The sky over Ultimecia's castle was clearing, slowly. Towering solids of black shadows flowed with each movement of the clouds, betraying little hints of light. It was still back as soot, but no longer streaking with uncontrollable lightning. Sunlight now glistered in the small chapel on the other side of the castle, as peals of water pearl droplets caressed the worn marble face of a figurine. A figurine of Rinoa. Her. A gloved hand gently pushed the once majestic oak doors of the chapel open. The dilapidated door protested loudly, but nevertheless it opened. Scenes of terror surged through his brain, as he allowed his eyes feast on memories that once were not consumable. A gentle shake of his head, as he willed the thoughts to leave. He took a step.

His motive to return to this accursed place reminded him to walk towards the pulpit. Each step was softer than the last, each second more painful than the minute. He came to an abrupt halt, eyeing the figurine intensively. He knelt down, to bring his eye level to match that of the figurine's. He could see the beauty immortalized even something as immaterial as a statue. He reached for it, touched it. The cold, lifeless feel of the marble seeped through even his glove, bringing him close to tears. He would not allow that to happen. Never would he. Rinoa.

It was at a dance at the graduation ball held in Balamb Garden. The ball was held for trainees to congratulate them on their promotion to combat arms, holding rank of full-fledged SeeD members. Squall was one of the few outstanding cadets to have passed. He emerged from his dormitory donning a fresh set of uniform.

Squall walked towards the ball room. The matrons pushed the doors open, revealing the splendid grandeur of the ball. Squall nervously took a step into the ball. He was never one entirely comfortable with groups of people. He meekly accepted a glass of champagne the nearest waitress offered. He leaned on the nearest pillar, right hand absent mindedly twirling that glass of champagne, his left hand in his pocket. He was intensively aware of his surroundings, but only as an on-looker. He was just about to finish his glass, when a young and attractive lady approached suddenly as if from no where. She gave Squall a smile, and Squall had an insight into what he had been missing. Squall was never interested in girls, much less a relationship, but after that very day, they never knew what a day was like apart.

"You left me, Rinoa" Squall whispered in a deadly silence, "We were supposed to do everything together." A single drop of tear smeared his face. Silence. He drew his hand away from the figurine, and rubbed his fingers together. Dust. Dirt, just like the entire chapel. In shambles.

"Squall" The door creaked open, and a figure entered.

"Squall" she repeated. Squall remained silent. He had nothing to say. Especially at a time like this. He was always the cold and anti-social guy in front of everybody. It was a face, a mask he had to put on to protect himself. From what? Now that he was in this state, he could not let her see him like this. Why?

"Are you… okay?" Quistis asked, concerned. She walked towards her leader. Ever since Rinoa had died, his leader had been in this mood. She had realized long ago that the cold and uncaring leader he had portrayed to others was only a show. Deep inside his heart, she understood that Squall needed somebody to talk to. He had found that somebody, but all too soon, that somebody became a nobody.

Literally.

"Leave me alone." Squall spoke softly, almost inaudible. Quistis knew that Squall was not in a very good mood, but at least she had checked on him. Now her leader wanted her to disappear, disobeying did not make much sense. Quistis nodded her head, not caring whether Squall saw it. She turned her back on him, before walking out of the chapel, closing the oak doors silently on him, a lone, sad figure outlined against the grey shadows of the chapel hall. Quistis shuddered in the unforgiving cold, and walked back to the starship.