Author's notes: Well here's the chapter it seems you've all be waiting for, Squall and Rinoa do finally meet. Hooray it's about time!
Chapter 9- I woke to find my Dream Renegade SeraphZell stretched his arms towards the branches hanging over his head.
"That was by far, the most worst nights sleep in my entire life!" Exclaimed Zell yawning. Squall laughed.
"You mean even worse than when you fell asleep in the town's fountain!" Squall said through laughter.
"Well I was drunk, what did you expect? I do remember you pulling me out though!" Zell said punching a leaf that was agitating his neck.
"You slept in the fountain?" Selphie asked laughing. Zell ignored her. "You could have died!" She exclaimed.
"Well I'm glad somebody cares!" He whispered to himself.
"Huh, where are we?" Irvine asked as he woke up.
"Well good morning to you too!" Selphie said jokingly. Irvine looked around.
"Oh yeah, were on Squall's stupid quest" Irvine said grumpily pulling leaves out of his hair.
"You wanted to come!" Squall said, defending himself against Irvine's remark. Irvine pulled a face.
"Well that was before I knew I was going to be sleeping under a tree" Irvine mumbled. Squall shot him an evil glance.
"So what's for breakfast?" Selphie asked breaking the tension.
"CAKE!" Zell shouted.
"Cake again? Please say you were joking!" Squall moaned
"Hey it was all I could find!" Zell protested. Irvine folded his arms about himself and looked glum.
"Great, we have no money, and all we have to eat is stale CAKE!" He shouted. "You really didn't think this through before we left did you?" He asked Squall. Squall looked down at his feet guiltily and scratched his neck embarrassed.
"It's getting colder, I swear my feet are made of ice!" Selphie exclaimed as she shivered slightly. Zell looked at her worried.
"Hey Squall, I brought your jacket with me. Selphie could wear that!"
"Zell you are a genius!" Squall shouted at a puzzled looking Zell. Squall grabbed his coat out of the saddlebag on Zell's horse. Putting in his had he pulled out a fist full of gold coins.
"Squall there is enough there to led us live like kings for the next week!" Zell said speechlessly.
"My father asked me to take this down to the vault last week" Squall explained, "I guess I just kind of forgot"
"Yes! The first thing I want is a nice hot bath" Selphie said, trying to imagine what it was like to be warm again.
"There will be time for that later, first we must this Heartilly. That is why we are here," Squall said standing up. The gang let out a groan of disapproval. "Come on move it!" Squall shouted. Zell leapt to his feet as the others reluctantly stood. Stretching their aching muscles.
Squall helped Selphie onto her pony, which they had acquired on the way. It seemed to be wild and Selphie had affectionately named it Merrylegs.
Naming their horse had been the only interesting thing to do the long journey. Selphie had argued the men until she had her own way in naming their horses herself. Zell's horse was now called Rogue for its temperamental attitude. Squall's horse didn't have any quirky flaws so Selphie named him on his black coat. Raven was now its new name.
Riding down the hill, Zell cursed every time his horse stumbled.
"Zell what is your problem?" Squall asked, annoyed by his constant outbursts.
"I thought we had finished with this riding lark, but no, here we are again on these annoying things." Zell complained as Irvine laughed at him.
"You really hate horses don't you Zell?" Selphie asked giggling. Zell just mumbled to himself.
"So who want how wants to come in?" Squall asked at the entrance to the saloon.
"Hmm the Maple Town Saloon. I think I'll pass" Zell said sarcastically. Squall rolled his eyes.
"Well here I go!" Squall said, pushing the door open to reveal an empty bar.
"Hello?" He asked the dark filled room.
"How can I help you?" The barkeeper asked, Squall was startled by his unexpected appearance into the room.
"Um, I need some information as to where to go to find Lady Heartilly" Squall asked.
"Lady Heartilly has left town, She is now held in the Tall tower," The barkeeper informed him.
"Tall tower what is that?" Squall asked. The barkeeper regarded him carefully.
"You're not from around here are you?" He asked. Squall just stared at him blankly. "In the centre of the city, 2 hours away. To get to it just follow the signs"
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2 Hours later
Squall marched into the tower. He was met by two big burly looking men.
"I need to see Lady Heartilly" Squall explained, trying to look as though he was supposed to be there. The guard shook his head.
"No one is permitted to see her Sir, I must ask you to leave" The guard said threatening to throw Squall out. Once outside Squall consulted with his friends.
"They wont let me in" Squall told them.
"Well you didn't try very hard did you?" Zell exclaimed, earning himself a glare from Squall.
"Zell did you see the size of those guards?" Squall asked. Zell just nodded not trusting his mouth to say anything sensible.
"There's just got be an easier way!" Selphie said, looking at the guards and shivering.
"Well I don't know about easier, but it'll work!" Squall said looking up. Selphie gasped.
"No way Squall, your not going to climb it are you?" Selphie asked looking shocked. "I can't watch!"
"Ok, Selphie, Zell, Irvine get a room at that inn over there" Squall said pointing, "And I will meet you later. First I must find this Lady" The rest nodded and left Squall to face to tower alone.
Rinoa laid down on her bed, after washing and eating there was nothing much to do but to go to sleep. Closing her eyes she began to dream that Lord Leonhart would come and rescue her from her tower prison. Her dream was broken, by a noise at the window. Squeezing her eyes shut again, she prayed that was just her imagination. Little bumps formed on her skin as she held her breath. Nothing could be heard, and she cursed herself for being silly. It was probably just a bird that landed nearby the window, she told herself.
Squall pulled himself up over the balcony; the climb had been something he wished he would never have to do again. Thankful that he was not afraid of heights, he congratulated himself for surviving.
Stepping out from out from behind the lace curtains, his eyes were met with the image of a girl wearing a white silk petticoat, asleep on a bed which appeared much to big for her. Squall stood there shocked, he hadn't expected her to be so young. In fact he didn't quite know what he had expected, only that it wasn't this.
Carefully he walked over to her side, cautious not to make a noise and frighten her he sat on the edge of her bed.
"Excuse me miss," He whispered gently shaking her. Rinoa stirred and fluttered her eyes open. First she thought she was still dreaming, until the coldness of the room seeped onto her skin. Realising there was someone in the room with her; her first reaction was to scream. "No, no please, I don't wish to harm you. I need your help" Squall said trying his best to calm her. Rinoa went silent.
"Your, Your Lord Leonhart!" She said speechlessly. Squall looked surprised.
"How did you know that?" He asked. Rinoa pointed to a book beside her.
"My book told me." She said. Squall examined it. "How can I help you?" She asked sweetly.
Ok there we go, it can only get romantic from now on! Sorry for anyone expecting more Rinoa X Squall in this chapter, but it will be in the next one, I promise.
Ps. I haven't forgotten about Quistis, she makes an appearance later on.
Next chapter: Squall asks Rinoa to help him, blah blah.
Thank you to all my reviewers and especially those who reviewed the last chapter. Silver shadow, the angel of the lion, MusicFreakCQL21, and REM. Thankyou for sticking with me!
Leave a review, byeeee!