Notes:

Chapter 36: Reunion

     Squall kissed Oceania in the doorway, about to go back at it, but they were cut short by the sounds, and winds of the Phoenix. He stood, trying to figure out what was going on, and Oceania handed him a blanket, she already wrapped up in one. The airflows from the craft whipped the blanket around, her hair hitting her face. Squall held her, protecting her from what could possibly be a threat. Knowing who it was, she hadn't expected them so soon, but she knew time was running short. But of all the times, they had to come when they were… Never mind.

     The phoenix latched onto the outside of the cave wall, and the door opened into Oceania's doorway. Zell jumped out, almost onto Squall. However, Squall moved them out of the way just in time, and Zell ate dirt (er…rock). Quistis shook her head in disgrace, and walked to them. Irvine, and Selphie followed, and Ellone could be heard from the inside.

      Ellone was coaxing Dewn to come out, and see everyone. The child at first refused, but after the promise of holding her hand, she accepted. Dewn hid behind Ellone's skirt as the came into the room, Oceania's heart beating fast at the prospect of seeing her little girl. Oceania wanted to run to her, but knew that would only make things worse. Ellone put the child before her, and introduced everyone.

     Squall looked at Oceania questioningly, and she nodded. He went to Dewn, and squatted on the ground next to her. She hid behind Ellone, but after a gentle nudge, she stood before him nervously. Overrun by mixed emotions, he held the little girl in his arms, on the verge of tears. He couldn't kill her, even to save his own life. Oceania stood back in agony. Her daughter hated her, and she knew it. A tear fell from her flushed cheek, and she grabbed some clothes to change into, excusing herself.

     In the washroom she wept bitterly, feeling utterly alone again. Latisha stood back, knowing better than to make her even more upset. Ellone went to her, and comforted the distraught woman, much like she had to Dewn the previous night. She promised to talk to Dewn, and Oceania dried her tears. She told Ellone that she'd be okay, and Ellone hesitantly returned to the others.

      Oceania sat for a moment on the cold ground, reflecting on her life's decisions. The memory of her sisters telling her about Dewn returned to her vividly. They had told her that should she ever so much as see Dewn again that they'd kill the child before her very eyes, and destroy Deluge's (Squall) soul. She couldn't risk that… They were the reason she found any strength to take out her revenge, they destroyed their lives as well…

     She rose to her trembling feet, and dressed quickly, her eyes blurred by tears. Squall walked down to her, his hands in his pockets, and shirtless (his clothes still reeked of death). It had taken a lot of self-control to put the pants on, but the shirt was hopeless anyway. It had large cuts in it from battle, and was red from blood.

She went into his arms, and sobbed. She couldn't bear to see the look on Dewn's face again. The look of hatred, and other unwanted emotions.

     Squall held her, clumsily as always. His chest sprinkled with her tears, and he realized that she wasn't the monster he had made her out to be in his head. She was only fighting back the only was she knew how, and Rinoa happened to be a casualty. He also remembered that she had regretted killing Rinoa, and other things she said. But Zell disrupted his thoughts.

     Zell came thudding through the hall, and came across the scene. He smiled, and decided to have a bit of fun.

Zell: He isn't THAT bad in bed is he?

     Oceania rolled her eyes, and gave Squall an evil look. He looked at her, and she went upstairs. Squall gave Zell an evil look, and started to go upstairs as well. Zell stopped him, and wanted to "talk." Squall leaned against the wall, eager to leave.

Zell: Can I ask you something?

Squall: …

Zell: So, Rinoa's dead, and you obviously got some… But with her?!

Squall: …

Zell: I get the whole past life crap, but I mean, you just don't stop loving someone because of death…

Squall: ..Think about what you just said carefully. exits

Zell: Well, you're not the only one to get some! thinks about what Squall said…Hmm… What did he mean by that?

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     Ellone sat on the bed with Dewn in her arms. Selphie, and Irvine stood talking with Quistis, and Oceania made an effort to fill the gap between her, and her offspring. The child grew irritable, but Ellone told her that she wasn't being fair. Dewn used the same arguments against Oceania as Squall had against Laguna. Squall watched in horror as Dewn snarled at Oceania, and realized his own childish behavior. He wanted Dewn to stop, but thought that it would be hypocritical of him to intervene on Oceania's behalf.

     Finally Oceania gave up, and went to her icebox for a drink. A large bottle of a black liquid was taken out, and a she got a shot glass. She filled it to the brim, and slung the vile concoction down her throat, it burning all the way down. She took a deep breath, and Squall stood right behind her, placing his arms around her waist. She began to wonder if he had found the "booze" before hand; due to the fact that he wasn't behaving normally.

Oceania: I don't advise you drink this. It's basically fermented squid ink. Along with a few other ingredients that would make your stomach churn.

Squall: Consider me forewarned.  

Oceania: You haven't had any have you?

Squall: No, just a little water earlier.

Oceania: Well, you're going to be wrinkle free for the next five years.

Squall: I'm only 19.

Oceania: You get the point.

Squall: I guess that was a waterfall of youth, or something?

Oceania: evil grin Among other things…

Squall: So, is that why Quistis seems even more attractive to me?

Oceania: You're terrible!

Squall: Never claimed to be otherwise.

     Selphie came to them, and interrupted the flirting session with the newest emergency.

Selphie: Where's your restroom?

Squall: It's the door to the left of the table.

Selphie: Thanks goes to it

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     Selphie's intentions weren't the relieving of her bladder. They were the relieving of her blood. She pulled out a small knife, and dropped her pants. She cut a small gash in her bikini line, and sat on the toilet (she had modernized the toilet. Periods and old technology don't mix) as the blood flowed into it. She cleaned it up quickly with some toilet paper, replaced her apparel, and walked out the door, almost into Oceania. Selphie tried to pass by her as if nothing happened, playing innocent, but Oceania grabbed her arm.

      The sorceress had smelled the blood, and knew it wasn't a menstrual cycle (it smells different, and constantly). Selphie looked at her in fear that she was going to die, and her eyes grew dilated. Oceania took note of the fear (it has a smell too, thus the whole they can smell your fear saying), and whispered into her ear about how she knew that Selphie was a cutter. She took the frightened Selphie to a corner, and showed her own cuts. Oceania's writs were badly scarred with gash wounds, the sick reminders that she can't die. She also had smaller scars on her bikini line, neck, arms, and other usual spots for cutting. Selphie stared, and nodded. Oceania concealed her wounds, and told her it wasn't good for her health. Selphie laughed, and they went their separate ways.

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