Secrets

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Disclaimer-Me nots owns Final Fantasy 8. Me owns nothings. Pleases don'ts sues.

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A Loser and a Winner

"Damn it Irvine! It isn't a date!" Squall exclaimed, swing his arm in a sideways arch beside him. Seifer and Irvine looked at Squall knowingly.

"You're in denial. Besides I heard from a trustworthy source that you were going on a date" Seifer told him, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"Who? Quistis? We both saw you making out on the boat." He replied, leaning against the wall. Irvine jumped up from his seat on the fountain.

"WHAAAAT?" He looked at him incredulously. "WHOA! That's just mind-boggling. MIND-BOGGLING!" Seifer glared at both of his friends.

"Don't think it didn't happen besides, what makes you think it's hard to believe?" Seifer asked, blowing on his fingernails then gliding them across his coat. Squall smirked.

"Seifer, you're painfully unpopular with the ladies and well, you're SEIFER!" Irvine replied smoothly. He checked his watch.

"WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSE TO MEAN?" Seifer exclaimed. At that time, Zell had run up to them. He stopped in surprise and raised an eyebrow.

"Hey Seifer, don't get your panties in a rut." Seifer glared at him and walked menacingly toward him. Irvine jumped in the way and separated them.

"CHILL! I got to go to meet Selphie." Squall nodded.

"Whoa it's been what a WEEK and you're STILL with that chick?" Irvine glanced his way.

"Squall you keep the peace eh?" Irvine said, ignoring Seifer's comment. Zell patted Squall on the back.

"MAN! HOW ARE YOU? That jump was awesome." Zell exclaimed, punching the air in victory.

***Flashback***

Frantically he made his first mistake. He looked behind him. Its large steel legs crunched in to the sand with such ferocity, the sand flew up meters. He stumbled. Again he looked back. His second mistake. He looked up at the boat which was moving a meter for every step he took. A thought struck him like a lightning bolt. He wasn't going to make it. Gunfire exploded and he looked up in surprise. The gun was moving around yet it covered the person's face. He looked at the open hatch.

"C'MON SQUALL! YOU CAN DO IT!" Zell's hands were waving frantically as Seifer was staring at him, almost as if he was urging him to hurry. He heard the clicking's the bullets made as it impacted with the steel. He glanced over his shoulder to see the crab towering over him. It's steel bulk convulsing madly. He jumped. He closed h is eyes instinctively.

His arms hit steel and burned. He felt hands pulling him up. Opening his eyes, he started to pull himself up. When he got in he looked back out and saw the convulsing machine towering over them. The boat sped up and when the crab fell, it landed where the boat was moments ago. At that he realized how far he HAD jumped.

"DAMN!!! That's far. DAMN!" Zell exclaimed, snapping his fingers. "Anyway, you alright?"

***End Flashback***

"THAT WAS SOOOOOOOO AWESOME!" Zell yelled, jumping up in the air, punching his fist up. Squall winced.

"Try not to shout so much." Squall suggested, holding his head lightly. Seifer smirked.

"You're hurting Puberty-Boy's head. Good job Chicken- Wuss." Seifer patted the blond on the back and walked away. Zell turned to Squall and grinned.

"Well, you are a PLAYA! You're the first guy to have a date with Rinoa in Balamb!" Squall sighed in frustration.

"It's NOT a DATE!" Zell shook his head.

"That's not what Selphie says."

"Did Rinoa say that? I sure as hell didn't." Zell opened his mouth speak but was immediately silence by a wave of Squall's hand. He tried to talk but was enabled to. He waved his hands questionably. Squall smiled and up the stairs into the garden. Zell raced after him.

***

"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE GOING ON A DATE WITH SQUALL! YOU NEVER GO ON DATES!!!!!" Selphie yelled, VERY loudly. Rinoa cringed and moved beside Quistis so she was now beside the loud brunette.

"Shout it out so everybody can hear Selphie!" Rinoa said sarcastically, an unintended edge in her voice. Selphie, backed down, pouting and looking hurt.

"Hey Sefie!" Selphie instantly lit up and turned around.

"IRVY!" She yelped and hugged him. Rinoa smiled and turned to walk to the library.

"HEY! Where'd you think you were goin'?" Irvine asked, Selphie still in his arms. She stopped in her tracks.

"The library." She said through gritted teeth. She knew EXACTLY what they were leading up to. Who knew dating was this hard?

"So it's true! You are going on a date with Squall!" She turned around.

"I don't think he thinks so!" Irvine grinned.

"But do you?" Quistis looked at her questioningly. She glared at the blonde.

"What are you looking at? Why should there be rumors about ME and not about Quistis and her little kiss on the boat?" Rinoa asked enraged. Selphie gasped and Irvine grinned.

"It wasn't that little of a kiss." A voice behind them interjected.

"Hey Seifer. Welcome to the convo! Here, have a seat!" Irvine greeted. Seifer smirked and leaned against the table right beside Quistis. She glared at him.

Seifer nodded at her and slung his arm over her shoulders. She walked out and stood behind Rinoa.

"I can't believe I kissed you!" She hissed, her hands clenching at her sides. Quistis turned but stopped and faced him again. "By the way, there are such things as BREATH MINTS! USE THEM!" She shouted, throwing a bottle of mints at his head. It would have hit him if he didn't step out of the way. The bottle was caught from behind.

"Stop throwing things, ya know?" A tall, muscular man said, stepping in and folding his arms over his armour. He then tossed the bottle back at her. It was over thrown and the bottle crashed to the floor, mints spilled all over the floor. A shorter, grey haired woman stepped out from behind him.

"STOP! IDIOT!" She kicked him in the shins. He grabbed at his leg in pain and looked at her.

"OW! OW! YA DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT, Ya know?" He limped to the side and out the cafeteria door. The grey haired girl followed him out. Quistis walked up to Seifer and tapped him in the chest.

"What happened that day will NEVER happen again!" Seifer smirked.

"Whatever."

"Hey, that's my line." Again the group turned their heads to see Squall and a VERY agitated Zell beside him.
"Why is chicken-wuss so quiet? By now he would've talked his head off." Zell gave him the 'up yours' gesture.

"I believe you've mixed Selphie up with Zell." Rinoa joked, smiling. Selphie pouted.

"NO FAIR! I DON'T TALK AS MUCH AS HIM!!" She pointed to Zell.

"No, seriously, in all seriousness, why is Zellie boy so quiet?" Irvine asked, fluffing up Zell's hair. Zell shoved him away and gave him the gesture as well. After he did that he pointed to Squall.

"Silence." Everybody grinned and started to laugh uncontrollably. Rinoa had to hold on to a table to keep standing. Selphie fell to the ground, laughing while on her back with Irvine on his knees. Seifer stood in his spot, dumbfounded. What was so funny? He thought. Quistis was giggling on a chair. Zell started to punch Squall lightly but then slightly harder. Squall blocked most of his hits and stepped back.

"What? You wanna duel?" Zell nodded and hit his fist together. The two left for the training area. Everything was silent then everybody rushed out to watch the fight.

***

"Are you sure they're going to be ok?" Quistis asked worriedly. Seifer nodded.

"If things get out of hand, I'll interfere." They all nodded. Zell was warming up while Squall was preparing his gunblade. Squall took his hidden gunblade out of his case. Almost everybody gasped and there was murmuring through out the crowd.

"There's now way Zell could win against a Gunblade wielder." Selphie whispered to Rinoa who nodded in response. Even Zell looked surprised and scared. Squall swung it around a few times then checked to see if there were any bullets inside. Lucky for Zell the chamber was empty.

"Are you two ready?" Seifer called out, stepping from out of the crowd. Squall nodded while Zell turned his back to everyone. He then turned around again and faced Squall. They went in to they're respective fighting stances. A hush spread throughout the crowd.

"GO!" Seifer yelled. Squall rushed at him and swung his gunblade at Zell's body, he stepped back and pushed the gunblade to the left and took a punch at Squall. The gunblade snapped back and hit Zell's left fist with the blunt side. Zell fell back and slid toward Squall's feet which he nimbly jumped over and landed by rolling. Still crouched, Squall faced the pumped up martial artist. Squall ran at him, his gunblade down at his side, scraping against the ground. The sparks popped and when the sword went up, it collided with a gunblade.

"Squall, how about you fight me? Chicken- wuss can't fight against you. But I can." Squall grinned and stepped back. Zell opened his mouth to argue when he remembered he couldn't speak. Selphie dragged him off, kicking and screaming.

Squall and Seifer stood at opposite sides, facing each other with their 2 swords 2 feet in front of them, laying on the ground.

"GO!" They picked up their blades and ran at each other. Both were holding positioned in attack position. Seifer spun and swung his gunblade at Squall's neck, which Squall blocked and in turn he pushed him off. They ran at each other again, they passed each other with a collision of their blades and spun to pass each other again. Seifer's blade clashed again with Squall's and they jumped back. Seifer stared at him, his gunblade over his shoulder. He motioned for him to 'bring it on'. Squall narrowed his eyes and ran at him. He attacked him with stabs which Seifer pushed to the right. Squall swung his gunblade down and His opponent blocked with one hand, bending back ward slightly. For a moment they stared in to each other's eyes then Squall backed off. Seifer went on the attack and ran at him. Just at the last minute, Seifer slid under Squall's legs and tripped him. Or at least, tried to. Squall had anticipated that move and hopped over the sliding figure. Seifer, still on the rock floor, narrowed his eyes and concentrated. A gust of wind knocked Squall to the floor and swept his gunblade up. Spinning, it disappeared in the clouds and lightning danced in the clouds erupted from above. The crowd gasped. Seifer smirked.

"You're losing your touch!" Squall glared at him and smiled. The gunblade came whipping down and lodged in to the ground. Squall lifted it out and swung it out. Th real fight had begun.

Squall attacked in a diagonal slash. Seifer nimbly dodged it and rolled to the side, striking at his opponents legs. Squall jumped over Seifer and attacked upward, his gunblade grinding against the once smooth rock and making sparks. A loud strident note rang out as Seifer blocked the hit. The crowd flinched. The combatants' faces remained cold and concentrated.

"Wow! They're really good! It's like they know each other's moves!" Selphie exclaimed in awe. Quistis nodded but her eyes were still glued to the duel. Selphie was right. Each attack was followed by and equally perfect block. She winced when Squall was cut across the right shoulder.

"Hey cowboy! Shouldn't we stop the fight? Squall's already hurt." Irvine turned toward her and grinned.

"The name's Irvine and Squall is a big boy. He can handle himself."Quistis frowned. Irvine smiled even wider.

"Awww! Come on little lady. Frowning makes a beautiful girl like you look old!" Quistis glared at him and turned her attention back to the fight. Seifer ran at Squall who was preparing to block when he skidded then took a step forward then twisted so his back was facing his opponent. Seifer stabbed his gunblade behind him, the blade skimming his right hip slightly. It hit nothing. Seifer looked up. Squall charging at him with his blade held behind him with his extended arm. Squall started to spin in a whirlwind. A flash of surprise went across his features as he instinctively put his gunblade up flat to block. Each hit knocked Seifer back several feet until Squall abruptly stopped dropped to the ground, letting go of his gunblade and extending his right foot out. When he swung his foot, Seifer tripped over them. The intended effect. Squall stood, waiting for Seifer to rise. Gritting his teeth, Seifer got to his feet. As he brushed off the dirt from his coat he stood up with his gunblade out in front of him, pointing at Squall.

"You better teach me that trick." Squall nodded and prepared himself. Seifer stood there, his eyes closed and right palm open. Squall frowned in confusion then switched in to realization. Seifer smiled evilly as bright red swirls of energy gathered at the centre of gloved palm. He was pushed back by the fire spell, though the flat of his blade took most of the impact otherwise it would have killed him.

"Dammit! You could have killed me!" Squall yelled angrily, getting up. The embers burned his skin slightly. He looked up as a shadow covered him. Seifer was smiling maniacally over him with his gunblade in his right hand, coming down on him. Squall flipped his blade up and somehow stopped the oncoming gunblade just inches from his face. Squall kicked Seifer back and pushed himself up.

Narrowing his eyes, Squall put his hand up to his forehead, his fingers tips brushing slightly against his skin. Then he brought his arm down, almost like an offering gesture. Darkness surrounded Seifer and exploded out, burst of sparks and light shining out. Then dozens of tiny explosions surrounded the globe. Then the darkness around Seifer disappeared leaving him, crouching while leaning against his gunblade for support. Squall ran over and casted curaga on him. Seifer looked up at his rival and pushed him away.

"WHAT THE HELL! THAT'S A CHEAP SHOT! BASTARD!"

"What about you? You could have killed me!" Seifer laughed incredulously.

"YEAH RIGHT! I KNOW YOU WELL ENOUGH THAT YOU COULD NOT HAVE DIED!" Seifer yelled back dropping his gunblade and stalking toward Squall. Irvine jumped in and separated them before Seifer could punch him. By that time most of the crowd was shooed away by Instructors who were now staring in awe at the battle which took place

"Shut up" Irvine hissed quietly, hitting Seifer on the back of his head. He frowned and rubbed the back of his head and gave Irvine the finger before walking off with his gunblade. Irvine looked at Quistis and nodded. Quistis then ran after him. Selphie frowned in confusion. The spell would have killed Squall. Wouldn't it have? And Seifer. Why isn't he dead? Selphie thought, chewing her right thumb.

"Hey Selph? Are you alright?" Selphie jolted out of her thoughts and looked to her concerned friend. She nodded and saw Irvine walk away from Squall. She ran after him. Zell shook his head in disbelief; his thoughts were very similar to Selphie's. He was about to talk when he remembered that he couldn't. He tapped Rinoa on the shoulder and pointed to his mouth once she turned around. She smiled brightly and casted esuna on him. He smiled brightly and hugged her.

"THANKS RIN!!!!" He exclaimed and skipped away, practicing his punching moves. Rinoa smiled at his retreating figure then looked to Squall who was glaring at Zell angrily. She stood confused for a moment then hopped over.

"Hey Squall! Congrats! Looks like you won that fight." Squall nodded. She smiled and punched him lightly.

"Awwww! Come on! You could at least say something!"

"Whatever." Rinoa erupted into a fit of giggles and grabbed his hand.

"Come on! The SeeD test scores should bee called out about now!" When Squall didn't budge she pulled harder. "COME ON!" Finally Squall followed her.

***

"All of those who participated last week in the SeeD Field Exam did a wonderful job! Although not all of you made SeeD, you may wish to take the exam again next year. Now who has passed the test?" The headmaster paused and smiled. "Xu will tell you." He stepped back Xu appeared in front of him.

"Those who have passed the exam should report to the second floor hallway. Those people are: Selphie Tilmitt, Zell Dincht, Keira Recinda, Lelila Brunsky, Seifer Almasy, Rinoa Heartilly and Squall Leonhart. Please report to the second floor hallway. Thank you." Xu walked off but rushed to the front again.

"There is one last member. He is Nida-"

"Thank you all for participating we hope to see you next year!" Headmaster Cid cut in. Xu smile lightly and walked up to the elevator. Quistis sighed as she followed behind her. In twelve hours, life as she knew it would change. Quistis looked behind her and saw Rinoa and Selphie jumping up and down in delight. Her heart was hit with sadness and anger. Will I have any friends who will be happy for me? She thought to herself. She hung her head lower. Rinoa looked up at Quistis and saw in her eyes the sadness she was feeling.

"I'll be right back Selph." She said absent-mindedly, jogging to catch up with the instructor. If Selphie replied, Rinoa didn't hear it. Finally she reached the top of the stairs and saw Quistis get in the elevator.

"Hey Quisty!" She called as she turned around to face Rinoa. Her blue eyes were filled with tears, threatening to fall. Rinoa ran to the closing elevator doors but it closed just as she ran into it. She narrowed her eyes and punched the doors lightly.

"What did the doors do to you?" Rinoa whirled around and saw Seifer grinning sarcastically in front of her.

"For your information LOSER I wasn't mad at the doors. Just frustrated." Rinoa snapped irritably. People passing by gave her glares and odd looks. She glared right back at them. Seifer looked at her incredulously and grinned.

"Looks like you're in a bad mood" Rinoa stepped closer to him but rolled her eyes. Seifer grinned. "AWWW! Come on. Tell me! Please?" She rolled her eyes and turne her back on Seifer.

"It's Quistis. Something's wrong and someone needs to talk to her." She faced him. He stepped back, widening his eyes.

"You want ME to?" Rinoa nodded. He widened his eyes. "Whoa! That's like Squall talking to people! NO! I'm not good at those things. Why don't YOU girl-talk with her?"

"Because she won't talk to me." Rinoa sighed. "Just talk to her. Please. You are the one who kissed her. It means something so just go." Seifer gave a disgusted look.

"Fine!" He stomped off whining similarly like a baby.

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Author's Note- I know the fighting scene sucked but I had to put some action there. Thanks for reeding and please R&R. Thank you to:

Thugstra-for reviewing the last chapter.

(I NEED more reviews!!!)