Chapter 4
Sorrows of the Past
Squall was moving gracefully around the apartment, quickly gathering items and shoving them into his duffle bag.
The news of the assignation of Samson Greene had quickly reached Balamb Garden. Squall had thought it was case in need of his assistance, and Rinoa fully agreed.
Samson Greene was a good man; he was a key figure in Timber's liberation. His assignation did not spell good things for the already troubled town.
Rinoa was content with her life, well actually content didn't come close to how the sorceress would describe her life. Overwhelming joy and complete bliss did it more justice. She had a husband that she was madly in love with, a daughter that she loved and was dead proud of, a home that actually felt like home. She had more then she dear dreamed of. Still there were many faults in Rinoa's life that she would never be able to atone to. Of all her faults none consumed her as much as never returning to Timber.
She knew if she would have asked Squall would have come with her in a heart beat, but there was always something inside of her, something that she didn't want to admit. Rinoa didn't want to go back.
Her life, for the first time in a long time, was actually where she wanted it to be. She just couldn't get herself to leave all that she had gained.
At the time Rinoa figured that things would work out for themselves, that now that Timber was liberated her assistance wasn't needed, and that she could move on. Now whenever she read the newspapers that guilt ate away at her. Maybe she was fooling herself in thinking that she could make a difference, but in Rinoa's eyes the guilt of hiding behind her own selfishness was far worse then being simply foolish.
Waving her thoughts away Rinoa turned her attention back to her husband, who currently was thrusting his boxers into the bottom of his duffle bag. Giggling at his childishness Rinoa got up from her spot on the couch and walked over to him.
"Squall, no one's going to go digging into your bag. I think it's safe to leave your underwear on top."
Glaring at her Squall zipped his bag shut.
"You know for once could you just let things go?"
Again she giggled "And you know that's never going to happen."
Squall grinned at her, the grin that he saved for her and her alone.
"Hopefully this will all be taken care of soon," he told her "I don't want to be gone long."
Rinoa looked at her husband straight into his steel eyes. Squall Leonhart might be the master of hiding behind facades, but he could never hide from her.
Letting her hands rest against his shoulder she said to him. "Don't worry about Kriye. I'm sure the girls are fine."
"I know she is, it's just.ah shit I don't even know what it is," her husband said shaking his head.
"You're worried about your daughter Squall. There's nothing more to it."
"She's only seventeen, what if"-
"Need I remind you Mr. Leonhart what we were doing at the precious age of seventeen?" She told him and took some guilty pleasure in watching his eyes flicker nervously.
"That's what worries me," he said under his breath.
"Squall," she nagged.
"I know, I know," he said again shaking his head "I guess I better get going."
The two gave each other a quick kiss. Parting from her Squall grabbed his bag and started making his way out of the apartment when Rinoa called after him.
"Squall please be careful."
Giving her a confirming nod Squall left the apartment, and Rinoa.
It had been a long time since Rinoa had been at the garden without both Squall and Kriye. Quite frankly she didn't know what to do with herself.
Kriye would be returning sometime late tomorrow, and Squall's return was pending. Having almost two full days to herself Rinoa did something that she hadn't down in awhile. She grabbed her Blaster Edge and left her apartment for the training center.
She and Squall used to have a lot of late night runs in the training center; it was their favorite refuge together right after the Ultimicia ordeal. Or actually it was Squall's favorite refuge, Rinoa only agreed to come along because it was the only place she could be alone with Squall late at night.
They would spend many late nights talking as they battled against grats and the occasional T-rexes. Rinoa had many fond memories in the training center, hell the training center was where Squall proposed to her.
Eventually, especially after they had Kriye, their late runs through the training center dwindled.
Shaking memories out of her head Rinoa entered the training center.
In the span of twenty years things change. The training center, however, was exactly how it was when Rinoa first walked in there nineteen years ago.
Walking into the jungle two grats approached her, and just like nineteen years ago Rinoa let it all out on the two creatures.
Making her way around the center Rinoa was drenched in sweat as she made it back to the entrance. By the end she left the facility eager to get under a warm shower. Already feeling the gentle pricks of water on her body Rinoa walked with a quick pace back to her apartment when a young voice called from behind.
"Aunt Rinoa wait up."
Turning around Rinoa smiled as she saw it was Ryder Dincht calling her name. Ryder was the spitting image of his father. Shorter, Ryder had blond spiky hair and a warm chocolate brown eyes. She had never seen the boy without a smile on his face, the kid just screamed with charisma and Rinoa adored him for that.
"Hello Ryder how are you, hope your break went alright?"
"It was great dad rented a boat and took me fishing off the Galbadian coast."
"I bet that was fun," Rinoa said cheerfully "How is your dad and mom?"
"There good," Ryder replied simply, Rinoa didn't expect a fifteen year old to go into further detail.
"Well I gotta go, I just got back and I want to see if my roommate's here."
Rinoa nodded and was about to turn and leave when a thought hit her "Oh, are Kriye and Ceila back then?" She asked the young Dincht.
"Kriye and Ceila?" Ryder asked confused "Did they go somewhere over break?"
Rinoa thought he was pulling her leg "Don't tease me Ryder," she laughed, although nervously.
"I'm not teasing you aunt Rinoa. I haven't seen Ceila or Kriye in like a week. In fact mom was a little upset that Ceila hadn't written to her over break."
An uncontrollable fear suddenly struck Rinoa's heart. Ryder gave her an apprehensive look before waving good bye and setting off towards his dorm room.
Standing in the middle of the hallway unable to move horrible thoughts started to crawl into her head. Time for awhile decided not to move and as Rinoa stood there frozen all she could do was ask herself over and over again 'If they didn't go to the Dincht's where the hell are they?'
* * *
After Samson Greene was discovered dead Ceila, Rave and Kriye wasted no time in getting out of the city. Kriye especially was anxious to get back to Balamb, even though she knew enough to know something terribly wrong was happening her father had to know about it.
They had left Timber and all piled back into Rave's flyer. Back over the ocean Kriye was wishing for nothing more then to be back in Balamb, informing her parents of all this treachery, until then she occupied herself with worried thoughts.
They had to be half way there when a clunking noise started coming from the front of the flyer.
"What's that noise Rave?"
"I'm not sure; I don't think it's anything we have to worry about?" Rave informed her.
Taking his word for it Kriye settled back into her seat, seconds later the whole flyer started to shake. It was subtle at first, but within no time the vehicle was shaking violently.
"What the hell?!" Ceila yelled.
Kriye looked out the back window; they were declining at an alarming rate.
Turning to the front of the flyer she screamed to Rave over the sound of the failing engine.
"What the hell are you going to do?!"
"Don't worry," he yelled back "I got it all taken care of."
Kriye sat back down in her seat, not feeling reassured at all by his words.
She felt the flyer falling in the air, not daring to risk a glance out the window Kriye closed her eyes, preparing herself for the crash.
The crash never came; instead Kriye felt a rough landing on a strip of land.
The three of them gratefully got out of the rundown flyer. Taking a long look at the once airborne vehicle Kriye turned to Rave.
"Don't worry, I got it taken care of," she repeated bitterly "My ass."
"Hey were here, we have air in our lungs, stop complaining." Rave retorted.
Shutting up Kriye considered what she was preparing herself for just sixty seconds ago, Rave made a good point.
Breaking the silence Ceila asked them "Where exactly are we?"
Looking around their surroundings for the first time Kriye knew exactly where they were. The plentiful number of docks, the sight of rows of houses, and the smell of dead seagulls made it a dead giveaway.
"Were in Fisherman's horizon," she told them lamely.
"No kidding," Said Rave looking around wide eyed, "Were in the big FH."
"The place is neither big or for that matter anything extraordinary to look at," she told him "Now come on we have to find a way to get out of here."
Neither Ceila nor Rave spoke as Kriye started to lead them out of the docks and into the city.
Normally Kriye would have loved to goof around the city, it might not be much to look at compare to a city like Esthar, but the town defiantly had its own charm, especially at night. Unfortunately she was in too of a bitter mood to enjoy it.
Storming pass all the shops and people Kriye went directly to 'Vick's and Mick's Boat Rental." Stopping outside the store she turned to Ceila and Rave.
"You guys wait out here; I'm going to see if I can rent us a boat."
Not waiting for either of them to reply Kriye stepped into the store.
Kriye had been to Vick's and Mick's a couple of times when she was younger, every time she was with her father.
Forgetting that last detail Kriye walked into the store as if she had done it a thousand times before. Walking up to the counter the clerk looked at her carefully before greeting her.
"Can I help you miss?"
"Yes, my groups vehicle has broken down, and we need a boat that can take us to Balamb."
"Alright, that will be 1500 gil."
Kriye laugh uncomfortably, she hated what she was about to do.
"Sir, this is am emergency. I need to get to Balamb garden immediately. You can charge the bill to Squall Leonhart I promise he will repay you."
The clerk broke into hysteric laughter. "Why the hell would Squall Leonhart take care of your bill?"
"He's my father," she said meekly.
The bastard of a clerk was now bent over trying to catch his breath "Your.your Squall Leonhart's daughter," the clerk started to pound his fist on the table "Get out of her kid before I call the police." The clerk told her between chuckles.
"But"-
"Scram."
Too appalled to argue any further Kriye left the shop. Outside Ceila and Rave were waiting. Ceila asked her if she got the rental, but when Kriye walked right pass her Ceila got the hint and didn't say another word.
Walking down the streets of FH Kriye was at a complete lost. She had to get to Balamb, but if she wasn't allowed to rent a boat Kriye didn't know what else she could do. She wasn't about to stoop low enough and steal a boat, although.
Shaking the thought immediately away Kriye continued to walk, before she knew it they were again at the docks.
Standing at the end of a wooden plank Kriye looked out into the vast ocean. The water seemed to never end, but somewhere beyond the horizon was Balamb, the place she would give anything to be at the moment.
Contemplating if she should make a swim for it Kriye heard a voice yell from one dock over.
"So you guys having traveling problems?"
Kriye looked carefully at who was speaking to them. It was a guy about their age. He had dark spiky hair, and deep brown eyes. The guy hopped from his dock to their plank. Facing them the guy smiled warmly.
"You guys wouldn't need a lift would you?"
"Why would you care if we do or not?" Kriye asked skeptically.
"I don't," the guy replied honestly "I just thought I could help you out, that's all."
"Do you have a boat?" Rave asked him.
"Do I have a boat?" The guy repeated incredulously
He points to the dock he was on previously. There at the end was a little, lonely boat. Kriye had to wonder how the thing was staying a float let alone if it could handle four people.
"Does it work?" Ceila asked.
The guy laughs "You can bet your last Gil that it works."
"Yes, but can it take us to Balamb? If you haven't already noticed were kind of in a hurry," she told the guy curtly.
"Listen babe, I built this boat with my bare hands. It's the fasted speed boat in this port. If you want to get to Balamb fast you better hop in, because there's no way you'll get there any faster."
Not knowing what to say Kriye just stood there dumbly. Thankfully Rave took advantage of the awkward silence to question the stranger who was so willingly offering his hand.
"What's in it for you? Why would you help us out?"
The three of them all stared at the stranger all seeing a sad, familiar look floating in his eyes.
"I have my reasons, but two of them are that you guys need a ride to Balamb and I'm in need of a little adventure I'm figuring that we'll be able to help each other out."
Going against her better nature of mistrust, giving to her by her father, Kriye gave in. "We would really appreciate your help," she told the stranger earnestly.
"Then I have no problem in giving it."
And that was that. The mysterious stranger introduced himself as Davis Westmen, he was eighteen, and lived in FH alone. Unfortunately they weren't able to learn any more for time was of the essence and they all understood that they had to get going.
Davis sent them all into town to pick up supplies while he readied the boat. Thirty minutes later they were ready to go.
"Hang onto your shirts," Davis told them as they were about to set sail "It's going to be a hell of a ride."
Starting his boat Davis was seconds away from taking off when a man ran up to the dock, a frantic look was smothered cross his face.
"What's up Dale?" Davis yelled over the motor.
"You wouldn't believe it Davis," the man yelled back "It's all over the news."
"What's all over the news?"
"Squall Leonhart, that headmaster of Balamb garden, has been shot."
AUTHORS NOTES:
In this chapter I went back to a little more basic Squall/Rinoa, because for some reason that's who I always come back to. There will be more depth with the older characters as my story develops, but in the end I'm pretty much centering on Kriye and the others.
I hope everyone has a great Holidays.
Always,
Leah
Sorrows of the Past
Squall was moving gracefully around the apartment, quickly gathering items and shoving them into his duffle bag.
The news of the assignation of Samson Greene had quickly reached Balamb Garden. Squall had thought it was case in need of his assistance, and Rinoa fully agreed.
Samson Greene was a good man; he was a key figure in Timber's liberation. His assignation did not spell good things for the already troubled town.
Rinoa was content with her life, well actually content didn't come close to how the sorceress would describe her life. Overwhelming joy and complete bliss did it more justice. She had a husband that she was madly in love with, a daughter that she loved and was dead proud of, a home that actually felt like home. She had more then she dear dreamed of. Still there were many faults in Rinoa's life that she would never be able to atone to. Of all her faults none consumed her as much as never returning to Timber.
She knew if she would have asked Squall would have come with her in a heart beat, but there was always something inside of her, something that she didn't want to admit. Rinoa didn't want to go back.
Her life, for the first time in a long time, was actually where she wanted it to be. She just couldn't get herself to leave all that she had gained.
At the time Rinoa figured that things would work out for themselves, that now that Timber was liberated her assistance wasn't needed, and that she could move on. Now whenever she read the newspapers that guilt ate away at her. Maybe she was fooling herself in thinking that she could make a difference, but in Rinoa's eyes the guilt of hiding behind her own selfishness was far worse then being simply foolish.
Waving her thoughts away Rinoa turned her attention back to her husband, who currently was thrusting his boxers into the bottom of his duffle bag. Giggling at his childishness Rinoa got up from her spot on the couch and walked over to him.
"Squall, no one's going to go digging into your bag. I think it's safe to leave your underwear on top."
Glaring at her Squall zipped his bag shut.
"You know for once could you just let things go?"
Again she giggled "And you know that's never going to happen."
Squall grinned at her, the grin that he saved for her and her alone.
"Hopefully this will all be taken care of soon," he told her "I don't want to be gone long."
Rinoa looked at her husband straight into his steel eyes. Squall Leonhart might be the master of hiding behind facades, but he could never hide from her.
Letting her hands rest against his shoulder she said to him. "Don't worry about Kriye. I'm sure the girls are fine."
"I know she is, it's just.ah shit I don't even know what it is," her husband said shaking his head.
"You're worried about your daughter Squall. There's nothing more to it."
"She's only seventeen, what if"-
"Need I remind you Mr. Leonhart what we were doing at the precious age of seventeen?" She told him and took some guilty pleasure in watching his eyes flicker nervously.
"That's what worries me," he said under his breath.
"Squall," she nagged.
"I know, I know," he said again shaking his head "I guess I better get going."
The two gave each other a quick kiss. Parting from her Squall grabbed his bag and started making his way out of the apartment when Rinoa called after him.
"Squall please be careful."
Giving her a confirming nod Squall left the apartment, and Rinoa.
It had been a long time since Rinoa had been at the garden without both Squall and Kriye. Quite frankly she didn't know what to do with herself.
Kriye would be returning sometime late tomorrow, and Squall's return was pending. Having almost two full days to herself Rinoa did something that she hadn't down in awhile. She grabbed her Blaster Edge and left her apartment for the training center.
She and Squall used to have a lot of late night runs in the training center; it was their favorite refuge together right after the Ultimicia ordeal. Or actually it was Squall's favorite refuge, Rinoa only agreed to come along because it was the only place she could be alone with Squall late at night.
They would spend many late nights talking as they battled against grats and the occasional T-rexes. Rinoa had many fond memories in the training center, hell the training center was where Squall proposed to her.
Eventually, especially after they had Kriye, their late runs through the training center dwindled.
Shaking memories out of her head Rinoa entered the training center.
In the span of twenty years things change. The training center, however, was exactly how it was when Rinoa first walked in there nineteen years ago.
Walking into the jungle two grats approached her, and just like nineteen years ago Rinoa let it all out on the two creatures.
Making her way around the center Rinoa was drenched in sweat as she made it back to the entrance. By the end she left the facility eager to get under a warm shower. Already feeling the gentle pricks of water on her body Rinoa walked with a quick pace back to her apartment when a young voice called from behind.
"Aunt Rinoa wait up."
Turning around Rinoa smiled as she saw it was Ryder Dincht calling her name. Ryder was the spitting image of his father. Shorter, Ryder had blond spiky hair and a warm chocolate brown eyes. She had never seen the boy without a smile on his face, the kid just screamed with charisma and Rinoa adored him for that.
"Hello Ryder how are you, hope your break went alright?"
"It was great dad rented a boat and took me fishing off the Galbadian coast."
"I bet that was fun," Rinoa said cheerfully "How is your dad and mom?"
"There good," Ryder replied simply, Rinoa didn't expect a fifteen year old to go into further detail.
"Well I gotta go, I just got back and I want to see if my roommate's here."
Rinoa nodded and was about to turn and leave when a thought hit her "Oh, are Kriye and Ceila back then?" She asked the young Dincht.
"Kriye and Ceila?" Ryder asked confused "Did they go somewhere over break?"
Rinoa thought he was pulling her leg "Don't tease me Ryder," she laughed, although nervously.
"I'm not teasing you aunt Rinoa. I haven't seen Ceila or Kriye in like a week. In fact mom was a little upset that Ceila hadn't written to her over break."
An uncontrollable fear suddenly struck Rinoa's heart. Ryder gave her an apprehensive look before waving good bye and setting off towards his dorm room.
Standing in the middle of the hallway unable to move horrible thoughts started to crawl into her head. Time for awhile decided not to move and as Rinoa stood there frozen all she could do was ask herself over and over again 'If they didn't go to the Dincht's where the hell are they?'
* * *
After Samson Greene was discovered dead Ceila, Rave and Kriye wasted no time in getting out of the city. Kriye especially was anxious to get back to Balamb, even though she knew enough to know something terribly wrong was happening her father had to know about it.
They had left Timber and all piled back into Rave's flyer. Back over the ocean Kriye was wishing for nothing more then to be back in Balamb, informing her parents of all this treachery, until then she occupied herself with worried thoughts.
They had to be half way there when a clunking noise started coming from the front of the flyer.
"What's that noise Rave?"
"I'm not sure; I don't think it's anything we have to worry about?" Rave informed her.
Taking his word for it Kriye settled back into her seat, seconds later the whole flyer started to shake. It was subtle at first, but within no time the vehicle was shaking violently.
"What the hell?!" Ceila yelled.
Kriye looked out the back window; they were declining at an alarming rate.
Turning to the front of the flyer she screamed to Rave over the sound of the failing engine.
"What the hell are you going to do?!"
"Don't worry," he yelled back "I got it all taken care of."
Kriye sat back down in her seat, not feeling reassured at all by his words.
She felt the flyer falling in the air, not daring to risk a glance out the window Kriye closed her eyes, preparing herself for the crash.
The crash never came; instead Kriye felt a rough landing on a strip of land.
The three of them gratefully got out of the rundown flyer. Taking a long look at the once airborne vehicle Kriye turned to Rave.
"Don't worry, I got it taken care of," she repeated bitterly "My ass."
"Hey were here, we have air in our lungs, stop complaining." Rave retorted.
Shutting up Kriye considered what she was preparing herself for just sixty seconds ago, Rave made a good point.
Breaking the silence Ceila asked them "Where exactly are we?"
Looking around their surroundings for the first time Kriye knew exactly where they were. The plentiful number of docks, the sight of rows of houses, and the smell of dead seagulls made it a dead giveaway.
"Were in Fisherman's horizon," she told them lamely.
"No kidding," Said Rave looking around wide eyed, "Were in the big FH."
"The place is neither big or for that matter anything extraordinary to look at," she told him "Now come on we have to find a way to get out of here."
Neither Ceila nor Rave spoke as Kriye started to lead them out of the docks and into the city.
Normally Kriye would have loved to goof around the city, it might not be much to look at compare to a city like Esthar, but the town defiantly had its own charm, especially at night. Unfortunately she was in too of a bitter mood to enjoy it.
Storming pass all the shops and people Kriye went directly to 'Vick's and Mick's Boat Rental." Stopping outside the store she turned to Ceila and Rave.
"You guys wait out here; I'm going to see if I can rent us a boat."
Not waiting for either of them to reply Kriye stepped into the store.
Kriye had been to Vick's and Mick's a couple of times when she was younger, every time she was with her father.
Forgetting that last detail Kriye walked into the store as if she had done it a thousand times before. Walking up to the counter the clerk looked at her carefully before greeting her.
"Can I help you miss?"
"Yes, my groups vehicle has broken down, and we need a boat that can take us to Balamb."
"Alright, that will be 1500 gil."
Kriye laugh uncomfortably, she hated what she was about to do.
"Sir, this is am emergency. I need to get to Balamb garden immediately. You can charge the bill to Squall Leonhart I promise he will repay you."
The clerk broke into hysteric laughter. "Why the hell would Squall Leonhart take care of your bill?"
"He's my father," she said meekly.
The bastard of a clerk was now bent over trying to catch his breath "Your.your Squall Leonhart's daughter," the clerk started to pound his fist on the table "Get out of her kid before I call the police." The clerk told her between chuckles.
"But"-
"Scram."
Too appalled to argue any further Kriye left the shop. Outside Ceila and Rave were waiting. Ceila asked her if she got the rental, but when Kriye walked right pass her Ceila got the hint and didn't say another word.
Walking down the streets of FH Kriye was at a complete lost. She had to get to Balamb, but if she wasn't allowed to rent a boat Kriye didn't know what else she could do. She wasn't about to stoop low enough and steal a boat, although.
Shaking the thought immediately away Kriye continued to walk, before she knew it they were again at the docks.
Standing at the end of a wooden plank Kriye looked out into the vast ocean. The water seemed to never end, but somewhere beyond the horizon was Balamb, the place she would give anything to be at the moment.
Contemplating if she should make a swim for it Kriye heard a voice yell from one dock over.
"So you guys having traveling problems?"
Kriye looked carefully at who was speaking to them. It was a guy about their age. He had dark spiky hair, and deep brown eyes. The guy hopped from his dock to their plank. Facing them the guy smiled warmly.
"You guys wouldn't need a lift would you?"
"Why would you care if we do or not?" Kriye asked skeptically.
"I don't," the guy replied honestly "I just thought I could help you out, that's all."
"Do you have a boat?" Rave asked him.
"Do I have a boat?" The guy repeated incredulously
He points to the dock he was on previously. There at the end was a little, lonely boat. Kriye had to wonder how the thing was staying a float let alone if it could handle four people.
"Does it work?" Ceila asked.
The guy laughs "You can bet your last Gil that it works."
"Yes, but can it take us to Balamb? If you haven't already noticed were kind of in a hurry," she told the guy curtly.
"Listen babe, I built this boat with my bare hands. It's the fasted speed boat in this port. If you want to get to Balamb fast you better hop in, because there's no way you'll get there any faster."
Not knowing what to say Kriye just stood there dumbly. Thankfully Rave took advantage of the awkward silence to question the stranger who was so willingly offering his hand.
"What's in it for you? Why would you help us out?"
The three of them all stared at the stranger all seeing a sad, familiar look floating in his eyes.
"I have my reasons, but two of them are that you guys need a ride to Balamb and I'm in need of a little adventure I'm figuring that we'll be able to help each other out."
Going against her better nature of mistrust, giving to her by her father, Kriye gave in. "We would really appreciate your help," she told the stranger earnestly.
"Then I have no problem in giving it."
And that was that. The mysterious stranger introduced himself as Davis Westmen, he was eighteen, and lived in FH alone. Unfortunately they weren't able to learn any more for time was of the essence and they all understood that they had to get going.
Davis sent them all into town to pick up supplies while he readied the boat. Thirty minutes later they were ready to go.
"Hang onto your shirts," Davis told them as they were about to set sail "It's going to be a hell of a ride."
Starting his boat Davis was seconds away from taking off when a man ran up to the dock, a frantic look was smothered cross his face.
"What's up Dale?" Davis yelled over the motor.
"You wouldn't believe it Davis," the man yelled back "It's all over the news."
"What's all over the news?"
"Squall Leonhart, that headmaster of Balamb garden, has been shot."
AUTHORS NOTES:
In this chapter I went back to a little more basic Squall/Rinoa, because for some reason that's who I always come back to. There will be more depth with the older characters as my story develops, but in the end I'm pretty much centering on Kriye and the others.
I hope everyone has a great Holidays.
Always,
Leah