Moving Day Fujin looked around quietly as she made her way through Balamb Garden's guest wing. The area was generally uninhabited, seeing as how Balamb rarely ever had visitors. Arriving at Ellone's door, she paused a moment and looked at the small gift box in her hand. Gathering her thoughts, she knocked lightly. She only halfway expected an answer; Ellone had pretty much kept to herself since blowing up in Kadowaki's office. After a long moment Fujin frowned and turned to leave but stopped as the door rattled slightly then opened. "Hi..." Ellone mumbled sullenly, a weary look in her eyes. "OKAY?" Fujin frowned, looking her over. "What do you want?" "WORRIED." "Don't bother." "NONSENSE." Fujin frowned, then stepped past her into the apartment. "I'm fine, just wanting to go home." Ellone grumbled sourly, shutting the door. "QUISTIS SAYS THANKS." "Yeah, well you're welcome." "HERE." Fujin said, offering the small box as Ellone plopped heavily onto the couch. "What's this?" "PRESENT." Fujin shrugged, sitting down beside her. Glancing around, she noticed the unkempt look of the place. "BUMMING?" She asked curiously. "A little..." Ellone responded evasively as she opened the gift. Her features brightened considerably as she withdrew a small, heart shaped pendant. "To Ellone, with our eternal love and gratitude, Qui,Fu" She mumbled, reading the tiny engraving on the back. Fujin shifted slightly in her chair blushing. "MESSAGE QUISTIS' IDEA." She explained awkwardly. Ellone smiled softly and slipped it on. "I'll cherish it, thank you." She bubbled, her expression brightening considerably. Then, without thinking about it she leaned over and kissed Fujin lightly on the cheek. Fujin's gaze went wide and they stared at each other for a long, awkward moment. "WELCOME..." Fujin blurted clumsily. "Sorry..." Ellone blushed. "IS OKAY." Fujin replied, standing up briskly. "Fujin..." "YES?" "Um..." Ellone mumbled, toying with her new necklace. "Thanks, really, for you know." She said, looking up solemnly. "Being my friend and all." "A PLEASURE." Fujin smiled quaintly. "You know, all things considered, it's been a pretty interesting few months hasn't it?" "YES IT HAS." Fujin nodded slowly as another awkward moment settled between them. "I guess you need to be going huh?" Ellone finally said quietly. "MOVING TODAY." Fujin responded woodenly. "Oh okay... um, need any help?" "ALMOST DONE." "I understand... Well, see you around then..." Ellone waved timidly. Fujin nodded politely then moved to the door. "ELLONE?" She said, pausing. "Yeah?" "TONIGHT." "What about it?" "DINNER, JOIN US?" "What?" Ellone blinked. "HAVE DINNER?" "Um sure!" "GOOD." "Thanks, I'll be there!" "SEE YOU THEN." Fujin said, grinning faintly. ********************* "Aw man, I can't believe she lived down here." Zell mouthed as he and Raijin stepped out of the elevator and into the remains of Fujin's chambers. The silk sheets that once hung delicately throughout the chamber were tattered and stained with smoke. Most of the items in the chamber lay piled against one wall, having been thrown there during Balamb's crash into the arctic ice. "Be nice." Quistis frowned as Nicole rolled her wheelchair out of the elevator. "So where do we start?" Raijin asked curiously, looking around. "We'll wait for Fujin, she should be here shortly." "Where'd she go anyway?" Nicole asked, picking up a lone fuzzy Mog slipper. "She went to check on Ellone." Quistis answered then sighed. "Aw she's not going to be happy; this place is a disaster area." "Oh hey, check it out." Raijin smiled, sliding a shattered picture frame from the pile of debris. "She kept a picture of me. I'm touched ya know." "You're her brother, what did you expect?" Quistis sighed. The elevator shut behind them then travailed back to the upper levels. "Why'd she stay down here anyway?" Nicole asked curiously, looking over Raijin's shoulder. "Probably to avoid running into nosy people." Quistis answered, now quit snooping around. "Fine, fine." Raijin grumbled, gently settling the picture down. "So Miss Trepe, she got any pictures of us down here?" Zell asked perkily as he toured around the chamber. "NEGATIVE." Fujin grumbled, stepping out of the Elevator. "Ack." Zell winced, rubbing the back of his head. "Hey Fu, what's new!" Raijin laughed loudly, striding over to embrace her. A swift kick to the shin halted his advance and Fujin then turned her attentions to Nicole who held aloft her Mog slippers. "Um, heh heh." Nicole blushed. "Here ya go." She stammered, offering them to her. "I got em." Quistis giggled, taking them from her and sliding them on her feet. "WHY THEY HERE?" Fujin frowned, nodding towards Zell and Raijin. "I figured if there was any debris they could help move it." Quistis shrugged. "How'd it go with Ellone?" "FINE." "Did she like the gift?" "YES." "And?" "COMING TO DINNER." "Oh really?" Quistis grinned. "You actually invited her?" Fujin nodded. "That’s nice, but who's going to cook?" Quistis chuckled. "I'm not really in the best shape to." "I SHALL." Fujin answered calmly. Raijin made a horrified face prompting her to move towards him. "Whoa! I ain't said nothing ya know!" Raijin stammered. "CAN COOK." Fujin scowled. "Okay, okay, whatever." "CAN!" "Sure thing Fu." "YOU POISONED!" "What are you two going on about?" Quistis asked curiously. "Well, ya see, it's like this Miss Trepe." Raijin said, slowly moving behind Zell. "Hey pal, don't use me as a shield!" Zell blurted, moving away from him. "There was this time once, when Fujin gave everyone food poisoning." Raijin blurted quickly. "WASN'T ME!" Fujin shouted, rushing after him. "Yeah it was, you said those fish were fine!" "DID NOT!" "Uh huh!" Raijin laughed, running behind Nicole, who screamed laughingly and cowered. "Oh for the love of." Quistis groaned. "Both of you quit acting like children. Raijin you're the one who made the whole damn town sick with that stench, I was there, remember." "That’s right, ya big jerk!" Zell gawked in remembrance. "You hauled up a couple of those nasty harbor suckers and barged into my folk's house to cook em! My mom about had a heart attack!" "Harbor what?" Nicole blinked. "Hey, now I asked politely!" Raijin blushed shamefully. "My folks had to move because the smell wouldn't go away!" "Enough!" Quistis droned. "RIGHT." Fujin huffed, folding her arms. "That means you too dear." Quistis sighed, glancing over her shoulder at her. "BAH." Fujin grumbled then set about sorting through her things. Raijin and Zell took it upon themselves to start clearing away some of the large debris that had fallen from the ceiling above. Nicole meanwhile sat cross-legged in front of Quistis. "Going home." She grinned. "I bet you're happy." "You don't know the half of it, I'm just thankful Kadowaki has quit sticking things in me." "Yeah well, you'll still need a nurse to help you out though." "I have one, well sorta." Quistis grinned, pointing to Fujin who promptly sneezed. **************************** Celest stared thoughtfully at the back of Jaya's head. Holding up the woman's waist length mane of raven hair, she sighed in disbelief. "How in the world do you run around with all this and not get it messed up?" Jaya, sitting dutifully, looked over her shoulder and grinned. "Rolled braids, my mother taught me." Miguel sat nearby reading a magazine with a towel wrapped around his head while Seifer watched the trio warily. Celest, being a paragon of all things fashion had after-hours access to the resident salon where the majority of the students and staff got their hair cut. "And I thought my hair was bad." She chuckled, leaning Jaya's seat back so she could shampoo her hair. "It is of no trouble." Jaya shrugged simply. "I'll take your word for it." Celest chuckled. "You realize of course I appreciate you giving us the free work over, but you're not cutting my hair." Seifer said bluntly. "What gave you the idea I was going to cut your hair?" Celest pouted. "Perhaps it was when you said he looked like a rural... what was the word?" Jaya mused thoughtfully. "Bumpkin." Miguel answered slyly. "A what!?" Seifer scowled. "I do not!" "Hon, lets be serious, you look like you should be working on old cars in a pair of overalls with that mop on your head." Celest grinned playfully. "I resent that." Seifer huffed. "You've done made me shave the beard, that’s as far as I go." "And I thank you. You look so much cuter baby faced, besides, the beard tickled." "I have heard that complaint many times myself, it is a tricky thing." Miguel said with obviously lewd implications. "Oh no one asked you." Seifer groaned. "There was this one woman, when I was but your age..." Miguel started with a devilish grin. "Brother, please, no one wishes to hear of your conquests." Jaya sighed. "No, no, wait now, this may be good." Seifer grinned. "Hey!" Celest barked. "Later my friend." Miguel nodded mischievously. "Yeah, alright." Seifer chuckled then stood up anxiously. "How long is this going to take?" "I'll be done when I'm done." Celest snapped. "Now sit down and wait your turn." "Bah!" Seifer growled, sitting down heavily. "You brought this on yourself." Miguel said quietly. "Aw hell, what else were we supposed to do, let those guys talk smack?" "What did those guys say anyway? I'm sure it's nothing Quistis and Fujin haven't heard before. Not everyone is so cozy with the idea of them being hooked up you know." "You poked me in the eye." Jaya complained. "Sorry." "You don't want to know." Seifer said, waving it away. "Okay we're done." Celest chirped, raising Jaya up. "Thank you." Jaya smiled politely as Celest set about drying the tangle wet mass of her hair. "So." Miguel announced. "Are you coming with us?" "Pardon?" Celest asked innocently. "I thought you asked her?" Jaya asked Seifer, who balked slightly. "Oh yeah...about that?" He replied, eyeing Celest. "About what?" Celest frowned. "You did not ask her?" Miguel chuckled. "It was on my to do list." "You lied to us?" Jaya frowned. "No I didn't! Well, sort of." "Seifer, what are they talking about?" Celest asked warily. "I'll ask you later." Seifer commented dryly. "No, you'll ask me now." She frowned. "No way, it's done got weird now. I'll talk to you later about it." He huffed. "Just ask her." Miguel sighed. "Yes ask!" Jaya bubbled merrily. "Okay this is freaking me out, what have you guys been up to?" Celest chuckled slightly. "Ah hell." Seifer scoffed, settling back in his seat nonchalantly. "Look, I didn't tell you last night because I didn't want to ruin the mood." "Okay, well tell me now then?" "Go on, it's not like you're proposing." Miguel grumbled under his breath. "Leave me alone, I can manage this myself." "Someone want to clue me in here!" Celest snapped, growing flustered. "I'm leaving." Seifer said blandly. "Oh..." Celest mouthed, stunned. "Whoa, calm down." He added, seeing the gaunt look on her face. "What...?" "Its not what you think, I'm going to be heading out with Raijin and Miguel here." "And I." Jaya added as she finished drying her hair. "They go around helping people, taking bounties, fighting the good fight, stuff like that." Seifer explain, trying to sound as positive as possible. "That’s just ridiculous." Celest scowled then looked at Jaya apologetically. "No offense." "None taken." Jaya said with a slight frown. "Okay, okay." Seifer admitted, throwing up his hands. "I admit it sounds crazy, but think about it. It's just us against the world, seeing the sites, making a difference." "Yeah, you're right, it does sound crazy." "Is it? Funny it's the same thing you guys are doing here except we don't make a business out of it." Seifer explained with a somewhat contemptuous expression. "Whoa there, that’s not fair. Cid has to charge for our services otherwise we couldn't run things." Celest countered. "True, I can see that, but look at it this way." Seifer grinned. "We can make a difference where it counts, with the little people." "Bravo!" Miguel cheered, holding up his soda. "Shut up." Seifer sighed, trying to ignore him. "Alright, fine, you're going to run around like some hayseed hero, where's that leave me?" Celest scowled. "That’s the beauty of it. I want you to come with me." Seifer smiled broadly. "You're joking." Celest said flatly. "Not at all." Seifer grinned. "Oh no." Celest laughed shaking her head. "I can see it now, you and the lady killer over there; sitting naked around the campfire, eating beans and farting while swapping tales of many a torrid affair while living some macho dream of heroic grandeur!" She raved loudly, throwing her arms into the air in disgust. "I do not sit around naked." Miguel frowned. "The bugs, they bite." "I can't believe I'm hearing this!" Celest crowed in dismay. "Please, come with us Celest, you and I, we can be as sisters." Jaya pleaded, taking her hands in hers. "Sisters? What?" Celest babbled, looking at her incredulously. "This isn't the response I was expecting." Seifer mumbled to Miguel. "And you!" Celest gawked at Jaya, causing her to balk slightly. "Surely this sounds psycho to you too?" "No, I have no hatred of nature and I enjoy helping the people." Jaya explained with an air of pride. "Oh my goodness." Celest gasped, shaking her head as the realization that they were serious sank in. "So what then, you're not coming." Seifer asked in quiet disappointment. "Huh?" Celest sighed, holding her head and looking at him from the tangle of her hair. "Seifer, I, what would I do?" "Live." He answered simply. "At least you be doing something. You're miserable here." "I am not." She lied. "Yes you are; you don't fit in here." "Your one to talk." She countered snidely. "True, and that’s why I'm leaving. Come with me." "Seifer I can't just up and leave, what about my friends, my job?" "They'll understand, and you'll be out in the world making your own decisions for once and not being railroaded into what you think people expect of you." "I..." Celest frowned, the fear and worry evident in her eyes. "Please." Jaya smiled, taking her hand in hers. "It will be fun." "Yes, join us, travel the world, live the wild life!" Miguel boomed brightly. "Be free!" He added with a raucous laugh. Everyone just looked at him. "I was trying to lighten the mood..." He explained sheepishly. "You're worse than Raijin..." Seifer sighed then turned his attention back to Celest. "Please, come with me." He asked quietly. "I'd really like to get to know you better, the real you; free of all of this." He gestured widely. "Seifer..." "Yes, say yes!" He chuckled, nodding his head in a goofy manner. Celest chuckled and shook her head. "Fine, you crazy bastard." She relented laughingly. "Fuckin A!" Seifer blurted in surprise. "See, I told you." Miguel smiled, folding his arms. ************************** It was early in the evening when Ellone arrived at Quistis' apartment. She hoped she wasn't early. Even more so, she'd never been invited to a dinner that didn't involve dignitaries and was unsure what was expected. "I should have brought something..." She mumbled to herself then started to leave. "A pie or something..." She frowned. "Oh where am I going to find something like that at this hour?" She fretted then turned back to the door. "Ah the heck with it." She sighed then knocked. "DOOR!" Fujin shouted from somewhere inside. "Well get it you goof, It's not like I can." Quistis responded. A moment past and finally the door opened. Ellone's eyes widened slightly as she took in the site of Fujin wearing an apron and covered with a thin layer of flour. "Oh my...um, am I early?" She asked worriedly "NEGATIVE..." Fujin groused walking back into the kitchen. "Ellone come in." Quistis waved from where she lay nestled on the couch with a book. "Um hi." Ellone grinned sheepishly, shutting the door. "Have a seat." Quistis prodded, nodding to the nearby loveseat. "Thanks, um are you sure I'm not early?" "Fujin's running late actually..." Quistis giggled. "HEARD THAT!" Fujin snapped irritably from the kitchen. "Problems?" "NO!" Fujin answered amid clanging pots while Quistis simply nodded gravely. "I offered to help but she insists I need to rest." She explained. "What me to go assist?" Ellone whispered and Quistis gave her a pleading nod. Getting up, Ellone made her way tentatively to the kitchen, it was a disaster area. "Oh my..." She mouthed as Fujin was apparently committing some act of mutilation to an overcooked chicken. Sensing her presence, Fujin turned to face her with an overly large butcher knife. "WHAT?" "Um...if I may make a suggestion?" Ellone grinned sheepishly. "You need a smaller paring knife if you're going to slice that without making a mess." "PARING?" Fujin frowned. "Um this one..." Ellone explained, removing one that was tightly lodged into a tin soup container. Fujin said nothing but her expression spoke volumes. "Want some help?" Ellone offered smilingly. "OUT OF PRACTICE..." Fujin sighed in dismay. "It's okay, we'll get through it." Thankfully, Fujin's attempt wasn't as bad as it looked and it took very little for them to get things back in shape. As they made their way out of the kitchen Ellone headed to the dining table while Fujin just walked past it and set Quistis' and her plates onto the coffee table and sat in the floor. "Um?" Ellone blinked, as Quistis slid off the couch to join Fujin. "What are you doing over there?" Quistis giggled. "I thought we would..." Ellone mumbled, looking questioningly at the dining table. "Oh quit being so formal, plop down here." Quistis laughed, patting the carpet. "Oh...okay." Fujin looked up curiously as she approached and sat down awkwardly. "Sorry, I'm not used to this kind of thing..." Ellone mumbled, trying to get comfortable while attempting not to appear too comfortable "The food looks wonderful; you two did a good job." Quistis smiled. "Fujin did most of the work; I only helped with the finishing touches." Ellone grinned. "EAT." Fujin prodded them sternly. "You heard her." Quistis chuckled. "I personally can't wait; I was getting tired of paste and ice-cream." "TAKE SLOW." Fujin reminded her. "Yes mom." Quistis sighed. Ellone giggled slightly. "So, Ellone, did you like our present?" Quistis asked. "Very much so! I loved it, thank you so much!" "I'm glad you liked it, it was the least I could do. I never got the chance to properly thank you for helping us so." "It's okay, I was glad to help, really." "Still, thank you." "YES, THANKS." Fujin added sincerely. Ellone blushed under the praise. "Where have you been? I had hoped to see you earlier." Quistis asked worriedly. "I heard about you're little out burst, I hope you didn't let everyone upset you too much." "I just needed to be away from people for a little while." Ellone shrugged. "Well I hope now that you'll visit more often. I hear you and Fu have hit it off pretty well. I'm glad she's making new friends." "I'M RIGHT HERE." Fujin grumbled. "Sorry." Quistis giggled then looked back to Ellone. "I'm sorry for the way everyone's been treating you. I honestly never meant to make you feel unwelcome and I'm sure the others didn't either." "It's okay I understand. I think some of them are scared of me somewhat?" "WHAT, WHY?" Fujin asked curiously. "Well, perhaps you should ask Quistis that." She responded meekly. Quistis frowned slightly and nodded. "Back during the stink with Ultimecia, Ellone wrecked havoc on Squall, Selphie, Zell and I." "HOW SO?" "She shifted us mentally into the past and put us in Laguna and the others' heads." Quistis explained, looking dizzy at the thought. "WHY?" Fujin balked. "I'd really rather not talk about it." Ellone mumbled self-consciously. "I was only trying to help..." "Anyway, I think some of the others are a little uneasy around her." "OH." Fujin shrugged then went back to eating. Ellone sat quietly and looking downcast. Quistis frowned and took her hand from across the table. "Look hon, don't worry about it anymore. I consider you part of my family and so does Fujin." "I DO?" Fujin blinked. "Yes!" Quistis hissed. "OKAY." She said with a shrug. "Ignore her." Quistis sighed, causing Ellone to giggle slightly. "Now then, since you're family I do hope to see more of you." "I...I'd like that." Ellone responded with a warm smile.
Back to Frozen Index - Back to Final Fantasy 8 Shoujo-Ai Fanfiction