I don't own it…I don't…not at all…FFVIII belongs to Square Enix.
A/N: Hey guys, thanks go out to everyone who is still reading this. However, …MAJOR thanks go out to those FEW people who have review it…VERY FEW! It feels very good when a person doesn't just give your story a look…but also decides to at least let you know they like it…or certain parts…or anything at all. I think I might take about a week break…life's busy like always and I'm feeling myself slip out of the writing mood. It comes to a point where I could start writing a chapter every other day or do one a week until I feel like writing more frequently. At least this way…I don't say screw it and quit writing for a period of time.
This chapter thickens the plot, but at the same times, relaxes it a little with a little man bonding and female bonding…I don't know …I think that the contrast between serious parts of the chapter and not necessary but necessary in the sense that no matter who you are you have moments in your life that can seem pointless but can just be just as enjoyable and as noteworthy as life changing one aka the filler parts and the parts where there is some random dialogue, possibly a couple jokes, bonding besides the relationship between Squall and Rinoa…SORRY I am rambling and I totally forget where I was going…oh yah…important parts in this chapter and non important parts …BUT THEY ARE STILL IMPORTANT!!!!
Regardless, you want to read the story not hear me rant …here it is.
Chicken or the Egg
Chapter 6
Shock and Awe
A tall man, appearing to be in his late teens, was drifting in and out of thought sprawled across one of three beds in the room. Regardless of the heat that protruded into the room from the open balcony the man still had on his gray trench coat.
This is a shitty room for 100 gil…fuck it…at least it got cable…
Once the TV was on the man quickly turned up the volume to drown out the sounds of seagulls and the ocean that bounced into the room from the balcony, nonchalantly flipping through the channels. His attention was quickly gained as he stopped on the news. There was a reporter, a young lady, talking to the viewers with the subtext "SeeD Celebration" on the screen. The man tightened his grip on the remote as he leaned up into a sitting position to better hear what the woman was saying.
"…were comparable to those of the annual SeeD inauguration ball. However, the jubilance that echoed throughout the Balamb Garden two nights ago was by no means comparable to anything seen in recent history. Once again, the SeeD has saved us from a Sorceress threat…from reliable sources, including the President of Esthar, Laguna Loire, and the Headmaster of Balamb Garden himself, Cid Kramer, a threat that was actually in the future! A small group of SeeD's headed the mission they receiver from President Loire, unknown to most of the world at the time. The entire list of members that helped in this mission is unavailable at this time…however, some facts are known about those who participated in the defeat of the Sorceress. We know that the SeeD commander, and hero to all of us, Squall Leonhart led this mission along fellow "A" rank SeeD's Quis-"
Quickly, with enhanced speed thanks to years of physical training, the young man rose from the bed, dropping the remote, drawing his gunblade from its sheath that laid at the foot of his bed. With great force, and flair of finesse and recklessness, the young man smashed his gunblade into the television, not even allowing himself enough time to direct the blade into alignment with the path it was following. More like a baseball bat than prestigious weapon of some of the greatest SeeD's ever, he used his gunblade to send the TV into the far wall, ripping the wires that connected it to the cable and power outlet from the wall behind it.
"That's fucking BULLSHIT! That should be me Squall! I don't care if what I did was wrong! You still…had to ruin everything for me! You…always have…everything I've ever wanted …you've have bettered me at…"
The man stopped the motion of his gunblade, now smashing into small cabinet that the TV was previously upon, creating shattered pieces of wood, metal, and plastic to fly in all directions. He quickly regained his breath, and his anger, as he once again rose his gunblade up before once again assaulting the inanimate object before him and anything that was in his sight.
"…YOU SON OF A BITCH!!! That's supposed to be me Squall! The savior of the world and the valiant knight!"
The man sunk to his knees onto the floor in defeat, physically and emotionally, throwing his gunblade harshly to the floor away from his body. He began to smash his fists into the floor, causing his knuckles and fingers to break, while tears filled with anger ran down his face.
"I was supposed to be the hero Squall! Not the fucking main antagonist in your fucking repulsive….AHHH!!!! FUCK!!!"
"I will never forgive you…you stole everything from me! …My reputation…my woman…my life…my sorceress…my destiny…"
The man fell into silence with a heavy sigh, still on his position on the floor, feeling some relief from the emotional outburst he just had. As he raised his tear-streaked face to the warm sunlight that entered his room from the balcony, a cynical smirk crossed his face.
"I will ruin it Squall…I will ruin you and your little sorceress bitch's little fairytale story and romance…I will ruin it all Squall."
The man found strength deep within from the pact he had just made with himself as he rose to his feet. He felt a presence in the room as he turned his body around.
"Raijin…Fuijin…?"
Instantly, the smirk reappeared on his face, as did the darkness residing deep within his soul, as he stared at the woman before him. In a moments time, he quickly grabbed his gunblade. He then lowered himself onto one knee, his head bowed in respect, as he rested most of his forward leaning weight on his gunblade.
Seifer…my knight…
-------------------------------------------
"There is…a great place… right downtown in Balamb." The young martial artist directed this statement at his Commander, his friend, as he walked across the patchy grass of the training area. A large T-Rexaur was sprawled onto the training ground floor, blood leaking out from its neck as its head was completely backwards, facing its victorious enemy as he walked towards Squall. As Zell came close to Squall he replaced his knuckle cracking with a nodding of his head.
"Ya know?"
"Zell…it's been almost a week since we have had any alone time." Squall blushed slightly at this statement, surprised with his out rightness and honesty with his friend. "I mean…you know…the little three day vacation Selphie and Rin took to checkup on things in Timber…accompanied by the fact the last week has been crazy with Cid and I taking the trips to Galbadia and Trabia Gardens…helping them get an official rebuilding plan into effect."
"I know what you mean…it's been a long week to say the least…" Zell said his statement half-heartedly. He still was blown away by the way Squall had treated the group of friends and himself the last week. The way he actually…spoke…to them…not just nodded in agreement or said, "Whatever…". It was becoming obvious that he was starting to rely on his friends almost a fraction as much as they relied on their leader, friend, and Commander. It was still hard to believe though…his entire life he was dead to the world and he basically became alive this last week. Damn, what being in love can do to a person, the martial artist thought to himself holding back a cheesy grin.
"I…just don't want to take her to get hot dogs…I mean…your diet of processed meat and soda is questionable at best…but it's especially not…good for you know…"
Zell lost the fight with himself, as now the cheesy grin was on his face and growing by the second.
"A romantic night out?"
Squall replied to this statement by resting one hand on his hip and staring into the ground…old habits die hard after all. After a moment of thought that Zell dared not interrupt, he finally returned his focus to their conversation.
"Yah…I guess…do…ummm…you know any places…that are better…or should I go ask…Irvine…?" Following this comment, Squall actually scrunched his face up in disgust, as if he had ate a really bad hotdog, Zell thought to himself. The two men shared a rare moment, even in the presence of Squall's new outlook and attitude on life, a laugh.
"No…I can actually help you with this. Besides, Irvine would just probably give you directions to the closest and cheapest motel around." Zell said this statement clearly going for another laugh from Squall. The moment had passed however, as the knight only smirked a little at his friend's words.
"There is a real nice place that just opened up not long ago. Actually," Zell remembered, clearly showing excitement at his recollection by pumping his fists and shadow boxing for an instant before continuing. "…It's only a few blocks away from the other place I told you about…towards the direction of the hotel. Also, the place I said before is still a really good second choice. Their hotdogs are amazing…I actually think they are almost better than Garden's!" Zell showed great excitement at this statement, which was not mirrored by Squall, as he continued using his hands for extra emphasis. "You know…if you ever want a slightly more casual-"
Zell was cut off though, as Squall turned around, clearly losing interest in the conversation, and headed for the exit. He rose his hand up above his shoulders facing towards Zell to signal his goodbye.
"Thanks for the help…I'll go try to find out the name and make reservations for tonight. I'll see you later, man."
"Uhhh…yah…see ya …man." Zell statements once again fell out of his mouth at the departing Squall. He wasn't sure if he was more shocked at the use of the word 'man' and use of slang in general by his friend or by the fact that it came so naturally, almost rolled off his tongue, as he might not even had realized that he said that. He managed to regain his thoughts as he yelled towards Squall before heading back into the training area.
"Uhhh…good luck …!"
-------------------------------------------
"I just miss him really bad." Rinoa's face turned into a pout as she directed this to Quistis. "The last time we have had any …you know like alone time…not being like Irvine or anything just saying like any time to ourselves…it's been like a week! And it's been three days since I saw him…he called me but still…"
Rinoa let out a loud sigh as she peered over the instructor's desk to make sure they were not being eavesdropped on. They weren't, she was whispering, loud enough to not be suspicious but quiet enough to keep the conversation safe. Also, all of the student's were absorbed into their computers and the assignment Quistis. Whether or not they were actually doing the assignment or looking at videos on YouTube was unknown. It still caused Rinoa to chuckle a little as to a passerby it would look like the entire class worked diligently out of fear. They all did work, or pretend to work, diligently…only Quistis' friends knew that it was purely out of respect though.
"Ah…the benefits of being an instructor again." Quistis gave her friend a smile as she addressed her laugh. Then her face retook a more serious look as she went back to Rinoa's original statement. " And it has been a busy week…I've restarted teaching, the trip Selphie and you took to Timber, Cid and Squall traveling to the other Gardens, Zell visiting his own family now that we are back by Balamb…and chasing that librarian around….no, stalking that young librarian girl. It has been about a week since we have been together as a group…but we are all back now." Quistis said this to Rinoa with a genuine smile on her face, obviously happy herself that the chaos of the first week after the defeat of Ultimecia was dying down. A moment of uneasiness took in the instructor, as she shuttered remembering their conversation in the infirmary with Cid the week before. Her thoughts quickly became happy though, as they both heard that Squall and Cid got back from Trabia late last night and Cid had given Squall some time off.
"I hope he's not tired…he's going to need all the energy and strength he got." Rinoa's statement slipped out, making both Quistis and her blush, as a shocked look replaced laughter on Quistis' face as Rinoa lowered her face in embarrassment. She held a smile on her face but deep inside frowned at herself for saying that to Quistis, she knew that Squall would not be happy if he heard her say that to one of their friends or anyone at all. Hell, no one would. It was completely true though, as the short time they were apart the last week only deepened her need and want of Squall. It had seemed like an eternity since she felt Squall's lips on hers, felt his hands bring her body closed, and especially since she rested her head on Squall's chest and fell to sleep in his arms like the night that they told each other how they truly felt. Nothing really adult-oriented happened that night between them but it did prove to her how much Squall loved her, as he didn't use those three words and the lack of stability they caused to try anything. Truthfully, Rinoa wished continually for this as they gently kissed on his bed. However, it made her feel special that the first time he had her literally in his bed he didn't act like a guy just wanting sex. In fact, Squall seemed to be unbelievably satisfied, by the smiles that stayed on his face the entire night, just being in her presence and holding her. Damn Squall, Rinoa thought to herself, everything you do makes me feel loved and like I'm special…
"Rin!" Quistis' voice was now loud enough that it raised a few heads from her class. A smirk appeared on her face as the young instructor was about to continue before Rinoa spoke instead.
"You know! I mean…ummm…for all the Commander duties he got…to…ummm…. perform and-"
A knock on the door stopped Rinoa from speaking, as Quistis, the majority of the students in the classroom, and Rinoa looked at the door. A smile crossed everyone's face as they saw who was at the door, SeeD Commander and hero of the entire world, Squall Leonhart. Squall gave an uneasy smile back clearly feeling the stare of everyone in the room. He gave Quistis a nod and a greeting, she replied with a smile and wave. He followed this moving his finger in a gesture as if to say come here while mouthing the same words. Rinoa smiled as she jumped out of her seat as she met eyes with Quistis and gave her a small frown. Quistis shook her head jokingly as she spoke to Rinoa.
"Go Rin…I only got one more class left…I can manage just fine thanks for the help."
Barely giving Quistis a chance to finish her statement, Rinoa smiled and ran out the door to meet Squall in the hallway.
-------------------------------------------
"I don't understand!" Seifer spat out through clenched teeth, trying to hide his anger, as he rose to his feet. He stepped closer to the sorceress before him, looking slightly down to meet eyes with Ultimecia, anger and pleading mixed in his eyes. "My sorceress…I can beat him!!! Just give me a chance!"
You had your chance…you had many chances…and you failed me…are you going to let them kill me again?!
Seifer's pleading eyes remained on Ultimecia, as he stepped back slightly in fear at the expression on the sorceress' face.
"No! …I won't let them hurt you again…I am your knight! I just…I'm stronger now…"
And so is he! You still don't understand you foolish boy! You cannot defeat him…no one can…you never could! He is just too strong…there is only one way to defeat him………..only one way…………
The fact of Ultimecia's statements hurt Seifer, his face scrunching up in anger as he felt his eyes start to itch as he held back tears. He wasn't sure if the betrayal of his own sorceress' words hurt more…or the fact he knew they were true. Regardless, in his fear, anger, and a deep wanting to defeat the man he hated more than anything…by any means necessary, he swallowed his pride as he spoke.
"Y…y…. you are …right…. you are completely right. Tell me what I must do to defeat him my sorceress."
He's too strong to defeat by normal means…training and the events of his life have hardened him physically, mentally, and emotionally…he is almost impervious to anything we try to do to him. There is no way you can hurt him physically…but he does have…….. one weakness…..
"Rinoa!" Seifer spat out in shock, realizing what Ultimecia was getting at. "…Please…tell me what I must do…"
You and your…friends…must go to Galbadia immediately…I will tell you where to go once you get there. I have followers…fear is a powerful weapon and there are those that would rather obey blindly in fear than die…soldier, politicians, and military engineers……
"…" Seifer nodded in anticipation as to what she would say next.
I am sure you did not know that some Galbadia's militaries brightest engineers are much more adapt at their craft than even those of Esthar…and even though Galbadia…is no where near as technologically advanced as Esthar…Galbadia does have…some technology that is even more advanced …beyond Esthar's wildest imagination…
" Please! Just tell me-"
Silence! As I said before…no one can defeat this man by normal means…you must have him defeat….himself…..now go!
"Please…I don't under-"
Go! You will find out soon enough my knight…everything is ready…you must go and set these plans into motion immediately…now go…
Raijin and Fuijin were shocked at what they saw as they entered the room. To their surprise, their friend stood there almost in a daze, nodding to them…and then to the familiar woman that was standing before him, before she faded away into thin air, leaving a black smoke in her wake for a moment.
"At once…my sorceress…"
-------------------------------------------
"This is stupid!" Rinoa pouted, stomping her right foot repeatedly on the ground, fully in spoiled princess mode. She aimed her comment riddled with stubbornness to a semi-irritated Selphie, who stood peering into the dressing room at Rinoa when she opened the door and started throwing a fit, and vice versa. "I don't like this color," Rinoa started, using her thumb to grab one strap of the light yellow dress that hung on her shoulders, low on her hips, and high on her chest, as she tilted her head scrunching her face up as if she was actually about to cry, still stomping her foot. "…and it doesn't fit right! Why can't I just wear the white one in my closet?!" At the end of her statement, Rinoa quit stomping her foot and playing with the straps of the dress, as she stood still, arms firmly at her sides, as she made her face into the biggest pout possible looking at Selphie, letting out a big sigh.
Selphie responded to this by placing both hands on her hips and letting out a equally loud sigh. We all love Rinny, but, she can REALLY act like a spoiled brat sometimes, Selphie thought to herself. At this statement to herself, the light hearted girl looked back on the situation and found humor in Rinoa stomping her foot into the ground like a 7 year old child when her parents wouldn't let her have the new toy she wanted.
"Rinny!" Selphie held back her laughter, as this seemed to sadden her friend even more. "Squall has already seen you in that dress…that's the ONLY dress he has seen you in! And tonight is your first OFFICIAL date…and he's taking you out to a fancy restaurant…so you know you don't want to…."
Rinoa's expression quickly became pensive, as if she was still upset but became worried, unsure of herself, and scared at the same time. Her eyebrows rose up and her mouth fell slightly agape.
"No don't get me wrong," Selphie started to reassure her friend, "it's a nice and really really really pretty dress. We are just going for the shock and awe effect here. Take him totally by surprise! Make him look at you and just be like…DAMN!…you know?…" This comment caused Rinoa to blush and smirk at the same exact moment.
Rinoa's thoughts drifted off as her friend took her by the shoulder, leading her back towards the dresses in hopes of finding the right one, Rinoa still wearing the Selphi-esque dress.
"Shock …and awe?" Rinoa asked her friend with suspicion and confusion in her eyes as she looked at her friend.
Selphie nodded her head as a dress caught her attention. She immediately pulled a deep blue, almost black, strapless dress off the rack. It had unknown material in it that reflected the lighting of the store, making it give off a glow as it reflected all the light back towards the source. This dress caused both of the girls to smile, as the girl with hair parted to each side of her head stared at the girl with long flowing hair that went down towards the middle of her back. Rinoa's smiled doubled that of the one on Selphie's face, if that was possible, as Rinoa mimicked the nod that was causing Selphie's head to bobble up and down.
"Shock and awe"
A/N: Hey relatively short chapter I know sorry…I was thinking about having a one or two more "scenes" or whatever you call them…but the next one or two more scenes I think are going to make a chapter by themselves. Besides, I would rather make a slightly short chapter and make it easy on you guys instead of painful on you with a overly LONG chapter so yah! Listen….serious time….I LIKE REVIEWS and I don't get any (starts crying…sounds something like huh huh huhuh huh huh huh) it's good motivation to keep writing when I get reviews and this is like the second or third time I have said REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW at the end of a chapter and what do you guys do? Not review that's what…it's not nice…it's not very nice at all. How would you like it if I stopped writing unless you review huh? Yah! I bet you wouldn't like that much huh…just like I don't like not getting reviews…it makes me sad…and this stupid rambling at the end of chapters might be better and more entertaining than the story itself and the reason you don't review so maybe I will quit doing this and to ultimately answer my question maybe you guys don't review so I stop writing (cries louder this time, HUH HUH HUH HUH!)
Rambling with no clear point I know sorry….by the way….it's kind of late and I have drank a LOT of coffee so that's a big cause for my ridiculous rambling of the last paragraph sorry!!!
P.S. Please review
