The Life of Erin Tribal

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A/N: Enjoy what I'll be calling a "Wrap Up" chapter, but it's still a chapter. No, I more than likely won't be answering questions still left open... yet. Again, I apologize to you Squall/Rinoa fans at the end of the last chapter

-

"Hey Nida, could we go to where Galbadia was?" Erin asked. It'd been several days since they'd returned and it already felt weird to be back in the Garden. The Ragnarok had been returned to Esthar as soon as they had come back, at least for the time being. The general mood was much lighter, which she was thankful for.

Nothing had made sense since that day... nothing. Brian had been seized by Esthar when they'd returned from the future. She hadn't told anyone what happened, and she had no clue herself. Now, a few days later, he had been released from Esthar under orders to keep a clean slate and his charges will be dropped. Cid, now back at the garden, had wanted to press charges as well, but so far she'd managed to talk him out of it.

Her mission today, just before the party for Ultimecia's defeat, was to find Brian.

Rumor's had pointed her to where Galbadia used to be, or at least in that general area. Being the only lead she had managed to find, she followed it, hoping it would pay off.

It did.

Erin'd gained the status of a mission leader, and had even been offered the position of teacher's assistant. She'd turned down the offer, but gladly welcomed the leader status. That meant she was able to do this search as openly or privately as needed, and that she'd be able to recruit whatever SeeDs she wanted.

That choice was simple.

"Will Harry Tribal, Relm Arrowny, and Serenity Star please report to the directory. I repeat, will Harry Tribal, Relm Arrowny, and Serenity Star please report to the directory." With that choice made, she made for the directory herself.

Being a 'leader' had it's perks for many people. For Cid, it meant less duties... for now. For Squall, who was being promoted the following day to either Headmaster, or something along those lines... She couldn't remember. All she remember was that Cid was retiring to spend time with Edea.

"Hey Erin, what's up?" Ser asked as he walked down the stairs.

"So, you heard Seifer's coming back to garden, right?" she asked in return, approaching her friends. "Well, apparently if he comes back as a student, his punishment for everything he did will be lightened. And well, everyone knows he wasn't alone." He friends nodded. "Brian's supposedly around Galbadia. We're going to find him."

"Isn't this abusing your position...?" Relm wondered. Well, technically, it was. She wasn't SUPPOSED to use it for personal matters.

"I filed the mission under Garden. Squall approved it. Hey, Cid wanted to punish him too. I'm sure Squall does too, when he gets promoted to whatever position. I'm sure Squall will too, unless I manage to talk him out of it like I have Cid. Anyways, he was and possibly still is considered an enemy of the Garden, right? There's my excuse," she shrugged. "Anyways, let's go. If and when we find him, I gotta talk with him anyways. You know, part of my plan to talk Squall out of a punishment for the guy."

'I have to find answers too...'

Since that day she'd saved Brian's life, they hadn't spoken. So, she was using her first chance at a mission to find him. To talk to him. To follow through with her plan.

'Too bad this power won't last...'

-

There he was, just as she'd hoped. She'd hoped he'd come back to Galbadia to see what he'd done.

There he was.

"Wait here. I can handle this," she ordered. They stayed at the opening into pass as Erin walked towards the lone boy. "Hey, Bri!" He turned around and stared at her. "Briannnnnnn!" He didn't move. "Brian Long, I need to talk to you!" He walked towards her, not saying a word. The mood was calm as they walked back to the Garden.

'That was too easy.'

-

"Erin! We only have an hour til everyone arrives!" Selphie shouted from the other side of the room. Erin replied with an, "I know!" And went back to playing out her plan. The next step? Cid and Squall.

-

"It's Erin, Squall. May I come in? I have some business I need to take care of."

There was no reply for several minutes, but finally the door slid open and Squall was standing on the other side. He looked tired, but his face showed a much happier man. His face turned immediately serious when he saw Brian behind her.

"What?"

"Could we uh... Not discuss this in the halls?"

"Sorry."

The man allowed the two kids into the office and the door shut behind them. They pulled up chairs as Squall sat behind the desk and pulled out a folder from it.

"Squall... I mean, Sir... Is that my file?"

"Yes."

"Squall, you were planning on giving him what Cid gave Seifer, weren't you?" Erin stared into Squall's eyes as she spoke. His answer was a single nod. "I have a suggestion. As of a month or two before my next birthday, I will have to leave Garden for my 'normal' home. They are always seeking new guards there, and despite certain... things... I would like bring Brian with me when I go."

"Are you sure this is what you want?"

She nodded. "There are plenty of people there who will be willing to train him, and until then, he could possibly attend garden as a student once more?"

"Very well. You said you were going to be leaving around October or November, correct? How long will you be gone."

She gulped. She had been dreading this part. "I don't know, sir."

"Would you be willing to give up your position when you leave?"

"Yes, sir."

"Would you be able to notify the garden with as much warning as possible as to when you will be leaving?"

"I can try, sir. I can't make a promise though."

"Very well," Squall sighed. "As of tomorrow when I officially become headmaster, Brian will be a student at this Garden once more. You, sir, better behave, or something may find its way to you." As Squall said this, his hand motioned to the gunblade sitting in a corner.

"I understand," Brian replied.

"Your instructor shall be Quistis and your classes begin tomorrow as well..."

"Wait, Quistis is a teacher again!?" Erin's voice had a hint of surprise in it.

-

"So you understand, right?"

"Let me get this straight," Brian said. "You're a princess?"

"Yup."

"Does anyone else no?"

"Not yet... Please, please, please don't tell them. They can't know yet," she begged him.

"So you've been lying to them all this time?"

"Kinda... not exactly. I think Harry's suspicious, but he's the only one," she looked down at the floor. The party was beginning in minutes, and here was, begging her old temporary enemy. "Squall's bound to know soon, Quistis might have heard it from Cid back when I first joined... Anyone else though shouldn't know."

"I see."

"So you'll do it?"

"I have to, do I?"

"Yea, but it'd be nice if you'd be willing to do it on your own too..."

"I will."

-

"Eriiiinnnn!" Relm shouted over the crowd. Erin looked up and saw the girl running towards her. "Cid and Edea are here! Let's goooo!" Erin wondered why Relm was so cheerful. "Oh, hi Brian."

"Hi."

Relm drug Erin off towards where Edea and Cid were. Quistis and Irvine were there as well, and Selphie seemed to be recording them.

"Evening, girls," Edea greeted them. They bowed, and Quistis noticed Selphie, urging Irvine to go over and talk with the short woman. He did just that, except stealing the camera instead of just "talking".

The night went on in the same manner... Everyone was so cheerful. They had spotted Rinoa and Squall out on the balcony, finally realizing their feelings. Erin and Brian didn't see each other for the rest of the night, but she knew they'd be seeing each other as time went on.

-

"Erin, someones here to see you," Quistis announced from the doorway. That entire day, Erin hadn't been feeling well for no apparent reason. She hoped that it was the doctor, but she was wrong...

"You are dismissed," a male voice said from the doorway and an all too familiar figure she had been dreading walked in. "It's been awhile, Princess."

"Don't call me that, Kuja," she mumbled, hugging her knees.

"My, my, my, you sure seem to have made yourself at home here. Makes it all the more fun to bring you back to Brahne that way," he laughed.

"I'll go back peacefully, on two conditions."

"Name it."

"You let me say goodbye to my friends here..."

"Fine."

"...and you let me bring one friend with me. I would like to introduce him to the knights and allow him the opportunity to join them."

"Very well. You have one hour."

-

"Ser, find a way to Alexandria, it's my last day. That's my final order."

"Yes ma'am," Ser winked and walked off.

"On that note, Squall, I will be resigning from my post as of this moment. Thanks for the fun, and tell Cid I said I'm sorry."

"Understood," Squall responded and walked off as well.

"Harry... You remember the plan. Stick to it, and hopefully I'll see you then," she told her friend, a smile on her face. 'Hopefully...' "Tell Relm what you must as well." Harry nodded and walked off as well, going back to what he was doing. "Brian... you remember everything I said? This is it. I didn't tell Kuja the details about you, just that your 'interested'. Please don't blow the cover and this will all work out."

"Yeah, I know. Kuja is...?"

"That one man that's well... Just remember, you'll prolly be my 'knight' or whatever, so don't blow it... And well, I guess keep me safe, but you'll hear that plenty enough," she laughed. "Anyways, this took a bit longer than I had hoped, so lets go. You remembered to have your stuff shipped to Alexandria within the next week, right?" He nodded. "Ok, I only had an hour so lets get going."

-

"Who's this?"

"The guy I mentioned. May we leave already? I don't dare extend my goodbyes any longer," Erin responded simply.

"My, my, my. The princess has gotten bossy lately..." Kuja laughed once more, and headed out of the Garden.

"Don't call me that," she growled, picking up her pace to keep up. Brian followed the example set and did the same, questions running through his head about the situation between Erin and Kuja.

-

"Welcome to Alexandria," she whispered to Brian, who was standing behind her.

Kuja was already halfway up the hill leading to the main gates. She pulled her jacket tighter around her body, knowing that the truth about what was underneath it was going to upset the queen. The girl didn't even try and keep up with Kuja, she didn't want to. She knew this was more than likely her last chance to speak with Brian as a free girl, so she was taking advantage of it to explain last minute details. They were within castle walls by the time she finished explaining stuff. Inside castle walls... she was no longer free.

"Come on, I'll lead you to the queen's chambers. I'm not going to bother to change to something more formal, but just keep quiet unless spoken to. I'll try and do all the talking."

Brian nodded in response, already following the orders he had been given. They silently made their way towards the queens chamber where, as expected, a group was waiting for them.

"Welcome Princess Shiva and her friend," Queen Brahne greeted them; she at least seemed in a good mood, for now. Both Beatrix and Steiner were in the room, along with the castle jesters, Zorn and Thorn. Kuja was standing off tot he side as well. "Shiva, why are you still wearing that, and not what I had made for you?"

"This is what I wish to wear mother. I'm sorry if you do not agree with it," she said plainly. Kuja was eying her, and she knew that didn't mean anything good.

"My dear queen, if I may," said Kuja, an evil smile appearing across his face, "but I do believe our dear princess here has something she wishes to tell you."

'Gah...' She knew it was coming, but she had hoped it wouldn't be so soon.

"Is this true, Shiva?"

"Yes..." she sighed, taking off the jacket she had on. She could hear Kuja laughing to himself in the corner as the Queen gave her a good, long staredown.

"Explain yourself."

"Training injury, mother. My friend here, Brian... We got a little too brutal training and this was the result. We are, however, now one friendly terms, so do not punish him. In fact, I believe he is greatly interested in joining the guards here at Alexandria."

"Is this true, boy?" Brahne questioned.

"Yes ma'am, it is," respectfully responded Brian.

"He has manners. Very well, Beatrix, see to the training of this boy. Shiva, as for you. You are to remain within the castle walls until Garnet's 16th birthday."

"Yes mother," Erin gulped, hoping this wouldn't ruin her plans.

The next few months were quiet. Brian was busy training, Erin didn't leave her room unless summoned, and Kuja was making more frequent visits to the castle. Erin spent her time counting the days til the play, along with making a more set-in-stone 'escape plan' with her sister. She hoped everyone back at Balamb, or wherever they might be, were doing ok. She hoped that Serenity would make it to Alexandria.

Then, that day finally came.

-

'This city is so big... How am I ever going to find Erin?' Serenity sighed, looking up at the gates leading into Alexandria. She hardly noticed the boy standing behind her trying to get her attention.

"Miss? Do you need a ticket for the play? I have an extra if you do...?"

She finally noticed him, and made a quick note of what he looked like. The boy was around the same height as her, and he was wearing heavy robes and a hat. 'Play? Oh, that play! Ugh, I forgot about tickets... Man I got to used to the luxury of Balamb. Well, if this is what I have to do to see Erin...'

"Yeah. Yeah, I need a ticket. Before that though, hey what's your name?" she smiled at him.

"I'm Vivi..." The boy seemed to be smiling back at her, but his hat was blocking his face.

"My name's Serenity, but everyone calls me Ser. You wanna go see the play together? I'm trying to meet up with a friend, but this is my first time here..." Why did she always have to be so nice to people? "Look, there's others going into town. Let's go find the ticket booth and get to the play, shall we?" Vivi nodded and the two took off into the streets of Alexandria. However, it wasn't long before someone stopped them...

"Hey, watch where your going!" A small rat boy ran by the, after seemingly purposely running right into Vivi. Vivi got back on his feet and a local came up to them, handing Vivi their tickets, which he had also dropped. They found the ticket booth, however...

"Fakes! These are fakes! Why I've seen so many of these today," the man behind the booth sighed. Vivi sighed too, and seemed to start crying. "Hey, don't cry little boy. Here, takes these cards. If you wanna know how to play, find a man in town called Alleyway Jack." Vivi took the cards from the man as Ser tried to decide what she was going to do now.

"Why don't we look around?" Ser suggested as the man behind the booth took the next group, that one having "real" tickets. She watched them, wondering how she was going to find Erin now...

-

It felt good to be back with the group again. Sure, he'd been scolded for not completing his assignment, but their anger didn't last long. They quickly discovered that both Princesses were to be at the castle for the play, so they were going to make their move then.

"Zidane, Harry, you both remember your assignment rights?" Baku, their leader, asked once more.

"I'm to find Er... Princess Shiva," he quickly corrected himself. Why had he started to say Erin? Was it the fact that doll he was holding was looking more and more like his old friend?

"Princess Garnet..." Zidane sighed. He seemed tired of these meetings too. Though he thought those sighs were sounding more and more lovesick sighs than 'tired of hearing the same thing over and over' sighs.

-

'It's that day. If my plan succeeds... We'll be on route to Lindblum tonight, hopefully with Harry and Ser. If it fails, well...' she sighed, looking out the window in their room. She knew what she was looking for, hoping for... praying for. 'That's them!' An airship began to appear in the distance, headed straight for the castle, but she knew it wasn't going to ram them.

"It's time," Erin said, walking away from the window.

--

A/N: Ugh! I'm back to talking explanations it seems... Oh well. I'll try and get back to the older chapters as promised, but those are going to take a lot of motivation to actually work on them. I know it needs to be done, but right now even with this little bit, I've got FF9 ideas racing through my head.

Hope ya enjoyed this chapter, and hope the different point of views wasn't confusing. I'm probably going to be playing with it more in this game, but we'll see I guess. Anyways, review please! I know this is getting old, but it does mean a lot to me and it shows me that people actually care about this story after... five and a half years (since I started writing, not since it was posted).