Kiss me gently It took everything Quistis had to keep from giggling madly as they exited the shop. Fujin meanwhile slipped on the coat, bulky but functional and most importantly it was warm. She looked up at Quistis and smiled a gentle smile. "THANK YOU." "My pleasure hon." Quistis replied, still grinning ear from ear. Together they walked silently out onto the wooden decks surrounding the resort. Snow crunched underfoot and the icy wind nipped at their ears. It was fairly quiet outside most of the patrons where far up on the slopes or indoors snuggling around cozy fires. Quistis enjoyed the peace and beauty of the place, with its snow capped peaks cloaked with tall elegant evergreens. And company most of all –in her humble opinion- the company couldn’t have been better. She thought back to Fujin sudden bit of odd possessiveness. "What was that about?" She wondered. Fujin had been acting peculiar ever since arriving at the resort. Quistis regarded her for a second as they walked along. She had come cherish the time they spent together recently and was thankful for her friendship. Fujin, she knew had all but saved her life in so many ways. "Fu." She said softly and stopped walking. Fujin turned to regard her, and Quistis noticed an odd but peaceful expression on her face. "You seem happy." Fujin shrugged and tilted her head slightly in a manner Quistis found adorable. "I just wanted to thank you for coming with me. I know how much you dislike public places, but really wanted you to come. I hope you understand." Fujin smiled an entrancing smile and Quistis saw something deep within her ruby hued gaze, something smoldering yet inviting. Quistis suddenly felt herself blushing and she exhaled softly. "I just wanted to say thank you." She said in a near whisper. Fujin nodded in understanding and turned to continue walking, letting her gaze stay upon Quistis a brief moment longer before she did so. ********************* "I wonder why she took her?" Rinoa said aloud as she sat in the floor brushing out Angelo’s fur. The dog sat happily on it haunches, enjoying the attention. Squall sat on the edge of the bed sharpening his gunblade, something that was a nightly ritual since he got the cherished weapon. "Are you asking me?" He said dully. "Well duh." "I dunno, perhaps because you guys have been poking in her business." "We have not." She said shocked. "You’ve had Selphie follow and all but baby sit her." "We had a good reason she needed a friend." "You’ve been nosy." "I have not." "You broke into her apartment." "Hey now, we thought she was hurt." "Whatever." "Still can’t believe she took Fujin with her, of all people." Rinoa sighed." "That’s her choice." "It makes no sense." "Life is like that." "I hope she’s not on drugs." Squall rolled his eyes and nearly laughed. "You think this is funny." "Not at all." "I think that Fujin girl is a bad influence." "You sound like a parent." "Someone has to look out for her, she’s our friend and she’s acting like she doesn’t want to have anything to do with us." "After how you guys treated Fujin, its little wonder why." "I didn’t do anything." "Did you apologize to her like Nicole." "Not really." "See." "Hey now, since when do you take up for her I thought you hated her." "I never said that." "This is annoying." "Only because you let it be." "Are you not the least be curious as to what’s going on." "Nope." He sheathed the blade and kicked off his boots. "Ugh men, you’re all clueless." "Whatever." Rinoa finished brushing Angelo and picked up the wads of fur lying about. She disposed of it and washed her hands, her demeanor flustered. Squall watched her and sighed. "Rinoa." "What." She snapped. "Quistis will be fine." "How can you be sure?" "She’s a grown woman for crying aloud. Older than you, I think she can take care of herself. As for Fujin she could use a friend, and so could Quistis." "We’re her friends." "True but." "What buts." "She’s always the odd one out that has to be awkward for her." "That’s not true." "Please." He scoffed. "You seem awfully enlightened where is all this insight coming from." "Common sense." "That’s insulting." "Sorry just stating a fact." She slipped off her sandal and threw it at him. ************************ They stood atop one of the smaller slopes Quistis helping Fujin slip into her skis. "WILL DIE." Fujin said bluntly. "You will not." Quistis laughed brightly. "Just do like we practiced on the bunny slope." "FOOLISH." Fujin grumbled sourly. "Everyone started out on the bunny slopes, it’s alright. Personally, to be honest I’d prefer if you practiced more before tackling an actual hill." "CHILDREN." "I know there was kids but everyone needs to start somewhere. Besides what’s wrong with kids." "LOUD." "Some are, yes but that’s hardly reason enough." Quistis argued as she donned her skis "SMELL." "They do not." "BABIES." "Okay you got me there but only sometimes." "IS ENOUGH." "Come now, does that mean you don’t want kids someday." "UNABLE" Fujin said without flinching as she slipped on her goggles. Quistis kicked herself relentlessly upon hearing her reply. "Oh Fu I’m..." She started, Fujin placed a gloved finger to her lips to silence her. "NOT YOUR FAULT." She said with a smile then kicked off the slope. "ACK FU WAIT FOR ME." Quistis shouted and shot off after her. To her credit Fujin did remarkable well. That is until about half way down the slope. She wasn’t exactly sure why but she soon found herself airborne and flailing. She gritted her teeth in grim anticipation as she flew headfirst towards a tree. By the grace of whatever guardian angel she had, she missed the trunk by inches and instead plowed headlong through brush, before finally tumbled haphazardly into a snow bank. "FUJIN!" Quistis yelled in fright as she skidded to a stop by the underbrush. "ANNOYANCE." Fujin said sharply amid a torrent of curses. Quistis made her way through the underbrush in search of her. She found a ski and the poles first then finally found her. Fujin lay tangled upside down half buried in the snow. One leg sticking straight into the air propped up by her remaining ski. "Hyne! Are you okay hon, that was some spill?" Quistis worried as she rushed to her side. "FINE." Fujin grumbled. "Be careful don’t hurt yourself." "STUPID." Quistis was going to say -I told you so- but decided against it. She helped her to her feet and brushed the snow from her hair carefully. "You’re just new at it is all." Fujin clomped through the snow angrily in search of her missing ski. Quistis followed discreetly behind her. "You want to head in get something to eat and try again bright and early tomorrow?" Fujin recovered her ski and clamped it on then looked up with a huff. She hated failing but knew trying to do anything while angry just made it harder. "VERY WELL." Quistis draped her arm over her shoulders to console her. "It’s okay, don’t worry about it, at least you’re okay. I broke my shoulder just trying walk in skis when I first tried it." Quistis said with a smirk. Fujin looked at her in surprise. "WALKING?" "Sure did, felt like a idiot too." "APOLOGY." "Live and learn." Quistis winked. "Think you’re ready to go down the rest of the way?" Fujin tested her skis and nodded. "Right then, we’ll take it easy then." Fujin sighed in aggravation but did as she was told. They arrived back at their room well after dark. They had stayed at the restaurant far longer they intended, the band that had been playing there was far better than either of them expected. Quistis yawned cutely as she fumbled with the keys. Fujin stood half buried under the hood of her coat waiting patiently. "All things considered I think we had fun?" Quistis said brightly. Fujin nodded and then made a scrunched up face before sneezing. "Bless you, you’d better not be catching a cold." Quistis scolded as she unlocked the door and entered. Fujin rolled her eye and followed her inside. They hung their coats by the door and Quistis pulled the pin holding up her hair and shook it out. "You can take first dibs on the shower if you want, I’m going to finish unpacking." Fujin didn’t argue as she sat on the bed and kicked off her boots. She felt a bit uneasy as she looked around; she’d never liked staying in hotels and such. Dismissing her feelings she pulled off her sweater and head to the bathroom. Quistis toiled about pulling clothes out of suitcases and settling them neatly into drawers. "I’ve changed." Fujin thought as she gazed at the stranger in the mirror. "For the better though." She reasoned. "Because of her." She sighed and hung her head a moment. A soft exhale escaped her lips and she slowly looked up in the mirror again. She knew her feeling, she could admit that to herself now, but she was still afraid. Afraid of failure, afraid of disappointment, afraid of everything it seemed. She sighed heavily and ran her fingers roughly through her hair. She had to do something soon or she felt she would go mad. * Fujin exited the bathroom wrapped in a dark blue towel her hair, still damp, hung heavily along her pale shoulders. "Enjoy the shower?" Quistis said smilingly as she finished the last of the unpacking. Fujin nodded quietly. There was an air about her Quistis noticed; she seemed almost timid in her movements as she sat on the bed to dry her hair, her gaze downcast and solemn. "You feeling okay hon?" Quistis asked softly. Fujin looked up almost shyly and smiled thin but cute smile. Quistis looked at her with caring eyes. "You seemed upset for a moment." Fujin shook her head slowly. "Kay then. It’s my turn to hit the shower. Be right back." * Quistis shut the door quietly as she stepped into the bathroom. Something was different in the air between them. Quistis smiled softly at the implications of it though she didn’t know what to expect. She resigned herself to accept it what the future held for them, no matter what. * As she exited the bathroom she noticed the lights were off and the only illumination came from the warm radiance of the fireplace that was nestled just a few feet from bed. The flames leapt and danced warmly, fed from gas pumped through artificial logs. Quistis toyed with the belt of her robe as she made her way further into the room. She paused as she saw Fujin draped in a bedspread and sitting quietly and staring into the fire. She tilted her head curiously and made her way to Fujin’s side. "Fu?" She whispered softly as she sat carefully beside her. Fujin turned her head to face her, the flickering light causing shadows to dance across her face. She wore a frightened yet sad expression, her eye wide and her lips trembling. Quistis’s heart broke at torment she saw in her face. "Fu what’s wrong honey, talk to me, please." Quistis pleaded gently. Fujin wiped her eye with her palm and then chewed her thumbnail self-consciously. Quistis, nearly in tears pulled her to her, hugging her close to her chest. Fujin responded immediately and returned the embrace tightly. Quistis was at a loss and simply held her as she whispered soothing words to calm her. Fujin’s heart pounded in her chest threatening to explode, it was all she could do to just hold her tight. After a long moment Fujin began to calm down. She sniffed lightly and Quistis looked down at her with dusky eyes. "It’s okay." She whispered as she lifted the trembling girls chin with a delicate hand. Fujin looked up slowly, her gaze intense and soulful but still fearful. Quistis gave her a reassuring smile as she caressed her cheek, Fujin’s heart melted at the touch. They stared quietly into each other’s eyes, searching, hoping, and praying, for understanding, trust, compassion and more. Fujin pressed her cheek against Quistis’s soft caress and sighed softly, her lips parting invitingly. Quistis’s heart joined Fujin’s in it’s frantic beating as she leaned closer. Fujin closed her eye and trembled deliciously as Quistis’s lips met hers with loving gentleness...
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