Chapter Eighteen: A New Beginning

Freedom. Is that what this was? Seifer had always been a free man, ever since the day he was born. But somehow he had always felt trapped. He always felt that he was forced to do things that he did not want to do. Seifer was a slave to his last name. Ha, if he told that to anyone he bet they would laugh at him. Who would believe he was a slave within the walls of luxury? He knew nothing of a slave's life..

Squall did. However, Seifer has yet to see the brunet rejoice about his newly obtained freedom. The shorter hasn't even uttered a single word, or even looked anywhere besides at his feet ever since leaving the city's walls. Seifer couldn't help but wonder if this was all worth it. They've been marching through the sands for some time; Zamir had long disappeared over the horizon. The blonde was slowly roasting beneath his black clothes that soaked up the sun's heat, and the strain on his shoulders from supporting Squall was proving itself to be quite the task.

Was this what freedom was? Leaving everything he knew to walk aimlessly through fiery hills of sand. To have no bearings and have the shifting sand below his feet provide no means of firm ground to stand upon. It was tiring and testing the endurance of Seifer's muscles. Was it worth the trouble?

I'm failing to see what is so grand about this 'freedom' everyone longs for..

"I can't believe.." a voice mumbled off at Seifer's side.

The blonde came back to reality and gazed down at the brunet struggling in the sand besides him. Suddenly Squall slipped in his footing and stumbled forward. The action pulled down at Seifer's shoulders and the taller sank down onto his knees in tiredness. He let Squall's arm slip off his shoulders to allow the shorter to sit by himself.

Squall stayed seated where he fell for a few seconds then laid down on his side to rest his head in Seifer's shadow. The blonde looked at his companion, meeting his tired jade with confused blue-gray.

"Yeah, I can't believe this weather either," Seifer broke the tense moment with a joke. He didn't really want to admit what both of them knew. In truth, Seifer could hardly believe it himself. He had left everything he had ever know—his family, his friends, his home, the luxury, a future throne..

"You don't even know me.." Squall's nearly breathless voice whispered. To Seifer it sounded as if the brunet was speaking internal thoughts aloud—perhaps a side effect from the lack of blood, or from the hot sun, or even a dangerous combination of the two.

Yes, Seifer had left everything for someone he knew next to nothing about. The ex-prince moved closer to Squall in order to block out more of the sunlight and to examine the other's face. Slowly reaching down, Seifer brushed a stray lock of brown hair out of Squall's face. "True, but I want to get to know you, Squall.."

"No you don't" Squall mumbled while turning his face away.

Sighing, Seifer pulled his hand away then seized one of Squall's arms. He then pulled it back over his shoulders then stood—forcing the younger to do the same. Seifer really did not feel like venturing into Squall's insecurities at the moment. Later he would show Squall that he in fact did want to get to know him. But at the moment, they both really needed to find some shade, and Squall definitely needed some water in his system.

They began to trudge forward once more, resuming their earlier silence.

Why wouldn't I want to get to know you? I did go through all this trouble to do the right thing—to save you. I think I deserve to at least get-to-know the person I abandon my name for.

Seifer snorted irritably with his thoughts, earning a fleeting glance and sigh from Squall. The brunet switched his gaze to the rolling sand dunes ahead of them. "Where are we going?"

"Velden," Seifer replied. He noticed the way Squall's head shook ever so slightly as if to doubt the prince's words. Ruffling, Seifer quickened their pace. "Yes. I know exactly where we are going. When I was a child I use to run away all the time. I mean really run away. I would go out into the desert and always end up in this one small town. I know the way by heart. Trust me.."

"I do trust you," Squall confirmed then bit down on his lower lip.

Seifer couldn't help but smile at the encouragement. His spirits rose and suddenly it wasn't so hard to walk under the blazing sun while supporting the brunet. He trusted him. Squall trusted Seifer! After everything that had happened in the past, there was till a chance for Seifer to make things right.

"Good, because you don't really have a choice," Seifer jested but his tone was anything but hostile. "You just watch and see. Everything is going to be just fine Squall."

I hope.

End "Sea of Fire"

Sequel in Progress.

A/N: Wow, did it take me forever to write that short ending chapter or what? I'm sure all the reviewers that I had with this story all left. I hope they come back and pat me on the back to say "good job for finally finishing something!" Of course, this is not the end, ,only the beginning. I know there is a lot of unanswered questions, and unfulfilled prophecies. The Sequel is going to be so much better, I swear, with a lot more yummy moments :3