Author's Note: This is an AU fic . . . meaning you have to suspend a little belief. Quistis and Rinoa are foster sisters (to be explained later) living in a world plagued by continual wars.

I can never escape them. They haunt my peace, my mind, my nightmares, and threaten my sanity. I cannot join the opposition for they fear me. They see me as a heartless mercenary. I cannot blame them though. My kind . . . no, the mercenaries have waged a vicious campaign to eliminate all opposition, all resistance to their hold on the world . . . or what is left of it.

The dark sky lit by the few stars that dared to challenge the infinite universe carried the shadow of the lone figure on the plains. The night wind rustled the overgrown grass as boots crunched over hard ground.

The finely toned, battle hardened warrior gave another glance over his shoulder. Years of being hunted, condemned, reflected in his cautious actions. He was worth a lot of money – even more if he was brought in dead. It was a sacrifice and willing trade he made for the sanity of his mind. Trained to kill without hesitation, emotion, and absolutely without question was his previous life. It was a life he was willing to live without. He was their finest warrior, promising to be their greatest weapon. Now he was their most wanted target – how they despised and hated him for deserting them. No one dishonored their way of life – not even the best, especially not the best of them.

He sighed once again. The one concept I wish for is one concept they fail to understand . . . to even consider its remote possibility. I only want forgiveness. I live like an animal – hiding in shadows so they will not find me. It is they who should be living in the shadows and hiding like cowards, not me. The heart-scared man reached the entrance of the forest, alone. He retreated into the woods, finding shelter to sleep for the night. One night was all he could afford to a resting place, any longer and he risked his freedom and life. It had been years since his escape from the mercenary academy, yet they would never forget their blemish and continue to pursue him.

Squall Leonhart slept with nightmares that haunted him since he could remember. At least they kept him alert. A peaceful mind offered too much danger since it would bring comforting dreams and a night of sweet rest – a luxury that he never had experienced. Life as a mercenary demanded the soldier to be ever watchful, even in sleep. Squall did not regret his decision – he was free from mindless orders, and senseless murder.

----

"Can I go?" Rinoa looked up at her foster father for an answer. "I can handle myself."

Cid frowned and scratched the back of his head. "Rinoa . . ." he began.

"Please? You know I love to watch the dawn . . ." She leaned over and kissed him lightly on the cheek.

He was unable to deny his foster daughter anything she wanted, especially when she made him blush with signs of affection.

"Fine fine!" Cid said, blushing and turning around to hide the newfound shade of red. "Just be careful. There are still remnants of things from the last war and who knows what else is in the forest. Take Quistis with you." Cid did not regard mercenaries as human beings . . . they were merely 'things' or monsters - no better. They were bred to be used as soldiers, obey commands. Who knew if they had a conscience, let alone morals, and humanity?

Rinoa rolled her eyes. It had been going her way until he mentioned bringing along Quistis. Her older foster sister was bossy and loved proving her superiority – whether it was through knowledge or attraction from males or weapons. She nodded and went to fetch her foster sister.

---

Squall watched the wintry, northern town from afar. It was always from a distance. He dared not make contact with any people lest anyone recognize him. Squall would cause unwanted attention through his weapon, the gunblade. If none recognized him for what he was – a mercenary – they would certainly identify his weapon. He was the only one in the world that fought with a combination of blade and gun. It was a very difficult weapon to handle, let alone fight gracefully and skillfully with it. Squall kept it sheathed in the jeweled scabbard by his side. His cloak further disguised the deadly weapon and its owner.

Squall was perched on a tree, resting against the trunk. He took pleasure in watching the town stir to life with the background of the sun appearing over the horizon. He had never been able to enjoy nature's beauty as a mercenary. It was training from dawn until dusk, and then eating and resting. There was no time for resting idly, or watching the sun outside, or listening to the gentle rain falling so often on the plains.

The town was covered in light snow, and the early sunlight reflected of it.

Squall noticed a figure walking out with a light blue cloak. It was a female due to the light impressions she made along the snow. Besides her was a taller figure cloaked in white. The first woman caught his attention. She pointed towards the sun peaking out from behind the mountains. Her companion laughed at her. Squall shook his head slightly, immediately disliking the taller figure. She takes it for granted . . . how foolish.

The light blue cloaked figure suddenly looked up in Squall's direction, almost causing him to fall off the tree from surprise. Shit. How did she see me? He stayed still, as he had been trained.

Rinoa caught sight of someone atop a tree. She met his eyes but said nothing. She headed towards his direction after making an excuse to get away from Quistis. She knew it was dangerous and completely foolish to risk her life just to see a stranger closer. But there's such sadness, and loneliness in those wintry blue eyes . . . Rinoa finally reached the tree where the man had been. She did not see him there anymore, and felt an unexplainable sadness. Rinoa closed her eyes and sighed. Damn it. I wanted to . . . I wanted to what? She turned around to head back and gasped. He was standing a few feet in front of her.

His gruff but firm voice startled her thoughts. He was surprised that he could still speak the common tongue easily. "Why do you seek me?"

She blushed and removed her fur lined light blue hood, exposing her delicate features. Night black hair framed her moonlight pale face.

She's beautiful.

"I . . . I did not mean to startle you," came her reply. Rinoa's eyes drifted to his black boots. Why did I follow him? I don't even know!

He nodded and turned around, walking off. I need to leave before she recognizes me – even if it does feel good to talk to another human being after years of solitude.

Her soft, angelic voice penetrated the cold that promised to envelop the young warrior. "Wait . . . please?" Why am I doing this?!

Squall complied, and turned around, still partially hidden by his black cloak.

"What are you doing out here? I mean, there's a town nearby for you to rest at . . ." Rinoa stalled, trying to say anything that would make the intriguing, melancholy man stay longer.

His face remained emotionless, but his eyes held the pain he felt in his heart. He sighed. "You wouldn't understand." He took another step back.

Rinoa began to plead. "Please . . . let me help you."

He narrowed his eyes at her. Another trick? "Go away."

Rinoa ignored the sting of his last comment. She took a step towards him. "And if I don't?" Let me help you . . . we share the same pain . . . your beautiful blue eyes betray you, my mysterious stranger.

Squall suddenly leapt at her, with his blade drawn and pressed it to her throat. "I'll be forced to kill you if you don't stop following me. I know you want the bounty, but you'll not trick me." During his leap, his hood fell back, revealing his striking features.

Rinoa was amazed at how handsome the man was in front of her. She almost forgot the situation she was in, but she knew he would not harm her. She could sense it. "Bounty? Are you a criminal?" she pried as Squall roughly pushed her away and walked away yet again.

He froze. She doesn't know who I am, what I am . . . then what does she want with me? Squall turned around and looked into her eyes. You can see that I am not. He sheathed his gunblade.

She answered her own question. Rinoa whispered, piercing his gaze with her own. "No . . . you're not a criminal. Then why do you hide?" She sensed him about to leave and decided to ask him a simple question. "Tell me at least this," she paused as he stood facing her. "What's your name?"

There was a long silence as the young warrior debated on the consequences of telling her his name. "…Squall." He looked to her eyes for fear, shock, and misplaced hatred. The mercenary academy had spread lies about him in order to aid his capture. Again, she shocked him. He found none of the expected emotions in her eyes. She nodded, knowingly and unsurprised.

"Leonhart," Rinoa finished for him. "I've heard of you . . . of what you've supposedly done. I don't believe the stories though. I believe in your innocence . . . your sadness, and even your humanity."

She heard Quistis coming through the crunching of boots not too far off. Squall heard them as well. He looked to her once again, allowing her to finish her thoughts.

"I hope to see you again Squall . . ." Rinoa half-smiled at him. She was heartbroken at his departure as the hood again covered his wavy brown hair and his silent steps lead him away from the town. She was comforted with his presence and meeting him.

Good luck and hopefully not goodbye Squall . . .