CHAPTER 11
A Moment to Whatever
Kriye Leonhart saved everyone; she saved the entire world in one solitary moment. One moment in which she became greater then anybody ever thought she could be, that was, everybody who didn't really know her.
In one moment everything changed.
The news of the downfall of the latest sorceress reached everyone's home in every town. The story of Kriye Leonhart, the daughter of sorceress Rinoa and Balamb headmaster Squall Leonhart was known by all.
Suddenly Kriye was getting all the attention. Scientist insisted on performing test on her, newspapers had affectionately given her the title of 'Greatest of Them All," the media never left her alone and Rave...he was to become a void in her life forever.
He hadn't seen her since that night of the sorceress's downfall. SeeD's had arrived at the wreckage soon after the sorceresses defeat. They took everyone to the hospital that needed medical attention. Both he and Kriye were at Squall's bedside that night at the Esthar hospital. Rinoa had recovered fully and was visiting others that were in the same wing. Kriye had insisted on staying by her father's side, she also insisted on having him right there with her.
Squall laid in hospital bed, obviously not wanting to be there. When Kriye, however, entered the room it was the first time that Rave had seen the headmaster's eyes actually light up with genuine delight. Hastily Squall sat up in his bed, a quiet moan followed his action.
"You alright dad," Kriye said running to her father's side.
Rave had to take a step back as Squall gave his daughter a rare smile "Don't worry about me, I'm tougher then I look."
Chuckling Kriye pulled up two stools, there the two of them sat, at the bedside of Squall Leonhart. The three of them were silent for quite an awhile. There was a bizarre tension that Rave couldn't figure out. When at last Squall spoke all was made clear.
"I wasn't fair to either of you two," he said surprising them both "I wasn't fair to you Kriye for not letting you become the person that you wanted to be and Rave for never even giving you a chance. You both surpassed everything that I thought, and I apologize for not giving you the credit that you obviously deserved." Pausing for a moment Squall gave each of them sincere looks. "I'm sorry you two."
Kriye wrapped her arms around her father. Rave had said a humble 'thank you,' but it was overshadowed, rightfully so, by his daughter's embrace.
As she was clinging onto her father Kriye threw a look at Rave, it was a mere glance that said more then words ever could. There plain as day Kriye told him 'thank you,' and 'goodbye.'
Rave left the father and daughter alone, not knowing at the time that he would not see Kriye until several months later.
He went back to his home in Deling where he rekindled with his life as an ordinary farmer boy, not a day passing by with him not thinking about Kriye.
Time had crawled by and Rave had begun to believe that he would never re-enter the life that he had briefly lived, or more importantly, he started to believe he would never see Kriye's dazzling face see again. This belief ended when one day his father called him into the kitchen.
"Rave, you have a letter from Balamb Garden," his dad said the moment he entered the house.
Stopping in his place Rave asked him nervously "What does it say?"
"How the hell should I know? Do I look like I can read through unopened envelopes?" His father replied with biting sarcasm, he tossed the envelope on the table that was beside Rave.
Taking the vanilla envelope in his hand Rave stared at it with an intense curiosity. There was his name clearly written, it looked too professional to be from Kriye, but then again maybe that was all he was, some professional relation.
As Rave continued to stand there his father yelled at him "Well are you goin read it? Please tell me your not afraid its goin bite you or something?"
Glaring at his dad Rave opened the envelope and read the letter inside. It didn't take him long to read it and when he was finished he threw it back on the table, in a dull voice he said to his old man. "There's going to be a ball or something for saving the world, we're all invited."
"When is it?"
"Doesn't matter," Rave told him "I'm not going."
"What do you mean your not going?" His father exclaimed "You were right up there with the rest of them."
"That's not the point."
"Then what is?"
Rave didn't know if he wanted to tell his dad. The two of them shared farm work, never feelings. At that moment, however, Rave could feel himself breaking down and his father was the only one around.
"It's Kriye...she'll be there."
"Yeah well she's probably the guest of honor; I still don't see your point?"
"Forget it," Rave said waving a hand of dismissal towards his father.
"Don't tell me to forget it," Seifer said indignantly "You think I can't understand? You're thinking how can someone like me possible know what you're going through?"
Rave remained silent.
"Well Sport, let me tell you something. I know what it's like when it's about the girl. It seems like everything starts with 'the girl.'"
Rave watched as his dad give into a deep sigh "I know you have an idea of my history Rave. You're a smart kid; you get that from your mother. I was the world's enemy; nothing mattered to me except becoming something that I wasn't."
Seifer Almansy stopped talking and looked Rave directly in the eyes "You're a man now Rave, your old enough to make your own decisions. I'm not going to decide things for you, I'm only going to ask you this; think of the man you are now and what you want out of your life. Don't always decide with your head; sometimes surrender to your heart."
Rave was speechless, never had his father talked to him like that before. It was nice, a bit odd, but defiantly welcomed.
As quickly as it came his dad turned away and started to dig inside the refrigerator, and in true Seifer Almansy fashion he asked Rave from inside the fridge.
"So are you fucking going to go or not?"
Rave couldn't help but smile "Yeah I think I am, what about you?"
Taking a moment to consider his dad grinned "I think I might make an appearance."
The two Almansy men nodded at each other and then both went to find his mother. They had to tell her that they were going to Balamb.
The ballroom was gorgeous; it was like something coming straight from a fairytale, if you wanted to talk in clichés. Glimmering with decorations that simply took your breathe away. Her mom had told her it was the same room that garden had rented out back when she, dad and their friends saved the world.
The night of the ball guest from all over rolled into the incredible space; most Kriye had no idea who they were.
Davis was one of the first to arrive, Kriye had given him a big hug, but there was truly only one person he was looking to see.
Ceila and her parents arrived shortly after Davis. Ceila too gave her a bear like hug, but like a magnet Davis' presence pulled her away. Before Kriye knew it the two of them were off by themselves.
Watching the two walk away together Kriye found herself swelling up with happiness for her closest friend. Kriye loved seeing Ceila's eyes light every time Davis' name popped into a conversation. Watching the two filled Kriye with hope that she just couldn't find anywhere else.
The hope for what, however, still remained in its shadows.
Still, having her two friends leave to go do their own thing left Kriye with hopelessly boring obligation of greeting guest as they entered the ballroom, at least she had her parents to suffer through the same torture.
With a polite smile Kriye welcome each guest as they entered, but in truth she herself was only waiting for one.
Rave Almansy had left her life just as quickly as he had came. One day they were visiting her dad as the hospital and before she knew it Rave was gone. Not even giving her the slightest of goodbyes. As if everything they had gone through together had meant nothing.
So much had happened since that fateful day with the sorceress. Kriye's life was nothing like it once was, suddenly she was getting all this praise and gratitude that she frankly didn't think she deserved.
Back at Balamb Garden people would stop her left and right just to thank you for 'saving the world.' It had all become so surreal to her.
With everything new going on in her life Kriye couldn't help but crave for something else. Her father had said that she no longer had to become a SeeD, but that didn't even matter to Kriye anymore. At least when she was training to become a SeeD she had a direction, now she didn't know where the hell she wanted to go.
The night was starting to get late. Kriye was ready to except that fact that Rave would never show up, but when she least expected was when she found her herself most surprised.
Strolling into the room stressed in a smart suit that fit him all too well. Rave, accompanied by his parents, joined Kriye and her own parents near the entrance of the room.
Kriye didn't take her eyes off of Rave and it seemed like her presence had the same effect on him as the two connected their searching eyes. Both simply stood by their parents as an odd tension began to rise between them.
The only thing that awoke Kriye from her trance was her parents, who were breaking their own tension that stood between them and the Almansys'. Kriye pulled her eyes off of Rave and moved them to her mom and dad who were starting to immerse in awkward conversation.
"You guys look good," her mother said trying to break the ice.
"You both do too," Quistis replied with a polite smile, both her father and Seifer stayed quiet.
Another round of silence rolled over them, this time Kriye dared a glance over at Rave who happened to be looking right back apprehensively.
Kriye understood there was a long history between all the adults before her at that moment; it just made her wish that things wouldn't have to come to this. There were enough wars in this world; they didn't need any amongst themselves.
It was because of that history that Kriye found herself at a great surprise when the tension was at last broken, this time by her own father.
"Would you guys care to join us at our table? The others are waiting for us?"
"Oh I don't know," Quistis said hesitantly looking over at her husband.
"Please," her dad persisted "it would mean a lot."
"To both of us," her mom added, smiling brightly at her two former friends.
Quistis and Seifer both gave each other nervous glances. Joining her parents along with aunt Selphie and uncle Irvine and Zell was a bigger step for the two Almansy's than anyone would ever know.
"Yeah we'll come," Seifer said at last "If you'll have us."
"It be a long awaited honor," her dad told them earnestly. Without another word the four adults made their way to their table.
Now it was just her and Rave.
"Ah...I think Ceila and Davis are waiting at a table if you want to join them?" Her voice was shaky and her throat dry. Kriye could only curse herself as Rave nodded and the two of them went to join Ceila and Davis.
The expected hugs and smiles were exchanged as they approached the table and as the night grew later the four of them had a pleasant evening, but to Kriye something was off. Maybe she was expecting too much, but she couldn't help that feeling inside of her craving for something more.
During the duration of the night she kept glancing over at her parents table. There they were eight adults with pretty much nothing in common, a couple they hadn't seen in years and so much time that had passed since their fateful journey and yet they all were getting along. Looking over at the table Kriye felt herself boiling over with pride for her parents, and a little envy. She hoped that could be her and the others when they grew older, but it was like what her mother always told her. 'You can't always predict the future.'
Kriye let out a deep sigh. She wanted what they had, she wanted what her parents have, she wanted so much more that she could hear a loud foreign voice screaming in her head. There was no getting rid of it.
Hastily getting up from her seat Kriye excused herself from the others and made a quick dash out of the ballroom.
A long balcony came to Kriye's view, the fresh air was more tempting then she could bear. Running to the edge of the balcony Kriye took a deep breath, gradually the anxiety that had been building inside of her eased its way out of her system.
A few feet away stood a woman; she was tall, thin and beautiful. Kriye noticed a cigarette was carefully set between her fingers. She had to be only a few years older then Kriye, but her eyes told another story. They were much older then the rest of her, they were eyes that had traveled so many more miles then Kriye had.
The women noticing Kriye staring at her decided to strike up a conversation.
"Hard night?"
"Something like that," Kriye replied in almost a whisper.
"I hear you," the women said while inhaling a drag from her cigarette then releasing it into the cool night air.
"You want one?" the women offered, handing over a single stick from her carton.
Kriye had never smoked before. It just didn't mix well with her training, and if her dad ever found out she would feel the greatest wrath that Balamb Garden had ever seen.
However, at that moment the 'cancer stick,' was looking mighty tempting. Willing to try anything that would remove the knot that had decided to make a home in her stomach Kriye took the women up on her offer.
Taking the cigarette Kriye slipped it into her mouth and then proceeded with letting the women light her up. Needless to say Kriye wasn't exactly graceful nor elegant went smoking her first cigarette. She coughed out the first puff that she took and then started to gag for air. The women only laughed.
"Yeah they can make you do that, but hey it's the price you pay for some piece of mind."
Kriye could only nod as she took another drag. The women blowing out the remains from her stick flicked it over the edge of the balcony. After watching the butt drop out of sight the women turned back to Kriye.
"Well my friend, I gotta go, thanks for the company," the women started to walk away when suddenly she stopped. Turning back towards the women smiled gently "Hey, whatever you worry is, I can assure you it's not worth burying in that cig," with that said the women twirled back around and strode away. Kriye could hear the tap of her heals fade as she went.
Turning her attention back to cigarette Kriye took another drag, this time releasing a smooth cloud of smoke from her lips.
Who did that women think she was? Giving her a cigarette and then telling her not to be seduced by it and all her troubles. Why the hell was she out here for anyway?
Letting it go Kriye took another puff when a voice from the entrance startled her already worked up state of mind.
"When did you start smoking?"
There was no need to turn around to discover who that voice belong to, but she did anyway. There standing at the balcony's opening was Rave, a smirk curving his lips.
"I normally don't," Kriye told him taking a quick drag "But tonight it just felt right." Following her words was a cloud of smoke.
Not replying Rave joined her in leaning against the balcony and without so much as asking he grabbed Kriye's cigarette from her mouth and took his own puff.
"Hey, I never said I wanted to share."
Shrugging Rave took another hit. The two were quiet for a long time, the only communication they had was passing the solitary cigarette back and forth.
When the cigarette was reduced to nothing more then a butt, Rave tossed it overboard.
"It's nice isn't it?" He asked breaking the overextended silence "Letting your frustrations and worries out on a two inch stick?"
"Yeah, I suppose," She said faintly, not wanting to completely admit how much the cigarette did relax her. She had a few reasons for this, she didn't want to admit that she was weak enough to be seduced by such an object, but mainly she didn't want to admit to Rave that she had anything to worry about to begin with. So Kriye did the only thing that she could do, she changed the subject.
"So, how have you been doing Rave?" Kriye knew her voice was abnormally high pitched.
"Alright," he answered "How about yourself?"
His question was such a natural response, but somehow Kriye didn't see it coming at all. How was she doing? His question kept repeating in her head, but she couldn't respond. She was physically unable to.
As she stood there silently she stared at Rave's blazing eye's which were burning down on her. That was it; she could no longer take it. Feeling the tears forming in her eyes Kriye made quick dash to leave the room, she didn't get very far. Rave was quick to grab her arm and pull her to his chest.
From that point all Kriye could do was give in. She fell to her knees and let her ready tears slide down her cheek. Rave joined her on the ground; he lightly tilted her chin so their eyes met.
"I know your pain; I can feel it whenever I'm next to you. I've felt it all night and it kills me. Please, from one friend to another, if there's anything I can do tell me."
Each of his words were spoken with such an honest kindness and genuine heart that at that moment she feel her own heart reaching out to him. Kriye had to turn away from Rave; she could no longer bear looking him in the eyes.
In-between sobs Kriye asked Rave the question that had been eating away at everything that had been holding her together these last few months, and now that everything inside of her was falling apart she gave in to the desperate temptation.
"Rave, why...why did you leave that, that day at the hospital? Why...why hav...havn't you tried to contact any of us?" Sniffling herself to composure she asked her most pressing question "Why didn't you try to contact me?
Kriye hated how desperate she sounded, but the question had been burning inside of her for far too long and at that moment it was worse then ever.
At first Rave didn't respond. He only stared at her, his eyes looking as lost as she felt.
As she waited patiently for Rave to give her any sort of response he finally spoke to her "I thought you...you no longer needed me."
"What in earth made you think that?" She asked him, hardly believing that could be his reason.
Looking slightly ashamed Rave answered "Back at the hospital when you were with my dad, I don't know, it just seemed like you didn't need me around. For so long after I wanted to get a hold of you, but I kept reading all these things in the newspapers and..." Rave faded off.
Kriye didn't know what to say. His answer wasn't anything she expected. All she could do was look into his soulful, chocolate eyes. There was so much more to Rave Almansy then met the eye and Kriye loved every bit of it.
Inching up close to Rave she whispered into his ear "I need you Rave, I need you by my side, I need you when I don't need anybody else and at the end of everyday Rave 'I need you.'"
Rave stared at her speechless. Kriye could have screamed at him to say something, to say anything, but all she could do was stand there and pray into his beautiful eyes that he felt the same.
He did.
Without saying a word Rave suddenly leaned in and kissed her. In a clichéd moment the world stopped just for them and everything that was wrong was suddenly made right.
When they at last parted Kriye stared up at Rave's beaming face. Smiling she said to him. "Besides if your not around who am I going to have random duels with in the middle of streets."
Rave laughed and Kriye joined in. Together, hand in hand, they left the balcony.
For them it wasn't the end of anything, but it wasn't the start either. It was right in the middle, and that was exactly where they were suppose to be.
THE END
AUTHORS NOTE:
Well I finished my science project of a story. Not exactly how I thought it would turn out, but to be honest none of my stories ever do.
I would like to thank everyone and anyone who took the time to read this story; I truly appreciate any time that is given to something that I have written. Fanfiction is my vent that I hold dearly to my heart and I'm glad to have so many people to share that common bond with.
So to all that are out there, I wish you the best.
Always,
Leah
A Moment to Whatever
Kriye Leonhart saved everyone; she saved the entire world in one solitary moment. One moment in which she became greater then anybody ever thought she could be, that was, everybody who didn't really know her.
In one moment everything changed.
The news of the downfall of the latest sorceress reached everyone's home in every town. The story of Kriye Leonhart, the daughter of sorceress Rinoa and Balamb headmaster Squall Leonhart was known by all.
Suddenly Kriye was getting all the attention. Scientist insisted on performing test on her, newspapers had affectionately given her the title of 'Greatest of Them All," the media never left her alone and Rave...he was to become a void in her life forever.
He hadn't seen her since that night of the sorceress's downfall. SeeD's had arrived at the wreckage soon after the sorceresses defeat. They took everyone to the hospital that needed medical attention. Both he and Kriye were at Squall's bedside that night at the Esthar hospital. Rinoa had recovered fully and was visiting others that were in the same wing. Kriye had insisted on staying by her father's side, she also insisted on having him right there with her.
Squall laid in hospital bed, obviously not wanting to be there. When Kriye, however, entered the room it was the first time that Rave had seen the headmaster's eyes actually light up with genuine delight. Hastily Squall sat up in his bed, a quiet moan followed his action.
"You alright dad," Kriye said running to her father's side.
Rave had to take a step back as Squall gave his daughter a rare smile "Don't worry about me, I'm tougher then I look."
Chuckling Kriye pulled up two stools, there the two of them sat, at the bedside of Squall Leonhart. The three of them were silent for quite an awhile. There was a bizarre tension that Rave couldn't figure out. When at last Squall spoke all was made clear.
"I wasn't fair to either of you two," he said surprising them both "I wasn't fair to you Kriye for not letting you become the person that you wanted to be and Rave for never even giving you a chance. You both surpassed everything that I thought, and I apologize for not giving you the credit that you obviously deserved." Pausing for a moment Squall gave each of them sincere looks. "I'm sorry you two."
Kriye wrapped her arms around her father. Rave had said a humble 'thank you,' but it was overshadowed, rightfully so, by his daughter's embrace.
As she was clinging onto her father Kriye threw a look at Rave, it was a mere glance that said more then words ever could. There plain as day Kriye told him 'thank you,' and 'goodbye.'
Rave left the father and daughter alone, not knowing at the time that he would not see Kriye until several months later.
He went back to his home in Deling where he rekindled with his life as an ordinary farmer boy, not a day passing by with him not thinking about Kriye.
Time had crawled by and Rave had begun to believe that he would never re-enter the life that he had briefly lived, or more importantly, he started to believe he would never see Kriye's dazzling face see again. This belief ended when one day his father called him into the kitchen.
"Rave, you have a letter from Balamb Garden," his dad said the moment he entered the house.
Stopping in his place Rave asked him nervously "What does it say?"
"How the hell should I know? Do I look like I can read through unopened envelopes?" His father replied with biting sarcasm, he tossed the envelope on the table that was beside Rave.
Taking the vanilla envelope in his hand Rave stared at it with an intense curiosity. There was his name clearly written, it looked too professional to be from Kriye, but then again maybe that was all he was, some professional relation.
As Rave continued to stand there his father yelled at him "Well are you goin read it? Please tell me your not afraid its goin bite you or something?"
Glaring at his dad Rave opened the envelope and read the letter inside. It didn't take him long to read it and when he was finished he threw it back on the table, in a dull voice he said to his old man. "There's going to be a ball or something for saving the world, we're all invited."
"When is it?"
"Doesn't matter," Rave told him "I'm not going."
"What do you mean your not going?" His father exclaimed "You were right up there with the rest of them."
"That's not the point."
"Then what is?"
Rave didn't know if he wanted to tell his dad. The two of them shared farm work, never feelings. At that moment, however, Rave could feel himself breaking down and his father was the only one around.
"It's Kriye...she'll be there."
"Yeah well she's probably the guest of honor; I still don't see your point?"
"Forget it," Rave said waving a hand of dismissal towards his father.
"Don't tell me to forget it," Seifer said indignantly "You think I can't understand? You're thinking how can someone like me possible know what you're going through?"
Rave remained silent.
"Well Sport, let me tell you something. I know what it's like when it's about the girl. It seems like everything starts with 'the girl.'"
Rave watched as his dad give into a deep sigh "I know you have an idea of my history Rave. You're a smart kid; you get that from your mother. I was the world's enemy; nothing mattered to me except becoming something that I wasn't."
Seifer Almansy stopped talking and looked Rave directly in the eyes "You're a man now Rave, your old enough to make your own decisions. I'm not going to decide things for you, I'm only going to ask you this; think of the man you are now and what you want out of your life. Don't always decide with your head; sometimes surrender to your heart."
Rave was speechless, never had his father talked to him like that before. It was nice, a bit odd, but defiantly welcomed.
As quickly as it came his dad turned away and started to dig inside the refrigerator, and in true Seifer Almansy fashion he asked Rave from inside the fridge.
"So are you fucking going to go or not?"
Rave couldn't help but smile "Yeah I think I am, what about you?"
Taking a moment to consider his dad grinned "I think I might make an appearance."
The two Almansy men nodded at each other and then both went to find his mother. They had to tell her that they were going to Balamb.
The ballroom was gorgeous; it was like something coming straight from a fairytale, if you wanted to talk in clichés. Glimmering with decorations that simply took your breathe away. Her mom had told her it was the same room that garden had rented out back when she, dad and their friends saved the world.
The night of the ball guest from all over rolled into the incredible space; most Kriye had no idea who they were.
Davis was one of the first to arrive, Kriye had given him a big hug, but there was truly only one person he was looking to see.
Ceila and her parents arrived shortly after Davis. Ceila too gave her a bear like hug, but like a magnet Davis' presence pulled her away. Before Kriye knew it the two of them were off by themselves.
Watching the two walk away together Kriye found herself swelling up with happiness for her closest friend. Kriye loved seeing Ceila's eyes light every time Davis' name popped into a conversation. Watching the two filled Kriye with hope that she just couldn't find anywhere else.
The hope for what, however, still remained in its shadows.
Still, having her two friends leave to go do their own thing left Kriye with hopelessly boring obligation of greeting guest as they entered the ballroom, at least she had her parents to suffer through the same torture.
With a polite smile Kriye welcome each guest as they entered, but in truth she herself was only waiting for one.
Rave Almansy had left her life just as quickly as he had came. One day they were visiting her dad as the hospital and before she knew it Rave was gone. Not even giving her the slightest of goodbyes. As if everything they had gone through together had meant nothing.
So much had happened since that fateful day with the sorceress. Kriye's life was nothing like it once was, suddenly she was getting all this praise and gratitude that she frankly didn't think she deserved.
Back at Balamb Garden people would stop her left and right just to thank you for 'saving the world.' It had all become so surreal to her.
With everything new going on in her life Kriye couldn't help but crave for something else. Her father had said that she no longer had to become a SeeD, but that didn't even matter to Kriye anymore. At least when she was training to become a SeeD she had a direction, now she didn't know where the hell she wanted to go.
The night was starting to get late. Kriye was ready to except that fact that Rave would never show up, but when she least expected was when she found her herself most surprised.
Strolling into the room stressed in a smart suit that fit him all too well. Rave, accompanied by his parents, joined Kriye and her own parents near the entrance of the room.
Kriye didn't take her eyes off of Rave and it seemed like her presence had the same effect on him as the two connected their searching eyes. Both simply stood by their parents as an odd tension began to rise between them.
The only thing that awoke Kriye from her trance was her parents, who were breaking their own tension that stood between them and the Almansys'. Kriye pulled her eyes off of Rave and moved them to her mom and dad who were starting to immerse in awkward conversation.
"You guys look good," her mother said trying to break the ice.
"You both do too," Quistis replied with a polite smile, both her father and Seifer stayed quiet.
Another round of silence rolled over them, this time Kriye dared a glance over at Rave who happened to be looking right back apprehensively.
Kriye understood there was a long history between all the adults before her at that moment; it just made her wish that things wouldn't have to come to this. There were enough wars in this world; they didn't need any amongst themselves.
It was because of that history that Kriye found herself at a great surprise when the tension was at last broken, this time by her own father.
"Would you guys care to join us at our table? The others are waiting for us?"
"Oh I don't know," Quistis said hesitantly looking over at her husband.
"Please," her dad persisted "it would mean a lot."
"To both of us," her mom added, smiling brightly at her two former friends.
Quistis and Seifer both gave each other nervous glances. Joining her parents along with aunt Selphie and uncle Irvine and Zell was a bigger step for the two Almansy's than anyone would ever know.
"Yeah we'll come," Seifer said at last "If you'll have us."
"It be a long awaited honor," her dad told them earnestly. Without another word the four adults made their way to their table.
Now it was just her and Rave.
"Ah...I think Ceila and Davis are waiting at a table if you want to join them?" Her voice was shaky and her throat dry. Kriye could only curse herself as Rave nodded and the two of them went to join Ceila and Davis.
The expected hugs and smiles were exchanged as they approached the table and as the night grew later the four of them had a pleasant evening, but to Kriye something was off. Maybe she was expecting too much, but she couldn't help that feeling inside of her craving for something more.
During the duration of the night she kept glancing over at her parents table. There they were eight adults with pretty much nothing in common, a couple they hadn't seen in years and so much time that had passed since their fateful journey and yet they all were getting along. Looking over at the table Kriye felt herself boiling over with pride for her parents, and a little envy. She hoped that could be her and the others when they grew older, but it was like what her mother always told her. 'You can't always predict the future.'
Kriye let out a deep sigh. She wanted what they had, she wanted what her parents have, she wanted so much more that she could hear a loud foreign voice screaming in her head. There was no getting rid of it.
Hastily getting up from her seat Kriye excused herself from the others and made a quick dash out of the ballroom.
A long balcony came to Kriye's view, the fresh air was more tempting then she could bear. Running to the edge of the balcony Kriye took a deep breath, gradually the anxiety that had been building inside of her eased its way out of her system.
A few feet away stood a woman; she was tall, thin and beautiful. Kriye noticed a cigarette was carefully set between her fingers. She had to be only a few years older then Kriye, but her eyes told another story. They were much older then the rest of her, they were eyes that had traveled so many more miles then Kriye had.
The women noticing Kriye staring at her decided to strike up a conversation.
"Hard night?"
"Something like that," Kriye replied in almost a whisper.
"I hear you," the women said while inhaling a drag from her cigarette then releasing it into the cool night air.
"You want one?" the women offered, handing over a single stick from her carton.
Kriye had never smoked before. It just didn't mix well with her training, and if her dad ever found out she would feel the greatest wrath that Balamb Garden had ever seen.
However, at that moment the 'cancer stick,' was looking mighty tempting. Willing to try anything that would remove the knot that had decided to make a home in her stomach Kriye took the women up on her offer.
Taking the cigarette Kriye slipped it into her mouth and then proceeded with letting the women light her up. Needless to say Kriye wasn't exactly graceful nor elegant went smoking her first cigarette. She coughed out the first puff that she took and then started to gag for air. The women only laughed.
"Yeah they can make you do that, but hey it's the price you pay for some piece of mind."
Kriye could only nod as she took another drag. The women blowing out the remains from her stick flicked it over the edge of the balcony. After watching the butt drop out of sight the women turned back to Kriye.
"Well my friend, I gotta go, thanks for the company," the women started to walk away when suddenly she stopped. Turning back towards the women smiled gently "Hey, whatever you worry is, I can assure you it's not worth burying in that cig," with that said the women twirled back around and strode away. Kriye could hear the tap of her heals fade as she went.
Turning her attention back to cigarette Kriye took another drag, this time releasing a smooth cloud of smoke from her lips.
Who did that women think she was? Giving her a cigarette and then telling her not to be seduced by it and all her troubles. Why the hell was she out here for anyway?
Letting it go Kriye took another puff when a voice from the entrance startled her already worked up state of mind.
"When did you start smoking?"
There was no need to turn around to discover who that voice belong to, but she did anyway. There standing at the balcony's opening was Rave, a smirk curving his lips.
"I normally don't," Kriye told him taking a quick drag "But tonight it just felt right." Following her words was a cloud of smoke.
Not replying Rave joined her in leaning against the balcony and without so much as asking he grabbed Kriye's cigarette from her mouth and took his own puff.
"Hey, I never said I wanted to share."
Shrugging Rave took another hit. The two were quiet for a long time, the only communication they had was passing the solitary cigarette back and forth.
When the cigarette was reduced to nothing more then a butt, Rave tossed it overboard.
"It's nice isn't it?" He asked breaking the overextended silence "Letting your frustrations and worries out on a two inch stick?"
"Yeah, I suppose," She said faintly, not wanting to completely admit how much the cigarette did relax her. She had a few reasons for this, she didn't want to admit that she was weak enough to be seduced by such an object, but mainly she didn't want to admit to Rave that she had anything to worry about to begin with. So Kriye did the only thing that she could do, she changed the subject.
"So, how have you been doing Rave?" Kriye knew her voice was abnormally high pitched.
"Alright," he answered "How about yourself?"
His question was such a natural response, but somehow Kriye didn't see it coming at all. How was she doing? His question kept repeating in her head, but she couldn't respond. She was physically unable to.
As she stood there silently she stared at Rave's blazing eye's which were burning down on her. That was it; she could no longer take it. Feeling the tears forming in her eyes Kriye made quick dash to leave the room, she didn't get very far. Rave was quick to grab her arm and pull her to his chest.
From that point all Kriye could do was give in. She fell to her knees and let her ready tears slide down her cheek. Rave joined her on the ground; he lightly tilted her chin so their eyes met.
"I know your pain; I can feel it whenever I'm next to you. I've felt it all night and it kills me. Please, from one friend to another, if there's anything I can do tell me."
Each of his words were spoken with such an honest kindness and genuine heart that at that moment she feel her own heart reaching out to him. Kriye had to turn away from Rave; she could no longer bear looking him in the eyes.
In-between sobs Kriye asked Rave the question that had been eating away at everything that had been holding her together these last few months, and now that everything inside of her was falling apart she gave in to the desperate temptation.
"Rave, why...why did you leave that, that day at the hospital? Why...why hav...havn't you tried to contact any of us?" Sniffling herself to composure she asked her most pressing question "Why didn't you try to contact me?
Kriye hated how desperate she sounded, but the question had been burning inside of her for far too long and at that moment it was worse then ever.
At first Rave didn't respond. He only stared at her, his eyes looking as lost as she felt.
As she waited patiently for Rave to give her any sort of response he finally spoke to her "I thought you...you no longer needed me."
"What in earth made you think that?" She asked him, hardly believing that could be his reason.
Looking slightly ashamed Rave answered "Back at the hospital when you were with my dad, I don't know, it just seemed like you didn't need me around. For so long after I wanted to get a hold of you, but I kept reading all these things in the newspapers and..." Rave faded off.
Kriye didn't know what to say. His answer wasn't anything she expected. All she could do was look into his soulful, chocolate eyes. There was so much more to Rave Almansy then met the eye and Kriye loved every bit of it.
Inching up close to Rave she whispered into his ear "I need you Rave, I need you by my side, I need you when I don't need anybody else and at the end of everyday Rave 'I need you.'"
Rave stared at her speechless. Kriye could have screamed at him to say something, to say anything, but all she could do was stand there and pray into his beautiful eyes that he felt the same.
He did.
Without saying a word Rave suddenly leaned in and kissed her. In a clichéd moment the world stopped just for them and everything that was wrong was suddenly made right.
When they at last parted Kriye stared up at Rave's beaming face. Smiling she said to him. "Besides if your not around who am I going to have random duels with in the middle of streets."
Rave laughed and Kriye joined in. Together, hand in hand, they left the balcony.
For them it wasn't the end of anything, but it wasn't the start either. It was right in the middle, and that was exactly where they were suppose to be.
THE END
AUTHORS NOTE:
Well I finished my science project of a story. Not exactly how I thought it would turn out, but to be honest none of my stories ever do.
I would like to thank everyone and anyone who took the time to read this story; I truly appreciate any time that is given to something that I have written. Fanfiction is my vent that I hold dearly to my heart and I'm glad to have so many people to share that common bond with.
So to all that are out there, I wish you the best.
Always,
Leah