Chapter 6: Strik's Letter

"Rinoa, there's a letter for you," Squall told her through the bathroom door.

"Thanks, hun," she said wrapping a towel round her.

"I'll leave it on the table for you because I have to dash. I said I'd meet Zell at the Training Centre. We're going training with his students."

"Okay," she said walking out the bathroom fully clothed, "do you wanna meet for lunch or something?"

"I can't. I'm meeting Laguna and then I'm going to see Ellone. I am sorry, " he wrapped his arms around his girlfriend.

"No, it's okay," she then kissed him.

"Well I'll see you tonight," squall winked at her and then kissed her. He then picked up his gunblade and left her.

She looked at the envelope with her name written on it. She picked it up then crashed on the sofa. She turned the TV on and opened the letter. It read,

Dear Rinoa,

I'm not sure how to start this! Okay here I go, I'm Strik heartily. I'm your brother. I don't know if you remember me, but I was sent away to Esther Military School by our father, General Caraway for something I didn't do. I have been looking for our mother, Julia, since I escaped from the military school, three years ago. I don't know if General Caraway has told you about me? I would really like it if you would write back to me, but don't tell General Caraway that I've wrote to you please? I hope the picture of Julia helps you believe I'm your brother? Your long lost brother.

Strik.

She looked at the photo he had enclosed in the letter. It was the picture she'd seen in the dreams. It was her mother. She couldn't believe it! He'd wrote to her. They'd been looking for each other. And now they'd found each other…well he'd found her.

She then got ready and hurried off to class. She didn't want to be late.

"Rinoa are you paying attention?" Instructor Tilmitt asked her.

Rinoa looked at Selphie, her instructor, "I'm sorry Instructor Tilmitt."

"Can I see you after class?" Selphie smiled at her.

Rinoa nodded her head.

Rinoa hadn't been able to focus in class all morning. She couldn't get over how Strik had contacted her. She didn't know what to do. Should she write back or not bother? She wanted to but she wasn't sure it was Strik. It had to be because he had a photo of her mother.

Class ended and Rinoa went to see Selphie.

"Oh my life," Selphie squealed. She looked at the letter from Strik.

"What do you think I should do? Should I write back?" she asked for advice.

"Are you sure it's him?"

"Yes, he sent a photo of my mother with the letter," she showed Selphie the photo.

"Yeah, but your mother was a famous singer, so there could be loads of these picture's about."

"Not this one! It's taken at my father's mansion where she use to live."

"Well write back to him then. It can't hurt anyone." Selphie suggested.

"Yeah, why not!" Rinoa said folding the letter up and putting it back in her bag.

"Well you better go get ready for your test on GF's. It's this afternoon."

"Yeah. Thanks Selphie." Rinoa walked out the classroom and to Squall and her's apartment.

Rinoa walked in to find Squall stuck intopaper work.

He yawned and stretched his arms out grabbing Rinoa by the waist as she walked past. He made her jump.

"Oophs. Sorry," he apolized for making her jump.

"Don't worry about it," she leaned down andkissed him," what papers are you doing?, "she asked him.

"Applications to join this Garden."

"Sounds like fun," Rinoa remarked sarcatically.

"Oh it is! I can't fit them all in. I'm gonna have to send some to Trabia and Esthar Gardens. Could you helpme?"

"I'm sorry I've got to do some studying I have an exam on magic tomorrow. Otherwise I would help."

She head towards their bedroom.

"Oh by the way, who was the letter from?"

"Umm…" she turned round to face him, "Zone and Watts."

"Okay," Squall returned to the applications.

Rinoa sat down at her desk in her and Squall's bedroom. She turned on the radio. She got her books to study but was distracted by Strik's letter. She had to write back. She had to know.

She closed her books and searched the drawers for some paper and a pen. She found some and started writing.