"You're supposed to sip…." Quistis started then looked in horror as Fujin glared furiously at her then stood to leave.
"Oh no Fu wait!" Quistis said alarmed, she jumped up knocking her knee against the table and sending the Champagne sloshing to the floor.
She ignored both as she caught Fujin by the wounded hand had held it. Fujin hissed in pain and turned on her snarling.
"MOCK ME!" She shouted, her expression was one of hurt and incomprehension.
"LAUGH, TRICK…I DID NOTHING!" Fujin muttered closing her eye trying to remain in control though she felt herself failing miserably. She had to leave now!
"THOUGHT DIFFERENT!…..BUT LIKE OTHERS." She choked and closed her mouth taunt she couldn't stop shaking. Quistis could have cried at the utter look of anguish on her face.
"Oh Fu." She pleaded taking both her hands in hers bringing them together. She looked her in the eye with as much compassion as she could muster.
"I didn't trick you I swear on everything I hold dear."
"LIE."
"No! I promise you please believe me."
Fujin looked up her expression pained, she sniffed lightly, and kept her eye closed tight.
"FUJIN FOOL."
Quistis hated herself.
"No Fu…You're not." Quistis began to cry in despair, everything had fell apart. She let her go and slumped to the ground.
"You happy now? You know you can't do anything right. That's what you get for even trying. She hates you more than ever now!" She was full of vicious self-loathing. She could her herself far away sobbing and apologizing.
Fujin reached for the door but stopped herself.
"You're jumping to conclusions Fujin." She told herself. "You're just wanting a excuse to leave because you're scared of letting someone past your defenses."
Fujin sighed and looked back at Quistis. Her heart felt heavy like lead in her chest.
"You destroyed her. She tried to reach out to you and you destroyed her, no wonder no one likes you."
I don't need anyone anyway she thought.
"Is that why you sit and brood all day wondering why they left you alone. Is that why you are bitter and jealous of everyone else's happiness."
Fujin sighed again she knew she was just lying to herself and it wasn't Quistis's fault.
Quistis rocked slowly she just wanted to do one thing right. Just one thing and she failed, She felt as though she lost everything she wanted to die.
Everything else and now this, it was just to much. A hand touched her shoulder softly.
Rinoa lay in bed puzzled, she couldn't sleep. She looked at the clock, 12:34 it read. With a sigh she closed her eyes, she had class tomorrow.
Even though she was made an honorary SEED, she insisted on taking the classes to prove to herself and the others that she was worthy of the title.
She opened her eyes and once again looked at the clock, 12:35. She moaned and rolled over to look at Squall who slept soundly next to her.
Not a care in the world she thought, as she studied his features. She recalled her earlier encounter with Fujin.
"What the heck was she doing at Quistis's?" She wondered. She did not trust the woman in the least, she had a aura about her Rinoa did not like. She was worried about Quistis, she knew her friend was lonely and heartbroken.
Over the past few months she had gotten worse and worse, she tried to set her up on dates with several young men she had known.
Quistis never said much about the blind dates but not a one got a second chance. Rinoa sighed and rolled over, Squall lay beside her, fast asleep his face serene.
"What can I do?" She thought. Rinoa had seen this sort of depression before and feared it. She feared her friend would drift farther and farther away until gave up hope, she feared something horrible would happen.
She dared not think it for fear it would give it power. She prayed silently that she was wrong. She had no idea was how right she really was.
Quistis flinched at the hand on her shoulder, her sobs had givin way to gentle trembling. Fujin was unsure what to do, she looked in quite sympathy and waited.
Quistis sat silently on her knees, her blonde tresses draped over her face as she looked down in ruin and despair.
"I'm sorry" Quistis whispered weakly. "I just wanted to thank you for your kindness."
"I KNOW." Fujin said as softly as she can manage. Her voice took on a rich sultry tone when she tried to whisper. Quistis looked up her crystalline eyes glimmered with worried.
"MY FAULT." Fujin whispered again, as she carefully knelt to one knee. Quistis's looked down ashamed.
Her arms hung limp and she looked far older than her years. She felt horrible about all this. Fujin sat companionably her eye watching her with a worried expression.
"Well once again you get to see me fall apart." Quistis muttered dryly.
"USED TO IT." Fujin responded flatly, Quistis looked up with a start, obviously wounded by her bluntness. Fujin surprised her with a gentle smile causing her to stare in stunned silence.
Her cheeks still moist from tears glimmered faintly in the dim light. Fujin's smile faded to a more somber expression. Then without a word she reached out with a tentative hand.
Quistis sat still, watching her, not knowing what to expect. She closed her eyes in worry, she could feel more tears waiting to come forth.
With an awkward gentleness she was unaccustomed to Fujin touched her cheek. With delicate fingertips she traced the tears down her face.
"IT'S OKAY." She said simply, but now her voice was much quieter. She let her hand linger a moment and was surprised when Quistis unconsciously pressed her cheek into her palm.
With a soft sigh Quistis's expression softened considerably. Fujin slowly pulled her hand back as Quistis opened her eyes as is if waking from a dream.
Her gaze smoldered darkly as their eyes meet. Fujin was frightened at the dull ache that rose in her chest and gasped softly. With a start she abruptly looked away and stood uneasily.