Disclaimer: I do not own FF VIII, or any of the related characters, etc…

Note: Hello. I am in a bad mood right now, so this chapter should be interesting. Has anyone else noticed that when life hands you lemons, that it isn't just one, but a mountain full? Sorry, just needed to blow off some steam.

Chapter 12: Forgiveness  

     Squall followed Kiros to the Presidential Palace. Guards met them, but quickly moved out of the way.

Squall: Geesh, the place is crawling with the imbeciles more than last time I was here

     He had a bad flashback of getting in trouble with the law. Squall is naughty when he gets drunk. The memories of drunken bliss filled his head, and he continued his trek. He entered through the door, and the others quickly followed. He stood in attention to Laguna, as if on duty. As if he was still a SeeD before a political leader. Laguna motioned them to sit, but Squall refused. He enjoyed playing with Laguna's head, and loved his little insurrection.

Laguna: Sit, Squall. Take a load off, and relax.

Squall: Is that an order sir?

Laguna: No, it's advice. We're going to be here a while.

Squall (his words of sarcasm dripped like honey from his lips): Well, sir, I guess I should take it.

Laguna: If this is about when I told you to see Dr. Kadowaki for some help then-

Squall (Sarcasm spat out from him like a deadly venom): Thank you sir for your care. I think that I am not worthy for your time.

Laguna: I thought you were over this…

Squall: Perhaps your intelligence team is wrong.

Ward: …

Kiros: Hey, we told him you were still pissed.

Squall: Sorry, I was not referring to you.

Ward (looks at Laguna w/ compassion):

Laguna (sees Ward): What?! What do you want me to do? I've tried everything!

Squall: Yeah, right.

Irvine: Maybe we should leave…

Squall: I do not mean to be rude, but you have not been relieved of duty. Our mission comes first.

Ward: Then perhaps you should act like it.

Selphie (plops back into her chair): O-kay.

Laguna: Look, I am sorry for not getting you, okay? But we need to push our differences aside, and face what lays before us.

Squall: And form the lips of a moron speaks…truth. Damn.

Kiros (about to have a heart attack): He actually spoke like he knew what he was talking about….

Squall: Fine (sits) Talk away. There is no point in arguing when time is against us.

Odine (enters w/ Ellone): Velcome.

Ellone: Thank you all for coming.

Squall: …

Odine: Shall I show my vorkmanship now?

Laguna: Wait a bit. Tell us about the sorceress first.

Odine: ahem Fine. She has brutally murdered innocent women around our vorld. She vaits in de shadows, and slaughters them after draining them of their powers, and life forces. We found out avter extensive research that all of the victims were sorceresses in hiding. She can find them out somevow, and do her work. 15 women have died already.

Irvine: I thought it was 10.

Odine: Ve governments concealed three, and two were killed moments ago. Vat iz why I am late. Ellone knew one of them, and traced her signal to ze crime. (hands everyone a picture of a woman clad in all black, and matching wings. Blood covered her as she consumed organs from  a corpse). I vas able to print ze picture from Ellone's mind. One of my experiments zat worked.

Laguna (putting the picture down): Oh, jeez. I didn't realize that….she was doing this. I only heard that she murdered them….How can someone do this?

Squall: This must stop. I can't let her get Rinoa, and …. (stops when he realizes that Oceania was obviously a sorceress).

Rinoa: Thanks, Squall. 'And' what?

Squall: …And nothing. The whole thing is sick. A threat to our world.

Selphie: Why does she want to kill all these people.

Kiros: I think the real question is why does she want their power.

Squall: Do you have any clues, Dr. Odine?

Odine: …No….I have a few things to counteract her abilities hopefully. Ze lab has some shields, and binding magic Draw Points. Good zuck.

Squall (has a plan): Can you modify an elevator?

Odine: Ves, why?

Squall: I think you need to go to Fisherman's Point, Dr. Odine, and make us a barrier.

Odine (excited): I zee! I will leave right away. Ellone, are zou coming?

Ellone: I think I will (both exit).

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

     Squall sat patiently in Laguna's office after the meeting had ended. Laguna stared out the window, drinking a hard liquor. Squall rises from the odd green chair, and goes to the door.

Laguna: I thought I had asked you to wait.

Squall (stops): …

Laguna (finishes his drink): I know you don't like me, and I haven't been there for you. I don't blame you for hating me. Please give me another chance, that's all I'm asking.

Squall: I find no reason to.

Laguna: I'm your father, dammit!

Squall: Just because you make up half of my DNA doesn't make you my father.

Laguna: Then Raine isn't your mother?

Squall: That's different. She had an excuse to not be with me. She's dead. What's your excuse.

Laguna: We've been through this before. You know why.

Squall: Whatever.

Laguna (starts to chuckle): I can remember the first time Ellone said that. She was in my kitchen, and Kiros had taught her that. I thought Raine was going to kill us (stops laughing). There's a gift for you on the desk. I hope you'll like it.

     Squall hesitated, but went to the desk. A large box in blue wrapping paper was on it. A small purple card was taped to the top of it, and he opened the card. It said in sloppy writing:

To make up for all of the holidays, and birthdays I've missed.

     Squall rolled his eyes, and opened the box. Inside was a new gunblade, complete with a lion's emblem on everything. Even the bullets had lions on them.

Laguna: Odine made it to withstand all magic used against you. It'll keep you safe, my son.

Squall wanted to rip out Laguna's throat for calling him that. However he saw the passion behind the gift, and Laguna's remorse. He said nothing except "thanks", and left.

Laguna walked to his desk, and found Squall's lion's necklace. A note hastily written said:

I will come back for this. Keep it safe.

    Laguna smiled, seeing that Squall wasn't going to kick his ass the next time they met. He didn't expect Squall to warm up to him, but this was a start.

Laguna: So you can buy happiness….

Note: Yeah, the ending was rushed, but it's late, so I'm tired. Plus, I find no really good reason to go into a long dialogue that wouldn't matter in the long run. Squall is finally dealing with his inner demons. Everyone has to someday. Well, need to go. C ya.