Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ As the Paths Diverged ❯ Three for Girls ( Chapter 3 )

As the Paths Diverged

WARNINGS

1) I don't own the Final Fantasy characters, series, or plotline.  I guess I own this, but if you steal it, I probably won't do anything about it.

2) Rated PG-13 for language and violence.

3) Let's place the story about a year after Ultimicia.

Three for Girls

          "I didn't junction it," Ethan protested as Dr. Kadowaki examined him.  "He just sorta disappeared."  Still without a shirt and being poked with at least seven needles, the cadet wasn't pleased.  The infirmary smelled very hospital like, and the entire scene freaked him out. 

          "You're right," Dr. Kadowaki muttered, looking at his blood work.  "You didn't junction him."  She placed the tubes back down on the table and sat down.  "But there's definitely a trace of him on you."  The doctor fiddled with a pen on her desk; thinking intently.  "He didn't say anything to you did he?"

          "No," Ethan lied.  "POOF!  He just disappeared."

          Dr. Kadowaki looked at him skeptically, but finally let out a sigh.  "You're free to go."

          Ethan ran his hand through his hair and left the Infirmary.  He was pretty sure that his performance in Centra got him into SeeD.  It better damn well have gotten him in.  His regrets of the Fire Cavern vanished as he limped back to his dorm. 

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          "You didn't think he'd junction?" Quistis pestered, looking down on Squall.  "Do you think that child even knows the power he possesses?"

          "Odin doesn't junction," Squall muttered.  His office was too crowded now.  He wanted to be alone.  Standing up from his chair, Squall went to look out over the Alcauld Plains.  The sun had finally set and the sky was a dark gray.  The wind smelled like rain.  Squall was expecting a storm in the next half hour.  "The cadet's blood tests prove that Odin doesn't junction."

          "You know what I mean," Quistis scowled, giving no ground. 

          The brunette let out a sigh and continued to gaze out the window.  As if summoned, a soft drizzle began to fall on Garden.  The rain became more intense as the sky became darker and darker.

          "Don't tell me you planned this," Quistis said, coming to a revelation.  "This power will break so many student rules.  Just wait until he discovers it.  What if he's fighting another cadet?  Odin would kill him.  You haven't thought this through."

          "A SeeD was supposed to defeat him," Squall growled, turning to face her.  A flash of anger covered his face, but it quickly fell back to its usual stoic state.  "I don't sacrifice my students."

          "But…"

          "That's enough."

          Noticing that her persuasion would go no further, Quistis grabbed her papers and made to exit.  She reached the door and debated saying goodbye.  She declined and shut the door quietly.

          Squall turned back to the window and watched the torrential downpour continue.  He still hadn't announced who passed the SeeD exam.  Maybe in the morning.

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          "For the fifth time," Ethan snapped, obviously pissed.  "I have no clue what happened."  After a five minute walk, he finally made it back to his dorm.  All he wanted to do was sleep.  He knew Odin didn't just disappear.  His head felt weird.  Not like a junction feeling, but just a weird sensation.  He figured it was just exhaustion and that he would sleep it off.  But no, his stupid roommate had decided to ask him 87 questions as soon as he walked through the door.

          "Geez back off," Jostin muttered, turning on the TV.  "Just curious how the test went."

          "Alright I guess," Ethan replied, taking off his boots.  "I'm just tired."

          "And they stole your shirt?"

          "The stupid horse did.  It probably ate it."

          "Maybe it's better I didn't go then," Jostin laughed, as he watched Ethan limp to the back of the dorm.

          "Maybe.  I'm going to bed.  You wake me up I'll have your head."

          "Whatever man."

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          "Mr. Leonhart," came the voice of Xu through the intercom.  "You have a visitor, but he doesn't have an appointment."

          Squall continued to look out his window.  He didn't want to be disturbed right now.

          "Squall?"

          Aggravated, Squall made his way over to the intercom.  "Tell him to make one.  I'll take no surprise visitors tonight."  The brunette waited for a response, but got none.  Brushing his hair out of his eyes, Squall returned to the window. 

          "It's Seifer," Xu squeaked

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          "I thought you wouldn't come," Seifer smirked.  He wore his trench coat with pride and Hyperion hung from his belt.  "Can't we have this discussion inside?"

          "No we can't," Squall replied.  He wore a dark hooded sweatshirt, as the storm had not yet let up.  The smell of wet grass flooded his senses as he squinted through the rain to see Seifer.  "You're lucky they let you live in Balamb.  The cadets aren't so forgiving in Garden."

          "They will learn to be," Seifer snarled, a fire growing in his eyes.  "The world will learn to respect me again."

          "I told you last time…"

          "Squall you told me to rot in Balamb," the blonde interrupted.  A flash of lightning caused them to both go quiet for a few seconds.  The ground rumbled under the thunder and the rain refused to let up.  Seifer wiped the water off of his brow and continued to glare at Squall.  "I can't stay there forever.  Old feelings will stay until I do something to change them."

          "Old feeling will get worse if we do anything drastic," Squall refuted, looking Seifer in the eyes.  "You can't break through walls.  You've built them too strong."

          "You think this is my fault?!" Seifer exclaimed, throwing his arm out in protest.  "You think I intentionally tried to conquer the world?  Come on Squall, you know me better then that!"

          "I do!" Squall shouted, as the conversation was becoming heated.  "But the world doesn't!" Another bolt of lightning, closer this time, struck.  A heavy shake followed from the thunder.  It may have just been Squall's imagination, but he could have sworn the rain was getting worse.  "You're the most hated man in the world Seifer - whether you'd like to admit it or not.  You, I, nor Hyne himself can make everything ok in a year."

          A silence came over the two as Seifer scowled at Squall.  The rain had definitely gotten worse.  It felt like standing under a water fall now.  The storm was relentless.  "Then when Squall?" the blonde questioned sternly.  "When can I come out of hiding and come back to Garden."

          Squall brushed off a puddle of water that had been forming on his hood and brought his glance to the ground.  "That's up to society."

          "But how can you ignore my talents?" Seifer pleaded, running out of arguments.  "You know if anyone belongs in SeeD, it's me.  Right Squall?"

          "You're too old for SeeD, Seifer," Squall muttered, dropping his head into his hands.  "You have no place in Garden."

          Another lightning flash added effect to the silence as Seifer glared coldly at the brunette.  "I can't stay in Balamb forever, Squall.  I can't remain stationary too much longer."

          "I can't help you Seifer," the brunette muttered, refusing to make eye contact.  Go back to Balamb."

          Filled with both anger and depression, Seifer watched Squall head back inside.  Wiping the rain off of his brow, the blonde turned to head back to Balamb.  He didn't plan to stay in town very long.

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