All characters and places are Copyright Square. Except for the characters and places I make up. Oh yeah and the story is mine.
Chapter Four
Fear
Squall stood watching silently as the train pulled out of Balamb station and began it's journey towards the underwater tunnel that would take it to Timber. As it disappeared from sight he turned and began walking towards the edge of town. As he walked he noticed that it was turning out to be a beautiful day so far. There was a nice cool crisp breeze and it was just warm enough not to need his leather jacket.
"Yoo-hoo! Squall, over here." Stopping in his tracks Squall turned to his right to glance across the street at the owner of the voice yelling at him. Across the way he saw Quistis and Selphie waving at him from their spot next to Ma Dincht's house.
After quickly checking for traffic, Squall stepped across the street and approached them. "What are you guys doing in town?"
"We're waiting for Zell to borrow money from his Ma so he can go with us on our shopping trip." Quistis exclaimed as Squall came to a stop in front of them.
"How did you manage that one?"
"We told Zell we'd buy him hotdogs if he carried our purchases for us."
Diablos, being the comedian he thought he was decided to speak up. 'Someone should really talk to that boy about his hotdog addiction sometime.'
Bahamut, normally a very quiet GF, even agreed but chose to keep his mouth shut as usual or else run the risk of having to listen to his chatterbox companion rant all day about his dislike for Zell.
Just as Diablos finished his comment Zell came trotting out of his house with a big grin on his face. "Hey girls! My Ma gave me a 1000 gil to blow." He slid to a stop as he caught sight of Squall standing next to the rest of the group. "Yo, 'Sup Squall? Did they talk you into shopping too?"
"Whatever."
"Oh well, how about some chow before the train shows up?" Squall glanced at his wrist chrono and saw that he had several hours before any meetings so he decided to join them for a bite to eat.
Within minutes they were at the Balamb hotel which had a quaint little outside eatery. Squall knew it quite well from the several times that he and Rinoa had decided to eat there. It was also a popular place for many of the SeeD's and cadets to visit while on leave from Garden. This morning though it was relatively quiet so the group was seated at a table and ordering in no time.
"So Squall, do you have any one in mind to plan your wedding reception?" Quistis asked after a waiter took their orders and left to get the food. At this comment Selphie suddenly turned to Squall with a hopeful look on her face.
"Yes Selphie we had planned on asking you to arrange it." Squall answered with a slight grin, which caused Selphie to jump up and run around the table to give Squall a quick hug.
"Booya! Don't worry Squall, I won't let you down. It'll be the best wedding reception ever! In fact, I'll start looking for supplies on our shopping trip."
"Hey Squall what about the wedding itself? Have you decided where you want to have it?" Asked Zell as he took a bite out of the breakfast burrito that had just been delivered.
"Yeah, we decided to have it in Winhill at the old pub. That is if the new owner will let us."
The four continued to chat about several different things for another half an hour until Squall stood up and said that he needed to head back and do some paperwork on the recent Field Exam participants. He tossed some money down and waved goodbye to the others before setting out for Balamb Garden.
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Within minutes he was once again heading towards the edge of town. As he walked along the street he couldn't help but wish that he were on the train with Rinoa instead of going to work to fill out more paperwork. He sometimes swore that the paperwork doubled every night while he slept. Sighing to himself he tried to concentrate on the fact that in a few days he would be in Winhill and once he was there he wouldn't have to think about Garden or paperwork or anything else work related for several weeks. Mentally laughing to himself he realized that it was probably the first real vacation he had ever had. And nothing would stop him from getting it! He was willing to vow to that.
It was at that exact moment that Squall caught sight of someone he thought he would never see again. Or at least he thought it was him. Slowing to a stop he acted as if he were lacing up a boot and cast a surreptitious glance to his right.
He was wearing different clothes and his hair was longer now but other than that he was a perfect match for one of the planets most wanted criminals.
Seifer Almasy!
Due to the increasing number of morning pedestrians and Squall's position farther down the street from him Squall was unable to see his face. The way the man carried himself though left no doubt in Squall's mind as to his identity.
Squall's military training and years of classes on following suspects immediately kicked into full gear and he slid across the street while the man was studying a sign.
Staying back several yards he was able to follow the man without giving himself away. As they approached the edge of town the man suddenly turned and strode down an alley that led back towards town. As he did he cast a quick look back and almost saw Squall. Squall saw him turn just in time and stepped into a doorway out of sight. As he slid out of sight he had just enough time to catch sight of the man's face.
It was indeed Seifer. Squall counted to five before ducking back out of his hiding spot and stepping up to the corner of the alleyway. He slipped quietly around the edge and crept down the alley. Glancing around he saw no sign of his quarry. For a second he thought he might have lost him but then he saw a door slowly swinging shut further down the alley.
It looked to be some type of warehouse for boat construction and from the looks of it there wasn't any work going on yet. Squall looked up and noticed a fire ladder nearby. He ran over and climbed up to the second level where he was able to pry open a window and slip inside. He stayed for a few seconds and let his eyes adjust to the lack of light.
Once they did he crept down the catwalk until he came to an open area used for storage. By now he could hear voices below him arguing quietly. He slipped in between several of the boxes and looked down through the grating. Directly below him he saw Seifer and another man talking. He couldn't hear much from his spot but he did have an idea how to catch more of the conversation.
'Bahamut, can you help increase my hearing any?'
'Of course.'
Squall felt a slight queasy sensation as his sense of hearing increased dramatically but it quickly went away and he turned his attention downward again to see what was happening.
"…it's done than?"
"Yes Seifer. The Sorceress has been captured and is being delivered to the compound as we speak."
'Sorceress! They couldn't mean Rinoa could they?'
"Good! I wouldn't want to have to tell my employers that you screwed up again."
"Hey, that wasn't my fault. Your men never told us that the traitor was that powerful. They never even stood a chance. Not to mention that damn wolf of his killed three of my best men during their escape."
'I have to find some way to get a hold of Garden without losing Seifer. Damnit, I wish I had a communicator with me.'
"Well then, you should have remembered that when you try to take out a Wolf Nomad that you need to get his Bond-mate at the same time. They're linked mentally and will die to protect each other. Enough chit-chat though, I am returning to the compound with the Sorceress and I want you and your men to continue monitoring Garden. Let us know of any strange activity."
"Yes sir." With that said the two turned and walked towards the doorway leading out of the building. Squall was just about to follow when he felt a heavy weight slam into his back and knock him to the floor.
He immediately slammed his elbow back and was rewarded with a gust of air as he knocked the wind out of his assailant. The man quickly regained his breath and grabbed Squall around the chest pinning his arm flat. Squall found himself dangling several feet off of the ground. The man was huge! And with his arms pinned there was no way to get to his Gunblade.
He thought for a second about using magic but could think of no spells he could use in such close proximity without injuring himself as well. As he tried to think of a way out of the situation he felt another hand slip a rag over his mouth. He breathed a partial breath and immediately began seeing stars.
Squall held his breath until his lungs felt like they would burst and then went limp pretending to have been overcome by the fumes. As soon as he felt his attackers arms loosen up a bit he brought both legs back as hard as he could and slammed them into the mans knees. It stunned the man just enough for Squall to squirm free and drop to the ground in a roll. He immediately went on the offensive and charged the giant. A quick roundhouse to the face gave Squall a satisfying grunt of pain from the other.
He was just preparing to slam home a punch to the nose when he felt the dart slam into his shoulder. There was another attacker hiding in the darkness somewhere. Squall's legs immediately began to feel like jelly and arms didn't seem to want to respond to his commands.
He knew that if he feinted he was as good as dead. Looking around he saw a slight glimmer of sunlight a few feet away and realized that the fight had brought him near one of the windows. He used the last of his strength and flung himself through it.
His last thoughts as the sedatives completely overwhelmed his system were pretty much a prayer.
'Boy, I hope there's something besides concrete down there to land on!'
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"Is he gonna be alright Doc?"
Yes, Irvine, I believe so. He had a massive dose of sedatives in his system plus the fact that he crashed through a second floor window and fell through a wood awning didn't help things any."
Squall slowly felt himself regain consciousness and immediately wished that he hadn't. every bone in his body felt like it was snapped in two or three pieces. Even his old scar that Seifer gave him hurt.
Seifer!
He had to warn everyone that Seifer was back! And he had to make sure Rinoa was OK. He started to rise out of the bed he was laying in but was pushed back down by a pair of arms.
"Hold it right there mister! You aren't leaving this bed for at least a week. You have several broken ribs and massive muscular damage where your right shoulder slammed through an awning. So don't even think about getting out of bed. Headmaster Cid will be down in a few moments to talk to you. Meanwhile Irvine here will keep you company."
Doctor Kadowaki turned away from the injured young man and looked to Irvine who was leaning against the far wall. He nodded at her to show that he understood that he wasn't to allow Squall to leave.
"No problem, ma'am." He tipped his hat at her as she walked out the door of the infirmary to call Headmaster Cid. He then turned to Squall and walked over next to him.
"How ya feelin, buddy?" He asked as he sat down in the chair next to Squall's bed.
"Whatever. I have to get out of here! Rinoa is in danger. I have to help her. Now shut up and give me a hand getting out of here!"
"Sorry Squall, I really am but your not in any shape to help her."
A knock at the door let the two know that the Headmaster was there. He walked in quietly and stood at the foot of the bed. "Squall, I'm glad to see you awake. You've been out well into the night."
Squall immediately jumped in before the headmaster could continue his speech. "Sir I believe Rinoa has been kidnapped. I need to get out of here but that damn doctor won't let me."
"I know Squall! I ordered it that way. I am also aware of the situation with Rinoa. General Caraway called earlier and informed us that her train had been attacked while travelling though the underground tunnel and that she was taken prisoner by unknown forces."
"Which is why I should be out looking for her or Seifer instead of sitting in here."
"Squall you are too injured and also way to emotionally involved in this mission. Zell and Irvine will be departing shortly to begin tracking her."
Squall could tell that the Headmaster had no intention of letting him go willingly and as long as he was a SeeD he had to follow the man's orders.
'As long as I'm a SeeD? I can't sit here so there is only one other course of action I can take.'
"Sir, in that case I wish to inform you that I am resigning my position as Commander and that I am quitting SeeD."
"Sorry Squall you can't do that. Not while on medical leave. You might be making a rash decision that you would regret later. Article 145 Section 12 states that." The headmaster replied as he turned and prepared to leave. As he reached the door he turned back to Squall. "I'm sorry. I wish there was another way."
Squall sat there for a moment and just as he was about to give up he realized he did have one more option left. "Fine, I understand that sir. May I return to my room and rest there?"
Cid thought about it for a moment as he left. "Yes that would be fine. You can have more privacy that way."
"Thank you, sir." Squall gave a quick salute before sliding slowly out of bed. Irvine stood up and walked over to Squall where he then placed an arm around him to help him walk.
As Squall and Irvine approached the Dormitory entrances Squall glanced around to see who all was out at that time of night before turning his attention back to Irvine.
"Don't worry Squall, me and Zell will find her and get her back safe with time to spare for the wedding."
Squall nodded slightly and then after taking one last look around turned to Irvine and spoke. "I'm sorry too."
"For what? What did you do?"
"This!"
With that said, Squall reached out, placed a hand against Irvine's temple and cast a Sleep Spell on him. He then lowered Irvine's form to the floor and straightened back up. He was still in pain from his injuries but he had been acting a lot more hurt than he actually felt. He looked around once more and bagan jogging towards the hangar where his ship, Ragnarok, was being stored.
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As the Ragnarok rose sleekly from the ground and away from Balamb Garden, Squall looked back at his home one last time. He wandered if he would ever be able to return without being in handcuffs. He had just attacked a fellow SeeD and ignored a direct order from his Headmaster. Both were considered criminal acts in SeeD and punishable by spending a lot of time in prison.
Then there was no more time for those types of thoughts as the Ragnarok rose through the last of the cloud cover and was surrounded by starlight. As Squall stared out towards the horizon he saw a shooting star flash across the sky and in that moment he made the second vow in his life.
He vowed that no matter what happened to him, he would see that Rinoa was rescued!
To be continued…
Authors Notes: Wow longest chapter yet! Thanks to Wolfie for reviewing and as always please read and review. See ya next time.
