Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Easier Said Than Done ❯ Dirty Water ( Chapter 2 )

Part 2: Dirty Water

Towards noon students had begun to emerge from their dorms, creating clusters of bodies around the courtyard, around the circular interior hallway. Rumours always spread quick like wildfire which was the case on Zell's Chocobos PJs. he himself turned beet read when a hoard of female prospective SeeD candidates cornered him to demand the truth and whether they could have a photo of him with the pyjamas on. There was only one person who knew about those pyjamas that Zell refused to let go, as it was a present from his mom upon his graduating as a SeeD. He wasn't ashamed of them; he was just annoyed as hell that Seifer had got to see him in them and then decided to spread the word to the entire Garden.

Zell needn't had worried about revenge though as rumours about Seifer running like a lunatic around Garden topless was making its way. Girls alike were envious for not seeing the rare sight and were beginning to pester Quistis about it just as she was about to make her to Balamb. She didn't manage to get past the directory before three students - first years no doubt - interrupted her with a barrage of questions. What did you think Instructor Trepe? Did he have a well-toned chest Instructor Trepe? What about his arms, did he have nice arm muscles?

Hormone-fuelled and utterly ridiculous were the thoughts that directly entered her mind. It took a threat to report them to halt their 101 questions and placed into a weeks worth of detention before they left her well alone.

The man of the moment himself then turned up, brushing aside legions of adoring females to clear his path and out of Garden. One of screaming females happened to be Selphie and Xu who came to stand by her as the wave of Seifer fans passed by them.

"What was that all about?" Quistis wanted to know.

"We wanted to join in the fun!" Selphie announced. "Y'know, scream at the top of our lungs, calling for him and grovelling for his touch."

"You should have seen him when he recognised us," Xu said. "He looked ready to kill."

"I'm sure he could make a Red Dragon weep if he simply stared at it." Quistis added.

"Frankly I can't see what they do? I mean its Seifer. Who'd want someone who doesn't know how to follow basic rules let along obey them?" said Xu.

"I dunno bout that," Selphie said. "Some like the rebel-type guy. Something forbidding and sexy."

Quistis and Xu laughed at this. "Oh please!" Xu scoffed. "You'd be crazy to get yourself involved with him."

~ ~ ~

It was settled. He preferred being hated and left along rather than hounded by these simpering kids that were young enough to be his younger siblings. He shuddered at the thought. He had managed to lose then at the Garden's entrance gates seeing as the old man that regulated the turnstiles reminded them that they were not allowed to go any further. The girls were disappointed that Seifer would be leaving them, but the relief that he felt was nothing short of bliss!

"Damn that little...!" Seifer muttered, the sentence drifting to its own conclusions and emphasised by pounding a fist to his palm.

If it weren't for the minute shred of control he had left within him he would very well have lashed out with his weapon. Maybe he should have let himself go - let them see the inner Seifer - what happened when he got pissed off. At least they'd leave him well alone for definite. Hmph must be getting soft. Hyne forbid that would ever happen. His somewhat aggressive yet obstinate nature was all he had. It kept him in one piece, it was his confidence and it was his shield. Without it he'd be nothing more than teacher's pet Leonhart. Geez, that's all he needed, Leonhart revolving around his head. Why everyone loved this guy was something Seifer decided not to figure out. For one thing it would give him a mashing headache... not to mention it would set him off in a bad mood. In fact he was beginning to feel the first stirrings of fire in his soul.

Growling and clenching the butt of his weapon in his right hand, Seifer strode down the long winding gravel path that led towards Balamb town and then veered sharply to the right after 10 metres or so and straight into Balamb Forest. The monsters were in for a treat as the hunter went hunting.

~ ~ ~

This was what she was going to do: avoid anyone she remotely recognised. No stopping for chats. No stopping to answer questions from students on their homework. At the rate things were going she doubted she would have time to have the bubble bath she intended to have, let alone the quick trip to Deling city for a spot of clothes shopping.

Adjusting the laces to her trainers she set off down the beaten road in a steady jogging pace towards Balamb town. No matter what any body said, she was very proud of her first year class. They were reaching the halfway point of the curriculum and were making excellent progressed. It would be a blessing if all twenty pupils graduated successfully as SeeDs. What did Seifer know anyway? How dare he judge her teachings and her pupils? She had learnt from her previous mistakes, and if teaching the headstrong blond cramped her Instructor reputation it only made her stronger. He would be her first and last failure. She was more than capable and if he couldn't see that, then though crap. She had nothing to prove to him - it was he who had to prove himself to the world. People didn't forget big events that easily and the ordeal with Ultimecia and the whole Time Kompression business was not a trivial affair. Oh sure people argued for a long time after the entire event. It was his fault; it wasn't his fault. He slaughtered all those people, destroyed Trabia Garden; it wasn't him who was doing all those actions. He was a pawn piece in a huge game of chest. Why was he ever readmitted into Balamb Garden? Nobody would forgive so easily. Half a year of bickering and arguing over Seifer's actions resulted in a truce drawn up by Headmaster Cid with the aid of his wife - ex-sorceress - Edea. Great though the consequences were, one mistake was allowed. One chance to redeem himself.

~ ~ ~

Solitude was always a good perk to have when you were the notorious villain that nearly catastrophically caused the demise of world. Aside from those hormonally charged girls that chased him today nobody else dared approached Seifer Almasy. Trouble was his middle name and it was no use trying to get chummy with him as Raijin and Fujin were considered to be his only friends. Anybody else who tried to get on his "good" side were instantly put down on his list. It paid to be cautious - in other words everyone was under scrutiny.

Seifer didn't expect a great welcoming party when he returned to Balamb just over 6 months ago. Hell, he didn't even think he'd be allowed to set foot inside its interior! I guess he owed it to Matron... or not. Thinking about Edea too much raked everything back up from the ground. The fights... being used... quelling down the urge to vomit, Seifer stepped over a cluster of fern bushes and wiping the blood and entrails on his gunblade on a moss covered boulder. Caterchipillars and Grats were mainly the catch of the day though in the last fifteen minutes he had been strolling around the forest grounds he had stumbled upon a T-Rexaur happily munching on a Caterchipillar, it's rear end was the only thing left remaining.

The monster already new of Seifer's presence. Its keen sense of smell and hearing detected the whisper of breaking twigs on the forest and the soapy fragrance Seifer carried about him. Gulping down the rest of its starter meal, T-Rexaur performed an about turn, it's heavy clawed feat creating imprints on the earth. Seifer hadn't intended to haul in quite big fish such the flaming red and black dinosaur - then again, wandering around the forest was bound to result in a nice surprise such as this. he had wanted to go hunting to relieve some of the tension that had accumulated since this morning, not work up a blasted sweat only to be later covered in gore and guts.

Because nothing ever turned out the way you hoped or expected, it turned out that the T-Rexaur in question was one of those "once in a blue moon" encounters - meaning it was a mean, nasty high-levelled beast. Fifteen minutes was what it took to bring it down and at the end of it all he had a nice sizable bruise forming around the region of this left rib cage and a healthy splattering of blood on the tail end of his coat as a sign of his victory.

Hmph, some victory. Seifer thought sourly, reaching the edge of the forest with Balamb town in full view. There has got to be a better alternative than this aggression shit - without getting messy in any case. Wringing a steel-toed boot free of what suspiciously looked like intestines Seifer set off purposefully in the direction of the Balamb fish.

~ ~ ~

Revelations were the highlight of anyone's life and it certainly was for Quistis Trepe. It was one thing to have a niche of students devoted to her as a the perfect role model, but it was another thing to find that someone whom she only knew by face for how many years now had secretly been hiding ardent feelings towards her. According to rumours that flitted in and around Garden, there were a number of people be it students, Instructors or members of the public that admired Quistis for who she was and what she stood for - and much more besides - but she never ever thought in her dreams that guy who ran the car hire at Balamb were one of those people!

On various occasions she and the others had rented cars on missions or outings. Recalling back to those times Quistis saw that in those instances he was always there to help them choose the car model. Hyne, she felt a blush coming on not to mention embarrassment. Of what she knew of him he was a sweet guy, but she supposed not the kind of guy she would go for. In an ideal world, Quistis' "dream" man would perhaps be of the ambitious sort. One who was sure of himself, with enough confidence without being egotistical and overbearing? Yet he had to have a side to him that was tender and loving. Was that too much to ask of one person? Squall would have fulfilled all her requirements and yet he had to be the one that was taken. Rinoa you lucky girl. You have no idea how fortunate you are. The regret was going to have to stop at some point, though it didn't look like it was any time now. The rejection was still fresh in her mind. Don't be bringing that old feel sorry for yourself story again, Trepe. That's yesterday's problems. Make room for those around the corner.

Strolling down to the small harbour, Quistis took the chance to stare out into the wide blue yonder, her arms folded and resting lightly on the metal barrier. Hard to believe it was over a year since the SeeD examination involving the liberation of Dollet against the Galbaldians. Time absolutely flew by. it waited for no one. it paid no heed to the pleads of people. The sea was calm today, the sun shining unusually bright behind her - the rays reflecting on the gently swaying surface of water - the water's glare hurting her eyes slightly. Lost deep in her thoughts she was vaguely aware of the swishing sound made by the motion of dense material.

~ ~ ~

"Yo, Squall!" it was Zell. Maybe if he continued to walk, pretend he didn't hear him then he would be left alone. "Hey, Squall!!" Damn... The tea was going to have to wait.

"Yes, Zell?" by noon, the dark headed boy finally decided to make himself seen out of his dorm and was on his way to grab something for himself and Rinoa when Zell spotted him just about to enter the cafeteria. One of the pitfalls of being commander: anyone and everyone knew your face. And anyone and everyone came running to you for answers and expect you to fix their problems. Squall stood arms folded and waited for Zell to reach him before setting a mildly irritated expression on his pale features.

"I've been looking for Quistis. It's like she's disappeared. Did she say anything to you?" Zell asked.

"The only visitor I've had today, Zell was Seifer. I doubt that was Instructor Trepe in disguise." he replied, deadpan.

"Heeey! That's kinda freaky. Seifer in a skirt!!" Zell chortled at the image that was formed in his mind as he said this. "Ah cheers anyway Squall."

"What did you want her for - in case I see her?"

"Dunno. Xu mentioned it to me. Well, later dude! I'm off to see Ma in town. She says she has a surprise for me."

~ ~ ~

The sea breeze felt good. It was nice down at the pier, whittling time away and watching those irritating seagulls flying overhead like they were ready to shed a load of bird crap on you. They'd make good target practice, Seifer observed, standing at the very edge of the pier and staring at the unbelievably blue blue sky. Days like these should be banned or made illegal. It only became constant reminder of how peaceful the world was and how badly his life turned out whilst everybody else... well, everybody else was happy weren't they? He didn't know anyone else who was examining their past and present life, like he was - piece by piece like a post mortem on a corpse.

Stooping down into a crouch, Seifer stared reflectively at his mirror image on the surface of the calm vermilion waters. It was hard to not notice the disfiguring scar that marred his rakish good looks, it was, how could he put it...? Right in your face. The bane of this life of mine and the bloody centrepiece of this face. Sighing disgustedly, Seifer reached towards the smooth surface of the sea with a gloved hand, distorting his reflection with a sharp sweeping motion. A spray of water lifted to shoulder height in his hunched figure then falling like raindrops back down to the depths of despair...

"Seifer?"

He figured that his reaction to surprises would have been perfected to a stoic tee, but not this time. The disembodied voice of Hyne knows who caught him totally unawares and before he knew it, he was falling with a huge crash. A haze of raindrops cascading down on him.

~ ~ ~

When a suspicion arose in his mind, it happened for good reason and the only way to stop those niggling thoughts was to get to the source of it all, which was what Squall decided to do. After the departure of Zell it was Squall's intention to briefly visit the cafeteria and then return to his dorm. However that damn niggling thought at the back of his mind wouldn't leave him alone which was why he was hurrying up the steps behind the Directory to take the lift upwards. Lately Rinoa was getting pretty exhausted without consuming much energy. Squall suspected that it had something to do with the sorceress's powers after she acquired them from Ultimecia and it was he who insisted that she rested as much as possible and take in a lot of solids and fluids to maintain her strength. Though at times he was required as commander to take leave for Esthar City to discuss political affairs in association with Garden with the city's President Laguna Loire he didn't want to lose sight of Rinoa more than he really needed to. When in those instances it could not be avoided, it was insured that Zell, Selphie, Irvine or Quistis were at hand to watch over her. He truly loved that young woman with all his heart and the mere thought of losing her to another sorceress' war or the Galbaldian army was enough to tear him in two.

His trail of thoughts was cut short when the elevator glided to a smooth stop. The doors slid open to reveal the double doors that were the entrance to the Headmaster's office. In the strip of hallway that served as a mini-reception was a solid desk equipped with a coms device, telephone and papers that were gradually forming into stacks. Behind the desk sat a busy looking woman dressed in SeeD attire, her hair was of a dark brown - darker than his - styled in a off-side parting. Her head was bent over a document, her eyes scanning its contents only to frown at hit.

The rustle of Squall's belts against the leather of his trousers was enough to catch the attention of the woman - her eyes travelling from boots upwards his face that betrayed no form of emotion. So much for change.

"Commander Squall," she greeted with a polite smile.

He had told her countless of times not to use the title of "commander" when addressing him. It made him feel inadequate and plus he knew Xu envied him the huge role - she hadn't held back during an unsuspecting, unprovoked attack not long ago and it appeared the whole incident was still fresh in her memory. Squall was sure the smile she was giving her was fake. Yet she still insisted that she refer him as "commander". To mock him perhaps? To show him how real professionals upheld themselves? Whatever the hell she was trying to do Squall certainly wasn't paying any attention. This suspicion was the foremost thing on his mind and Xu had better give him answers or he was going to force it out of her.

"Xu," he nodded.

"The Headmaster is currently-"

"I don't need to see Headmaster Cid on this occasion." Squall interrupted hurriedly. "You yourself might be able to give me some answers."

"Oh?" Xu said sitting back on her seat with arms folded so as to look directly into his yes. "What does it concern?"

"You were looking for Quistis, I believe? I ran into Zell on the G-floor. He was asking me if I had seen Quistis at your request."

"I don't see how it is any of your business." Xu answered in a tight voice.

"It definitely does become my business if I feel you're holding out on me. I know we've had our differences and our argument of late hasn't exactly caused our working relationship to flourish, but if you're going to withdraw information that I'm entitled to know, from me - I'll have no choice but to have a word with the Headmaster." whoa, where did that come from? Multiple-strung words were not normally his speciality.

"Isn't privacy worth anything anymore?" Xu asked coldly.

"Is it personal?" Squall instantly asked and spotted the hesitation in her eyes.

"It, it could be!"

"I won't repeat myself again." Squall said, his patience running low.

"Alright!" for a moment Squall saw an expression of deep annoyance. Xu didn't like to be threatened, least of all from a guy who was fresh from the puberty stage of teenager life. "Quistis wanted to take a day trip thing down to Deling city, something about doing some shopping. I wanted to see her to let her know that she shouldn't go because we've had an anonymous tip-off about a group of bandits that have recently been operating in the Timber area. Three separate cases have been reported to the Timber Owls concerning the kidnapping of women that come to Timber or change over trains heading for Deling. It doesn't seem much at first and I'm sure Quistis is more than capable in handling an attack should she face one, but I somehow feel this is part of something much bigger."

"I see," Squall said slowly, digesting the information as it as rallied to him. "Do you have a copy of the tip-off? What was it, a phone call?"

"No, it was an e-mail. I received not long ago. I mean I spoke to Quistis early down at the directory but I didn't receive the message until later. I had hoped she was still lingering around the Garden, which was why I asked Zell to pass my request on. I guess she's already on her way there now."

Coming over behind the desk, Squall printed a copy of the message and pocketed for later examination. "Right. What I'll then do is contact Timber. I still retain contact with the Timber Owls and the Timber Maniacs so I'll check with them if they have seen Quistis at all as well as any further information they might have on the kidnapping incidents."

~ ~ ~

She did not mean to startle him. It was his fault for over reacting in the first place. She only casually called out his name with a questioning lilt, next minute he had flown up into the air in shock and into the water. Down on her hands and knees Quistis peered over the edge of the pier for any sign of him. A bubble rose from the depths, settling onto the surface. Then another a bubble arrived, then another... soon a flurry of bubbles was rapidly erupting like a miniature fountain followed a large shadowy figure breaking the water's surface with a strangled gasp.

Eyes widening in alarm, Quistis scrambled backwards to see Seifer soaking wet and treading water. His normally grey coat had now turned two shades darker and his hair lay plastered onto his scalp, a few strands hanging loose over his forehead.

"What in Hyne's name did you do that for, Trepe?!" Seifer yelled, glaring up at her as well as getting a good view of her legs and upwards. "My life's fucked up as it is already, do you need to make it even worst than it is now?"

"That was not my fault," she stated with a hint of uncertainty.

"Like hell it wasn't!" he snapped, trying to remove his gloves which by now had stuck to him like a second skin - likewise with the rest of the clothes he wore. "Y'know you've been getting on my case today. Is there something I ought to know, my dear Instructor?

At this Quistis rolled her eyes skywards. "If this is about me taking your gunblade-" Man. this was beginning to get old.

"No! It's not only that! You're everywhere I go, you're like a Bite Bug. Annoying and easy to stomp on if you're not careful."

"I honestly didn't mean to startle you," Quistis insisted, ignoring his threats. "And I apologise for doing so, but honestly there was no reason for you to react the way you did. I might as well have pushed into the water what with the way you threw yourself off the pier."

"I did not throw myself off the pier like you're saying," Seifer gritted, feeling droplets of water running down the bridge of his nose and at the sides of his face. "I haven't quite become suicidal just yet, though there have been moments where I've seriously contemplated it. Like now."

"Pity then you can swim." Quistis pointed out with a smile.

"Yeh. How very unfortunate." he growled, not returning the smile. He could feel the first stirrings of a cold coming on and if he didn't get out of the water soon pneumonia was going to be a certain thing. "So are you just going to stand there all day flashing your pretty ass, or are you going to help me up?"

"Why, you flatter me with such a compliment as that. However I don't think I heard you say the magic word," she taunted.

You just wait, Seifer thought evilly. You're going to be reeeal sorry. "Can you assist me in getting myself out of the water, please Instructor Trepe." he recited like an obedient nursery school child.

Stepping up to the pier's edge once again, Quistis lowered herself into a kneeling position and outstretched her right hand towards him.

Reaching for her hand with gloves still on, the blond boy grasped her slim hands. With lighting quick movements he had finessed on and off the battlefield, Seifer jerked his arm backwards and yanking Quistis headfirst into the water.

She had no time to scream a sound of protest so fast and unexpected were his actions. And it wasn't long until salty seawater seeped into every pore in her clothes. It was a good thing she hadn't worn her contacts today, who knew what damage it could have done to her eyes. Then again...

"You swine!!" she shrieked when she surfaced. "I'm going to kill you! I'm going to-" her murderous threats stopped short in her throat when she noticed something was amiss. "My glasses!"

Somewhere between landing headlong into the water and breaking surface her glasses must have fallen and down to the murky world below. "Your stupid, childish act has cost me my glasses you jerk!"

Seifer seemed to be unaffected by this and simply shrugged. "Next time you'll know not to mess with me." he said with that arrogant tone he liked to use. Paddling away from her he approached the metal ladder that ran down the side of the harbour and hauled himself with ease despite his water-clogged clothes pressing a considerable amount of weight down on him.

Now it was his turn to look down upon her and from where he stood at his height he could see that Quistis was not happy with her current situation. "A little wet are we?" he commented, peeling both gloves and ungluing himself from his trench coat.

"Understatement of the year, Almasy!" Quistis spat. "You're going to pay for that!"

"That's all very well but I'm afraid I'm going to have to leave you to get yourself out of your, uh, watery predicament." with that last comment, Seifer hooked his coat over his left shoulder and sauntered away.

~ ~ ~