Watching You
Chapter Twelve: Between a Rock (and a Hard Place)
By PasifikStar

Author's Note: (evil laughter) Did everyone enjoy the end of the last chapter?

* All standard disclaimers apply: I do not own Final Fantasy or it's characters.


Irvine sat rooted on the black leather seat in the limo. His eyes were glazed over and carried an empty look as the General's words resonated in his ears. Kill Squall? Was the man insane?

General Caraway's eyes remained on Irvine and studied him for any sign of hesitation. The empty look on his face denied him any sign. "Do you accept?" Caraway asked.

Irvine could only envision Rinoa. The smile on her face as she talked to Squall. The look of pure joy she had when she mentioned his name. But if Squall had really said those words...How could be betray her? "You want me to kill Squall Leonhart?"

"Do you want to see Rinoa sealed away in some cold cylinder in Esthar?" Caraway snapped quickly. "Do you want to see her staring back at you with lifeless eyes because YOU couldn't protect her!"

"I..." Irvine took a deep breath and didn't know what to think. *I just can't see Squall doing that...but it makes sense. How else would he get to ride in the G-14 if he didn't say something like that?*

"If you cannot do this job, I will find some else who can," Caraway said in an annoyed voice. "I merely assumed that you would not back out as Rinoa is your friend."

"Sir...I love Rinoa...but how will she take it if Squall is killed?" Irvine reasoned. "I'm worried about her reaction."

"It is best to get rid of him now while her infatuation is still early. The longer we hold out, the more damage it will do." Caraway stated.

Irvine slowly felt himself nod. "I understand."

"You are to take a private helicopter and be dropped off at the end of the week," Caraway said. He lifted up a folder and tossed it on Irvine's lap. "This is all the information about Leonhart, his bike, his team, and the race course."

"Why at the end of the week?" Irvine asked. Steady hands opened the folder and looked down at the picture of Squall in the file.

"It's exactly one day after Rinoa's concert," Caraway stated. "She will be able to handle it better after she is elated by her fans."

Irvine nodded. "Yes, sir..." He closed the folder. "I understand."


"Irvy! What took you so long?" Selphie said with a playful pout as he smiled and joined them.

"I went back to where I left you guys and couldn't find you," Irvine said. He had stopped by his car to hide the file. "But you guys weren't there."

"Seifer made us move!" Zell frowned. "He said it would be faster that way!"

"I told you we should've stayed up there and waited for Irvine!" Quistis snapped at the tall blond next to her. Seifer merely shrugged.

"Maybe I just wanted to loose him." he told her coolly.

"And MAYBE you just got us lost," Quistis added. She turned back to Irvine. "Anyway, Irvine, what's the plan now?"

They all looked at him and Irvine felt himself swallow. They were all SeeDs. If not SeeDs then cadets. And Squall was their commander. Their leader and friend. *Their friend who black mailed Rinoa...* he thought to himself.

"Irvy?" Selphie said. He looked down at her as she grabbed his right arm and smiled. "How about an after party?"

Irvine looked down at her and smiled. "Sure," he said as casually as he could. He looked up at the others. "There's a club in downtown that's probably in full swing now. Shall we head over there?"

"Sounds good!" Zell said.

"Great!" Irvine shouted as Selphie jumped at his side and cheered. "Let's go get drunk!"


Her alarm clock went off and Rinoa lifted her arm. She blinked tiredly as yawned. *Five... time to get up...* The sun would rise soon and she had to make it up to her photo shoot by then. She tiredly dragged herself out of bed and headed towards the bathroom.

Twenty minutes later, she rushed out of her room wearing flip flops and drawn up gray cargo under a black tank top. She had a baseball hat over her face as she ran down the stairs. The maid lifted up a plate as she ran towards the open door. Rinoa grabbed the bagel with the cream cheese spread all over it off the plate as she sped out the door.

Auron was standing by the car waiting for her and looking at his watch. "Right on time." he said as she practically dove into the back seat. He closed the door behind her and headed for the driver's seat.

"Am I late!?" Rinoa said as her mouth was stuffed with bagel.

"No, right on time."

"Great!" Rinoa knew how Vincent hated it when she was late for modeling his clothes. Not that she ever was, but the man was already a brooding ball, she didn't really feel like oncoming his wrath.

They arrived at studio and she rushed out. She burst through the doors. "May I speak to you for a moment?" a deep voice said. She turned her head to the man in black suit with the deep red shirt walking towards her. "I have two knew outfits I'm changing in the wardrobe and I need a favor."

"Sure, Vincent, anything!" Rinoa told him happily as he walked along side of her to the dressing room.

"I need Seifer," he announced. "Do you know when I can get a hold of him? I have a suit that only HE can model for my evening wear catalog."

"I'll call him in a moment." she replied. It never ceased to amaze her how Vincent Valentine, the epitome of tall, dark, handsome, rich, creative, with taste, and so on was still single. Then again, maybe it was because he didn't need anyone.

"I knew I could count on you," the man told her, his voice was solemn the whole time and Rinoa knew that with his height, looks, and that creamy voice of his, the female staff was wrapped around his little finger. Not that he cared. Someone called him over and held up a dress. "No, not THAT one. You know she looks best in blue."

Rinoa turned her head as passed by the rows of clothes on the rack and stopped. "Whoa..." she mumbled. There was a long red silk dress and Rinoa's mouth dropped. "Vincent, is that for the evening wear?"

The man nodded. "From my Whipped collection that I've been working on." he mumbled.

"Do you have a model for it?" Rinoa asked energetically.

Vincent looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "I'm flatter than you like the clothes, Rinoa, however, you're-"

"Not ME," Rinoa sighed. "I know someone PERFECT for it!"

The man raised an eyebrow. "Really? And how would you know whose perfect for my dress?"

"I think I've been modeling long enough to have decent taste, Vincent," Rinoa sighed. "Listen, just give me a chance and I'll make it worth your while."

"What do you have that you can possibly give me?" Vincent sighed. Rinoa smiled.

"A 5'8" blond that Seifer would be MORE than willing to model with."


"Here he comes!" Tifa said. She waved a flag in the air to attract the rider's attention.

Tidus rushed out from the tent they had set up at the first check point. "Yeah! He's first!"

He and Zidane gave each other high fives as a dark, dust covered motorcycle rode into the pit before them. It's rider was also covered in dust, but that did nothing to detour him as he arrived.

Cloud ran to Squall as the young man pulled into a stop in front of them. "All right, Squall! You're first!"

"Great," the young brunette said. He removed his helmet and drenched wet hair fell over his face. He got off his bike and stumbled a bit before getting used to standing once more. "Time?"

"Eight hours, forty-six minutes, fifteen point 7 seconds," Tifa said proudly. "An excellent time."

"I can do better," Squall said. "Food?"

"Right this way," Zidane said. "Got everything you need."

"No coffee," Squall said as he sat down at a table where breakfast food was waiting for him on a white plate. "Just give me water. I want to be able to sleep later."

"Right," Zidane agreed, knowing that Squall would have to sleep in the day time. He had to rest at least twelve hours before picking and driving to the next check point, which typically would've been a twelve hour ride. However, the sooner one got there, the sooner one could get their twelve hours of rest, and the sooner one could leave. "Here."

A glass was placed in front of Squall and the young man chugged it down. "Get some rest after this. There's a cot ready for you after you bathe."

"Tidus and I will check your bike," Cloud said as he pulled the machine under the large canopy. To their side, they heard yelling and he turned and saw a black dressed rider enter. "Sephiroth..." he hissed in a low voice.

"Eight hours, forty-nine minutes flat..." Tifa mumbled. She glanced over at Cloud worriedly.

"Don't worry," the blond said as he began to look over Squall's bike. "Squall's not pushing himself."

"Neither is he." Tifa whispered under her breath. She went over to Squall and looked him over almost motheringly. They had barely finished setting up. The pit crew and team members of the contestants were actually flown over to each check point every day so they could await their rider.

"Do you have a phone?" Squall said as he finished swallowing some eggs. He tugged off his dusty gloves and Zidane said he'd get a fresh set.

"Yeah...need to call someone?" Tifa asked as she smirked knowingly and handed him the phone.

"Whatever..." Squall mumbled.


"You look so pretty!!" Selphie gushed as Quistis walked out of Rinoa's dressing room. Her slender figure was drawn out by the beautiful red fabric of the gown.

Rinoa looked almost devious as she elbowed Vincent. "See? What did I tell you?"

He grumbled. "Fine..." he sighed and looked over his shoulder. "Where is Seifer?"

"Hold on a second, Valentine, perfection needs it's time!" a voice shouted from the other dressing room. Rinoa rolled her eyes.

"He's always like this." Irvine told Selphie as they waited on a set of director's chairs.

"Have them start with single shots of Quistis then." Vincent told the photographer.

"Rinoa...I don't know about this..." Quistis mumbled. Her golden hair was curled around her face as the make-up did nothing but bring out her beauty. She was almost glowing as Rinoa, still dressed in one a Valentine original, dragged her to the set.

"Relax," Rinoa said. She smoothed out Quistis' dress. "You look hot," she winked. "Seifer's going to love it!"

"I don't care about what Seifer thinks!" Quistis said. Rinoa could detect the faint blush in her face. Rinoa merely smirked and nodded her head. "Really!"

She stepped away from the set and joined Selphie and Irvine as the photographer began to take pictures of the beautiful, blue eyed blond. At first, Quistis was quite stiff and didn't know what to do. They had arrived early enough just to see Rinoa finishing up one set.

Next to Rinoa, she heard someone let out a whistle and grinned as she looked up at Seifer. "So...the big baby returns. How's the suit?"

"Not bad..." Seifer replied with a grin. He glanced over at Vincent, who rolled his eyes. "Could be better."

"Yeah, I could get a different model..." Vincent mumbled as he walked past them.

"Glad to see that you're somewhat satisfied," Rinoa said brightly. "Your co-model is waiting."

"Co-model," Seifer stated blandly. He frowned. "You know, I don't model with anyone else except you and Irvine-"

"What about her?" Irvine said, cutting him off. Seifer followed Irvine's hand and allowed his mouth to drop as he caught sight of the young woman in the red stretching out over a sofa.

"Ding ding ding!" Selphie said as she jumped in her seat. "We've got a winner!"

Seifer merely flicked them off as he took a deep breath and coolly walked towards the set. Rinoa giggled. *And Vincent doubted me...*

Selphie was jumping up and down in her seat, eating a donut, when her phone rang. She frowned and looked down at her pocket. "Irvy, can you hold this?" she asked sweetly.

"Sure." He smiled and gingerly took the donut in his hands as she wiped her hands on a napkin and pulled out her phone.

"Hello, Selphie here!" she answered. Irvine chuckled. Selphie's eyes went wide and she sat up straight. "Really!? What's the time?...NO WAY!!"

"Selphie, you have to be quiet." Rinoa urged.

"Hold on, hold on!" Selphie said. She handed Rinoa the phone. "Here!"

The brunette frowned, confused and hesitantly lifted up the phone to her ear. "Hello?" Immediately her eyes lit up and her entire spirit seemed to go up a level. Irvine instantly knew who was on the other line.

Rinoa looked around and smiled weakly as she slipped out of her chair and headed to her changing room. "Squall made it in first!" Selphie was telling Zell with animated hand movements. "Yeah! He's at a check point right now."

Irvine narrowed his eyes slightly and looked over at the closed door through which Rinoa had vanished into with Selphie's phone. Inside, Rinoa curled up on the couch in the corner of the room where she had been sitting when Quistis was being prepared. "Congratulations..." she whispered softly. "Are you okay?"

She heard him let out a chuckle. "I'm fine," he said. "Tifa is making me take a nap while Cloud and the others fix up my bike. How about you?"

"Doing great! I'm at a photo shoot right now."

"Am I bothering you?" he frowned.

"No!" she gasped. Even if it were here taking pictures, she would've dropped it to talk to him. "Actually, Seifer and Quistis are modeling right now."

"Quistis?"

"I talked her into it."

"I see," he said. "You can talk anyone into anything."

Rinoa blushed. "Um...I saw your start last night! It was really good. I was impressed."

"Thanks," he said. "I wish you were there. And I got your note by the way."

Rinoa blushed even more and nodded. "I'm glad to hear from you thought..."

"I was going to see if Selphie could rely a message to you from me, but I guess she did us one better," Squall said with a slight smile on his face as he laid down against the cot. "I'm glad to hear your voice."

"I'm glad to hears, too," she smiled. There was a knock on the door and Rinoa heard someone calling for her. "I have to go...they're calling me."

"I should get some rest before I start up again," Squall agreed. "I'll try to contact you or get Selphie to send you a message about me soon, okay?"

"Okay!" Rinoa said. "By the way, please take care of yourself. They told me how dangerous the G-14 is..."

"I'm a SeeD, Rin," he assured her. "I'll be fine," He smiled, silently pleased that she worried about him. "I love you." he added softly before hanging up. Rinoa blushed and closed the phone.

"Rinoa, you better get out here! I think Quistis is going to kill Seifer!" Selphie's panicking voice said. Rinoa sighed and stood up.


"Squall," Zidane's voice cut through his sleep as the brunette blinked his eyes opened. "Squall, get up!"

The brunette opened his eyes and nearly fell off the cot he was laying on. It was almost a nightmare to open his eyes and immediately see the monkey's face. "Get the hell away from me!" Squall growled as he jerked his head back.

"Nice to see you, too sunshine," Zidane mumbled, rolling his eyes. "The sun just set. Tifa wants you to grab something to eat before you head out."

Squall sat up on his cot as Zidane walked around the lone screen that gave Squall some privacy. "How are the times?"

"You're a good three and a half hours ahead of the last guy," Zidane replied from behind the screen. "After that Sephiroth dude, the next guy came in twenty minutes after you."

"Got it." Squall mumbled. He stood up and began to do some stretches. He was dressed in his boxers. He had given his worn suit to Tifa to get washed and she had replaced it when a new, identical suit, hanging on a hanger on the screen. He reached out to get it and put it on.

He put on an white shirt and slipped into the suit, zipping it up to his neck. He walked outside and found the replacement gloves that had been left out for him. His helmet had also been replaced with a cleaner one. Cloud was standing watch at the front of their tent.

"Your bike is all ready," he said cheerfully. "Tidus just got back with some food."

"Hope you like steak, buddy!" Tidus said to his left. Squall turned around and saw his meal prepared for him.

"Thanks," he said. He sat down and began to eat. Tifa was on the phone talking to some assistants about Squall's uniform and how it should be cleaned. Squall continued to eat, having not eaten all day. "How much time do I have?"

"A hour and forty five minutes," Cloud said, checking his watch. "Did you get enough rest?"

"Yeah," Squall said. "Thanks for the wake up call. But next time don't send monkey boy."

"Don't forget to go over the course route with Cloud once more before you leave." Tifa told him as she passed. Squall nodded and finished up his food within a few seconds.

He sat on a fold out chair to let his food digest as Cloud pointed out the next stage of the route. It was imperative that Squall knew where he was going, especially in the dark. There had been extremely skilled contestants that had gotten lost during some parts the race and they didn't want Squall to go down in G-14 history as one of them.

Squall looked at the smaller version of the map in front of him and read it as Cloud lectured. "Questions?"

"Weather?"

"No rain. Clear skies. Half moon," Cloud said. "You'll have decent visibility even in the dark."

"Good," Squall mumbled. He took a deep breath and stood up. He jumped a few times and stretched out his body. "Any last words of wisdom?"

Cloud took a deep breath and seriously thought about it. His eyes went across the check point camp to the tent of the man who came in second to him. "Watch out for Sephiroth."

Squall stopped stretching and looked over at the shorter man. "Him in particular or all the other races in general?"

"The other racers don't hold a candle to him," Cloud replied. He looked over at Squall. "He'll catch up with you when he feels like it, but I have a feeling that he's up to something."

The brunette nodded and cracked his knuckles. "You better get ready to go, Squall!" Tifa called from outside the tent. "It's almost time!"

"See you at the next check point, man!" Tidus said cheerfully.

"Good luck!" Cloud and Zidane added. Squall nodded and grabbed his helmet. He put it on his head comfortably and then straddled his bike.

It roared to life with ease and Cloud smiled in self satisfaction that he had been the one to tune it. The motorcycle and Squall headed out of the pit area to where Tifa was waving for him to wait. Her eyes were plastered on the official time clock as she held out her hand.

A bright blue flag was in her grasp as she began to mouth out the times. Squall gripped the handles as his heart started pumping rapidly in anticipation. He glanced up at the flag. *Rinoa...she loves that color...* he thought to himself. He smiled to himself and the flag dropped.


Irvine laid on his bed, his arms crossed behind his back. Selphie and the others were taking a tour of the Deling Dome, the massive arena where Rinoa would be performing that night. A week had gone by much to fast for him.

He had spent most of it trying to forget about his 'mission' from General Caraway by diving into activities with the group from Balamb Garden. He had taken them to a famous theme park, then a day trip to Dollet, as well as other places. Rinoa hadn't been able to come with them since she had to practice her routines for her concert.

Regardless of her absence, there wouldn't be any failure to remind him of how much she loved Squall.

"I hope that one day General Caraway let's Rinoa see Squall," Selphie told him over dinner the night before. She was smiling intently as she took a sip of drink. Irvine had taken her to an expensive restaurant over looking the city. "You should've seen him when Rinoa left..."

"Was he that bad?" Irvine had asked her. Selphie nodded, her face fitted with a sad frown.

"He'd mope around and sometimes we wouldn't even see him. We were kind of worried that he wasn't eating well, too," Selphie replied. Her face suddenly brightened as she looked up at him. "But I guess that since General Caraway let Squall join the race, it's one step closer in the right direction! Right?"

She had looked so hopeful and happy that he couldn't say no. He merely smiled back at her from across the table and nodded. "Right." he agreed.

He turned his head and looked over at the closed folder on his desk. Other pieces of paper had been piled on top of it since he had placed it there a week earlier. Slowly, the cowboy sat up and swung his legs over the bed. With narrowed eyes he turned on the desk lamp, illuminating his dark, cave like room. He picked out the folder and opened it once more as he fell down against his chair.

Squall Leonhart, according to his racing records, had a good chance of winning the G-14. His time trails were excellent and the reflexes and skills he had acquired at the Garden would prepare him for any thing. Irvine closed the folder and tossed it back on his desk. He ran his hand down his face.

"You've got to be kidding me..." he mumbled. For the life of him, he couldn't see Squall betraying Rinoa. He had seen, first had, how much he cared about her they day her father came to get from her Balamb Garden. Squall wouldn't betray her. He didn't have that in him.

Yet, Irvine couldn't think of another plausible reason why Caraway would have let Squall ride in the G-14. *Okay,* Irvine thought to himself. *Let's say he did use that as blackmail, the question is - would Squall pose as a threat?*

No.

He groaned and slammed his hand on the desk. Even if he did pose a threat, he wasn't sure that he would be able to kill Squall. It wasn't a matter of just shooting him, it was the fact that Rinoa was so attached to him. If he did kill Squall, Rinoa would probably loose her mind.

She was more in love with Squall than she had ever been with anyone. And if she found that it was HIM... Irvine let out a deep breath. If she found out that it was him, he would loose his best friend. The stakes were too high for his comfort.

If he didn't kill Squall, then someone else would do it and his records would be released. There was also the threat that he would report Rinoa being a sorceress to his father and get Rinoa put away. If he did kill Squall, he would be ruining the life of his best friend, possibly leading her to insanity. And then there was Selphie and the others. Selphie with her bright smile and her energetic personality. She had worked so hard to see to it that Squall and Rinoa could communicate even after she was taken away.

She would never forgive him either. He leaned back and the ceiling. *They'd never forgive me...* he thought to himself. His eyes narrowed. *But if they don't find out...*


"What!?" Rinoa gasped. Her eyes were wide as she held the phone up to her ear. "But everyone's going to be here!"

She was in the dressing room back stage, seated on a chair as two make up artists fixed her up. She was wearing a Valentine original to her first concert, a long, sheer white, long sleeve duster that ended with crimped, flared sleeves and hems. She wore that over short, silver tube dress and thigh high matching two inch tall silver boots with white laces. She wore gloves of a similar style.

"Sorry," Irvine said as he closed Exeter's carrying case. "But I just got called away. I promise I'll come to your next one!"

"Irvine, how could you back out!?" Rinoa gasped. "Everyone is here and waiting. Selphie's even saving a seat for you!"

He closed his eyes and winced as he held the bag over his shoulder. He hated to lying to her. "I just sent them a text message," Irvine said. He headed for the door of his condo. "They'll understand."

"Where are you going!?" Rinoa asked. Part of her was angry that he was ditching her and their friends, but another part of her worried. Irvine wouldn't leave unless it was something important.

"I'm breaking up, Rin! I have to !" Irvine said. Before she could reply, he flipped his phone closed and hung up on her. He closed the door to his condo and locked it. Tiredly he leaned his head against the cold wood. *Sorry, Rin...*

Rinoa looked down at her phone and frowned. She shook her head and looked back at the television screen. A smile immediately came to her lips. "Yesterday, Leonhart came in first after two consecutive days of being third. His team hopes that he will keep this up and come in first tonight as well!"


"Oh no...!" Selphie gasped as she looked at her phone. "Irvy can't make it!"

"What?" Quistis asked with a frown. "Does Rinoa know?" Selphie was pressing the buttons on her phone and nodded.

"Yeah, he said he called her." Selphie replied. They were sitting up in the private VIP booth all to themselves. Rinoa had hooked them up. There were large screen televisions all along the walls and buffet were Zell was practically seated by as he ate the hot dogs.

Fujin and Raijin were out on the balcony, listening to the screaming fans while pointing out the features on the stage and comparing it now to how they had seen it earlier. Quistis was sitting on a comfortable couch over looking the stage area with Seifer next to her. The blond seemed to be brooding slightly.

"Seifer, are you okay?" Quistis asked, finally giving into her curiosity and asking him.

The green eyed blond looked up and turned to Quistis. "Yeah..." he looked at his watch. "Actually...I don't feel so well."

"Huh?" Selphie asked. Quistis rolled her eyes and shot him an annoyed glare.

"We TOLD you not to eat all that shrimp at lunch!" Quistis snapped.

He glared at her. "It's not the shrimp!" he snapped. "Ugh...I'm going to head back to the hotel room. I feel like crap all of a sudden."

"Rinoa won't be happy to know that her concert made you feel like that." Selphie commented, trying to suppress her giggles.

"Do you want one of us to come with you, ya know?" Raijin asked as he and a concerned Fujin walked back into the VIP room. Seifer shook his head.

"No, I'll be fine," he insisted. He grabbed his jacket from the coat rack by the door. "I'll see you all later!" The door closed behind him and the group turned to Zell.

It took the tattooed blond a while to realize that they were all looking at him. He lifted his head and gave them a questioning look. "What?"

"I don't know..." Selphie said. "We're kind of expecting you to get up and leave, too..."

"And leave all of this!?" Zell gasped as if they were crazy. He motioned to the seemingly never ending buffet of hot dogs in front of him. "I think not!"


"Seven hours, fifty five minutes, and twenty point three seconds!" Tifa announced as Squall practically skidded to a stop in front of the check point. He almost forgot to put up the kick stand as he got off the bike.

"Whoa...what's the hurry?" Zidane asked as Squall rushed past him, ignoring the food that had been set out for him. Squall's time had been consistent and strong, keeping him at one of the top three spots at all times.

His pattern of twelve hours of rest followed by an uneven number of hours driving to the next check point resulted in him arriving at this particular check point in the evening. Squall ignored them as he headed for the television where Tidus was sitting on a chair and flipping through channels of the small thirteen inch television.

"Move," Squall said. Tidus looked up and frowned. He opened his mouth to protest, but Squall sent him a deadly glare, making him quickly vacate his chair and hand over the remote. Squall took his chair and began to flip through the channels.

"Squall, don't you want something to eat?" Tifa asked in a concerned voice. He shook his head, ignoring his grumbling stomach as he looked for the correct channel.

Zidane walked into the area and sighed. "I know what he's looking for," he said. The blond with the tail. He grabbed the remote from Squall and quickly pressed in some buttons before Squall could knock him out for it. "Here we go..."

Tidus and Tifa looked at the small screen, sly smiles on their faces as Squall's blue eyes pasted themselves on the figure on the stage. "Is this why you got here first?" Tifa said, slightly amused. "You wanted to see Rinoa's televised concert?"

Squall didn't answer. He merely watched the young woman on the screen dance around provocatively on the stage as she held a microphone in her hands. Her hair was half up and half down with glitter in it as she danced on the stage. The background dancers couldn't compare to her as she energetically pumped the crowds with her singing.

Sweat glistened on her face as the lights fell around her. Squall smiled slightly. She looked like she was glowing in her white clothes. Tidus elbowed Tifa and pointed to Squall. "He's SMILING..." he whispered in a low voice. Tifa rolled her eyes and resisted the urge to slap Tidus upside the head. "It's WEIRD..." he added.

Tifa gave in and slapped him upside the head. He let out a moan as she turned around and headed back to where Cloud was so she could check out the other times. "Just leave him alone..."

As Tidus left, the song came to a close and the crowds clapped energetically. Squall watched as Rinoa disappeared to the stage. He leaned back against the chair as the lights on stage darkened.

Rinoa quickly got into her spot as dry ice flooded the stage floor. The string orchestra that would accompany her while she was on the piano was in place and she waited. The soft white lights turned on and she was revealed to the public.

She was sitting before a white grand piano, her hands on the keys as she pulled the microphone to her lips. As the clapping of the crowds subsided, she began to play the beginning notes on the piano. "This is a new song that I wrote for someone very special to me," she said as she blushed. "He can't be with me right now, but I hope he's listening."

She pushed the microphone away slightly as she started to play. Behind her, the strings prepared their instruments. Squall's eyes went wide as she began to sing. Her words reached his ears clearly as an emotion filled voice ran through the dome.

His hands balled into fists over his lap as watched her on the screen. The camera would fade in and out of different angles as Rinoa sang. Squall watched with intense interest as he was swept up in the emotion. Then there was a close of her face during the chorus. His heart clenched in his chest as she sang with her eyes closed, yet two clear streams of tears were making their way down her face.

As the echoes of clapping reached his ear, Squall, more than ever, he wanted to win.


Irvine boarded the transportation ship that would take him and drop him off at the designated hit point. All the calculations had been done ahead of time for him. All he had to do was set up his gun, aim, pull the trigger, then be on his merry way back. It was so simple.

He stowed his gun in a rack below his chair and was seated. He was to the be the only other person other than the pilot on this ship. Caraway couldn't afford anyone else finding out. Squall was, after all, Laguna Loire's son. Any connection between his death and Galbadia would make the existing political tensions worsen.

Irvine leaned back against his seat as the plane took off. "So this is where you disappeared off to," a deep voice mocked within the dark regions of the room. Irvine's relaxed eyes flew open as he sat up straight. "Let me guess..." Seifer said as Irvine made out his figure in the corner. "Caraway sent you?"


Even as Squall laid his eyes on the upcoming sheer rock cliffs he would have to ride through up ahead of him, he found himself unconsciously humming the song that Rinoa had sang the night before. After her concert, Zidane and Tidus teased him endlessly about his 'girlfriend' until Tifa threatened to leave them there when it was time to move to the next check point if they didn't stop.

However, Squall liked the sound of it. Rinoa was his girlfriend. He smiled slightly as his hands gripped the handles and sped up. The sun was setting and he could see the crack between the rock wall that would lead him into a narrow canyon. The canyon itself was, at some points, so narrow, that only one rider could get through at a time.

According to what he was aware of, there was only one man ahead of him, but not by far. Sephiroth had proved to be an excellent rider. He was either right before Squall or right after him. However, unlike Cloud had warned, the man hadn't tried anything yet.

Because of that, Squall only began to suspect him more. His blond haired trainer wouldn't have warned him if he didn't see a threat. Squall could only assume that Sephiroth was going to pull something soon. His heart began to race as he shot through the narrow entry way.

*Shit...it's darker than I thought...* Squall quickly turned on his head lights and cast an eerie glow against the stone walls. He gripped the handles tightly as he went over the rock lined dirt path. It was ten miles through canyon. By the time he was on the other side, it would be pitch dark. From there, he would be close to the check point.

His eyes focused on the ground in front of him. He could make out fresh tired tracks and knew that his closest opponent was close. When he glanced down again, he noticed that the tracks had all but vanished. Quick blue eyes darted around for any sign of a spill, but found none.

His eyes went up and he noticed the grooves against the sheer wall. They were just big enough for a motorcycle to fit through. Squall narrowed his eyes. *He rode the paths up to the top of the canyon!*

Swearing, Squall sped up. The top of the canyon was far easier than the narrow, winding path through the canyon itself. Not to mention it had better traction and visibility. Top racers would have to watch themselves carefully so has not to run into wall or off a cliff.

He silently prayed for the best as he cleared his mind. It was just him, the bike, and the road. Squall's narrowed blue eyes caught something from the corner of his eye. Something had fallen from the side of the cliff. A stone? He looked ahead of him, making sure there was nothing to surprise him up ahead, and then looked up.

His eyes went wide as he saw numerous sized boulders and stones sliding down the canyon walls. He looked back straight ahead of him and pulled a wheelie. He needed to get out of the area as soon as possible. As he shot ahead, crashing could be heard behind him as the boulders tumbled down.

He looked over his shoulder and mentally swore. He put the bike back on both wheels and sped up. His heart was racing as adrenaline flood him. He looked up to see if there were any more signs of boulders falling and noticed that at the top of the sheer cliffs, right by the edge, a thin cloud of smoke was being trailed against the night sky.

"Sephiroth..." Squall hissed in disgust. He leaned forward and lower on his bike as behind him, boulders continued to crash. He knew that Sephiroth would pull a stunt soon, but he hadn't expected him to actually try to kill him by crushing him with boulders.

Had anyone told him, he wouldn't have believed it. He kept his eyes on the path ahead of him. He skidded down one turn, following the complex path way with unnatural grace. As he neared a straight, reasonably wide path, he noticed something blocking his way. The boulders had stopped as soon as he turned the corner. The only thing in his way now was a massive boulder blocking the funnel area about a quarter mile ahead of him.

Squall had to skid to a stop. Dirt and pebbles kicked up around him as he stopped and looked at the boulder. He turned off his bike and listened to the sounds of another motorcycle ahead of him. He narrowed his eyes and got off. With skill he developed as a SeeD, he climbed up the boulder and looked over it. There was narrow path right past it, just large enough for one rider.

He took a deep breath and unzipped the top of his suit. With dirty gloves one, he reached into his shirt and pulled out piece of paper. He opened it and in the head light of his bike, he read it. "Good luck..." he whispered. He looked back at the boulder. "Thanks, Rin..."

He slipped it back in and zipped his suit back up. He rushed back to his bike and got on it. It sounded to life and he turned it around. He sped towards the start of the wide area and skidded to a stop as he turned his bike around. He gripped the handles and made sure his helmet was on tightly. He eyed the surrounding walls and the boulder.

The back tire kicked up dust and dirt as Squall shot forward. He began to drive it close to the uneven, slight sloped surface of the left wall. He looked down at the odometer. *I never thought I'd be thankful for learning physics...* he thought to himself. He pulled the front of his bike up and was launched up against the wall.

In a split second move, the bike was on top of the boulder and flew down the other side. It landed with a harsh sound and Squall winced. When Cloud would check it, he would surely kill him. Or at least wait until the G-14 was over to kill him. Squall merely smiled and sped through the canyon.

Above him, green eyes narrowed. "I have to hand it to you..." A deep voice whispered into the night wind as his black motorcycle continued to speed on it's way. "You're not just a racer..." He leaned forward and picked up speed as he gripped the handles. Strapped to his back, a glimmering swore peeked from it's sheath.


They had glared at each other the whole way there. Irvine's usually cool and collected eyes were locked on to Seifer's usually smart ass, laughing ones. Irvine had told him what had to be done and Seifer merely laughed at his naivete.

"Are you doing this for you or are you doing this for Rin?" Seifer had asked coolly. He had sneaked in with such ease, it thought it was funny.

"Both." Irvine had stated. Seifer didn't say anything else. Even as they were dropped off in the designated area, which was a hill top that over looked the opening of the canyon. Squall would have to come through exactly that area reach the check point.

Seifer sat down next to where Irvine was setting up Exeter. "What do you think they'll say when they find out?"

Irvine gritted his teeth as he adjusted the scope. "Find out what?" he asked, annoyed with Seifer's looming presence.

"Find out that you killed Squall." Seifer stated coolly.

"They won't find out."

"So you'll just have another thing hanging over your head?" Seifer asked. "Another thing that Caraway can use to manipulate you. Maybe even against Rinoa."

"Will you shut up, Seifer!?" Irvine snapped. "Do you think I WANT to do this!?"

"I don't see you not exactly 'not wanting' to." Seifer replied.

"Rinoa is like a sister to me!" Irvine said sharply. "If Squall's willing to use her secret to black mail his way into the G-14, who knows what he's capable of doing!"

"Fine, if you really believe that he'll turn in Rin, go for it. I won't stop you." Seifer told him.

Irvine took a deep breath and narrowed his eyes. In the distance, they could hear the sound of motorcycles approaching. Irvine took his place with Exeter and kept his aim on the crack in the stone cliffs. The motorcycle sound was getting louder and louder. Irvine's hands were getting damp. He didn't remember being this nervous.

Seifer crossed his arms and waited. His green eyes went down to the valley floor. The sounds grew louder until two motorcycles, almost side by side, shot out of the canyon like a bullet. Irvine froze. He looked through his eye piece and zoned in on Squall.

"I really like him..."

Her voice echoed in his ear and Irvine took a deep breath. His finger was placed on the trigger. Sweat collected as his brow.

"Thank you, Irvine. For being a good friend."

His heart was beating rapidly. Behind him, Seifer narrowed his eyes looked down at the racers. "What the hell...?" he murmured. Seifer leaned over the edge of their area, a shocked look on his face. Irvine took another breath.

Rinoa's face, bright, happy, and elated all because of one blue eyed motorcyclist. *She's like my sister...* his mind told him as Squall was in his line of vision once more. *I have to protect her...* He held his breath. *I'm sorry...*

Irvine pulled the trigger.