(Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters or Final Fantasy)

Okay. This is my first fanfic so excuse any mistakes I've overlooked. Enjoy :)

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'KEY'

Thoughts

She turned round, feather softly clasped in her hand, her black hair circling her face like a halo. Squall called out to her, she smiled, teasing him then her face contorted into Ultimecia's and she flew towards him.

Squall sat bolt upright in bed, breathing heavily and covered in cold sweat. Pushing back the covers he took deep calming breaths.

Calm it, it was just a dream. Neither of them are coming back.

Standing in front of the mirror he examined his tired face. His scar, visible through the brown hair running over his face was as imposing as ever. His ice-blue artic eyes stared back at him. It was no surprise that the admirers in Balamb Garden were many.

Sunlight streamed through his dormitory window has he slowly dressed, strapping on his Gunblade he trudged wearily out of his room. As he walked his thoughts drifted to the day he lost everything 4 months ago. Rinoa had suffered far worse wounds than anyone of them when they fought Ultimecia 1 year ago. She fought against them, healed but later fell ill, Squall was vigilant at her bedside, until one day he fell asleep and awoke to find her gone, the bed untouched. With just her necklace on the pillow. He found out from the Nurse that she had died during the night and her body was taken by men working for her father. Overcome with grief, Squall had locked himself in his room, refusing to come out. But when Cid & Edea gave Balamb Garden over to him, so they could retire he had no choice but to accept.

Headmaster Squall, the World has gone nuts.

"YO SQUALL!"

A blonde haired young man bounded over to him, slapping his back.

"Morning Zell, I see the hotdogs aren't on sale yet?"

"Haha, you're a riot. How are you feeling today boss? You look tired"

"I haven't slept much since…." trailed off Squall

"Sorry I brought it up" Zell quickly changed the subject "I'll go see about those hotdogs, have fun runnin' the Garden!"

He ran in the direction of the Cafeteria, Squall smiled slightly despite himself.

Still a kid. And yet we've all been forced to grow up.

He took the lift to his office and slid into his chair. Eyeing the pile of paperwork in front of, he stifled a yawn. The World was free of sorceress', there was little need for SeeD anymore except for the occasional monster problem and city dispute.

He glanced at a letter which was bright red, marked, URGENT. Tearing it open he groaned.

Another bill, do they EVER end? This Garden is gonna be sunk soon.

Refusing to think about it, he set to working out how much the Garden was making and how much it was spending.

A knock on the door interrupted him, grumpily he shouted,

"What?"

Irvine, Selphie, Zell and Quistis burst in, looking equally flustered. Alarmed Squall stood up.

"What's wrong?"

"Squall, we've just heard that there is a uprising in Ether" said Irvine hastily

"Led by who?"

"Rumour has it, a sorceress called Lacetia"

A sorceress. No, it can't be possible! We destroyed them! We destroyed their lifeline!

"That can't be true! Besides Laguna would have informed me if it was true"

"Squall…we've been told that she has your father" said Selphie, her usual bounciness giving way to worry.

Oh God. I can't lose Laguna, I can't handle it again, I can't…

" How haven't we been told sooner, this is unbelievable" Squall paused for a moment

"Alright. Zell, Irvine, Selphie, Quistis stay here and look after the Garden, I'm going to see this 'uprising'"

"WHAT?" they said together

" I am not going to let you go alone!" cried Quistis

"If this is what we think it is, I will have the element of surprise, I may be able to find out more about this sorceress and her intentions. If we go in full force, we will never know how she survived."

"You have a point, but it's risky" said Irvine

"We don't have a choice, I'll bring a communicator, I will call for you when I've learned everything I can"

Everyone was in silent agreement, Squall buried a grey communicator in his pocket and without another word breezed out of the room.

"That was not how I thought it would go" murmured Irvine

Quistis was silent a frown on her face. "What if he thinks that Rinoa..?"

"Na, he wouldn't believe that, would he?" said Zell

"Rinoa was just taken away, none of us saw her, body, you never know" answered Selphie

"This is crazy. Rinoa is never coming back, Squall knows that. We all know that!" shouted Irvine, ending the conversation.

They all turned eyeing the mounting wad of paper on Squall's desk.

"Shall we?" asked Quistis, with just a hint of amusement.

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Okay, First chapterdone :) Please give your honest reviews abotu how you thinks its going& chapter two will be up asap!