Chapter Five---Losing Me
Fujin hugged her knees, tears streaming down her face. It was amazing really, how Seifer could take her defenses, her pride and smash it all with that pretty voice of of his. Half of her wanted to run back inside, tackle the blonde to the floor and tell him she was sorry, that she had missed him and was happy he was back. That she loved him.
The other half was horrendously angry with him for leaving her like that, for making her wonder why he left, if he would ever come back. If he loved her. And that part was glad she said the things she did. Just because she loved him didn't change the fact that most of the things she said were true. All except one.
She really wanted him back.
A knock on the door startled Seifer from his thoughts. Makai peeked in rather shyly and Seifer waved him in. Seeming very much like a little child, Makai came in, shut the door and jumped on to the bed, hugging a pillow tightly, looking at Seifer expectantly.
"What? Were you expecting a bonding moment over my heartbreak?" Makai bit his lip.
"...N-..Yea." Seifer sighed and sat up, looking at his brother. It had been strange at first. When he learned that he did, in fact, have a family. He had stood on their doorway with only his duffel bag and the clothes on his back, waiting, hoping. Praying they wouldn't send him away again. And they didn't.
Instead, the slightly taller brunette had stared at him like he'd seen a ghost. Suddenly, Seifer was being crushed in the younger boys hug as Makai called out for his parents. Their parents. Seifer had finally been accepted.
"...Figures you sap...I think it goes without saying, that did not go the way I wanted it too." Makai's jade eyes were barely visible over the pillow as he mumbled something intot he fabric. Seifer rolled his eyes and yanked the pillow away from the boys mouth.
"I saw that. But...when you think about it...that would have been a logical outcome. I mean, look at it this way Seifer. Fujin just up and leaves one day. No note, no phone calls. Nothing and then one day, three years later she pops back in expecting open arms like nothing had happened. What would you do?" Seifer sighed.
" I hate you."
"Love you too." Seifer stared at the ceiling for a moment. He had expected Fujin to just welcome him home. Because that was his Fujin. She beat him senseless for his mistakes but she always made sure that he was home. Safe. With her.
And now. He wasn't home. He wasn't with her. Because she didn't want him anymore. This realization broke his heart into a million, fragmented pieces, put them in a blender and then dumped them down the garbage disposal. Yea, it was that bad.
"I've known her since I was four years old, Makai. I thought she would know I would be back. I've always come back for her. I... wanted to find myself on my own. Fujin had always stood by me and picked me up when I fell. Even if she was the one to push me. I wanted to pick myself up this time. These three years without her and then seeing her again...it's like...I don't know. I want to say it's like coming home but it's different...better." Makai looked at Seifer a moment and then summed up everything in one simple sentence.
"She is home." Seifer sighed and closed his eyes, Fujin's laughing eyes sparkling in the darkness, her laughter in his ear. Seifer felt the same safe, whole feeling he always got.
"Yea...home."
"Hey..Ca-" Squall paused. The brunette that was busily rummaging around the kitchen making cookies for Rinoa and Arien was more then just Seifer's Mom. More then just Cale. Squall contemplated this.
It'd been almost two weeks since he'd first met Cale Almasy. And in those two weeks she had settled herself comfortably in a corner of his heart (Yes he does have one) and it didn't look like she was going anywhere anytime soon. Rinoa loved the woman already, constantly having those late night 'bonding' sessions over hot chocolate and twinkies.
To Squall, it seemed as if Cale could simply expand her heart at will and create more room for those that entered her life. And she had chosen to do so for Squall and Rinoa. Cale respected Squall's quiet, somewhat vacant yet alert nature and never tried to pry him open. Yet she could read him like a book. Why was that? What was it about her that allowed her such a place in Squall's heart so soon? It was against the rules!
She was a mother. Mother's were allowed to bend and break the rules.
"..Hey...Mom?" Cale turned and smiled at him warmly, a brow raised.
"Do you think Seifer's going to be alright? I don't think...I don't think he expected Fujin to react like she did." Cale set down the plate she was carrying and touched Squall's shoulder gently and briefly.
"Seifer...well, Seifer's a puzzle all in himself, just like you. You never can tell. Soemthings just don't phase him and others...well others hit him like a train wreck. And I think he just had a head on collision." Squall frowned, nodding. Seifer was definitely the unexpected. That was usually his downfall.
"Do you think he'll mind if I go up and talk to him?" Makai thundered down the stairs, as if he felt the need to announced his presence in the loudest, most annoying manner possible.
"Why would you do that, Ice Man?" Squall stared at the boy. So much like Seifer. God save us.
"...Because. I've spent 22 years hating him and fighting him. It hasn't killed me yet so I don't think being his friend will hurt..." Squall considered his words as he stood, making for the stairs.
"Much." With a nod he was gone.
"Cale." Cale looked up in to the green eyes of her husband. He raised a brow and motioned for her to sit with him. Instead, she sat on his lap.
"I was just remembering when Seifer showed up at the door. I was so..shocked and happy. I knew it must have been so hard for him to come here, thinking we had never wanted him in the first place. But...he's been so brave. After everything he's been through, he's always picked himself up out of the mud and kept on going. I'm proud of him. And I see alot of Makai in him." Arien snorted.
"You mean that loud, obnoxious, arrogant, cocky Seifer you love so much?" Cale laughed.
"Like father like son." Arien scoffed.
"I am not cocky. But I see your point. They are a lot alike. You know...the way they became brothers so fast...they get that from you. The heart of gold. That's why he's here now. Why he tried so hard to find us and make everything alright." Cale smiled.
" I can't wait till Ashlyn comes home. She sounded so excited to meet him. What do you think our family pictures with look like? All of them look so much alike. And with Squall and Rinoa there...we're going to have a funny picture." Leave it to women to get all sentimental and off-topic. Arien wrinkled his nose in thought. An endearing habit Cale loved to tease him about.
True, all the Almasy children had the trademark jade eyes and infuriating smirk. But Seifer and his father were the only blondes. Ashyln and Makai were brunette like their mother. Makai was a much more dishevled version of his brother. Seifer had once told him he looked like he woke up and crawled out of the dirty laundery basket. Unfortunately, it was probably true. Ashyln, however, had the same meticulous and sleek look Seifer prided himself in. Among other things.
"You know what it will look like? That is, if the boy can suck it up and get his woman?" Cale rolled her eyes and chose to ignore the 'Get-his-woman-' part.
"What will it look like, dear?"
"A family."
A.n: Woot! Chapter Five, scorness!
Sorceress Fujin: Next chapter as you requested -plops herself in your lap and offers you cookies to make up for it- hehe
Jack Hanek: Yes, you are a Nifty Inspiration. I gave Seifer a middle name because its always so much fun to get mad at someone and say their full name. Or to emphasize your point. Yes, trivial but fun. I will try to read your fic I made Seifer and Squall tentative friends in this because after so long it seems logical almost. However, they will still bicker like normal.Yes, Rinoa is pregnant. Yes, it is part of my plan to have Fujin be also but it will be quick and painless for you I promise and I hope you won't lose interest. But This is the Prequel to Duality so it had to be. Please keep reading! I hope you found chapter 4!
Jasmine: I'm glad you liked these chapters! I love your reviews hehe, thank you for the cookies! Yay! Heheh Seifer being adorable is ooc yet still in character strangely enough. And I thought Squall's reaction to Rinoa being pregnant was highly appropriate seeing as I feel he manages to be a moron when he doesn't mean to. I love it, its cute.
Ok my lovlies I hope you like this chapter! -munches her cookies from her seat on Fujin's lap- Review! And I will write more soon!1
i Ultimate!