Disclaimer: I own nothing in association to Final Fantasy VIII.
YAY! 14 reviews! I'm officially a loser now! lol. Thanks a bunch for my three reviews!
Mariko- you're great, simply great. If only everyone had such an avid reviewer. I'm so lucky!
Anonymous- Hey, you're, like, the first anonymous review that actually puts their name as anonymous lol. Thanks for your compliments; it's what keeps me going.
Mystic Kana- un-paralleled in every aspect? I wouldn't go that far but thanks! The simile to ebony wings? That was my sister's idea. Thank you.
Chapter Six: Betrayal.
RINOA
I stared at him, completely bewildered. Zell behind me stood up, but I felt as if I was in a trance and that I couldn't move at all. Squall strolled forward confidently, his Gunblade swinging in half circles on his shoulder. The spiky, blonde haired young man beside me walked in front of me to block any attacks that Squall might try.
" Don't even try to touch her. I don't know who the hell you are, but you're not Squall!"
Squall leaned his head backwards and laughed menacingly. Taking his Gunblade off of his shoulder, he swung it in front of him in the same manner that he had before normal fights in the past. He frowned and pointed the blade to Zell's face. " Get out of my way."
Zell lifted up his chin and balled his fists at his side in his own attempt to size Squall up. He stood on his tips of his toes. " You'll have to get through me first!"
I remained glued to the couch, watching them as they fought in a flurry of movements. Squall would attack, and Zell would move out of the way; Zell would attack and Squall would parry. It was all the same to me. And this was all for me. Why would I always be the reason for problems? It was then that I made my decision. Gathering all my remaining courage, I stood up and lifted my right hand. From my palm came tiny specs of red that soon came together to form a ball of fire. Reluctantly, I aimed at Zell and shot it with only a slight movement of my hand. Zell flew into a wall and lost his consciousness then, leaving Squall to stare at me.
" I'm your enemy. Now, fight like the man you once were!"
With that, Squall came running at me like he would have run at Seifer in the past days. All of his movements were the same, each blow hitting the air to the left or right of me. After all this time I had anticipated he would have become stronger, but it seemed as if I had passed him in strength and tactics after three long years. Wearing a painful face, I finally attacked Squall with my weakest spell. He staggered backwards to spring back even angrier than before. Caught off guard, he was able to slam the dull part of his Gunblade to my injured shoulder, making me howl in pain.
And as I laid there in pain, I could see from the corner of my eye that Squall was lifting his Gunblade high into the air for the finishing touch. Feeling that I had nothing else left to do, I looked up to stare at him sadly and began to sing the song that he and I claimed our own.
Whenever sang my songs
On the stage, on my own
Whenever said my words
Wishing they would be heard
I saw you smiling at me
Was it real or just my fantasy?
You'd always be there in the corner
Of this tiny little bar
His eyes seemed to lose their malice when I sang. I smiled at this and began to walk slowly towards him.
__________________________________
AT THE GARDEN
Xu banged her head on the controls on last time. Infuriated, she slammed her fists on the controls and turned her head to glare at Seifer. " What the hell is wrong with the controls? Why isn't he trying to kill her?"
Seifer just smiled at her frustration and put a hand through his short, blonde hair. " I don't know. I'm not the one who made that thing."
Xu picked her hands up from the controls and straightened her hair and clothing. Finally, she swerved around on her heel and began walking to the exit of the small room. This surprised Seifer, making him jump out of his chair and get in front of her. He waved his hands nervously in her face.
" Hey, hey! Where are you going?"
Xu swiped his hands away with hers. " I'm going to go set Squall straight."
Seifer bit his lip. " Um... how about we dance? I read in your diary that you always wanted to dance with Squall! I'm close enough, right? I mean, I'm his rival after all."
" I don't have time for your antics."
* This is about to get embarrassing.* Seifer though. * Squall owes me BIG TIME.*
Seifer darted in front of Xu and leaned against a cabinet in an enticing pose. " Have I ever told you how..." Seifer gulped, " pretty you look?"
Xu stopped in her tracks and spat, " Get out of my face, Seifer."
* How I hate drawling on....*
The ex-Knight smiled and put on his most love-sick face that he could. " You... you actually called me by my name! Does that mean that you're falling for me?"
Xu squinted her eyes and stared questioningly at Seifer. " Are you really that desperately in love with me?"
* Desperate isn't the word....*
Seifer gulped again and nodded slowly. " I'm in head over heels...."
Xu smiled halfway and poked Seifer in the stomach. " Then let's dance."
" D-d-dance!? Err... are you serious? I mean... will you really dance with me?"
Xu smiled broadened as she put her left hand on Seifer's neck. " Of course not." She lifted him up with her hand and lifted her other up to his head. " Now, die!"
And with that, a blinding light filled the room. When it cleared, the only present thing was Seifer's bleeding body that had hurled across the room.
___________________________________
RINOA
Squall was closing his eyes and biting his lip when I sang the rest of the song to him. As I finished, he reopened his eyes and released his lips from his teeth's grasp. Forgetting my fears, I ran into his arms. It didn't surprise me when he didn't embrace me back, but there was no greater happiness than mine at that moment. I was finally able to return to Squall.
I could feel Squall's hand rising beside me to rest on my waist. Surprised, I gasped and came out of his chest to stare at him. He didn't smile, but I could tell that he was happy. Not wanting to ruin the moment, I returned to his chest. My quest was finally over... or so I thought.
Distant clicks came more and more audible as Squall and I embraced, and when they stopped, they made their entrance.
" So, this is how you thank me?" Xu came to stand at our shoulders, which is as far as her height would let her. " I helped you recover from your depression and you return to this monster? You leave me with no choice." Xu said as she took a sword from the sheath that hung on her belt. " You're either with me or you burn in Hell!"
With her abrupt announcement to kill Squall, my Knight pushed me roughly out of the way. I tumbled to the floor in amazement. They exchanged blows for only a few moments, and it was obvious that Xu had something up her sleeve because she was easily beating Squall.
She sent Squall to the floor about a yard to the right of me with a powerful spell. My eyes widened as I saw her inch toward Squall with that bloody sword in her grasp. The lone wolf rose from the ground in a daze, his eyes clearly not on Xu. Knowing nothing else to do, I ran to Squall. But Xu was quick and she was going to get their before I would.
Xu lifted the sword to soar over our heads. I stopped directly in front of Squall. At that moment Xu swung the sword down with a masterful stroke.
___________________________________
At last, my eyesight was restored. It returned just in time for me to see Xu slicing her thick-bladed sword across the small frame of Rinoa. My angel turned around to me and smiled the best she could. I held her then, feeling her body shake. She reached with a shaking hand to touch the cut along my face that Xu had done earlier.
" I love you."
With those words, Rinoa collapsed in my arms. I turned her face up with my index finger to look at her beautiful face. Her face was pallid and frozen and held very little resemblence to the Rinoa I had known before. Saddened beyond grief, I dropped to my knees with Rinoa in my arms.
My eyes began to sting and I held no defense to these emotions. The tears streamed down my face and landed on Rinoa's lifeless body. I squeezed Rinoa closer to me and let my tears fall into her silky hair. " No..." I whispered.
" NO!!!!"
~**********************************~
A/N: BWAHAHA! CLIFFHANGER! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. PLEASE review; I'm on my knees, you guys! Thanks so much for reading! Sayonara! ~Bianka-chan. 3/23/03.
YAY! 14 reviews! I'm officially a loser now! lol. Thanks a bunch for my three reviews!
Mariko- you're great, simply great. If only everyone had such an avid reviewer. I'm so lucky!
Anonymous- Hey, you're, like, the first anonymous review that actually puts their name as anonymous lol. Thanks for your compliments; it's what keeps me going.
Mystic Kana- un-paralleled in every aspect? I wouldn't go that far but thanks! The simile to ebony wings? That was my sister's idea. Thank you.
Chapter Six: Betrayal.
RINOA
I stared at him, completely bewildered. Zell behind me stood up, but I felt as if I was in a trance and that I couldn't move at all. Squall strolled forward confidently, his Gunblade swinging in half circles on his shoulder. The spiky, blonde haired young man beside me walked in front of me to block any attacks that Squall might try.
" Don't even try to touch her. I don't know who the hell you are, but you're not Squall!"
Squall leaned his head backwards and laughed menacingly. Taking his Gunblade off of his shoulder, he swung it in front of him in the same manner that he had before normal fights in the past. He frowned and pointed the blade to Zell's face. " Get out of my way."
Zell lifted up his chin and balled his fists at his side in his own attempt to size Squall up. He stood on his tips of his toes. " You'll have to get through me first!"
I remained glued to the couch, watching them as they fought in a flurry of movements. Squall would attack, and Zell would move out of the way; Zell would attack and Squall would parry. It was all the same to me. And this was all for me. Why would I always be the reason for problems? It was then that I made my decision. Gathering all my remaining courage, I stood up and lifted my right hand. From my palm came tiny specs of red that soon came together to form a ball of fire. Reluctantly, I aimed at Zell and shot it with only a slight movement of my hand. Zell flew into a wall and lost his consciousness then, leaving Squall to stare at me.
" I'm your enemy. Now, fight like the man you once were!"
With that, Squall came running at me like he would have run at Seifer in the past days. All of his movements were the same, each blow hitting the air to the left or right of me. After all this time I had anticipated he would have become stronger, but it seemed as if I had passed him in strength and tactics after three long years. Wearing a painful face, I finally attacked Squall with my weakest spell. He staggered backwards to spring back even angrier than before. Caught off guard, he was able to slam the dull part of his Gunblade to my injured shoulder, making me howl in pain.
And as I laid there in pain, I could see from the corner of my eye that Squall was lifting his Gunblade high into the air for the finishing touch. Feeling that I had nothing else left to do, I looked up to stare at him sadly and began to sing the song that he and I claimed our own.
Whenever sang my songs
On the stage, on my own
Whenever said my words
Wishing they would be heard
I saw you smiling at me
Was it real or just my fantasy?
You'd always be there in the corner
Of this tiny little bar
His eyes seemed to lose their malice when I sang. I smiled at this and began to walk slowly towards him.
__________________________________
AT THE GARDEN
Xu banged her head on the controls on last time. Infuriated, she slammed her fists on the controls and turned her head to glare at Seifer. " What the hell is wrong with the controls? Why isn't he trying to kill her?"
Seifer just smiled at her frustration and put a hand through his short, blonde hair. " I don't know. I'm not the one who made that thing."
Xu picked her hands up from the controls and straightened her hair and clothing. Finally, she swerved around on her heel and began walking to the exit of the small room. This surprised Seifer, making him jump out of his chair and get in front of her. He waved his hands nervously in her face.
" Hey, hey! Where are you going?"
Xu swiped his hands away with hers. " I'm going to go set Squall straight."
Seifer bit his lip. " Um... how about we dance? I read in your diary that you always wanted to dance with Squall! I'm close enough, right? I mean, I'm his rival after all."
" I don't have time for your antics."
* This is about to get embarrassing.* Seifer though. * Squall owes me BIG TIME.*
Seifer darted in front of Xu and leaned against a cabinet in an enticing pose. " Have I ever told you how..." Seifer gulped, " pretty you look?"
Xu stopped in her tracks and spat, " Get out of my face, Seifer."
* How I hate drawling on....*
The ex-Knight smiled and put on his most love-sick face that he could. " You... you actually called me by my name! Does that mean that you're falling for me?"
Xu squinted her eyes and stared questioningly at Seifer. " Are you really that desperately in love with me?"
* Desperate isn't the word....*
Seifer gulped again and nodded slowly. " I'm in head over heels...."
Xu smiled halfway and poked Seifer in the stomach. " Then let's dance."
" D-d-dance!? Err... are you serious? I mean... will you really dance with me?"
Xu smiled broadened as she put her left hand on Seifer's neck. " Of course not." She lifted him up with her hand and lifted her other up to his head. " Now, die!"
And with that, a blinding light filled the room. When it cleared, the only present thing was Seifer's bleeding body that had hurled across the room.
___________________________________
RINOA
Squall was closing his eyes and biting his lip when I sang the rest of the song to him. As I finished, he reopened his eyes and released his lips from his teeth's grasp. Forgetting my fears, I ran into his arms. It didn't surprise me when he didn't embrace me back, but there was no greater happiness than mine at that moment. I was finally able to return to Squall.
I could feel Squall's hand rising beside me to rest on my waist. Surprised, I gasped and came out of his chest to stare at him. He didn't smile, but I could tell that he was happy. Not wanting to ruin the moment, I returned to his chest. My quest was finally over... or so I thought.
Distant clicks came more and more audible as Squall and I embraced, and when they stopped, they made their entrance.
" So, this is how you thank me?" Xu came to stand at our shoulders, which is as far as her height would let her. " I helped you recover from your depression and you return to this monster? You leave me with no choice." Xu said as she took a sword from the sheath that hung on her belt. " You're either with me or you burn in Hell!"
With her abrupt announcement to kill Squall, my Knight pushed me roughly out of the way. I tumbled to the floor in amazement. They exchanged blows for only a few moments, and it was obvious that Xu had something up her sleeve because she was easily beating Squall.
She sent Squall to the floor about a yard to the right of me with a powerful spell. My eyes widened as I saw her inch toward Squall with that bloody sword in her grasp. The lone wolf rose from the ground in a daze, his eyes clearly not on Xu. Knowing nothing else to do, I ran to Squall. But Xu was quick and she was going to get their before I would.
Xu lifted the sword to soar over our heads. I stopped directly in front of Squall. At that moment Xu swung the sword down with a masterful stroke.
___________________________________
At last, my eyesight was restored. It returned just in time for me to see Xu slicing her thick-bladed sword across the small frame of Rinoa. My angel turned around to me and smiled the best she could. I held her then, feeling her body shake. She reached with a shaking hand to touch the cut along my face that Xu had done earlier.
" I love you."
With those words, Rinoa collapsed in my arms. I turned her face up with my index finger to look at her beautiful face. Her face was pallid and frozen and held very little resemblence to the Rinoa I had known before. Saddened beyond grief, I dropped to my knees with Rinoa in my arms.
My eyes began to sting and I held no defense to these emotions. The tears streamed down my face and landed on Rinoa's lifeless body. I squeezed Rinoa closer to me and let my tears fall into her silky hair. " No..." I whispered.
" NO!!!!"
~**********************************~
A/N: BWAHAHA! CLIFFHANGER! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. PLEASE review; I'm on my knees, you guys! Thanks so much for reading! Sayonara! ~Bianka-chan. 3/23/03.