Confused Confrontations "You're joking... aren't you?" Ellone asked, her eyes shadowed eerily in the dim room. "WAS HER." Fujin assured her, as she caressed Quistis' hand soothingly. "A lost memory perhaps." Ellone tried to reason. "WAS AEKA." "Why would she be in Quistis' mind?" "UNKNOWN." "Suppose you're right? Then what does it mean?" "YOU'RE EXPERT!?" Fujin gawked. "I never said that. This is as new to me as it is you." "DANGEROUS..." "I told you that when we started..." "WHAT TO DO?" "Calm down for starters." "AM CALM." "No you're not, you're a nervous wreck." "I'M FINE." "Whatever..." A knock sounded, causing both women to jump slightly. Doctor Kadowaki poked her head in the room. "You girls okay, you've been holed up in here for hours now." "HUH?" Fujin frowned, then glanced at her watch. Indeed, well over three hours had past since they began the session. "Strange..." Ellone mouthed. "Everything okay?" Kadowaki asked again. "Yes Ma'am we're fine." Ellone assured her with a girlish grin. Kadowaki looked unconvinced but didn't push the matter. "Yeah, well let me know if I can help." She offered before going back to her desk. Fujin waited for the door to shut before turning quickly to Ellone. "WHAT HAPPENED?" "I... I don't know..." Ellone stammered. "THREE HOURS!" "I know..." "NEVER SO LONG." "It usually lasts only a few minutes on the outside..." "HOW?" "I...I really don't know..." Fujin looked to Quistis once more, her face strained with worry as she glanced to the telemetry readouts. All of Quistis' signs were as normal as could be expected. "How'd Quistis handle it?" Ellone asked quietly. "SEEMS FINE." Fujin sighed with relief. Whatever happened seemed to have no lingering effects. Fujin noticed something moving in the late afternoon shadows that hung across the far end of the room. It seemed wispy like a dim cloud of dark smoke or even a shadow itself. In the blink of an eye it was gone, yet she stared long enough to unnerve Ellone, who was already ill at ease. "What?" She asked, jerking around to look behind her. "NOTHING." Fujin mumbled, looking back at her. "Try again tomorrow?" Ellone asked hurriedly, having a nearly irrational need to get out of the room. Fujin nodded and walked her out. "THANK YOU." She added, then shut the door behind her. After she was gone, Fujin turned and nearly screamed. Aeka stood before her, gray and transparent. "They must leave..." The girl whispered, in the odd mix of Quistis' and her voices. Then, as soon as she appeared, she was gone. Fujin gasped and slowly scanned the room for more denizens of the otherworld. All was calm and quiet, except the slow mechanical breathing of Quistis' respirator and the soft beeps of the accompanying equipment. Fujin wasn't easily spooked but couldn't help but shiver slightly. "HALLUCINATION." She said aloud, coming to the conclusion that it was some aftereffect of her and Ellone's mind-link. "EDEA." She sighed, walking back to sit on the edge of Quistis' bed. "SHE'D KNOW..." If only she were alive. ****************** Watts, Zone and Zell walked towards the Ragnarok quietly. None of the men spoke, since Zone was in such a foul mood. Having no desire to be around such a moody group, Nicole opted to stay behind as Zell took them home. As they neared the gangplank, Celest came out from around the other side of the ship's front landing strut. "Now, I must say I am upset." She pouted, putting a hand on her hips. "Oh man Celest, now is so, not a good time." Zell mumbled, slipping past her. Watts too, said nothing and quickly followed him up the gangplank. "It's okay. You guys aren't who I'm mad at." She assured them snootily, then walked over to Zone who stood staring awkwardly as she sashayed towards him. "So, you're just heading out eh." She asked snidely. Being Irvine's sister Celest was tall, even taller than Quistis and had a half-foot on Zone who felt suddenly put upon. "Uh..." He said nervously. "No good bye or nothin?" She scowled. Zone couldn't respond and merely babbled incoherently. Celest shook her head with a sigh. "Look, I know you're an awkward sort. To be honest it's kind of cute." She smiled. Again, Zone gibbered. "Okay." Celest frowned and walked towards him. "Don't think I didn't notice how you acted when Seifer came a callin." "Huh...?" He mumbled, squirming awkwardly under her gaze. From under the cover of the Ragnarok's cargo, bay Zell and Watts waited quietly, eavesdropping. "Oh dude we gotta help him, he's sooo gonna screw the pooch." Zell whispered to as they watched Celest turn up the pressure him. "I'm not going to lie to you hon." She said thoughtfully. "He's intriguing to be certain, but I gotta say you're cute too in your own way. So then, what's a girl to do?" "Cute?" Zell mouthed skeptically, earning an elbow from Watts. Zone stood slack jawed and speechless. His mind screamed at him to say something, anything but his mouth just stood agape. Celest soured slightly at his silence and folded her arms. "Look sugar, I'll make it easy on you. Do you like me or not?" She asked flatly, even though she knew the answer. "What!?" Zone sputtered, taking a few steps backward. Celest moved with him until he backed into a stack of cargo crates. "It's a simple question." She said sternly, having no desire to play games. "I...uh." "Yes or no." "I...well." "No?" "Wait...." He stammered. Zell cringed in horror. "Oh dude, he's toast!" "So it would seem..." Watts nodded. "It's not fair, she ambushed him." Zell growled. "Wait for what Zone?" She persisted; pressing closer to him until he nearly fainted. "I mean, I guess..." He offered weakly. "You...guess..." Celest mouthed, her expression growing cold. "As a friend...?" He mumbled, hoping that was the answer she was looking for. It wasn't, and she rolled her eyes then walked away without another word. "Ugh...." Zell sighed, banging his head on the wall. "Must unfortunate..." Watts frowned in disappointment. "Hey..." Zone called to her as she walked away. "Have a safe trip." She called back gruffly. Zone stood a moment; his jaw set in anger as he tried to comprehend what just occurred. "Damn it!" He finally exploded, kicking his duffel bag and throwing an all out fit. Zell and Watts watched him from the shadows and exchanged glances as his tantrum further erupted into a series of self-scathing obscenities. ************************ "Thanks for letting me sit with you. I was kind of lonely with everyone gone." Nicole said quietly as Fujin brushed Quistis' hair. "NON TROUBLESOME." Fujin said simply. "Thanks, I think." Nicole grinned. "How did it go with Ellone?" Fujin twitched, she had hoped to put the memory of the disturbing vision behind her until later. "INTERESTING." She answered mechanically. "Any luck?" Nicole continued prodding hopefully. Fujin shook her head solemnly then paused, remembering that she was trying to be more social. "SAW SOMETHING." "Oh, what?" "AEKA...." "What!?" Where?" "DURING LINK." "Link...you mean in Quisty's head?" Nicole blinked. She still didn't fully understand what Ellone was attempting. Fujin nodded then looked to where she saw Aeka's apparition by the door. "THERE TOO." She pointed, which was just a few feet from where Nicole sat. Nicole, shifted nervously for a second then settled. "Um...you mean you saw a ghost...?" "THINK VISION." "You mean a hallucination?" Again, Fujin nodded. Nicole pursed her lips in thought then regarded Fujin like someone trying not to offend. "Um Fu..." "FUJIN." She grumbled. "Sorry, Fujin." Nicole blushed. "Now then...um..." She paused, not sure how to continue. "You two aren't like, taking drugs or smoking anything to help this um...linking...are you?" Fujin didn't even dignify the question with a response, settling instead on a look of annoyance. "Yeah, um okay." Nicole grinned sheepishly. "What did Ellone say about it?" "UNKNOWN." "That can't be good. You two need to be careful. Are you sure you guys know what you're doing?" "AFFIRMATIVE." Fujin answered, bending the truth slightly. "Perhaps you should get Rinoa to help. With her being a sorceress and all, perhaps she could help." "NEGATIVE." Fujin answered quickly. It had taken Ellone long enough to learn how to establish a link. Someone with as much uncontrolled potential as Rinoa wreak untold havoc if something went wrong. "But she might be able." "NO." "Fine, I was just saying..." "DANGEROUS." "Oh..." "I bet Edea could do something if she were still alive." "PERHAPS..." Fujin sighed, not wishing to think about it. "I'm sorry. I'll drop it." For that, Fujin was thankful. Setting the brush aside she stood up and went to the small refrigerator she had installed a few days prior. "BEVERAGE?" "Yes please." Nicole giggled in response, prompting a scathing look from her hostess. "HUMOROUS?" "Nothing, really. It's just that you're so proper." "THEN LEAVE." Fujin scowled. "No, no, I mean, it's funny." "FUNNY..." Fujin grumbled, her scowl darkening. Nicole winced and backpedaled. "Cute, I mean, it's cute." Fujin was all but steaming now. "It's just. Try not to be so proper. Loosen up, ya know?" "LIKE BROTHER." "Gee thanks." Droned. "WELCOME." Fujin responded dryly, handing her a soft drink. "Like..." Nicole continued thoughtfully. "Instead of beverage, try.. cola, or soda pop, or soft drink." "NOT ALL... POP." Fujin explained. "What?" Nicole giggled causing Fujin to eye her foully. "Oh don't look at me like that, I'm only trying to help." "UNNEEDED." "Ugh... so difficult." Nicole growled, growing flustered. "DOOR THERE." Fujin shrugged, pointing to the exit. "No, darn it. I'm just trying to give you some pointers." "UNNEEDED." "Look, Fujin I'm just trying to give you some variety." "UNWANTED." "Okay, now you're just being difficult." "DROP SUBJECT." "Fine." "GOOD." "Good!" "FINE!" The two of them started intently at each other over their drinks for a long moment, until Nicole finally started to giggle. Startled, Fujin stiffened and eyed her weirdly. "SO FUNNY?" "Nothing." Nicole teetered, rubbing her eyes. "STOP LAUGHING." Fujin ordered, with a look of indignation that only made Nicole giggle even harder "SIMPLETON." Fujin grumbled. Nicole's laughter now consumed her and Fujin rolled her eye and sat back down by Quistis, trying to ignore the guffawing woman sitting nearby. Nicole showed no sign of abating and Fujin couldn't help but grin at her. "NOT FUNNY." She chuckled despite her best efforts. ********************** The journey back to Timber was a quite affair; no one had spoken of what had transpired between Celest and Zone. That is until Zell, unable to keep his curiosity in check finally spoke his mind. Putting the ship on auto pilot he swung around in his seat. "Dude, what the hell was that about?" "Drop it." Zone growled. "No way man! That was the weirdest thing I ever seen. What the hell was going on between you two?" "Sir, you have to admit...it seemed you two were having some sort of....spat." Watts piped in. "Spat, who the hell says spat anymore! Just drop it!" Zone snapped irritably, sinking down into his seat. "No way man, this has got to be talked about." Zell proclaimed. "Why didn't you tell her you like her? She even made it easy and asked you." "Leave me alone." "Aw dude, come on, you gotta help me understand dude, it's driving me crazy? Why didn't you tell her the truth? I mean, what, does she have a tail or something weird, why'd ya freeze up." "Tail...?" Watts mouthed in confusion, only to be ignored. "I was stupid okay!" Zone blurted. "It would never work." "How could you know that Sir..." Watts frowned. "I just do. She's too much..." "Too much?" Zell wondered aloud. "She's not fat!?" "No, no, no.... That's not what I mean." "I think he means he's threatened by the strength of her personality." Watts translated. Annoyed, Zone looked as if he wanted to slap him. "What is with you?" He scowled in befuddlement. "Ah don't worry about it dude. You'll get a girl someday." Zell beamed optimistically." "Yeah I guess." Zone mumbled. "Ah." Zell smiled knowingly. "Wait a minute, I'm not a virgin!" Zone screeched, causing Zell to nearly have a conniption. "I never said you were!?" He laughed in shock "But that’s what you mean!" "No It wasn’t'. Look dude, it's non of my business either way, really." Zell said, gesturing for him to calm down. "Dear me." Watts mumbled. "Now look here!" Zone bellowed. "I've, I've... had lots of women." "Dude." Zell said, just wishing he'd drop it. "Lots... a horde in fact." "Horde." Watts mumbled in thoughtful horror. "Dude, okay already. It's cool, really." Zell said smoothly. "What's that supposed to mean?!" "Don't get mad. I said it was cool." "I get girls all the time!" "Sure thing..." Zell agreed diplomatically then turned his attention back on piloting. "It's the truth." Zone groused, falling back into his seat. *********************** Nida had just settled down to have a coffee break when one of his subordinates poked their head into the break room. "Sir." You young man said politely. "Hmm?" "There's a small shuttle matching our speed and requesting clearance to dock." "Who is it?" "Um a Raijin Kazeno" "Oh hell." "Problem sir?" "No...it was expected. Better let him land before he crashes his way into the hanger." *************** "FUJIN!" Raijin roared as he jumped from the shuttle before it even fully landed. Xu was waiting for him and looked startled as he made a beeline straight towards her. "Whoa Raijin wait a second!" She babbled. "You guys were supposed to take care of her!" He yelled, charging past her. "Damn it Raijin hold on!" Xu shouted, jumping on his back to try and slow him down but. The effort was hopeless and she instead found herself an unwilling passenger as he steamed full speed out of the hanger and into the inner halls. "Raijin what the hell are you going on about!?" Xu screamed in his ear as he shoved through the throng of people bustling about in the central lobby. A couple of well meaning youths decided to help subdue the crazed intruder and dog piled on him. They only slowed his momentum and he continued his juggernaut like onslaught until he reached the elevator. "YOU ALL LET HER DIE!" "What!?" Who!?" "Where's Quistis! She promised me ya know!" Raijin shouted in misery. "Oh Hyne...." Xu gasped. "You don't know...." Having been relaxing on the upper balcony, Seifer noticed the commotion and hopped down to the lower level. Landing solidly with a grunt he waited for Raijin to notice him. His appearance had the desired effect and Raijin stopped cold. "Calm down." Seifer frowned. What happened next was totally unexpected. "Son of a bitch!" Raijin roared and punched him squarely in the face. The blow was something akin to being kicked by a horse and it knocked Seifer flat on his ass. Beyond reason now, Raijin tacked him, with Xu and several others still in tow. "So help me! If one more of you assholes lays another hand on me!" Seifer shouted angrily as he struggled to keep Raijin at bay. "DESIST!" Fujin shouted loudly as she and Nicole ran towards the growing mob. Nida had saw fit radio ahead about Raijin's arrival. A good thing, since her appearance brought everything to an awkward standstill. With the chaos stopped momentarily, everyone turned towards her. Then, without warning Raijin exploded yet again, but this time into a joyful burst of tears as he charged towards her. Everyone aboard the Raijin express abandoned ship as he collided with the hapless Fujin. With an ecstatic howl, he grabbed her with bear hug that could've killed a man twice her size. She took it in stride, knowing resistance was futile. "Your alive!" He bubbled loudly. "NOT FOR LONG..." She coughed. "Sorry..." He squeaked then examined her as if she were a delicate porcelain doll. He circled her warily, looking for signs of maiming or worse. Finding nothing out of the ordinary, he pulled himself to his full height and frowned in confusion. "I don't get it..." "AS ALWAYS." Fujin mumbled sourly, though she was actually glad to see him. "I tried to tell you." Xu panted. "Idiot..." Seifer groaned, sitting up. "But the letter said you were critically injured ya know?" Raijin frowned. "CRITICALLY." Fujin sighed in annoyance. "NOT MORTALLY." "Idiot." Seifer proclaimed again. "Shut up." Xu sighed, helping him to his feet. Raijin look thoughtfully a moment then shook his head. "Anyway! What the heck happened? I was worried sick ya know! Are you okay?" "She's fine." Nicole offered. "NORG." Fujin elaborated. "What's a Norg?" "NORG." Fujin growled, blowing out her cheeks to make a fat face. "Oh...that guy." Raijin nodded in comprehension then scowled viciously. "Where is he!?" "Dead." Nicole explained. Raijin promptly grabbed Fujin in another hug, this time however it was only less than lethal. "That's it! I'm not leaving you again!" He cried. "Oh for the love of..." Seifer sighed. "AND YOU!" Raijin shouted, dropping Fujin and spinning around to face him. Fujin staggered back and had to be caught by Nicole who just watched the drama with a dumbfounded expression. "CLOD." Fujin sighed as Raijin verbally blasted Seifer. "What the hell are you doing here, just leave us alone ya know!" He shouted. "You're only stirring up stuff, be quiet." Seifer groaned. "No, you don't tell me what to do anymore!" "Ya, I know." Seifer grinned and Raijin flinched furiously. Fujin walked up behind Raijin and put a hand on his shoulder. "CALM." She said with an odd gentleness. "Wha?" Raijin blinked, looking down at her. "IS OVER." She said quietly, looking at Seifer. "It is?" Raijin responded doubtfully, glancing at Seifer. "Guys, you're drawing a crowd." Xu interrupted. "Oh, um sorry." Raijin chuckled, rubbing his head in embarrassment as he noticed the chaos his rampage caused. His merriment was short lived as he finally took in the haggard and drawn expression on Fujin's face. "What?" He frowned. "I'll fill you in." Xu said quietly, taking him by the arm. "Huh?" He started to protest. "Just come on." Finally, the crowd started to disperse and Fujin and Nicole stood with Seifer who remained quiet. Fujin took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "You okay?" Nicole asked worriedly. Fujin nodded, then turned to head back to Quistis' room. "I'll see you later." Nicole called to her but received no response, which she took in stride as she turned to regard Seifer. "Why do I think I'm the only one who hasn't hit you?" She asked wryly. Seifer looked at her blandly then perked up as Celest strode towards them. "What was this ruckus about?" She asked sullenly. "Fujin's brother." Nicole answered. "Brother? Is he anything like her?" "Not at all." Seifer explained then grinned. "How would like to join me for dinner?" He asked, out of the blue. Celest look startled and glanced to Nicole who shook her head discretely. Looking thoughtful for a moment, she decided with a shrug. "Sure, why not." She agreed. Though, it was against her better judgment. "Great, it's a date." Seifer smiled, somewhat dashingly before bidding them farewell. The moment he was gone, Nicole grabbed Celest by the arm. "What are you doing!" She hissed in disbelief. "What's the harm?" Celest shrugged. "I can't believe this. You know he's bad news. "You're the one always saying to give people a chance." "Chance yes, dates no. Oh Celest this is so not a good idea." "Yeah, well." Celest soured, pulling free of her grasp. "Seems my choices are limited. Besides, you're not my mother." She snapped then stormed off, leaving Nicole standing flabbergasted.
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