Sammy-Chan: Well … um … another update, despite the fact that 'Unknown' here told me that it was shit, I will continue writing for the '3 or 4' fans as he puts it. Even if there were 3 or 4 I would still continue. I'm sorry that 'Unknown' does not enjoy my story and that he or she finds it ridiculous. On with the fanfiction.
~Chapter 22: Angelo ~
Rinoa quietly entered the mansion. Her father's outburst this morning had slightly confused her. Was she still allowed on the property? Well, she had to pack her bags anyways so to hell with what he wanted.
She climbed the spiraling staircase quickly and turned sharply to the left, entering her room and shutting the door inaudibly. She looked around the room and flinched. Her mother was sitting on her bed looking at her intently.
"What?" Rinoa questioned.
"I'm glad to see you too, Rinoa." Her mom replied sarcastically.
Rinoa rolled her eyes, "Ok, hello mother. What would you happen to be doing in my room."
"Waiting for you. Have you noticed anything else different in your body?"
"Yes … for one, I can kill people off so much more easily." Rinoa burst out sarcastically, "For another point it feels like I'm being watched, my senses are five times sharper and I can feel everyone on this godforsaken planet's aura."
It was Julia's turn to roll her eyes, "I wasn't talking about that."
"Then aim for precision next time." Rinoa paused, then added, "So should I get my crap and leave or has dad changed his mind?"
"Don't stray from the subject." Julia replied, "Have you noticed anything else different?"
Rinoa looked thoughtful for a moment, "No … why?"
"Think hard …" Julia responded, looking at her keenly.
Rinoa was impatient, "Look, mom, if you know then why don't you tell me?"
Julia shouted, "Good Hyne, why are you so stupid?"
"Excuse me?" Rinoa exclaimed.
"You heard me!! YOU'RE SLOW!" Her mother yelled back.
Rinoa opened her mouth to say something but then shut it once more. Her mother looked satisfied. "Now think!"
"Of what?" Rinoa scowled.
"Something's different, now tell me what it is!" Her mother replied.
"What do you want me to say?" Rinoa asked.
"What is the difference!" Her mother said as if it were obvious.
"I don't know …"Then she guessed, "I'm not a virgin."
"Yes I know." Her mother slapped her forehead, "I practically assisted the whole ceremony so please don't make me recall any unwanted memories."
"What do you mean you assisted the whole ceremony?" Rinoa asked.
"I can see whatever you do … oooh, scary isn't it?" Julia mocked.
"Ha ha, very fucking amusing."
"So what is the difference?" Julia asked once more.
"Mom, you are getting on my nerves."
"AAAH!" Julia yelled, "You really are slow!! Haven't you noticed that your late?!"
"For what?' Rinoa asked clueless and then, "Oooh …wait …what!?" She shrieked.
Julia sighed in exasperation, "About time you realized. Don't worry, you aren't pregnant."
Rinoa looked more confused then ever so Julia filled in, "Sorceresses don't have that monthly problem. But we can still get pregnant so don't try any more stupid things."
Without waiting for a reply, Julia left the room to let Rinoa gather her thoughts. This whole sorceress thing was getting complicated.
***
Squall pulled a crate out of the car. Selphie looked at him in pure shock, then her face turned beet red with anger.
"YOU MONKEY-ASS!" She shrieked, "You're keeping it in a CRATE? IT'LL DIE OFF YOU STUPID, GAY, COCKSUCKING SHIT LICKER!"
She went over to him and smacked him in the back of the head. He scowled in pain and then countered, "It won't die you stupid bitch. See the air holes?" He pointed to the tiny holes in the box.
"Chh, what would you know?" Selphie asked.
"He would know because he once saved a Wendigo from a circus. The poor little monkey-monster was forced to dance all day to the 'Macho Man' song." Zell said and then burst out laughing.
"Not funny." Selphie glowered.
"Aw, sure it is. That Wendigo was the love child of a Snow Monster and a Gnat." Zell continued laughing hysterically.
"Hey, because of me that Wendigo makes a pretty good living."
"Yup … that Monkey-Monster sells white fluffy sugar on the streets of Dollet."
"AND he owns a Chocobo!" Squall put in.
"With two heads, ten assholes and three feet." Zell continued laughing.
"You guys are sick. So where's Hikari?" Selphie asked.
"She can't come, I don't think … father." Zell explained.
"Stupid son of a bitch." Squall muttered.
***
The water rushed in slowly and then retreated back to the ocean. The moon rose in the sky, glinting a silvery white that reflected on the soothing waves. The sky was blackish blue, dotted with stars. The air was cool and light fog was gathering. Their boots crushed and grinded the sand.
Rinoa shivered slightly, "Guys, where are we going? I'm cold."
"Yah me too …" Selphie admitted.
"Just a little further." Zell replied.
"Angelo!" Squall called out.
There was a slight pause, "What did you say?" Rinoa asked.
"Angeloooo!" Squall's voice rang out in echo against the cliffs of Dollet's beach.
There was a silence then everyone heard a yapping noise.
"Is he crazy?" Rinoa demanded to know.
"Of course he is …" Selphie replied.
A tiny shadowy figure could be seen in the horizon. It became more concrete as it approached. From its actual distance everyone could tell it was a four pawed animal.
Rinoa was the only one who didn't really know what it was but she had already guessed. Four paws … Angelo. A dog.
The tiny puppy yapped along and head-butted Squall's leg. It then, excitedly stood on its four paws waiting to be acknowledged. Squall petted its head affectionately.
"His name's Angelo. You get to keep him." Squall smiled back at Rinoa.
"Yup … isn't he cute?" Selphie asked.
"Oh, and don't worry. Dad won't have to
know." Zell said cheerfully.
"You guys are nuts …" Said Rinoa, a little shaken.
Angelo barked and went over to Rinoa. He started yapping energetically around her feet. She bent down and scratched him behind his ears.
"I like him though …" She laughed.
Rings could be heard in the distance as the clock tower above the Dollet hotel struck ten.
"We should be getting back." Selphie commented.
"Oh bull!" Zell said. "Let's stay out here a little longer. I'm going to the other side of the beach. C'mon Squall!"
"I'm staying here!" Selphie called out.
"Yah, me too." Rinoa said.
The boys weren't listening, they challenged each other to a race and ignored all other distractions.
"Oh Hyne … what a bunch of losers." Selphie scowled.
Rinoa just laughed while picking up the puppy in her arms. There was a slight pause between the two girls when finally Selphie spoke up.
"Are you scared … I mean. The war."
"No … well. Yes. I guess. A bit." Rinoa started walking in the direction the guys had run.
"Same." Selphie agreed and followed her friend.
Their walk passed by in utter silence until a cry sliced the silence.
"AAAAAAAH!" Squall popped out of the bushes.
Rinoa and Selphie both shrieked and Zell popped up from behind a nearby cliff. Both boys started laughing hysterically.
"You stupid asswipes!" Rinoa screeched, letting Angelo free from her terrified clutches.
Selphie gasped for air. She had never been so scared in her life.
"I say we go skinny dipping!" Squall said jokingly.
"You're going alone." Rinoa and Selphie replied in unison.
He rolled up his jeans to his knees, took off his shoes and socks and ran towards the water. He walked in to shin-deep and let out a horrified cry, "IT'S SO COLD!!!"
"You stupid idiot …" Rinoa sighed in exasperation.
"I'm coming!" Zell rolled up his pants to his knees as well, took of his sneakers and advanced to the icy water letting out a loud screech when he arrived knee-deep.
"Oh Hyne …" Selphie said. She slowly walked towards the shore, Rinoa following close behind with Angelo.
"C-c-come on! J-j-jump in!" Squall shivered, "Water's gr-great!"
"I think I will!" Selphie said energetically as she rolled her pants knee-deep as well and rushed into the water. She was the only one of them who managed not to yell out as the cold water came in contact with her skin.
"You people'll catch pneumonia!" Rinoa said.
"Come on! D-don't be … so uptight. C-come in!" Zell called.
Rolling her eyes she took off her shoes, her socks and pulled up her pants. She slowly felt the temperature of the water with her toes.
"No way." She replied.
"Come on!" Squall yelled.
She took a step forward and grimaced. It was so cold.
"Run … it's easier that way." Selphie suggested.
So she darted to knee-deep water and yelled out loud "HOLY SHIT!" She tried darting back to the shore but Squall grabbed her by the waist.
"No Squall we're gunna-" Too late. The couple fell into cold, icy water headfirst.
Rinoa came gasping for air, "You … stupid … ba-bastard!!" She spat.
"Holy shit this is cold!" Squall moaned.
Selphie and Zell laughed out hysterically. Rinoa stood up shivering and mumbling a few words that sounded like "Cold … very cold … cold."
Rinoa ran back to the beach and everyone followed suite.
"You are so retarded Squall …" She said.
Selphie and Zell laughed softly behind. Squall looked helplessly at his sorceress. She looked very, very … wet.
"I'm sorry …" Squall said meekly.
Angelo woofed his amusement and there was a slight silence.
"Do we have to fight each other?" Zell asked.
No one questioned his meaning. They all knew. Did they all have to fight each other in the war no matter what?
"I don't know." Squall replied.
"I don't think so. I mean, not against our will right?" Selphie said shakily.
"What if it is our will?" Rinoa asked.
Everyone looked at her slightly abashed. She was willing to fight them all? To kill them? Her own brother, her best friend?
"Instincts." She replied quickly, avoiding their eyes, "Remember. We aren't totally ourselves anymore. We might … do things of which we aren't aware of."
There was a slight pause and then Squall said, "Fuck it. I'm not going to be possessed by some jackass. I don't want to be Hyne's apprentice. I don't want to conquer the world."
"Yah seriously. I can't balance my own bank account, how am I suppose to rule the world?" Selphie said jokingly.
"I'm a simple guy. Fuck the world. I like my life just the way it is." Zell said.
Everyone turned their heads towards Rinoa. She stayed silent her head bowed. Selphie shyly asked, "What about you Rinoa?"
"What about me? Conquer the world? Are you kidding me?" She scoffed, "In Galbadia Garden there's 500 students. One of them happens to be Squall Leonheart. If we ratio that with the world's population, 6 million, that makes …" She paused to think for a moment. "12 thousand Squalls. I have enough of one, I don't need 11,999 more."
Her comrades sighed a sigh of relief.
***
Rinoa climbed in through her bedroom window helping three other people up; Selphie, Squall and Zell. Angelo bounce out of Zell's jacket and began exploring hi new surroundings.
"I'm going to change." Rinoa said. She picked out a few clothes from her dresser and went in the adjoining bathroom.
"You can borrow some of my clothes …" Zell said.
" … No thanks." Replied Squall slightly chuckling.
The slight silence between the three was interrupted by the clashing of glass, stomp of feet and the screeches of people.
Rinoa bounded out of the bathroom door fully dressed and gaped, "What the shit was that?"
"I don't know." Zell said awkwardly. Without further hesitation, they dashed out the door and ran down to the source of the noise.
They found Caraway, Julia and Hikari but they also found Sefeir, Quistis and Sophie Almasy giving off very threatening vibes.
Sefeir was advancing towards Hikari. It took Zell and Squall half a second to react. Squall snapped out his gunblade, jumped in front of Sefeir's and knocked his own away. Zell dashed to the back of him and swung his fists at his head.
Sefeir clamoured to the ground scowling at this unexpected ambush. This was Quistis' cue. Unleashing every spell under her wing her mother supported her with the little Firaga spells here and there.
Rinoa and Selphie dashed up, momentarily knocking Sophie off her balanced. Caraway aimed for her with his gun and shot once.
One blood stain on the carpet.
Sophie was dead before she hit the floor. This didn't affect Quistis' onslaught of attack as she screamed out,
"COMET!"
Julia, seeing the aimed attacked cried out, "SHELL" but all in vain.
Seeing the damaged done, Quistis made a hasty escape and no one dared to stop her. Sefeir followed close behind.
Everyone preoccupied themselves with the second blood stain.
"No …" Choked James, swallowing tears, "…no."
Hikari screamed out loud at the sight of her mother's body, sprawled over the study floor. Julia Heartilly was dead.
Rinoa let tears flow from her eyes as she cried out, "Mommy …"
Zell looked away and Selphie and Squall didn't know where to position themselves.
Hiding any emotion from his face Caraway helped Rinoa on her feet from her kneeling position.
"We must run." His orders voiced the fears of many.
Sammy-Chan: I know it sucked but I need to rush through this update because I got exams this week!! *squeals in frustration* Ok … euthrocyles, leukocytes? Is that it??? AAAAAAAAAAAAHHH! Anyhow. Expect to here more from me at Christmas! Oh, by the way. The Wendigo joke could not have been possible without my good friends, Heid and Erica!! Love you guys! See you! R&R!