Chapter Seven:
This chapter is dedicated to all you wonderful Final Fantasy fans out there.(Especially those who read/review my ficcies Okay,so I'm running out of people to dedicate this stuff to! Enjoy! ^_^
Quistis checked her watch for the third time and stopped pacing with a sigh.Squall leonhart-Mr.Puncuality-Was late………..
(He's been like this for days,ever since he read Zell's diary……………..)
"Sorry,I overslept." Squall came running out of the Garden gates and skidded to a halt infront of her.His clothes were slightly crumpled and he had dark circles under his grey eyes.
"I'll let you off,just this once." She replied with a smile, "Come on,Cid wants the area around Garden cleared of threats by tomorow." Squall shook his head in dismay, "Clean-up duty,and I thought Zell got the short straw." She patted his arm, "Nevermind,we could be clearing up after the food fight-think how Selphie feels!" Squall shrugged, "I guess." He gave her another wan smile and started out into the nearby forest.
(The Forest)
It was far from quiet under the blanket of verdant foliage,the haunting music of hidden animals echoed through the trees.Squall had taken point as usual and he was totally focused on the path ahead,gunblade drawn,senses on high alert.Quistis glanced back into the shadowy bushes,she could have sworn she heard something a second ago………
(Not again….Damn Ultimecia,her time compression summoned much more dangerous monsters to Balamb Garden's surrounding forests than anyone could have thought possible…..and it was left to us to pick up the pieces.)
"Squall?" She narrowed her eyes and flexed her whip as the monster appeared from the darkness…….it was like nothing she'd ever seen before,some kind of hybrid,all dripping fangs and vicious looking claws,it towered over her,a menacing growl emanating from it's throat.
"I'm asking for a pay rise!" Squall yelled and charged at the creature,sweeping his gunblade in a deadly arc,it sparked on contact with the 'Thing's' yielding flesh and Squall leapt back,joining Quistis as she threw up her arm,bringing her whip down with a harsh crack.
(Oh Fuck!…….)
The monstrosity barely flinched,Quistis let out an involuntary yelp and flung herself out of the way as it's claws ripped through the air towards her. "Oh no you don't!" Squall put a gloved hand to his forehead and Quistis recognised immediately what he was attempting,she clasped her whip in both hands and closed her eyes,invoking the power of Thundara.
In a blinding flash of pure,white light,crackling,churning up the earth,the spell took hold and engulfed the creature,reducing it's body to ashes.
Quistis opened her eyes and looked over to see Squall examining his gunblade for scratches,he met her eyes and nodded, "One down." She laughed softly, "Only god knows how many left to go!"
(Late evening- The Forest)
"Are you sure we'll be okay?" Quistis warmed her hands next to the makeshift fire Squall had set up.He unclasped his gunblade and propped it up against the log they were sitting on. "I'll cast shell and protect if it'll make you feel better." She shot him a sour look, "I'm being paranoid…….." The corners of squall's mouth curled up.
(Hyne,it's so good to see you smile)
Quistis fiddled with the hem of her dress nervously,avoiding his intense gaze……..
(Silence……bloody unbearable)
"It was true." Squall rubbed a hand over his face tiredly.
"What?" Quistis asked,her curiousity piqued once more.
"The stuff Seifer posted from Zell's diary……" She frowned,the sudden tingle of apprehension running down her spine.
(Squall………and Zell???)
"…………………"
"…………………"
(Say something DAMMIT!)
"I thought Seifer just made it up,to spite you….." She began anxiously.Squall shook his head, "No,I……I'm in love with him,Quistis and I don't have a clue what to do………" His face was highlighted in the amber glow of the firelight,his eyes glistened and Quistis stared into them worriedly. "I-I need advice…..What the hell should I do?" Squall took her hand,gripping it tightly.
(Advice? As if I'm in any position to give that…..)
"I think….." She began,choosing her words so carefully, "You should let Zell decide on his own,give him alittle while,it must've been a shock to say the least."
(You're kidding me!………..)
Squall's head lowered,his sleek,brunette hair obscuring his eyes…….
"Thankyou." He replied in a controlled whisper. "I just needed to hear it from someone else………I can't force him to like me." She put a comforting hand on his shoulder, "It'll be fine,you'll see.Now if we can just get rid of these monsters and go home!"
(Oh Squall……………Why did you have to ask me………………..?)
Squall squeezed her hand gratefully and stood up,his eyes had returned to normal,no tears to shed……… "Let's get some rest,more creature-killin' fun tomorow." He said with a sarcastic grin.Quistis watched as he lay down,pulling a SeeD issue sleeping bag over himself.
(Just make it through tomorrow…..we can all go back to Garden and then………….What?)
Quistis sighed heavily and lay in the hard ground,sihouetted in the flames,she tugged her sleeping bag around her shaking shoulders and tried to sleep………..