No Turning Back
Chapter 6 Friends
Selphie had gathered everyone for a meeting. Squall, Irvine, Rinoa and Zell were all gathered in the quad. The podium was finally restored after the war and Selphie had big plans for the next Garden Festival, but not before she had organized a party for their friend.
"You all know we didn't celebrate Quistis' birthday last year, with Time Compression and everything, so I've decided that we are going to have her birthday party next week." Selphie exclaimed when all of them were accounted for.
"I don't think Quistis is really in a partying mood, darling. And it's been months since her birthday. Isn't it kind of late to throw her a party?"
"Alright, how about a party to show her we care about her."
"She knows we care about her." Rinoa began, "I don't think that's the problem she's feeling so down lately."
"Do you know something we don't? Zell asks her.
"No." Rinoa admits. "It's just a feeling I have."
"Not only you." Squall said. "Edea sees it too, that's why they're on a vacation together."
"I knew it wasn't a mission!" Zell said. "When I asked for some time off to see Ma, Cid wouldn't let me."
"That's because you just came from seeing her." Selphie rolled her eye at him. "And you see her every weekend."
"True," Zell has to admit. "But still…"
"Zell…" Squall warns Zell.
"Sorry. I'm kidding. It's just that I hate to see her so miserable. When is the last time any of you saw Quisty smile?"
"That's exactly my point." Irvine drawls. "We shouldn't organize a party in which she wouldn't participate. We have to do something that will make her feel better."
"But isn't Edea doing this already?"
"She is trying Selph." Rinoa nudges her shoulder. "But shouldn't we be trying something too? She's always helping us without paying any attention to her own problems. I say it's time to turn the table. We have to help her."
"But...how?"
Selphie's question is the question to answer, but none has the answer for it.
While the five friends are sitting in the quad, Rajin and Fujin have finally arrived at Balamb Garden.
"It feels good to be back."
"It sure does." Fujin agrees.
The two friends walk towards the entrance of the garden. They give their name at the reception and they are allowed right in.
"Wasn't that strange, ya know? They just let us in without asking any questions." Rajin whispers.
"Mm mm. Let's just find Quistis and worry about the rest later."
They walked towards the dorms-area. They were lucky that the rooms hadn't changed since they left so they found her room in no time. They knocked on her door.
And knocked.
And knocked.
But there was no answer.
"It seems she isn't here, ya know. Where should we look next?"
"Cafeteria?"
So they went there, but still no sign of Quistis or one of the others.
They wandered the halls, which felt strange because every student and SeeD ignored them. It wasn't long after they had searched the library, trainings center and the classrooms when Xu spotted them and stopped the pair.
"What are you two doing here?" Xu asks, while not hostile, they could feel she was wary of them.
"We're looking for Quistis." Rajin said, causing Fujin to kick him in the shin. "Ow! Why'd you do that for Fu? It's the truth isn't it?"
"QUIET."
"Why are you looking for Quistis?"
"We want to help her." Fujin answers.
"Why?"
"Hasn't she felt lonely lately?" Fujin asks Xu. "Hasn't she become distanced, putting up a façade? Because if she didn't we'll leave."
"….Quistis hasn't been herself lately." Xu admits. "How do you know?"
"Because Seiner's feeling the same, ya know."
Fujin smacks Rajin upside the head again. "NO."
"It's alright Fujin, I know about them." Xu said softly. "I tried to talk her out of that relation so many times I lost count, but she still aches for him. You're telling me Seifer feels the same?"
"He does. We just wanted them to talk together; it's not healthy how they're both feeling."
"I agree with you." Xu squeezes Fuji's shoulder. "But Quistis isn't here and I don't know where she is."
"What do you mean? Ya know."
"She and Edea Kramer have left and they haven't told me where they're going and when they will be back."
"KNOW?" Getting frustrated, Fujin's returns to her one-words question.
"Let's go see Cid. I'm sure he will tell us, if we ask him together."
How? How could they help Quistis if they didn't know what her problem was. They couldn't think of anything, thankfully the answer they needed came from Cid.
"Will Squall, Selphie, Irvine, Zell and Rinoa please report to the bridge. I repeat: will Squall, Selphie, Irvine, Zell and Rinoa please report to the bridge. Thank you."
Not knowing why Cid asks to see them all, they walk as fast as they can towards the elevator, for a cramped ride in the elevator to the third floor.
Stepping in Cid's office they were surprised to see Fujin and Rajin talking with Xu and Cid.
The tension rose and Cid rose from his seat to welcome his children. "Good that you came directly. It seems we may have to send all of you on a little trip."
"Trip?" Irvine asks. He always was in for a little trip, but he wasn't sure if he wanted to travel with Fujin and Rajin. While he doesn't really have a problem with them being here in Garden, he has no wish to travel with them.
"I guess you've all seen how Quistis has been feeling lately." Xu said from her place behind Cid. "There has been a reason for it, but I guess Quistis didn't tell you about it."
"She told you?" Selphie ask, slightly hurt. She thought she, Rin and Quisty told each other everything.
"She didn't tell me, I found out. I don't think she knows that I know."
"Know what?" Squall asks impatiently. "Will someone just tell me what is going on here?"
"Seifer and Quistis were together, ya know."
"Wait..what? Together as in 'together' together?" Zell shudders by the thought of his friend and his (arch)enemy together.
"Yes."
That simple answer from Xu is the beginning of a round of discussion. While the half of them wants to know how the two got together and when their relationship ended. The other half didn't want to hear anything about it.
A shrill whistle and everyone stops talking.
"Thank you." Cid points to the sofa in the corner so everyone can sit down. "We can help the both of them, but for that we have to bring them together. And with Quistis and Edea sailing across the world, it will be hard to find them.
"We could use the Ragnarok." Selphie said with glee, she so wants to pilot that awesome ship again.
"We could, but we won't." Cid chuckled at Selphie's expression. "I know where Edea is taking Quistis, but I don't know when she will be there."
"Where?"
"The Orphanage, Squall. You're childhood home."
"So what are we going to do?" Rinoa asks the group. "Grab Seifer and travel to the Orphanage together?"
"YES."
"No."
"Come on Squall, I know you hate Seifer, but isn't Quistis happiness more important?" Rinoa asks angrily.
"Of course it is, that doesn't mean we have to travel together. It will be bad enough if we have to stay in the same place, let alone travel all that way together."
Rinoa shakes her head in disbelief, while the others (except Squall and Zell) chuckle at seeing the couple.
"That's okay, ya know. We can travel with just the three of us. It may take us a bit longer but if we arrive there before Quistis does, who cares?"
"Rajin is right." Cid said. "I'll give you all some time off go to Cetra. Maybe if you're there you can help me rebuild that place.
"You, sir?" Xu asks.
"I hate to ask you this Xu, but I'll go to Cetra too. I want you to stay here and take care of the Garden while we are gone.
"Of course sir." Xu replied. While she would love to help Quistis, she knows she has already enough people helping her, she will see her again when she is back.
"Okay then, let's go people." Cid told them jovially. "I don't know how you're going to get there but I'm flying there."
Before Selphie had the chance to ask if she could go with him Cid added, "alone."
"Aww…"
"Come on Selph, this will be fun. Just like old times. Traveling together, sleeping around a campfire."
"I know Irv, but without Quistis, it just doesn't feel alright."
Irvine hugs Selphie and leads her towards the elevator. "Let's do something about that then."
Rajin and Fujin are the next to leave Cid's room.
"I guess we'll see you again sometime soon, ya know."
"I think it does." Squall replies, shaking Rain's hand.
"Now, we only have to find Seifer before we can go to Cetra too." Rajin said to Fujin.
"WHAT!"