Thanks for the reviews, they've kept me in touch with my work.
To angel_of_the_lion: I was experimenting a little with that part, and I agree with you, so I've done a little editing ;) You won't see it again in my depictions of Squall.
To Skar: Thanks for the support, editing, and feedback, definitely appreciated loml. =)
To the rest of the reviewers: Thanks for the feedback, I think this chapter is better than the last one.
Chapter 11
Compatibility. The one factor that could determine the outcome of a battle. How compatible one was with a GF. The connection that bound servant to master, was the same factor deciding how long it took for the awesome spirit to transcend realms, how much the Guardian Force wanted to help its master. Squall had high compatibility with Shiva, despite their relatively short acquaintance. She had bonded to Squall because she found similarities in their personalities. Their true personalities…
Squall hid behind his façade of friendliness towards everyone, hoping that no one would find a reason to look further into his soul. He found himself alienated from everyone in that he didn't understand how they could be so narrow minded. They continued to be happy as if no pain or death in the world existed. Pain reached him at an early age with the ever pervading thought of why his parents abandoned him. Perhaps that is why it affected him so much deeper than others. Rinoa had begun to change his view on pain, on life. She radiated joy despite the pain he saw in her eyes. He knew hers was a genuine happiness. Her trust was very limited, yet she was content with trusting just one person with her heart. She found pleasure from merely one reason. Squall had felt rejected by his parents, and tried to substitute wide acceptance by his peers for it. It didn't satisfy him at all though, because they could never know his true self. The one person that made him believe there was a chance for hope, for joy, was Rinoa. He thought it odd how she was the one who sought his help through the pleading in her eyes, the yearning in her soul for understanding, companionship, and trust. Now he felt as if he couldn't live without his angel, his savior from his self torment, his pain. Squall didn't know what he would do if he ever lost her. He allowed Shiva, one of his GF's, to know exactly how he felt about everything. He allowed her to read his thoughts, strengthening their bond and their compatibility.
Shiva was a goddess in the otherworld. The duty, the title, implied isolation. She could never be close to anyone for they might seek to use her powers for their own gain. It was a lonely life, yet one filled with hope and destiny. She gave hope to others in the form of small miracles, but she always watched from afar. She was the mother goddess, caretaker of all life forms, but her favorite children were the humans. However, soon after their existence, strife, pain, and warfare broke out among their species. It broke her heart to see her children fighting among each other for petty reasons. Years of trying to stop this took their toll on the goddess. She became worn, unfeeling, and even hopeless. Shiva gave up her powers to be reborn in an alternative universe, to hopefully intervene more effectively this time by grouping with humans. Interesting that she chose to group with mercenaries, yet she knew this one was different. This one held the fate of the world.
"Shiva, hear me please." The goddess appeared before Squall and read her master's wishes. "I know you have the capability of executing other moves besides Diamond Dust. How do we get to the others?" He communicated telepathically.
"Only through battle experience," replied Shiva in his mind.
"Are you ready then?" Squall could sense the goddess's "yes" as she prepared herself as he walked further into the training center. He unsheathed his gunblade and saw the white glow emanating around the blade. He was calm, ready to fight. One of the plants that resembled a Venus fly trap jumped out from a corner. It whipped a branch at Squall, stinging his face. He leaped towards it and slashed it across its body with his gunblade. Squall had the warrior's grace even with such a large weapon as his gunblade. It was hurt, but angry. It cast sleeping gas on Squall, rendering him temporarily out of commission. The mutated plant healed itself before attacking Squall again. The Lion awoke from his magical slumber, annoyed with the plants continual attacks. He stood still for a few seconds and summoned Shiva, who quickly finished off the plant. Squall gained experience as well as Shiva. After a few more battles, she had enough Ability Points to obtain a new level, and a new skill, Amnesia.
"What's the effect of Amnesia Shiva?" Squall questioned his GF.
"It has the capability to destroy memory, rending the target confused for a few minutes."
"Alright. We're done for today." Squall sent Shiva back to the other realm where she could rest and recuperate from battle. Squall went to his room and took a shower since he was sweating from the training.
***
Rinoa looked at the small puppy who sat staring back at her, tilting its head. "Hmm…what to do with you?" Rinoa asked it. "You'll be so lonely if I leave you here in my room all day." Angelo whimpered as if agreeing with her. Rinoa petted her, admiring Angelo's soft almond-to-pearl color fur. As Rinoa was debating what to do with the dog, she heard a knock on her door. She stood up from her bed with the puppy trailing her as she walked across the room. Opening the door she saw Irvine who leaned against the door.
"Can I help you?" Rinoa asked, surprising herself with her change in attitude from a few days ago. Irvine grinned and tipped his cowboy hat towards her.
"I was wondering, is there anything between you and Squall?" Irvine asked innocently.
Rinoa was confused. Why did he care? But she was also unsure of how to answer the question. Squall and she never talked about being together officially. She decided she wasn't ready to tell just anyone about her relationship with Squall, so she answered, "We're friends. Why do you ask?"
"Well, there is this dance being held tonight, and I was wondering if you'd like to go, if you're up to it that is." Irvine knew that there was a possibility that Squall had a thing for this girl, but his love for beautiful women came first. After all, she didn't say she was attached to Squall… Before Irvine knew what happened, he heard a growl and something clung onto his leg. "OOOOOWWWW!!!" Irvine howled as he felt puncture marks on his leg. He looked down and there was puppy drool all over his pants. He heard Rinoa's beautiful laugh, but the pain was overwhelming his mind.
"Angelo! Down girl!" The puppy returned to sit behind Rinoa, still growling at Irvine. Rinoa put a hand over her mouth to control her laughter. "I'm..so sorry Irvine! I don't know why she did that!"
Irvine managed to talk between his teeth, clutching his leg. "Ok, now you have to go with me to the dance. I'm going to need support to dance, now." He narrowed his eyes at the puppy.
Rinoa smiled and assented. "Alright, we'll go as friends, just come by around eight and I'll be ready ok?" She eyed Angelo and knew exactly how to train the puppy. Angelo would become her companion in battle; she certainly seemed ferocious and protective enough.
Irvine grinned widely and forgot about his pain momentarily. He limped off to tend to his injured leg. Hopefully he'd be able to make a smooth performance to impress Rinoa despite his temporary disability.
As Irvine left, Rinoa remembered that she had promised Squall that she would thank him later for the dog. "OH NO Angelo! I completely forgot about thanking Squall later tonight!" Angelo whimpered softly as to sympathize with her mistress. Rinoa closed her door and flopped on her bed, distressed about the conflicting appointments she was suppose to keep.