Disclaimer: I don't own FF8, or any of the characters found therein. I'm not making any money off of this either. The few OCs that do exist won't be around for long.

Summary: Two years after they defeated Ultimecia, Squall disappears without a word, and old friendships fall apart. Six years later, Esthar announces the opening of their own Garden led by none other than the presidents son, Leon Liore. But why did Squall leave in the first place, and how does he explain the strange occurrences happening around him?

Pairings: Squall/Seifer, Selphie/Irvine. Mentions of Squall/Rinoa, Squall/Irvine.

Warnings: Will contain mature situations and of sexual and violent natures. It will also contain relationships of both homosexual and heterosexual varieties. Obviously.

Author's Note: First chapter of Into the Fire is up. The next chapter is nearly done and will be posted on Thursday. The question for you guys will be whether you want one update a week, about this length, or more frequent updates that are quite a bit shorter. Let me know.

Chapter I
Anti-Nostaligia

Come on, come on,
Put your hands into the fire.
Explain, explain,
As I turn and meet the power.
This time, this time,
Turning white and senses dire.
Pull up, pull up,
From one extreme to another.

***

The sun broke over the horizon scattering brilliant rays of light into clouds. Even more impressive was the way that light reflected off the glimmering buildings of Esthar's capital. To one young man, the only thing that would have made the day more perfect was for it to have not come at all.

Leaning forward, braced against the railing of the balcony, he let the soft breeze caress his skin, pulling his bangs from the loose braid at the nape of his neck. It brought with it the promise of the warm days. He let a small smile grace his lips. Out there it was so easy to ignore his responsibilities.

He heard footsteps inside, but didn't bother to turn around. He already knew who was going to break his solitude.

"Kiros." It was a greeting, and nothing more.

"Isn't it a little early for you to be up brooding, Leon?" the dark skinned man asked.

Leon didn't turn around, and Kiros didn't wait for an invitation before joining the younger man on the balcony. Facing the other direction, he rested his back against the rail. He looked at his friend's son, waiting for him to speak. Nothing came.

"Don't tell me you're going to give me the silent treatment."

The silence stretched for a while between them, in which Kiros began to think the younger man wasn't going to speak with him, but eventually it broke. "Does Laguna actually expect me to attend this celebration?"

A frown marred Kiros' features. "Are you asking as his son or as his subordinate?"

Leon's reply was an unreadable stare.

"Laguna would have been ecstatic if you'd let him introduce you to the rest of the world as his son, but as your father, he's respected your decision to remain out of the public's eye." Leon nodded irritably and brushed the stray hair out of his face. Kiros noted the gesture before continuing. "However, as the leader of Esthar's military force and commander of its Garden, the President fully expects you to make an appearance, and own up to your parentage. You knew getting into this you were going to have to build up a working relationship with delegates from other countries, including Balamb."

Leon pushed away from the railing, and glared at the vice president. "You think I'm being a coward."

He received a laugh in response. "Hardly, Leon, knowing what I know about you. You've certainly got more courage than I ever did. I just think you need reminding that you volunteered for this"

Sighing, the young man rubbed at the cloth covering the scar between his eyes, obviously steeling himself for the long day ahead.

"What does the president expect me to wear for these festivities?" He half expected his father to try and put him in the traditional, formal Estharian robes. The very thought made him grimace.

Kiros saw the look on the young man's face and let out a bark of genuine laughter. "Don't worry. It wasn't your father who decided your wardrobe this time around."

He could have sworn he heard the young commander let out a sigh of relief.

***

The train ride to Esthar from Fisherman's Horizon was long and bumpy. Nothing else could be said about it.

Without access to air ships, the only means to reach the secluded city was by train. The Garden's hadn't been designed to pass over mountain ranges, and the Estharian government had kept the Ragnorok.

It wouldn't do for Esthar to lose its technology to neighbouring countries. There might be peace, but it didn't mean it was going to stay that way. The calm before the storm or whatever.

That was why President Loire had invited the leaders of the world's factions, both Gardens and countries alike, to celebrate the opening of Esthar's Garden. They were making a statement: they had Esthar's superior technology, coupled with Garden-level military strength. If someone wanted to pick a fight, Esthar was making it clear that it might be wise to look elsewhere.

…

At least that's what Irvine thought about the matter as he tried to fall asleep on the upper bunk of the bed in the SeeD cabin. His booted feet hung over the side as he lay on his back, for fear of Xu yelling at him for getting the covers dirty. His eyes were closed as he concentrated on trying to fall asleep.

Unfortunately, every jiggle of the train on the rarely used track jarred his back, preventing him from actually dozing off.

After one particularly good bump, he finally sighed in frustration and hopped off the bed, already starting to feel his back tense from the uncomfortable mattress.

Hyne, I must be getting old, he thought to himself, kneading his back with the knuckles of one hand. Only twenty-six and I'm already having back trouble. Won't be long before they have me retired from active duty and pushing papers behind a desk.

He went to grab his jacket and cowboy hat off the couch beside the bed, but paused mid-motion as the ramifications of his thoughts hit him. Just shoot me now.

Slamming the hat down on top of his head, he left the cabin to go off in search of the illustrious Commander Xu. He wanted to ask her a couple of questions.

Like what I'm going to say when someone asks me how I feel about Esthar building a Garden that won't be under independent control. Because we definitely need a group of mercenaries under the thumb of a man who's one or two cards short of a full deck.

***

The dull, almost two-dimensional nature of his vision should have told him something was wrong with what he was seeing. It clued him into the fact that what he was seeing wasn't real.

It didn't help Seifer wake up, and it certainly didn't stop his throat from constricting when woman lying on the table turned towards him with anguish in her eyes. She was staring straight at him, repeating the same words over and over.

"Please, help me," she entreated. Although he couldn't recognize any of her features, he knew she was dear to him.

He tried to take a step towards her knowing, even though he couldn't see her body, that she was going into labour.

His feet wouldn't move.

He tried to call out to her, knowing that the sound of his voice would calm her down. An unknown name was on the tip of his tongue.

His voice made no sound.

Her cries became louder, but there was nothing he could do for her but watch as her body contorted in agony.

"You can't help her."

The words echoed in his head, but they weren't his own.

Before he could question them, the woman on the table stopped moving.

In the next instant, her back was arched, rounded stomach bared to the world. He watched in horror as something began to rip it open from the inside, clawing its way out. He tried to look away, but even when he closed his eyes he could still see it.

"You'll never be able to stop Us." It was still in his head, but this time he recognized the voice, and it was enough to jolt him out of his stupor…

He jerked awake and promptly threw up into a bucket at the side of his bed.

These dreams are getting worse, he concluded, wiping his mouth on his sleeve as he stood up. The dreams had always made him feel ill, but this was the first time he'd thrown up. Even as his vision cleared he had to lean into the bucket again as he heaved dryly.

He was about to enter into contemplation about what it meant when one of his comrades, Jaien he thought her name was, poked her head into the cabin. "Hey, Ai, the General's moving out. You don't get your ass in gear he's going to have you lurking in the shadows looking after the princess."

That certainly got his attention. Within seconds he had his uniform on, regardless of the fact that the woman was watching him change with blatant interest. He'd worked for General Caraway for the past five years, and he hadn't yet been forced to do more than exchange a few pleasantries with his daughter. He wasn't about to let some dream change that.

What did it matter that the dreams were becoming more and more frequent, or that he was beginning to put names to the faces and voices he was hearing?

He jogged after Jaien, and they managed to grab seats near the front of the convoy, early enough to avoid princess detail.

***

"Hey, Sunshine, I was wondering if you would be willing to do me a huge favour."

Selphie frowned at the videophone, twirling a strand of hair absently around one finger. Of course her commanding officer was going to assign her some menial task right before she was supposed to be going on a date.

"Oh, I'm sorry sunshine. Am I interrupting something?" The grey-haired young man offered her a look that told her he didn't feel sorry at all. "I'm certain whatever you and your beau of the week have something vitally important planned. I wouldn't dream of interrupting it with a free trip to Esthar."

Immediately Selphie's eyes lit up, and she was seated at her desk, her full attention on the screen before her. "Trip to Esthar?"

The young man grinned. "I'm glad I have your attention, because this is top priority. I was going to send Cal, but after going through the files I found out you've already met the president, so you'd obviously make a better candidate."

Selphie's brows furrowed and she leaned closer to the video screen. "This doesn't have anything to do with Esthar opening a new Garden, does it?"

"What a clever girl…" the commander rolled his eyes. "Trabia's a smaller Garden. We don't have a headmaster, so we have to make due with SeeDs. You're our highest ranked SeeD, you've met the president, and you're one of the few I trust not to make us look ridiculous."

There was a pause, Selphie looking into the young man's eyes. He finally looked away, rubbing his temples. "I can't believe I had to say that."

"Whatever," Selphie finally answered. "There are going to be other Garden representatives there, and if they're following the same logic as you I'm going to have to see Him."

"It's been six years. Isn't it about time you put it behind you?"

"That bastard ripped my heart out. It's not something you just 'put behind you.'" She bit out as she slammed her hand onto the desk.

"You still love him." It wasn't a question.

The soft spoken statement was right on the mark. The usually perky young SeeD lowered her gaze, so that her commanding officer wouldn't see her in tears. Her voice was equally soft, though filled with sullen anger. "He slept with a guy rather than sleeping with me. I have no reason to love him… why would I love him, Alaric?"

The young man just smiled back sadly. "Your boat leaves in twenty minutes, and you'll be taking Cal with you. Your job is to make nice with Laguna Loire, and find out what his plans are and what type of guy Leon Loire is."

"Anything else, sir?"

"Yeah… keep Cal in line. We don't want him to do anything over the top."

***

In Irvine's opinion, the room they'd been given for the duration of their stay was a little over the top. It wasn't so much the marble tile or ceiling high windows in the sitting room, which was to be expected given they were in the Presidential Palace. It was more the fact that their room had a sitting room, and a kitchen, and two bathrooms.

For SeeDs, who were more accustomed to sleeping three or four in a two person tent than alone in their own dorm rooms, the whole thing seemed a little too extravagant.

In all honesty, it made him uncomfortable.

"Stop gaping and get changed."

Xu's voice derailed his train of thought and he grinned at her sheepishly. The friendly but distant woman hadn't changed much since he'd met her nearly eight years ago, unless you counted the addition of a few grey hairs. Not unexpected, considering the current commander of Balamb Garden was twenty-seven.

In all honesty, Irvine was surprised his auburn hair wasn't liberally streaked with silver. With more classes than actual missions, he was surprised he hadn't torn his hair out all together. Some of the cadets were nice to look at, but he never remembered being that simple minded. That single issue made up the bulk of his reasons for jumping at the chance to accompany Xu in a diplomatic mission.

"Irvine!" Xu snapped. "Get changed, now. You're not meeting the president of Esthar dressed like that!"

The cowboy nodded, lugging his bag into one of the two bedrooms. He closed the door behind him and quickly shrugged off his jacket. It was quickly followed by a black button up shirt and a pair of ratty cords. Not that he hadn't seen the president in worse. From what he could remember in his previous dealings with the man, appearance was his last concern.

But what Commander wants, Commander gets, he thought ruefully, pulling his SeeD uniform from the bottom a non-descript suit case. Stain and wrinkle resistant, the black uniform was ideal for those whose jobs might be a little… gore-y.

He left his room, locking the door behind him with the key card their guide had handed to them. Xu was waiting, looking immaculate as ever. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting."

She ignored the sarcasm and stopped tapping her foot impatiently. "Of all the people I could have taken with me, I just had to choose you."

Hiding a frown, Irvine went to open the door for his commanding officer, ever the gentleman. Half the time he couldn't tell if her comments were in jest, or if she actually resented having him around. "With Zell and Quistis on the Centra excavation, I'm your only SeeD that's met President Loire,"

Xu nodded, leaving the room and heading to the reception hall, where the celebrations would be starting. "I doubt that will do me much good. You'll be too busy chasing skirts."

Irvine stopped walking, and looked at his commander in disbelief. He'd stopped chasing anything with two legs long ago.

Five years, two hundred and seventy-four days ago, his traitorous mind provided. Since the day Selphie left.

Since that fateful night he hadn't so much as kissed another human being. It just wasn't worth everything he'd lost. For nearly six years he'd been living like a nun.

Xu stopped when she realized the cowboy wasn't following him. She turned around, a stern expression on her face. "What now?"

"You might not like me," he growled out, meeting her glare for glare. "And Hyne knows I'm beginning to dislike you, but I'll remain professional for the duration of this assignment."

Xu expression was one of shock, though it quickly turned to anger. He walked past her before she could say anything, and muttered under his breath, loud enough for her to hear; "Regardless of whether you will."

***

The lights and the amount of champagne moving around the room were obviously designed to keep the atmosphere relaxed and friendly. The ambiance would reduce hostility between groups that were, not to long ago, at war, as well as making them more susceptible to whatever ideas Esthar's president wanted to plant into their heads that evening.

Rinoa stood against the back wall of the reception hall, surveying the other guests. It was her father's idea for her to come along. He believed it important for her to learn all she could about politics. Since he was the newly elected president of Galbadia, it was probably a smooth move for him to coach his daughter to some day follow in his footsteps. She enjoyed what this coaching entailed, hoping to some day to put her knowledge to use. She'd never given up her desire to free Timber.

None of the other guests seemed to notice the atmosphere in the room, and it took her a little while to realize why. No one was expecting it from the man who'd spent the last twenty years or so acting like an idiot. Even she was forced to admit this sort of subtle manipulation wasn't what she would expect from the blunt, happy-go-lucky man who'd told six children the way to save the world was to believe in their friendship.

Either President Loire had managed to grow up significantly in the past eight years, or someone else was pulling at least some of the strings in this puppet show.

The intrigue piqued her curiosity, so she sent some of her magic out to 'test the waters.' She wanted to see if it was just the lighting they were using to enhance the mood, or if there might be something more questionable behind it.

Rinoa was forced to pull her powers back sharply as they encountered something akin to a flame. Her gaze jerked in the direction of the unexpected power; she found herself looking at Balamb Garden's current commander, Xu, talking to a man with long, braided hair, and some kind of black headband tied around his head. His back was turned to her, however, but from his unusual style of dress she was certain he was an Estharian dignitary.

Shaking her head, she drew her eyes away and let her gaze settle on the champagne flute in her hand. She'd felt the burning sensation a few times before, back when she'd been spending a lot of time around the Garden. Xu must be junctioned, she decided. Doesn't send a good message to the other guests, if they notice, but she's SeeD, and they're trained to be prepared for anything.

She didn't have much more time to dwell on it, because Laguna Loire decided to make an appearance.

***

Xu bid him goodbye when she saw the president make his way to the podium at the front of the room. His heart had been in his throat throughout the duration of their conversation. He almost couldn't believe she hadn't recognized him, but then, eight years could really change a person.

That he was playing the role of a charming dignitary and his trademark scar was hidden by the black cloth over his eyes, certainly didn't hurt.

He took a sip of champagne, and hid the grimace the taste left in his mouth. It seemed alcohol didn't agree with him any more. The thought left his mind when Laguna opened his mouth. In fact, all thoughts left his mind as he tuned his father out. He only snapped back into it when he heard his cue to come to the podium.

"But I'm not the person you want to meet tonight," Laguna was saying. "The man you're all here to meet, and the new commander of Esthar Garden, my son, Leon Loire."

There was scattered applause as he made his way up to the microphone. It was immediately cut short at the sound of a glass shattering in the back of the room, followed by several sharp gasps.

"Sweet Hyne. Squall!"

***

AN: Let me know what you think of the start, and how you want your updates.