Author's Note: Yes!  Lol, I finally managed to be satisfied with this chapter.  Thanks for all the support and e-mails telling me to get a move on.  This wouldn't be here without you guys.  The next chapter should be posted soon.  I've got most of it written already.  If not, just bug me.

Dedicated to SoulSwhispers666 for your persistence . . .

Chapter 15: Solace

They buried the dead mercenary in an unmarked grave – fated to be forgotten as new grass and foliage would grow over the space through time.  The ash in the air still floated throughout the town, blackening whatever it touched.  Squall watched from the side as the last of the dirt covered Seifer's body.

Covering a weak cough as his chest wound was still healing, he turned towards Rinoa, watching her in the sunlight.  Her eyes were full of unshed tears as she knelt before Quistis's final resting place.  Speaking her silent goodbyes, she felt Squall's penetrating winter eyes on her.  Looking up she matched his gaze, in a staring contest she couldn't win.  She caught a wistful look in his eyes just before he turned away.  Maybe it was regret for the life he had unwillingly taken.  Then again, maybe not.  Studying his profile in the dim light, she knew he was a hunter – the lean, taut muscles edged with experience.  She couldn't have picked a better knight. 

She had claimed him, but she still felt as if she were the weaker one.  But if only he wanted it as much as she did.  Rinoa knew he could feel the draw, the power that resided in their bond.  His newly acquired instincts demanded vengeance for his sorceress.  He owned her as much as she owned him. 

But did he want it?

If only she could gain the courage to approach him and apologize.  The raven-haired woman was ashamed, but she promised herself to speak to him when the sun set.  The glimmering rays still wavered in their long beams, encouraging her to take its offered warmth.

She shivered, and it was not from the coldness of the air.  The wintry blue eyes penetrated her thoughts and Rinoa looked away.  Her strength was no match for his.

"How are you doing?" Selphie asked her.  The energetic young woman had not lost her spirit despite the circumstances.

Rinoa sighed.  "I . . . I'm alright really.  How is everyone handling the fact that they have an ex-mercenary and a sorceress in their mist?"

Selphie gave her a bright smile.  "They don't mind.  All of us have our secrets and burdens, but we never held it against anyone.  That was one of the factors that made us the strongest rebel city."

Rinoa chanced a look at Irvine and Zell.  They were busy arguing over what was going to be for dinner.

"There are no such things as WILD hot dogs Zell!" Irvine said with frustration evident in his voice.

"Just because you haven't seen them doesn't mean they don't exist," Zell argued.

"Fine!  You go search for your 'wild' hotdogs and I'm actually going to catch some real dinner."  Irvine stomped off carrying his gun on his shoulder towards the small forest outside of town.

Zell snickered and turned to the women after Irvine had left.  "Is he really that gullible to believe that I think there are wild hotdogs?"  Zell crossed his arms and leaned against a tree.  He'd let Irvine do the hard work.

Rinoa laughed at their antics and felt just the tiniest bit better.  "I guess you're right Selphie.  They have more 'important' issues to worry about."  There was a moment as silence as both reflected on their situation.

The perky brunette nodded towards Squall who was walking off back to the town.  "He looks so . . . lost . . . maybe you should talk to him?"

Rinoa slowly nodded.  "I know . . ."

Squall was thinking, or more like brooding in the make-shift cot the Trabians had provided.  He rolled on his side, contemplating the next best plan since there were so few of the rebels left.  The only way was to go on the offensive, to attack Ultimecia herself instead of hiding for the rest of his life.  It would only be a matter of time before she took out the rebel towns one by one.  He knew her power was linked to a Guardian Force in replacement of a knight.

He felt her presence before he spotted her from the corner of his eye.  He spoke first.  "What do you want from me?" he demanded in a low tone, barely containing his anger.

"Your forgiveness," Rinoa answered quickly, "for my cruel words.  I was not in my most rational state."

"But did you mean them?" he challenged.  They both stayed silent for a moment - Squall wondering if he could ever truly hate her, while Rinoa thought how to answer his question.  Then he realized, he knew that she would never betray or hurt him intentionally.  It was this fact that won over his stubborn nature.  He didn't have to hear her answers to know her heart. 

"No . . ." she answered softly.  "They were borne from a curiosity about your family though."

Although he wanted to hold onto his anger against her, and knew he had every right to; he let it go – anger was an emotion only mercenaries held onto.  Squall sighed and looked away.  ". . ."

"You don't have to tell me anything . . ." Rinoa offered.  She cocked her head to the side, studying him.

". . . Ultimecia's apprentice is . . . was my sister," he began slowly.

The sorceress stood silent, allowing her knight time to collect his thoughts.  The pain in his voice, in his being was so evident to her.  It was only through sheer force of will that she stopped herself from going to him and just holding him, until all the pain dissipated.

"She stopped being my sister the day she turned my parents in.  They told us of the crimes the sorceress was committing, how she was using mercenaries, and of the innocence of civilians . . ." Squall trailed off as he thought of his beloved parents, and their screams as they were tortured.

"Squall?"

He jerked himself from his memories and turned to Rinoa.

"What?"

"You just looked lost for a moment there . . ." she said sympathetically.

"It's nothing."  He dared to steal a glance at her and sighed.  He could trust her.  "They were . . .  My parents were . . ." slaughtered, tortured . . . "before me . . ."  His voice cracked. 

Squall could still hear the heartbreaking pleas his parents made on his behalf.  He could feel their love.  How was he worthy of it?  Of Rinoa?  He turned away from her, closing his eyes.  Squall would not cry, not do this disservice to his deceased parents. 

And without another word, Rinoa flew to his side, holding him in her arms.  "Shh . . . I understand."  Without him saying anything else, Rinoa knew.  She felt his anguish as if it were her own.

And with those simple words, Squall no longer felt so alone in the world.  She was the one person who understood his pain, his past, and didn't judge him for it.  He let her hold him, and even leaned into her embrace.  Squall pulled her to him with his right arm, dropping his head onto her shoulder. 

He felt solace and peace as they knelt together in silence.  Their pain becoming one, their presence comforting each other.

"I love you . . ." he whispered softly, hoarsely.  "I only need you," he asserted fiercely and almost possessively.  Squall held onto her tightly, as if she would be swept away with the wind if he let go.

"I won't leave you," Rinoa assured him.  "Ever."