Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VIII, it's characters, places, etc. As such I am receiving no profit for my nonetheless brilliant ideas. I know, it's a shame. R&R, constructive criticism is welcome, but if you're going to flame me please do it in a private forum.

Ladies and Gentlemen, for your enjoyment:

Fated Circle

Prologue

"I'm so excited!" The eager brunette exclaimed as she jumped happily into the air, emerald eyes glittering like the dew that still clung to the green grass. The dress she wore was sleeveless, ended about mid-thigh, and was the yellow color of the daffodils that lined the edge of the Quad where they had all gathered at her request. "This is going to be so much fun!"

Besides Selphie, four others had arrived so far. The tallest of the group, Irvine Kinneas put both hands in the pockets of his long jacket as he leaned back against the tree and took a good look at his companions. Standing nearby, blue-eyed Quistis was watching Selphie intently, giving her all the attention she probably wished she'd gotten during her time as an instructor. Raven haired Rinoa was sitting on a concrete bench to Irvine's left, legs extended straight out in front of her. Her warm brown eyes were looking down at her booted feet, which were moving earnestly back and forth. Sitting cross-legged beside her was Zell, notorious for his martial arts skills and outspoken nature. He had a tattoo running down the left side of his face who's story Irvine had yet to learn, but had decided was very cool all the same.

"Let me get this straight," Zell said, in a pure display of his outspoken nature. "Headmaster Cid wants us to throw ourselves a party for our victory over Ultimecia?"

Quistis cocked her head to the side, evaluating. "That's mostly coincidental really. Selphie's the head of the Garden Festival Committee, and we've all assisted the committee in the past."

"Hey! Being on the Garden Festival Committee is fun!" Selphie scolded them, threatening them all with her fists.

"They didn't mean it like that, Selphie." Rinoa assured with a wry smile.

Zell scratched his head. "What we meant was that we should be the guests of honor, not the hosts."

"Well, we'll just have to be the Guests of Honor, and the hosts!"

"That's the spirit Sefie." Irvine tipped his hat at her.

The short girl jumped in excitement. "C'mon guys, this is going to be a BLAST!"

The other two girls chuckled at the spunky brunette's usual happy demeanor. Rinoa jumped earnestly to her feet, leaning forward and looking up at Selphie from behind her dark bangs as she spoke. "So what can we do to help?"

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The walls were a cold gray, the kind of color that wears on you out of sheer boredom. It had no vibrancy, or texture, Not even a stain that could keep one's mind occupied for just a little while. It was clean, he'd give it that. From the steel-reinforced outer walls to the cold blue cement floor. Every single inch of it. Immaculate. The white sheets on his small cot were washed weekly, and even the freaking toilet was clean. It was insulting. Enraged, he let out a yell as he stood, throwing his mattress violently against the wall.

It wasn't right the way they treated him. If he were holding himself prisoner he would have tortured himself for information several times already. Yet the guards didn't even so much as bad-mouth him, or show any indication that they so desperately wanted to. (And he knew they did---who wouldn't?) Then again, by now Esthar already had all the information they needed, didn't they?

"Damn Estharians!" He said, kicking the mattress with his right foot. "Damn you Laguna!"

"You have the power to change yourself for the better." Laguna shook his head at him. "Right now, your future looks dark, but you can change that, Seifer. Change yourself and maybe you can change your future. Who knows. If there's a chance you could get yourself out of here someday, wouldn't it be worth taking?"

Seifer froze. ('Change the future.') Right now he was safe here in his cell, miserable as it was. Fujin had told him in her last letter that nobody was sure what to do with him, that a case like his was unprecedented. A chill ran up his spine. "Yeah, and go where? To a cell in Balamb, or death row in Galbadia? President Loire, you're too smart to believe that you're the one with all the cards here. Balamb might give me a break-- especially if I can get Headmaster Cid on my side--but you and I both know that a trial in Galbadia would certainly mean the death penalty."

"There's no question about that." Laguna's dark-skinned aide crossed his arms as he responded. "They're ready to throw you there without so much as a trial, and I can't blame them."

Laguna tucked his hands into his pockets, looking into the cell soberly. "Everybody deserves a trial."

Seifer closed his eyes in quiet speculation. "Galbadia's winning, aren't they?"

Ward nodded, but it was Kiros who spoke."At the moment they have you on charges of treason, and---"

Seifer's roar and the sound of a mattress hitting metal cut his statement dreadfully short…

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"What do you think about this one?" Selphie asked, randomly pulling one of the many accumulated sample invitations that had been placed in a small shoebox. She was sitting on her knees in her room in the Garden's dormitory. Intolerably plain, Selphie had tried to decorate the small bedroom as much as possible during the past few months. A pink and yellow flowered bedspread brightened up the dull white room, and her desk and walls were adorned with photos of her friends from Trabia (with one or two pictures she'd gathered from the FH concert scattered about).

"Too yellow." Rinoa said as she crouched down opposite her, her light blue duster trailing on the ground behind her. She picked out another invitation, lifting it nonchalantly up for Selphie to see. "How's this?"

"Too blue!" Selphie replied, causing them both to chuckle.

"Well, we're never going to get anywhere like this." Rinoa laughed, and her warm brown eyes glittered. "Let's compromise."

Selphie's emerald eyes scanned the cards for a moment before she jubilantly discovered an invitation that featured both blue and yellow. "Here we go!"

"Too informal. We might want to try one with the Balamb Garden Insignia on it." Quistis commented sadly with a shake of her head as she walked in and closed the door. "Headmaster Cid's just raised the bar for us, and invited a bunch of political leaders. It makes sense though considering that there's a big press conference in Timber scheduled the next day…"

Chapter One:

Mixed Emotions

It was a nice day, the late sun beating warmly down on Balamb Garden. Leaning on the railing of the second floor balcony, Squall Leonhart welcomed the slight breeze that came his way. It was cool and refreshing, containing just enough power to ruffle the white fur on his jacket. The exhilarating sound of birds in flight came to his ears, and dark-rimmed blue-gray eyes tracked their flight. In his mind he was flying with them, soaring through the clear blue sky.

Squall closed his eyes as a fresh breeze came up to taunt him, and heard the distinct pattern of clipped booted footsteps behind him. Squall frowned, as he was thrust back into reality, where he was the Commander of Balamb Garden--a position he'd never asked for, but hadn't exactly refused--and always had some duty to attend to.

(It drives me nuts.) Squall thought glumly. (Then again, so does Rinoa, and she's the best thing in my life.)

The last thought brought a twinge of a smile to his face.

"Commander." Xu said, and he could hear her almost snapping to attention behind him. He shook his head at the thought. "Headmaster Cid sent me to ask if you have your report finished. Everybody else has already turned theirs in."

"It's on my desk, Xu." he said as he turned to face her, suppressing the urge to massage his eyes in annoyance. It had been just two weeks since his return from the time compressed world in which he had, with the help of his friends, defeated Sorceress Ultimecia. Since then, Squall had done everything in his power to avoid turning in that report, which he'd ironically written as soon as he'd recovered enough to do so. "Would you mind bringing it to him for me? I have matters to attend to."

Xu nodded, suppressing a smile. "Of course. Oh, and before I go, the headmaster wanted me to make sure you're coming to the Celebration Ball."

(I forgot about that.) "Tell him I'll be there." Squall lied after a moment. Xu smiled inwardly at his discomfort, saluted and left. (Damn. I'm not in the mood for diplomacy right now.)

Squall turned sharply when he heard another pair of footsteps behind him. He sighed inwardly. Over the course of the last few months he had hardly had a moment to himself when he wasn't sleeping. Irvine and Zell were approaching. Could have been much worse he supposed. It could have been paperwork approaching with a vengeance.

Irvine smiled wryly, and offered him a drink.

"So you are coming? Great!" Zell exclaimed excitedly, as he carried over a tray of hotdogs. "That saves us a lot of trou--"

"No I'm not." Squall replied as he accepted the drink from Irvine. He raised an eyebrow at the cowboy and tried to change the subject. "Isn't it against Garden policy to have these up here?" He pointed to the drinks. Irvine shrugged and tipped his hat. (Same old Squall. Always by the book.)

Zell scratched his head, obviously perplexed. "But didn't you just have Xu tell the headmaster--"

"I didn't need Cid on my case over a damn party." Squall explained, leaning back to sit on the railing.

"Why are you trying to avoid a party being thrown for us?" Irvine wondered aloud. "Anyone else would jump at the opportunity. Hell, we all are."

"Because it's only political formality, Irvine." Squall answered. "Cid will be using us as bragging rights and political leverage while all night long throwing us from diplomat to diplomat. Trying to open up negotiations here, bullshitting there. I'm not a diplomat. I'm a soldier. I don't see the point."

Zell bit viciously into a hotdog. "To tell you the truth I'm not seeing your point either."

"Look, I'll give you three reasons why you should go."

Squall raised an eyebrow skeptically.

Irvine stuck a finger up. "One: the place is going to be absolutely swarming with hot girls." he raised a second one. "Two, girls love war heroes. And three, the party's going to be swarming with girls who love war heroes."

"I still don't see my reason for going."

"Nah, but I think I've found mine." Zell hooted.

"Whatever." Squall massaged his eyes. "Look, you guys go and have fun. I have a ton of paperwork to do anyway."

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The next day, when he was standing at attention inside the Headmaster's office, it became apparent why Squall had consciously neglected to turn in his report, and why he absolutely hated politics. He and Quistis had been called down over the Garden P.A. system just after breakfast hours, for reasons unknown. She had arrived before him, but Cid rose as Squall entered, and adjusted his glasses.

"Commander Leonhart, It's good to see you up and about again." The seventeen year old commander saluted, keeping his eyes on the headmaster. "Based upon your report, I can see we have our young Sorceress to thank for that."

"Yes sir." Squall said, frowning deeply. If Rinoa had been present, he knew she would have been upset by Cid's reminder. She hated being a Sorceress, often acting as if her power never existed.

The older man seemed suddenly fragile. "Squall, am I right to hope that you've forgiven Edea then?"

Squall closed his eyes and nodded, then opened them and sent a look the headmaster's way to show him that not all his grudges had been forgotten. He still remembered well how Cid had left at the first sign of trouble to hide behind his wife at their home in the Centra region. "I believe what Matron told us at the orphanage. She did what she needed to protect us."

Quistis nodded her agreement. "We appreciate all Matron has done for us."

"But you haven't brought us here to discuss your wife." Squall was quick to point out.

Cid placed his hands in his pockets and looked the pair over. "As you both already know, there's a press conference scheduled in Timber tomorrow morning." They both nodded, and the older man continued, "Squall, I assume you've already gone over some of the questions the journalists might ask, and have begun to formulate your statement. Quistis, I want you to be his assistant for the remainder of the day. The two of you are to swap notes and see what you can come up with."

Quistis nodded, contemplative. "Representatives from Galbadia and Esthar will be there as well?" Cid nodded. "So Laguna---President Loire will be there. Who's going to be representing Galbadia, now that their leadership is in shambles?"

Cid shrugged helplessly. "There are at least four factions fighting for the Presidency, but we anticipate General Caraway to be there." Squall's frown deepened, and Quistis gave him a look of surprise. "He seems to be the only person of rank who is neutral at this time."

There was a long pause, before Squall replied. "I don't trust Galbadian security."

"I agree," Cid remarked dryly. "You're the Commander, feel free to put together a team. President Loire has already informed us that he's bringing a security team of his own, along with is two aides."

Squall turned to Quistis questioningly. "You up for it?"

The blond mulled it over. "Oh why not, it's only a couple of hours out of our vacation anyway." Squall's cobalt eyes showed his gratitude. "I'm sure the others will share my sentiment." she added, before she turned and left. Squall turned to leave as well, but Cid stopped him.

"Squall, wait." The young commander turned back to the headmaster tiredly. "I finished reading your report."

Squall was silent, and weary by all appearances. (Damnit) After a tense moment he asked, "Is there something wrong with it, sir?"

"No, I…it's just, I've read through all the reports of the final battle: Quistis Trepe, Zell Dincht, Selphie Tilmitt, and Irvine Kinneas', and I've noticed that despite the fact that you lead the team--and that you were inside the 'time compression' the longest--you've given no further detail as to what occurred inside."

"Sir, I've given you all the details of the mission."

"Except for what happened after the others left." Cid pointed out. "Why didn't you leave with them?"

"I followed Ultimecia to make absolutely sure that we had defeated her."

"Followed her?" Cid asked intrigued. "Followed her where?"

"Squall frowned deeply, raising a hand to massage his eyes. How could he tell him about the Fated Circle? How would Cid react if Squall told him that he had followed Ultimecia back to the orphanage? That he was the soldier that had been there when the sorceress had taken her dying steps up the orphanage stairs, toward Edea. When the Matron had absorbed the Sorceress' powers to protect her children, a younger Squall among them. How would he react if Squall told him everything?

He couldn't. He couldn't tell anyone.

"I followed her to the end of the platform." He lied behind his dark bangs. "She died there…in peace." He glared at Cid once more. "But I couldn't find a way out."

"And that's when Miss Heartilly returned?"

"That's right."

"Squall, I need to know that you're telling me everything--"

"I wouldn't let you down, sir!" Squall bit back harshly, causing Cid to blink. He bit down on his lip, unused to being so insubordinate, but he wasn't about to let Cid forget that it wasn't Squall who abandoned Balamb Garden when it needed him most. And with that he left for the training room.

He needed to let out some steam before Quistis caught up with him.

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It was early the next morning as Zell ran down the hallways towards the library, a place he'd been frequenting more and more. He had to hurry, not just because he was nearly missing a meeting because his alarm clock had failed to go off, but because his whole reason for suggesting they hold it there was going to be off-shift in about a half hour. He stopped to take a breath before walking in the door.

On the other side of the library Irvine, Selphie, and Rinoa were conversing silently as they waited for him. Apparently Squall and Quistis were held up again. "Heeey! Sorry I'm late guys." Zell apologized to his friends. "My alarm didn't go off this morning."

"No problemo Zell!" Selphie replied. "We were just working out some party-planning kinks anyways."

"Selphie's got the whole event all planned out." Irvine said in awe, letting out a dreamy sigh. "Isn't she just amazing!"

"Squall and Quisty couldn't meet us this morning." Rinoa sighed. Zell knew a part of what she was feeling. All of them had been running everywhere, seemingly without a break since they'd returned from the time-compressed world. If he thought he was stressed out, he couldn't imagine how they felt. "I think I'm just going to march up to Cid's office and demand that he give us all the rest of the day off…"

"Best of luck." Selphie replied, sulking.

Irvine responded sadly, leaning back in his chair. "At least we have the next week off."

"Yeah." Zell said, scratching the back of his head. "Remind me to personally thank Xu and Nida for stepping in for us."

"Hey Zell," Selphie's eyes danced. "Don't forget to personally thank Xu and Nida for stepping in for us."

"Very funny." The blond replied sheepishly. Across the room, something caught his eye. It was a girl wearing a student's uniform, her dark brown hair pulled back in a neat ponytail. "Hey Rinoa, could I talk to you for a minute? I could use some...uh…advice."

"Of course Zell."

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"Can you hand me those books over there?" The girl with the pigtail asked as she leaned on the counter behind which two other Library Committee members were working. Her friend smiled as she reached over to get them for her.

"Look who's here." She said, teasingly nodded towards the back of the room.

The girl with the pigtail graciously accepted the books before turning to look. "Oh." she smiled, and raised a hand to cover one of her blushing cheeks. She zoned out for a minute as she watched the pale SeeD stand up. One of the girls that had been sitting with him stood up and followed, and the two began to converse privately. Her heart sank as she watched them. "That's not his--his--" she couldn't get the word out. Her tongue refused to say it outright. She turned back to her friend who was staring at her curiously. "Is it?"

"No..." She thought about it a moment. "I think that if he had a girlfriend I would have heard about it."

Relief flooded through her, and she couldn't quite suppress her smile. "Better get back to work." she said scanning the books in her hands leaving her friend to take care of a student at the counter. The books in her hands all belonged in the 'fantasy' section, and she headed towards the back of the library to put them away. Just within perfect proximity to her blond crush.

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"Hey Rin…" Zell started as he scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "I was uh, wondering if you could give me some advice."

"I'll try my best." Rinoa replied, rubbing her right hand along her left forearm.

"Well, you see, there's this girl.."

"Oh." Rinoa's raised a hand to cover a giggle. "Sorry. Please continue." She waved her hand at him in a gesture that he should go on.

"Anyway, there's this girl who works on the library committee that I'd really like to get to know…"

"No wonder you asked for us to meet here." Rinoa smiled, as she looked around suspiciously at each of the four library committee members who were working. She asked him which one it was, and he shyly pointed out a girl standing by the counter. A moment earlier when two of the girls at the counter were conversing, she couldn't help but notice that they kept sending off glances in their general direction. One in particular was trying to cover up a blush. The one that Zell had pointed out.

Zell slumped as his efforts to look inconspicuous were thwarted by Rinoa's curiosity. "I wanted to ask her to the celebration tonight but…"

"You should definitely ask her." Rinoa encouraged him with a wink of her brown eyes. "Just be yourself, there's no way she'll turn you down, trust me."

"You really think so!" Zell's chest puffed out in confidence.

"Without a doubt." Rinoa chuckled and gave him a small shove in the right direction. "Go for it Zell."

The martial artist looked around for a moment before he spotted his target on the opposite end of the library. She was placing books back on the shelves while answering a question from a student. As he took his first few steps forward he watched her point the younger student towards the section labeled 'fiction', and then return back to her work. She was so pretty, with her dark brown hair and eyes, and a small frame. She was so shy, but she made up for that with the consideration she showed to others. It made him wonder if she could ever really handle being around someone as voluble as he is.

Suddenly Zell's resolve failed. What if Rinoa's wrong? What if she turns me down? Maybe she thinks I'm just a stupid dumb ass, or just that I'm loud and obnoxious like everyone else does? What if she doesn't like my tattoo? Or… maybe the other Library Committee members told her about my favorite color being pink? Oh man, why did I have to tell them that! I should have lied and said it was blue! If she turned me down I'd be making a fool out of myself in front of everybody…

What if my breath smells like hot dogs and she catches one whiff of it and runs…!

Nervous as he was, Zell Dincht was not one to give up without trying. He'd go through with this, even if it meant making a fool out of himself. Again. "Hey…how's it going?" he asked, approaching her from behind.

She jumped, and her books fell from her hands as she turned to face Zell in surprise. She blushed, as all eyes fell momentarily on her. "Oh…Z…Zell." She said kneeling down to pick up the books.

"I'm sorry!" Zell replied, earnestly pulling a book out of his back pocket. "Actually I came to return the book you brought to me in Balamb. Thanks, I um… I usually don't sit around and read much but this book was really awesome!"

"You really think so?" She asked bashfully as she placed the books in her hands onto the shelf. "I'm so g-glad you feel that way! Here, let me take care of this for you."

Zell smiled, and then reached a hand up to scratch the back of his head sheepishly. "That was really cool of you to come all the way to Balamb to bring that to me, and I've uh…hmm…I've been thinking about what you've said."

"I…I'm sorry. I didn't mean to embarrass y…you--"

"No, you don't understand. When I was reading that book, I did find myself thinking about you! Not a little, but a lot! And that got me thinking… and I…um…" He scratched his blond head. "I was wondering if you're busy tonight?"

The girl with the pigtail blinked in surprise. Her blush returned at full strength, and to Zell's infinite gratitude she smiled shyly. "N…No. M…My classes are over and I'm f-free for the night."

"Great!" Zell replied, blushing as he raised his fist in victory. "Then would you uh…would you like to join me tonight at the celebration? I mean, it's formal and all, and I know it might be hard for you to get a dress at such short notice, but…"

"I-I should be able to find something to wear in time." she replied bashfully. "Are you sure you want to go with me though…? I mean…"

"I'm POSITIVE." Zell told her. "Just one question first though."

"Of course." she responded curiously.

"This is going to sound really strange, but what's your name?!"