So here I am, back to where this story started. Sitting in a Deling City Hotel room, scrubbing the peach carpet. The man, killed on the bed; his blonde hair slicked back and his jaded eyes, closed forever. I leaned back against the bed wiping the sweat off my forehead. This wasn't going anywhere. The blood had stained the carpet forever and attempting to scrub it off would lead me nowhere.
I threw the sponge at the wall, leaving a bloody print on the wall. Clasping my hand around the bed post I pulled myself up. No one would find him until morning and by then I'll be in Balamb. Walking over to the table I picked up Seifer's Fire Cross trench coat, and pulled it around myself. "Even smells like him." Part of me mused, but the other part of me felt like dying myself. Slipping my angle arms into the sleeves I quickly noticed the bullet hole on the left side. Taking in a deep breath I picked up Seifer's necklace, still spackled with blood.
The wind blew throughout the room; I forgot that the window was even open. Sometimes the smell of death is more rotten then you would think. I placed the necklace in the coat's pocket. It was about time that I leave. I had my knives already packed in one bag and my clothes in the other. Walking over to the door I took one last look at the dead body. "Rest well." Walking down the hallway I pulled the trench coat closer to me, taking in his scent.

--

"Miss Rae? You're back." Xu stood up to greet me as I walked off the elevator. "Follow me, Headmaster Cid is in." Xu walked over to the large double doors and opened them. "Headmaster? Commander? Miss Rae is here to see you two." "Let her in." I heard Cid's voice call out. I took this as my cue and walked passed Xu who was pushing the door so it was more opened.
Here I am, Nikki Rae, assassin, wearing short black leather skirt, a black tank top and Seifer's grey trench coat, and knee high boots with a large heel. I stopped just short of Cid's desk. My eyes wandered to Squall who was leaning against the wall with his head down. When he realized that she was standing there he pushed himself off the wall and walked over to her.
"Is he dead?" Squall asked walking over to her.
"I'm wearing his jacket aren't I?" Squall raised his eyebrow. "Last night Seifer Almasy was shot once in the heart. Right now maids at the Deling Hotel are cleaning the third floor, they will find his body in another hour in room 429." It was harder then it looked to stay so calm.
"One shot?" Cid asked.
"I don't miss my target.sir." I pulled out from my pocket Seifer's necklace, blood on it. "Here, this is all the proof I can give you right now." I placed the necklace on Cid's desk.
"Thank you." Cid stood up from his desk. "Squall, give this lady her money." Squall nodded and walked to the back of the room and picked up another suit case. Walking back over to me he held out the suit case. Uneasy I took it from him. "The Garden is in your debt for getting rid of such a dangerous man. Is there anything you want, or need?"
I looked up at him, my finger nails clicking across the suit case. "No sir." I knew what I wanted to do.maybe this was my only chance. "Sir?"
"Yes?" Cid asked taking his seat again. I looked at Squall you quietly got the hint, took Seifer's necklace and walked out of the room. "Go ahead Nikki."
"Sir, there is only one thing I want. And I'm going to do it." He raised his eyebrow as if to tell me he didn't understand. "Starting tomorrow, I will no longer be attending this garden. I want a transfer to the Esthar Garden."

"But the garden is not even active yet."
"Then I will live in Esthar until it is built."
Cid looked at me over a few times and then nodded. "You're transfer will be put straight in Miss Rae. I will arrange an escort to Esthar for you in an hour.be ready."
"Thank you sir." I turned around quickly, without saluting that man. As I walked out of his office I came face to face with Matron.
"Nikki?" She asked, with hope in her eyes. I looked down silently. "What did you see?"
"I saw.I saw." I looked over to see Squall staring at me. "I saw a cold-blooded murder, ma'am." I walked past here with my head down. After getting off the elevator I made a break for my room. I just ran, for no reason, I ran as fast as my feet would carry me. Stopping a bedroom that wasn't mine, I took out a key card, swiping it through the slot the door opened. "Seifer's room." I whispered softly as I entered. They would be cleaning out this room soon, but I knew I had to get out of the garden before they news of Seifer's death reached Cid. I walked over to a small table and quickly picked something up, blood on it. Placing into my pocket I walked out and into my own room. After packing some clothes and my weapons, I walked to the Parking Lot. A car with a man I had not seen in awhile leaning against it. He tipped his hat me.
"Irvine." I stated.
"I swear, this time I'm only taking you to the train station, from there you'll go through timber to FH. After that you'll take a plane to Esthar. Got it?"
"Yes.let's go." After getting into the car we took off for the train station.
"So, it's all over?" Irvine asked me.
"Yes.and no." Irvine looked at me questioningly but didn't push it.

--

"Remember, Timber, FH, and then plane to Esthar!" Irvine yelled at me as I was boarding the train. I nodded, and for the first time in a whole day I smiled. "Hey, you smiled! Good!"
The trained lurched forward as I was still holding onto the outside. "Oh Irvine, don't tell anyone but.That's the last mission I'll ever take!"
"Why?" He asked running beside the train.
"Trust me that was my last time." I waved to him as the train picked up speed. My future and my destiny so close, I smiled to myself. Taking a seat in a free cabin I mused to myself as I lit up a cigarette. I sang softly to myself. "Let the boy die like a man Staring down the bullet Let me make my final stand Shot down in a blaze of glory Take me now but know the truth I'm going out in a blaze of glory Lord I never drew first But I drew first blood and I'm no one's son Call me young gun I'm a young gun." heh, they call my young gun.

AN: ONE MORE CHAPTER TO GO ..