No More Lies

Chapter Two: Squall's Decision

"I'm back, Rinoa. I'm finally back!" Seifer couldn't help but give Rinoa a welcoming hug. Seifer grinned deviously and held her tighter. "Squall will be glad to see me."

Rinoa pushed herself away from Seifer, "Why are you back here?"

Seifer frowned, "You aren't happy to see me?" Seifer crossed his arms, "I come back thinking that everyone was going to welcome me back with opened arms. Instead, I get an interragation."

Seifer walked past Rinoa and up the stairs to the elevator. "I'm going to talk to your lover and ask him to let me back in."

Rinoa was speechless. She didn't know what to say. She didn't know what to do, but stand there and stare at the former knight of the sorceress. "Seifer," she hissed, "what are you up to?"

Rinoa had to talk to Squall. She placed the papers back into their proper order and continued quickly to Dr. Kadowaki's office.

*****

While Seifer was in the elevator, all he could think about was Rinoa. "No, my feelings are the same as before. Pure hatred. No, perhaps I don't hate her, just hate what she did to me." Seifer snorted, "And Squall! Now, I hate him for what he did to me. He destroyed my dreams! Rinoa is so precious to him, but, I only came back so I could become a SeeD. I have to be better than Squall! Rinoa is the key." Seifer was talking to himself once again, this time, it wasn't nice thoughts.

When the bell rung, signaling the elevator was at its destination, Seifer got out and walked towards Squall's office. He knocked lightly, waiting for Squall to say he can enter.

Squall heard the knock. "It must be Rinoa. She must be back from Dr. Kadowaki's office. Come in!"

When the door opened, he was shocked. He almost fell out of his chair. There stood his childhood rival with a smirk dancing on his lips.

"What do you want, Seifer?" Squall asked bitterly.

Seifer approached Squall's desk and sat down in the chair next to it. "Let's make this meeting short. I want to come back to the garden."

Squall nodded and looked out the window. "Straight to the point, I see." He became pensive and began to think if he should really let him back. He felt a bit of sympathy towards his friend and a bit of anger too.

Seifer tapped his fingers on the desk, "Well?" he asked impatiently.

"Why do you want to come back so suddenly?" Squall asked.

Seifer crossed his legs and folded his arms. "I want to become a SeeD. I want to be back in those battles I was once in. I want to feel the power and strength I once felt. I want to be back home, in the battle field, where I belong."

The answer did not entertain Squall. This was a tough decision. If he let Seifer back in, would he cause more rucus? "Look, Seifer, if I let you back in, will you behave and not cause any trouble?"

Seifer rolled his eyes, "That was then, this is now."

"Answer the question." Squall commanded.

"No, I will not." Seifer growled.

"I have your word then. If you make one mistake, Seifer, beware. I will not have any mercy for you. Now, you are dismissed." Squall motioned for Seifer to leave.

"You won't regret this mistake, Squall. You won't."

*****

"What did you say, Rinoa?" Xu asked again.

"I said that Seifer is back. He's talking to Squall as we speak." Rinoa repeated.

Xu fell back into her chair and began to massage her temples, "I don't believe this. Seifer is back. What is going to happen next?"

Rinoa handed the papers to Xu, "These are papers on Quistis' mission right now. They're very important and you should look over them when you have the chance."

Xu took the papers and skimmed over them, "She seems to be doing well, but my mind is on Seifer right now."

"Maybe Squall will turn him down." Rinoa looked at her feet, "I know we've been close before, but after all he has done to us, I don't know if it is best for him to come back."

"I understand where you are coming from. Look, whatever Squall decides will be his final decision. I know he's looking out for the best for you and him."

Rinoa nodded, "Yeah, you're right. I need to go talk to him. Thanks for listening."

"No problem. Anytime Rinoa."

*****

Rinoa walked towards Squall office for the second time today. She was so afraid that Seifer was admitted back into the garden. Her fear kept her from concentrating on anything else. While she was walking, she noticed two of her best friends, a spunky, petite girl and her very attractive cowboy.

"Selphie! Irvine!" Rinoa rushed over to them, "Guess what happened?"

Selphie hugged Rinoa and gave her a concerned looked, "What's wrong? Why are you so worried?"

"I saw Seifer today. He's back."

"What!? You must be joking." Irvine said in a state of shock.

"I'm not joking, you can go ask Squall yourself. He went to talk to Squall. I'm going back to his office to see what had happened." Rinoa waved goodbye and continued to Squall's office.

*****

"Squall, what happened?" Rinoa said as she walked into the room.

"Nothing happened."

"No, what did you tell him? Did you say he could come back?" Rinoa asked hoping she would hear the answer she wanted.

"Yes, I told him he could come back."

"What? Why?"

Squall stood up and walked to Rinoa, "I can't just throw him out into the streets or back wherever he came from. I grew up with him. I've known him all my life. He's apart of my family. He's one of us."

Rinoa nodded, "I understand. Let's just hope he doesn't cause any trouble."

"Yes, let us pray." Squall commented.