A/n: I'm sorry the update took longer than promised. I'm such a loser! sobs I know I should have been looking for these…but…I mean…those Rurouni Kenshin manga…so addictive…couldn't stop reading…
In any case, I forced myself to stop reading and refused to let myself read the third one until I had FOUND chapter ten! It ended up being in a binder underneath last year's school folders. Don't ask me why, even I don't know.
So I'm sorry for the delay. Blame it all on Xifa. Hope you all are having a lovely June and thanks for reading!
Chapter X
For the first time in a few weeks, it wasn't the announcement system that woke me up, but instead, this time, someone knocking on my door. I rolled out of bed, hoping it was good. I answered the door, and, figuring it was Zell or one of my other friends, didn't bother to attempt to tame my hair.
"Good morning," Laguna smiled cheerfully.
"O-oh. G'morning," I smiled through a yawn, running a hand through my tousled hair, and not really caring how stupid I looked. "C'mon in," I stepped aside to let him in. "Eh, sorry if it's kinda a wreck. That's the way it goes."
"Shoulda seen the house I lived in when I lived in Winhill for awhile," he shrugged. "I was too, er, busy to clean it. As long as it wasn't gross and just scattered instead, I wasn't too worried about it. How have you been?"
"Pretty good, you?"
"Everything's been going well. Came down from Esthar to help you guys out…after Griever I was a little reluctant to let you all fight this next one alone. We're after Gilgamesh today, so…"
"Alright," I nodded. "So Gilgamesh is the leader, right? The GF who forced all the others to unjunction?"
"Absolutely. So we know that not only does he have power, but he has some form of knowledge of those lovely Trabian spells," Laguna sighed. "And you know what happened last time a GF knew these spells…"
Realization suddenly dawned on me and washed over me.
"It's…pointless. There has to be another way. Because if we seal him, can't he just come back?"
"Not on his own. Immortality has its drawbacks," Laguna smiled grimly. "SO once he's gone, he's not comin' back for, like, a long time. Thank heavens."
Suddenly I couldn't stop myself from telling him all about the dream with Quetzalcoatl in it. All the details, everything he told me about the GFs and their future unsealing…
"Did you tell Headmaster Cid and Sayaki?"
"Sayaki, or at least I've told her its coming. I didn't tell Sayaki, really…I didn't tell her how soon it would be. I haven't had a chance to speak with Headmaster Cid yet…"
"Okay. Well, that's not really important right now. Get ready to fight him, and…um…what was the plan…well, one of my other students is waiting for you outside as soon as you're ready. Alrighty, Commander?"
"Yep."
I had given up on ever having a name again. I nodded at him, smiling. Part of me right then wished I had forgiven him long ago. I had missed so much time by being stupid and blaming him…I had missed a lot of the memories I could have had, even though at the time I was angry at him for not being there. He was here now, and everything, at least. So everything regarding him was okay. I got ready as I thought about this, equipping my gunblade and storing as many grape potions as I could carry. I remembered Sayaki only liked grape. The irony of it made me grin. Sayaki, even when she was hurt, would deny potions unless they were grape. I laughed to myself and hurried out of my dorm once I was ready.
"Good morning, Commander Leonhart," came a cheerful voice. I looked down to see Sayaki…well, if Sayaki was about a foot shorter. "…you are Commander Leonhart, right?"
"Yeah," I nodded at Sayaki's double, or at least her 'mini-me' as some people would call it.
"My name is Mana Ghost," she saluted me. Well, the salute was wrong, but at least it was an attempt. "I'm Sayaki's younger sister. I wasn't sure if you noticed, I mean, we don't look anything alike," she shrugged. It was almost strange how she could keep such a straight face while joking. "Mr. Laguna sent me here to help you seal Gilgamesh. Guess it's gonna take all four of us. I was supposed to get the details from you. Like, you know, how many potions am I going to need to carry, because they're not gonna let me fight."
This odd little girl had already made an impression on me. I guess Sayaki and Mana…they both got me. Mana seemed different, but that was okay, because I felt attached to her somewhat already. She reminded me of Sayaki, and maybe that was why I liked her.
"Um…here…" I handed her some of my potions. "They're grape," I laughed. "It's all your sister likes, so…I do have a few cherry ones left if you like those or something…I have no idea how many potions to carry. I just usually drag along however many I have. By the way, it's nice to meet you."
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well. I've heard a lot about you…it's about time I finally get to meet you," she nodded with a smile. "I have a Trabian spell I'll use anyway…I just like having potions. Makes me feel more secure. …grape potions? Sayaki's such a head case. Everyone knows the citrus ones are the best."
I laughed. She was Sayaki's clone, not her sister.
"Alright then," I grinned at her.
"It's all your father's fault," she said conversationally as we walked to the Ragnarok. I wondered how old she was. "See, he only likes strawberry-kiwi ones. I think we inherited it from him…um…well, I don't know how we would have, but whatever. Maybe Dad picked it up from him and passed it on to us? Indirect inheritance?" she shrugged. "I don't' really know what I'm talking about."
"Ah well," I grinned. "Maybe Laguna just rubbed off on you guys. I agree with him, though. Strawberry-kiwi is the best, although I'll deal with anything pretty much."
She laughed as we boarded the Ragnarok. She hopped in the driver's seat and turned to Sayaki, who was talking to Laguna.
"You have my approval," Mana said to Sayaki.
"Get out of that seat, Mana…"
"I'm driving!"
"NO."
I grinned at the two. Just alike. Those two were just alike.
"Mr. Laguna, can't I drive?"
"C'mon, she's too young to drive!"
"So this was what I missed out on, not having more than one kid," Laguna grumbled. "I'M DRIVING!"
I sat down in a seat in the back, reading a book that I'd found when I was on a mission in Winhill. I shut it, my heart racing, once I'd read the name in the cover of the leather book. Written in loopy, elegant handwriting was Raine Leonhart, and later handwriting adding Loire with a smiley face and a heart. I stood up and went over to Laguna.
"Laguna…?"
"Take over, Sayaki," Laguna stood up. Sayaki yelled and dove into the seat.
"You almost made us wreck!"
"…it's on autopilot," Laguna beamed. Sayaki muttered something and Mana giggled. We walked outside the cockpit and Laguna turned to me.
"Whatcha want?" he asked with his typical cheerful smile.
"I was on a mission in Winhill once," I explained, trying to keep my voice even, "and I found this weird leather book in an old restaurant place—"
Laguna didn't even have to open it up to know what it was.
"Raine's…" he trailed off. I nodded.
"I didn't know what it was until I opened it just a minute ago, because I was too busy to read it and I figured on my spare time…yeah…I just thought you might want to have this," I said, my throat feeling tight as I handed Laguna the only piece of my mother I had left.
"Squall…" he stared down at it, then impulsively reached out and hugged me. "I can't take it from you unless you've had time to read it. I knew Raine. You never did. When you're done with it, I'd like to look through it…but I have memories of her. You don't. You can keep it…" he said, voice sounding odd.
"Thank you," I hugged him back, and much to my embarrassment, tears stung my eyes. I wiped them angrily away.
"No…thank you…I…" he shook his head. "I never got to tell her goodbye…I'll never get the chance to do that, ever, but maybe I can at least get to hear her last words…hear her one last time…" he was crying too but didn't seem to care. I couldn't help myself any longer. I flipped through the pages and found the last page with writing on it.
August 14th,
Today is hard. I miss Laguna, as I have every day in what feels like forever. It's amazing that I lived without him for so long. A few more days. Just a few more days to wait…I'm excited, but scared. Scared of what will happen, scared for Laguna, scared for Elle, scared for my son and myself…Everything is out of whack and seems different, almost faint. I want more than anything to have Laguna back, and I want him to be here for Squall's birth. I want him to at least see his son. Will he ever come back? Will I ever get to see him again?
I stopped reading and forced myself to put the book down. I glanced over to Laguna, who'd been reading over my shoulder. He was now in an intense stare down with the blank wall. So this was what it had been like, waiting for someone and watching an uncertain future approach warily.
"I'm sorry…" I sighed and once again I forced the tears out of my eyes. I hated crying. I had to be strong, especially over something as trivial as a book.
"I kept putting off coming back. She never told me about you…I guess it was gonna be a surprise. I kept putting it off, though…I never thought she'd die before I got back…"
"It's okay. You didn't know, and it's okay. It's not like you knew, Dad…I'm just sorry I didn't forgive you sooner."
The word 'dad' felt strange in my mouth. But he was my father, and deep down, I cared about him. I'd managed to get a smile out of him, at least.
"If I only I would have known…about anything…" he shook his head. "It's too late now. There's no sue in thinking about it. I've learned from my mistakes, and that's all that matters at this point in time."
"Okay, I smiled sadly, not letting the tears flow over.
"It'll be quite a ride, since we're not sure where Gilgamesh is out now. Just stay ready and we'll come back for you," Laguna nodded, walking out to give me some time alone.
I sat back down to read the book. It was going to take a lot of time and emotional energy, but if that's what it took to know my mother, then so be it.
A/n: Well, what do you think? Me and Sefie don't own anything 'cept the idea, Sayaki, and Mana! Go Sayaki and Mana. Anyways…
It might have seemed pointless to bring Mana in this late in the story, but I seem to remember somebody asking more about Sayaki's past, and Mana's more of a talker about stuff like that than Sayaki is. However, some of the stuff doesn't add out…I'll let you figure it out on your own -
In any case, I'm gonna go type up chapter eleven now, before I, like, grab a manga and go to sleep reading it again. Sanosuke, Kenshin…-
Shutting up now…
Love and peace,
Xifa and Sefie Lynne
P.S. If you have the time, go read "I'll Be" by Selphie Lynne Tilmitt or Sefie Lynne Tilmitt…I can't remember which…hits self in head with bass guitar, Haruko-san style Anyways, you should read it. Because it's by her. And I helped write it, so…yeah. See if you can guess which character's mine . It'll be fun.
Seriously, saving and quitting…right now…
X and S