Forgive and Forget? (Open)

[Fujin]

It was the midafternoon hours on the continent of Balamb. Having just gotten outside the town for a short stroll, Fujin found herself gazing upon the Balamb Garden. So many memories had been made there, not all of them good. It was the place she and Raijin and Seifer once called home. The three of them had once proclaimed themselves as the Disciplinary Committee. Running the place like they owned it back then was amusing.

However, those times were gone now and the three of them were out on the streets. Not because they had been booted out. It had been because Seifer took up residence in Balamb's town. Every day now, the three of them spent their time hanging out as friends. They had also been waiting on Seifer to sort out what he needed to. During that time, their time away from Balamb Garden seemed so long ago.

It was thanks to Squall's group that Fujin and Raijin had their friend back. Fujin was especially grateful for that because it killed her to see a friend she knew so well be twisted into somebody else. Still, she would never admit it to either of Squall's group, not even to Squall.

It was pride for now that prevented her from daring to ever go near it. Fujin knew people wouldn't appreciate the fact Raijin, Seifer and herself had betrayed them and took up arms on the side of the sorceress. Seifer, it hadn't exactly been of his own free will that he ended up being twisted. Raijin and Fujin, however, went on their own free will. It made them two worse than Seifer in the regards of others' opinions but that didn't matter to her. Fujin cared not about what others thought about herself or her friends.

Still, she was smart enough to stay away from a place where she knew if she dared go alone, might end up facing a confrontation of some sort. Turning away, short gray hair flying with the motion, Fujin began her trip back to Balamb Town. On her way, she had the sudden notion to visit the train station. She had been wondering where her friends had gone off to without her. Raijin especially had been missing for two days. Where her large friend had gone, she didn't know but he always seemed to lurk about the train station in Balamb and that's where she was headed.

Of course, she would sometimes see some of Squall's friends here but Fujin tended to avoid them. She had nothing to do with them as she was certain they had nothing to do with her. That didn't mean she would fight them unless given reason to.

As she traveled the cobbled stone path, she paused at the sound of some sort of commotion. Confused, she looked all around with her only able right, red eye. By the looks of it, a group of kids were chasing after a dog. The dog, by the looks of it, was frightened, tail tucked between its legs as it ran, a string tied about its tail attached to metal cans behind it. The noise the cans made scared it all the more as the cans clattered.

"RAGE!" she stated simply. It wasn't right to pick on an innocent animal. Sure, she didn't love dogs or cats but she didn't ever do them harm unless they tried doing her harm first. So, without further to do, she took off after the kids with the dog in the lead. Were they also going to beat on the dog? She didn't know but she wouldn't allow animal cruelty to continue. Even if this wasn't anything like Balamb Garden, Fujin didn't allow any injustice like this to take place and her do nothing about it. Even Seifer, who didn't like dogs all that much, would have probably wanted to put a stop to this sort of thing as well.

[Sonuske Asama]

The day had finally come! He had finally made it home! After all that time of wandering and searching, he had at long last found his birth place. His homeworld! He had to say, he missed it alot. Sure traveling worlds and all that jazz was fun, but there was no place like home. After just coming out of the portal, of course he had no idea where he was, but he knew his own world like the back of his hand, he'd figure it out soon.

He stood up and stretched, looking around trying to get a grasp on where he was. He couldn't see much that reminded him of anything. Had it been that long since he'd been away? Oh wait! He knew now, he was in Balamb. The train station to be exact. What a strange choice to be dropped off at, but he paid it no mind. He was just glad to be back home where he belonged! Though he knew he wouldn't be staying for long, he had to get back to Fate and Angeal. But if they weren't waiting on his return, he'd never leave again. It had taken way too long to find it the first time!

He stuck his hands in his pockets, preparing to traverse the familiar streets once more, when he was interrupted by a weird noise. What in the world was that? It sounded like, soda cans being dragged along the street, but who would do such a thing? Almost on cue, a dog with cans tied trailing behind it was racing past him up the street, followed by a gang of little kids, and a young woman who seemed familiar to him behind them.

He had to say, this was the last thing he expected to see upon his return. Where were all the balloons, stuffed animals, and floats in his honor? Guess they didn't give him his parade this time, he could wait. For now, he should probably do something about the scene unfolding before him, things could get dangerous for the dog or the kids, because that woman didn't seem happy right now. Though a quick scan of the scene and he had surmised a possible scenario. The kids were messing with the dog, hence it running from them with cans on it's tail, them chasing it, and she didn't approve so now she was chasing them. Yeah, that was a plausible one.

He sighed, clasping his hands together, snaking his shadow out swiftly towards the young boys, ensnaring them in his little shadow possession, stopping them dead in their tracks. "Alright kids, that's enough playing with the dog for one day." He felt bad for having to use this on children, but it was either that or physically exert himself to speed ahead of them, which seemed pointless when he could do this instead. He turned to the young woman with a smile. "I don't think they'll be messing with your dog anymore."

[Fujin]

Fujin kept up with the kids rather easily. In a few more paces, she was sure that she would overcome them and put a stop to this. It didn't take long before they happened upon the area near the train station. It was here that she was about to stop them when something else unexpectedly happened. The children were stopped dead in their tracks by some kind of power concerning shadows.

It had to be their shadows because how else could she explain it? Then, she heard a voice. Looking over, she found someone there. A young man had apparently used what unique powers he had to stop the kids in their tracks. Seeing as the kids had stopped, the dog ceased running as it tried to chew the string about its tail off.

Wandering over to it, Fujin knelt on one knee as she started untying the knot about the dog's tail. It was tied pretty tight but she managed to get it loose. Eventually, the dog's tail was free and she tossed aside the cans on a string before turning back to the unknown person whom had aided her.

Hearing the dog was her's made her raise an eyebrow. "NEGATIVE!" she replied in her usual, odd speech pattern. Not many found it easy interpreting her odd ways of speech but the word's meaning was quite clear. Obviously, she meant the dog hadn't been her's. She was just being a good citizen in helping the canine out in its time of need.

[Sonuske Asama]

Sonuske watched as the young lady untied the dog, smiling and feeling as if he had done his good deed for the day. Though with how close she was to the kids when he interferred, she probably didn't need his help at all and could've easily taken control of the situation. No use in thinking about what ifs though, but if she didn't need his help, then he would be slightly upset that he put forth an effort for nothing.

"Alright, you kids run along now. No more messing with animals, okay?" He said before releasing the children from his shadow. He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he turned to dog's original savior. The more he looked at her, the more he just knew he had seen her before somewhere. But where? Who was she? And what was up with that eyepatch? This was the second person in a week he had met with an eyepatch, were alot of people losing there eyes these days or something?

He raised an eyebrow at her answer. Okay, she answered in one word, that was a bit strange. What was negative though? Did she think the kids would mess with the dog again, or did she not own the canine? Using his instinct, he assumed it was the latter and left it at that. "Uh, okay then. Nevermind that." He said shrugging. Feeling as if he should introduce himself to his new 'partner in animal control' he walked over and extended his hand. "By the way, my name's Sonuske. What's yours?"

[Fujin]

Fujin had no recollection of whom this person was. If anything, he probably saw her wandering around in Balamb Garden with Seifer and Raijin. Fujin was rarely seen without either of them. Silently, she watched as the kids scampered off. It was a lucky thing they didn't have her to deal with. Not that she'd hurt them but Fujin could be scary when angry. She would've given them a lesson worth learning to not do harm unto those that were defenseless or innocent.

Her attention back on the dark haired male with a ponytail, she watched as he wondered about what she meant. It was obvious he didn't catch the meaning at first. People when first conversing with Fujin tended to always have a difficult time at first understanding her. It was usually Raijin who would translate to others for her so she wouldn't have to bother.

He seemed to catch on finally though before finally introducing himself. She raised an eyebrow at him when he approached her, extended a hand out and told her who he was. Honestly, she wasn't sure what to make of this Sonuske.

Still, he was being polite so she'd at least humor him. It wasn't like he was someone like Zell. That and Seifer had encouraged the trio to act less stand offish. Curtly, she had shook his hand once but that was it, she didn't further it. "FUJIN."

Before bumping into the kids, she had considered heading to the docks to meet up with Seifer and Raijin. However, those two were nowhere to be seen. Apparently, the other two were attending to their own personal matters at the moment which left Fujin to do whatever. Since she no longer patrolled Balamb Garden, she might as well patrol Balamb instead. So far, the only real trouble had been monsters trying to get into the town. One time, Seifer accidentally fished out a Leviathan and all hell broke loose.

[Sonuske Asama]

For a moment there, it seemed like Fujin didn't want to shake his hand. Which he kind of understood, not because of him, she may not have been the friendly type, seeing as she kept giving one worded responses. He'd have to get used to that, that is if they were to spend any extended time in each other's company. No use trying to understand a girl he may never see again right? That'd be an extreme waste of effort. He kind of liked that though, not using any more energy than necessary to get her point across, he may have to try that sometime. If anything, it would annoy Fate which was always fun.

He stuck his hands in his pockets, glancing around for a moment. What else was there to do today? He could always head back to Trabia, but that would take a while from where they were, and he wasn't sure he was ready for that kind of long haul just yet. Maybe he'd do that tomorrow, but he still had to find something to entertain himself with for the day. He glanced back at Fujin, wondering what she usually did to occupy her time around here.

That thought brought a question to his mind, but he wasn't sure how to approach it without sounding like a deranged creepy weirdo. He wondered if she would like to spend the day together, but there was no way he could think of to suggest that, other than outright saying it, which he absolutely refused to do. Besides, he didn't even know her! He was just bored and looking for something to do, right? Right!

In all honesty, this was only his second time in Balamb, and he had no idea where anything was at all. Maybe he could go sight-seeing or something? Impeding his thoughts from going any further, was the growling of his stomach. He hadn't eaten since before he had gotten here and he was hungry! Maybe Fujin could help him out? "Hey Fujin, sorry to bother you, but do you think you could show me where to get something to eat?" He asked in the friendliest voice he could muster.

[Fujin]

Fujin hadn't been the welcoming type. Her only friends were Seifer and Raijin. Only those two saw her friendlier side while even seeing her more wrathful side. Raijin saw that side of her many times. The big guy always got bruises on the shin for angering her for saying or doing something stupid. One time, she kicked him into the water out of playfulness giving herself and Seifer a good laugh in the process.

Since Seifer was turning over a new leaf and encouraged her and Raijin to do the same, she at least showed Sonuske that they weren't enemies. Still, it didn't mean she'd be buddy buddy with anyone outside her usual circle.

After a moment of silence, she could tell Sonuske seemed confused for a time, looking about the given area. It wasn't long before he asked her where to find a place to eat and if she could help him with that. Inwardly sighing but figuring she might as well return a favor she didn't even ask for, she nodded. "AFFIRMATIVE."

With that said, she turned, gesturing for him to follow and started heading back up the path she traveled earlier. There was a small little food place near the garage. It should serve its purpose well. She and Raijin had gone there plenty of times and the food wasn't half bad.

[Sonuske Asama]

Now that he thought about it, Sonuske didn't have a lot of people he could call his friend. Yeah he knew alot of people, and was on friendly terms with alot of people, but none of them were close enough that he could call friend. There was Fate, he was a definite, he was like a brother they were so close. Then there was Angeal, but he was more of a father figure than a real friend. But there was also Repa, she was cool too! Not as close as he and Fate were, but he'd gladly lay his life on the line for her.

That was it pretty much, just 3 people. He needed more friends, or atleast that's what he thought at the moment. What drove him to such thoughts? He wasn't sure. But he figured, why not attempt to make a friend out of Fujin? After all, Fate would've done the same had the positions been switched. Then again, he was more of a people person and much more outgoing. He didn't know what was wrong with him.

He was snapped out of his reverie as Fujin spoke, agreeing to help him in her weird way of communicating. Cool. He followed her up the path, stopping infront of a small eatery. "Thanks." He said rubbing the back of his neck. What was his problem today? What was making him so nervous? Was it the eyepatch? "Hey uh, you hungry? If you are I'll buy you lunch, ya know, since you brought me here and all." Now he was rambling like an idiot. Good job, that's how you connect with people and make friends.

[Fujin]

Fujin didn't have many friends either but for good reason. Her group tended to get themselves in most people's hate lists. Not that she ever cared. Raijin and Seifer were her closest friends and she would do anything to help them out. Well, in Raijin's case if she saw it as necessary. She knew in Seifer's case that he normally didn't get himself into situations like Raijin did. She never hung around with anyone else but them two.

Her odd speech pattern, the two could surprisingly interpret after knowing her for so long. With other people, hardly anyone understood what she was saying half the time and she didn't waste her breath trying to explain what each meant. Why bother when they could look for themselves in a dictionary somewhere?

Once they reached the place to eat, she had intentions of going her separate way. What she would do though, she didn't really know. Probably stand idly at the docks and stare out at the sea as she waited for Seifer or Raijin to appear. Then again, that was pretty boring. True, she was usually the calm and collected type that was quite thoughtful but she could only stand that for so long. She wasn't a social butterfly either but neither was she shy. So, what would she do to entertain herself a bit until Seifer or Raijin showed up? If they didn't, what was she going to do all day? Sit around?

Hearing Sonuske speak, she looked back over at him questioningly. She could tell for some reason he was nervous around her. Well, it was no real surprise to her. Her eye patch and her uniform tended to make her appear more intimidating than she really was. True, her wrath wasn't something to contend with but generally, she was just the silent type. Raijin saw her angry side more than anything just because he slacked off or messed something up. "WELCOME." That had been her response to his thanks.

She furrowed her visible eyebrow in obvious confusion at what he was asking her. Thinking about it for a moment, she guessed it wouldn't be all that bad. Besides, she related better to guys more than she did other women. That and Seifer still encouraged better relations with others, this was a bit of a chance to turn over a new leaf to an extent. Abiding by Seifer's new rules, she guessed having lunch with a new acquaintance wasn't so bad. "OFFER, ACCEPTED."