A/N: Ohhh yes, my first fanfic… I've made a little editing and some minor changes on this fic, so you're lucky to have read this than the original, for it was just swarming with errors. Hope you like this fic. May you be friendly to me and not hate me for what I do. I LOVE GETTING REVIEWS! So please be an angel and go send me one…surly, I will love you! Oh, and if you're still not sure about the whole idea, go and read my bio…you'll have more info there! K!? o

Chapter 1

Genesis

Darkness loomed amidst the clashing waves of the darkened sea. The starry night was left unnoticed as swirling clouds veiled the glittering fascination on the sky, the moon peeking behind the thin layered clouds. It was still to turn full, but its dazzling brightness was enough to illuminate the night. The night was still. Only the rolling waves of the torrent sea could be heard splashing against the paved gutter of the harbor.

Seifer sat at the edge of the dock, his back against the railing, his head leaned on the pillar that stood behind it, his toes partially submerged in the water. He quietly gazed upon the stirring ocean. He was deep in thought, reminiscing the events that made his life change forever. It had been a while since the whole commotion ended. Everyone seemed to have been back to his and her normal life…except one. Seifer Almasy, the arrogant knight who left all things to fulfill his one and only romantic dream. While everyone else was enjoying the peace that now ruled the continent, he was still at war with his inner demons. In his mind was an image of a fool. A man who knew nothing of his past and a man lost in his present, while still looking at his empty future. He couldn't help but ridicule himself as a pathetic being who started living life on the wrong track and was left remain astray until now.

As the wind grew calm, a lone figure stood behind him casting its shadow over his. As he took notice of the figure, he said "WHAT?" in a cold-harsh manner while his eyes remained still at the now serene sea.

"Good evening Seifer." The figure responded with great warmth

The voice tingled at Seifer's ears. He couldn't help but look back to see the lady behind him. It was Edea, his Matron, who had taken up position just a few steps away from him, casually folding her arms.

"…It's you…" he muttered, avoiding to look in her eyes.

"Mind if I stay here for awhile?"

"That's none of my business to decide for you," he said in empty words, hoping to remain his thought unread and emotions left alone.

"Then perhaps you wouldn't mind if I stand here for awhile." Edea meekly replied as she slowly came closer to Seifer. But he neither budged nor spoke in consent with her words. Edea saw that he had not reacted and fixed him with a fretting glare with her hands on her waist. "May I ask the favor of giving me some respect?" she said in serious tone.

With the frankness of her words, he croaked, "Then with all due respects Matron, pardon my insolence, but I seem to be bothered by your presence." With this, he right away regretted--the words--not the impudence of his tone. He quickly turned back towards the sea with apparent guilt on his face.

"…I see…I'm sorry then…perhaps it's best if I leave." Edea apologized, disappointed.

As she slowly walked back, weak with the words she just received. Seifer was drowned with his guilt and called out, "Don't fret over at what I just said…I didn't mean them." Seifer gave brief pause before he continued "Why are you here?"

Right away, Edea was glad he asked. No longer planning to linger with their conversation, she frankly said, "I am hoping to invite you back to Balamb Garden. I told Cid what you did…"

Surely, he was astonished by her words. But instead, blurted in angry tone, "What the heck!? Forget it!"

Edea was startled by how he reacted to her offer. "Why so?"

Seifer gave Matron a deep sigh, then looking at her with seemingly heavy look he said, "I'm not welcome at that rotten place! Who would dare look at me after what I did!? I'll live to regret if I ever take your offer!"

"Seifer, there is nothing to worry--"

"What's not to worry!? They have seen what I did! I betrayed the whole Garden, fought against them, and killed off so many lives! Now what makes you think your idea is worth my risk!?" Seifer shrieked in anger, but almost teary with his words.

The late sorceress felt afflicted by what his adopted son just said. Like a real mother, she felt pain within her grasping heart as the words struck her. But that didn't made her give up, instead, she held her head high the said, "What makes you fear are the doubts buried within you. I know that you have lived your life as a man being feared and separated from the rest of the crowd, and because of that, you have valued your life as very little. But let me tell you this, because of your struggles, you ended up protecting others without your notice."

Seifer was struck by her words. He fumbled for an answer, but Edea was right, he was able to protect many lives in the process. But that wasn't the reason why he felt uneasy, it was because of the fact that she was so much right about how she defined him; a man very different from the rest of the crowd, not wanting to be touched for his existence was no longer worth anyone's attention. While Edea smiled at his stunned silence, he felt his heart pounding wildly against his ribs; he flinched back grasping his heart. He didn't expect he would be so much affected by a woman he never really cared about. It took awhile before he was able to gather enough composure in order to make a reply. "I can't go back there…not while Squall and the rest are around," he whimpered, his voice barely reached Edea's ears, but she saw enough in his eyes to understand what he meant.

"Then when do you plan on ever making up for what you did? You can't improve anything if you don't plan on making a difference." Edea said in comforting words.

"…I can't…it's too late now."

"It's not too late. You haven't even begun to fulfill your dream, which is why my husband and I decided to give you this chance. But I guess I can't push any further. But if, in any case you decide on changing your mind, I'll be waiting for you in the Front Gate by tomorrow…I don't plan to suspend the meeting, so please, don't let our work be put to waste," she replied smiling at him. After that, she decided to leave. Her work was done. Even if she didn't get Seifer's consent, she knew that somewhere deep within that beating heart of his lies a hidden Seifer that is simply waiting to be pulled. Edea didn't really knew if how it would be drawn out from his closed heart, but she was certain that he was only waiting for someone good enough to open it for him. She slightly bowed down her head giving Seifer a signal for her departure.

Seifer simply looked at her with still eyes. How he wished he could take back all the cruel words that he just said to her, but why would he? His pride and stubbornness was enough of a reason to let his words remain alive. But at the same time, somewhere in his clouded heart, he felt wrong about what he did. And so, so slowly, he raised his arm and spread his palm as if trying to signal Matron to stop. He didn't say a word, hoping to lessen his burden, also hoping to be ignored, changed his mind and drew his hand back. But it was too late; Edea saw his shadow and returned to the site.

"What is it Seifer?" the ex-sorceress humbly asked in concern.

Seifer couldn't think of anything to say, but he wanted to prove his pride to his Matron, by not stooping down in silence even if he never really knew what to say. He had been such a prideful mortal that even in front of his matron, he didn't humble himself. Sure, Edea treated him like a son, but somehow, he had never returned the favor of ever treating him like a mother. But somewhere deep down he always looked up at Edea as his mother, though he hadn't really proved it, not once. After awhile of thinking, he remembered Quistis…why did she have to tell her? And so he asked, "Not only have you spilled the beans on Cid, but also had to tell that mediocre instructor of mine. Is it always your hobby to tell everyone other people's business?" he finally jerked out

Edea then noticed Seifer slightly bow his head down. She sensed that he was blushing, so she decided to play withhim a little. "No, of course not. I was just very much impressed with what you did to her. And don't you think she has the right to know her hero?"

"Put a sock in it! Quistis was my Instructor. Besides, I could've done the same with any other person!" Seifer exclaimed back revealing his red cheeks.

"But your face proves something different." Edea couldn't help but giggle seeing Seifer red as a tomato. She took the risk of making Seifer berserk with her laughter, but she was also aware that Seifer had no intention of harming her in any way. The mood was now different; the seriousness was slowly fading away, changing it with a more pleasant mood.

"Oh shut up! I was only being human," he said hiding back his face.

"At least you know what you did was right, is it not?" Edea tried to stop herself from embarrassing the poor blonde once more.

"I guess so…" But he couldn't help but wonder how Quistis felt after hearing his 'heroic deed' and so he took the gamble of being embarrassed again. "Not like I care or anything…but what did that hopeless romantic say after hearing what I did for her?"

Hearing this, Edea sensed something, but decided to keep it to her self, she thought it was too soon.

"…Well… I saw her blush after hearing my story…pretty much like you just did."

Seifer was surprised. Quistis blushing? he thought.

"So is there something that I should know? Hmm? Seifer?" Edea said looking with suspicious eyes at him.

Seifer began to turn red again. "What the heck are you proposing!?"

"…I mean…you…and her…is there something going on between you two?" hecuriously asked Edea.

"WHAT!? There's no way I'll ever have feelings for that stiff woman!" Seifer exclaimed like a child turning redder than the ripest tomato.

"Hahaha! Seifer you look so cute!" Edea couldn't help but laugh at Seifer's red cheeks. She hadn't had a very good laugh in a while, and she was really enjoying her time with Seifer now.

"Tsk, what a pain! I'm leaving!" Seifer then quickly turned around to leave. At that point, he felt very embarrassed towards Edea.

"But before you do…let me tell you this…Quistis did blush after what I said…" Edea said more seriously than before hoping Seifer could hear who was from a short distance. Sure he heard this, but he pretended not to as to avoid from starting any conversations once more. He simply looked back at Edea then gave her a slight smile. Edea was aware that he had enough, so she decided to end their little chat. "…Goodnight Seifer…" bid Edea with a meek voice.

"…Night Matron…" replied Seifer for one last time in a very low and respectful tone just enough to touch Edea's flesh, then slowly walked away, his coat moving along with the wind. His shadow trailed behind him, until he left no trace of it, pacing into the darkness, he disappeared.

Edea was left alone, so she decided to leave as well. It was a fun night for her, getting to spend some time with Seifer and learning the soft and funny side of him. But before she left, she gazed back at the darkened sea for the last time then whispered to the breeze that drifted along with the current.

"You're a good guy Seifer Almasy. I hope you'll always remain the way you acted tonight… maybe then… just maybe, you'll be the one who could make Quistis smile again, or perhaps…something even more..."

A/N: So what do you think!? You like it? Please don't forget to review… you know you're the ones that can inspire me to write… oh and one more thing… I didn't quite show the proper characteristics of Seifer and Edea… but that's the way the story goes… So PLEASE! PLAESE! JUST PLEASE REVIEW!

Disclaimer:

I just want to say the following…

Those who say that Square is mine will be shot

Those who say that Final Fantasy is mine shall be strangled

Those who say that Final Fantasy 8 is mine shall be stabbed

Those who say that any Final Fantasy 8 characters are mine shall be tormented

Those who say that Quistis is mine shall be pulverized

Those who say that Seifer is mine, I will love…but of course he's not mine… (Cruel world!) =(

…So don't say anything at all or you'll be jinxed! Xx

And if anyone plans to sue me, don't bother…I'm poor…