Disclaimer: You know the deal...

*Illasu and Squall*

He had been standing there a long time. When he saw Illasu, he smiled at her. Illasu waved and smiled back. It was pretty cool for Squall to tutor her, she thought. He took her notebook and set it down on the ground far away from them, then he had her run to get it. Only Squall got there before she did. He smiled and when she looked confused, he explained.

Squall: I want to see you beat me and get the notebook at any cost. All right, try again.

Illasu tried again and still Squall beat her. She tried again and this time watched him. She didn't reach it first again but she was starting to figure out where he could be beaten at. On the fourth run, Illasu took a dive and Squall tripped over her. She quickly got up and got the notebook. Squall smiled.

Squall: You see? You can do it! Okay, now I know you're creative. That's good but you have to think faster.

Illasu: How do I think faster?

Squall: You have to act on your will to win. If you had wanted to win bad enough, you would have tripped me in the second run. Ok, here's the next training run we have to do.

Illasu was bent over and huffing. She was already out of breath. She may have looked in shape but she was nowhere near it. Squall laughed at her and she summed up enough energy to punch him in the leg. He fell down with the sudden impact and stayed there laughing.

Illasu: What's...so funny?

Squall: You're already tired! C'mon Illasu!

Illasu: Ok, the last time I 'worked out' was in like the sixth grade! Gimme a break!

Squall: Oh, little Illasu can't hack it?

Illasu: What?

Squall scrambled to his feet as Illasu found a newborn strength from inside and ran after him. He would regret those words. The bell rang and Squall stopped but Illasu didn't. She was running at him when he dodged and she had to get low to make the sharp turn. Her being as ditzy as she was, she fell down and scraped her knee. Not really noticing, she got up and charged after him. Rin walked in and saw her chasing him. He leaned in the doorway and watched her for a little bit. Then he remembered the note. He wondered who it was. Probably Crose about some work, he thought. He trudged off and saw Jakeen there. He walked up to him and Jakeen just looked at him, sort of ashamed.

*Back to Illasu and Squall*

Squall had hidden in a tree and Illasu was directly under him. She was waiting to hear something snap. She froze when she heard a leaf crunch. Then Squall fell out of the tree on top of her. He was laughing but she wasn't. Then a thought raced through her mind. This could look horribly wrong for the both of us, she thought. Trying to scramble out from under him, she didn't achieve much because he was bigger. She lay still and gave up. All that running had made her really, really sore. She could hardly breathe. Squall wasn't laughing anymore, just smiling as he looked at her. They said nothing to each other as Illasu was gasping for air and Squall moved off a little. He lay next to her, tired himself. She couldn't get up because she had no energy, so she hoped Rin came soon. Oh, darn!, she thought, he's meeting me in the cafeteria. She tried to move but she could barely lift her hand and then again, Squall was still staring.

Illasu: Stop that!

Squall: What?

Illasu: Staring! It's very uncomfortable.

Squall: We should probably go to lunch. C'mon.

Illasu: Uh, I CAN'T DIMWIT! I have no apparent energy left.

Squall: Want me to carry you?

Illasu: No, thanks, but could you tell Rin to come rescue me? That'd be great!

Squall: Well, if I don't get to carry you then what makes you think I'm gonna tell him?

Illasu: SQUALL! I HAVE NO ENERGY! I CAN'T LIFT MY HAND!

Squall: See, you have more energy that you haven't even tapped if you can still nag at me.

Illasu: Ohh, your dead when I get of this ground.

Squall: C'mon Illasu.

He pulled her up and she screamed in pain. He dropped her back down as soon as she screamed. She hit the ground really hard and blacked out. Squall shook her back to reality and he let her lean on him. They walked into the cafeteria in time to see kids standing around in a circle.

*Rin and Jakeen before Squall and Illasu got to the cafeteria.*

Rin: You wanted to talk to me?

Jakeen: Yeah, uh don't get mad or nothing ok?

Rin: Sure, what is it? We have to get to lunch.

Jakeen: Uh, I uh...

Rin: C'mon Jakeen.

Jakeen: I LIKE ILLASU!

Rin: Well...aren't we the blunt one today? That's great that you like her, as a friend right?

Jakeen: Uh, not exactly.

Rin: Jakeen! What's up with you!

Jakeen: She's really pretty and I just like her!

Rin: Well, that's understandable. Half the guys here wish that she was theirs but she chose me. I don't know what to do. Talk to her, she can make her own decisions you know.

Jakeen: I know, I just don't want you to hate me.

Rin: I can't hate. I can dislike, but not hate.

Jakeen: Thanks man. Hey listen, don't tell her okay?

Rin: Ok, now come on! We have to go eat!

Jakeen: Be there in a minute. I just have to make an errand.

Rin: All right, see you there!

Rin ran off towards the cafeteria. Jakeen turned and walked back to the classroom, which was now dark. He saw the girl and went up to her.

Girl: So?

Jakeen: He seemed at ease, but he really cares for her. Why did you need me to do that?

Girl: No particular reason. So, what do I owe you?

Jakeen: A make-out session. He was my friend after all.

Girl: I can't grant you that...

Jakeen walked up into the shadows and started kissing her. She was so surprised she backed up against the wall. Jakeen felt a cold sense and looked down. She had pulled a gun on him. He started to move away from her but she fired. Jakeen was hit in the chest. He fell to the floor. The girl emerged from the shadows partially and saw him on the floor gasping for breath. She smiled and dropped the gun. She knelt down by him and kissed him as he drew his last breath. His eyes widened as she took out a healing card. She applied it before he went completely dead. He was cold. The girl smiled as he took another breath and another.

Girl: Oh, look I healed you.

Jakeen: You're sick.

Girl: No, just angry. I told you not too, so luckily I felt like not killing people today.

Jakeen: You shot me.

Girl: Yeah and I watched you suffer. You were great, just gasping for air. You didn't even see me do it. I love that.

The girl leaned down and kissed him again. Jakeen pulled away but she kept kissing him.

Jakeen: Stop it...

Girl: You were the one who wanted a make-out session. So here it is, under my terms.

Jakeen was still bleeding but she held the healing card over him. He couldn't die but he felt like he was. As long as she held that card and was using it he suffered. He didn't want to die but this was madness. She flipped her hair away and lay down on him. She kept kissing him and smiling every time she pressed on the bullet. He howled out in pain. She watched his plain green eyes fall in out of pain. It was magnificent to her. He tried to reach the card but he was too weak. She kept on kissing and more blood came. Her shirt was getting drowsed in blood.

Jakeen: Are you...a demon?

Girl: I don't know. Now hush, just breathe.

Jakeen screamed out in pain as she pushed on the bullet again. He was trying to breathe but every time he tried, she pushed on the bullet. Every time he got a breath, she kissed him where he had to breathe it into her mouth. She laughed as she undid his buttoned shirt. She saw the bullet and pulled it out. Jakeen screamed again and she laughed as she threw it up in the air and caught it. Jakeen felt the card running out. He was going black, everything swirling. The girl noticed and grabbed another card. She undid the old one as put the new one to work.

Girl: Now listen, the bullet's out so you'll heal. I thank you for doing this for me, but here's a lesson for you. Never betray your friends.

Jakeen was healed and the blood disappeared. The girl picked up the gun and loaded the bloody bullet in with all the rest of her new ones. Jakeen tried to see her face but she was hidden. She went out the window and disappeared. Jakeen laid on the floor feeling where he was shot. No mark had been left. He buttoned up his shirt which was still stained and grabbed his books. He trudged out of the door and back to his dorm, to sick to eat.

*Rin*

He had not seen Illasu come through the door and he was worrying about Jakeen too. Then he saw Jakeen, trudging back to his dorm. He spotted the blood and knocked over his chair as he rushed out. His friends followed and saw Jakeen. The cafeteria stopped long enough to see Jakeen fall down. They all screamed and ran to him. Rin got there and eyed his shirt. All the students gathered around and the teachers came up. Rin was sitting on the ground, Jakeen breathing shallowly. The teachers saw the blood and ordered one of the junior See D's to fetch Kadowaki. The other teachers took the students back. One tried to pry Rin away from Jakeen but he wouldn't leave his friend. The teacher opened up Jakeen's shirt to see what had happened and saw no apparent wound. Kadowaki came running up and saw it as well. Rin looked at Jakeen nervously. Jakeen smiled and Kadowaki stepped in. Rin was asked to wait in the nurses office. He sat nervously in the chair with Shushira and Crose standing around. Illasu and Squall came up to the locked door and Crose let them in. Squall left but Illasu ran to Rin. He was crying and she hugged him. He hugged her back and cried on her shoulder. She fell to her knees from lack of strength and also for sadness. She didn't want Rin to be sad, ever. She loved his smile to much. She felt her shirt filling up with tears and he held onto her tightly. She shushed him quietly and played with his blood drenched hair. She had seen Kadowaki and the teacher take a bloody Jakeen away. Shushira and Crose were silent. Rin finally stopped long enough to look at her. She looked at his sad face and brushed her hand across his cheek drying a falling one. She tried to smile a little for him and hold back tears at the same time. It didn't work. The smile fell to tears and she cried a little as she put her hands on his face and told him not to cry. She told him it would be ok, even though she didn't know if it really would be. Rin smiled a little then gritted his teeth and hugged her. He buried his face in her hair. It smelled so good and it was so soft he gave in to his overwhelming pain. She climbed up into the chair with him and clung to his shirt. She was holding onto him when Kadowaki came out. Rin didn't hear her and Shushira put a hand on his shoulder. Rin stopped to hear her report.

Kadowaki: It's puzzling news. It good though. He is going to be ok. The puzzling part is there's no wound, just a bloody shirt. He's all right if you want to talk to him.

Rin: What do you mean there's no wound? His shirt is full of blood. There was a hole in it too.

Kadowaki: Well, he's all right, no broken bones, fractures, nothing. He perfectly healthy, just a little dizzy.

Shushira: Could some one have healed him you think and thought he'd be ok?

Kadowaki: It's possible but if it was gunshot it would need a while to heal.

Crose: Even with advanced healing?

Kadowaki: Yes, he mentioned something about a girl but he's a little delirious. Go ahead and go in if you want.

Illasu: You want to go in?

Rin: Yeah, I do.

Illasu: I'll wait out here ok? Don't rush, I'd wait forever if I have too.

Kadowaki: Actually he wanted to see you Illasu.

Illasu: Me? What for?

Kadowaki: I'm not sure. He just said he would like to see you.

Rin: Illasu, there's something he told me.

Illasu: What is it?

Rin: It's...it's uh nothing.

They walked into the room and Rin saw his friend smiling. He was just laid out on a bed. His shirt was off but that was it. He smiled at Illasu and Rin when they came in. Shushira and Crose looked at him. He waved and lay back. Illasu put her hand on his and felt him. A fast vision flashed in her head but she ignored it. Jakeen took hold of her hand and smiled. Illasu smiled a little and Rin saw him. He shook his head and smiled.

Illasu: How are you?

Jakeen: I'm good. Listen Rin, what I told you before, I like her as a friend.

Illasu: What?

Rin: I told you he had said something to me.

Jakeen: Yeah, you're a great new friend Illasu.

Illasu: Thank you, so are you.

Rin: So how did you get blood all over your shirt?

Jakeen: I was shot by someone.

Crose: Evidently they healed you.

Jakeen: Yeah, slowly and painfully. I almost died.

Shushira: At least you can still come to the dance!

Jakeen: Yeah, that's true!

They stayed with him until late that night. Then they all headed back to their dorms. Rin had to carry Illasu. She was so sore.

*Rin and Illasu*

They arrived in the dorm and Rin put her in the bed. Rin pulled off his jeans and got in.

Illasu: Boxers huh?

Rin: Yep, horsey boxers.

Illasu: I'm glad Jakeen is gonna be ok.

Rin: Yeah, but it still gets me how he's ok.

Illasu: I don't know either. Just don't ponder it to much ok?

Rin: How can I not? I was so scared Illy...

She leaned over and kissed him for a long time. Illasu was great at kissing. He just stayed still and kissed her back. Rin finally relaxed and Illasu laid on him. He couldn't sleep though and neither could she. It was quite bothersome. Rin got up at different times and walked over to look out the window. Rin helped her up to get her to the window. Illasu didn't come back for a long time so Rin tuned over and watched her in the pale moonlight. She was hunched on the sill like a bird waiting to dive down and spread it's wings. She turned her head and Rin gasped. She looked like a ghost. She blinked and smiled at him. He settled down and she looked back outside. The city was glittering in the distance and a tear fell down her cheek. She wanted to be among the stars, flying again. She pulled her shirt off and threw it on the floor. She lay on the sill and tried to remember anything. She had no remembrance. Nothing was there at all. Rin got worried about her and walked over. He put his hand on her face and she saw another picture in her head. She saw Rin but it was weird. He was in a cell. Then it was gone. She thought it was just a short dream like she had fallen asleep. Rin smiled down at her and she smiled up at him. She was still sore and said she couldn't get back. Rin smiled and put his hands on her shoulders. He kissed her and moved his hands over her muscles. She was very tense. Rin started to massage away her pain. Illasu was starting to feel better. Rin massaged her shoulders to where no pain remained.

Illasu: Where did you learn to do this at?

Rin: When I was younger and my mother found out about my scar, she took me to a clinic to have the pain massaged away. I just watched them and started helping other people feel better there. The employees thought I was really good. They said I had soft hands. It was pretty embarrassing.

Illasu: Well, you do have soft hands. Like a birds' feather, silky soft.

Rin: Where else are you hurt?

Illasu: Everywhere, he made me mad and I found (quotes with her hands) 'new energy'. I ran after him and then I became really sore. Every muscle ached. That's why he had to bring me to the nurses' office after you.

Rin: Well, then I've got lots of time.

He moved his hands down to her stomach and massaged there. It even made her scar feel better. He should take this up as a career, she thought. No, she changed her mind, he's mine. He concentrated on every muscle. Halfway through the night he was done. She felt so much better she just relaxed and almost fell asleep.

Illasu: How much do I owe you?

Rin: You won't be able to pay me for awhile...

Illasu: Huh, oh Rin! You silly angel...

Rin: I'm serious...

He kissed her and brought the blanket over to her. He climbed up with her and laid a hand on her stomach. He moved it around on it like he did in the field. He was 'authoring' again as she called it. He was spelling a definite sentence with a question mark. She didn't know what it was. She lay back and turned onto her stomach. Rin smiled.

Illasu: How much will I owe you to do my back too?

Rin: Not a whole lot more, just a lot of hugs!

Illasu: How about kisses and hugs?

Rin: Well, I don't know...I mean you give great hugs...(she kisses him) I've changed my mind!

She laughed and he did her back for her. This is greaaatt, she thought. She was spacing off when Rin kissed her back. It tickled and she laughed.

Rin: Ah ha! You are ticklish!

Illasu: Yeah so?

Rin: Have at you!

He tickled her and she screamed out in laughter. He was still laughing when the sun came up and Illasu smiled. She loved it when he was happy and Rin loved it when she was. They both looked at each other.

Illasu: What would you do if I said I had to go away for awhile?

Rin: Why would you have to?

Illasu: Because I had to fight for something...

Rin: Oh, you becoming a See D, right? Well, I guess I don't really know. I love you to much to let you go alone.

Illasu: What if I didn't want you to come? So you'd be here when I got back? Is that selfish?

Rin: Illy, why the sudden wonder?

Illasu: Like it or not, I have to become a See D. Cid said so. So did Commander Leonhart, I mean Squall...

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Oh great, that's just like me, ruin a special moment. Well don't hate me please. You know R&R and stuff already so this one is gonna be short because I have a real problem. A boy issue. So I have to ponder that like I don't want to. Well, thanks for reading chapter 23!