Chapter eight:

A/N: wow, chapter eight! I’m impressed! Seifer’s POV. ^__^

 

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A whole month, I’ve been searching for her for a whole month. And at the end, she was safe in another new world. Why couldn’t I think of that? Take her somewhere where nobody can reach her, but me.

 

She’s like the family I’ve never had, having her around and protecting her. Even before she became a sorceress, I loved protecting her. I loved to see that thankful gleam in her eyes, and to be blessed with that soft smile of hers. Man, I just love her smile, so rare and pure.

 

I’m worried about her now, though. Rumor has it that there is a group of anti-sorcery people gathered to discuss ways to kill Sorceresses. Since it’s not possible to kill sorceresses with magic, they tried bullets… And almost succeeded.

 

“Fuu, I want you to be careful alright?” I spoke softly as we reached Garden’s gates.

“Of what?”

“Just… keep your guard up.” I don’t want to scare her.

“Okay.” She shrugged. “Can we visit Raijin after class? He should be all sobered up in a few hours.”

I nodded, “Sure, he needs people around anyway.”

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

After a boring class with Quistis, she finally dismissed us. But she called me up to her desk.

“Yeah?” I’m in no mood to fight, really.

“Seifer,” She started, making sure that nobody was listening, “Are you sure about brining Fujin here? I mean, this is SeeD HQ!”

I frowned, “What do you mean? That Rinoa is welcomed and Fujin isn’t?” Keep your cool, Seifer, for the sake of your Sorceress.

She swallowed, “No, I meant… maybe SeeDs won’t like having a sorceress around, are you getting the idea?”

“So caraway’s daughter gets to disobey every single Garden Rule, and still manage to stay when, on the other hand, poor parentless Fujin isn’t *liked enough* to be around?” I spat angrily. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing!

Her anger rose and she got up to close the door, “Seifer,” She got back to me and stood only two feet away, “You’re not a child, you know the world isn’t fair, get over your stuck-up attitude and open your eyes, she isn’t safe here.”

Her face was so serious that I actually started to consider her words, “What are you saying?”

She sighed and pulled out a paper out of her book, “Here, read this.”

 

It was an article cut out of a newspaper…

 

“It’s a special addition about Sorceresses, I like Fujin, Seifer, and neither of us want her hurt.” She explained and then gathered her books and made her way to the exit.

 

I started to read the news clip slowly, trying to digest the information.

 

“… There were hundreds of sorceresses all around the world, most of them harmless and friendly, but because of their silence and sealed-out lives, people mistook their quietness for evil. For a few sorceresses had taken their time in plotting evil plans to destroy the world, or to be crowned queens of it. Ever since the great sorceress Hyne died, humans fought evil sorceresses and died doing so. The war continued to the point of creating a sorceress-resistance group called ‘the holy knights’. They had only one objective, which was to eradicate sorceresses from the face of the earth. Unfortunately, this group had exterminated even harmless sorceresses.

The holy knights are still working in the shadows, and are planning ahead for the few sorceresses alive till this day and they are very few, such as Sorceress Ellone Leonhart, who is held safe in the new lunar base. The elite SeeD cadets protects sorceress Edea, who took part in the second sorceress war and is currently safe with her husband, Cid Kramer, and it is very unlikely that they will get her. Sorceress Rinoa, daughter of general Caraway of Galabadia and wife of Irvine Kinneas, was shot two days ago from one of the members of ‘the holy knights’ and is thought to be dead. Her powers, however, had been transferred to an unknown girl; Cid Kramer said nothing of the fact, claiming that it is classified information. Our reporters say that she had disappeared somewhere in Esthar, and is nowhere to be found. A close friend of hers, Raijin Hefty, considered that a good thing, as it keeps her away from the hands of killers. More news on Sorcery and magical powers can be found at…” 

 

That was where the article was cut off. I took a deep breath to keep from falling to the floor.

 

Fujin was in more danger than I though. I need to find her right away. Fortunately, Quistis’s class was my last today so I have the time I need to look for somewhere safe.   

 

I folded the piece of paper carelessly into my pocket and darted out to the elevator. Just as I reached the bottom floor, I saw students gathered around something. Oh God, please no!                        

 

I shoved away at the crowd, and pushed my way through roughly. I gasped when I saw Fujin in the middle of the circle, she was on her knees and holding her head, small bolts of blue electricity vibrated around her. I called her name but she didn’t seem to hear me, too caught up in her negative thoughts that she had no time to listen. I did the only thing I could and pulled out Hyperion, shooting two bullets in the air, making the crowd fear for their lives and run away.

 

When only a few people stood and gazed, I gave them a glare and pointed my blade at their general direction, they got the point and ran for their lives.

 

“Fuu, they are gone, get up.” I kneeled down and touched her. To my surprise, her electricity didn’t hurt me, it wasn’t directed at me anyway. She straightened up slowly, and looked at me with red puffed up eyes from unshed tears. “Its okay, baby, I promise I’ll protect you, I’ll never leave you.” I gathered her in my arms and sat on the floor with her. We must have looked awkward, sitting there on the floor and hugging in front of everybody, but for the first time in my life I didn’t care.   

 

“Fuu, lets get out of here.” I spoke quietly into her ear and brushed back her hair. 

She sniffled softly and nodded.

“I mean, out of here, as in for ever.”

She gasped and looked at me, “What?”

“What happened here?” first things first Seifer, you know how to persuade women.

“Umm…” She probably didn’t find a connection between my question and leaving. “I was just heading outside *sniff* to wait for you at the gates, but then a guy popped out of nowhere and told me to get lost. I swear, Seifer, I didn’t even look at him! It’s not my fault!”

“Alright, I believe you.” I soothed and started to get up.

“And, uhh, then, a girl joined him and said that I was a menace, and that I’m an evil witch. I tried to fight back, but people who hate me are more numerous than I ever thought. Seifer all those students were accusing me of killing Rinoa! I tried to ignore but then my natural defense built up, and I started shooting electricity everywhere. I hope I didn’t hit anybody.” She looked around carefully, still holding onto my coat tightly.

“No Fuu, you didn’t hit anybody. Even if you had, they’d deserve it.” I stated firmly before walking her to the exit.

 

We walked for a moment until we were outside. Then my question sunk in, “Seifer, what did you mean ‘leave’? Why can’t we just stay at Garden, I promise I wont talk to anybody.”

I shook my head, “No, I won’t have you humiliated again. Besides, I don’t want to study anymore, and I’ve got my whole life before me, I don’t want to waste it killing people for money.”

“But, the money is important, too.”

She looked beautiful in the evening sun, all tanned and soft. I smiled at her and explained, “Any job would do, Fuu, we’re only three people!”

“What makes you so sure that Raijin will agree to leave Garden?” She questioned, and started brushing her hair with her hands.

“I can convince him. Besides, if he is really in love with that nurse, I don’t think he’ll come with us anyway.” I shrugged and chuckled, “He always told me that he wanted to get married to a beautiful, intelligent woman.”

“The beautiful part is understandable, but the intelligent part is totally weird!” Fujin smiled softly, “How would Raijin love an intelligent woman?”

I laughed, “How would he know she is one?”

She shrugged with a smile. Our laughing ceased when we found ourselves in front of the hospital gates. We stepped quietly and made our way to room 186. It was unusually crowded there, and we hardly made our way to Raijin’s room. To my surprise, it was our destination that was the center of attention. I thought that maybe our friend had tried making a stunt, and broken and arm or a leg, or something like that. But when I entered and asked about the problem…

 

“And who are you?” A man in his late thirties turned around to ask me.  

I frowned in confusion, “Seifer Almasy, his friend, where is he?”

“Where have you been since three o’clock this afternoon?”

What the?

Fujin shoved away at the people, and barely made room for her small body behind me, “What's wrong Seifer?”

“Who is that?” The man questioned. Pointing her pencil at Fujin.

“Who wants to know? What's going on here?”

“You are his friends?” He asked, I hate for a question to be answered with another one.

“Yeah.” What's going on?

“Well,” The man pushed a few people out of the way to allow us a better view.

 

Fujin gasped loudly and hung to my coat tightly. I couldn’t speak either. There he was, my best friend there ever was, pale as death and limp on his deathbed. His eyes were shut in eternal peace, and there was no sign on life on his face. The heart-monitoring machines confirmed it all.

 

This cant be… the world stopped revolving around me, as every single moment I spent with him played in front of my eyes, like an annoying video tape that can’t be stopped.

 

“Is he-?” I stopped, unable to say the words. Of course, Raijin and every single one of us had experienced K.O. before, but that was on the field, this wasn’t. So if he was indeed -gulp- dead, we wouldn’t be able to do anything… 

The man nodded, “About three this afternoon. Due to an overdose of morphine.”

The nurse… “The nurse, she said she gave him morphine to-” I started, but was cut off by the inspector.

“She was found unconscious at 2:53 in the locker room, a knock on the head, she was almost naked save for her underwear. She is still out of it.”

I swallowed. “Someone else took her place.” I felt for Fujin behind me, she wasn’t there; she was peacefully lying on the floor, unconscious as well.

 

“Damn.”

 

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I bit back my tears as the inspector told me about Raijin’s death. We were talking just outside of Fujin’s room. I didn’t want to risk anything so I refused to be away from her.

 

“My name is Mark.” He introduced himself, “Where were you at three this afternoon?”

“I was at Quistis’s class from two to three; I’m a SeeD at Garden. I was planning on coming here but had a few problems along the way. Students were harassing Fujin and I needed to help her. We walked the road here and here we are.”

“Her name is Fujin?” He questioned and scribbled something on his notebook. “Where has she been?”

“At class.” I shook my head and swallowed. God, this can’t be… Raijin? Dead?

Mark nodded and then lifted his head. “Do you have anything else to say? Anything you remember?”

“Just how exactly did he die?” I know I’m going to regret this, but I won’t go on if I keep wondering about it all my life.

He nodded, “As I said earlier, a lethal dose of Morphine has been injected into his neck. It usually doesn’t take more than two seconds to kill. His nurse was found unconscious before it happened, so she’s not the murderer.”

I nodded, “Okay, I… I need to go rest.”

He nodded and gave me his card. “Call me if you remember anything about any possible enemies, any thing at all.”

I shook my head and entered Fujin’s room, dropped my head on her bed and did my best to be quiet as the tears broke out of their transparent barrier and into my cheeks.  

 

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I must have fallen asleep, because I opened my eyes groggily when a nurse walked into the room. A syringe in her hand!

 

I got up at the realization and grasped her hand, “What do you think you’re doing?”

Her eyes widened in surprise at my sudden movement, but then answered, “She needs this injection.”

“Oh yeah?” I spat, agitated, “What is it anyway?”

“She is very weak-” The nurse tried to explain but we both heard a small cough.

“Fuu!” I turned around and sat on her bed, slapping her cheeks softly until she opened her eyes, “Are you okay? Talk to me!”

She leaned into me, rested her head in my lap, and coughed lightly, “My head hurts.”

I sighed in momentary relief and explained, “No wonder. You bumped it badly when you fell.”

 

She peered up at me quizzically before a look of shock took over her soft features, “Oh my God… Raijin!” Poor Fujin, shock phase.      

“Fuu, its okay to cry.” I instructed firmly, only to be slapped in the face. “What?”  O/_ O?

“It’s all your fault!” She argued uselessly, fighting tears, “You told me to go to Garden! We should have *hiccup* been here, we should have *sob* taken care of him…” She started muffling her sobs into my lap and murmuring curses at me, and using every single name she could remember at that moment.

“Its okay, Fuu, I already did my share of crying.” I whispered quietly. The nurse gave me a brief glance before her brows knotted in sympathy.

“What happened?” She asked weakly as if she was crying as well.

“Our Fri- Brother died this afternoon.” At the statement, Fujin squeezed me tighter and exploded in free cries.

The nurse covered her mouth and I could notice tears building up but not falling, “I’m sorry, excuse me.” With that, she left.

 

I held Fujin for a long time, giving her the support and strength she needed, and joining her in crying sometimes. It was nighttime and a doctor peeked in to check up on Fujin, only to be shocked by the scene.

 

“What is going on?” He questioned and scratched his old, bald head.

“None of your business.” I frowned. Fujin is barely breathing between her cries, I shouldn’t build up more tension and make it worse.      

“Well, erm… visiting time is over.” He turned to leave.

“I’m not leaving.”

He turned around, “Excuse me, but rules here must be obeyed.”

“I don’t care, either we stay together or we leave together.” I hugged my sorceress protectively.   

The doctor joined his brows before reaching out to touch Fujin. I slapped his hand away and growled. “I was only checking on her!” He explained, before reaching out again to touch her brow.

She sniffled softly and let him feel her forehead. He checked on her pulse and looked into her eyes, then declared she was healthy enough to leave.

 

I signed the checkout papers and started to guide her toward the gates.

“Seifer, wait.” She said softly, “Can I see him, just one more time?”

I nodded, “I hope so.” We turned around and headed for his room. It was sealed off with yellow tape with the words, ‘Off Limits’. We passed from beneath it and entered. The detective and two doctors were standing there, watching him.

“Hey! What are you doing here? This is an Off Limits Area!” One doctor shouted. Starting to shove me out.

Mark, who was watching silently, spoke, “let them in, they are his friend. So Seifer, did you remember anything?”

I held Fujin closely, for she was still too weak, and shook my head. “No, I haven’t thought of anything… not a single thought.” I touched Raijin’s cold forehead and bit my lip. Oh Raijin, man, you had your whole life in front of you. 

“Fujin, can I ask you a few questions?” Mark pulled out his notepad and started asking without waiting for a reply. “Where were you at three this afternoon?”

She sat on the bed and hung her head. I know she hated interrogations, by me or anybody else.

“I was at instructor Aki’s class.”

Mark nodded, “Alright *scribble* and, how long have you and mister Hefty have known each other?”

“Since we were, umm… kids. *sniff*” she turned around and gazed at Raijin’s body.

“Well, have you ever had the feeling that he had any enemies or anything like that?” Mark kept scribbling on his notepad.

“No, he is- was a very friendly person.” Fujin touched his colorless cheek and I saw a few sprinkles of magic play in her palm; she was trying to revive him. Poor Fuu, still in shock even after all what's been proven to her.  

“Mhmm, well was he working on any projects that might make people angry? Because I’ve heard that he was a scientist of some sort.”

When Fujin didn’t speak, I answered instead, “He was an insect scientist, studying bugs and things like that.”  

Mark nodded and closed his interrogation, “Thank you very much.”

I leaned forwards and whispered to my Fuu, “He isn’t gonna wake up, I’m sorry.”

She nodded calmly and stopped her life spells. Then gasped suddenly, “Seifer, what's this?” she pointed towards something on his neck. Something very insignificant, such as a hair, shouldn’t have gotten us all worked up, but it was a long blond hair!

 

A doctor picked it up with some tweezers and squinted to see it.

 

Mark took a peek at it before asking me, “It’s a blond strand, Mr.Almasy, and you are blond.”

My eyes widened, “It isn’t me! Dammit! My hair isn’t that long!”

One of the doctors nodded and plucked a hair from my head, then sat at a nearby table that had a microscope on it. Wow, that was quick! They must have brought this in to test something on Raijin.

 

We all waited anxiously for result and Fujin squeezed my hand, she smiled when I looked at her. ~I believe you, Seifer~ she spoke into my head and I smiled back. I know.

 

The man pulled his face away from the small machine and spoke confidently, “It isn’t him. The hairs don’t match.”

Fujin sighed in relief but I didn’t, I wasn’t guilty from the start, so why should I be worried?

Mark nodded and then started to leave. “Alright, Seifer, Fujin, you may go now, but I need a phone number to call if something shows up.” 

I nodded and took one last look at Raijin before helping Fujin up to the door, “We’re both SeeD’s at Balamb Garden. Call them if you need anything.”

With that, I walked away. Away from a very dear friend and everything we’ve ever done together. I will not forget him -however, I will get him revenge and a respectful funeral.

 

Fujin and I made our way to Balamb garden, to collect our stuff and tell Cid that we were leaving. We parted at the main hallway of the dorms, and I prayed that Fujin would be safe when I came out.

 

I started gathering my things, stuffing them in an old suitcase I had for vacations. All the time, I was thinking of the many times Raijin had convinced me to put some of his own stuff in, because his case wasn’t big enough for all of his things. I used to laugh and taunt him, but then I’d carry his stuff wholeheartedly. Suddenly, my sharp hearing sensed something thudding in the room next to me, Raijin’s.

 

“What the hell’s going on here?” I shouted loudly to startle whoever was in there. I was surprised to see Fujin holding a big stack of papers that looked like a study of some sort. “Fuu.”

“Seifer, I found this in Raijin’s stuff.” She showed me the papers in her arms, “It’s a research Raijin’s been working on for the past year, it’s about… sorceresses.”

“Is that why-?” I started.

“Maybe.” She shrugged and took a last look behind her, “I’m taking it with me, if that was the reason for what happened to him, then I can’t let his death go to waste.”

I nodded, “Give it to me, I have a lot of space.”  I lied. I just didn’t want whoever took Raijin to take her and the book together.

“Okay,” she nodded, “Seifer, cant we stay here for one more night? We can look for an apartment tomorrow morning!”

But the killer knights… “I guess…” I don’t like this, “Just keep your stuff ready.”

She nodded and started to head out.

“Be careful Fuu.”

“I know.” She waved at me and left. She looked so miserable you’d think she’d been sent to hell and back.

 

Somehow, she was. 

 

I stuffed the book into my bag and leaned Hyperion on it. We will be leaving tomorrow morning. Maybe I can take something from Raijin to remember him by.

 

I stepped into his messy and slightly dusty room and peeked into his drawer. There were useless papers and chewed bubblegum all around. I tried not to get my fingers stuck as I flipped through the papers. Love letters and detention slips, mixed with ugly photos of bugs meant for studying. I found an old picture from the second sorceress war year, and it was a picture of us at Balamb pier. It showed him holding his 7-inch fish, and me with my empty fishing pole. I was pouting and he was grinning, Fujin between us smiling just a bit, her black eye patch covering her beautiful blue eye.

 

I put the picture aside to take it, and behind it was another picture of Raijin smiling brotherly at Fujin, who was watching a butterfly stand on her small, thin finger. It was very old; they must have been fifteen or sixteen then. Fujin still had her eye patch on.

 

The previous picture was taken aside as well for safekeeping, and behind it was a strange photo that I’ve never seen before. Fujin was wearing a small white tank top and some black shorts; she was holding a hairbrush in her hand and a shocked look on her face. The picture was taken in front of a mirror, for I saw Raijin’s reflection on the slate behind the girl, he was grinning and saying something I’ll never know. Fujin’s black patch was on the table and her eyes were clear in the picture. Wow, even I never dared sneak into Fujin’s dorm to take pictures of her in the morning.

 

When I placed the picture aside, I saw another one with him looking up from a book, his palms covering the pages and his brows joining in protest. He had his small glasses on but his eyes were shining in laughter. I don’t remember taking this picture or ever seeing it. No wait! This is the book Fujin found in his room! This must be a new picture taken when he was still in the process of writing his book! 

 

So the book must have something important in it, why else would they kill him? Not for fun, that much I know.

 

I took the pictures with me, and stuffed them into my bag after locking Raijin’s room. I’ll never forget you buddy, I promise.

 

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Somewhere in the middle of the night, I heard loud and urgent knocks on my door. Oh crap, who could it be?        

 

I opened the door quickly without even thinking about opening my eyes better, “Who is it?”

“It’s me, Fujin.” Her soft, tired voice filled my head like sweet honey. She’s safe. “Seifer, two men broke into my room and tried to kill me,” The sleeping fog dissolved at that statement and I gazed at her, she was very calm, so calm that I didn’t feel alarmed when I saw the huge gash on her bare shoulder.

“Shi- come on in.” I pulled her in and sat her on my bed after closing the door. “What did they do to you?”

“They tried to separate my head off my shoulders, but I wasn’t asleep. Well, one of them did the attacking, the other, who I noticed too late, was behind me, holding a handkerchief to my nose. I felt dizzy but elbowed him in the gut before electrocuting them.” She hissed softly as I touched the soft torn tissues around the wound. “They didn’t die. They tried to follow me, but they heard footsteps and ran away. I’m so glad Selphie sleep-walks.”

I nodded and worked a cure spell. It didn’t work. “Fuu, relax, your guard is too uptight.”

“Sorry,” She rolled her head to the side to make more room for me to see, and closed her eyes. Gosh, if she weren’t injured I would have planted a kiss on her lean neck.      

 

Hey, I’ve just woken up, I’m not thinking straight. 

 

“Can I stay here with you tonight? I don’t want to die out there.” Her suggestion made my eyes open wide, but her firm glare told me not to mess with her.

“Sure, nobody should see us here though, we’re gonna be expelled if we’re caught.” I kept working a slow Curaga spell into her shoulder as I spoke.

 

“We’re leaving tomorrow aren’t we? Besides, if we have our clothes on why should they expel us?” ~get those ideas out of your head, Seifer~

Sorry, “Erm, you’re right. But don’t you think we better separate to keep guard, just in case those guys return?” I watched her wound close, leaving only a faint scar. It’s too bad that magic cannot heal injuries entirely. 

 

She rolled into my bed silently and hugged herself. They must have had sleeping powder in that handkerchief, how else would she fall asleep so quickly?

 

“Hmph… So much for separating.” I pulled the covers over her body, and was just about to turn around to sleep on the chair, when she grabbed my hand and murmured in her sleep.

“Come here, Seifer, it’s cold.”

I’m not the one wearing a measly tank top.  I thought before crawling into the small bed with her. I never knew Fujin was so straightforward!

“And don’t you dare touch me.”

 

Figures…  

 

~~~

 

It had been less than an hour since we fell asleep, when I heard an angry voice call me and turn on the lights. I squinted my eyes, and when I found enough awaken brain cells, I realized that an angry Cid was towering over the both of us, scolding.

 

“What on earth have you two been thinking?” He growled.

Fujin stirred next to me and pulled her hand off my stomach. I never noticed it was there!

“Hey, we haven’t done anything.” I frowned.

“Well excuse me, what do you call having a female cadet in your bed?”

“Comforting!” I snapped back.

Fujin got up and looked at the old man. “Cid, we haven’t done anything.”

Cid’s temper rose and he flung his hands in the air, “I do not care! I will have to expel you for it! You two must leave at once!”

“WHAT?” I started to get up but Fujin placed her hand on my chest.

“We will, we’re leaving right now.” Fujin was calm, and I kept my temper under a tight lid until Cid turned around and left angrily.

“What the hell did you just do?”

“Seifer,” she started, looking back at me, “Something was wrong with him. He was nervous; I could sense it. Let’s just go.”

I rubbed my eyes, “Can’t we get some more sleep?”

She shook her head, “Get up, I want you to come with me, I don’t want to go alone.”

I smirked, “Why? Scared?”

“No, I just don’t want you to loose another sorceress.” She scowled and started to leave.

 

What if she never comes back either?

 

I threw on my trenchcoat, and tugged at my bags and Hyperion as I made my way out and locked my dorm. Let them try to gain access after I change the password. Hee hee.

 

I saw Fujin at the end of the hallway and followed her, tugging at my heavy bags tiredly.

 

She had only one small sports-sack and her Shuriken case. She threw on a coat and followed me out of Garden. Yet another life we had to walk out of.

 

****

 

~~ What they never knew was that somewhere on the third floor, headmaster Cid was begging a mysterious black-clad man to take the gun’s muzzle away from Edea’s head.

“Very good, Kramer, You were very convincing.” ~~

 

****

 

Fujin and I walked around Balamb town aimlessly. I bet bandits would have tried to mug us, had I not carried Hyperion so closely.

 

I didn’t carry much cash with me, so we had to find a cheap hotel for the night. We found a shabby inn and decided to step inside.

 

“How much for two rooms?” I leaned on the counter and tried not to breathe, the smell of drugs and smoke was suffocating.

The woman at the reception wore skimpy clothes, and chewed on a loud piece of bubble gum, “Hundred Gil each.”  

“What? This is a rip-off!” I growled but Fujin stepped in politely.

“We’ll have one room, thank you.” Fujin placed one hundred Gil on the counter, and scribbled a fake name in the book before taking the old worn-out key from between long red nails.

 

I followed Fujin into our room, frowning all the way. There were people sleeping all over the floor, and there were nasty noises coming from a few rooms. Fujin widened her strides and slammed the door open to our room.

 

She threw her coat and bags to the side and looked at me, “I dunno about you, I’m sleeping on the bed.”

Darn, “Fine, just make sure nobody made out with his girl on it.” I hid a smirk as I threw my stuff next to hers and flopped on the sofa.

She cringed, “How do you know no one did it on the sofa?” With that, she started beating and dusting the bed sheets before she looked unpleasantly at them.

“Don’t know, don’t care.” I rolled to my other side and heard her mumble good night before I lost my self to the blissfulness of sleep.

 

I couldn’t stop dreaming about people kissing on this very sofa. My stomach churned and I got up groggily to open my bag and pull out one of my very favorite bed sheets, which I stole from Garden as a souvenir. I spread it on the floor and rolled into a ball. It was only minutes later that I heard Fujin’s bare feet scuffle behind me, and her warmth right behind my back.

 

“Seifer-?”

“Sure.”

She threw the edge of the bed sheet over to cover her body, and I did the same with my end. Eventually, we were so close that she decided she could indulge in a hug, but glared at me to not go beyond. I never wanted to go anywhere else, really. Just being this close to her is good enough, and warm enough.

 

I never dreamt of anybody kissing after that.

 

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End of chapter eight

 

A/N: gasp I killed Raijin!  R&R please! You can flame me about the Raijin part, but I’m very positively sure that I need his death to advance the plot! O_O really!

Raijin: Gasp! You killed me yah know!

Renoa: sorry Raijin, you’re not really my type of muse.

Raijin: *cries*

Renoa: Don’t worry! You’re a very important catalyst to my story!

Raijin: Really :O

Renoa: Sure ^__^

Raijin: What's a catalyst? O_o?