Ummm, he he he, uh, hey. Ok, so I know it has been about *starts counting on fingers* something like eight months since I last posted. Before you start throwing sharp pointy objects, I had a really good excuse. After I returned from my trip, I found out that I was moving. After about a month of packing and preparing to leave, we finally moved into my new house. That was when I found out, to my utter horror, that we had no internet access. We had to wait forever till people came and our place up. Then I couldn't find my notebook in which I keep my stories. Well, when going through some boxes last week, I found it again. That is why I'm writing again. Sorry. If you hate me now...*sniff*...I'll understand.


Disclaimer: If you sue a poor innocent girl like me, you are a very bad person. Besides, I don't own them.



You guys, Selphie sat down in the cafeteria next to Irvine and across from Zell, I'm really worried about Rinoa.


I'm worried about her too, honey. Irvine draped his arm over her shoulder and gave a squeeze.


Don't worry, Selphie. Zell swallowed a bite of a hot dog, Rinny ain't no pushover. I'm sure she's kicking some serious ass right now. Zell tried his hardest to give a reassuring smile.


That's right, darlin', Irvine chimed in, Rinoa is a strong sorceress. She can take care of herself.


You really think so, Irvy? Selphie asked with pleading eyes.


Of course, Darlin'.


Selphie leapt to her feet, Wow! That's great! Thanks for cheering me up you guys. Selphie bounced out of the cafeteria.


Zell turned to Irvine, losing his smile, Man! This is so not good. It's been four days and still no sign of her. Squall's become even more anti-social than normal.


I know what ya mean, Irvine adjusted his hat. I never see im anymore. When he's not talking to Cid, he's locked away in his room. Irvine scratched his nose, and remarked more to himself than Zell, I wonder what he's doing in there.


I know. I tried to get him to go to the training center with me yesterday; he just got pissed and bit my frickin' head off.


I just hope for all our sakes, Rinoa returns soon.

*******************


It had been at least a day since Rinoa last saw anyone. No one had entered the room; not even to bring food. She was very weak, hungry, and scarred. I guess they are trying to get me to join them by starving me,' she thought bitterly.


Just as Rinoa was thinking about why she had been left alone, the door started to open. It was Damon carrying a tray of food. Hello again, Rinoa. As soon as Rinoa reached out for it, he pulled it away, Have we changed our mind yet?


Rinoa looked at the tray longingly, she said barely above a whisper.


Too bad, Damon smirked and started to walk away.


Rinoa gathered up all of her strength and courage to leap to her feet and grab the tray from Damon. She yanked the tray out of his grasp and hit him over the head with it...big mistake.


Damon's eyes narrowed as he punched Rinoa in the stomach, sending her to the ground. Bitch! Worthless whore, he screamed as he started kicking her.


Rinoa was barely able to say; let alone defend herself.


Suddenly, Damon fell unconscious on top of Rinoa. She struggled to push him off and noticed the masked man standing over her. Rinoa also noticed how blue the man's eyes were. She hadn't noticed before, but they shined so brightly now.


Getting a sudden rush of adrenaline, Rinoa jumped back up and limped/ran to the door. The man seized her arm to stop her from leaving. Dropping to the ground, Rinoa grabbed a fork that had fallen from the tray and buried it in the side of the man's thigh. The man momentarily let go of her and screamed in pain. Rinoa took the chance and ran to the door.


When she made it into the hall, she used a quake spell to to knock down a wall. Luckily, through the wall was the outside. She stepped out onto warm sand and felt a sea breeze blow her hair from her face. Great, beach front property, just my luck.' Rinoa ran down the beach a little until she spotted stairs leading up the side of the steep cliffs that isolated the beach from the world. I can't make it up all those stairs, my legs are tired enough from running through the sand.'


Hot tears stung Rinoa's eyes. She just wanted to get back to garden where she belonged, but she was so tired. Getting angry at her own weakness, she wiped the tears from her eyes. Ah screw it, she gritted out between her clenched teeth. Limping as fast as she could, she reached the oceans edge. Closing her eyes, she let out a sigh and begged, Please Hyne, protect me. She dove into the water.


After swimming out past the surf, she turned and started swimming parallel to the shore. It was getting harder for her to swim. Rinoa's muscles ached and she was tired. She wanted so badly to close her eyes and go to sleep. From shore she had seen some drift wood floating in the water and she was desperately trying to reach it.


After a few more excruciating minutes, Rinoa clung to the biggest piece of wood she could find. Laying her head against the soggy wood, she closed her eyes and allowed herself to drift along in the water. Before falling unconscious, Rinoa muttered her knight's name.

*******************


Seifer, Fujin, and Raijin were fishing at the end of Balamb's dock...again. Hyne damn it!' Seifer thought, I fucking hate fishing.


Yo, Seifer. I caught one, ya know! The wiggling fish dangled on the hook as Raijin swung it around and accidentally hit Fujin in the head. Hey, sorry Fu, ya know. Raijin received a painful kick in the shin.


Fujin screamed as she tried to kick him again.


I can't wait till were allowed back into Garden,' Seifer thought as he turned back to the the ocean. He often saw driftwood floating by, but a particular piece caught his attention. What the hell? Seifer squinted his eyes, trying to get a better look. It looked like someone was clinging to one of the pieces out in the distance.


Seifer, man? What is that? Raijin pointed at the same sight.


PERSON. HELP? Fujin asked Seifer.


Get ready to help me out, Seifer ordered as he took off his trench coat, I'll be back in a few, with that, Seifer jumped into the water and swam towards the person in blue.


Seifer reached the person and noticed it was a girl in pajamas. He moved the girl's head into his view. Oh fuck, he replied as he saw who it was. Rinoa? Rin, talk to me. Seifer felt for a pulse and felt somewhat relieved when he felt a faint beat. Rinoa groaned lightly when Seifer encircled her waist and pulled her off the log. Don't worry, Rin. I'll get you back to land.


Seifer backstroked with one arm as he pulled Rinoa with the other. Just a few more feet, he said into her ear. He reached the end of the dock, Raijin, pull her up!


Sure thing, ya know. The muscular young man reached down and pulled the limp Rinoa up onto the dock by her arms. Seifer pulled himself up as Raijin lied Rinoa down gently.


Whoa! It's Rinoa, ya know!


Seifer pushed Raijin away from the soaked pale girl, Raijin, go get towels. Fujin, is garden parked in its original place?





Seifer nodded his approval before turning his attention back to Rinoa. Come on, Rin. Time to wakeup. Seifer noticed Rinoa's slightly battered form as he gently slapped her cheeks. Rinoa, you have to wakeup.


Raijin came running back with an abundance of towels in his arms. Seifer quickly grabbed the towels and wrapped Rinoa in them. Seifer stood up with the rather large bundle in his arms and started walking briskly away.


Yo, Seifer. Where ya goin'?


To Garden. Fujin, bring my coat, he yelled back as he left town.


COAT. GRAB, Fujin ordered as she ran after Seifer.


But Fu, he told you to get it, ya know, Raijin yelled after her. Mumbling to himself, he picked up the coat and ran after his friends.

*******************


Quistis knocked on his office door. May I come in? She waited for about a minute before speaking again, Squall, I know you're in there. Please let me in. Seconds later, Squall's door slid open.


Squall leaned against his doorframe and sighed, What do you want, Quistis?


The others and I want you to join us for lunch. They're already in the cafeteria, Quistis explained.


Maybe some other time, Squall called as the door started to swing close. Quistis stuck her foot in the door, earning a glare from Squall. What now, Quistis?!


Squall, you can't stay locked up in here forever. We all miss Rinoa, but avoiding us is not helping the situation any! Quistis yelled as she entered his room.


Squall sighed, I'm not in the mood right now.


Look Squall, I'm not leaving until you agree to have lunch with the group. So you might as well humor me!


If it will get you off my back for a few hours, I guess I have no other choice,' Squall thought bitterly as he grabbed his leather jacket.