Thank you to everyone who has reviewed my story thus far! I really appreciate your feedback! You guys give me the inspiration I need to continue writing. Chapter 7 isn't as long as some of the earlier chapters, but I think it goes nicely with the previous chapter. I hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you think! Also for those of you who hope I develop Seifer's relationship with Rinoa, it's coming!!! I promise!!!
Chapter 7
Poison from his words coursing through her veins, Fujin ran, blinded by tears, away from the comfort of their motel room, away from the only two friends she has ever known. Nearly two blocks later, she finally slowed down, allowing her tired lungs to take in the cool night air. The soft summer breeze played with her hair, comforting her shaking body, whispering softly into her ear, yet she could feel nothing--Seifer's angry words still resounded in her mind. You and I were together for one night, one freaking night, almost two years ago! Fujin's knees gave way, and she sank onto the ground sobbing. She still clearly remembered the night that Seifer was referring to. It happened two summers ago-- she had barely turned sixteen; Seifer was seventeen. Every year the posse made plans to leave Balamb Garden for summer vacation, and that year they had won a trip to the Trabia Mountain Skiing Resort. For nearly a week Fujin felt like life could not get any better. They spent countless hours exploring the snow-covered slopes and the majestic ice caverns, drinking hot chocolate in the luxurious resort lounge, and watching Seifer making a fool of himself by trying to impress everyone with his new snowboard which he had acquired on their first day there. One afternoon, they had left Raijin asleep in their room and decided to go explore a particularly large ice cavern which Seifer had spotted the day before on the other side of the mountain. As they were nearing the cavern, it started to snow. Exquisitely detailed snowflakes were whirring in the air, illuminated by a large setting sun. Fujin suggested turning back, but Seifer insisted on continuing, claiming that they've already come that far and a few snowflakes would not bother them. Within minutes, the snow started falling harder and harder, until it had become a snowstorm of tremendous intensity. Realizing that it was too late to turn back, they pressed on, trying to find shelter that would protect them from the raging wind and snow that blinded them in its fury. Luckily they had found a small ice cave on the side of the cliff, just big enough for them to crawl into. There they sat, holding each other, exhausted and nearly frozen, not knowing if they were going to live or die. As Fujin slowly drifted to sleep, lulled by the wailing of the wind, Seifer gently shook her awake, his jade eyes filled with tears that froze as they glided down his face.
"Stay with me, Fuu," he whispered into her ear. "You can't die…because I… because…I need you." He cupped her chin with his hand and brought her face closer to his own, kissing her icy lips. Fujin remembered thinking that although his lips were no doubt just as cold as hers, they felt like fire against her flesh. She didn't feel cold anymore nor did she even care if she were to die that very instant as long as she died with Seifer tightly holding her in his arms, protecting her from everything that she learned to despise in the world outside their tiny ice cave. The gentle sunrays of a crisp, wintry morning caught them asleep, still embracing each other, shielding each other from harm. But just like the stormy night became a perfect sunlit morning, so passed whatever they had experienced together, while fighting for survival in the shelter of their precious little cavern. Upon their return to Balamb, Seifer grew more distant for reasons Fujin did not comprehend, treating her as best friend but not as a lover that she had wished to become. She didn't question his motivations, putting their friendship above all else. Ignoring Seifer's girlfriends, many of whom did not last past a month, Fujin was biding her time, secretly holding on to the one night where she felt he was fully hers and hers alone.
But now… now he took even that away from me… she thought in desperation. To her, it seemed nothing less than sacrilege--taking the one memory with him that she treasured so deeply and stepping all over it. Part of her wanted to run back to the hotel, to let Seifer comfort her and tell her he needed her, yet the sheer thought of picturing him with Rinoa held her frozen in place. Right now she just wanted to forget; she wanted to crawl out of her skin--away from all the pain. She suddenly remembered a nightclub that Raijin mentioned he visited last night. For the first time, she took a look around herself and realized that it was only a block away. She got up and ran her fingers through her somewhat tangled hair. Oh well… Who do I have to impress tonight? Quickly she crossed the empty street and headed towards the club. The bright greenish sign read The Bacchanal. Fujin let out a big sigh and pushed open the door…
TO BE CONTINUED