have ever met before. He is so kind and caring. And I just love his personality and how he acts and... it's just, so adorable to me. He tries to act so manly, but really, he's just a big kid." She laughed slightly. "He's almost like the perfect guy in my mind!"
"Then... why can't you tell him that you have all these feelings for him?"
"I can't Quistis. I just can't..."
"Why not?" I usually wasn't so nosy about other peoples' business, but I was really curious as to why Kianne wouldn't. Kianne showed off this aura to me. She was like one of those girls who would do whatever they felt like without any restraint. She was a tough woman, but here, she portrayed a weak, innocent child.
"I... it's... I..." She struggled to begin, I was about to let go of the subject, but she continued. "I... learned from the hard way that I shouldn't bluntly say my feelings to any guy..."
I didn't understand what she meant. [Why would she be so afraid to show her feelings to Zell?]
"... my first boyfriend... and fiancée were killed shortly after I confessed my feelings to them... I'm afraid if I do this again, someone might get hurt."
"It can't be Kianne. It was just pure coincidence!"
"No... it's not Quistis. I know. I'm bond to this ill-Fate." More tears rushed down from her eyes. "Thank you for being here with me right now. I really appreciate it." She gave me a weak smile.
* * *
I could not sit around and let Kianne mope like that all day. I had to do something about it, and something I would do. Just after Kianne had fell asleep after crying so much, I left her room in search of Zell. If Kianne couldn't tell him, then I would. I could not bear to see her suffer so much for loving someone. I knew exactly how it felt for someone to suffer for love, and I did not want anyone else to have to experience it.
As I had assumed, I found Zell in the Training Centre, brutally murdering some T-Rexuars as usual. Beads of sweat were dripping from his face, and monster gut smeared all over his gloves. As I neared him, he also reeked of monster guts.
"Zell! Do you have a minute?" I called out to him.
He turned to face me and smiled. "Quistis! Wanna train with me? I'm on a roll today! You should have seen how many I've knocked down in the past couple hours! Boo ya!"
"Actually, I was wondering if you could take a break for a few minutes."
"Oh." His excitement evaporated. "This sounds serious." He picked up a bag lying nearby and led me to the Secret Area. He then grabbed a towel out from the bag and wiped his face. "What's wrong?" His voice muffled by the towel.
"Zell, tell me, what do you think of Kianne?"
"Kianne? She's a nice girl. Kinda cute too. Why do you ask?" He stuffed the towel back into the bag and grabbed a water bottle. Untwisting the cap, he drank over three quarters in one gulp.
"What do you see her as?" I asked, staring closely at him.
"Umm... a person?"
"No, no. I mean, as a friend? An acquaintance?"
"Oh, a friend." He dropped the water bottle back into the bag and zipped it up.
"Only?"
"Quistis, what are you trying to get at here?" He looked at me with a puzzled expression on his face.
"Kianne likes you." I stated. Might as well get it over with.
There was an awkward silence as Zell seemed to remain indifferent with the subject and emotionless. I couldn't tell what Zell was thinking nor could I tell how he was feeling. I began to feel unsure of my decision to tell him. Would he take it like a man? Would he act different around Kianne? Was this a bad idea? I was now afraid that I had done more harm to Kianne then helping her.
"I..." He paused briefly. "... already knew that."
Another moment of awkward silence came to us. This time, I was shocked and surprised. All this time I had thought that Zell hadn't known her feelings and that someone had to tell him. But with what he said, it changed everything.
"I just, hoped it wouldn't be true." He continued.
"What... why not?" I was still stunned.
"I don't feel the same for her. She's a really nice girl, but I don't like her that way. I acted as if I didn't know and that I didn't care because I didn't want to ruin our friendship. It would hurt her and our friendship if I told her that." His hand tightened into a fist. "I don't want that to happen!"
"Zell, do you have another girl in mind?"
"Well... no... but..." He couldn't finish. Maybe he didn't know what to say, or maybe he didn't want to finish.
"Then why don't you give her a try? How are you to know for sure that you don't like her at all if you don't try...?" Maybe this lesson here was better off for me...
"And if it doesn't work out? It'll hurt her even more! Not only that, but we might not even be friends anymore." He continued to argue.
"It would set her mind at rest. You don't know what she's going through now because you show absolutely no feelings to her. Either this, or at least, tell her that you don't like her as she likes you. You shouldn't drag it on." [Nor should you make hasty decisions.] My mind told me.
"I... don't know. I need some time to think. I'm gonna go shower. See ya later Quistis." Zell picked up his bag and swung it over his shoulder and jogged out of the Training Centre.
I looked up to the sky and sighed. If only I did not let go... maybe things would have been better. Or perhaps, things were better off this way? I did not know, nor would I ever. I smiled at the clear blue sky. Why was I feeling like this anyway? I did not even love that man to begin with. I cared nothing of him. I don't even know the meaning of 'love', so how can I possibly say that I 'loved' a man I hated all my life? I laughed. The things life does to a person.
* * * *Elaine*
I sat on sofa staring into the pool of water. The water began swirling and soon an image formed. The image of a man. A tall blonde man. He was the key. He is the only one who is able to make my plans succeed. It is him, and only him, that will lead me to my greater destiny. In which, I will be Queen, the all-powerful, the all-knowing. I dare not to dream this anymore, for it is time, that it will become a reality.
"Elaine, my dearest darling. What mischief are you up to now?" A male voice whispered into my ear as his arm snaked down my sides.
Turning around swiftly my hand clasped around his neck, my nails digging into his skin. I smiled sweetly at him. He, of course, was not dumb, hastily removing his arms, I let go of his neck.
"Care to do that again?"
"Elaine, we've been together for so long, why is it that you won't open up to me?" He took a seat beside me.
"Correction. We've NEVER been together. Dare to dream."
Suddenly the door slammed open, we both turned to face the intruder. We were once again not surprised to see Seifer. Charles took advantage of this intruder and wrapped his arm around my waist. I could not do anything to him with Seifer in the room. [Damn that bastard. He will pay.]
"Tell me, why is it that I have done nothing for the past two months I have been here? What are you taking me as?! I'm a SeeD! I should be going out on missions, not babysitting some juniors who are afraid to hold a fukkin' weapon!" Seifer slammed down a broken dagger. "How can they specialize in a certain weapon if they don't even know how to throw it properly?! What kind of garden is this?!"
I only smiled. He was perfect. His attitude, his temper, his strength, his power, his everything, he was the only one fit for what I had in mind. "Seifer dear, calm down." I stood up to pull away from that wretched man's embrace. "In due time you will be sent on a SeeD mission. Right now, we're just trying to get you acquainted to our Garden." I placed one delicate hand on his shoulder, but he only roughly shrugged it off.
"I'm a SeeD, not a babysitter." He stated out angrily.
"Seifer, please, you must try to understand. I can't just send you out for any mission. I need you here in case of a real SeeD mission. You must not be so... feisty." My fingers brushed over his face. He didn't move, but it didn't seem like he cared. I leaned in closer to him and whispered in his ear. "I can't afford to lose you."
Immediately after, behind me was the sound of glass shattering. I whipped my head around and saw Charles hand curled into a fist, his face red with jealousy, and a shattered glass on the floor. Seifer took advantage of the situation and left the room. I merely smiled at Charles.
"Why him?! Why couldn't you have picked someone else? Quistis, Selphie, Rinoa! Why not a girl?!"
"Charlie, my dear. Seifer is the most perfect one to do this. He will no doubt follow orders soon. We must train him. Train him to listen to us. Then Charles, can I finally fulfill my dreams." I smirked. This was too easy.
* * *
Slowly and carefully turning the knob into Seifer's room, I licked my lips gradually. I could taste victory dancing upon my lips. The door creaked open and I slipped in. It was way past midnight, and I was sure Seifer would be sleeping. This would make the perfect time to complete Seifer's 'training session'. I carefully slid onto his bed until I was sitting right next to his sleeping form. My hand moved in the darkness and easily made it's way to his chest. Lightly placing my hand on his chest, I could feel his slow, rhythmic breathing.
"Darkness overwhelm me. Give me his strength." I mumbled to myself drawing my hand away from his chest. Despite the darkness I knew my curse was working. I could feel the invisible red string coming from my palm connecting with his heart. Like so many others before him, this would bound his Fate.
"Who's there?!" The voice beside me suddenly burst out as the lamplight turned on.
The invisible string snapped before it completed its job, causing me to jump back. I managed to land on the ground, but the power flooded into my mind, causing me to lose my vision temporarily. My sight slowly came back to me, but it was still rather blurry. My head felt like it was spinning and I could feel a major migraine closing in fast.
"What the hell are you doing in my room?!" Seifer demanded.
Despite the fact that I could not see properly or think properly, I managed to push myself up from the ground and force out a lie from my mouth. "Oh! Seifer, I'm terribly sorry. I thought you were Charles... I must have came into the wrong room." I used all my strength to force myself out the door, walking normally. Once I stepped outside and closed the door, I could no longer walk properly.
My energy seemed to be flowing out of me as I tried hard to regain my posture. Before long, my legs began to feel weak and seemed to collapse on me. I fell down on one side, but before I landed on the ground, someone had caught me. I looked at the person, but only barely managed to make out who it was. Charles.
"Elaine! Are you alright?"
I could not remember what happened next, because once I regained my vision back, I found myself in my bed, and Charles sitting beside the bed, pouring a glass of water for me.
"Elaine... what happened?" He asked while handing me the cup.
"Seifer... he woke up before I could finish." I remembered, taking a sip of water. "I've never felt so much power shoot back at me before."
"It's okay Elaine. You should rest and regain your strength. You can try again tomorrow."
"I can't. The string isn't strong enough... We'll have to use plan B to 'train' Seifer." I paused and looked Charles straight in the eye. "This will have to do... if I try it again, it could kill him. And I cannot risk that." I looked down at my trembling hands. "My dreams will have to take a little longer to fulfill."
* * * *Rinoa*
I was reading quietly in my room before I was suddenly interrupted by a knock on the door. The knock wasn't loud or rude or anything of that such, it was just that after being so deep into a book and then unexpectedly disturbed was rather very annoying for me. I curled my lips in disgust as I grabbed a bookmark and shoved it into the book. The person knocked again making me even more irritated.
"I'm coming!" I snapped, as I opened the door. All my displeasure vanished as I saw who was knocking. "Oh! Squall!" I was surprised. I wasn't expecting him because he had told me he had some paper work to do.
"Are you busy?" His eyes shifted everywhere except in my gaze. Something was wrong, but I couldn't pinpoint it out yet.
"Oh no, no. I was just reading. I wasn't expecting you to come tonight." I smiled brightly as I moved aside to let him in. "I thought you had some stuff to do."
"I finished early." He took a seat on the sofa in my room, I took a seat right beside him. "How was your day?"
Something was really wrong. Squall did not normally make small chit chat like this with me. Either something was bothering him, or he was keeping something from me... or maybe I was just being a little too paranoid. I glanced at his hands momentarily before speaking. He kept on rubbing his hands and fidgeting ever so slightly. Something had to be wrong.
"Oh, I went to visit Mrs. Dincht and Angelo this morning. I feel so sorry for her, she's getting old now and she always seems to be alone. Squally, we should go visit her more often! I'm just glad Angelo is with her to keep her company. Oh, that reminds me, Mrs. Dincht invited all of us to her place for dinner next weekend. I haven't promised her that we'd come 'cause I wasn't sure if you were busy. So can we go?" As much as I tried to ignore the feeling in my heart that something was wrong, I kept a straight face and managed to sound as normal as possible.
"Sure." He stated, almost like he hadn't even heard a single word I said. Something was distracting him. I wanted to ask, but I was also afraid to ask.
"Oh, you know who else I saw today in Balamb?"
"Who?" His voice still distant, his mind occupied.
"Zell! And you'll never guess who I saw him with... Kianne! But, that's not it! I saw them holding hands!! You know, I think he finally knows that she likes him! And if you ask me, it seems like they're going out now! I'm so happy for them! They are just so cute together!" I looked at Squall straight in the eye. "Don't you think?"
Instead of answering me with words, Squall leaned in and kissed me on the lips. I pulled back quickly in shock before the kiss grew intense. Squall never did anything this un expecting before. It made me scared. Something was definitely wrong.
"Squall, what is wrong? I can tell something about you is really off today. Is there something you want to tell me?" My voice was cracking, I don't know why, but I could feel the tears rushing to my eyes and ready to fall.
There was a moment of silence before he did anything. He got up from the sofa, with my eyes glued on him, and took a step forward. He stopped for a few seconds, which made my heart pound faster and harder every moment. He turned around and stared into my eyes. Squall then went down on one knee, took my hand and kissed it ever so softly.
"Rinoa, you're the most beautiful person I've ever met. You're the only one who has been able to see past my tough exterior. You're the only one I would ever dream about being with. I love you for who you are Rinoa. I love they way your stunning hair dances with the wind, the way your eyes shine like the brightest star in the sky, the way you lips brushes against mine, the way hands always finds a way to wrap around me. I love you Rinoa. You are an angel. The most perfect angel of all. You're too perfect. But... I want more..." He stopped.
My heart also stopped. It stopped beating. Was he going to break up with me? Sentences that begin with 'but' never have a happy ending. My breathing quickened. I could feel my whole body trembling. I had to keep blinking repeatedly from letting the tears fall. I knew it. Something was wrong the moment I saw him. He was planning to break up with me all along. Why did I not see this coming? I should have let him kiss me. I shouldn't have pulled away.
"I want to be the luckiest man forever. Rinoa, will you marry me?" He finished.
I stopped breathing and my heart stopped beating completely. The tears finally flowed from my eyes freely. But these were not tears of despair, these were tears of joy. I nodded my head.
"Of course!"
* * * *Quistis*
Life was dull. Everything was beginning to have to same routine. Day in and day out, I would normally do the same things. Nothing new. Nothing interesting. That was life of Quistis Trepe.
Times like this... made me think a lot. And thinking wasn't the best thing for me. Why? Because I would always think of Seifer. It's been over two months since I last saw or talked to him. As much as I hate to admit it, I missed him. I missed him a lot. And... I wish I hadn't let him go. But... that was the past, and I can't live a life of regrets... so I live a life of memories now. Although I don't really like living this life, I must cope with it. It was Fate. The destiny I have chosen.
I look at the person staring back at me in the mirror. I can tell she hides many things. She's not acting as herself. I know the pain she goes through. The regrets. The truths. The facts of life. This was her choice. No way of denying it.
"Quistis... you have changed. You weren't ever like this. How could you change so much because of one person?" I ask myself. "Quistis. Get a grip. This is life."
Just then, I felt this strange feeling coming from my chest. I've felt it a few times this week already, and every time I do, I get a little dizzy. [Something is wrong with me. I should really go check this out with Dr. Kadowaki.] I blinked a few times before I had to bolt to the toilet. I lifted the seat and threw up. Maybe I'm dying...
* * * *Irvine*
"Irvine... I'm so happy today!" Selphie jumped in the middle of the circle that Seify was making in the sand. "Almasy, you're such a good boy aren't you?" She began petting the dog.
Ever since she had gotten that dog, I was used to this. She'd talk to me one minute, and the next she'd be playing with the dog. But what I didn't get was why she kept calling the dog 'Almasy' after Seifer left. I didn't bother to ask though, I just figured she missed Seifer so much that she renamed her dog. But to me, I still call the dog Seify.
"What happened?" I asked, bending down to pet the dog as well. Today he wore a little purple bow in his tail.
"I was talking to Kianne earlier! She's so happy! And I'm so happy because she's happy!"
I was a little confused. "Why? What happened to Kianne that made her so happy which made you so happy?" I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her down to sit on the sand. Seify ran off to play with the low tide waves.
"Oh! Zell finally asked her out! I'm so happy for her!" Selphie sighed like a love struck person. "Ahhh... they are so cute!"
"What about us? Don't you think we're cute?" I whispered into her ears.
"Ha! You wish!" Selphie laughed as she pushed me away and ran towards Seify. I quickly got up somewhat tackled her down, making us both fall into the water. "Irvy!! You cheated!" She pulled herself away from my embracing arms and splashed water in my face. "Almasy is going to attack you for that! Right Almasy?" The dog merely panted and wagged his tail a few times.
Seify no longer seemed to be the energetic dog he was. I've noticed that for the past few months he has been less and less active. It was as if... he knew Seifer had left and he was sad. Why he would be? I had absolutely no idea. But not only did the dog act different, I've noticed that Selphie had been too. I hadn't told her before because I knew she was still a little upset that Seifer had left. Actually... come to think about it, everyone acted a little different after he left. For the better or for the worse? It was for them to judge. But to me, some were in it for the worse.
Selphie for example, she, like Seify, was a lot less energetic. She no longer had brightness and spark in her eyes. Now it was merely a dim light being forced to shine a little. And because of that, I wasn't as happy as I used to be. Sure, she would try and cover up any sadness with sudden outbursts of 'joy', but I knew, I knew that in the depths of her heart, she was missing Seifer. It made me a little jealous to be truthful. How could one man she hardly knew anything about, make her feel in such a way? There were many times that I wanted to tell her. Tell her how I felt about her being like this, but I knew I couldn't. I knew that if I did, it would only upset her even more.
Much like Selphie, Matron hid a lot of things behind her warm smile. Of all the people Seifer knew, she would have to be the closest person to him. Matron was like a mother to him. She was like a mother to all of us. Even Squall and Rinoa were a little different after he left. Rinoa got a little more mature, and doesn't seem so clingy to Squall in front of us. And Squall, well, he seems happier now yes, but I honestly believe that Seifer being here was an essential part of him. Seifer was the one who kept him on the tips of his toes. He was always ready for anything unexpected, he was always so prepared. But now? He's a lot more laid back. Maybe that's a good thing. Maybe it's not. Having a rival seemed to have drove Squall's life forward, he was striving to be better, be the best, however, now he's laid back... a little too laid back.
Quistis has been acting different too. She's been... going back to being her normal self. Stoic, calm, and all professional-like. It seems like she hardly has time to just hang out with her friends now. That is... if she even counts us as her friends. I know something is wrong with her. I asked her once, but she denied it as I had expected. She doesn't tell any of us anything. But I know something is wrong. And I'm pretty sure it's because of the pain coming from her heart. She probably misses him too.
"Earth to Irvy pumpkins!" Selphie waved her hands in front of my face. "What are you thinking about?" She tilted her head to one side.
"This!" I quickly took advantage and wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her close to me. "And this." I gave her a quick kiss and winked at her.
She paused momentarily, doing absolutely nothing. Then as if a lightning bolt had struck her, she pushed me away once again. "Hey!! You cheated again!"
* * * *Seifer*
Hell had frozen over. Since when did I care about other people? Since when did I think about the past? Since when did I think about the consequences of my actions? That's not the Seifer I knew. That was the attempting-to-be-better Seifer. But he died. He was killed. He was murdered. He was murdered by one, Quistis Trepe.
I was the Seifer Almasy. I am the Seifer Almasy. And I will forever be the Seifer Almasy. I didn't care about how people saw me until I wanted to redeem myself. But that attempt was completely futile. Worthless. Pathetic. Weak. I will never be like that again. People feared me. People hated me. And forever it shall remain this way. Why? Redemption is for the weak. Redemption makes people even weaker. And I am not weak. I am strong. The best of the best. The most feared of all people. I am THE Seifer Almasy. No one is ever going to take that from me again. Not Quistis, not Matron, nobody.
"Seifer?" A female voice called from beside me.
I had been standing in my bathroom with only a towel around my waist after a hot shower. I had been looking at my reflection in the mirror. The person in the mirror looked exactly the way he did a few years ago when he was the most feared, most hated, most dangerous man alive. And today, he will live once again to reign over all that was once 'good'. But of course, there is no such thing as 'good' or 'evil' in this world. It was merely a label of perception. But with power, you can change everybody's perception. I craved that power. That was what I strive to live for now.
I turned to face the intruder and was slightly surprised to see Elaine, but either way, I did not show any surprise. I turned to look in the mirror again.
"I didn't hear you come in." I stated.
"Maybe you were too busy looking at the handsome devil in the mirror." Her tone of voice was quiet but seductive. She moved close to me and looked in the mirror as well. Her hand placed against my face. "So much anger... so much hate... I can feel your pain... Seifer, I know you're suffering. I don't want to see you like this..." She turned to face me. Closing her eyes she leaned even closer to me, whispering in my ear, "I can help you."
Swiftly wrapping my arms around her waist, I dipped her, myself leaning very close to her. She looked surprised at first, but soon a triumphant grin appeared.
"I..." I leaned even closer to her, almost to the point that our lips were touching. "...don't need your help." I pulled her back up and walked out of the bathroom, heading towards my drawers for some clothes. Once I got my clothes, I turned around to head back into the washroom, but Elaine closed in on me, and placed on hand on my chest and pushed me into my drawer.
"I know what troubles you Seifer. I know what it is that you want." Again she leaned close to me, only this time she gave me a short, sweet kiss on the cheek. "I know what it is that you need."
Without letting me say a word, she walked out of my room. But just before she left, she added one more comment. "I can provide for you. I can give you everything you ever wanted. Everything that you need. I can help you."
Just as the door closed behind her, my tough exterior softened slightly. What was wrong with me? Never had I softened up when a girl was trying to seduce me. Never have I nearly broke out. If she had continued her seductive ways, I would have cracked. I would have gave myself up to her. I had never felt this way before. Not even when I had 'proposed' to Quistis. Never. And when her hand was on my chest. It was as if she was tied to me. It felt almost like she was controlling me. I had never felt so weak around a girl before. This was all wrong! She wasn't supposed to be like this! She's engaged to Charles. She's not supposed to be flirting with me. She's not supposed to mess up with my head. I'm a tough guy. I'm cold. Merciless. I'm the Seifer Almasy.
* * * *Quistis* -One Month Later-
"Doctor Kadowaki, has the results come out yet?" I asked as I sat in front of the desk in the Infirmary.
"Quistis, can you tell me how you have been feeling lately?" She sounded concern. Very concerned. Concerned was an understatement.
"Been feeling a bit dizzy lately, I get headaches occasionally, and I'm throwing up a lot more often. At first I thought it was something I ate, but it's been happening a lot lately. And now I'm feeling some stomach pain, so...Doctor, please tell me the truth... I feel like I'm dying..." My hands were getting sweaty, my head seemed lighter, and I couldn't quite think properly. Something was definitely wrong.
"Quistis... I..." She stopped, afraid to continue.
"Just tell me Doctor. Please don't drag this on any longer. I can handle this. I can handle it."
"Quistis... I hate to invade in your privacy, but have you been seeing someone lately?"
I was confused. What did she mean? "I... I don't think I understand what you mean doctor."
"Quistis... you're pregnant."
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Author's Note: As I had mentioned earlier... I didn't really enjoy this chapter much... it seem so out of place, and everything seems to be thrown in at random times... But what can I say? It's been a long while since I worked on this fic... school has been stressing me out a lot... but either way... this chapter was more like the... "transitional" chapter. Things will start to unravel, and patches will be mended... Stay tuned for the next update,
Chapter 8 - Jealousy