Ack! I couldn't resist writing this! I've got the best idea and I think I'm going to burst if I don't let it out sometime soon! So here it is, my very first FF8 fan fiction!! You guys, I would really appreciate it if you reviewed!!!

But no flames, please?

And now the disclaimer!

*Seifer is shoved onto the stage with a large stack of index cards in his hands. He loudly curses the hands backstage and turns to the audience*

"There's not a chance in hell I'm fixing to read your stupid cards, much less fall in love with—"

*notices Taryn glaring madly*

"Or… maybe I'll just read the cue cards…" *Looks at cards* "We, the puppets and eternal servants of Taryn Eithne are owned by Taryn Eithne and shall hereby… this is bullshit!!! Taryn Eithne owns bullshit, except the dinky little laptop she's writing on! She only wishes she could own us!

*storms off stage*

Um… okay, so here it is, the first chapter of…

Road to Absolution

Chapter One: Curiosity

He remembered well the day he had given up everything he had ever hoped for. How long had it been since he had given his body, his soul, his entire being to the woman who had tricked him into fulfilling her malevolent ways? How long since he had betrayed his teachers, his friends, his own goals to follow a dream that he knew from the beginning would be a failure.

It had to have been at least a year. The aftereffects of the War were almost gone now, including the rebuilding the destroyed Trabia Garden—he had been following the news on its revival, and had silently applauded the students at Trabia Garden for withstanding his own attack so well.

The reminder of recent news caused him to turn to a nearby Balamb news stand, where a young girl was trying—unsuccessfully—to sell her share of the Balamb Daily Times. He approached her and purchased one of her parchments, handing her the few Gil it cost and noting her look of triumph as she pocketed the pretty pennies. He looked at the date of the paper. It had been exactly one year, one month, and four days since he had last battle with his arch nemesis, the only person he had ever found capable of outdoing him in battle.

He could still feel the wounds inflicted on him that day.

The flash wounds had healed easily—they were nothing a few curagas couldn't fix.

But the rest of him was still recovering. His pride was what was hurt the most: never again would he be able to walk the halls of Balamb Garden with his head held high again; hell, he could hardly walk down the streets of his adopted home town without receiving a few spiteful glances.

And his heart hurt as well. He had betrayed his friends; so much that they were forced to turn on him and join sides with his enemies, his old friends—at least, as close as he could get to friends: they had, after all, grown up together despite the fact that they weren't fond of him now.  He had betrayed his Matron, his headmaster, his instructors, and his deceased parents where ever they were. And he had betrayed himself. He had given away everything to follow a hopeless dream.

And look where that had put him. On the streets, that's where. Leaving him to fend for himself, earn his own living, and sometimes even deal  with the fact that life just wouldn't deal him and wild card, and he would not be winning that night.

He couldn't help but wonder what the others were doing now. His posse had long since disappeared, claiming readmission into Balamb Garden, where he could only assume they had reclaimed their rights as the Disciplinary Committee. But the others—he had no idea what the others might be doing.

But they were sure as hell doing better than Seifer Almasy.

~~~

Selphie Tilmitt hummed a tune as she skipped merrily through the halls of Balamb Garden. Today would be the day when Irvine, her long time standing best friend, would be receiving his well-deserved SeeD Certificate, alongside Rinoa, who was also claiming her spot in the ranks of SeeD.

She suddenly remembered her own inauguration into the ranks of SeeD. What a joyous day is had been for her! She could still clearly see the proud look o her comrades' faces, save Squall, who has kept his usual, indifferent air for as long as she was around.

Well, his used-to-be indifferent air. But Rinoa had changed all that, and everybody was grateful for it. Though, Selphie admitted to herself, All of us changed in some way, even Seifer…

Sudden thoughts of the Sorceress's knight plagued Selphie's mind like a disease, and she scrunched her nose playfully. A passing student gave her a funny look, but she ignored it and continued her thought process. Seifer had certainly not seemed to change following the War, and yet Selphie had the funniest feeling that he had changed—at least by now.

His friends certainly had. Raijin and Fujin were now comfortably settled into Garden, and were doing quite well as students: already Fujin had advanced four levels, and was only two levels away from having to take her SeeD exam if she chose to do so, and even Raijin had advanced on level. Even Squall had admitted that their change in priorities and attitude was definitely a plus to Garden… and they made one hell of a Disciplinary Committee. Selphie couldn't even hope to sneak out of her dorm at night anymore to visit the quad without getting caught, and getting caught meant serious trouble, even for one of the world's saviors, like Selphie. She could only wonder what the Committee had been like with Seifer as part of it as well.

She couldn't help but wonder where he was now, though she was completely unaware of the fact that she would soon have her answer.

~~~

He couldn't help it. He just had to return. And why not? He had always worked hard, though most instructors would have called him a troublemaker, but did he ever have academic problems? Of course not. He was Seifer Almasy, and whether or not he appeared to be so, he had the mind to rival even the best of Galbadia's minds. He just never found a way to put it to good use.

But he was different now, and ready to take his career as a SeeD seriously, if Garden would have him back. He hoped to Hyne that they would…though serious doubts managed his minds, giving him doubts. His resolve wavered as he approached the school, but he dared not turn around now. It was almost night by the time he had reached the front gate, which had been reattached to the ground to allow for easy access to and from Balamb. He requested entrance by the gate master, who hesitated before allowing the infamous Seifer Almasy into his old territory, but the gate master also knew that Squall would be able to handle any problems that might arise. Seifer merely nodded a small thanks and quickly entered. It would have been class time when he entered, so Seifer hoped he could get to the headmaster's office quickly and quietly, and without delay.

However, the inauguration was occurring and Seifer managed to walk in right in the middle of it. He stepped into the large front hall, expecting it to be void save one or two people, but he walked in only to find the entire school assembled—and facing him.
Of course Squall sets up right in front of the door, Seifer thought irritably as a wave of gasps and hurried whispers traveled throughout the crowd. Those who were at the podium turned, curious to see what the commotion was about. Seifer suddenly found himself looking into the eyes that he had grown up with—the eyes of his old childhood friends.

***

And thus ends chapter one!! Well, it's uber late and I don't feel like leaving much of an after note, so I'm just going to say adieu and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE review my story!!! I love you guys!!!

~Taryn Eithne

P.S. Stay tuned for the next chappy, of Road to Absolution, Chapter Two: Animosity!!!

The teaser line? Ici:

"The silence was deafening for Seifer as he tried to make eye contact with everybody in the room. Suddenly, a girl on the stage spoke up. He recognized this girl. Why, she was none other than the Messenger Girl, the frighteningly hyper Selphie Tilmitt…"