Disclaimer:

Notes: Okay, larger than normal notes section:

1) Sorry it has taken so long to post, I have been busy, and life has, how should I say, dealt me a cruel hand lately. So I have been preoccupied with that, and a few other things. 2) I already posted this chapter once, but it was messed up on the upload. Also, before I could fix it on my floppy disk, it erased, and I had already taken off the site. Very long story... 3) This chapter is supposed to be funny in the later half. Biggs, and Wedge are comic relief, and disturbingly so. The original version (I fixed it b4 the original posting it was so bad) was really wierd, and sick, so I'll mild it down a bit. 4) This isn't relevant, but my boyfriend is so nice. He bought me cute little chibi keychains of Squall, Seifer, Laguna, Zell, and Rinoa. So cute!

Chapter 51: Icy

Squall walked silently to Rinoa's tomb. She had been buried in the family crypt, and her body lay in a stone morguelike vault. Quistis had been in charge of the funeral arrangements, and she led the solemn group.

The sky broke open, rain pouring onto the earth like a wave. The natives quickly went indoors, leaving the tragic percession to fend their way.

Selphie found refuge under Irvine's arms, the water streaming down the brim of his hat. Zell held an umbrella for Quistis, her arms round his waist. Squall let the rain hit him, not caring, or not noticing it.

Ocea looked up at the sky, rain hitting her face, and streaming down her jaw line. She bowed her head, her drenched hair clinging to her face. Catching up with the others, she made the rain stop its weeping above them, raining all elsewhere.

They walked on, noticing the ackward change in the weather. Selphie put her hand through the climate barrier, catching the water in her palm. Zell put the umbrella away.

They neared the cemetery, and Quistis unlocked the gate. The black bars swung open, the wind howling like a banshee call. Ocea looked at the top of the hill, frozen in place by what she saw. She sniffed the air, and hissed quietly. The others had gone ahead, and she took the advantage to investigate.

Zell, Squall, and Irvine pulled open the heavy crypt door. It creaked open, and the stench of death was evident. Though embalming had advanced in recent years, time always took her remains into decay. Claiming them to return to dust, Rinoa's corpse had decayed further. They opened her resting place's door, and pulled out the tray that held her coffin.

Selphie looked at the markers around the room, feelign at one with the call of death. A name marker was excptionally clean compared to the older ones, and just as polished as Rinoa's newer one. Selphie went to it, glistening in the candle light. She ran her fingers over the name, not believing her eyes. She never really noticed the other names in the crypt before; only in there to say her goodbye to Rinoa after she was released from the hospital.

Selphie: Quisty...

Quistis: Hmm?

Selphie: Julia's here.

Quistis: I know. She was married to General Caraway.

Selphie: I know, but I never noticed it before.

Quistis: Her grave marker is pretty.

Selphie: yeah: (~*~ = flower)
~*~ Julia Heartilly Aged 33 years Wife of Samuel Caraway Mother of Rinoa Heartilly-Caraway
~*~ May Hyne eternally have His eyes on her Sleep well our pop princess May the clouds rise to your feet And the angels at your beckon call
~*~

Squall opened up the coffin, turning away his face from the gruesome scene. The mortician had sewn the body up, but the sting of death was upon her. Decay eating away at the reminences of her flesh.

Zell brought in the cryo unit, specially designed by Odine years before to preserve Ellone's body should she die. Irvine lifted Rinoa's body, saving Squall the trouble, and the pain. Zell lifted the lid, and Irvine gently placed Rinoa in it. Her stiff body cracked by the movement, and an finger snapped off. Irvine quickly replaced it, making sure Squall didn't see.

Quistis set up the cryostasis, and a frost covered the glass that showed the body. They needed to preserve the body as much as possible, and be able to transport, and store it with as little damage necessary. Well, until Irvine cracks off a finger.

They started going out the door, and Biggs, and Wedge greet them with a small band of Galbadia soldiers.

Biggs: Halt! You all are under arrest for disturbing the remains of Rinoa Heartilly. Comply, and step away from the body.

Wedge: Why do they want a corpse?

Biggs: How the hell am I supposed to know? Ask them!

Wedge: Okay. Why do you want a body? Are you nacrophiliacs?

Squall: No. We need it for her own good.

Biggs: She's dead! There is no for her own good anymore! Dead. D-e-a-d- hey you look familiar.

Zell: No duh Bigg Head. Talking hot air again?

Biggs: It's those kids!

Wedge: We're missing one.

Biggs: Huh?

Wedge: There is supposed to be six. There'e only five.

Biggs: Are you counting on your right hand again?

Wedge: No. Leave my sixth finger out of this. Count yourself.

Biggs (using his fingers): One... two... three... Hey, one is missing. Where is she?

Latisha: Looking for me?

Latisha stood on the crypt roof, her black cloaks whipping in the wind. She jumped down with grace, and ease. The soldiers lost thier nerve, and ran away. Only Biggs, and Wedge remained of their force.

Latisha: Thought I smelled rotton meat.

Biggs: Tish, long time no see.

Wedge: That's the sorceress, Boss. Maybe we should go.

Biggs: I have a bone to pick with you.

Latisha: Oh, yeah?

Biggs: Yeah, you took my medallion.

Latisha: Correction, I ook what you stole from me.

Biggs: Funny coming from a stripper.

Latisha: Big words for a small man.

Biggs: That was uncalled for!

Latisha: Need I remind you of Nutmeg the squirrel? I can have her come back. If you want.

Biggs: Wench! NO! (holds himself, and cries in a pianful memory) NUUUUUUU!

Latisha: Let me enlighten our guests. I was working at the bar in Dollet, and "Biggs" here was a regular. The bar was, how should I say, less that moral, and he had no social life. Every night he'd come, and watch me, and the girls dance. One night he snuck into our dressing room, and stole my necklace, the charm is the jewel in the book. I got it back though in the park. Drunker than a skunk, he was easy to get naked in the park at night. I knew a squirrel, and gave her a certain potion earlier that day, and well, she ate a nut so to speak. I had her as a pet, and named her Nutmeg.

Biggs: She's had to have died by now.

Latisha: Anything is possible with dark arts, idiot. But, she has gone to the other realm of death. I can summon her easily though. Care to see?

Biggs: No!

Latisha licked her teeth, hungry for flesh. She drew a katana from her back, the blade silver as the stars, and a handle as black as the night of a new moon. Having been crafted on such a night, its powers dauntless.

She charged at her prey, and Biggs tried in vain to dodge her attack. His pants fell to his ankles, and he tripped over them.

Latisha laughed, and the the others did as well. Squall shook his head, and started to push Rinoa to the Venus.

Latisha put the tip of her blade into the ground, water rushinf from it. Soon a large wave formed, & crashed down on the enemy. Wedge tried to use Biggs boogie board, but he fell off.

Ocea: I do not wish to kill them, so let's be on our way. (walks off)

Squall: Whatever.

Ocea: Don't be an ass.

Squall: ...

Zell: Speaking of ass- Ow! Squall, you ran over my toe with that Rinoa ice box.

Ocea: Zell.

Zell: What? Oh, c--p. Squall!

Irvine: Dude, she isn't a Rinoa on a stick... well now that she's dead...

Quistis: Irvine, that was worse than what Zell said. Go apologoize to Squall.

Selphie: (kicks Irvine in the shin) Yeah, meanie.

Irvine: If it makes you happy, Selph.

Irvine did as his shorter lover bid, and went to Squall. The men helped him push the ice box (hee hee hee) to the Venus, and they left.