Sorry this one's so short. The next couple chapters are probably going to move pretty slowly. Bear with me please?

I don't own the characters or the locations. Square does.

What Now?

Fisherman's Horizon was dull and left too much time to think – about everything. The world was going to hell, and Raijin was the only person Fujin could count on. "Kind of like when we were kids – my great protector." Fujin allowed herself a small smile. She didn't have many memories of her childhood, so the few she had were precious.

Raijin was fishing, and Fujin watched him while wondering what he was thinking. They hadn't discussed anything that led to them being here. But it had been two weeks, long enough to not be quite so emotional. She hoped. "TALK?" Fujin stepped down to the ledge Raijin was sitting on.

"Yeah, sure." He hadn't looked up, just twitched his head to the side for her to sit. She sat down, booted feet hanging over the edge, and tried not to fidget. Sensing her agitation, he snuck a look out of the corner of his eye and put aside his pole. "S'up? You're being to serious, ya know?"

She smiled weakly, looking up to stare across the ocean. "Sorry, Rai. This is serious stuff." "SEIFER"

"What about him?" Raijin's voice was tight, controlled. "We don't need him."

"AFFIRMATIVE" "But he needs us."

"So …" There was a long pause as Raijin pulled in his line and fiddled with the lure. "You ain't thinking of going back, are ya? Cause, well … I mean … ya know?" He left off stammering and looked at Fujin.

She thought for a long moment, and then took a deep breath. "UNKNOWN" She lay back on the boards they were seated on, hands clasped behind her head, and closed her eyes. She could tell Raijin was puzzled, so she elaborated. "SEIFER … PUPPET"

"Um, Fuj?" There was another long silence while the big man ordered his thoughts. "I don't know about that. He's pretty strong, ya know? I don't think she made him … um …"

Sitting up, Fujin pushed her silver hair out of her face. She looked at her cousin, at the distress so clear on his face. He turned away from her gaze, clenching and unclenching his hands. An uncharacteristic pang of compassion and Fujin's hands were covering Raijin's. "STRONG. NOT ENOUGH" She hoped he understood since she couldn't force enough words out to explain better.

"Yeah, I know." He hung his head. "But it's Seifer. I mean, … Ah, hell!" Pulling his hands away, Raijin started packing up his tackle box. He chuckled quietly as he closed the lid, confusing Fujin. "Don't think Seifer would appreciate you making excuses for him, ya know?" He smiled crookedly, sadly.

"NEGATIVE" she scowled back. "EXCUSES? TCH!" "Not for Seifer. Or anyone else. Just wish I knew what was going on in his head. Can't be pretty." Getting to her feet, Fujin dusted off her pants, then stood and stared across the water again. "Do I go back? Should I go back? I mean, we really are all he has …"

"Hey, Fuj?" Raijin interrupted her mental debate. "For what it's worth, I don't think he meant to do that to ya. But what if he 'doesn't mean to' do something again?" He picked up his box and pole. "While you're thinking, you up for dinner? I'm kinda hungry, ya know?"

Trying to look stern, Fujin forced her eyebrows together and pulled her mouth tight. Glaring up at him thru her bangs, she felt her lips twitching into a smile. She gave in and smiled, wrinkling her nose. "NO FISH"