To the readers: Thanks for deciding the summary was interesting enough to take a peek! Anywhom, I just have to for warn you of a few thing. First off there is mild Rinoa x Squall at the beginning of this story. I know, blasphemy. I had to do it to set up the rest of the story, so don't get the nails and cross yet. It may take awhile for the whole Squall on Seifer (or vice versa) to happen, but it will be there, trust me. Secondly, some people may think my 'version' of Squall is very OoC. Let me defend myself on this point. If anyone else noticed, by the end of the game Squall was talking in complete sentences, even -gasp- paragraphs! So, I assume, that with a certain group of people's help he began to open up and talk more. Now I'm not saying he's going to be Chatty Mc Chatterbox, but he will say more than just "…" "It's none of your business" and "…Whatever" and seeing as how it's in Squall's PoV, he'll think a lot…which he did anyways. Seifer may seem OoC as well, possibley a bit soft, but I don't believe in severe demasculinizing of a manly character (read my profile) so it shouldn't be too bad. Anways, I'm rambling now so onto the story (if you are still intrested) .

Just give me a chance please T-T
-Kirux

Disclaimer: Sakaguchi Hironobu never got back to me after my last offer, so I guess I still don't own them.

Pieces
Chapter One: As they fall

"Look!" Rinoa pointed at the comet as it shot across the starlit sky "A shooting star!"

"Yeah, it's pretty amazing," I turned to look at her. I loved her in everway possible. Her face, her attitude, her spirit, and her voice that I had missed so much. I remember being so reluctant towards her. I use to belittle everything she stood for, but after all we've been through I found myself drawn to her. I also found that I had changed entirely. The quiet, introverted, antisocial, stern Squall had melted away into a more friendly, open person. It's amazing how someone can change so much in such a short amount of time.

"Squall, what are you thinking about?" She stepped closer to me and I smiled at her.

"You."

"What about me?" She stepped closer.

"About how much I love you," I put my arms around her and pulled her close to me, kissing her deeply as the party went on inside. But out here on the balcony, all was quiet and serene. My life was finally as it should be and would only get better from here on out.

- Six Months Later –

I paced back and forth in the headmaster's office. Where's Cid? He said to meet him here, in HIS office, at exactly 15:00 and it was now 15:20. Yes, much to many people's dismay I had not, in fact, taken over as Balmb Garden's Headmaster. All Cid had meant was he wanted me to lead the Garden as a General would lead his troops, not as King of the land. Now that the Second Socceress War was officially ended, I was nothing more than your run of the mill SeeD cadet. I got certain perks, however; I didn't have to work holidays, I had the choice of turning down missions (most of the time), and I was always leader of my squad. But what they were asking me to do now was simply out of the question.

"Squall, so sorry I'm late. I had some other matters I had to clear up," Cid waddled in and plopped down into his big comfy chair, "Have a seat."

"I'm going to put this frankly, Cid, no,"

"Than don't sit down, I can't force you."

"Not about that," (you dumbass), "I meant about assigning me to instruct the senior classmen."

"Now Squall, it's a very reasonable proposition. You have all the requirements one needs to instruct your furture fellow SeeD members; bravery, battle experience, excellent fighting capabilities, great compatability with your GFs, and the respect of all you know. If anyone can properly teach these kids, it's you."

"No" I stated again, firmly placing my hands on his desk and staring at him.

"Why are you so against this Squall?"

"Because," I saw what happened to Quistis. You make her instructor than one year later you give her the boot, "I don't wanna be placed on the back shelf."

"Would I ever really do that to my best SeeD? You're basically in a class all your own," He placed his hands on his head and leaned back in his chair giving my that reassuring, almost fatherly, grin, "How about this, I'll give you more time to think about it."

"…Really?" Something didn't seem right, it was just too…too…easy.

"Really, in the mean time I have a new assignment for you."

"What is it?"

"The President of Esthar has requested the assistance of Balamb SeeD," he sat back up and shuffled around his desk looking for his papers.

"…Esthar?" I really didn't like that place, it was just so…weird.

"Yes, ah here it is," He pushed his eyeglasses up his nose and read from the paper, "…'I am requesting a single member of SeeD, perferably Squall Leonhart, to help with the restoration of peace within Esthar City walls. Along with this task I shall have need of the before mentioned SeeD to escort my aids and I to a conference in Deling City with General Caraway. Please have the SeeD at the Esthar Palace by 20:00 hours this Friday. Thank you for your assistance, Laguna Loire President of Esthar.' You see, he asked for you by name, and I have no reason to deny the president of an allied nation such a simple requestIt's only a fifteen minute fly on the Ragnarok so don't worry about having to leave too early. I do suggest you go prepare youself now so you can relax before your mission."

"Yes headmaster," I clenched my teeth and saluted him before storming away. Okay, for one, Laguna could never have written that letter. That imbecile couldn't string together popcorn that elegenatly. Secondly, why in the world would he request ME of all people. Thirdly…WHY WAS I BEING REDUCED TO CLEAN-UP AND BODYGUARD MISSIONS? I am Squall fucking Leonhart. Hero of the Second Socceress War. I saved the garden (more than once) defeated Ultimecia almost singled handedly (Renzokuken with Lionheart, I mean really, that's total ownage) than on top of that I went around the world after words and help rebuild countless places (including Trabia and Matron's orphange) and now I have to do this (Squall, clean up on aisle Esthar)? Really…I felt as though my credability in this place was being questioned. Maybe Rinoa could make me feel better.

I heard the ping of the elevator and realized that I had been on autopilot for the past few minutes as I ranted to myself. I shook my head and got out, heading right to start looking for Rinoa.

Stop number one; the infirmary.

Rinoa didn't like sick or wounded people, so I didn't bother. Plus Kadowaki would just try and challenge me to a game of Triple Triad or make me use my white spells on some kid with a scratch on his knee. I'll pass.

Stop number two; the quad.

I walked down the stairs and was immediately greeted by Selphie.

"Hiya, Squall!" She was as bubbly as ever, "Are you gonna join the Garden Fesitvle Committee again?"

"Didn't we just do the fesitvle?"

"That thing at FH totally didn't count! This time we're doing it for real! The whole thing is going to be spectacular! Please join! Please please please please please!!!!!!!!!!"

She stared at me intently and I closed my eyes and put my face in my hand, "Fine Selphie, I'll join the committee."

"Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!" She jumped up, hitting the air with her fist, "This is gonna be so awesome, just you wait!"

"I bet, " I let my hand fall to my side and rolled my eyes, " by the way have you seen Rinoa?"

"She was here earlier, she said she couldn't join the committee because she had plans, than she just left. She seemed to be acting weird."

"Weird?" I wondered what it could man, but shrugged it off, "Well I have to go get ready for a mission Selphie, so see you later," I turned and walked away.

"Kay, Squall," She shouted at me, "See you later!"

Stop number three; the cafeteria.

Maybe she was just grumpy from hunger, she could be a twit when she was hungry. I stepped through the doors of the cafeteria and was greeted by the weirdest sight of my life. Two junior classmen were sitting at one of the tables with a large bag of animal crackers. The seem to be creating frakencrackers with pieces of many different crackers held together by canned cheese. I decided I didn't want to be a part of this madness and turned to leave, but not before I caught a bit of their conversation.

"Look, a llama with five arms!" The other girl started to giggle.

"I wish that Seifer had five arms…" They both broke out into hysteric giggles.

Seifer…that was name I hadn't heard in forever. Why would she want him to have five arms, I mean what would he do with all of them…

"Ew gross, those girls are sick!" I decided that before I got anymore mental images I would hightail it out of there.

Stop number four; the training center.

I decided to skip the dorms because if she wasn't there, I would have to just go back there later to pack anyways, so I'd have to posibley waste time, not cool. I decided to head to the secret place. So after many encounters with grats, a minute or two later I was at the hangout spot. As I opened the door and could do nothing yet stare blankly and mentally scream in horror.

Right in front of me was Irvune and some chick…having sex. I mean sex is good and all, but in a public place where at anytime and many tentacled moster can leap out and attack you? Who hell would want THAT to happen them? I guess I must have screamed out loud in surprise because Irvine screamed "OH SHIT!" and the girl squealed and tried to hide. I turned to promptly leave but not before my mind went -CLICK- and realized who the girl was. I spun around and I think I actually heard my world crash around me.

"Rinoa?"

"I've been meaning to tell you Squall…I really have," She grab her shirt and pulled it on and Irvine pulled up his pants and coughed nervously.

"…" My mind froze. I didn't expect this, I really didn't. I thought Irvine was dating Selphie. Well…that's what I get for thinking, "…Whatever." I had nothing else to say, I really didn't.

"That's it? You walk in on your girlfriend and one of your best friends fucking and you just say whatever?" Irvine put on his hat and stared at me.

"What am I suppose to say? 'Well, this is awkward. Sorry for interupting you.' Is that more appropriate?" I think I felt something snap inside me, because I just started rambling, "How about this: You stupid skank! This is how you repay my love and devotion? I save you from so much bullshit and I helped you adjust to life here and I was always there for you and you decided to say 'Thanks Squall, I love you! Now pardon me as I fuck Irvine!' Well I'm sorry I;m not some skirt chasing cowboy wannabe that just gonna turn around and fuck some other bitch tomorrow night."

"Squall…I'm sorry. It's wasn't anything you did," Rinoa said staring at me, "It's just, I always had this thing for irvine, but I felt obligated to be with you because of all the things you did for me."

"YOU ARE DAMN RIGHT IT WASN'T ME!" I turned and left. I really didn't want to deal with that bullshit anymore.

"Squall…" Rinoa called after me

'Let him go Rinoa," Irvine whispered to her, "here's no making this better."

The first sensible thing he's said…ever.

Last stop; the dorms.

People seem to know that something was wrong. Maybe it's the death glare that was permently stuck on my face. The other students just cringed out of my way as I stormed to my room and threw open my suitcase. I grabbed some shirts, a couple pair of pants, my SeeD uniform, a couple pairs of boxers, and socks. I threw open Lionheart's case and put him in their, gently. He never failed me, and he definitely didn't fuck my friends behind my back. I grabbed both cases and headed for the Ragnarok. I didn't have to leave for another three hours, but I sure the hell didn't want to be here.

Just when I was reaching the front gate Cid came up behind me, "Why are you leaving now? You don't have to be there for awhile."

"I decided to take the scenic route," I didn't stop, I just kept on walking.

"Did something happen?"

"…It's none of your business," Been awhile since I said that.

"Fine, have a good trip."

I loved the Ragnarok, I really did. The freedom of being to go where ever I wanted, when ever I wanted. I sat down in the pilots seat and let out a deep sigh, reacapping what happened today.

My headmaster assigns me to a bodyguard mission on the request of an incompetent fool and is trying to force me on the back shelf by wanting me to take the job of senior classmen instructor. I got dooped into joining the garden festival committee, again. Then, the cherry on my sundae, I walk in on my now ex-girlfriend fucking my now ex-bestfriend. Lovely. Now where can I go that will just mellow me out. Someplace secluded. Someplace where no one ever thinks about. Someplace that feels like home…I punched in the coordinents for Winhill.

-Twenty-five minutes later-

I didn't actually want to go into the town just sit in the plains outside of the hamlet. I had come here often when I felt depressed. The last time was when Zell got assigned to trabia permently. We had all protested, saying that it should be Selphie because it's her home but that's exactly why Cid didn't send her. Cid has been weird lately. Or maybe I've just come to see him as what he really is; a coward. 'I want Squall to lead you trhough these hard times' he said as he practically ran away. As soon as it was all settled he come back. 'What I meant was temporarily, while I deal with other issues.' Stupid fucker.

The things I saw about this place when Ellone sent us back here made me curious about something. They say she died in childbirth, it was a boy. Than that old flower lady said I looked so much like her. I wonder if I am her son? Than who would be my father? That guy Kiros seemed to know 'It's a good thing you look like your mother and not your father," I had always wondered what he meant by that.

I looked up and realized that the sun was setting. I would take longer to get to Esthar from here, so I decided to go into town to check on the time. This was gonna be the hard part, Winhill folk don't like outsiders all that much. Not since Laguna was here. They seemed to think he was the reason Raine died. I didn't get it, but whtever. I walked up the main road towards the inn to see if somewhere there had a watch that told military time. For some reason I can't translate between military and 'regular' time in my head, it just makes me confused. So I entered the inn and looked around. This is deffinately going to be a fruitless effort.

"Excuse me, miss," I walked up to the bartender, "Do you have the time?"

"Yeah, it's almost half past six," I stopped and tried to think. Noon is twelve hundred hours and add six so that would be…

"It's 18:27," said a rather familiar sounding voice next to me.

"Thanks," I turned my head and blinked a couple of times, trying to make sure what I was seeing was really, "Seifer?"

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it and I apologize for any spelling/grammatical errors. If any of you that have read it really like this story and want to beta for me, just say so by reveiwing or emailing me. I'll update this story whenever I get the chance, which may not be often so be patient with me please!
Love all you readers out there;
Kirux