Disclaimer: I wish I own them, but no, FF8 and all its characters belong to Squaresoft.  But I do own this story! ^__^

Chapter 6: Are We There Yet?

"I am so going to kill them all!" muttered Squall as he tried desperately to break free from the sack. Why was it that hard to make a hole in industrial sacks made from reinforced material? Overhearing the gang's conversation, it wasn't difficult to figure out their 'amazing' plan of dumping him and another guy at a spot on the surface of the planet. "If this is a joke, it's not funny!"

The other sack had not been moving much yet, but a few groans could be heard.

For hours Selphie had been singing cheerfully on the pilot seat, while the others kept their eyes on both sacks.

"A hundred gil says Laguna is going to thank us while Squall will try and kill us!" joked Irvine.

"Hey guys! I see our destination ahead," suddenly Selphie cried out.

Ragnarok hovered over the plains, then touched down.

Squall could feel that he was being lifted and carried off, then after awhile was put down again. He prepared himself to seize one of his friends once he was freed from the sack and demand an explanation. As he felt the knot around the mouth of the sack loosened, he immediately sprang up. But before he could grab the culprits, they were already running towards Ragnarok and had boarded the airship in just a few seconds' time, leaving an extremely vexed Squall behind as it flew away in a blink of an eye.

A moan behind Squall caused him to turn around and face his adversary in reflex. To his surprise (and horror) he found out it was Laguna! So the other guy mentioned was his own father! Of all the people in the world, it had to be this particular annoying man…

Laguna had finally sobered, and was having a bad case of hangover. Massaging his temples, he finally realized that he was facing a sapphire sky instead of a ceiling. Rolling over, he saw green grass. And boots. Boots? He looked up, and saw his son staring menacingly at him. He tried to remember what happened last night, but the attempt made the headaches worse. He slumped down on the grass again, refusing to think anymore.

Squall looked around them. His trusty Gunblade was lying on the grass nearby. So was Laguna's machinegun. He picked up his weapon and found a white envelope underneath it. Opening the envelope, he saw a letter and some money in it. The letter read:

Dear Sir Laguna and Squall,

Please don't be mad at us. We just figured that it would do you both good having a trip, so you can catch up on lost years. Enclosed is 5000 gil, which should be enough for expenses and a train ticket from Timber to Balamb. We planned real hard to make sure you guys can only walk to Timber, so you can have more time together ^_^

Hope to see you guys back at Balamb Garden in two week's time!

PS Kiros wants you to know that giving Laguna the map is a bad idea.

PPS Selphie wants to remind you about souvenirs.

                                                                                                            Love,

                                                                                                            Rinoa

            "I didn't see a map…" Squall looked through the remaining stuff on the grass.

            Laguna felt something behind his back. Pulling it out, he saw that it was a map.

            Squall saw the map too. "Too late."

            Laguna sat upright and examined the area. This place looks familiar, he thought. His headaches were getting better now. Suddenly he saw something white partly hidden in the grass from his point of view not far away. He struggled up and walked towards it.

            Squall's eyes followed Laguna's every move. He could see something up ahead too. It looked like a flat white stone set on the ground, adorned with white flowers. Then he saw Laguna kneel down beside it. Curious, he walked towards the stone.

            Laguna was deep in thought. He remembered well that night, where he had asked Raine to come to that exact spot. The stars were bright in the sky, and a breeze swept by, making the grass dance. He was blushing furiously, but Raine didn't see for it was too dark. He tried to say the words he had longed to say, but the words were caught in his throat and would not come out. Raine got impatient and was about to leave, thinking it was a prank. Fearing he would not get another chance, he quickly caught hold of Raine's hand, and slipped a ring onto her finger. He could not forget that face, her beautiful face that looked up at him with star-lit eyes, her beautiful face that told him she was the perfect woman for him…He remembered distinctively that he had thanked Hyne for not having a leg cramp at that moment.

            He missed her so much.

            Squall knelt down beside him. He read the inscriptions engraved on the stone. Only then did it struck him that he was at his mother's grave.

            Squall felt something inside him urging him to greet his deceased mother. "Hi…mom."

            Laguna awoke from his thoughts. Looking at Squall, he smiled. "Come on, Winhill's just over that slope. We'll have breakfast there."

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Author's note: I remember when I was watching the FMV of Laguna asking for Raine's hand in marriage, I cried. They were so perfect for each other! It's a shame Raine died so young…