Final Fantasy VIII: A New Generation

[Storm]

Lukas was piled on the bed, fast asleep. When he was directed to his room, he read for about 10 minutes before eventually passing out. His hair was messed more than usual, tucked between his arms as a small amount of drool dripped from his mouth with each tiny snore. His parents always used to say that he looked like a puppy when he slept.

He found himself in the middle some snowy plains. He had seen this region in a textbook. Trabia, the always winter wonderland. An area always dusted in the deep snows, the trees glazed in frost. A strange voice spoke from somewhere, a woman.

"Lukas..."

"Huh?"

"Lukas.... Lukas Meighan... that is your name, correct?"

"Yes... and you are?"

"I need you Lukas! Save me! Help me!"

"Whats going on?!"

"They trapped me here, betrayed me. They used to trust me, but now they treat me like i'm a witch, that i'm not to be on this earth. Lukas... you can save me...I have been watching you. You remind me of them... only... more loyal..."

"Who... who are you?"

"Save me! Lukas!" Her voice howled. A flash of light appeared as a blue female spirit flashed infont on him."

"Shiva?"

Lukas woke up, sweat dripping down his face and body. Brushing back his hair, he pulled himself out of bed. It was early, and by the looks of it, Resitch was already awake. Maybe the others were awake too...

He proceded down the stairs and into the kitchen. Resitch was sitting at the table. He laughed at Lukas's startled expression and sweaty body.

"Whats the matter? Seen a ghost? Had a nightmare?"

"I think so..." Lukas mumbled, still tired. "Do you know if your girlfriend has any chocolate milkshake in the fridge?"

"Not sure... why?"

"It... calms me down..."

[Omega OwA]

It was uncomfortably quite as Kitere packed up his things. There was usually the sound of commotion and laughter everywhere. Come on. They all need to get over it. What's done is done. Nothing can change.. He tightened up his bag and flew it over his shoulder. Heading out of his dorm, he exited the garden.

It did not take long to get to Balamb. Kitere was glad to see that the town wasn't attacked. He went into the nearest airport and where he headed up and stood in line for the flight. There seemed to be a great amount of people heading to Esthar for Laguna's funeral. Once he was up, he ordered a ticket which cost 8000 Gil.

"Its a good thing I've been saving up. Otherwise I'd be broke."

Kitere entered the ship and took his seat. After a good fifteen minutes, the ship began to take flight. It was awfully crowded and it seemed poorly ventilated after a short period of time and was hard to breath.

He spent most of his time staring out the window, watching the clouds fly by. It was quite a distance to Esthar, and Kitere fell asleep.

"Hey, wake up. Were here."

Kitere quickly lifted his eyes and noticed the flight was over. He got his bag and walked out with everyone else. He headed up and finally entered through the gates of Esthar.

It wasn't his first time in Esthar, though he still did not know many areas of it. He walked about looking up at the great glass buildings. The great city was filled with many bright colors. He went to a large Inn where he would stay for a couple of days.

The man gave him his key and Kitere headed tothe third floor and into his room. Unpacking his things, he went out and gazed down at the town. The funeral would be held in two days.

[Caije]

"What calms me down is Walking, I got a new Sword....," Resitch smiled. He showed Lukas his brand new sword, He withdrew it as Lukas smiled. "Whats up anyways?"


"Dreams," Lukas sighed. He got a glass of water and drank it down in one gulp.

"Dreams like, Falling...?" Resitch asked.

"More like the kind when someones yelling for help," He panted.

Resitch smiled. "Anyone in particular?"

"I-I don't know it was only a dream..." Lukas groaned. Resitch knew he shouldn't ask anymore.

"I hope your ready for today, Last night we were discussing what we should do, I was thinking about storming the Hotel," Resitch smiled.

"Listen, I know this is your home and all, but ain't you going a bit too full-out" Lukas asked.

"Its my home Lukas, I started this whole predicament, then I'll end it my way..."

"What did you do Resitch?"

"Its my business, so back off okay?" Resitch said. He stood up.

"I have the right to know, come on, I helped you!"

"Fine,....but, Dont judge me..." Resitch sighed.

-----Flash-----
"School's out, what do you wanna do Caije, A younger figure of Claire asked.

"Wanna go graffiti the backalley?" Resitch smiled.

"That gets old after a while Caije..." She laughed as they strolled trough a alley.

"Hey, cutie...."

Claire turned to see a Galbadian soldier. He approached her slowly. Resitch and Claire began to walk faster. Suddenly a gun was pulled and aimed at Resitch's head. Another guard approached from ebhind and smacked Resitch in the back of the head.

"Caije!" Claire yelled she just watched as her friend fell to the ground. The guard approached her and pushed her against the wall he started to feel up her leg.

"Get your hands off her,!" Resitch yelled. The other guard Kicked him. He heard the wails from Claire's mouth.

"Come on baby, don't worry, I'll be the best you'll ever -"

Resitch had struck him down. The other guard who had held him down was unconcious and the one who was at Claire had been stabbed by the unconcious soldiers weapon.

------Flash-----

"Then, I just ran," Resitch sighed. He didn't look Lukas in the eye once. "I suppose you could say I killed for the right reasons but....,"

[Storm]

"You fought for the right reasons, Resitch. I'd of done the same thing if I was in your position, man." Lukas said, trying to re-assure him.

"I'm a wanted man Lukas!"

"Yes, but you did the courageous thing. Fighting to save a friend, its the greatest thing to do."

Resitch remained quiet, Lukas realised he should leave it at that.

"Don't worry, its in the past. I'll help you fight, like brothers in arms. We can get through our problems together." He sighed, before continuing. "I... I have a bad feeling about how the Galbadians hve obtained a Guardian Force. I think the GFs are mad about how they were iscolated... I think... something bad may happen. They'll probably oblige to the Galbadians... they're powerful things..."

"Makes sense... what made you think of that all of a sudden?"

"My dream... Have you heard of Shiva? The spirit of ice? She... she was calling out to me. She sounded desperate. Also furious... I... didn't know what to do..."

"Thats why you got so worked up?"

"Yeah... I just... felt it... It felt real, like I was there ya'know?"

"I know how you feel. I've had that many times. It really makes you wonder what goes on in your mind, or if its some kind of sign."

Lukas nodded, giving a small smile. He always felt more at ease talking about his problems. Resitch had his own problems, but discussing them together made him feel special. He had longed for a true friendship. A bang on the door shook the room, snapping Lukas away from his thoughts. Startled, they both looked around at the door.

"Open the door! This is the Galbadian Military! We know you are in here Caije!"

"Caije?" Lukas thought outloud. "Who the hell is Caije?!"

[Fehrant]

A loud bang on a door. A scream from someone outside. Selenia woke up in one of her foulest moods. Her head split apart from last night's hangover. Her feminine hands were all damaged. Her face was partly beaten as well. Her body ached. She was sleeping atop a bed cover on the ground and nothing else, as a result having her body cramped all over. She still had her clothes on. They reeked of alcohol, and tobacco. Everything because of last night.

Last night... [OOC: the following takes place last night, starting from my last post]

Selenia stood in the room until it was dinner time. They all enjoyed a simplistic meal like a happy family. In her case, she felt uncomfortable, and took her plate somewhere else where she could eat alone. By the time everyone was done, she came back, and warned Retisch not to do anything stupid while she was out. Retisch simply waved her off explaining he could take care of himself, and Selenia left the house with a last warning that doing anything stupid would end up with his ass being kicked.

Selenia wandered aimlessly on the streets. In truth, being this a rotten town, she thought trouble would eventually come up to her, and she wouldn't be bored. For some reason however, there were little people as it got darker, and they didn't pay her any attention at all. Eventually she decided to return, since that runt was probably doing something stupid anyway.

It was then when she noticed she was being followed. She played fool and eventually turned on a dead end. She turned around, and waited for the stalker to show up, but he never did. Behind the fence that blocked the alleyway, she heard steps.

"Show yourself, and I will beat the hell outta you," Selenia threatened. Her right hand went for the hilt of her katanas. She prepared for the stalker's next move.

"That's no way to greet an old friend, Selenia..." Came a voice from behind, past the fence. Someone lay in the impenetrable shadows. She still was giving the back to the stalker. Her arms suddenly fell loose to her sides. Her adrenaline died down completely, instead replaced by an overwhelming sadness that clutched her heart, unforgiving. It was sadness rooted deep within her from 5 years ago. Selenia glanced at the night sky, as the multiple stars, and the clear, bright moon became blurry, holding back the tears that wanted to come out. She didn't need to turn around to see who her stalker was; the voice etched within her mind pouring salt over her old wounds.

"Will you stop... tormenting me?" Selenia pleaded, the tone of her voice unusually fragile and broken. No response came from the stalker. Not removing her eyes from the sky, she asked another question. "He is here in this town... isn't he?"

"You know I can't answer that question, Selenia;" answered the man behind the shadows with a rather fond, friendly tone. "But you know how it works," he said in an equally amicable voice. "To fight him, you'll have to fight me first."

"I don't..." Each of Selenia's words carried deep sorrow. "I don't... want to fight..." The stars and the moon became more blurry. Her eyes were hot. "...you." Came the last word, holding an incredible weight in her heart.

"I know," he replied frankly. "But I also know that it is our fate to fight. I also want to fight him in a real fight, but he refuses to do so. Not until I fight you, Selenia. I admired him as much as you did; it is my dream to fight one on one with him. I have trained for hard for that, as I bet you have."

"I... I..." She tried to speak, but she felt at a loss of words.

"I am sure our paths will cross again, even though today's encounter was mere coincidence. Until then..." He said, and walked away. Selenia could not take off her eyes from the sky, else her tears would fall down unwillingly. She closed her eyes, as her face melted into an expression of deep agony and frustration. The clutches from the hand that had gripped her vulnerable heart a few moments ago slowly let go, as the heart encased itself by a strong wall known as anger.

She walked out of the alley, seething with fury. A group of eight males in the opposite side of the street noticed Selenia, and after checking her out unscrupulously, they whistled vulgarly. After all, even though her attitude and behavior were more male-like, she was indeed a beautiful girl, with very feminine curves and silky long black hair. If she could have wanted, she could have been a normal girl, living a normal life. Yet a particular event 5 years ago had changed her life forever.

Selenia crossed the street and headed straight to the group. The whistling and name-calling got more vulgar as she approached. By the time they took a good look at her face, and asked her what was up with that nasty expression, the closest one got blown into the air by her fist. She fought against seven with only her fists. She didn't bother to dodge, taking repeated hits from the group, and outpowering them with sheer will. After a few minutes they all lied in the ground, beaten by a single girl using only her hands. No matter where they hit her, or how hard, she would take the blow, and return it with twice the strength.

She roamed the streets again, until she found a bar. She smoked and drank heavily, and it was only a matter of time before she got into a fight again. By then she was so drunk she used her katanas, fortunately not wounding anyone too seriously. After being targeted by many flying bottles, and being covered with alcohol, she was kicked out of the pub.

Selenia somehow reached Claire's house not without throwing up a couple of times on the way. She climbed the stairs, almost falling on her way up, and reached her room. Sakuya was already sleeping peacefully on the bed, at which Selenia stole her bed covers. "That's mine, you ****er;" she said absolutely wasted. She threw the covers on the floor, and collapsed on the ground.

[cetra_aeris]

Sakuya had went into the room shortly after Selinia. She had said a quiet thank you to Claire, Restich's friend, before going inside. And she really was thankful, especially since she had no real reason to even be here. Infact, she couldn't even explain to herself why she was here right now.

She agreed to sleep in the bed, since Selinia insisted. Selinia had then went straight to the window, staring out at Timber. Sakuya had decided to leave her be, she seemed to be in deep thought. She took the book she had brought with her and exited the room. She heard Restich and Claire talking in the kitchen and decided to stay upstairs. She felt out of place here, and it was odd.

She settled in the hallway, leaning against the wall. She opened the book to the page where she had left, a section on the different types of elements that the GF's stood for and what attributes they gave.

She wished she could go outside and find a place to sit and look at the stars as she often had to read when at Balamb and the Garden. Instead she looked down at the pages and let herself get absorbed in reading. Her mind went with the pages and she found herself imagining what it would be like to meet a GF. The book went on the describe each GF's basic personality, their attacks during battle, and the bonds they formed with those who used them.

She looked up after reading the last bit. '..."bonds are formed with the GF and the user, allowing the attacks to become stronger. Trust and respect are the basics of the relationships of those that actually enlist the help of the Guardian Forces"..... That's what the book says, but it really doesn't make much since...' She thought, closing the book and walking back to the room her and Selinia would be staying in. 'If that's true... then why have they been locked away? Sure a side effect of their power that no one knew about was memory loss, but... I still don't quite get it...'

She let out a sigh and walked into the room. Selinia was at the window smoking a ciggerette. Sakuya wrinkled her nose. She found smoking disguesting and hated the smell it left in the air. She ignored it as best she could and went over to the bed. Selinia didn't even seem to notice she was there, or if she had noticed, just didn't care.

She flopped onto the bed and looked at the ceiling. 'What's so bad about the Guardian forces anyway?' she found herself thinking. The book was still clutched in her arms. She pulled it up and looked at the cover. She'd never really payed attention before, but there were symbols for each GF decorating the cover. It was obviosly quite old, the Title slightly smudged out.

She flipped it open to the picture of Leviathin. The large snake like water dragon held beautiful hues of blue. It's picture was her favorite among those in the book. So detailed, almost like a photograph. Many of the pictures were like that, but those the most detailed were Shiva, Leviathin, Ifrit, and Carbuncle. She layed the book across her stomach and stared at the ceiling once more. "I just.. don't get it.." She mumbled, feeling herself drift of into sleep.

--Her dreams were filled with pictures of the GFs she'd been reading about. like fragments, some of the colors blending together. But at one point she found herself standing in complete darkness. She looked around, and found that there seemed to be nothing. She didn't even know what she was standing on. She took a few sample steps, to test her footing and make sure the ground was there.

She walked around in the emptiness for a while. She was bored and was beginning to wish that she had just fell into a dreamless sleep. She had been looking at her feet for a while and looked up now. In the distance was a small light, glittering slightly. Her curiostity caused Sakuya to run towards the light, watching in interest as it got bigger the closer she seemed to get.

Just as she reached out a hand the light seemed to explode, surrounding everything in a blinding glow. She threw up her arms on instinct, half expecting a blow of some sort. Nothing happened though, and she lowered her arms blinking her eyes open. She was in a large field of flowers. It seemed to go on past the horizon.

She turned around to see what was behind her to be compleatly surprised. Several scenaries seemed to blend into one. She was standing in a field of flowers, yet just a few feet away lay a winter field, a deep lush forest, a large desert, and several others. Some she recognized, others she had no clue as to where the were.

She turned around to look back into the field of flowers only to have everything go dark once again. She heard voices saying something, several blending together but couldn't grasp at the words. She tried to listen closer but only found the dream slipping away.---

She stirred on the bed. She opened one eye slightly, groaning inwardly at waking up. The room was still dark. She let out a yawn and sat up, opening both eyes. She looked out the window and saw the suns colors barely rising above the horizon. She yawned once again and grabbed for the book. Looking over the bed she saw Selinia laying on the floor. She remebered at some point hearing Selinia say something and then the covers being jerked off her. She couldn't tell if she was asleep or not, but either way she wasn't going to bug her. She slipped of the bed on the other side, carrying the book. She flattened her hair with her hand abit, knowing it was going to be a mess.

She slipped out of the room as quietly as she could and headed downstairs. She heard the voices of Restich and Lukas down in the kitchen. She walked down slowly, still drowsy and thinking about her odd dream.

"Don't worry, its in the past. I'll help you fight, like brothers in arms. We can get through our problems together."

She stopped for a minute on the stairs, preparing to go back up to give them their privacy. She stayed where she was though as she heard Lukas continue.

"I... I have a bad feeling about how the Galbadians hve obtained a Guardian Force. I think the GFs are mad about how they were iscolated... I think... something bad may happen. They'll probably oblige to the Galbadians... they're powerful things..."

"Makes sense... what made you think of that all of a sudden?"

"My dream... Have you heard of Shiva? The spirit of ice? She... she was calling out to me. She sounded desperate. Also furious... I... didn't know what to do..."

"Thats why you got so worked up?"

"Yeah... I just... felt it... It felt real, like I was there ya'know?"

"I know how you feel. I've had that many times. It really makes you wonder what goes on in your mind, or if its some kind of sign."

There was a slight silience for a moment and Sakuya thought about what she had just heard. Galbadia had a GF and Lukas had had a dream about Shiva. She found herself a bit shaken and wondering if his dream was really just that. What if it had been something else.Her thoughts were interupted when a loud bangin began sounding at the door.

"Open the door! This is the Galbadian Military! We know you are in here Caije!"

She went down the rest of the stairs and went into the kitchen quickly. Both Restich and Lukas were staring at the door, one confused the other an unreadable expression on his face.

"Caije? Who the hell is Caije?!"

She didn't know, but she knew one thing: that they were all going to be in some trouble if the Galbadians found them. Thinking on her feet she quickly made her presence known, if it wasn't already. " We should go and wake up the others. We may be able to get out through one of the windows." She suggested quietly so that those outside couldn't hear.

[Caije]

"We need to get outta here, now!" Resitch yelled ignoring Lukas's last comment.

Sakuya ran down the stairs and looked at them. " We should go and wake up the others. We may be able to get out through one of the windows."

Next Claire had come into visual."Caije, up here!" She yelled at him. Lukas was shocked but he followed after Caije and Sakuya. They went into the girls room and suddenly smelled a foul stench coming from Selenia, she smelled like vomit liquor, Claire shook her awake and beckoned her.

"Whats going on!?" She yelled, frustrated and the pounding in her head wasn't making it better at all. She got up quickly and they all retreated to the bathroom.

"Where now!?" Resitch yelled at her. The only means of escape was a small window,

Claire said nothing and just climbed out of the window and shot down a drain pipe. There were no Galbadian soldiers in sight. Sakuya was the next out and she made her way down just as quick as Claire had. Bangs could be heard from down stairs. The Galbadians had stormed the house and had made there way into the Kitchen.

"Lukas, go!" Resitch yelled.

Lukas squezed trough the small window and swung down the pipe dropping halfway and landing on the ground feet first. Resitch looked at Selenia she didn't seem to be moving so Resitch went next. He swung down the pipe and landed on his feet. selenia came down after. The group made a run into a small alley which was at the back of the house. They made there way out to the shopping district and when claire was out of breath they stopped.

"I suppose, your all trained for this, no?" She panted.

Resitch smiled. "We need to get to somewhere safe,"

"Not until I take a shower and get some decent cloths...." Selenia growled. She walked off.

Resitch ignored her latest rant. "Where can we go thats safe?"

"The tv station has been abandoned for like, 20 years,"

"Lets get there then..." Resitch took the lead.

"Wait! Its guarded heavily, by like 3 Black widow soldiers," She stated, she was still out of breath.

"So thats out of the question....," Resitch sighed. "Wait, Where's the Forest Owls?"

"There gone Caije, Soldiers lined them up, shot them down one by one" She said, her voice slightly choked.

"I've missed so much...." Resitch sighed.

"Resitch, lets just follow Selenia," Lukas moaned as they watched her go out of sight.

"No, there's gotta be another hideout right?", Resitch asked her.

"We could go visit Donnie," Claire finnaly got off the ground after catching her breath.

"Raijin's kid?" He asked.

"Yeah, Don't worry, Raijin's with Seifer so you won't get told on...."

Resitch slightly smiled. "Lead the way Claire,".

"Resitch? What about Selenia? I wouldn't usually worry but she dosen't seem up for fighting," Sakuya now spoke, she seemed to be the quite type who spoke only when needed.

"HEY SELENIA, COME ON! YOU'll ATTRACT THE DOGS AND GALBADIANS WITH THAT STENCH!"C Resitch shouted joking. Selenia showed no intrest in being nice to him, why should he repay it to her. They hurried on after Claire not knowing if Selenia would follow.

[Fehrant]

"HEY SELENIA, COME ON! YOU'LL ATTRACT THE DOGS AND GALBADIANS WITH THAT STENCH!" Resitch shouted as he left with the group. Selenia glared at him, trying to consider her options. As much as she wanted to tell him to **** off and die, she had been set up by Squall. The information she wanted to know depended on her actions now.

It was hard to think with all the pounding in her head, and the annoying sunlight. The only idea that kept popping up was beating the hell out of everyone. She asked Resitch the address of where they were going, and she told them to go off without her. "I'll delay the ****ing pricks," were her words before she turned around. Determined, or rather pissed off with everything and everyone, she headed back to the house.

It had been a while since she was this wasted. She walked at a fast pace until she reached the house. The door had been taken down, and she heard steps inside. She stood there at the door, clenching her damaged fists. "I'm here, assholes!!!" She screamed atop her lungs. The steps suddenly halted, then they all rushed in unison heading towards her. Eventually the soldiers showed up. Only three of them, yet armored, and ready for combat.

"Throw your weapons and raise your hands where I can see them!!" One soldier ordered. Selenia did as told, throwing her katanas on the floor, and lifting up her hands. "Where's Caije?!" Interrogated the soldier.

"Oh, behind me," Selenia bluffed, not even knowing who Caije was. Two soldiers ran past her, and one proceeded to secure Selenia. "Stay still!!" He commanded.

"How about you shut the **** up? Your annoying yelling is making my head hurt." Replied Selenia annoyed. The soldier took offense, and wanted to whack her with the butt of his weapon, but she easily stopped the motion, and stole his rifle. The man quickly went for his pistol, but he couldn't even get it out by the time she had smacked his face with the weapon, falling with a loud thud on the ground. The two other soldiers who were outside heard the sound, and hurried in. Without hesitation, they opened fire. Selenia jumped in the air, rolled on the floor, grabbed her katanas, and found cover all in one fluid motion. Now she was crouching behind a column underneath the stairs. The soldiers approached closely. She quickly listened to the footsteps, trying to judge the distance. When the timing was right, the tossed her two sheathes to the right, sprinted to the left, quickly reaching the back of the stairs just in time to prevent the soldiers' weapons from hitting her. She leaped once, landing on the stairs' rail, and leaped again into the air, falling on the soldiers, as her katanas rained down. Both collapsed to the ground, bleeding profusely from their lethal wounds. All the remaining survivors received a coup de grâce.

Selenia picked up the door, and placed it on its respective frame as best as a broken door would stand. The slightest push would make it fall down again, making a loud noise. She went upstairs, ignoring the dead bodies on the ground. On the top floor, she found a washing machine, and placed her pants, shirts, belts, even her coat to wash, while she took a shower. The water cleansed her body and hair of all the nasty cigarette and booze smell. She stood beneath the comforting shower remembering all the events that had taken place last night. Sadness started to creep up her heart as she remember her fateful encounter, so she quickly closed off the water before her mind trailed off any further. Wrapping a towel around her body, and taking her katanas who never left her side, she went towards the washing machine, who was almost done with its cleaning cycle. She tossed all on her clothes in the drier except for her coat-- it had to be dried naturally. She hanged her coat, looking outside a window. "Almost noon," she said gazing at the sky. "Hopefully that runt made it safely. I shouldn't waste much time here, either."

A couple of beeping noises announced that her clothes were dried. She dropped her towel, revealing her beautiful body. Now that her back was bare, a sight few people have seen was also revealed. A big tattoo of a slender, menacing demon with its wings wrapped closely about. It took most of the center of her back, but with its wings closed, it left her scapulae uncovered. She got fully dressed, now clearly smelling better than a few moments before. She took the coat on her arm, still wet, and without wasting any time, she headed to the address she had been told.

Walking after that shower made her sober up again. She asked for directions, none too politely, and eventually made her way to the house were the group was hiding. She knocked the door. "It's me," Selenia said. "Open up."

[Caije]

Resitch led the team this time. Him and Donnie had been good friends since the age of 7. The both of them had shared moments of unease before Resitch had left timber. Resitch had just hoped he had forgotten. As they made there way towards a small block of houses he opened the rusty Iron gate and heard it creek some shuddered as they approached the torn down house. Resitch knocked on the door.

"Yeah, who is it," A large rough masculine voice came from behind the door.

"It's me Donnie, me and Caije and his friends....

"Caije is there?" He opened the door and they came face to face with a young version of Raijin but with a lot less muscle. He wore black trousers and a white top with a hood. The both of them stared at eachother. No words being spoken he let the group in.

As all the group walked in Donnie broke the silence. He had immediatley thrusted himself at Resitch, pushing him up against the wall and he spat in his face.

"So Caije, You break our pact and you show your ugly face around here, why, Why come back after starting it all! You think you can come-go then leave us while you train for your needs," Donnie yelled.

"Donnie stop-"

"Shut it Claire, when the hell were you gonna tell me-"

"Dont tell her to shut you son of a Bitch," Resitch yelled.

Donnie had lost his temper and punched Resitch in the stomach. Lukas ran forward and smacked Donnie in the face causing him to fall over and his head on a small table knocking him unconcious. Claire turned towards the group.

"We shouldn't of come here...."

"Its cool, I'll just keep my distance from him when he wakes..." Resitch walked into the Kitchen. Claire whispered to Sakuya and Lukas as Resitch went out of sight behind a wooden door.

"Caije and Donnie used to get along, but when Caije started it all, he uh, lost it. When he knew Caije was leaving after causing a civil war he swore to hunt him down, I personally thought the hate would be forgotten after all this time, but they both got problems, so please dont Judge Donnie, He dosent know the whole truth..."

"Whole truth?" Sakuya asked.

"oh, you musnt know, sorry..."

"So Resitchs name is Caije...."

"After his Father, Caijes dad died when he was young,"

A Knock came on the door then.

"Its me, Open up" Selenia's voice came from behind the door. Lukas opened the door and she walked passed him.

"Where's the runt..." She growled. Though they all noticed she smelled alot better.

"In the Kitchen," Sakuya said. Her and Lukas then helped Donnie onto the Sofa nearby. Selenia walked into the Kitchen to see Resitch reading the notice board.

"You seemed to smell better, jump in a River...?" Resitch asked.

"Funny, do you really wanna stay here?" Selenia asked she got straight to the point.

"Why do you wanna know?" He asked her.

"Because sooner or later the Galbadians are gonna come, Its only a matter of time until they shut down the trains, block the entrrances, Theres no were to run, " She stated.

"Since when did you care....?" Resitch asked. He was tired of her constant arguing.

"I don't care about you, I've got my reasons..."

"Well, so do I.... So Don't intrude on mine, if your not willing to share your own..." He turned around and read the notice board again.

[Storm]

Lukas watched Selena walk into the kitchen. He groaned at her arrogance, not ever noticing his existance, and her pursuit after "the runt". He sighed, giving a slight smile before walking back to Sakuya and Claire.

"So... I guess this is why Re... I mean Caije is in so much trouble. It must be tough for him... not only are the Galbadian army after him, but hes lost a friend... "

"I was really worried about him after he left," Claire said, hesitantly. "Though, I see that he has good friends. The way you stood up for him earlier, I appreciate what you did for him. However, Donnie has a short temper, he has a lot of anger in him, so you should watch your own back."

"I've had few friends in my life. I've always been classed as an outsider, but I fell that me and him have things in common. I can relate to him somehow, although I haven't known him for very long."

"Caije is a good friend," Claire said.

Lukas nodded, looking over at Sakuya. She seemed really quiet. He moved a little closer and smiled.

"Is everything ok? You seem a little quiet," He asked.

"Oh... I'm fine," she replied. "I've just been thinking about the situation."

"Everything seems a little confusing and hazy at the moment, but it should all hopefully become clearer soon. If you have anything to talk about, just ask. I'll be happy to talk about anything."

"Thank you, Lukas," she smiled.

"You can call me Luke," he smiled. "Either name works for me."

There was a slight muffled turning behind them, as Donnie was recovering on the sofa. He had a tough exterior, which made him look a little intimidating. Lukas just hoped he was waking up in a good mood.

"Is there a reason why my house has been invaded....." He groaned, looking round at the group. His eyes focused on a tall figure in a black t-shirt. Scruffy ginger-brown hair. Lukas. "Oi! Carrot top! Whad'ya think you're doing in here acting all tough?!"

"Carrot? Tough?" Lukas queried. "I appoligise for the introduction back there, I was just trying to help Resitch... I mean Caije. My name's Lukas."

"You're weak, ya know! You're a sly fighter! Do you know how to fight like a man?!"

"Please, Donny..." Claire quietly tried to calm him.

"Shutup Claire! Ya wanna fight Ginger?"

"If you're going to insult us all, not even giving us a plesant greeting when we seek your advice, then bring it on! I'm not going to go easy on you!" Lukas growled. Claire looked a little shocked.

"Lukas! Don't you start!"

"Claire, If I didn't think I could handle this I wouldn't fight. He's just a big wuss!"

"Lukas!"

"Heh, we'll see who the wuss is once you're unconcious and marinating in your own blood!"

"Donnie!"

"OH YEAH?! BRING IT ON!!!"

"Sheesh... men."

Lukas took a stance as Donny rushed towards him. He swept his foot, trying out a heel sweep, which missed as Donnie tackled him to the floor. Lukas was surprised, he had never known anybody to start a fight with a tackle. Most people started with punches. He scowled, grabbing Donnie's arms in a lock. Manuvering his legs around Donnie's, he pulled himself over Donnie, holding him against the ground. Donnie's large body squirmed from underneath Lukas, who was holding his limbs like an alligator wrestler.

"You'll have to try harder than that!"

Donnie rolled over, squashing Lukas between his body and the ground. He raised himself, arching his back over Lukas's struggling body, delivering swift muscular punches to the sides of his face. His punches were strong, each one crashing into the side of the smaller man's face. Lukas pulled his legs from underneath Donnie, pushing them in a spring-like motion, sending Donnie backwards. Lukas raised himself from the ground, stretching his body and preparing a fighting stance. Both men were getting sweaty, their abilities evenly matched. Donnie moved towards Lukas, punching him in the shoulder as Lukas performed a heel drop. Lukas cringed as Donnie's iron-like fist crashed into him. Donnie tripped as Lukas's kick landed, ripping Lukas's t-shirt, a gift from his deceased uncle. Both men got back to their feet, slowly panting from adrenaline.

"You... bastard..."

EDIT: Noticed several typos