The Seventh Month

Lionheart & Hyperion

Damn! I stare at the words on my computer monitor for several more seconds before I push back my chair and slump over my desk resting my head in my hands. Just my luck that He'd know I was reading his journal and call me on it. It's not like I wanted to read the journals but I was a bit nervous. For the first two days after Seifer's return I was getting letters of complaint. No real surprise, but all of a sudden they stopped. Then a few days ago I get this flood of letters of recommendation. So curiosity got the better of me and I decided to search through the SeeD's and SeeD candidates journal entries for mentioning of Seifer to get a feeling of the schools view towards him. Well I read about ten and they all said the same thing. Even Irvine's held only praise for him. Seifer Almasy had matured into a decent and caring guy who was intelligent and helpful. Even if he didn't want others to know about it they did.

Earlier as I was skimming through the list of students who mentioned Seifer in their entries I noticed Seifer's name. I couldn't resist, I was hoping he would have wrote about his time away. Go figure that he would be smart enough to put two and two together and know that myself and probably a couple others had access to all journals. I didn't expect him to be so loud about his knowledge though. And that fact that he knew the very reason why I was looking into his journal, and the fact that he knew I was going to (even though I rarely ever use my privileges of the master journal password) was very scary. I'm also very impressed, not even Quistis questioned about the journal back up files. Maybe there is hope for Seifer to be Commander after all. It seems that Garden likes him well enough and he's clever. In truth I probably would have been disappointed if he hadn't figured out the journal thing. He's more perceptive than I am and it took me about a month or two to figure it out and to question Cid on it. That's when he told me about it and gave me the passcode. Now if only Seifer could follow orders better.... but then again as Commander the only person he would have to listen to would be me, maybe it could work. He has been well behaved since he came back from Edea's.

I suppose he's right. Maybe I should have just asked him instead of avoiding him. Why have I been avoiding him? Is it that I can't let go of the past? It's not like I dislike him that much. When he was in my office I still remembered being tortured yet I loved being able to talk to him again, to see him and know I didn't have to fight him with, at least with the intention to maim and kill. Thinking of which I can't wait to duel him tomorrow. Hopefully he's been keeping up with his gunblade and he'll actually be a challenge. I've been dying to fight a decent fighter with a brain forever. Why does Seifer have to be the only other decent gunblader in the world? Maybe I've been avoiding him because he makes me feel. the only person who has ever been able to get a reaction out of me without trying and without me thinking. I hate that about him, but what I hate even more is the fact that some of the emotions I feel towards him are attractive. Okay, I admitted I was Bisexual, I'll even admit that Seifer is pretty built and buff, but why does that make me want to throw Seifer on my desk and molest him. Ok, I should not be thinking these thoughts while sitting at said desk with an invitation to meet said imaginary make-out partner staring at me from my computer screen. Hyne, what's happened to me? I break up with Rinoa just to pick up all her lovey-dovey I've got a crush habit?

I lean back in my comfortable black leather office chair and prop my feet on a pile of papers on my desk. I close my eyes and try to get my mind out of the gutter and back on track. As I'm sitting there resting I have a flash of memory. I've been getting these more and more as I use less of my GF's and write down and share memories with the others. I sigh and reach towards my journal... might as well write it down and see if it makes more sense...

It's my first year at Garden. Seifer's already been there a year or so and I'm looking forward to meet him, I can't remember why. I guess we were sort of friends before he left me and the orphanage. I search for him around the different corridors and dorms, but I'm new and don't know my way around that well. I stupidly stumble into the training center. Hyne where were the people who were supposed to be watching me and making sure I didn't do exactly this I'll probably never know. Anyway I find myself in the middle of the training center facing one low level Grat. Seriously all I had to do was breath on it and it probably would have died, but no I cower underneath it like a lost little kid. Which admittedly I was at the time. Next thing I know I hear a swoosh and boom and Grat guts go flying everywhere. Trust me when I say no matter how hard you try you never forget your first experience of being covered in Grat Goo. Then I see this arrogant face I know quite well. Seifer had saved me. Although he looks at me like I'm some little brat and doesn't seem to recognize me. "Hey kid, you can't come into the training center until you're strong like me. And you've got a weapon." What he said made me mad. How could he not know me? "Why would I hang out with a weak brat like you." He said in his little arrogant way before marching off. Well I vowed to show him. I took up the gunblade and practiced to become the best. Unfortunately over time as I used more and more GF's I forgot why I was working so hard....

I click save on my journal and lean back from my desk to think about it. Maybe that's why he forgot about me. GF's are handy, but why do they have to suck out all our memories. What a pain... Before I can start thinking to deeply on a lost childhood and memory eating GF's my video phone rings. Since I wasn't really paying attention it startled me so that I shot up out of my chair making me bang my leg against my desk. Ouch. I've become as klutzy as Laguna. I switch on my vid-phone. Speak of the devil... "Hello Sir." Until I know he's not on Garden Business I have to keep up the formalities. I love bugging him with it. He hates formalities to no end. Come on just look at the way he dresses for work. He's more like a hippie than president.

"Hey there Squall. No need to get formal. Just wanted to remind you that tomorrow we're going out to lunch." Shoot. I had completely forgotten about that. Hmmm I guess I can manage to put my work aside for a few hours... and do a dance of joy to have an excuse to get out of the office. How did I forget about this life saver.

"I did forget, but I wouldn't dare stand up an appointment with the president of Esthar." I love it... go formal and he goes all nervous and starts to blush a bit. He's too easy to torture. I wonder what he'd do if I called him 'dad' or 'father'. I should find out one of these days. Maybe tomorrow, between telling him I broke up with Rinoa, I'm bisexual and I fear that I'm sexually attracted to Seifer Almasy and if he has any tips to get him into bed.... sounds like a plan to me. Wait a minute. Where did that Seifer in bed thought come from....I need to get out more. Oh shoot Laguna's still on the line.

"So what time are you getting in?" I ask trying to plan out my schedule for tomorrow.

"Well I was hoping to leave this evening arrive at the garden early enough to visit a while before you got to bed for the night..." He wants to meet tonight. Hmmm I'll have to make sure I'm back from that duel with Seifer early than.

"Sounds good. Do you need an escort?" I see him shake his head and he mumbles something about his own security, same thing he does every time I offer an escort. If I had it my way he'd have a permanent SeeD escort. He doesn't seem to realize he's the leader of the most important country in the world with a very influential mercenary son. This has to be the one topic we still haven't resolved. The same security when you were in seclusion won't be as effective when you walk around in the open. Oh well maybe I can try going through Kiros again. "Oh I might no be here if you arrive early. I'm going training tonight, but I'll try to get back early."

"No problem, Son. Kiros is coming with me so he can keep me company. Besides I'm sure I can always hunt down my number one fan to keep me occupied." Laguna smiled as I'm sure he thinks of the hyper Selphie and how she still calls him Sir Laguna despite his and Kinneas' protests.

"Then I'll see you later tonight." I didn't bother waiting for a response. Given the chance Laguna would happily talk my ear off for rest of the time until he had to leave to travel here. I start working through piles of paper on my desk starting to feel good. A visit from my father, a spar with Seifer later, and my work is actually going by fast today... I just might have to do that happy dance. I slap my fist to my face realizing that I have been hanging around Laguna too much and I'm starting to pick up his weird habits.

I was just getting into my work once again when there is a knock at my door. "Come in." I state not even bothering to find out who it is. Why waste the breath? If they are knocking at your door they probably want to see you and know your inside. The door opens slowly and reveals the form of a smiling Quistis. As she strides towards me full of confidence and her blond hair swaying I wonder why I was never interested in her. I should really apologize for telling her to go talk to a wall...

"Headmaster Leonhart we finished calculating the SeeD Candidates written exams. Here are the results." After the war she had a lot more confidence and both Cid and I felt she would be a great instructor so she was given back her licensee. I think she was a bit surprised to find out that I had such a high level of respect for her. I'm not that bad am I? That nobody ever thinks I like them ore believe in them. I look down at the papers she handed to me and see the reason why she is smiling. Irvine Kinneas placed 2nd for top marks. Bloody Hell. Here I thought he was going to fail. He's a smart man, he's just lazy when it comes to studying. But Seifer was helping him with hit.

"Wow, Irvine did really well." I state and she nods happily. Irvine will finally be a SeeD like rest of us.

"Who would have guessed? I never would have thought Irvine would do so well but Seifer was putting a lot of effort into helping him. Also have you noticed the school standards gone back up. I was talking to the DC president and he said that Seifer helped them out and motivated them to do a good job. I'm impressed by the way Seifer has been helping around. I was sort of nervous about him coming back to Garden but the students seem to like him a lot. Even respect him. He's changed a lot don't you agree?

I agreed with everything she said but mainly because I read it in people's journals. I wasn't about to tell Quistis I have been avoiding him and hadn't really talked to him since I assigned him a room. But maybe she could help me with a problem I'm still having. "Quistis have you thought of a candidate for Commander yet? I'm stumped."

She contemplated for a moment and I know she was having a difficult time deciding whether she really wanted to answer or not. "I know it might sound odd, but with all the things I've been hearing I'd suggest Seifer..." She let it trail off there.

"I was thinking the same. I just don't know." I really was still unsure how the public and other Gardens would react to having the ex-knight of commander. Who cares....It's my Garden now I could always do what I want.

"Hmmm. I think people would be okay with it. Besides they still have the world hero in charge of him... I wouldn't think about it so much. Forget the past and judge him on his record since becoming a SeeD. Have you not forgiven him for the war yet? " Good old Quistis still acts like an older sister to me. I decided I needed to change topics before she got any more nosey.

"Hey Quistis. I know it's not protocol, but why don't you tell Selphie that Irvine has aced his SeeD exam and that she should plan a party for him tomorrow night. Not everyone graduates to SeeD rank 15 right from the start and with such a high test score." The marks wouldn't be posted until tomorrow afternoon. So that would give Selphie a day to organize a congratulations party for Irvine. It would be a break in protocol, but there's no harm in it.

"What's this? Squall going all soft in his old age." I glared at her and she decided to make a hasty retreat to tell Selphie before I changed my mind. I did a couple more hours of paperwork and upcoming SeeD mission assignments before I decided I should grab something to eat and wait for Seifer.

I arrive early to the training center on purpose. If he got there before me and decided to wait inside I couldn't go find him and he'd be mad at me for not showing. It's not that I'm scared to break an order which I can technically countermand now but the cadets and SeeDs were actually trained on what to do if I entered the Training Center. And it most of the scenarios it had them running for help and staying out of my way. It also usually would end up with me tranquilized and losing a SeeD Rank. Or at least that's what I'm told. I have no real desire to test that out today. I don't know why measures are so extreme, it's not like I'm going to hurt anyone or myself. Just eliminate the monster population.

I was leaning against the hallway with my Gunblae tapping my boot when I heard footsteps approaching. I look in the direction of the noise and see Seifer waling towards me in jeans, a black t-shirt and a deep red trench coat with black cross swords on the sleeves. He turns and stops infront of me which makes his coat billow out behind him. How can he have so much presence just by walking down a hall?

"My aren't we early..." He greets me in his usual manner. Not expecting a reply, and not getting one he continues. "I knew you couldn't resist reading my journal especially after avoiding me for two weeks." I wanted to reply and tell him why I read his journal and why I was avoiding him, but it's not worth the effort. He continues talking still not expecting an answer he goes on. "Ready to train or are we just going to hold up the wall all night?" He looks at me and starts heading towards the door. Here comes the moment of truth. I just know he's going to laugh.

"Wait." The word comes out more a command then I meant it to be and he turns to face me. "I can't." Hyne, I am so embarrassed right now. He raises an eyeborw in an 'are you going to explain or what?' type of manner. I sigh and decide to bite the bullet. "I've been banned."

He blinks a couple times and to his credit Seifer tries to keep from laughing but a huge grin breaks out across his face. "And why is the headmaster banned from his own training center pray tell?" He was having way too much fun with this. Bastard. I should just duel him in the hall right now and get this over with.

"IWentOnAKillingRampageAndGotKickedOutForBeingToStrong" I said to him all in one hurried breath. I also gave him a death glare. Why did he make me feel so stupid.

This time he didn't hold his laughter in. I wanted to kill him. "Just go in. It's your garden who's going to stop you?"

I just nodded my head no, and pointed to a notice posted by the door. Seifer read it and started laughing. "In case of Leonhart sightings in the TC you should... So now what are we going to do?"

I push myself off the wall and head out the main gates of garden. I hear heavier footsteps just behind me. See I knew he was smark. I didn't even have to tell him to follow. As we reach the Balamb plains I start talking. "Sine I've been banned I get to tak the Ragnarok whenever I want. It is from my father anyway.... So I usually take it to the Island Closet to Hell or Heaven to train."

Seifer was matching my steps and walking beside me. "You mean to tell me you train at those places...for fun?" I nod and then raise my right hand to my forehead to concentrate on casting a spell. Through the corner of my eye I see Seifer look a bit nervous until I cast dispel onto the empty space in front of me. It instantly gets rid of the spells there and the Rag comes into view.

The ride there is thankfully uneventful except for Seifer begging to pilot the superb vehicle once it's in the sky. And who am I to say no to a cute pleading Seifer. Oh that's right a sane person who likes their life. The look Seifer gave me was the same one Selphie always had when she flew. I still have nightmares about that girl's flying abilities. So for the flight I had to put up with a slightly pouting Seifer. Although I don't think he was aware he was doing so. I had the Island in view when Seifer spoke up. "So how'd the cowboy do on his test?"

I wasn't supposed to tell but I already broke code today so one more time shouldn't hurt. "He passed. Second best in his class." I looked at Seifer and saw that he looked happy and proud before he quickly covered it up.

"What? Only second? With me tutoring him the Cowboy should have gotten top marks hands down."

"Whatever." He looks at me funny for a moment but then goes back to polishing his gunblade, which he has been doing since I tossed him the rag to keep from harassing me about flying the ship. Well that and pouting. I'm sure when we fight I'm going to get blinded by the reflections of his damned Hyperion before he even gets near me.

I make a perfect landing on the Island Closest to Heaven. It has better curative draw points... be prepared right? So after being in the office all day and not being able to go for a good work out in the past while I'm a bit excited and go bursting out the door and head into the plains. In short time I come face to face with an Ouchu. I start laying into it and am thankful for all my status ailment immunities as it sprays it's gas. After a while I notice I am alone and I spare a moment to look over my shoulder and see Seifer hanging back some ways. "What the hell are you doing Almasy? I thought you wanted to fight not cower." Ok, maybe not the nicest thing to say, but I am trying to concentrate on beating up a high level monster. I didn't need the help but it would be nice.

"I came here to fight you Leonhart, not some mindless beast." He gives me this smirk as if he's thinking I'm a mindless beast. "Tell me when you're done?" He asks and pretends to fiddle with his gunblade. Jerk. If he wanted to fight me so bad he could help me kill this thing. I go for the finishing blow and find that I'm actually a bit out of breath. I blame Seifer as distraction.

"Good. Now put your encounter none on too so we can duel in peace." Well if that wasn't an oxymoron of a sentence I don't know what is...wait did he just say put my encounter none on too. So that's why he didn't want to help. He didn't want to scare my monster away with his encounter none. Maybe he saw how much I needed the workout or maybe he was hoping I'd wear myself out. Well good luck to him.

I rearrange my junctions and get into battle stance. "Do it." I say as we salute each other with our blades and prepare to charge. I run at him, but by the time I reach him he's just out of my way. Well he's certainly been working on his speed. I hear Hyperion swooshing by and turn my body and raise Lionheart to meet it with a clang. He's also become stronger too. I actually have to work to push him back. It's been a while since that's happened with anybody. I take a moment to wonder what level he could possibly be at and consider scanning him but think better of it when I dodge an attack combo just in time to only lose a few hairs instead of my head.

"Can't you do better than that Squall-boy?" He questions as he breaks into another string of attacks blocked by me. I put my full effort into it and we re battling in a some sort of violent dance. Amazing how we are both so ferocious while fighting but there is none of the malice between it like during the war, or even the envy and hate of before it. As our fight brings us near a clump of trees not far from the ship I feel my grip on Lionheart waver. Impossible. I haven't lost in months. Seifer slashes up and Lionheart goes flying out of my hand and lands with a thud imbedded into the ground several feet away. He pushed me back against the tree and held me with one arm and pointed the gunblade at me with the other. He was breathing as heavy as I was and sweat was forming on his forehead. I took a minute to notice it was sunset. We had been fighting for nearly two hours. "Hear I thought the great Headmaster was supposed to be undefeatable."

I realize the truth in that statement. If Seifer can beat me, even though I was somewhat weakened by my earlier fight, than he really is an excellent fighter. "Have you ever considered becoming Commander?" I ask as I try to control my breathing as not to stab myself on his gunblade held against my neck. He looks at me in shock for a second trying to figure out what I mean.

"Are you trying to seduce me Headmaster?" There's a smirk on his face and his tone is arrogant, but I noticed his grip falter slightly and something sparkle in his eyes. What is he playing at? And why does he have to do it with me?

"No. Just asking a question." I say in what I believe to be a neutral tone. He takes a breath and composes himself.

"Too bad Squall. It could have been fun." With that he releases his hold on me and casually walks back to the ship. What the hell did he mean by that? He never calls me by my first name. Never. Did I miss something between us? I stare at the ship as Seifer enters it trying to piece together and understand what had just happened. Why is my life so confusing?

~~~~Author's Notes~~~~

Ack was it just me or did Squall and Seifer start to get out of charcter for my story. Oh well hopefully I got them back in character by the end. I was skimming through my other chapters and I realize that Squall is a complete contradiction to himself. Always having sexy thoughts about Seifer and then avoiding him or disliking him because he doesn't know what he wants, but he knows he wants to throw Seifer onto his desk and molest him. Oh well. Hopefully Seifer can make Squall make some sense. Also sorry about cheesy flashback, I wanted to write another one, but it didn't really fit with the story...I don't know maybe I'll cut it out....Also apologies if this chapter felt rushed in anyway, I was skimming it and some part seemed jumpy do you think so? Anyway the next chapter will actually have some plot. Whoohooo, and I think I'm also starting to wind this story up. Which is good cause this story was a learning experience for me and I want to test out some other writing methods now. Don't worry This story still has at least three more chapters to go... probably more, cause I can't stop rambling.

Please Review. And I'd also like to thank Quistis Trepe (I feel weird thanking an FF8 character...anyway) For reviewing so many chapters with in so little time. It made me feel special... *-*