A/N: Back again! Yes, I am alive. I've been supporting my best friend's fan page. Care to take a glance? /xlightsleeperx. She's absolutely magnificent! Anyways, back to Squiona. Though, I despise that stupid puppy-love name they share. :P. So I'm just sitting here listening to 'While my guitar gently weeps' by the Beatles. Not like that matters. But I'm JAMMING! :) Beatles ROCK! Haha. Kay, I'm done blabbing. Remember to review, it gives me inspiration to keep writing. Ya? XOXO

RINOA

"Rinoa! Wake up, it's five o'clock!"

Candace's humdrum voice was the first to wake me up. And trust me, I did not like it when my beauty sleep was disturbed. I woke up, groggily, wiping my eyes. It was still murky and the sun hadn't even rose yet. I turned to my other side, muffling,

"Wake me up when it's daylight."

"Sorry, can't. Squall's orders, we're going to Deling City, remember?"

Candace reminded me, her flat tone still lingering with each word,

"You don't want me to come over there and dump water on your head."

I sat up, reluctantly, obviously not wanting to get soaked in freezing cold water at five o'clock in the morning. Candace was standing there, fully dressed and ready. I winced at her, was she crazy? It was too early in the morning for all of this!

"Being a full-fledged SeeD, you better get used to this."

She added, challengingly, yet still lacking enthusiasm, whatsoever. How could anybody deal with this woman? She always sounded so down and depressed, it was as if she was a walking, talking robot who just had the same voice and tone 24-7. I was getting irritated, then again, I wasn't much of a early bird.

"I am really excited to deal with Squall Leonhart today."

I commented, cynically, as I jumped into the steaming hot shower. I let the water fall upon my entire body, practically falling asleep in the process. I didn't want to hear all of this orders, really. He was mean, pure mean. At first I thought he was going to be cute and kind-hearted like any other hot guy, but instead, he's a complete and utter jerk! It was depressing that he let his good looks go to waste.

I threw my jet-black hair into a messy ponytail and applied my makeup, throwing on my pathetically ominous SeeD uniform that I had been assigned to wear. I sighed, giving myself a good stare in the mirror. There stood a young teenage girl with dark hair and matching eyes. How boring could I get?

I walked out the bathroom door, grabbing my bag on my way towards the door.

"Ready to go?"

Candace inquired, a sudden smile on her face. Wow, she shows emotion? This ought to be the first. I almost wanted to take a picture or make a video. I was in complete shock. I even shuddered a bit.

"Oh, erm, right."

I responded, hesitantly, following behind her. Her hair was always straight and down, a chestnut-color. I thought she was pretty in a plain, casual way. I'm sure she could be prettier if she actually tried, but she was just all right.

000000000000000000000000000000000

Arriving at the train station, we seen the group of SeeD's all gathered around, talking. Squall was of course, in the middle of all of them, yelling at them, and lecturing them on what they are to do when arriving at Deling. I could see Zell jumping up and down like an insane person, but what else was new? He must have had about four cups of coffee before arriving.

Selphie gave me an acknowledging smile, and Irvine gave me a perverted wink. I looked over at Seifer, who was standing next to Quistis. He was whispering something to her, and she was shaking her head, and acting as though she was trying not to laugh. Suddenly, I began to wonder, was there possibly something in between them? I mean, yesterday he was consoling her. And it seems they talk a lot.

"Are Seifer and Quistis a couple?'

I asked Candace, possibly too inquisitive for anyone's liking. Candace looked at them, then looked back at me,

"I don't really know.. I mean, I think he flirts with her, but he flirts with everyone."

She responded, uncertainly. I felt a bit saddened; he flirted with everyone?

"Is he like a player or something?"

I suddenly questioned, a sudden extreme amount of curiosity building up inside of me. Candace looked confused on why I was wondering so much about him, but answered anyways,

"Not really a player, just a charmer, I guess. He doesn't go out with anyone. I mean, he went out with Xu, but that wasn't anything, that lasted only a few days. I've heard he's liked Quistis for a while, but everybody knows that she wouldn't dare give him a chance—he's not good enough for someone like her."

She explained, looking over at Quistis, admiringly. I felt envious,

"Is Quistis like, really well-liked here or something?"

My voice was harsh and demanding, though I didn't mean to sound so vicious. I was a tad upset with the fact that Seifer liked Quistis, and wanted her, but what could I do? I haven't seen him in years, it was only obvious that he'd try and get with someone else. Just because seeing him again, I feel the same again, doesn't mean he's going to feel that way too.

"All the guys like her, but I don't think she likes anyone but Squall."

Retorted Candace, indifferently. She looked over towards Squall, a look of infatuation easily spotted in her eyes,

"He is beautiful though, who wouldn't like Squall?"

"Wait, Squall doesn't like anybody; he's a anti-social jerk."

I stated, almost as if it was a question. That was, at least, the Squall Leonhart that I knew. Candace was just glancing at him with yearning eyes.

"Yeah, he told Quistis he wanted to be just friends, that he doesn't like her like that, plus he's always looked to her as just his instructor. It'd be awkward nonetheless, but then again, any girl to Squall is awkward. I just wish he'd notice me."

Candace gushed, desperately.

"What about Patrick?"

I asked, shocked to her secret crush on Squall.

"I adore that boy, but he could never be as gorgeous as Squall."

Candace responded, absentmindedly. I had enough of her and her unfair infatuations with Squall. I walked towards the group of SeeD's, deciding to try and hang out with chirpy Selphie and kinky Irvine. It was far much better than listening to a girl rat on about how much she likes Squall when she has a great boyfriend.

"HEY! What's up?"

Selphie was practically shouting. I had to cover my ears the first time she screeched at me. It was far too early for anybody to be that loud. Even Squall looked like he had just awoken from sleep when she said hey that loud. He looked over towards us, as if demanding us with his eyes to shut up.

"Eh, sorry, didn't mean to be so loud."

"It's okay, I'm kind of nervous, and tired."

I responded, placative towards her behavior. Irvine wrapped an arm around her shoulder, smiling broadly,

"Oh, there, there, Selph, it's okay to be loud sometimes."

I cringed at his open flirting. I disliked when guys flirted so obviously, especially in front of other girls. Especially when they did it to twenty other girls when that girl wasn't around. Irvine just needed a good heartbreak, that's all. Maybe he'd fall for Selphie, then she could screw him over. That'd be humorous.

"I'm hungry."

I heard Zell whine, vexatiously. I could tell his whining didn't just sound annoying to me, because everybody else seemed a tad irritated by it also.

"Go get yourself some chicken, chicken wuss."

Seifer added, at an attempt to be humorous. He only made himself laugh. I could tell Quistis was about to scold him for starting something with Zell, at such an early time of the day.

"Guys, we don't need your ridiculous brawls at this time of the day."

Squall snapped, obviously easily perturbed this morning,

"Once the train arrives, we leave."

He added, glaring at Zell and Seifer, shaking his head with dis affirmation.

"This is going to be a long morning."

I grumbled, to nobody in particular.

"I feel you, man. Seifer needs to shut his mouth before someone shuts it for him."

Zell responded, fuming, cracking his knuckles in unison. Seifer looked at him, an amused grin playing on his lips,

"Oh, no, what is little Zell Dincht going to do?"

"Little?! Damn you, Seifer, damn you! You're the little--"

"Guys, shut up, you're like children."

Squall gets in the middle of them before they about cut each other's necks off. Or so they act as though they're about to do. He glares at them, standing between them with his arms crossed. Zell and Seifer back off, grumbling random curse words beneath their breath, obviously pissed off at Squall.

The train finally arrives around six o'clock AM. Squall glances at us,

"Okay, so we're dividing in the groups that we'll be in when encountering the Deling soldiers. Irvine, Selphie, Zell, you three are in a group. Seifer, Candace, and Patrick, you all are in a group. And Quistis and Rinoa, you come with me."

I sighed, unenthusiastically, following behind Squall. Why did I have to be stuck with him and Quistis? This was not going to be fun, at all. Squall was just plain-out boring, and Quistis would probably just be hitting on him the entire time if she likes him.

Squall led us to this room that was obviously supposed to be where we were going to sleep.

"We will be resting here for a couple of days. The train to Deling will take a few hours; we may rest here for the time being, since there's not much else to do."

He explained, a formal tone in his voice. I wondered if he ever got annoyed with himself—constantly sounding like a robot. He was kind of like Candace sometimes, always sounding so dreary and boring. These people needed to spice up their lives, somehow. Or they just needed counseling. Though, that's not my problem.

"Bunk beds? Geez, I'm not in second grade, Squall."

I commented, on the tiny bunk beds that were in this room that we had to stay in. There were two sets, and though I was far too exhausted to even argue about not sleeping in them, I had to make fun of him for getting bunk beds.

"I don't rule the train."

Squall retorted, fecklessly, while looking beyond my eyes. I sighed, throwing my bags on the top bunk,

"Well I take top! I'm about to pass out."

"Squall, surely you'll take the bunk bed that I choose?"

Quistis' voice was persuading and seraphic, yet it made me sick how she tried to lure him in or something. He looked at her uncomfortably and then headed toward the bottom bunk of me. I smiled, proudly. I believe I won this battle, dear,

"Quistis, I think we already talked about this."

He murmured, chaffed by her attempt at charming him. I couldn't help but snicker to myself. She should have seen it coming. Why would Squall, the aloof, loner, ever go out with someone as cheerful and productive as Quistis? He wouldn't even look my way, why would he look hers?

"Are you secretly homosexual?"

I suddenly inquired, out loud, careless to what Quistis would think of my random question to Squall. Squall didn't respond right away, which made me think maybe he was.

"She's my ex-instructor."

He responded, lowly. I don't think Quistis even heard him,

"But have you ever even had a girlfriend?"

I persisted, curiously. I look down the railing that blocked me off from falling off the bunk, and put my head upside so I could see his expression. He gave me a glance of agitation,

"My love life should be no business of yours, Miss Heartilly."

"I'm not your teacher, you don't have to call me Miss Heartilly, you jerk. And I was just trying to make a conversation. You don't seem very interested in anyone, so I thought maybe you were into guys and you just haven't pursued it yet."

I retorted, insolently. He didn't respond, and his face remained unreadable,

"No. If it satisfies your curiosity, I am straight, but I don't see why that's of any interest to you. Maybe you should keep involved in your own life and your own problems."

"Why do you have to be an ass? I don't even believe you. If I flashed you, what would you do?"

I inquired, suddenly ticked off by his brusque attitude. He gave me a look of shock, and I swear I seen his face turn as red as a cherry.

"Hmm, okay, maybe I believe you're interested in girls, the blushing totally proves it! But you don't need to be an ass to a girl you like."

I commented, in response to his blushing. He didn't say anything, just looked even more annoyed. We were in silence for a while, and I'm pretty positive Quistis had fallen asleep.

"I was not.. doing that, and who says that I like you?"

Squall inquired, now his voice rash and exigent. I rolled my eyes,

"I never said that you liked me, I'm just saying, Quistis is a pretty woman, and she wants you, but you're weird and you don't want her."

"Why don't you like Irvine?"

He asked, as if that answered my question. What was his problem? He was stranger than any other man I had ever met. Here he was, answering my question, with another question of his own!

"Because .. he's a pervert, and he plays girls! But what does that have to do with Quistis?"

"I don't think of her like that. Stop persisting this."

Squall retorted, demandingly.

"You stop being so ignorant then, and act like you care about people."

I snorted, lethargically. I heard him moving around beneath people,

"It's my life, I act the way I want to."

"You're weird."

I commented, staring at the ceiling,

"I don't like you."

"And you thought I was in love with you?"

He responded, a prude tone to his voice. I laughed mockingly to his response,

"When I first met you, I thought you were cute, but now you're just rude."

"And that statement is life alternating because..?"

He asked, obviously trying to make me mad. He was so ignorant. I grabbed one of my pillows and threw them down at him, and I heard him cackle as it hit him.

"That wasn't called for. Control your emotions."

"I'm sorry, I'm not a wall."

I responded, despite whether he was being funny or whatever. A person who was amused easily would probably be amused by his sarcastic and sluggish comments. I didn't find it funny, I found it rude, vulgar at it's best.

"True, walls are much more understanding."

He adds,

"Now I'm going to get some rest, you might want to also, it being your first mission."

I hated the way he was so controlling, the way he could end a conversation and leave me blank on what to even say, on what to comment back with. I didn't have a resentful comment I could use, or something that could make him shut up, it was always him being the smart one, the intelligent one that shuts me up. I despised that, and it angered, irritated, and confused me. I didn't understand him. He was the most mysterious person I have ever met, and the way he thinks seemed so abnormal.

He was one of those people you just would have to get close to ever understand. And I knew any sober person wouldn't dare even try. I wouldn't, neither. I was far too busy wondering about Seifer, whether he'd remember me, remember the love we had, what we shared the summer, whether he remembered when we made love out by my favorite, whether he remembered our favorite song.

I grumbled, to no one in particular. He was into Quistis now. What was I to do? I had no choice but to talk to Mr. Heartless, the wall-man, that is. The one with no emotions, no feelings, whatsoever. I mean, there's Zell, but he's far too energetic and has a wild obsession with hot dogs that scares any normal human being. Then there was Irvine, who obviously had a crush on Selphie, who liked him back. Candace and Patrick had each other. Then there was me, lonely Rinoa who had no one.

I never thought that being lonely would be a problem, that having no one would be a big deal to me. Then knowing that Seifer liked Quistis, it made me feel out of the group, insignificant compared to all of them.

I looked down at Squall, just noticing him breathing hard in his sleep. He looked so concentrated on sleep, his eyes closed, peacefully. I was amazed at how still and perfect he looked when he was sleeping. You wouldn't assume he was such a rude, preponderant jerk if you just watched him sleep. He looked innocent, almost as if he was a little kid, or maybe just a teenager who didn't know who he really was, what his truly calling was, a good boy, who had a perfect life, or something like that. I was astonished. The boy was gorgeous. It was a mistake to lie about that. His hair was flawless, chestnut-colored, and messy. It clung to his face, attractively, falling across his ocean-blue eyes, that were a stormy gray when he was angry. His skin had been a chalky pale, a faultless face that didn't have one problem to it. Everything about his physique and his face was absolutely breathtaking. I could never understand why he didn't use his looks to his advantage, and why he just pushed girls away.

But I decided to crawl into the small blankets and try to sleep for a few hours before arriving at Deling. I tried to ignore Quistis' loud snoring. I looked up at the ceiling, blankly. I was slightly nervous about my first mission. What if I screw up?

"Mom.."

My eyes went wide-open at the sound of Squall's sudden, alarmed voice. I immediately looked underneath to see if he was alright. He must have been dreaming, because he looked as though he was actually talking to someone, his eyes shut tight.

"Mom, why are you leaving? .. You can't just leave me like this. Dad didn't mean to do that."

His voice sounds like he's in pain, maybe even agony. I'm surprised, startled by his sudden outburst. Maybe there was more to Squall than I had thought. I watched him, patiently, wanting to hear more.

"He didn't mean it. He doesn't love her, the way that he loves you. You can't just leave me like this, send me off to that stupid Garden, I won't survive there! I'm not strong."

He cried, and I swear he was practically crying. I felt a jolt in my chest. This was Squall, the heartless, cold-hearted person that didn't care about anyone or anything that was talking here, the one that was practically crying because of a dream. I began to wonder what happened to his parents, and what his past was like.

"I'll never see you ever again."

He finally muttered, as if to end the dream he was having. He turned around, shaking his head as if he was disappointed, maybe even ashamed. But then I could see him moving and shaking violently,

"They can't be dead, they just can't.. I'll be alone forever. What's the point in getting close to people when they just fade away in the end?"

He sat up straight, and I could tell that he woke up. I moved quickly, hoping he didn't see me staring at him, curiously. I heard him sigh remorsefully, then move back to where he was.

I laid there, shocked.

Was that the reason he was so mean to people?

000000000000000000000000000000000