Disclaimer: I don't own FF8, or any of the characters…although I REALLY wish I owned Squall **Drools**
However, I DO own this storyline, and all these chapters I
wrote, AND the computer I wrote it on. ^.^'
Authors Note: Yet again, I'm sorry for this extremely late
completion. I've sort of had trouble getting this plot on the move, but I will
complete it! Damnit I will!
Now in this story, most of the places the guys are going
to are all fictional. That's because I don't wanna get all mixed up with the
whole 'this place is here, and not here' thing, and all the distances, and the
environment. It's a lot easier for me. As I'm sure it would be easier for you
too. (I hope)
Reviews are good—constructive criticism accepted too.
Please comment on it anyway. ^^ I like comments.
~*Lixia
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Squall awoke the next morning, unsure of where he was. He
half expected himself to be by Rinoa's side, the way they often did –by the
sandy beaches together in each other's arms—but he was wrong. He sat up and
looked around.
'Oh yes…Daragof…the metal.' He thought. They had a mission
they had to complete. He didn't remember how he got to the hotel room until he
looked outside the window.
They had finished their late dinner, in order to get
something into their stomaches. Then they departed the restaurant for a hotel
to stay for the night. Selphie had fallen asleep on Irvine's lap in the car
while Squall took his turn to drive.
They arrived at this very hotel, took separate rooms for
each person, paid the Gil and had a restful night. Surprisingly even for
Squall, he had a good sleep. He felt energized and ready to retrieve the metal
and get to Balamb on time so he could apologize to the love of his life.
"Morning Squall, slept well?" Quistis asked, noticing
Squall approach the breakfast table. Squall nodded.
Quistis smiled, "That's good. Are you hungry? You better
eat something…before Zell gets there first."
"Yeah," Squall answered, grabbing a plate of pancakes.
"Morning everybody!" Selphie announced, walking into the
café-room of the hotel. "I hope everybody had a good night, cuz I know I did!
This hotel is just amazing! And to think…Daragof is such a small village!
Irvine and I are going to check out the village a bit after breakfast."
Squall shrugged, "Fine, Quistis, Zell and I will go talk
to the leader of the village, and retrieve the metal. By 4 o'clock this
afternoon, everyone should meet back here. Ok?"
Quistis and Selphie nodded.
A moment later, Zell and Irvine walked in. "Hey, what's
everybody doing up so early?" Zell asked, rubbing his eyes.
"Getting the food before you take it all," Quistis said,
laughing. Zell glared at Quistis, but picked up a banana and stuffed in his
mouth. "Whatever, Quisty…" he said, mouth full.
Everybody laughed.
Well, everybody except Squall.
Instead, he stood up and walked away from them, walking to
the nearest balcony. He knew he'd worry his friends, but he still wasn't the
open laugh-out-loud type of guy. And anyway, he had a lot on his mind. He
didn't really feel like laughing, or smiling if he had a chance.
He gazed out at the morning sky, the dark blues and
purples still covering the higher atmosphere, while the sun slowly made its way
through the shallow darkness. A cool breeze of fresh air wafted by, drifting
through Squall's hair. He breathed it in, and closed his eyes. He felt a pang
of guilt as he breathed. Rinoa was out there, probably hating him, and he
couldn't even tell her how he felt. He couldn't even admit his love for her,
and tell her that he would always be there.
It was what he meant, but he couldn't even bring himself
to say it. And now it seemed too late. Rinoa was out there…and she didn't know
how much she meant to him. She would probably hate him for treating her so
badly.
He walked over to the lawn-chair near the balcony rail and
sat in it.
"Rinoa…" he whispered.
***
Zone, Watts and Rinoa took a train to the location where
Rinoa's mother was supposed to be. Coincidentally, it was in a district nearby
Daragof.
Rinoa looked out the window in amazement. The district
looked like it had been beaten down, and demolished years ago.
The buildings that still existed were in horrible shape,
and there was no sign of population anywhere. Only one small pub was left
standing in the middle of the humble mess, and the neon-light sign remained
blinking.
"Princess…are you sure this is the place?" Zone asked,
looking out the window next to Rinoa.
Rinoa shrugged, "That's what the letter said…" she
murmured. "Do you think my mother really lives here?"
Watts shrugged, "I guess…"
Suddenly the train came to a complete stop and the P.A. system came on,
announcing for all passengers to leave the caboose carts immediately. Rinoa and
her companions left the caboose in a hurry, although Rinoa was starting to
doubt her mother was even here.
Watts and Zone carefully lead their princess towards the
Pub. Zone opened the door, and waited until Rinoa passed through before he went
in himself.
"Princess…" he murmured cautiously. There was an
overweight lady at the bar counter, rinsing glasses. A big burly man with a
fuzzy beard stood in front of the counter, admiring the very few bottles of
alcohol.
Rinoa looked around the pub noticing there was no sign of
any customers.
"Ahh…what can I do ya for?" the lady asked, batting her
thick eyelashes at Zone. Zone fell to the ground, and shaking, he started
groaning about his stomach.
"Uhh…I was wondering…if you know any middle aged lady
that…lives here." Rinoa said, a bit nervously.
The burly man glared at Rinoa, with a look that meant he
would challenge her if she gave them any hassle.
The lady shrugged her fat shoulders. "I don't know what
yer talking about hun, but I can offer you a glass of some hard whisky."
Rinoa shook her head, "No thanks. Umm…but thank you for
your help." She motioned for Watts and
Zone to follow. Watts helped his partner Zone up and the three of them
left—rather quickly.
"That woman was scary," Watts muttered, looking around the
ruins nervously.
"Princess, this isn't right. I think we should leave
here…immediately." Zone added, clutching his weak stomach. Rinoa nodded
regretfully, watching each building for any sign of life. "I guess you're
right." She said sadly.
Suddenly there was a slamming of a door, and the burly man
rushed out, a metal club in his hand.
"He doesn't look too happy," Watts whispered to Rinoa.
"No not at all," Rinoa agreed. She waited until the burly
man was close enough so he would hear what she had to say.
"Excuse me sir, is there a problem?" she called.
The man seemed to ignore her. "You kids shouldn't even be
here. What the hell do you think yer doin trespassin' on our pub? If you don't
want no drink, then get yer asses outta my town!"
"We were just looking for someo—"
"I don't want no excuses. You trespassed under my rules,
and that's that. Now get out before I use this." The man scowled, holding his
club pointed to the three of them as a threat.
So the three of them walked through the ruined buildings,
to the nearest exit. Neither of them looked back to see what the burly man was
up to.
Suddenly, a band of soldiers –that looked like Galbadian
Soldiers—jumped out at them. Rinoa, startled, fell back, searching panicky for
her weapon, which was nowhere to be found.
She was unarmed, and in danger. She looked for Watts and
Zone, who had disappeared. Frightened,
she looked at the soldiers, and managed to sternly ask, "Who are you and what
do you want?"
One of the soldiers smirked at her. "It isn't your
business..."
Then without notice, one of them hit her in the head from
behind. "Bitch."