'ello 'ello. Yeah thought I'd be a bit stereotypical English today :p

Alright, in this chapter I have Ultimecia and Seifer speak Al-Bhed. The reason being, Ultimecia has an accent, and I'm assuming that it's because she's from Centra. Now due to FFVIII not having any additional languages, I'm using Al-Bhed.
But you're probably wondering why Seifer also speaks the linguo, well in this story, since he was adopted by Ultimecia at the age of 5, she taught him how to speak it :).

Chapter 11 – Patience & Perseverance

Squall's POV

"It's next in two weeks!" Selphie screamed at us over the lunch table.

"You can do it, Sefie." Irvine said comfortingly rubbing her back.

"Irvy! How do they expect me to have the stage decorated in a two weeks?" She asked rhetorically.

Selphie was complaining about the school's lack of time management. They, the drama teachers, had called her in this morning telling her she had the job of getting the school auditorium painted and decorated for the school play seeing as she was part of the Garden Festival Committee in her previous school. Right now she was having a panic attack on how she was to sort everything out within the limited time allocated.

"Ok, I'm putting my foot down! You guys are going to help." She demanded writing down our names on a notepad.

"Oh no, Selphie I don't want to." Zell complained through a mouthful of hotdog.

"Yeah decoration isn't really my sort of thing." Seifer said sarcastically.

"I don't care; friends make sacrifices for each other, so you're all helping." She said matter-of-factly as groans were heard throughout our table.

She assigned everyone jobs apart from myself and Heartilly citing that we'd probably be busy seeing as we were playing the leads.

She turned to the table at the back getting Cloud's attention.

"Cloudy!" She screeched in his ear. "You want to help out decorating the auditorium?" She asked as sweetly as possible.

"Er…" He didn't have time to respond as she sparked up her sweetness.

"Please Cloudy, I'd really appreciate it." She said putting her hands together and batting her eyelids.

"Ok. What do I have to do?" He asked.

"Er," She paused looking at her notepad, "you can paint the backdrop for the fight scene." She said scribbling his name down.

"Ah Cloud, always allowing the ladies to wrap you around their finger." Zack sighed laughing to himself. Aerith gave him a light elbow to the arm looking at him sternly.

"Say Selphie," She called out to the girl, "do you have any models you need for dress fittings?"

"Er not yet." Selphie answered looking at the other girl questioningly.

"Well Zack would love to help." She offered.

"What!" Zack cried out looking from Selphie to Aerith. "No, I don't want to wear a dress."

"Tough." Aerith only replied and turned away ignoring his pleas.

Cloud let out a low chuckle. "Do I feel sorry for you."

"Well, I'm not sure if Rinoa will be happy with Zack trying on her dress, eh Rinoa?" Selphie joked poking the raven haired girl in the arm.

"What?" Rinoa asked only just realising there was a conversation going on. She had spent the last fifteen minutes staring at her mash potatoes, subconsciously moving them around her plate, keeping completely quiet and in deep contemplation.

"Are you Ok?" Selphie asked concerned.

Rinoa sighed and pushed her chair back. "I'm fine, excuse me." She said taking her bag off the floor and walking out of the cafeteria.

I wanted to walk after her, to make sure she was alright. But how could I? I couldn't keep running to her aid every time I saw her distressed. She was smart and would soon catch on to my antics.

Other than that, I knew why she was upset and it wasn't like I could make it better… well not just yet.

Rinoa's POV

I took the roll of toilet paper in my hands and ripped one off to dry my eyes. The tears kept streaming down, my nose was clogged with mucus and the huge pill like form had returned to my throat claiming residence.

I was sitting in one of the toilet cubicles crying. I know I was pathetic, I hadn't even met the guy, yet here I was crying my eyes out because someone I had grew to really liking had hurt me. I just didn't understand it, any of it. I didn't understand why he didn't want to meet me anymore.

I tried calling the number he texted from but he wouldn't answer and it kept going to voice mail. I even sent him a couple of text messages asking him to pick up or at least reply to my text messages. But he didn't.

I tried comforting myself last night after I realised he wasn't going to communicate with me anymore. I tried telling myself that I didn't really like him, how could if I didn't even know who he really was. I tried telling myself that I was just infatuated with the idea of this really great guy who I had so much in common with, had a laugh, and got along greatly.

But it didn't work. Some how I had gone to develop feelings for someone I hadn't met. It was because I fell for his personality, I had fallen for the friendship that grew between us within the past year. And God, did it hurt.

I closed my eyes trying to stop the tears and took a couple of breaths. Once I composed myself, I opened the door to the cubicle and stepped outside. I walked over to the wash basin and turned on the cold water tap, letting the water fall into my cupped hands. I washed my face ridding it of the tears and puffy eyes.

I looked at myself properly in the mirror. There had to be something I lacked, the reason why guys weren't flocking to go out with me. I had always thought it was because I was the General's daughter, but there had to be another reason.

With girls as cute as Selphie, or as stunning as Quistis, it was evident that my features were a tad too normal. Who was I kidding, this guy didn't even see me, so it couldn't have been my appearance.

It just didn't make sense to me, why all of a sudden he didn't want to meet, yet he had said I meant as much to him as he did to me. How could he go from being really anxious and excited to meet me and then not wanting anything to do with me? What did I do wrong?

I didn't understand it. And that's what was hurting me even more; not knowing the reason behind his rejection.

I sighed and for the twentieth time in the past two days and made myself promise to get over him.

This hurt would pass; I'd move on and find someone else…

… hopefully.

Squall's POV

I stood behind the curtains watching Yuna and Heartilly perform one of their scenes. I had to say, Heartilly being upset over this whole Renzokuken thing had really excelled her acting skills. I could literally feel every word she was saying pierce through my body and gather at my heart. Even her crying scene made me emotional.

"I love him; you can't do this to me." Heartilly pleaded scrunching her face and letting her tears fall across her cheeks.

"Why would he love an ugly duckling like you?" Yuna mocked cackling. She moved around Heartilly eyeing her expectantly.

"He will love me; he'll see my character, not my appearance." Heartilly spoke with such determination. She shot up from her knelt position and stood up to Yuna. "I can promise you that."

"Ok girls, well done. Squall, Gippal and Baralai you're up." Mr Nooj called out to us, so I made my way towards the centre of the stage.

Heartilly was walking past me so I thought I'd try and cheer her up a bit.

"Hey you were really good back there." I said making her look up at me.

"Thanks." She replied dully and walked off, sitting down on a chair at the back of the dark stage with her chin in her hands.

She looked so sad sitting there by herself. Fifty gil and I could have bet what she was thinking about.

"Say Prince, do you hear that lovely sound?" Gippal said in a rather posh accent.

"Yes, it sounds like singing, let us take a look." I spoke back remembering each word as if it was naturally coming from my brain. Heartilly really was a good tutor, I wouldn't have learnt all my lines if it hadn't been for her efforts and determination.

I glanced quickly at her, she just had to be strong, she'd find out about Renzokuken soon enough.

Seeing as the play was being held the week after next, both my father and sister decided to extend their stay so they didn't have to travel back for it. I had to get used to having people living with me again. It was kind of nice having the place to my own, having privacy whenever I wanted it. Not that I didn't like having some family around.

After dinner I went upstairs to start on my homework. Seeing as half term break was approaching, the teachers started getting heavy on us setting us more homework by the day.

I decided to be a bit lazy and type up one of my essays for my History class. I thought I could log onto MSN and see if Cloud or Quistis were online so I could get help if needed.

Since I wanted Renzokuken out of the picture, I had Angel_Wings currently blocked. It felt like a powerful blow to my heart every time I saw her logged on. Her name just sitting idly on my online list as if calling me to chat to her.

But I couldn't. Not after the text I had sent her, and after the many attempts of her trying to contact me. Aside from that, I had no clue what I'd say to her.

It took all my might and will power not to double click her name and say hello. I was so hungry for her company, she was like a drug. I wanted more than anything to return to laughing and endlessly talking to her.

I wondered what it would have been like if I hadn't found out who she was. What we would have done when we met up and realised who we really were. I was obviously biased now, given that I saw her true colours. I keep telling myself that I would have given her a chance and asked her to do the same. But I know that that's the desperate me talking, willing to make this work, sacrificing anything for her to give me a chance.

Realistically, I probably would have let my arrogance get the better of me and walked off, losing whatever hope I could have had with her.

In some ways, some bizarre ways, I'm happy how things worked out. At least this way I can try and get Heartilly to like me. At least this way there is some hope of it working out.

Sighing, I hit the Sign-Out button.

Rinoa's POV

I was sitting with my Dad in his Study getting his help with my homework. Currently he was going through my Chemistry equations while I sat doodling in my notebook.

It didn't matter what I was doing, but all I kept thinking about was Renzokuken. I couldn't help it, it still really bothered me.

I let a really big sigh out through my nostrils and looked up to see my father staring at me.

"What?" I asked curiously.

"That is the fourth time you've sighed like that. Out with it, what's wrong?" He replied, putting my exercise book down and folding his arms expectantly.

I hesitated to tell him, I knew he'd freak if I told him I was planning on meeting a boy off the internet. So I played it safe.

"Well, I have this friend, who has decided that they don't want to be friends with me anymore." I answered.

"Did they give you a reason why?" He asked, cocking his head to one side.

"They just said that they have a lot of stuff going on in their life and they… can't deal with me right now."

"Well sweetheart, it seems like you're friend just needs some time and space. People have many problems and sometimes they just feel like being alone through them. You have to respect that." He replied smiling sympathetically at me.

"I know." I nodded. "I just miss them, that's all."

"Well, be patient, they'll come round when they're ready." He replied and picked up my book again.

I sat idly again processing what my Dad had said. It was true, I guess Renzokuken had a lot going on and needed some space. But… why couldn't he talk to me about it? I said I would be there for him.

My father's voice broke my out of my reverie and I had to ask him to repeat what he said.

"I'm not sure if I'll be able to attend your play. It's held the same date as my meeting with the Mayor of Dollet."

"Oh." I could only reply back.

I knew my Dad was busy because of his job, which I also knew was very important to him. But I couldn't help but feel disappointed that he'd miss a play I co-wrote and was staring in.

Ok so I said I'd get over Renzokuken but yet here I was on MSN Messenger at 01:17am. My eyes were hurting and I was playing solitaire to pass the time. I was just hoping to catch Renzokuken coming online, just to see if he was in Esthar with his Dad and that's why he wasn't coming online. Because of the time difference. Yeah.

Who was I kidding, he was ignoring me and I knew it.

He hadn't been online in days, he hadn't even posted anything or replied to any reviews on FanFiction, that I knew of, nor had he come on PSN.

It was 01:20am. I had school the next day and rehearsals after school; it would be a long, tiring day.

I hovered over the Sign-Out button for a few seconds before finally giving in and logging off.

Feeling depressed I put my laptop on my bedside table and lay down on my bed. I knew I wouldn't fall asleep straight away; whenever I was stressed I felt restless.

I took my phone from my bedside table and read his message again. It was the closest thing I had to him. I wanted to call him so badly, but I knew he wouldn't pick up and it would only hurt me more.

"I miss you, Renz." I whispered to myself.

Putting my phone back on the table, I lay back in bed and just sighed myself to sleep.

Staying up until half one in the morning was not a good idea. I woke up late for school first of all and then got scolded by my History teacher for showing up late, and to top it off I got detention because I left my notebook at home which had my homework in it. Things just weren't looking good for me.

I went to see Mr Nooj at lunch to explain I had detention and due to that I couldn't come to the rehearsals. He was surprised to say the least that I had detention and for such a small thing like not submitting homework.

He had taken me to the seats outside the faculty room and sat me down to talk.

"I have noticed you're not your lively self anymore Rinoa, is everything alright at home?" He has asked concerned, pushing up his spectacles.

Why was it that every time you showed some molecule of misery teachers always think there is something going on at home?

"Yes Sir, everything at home is fine." I answered smiling.

"Anything happening at school? With friends?" He continued to inquire. I didn't mind since it was Mr Nooj and he was a pretty safe teacher.

"No Sir, it's nothing. I guess I'm just making transitions in my life and… I don't know." I ended up failing to explain.

"If any time you need to talk, you know you can come to me or any of the teachers, it would be strictly confidential." He promised.

I smiled at him for his concern and efforts, not a lot of people made time to hear about my problems. Yet ironically, here I was not wanting to discuss it.

"I'm fine Sir, but if I do have any problems I'll come to you." I said giving him some closure.

"Be at rehearsals, don't worry about Professor Maechen, I'll speak to him." He had said to me before I left. And true to his word I had got a message during last period saying I didn't have detention and had to submit my homework late. I knew Mr Nooj was a good guy.

Rehearsals however, was cut short. Selphie had come in half way and complained about how little time the school had given her to get the decorations done. So she showed up with a bunch of students all lending a hand.

I decided that I might as well get Renzokuken off my mind and help out too. So I grabbed a brush and asked Selphie what she wanted me to paint.

"Yay Rinny!" She squealed. "You can do the sky, just grab the blue paint pot over there and go straight for it."

I turned around to look for the paint pots and found them to one corner. A couple of people had already started drawing details into the backdrop like bricks, tree branches and the sun and clouds.

Cloud, Zack and Leonhart were setting up a scaffold so I could climb up and paint the sky.

I stood behind them waiting for them to put the pieces together and couldn't help listen into their conversation.

"So, is your Dad coming to watch you perform, Squall?" Cloud asked the brunette.

"Yeah he bought tickets back when he was in Esthar. He would have invited the whole Presidential Palace if it wasn't for Ellone stepping in to remind him it's a high school play and not my wedding." Squall muttered seemingly annoyed.

"Ah, you should appreciate that he actually has an interest in your extra curricular activities, all Cid ever seems to be interested in is Shera." Cloud complained.

"Your dad's alright, at least he doesn't act like a 10 year old. I still can't believe mine is the President of the world's most powerful country."

"At least your father is making an effort to come." I accidently let slip. The three boys turned to look at me suddenly noticing that I was behind them.

"Rinoa, General Caraway not coming then?" Cloud asked sympathetically smiling.

"Said he has a meeting in Dollet and won't make it back on time." I replied fiddling with the paint brush in my hand.

"I'm sure he'd come if he had the time, running a country isn't easy, eh Squall?" Cloud asked the brunette who I realised was just staring at me as if he was seeing me for the first time.

"Sure." He replied though it sounded almost forced.

"Well, it's all done." Zack said dusting his hands against his uniform pants.

I stepped up to the scaffolding and started climbing it. Once I reached the top I bent forward and met Leonhart halfway to take the paint pot and brush off him.

I got started on the sky immediately; it was a good way to distract me from my problems. I blocked out all the voices around me and just concentrated on even strokes making the sky as blue as I could not forgetting to go around the cloud shapes Selphie had drawn.

When I got home after school I checked to see if my parents were home. My dad still wasn't back from work but my step-mum and Seifer were sitting down in the study talking.

I walked in and said my hello checking the stack of mail that had come through the morning hoping to find something important addressed to me.

"Tu hud kad ouincamv ehdu dnuipma." Meica was saying with a serious face. (Do not get yourself into trouble.)

Seifer just glanced at me before replying, "E ys hud eh dnuipma." (I am not in trouble.)

"Oui fyhd du pa vneahtc fedr drec puo ykyeh zicd nasaspan dra dnuipma oui kyja res." She continued as if ignoring what Seifer was saying, I just smiled modestly and started making my way towards the door to the living room. (You want to be friends with this boy again, just remember the trouble you gave him.)

"E ghuf dryd yht E ys kuehk du ybumukeca." Seifer said back to her. (I know that and I am going to apologise.)

"Oui bid sa eh y tevvelimd cediydeuh fedr res, E tethd fyhd du mea du res, pid ruf fyc E cibbuca du aqbmyeh ruf oui kud aqbammat?" I heard her finish as I left them to it. (You put me in a difficult situation with him, I didn't want to lie to him, but how was I suppose to explain how you got expelled?)

I walked up the stairs and walked into my room putting my bag down on the floor and slamming the back of my body down on my bed. I lay there for a couple of minutes sprawled out on my bedcovers with my arms and legs dangling off the edges.

I looked up at my ceiling; I still had the glow-in-dark stars stuck on from when I was four years old.

I heard my door creak open and Angelo padding into my room jumping onto my bed and sniffing my face making whining noises.

"What's wrong boy?" I asked him sitting up and petting him. "You get your heart broken too?"

He sat down in front of me with his paws under his chin. I stroked his head and he closed his eyes. He was sleepy and probably would doze off in a couple of minutes.

Once Angelo was asleep I walked over to my dresser picking my bag up and placing it on top of the dresser. I opened my bag and took out the costume I was supposed to be wearing the night of the play. Dress rehearsals were now a must and I needed to try my dress on to make sure it fit properly and I could move around in it.

I closed my bedroom door and started taking off my school uniform, quickly popping into the pink chiffon dress. It was really pretty; entirely pink it had a silk bodice with crumpled fabric in the shape of roses. Chiffon material was attached to the lower breast line which hung down in a trail covering the bottom silk layer. Whoever made this sure did have some talent.

I looked at myself in the mirror and pushed my open hair back trying to get a full view of myself. I think I looked pretty decent.

An idea popped into my head then and I bit my thumb nail thinking about it. It could work, but was I prepared to go through it and then get heartbroken if it didn't happen the way I wanted it to?

I had to take chance. I walked over to my desk and turned my laptop on waiting for it to load before logging in. I then pulled up a web browser and started writing an email to Renzokuken. I knew he was ignoring my calls and texts, so I was pretty sure he was also ignoring my emails. I had too much to ask from him so thought I'd send an email anyway.

Hey.

I know you told me you can't meet me and I know I can't begin to imagine the problems you're going through but believe me I wish I could help you. I wish I could make you feel comfortable to talk to me about your problems, be it school or family, because you've helped me overcome mine in the time I've gotten to know you.

Anyways, I'm mainly writing this email as a last attempt, a plea. I promise I'll leave you alone after this.

My school is holding a play on Tuesday during half term break; I co-wrote it with that Jerk I was telling you about. Oh this is beside the point, but he's actually not that bad now that I've gotten to know him a bit more. Anyways, I'm playing the lead female and I'd really like for you to come. My friend is working on the door so I'll get her to RSVP you in, that way you won't need a ticket. All you have to do is turn up and tell her you're Renzokuken and she'll let you in.

I'll keep a look out for you, I know you need time to think about it, so don't feel you have to reply straight away.

So I know that you are really Renzokuken, I'll tell you a secret password.

When I was young I used to visit my cousins in Timber, we played a game called Resistance. We were resistance fighters against the Galbadian Army, ironic I know.

Anyways we had this password, it goes like this: "The forests of Timber sure have changed" and then the reply is "But the Owls are still around." Silly I know, but we called ourselves the Forest Owls. Anyways when I say the first part, you say the reply, that way we'll know for sure who we are.

I really hope you can give me a chance.

Angel_Wings

P.S. I really miss you, xxx.

Squall's POV

Once I had gotten home we sat down to a late dinner. My Dad asked me about the progression with the play and how excited he was that I'd be playing the lead.

"Please." He had begged. "You wouldn't let anyone else come, so at least let me record it for them."

"Why?" I asked not understanding the hype about some stupid school play. "It's not like the governors are going to be concerned about me playing a lead in a silly school play." I argued.

"Of course they will! Kiros and Ward were really upset that they won't be here." He tried to defend his argument.

"No." I said sternly.

"Squall, come on, it will be something for the future, to look back and laugh over." Ellone tried to side with Laguna.

I sighed; people were so engrossed into futile obsessions. "It's a school play! Not my wedding!" I said for the thousandth time that week.

I love my sister, and my father I guess, but boy was I missing having the house to myself.

"Well knowing what you're like, you probably won't get married so this is the best we've got." Laguna retorted. "You know what, I'm not asking. I'm bringing a digital camera and recording it, everyone in Esthar should see my son, the future President of Esthar, playing the lead in his school play."

And with that he went off upstairs looking for the digital camera. I just sighed and went up to my room.

I turned on my computer to get some work out of the way for the weekend. I assumed Heartilly might want to rehearse over the weekend, seeing as the play was in the next two weeks, so I thought the more homework I get done within the week the better.

I noticed I had a message in my inbox so went to check it. It was a message sent only a short while ago from Heartilly, well Angel_Wings.

After I read it I took some time to think to myself, she really wanted to meet me as Renzokuken, she wasn't giving up. The right thing would be to finally tell her who I was and meet her, just to give her some closure.

But reading that line in the second paragraph gave me some hope. '...he's actually not that bad now that I've gotten to know him a bit more'. That gave me hope. I just had to have a bit more patience and perseverance and she'd soon end up liking Squall just as much as she liked Renzokuken.

I couldn't tell her about my alias now, not when she was finally getting along with me. It'd ruin everything; if I told her who I really was she'd want nothing to do with me or my alias.

But having said that, the last line was also getting to me. Of course I missed her too; she was kind of like my best friend, even though we didn't know each other properly. But I missed the way we'd spend summer nights talking away online until her dad would yell at her to go to bed. I missed the way she'd be the first person to review my every update. I missed how she'd continually give me support and encouragement throughout the time I was writing The Lionheart Chronicles. I missed coming home and finding emails from her complaining about school. I missed seeing her name on my online list as if she was waiting for me with open arms.

Now that I finally had an image to go with her name all I thought about was Heartilly. Every time I read an email from Angel_Wings I imagine Heartilly sitting on her oak desk tapping away on her laptop. Every time I read an old review I imagined Heartilly sitting against the window ledge on a hot summer's day, donned in a light blue tank top and black shorts, excitedly reading my updates.

It took all my effort to not walk up to her at school and seize her in my arms and give her a bear hug. Rehearsals was the only time I got to touch her, entwine her fingers with mine, hold her body against my chest, rub my nose against hers when we'd pretend to kiss. But it was all pretend, acting, it meant nothing to her. How I wanted it to stop being my fantasy and start being a reality.

I couldn't help thinking back to the day when we first met and wondering how things would have worked out had we met without the knowledge of Seifer. If I hadn't thought she was Seifer's girlfriend and had replied to her greeting, would we have figured it out? I guess I would have asked about her dog and then gone on to discuss Beginning Reality. I think maybe with time and seeing that we sat next to each other during Tutorial maybe we would have figured it out. But then what? Would we have fallen for each other?

I couldn't, no. I couldn't tell her who I was, not yet and not this far.

She had to like me for Squall, Renzokuken was just no more.

So there wasn't much Squinoa interaction here, but I promise there will be in the next chapter :)

I made this chapter a bit solemn for Rinoa, I hope you feel her pain... I feel sorry for her, she's so clueless right now. Love her! Oh and I just got the Rinoa and Squall rings - YAY!

And with that, erm... I'm off to Esthar for 2 weeks! Woohoo... Ok, I'm not going to Esthar, I'm going to Egypt! YAY! So any mistakes you find in this chapter please let me know seeing as I didn't have time to proof-read it a second time :)

Read and Review and I'll update as soon as I return!