"I'll have to kill you if you insist on protecting her." Mandar
"Burn burn the truth, the lies, the news
Burn burn the life that you cant choose
Burn burn the hate that gets you through
Burn burn for us, for them, for you"
Lost Prophets "Burn Burn"
The sandman had granted Seifer a much needed visit sometime during the long, cold and stormy night and now the former Balamb Garden student slept peacefully. Warm and safe within the sactuary of the hotel bed. He couldn't tell when he had drifted off, or when his mind had finally ended its ceaseless reminising of the past, of his past mistakes within the last year... Hell, he didn't even realize sleep had claimed him.
As he went to change positions unconciously, a shockwave filled the hotel, causing Seifer Almansy to roll of the bed, glass and pictures fell as the window and leading out to the balcony shook dangerously within it's bindings, but still, it held. The shockwave was only a second long but it was enough to wake Seifer up from his much needed slumber.
"What the Fvck was that?" he shouted. Angry to have been woken up in such a fashion, let along to woken up at all. He would have much prefered to have remained asleep, ignorant to the world around him, sadly, that wasn't the case. Before he could do anything though, the door to his room burst open and in came Fujin and Rajin.
"Seifer are you alright?" Fujin asked, brow furrowed in concern, she brushed silvery bangs out of her eyes with one quick brush of her hand.
"What the hell just happened?" Seifer asked, ignoring her question and concern. He pulled himself off the ground and out of the mess of blankets that were now sprawled on the floor, if he was at all embarrassed about being found in such a state he didn't show it.
"There was some kinda accident, ya know." Rajin answered, rubbing the back of his dark buzz cut head. He seemed to be reluctant to experience something that he was almost certain would come.
"Oh calm down Rajin, I'm not going to bite your head off!" Seifer snapped still in early morning grumpiness, despite the fact it was almost afternoon. However, Seifer's comment seemed to work as the dark skinned man visabley relaxed. Seifer shot his friend a hard look, before both he and Fujin threw back their heads in laughter.
After the laugher had died down Seifer picked up his discarded shirt from the night before and slid it on over his muscular chest, next was his trademark trenchcoat and Gunblade. "Let's go check this accident out." he said, not even waiting for a reply as he began to walk out the door, after exchanging glances in each others driection, Fujin and Rajin followed their fearless leader.
The sight that awaited them was one that neither of them could have expected. One of Balamb Garden's vehicles was crashed up to a point of barely recongition, and their old Instructor, Quistis Trepe, was falling, or just landing upon the hard pavement, seemingly dead. For some odd reason the sight of his old instructior laying in a bloody heap as such sent a cold shiver down Seifer's spine. Her assailant began to approach and Seifer was even further amazed, a small child had managed to do this much damage to Quistis Trepe. Maybe she wasn't as strong as he had always given her credit of being. Okay, it was a sort of unspoken, unknown to everyone else type creid, but it was there none the less.
Unsure of the boys intentions as the child approached the helpless Quistis Trepe, whom still looked dead to Seifer, there wasn't a moments hesitation. Protecting Quistis would show to the Garden that ge was serious. He had no intentions of causing further trouble for the Garden and that he only wished to return to his home. Well, that was part of the reason anyway. The other part... well... he was slightly frightened to see her in such a state.
Stepping in front of the oncoming kid, Gunblade raised, Seifer shot the innocent child a cold emerald glare. "If you wish to get to her, you're going to have to go through me, kid."
"Seifer..." The voice was barely audible, carried only by the wind... in fact, it could have very much been a figmant of his imagination... still, he did not turn to face her and instead shouted orders to Fujin and Rajin over his shoulder.
"Rajin, get her outta here. Fujin, find either a doctor or healing potion or something..."
The two hesitated slightly before following his orders, unwilling to leave their fearless leader alone to fight. In the end though, they listened with a last shout of "Go, now!" from Seifer. The wouldn't dare do anything to set his tempers off worse then it already seemed to be.
"I'll have to kill you if you insist on protecting her." The boy said, his innocent smile never faultering, never seeming colder or more sadistic. It seemed wrong that someone whom could do so much damage would have a innocent, carefree smile and presence as this boy had. It almost made Seifer feel bad for having to br the one to beat the sht out of him... almost. "Besides, even if you manage to evade me today, it won't matter, the seed has been planted and she'll come willingly... sooner or later." Seifer arched a blonde eyebrow, having not understood a single word the boy spoke, however, he wasn't given long to contimplate the child's mumbo jumbo speech.
The boy moved with unnatural speed and grace, seemingly appearing out of no where, Katana drawn and speeding towards Seifer. It was pure instinct kicking in that helped Seifer to push the deadly sword aside with his Gunblade, the boy was moving again in under a second, sending a kick flying towards Seifer's jaw. Seifer leaned backwards, once again, on pure instinct, though he didn't move fast enough as the end of the child's sandeled foot caught Seifer's jaw. Not only did this kick catch Seifer's attention with the strength behind it, but seeing as the child was almost a foot shorter than Seifer was, he realized the boy had flexability on his side as well as speed.
Pain soared through Seifer's jaw, and the bitter, metallic taste of blood filled his mouth, though there was only a trickle, if that. His vision blurred slightly, only lasting a second before Seifer regained control over his senses. Returning to the battle at hand. The boy was standing about a foot away from him, still wearing that disalarming smile though now, Seifer saw through the act. He wasn't nearly as innocent as he seemed.
This boy was skilled. Maybe even more so then Seifer himself was. Still, Seifer would not give in, he would see this fight through till the end. His end if it were to turn out as such. And with that the fight recommenced.
----
The wind whispered softly to the land, carrying the song of the birds and ocean with it. A soft, soothing melody that many chose to ignore in the midst of their hectic lives, but not Rinoa Heartilly.
Her midnight locks were tied loosely into a ponytail, helping the streaks of caramel colouring to stand out further. In the soft breeze her velvet hair swayed and she fhummed a soft song she remembered from her childhood, a song her mother had used to sing to her.
A shadow of a man grew behind her, his presence was calming and protective, no words were spoken a loud, no movements made to face him on her behalf. However, two gentle hands slid around her waist, pulling her body closer to his as he rested his hands upon a barely noticable curve in her lower abdomin. Leaning into his body, absorbing his warmth and comfort. Breathing in his scent, she smiled softly.
The last year had been hard on both of them, but she wouldn't have changed a thing. Truth be told, she couldn't even begin to imagine how life would be different if none of it had happened. The whole ordeal had brought in so many new friends and strengthened bonds among them all, they were all close now. Closer than they would have ever been had it not been for Ultimecia, as much as she hated to admit it. She laced her fingers through his, twin golden bands coming to a rest beside each other
So, there they stood. Expecting parents and newlywed couple, standing on a dock in the small village of Balamb. Ignoring everyday trival things and only thinking of each other, their child and the ocean as her gentle waves were the only reminder to the two of them that time was still moving, still running its course which wouldn't stop. And it never would Completely and blissfully oblivious to the future dilemna's they would soon face.
As cruel as it was to break a moment as gentle and intimate as this, the deed was one of which fell upon a silver haired females shoulders. Crystal blue eyes caught sight of the couple as she had been running and she skidded to a stop, a shadow of her leadership abilities shining through. Her original destination had been a item shop, but the two blissfully ignorant lovers would be of more help then one or two mere potions. Pushing back a small feeling of relief she called out, grabbing their attention.
"Squall, Rinoa..." Fujin called out breathlessly. How long ago had she left Seifer to fend for himself? Was Rajin watching over their friend and leader? Were they okay? she had none of the answers to the thousands of questions that were running through her mind. Filling her with a sense of worry. She had no idea whom that boy was, but she did know he was dangerous if he could injure Quistis Trepe so brutally without recieving a wound himself.
His innocent, carefree, no regrets persona didn't help to ease Fujin's worries either. She wasn't spooked easily, infact, she couldn't remember the last time that she had been even scared slightly, but that boy... there was nothing to be but scared. There was no telling of what he could do.
Both Squall and Rinoa tore teir gaze reluctantly away from the ocean's soothing embrace, turning to face Fujin. Both surprise and confusion danced in their dark eyes. Though it was Rinoa whom spoke first.
"Fujin? What is it?" Her voice was full of concern.
"You wouldn't happen to have a healing potion on you? Would you?"
This got their attention, Squall dug a hand into his leather jacket and Rinoa's brow creased even further in worry as she scanned Fujin's appearance. A thin layer of sweat had formed upon the paler than usual skin, a deep worry - unspoken - was buried in crystal blue skies, the tomboy could barely stand still, shifting her weight anxiously from one foot to the other. It was obvious in more ways then one that something was happening.
"What's going on Fujin? Is Seifer hurt? Or Rajin?" Rinoa asked, wracking her brain trying to think of what could possibly have the girl so on edge.
"Seifer and Rajin are fine..." Fujin answered just a little too quickly.
At least, I hope they are..
"Quistis is the one who needs the potion."
It was obvious that wasn't whom they were expecting. Squall pulled out a vial filled to the stopper with a blue, slightly glowing, potion. Shrugging slightly. "This is all I have, come on... lets go." Good ol' Squall. Always the one to remain calm. One you could count on to keep his head screwed on straight even as all hell broke out around him.
With a potion found, not to mention further help, Fujin, Squall and Rinoa rushed back to Seifer. Fujin praying silently to arrive on time.
----
Cradling Quistis Trepe's small, broken and fragile body close to his own, Rajin rushed inside the hotel. His gaze constantly darting from one dark onimous shadow to the next. Ignoring the curious looks he recieved from other occupants. Most bad guys didn't work alone, that was one thing the tall, muscular black man had learned in life. And he was willing to bet there was worse things out there, hiding in the dark corners then some 14-year-old punk kid whom played with swords.
Unless there's more to the punk then meets the eye... he reminded himself, shifting Quistis' body in his arms as he reached the top of the stairs, he would have taken the elevator except for the fact that he could move faster and felt more secure on the stairs. He took Quistis into Seifer's room and layed her still form gently on the mattress. If it weren't for the very slight rise and fall of her chest then he'd be certain she was dead.
"Hang in there..." he said softly, though he was simply unable to completely abandon Seifer, rushing to the balcony he left the door leading outside open, stepped out onto the balcony and leaned over the edge to watch the fight continue on below. Turning every once in a while to make sure his old Instructor was still there.
----
They wre no where near evenly matched, the entire fight so far consisted of attack, dodge, attack, dodge, attack, dodge and so on. Neither of the attacks were on Seifer's behalf either. He had no time to react to the constant attacks the young boy sent. He moved too fast for Seifer to react to, he had already recieved various injuries from the child, several gashes from the deadly sword and more aches and bruises then he cared to know...
How the hell can one kid be so damn strong? Seifer though, anger coarsed through him, hating the fact that the odds were against him, and that his opponent was a mere child! There was no way he could win if he couldn't even get one attack in.
Time for some cheating...
Jumping forwards Seifer raised the Gunblade to stop the boys oncoming attack, at the same moment pulling a hand free of the Gunblades hilt, holding it palm out towards the boy. The air infront of Seifer's outstreched hand began to heat and crackle with energy heading towards the kid in a firey blast. It was enough to throw the kid a surprise, though not enough to wound him, hell he seemed to be virtually untouched by the flames.
"Nice try..." the boy commented, that annoying innocent smile still present as it always was.
"Not good enough..." Seifer replied bitterly, a dark scowl printed across his handsome face.
"I wouldn't feel too bad if I were you... I'm not just a mere kid."
"Or so I've noticed."
The boy merely shrugged his shoulders before seemingly disappearing altogether and reappearing. Elbow digging into Seifer's stomach. The force of the hit was unhuman, sending Seifer Almansy flying backwards, colliding painfully with the paved ground and skidding to a stop. Loose stones cutting and imbedding themselves into his skin, opening further wounds.
Just as Seifer began to roll onto his side in order to pull himself back up, everything happened to fast for Seifer to comprehend. Coming in quick flashes.
Flash of metal. Shout. Fear. Waiting for death to come. Squall. Kid. Alive.
As he examined the strong SeeD cadet standing just behind him, two sharp deadly blades suspended in mid-air just over his own battered and beaten body. the kid was still smiling. Fujin had returned apparently and so had Rajin whom now stood on the ground, Squall and Rinoa had showed up out of no where. All had weapons drawn and angry death glares aimed towards the ignorant child whom had come close to killing Seifer and Quistis in this day alone. Too close.
"It's been a pleasure fighting you today, Sir, though I believe I must be off now." The kid spoke politely, not a trace of fear showed in his voice and that dned smile was still present. Placing his Katana back in its sheath before walking away.
Left behind was the injured, battle weary Seifer as well as Squall, Rinoa, Rajin and Fujin.
----
Chapter Dedication: Rai, because she's my fellow Quistis/Seifer shipper.
Next Chapter: The Endless Dark
Authors Note: Lemme just say this to all my reviews. I LOVE you! Seriously. I was all worried you wouldn't like my style of writing or just not read... and now here you are with worlds of great comments at your disposal. Remember, constructive critisim is welcome, same with Flames. You don't have to be nice! Though, still, I do love you all! -Huggles- You really know how to boost a girls confidence! Anyway... hope you enjoyed!