Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 8... The song in here also is not mine, it's by Yasunori Mitsuda and sung Joanne Hogg, the song is from one of my favorite games called 'Xenosaga'! SHION UZUKI ROCKS!!

Note: Thank you for the reviews everybody! I LOVE YOU ALL!!

~ Chapter 3: Song of Pain: My Heart Beats ~

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The three hopped off the train and looked on at the beautiful city before them. The city sparkled with a magnificent glow from the artificial lights of the houses and street lamps. It was night and a light rain laid itself on the streets of Deling. The roads shimmered with an unforgettable beauty. People marched to and fro along the side walks with umbrellas to match.

People moved out around them as they stood in the direct middle of the unloading zone. None of them had ever set foot off of the small island known as Balamb. This was an amazing experience, it was like a city in the clouds, the opening of heaven's door. It was amazing. Even Squall was taken by it, he had only seen the small fisherman's town known as Balamb. This was truly impressive.

Zell's mouth hung open, sucking in flys left and right while Rinoa's face lit up with excitement. Her hands grasped at her mother's ring with excitement. She stepped forward a bit, leaving the two men. She continued her walk out of the station into the rainy city. "Mother..." She began softly. "You were right..." She said with a smile as she looked up to the bright night sky as the first star of the night sparkled in the sky.

"The first star." Zell stated as he pointed up towards the dark sky. They were both getting soaked fast.

"C'mon." Squall said as he placed his leather jacket over his head, causing the rain to slip from the jacket. "I don't want my partners getting sick... I'd be stuck with all the work." He said walking on ahead quickly. Rinoa smiled in a warm fashion and caught up to Squall with a jog, Zell following her.

*

They checked into the Deling Hotel that night, all three of them sharing a room. Someday they were going to have to find a flat to rent. They couldn't live in the hotel for the next God knows how many days.

That night Rinoa was forced to share a bed with Zell as they all to rent one room for the conservation of their money. Rinoa secretly enjoyed how close all three of them were. It felt like she was at home. She curled into her pillow and fell asleep, faster than she ever had before.

The next day was fairly relaxing Rinoa explored the town and found mentally taking notes on some of the shops around town that had interested her. Zell also jogged around town, looking for flats to rent at a reasonably cheap price. Squall also walked around the town becoming familiar with the street names and the city's lay out.

Rinoa stepped into the Deling Hotel, and was about to board the elevator to go to her room until a piano playing stopped her in her tracks. She looked to where the piano was playing. She couldn't actually see the piano playing but she knew where it was. It was down a stair case which lead to the bar. She made her way to the stairs and she began to descend them as a voice rang up.

'First we touch and we hurt each other'

'then we tear our hearts apart'

'we are to close and I can feel the pain'

'Fill my empty heart'

'Is this pain to much for me?'

'Can I stay the same?'

The voice sang along with the tune to the piano beautifully. Rinoa made her way to the bottom floor and looked around in the bar, it consisted of men and women alike, all listening to the beautiful voice on stage. Rinoa turned to the singer. She was beautiful, she had dark brown hair that fell to her shoulders, a red dress the dropped to her ankles, a slit running up her right leg to about mid thigh.

Rinoa sighed, a content smile on her face as the song played.

'When this pain consumes my heart'

'Will I be able to hold onto my soul?'

'Kindness is something I don't want or need.'

'This sunshine will just dissolve as we begin to light.'

'Give me a pain as pleasing as your sight..'

'So I can feel you all the day and night'

'And keep me from fading away...'

A waitress stepped over to Rinoa and tapped her politely on the shoulder.

"Is there something I can get you ma'am?" The waitress asked, a smile on her face.

"Can I get some water?" Rinoa asked, keeping her voice hushed for fear of interrupting the singer on stage.

"Of course. Please take a seat anywhere you would like." The waitress told her with a smile as she left for the requested water. Rinoa looked around the bar and found an open table close to the stage, backed against the wall. She quickly made her way to the table and slid herself into the seat. As she made herself comfortable she became light headed for a split second. She rubbed her head with a hand, ignored it and continued to listen.

'Even when..'

'We behold each other..'

'Some how our eyes do not meet...'

'And when you hold me in your strong embrace...'

'Still I feel no heat.'

'But it gives me such delight..'

'To feel you close at night.'

'I know I am true to myself.'

'Though it cuts deep into my heart somehow.'

She paused from her singing and made direct eye contact with Rinoa. Rinoa quickly averted her eyes to the table she suddenly found fascinating. The singer smiled delicately and turned back to her piano. Rinoa kept her eyes down cast, for fear of the singer's eyes. True, there was nothing scary about them but still she really didn't feel comfortable. The women sang but Rinoa just tuned her out. She kept thinking about would happen after the performance, would the singer talk to her? Was she nice? How long had she been playing for? Was she lesbian? All these questions ran through her head and before she knew it, the piano stopped and the people around cheered and clapped. She did as the others did and applauded. As everyone began to leave, Rinoa quickly sat up but the singer was looking at her, and walking over to her! Rinoa gave a quick glance and slowed her pace as to not be rude.

"Excuse me!" The singer called to Rinoa. Rinoa turned to the women as she walked over to her with haste. "Are you Rinoa?" The women questioned, a smile of hope on her face.

"Yes." Rinoa quietly responded, unsure of what to do.

"I knew it!" The girl exclaimed. Rinoa, surprised of her reaction, backed off slightly. "Oh I'm sorry! My name Meya." She greeted as her hand stuck out for a greeting. Rinoa shook it. "I was a friend of your brothers!" She exclaimed with a smile.

"Excuse me?" Rinoa asked, dumbfounded. "I never had a brother." Rinoa told her, shaking her head lightly.

"Oh?" The singer quizzically responded.

"I'm sorry." Rinoa apologized with a slight bow of her head.

"No, no it was entirely my fault. The two of you just look so much alike." The women said with a smile. Rinoa smiled an uneasy smile back.

"Rinoa!" Someone called from behind her. She turned and found Squall leaning against the railing. "C'mon, Zell found a flat. Pack all your stuff up, we're leaving now." Squall told her.

"Okay." Rinoa said with a nod. She turned back to the singer who had blank expression on her face. Rinoa smiled lightly and ran to Squall who had already begun to climb the steps to the front desk. Squall stopped his ascent and looked back to the singer for a few seconds, then turned and left. Rinoa followed him closely. The singer watched them climb until they were out of sight. She turned to the piano.

"Dammit..." She cursed quietly.

"Who was that?" Squall asked as they both entered the elevator.

"I don't know. She said she thought she knew me and something my 'brother'." Rinoa told him. "But I told her I didn't have a brother and then you showed up." She explained, turning to him.

"Hmmm..." Squall sounded with a nod. While she was talking he had already pressed the correct numbered button for them. The elevator doors slid open, revealing an empty hall way lined with doors. They both made their way to the room, packed and headed out.

"Where's Zell?" Rinoa asked as she tapped her bag that was strapped around her shoulder. Her finger nails gently grazed the material of the bag.

"He said he went early. To make sure everything was cleaned out before we got there." Squall answered her.

"Oh, that was nice of him. You should have gone instead, you know. He probably already unpacked his stuff in one of the largest rooms." Rinoa told him with a little giggle. Squall's heart pulsed rapidly for a split second as the giggle sounded which caused him to go dizzy for a few seconds. Quickly regaining himself he said. "Whatever." Rinoa laughed once more at the word, she would never get tired of it.

'You say that love is not a possession.'

'You say that love needs fantasy.'

'You say we must give it devotion.'

'But you don't say that you love me!'

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A/n: ANOTHER chapter done! Cheery oh! Thanks for the reviews again! They mean more than anything to me right now!