A/N: Hey everyone. Well if you've read my other story, You would've realised that my laptop is screwed and now I'm typing this up on my old comp. Sigh... anyway, Like I was saying before. I DON'T HAVE ANY SQUALL PICTURES! IT'S A SIN! Anyway,... please send some to suikagizmohotmail.com besides that I'm sick. I have some kind of flu so I might as well use this time to unwind and write some stuff. I'm kind of chucking a sad with my other story; 'Hope' only got one review for the most recent chapter... sigh... I don't have high expectations for this one either. Then for 'Heaven's Flare' I don't care if I never get reviewed for that one, it's just a bit of fun and something to keep my mind off other things like death. (Joking) Thanks. Hope you enjoy this. I had to change my style due to circumstances...
Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 8 or the others. Square soft does... Please don't sue. I'm poor enough as it is.
Chapter 3: Friend or Foe?Laguna woke up in his gigantic bed, alone. He'd become used to it now and then he got dressed and brushed his teeth. A knock interrupted him. "Wha?" he said, a mouth full of suds. The servant walked in and approached him.
"A call from King Caraway."
Laguna nodded and washed his mouth out, "Cheers," he said then picked up the phone, the servant left. "Yo?"
"Laguna, how are you?"
Laguna sighed loudly, "Oh could be better eh? I guess you know how that feels."
Caraway's voice changed, he was more sincere, "Yeah, all too well my good friend. Anyway, I need to ask of you a favour, maybe get your mind off things?"
Laguna smiled, "Anything. So what's up?"
Caraway sighed, "It's my daughter, y'know Rinoa...she ran away from the kingdom a couple of nights ago. A house cleaner spotted her."
"Really?! And?"
Caraway sighed, "I've looked everywhere, and I think she fled the country. Some crazy blood she's got."
Laguna laughed lightly, "From the father's side I assume, her mother would never do such a thing."
Caraway also chuckled, lightening the situation, "Yeah, I guess you're right. Anyway, I hope you don't mind if I grab some of your troops to find her do you?"
"Nah, nah. Take about 30 if you need to. Hope you find your daughter soon, god knows what might happen."
"Yes, I agree. Anyway, what is this rumour I've been hearing about you, going to Balamb?"
Laguna laughed, "Hell, how did you find out, I didn't even tell my associates yet!"
Caraway's voice deepened, "Oh, I have my sources; anyway, I take that as a yes?"
"Yeah, need some time alone...clear my head and stuff... Maybe for a month or so...After that I'm going to be looking for someone. It's about time we had a public DNA system..." his voice began to linger.
"Uh Laguna?"
"Oh sorry... I just-I, I have an heir," he blurted out.
Caraway remained silent, then spoke up, "Raine's and yours? But you've never had a child..."
"Well, I did. Tell you about it when I get back. My ship leaves in five hours."
"Wait, you can just stop mid sentence like that," he exclaimed but Laguna's sighed silenced him, "Alright then, have a safe trip."
"Yeah, and I hope all goes well for you to find Rinoa."
"Me too."
Laguna turned off the wireless phone and gave it back to the servant outside. Then he started to pack his bags.
Squall or Iris... hmm...
Squall stared out to the sea, watching the light reflect it as if the sky were ribbons, weaving in and out, shimmering with every movement. He looked at his leather watch that read five a.m. He yawned and to strode off to the lower deck yet; someone called out to him.
"What?" he responded, bitterly. He looked at her in her light blue pyjamas as she yawned. She looked at him seeing him slightly angry; she couldn't but laugh lightly.
"Morning to you to Mr Sunshine," she yawned, "Can you get me some breakfast?"
Squall's jaw seemed to drop to the floor as he glared at her, "I'm not a bloody servant, so get it yourself," he growled. What did she really expect of him? He couldn't wait until it was time to leave the ship; it was getting too crowded. "You may be a princess but out here, you're just like everyone else."
Rinoa gazed at him angrily, she hated the fact that he was right but his tone and language made her feel like he was regarding her as a simpleton that lacked any skills at all, "Well, sorry that intruded in your vicinity. I'll be sure not to do it again."
Squall sighed, smacked himself on the forehead and walked off. Rinoa slammed the door and got changed.
What an arrogant asshole! To think that I thought that he was a nice guy. Oh well, I never there had to be repercussions in running away. I guess meeting dickheads like him is one of them. But damn it, he's bloody hot. Oh, crap... I didn't think that...Idiot! Idiot! Idiot!
She walked down to the lower deck and socialised with the others below. There were small families' together, couples, young and old and then there was him. For the first time, Rinoa looked into his deep icy blue eyes that could pierce through diamonds. He glanced at her and walked away, as he didn't want another confrontation with her. She noticed how he was avoiding her and she was happy to see him leave. She walked to a bench next to a very old woman next to her also ageing husband. "I'm sorry to disturb you yet, due to the fact that there aren't any seats left, do you mind if I may sit here?" she asked politely trying to search for her inner sweetness to express through her voice. She hated being sweet; it was always a suck up. Anyone that likes someone because they're sweet is surely living in fantasy.
The woman with permed grey hair looked at Rinoa and smiled, "Why of course, since you said it so politely. You just proved my hubby wrong. See George, the youngins haven't lost touch with the elderly, you're just being stereotypical."
The man grunted and Rinoa sat down. "Ha, you young lady are one in a million. No offence to your age group but, we are losing our respect. Some have fought for our country, others sacrifice their lives to save the future generations. What do we get? Sent to a home that's what. Ugh, and I thought I taught my children better."
Rinoa grinned and nodded. Old senile grandpa... Then they went about their lives; never did they ask Rinoa about hers, which she was glad about. The pair had met in Galbadia, Deling City. Rinoa listened as she ate her cereal. George was a guard for the King and Rosa, the woman, was the Queen's best friend. It wasn't love at first sight though; they fought at everything even at the simplest thing as placing a teacup down. The suddenly one-day George asked her out and Rosa rejected him yet when she saw the disappointment in his face, she accepted.
"Hey, I had charm, that's how I lured her in," George retorted.
"Had charm, you see... uh sorry, I haven't asked for your name..." she stated.
Rinoa blushed, "Oh, sorry, how rude of I, My name's (Quickly think of something) Rita." Rosa laughed.
"Well, it's very nice to meet you Rita... You know, you remind me of someone," she said as she studied Rinoa, "Do you happen to sing? Play the piano?" she asked.
Rinoa smiled but then frowned, "I'm sorry, I don't. Who did you think I was anyway?" Then she added, "If I may ask."
Rosa smiled and held her husband's hand, "George, doesn't she look like-"
George also grinned making his face look like prune, "Yep, Julia all right."
Rinoa felt a strong quiver down her spine. The fact that she was recognised so easily to her mother shocked her. That meant that she had to be more careful in public. If these old people can spot her, almost everyone can. Leon probably knew the first time he met me... or maybe he didn't. He seems like he doesn't want to get involved with the royalties... wait. Why the hell am I thinking of him? Ugh! Damnit.
Rinoa smiled and then laughed lightly trying not to show her nervousness, "I flattered that you thought that I was related to her. I could never fill in her shoes in spreading her beautiful music in the world."
The couple smiled heartily and looked at each other. Then a great honk erupted through out the whole vessel. "Oh, we're here," Rita said delightfully. "Well nice to meet you Rita, hope you'll have a nice time in Balamb. It's a wonderful place."
Rinoa smiled and bowed slightly, "As do I."
-
Squall hooked the boat to the quay and opened the door to making sure everyone got out safely, even Rinoa. She snubbed straight passed him and walked off. He sighed, went back to the boat and collected his few things including the pendant that Edea presented to him. It shimmered in sight so Squall hid quickly, away from prying eyes. He stepped off board the ship and breathed in the Balamb air which considerably cleaner that Delings. He walked to the town to see their smiles and lively cultures such as dancing down the street and the endless sounds of music everywhere. Oh, man... this place is too happy... I'm leaving as soon as I can... ergh...
Rinoa walked up to the closest hotel and registered in. "Hi welcome to Balamb miss, if you are staying for the night it will be 500gil."
Rinoa smiled and handed over the money, making sure that she didn't see how much dough Rinoa really had, "Here you go."
The assistant in the hotel uniform led her to her room. "Hope you enjoy your stay."
Rinoa fell on her double bed and buried her head into the pillow. All right, what do you do now Rinoa? You've succeeded in staying away from the guards so far, what's your next big step? It's really nice here... might as well stay for a while... there's no harm in that... She checked her purse and counted her Gil. I have enough...Maybe I might meet someone here, eh.
She took a shower, got changed and headed out of her room but then she heard some voices speaking outside her door, she quickly jumped back in. She looked through her door and saw some Esthar soldiers guarding a door. Oh, crap... I'm going to have to stay in here forever. Maybe if I act casually they won't see me... Rinoa walked out with he hooded jacket, keeping her eyes behind her on the guards, she reached half way there and not looking she bumped into someone.
The man picked Rinoa up off the floor and she felt her heart sink. I'm doomed... "K-King L-Laguna..." she stammered out. She felt like running the hell out of there but he still held on to her hands. His face looking like he'd been crying, as his eyes were all glassy. When he saw Rinoa, he smiled and then chuckled.
"I'm sorry dear, it was entirely my fault, " he said then winked at her, "I should mind where I go next time, I do apologise."
Rinoa bowed and walked the hell away from there. Does he know? Of course, he does... but is he going to turn me in? Maybe I have to rethink in what I have to do next... Oh, man... Laguna and my father are the closest, no way would her every keep a secret like this away from him. Rinoa smacked herself on the forehead while walking through the streets of Balamb.
Shops and markets filled the streets, all yelling their heads off just trying to earn a dollar. Rinoa pitied for them but then realised that their lives must be more joyful than hers. Even though they were competing with their neighbours, arguing and even fighting, they remained best friends, it made her feel warm inside.
"Excuse me miss, would you like to buy a bunch of fresh flowers, harvested this morning by me personally?" a little girl asked. Rinoa looked at them and then realised that they were he favourite. White roses. Rinoa smiled and clapped.
"How much?" she asked the little girl that smiled sweetly. Rinoa could help but do the same as she bent down to her eye level.
"50 gil miss," she said her high-pitched sweet voice.
Rinoa held her hand and whispered in her ear, "I'll tell you what, you send these flower to the hotel and to room #34 and I'll pay you 100gil altogether."
The little girl with plated pigtails nodded and jumped, "Okay."
Rinoa handed her the money and she walked away then waved back to Rinoa, she waved back. Then someone called her that made her jump. It was old woman that was dressed as a gypsy of somesort, she was old and frail and she sat around a round table under a dark tent. She had a crystal ball in front of her and cards on the side. This intrigued Rinoa, she never had seen a fortuneteller before and what stunned her even more was that she was blind. There was clearly, an unmovable haziness over her eyes.
"H-How do you know my name?" she stammered yet a part if her already knew the answer. Rinoa was always one of those people that believed in faeries, Santa and leprechauns until the end of time. Fortune telling was no exception.
The woman waved her hands over the crystal ball as Rinoa sat down. The woman's rings and bracelets clinkered as she moved closer to the table then, she held on to Rinoa hands. "You've come along way princess... and there is still a long journey in front of you." Rinoa listen more attentively as the fortuneteller shuffled her cards and placed one out. It said 'the lovers'. Rinoa felt like laughed yet suppressed it.
"Ah, the lover's card eh?" she said warmly that made Rinoa lose her inhibitions, "You will indeed met your soulmate in this journey, It is just the matter of you finding him. Trust your inner instincts and don't let go, no matter how many times her turns away you, eventually, he will see it too."
Rinoa nodded but slight scepticism scattered through her head. Me meeting my soulmate... phu-lease... I may believe in a lot of thing but I wouldn't go that far...The old lady then pulled out another card. Rinoa leant back on her chair but then froze when she saw the cards name. "Death?" she exclaimed but the fortuneteller just laughed heartily.
"Ah, do not fear in this card... when one thinks of death, they already ultimately think of the negative sides to this yet, there is always good through the bad, " Rinoa listened more closed as she studied the card. A skeletal feature wearing a robe and holding a tool. Reaper... "In death, there is always life, in great misfortune, there is great fortune afterwards. Life would be boring without the good and the bad. Our purpose is to get though it, no matter how hard it gets. Yet in your case, this does not relate to you, it relates to your soulmate. He has experienced death all too well...my... oh my..." her voice began to linger.
"Miss?" Rinoa asked.
The woman placed her cards down, looked at her ball, and searched through it. "My, you do have a mighty hurdle in front of you...He's going to be a VERY tough cookie." She went back to the cards and faced Rinoa as if she was looking directly at her; "He has had the most troublesome life anyone could have. My, he's been through hell. He carries a burden that he never ever wants to confront with. There is no doubt that he is a great man yet his ever consistent conscience will be his downfall."
Rinoa lifted her eyebrow and looked at her, "Can't you just tell me? You obviously know who he is and what's his problem," she said harshly, slightly frustrated at reading.
The woman cackled and smiled at Rinoa, "Why, my dear princess, that is no way in treating an old lady and after all that credit with that pair on board the ship. Ah, you disappoint me. What is the point in KNOWING the future as, if I tell you all... you would have no future now will you?" she asked cryptically.
Rinoa sighed and balanced her head on her hands as he elbows rested on the round table. The woman kept going on and flipped the last card over, Earth. The woman shrieked but then stopped and looked at Rinoa's reaction, then laughed, "Ha, just messin' with ya," Rinoa looked angrily at her, "C'mon on, I have to have some fun in my job." Rinoa sighed and looked at the card. "Well let's see Earth... sweeping winds, rough seas, treacherous mountains, low plains... your life together will be like that... Yet like mother Earth, will all the carnage around, you must stay strong, as he will rely on you when his world crumbles."
"It sound like this guy has a disability or something, come on is suave, good-looking, possesses great charm, anything like that?" Then Rinoa looked at her watch that read 6:45pm. She felt her stomach grumble.
"Disability? No. Yet all the others you mentioned he is and much more. Consider him like a nut, tough and hard exterior yet one you get through, he's true beauty is exposed and there is no way in getting back." She looked at Rinoa realising that she wanted to leave, "Ah, my dear, you may go. Remember, he doesn't care about your name, he cares about your heart."
Rinoa left it at that and paid her 210gil. She thanked her and walked around the coast for a while as she watched the sun set down. Taking time to absorb in her reading.
It's probably a load of BS. Come on... the way she described this guy. Is that he's some kind of knight or something. Ergh... I miss... No, I don't...I hope my dad's coping okay... I shouldn't have done that to him...
After taking a long walk by the shore and docks, Rinoa wound up back to her hotel room. She unlocked the doom with the card key and no bothering to close the door, fell on the bed. The roses that she bought before scented the whole room that gave it some sort of peaceful feel to it. She flicked off her shoes without using her hands and buried her head into the pillow.
"Ouch!" someone groaned.
Rinoa sat up quickly realising that one of shoes must have hurt someone. She looked up to see King Laguna massaging his head. "Oh, s-sorry sire! Are you all right?" she asked as she backed away from her bed. Laguna smiled and rubbed his head.
"Its okay, its okay," he backed his hand away, "See, everything's A-OK. Now young lady," Rinoa started to frown, "What am I going to do with you?"
A/N: I'm sick, croaky and drowsy. Did you know that cough lollies have alcohol content in them? People tell me this NOW! Ugh... Please review and cheer me up. And if you have time, please read my other story 'Hope' I actually really like that one... I guess everyone has a different opinion about everything... Sigh... thanks for reading. I'm truly honoured.
Leonhartilly