By Starboard (formerly lagunarocks)
Laguna reminisces about his life with Raine and Ellone at Winhill. He also looks back into that one night that changed his life forever. First-timer here! Please be nice.
Disclaimer: I'm not the Queen of Galbadia, nor do I rule the world, therefore I do not own Final Fantasy VIII and all the things related to it; but I do own this fic! So don't sue, you'll just be wasting your time. ^_^
A/N: Greetings! This is my first shot at a fan fiction so I'm open to all kinds of criticism, especially ones that would make me a better writer. So please review. *_#
The whitewash gravestone embedded in the deep green grass seemed alien to the rest of its surroundings. Just like the fact that the person buried underneath it has passed away seemed untrue and impossible.
She was like the sun, always bright and cheery, despite how she was called Raine. Everybody loved her, how her presence would fill everyone with warmth and love, how she resembled a white flower, simple yet elegant. Just like how her grave stood out beyond its surroundings, she stood out in everyone's heart.
She rained on everyone's heart; especially mine.
Laguna stood at the foot of Raine's grave. A thousand memories came flooding back to him, memories of Raine, Ellone and his quiet life in Winhill. He remembered how he would come home after patrolling the town to her smiling face. She would be there with Ellone eagerly waiting for his report.
"Report to the commander!" Ellone cheerfully said. Laguna saluted then said, "Including those nasty buchubuchus and bunbunns that assistant commander, Ellone, oh-so-hates, I have exterminated 34 monsters."
"Good, now would you like to rest up a bit? After that we can all go to lunch before you start your next patrol." Raine said with a smile.
"Yeeaaaay! Luuuunch! Will mister Kiros join us too?" Ellone excitedly asked.
"Yes, I'd really enjoy lunch." Kiros replied.
"Alwight! Elle, Uncle Laguna, Raine and Mister Kiros all together!" Ellone enthusiastically proclaimed.
His thoughts went to their first meeting. Raine was so kindhearted; she took him in when he was wounded and bawling like a baby. She took great care of him all those times. He could never ever repay her for her hospitality.
"Raine, are we gonna go pick some flowers today?" Ellone asked. "Yes, Elle, in a while. I just have to go clean up the pub." Raine replied.
"Okay, Elle will clean too."
Once the cleaning was finished, they prepared to go out and pick some fresh flowers to display. "Was Elle a good girl?" Ellone asked. "Yes, very good Elle, I couldn't have finished cleaning without you!" Raine said, giving Ellone a pat on the head.
With baskets in hand, they went to the very back of the village, near the shore, where all the pretty wild flowers grew. As they came out one corner, they saw a man lying near the shore, wounded and crying in pain.
"Oh my! Elle, run and go get help!" Raine said kneeling near the injured man. Ellone ran as fast as she could and went to get the fisherman living nearby. Raine pulled the man to safety and was checking all his wounds.
"AAAArrrrghhhhhhh…. my leg…"
"Shhh…help is coming…" Raine tried to calm him down.
"It huuuuuuurrrtssss…my arm…my leg…ooouuuchhh…"
"Everything's going to be fine, help is here." Raine said seeing the fisherman and his brother running towards them. They started moving the man in a mock stretcher and brought him to the village. When the doctor treated him, Raine volunteered to take care of him. He was placed in the vacant house where Ellone's parents used to live. Raine looked after him with Elle, day in and day out. After three days, he finally awoke.
"Uuhhh…where am I?"
"You're in Winhill, We found you wounded near the shore. What's your name?" Raine said softly.
"Laguna…Laguna Loire…"
After that time Laguna settled himself at Winhill. He worked as a monster exterminator and helped out Raine and Ellone. Raine and especially Ellone left a special place in Laguna's heart. He was a changed man since his Galbadian army days and was finally happy even though he was a bit reluctant to admit it at first.