No One Knows Like I Do
A/N: I don't own anything except the characters I create. You'll know who they are. They have bland and ordinary names. ;-) And there's a line in here somewhere if anyone is familiar with Koudelka's "POSSE. ...Forever. Ya know?" Like, the title. :P
Chapter 17 - Summer Recess
Seemingly endless chatter and occasional laughter provided the atmosphere for the cafeteria that morning. It was more students than usual since it was the end of the year and most were spend as much time as they could with their friends before they returned home.
Fujin was in the cafeteria simply for eating. She observed her former classmates while taking an occasion bite of her omelet. Since she was alone she spent some time reflecting the past year...the ups and downs of being a SeeD cadet, admitting her feelings to Seifer and finally achieving her dream of becoming a senior SeeD. However, the thought that plagued her the most was her feelings for Seifer.
'I'm surprised that I was able to admit my feelings to him. Maybe it's because I had been holding them in for so long...and then after that we had a falling out. It was all because of his pride. Pride...for him, losing that is probably worse than death itself.'
Fujin slowed her eating a bit as she was still lost in thought. Whenever she was alone for a certain period of time, her thoughts would consume her since she had no other distraction.
'I stopped holding on to pride a while ago...ever since I lost my eye...' Fujin reached up and touched her eye patch lightly. 'I already look like a freak with my pale skin and red eyes. Why did this have to happen too?'
Fujin suddenly lost interest in her omelet and rose from the table to discard it in the trash. Before she could get back to her seat, Seifer jogged up behind her and clapped a hand on her shoulder.
"Hey Fujin!"
Before he had time to blink, Fujin had grabbed his wrist and prepared to flip him over until she realized that her "attacker" was Seifer.
"Whoa Fuu, what's wrong with you?!" Seifer yelled defensively.
"Well, don't sneak up behind me like that! I just thought you were some random prick!" Fujin snapped clearly annoyed as she walked back to her seat.
Seifer threw up his hands defensively. "I'm sorry, all right?" He pulled up a chair next to hers and studied her expression. "Fuu, what's the matter?" he finally asked softly.
Fujin folded her arms and leaned back in her chair. "What makes you think something's wrong?"
"Come on now, don't try to act all smug. I know something's bugging you. Spit it out."
"I was just thinking, okay?"
"Just that simple, huh? What were you thinking *about*?"
"Nothing, don't worry about it."
"Then that's a whole lot of nothing," Seifer remarked sarcastically.
Fujin promptly unfolded her arms and quickly leaned forward. "Look, I don't have to elaborate for you. If I don't want to talk about it why can't you just leave it alone?" she snapped.
Seifer sighed defeated and nodded. "Fine then. *Let* your problems consume you. It's not like I'm here for you."
'Oh now since we're on speaking terms, you wanna act like you were always there? And what about all the promises you keep making? Are you going to actually make them happen?' Fujin almost said aloud. Instead she chose her words carefully. "You're right, okay? I just don't want to talk about it right now."
"Have it your way."
Both were quiet for a moment until Fujin decided to speak up. In her eyes she was being a hypocrite. 'I'm the main one telling him he should open up and here I am clamming up on him.'
"Hey Seifer?"
"Yeah?" he answered slightly annoyed.
"I'm serious when I say I'll tell you about it later. Okay?" Fujin offered a small friendly smile to ease the tension between them.
Seifer extended his hand as if he wanted something. "I want you to shake on it," he said mischievously.
Fujin slapped his hand away playfully. "What, you can't take my word for it?" she chuckled.
"Well, if you're not gonna shake on it, can I get a kiss?" Seifer teased not missing a beat.
"You've got to be kidding," Fujin frowned.
Seifer leaned so close to Fujin that their noses were practically touching. "Do I look like I'm kidding?" he asked huskily.
"Uh..." For some reason unknown to her, Fujin couldn't find it in her power to actually move away from Seifer. She swallowed slightly, her one eye widening. "Ah, will you stop that?" she huffed as she turned away from him.
Seifer merely chuckled lightly in response. "You know you like it. I know I know, not here right?"
"Shut up," she responded darkly, back remaining to Seifer. She glanced around the lunchroom and her gaze fell on Xu who was approaching the couple.
"Finally found you two," Xu announced as she took a seat adjacent to them. "Cid, as well as myself, has a proposition to present to you."
Seifer furrowed his eyebrows in confusion while Fujin remained expressionless. Seifer thought he would hear something akin to "We know that you received your diploma, but we decided to disqualify you from the SeeD program all together". He knew he was being ridiculous, but he still listened to Xu with curiosity.
"What would you two say if told you that you were considered for a teaching position next year?" Xu continued with a bright smile on her face.
"What? You can't be serious!" Seifer exclaimed. Fujin, on the other hand, actually wore an expression of shock. "You mean to tell me that after dissing me, you want me to teach?!"
"Seifer," Xu started flatly, "you know and I know that you brought your past failures on yourself. However, you still show great potential...and besides, it would be nice to have TWO gunblade instructors. You and Commander Leonhart are obviously unmatched in skill. You know how rare it is for someone to master the gunblade technique."
"I see," Seifer sneered at hearing Squall's name. "So you think I'm capable, eh?"
"Sure. And as for Fujin..."
Fujin felt she could use normal speech for her now colleague. "Yeah, what about me? What makes you think I could teach a class?" The whole idea seemed ridiculous. 'I just became a SeeD and they want me to teach already?'
"Well as a SeeD you have to instruct anyway. Let's take Quistis as an example. As you know she became a SeeD at fifteen and got her Instructor's License at seventeen. In those two years she proved herself to Headmaster Cid and myself so we granted her the license. Now if I'm approaching you two *myself* and telling you I want you to teach, then you have already proven yourselves." Xu turned her attention to Seifer and continued, "Granted, I know that Mr. Almasy here has done nothing but break the rules...HOWEVER, you have proven yourself this year. After we readmitted you to Garden, you had gotten your act together and I think that is reason enough to trust you with a teaching position. Good enough?"
"Yeah, I get it," Seifer answered.
"But why ME?" Fujin asked wearily.
Xu whacked herself upon the head, "Oh dear, I was supposed to be talking about you and I go off about Seifer! Well, your performance at this year's SeeD exam was exceptional...as it was a couple of years ago. You were already suited to be a SeeD had it not been for your accident. So I think you're suited to instruct a defense tactics class. Simple as that."
"Well I don't have a problem with teaching, but Fuu here looks kinda stunned," Seifer remarked laughingly. Fujin gave his eyes a piercing glare and he held his hands up defensively laughing still.
Xu chuckled lightly at the sight before her. "Well, I have faith in both of you as well as Cid and Quistis-"
"Quistis too? Whoa...so Instructor Trepe actually has a little faith in me," Seifer remarked taking on a tone he hadn't used since his days as the Sorceress' lapdog.
"You know Seifer, you *can* call Quistis by her name. You're not her student anymore. And yes, she always thought you had potential. It's just that YOU didn't really know it even though you acted so arrogantly."
Xu rose from her seat. "Well, that about covers it. So be ready to instruct after the Summer Recess. You will also have to take classes over the later part of the summer, but don't worry. You'll still have time to relax." Xu began to walk towards the exit, but Seifer stopped her.
"Class over the summer?! What the hell?!" Seifer yelled indignantly. "I *earned* my vacation and I want the *whole* thing!"
"Oh, don't be a baby Seifer. It comes with the territory." Xu spun on her heels and resumed her walk. "I'll see you two around."
Seifer turned to Fujin and he studied her expression briefly before speaking. "How come you were so quiet? Don't you think it's shitty how we have to attend class over the summer?"
Fujin knocked on Seifer's head lightly. "Do you have a brain in there or are you just deaf? It's our *job* Almasy. I know you have a problem with authority, but you're a SeeD now. Hyne, get over it," she sighed impatiently.
Seifer folded his arms and leaned back in his seat. A lot was running through his mind; how he practically helped Ultimecia to destroy the world, the time he spent redeeming himself once he came to his senses. The whole time, his posse, his *family* had been there with him. 'And now this,' he thought. 'Here we are again...together. We've been through a lot and they're still here. I guess this was what Fujin meant by loyalty. No matter what, people will stick with you.'
"Seifer?" Fujin waved her hand in his face causing him to snap to attention.
"Oh sorry Fuu, just thinking."
"About what?"
"Nothing you don't already know." He took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze looking her in the eye, smiling softly. Fujin looked startled for a moment, but she returned the gesture smiling back.
~*~*~
The Disciplinary Committee shifted through the final paperwork of the school year dismissing any final detentions since it was practically summer. School life was dying down; most students spent their time packing their things and saying their goodbyes to their friends. Besides, the posse didn't feel like babysitting although they gave one final detention to an unruly student...a Seifer wannabe.
"Eh boss, who's gonna take our place as the Disciplinary Committee now that we're SeeDs?" Raijin asked while discarding old detention slips.
"I don't know. Never gave it much thought." Seifer and Fujin were going through Seifer's desk since it was jam-packed with junk, paperwork and old assignments. It took two people to clean out the drawers alone. They hadn't even touched the desktop or the bins atop it. "I mean, who could replace *us*?"
"True boss, very true, ya know. I mean, we're THE posse, ya know! Posse forever, ya know?!" Raijin cried jubilantly raising a fist in the air.
"YA KNOW!" Seifer yelled throwing papers around.
"Ya know BOYS, we have to clean this office, ya know and I wish you would SHUT THE HELL UP AND WORK, YA KNOW!" Fujin screamed annoyed at the mess Seifer just created.
"Ah, sorry sis," Raijin said scratching his head sheepishly.
"Damn, sorry," Seifer replied simultaneously. "You don't have to yell."
Fujin sighed angrily and continued to work in silence. Seifer and Raijin glanced at each other snickering slightly as they worked. They continued to do this for a several seconds until Fujin slammed down a stack of folders on the floor and regarded the two.
"What the fuck are you laughing at?"
Raijin continued snickering while Seifer answered, "Nothing Fuu. Don't get your panties in a knot..." Seifer peered at Fujin's back.
"Wha...?" Fujin reached behind her back and put her hand at the top of her pants. Seifer began to laugh loudly to her dismay. Seifer had been referred to her underwear, which was peeking out of the jeans she chose to wear that day. 'I shoulda worn a longer shirt...dammit!' Fujin angrily thought as she pulled her shirt down to cover her pants.
"Hey Fuu, you know what BLACK underwear means, right?" Seifer purred moving his face closer to Fujin's. Meanwhile, Raijin just continued to roar with laughter.
Fujin angrily picked up the folder she placed on the floor and slammed them over Seifer's head.
"Geez Fujin, can't you take a joke?" Seifer sputtered angrily as he rubbed his head to soothe the pain.
"NEGATIVE," she answered and continued to go through Seifer's drawers cleaning out the remaining paperwork.
By this time, Raijin wisely chose to stop laughing and looked at Fujin curiously. "Are ya really mad Fuj? We were just jokin, ya know."
Fujin rose to her feet with an eerie grin on her face. "Seifer, I happen to know that you own a pair of boxes with *pink* Mogs on them."
"What are you talking about?" Seifer demanded indignantly. "Why would I have a pair of THOSE?"
"Remember that girlfriend of yours...Samantha? You know, that slut that works at 'Jason's'? She bought them for you in Dollet," Fujin replied breezily. "REMEMBER?"
"Pink Mog boxers?" Raijin wondered aloud.
"Don't listen to her Raijin!" Seifer cried defensively. "I don't even wear the damn things!"
"Doesn't matter," Fujin countered. "If anyone found out that you own such *feminine* boxers, imagine what that would do to your reputation." She cocked her head to the side with an eyebrow raised.
Seifer's cheeks flushed slightly. Then he thrust out his right hand. "All right, let's call it a truce." Seifer turned to Raijin. "Yo, make sure she doesn't have any fingers crossed behind her back."
"Oh come on Seifer, it's a truce," Fujin said shaking his hand. "I won't tell."
Seifer shook his head, smirking. "Who could EVER replace you Fujin?"
~*~*~
Summer Recess had finally rolled around for Balamb Garden. To the remaining SeeDs, the Garden was very empty, but most were grateful. Some SeeDs took vacations; Squall and Rinoa headed Esthar since Rinoa insisted that Esthar was *the* place for a vacation. As usual, Squall silently agreed. Irvine and Selphie headed to Trabia, to a new ski resort. Zell and his girlfriend just remained local and headed back to Balamb to spend their summer with their families. Cid and Edea remained at Garden, although they were planning to go back to the orphanage for a few weeks. It had been restored to its original glory last year.
So where did that leave the posse? Planning their vacation in Seifer's apartment of course.
"I'm telling you, we should go to the beach for the summer!" Seifer argued holding up a brochure of a beach with practically white sand and a cerulean blue sky.
"Yeah but I wanna learn how to ski, ya know!" Raijin argued back.
Seifer turned to Fujin waving the brochure around. "Wouldn't you rather go to the beach Fujin? I know you hate the cold." He was really trying to convince her to see things his way.
"I don't care," Fujin answered in bored tone.
Giving up on Fujin, Seifer turned back to Raijin. "Think of it man," he started putting a hand on Raijin's shoulder. "The crashing waves of the shore, the warmth of the sun, the GIRLS in their bikinis..." Fujin rolled her eye when Seifer mentioned the GIRLS.
"Yeah...but they have girls at the ski resort too, ya know."
"But not in *bikinis* Raijin." A slow grin crept to Raijin's face and Seifer nodded in approval.
"Then it's settled. Now which beach should we go to?" Seifer asked while paging through numerous brochures.
"You don't want to go to Dollet," Fujin supplied. "The beach isn't all *that* great."
"Dollet out." Seifer scrutinized a few more brochures before stopping at one particular resort. "Hey, this place is new. 'The Sands Beach Resort...includes a large swimming pool, hot tubs, a restaurant and more'," Seifer quoted. "The living quarters are all separated like a personal home, complete with the necessities of modern living.'
"Hey that sounds like that would be fun, ya know! Our own beach house, ya know," Raijin exclaimed excitedly.
The idea even appealed to Fujin. They would be staying in a beach house meaning that she could go to a separate part of the house when Raijin and Seifer began their "male bonding".
"So make the reservation, Seifer," Fujin prodded. She was actually excited about this vacation for some odd reason. Perhaps her reason being that this would be her first "real" vacation away from the school she called home. During those times before the posse returned to Garden, it wasn't much like a vacation since they lived from inn to inn...most of the time the inns were less than suitable.
"We are gonna have the time of our lives!" Seifer exclaimed while picking up the phone. Seifer hoped that this vacation would bring him and Fujin closer in terms of their relationship. He didn't know why he thought it would, but maybe they would be able to spend time together ALONE. Seifer grinned at the thought and snapped out of his reverie when the receptionist answered on the other end of the line.
~*~*~
Seifer decided to rent a car from Balamb instead of using the Garden's vehicles, mainly because of their utilitarian appearance. He opted for a sleeker red vehicle that Fujin insisted on driving. Before departing for the resort, Seifer made sure to print out the directions and dictate to Fujin which way to go. When they finally arrived at the resort, the posse was pleasantly surprised at the accommodations before them. A relatively large single story building was situated in the midst of other smaller buildings, which were lodging. The buildings were covered in clapboard that was painted an off white and the landscaping contained native plants of the beach, dotted with palm trees.
"Whoa...this is great!" Seifer exclaimed with his arms outstretched. "Sun...beach...ocean...let's get going!"
The posse walked into the single story building and arrived at the lobby with its brightly lit interior due to the tall windows. At one side of the lobby were the resort gift and swimwear shop and the restaurant; on the other side there was an exercise room, an arcade and a small sitting area. Towards the back was the room for the pool complete with hot tubs.
"Good day and welcome to the Sands Beach Resort! What can I do for you all today?" A mature receptionist snobbishly greeted.
"We have a reservation in the name of Almasy," Seifer answered.
"Almasy...ah, here you are." The receptionist glanced at Fujin curiously and her eyes widened at her appearance. "Young lady, are you with these gentleman?"
"AFFIRMATIVE," Fujin barked causing the receptionist to jump back started.
"My word, you do NOT have to yell young lady! As I was saying, the lodging you ordered is still available and..." She reached for the room keys behind her and handed them to Seifer. "Here are you room keys. Make sure you do not lose them!" Her last remark was directly more towards Fujin than Seifer or Raijin.
"Thank you," Seifer said sourly as he snatched the keys away. "Come on, we're in Lodge 214."
The lodge itself was cozy, with décor fitting for a beach house like pictures of beach landscapes, a few seashells here and there, as well the usual fake plants. The house itself was two stories; the first story housed the living area, which open to the kitchen and a downstairs powder room. The second story housed two bedrooms and two bathrooms of similar décor. After they unpacked their things and settled down, Raijin decided to check out the arcade leaving Seifer and Fujin behind.
"So what do you think Fuu? You like it here so far?" Seifer asked while people watching out of a window.
"It's fine," Fujin huffed from her position on the beige living room sofa.
Seifer turned to regard Fujin carefully. "You don't *look* as though you like it." He seated himself next to Fujin and looked her in the eye. "Tell me what's wrong."
"The usual," Fujin sighed leaning back. "That receptionist was rude. What do I expect? It's always the same thing."
Seifer chose not to say anything. Instead he rose to his feet. "Hey come on, we're supposed to be having fun. Let's get outta here and go to the shop."
"And what am I gonna buy from there?"
"Well Fuu, you're gonna need a swimsuit since you're at a beach."
Fujin looked down at her attire of a simple light blue tank top, indigo denim shorts, and plain white tennis sneakers. "What's wrong with what I have on?"
"Nothing, but I wanna buy you something," Seifer answered tugging her wrist. "Come on, live a little."
Fujin shook her head and surrendered allowing him to drag her shopping. Nothing like Seifer trying to pick out a swimsuit.
'Oh Hyne...'
~*~*~
"What about this one?" Seifer held up a black string bikini in front of Fujin.
"Are you insane?! You want me to put *that* on? It doesn't even cover anything!" Fujin exclaimed indignantly. That bikini was too scandalous for her tastes. 'Don't they have any one pieces in here that don't look like suit grandma would wear?' Fujin wondered incredulously.
"Aw come on, I just wanna see how you look in it!"
"No."
"Come on!"
"NO."
"Fujin!"
"NEGATIVE!" Fujin screeched causing a few other shoppers to look at them curiously.
Seifer cocked his head to the side pensively. "Tell ya what. How about we play a game of Triple Triad? If I win, you have to wear the suit. If you win-"
"YOU have to wear the suit," Fujin interjected grinning evilly.
"What?!"
"You heard me!"
"All right, fine. It's a deal." They shook hands to confirm the deal. "So when I win, do you want the suit gift wrapped?" Seifer sneered arrogantly.
"Keep talking shit Seifer." Fujin and Seifer always kept their Triple Triad cards on them for reasons such as this. They had always made their bets over a game of Triple Triad. The pair walked out to the lobby and seated themselves at a nearby table spreading out the cards.
"Since I'm such a gentleman, I'll let you go first Fujin," Seifer scoffed. "We're using Plus, Open and All rule, got it?"
"Just shut up and play."
~*~*~
Fujin and Seifer headed to the beach since there was still a little daylight left. Several curious stares were directed toward Fujin because of her pale skin was in stark contrast to the black swimsuit she was wearing.
"Are you sure this suit looks okay? I mean, I'm getting a lot of stares...more than usual," Fujin asked curiously.
"Yeah, it looks fine," Seifer answered approvingly.
"You know Seifer...I could have had *your* swimwear gift wrapped," Fujin said pointedly.
"Aw, shut up already would ya?" Seifer groused angrily.
He looked simply DARLING in his teeny weeny BLACK bikini.
Eh...just a little lighthearted chapter for you all. Kinda short... Not particularly fond of it, but hey, I just can't seem to please myself anyway. I guess I have to rely upon my reviewers! No problem for me! Anyway, see ya next update!
A/N: I don't own anything except the characters I create. You'll know who they are. They have bland and ordinary names. ;-) And there's a line in here somewhere if anyone is familiar with Koudelka's "POSSE. ...Forever. Ya know?" Like, the title. :P
Chapter 17 - Summer Recess
Seemingly endless chatter and occasional laughter provided the atmosphere for the cafeteria that morning. It was more students than usual since it was the end of the year and most were spend as much time as they could with their friends before they returned home.
Fujin was in the cafeteria simply for eating. She observed her former classmates while taking an occasion bite of her omelet. Since she was alone she spent some time reflecting the past year...the ups and downs of being a SeeD cadet, admitting her feelings to Seifer and finally achieving her dream of becoming a senior SeeD. However, the thought that plagued her the most was her feelings for Seifer.
'I'm surprised that I was able to admit my feelings to him. Maybe it's because I had been holding them in for so long...and then after that we had a falling out. It was all because of his pride. Pride...for him, losing that is probably worse than death itself.'
Fujin slowed her eating a bit as she was still lost in thought. Whenever she was alone for a certain period of time, her thoughts would consume her since she had no other distraction.
'I stopped holding on to pride a while ago...ever since I lost my eye...' Fujin reached up and touched her eye patch lightly. 'I already look like a freak with my pale skin and red eyes. Why did this have to happen too?'
Fujin suddenly lost interest in her omelet and rose from the table to discard it in the trash. Before she could get back to her seat, Seifer jogged up behind her and clapped a hand on her shoulder.
"Hey Fujin!"
Before he had time to blink, Fujin had grabbed his wrist and prepared to flip him over until she realized that her "attacker" was Seifer.
"Whoa Fuu, what's wrong with you?!" Seifer yelled defensively.
"Well, don't sneak up behind me like that! I just thought you were some random prick!" Fujin snapped clearly annoyed as she walked back to her seat.
Seifer threw up his hands defensively. "I'm sorry, all right?" He pulled up a chair next to hers and studied her expression. "Fuu, what's the matter?" he finally asked softly.
Fujin folded her arms and leaned back in her chair. "What makes you think something's wrong?"
"Come on now, don't try to act all smug. I know something's bugging you. Spit it out."
"I was just thinking, okay?"
"Just that simple, huh? What were you thinking *about*?"
"Nothing, don't worry about it."
"Then that's a whole lot of nothing," Seifer remarked sarcastically.
Fujin promptly unfolded her arms and quickly leaned forward. "Look, I don't have to elaborate for you. If I don't want to talk about it why can't you just leave it alone?" she snapped.
Seifer sighed defeated and nodded. "Fine then. *Let* your problems consume you. It's not like I'm here for you."
'Oh now since we're on speaking terms, you wanna act like you were always there? And what about all the promises you keep making? Are you going to actually make them happen?' Fujin almost said aloud. Instead she chose her words carefully. "You're right, okay? I just don't want to talk about it right now."
"Have it your way."
Both were quiet for a moment until Fujin decided to speak up. In her eyes she was being a hypocrite. 'I'm the main one telling him he should open up and here I am clamming up on him.'
"Hey Seifer?"
"Yeah?" he answered slightly annoyed.
"I'm serious when I say I'll tell you about it later. Okay?" Fujin offered a small friendly smile to ease the tension between them.
Seifer extended his hand as if he wanted something. "I want you to shake on it," he said mischievously.
Fujin slapped his hand away playfully. "What, you can't take my word for it?" she chuckled.
"Well, if you're not gonna shake on it, can I get a kiss?" Seifer teased not missing a beat.
"You've got to be kidding," Fujin frowned.
Seifer leaned so close to Fujin that their noses were practically touching. "Do I look like I'm kidding?" he asked huskily.
"Uh..." For some reason unknown to her, Fujin couldn't find it in her power to actually move away from Seifer. She swallowed slightly, her one eye widening. "Ah, will you stop that?" she huffed as she turned away from him.
Seifer merely chuckled lightly in response. "You know you like it. I know I know, not here right?"
"Shut up," she responded darkly, back remaining to Seifer. She glanced around the lunchroom and her gaze fell on Xu who was approaching the couple.
"Finally found you two," Xu announced as she took a seat adjacent to them. "Cid, as well as myself, has a proposition to present to you."
Seifer furrowed his eyebrows in confusion while Fujin remained expressionless. Seifer thought he would hear something akin to "We know that you received your diploma, but we decided to disqualify you from the SeeD program all together". He knew he was being ridiculous, but he still listened to Xu with curiosity.
"What would you two say if told you that you were considered for a teaching position next year?" Xu continued with a bright smile on her face.
"What? You can't be serious!" Seifer exclaimed. Fujin, on the other hand, actually wore an expression of shock. "You mean to tell me that after dissing me, you want me to teach?!"
"Seifer," Xu started flatly, "you know and I know that you brought your past failures on yourself. However, you still show great potential...and besides, it would be nice to have TWO gunblade instructors. You and Commander Leonhart are obviously unmatched in skill. You know how rare it is for someone to master the gunblade technique."
"I see," Seifer sneered at hearing Squall's name. "So you think I'm capable, eh?"
"Sure. And as for Fujin..."
Fujin felt she could use normal speech for her now colleague. "Yeah, what about me? What makes you think I could teach a class?" The whole idea seemed ridiculous. 'I just became a SeeD and they want me to teach already?'
"Well as a SeeD you have to instruct anyway. Let's take Quistis as an example. As you know she became a SeeD at fifteen and got her Instructor's License at seventeen. In those two years she proved herself to Headmaster Cid and myself so we granted her the license. Now if I'm approaching you two *myself* and telling you I want you to teach, then you have already proven yourselves." Xu turned her attention to Seifer and continued, "Granted, I know that Mr. Almasy here has done nothing but break the rules...HOWEVER, you have proven yourself this year. After we readmitted you to Garden, you had gotten your act together and I think that is reason enough to trust you with a teaching position. Good enough?"
"Yeah, I get it," Seifer answered.
"But why ME?" Fujin asked wearily.
Xu whacked herself upon the head, "Oh dear, I was supposed to be talking about you and I go off about Seifer! Well, your performance at this year's SeeD exam was exceptional...as it was a couple of years ago. You were already suited to be a SeeD had it not been for your accident. So I think you're suited to instruct a defense tactics class. Simple as that."
"Well I don't have a problem with teaching, but Fuu here looks kinda stunned," Seifer remarked laughingly. Fujin gave his eyes a piercing glare and he held his hands up defensively laughing still.
Xu chuckled lightly at the sight before her. "Well, I have faith in both of you as well as Cid and Quistis-"
"Quistis too? Whoa...so Instructor Trepe actually has a little faith in me," Seifer remarked taking on a tone he hadn't used since his days as the Sorceress' lapdog.
"You know Seifer, you *can* call Quistis by her name. You're not her student anymore. And yes, she always thought you had potential. It's just that YOU didn't really know it even though you acted so arrogantly."
Xu rose from her seat. "Well, that about covers it. So be ready to instruct after the Summer Recess. You will also have to take classes over the later part of the summer, but don't worry. You'll still have time to relax." Xu began to walk towards the exit, but Seifer stopped her.
"Class over the summer?! What the hell?!" Seifer yelled indignantly. "I *earned* my vacation and I want the *whole* thing!"
"Oh, don't be a baby Seifer. It comes with the territory." Xu spun on her heels and resumed her walk. "I'll see you two around."
Seifer turned to Fujin and he studied her expression briefly before speaking. "How come you were so quiet? Don't you think it's shitty how we have to attend class over the summer?"
Fujin knocked on Seifer's head lightly. "Do you have a brain in there or are you just deaf? It's our *job* Almasy. I know you have a problem with authority, but you're a SeeD now. Hyne, get over it," she sighed impatiently.
Seifer folded his arms and leaned back in his seat. A lot was running through his mind; how he practically helped Ultimecia to destroy the world, the time he spent redeeming himself once he came to his senses. The whole time, his posse, his *family* had been there with him. 'And now this,' he thought. 'Here we are again...together. We've been through a lot and they're still here. I guess this was what Fujin meant by loyalty. No matter what, people will stick with you.'
"Seifer?" Fujin waved her hand in his face causing him to snap to attention.
"Oh sorry Fuu, just thinking."
"About what?"
"Nothing you don't already know." He took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze looking her in the eye, smiling softly. Fujin looked startled for a moment, but she returned the gesture smiling back.
~*~*~
The Disciplinary Committee shifted through the final paperwork of the school year dismissing any final detentions since it was practically summer. School life was dying down; most students spent their time packing their things and saying their goodbyes to their friends. Besides, the posse didn't feel like babysitting although they gave one final detention to an unruly student...a Seifer wannabe.
"Eh boss, who's gonna take our place as the Disciplinary Committee now that we're SeeDs?" Raijin asked while discarding old detention slips.
"I don't know. Never gave it much thought." Seifer and Fujin were going through Seifer's desk since it was jam-packed with junk, paperwork and old assignments. It took two people to clean out the drawers alone. They hadn't even touched the desktop or the bins atop it. "I mean, who could replace *us*?"
"True boss, very true, ya know. I mean, we're THE posse, ya know! Posse forever, ya know?!" Raijin cried jubilantly raising a fist in the air.
"YA KNOW!" Seifer yelled throwing papers around.
"Ya know BOYS, we have to clean this office, ya know and I wish you would SHUT THE HELL UP AND WORK, YA KNOW!" Fujin screamed annoyed at the mess Seifer just created.
"Ah, sorry sis," Raijin said scratching his head sheepishly.
"Damn, sorry," Seifer replied simultaneously. "You don't have to yell."
Fujin sighed angrily and continued to work in silence. Seifer and Raijin glanced at each other snickering slightly as they worked. They continued to do this for a several seconds until Fujin slammed down a stack of folders on the floor and regarded the two.
"What the fuck are you laughing at?"
Raijin continued snickering while Seifer answered, "Nothing Fuu. Don't get your panties in a knot..." Seifer peered at Fujin's back.
"Wha...?" Fujin reached behind her back and put her hand at the top of her pants. Seifer began to laugh loudly to her dismay. Seifer had been referred to her underwear, which was peeking out of the jeans she chose to wear that day. 'I shoulda worn a longer shirt...dammit!' Fujin angrily thought as she pulled her shirt down to cover her pants.
"Hey Fuu, you know what BLACK underwear means, right?" Seifer purred moving his face closer to Fujin's. Meanwhile, Raijin just continued to roar with laughter.
Fujin angrily picked up the folder she placed on the floor and slammed them over Seifer's head.
"Geez Fujin, can't you take a joke?" Seifer sputtered angrily as he rubbed his head to soothe the pain.
"NEGATIVE," she answered and continued to go through Seifer's drawers cleaning out the remaining paperwork.
By this time, Raijin wisely chose to stop laughing and looked at Fujin curiously. "Are ya really mad Fuj? We were just jokin, ya know."
Fujin rose to her feet with an eerie grin on her face. "Seifer, I happen to know that you own a pair of boxes with *pink* Mogs on them."
"What are you talking about?" Seifer demanded indignantly. "Why would I have a pair of THOSE?"
"Remember that girlfriend of yours...Samantha? You know, that slut that works at 'Jason's'? She bought them for you in Dollet," Fujin replied breezily. "REMEMBER?"
"Pink Mog boxers?" Raijin wondered aloud.
"Don't listen to her Raijin!" Seifer cried defensively. "I don't even wear the damn things!"
"Doesn't matter," Fujin countered. "If anyone found out that you own such *feminine* boxers, imagine what that would do to your reputation." She cocked her head to the side with an eyebrow raised.
Seifer's cheeks flushed slightly. Then he thrust out his right hand. "All right, let's call it a truce." Seifer turned to Raijin. "Yo, make sure she doesn't have any fingers crossed behind her back."
"Oh come on Seifer, it's a truce," Fujin said shaking his hand. "I won't tell."
Seifer shook his head, smirking. "Who could EVER replace you Fujin?"
~*~*~
Summer Recess had finally rolled around for Balamb Garden. To the remaining SeeDs, the Garden was very empty, but most were grateful. Some SeeDs took vacations; Squall and Rinoa headed Esthar since Rinoa insisted that Esthar was *the* place for a vacation. As usual, Squall silently agreed. Irvine and Selphie headed to Trabia, to a new ski resort. Zell and his girlfriend just remained local and headed back to Balamb to spend their summer with their families. Cid and Edea remained at Garden, although they were planning to go back to the orphanage for a few weeks. It had been restored to its original glory last year.
So where did that leave the posse? Planning their vacation in Seifer's apartment of course.
"I'm telling you, we should go to the beach for the summer!" Seifer argued holding up a brochure of a beach with practically white sand and a cerulean blue sky.
"Yeah but I wanna learn how to ski, ya know!" Raijin argued back.
Seifer turned to Fujin waving the brochure around. "Wouldn't you rather go to the beach Fujin? I know you hate the cold." He was really trying to convince her to see things his way.
"I don't care," Fujin answered in bored tone.
Giving up on Fujin, Seifer turned back to Raijin. "Think of it man," he started putting a hand on Raijin's shoulder. "The crashing waves of the shore, the warmth of the sun, the GIRLS in their bikinis..." Fujin rolled her eye when Seifer mentioned the GIRLS.
"Yeah...but they have girls at the ski resort too, ya know."
"But not in *bikinis* Raijin." A slow grin crept to Raijin's face and Seifer nodded in approval.
"Then it's settled. Now which beach should we go to?" Seifer asked while paging through numerous brochures.
"You don't want to go to Dollet," Fujin supplied. "The beach isn't all *that* great."
"Dollet out." Seifer scrutinized a few more brochures before stopping at one particular resort. "Hey, this place is new. 'The Sands Beach Resort...includes a large swimming pool, hot tubs, a restaurant and more'," Seifer quoted. "The living quarters are all separated like a personal home, complete with the necessities of modern living.'
"Hey that sounds like that would be fun, ya know! Our own beach house, ya know," Raijin exclaimed excitedly.
The idea even appealed to Fujin. They would be staying in a beach house meaning that she could go to a separate part of the house when Raijin and Seifer began their "male bonding".
"So make the reservation, Seifer," Fujin prodded. She was actually excited about this vacation for some odd reason. Perhaps her reason being that this would be her first "real" vacation away from the school she called home. During those times before the posse returned to Garden, it wasn't much like a vacation since they lived from inn to inn...most of the time the inns were less than suitable.
"We are gonna have the time of our lives!" Seifer exclaimed while picking up the phone. Seifer hoped that this vacation would bring him and Fujin closer in terms of their relationship. He didn't know why he thought it would, but maybe they would be able to spend time together ALONE. Seifer grinned at the thought and snapped out of his reverie when the receptionist answered on the other end of the line.
~*~*~
Seifer decided to rent a car from Balamb instead of using the Garden's vehicles, mainly because of their utilitarian appearance. He opted for a sleeker red vehicle that Fujin insisted on driving. Before departing for the resort, Seifer made sure to print out the directions and dictate to Fujin which way to go. When they finally arrived at the resort, the posse was pleasantly surprised at the accommodations before them. A relatively large single story building was situated in the midst of other smaller buildings, which were lodging. The buildings were covered in clapboard that was painted an off white and the landscaping contained native plants of the beach, dotted with palm trees.
"Whoa...this is great!" Seifer exclaimed with his arms outstretched. "Sun...beach...ocean...let's get going!"
The posse walked into the single story building and arrived at the lobby with its brightly lit interior due to the tall windows. At one side of the lobby were the resort gift and swimwear shop and the restaurant; on the other side there was an exercise room, an arcade and a small sitting area. Towards the back was the room for the pool complete with hot tubs.
"Good day and welcome to the Sands Beach Resort! What can I do for you all today?" A mature receptionist snobbishly greeted.
"We have a reservation in the name of Almasy," Seifer answered.
"Almasy...ah, here you are." The receptionist glanced at Fujin curiously and her eyes widened at her appearance. "Young lady, are you with these gentleman?"
"AFFIRMATIVE," Fujin barked causing the receptionist to jump back started.
"My word, you do NOT have to yell young lady! As I was saying, the lodging you ordered is still available and..." She reached for the room keys behind her and handed them to Seifer. "Here are you room keys. Make sure you do not lose them!" Her last remark was directly more towards Fujin than Seifer or Raijin.
"Thank you," Seifer said sourly as he snatched the keys away. "Come on, we're in Lodge 214."
The lodge itself was cozy, with décor fitting for a beach house like pictures of beach landscapes, a few seashells here and there, as well the usual fake plants. The house itself was two stories; the first story housed the living area, which open to the kitchen and a downstairs powder room. The second story housed two bedrooms and two bathrooms of similar décor. After they unpacked their things and settled down, Raijin decided to check out the arcade leaving Seifer and Fujin behind.
"So what do you think Fuu? You like it here so far?" Seifer asked while people watching out of a window.
"It's fine," Fujin huffed from her position on the beige living room sofa.
Seifer turned to regard Fujin carefully. "You don't *look* as though you like it." He seated himself next to Fujin and looked her in the eye. "Tell me what's wrong."
"The usual," Fujin sighed leaning back. "That receptionist was rude. What do I expect? It's always the same thing."
Seifer chose not to say anything. Instead he rose to his feet. "Hey come on, we're supposed to be having fun. Let's get outta here and go to the shop."
"And what am I gonna buy from there?"
"Well Fuu, you're gonna need a swimsuit since you're at a beach."
Fujin looked down at her attire of a simple light blue tank top, indigo denim shorts, and plain white tennis sneakers. "What's wrong with what I have on?"
"Nothing, but I wanna buy you something," Seifer answered tugging her wrist. "Come on, live a little."
Fujin shook her head and surrendered allowing him to drag her shopping. Nothing like Seifer trying to pick out a swimsuit.
'Oh Hyne...'
~*~*~
"What about this one?" Seifer held up a black string bikini in front of Fujin.
"Are you insane?! You want me to put *that* on? It doesn't even cover anything!" Fujin exclaimed indignantly. That bikini was too scandalous for her tastes. 'Don't they have any one pieces in here that don't look like suit grandma would wear?' Fujin wondered incredulously.
"Aw come on, I just wanna see how you look in it!"
"No."
"Come on!"
"NO."
"Fujin!"
"NEGATIVE!" Fujin screeched causing a few other shoppers to look at them curiously.
Seifer cocked his head to the side pensively. "Tell ya what. How about we play a game of Triple Triad? If I win, you have to wear the suit. If you win-"
"YOU have to wear the suit," Fujin interjected grinning evilly.
"What?!"
"You heard me!"
"All right, fine. It's a deal." They shook hands to confirm the deal. "So when I win, do you want the suit gift wrapped?" Seifer sneered arrogantly.
"Keep talking shit Seifer." Fujin and Seifer always kept their Triple Triad cards on them for reasons such as this. They had always made their bets over a game of Triple Triad. The pair walked out to the lobby and seated themselves at a nearby table spreading out the cards.
"Since I'm such a gentleman, I'll let you go first Fujin," Seifer scoffed. "We're using Plus, Open and All rule, got it?"
"Just shut up and play."
~*~*~
Fujin and Seifer headed to the beach since there was still a little daylight left. Several curious stares were directed toward Fujin because of her pale skin was in stark contrast to the black swimsuit she was wearing.
"Are you sure this suit looks okay? I mean, I'm getting a lot of stares...more than usual," Fujin asked curiously.
"Yeah, it looks fine," Seifer answered approvingly.
"You know Seifer...I could have had *your* swimwear gift wrapped," Fujin said pointedly.
"Aw, shut up already would ya?" Seifer groused angrily.
He looked simply DARLING in his teeny weeny BLACK bikini.
Eh...just a little lighthearted chapter for you all. Kinda short... Not particularly fond of it, but hey, I just can't seem to please myself anyway. I guess I have to rely upon my reviewers! No problem for me! Anyway, see ya next update!