Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VIII....

Author's Note: Nothing to say this time, lol! What a shocker, huh? Just thanks to everyone that reviewed! You guys are what keep me going!

Azure Sky

Chapter Three

The forest was so peaceful at night. Every living thing was still and quiet. There was just something about the night, something so simple and calm, that always succeeded in putting Rinoa's mind at ease. She sat on a large rock right by the lake that Irvine had rushed off to earlier. It was her favorite place to just sit and think. The solitary night just added to the feeling of tranquility she felt every time she came there.

Tonight, however, Rinoa's mind was troubled. What Irvine had told her really made her upset. Who was Vinzer Deling to destroy her home? How could someone ever destroy something so beautiful and pure? The only thing Deling was interested in was money. As if he isn't already well off. Rinoa clenched her teeth in anger. I don't care what Irvine said; I need to do something. The question is...what? She thought about that. What could she possibly do? She had never even been to the city. Other than what Irvine kept her updated on, she knew nothing about politics. But she knew right from wrong, and what Deling was doing definitely went under the latter.

The sound of a twig snapping made Rinoa's thoughts stop with a jolt. She looked up expectantly, briefly wondering if Irvine had followed her. Out of the shadows walked a brown ball of fur. Rinoa sighed with relief.

"Angelo! What are you doing here?"

The dog walked up to her and licked her hand in response.

Rinoa chuckled. "Well, I suppose I could use some company out here. Good thing you're not Irvine, though. I'm pretty sure he would lecture me about being out here so late."

Angelo barked softly and curled up at Rinoa's feet.

"What am I going to do, girl? I promised Irvine that I wouldn't get involved in anything, but how can I not? Deling just makes me so mad! I have to get into the city and do something! Anything is better than staying here, knowing what Deling has planned. Maybe I could talk to Ellone about it. Do you think she would cover for me?" Angelo barked. "Yeah, I think so, too. Unfortunately, there really isn't any plausible reason for my leaving." She sighed. "I need to think about this with a clear head, which isn't going to happen if I just sit here! Come on, Angelo, let's go to bed."

She stood up, Angelo following behind her. Perhaps she would talk to Ellone tomorrow. Surely she would be able to come up with something reasonable. However, right then, she was exhausted. She crept back to her tent softly and collapsed onto her cot. Just like that, she drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

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Squall Leonhart was also having a restless night. General Caraway decided that it would be better if Squall spent the night and set out on his mission the next morning. He said that the rest would be good for him. However, Squall wasn't getting much rest at all. His mind was occupied with thoughts of just what he was getting himself into. Usually, he accepted missions without a second thought. Something just felt off about this particular mission, though. Squall just couldn't put his finger on what it was.

You're being paranoid, Leonhart. This is just another mission, like the hundreds you've been on before. So Deling is calling the shots this time. To hell with him. You're here to carry out your mission, that's all. So get it together! "Get it together," he whispered to himself. If he didn't, he was risking failure. Squall had never failed a thing in his life.

He closed his eyes and settled himself into a more comfortable position. I just need to sleep, that's all. Tomorrow will be fine. Ha! Who was he kidding? Tomorrow would be fine? When had his life ever been fine? It was such a pointless word, really. It lacked a real response; anyone could say they were "fine." Squall had used the word hundreds of times, but had he ever meant it? As far as he could remember, no, he hadn't. He wondered how it would be to say he was fine, and mean it. To say he was actually great was a stretch. Not even the almighty Squall Leonhart could pull that one off.

Squall groaned into his pillow. "Stop thinking," he ordered himself. He hated himself for being so weak; he hated the thoughts that constantly plagued him. They were his solitary burden. This is crazy. I can handle missions, battles, war, but I can't handle my own mind? He let out a frustrated sigh and buried his head further into his pillow. This was going to be a long night.

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Rinoa groaned as the sunlight hit her face through the slit in the tent. The last thing she felt like doing was getting up and facing what she had to do. Maybe I could just sleep for a little longer... Her thoughts were immediately squashed as Edea popped her head into the tent.

"Ah, Rinoa, you're awake! Good! I have some very exciting news for you," she beamed.

Rinoa sat up wearily. She already didn't like the sound of things. "Exciting news? You might as well just tell me, Aunt Edea."

"Well, as you know, you are going to be turning eighteen in a week. Some of the girls, younger than you, are already married. I think it's time that you found yourself a husband."

"Aunt Edea!" Rinoa exclaimed, her mouth dropping open. "You can't be serious. Can you?"

Edea nodded. "Rinoa, I thought you would be happy!"

"Aren't you the one that has always told me a healer has to devote herself to the tribe? You never got married, Aunt Edea. I thought you expected me to do the same."

The older woman sighed. "There was a time when I believed that, yes. Rinoa...I was involved with a man once. It was before I joined this tribe. I was young and naive...he wanted to marry me. I...refused him. I chose this life, the life of a healer, instead. I can't even begin to tell you how often I think of what could have been. Darling, I don't want you to end up like that. Yes, healing is important, but being happy is also important. Besides, it's different when your intended is a perfect match," she said, her eyes twinkling.

Rinoa looked at Edea. "My perfect match?" she asked wearily. "What aren't you telling me?"

"Irvine has asked me for permission to marry you."

"What?!" Rinoa shouted. "When? Why? Nothing has ever happened between us!"

"Darling, he's always loved you. How could you not see that?" Edea asked gently.

"Loved me?" Rinoa said faintly. "But I don't love him, Aunt Edea! At least, not like that. He is my friend, that is all."

"Irvine would make a good husband. He would be completely devoted to you. I just want you to be happy, Rinoa."

"What did you tell him?" Rinoa asked wearily. "Please don't tell me that you already accepted."

"Of course not. I told him that I had to discuss it with you first. I also told him that it would be wise to talk to you, as well."

Rinoa groaned. "I can't believe this. I don't want to hurt him, but I can't marry him! It would never work out."

"Please, just give it some thought first. You don't need to rush into anything, but don't be so quick to dismiss this."

"I don't know, Aunt Edea. I'm going for a walk, to clear my head. I really don't want to discuss this right now."

Edea nodded. "Just think about it. I will be in the healer's tent if you need to find me," she said as she left the tent.

Rinoa quickly got dressed and ran down to the river, another spot that she loved. There, she found Ellone. She doubted that she had ever been so happy to see someone in her life.

"Elle!" she called. "I really need to talk to you."

Ellone turned around to face Rinoa. "What's the matter?" she asked concernedly.

Rinoa groaned for about the hundredth time that day. "Everything. You're never going to believe what my aunt told me this morning."

"Whatever it is, it couldn't have been that bad," Ellone reassured her. "You do have a tendency to overreact, Rin."

"I won't deny that, but believe me, this is pretty big."

"Well, what is it? Come on, you know you can tell me anything."

Rinoa nodded. "I know. It's about Irvine. He...asked my aunt permission to marry me."

Ellone gasped. "Are you serious? I didn't realize that things had gotten so serious between you two. Why didn't you tell me?"

"That's just it, Elle! Things never did get serious between us. I've only ever thought of him as a friend. What on Earth am I going to do?"

"Have you talked to him yet? Maybe this is all a big joke."

Rinoa shook her head. "I don't think so. I haven't talked to him yet, but I know he wouldn't have went to my aunt if this was a joke. He has too much respect for her."

Ellone nodded. "I see your point. The only thing you can do now is talk to Irvine. You have to be honest with him, Rinoa. That's the only way to get some answers and clear this up. Although...he does have a nice body." She grinned. "He's not exactly the worst person you could marry."

"Ellone!" Rinoa shrieked. "Please, this is serious!"

"I know, I know. Sorry!"

"Do you really think he loves me?" Rinoa asked quietly.

"Yes," Ellone said seriously. "You never did see it, did you? Oh, Rin, I'm pretty sure that every other member of the tribe knows how he feels."

"Well, if they didn't before, they certainly will now. Knowing Irvine, he's probably already announcing to everyone that we're engaged."

Ellone chuckled. "That sounds like Irvine, alright."

"I guess I should go talk to him, then. Thanks for listening, Elle."

"No problem. I expect a full report once you're through," she said winking.

She laughed. Should I tell her about Deling...? "Ellone, before I go, there's something else I need to ask you about."

"Okay, sho-" She stopped talking as a slight movement to her right caught her eyes. "Did you see that?" Ellone whispered.

Rinoa nodded. "It looks like a man. Is it someone from the tribe?"

Ellone shook her head. "I don't think I've ever seen him before. Should we confront him?"

"Why not?" Rinoa shrugged. Twirling around so she directly faced him, she shouted, "Hey!"

The man froze in his tracks, staring at the woman who had screamed at him.

"Who are you?" she called, even louder than before.

The man put up his hands to show that he was unarmed. He approached the two women slowly. "I'm a researcher," he stated simply.

Rinoa raised an eyebrow. The man was wearing gray pants and a white t-shirt. On his shoulder was a duffel bag, papers peeking through the zipper. He was fairly taller than her, with shaggy brown hair that framed his face nicely. What really caught her attention were his cold, blue eyes, piercing her own. "A researcher, huh? Well, what would you be looking for way out here?"

He shrugged. "I could ask the same of you."

"Rin," Ellone hissed, "Let's get out of here. Have the men deal with him."

Rinoa ignored her. "Something seems a little off with you. What exactly are you researching?"

"I don't see how that's any of your business. If you must now, I am interested in the rare plants, only found in this forest, or so I heard."

"Excuse me for sounding really rude, but you don't look like someone who would be interested in plants."

The man gritted his teeth. "Think what you want. The last time I checked, this was a free forest." He started to walk away.

"Wait!" Rinoa called. "Do you have a name?"
He studied her for a moment, trying to decide whether or not he should tell her. "Squall." His tone was void of emotion.

"Well, Squall, I'm Rinoa," she smiled uncertainly. "Welcome to the forest."

~*~