.:V:.

As dawn approached, a strange craft, flying in the distance, neared the city of Deling. Coming to a halt just outside of Galbadia's glorious capital, Balamb Garden looked breathtaking in the rising sun.

Quistis Trepe stepped out of Garden, sighing with her whip in her hands, as she glanced at the horizon, watching the sun rising forth out of the sea.

"Quistis." She didn't hear her name being called, so caught up in the scene unfolding before her.

"Quistis...QUISTIS!!" Irvine yelled, making the instructor jump.

She glanced back. "...Um...yes?" She turned around, snapping her whip back into place.

"Are we waiting up for anyone else? We don't want to leave your student in too deep of 'peril'..." Irvine snickered, straightening his hat, and walked up beside her.

"Yes. Zell's coming." Quistis answered, glancing back at the sky.

He chuckled. "I know. It is breathtaking. It's just a shame that the world is in trouble again. I thought we heard the last of sorceresses for a while four years ago..." He crossed his arms, pulling his coat taut around himself.

She sighed. "Well, perhaps it's all for the best. Seifer does need a wakeup call. I'm just not sure I should have sent Lucrea to do it."

Irvine shook his head. "Nah. She would have bugged you until you let her do it anyways. She's got a fascination with his side of the story. Well, at least someone does. I still think he's a traitor."

"Who's a traitor?" Zell called, approaching quickly. "Sorry I'm late...Forgot the Curaga back in my dorm." He smirked, seemly as happy as ever.

"Well let's go then. Hopefully Lu softened him up." Quistis prodded, starting forward.

Zell raised a brow. "The great Seifer Almasy, soften up? Not likely."

He followed after her, with Irvine, as they entered the city, the sun rising higher into the sky, bringing forth the warmth of day.

Seifer blinked tiredly, lying on his back. Turning his head, he glanced over at the window, rubbing his eyes as he sat up.

Glancing down at himself, he realized he still didn't have a shirt on, and got up, snorting with disgust.

How can I possibly be such a slob? My life has seriously gone down the drain. Hmph...Garden wants me back. Hehe...ME...of all people. Must be serious if the 'almighty Squall' is even considering my help. He thought, with a smirk, as he yanked on his shirt.

He looked around, seeing that Lucrea had fallen asleep on the couch. I won't let that happen again. I refuse to let anyone tell me I'm a jerk to all women, and wouldn't let her have a bed.

He bent over her, shaking her awake. "Hey...wake up."

"Lucrea...wake up." He said again, as she stirred awake, looking quite tired, and exhausted.

No...She looked exhausted last night...what's up with this girl? Something is clearly wrong, besides the fact that she's fairly attractive. What the hell am I thinking? I'm Seifer Almasy. I fall for no one...At least, not ever again. He mused, straightening up with his arms crossed.

Lucrea sat up groggily. "Morning already? Ah well." She stood up, rubbing her eyes. "Downstairs. They'll be here soon..."

He watched as she got up quickly, running her hands quickly through her short hair to straighten it, and then pulled on her coat. The coat lacks something. I know...it lacks a symbol to make her stand out. Kind of like my Hyperion to myself. The cross on my gunblade is my symbol. Come to think of it, what IS her weapon? He blinked, taking up his gunblade, and followed her out the door.

She headed down the stairs quickly, tripping on the last couple of steps, but steadied herself quickly with the railing.

"Careful." Seifer came down the steps with ease. Someone had mended his things in the night. He knew it was her, but wasn't about to say anything.

Lucrea smiled, as she saw Quistis heading in the front. "Looks like they're here." She stepped towards them, waving.

Seifer hung back, arms crossed, still by the stairs, as Quistis came up to Lucrea and quickly whispered in her ear.

"Did he give you too much trouble?" She asked, softly.

"No. But the Sorceress was here first. Her name's Trithonia."

"You met her?" The instructor raised a brow, staring at her.

"No. But he did. He resisted her offer." Lucrea smiled proudly.

Quistis turned to face Seifer, as Irvine and Zell joined her. "Seifer."

He blinked. "Instructor Trepe. Why is it that Garden needs me?"

Zell hadn't known about the whole thing, despite demanding to come along. "WHAT? We don't need him! Why are you doing this?"

Seifer rolled his eyes. "I wasn't talking to you, chicken-wuss."

Zell looked enraged. "WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?"

Irvine shook his head, pushing Zell back. "Shut it, Zell. We're trying to negotiate, and you're not helping. You need to be polite, or you're going back to Garden." He replied firmly. Ugh, why didn't we bring Squall? At least he would keep quiet, despite his convictions. Even Rinoa would have been a better choice. He thought.

Seifer stepped forward, facing his once-instructor.

Quistis sighed, and tried to explain. "Well for one, you've been targeted by the Sorceress. You won't last long on your own."

He snorted, straightening his coat, the crosses rippling slightly. "I can take care of myself, Instructor. Any other reasons?"

The Instructor looked hesitant. "Yes. But you'll find out later."

Seifer waved it off. "Very well. Let's go." He started forward, out of the hotel, and Lucrea smiled slightly, running to catch up with him.

Zell watched her go, disbelievingly. "I don't believe it...Why ARE we getting him to come back?"

Irvine sighed. "Because Zell, we need him for our mission. Also, Headmaster Cid and Matron requested him. They have faith in him that we don't."

Zell shook his head, rubbing his eyes. "You said it."


Well, this chapter was much longer, more edits have been made, and I changed the rating, because I changed my mind about what will occur later on. Please people, Read and Review! I want feedback! I try to review every story I read, and generally, when someone reviews my work, I take down their username and check out their stories.

As for the edits, I have no idea why I said Seifer's eyes were previously blue. Force of habit I guess, because I use blue a lot. Know this: I know they are GREEN. It has been edited, so no screaming.