Unpredictable Endings

Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 8, Squaresoft does. But I'll write fics about
their creations anyway so don't sue, no money.

Last Chapter: Squall finally gets to see the Headmaster of Garden. He starts to
become friends with his old crew again. Rinoa and Zell reveal why
Squall could've left and Squall takes Quistis to the SeeD ball. This
chapter Rinoa will try her luck in getting her knight back. Will it
work? We'll find out in 'Unpredictable Endings.'

Chapter 4: Moonlight Knight

Walking beside Squall, I recieved a lot of unecessary attention. He was
gorgeous even I can admit that. I'm sure that by tomorrow rumors of an affair will
be spread around. He noticed me get tense so he nudged me in my side. I turned
to him seeing his bright and handsome smile. " What's wrong?," he asked. I grinned
at my taller companion. " Oh nothing. Just that by tomorrow a million rumors about
me cheating on Seifer will exist," I said. He chuckled. " Is that so bad?," he asked.
I blushed at his comment.

" Probably not. But I can't do that to Seifer, I love him," I said. He smiled
sadly. " I know. It's good to know you found true happiness Quisty. I hope I didn't
hurt your feelings too much back when I was younger," he said. We rounded the
next corner before I answered him. " You did. But I realized that you loved another
and I got over it," I replied. He frowned. " 'Loved another'," he repeated. I checked
his face searching for anything that would help me understand him like I used to do.

He turned back to me figuring out what I was trying to achieve. He smirked.
" It's not that easy anymore Instructor. Now I'm really more complicated than I appear
to be," he said. He walked ahead as I lingered behind him. 'He's right,' I thought. " Come
on Quistis!," he called. I snapped out of my thoughts to catch up to him.

We entered the ballroom as the new SeeDs danced around the floor. I smiled
remembering the day when Squall and the others became SeeD. The same day I realized
that he would never love me like I did him. " Wow. You guys really went out to fix this
place didn't you?," he asked. " Yeah. Rinoa insisted we did. She was saying something
about this room holding the most memories for her. Happy ones anyway," I said. Squall
frowned at the mention of her name. I had a feeling his leaving had something to do with
her but I just couldn't figure out how.

" Squall be honest with me. Did you leave because of Rinoa?," I asked. He smiled.
" Yes," he said. " What did she do?," I inquired. He laughed. " Don't take this the wrong way
Quistis, but I can't tell you or anyone else at this moment. If she has enough courage ask her
to tell you. She doesn't like to hold back on anything else," he quipped. My brow furrowed in
confusion at his words. 'He still speaks in riddles. What the hell does that mean?,' I thought. I
was about to probe further until the announcer called me up on stage to give the Seed speech.
As I was about to leave Squall gave me a kiss. His eyes twinkled. " Good luck," he said. Blushing,
I went up on stage.


*~*~*~*~*~*~

Leaning on one of the columns in the ballroom, I watched Quistis walk on stage preparing
to give the SeeD inaguration address. I remember Cid when he gave us ours. He was so happy to
have me as a SeeD. 'Probably because he already knew my fate,' I thought bitterly. I broke out of
my thoughts to listen to the speech. I observed my former Instructor. She really has grown up. Little
did she know, back in the days of the Sorceress Wars she was still a child. Now she is a woman. Her
hopes, passions, and aspirations got her the respect she held now. A respect I would like to get back.

She cleared her throat preparing to let her voice fill the now silent room. The SeeDs watched
intently to hear her words of wisdom. " I came up here preparing to tell you the purpose of SeeD. What
you had to do, how you had to act, and the risks of the job. But you have heard that a thousand times. A
couple of years ago, the true meaning of SeeD was oblivious to me and my companions. We found out the
true purpose was shrouded in may different things. We were mercenaries right? No. We later discovered
that we were sorceress killers. We didn't know. All SeeDs were suppose to do was follow orders and don't
question. Followings those rules you could get far if you didn't die first. Then later I came up with my
own definition of SeeD. You aren't just hired killers or sorceress hunters. You are people. SeeD is
what you make it to be. Don't just be a follower, become a leader. Question at opportune times. I am
also aware that most of you are orphans as I am. But don't think no one cares for you. You are a family.
Act like it. No life is invaluable to this organization. So, in conclusion, do your best and try to make a
difference in the world by choosing your own destiny. You'll live a more fulfilling life that way. Thank you," she
said.

The Quad errupted in applause in conclusion to her speech. I clapped as well thinking how
eloquently she put the purpose of SeeD. If I was still the Commander I could probably never do that. She
came back over to me all smiles as the band started back up. " How was I?," she asked. I gave a reassuring
smile. " Perfect. I couldn't have put it together better myself," I said. " Thanks," she said. I was about
to start another conversation until a Trepie came up and asked her to dance. " You don't mind?," she
asked. " Nah, go ahead. I'll be fine over here," I said. She nodded as she allowed the boy to drag
her away. 'She still has her fan club,' I thought.

I began to relax against the column again until they played a familiar waltz tune. My
heart began to ache as I thought about the woman in which I danced to this tune with. 'Rinoa..," I
thought.

*~*~*~*~*~*~

I entered the ballrom scaning the dancing couples searching for my love. When I didn't
see him there I scanned the walls. My heart beat faster as I saw him relaxing on a column watching
the other couples dance. His gaze was lingering and his face held a pain that only I could detect
since he was my knight. Taking a deep breath I walked over to him. This action seemed so familiar
to me.

It was a night like this during the SeeD ball that I sauntered over to a boy resting on the
wall sipping his drink watching the couples dance. The boy seemed uninterested in dancing but
when I provoked it he seemed more willing. He tells me he couldn't dance but I pulled him on the
floor any way. That night seemed like it was about to repeat itself. Maybe he would dance with me.

I went over to Squall tapping him on the shoulder. He turned around with his eyes widening
in surprise by seeing me. After the initial shock his gaze went back to normal. " Can I help you?," he
said. " Yeah. I know this is too much to ask but could we dance one last time," he said. He smirked. " I
can't dance," he said. I smiled. " Don't worry you'll catch on," I said as I pulled him on the floor. Instead
of me taking lead like I did last time he did.

His arm snaked around my waist holding me to him ever so gently. I missed having his warm
body pressed against mine. His cologne's scent invaded my senses. 'He still wears the same cologne,' I
thought. I layed mt head against his shoulder as I felt his chin rest on the top of my head. Silent tears
trailed down my face. " I missed you," I said. " Why? I thought Zell was keeping you warm," he said
with sarcasim dripping in his tone. " That was a mistake Squall," I said shifting my gaze so I could
stare into his calm blue eyes. " Was it? I don't buy that either. You know, I was going to propose
to you," he said. My breaths caught in my throat. 'He was going to marry me,' I thought. " I know.
Selphie and Irvine told me. I never meant to hurt you," I said.

The waltz came to an end and he seperated from me. " Maybe. But that was eight years
ago Rin. The past. You can't change what has already happened. See ya," he said as he walked off.
More tears came down my pale cheeks as he dissappeared from my sight. I felt a comforting hand
on my shoulder. I turned to see Selphie and Irvine. " You followed me?," I said. She nodded. " I
saw you two out there. It looked like old times out there. For a moment I almost thought he believed
it himself," Selphie said. I forced a laugh. " He even told me he was going to propose. I had to go
and mess it up. Leave it to me to ruin a good thing," I said.

Selphie and Irvine looked at me with sincerity. They knew none of thier words could
soothe my broken heart. Selphie held me as I cried into her shoulder. When my cries slowed, I
looked up at the night sky. A shooting star made a brilliant line across the sky. I smiled. 'I won't
give up on us yet Squall Leonhart. That shooting star always held good fortune for us. I doubt if
that will change now. I wonder if you see it too,' I thought.

*~*~*~*~*

Throwing my jacket onto the bed I walked over to my open window. I saw a shooting star
pass by over the Balamb ocean. I smile to myself. 'If I know Rinoa she'll take that as a sign to not
give up on us. I'm not so sure I want her to anyway,' I thought. I shut the window and climbed into
bed. Staring up at the ceiling I began to feel a silent melody lulling me to sleep. 'Maybe it'll work
out,' I thought as I closed my eyes letting sleep take me.


to be continued........

End chapter 4. A bit short right? Well, I had to keep the theme. A bit more romance and a look into the real
man that Headmaster Griffon is. Oh and sorry for taking so long to write a chapter. I was finishing my
other story, 'Bird From the Flames', in the Ronin Warrior section. Anyway, keep checking and as always
review and no flames 'kay. I'm not going to go into the long speech about the importance of reviewing but please
review. I need the opinions. Plus it's the only thing that cheers me up after school. ~LS~