Chapter 5: Getting Around

Mattius2k04: Well, here's another chapter for you all to read. Yes, yes, I know there's like 9 chapters all of a sudden, but I wrote a LOT at Christmas, and only uploaded four of them yesterday. Have fun!

"Hey man, how'd your day go?" Wakka commented, walking through the heavy wooden door to his dorm, dropping his rather heavy back pack, crashing into the chair with a heavy thump.

"Interesting." Tidus answered, clicking the channels on the Television Set. He was laying on the beige couch, with a half-empty bowl of chips on the ground, some crumbs laying around.

"Want to go out somewhere? You know, we haven't had too much time on our hands lately. I also remembered we never looked too much around, ya!" Wakka suggested.

"Uh, don't know. Sir Auron gave us a lot of homework. Need to finish it in two days." Tidus sighed, waving several white sheets above his head. Wakka realized he had a lap desk, and was scribbling away on the papers with a mechanical graphite pencil.

"Well, one thing's for sure, brudda (this was Wakka's way of saying 'brother'), you ain't gonna be able to write any homework here tonight." Wakka laughed, waving his hand in front of his face.

"Huh? Why's that?" Tidus asked.

"Because man, I want some home time! Gotta set some stuff up, gonna make lots of noise. You won't get a chance to concentrate, so you should go to the library." Wakka informed.

"Before you start putting holes in walls, tell me exactly what are you planning to do?" Tidus asked, standing up.

"Just unpack some stuff, you know? I also got my adopted parents to send out some book shelves and racks n' stuff ya? That way, we won't have such a messy 'partment." Wakka answered, gesturing with his hands where everything would go.

"You know," Tidus commented, laughing softly, "you're becoming less of a man every day!"

"Hey, nothing wrong with wanting a clean place. Chicks dig that stuff, you know!" Wakka answered, crossing his arms and frowning.

"Whatever, man!" Tidus laughed. "I still think you're turning into a chick!"

Wakka shook his head, and returned the comment. "You're the one with girly long blonde hair, pretty boy!" both of them laughed.

"Maybe I will go out. Give the 'man' some time to do very 'manly' things." Tidus spoke sarcastically.

"Ha, ha, ha." Wakka retorted. "Okay, then get goin'!" He laughed. Tidus shook his head, smiling, then walked out the door.

"Man, this place is great!" Tidus muttered happily. A group of older girls walked past him, and Tidus risked a backwards glance at their short, very short skirts. One of the girls noticed, then blushed and called back.

"Having a good stare, cutie?" The girls laughed playfully, before turning back the way they were going and continuing their excited gossip.

"Damnit!" Tidus sword under his breath, mentally kicking himself. Remember Yuna??? He really wanted to ask her out, but he had never been too much of a commitment type of guy. He was way more suited to quick flings, about a week long, but he got the idea Yuna was the perfect opposite in that respect. Opposites attract, right? He thought, humorously. But he had the feeling if he was going to ask Yuna out, then they would end up in a long-term relationship.

He finally made it to the elevator, pressing the button and entering the large, glass-walled elevator. He pressed the 1F button, watching the doors close and slowly, the scenery change. Two people, a man and a woman dressed in Cadet uniforms, were making out next to him. Raising his eyebrow, he shuffled to the side warily, a little embarrassed himself. He noticed the man was about his age, had dirty-blonde hair and tan, and the woman was shorter, looking the same age as the man, with shoulder-length brown hair and a soft-sounding voice.

For some reason, he found the spectacle very.alluring, somehow. The elevator finally stopped suddenly, opening the doors and allowing him to rush out as fast as he could. He decided he might go to the training center, an always-open section of the Garden, which allowed free training for anyone in the Garden. Something else to think about, Tidus thought to himself. After he stepped out of the elevator, he decided to take the 25 minute train to Balamb City. More of a getaway, he thought

Squall Leonhart put his feet up on the desk, swapping his gunblade from hand to hand and admiring the artwork on the side of the blade. It was an old-styled Lion image, with fire emerging from its fanged mouth. His silver eyes admired the blade, for what must've been the five-hundredth time ever since he got it, for just a few more seconds, before sheathing the weapon and relaxing back into his chair.

He was wearing trademark-short leather jacket, with a section of wolf fur on its shoulders. Open-zipper, his somewhat-tight white shirt caused him a bit of discomfort before he tucked them back in his pants. His necklace, a cross with a feral, roaring Lion's head at the top, jangled slightly to its' attached chain. His numerous, hanging belts shifted slightly across his waist. Each one was of different design, one had studs while the other was plain. His black pants matched his black leather shoes perfectly, and contrasted with the hardwood desk. His silver eyes narrowed slightly as a small strand of hair fell in his face. His hair was rather complicated, long, and brown. On his left ear he wore a simple silver earring. He was renowned for his odd choice in clothing, and whether or not people liked it, he couldn't care either way.

He sat in his room, which hadn't changed, even since he himself was a student of Garden, and was just beginning to relax when Rinoa came in. She was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen, and quite thankfully, was his significant other. She was, as usual, wearing her sky-blue sweater with a tail that hovered along just behind her ankle. Her short pants and tight t-shirt contrasted wildly with the light blue of her outer clothing. On her face was a genuine smile, her black hair, streaked with brown, hanging from her head. Her brown eyes, which happened to be Squall's favourite part of her, had a look of depth.

"Hey." Squall spoke simply. He never talked with too much enthusiasm, but Rinoa had gotten him to open up, towards her at least.

"Hey Squallie, how are you?" Rinoa giggled. Squall looked at her, his eyes narrowing, before returning his stare back to his leather shoes.

"." Squall paused a second longer before replying with a simple "Please don't call me that."

"Aw, lighten up!" Rinoa replied, walking to him and sitting on his lap, putting her pale arms around his neck and planting a kiss on his cheek. He blushed a bit, but retained his calmness.

".Whatever. We still going to that dinner party?" Squall answered, brushing a strand of hair from Rinoa's face.

"Yep. Just like, what, four years ago?" Rinoa answered.

There was a party, a couple years ago, which had introduced the two. Squall was, and still was, a loner. He could have easily been the center of any crowd, with his attractiveness and composure. He could have danced with any girl he chose, but he always stayed away from everyone. He still had trouble speaking his mind, but didn't seem to care too much. He was a new member of SeeD, Balamb Garden's most elite, top-fighting mercenary/military force. As customary, the party was intended for a few guests and all new recruits of SeeD. Rinoa herself was there, but not because of introduction to SeeD. She intended to talk with Headmaster Cid, to ask for his assistance in her fighting an underground war against the Galbadian Government. The Forest Owls, her resistance group, needed help from SeeD. To pass the time, she looked around, and had asked Squall to dance. He had refused, but she dragged him out anyways. He was terrible; missing every step at first. She'd begun to believe him, since before he had said "I can't dance" when she asked him, but all of a sudden, he seemed to catch on, and danced well. He kept in step, in tune, in rhythm, and they'd danced until fireworks came on and the dance ended. She's spotted Cid, and left Squall to talk to him. Cid had answered yes to her request, and soon thereafter, she found herself working with Squall and two of his comrades, a very hyperactive man named Zell and an equally excited girl named Selphie.

It had taken her a long time, but eventually, a fateful stranding in outer space that had forced the two to fight their way through an infested space ship had brought them closer. Squall had risked his life to save her, leaving the safety of his own escape pod to save her life, as she drifted through space. They'd come upon the Ragnarok, a deserted space ship, and defeated the alien colony inside. When they'd landed, Rinoa was to be taken in and frozen in time, due to her being a potentially dangerous sorceress. Once again, Squall risked his life to, illegally, rescue her. After that, everything changed. Squall, along with Rinoa and a team of his friends, had defeated an extremely powerful sorceress from the future named Ultimecia. After that, they'd hooked up and had a great relationship that had never wavered. And a year ago, Squall had finally asked Rinoa to marry him. Of course, she said yes, and they'd been together ever since. It was three years since they'd become saviors of the world, and had since enjoyed a lot of public knowledge. People knew them very well, and Squall hated this. He was always a loner, an outcast, an enigma.

".Fine." Squall answered, putting his hand on hers. He'd occasionally show some emotion. Rinoa found the occasional smile irresistible, especially since it was so rare. He had a gift for doing it at the exact right time.

Rinoa laid her head on his chest, and slowly felt herself go to sleep.

After she'd gone to sleep, Squall had debated with himself, but eventually decided to keep her with him rather than put her into her bed, enjoying her soft skin and warmth. He thought to himself.

The rise of monsters and fiends around the world. he thought. I haven't seen this many since Ultimecia's attack on our world. After that, most of the monsters disappeared. Now it seems like they are reappearing. Balamb City is even being attacked, and even four years ago they had never been so bold. Might only be a while before they overcome the town. His mind had always been busy, and had become cramped even more since he became the teacher of a brand-new class in Balamb.