Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the story.
Thanks to everyone that read & reviewed.
Chapter 3
It is your duty to join me. Your responsibilty.
"What?"
You hold the power. All the other GFs look up to you, respect you. All but one. Siren. She will oppose you to the end, Shiva. She will take your power from you when you least expect it. You must stand and take it back! Only I can help you.
"What? Who are you?"
It is your responsibility, Shiva. Do not allow that foolish young sorceress to trick you. You must trust me, and only me. Surrender yourself to me.
"No!"
Shiva felt her skin start to burn, as if fire were spreading across it. She writhed in agony and screamed.
"Remove your evil from me!"
"Shiva! Wake up!"
Shiva inhaled deeply as her eyes snapped open. Tears, an unlikely thing to fall from the eyes of the inhuman gaurdian forces, ran down her cheeks, freezing before they could reach her chin.
"Oh God... it was just a dream," she gasped.
"It's over now," Ifrit said in a comforting tone at her side. "Now, may we please leave? This coldness is killing me."
He wasn't joking. Being of the fire element, Shiva's ice filled room was dangerous to him.
She nodded to him, "Yes. Let us go. I take it that Master Rinoa has awakened?"
"Yes," Ifrit answered. "But she is not currently in need of our services. I awoke you, because I wanted you to see where she was."
"Is she danger?"
"You tell me," Ifrit replied as he gestured to the pool.
Shiva floated up to it and gazed into its depths. "Oh no. I fear she is growing attached to him. He is her enemy. I fear she will forget that."
As Shiva looked into the pool, she saw Rinoa in the garden with Squall. The two were speaking in a low tone that could not be heard with Shiva's weaker powers willing the pool to transmit the sound. The two stood very close together, though, gazing into each other's eyes. It was obviously a pleasant conversation.
"Oh my," Shiva whispered at the sight. "It seems that it is exactly as I feared."
"I don't understand it," Diablos commented as he flew over to watch. "They seem to be exact opposites. How is it that they can get along so well?"
"What one does not have, is given to them through thier relationship with the other. Making them both complete, in the end," Shiva murmured, smiling at Ifrit.
In the garden, unaware of the GFs' watchful eyes, Rinoa smiled up at Squall flirtatiously, and said, "I'm sorry Bahamut didn't find anything useful. I guess that means you'll be stuck with me a little while longer. Too bad, huh?"
"Yeah. You're such awful company. Like talking to a wall," he commented playfully. "I sure wish I wasn't stuck here with you. Anywhere would be better."
She punched him lightly in the shoulder, "Meany! You should just be greatful that I let you stay here, instead of throwing you out in the cold!"
"Greatful, huh?" he arched his eyebrow. "And if I'm not?"
"Then I will throw you out into the cold tonight!"
"You wouldn't do that to me," he said, a grin slowly creeping up on his face. "I can see it in your eyes. You like me."
"Oh. you think you're clever, throwing my own words back at me," she said. "But did you ever stop to think about this? Maybe I have lying eyes."
"Oh really? Does your mouth lie too?"
She smiled playfully and decided she'd be bold. "I don't know. You wanna find out?"
His smile faded as his own mouth went dry. "A-and how do suppose we'll do that?"
She walked up to him slowly, until she was so close that her breath was mingling with his. "Well, you know they say a kiss can tell you a lot about a person."
"Exactly who is it that says this? 'Cause I was thinking I could just try getting you to say something I know isn't true and see how convincing you are."
"Well, how 'bout this. First we try my way, and if that doesn't answer your question, we can try it your way. How does that sound?"
"I don't-" he started to say, but she didn't give him a chance to finish. Instead, she took advantage of the way his mouth was open in mid- sentence.
After a few moments of very passionate kissing, she reluctantly pulled away and asked, "Did that answer your question?"
He shook his head, "Not quite. I think we need to try some more."
She giggled, "Do you intend to go at this all day?"
"If necessary. But seriously, I was thinking I should go out and train a little. You know, fight some monsters and everything. I need to be in top condition when I battle the sorceress."
That took care of Rinoa's romantic mood. Still, she was a bit dissapointed that he would rather spend the day killing monsters and training than making out with her.
"All right. I guess I'll see you later, then?"
Squall hated to see that look of dissapointment on her face, but he was afraid that he if he stayed near her much longer with the way he was feeling, their innocent little make-out session might turn into something more serious.
"Yeah," he answered. "I'll be back by sun down."
Squall returned to his room to grab his gunblade, then was off to fight monsters in the mountains.
Rinoa watched him go reluctantly. She hoped she didn't literally drive him away by moving to fast. Then something occured to her.
If, indeed, he was falling for her, as she was for him, but knew who she really was, then it would be logical for him to try and distance himself from her, in an effort to sever his attachment to her.
She went to her room after he was gone and sat down on her bed to sulk.
"Master?" Shiva asked softly as she appeared at the foot of the bed. "What's wrong?"
Rinoa sighed, "Nothing. I'm fine."
"No you are not," Shiva said persistently.
"Well, I think he cares about me, and I care about him very much. In fact I think I love him. But..."
"You speak of Squall, I assume?"
Rinoa nodded, "Yeah."
"Master, if I may remind you-"
"Please, Shiva. I need a friend right now. Not a.... servant."
"Oh, Master... I mean... Rinoa. I never feel like your servant. None of us do. You're a friend to all of us. And in turn, we'll always be a friend to you."
"Thank you, Shiva."
"And as your friend, I would like to remind you that he is your enemy. He wants to kill you. Don't get to close."
"You don't think maybe he's change his mind?"
Shiva sighed. She hated to see that look of sadness on her master's face. But she had tell her friend what she truly believed of the situation. So, with a sad smile on her face, she said, "He is a SeeD. They can not back out of a battle. No matter what."
Somewhere off in the mountains, Squall was just finishing off his nineteenth monster when something caught his eye.
It looked like a satellite from where he was standing. It was located high up on a cliff. He had to climb a good distance to reach it.
When he reached it, he saw that it was, indeed, some kind of message transmitter. It had all the equipment required to transmit a message from that very location. And it didn't look like it was too complicated to operate. He could communicate with Garden at that very moment.
His first emotion was one of excitement. But that faded as he realized that once he left, he would never see Riona again. And after he sent the message that he needed to be picked up, it wouldn't take any longer than an hour for them to reach him, since they had Ragnarok. He wouldn't even have the chance to say good bye.
(Damn. That girl certainly has had an effect on me. But I have to go back. I have a job to do. I guess I could at least take tonight to say good bye to her, then transmit the message tomorrow. If I leave without saying good bye, she'll never forgive.)
He made a mental note of where he was, then climbed down the cliff and headed back to the castle.
By this time, darkness had already set in, and at the castle, Rinoa was anxiously waiting by the door for Squall's return.
(Damn him! He better not have gotten hurt! Maybe I should have sent Eden with him.)
Just as she was finishing her thought, he came through the door, tired but uninjured.
She jumped up, on impulse, and practically threw herself into his arms, causing the two to spin around and nearly fall.
"Nice to see you, too," he laughed.
She pulled away, slightly embaressed. "Sorry. I was afraid you were hurt or something. You're late."
He smiled down at her, "Thanks for your concern. I'm fine, though."
"I'm glad to see that. You're just in time for dinner."
As she walked with him toward the dining room, fingers tightly entiwned with his, he began to dread telling her the news. Not just because he hated to see the look on her face, but he actually found that he hated to leave her.
It was the strangest thing. He had only met the girl the day before. But it felt like he had known her much longer. She touched something deep in him. Something he thought could never be reached.
Everytime she smiled at him, it was as if part of the wall he had worked so hard to build around himself, crumbled and fell away.
After dinner, Squall said he was going to bed, but Rinoa insisted on walking him to his room.
"You know, I'm a big boy. I could've walked myself to my room," he said once they were in front of the door.
"I know that," she said, reaching a hand up to gently touch his face. "I just... Squall.... I-I know that we haven't known each other for long, but... I feel like I've known you forever. And... I know that you'll have to be leaving soon. So... I want..."
"Want what?" Squall asked quietly.
(Why is she so nervous. There must be something important she's trying to say,) he thought.
She put her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, so she could kiss him deeply.
As she was kissing him, she reached a hand behind her and turned the door knob, opening the door to his room. She backed into the room, pulling him with her.
She parted from him slowly and whispered, "I want you."
"A-are you sure about this? I mean, don't you think we're moving a bit fast?"
She looked deep into his eyes, "If you don't want to, I understand. But... this may be the only time we have together. And I... please don't freak out... but I think I'm in love with you. Yes, I'm almost certain of it now. I love you, Squall Leonhart."
Squall wasn't sure what to say. He knew what he wanted to say, but he was afraid.
"I want you to be my first. But only if you want this, too."
He nodded slowly, too shocked to say anything more.
In Rinoa's room Shiva looked sadly down at the pool and whispered, "Fade out."
It is your duty to join me. To do as I command. I shall give you a chance at power. If you do as I say.
"What are you?"
Shiva holds the power, now. You can't let that go on, can you? You must take it back. I will help you. If you surrender yourself to me.
"What does Shiva have to do with anything?"
You don't want to let her be the better guardian force, do you? Your master thinks highly of her. Wouldn't you like her to think the same of you? Only I can make you better than her.
"How?"
Just surrender your will to me, Siren. I'll take care of the rest.
"Fine. I'll trust you. But when all this is done, my master had better love me as much as she does Shiva."
"So... do you still believe in that duty before emotions thing?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
"I don't know. I was just beginning to think that maybe I had changed the duty bound Squall Leonhart."
(More than I would like to admit) he thought.
He gently touched her face, brushing the hair from her eyes. "You have changed me. But no matter how much I change, as long as I'm a SeeD, my belief will be the same. Why? Does it bother you?"
She shook her head, trying her hardest to mask her pain. "No, of course not. At the moment, I'm very happy with you."
He smiled, then leaned forward and kissed her. "Last night was amazing."
She smiled. "It was beyond amazing. But I'm a little hungry now."
"Again?"
"Squall! That's not what I meant! I'm hungry for food. Aren't you?"
He put on his best dissapointed face. "Well... I guess. But are you sure you didn't mean for me?"
"It's a tempting offer. But I'm about to starve. Of course, that doesn't mean that we can't later on. Anyway, I'm gonna go back to my room and change. I'll meet you in the dining room."
She gave him a long, deep kiss before she got out of bed, that almost convinced her stay there for a while longer. But she did get up and pick her clothes off the floor to put them on. She stopped when she noticed Squall was staring at her.
"Is something wrong?"
"No," he answered. "Just enjoying the view."
She stuck her tongue out at him and returned to her dressing.
"I'll see you in a little while," she said and headed out of the room.
Squall stretched groggily and stood from the bed, picking his boxers up from the floor and putting them on.
As he was picking up his pants, he heard a voice behind him say, "Good morning, sexy."
He turned and saw Siren stretched out on the bed as she smiled up at him. But there was something different about her now. Her face seemed darker, and her eyes were black and soulless.
"What do you want?" Squall said, his mind too preoccupied with the previous night's events to concern himself with her.
"Oh, nothing much," she said casually. "Just wondering how you night with the master went."
"How did you know about that?" Squall asked.
"Do you remember when we first met, and I said the master thought you were really hot, and you asked me how she knew what you looked like?"
He nodded slowly, "Yeah."
"Well, you see, someone with her powers can know everything that goes on in her house. She taught us how to do the same."
"What do you mean, someone with her powers?"
"Master Rinoa is very powerful, Squall. Most sorceresses are. Didn't you know that, Squall?"
"Sorceress?!" he choked out. "Master Rinoa?!"
Siren gave him an odd look, "You mean, you didn't know? Why else would there be so many GFs here, not to mention other strange creatures that keep watch over the castle? Why would someone her age have a castle hidden away in the mountains to begin with?"
Squall's jaw dropped. "Oh my God..... she's.... Sorceress Rinoa?"
"I'm sorry Squall. I didn't mean to upset you. I'll just leave you alone to think, okay?"
Siren floated over to the door and exited. Once she was out in the hall, where she was certain no one would hear her, she let loose an evil laugh fell, unconcious to the floor.
"Master!" Shiva yelled from her spot at the pool, as Rinoa rumaged through her closet for something to wear.
"Is something wrong, Shiva?" she asked.
"Come look for yourself."
In the pool, Rinoa saw Siren talking to Squall. At that moment, she was saying, "Master Rinoa is very powerful, Squall. Most sorceresses are. Didn't you know that, Squall?"
"Sorceress?! Master Rinoa?!"
"Oh no! What was she doing?! He didn't know. Everything would have been fine... now it's ruined!" Rinoa cried.
"Master, there is something I should tell you. I didn't think it was important at first. But I think now, it was more than just a crazy dream. Someone is plotting against you. She tried to get me to surrender my will to her. She sadi it was my duty. I think maybe Siren is being controlled by the same force."
"But... who?" Rinoa asked.
"I fear there is another matter to be delt with, Master" Bahamut said as he entered the room.
"What more could possibly happen?" she thought aloud.
"On my way back, I saw a type of satellite or something atop a cliff. Squall was there, looking over it. He could easily make a transmission from it.
"Oh no," Rinoa groaned. "Did he contact anyone?"
"Not that I'm aware of. But that doesn't mean he won't. Especially now."
"You have to get out of here, Master. It's too dangerous, now," Shiva said.
"But... where will I go?" Rinoa asked, uncertainty creeping into her voice.
"Bahamut can fly you someplace safe, then stay with you and make sure you're safe. The rest of us will stay here and defend the place," Shiva answered.
"Maybe I should give him a chance, Shiva," Rinoa said. "I think I trust him."
"I saw the two of you wake up this morning. And I heard your conversation. Certainly, you remember his words as well as I do."
Rinoa remembered well. How could she forget? But still, the reality was to painhul for her to face. She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head, tears spilling out as she did.
"Master, I do not want to see you in pain," Shiva said softly. "But you must here this. It does not matter what came to pass between the two of you last night. For on this morning, he is still a SeeD. By his own words. There is no time for regret, or even for hope. You must leave now."
Rinoa nodded through her tears, then hugged Shiva before climbing onto Bahamut's back. "Be careful, Shiva."
"And you as well, master."
With that, she nodded to Bahamut and the two began their journey.
"Shiva! He is approaching!" Tonberry warned as he hobbled inot the room.
"Squall?" Shiva asked.
Tonberry nodded. "Yes. He approaches quickly. And angrily, I believe."
At that moment, Squall burst into the room, somewhat angry, but more hurst than anything, and moreover, unarmed.
"Where is she?"
Shiva scowled at him, "She's gone."
"Gone? Why?"
"Because of you!" Shiva shouted furiously.
"So it is true. She is Sorceress Rinoa."
Shiva scowl grew darker, "She's in a place, now where you and the other SeeDs can't harm her. So don't bother looking for her. You'll not find her."
Pain flashed through his eyes as tears swelled in them. He shut his eyes tightly in an attempt to block out the emotion.
"I didn't come here to kill her," he began softly. "I came to ask her if it was true. And if it was, to tell her goodbye. To tell her that I meant what I said about my duties. But that I couldn't bear to be responsible for her death, so I would leave, return to Garden. And tell them I never got the chance to look for the sorceress. And maybe, just maybe.... they would never find her. But if they did, it wouldn't be through me."
His speech didn't lessen Shiva's anger toward him. "You're a liar! If she were here now, you'd kill her her with your bare hands, no doubt! And even if what you said was true, it's obvious to me that you're just trying to do what's right for you, with total disregard for her life and well being. She is NOT the evil sorceress that everyone thinks she is! There is no reason for her to be hunted like this. And there is no justification for turning your back on her when she's innocent!"
"So what happens if she does get older and tries to do something evil to the world? It'll be on my head then, won't it?!"
"So what if she doesn't?!" Shiva shot back. "It's a chance you're willing to take when you love someone.
"I never said I loved her!"
(Even though I do) he added silently.
"Exactly! Don't you see? She loves you. She told you that. She loves you and she wanted to trust you. I'm glad I didn't let her! You could've easily turned your back on SeeD to be with her, but you're too afraid to take that chance! You're too afraid of what that path might lead to!"
At those words, Squall closed his eyes tightly as images began pouring into his mind again. Images of him standing alone in the middle of nowhere after a great battle.
He had fought so hard, for her more than anyone. Yet there he was, to weak to carry on by himself, but with no one around to help him. He was dying alone.
"I have my reasons," he said after a moment. "But tell me this. You didn't know what my intentions were when I came here. You didn't know if I had decided to turn my back on SeeD or not. What good would it have done to change my mind, when you've already sent her away?"
"I said she wanted to rust you. I did, too. For her sake. But I didn't. So I sent her away to hide. I might have trusted you like she did, if you had said you loved her, too."
Squall turned away suddenly, and began walking out the door.
"Do you think we're just going to let you go?" Shiva asked
"You can't stop me."
"Oh really? You're unarmed."
"And you haven't been summoned to battle by your master. But you're still junctioned to her. So you can't do anything to stop me," he pointed out, then left.
High over a mountain range, Bahamut flew with a distraught Rinoa on his back.
Suddenly, they were hit with an ultima spell, and before they knew what was happening, they were tumbling from the sky, with only jagged mountain peaks to break their fall....
A/N: A bit sad, I know, but it'll get better. Updates might come a little more slowly, though, because I'm starting back school on Tuesday.
Thanks to everyone that read & reviewed.
Chapter 3
It is your duty to join me. Your responsibilty.
"What?"
You hold the power. All the other GFs look up to you, respect you. All but one. Siren. She will oppose you to the end, Shiva. She will take your power from you when you least expect it. You must stand and take it back! Only I can help you.
"What? Who are you?"
It is your responsibility, Shiva. Do not allow that foolish young sorceress to trick you. You must trust me, and only me. Surrender yourself to me.
"No!"
Shiva felt her skin start to burn, as if fire were spreading across it. She writhed in agony and screamed.
"Remove your evil from me!"
"Shiva! Wake up!"
Shiva inhaled deeply as her eyes snapped open. Tears, an unlikely thing to fall from the eyes of the inhuman gaurdian forces, ran down her cheeks, freezing before they could reach her chin.
"Oh God... it was just a dream," she gasped.
"It's over now," Ifrit said in a comforting tone at her side. "Now, may we please leave? This coldness is killing me."
He wasn't joking. Being of the fire element, Shiva's ice filled room was dangerous to him.
She nodded to him, "Yes. Let us go. I take it that Master Rinoa has awakened?"
"Yes," Ifrit answered. "But she is not currently in need of our services. I awoke you, because I wanted you to see where she was."
"Is she danger?"
"You tell me," Ifrit replied as he gestured to the pool.
Shiva floated up to it and gazed into its depths. "Oh no. I fear she is growing attached to him. He is her enemy. I fear she will forget that."
As Shiva looked into the pool, she saw Rinoa in the garden with Squall. The two were speaking in a low tone that could not be heard with Shiva's weaker powers willing the pool to transmit the sound. The two stood very close together, though, gazing into each other's eyes. It was obviously a pleasant conversation.
"Oh my," Shiva whispered at the sight. "It seems that it is exactly as I feared."
"I don't understand it," Diablos commented as he flew over to watch. "They seem to be exact opposites. How is it that they can get along so well?"
"What one does not have, is given to them through thier relationship with the other. Making them both complete, in the end," Shiva murmured, smiling at Ifrit.
In the garden, unaware of the GFs' watchful eyes, Rinoa smiled up at Squall flirtatiously, and said, "I'm sorry Bahamut didn't find anything useful. I guess that means you'll be stuck with me a little while longer. Too bad, huh?"
"Yeah. You're such awful company. Like talking to a wall," he commented playfully. "I sure wish I wasn't stuck here with you. Anywhere would be better."
She punched him lightly in the shoulder, "Meany! You should just be greatful that I let you stay here, instead of throwing you out in the cold!"
"Greatful, huh?" he arched his eyebrow. "And if I'm not?"
"Then I will throw you out into the cold tonight!"
"You wouldn't do that to me," he said, a grin slowly creeping up on his face. "I can see it in your eyes. You like me."
"Oh. you think you're clever, throwing my own words back at me," she said. "But did you ever stop to think about this? Maybe I have lying eyes."
"Oh really? Does your mouth lie too?"
She smiled playfully and decided she'd be bold. "I don't know. You wanna find out?"
His smile faded as his own mouth went dry. "A-and how do suppose we'll do that?"
She walked up to him slowly, until she was so close that her breath was mingling with his. "Well, you know they say a kiss can tell you a lot about a person."
"Exactly who is it that says this? 'Cause I was thinking I could just try getting you to say something I know isn't true and see how convincing you are."
"Well, how 'bout this. First we try my way, and if that doesn't answer your question, we can try it your way. How does that sound?"
"I don't-" he started to say, but she didn't give him a chance to finish. Instead, she took advantage of the way his mouth was open in mid- sentence.
After a few moments of very passionate kissing, she reluctantly pulled away and asked, "Did that answer your question?"
He shook his head, "Not quite. I think we need to try some more."
She giggled, "Do you intend to go at this all day?"
"If necessary. But seriously, I was thinking I should go out and train a little. You know, fight some monsters and everything. I need to be in top condition when I battle the sorceress."
That took care of Rinoa's romantic mood. Still, she was a bit dissapointed that he would rather spend the day killing monsters and training than making out with her.
"All right. I guess I'll see you later, then?"
Squall hated to see that look of dissapointment on her face, but he was afraid that he if he stayed near her much longer with the way he was feeling, their innocent little make-out session might turn into something more serious.
"Yeah," he answered. "I'll be back by sun down."
Squall returned to his room to grab his gunblade, then was off to fight monsters in the mountains.
Rinoa watched him go reluctantly. She hoped she didn't literally drive him away by moving to fast. Then something occured to her.
If, indeed, he was falling for her, as she was for him, but knew who she really was, then it would be logical for him to try and distance himself from her, in an effort to sever his attachment to her.
She went to her room after he was gone and sat down on her bed to sulk.
"Master?" Shiva asked softly as she appeared at the foot of the bed. "What's wrong?"
Rinoa sighed, "Nothing. I'm fine."
"No you are not," Shiva said persistently.
"Well, I think he cares about me, and I care about him very much. In fact I think I love him. But..."
"You speak of Squall, I assume?"
Rinoa nodded, "Yeah."
"Master, if I may remind you-"
"Please, Shiva. I need a friend right now. Not a.... servant."
"Oh, Master... I mean... Rinoa. I never feel like your servant. None of us do. You're a friend to all of us. And in turn, we'll always be a friend to you."
"Thank you, Shiva."
"And as your friend, I would like to remind you that he is your enemy. He wants to kill you. Don't get to close."
"You don't think maybe he's change his mind?"
Shiva sighed. She hated to see that look of sadness on her master's face. But she had tell her friend what she truly believed of the situation. So, with a sad smile on her face, she said, "He is a SeeD. They can not back out of a battle. No matter what."
Somewhere off in the mountains, Squall was just finishing off his nineteenth monster when something caught his eye.
It looked like a satellite from where he was standing. It was located high up on a cliff. He had to climb a good distance to reach it.
When he reached it, he saw that it was, indeed, some kind of message transmitter. It had all the equipment required to transmit a message from that very location. And it didn't look like it was too complicated to operate. He could communicate with Garden at that very moment.
His first emotion was one of excitement. But that faded as he realized that once he left, he would never see Riona again. And after he sent the message that he needed to be picked up, it wouldn't take any longer than an hour for them to reach him, since they had Ragnarok. He wouldn't even have the chance to say good bye.
(Damn. That girl certainly has had an effect on me. But I have to go back. I have a job to do. I guess I could at least take tonight to say good bye to her, then transmit the message tomorrow. If I leave without saying good bye, she'll never forgive.)
He made a mental note of where he was, then climbed down the cliff and headed back to the castle.
By this time, darkness had already set in, and at the castle, Rinoa was anxiously waiting by the door for Squall's return.
(Damn him! He better not have gotten hurt! Maybe I should have sent Eden with him.)
Just as she was finishing her thought, he came through the door, tired but uninjured.
She jumped up, on impulse, and practically threw herself into his arms, causing the two to spin around and nearly fall.
"Nice to see you, too," he laughed.
She pulled away, slightly embaressed. "Sorry. I was afraid you were hurt or something. You're late."
He smiled down at her, "Thanks for your concern. I'm fine, though."
"I'm glad to see that. You're just in time for dinner."
As she walked with him toward the dining room, fingers tightly entiwned with his, he began to dread telling her the news. Not just because he hated to see the look on her face, but he actually found that he hated to leave her.
It was the strangest thing. He had only met the girl the day before. But it felt like he had known her much longer. She touched something deep in him. Something he thought could never be reached.
Everytime she smiled at him, it was as if part of the wall he had worked so hard to build around himself, crumbled and fell away.
After dinner, Squall said he was going to bed, but Rinoa insisted on walking him to his room.
"You know, I'm a big boy. I could've walked myself to my room," he said once they were in front of the door.
"I know that," she said, reaching a hand up to gently touch his face. "I just... Squall.... I-I know that we haven't known each other for long, but... I feel like I've known you forever. And... I know that you'll have to be leaving soon. So... I want..."
"Want what?" Squall asked quietly.
(Why is she so nervous. There must be something important she's trying to say,) he thought.
She put her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, so she could kiss him deeply.
As she was kissing him, she reached a hand behind her and turned the door knob, opening the door to his room. She backed into the room, pulling him with her.
She parted from him slowly and whispered, "I want you."
"A-are you sure about this? I mean, don't you think we're moving a bit fast?"
She looked deep into his eyes, "If you don't want to, I understand. But... this may be the only time we have together. And I... please don't freak out... but I think I'm in love with you. Yes, I'm almost certain of it now. I love you, Squall Leonhart."
Squall wasn't sure what to say. He knew what he wanted to say, but he was afraid.
"I want you to be my first. But only if you want this, too."
He nodded slowly, too shocked to say anything more.
In Rinoa's room Shiva looked sadly down at the pool and whispered, "Fade out."
It is your duty to join me. To do as I command. I shall give you a chance at power. If you do as I say.
"What are you?"
Shiva holds the power, now. You can't let that go on, can you? You must take it back. I will help you. If you surrender yourself to me.
"What does Shiva have to do with anything?"
You don't want to let her be the better guardian force, do you? Your master thinks highly of her. Wouldn't you like her to think the same of you? Only I can make you better than her.
"How?"
Just surrender your will to me, Siren. I'll take care of the rest.
"Fine. I'll trust you. But when all this is done, my master had better love me as much as she does Shiva."
"So... do you still believe in that duty before emotions thing?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
"I don't know. I was just beginning to think that maybe I had changed the duty bound Squall Leonhart."
(More than I would like to admit) he thought.
He gently touched her face, brushing the hair from her eyes. "You have changed me. But no matter how much I change, as long as I'm a SeeD, my belief will be the same. Why? Does it bother you?"
She shook her head, trying her hardest to mask her pain. "No, of course not. At the moment, I'm very happy with you."
He smiled, then leaned forward and kissed her. "Last night was amazing."
She smiled. "It was beyond amazing. But I'm a little hungry now."
"Again?"
"Squall! That's not what I meant! I'm hungry for food. Aren't you?"
He put on his best dissapointed face. "Well... I guess. But are you sure you didn't mean for me?"
"It's a tempting offer. But I'm about to starve. Of course, that doesn't mean that we can't later on. Anyway, I'm gonna go back to my room and change. I'll meet you in the dining room."
She gave him a long, deep kiss before she got out of bed, that almost convinced her stay there for a while longer. But she did get up and pick her clothes off the floor to put them on. She stopped when she noticed Squall was staring at her.
"Is something wrong?"
"No," he answered. "Just enjoying the view."
She stuck her tongue out at him and returned to her dressing.
"I'll see you in a little while," she said and headed out of the room.
Squall stretched groggily and stood from the bed, picking his boxers up from the floor and putting them on.
As he was picking up his pants, he heard a voice behind him say, "Good morning, sexy."
He turned and saw Siren stretched out on the bed as she smiled up at him. But there was something different about her now. Her face seemed darker, and her eyes were black and soulless.
"What do you want?" Squall said, his mind too preoccupied with the previous night's events to concern himself with her.
"Oh, nothing much," she said casually. "Just wondering how you night with the master went."
"How did you know about that?" Squall asked.
"Do you remember when we first met, and I said the master thought you were really hot, and you asked me how she knew what you looked like?"
He nodded slowly, "Yeah."
"Well, you see, someone with her powers can know everything that goes on in her house. She taught us how to do the same."
"What do you mean, someone with her powers?"
"Master Rinoa is very powerful, Squall. Most sorceresses are. Didn't you know that, Squall?"
"Sorceress?!" he choked out. "Master Rinoa?!"
Siren gave him an odd look, "You mean, you didn't know? Why else would there be so many GFs here, not to mention other strange creatures that keep watch over the castle? Why would someone her age have a castle hidden away in the mountains to begin with?"
Squall's jaw dropped. "Oh my God..... she's.... Sorceress Rinoa?"
"I'm sorry Squall. I didn't mean to upset you. I'll just leave you alone to think, okay?"
Siren floated over to the door and exited. Once she was out in the hall, where she was certain no one would hear her, she let loose an evil laugh fell, unconcious to the floor.
"Master!" Shiva yelled from her spot at the pool, as Rinoa rumaged through her closet for something to wear.
"Is something wrong, Shiva?" she asked.
"Come look for yourself."
In the pool, Rinoa saw Siren talking to Squall. At that moment, she was saying, "Master Rinoa is very powerful, Squall. Most sorceresses are. Didn't you know that, Squall?"
"Sorceress?! Master Rinoa?!"
"Oh no! What was she doing?! He didn't know. Everything would have been fine... now it's ruined!" Rinoa cried.
"Master, there is something I should tell you. I didn't think it was important at first. But I think now, it was more than just a crazy dream. Someone is plotting against you. She tried to get me to surrender my will to her. She sadi it was my duty. I think maybe Siren is being controlled by the same force."
"But... who?" Rinoa asked.
"I fear there is another matter to be delt with, Master" Bahamut said as he entered the room.
"What more could possibly happen?" she thought aloud.
"On my way back, I saw a type of satellite or something atop a cliff. Squall was there, looking over it. He could easily make a transmission from it.
"Oh no," Rinoa groaned. "Did he contact anyone?"
"Not that I'm aware of. But that doesn't mean he won't. Especially now."
"You have to get out of here, Master. It's too dangerous, now," Shiva said.
"But... where will I go?" Rinoa asked, uncertainty creeping into her voice.
"Bahamut can fly you someplace safe, then stay with you and make sure you're safe. The rest of us will stay here and defend the place," Shiva answered.
"Maybe I should give him a chance, Shiva," Rinoa said. "I think I trust him."
"I saw the two of you wake up this morning. And I heard your conversation. Certainly, you remember his words as well as I do."
Rinoa remembered well. How could she forget? But still, the reality was to painhul for her to face. She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head, tears spilling out as she did.
"Master, I do not want to see you in pain," Shiva said softly. "But you must here this. It does not matter what came to pass between the two of you last night. For on this morning, he is still a SeeD. By his own words. There is no time for regret, or even for hope. You must leave now."
Rinoa nodded through her tears, then hugged Shiva before climbing onto Bahamut's back. "Be careful, Shiva."
"And you as well, master."
With that, she nodded to Bahamut and the two began their journey.
"Shiva! He is approaching!" Tonberry warned as he hobbled inot the room.
"Squall?" Shiva asked.
Tonberry nodded. "Yes. He approaches quickly. And angrily, I believe."
At that moment, Squall burst into the room, somewhat angry, but more hurst than anything, and moreover, unarmed.
"Where is she?"
Shiva scowled at him, "She's gone."
"Gone? Why?"
"Because of you!" Shiva shouted furiously.
"So it is true. She is Sorceress Rinoa."
Shiva scowl grew darker, "She's in a place, now where you and the other SeeDs can't harm her. So don't bother looking for her. You'll not find her."
Pain flashed through his eyes as tears swelled in them. He shut his eyes tightly in an attempt to block out the emotion.
"I didn't come here to kill her," he began softly. "I came to ask her if it was true. And if it was, to tell her goodbye. To tell her that I meant what I said about my duties. But that I couldn't bear to be responsible for her death, so I would leave, return to Garden. And tell them I never got the chance to look for the sorceress. And maybe, just maybe.... they would never find her. But if they did, it wouldn't be through me."
His speech didn't lessen Shiva's anger toward him. "You're a liar! If she were here now, you'd kill her her with your bare hands, no doubt! And even if what you said was true, it's obvious to me that you're just trying to do what's right for you, with total disregard for her life and well being. She is NOT the evil sorceress that everyone thinks she is! There is no reason for her to be hunted like this. And there is no justification for turning your back on her when she's innocent!"
"So what happens if she does get older and tries to do something evil to the world? It'll be on my head then, won't it?!"
"So what if she doesn't?!" Shiva shot back. "It's a chance you're willing to take when you love someone.
"I never said I loved her!"
(Even though I do) he added silently.
"Exactly! Don't you see? She loves you. She told you that. She loves you and she wanted to trust you. I'm glad I didn't let her! You could've easily turned your back on SeeD to be with her, but you're too afraid to take that chance! You're too afraid of what that path might lead to!"
At those words, Squall closed his eyes tightly as images began pouring into his mind again. Images of him standing alone in the middle of nowhere after a great battle.
He had fought so hard, for her more than anyone. Yet there he was, to weak to carry on by himself, but with no one around to help him. He was dying alone.
"I have my reasons," he said after a moment. "But tell me this. You didn't know what my intentions were when I came here. You didn't know if I had decided to turn my back on SeeD or not. What good would it have done to change my mind, when you've already sent her away?"
"I said she wanted to rust you. I did, too. For her sake. But I didn't. So I sent her away to hide. I might have trusted you like she did, if you had said you loved her, too."
Squall turned away suddenly, and began walking out the door.
"Do you think we're just going to let you go?" Shiva asked
"You can't stop me."
"Oh really? You're unarmed."
"And you haven't been summoned to battle by your master. But you're still junctioned to her. So you can't do anything to stop me," he pointed out, then left.
High over a mountain range, Bahamut flew with a distraught Rinoa on his back.
Suddenly, they were hit with an ultima spell, and before they knew what was happening, they were tumbling from the sky, with only jagged mountain peaks to break their fall....
A/N: A bit sad, I know, but it'll get better. Updates might come a little more slowly, though, because I'm starting back school on Tuesday.
