Disclaimer: Squaresoft and whoever else has legal claim own FF8 and its characters. This story was written for entertainment only and I gain no profit from it. Only help from people on writing.

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'I… can't… run… any… longer. To… exhausted. I… guess… I'm… fated… to… die… here… and… now. I'm… sorry… Squall. I… still… love you. I… hope… you… love… me.'

Rinoa collapses to the ground, exhausted. She can't run any more, too tired to move her legs any more.

'It looks like this Torama is going to be the cause of my death. I hope it won't hurt to much. I don't want to die. I'm scared. But I can't fight it on my own, with just my hands. I'm not strong enough like Zell to defeat it.'

'Squall… I wish you were here to protect me with Lion Heart. You see. Even though you have hurt me. My dying thoughts are of you.'

The Torama bounds over to her stands over her. It slowly lowers its head and bites her…

"AAAHHH"

'Oh Hyne, burning pain. Why did the Torama just bite me in the shoulder? Why is it delaying the inevitable? Tears are streaming down my face. This is pure agony. Just get it over with, please. This is too painful for it to continue.'


She opens her eyes to look her last at the world. It seems to her as if the Torama is hesitating, and behind it she can just make out Balamb Garden speeding towards them, but she is convinced she is dreaming.'

'Huh? What's this strange thrumming I can hear and feel through the ground? Is that Balamb Garden I can see? No, that's not possible. It left over two hours ago. The pain must be making me hallucinate, slip in and out of consciousness. Next thing I'm gonna see Squall, killing the Torama. But he isn't here. I'm only imagining this. It can't really be happening. I can only see it because I want it so badly. I'm loosing grip on reality. Everything is slowly turning black. Can't keep my eyes open. I can hear Squall calling me. I want to respond but can't. I have no energy. I'm dying…'

At that she passes out, through fear, through pain, not seeing Squall coming to her rescue.

*~*~*~*~

Squall runs through Garden, trying to get to Rinoa as quickly as he can. He runs from the Bridge to the elevator, hitting the ground floor button.

'Hold on Rinoa, hold on. I'm coming; just don't let that fucking Torama kill her. She can't die, not like this. I have to be by her side, protecting her. She can't die. Hyne everyone get out of my way. I need to get to my Sorceress. I need to save her.'

Through the elevator doors he can see the ground floor corridors are completely blocked. He hits the 2nd floor button, and runs to the back door.

'The corridors are too blocked. I can't get to her. The elevator is so slow. I need to get out of the Garden; I need to save her. The second floor back door. I'll get out that way. It isn't so very far to the ground if I jump. I'll use Quezacotl to lower me.'

~ Quezacotl. ~

~ Yes commander. ~

~ Come to me. Help me get to the ground in one piece. ~

~ As you wish commander. ~

As Squall reaches the door he summons Quezacotl. Once out side the door he jumps onto Quezacotl's back and rides to the ground.

'Yes. I'm nearly there. Nearly close enough to jump and save Rinoa. Just hold on a few more seconds Rinoa. Just a few more.'

"Rinoa. Don't leave me. Die you fucking Torama, die."

Squall jumps from Quezacotl's back and swings Lion Heart at the Torama, killing it instantly. He bends down next to Rinoa and talks to her.

'One hit. That's all it needed. One hit from Lion Heart. It died in one hit. Rinoa please be ok. Please.'

"Rinoa, can you hear me. Speak to me, say something. Open your eyes please Rinoa. Give me some sign that your not dead. Anything. Please, don't be dead."

'This is the first time I've cried in years. But I don't care. I love her so much. Hyne please don't let her be dead. I love her. She can't die. If she does I've failed as a knight. I couldn't protect her when she needed me. Rinoa you have to live, I need you.'

Squall removes his coat, oblivious to the cold, and tries to stench the blood flow.

'My coat. I'll wrap that round her wound. Try and stop the blood loss. She mustn't loose too much or she will die. I can't loose her. I can't. I haven't told her how I feel yet. I have to tell her. She has to know before she dies. I can't even cast a cure spell on her. I don't have any. I'm not a magic user. I have strength not magic. I'm useless. I can only just summon the Guardians.'

He carefully picks up Rinoa and carries her back to Garden, as quickly as he can.

'Where is everyone? I need Zell or Selphie. They are great magic users. The best is Rinoa but she can't heal herself right now. I'm gonna have to move her. No one is coming. She needs help. Now. My Hyne she's light. I never realised how light she was. She looks so pale.'

"Rinoa; hold on please, only a little father til we're back at Garden. Just don't die. Don't leave me. I promise never to leave you again. Rinoa, keep breathing. Don't you dare stop. I am trying, trying to get you back in time."

'Where is Dr. Kadowaki? She needs to be here to look after Rinoa. My love is dying and she's not here. Doesn't she realise Rinoa is dying. She desperately needs help.'

"Dr. Kadowaki? Dr. Kadowaki? Where are you?"

"I'm here Squall. Give Rinoa to my assistant, we'll look after her."

"NO. I won't let her go, not again."

"Squall, please, we need to help her."


"I'll carry her."

"Fine, please hurry this way. I need to get her to the Infirmary to treat that bite."

"She mustn't die Dr."

"I'll try my best, but she may already be beyond help."

"Don't say that. She is never beyond help."

"I can only try. If she isn't willing to help save herself there is nothing I can do."

"No. You have to save her."

'Why am I shaking so? I know I'm crying, crying for Rinoa, crying for me. Crying silently. The tears just keep coming, I can't stop them. She can't die. There was so much life in her last time I saw her. She just can't die. There would be no point to my life without her.'

"Squall, please place Rinoa here." Squall gently places Rinoa down on the bed. "I'll work on her shoulder now. Here take your coat back, though I think it may be ruined. If you could just step outsi-"

"NO. I want to stay with her."

"Squall I need space to try to help Rinoa, without that space she could die."

"But I can't bear to leave her, all alone…"

"You can wait outside if you want but I don't know how long I'll be."

"Fine, I'll wait outside."

'I can leave her not now that I've just got her back. Can't… leave her… can't leave… her. I feel… so tired… but mustn't leave… mustn't… leave…'

Squall leans against the wall and slowly slumps down it, exhaustion taking over him. the exhaustion of running to get Rinoa, carrying her, the exhaustion of nerves strung out. He sinks into a deep sleep on the floor of the infirmary, leaning against the wall, curled up round his coat, the last thing of his to touch Rinoa.

*~*~*~*~

'Huh? What's that strange ringing? I don't understand where it's coming from.'

"Irvine, Irvine, wake up."

"Wha??"

"Irvine, your phone is ringing."

"Well answer it then darling."

"I can't you idiot, this is your dorm. I shouldn't even be here."

'Damn. Good point.'

He picks up the phone and answers it rather sleepily. He glances at the clock and notices it is 1.26am.

"Hello?"

"Irvine? Sorry to bother you at this time."

"Dr. Kadowaki. What do you want at 1am?"

"Could you do me a favour Irvine?"

"I guess."

"Can you come down to the Infirmary? I need your help."

'Great, just when I don't want to leave Selphie.'

"Sure I guess. See you in a few minutes Dr."

'I really don't want to leave Selphie, we were so close. But Dr. Kadowaki needs my help.'

"I'm sorry Selph, I gotta go. Please don't leave I'll be back as soon as I can."

"But Irvine I shouldn't be here, won't we get in trouble if I stay."

"It's cool Sefie, Squall knows, I think, and he didn't say anything."

"Oh cool, ok, I'll wait for you."

He hastily grabs some trousers and a top and pulls them on quickly. He leaves his hair down and leaves his dorm.

'I wonder what Dr. Kadowaki wants. It's gotta be important otherwise she wouldn't ring at this hour. Blimey Garden seems spooky at this time. Well at least it isn't far to the Infirmary. Huh? Is that Zell ahead of me? Why's he up?'

"Hey Zell." Zell is dressed only in his tracksuit bottoms, his hair lying down by the side of his face. He has obviously just woken up too.

"Oh, Hi Irvine. What you doing up?"

"I was about to ask you that."

"Oh right, Dr. Kadowaki phoned saying she needed my help."

"Huh? She rang me saying the same thing."

"Strange, well I guess there is only one way to find out what she wants."

"True. Don't you think Garden is spooky in this light?"

"Yeah, kinda."

They walk on in silence until they come to the Infirmary.

'I'll leave him to his thoughts. It is 1am after all. I wonder why Dr. Kadowaki needs us both. I wonder if Rinoa's been found. I really hope so. It's been hours since she left.'

"Hi Irvine, Zell. Thanks for coming down so late."

"No probs doc. What do you need us for?" said Irvine.

"Well Rinoa's been found. But Squall refused to leave after carrying her here. The only problem is that he was so tired after worrying and carrying Rinoa that he has collapsed into sleep and I can't move him. Would you two mind moving him to his dorm? I can't put him up here in case someone else comes in ill or injured."

"No probs Dr. I think we can move him can't we Zell?"

"Hmm? What? Oh, right, move Squall. Yeah I think we can manage it."

"Thanks boys. You know I wouldn't have asked if it weren't an emergency."

They both get one of Squall's arms around their necks and hoist him up, his head drops forward, but he doesn't wake. Irvine also grabs the coat he sees that Squall was holding.

'Ugh. Hyne; he's heavier than he looks. Oh well.'

They set of slowly heading for the dorms. Squalls feet drag along the floor though they do not make any sound.

"You ok there Zell."

"Yeah, let's just get him back to his dorm fast. He's kinda heavy."

"I know."

"I hope he hasn't locked his dorm door."

"Hyne that would not be good."

"I don't think Squall would appreciate us searching him, or breaking down his door."

"No and it wouldn't look appropriate anyway."

"Where's Squall's dorm again?"

"Don't worry Zell, it's near mine."

"Good. Not far then."

'Gladness. Not much farther to go. I'm gonna ache in the morning from this. It's as if he is getting heavier the closer we get to his dorm. As if he doesn't want to go there. As if he unconsciously knows we have moved him away from Rinoa.'

"Irvine is this it?"

"Yeah that's his."

"You wanna try the door."

"Ok."

'Please don't let it be locked. Oh Hyne please.'
*click*

"Yes! It isn't locked."

"Well let's hurry up and get him inside. And celebrate later Irvine."

"Ok, let's put him on his bed."

"Yeah, might as well make him at least a little comfy."

'Wow. He looks so peaceful. I hope there isn't too much pain in store for him and Rinoa. They don't need anymore. They don't deserve anymore. I wonder what made Rinoa leave in the first place. I wonder if she is ok. I forgot to ask. Well I better leave Squall to sleep.'

Irvine puts the coat down on the chair then he and Zell leave Squall to sleep.

"See ya in the morning Irvine."

"It is the morning Zell."

"You know what I mean."

"Yeah see ya Zell."

'I hope Selphie is still in my dorm. I want to hold her close and never let her go. I don't want to loose her like Squall nearly lost Rinoa.'

"Hey Irvy."

"Hey Sefie."

"You back for the night now."

"Yep."

"What was that all about?"

"Rinoa's been found and Squall refused to move. That is til he fell asleep. Zell and I just carried him back to his dorm."

"Rinoa's found? Is she ok?"

"Sorry Sefie I forgot to ask."

"Irvy."

"I'm sorry, let's just go back to sleep. We'll know soon enough."

"True."

"Night Sefie."

"Night Irvy."

'Dare I hug Sefie? Will she take it the wrong way, or the right way?? I want to hold her close. Holder close and never let go. I don't want the fear of losing her.'

"Irvy?"

"Yeah Sefie?"

"Hold me, please?" Irvine slowly and carefully puts his arms round Selphie and pulls her closer to him, holding her tight.

"Sure Sefie. I was hoping you'd ask!"

"Thanks Irvy. I dunno what I'd do if I lost you." She snuggles back into him, trying to get as close as possible.

"Same. Don't dwell on it. Let's just go to sleep."

"Night."

"Night."

'This is what I wanted. I hope she does love me, as I love her so much. I miss her when I don't see her. I'll ask her in the morning… in the morning…'

Just as Irvine is dropping of to sleep he moves his head closer to his Selphie and breathes in the scent of her so that he will never forget it. His hair falls forward and gets tangled in hers, and the two of them sleep peacefully together, Irvine cuddling Selphie.