Chapter 1 – Found
"Why did you leave?"
Rinoa didn't say a word. She wouldn't know what to say.
'No...'
That wasn't true at all. She knew the answer. She knew.
What was it that stopped her from telling him? They're simple words. It would end this relationship between them. It'd end everything.
'Say it.' her mind urged, wanting the words out to prevent any further contact with the man before her.
How had it end like this? How could she now hate the man she once fought with, made love with...
The man who saved her from certain death…
Maybe... Maybe it was because he couldn't save her now. After all, he had started it.
Her deterioration…
It was quite ironic when one thinks about it.
She wanted to ask why he had asked her this. She wanted to ask how he found her. Had he searched for her all this time? All these years...
Guilt.
'No, no. Don't fall for it.' her mind persisted.
"Rinoa."
His voice hadn't changed after all this time. It was still that rich baritone with a layer of huskiness that she used to love hearing. It was still the same impassive tone he used.
'He hasn't changed.' she notes, almost in disappointment, almost in heartbreak.
Almost.
The impact lessens when one gets used to it.
She's used to his coldness, to his painful indifference towards her.
Once upon a time, she had forgiven him for it, even loved him because of it.
A bittersweet smile found itself on her lips.
All these years of thinking that it was all in the past, that she'd never have to deal with it all again, that she was free.
But he was here, asking her these questions.
'Why?'
She probably should have prepared for this moment.
'Probably...'
But she hadn't.
And she wasn't ready.
How does one say the words one had never thought she/he'd ever say?
Honesty.
He deserved that from her, didn't he?
Yes. He did.
"I got tired, Squall."
But she wasn't honest, not anymore, not after...
She was Rinoa Heartily, the "after" version.
She was no longer the bright and daring teenager she had once been. Things have changed.
She had changed.
And soon, he would realize it too.
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Have I gotten your interest yet? Mpf. Review please!