I apologize to people who are reading this and thinking about how boring it is. Yes, I know there isn't much conflict yet, but it will get there. Chapter two is just about Cheryl and how she's gonna come into the picture. It's also a little like, "What the hell is this?" but it all builds up you see. Just please r&r.

DISCLAIMER: DON'T OWN FF8, BUT WOULD LIKE TO

Chapter II

Walking out of the garden was definitely strange for Rinoa. Never had she done something like this. Never in her life had she decided just to do something that could be life altering so spontaneously.

Just keep walking Rinoa. Just focus on your walking. Thinking about it will make you turn back. That's the last thing you want to do right now. Just focus on your steps. One, two. Three, four.

She continued on through the garden and hopefully to the second floor observation deck. Because that is where she had planned to go.

Balamb Garden had been stationed at Fisherman's Horizon, or commonly known as FH. A training exercise was being done there. Rinoa didn't really know what it was, but it didn't matter. Just getting out of the garden was her main objective at this time. She figured that if she quickly exited, she could get to the rail road tracks easily. Then from there she would be home free. But getting there would be the hard part.

She continued listening to her steps and counting them out until she had reached the second floor observation deck. She went through the door and out onto the balcony.

The sun beat down from the skies as there were no clouds to shield the heat from her. She ignored it though because she was focused. Get to the train tracks and your home free. That's all you gotta do.

She walked across the metal bridges and through the small crowd of people and kept focusing and focusing on the steps she took and careful not to look up into anyone's face for the might be a garden member.

But soon that was shattered.

"Rinoa!" A voice from behind her yelled. And instantly, Rinoa realized she was a goner.

She tried her best to just ignore it and keep on going and not to say anything.

"Rinoa! Over here! What are you doing here?" She soon heard quick footsteps toward her as she knew that there was no way out of this one.

Rinoa stopped in her tracks and slowly lifted her head. Then she decided to turn around just to confirm who it was. It was best to explain this then to just run off leaving them with questions.

There stood a girl in a student uniform with her brown hair in a ponytail. It was Cheryl.

"Rinoa! What are you doing here!?" Cheryl quickly ran towards Rinoa to stand face to face with her.

"..." Rinoa couldn't answer just yet.

"You should be in bed! Not roaming the streets and that. Have you talked to Squall? Why are you here anyways? Where are you going? Why are you dressed so dark?" Cheryl had a lot of questions to which all Rinoa could answer, but none that she could for Cheryl.

"I'm leaving." That's all Rinoa could answer.

"What!?" Cheryl had the most puzzled look on her face.

"I can't tell you why, but I must leave. All I can ask is that you tell no one that you've seen me. Is that clear?" Rinoa looked directly into her eyes while grabbing her arms.

"But-"

"Just do it...please." Rinoa leaned in closer to pressure it.

"Okay, I trust you Rinoa." Cheryl gave a small smile.

"So then this is goodbye." Rinoa let go and fell back.

"Maybe...or it could be hello." Cheryl smiled even more.

"What?" Rinoa was now very curious as to what Cheryl was pumping out her mouth.

"I don't know what it is, but I just feel that I should know more about this, or I know that I just have to be a part of it somehow." Cheryl was losing her smile and getting more serious.

"Maybe...I don't know." Rinoa looked into the sky.

"I want to come with you." Cheryl blurted out.

"What!? No! You can't! You have Zell! And school! I just can't take you along with me." Rinoa was looking directly at her in surprise, but Cheryl had clear confidence.

"I must. Rinoa...I am of your servants." Cheryl's face almost darkened at that and she lost her good girl attitude and became some sort of person that has known everything about this whole thing.

"I don't understand you? You first question me? Then you know everything about it? Who are you?" Rinoa looked at her queerly.

"I...don't know. Maybe...I'm as confused as you are." Cheryl looked at the ground.

"I know we all are. You and I play an important role in this and I don't know why, but before I or we leave...I must know something." Rinoa said.

"What is it?" Cheryl asked.

"Not here. Over there." Rinoa pointed to an old shack that had been abandoned and no one was in sight.

"What do you mean?" Cheryl was back to her little good girl self.

"You'll see...if I can do it that it." Rinoa began to look a little worried at the moment, but then too a deep breath in order to calm her nerves.

"I still don't get what you're talking about." Cheryl was strangely clueless.

"You'll see...in time. Come with me." Rinoa said as she headed for the abandoned shack and Cheryl slowly followed behind.