Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy or any of its characters. If I did, then I would be one happy person...but I don't! I only own the characters that I made up for this story.

Summary: Rinoa has been missing, and about fifteen years later, a teenager shows up at Garden. There is something very puzzling about this girl that Squall doesn't quite understand, until he learns something that will shock him and everyone else. But then she is kidnapped and it's up to Squall to save her. It turns out she is wanted dead for an unbelievable reason. Is she connected to Rinoa somehow? Maybe now Squall will be able to figure out what happened to the one he loved...

.::+Secret Enigma+::.

:::The Girl:::

The girl ran as fast as her slender legs could take her. She knew she wasn't being chased anymore -- at least, not at the moment. But she didn't want to allow them time to catch up.

Her hard breathing was in rhythm with her fast steps, and her raven-colored hair danced about her face. She didn't care if it kept her from seeing because she didn't care where she was going, as long as she was far away from them.

It was dark by the time she stumbled into Balamb. Her legs gave way beneath her and she collapsed to the ground. Grunting, she forced herself to stand and began walking very slowly, unable to feel her legs. She found a bench that seemed to welcome her and, without protest, collapsed down on it, relieved.

A kindly-looking woman was walking by, noticing the girl's disheveled appearance. She stopped in front of her and gave her a warm smile. "Why, I don't believe I've seen you before. You're not from around here, are you?"

The girl softly shook her head, avoiding the kind woman's gaze.

"You poor thing, you must be tired and hungry. Why don't you come with me then? I'll fix you something to eat and a place to stay for the night."

The girl now became aware that she probably looked like a mess. But without hesitation, she followed the woman to her home. Once inside, the woman took her upstairs and showed her the room she would be staying in. She observed it was a guy's room, with a T-board and a punching bag, both of which looking like they haven't been used in several years. She found herself standing in one spot for a while, staring at all of these things.

"Make yourself at home while I go fix you some food," said the nice woman. So the girl sat down on the neatly made bed. After a while of silence, she grew uncomfortable and headed down the stairs. The phone started to ring just as she got down there. The woman rushed in from the kitchen and picked up the phone.

"Dincht residence," the woman said into the receiver.

Squall Leonhart buried his face in his hands. Being headmaster of Balamb Garden had really taken a toll on him, not to mention Rinoa's disappearance almost fifteen years ago.

He looked up at all the paperwork cluttering his desk, causing him to sigh. He never found out what became of Rinoa. After defeating Ultimecia, they returned to Garden and celebrated. All was good until a few weeks later, when she turned out missing. They had searched for her everywhere, but failed.

Only a note was to be found:

I'm Sorry.

It was the only thing she had left behind. Squall had found it in her room. One conclusion ate away at his mind, which was that Rinoa had left on her own will.

Squall decided to get to work on the mound of paperwork in front of him. It was the only thing to keep him from thinking too much.

The girl sat at the table, opposite of the woman. She quietly ate the food she was given.

"I hope you like it," said the woman, "I haven't been able to cook such a nice meal recently." The girl gave her a questioning look. "Well, if you haven't noticed, I live by myself. I have a son, Zell, who attends Balamb Garden, and I used cook all sorts of things for him. But now it's just me."

The girl continued to eat. "So what is your name?" Ma Dincht asked her. The girl looked up at her, but she didn't reply. "What are you doing roaming around alone? You must be thirteen, fourteen maybe. Do you not have any parents to look after you?"

She lowered her eyes, averting Ma Dincht's own. She didn't dare speak. Ma Dincht looked at her with understanding eyes. "I can tell something is troubling you. But don't worry, you're safe here."

The girl smiled mildly.

"However, you can't stay forever. I'm sure you would get tired of hanging around an old lady like me." The girl tried to let out a feeble laugh, but worry still showed in it. "I will find a place -- a safe place -- for you to stay. In fact, I have an idea…"

A/N: Okay, so that's the first chapter. I promise to make longer ones. This is 'sorta' my first fic. I was in the middle of writing another one, but it wasn't going so well so I gave up on it. Please review!!!