Disclaimer: sigh I don't own the characters from FF8, I only own the characters I made up. Also, I don't own either of the songs in this chapter. There...

A/N: Told ya this update wouldn't take too long! I've been in sort of a rut with this fic for the past week I guess, but now I'm back into it again. Lucky for you, huh? But anyway, thanx to all who have been reviewing. You're the ones who are making thisstory happen, because if it weren't for people liking it so much, I prolly never would've gotten very far with it. And to those people who noticed that on two occasions, the scenes in this fic reminded you of scenes from the movie The Lion King, hehe... well you would be correct. I'm a Disney-lover at heart, so those connections you saw weren't flukes. In the last chapter, when Squall was walking away from Seifer, I was gonna have Seifer say, "Don't turn your back on me Squall" and then I was gonna have Squall say, "No Seifer, its you who shouldn't turn your back on me." But that would be waaay too obvious, so I changed it a bit. Just pointing that out, lol. Btw, thanks to marsbar15 for her suggestion! Eeee! Mushy romance! Ain't it great?? Also to Vamp Queen, no the surprise doesn't involve Seifer and Quistis. Seifer is involved, but not Quisty. Who else? You'll have to wait and see...

The footsteps stopped, waiting for her to turn around before moving any closer to her. She did, slowly, and wasn't very surprised to see Shiloh standing there. He smiled at her, and she did the same, but no words were said. She turned back to the sky just as she'd been doing before. He took a deep breath and walked to her side, leaning on the banister as she was, following her gaze and trying to see what it was that was mesmerizing her so much. All he saw was the ocean, and of course, the starry night sky. Could that be it? Girls... "What are you doing here?" he asked as he turned to her.

"Nothing much. I couldn't sleep, so I just came here." He didn't say anything, so she glanced over at him, seeing he'd been staring at her. She furrowed her brow. "What?"

He quickly turned away from her. "Oh, nothing! I was just, uh..."

"I see..." she said rolling her eyes and facing out in front of her. "Well whatever it is, you'd better cut it out. It's annoying."

Shiloh sighed rather loudly. "I thought you'd be happy to see me," he said snappily. "After what I did and everything."

Akira gave him a sidelong glance unbeknownst to him. "Okay, so I owe you one. Big deal."

"Big deal?" Shiloh turned back to face her. "I stopped our dads from mutilating each other! I'd say that was a pretty big deal!"

Akira put her hands over her ears. "All right, all right already. You don't have to yell like that, geez..."

"Well you don't have to have such an attitude," he retorted.

"Look, Shiloh if you came here just to act like an idiot and everything, I want you to -- " Before she could even finish her sentence, Shiloh had placed his lips to hers. She was incredibly shocked, but closed her eyes and accepted it until he broke away from her slowly. "Shiloh..."

He cleared his throat and didn't look her in the eyes. "Sorry..." he muttered. "I just... couldn't help it." He finally met eyes with her, seeing she was smiling warmly at him. He still didn't smile back, though he wanted to. He was too embarassed.

"Don't be sorry," she told him. "It wasn't a mistake." She reached out and cupped her hands around his face. She brought her lips to his and kissed him again. This one lasted much longer than the last, and had more emotion involved as well. When it ended, their eyes were locked on each other's and smiles crept to their lips. "You're a better kisser than I expected you to be," she said coyly.

He chuckled lowly. "You're not so bad yourself. But... there's something I wanted to ask you."

She tilted her head to the side quizzically. "What?"

"I wanted to ask you if... Well you know that Garden Fesitval that Chloe's mom's planning?"

Akira raised an eyebrow. "Yeah...?"

"Would you maybe wanna go with me? If you don't want to, it's okay, but I just... You're the only person I really hoped on going with."

She looked surprised. "Seriously? You mean that?"

He nodded. "Yeah. I do mean that." He was getting anxious by the fact that she still hadn't told him her answer, but he tried his hardest not to show it.

"Okay. I'd love to go with you." He smiled and wrapped his arms around her. She put her arms around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder. She sighed - content with the situation. She wished they could just stay there holding each other forever. She wished she'd never have to let go of him. Thinking things like that surprised her. She'd hated him only a short while ago. But none of that mattered anymore. It was in the past, and if she'd learned anything from her experiences thus far, it was that the past was the past, and it didn't matter what happened in it.

"Dad why do you have to make such a big deal out of this? It's only the Garden Fesitval, it's not like I'm getting married or something," Akira said as Seifer instructed her to stand still in order for him to take her picture.

"'Kira can you at least make the notion that you're happy?" he asked as he looked through the camera. "And it is a big deal. Even though I can't say that I'm jumping for joy about who you're going with..."

"Dad!" She sighed and smiled as realistically as she could. She was indeed happy, excited even, but her father was shutter-happy, and it got on her nerves most of the time, especially because he had to take fifty- million pictures before he was finally satisfied. He snapped the picture and set the camera down.

Akira was wearing a knee-length black dress with strappy heeled black shoes. Jewelry, borrowed from Quistis and Chloe for the most part, adorned her neck and wrists. Her long blonde hair was down and spiraled. She'd fought like a wild animal until she was finally convinced that if she did her hair in that manner, she'd look gorgeous. Makeup covered her scar, so it was unnoticeable, and her eyes were made up beautifully. Seifer had to remember to thank Quistis for taking the responsibility of helping his daughter get ready. He sure wouldn't have been able to do it. That's what bothered him the most about Akira growing up not haing a mother. Things like this required a motherly touch, and Quistis did the job beautifully. He hoped to see her there later.

"All right, I'm finished."

"Thank Hyne," she muttered as she made her way to the door, Seifer following her.

Chloe and Shiloh were there, as well as Zell, Rinoa, Squall and Quistis. Everyone was dressed up in a similar manner as Akira was, which made her feel better. She'd been afraid she was the only one there who would be all "dolled-up."

Shiloh was wearing a white dress shirt and khaki pants. He looked so wonderful that she almost couldn't stand it. She smiled over at him, not saying or doing much else due to the older members of the group being there as well.

"Where's Selphie and the cowboy?" Seifer asked, being the first one to break the silence. He was brave by referring to Irvine as "the cowboy." He was proving that even after all those years, some things never change.

Rinoa surprisingly spoke to the blonde man standing in front of her. "They're both inside. Selphie wanted to see how everything turned out. She didn't see the final result," she said with a giggle.

Seifer smiled. "I figured that much."

Chloe let out a laugh next. "Yeah, Mom's been babbling about this for weeks now. I'm surprised Dad lived through it. All she ever talked about was the Garden Fesitval, and Dad's a real romancer, so he didn't like that too much," she said with a wink. Everyone laughed a little, surprised by Chloe's straightforwardness.

"Would your mother appreciate you talking like that?" Quistis asked with a smile.

"Ah, who cares? Let's go hit the par-tay!!" Chloe raced inside the doors to where music was playing and people were dancing.

"Do you think she knows how much like Selphie she really is?" Squall asked, seeming to be aiming the question to only Quistis and Rinoa.

"Most likely not," Rinoa replied as she took her husband's hand and led him inside as well. That left Zell, Seifer, Quistis, Shiloh and Akira alone. "Hey Seifer?" Zell asked.

"What is it Chickenwuss?" Seifer said with a smile. Zell couldn't still be bothered by that right? He had to have matured somewhat over the years. True to belief, Zell smiled as well and gave a joking roll of his eyes.

"I, uh... I just wanted to say..." Zell extended his hand to Seifer. "Welcome back, man."

Seifer stood there a moment, not saying or doing anything at first. He was too shocked. "I'm not staying here forever Zell," Seifer corrected him.

"Yeah, I know. But you're here aren't ya? So... welcome back!" A grin appeared on his face and Seifer finally accepted Zell's handshake. Then, Zell turned to Akira. "Wow..." he said breathlessly. "She looks just like you Seifer."

Akira felt a little more comfortable being herself with Zell, so she smiled up at him. "I'll take that as a compliment... for your sake."

Zell chuckled. "Well as long as you don't start calling me Chickenwuss, you're a friend of mine."

"Okay, I'll remember that," Akira said with a nod.

Akira sat next close to Shiloh, hanging onto his arm loosely. They hadn't danced yet, and she was having a hard time imagining why. Maybe he was just shy. Or maybe he didn't even know how. Another thing she was wondering was where her father was. She hadn't seen him at all since after she'd been outside the room talking with him and the others. Another song began, and Shiloh still remained quiet about dancing. Her eyes watched as couples of people re-entered the middle of the room and began slowdancing together. She only recognized very few people that she'd seen around Garden. The people she really recognized were Selphie and Irvine who were dancing together, and Chloe. Chloe was dancing with a guy she recognized from one of her classes. Merrick she believed his name was. Chloe gave her and Shiloh a big grin behind Merrick's back, and the both of them gave a small wave back.

All of a sudden, two more people she knew entered the dance floor, and she was pleased to find out who it was. Seifer and Quistis.

I've been down, I've been beat, I've been so tired that I could not speak, I've been so lost that I could not see, I wanted things that were outta reach, then I found you and you helped me through, and you showed me what to do, and that's why I'm coming back to you

Quistis looked deep into Seifer's emerald eyes as she listened to the beautiful music that flowed through her ears. She smiled up at him and felt her cheeks get hot. Even after all that time, she still felt like a little girl under his gaze. He hadn't changed one bit. He looked exactly the same as when she'd last seen him. She hadn't changed much either, aside from the fact that she'd cut her hair so that it was only two inches past her shoulders. She couldn't keep her hair the length it used to be, it was a lot of work.

"I've missed you," he murmured as he was still entranced by her gorgeous blue eyes and beautiful features.

She blushed even more. "I've missed you too Seifer."

"And I wanted to thank you for looking out for Akira and being sort of a... mother to her. I really appreciate that, and I'm sure she does too."

Once again, Quistis was taken aback by Seifer's maturity. "It was nothing."

Like a star that guides a ship across the ocean, that's how your love can take me home and back to you, and if I wish upon that star that someday I'll be with you, then I know that day is coming soon, yeah I'm coming back to you

"No Quis, it was certainly... something. I was always so worried that life would only be more difficult for her without a woman to take care of her. It's really not that easy for a father to talk to his daughter about... things that would be better for a woman to tell her about." He suddenly became embarassed and stopped, before he began sketching a diagram for Quistis. "So, thanks."

"Seifer, I'd do anything for you, or Akira."

Seifer raised an eyebrow slyly. "Oh? And why is that?"

You've been alone but you did not show it, you've been in pain but I did not know it, you let me do what I needed to, you were there when I needed you, mighta let you down, mighta messed you around, but you never changed your point of view, and that's why I'm coming back to you

Quistis found it hard to look into hus eyes now. "Because um... Seifer I've known you for an incredibly long time. It's not surprising that I'd eventually have... feelings for you."

Seifer honestly hadn't seen that one coming. Quistis had feelings for him? Since when? Quistis was always this beautiful, classy, sophisticated woman. How could someone like her like someone like him?

"You... You do?" He found himself tripping over his tongue.

Quistis nodded, finally finding the courage to look him in the face once again. "I've felt that way for a long time Seifer. I just... was never sure how you felt."

Like a star that guides a ship across the ocean, that's how your love can take me home and back to you, and if I wish upon that star that someday I'll be with you, then I know that day is coming soon, yeah I'm coming back to you

Seifer took an arm from around her waist and placed it against her cheek. "Quistis... isn't it obvious?"

Tears welled up in Quistis's blue eyes from sheer happiness. The man she loved for so many years finally returned her feelings, and it was wonderful. "You... you love me?" she asked, her voice beginning to break.

He smiled warmly at her. "I always have Quistis Trepe."

"You're sure Akira wouldn't mind us being in a relationship? I know how hard it can be when your parents date..."

"Are you kidding? She loves you! You're just like the mother she never had."

"She said that?"

"Well, I can just tell. I mean, she only ever has nice things to say about you. How you comfort her, how you look out for her, everything. Just trust me on this one."

Mighta let you down, mighta messed you around, but you never changed your point of view, and that's why I'm coming back to you... yeah

Quistis smiled at the words. She wouldn't be alone anymore. And she would even have a child as well. What more could she possibly ask for? Everything was perfect. Suddenly, Seifer lowered his face towards her and gave her a long kiss, which Quistis happily returned.

Like a star that guides a ship across the ocean, that's how your love can take me home and back to you, and if I wish upon that star that someday I'll be with you, then I know that day is coming soon, oh I'm coming back to you, I'm coming back to you, I'm coming back to you, I'm coming back to you, that day is coming soon, I'm coming back to you

Shiloh looked over at Akira, whose eyes were locked on the couple that were now kissing on the dance floor. "Wow..." she said breathlessly. "That's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

"You're okay with that?" Shiloh asked. "With your dad kissing someone in front of everyone? Especially someone who isn't exactly your mom..."

She turned to him. "Well I'm a hopeless romantic at heart, just... don't tell anyone that, okay?" She smiled at him.

"Well then in that case..." Shiloh stood up, pulling Akira to her feet gently along with him. "May I have this dance?" He looked deep into her eyes as he spoke.

She smiled gradually. "Of course."

He led her out into the middle of the dance floor as another song began. He put his arms around her waist and she put hers around his neck.

I can feel the magic floating in the air, being with you gets me that way, I watch the sunlight dance across your face and I, I've never been this swept away

"I don't believe this..." Akira said shaking her head.

"You don't believe what?" he asked with a small smile.

"That we're here. Together. Dancing."

"Tell me about it," he said with a light laugh. "But you're amazing Akira. You really are. I've known there was something great about you ever since the day we met. You have this... this wild spirit that's just so beautiful. Even though that probably sounds really stupid..."

She pulled him closer to be able to smell his cologne better. "It doesn't sound stupid."

All my thoughts just seem to settle on the breeze, when I'm lying wrapped up in your arms, the whole world just fades away, the only thing I hear is the beating of your heart

"I just hope my dad doesn't freak out," Shiloh told her with a roll of his eyes. Akira looked over his shoulder and saw Squall standing there. His arms were crossed. but he had a smile on his face. Akira now felt better and smiled sweetly back.

"Um... I don't think you have too much to worry about," she said as she smiled up at him.

And I can feel you breathe, it's washing over me, and suddenly I'm melting into you, there's nothing left to prove, baby all we need is just to be caught up in the touch, a slow and steady rush, and baby isn't that the way that love's supposed to be? I can feel you breathe

Akira listened to the words of the song rather closely. They were so beautiful, and they fit the moment perfectly. Nothing could ruin what she had. She wanted to be there dancing with him for the rest of her life.

In a way I know my heart is waking up, as all the walls come tumbling down, closer than I've ever felt before and I know you know there's no need for words right now

Seifer and Quistis stood together watching the romantic, fairytale-like scene play out in front of them. "What do you think of that?" she asked him.

Seifer remained quiet for a while, but then he smiled. "My little girl's growing up." He turned to her. "That's what I think."

Shiloh brought his lips to Akira's and kissed her for the remainder of the song. It was more than she'd ever imagined. It was beautiful and intimate; it was love.

And I can feel you breathe, it's washing over me, and suddenly I'm melting into you, there's nothing left to prove, baby all we need is just to be caught up in the touch, a slow and steady rush, and baby isn't that the way that love's supposed to be? I can feel you breathe

Shiloh broke away long enough to tell her he loved her, then put his lips to hers a second time.

I can feel the magic floating in the air, being with you gets me that way...

The songs I used are called "Breathe" by Faith Hill and the other is "Back To You" by Bryan Adams.