BLACK RAIN

A couple of things – first of all the Disclaimer, which I accidentally left out in the first chapter. (oops!) As you know, like yourselves, we don't own any of these characters…etc except the imagination we have to give them stories of their own.

Secondly, I messed up the title, the Story title IS 'Black Rain' But for some unknown reason I wrote 'Black Wind'. Sorry! Damn Cornflakes hadn't kicked in yet. OK enough boredom…

Chapter 2 – Time Plans and Solutions

"Welcome back," said a familiar voice. Familiar? No. Wait.. I do know it.

…Rain…heavy rain…

…A flash of lightning.. no a spell. Holy?…

… a searing hot sensation in his arms…

…a flaring coat…

…blades.. strike…

…trig…pu…

"Ouch" Yelled Squall. He jerked up and banged his head off the lamp overhead.

"Normally, people open their eyes first, then they sit up" said an amused voice. Dr Kadowaki was sitting at Squall's head.

"The Infirmary?" Squall sat bolt upright (making sure the lamp was well out of the way) and scanned his surroundings. Indeed it was the Infirmary. "How'd I get here?"

"You don't remember?"

"No, I don't" said Squall, starting to get annoyed and wishing she would just tell him.

"you had fainted. Quistis was the one who found you. She heard from Rinoa that you were going for a walk to the balcony, and wanted to speak to you, but when she got there, you were slumped on the floor."

… anger…hate…

…finish this…

…you had your chance…

Squall rubbed his forehead. What was this? What's wrong with him?

"When can I go?" he asked. It's not that he didn't like the Infirmary, or the doctor, he just felt… uneasy when it came to 'medical' matters.

"Hmmm, let me check you over once more, then you can go."

Squall sat there for 5 minutes, trying his best to shut out Kadowaki's voice, who was going on about 'taking it easy' and 'it could have been worse'. But he knew better to say anything. And no sooner had the doctor said "OK, off you go" that Squall was already out the door.

"How you feeling?" asked Rinoa. She immediately walked up to him and hugged him close.

Normally Squall would have swatted her away, but Rinoa was different, she somehow managed to calm him. Must be a Sorceress thing he thought, or maybe it's just because I'm beginning to care.. oh yeah, Edea that reminded him of his ideas.

"I'm fine" he said. Looking around, the whole orphanage gang were here.

"Never thought you'd faint on us Squall" Irvine chuckled "I thought the only pansy boy we had here was Zell" he laughed out loud

Zell immediately blew up "That's it! You're DEAD!"

Irvine pretended to blow him kisses "I know your fast, but can you dodge a bullet?" he grinned.

"Stop it, both of you" Squall interrupted. They immediately shut up.

"Yeah" Selphie chimed.

"Are you sure you're alright Squall? Quistis leaned forward "you didn't look too healthy when I found you"

Squall ignored her. "Let's get up to the third floor. I want to discuss something with all of you, but it also involves Edea and Cid"

As they all turned to go, Squall took Quistis' hand.

"How did you find me?" Squall wanted to know if Quistis saw anything.

"What do you mean?"

"In what way, and did you see anything?"

"No, you were lying on the ground, but.. I don't know. Maybe it was just the way you had fallen"

"What do you mean?" Squall said, a slight panic in his voice.

"Bet he was drunk…" Irvine sniggered, but was promptly silenced by a slap from Selphie.

"The way you were lying" Quistis continued "It was like you were lying on your side holding your weapon" she mimicked the way Squall held his gunblade "Like this, except your hand were open, but definitely in that position"

Squall said nothing.

*****

Headmaster Cid looked at the six SeeD's and Rinoa standing around the table, and gestured for them to sit down. Edea was also here, already seated at the table. Cid and the others listened as Squall spoke of the plans. He had decided only to comment on the 'Ultimecia' issue and the 'Monster' issue. He didn't say anything about the other two because he felt that no one could help him.

Edea stood up "you are right Squall, but not entirely. You say to try to find Ultimecia, when she exists and before she destroys the Earth, and try to get her to co-operate. But you are wrong if you think that only Rinoa and myself are the only sorceresses that exist right now"

The group stared at her. Even Rinoa. She too had believed this. Edea continued

"In terms of power, yes, Rinoa and myself, we are only what you would call 'very noticeable'. But there are other sorceresses. Many aren't aware they posses theses powers, some do and try to hide the fact that they are, either through fear of SeeD or fear of themselves. And there are those who decide to 'lock' away their powers. A powerful sorceress cannot do this, but like you said, maybe they can be convinced to use their powers to help the world. Without fear"

"So what your saying is." Zell spoke up " is that Ultimecia could already be here, but not have enough power yet, but will eventually?"

Edea nodded. The group hung their heads, saying nothing.

"there's only one thing to do" Squall said and walked around the table "and that is to try to contact every potential person out there who could be, think they are, or is a sorceress, and ask them for their help, to prevent Ultimecia from arising, or gaining power, or whatever.." he trailed off. Selphie pipped in.

"Also we could ask the sorceresses to help destroy the monsters! That way people won't need to fear them as they are helping them do good for the rest of the world! Both problems solved. Also we can watch the Sorceresses, and find out if any of them are trying to gain more power"

"brilliant child!" Edea beamed. Selphie couldn't help blushing. The others couldn't help but be impressed by her ideas.

"Squall, what do you think?" asked Rinoa"

"Sound good"

"Yes it does" Cid finally spoke. I shall set a team to contact the various country leaders around the world. Now that we have radio back, it should be easier to broadcast now." He sighed "Also, I have something to tell you. After this I am stepping down as headmaster, and appointing Xu as my successor. After that, Edea and I are going to go back to the orphanage, and try to rebuild it"

The group was stunned into silence. Retiring? But as they studied the features of the old man, they decided he wasn't joking. Quistis seemed first to recover.

"Very well Cid, but you'll be missed." She wondered whether to say anything out loud about what happened to Squall, but didn't need to, thanks to Rinoa.

"Squall, tell us what happened. Why did you faint?"

Squall glared at her "I just had a headache. It was nothing. Can we get going now? To make the announcement?

"Yes, let's" said Cid "But not you squall, I would like to talk to you alone if possible, you can tell the others later if you want to"

The others left, except for Edea. Squall turned to Cid

"Why speak to me privately if I can tell the others anyway?

"Because" and at this moment Cid grew serious "you may not want to tell them all of it"

Squall stared at him "OK" he answered "You're still the headmaster"

"Only for a few more days"

"…………………"

Cid stood up and sat opposite Squall. Edea next to him.

"some very good suggestions regarding Ultimecia. But actually I too have a suggestion, and it's also a mission as well."

"A mission?"

"Yes" again, he looked serious "Esthar's presidential aides contacted Garden just this morning. They have a solution to stop Ultimecia in the future"

"What is it?" Squall looked serious himself"

"Assassinate Dr Odine, or failing that, bring him to us for questioning. Also destroy his lab as best as you can, without arousing suspicion. Anything dangerous, get rid of it."

Squall was dumbfounded "Assassinate? Why?"

Edea spoke up "Ultimecia used a machine to travel back in time and to go after Ellone. Odine built the machine. So if we put Odine out of the picture, there will be no machine to use."

Cid finished "I want you to take 2 other SeeD's with you and carry out this order. But beware, he may have already been alerted to our plans, and may already have started building the machine in secret."

"How? How will they know were coming?" he asked.

"they've got someone over there who thinks like we do, and there could possibly be only one person who knows what a SeeD can do."

Squall sat silently. He knew the answer, there was no need to say it.

Chapter 3 will be up shortly. I would very much appreciate it if you gave us some writing tips, as this is my very first FanFic, All reviews will be appreciated