I am baaack! Yes, I know there's absolutely no excuse for not updating in so long. I've been really busy with my job and also haven't really been sitting down long enough to actually write anything. Hopefully you guys haven't forgotten too much yet. Yesterday I got an email from someone who asked me where I was and why I haven't updated in so long. That's when I decided to set everything aside and just write. So whoever you are, I thank you! This chapter is dedicated to you.

Chapter 21-- Lies

256-5567…256-5567… She read the tiny piece of paper over and over again as if the numbers that were scribbled on it in fading black ink would somehow give her the resolve she needed for what she was about to do. Remember what he did for you? It would be a nice gesture to at least go out with him once to thank him for saving your ass the other night. She laughed aloud. Who are you trying to kid, Fujin? Just try to imagine the expression on Seifer's face when he finds out that you are on a date with a handsome stranger. She shivered with anticipation, already feeling the sweet taste of revenge in her mouth. She couldn't deny it--nature had indeed endowed Kona with that rare ability to turn heads just by the soft sparkle in his dark green eyes, that although reminiscent of Seifer's, did not possess the constant taunting that was ever present in the emerald depths of Seifer's intense stare. Don't be stupid, Fujin. She once again folded the paper and put it back in her pocket--it seemed to burn against her skin even through the fabric of her pants. Frustrated she took it out again and shredded it with her fingers before throwing it in the trashcan. 256-5567… the voice in her head repeated venomously. Ignoring it, she stumbled into the bathroom and put her head under a stream of cold water. Squeezing the water out of the tips of her hair, she looked into the mirror, examining her face. Sighing, she left the bathroom and walked back to her bed, carefully lifting the mattress just enough to extract a tiny pink and white bag with the letters Moonstone Cosmetics printed on it in large purple letters. Oh what the hell… might as well give it a try. Grabbing the bag with shaking hands, she once again dived into the bathroom. With a surgeon's precision, she opened her treasure and took out four different shades of lipstick, laying them side by side in front of her. She read the labels. Jewelled Rose…Pearls and Peach, Berry Blossom, Hazy Mauve. This was not going to be easy. Red is the color of seduction, she reasoned as she took the top off "Berry Blossom". Slightly parting her lips, she began to apply the blood red lipstick as she had seen girls do in the bathrooms of Garden's dormitories. Finished, she set it aside scrutinizing her reflection in the hazy mirror. She remembered the girl Kona was with that night at the club--the beautiful goddess with long black hair and full red lips. Disgusted, she wiped her mouth off with a tissue and threw the lipstick in the trashcan. Next, she opened up "Pearls and Peach", the warm rich brownish glow drawing her to it. She looked at her silver gray hair and ghostly pale skin. Don't even think about it, Fujin, the voice inside her head called out to her. Without giving it more thought, she set it aside and reached for "Jewelled Rose". This has to be it. Carefully, as if her life depended on it, she brought the lipstick to her lips. The nearly translucent rose color spread evenly over her lips, giving them a soft shimmery glow that looked stunning against the paleness of her features, bringing out her amethyst colored eye. Deciding that eye shadow was beyond her limited make up experience, Fujin closed the bag with cosmetics and applied some gel to her hair that intensified the sleek effect of her already damp head. She then proceeded to take off her usual oversized blue jacket, leaving her with only a tight fitting black tank. Satisfied and somehow feeling more empowered, she once again repeated Kona's number in her mind. 256-5567… Ok, I guess this is it. Feeling her heart pounding against her chest, she dialed the number. Just as she was about to hang up, she heard a familiar voice.

"Hello?"

"KONA?"

"Speaking. Who's this?" He sounded distant, like his thoughts were occupied with something else.

"FUJIN," she choked out, barely able to recognize her own voice. Silence.

"Fujin? I thought I'd never hear from you again. How've you been?" She could hear his breathing speed up even over the phone.

"GOOD. WE MEET?"

"You mean like go out on a date?" For a second she wondered if she could respond. Her mouth seemed too dry to talk. Payback time, Seifer.

"YES. YOU… BUSY?"

"No, no… How about tonight? Should I come pick you up?"

"MEET AT OASIS OF CENTRA CAFE. 7 O'CLOCK."

"I'll be there. I look forward to seeing you, Fuu."

"LIKEWISE."

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The sound of her voice still ringing in his head, Kona tried to pull himself together. He walked to the kitchen and leaned against the refrigerator door, convinced that his legs that now felt like they were stuffed with cotton, could no longer support his weight. This is your chance to find out more about Seifer Almasy, said the venomous voice inside his head. He sank to the ground. Ugh, just my luck to fall for a girl mixed up in this whole mess. His body convulsed at the unexpected thought as Sirun's frozen eyes suddenly flashed before his mind. Didn't he swear to Sirun that she'd be the only one he'd ever love? Would she want that? His head still swimming, he slowly got off the floor and opened the freezer door, extracting a tiny ice cube. Feeling it burning against his skin, he quickly placed it under his tongue. Seifer Almasy is an enemy. Fujin is friends with him therefore making her an enemy. I'll bring her here, extract the necessary information from her and then dispose of her. Simple, right? Don't make me laugh Kona, taunted the voice again. You are way too attached to Fujin to hurt her. He grunted in frustration. Something just doesn't add up, he reasoned. Could it be possible that Seifer's only interest in Caraway's affairs is his daughter? Would he go as far as risking his life and becoming Caraway's bodyguard just to be Rinoa's plaything? What if Rinoa hired him to use him in her schemes and the romance is just an added bonus? Realizing that further speculation would be futile, Kona looked at the clock. Only an hour more before I go meet Fujin… One thing is clear though… Seifer Almasy did murder Vin and Nic and for that he will pay. No need to bring Fujin into this just yet. Not until I know more. I'll just have to be more cautious, that's all. He thought back to the day when Fujin woke up with Seifer's name on her lips. Were they lovers? Is that the reason for the way she acted when she saw him with his new toy? Revolted at the thought of Seifer touching Fujin's milky skin and now driven equally by jealousy as well as his warped sense of judgement, Kona had made up his mind…Seifer Almasy will pay in full for what he's done even if it's the last thing I do.

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At quarter to seven, Fujin was already waiting on the veranda when she saw Kona approaching her, wearing loose fitting black jeans and a gray button-down shirt with a black T-shirt underneath. Unwittingly she held her breath--stunned by how much he reminded her of Seifer, shrouded in the bright radiance of the evening sun, his short copper hair looking almost identical to Seifer's.

"Hi, Fuu," he stammered, clearly a little intimidated by her new look. Hyne, she looks beautiful tonight, he thought to himself, hoping that the heat would mask the soft pink glow that at once appeared on his cheeks.

"HI."

"I wasn't sure if I'd ever hear from you again." Looking at her right now, he couldn't imagine how he could possibly even consider hurting her. What if Seifer wasn't directly involved in the deaths of Vin and Nic? How could he possibly justify hurting someone who was close to Fujin. Whatever happened between them before, if anything indeed happened, Seifer has Rinoa now and Fujin is here with me. After all she called me herself.

"Are you still staying with those two friends of yours? Raijin and Seifer, is it?" Bad move, Kona. Don't make it so obvious.

"YES."

"You never did tell me what you were doing in Deling."

"VACATION." Why is she lying to me?

"Well, you certainly do look more rested since the last time we've seen each other." He grinned but his voice sounded slightly sarcastic. She raised her eyebrow, looking for a hidden meaning in his words but she couldn't read the enigmatic expression on his face. Not a moment too soon, a young waitress with a bright smile approached their table, holding a tiny notepad with her delicate fingers.

"Welcome, to the Oasis of Centra Café. My name is Milla, and I'll be your waitress today. Are you all ready to order?"

Fujin silently pointed to the Oasis Special on the menu before sharply closing it, indicating that the interruption was most unwelcome.

"I'll have the same. Thanks."

"Certainly." Flashing Kona a furtive smile, Milla walked off without giving Fujin as much as another glance.

"You look really good tonight, Fujin." Yeah, whatever, Fujin thought but nevertheless managed a tiny smile. She was beginning to regret this.

"So tell me more about yourself. I hardly know anything about you." I can't be blinded by her. By this charade… I have to find out who is responsible for Vin and Nic's deaths and punish Caraway for all the pain he has caused me and those I love.

"UNEXCITING."

"Really? You don't appear to be a very unexciting girl to me."

"OH?" She looked puzzled. Slowly, with his eyes focusing on even the very minute changes in her facial expression, he pulled open the inside of his oversized gray shirt and took out a pinwheel.

"MY SHURIKEN?! HOW?!"

"The owner of Bacchanal gave it to me. I thought it may have belonged to you." She grabbed it out of his hand and immediately attached it to her belt.

"THANKS." For the first time since they've met, he made her feel uncomfortable. She tried to pinpoint the source of her discomfort but his dark green eyes remained a mystery.

"Are you an undercover mercenary?" probed Kona, hoping that the shock value of his question would give her away.

"NO." She's lying. Is she from Galbadia Garden? Is Seifer? Just like Balamb Garden, Galbadia Garden was known to train mercenaries with exceptional skills, which have on more than one occasion struck covert deals with President Deling's corrupt officials. Did Caraway hire Seifer and Fujin to do his dirty little deeds? But then how does Rinoa and Seifer's relationship fit into all of this? Is Seifer playing Rinoa for a fool? The girl's naïve enough to believe anything. His head felt like it was going to explode. He could feel the pain localizing around his temples. How stupid were you to believe that Fujin actually liked you for who you were? She played games with you this entire time and you were completely blind… What is Fujin not telling me? You are being paranoid, Kona. Get a grip before you ruin everything with your silly suspicions. He sighed. One final test…

"Are you telling me that you are here on vacation with Seifer and Raijin, and the general of the entire Galbadian army just happened to hire your friend as his bodyguard?" He realized his mistake as soon as he had said it. Shit!!!

Her shoulders jerked as she looked up at him, her amethyst eye registering an expression of utmost distrust.

"BODYGUARD? YOU KNOW? HOW?"

"Oh, it must have been in the paper from the other day." She'll never believe that! Dammit!

"LIAR." She looked at him menacingly. As Milla approached their table with the food, Fujin gave her a look that clearly stated that she would not be responsible for any injury should Milla choose to interrupt them right now. Kona opened his mouth, wondering if what he was about to tell her was closer to the truth that even he dared to admit.

"You calling me a liar? You haven't said a single truthful thing to me since we've started talking. I really liked you, Fujin. Do you know what it felt like to meet you that night at the club, to protect you, only to have you wake up in my bed the following morning with his name on your lips?! When I noticed the way you reacted the other night when you saw Seifer with Caraway's daughter, I felt jealous! Yes, jealous that you already had someone who could comfort you when you were hurt. I wanted to be that person, Fujin. I spied on him to see if I could find anything out. I am sorry, I shouldn't have done that, but at least I did it for you. When you called me today, I thought that you may have actually felt something for me, but here I am, asking you the most simple questions, and all I hear in response are lies."

She stared at him, her amethyst eye wide with surprise. It never even occurred to her that Kona might actually have feelings for her. It wasn't supposed to happen like this. She was supposed to get Seifer jealous, not Kona. The irony… Yet she had no reason to disbelieve him. The earnest way with which he spoke dissolved all the remaining doubt she may've had. There I go again. Hurting everyone with my stupid ideas.. She wanted to scream-- wanted the words to flow freely out of her mouth like they did that one time with Seifer. Seifer… The only person alive who could see through her like glass.

"SORRY. I GO NOW. She got up and headed for the door.

"NO, Fujin, wait. I am sorry! Please, come back." No, No, No, No…. This is all wrong. Fujin, don't leave. I am sorry. What if I am wrong? What if Seifer isn't from Galbadia Garden? Fujin, don't go. I need you…

TO BE CONTINUED