Chapter 2

Reporting For Duty

It took a few hours until the suave, blonde SeeD and his partner arrived at Deiling. Looking around the familiar city, Seifer hopped off the train, swinging his Gunblade over his shoulders.

Fujin avoided his Gunblade when walking off the train, careful not to get scarred. Saying nothing, Fujin took a quick glance around her and walked ahead, followed by Seifer.

"It's getting dark. We'll have to check in into a hotel, before it gets packed," Seifer finally said, heading towards the hotel.

Fujin nodded and reluctantly followed. After checking in, she and Seifer carefully set their belongings in place. Fujin had brought only the most essential things for the mission: a small selection of clothes, a comb, a toothbrush, and some pills and…a diary. With agile fingers, Fujin tried to shove the pills and the diary in her drawer before anyone would see.

Unfortunately, Seifer had glanced her way when she removed the pills from her bag. Quickly, he stopped Fujin from closing her drawer and pulled out the bottle. Squinting carefully at the battle he asked, "What is this?"

"ASPIRINS," Fujin answered quickly, snatching back the pills before Seifer realized what they were and shoved them in the drawer. She then locked the drawer with a key.

Seifer raised an eyebrow. "Since when were you ever sick? Look, I know what aspirins are when I see them, and those were not aspirins," he said suspiciously, continuing to pry.

Fujin's crimson eye glared at Seifer coldly. "NOT BUSINESS," she snapped unemotionally.

"It is my business if my partner decides to take some drugs she doesn't even know about," Seifer growled in a low rumble.

With sigh, Fujin went to the bathroom and slammed the door in front of her partner's face. It's none of your business on what I do and what I don't do, Almasy. Since when did I have to tell you everything? she thought, getting ready for bed. After a moment or so, she finally emerged from the bathroom and plopped onto her bed, throwing the warm covers over her.

Seifer continued to glare at her sternly. In frustration he stood in front of Fujin's drawer and inspected the lock. Making sure that his partner was asleep; he tried prying the drawer open, but to avail. Soon after an hour or so, Seifer finally gave up and went to bed.

*

Fujin felt herself being shook gently. Slowly, she opened her eye and saw a blurred version of someone's face three inches in front of her. Realizing who it was, Fujin quickly jumped out of her bed, avoiding any conversations with Seifer.

Seifer, already dressed and ready for action, sighed and leaned against the wall. "We'll have to report to that old geezer's mansion at seven," he informed casually.

Fujin nodded after getting dressed. She knew he meant General Caraway, Squall's ex-girlfriend's father.

"Here," Seifer added, tossing her an apple. "I've noticed that you haven't been eating lately. Better eat up this morning, we'll be doing a lot today."

The albino just stared at the apple she caught in her hands and tossed it back in the fruit basket when Seifer wasn't watching. Work or no work, Fujin didn't care if she ate. It didn't matter anyway.

*

After a few minutes of walking, Fujin and Seifer finally made it to Caraway's mansion. There, Rinoa's father greeted them formally. "You must be the SeeDs Headmaster Cid sent to investigate Deiling. As you know I am General Caraway. Please, sit," he offered, motioning his hands to the chairs in front of him.

The two SeeDs sat quietly, listening carefully to what Rinoa's father was going to say.

The general cleared his throat before he went on with the briefing. "For the past few months, there have reports of gang problems. Many citizens here have been complaining to me about burglaries, death threats, and kidnappings. There have been sightings of gang fights, where some were seriously injured. In some occasions, these fights led to gruesome deaths. Even civilians were sometimes involved in these fights," he explained grimly. "I want the both of you to investigate anything suspicious going on here in Deiling. Report to me anything that catches your eye. If you should find any person part of some gang, be sure to arrest them, no matter who they are. Is that clear?"

"AFFIRMATIVE," Fujin answered.

Seifer just nodded and got up. "Sounds easy. Is that all?" he asked in boredom.

General Caraway scoffed, "That's what my men thought, but when they got their heads blown to bits, I would think they thought otherwise. You are dismissed."