Disclaimer: I don't own
FF8 – as everyone would know since I would never have the creativity to come up
with something as gorgeous as that. :P But on the other hand, I do have enough creativity to make this storyline!
Authors Note: I've been having
a bit of trouble trying to write this and keep it interesting, so the next
couple chapters are most likely going to show up later than expected. .
Reviews are always
nice—and if you have suggestions, give em to me too. Just don't expect me to
pay you for it or anything. I'm completely broke. ^_^;;
~*Lixia
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It almost seemed like an eternity before Quistis managed to
find the directions to Daragof. Evening was fast approaching, and they were
expected to be in the village by mid afternoon.
They were way behind
schedule.
The others quickly packed
into the car, and with Irvine this time, driving, the group headed to Daragof.
Quistis sat in the back beside Squall and Zell, while Selphie remained in the
front beside Irvine.
"Squall, is there
something wrong?" Quistis asked gently.
Squall shrugged. "Nothing
I can't handle." He lied. Zell smirked.
"It's Rinoa, isn't it?"
Squall turned to stare at
Zell with cold eyes. It was a sign telling him to 'drop it.' Apparently Zell
didn't notice it because he went on explaining the situation between Rinoa and
him to Quistis.
"Zell, shut up." Squall
growled.
And that was exactly what
Zell did. The rest of the ride was quiet, and it was into the night when they
reached the outer boundaries of Daragof.
*
"I'm starved…" Zell said,
breaking the awkward silence.
Irvine nodded from the
front seat. "Yeah, I'm hungry too. Lets drive into a nearby restaurant and have
a snack."
Quistis and Selphie nodded
in agreement. Squall remained silent, staring out the window.
"There's a restaurant!"
Selphie said, cheerily even when she was rather exhausted. "The sooner we eat,
the sooner we can pick up the stuff and leave! I miss Balamb Garden." She said.
So Irvine parked the car,
and the group entered the restaurant, Squall following the rest of them, with
Zell in lead.
Once they were settled at
their table, Squall stared down at his menu, but not really reading the words.
He only noticed that five letters popped out at him, and those five letters
were R, I, N, O, and A.
Oh damn. He was thinking
of her again. Lately, that was all he had been thinking about. Ever since the
fight.
"Squall? Squall! Hey
Squall! What are you gonna order?" Zell asked, waving his hand across Squall's
face.
Squall shook his head and
blinked. "Huh? What?"
"YOUR FOOD. What are you
going to order?" Zell repeated. The waitress at their table smiled, and nodded.
"Oh yeah, I'll just…have a
burger or something." Squall muttered, handing his menu over to the waitress.
"Squall, seriously, you,
like, gotta stop zoning out like that all the time. People will start thinking
you're nuts or something." Irvine said, tipping his hat at the waitress who
departed with a blush on her cheeks. Selphie rolled her eyes.
Squall shrugged, "Whatever."
***
Rinoa smiled, glad she got
Watts and Zone's support.
"Interesting letter, I'll
say." Zone said, rubbing his chin. He got up and took the letter with him.
"Princess, are you sure
you want to meet this…mysterious author, and find out where you mother is
hidden?"
Rinoa nodded. "Yes, for
sure. I don't know what else to do, really. My mother's disappearance has
always bothered me. And if this person knows some answers, I'm all for finding
them."
"Yes, yes, and we will
help you, Princess." Watts nodded. "However, it's a bit late…and you should get
some sleep."
Rinoa looked out the
window, realizing it was rather dark out. "Ok, you're right. But tomorrow we're
going to find this person."
Watts and Zone nodded in
unison. Rinoa smiled, then went to find her old room before she left the Timber
Owls.
Once in bed, Rinoa sighed,
staring up at the ceiling. She had to find her mother…she just had to. She felt
empty without a mother to give her advice when she needed it, give her a mother's
love, to help and support her whenever she needed help and support…
Rinoa looked around her
and found herself staring straight into Squall's blue stone eyes.
"Squall…" she breathed.
Squall smiled, a smile
that he only smiled for her. "Rinoa, I'm sorry…we never should have fought. I
love you so much. I don't want us to fight anymore."
Rinoa nodded, "I don't
either, Squall. I love you too."
"Now I must leave…"
Rinoa stared at him in
surprise. "Why? But…where are you leaving, Squall?"
"Away, Rinoa. I'll
return for you some day…" And Squall disappeared leaving Rinoa in tears.
"Squall!!!"
A woman approached the
crying Rinoa. "Dear, he will come back, don't you worry." She bent down and
embraced the poor crying girl.
"Who...are you?" Rinoa
asked, looking up from her tear-stained face.
"I am…your mother…"
"Princess! Wake up! Wake
up!" Watts said, lightly shaking her.
"Yes! It's time to go!"
Zone added.
***