Balamb Garden
Two Months later

Duanaru woke sitting up in her bed. She managed to keep from yelling out, but could hear a male voice from across the hall.

Squall's having his nightmares again.

Another sound came from the next room.

"Take that Mustang…."

She bit back a giggle, looking up at the dark ceiling above her. With a sigh, she got up, figuring she could use something to drink. Pulling the robe on over her nightgown, she paused a moment, then reached into the drawer of her nightstand, drawing out two combs, when put together the combs would make the key blade she carried. In their resting state, they were as harmless as could be.

Slipping them into her pocket, she paused, seeing Squall stepping out of his room. She ignored him a moment, padding over to the little dining area in the shared dorms.

"I didn't wake you again did I?" His voice was quiet. She almost jumped. They had midnight meetings like this for the last few weeks. She hadn't said anything to him about it when the others were up, and normally he just tolerated her chatting. This was the first time that he had started the conversation.

Duana shook her head. "No. I, I couldn't sleep. Figured I'll try to figure out some more of the homework I have without Edward's help." She gave a soft smile. "Would you like some?" She nodded to the pot, which she was currently pouring in milk.

The teen usually refused, though she always asked.

"Might help," Duana blinked a moment. Turning she looked at the taller teen.

After a moment, she nodded and pulled out another mug from the cabinet. Reaching over she grabbed a small jar filled with her special mix.

It had taken some talking with the Headmaster to be able to get the small spot in the open-air area of the garden for her small garden patch. Now most of the kids who had grown up outside the world's cities all had some little areas where they grew vegetables that they liked. Duana's was the only one filled with herbs. The jar she held in her hands was a special blend of catnip, and dark rich chocolate that she had crumbled up herself. The milk was fresh; she had gone to Balamb earlier in the day to get it.

Mixing in her special blend, she listened to the teen cross the room and sit at the table. It was still a few days away from their exam. Most of the others were excited about it, though Squall was treating it like an everyday thing. She took the two cups after mixing in the warm milk.

"Here." She sat down sipping at her drink, her silver eyes seeming to glow a little in the pale light that came from Squall's room.

"Beats hot dogs all the time," he shook his head a little as he stretched. Duana was easy to talk to during the late night conversations, tonight he felt like talking; maybe it would help him forget the nightmare. Not, as if she was really my sister, I'm an orphan, though; I wish I could remember who she was.

"I can't eat those. I may be a strong fighter, but my stomachs not like Zell's." She giggled a little. "Doesn't help most meat makes me sick."

"So that's why I always see you just eating a little bit."

She nodded. "Human food's hard for me to digest. I'm getting used to it, but I learned that if I handle it in small doses I don't get sick. It's also, why I keep snacks in my bag. Don't tell Zell though. He'd want to mooch off me." She flashed a bright smile making him crack a weak one. "So Mr. Broody can smile. I was starting to wonder about that." She leaned back as he swatted at her, the grin still on his face.

"Sometimes," He responded as he looked at the books she pulled out. Most of them were easy subjects, though he knew she was struggling with them.

"Still can't figure out how to cast spells?"

"Magic doesn't work for me here. I don't know why either. I don't see why I'll need it really. Some spells would be helpful, but I'd rather not deal with elemental magic." She turned the book open to the lesson she had the homework in. "At least I'm doing better than Edward." She smiled. "He can't cast any. I at least have Leki."

Movement that wasn't she nor Squall made her glance up at the doorway. One of the faculty stood in the doorway.

"Silver-frost, would you please come with me?"

Duana nodded slowly getting up. Something felt wrong though. Closing her eyes, she felt something dark just outside the room. "Can I get dressed first?"

The man nodded. She went into her room quickly dressing. She snapped the key blade together and tucked it into a sheath in the back of her skirt. Her jacket covered it, so she didn't have to worry about it unless there was a fight. Hope there's not one. Because I don't think I could take him on…

Thinking quickly she jotted a note down to slip to Squall to give to Edward. She hoped that it wouldn't come to it, but whatever was in the dark outside the dorm room, was starting to feel overbearing.

Last time I had a feeling this strong... It was right before they attacked Arthur, they Norns took him to Avalon… She walked back into the sitting room, slipping the note to the table before she walked to the door. Squall touched her shoulder as she passed him.

Catching the look in his eyes, she nodded. She wasn't the only one that felt uneasy about the situation.

"Be careful," Squall's words floated to her, right before the door closed behind her.

Duana closed her eyes, following the man as she tried to think a moment. Cid's asleep by now. So who, the hell is it that wants to see me?

The staff led her through the corridors to the elevator. In the corner of her eye, she could see shapes moving in the shadows. She noticed that he hit the button that would take them to the lower levels, where students weren't supposed to go.

"Sir, why are we going there? Isn't Headmaster Cid's office above us?"

"Silence."

Okay, not good at all… Her hand strayed to her pocket though she didn't draw the twin combs out. Escorted to a large room, Duana looked around. Something moved in a large bulbous 'throne' while a slender woman stood nearby, the look on her face showed amusement.

"So this is the little sorceress that Cid's been hiding." The woman's voice was calm. She smiled a little. "Relax young one. I asked you here so that I could meet you in private. I don't want Cid to know that I'm here."

"Edea." Duana spoke the name softly. She looked startled for a moment. "No, there's something else about you. The body is Edea… The mind is not." She looked up, the magic around them easy to read. Duana had to bite her lip to keep from saying everything that she was seeing now. It was as if several timelines were crashing into her at once.

"How did you know?"

"I think I dreamed it. And you," She turned to the green form in the throne bowing slightly. "You're Norg. I know it the same way I know Edea here." She bit her lip. "I... Trust me when I tell you that I mean you no harm." She was amazed that she was able to talk so calmly. Part of her mind reached out, feeling the Guardian Force that she had managed to talk into aiding her. It was there, waiting for her command.

"Silence." The staff member raised his hand and Edea scowled, stopping the hand just before it struck her

"You will not harm her. If she is the sorceress, you anger her and she'll destroy us all." She held out her hand. "Come here child; let me see you up close."

It is Edea, Matron… She would not hurt us… The voices in her head were Zell and Selphie, though she knew somehow that what she was hearing hadn't happened yet. Stop… Please, stop this, I cannot think clearly…

Power surged between the two and Duana shook her head. "I must kindly decline. I'm sorry but I do not touch people I do not know. It's just safe that way." She felt something at her back and knew she wouldn't be able to back up.

Great, let us see how well I can get out of this one. She didn't move to get the knife, not wanting to let them know about them.

"I found out what I wanted, let her leave. Though, keep an eye on her. Don't let her speak of this to Cid."

The man stepped away from her. Duana bit her lip and backed up. Shadows moved behind the pair. The faint skittering made her tense. She knew that sound. It had chased her through the dark after she had first received the blade, then each time she had felt safe.

Heartless.… She scrambled back as the shadows seemed to flow around the two. She turned running for the door.