Yo, people!!! First and foremost, I would like to say a HUGE sorry to all!!! It's been about a month or more since I last updated, but I couldn't help it!! I had some trials for my upcoming exam, which is in about 3 weeks time, and after a one-week holiday in New Zealand, I felt even lazier!! But to all Kiwis out there, man, your place sure is fantastic! Love the sceneries. Anyway, to make up for my lateness, here's a longer-than-usual chapter for you all. The song featured in it is I Wanna Be With You by Mandy Moore, one of my favourite singers! Also, when I re-read my past chapters for this fic, I noticed a lot of mistakes I made. Sorry for that too, but I've corrected the mistakes and replaced each chapter with new contents. Remember to review please!!

@To my editor, Hannah, I did not send this chapter to you to edit because I had time to proof read myself.

*~*~*~*This chapter is dedicated to my good friend Alexis HWY. May our friendship last forever, even though we might be in two ends of the world in the future!! *~*~*~*

(P/S à to all Japanese Animation Slam Dunk fans, check out her fic under pen name Slamdunker88. She's in dire need of reviews…..)

And so I did not have the laughter you had

I did not have the smile on your face

I did not have the twinkle in your eyes

And so
What was left for me were merely tears of sorrow

And the painful torture awaiting me tomorrow

~ Rinoa Heartilly, in heart ~

## NINE ##

"Okay, is this fine?" Squall anxiously pulled on a grass green t-shirt and turned to his friends. Irvine was lying on his bed while Zell jumped about, practicing his martial arts.

"Hey, hey, why so nervous? It's just a date, Squall. She won't even care how you look…." Irvine coolly replied. Squall frowned and crossed his arms.

"How do you know that? She might—"

"Listen, Squall buddy, all your shirts are fine. Just get some jeans, a jacket, and you're done!" Zell stopped punching the air and scratched his head. "Hey, um, where's your date, anyway? Deling City?"

"Balamb Town."

"It's a first date, Zell," Irvine said. "You know the tradition! Balamb Town, then Deling City,then Dollet Town, and then if you're still overloaded with gil, the romantic Fisherman's Horizon!"

"Hmmm…" Zell grunted. "Hey, you aren't broke, are ya? We can lend ya some gil if you're short on it…"

"No, I'm fine," Squall answered.

"Have you forgotten that he was girlfriend-free for the past few weeks? With his allowance stacking up high, he's richer than both of us!" Irvine sighed in regret. "Having a girlfriend sure is expensive…"

Squall couldn't resist a laugh. "Well, you get a lot in return…considering Selphie's a good cook… that burger and mashed potato last night in the Cafeteria was pretty tasty!"

Zell gave a gasp. "Selphie made those?!" His eyes went as wide as saucers. Irvine grinned.

"Impressing, huh? I should tell Nida to put her down the Cafeteria Committee…." he said.

"Okay, guys, I gotta go." Squall looked at his watch and rubbed his hands, nervousness suddenly overwhelming him again. "Wish me luck!"

"You don't need it." Irvine tipped his hat up and grinned again. "Have fun!"

"See ya, Squall!" Zell waved his hand, handing over his leather jacket. Squall smiled feebly and headed towards the door, opening it. He turned back to the other two for a while.

"Don't you go around snooping my stuff, you hear that?" he warned. Irvine put up his hands innocently.

"Aww, what makes ya think we'd do that?"

Squall simply grinned in return and hurried off to the Garden Main Gates. The students were allowed to go to Balamb Town, Deling City, Dollet Town, or Fisherman's Horizon, provided they returned to Garden before curfew and did not go anywhere dangerous or do anything bad.

Spirits high, Squall ran down the stairs to the Main Gates. As he approached the entrance, his eyes scanned around for Rinoa, but nobody was there. His steps slowed down and he carefully looked around again. Disappointment slowly grew in his heart.

Where is she? Did she suddenly change her mind? His eyebrows went down, a sigh escaping his lips. Maybe she's just late…maybe something cropped up…maybe—

A sound behind him made him stop thinking. Then a gentle voice called out, "Sorry I'm late…"

Spontaneously, he turned and couldn't help giving out an amazed gasp. Rinoa stood with a small smile on her rosy lips, her raven hair framing her face. She had on a light blue, short-sleeved cardigan over a white shirt inside and a matching skirt which hugged her body figure very nicely indeed. Squall had to stop himself from gawking.

"Oh….uh, Rinoa…." She looks so damn beautiful… "You're here." That is so lame...

"Did you wait long?"

"No, not long at all," Squall replied quickly, then grinned. "Well, shall we? Our dinner awaits us."
Rinoa gave a soft melodious laugh as they hurried off out of the Main Gates. After a few second of silence, a cautious voice behind a bush hissed, "Hey, are they far ahead already?"

"I think so. Come on, let's get going!" There was a rustling sound of leaves as two figures slowly crept out of the bush. They stealthily followed the walking couple in front of them.

"A table for two, please," Squall told the waiter at the Balamb Town Restaurant entrance, who nodded and said, "This way, please, sir."

"Um, this place is rather expensive. Are you sure…you know?" Rinoa whispered to Squall. He simply smiled and assured her, "It's our first date. It has to be expensive."

*Our first date…* His words echoed in her head repeatedly. Never would she have guessed that she'd even go out with a guy. Suddenly, she began to feel anxious and nervous all over again. Was she doing the right thing? She hoped so…but there was something about Squall that really made her trust him…maybe she was playing with fire, but that was a risk she was willing to take…..for once….

"Your table, sir." The waiter bowed slightly as he gestured towards a table near the window. Squall thanked him before pulling out a chair in a gentlemanly manner and grinned at Rinoa.

"Your seat, ma'am…"

He was so sweet, she couldn't help giving him a small smile. "Thank you," she mumbled, lowering herself on the chair. Squall immediately took his seat and coolly took the menu the waiter handed both of them after he politely placed their napkins on their laps.

"Well, what can I get you, sir, ma'am?" he asked.

Squall looked enquiringly at Rinoa, making her grip her menu tighter. She didn't know why she was nervous…why couldn't she be just cool and calm? And was it a rule that the girl always makes her choice first?

You better not freak out…. she told herself.

"I'll…um…have the…err, this." She frantically pointed at a dish stated in the menu. The waiter and Squall leaned closer with arched eyebrows, squinting to see what it was. Rinoa groaned to herself silently. Was she really such an idiot?

"The…Chicken…Chicken Cor Bleu…the one with the fries and salad and gravy and….uh, all that stuff…" How stupid could she be? The waiter worked in that restaurant,for God's sake! And he practically knew what every dish came with!

"Oh…alright. And you, sir?"

"I'll have this sizzling steak….the one with fries and salad and gravy and all that stuff…" Squall eyes teasingly taunted Rinoa, who sighed. ~Oh boy….~

"Is that all, sir? And drinks? Would you like some wine?"

"No thanks. We're still…err, under-age for alcohol. Just some water will do. That okay, Rinoa?"

"Uh, sure…" she answered, her hands clutching the napkin on her lap. The waiter nodded and left them, hurrying off to the kitchen. Rinoa leaned in front, muttering, "You didn't have to do that…"

"Do what?"

" 'The fries and salad and gravy and all that stuff…' " she quoted. He chuckled softly and moved in to fill the gap between them.

"Well, you shouldn't have started it…" he teased.

I so need this… "It's just that…I was just…"

"Nervous…" It wasn't a question, but a statement. Squall took a deep breath and slowly ran a hand in his brown hair. "Rinoa, relax. I don't want you feeling uncomfortable around me…"

"I'm sorry, but I just can't help it," was her quiet reply as she averted her eyes from his.

"I understand. I won't push," he promised. She didn't reply, she didn't know what to reply. A silence hung in the air as both of them silently waited for their meal.

"Man, where are they?" Zell grumbled as he scratched his blonde head. Irvine crawled deeper into the bush and carefully parted the leaves. Luckily, he was near a window of the Balamb Town Restaurant. He scanned the area inside and caught sight of Squall and Rinoa. Pulling Zell's sleeve, he hissed, "That's our target! Heh heh, told ya we'd do fine."

"I can't believe it…there they are enjoying comfortable seats, nice drinks, delicious food, and here we are stuck in some thorny bush?!" Zell was almost going to loose his temper.

"Hey, shut up! People'll hear us." Irvine looked around, but fortunately, there wasn't anybody coming their way.

"What're we doing here anyway?" Zell asked with a frown. "I've still got some homework to finish!"

"Ahh, that can wait. Don't you wanna see how things for my our pal Squall? This is our chance!"

"If he finds out, he's so gonna kill us…."

"Well the fact is he won't." Irvine leaned closer to have a good look through the window. "Wonder what they're talking 'bout? Oh look, he's gonna kiss her!"

"What?! Lemme see!" Zell hurriedly scrambled to Irvine, who chuckled and pushed him back. "Geez, Zell, I was just kidding! So little Zelly-baby like seeing people kiss, huh?"

"No." Zell defended himself as he crossed his arms, going slightly pink. "I… I was just curious!"

Irvine had to suppress a sad sigh. Zell really needed to grow up.

After the rather quiet meal, Squall and Rinoa left the restaurant and walked along the lonely streets of Balamb Town. Oblivious to them, two sly figures cautiously followed them behind.

"Do you need to get back early?" Squall broke the silence as he strolled beside Rinoa. He wanted to hold her hand, but was afraid if that gesture would scare her.

"No," was her short answer.

I try but I can't seem to get myself
To think of anything but you
Your breath on my face
Your warm gentle kiss, I taste the truth
I taste the truth

We know what I came here for
So I won't ask for more

"Well, do you wanna go to the beach then? Curfew starts in an hour and a half… we've got plenty of time…"

"Okay…"

He could somehow sense the reluctance in her voice, so he stopped. "Rinoa, if you don't want to, it's—"

"No, no… I'm just…still nervous…" she admitted softly and raised a hand to silence him when he opened his mouth. "Just give me time… I'll be okay…"

Squall looked at her doubtfully. He didn't want to hurry their relationship at all, and he just hoped she understood that.

I wanna be with you
If only for a night
To be the one whose in your arms
Who holds you tight
I wanna be with you
There's nothing more to say
There's nothing else I want more than to feel this way
I wanna be with you

Both of them made their way to the white-sanded beach. The gentle waves rolled along the shore, the bright moon reflected on the surface of the dark blue ocean. They walked to a nearby playground just by the waves. Crickets chirped happily as a few seagulls screeched softly, flying over them. Rinoa reached out for the chain hanging the seat of a swing and lowered herself down on the soft surface, swinging to and fro slightly. Squall took the seat beside her and did the same.

"Is this your first time?" he asked.

"Huh?"

"Your first time at the beach?"

"Yeah." Her answer came after a pause.

"You've never bathed in the sea? Never dug and built sandcastles? Never looked for seashells and crabs?" he continued, remembering his happy childhood with Irvine, Zell, and the other children in the orphanage where he used to stay in when he was younger.

"No." Once again, her answer arrived after a few moments of silence. There was a tone of sadness in her voice. "I never really got the chance to go on vacations. I spent my whole childhood in Deling City, my hometown. It was just city life for me, even when I was in the orphanage."

Deling City? That was surprising. He didn't know Rinoa was a typical city girl. She hadn't even been to the beach before? His heart melted with sympathy for her. She had missed so many good things in her life, and what that piece-of-trash Lac did to her had indeed left a deep scar in her heart, soul, and mind.

So I'll hold you tonight
Like I would if you were mine
To hold forever more
And I'll savor each touch that I wanted
So much to feel before (To feel before)
How beautiful it is
Just to be like this

"Rinoa, close your eyes," he suddenly instructed. She raised her eyebrows and stared at him.

"Sorry?"

"Close your eyes."

She studied him, confused. Then she turned and did as he told her to. He got up and moved behind her, bending down for a while.

"Just close your eyes, hold on tight, and listen to me. Let your mind do the rest, okay?" he said. There was a short pause before Rinoa nodded silently.

I wanna be with you
If only for a night
To be the one whose in your arms
Who holds you tight
I wanna be with you
There's nothing more to say
There's nothing else I want more than to feel this way
I wanna be with you

"You hear the waves, don't you? Imagine you're sitting on the warm, white sand, so soft beneath you." Squall lightly pushed the swing, letting her move forward and back. "The other children are around you…all chasing each other and laughing out loud….. you're building this really big sandcastle with seashells all around it…there're little red crabs crawling about in the sand, burrowing deep inside…and then the seagulls screaming at each other in the sky…the warm breeze blowing your hair…and just as you're about to finish that sandcastle, this huge wave suddenly crash down on you, soaking you through. The other kids start laughing, and you can't help that grin on your face…" Squall stopped swinging and moved in front of Rinoa, kneeling down to look at her. "Could you imagine that? Was that enough to replace your unsatisfying childhood?"

Oh baby
I can't fight this feeling anymore
It drives me crazy when I try to
So call my name
Take my hand
Make my wish
Baby, your command?

When Rinoa opened her eyes, there were tears in them. She slowly reached out to touch Squall's cheek lightly as his eyes looked at her enquiringly.

"Thank you," she whispered as the tears rolled down her face. Squall held her shoulders and pulled her gently to him, hugging her protectively. He was relieved when she wasn't frightened, but carefully made sure he didn't do anything stupid like letting his hands move around her body.

"Rinoa…" Squall mumbled as he looked at her again. He ran his hand in her soft hair for a while before reaching down to her feet to take off her sandals. He had to stop himself from staring at her long, slender legs. Even when he was with Quistis, he'd never actually touched her legs before. Heck, he tried once, and the tantrum Quistis threw was enough to make the whole Balamb Garden collapse.

"What are you doing?" Rinoa asked as he carefully arranged her sandals by the swing, took off his own combat boots, and started rolling up his jeans.

Yeah
I wanna be with you
There's nothing more to say
There's nothing else I want more than to feel this way
(I wanna be) I wanna be with you (I wanna be with you)
I wanna be with you
Wanna be with you (Yeah)
(I wanna be with you) I wanna be
I wanna be with you
(I wanna be)
(I wanna be)
(I wanna be with you) Yeah
(I wanna be with you)
I wanna be, I wanna be baby
I wanna be
(I wanna be with you)
I wanna be with you, yeah
I wanna be with you
I wanna be with you

"We're going for a little dip in the sea," answered Squall nonchalantly with a small smile.

"What?"

"Just follow me." Squall responded, placing his boots beside her sandals. He held out a hand to her and she hesitated before finally allowing him to hold hers. With an assuring smile, he led her towards the sea. Their feet sank into the soft sand before the waves splashed onto them. The water was cold, but it somehow refreshed them up.

"It feels…. weird," stated Rinoa, looking down at her feet in the wet, dissolving-like sand.

"You like it?" Squall asked eagerly, still holding her hand, partly because he wanted to, but also because he didn't want her falling into the water and freezing herself. She nodded an answer and he felt pleased.

"Come on." He tugged her hand and they strolled along the beach, still in the lingering fingers of the tranquil waves. Rinoa's eyes consciously moved to where they connected between them. Her cheeks slowly grew hot, but she remained silent. Somehow, she kind of enjoyed him touching her….

"Zell, Irvine and I used to play at the beach millions of times when we were younger. You see, our orphanage was just by the sea, so it's like our typical playground. Those were the good old days…" Squall said as he dug his feet deeper into the sand, loving the feel of it. It was just so familiar… come to think of it, it was ages since he'd been to the beach. After moving to Balamb and studying in Balamb Garden, he didn't know why he hadn't thought of going to the beach before.

Oh yeah…. Quistis hates beaches….I forgot that….

"Orphanage? You're an orphan too?" Rinoa sounded surprised, which was no wonder. Squall had never mentioned anything about his past before.

"Uh, yeah. I remember nothing about my parents. Zell and Irvine are just the same. I guess that's what made us the Three Musketeers…."

"You really can't remember anything about your parents?"

" I think so. Anyway, I don't care. I must have been the result of some pre-marital sex or something," he said quietly. "

"Don't say that. You sound as if you really hate them…. your parents, I mean."

"Well, maybe I do." Squall frowned and stopped, his eyes moving to the dark horizon. "That's if they're still alive. My matron at the orphanage told me I was found almost dead in this hut. What type of parents would do that?"

"What if they had a reason? Was there a war that time? Maybe they didn't want you to get hurt…"

"There was no war," spat Squall. "It was pure cruelness… I hate them…"

Rinoa said no more. She sighed silently and walked to the area where the ground was dry, sitting down. She was beginning to love the feeling of sand around and beneath her.

"How long have you been in Balamb Garden?" she asked. Squall turned, lowering himself down beside her. He took a seashell nearby and inspected it, answering, "For about 5 years. I came here when I was 12 plus. It's a really great school."

"I heard. Um, how about Quistis? Was she in the same orphanage as you were?"

"No. Only Zell, Irvine, Selphie, me and a few more other students were from the same orphanage. Quistis and I met when we were 15, she just transferred from Trabia Garden. I was head over heels in love with her, and I thought she felt the same for me until she wanted to break up about a few weeks ago. Anyway, I'm over her now. She can go on sucking up with that Seifer for all I care…."

"Do you hate Seifer?"

"Well…" Squall hesitated. "Yeah, I do. I hate him, a lot. He's a bastard. He seems to have this rivalry with me since we were 13. I'll have to admit it kinda devastated me at first when he and Quistis became an item…"

After that, a silence filled the atmosphere. Squall continued inspecting the seashell before lifting his hand and throwing it into the sea. Rinoa's eyes lingered to him for a brief moment before she looked up at the sky, just in time to see something bright moving along it, then disappearing. Her eyebrows arched up.

"A shooting star," stated Squall matter-of-factly. With that, Rinoa clasped her hands together and closed her eyes, evoking a surprised look from him. He blinked at her.

"What're you doing?" he asked stupidly.

"Making a wish." was her cool reply.

"You believe in all that?"

There was a pause before she opened her eyes and looked at him. "It doesn't hurt to try. My mother used to tell me all the time…"

"Well, what did you wish for?" he questioned. Rinoa turned away and pressed her hands against her lap.

"That my past won't happen again. I don't want anymore pain and agony…."

Squall felt a part of his heart lift in sudden emotions. Once again, he felt pity for her… what was is like to have a life like that? It was a living hell, for sure…

Then, he slipped out something from his finger and held it out to Rinoa. She looked at it and noticed it was a ring. She looked up at him, confusion on her face. A shocking thought struck her.

He's proposing?!?!?! She felt as if she was going to faint.

"Here, take it," Squall said with a smile. He noticed the dizzy expression she had and gasped in realization. "Hey, this isn't marriage stuff! I just want you to take it…as a token of our relationship…"

She felt her heart drown in relief. However could she have thought he was proposing to her?

"Relationship?"

"Yeah… I mean, friends or other ways… you know?"

She studied the ring on his palm before reaching out to take it. "Okay," she replied. Squinting, she brought it closer to her eyes and ran her finger lightly on the beautiful lion carved onto it.

"That's Griever," explained Squall.

"Griever?"

"Yeah. It's a legendary Guardian Force. It symbolizes pride and strength, that's why I like it."

She glanced at him. "It suits you…"

"Huh?"

"Pride and strength… isn't that kinda like you?"

"Huh? Oh…" He unexpectedly blushed. "Well, I don't know…"

A tiny smile moved to Rinoa's lips as she continued looking at his ring.

"Where'd you get it from?"

"Well, my matron said it was beside me when I was found…"

"Your parents left it for you? If they did, then they still cared for you after all."

"I don't know. Well, maybe…"

Rinoa's hand reached behind her neck and unclasped the necklace around her. She slipped the ring in, hanging it beside her other silver ring there.

"Where'd you get that?" Squall asked.

"Get what?"

"The other ring."

"My mother gave it to me before she died," she answered shortly, trying to re-clasp the necklace. When Squall noticed she was having difficulties, he complied at once, "Here, let me help."

His warm fingers moved to gently push away her dark hair. As he leaned in to look closer at the fastener, an involuntary shiver when through Rinoa's body. She could even feel his breath against her neck, he was so close. However, she remained motionless and silent while he finished his task.

"There." He moved back and looked at the two rings in satisfaction before his gaze shifted to her hazel eyes watching him intently. He reached up to tenderly push away her fringes. She closed her eyes for a short moment as he touched her, and when she opened them again, he was already advancing to her slowly. An unexpected jolt of excitement bolted through her, shocking herself. Since when had she been eager for someone to kiss her?

Once again, she felt his breath on her, this time against her face. The wonderful smell of his cologne reached her nostrils, making her want to inhale his scent. However, just as their lips touched lightly for a mere second, a loud sneeze echoed in the still air. In reflex, Rinoa pulled back and looked around in alarm. Squall retreated as well and seemed puzzled.

"That sounded familiar --" he began, but a sudden movement in a nearby bush caught his attention. His sharp eyes saw the recognizable colour of brown, the same colour as—

"Irvine?!" he blurted out. As if on cue, the bush wriggled some more and a voice could be heard hissing in a low tone.

"Shit, he heard!"

If it is Irvine and Zell, they are both gonna die….

We are gonna die… Irvine sadly shook his head. He'd have to own up now, Squall knew he and Zell were there. Sighing, he grabbed Zell's sleeve and crawled out of the bush, covered with leaves. Squall and Rinoa were staring at them, but the latter later turned away silently, leaving a shocked Squall glaring.

"Hey, Squall buddy," Irvine greeted, a huge grin on his face. "How ya doing?" He glanced at Zell, who clearly deciphered the message.

*Look who the hell sneezed and gave us away?! *

"What the hell are both of you doing here?!" Squall almost squeaked in a high-pitched voice. Zell uneasily rubbed his head.

"Well, umm….we were… we were just hanging around here! Yeah, ain't that right, Irvine?" Zell dug him in the ribs.

"Hangin' 'round, yeah!" Irvine nodded eagerly. Squall cast both of them a dangerous look which clearly said 'You're both dead!' .

"It's late. I think we'd better go back, Squall," Rinoa said in a stiff voice. Before he could say anything, Zell and Irvine cheerily agreed.

"Yeah, she's right! It's really late!! We've gotta go, so see ya later, Squall!' Irvine said. He pulled Zell and both of them scuttled off, disappearing once more behind the bush. Squall stared after them in disbelief and amazement. He swore, when he got back, he's going to—

"Come on, let's go." Rinoa stood up and brushed the sand from her outfit. She walked to the playground to slip back into her sandals, handing the combat boots to Squall, who mumbled a 'thanks' to her as if in a daze.

Secretly in her heart, she thought he looked kind of cute like that….

"Okay, we're here." Squall stopped in front of Rinoa's dorm and turned to her. She took out her card and swiped it on the door, opening it. Then she turned to him.

"I really enjoyed tonight. Thanks a lot, especially for what you did to me at the beach…." she said.

"You're welcome. Well, except for the part where Zell and Irvine barged in…" He seemed rather sheepish, but she merely smiled.

"It wasn't your fault. Goodnight."

"Yeah, goodnight to you too."

They stared at each other just like the night before. Squall's heart pumped a little faster. Did he dare to kiss her again?

However, Rinoa made the decision herself. She took a step back and pushed her door further open. Without another word, she went inside and closed it. Leaning back against the cool surface of the door, she shut her eyes with a sigh. It was only after a few seconds that something stirring in her heart made her open the door again.

"Squall, I—" she stopped short when she saw that nobody was standing outside. Craning her neck forward, she looked around along the hallway, but he was nowhere to be seen. Regret slowly filled her heart. She sighed again and closed the door.

Okay, how was that??? I took like a few a days to think this whole chapter out…. Feel free to tell me if its lame…