Author's Notes: Hey guys! So sorry for the long absence on this story, I've been busy with "Lose Yourself," the co-write between me and Star Gazer, (which btw, it really needs reviews, so please check it out!!) and I've been neglecting this a bit. It gets kinda kinky, so here's the PG-13 warning, but it doesn't last long. The ending is a bit...hmm...how can me say this...? Morbid? I dunno, you make the decision. I could really use some suggestions on what to do when the sniping comes around, cuz I'm a little torn on decisions. So your reviews will be much appreciated, especially if they have comments and suggestions in them!! Thanks!! Enjoy the ficcy!!
Secrets of the Sorceress
Chapter 8
Foreseeing the Lion's Future
After I arrived back in Garden that day, I knew exactly what I needed to do. As much as it hurt me to see the PHS's of Squall and the snipers, I knew now, thanks to Edea, that I had to stop it from happening. No matter what the cost, those snipers would never hurt a soul in Balamb Garden. It was up to me to make sure of that.
Paying no heed to curious or alarmed glances, I sprinted toward the elevator. I punched the button for the third floor impatiently, watching the doors close painfully slowly after I entered, and breathed deeply as it escalated to the top of Garden. My nerves were on edge in anticipation of what might happen in the next hallucination, but it was entirely necessary for the safety of the people I loved. Hearing the transporter ding, I jogged out of the small space, heading for Squall's room. I found him sitting at our small dining room table, sipping coffee and reading the paper. At my sudden burst into the room, he jumped, looking over at me with aggravated eyes.
"For Hyne's sake, Rin, that's about the fifth time you've done that now, what…" I cut off his irritated response abruptly with a fervent kiss. I slipped my tongue slightly into his mouth, hoping to induce the vision quickly, and wrapped my arms around his neck. The strong taste of coffee entered my taste buds, and I smiled at the satisfied groan that came from him. I popped my eyes open, and watched as another vision-much different than any one I'd witnessed to date-unfolded before me.
It started just as always, giving me a frame-by-frame take on the pictures. I saw the Garden, Squall, and the snipers all in three brilliant flashes. It settled the focus on the elevator, where I'd been moments before, and saw Squall standing in the center of the stairwell, speaking with Xu. She seemed troubled about something, but I couldn't pick up on what she was saying for some odd reason. The look on her face was enough to alarm me, however. It didn't look to me as if anything else was happening, so, taking Edea's advice, I attempted to move my head to find the master clock of Balamb Garden.
It was positioned at the top of the elevator Squall was right underneath, bold and eye-catching, letting every student know the time. It was a struggle, and the vision of Squall and Xu blurred for a moment, but I managed to move my line of sight up to the clock. Squinting, I read 11:30. Whether it was AM, PM, tomorrow, the next week, or the next month, I had no idea, but at least I knew the time now. I returned my attention to the two souls on the stairway, hoping to catch their conversation. I concentrated on hearing Squall's voice in my head, and suddenly, I could hear them. Like they were standing right next to me, I heard both of their voices clear as a bell.
"What time?" I heard Squall ask, he himself glancing up at the huge clock I'd just taken note of.
"Approximately 1100 hours, Sir. They infiltrated through the back gates."
The snipers. I knew she was talking about the snipers. 1100 hours…1100 hours…c'mon Rinoa, think! Squall uses Military Time every chance he gets! Think! I racked my brain for the answer, while Squall and Xu kept on conversing. I listened halfway as I tried to decode the time.
"Have you dispatched guards to the populated areas of Garden?"
"Yes sir, cadets are stationed at each one of the gates to an area in Garden. There are also five on duty upstairs, guarding the stairway entrances."
"Excellent work, Xu. Take every precaution needed. We won't let them kill another soul in this Garden, understood?"
Xu nodded, saying, "Understood, Sir," saluted, and headed down the stairs. No sooner had she done so, that I saw the red mark trained on Squall's heart. It was motionless upon his body, and Squall simply stood, allowing it to happen while he wrote something frantically on a clipboard. Anger surged through me. I wanted to scream his name, get his attention, and force him to move. But no matter how hard I tried, nothing came out. No sound could be made. The light remained aimed on his chest.
And then suddenly…
They fired.
I awoke to find Squall's arms still encircling me as usual, but also found that I was beginning to convulse. Almost as if I was having a seizure…but it was more like I was just shaking with a fear I'd never known. He was staring up at me with concerned eyes, knowing I was probably having another PHS, although he didn't know exactly what Edea had told me. I moved away from him, my knees still knocking together, and felt a little dizzy. I backed toward the door, watching the images fly across my mind over and over again.
"Rinoa?" he said softly, outstretching an open hand. "Are…are you alright?"
Hyne, if the sniper rifle didn't kill him, keeping this up would. Poor guy probably had nightmares already, and he wasn't even the one experiencing the visions. I knew what must be done to keep Squall out of harm's way, but I couldn't seem to force the words out. I took deep, refreshing breaths, and compelled my voice to speak.
"I'm fine…I'm fine. I just…saw something, that's all."
He gave a snicker of sarcasm. "Had to have been one hell of a something. You look like someone was just murdered before your eyes."
I chuckled dryly, placing my head back against the door. "You certainly have a way with words, Squall." He approached me again, and took my hand in his, looking into what must have been petrified eyes.
"What did you find out at Edea's, Rinoa?" The question was simple and firm, probably the tone he used on older students being disciplined. My breaths came in shallow gasps now, and I debated whether or not to tell him the truth. I decided it was time to face the music and let him into my hell.
"Okay Squall, you really want to know the truth?" His eyebrows rose high, and he nodded, apparently surprised I said yes. I took a great breath, and wondered how I should say what I'd been encountering in my visions.
Suddenly, I decided bluntness was the best way to go. Looking him square in the face, I said, "You're going to die, Squall."
Secrets of the Sorceress
Chapter 8
Foreseeing the Lion's Future
After I arrived back in Garden that day, I knew exactly what I needed to do. As much as it hurt me to see the PHS's of Squall and the snipers, I knew now, thanks to Edea, that I had to stop it from happening. No matter what the cost, those snipers would never hurt a soul in Balamb Garden. It was up to me to make sure of that.
Paying no heed to curious or alarmed glances, I sprinted toward the elevator. I punched the button for the third floor impatiently, watching the doors close painfully slowly after I entered, and breathed deeply as it escalated to the top of Garden. My nerves were on edge in anticipation of what might happen in the next hallucination, but it was entirely necessary for the safety of the people I loved. Hearing the transporter ding, I jogged out of the small space, heading for Squall's room. I found him sitting at our small dining room table, sipping coffee and reading the paper. At my sudden burst into the room, he jumped, looking over at me with aggravated eyes.
"For Hyne's sake, Rin, that's about the fifth time you've done that now, what…" I cut off his irritated response abruptly with a fervent kiss. I slipped my tongue slightly into his mouth, hoping to induce the vision quickly, and wrapped my arms around his neck. The strong taste of coffee entered my taste buds, and I smiled at the satisfied groan that came from him. I popped my eyes open, and watched as another vision-much different than any one I'd witnessed to date-unfolded before me.
It started just as always, giving me a frame-by-frame take on the pictures. I saw the Garden, Squall, and the snipers all in three brilliant flashes. It settled the focus on the elevator, where I'd been moments before, and saw Squall standing in the center of the stairwell, speaking with Xu. She seemed troubled about something, but I couldn't pick up on what she was saying for some odd reason. The look on her face was enough to alarm me, however. It didn't look to me as if anything else was happening, so, taking Edea's advice, I attempted to move my head to find the master clock of Balamb Garden.
It was positioned at the top of the elevator Squall was right underneath, bold and eye-catching, letting every student know the time. It was a struggle, and the vision of Squall and Xu blurred for a moment, but I managed to move my line of sight up to the clock. Squinting, I read 11:30. Whether it was AM, PM, tomorrow, the next week, or the next month, I had no idea, but at least I knew the time now. I returned my attention to the two souls on the stairway, hoping to catch their conversation. I concentrated on hearing Squall's voice in my head, and suddenly, I could hear them. Like they were standing right next to me, I heard both of their voices clear as a bell.
"What time?" I heard Squall ask, he himself glancing up at the huge clock I'd just taken note of.
"Approximately 1100 hours, Sir. They infiltrated through the back gates."
The snipers. I knew she was talking about the snipers. 1100 hours…1100 hours…c'mon Rinoa, think! Squall uses Military Time every chance he gets! Think! I racked my brain for the answer, while Squall and Xu kept on conversing. I listened halfway as I tried to decode the time.
"Have you dispatched guards to the populated areas of Garden?"
"Yes sir, cadets are stationed at each one of the gates to an area in Garden. There are also five on duty upstairs, guarding the stairway entrances."
"Excellent work, Xu. Take every precaution needed. We won't let them kill another soul in this Garden, understood?"
Xu nodded, saying, "Understood, Sir," saluted, and headed down the stairs. No sooner had she done so, that I saw the red mark trained on Squall's heart. It was motionless upon his body, and Squall simply stood, allowing it to happen while he wrote something frantically on a clipboard. Anger surged through me. I wanted to scream his name, get his attention, and force him to move. But no matter how hard I tried, nothing came out. No sound could be made. The light remained aimed on his chest.
And then suddenly…
They fired.
I awoke to find Squall's arms still encircling me as usual, but also found that I was beginning to convulse. Almost as if I was having a seizure…but it was more like I was just shaking with a fear I'd never known. He was staring up at me with concerned eyes, knowing I was probably having another PHS, although he didn't know exactly what Edea had told me. I moved away from him, my knees still knocking together, and felt a little dizzy. I backed toward the door, watching the images fly across my mind over and over again.
"Rinoa?" he said softly, outstretching an open hand. "Are…are you alright?"
Hyne, if the sniper rifle didn't kill him, keeping this up would. Poor guy probably had nightmares already, and he wasn't even the one experiencing the visions. I knew what must be done to keep Squall out of harm's way, but I couldn't seem to force the words out. I took deep, refreshing breaths, and compelled my voice to speak.
"I'm fine…I'm fine. I just…saw something, that's all."
He gave a snicker of sarcasm. "Had to have been one hell of a something. You look like someone was just murdered before your eyes."
I chuckled dryly, placing my head back against the door. "You certainly have a way with words, Squall." He approached me again, and took my hand in his, looking into what must have been petrified eyes.
"What did you find out at Edea's, Rinoa?" The question was simple and firm, probably the tone he used on older students being disciplined. My breaths came in shallow gasps now, and I debated whether or not to tell him the truth. I decided it was time to face the music and let him into my hell.
"Okay Squall, you really want to know the truth?" His eyebrows rose high, and he nodded, apparently surprised I said yes. I took a great breath, and wondered how I should say what I'd been encountering in my visions.
Suddenly, I decided bluntness was the best way to go. Looking him square in the face, I said, "You're going to die, Squall."