Chapter 11
Seifer growled as he crawled in worm-like fashion towards the spot he had left Quistis. Damn thing better help me. He spotted her a few meters from him and hoped she was asleep. He still had pride to maintain even if she was a civilian. Seifer had never been in such a humiliating position in his life – blood dripping down his face, his beloved trench coat soiled and ripped in several places from crawling. Luck was definitely not on his side, but then again he never needed luck.
Or so he thought. Quistis wide awake began to laugh at Seifer who managed to reach her after several minutes. She would have rolled on her side if she hadn't been tied to the tree. "Oh Hyne!" She laughed heartily and snorted as Seifer gave her a very cold stare. "Look who dragged . . . or should I say crawled himself in!" After laughing for a couple more minutes she recomposed herself. "Yes? Did the big bad mercenary want something?"
Seifer grumbled something and Quistis couldn't hear it despite straining. "What? You're going to have to speak louder if you want me to hear you."
"I said get the rope the fuck off me!" He yelled at her from the ground.
She chuckled, apparently in a better mood since Seifer's humiliation. "I don't see why I should. I mean if I help untie you I'm just going to be treated like shit, dragged around like the hostage you're making me, and then killed at some point – fast if I'm lucky. I think letting you die sounds a lot better."
"Or I could beat the crap out of you once I get out of these ropes, rape you, then kill you and leave your dead body off to rot somewhere," he sneered.
"That's a big if you get out of those ropes. Someone got his ass kicked by Squall I see," Quistis smirked at him. She glanced at his feet and saw him clasping Hyperion. She wondered why he didn't use the blade to cut his bonds. He probably didn't think of it. And mercenaries call US stupid. As she was pondering Seifer noticed the direction of her gaze. She quickly turned away but too late, as he had realized her confusion.
He smiled triumphantly. "Yep, rape and brutal murder it is." Sliding himself down to his blade he managed to free himself with a minor cut. "Cure," he chanted and a blue light enveloped him, freeing him of his pain. A mean sneer crossed his face as he looked at Quistis. Pulling Hyperion in front of him, he waved it around menacingly to scare her. Stopping his gunblade suddenly he held it for closer inspection. Blood with flecks of silver. It could only mean one thing. Raising his eyes to Quistis's he growled. "Someone has been keeping something from me," he said and grabbed her jaw forcefully.
***
She watched him, fascinated by even the slightest movement he made. He didn't realize how beautiful he really was. Rinoa clutched her jacket to herself, protecting her body from the frigid morning air. She caught herself itching to trace his scar, not just the one on the bridge of his nose, but to find everyone on his body, fingering them in fascination. She wanted to ease his pain, erase all of the scars that had been left behind to mark his life trials, even those upon his heart.
Rinoa closed her eyes, enjoying what peace could be found in the times of war. And it was war – the mercenaries were planning to conquer the rest of the civilian towns. She knew it without Squall telling her. The signs were obvious: increased paranoia among the citizens, benign sorceresses being sought out for their power, crushing the resistance – it was all there. She hoped to any higher power that Trabia would be enough to stop the impending destruction. Rinoa was so caught up in her thoughts she didn't feel Squall stirring. She jumped in surprise as his voice broke through the thick silence of the plains.
"I thought brooding was my department," he said with an amused hint of a smile playing upon his lips.
Rinoa put her hands on her hips, turned to him and cocked her head. "Are you smiling Squall?" she asked, changing the subject.
He frowned and his expression turned stern. "Whatever."
"Aw, come on Squall, you know I was only teasing right?" Rinoa pleaded with him. Squall decided to become temporarily mute. He raised an eyebrow at her, quickly dressing. She moved to jab him in the ribs with a finger, hoping to tickle him and forcing him to laugh or smile.
Squall caught her hand and wagged a finger at her.
Rinoa glared. "Meanie."
That was too much for Squall and he chuckled. "I can see your years of schooling paid off."
Rinoa hit him lightly on the shoulder. "Alright wise guy, let's go."
Squall stood up and stretched, unaware of Rinoa's eyes feasting upon the outlines of muscle. He felt her gaze and turned to her with a bemused expression. Rinoa blushed and began walking forward. Squall pulled her back. "Oh no you don't, you're walking right next to me this time." In order to maintain his reputation for being unemotional, Squall added, "After all, I don't want another scar on my head." He pointed to the visible outlines.
Rinoa snorted. "I'm touched you're so concerned about my well-being." She rolled her eyes at Squall who merely shrugged.
They began walking across the plains, a day or so from their destination.
***
A bruise was forming on the side of Quistis's cheek yet Seifer wasn't tiring. She shook her head as the gag prevented her from shouting obscenities at her captor. Blood trailed from her split lip as she glared at the cruel-hearted mercenary.
"Half an hour ago your bravery would have impressed me . . . Now it's just becoming annoying," he growled at her pulling his hand back for another strike. Quistis didn't flinch as he hit her again. Pain shot up from the point of contact and she wasn't sure how much more she could take before becoming unconscious. She groaned involuntarily.
"Hm," Seifer was in thought as he stroked his chin. "There are alternate ways of getting you to talk, none of which I'm sure you'll like."
Quistis held her silence. Stubbornness was one of her more infamous traits. Even though she was jealous of Rinoa at points, and they hadn't always gotten along, she was loyal in the most important aspects. She would not betray her foster sister, no matter the cost. Her situation was looking grim and the cost for her loyalty was increasing.
Seifer smirked at her as he caressed her cheek very softly. Quistis wanted to throw up as she tried to back away from his touch. Her eyes widened at his implications.
Seifer laughed cruelly. "So they are some things you're more afraid of than others."
He began unzipping her clothing, going very slowly to torture her. "I'll stop when you tell me who Sorceress Rinoa inherited her powers from."
Seifer shed his trench coat and pulled off his shirt as he pressed his body to Quistis's. He murmured in her ear. "Otherwise I'm going to have a very good time with you." He roughly kissed her ear to prove his point as he unclasped her bra and let it fall to the ground.
Quistis silently screamed.
***
"Why don't you use your powers more often?" Squall asked, curious.
Rinoa turned away as they walked side by side, the mountains becoming larger in size as they closed the distance towards their destination. She had often asked herself this very same question. "I'm afraid of not being able to control the dark nature of it, like the many sorceresses that are living today."
"How will you ever learn to control it if you never practice?"
"It's not just practicing Squall," Rinoa explained patiently. "This kind of power must be balanced with the presence of an uninfluenced one, a knight."
"You're saying if you have a knight you would be able to control your powers?"
"I think so . . . that's what I've learned anyways."
"Use me then," Squall stated plainly.
Rinoa looked at him surprised. Was this really the man who had despised all sorceresses, whose parents had been murdered by one?
He read the bewilderment in her eyes. He spoke softly. "It's alright. I trust you."
She wanted to shed tears for the beauty of it all. How did she ever become so lucky to earn his trust? Rinoa was touched beyond words and nodded, untrusting of her voice. "Alright. Give me your hands," she commanded. And like a faithful lover that returns unwaveringly night after night, Squall trusted her once more, not only with his hands, but with his heart.
***
Quistis refused to cry despite the fact she felt irreparably broken and dirty. She would never be able to rid herself of the invisible slime she felt coated her body from the incident. She was naked underneath the blanket Seifer had thrown over the both of them. He still had an arm wrapped around her, enjoying her warmth while he slept unknowing and uncaring of her pain. The bastard had mocked her earlier and she swore that if she ever escaped she would kill him.
She shuddered as she forced herself to relive the memories.
"Don't tell me you didn't enjoy that," Seifer mocked as his hand caressed her disgustingly softly.
Quistis said nothing and refused to meet his gaze.
"I haven't had that good of a lay and a virgin in a long time," he taunted.
Hate blazed in her eyes and Quistis snapped her head towards him. "Bastard," she spat.
"Well, at least I believe you don't know now. Aren't you happy about that?" he asked with a smug smile, quite satisfied with himself and the 'interrogation.'
"Thrilled," Quistis said sarcastically, making sure her body was as far away as possible from him.
"Aw, it doesn't have to be like that," Seifer said, adopting a soothing voice. He turned her chin towards him and pressed a harsh kiss to her lips, keeping her head from jerking away. He laughed cruelly, falling asleep with an arm wrapped around her.
Quistis pulled herself out of her self-induced trance, shaking away the memories. She wished he had left her to die a long time ago.
***
"OW!" yelled Squall, cradling his head. He still felt like his body was sizzling from the shock. It was the third time she had missed after all.
"Sorry!" Rinoa yelled apologetically. She had missed her intended target, the fruit Squall was holding and had hit Squall instead with the thunder spell.
Squall walked over to her, giving her a weary eye. "I think you got ripped off."
Rinoa cocked her head, giving him a questioning gaze.
"Aiming was supposed to be included," he joked.
Rinoa gasped indignantly and playfully hit him on the shoulder. "My aim is just fine thank you very much."
He raised an eyebrow, putting one hand on his hip. He pointed to his fried hair and the unscathed apple target.
"I thought you needed a new hair style." Rinoa giggled.
"You think this is funny?" Squall demanded.
"No . . ." Rinoa tried to hold in her laughter but miserably failed. She fell on the ground, rolling with laughter. "Maybe!"
Squall kneeled down to her. "Yeah, next time you get to hold the apple and I get to cast the spells. Then we'll see how funny you think the situation is."
Rinoa's smile switched to a more serious look. "I'm sorry Squall," she said as he helped her up. "Or should I say Frizzy," she laughed, pointing to his hair. She took off running on the mountain trail.
Squall growled and started chasing her. "You're in for it now!"
The two played this way for the rest of the afternoon. He was bathing in the simple pleasures of life while she felt freedom from the troubles of the life she had known. They were experiencing what their childhoods should have been. Squall caught himself smiling more than once, something that was foreign and new to him while Rinoa seemed to thrive in the warm caresses of the sun. She spun around to face him as he caught up. He looked angry.
"I'm guessing you'd like a refund for the hair style?" Rinoa asked cautiously. When Squall said nothing Rinoa continued nervously. "I'm really sorry Squall I didn't mean to miss that many times. I'll make it up to you . . . I think I can fix it with a water spell." She closed her eyes to concentrate and placed her hands in front of her. She conjured a large water bubble that was on top of his head. She nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt Squall grab her wrists with his larger hands.
"I don't prefer the drowned rat look thanks," he said. Just as he said that, she lost concentration and the bubble came crashing down on both of them, saturating their clothes to the core.
"Oops?" Rinoa said softly and chanced looking at Squall. He looked angry. She turned her gaze away from him, deciding to interest herself of the rocks upon the floor.
Rinoa looked nervous and Squall stared at her, studying her. He tried to figure out what was it that captivated him. A drop of water fell from her bangs onto the skin he knew to be velvet soft. It followed her curves and Squall watched it, fascinated. Rinoa began to fidget as she ground one foot into the floor of the dirt trail. "Squall?" she asked confused, catching the direction of his stare.
He felt embarrassed and perverted. "Sorry," he mumbled and released the grip upon her hands. Squall turned away from her and started up the trail again when Rinoa pulled him back.
She smiled at him. "It's ok." Rinoa turned his face towards hers and gently kissed his lips.
Squall stiffened in surprise and unfamiliarity. As she continued softly caressing his lips with hers, Squall responded. He pulled her close, enjoying the comfort she brought him. He parted his lips and felt Rinoa do the same. He kissed her deeply and heard her moans of pleasure. He pulled away breathless, knowing they needed to continue. Squall motioned to the rest of the trail with an inclination of his head. "We should go to Trabia first."
She nodded, mesmerized in his eyes and he gave her a small genuine smile. He caressed her face with the pad of thumb through his glove and turned back to the trail. When his back was to her Rinoa smiled and touched the spot on her cheek that Squall had just marked.
"I think I'm falling in love with you Squall . . ."
Unknown to Rinoa, Squall had heard her thoughts. The fading light hid the smile that crossed the ex-mercenary's face.