Ch. 8
Something to Believe in
For the next two days Squall stayed at Caraway's. At night they would plan and devise, but during the day when Caraway was busy with other affairs Squall would spend his time with Zone, Watts, Vincent, Kira and Emma, they were quite the crew.
Zone and Watts had more to them then meets the eye. Squall knew he never gave them enough credit. Vince was extremely funny and witty, while Kira was most of the time serious still was very intuitive and extremely interesting to talk to and Emma.Squall couldn't quite pinpoint what it was about Emma, but he could totally see why Seifer liked her.
On the third day Squall was given a surprise, Quistis, Seifer and Zell arrived at Caraway's. Squall had never been so glad to see his friends. It had only been four day's since he had seen them last, but it had been over two years since the last time he was apart from them.
Squall gave Quistis and Zell hugs then walked over to Seifer. He remembered what Emma had told him about Raijin and Fujin. Squall felt great sympathy for his friend, but knew it was best if he didn't say anything. Squall knew all too well that some wounds never heal no matter how much there exposed. Seifer smiled at Squall and the two gave each other a quick hug. When they broke apart Emma was standing there looking yearningly at Seifer.
"Hey there," she said shyly.
"Hi Emma, how's it been going?" Seifer asked her cheerfully.
"Emma smiles "Better now that you here."
At that Seifer grins then wraps Emma in a great hug. Squall watched Emma cling on to Seifer tightly. He smiled to himself he was happy they had each other, they were both great people.
Turning away from the couple Squall walks over to the dazed Quistis and the beaming Zell.
"Come on guys," he told them. "There are some people you have to meet."
Both Zell and Quistis jumped when he presented them to Zone and Watts. It was a joyful reunion. Squall even found himself laughing hysterically when Quistis told Zone she owed him a dirty magazine.
His friends got along great with Vince and Kira. Squall couldn't remember the last time he felt so much joy, he realized how much he missed it.
Later in the afternoon the excitement calmed down. Seifer and Emma went off somewhere together and Zell was conversing with the others. Only Quistis stood alone on Caraway's balcony. Squall walked up to her.
"What are you thinking about?" He asked her.
Quistis looked at him then sighed. "This and that," she said before continuing to look off into the distance. Squall joined her looking in silence.
Eventually breaking the silence was Quistis who out from no where chuckles.
"What is it?" Squall asked curiously.
"You know you've changed. I haven't seen you like this; well you weren't even like this with Rinoa truth be told."
Squall's face grew serious. "Maybe I just really needed to feel some joy again." He snapped.
"Don't take offence Squall I meant it in a good way." Quistis apologizes.
Squall's expression softens. "Your right though I feel.I feel different, more light hearted. I know this is the last time I should be feeling this way with the whole country on the brink of war, but." Squall didn't know what else to say.
"I'm glad to see it Squall truly I am. I just want to know what triggered it."
Squall shrugged. He owed it to a lot of things, but he didn't want to dwell on 'how' it happened he just wanted to enjoy the results of them because he knew they wouldn't last long. It seems like they never do.
Squall looks over at Quistis. "You're not acting like yourself either Quistis. Is something up?"
"I don't know I feel dumb, but being here and seeing Seifer"-
She didn't get any farther because just then Emma walked out into the balcony.
"General Caraway's ready to start the meeting," she told them.
Squall nods "We'll be right there."
Emma smiles then leaves the two to the way they were. Squall turns to Quistis.
"Shall we?"
Quistis grins and the two leave the balcony to join the others.
Everybody gathered in Caraway's office. It was defiantly more crowded then the previous three meetings, but the presence of Quistis, Seifer and Zell was greatly welcomed.
Once everyone was settled down Caraway immediately got started and just like that all Squalls' joys were swept away.
"Galbadian rebel forces are gathering it won't be long now before all out war."
Everyone took a deep breathe knowing what an 'all out war' meant. A lot of life was about to be lost. Caraway continued.
"Balamb SeeD's and Timber forces have currently joined with my Galbadian army. All of you will be in the front line leading the battle."
Everyone in that office gave a noble nod knowing and accepting that was their place.
General Caraway turns to Squall. "Trabia Garden's forces will be needed. I have contacted headmistress Timlit and she along with commander Kineas are not so sure if involvement is exactly what they want to do. I want you commander Leonhart to go talk to them and see what you can do. You shall leave immediately. Miss Winston I want you to bring Mr. Leonhart to my personal aircraft the rest of you are to stay here and finalize battle plans with me."
After everyone saluted General Caraway Squall said his quick goodbyes then left Caraway's office along with Emma.
Caraway's personal aircraft was just a few miles away in the take off area. A pilot was already in the aircraft waiting. Squall turns to Emma.
"I'll be back soon. The headmistress and Commander are good friends of mine. Hopefully things won't take too long."
"Just come back safe. I don't want to fight this war without you."
"Don't worry just don't start without me."
Emma smiles and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Turning away from her before she could see him blush Squall boarded the aircraft.
The ride was short leaving Squall's mind almost no time to wonder. For this Squall was grateful, but the moment was not to last forever.
The plane dropped him off a few yards away from the Trabia garden. It was a bitterly cold walk to the garden. Squall remembered the last time he made this walk, only last time was a lot more memorable.
* * *
Squall rarely ever let on too much emotion, but at that moment he felt like singing to the world.
It was deadly cold, Squall never cared much for Trabia, but it didn't really matter as long as Rinoa was there to share the bitter cold with him.
The two of them strode the plains of Trabia making their way to the garden that resided for a much overdue visits to Selphie and Irvine.
The Trabia Garden had really come along since the last time he'd seen it. Selphie had really worked hard to build that Garden from the bottom up. At first Squall thought that his bright cheerful comrade had bitten off more then she could chew, but Selphie had stepped up to the occasion and had done a fantastic job.
They were several yards out from the garden the magnificent building was within sight Squall could almost feel the warm air creeping down his neck when Rinoa suddenly stops. She was looking at him with some kind of longing in her eyes. He walks up next to her and asks.
"Is something wrong?"
Rinoa smiles at him. "No, that's the thing nothings wrong."
Giving her an odd look Squall asks. "What are you talking about?"
"Nothings wrong. I'm here with you and I can't find one thing wrong."
"And that's a bad thing why?" Squall was utterly confused.
"It's not a bad thing on the contrary it's a great thing. My whole life something's always been wrong, but with you Squall everything is different. Things can be so wrong, but just by standing next to you everything is so right."
Squall smiles at her it was like she was reading right from his heart. Rinoa starts to blush.
"I'm sorry that probably doesn't make any sense to you."
Squall grabs Rinoa in his arms twirling her around. He whispers into her ear. "I love you Rinoa." It was the first time he had said those four words. He thought it be a lot longer before he ever say them, but Rinoa always made him feel differently. That's one of things he loved most about her.
Rinoa looks at him startled, but her face quickly softens. "I love you too Squall."
The two share a passionate kiss. After they pulled apart they smiled brightly at each other. Squall could no longer feel Trabia's cold; his heart was too filled with the warmth of love.
Hand in hand Squall and Rinoa walked light heartily to the Trabia Garden.
* * *
Squall smiled at the memory as he stepped into the Trabia garden.
Upon entry two guards walked up to Squall they recognized him immediately as the Balamb garden's commander.
"What can we do for you sir?" One of the guards asked him.
"Would you please take me to see Headmistress Timlit and Commander Kineas?"
'Right away please follow me sir."
The two guards walked him through the garden. Trabia was surely different then Balamb.it was livelier. Squall continued his way through the garden until he arrived outside Selphie's office.
"Headmistress Timlit is waiting for you Commander Leonhart go right in."
After they gave Squall a salute the guards parted and Squall walked into the office.
"Squall!" His friend screeched upon his entry. Selphie ran to him wrapping her arms around him. "It's been too long. Please take a seat."
Squall sat down on one of the available couches. Selphie quickly joined him.
"So how's it been? How's Quistis and Zell? Is Seifer still with you guys? Is there still a garden festival in the works?"
As the questions kept rolling Irvine quietly strolled into the office. The sound of his voice startled both Squall and Selphie.
"Selph, I don't think Squall came here to catch up." Irvine's voice was friendly, but judgmental.
Squall looks up at his two friends. It been awhile since he had seem them last. He suddenly felt shameful for what he was going to ask them.
Irvine looks sympathetically at him. "We love to help you Squall you know that, but this war you're planning. There's going to be a lot of loss of life and I'm not sure if your motives our enough for us to participate."
"Were super sorry Squall." Selphie chimed in.
Squall looks at his two former comrades earnestly. "Out of curiosity what do you guys think my motives our?"
Both Irvine and Selphie look at him hesitantly. Irvine was the one to answer his question.
"Because.because you feel like you owe it to Rinoa"
"That's what I thought you say."
"Well isn't it true?" Selphie asked him.
"Partly, but not entirely. It's true that Rinoa wanted Timber liberated, but I don't want to liberate Timber just because Rinoa wanted it. I liberate Timber because I want to. Those people don't deserve to be imprisoned in their homes and then there's the Galbadian rebels not to mention the Galbadian garden. The world is already run by chaos and corruption it doesn't need anymore. Yes, I fight for Rinoa but I've always fought for Rinoa. This has more to it then that. I'm fighting because I believe in it."
Selphie and Irvine look from Squall to each other. Squall watches an understanding go on between the two, together they turn to Squall. Selphie practically jumps on top of him.
"We want to help too Squall!"
Squall let's on a small grin. "Thank you guys that truly means a lot to me."
Irvine puts a hand on Squall's shoulder and says to him. "Then it means a lot to us."
For the next two days Squall stayed at Caraway's. At night they would plan and devise, but during the day when Caraway was busy with other affairs Squall would spend his time with Zone, Watts, Vincent, Kira and Emma, they were quite the crew.
Zone and Watts had more to them then meets the eye. Squall knew he never gave them enough credit. Vince was extremely funny and witty, while Kira was most of the time serious still was very intuitive and extremely interesting to talk to and Emma.Squall couldn't quite pinpoint what it was about Emma, but he could totally see why Seifer liked her.
On the third day Squall was given a surprise, Quistis, Seifer and Zell arrived at Caraway's. Squall had never been so glad to see his friends. It had only been four day's since he had seen them last, but it had been over two years since the last time he was apart from them.
Squall gave Quistis and Zell hugs then walked over to Seifer. He remembered what Emma had told him about Raijin and Fujin. Squall felt great sympathy for his friend, but knew it was best if he didn't say anything. Squall knew all too well that some wounds never heal no matter how much there exposed. Seifer smiled at Squall and the two gave each other a quick hug. When they broke apart Emma was standing there looking yearningly at Seifer.
"Hey there," she said shyly.
"Hi Emma, how's it been going?" Seifer asked her cheerfully.
"Emma smiles "Better now that you here."
At that Seifer grins then wraps Emma in a great hug. Squall watched Emma cling on to Seifer tightly. He smiled to himself he was happy they had each other, they were both great people.
Turning away from the couple Squall walks over to the dazed Quistis and the beaming Zell.
"Come on guys," he told them. "There are some people you have to meet."
Both Zell and Quistis jumped when he presented them to Zone and Watts. It was a joyful reunion. Squall even found himself laughing hysterically when Quistis told Zone she owed him a dirty magazine.
His friends got along great with Vince and Kira. Squall couldn't remember the last time he felt so much joy, he realized how much he missed it.
Later in the afternoon the excitement calmed down. Seifer and Emma went off somewhere together and Zell was conversing with the others. Only Quistis stood alone on Caraway's balcony. Squall walked up to her.
"What are you thinking about?" He asked her.
Quistis looked at him then sighed. "This and that," she said before continuing to look off into the distance. Squall joined her looking in silence.
Eventually breaking the silence was Quistis who out from no where chuckles.
"What is it?" Squall asked curiously.
"You know you've changed. I haven't seen you like this; well you weren't even like this with Rinoa truth be told."
Squall's face grew serious. "Maybe I just really needed to feel some joy again." He snapped.
"Don't take offence Squall I meant it in a good way." Quistis apologizes.
Squall's expression softens. "Your right though I feel.I feel different, more light hearted. I know this is the last time I should be feeling this way with the whole country on the brink of war, but." Squall didn't know what else to say.
"I'm glad to see it Squall truly I am. I just want to know what triggered it."
Squall shrugged. He owed it to a lot of things, but he didn't want to dwell on 'how' it happened he just wanted to enjoy the results of them because he knew they wouldn't last long. It seems like they never do.
Squall looks over at Quistis. "You're not acting like yourself either Quistis. Is something up?"
"I don't know I feel dumb, but being here and seeing Seifer"-
She didn't get any farther because just then Emma walked out into the balcony.
"General Caraway's ready to start the meeting," she told them.
Squall nods "We'll be right there."
Emma smiles then leaves the two to the way they were. Squall turns to Quistis.
"Shall we?"
Quistis grins and the two leave the balcony to join the others.
Everybody gathered in Caraway's office. It was defiantly more crowded then the previous three meetings, but the presence of Quistis, Seifer and Zell was greatly welcomed.
Once everyone was settled down Caraway immediately got started and just like that all Squalls' joys were swept away.
"Galbadian rebel forces are gathering it won't be long now before all out war."
Everyone took a deep breathe knowing what an 'all out war' meant. A lot of life was about to be lost. Caraway continued.
"Balamb SeeD's and Timber forces have currently joined with my Galbadian army. All of you will be in the front line leading the battle."
Everyone in that office gave a noble nod knowing and accepting that was their place.
General Caraway turns to Squall. "Trabia Garden's forces will be needed. I have contacted headmistress Timlit and she along with commander Kineas are not so sure if involvement is exactly what they want to do. I want you commander Leonhart to go talk to them and see what you can do. You shall leave immediately. Miss Winston I want you to bring Mr. Leonhart to my personal aircraft the rest of you are to stay here and finalize battle plans with me."
After everyone saluted General Caraway Squall said his quick goodbyes then left Caraway's office along with Emma.
Caraway's personal aircraft was just a few miles away in the take off area. A pilot was already in the aircraft waiting. Squall turns to Emma.
"I'll be back soon. The headmistress and Commander are good friends of mine. Hopefully things won't take too long."
"Just come back safe. I don't want to fight this war without you."
"Don't worry just don't start without me."
Emma smiles and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Turning away from her before she could see him blush Squall boarded the aircraft.
The ride was short leaving Squall's mind almost no time to wonder. For this Squall was grateful, but the moment was not to last forever.
The plane dropped him off a few yards away from the Trabia garden. It was a bitterly cold walk to the garden. Squall remembered the last time he made this walk, only last time was a lot more memorable.
* * *
Squall rarely ever let on too much emotion, but at that moment he felt like singing to the world.
It was deadly cold, Squall never cared much for Trabia, but it didn't really matter as long as Rinoa was there to share the bitter cold with him.
The two of them strode the plains of Trabia making their way to the garden that resided for a much overdue visits to Selphie and Irvine.
The Trabia Garden had really come along since the last time he'd seen it. Selphie had really worked hard to build that Garden from the bottom up. At first Squall thought that his bright cheerful comrade had bitten off more then she could chew, but Selphie had stepped up to the occasion and had done a fantastic job.
They were several yards out from the garden the magnificent building was within sight Squall could almost feel the warm air creeping down his neck when Rinoa suddenly stops. She was looking at him with some kind of longing in her eyes. He walks up next to her and asks.
"Is something wrong?"
Rinoa smiles at him. "No, that's the thing nothings wrong."
Giving her an odd look Squall asks. "What are you talking about?"
"Nothings wrong. I'm here with you and I can't find one thing wrong."
"And that's a bad thing why?" Squall was utterly confused.
"It's not a bad thing on the contrary it's a great thing. My whole life something's always been wrong, but with you Squall everything is different. Things can be so wrong, but just by standing next to you everything is so right."
Squall smiles at her it was like she was reading right from his heart. Rinoa starts to blush.
"I'm sorry that probably doesn't make any sense to you."
Squall grabs Rinoa in his arms twirling her around. He whispers into her ear. "I love you Rinoa." It was the first time he had said those four words. He thought it be a lot longer before he ever say them, but Rinoa always made him feel differently. That's one of things he loved most about her.
Rinoa looks at him startled, but her face quickly softens. "I love you too Squall."
The two share a passionate kiss. After they pulled apart they smiled brightly at each other. Squall could no longer feel Trabia's cold; his heart was too filled with the warmth of love.
Hand in hand Squall and Rinoa walked light heartily to the Trabia Garden.
* * *
Squall smiled at the memory as he stepped into the Trabia garden.
Upon entry two guards walked up to Squall they recognized him immediately as the Balamb garden's commander.
"What can we do for you sir?" One of the guards asked him.
"Would you please take me to see Headmistress Timlit and Commander Kineas?"
'Right away please follow me sir."
The two guards walked him through the garden. Trabia was surely different then Balamb.it was livelier. Squall continued his way through the garden until he arrived outside Selphie's office.
"Headmistress Timlit is waiting for you Commander Leonhart go right in."
After they gave Squall a salute the guards parted and Squall walked into the office.
"Squall!" His friend screeched upon his entry. Selphie ran to him wrapping her arms around him. "It's been too long. Please take a seat."
Squall sat down on one of the available couches. Selphie quickly joined him.
"So how's it been? How's Quistis and Zell? Is Seifer still with you guys? Is there still a garden festival in the works?"
As the questions kept rolling Irvine quietly strolled into the office. The sound of his voice startled both Squall and Selphie.
"Selph, I don't think Squall came here to catch up." Irvine's voice was friendly, but judgmental.
Squall looks up at his two friends. It been awhile since he had seem them last. He suddenly felt shameful for what he was going to ask them.
Irvine looks sympathetically at him. "We love to help you Squall you know that, but this war you're planning. There's going to be a lot of loss of life and I'm not sure if your motives our enough for us to participate."
"Were super sorry Squall." Selphie chimed in.
Squall looks at his two former comrades earnestly. "Out of curiosity what do you guys think my motives our?"
Both Irvine and Selphie look at him hesitantly. Irvine was the one to answer his question.
"Because.because you feel like you owe it to Rinoa"
"That's what I thought you say."
"Well isn't it true?" Selphie asked him.
"Partly, but not entirely. It's true that Rinoa wanted Timber liberated, but I don't want to liberate Timber just because Rinoa wanted it. I liberate Timber because I want to. Those people don't deserve to be imprisoned in their homes and then there's the Galbadian rebels not to mention the Galbadian garden. The world is already run by chaos and corruption it doesn't need anymore. Yes, I fight for Rinoa but I've always fought for Rinoa. This has more to it then that. I'm fighting because I believe in it."
Selphie and Irvine look from Squall to each other. Squall watches an understanding go on between the two, together they turn to Squall. Selphie practically jumps on top of him.
"We want to help too Squall!"
Squall let's on a small grin. "Thank you guys that truly means a lot to me."
Irvine puts a hand on Squall's shoulder and says to him. "Then it means a lot to us."