Disclaimer : I don't own it.
Note : Sooo tired. Well, I'm trying to get up as much as I can before I pass out for the night. LOL. All I have to say is... Poor Shane. Poor Blake. Poor Kapri... And all becuase I know what has happened and will happen to them. Aren't I evil? LOL.
The more I remember about this game, the more I think it would've worked much better with Fruits basket. Oh well, too late now. And I want to do this coupling for Meloda26.
So yeah, this fic is dedicated to her and JuseaPeterson. :)
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(Balamb Docks)
Once we disembarked, we were rushed by Taylor and Eric, looking for Blake.
"BLAKE!!" Taylor yelled as they ran over.
"How's it go?" Eric asked, quieter, as they stood around him.
Blake sighed and groaned, beginning to walk away with them. "Man...all they did was get in my way. Being a leader ain't easy."
"SAFE?" Taylor boomed as the rounded a corner on the street and disappeared.
Rubbing my forehead, I sighed. Damn, that woman's got a massive set of lungs! Why's she always yelling?!
Hearing footsteps, I turned to find Tori exiting the vessel, walking over to us with a small smile on her face. "Good job!" she called as she reached our side.
Oh yeah. 'Cause we didn't almost get exterminated by a giant can-opener. I thought sarcastically. Not to mention, we couldn't complete the mission.
"Where's Blake?" she asked, sounding bored, as she looked around.
Looking back, I barely caught the edge of our Garden car disappearing as they nabbed it and rode off, leaving us behind. Giving an irritated sigh, I pointed to the dust track they left and raised an eyebrow at Tori who rolled her own eyes and shook her head.
"Just be back at Garden by sundown." she sighed as she rubbed her temples. "You're free until then." Beginning to walk away, I heard her muttering to herself. "That Blake...he's always getting on my nerves!"
Heading out of town, we walked across the road, avoiding battles, and it took about an hour before we made it back to Balamb Garden. Walking in the entryway, I stopped a moment as Dustin and Marah stretched and sighed in relief.
"Finally made it back..." Dustin groaned.
Marah nodded and lifted a leg to her side to rub at her ankle before letting it back down and doing the same to the other leg. "Seriously."
"Well, I guess we just wait for the test results." Dustin suggested with a shrug. Turning to me, he offered me a brief wave. "'Til then, see ya, Shane."
"See ya." Marah agreed. waving as well as they walked off.
Walking into Garden, I thought about what happened at Dollet. The Galbadian soldiers were after the Comm Tower, but why? Radio waves can't be used anymore. It was a well known fact. For generations, radio waves haven't been useable because of a worldwide signal interference.
Worldwide signal interference. It started without warning, 17 years ago. That's why we communicate online, we use chocobos as messengers. That's why there's no reason to get the Comm Tower up and running again after so long.
Making my way to the directory, I noticed Cam, his father and Tori standing in front of it, talking. They were discussing that they didn't know the soldiers were after the tower, and how they agreed to pull out as long as the tower remained operational.
Then Cam turned and saw me, starting a bit in surprise. "Hey!" Smiling warmly, he nodded. "You did pretty well!"
Tori grinned and nodded. "Of course! He's my best student!" Then she sighed. "He's not very social, though." Turning to me, she shrugged. "The results for the exam should be announced soon. Just stick around here." she advised me.
"How did it feel, Shane?" Headmaster Kanoi asked warmly.
I shrugged, not feeling very social at the moment, like usual. "...Whatever."
He laughed and shook his head. "Whatever? Well, that's good. Whatever!"
I blinked a moment before offering a small nod, feeling completely creeped out. Unlike most people, he never took my responses seriously or got offended, but always had a smile and laughed.
Walking a little ways to the side, I noticed Blake walking over, looking a little angry. "Shane!" he called, his face lighting up a bit as he saw me. "D'you hear about the Communications Tower? We would've been heros if it wasn't for that damn withdraw order!"
"You were only looking for a fight." Tori countered, walking over.
"My dear instructor..." Blake sighed and looked her way as she stopped and stared at him. "I'm hurt. Those are rather cruel words for an aspiring student." Then he sneered. "A mediocre instructor like you would never understand."
Cam walked over and stood beside Tori, who looked a little hurt by his words but quickly masked the expression. "Blake, don't be so stuck on yourself." The Headmaster's son scowled. "You'll take full responsibility for leaving the designated area."
"Isn't it the captain's duty to take the best possible action?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
Cam rolled his eyes. "Blake, you'll never be a SeeD. Calling yourself a captain is a joke." he said coldly before walking off.
Looking to the ground, Blake's shoulders began to shake a little, and even I knew he was deeply hurt by those words, even if he would never show it. Headmaster Kanoi walked over and spoke quietly with Tori a moment before she bowed deeply and walked off slowly, almost looking stunned.
"Blake..." Kanoi stared sternly at the young man in front of him, obviously noting the barely concealed rage he was in. "You will be disciplined for your irresponsible behaviour. You must follow orders exactly during combat. But I am not entirely without sympathy for you. I don't want everyone to become machines..."
"Headmaster." one of the Garden faculty interrupted as he walked over. "You have business to attend to in your office."
"There are so many matters at hand." the Headmaster groaned before nodding and walking off.
Turning to us, the Garden faculty pointed to the elevator. "All students who participated in today's field exam, please make your way to the 2nd Floor Hallway." a voice boomed over the intercom as the faculty member walked off.
I left Blake shaking in a blind rage as I made my way to the elevator. I knew he'd handle it however he normally did. Once on the second floor, I exited the elevator and made my way to the corner, noting that Dustin, Taylor and Eric, along with a few other SeeD candidates, were there. Blake appeared a moment after me.
Walking over to me, Eric gave me an almost sympathetic look. "Taylor was sayin' that it'd be all your fault if Blake doesn't become a SeeD. She can be pretty scary, ya know?"
Taylor scowled and stomped over, kicking him in the leg. "...RAGE!"
Besides being loud, Taylor had this strange habit of yelling her feelings as well.
Shaking my head, I sighed and crossed my arms over my head, noticing as two students leaned against the wall, Dustin paced back and forth in a small area, and a single student was walking along the hallway, back and forth.
A few moments later, and a Garden faculty member appeared, holding a very short list. "Brooks... Dustin Brooks."
"OH YEEAAAAHHH!!!" Dustin yelled, jumping into the air before parading off. "See ya!!!"
"Clarke... Shane Clarke. Please step forward."
Making my way to the elevator, I took it up to the third floor, a little surprised to find two other people there. One was Marah, and the other, a man I'd never seen before. He had slicked back, black hair, fair skin and hazel eyes.
Standing in the lineup, I waited silently as Kanoi walked to each of us, handing us a electronic pad, and a uniform before talking quietly to each of us. Of couse, with how quiet this room was, I could hear every word said.
"First of all, congradulations, however... As a member of SeeD, you will be dispatched all over the world. We are proud to introduce SeeD, Balamb Garden's elite mercenary force. SeeD soldiers are combat specialists, BUT... That is only one aspect of SeeD. When the time comes..."
The Garden Faculty present decided that was enough and sighed before stepping in, interrupting him. "Headmaster...it's almost time for the meeting. Please make this short." Nodding at us, he began to speak. "SeeD is a valuable asset to Garden. It's reputation is solely dependant on each one of you. Handle your missions with care." Turning to Kanoi, he nodded again. "Is that what you wanted to say, sir? Here is your SeeD rank report."
Beginning with Marah, Headmaster Kanoi walked over and handed her, her things. "I look forward to the Garden Festival." he said with a smile.
Next was the unknown man. "Do your best, Xander, even if you don't stick out."
Dustin was all puffed out and excited, though he was trying to be serious and mature. "Try to control your emotions a little." he advised with an amused look.
Now it was my turn and I nodded at the Headmaster as I recieved my things. "Finally...A gunblade specialist."
"This ends the SeeD inauguration! Dismissed!" the Garden member ordered and we filed out, making our way back to the 2nd Floor Hallway.
"SeeD! SeeeeD! SeeeeeeeD!!" Marah sang as she skipped down the hallway.
"Yo, Shane, let's get back to class." Dustin called. "We gotta get ready for the inauguration party tonight."
Walking to where we stood before, waiting, we noticed Blake, Taylor and Eric, along with three other failed candidates, standing there. Once they saw us, Blake stepped forward and slowly began to applaud, though his face wasn't so happy.
The other reluctantly joined in, and we stood there a moment, taking in the praise.
(Dormitory)
Once back at the Dorms, I walked into the hallway, jumping a bit in surprise when I noticed Marah standing there. She was wearing a modified version of the cadet uniform, only it was more mature. It was black and held medals on the left side of the chest, and the trim was gold. Also, the skirt came to her knees. Overall, it was a more grown up look, and was the standard female version of the SeeD uniform.
"HAH! Found you!" she squealed when she saw me. Looking at my outfit, she pouted and placed her hands on her hips. "Well? Well? What do you think?" she asked, gesturing to her outfit before pointing to my room, though how she knew which was my room, I'll never know. "You should get changed, too. We have that party to get to."
Going into my room, I closed my door and locked it, checking to make sure it was secure before changing into my uniform. With the same medals and gold trim, my uniform had a slightly longer coat, and a pair of black pants.
Walking back out, Marah smiled when she saw me and nodded. "Heeeeey! Looking good! Alright! Let's hit that PAAH-TAY!" she cried, dragging me out of the room.
(Ballroom, Kapri's POV)
Standing off to the side, I watched as many people entered and some began dancing. In all my life, I'd never seen such a huge room! Here I was, dressed in a short, red dress with spagetti straps and high heeled red shoes, looking around Balamb Garden's dance floor.
It's been about two weeks since I appeared on this planet. Bridge and Billy took care of me, answering as many of my questions as they could, and making me the leader of their resistance group, the Forest Owls. A princess, if you will. That's what they've taken to calling me, anyways.
Then, I met Blake, only it wasn't my Blake. He was really sweet and when he heard of our problems with Galbadia, he promised to find a way to introduce me to Headmaster Kanoi.
Now, you can imagine how I'm feeling right about now. Blake... Blake Bradley, the guy that couldn't stop drooling over Tori Hanson, was paying attention to me. And now, here I am, about to meet a different version of my own Uncle Kanoi.
Awkward? That would be the understatement of the year!
I'm still a little surprised at myself for so easily taking up the role of the leader of the resistance, but somehow, it felt right.
Walking through the dancefloor, carefully avoiding the dancing couples, I looked around, and gasped quietly when I saw an all too familiar face.
Long brown hair, and a SeeD uniform. Blue eyes that twinkled as she spoke to a fair skinned brunette man, also wearing a SeeD uniform.
Marah...and Dustin.
But... I knew, they weren't the people I knew. That hurt.
My own sister. She wouldn't know who I was, and she wasn't related to me. My sister and yet...not my sister. And the Yellow Ranger... Well, he seemed to be the same as usual.
Watching silently as my sister made her way away from him, I sighed and closed my eyes, raising my head to look out of the glass skylight, watching a shooting star fly across the giant full moon.
Not my world. Not my friends. Not my family, and not my former enemies.
It really was a lot to take in, and now, I had to add feelings for Blake into the mix. I don't know where they came from, or why I feel the way I do, but I always get flustered around him. He even gave me a ring he often wore, which is currently around my neck, reminding me of my dream.
That's when, I felt someone staring at me and blinked in confusion, lowering my head and turning it to find another all too familiar face watching me with a look of confusion. Not angry confusion, but innocent confusion, reminding me, he wasn't who I thought.
Shane. Shane Clarke. Red Wind Ranger, only in this world...not. He was dressed in a SeeD uniform, showing him as a recent graduate, though it really didn't surprise me.
You're probably wondering how I know about SeeDs, huh? Well, Billy and Bridge had sent many requests for SeeD since I joined them, and whenever I asked, they explained what they could. So I had a basic idea of what they were.
Elite Mercenaries.
Which is why I found it hard to comprehend Dustin and Marah being a part of them. I don't know about these guys, but the Dustin I knew was way too airheaded, and the Marah I knew could be awfully clumbsy at times.
But the scar on his face... it reminded me of a glimpse I got of the same face, in my dream. Was he the one who was speaking to me? And...what happened to his face?
Blinking out of my stupor, I felt a strange courage run through me and raised my hand, pointing up to the sky and smiling.
Shane tilted his head a little, following to where I was pointing, back down to my face and still looking confused before sipping on a glass of champagne in his hand. Tilting my own head, I smiled a little more and walked briskly over to him, feeling my heart flutter.
"You're the best looking guy here." I stated forwardly, blushing a little. What the hell am I saying? "Dance with me?"
He raised an eyebrow before looking off to the side and taking another drink of champagne, ignoring me.
"Let me guess, you only dance with someone you like. Ok then." Taking his chin, I tilted his head back to me before swirling my finger in front of his eyes. "You're-going-to-like-me. You're-going-to-like-me." Pausing for a moment, I tilted my head and stared into his eyes. "Did it work?"
He chuckled a little and shook his head. "...I can't dance." he said sheepishly.
I shook my own head. "You'll be fine. Come on. I'm looking for someone. I can't be on the dancefloor alone." I said with a grin as I dragged him through a crowd of dancers, watching over my shoulder as he left his glass on a passing tray.
Once we found an open area, I stopped and turned to face him, giggling a little when he stared at me cluelessly. Taking his hands, I placed one on my hip and took the other in my own. Then I started dancing to the slow song, stumbling a little when he tripped and bumped into me. He hesitated a little, blushing before I placed his hands back in the right positions and beginning again.
This time, we got a little farther before I spun away from him, and accidentally pulled him with me. Bumping into each other again, he raised his hands in a sign of defeat before turning and beginning to walk off.
No... Reaching out, I grabbed his hand and gave him a comforting smile before changing our hand hold as the music changed into more of a tango type. We changed steps and circled around each other. Turning so our backs were facing, we looked over our shoulder to each other as we continued to circle each other before we were facing again and he held out his hand.
Taking it, I spun out and back, this time, he managed to catch me properly. I spun out and back a few more times as the music drew to a conclusion before spinning once more, drawing back in even closer, so his arm was wrapped around my waist and I was pressed firmly against this chest.
Blushing a little as I looked into his eyes, the sound of fireworks startled us both and we looked up, watching them explode above us.
Then, I looked back down, smiling at him as he watched the fireworks innocently.
He's so different... But somehow, I still felt my heart fluttering at being around him. It wasn't like my feelings for Blake, but I knew, it could easily grow into something stronger.
I felt my heart sink. But what about Skyla? Was there a Skyla in this world, too? Have they met and does he have feelings for her? But if they had, she'd be here too, wouldn't she? There was a small, almost peaceful smile on his face, and I wished it was directed at me.
Seeing a face I was looking for, over his shoulder, I moved away, smiling, winking and waving at him before walking over to the Garden Headmaster talking to Tori Hanson, dressed in a SeeD uniform, and a couple other people, including one I clearly recognized as Cam, Uncle Kanoi's son.
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You know, I think I'll mention that ther's a twist with a couple of the couplings, and who Kapri's parents are going to be, but you won't find out for quite a while. I guess I can say, just pay close attention to the last names of any characters I introduce in the future, and you might get it. LOL.
Hope you like it.
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"Everyone has to take care of themselves."
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R+R please.
Thank you.
Tenshi