Dedication: Cari, for playing this song for me when I needed it. A part of my heart will cherish you always, Gar.

Chapter 6: Of the Leonharted

Squall's fingers curled about the rock-face for the last time, this same surface he had tried to assail so many times, had ultimately had to retreat, this time was different, the parachute was awaiting him at the top, if he fell now, it was over, no lifeline.

No lifeline.

He continued the steady climb, he'd passed the point where to fall, he could still survive, a mistake now, and this shadowing of time would be over, he could fade into memory, be forgotten, it didn't mattered. He'd know that for five years now, five torturous years, in which he'd attempted to die.

He didn't want to die, but waiting for years, to have it all knocked away in an instant would be despairing existence, better to end it sooner, rather than later. He just, wasn't prepared to strike the killing blow on himself, was Squall Leonhart, the saviour of the world, and the bane of Sorceress, was he a coward? That he wouldn't perform that which he wished to?

He shrugged slightly, putting the thoughts from his mind, his full attention went back to the mountain, he didn't want to die, defeated by a mountain. There was always a reason why he didn't want to die.

***

"Do we have to listen to Cowboy songs all the time?" Zell wined as the endless wilderness expanded outwards in all the directions. Irvine couldn't understand why he was complaining, the tracks on this Cd were the best, Selphie had had the Cd burnt for him as birthday present last year.

"I'm the one has to stare at a blip on a screen, so yes, we do." Could there be a more boring job? Even driving involved minimal reaction, "And if you're still interested, the bird seems to have nested."

"What? Here?" Irvine nodded, to that, then took a glance out the window, watching the endless dirt, what could possibly be out there to interest a SeeD commander?

"Seifer said he didn't care about dying… that crazy attack on the Galiban camp seems to suggest that arrogant fool was right." Ironically, Seifer had been the last of them from the Orphanage to see Squall, perhaps Hyne enjoyed joking?

"The hell does Seifer know?" Zell snapped angrily, "He'd tell us Squall was taking HX, if he thought we'd believe him."

Irvine shrugged, arguing with Zell about Seifer, was a better way of taking a fall, than riding a wild thoroughbred. "Well he's stopped, and we've been gaining on him steadily." Zell shifted to top gear, increasing their speed, as best this jeep could go.

***

Irvine leant against the jeep's hood and looked about, "So…" he said after a pause, "Where is the rider? Would he stable the stallion and walk in all this?"

Zell carefully didn't comment on that one, evidently letting Irvine listen to country too long had… side affects. Zell would bet money that he could, and often did the drawling accent too. Then he looked up, the bike told him nothing, the almost sheer rockface however did.

In shock he just pointed at Squall, lips mouthing the words he meant to say, was Squall out of his mind? So soon after being injured in a fight? Without any safety procedures at all? Irvine looked up as well; he stepped forwards away from the jeep, and moved to stand next to Zell.

Neither of them spoke, both feared there words would distract the climber and cause him to slip and fall. The silence was wonderful, yet at the same time it caused one to consider only the impending doom that could befall their friend.

They watched in nervous tension as Squall continued to ascend. He seemed to pause more often as neared the top. There wasn't any other way to go though. Down was out of the question. Zell chewed lightly on his lower lip to keep his quiet.

"Yeah!" Zell hollowed as Squall pulled himself over the edge, to flat, solid ground above, it was only then that he looked down to his hand, to see the half moon rivulets of blood, his short nails had gauged into them, he hadn't even felt the pain till now.

Then Squall leapt from the top, free falling, a while before finally pulling the chute, on the parachute he must have donned, he fluttered to a landing, stormy eyes flicking over them both. He unclipped the parachute, and left it to blow away on the slight wind.

"You shouldn't have followed me," he muttered.

Zell walked forwards hand going out to the side, "Hey," was all he managed to say, as Irvine strode forwards and grabbed the front of Squall's black jacket. Eyes narrowed dangerously, Irvine had a good two inches other Squall. Any one else would be intimidated, Squall just stared back, coldly.

"You stupid prick!" Irvine shouted at him, "Insensitive Bastard!" his fists clenched about the jacket, Zell stepped forward ready to stop any blow from landing on Squall, but Irvine didn't hit the Commander, maybe he had more sense, more likely he didn't want to strike his friend.

"Now listen to me," Irvine hissed, "You might not give a shit about life, but there are people who do give a damn about you. And you go and do crazy stunts like that!" Irvine, paused, and then roughly hauled Squall towards the jeep, Squall made no move to protest, unusual, possibly still in shock?

Zell just stood watching them, interfering really wouldn't help, though if they ended up trashing the car. Irvine pushed Squall into the driving seat, and walked around to enter his side. Squall just sat there arms folded, not caring.

"Alright, you don't seem to be getting my messadge," Irvine said, trying to remain calm, though his eyes showed his true emotions. He slipped a different CD on, then sat back in silence, as the music started…

Risin' up, back on the street
Did my time, took my chances
Went the distance now I'm back on my feet
Just a man and his will to survive

So many times it happens too fast
You trade your passion for glory
Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must fight just to keep them alive

It's the eye of the tiger
It's the thrill of the fight
Rising up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor
Stalks his prey in the night
And he's watching us all
With the eye of the tiger

Face to face, out in the heat
Hangin' tough, stayin' hungry
They stack the odds still we take to the street
For the kill, with the skill to survive

It's the eye of the tiger
It's the thrill of the fight
Rising up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor
Stalks his prey in the night
And he's watching us all
With the eye of the tiger

Risin' up, straight to the top
Had the guts, got the glory
Went the distance, now I'm not gonna stop
Just a man and his will to survive

It's the eye of the tiger
It's the thrill of the fight
Rising up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor
Stalks his prey in the night
And he's watching us all
With the eye of the tiger

The eye of the tiger
The eye of the tiger
The eye of the tiger
The eye of the tiger

Squall and Irvine both sat in silence within the jeep, Zell could see Irvine was still seething, and as ever Squall's face was impassive, it took a better judge than he, to read the emotions of Squall. Eventually Squall got out the car, his eyes flicked over them both. Something passed between the two of them, as Zell watched uncomprehendingly then…

"We've got a debriefing to get to…" that was it, that was all Squall said, then he was walking towards his bike. Zell blinked and ran towards the jeep, not wanting to waste any more time. He jumped in to the jeep and started the engine, at the same moment the roar of the bike was heard.

Zell didn't understand what had passed between his two friends. He guessed he didn't need to; he certainly wasn't going to risk undoing it. Had one song totally changed Squall? Not likely, but perhaps made him realise something? A Small thing like a song… no way.

Yet Zell couldn't deny that riding alongside the jeep, keeping equal pace, Squall Leonhart riding expertly atop a well maintained motor bike. Zell shook his head, clearing it, and stifling a laugh, before his eyes went back to the road ahead.

= = = = =

Author's note: Eye of the Tiger by Survivor, I don't own it; I don't know who to give credit to for it. Thanks to TH. for getting me a copy of the words for my too lazy self.

Author's note: I don't do many dedicated things, and I don't often ask for reviews, but please, review this chapter, since I wrote it for someone, rather than the fun of writing. Thank you.