Disclaimer: Squaresoft owns Final Fantasy, I own all other characters in this story.
*Just After 1:30 on Monday-Seifer and Illasu*
Cid: Yes, sir Mr. President. I will arrange for you to be here. It's an honor Mr. President. Thank you, good bye.
Illasu and Seifer looked at each other a little worried. They had both heard tales from Squall about Laguna. Illasu walked up to the desk anyway, laying the plan down on the desk. Seifer was asked to leave. He shrugged and proceeded to the elevator. Illasu sat down, waiting for the headmaster to look at the plans.
Cid: Well, Illasu I...uh...
Illasu: Sir, I know it's a lot but I will help in anyway possible...
Cid: No, I think I'll have to have a second opinion. (presses a button) Commander Leonhart, please report to the headmaster's office.
Illasu: Why him?
Cid: He'll know what to do. I suspect you already know our esteemed Commander... ah! Mr. Leonhart. Thank you for coming. You probably already know...
Squall: Illasu? What is she doing here?
Illasu: Hi, I was called up here. I'm working on something for the Headmaster here.
Squall: Sir, what am I here for?
Cid: I need (winks) a second opinion. What do you think of the Library?
Squall: What do you mean sir?
Cid: What do you think of it now?
Squall: '...'
Cid: Uh huh, well, what do you think of this then?
He shoved the paper towards him. Squall takes a look and then stood up straight again, but then he leaned back over and started looking it over. He concentrates on looking at all the hidden details. He looks at the nervous Illasu wringing her hands in the chair and looking at him cautiously.
Squall: Do we have the money for such a plan?
Cid: Yes, your father has granted us any amount we need. I just needed a second opinion.
Squall: Can I talk to Illasu outside for a moment Headmaster?
Cid: Illasu?
Illasu: Sure, ok I guess.
Squall grabs her hand and tugs her toward the door. She willingly follows. She gets really nervous talking to teachers and people with authority. Squall pushed the door open and Seifer was still there. He eyed the situation and looked evilly at Squall. Squall told him to go away. He did and Squall turned to Illasu. She was still nervous but her and Squall were friends so she wasn't so freaked out.
Squall: Ok, first off, that was the best drawing I have ever seen. Where do you come up with this stuff?
Illasu: It just...comes?
Squall: '...'
Illasu: I'm serious!
Squall: Ok, jeez, ok...I believe you.
Illasu: Why does Cid need a 'second opinion'?
Squall: I've never really liked the guy and you especially need to stay as far away from him as possible.
Illasu: Do I dare ask you why?
Squall: Uh, let's just say you might get called in some more...if you know what I mean.
Illasu: Oh, eww...so what do I do about it? He always asks people to wait outside.
Squall: He asks everyone else to wait outside except me. I'm sorry but not even Rin can wait inside. So, is it ok if I come with you whenever he needs to see you or you need something?
Illasu: Yeah, I'll tell Rin when I go back.
Squall: Good idea. I don't want anyone getting the wrong ideas. It seems Seifer helped you with that on the way here, but word of advice, don't hang around him much. He is kind of a...well he's not exactly smart.
Illasu: Haha, yeah I know. He makes me laugh though so he's pretty cool for now. I'll be careful for you though, ok?
Squall: Ok, well let's go back in.
He took her hand and led her back inside. Illasu hesitated a little. Squall was very secretive and hid his feelings well like Rinoa had said, but she could see something was wrong.
Cid: Well, what have you decided?
Squall: I really think we should go ahead with this plan to renovate the Library sir. Illasu seems to have a great plan here.
Cid: My thoughts exactly, you can leave now.
Squall: Request to stay.
Cid: Denied, sorry Squall. You understand.
Illasu: (mouths) Help! Squall please!
Squall: Uh, sir I'm afraid I don't understand.
Cid: We have important business to discuss about the Library now that the plans are finished.
Illasu: Headmaster, I thought I was just to design the plans. I volunteer to help out of course with building it, but that was all you said I needed to do. So not even I understand.
Cid: There are other matters like your work in the stables we need to discuss. I also wanted to talk to you about becoming a See D. Squall, please wait outside. Understood?
Squall looked at Illasu and she had tears coming down her face. She mouthed 'I'll be ok' and he turned to leave. She thought as quick as she could and just decided on the most rash thing ever. She fainted. Illasu felt herself fall onto the floor. She could hear Cid say something like 'oh my gosh'. Then she felt warm hands around her and familiar fur of a leather jacket on her face. She smiled and touched Squall on his shirt to let him know she was ok. He felt her and picked her up.
Squall: Headmaster?
Cid: Take her to Kadowaki immediately. I'll call down and tell her you're coming.
Squall: Understood.
Illasu felt him turn out the door and heard the door shut. She looked up at Squall through a half opened eye. He looked down at her and actually laughed for a moment. Illasu felt a huge headache coming on and then her scar flared up from the sudden movement. She grabbed Squall's jacket in pain and Squall felt her breathing faster. He stood her up in the elevator as he pushed the button. She was still clinging to him. He held her up because she was swaying from all the pain.
Squall: To Kadowaki's we go. What's the matter?
Illasu: I need...Rin.
Illasu let go of him and slid down on the floor. She was knocked out. Her pain was so great that she had no real strength left. Squall bent down and picked her up again. The elevator opened and he walked out. Everyone was staring. He glared at them with no expression and continued to Kadowaki's. Illasu murmured something. He took her aside and tried to get her to say it again.
Illasu: Take me to Rin.
Squall: You have to go to Kadowaki. Cid called, and besides you don't look so good anyway.
Illasu: Squall, just take me there. Rin knows what to do.
She went into another heat-wave. It's what she called them when this happened. Squall picked her up and started to Kadowaki's again but before he was within seeing distance of the door he turned back and took her to Rin. He knocked on the door and Rin answered. He saw Illasu in Squall's arms and he let him come in.
Rin: What happened?
Squall: We were in Cid's office and she fainted. I was supposed to take her to Kadowaki's but she wanted to come here. Why, did you think we were doing something?
Rin: No, not at all. Thanks for bringing her here. I'm pretty sure anyone else would have gone to Kadowaki's anyway. Are you Squall?
Squall: Yeah, nice to meet you. Do you have a phone? I'll call Kadowaki and tell her.
Rin: Sure, it's over there. Make your self comfortable if you want. I'll take her and see what's up.
Squall handed Illasu over to him. Rin was a little taller than Squall. Illasu knew where she was as soon as she felt Rin's arms around her. She momentarily woke up and saw his smile looking back at her. Then she shut her eyes again and Rin took her to the window. He opened it a little and the warm breeze flowed in. Squall was already on the phone with Kadowaki. Rin couldn't take her shirt off otherwise Squall would find out. He had to wait and watch Illasu in pain. Squall finally got off and came over.
Squall: Is she gonna be ok you think?
Rin: Yeah, she will be. It'll take awhile. Thanks again.
Squall: Call me when she gets better will you? I want to know she's ok. She's my friend too.
Rin: (laughs) All right, so you aren't gonna stick around?
Squall: No, I can't. I have stuff to do. Thanks for the offer. See ya around.
Rin: Just lock the door on your way out.
Squall: Sure.
When Squall was gone, Illasu opened her eyes. They were wet with tears again. Rin made sure no one could see them in the window and Illasu let him take her shirt off. He threw the shirt aside and looked at her scar. It was really red. The breeze felt good on it though. Putting a hand out to touch it, Illasu grabbed it and shook her head.
Rin: What happened?
Illasu: I had to get out of Cid's office, long story. I guess I moved to quick and I pulled it wrong. It gave me a heat-wave. It feels like a fire inside.
Rin: Oh, Illy. Why didn't you wake me up?
Illasu: You were asleep. I didn't know how cheery you'd be.
Rin: Well, you'll have to hang out in here for awhile. It's 3:54 now so you'll be here for about two hours I'm guessing. You weren't planning on anything were you?
Illasu: No, just to go work.
Rin: Well, (leans down and kisses her forehead) I guess you won't work today.
Illasu: What about you? What are you gonna do?
Rin: (laughs) Why stay here with you of course.
Illasu smiled at him and he kissed her again. Rin let her hair out of her ponytail for her and she laid down on the sill. Rin climbed up with her. She was on the verge of another wave when Rin reached out and touched the flaming scar. Illasu choked on her breath and then was confused. It didn't hurt at all. His hands were really cold. He lightly traced the scar with his fingers. She looked up at him and he laughed and smiled.
Rin: See?
She put her hand in his other one behind her head. Rin put his whole hand down on the scar and felt the 'fire' inside it. Illasu scooted closer and kissed him. Rin just kept smiling. As long as he smiled she felt like there was no pain in her. His smile was full of happiness even when things were tough. She reached over and hugged him close to her. She was crying and wincing from the pain and he hugged her. She buried her face in his shirt and cried her pain away. Rin felt helpless. He wanted to help her so bad. Half an hour went by and the wave passed. She was asleep by now and Rin couldn't get out of her hug but he didn't care. He just wished he could take off his soggy shirt. He tried to weasel it off but he could only get it up and barely off his hips. He laughed a little and just looked at her. She was so beautiful. Her hair was covering her face and she was sweating from the heat. He felt the breeze float over his face and it blew her hair a little. He moved most of it out of her face. She had taken her glasses off so she could lay on her side. They were on the sill so he picked them up and moved them to the floor at the base of the table. They landed on a sheet of paper and he rolled onto his back. Illasu was pulled onto him. He put his arms around her again and nestled his face in her hair. He started to fall asleep himself but then Illasu had another heat-wave. It was even burning him when it started. Rin was jolted back to reality as Illasu turned away towards the window screaming and gritting her teeth. Rin sat up and hugged her to him like when she had had that fever dream. She settled down crying again and soon woke up. She managed to sit up and lean back into him. He finally pulled of his shirt and she felt his scar on her skin. She was somehow comforted by it, whether to know he was like her or he was just there. Rin was shushing her and rocking her back and forth like a small child. She cried a little more and finally just looked out at the darkening skies. It was almost 5:00 and she was so mad at herself. She got up and out of the window despite the pain. She put her hand on the wall to steady herself and made it to the closet before the scar took her energy again. She collapsed onto the floor and Rin was right there. Illasu was happy he loved her so much. She hated herself because she tied him down with this stupid scar.
Illasu: I'm sorry Rin, I can't say it enough.
Rin: It's ok, I know how it feels. Mine used to do this but it unfortunately wasn't as bad as yours. Do you need something?
Illasu: Yeah, a Motrin and you.
Rin: Hehe, Doctor's orders?
Illasu: Doctor's orders.
Rin: Ok, (kiss) I'll get the Motrin. You get changed and on the couch. I'll put in a long movie and tomorrow I'll go with Yugo, ok?
Illasu: Mm hmm. Thanks silver angel.
He helped her up and around to get her clothes. Then he left her to get the medicine. She managed to pull on her pants. She couldn't get her shirt on though so she threw it aside. She crawled out of the huge closet and onto the couch. Rin came out of the bathroom in white, baggy lounge pants. Evidently he had changed too. She smiled a weak smile and he wriggled underneath her. He pulled the sheet off the bed and covered them both in it. He pushed the movie on and kissed her as she took the Motrin and shot for the trash can. It bounced off and onto the floor. She was never any good anyway. She snuggled up to him and the new movie clicked on. It was How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days. She smiled when it came on and laughed. Rin sarcastically threw his head back and laughed. She laughed and tickled him. He laughed even more and she began to feel better. He tickled her a little. She was laughing and he let off. He still ran his hand on her scar. He kissed her again and hugged her tightly for a moment. She loved it when he just held her. He was so strong she didn't fear anything. Rin was so good to her as well, staying here when she was sick, understanding her when she was afraid, and staying with her now. She lay down and just gave into the warmth and power Rin held inside of him. Her waves were almost over and she was starting to calm down.
*Selphie*
She had went to see Irvine after the make-up session. He was in his moomba boxers and watching Spongebob Squarepants. Selphie looked around his room. It was pretty messy. There were a dozen pop cans on the coffee table in front of him. A bag of Chili Cheese Fritos was open and Irvine was eating from it. Selphie knew the moment she spotted the pop cans and Spongebob fest going on, something was wrong, horribly wrong. She shut the door and sat in front of the TV. Irvine's hair was out of it's normal ponytail. His red hair was just hanging down and it made him look even cuter to Selphie. He rarely ever let it out. He saw her and cocked his eyebrows.
Irvine: What in the huge world are doin' in front of my TV?
Selphie: What's wrong? (demanding tone)
Irvine: Nothing, now please move.
Selphie: Irvine Kinneas! Is that any way to get what you want with me?
Irvine: Pixy Stick, please move. (teeth clenched)
Selphie: Bonzai!
Selphie sprang from the place she was sitting in and Irvine panicked. He moved away off the couch and Selphie hit the wall. She was knocked onto the floor. She was clenching her nose. Irvine crawled over to her laying on the floor. He saw blood coming in-between her fingers. She was clutching her nose trying to stop it. She saw Irvine and evilly looked at him. He put his hands up in surrender. Selphie tried to get up. She couldn't without getting blood everywhere. Irvine got up and picked her up in his arms. He took her to the bathroom. She sat on the toilet and watched Irvine get some tissue wet. She was crying too. He squatted down in front of her and she looked up so it couldn't run down her face. He washed it off of her face and he handed her some dry tissue to put in her nose. She did and then looked at him. She was now looking at him with a sad face. She reached up and put a bloody hand on his face. Irvine just smiled at her and apologized.
Selphie: You realize there's blood on your face right?
Irvine: You realize it's on your hands?
Selphie: ...OH GOSH! AHH, EWW!
Irvine grabbed her hands and put them under the water. He squirted soap into them while she was freaking out. He rubbed them together and made sure he got it all off. Then he rinsed and dried. There was still wet blood on his face, a big smear. Selphie stopped freaking out and looked at her now spotless hands. She was kind of mad at herself.
Selphie: Why did you move?
Irvine: What?
Selphie: Why did you move away on the couch?
Irvine: You screamed bonzai and leaped. I was worried you'd get hurt so I thought I could let you land on the couch, nice and soft. Well, your aim was a little...off. So you hit the wall and fell back, hit your head on the table and fell on the floor. Oh Selphie, you have to calm down.
Selphie: Don't tell me to calm down. I am perfectly fine!
Irvine: Ok, bloody nose queen. Why did you come here? How did you get past Rajin?
Selphie: He was off somewhere and I wanted to come see what you were doing. I'm bored! I've got nothing to do and Illasu is off somewhere with Rin, Rinoa and Quistis are gone, so I have nothing to do!
Irvine: I'm pretty bored here too Selphie. I mean it's pretty late. It's 7, we should probably go to sleep. You have to go back to your dorm. If Rajin catches us again, we'll be in big trouble. You better go now.
Selphie: I want to stay here. It's only Monday, so we won't get in that much trouble. Just lock the door!
Irvine: They'd know for sure then. C'mon, I'll walk you back. We'll have to go through the cafeteria and Library to pass most of the faculty. Let's go.
Selphie latched onto him and wouldn't move. Irvine was to tired for this.
Selphie: You still didn't say what was wrong.
Irvine: Selphie, it's nothing now let go please.
Selphie: I am not leaving!
She bounded into his room and buried herself in the covers. Only her feet were visible at the front. She was already in her PJ's. Irvine sighed and walked into his room. He sat on the bed edge and pulled the covers off of her.
Irvine: You can stay IF you can behave, ok? We could get in a lot of trouble for this.
Selphie: Righty O'!
Irvine smiled at her as she turned herself around in the covers and emerged head first. She quietly lay there and watched him get up to turn the light off. He got in and shut his eyes when the light was off. Selphie then remembered something.
Selphie: Can I go get something from the living room?
Irvine: Selphie...
Selphie: Please, this is all I need. (holds up a hand) I promise.
Irvine: All right...just leave the (Selphie flicks on the light)...light off.
Selphie: Sorry. (flicks it back off)
She slowly tiptoes around. Irvine hears the water run and Selphie say 'mustard sauce' evidently when she stubbed her toe. He had to laugh at that. She came back with a glass of water and had the things out of her nose. She looked at him in the darkness and he let her slide into him. He put his arms around her small figure and slept. Or so he thought. Selphie had drank to much and had to run to the bathroom. She forgot about the light and flicked it on. Irvine rubbed his eyes and pulled the covers up over his head. You love her, remember that, he was thinking over and over. She came back trying to be quiet but she stepped on a loose floorboard and it creaked, loudly. She stopped walking, paralyzed by the noise. This time she said 'catsup cats'. Irvine had to laugh again. She came up with the funniest things. He threw the covers off his head laughing.
Irvine: Come here you!
Selphie: What's so funny?
Irvine: Just come here!
Selphie: No! Tell me what's so funny!
Irvine: You are!
Selphie: Oh, that hurts! I'll sleep on the floor!
She sat down and lay down slowly. Irvine watched her. He covered back up as soon as she was on the floor, eyes closed. Then he slowly turned around and crawled towards the end of the bed. He was at the end and he peeked out at her. She was facing away from him. He smiled and slid out silently. He slowly crawled to her and dragged the blanket with him. He came up on her and said 'boo' in her ear. She screamed and he covered her mouth with his hand. He looked at her and kissed her. She slapped him and then smiled. They both laughed and Irvine draped the blanket over them. He got up to get the pillows.
Selphie: No, we can just sleep in the bed.
Irvine: It would be better. Are you sure?
Selphie: Yes, I...
Irvine: Don't say it. Please just get in the bed.
Selphie: Okay.
She climbed in and he held her. Selphie looked into his eyes and buried her face in his loose white shirt. She was asleep finally. Irvine lay his head on his pillows and slowly fell asleep himself. He had hoped Rajin hadn't heard her scream. He didn't seem to care if he did. Irvine was relieved. He just wanted to sleep. He put up a hand to move away his hair but then his hand brushed the dried blood. He couldn't get up now. He would have to wait till morning.
*Yugo and Shiro that morning*
Yugo had walked back to Shiro's room and opened the door. Shiro greeted him with a big kiss and made him walk backwards while closing the door. She kept kissing him till she knew the door was shut. Then she stopped to look at Yugo and smile.
Yugo: What's up with that?
Shiro: Kuro is dressing!
Yugo: Oh, sorry...so what do you want to do?
Shiro: Mm, don't know don't care, you pick!
Yugo: Ok, well huh, I have to go to class soon so we don't have a lot of time. Wanna go out on the lawn and just hang out?
Shiro: Ok!
They started walking to the front of the school. Shiro kept thinking that was a close one. He almost found out. She didn't want him to so he could stay here with her. Then he could runaway with them. Kuro poked her head out of the dorm and saw them walking down the hall. She let out a great big sigh and went back in. They would be busy the rest of the day with classes.
*Kuro*
She went and shut down the big computer. Then she put up all the guns they had been cleaning. She changed her clothes and went into the halls. She was walking and saw Selphie on her way to Irvine's dorm. She stared at her. Selphie got freaked out and ran to his dorm. She sauntered on to the Library getting the occasional cat calls on the way. She didn't look at the source of the noise. She had no interest anymore. She walked to the T.C. Kuro turned and went to the back of the center. The festival was going to be held in the ballroom or something that resembled one. All the festivals took place there. She saw tape across the door way and ignored it. Continuing on in, she found that the grand staircase was just in sight of the balcony outside. It was very fortunate. She stood in front of the double sided stairs and looked out towards their post. They could shoot from any angle. The balcony on the edge outside of where she was was probably where the target would be. She walked up the stairs on one side and walked through the giant doors. There was a large hall and then a dining room connected to the school. So there's two entrances, she thought, clever. The room was clear except for a couple tables around the edge and a bunch of chairs stacked up. She took out her little black box and taped it under a chair. She timed it to turn on at exactly 7 pm on Friday when everyone would be allowed in. She walked back through the hall and noticed a ventilation system on the ceiling. She took a nearby chair and stood on it. Removing the grill, she peered inside. It was large enough for her to crawl through but it was tight. They might be able to use it. She set it back and put the chair in its' place. She walked through the big doors and then down the other side of the stairs. She noticed the ceiling was windowed at the top. It was like a dome. She stepped out onto the balcony and spotted where they would be. She hoped the rifle could reach. She tried to estimate the distance. When she thought close enough, she peered down. The balcony overlooked the ocean mostly. Only a few feet of ground was exposed. The committee had started working on the hall, turning it into an ice paradise. There was fake snow on the ground. It wasn't layered enough yet though to notice footprints. Little glittery stars were hung from the ceiling and the stairs were white with a carpet rolled down them. All the pictures were removed from the walls and an ice throne was set up. Probably where the esteemed Shiva would sit, Kuro thought amusingly. She wondered if that would affect their shot. The would only get one chance. Then they would have to leave quick. They had to hit two targets now. Kuro was bent on the second one. It was risky she knew, but she had to do it. She took one last look at the room and walked out. She walked to the other side where their post would be. Everyone would be at the festival so they could pass freely through the halls. She walked into the hall where the balcony was attached. She saw it had a nice little corner where they could hide in the shadows and no one could spot them. She set up the stand for them and took out the control for it. She pressed a button and it folded back up then back out again. She smiled and noticed someone was coming. She quickly put it away and walked back. It was Zell and Squall. They were heading to the T.C. It was getting late. Kuro decided to head back. Zell and Squall followed her back. They didn't like her evil, creepy self. Once she was inside her quarters, Squall and Zell continued to the T.C. Kuro decided to lounge in the bath while everyone was out. She picked out a pair of black boxers and a black T-shirt. She took her hair out of it's ponytail and it fell around her shoulders. She ran her hand through it a couple of times and then let the water get nice and warm before letting it fill. She slid into it when it was full and shut her eyes, just relaxing now that everything was set up.
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Hey! 20 chapters...how long. Well, it's 11:43 on August 9 and my parents leave for Vegas tomorrow bright and early. Oh joy. Well, that means more time to finish this. Like I said I write these when I finish the chapter, not when I post them so it's a little hard. Well, I might have to do a second one with mostly Illasu and Rin. I have an idea that spawned from this chapter about a tough girl going into a soldier's world or something like that. It grew from the idea of Cid talking to Illy about becoming a See D. So maybe a sequel will come! I doubt it, but it's a reserved idea. Well, goodnight anyway and please keep reading. I know it's more romance than humor but I try to be a little weird or funny every once in a while. Please R&R...thanks.