Thief's Treasure
Chapter Four: Secrets
By PasifiKStaR
Author's Note: Aleleme - I want to email you, but I don't have your email. Can you send it to me, please? Thanks a bunch! Everyone - Thanks for the reviews so far! I think this will be a relatively short story at this point. Umm...short compared to my other story. ^_^
*All Standard Disclaimers Apply - I do not own Final Fantasy or it's characters.
Squall punched the door and winced. *Shit!!* He leaned his head against it and let out a deep breath. Whatever he did scared Rinoa. He closed his eyes as he was haunted by the look on her face. Her panic stricken eyes. Her trembling lips. And the tears. Oh, Hyne, how there were so many tears.
*I shouldn't have kissed her,* he concluded. He leaned his head back sighed. *But, damn, it was good...* His breath was shallow as the warmth that went through his body had yet to subside. He could still taste her lips on his. The warmth of her tongue running against his. The feel of her arms as they caressed his shoulders.
And he would never have that again. He couldn't have Rinoa. He SHOULDN'T have Rinoa. *You bastard...* he cracked a pitiful smile and shook his head as he leaned back against the door and slid down to the floor. *You have a fiancée waiting for you at home. But instead you're here kissing some other woman. You're going straight to hell.*
Rinoa ran her hand through her thick hair and looked around the room. It felt so good. It felt so right. She sniffled and wiped her nose. *I'm sorry, Squall...* she thought to herself. *It's not you...*
She looked up at the open window that Squall had disappeared out of with a forlorn look. It wasn't fair. Why did her body have to react like that if she wasn't feeling any pain or fear? She had felt completely safe with him. Enclosed his arms, she felt as if the world couldn't hurt her.
She suddenly felt dirty. She wasn't good enough for him. *I'm dirty and damaged...he'd never want me...* Quietly, she stood up and headed for her bathroom, stripping off her night gown as she headed there. Angelo's head perked up and he let out a whimper.
Selphie walked up the stairs happily to the deck. It was her week to feed Angelo and she was going to Rinoa's door to get the dog. Her humming immediately stopped and she paused. She heard scratching at the base of the captain's door. She pulled out the key and quickly unlocked it, pulling it open.
Angelo nearly tumbled out, whimpering as he walked up behind Selphie and nudged her knees into the room. "Angelo? What's wrong?" Selphie asked quietly. Angelo kept whimpering as he pushed her knees. "Angelo!" The dog moved aside and jumped back into the room. Jumping up and down and barking, he tried to get Selphie to follow him. "Yes, Angelo, I'm going to feed you. Now come on, you'll wake up Rinoa."
Angelo whimpered and barked some more as he went further and further into the room. Selphie sighed and followed him in, about to drag him out by the collar when she turned and saw the empty space in Rinoa's bed. Her eyes furrowed.
"Rinoa!?" she called out. She walked over to the open window and peeked outside. "Rinoa!" she called out again, louder this time.
Behind her Angelo barked and she turned around. The dog was leading her into the bathroom. Selphie's heart began to beat quickly as she stumbled into the darkened room. "Rinoa!?" she yelled once more. She put her hand along the wall and searched for the light switch. She finally found it and turned it on.
Her green eyes went wide as she beheld the image in front of her. Her scream echoed through the cabin as she dashed out. She nearly slipped as she ran out of the captain's cabin. "QUISTIS!!" she jumped down into the lower deck. "SEIFER! QUISTIS!!" she screamed.
Squall, who had already been awake, opened his door and looked outside. Selphie was already dressed in her day clothes and was pounding on Quistis and Seifer's doors, which were right across from each other. The brown haired girl with the emerald eyes was crying as she screamed for them to get up.
"Selphie, what's wrong?" Squall asked as he quickly came out of his room.
Selphie's eyes were pouring out tears as she struggled to contain her breath. "It's Rinoa!" she gasped out. Before she could explain further, Squall rushed past her and up the stairs.
Quistis' door opened just before Seifer's. "What's wrong?" Quistis gasped as she put on her robe over her long night gown. "Selphie, why are you crying?!"
Quistis' voice was full of panic as Selphie crumpled to the floor sobbing. "Rinoa's DEAD!!"
Upstairs, Squall dashed across the deck to the wide open door across from him. He ran in and looked around. Her bed wasn't made and her night gown had been dropped on the floor. "Rinoa!?" he shouted. He heard barking inside the bathroom and rushed in. "Merciful Hyne..."
His eyes went just as wide as Selphie's as he looked down at the white porcelain tub. Rinoa was leaning back against the side of the tub, her arms hanging off the sides. Her head was tilted forward as long dark hair dipped into the warm water. Squall swallowed hard.
The water was red. Without another thought, he put his arms into the tub and brought her against him, pulling her out of the blood soaked tub as drops of diluted blood water dripped from her pale body. He lifted her out and looked down at her face.
"Hyne!" a voice said at the door way. Quistis and Seifer had arrived just as Squall turned around. Quistis had her hand covering her mouth as Seifer stepped back and turned his head away.
"Get towels," Squall hissed. Neither blond moved from their spot. "GET TOWELS!" he growled viciously.
Stumbling, Quistis turned around and headed for the closet. Squall didn't care that the water that went up with Rinoa was now coursing down his own skin. He put his head against Rinoa's and gently kissed the top of her head. "Towels!" Quistis gasped as she ran in. She held a large white towel wide open and covered Rinoa's body with it as Squall walked past her and out the door.
"Put some on the bed," he snapped angrily. "Get her some clothes!"
He didn't notice Selphie standing at the door way, clinging on to the door frame as Fujin looked in with a worried expression on her face. Slowly, Squall gently placed Rinoa on her bed after Quistis put two layers of towels over the part she would lay in. Squall knelt down and gently stroked Rinoa's hair before looking over her body.
Selphie slowly walked in, her face pale and streaked with tears as Fujin helped her stand up. "Is she...?" she began quietly.
Squall nodded. "She's alive." he whispered.
"Drain the tub," Quistis told Seifer. The blond male nodded and walked into the bathroom to face the bloody tub once more. "Check her wrists, Squall."
Doing what she told him to, Squall gingerly lifted Rinoa's wrists and were relieved to find that she didn't slit them. Quistis laid out some clothes for Rinoa. "Where did all the blood come from?" Squall whispered quietly.
"The water is still warm," Seifer said as he walked out. "It must've been boiling when she stepped in it."
"Oh, Hyne, Rinoa..." Quistis whispered softly. "You're doing it again..."
"She scrubbed herself," Selphie whispered sadly. "That's why she was bleeding...look at the welts on her thighs and hips..."
"Why would she scrub there?" Squall asked. Quistis and Selphie didn't answer.
Slowly, Rinoa's head turned slightly. She winced as she felt the throbbing pain that burned around her thighs. Her breathing was shallow and broken as Squall looked over at her, desperately trying to see if she'd recognize him. "Squ..." she breathed out roughly. "Squall..." she swallowed and blinked slowly. Her eyes remained squinted as she turned to look at him. "Sorry..." she breathed out.
"No..." Squall said softly. "No, you have nothing to be sorry about..." he gently ran his left hand over the side of her face, taking pleasure in the small smile she gave at his touch.
"I'm no good," Rinoa breathed out. "I'm damaged..."
"What is she talking about?" Seifer asked behind Quistis.
The female blond turned around. "Selphie, Fujin...not a word of this to Irvine and Zell," Quistis said sternly. The two other women nodded. "Seifer," she turned to look at him with a sad smile. "Seifer, baby, can you leave them alone for a while...?" She put her hands on the collar of his jacket as she tried to turn him.
Seifer narrowed is eyes suspiciously. "Why?" he whispered quietly. Quistis leaned forward and put her head against his chest and took a deep breath.
"Please, baby..." she pleaded quietly. Seifer looked serious as put his arm around Quistis' shoulders and nodded. He lead her out, casting one last warning look at Squall before they exited. The door closed.
"What do you mean?" Squall asked quietly as he caressed her hair gently.
She smiled sadly. "No one wants me," she said softly. Her eyes moved from his to the ceiling. "Because I'm dirty."
Squall's eyes went wide. She wasn't mugged. Something else happened and as he put all the clues together, he realized what. "Rinoa..." he whispered. "Were you...?" he asked in a shaking voice.
Her eyes closed and she nodded. "I was raped a when I was sixteen," she whispered quietly. Her voice was unnaturally clear and Squall felt anger boiling up. "That's when my powers first appeared."
"How?" Squall asked quietly.
Rinoa stared up at the ceiling. "My powers were dormant...and then when...the rape...," she swallowed hard and had a pained look on her face. "I'm not sure how it happened... but all I remember is this burst of white light and I heard screaming...a few seconds later, Quistis and Selphie rushed into my room..."
"And you ran away from home." Squall concluded. Rinoa nodded her head.
Her lips trembled as she began to cry. Her chest rose up and down under the towel placed over her body as she struggled to contain her sobs. "They were going to marry me," she choked out. "They were going to marry me to HIM."
"Shh..." Squall gently placed his finger tip on her lips. She tilted her head to look at him. He looked so worried as soft brown hair fell over his face. His shirtless chest had the remains of red water against his pale skin. "Rinoa...you have an arranged marriage?"
She nodded slowly. "I didn't want to marry him," she cried out. "But I did it for my family..." her lips trembled as sweat appeared on her forehead. "He was older than me...much older. They trusted him." She closed her eyes tightly.
"I'm sorry..." he whispered quietly. "I didn't know...I shouldn't have-"
"It's not your fault," she told him softly. "I'm the one whose damaged."
Squall's head jerked up and he narrowed his eyes. "Don't EVER say that," he scolded her. Her tear filled brown eyes turned to meet his. He could see the pain in her eyes. "You're not damaged. You're not broken. Or sick. Or dirty," he assured her. "You're smart...fun... and beautiful."
Rinoa began to choke her tears as she squeezed his hand. "But I am damaged..." she insisted. "I can't...I can't BE with a man any more," she whimpered tearfully. "You saw what happened. My body froze...if you hadn't stopped when you did..." She swallowed. "You wouldn't be alive any more..."
Squall's eyes went up in panic. Was she really that dangerous? It was coming out of her own mouth. "I'm sorry..." he mumbled once more. "I won't...I won't do that any more." he told her solemnly.
She turned her head away. *It's not that I don't want you to do it any more...* she thought to herself. *I just don't want to hurt you.*
She felt him release her hand and a wave of sadness ran through her frail body. She tilted her head and watched him stand up. "I'll send Quistis or Selphie or Fujin in..." he mumbled. He looked down at her regretfully and then quickly walked out of the room.
As the door closed, Rinoa closed her eyes once more and bit her lower lip. "I don't want you to go..."
Squall looked out at the horizon as he put his gun blade down after intense single person training. He took a deep breath and wiped his brow with his arm. His leather jacket was tossed over some rocks on the beach. The sun was setting and the moon over head was large and full. Suddenly, he heard a familiar sound behind him and grabbed his gun blade.
He swung it over his shoulder and held it up as a black metal blade slammed into the silver colored blade of his. He narrowed his blue eyes as amused green ones looked back at him. "I see you haven't lost your touch, puberty boy."
"What the hell do you want, Seifer?" Squall hissed. He had spent the entire day way from the ship. And away from Rinoa. "Are you here to try to beat me up for getting close to Rinoa?"
"As much as I'd love to," Seifer said as he pulled back Hyperion and stood a few steps from Squall. "Quisty and Selphie had a little discussion with me about that."
"You don't have to worry," Squall hissed. "I'm not supposed to be getting close to other women anyway."
Seifer raised an eyebrow. "How's that? You swing the other way now?"
Squall glared at him and lifted his gun blade. It slammed into Seifer's as the two began a dance they had started years ago. As metal hit metal and sparks flew, Squall began to vent his frustration into the battle. "I'm arranged." he stated simply.
Seifer's eyes went wide and turned into a furious glare as his hits became harder. "What do you MEAN you're ARRANGED!?" he hissed.
"I'm supposed to marry a woman I've never met before!" Squall hissed in return.
"You BASTARD!" Seifer growled as he began to move Squall further back. "You're leading her on!"
"I didn't mean to!" Squall shouted. "Do you think I like it!? I'm supposed to be married and I'm-"
"And you're screwing around with Rinoa!" Seifer growled bitterly. "How dare you play with her heart like that!? After all she's been through!?"
"I don't want to hurt her!"
"So what? You think she'll squeal happily and wish you the best wishes with the other woman when you tell her!?" Seifer growled. "What kind of a heartless bastard are you!?"
"I care about her!" Squall retorted. *Hyne, she's perfect!* His gun blade pushed Seifer's back. "Don't get me wrong, Almasy! I'm not doing this to hurt her!"
"What are you doing it for then?!" Seifer yelled. "For FUN?"
"I never meant to fall in love with Rinoa!" Squall shouted as one final heated stroke of the gun blade pushed both them away from each other. They stood there, breathing heavily as they faced each other. Sweat dripped from their bodies as the handles of their weapons were gripped tightly in their hands.
"When are you going to tell her?" Seifer asked. "You can't just lead her on like this."
"Don't you think I know that?" Squall snapped. He impaled the gun blade in the sand and ran a hand through his hair. "I didn't think this would happen..." he admitted sadly. "I never even thought for a second..."
Seifer also slammed his blade into the ground and sat down next to it tiredly. "I just hope that when you tell her..."
"I don't want to have to tell her," Squall mumbled. "But I have to."
"Since you don't love the other lady, why don't you just stay with Rin?" Seifer asked casually. "That's what I would do."
"That's because you're an idiot without any idea what the hell is going on or what the consequences would be." Squall grumbled under his breath. Seifer glared at him.
"I may be an idiot," Seifer shrugged. "But I'd be an idiot in love."
"What happened to 'stay the hell away from Rinoa'?" Squall scoffed.
Seifer grinned. "Selphie has this strange theory that you're the one that can 'cure' Rinoa," he snorted. "While I disagree completely, the girls are willing to risk their lives so you can be close to her and help her."
"And why do they think that?" Squall asked. He sounded bored, but was genuinely interested in the answer.
"It seems that the cowboy and chicken-wuss tailed you the other day," Seifer mumbled. "From what they said, it seemed that you made Rin very happy. Also, what is up with that damn bear?"
Squall couldn't help but smirk. "I won that for her."
"WHY?" Seifer asked. "That piece of crap is taking up so much space..."
"Well, you two look like you're having fun talking," an amused voice said behind them. Immediately, the two males jumped up and grabbed the gun blades. Quistis raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. "Don't mind me...just continue with your male bonding."
"Bonding? With Mr. Violent?" Squall asked with a seemingly confused look. Quistis smirked.
"We're not BONDING!" Seifer hissed. "And what are you doing here?"
Quistis frowned and walked over to him. She grabbed his collar and brought him down to face her. "You are neglecting your JOB again."
Seifer winced. "Dinner...right..."
"Yeah," Quistis said. She shoved him away. "Get going. I expect something good to eat!"
"Psst...you'll eat what I make, picky pain in the a-"
"Seifer..." Quistis warned.
"My darling little Quisty pie." Seifer ended. Grumbling he headed for the docks once more. Quistis turned to Squall.
"Squall, when you are going to head back?" she asked. "Rinoa's out of bed and up and about."
*I don't think I'm ready to face her yet...* Squall shrugged. "Later. I just want to practice some more." he lied. Quistis merely nodded and headed back after Seifer. He was almost to the path way when she jumped him from behind and put her long legs around his waist and her arms around his neck.
"Carry me back!" she demanded.
"Get off me, woman!" he growled back.
"Hell no! I had to go out of my way to get you!" she scoffed. "Now move!" Seifer seemed to give in and headed up the path while giving Quistis a piggy back ride.
Squall looked around. The endless sky looked down at him as fell back against the sand and stared at it's darkness. As he sat there, a shooting star went across the sky.
Rinoa watched as the star went across the sky. She smiled and leaned forward on the railing. She was wearing a loose red dress, as she had scrubbed parts of herself quite raw the night before. She closed her eyes as the cool sea breeze swept past her body. Her dark hair was swept back and she ran a pale hand through it's darkness.
Selphie and Irvine had vanished earlier that day with Selphie announcing that she was on a mission to attain a large stuffed bear like Rinoa's. She had wished them good luck. Irvine had asked her how many times it took for them to get the bear and Rinoa shocked him by saying that Squall had won it by tossing the last of five rings over his shoulder as they left the booth.
Zell had just returned. "Rinoa!" he shouted. "I got that cotton candy you wanted!"
She turned and smiled. "Thanks, Zell!" she said. "How much do I owe you?"
"Don't worry about it," Zell said as he handed her the sack of pink fluffy sugar. "Oh hey, you won't believe this," he said with wide eyes. "But Selphie and Irvine were walking down the boardwalk with these two huge bears."
Rinoa let out a shocked gasped with a smile. "Are you serious!?" she gasped. "They actually won TWO?"
"That's what I was thinking!" Zell agreed. "It's hard enough to win one, right? But TWO? They have one white one and one brown one."
"That's great!" Rinoa paused and frowned. "Wait a second...will they fit downstairs?"
Zell shrugged as he headed for the lower deck. "I think she wanted to put them in the lounge," he headed down the stairs. "Can you get me for dinner?"
"Yep!" Rinoa nodded. He disappeared below deck and Rinoa shook her head, still amazed that they had managed to actually win TWO. One she could believe, but TWO? *Heh...maybe Irvine held a gun to the guys' head...hehehe..*
As she smirked, Fujin walked down the stairs from the steering room on the top level. "Okay?" she asked with a warm smile.
Rinoa nodded and leaned her head against Fujin's shoulder in a little sister like fashion. "Yeah..." she sighed. "I really like him, Fujin."
"I know," Fujin chuckled. "Real cute."
"Tell me about it," Rinoa agreed. She leaned back on the railing and sighed. "He has the most gorgeous eyes...and his smile is so sexy. Oh, and last night, don't tell anyone this, okay, Fujin? But he KISSED me."
"Uh...Rinoa..." Fujin mumbled.
"It was so amazing!" Rinoa sighed, completely lost in thought. "I was in absolute heaven... his lips were so soft and warm..."
"Rinoa..." Fujin trailed off, warningly.
"And...damn! I didn't get a chance to run my hand through his hair!"
"Seifer!" Fujin shouted. Rinoa's eyes went wide as she whirled around. Seifer was standing there, looking highly disturbed as Quistis smiled warmly.
"So...how did he taste?" Quistis said. Seifer turned on his heel and headed straight for the kitchen.
"Hear no evil...see no evil...hear no evil...visualize no evil..." he mumbled to himself. Quistis shook her head and walked over to Rinoa and Fujin.
"He kissed you, huh?" Quistis said. "How was it?"
Rinoa lapsed into a dream like state as she smiled. "It was great..."
Both Quistis and Fujin laughed. "Do you really like him?"
"Like him?" Rinoa asked, her eyes wide. "I want him for my birthday! With a bow and everything!"
"Only bow?" Fujin asked, raising an eyebrow.
Rinoa blushed and grinned stupidly. "If that's the case, then forget the bow all together." They all giggled.
"Shut up!" Seifer shouted from the kitchen. "You three are sick!"
"Have you guys seen Squall," Rinoa asked seriously. "I kind of wanted to talk to him."
"He was practicing his gun blade on the beach." Quistis said.
"Oh...I'll go see him!" Rinoa announced.
"Rinoa-"
"I'll be safe!" Rinoa assured her. "Just let me go get my shooting star and I'll even bring Angelo."
"Rinoa..." Quistis said reluctantly. Rinoa sighed and turned to Quistis before she reached her room.
"Quistis," she said. "Please..."
Letting out a heavy sigh, she moved to the side, giving Rinoa a clear path to the plank. Rinoa smiled.
Angelo sniffed the ground next to Rinoa as the girl walked down the light bulb lit boardwalk. Angelo barked and pointed to a stage constructed on the sand. Many people were surrounding it as a band played on the stage.
"Maybe later, Angelo." Rinoa sighed. She walked past the stage and on to the sand. She looked around and saw a young man sitting on the stand with a gun blade impaled in the packed sand next to him. Smiling she pointed and Angelo ran over.
"What the!?" Squall looked surprised as the dog appeared out of no where, barking and licking his face. "Oh, Hyne! Angelo!"
Rinoa giggled as she approached him. Squall looked up and paused. Rinoa's red dress swam just below her knees as it's low cut v-neck and sleeveless arms revealed a lot of skin. She smiled as she stood there, her hands behind her back as soft dark hair went around her face. "Hey."
"Hey..." he mumbled. The band on the stage was playing a ballad and Rinoa began to chew nervously on her bottom lip. "How are you feeling?"
"Good!" she piped up cheerfully. "Good..." she trailed off.
"I think we need to talk." he stated. Rinoa jerked her head back quickly and then slowly let it look down at her feet. She nodded.
"I do, too..." she agreed. Squall stood up and dusted himself off. He looked over at Rinoa and opened his mouth.
Nothing came out. He looked down and closed his eyes. He swallowed hard, trying to find the right words to tell her the reason why he was there in the first place. At least the 'official' reason. She slowly looked up at him. Past long, dark lashes, lovely brown eyes met his icy blue ones.
*I can't leave her...* Squall thought to himself. "I'm in love with you."
Rinoa's eyes shot wide open at his words. Without a second, though, Squall leaned down and kissed her lips once more. Rinoa closed her eyes and whole heartedly accepted his kiss she put her arms around his neck. She closed her eyes tightly, praying that the moment wouldn't end.
As she parted from him, she looked up with a smile. "Squall..."
"I just want to be with you forever," he whispered quietly. "I don't know why...I just...do..."
Rinoa's eyes water and she threw her arms around him tighter. Her lips fastened on his as he closed his own eyes and held her tightly against him. Squall hands ran up and down her back and kept her close. Her fingers went through his thick, sweat drenched hair and tugged against it gently.
A man watched in the distance and shook his head. He would get to her later.
Rinoa woke up. The soft flute music drew her up. It was so familiar. *Where have I heard that music before...* she thought to herself. She opened her window and the sound came in clearer. She narrowed her eyes as she put her slippers on and grabbed Squall's jacket from where it had been hanging on the foot of her bed.
Quietly, she opened the door and stuck her head out. The fog was thick and covered the area in a hazy mist. She listened for the sound of footsteps walking around on deck and decided that no one else was up. Quietly, she headed towards the side of the ship that was tied to the dock. Looking around. She jumped from the edge of the ship and on to the dock with surreal grace.
Rinoa tugged the warm leather jacket that was graced with Squall's scent around her. From the corner, underneath the stairs leading to the steering room, blue eyes flashed opened and narrowed. Clutching a heavy gun blade in his hands, Squall stood up.
On the docks, Rinoa followed the faint sound of a flute to the edge of the pier. "And here I thought you were going to sleep through it."
Rinoa recognized the deep, masculine voice instantly and rolled her eyes. "I'm not THAT bad," she sighed. She could barely make out the tall man standing in front of her. She smiled slightly. "To what do I owe this visit?"
"Your father wants you to come home," the man told her. "He's on the verge of putting out a military order to bring you home."
Rinoa's eyes went wide open. "WHY!?" she gasped. "The last time we spoke he practically disowned me!"
"Apparently he found someone willing to marry you." Rinoa's heart stopped.
"No...that's a lie..." she mumbled as her face drained of all color. She took a step forward and shook her head. "It's not true, is it!?"
"Afraid it's so," the man told her. "Are you sure you want to keep running?"
"I'll run to the end of the world if I have to!" Rinoa snapped. "I'm not going back there!" Her arms wrapped around herself.
"So be it," the man nodded slowly, allowing long dark hair to fall over his face. "Rin...about Leonheart."
"You saw him!?" Rinoa gasped.
"It wasn't hard to catch you two making out on the beach." Rinoa turned bright red as the man let out a soft chuckle.
"Well, what about him?" she asked in a shaky voice.
"I don't think you should get involved with him," the man told her calmly. "It's bad enough that you ran away and went against your father...but to get involved with Leonheart..."
"Why should anyone care?" Rinoa snapped. "It's none of their business."
"It is their business. Rinoa, his father is Laguna Loire." The brunette's head looked up as large brown eyes suddenly clouded.
"I...I don't care..." she whispered quietly. "I love him..."
"He's just going to hurt you," the man stated. "You don't know anything about him."
Rinoa's eyes squinted and she shook her head. "I don't want to hear it!" she shouted. "I've had enough! I'm going back to the ship."
"Rinoa, wait-" the man began. Suddenly he met with the tip of a silver blade.
"What business do you have to tell Rinoa what to do?"
"Squall!" Rinoa gasped. "What are you...? Did you follow me?" she asked in disbelief.
"Who are you!?" Squall hissed, staring at the man with icy blue eyes.
Rinoa ran up between him and the man and stood in front of the man. "Squall, stop!" she gasped. "Don't hurt him!"
"Rinoa..." he mumbled. Slowly he lowered the gun blade.
"Squall, this is my cousin," she sighed. "He finds me and tells me what's going on in my family and tells me where I should stay and stay away from."
Squall narrowed his eyes at the tall man in the red trench coat. The man merely raised an eyebrow and studied Squall. "Really, Rinoa...what do you see in him?"
"Vincent!" Rinoa snapped. "Just leave! Squall will make sure I get back all right."
Vincent glared at Squall as he walked past him. "If you hurt her," he warned. "I will make your life a living hell," he looked at Rinoa, who was frowning at his words. "You be careful." She nodded.
Quietly, he side stepped Squall and passed them. "I'm sorry," Rinoa said weakly. "Vincent is like my older brother, he's just worried about me."
"You seem to have a lot of people worried about you," Squall stated. He looked over at her. "Let's get back."
She nodded and took his extended gloved hand. She was pulled into his arms and leaned against him. "Squall..." she whispered quietly. "You wouldn't hurt me...would you?"
Squall took a deep breath as they walked. His arms tightened around her shoulders. "No," he stated quietly. "I'd never hurt you on purpose."
Rinoa thought for a moment and nodded.
Ellone looked through the mail and found a letter addressed to her and the family. From the handwriting, she assumed it had been Zell who wrote it, as Irvine wrote in block letters and Squall, amazingly enough, had perfect cursive. Smiling she wandered over to the sitting room and opened the envelope.
Sitting down on the soft cushions of the couch, she took out the hand written letter that probably had been sent a few days ago.
Dear Ellone,
It as been quite an adventure so far! Every night is like a little party with the crew. Seifer, you remember him, the guy who put that scar on Squall's face? Well, he's the COOK on the ship! His two friends are here with him and there are these three other girls. Quistis is the smart one. I think she and Seifer have a little thing going on.
There is this really cool chick name Selphie. She's always hyper and smiling. I heard her saying that Irvine has a nice butt. Oh, and they won these two huge stuffed bears from one of those carnie games. They're currently in the lounge of the ship, since there was no where else to put them. You might be wondering what we're doing at a carnival. Actually, it's a boardwalk.
We're docking here for a few days because supposedly, Irvine and I are getting 'sea sick'. We so do not! Oh, and the last girl is the ship's captain. I think she likes Squall. And the best part is, I think Squall likes her! I stole a picture from Squall's room the other night and it's included in this letter. It's him and the captain, Rinoa.
Squall is doing okay. He's usually in his room doing research on the Thief's Treasure. He seems really serious about this. But the last few days, he's been off the ship. The day he took the picture he spent with Rinoa. He even won her one of those huge teddy bears. She named it after Laguna's cat, I think.
Anyway, I'm kind of worried since he's engaged and all. I over heard her telling one of the other girls that Squall kissed her. Squall's never kissed a girl! I'm really worried, Ellone. Irvine doesn't really know what to do. I think he figures it'll all work out. But I don't want to see anyone hurt. Not Squall or Rinoa or Dr. Kadowaki's daughter.
By the way, how is she? I haven't seen her since we graduated. Can you keep a secret, Ellone? I still kind of have a crush on her. Oh well, what can I do, right? Tell her hi for me if you see her. Irvine says hello. And so does Selphie.
We'll see you soon!
- Zell Dincht
Ellone pulled out a small one and a half in square from the envelope. Squall was in the middle of talking and the girl he was with was laughing next to him. Even though it was just a picture, she could see the glint of joy in his eyes as he sat there next to the pretty young ship's captain.
She grew slightly alarmed and stood up. She rushed out of the room and to her Uncle's study. She raced down the hall and knocked on the big wooden doors. "Uncle!" she called out. "Uncle, may I speak to you?"
"Come on in, Ellone," Laguna's voice could be heard. Ellone walked in and paused at the door way. Laguna was balancing himself on a chair as he tried to coax Squally-poo from the top of a book shelf. "Don't mind us!" he said cheerfully. "Squally-poo just got stuck."
"Merow!" the cat grumbled. Ward was trying to keep the chair steady as Kiros held the phone ready to call the ambulance just in case Laguna fell.
"Uh...Uncle..."
"Hold on..." Laguna said. "I've almost got him..."
"MEROW!" Squally-poo swept a clawed paw at Laguna's face. The middle aged man yet out a yelp as he fell back wards. Ward managed to grab his shirt before he fell and held him up.
"Okay...maybe he doesn't WANT to get down..." Laguna mumbled, eyeing the cat suspiciously. Kiros shook his head.
"The cat will get down on his own," Kiros assured Laguna. He looked at Ellone. "What's up, kid?"
"What do you make of this?" Ellone said. She handed them the little picture of Squall and Rinoa.
Laguna's eyes went wide as Ward and Kiros looked at each other. "Doesn't that look like...?" Kiros began.
Laguna looked like he saw a ghost as he fell back on one of the couches. He was completely pale as Kiros and Ward studied the picture further. Ellone tilted her head to the side. "Look like who?"
"Ellone...who is the girl in the picture with Squall?" Kiros asked.
"Zell said it's the captain of the ship they're on. Her name's Rinoa."
"What's her last name?" Laguna asked suddenly. He turned to look at the girl. "Do you know?"
Ellone shook her head. "It wasn't mentioned in the letter."
"This is kind of strange..." Kiros mumbled. "Squall isn't usually...like this..."
"Zell is worried that he's falling in love with Rinoa," Ellone told him nervously. "He's worried about complications."
Kiros paused. "Don't let the family elders know about that," he began. "Else they'll drag him back her right away."
"What's wrong with that?" Laguna asked quietly.
"He'll hate us forever," Ellone sighed deeply. "I don't think he's doing this for the dowry, uncle. I think he just wanted to get away for a while."
"I hate to admit it," Kiros mumbled as he looked at the picture. "But he seems pretty damn happy."
Ellone nodded sadly. "That's what we're worried about..."
Kiros handed the small picture to Laguna. The president looked over it. "Julia..." he whispered quietly as he looked over the picture lovingly. He smiled sadly. "She looks just like Julia..."
She stood at the stern of the ship, her dark hair flowing behind her as the evening sea breeze swept past her. The stars sparkled in the sky. It was a crisp, clear evening. Not a single cloud lined the heavens as the small, sleek ship cut through the dark waters.
Behind her, she could hear her friends laughing on the deck. Selphie had laid out a large blanket on the main deck and they were all laying on it, looking up at the stars. The ship was on an automated driver, as the night was good for that. Raijin was making a joke and as it was rather crude, later let out a yelp as Fujin kicked him.
Quistis was resting her head on Seifer's defined stomach as the he laid on a pillow. Selphie, Zell, and Irvine all hand their heads together as they laid out in a little circle and were pointing up at the sky. Their heads were resting on Selphie's big yellow chocobo shaped pillow. Irvine's hat was on his chest. Even Angelo was sitting there.
Everything was so peaceful. She didn't want the night to ever end. Behind her, she heard footsteps and the sound of familiar belts sounding. She grinned even wider as arms wrapped around her slim shoulders. A kissed was placed on her cheek as a heavy head leaned against hers.
"You are you feeling?" Squall asked.
Rinoa shivered. His breath was right in her ear. "I'm fine," she assured him. She leaned back against his arms. "Squall...what are you going to do after you find the Thief's Treasure?"
Squall looked at the depths of the ocean as he held her in his arms. The soft beating of her heart could be felt against his chest as the scent of her hair invaded his senses. The last several days, he had spent trying to decide what he was going to do. He already decided to try and find the treasure. But what really haunted him was the issue of his arranged marriage.
He closed his eyes and held her tightly. "I'm going to give it to my family," he whispered. "And...and I will go through with my duties."
Rinoa's eyes went wide. "What...?" she whispered.
Squall turned her around slowly and looked into her eyes. "Rinoa...I have to tell you something..." he whispered quietly. She tilted her head, looking confused. "I...I have an arranged marriage back in Esthar."
She pulled away and Squall had a pained look on his face. "Why...?" she whispered. "You're getting married...and you still..." She narrowed her eyes and shook her head. "I can't believe you..."
"Rinoa, you don't understand-"
She shook her head and took another step back. "So you lied to me..." she murmured. "All that stuff about you loving me...it's all a lie!?"
"No!" he gasped. He took a step forward to take her hand and try to explain.
Rinoa was on the verge of tears as she raised her hand and slapped Squall across the face. "How could you!?" she screamed. "You're getting married and you lead me on!? Acting like you really cared!"
At the sound of her yelling, the people on the deck looked up, concerned. They saw Rinoa's arms waving in the air and yelling as Squall tried to reach out to her and was pushed away each time he tried.
"Rinoa, please, let me explain!"
"What is there to explain!?" she sobbed. "You said you LOVED me! You said you'd never hurt me! And then you tell me you have a fiancée!? What kind of shit is that!?"
"I didn't mean to hurt you-"
"Well you did!" Rinoa sobbed. She wiped her eyes bitterly and turned around. "At our next stop, we'll part ways."
Squall's eyes went wide. "What?" he gasped.
"You'll get back your money, don't worry," she hissed. "You'd only be one more boat ride to the Island Closest to Hell, so at least you would've gotten that far."
"Rinoa-" he put his hand on her shoulder and she whirled around and threw him several feet across the upper level. He fell back and looked up, completely shocked.
Rinoa was pulsating with sorceress powers. "They were all right...you'd just end up hurting me..." she whispered quietly.
"Rinoa!" he called out desperately. She shook her head and ran down the steps to the main deck. Her friends called out to her, but she ran past them and straight into her room. The door slammed and they all turned to look at Squall.
Seifer raised an eyebrow. "You told her?"
"Told her what?" Selphie asked curiously.
"Puberty boy has an arranged marriage."