NOTICE: Final Fantasy VIII and all related characters, locations, and odd-sounding words are copyright © 1998 by Square. Absolutely no revenue is made from the use of the aforementioned or from this story in general. This is a fictional, unofficial story, and the ideas expressed within may or may not reflect those of Square or anyone else. Duplication of this work without the knowledge or consent of the author will seriously annoy him, and the use of this story for profit-making purposes will cause Square to sue you. This text applies whether you read it or not. All your base are belong to us.

NOMAD presents

a RUG CENTRAL production

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

a Final Fantasy VIII fan fiction

Is it...over?

Those three words ran through Squall Leonhart's mind nearly all night. As confused as he still was about the events following his apocalyptic battle across time to defeat the Sorceress Ultimecia — as well as the battle itself — he knew that this was the first rest he had managed to get.

And yet he could not sleep. Too many thoughts were rushing through his mind, too many things that wouldn't allow themselves to be banished. Too much unfinished business.

What do we do now? he wondered. Is Headmaster Cid going to stay at Garden? Or will he make me stay in charge permanently? He shook his head, a motion that caused the gunblade wound across his forehead to begin throbbing. A reminder of how little time had really passed since that ill-fated training session, the last event that truly had nothing to do with the chaos that came after. No, the Headmaster only put me in charge to fight the Sorceress, he decided, absently pressing a hand to his forehead. He wouldn't leave me in charge, would he?

Before he could resolve this question, he was assaulted by another. What'll happen to Garden? If Garden was created to fight the Sorceress, and now we've defeated her, then what is the point of keeping Garden?

He recalled an image of white-clothed SeeDs lying on the cliff outside the ominous hovering form of Ultimecia's castle. So SeeD has to survive until Ultimecia's reign.

I hope the Headmaster doesn't leave me in charge. I have no idea how to go about running a Garden. Now we'll probably have to hire a new faculty and Garden Master, too. I don't know anything about any of that. I'd be completely lost.

So would that mean my job is done? SeeD's next battle won't come for generations, and there's no way the Headmaster would leave me in charge now, right? So I go back to being a regular SeeD. After all that's happened. Can I do that? Guess I'll have to.

Rinoa. What about her? She wants to go back to Timber and the Forest Owls. I'm a SeeD; I have to stay at Garden. Do I just visit her on vacation? No, I don't think either of us would be happy with that. I suppose I could quit. Leave SeeD and join the Forest Owls.

Change my entire life? Garden is my home. These people are my...friends. I can't just walk away from it all.

He shook his head, trying to clear all these thoughts away. No, it's not over. I just don't know what to do next. I can't believe this, after all I've been through, now I get stuck. This is crazy.

So what am I going to do...?

- - = = = = - -

"Hey! Squall! Wake up!"

With a groan, Squall rolled over in his bed, opening his eyes just enough to realize that it was broad daylight outside. How long had he been asleep?

"What is it, Zell?" he called, struggling to focus his eyes.

"What else? We've got a mission! Come on!"

Squall forced himself to his feet. Already? "What's the mission?" he asked.

In response, Zell tossed a sheet of paper in Squall's direction. With some effort, he caught it and, blinking furiously to remove the last blurring from his eyes, struggled to make out the words on the page.

To the Forest Owls, he read. This SeeD deployment contract will last until Timber achieves independence. Please make good use....

"What the...?" He stood and looked at Zell. "You mean —"

"Yep." Zell snatched back the contract. "'Until Timber achieves independence.' Timber's not independent, so we —" he placed his arm around Squall's shoulders to emphasize. "Are still under contract."

"...." Squall shrugged off Zell's arm. Rinoa! It seemed he would have some more time with her after all. "When do we leave?"

"We're gonna arrive about noon," Zell said. Glancing out his window, Squall saw that the Garden was leaving the ocean for the shores of what he guessed to be Galbadia.

"Come on," Zell urged, physically pulling Squall out the door. "The Headmaster wanted to see us all five minutes ago."