Her Own World

Chapter 7:

Yours Truly

..~**~..

The lights had dimmed and all noise floated away down the corridor. Her ears began humming in the silence and she sighed angry. Sleep was to be non-existent tonight it seemed.

She tossed and she turned. She moaned and groaned. But no, sleep did not pay her any heed. Nor did it even consider her willingness to sleep for hours on end. She was an enemy to her most deprived feeling.

Damn you evil coffee! Damn you to hell! And take your forsaken caffeine with you!

She was relieved that she only needed to stay one night here in the sleepless hospital. Tomorrow she called lean against the cushions in the train and doze to regular up-beat rhythm of steel hitting big thick railroad tracks. A pleasant thought, distant, but pleasant.

And it was this such thought that enabled her to drift off…

To sleep.

..~**~..

" Hey sleepyhead" She leaned down and kissed his forehead.

She watched him smile in his sleep and pull the cover over his head. She heard a muffled reply from within. " Go away you evil pillow crazed sorceress" She laughed at his sarcasm and swept her feet over the bed.

The window was a few feet in front of her. She walked over slowly, taking in the tranquility and breathed deeply.

I'm free…I'm alive

She closed her eyes and tilted her head back. Everything was lost to her and the only sounds she could hear was her own deep and steady breathing.

A loud crash broke the silence and echoed throughout her brain.

" Squall!"

..~**~..

She ripped her eyes open. Making sure she was fully awake, she rubbed at them furiously and sat up. She was of course, greeted with the same white walls and endless wire equipment of the hospital. Beside her lie a single white rose on the bench.

She smiled and picked it up. It was freshly cut and smelt of…vanilla.

Maybe Squall…or a nurse…or Zone

It didn't matter who really. All that mattered was the rose. Its scent filled her with happiness and just the glowing whiteness made her feel jumpy inside. Like a feeling of fulfillment…

" Good morning!"

Her moment was lost. The nurse opened the enormous curtains, waking everyone. Rinoa huffed angrily and placed the rose back on the bench. Silently she swept her legs over the side of the bed. She felt slightly dizzy when an intense feeling of dejavu crept over her.

Such a weird dream…

With her head tilted to one side, she brushed out her hair. Raven locks fell upon her shoulders and flicked her head to the other side. In need of haircut

" So I see your doing fine this morning Miss…" The nurse glanced at the chart. "…Rinoa Heartily" Rinoa smiled gratefully and pulled her hair up into a ponytail. She mumbled her thankyou and exited the room, headed for the bathroom, with her bag. Squall had fetched for her earlier.

Once inside the unoccupied bathroom she pulled out some clothes, happy to be getting out her stupid bed gown.

..~**~..

" I think this is false advertising. It says on the packet that it can clean off hard stains in seconds…its not working"

Zell rolled his eyes and pressed the cloth down on the bench harder while Selphie continued to babble on about 'false advertising'. He rubbed away at the bench. The enormous sauce stain disappeared immediately and he looked up with pure glee on his face.

" It does work Selphie! You just have to soak a bit, see"

" Well that's not what it says on the packet…" She grumbled.

Squall picked up a dishwashing cloth and rinsed it in the hot soapy water. He threw it over to Selphie. " Here" She turned around and grabbed it. " Okies"

" Hey Squall when are you gonna go pick Rinoa up?" Zell asked. He yawned and sat back against the couch.

" Right about now"

He picked up his jacket and walked out. He had decided to walk it. The hospital wasn't too far and Rinoa needed a bit of fresh air anyway. It wasn't exactly accurate, but he could have sworn that they used some sort of fly spray in place of air freshener. He was nearing the city hall when Zone ran out to greet him. He ran out from the Timber Maniacs office and skidded to a halt in front of him.

" Squall! Are you going to see Rinoa?"

He nodded back and looked across the street to the hospital. " I'm picking her up actually. She was discharged today"

"Oh ok. Well tell her I said hi. I need to get back to work" With that, he spun around and walked back into the office. Someone yelled out to him from inside. It was barely audible, but Squall did hear something along the lines of, " Get your lazy…back to work you…I need those in by Tuesday!"

Hard job

He continued his way to the hospital.

..~**~..

General Caraway sat in the slow moving train to Deling. He positioned himself more comfortably on the seat and placed another cushion on his lap. The paper in his hands rested neatly on it and held it closer to his view. Once again picking up the pen he began to write. A cadet beeped on the door, breaking his concentration. Rubbing his temple and grumpily called him in.

Junior cadet, Michael Wilson, walked in proudly and performed a well practiced salute in front he General. Once completed he stood at attention and began his report.

" Everything seems to be in order sir. We'll be arriving in Deling in about two hours and President Loire will be there to greet you in front of the Caraway Mansion sir"

Caraway simply nodded and saluted the cadet. Michael, feeling extremely proud, walked briskly out of the cabin. For the second time, he pressed the pen to the paper and, as neatly as possible, continued writing.

~I cannot express how sorry I am at this point. I have about as little information as my officers and cadets on board but, I feel that you need to know our current situation. Next week the new president of Galbadia will be announced. There are few candidates, one of those being Vinzer Deling's son Vaun, and I was informed this morning that he seems to have the top vote. Somehow, through his strange workings, he managed to win over the public.

There have been a few complications along the way. If Vaun is elected president, then certain rules and conditions may change. Such as the peace treat between Galbadia and Esthar. I do happen to know that he does not support this very well.

Now that Timber has earned its independence, I feel the city may be in danger.

Please take this into concern. I am writing to you about this because you are my daughter and I care for you. I may not be able to speak to you or see you for some time after this. Our meeting at the city hall was my way of saying goodbye.

I promise Julia that I would protect you and keep you away from the harm of everyday politics. So by telling you this I only hope that you stay in true mind and heart. Remember you are the daughter of Julia Heartily and myself. Remember who you are.

Please keep a watch on Vaun…

Yours Truly,

General Caraway.

He folded the letter and placed it inside a clean, simple white envelope. He wrote on the address and called to cadet Wilson. Immediately he entered the room with his firm salute.

" Sir"

He's bright and hopeful. Probably willing to prove himself. God opportunities arise each day…

" Cadet Wilson, I am giving you an assignment" At this the Michael straightened ever so slightly and the corner of his mouth moved up a hair. " This envelope conceals a very important document. It must be properly delivered"

" I'll make sure it is sir"

" Go to Balamb when we stop at the academy. This must be taken directly to Miss Ma Dincht. The address is sealed on top. Is that clear?"

" Yes sir!"

" Go to it then, be ready to get off and board your next train" The junior cadet saluted once more, took the envelope and began to make his way out.

" Oh and Wilson"

"Yes Sir?"

" If it is not delivered to Miss Dincht and in not perfect condition, your rank will be swiped and I'll have you removed from my unit"

He gulped slightly and saluted the General once more before finally exiting. So now his career was resting on an envelope…

Back in the General's cabin, he placed a hand on his forehead and looked out the window. Closing his eyes, he secretly prayed his daughter would understand him. Just this once, maybe he could be given the chance to really protect to her. To call her his own.

Julia…I let you down

..~**~..

" Got everything?"

" Yeah…I think…so" She yawned. He picked up her bag and they began to walk down the corridor. A thought entered her mind and she took one giant step in front and spun around to face him. He stopped in front of her and raised and eyebrow.

" Hey Squall, how long until we have to leave for Balamb?"

" About an hour or so"

" Oh…ok. Do you mind if we stop by the pub for just a few minutes on the way to the train station?"

He frowned and nodded. " Sure" She smiled widely and turned on her heel, both arms behind her back continued walking with a happy stride. Behind her, Squall tapped her on the shoulder. " Hey Rin, why do you want to go a pub?"

She looked down, smiling from ear to ear.

" Because that's where the Forest Owls are stationed now"

..~**~..

Scribbles: Aha! I have done it again. The seventh chapter. Now, just follow the yellow brick road all the way down to the review button.

Thankyou!

~Karla