Re-Creating Hell
Chapter Fifteen: Blood Moon Rises
By PasifiKStar

Author's Note: One more chapter after this and also I'll put an Underworld guide to this story. ^_^ TOMORROW!!!

*All Standard Disclaimers Apply: I do not own Final Fantasy or it's characters.

There was a soft tapping on the heavy oak door and Laguna looked up from the papers that were on his desk. "Come in," he said. Slowly the door opened and a pale face with large grown eyes and black hair peeked in. He smiled widely. "You're awake," he said tiredly . "I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to check on you, Rinoa. I've been plagued with paper work. Please come in, have a seat."

Rinoa nodded and closed the door behind her. She was dressed in pajamas. She hadn't been able to sleep and told Squall not to force her since she had been asleep for quite some time. Relenting, her wonderfully gifted mate let her be and didn't stop from her leaving their bedroom to wander around and think. Without knowing it, she had ended up in front of Laguna's office.

"Selphie told me about all the trouble I've caused you," Rinoa said, frowning as she sat down. "I ran into her earlier after I talked to Quistis."

"Rinoa, you are not any trouble at all," he assured her. "Did Quistis tell you about what she found out?"

Rinoa nodded. "Yes, she did," she sighed. "But, sir...thank you for everything."

Laguna shook his head. "No, no, no!" he insisted. "You don't need to thank me!"

"But you gave us shelter and protection. You put up with those threats from my clan," Rinoa gasped. Her eyes softened. "Thank you for having Squall."

Laguna couldn't help but chuckle. "Rinoa...why are you thanking me for having my son?"

"Because he's everything to me," Rinoa stammered. "He's given me so much...I'm scared that I'll lose him and not be able to bring him back!"

"Rinoa," Laguna told her gently. "Let me tell you something...when I thought that Squall died after that laboratory exploded, I thought my world ended. I thought that no one could possibly feel the pain I was going through...it was..."

"Hell." Rinoa whispered. Laguna looked up at her in surprise.

"Yes...it was hell..." he mumbled.

"Ultimecia once said that hell is loving someone and then having them ripped away from you..." Rinoa mumbled. "I realize now that everyone goes through hell at least once in their lives. Sometimes more than they should go through. My mother died... then my father...if I lost Squall..." Her voice trailed off and Laguna nodded.

"I know what you are trying to say, Rinoa...I've been there myself."

Slowly, the young woman's eyes lifted to meet his. "Did you go through hell when you left my mother?"

Laguna's eyes went wide as he looked right at Rinoa, suddenly seeming terrified. "How did you know about that?" he gasped out.

"I entered the Dream World," she told him. "I don't hate you, Laguna. If anything, I'd like to thank you. If you didn't leave, she wouldn't have met and fallen in love with my father. And had me. And you wouldn't have met Raine and had Squall."

Laguna smiled sadly. "It hurt me to leave Julia, Rinoa," he admitted. "But I couldn't lead her on. While I loved her, something told me that it wasn't meant to be and I had to follow that. I would always carry her in my heart. And I always will."

"Squall is very lucky," Rinoa smiled. "To have a father like you."

Laguna blushed and rubbed the back of his head. "I'd appreciate it if you told him that," he chuckled. "You know, I nearly lost my head when I realized that Squall was still in the cathedral when it collapsed."

Rinoa giggled. "Yes, I know...Raine told me."

Laguna looked at her strangely. "She...TOLD you?"

Rinoa looked around nervously. "I...I had died for a moment and as I stared down and watched the others I heard someone say that they had to watch over you because you seemed to worry about very little thing."

Laguna slowly smiled and looked down at desk thoughtfully. "Raine always told me that..."

"Well...it's getting late..." Rinoa said. "I just wanted to say thank you for everything, Laguna. And I also wanted to tell you that from now on I will be take care of Squall. No matter what happens to him, I'll be right at his side."

"Do you promise me that, Rinoa?" Laguna asked.

She nodded. "Of course."

The knocking persisted and Seifer angrily threw off his sheets. If it was Raijin asking for directions to the bathroom again, he would surely kill him. Dressing in loose, cotton pants he got off the bed and swore as his feet touched the cold floor.

*Dammit! Would it kill those vampires to have CARPET?* he thought to himself. Mentally complaining, he headed to the door and put his hand on the brass knob. "Quistis...?"

Standing outside his door was a slightly embarrassed looking blond. She ran her right hand up and down her pink sleeved left arm as she stood before him wearing a long pink night dress and bunny slippers. Her hair was up in it's usual bun, most likely having been put up when she got out of bed.

"Hi..." she mumbled sheepishly as she nervously adjusted the glasses on her nose.

Not being able to help himself, Seifer leaned against the door with his arms crossed across his bare chest, grinning arrogantly from ear to ear. "Well, well...you've finally realized how wonderful I am and come to sleep with me?"

Quistis jerked her head back and frowned. "Good-bye, Seifer." She said, shaking her head and turning around.

"Hey, hey! I'm just kidding!" he gasped as he practically leapt towards her and took her hand as she was turning to leave. "It's just a joke...seriously, though...what are you doing here at this time?"

Quistis raised an eyebrow in question. "What? I have to have a reason to do things now?"

"I can only think of one reason, Quistis-"

"No," she cut him off with a shake of her head. "You can only WISH it was THAT reason."

Seifer frowned. "See, I was going to invite you in, but now I just don't feel like it anymore." He said stubbornly. He let her hand go and headed back into his room.

Quistis sighed. "Well, if you don't let me in, I'm sure someone else will."

She watched smugly as Seifer froze in his spot, his back still turned to her. She could just see the gears moving underneath that blond head of his and his face set in a disapproving frown. Slowly he turned around. "Get in."

Hiding a smug grin, Quistis stepped into his room and waited for him to close the door. When she heard the click, signaling that his door was closed, she turned around. "All joking aside, Seifer...I'm worried."

He let out a heavy sigh. "Who isn't, Quisty?" He said as he walked past her and headed for his bed. "You heard what Laguna said earlier...Adel may have hundreds, even thousands of followers who want that gate opened."

"It's not about that," Quistis said. Seifer sat down on his bed and looked at her. She walked towards him. "I'm worried about Rinoa."

"Our little princess?" Seifer snorted. He smiled reassuringly. "She'll be fine, Quisty. C'mon, you and I both know that as long as puberty boy is with her, she'll be all right."

Quistis sat down next to him and looked at him strangely. "Puberty boy...?"

"It's a nickname I gave him."

"What goes ON in those military schools!?" Quistis gasped. She scooted a little bit away from Seifer, looking at his as if he were very disturbing.

Seifer rolled his eyes. "Haha...very funny."

"I'm not laughing." Quistis scoffed.

"Listen, is that all you had to say? Don't worry. Everything will be fine."

"Seifer," Quistis stated once more, looking serious. Her eyes darted around, as if searching for the right words. "Rinoa said something that she heard when she went into the Dream World..."

"Dream World?" Seifer asked. He tilted his head and squinted. "When did this happen?"

The other blond shrugged. "I don't know...she didn't go into detail."

"What did she say?" the male asked, leaning forward. *If Quistis is this bothered, something must've really hit her...*

"She said she heard Faith...you know what Faith is right?"

"A spirit capable of telling a person one aspect of their future or the future of another...of course I do." Seifer stated.

"Faith said 'The dawn will break and a fate sealed. The past relived and then revealed...'," Quistis repeated. She took a deep breath. "That's what I'm worried about?"

Seifer shook his head. "I don't understand..."

Quistis tilted her head back and closed her eyes tightly as she let out a heavy sigh. "I'm afraid that it means that Rinoa will relive something and it will be too late for us to stop it."

"Why would we stop it?"

"Because it won't be part of her life that will be relived...I'm afraid it will be part of Ultimecia's," Quistis told him. She looked into Seifer's green eyes with nervous blue ones. "Ultimecia created hell on earth because of the death of her mate. I'm afraid that if Squall dies, Rinoa will relive Ultimecia's life..."

Seifer pulled back with a blank expression. "And recreate hell..." Quistis nodded slowly.

"We won't be able to stop her, Seifer..." Quistis gasped out. Her eyes began to water. "I couldn't bring myself to stop Rinoa the way they stopped Ultimecia."

Seifer closed his eyes. Ultimecia had been beheaded. He opened his emerald eyes as he heard Quistis starting to sob across from him. His eyes softened as she leaned forward and was brought into his arms. Tightly, his arms went around her and gently rubbed her back, trying to sooth her.

"Shhh..." he whispered in her ear as she buried her face against his shoulder. "Nothing like that is going to happen."

"Well what else is she going to relive!?" Quistis nearly screamed as she pulled away, wiping her eyes frantically. Seifer looked at her sadly. "I don't want to loose her!"

"Quistis..."

"She and Selphie were the first REAL friends I've ever had!" Quistis cried out. "They didn't care about my looks or powers or background, all they ever cared about was ME! They never judged! They were the first people other than my parents who I could live with without them hating me! Whenever I was with them I felt like I was part of something great! I can't live alone again, Seifer! I don't want to be alone again...!"

He gathered her back into his arms. Seifer leaned his head against hers and gently stroked her hair. "Dammit, Quistis..." he whispered. "Do you think I'd leave you alone...?"

With her head buried against his shoulder, Quistis' eyes flew open. "Seifer..."

"Do you seriously think that I would leave you alone?" Seifer asked sternly. "No matter what happens, I'll be beside you."

"Why...?" Quistis asked quietly.

"The same reason I approached you when I first met you at their door," Seifer mumbled. A sly grin crossed his face. "I thought you were hot."

"Seifer!" Quistis frowned and pushed him away. He chuckled and looked at her intently.

"You were sitting alone on your bed with the door open," he told her. "And while everyone was around chatting, you were sitting there, peeking out once in a while. You looked so damn lonely," He lifted his hand and stroked her tear stained face with his fingers. "Hyne, I couldn't stand to see you looking like that again. Once I got to know you...I swore to myself that I'd never let you be lonely again."

"Was I that pitiful?" Quistis asked, looking depressed.

"No..." Seifer assured her. He looked deep into her eyes as his hands took hers. "You don't smile when you're lonely...and you have a beautiful smile. I couldn't stand seeing you without one."

The corners of her lips went up slightly and she shook her head, despite her tears. "That's so corny..."

"It made you smile, didn't it?" he asked casually. He raised his hands to her face and pushed one of her long golden bangs out of her face and behind her ear. His warm palm rested against her cheek as he leaned forward. "I love you, Quistis. I'll never leave you alone."

Blinking slightly, she leaned forward. Her eyes closed as his did. Their lips met and Quistis' put her hands on Seifer's chest and slowly moved her hands against his defined muscles and around his body. She relaxed her body and allowed herself to be led down on the bed.

As the warm covers and Seifer's body covered her, Quistis closed her eyes. And smiled.

Seifer's door closed and Irvine peeked out of his door. He smelled Quistis' scent in the hall and grinned. *Now that he's occupied...* Irvine grinned. Slowly, he tip toed down the hall way to the start of the hall where Selphie and Fujin's room was.

Just as he was going to knock on their door, a voice rang out. "Irvy, what are you doing?"

Jumping back, Irvine whirled around, dressed in plaid boxers. "Selphie!" he gasped. "What are you doing up?"

Selphie tilted her head to the side as her little wolf ears popped up. She was still wearing her pajamas and was holding a glass of milk. From her behind came a tail that peeked out of a button able hole on the rear of her pajamas. "I went with Fujin and Raijin to go watch a movie downstairs with Zell, but I was getting sleepy, so I came back." she replied truthfully.

*She's TIRED!?* Irvine's mind screamed as he watched her yawn. "Oh...really?"

"Did you want something, Irvy?" Selphie asked as she walked past him to her door. He watched as her tail swung back and forth lazily. It seemed that when she was tired, she couldn't control the werewolf features that appeared.

*Of course I wanted something...but I'm not going to get it now...* he frowned. "No...nothing."

"Oh," Selphie said. She drank the rest of her milk and licked the milk mustache off her top lip. "Okay, let' me just get Booyaka and I'll meet you in your room."

*Am I hearing things?* Irvine thought to himself. "Booyaka?" he asked quietly. *No, idiot, that that part! The part AFTER that!!*

"My stuffed wolf, I bring him everywhere," Selphie told him. She tilted her head. "Are you okay?"

Irvine seemed to be standing in the middle of the hall, a dazed and faraway look on his face. "I'm fine!" he said smiling happily. "Uh...did you say that you were going to meet me in my room?" he asked questioningly.

Selphie nodded. "Yep," she said. "Why, you don't want me to come?"

"Well, yes but...what made you want to go?" Irvine asked questioningly. *This is obviously way too good to be true...*

"I'm going to sleep there," Selphie said, as if it were the simplest answer in the world. Irvine's eyes went wide and his jaw dropped. Selphie rolled her eyes and giggled. "Get your mind out of the gutter, cowboy," she said as she slipped into her room. A moment later she stepped out hugging and arm sized wolf with a little yellow bow around it's neck. "I just want to spend tonight with you."

Irvine looked surprised and followed her as she lead him back to his room. "Selphie..."

"Just open the door, I'll explain inside." Selphie said. Irvine nodded and opened the door to his room. As soon as they were inside, he closed it and locked it...just in case Seifer caught wind of his sister in his room and decided to kill him in his sleep.

"Selphie," Irvine began again. "I don't understand..."

"You said you loved me right?" Selphie said as she jumped on his bed and smiled as she sank in. She placed Booyaka right next to the bed and watched as Irvine sat down on the edge of the bed and looked at her.

"I do...but I don't want to force you or anything..."

"We're not going to do THAT, Irvy!" Selphie sighed. She smiled slightly. "It's just that tomorrow we'll be going to the Island Closest to Hell and we won't have any time alone...and if something happens..."

Her voice trailed off and Irvine understood. With a worried look on his face he leaned forward and brought Selphie close to him. "Selphie...we'll have plenty of time for this AFTER we stop Adel."

Selphie closed her eyes and struggled to hold back tears which were completely unlike her. "I'm just worried...what if something DOES happen...we almost lost Rin the last time. And before that we almost lost Squall," she told him, the concern in her voice was evident. "What if we REALLY lost someone this time?"

"Don't think like that," Irvine said. Gently he pushed her away at arms length and looked at her sternly. "Selphie...in my short few weeks with you, I've gotten to know you pretty well, haven't I?"

"Well...yeah..."

"And I know that this isn't you," Irvine said. "Now I'll love you no matter what, but don't do this to yourself. Don't bog yourself down things that might not ever happen."

"I'm still scared, Irvy..."

"I am, too..." Irvine admitted. He cupped her face in his hands. "I'm worried that I'll lose someone. I'm terrified that I'll lose YOU."

Selphie nodded slowly. "I know worrying won't get me anywhere...but still..."

"Here's what we'll do," Irvine said as he took her hands in his and smiled. "Tonight, you'll sleep in your room and I'll sleep in mine."

Selphie looked surprised. "Irvy...?"

He sighed. "Yes, yes...I'm surprising myself, too," Irvine said. He smiled. "But think about it like this. When, not if, but WHEN we get back, we'll spend the rest of our days together and I'll hold you in my arms the entire time and never let go."

Selphie smiled and sniffled slightly. "I guess I have something to look forward, too, then," She gave Irvine a hug. "Thank you..."

"You can thank me after we stop Adel and I've given you the ride of your life," he winked. He kissed her quickly on the lips and smiled. "Until then?"

"Until then!" Selphie said. As a real smile graced her face, Selphie bounced out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Irvine stared at the door. "I'm an idiot," he stated loudly as he fell back on to his bed, covering his face with his hands and let out a groan. He tilted his head to the side and saw Booyaka sitting there. "Well, Booyaka...looks like it's just you and me tonight..." Irvine paused and shook his head. "Damn, I've hit rock bottom."

Rinoa opened the door and let Angelo slip in before her. The dog trotted into the room and Rinoa followed. She closed the door behind her and followed Angelo to the bed, where he sat up on his hind legs and put his front paws on the bed, looking over at Squall, who was laying on his stomach, one arm spread over the edge of the bed.

His eyes were closed and he was sleeping. Soft brown hair fell around the pillows he rested his head on as his mouth opened slightly with each breath. Angelo tilted his head and sniffed Squall before nudging his elbow. Rinoa shook her head. "Angelo, no!" she whispered as she removed her robe and tossed it over the back of the chair.

"Ugh..." Squall groaned. He opened his eyes. Almost immediately, they flew open as he saw big dark eyes looking back at him. He reached out and scratched Angelo behind the ear. "Rinoa...? What happened?" he grinned. "You look better this way."

"Hey!" Rinoa said. She sat down on the side of the bed next to him and slapped his arm as he rolled over on his back and grinned. "Thanks a lot..."

"My pleasure," Squall said. He looked back at her. "Ready to sleep now?"

She nodded. "Yeah...can Angelo sleep with us?"

Squall sighed and rolled his eyes. "Too late to say no, isn't it?" he asked as Angelo jumped on the bed and curled up in a ball at the foot of their bed. "It's a big bed..."

"He won't leave my side now," Rinoa sighed as she crawled over Squall to her designated 'side' of the bed. "Poor baby...he really missed his mommy."

"You're his mommy?" he asked, amused.

"Yes," Rinoa said. She pulled the blanket over her and laid on her side. "Which makes you the daddy."

"Oh yay."

"A little more enthusiastic, please." Rinoa grinned. Squall let out a sigh.

"Oh yay, exclamation mark."

"Funny..."

"I know," She leaned down and kissed him and Squall put his arms around her, bringing her down against his body as he returned her kiss with a more heated one. "Did you find your way around the palace all right?"

"Yes," she told him. She moved her arm to gently stroke his face and moved his hair out of the way. "Remember how you said that you'd be right by my side as long as I want you to be?"

"Yeah."

Rinoa smiled. "What if I said I wanted you to be there for eternity?"

Squall smiled and leaned upwards to kiss her softly on the lips. "Then I'd be there for eternity...no matter what."

"We're taking the Ragnarok there," Quistis said as they entered the dragon shaped red ship once more. "Lycan forces from Balamb have already been dispatched and should be on their way to the Island as we speak."

"What about the vampires?" Irvine said as they entered the cabin. Fujin and Raijin headed for the cock pit, having been pre-assigned by Quistis to avoid another argument between Irvine and Zell.

"Strife as offered to lead them," Squall said as he sat next to Rinoa in the cabin. "They left by train last night and should be on ships going to the Island by now."

"They'll be landing in the harbor there...by sunset tomorrow." Quistis said, checking her watch.

Seifer unraveled a map of the island in the area before them. The map was quite detailed and had been pre-marked by Quistis. She pulled out a small laser pointer and began to point out things on the map. The sound of the Ragnarok rising echoed in their ears.

"In the southern most tip of the Island is the ruins of the old ceremony site," Quistis told them. "It'll happen there."

"The lycans were be coming from here...so they'll end up...here." Selphie said, pointing to a bay on the northern part of the island.

"Correct," Quistis nodded. She moved the laser pointer to a larger natural harbor. "The vampires will arrive here and will be unleashed once the sun has set."

"But by then, won't the Blood Moon have risen?" Rinoa asked.

"Yes," Quistis answered. "But we'll be on time. We'll be dropped right over the site."

"All right! Free falling!" Zell smiled.

"All the packs are ready," Quistis nodded. "The armies will work their way south to us, as their primary reason is for back up and to distract Adel's followers while we take care of business."

"I'm assuming we'll be staying on the ship until tomorrow night then?" Squall asked.

Quistis nodded and Zell's face dropped. "Why didn't you tell me!? What about FOOD?"

"Calm down, chicken-wuss," Seifer said. "We're going to stop at Fisherman's Horizon first."

Zell let out a breath of relief and Squall went over the plans. Rinoa was busy reading the notes that Quistis had made up. She had been trying to get her mind off of Angelo, of all things. The dog had nearly broken his leash trying to go up into the Ragnarok with them, but Rinoa insisted that it was too dangerous and thus left him with Ellone.

Irvine looked out the window, still mulling over his decline to spend the night with Selphie. *Why?* he kept asking himself. *Really...what was I on?* He groaned inwardly and felt a hand on his. He perked up and looked over to his side. Selphie was looking away, but holding his hand none the less. Smiling, Irvine squeezed it.

Quistis rolled her eyes. *Glaring isn't going to stop it.*

Seifer turned to direct his glare at her after he heard her thoughts in his head. *I know you can hear me, Quisty...* he frowned.

*That's what a telepath does.* she thought deadpan.

Smirking, he thought something loudly in his mind, knowing that Quistis was reading it. *You certain didn't THINK all those things you said last night. You were quite loud actually.*

At that, Quistis blushed and turned her head away in disdain. *Pervert.*

"Says the whip queen..." Seifer snorted out loud.

"What was that, Seifer?" Rinoa asked as she looked up from the notes she was reading. Soon everyone turned to stare at the blond lycan.

Irvine looked at him questioningly. "Did you just call Quistis the whip queen?"

All the connotations to Quistis being the 'whip queen' hit and Selphie lapsed into another overly dramatic protest against any Seifer and Quistis interaction. "Keep your sick icky bondage to yourself!" she screamed loudly.

Quistis covered her face with her hand as she shook her head. Seifer got defensive and leaned forward to glare at his younger sister. "No whips were used, train girl!"

"OH MY HYNE!!" Selphie screamed. She pointed at them accusingly. "You two... you actually...AHH!!"

"Selphie, stop it-" Quistis said. "So what if I'm now your brother's mate-"

"YOU'RE WHAT!?" Rinoa and Selphie screamed.

A little beep sounded and a voice from the cock pit echoed above them. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you, Fujin! At least SOMEONE has the decency to not make a scene." Quistis told them.

The two dark haired females stared at Quistis with large eyes as Seifer sat next to her, a more than proud grin on his face as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm having mixed feelings about this..." Selphie mumbled numbly, still caught in the shock.

"Yes...on one hand, Quistis is now truly your sister...on the other, your best friend just married your repulsive brother." Rinoa added, also still in shock.

"Hey!" Irvine said. "That means what when Selphie becomes my mate, all four of us will be related!"

Seifer's eye twitched.

"Irvine, you'll be related to SEIFER..." Zell mumbled back. "I mean...is that what you really want?"

Quistis looked worried.

Irvine shrugged with a smile on his face. "Anything is worth Selphie."

"Aww...Irvy..."

"Seifer!" Quistis was yelling as she grabbed his arm and tried to hold him back from reaching for his gun blade. "No! Not in the ship!"

"Seifer, calm down!" Rinoa gasped, put her hands up in the air to try and calm him down. "He's only joking! Right, Irvine? You're just kidding right?"

Irvine merely grinned. "So..." he said as he looked at Seifer, who was being restrained by Quistis and Rinoa. "Can I call you 'brother' yet?"

On the verge of turning on his werewolf form, Seifer snarled. "I'LL KILL YOU!!"

Zell just shook his head. "I don't know about Irvine, but Seifer Taunting is way too dangerous for my tastes..."

Fisherman's Horizon was a small lazy place. The final rest stop before they were to reach the Island Closest to Hell. There were still a few hours before the sun would rise, and Squall and Rinoa decided to make the best of their time there before they would be confined to the Ragnarok for the rest of the day to avoid exposure to the sun.

While the others were napping in the dragon shaped ship, Rinoa put her bare feet into the water. Squall sat further up the beach, sitting on a blanket that Rinoa had brought with them when they decided to go to the beach. Her black leather jacket was thrown along side his as her boots were placed neatly next to the pile.

Squall looked around the small inlet they had found gathered behind some large rocks. The island was small and populated mainly of humans and in the wee hours of the morning, he needn't fear any stumbling upon them. He slowly leaned back, his toes digging into cold sand and looked up at the dark, star filled sky.

"Squall!" he heard her call. He tilted his head up to see her running, a smile on her beautiful face as she reached him. "Don't just sit there! Go by the water!"

"I'm not an ocean person." He stated simply. Rinoa merely sighed and blew her bangs out of her face.

"Come on! Don't be so boring!"

"I'm not boring."

"You are if you keep sitting there."

"I'm just enjoying our last moment of relaxation before tonight." he said casually. Rinoa sighed and bent down, grabbing a hand that had been resting on his stomach.

"Come on...please!?" she pleaded. "Come on! The water's nice!"

Relenting, he allowed her to pull him up an drag him to the waves. He watched as she let go of his hand and began to frolic in the shallows, up to her knees in water. She waved. "No." he stated.

"Squall!! Don't be a kill joy!" she yelled.

Grumbling, he took one step into the water and winced. "Hey! It's freezing!" he shouted as he stepped back. *The water is nice my ass...*

Rinoa laughed and ran forward, kicking up water as she did. Squall merely stood in his spot as her splashing soaked his pants. She grabbed both of his hands. "Come on..." she coaxed, taking a step back into the water and pulling him with her. "You can do it..."

"I'm not a child, Rinoa," he sighed. "I can make it into the water by myself."

"Yeah, sure...that's why you won't let the water go past your ankles, right?" she asked with a grin.

Squall stared at her as she stood in front of him, as if daring him to prove her wrong. He raised an eyebrow in question. "Right," he said. As her grin turned into a frown, Squall rushed her. "Up you go!"

"Squall!" she screamed as she was suddenly thrown on to his shoulder and carried deeper into the water. "What are you doing!?"

"You wanted me to get wet, right?" he shouted, his voice filled with amusement as they reached waist deep water. "That's fine! But if I'm going, I'm taking you with me!"

Without a second thought, he dumped Rinoa in chest deep water. The female's arms flailed out as she sank into the water. Through the clear liquid around her, she could see Squall looking down at her, a smug look on his face as she scrambled to get back up.

She broke through the surface and heard him laughing to himself. "That's not funny!" she shouted as she wiped the water off her face and glared at him. "Ugh! I never meant to get THIS wet!"

"Well, it's too late now, isn't it?"

"Oh, no," Rinoa replied as she looked right at him, a fierce, vengeful look on her face. "It's never too late!" She jumped up and tackled Squall, bringing him into the water as well.

His eyes went wide as he fell back into the water, his arms flying to his sides as Rinoa's lips pressed against his.

"Ah!" Squall finally managed to regain his balance and emerge from the water, soaking just as much as his mate. Rinoa had her arms around his neck and tilted her head back, laughing as he looked disdainfully at his soaking clothes. "So you're going to play like that?"

"It's even now." she stated as she looked back at him and smiled.

Squall looked down at her. Her hair was drenched with salt water and the liquid glistened over her pale face. He smiled slowly and leaned his head down. Rinoa let out a quick gasp as she looked up at the sky. Squall looked up, just in time to see the end of the shooting star fly over head.

His arms were wrapped around her shoulders and he smiled even more. Slowly he brought his eyes back down to meet hers and was quickly absorbed into the large brown orbs. He leaned down and placed his warm lips against hers.

Rinoa closed her eyes and pulled herself forward as she tilted her head slightly. She felt his heart against her chests as his one arm fell to the small of her back, keeping her closed as her fingers lovingly went through his hair. His other arm went around her shoulders and kept her close to him.

This could be, they both thought, the last time.

Quistis was in the back of the ship, laying on a cot with someone's white trench coat over her slim body. A black gloved hand gently stroked her flushed sleeping cheek as she slept. Seifer watched her intently, completely drawn into the moment. Slowly, he followed the length of his arm to where their hands met.

He leaned down and kissed her face. Her forehead, her eyes, the tip of her nose, and finally her soft pink lips. He pressed his head against hers as he sat down next to her cot. He closed his emerald eyes tiredly as sapphire ones open slowly and looked at him. She smiled softly and squeezed his hand.

*I'll never leave you alone...*

Selphie sat on one of the docks. Her boots stood by her side as she hung her bare feet into the water and watched the horizon in front of her start to change color. Footsteps were heard behind her and she turned around.

"Morning!" she said happily.

Irvine smiled and lifted up a small box had got from a small twenty four hour store at the entrance of the dock. "Morning," he answered. "I got you some coco-puffs."

Selphie giggled and patted the area next to her. Irvine sat down and removed his boots and rolled up his chaps and pants before putting his feet into the water. He handed Selphie the box. "Did you get milk?"

"Yep," he said, handing her a bottle of milk for her and for himself. He opened both of them and began to drink his. "Did I get the right brand?"

"Don't worry about it," she said as she opened the hand held box and put some coco-puffs into her mouth. She crunched down on them and he smiled as he watched her. She offered him some and he shook his head, instead taking another drink of milk. "Hey, Irvy..."

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

Irvine paused in the middle of taking another swig of milk. He looked over at her and noticed that she was staring straight at the sunrise, a faint blush on her fair cheeks. Silently, he put the cap back on his drink and put it aside.

"Selphie," he said slowly. He put his hand under her chin and directed her head up to look at him. "I love you..." He leaned forward and Selphie felt herself being drawn into his gaze. His breath crossed her lips faintly. "My mate..."

As their lips met, the sky illuminated with warm colors. The sun had risen.

The roar of the Ragnarok's engine stirred Quistis awake. She blinked and looked around. "The is setting," Seifer said. He was standing by one of the small windows and staring outside. He turned back and looked at her. "Ready to head up front?"

Quistis nodded silently and stretched before standing up and following Seifer to the main cabin. As they entered the room, everyone seemed to be standing up and looking out the windows.

"Quistis! Seifer!" Selphie shouted happily as she waved for them to join her at her viewing station. "Check this out! You can see the island!"

As Selphie moved over, Quistis and Seifer took her spot. They looked out the window. "Hyne..."

They were now flying over the northern tip of the island, right over the large natural harbor where several dozen carriers were lined. Smaller water craft departed from their sides, all carrying vampire warriors. From their point on the ground, Cloud looked up and saw the red ship pass by. "Good luck..." he whispered.

"There are the lycans!" Zell said. Everyone peered down and they saw more freight vessels sliding up to the shallows of the island and having their cargo doors open. Hundreds of lycans, already in werewolf form descended on the island.

The speakers went on. "You guys have to come see this, ya know!" Raijin stated. "You won't believe it, ya know!"

Everyone looked at each other and rushed to the cockpit. As they reached it, they stopped behind Raijin and Fujin's seats. The front of the ship was facing the south, towards the lowest end of the Island Closest to Hell. There, set just above the burning glow of the setting sun, was a circular object. It's base was not yet fully exposed from the soft, curling silver clouds.

It seemed to be slipping out of the horizon as it rose into the sky. The moon that was rising looked as if it had been washed in red. Rinoa's eyes went wide. "The Blood Moon..."

"AH!!!" A voice growled behind them and they turned around. Irvine clung to the side wall with one hand as his hat fell to the ground.

"Irvy!?" Selphie gasped in horror. Irvine was breathing deeply.

From the co-pilot's seat, Raijin let out a growl as his breathing became shallow. "What's going on!?" Rinoa gasped as she looked from either male.

Quistis narrowed her eyes. "The Blood Moon is having it's effect on them...they can't keep themselves in human for any longer!"

"Why aren't we changing?" Selphie asked, looking at her hands which weren't forming into claws like Raijin and Irvine's.

"We're only half," Seifer mumbled. "We don't have the same effect..."

They watched as Irvine and Raijin's clothes seemed to melt away, as if by magic, and fur take over their bodies. The sounds of bones and muscles mutation sounded as their bodies grew larger and their heads' shapes elongated. Sharp, glistening white teeth grew from their normal sized teeth as their threw their head back and let out a howl.

"Ugh..." Zell said, covering his ears. "Not so loud!"

"Sorry..." Irvine mumbled. He shook his head, as if to clear it. "Great..." he said as he looked at his hands. He surveyed his claws and frowned. "Just great..."

"As long as you can shoot, you'll be fine," Squall said as he looked out the window. "There...Fujin, get us over that spot."

"Affirmative."

"As soon as we've departed, turn around and park this thing," Squall said as he turned around. "Come up and join us at that point. We'll see you there!"

"Good luck, ya know!" Raijin said.

The group nodded and rushed out of the cockpit. "Let's get that gear on, people!" Zell said. He ran towards the supplies and started handing out parachutes. "Rinoa?"

"No thanks," Rinoa said as she watched everyone else put it on. She merely buttoned up her black leather jacket that reached her mid calves. "I defy gravity." She winked and headed towards the exit.

"Raijin! Get back here and close the door once we're out!" Seifer shouted. A large dark colored werewolf appeared from the cockpit and walked over to the side door.

"Is everyone ready!?" Quistis shouted.

"All set!" Selphie shouted as she tightened the strap around her waist.

"This thing is going to give me on hell of a wedgie..." Irvine was mumbling as he tightened the straps.

"Ready to go!" Zell said with a thumbs up sign.

"Open the door." Squall ordered. Raijin nodded and put his claws on the door and pulled it open. Immediately, a swirling vacuum was created and he stepped back.

"Fujin!" Squall shouted. "Are we over the site!?"

"Affirmative!" Fujin's voice shouted over the speakers. "LUCK!"

"We'll see you later!" Selphie shouted. Zell held on to the bar by the open door and looked down.

"What's that!?" he shouted.

Irvine rolled his eyes as he put his arm out. "I don't know, Zell," he said. He shoved Zell out of the ship. "Tell me when you get there!!"

"AHHH!!"

"Oh Hyne..." Selphie sighed. She grabbed Irvine's clawed hand and looked at him. "Ready?"

"Let's go." Irvine said. Hand in hand they dove off the edge.

Quistis looked at Rinoa as Seifer looked down past the door. "Are you sure you don't need a parachute?" Quistis asked.

Rinoa nodded. "I want to show Adel that I'm just as powerful as she is."

Quistis grinned. "I'll see you there then." Rinoa nodded and watched as the blond walked over to the door.

"Hey, Quisty..." Seifer mumbled as he looked over the edge. He watched as Zell's parachute opened. "This is it, huh?"

"Yep," Quistis said. She pulled him down by the collar of his shirt and kissed him. "I'll see you there!" She grinned as she pushed him out the door. "Rin! Squall! Head up straight to Adel! We'll cover your back!"

"Right!" Rinoa said. Quistis paused where she was standing, preparing to jump. She looked at Rinoa once last time.

"Thank you." Quistis smiled. Rinoa's eyebrows furrowed and she took a step forward, about to ask for what Quistis was thankful for when Quistis stepped over the edge.

Rinoa's eyes went large and a hand was placed on her shoulder. She whirled around and saw Squall standing there. He looked at her solemnly. "No matter what happens..."

"I know..." Rinoa said. She kissed him softly on the lips. "The sun has set."

"And the Blood Moon has risen," Squall said. He headed towards the door and looked at Rinoa once last time. "Are you sure?"

"Just keep your mouth closed when you see me fly." she assured him. Squall smirked and jumped out.

As he jumped out, Rinoa peered over the edge and watched him fall. The others already had their black parachutes open and had it not been for her keen vampire vision, she would not have been able to make them out. She made sure his opened before she ducked back inside.

"Rinoa?"

"Just a second, Raijin," Rinoa said. She wandered back to the cockpit and looked over at Fujin. "Hey, Fujin..."

"Yeah?" Fujin said. She turned around just as Rinoa hugged her. Fujin looked surprised and her eye went wide. "Why?"

"Just in case," Rinoa said. She smiled and headed back out to the main cabin. Raijin was still standing there, holding the door open for her. "Raijin! Take care, okay?"

The werewolf tilted his head to the side. "Okay..." Rinoa patted him on the shoulder and smiled. She stood at the edge of the ship and looked down. "Here I come." With an elegant movement, she jumped out of the ship, her hands at her side as the ends of her long black trench coat flew around her like black wings.

Squall barely landed when Selphie pointed to the sky. "Here she comes!" Squall turned around. They were at the base of what seemed to be a volcanic mountain. Up a long path, to the mouth of the volcano was where they had to go. That was were Squall saw Adel.

"She's going to land at the top!" Squall shouted. "Let's go!"

As soon as he untangled himself from the straps of the parachute case, they ran up the path.

Adel could smell her blood in the air and smiled. Slowly, she raised her eyes up at the sleek red ship that was flying above them. She saw the small black figure seemingly fly out of the ship.

"Madam?" a deep voice said to her side. "What do you wish for me to do?"

"Keep them at bay, Sephiroth. Soon, this will all be over..." Adel smiled. The white haired vampire bowed his head and slipped back into the darkness.

Adel looked around. The volcano had long been dormant. It had last shown it's force when her mother and father sealed Hell's Gates. Now, she sat at the top of the ruins built a top the volcano mouth. Fallen, white pillars lined the circular area as the pure white marble floor was engraved with the sacred pentagram.

The grooves were at least an inch deep and showing almost no wear from the passage of time. In the center of star enclosed within a perfect circle was a small circular groove. Adel lifted up the silver ring in her long nailed fingers and smiled.

The scent was getting stronger despite the cold wind that was blowing across the island. She looked up and smiled perversely as the young vampiric sorceress landed directly in front of her, on the other side of the pentagram. Heavy boots slammed into the ground, cracking it at as the flow of black leather around her fell to her side.

Pale arms covered within the sleeves of the jacket ended to reveal slim pale hands at her sides as she stood there. Her layered dark hair whirled around her face as Adel sensed the energy flow around her body. "Hello, Adel," Rinoa said. "I've come to play."

"We're almost there!" Selphie said as she ran up the path. "I saw her land up there!"

"Let's just hurry up!" Quistis shouted back. Up ahead, they still couldn't see what was happening.

Suddenly, Squall, who was leading the group pulled back and whipped out his gun blade. Seifer, Irvine, and Selphie all pulled back soon afterwards after picking up a particular scent in the air. After seeing their movements, both Quistis and Zell took steps back. Quistis held her Save the Queen tightly, her blue eyes scanning the darkness as Zell lifted up his fists.

"Sephiroth..." Squall mumbled in disgust. He narrowed his eyes as a figure seemed to materialize out of the darkness before them.

Long, straight white hair fell around his body, clashing against the black of his clothing, as glowing green eyes lifted and held them in an endless gaze. He held the katana in one hand and skillfully moved the blade in it as he smirked slightly.

"I'm afraid you cannot go up any further," Sephiroth told them. "Else I'll have to stop you."

"Go ahead and try!" Zell shouted, fiery as usual.

"Squall," Quistis said, without taking her eyes off of the enemy in front of them. "Go up and take care of Rinoa. We can take care of this guy."

Squall nodded, not about to argue. Quistis readied her whip and glanced over at Selphie, who nodded. Swinging her nunchuku in the air she began to cast a spell, strengthening it each swing of her weapon. As a swirling ball of energy collected over her head. She let it fly. "Squall, now!" she shouted.

Like a bolt of lightning, the male vampire ran past Sephiroth as Selphie's ball of light sent out a flash, illuminating the area with white. Sephiroth turned his head just in time to see Squall and was about to go after him.

The sound of a whip cracking brought him back to earth as he lifted up his hand and grabbed the blade at the end of Quistis' whip before it hit him. She smirked. "Where do you think you're going?" she asked.

"You're playing with us." Irvine said. He put on his cowboy hat over his wolf ears and smirked, showing his fangs happily.

Seifer lifted up his black gun blade. "We still need to get back at you for hurting our little princess."

"Oh...five against one?" Sephiroth frowned. "That's far from fair, don't you think?"

"Well, we'll just have deal with it, won't we?" Irvine scoffed.

Sephiroth merely smiled. "If you insist."

Rinoa felt the cold wind go through her thick hair as she stood across the pentagram from the vampiric sorceress in front of her. Slowly, the symbol at below her feet began to glow a dim yellow light. Underneath years of dirt and grim, it could be seen, calling for the blood of immortals to feed it. Adel smiled as she studied the posture of the younger woman. "I see you're confident with your abilities."

"You're not opening this gate, Adel," Rinoa said calmly. "You've ruined more than enough lives."

Adel merely lifted up a silver ring in her right hand. It glistened off the eerie red moonlight of the celestial figure behind her as her silver robes around her body were illuminated. Slowly, Adel began to walk forward. Rinoa narrowed her eyes.

"I don't care if you are more powerful than me," Adel said. "This gate will be opened. Fate has destined for it to be so."

Rinoa shook her head and lifted her hand and shot a strong ball of energy at Adel. The other woman merely lifted her hand and shielded herself from the energy. Unfortunately for her, Rinoa's magic had gotten more potent and she was forced to take a step back. "That's a warning, Adel..."

"Do you really think you can stop this?" Adel laughed. "You may be more powerful, my dear, but you have NO clue how to unleash your powers as I do."

Rinoa narrowed her eyes even more. "Do I have to show you again!?" she yelled. "I will stop you!"

Adel shook her head. "Poor child...you're so confused," Adel laughed. "Do you not know the meaning of the word 'destiny'? Or perhaps you were unable to learn it from your mother. She certainly knew what destiny meant! After all...she knew she was going to die."

Rinoa's eyes went wide open as anger flashed across her face. "You murderer..." she hissed as her breathing deepened.

Adel laughed. "Your mother knew! Don't get mad at ME for being the one to order it. Perhaps if she had stayed within the confines of your home, she wouldn't have met such a...tragic demise, yes?"

Rinoa's hands balled at her sides as she listened to Adel. "You killed her... you had no reason to!"

"Is that all you're doing this for?" Adel asked, a crazed look in her eyes as she played with the ring by tossing it up in the air and catching it again. "If you ask me, she's far better off this way!" Rinoa's eyes turned red.

"Wishing Star!" Rinoa screamed as she threw a limit break at Adel. The vampiric sorceress' eyes went wide as the attack slammed into her, throwing her back against the side of a fallen pillar.

Adel looked up, wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth as she smiled. "What power you have..."

"You took my mother away!" Rinoa screamed. "You took my FATHER away! Why!? For your selfish reasons!?"

"Rinoa!" a voice shouted behind her. Rinoa didn't seem to hear the voice behind her. Squall had reached the ruins at the top and looked around. His eyes went wide when he saw glowing engraved insignia on the ruin floors. "Hyne!"

"I will NOT let you take anyone else I love away from!"

"Welcome to Hell, Rinoa!" Adel laughed. "Do you want to see the key to the gate?!" She out stretched her hands towards Squall. Rinoa's eyes went wide as she saw her mate standing there. Adel laughed maniacally as she closed her fingers in her hand and pulled her arm forward.

As if caught in her grasp, Squall was suddenly tugged forward to the center of the ruins. "Squall!"

"The lock to Hell's Gate," Adel said as she lifted the ring. With a quick movement, she slid the ring across the ground, right under Squall where it fell into a circular niche engraved in the very center of the pentagram. "And now..." Adel lifted up her arms. Glowing black light swirls of light came from her feet to her arms, gathering right over her head where her clawed hands collected it.

"Squall!" Rinoa screamed.

The brunette in the center of the room began to struggle against an unknown force. Rinoa prepared to cast a shield spell over him. Squall's eyes went wide as he saw the glowing black crystal lances that appeared above Adel's head. He turned his head to Rinoa.

"Rinoa, stay back!" Squall yelled. She shot the spell forward and Adel's crystal lances flew from her hand.

As soon as they arrived in front of Squall, they immediately hit a barrier. Adel merely laughed. "The key has to get into the lock," she laughed as she raised her hands and gathered even more energy. "Or else the door cannot be OPENED!" She threw her arm forward, sending a large crystal lance flying towards Squall.

Rinoa was suddenly throw back by a gust of wind as smaller lances bombarded her small frame. She cast a shield spell, but wasn't fast enough to strengthen the one around Squall. Her brown eyes went huge as she watched the large crystal lance pierce through her shield.

"NO!!!"