Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VIII, its characters or locations. :( But I do have fun doing this. XD
Author's note: So Seifer somehow got me inspired again; he popped right into my head, making me wonder how the hell he does that. I thought that it would be nice to have Seifer do what he does here. Can't really picture this chapter with any other character; specially, because I believe that, even when they are rivals, Squall and Seifer have this strange connection that allows them to understand each other. If it had not been for that connection, I believe, Squall would have killed Seifer if he wanted; I mean, he had the chance several times, yet he never did. At the beginning of the game even Zell notices this and here is the dialogue of the scene I just mentioned.
(Squall: "I stand by the captain's decision."
Seifer: "...Captain's decision? You want to wreak some havoc too, don't you?"
Squall: "It's a good opportunity to test out my
training. Thanks to you, I feel like I can take on
anyone. Even if they do fight dirty, like you."
Seifer: "You'll thank me when the time comes."
Zell: "What the hell...I thought you guys didn't get along? You're like, all buddy-buddy now.)
So although they don't admit it, Squall and Seifer don't hate each other, it's the complete opposite, they respect each other and admire the other's qualities. My, my… look at me ramble… sorry about that. Please read &review and enjoy your reading.
Chapter 9: Signs of Rebellion
Seifer stomped his way out of the elevator. After Squall left Cid's office, Seifer had walked in to continuing the discussion they were having before Squall had arrived. He was fuming, angry, completely and absolutely outraged; never in his life the thought of Squall actually leaving Garden had crossed his mind. Squall out of Garden was seriously threatening the balance of things according to how Seifer saw it.
Kicking the door open, Seifer stormed into the cafeteria, muttering some profanities as he passed a group of students. He walked over to where Quistis had been sitting with the "Trepies" around her and extended his hand in front of her, startling.
"You're coming with me." He commanded, staring straight into her blue eyes. She grabbed his hand only to be pulled and practically dragged out of the cafeteria by Seifer. Once they reached the hallway she pulled her hand out of Seifer's grasp.
"What is wrong with you?" Quistis asked, pulling a stray bang behind her ear. Seifer turned to her; anger written over her features. He started pacing back and forth as he spoke.
"Squall is leaving Garden." He began, making a loud gasp escape Quistis' lips as she looked both surprised and concerned. "Remember that anti-sorceress movement within the students you mentioned?" He asked her and she nodded. "Well, they went to Cid and gave him and ultimatum and Cid told Squall. Squall felt responsible and decided to do as they said. He is probably telling Rinoa they're gonna leave. We have to do something." Seifer said and looked at her again. "We got to convince Squall to at least stay as a regular SeeD. This place is the only place he can call home; he lives for this place." He added while extending his arms to the sides as if showing her Squall's home. Quistis nodded.
"I agree, but even if he stays, the lingering thought that some of the people around you want you away is gonna be there. We can't hide the anti-sorceress movement from them forever." Quistis said looking down at the ground. Seifer took a deep breath.
"Quistis, maybe is time for Rinoa and Squall to feel the pressure of her being a sorceress and him being a knight; they have to become stronger if they wish to live in this world. Besides, I think that with the current situation Squall already knows." Seifer said with a sad expression. "You know; if you keep overprotecting them like this she won't become strong enough to control herself when the time comes. She might lose her sanity over her powers; that darkness within her will surface and both Squall and Rinoa will end up hurt or worst… dead." Seifer added while running a hand through his short blonde hair. Quistis stared at his intense green eyes.
"I guess you're right, but how do we convice him?" She asked walking closer to Seifer until there were three feet between them. He looked up at the ceiling.
"I don't know, but we'll think of something." He looked down at her when his head hatched an idea. "First we need to find a sizeable group of SeeDs that don't want Squall out of Garden, no matter what. We need to show them that there are people who like Rinoa, who trust her, who believe in her. Only that way, we might convince him to stay." She raised an eyebrow.
"We might? You don't sound so sure." She said. He shrugged.
"Squall isn't that predictable anymore." Seifer said and started to walk. She caught up with him and they both walked side-by-side towards the Quad.
Meanwhile, Squall was almost done packing his things; he did not have much to pack though. He could not find the heart to tell Rinoa that the students did not trust her, but he did tell her that they had to leave Garden. He had to think on how he was going to tell her how the students felt. He finished packing the last of his clothes and closed the case. He turned to his desk and began placing the things on top of it inside a box. He grabbed a picture of him and his friends. He did not look very happy in the picture and remembered declining Selphie's plea for him to pose properly. He felt his heart starting to hurt; he was not only leaving Garden, he was leaving the people he had grown close to.
His mind wandered off back to how he was going to tell Rinoa why they were leaving. He knew it was going to break her heart, but she had to know why; he was not about to lie to her. He could almost picture the heartbreak written all over her angelic features, the tears staining her flawless skin and her sob tearing out his own heart. He shot his eyes closed and shook his head trying not to think about it anymore when a knock pulled him out of his reverie. He slowly turned to the door, trying to think who it could be. He took a deep breath before speaking.
"What is it?" He said calmly in the way only Squall Leonhart could, hiding his real emotions. A familiar voice was heard through the door; one that almost matched Squall's feigned serenity.
"It's me; Seifer." The blonde replied from the other side of the door. Squall just stared at the door, unmoving. "Look, Squall… I know we've had our differences in the past and… I don't know what you really think of me now, but… this is not the way I see things unfold. I see them differently." Seifer added, when Squall did not open the door. "Squall; I'm calling you out. I have to speak my mind to you, if you're really leaving." Seifer said with his voice filled with determination; Squall did not move. "Open this door and face me like a man." Seifer demanded when he found himself with the door still solid shut before him. "You either open up or I'll take it down." Seifer threatened and as soon as he finished his sentence he heard soft steps approaching the door, followed by the click of the locking system. The door opened and out stepped the smaller brunette.
"What do you want?" Squall spat trying to sound indifferent at the fact he was leaving. Seifer looked down at him straight in the eye.
"I don't see you leaving like this." Seifer began with a firm tone of voice. "In fact, I don't see you leaving at all. Whenever I try to picture you out of here I get a serious headache and you know what I do see? I see a sixty-something Squall Leonhart walking around Garden and carrying his gunblade. That is who you are." Squall turned his face away. "I can't imagine Garden without your leadership. You brought Garden this far and… who knows. Garden would have probably fallen when the Galbadian army used Galbadia Garden to attack this Garden, if it hadn't been for you and you're still willing to leave without a fight." Squall looked back at Seifer. "That is not the Squall I know. The Squall I know always reacted to bullying, he always fought back, he always responded, he never backed-down; not even when things looked bleak and hope had gone out the window, he always pushed himself onwards." Squall looked passed Seifer, reflecting on Seifer's words. "Where is that Squall? Where has he gone off to?" Seifer added, looking up at the ceiling. "Where is the man that knocked some sense into me?" Seifer looked back down at him. "I truly hope that he's still here in Garden. Is he gone, Squall?" Squall swallowed hard and looked at Seifer.
"He's right here." Squall replied. "He was just… out of commission for a moment there. Thanks for bringing him back." Seifer smirked and placed a comforting hand on Squall's shoulder. Squall nodded and started to walk out of the dorm area.
"Where are you going?" Seifer asked, caught off guard by Squall's sudden move.
"I'm going to tell Cid that I'm staying; not as commander, but as a SeeD." Squall replied over his shoulder as he continued to walk. Seifer smirked from where he stood by Squall's door.
"Now THAT's my rival." He laughed, closing Squall's door and walking down the hallway. He was happier than he thought he would be, knowing that Squall would stay; but things were sure going to take a turn for the worst when Squall confronted the anti-sorceress movement within Garden. What the anti-sorceress did not know was that Seifer was planning a rebellion against them, a rebellion to free Squall and Rinoa from being hunted down.
Author's end note: Hope you guys liked it and I assure you that the story will start moving a little more. I got a couple of action scenes waiting to be added to the story. Thanks for reading.