She slid closer to the trunk of the tree as if no one would see her, but she found herself looking up at a tall figure. Sunlight peaked through the willow branches where he held them apart. She was blinded from the bright rays of the sun, preventing her from seeing his face. Why had she gone alone?
"Well, take a look at this. It's not everyday you see a pretty young girl out here on her own, ya know?" a man's voice slyly questioned.
"I'm not alone!" Rinoa blurted, panicking.
"Really?" he looked around. "I don't see anyone else, ya know? You hiding 'em or something?"
Rinoa stood up. She held her hand above her eyes to block out the sun to no avail. "My boyfriend will be here any second," she threatened.
He took a step forward. "Oh, I'm so scared. I bet he's a rich little brat like you, ya know? Probably can't even protect his gal from a guy like me, ya know?"
"ASSHOLE!" boomed a very threatening female voice behind him. Another shadowed figure moved closer. The male cowered. The female reared back her leg, Rinoa winced. She was going to get her ass kicked by a girl.
"OUCH! That really hurt, ya know, Fujin." Rinoa opened her eyes to see the male holding his right leg. He limped over to the tree trunk she was at and sat down. He held his injured knee in front of him rubbing it. "I was only messing around, ya know? I didn't mean any harm."
The female stepped forward. "APOLOGIZE!"
"I didn't do anything wrong. Just joking around, ya know?" He looked towards Rinoa. "No harm done right?" She was too afraid to reply. The female reared up her leg again. Alarmed the male shouted. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Please I didn't mean to scare ya, ya know?" Rinoa nodded.
"BETTER!" The female held out her hand to Rinoa. Rinoa hesitantly took it. The female firmly shook her hand. "FUJIN!"
The male got back up but still tenderly supported his wounded leg. "And my name's Raijin. I really meant no harm, ya know? You were just such a nice piece of . . . "
"AGAIN!?" Roared Fujin.
"N-no!" pleaded Raijin, placing a hand on his tender leg.
Rinoa couldn't help but giggle. She had never seen a pair like this before. Honestly, she had never talked to many people her age before. She hardly ever went out of her mansion and had her own personal tutor at home. They didn't seem threatening to her anymore. On the contrary, they were quite amusing. Fujin grabbed Rinoa's hand and pulled her out from beneath the willow tree. Raijin limped out and stood next to Fujin. Rinoa felt the light Deling breeze against her face. She studied her two new acquaintances.
Fujin had very pale skin and a slim figure. Her short silver hair blew gently in the wind. She wore long black pants with a blue jacket. Although she wore no make up or anything expensive or fancy, she still looked beautiful. Yet she didn't smile and had a look as if not to get on her bad side. Of course, Rinoa knew that already. She also wore a black eye patch over her left eye, one that shouldn't be questioned.
Raijin looked almost completely opposite. His skin was dark-toned and had a bigger build. His bare chest was covered only by a short dark blue vest. He was also wearing black pants but they were baggy and casual. Around his wrists were silver armbands that went up to his elbows. Although he seemed tougher to look at, she could see the fear he had for Fujin which made it clear who was the stronger of the two.
"It's nice to meet you both," smiled Rinoa.
"AGREED!" shouted Fujin making Rinoa flinch a little.
"Yeah, it's nice to meet you too," Raijin added. He offered her his hand. She shook it but was surprised that it was much gentler than Fujin's grip. "We don't meet too many new people, ya know? Even back home."
"Where are you from?" Rinoa curiously asked. She wondered where these two would meet up.
Fujin stated "BALAMB!" the power in her voice didn't frighten Rinoa as much this time. Rinoa thought for a bit not knowing where or what Balamb was. Seeing Rinoa's blank stare, Fujin looked at Raijin. "EXPLAIN!"
"Balamb is a Garden. Kinda like a military school, ya know? We're taught basic subjects along with fighting and training."
Rinoa was shocked. "To fight what?"
"SORCERESSES!" boomed Fujin.
"Where are you from?" Raijin questioned.
Rinoa stood stunned by the reply. She didn't even know sorceresses still existed. She gulped then stuttered, "U-umm, here. I'm from around here." She desperately tried to change the subject. The last thing she wanted them to know was that she lived in a mansion and had a powerful father. "So, um, are you two dating?"
Raijin laughed. Fujin kicked him. "NEGATIVE!"
Raijin rubbed his leg from the pain. "Come on," he whined. "What didja do that again for. That really hurts, ya know?"
Rinoa laughed again. They were hilarious to watch. While Raijin tended to his sore leg, Fujin stared right past her. Rinoa grinned before feeling a tight grip on her shoulders. Her smile quickly faded while a pain shot through her shoulders and neck. She tried to move away but the grip was to strong. The more she struggled the worse the pain got. She winced as she heard a sarcastic new voice.
"Well, what do we have here?"