CHAPTER 5
Heart's Best Intent
Quistis watched her husband as he hammered additional boards into the feeding shed. He was so stubborn, it was only a small hole at the bottom of the shed, but Seifer wouldn't let it go. He just had to fix it.
He was so much like his son that it was heart aching.
Rave had been gone for almost a month now. They hadn't heard a word from him since the night of their argument. Quistis couldn't even sleep at night. Instead she would lay awake listening for the door to open, hoping that her son would come walking in.
They should have compromised with him. They shouldn't have kept him in the dark and told him what he had the right to know.
Both Quistis and Seifer had a whole other life before they found one together. They learned from their mistakes of the past, and were able to make the best of it.
They deprived Rave from that, and for that Quistis felt horrible.
Seifer had now finished with the feeding shed, and had fallen on the grass where he was looking yearn fully at the sky.
Seifer was such a dreamer, he always has been. She sometimes felt guilty for taking such a man and bringing him to a life that he had never dreamed of. Of course their current life was just as much Seifer's choice as it was hers, still it sometimes felt like a settled life rather then a chosen one.
Quistis continued to watch her husband until he left his spot on the grass. Seifer came into the house and wrapped his strong arms around her. After a gentle kiss on the top of the head Seifer left, Quistis hoped to take a shower.
As her husband walked away Quistis realized that despite everything life worked out, and as she looked out at the endless sky she believed whole heartily that the same would work out for Rave. After all he was his father's son.
* * *
Rinoa's heart physically couldn't endure anymore heartache. The idea of not knowing where Kriye and Ceila were was horrible enough, but to hear that her husband had been shot.If she didn't know she had to stay strong she would have broken down.
The news of Squall being shot was the most horrid thing Rinoa had ever been through. She was on the phone with Zell worrying about their daughters when Zell suddenly let out a loud curse. He said something terrible had happened on the news, when she asked what it was Zell told her to sit down.
Now she was on a train to Timber to see her husband who was in critical care, and she still had no idea where her daughter was. The only two things that were important to Rinoa are suddenly being ripped from her. On the train alone she at least broke down a dozen times.
When she arrived in Timber she didn't waste a moment to consider how bizarre it was to be back. Baring only Squall in mind Rinoa rushed to the hospital. Once arriving there it took two nurses to hold her down as the doctor tried to explain to her.
"Mrs. Leonhart please."
"I want to see my husband!" Rinoa cried.
""I know," the doctor said calmly "But please let me explain his condition first."
Biting down on her own impatience Rinoa listened.
"Mr. Leonhart was shot in the left breast. Luckily it missed most of the muscle. He will have a full recovery."
She let out a deep sigh of relief before turning her attention back to the doctor. "Is there anything else known on his assailant?" She asked him.
"Not that I'm aware of," said the doctor "But then again I'm just a physician, the local authorities normally don't let me in on such matters."
Nodding absent mindedly Rinoa asked is she could see Squall. With permission granted Rinoa followed one of the nurses to the farthest room in the ward.
Rinoa had seen many wrong things in her life, but none as wrong as seeing Squall Leonhart lying lifelessly on a bed.
Upon her entry Squall looked up from his absent stare out the window. He lit up in such a way that made Rinoa's heart flutter. Not even able to control herself Rinoa ran to his bed jumping on top of him.
"I was so worried," she wailed "I heard that you were shot and it was like all the life was taken out of me."
"Well the life's going to be taken out of me if you don't get off," Squall told her trying to catch his breath.
Immediately she got off from on top of her husband and slid to the side of his bed. Tears suddenly began to roll down her face. Between sobs Rinoa tried to talk.
"I just don't work without you Squall. I just about broke down a hundred times on my way over here. I can't believe what kind of wreck I am."
Squall smiled one of his rare smiles as he gently wiped away her tears with his thumb.
"Rinoa don't believe it for one second that you can't make it without me," he told her "You're the strongest person I know. Without you.I don't like to think about it. It's me who couldn't make it without you.
"Squall," she cried flinging her arms around him "I love you so much."
Rinoa could feel Squall's hands tighten around her arm as he whispered to her.
"I love you Rinoa."
They held onto each other just like they did when they first fell in love, it was the best feeling in the world to know that never changed. When they finally did part Squall's face grew serious and he asked her.
"Did Kriye make it back alright?"
"Oh yeah," Rinoa answered quickly "She's back at home. I didn't want to risk her coming here."
Rinoa watched guiltily as Squall nodded in relief. She hated lying to Squall more then anything in this world, but she knew if she told him that his only daughter was missing he would get up from his bed, wounded chest or not, and go look for her.
Although she loved him for his courageousness she wasn't going to let him further injure himself.
Counting on others Rinoa kept her mouth shut, and hoped when Squall found out he would forgive her.
It was hard spending the whole day with Squall as if nothing was wrong. It was comforting having him beside her, but nothing would be enough until Kriye was also on her side.
Nothing in this world could compare to the love you have for your child, there like a second heart, and right at that moment Rinoa's hearts were dying.
At one point Rinoa couldn't take it anymore. She excused herself from Squall and went to the phone to call Zell.
She had just placed her money into the telephone when she felt a tap on her shoulder. Turing around Rinoa dropped the phone out of pure shock. There standing in front of her were no one other then Zone and Watts, her two closest friends that she abandoned for a life with someone else.
"Hey Rinoa," Zone said "long time no see."
".ah." She tried desperately to get words out, but her throat was dry as sand.
"We heard about Squall," Zone went on "we thought we might pay respect."
Still Rinoa remained speechless.
"Rinoa we met Kriye," said Watts speaking up for the first time.
Suddenly Rinoa had too many things to say.
"Where did you see her? Is she here? God tell me is she alright?"
Zone put a calm hand on her shoulder.
"Last we saw her she was fine. She was with two other people, a guy and a girl."
A guy? Rinoa knew who the other girl was, but who else would her daughter be with? Forgetting the minor detail Rinoa went back to interrogating Zone and Watts.
"Is she still here in Timber?"
It was Zone who answered "I doubt it; they were really interested by a secret meeting that was being held. We left them when they went to check it out, then Samson Greene's assignation happened and we haven't heard from them since."
"What was this secret meeting about?"
Both Zone and Watts shrugged.
"What the hell is she doing?" Rinoa asked more to herself then to the two men.
No one answered her question. It just became silent between the three of them. She was just about to continue her call to Zell when Zone once again spoke.
"You know what she told us her name was? She told us it was Kriye..." Zone paused for a moment "Kriye Heartilly."
The name stung Rinoa, she has been known by several lasts names, but none, not even Leonhart, meant to her as much as the one that Zone had just spoken.
"Zone," she began, but the man wouldn't hear it.
"Rinoa," he interrupted "you have more important matters to worry about then things of the past."
"But"-
"Goodbye Rinoa Heartilly."
With Zone parting her with a kiss on the cheek, and Watts giving her a bow the two of them left.
Rinoa stood there for a moment. So many emotions were running through her that nothing would function. Finally shaking everything off Rinoa turned back to the phone.
Instead of calling Zell Rinoa punched in the number that Laguna gave her strictly for emergencies. When the charismatic voice of her father-in- law came on the line she wasted no time.
"Laguna I need you to do something for me."
* * *
One thing could be said about Davis' boat, it was damn fast. They raced across the ocean at speeds faster then Kriye would have ever imagined for the tiny vehicle.
Their destination was no longer Balamb, but instead back to Timber. As they traveled Kriye's insides were churning into knots, and she was pretty sure that it wasn't from the boat.
The news of her father being shot was like being shot herself. The pain of knowing that her dad was lying in a hospital bed was terrible, and a bit unnerving.
Kriye always saw her father as this unstoppable, super natural being. The reality that even the great Squall Leonhart, her dad, could be hurt.it didn't settle well with Kriye.
Wanting to get away from her thoughts Kriye stood up from her spot in the back of the boat, and maneuvered pass Ceila and Davis to where Rave was standing.
She stood beside him not saying a word. Kriye didn't even know why she wanted to talk with Rave. There was just an odd comfort that she got from him that not even Ceila could provide.
Kriye waited for Rave to say something to her, but the words never came. He just stood there silently looking off to the horizon.
Not knowing how to start the conversation Kriye was about to move to the back of the boat again when Rave finally spoke.
"You know if you didn't trust me you should have just come out and said it."
Kriye frowned "What are you talking about Rave?"
"You said your name was Kriye Heartilly, not Leonhart."
"That wasn't because I didn't trust you Rave," she said defensively. "I just didn't want my parents to interoperate your impression of me."
"Whatever," Rave said curtly turning away from her.
Aghast by Rave's behavior Kriye moved back to her position in the back of the boat. She didn't need this; she had enough to worry about with her father being in critical condition and dangerous men trying to capture her. She did not need to add Rave's child ness to the mix.
They traveled across the water for awhile before Timber's coast finally came into view. Anxiousness filled her heart; Kriye was at the edge of the boat waiting impatiently for it to arrive at shore, when large winds suddenly swept over them. Kriye looked up; as she did she could feel her jaw drop. Just above them were over a dozen flyers each occupied by one Estharian soldier.
Davis turned the engine off to his boat, and the four of them just floated there as one of the flyers hovered down so he was eye level with them.
"By order of the President of Esthar you four shall come with us," the soldier told them.
There really wasn't much they could do, Davis put up a fuss about not leaving his boat. The soldier had to keep reassuring him that it would be taken care of. With all other options eliminated Kriye and the others all hopped on back of one of the flyers and were off.
Kriye had no idea where they were being taken, but once the Estharian continent came into view it all became clear. They were being taken back to Grandpa Laguna.
Grandpa Laguna on first seeing her was a whirl of different emotions. Relieved, angry, happy, confused all mixed together in one frantic, pony tailed old man.
Once Grandpa Laguna was finished with her, aunt Ellone came running into Laguna's office.
"Oh I was so worried," she wailed "I should have never told you that you could stay without your parent's permission. I should have been more responsible."
After aunt Ellone pried herself off of her and Ceila Kriye finally got the chance to tell her grandfather all they had learned. Grandpa's reaction to the news would have been hysterical if the situation wasn't so dire.
"Scientist are doing what to who?!" Her grandfather yelled astonished.
"There doing experiments to girls and they want my blood for these experiments," Kriye explained. "I have to go to Timber and see my dad, he has to know."
"Hold it there Kriye," said Laguna grabbing Kriye by the shoulders "You aren't going anywhere near Timber, especially at a time like this."
"But Grandpa, I have to see my dad. I mean I don't even know if he's alright."
"Kriye I've talked to your mother and everything is going to be fine. As for your father he's being notified about what's going on so you don't have to worry I'll take care of that."
"But"-
"Kriye," her grandpa cut her off "If somebody's after you all they want is for you to go to a place as chaotic as Timber is right now."
Through the firmness, and finality in her grandpa's voice Kriye knew there was no use arguing. It was the first time that her silly grandfather reminded Kriye of her father.
Storming out of Grandpa Laguna's office Kriye walked furiously back to the transporter. Not having to say or do anything the transporter took her directly to the top of the presidential palace.
The top of the presidential palace was really just a flat roof covered in blue lights. Kriye's mother had once taken her up there when she was younger, and every since whenever her family visited her grandpa Kriye would always sneak away to the roof, where the tranquility was plentiful.
Kriye sat down on the farthest part of her roof and let her feet dangle over the palace. There she got lost staring off into the city of wonders. Time suddenly had no value; it was just her, her thoughts, and the freedom of being completely alone. It was a beyond wonderful feeling.
Eventually her freedom ended. Minutes, hours whatever fragment of times passed a familiar voice echoed across the roof awaking her to surroundings once again.
"It's nice up here."
Turning around quickly Kriye almost slipped off the roof. "Rave, what are you doing here?"
"Believe me it was as much of a shock for me as it is for you," he told her "I just went into the transporter, I was only thinking about where you could have run off to, and bang here I am."
Kriye sighed and turned back around. "Why did you want to know where I was?"
She listened as Rave's footsteps move towards her. "Because I did," Kriye looked up to see Rave kneeling down beside her. His soulful eyes burning down on her own.
"Can I join you?" He asked.
When she replied with a shrug Rave sat down next to her. The two of them were quiet for awhile. All the while Kriye kept chancing glances through the corner of her eye.
He was a handsome guy, there was no denying that, but there was more to Rave Almansy that what met the eye. Kriye had felt it since the moment she met him, though she still couldn't explain it.
Their silence rolled on and on. Kriye was about to suggest that they go back down to the others when Rave finally spoke.
"I'm sorry Kriye."
Unable to help herself Kriye gave him a puzzled look. "Why would you be sorry?" She asked him.
"It was selfish of me to be upset at you for not telling me who you really are. You have enough to worry about, and I think you were right not to trust me. Hell I'm just some guy who decided to pick a fight with you on the streets."
"You're more then that," Kriye told him earnestly.
"Hardly," Rave replied with a cynical laugh. "I mean I'm just a chocobo farmer from the outskirts of Deling, you're frickin Kriye Leonhart. It's not even a comparison."
Standing up furiously Kriye yelled at him "That's exactly why I didn't tell you who I was. I'll always be 'Leonhart,' never just Kriye!"
"I know that," said Rave standing up to meet her eye "It's just you are what you are, and I'm who I am. It's hard to ignore the difference."
"I don't see a difference!" Kriye said curtly.
"Yeah well either way I guess it doesn't matter. Tomorrow you'll spend the day with your grandfather, the president of Esthar, and I'll return to.to Shiva knows where."
"You're leaving!"
"We all are," Rave told her his voice small. "Ceila's parents are coming to pick her up, Davis' boat is waiting at the Esthar pier ready for whenever he wants to take off, and I.I leave tomorrow morning."
"Where are you going to go?" Kriye asked him, she couldn't believe everyone was leaving her.
"I might see if I can catch a ride back to FH with Davis. From that point." Rave paused for a moment then gave her a simple shrug. "I guess from that point I'll just play it by ear."
Kriye sat back down. She didn't want anyone to go, she needed them to stay. She tried to tell Rave that, but the words wouldn't come out. She just sat there speechless.
She could hear Rave sigh deeply and as he did she looked back up at him. His face was unreadable, it was just there impossible to decipher. What was he thinking.or feeling?
"I better get back downstairs," he told her, his voice deadpan "I have an early morning."
Kriye didn't say anything, she just continued to stare at his face hoping to find some trace of emotion.
"Well I'll see ya," Rave finally said closing the conversation.
Kriye listened as his footsteps walked away. She turned back forward the thought that they were leaving in the morning was very unsettling to Kriye. She knew they couldn't stay together forever, but for them to leave her so soon.
It was hard to describe all the emotions running inside of her at that moment, but there was one she knew for sure. Kriye tool a look around the empty roof with a heavy sigh, it was loneliness.
AUTHORS NOTE: Hey, I hope everyone's holidays went alright. I really enjoyed writing the beginning of this chapter. I've never really done any real Quistis/Seifer scenes and I like writing from those characters point of view in that situation. Well thanks to all reading the story. Take it easy, Leah
Heart's Best Intent
Quistis watched her husband as he hammered additional boards into the feeding shed. He was so stubborn, it was only a small hole at the bottom of the shed, but Seifer wouldn't let it go. He just had to fix it.
He was so much like his son that it was heart aching.
Rave had been gone for almost a month now. They hadn't heard a word from him since the night of their argument. Quistis couldn't even sleep at night. Instead she would lay awake listening for the door to open, hoping that her son would come walking in.
They should have compromised with him. They shouldn't have kept him in the dark and told him what he had the right to know.
Both Quistis and Seifer had a whole other life before they found one together. They learned from their mistakes of the past, and were able to make the best of it.
They deprived Rave from that, and for that Quistis felt horrible.
Seifer had now finished with the feeding shed, and had fallen on the grass where he was looking yearn fully at the sky.
Seifer was such a dreamer, he always has been. She sometimes felt guilty for taking such a man and bringing him to a life that he had never dreamed of. Of course their current life was just as much Seifer's choice as it was hers, still it sometimes felt like a settled life rather then a chosen one.
Quistis continued to watch her husband until he left his spot on the grass. Seifer came into the house and wrapped his strong arms around her. After a gentle kiss on the top of the head Seifer left, Quistis hoped to take a shower.
As her husband walked away Quistis realized that despite everything life worked out, and as she looked out at the endless sky she believed whole heartily that the same would work out for Rave. After all he was his father's son.
* * *
Rinoa's heart physically couldn't endure anymore heartache. The idea of not knowing where Kriye and Ceila were was horrible enough, but to hear that her husband had been shot.If she didn't know she had to stay strong she would have broken down.
The news of Squall being shot was the most horrid thing Rinoa had ever been through. She was on the phone with Zell worrying about their daughters when Zell suddenly let out a loud curse. He said something terrible had happened on the news, when she asked what it was Zell told her to sit down.
Now she was on a train to Timber to see her husband who was in critical care, and she still had no idea where her daughter was. The only two things that were important to Rinoa are suddenly being ripped from her. On the train alone she at least broke down a dozen times.
When she arrived in Timber she didn't waste a moment to consider how bizarre it was to be back. Baring only Squall in mind Rinoa rushed to the hospital. Once arriving there it took two nurses to hold her down as the doctor tried to explain to her.
"Mrs. Leonhart please."
"I want to see my husband!" Rinoa cried.
""I know," the doctor said calmly "But please let me explain his condition first."
Biting down on her own impatience Rinoa listened.
"Mr. Leonhart was shot in the left breast. Luckily it missed most of the muscle. He will have a full recovery."
She let out a deep sigh of relief before turning her attention back to the doctor. "Is there anything else known on his assailant?" She asked him.
"Not that I'm aware of," said the doctor "But then again I'm just a physician, the local authorities normally don't let me in on such matters."
Nodding absent mindedly Rinoa asked is she could see Squall. With permission granted Rinoa followed one of the nurses to the farthest room in the ward.
Rinoa had seen many wrong things in her life, but none as wrong as seeing Squall Leonhart lying lifelessly on a bed.
Upon her entry Squall looked up from his absent stare out the window. He lit up in such a way that made Rinoa's heart flutter. Not even able to control herself Rinoa ran to his bed jumping on top of him.
"I was so worried," she wailed "I heard that you were shot and it was like all the life was taken out of me."
"Well the life's going to be taken out of me if you don't get off," Squall told her trying to catch his breath.
Immediately she got off from on top of her husband and slid to the side of his bed. Tears suddenly began to roll down her face. Between sobs Rinoa tried to talk.
"I just don't work without you Squall. I just about broke down a hundred times on my way over here. I can't believe what kind of wreck I am."
Squall smiled one of his rare smiles as he gently wiped away her tears with his thumb.
"Rinoa don't believe it for one second that you can't make it without me," he told her "You're the strongest person I know. Without you.I don't like to think about it. It's me who couldn't make it without you.
"Squall," she cried flinging her arms around him "I love you so much."
Rinoa could feel Squall's hands tighten around her arm as he whispered to her.
"I love you Rinoa."
They held onto each other just like they did when they first fell in love, it was the best feeling in the world to know that never changed. When they finally did part Squall's face grew serious and he asked her.
"Did Kriye make it back alright?"
"Oh yeah," Rinoa answered quickly "She's back at home. I didn't want to risk her coming here."
Rinoa watched guiltily as Squall nodded in relief. She hated lying to Squall more then anything in this world, but she knew if she told him that his only daughter was missing he would get up from his bed, wounded chest or not, and go look for her.
Although she loved him for his courageousness she wasn't going to let him further injure himself.
Counting on others Rinoa kept her mouth shut, and hoped when Squall found out he would forgive her.
It was hard spending the whole day with Squall as if nothing was wrong. It was comforting having him beside her, but nothing would be enough until Kriye was also on her side.
Nothing in this world could compare to the love you have for your child, there like a second heart, and right at that moment Rinoa's hearts were dying.
At one point Rinoa couldn't take it anymore. She excused herself from Squall and went to the phone to call Zell.
She had just placed her money into the telephone when she felt a tap on her shoulder. Turing around Rinoa dropped the phone out of pure shock. There standing in front of her were no one other then Zone and Watts, her two closest friends that she abandoned for a life with someone else.
"Hey Rinoa," Zone said "long time no see."
".ah." She tried desperately to get words out, but her throat was dry as sand.
"We heard about Squall," Zone went on "we thought we might pay respect."
Still Rinoa remained speechless.
"Rinoa we met Kriye," said Watts speaking up for the first time.
Suddenly Rinoa had too many things to say.
"Where did you see her? Is she here? God tell me is she alright?"
Zone put a calm hand on her shoulder.
"Last we saw her she was fine. She was with two other people, a guy and a girl."
A guy? Rinoa knew who the other girl was, but who else would her daughter be with? Forgetting the minor detail Rinoa went back to interrogating Zone and Watts.
"Is she still here in Timber?"
It was Zone who answered "I doubt it; they were really interested by a secret meeting that was being held. We left them when they went to check it out, then Samson Greene's assignation happened and we haven't heard from them since."
"What was this secret meeting about?"
Both Zone and Watts shrugged.
"What the hell is she doing?" Rinoa asked more to herself then to the two men.
No one answered her question. It just became silent between the three of them. She was just about to continue her call to Zell when Zone once again spoke.
"You know what she told us her name was? She told us it was Kriye..." Zone paused for a moment "Kriye Heartilly."
The name stung Rinoa, she has been known by several lasts names, but none, not even Leonhart, meant to her as much as the one that Zone had just spoken.
"Zone," she began, but the man wouldn't hear it.
"Rinoa," he interrupted "you have more important matters to worry about then things of the past."
"But"-
"Goodbye Rinoa Heartilly."
With Zone parting her with a kiss on the cheek, and Watts giving her a bow the two of them left.
Rinoa stood there for a moment. So many emotions were running through her that nothing would function. Finally shaking everything off Rinoa turned back to the phone.
Instead of calling Zell Rinoa punched in the number that Laguna gave her strictly for emergencies. When the charismatic voice of her father-in- law came on the line she wasted no time.
"Laguna I need you to do something for me."
* * *
One thing could be said about Davis' boat, it was damn fast. They raced across the ocean at speeds faster then Kriye would have ever imagined for the tiny vehicle.
Their destination was no longer Balamb, but instead back to Timber. As they traveled Kriye's insides were churning into knots, and she was pretty sure that it wasn't from the boat.
The news of her father being shot was like being shot herself. The pain of knowing that her dad was lying in a hospital bed was terrible, and a bit unnerving.
Kriye always saw her father as this unstoppable, super natural being. The reality that even the great Squall Leonhart, her dad, could be hurt.it didn't settle well with Kriye.
Wanting to get away from her thoughts Kriye stood up from her spot in the back of the boat, and maneuvered pass Ceila and Davis to where Rave was standing.
She stood beside him not saying a word. Kriye didn't even know why she wanted to talk with Rave. There was just an odd comfort that she got from him that not even Ceila could provide.
Kriye waited for Rave to say something to her, but the words never came. He just stood there silently looking off to the horizon.
Not knowing how to start the conversation Kriye was about to move to the back of the boat again when Rave finally spoke.
"You know if you didn't trust me you should have just come out and said it."
Kriye frowned "What are you talking about Rave?"
"You said your name was Kriye Heartilly, not Leonhart."
"That wasn't because I didn't trust you Rave," she said defensively. "I just didn't want my parents to interoperate your impression of me."
"Whatever," Rave said curtly turning away from her.
Aghast by Rave's behavior Kriye moved back to her position in the back of the boat. She didn't need this; she had enough to worry about with her father being in critical condition and dangerous men trying to capture her. She did not need to add Rave's child ness to the mix.
They traveled across the water for awhile before Timber's coast finally came into view. Anxiousness filled her heart; Kriye was at the edge of the boat waiting impatiently for it to arrive at shore, when large winds suddenly swept over them. Kriye looked up; as she did she could feel her jaw drop. Just above them were over a dozen flyers each occupied by one Estharian soldier.
Davis turned the engine off to his boat, and the four of them just floated there as one of the flyers hovered down so he was eye level with them.
"By order of the President of Esthar you four shall come with us," the soldier told them.
There really wasn't much they could do, Davis put up a fuss about not leaving his boat. The soldier had to keep reassuring him that it would be taken care of. With all other options eliminated Kriye and the others all hopped on back of one of the flyers and were off.
Kriye had no idea where they were being taken, but once the Estharian continent came into view it all became clear. They were being taken back to Grandpa Laguna.
Grandpa Laguna on first seeing her was a whirl of different emotions. Relieved, angry, happy, confused all mixed together in one frantic, pony tailed old man.
Once Grandpa Laguna was finished with her, aunt Ellone came running into Laguna's office.
"Oh I was so worried," she wailed "I should have never told you that you could stay without your parent's permission. I should have been more responsible."
After aunt Ellone pried herself off of her and Ceila Kriye finally got the chance to tell her grandfather all they had learned. Grandpa's reaction to the news would have been hysterical if the situation wasn't so dire.
"Scientist are doing what to who?!" Her grandfather yelled astonished.
"There doing experiments to girls and they want my blood for these experiments," Kriye explained. "I have to go to Timber and see my dad, he has to know."
"Hold it there Kriye," said Laguna grabbing Kriye by the shoulders "You aren't going anywhere near Timber, especially at a time like this."
"But Grandpa, I have to see my dad. I mean I don't even know if he's alright."
"Kriye I've talked to your mother and everything is going to be fine. As for your father he's being notified about what's going on so you don't have to worry I'll take care of that."
"But"-
"Kriye," her grandpa cut her off "If somebody's after you all they want is for you to go to a place as chaotic as Timber is right now."
Through the firmness, and finality in her grandpa's voice Kriye knew there was no use arguing. It was the first time that her silly grandfather reminded Kriye of her father.
Storming out of Grandpa Laguna's office Kriye walked furiously back to the transporter. Not having to say or do anything the transporter took her directly to the top of the presidential palace.
The top of the presidential palace was really just a flat roof covered in blue lights. Kriye's mother had once taken her up there when she was younger, and every since whenever her family visited her grandpa Kriye would always sneak away to the roof, where the tranquility was plentiful.
Kriye sat down on the farthest part of her roof and let her feet dangle over the palace. There she got lost staring off into the city of wonders. Time suddenly had no value; it was just her, her thoughts, and the freedom of being completely alone. It was a beyond wonderful feeling.
Eventually her freedom ended. Minutes, hours whatever fragment of times passed a familiar voice echoed across the roof awaking her to surroundings once again.
"It's nice up here."
Turning around quickly Kriye almost slipped off the roof. "Rave, what are you doing here?"
"Believe me it was as much of a shock for me as it is for you," he told her "I just went into the transporter, I was only thinking about where you could have run off to, and bang here I am."
Kriye sighed and turned back around. "Why did you want to know where I was?"
She listened as Rave's footsteps move towards her. "Because I did," Kriye looked up to see Rave kneeling down beside her. His soulful eyes burning down on her own.
"Can I join you?" He asked.
When she replied with a shrug Rave sat down next to her. The two of them were quiet for awhile. All the while Kriye kept chancing glances through the corner of her eye.
He was a handsome guy, there was no denying that, but there was more to Rave Almansy that what met the eye. Kriye had felt it since the moment she met him, though she still couldn't explain it.
Their silence rolled on and on. Kriye was about to suggest that they go back down to the others when Rave finally spoke.
"I'm sorry Kriye."
Unable to help herself Kriye gave him a puzzled look. "Why would you be sorry?" She asked him.
"It was selfish of me to be upset at you for not telling me who you really are. You have enough to worry about, and I think you were right not to trust me. Hell I'm just some guy who decided to pick a fight with you on the streets."
"You're more then that," Kriye told him earnestly.
"Hardly," Rave replied with a cynical laugh. "I mean I'm just a chocobo farmer from the outskirts of Deling, you're frickin Kriye Leonhart. It's not even a comparison."
Standing up furiously Kriye yelled at him "That's exactly why I didn't tell you who I was. I'll always be 'Leonhart,' never just Kriye!"
"I know that," said Rave standing up to meet her eye "It's just you are what you are, and I'm who I am. It's hard to ignore the difference."
"I don't see a difference!" Kriye said curtly.
"Yeah well either way I guess it doesn't matter. Tomorrow you'll spend the day with your grandfather, the president of Esthar, and I'll return to.to Shiva knows where."
"You're leaving!"
"We all are," Rave told her his voice small. "Ceila's parents are coming to pick her up, Davis' boat is waiting at the Esthar pier ready for whenever he wants to take off, and I.I leave tomorrow morning."
"Where are you going to go?" Kriye asked him, she couldn't believe everyone was leaving her.
"I might see if I can catch a ride back to FH with Davis. From that point." Rave paused for a moment then gave her a simple shrug. "I guess from that point I'll just play it by ear."
Kriye sat back down. She didn't want anyone to go, she needed them to stay. She tried to tell Rave that, but the words wouldn't come out. She just sat there speechless.
She could hear Rave sigh deeply and as he did she looked back up at him. His face was unreadable, it was just there impossible to decipher. What was he thinking.or feeling?
"I better get back downstairs," he told her, his voice deadpan "I have an early morning."
Kriye didn't say anything, she just continued to stare at his face hoping to find some trace of emotion.
"Well I'll see ya," Rave finally said closing the conversation.
Kriye listened as his footsteps walked away. She turned back forward the thought that they were leaving in the morning was very unsettling to Kriye. She knew they couldn't stay together forever, but for them to leave her so soon.
It was hard to describe all the emotions running inside of her at that moment, but there was one she knew for sure. Kriye tool a look around the empty roof with a heavy sigh, it was loneliness.
AUTHORS NOTE: Hey, I hope everyone's holidays went alright. I really enjoyed writing the beginning of this chapter. I've never really done any real Quistis/Seifer scenes and I like writing from those characters point of view in that situation. Well thanks to all reading the story. Take it easy, Leah