Talking Bushes: Part Three
By. Bento Box
11/28/03

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Zell hobbled along, favoring his still very tender left foot which he had managed to sprain (not break, thank Hyne) sometime during "The Accident".

Zell still flushed in shame and embarrassment whenever refelecting on that day gone horribly awry. Squall hadn't questioned him about it, chalking it up to Zell's typical (and comically amusing) antics. Seifer on the other hand....

Zell's flush faded and he scowled darkly and fiercely--which actually just made him look like a chocobo chick that had been denied its food and was about to go on a pecking rampage.

Seifer, on the other hand, had taken great delight in taunting him. Chicken wuss now having been replaced by "Princess Chickie" since Laguna was, of course, the gallant "knight" who had rescued him. He hoped it was temporary. Even Chicken wuss was better than that.

Which was also the reason why he hadn't been able to really stalk--er, keep an eye on them. His injuries not only hindered him from moving comfortably about, but hiding was nearly impossible when he couldn't crouch, duck or retreat quickly, what with his injured foot. And he didn't want any more run-ins with Seifer and his "Princess" cracks.

"Dumb blonde," he grumbled, and then winced with a painful jab speared his foot. He realized, in hindsight, that perhaps it hadn't been such a great idea to go off his crutch so quickly. Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair tiredly, which was down since he no longer had the time or energy to stand in front of the mirror and fix his hair up. At least Seifer no longer teased him about his hair he thought sourly, head drooping and hair flopping forwards like a puppy with sadly-drooping ears. The taller man had found his unstyled hair to be an amazing font of amusement--until Selphie had unwittingly made the comment that Zell with his hair down looked uncannily like he could be Seifer's little brother and wasn't that just "COOL?!"

Neither Zell nor Seifer had thought so, but it had gotten Seifer to back off some, much to his relief.

Not really paying much attention to his surroundings, too absorbed in his own thoughts and woes, Zell nearly walked right into the conversation between two men in front of him, but hewas barely able to catch himself in time upon seeing the conversing couple.

Squall and Seifer!

Blue eyes widening, he backpedaled (painfully) and hid himself around the corner. Pressing himself as close to the edge of the wall as possible, he peered cautiously around.

"So I'll meet you out in the green house later today?" Seifer's back was to him, and was for the most part blocking Squall from his view, but he caught the slight nod that the brunette gave to the taller man.

"Great! See ya then Puberty Boy!" Seifer clapped Squall on the shoulder before striding forwards and past Squall, whistling an unknown tune.

Squall stood there for several minutes, a bemused look on his face, before walking off to the side, thankfully not towards Zell's little hiding spot.

Zell had an oddly thughtful look on his face, tinged with a touch of a confusion. Shrugging whatever thoughts he was having off, his gaze switched from the direction Seifer had taken off to, to Squall's.

The green house, huh?

It was a good thing Zell was still on leave then! This meant he could make up for the lost week of "friendly following", due to his confinement!

Hobbling off gingerly once more, Zell wondered if he'd be able to get a hot dog or two (or three, or four, or how about just filling up a full tray or two?) before having to go on stake out again. He had learned his lesson from the first time.

With a cheerful smile, the prospect of finally being able to keep an eye on the two other men once more along with hopeful dreams of hot dogs uplifting his spirits, Zell headed towards the cafeteria.

Hopfully they'd actually have hot dogs this time.

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Notes: I know, I know. SHORT chapter. But I couldn't get the next part to fit IN with this part. And YES! I know! This thing went from being an easy to write, quick to finish series to a "OMGAWD?! WHAT HAPPENED NEXT YOU BLOODY WANKER! (read: author)" series. cringes and bows head in shame I've had this part sitting for awhile, but waiting for the next scene to fit in here just wasn't cutting it. So I figgers... I'll just deal with it being short and focus on making the next part longer. Hopefully. Hyne knows. xx;

Thanks to everyone (Marios, Sayaoine, Ryu-Chibi, moi, wickedLife, hopemia, and Hellfire2) for your reviews/emails! I'd do individual responses but my brain's flatlining and I need to hit the showers and get cracking on part 4 soon. So if you guys come back to review this part I'll be sure to do responses next time! grin Cheers! And thanks for alla the support, ne!