Chapter 11

"Sire, I still think that what the general do, he did it for our own benefit!" The young man protested in front of his Superior. His shoulder length red hair swinging vigorously as he moved up to his master. His other two companions stood behind him, their arms crossed as they scowled and turned away from him in contempt.

One of them stepped up to their leader and started to defend their position. "Sire, refusing to take down Dollet could not be anything good for us! We had the chance! The coast was clear! There's no way they could call for reinforcement in time! There weren't even a hundred men out there! I do not think that dismissing such opportunity could be good for us!"

"Silence!" the dark lord roared in his throne. "Ryu, I understand that you are merely looking out for me, I do not doubt your loyalty," The young man lowered his head in front of his master as his dark hair fell over his face. "However, I also do not doubt Seifer's loyalty for me. He's like a son to me, and I trust his decision." The tall man stood up from his seat and walked past Ryu and his companions to the middle of the room. "Enough of this nonsense, now, what is this that I've heard about him bringing a SEED commander with him?"

The red head man gleamed in excitement at this, "Allow me, sire," He bowed.

"Go on Ray," The dark lord motioned his hand as a sign allowing the young man to talk.

"The woman the General brought with him is no one other than Quistis Trepe, the second Commander of Balamb Garden, also known as the Ice Queen of Balamb, sire. A very wise thing to do, isn't it, sire. Kidnapping their commander! They must be furious!"

"Enough, Ray, the dark lord merely asked you to report, not give any bias comments on the General's deed," Ryu sneered.

"Ren, get Seifer here, I think it is better if I here this from himself." The man sighed as he sat down on his seat, as Ren, who has remained silence throughout the discussion bowed, accepting his order before heading off towards the huge door at the end of the room. Just as he was about to push it open, the door opened on its own accord, before revealing Seifer's tall figure.

"I figured you'd want to see me, sire." Seifer strode in with confident steps, turning to look at Ryu darkly. "For I sense that somebody might give you the wrong idea about my deeds at Dollet."

The man sitting on the throne laughed at his comment, "Indeed Seifer, I was just sending out Ren to fetch you to me. Now, what is this I've heard about a very beautiful maiden in your quarter?"

"Quistis Trepe, Second Commander of Garden." Seifer explained in a firm voice. "Ray managed to put her under a sleep spell when he caught her off guard. I saw it as a good opportunity to kidnap her when we've got the chance. I decided against burning down Dollet because I did not want to risk burning down the communication tower unnecessarily, and besides, we've got our hands on the biggest fish of the day. Kidnapping their Second Commander would drive Squall crazy. Their army would probably be weakened with the low morale they now have. If I have done you wrong with this stupid idea, I must apologize." Seifer bowed to his master, yet his gaze had never left the man's face with such power and strength reflected through them. The Dark Lord couldn't help himself from smiling. This is his best man. The man who's not afraid to look at him with such powerful gaze. And he is proud to have Seifer by this side.

"Well done, General. I have no reason to doubt your intentions. You did well, indeed." The man laughed with pride. "Now, I just have one question for you, Seifer, what do you intend to do with her? Now that we've got her, she no longer serves any of our purposes…"

Ryu stole a glance towards Seifer, scowling in displeasure. He then turned to his master, while keeping his eyes fixed at Seifer, "Sire, I was wondering if I could ask for a little favor…"

"What do you want, Ryu?" the Dark Lord turned his attention to his man.

"After all these long battles, I find that none of the women in my quarter could satisfy my needs, sire…"

At this Seifer suddenly turned his attention to Ryu, eyes widened in anger.

"So, sire, if you would allow me to-"

"NO!" Seifer bellowed. His face red in anger, his eyes fixed on Ryu like flying daggers. Then, realizing that his master was watching him with a stunned expression, he then turned to explain himself, "Sire, I think it is best that she remains with me in my quarter. After all, she is the Ice Queen of Balamb, and although Ryu is a skillful fighter, and his skills, by all means, are excellent and might even be able to match hers. However, her intelligence is extraordinary, and I believe that Ryu might be outwitted by her cunningness. I, however, have grown up with her, and know her well enough to handle her."

"Very well, Seifer, she may remain in your quarter", came the man's stern reply as Seifer bowed to him before leaving the room. And not for one second, did the Dark Lord turn his gaze away from his General.

…………………………………………………………………………………….

Quistis looked around the room she was put in. All the decors made it hard to believe that she was there as a prisoner. The maids and servants, all but the guards outside her door, who refuse to let her out, treated her like a princess. Her head was spinning as she thought about all that has happened. The mission to set out searching for Seifer, the meeting with Fuujin and Raijin at the Fisherman Horizon, the attack at Dollet, and her waking up to find Seifer – the man she'd been searching for – staring down at her. Why did he take her with him? What was he going to do with her? And had he been acting on his own accord? Or is he hypnotized? And by who? As pain started to soar through her head, she shook all thoughts out of her mind, closing her eyes slowly. Stop thinking, Trepe, take it easy. She reprimanded herself silently.

As the pain started to fade, she stood up slowly and walked over to the huge window pane. Looking down, she was mesmerized by the sight she saw. Apparently, this castle, or mansion or whatever it is, is located on some hill top overseeing a beautiful beach with pure white sand and a beautiful sea. It was breathtakingly beautiful scenery. She felt she actually wouldn't mind staying here forever. But you can't! You've got to get back to the others! Squall wouldn't be able to manage all that is going on alone! She started thinking again. What was she going to do? She definitely couldn't live here forever, especially not when her life here means she's under Seifer's mercy. But may be, if she stayed, she would be able to obtain more information from Seifer. And may be, if she could get close enough to him, she might be able to reach out to him, and even bring him back to his consciousness, if he was hypnotized at all, that is. Otherwise, she'd just steal as much information as she can and find a way to contact the others.

Just as she was about to let her thoughts wander off to other possibilities, her bedroom door burst open revealing a very frustrated Seifer. Quistis jumped in surprise. "Seifer!"

"Why, instructor, you look like you've seen the devil?" Seifer smirked.

Quistis scowled at him, "I might have. You're not really any different from the devil himself!"

"Why, instructor, I'm honored." Seifer smiled. Quistis stuck out a tongue at him. "Grab a coat; it's kind of chilly outside." He gestured towards the wardrobe before starting to walk out of the door.

"So? It's not like I'm going outside." She retorted, crossing her arms turning away from him.

"You're about to." He opened the door for her. "Just grab a shirt and join me."

A pause.

"Come on. I'll try and be nice and introduce a few handsome Marlboros to you." He mocked her. She rolled her eyes at him before grabbing a brown leather coat from the wardrobe and head towards the door. Seifer chuckled after her.

A/N: so.. I' not as efficient as I set out to be… didn't think that the last year in school would be this hectic -.-' applications/college essays/course works – and not the mention the upcoming exam ' but I do plan to finish this story… but it might take me a while to update. Don't 4get to review!