Disclaimer:
'Sides all the stuff about me not owning FF8 (which hopefully you already know), "Leaving Hope" is the title of a NIN song, and not mine. So, I guess it belongs to Trent Reznor. It just seemed to be an appropriate title, and it reminds me of a dear friend.. Anyway, if it really offends anyone that I used it, I'll change it.. Arigatou to those of you that commented on my story! Six reviews! Yipee! ^.^
-H.F.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~========================================================================
{"Hey, Seify.."
"Hmm?"
"Why are you here?"
"Whaddya mean?"
She looked up at him. "Why are you in this bad place? Where are your mommie and daddie?"
"They never came back for me.. Guardy-guy said that they died."
Her eyes widened and she saw him sniffle. She placed her little arms around him. "Aw, I'm sorry Seify.."
"..tha's all right.." He lay still while she held him. "So what 'bout your parents, Deidee?"
She sighed. "My old master told me that my mommie gave me to a lady, and she sold me into slavery. I worked for my master for a while, until he sold me here, and I was bad, so they made me a prisoner, so's I could work in the bar-"
"No!"
"Seify?"
"I dun want you going there! It's a bad place, Deidee! You could get hurt!"
"Why are you upset?"
"'Cause you're my best friend. I love you Deidee ^-^"
"I love you too, Seify."
He nodded. "Not in a mushy way, though."
"Seify..?"
"Hmm..?"
"Promise you'll never leave me.. I dun ever wanna be alone again."
"I promise, Deidee. We'll always be together."}
Seifer awoke. "I promised her forever.. and.. I left her.." He sat up in bed, and put his head in his hands. "What should I do? How could I?" He didn't even bother to change, just pulled on a shirt, and walked to Rinoa's room.
"And he hugged me, Fuuj.. isn't that strange?"
"ENJOYMENT!"
"No.. well, I didn't DISlike it.."
"ECSTASY!"
"Fuujin!!"
She smirked.
"Shall we get ready?"
"AFFIRMATIVE."
"You may as well not even get dressed.. the way you've been acting around Rage, you probably won't stay dressed for long.."
"BITCH!"
"You know you love me anyway."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The boys stayed lined up in the auditorium. This was custom at Garden socials. You waited until your lady appeared through the curtain, and then took her hand, and led her away. Seifer and Squall, more alike than they'd readily to admit, both tapped their feet impatiently..
Rinoa was the first to emerge, she was wearing THE dress. Squall stared dreamily at her, took her hand, and led her away.
Selphie came out next, in a white, mid thigh length dress
"Nice dress, Selena.."
She screeched, "It's SELPHIE!!"
"Of course." Irvine took her hand.
Kita was next in a red, knee length dress, and Zell smiled mischievously at her.
Quistis was wearing a fashionable dress in pink, and Aidan took her hand, blushing shamelessly.
Raijin's mouth dropped open. Fuujin wore a sleeveless dark blue dress, and blue heels. Her hair was done up, and she stepped shyly towards him. Raijin took her hand, and led her away.
Now, it was Seifer's turn to stare. Deidre's dress was something to talk about, something one would never expect to see on her. She wore a black spaghetti strap kneelength dress, that flowed about her. She wore sandal heels, and her hair was done up in a Quistis like style. Seifer stared into her eyes. I always knew she was beautiful.. but .. "Wow.."
"Seifer?"
"Yeah?"
She smiled. "You're not so bad yourself." He grinned wickedly and took her hand, leading her to a shadowy corner. Seifer couldn't see the other girls arriving, he was too distracted by Deidre. "Seifer?"
"Oh! Uh.. I know you said you've never danced before, and I know how you're not too fond of too many people here.. So I thought this corner would be a good place for us.. " She nodded, and placed her hands on his shoulders, while he placed his own on her hips. Deidre sighed and closed her eyes, feeling considerably less awkward than expected. She felt oddly safe while Seifer held her, and she allowed him to lead her as they swayed in rhythm with the music. He looked over Deidre's shoulder to see Squall, with hatred burning in his eyes. So Deidre hadn't told him about his being her date to the dance.. Smug satisfaction filled Seifer, and, making sure Squall was looking, he wrapped his arm around Deidre and pulled her closer to his body. Deidre let out a little gasp of surprise, but wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her face against his shoulder. Squall began towards them, stomping through dancing couples, but Rinoa caught his arm and managed to plead him into staying with her. The Lone Wolf's eyes seemed to be ready to burn holes in Seifer. Deidre knew what he was up to.
"You're provoking Squall, aren't you..?"
Seifer nodded.
"He needs to learn to quit bugging me.. Let's have some fun with him."
Seifer smiled at her. "God, you're perfect. What should we do..?"
She closed her eyes in thought, and rested her head on his shoulder. "It's the little things that bother him the most."
Seifer knew. He began by rubbing his face against Deidre's. She smiled, and responded by lightly running her fingers up and down his neck.
Squall's face was crimson.
"Squall ..? Are you all right..?"
"Yeah, fine, Deidre.."
"Deidre?! Try Rinoa! Squall.." She turned to see what he was looking at, and her eyes grew into little circles. "Oh my.."
Deidre nudged Seifer, who was a little shaky because of Deidre's actions. "Now.. whisper something in my ear.. Just whatever is on your mind. I'll laugh in that annoying flirtatious way that Kita does around Zell..."
Seifer leaned towards her, and whispered into her ear, "You're the most beautiful girl in this room.."
She reddened. "It isn't nice to make fun of people.."
He held her closer, not knowing what was coming over him, but not caring, either. "I was telling the truth.."
Deidre couldn't speak, so she let her actions speak for her. Turning her head to the side, she placed an innocent kiss on his cheek.
Seifer blinked. Did she just..? "Was Squall even looking then?"
She returned her head to his shoulder. "I don't know."
! ".. Oh.." And the dance went on..
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They stood outside of the door to Deidre's room. ".. well, what do you know.. No security mishaps.."
".. yeah.. "
Silence.
Awkwardness.
"Seifer-"
"Deidre-"
"You go first.."
Seifer looked around, and then directly at her. "Well, I uh.. just wanted to say that I had a good time tonight.. and I uh.. hope you did too.." She simply nodded. ".. Deidre..?"
"Yeah.."
"I didn't ever want to leave you."
"Seifer?"
"They traded me out.. and put me in Edea's orphanage.. God, I'm so sorry.." She looked into his eyes.. they were gleaming. "Deidre, I swore it to you.. I.. " He looked at her, the regret evident on his face. "..I never meant to break your heart.. I would have stayed but they wouldn't let me go and I just wasn't strong enough-"
"-Seifer."
"I'm so sorry-"
"It's Okay.."
"But you said.. that no one cared.. that you didn't have anyone.. no one to hold you or.. or.. I don't ever want you to be unhappy Deidre.. Never. I won't leave you alone again.. I'll.. protect you.. I.."
"Seifer.."
He was brought her close to him, and whispered in her ear. "Deidre..I'll hold you.." His hand was on the side of her face, and they began to draw nearer..
"S.. Seifer.." They closed their eyes. Deidre could feel the warmth of his breath on her face.. his lips nearing hers.. She'd waited for what seemed like an eternity to be this near to him.. and now she was almost there..
"ALMASY! You get the HELL off her!!!"
Seifer turned, to see Squall standing there. Deidre was shocked. Numbed. She just stared, feeling as if she'd been ripped from Seifer's arms. No.. why..? Squall pushed Seifer away from his sister. "I thought I told you to leave her alone, God dammit!"
Seifer pushed him back, rage in his eyes. "Who do you think you are, Leonheart?!"
Rinoa tugged at Squall's arm. "Squall, please! Let's just leave her alone, I'm so sick of you worrying about her! If she wants to be a slut, than let her be one!"
"Excuse me?" Deidre had snapped out of it. "I don't know who you think YOU'RE calling a slut.."
"Who do you think? You're the one who flaunts yourself around MY boyfriend!"
"Excuse me?!"
"I don't know what you're problem is, but you shouldn't try to steal MY boyfriend because Seifer is in love with ME."
The other two in unison; "WHAT?!"
"...In .. love with.. you.." Deidre looked at Seifer. Of course..how could I be so stupid..? To think.. Deidre couldn't breathe anymore. She couldn't even see.
"What THE HELL is going on ?!" Squall howled, but Deidre just stood there blankly. She let Rinoa's words ring in her head.
"He's stopped by my room twice, in the middle of the night!"
"You know what that was about!" Seifer shouted, infuriated.
Rinoa crossed her arms. "I doubt that that's all it entails.."
"What are you talking about?!" Squall howled.
"Seifer is in love with ME! " "I'm.. going now.."
"Deidre.." Seifer began..
She turned to Rinoa. "No need to worry about Squall. He's my brother." At that, she walked into her room, and locked the door.
"Brother?" Rinoa put her hands to her mouth. "Oh my God.."
"What the hell are you doing around my girlfriend?"
"I don't want anything to do with your slut girlfriend!"
"What?!"
Seifer pounded on Deidre's door. "Deidre..? Deidre, open the door.."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She lay on her bed, staring into nothing..
"Deidre.."
"Mother?"
"Yes, my childe.."
"Mother.. why do I feel like my insides died..?"
"I wish I could have protected you, childe.. I was trying to explain.."
"Mother.. I understand now..I'm sorry.."
"You were always a smart girl.."
"I'm returning.. I'm coming back. You were right. This world's not for me.. I don't belong here."
She couldn't hear his voice anymore. She couldn't hear him pleading. It was over now. She was the Knight once more.
-------------------------------------------------End of Chapter Ten-----------------------------------------------------
::snifflay sniff:: Is anyone else heartbroken? Waaaai! Stay tuned for Chapter Eleven "Goodbyes"
'Sides all the stuff about me not owning FF8 (which hopefully you already know), "Leaving Hope" is the title of a NIN song, and not mine. So, I guess it belongs to Trent Reznor. It just seemed to be an appropriate title, and it reminds me of a dear friend.. Anyway, if it really offends anyone that I used it, I'll change it.. Arigatou to those of you that commented on my story! Six reviews! Yipee! ^.^
-H.F.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~========================================================================
{"Hey, Seify.."
"Hmm?"
"Why are you here?"
"Whaddya mean?"
She looked up at him. "Why are you in this bad place? Where are your mommie and daddie?"
"They never came back for me.. Guardy-guy said that they died."
Her eyes widened and she saw him sniffle. She placed her little arms around him. "Aw, I'm sorry Seify.."
"..tha's all right.." He lay still while she held him. "So what 'bout your parents, Deidee?"
She sighed. "My old master told me that my mommie gave me to a lady, and she sold me into slavery. I worked for my master for a while, until he sold me here, and I was bad, so they made me a prisoner, so's I could work in the bar-"
"No!"
"Seify?"
"I dun want you going there! It's a bad place, Deidee! You could get hurt!"
"Why are you upset?"
"'Cause you're my best friend. I love you Deidee ^-^"
"I love you too, Seify."
He nodded. "Not in a mushy way, though."
"Seify..?"
"Hmm..?"
"Promise you'll never leave me.. I dun ever wanna be alone again."
"I promise, Deidee. We'll always be together."}
Seifer awoke. "I promised her forever.. and.. I left her.." He sat up in bed, and put his head in his hands. "What should I do? How could I?" He didn't even bother to change, just pulled on a shirt, and walked to Rinoa's room.
"And he hugged me, Fuuj.. isn't that strange?"
"ENJOYMENT!"
"No.. well, I didn't DISlike it.."
"ECSTASY!"
"Fuujin!!"
She smirked.
"Shall we get ready?"
"AFFIRMATIVE."
"You may as well not even get dressed.. the way you've been acting around Rage, you probably won't stay dressed for long.."
"BITCH!"
"You know you love me anyway."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The boys stayed lined up in the auditorium. This was custom at Garden socials. You waited until your lady appeared through the curtain, and then took her hand, and led her away. Seifer and Squall, more alike than they'd readily to admit, both tapped their feet impatiently..
Rinoa was the first to emerge, she was wearing THE dress. Squall stared dreamily at her, took her hand, and led her away.
Selphie came out next, in a white, mid thigh length dress
"Nice dress, Selena.."
She screeched, "It's SELPHIE!!"
"Of course." Irvine took her hand.
Kita was next in a red, knee length dress, and Zell smiled mischievously at her.
Quistis was wearing a fashionable dress in pink, and Aidan took her hand, blushing shamelessly.
Raijin's mouth dropped open. Fuujin wore a sleeveless dark blue dress, and blue heels. Her hair was done up, and she stepped shyly towards him. Raijin took her hand, and led her away.
Now, it was Seifer's turn to stare. Deidre's dress was something to talk about, something one would never expect to see on her. She wore a black spaghetti strap kneelength dress, that flowed about her. She wore sandal heels, and her hair was done up in a Quistis like style. Seifer stared into her eyes. I always knew she was beautiful.. but .. "Wow.."
"Seifer?"
"Yeah?"
She smiled. "You're not so bad yourself." He grinned wickedly and took her hand, leading her to a shadowy corner. Seifer couldn't see the other girls arriving, he was too distracted by Deidre. "Seifer?"
"Oh! Uh.. I know you said you've never danced before, and I know how you're not too fond of too many people here.. So I thought this corner would be a good place for us.. " She nodded, and placed her hands on his shoulders, while he placed his own on her hips. Deidre sighed and closed her eyes, feeling considerably less awkward than expected. She felt oddly safe while Seifer held her, and she allowed him to lead her as they swayed in rhythm with the music. He looked over Deidre's shoulder to see Squall, with hatred burning in his eyes. So Deidre hadn't told him about his being her date to the dance.. Smug satisfaction filled Seifer, and, making sure Squall was looking, he wrapped his arm around Deidre and pulled her closer to his body. Deidre let out a little gasp of surprise, but wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her face against his shoulder. Squall began towards them, stomping through dancing couples, but Rinoa caught his arm and managed to plead him into staying with her. The Lone Wolf's eyes seemed to be ready to burn holes in Seifer. Deidre knew what he was up to.
"You're provoking Squall, aren't you..?"
Seifer nodded.
"He needs to learn to quit bugging me.. Let's have some fun with him."
Seifer smiled at her. "God, you're perfect. What should we do..?"
She closed her eyes in thought, and rested her head on his shoulder. "It's the little things that bother him the most."
Seifer knew. He began by rubbing his face against Deidre's. She smiled, and responded by lightly running her fingers up and down his neck.
Squall's face was crimson.
"Squall ..? Are you all right..?"
"Yeah, fine, Deidre.."
"Deidre?! Try Rinoa! Squall.." She turned to see what he was looking at, and her eyes grew into little circles. "Oh my.."
Deidre nudged Seifer, who was a little shaky because of Deidre's actions. "Now.. whisper something in my ear.. Just whatever is on your mind. I'll laugh in that annoying flirtatious way that Kita does around Zell..."
Seifer leaned towards her, and whispered into her ear, "You're the most beautiful girl in this room.."
She reddened. "It isn't nice to make fun of people.."
He held her closer, not knowing what was coming over him, but not caring, either. "I was telling the truth.."
Deidre couldn't speak, so she let her actions speak for her. Turning her head to the side, she placed an innocent kiss on his cheek.
Seifer blinked. Did she just..? "Was Squall even looking then?"
She returned her head to his shoulder. "I don't know."
! ".. Oh.." And the dance went on..
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They stood outside of the door to Deidre's room. ".. well, what do you know.. No security mishaps.."
".. yeah.. "
Silence.
Awkwardness.
"Seifer-"
"Deidre-"
"You go first.."
Seifer looked around, and then directly at her. "Well, I uh.. just wanted to say that I had a good time tonight.. and I uh.. hope you did too.." She simply nodded. ".. Deidre..?"
"Yeah.."
"I didn't ever want to leave you."
"Seifer?"
"They traded me out.. and put me in Edea's orphanage.. God, I'm so sorry.." She looked into his eyes.. they were gleaming. "Deidre, I swore it to you.. I.. " He looked at her, the regret evident on his face. "..I never meant to break your heart.. I would have stayed but they wouldn't let me go and I just wasn't strong enough-"
"-Seifer."
"I'm so sorry-"
"It's Okay.."
"But you said.. that no one cared.. that you didn't have anyone.. no one to hold you or.. or.. I don't ever want you to be unhappy Deidre.. Never. I won't leave you alone again.. I'll.. protect you.. I.."
"Seifer.."
He was brought her close to him, and whispered in her ear. "Deidre..I'll hold you.." His hand was on the side of her face, and they began to draw nearer..
"S.. Seifer.." They closed their eyes. Deidre could feel the warmth of his breath on her face.. his lips nearing hers.. She'd waited for what seemed like an eternity to be this near to him.. and now she was almost there..
"ALMASY! You get the HELL off her!!!"
Seifer turned, to see Squall standing there. Deidre was shocked. Numbed. She just stared, feeling as if she'd been ripped from Seifer's arms. No.. why..? Squall pushed Seifer away from his sister. "I thought I told you to leave her alone, God dammit!"
Seifer pushed him back, rage in his eyes. "Who do you think you are, Leonheart?!"
Rinoa tugged at Squall's arm. "Squall, please! Let's just leave her alone, I'm so sick of you worrying about her! If she wants to be a slut, than let her be one!"
"Excuse me?" Deidre had snapped out of it. "I don't know who you think YOU'RE calling a slut.."
"Who do you think? You're the one who flaunts yourself around MY boyfriend!"
"Excuse me?!"
"I don't know what you're problem is, but you shouldn't try to steal MY boyfriend because Seifer is in love with ME."
The other two in unison; "WHAT?!"
"...In .. love with.. you.." Deidre looked at Seifer. Of course..how could I be so stupid..? To think.. Deidre couldn't breathe anymore. She couldn't even see.
"What THE HELL is going on ?!" Squall howled, but Deidre just stood there blankly. She let Rinoa's words ring in her head.
"He's stopped by my room twice, in the middle of the night!"
"You know what that was about!" Seifer shouted, infuriated.
Rinoa crossed her arms. "I doubt that that's all it entails.."
"What are you talking about?!" Squall howled.
"Seifer is in love with ME! " "I'm.. going now.."
"Deidre.." Seifer began..
She turned to Rinoa. "No need to worry about Squall. He's my brother." At that, she walked into her room, and locked the door.
"Brother?" Rinoa put her hands to her mouth. "Oh my God.."
"What the hell are you doing around my girlfriend?"
"I don't want anything to do with your slut girlfriend!"
"What?!"
Seifer pounded on Deidre's door. "Deidre..? Deidre, open the door.."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She lay on her bed, staring into nothing..
"Deidre.."
"Mother?"
"Yes, my childe.."
"Mother.. why do I feel like my insides died..?"
"I wish I could have protected you, childe.. I was trying to explain.."
"Mother.. I understand now..I'm sorry.."
"You were always a smart girl.."
"I'm returning.. I'm coming back. You were right. This world's not for me.. I don't belong here."
She couldn't hear his voice anymore. She couldn't hear him pleading. It was over now. She was the Knight once more.
-------------------------------------------------End of Chapter Ten-----------------------------------------------------
::snifflay sniff:: Is anyone else heartbroken? Waaaai! Stay tuned for Chapter Eleven "Goodbyes"