AN: Thanks to you people who reviewed! NOTE: Every time there's a ruled line I'm changing the POV.

aratcorien: Umm…no Squall wasn't in the transport…he was…er…driving! Or rather in the front part of the vehicle. The back, where the posse were, was a separate unit, much like a very large boot, except it had seats…

Act 2 – Faith; Hope; Love

I awoke with a pounding headache, my mind throbbing violently as I opened my eye to see the doors being pulled open, Rajin stepping out, and Seifer looking down at me.

"Come on, we're here." He said softly, shaking my shoulder to bring me back to the world of the living. I groaned, holding my head in one head as I pushed myself away from the cold, metallic wall into Seifer's arms. "Hey, are you all right Fujin?"

"PAIN." I mumbled as he steadied me, both of his hands resting on my shoulders. Without a word, he guided me forward with his hands directing my movements.

As I stepped out, I didn't even notice the blinding sun or the sweltering heat of the desert plains envelope me in a suffocating embrace. I looked around me, dazed by the rising pain in my head, and vaguely registered that soldiers surrounded us. I heard a door click and whine as it swung open as a figure jumped out of the side of the transport.

Squall walked toward us, his cold glare present on his face, and stood before us crossing his arms.

"What the hell are you doing Leonhart?" Seifer seethed above me, letting go of my shoulders.

"I already told you the answer." He said coldly. Seifer growled in anger and was about to speak again, but Squall beat him to it. "I suggest we discuss this inside." He turned to leave, his lone footsteps leaving prints in the dusty sand that lay over the dry rock.

At once his accompanying SeeDs shuffled us along after him, but as I looked up at their faces I saw the fear in their eyes, and also the bubbling hatred… I didn't want to even think why we were here, in the place we hated the most, with the people who looked upon us as enemies.

Climbing the white stairs, into the all too familiar Garden, we were guided into the great hall where Squall was already waiting for us. Standing in between Seifer and Rajin, we all looked at Squall as his ice blue eyes scouting the area, watching as the SeeDs lined up in their posts, patrolling the doors and exits. His eyes then turned to us, and for some reason I felt fear rise up in my throat. His defiant, piercing glare shook the walls of my heart, and I suddenly felt very alone.

"You're probably wondering why you're here." Squall said calmly. I jumped at the sudden sound of his voice and looked down to the ground, hoping I wouldn't have to speak.

"Get to the point." Seifer said quickly after Squall had finished.

Pausing for a moment, he began again. "As I said, you're probably wondering why you're here. Well, as fate would have it, I was sent here to, unfortunately, bring you back to Balamb. The - " Seifer cut him off again.

"Who do you think you are telling us that?" he shouted.

Feigning ignorance to Seifer's words, Squall continued once more. "The Headmaster," he said loudly, keeping his anger in check. "Would like to see you three in Balamb in two days. And luckily for you, you have the pleasure of myself being your escort," He said sarcastically. "I suggest you rest up, for we leave again tomorrow morning. That is all." He said getting up.

I looked up at Seifer, wanting to see some sort of sign that he would, for once, listen to what Squall said. Squall walked past us briskly, as if we weren't there and with the exception of a few SeeDs, everyone else left the room.

"Seifer," I whispered, wincing at the pounding drum in my head. He remained silent and didn't move, even when I clung onto his trench coat sleeve for balance.

"Seifer, are we gonna go, ya know?" Rajin asked quietly, not wanting Seifer to result in an explosion of rage. But what shocked us both was that he just smirked and walked away, leaving me and Rajin utterly confused. We both ran after him, my self-control wavering, to see where he was going.

"Seifer!" Rajin called behind him. He stopped and turned round, waiting for one of us to say something.

Clutching on to the wall, I made my way slowly toward the two men, my breathing becoming more laboured with every step. Despite my earlier nap, the one thing I needed more than anything was to rest. My illness was getting the upper hand with all the activity I was putting myself through and I couldn't take much more…

Something warm touched my shoulder, and I looked up to see Seifer standing beside me. "Here," he said offering his hand. "You need to rest." I took it gladly, and together with Rajin we slowly made our way toward the somewhat empty dormitories.

We were in Balamb in two days, just like Leonhart had told us. As Rajin, Fujin and I stepped off the train, yet another Garden transport was waiting to pick us up. Together we all got in, including our ever so silent escort, and we waited to be driven toward our once so-called home. The only noise I could hear, apart from the rumbling of the wheels, was Fujin's coughing, and I had to admit, I think she was getting worse…

During the last couple of days, her pale face continually looked tired, as if she hadn't had any sleep at all for a week. And she was getting weaker by the day; her skin growing whiter and colder each time I looked at her. She couldn't even walk by herself anymore; I had to carry her because she was too frail to hold herself upright.

And I felt so powerless to do anything…

Now, she was leaning against me in a light sleep. Without waking her as we arrived, I gathered the small woman into my arms and stepped out into the balmy sunshine. The smell of the sea was still present even this far off the shore. It was almost pleasant.

Squall, Rajin and myself headed for the grounded Balamb Garden and I nearly felt a smile grace my lips as I gazed at the large structure. Walking through the gates, we entered the main hall, and the gushing indoor rivers calmed me slightly, engulfing me back to the world of Garden before the war. We stopped before the elevator, when Squall turned to me.

"Take her to the infirmary," He said bluntly. I looked at him in surprise. "Go, I'll be waiting here."

I turned on my heels without thanking him and walked quickly toward Dr. Kadowaki's office. I hung my head low, not wanting to see the shocked appearances on the students' faces as I walked by. I felt like shouting at them when I heard them whisper, but I kept walking, my only concern being Fujin.

The doors slid open, and I walked in slightly embarrassed to greet the doctor who hadn't aged at all since I last saw her.

"Well, who's this?" she said mockingly. "Back from the grave are we?" she said smiling as she looked at me.

"Fujin needs help." I said, bringing attention to the fragile girl in my arms.

"Oh my!" the old woman exclaimed. "Why didn't you say so? Quickly bring her over here." She said frantically, while cursing under her breath. I smiled inwardly. She really hadn't changed at all.

I laid Fujin down on one of the beds as Dr. Kadowaki scrambled around her office for her equipment, watching Fujin's eye flutter open from all the commotion. I looked down at her, taking her cold hand in mine, reassuring her that everything would be ok.

"Where?" she whispered so quietly and weakly I almost didn't hear her. My heart swelled at the pathetic state of her, overflowing with pity. I would never have thought such a strong woman would be reduced to this…

"We're at Balamb Garden now Fuu," I said squeezing her hand. Her eye looked so sad… "You'll be ok," I said trying to push back the lump in my throat. "You'll be fine…" she smiled ever so slightly up at me before she closed her eye again, falling asleep once more.

"Ah! Here we are." The doctor said, somewhat cheerful, coming to kneel on the other side of the bed. "Tell me Seifer, what's wrong with her?" she said much more seriously.

"She's had the flu the last couple of days, but we've been living…rough," I said trying to find the right word. "Also, she was shot here," I said pointing to her arm. "And ever since she's been getting worse and worse. She can't even walk straight and she's been in and out of sleep for days now." I said, really beginning to worry about whether Fujin would be ok.

"Well, I'll see what I can do. There hasn't been anybody I haven't cure yet!" she said with a triumphant smile on her old face.

'And let's pray she's not the first…' I thought as I turned to leave.

---

Walking swiftly back to Leonhart and Rajin, we stepped into the elevator and with a jolt we were taken skyward toward the Headmaster's office. The grand doors opened in front of us and there sat Cid Kramner, along with Edea. Leonhart promptly left us and the doors closed with a quiet click of the handle.

"Welcome Seifer, welcome Rajin!" he said smiling. "I hear dear Fujin has taken ill," I felt sick at his words. "Please tell her to recovery quickly for me." I nodded in return, cringing at his fatherly attitude.

"Well, I hope your journey here wasn't too bad. Come, sit down," he said motioning toward the three chairs arranged neatly in front of his desk.

"Why have you brought us here?" I said. "Neither Rajin, Fujin or myself have any knowledge as to why Garden has suddenly rescued us from the streets." I said with a hint of hatred.

"Now, now Seifer. We'll explain all that in due time." Edea said gently. I said nothing and only stared at them, wanting an answer.

Clearing his throat uncomfortably, Cid began. "Now then, you both know that at Garden, we are a family," I rolled my eyes. "And as a family, we both felt that is was only right to adopt you back into our family."

"You're our children," Edea added soothingly. "And we only want what is best for you. We don't want you to be living in fear, or in illness. We want you to live in a safe environment, where you're protected from the law." Her words still held that motherly, loving tone she always had…

Neither of them said anything after that, allowing us to think about our answer, which had really already been decided for us. Breaking the silence, Rajin spoke up.

"I say we stay Seifer. I can't stand sleeping on the floor anymore ya know?" he said. "At least here we'll be safe."

"Yes," I sighed. Burying my head in my hands, I could only think of Fujin at that moment. If we stayed here then she could get better, but after that I don't think any of us would want to stay here out of choice. We're hated here…and I hate this place… "Alright," I said finally. "We'll stay here, but only…Only if Fujin or Rajin don't suffer on my decision." I said, wanting what was best for all of us.

Both adults smiled in agreement. "We still have all your old records, and all of your dormitories are still in tact. You lessons will resume as per normal and you'll be expected to keep up with the lectures and the work load." Cid said happily, but still quite serious

"Thank you sir." Rajin and I said together.

"Very well. You are dismissed." Cid said, and we both withdrew from the room, back down to the main floor.

"Seifer," Rajin said suddenly. I glanced over to him, curious at what he was about to say. "Is that Fujin down there ya know?" he said walking over to the glass of the moving elevator and pointing down by the infirmary. I averted my eyes and looked to where he was pointing.

And at once fear rose up in my chest, and I banged on the glass, wanting the ground to reach us. I couldn't believe my eyes. Not only was Fujin out of the infirmary, but she was being surrounded by a group of SeeDs, who were slowly backing her into a corner. As she walked back timidly, her footing slipped and Fujin fell over backward, earning a roaring laugh from her audience.

"Fujin!" I shouted, hoping she'd hear me, but she didn't turn round.

How slow can this damn lift be!?

I watched in horror, gradually descending to the ground, as one of the students walked up to her fallen body, and pick her up by her collar roughly. His mouth moved silently through the glass, shouting words at her that I couldn't hear.

My fingers itched on the cold glass as I stood watching all this happen before me. Conflicting emotions were swirling around in my blood, anger replacing anxiety in a continuous cycle of feeling. Finally the glorious sound of the elevator stopping forced it's way into my mind through the river of hatred and worry, and I rushed out of the glass prison, desperate to find Fujin before the students' knuckles did.

"Get out of my way!" I thundered, pushing the cruel people who had gathered to watch aside with one hand. Fighting my way through the sea of younger boys and girls, I barged to the front, running straight over to the person who had dared to touch Fujin.

Immediately he dropped her to the floor, smirking as if he had a hidden purpose to his bullying.

"Nice eye your friend has there. I couldn't wait to see what she had underneath that patch." He said darkly, and I lunged at him, gathering all the raging emotions and boiling hatred in my fist. Landing a direct hit on the side of his face, I sent him flying against the wall, sending the onlookers running away frightened. I walked hastily over to the tall boy, and picked him up by his neck, strangling the soft skin ever so softly. He opened his eyes in fear, and I could feel him breath raggedly under my fingers.

"You touch her again, and I won't be so kind." I whispered darkly. Nodding his head in stupid agreement I threw him over the rail into the shallow waters below the platform satisfied with the large splash and wailing scream of pain he made. Walking back over to Fujin who was now sitting up dazed in Rajin's arms, I noticed that some people were still watching the tragic boy in the water. Taking Fujin from Rajin, he nodded and promptly got up to 'dispose' of those who were still stupid enough to cross his path.

"STOP," she whispered. Rajin halted in his tracks as I placed Fujin's eye patch back over her face. "DON'T." she said softly, her hand outstretched. Rajin sighed, only glaring at the young students before they fled.

It was then her tears fell from Fujin's eye, and she cried in pain and humiliation. Wrapping my arms around the sobbing woman I held her close to me, rubbing her back in comfort.

"THEY SAW." She choked through her tears, repeating the defeating words over and over. "EVERYONE…"

Hushing her I said, "What happened? Tell me what they did…" I said gently.

"GRABBED, SHOUT," She said pausing for a moment. "ALBINO FREAK!" She cried angrily, more tears streaming down her face.

"No Fujin, no," I said. "You're not what they say, you know that you aren't. You're not…" my words died on my tongue. I just couldn't think of anything to say. Nothing I said would make her feel any better.

"TOOK…" she began, but she began crying louder and I knew why. Holding her tightly in my arms, I sat there with her, letting her tears fall as Rajin kept anyone from watching. Still weak and exhausted I started to pick her up, her tears ceasing and led her to the Quad where we would get some privacy. But she stopped me and grabbing hold of a rail she said, "WALK." She took up her position at my side, holding onto my arm as she stumbled along the quiet walkway with me, a sad look still present on her face.

We sat down together on a bench in the green, leafy Quad, with Fujin sitting in my lap. Rajin trailed behind standing watch. I thanked him silently.

"Seifer," Fujin murmured beside me.

"Yes?"

"Don't hurt them again." She said meaningfully.

"But they hurt you. I'm not going to let them get away with that." I said seriously.

"How are we going to fit in here if we keep going like that?" she asked me, receiving no answer. "They have to know they can trust us. Otherwise we might as well be out there again." She said, her eye moving toward the open balcony to the left of us.

She was right.

"But how do we do that? They all hate us for what we did…" I said holding her tighter.

"FAITH." She said turning her tear stained face toward me. I looked into her eye and found all the answers to my questions. "HOPE." She said, her face slowly becoming closer to my own. "LOVE." she breathed, her lips grazing mine as she kissed me. Shifting in my lap, her hands came to rest on my jaw line.

They were warm.