The light that filtered through the commanders half opened window had pulled him out of a restless sleep. Though its not unusual for him to be up so early, it is highly unusual for him to be out and about at 0600. Rinoa hadn't slept much after her nightmare last night so instead of waking her he thought it best to let her get as much sleep as possible before anything else happens. He's barely aware that he's entered the training center and he's just as equally unaware that another pair of heavy steps has joined his own. With a frown on his face Squall is completely lost in thought about what to do and whats surely going to happen that the tap on his shoulder from the owner of the other steps causes him to jump and nearly deck the person. Lucky, due to years of being trained, his reflexes are pretty amazing and so he manages to stop the impact mere inches from the mans face.
"Woah, puberty boy, whats up with you?" What would have most likely been a more snyde remark comes out as complete shock from Seifer, his green eyes wide with confusion.
Squalls steel eyes narrow greatly as his jaw tightens at the question, with a shake of his head and a grunt he turns back towards his destination hand on his gunblade. His thoughts once more overtake his senses which causes him to completely ignore whatever it is that his old rival has said.
"Hey" the other mans voice is gruff as he holds back the anger at being ignored. They have finally made it down the short hallway with the metal walls and tiled floor, Squall slammed the double metal doors open and the fresh air from the training center hit him like a tonne of bricks which caused him to finally come back to the present time.
"What do you want Seifer?" he growls as he turns to his left, his feet squish into the slightly mucky ground as he takes an involuntary deep breath the smell of the makeshift forest fills his lungs and it seems to calm him down. Only a little.
The other man grunts at the question as he follows suit, though he has his Hyperion unsheathed where he extends it to just barely graze the back of Squalls infamous black jacket. The commanders eyes narrow once more as he glances over his shoulder, his grip tightens on the hilt of his Lionhart as he turns back towards the door. His other hand finds the second set of doors and as he pushes it open he quickly pulls his gunblade out which is to lead the Seifer into the thought that he wishes to battle though the hand on the door quickly pushes it back so all that can be heard is a loud thud as Seifer comes in contact with it.
"What the HELL!" he yells through the door and as he goes to push it angrily open finds that its stuck.
Squall can only smirk as he casts an extremely strong fire spell to meld the doors shut together, he knows he'll have to pay to have it fixed but at the moment its worth the rare moment of quiet he obtains in the barely lit training center. Nothing has changed at all since he'd actually taken the time to look around, the sounds are still the same, the scents, the trees and moss that cover the ground are in the same place they've always been. This comforts the young man, what with all that is going on now and with what is going to happen. It's all inevitable. A sudden thought causes the commander to sigh in frustration. He really should apologize to Zell for being such a jerk, though with a grunt he realizes that maybe he wasn't entirely wrong for the things he had said. Zell had attacked him and he had defended himself. It was that simple. Or was it? The thoughts are beginning to really hurt his head and in a small attempt at release he raises his hand and begins to massage the bridge of nose with the hopes the pain will soon subside.
"Didn't anyone ever tell you that thinking too much is bad for your health?" Selphies chirpy voice broke through his thoughts and he slowly lowered his hand so he could see from where her voice had just come from.
Just up ahead before the small bend that makes its way towards the secret hiding place where young Balamb Garden couples break curfew on a regular basis, he see's the spunky brunette dressed in a white skirt that flows as she walks and a yellow tank top, her brown boots are the only thing that never changes on her small frame. He is taken aback at the sight of her here in the training center this early and is at a loss for words so he merely shrugs at her question and without another word they both begin to make their way towards the other. It takes no longer than a few seconds before Selphie is situated directly in front of Squall, her hands on her hips as she bends slightly to look up into his emotionless face.
"Y'know, I've known you for SO long now that I can tell when somethings up. More up then what happened last night" her tone is full of worry along with her face. Her usually sparkling emerald eyes hold fear and confusion. "Speaking of... I know what Zell said... but you have to know we don't all believe that right?"
This causes the commanders gaze to snap up and it is easy tell that Selphie speaks the truth. Their not all against him. With a deep breath Squall opens his mouth to say something, anything but nothing comes out. He doesn't know what to say. Thanks? For what, for sticking by him even though he's been a jerk? No, so he closes his mouth and frowns. At the moment it doesn't seem like the right thing to say. So instead of meeting her gaze Squall simply looks past her worried face and off into the distance.
"Seems the monsters are still sleeping." he mentally rolls his eyes at his horrid and blatant change of subject.
Luckily for him Selphie takes the hint and a small sad smile graces her cute face. She straightens and steps to stand directly beside Squall, where she links arms with him and gently pulls him forward.
"Yeah, they must be. Lets get some breakfast! Im starved!" her eyes on her face and he can feel them as she tries to burn a hole in his head to see what exactly he must be thinking.
Squall brings his gaze down to look her in the eyes and nods his head in agreement "Food sounds pretty good right now." Not one to wait, Selphie pulls him forward a little harder towards the slight bend. As their feet come in contact with the small bridge a couple of minutes later Seifer makes his way around the other bend towards them.
"Oh? Seifer looks kinda pissed... What happened to his face?" she guffaws as her eyes land on the massive red mark that now dawns the right side of his face. Squall gently bites his cheek in an attempt to stop the smile and laughter that threatens to explode.
"You-" he points his hyperion at directly at Squalls face. "-are so dead" he looks furious and completely serious but it doesn't faze him.
Selphies arm quickly disapears from Squalls as she steps slightly away and around the angry Seifer just as he comes to stand face to face with the commander, which is directly beside the small man made pond. Squall can't keep his eyes from the burning anger in Seifers but the young womans actions do not go unnoticed either. She slowly begins to make her way towards Seifer, just out of his peripheral vision, her small hands clasped behind her back and just as she gets close enough for Seifer to finally glance down at her, she smiles up at him and hip checks him into the muddy water. The splash he makes as he comes in contact with it is a rather large one. The smile on Selphies face as the blond gunblade specialist manages to finally sit up is one of complete triumph, Seifers gaze is pure murder and he glares between the commander and his small comrade as he splutters and spits water out of his mouth. This of course causes Selphie to break out into laughter and once in awhile she actually snorts.
Squall can't help it now, Selphies hysterical laughter catches on and in within seconds he's on the ground where his gloved hands clutch his sides.
"You...look...like a....drown... rat..." he manages to make fun of his rival through his snorts of laughter.
This small revelation causes Selphie to topple over where she ends up on the ground with her hands on her knees as her small body rocks with laughter. Seifer manages to get his footing, before he storms out of the area he gives both of them the finger. After a few more minutes of laughter they manage to catch their breath and Squall finally stands upright n o longer having to gasp for air. He smiles as he helps Selphie up and in a moment of pure enjoyment leans down and gives her a hug.
"Thank you." he whispers into her ear.
Selphie returns the rare hug and as they pull apart he notices the massive smile that has planted itself on her face, though she looks mildly confused about why he said that to her.
"Not a problem...?" her eyes glimmer with happiness and pride at actually getting a hug from the man she considers her brother and in a way her mentor. "Well! Off to the cafeteria, I'm sure Irvines there...." she slightly bites her lip as she re-links her arm with Squalls. He knows why she hesitates to finish her sentence so he sighs.
"And Zell." he finishes for her and whatever happy feelings he just had vanish at the thought of coming face to face with the martial artist. Briefly he wonders what will happen, though his thoughts are once again cut off by Selphies voice.
"Ahh.. If he tries anything I'll kick him in the shins!!!" she kicks the air to show her amazing shin kicking abilities which causes Squall to smile and shake his head.
He really truly appreciates how Selphie feels protective over him, not only him, but all of her friends. Though the group mildly annoyes him at times, he's also extremely grateful to have them there at his side especially at times like these. His heart gives a slight tug as his thoughts take an emotional turn. This causes him to physically roll his eyes as they finally make there way through the first set of double metal doors on the opposite side of the ones he melded shut.
"Uhm... What happened to that door?" Selphies question causes him to shake with laughter which in turn causes the young woman to look at him as if he's completely lost his mind.
A/N - Sheesh! Sorry it took so long to update this!!!! I'm going to re-write the previous chapters to make it more.. uhm.. understandable and not so everywhere haha. RnR your reviews are like an addiction!!!