Ack! I did it again! I'm taking forever to write this fic! Don't worry, I'm working my arse off in order to finish this fanfic! Anywayz, here's another chapter. hope you'll like it!

Chapter 7

New Mission

Seifer walked over to where Fujin was standing. "You okay?" he asked, looking at her with a hint of concern.

Fujin nodded, looking relieved. "HOW?" she asked curiously.

"It was all thanks to Raijin, actually," Seifer admitted. "He's the one who told the Headmaster to send troops immediately here. Meanwhile, I went ahead to find you waited there for a while until the troops arrived. Looks like I got here on time."

The pale SeeD attempted to smile. As she opened her mouth to speak, she cried out in pain. Fujin leaned forward, flinching in pain as she clutched her shoulder.

Seifer caught Fujin before she fell. Firmly grasping her, he cursed as he caught site of Fujin's blood-soaked outfit. "Shit! We need to get you to a hospital!" Lifting Fujin from the ground, Seifer carried her to the rest of the SeeDs.

Fujin was too weak to realize what anyone was saying. Her eyes began to droop as she lost more of her blood.

"Hang on, Fu! Hang on!" Fujin could hear Seifer cry out. But as he said this, Fujin closed her eyes, falling into unconsciousness.

*

"…She's got some huge injuries that will take a while to heal, but nothing serious. I wouldn't overwork her just yet. She's still got a lot of blood to recover. Too much action and you could have her fall to pieces."

"So she'll be okay?"

"Knowing Fujin, she's a tough girl. She's not as reckless as the other SeeDs I've known over the years. Unlike the two of you."

"What are you trying to prove, Doc?"

"Seifer, please."

"There's nothing to worry about. Fujin'll be in perfect condition in no time."

Fujin groaned softly as she slowly opened her eyes. Looking around, she noticed that Dr. Kadowaki was right outside the room, talking to some people outside. As she tried to sit up, she felt a sharp stab erupt through her temples, causing her to immediately lie back down, quieting the pain.

"Is it alright if we go see her?" a firm and familiar voice said.

"I guess it would be okay. You all have fifteen minutes," Dr. Kadowaki said, walking back into her office.

Fujin stared at the ceiling, wondering who would bother to visit her. As she looked up, she saw Quistis slowly walk in.

Quistis smiled slightly as she glanced at Fujin. "I see you're awake. You gave us quite a shock when you passed out back there. Luckily, Squall and I were passing by with the Ragnarock, so we were able to get you immediate attention," she said reassuringly, standing close to the bed. The former instructor glanced outside the door and sighed. "Well don't just stand there. Come in." As she said this Squall, Raijin, and Seifer entered the room.

Raijin rushed up to the recovering Fujin, feeling her forehead. "Fu, you really scared me back there, ya know! I didn't think you were gonna make it, ya know!" he admitted, blushing slightly.

Seifer slightly elbowed him. "She's made of stronger stuff than that," he said simply, placing his hands inside his pockets.

"WHERE?" Fujin finally asked after an awkward moment of silence.

Squall nodded. "You're back at the Garden. You were rushed back to Balamb for an emergency operation."

"Although, we have to admit, there was a slim chance of you making it. You lost a great deal of blood back there," Quistis added. She tried to smile again. "I guess you're one lucky gal, Ms. Sanada."

Fujin stayed silent for a moment, thinking quietly to herself. In silence, her thoughts suddenly dwelled on Arlie, the girl who had tried to help her while she was in captivity.

As if reading her thoughts, Squall spoke. "After you passed out, the remaining gangsters were arrested and were sent to prison," he replied casually. "We were able to liberate the rest of the gang's hideouts and set their prisoners free."

At this Fujin nodded, glancing at Seifer who stayed silent almost for the whole time.

Seifer stared at her for a moment, holding her gaze with his. Then after a moment or so, he looked away. "Glad you're okay. Sorry I can't stay that long, but I've got an important appointment to go to, so see you," he said, walking out of the hospital. "Feel better."

Fujin continued to stare at Seifer, almost looking forlorn for a moment. She said nothing but looked away, trying to look calm.

Raijin was not fooled by Fujin's attitude as he caught a short glimpse of her forlorn face. Leaning towards her he whispered, "Are you going to be alright, Fu? You don't look alright, ya know."

"FINE," Fujin replied, throwing the covers over her, ending the conversation.

*

"…Hey, you sure 'bout this, Fu? I don't think you should be doing this, ya know. I mean, you've just recovered, ya know," Raijin said, watching Fujin gracefully lift her Shuriken up into the air and throwing it against a tree.

It had been days since Fujin was able to practice with her Shuriken. She had gotten rather rusty after awhile without any practice. To top it all off, Fujin's right arm was still sore, including her shoulder.

"QUIET!" Fujin snarled in her monotone voice. Carefully, she swung her Shuriken again, concentrating on her next target.

"Fu, this really isn't – Argh!" Raijin yelped as Fujin's Shuriken barely nicked him on the cheek, hitting the tree he was leaning against. "You could've killed me, ya know!"

Fujin gave him a skeptical look as she glanced at him. "SAID QUIET," she replied, retrieving her Shuriken, ignoring Raijin's wailings.

Raijin sighed as he continued to watch Fujin practice with her weapon. "You know you shouldn't overdo it, ya know. It's your vacation. C'mon, let's get out of the Garden and go to fishing, ya know. You know, like old times, ya know," he suggested.

Sighing in frustration, Fujin narrowed her crimson eye at her friend. Finally after a moment or so, she nodded, wiping sweat off her forehead.

*

Raijin stretched his arms out wide as he let out a yawn. Glancing at Fujin he asked, "Wasn't that great? I always loved fishing, ya know."

Fujin didn't reply. Glancing at the horizon, she had a far away look, as if she were someplace else.

Raijin studied Fujin's face carefully. For once she looked rather pretty, he noted. The beautiful setting sun's beams highlighted new features on his friend's pale face. The wind gently blew her hair backwards, revealing most of her covered face. The only flaw on Fujin's features was the jeweled eye-patch that hid her other eyes.

"WHAT?" Fujin asked, realizing that Raijin was staring at her in a weird way.

Raijin snapped out of his reverie and shook his head. "Nothin…I was just thinking…ya know," he replied hurriedly.

Fujin rolled her eye but said nothing. Glancing at the docks where she, Raijin, and Seifer had once hung out together, she noticed two figures sitting at the edge, watching the sunset. It didn't take her long to realize who the two figures were.

"Something wrong? You look pretty mad, ya know," Raijin said, noticing Fujin's face slightly twist into a scowl. He followed Fujin's gaze and saw the two figures on the docks. "Is it–"

"NO!" Fujin replied hastily, beginning to quickly walk away.

Raijin grabbed Fujin's arm, holding back from storming off. "Why are you giving me the impression that you're jealous, ya know?"

At this Fujin whirled around in anger. "NOT JEALOUS!" she barked loudly. "RAGE!" she growled, kicking Raijin's shin.

Raijin doubled over in pain, feeling Fujin's powerful kick. "ARGH!"

Fujin stood where she, glaring at her friend.

"Take it easy, Fujin" a female voice said from behind her.

Fujin turned around and realized that Seifer and Rinoa were no longer sitting on the docks but were standing right behind her. "LEAVE!" Fujin growled.

Seifer scowled at the young SeeD. "What's gotten into you?" he asked, biting the edge in his voice.

Rinoa glanced at Fujin and smiled. "Hey, Fujin. Great view, isn't it?" she said cheerfully, placeing her hands behind her back.

Fujin ignored Rinoa and Seifer and quickly walked away, stuffing her hands in her pocket. As she did so, she felt her small bottle of pills in her pocket.

*

"…You called, sir?" Seifer said casually as he entered the room.

Fujin followed silently behind him, saying nothing.

Cid turned around to glanced at the two SeeDs. "Ah, yes," he said, pushing his glasses back to the bridge of his nose.

"Something wrong?"

Cid looked rather grim. "I'm afraid I have bad news for the two of you. Apparently, someone is trying to revive the gangs back in Deiling after the SeeDs left. I've sent Lieutenant Trepe and Commander Leonhart to investigate the city again. But after their reports, it appears that the criminal mastermind has disappeared from Deiling. He is nowhere to be found at all," he explained.

Seifer raised an eyebrow. "So what do you want us to do?"

"There have been rumors that the criminal mastermind has mysteriously appeared at Balamb," Cid added. He looked at Fujin sternly. "I know this must be hard for you, Fujin, since you are still tecovering from you previous wounds, but–"

Fujin held up a hand to stop him. Asshole. I'm not some helpless fling, she thought, glaring at Cid coldly. "STOP," she replied coolly.

"I'm sorry, Fujin. I was just concerned," Cid apologized.

The only thing you need to be concerned about is how long you're going to live, Fujin thought angrily to herself.

"So, as I was saying, I need the two of you to investigate in Balamb. But I don't want the two of you walking around like SeeDs. I want the two of you to be…tourists for all I care. Blend in with the crowd. And since you two will be blending in with the crowd, you'll need to stay there until you two find the criminal mastermind. Is that clear?"

Seifer and Fujin nodded, saluting him.

"Dismissed."