Disclaimer: Square Enix, not mine.
Warnings: Contains shonen ai Seifer/Squall, some swearing. Rating looks to be going up to an R, but really depends on if anyone rejects to it.
Chapter 7
"You have got to be kidding me. Seifer?"
'Eh... Ow.'
"Look guys, he's moving! Yippee! He's not dead!"
Seifer opened up one eye slowly, followed by the other. Focusing on the blurs, Seifer was confronted with the sight of three concerned SeeDs.
'Ow. Remind me not to do anymore suicidal jumps at sorceresses.'
"Hey Seifer, how you feeling?" Selphie asked, leaning on her hands and staring down at the cat in front of her.
'Eh, she knows? Squall must of said something.'
"Meow."
"You sure that's Seifer?" Zell repeated from the couch where he laid, recovering from his abrupt energy drain.
"Yes."
"Damn. And all this time you've..."
Squall stared at the laughing blonde.
"And all this time I did what?"
"Why, baby him of course. He must have been living the life of luxury."
Squall glared.
"Not funny Zell, and I didn't baby him."
Irvine stepped between the glaring brunette and laughing blonde.
"So let me get this straight. Squall's kitty over there is really Seifer under a spell from Ultimecia, who is running around in the body of some young sorceress she has taken control of, planning her revenge? This is not good," Irvine said, shaking his head. Seifer looked around at the five serious faces around him, looking lastly at Squalls.
'Squall...'Seifer tried rising, only to fall back down as pain enveloped his body.
"Meow"
'OWWW'"Don't move Seifer!" Four voices said simultaneously.
"Careful there Seifer. You took a pretty nasty blow back there. Your ribs seem to be broken so it's going to be painful to move for a while," Squall explained.
'Now you tell me. Where's the morphine huh?'
Selphie scratched Seifer behind the ear distractedly.
"What are we going to do about Seifer here? Rinoa doesn't have the skills to change him back."
"I wouldn't change him back, even if I could."
Squall glared at the girl.
"Why not."
"Because he's a loser and a traitor, that's why. He deserves what he got."
"That's not nice Rinoa," Selphie piped up. "From what matron said, he was being mind controlled as well, so he didn't mean to throw you to Adel."
'I didn't?'
"It doesn't matter what you want Rinoa. Edea's on her way, and would be more than happy to change him back. For now, we must concentrate on Ultimecia," Squall said firmly.
"Ultimecia? You mean we have to fight her again? I can't do that!"
Everyone turned to face Rinoa.
"And Why Not?" Squall said coldly.
"I don't want to end up as her puppet again. Besides, I'm not really a SeeD, so it's not like I have to go, so I think I'll pass."
"Then pack your bags and be gone by tonight. There's no room in Garden for attitudes like that, especially from another sorceress. If you change your mind, then meet up with us tomorrow morning at 6am in my office. If not, then I don't want to see you, ever. You all have your orders. Dismissed."
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"Hows the kitty?"
"Good thank you Dr Kadowaski. Hows Quistis?"
Dr K smiled.
"She's been awake for the last ½ hr. You may go in and speck to her if you like, but keep it short."
"Will do."
Squall knocked on the door, leaning into the room.
"Hey Quistis, its me."
Quistis looked up at the brunette.
"Hey Squall."
Squall smiled as he walked over and sat in the chair next to the bed. The two sat in silence.
"So, when did you realise?"
"I heard Jewel, or Ultimecia, screaming at her 'worthless knight' and everything just feel into place. How is he? Dr K was telling me about a distort Squall bringing in a near dead cat last night. What happened?"
"Ultimecia attacked last night. Seifer was injured when he blocked an attack meant for me. He's doing ok now, thanks to the remedies Dr K gave me, but he has several broken bones, and is in a lot of pain. Edea's on her way so soon we'll see if she can change him back, and if Edea is able to track down Ultimecia."
"What about Rinoa?"
Squall frowned as he lent back.
"She's gone. She didn't like the idea of fighting Ultimecia again, so I told her to pack up and leave. I just can't believe that I didn't see how selfish she was."
"Don't worry Squall, everything will all turn out for the best."
"Really?"
"Yes, really."
Squall stood up to take his leave, glancing at the blonde who had started giggling.
"What's so funny?"
"Just thinking of what it's going to be like having Seifer back, especially with the way you babied him."
"I did not baby him," Squall replied, blushing as he looked away in a huff.
"Did to, and don't deny it," Quistis replied, smiling.
"I have to head off now Quistis, but I'll come by later when Edea arrives."
"Sure thing Squall."
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Squall walked towards the front gate, giving the waiting figure a small smile.
"Welcome matron. Would you like to go see Quistis now or after you settle in?"
Edea smiled at the young man in front of her.
"I'll go and see Quistis now if its no trouble."
"Of course not, or I wouldn't of offered."
Squall picked up the suitcase next to his adopted mum and the two slowly made their way through Garden.
"So how have you been Matron?"
"Good. The orphanage is looking better now; soon I will be able to take some children in. I miss having young children running around my feet, though I hope that I don't get any that causes as much mischief as you and Seifer did," Edea teased. "By the way, have you got any information on Seifer? He hasn't been seen since the war ended, and I'm worried about him."
Squall smirked.
"Ah yeah, but you have to see it to believe it."
Edea glanced at Squall, but could see that he wasn't going to elaborate.
"Sounds interesting."
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"Meow!"
'Hi Edea! Going to change me back?'
Edea held up the cat in her arms, staring in shock.
"Why I never..."
Seifer frowned inwardly as the older lady burst out laughing.
'Laugh at me huh?'
"And you were looking after him, without realising Squall?"
Squall nodded.
"Well, weren't you a lucky thing Seifer. From the sounds of it, Squall had you living like a king."
Squall just shook his head, giving up on denying the charge. Still laughing, Edea stood up and placed Seifer onto the floor.
"I'm so glad you're ok Seifer. Now lets try and get you back to your normal handsome self ok?"
'Tsh fine.'
Squall closed his eyes as Edea began to chant.
'Please work, please work.'
"Yo, puberty boy. You can open your eyes now."
Squall felt a firm hand attach to his wrist as he opened his eyes to see Seifer standing above him, familiar smirk in place and not a bit of fur in sight.
"Seifer!"
"The one and only."
Squall surprised both himself and Seifer as he leapt up and threw his arms around Seifer's neck.
"I'm glad your ok," Squall mumbled into Seifer's neck. Seifer wrapped his arms around Squall, returning the hug.
"Its ok now Squall."
Edea cleared her throat, causing both boys to look towards her.
"I'm feeling a bit worn out from that so I'm going to rest up. Later we'll all get together and discuss what to do about Ultimecia."
Seifer freed himself from Squall's grasp and walked over to Edea.
"Thank you."
"Your welcome Seifer. Enjoy yourselves now," and with that, she exited the office, leaving the two men alone.
Seifer turned toward Squall.
"So, what happens now?"
"Enrol you back into Garden I guess, that is, if you want to..." Squall replied, blushing as he refused to meet Seifer's gaze. The older blonde smirked.
"And why is our dear commander blushing, if I may ask?" he said as he walked over to stand in front of Squall.
"Well, ah, um ... you know. For the last few months you were my cat, and well..." Squall stuttered.
Seifer let out a small chuckle.
"Don't worry Squall, your secrets are safe with me. It wasn't that bad of an experience living with you, except for maybe the cat food and Rinoa/Selphie incidents..."
Squall smirked at the ground.
"What exactly did they try to do? I never found that out."
"Never you mind," Seifer said quickly.
Squall smirked and raised his head, meeting Seifer's gaze.
"It couldn't of been that..." Squall's eyes widened as Seifer lent in and placed a soft kiss onto his lips, pulling away quickly.
"I've been wanting to do that for a while now," Seifer smirked as he looked down at the dazed brunette. "Now lets go see the others," he said as he left the office, leaving a dazed Squall staring after him, fingers touching the lips that Seifer had just kissed moment before.
"Seifer..."
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AN: Sorry about the length of the chapter, but I haven't had much time to write, due to assignments and study for upcoming exams. Seifer wasn't meant to have been changed back in this chapter, nor was Rinoa meant to leave just yet, but somehow it just ended up that way. Hopefully it doesn't seem too rushed. Remember to read and review. Due to accounts being deleted because of answering reviews, I will only be answering if someone asked a question, or to elaborate on something. Gomen.