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10.17.03

wooo hooo.. its sem break!! At long last!! Wat a long time for me to update story.. XD soowwweee for delays… hope ya like this chappie… please review!! Thankz!!

10.23.03 – 10.24.03

typing this all up again… XD done!

Special mention:

CaifanAztec-san: thanks for the emails and the updatings..!! ^-^ hope it didn't suspend ya too much…

Standard Disclaimers apply… ^.~

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Ffviii: Sweet Love...

Story Three: Hypnotized

9:10 am     Dorm No. 452, Dormitory Section C

Squall slumped onto his hard bed. "When you know that you don't have anything to do, time seems to run so tediously…," he commented as his dark brown eyes scanned the spotless white ceiling.

He then realized that his hair was still soaking wet; immediately, Squall moved himself into a sitting position, reached for his gunblade, and began to polish its sneer, silvery-white blade with a used rag.

Several thoughts ran through his mind while he watched his reflection on the smooth blade continuously disappear and resurface amidst his weak rubbing.

Is this all that life has for me? He thought glumly. There is nothing to be bored about… unless something is missing in my life.. then what is it?

He checked again his gunblade to kill more time, polishing it repeatedly.

"Where did I place those bullets…" He murmured as he slowly stood up, headed for the open window to his right.

~*~*~*~*~

"Ms. Rinoa is surely fond of taking pictures.."

"Well, can't blame her.. she's new after all.."
Rinoa stopped short, looking back at the two girls who were just talking about her earlier then shrugged. New people just can't get a little bit of peace, eh? She thought as she continued taking pictures in the dormitory section. I just love it when Fridays are no-classes day. Besides, after this, I'll be going to the Training Grounds to prepare for tomorrow's exams…

After several shots, she looked up the building with her high-tech digi-camera on focus. She saw the same brown-haired guy she bumped with before looking out his dorm window. Rinoa then absentmindedly clicked on the button, producing a sudden, unexpected bright flash, which obviously caught his attention.

He searched for the source of the gleam, eventually spotting Rinoa lowering her gray camera down. Their eyes met, staring at each other as if they were hypnotized.

But Rinoa was the first to break the contact when Selphie approached her, and they started talking a conversation that he could not hear. Afterwards, they left the place, leaving the brown-haired male interested before closing his window.

~*~*~*~*~

1:15pm     Main Lobby

"Well, since everyone is already in the vestibule, I guess we should board the bus," Quistis remarked, using the megaphone after she finished the roll call despite of the noisy environment.

"Now there she goes with her tediously long speech.." Zell whispered to Squall as they climbed the bus prepared especially for the exam, buy Squall gave no comment.

"As you see, we, SeeD cadets, must stand high, battle courageous fights…" Quistis began as silent groans started and were left unheard while they sat on their respective seats.

Seifer stood up in protest, like he should be. "Ma'am Trepe, may I suggest of explaining what we have to do instead of your long sermon, hmm?"

Quistis blushed and flared simultaneously when she finally came to a realization that every cadet gave her a disinterested look. "Ok.. " Then the bus released a thundering noise. She then took a deep breath and shouted on top of her voice. "When we arrive at out destination, the Kramer will be the one who will tell you what to do and your groupings also."

Zell grunted, punching the seat before him angrily as the bus swerved to the right. Seifer gritted his teeth in response and turned back to Zell. "What do you think you're doing? Punching my seat like that? Want me to strip your tattoo off?!!!" Zell gave out a soft "oops" before Seifer decided to face front.

"That was close.." Squall secretly rolled his eyes in nonchalance.

After a while, Quistis announced as the bus parked. "Attention, everyone! We have arrived at the Fire Cavern, the place where you guys are to take your examinations." One by one, the cadets went out of the vehicle.

The principal greeted them at the entrance with a cordless microphone. "Welcome, SeeD cadets! As you had been informed earlier by Commander Trepe, I'm here to announce your groupings. So not to delay any second longer, here are the pamphlets for your maps and Palm V's for your scores. Team A will be…"

~*~*~*~*~

2:15 pm     Fire Cavern

"Renzokuken!" Squall unleashed his special attack to the Bomb monster with Irvine and Mits, another SeeD cadet, to his support.

"Watch out!" Irvine warned as he casted a Blizzard spell. Then the Bomb monster was knocked down.

"Another 2000 points accumulated by Team C! Yay!" Mits announced as she punched in the said points to the Palm V.

"Well, let's proceed.. We still have a long way to go." Squall reminded as the trio walked forward into the burning hot cave.

"Geez, another battle.." Squall grumbled as they posed to their battle positions as it began.

"Blizzaga!" Mits casted on one of the three bombs, and it was KO-ed. As Mits and Irvine were battling, a rare black Cocktrice appeared, pursuing a dance paralyzing attack. Its feathers flowed smoothly, so smoothly like black silk floating in mid-air.

Like her hair.. He commented absentmindedly. Man, why can't I get that woman out of my head? What got into me that I stared at that newbie? What's so special about that girl anyway? Squall wondered carelessly in his thoughts while the other Bomb caught him off guard and immediately self-destructed on his right leg, making him kneel down in pain.

"Water!" Mits casted as the Cocktrice monster was taken down. Irvine assisted Squall in standing up.

"Squall, you ok?"

Mits rolled his eyes. "Man, can't you see? He's already injured!"

Irvine snapped back. "Oh, just cure him."

"Ok." Mits obediently followed. "Was it 'curi' or 'curo?'" Her eyebrows met in self-argument.

"What are you mumbling about, Mits?" Irvine noticed as he aided Squall sit on a rock as Squall applied pressure on his wound. "Can you cure him ASAP?"

"Aha! Cura!" Mits figured out as a glow of energy helped stop Squall's incessant bleeding.

"Finally, just when I thought of dying out of severe bleeding." Squall sighed in relief as the group continued their way.

~*~*~*~*~

3:25 pm     Training Grounds

"Thundara!" Rinoa casted as the last Cocktrice monster fell dead. "Now, I'm beginning to get the hang of this." She grinned in satisfaction as she flipped back her ponytail, holding her notepad with spells listed on it. "Fire against ice, esuna for unusual conditions." Rinoa memorized as she took few steps forward. Another battle suddenly occurred, leaving Rinoa as the victor once again. 

"Another victory for me!" She announced happily, tallying her score playfully in her notepad. Then, she heard another flight of footsteps as she stopped walking.

Who's there? I thought I was the only one for the past three hours.. She recalled as she looked back, just in case. Surprisingly, a tall, slender lady with long reddish brown hair, wearing an army green sleeveless turtleneck and gray midlength skirt with black ankle boots appeared.

She licked her lips intently. "Finally, I found you…"

~*~*~*~*~

3:27 pm     Tempest, Balamb's Special Bus

"Yahoo! Finally!!" Zell rejoiced as he pumped his fist in thin air. "At last! The exam is over!"

"Yeah, finally." Irvine agreed as the bus began to move.

"Well, cadets — I salute you for a job well done." Quistis commented as the cadets happily cheered, throwing their hats in midair.

"Examination results will be released on the party that happens on Sunday in which we traditionally celebrate." Quistis smirked. "So, for the meanwhile, enjoy, trainees!"

Squall turned away, looking at the window in deep thought. So boring.

"So, who's the lucky date?"

"I hope she's available, so that I could ask her out and.."

Soon, the bus was filled with voices, excited of the upcoming social event except only for the quiet Squall.

~*~*~*~*~

3:45 pm     Training Grounds

After a few moments of silence, the mahogany haired gal spoke up. "Rinoa Heartilly."

"Uh… who are you? Have we met somewhere.. somehow?" Rinoa inquired, trying to at least derive a single hint from the lady in front of her.

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. Pardon my rudeness. " She realized, pausing once again.

For conversation's sakes, keep up, will ya?  Rinoa commented thoughtfully, crossing her arms.

"By the way, I'm Perilemia Vera Aura, the president of the famous Squall Leonhart fans' club with ID No. 00001. Added with this title, I'm also his soon-to-be-girlfriend."

Eh? Why inform me that? As if I cared.. Rinoa thought.

"My objective here is to warn you to stay away from my precious Squall-dear. I know that you already know what I meant – eye contacting with him earlier that is.. " Perilemia said as she reached for her compact mirror inside her pocket and began doing retouches. "I obviously don't want you interfering with our relationship. Understood?"

Rinoa managed to choke out a 'yes' before Perilemia left her. That was Squall Leonhart… I made eye contact with him?! Funny.. but why can't I seem to remember his visage…

~*~*~*~*~

4:15 pm     Student Lounge

"C'mon, Squall, it would be fun! Don't play hard-to-get, will ya?" Zell urged with incessant pushing on Squall towards the video machine.

"I… know… you're… doing… this… to… impress… some… chicks!" Squall refused, successfully halting Zell for a while and turned to face him. "And I don't want to have any part of it!"

"Ha! You got me! But that doesn't stop me from making you go with me!" Zell smirked as he continued shoving Squall to the machine once again.

~*~*~*~*~

"So, what are you planning to wear the next night?" Quistis queried while sipping her pink lemonade as the two other girls settled down beside her.

"Well, I already found myself an outfit, but no date." Selphie remorsefully mentioned. "… yet." She quickly added.

"Rinoa?"

"Uh.. me?" Rinoa blushed at being caught daydreaming when she was supposedly studying. "I have.. no outfit yet.."

"You have nothing to wear?!" Selphie reiterated.

"Well… with the person I am who always travels, would there be a place for a gown in my luggage?"

"I see, got your point. Hmm.. how about the date?" Quistis added.

"I.. actually… I received myriads of invitations.. but I can't decide which one among them would be my date… It's so pressuring. So difficult." Rinoa sighed.

"I guess we could help you on one thing." Selphie began.

"One thing?"

"Let's have a shopping spree tomorrow then, since it's Saturday anyways." Quistis suggested.

"Uh.. well… ok… I guess we could.." Rinoa agreed. After a few minutes of silence, Squall happened to be passing by the three ladies. Why did I let Zell push me around?! Now I should get his drinks instead… He thoughtfully complained as he walked.

Quistis then leaned over and whispered to Rinoa. "Why not take him for consideration?" She was obviously referring Squall to be Rinoa's date.

"Take who?" Rinoa wondered out aloud. "Him?"

"Sssh! Not tooo loud.." Quistis warned as she covered Rinoa's mouth.

What's going on? She speculated in her mind, struggling to get free. Selphie suddenly joined in. What just happened here?

Squall inadvertently turned sideway and saw the commotion happening among the three ladies.

"Help!" Rinoa managed to say before the two pairs of hands covered her mouth again. He then approached their place, interested to know what's going on.

"Excuse me.." He began as Selphie and Quistis turned to him.

"You?!" Quistis was shocked pretentiously.

"Eeps." Selphie whispered as they finally released their hold from Rinoa. Rinoa coughed out as her shortened breaths became normal again.

"What's with you guys?"  But that question was left unanswered.

"What are you doing here? Not minding your own business?" Quistis snapped at Squall, obviously embarrassed to be caught in action by her cadet.

"Just looking around, ma'am." He calmly replied.

"Ma'am?" Rinoa asked. Thankfully, Selphie was there to answer her inquiries.

"He's a member of SeeD. Squadron Leader No. 2."

"Oh.. I see…" Suddenly, Selphie's cellphone received a message. She opened and read it before reporting it to Quistis in a soft whisper.

"We got to be going. SC meeting calls. Ciao!" They simultaneously stood up and left the place.

"Weird.. I wonder what's into them?" Rinoa grumbled before she shyly looked up to see Squall in front of her. "Oh, hi."

"Hi…. Are you ok?" Squall managed to reply the lady in front of him.

"I'm ok. Thank you for earlier"." Rinoa choked out as she stood up, gathering her books on the floor. Quietly, Squall joined her in picking up her things.

I guess he's not a friendly type after all. However, he… he looks kinda familiar. Where did I see the face? She recalled.

"Here." He handed them over to her.

"Thanks." Rinoa thanked as the male went away, leaving her in her bewilderment.

~*~*~*~*~

8:00 am (Saturday)    Balamb Mall Madness

"Hey, Rinoa. Where are you?" Quistis called as she was browsing around the row of fitting rooms inside the store, looking for Rinoa while holding a cream crossback mini gown.*

"I'm here… inside the third one." Rinoa directed as she fixed herself in front of the mirror inside the dressing room.

"I want you to fit this." Quistis stopped due to Rinoa's pop-out-so-sudden appearance from the room, all dressed.

"Huh? Another one?" Rinoa complained as Quistis gave her the gown. "How many times should I fit these gowns?! Why do you insist on making me fir these clothes since I don't even think of going in the first place?!"

"Well, for your information, young lady." Quistis imitated their instructress's voice. "… you are the guest of honor."

"But.. I… I…" Rinoa stammered, but Quistis pointed her finger at her face.

"Go in. I promise. This is the last one!"

"Like how many times did you promise that ever since we stepped in for the past two hours…" Rinoa observed as she fitted the gown inside and came out.

Quistis brightened up. "You're super fabulous! Terrific!"

Rinoa turned around to see her own reflection on the mirror. "Well…"

"You should take it! Go change, Rinoa dear." Quistis gave Rinoa a playful push inside before she changed her mind. Then, unexpectedly, her stomach growled. "And make it quick, Rinoa. I'm already starving."

~*~*~*~*~

"Now, Seifer, are you hinting us you are not going to the dance?!" Fuujin asked as the Disciplinary Trio ate lunch at Peppy's, a famous burger chain located at Balamb Mall Madness.

"Uh-hum." Seifer answered, eating his freshly cooked burgers.

"That's impossible! Seifer, with what I know, never, ever misses a dance unless he happens to be partner-less." Raijin blurted out as Seifer stared at him with his eyes burning into a fury of red coals.

"You have no date?! Impossible!" Fuujin was in full shock.

"Well, it's not that I don't have a date. I haven't found the 'one.'" Seifer further explained, completely ignoring his companions' facial expressions.

"Not that I'm assuming anything, but how would you like a real challenge for the dance?" Raijin began, giving his burger filet a juicy bite. Seifer was obviously piqued with interest.

"And by that, you must mean a dare." Fuujin concluded knowingly. Of course, she knew; she has been with them since elementary days in Balamb, and most of their escapades included dares. Neither topic was arousing her, the celebration or the dare that was about to ensue, but to be with Seifer made her come.

"This will be easy. Remember the new girl? Rinoa Heartilly.  She's the guest of honor tomorrow night, and I do believe that she doesn't have an escort yet."

"So, my part here is to ask her out and get a 'yes?'" Seifer continued, wiping his mouth with a napkin and leaned closer to Raijin.

"I'm sure it would be difficult. With all the men in Balamb Garden University going after her for the dance." Fuujin suddenly murmured.

"I like it better that way. The harder she is to get, the more triumphant the victory is."

Fuujin fingered the rim of her bowl. " I hope you succeed. It wouldn't be good for your reputation if you end up alone." She clearly disapproved of their dare, practically tasteless and worthless, but boys will be boys after all.

*her trademarked FF8 gown.. ^.~ I dunno how to describe it in full terms… hehehehehe..

~owari!! Finally done with this long chappie!! Thanks for reading.. please review…

Next chapter: Will all be well with Rinoa on her SeeD entrance exam? Who will she have to face? Up next. Story Four: Hurt and Lost.