Hello! So, this is the third fic I've started in the past couple of weeks. I must be insane.

Disclaimer:This will be the disclaimer for the whole fic. I own not Final Fantasy, nor the Ghost Busters. How sad.

The seas rose and fell as the little ship made its way from the mainland. Icy waters lapped against the hull and snow drifted down from the dark skies, muffling any sounds that might drift out this far into the ocean. Mist obscured everything, allowing the team to see only a few feet out from the vessel. Zell was relying only on his instruments to navigate the black waters.

"This is already creepy," Selphie said, snuggling deeper into her coat. Her breath frosted as it met the cold air before her lips.

"What, exactly, are we supposed to do?" Irvine asked from beside her. "We're a mercenary organization, not paranormal investigators."

That was exactly the same argument Squall had used on Cid two days ago. His argument? "They're paying us to have a look around, if nothing else. We just have to snoop around for a few days, say there's nothing we can do, then we can leave," Squall explained as he stared out into the fog.

Rinoa drew close to him, picking up his hand and wrapping his arm around her. "What's the deal, though?" she asked. "What do they want us to do?"

"The population of Light's Island has been complaining of disappearances in the past few weeks," Quistis explained in her 'all business' voice. "They have been blamed on supposed 'ghostly' entities originating from an old cemetery they insist is haunted. The town's council has requested that SeeD look into the matter. "

"Should be fun," Zell muttered from the helm. "Why weren't the Ghost Busters invited?"

"They were," Squall said, his tone matter-of-fact. He turned his head to peer over Rinoa's and glanced over his team. "They're missing, too."

The silence that fell over the boat was deafening.

"I don't wanna go," Selphie informed in a hollow voice, burrowing into Irvine's side. Irvine obligingly placed a protective arm around her.

"There are no such things as ghosts," Squall said sternly. He couldn't have his team losing their heads over figments of their imaginations.

"You don't believe in ghosts?" Rinoa asked from under his arm. Her voice was strangely subdued, and it caused Squall to pause before he spoke.

"No," he responded, though not with as much conviction as he might have. There was something about the way Rinoa was staring over the ocean, the absent tone in her voice.

"Oh," was all she said.

The rest of the trip was almost completely silent. Ten minutes later, land was "sighted" (as far as the navigational instruments were concerned) and Squall drew Rinoa closer before he could comprehend what he had done. Rinoa glanced up at him curiously, but he avoided her gaze. What had made him do that?

Before he could ponder it any further, he spotted a long, dark shape in the mist and a light shining from somewhere above it. As they neared, he could see the lighthouse, then the shoreline come into view. Five or six people were waiting near the docks, several armed with guns and ceremonial swords.

Zell pulled them in, docking the ship in one of the many open slots. It seemed that tourism was down. Aside from several fishing vessels and a couple of row boats, the docks were completely vacant.

Squall brought himself to his full height and situated his Lionheart at his waist before straightening his coat and disembarking the vessel. Rinoa stayed close to his side, seemingly unwilling to stray too far from him. Was she really that afraid? There wasn't even anything to be afraid of.

"Welcome," a man said, striding up to greet them even as the rest of his team was getting off the boat. He was tall and slender, looking in about his early thirties and dressed in a suit with a blue tie and a heavy coat. Everything about him declared him to be wealthy and perhaps a bit arrogant. He held out a hand for Squall to shake.

Squall took it and gave a firm shake. "Thank you."

"I am Samuel Rigs, mayor of Light's Island," he introduced. "You must be Squall Leonhart."

Squall nodded. "Can you direct us to the hotel? We would like to move our things before we get started."

A smirk appeared on the man's face. "Not much for small talk, I see. Very well. Miss Chiara Delancy is the manager of the town's boarding house. She will take you there." He stepped aside to allow a woman past.

She was beautiful, to say the least. She had long raven hair carefully curled into large rings and tasteful makeup darkening her icy blue eyes, making them stand out against the pale ivory of her skin. Her body was slender with elegant curves situated on a tiny frame. She probably stood several inches below Rinoa. She wore a stylish coat that hugged her figure and expensive jeans and boots covered her feet.

Her frozen eyes locked on Squall's and the hairs on his neck rose on end. He wasn't sure if it was from the cold or the cheerful surprise that crossed her features. "Mr. Leonhart," she said in a smooth voice, offering him a closed lip smile. Her eyes swept over his team before returning to him. Rinoa bristled at his side. "Follow me, please," Delancy said as she turned away.

Squall frowned but knelt down to pick up both his bag and Rinoa's that Irvine had unloaded a few seconds before. He followed after her with his team, leaving the mayor and the four men that had accompanied him alone on the dock.

Ooooh. Creepy woman. What does she want?

Please leave a review! I welcome constructive criticism and compliments ;)

God Bless,

-RainFlame