Seas of Turmoil
By
Squall Morpheus Leonhart

Captain's log,

It has been about five years now that I have last seen my rival, Steffen Almasy. Now I have a name to give to the man who had scarred me for life. He is the captain of the Sea Guard in Deling. His partner is Ian Kinneas, a lieutenant in the Guard. Surprisingly enough both seem to be about my age. I am now twenty five and eluding the Sea Guard is much fun now that I have no more doubters in my crew.

My first mate, Kina Trepe is very much one year older than me but is my best friend. She fills the silences that I give my crew with my intentions. She is very well one of the best sailors and pirates I have ever know. She is very skillful with the pistol and whip. Her blonde hair is sun kissed and her cerulean blue eyes are as much as the sea itself. She is truly one of my most trustworthy companions.

My second is called Marina, I do not know of her last name but her name still speaks of the sea. Though both my first and second are female, there are no sexists among us, just merely friends. With her eye patch and silver hair, she strikes much with her pinwheel charka, an instrument that is used for throwing. She may speak in one word sentences and yells them but when she speaks normally she is good for a rousing conversation.

My healer on broad is my sister, Elizabeth, or Ellie for short. She with her brown chestnut hair, a shade lighter than my own deep brown black, and green eyes, she can heal any affliction with ease. She is wise beyond her years and has a special talent to send people to see the past.

This is my crew and we are called the Ocean SeeDs by our allies and Sea Turmoils by our enemies. Tomorrow I will see the one my mother had betrothed to me, my future wife. Though I do not love her as I should, she will give me an heir to my family's legacy on the sea. Her name is Caroline Elson.

Leon watched as Kina ordered everyone to get ready to dock at their ally town of Dollet. Ever since they saved the small town, they were welcomed with open arms and if the Guard went to look for them, the town made sure they were never found. Leon caught himself staring at his first mate's outfit again. He knew that most of his crew, particularly the males, thought Kina was attractive but it was never there for him or any woman for the matter.

Kina wore her usual peach jacket like tunic, brown leggings and knee high black boots with the style of the era cuff folds at the top. Her mighty Save the Queen at her side, along with her Heaven pistol. Her hair was in her usual bun and wisps of strands danced in the wind. Beside her was Marina in her own blue jacket, black leggings and the same boots as Kina.

At the wheel, Leon smiled as he steadily guided the ship to the harbor. The crew watched as the citizens cheered as they saw their heroes returning to them. Leon allowed one of his mates to take the wheel as he strolled down into the front deck, Lionheart clanging at his side.

Ellie waved at the townspeople as they approached the harbor. Sailors back and forth stopped to salute the captain before waving at the people cheering them on. Leon walked to Kina's side, "Quite a crowd today, huh?"

"Quite but it's all the same. I just wish that others would be more like that, Leon," sighed Kina, "It would be much easier, you know. We can't stay at sea much and our supplies are slowing diminishing. We need to stay on land sometimes but…"

"I know Kina but after we go to Centra, we will head back home, back to Winhill. I miss the mountains and the valleys of it. The sea may be our home but Winhill is our mother land, we cannot abandon her as would cannot abandon our home of the sea," stated Leon. Kina nodded to him agreeing with him.

~*~*~*~*~

"Captain Leon, yes come in," said the mayor of Dollet as he stepped aside to let the trio come in, "she is waiting in the salon, Captain and it is so good to see you and your crew. This must be first and second mates Kina Trepe and Marina, how good to see you all."

"It is good to see you to, David but you know why we are here and we must not dally for we have a quest to do in the Centra region," replied Leon as David led them to the salon of his house.

Inside was a piano and Leon's fingers twitched. He loved the piano with a passion beyond belief, as much as he loved the guitar and flute. His head instantaneously turned to the white piano in the room, not noticing the female inside until Kina cleared her throat. Leon let out a sigh and turned to the woman before him.

She was remarkable in the eyes of man, but Leon felt nothing but duty for this female. She had brown hair and blue eyes; she matched him well with her 5'5 frame compared to his 5'8. Instantaneously he knew she was a fighter and survivor. Her eyes had a certain stubbornness and pride that almost matched his own. "Milady, you must be Caroline Elson, are you not," said Leon as he bowed low.

"Indeed, I am," her voice was soft but stern, already Leon was starting to like her, she reminded him of his mother who died 6 years ago. "I know what you are, Captain, and I will not submit to you and your crew if you dare abuse me," her eyes shown a defiance that made Leon proud.

"Milady, I will not abuse you nor will my crew, I merely ask to have a child and you are free to do your will. I do not care if it is a boy or girl, both will be dear to me and if you want you may stay with him or her for as long as you like but they must be born on a ship like me and breed on one. It is my family's way." Leon smiled and then the ice seemed to melt between them.

"Well, then so be it, if it is only a child heir then that is fine for I am in love with someone else and he must stay with me for the time I spend on your ship. You truly are a worthy and loyal man of your word. I was merely testing you, Captain. I know of others like you but are cruel behind closed doors," replied Caroline as she curtsied.

"Thank you, Miss Elson, we do not know where we will be if not for you corporation," thanked Kina, "you have saved us a great deal but when do you wish to depart, by the end of the week, we will set sail to Centra for a month and then set back to our Winhillian home."

"I will go with you, my father was a sailor and I miss the ocean seas of the deep, my lover, Kenneth will come. He is an excellent sailor."

"So be it, we leave at the end of the week."

AN: Leon for all of those who don't get it yet is Squall's grandfather aka Raine's mother. Caroline is just a made up character as is Kenneth. For those who still don't get it, some characters are the relative of:
Kina - Quistis
Marina - Fuujin
Steven - Seifer
Ian - Irvine
Ellie - Ellone

Disclaimer: Not mine, not mine, not mine, not mine, not mine....repeat....repeat...etc.

Quote:
My friend, my lover, my rival, my enemy, my soul
Squall Morpheus Leonhart