Squall and Serenity's Troubling Times
Chapter 3
"Well, who is going to read the book today?" Rinoa asked. She retreated her hand from Squall and picked up the book. She loved Squall and was ready to call Serenity her "Little Sister," but what if Squall had fallen in love with someone else? Quistis, she guessed. "You!" Serenity giggled. She grasped onto Squall as Rinoa read the chapter. She gave all her emotions into the chapter. Dramatic. "As Belle walked across the lovely field of flowers, she could smell the sweet scents of the flowers around her. Roselands was a beautiful place. Just as Bethany had described it. A beautiful and lovely place. Scented with wild flowers from every side. There she walked...walked to Bethany's grave. She plucked some wild flowers and laid them on Bethany's grave. Grass began to sprout over her grave as Belle muttered, "Thank you Bethany. You saved my life. Now it is time for me to repay you." Her sweet words filled the sky as a warm hand touched Belle's shoulder. She wished that Bethany had not become dead, or so everyone else thought. "Belle, you wanted to repay me?" Belle spun around to find Bethany's enchanting face upon her. Her eyes sparkled as she cried out, "Yes Bethany! Oh yes!" She hugged Bethany tightly and happily smiled at her...her thoughts drifting off to Bethany and her amazing rescue to her..."Rinoa read. After the last sentence she marked the book and closed it carefully. "Oh you read wonderfully!" Serenity commented. "Oh no. I couldn't have," Rinoa blushed. "You did it perfectly. I also enjoyed it," Squall quietly said. This time Rinoa softly smiled. Serenity's rosy cheeks blew up and her flower-petaled lips carved out a lovely smile. Squall stroked Serenity's soft hair and smiled at Rinoa. Rinoa smiled back. "Big Brother, you should be drinking your tea. Or would you like coffee?" Serenity sternly said. "Just give me the tea," Squall said refusingly. Serenity handed him the hot cup as he slowly drank the tea. It was quite hot other than dry in his throat, but his insides began to feel warm and better. "Be careful. Drink it slowly. It might get hotter at the bottom, so drink it slowly," Serenity ordered. When Squall had finished and put the cup down, he said, "It was hot and dry. I know it was liquid, but it was dry." "Well, of course Squall! It's supposed to be dry!" Sereniy laughed. "Well, I better be going," Rinoa started. "Oh...okay," Squall sighed. His sigh was noticeable to Rinoa as well as Serenity. "Don't worry Squall," Serenity whispered. "She'll be back. She just needs to go." Squall nodded as Rinoa quickly left the room to think all about what has happened to her and Serenity and Squall. She noticed Seifer walking down the hallway, so she hid. "Dum dee dum. Little Serenity, er, Joy Everlasting. My little prey. Once I win her heart, I'll make her turn against Squall! Then she will belong to me and I can hold her forever in my arms! Muahahaha!" He cackled. Rinoa gasped as he leapt past her. "He's going to kill Squall, "Rinoa thought to herself, "and Serenity's the innocent prey!" Once Seifer was out of sight and flirting with some women down at the lobby, Rinoa ran for her life. She ran to tell Serenity and Squall exactly what he sang about. Them.
When she arrived at Squall's door, she let herself in and poured out the whole thing. "I knew Shadow didn't like him! Nor Silver or Angel!" Serenity shouted. The fury that built inside her was unstoppable. "Shadow? Silver?" Rinoa asked. "Shadow is Serenity's black panther and Silver is Serenity's gray wolf. Both female," Squall explained. "Oh why did I ever think that something was wrong with Shadow and Silver?!" Serenity cried. Fury filled up her as she stammered to the phone. She dialed a number and as calmly as she could, said, "Excuse me, but I would like Shadow and Silver delivered to the Timber Grand Hotel please." At that she hung up and slouched into a chair. Angel suddenly came running into her arms as she caressed her with loving kisses. Serenity laughed for a while until Angel jumped off her lap and onto Squall's, then Rinoa's. Then a knock was up and Rinoa answered it. A black panther at the man's right side and a gray wolf at his other. "Serenity, I do believe that they are yours?" Rinoa asked as she brought the animals in. "Shadow! Silver!" Serenity cried out. The panther and wolf ran straight into her arms bringing her down. Squall smiled softly at the sight. He had missed that sight for so long, yet he said nothing about it. Not wanting people to think of him as "soft." Then Shadow, Silver, and Angel began to growl at the door. Rinoa was sitting close to it, but they weren't growling at her. Then Seifer let himself in. "My dear S-" He was cut off at the sight of Shadow and Silver. "I thought I sent you both to some animal mad house!" he declared. "I took them out," Serenity said coldly as she rose from her chair. "What?! I thought I told you they were insane?!" Seifer demanded. "They aren't. You are," Serenity said. Firmness in her voice as coldness and a stony sharp edge in her words. Seifer cared nothing of her tone, he just wanted those "creatures" out of the way. "What?!" Serenity flew her hand and they were off. Seifer ran for the door and slammed it behind him. Causing it unable for them to catch even the edge of his coat. He ran straight down to the lobby and ordered to talk to Rose. "Yes Seifer? Is there anything unsuitable in the hotel?" Rose sweetly asked. "Yes! There is! A panther and wolf! In Squall Leonhart's room!" Seifer huffed out. "Then I shall go there immediately. I will handle this out take. Don't you worry darling." She raced up to the room and let herself in. "Why Seifer was right. What is the meaning of this?" Rose kindly asked. "Oh Miss Allison! Please don't be angry! Seifer has claimed my pets to be "insane"! But they aren't! He lied to me! They were trying to save me from him! He wants to kill Squall by marrying me! Oh Miss Allison! How can you believe such a liar! He's a filthy liar!" Serenity yelled out. At that very moment, Seifer entered the room, hearing the whole conversation. "How dare you say I am a liar! How dare you even listen to MY thoughts!" Seifer stammered. "So you did want to kill Squall, didn't you?" Rose asked suspiciously. "Rose I thought you were on MY side?!" Seifer argued. "On your side? Like I would!" Rose laughed heartily. "What?! How could you deceive me?!" "I only said I would take care of it. Not that I was on your side, Seifer. Anyway, I know exactly what you want, and you aren't going to claim your prize here. But of course, you aren't going to claim her anywhere or in any way. Didn't you ever know her heart already belongs to someone?" Rose explained. "What?! How did you?! What?!" Seifer exclaimed. "Yes. My heart does already belong to someone," Serenity sneered. "Serenity! How could you?!" Seifer demanded. "How could I? Ask yourself that," Serenity said back. Her cold harsh tone left no hope for Seifer.
Seifer blew an angry glare at Squall and stammered out of the room. Squall fell back onto his bed and sighed deeply. "Oh Mr. Leonhart, I meant no harm to your fiancée or sister, "Rose apologized. Serenity, Squall, and Rinoa exchanged looks. "Fiancée?" the three asked together. "Well obviously. Aren't you Miss Heartilly?" Rose asked astonishedly. "No. Of course not. I'm hardly his girlfriend!" Rinoa explained. "Well I'm so sorry! Rinoa I never meant to cause any confusion or harm!" Rose apologized. Rinoa smiled affectionately as also accepting her apology. "That's ok Rose. Now shoo. Don't you have guests to attend to?" Rinoa said. Her sympathetic voice grew lovely. As if a rose blooming from a bud. Her beautiful eyes sparkled as she turned to Squall and Serenity. Serenity's beautiful cerulean eyes gleamed and were big when Rinoa looked at her. Her face again into the beautiful rosy color of a flower garden, her lips a beautiful flower petaled color, her whole self was as beautiful as a flower garden! Her orange hair slid down draping her shoulders. It was thick and rich with orange and a sweet tangy smell of roses filled the room. Her golden locket gleamed as she smiled back. Rinoa's eyes filled with tears of joy that the dear girl was safe. Safe from Seifer and from his harm. "I think I should be going now. You and Squall should talk things over," Rinoa choked as she left the room. Tears in her eyes. Tears of joy and happiness that Serenity would be safe. Squall would be safe. All because of her. She liked that. Because they would be safe. Safe from Seifer. His horribly strong, persuasive, lying, and deceiving wrath. Anyone could fall victim to it, except Squall. He would never buy it, but Serenity was to persuasive for Squall. She was the only living creatures to ever pursue him to do anything. Serenity's golden heart only made it easier to pursue anyone. Especially Squall. "Oh their safe now! Now Serenity will not and won't marry Seifer, leaving Seifer without anything to use against Serenity to pursue her to marry him, and without that, he can't lay a finger on Squall!" Rinoa thought. It rushed through her mind over and over again. But what she didn't know, was that the two were sitting quietly in the room. Talking about all that happened this day. "Squall, would Seifer really deceive me?" Serenity asked. "Yes. He would. He'd do anything to win your heart and kill me," Squall said with assurance in his voice. His voice was soft and deep, but yet firm and strong. "Squall, what if he tries again to pursue me...but I mean, this time really talking to me. Directly, and then asking for my hand," Serenity asked worriedly. "No. Because even if he does, you will bring it to me. I will act as if your father. Although Dad isn't here now, I will do what he would want be to do. You will obey me in everything you wish to do. You must get my permission before you do anything you know I would need notice of," Squall assured. "Oh Squall! You're the best brother ever!" Serenity declared.
Squall was aware that soon, after a month's passing, Serenity would forget what occurred, but not his words. He knew that Seifer would pursue her to marry him, one day in the month. So Squall prepared to say "no" to them both. So far, after the incident, Serenity had always asked for his consent. Never disobeying him. When that day came, he was firm and ready. When a gentle rap came upon the door, and Squall still asleep, but Serenity up and ready, she quietly opened the door to find Seifer there. Shadow, Silver, and Angel, asleep on the floor, he barged in. He pulled her out and gently shut the door behind him. "Serenity, I loved you since the day I saw you. I have one question to ask you before you go to wake Rinoa to do your daily devotions and then come back and do them with Squall," Seifer told her. His voice was soft, deep, dark, and gentle. It was deceiving to Serenity and she gave in. "Okay," Serenity softly said. "Will you marry me?" he asked. Serenity's eyes gleamed, but she remembered her brother's commands. "Only if Squall will let me. Besides I am too young, but if he allows it, I am not too young then," Serenity softly said. She retreated her hand and quickly fled away. She got her old tattered Bible and slouched into a chair beside Squall. His face a heavenly grace. Then she got up and opened the door. She entered Rinoa's room. A soft scent filled the room when Rinoa appeared. "Oh Serenity! You're finally here! Seifer said he had something to take care of. I'm not sure what, but something," Rinoa explained. Serenity took a seat beside her and sighed. "What's the matter?" Rinoa kindly asked. "Seifer. That's the matter. He asked me to marry him this morning. He knocked on my door while I was getting ready, Squall was still sleeping, and he dragged me out and proposed. Then I told him about my promise to Squall and he became angry. So I'm really scared now," Serenity quietly explained. "Why don't you remember what happened a month ago? When I found out Seifer's plot to kill Squall? Surely you remember that!" Rinoa said shocked. "Huh? Oh yes! I forgot. Merely forgot," Serenity said meekly. "Do not listen to anything he says. He is a filthy liar and also to kill Squall, and once Squall is dead, you will inherit Squall's fortune including your own," Rinoa told her. "Fortune?" Serenity asked. "Oh, Squall must have not mentioned your fortune yet," Rinoa apologized, "Oh no! He was saving that for a surprise when you became eighteen!" "Oh well. Its already a surprise, "Serenity laughed. "All Seifer wants is your physical beauty and your large fortune. Other than killing Squall, once he is dead, you inherit it. He wants your money. Don't listen to him. Don't. He just wants to win your beauty to keep for himself and your money," Rinoa explained. "My money?! How dare he!?" Serenity shouted angrily. "Calm yourself. Hush," Rinoa comforted. Serenity quieted and so they started. When their morning devotion was done, Serenity did it with Squall.
"Well that was a lovely devotion," Serenity yawned out. "I'm kinda hungry," Squall replied. "Oh, Squall, I need to talk to you before any more happens," Serenity quietly said. "Oh?" Serenity took fifteen minutes to tell him everything. Everything that happened that morning when he was soundly asleep. How disturbing Seifer was when he proposed and pursued her to marry him. Luckily she did not agree but did not decline, but brought it to him. Then she added, "I also know about my large fortune. Billions of dollars, and same for you. I know Squall. I'm sorry it's not a surprise anymore. I just wanted you to know that Rinoa helped me understand everything." Squall took her into his warm embrace and whispered to her, "You did the right thing Serenity, and I'm very proud of you." For the rest of the morning they slept in each other's arms and put aside breakfast. But until lunch, Serenity felt happy and good that she had such good friends, including Squall. She rested happily when Squall led her to the lunch table in the dining room. When she was seated between Squall and Rinoa, Seifer took a seat in front of her. She tried to keep her eyes of fury away from him, but her hatefulness just kept swinging at her until she got up and declared something so shocking that everyone turned to Seifer. "Seifer Almasy is a thief! Do not ever trust or believe him! If you are beautiful, he will only love you for your physical beauty, if you are rich and wealthy, he will marry you to steal your fortune! If you are both, he will love you only for your physical beauty and steal your wealth! He proposed to me just for my fortune and physical beauty!" Serenity declared. Everyone's eyes had been glued to Seifer throughout the whole luncheon, and Rose was afraid he might know about her fortune. Rinoa was the only woman there that was not afraid of what Seifer would do to her. She just sat there and ate quietly as everyone peeked up a look on Seifer. Seifer gave Squall a hateful look when neither Serenity or Rinoa was looking. He sneered evilly at the innocent man. "Squall are you okay?" Serenity asked. Her sweet concern for Squall was more than Seifer could handle. He didn't want to be exposed as a cheat (which he obviously was), but he could not contain his anger any longer. He had to marry Serenity quickly, kill Squall, and inherit all of their family fortunes. But it may not be done so easily if anyone spotted him during his plot. He ate quickly, and fast before he could put his plot into action. The propose must be deceiving and yet affectionate including total love. But Squall could not notice or find out about the affair, otherwise he would tell Serenity the whole truth.
As quickly and quietly as he could, he got up and quickly fled from the table, but until a cold and familiar hand touched his arm, he hesitated before turning around to confront the person behind him. "Veronica! Valencia! Get away from me you thugs!" Seifer yelled out as he ran to his room. "Thugs? What does the man think we are!" Veronica stammered. He ran to the room and slouched into his bed. He dug his face into his hands and thought about the plot. If Veronica or Valencia ever found out his plot against Squall and his affairs with Serenity, he would be ruined. He wasn't a filthy gambler, or cheater, but he was a cheat. A cheat in money, and women. He was a good person, but he only was. He meant nothing to Serenity, so he would have to find a way to make her love him. Have affection for him. But that seemed impossible with Serenity's stubbornness, Squall's protective attitude, and Rinoa's protective secrets for Serenity. Two were to protect Serenity and herself to protect. What could he do if he were out numbered? He had no allies to turn to. "What can I do to win her heart and have both approvals?" he kept asking himself. Asking himself that same question over and over again did him no good. No good at all. Squall was a lion waiting to capture his prey, Seifer. Rinoa was a deceiving angel whom he thought he could trust. Serenity was a dark queen to her pets as they could sense Seifer's every move, every thought. Shadow and Silver was whom he feared most. The two were still teaching Angel all that there was to sense a thief for Serenity. So she was still in training, but Shadow and Silver were fully-grown and had their own families, but instead lead them to the care of the fathers. For they had to teach Angel how to protect and protect their faithful master, Serenity. It was too hard for Seifer to even approach Serenity without her giving anything away to Rinoa or Squall. Because of Rinoa's affairs with Squall and Serenity, Serenity had always looked up to her for advice because of that. Rinoa was to become engaged to Squall when they were old enough and ready, not young or naive. So Seifer had to move swiftly, before the pair became legally able to engage and marry. His plot sounded so perfect without the interference of the couple and their "Little Sister" whom they loved, but that was only a fantasy. Not reality. He had to be cunning, deceiving, and most of all, able to lie to them perfectly, without them it would be too hard and impossible.
"Serenity, I'm sorry for every causing this trouble," Seifer tried to explain to her when she was alone. His first move. To get her trust. But then she replied scornfully, "No. You aren't sorry." You liar! Squall has told me to keep no affairs with you, no direct contact without him or Rinoa with me, or any private conversations with you. I would like to do as told, so leave me or I will summon my pets." Her scornful attitude only made Seifer more confident. She'd think that he would leave her alone, was she really sure? "My dear Serenity-"he began, but Serenity cut him off saying, "Don't you dare even call me that! I am going to call upon them this instant! Shadow! Silver! Angel! Come here and take care of Seifer for me!" Then suddenly growls so familiar and so fearful came upon. One dark figure, one silver grayish figure, and one doggy figure. They approached Serenity with scornful faces. To devour the prey, Seifer. As Shadow hissed, her baby blue eyes glowed with fury. Shadow was oldest and the most powerful, Serenity had kept Shadow close for her private protector most. She feared of the loss of Silver or Angel, but not Shadow. Shadow was a mighty warrior and could devour a group of men armed with any weapon and kill them all single handedly. Her grasp was fearful, and she devoured more adults than children. Never has she devoured any children, only threats to Serenity. As the scornful creatures approached Serenity, Serenity herself became a scornful creature. Then when the creatures were in striking range, Squall and Rinoa noticed the pets. Rinoa nor Squall dared move or say a word, for they knew the pets were coming to protect Serenity from Seifer. She did the right thing on calling for assistance. Then Shadow's fury was great and in an instant she was on Seifer, attacking him with her claws. Then the other two followed her lead and seriously damaged his coat as he ran to the door and to the safety of his room. His coat torn and ripped, but at least his life was not. He was seriously frightened by them. They ripped at him and he was even lucky to survive Shadow's strong and frightening wrath! She was a new threat to Seifer as well as the other ones of them. "Serenity! Are you okay?" Squall asked worriedly. "Yes. I'm fine. You should thank it all to Shadow and her little troops, "Serenity laughed heartily. "Well that's a relief! As your "Big Sister" I must allow you to bring them anywhere you go! You need the protection! Seifer is after you and your wealth as well as Squall, but Squall and I can fend for each other, while you are innocently out of range, he will strike. His strike is more effective than his words. Squall please let me grant this. I want Serenity to be safe and sound. Seifer has tried this same plot against me, "Rinoa explained.
This truly worried Squall. Seifer was trying this same thing on Rinoa? Rinoa was sure enough lucky to make it out of his wrath. His terrible wrath that enseals all young women and ladies. "Serenity do what Rinoa says. I now grant Rinoa with the privilege of giving you rules," Squall bravely said. "Thank you," Rinoa softly thanked. Serenity's eyes were big and blue. The blue like a beautiful ocean in a beautiful flower garden so big that it could not drown out even one flower itself. Her rosy cheeks and flower petaled lips showed her radiance. But Rinoa was nothing compared to that, even though Serenity had complemented her as a beautiful blue flower. Which she was...of course. Never was she ugly or not a princess, but still, she was a blue flower which would soon inherit a sum of money. But she had no intention of money anyway. If Serenity was even still to young to use the money, she also was to young. Even Squall dared not to use it on anything but what he needed as well as for Serenity's needs. But because they were both specialists and SeeD members, their fees were paid and they had nothing to worry of. They even paid for their clothing, etc. But Rinoa lived a poor life, but became rich with love soon enough. Her thoughts always traveled to Squall and Serenity. How they needed someone to love more than each other. Especially Squall. But Serenity gave him mostly all the love he needed, a mother's tender love. Her heart was like a mother's, and Squall's like a father's. He was so protective of Serenity, but only for her own good. Such as breaking off the contact with Seifer. "I think that I need to freshen up. Okay Squall? Plus I need to pamper my pets for saving me. "Ah yes," Squall agreed. "Shadow, Silver, Angel. Lets go now!" Serenity called. They came charging after their master whom they loved. She fled like a little butterfly seeking her little flowers. Flowers for nectar that she needed for a living. Flying away to leave her brother to the one he loved so dearly as a wife. "My fiancée. You'll be my fiancée soon enough!" Rinoa declared happily. "Yeah...true," Squall said softly. His soft voice made Rinoa uncomfortable. "Is there something wrong? Tell me if I am to care for you. Serenity has told me that she wishes us together because I will return the sympathy, care, and love that you give me, "Rinoa comforted. Her soothing voice made Squall's heart and soul warm. "That's what she told me too. All she really wants is for the best for me before she starts a new life," Squall admitted. "New life? Oh, but I doubt she'll ever leave you before...marriage. Anyway, she needs your consent too. She never dares to disobey you, so her new life won't start any time soon," Rinoa said softly. Her voice and correctness made Squall understand and made him feel safe. "Yeah. That's Serenity all right," Squall admitted again.
He didn't want Serenity marrying without his consent. But she didn't want to break promises to him or disobeying him. Her heart was pure and innocent of all injustice. "She's a good girl Squall. Don't worry. She won't marry anyone without your permission and blessing. She will always love you better than whoever she wants to marry," Rinoa said confidently. Then a crisp chirp came up into the hallway. "So you've now decided to engage?" Rose chirped with a little chirpy humming bird on her arm. It sang and chirped happily while Rose approached them. "No, not really," Rinoa began. "But you're such the couple! "Rose interrupted. "Are you sure?" Squall mumbled rudely under his breath. Rinoa tipped her head at him and stared strangely as she thought," 'Are you sure?' What does him mean by that? Surely not in that way." "Well, I best be tending to my guests now dears. So shoo and take care of that lovely sister of yours, Squall. That Miss Joy Everlasting. Give her my best regards, and for Seifer, Rinoa, tell him to keep away from Serenity and not to demand everything so suddenly just to win a young lady's heart." Rose's lovely voice swayed around as she twirled and then said, "Oh, and Austin and I aren't together any more. I am now with Horace Dinsmore and his lovely daughter Elsie Dinsmore." She winked at them before leaving them alone in the plushy hallway. "Well, this Horace Dinsmore seems like the right person for her?" Rinoa said heartily. "Maybe," Squall muttered under his breath. "What is wrong with you? Rose gave her best regards for you. Are you embarrassed of me? Being called a "couple"? Because I am not ashamed of that!" Rinoa sneered. "Well I don't enjoy being called "soft" either! Don't sneer at me! I have my rights as you and everybody else!" Squall snorted. He stammered away to his room, leaving Rinoa alone. Alone in the cold and unpleasant hallway. She slowly entered her quiet room, when a cold hand became icy over her shoulder. She stood there. Unmovable for some time, until Serenity dragged Squall to apologize to Rinoa. They saw the icy "thing" standing there, her hand on Rinoa's shoulder. Suddenly they noticed Edea's icy hand on Rinoa. Then her grasp flew off and Rinoa sank down and fainted. Then Edea took her over her shoulder and turned around to find Serenity and Squall. "What in the world do you think your doing here?!" Serenity demanded. "To claim something I need," Edea crackled. Then Angel's Wing appeared. "How dare you take her away!" Angel's Wing sneered. "Ah dear sister, you'll never ever get the point of evil, will you?" Edea laughed. "No, I won't. But I will demand that you give me Rinoa this instant!" Angel's Wing sneered. She flew up and grabbed the icy body. Rinoa was dripping from her shoulder, and leaking off the icy water on her shoulder. "If I can't have her for my mind slave, then I'll have the more superior!" Edea laughed as she turned to Squall. Her hand reached out to freeze him, but he dodged it and Angel's Wing grabbed Squall onto her shoulder. "Arr... how dare you!" Edea sneered and suddenly vanished in a puff of dark smoky fog. Suddenly the ice melted and leaked off her as she woke up.
"What happened? Angel's Wing, what are you doing here? Squall?" Rinoa asked. "Edea froze you," Angel's Wing softly said as she once again became innocent little Serenity. "Oh my," Rinoa said faintly. She fell onto her bed and said," This is too big a day. I'm really not ready for all of this tension and stress." Squalls just turned his head sideways and looked at the floor. Serenity just clinged to him like a honeysuckle vine. "Squall, apologize," she whispered firmly. Squall began, "Um, I'm...I'm sorry for what I did in the hallway." Then he tried to retreat, but Serenity still clung to him like a honeysuckle vine. "Er, let go of me," Squall whispered demandingly. Serenity didn't say anything, but she didn't let go either. "Let me go!" Squall demanded. His voice a soft whisper, yet firm and cold. Serenity didn't let go, so he stayed. His cheeks flushed red. "Squall, comfort her, I need to check on my pets," Serenity told him. "No wait-"he began, but Serenity had already left. Once she was in her room, Shadow was pacing the floor. Her paws making a soft sound on the plush carpet floor. Silver and Angel were napping as Shadow paced. "What's wrong girl?" Serenity gently asked. Shadow looked up to her and purred loudly, then sneered, and then growled. A sign that Seifer was here. But when and why. "Seifer, right?" Serenity asked. Shadow snatched at the words and Serenity instantly knew it was Seifer. She crept closely to Silver and Angel. They laid lifelessly, but still breathing. "He did this, didn't he, girl?" Serenity asked. Shadow tilted her head and then growled. "What's wrong girl?" Serenity asked fearsomely. She turned around and fell to the ground at the sight of Seifer. He reached toward her, but she retreated. "Shadow!" Serenity shouted. Then a sharp and bright thing was in his hand. A sleeping injection! Shadow sharply grabbed the injection in her mouth and threw it out the open window. "No!" Seifer shouted. "No?" Serenity demanded, "How dare you even drug my pets!" Shadow jumped on him, just as Squall and Rinoa were entering. "What the?!" Squall yelled. Shadow was slashing at him with her big scratchy paws. He dodged each one that came to his face, but she didn't miss when attacking or ripping apart his coat. He was afraid of the beast. Afraid of all of them, even Angel. Serenity looked like a queen from where he was looking, and Shadow, a terrible black dragon with the heart only for Serenity, the queen. Her orange hair blazed over her shoulder, her crystal clear cerulean eyes sparkling, and herself glowing. Suddenly Seifer's mind flew to an imaginary place and he started saying," All hail Queen Serenity. Hail Queen Serenity. Hail." Serenity looked just as shocked as Rinoa and Squall. Squall especially.
"Get away from her!" Squall demanded. Seifer snapped out of his imaginary island as he saw fearsome claws attack him. Shadow jumped off of Seifer at Squall's command. His coat torn, his face bruised, all he could do was get up and leave. Serenity stood there, with a face full of fury, not sympathy to him. She was disgusted by his rude manners to her darling pets. When he left, she broke into tears as Squall and Rinoa rushed to her. "What's the matter?" Squall softly and gently asked. "Seifer!" she wailed, "He may have killed Silver and Angel! They are put to sleep, or so I think, or they may have been put to death!" Her wail and the tiny cries of mercy from her beloved pets ran through his mind. Giving him terrible chills. Up and down his spine. He hated all of the grief that ever hit Serenity, even touched her. It was a heartbreaking thing to see is darling sister cry in misery. Not her misery, but her pets' life. Their lives were being balanced out, thank to Seifer and his little scheme. It was a dreadful scheme, nonetheless, but Shadow was easily mistaken for a dusty old fluff underneath the bed's structure. She was very swift and was able to make it out of Seifer's vile scheme of destruction, and what he did nearly cost him his life. His own precious life that he did not care of. He only wanted the fortune and beauty of Serenity, not because he loved her, but because he wanted something. He risked his life just to put an end to her beloved pets, which protected her all her life. If they were to die, then Serenity's whole faith in the lying thief would disappear. Not even one trace of caring love would be put at him, but the fury that was built up inside her. Inside her precious and mourning heart. Seifer's rudeness and crudeness to her darling pets made Serenity's faith in him shrink to a spectacle. If he ever was to win her heart, he would need to have her have faith in him. In himself, in herself, and to learn to be a better man. If her pets growled or gave him a foul face, which meant that he is in no shape and no man to trust. That is what Serenity hated most about him, his lying faith. His faith in lying and injustice, his faith in all wrong. She knew it wasn't right, and it was not intended to be. Serenity stood up still, her heart pounded, and her faith in him grew little.
She sat there, tears swelling in her eyes and puffing her face. "Oh Serenity," Rinoa comforted. Her tender and gentle words were just enough to make the crying come to an ease. As well as Squall's attention fully on her, and his caring love, it made her feel homesick. But her home and all was lost when Squall had left. The whole family had broken apart, and there was nothing left but the two. To carry on the great fortune, and the Leonhart family and pride. A good pride, which meant to willfulness or pridefulness. "Shh, Serenity. It's been a hard day. Put yourself at ease. Sleep dearest, "Squall gently whispered. As her crying eased, his sleepy words made her grow weary and sleepy. She fell into Squall as he lifted her onto the bed and kissed her for her nap. She slept silently as Rinoa and Squall tended for her little pets' health. They weren't dying of course, just maybe injected with a common cold that put them to ease and to sleep, although even if Seifer injected that into Shadow's muscular body, it would do nothing to her and her blood cells would devour it the instant it was welcomed in. Serenity napped for an hour until she felt Shadow's soft fur brush against her sweaty cheek. Her sweet soft purr to wake her. Her eyes fluttered and the blue sparkled. Shadow jumped off the bed and stared at her. "Oh Shadow. Now what were you doing to wake me up?" Serenity asked. Shadow only purred and slipped away, away into the darkness of the evening. "Hey! Where are you going missy!" Serenity pouted. But Shadow only slipped carefully away. Into the grave darkness that covered the room. Suddenly the doorknob turned, and Squall came in. Serenity stood there as the window blew at her. Her hair fluttered before her, and Squall said, "What ya doing? Come on, I'll close the window and you get ready to eat. After that we're going with Rinoa to take a walk in the park. She really does enjoy your nice company, Sis." So Serenity got herself ready for dinner as Squall led the way. When she took her seat besides Squall and Rinoa, Seifer again sat across her. His glare grew shivers up her spine. Squall could feel them just by her shivering hand. "What's wrong?" Rinoa softly asked when no one was complementing her or Serenity about fortune or beauty. "Seifer." Her whisper was so soft that it could hardly even be a whisper. Rinoa cast a mean glare at him when he looked directly at her. His face grew red with fury and anger.
"This is it!" he mumbled furiously under his breath. He threw his napkin at the table and got up and left. Serenity shrunk down in her chair and sighed deeply with great relief that he was gone. He staggered up the Grand Staircase and to the giant hallway awaiting him. Serenity was afraid of him, not really afraid, but she didn't enjoy his company. She didn't enjoy him coaxing her to disobey Squall. "Squall, what if someone tries to coax you to disobey someone you must not disobey?" Serenity asked worriedly. "No. You won't disobey and I know you would never. Well you would, but you always want to please me, and when you disobey, I know it wasn't your fault. Don't be afraid of Seifer, he only wants you to disobey me and run away with him. After he dies, you'll be left alone with no where to go. Or when he abandons you. I know you will never let him do such a cruel thing to you," Squall replied. Serenity nodded, but was still afraid, of his torture, especially to her beloved pets. At that very moment, she knew that Shadow was creeping over them, protecting them from Seifer's wrath. She closed her eyes for an instant and rubbed her forehead. "Oh Shadow," she sighed under her breath, "Be careful taking care of them." She sighed and looked down at the ground. "Everything I thought, everything I loved about him was a lie. Lie...full of lies," she sang, "If only my heart, would settle on one, my heart would lift up, and dance to the love." Her heart pounded as she wondered what it could've been like if she really did marry Seifer. Would her life be torture? Or could it really be good?