Chapter Two: Lies! All Lies!
***

Laguna happily propped and crossed his legs on his office desk. "This was such a great plan, don't you think Ward?"

"......." said Ward.

"Ward is right. Squall is going to be furious when he finds out you called him here for nothing," Kiros warned as he paced back and forth in front of Laguna.

"I'm not calling him here for nothing", Laguna said in delight. "Is wanting to see my son considered nothing?" He waved his crossed legs back and forth on the desk.

Kiros stop pacing and turned around facing his old friend with his arms crossed. "Just out of curiosity what did you say in your message?"

Laguna began to smile and laugh nervously. "Umm... heheh well I don't think that's of any..." both Kiros and Ward gave Laguna stern looks. Laguna relinquished trying to avoid the question, and lowered his head and fiddled with his fingers. "I said some new underground order was planning to cause a riot in the Esthar during the city's Neon Flower Night Celebration."

Kiros and Ward's eyes widened. "WOW!" Kiros stepped towards Laguna. "This has to be the most creative thing you ever thought of."

" ......" said Ward.

"Yeah it's still wrong, but you have to agree with Ward it's the most elaborate thing he's ever thought of. But back to the case at hand," Kiros locked eyes with Laguna. "You're really pushing it, Squall doesn't like you as it is. And after he finds out about this he might just..."

A look of concern befell Laguna's face. He uncrossed his legs and rose up out of his chair, "He might just what?" Laguna paused, afraid to hear the answer.

Kiros slowly finished his statement, making sure to put it on as gentle as possible. He remembered how hard he took it when he found out that the "Jetsons" really didn't exist. "He might just," knowing how Squall is, "but I might be wrong... he might just hate you."

Laguna gasped at the notion and thought of anyone hating him. Suddenly his brain was filled* with the terrible slander Squall would inflict upon him. "Ohhh nooo I can't believe..." Laguna fainted flat on the floor.

Kiros slapped his hand against his head, "Oh good grief!"

***

Squall sat back in his set listening to Rinoa's mindless chatter. Since he had drawn paper when Zell drew scissors he lost the game and had to sit next to Rinoa.

"Esthar sure is a beautiful," Rinoa said with her eyes following every building in the City.

"Yup, real glamours", Squall said flipping throughout the latest issue of the Timber Maniacs Magazine.

Zell was setting next to Selphie gulping a forty-ounce Mitzoroni (Mitzoroni is like orange soda). "Hey Squall want some?" Zell waved the bottle back and forth."

Squall looked up from his magazine, "Don't shake it you'll make it flat!" Squall was really thirsty he hadn't had anything to drink with his peanut butter and jelly sandwich because Rinoa knocked over his milk just before they had left. Squall snatched the bottle and began to suck it down.

Rinoa was still glued to the lovely scenery. This was her first time getting a real good look at the city because, the first time she was here, she was unconscious. "This city is so magnificent, Squall. This is where I want you and me to go on our honeymoon ok?"

It took a second for Rinoa's words to define themselves in his brain. In that instant his thoughts swirled. "Honeymoon?! To have a honeymoon you have to get...MARRIED!!!!" The thought of marriage to Rinoa was too much to comprehend. Squall's eyes widened. He suddenly got a vision of himself pushing three strollers.

Irvine, who was sitting next to Quistis in front of Squall and Rinoa, turned around to agitate the matter. "Hey buddie what's up? Getting a thought of the wedding night? Hehehehe," Irvine laughed.

Squall had not swallowed the last gulp of Mitzoroni. Squall let loose a shower of the drink onto Irvine's face. Selphie giggled at Irvine's appearance, his brown hair and his face were dripping wet in orange. Zell snapped his fingers and motioned into a point. "I'm digg'n the wet look", Zell teased.

Squall chuckled and thought, "Nasty pervert. That's what he gets."

Quistis turned around and put her knees on the set. She elevated herself to see over the set to talk to Squall. "Did you get info on where we're going to meet the client?"

Squall tossed his magazine to the side. He had pretty much given up hope on trying to read it. "Yeah, we'd meet at the Presidential Palace."

Selphie jumped up out of her seat enthusiastically. "Hey maybe we'll see Sir Laguna again".

Squall pounded his fist on the seat. He was getting annoyed. "Why do you like that guy so much! He's sooo dumb he never takes anything seriously. I'm surprised this city is still standing with him in charge. He probably has Kiros and Ward doing all his work for him."

Rinoa leaned away from Squall raising both of her eyebrows in a bit of fear.

"Dude chill she was just say'n," Squall interrupted Zell.

Squall stood up and began to shout so loudly, his voice engulfed every inch of the train. "I know what she was saying BUT HOW COULD HE LEAVE ME!!!" Squall unknowing had developed tears in his eyes.

Every one was dead silent. They all exchanged looks with each other. Squall still standing up tried not to make eye contact with any one.

"Oh no, I can't believe what I just said. And look I've got tears in my eyes I better rub them before they fall down my cheek. No wait better not. I'll look like a wuss. Better just try to keep them from falling down. They'll never let me forget this. Man I wish Matron was here, I could sure use a huge right about now. This silence is killing me, I wish someone would say something as long as it's not Zell."

The train stopped moving. Zell cautiously tried to speak, "Squall."

"Shut up!" Squall said snapping his head at Zell.

Rinoa stood up and carefully placed her arms around Squall's arm. "Honey he was trying to say we're here." Squall nodded his head. Rinoa breathed heavily and shook her head. When everyone stepped off the train Kiros was waiting for them.

"Thank you for coming, your services are greatly appreciated." Kiros said staring Squall right in the eyes. Kiros motioned with his hand for the SeeDs to follow him.

Quistis slipped her hand on her hip as she strolled by the right side of Kiros. "So what's the word on this underground..."

"You will be given a briefing on your mission once we reach the Palace." The SeeDs reached the transportation unit and took a seat on the delivering 'majewels' (Ed's note: probably the round platform that travels in tubes around the city), with no one saying anything to the other.

(Ahh! It's the quite moments like this that the writer can give a peek to the reader of the reflecting thoughts of the characters)

Zell: Man this guy is even more blunt than usual. I wonder what's up? I ponder if Laguna will conceive the assignment personal to us in a conjugate of moral aspiration of its importance. What the fu... Oh damn now I'm gonna be using small words for the rest of the month. I hate it when I use up all the new words I learn in one thought. I wonder what Irvine's thinking?

Irvine: Quistis looks good today. I'll have to see what she's up to if Selphie doesn't want to play. (Irvine winks flirtatiously and puckered up his lips at Selphie who rolled her eyes and giggles.)

Selphie: That Irvine is so silly. First he puts his arm around me and now this. He doesn't have a chance with me but it's nice to have a lapdog that follows you around. I wonder what Quistis is thinking about? It's probably about Squall. (She giggled to herself) She's been stealing looks at him all day. She might be thinking of a naughty way to take Squall from Rinoa. Ohhhhh! I wish I could read her mind!

Quistis: I see right now I might have to kill Rinoa. She has too much mouth. She thinks she's the "baddest chick" just cause she's a sorceress. Bet her mom was a dominating psycho too. No wonder Laguna left her. He didn't want to be the father of a black-haired witch! And what's up with her outfit?! She dresses like she can't make up her mind what to wear or something. (Quistis quickly looked at Rinoa up and down without any one noticing) Well it doesn't matter 'cause when I get my Squally back I'm going to make up with him in front of her on every chance I get. He looks so cute sitt'n over there looking confused.

Rinoa: I know what she wants to do. She wants to get in good with Laguna so she can get a higher level of SeeD so she can try to rule the Garden next by Cid. Well I think I'll be snagging that spotlight. (Rinoa looked over at Squall and immediately frowned her face in annoyance) He hasn't paid any attention to me in this whole trip! He's my man and he acts like a ham - cold and cheap! (Rinoa reached over and slapped Squall on the leg really hard. Squall wouldn't give her the satisfaction of presenting how much it hurt. So he simply rubbed his leg to ease the sting.)

Squall: I've about had it with her. She doesn't know it but I'm ready to say it's over to 'Screamioa' and run for daylight. Man, the first six months were so good and now it's hit this and scream that and throwing my gunblade in the T-Rex feeding facility. That stupid dinosaur it ate my favorite shoes, and then running with my boxers up the flagpole. And the most recent thing!!!!

**FLASHBACK**

Everyone in the Garden was hurrying about doing his or her normal morning routine. Squall comes on over the intercom to make the morning announcements. After giving the word that the cafeteria will not be serving hotdogs for the rest of the week due to some kind of element reaction in the meat, Rinoa walked into the announcement room. Squall had just turned off the intercom.

"Squall, why did you not wait for me at breakfast?" she said twisting her foot and looking at the ground.

"Well I had a lot of stuff to do and I kind of got caught up."

Rinoa walked in front of him and placed one arm around him and she pressed the 'on' button with the other. Now everything they said everyone in the Garden could hear.

"Squall sweetie I didn't get a kiss this morning." She rubbed the outer fur of his leather jacket. "My Squalley walley bear."

Squall grinned moronically, "I like it better when you call me your Knight Teddy bear," he said softly. Squall hummed a little bit of 'Eyes on Me'. "I'm ready to give you that kiss now," he said gently.

After they were done Squall came down to the second floor. Suddenly everyone burst out laughing when the elevator door opened. Nida spoke in between grunts of laughter.

"Squalley walley bear. I'll give you a kiss!" He then clasped in laughter to add fuel to the fire of voices.

Squall was beaten red. He just knew Rinoa would be as embarrassed as he was. So he turned to comfort her when...

"Got ya Knight Teddy Bear!" Rinoa said as she winked her eye and motioned her finger into an arrow. **FLASHBACK ENDS**

Squall gritted his teeth in anger at this thought. The delivering 'majewels' lowered them down at their destination. ***

The Presidential Palace stood glimmering in honor and pose. Truly it was the centerpiece of city, but to Squall it was emblem of reward for Laguna's insolence. Upon getting the full glimpse of it he tightened his face in anger. Suddenly Squall felt a hard pinching on his side.

He looked to his right to see Rinoa giving a look of warning. "Don't you dare embarrass me. Straighten that face up. We're in public!" She whispered, so that she wouldn't draw the attention of the others.

Squall adjusted his face back into it's usually 'do I look like I care state'. The seven sat on the delivering units that would bring them into the palace. After the units had delivered them to the second floor. Kiros motioned with his head to come this way to the President's office. As always, two guards stood outside the doors. They seemed to be carrying on some sort of conversation.

Quistis was intrigued with what they were trying to say to each other but Kiros gently nudged her to go in the room.

"Damn it, I know they're talking about us if only I could hear what they were saying." Quistis flashed her eyes at the guards one more time before proceeding into the room. The doors of the office sprang open indicating some reference of importance.

Laguna was sitting in his chair only no one could see his face because the back of his chair was facing the SeeDs. "Welcome, you know why you've come?" Laguna said in a deep steel voice that was far from being his own.

Selphie happily stepped in front of everyone and started being more cheerful than what was needed. "Sir Laguna why are you talking like that? Did you lose your voice like Ward and get a new voice box?" Selphie's eyes shone brightly in awaiting his reply.

"No," he said in the same voice as before. Then he turned his chair around to reveal that classic Laguna grin. "I just always wanted to make a dramatic appearance."

Selphie breathed a small* breath of relief. "Whew, you really had me going there for a minute."

"Yes, my hair practically stood on end," Squall said sarcastically as he took a seat. Laguna stood up to approach Squall.

Rinoa dashed forward trying to make up for Squall's crude behavior. "Laguna hello it's so nice to see you again," Rinoa reached for Laguna's hand to give a friendly gesture of greeting.

Laguna swiftly took a giant step back as his eyes widened with a bit of shock. "Oh hell no! I heard what you did last summer and, sorceress or not, that was just plan freaky!"

Rinoa jittered the corner of her mouth up into some sort of embarrassed smile. "What are you talking about?"

Squall rose up quickly and cocked one eyebrow up. "Yes what are you talking about?!" Squall's voice exampled the definition of his name.

"We've been going out for almost a year and you still haven't told me about last summer." Squall motioned two fingers on each hand into bunny ears and moved them up and down.

Rinoa for the first time in their relationship stuttered over her words. "I... um... well... ya see..."

Squall was beginning for the first time in their relationship was feeling the power of the upper hand. So he planned to take that power and knock it on her face!

Rinoa began to panic, a hundred lies began to rumble around in her head but she could not manage to get a single one out.

Quistis indulged in each savoring moment of the confusion. "Maybe with all the luck he'll break up with her right here and now, if Rinoa doesn't give him an explanation soon." Quistis hoped to herself.

As usually Zell didn't quite understand the argument but that didn't stop him from jumping in and acting like he did. Zell strutted up next by Squall and spoke cockily trying to aggravate the scene. "Hey, Laguna where did you hear this information? From a drunk in a bar?" Zell laughed.

Laguna scratched the back of his head. "Well not exactly," Laguna said in an unsure tone. Then breaking the mood of the room, a woman dressed in a blue outfit stood in the room. She wore a patch over one eye and the sight of her made Squall and the other SeeDs come to one thought as she approached Laguna.

Squall's body roared with natural reaction. "Laguna get out of the way!!" Squall yelled as he pushed Laguna clear over his desk. Squall whipped out his Lionheart (gunblade) in rhythm with the others, whom yanked out their weapons and stood in the attacking position waiting for the person who was carrying a refreshment tray and wearing an apron to make the first move.

"WELCOME WARM" Fujin said. Laguna staggered to his feet from behind his desk and put one hand on his head trying to stop it from spinning.

"Squall what are ya doing?" Quistis held out her hand for Laguna to yield.

"Stay back Laguna this is a very dangerous adversary," Quistis said as she slashed her Save the Queen whip back and forth.

Laguna finally gained his full composure and in doing so he slammed both his hands on the desk and leaned forward. "What are you talking about. She's just the hired help!"

Everyone's head turned around and looked at Laguna as if he was the most idiotic person in the world. All the SeeDs including Selphie yelled simultaneously. "ARE YOU NUTS!!!"

Laguna just stood there dumbfounded. He just looked at them as if they were speaking in tongues he couldn't comprehend. "I don't understand."

Squall rolled his eyes sighed, "I don't know why I'm bothering but here goes, because you obviously forgotten. Fujin and Raijin helped Seifer take over Lunatic Pandora and released Adel."

Laguna laughed and waved his hand up and down at remembering what happened only six months ago. "Ooooh I know but they said they were sorry. And nothing was damaged that our advanced team of scientists, architects, and builders couldn't solve. And after explaining their situation of not being able to go back to the Garden," Laguna rolled his voice to make it seem as if they were the ones being thoughtless.

"I couldn't just throw them out on the streets! So of course I gave them jobs. Fujin, as you can see, handles my guests and Raijin runs errands for me during the day." Laguna grinned happily, expecting all of them to be like 'Oh now I understand', but it wasn't like that at all.

All the SeeDs had sheathed their weapons. Now they stood looking at Laguna in disgust. Quistis crossed her arms, rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Maybe your mom had an affair,"

Irvine said with a chuckle. "Now that'd be wishful thinking", Squall said as he cocked a half-sarcastic smile.

Rinoa blew a piece of hair away from her face in relief. "Glad he's not my dad!"

Upon hearing these words Laguna jumped from behind his desk. He stepped inches away from Rinoa and began to inspect the details of her face.

"Damn would you back up! What's your problem?!" Rinoa shrieked as she leaned back at Laguna. "It's what you said," Laguna continued as he brushed back her hair so he could get a good look at her ears.

Usually Squall would have loved anything that would have irritated Rinoa but this was just getting plain weird.

"Alright. Knock it," Squall said as he pushed back Laguna's hand from Rinoa's hair.

"No I have to see!" Laguna said, removing Squall's hand from his wrist.

"See what?" Rinoa spat in annoyance. "Your ears, your nose, they resemble mine." Laguna began to check her out from the side.

Squall's eyes enlarged drastically, he immediately knew what he was talking about. Squall grabbed Laguna by the arm harshly and spun him around. "No, you can't..."

Laguna snatched his arm away from Squall's grasp. "So far it looks that way."

Rinoa who had been clueless on the conversation finally clicked in on what truth was being transpired. She stepped back, with words formed on her lips but no words came out. "No....no.... you can't be!"

"The data Julia got pregnant, your looks it all fits together," Laguna said smoothly.

"No! I don't care if you were my mom's true love. She wouldn't cheat on my dad...it can't be!!!" Rinoa choked.

Squall pressed his head against the wall and turned it back and forth nauseously. "If it is and knowing my luck it probably is. All those times we......" Squall's stomach could not bear to digest the thought. He ran to the bathroom, the sound vomit being plunged into the toilet could be heard dimly.

Finally Rinoa burst out in tears and flung herself out of the room with waterfalls of tears flowing down her face. Her voice echoed throughout the halls. "You can't be my father.... you just CAN'T!!!"

The two guards that held post out side thrusted their bodies halfway over the threshold. "Sir is there a problem?" Laguna who was flushed red, tried to insert some dignity into his voice. "No problem, as you were," Laguna nodded with a small smile.

At that moment Squall recovered from the bathroom. Squall's face was a disorientated, his eyes ,a bit unsteady, still waved with a bit of sickness. "Sq...Squall," Laguna softly called. Squall pointed his finger at Laguna unsteadily as he arched his brow up in warning.

"Stay...just stay away from me." Squall walked dizzily out of the room. He lingered from one side of the hall to the other until he gained a straight focus of the hall. Then he began to run.

Quistis turned to Laguna. Her eyes meant she felt his shame and instead of teasing she decided to change the subject.

"Laguna, perhaps now would be the time to explain our mission." Laguna lowered his head, then rolled one eye up to meet Quistis.

"There is no mission. I made it up to spend time with Squall. I've got to go... you know president stuff," Laguna walked out of the room.

"I better go talk to Squall then," Quistis said leaving the room.

Selphie shifted her body back and forth. "I guess I better go talk to Rinoa" she said meekly and dashed out the room.

Zell and Irvine looked at each other puzzled. "I'll easdrop on Squall and Quistis and you easesdrop on Rinoa and Selphie," Irvine said.

"I'm way ahead of you" Zell said grinning. As Zell and Irvine left the room the guards stood in an upright position, trying their best to keep their laughs silent until the last two had left.

After the two SeeDs were well out of sight the two guards doubled over in laughter.

"Boy what an idiot!" One guard said as he held one hand on the wall to keep from falling down.

"Yeah I'd be in denial too if he were my dad," another guard said as he was on all fours trying to catch his breath. When the second guard had gained his calmness back he rose back to his feet.

"Speaking of daddies how many kids does Laguna have any way?"

The other guard stomped his foot in anger, "That's a good question! And I'll tell you another good question why is it always the stupid guys who get all the women?! I mean no disrespect to our President cause after all he did like saved us from Sorceress Adel and all but, you as well as I know he's not the brightest bulb in the lamp."

The other gard chuckled. "Yeah I bet Miss Long John Silver in there is his kid too." When the guard said these last words Fujin kicked him right in his ankle.

"INSULT ME DO NOT!" She said coolly as she departed from the room. Fujin walked down the hall and to the elevator.

When the door opened she hit the level five button. It was the floor where her living quarters were held. When the door buzzed opened it revealed the regular lavishness it possessed. The hallway's gold carpet reflected off the mirrors that nearly made up all of the walls.

The ceiling was a painting, the famous "Love of the Sorceress". The art of its design was nothing short of captivating. The power that its form instilled upon those who looked up at it was so mesmerizing, that it left you in a gaze of silence, out of sheer respect for the power of creation that the sorceress had. The back round was a sky an enlightened blue, powerful yet gentle as its majesty upheld a great sorceress. Her arms arched together in a V-like shape as they reached towards the heavens. Below her lay a set of mountains, which were enhanced in ice to show its rugged exterior. Her reflection was shown, in a little ripple yet clear, in the great lake 'Indora's Wisdom'. Outstretched beyond the glory of the lake was a spacious field. Its color of green was prestigious and magnificent as its grass shimmered in the light. Just above the grass were two sets of rose petals being blown upward to one another only to be pulled down into a round roll. The color of the roses symbolized the three important things that happened in life: yellow - friendship, red - love, and white - death. Without a doubt, this painting made one of the most powerful statements in the world.

Also this floor held Laguna's master bedroom, which was the last door at the end of the very long hallway. Fujin's bedroom was the third door on the left.

Just as Fujin approached her door, she gazed up at the picture. "Is this the great sorceress which is said to have created the world?" She thought as she opened the door. Fujin took off her dark blue apron and tossed it on the sofa. Then she walked over to her bed and plopped down. "I'm so sick of this" Fujin said out loud as she kicked off her left shoe.

"You can say that again!"

Fujin spun around so fast that her butt lost its place on the edge of the bed and she hit her hip hard on the floor.

"SHOCKED," she said quickly trying to regain her footing. How Fujin hated looking weak in front of Seifer.

"Fujin, didn't I tell you to use a secret set of knocks! You scared the crap out of me!" Seifer walked out of the closet and stood in front of Fujin without lending a hand to help her up.

"SORRY, DISTRACTED..." Seifer interrupted her.

"Damn it Fujin would you stop talking like that when we're alone?" Seifer rolled his eyes, "I should have never let you see Star Wars", Seifer groaned. "I don't care how much you like Yoda, after a while talking like that gets annoying. Now what were you trying to say?"

Fujin stood up and pulled her clothes down so they were neat. "I got distracted, I was thinking about Squall, Rinoa and Laguna." Seifer walked over to the dresser to fix his hair in the mirror.

"Oh so their here already. Seifer said dryly running his fingers through his hair. "Well I wasn't expecting them this early but I guess this means we will have to speed things up." Seifer swung around to a smiling Fujin. A pair of pantyhose turned with Seifer when he turned around.

"Boy I wish I had a photo camera," Fujin chuckled in her mind. "You've got a pair of pantyhose stuck to your butt." Seifer did a double check on his rear end and furiously pulled them off.

"Lousy cheap imitation Bounce," Seifer muttered to himself. "I'm tired of living like this!" Seifer declared as he waved the pantyhose in his right fist.

"Living out of a suitcase, bearing the name of whatever my phony ID carries this week!" Seifer looked up anger at the pantyhose. "Hiding in closets!" He growled gritting his teeth. "I was a mighty knight once and I shall be one again," Seifer vowed throwing down the pantyhose.

"How? Rinoa will never go back out with you again. After all you personally handed her over to Adel."

Seifer grinned slyly, "I think differently. She never looked at Squall the way she looked at me."

"With respect," Fujin said sitting down on the bed and crossing her legs.

Seifer darted his head to one side and pitched his voice a little. "Well that too. But I was talking about with that desire in her eyes. That wild look of danger...." Seifer drifted off. His eyes stared mindlessly into space. Fujin dug her toes into the carpet.

"You still love her," she said enviously.

"BLUHAHAHA!!" Seifer said sticking out his tongue and making a very disgruntled face. "After what she pulled?! Let's get this straight for the record that I never loved her. Sure our relationship had its bangs but trust me if I weren't trying to start another Sorceress War, I would try with all my power to forget her!"

Fujin sighed, getting a little tired. "For crying out loud what she did last summer wasn't that bad." Seifer raised his voice and cocked his lip, "I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about what she did a month later. I don't know if I'll ever tell you that!"

Suddenly Fujin popped her head up. "Hey guess what?! Rinoa might be Laguna's daughter!"

"What!" Seifer shrieked, nearly running to her. Fujin shook her head satisfied.

"That's right that means Squall and Rinoa are brother and sister." Seifer walked away from Fujin rubbing his chin.

"Rinoa's birthday comes before Squall's right?"

"Yes, but what does that have to do with anything?" Seifer kept silent, but he smiled darkly to himself. A clever plot arose in his brain. Seifer turned around full of diabolical energy. "Forget the war, I shall be ruler of Esthar!"