"Have you lost your mind?! We didn't come all the way over here just to rile up a village!"

"You worry way too much Jessica. Quit being such a drama queen."

"I wouldn't have to be so ing dramatic if you didn't always give me a reason to be!"

"Knock it off you guys!"

Sulli was sick of it. Jessica and Krystal had been arguing nonstop ever since they left the village. It was grating on her last nerves. "Would the two of you PLEASE just stop and listen to yourselves right now? You're being ridiculous."

"How the am I being ridiculous? Jessica keeps blowing things out of proportion." Krystal sent a death glare in the older woman's direction. Unsurprisingly, she was getting one right back.

"Krystal," Sulli started in the nicest tone possible. "If we're going to be fair here, your…approach when it came to dealing with Obaba wasn't exactly…appropriate."

Krystal shook her head disapprovingly. "You always have to serve as some kind of voice of reason don't you?"

Sulli wasn't sure what to say at that point. Krystal wasn't listening to her. "Ever since you made that deal with Edea, you-"

"SORCERESS Edea," Krystal corrected her. "Show some respect Sulli."

The taller woman threw her hands up in exasperation. "You see?! This is what I'm talking about! You're changing! I'm your FRIEND Krystal! It hurts me to see you like this…"

"Forget it Sulli, she doesn't hear when anyone else talks." It was Jessica again. "She's probably just upset that her ex is ing someone else now."

Knowing what was coming, Jessica quickly leapt into the air, gracefully landing several feet away from a furious Krystal, who had just unsheathed her gunblade with lightning speed, attempting to hit a nonchalant Jessica.

"Take that back Jessica….I'm warning you right now…"

The older woman looked at the fuming cadet with an uninterested gaze. "You're still such a child. But that witch is just making it worse."

"What the hell would you know?!" Krystal swung the Hyperion in a frenzy, hitting nothing but air yet not at all caring. "Luna wouldn't go for someone like Amber Liu. I don't even think Liu knows what an 'emotion' is!" She was in denial, and was perfectly aware of it. But the idea of Luna falling for her rival of all people…was almost impossible for her brain to process.

"Get with the program princess," Jessica sneered. "Luna can tell you're going bat insane….we can all see it! Look at what you did to Liu back at the village….it'd be asking too much of her to hold on to someone who no longer exists." She balled up her fists in anger, nearly drawing blood as her fingernails dug into the palm of her hands. "Can't you see idiot? That of a sorceress-"

"ENOUGH!! STOP!!" Krystal stumbled backwards, clutching her head as it throbbed with a searing pain. She felt it then, in her small moment of clarity…something fueling her rage…or someone. It was naught but a whisper, but she could hear it. The pain travelled down to her chest, threatening to swallow up her heart.

"T-The is wrong with me?" Her impulses were getting much more difficult to control. This was something else…it wasn't just anger. "I-I can't stay here….no, not here." Taking one final look at her companions, Krystal wandered off into the forest, her only source of illumination being the moon up above.

'Krystal! You don't know what's out there!" Sulli shouted out. "It's dangerous by yourself!"

The gunblade wielder ignored Sulli's cries, her figure slowly fading away into the shadows of the night.

__________

"I have to go after her Jessica!"

"And exactly what do you plan to do when you catch up with her? Can you actually help her?" Jessica was perfectly aware of how insensitive and cruel she was being, but it couldn't be helped. Sulli's feelings for Krystal have been painfully obvious for years. But she shouldn't throw her heart on a sword like this. Sulli was willing to be a martyr, but Jessica wasn't about to have it. "You don't have an answer do you? What is the point then? You have no plan, so stay put. If…Krystal ever finds herself again, then she will."

Sulli visibly winced at the older woman's biting remarks. Jessica always did have a reputation for never holding back, and while she was used to her doing it to other people, it stung like hell now that it was being directed towards her.

"I just-"

"You're chasing after a fantasy."

Another jab to the heart. If Sulli felt like keeling over…she didn't show it. Instead, she steeled herself, preparing her next words. It was going to be a low blow, but Sulli figured that Jessica might just change her mind if it was brought up.

"…She's your sister….she may not know that, but the least you can do is quit being so ing aloof…she's struggling, and you know this Jessica."

Sulli could tell that she hit something. Jessica's face just did a hundred-meter sprint from shocked, then confused…until finally deciding to settle on annoyed.

"She doesn't need to know I'm her big sister. It's not going to help her psychological turmoil. Revealing it now would just make things even worse."

"I'm not ASKING you to tell her Jessica! I just want you to ACT like one!"

"Heh," Jessica chuckled, but there was no humor in it. Her voice was laced with nothing but bitterness and disappointment. "You think I don't care about Krystal. That's what you're getting at right?"

"Well, you sure as hell don't act like it," Sulli spat out angrily. She didn't care if Jessica tore her to shreds in anger. Krystal deserved better than this. It was like Jessica wasn't even trying.

"Unlike you, Sulli, I don't let my feelings dictate every decision I make. Living like that is just plain stupid." Jessica did not lay blame on the younger woman for speaking her mind. She actually respected her a little more for standing up to her. However, her immaturity and failure to grasp the more complicated matters needed to be addressed. "Don't think that some 'Power of Love' nonsense is enough. I think even Krystal herself is becoming aware she's fighting an entity that's robbing her of her free will."

"All the more reason why we should be supporting her instead of pushing her away!"

"We can't do Sulli! That damn sorceress…you've seen it firsthand by now. She already has her hooks in Krystal. While my baby sister's willpower is fierce, she ALLOWED Edea into her mind in the first place."

"W-What are you talking about?" Sulli felt her hairs stand on end, a shiver of dread passing through her body.

"Krystal…she wanted to help Luna out so badly…" Jessica lowered her head, eyes closing as she tried to paint a clearer picture for herself. "You know as well as I do how much Luna desired to free Timber from Galbadian oppression. My idiot sister never shut up about it…"

"Yeah…I remember…" She tried so hard to force it down, but Sulli could feel the currents of resentment towards Luna drowning her heart. She'd never felt so dead inside…

"But, obviously, it never came to pass. When Krystal heard about Amber's team being sent to Timber to help out some 'small resistance'….she knew right away that it was Luna. She figured it was her chance to make up for not being able to help her out before. So, she busted out of the disciplinary room and headed straight for Timber. 'I've gotta make it up to her!' is what I remember her telling me." Jessica glanced at Sulli to see if she was still listening. She felt some pity for the poor woman. This must have been hard for her to hear.

"…I'm alright…continue. Please." Sulli's expression was unreadable, but her voice sounded so…distant.

"Ah, let's see…well, you saw what happened on broadcast. Obviously, it was another failure. Krystal…she told me that was when the sorceress appeared before her. While it was true that she was there as a supposed ally to President Deling of Galbadia…I believe Edea had her own ulterior motives…Krystal is just another foot soldier to her…dispensable. The idiot COULD have resisted harder, but the temptation of fulfilling her lifelong dream, as well as gaining the power she so desperately sought after so she could help Luna out…it was enough for her to submit to Edea's control. The sorceress knew this, and fed upon her insecurities. Now, here we are."

"….."

"….."

"…I see. Would you…say that was accurate?" Sulli's tone was even, and her expression just as stony as before.

"Don't…quote me on it. It's just a theory of mine…" Though Jessica was almost sure she was right. She may have been a little off, but it was the only scenario that made any sense to her, and also kept in line with Krystal's personality, as well as her personal motivations.

"You're just trying to soften the blow Jessica. You stink at it, but…thank you for trying anyway." Sulli knew the older woman was more right than wrong. It must have been her sibling senses. Krystal didn't have to know they were related for it to take any sort of affect.

"Don't know what the hell you ever saw in my baby sister, but…in a way, I'm relieved to know there are still people out there who care about her…even now."

"….."

"That doesn't mean I'm giving you permission to go running after her. She's confused…and she might just end up hurting you." Jessica caught the flash of rebellion that briefly made itself known in Sulli's eyes. No, it wasn't going to happen. They had enough problems already.

"She must have gotten pretty far by now," Sulli whispered. "Even if I ran after her…I wouldn't know where to start." The taller woman scooted closer towards their campfire. The extra warmth provided little comfort. "…I hope she's alright."

"She is…" Jessica wasn't quite sure if Sulli was referring to Krystal's physical condition or her mental state, but either way the older woman knew that the gunblade specialist wasn't about to go down without a fight…her pride would never allow it.

"Jessica?"

"…what?"

"How'd you know?"

Jessica sighed, then reluctantly decided to sit down beside Sulli. She could already tell what this was about. "That Krystal is my sister…correct?"

Sulli nodded. "You were both so young when you got separated during the Sorceress War, I just figured…"

"I wasn't THAT young. At least I was old enough to remember…it helps though…that Krystal hasn't changed much over the years. She just got taller, heh."

"So…what happened though? I know Krys ended up at an orphanage, but what about you?"

"An elderly couple who had lived through the chaos…they were sifting through the rubble of what I assumed used to be their house. I recognized them straight away…neighbors. I was delirious, didn't know what the was even going on. I just recall them seeing me standing there. My ears were still ringing from all the fighting that had just happened…but I think they were calling my name…I passed out." Jessica shook her head fiercely. "It was all a blur after that…I was eight years old when they took me in….left to join SM Garden when I was about fourteen, and I haven't seen them since then…"

"Huh?" Sulli seemed rather surprised. "You haven't talked to them at all?"

"…..no."

"Jessica…?"

"It's getting late, and I'm pretty tired. At least the rain stopped before we made camp….otherwise our supplies would be all wet…." Jessica stood up, dusting off her pants before heading towards her tent. "I'm going to get some shut eye for the time being. You've got sentry duty Sulli. But get inside your tent if the rain starts up again. And….if you see Krystal, give me a holler."

"Okay…" Her senior was clearly hiding things. There were so many blanks in her story that hadn't been filled. Sulli could tell, but pushing it was going to get her nowhere fast, especially with someone as stubborn as Jessica. She'd probably tell her when she was ready. So, for now, Sulli decided that it was best to just be agreeable.

Seeing that the fire was dying a little bit, Sulli picked up a few sticks they had collected earlier, and tossed it into the flames.

Aside from the crackling of the newly restored campfire and the occasional chirp of a bird, the night was awfully quiet. Sulli's heart felt so heavy and alone…

"…Oh, Krystal……"

__________

"ACHOOO!!"

"Told you not to dive in Amy. It's a cold ing night and it was a small fish anyway. Not worth it."

"Aw, shut up Jackson! I'm suuuper hungry right now!"

A shivering and wet Amy Lee sneezed again, this time purposely aiming at her friend Jackson's direction.

The young man jumped out of the line of fire, a look of disgust on his face. "Seriously?!"

Amy stuck her tongue out at the angry blond. "Serves you right! Would've been a whole lot better if I didn't miss though…"

"That's enough you two. It's not safe here. We need to keep moving." The eldest of the SeeD trio, Victoria, emerged from the forests. Earlier, she had decided to scout ahead for their small group to check for any traces of civilization.

"Did ya see anything Instructor?" Jackson asked hopefully. "Camping was fun for the first few days, but I really need an actual bed right now. All these monsters prowling about at night aren't helping either…."

"Yeah!" Amy piped up. "I'm tired too! And hungry…AND cold! I'm getting sick Instructor!"

"Tch, that last part was your own fault…." Jackson muttered under his breath.

"What did you say?!"

"Amy, knock it off." Victoria ran a hand through her thick black hair, exasperated at their constant bickering. "And Jackson, stop antagonizing her. Look, I understand how you both feel. If the dark circles around my eyes are any indication, I'm worn out as well…"

Jackson merely smiled apologetically in response, while Amy could do nothing more than sneeze.

"Anyway…I went on ahead to see if there were any signs of human life. And lucky for you guys, there's a village just up ahead. The smoke coming from rooftop chimneys gave them away. Looks like we won't have to spend another sleepless night under the stars for a while."

"But…Instructor, are they friendly?" Amy asked rather worriedly. "I mean…what if it's some village of cannibals that will act all nice and welcoming at first…but then once we're well fed it's into the oven we go?!" Amy sneezed again, her theatrics getting cut short.

Jackson snorted at his dramatic friend. "You watch way too many horror flicks to be thinking something like that. Besides, we're SeeD! If we can beat up house sized flying monsters and creepy zombies that like puking their guts out, then we can handle some cannibal village!"

"Also adding to that, if Amber and Luna are being held hostage by these cannibals, then surely they'd need our help." An amused Victoria looked on as Jackson and Amy's faces twisted into looks of horror. "I'm kidding, goodness. I'm sure it's just a regular village. We've come this far to find our lost comrades…let's see it through shall we?"

"YEAH!!" Amy pumped a fist in the air. "Friends stick together. We've gotta find them no matter what!"

"Well, you know…unless Amber snapped and killed Luna or something," Jackson said half-jokingly. "Last I checked, our team leader and our client didn't exactly see eye to eye…"

Amy gasped, horrified at the thought. "Amber wouldn't go THAT far! You know how seriously she takes these assignments. She won't just off the client!"

"You two honestly seem to love jumping to conclusions," Victoria said, having no choice but to disrupt their conversation again. "I'm sure they're both fine. Besides…if everything between them has gone as I suspected…then I sense nothing but peaches and rainbows in our future."

Amy looked at Victoria bemusedly, taking a few seconds for her words to fully sink in. "Oooooh, yeah! I get it….I almost forgot about that." Amy started to giggle.

Meanwhile, Jackson watched the two women, still not quite getting it. "Huh? Am I missing something here?"

Victoria smiled, then placed an assuring hand on Jackson's shoulder. "Don't worry about it right now. Let's just head on towards the village…."

__________

NOTES: Whoops, sorry folks. Would have posted this sooner, but I had to go out of town for a bit. I also had a couple of one-shots that I ended up working on while I was away, so that contributed to the lateness as well. This chapter is relatively short in comparison to the others, but I quite enjoyed it. For character development reasons, it's probably one of my favorties. And the SeeD trio is back in the fray as well!

Whelp, now that this is up, I need to work on my other stuff again. Happy Valentine's Day to you all!