Ch. 6 Connection
Seifer spent the entire train ride to Deling City watching the sleeping Rinoa. She was beautiful and he cursed himself for looking past her beauty before.
Seifer actually started thinking about life after he got the gil. So she would be with her father, but then what? Seifer thought he stick around Deling maybe rekindle his relationship with Rinoa. He even thought about marrying her, he would be king of the entire country and he would have the beautiful queen on his side.
While Seifer was trying to calm himself down from the exciting prospect of being king the train started to slow down.
He walked over to the beautiful princess and gently woke her up. Rinoa started to stir and from her sleep she called out a name.
"Squall," she moaned. This upset Seifer greatly there was no way she could still have feelings for the great oaf, but what if she did?
Rinoa quickly realized her mistake and corrected it "Seifer," she recovered, but still noticeably disappointed that the latter was there instead of the first. Seifer dismissed his jealous thoughts and helped the sleepy princess up.
"Are we there already?" she asked.
"Yeah, where going to be staying at an old friend of mine's place and then first thing tomorrow morning I'm going to schedule an appointment with his majesty.your father."
Rinoa nodded and tried to put on a brave face, but Seifer saw right through her façade. He put a gentle arm around her and guided her off the train.
Rinoa was amazed by the busy streets of Deling City and it took a lot of tugging to get her to his friend Nida's place.
Nida gave Rinoa her own room while Seifer was given the couch. Seifer wanted nothing else but to be sharing a bed with Rinoa, however, he knew that there be time for sex and romance later. Right now his main focus was getting Rinoa to the king from that point on the rest was easy because the king would surely see her for who she is.his daughter
* * * * *
Squall and the rest all spent the night in Timber their train was leaving first thing in the morning.
It goes without saying that Squall didn't sleep very well that night in fact he didn't sleep at all. He lay in bed lost and confused. What should he do? He didn't know where she was he checked both her and Seifer's apartments he felt a surge of jealousy and hurt when he found both places empty. Squall had a feeling that together the two of them went to Deling City to unite Rin with her father. For not the first or the last time Squall wished he believed Rin in the first place.
The young mercenary couldn't stay in his bed a moment longer. He got dressed and without a word to the others he left the hotel.
Squall wondered around town aimlessly with only miscellaneously thoughts of Rin in mind.
Sometimes it's funny how things happen. Squall was merely walking around when he found himself at the most unlikely doorstep. Somehow he had arrived at his father's house. Squall stared at his old home wondering why the hell he was here. He turned away from the house and began walking away; he stopped when he heard the creak of the door opening.
"Would you like to come in?" A familiar voice called to him.
Squall turned around to face his father. Defeated he said to the man that he spent the better part of his life avoiding "If you don't mind?"
"Not at all," Laguna told him extending the opening of the doorway of his house.
Squall walked in sitting down at the dinner table of his father's house for the first time. After a deep breathe Squall told his father his problem, while doing so Squall unknowingly solved another.
Laguna silently took everything that Squall said in. When his son was finished Laguna sighed. Squall looked up at the long haired man for some guidance which was something that neither of them where accustomed to.
With a long hard look at him Laguna seemed to finally muster up the courage to speak.
"I saw all this coming," he told him.
Startled Squall stared at Laguna "what do mean you saw this coming?"
"You see I was a part of Seifer's scheme. I was gathering the woman up for him to interview for the princess. I was to be given one-forth of the profit.
Squall was beside himself. This was so like him he couldn't believe that he'd even taken the time to talk to him! He got up to leave when he felt two hands pushing him back down in his seat.
"For once would you just listen to me!?" Laguna yelled at him and for once Squall did.
"I was doing all that," Laguna explained "but I had nothing to do with Rin getting involved. I only agreed with it and if I would have known what she would come to mean to you I wouldn't have even done that."
"You would have just forgotten about the gil right?" Squall said sarcastically.
Firmly Laguna told him "Yes."
The two were silent Squall was now even more confused and lost then before he got here. Desperately he looked into Laguna's eyes which were a mirror of his own and asked.
"What do I do now?"
"Seifer isn't forcing Rin to do anything. Rin choose to go to Deling City on her own free will."
What Laguna was telling him wasn't helping.
"But if she cares for you as much as I think she does then I know she would want your support."
"So."
"So go give it to her."
Laguna was right Rin only needed his support in what she was doing. He could help her in no other way.
The two men stand up in Laguna's kitchen. Never would what Laguna did in the past be forgotten and it defiantly wouldn't be forgiven, but now at least it be acknowledged and so would Laguna.
Squall shook hands with his father. Laguna would have preferred a hug from his son but took the handshake for what it was worth.
After leaving Laguna's Squall made a mad dash for the train station. Quistis, Zell, Selphie and Irvine were all ready there looking relieved that Squall had made it.
Time seemed to have run by why he was warped in his thoughts and Squall had almost missed his friends. He jogged up to his comrades.
"Guys you have to go without me."
"Why, what are you doing?"
"I'm going to give my support, I'm going to show Rin that I"-
"Believe," Quistis finished his sentence like only Quistis did.
"Exactly," he told them
Zell gives him a stupid grin "You do that we'll cover for you."
"Thanks guys," he said giving them all hugs "Wish me luck," but they didn't wish him luck they didn't need to because they believed in him.
Squall got on the first train to Deling on the way there little else but Rin was on his mind. Sometime during his ride to Deling Squall had fallen asleep dozens of dreams later Squall arrived in royal city itself.
When he arrived Squall realized what he should have been thinking about on the train ride. What was he going to do now that he was there?
The only place that Squall knew where she might be is the palace. So without any further thought that's where he went.
After using his position as a well known mercenary Squall was able to be guided into the palace.
To his extraordinary luck Rin was there she was in the waiting room waiting to see the king. Squall would have run in there with her if he hadn't been restrained.
"You can't go in there without an appointment."
"But I'm"-
"I don't care who you are rules are rules."
"Fine can you tell her to come out here."
"Her appointment with the king is in a moment."
"I have to talk to her!" Squall was getting upset and desperate. He could feel his gunblade on his side more then ever now. "If you want to write her a note I'd be glad to give it to her."
"Alright, give me a damn piece of paper."
The annoying guard got Squall a piece of paper and a pen. Squall threw himself on the floor laying the piece of paper beside him.
To his surprise when Squall was finished writing he felt relieved. It was like everything was on that piece of paper and he was no longer needed. He handed the piece of paper to the guard along with the ring from his finger.
"Give these to her please."
"Alright, shall I have her come see you when she's finished her business with his majesty?"
To the guards surprise Squall shook his head "Just give her the ring and letter."
The rest was up to her Squall was not going to stand in the way of the life she wanted. He cared for her so much it was the least he could do for her.
Feeling better about everything Squall left Deling City. No one can predict the future and Squall wasn't about to start he only hoped that in the end Rin was happy.
* * * * *
Everything was a go that is everything but Rin's nerves. She was about to meet her father the only living relative she had. Fears that she never thought she feared were churning her insides.
Seifer was sitting next to her for 'support,' but he wasn't the one she wanted the support from. Rin nervously tucked her pale blue sweater into her cream skirt and clasped her hand around her mysterious ring for support instead.
Any minute now the doors to his majesty's office would open to her and she would see her father. Rin's grip tightened around the ring. Seifer tried saying something to her, but one look from Rin told him to stay quiet.
Rin was on such an edge that when one of the king's guards tapped her on the shoulder she nearly jumped out of her skin.
"Miss," he addressed her "These are for you," she took the latter and ring that the guard gave her.
"Oh my god!" Rin exclaimed as she examined the ring tossing it around in her palm. It was Squall's ring she thought it was a cool ring, but never dared ask about it. He seemed to hold the ring at as much esteem as she held hers. What in the world was he doing sending it to her?
"Who's the letter from? Seifer asked casually, but curiously.
Rin didn't answer she walked over to the corner of the room and read the letter.
Dear Rin,
I'm trying to come up with words to explain my actions, but there are none because my actions are inexcusable. No words can make up for me not believing you. The truth is Rin you're the first thing that I've ever truly believed in.
I think when you first told me you thought you were Princess Rinoa Caraway my fear took over. To admit that you were the princess would mean losing you.I was being selfish.
I guess why I'm truly writing to you is to tell you that I whole heartily believe in you and if I could wish one thing it would be to wish you true happiness.because you deserve nothing less.
I also want you to know that even though I believe you to be the royal princess, how else could you be so amazing, I will always regard you as Rin Heartilly. You don't have to be a princess for me all you ever had to be is just Rin; no one else could ever have my heart.
I respect fully your need to find and be with your family I would never want to get in the middle of that. As long as in the end I know your happy then that will be more then enough for me.
Always your, Squall
p.s. My mother gave me that ring on her death bed. You see my father, Laguna, was caught cheating by my mother. After that she was never the same her heart just couldn't take the pain that Laguna had brought upon her so.she just gave up.
That's why I hold so much resentment towards Laguna. Where I know in my head he's only human my heart isn't as forgiving as my mind.
My mother's ring was the thing that I cherished most, now I want to give the ring to who replaced it.
Rin at that moment would have left the palace and ran to Squall without the slightest hint of hesitation hadn't the doors to the King's office suddenly open.
Rin swallowed something hard as she moved to the now open doors. Tucking the letter inside her skirt as she walked passed Seifer, who looked like he was going to make a grab for the letter.
Making sure she was holding on tight to Squall's mother's ring Rin walked into the office.
* * * * *
Seifer for the first time in his life felt the tinge of jealousy. There was no doubt in his mind who gave Rin the ring and letter.
Seifer knew that Rinoa was the one for him and he wasn't about to stand by and let Squall Lionheart get the girl by only giving her a stupid ring. Seifer left the palace and went to the shopping distract in Deling. He went to the jewelry store where he picked out and purchased his own ring for Rinoa.
Seifer Almansy was going to purpose to Rinoa Caraway.
* * * * *
Stiffly the king of the country stood in front of Rin. His face was very serious and tired not hiding his age very well. His hair was grayish black with streaks of white.
Rin by merely looking at him would never believe that this man was her father if it wasn't for her heart that was beating unhealthily fast.
"So why do you think your Princess Rinoa Caraway?" he asked her
Rin wasn't expecting such a blunt question the only thing she was able to respond with was a blunt answer.
"I don't," she saw the king look at her peculiarly "I'm only Rin Heartilly, but I do believe I'm your daughter. I can't explain it or show you any proof," Rin was totally off the routine that she and Seifer had practiced hundreds of times, but Rin didn't care. "The only reason I know is because of my heart."
The old man walked up to her studying her carefully "Well that's defiantly one I haven't heard before."
Rin was about to speak when she saw something catch the King's eye. His eyes where linked to her chest. At first Rin was offended but then realized that it wasn't her chest that he was looking at but the ring that she wore around her neck.
"How did you come into possession of that ring my dear?"
"I actually don't know," she told him honestly "I've had it since I can remember."
The Kings eyes lay on the ring while Rin held on tighter to the ring in her hand. His majesty looks up to Rin's eyes she watches as his eyes go from tired and old to joyful.
"My beautiful past wife had a ring just like that, but she gave it away to our daughter right before she was taken away from us," the king thoughtfully tells her and then in a whisper he says to her.
"You are my Rinoa."
No, she wasn't Rinoa she was Rin, but she didn't bother correcting him as her father wrapped her into his embrace.
Rin had at last found her family.
* * * * *
Squall's life had gone back to normal.well as normal as a life as a mercenary can be.
It was all over the news that the Princess Rinoa Caraway was found. Squall took the news for what it was worth.Rin had found her family.
His friends didn't bother asking him questions about what happened when he went to Deling. They could read from the look on his face that the matter was settled, period.
A big party for the entire country was being held in honor for the new found princess, but along with his friends Squall wasn't going to any of the celebrations. They didn't belong there. The five of them held no excitement for the princess being found there only excitement was for the young woman who had found her family.
As far as family was concerned Squall already had his and was looking forward to spending one of the biggest nights in this country's history with them.
* * * * *
Rin looked out onto the streets of Deling as her party was getting set up. She now put Squall's mother's ring with hers and had her hand around them both.
She was wearing the most elegant gown that she had ever set her eyes on. It was sleek silver with two straps gently resting on her shoulder as far as the bottom half the dress it ended in a slant. The left part stopped at the top of her knee while the right side of the bottom went to her ankles. Of course her hair was beautifully done and she didn't even want to get started on her shoes it made her feel the blisters that they were creating.
The streets at the moment were being watched by mercenaries and Rin was trying to hone in on their faces when she heard a familiar voice behind her.
"He's not there."
Rin turned around to see that it was her father speaking to her "Who's not there?" she asked trying to sound casual.
"I think you know who. I paid Seifer his 10 million gil and he told me he was rather fond of you, but an incredulous man was standing in the way of you two. I believe he referred to him as Squall the merciless mercenary."
Rin chortles "Seifer would call him that, but I wouldn't take anything Seifer Almansy says to heart."
"I suspected as much, but never the less."
Her father fades off "What?" she asked him hoping he go on.
"I see it in your eye's you long for this man, this Squall."
She shakes her head in a way that wouldn't convince anybody.
"I know you do because whenever I look in the mirror my eyes stare back at me the same way yours do now. That is until I found you."
"And I found you so why would I want anything else?"
Her father gives her a wrinkled smile "Because you do," he whispered to her.
Rin couldn't believe it as soon as she finally finds her family he shoos her away. As if reading her mind her father speaks.
"No matter where you go we'll always have each other. I'm happier then I've been in years just knowing that your alive. The only thing that would make me happier is knowing that you're truly happy. I want you to be happy Rin.
She smiles it was the first time he had called her that "That's what he told me," she said still smiling.
"Then listen to us," was the last thing her father said before he left the room.
When she decided to walk the Deling streets the dress she still had on was catching a lot of unwanted attention.
Letting her mind wonder she wasn't paying attention to where she was going and without notice she bumped into a solid figure. The figure grabbed her by the arm stopping her from continuing on. Rin looked up at the person that was holding her, it was Seifer.
"Rinoa we need to talk."
Before she could correct him about her name Seifer had already started talking.
"I know things between us didn't start like they do in fairy tales, but like everything else things change and before I knew I had fallen in love with you Rinoa," Rin gritted her teeth "Anyways," Seifer carried on "I just want you to know that I'm ready to spend the rest of my life with you Rinoa Caraway."
Seifer got down on one knee and took out a ring. He wasn't about to do what Rin thought he was about to do she hoped.
"Princess Rinoa Caraway will you marry me?" he asks her.
Rin knew she should feel offended, but for some reason she wasn't. Maybe it was you didn't get proposed to everyday, but she didn't think that was why.
"Seifer you didn't fall for me," she told him "You fell for Rinoa Caraway."
Seifer looked at her confused "I know that. I know I fell for you," he told her.
"You fell for Rinoa Caraway I'm Rin Heartilly."
"Rinoa, Rin, tomato, tomatoe." Seifer tried to be funny, but Rin was dead serious.
"Seifer, someday you'll find your Rinoa but I'm not her."
Beyond her greatest expectations Seifer seemed to understand what she was saying. As if out of a trance Seifer's eyes light up and with his arrogant grin comes back in full force he says to her.
"You were really never mind kind of chick, but your defiantly Squall Lionhearts kind." So grateful and relieved for Seifer's truthfully honest words she gave him a kiss on the cheek "Thank you for everything Seifer," she pulls out a tiny piece of paper "will you make sure my father gets this?"
Seifer dramatically bows then playfully salutes her "Will do."
With one last smile Rin leaves Seifer for the one thing that throughout everything made her happy.
* * * * *
"Do you want to go to the bar?" Quistis asked gently. The parties in Balamb where running wild and the mercenaries regardless of what the parties where in honor of didn't want to miss them.
"Yeah I don't think that's what I need right now."
Quistis tilts her head sympathetically "You sure you don't want me to stay with you?"
"I'll be fine you go have fun."
Reluctantly Quistis left the room. Squall would have liked their company tonight but didn't want them staying on his account. He knew if he asked they would in a second.
It didn't take long for Squall to get tired of his apartment so he set out for outside. The noise from outside could be heard from the lobby of his apartment building. Knowing that he couldn't take that either Squall went to the one place where he knew things would be peaceful, Balamb beach.
As he had hoped nobody was there he was able to take in the peaceful beauty that surrounded him. The tranquility was bestowed into his heart.
Thoughts of Rin clouded his mind, he yelled inside his head for them to leave but she was cemented into his brain.
Needing a release Squall began to climb the rocks relentlessly; he almost slipped to his death on several occasions. When he arrived at the top he had never felt a more freeing experience in his life. The air smelt sweater up there, the breeze was gentler and most importantly of all his soul was freer.
Squall would have been satisfied if he spent the rest of his life there, but a sweet, kind voice brought him out of his surreal dreams and back to reality.
"Why does life always seem calmer here?"
Squall turned around and found Rin standing there her body had never looked so frail and he wondered how she was holding herself up.
"Rin," he whispered.
She walks over to him "Maybe it's not here, but the company I keep while I'm here," she said answering her own question.
Squall noticed she was wearing his mother's ring around her neck. He smiled lovingly at the ring and then at the person who was wearing it.
"Maybe it's neither maybe it's just you."
Rin smiled so sweetly that it made his legs quiver.
"When up here," she tells him "things don't seem so cloudy and you can see your path more clearly."
"Yeah, but it's not real."
She looks at him fondly and asks "What do you mean?"
"Life doesn't move up here things stay the same that's why it's so easy to find yourself up here," he points back at the city "There things aren't so easy and it's easy to get lost, but down there is where you really find yourself. You're truly never found until you've been lost."
But that was a lie because at that moment Rin threw her arms around him and Squall had never felt so found then right there and then up o the rocks of Balamb beach.
* * * * *
Dear Dad,
I'm off to really the unknown, but I guess that's been the case my whole life. I'll try to do what makes me happy and I'm fairly confident that I'll find that.
What really makes me confident is knowing that I have a father that loves me and knowing that I have someone to go to. To know that we'll always have each other- that's what truly makes me happy.
With love, Rin
P.S Watch for me The old king set the letter on his desk. He smiled out his great window feeling complete bliss. He had found his daughter and more importantly she had found herself. It was the perfect start for his daughter and that's what made him truly happy.
Seifer spent the entire train ride to Deling City watching the sleeping Rinoa. She was beautiful and he cursed himself for looking past her beauty before.
Seifer actually started thinking about life after he got the gil. So she would be with her father, but then what? Seifer thought he stick around Deling maybe rekindle his relationship with Rinoa. He even thought about marrying her, he would be king of the entire country and he would have the beautiful queen on his side.
While Seifer was trying to calm himself down from the exciting prospect of being king the train started to slow down.
He walked over to the beautiful princess and gently woke her up. Rinoa started to stir and from her sleep she called out a name.
"Squall," she moaned. This upset Seifer greatly there was no way she could still have feelings for the great oaf, but what if she did?
Rinoa quickly realized her mistake and corrected it "Seifer," she recovered, but still noticeably disappointed that the latter was there instead of the first. Seifer dismissed his jealous thoughts and helped the sleepy princess up.
"Are we there already?" she asked.
"Yeah, where going to be staying at an old friend of mine's place and then first thing tomorrow morning I'm going to schedule an appointment with his majesty.your father."
Rinoa nodded and tried to put on a brave face, but Seifer saw right through her façade. He put a gentle arm around her and guided her off the train.
Rinoa was amazed by the busy streets of Deling City and it took a lot of tugging to get her to his friend Nida's place.
Nida gave Rinoa her own room while Seifer was given the couch. Seifer wanted nothing else but to be sharing a bed with Rinoa, however, he knew that there be time for sex and romance later. Right now his main focus was getting Rinoa to the king from that point on the rest was easy because the king would surely see her for who she is.his daughter
* * * * *
Squall and the rest all spent the night in Timber their train was leaving first thing in the morning.
It goes without saying that Squall didn't sleep very well that night in fact he didn't sleep at all. He lay in bed lost and confused. What should he do? He didn't know where she was he checked both her and Seifer's apartments he felt a surge of jealousy and hurt when he found both places empty. Squall had a feeling that together the two of them went to Deling City to unite Rin with her father. For not the first or the last time Squall wished he believed Rin in the first place.
The young mercenary couldn't stay in his bed a moment longer. He got dressed and without a word to the others he left the hotel.
Squall wondered around town aimlessly with only miscellaneously thoughts of Rin in mind.
Sometimes it's funny how things happen. Squall was merely walking around when he found himself at the most unlikely doorstep. Somehow he had arrived at his father's house. Squall stared at his old home wondering why the hell he was here. He turned away from the house and began walking away; he stopped when he heard the creak of the door opening.
"Would you like to come in?" A familiar voice called to him.
Squall turned around to face his father. Defeated he said to the man that he spent the better part of his life avoiding "If you don't mind?"
"Not at all," Laguna told him extending the opening of the doorway of his house.
Squall walked in sitting down at the dinner table of his father's house for the first time. After a deep breathe Squall told his father his problem, while doing so Squall unknowingly solved another.
Laguna silently took everything that Squall said in. When his son was finished Laguna sighed. Squall looked up at the long haired man for some guidance which was something that neither of them where accustomed to.
With a long hard look at him Laguna seemed to finally muster up the courage to speak.
"I saw all this coming," he told him.
Startled Squall stared at Laguna "what do mean you saw this coming?"
"You see I was a part of Seifer's scheme. I was gathering the woman up for him to interview for the princess. I was to be given one-forth of the profit.
Squall was beside himself. This was so like him he couldn't believe that he'd even taken the time to talk to him! He got up to leave when he felt two hands pushing him back down in his seat.
"For once would you just listen to me!?" Laguna yelled at him and for once Squall did.
"I was doing all that," Laguna explained "but I had nothing to do with Rin getting involved. I only agreed with it and if I would have known what she would come to mean to you I wouldn't have even done that."
"You would have just forgotten about the gil right?" Squall said sarcastically.
Firmly Laguna told him "Yes."
The two were silent Squall was now even more confused and lost then before he got here. Desperately he looked into Laguna's eyes which were a mirror of his own and asked.
"What do I do now?"
"Seifer isn't forcing Rin to do anything. Rin choose to go to Deling City on her own free will."
What Laguna was telling him wasn't helping.
"But if she cares for you as much as I think she does then I know she would want your support."
"So."
"So go give it to her."
Laguna was right Rin only needed his support in what she was doing. He could help her in no other way.
The two men stand up in Laguna's kitchen. Never would what Laguna did in the past be forgotten and it defiantly wouldn't be forgiven, but now at least it be acknowledged and so would Laguna.
Squall shook hands with his father. Laguna would have preferred a hug from his son but took the handshake for what it was worth.
After leaving Laguna's Squall made a mad dash for the train station. Quistis, Zell, Selphie and Irvine were all ready there looking relieved that Squall had made it.
Time seemed to have run by why he was warped in his thoughts and Squall had almost missed his friends. He jogged up to his comrades.
"Guys you have to go without me."
"Why, what are you doing?"
"I'm going to give my support, I'm going to show Rin that I"-
"Believe," Quistis finished his sentence like only Quistis did.
"Exactly," he told them
Zell gives him a stupid grin "You do that we'll cover for you."
"Thanks guys," he said giving them all hugs "Wish me luck," but they didn't wish him luck they didn't need to because they believed in him.
Squall got on the first train to Deling on the way there little else but Rin was on his mind. Sometime during his ride to Deling Squall had fallen asleep dozens of dreams later Squall arrived in royal city itself.
When he arrived Squall realized what he should have been thinking about on the train ride. What was he going to do now that he was there?
The only place that Squall knew where she might be is the palace. So without any further thought that's where he went.
After using his position as a well known mercenary Squall was able to be guided into the palace.
To his extraordinary luck Rin was there she was in the waiting room waiting to see the king. Squall would have run in there with her if he hadn't been restrained.
"You can't go in there without an appointment."
"But I'm"-
"I don't care who you are rules are rules."
"Fine can you tell her to come out here."
"Her appointment with the king is in a moment."
"I have to talk to her!" Squall was getting upset and desperate. He could feel his gunblade on his side more then ever now. "If you want to write her a note I'd be glad to give it to her."
"Alright, give me a damn piece of paper."
The annoying guard got Squall a piece of paper and a pen. Squall threw himself on the floor laying the piece of paper beside him.
To his surprise when Squall was finished writing he felt relieved. It was like everything was on that piece of paper and he was no longer needed. He handed the piece of paper to the guard along with the ring from his finger.
"Give these to her please."
"Alright, shall I have her come see you when she's finished her business with his majesty?"
To the guards surprise Squall shook his head "Just give her the ring and letter."
The rest was up to her Squall was not going to stand in the way of the life she wanted. He cared for her so much it was the least he could do for her.
Feeling better about everything Squall left Deling City. No one can predict the future and Squall wasn't about to start he only hoped that in the end Rin was happy.
* * * * *
Everything was a go that is everything but Rin's nerves. She was about to meet her father the only living relative she had. Fears that she never thought she feared were churning her insides.
Seifer was sitting next to her for 'support,' but he wasn't the one she wanted the support from. Rin nervously tucked her pale blue sweater into her cream skirt and clasped her hand around her mysterious ring for support instead.
Any minute now the doors to his majesty's office would open to her and she would see her father. Rin's grip tightened around the ring. Seifer tried saying something to her, but one look from Rin told him to stay quiet.
Rin was on such an edge that when one of the king's guards tapped her on the shoulder she nearly jumped out of her skin.
"Miss," he addressed her "These are for you," she took the latter and ring that the guard gave her.
"Oh my god!" Rin exclaimed as she examined the ring tossing it around in her palm. It was Squall's ring she thought it was a cool ring, but never dared ask about it. He seemed to hold the ring at as much esteem as she held hers. What in the world was he doing sending it to her?
"Who's the letter from? Seifer asked casually, but curiously.
Rin didn't answer she walked over to the corner of the room and read the letter.
Dear Rin,
I'm trying to come up with words to explain my actions, but there are none because my actions are inexcusable. No words can make up for me not believing you. The truth is Rin you're the first thing that I've ever truly believed in.
I think when you first told me you thought you were Princess Rinoa Caraway my fear took over. To admit that you were the princess would mean losing you.I was being selfish.
I guess why I'm truly writing to you is to tell you that I whole heartily believe in you and if I could wish one thing it would be to wish you true happiness.because you deserve nothing less.
I also want you to know that even though I believe you to be the royal princess, how else could you be so amazing, I will always regard you as Rin Heartilly. You don't have to be a princess for me all you ever had to be is just Rin; no one else could ever have my heart.
I respect fully your need to find and be with your family I would never want to get in the middle of that. As long as in the end I know your happy then that will be more then enough for me.
Always your, Squall
p.s. My mother gave me that ring on her death bed. You see my father, Laguna, was caught cheating by my mother. After that she was never the same her heart just couldn't take the pain that Laguna had brought upon her so.she just gave up.
That's why I hold so much resentment towards Laguna. Where I know in my head he's only human my heart isn't as forgiving as my mind.
My mother's ring was the thing that I cherished most, now I want to give the ring to who replaced it.
Rin at that moment would have left the palace and ran to Squall without the slightest hint of hesitation hadn't the doors to the King's office suddenly open.
Rin swallowed something hard as she moved to the now open doors. Tucking the letter inside her skirt as she walked passed Seifer, who looked like he was going to make a grab for the letter.
Making sure she was holding on tight to Squall's mother's ring Rin walked into the office.
* * * * *
Seifer for the first time in his life felt the tinge of jealousy. There was no doubt in his mind who gave Rin the ring and letter.
Seifer knew that Rinoa was the one for him and he wasn't about to stand by and let Squall Lionheart get the girl by only giving her a stupid ring. Seifer left the palace and went to the shopping distract in Deling. He went to the jewelry store where he picked out and purchased his own ring for Rinoa.
Seifer Almansy was going to purpose to Rinoa Caraway.
* * * * *
Stiffly the king of the country stood in front of Rin. His face was very serious and tired not hiding his age very well. His hair was grayish black with streaks of white.
Rin by merely looking at him would never believe that this man was her father if it wasn't for her heart that was beating unhealthily fast.
"So why do you think your Princess Rinoa Caraway?" he asked her
Rin wasn't expecting such a blunt question the only thing she was able to respond with was a blunt answer.
"I don't," she saw the king look at her peculiarly "I'm only Rin Heartilly, but I do believe I'm your daughter. I can't explain it or show you any proof," Rin was totally off the routine that she and Seifer had practiced hundreds of times, but Rin didn't care. "The only reason I know is because of my heart."
The old man walked up to her studying her carefully "Well that's defiantly one I haven't heard before."
Rin was about to speak when she saw something catch the King's eye. His eyes where linked to her chest. At first Rin was offended but then realized that it wasn't her chest that he was looking at but the ring that she wore around her neck.
"How did you come into possession of that ring my dear?"
"I actually don't know," she told him honestly "I've had it since I can remember."
The Kings eyes lay on the ring while Rin held on tighter to the ring in her hand. His majesty looks up to Rin's eyes she watches as his eyes go from tired and old to joyful.
"My beautiful past wife had a ring just like that, but she gave it away to our daughter right before she was taken away from us," the king thoughtfully tells her and then in a whisper he says to her.
"You are my Rinoa."
No, she wasn't Rinoa she was Rin, but she didn't bother correcting him as her father wrapped her into his embrace.
Rin had at last found her family.
* * * * *
Squall's life had gone back to normal.well as normal as a life as a mercenary can be.
It was all over the news that the Princess Rinoa Caraway was found. Squall took the news for what it was worth.Rin had found her family.
His friends didn't bother asking him questions about what happened when he went to Deling. They could read from the look on his face that the matter was settled, period.
A big party for the entire country was being held in honor for the new found princess, but along with his friends Squall wasn't going to any of the celebrations. They didn't belong there. The five of them held no excitement for the princess being found there only excitement was for the young woman who had found her family.
As far as family was concerned Squall already had his and was looking forward to spending one of the biggest nights in this country's history with them.
* * * * *
Rin looked out onto the streets of Deling as her party was getting set up. She now put Squall's mother's ring with hers and had her hand around them both.
She was wearing the most elegant gown that she had ever set her eyes on. It was sleek silver with two straps gently resting on her shoulder as far as the bottom half the dress it ended in a slant. The left part stopped at the top of her knee while the right side of the bottom went to her ankles. Of course her hair was beautifully done and she didn't even want to get started on her shoes it made her feel the blisters that they were creating.
The streets at the moment were being watched by mercenaries and Rin was trying to hone in on their faces when she heard a familiar voice behind her.
"He's not there."
Rin turned around to see that it was her father speaking to her "Who's not there?" she asked trying to sound casual.
"I think you know who. I paid Seifer his 10 million gil and he told me he was rather fond of you, but an incredulous man was standing in the way of you two. I believe he referred to him as Squall the merciless mercenary."
Rin chortles "Seifer would call him that, but I wouldn't take anything Seifer Almansy says to heart."
"I suspected as much, but never the less."
Her father fades off "What?" she asked him hoping he go on.
"I see it in your eye's you long for this man, this Squall."
She shakes her head in a way that wouldn't convince anybody.
"I know you do because whenever I look in the mirror my eyes stare back at me the same way yours do now. That is until I found you."
"And I found you so why would I want anything else?"
Her father gives her a wrinkled smile "Because you do," he whispered to her.
Rin couldn't believe it as soon as she finally finds her family he shoos her away. As if reading her mind her father speaks.
"No matter where you go we'll always have each other. I'm happier then I've been in years just knowing that your alive. The only thing that would make me happier is knowing that you're truly happy. I want you to be happy Rin.
She smiles it was the first time he had called her that "That's what he told me," she said still smiling.
"Then listen to us," was the last thing her father said before he left the room.
When she decided to walk the Deling streets the dress she still had on was catching a lot of unwanted attention.
Letting her mind wonder she wasn't paying attention to where she was going and without notice she bumped into a solid figure. The figure grabbed her by the arm stopping her from continuing on. Rin looked up at the person that was holding her, it was Seifer.
"Rinoa we need to talk."
Before she could correct him about her name Seifer had already started talking.
"I know things between us didn't start like they do in fairy tales, but like everything else things change and before I knew I had fallen in love with you Rinoa," Rin gritted her teeth "Anyways," Seifer carried on "I just want you to know that I'm ready to spend the rest of my life with you Rinoa Caraway."
Seifer got down on one knee and took out a ring. He wasn't about to do what Rin thought he was about to do she hoped.
"Princess Rinoa Caraway will you marry me?" he asks her.
Rin knew she should feel offended, but for some reason she wasn't. Maybe it was you didn't get proposed to everyday, but she didn't think that was why.
"Seifer you didn't fall for me," she told him "You fell for Rinoa Caraway."
Seifer looked at her confused "I know that. I know I fell for you," he told her.
"You fell for Rinoa Caraway I'm Rin Heartilly."
"Rinoa, Rin, tomato, tomatoe." Seifer tried to be funny, but Rin was dead serious.
"Seifer, someday you'll find your Rinoa but I'm not her."
Beyond her greatest expectations Seifer seemed to understand what she was saying. As if out of a trance Seifer's eyes light up and with his arrogant grin comes back in full force he says to her.
"You were really never mind kind of chick, but your defiantly Squall Lionhearts kind." So grateful and relieved for Seifer's truthfully honest words she gave him a kiss on the cheek "Thank you for everything Seifer," she pulls out a tiny piece of paper "will you make sure my father gets this?"
Seifer dramatically bows then playfully salutes her "Will do."
With one last smile Rin leaves Seifer for the one thing that throughout everything made her happy.
* * * * *
"Do you want to go to the bar?" Quistis asked gently. The parties in Balamb where running wild and the mercenaries regardless of what the parties where in honor of didn't want to miss them.
"Yeah I don't think that's what I need right now."
Quistis tilts her head sympathetically "You sure you don't want me to stay with you?"
"I'll be fine you go have fun."
Reluctantly Quistis left the room. Squall would have liked their company tonight but didn't want them staying on his account. He knew if he asked they would in a second.
It didn't take long for Squall to get tired of his apartment so he set out for outside. The noise from outside could be heard from the lobby of his apartment building. Knowing that he couldn't take that either Squall went to the one place where he knew things would be peaceful, Balamb beach.
As he had hoped nobody was there he was able to take in the peaceful beauty that surrounded him. The tranquility was bestowed into his heart.
Thoughts of Rin clouded his mind, he yelled inside his head for them to leave but she was cemented into his brain.
Needing a release Squall began to climb the rocks relentlessly; he almost slipped to his death on several occasions. When he arrived at the top he had never felt a more freeing experience in his life. The air smelt sweater up there, the breeze was gentler and most importantly of all his soul was freer.
Squall would have been satisfied if he spent the rest of his life there, but a sweet, kind voice brought him out of his surreal dreams and back to reality.
"Why does life always seem calmer here?"
Squall turned around and found Rin standing there her body had never looked so frail and he wondered how she was holding herself up.
"Rin," he whispered.
She walks over to him "Maybe it's not here, but the company I keep while I'm here," she said answering her own question.
Squall noticed she was wearing his mother's ring around her neck. He smiled lovingly at the ring and then at the person who was wearing it.
"Maybe it's neither maybe it's just you."
Rin smiled so sweetly that it made his legs quiver.
"When up here," she tells him "things don't seem so cloudy and you can see your path more clearly."
"Yeah, but it's not real."
She looks at him fondly and asks "What do you mean?"
"Life doesn't move up here things stay the same that's why it's so easy to find yourself up here," he points back at the city "There things aren't so easy and it's easy to get lost, but down there is where you really find yourself. You're truly never found until you've been lost."
But that was a lie because at that moment Rin threw her arms around him and Squall had never felt so found then right there and then up o the rocks of Balamb beach.
* * * * *
Dear Dad,
I'm off to really the unknown, but I guess that's been the case my whole life. I'll try to do what makes me happy and I'm fairly confident that I'll find that.
What really makes me confident is knowing that I have a father that loves me and knowing that I have someone to go to. To know that we'll always have each other- that's what truly makes me happy.
With love, Rin
P.S Watch for me The old king set the letter on his desk. He smiled out his great window feeling complete bliss. He had found his daughter and more importantly she had found herself. It was the perfect start for his daughter and that's what made him truly happy.