Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VIII and all characters are creations of Squaresoft.
Summary: Slightly A/U. Raijin and Fujin search for Seifer after the Timber incident in Disc 1, only to find him brainwashed by the Sorceress Edea. He cannot recognize them any longer because of Edea's messing with his mind. How far will the posse go just to get Seifer's memories and the old him back?
"Dreams are more fragile and fleeting than a glass rose,
so then why are we destined to dream?"
---Scarlet, "Ayashi no Ceres"
A smile escaped from the Sorceress's lips. "If your hearts are so set on this, then there's nothing I can do. I must say, you have been blinded by the lies known as love and friendship; then again---it really isn't any of my business. But just remember that once you back out of our deal, don't come running back to me again."
Fujin and Raijin bowed and nodded in agreement.
"You are dismissed from now. I shall call you when the time comes." And with that she exited the room, striding gracefully .
At that very moment, Seifer returned from his walk around the city.
"Seifer. So you're back. I have news for you."
Kissing her hand, he looked up. "What is it, milady?"
"The two you saw earlier...they will be working with you, doing my bidding. They will be your subordinates. Assign to them whatever task you want, as long as you have my permission."
Seifer looked confused. "Tell me, my lady. Who are they? Why do they know me?"
"Oh, don't worry. You'll probabaly find out soon enough, anyway," she replied in an amused tone.
"Shall we be giving them orders now?"
"No, not yet. In the meantime, just prepare yourself for the parade. In a few days, I shall be addressing a speech to the people of Deling City. There will be an extravagant parade soon after, to celebrate our ascension. As my Knight, it is your duty to join me. If ever anything should happen, you will defend me. Do you understand?"
He nodded in agreement. "Yes, my Lady. Whatever you say."
"Good. Loyal Knight, continue to serve me, and I shall grant you everything you desire."
* * *
Fujin leaned against the balcony, looking up at the night sky of Deling City. It was past midnight, and the stars were shining brighter than ever, the neon lights of Deling City growing dim. Raijin was fast asleep in his room. For a while Fujin wondered if she was the only one awake at the moment. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't bring herself to sleep. So she just decided to enjoy the view from the balcony of the Presidential Residence and do some thinking. About Edea. About what was to become of the posse. Of Seifer...
Seifer...
Her thoughts were interrupted when a familiar voice called out to her. "Miss, what are you doing here? It's really late." Fujin spun around and saw it was Seifer.
What was she to say to him? "Oh...it's you." 'Oh...it's you.' That's all you can say? Nice going, Fujin.
"NOTHING...er, I was just---thinking. I couldn't sleep. And you?" You're acting different. I wish we could take the time to talk together, Fujin thought to herself.
He looked at her, the same blank look in his eyes. Only his voice seemed to have a little bit of life in it. "Same here. Came to do some contemplating."
"I never knew you were a thinker."
"What are you talking about?" Confused, as usual. Does that damn Sorceress really have this much power over him?
Fujin looked down. "Sorry. It was nothing." I guess mentioning about the past will only leave him more confused...
There was an awkward silence as Seifer gazed up at the stars. Fujin's eyes shifted from Seifer to the night sky. "Tell me, Seifer. Are you really sure you don't know who I am?"
He replied with a blank stare. "If I knew who you were, we probably wouldn't be acting so awkward like this." He looked bored. There was a brief silence again. Then Seifer smirked. "Care to tell me what you've been thinking about?"
"It's none of your business, really." Why am I acting all cold towards him? This may be the only time I could be able to strike a conversation with him and I'm acting hostile... Fujin slapped her forehead. "Sorry for acting rude. I was just thinking about a friend I lost, and about some other personal matters and philosophical matters. Like why we love and care for certain people..." Her voice trailed off as she heard the sound of footsteps. "Your Lady is probably looking for you. I guess I should get going now..."
Seifer looked at her again. Such an intriguing girl... "I think I should, too. Well, I'll probably be seeing you soon as my subordinate. But I didn't quite get your name yet."
"My name? It's Fujin."
TO BE CONTINUED
Author's Notes: Thank you again to all who reviewed. I am also sorry if this chapter isn't as good as the first two chapters. I spent lots of days thinking about it, but now I still don't think it turned out that good. So review and tell me what you think.