Disclaimer: I've said this again and again so I don't have to say more, do I?

A/N: Holidays have finally started. My results are terrible! But, it's over. Whoopee, I'm free! XD Chapter 5 is here!! I hope you guys will like it! Reviews are greatly appreciated! ^^

(italics)     - Squall's thoughts

"(italics)" - the voice that constantly irks Squall's thoughts.

'italics'     - Rinoa's thoughts

Chapter 5 – Truth Revealed

SPLASH!

The wind quickly dissolved in the new watery mass. The blindfold had slipped off during her fall. The first thing she saw was the opening of a sack and all was dark once more.

When she finally came round from her unconsciousness, she found herself in a brightly lit room. Spacious but empty except for the bed in the middle. Everything was white, like a laboratory of some sort. On the wall, very visible, was a camera recording her every move.

"Hey, sleepy head. It's about time you awoke."

Rinoa swirled around and her eyes fell upon those she knew so well. Seifer.

"Hey! Is this some kind of surprise?" she asked teasingly, leaning forward. "Funny way to start a date."

"You could put it that way," said the other, "This year, things are gonna be different. A whole lot different."

"Huh? With a loving and caring guy like you, what more could I ask for?" she smiled, blushing.

"The truth."

"What?"

"The truth," he repeated. "To have a father who lies to his very own daughter, it must be wonderful living in a world of fantasy." Seifer was grinning now. "You don't get it do you? Did you really believe that your mother died in a road accident? Hmph, Adel was right. You have no imagination. That's why it's so easy to lure you into a trap."

"A-Are you saying you know how she really...?"

"Died? Oh yeah, I know. Your soft-hearted old man forbade me to ever tell you but I don't care. He doesn't scare me," he chortled. "It's very interesting, really. Let's just say it involves pain and a dash of vodka. But I guess you don't wanna know, do you? It might hurt your already broken heart."

"..Tell me now."

"You see, being a singer can be dangerous. One false step and everything goes down the drain. Where there's fame, there's bound to be rumors. Apparently, one of them hit your dear father hard in the face – Julia was having an affair with one of his soldiers! You never know what a few pints of vodka can do to you. In Caraway's case, the moment he saw Julia, he killed her on the spot. Revenge is sweet. Surprised?"

Rinoa was dumbfounded. She had lost her ability to speak, her legs gave way.

"Don't break apart just yet. There's more. Unfortunately, you had witnessed this. Though you might have been too young to remember this, your father didn't want to take any chances. Ever since that night, your father has been living in fear. He was so desperate, he ran away from home for two whole months. During that short period of time, he stumbled upon Adel and practically begged for her help. I suppose you can guess what happened now. You had that particular memory erased but with a price. And that, will be my gift to you on your birthday."

"How..can you say all this without a slightest sign of remorse?"

"Because I'm the sorceress's knight."

"But, you…You're not Seifer..Seifer's NOT like this! Where is he?"

"I have always been here, twisting you round my finger," said Seifer sardonically. "In another two days, all the pieces will fall into place. With you, everything is complete." He walked towards the door from which he had entered. "Remember that guy you met an hour earlier? He's suppose to be your knight in shining armor, a worthless SeeD. He can't do much. But, I'm afraid he's going to have to retire early. I've already sent his letter of resignation for him."

Before he took the final step through the doorway, he added solemnly, "Rinoa, I'm truly sorry for what I have to do to you. It hurts me to see you like this. But, I did it because I care for you. I promised you I'd never hide anything from you. And, now, I'm finally given the chance to prove myself…to others that I can and will make a difference in this uncleansed world. Rinoa, if you care for me as much as I do, you'd understand."

With that he closed the door, followed by the metal bolts locking from outside, indomitable to keep her there for as long as possible.

'Adel? Sorceress's knight? I can't believe this is happening …Someone, please, help me.'

***

Squall had seen people leapt off from the helicopter somewhere in a forest facing the wide, serene ocean. The path was too narrow for any vehicle to go through it. Guess I'll have to walk it.

The moon was instantly eclipsed as soon as he entered the gloomy woods. It cast its eerie, bluish light penetrating the thick covers of leaves and who knows what. Dry shrubbery rustled around him; twigs cracked beneath his boots. He unsheathed his gunblade, certain that something was not right. Someone is here, watching me. Whoever you are…I'm ready.

Suddenly, there was a crackle from behind. On instinct, Squall turned around swiftly and brought his weapon to eye-level, straining his eyes to see through the shadows.

In an instant, a soldier shot himself at Squall, his sword ready to plunge into his heart. Squall was taken aback but managed to side-step the attempted assault.

"Argh!" he hissed in pain, looking down to see the newly formed patch of blood on his shirt, sipping out from a small cut across his chest. He motioned to locate his attacker only to find three others with him, all armed and properly dressed in tight uniforms. Welcoming party, huh? ...You're all going down.

Squall rushed for the closest soldier and swung his gunblade, aiming for his neck. Having guarded his attack, Squall quickly buried his fists in his guts, rendering the soldier helpless and stunned, writhing in pain and agony on the muddy soil. Another one came from behind but he was like a training dummy to the experienced SeeD.

Tackling with the soldier, he succeeded in ripping the sword out from the combatant's grasp, flinging it to rid of another annoying pest behind with much ease. Concentrating on the now weaponless soldier, he thrust his gunblade through him mercilessly.  

There was only one left. Squall violently grabbed his collar and demanded in a crude manner.

"You're lucky to be alive. Now, be a good boy and tell me where you took Miss Heartilly and why."

"I'd tell you 'spit'!"

"Fine. So, I'll just take it you rather die here now, hm?" Squall threatened, brandishing his faithful gunblade. "You don't want to know the things I've done and been through."

"…Gah…Okay..okay…Just don't hurt me!"

"I'm a man of my word. Now, talk!"

"The girl is..is in a warehouse up front. Mr. Almasy gave us orders to…"

"Seifer?? That...! Ugh…Go on."

"He ordered us to kill you. W-We were sent to capture the girl but…But he never told us why..!"

"You're lying!"

"It's true! I swear it's true! Don't kill me!"

Seeing the frightened soldier begging for mercy reminded Squall of his younger days when he was defenseless and weak, a pitiful sight, indeed.

"You've taken so many lives. Why stain your hands more?" 

You stay out of this!

"You weren't always like this, Squall."

"Leave me alone!!! Argh!" Squall panted heavily. He gazed at the soldier with unfocused eyes. "Give me your uniform." The feeble soldier nodded vehemently, trembling, treasuring his life more than anything.

"Go!...now before I change my mind. The next time I see you with them, I won't let you off."

"Thank you! Thank you…" the soldier called out as his voice trailed off.

Squall was alone surrounded by corpses, killed at his own hands. The uniform itself stank of sweat. Squall reluctantly draped the prim garb over himself and made his way in the direction the soldier had pointed. Why the heck am I going through all this trouble for a measly girl like her?

He found himself struggling to remember exactly how she looked like, her smile, her voice, her eyes. But the image was a blur, like a mottled, unfinished painting; its features unclear and faint. For the first time, Squall felt he actually had a reason to fight, or at least someone to protect.

Don't worry, Rinoa. I'm coming.

***

Seifer stood upright, staring at the confused girl from a window in the digital room, the slightest sign of concern evident on his pre-mature face. A ghostly glow emitting from the corner of the room ascertained that he was not alone in the curbed quarter.

"What 'loyal' minions you have," mocked the shadowy silhouette. "They cherish their lives more than they cherish their allegiance with you. But they have failed their duty and therefore, deserve the consequences. The one that escaped, he won't go far. He will be brought back and receive his rightful punishment. What are you going to do now?"

"It does not matter. I have no more use for them. They've served their part. As for Squall, we should not worry much about him. This 'fortress' is like a maze. I can imagine Squall begging at my feet for a way out."

"Is it wise to underestimate your foe?"

"In this situation, I'm prepared for that. With guards, hidden cameras and booby traps in every corridor registered, even Squall will have a hard time getting pass all of them unscathed. I wouldn't be surprised if he dropped dead on the first step."

"I would."

"…(Sigh) Why do you constantly drown my hopes in your cynical remarks? I don't need someone to tell me what to do. I'm not a boy anymore!"

"But you are. Though your physic matures, your mind has not. For that reason, you need my guidance. And let us not forget who the superior one is among us two. You are nothing but a grain of sand if I were to use force."

"…I understand.." groused a defeated Seifer, a mysterious sparkle shimmering in his eyes.

"Very good," scorned the half-concealed form. "I'll return and I expect the girl ready and the boy exterminated. The girl must be rid of all happiness or it'll never work." The glow disappeared, giving the room back its original dull shade of white.

As soon as the visitor was gone, Seifer muttered, "….Not if I can help it…."

A/N:  See? Seifer's not a bad guy...at least in my story. I could make him mean and nasty if you want me to. Just say the word. I'm gonna add Zell into the plot soon and add more life into this story! Is that a good idea? Or maybe I should just leave him sick…hmm…