Disclaimer: I don't own FF8...
Author's Note: Sorry if it seems that I've been taking a while to get each chapter out. I wish I could update faster, but that's really hard for me, mainly because of school. Hopefully updates will be sooner eventually, but for now, it's the usual with updates being on the weekends. Also, Naurwen, when I was writing the last chapter, I didn't even think about that quote being from Hocus Pocus, but you're right, I can remember that it was. Thanks for reviewing!
Rhapsody
Chapter 10- Duel To the Death
Squall walked briskly through the streets of Deling City. With hands shoved in his pockets and his head down, he was completely anonymous in the crowd. No one would ever suspect that the figure in black was on the way to meet his childhood rival. He had no idea what he was getting himself into, but he knew that he had to find Rinoa.
Looking up briefly, Squall found that he was right across the street from the Deling Hotel. He looked around cautiously as he crossed the street, but no one was in sight. Walking up to the hotel, he found that he was completely alone. There was no sign of Seifer, or anyone, for that matter. Where is he?
The door to the Hotel opened and out walked Seifer. He faced Squall, and then beckoned him into the shadows. Squall followed him slowly, every step he took was a cautious one. He didn't trust Seifer one bit.
"Where were you?" Squall demanded. "What were you doing in the Hotel?"
"I think that the question is where were you? You're fifteen minutes late, Squall. I thought I'd get a drink while I waited for you." Seifer smirked. "You want a drink? Business can wait for now...let's have some fun first."
Squall stared at him coldly. "Stop stalling, Seifer. Where's Rinoa?"
"Rinoa, eh? Right down to business, I see. Well, it's simple really. You just have to trade yourself for Rinoa." Seifer told him.
"What do you mean trade?" Squall asked.
"Squall, you were always slow." Seifer grinned. "You come with me to where I'm holding Rinoa. I'll let Rinoa go, but then I'm going to have to kill you."
Squall snorted. "Kill me? What do you plan to do, Seifer?"
"You'll see soon enough." Seifer sneered. "So, what's it gonna be? You coming or not?"
Squall didn't trust Seifer, but he didn't really have a choice right now. Sighing, he nodded. "Yeah, I'm coming."
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"Alright, Seifer, I've had enough of your games! Just let me out of here!" Rinoa screamed as she pounded on the door. "Seifer! I know you can hear me! Open the damn door!" There was still no answer. Rinoa kicked the floor in frustration and then sat down against the door. "Damn bastard..."
Rinoa hugged her knees to her chest. When am I going to get out of here? I'm gonna go crazy if I don't get out soon! Standing up, she began pacing the floor. Okay, think rationally, Rinoa. Someone has had to have noticed that you disappeared. Quistis and Selphie are probably on their way here right now. That thought fresh in her mind, she curled up on the cot and closed her eyes.
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"This is it. Rinoa's in that building." Seifer smiled. "Now, we fight."
Squall shook his head. "Not until I see Rinoa."
"Fine, fine." Seifer grumbled. "Follow me."
Squall followed Seifer as he entered the old house and walked up the staircase. Once they got to the top, Seifer walked down a hallway and stopped outside of a door. "She's in there." He said.
"What's that mean to me?" Squall asked. "You could say that she's in any of these rooms. I want to see her."
"If I open this door and she sees you, she'll come running out and you'll escape with her." Seifer told him.
"That's a chance you're going to have to take. If you don't let me see her, then the deal is off, and you don't get to kill me." Squall said simply.
"Alright, alright, I'll let you see her, but only for a minute." Seifer unlocked the door and opened it cautiously. Stepping inside, he let out a sigh of relief. "She's asleep."
Squall walked into the room quietly. Seifer was right...Rinoa was sleeping peacefully on the worn cot. He knelt down next to the cot so that he was eye level with Rinoa. She looked so innocent, just laying there. Squall felt a sense of calmness wash over him.
"Alright, Squall, you've seen her, now let's go." Seifer said impatiently.
Squall reluctantly got up and followed Seifer. Pausing at the door, he took one last look at Rinoa. This might be the last time I see her... He thought as he finally turned and left the room.
"This is what's going to happen." Seifer said as he locked the door behind him. "Me versus you. If you win, you get to leave with Rinoa. If I win, you both die." Seifer smirked. "A duel to the death. You in?" Squall nodded. "Then follow me outside."
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Rinoa awoke to the sound of crashing metal. Jumping up, she looked around her. The noise continued, but it seemed to be coming from outside. Damn! If only this room had a window! But...maybe there is! Why would someone build this room without any windows? There has to be a hidden window around here somewhere...
She began knocking on the walls, feeling for anything that was out of place. "A-ha!" She said as she felt a couple of loose boards. Using all of her strength, she managed to pry the boards from the wall. Just as she had expected, a window was located right where the boards had just been. Wiping the dust off the window, she found that she had a clear view of a field. Two men were engaged in a heated fight. That would explain the sound of metal. Looking closer, she realized that the figures weren't just two men...they were Squall and Seifer.
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"Come on, Squall, is that all you got?!" Seifer shouted. "Why don't you try to fight like a real man?"
Ignoring Seifer's comments, Squall concentrated on one thing, and one thing only...defeating Seifer.
"This is kinda ironic, isn't it, Squall? You remember that duel when we were kids? How about I give you another scar before I kill ya?"
Squall continued to ignore Seifer as the fighting went on. The battle was intense and Squall and Seifer both had their fair share of cuts and bruises.
"Maybe I'll hold off on killing Rinoa. She could come in handy to me."
"Don't touch her, you bastard." Squall threatened.
"You're not going to be around to stop me. Actually, it's all your fault that Rinoa is in this mess. I was out to kill you, Squall, not her. You were the one that had to get involved with her. No one is safe when they're around you. Now, you'll be in the grave and Rinoa will be in my bed." He grinned.
Squall charged at Seifer with all the strength he possessed. He was seething with rage from Seifer's remarks. He couldn't loose...he couldn't leave Rinoa to him.
With a cry of pain, Seifer was flat on his back. He was covered in blood, but still, he couldn't help himself. "You'll never be the man that I was to her. Someday...she'll realize that...and...you will be finished. She'll realized that all you bring to her is...danger..."
Squall held his gunblade to Seifer's throat. "I could kill you right now, but I'm not like you, Seifer. I'm not out for blood."
"Squall!" Zell ran towards him. "You okay, man?"
Squall nodded. "Where's Irvine?"
"He's right there." Zell pointed to where Irvine was approaching, followed by several cops.
Squall dropped his gunblade. "I'll let the cops handle you." He turned to go, but one of the cops stopped him.
"We found this on him." The cop handed Squall a key. "Do you know what it could be for?"
He nodded. "Yeah...I know what it's for. Excuse me." Squall said as he walked away and back into the house. He ran up the stairs and down the hall where Seifer had led hi m earlier. Stopping outside of the room in which Rinoa was being held, he took the key out from his pockets and unlocked the door.
The door swung open, and Rinoa stood there crying. A silent understanding seemed to pass through them. Wordlessly, Squall wrapped his arms around her and let her cry.
"I saw everything, Squall. I saw what you did." She sobbed.
"It's alright. Seifer can't bother you anymore." Squall said gently.
"I know." Rinoa said. "I know."
Author's Note: Sorry for the shortness in this chapter. I gotta run out the door now so bye and thanks for reading!