"What Would I Be Without You"
-Kawaii Hana-
DISCLAIMER:
I don't own anything from FF8. Too bad... I would have made a direct sequel from it, though... (Ehehehehe...)
NOTE TO READERS:
- Italic – - represents thoughts
(Italic) – don't mind them
Bold – "emphasized" words
SPECIAL NOTE:
Kyaahhh… it has been a long time now…Damn, school just sucks the life outta ya! Gomen! Gomen! I have been ignoring my fanfics for the past few months… err… years actually. Sorry guys! Hope you guys still remember this fic way back from '06…
Anyway, I recommend reading this one again from Chapter 1… I mean, you guys might have forgotten the plot by this time, ne?
Oh well, enjoy…
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Chapter 9: Winhill Inn Room no. 18…
"Here we are…!" Gylan said enthusiastically as the truck drove past the "Welcome to Winhill" sign. But apparently, both the 'newly weds' don't feel much of the enthusiastic spirit.
Why you may ask? Well, it's because there's this possibility that Quistis and Seifer just pitched a ride with syndicates that exploits drugs and innocent orphans… (Such a simple reason.)
The town of Winhill… Despite the urbanization of its neighbors like Deling City and Timber, people would feel like going to the past. The houses still stand tall from where they were first built. The townspeople are still they were except maybe adding a few lines to their faces and a few grandchildren on the sides… Its peaceful location was perfect - away from a highly competitive outside world.
And it was this isolation that proved useful in a syndicate's eyes…
"Hey there, Gylan. You sure do have lot of stuff…" A voice from a young man was heard. Both blondes looked up to see… A lad dressed in a G- Garden cadet uniform.
"Well, this stuff's from the Branfordes. They'll be living here from now on." Came the reply.
"Really!?" This time, a young female's voice was heard next. "Wow, nice to meet you! Is it true that Winhill's your dream home?"
"Yes, I hear 'things are happening' around here." Seifer replied straight away. That said, in a blink of an eye, both cadets held serious faces. It was as if they knew that the 'Branfordes' were coming.
But as soon as it came, their expression changed to smiling ones.
"Welcome to Winhill, Mr. and Mrs. Branforde. I'm a SeeD Cadet from Galbadia Garden in patrol once a week. My name is Gack Astridas." He grinned with the biggest grin ever. The young cadet wore the proper Galbadian cadet uniform. His black hair was combed neatly as was the proper dress code.
"And I'm Shirea O'Connel, his partner in protecting Winhill from those monsters." Another Cadet popped up. This time, it was a female with excessively long auburn hair in a braided ponytail. "Nice to meet ya!"
Both the blondes from Garden nodded and smiled, making they remembered their names and faces. After all, they are comrades…
Is it true Winhill's your dream home?
Yes, I hear 'things are happening' around here…
It was the password for the both SeeD team from Balamb and the cadets from Galbadia to know each other… as was planned. Quistis couldn't help but give a sort of a small stifled laugh at their two unsuspecting Winhill natives. Seifer's answer to the question was obvious enough.
"Well, better get going… We have a few hours left before the sun sets." Gylan interrupted. Both cadets nodded with a quick wink from Shirea as well and off the truck went.
"Pretty nice kids, ain't it?" Gylan commented. " I think that young Zack there is 15 while Shirea is 14. They've been patrolling here about a month ago. Hardworking kids I'd say…"
Quistis sighed. She missed those times alright. Homework, Quizzes, projects, drills and field exams… Those were the most trying times of her life…
Well, she thought it was… but that moved to second place. Currently, that time of beating the crap out of Ultimecia is on top of the list. But it seems this mission with Seifer would change things. (Lol)
"So right over there… is an Item Shop for travelers." Zen began to point out a shop just in front view located near the entrance of Winhill. "A grandpa named Britz watches over it. His home's the one attached to the shop."
Both Seifer and Quistis nodded and placed that bit of info in their minds. After all, they are going to 'live here' somehow…
The town was just like Balamb Town – peaceful and quiet. There were no cars bustling around. In fact, maybe the truck they're in right now is the only vehicle in town.
The vehicle moved on and soon stopped by the Inn. This is where Seifer and Quistis are going to stay as the PUB has not been cleaned and prepared for staying. Seifer and the other guys proceeded to take the luggage out of the truck. As Quistis went out of the truck, she was greeted by a tall, brownish red-haired woman that came out from inside the inn.
"Hi!" She exclaimed with a smile and Quistis couldn't help but smile in return. This woman looked like she is happy that a newcomer has come to the town. She could see it in her twinkling brown eyes…
"Well, hello… I'm Quistis Branforde and you are…?"
"Oh! Estella Parker… but please call me Stella." Her smile grew wider by the minute. "I own and manage this Inn. Err… Since the PUB closed, I also set up a small PUB in here, too…"
"Oh really…" Quistis said. "Then my husband and I (That made an eyebrow twitch)… We shouldn't run the old one then… since it's bad for your business…"
The young Innkeeper laughed warmly. "Oh, don't worry… it's alright. Actually, you guys coming here is like a good thing! I mean, I can't manage an Inn and a mini-PUB at the same time, y'know?"
Quistis nodded shyly and with a tiny bit of guilt, knowing that she and Seifer won't be staying for long. Well, she hopes they won't be staying for long…
"Gosh! I just heard about you guys from Gylan three hours ago. I was sooo happy that there's going to be new people here…" Stella said with glee. Quistis had to smile but it was strange. Wasn't Winhill a town known for shunning strangers?
But then, she thought of Gylan and Zen. Sometimes, things change alright…
"Oh!" Stella broke her trail of thoughts. "You should pick the room you and your husband (another twitch) will stay until the PUB and the next door house is finished with all the cleaning and the repairs!"
Quistis blinked. "Huh? The next door…?"
Suddenly, both the guys from truck stopped taking off luggage as Stella felt silent. "Is something wrong?" Quistis asked. She looked over at the guys again. Obviously, Seifer had no clue as well.
"Well.." Zen began. "Even though you guys don't believe the ghost story, we're just… uhh… you know… concerned…?"
Both Seifer's and Quistis's jaw went down… Although, they only knew Zen for a short time, it was really unbelievable. But seeing their faces, Zen made an exasperated look on his face.
"Oh Come on, you two… Don't like act like I was never serious before!"
Seifer snorted, almost bursting into laughter as he quickly covered his mouth his hand. Quistis and Stella couldn't hold it either. Zen looked desperate, looking at Gylan for help… But Gylan just playfully shrugged his shoulders…
"Well, technically, the Branfordes knew you for only three hours, Zen… For that time, all you did was playing around, annoying especially Seifer and… I think that's pretty much it."
Zen's jaw went down in disbelief, much like how Seifer and Quistis did.
"Oh yeah…" Zen defended. "Well, I did feel sorry… when I learned you two spent your early childhood in an orphanage."
"Eh? Really?" Stella said, her eyes beaming with curiosity.
"And, and…" The young man continued. "And I'm really concerned with you guys staying at the PUB. I won't allow the same thing that happened with my aunt! Just give me and Gylan a chance to fix the house…Ok?"
Not one could laugh at that point. Zen was really serious. And silence consumed their time once again. He distanced himself for few meters.
"So…" Zen said. "What do you have to say now, huh!?" He turned his back again to see that no one was really listening… I guess Seifer and Quistis already got the hang of Zen's drama king moments…
"So Gylan…" Seifer asked, really ignoring Zen at the moment. "How long do we have to stay in the Inn…?"
"Around a week or less… Don't worry. Just like that idiot said, we'll just fix the house next to the PUB. The house is a little wrecked but… I think we can handle it."
"Why? What happened to the house?" Seifer asked bluntly. Gylan couldn't answer.
"Uhh… maybe next time… For now, let's get you and your stuff in the inn."
-Huh?- Seifer got a bit confused. –This guy just keeps having a lot of secrets… it's getting more suspicious.-
-0-0-0-
"Here we are…" Stella opened the door to the Branfordes' room, or should I say suite… The Innkeeper had outdone herself again. For what used to be a simple room for two, as Quistis requested, became a room fit for… a VIP…
"Umm…" Quistis began. "Stella, how did you get to fix the room in an hour…?"
"Ugh… She's done it again…" Zen muttered.
An hour ago, having been tired from their trip from Deling, Quistis and her three male companions decided to get a bite to eat, which Stella happily obliged to. And while they were eating, the hosting lady excused herself to prepare the couple's room.
It was there the two blondes heard Zen mutter something about the 'wonders of interior design'. Naturally, both the newcomers did not understand at first…
But they could never imagine it to be as 'grand' as this…
For what lies beyond was a four-walled space decorated with… or should I say 'blessed' with expensive furniture and ornaments. Just across the door was the bed – queen size. It was covered with sheets rich in velvety color. On the left side of the room was the window where Stella hung royal blue curtains. On the right side where a mini living room set was placed. The couch was placed with at least three throw pillows at each side. Across the couch was… would you believe… an authentic Grandfather's clock that seems to be still ticking…
The atmosphere of the room made our favorite couple think they were back in their Deling City room. And how Stella arranged the room with all its wonder in just an hour is beyond them!
"So… what do you think?" Stella asked excitedly. Her lips were quivering. Her eyes were twinkling. And something tells the Brandfordes that she was expecting a very, very, very favorable answer. And… if they don't, who knows…?
"Well…?" The Innkeeper was still waiting.
"Ummm…"
"What? You don't like it?" Stella's eyes began a bit teary…
"I-I mean…" Quistis began, frantically trying to calm the Innkeeper down. "It's a beautiful room, Stella… I am speechless!"
Stella sniffed. "T-thank you…"
"But damn… Being in here makes me feel like we're back in our hotel room in Deling City."Seifer added. "Right, honey?" He looked awkwardly at his "wife"…
That made an eyebrow twitch again…
"I-Indeed…" Quistis could only reply…
"Well, it sure does… And it should be" Gylan said as he placed the last baggage in the room. "Stella here studied in Deling City for college. She just got back here two years ago. Um, what were those courses again?"
"Hotel and Restaurant Management… Took a little a bit of Interior Design since they were kind of related…" Stella answered proudly.
"Really? I see… That's amazing!" Quistis said, truthfully this time.
- Wow – Quistis thought – Gosh, I wonder how would these people would react if I told them that I became a full-fledged mercenary at age 15… or that this guy whom I call "husband" is doing a remedial which happens to be his last chance!? –
Quistis would have loved to see their reaction if she told them she was a mercenary for 3 years and that her "husband" is someone… who led the entire Galbadian Army… all by himself?
Well, there are just some achievements in this world that shouldn't be bragged about, no?
"Well, we better let you rest then Mr. and Mrs. Brandforde…" Stella said politely. "You guys must have had a very tiring day, especially being with Zen the whole time…"
"Hey, what does that mean…?" The person mentioned reacted on cue. "I was not that mean…"
"Yeah right…" Gylan mumbled and excused himself as well. "Well then, we'll be leaving you off here… Welcome to Winhill…."
The two blondes smiled. "Thank you!"
The three left the couple alone. As soon as they closed the door, the smiles vanished in a blink of an eye. Gylan may have proved to be a nice man ever since they had met him. But, because of their conversation earlier at the truck, the circumstances have changed. Gylan Ronner is considered one of their suspects…
But there are still many questions that arise…
Who was that person that sent that mysterious package to Balamb Garden? Was it Hazel, the 14 year-old adoptive daughter Gylan? Were those little children also in the care of Gylan, unknowing victims of this organized crime? Even though Zen doesn't seem to be capable, is he also part of this as well?
-First day in Winhill… with two suspects already in mind… Now this is what you call… a mission.- Seifer thought excitedly. This was actually the kind of Field Exams that he wants… not those boring ones where you have to clean off the enemy and stand guard the whole day! Ironically, all of those have been the past Field exams and he failed each for three consecutive times…
This time, though… He'll definitely do this right… No more room for the same old mistakes… This is very last chance, after all… If he fails, what kind of life awaits him… nothing but regret…
"Whoa… Seifer… You seem pumped up in this mission. I can tell from that nice expression you're having there." Quistis interrupted his line of thoughts and he looked up at her. She was having this smile of amusement? Or encouragement…? (I think it's more amusement, really…)
Seifer let out a sigh. "Well, lots of things to do… So, tomorrow, we better get ourselves acquainted with the rest of the people living here…"
Quistis agreed, nodding her head. "And…?"
"And…" Seifer said. "Maybe investigate Gylan and this Hazel for a while. They seem to be pretty suspicious. Well, Gylan, that is…. And this girl Hazel could be our possible candidate responsible for sending that distress call and the mysterious package to Balamb Garden."
The blonde SeeD nodded again and couldn't help but feel impressed. There many things surprised her today. Seifer's has definitely matured in a way… except when it comes to Zen (that's a different story, lol) but… then she just remembered something that fueled her curiosity again…
She remembered when they first met Zen earlier that day. He said something that taunted Seifer. Something that was not really a nice thing to say…
"Yeah right..." Still the man was still messing them around. "That's what you guys say... but what happens when you guys are on the real thing... You get too many children you can't handle... The father leaves the mother alone... Boohoo..."
Without warning, Seifer grabbed the rude man's collar and pushed him to the nearby post. His eyes burning with rage...
"You're wrong!!! I don't care if it's... 10... Or 20 children!!! Even if I have to work till I drop dead!!! Because I don't wanna be that father that walks away!!!"
With that said, a moment of silence and tension ensued...
The rude man grunted in annoyance. "Big words coming from a small guy like you, eh...? Time will tell..." And for once, this man left the two alone...
The father that walks away…? Quistis had never seen that kind of Seifer… a man of principle… Someone you would never thought of him to be… A layer has been peeled off unexpectedly…
Since he was part of the orphanage gang, Quistis had thought that she knew him better than the others. But seeing him off like that back then made him even more faraway… Did the other guys know something about this? Does Rinoa know this one, too?
But not only that, there was more… She remembered being asked about their childhood.
"OK… let's just say we just spent our childhood at an orphanage in the Centran continent." She replied somewhat.
"Orphanage!? You mean you guys were… I'm sorry… I didn't know…" Zen surprisingly sounded really sincere.
"Don't worry about it… it's just a little bit in our past." Seifer said coolly.
"Orphanage in Centra, huh…? Hmm…" Gylan voiced out.
"Why? What's wrong Gylan?" Zen asked as he noticed the seriousness of his voice.
"Oh, nothing… If you were orphans, that would mean you lost your parents… during the First Sorceress War, isn't it…?"
Seifer looked at Quistis. There was really no denying there… "Kind off… But we got adopted after, anyway…"
Huh? Seifer got adopted? She didn't know that… By who? Well, obviously from someone with the surname Almasy but when… Does the rest of the whole gang know this or…
Well, if he was, how come she had never met those parents…? She was his former instructor after all. Was there a problem? Has he also never felt that much care within his family that he went to Balamb Garden instead…?
And furthermore, there was that time while waiting for the train in Balamb Town…
"500 G for just one potion? You have got to be kidding me, Karla?" Zell exclaimed as the said Item Shop vendor announced the sudden change of price. Obviously, Zell knows everybody in the neighborhood.
"Sorry, Zell. I don't have any choice. My father had a stroke three days ago. I have to pay for the hospital bill. It's due in just two days."
Zell sighed. He looked hesitantly at his friends. They smiled and each took out their wallets. Every one gave Karla a handful of money.
"Uh-but..." Karla's eyes widened in surprise and in disbelief.
"Keep the change..." Zell said as he was carrying the plastic bag of their purchased items. The blonde vendor couldn't help but cry in gratitude.
"So, Seifer..." Zell began after they headed towards the train. "You gave Karla a 1000 value bill... That was way too generous..."
"She reminds me of someone." The 18 year old answered rather plainly and weirdly, in a serious manner.
"Who's that someone?" Quistis asked.
"None of your business." Seifer said rather rudely and quickened his pace to the train which was about to leave.
The rest of group halted in their tracks. What's this? Has Seifer Almasy has turned to the old Squall Leonhart? Or did someone just remind him of something?
This was fueling Quistis's curiosity even more than the mission. Yeah, she was the SeeD here and she should be focused on it… but hey, there's nothing more for a woman than to be intrigued with a man's mysterious past… (Lol, that cracked me up…XD)
Oh, but she can always ask Seifer about it… After all, they are going to be together alone for a while depending on how long this mission will be… But right now, it seems Seifer (ironically, he's just a cadet) wants nothing more than to finish this mission and become SeeD…
Quistis shook her head, went back to reality and re-focused on the mission. This was not really the right time and place to be thinking about this. She sighed and told her partner that she would be unpacking her things. "Well, I better some of my things out here… Since it seems like we are going to spend a few days in this room for a while…"
"Yeah… We better do that. I think Zen placed my bag over there…" Said Seifer as he saw it on the other side of the bed. "Ah there it is…"
"Oh, sorry… excuse m-"
"Oops!"
FLOP!
And… there it was… Quistis has been unpacking her things at the foot of the bed just as she said. Seifer, who saw his bag on the other side of the bed, went straight to it hitting the girl in the process… And then…
Seifer was on top on Quistis… And they're on top of the bed… (XD)
"Uh… sorry… wasn't looking…"Seifer apologized.
"Nah, it's fine… I'm afraid we are going to end up like this more often…" Quistis said coolly.
"Heh… yeah, guess so…"
It was weird. They were in this position for a good five minutes and yet neither of them wanted to budge even just a little bit…
It was definitely weird really… They have been calling each other… um… husband and wife the whole day and it was really awkward. If the rest of the gang could see them like this, they would surely enjoy it…
But, why…? Why are they not moving from that weird position…? How come it didn't feel… awkward… but rather… it felt good… No, it oddly feels familiar…
He can feel the warm breath she breaths out in his cheeks. He could see her blue eyes again up close… This feeling… to be this close to her… seems vaguely familiar…
"Uh… Seifer…?"
"Yeah…?"
Then it came to him again…
"S-Seifer...?" Her small voice was almost never due to the rumbling thunder. It was such a strong storm during the night.
"What...?" He opened his eyes, definitely peeved.
"C-Can I s-sleep w-with you...?" She was trembling in fear.
"Why...?"
"B-Because... I...I-" The trembling girl was tongue-tied. Nevertheless, she had to tell it before...
BOOM... PAK!
Then a loud clap of thunder echoed thru the raging storm... Making the already scared 4 year old girl even more terrified...
"Aaahh...!" The poor child was screaming in terror.
"S-ssh... Quiet, Quisty... You'll wake up everybody!" The boy had an alarmed look on his face.
"B-But... I-I'm scared..."
"Don't worry... I'll protect you..." The boy said as he moved to the other side of his bed. The scared child did not need to think twice... She leaped on the bed.
Minutes later...
"Seifer... can we do this every night...? So that you'll protect me..." The girl talked again but was no longer afraid.
"Sure... every night..." Came the reply...
-The familiarity of being this close to her in bed was because of that…? The question is… does Quistis remember that, too? Because if she didn't then- Seifer felt his chest tighten a bit…
"Uh, Mr. and Mrs. Brandforde… I'm going to leave the room keys here so, uh… oops! Excuse me! Didn't know you were busy! Sorry…" Stella came barging in the room but soon hurriedly tried to close the door. (XD)
"Uh wait, Stella… We're not…"Quistis tried to explain but couldn't since Stella wouldn't want to disturb her customers'…private time, wouldn't she…? (XDDD)
Seifer stood up as soon as Stella entered the room. But it was too late. Both of the blondes sighed.
"Well, the misunderstanding might be a good thing, right?" Quistis remarked as she sat up on the bed.
"Yeah, guess so…" Said Seifer as he scratched his head sheepishly. He glanced at her as she got up to start unpacking again. He remembered about that small flashback before Stella came in the room .
- Damn! That was sooo…. Weird… If Stella hadn't come in, we would have been stuck in that position for hours!!! Why couldn't I do anything…? Ugh, just when I said to myself to re-focus on the mission, this happens!- Quistis sighs, trying to avoid a certain man's gaze (xD)
First day in Winhill… Strange developments both in the mission and… between them as well…
But, little do our unsuspecting favorite couple know…
There's going to be more in the days to come…
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0000 (KAWAII HANA 08) 0000 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
AUTHOR'S BACK!!!
OMG!!! I can't believe it… This is the first chapter I have uploaded in years!!! Kudos to me!!! Yey!!! XD XD XD XD
*ahem* Anyway, so… hope you enjoyed this chapters as much I have typing this one in. It was nice to think that after like a two-year absence, the SEIFTIS spirit in me is still hot and burning!!! Ehehehe…
Though, the future beyond this chapter is a little fuzzy to me… sorry…
Currently, I'm also working on a… another FF8 story which sadly does not even have a title yet… coz the scope is soooooooo wide… I don't know how to generalize the story in a title which is like--- two to five words or somethin' like that…
Ehehehehe…
Anyways, here goes…
Thanks for reading and…
SAYONARA!
(Dang, this is so nostalgic…)