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?
"Though I've never really doubted you
I'm a little bit unsure
Who your one and only is;
Please forgive me for doubting myself."
---"Ni Yao De Ai"/The Love You Want, Penny Tai
"Fujin..." Seifer repeated the name. It sounded familiar on his lips. "Listen, why don't you... stay for a while?"
"LATE," came the reply, reverting back to her harsh tone. "HAVE TO GO. SEE YOU." Running like the wind, she left. There was just something about her that seemed oh, so familiar. Who was she in his life once?
Remember... you shall be loyal to me, and only me. Those people you held dear to you in the past---let go of them now. They are nothing. No one to you. Just a part of your childhood days. They won't help you fulfill your dream. Only I can.
The Sorceress' words echoed in Seifer's head. He was getting confused now. Maybe I should go back to my chamber now.
"Ah, Seifer. There you are. I have been looking for you all night."
"Good evening, m'lady."
She approached him and stroked his hair. "I saw that girl coming down the stairs and was wondering, what could she have been doing at a time like this?" A smile spread across her lips. "Hmm? Do you suppose it had something to do with you?"
Silence.
"I don't think it is proper of a Knight to not answer his Lady's questions. Tell me now. What was the girl up to? It's a very simple question and doesn't require much thinking, now does it?"
Seifer's eyes did not meet her gaze. "I do not know."
Edea scanned Seifer from head to toe. "You are lying. I am very sure she was with you. You were chatting. Out here on the balcony, I presume?"
After another silence, Seifer finally admitted a soft "Yes."
The elegant Sorceress's eyebrows creased with what Seifer made out as a mixture of scorn and disappointment. She gazed deeply into Seifer's clear green eyes. "Tell me again, Seifer. Why do you think I gave you a little bit of free will?"
Seifer smirked and answered coolly, "So that I could be able to think and act on my own, but with your bidding in mind. So that I wouldn't be the same as a robot or a dog who would only act upon command."
"Exactly." Her lip curled, and her brow furrowed. "I knew there would come a time that you would defy me, and that would be after your dreams are fulfilled. I won't let go of you that easily, though. So I had to put you under my control. But still, you should be grateful that I gave you even just a little free will. I wanted you to be more than just a lapdog. I wanted you to be a true Knight. I knew I could trust you."
Seifer sighed. "You can trust me, my Lady. But I do not see anything wrong in talking to the girl. I was merely---"
"Intrigued? You find her mysterious, do you not? Oh, Seifer. You still are a child. I have said once that emotions will lead to our downfall. And what do you do? You talk to her. Yes, it may seem perfectly fine right now. But if I let you talk more as the days pass, she will take you away from me. I will not let that happen. You are my Knight, mine alone. You will serve me; I shall provide you with your fondest dreams. I will not let the girl and her comrade take you away."
She caressed Seifer's warm cheek gently. "Do not trust them. Do not fall prey to their manipulations and lies. They only want to confuse you. Trust only me. Do you understand?"
Holding up his palm to show his loyalty, Seifer nodded and made a salute. His voice became slower and trance-like. "Yes, my Lady. I understand perfectly."
"Good. Should you disobey me again, suffer the consequences." And with that she pulled Seifer closer to her and kissed him on the lips, leaving a very stunned Seifer soon after. He couldn't believe that his Lady just kissed him---took him so suddenly by surprise. For some reason it felt different---so sudden. She smirked. "Good night, Seifer. I shall go ahead and retire to my chambers now."
* * *
Edea laughed softly to herself as she entered her chambers. Closing the door, she was about to sleep, when she heard a voice in her head.
Stop toying with Seifer. He is strong, but at the same time vulnerable. Stop playing on his weaknesses.
Edea shot back telepathically to the voice in her head, Oh, shut your mouth, woman. What do you know? He will serve me well.
Taking away everything he knew... do you really find that amusing?
Oh, but I do. And I'm sorry, but I won't stop. Seifer wants me. He needs me. And I need him. And as long as I can find a use for him, I'll keep him this way.
And then, what comes next? You'll dispose of him like a toy? You bastard.
You talk too much. Just wait and you'll see soon enough...
TO BE CONTINUED
Author's Notes: Sorry for the long wait! I was pretty busy the previous week with lots of homework. School's a bummer. XD I hope that the length of this chapter will make up for making you wait so long. Thanks also to all who reviewed, especially Platinum Angel. BTW, the lyrics at the start of the fic are from the Meteor Garden ending theme. I had to translate it myself!