A/N: Just a small note before you all read, this story is in Rinoa's point of view. Just so you all know I tweaked her personality a bit since it's after the war and I couldn't write her usual happy go lucky personality . And its after the game so she would be a bit different. Anyways I hope you all like it and review afterward please.
Chapter 1
I walked through the hallways that were now filled with students, all of them saluting to me in greeting. That was what all students did to their Instructors, it was a form of respect. I yawned and stretched lightly as I made my way to the cafeteria, having not slept too well last night, too many things on my mind. I carried my papers, schedules, and lessons plans, looking them over as I entered the cafeteria. I was wearing my usual black shirt and long black shorts that clung to my figure with my blue duster jacket over it all, white wings printed on the back of it. Another small reminder to myself, and others, that I was a sorceress.
I wore the same black boots as well as I walked further into the cafeteria to only be tackled by a petite, yellow blur. I stumbled a bit and looked to see Selphie almost crushing my ribs in a big hug. My red lips twitched up into a small smile at her usual sign of affection although the smile disappeared as quickly as it had come.
"Hey Selphie," I said to her softly as she finally let me go.
"Morning Rinny! C'mon over!" Selphie said happily as she grabbed my arm then, practically dragging me over to the usual table full with our group of friends. All of us were Instructors at Garden and we all taught students certain subjects we knew or weapons we specialized in. Selphie pulled out my seat next to her as she sat down next to Irvine, her boyfriend and 'cowboy playboy' of our little group. Selphie had short-ish light brown hair that curled up at the ends, bright green eyes, and a fair complexion. She was always happy and carefree and the shortest of our group as well. Although she packed quite a punch when she fought with her nun chucks. She wore a short yellow jumpsuit like dress that only reached mid thigh and brown leather boots.
Her boyfriend Irvine had long brown hair that was back in a ponytail and dark brown eyes with a light tanned complexion. He had been quite a ladies man a few years ago, but that had changed after he had started dating Selphie. He now only flirted with her and had been very loyal. He wore his dark brown vest, brown baggy leather pants, and long tan colored trench coat. Next to Irvine was out friend Zell, out martial arts master. He specialized in hand-to-hand combat and was always shadowboxing cause he was just a compact bundle of energy all the time. He had a tan complexion, bright blonde hair that was spiked up, and bright blue eyes with a tattoo on the right side of his face. He also had a quick temper which got him in trouble a lot, especially when Seifer was around. He wore knee length blue pants, a red shirt, and a black coat whose sleeves only went to his elbow.
I stopped my analyzing of our group and looked down as I mentally sighed. Seifer… I thought to myself, wondering if I'd ever see him again. He may have been an obnoxious and overconfident blonde but he was still close to me even though he was an ex-boyfriend. Where are you? You better have made it out of time compression alive… I thought as I looked back up and started where I left off or I thought I would.
Next to Zell was the one I wanted to see the most and the least. He was like a Greek god compared to anyone else. Squall… I thought softly, my eyes resting on him as he sat there uninterested in everything going on like always. He was so beautiful, more than any other man or woman. His longish, chocolate brown hair was long enough to hang in his storm grey eyes that seemed to be gazing at the table. He had a pale complexion that went well with his features and his usual dark clothes. He wore his black, skin tight leather pants with six belts crisscrossing his hips and white muscle shirt with his black leather, fur trimmed bomber jacket over it. I couldn't take my eyes off of him even though looking at him hurt as I could never have him or have his arms around me ever again after he had broken up with me several years ago. That moment in time had changed me forever, my heart broken and hardened into ice.
"Rin? Are you going to sit down?" asked a familiar, soothing voice that had a hint of curiosity to it. It broke me out of my trance as I noticed I was still standing up. The owner of the voice was Quistis, the one sitting on my other side and the only one separating me and Squall. I nodded to the blonde haired woman and sat down, her bright blue eyes looking at me with a smile on her lips. I gave her a tiny smile back and took a sip of the steaming cup of coffee Selphie had set down in front of me. I looked to see Selphie drinking a cup of coffee as well although it always seemed that she didn't need to be any more hyper than she already was.
"So how's life going Rin?" Selphie asked to me as I nodded to her.
"It's alright…it's life I guess," I said as I felt another pair of eyes shift over to me after I replied to her. I gazed over to my left in the direction of the eyes only to have my hazel ones lock gazes with storm grey eyes. I blushed lightly and my heart beat sped up as Squall looked at me, making me quickly avert my gaze. I sipped my coffee slowly and watched the interactions around me which I rarely joined in anymore. I didn't feel the happiness I used to before when I used to join in all the time.
What am I becoming? I wondered to myself as I mentally sighed, still feeling Squall's intense gaze on me. I can't…I can't let him know anything I feel…no matter how much it hurts or changes me I won't tell him, I thought to myself as I almost jumped when a smooth, familiar voice spoke in my mind.
You'd better tell me what you mean by that Rin. We're still connected and I can hear your thoughts quite clearly, Squall said in my mind as my eyes blinked a few times in confusion before flickering over to him. His eyes were still on me until Zell asked him something and he had to look away from me.
It's nothing Squall, I bit out sharply to him mentally and put up a strong barrier in my mind that he wouldn't be able to penetrate. I then looked to the clock on the wall, seeing that it was almost time for classes to start. I slowly stood up with my coffee in hand, knowing everyone's eye shifted to me.
"I'll see you all later. I have to get ready for class," I said to them with a nod as I walked out of the cafeteria, Selphie waving enthusiastically. I smiled a bit at her enthusiasm and kept walking.
Click, clack, click ,clack was the sound my boots made as I walked and was the only sound echoing in the still deserted hallways. I tried to hold in my intense emotions that I was feeling at that moment, the feeling of it overwhelming and almost enough to make me want to pass out but I didn't and kept on walking for a while longer. I soon had to stop as the pain become too much and I sank down to my hands and knees in the deserted hallways.
Why? Why is Squall being like this? I…I love him… I thought to myself as tears well up in my eyes and threatened to spill over down my cheeks.
He's a foolish boy. Forget about him for he is weak and you are strong, said a sweet, silky voice in my head, making me gasp out loud in surprise. It sounded familiar and yet I couldn't picture who it belonged to.
W-Who are you?! How do you know me? I said in my mind, feeling a bit of fear as I was ready to put up barriers at any time. I then closed my eyes, trying to calm down a bit and not be afraid.
I know you better than anyone else, my lady. I want to help you in any way you want me to, the voice replied and it made me let down my guard a bit. I don't know why but I did, feeling as if I should hear what these voices were saying and believe them.
Would you really help me do anything? I asked as my mind started to think of several things. I then gasped and stop myself though, having a gut feeling that I shouldn't listen to these voices. My instincts were telling me not to believe and my mind was telling me and I had no idea which feeling to go with.
Yes my lady. I can even help you with getting your dear Squall back, another voice said, this one rougher but just as silky. The idea was very, VERY tempting but I ignored it. This all seemed too good to be true with no downside at all to it and how did the voices even know about Squall.
N-No! How do you know this? Get out of my head! I said to them as I erected a strong barrier, the same one I had with Squall but the voices were still there. And they were laughing. There were three of them as there were three different laughs.
We cannot leave. We are part of you my lady. A part that cannot be broken off or destroyed, the third voice said in a smug sort of way, its voice smooth and as cold as ice. I erected all my barriers, getting more scared by the second and opened my eyes.
My vision was blurry as I heard footsteps a little ways off and stood up, swaying a bit. C-Class… I thought to myself, holding onto the wall for support as the footsteps of students grew closer to me. I felt weak and drained, knowing that it was mostly mental exhaustion from what had just taken place.
That voice…one of them…sounded like Ultemecia… I thought to myself as a cold shiver of fear went down my spine, making my inside go cold. She's dead Rinoa. Stone cold dead! Now pull yourself together, I thought to myself as I was still feeling really weak and a bit dizzy and lightheaded now. I stumbled as I tried to walk and knew I couldn't go on, I was too tired and needed rest.
Help me please…Squall, was my last thought as I felt my body land on the hard, linoleum floor of the hallway. My breathing became a bit labored and footsteps soon surrounded me and stopped moving. My vision started to turn black around the edges like tunnel vision before I closed my eyes.
"Rinoa!" said the sweet voice of the person I wanted to see but couldn't. His voice saying my name was the last thing I heard before I lost consciousness.
A/N: A bit interesting huh? Well I hope you all like it so far and please review and tell me what you think. That way I'll know whether or not to keep this story going. And sorry for any mistakes as I don't have a beta right now. Please R&R!!^_^
