Author's Note: I'm back! I just want to comment that I don't like my writing style. It discouraged me from writing the entire time while I was on vacation. I'm sorry if things don't seem to make sense, I try not to jump around or forget anything. If you see loose ends, I'm sure they will have closure as the story goes on. I do have plans for a sequel—that is if you all demand to know what happens. (but that is chapters in the future when this shall be decided) I'm not the best writer, I know this..

Anywho, Story quirk: This is basically all written from Seifer's point of view, except I did not do it in the first person perspective. (When I type 'I, me, mine, etc' I usually think of myself and not the character.) So, whatever you read about the other characters may not be true—this is just how Seifer sees things. And if you haven't picked up on it already, Seifer tends to delude himself into believing things rather than accepting the truth.

Chapter Five: Impossible Craving

Seifer awoke to the hoarse quorking of a bird. He rolled grumpily on the bed in an attempt to ignore the noise. It had been a rough night. For the love of Bahamut! He had just gotten to sleep a few hours ago. After Seifer had spent a few moments twisting side to side, he decided to kill whatever creature had decided to act like a rooster. He hopped out of bed and immediately met the floor in a tangled heap of legs and sheets.

Growling, Seifer kicked the sheets away to free himself. He climbed to his feet and staggered towards the window. The thin curtain was pushed aside so Seifer could glare out into the cheerful morning. The cawing continued much to his annoyance. He picked up a nearby sandal and held it up in a menacing pose. Whatever was making that racket was going to get that shoe shoved down its throat.

Jade eyes caught the movement of black wings ruffling. Seifer leaned forward and peered down at the large bird perching on a statue engraved into the side of the wall. Originally Seifer had thought it was a vulture that was making all the noise, but instead a raven sat, quirking sadly at the empty horizon.

Seifer raised his sandal, ready to throw it at the pest. Arm muscles tensed, but never released the shoe to sail through the air. He knew that a raven was a rare sight in the desert. The temple priests usually saw it as a bad omen because the raven was a pre-warning sign of death.

A sly smirked adorned the blonde's handsome face. He lowered the sandal to his waist then dropped it to the floor. Seifer tilted his head in thought as he eyed the sleek black feathers, "I hope you haven't come for me. Though, if you are looking for a snake to have for breakfast, she's on the other side.."

Tok. Tok. Quork.

Seifer blinked at the creature that continued to cry out towards the desert. He glanced towards the sand-filled horizon then back to the bird. "Oh, so you lost someone? I see. I'm alone too, it's not that bad."

The raven suddenly took to the air in a burst of black feathers. It rose up then passed over the top of the palace and Seifer swore that the bird was heading to the other side. Hopefully where that 'snake' was located. Give her a scare for her life. Stupid witch.

"I'm alone," Seifer repeated before turning back to his room and dressing. It amused him sadistically to think about truly alone he was. His cousin was bent on destroying his life; his father didn't acknowledge his existence; his mother was too busy with visiting friends in the city; there wasn't one noble figure in the city that was level-headed enough to be a decent friend. All Seifer had to comfort him was the moody desert.

There was Fujin and Raijin, but Seifer knew the two were just acting as good servants and not as friends. He wanted to call them friends, but how could he when he didn't treat them like friends? Just last night he had been overly rude to Raijin. A friend didn't do that. Besides, they were servants. Almasys didn't mingle with servants or slaves.

Well, most of the time Seifer was not suppose to socialize with them. There were some servants that he could keep as company and his father would not frown. At this thought, a pleased grin spread across Seifer's face as he finished dressing then exited his room. He walked lightly down the halls with a contentment he had been missing these past few weeks. It was going to be a great day, besides the raven and the whole death omen thing—but that was a silly priest superstition. But today, Seifer was going to take the lead in this war he was waging against Rinoa. The crafty sorceress was ahead by a point, but by the next sunrise, Seifer will have taken the lead. Just the thought of having the advantage made Seifer anxious. In fact, an early celebration was needed to rejoice his up coming victory, and the blonde prince knew a fine place to begin.

Seifer traveled through the palace in a daze. He slipped through a set of dark red silk curtains and strolled into a room that was large compared to others. Most of the rooms in the palace were plain and boring; nothing but bare stonewalls of a tan color. This was different though; narrow strips of silk ran to and fro around the room, masking corners and creating separate quarters. Large and small pillows were set along the floor in tight circles. All of it had one thing in common, everything was done in shades of red, the very color of passion.

A small commotion broke out upon Seifer's entrance. The smiling prince casually walked over to a large pillow and sat himself onto the feathery cushion. He stretched his long legs out over the plush rug with a complete look of relaxation.

Slender bodies began to emerge from behind the silken drapes while others rose from the ground where they had taken rest. All of them softly chimed with small bells that were attached to their clothes, which was nothing more then strips of soft golden fabric that covered the necessary regions. They were girls; a mixture of dancers, singers and other forms of entertainers. Each one had gold specks that sparkled over their exposed skin with each movement. They huddled around their prince.

"Ooh, Seifer! It's been such a long time since we've seen you," One blonde headed girl crooned while caressing her hand over his bicep.

A few girls quietly giggled. A brunette moved to Seifer's shoulders and began to massage the tense muscles, "We were beginning to think you had abandoned us! We've missed you~"

Seifer smiled as the girls all murmured in agreement. He let his eyes drift close as they continued to endlessly flatter him. His father had hired these girls to live in the castle. That man has such a weakness for a beautiful woman. Seifer was sure the pharaoh stole some time to come in here and be graciously commented without end. It probably fed the man's ego—just as it would for Seifer's.

"We thought you found yourself a girl to love," Another spoke while taking a comb and gently brushing it through Seifer's golden hair. The other girls made various noises of disapproval at the idea of Seifer having a girlfriend.

"No, no ladies. I've just been having some problems," Seifer spoke while soaking in the attention.

"Aww, what's been troubling our prince?" The blonde woman asked as she took one of his large hands in her smaller one.

"It's my cousin.." he started but paused when one of the girls snorted.

"That Rinoa, how dare she bother our prince," one voice spoke and then they all agreed afterwards. At once the commotion started again. They began to speak all at once. Seifer only managed to pick out a few phrases here and there.

"That tramp—"

"—why is she here?"

"She is so bossy—"

"—Yeah, acting like some princess—"

"—She makes one ugly princess."

They all laughed together, even Seifer managed to chuckle a few times at their antics. These girls were the perfect cure to his foul mood. Everyone of them was beautiful and wouldn't hesitate to see to his needs. It was just the thing his egotistical nature needed to get him back on track. So enthralled with the attention, Seifer didn't notice the meek boy enter the room and timidly approach the group. "Uhm, e-excuse me.."

Seifer opened his jade eyes to narrow slits that allowed him just enough vision to examine the boy. He instantly recognized him to be a messenger, the green tunic and shorts was a dead give away. A knowing grin spread across Seifer's face. "What do you need, boy? Did you come in here in hopes to become a man?"

The younger flushed and glanced at the risqué ladies then glued his eyes onto his naked feet. "I have a.. um.. a message for a Miss Rinoa Heartilly. I was told that I could find her in the palace.."

Seifer made a shooing motion at two of the girls. They pouted at him before rising and exiting the room. He watched the boy fidget for a moment or two, enjoying the other's obvious discomfort. "Have a seat, she'll be here shortly. In the meantime, tell me what this message is."

"I c-can't," he stammered because of the overwhelming feeling of being in the presence of all the women. "It's for Rinoa Heartilly. I'm not allowed to tell anyone else."

"I'm her cousin, so you can tell me," Seifer pried. In truth he already knew what the message would be about, he just wanted to hear how it sounded from the boy's lips.

"Well.."

"Com'on, there is nothing that Rinoa knows that I don't know," he continued to pester.

"You don't know anything," an irate voice huffed.

Seifer raised his eyes to the doorway. He smiled brightly upon seeing Rinoa pushing aside the drapes of silk in annoyance. It was easy to pick her out, the light blue dress she wore clashed horribly with the red interior of the room. She looked ready to tear someone's arm off. This appearance only made Seifer smile amusedly then glance questioningly at the two girls who snuck in after the sorceress. The two also wore smiles of amusement that drew the prince's curiosity even more. What had they done to make Rinoa so enraged?

"What is it? You sent your stupid little girls to get me, now stop grinning like an idiot and tell me what you want," Rinoa spat while crossing her arms in an uncomfortable stance.

The girls sitting around Seifer began to whisper to one another after the direct insult towards them. Seifer relaxed against the pillow. He now refused to drop the grin, just to stir up the sorceress temper. He looped one arm around the nearest girl and pulled her into his lap. She grinned and gently curved an arm around Seifer's neck while the other softly caressed his chest.

Rinoa glared daggers at the blonde man then the giddy girl sitting happily in his lap. She then turned away with her nose pointed skyward, "You disgust me—"

"Shut up Rinoa. Your opinion does not interest me," Seifer retorted quickly. That comment had been so hypocritical of her. Who was she to say this was disgusting. After what she did to his… his—Seifer growled and nodded his head towards the timid boy. "He brings a message for you."

The boy's head snapped up when he realized that he could now deliver his message, "Miss Rinoa?"

Rinoa turned to the boy with one eyebrow arched. She waited in silence for him to go on, but the boy did not catch on. "Spit it out already."

"Yes ma'am," the boy bowed his head in shame before continuing. "Your father orders that you come back to Aldazir at once."

Rinoa's lip curled up in a sneer. She turned and gazed suspiciously at Seifer. "Does he have a reason why?"

"No ma'am. I was just given that message to deliver to you," The boy mumbled.

"Fine," she rolled her eyes and dismissed the messenger—who quickly led himself out.

Seifer tried to look innocent, but he knew he was not a good actor. He did the next best thing, distract himself—and with the lovely ladies around him it wasn't that difficult. Seifer pulled the girl close to him and began to whisper into her ear, "Go find Squall. Bring him to me."

The girl gave Seifer a curious look, but he just lightly pushed her away. The girl reluctantly stood up and headed out. She made sure to nearly bump shoulders into Rinoa along the way. In reaction Rinoa rolled her eyes after the woman passed. The sorceress gave Seifer once last acidic glare before storming out of the room. When she was gone, the storm of voices immediately started up once again.

"Can you believe that?"

"Did you see that dress?"

"It makes her look like a—"

"—Good thing she's leaving."

"I was ready to strangle her."

"How dare she talk to our Seifer with such disrespect!"

The attention began all over again. Some girls continued on chattering while other began to massage his shoulders. Another took his hand and filed his fingernails. "Seif, you have such a great body—"

"—I love your hair. It's like the setting sun."

"Your hands look so strong."

"Do you want anything to eat?"

"—what about to drink?"

"Seifer."

"When do you think you'll be Pharaoh?"

"Seifer.."

"I can't wait until you are Pharaoh."

"Seifer!" The urgency of the voice caused the other girls to fall silent and back away from the prince. At the loss of treatment, Seifer opened his eyes to see who demanded his attention. The girl he had sent away before had returned. Seifer smiled when his eyes spotted the brunet slave standing behind the girl. The blond prince began to stand, brushing away the girls' hands as if they were beggars asking for bread. He completely ignored their presence as he stood in front of Squall, waiting for a reaction from him.

Squall had his arms crossed and was focusing his eyes on the floor behind the blonde. Seifer could tell the brunet was nervous because he kept shifting his weight. He waited a little longer before putting on an arrogant smirk and circling around Squall in an unbroken motion. The event between Rinoa and the brunet burned vividly behind his eyes. Seifer narrowed his eyes in mild disgust. "Do you like it?"

Squall's head snapped up with an expression clearly asked: 'What?'. Seifer continued to slowly circle Squall. He stopped behind the brunet and looked the man's back up and down. The prince knew what Rinoa had felt last night, but what did Squall feel? Did he enjoy having a snake slither over his skin? Seifer stepped up close to the other in order to whisper so the girls in the room could not overhear. "Did you like it when she touched you?"

Squall's chin fell at the words. He curled his arms more tightly around himself but said nothing. Seifer intently watched these bodily motions, reading the answer that didn't need to be voiced. He rather enjoyed seeing Squall like this; it was a drastic change from the usual defiant glares. It gave him the feel of power that he desired. "Yes, I saw you both last night in her room. I saw her.."

Seifer smiled and raised his hands and ran them down Squall's arms. He made sure to trace his fingers over the muscles, just as Rinoa had done the night before. The brunet appeared to shell himself further away into his mind. Seifer wished to break this shell. He softly ran his hands back up the smooth skin, pleased to see Squall twist in discomfort. What was Squall going to do, fight back? The slave never pushed Rinoa way, why should he start rebelling now?

"I saw her touch you like this," Seifer pulled his hands away then planted them firmly on Squall's shoulders. He wanted to make the other remember. He let one hand repeat the action of running down Squall's arm, soaking in the touch of the warm skin. "She slid her hands like this, did you like that?"

Squall mumbled then turned his face to the side. Seifer cocked his head to the side at the unusual noise. He let his hands fall away from Squall's arms then moved to stand in front of him instead. "What was that? No, yes?"

Seifer could of sworn he saw Squall roll his eyes, but it was hard to tell when the man kept turning his face away. Growling with his short fused temper, Seifer seized Squall's chin in a firm grip and then jerked the other's head to the look straight at him. "Answer me. Did you like it?"

Squall glared a moment before reaching up and knocking Seifer's hand away. He back away a step or two, "I said it's none of your business."

Seifer didn't respond at first. He let the girls' whisper to each other; let those wenches think what they want; they knew nothing! Seifer stalked after Squall, determined to keep this exchange of conversation private. He gripped Squall's shoulder and brought his face up to the brunet's ear to whisper, "I hope you realize that Rinoa is going to be gone. It's just you and me, and I make everything my business."

Squall suddenly turned his head towards Seifer to retort. This action caused the blonde to pull his head back to avoid knocking foreheads. The action was a bit slow; Seifer felt his bottom lip brush over Squall's cheek before either of them could pull far enough away. Squall looked as if he was going to say something but the words had been sucked out of his mouth.

Seifer stared at that mouth, those very lips that gaped at him. When he had made that accidental touch to Squall's cheek, Seifer had felt heat and surprising energy surge through his veins. He also felt slightly dazed and unknowingly began to lean forward. Squall retreated backwards from the blonde. The daze was instantly shattered, leaving Seifer to stare at the brunet.

"What does it matter?" Squall finally spat out.

Seifer didn't say anything at first; Diablo's confusion was beginning to brew. When he looked at Squall a second time, jade eyes narrowed in anger. "What do you have to hide?"

".. Whatever," Squall said through gritted teeth then turned towards the exit. Seifer reached out and snatched Squall's arm. He jerked the other back and seized both arms. He didn't want Squall to leave, not yet. The girls were whispering again, but this time loud enough to reach the prince's reddening ears. Their voices made him push Squall away.

Just what exactly was he doing here anyway? He had this disturbing urge to touch Squall—but why? This wasn't normal. This was like some sort of sorcery—of course!

Seifer's jade eyes hardened to ice. He looked upon Squall with intensive loathing, causing the brunet to take another step backwards. Instead of returning the hard look, Squall had narrowed his blue-gray eyes in question.

"You.." Seifer growled in a low voice. By now even the girls had back away. Seifer had just figured out why he felt a desire for Squall. It all made perfect sense, and was painfully obvious that he didn't know why he had not realized it before. Rinoa had infected Squall. That witch had put a spell on the brunet. Or maybe it was her very touch that lingered on the slave; making him desirable to the people he was around—just like Rinoa was to any man. She was a seductress, and she had tainted Squall with that trait.

"..You will come to my room tonight and I shall give you a new set of orders. Now that Rinoa is gone, you won't have to attend to her needs and I will not have you sitting around with nothing to do." Seifer turned his back to Squall.

Rinoa had to have put some spell on the brunet. She was a sorceress. It was in her power to do such a thing. Squall had been perfect target—just for that reason, he was perfect. The dark brown color of the hair; the light tone of flawless skin; the height; the eyes—Gods, the eyes were the most beautiful orbs he had ever seen. But all those traits were things Seifer adored. Yet again, he couldn't get over those eyes and their perfection—they portrayed the desert at night; the time Seifer enjoyed most. It was one of his favorite things to watch the desert change from fire to ice.

Yes, Squall appeared to be perfect to the eyes, but Seifer knew this wasn't true. Nothing could be perfect. He would break that image Rinoa had created. Squall was far from being anything that Seifer desired. He'd fix that tonight. Everything was going to change before the next sun's rising..

Seifer snapped back to reality when a girl touched his shoulder. He turned away from the hand and walked out. The woman's touch had felt like ice compared to what he had experienced when being near Squall. The attention he could receive from the girls suddenly seemed dull and un-arousing. All Seifer could concentrate on was that coming night and what he would say to those 'perfect' eyes before they would shatter.

End Chapter.