What We Let Pass By
Ch. 4
Decisions That Determine
Things where fuzzy as I tried opening my eyes nothing seemed to focus. After a few attempts I was successful and my surroundings came into clear view.
Rinoa was beside me cradling me in her arms. She looked at me uncomfortly as I quickly escaped her arms.
"Sorry," she told me looking down at her lap. I could see Rinoa's pain as she stared at me. I could hardly withhold my own pain how I wanted.stop it, I yelled inside my head I couldn't think like that. Regardless, Rinoa was still kneeling there aching for comfort. I kneeled beside her looking directly into her hazy brown eyes. Contemplating what I should say to her I carefully choose my words.
"You are alright, aren't you Rinoa?" Tears began to flow down her cheek. How those tears use to irritate me? Now I think they where the most beautiful thing that I had ever seen. Not able to stop myself any longer I held Rinoa in my arms. She clung to my chest as if she was going to fall from a cliff, but I didn't mind.
"Squall," she cried sniffling back tears.
"Yes Rinoa?" The only thing at the moment that I wanted to hear was Rinoa's words.
"I can't marry him," the words hung there with nobody wanting to grab them. I didn't know how to react the only thing I was able to do was hold her tighter. Setting my cheek against her soft black hair I was able to find the words.
"Things are always going to be complicated. I think you can't avoid that no matter where you run away to or who you run away from. What I know is Rinoa with you things where always complicated, but unlike with anyone else when I was with you I didn't care how complicated things got. Now no matter what happens I hope you remember that and." My words where stopped as Rinoa swiftly moved my head so we where face to face and she kissed me. What I would give to be right here with Rinoa for the rest of my life. I gently pulled away from Rinoa not loosing eye contact with here. In hardly a whisper I hear Rinoa say.
"I love you."
Keeping her words close to my heart I ever so gently kissed her on the forehead. "I love you too," I whispered back.
With our foreheads leaning against each other we kneeled there. Neither of us wanting the moment to end, I felt Rinoa swallowing hard before she says. "I'm not going to marry him." I looked at her; she had so much at stake. Still leaning against her I said.
"What you have to do is more important then you and me Rinoa." The words where like acid coming out of my mouth.
"I can't, I won't!" Rinoa had here eyes focused on me with such determination that no guardian force would dare get in her way. Earnestly she looks up at me "How could I?" She and I cling to each other one last time before the cell door opens.
Realization came at me full force when I suddenly remembered why we where here and what was happening at the garden right before I blacked out. Neither Rinoa nor I bothered to let go of each other. Seifer, who had just stepped into the cell, had never looked so venomous when he said.
"The two lovers together again, it almost makes me want to kill myself." Seifer quickly draws out his gunblade forcing the tip of the blade against my neck. "But instead I think I'll just kill you."
Rinoa with her arms wrapped around me yells "Don't Seifer!"
"Oh, I'm so sorry Rinoa if I your fiancée em getting in the way!" Seifer yelled back at Rinoa sarcastically. Rinoa glares at Seifer without yelling, but defiantly with authority she says to him.
"I'm not letting life play me anymore. I'm not going to marry you Seifer."
I thought Seifer would go into an outrage at Rinoa's words. Instead he says very calmly with his arrogant smile spread across his face "Once again Rinoa because with both those cases you don't have a choice." With a snap from Seifer's fingers a group of Galbadian soldiers came in the cell. "Take her away," he ordered. Obediently the soldiers grabbed Rinoa.
"No," I said trying to stand up, but the point of Seifer's gunblade kept me on my knees. I desperately looked at Rinoa. Her eyes where glowing with the same desperation that I was looking at her with. She mouthed the words "I love you," just as the soldiers actually dragged her out of the cell. With Rinoa gone I turned my attention to Seifer. Catching the sequence between Rinoa and I Seifer's arrogant smile had turned into a bitter frown. I felt his gunblade press hard into my throat.
"You won't win her." Seifer snarled.
"She's not something to be won," I snarled back. Seifer moved his gunblade from my throat and with a fierce slash pierced his blade across my chest. Pressing my hand against the wound I saw blood dribble down my hand. Seifer without so much as a glance at me turns to leave, only stopping at the doorway of the cell to say.
"Rinoa has obligations to this country that where all aware of. Who do you think the country wants at their sorceress's side a triumphant Galbadian general or a sellout SeeD?"
"What about who Rinoa wants on her side?" I asked. Seifer not answering leaves.
* * * * *
The havoc that the Galbadians's attack caused was over, but the destructions that they wreaked remained. "Damn you Squall Lionheart," I said under my breathe. The Balamb garden put up a good fight and where able to hold the Galbadians off, nevertheless, there were still disastrous results. I forced myself to walk through the garden. Seeing all the fallen Balamb SeeD's crushed my heart and I again cursed Squall's name. What did she ever do to deserve Squall's heart? I asked myself. Time and again he's put his life and his heart on the line for her and what has he received in return, nothing but heartache. I've heard it been said before, but I've failed to believe it until now. Rinoa Heartilly was a witch. Now Squall and that witch where missing. Zell, Selphie, Irvine and myself have searched the garden and found no signs of either of them. Now as I was walking around the garden I prayed that that one of these fallen bodies wasn't Squall, even though I knew in my heart that they wouldn't be. He was somewhere, somewhere with Rinoa Heartilly.
The loud speaker came on when I was speaking to a group of Trepies. It was Xu "Quistis please report to headmaster Cid's office," Xu repeated her message then clicked off. I left the flustered Trepies with some words of encouragement and then did what I was told by going to the headmaster's office.
Waiting in his office was the headmaster along with Xu, Zell, Selphie and Irvine. I didn't need to be a mind reader to tell that something was up. I looked at them and without even having to ask they explained.
"We think we know where Squall is." Xu told me.
"Where, how do you know?" I was becoming even more flustered then the Trepies at the news.
Xu went further into detail "There was an incoming message from Calaway's mansion. The speaker told us that Squall was being held captive at the Desert Prison."
"It was Rinoa," Selphie chimed in as if Rinoa was some hero.
"We don't know that for sure," Xu reasoned.
"And even if it was Rinoa how do we know that she's not trying to cleverly set us up." What sounded reasonable to me sounded up surd to everyone else.
"You think Rinoa would do that?" Zell asked.
"I haven't really talked to Rinoa in three years I don't know what she's actually capable of doing. I mean who thought she would be marring Seifer?"
I gave everyone a moment to contemplate this before I went on. "Nevertheless, if it's said that Squall is at the Desert Prison then Desert Prison we shall go." Everyone stands up with agreement. "Let's go," I told them.
* * * * *
I flicked a pebble across the cell floor. What did Seifer have in mind? What was he planning on doing with me? More importantly what was he going to do with Rinoa? I slammed my fist against the ground. The only thing he ever feared about Seifer was his anger and what he do because of that anger. Right now I was terrified at what he might do to Rinoa because of that very anger. "Dammit!" I yelled. I hated being so helpless locked up in this god damn cell!
I stood up and banged my body against the door with no surprise I had little prevail. My chest still burned with pain where Seifer had slashed me. The guards by my door just snickered at my attempt. Collapsing to the ground I did something that I wasn't accustomed to.I prayed. I didn't know who I was praying to it could have been a god, a guardian, Ellone even my mother. It didn't matter who it was I only wanted someone to listen to my plea for an escape.
As if for some miraculous reason my prays where answered. I heard a scrimmage right outside my door. I watched as my cell door opens and a small figure comes in. The shadows of the cell made it hard to recognize who it was, but there was no need for her voice said it all.
"Hiya Squall," it was Selphie. She stepped forward revealing herself along with her was Quistis, Zell and Irvine they where all beaming down at me.
"You guys!" I exclaimed standing up. As much as I was pleased to see them there sight confused me. "How did you guys know I was here?" I thought about it for a second before asking them another question. "Where am I?"
Quistis like always took charge and answered my questions. She who always carried bandages took care of my wound on my chest quickly before answering my questions. "Were in the Desert Prison, someone one a left message telling us that you be here," she seemed to hesitate for a moment before continuing "The message came from Calaway's mansion."
"Rinoa," I cried gathering my thoughts. I say to everyone.
"Thank you for rescuing me, but now I'm going to Calaway's mansion. You can all come if you want."
"Squall," Quistis began to ask "Are you sure that you want to do that?" I looked Quistis straight in the eye.
"Three years ago I made the mistake of letting Rinoa go, I'm not about to make the same mistake again." I told her firmly. Quistis looks down at the ground and nods. I looked up at Irvine who had just tossed me my gunblade.
"I thought you might be needing this so I snatched it on our way to your cell." I nod at Irvine as my way of saying thank you, he understood. Feeling a powerful pat on the back I looked at Zell.
"So let's go get your lady," he told me. I look at everyone.
"Everyone's coming?" I asked. Selphie pretends to look shocked when she says.
"You don't think where going to let you get Rinoa by yourself did ya? We want her back too?"
"Yeah man like the six of us back together is the way it should be," Irvine put in.
I look at Quistis who had finally taken her glare from off the floor and was now glaring at me. "What are we waiting for?" she asked. Breaking into a small smile I say.
"Nothing, let's go get Rinoa."
* * * * *
I had just finished calling Balamb Garden, trying to keep my voice in a whisper I told them where Squall was. God I hoped they got to him.
I went back to the living room where Seifer and my father where waiting. I stiffly sat on the couch across from them. How I loathed them both. Neither ever had concerns for my own well being, whatever that they did that concerned me was only for the better of themselves. They both said with Seifer and I married it would unite the country. I used to believe that, I wanted to, no I needed to. It was because I needed to fill the void that Squall left within me. I guess it was for my own benefit, but to unite the country sounded wonderful. Now I know that two people can't unite a country with only the power of their names alone. I realize now that I was just being delusional. It also made me realize how much I was being used.
The elections for a new president of Deling City where coming. With the sudden and unexpected death of the cities last president, Fredrick LaDelle, the city was without a leader. The two leading candidates where LaDelle's son and Seifer, with Seifer's connections to the ever growing popular sorceress his chances for being elected where heighten and my father who was now in cahoots with Seifer would benefit from his presidency. Oh how I loathed it all.
"Why must we sit here together?" I asked. It was my father who choose to answer.
"Because, Rinoa we need to talk." Every word that the man said irritated me. "I think your forgetting your obligations to this country." He continued.
"You mean my obligations to you," I spat at both him and Seifer.
"Well, you have committed yourself to Seifer," Seifer not liking having my old-man stand up for him stepped in.
"Forget the commitment you made to me," he told me "Think about the one I made to you."
"What, you mean your commitment to increase your chances of presidency? I asked sarcastically.
"That's not how it started," he told me with sincerity. I had to look away from him. That's how it did start, but now.As if Seifer was reading my mind he said.
"Just because Squalls back in your life doesn't mean he's going to stay there. He's going to abandon you and you'll be wishing you where with me because you know that I never leave you," I sank deeper into the couch. As many faults as Seifer had the fact remained that he was there he always has been.
Where Seifer reached my emotional side my father went to my practical.
"You know the hard times that's between Galbadia, Timber and Esthar and you know better then anyone the peace that you bring between the three."
"Not Esthar," I told him "Not when the president there is Squall's father." I was grateful for the silence that my words brought. Seeing where my father failed in trying to reach my practical side, Seifer made one last lounge at my emotions. Going across the room and sitting next to me he says.
"As much as things blow right now you can't think things will stay like this forever," Without me saying anything Seifer grabs my chin cocking it towards himself. We where looking directly at each other when Seifer says. "Despite all that has happened I know you won't throw it away."
At that moment I didn't look deep into my soul, but at only the surface. Where I wouldn't be much help with created peace with Esthar I knew Seifer and I together could patch things together between Galbadia and Esthar, and who knows what that could lead to. As for Seifer and I he was right, things might be bad now, but it could change. I couldn't throw away the past and all the times when I needed Squall and Seifer was there. Squall. my heart ached at the name. It wasn't fair what happened between us, but I had made it anyway the past three years. As much as I hated it I had come up with my answer.
"I'll see you later at the palace Seifer," I left the two of them there both of them wearing grins. I went to the Deling City where I had a few drinks. Sitting at the piano that my mother use to play at I made a toast.
"To the next miserable years," Is said to myself setting down my glass and starting my way back to the Sorceresses' Palace.
* * * * *
The escape from Desert Prison wasn't as difficult as it was three years ago. Nevertheless, I was breathing heavily as we made it to the desert and approached the Raganorak. Once situated on the ship and able to catch our breathe Selphie goes immediately to the drivers seat of the ship.
"To Calaway's then?" she asked.
"Absolutely," I said. With that we where gone from the desert and landed in Deling city minutes later.
Once in Deling City I sprinted to Calaway's mansion. Ringing the doorbell the same servant from three years ago came to the door. He looked at me for only a moment before he asked.
"May I help you?"
"I want to see Rinoa!" I ordered, but the servant wasn't about to take orders from me.
"That's impossible at the moment I'm afraid Miss Heartilly left not too long ago."
"Then I want to see Calaway."
By now the others had caught up and joined me at Calaway's door. They all listened with me to the servants reply.
"Master Calaway has told me he wants no disturbances. He is doing something rather important at the moment so if you don't mind." The servant moved to shut the door, but Irvine's hand got in the way and he began to protest.
"What's he doing that's so important?"
"I'm afraid that's none of your business sir," The servant tried closing the door again. Zell having none of that flung the door open sending the servant to the floor. With clenched fist at the servant Zell yells.
"Don't make us make it our business!"
Just then a deep powerful voice came from within the house. "What is the matter?" the voice asked as he stepped forward to the doorway, it was Calaway himself. He looked at us as if we where some sort of insignificant beings. Still with his meaningful stare he says.
"What do you SeeD's want?"
"I want Rinoa! I not only declared that to Calaway, but to myself.
"Well you just missed her, she left to go back to the palace a hour or so ago."
Back to the palace? I thought to myself. Calaway seeing my confused state decided to play on it.
"Rinoa, Seifer and myself had a long talk and she came to realize what's important to the country and herself. She and Seifer are at the palace right now discussing wedding plans."
As Calaway was telling me this I felt my heart clench. "I still want to see her I," I told him.
"Are you sure? I'm remembering writing you a note a few years ago. How did that go?"
I stood there not knowing where to turn. Then as his last remarks Calaway says "Rinoa has made her decision and it's one for the best. Someday son you'll realize that." With that Calaway shut the door.
The five of us stood there. There wasn't anything I could do. Zell putting his hand on my shoulder says.
"We can still break into the palace." I give a hard shrug throwing Zell's hand off my shoulder.
"No," I said "I'm tired of playing this way."
"So you're just going to let her go? Just let her pass by?" Irvine asked.
"I've been doing it for the past three years "I've gotten pretty damn good at it!"
Everyone just looks at me not knowing what to say or do "Come on," I told them finally lowering the fury in my voice. "Let's go home."
Things where fuzzy as I tried opening my eyes nothing seemed to focus. After a few attempts I was successful and my surroundings came into clear view.
Rinoa was beside me cradling me in her arms. She looked at me uncomfortly as I quickly escaped her arms.
"Sorry," she told me looking down at her lap. I could see Rinoa's pain as she stared at me. I could hardly withhold my own pain how I wanted.stop it, I yelled inside my head I couldn't think like that. Regardless, Rinoa was still kneeling there aching for comfort. I kneeled beside her looking directly into her hazy brown eyes. Contemplating what I should say to her I carefully choose my words.
"You are alright, aren't you Rinoa?" Tears began to flow down her cheek. How those tears use to irritate me? Now I think they where the most beautiful thing that I had ever seen. Not able to stop myself any longer I held Rinoa in my arms. She clung to my chest as if she was going to fall from a cliff, but I didn't mind.
"Squall," she cried sniffling back tears.
"Yes Rinoa?" The only thing at the moment that I wanted to hear was Rinoa's words.
"I can't marry him," the words hung there with nobody wanting to grab them. I didn't know how to react the only thing I was able to do was hold her tighter. Setting my cheek against her soft black hair I was able to find the words.
"Things are always going to be complicated. I think you can't avoid that no matter where you run away to or who you run away from. What I know is Rinoa with you things where always complicated, but unlike with anyone else when I was with you I didn't care how complicated things got. Now no matter what happens I hope you remember that and." My words where stopped as Rinoa swiftly moved my head so we where face to face and she kissed me. What I would give to be right here with Rinoa for the rest of my life. I gently pulled away from Rinoa not loosing eye contact with here. In hardly a whisper I hear Rinoa say.
"I love you."
Keeping her words close to my heart I ever so gently kissed her on the forehead. "I love you too," I whispered back.
With our foreheads leaning against each other we kneeled there. Neither of us wanting the moment to end, I felt Rinoa swallowing hard before she says. "I'm not going to marry him." I looked at her; she had so much at stake. Still leaning against her I said.
"What you have to do is more important then you and me Rinoa." The words where like acid coming out of my mouth.
"I can't, I won't!" Rinoa had here eyes focused on me with such determination that no guardian force would dare get in her way. Earnestly she looks up at me "How could I?" She and I cling to each other one last time before the cell door opens.
Realization came at me full force when I suddenly remembered why we where here and what was happening at the garden right before I blacked out. Neither Rinoa nor I bothered to let go of each other. Seifer, who had just stepped into the cell, had never looked so venomous when he said.
"The two lovers together again, it almost makes me want to kill myself." Seifer quickly draws out his gunblade forcing the tip of the blade against my neck. "But instead I think I'll just kill you."
Rinoa with her arms wrapped around me yells "Don't Seifer!"
"Oh, I'm so sorry Rinoa if I your fiancée em getting in the way!" Seifer yelled back at Rinoa sarcastically. Rinoa glares at Seifer without yelling, but defiantly with authority she says to him.
"I'm not letting life play me anymore. I'm not going to marry you Seifer."
I thought Seifer would go into an outrage at Rinoa's words. Instead he says very calmly with his arrogant smile spread across his face "Once again Rinoa because with both those cases you don't have a choice." With a snap from Seifer's fingers a group of Galbadian soldiers came in the cell. "Take her away," he ordered. Obediently the soldiers grabbed Rinoa.
"No," I said trying to stand up, but the point of Seifer's gunblade kept me on my knees. I desperately looked at Rinoa. Her eyes where glowing with the same desperation that I was looking at her with. She mouthed the words "I love you," just as the soldiers actually dragged her out of the cell. With Rinoa gone I turned my attention to Seifer. Catching the sequence between Rinoa and I Seifer's arrogant smile had turned into a bitter frown. I felt his gunblade press hard into my throat.
"You won't win her." Seifer snarled.
"She's not something to be won," I snarled back. Seifer moved his gunblade from my throat and with a fierce slash pierced his blade across my chest. Pressing my hand against the wound I saw blood dribble down my hand. Seifer without so much as a glance at me turns to leave, only stopping at the doorway of the cell to say.
"Rinoa has obligations to this country that where all aware of. Who do you think the country wants at their sorceress's side a triumphant Galbadian general or a sellout SeeD?"
"What about who Rinoa wants on her side?" I asked. Seifer not answering leaves.
* * * * *
The havoc that the Galbadians's attack caused was over, but the destructions that they wreaked remained. "Damn you Squall Lionheart," I said under my breathe. The Balamb garden put up a good fight and where able to hold the Galbadians off, nevertheless, there were still disastrous results. I forced myself to walk through the garden. Seeing all the fallen Balamb SeeD's crushed my heart and I again cursed Squall's name. What did she ever do to deserve Squall's heart? I asked myself. Time and again he's put his life and his heart on the line for her and what has he received in return, nothing but heartache. I've heard it been said before, but I've failed to believe it until now. Rinoa Heartilly was a witch. Now Squall and that witch where missing. Zell, Selphie, Irvine and myself have searched the garden and found no signs of either of them. Now as I was walking around the garden I prayed that that one of these fallen bodies wasn't Squall, even though I knew in my heart that they wouldn't be. He was somewhere, somewhere with Rinoa Heartilly.
The loud speaker came on when I was speaking to a group of Trepies. It was Xu "Quistis please report to headmaster Cid's office," Xu repeated her message then clicked off. I left the flustered Trepies with some words of encouragement and then did what I was told by going to the headmaster's office.
Waiting in his office was the headmaster along with Xu, Zell, Selphie and Irvine. I didn't need to be a mind reader to tell that something was up. I looked at them and without even having to ask they explained.
"We think we know where Squall is." Xu told me.
"Where, how do you know?" I was becoming even more flustered then the Trepies at the news.
Xu went further into detail "There was an incoming message from Calaway's mansion. The speaker told us that Squall was being held captive at the Desert Prison."
"It was Rinoa," Selphie chimed in as if Rinoa was some hero.
"We don't know that for sure," Xu reasoned.
"And even if it was Rinoa how do we know that she's not trying to cleverly set us up." What sounded reasonable to me sounded up surd to everyone else.
"You think Rinoa would do that?" Zell asked.
"I haven't really talked to Rinoa in three years I don't know what she's actually capable of doing. I mean who thought she would be marring Seifer?"
I gave everyone a moment to contemplate this before I went on. "Nevertheless, if it's said that Squall is at the Desert Prison then Desert Prison we shall go." Everyone stands up with agreement. "Let's go," I told them.
* * * * *
I flicked a pebble across the cell floor. What did Seifer have in mind? What was he planning on doing with me? More importantly what was he going to do with Rinoa? I slammed my fist against the ground. The only thing he ever feared about Seifer was his anger and what he do because of that anger. Right now I was terrified at what he might do to Rinoa because of that very anger. "Dammit!" I yelled. I hated being so helpless locked up in this god damn cell!
I stood up and banged my body against the door with no surprise I had little prevail. My chest still burned with pain where Seifer had slashed me. The guards by my door just snickered at my attempt. Collapsing to the ground I did something that I wasn't accustomed to.I prayed. I didn't know who I was praying to it could have been a god, a guardian, Ellone even my mother. It didn't matter who it was I only wanted someone to listen to my plea for an escape.
As if for some miraculous reason my prays where answered. I heard a scrimmage right outside my door. I watched as my cell door opens and a small figure comes in. The shadows of the cell made it hard to recognize who it was, but there was no need for her voice said it all.
"Hiya Squall," it was Selphie. She stepped forward revealing herself along with her was Quistis, Zell and Irvine they where all beaming down at me.
"You guys!" I exclaimed standing up. As much as I was pleased to see them there sight confused me. "How did you guys know I was here?" I thought about it for a second before asking them another question. "Where am I?"
Quistis like always took charge and answered my questions. She who always carried bandages took care of my wound on my chest quickly before answering my questions. "Were in the Desert Prison, someone one a left message telling us that you be here," she seemed to hesitate for a moment before continuing "The message came from Calaway's mansion."
"Rinoa," I cried gathering my thoughts. I say to everyone.
"Thank you for rescuing me, but now I'm going to Calaway's mansion. You can all come if you want."
"Squall," Quistis began to ask "Are you sure that you want to do that?" I looked Quistis straight in the eye.
"Three years ago I made the mistake of letting Rinoa go, I'm not about to make the same mistake again." I told her firmly. Quistis looks down at the ground and nods. I looked up at Irvine who had just tossed me my gunblade.
"I thought you might be needing this so I snatched it on our way to your cell." I nod at Irvine as my way of saying thank you, he understood. Feeling a powerful pat on the back I looked at Zell.
"So let's go get your lady," he told me. I look at everyone.
"Everyone's coming?" I asked. Selphie pretends to look shocked when she says.
"You don't think where going to let you get Rinoa by yourself did ya? We want her back too?"
"Yeah man like the six of us back together is the way it should be," Irvine put in.
I look at Quistis who had finally taken her glare from off the floor and was now glaring at me. "What are we waiting for?" she asked. Breaking into a small smile I say.
"Nothing, let's go get Rinoa."
* * * * *
I had just finished calling Balamb Garden, trying to keep my voice in a whisper I told them where Squall was. God I hoped they got to him.
I went back to the living room where Seifer and my father where waiting. I stiffly sat on the couch across from them. How I loathed them both. Neither ever had concerns for my own well being, whatever that they did that concerned me was only for the better of themselves. They both said with Seifer and I married it would unite the country. I used to believe that, I wanted to, no I needed to. It was because I needed to fill the void that Squall left within me. I guess it was for my own benefit, but to unite the country sounded wonderful. Now I know that two people can't unite a country with only the power of their names alone. I realize now that I was just being delusional. It also made me realize how much I was being used.
The elections for a new president of Deling City where coming. With the sudden and unexpected death of the cities last president, Fredrick LaDelle, the city was without a leader. The two leading candidates where LaDelle's son and Seifer, with Seifer's connections to the ever growing popular sorceress his chances for being elected where heighten and my father who was now in cahoots with Seifer would benefit from his presidency. Oh how I loathed it all.
"Why must we sit here together?" I asked. It was my father who choose to answer.
"Because, Rinoa we need to talk." Every word that the man said irritated me. "I think your forgetting your obligations to this country." He continued.
"You mean my obligations to you," I spat at both him and Seifer.
"Well, you have committed yourself to Seifer," Seifer not liking having my old-man stand up for him stepped in.
"Forget the commitment you made to me," he told me "Think about the one I made to you."
"What, you mean your commitment to increase your chances of presidency? I asked sarcastically.
"That's not how it started," he told me with sincerity. I had to look away from him. That's how it did start, but now.As if Seifer was reading my mind he said.
"Just because Squalls back in your life doesn't mean he's going to stay there. He's going to abandon you and you'll be wishing you where with me because you know that I never leave you," I sank deeper into the couch. As many faults as Seifer had the fact remained that he was there he always has been.
Where Seifer reached my emotional side my father went to my practical.
"You know the hard times that's between Galbadia, Timber and Esthar and you know better then anyone the peace that you bring between the three."
"Not Esthar," I told him "Not when the president there is Squall's father." I was grateful for the silence that my words brought. Seeing where my father failed in trying to reach my practical side, Seifer made one last lounge at my emotions. Going across the room and sitting next to me he says.
"As much as things blow right now you can't think things will stay like this forever," Without me saying anything Seifer grabs my chin cocking it towards himself. We where looking directly at each other when Seifer says. "Despite all that has happened I know you won't throw it away."
At that moment I didn't look deep into my soul, but at only the surface. Where I wouldn't be much help with created peace with Esthar I knew Seifer and I together could patch things together between Galbadia and Esthar, and who knows what that could lead to. As for Seifer and I he was right, things might be bad now, but it could change. I couldn't throw away the past and all the times when I needed Squall and Seifer was there. Squall. my heart ached at the name. It wasn't fair what happened between us, but I had made it anyway the past three years. As much as I hated it I had come up with my answer.
"I'll see you later at the palace Seifer," I left the two of them there both of them wearing grins. I went to the Deling City where I had a few drinks. Sitting at the piano that my mother use to play at I made a toast.
"To the next miserable years," Is said to myself setting down my glass and starting my way back to the Sorceresses' Palace.
* * * * *
The escape from Desert Prison wasn't as difficult as it was three years ago. Nevertheless, I was breathing heavily as we made it to the desert and approached the Raganorak. Once situated on the ship and able to catch our breathe Selphie goes immediately to the drivers seat of the ship.
"To Calaway's then?" she asked.
"Absolutely," I said. With that we where gone from the desert and landed in Deling city minutes later.
Once in Deling City I sprinted to Calaway's mansion. Ringing the doorbell the same servant from three years ago came to the door. He looked at me for only a moment before he asked.
"May I help you?"
"I want to see Rinoa!" I ordered, but the servant wasn't about to take orders from me.
"That's impossible at the moment I'm afraid Miss Heartilly left not too long ago."
"Then I want to see Calaway."
By now the others had caught up and joined me at Calaway's door. They all listened with me to the servants reply.
"Master Calaway has told me he wants no disturbances. He is doing something rather important at the moment so if you don't mind." The servant moved to shut the door, but Irvine's hand got in the way and he began to protest.
"What's he doing that's so important?"
"I'm afraid that's none of your business sir," The servant tried closing the door again. Zell having none of that flung the door open sending the servant to the floor. With clenched fist at the servant Zell yells.
"Don't make us make it our business!"
Just then a deep powerful voice came from within the house. "What is the matter?" the voice asked as he stepped forward to the doorway, it was Calaway himself. He looked at us as if we where some sort of insignificant beings. Still with his meaningful stare he says.
"What do you SeeD's want?"
"I want Rinoa! I not only declared that to Calaway, but to myself.
"Well you just missed her, she left to go back to the palace a hour or so ago."
Back to the palace? I thought to myself. Calaway seeing my confused state decided to play on it.
"Rinoa, Seifer and myself had a long talk and she came to realize what's important to the country and herself. She and Seifer are at the palace right now discussing wedding plans."
As Calaway was telling me this I felt my heart clench. "I still want to see her I," I told him.
"Are you sure? I'm remembering writing you a note a few years ago. How did that go?"
I stood there not knowing where to turn. Then as his last remarks Calaway says "Rinoa has made her decision and it's one for the best. Someday son you'll realize that." With that Calaway shut the door.
The five of us stood there. There wasn't anything I could do. Zell putting his hand on my shoulder says.
"We can still break into the palace." I give a hard shrug throwing Zell's hand off my shoulder.
"No," I said "I'm tired of playing this way."
"So you're just going to let her go? Just let her pass by?" Irvine asked.
"I've been doing it for the past three years "I've gotten pretty damn good at it!"
Everyone just looks at me not knowing what to say or do "Come on," I told them finally lowering the fury in my voice. "Let's go home."