Note: - If you haven't read Hidden Pasts yet, then I wouldn't recommend you read this story, as it will only confuse you

Note: - If you haven't read Hidden Pasts yet, then I wouldn't recommend you read this story, as it will only confuse you!

Redemption

By Katie Herdman

Prologue

The wind whipped up leaves and rubbish lying on the pavement. The stars twinkled in the eternal night sky of Deling City.

No one was outside at this late hour; it was a time for all things of evil to make their rounds, taking the foolish traveller who dared to wander their streets.

A vampire suddenly flew out of a nearby alley, its landing made it explode into dust, the ashes scattered in the wind. A shadow moved from the alley, dressed entirely in black, so to hide better. The face was last to show in the glare of the nearby street lamp, the only light source.

Ling picked up her fallen crossbow from the fight and disappeared back into the shadows of the city, a figment of the imagination for anyone who had seen her.

From an alcove across the street, someone watched her leave, knowing she was real, knowing it was soon time.

**********

Quistis Trepe walked the lonely beaches of Balamb, the walk she took was the only comfort she got now. Everyone was busy getting on with his or her own lives, new missions. Squall and Rinoa had gotten back together about eight weeks ago, but they were still timid around each other. Squall was quieter than ever, he never wanted to open up at all. Rinoa also seemed hidden inside a shell.

Quistis knew that he went the Andria's grave sometimes, he still had feelings for her that only Quistis saw, and he would never admit it.

Zell was going out with a girl; she was called Alisha or something like that. Irvine was still after Selphie, although he still hadn't told her how he felt, it was sort of an on, off relationship, nothing serious had happened. Somewhere in this life, Quistis had been left behind.

Now walking up the hill, Quistis came to Andria's memorial plaque and sat down beside it. It had been a year since she had died, and two months since Seifer, his gang and Vincent, Sia and Ling had gone. They had left during the night sometime. They had not been seen at all afterwards, it was like they had vanished, but no one could do that.

"At least it's easy for you now," she whispered to the wind, hoping Andria would hear her. Andria, who had sacrificed her life for them all.

Quistis wished she could go back and say sorry, even after it had all come out about her and Squall. If she could willingly give up her life for them, after all that had been said, then she was okay.

Quistis stood up and turned to go. It was time to get back to Garden; they would be wondering where she was.

Chapter One

"Hey Quisty, Where have you been."

Selphie ran up to Quistis. They were outside the entrance, "We were gonna go look for you. Are you still coming tonight?"

"Yes," Quistis replied wearily.

They were going to have a big graduation party for some new SeeD's. Quistis didn't want to go, she was still thinking of a way to get out of it.

"See you round eight then." Selphie ran off, probably looking for Irvine.

"Everyone's got something to do but me."

She then wondered if she should look for Squall; see if anything had happened lately. No, if he wanted her, he could find her.

Sighing, Quistis walked slowly to her dormitory; perhaps she could sleep and pretend she had forgotten about the party.

**********

Quistis did oversleep. She woke up at eight thirty to Zell hammering on the door, asking if she was ready yet. She threw on her uniform and tidied herself up as much as possible before she emerged.

"What took you so long," Zell asked, "they sent me here to find what you were doing."

Dammit Zell, she thought, why couldn't you just let me sleep.

**********

Squall didn't understand why he had to come to this party, so what if he was the commander, it was really boring. Rinoa had disappeared with Selphie somewhere and everyone apart from him and Quistis was having a good time. Quistis was at the other end of the ballroom, sulking in a corner, trying to pretend the world wasn't turning.

Squall felt depressed when he looked at the party going on, Andria had been at his graduation party, but no matter how hard he pretended, she wasn't here; she was gone, dead, flown on the wind, like Raine his mother.

Over the dancing floor Squall saw Quistis get up from her corner and walk out of the hall, she must have had enough.

**********

That's it, thought Quistis, I've had enough moping here, it's not like I'm needed. "Quistis," Rinoa called over, "where're you going?"

"I need some air," Quistis called back.

Rather than going to the balcony or to the Quad, Quistis decided to go right outside, all of a sudden the whole Garden seemed wrong to be in.

Stepping outside, the cool air hit her; it felt wonderful. She stayed there for a few minutes, feeling better.

The truth was, she was bored now, with SeeD. Since the trouble with Andria and her brother, the regular missions had been different. Everyone had been changed last year.

Seifer had commented on the same thing, just before he had left. She desperately wanted to know where he had gone, if he was up to his old tricks or if he was with Vincent. Nothing, though, he had vanished.

Quistis was getting cold now. A breeze had sprung up and the night had turned from cool to chilly. She decided that maybe it was time to call it a night. She could answer their questions about why she had left, in the morning.

Walking past the library, there seemed to be a noise coming from there. Quistis didn't have her Save The Queen with her, she was completely defenceless, and if what was in there should attack her. It wouldn't matter if it did kill her, it would only save her the trouble of something else, or if she died of boredom.

Walking up the corridor, she saw the light was on, but there was silence now. Advancing further Quistis stepped inside the library.

On the floor lay a strange thing, a demon, but it was dead, something had killed it. Before she could run and get Squall, something was clamped over her mouth, she couldn't breathe. Within moments she was unconscious.

**********

"Why did you do that?" Fujin stepped out from the shadows behind Seifer.

"I had no choice, she might have got away and informed puberty boy about us."

Fujin shook her head and knelt down next to Quistis, "What are we gonna do with her."

"I was thinking we could take her back, she has a boring life here in the Garden, it might be more interesting if she joined us."

"Why do you think she'd join us?"

Seifer smirked and picked up Quistis. "I know."

With that they left the library, the demon still lying on the floor.