Author's Note: Hey everybody, sorry for the WAY to damn long wait for updates! bows repeatedly college and work have been consuming my life, but reviews asking me to continue this story can't be ignored! Not only did I write a new chapter, but I also edited all my previous chapters to make them flow a little better. So please, if you want, re-read and enjoy!

PS: none of these characters are mine, except Damien (duh…)

Chapter Ten

It had been three days since Quistis and Squall had battled in the Training Center. They had recovered wonderfully and were almost back to full health by the following morning. Rumors began to swirl around the Garden as to why Squall had initiated a fight with Quistis and how they would be punished for their actions. However, all Quistis knew was that the attitude she received from her classes had made a 180 degree change.

"That's all for today's class," Quistis finished as she stacked a pile of papers beside her bag. "For tonight, I would like you all to review your notes from the past month and go over tactics and strategies involved with…"

Quistis stared over her unusually quiet and still class as her words trailed off. Every student was quiet and attentive, almost as if they had been frightened of her.

She lowered her head and continued to straighten up her desk, "… involved with urban operations. Class dismissed," she finished quickly as she picked up her things and immediately exited, leaving her class sitting, still in silence, behind her.

"Watch where you're goin', midget!" an older boy shouted as he pushed Damien into a wall in the main center of the Garden. Damien fell onto the ground, spilling all the books he had been carrying in his arms.

"What makes you think you're strong enough to become a SeeD, anyway? You can't even make it through a simple physical exam without crying to Lady Trepe!" An older girl shouted down on the small boy, who was now down on the ground with his back against the railing.

"Hey! What the hell do you think you're doing!" Rinoa shouted angrily as she stomped over to the small group of children.

"Ah! I'm sorry Miss Rinoa!" they shouted as Rinoa crossed her arms angrily.

"You should be ashamed of yourselves! SeeDs protect those who are weaker than they are, not abuse them!" She scolded. The children turned away quickly and ran in the opposite direction, shouting their apologies as they fled.

Damien sat up from the ground, eyes watering, and looked sadly up at Rinoa. Rinoa smiled kindly and knelt beside him on the ground.

"I should leave the Garden, Miss Rinoa… I'm not strong enough," Damien quietly cried.

"Oh come on," Rinoa sighed as she helped him up from the ground, "you need more faith in yourself, Damien..." She stated as she pulled him in for a hug.

Squall stood across the center of the Garden and stared sadly as Rinoa took Damien's hand and walked with him towards the cafeteria. He lowered his head as he walked down the hallway towards the elevators. Upon walking up the steps and entering in the opened doors of the elevator, Squall pushed the button for the highest level of the Garden and folded his hands behind his back. As the doors closed, he looked away towards the floor.

After the elevator doors had opened at the highest level, Squall stepped out and continued down the hallway towards Headmaster Cid's office. With his hands behind his back, Rinoa's words echoed in his mind about his greater love for the Garden than with her. He sighed deeply as he entered into Headmaster Cid's office, where he found Quistis already seated in one of two seats in front of the large desk.

"Please, Squall, close the door behind you. We're ready to begin this meeting," Headmaster Cid stated as he took a seat as his seat. Squall nodded and turned, placed his hand against the back of the door, and pushed it shut behind him.