Author's Notes: Thanks to everyone who reviewed my story! I appreciate it.

I am thinking about putting some of the Lord of the Rings story in this later. So far, I think this will be my longest fanfic. I have lots of ideas. Thanks for reading!

Time's Scars

Chapter Three: Internal Torment

He ran as fast as he could through the dark forest, driven by the sounds of the angry mob chasing him. He'd been running for a long time, and they still were right on his tail. He was getting weary, and knew he couldn't run for much longer.

Finally, he collapsed in exhaustion. He was surrounded suddenly by angry humans, armed with hammers, baseball bats, and anything else they could find. He had no chance to protest. Nobody would listen.

All over his small body, he could feel the pain from the beating. It was everywhere, and was excruciating. He cried out and begged for mercy, but was ignored.

Surely he would not make it.

Squall was awakened by the jerk of the train as it came to a stop in Balamb. He took a deep breath, attempting to stop the shaking of his body in fear. That night was still very fresh in his mind, even though it happened long ago.

He got up, grabbed his bag, and got off the train. A conductor outside saw him.

"Hi…Mr…Leonhart?" He asked in surprise.

"Yeah, yeah. Long story." Squall muttered as he shoved past the man.

He headed straight for the hotel. Not to sleep, of course, but to shower. The sewer water had left a lot of disgusting things on him.

"I need a room. I'm not staying long, but I'll pay you for a night." Squall told the woman at the counter.

She shook her head in shock. "Uh…don't worry about it. Go ahead. You are welcome here."

Squall grabbed the room key and hurried to it. When he got inside the room, he headed right for the shower, throwing off the ugly clothing.

It was the best shower he'd ever had in his life.

He got out and dried off, getting back into the only clothing he had. He still looked like an idiot, but at least he didn't stink like sewage.

He made his way straight to the bank, going through the same routine to enter the agency's walls. His boss was certainly happy to see the files in his hand. But he was shocked at Squall's attire.

"What in the world? Are you feeling okay?"

Squall sighed in annoyance. "Yeah. I had to steal these because my clothes got trashed."

He laughed and shook his head, "Your luck, huh Leonhart? You always get stuck with something like that. Need some new boots, though."

Squall looked down at the ruined black boots. "Yeah."

"Talk to Emelia. She'll find you a new pair, and maybe a new outfit if you're lucky."

*******************************************************************************************

Squall was more than happy to be back in normal clothing. Now, he could enter Garden with dignity.

He walked right through the front gates, completely ignoring the salutes from the guards and students. He only had one thing on his mind.

He and Rinoa had agreed to meet on the balcony at 8:00. Well, it was about that time, and he knew he shouldn't be late. She was frustrated enough with him as it was.

Though, he couldn't blame her. He wasn't the easiest person to deal with.

He opened the doors to the balcony and walked to the rail. Not surprisingly, Rinoa was already there. She was always early.

She looked at him. "So?"

He leaned against the rail. "So…what?"

She grumbled in irritation, "So, you are going to talk to me now?"

"Yeah."

"Well, out with it then."

He sighed, "It's not that easy."

She calmed down a bit and put a hand gently on his shoulder. "It's okay. You know you can talk to me."

He loved that touch. It radiated through his whole body, relaxing him. He loved everything about her. It was hard keeping such a secret from her. It hurt him. But it would be really hard to tell her the truth, too."

"I'm…you…well…" Squall struggled

"Calm down. It's alright." She whispered into his ear.

He took a deep breath. "You know how…you always say nobody understands what it's like to be different? To have abilities that they didn't ask for?"

"Yeah."

He looked at her, "Well, I understand. I'm…I'm different, too."

She moved to his side, leaning against the rail. "Squall, don't try to cheer me up about that."

"I'm not. This is the truth, I swear."

"How are you 'different' then?"

"Promise me, swear to me that you will not tell a SINGLE soul. If you do, it could compromise our safety. Please."

"Okay, okay, I promise. I won't tell anyone, not ever."

He took another deep breath to relax himself, then continued. "I'm…not one…not one of…of you."

She looked surprised. "Not one of me? What am I?"

"A human."

Rinoa's eyes widened. "What? Well…what ARE you?"

Squall closed his eyes and bowed his head. "I'm…an Elf."

"That isn't funny."

"I'm not joking."

She shook her head, "But I thought Elves were extinct."

"No. A good number of us are still alive."

"What was it that killed the others?"

He looked back out towards the beach, quelling the memories and pain of the night he lost his family.

"Humans."

She put a hand over her mouth, then brought it back down, eyes wide in surprise. "Humans?"

"Yes."

"But…how?"

He sighed, "They went through all of our villages, massacred everyone, burned the villages to the ground."

Rinoa's eyes teared up. "I'm so sorry."

"You didn't do it."

She shook her head, "No, not like that. I'm sorry I prodded you about it. I feel so bad."

"It's okay. You deserve to know."

"I know, but…"

He turned to her, "But nothing. Don't be sorry. It was going to come out sometime and I'd rather it came out when we're like this."

She hugged him, then pulled away, looking up at him. "But I thought Elves had pointy ears. Your ears aren't pointy."

He laughed a little. "Yes they are, you just can't see them."

He took off one of the rubber bits, revealing the true shape of his ears.

She touched his ear gently, "Wow."

He put the cover back on, and turned serious again. "Can you forgive me for lying to you?"

"Oh, Squall. Of course I can."

He turned away, leaning back onto the rail. "Can you accept me? I mean, how can you? I lied to you, went behind your back, hurt you…"

She put a hand to his mouth. "Stop it. Squall, you did frustrate me at times. But you brought me so much happiness. When I was out of the coma and had Edea's powers, everyone treated me differently, like I was a monster. They acted like they were my friends, but it was obvious that they were simply respecting me out of fear. They all hated me inside. Everyone but you. You still treated me the same. You were hard on me, but you made me feel normal. Like I'd never gotten the powers. I know I'll probably have them forever, but it isn't like I asked for them, so it isn't fair that people hate me. You didn't ask to be an Elf, or to be in this situation, either. How can I hate you for that?"

He looked at her, surprised. "I just thought, you would be mad."

"Squall, I wouldn't have told either if I was in the same situation. It's not like you can advertise it."

"Yeah…"

They were interrupted by a SeeD cadet coming onto the balcony. "Commander? And Miss Heartilly? Cid wants to see you. He has an important mission for you. Come up right away."

The cadet then hurried off, out to do another job.

Squall looked at her. "So, I guess we should get going?"

She smiled, "I guess so, Commander."

"Stop, you know I hate that."

She giggled, "Yeah. That's why I do it! Come on, we're gonna be late, and Cid doesn't like that."

He took her by the arm and pulled her close. "We might be a little late. We have to do this first."

"Do wha…"

Rinoa was interrupted by Squall, who kissed her passionately. She melted into his arms.

So what if we're late? This is what matters.

*******************************************************************************************

Author's Notes: A little Squall/Rinoa fluffiness, sorry! I can't help it. Anyway, now that she knows, she is involved. More will be revealed in later chapters. Thanks for reading. Please drop a review by!