Author's notes: I'm back, stronger than ever! Big shout-out to scribbleness for the great inspiration and even greater stories! (Seriously, check her work out!) I'm really sorry it took me almost a decade to decide to give this story a chance! I finally know where I want to go and decided to revamp it! I'm so embarrassed now that I proof-read it! I can't believe I actually had the nerve to post something that soulless! I hope I've improved and this story is now worth a shot and is actually enjoyable to read!

I also want to thank everyone who has taken the time to read and review so far! You guys are the biggest part of the reason I am back, even late as it is! So, thank you and I'm terribly sorry for the great delay! I had some growing up to do, but I;m ready to do right by you and this story this time around!

I'm eager to hear your opinion on the changes and any suggestions or advice you may have that will help me improve!

~No one can predict the future, there are no guarantees~
Naya!

Disclaimer:I don't own Final Fantasy VIII or any of the characters! I only own a copy of the game and this story!

Past chasing after Us

Summary: The second sorceress war has come to an end ant there's a time of peace in Balamb Garden but what happens when an undesirable visitor comes to remind Rinoa of her past?

Introduction

It was a warm Spring evening, the sun still fairly high in the sky. The second sorceress war had ended a few weeks ago and most of the world was oblivious of the doom that nearly befell it, save for the six heroes, barely even adults, who put an end to Ultimecia's plans, along with her life. The only ones aware of the war and its implications were the Gardens and the governments of Galbadia and Esthar that were caught in the middle of it all, but even they had started to pick up the pieces and move forward. No war is without casualties though, and this one was no exception. Two souls were left with no real place in this new world created in the aftermath, both feared, for different reasons. One however was luckier than the other, because, although she was feared for the powers she unintentonally inherited, she had faithful companions by her side, for was one of the six saviors who battled the sorceress from the future, who nearly succeeded in compressing time and creating a world only she could survive in.

Rinoa was sitting in her dorm, provided to her by the Garden, looking out of her small window at the perfect view of the ocean. She really loved to watch the reflections that the sun made on the crystal clear waters and the golden sand as it made her feel calm and reminded her that she was safe and the battle was over. She had spent most of her time much like the rest, recuperating and trying to forget the nightmares that still haunted her, that still haunted all seven of them, Seifer, the second casualty of the war included. She often wondered what had happened of him or his reasons for siding with Ultimecia during the war, but she didn't dare seek him out to get some answers. This was a battle she wasn't ready to face yet.

Apart from Seifer and the repercussions of the war, the young sorceress also had other, more personal worries in her mind. One of them being her newfound powers and whether she should try to gain control over them or overlook them and try to live as normal. She was also wondering about her place in the world. What was she to do now? Where would she go? Would she be allowed to stay in the Garden with her new family and Squall, who fought by her side, even though she wasn't a SeeD nor a cadet, or should she return to Timber? She had survived the war, she had nearly died in space, she was almost devoured by Adel, she practically had been locked away forever in the sorceress memorial until Squall freed her and she had fallen into a coma and then possessed by Ultimecia, while comatose roughly after she received her powers from Edea. Yet she was alive. And she had no idea what to do with her life. The only thing she was certain of was that she was going to cherish every moment and every breath as well as the presence of the people who stood by her.

After realizing she had been uncharacteristically brooding for far too long, lost in her thoughts, she decided to clear her head by getting out of her room. It was times like these when she appreciated her frends the most, so she set course to the cafeteria in case any of them were there having a late lunch.

Before leaving the room, she pushed a strand of her long raven hair and secured it behind her ear, to keep it from obscuring her vision, while scanning her dorm room with her chocolate brown eyes to make sure everything was in order before she leave, a habit she'd attained from Squall's need to keep his living quarters tidy.

As she opened her door, she saw an envelope laying on her doormat. Curous, she picked it up and immediately started reading it while walking towards her destination. When Rinoa finished reading the letter, anyone could tell she was really confused and possibly somewhat upset by mixed feelings of perplexity, curiosity and doubt. She was thankful there was no one around to see her, since classes were still in session and the corridor was void of students and staff alike, as she didn't want to make any of the others upset or suspicious. Then, she immediately changed her route and headed towards the elevator that would take her to the third floor where the commander's office was.

She was so lost in her thoughts, swirling her head which felt light by the intensity of the complex emotions, that she pushed the door to Squall Leonheart's office and entered without first knocking, and immediately started talking: "Squall, I need to talk to you..." Her voice was soft and her breathing somewhat rasped from her quick pace since she had rushed there, but she then noticed that they weren't alone in the room. She gasped and muttered to herself, barely audible "So, it's true...!"