Chapter 9

Better days are comin' around/I know you feel like the whole world's gone/and let you down but/Better days they're comin' for you/I know they will/'Cause I'll be right here/makin' sure they do

Faith Hill

Early the next morning, I woke up with Rinoa's arms wrapped tightly around my waist and her chin resting on my chest. Bright sunlight streamed through the opened window, casting shadows on her face. The quiet of the morning and the close proximity of Rinoa made me yearn for fresh air.

Carefully, I untangled myself from Rinoa's embrace and got out of her bed, trying not to wake my client up. I crept over to the door and pushed it open, praying it wouldn't squeak. However, Murphy's Laws were obeyed and the pleasant silence was broken.

Rinoa pushed herself up on one elbow and looked at me through squinted eyes. "Seifer? Where are you going?"

I sighed and shut the door quietly. "I wanted to get back to my post. I felt . . . awkward."

She frowned and pulled herself into a sitting position. "'Bout what?"

I shook my head. "Just stuff, ya know.?"

She ran her hand through her tousled hair and continued to stare at me. "Sure. Whatever."

Rinoa sung her legs over the side of her bed and straightened her shirt. "I know how you feel, Seifer. I am the daughter of a general. You aren't the first body guard I've had."

Grimacing, I held back a biting comment. I should have left earlier, or not have stayed at all. I had better things to do than listen to her whine.

"But, whatever." Rinoa shrugged and stood up. "I'm sorry anyways, for last night. I'm sure you don't want to hear anything else out of me." She glanced at me sideways. "Why are you still here?"

I smirked and picked hyperion up from the floor. "I suppose I'm dismissed, your majesty?"

She glared and pulled her shirt over her head. "Yes, you are. Unless, of course, you would rather stay?"

Hyne, she's toying with me.

She tossed her shirt to the side and walked over to her dresser. I couldn't tell if she was trying to mess with my head, or was actually offering. My plans last night had been ruined, but who was to say I couldn't make up for . . . NO!

Irritated, I turned and turned the doorknob. She was a spoiled brat, and she expected to get what she wanted. Before I could walk out the door, I was stopped by a hand on my shoulder. "You don't have to leave."

I didn't turn around since I knew what I'd see. I took a deep breath and urged my primitive instincts to hold fire. "Rinoa, I shouldn't be here in the first place. I'm going to check the security out on the grounds.

Rinoa sighed and walked over to her dresser, pulled on a new, unwrinkled shirt. Hearing her rustle around, I finally turned to look at her. "What do you want from me?"

She wrinkled her nose and crossed the room. "Freedom. You can give me freedom. I've always dreamed about becoming my own person, about doing what I want to, like you."

I shrugged my shoulders. "Then why don't you? From what I've seen, you get away with a lot."

She rolled her eyes. "Right. I get to decide whether or not I wear the two thousand gil dress, or the fifteen hundred dress. Then if I spill something on it, I can use Daddy's money to buy a new one." She shook her head and pulled her ebony hair up into a messy ponytail.

"I want to go out on the town in a fifteen gil mini dress and drink beer instead of white wine. I want to fall asleep at a guy's house, then have to sneak back in." She took a deep breath. "I want to fight in the war against Dollet, I want to know what it's like to be loved unconditionally."

Opening the door again, I turned my back to her. "The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up."

I spent most of the morning wandering outside the Caraway mansion, pretending to be checking security. My job didn't entail staying within whistling reach of the princess. I was actually surprised by the number of military forces the general had stashed in his back yard. No one could possibly break in.

Growing bored of watching the guard dogs doing their business, I showed my pass to the guard at the gate and made my way across the street, towards the Deling Gardens. Gratefully, I sank down into one of the dark green benches and began to think.

My demons had been unusually quiet for the last few weeks and I wanted to know why. They didn't send out warnings when I took Caraway's job, nor did they protest when I spent the night with Rinoa. Maybe I was finally doing something right in my life. Maybe this was my calling.

Body guarding?

I could just imagine the reactions of Fujin and Rajin. Me thinking of anyone but myself. Right. Unconsciously, my thoughts drifted to Quistis. What was she doing right this minute? Most likely grading papers. Being all work oriented and shit.

After a while, my mind cleared and I began to concentrate on small details like how the morning dew clung slightly to the tips of flower pedals and the sweet melody of a bright red bird in a nearby tree. Looking closer, I spotted there was a squirrel playing tag in the garden behind me and a rabbit frolicking further down the path.

My silence was broken by a soft voice whispering in my ear. Slowly I looked around, not seeing anybody, but the voice kept whispering. After a while, its tone became harsher, no longer soothing, but threatening. Laughing at me. I clutched my head, willing the voices to stop, but they continued louder and fiercer then before. Slowly I sank to the ground.

My dear knight, you will serve me forever and for always. That from which I draw my power. He who will protect my at all costs, even if innocent die. A life of servitude to the most powerful person who ever lived will earn you eternal bliss and a strength you couldn't imagine.

Flash to a flower field.

Had you come to find me, you would perish. I come to you as your savior, rescuing your damned soul. Your damaged soul shall be mine to take as I will, mine to rule. Your mind is weak and your heart is broken, but I shall make it whole once again. Young knight, let me into your mind, into your heart. Open up to me and let me see you as you are. Do not hide from me, young one. I can see through your thin transparent shield you have constructed.

My strength is yours. Your strength is mine. Our weaknesses make us stronger. A love of power dominates you and will consume you. My love can negate that effect.

Flash to a dark mountain with lightning streaking across the sky.

Your love for me could be my savior and help me achieve my goal.

Flash to a desert located in its own dimension.

For so many years, you have been alone. I can be your rock, and you my support.

Flash to a military prison.

So help me dear knight, help me help you

Flash to a parade, dancers celebrating a grand event.

Greatness comes to those who wait for it, and you my boy, have waited long enough for greatness.

Final flash as the face of a great warrior formed from steam.

It is what he would want.

Dad?

Rinoa came to find me later that day. I was still sprawled out on the garden floor, not wanting to move. I remembered promising her I wouldn't leave her alone with her father for long, but now it was late afternoon.

"Seifer, where were you?" She exclaimed, hands on her hips.

I smiled at her and patted the ground next to me. "Hey, what's up?"

She looked down on me, shock evident on her face. "Seifer, what's wrong?"

I grinned again and grabbed her knees, bringing her down to the ground softly, catching her weight with my arms.

"Nothings wrong. I'm just lying here thinking of you."

She rolled over onto her stomach and shyly giggled. "You are such a dork. Really, what were you thinking about?"

I looked up into the sky, thinking about the voice and what it had said to me.

"Rinoa, have you ever had a, I don't know, out of body experience?"

Rinoa smiled softly. "Yeah, Seifer. I have them all the time."

I rolled onto my side so I could see her face. "No, Rin, I'm for real. Like a sorceress taking you places."

"Seifer, hearing voices isn't a good thing. Not even in Deling."

I sighed. She rolled over onto her back. "I see a bunny rabbit. Do you see it Seifer?"

"Rinoa, what the hell are you talking about. Rabbits don't live in the sky."

"Seifer you are a dork. I meant that that cloud looks like a rabbit. Do you see it now? Right over there."

She leaned over me and pointed to a big white cloud directly above us. I saw it and boldly grabbed her wrist, pulling it down toward my chest.

"Rinoa, why are you still here?"

She didn't say anything for a while, but didn't remove her hand from my grasp.

"I don't have anywhere to go. Just because I get away with things doesn't mean I have a plan. I can't do it by myself."

I tightened my grip on her hand. "Rin, you can do it. You have dreams. Everyone does. I want to help you make those dreams into realities. I know that we can do it together."

I could feel Rinoa smile. "Yeah. Maybe we can. I have to take you to meet Zone and Watts then."

"Zone and Watts?"

"They run a resistance movement in Timber. After you left this morning, I thought about it and figured that this is what I want to do. Help the minorities fight against oppressors like Caraway and Deling."

I was puzzled. "If you have them, why didn't you do something before now?"

"Because. They never gave me a reason to. They both saw their parents killed before their own eyes. They have a reason to hate Deling and its president. I didn't want to intrude on personal matters. I was afraid I might make things worse."

I smiled. "So you want me to make everything alright and convince them that you won't screw anything up? How am I supposed to do this and keep my job? I'm here on official Garden business. Caraway hired me to keep you safe."

"Well," She pondered. "I'm going to Timber to get away from all the political hustle and bustle. If Caraway expects an assassination attempt on my life, I would be safer as I got further away from Deling. And since Timber is under Galbadian control, he shouldn't have any problems with me going there for vacation."

I rolled my eyes. "Is Caraway that gullible? Will he actually believe that you want to obey him and his commands?"

She giggled. "That's what's so great about this plan. Caraway has forbidden me to take part in his political business. So if I was to disappear from sight, he wouldn't have to plan his day around me. He will be so wrapped up in revising his schedule; he won't even notice anything strange about my compliance. That's the only upside to having a father like him."

I stood up and held my hands out for Rinoa. "We better get back to the house. He might suspect foul play on my part and the whole thing will be off."

She grabbed my hands and hoisted herself off the ground. "Yeah. And later tonight you gotta take me out to pick my weapon, the red mini dress, and a beer."

The last part took me by surprise. "Your weapon? You want a weapon?"

"Well, yeah. How am I supposed to take place in a renaissance movement if I can't fight?"
I shook my head. "It takes years to learn how to wield a weapon properly. How do you expect to do so in a matter hours?"

She pranced down the path toward her father's house. "I'm a fast learner and I have a SeeD for a teacher."

I groaned as I followed her. "I'm not a SeeD." I called out after her. "And I have no patience for screw ups."

She stopped momentarily to glare at me before she continued to strut up the steps of her mansion.

"Hyne, what have I gotten myself into?"

Meeting with Caraway to propose Rinoa's idea went smoother then I could have hoped for. He didn't seem to mind sending his daughter off to the middle of a war zone in the care of a failure SeeD. He applauded her attempt to strike out on her own and gave her a generous credit supply.

When Rinoa went upstairs to pack, Caraway grinned at me. "You don't know what you've got yourself into. My daughter has a mind of her own and doesn't respond well to male dominance if you know what I mean." He winked at me and then looked thoughtful. "This could be a tactical political move as well. 'The great general of Deling, General Caraway, sends his beautiful daughter to the distraught nation of Timber. He wishes to strengthen the bonds between President Deling and the little people.'" He grinned at himself in the mirror across the room, smoothing his mustache.

I didn't comment on his stupid advertisement. He rambled on for a while, talking about Deling and other political crap I could car less about. He was basically a re-run from the party the night before.

Finally he came to the father part I had been expecting. The whole 'don't make any moves on my daughter or I will disable you from every having that pleasure again. Then I'll kill your dog.'

Who knows where he came up with that shit, but I swore to him that absolutely nothing would happen between me and Rinoa. I was afraid to say anything else to him. He reminded me too much of someone who had left his mark on me so long ago.

Rinoa came downstairs moments latter, finding me and Caraway in the middle of a staring contest. I think he was beginning to have second thoughts about sending me with his beautiful daughter.

As he opened his mouth to speak, Rinoa interrupted him, "Daddy! I'm so happy you agreed to let me go on this trip. I love you so much!"

Alarmed, I looked at her. She briefly rolled her eyes before she bounced up to hug him.

Any complaints he might have voiced disappeared and he seemed almost happy for a minute. Then he sat up and began lecturing her.

"Rinoa, you know not to do anything that might embarrass me, right sweetie? Timber is a tough town and I want you to stay near Seifer at all times. He can protect you. Don't tell anyone your name. There are people who won't look too kindly on you because of your connection with me. Watch your back and don't be too friendly."

Rinoa glared at Caraway. "And don't take candy from strangers, and don't accept rides from people I don't know. I'm not a two year old, Caraway. I can take care of myself."

Caraway stood up to return his daughter's embrace "I know Rinoa. You aren't a little girl. I just can't help but be concerned about you. You are all I have left. I just want you to be safe."

Rinoa picked up her bag and gestured to me. "Ok. I will be careful and not get killed." Then she winked at me. "I'm only going on a vacation after all."

I stood and left the room, Rinoa followed me out. When we reached the street in front of her house, she began to laugh. "Can you believe him? I didn't actually think he'd get all sentimental and crap. He almost looked like he was going to miss me."

We stood still for a moment, waiting for the bus that would take us to the shopping center.

"Maybe he will miss you, Rinoa."

"Him? No way. He really couldn't wait for me to leave. All we ever do is fight. I know that neither one of us will miss it. We both will get some peace. Who knows, maybe after you leave, I'll stay in Timber."

I shook my head as the bus pulled into view. She grinned as she held out her bag for me to take. "You carry."

I glared at her and walked by to get on the bus, ignoring her bag. She sighed and got on after me.

When we got to the shopping center, Rinoa walked quickly to the weapon shop. I had to jog to catch up with her. She turned to me and asked for my opinion on a sharp sword before I was even halfway there. The blade was beautiful, something storybook knights would use, but when Rinoa tried to lift it, the tip pointed downward and embedded itself in the side of the stand.

Lifting the sword up and placing it back on the shelf, I searched for a suitable weapon for her. "Why don't you get something. . .?" I thought of what Quistis might suggest for her body build. "Something light. Like a whip."

She looked strangely at me. "You aren't hitting on me, are you Seifer?"

I glared evilly at her. "No. I'm not. If I were, I would have suggested whipped cream. A girl I know has a build like yours and she uses the whip. I told you I'm not a teacher. You're gonna have to figure it out your self." I turned to leave.

She caught my arm and pulled me back. "No. I want your help. I was just messing with you. A whip, huh." She turned to the shop keeper. "Do you have any whips?"

He smiled widely. "Yes, miss. We have something you would love."

He walked behind a shelf and came back with what looked like a blood red snake, tightly curled around his fist. "This, this is my prized creation. I had to work on this one for days. A woman came in last week and thanked me profusely for making such a great weapon. It's made of the finest materials. Ochu tentacles though, couldn't get any Marlboro. I bet you will love it."

Rinoa looked at me for approval, so I nodded encouragingly. She looked at the man and took the weapon, holding the handle tightly in her fist. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

"Rinoa," I began, attempting to tell her what to do.

She let out an ear piercing shriek and started waving her arms around like a crazy woman.

I ducked quickly as the snake lashed out toward me. The shop keeper wasn't as lucky and was rewarded with a nice slash across his eye. I grabbed Rinoa's hand before she could hurt anyone else. "Hey, why don't we try something else? What do you say?"

"I'd say I was enjoying myself. Why can't I have that one?"

I looked at her, trying to decide if she was serious. She was. "Rinoa, this weapon is very difficult to manage. I don't think I could help you. Let's try something a little simpler." I turned to the shop keeper. "Do you have anything shorter, something that won't be too dangerous for her?"

The shop keeper, being somewhat less enthusiastic went back to the storeroom.

I glanced over my shoulder at Rinoa, who was fooling around with a display of gun shot. "Are you sure you want a weapon? You could be one of those information people. The ones that don't fight."

She dropped the dark ammo and looked down at her feet. "You really don't think I can do it? You don't think I can fight?"

I crossed the room and brought her chin up to look into her chocolate brown eyes. They were slowly filling up with tears.

"Rinoa. I just don't think I can do it. I don't think I can teach you how to fight. Even if I could, I don't want to be the one who forces you to give up your innocence."

She smiled at me. "Seifer. I want you to teach me. I want you to take my innocence."

I looked up at her in surprise. She parted her lips slightly and leaned toward me. I closed my eyes and gently kissed her. She reached out for me as the shop keeper came out of the storage room.

"I think we found the perfect weapon for the little miss."

Rinoa quickly stood straight, with her face flushed. She grabbed the weapon from the man and strapped it onto her arm. She did this so quickly, I couldn't see the weapon.

She turned around and aimed a round disk over my head. She pulled a trigger and the disk spun out of its holder and with a low hiss, landed in the wooden sign behind me.

She giggled and jumped up and down. "I did it Seifer! I did it!"

I smiled at her and cleared my throat. "Yeah, you did. Is this the one?"

"Yup. I think it is." She turned to the shop keeper who had ducked under his counter when Rinoa strapped on the weapon. "What is it called?"

He straightened up some materials he had knocked over in his frantic escape. "That one, my dear lady, is a Cardinal. It is my favorite of all the petite weapons. Its magnificent figure is perfect for any woman's style. The retrievable disks can be bought at 6o gil each." The shopkeeper rubbed the welt from the whip over his eye and pointed to a little latch on the side of the gray weapon. "It has a safety here, so you won't hurt anybody. . . unless you mean it."

I rolled my eyes. "So, what is this Cardinal going to cost me?"

The shop keeper kept talking, pretending he hadn't heard my question. "The strap comes in three different type of leather on this particular weapon. When you upgrade it, the choices become more varied, but that also means more expensive. If you purchase the wonderful Cardinal today, I will give you 10 custom crafted disks for free. In addition I will give you a cleaning kit AND a 10 percent discount on your next upgrade."

Rinoa giggled. "Ok, ok. I'll take it." She pulled out her credit card. "How much?"

The shop keeper grinned. "Two thousand gil."

She handed him her card and waited while it processed. I poked her in the back and stood close behind her, whispering in her ear. "You should have bartered with him. We didn't get anything for free. He made up for the gifts with extra stuck on the price. What happens when you want to get an upgrade in Timber? Then we can't use the discount, and you pissed away a thousand gil."

She leaned back into me. "You worry too much. This is Caraways credit card. He pays the bills. I want to splurge. Besides, I spent double that on a dress for the party last night."

She smiled brightly and thanked the shop keeper when he handed her the receipt. She took the Cardinal and strapped it to her wrist. With an energetic little hop, she faced me and said, "Now to the next one."

I gazed at her, puzzled. "Next one?"

"Yup! We are in the shopping capital of Galbadia! I have my dad's credit card. And I'm about to go out in the middle of nowhere. This will be my last real shopping trip for a long time. Now let's get a move on before it gets too dark. You owe me a drink."

Slowly I followed her though her favorite shopping route. Since I didn't particularly need a new dress, I was assigned the job of "bag carrier". And since she bought something from every store we went to, I was kept busy. After the 3rd store, my eyes glazed over and I literally stopped thinking.

When we finally made it to the train, we only had twenty minutes before it was scheduled to arrive. Rinoa, despite our immense shopping trip, still had a cheery disposition and way too much energy. I exhaled as I plopped unceremoniously on a bench, grateful that Rinoa had forgotten about the bar.

"Seifer," she asked as she sat down next to me, "why did you. . ."

I closed my eyes and willed the pain to drain from my limbs. "What?"

She rested her chin on my shoulder. "Why did you kiss me?"

"No. you kissed me. I did nothing." I opened my eyes so I could wink at her.

She sat up and straddled the bench. "Well, would you every think about kissing me again? Or for the first time, since I initiated the other one."

"Maybe."

Rinoa looked into my eyes and as I leaned closer, I was unable to stop a shiver from creeping up my spine.

For so many years, you have been alone. I can be your rock, and you my support

"Rinoa, do you ever feel alone?"

Pulling back from me, Rinoa frowned. "What?"

Young knight, let me into your mind, into your heart.

"Have you ever dedicated yourself to someone so completely and then screw up and feel completely alone. So alone that you're afraid to get involved again for fear that you might be left?"

"Seifer, we have all been hurt before. There isn't one person out there doesn't eventually lose a piece of their heart to someone. The thing that makes us whole, the thing that heals us, is when we let someone see us for who we are again. When we let someone accept us."

Seifer, if I leave, he will have nothing left. I'm all he has. We are.

"What happens when we don't have anyone left? What happens when you don't have a heart left to let people in to? What happens when all my strength leaves me?"

Rinoa wrapped her arms around me. "Seifer, I care about you. You will always have me to draw your strength from."

My dear knight, you will serve me forever and for always. That from which I draw my power.

"I know. Thank you Rinoa."

"11:30 train leaving for Timber, now boarding. Repeat: 11:30 train
leaving for Timber, now boarding."

Rinoa and I loaded up her bags and ran to catch our train.

Since it was so late, neither one of us talked much on the ride to Timber. We took our seats and slept all the way to our stop.

Well, Rinoa slept, I dreamed.

And as the blood falls from the sky like rain, we will dance and rejoice
over the bodies of our fallen enemies. Hell will be a release from our
reign.

Diablos will be our ally as we help him build his underground
empire. With hearts of rage we will rule. Our will will take over those
who are weaker and those who oppose us.
As blood falls from the sky like rain, I will name thee my knight and
give thee your duties. Had I lived in your time, we would be lovers and
I would junction myself to you.

But as I am trapped here, I must find another way to get to you. To get
to my goal that you must help me achieve.

Wills as strong as ours shouldn?t be imprisoned in time. We should be
free to roam and free to rule.

Our time will come when you will give your life for mine. The time will
come when blood falls from the sky like rain and we dance over the
bodies of our fallen enemies.

When we got to Timber, Rinoa gently shook me awake. I stood and stretched, my arms reaching the ceiling.

"So, where are we going?"

Rinoa reached up to grab her bags. "We are going to the Forest Fox headquarters. Zone and Watts are supposed to meet us there. I called them before we left."

I nodded my head and helped her get her bags.

"So, do SeeD's carry luggage?"

I glared at her. "For the last time, I am not a SeeD. I never passed the
test."

Rinoa was quiet for a moment. "Yeah?" She asked. "Well, I think you would make the best SeeD of them all. You are a lot better then that Derik guy. He was a SeeD, wasn't he?"

I glared at her again. "Yeah. He was. Which makes it worse for me. A guy like him gets in on the first try and I can't make it in after several tries."

Rinoa held the door open for me. "Well, we're in Timber now. An entirely new place where no one knows you."

Grasping my arm, Rinoa pulled me out the door.