Mythology
Chapter Eight: Poisoned Water
By PasifiKStaR
Author's Note: We have some stuff in here for the Quifer/Seiftis fans. I'm not quite sure how to portray a Selvine...@.@ I'm trying to pick up the story a little here, so everything might move fast in this chapter. Please bare with me.
*All Standard Disclaimers Apply: I do not own Final Fantasy.
"Everything?" she whispered. He made it sound as if there were an entire epic behind him. Something that was more than what she had originally thought.
Squall's face was turned to her. "I just don't know how to explain it," he told her softly. Rinoa shifted from foot to foot at the doorway. She wondered if she should go back in or wait in the bedroom. Finally, she decided to go sit on a cushioned chair next to the massive tub. Squall looked at her. "I don't want you think that the only reason for everything is because you remind of someone else."
"I just saw a room filled with pictures of a woman who looks like me," Rinoa said in a soft voice. "I can't help but be a little worried."
"I used to paint her all the time," Squall admitted as he sat in the tub. "She'd never be able to sit still unless she was sleeping or working on something, so most of my paintings were of her sleeping..."
"How did you meet her?" Rinoa asked. She glanced down at Squall. He was staring at the wash cloth in his hands.
A nostalgic smile caressed his lips as he played with the piece of cloth. "She was wandering in a garden..." Squall whispered. Rinoa's eyes slowly squinted as she studied him. "I saw her sit on a bench and look at this statue..." Her heart was beating quicker now. "When I spoke to her she said that-"
"She was looking for her friends," Rinoa mumbled. Squall's head slowly lifted and turned to her curiously. Rinoa's brown eyes locked with his. "Right...?"
*You remember...* he thought to himself. He nodded slightly. "How did you know?" he asked, trying to coax the answer out of her.
Rinoa's eyes filled with confusion as she turned her head away and concentrated on a spot on the tiled floor. "I...I don't know..." she stammered. "A guess..." *And I bet she was wearing a toga, wasn't she? And sandals...*
"I see..." Squall mumbled. He lifted up the wash cloth and began to was his back.
Unconsciously, Rinoa reached out. "I'll do it," *I'll do WHAT!?* her mind screamed. She shook her head as her slender fingers wrapped around the dark colored piece of cloth and began to was Squall's back. Her hand was placed on his shoulder to keep herself steady as he leaned forward.
"Thanks..." Squall mumbled slightly. He felt his face grow warmer as she leaned closer to try and get the water over his neck.
"You're missing a...um...spot..." she explained as she questioned her own actions. "So...um...how did you meet Seifer?"
"Oh Hyne..." Squall breathed out tiredly. He tilted his head back. "That was so long ago, I can't even remember. But he's still the same cocky bastard he was as a child."
Rinoa giggled and began to move the wash cloth over his neck. "What about the others?"
"Irvine and Zell worked under Seifer's parents," Squall replied. "All four of us were always together."
"Where they always like that?" Rinoa asked.
"No," Squall said. "Zell only discovered hot dogs recently," Rinoa laughed a little bit and shook her head. Her hand with the wash cloth moved over Squall's chest without noticing it. She was just randomly making little circles over his clavicles. "Rinoa..." Squall mumbled. *Shut up! What are you doing!? If the woman wants to wash you, let her wash you!* his mind screamed.
"Hmm? Oh!" Her hand froze and immediately dropped the cloth as she pulled her arm back quickly. "I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention. I was just picturing Zell the other night when he was eating hotdogs..."
"It's all right," Squall told her with a slight chuckle. "Thanks for um...washing my back..." he told her sheepishly. Rinoa blushed and nodded shyly.
"Yeah..." Silence floated over the two as they sat there. Squall cleaned off his arms, unsure of what to say next. Rinoa sat next to the large tub, sneaking glances as Squall's shiny back. With each movement, she would watch his lean muscles move against his back. *I bet that tub is big enough for two...* Immediately realizing what she had just thought, she shook her head and stood up. "I'm going to head outside!" she piped nervously.
Squall looked up at her. "Could you leave some towels on the chair?" he asked. Flustered, the young woman nodded and robotically moved to the towel rack. She put two towels on the chair she had been sitting on before scrambling outside.
Once in his room, she fell back on his bed, her face feeling flushed. Rinoa took a deep breath and closed her eyes. *Hyne, he's just too perfect isn't he?* From the bathroom, she heard splashing. Squall must've gotten up. She stood up and looked around, wondering if she would like him to leave so he could change. "I'll wait outside!" she shouted.
"All right." Squall replied. Rinoa quickly exited his room and leaned against the door after she closed it. She let out a relieved breath.
Squall walked out of the bathroom, a towel around his waist. He looked around the room and headed for his dresser. Grabbing another set of boxers, pants, and shirt, he dropped his towel and proceeded to change. He bent down and picked up the towel and paused. He didn't hear the rain any more.
Frowning, he headed towards the window and pulled the curtains aside. As he expected, it was still slightly cloudy, but the rain had stopped. Squall let out a heavy sigh. It meant that they would have to return soon. Part of him wanted to stay with Rinoa. Perhaps have enough time to be able to tell her his story. Instead, he tossed his towels into the laundry hamper and headed for the door.
He put his hand on the knob and pulled. "Ah!" Rinoa let out a yelp as she fell back. Squall's eyes went wide as she fell into his arms. Rinoa had been leaning against the door when he opened it. "You scared me!" she gasped as she looked up at him.
"You were leaning against the door," he said. He let out a sigh as he helped her back on her feet. "The rain stopped. We can probably go back tomorrow."
"Great!" Rinoa said in a cheerful voice. *So why do I feel sad...?* She smiled weakly. "Um... so you're okay now?"
He nodded. "Yes...thank you..."
"Um..." Rinoa looked down at the ground as she turned to face him. "What were you doing outside?" She hadn't had a chance to ask him yet.
Squall's eyes narrowed slightly. Rinoa's head was downcast as she put her arms behind her back. She stood in front of him, in the middle of the door way. "I saw something and I guess I was just tired..." he said, trailing off. He didn't want to tell her that he saw an image of her floating in the rain.
Rinoa nodded slightly. "Okay...well...I'm going to get some sleep then," she said weakly. She smiled slightly and turned around. She took one step, and then turned to face him once more. "Umm... when you want to tell me everything..." she said nervously. "I'll listen."
Squall watched as she quickly turned back around and ran down the hall to her room. The door closed behind her and his hand clutched the door knob tightly. He let out a deep breath and turned his head away. "But will you believe me...?"
Quistis threw aside the flap to her tent as she stepped outside. She took a deep breath of the crisp, fresh after the rain air. The sun was shining and peeking through the few clouds left from the storm. The ground was still moist, but drying quickly in the desert sun. All around her, the volunteers were just starting to wake up and were getting ready to leave for the ruins and catch upon work.
She waved to a few as she headed towards the communal bathroom to take her morning shower. As she passed Selphie's tent, she could hear the girl fumbling around inside. From Irvine's tent, she could hear snoring. Just as she passed Zell's he ran out, almost knocking her over.
"Sorry, Quistis!" Zell said as he ran up the hill while still putting on his vest. "The kitchen just opened and I want to get to the left over hot dogs!"
Quistis let out a heavy sigh and shook her head. "Good morning to you, too, Zell..." she sighed as she returned to her course.
The communal bathroom was large and co-ed. She walked in and heard one of the showers already on, meaning someone else was there. Usually, she would be the first at this time in the morning. The sun had barely risen after all. She held her dusty rose towel over one arm and a little plastic basket with her bathing products. She had another little plastic bag with her clothes after she took a shower. She was wearing some shorts and a tank top from the night before along with some slippers.
As she turned into the area with the showers, she frowned. Her favorite shower, the one all the way to the end, was the one that was taken up. She narrowed her eyes. It was her favorite one because she couldn't be between two people showering at once and was in the far corner.
She put her things on the counters in front of the showers and began to go through the products in her basket. Perhaps if she waited long enough, the shower would be free. There was another plastic shower tote to one corner and she assumed it belonged to whoever was in the shower.
Suddenly, she heard someone swear behind her. "Aw, shit..." a gruff male voice grumbled. The squeaking of the faucets was heard as shifting was going on the lime green stall. Quistis kept her back to the shower as she ran a brush through her hair.
A second later, the door to the shower stall opened and Quistis nearly dropped her brush as she saw the person who was taking a shower in the mirror. She whirled around. "Seifer?" she gasped.
"Hm?" The blond had a white towel wrapped around his waist as water dripped down his body along the contours of his obviously well defined features. Quistis couldn't help but let her eyes graze over him. "Good morning, Quisty," his pleased voice said as he approached her. "Come to take your morning shower?"
She glared at him as she whirled around and started brushing her hair again. He chuckled as he walked over to the other tote and picked out his shampoo. "Can you hurry up?" she snapped. "I want to use that stall."
"Sorry," Seifer shrugged. "It might take a while, princess. I have to wash my hair."
Quistis fumed. Seifer had his hair slicked back with water as he smirked and sauntered back into the stall. She heard it click and then watched as his towel was thrown over the top of the door. The faucets creaked and the shower started up again. To add insult to injury, Seifer started singing in the shower.
"Oh Hyne..." she frowned in disgust. "At least shut up! You can't sing!"
"What? Louder!?" Seifer taunted. Quistis winced as he took it up a notch. She began to grind her teeth together. She looked over at the other five stall and put her brush on the table. She reached into each one and turned on the hot water. "What the...?"
Quistis struggled to keep her smirking down as she turned all five showers on with just hot water. Suddenly, Seifer out a shriek. Quistis ran over and grabbed the towel from his door. "Aww...what's the matter? Is the little prince COLD?" Quistis smirked as she tossed his towel on to the counter and removed her glasses. She wiped her eyes as tears of laughter rimmed her lashes.
"You little...!" Seifer took a deep breath as icy water shot out at him. He shivered in the cold and blindly searched for his towel. His hair was still filled with shampoo. "Quistis! Turn the water off NOW!" he growled.
"What? I can't HEAR you!" Quistis laughed as she stood outside his stall in her tank top and shorts, just so he could hear her taunt him. It felt so good to get back at him. Almost euphoric.
"TURN THE WATER OFF!!!" he shouted.
"What? I think I hear someone calling my name!" Quistis laughed some more. She tilted her head back and laughed arrogantly. She didn't hear the stall door unlocking. She didn't even see his hand fly out and grab her upper arm. She froze and let out a gasp as she was suddenly pulled into the stall. Her blue eyes went wide as she stumbled into the freezing shower cell. "What the hell are you doing!?"
"Getting even!" Seifer said. He put her in front of him as she let out shrieks.
"It's COLD!" she yelled as she turned her head from side to side.
"Well, that was your plan, wasn't it, princess?" Seifer snapped, as his fury subsided. He smiled as he watched her raise her hands to try and shield the water from hitting her soaking body. "Not as fun as you had hoped?"
"You JERK!" she yelled. Seifer let out a haughty laugh as he put his hands on her shoulders and turned her around. She raised her eyes and tried to get the water out of her face. She blinked rapidly and turned to glare at him. "Let me go!"
"No, I like you where you are." Seifer smirked. Her eyes went wide as Seifer's eyes locked with hers. Her entire body froze as he pressed his against hers. Her heart was racing against her chest, all to aware that the only thing that seperated her and Seifer was her flimsy sleeping clothes...which were soaked with cold water. She shiverd and Seifer lifted his hand. He gently lifted her chin higher and smiled.
"Don't...you...dare..." she hissed with narrowed eyes.
He let out a chuckle and lowered his head. "What the heck is with all the steam!?" a voice shouted.
Seifer stopped what he was doing and Quistis' eyes filled with panic. She recognized the voice immediately. "Selphie!" she mouthed. Seifer held his finger up to her lips to silence her as he pulled her closer. *She can't find me like this! Oh, Hyne, it won't END if she does!*
"Man, Quistis is going to be pissed if she finds out someone is wasting water!" Selphie piped. They heard her go to each stall and turn off the faucets. "Is anyone else here!?"
"Hey, do you mind!?" Seifer growled loudly as he held Quistis against him. "I'm trying to shower here!"
"Opps! Sorry!" Selphie turned off the last of the showers. They heard her quickly running out of the area and let out a heavy breath of relief. The water returned to it's normal temperature.
"Seifer..." Quistis gasped as she still found herself crushed against him. "Can you let me go...?" she asked nervously. Her heart was still beating quickly as her face was tinted in pink.
Seifer turned to her and raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
She let out a low growl and Seifer pulled away from her, a pleased smile still on his face the entire time. She shoved him back against the cold shower tile to avoid even glancing at him and quickly slipped out of the stall. Her entire body flushed beneath wet clothes, she rushed to the shower stall at the other end of the room.
*The nerve of that man!* she said as she turned on the shower on. She headed to the counter and grabbed her own towel and tote. She put her tote into the shower with her and put her towel over the stall door. *That evil, disgusting, perverted, incredibably sexy man with broad shoulders and...oh, EWW!!* Quistis gagged. *What am I ON?*
Across the room, Seifer shot out of his shower and grabbed his towel. He quickly dried himself and returned to the stall to put his clothes on before coming back out. He could see steam coming out of the other shower stall and grinned. He casually walked over and grabbed her towel. Quistis didn't seem to notice since no protests were sounded. *Hmm...well, there's still time!*
Seifer frowned. He had hoped to get at least a curse out of her. He decided to wait there until she discovered that her towel was missing. He remained as quiet as possible, hoping that Quistis wouldn't suspect him. After a few minutes, the shower stopped. He smiled from ear to ear as he waited for her to let out a yell as she realized her towel was gone.
More minutes passed and she didn't come out or even utter a word. Seifer was growing impatient. He opened his mouth to say something when he heard the door unlocking. Quistis opened the door, dressed and ready go to. She smirked. "I thought you'd pull something, smart ass," Quistis smirked as she lifted up another towel. "I always bring TWO." She stuck her tongue at him and laughed.
Seifer took a step forward threateningly. "Hey!" a voice piped. The two blondes stopped in their tracks. They turned to the corner and saw Selphie standing there wearing her yellow sun flower robe and holding a tote. "Quistis, when did you get in here?"
"Uh...um..." Quistis stammered. "A few minutes ago." she stated proudly. Selphie narrowed her eyes.
"Strange..." she mumbled with suspicion. "I was waiting at the entrance and didn't see you enter..." Quistis blushed furiously.
"I was...over by the front in one of the toilet stalls!" she stammered. *Yes! Good save!*
Selphie raised an eyebrow and looked from the flustered looking Quistis to the slightly amused Seifer. Slowly, her mind made the connection and she turned green. "Eww..."
"No, it's not like that!" Quistis yelled, knowing what Selphie was thinking.
Seifer let out a laugh and gently patted Quistis on the back as he passed. "At any rate," he said with a smug grin. "You were GREAT, baby. Tomorrow - same stall?"
Quistis' eyes went wide with horror as Selphie looked like she was going to throw up at any moment. Seifer laughed and quickly exited before Quistis could reply. "I..." Quistis gasped. "I'm going... to KILL him..."
Grasping her tote and bag with towels and wet clothes tightly, she marched out after Seifer. Just as she stepped out of the bathroom, she saw Zone and Watts rushing towards a familiar young woman. Seifer momentarily forgotten, Quistis took off towards where they were running.
Rinoa was wearing her clothes from a few days ago and looked tired as she yawned. Behind her, Squall was walking up the path wearing dark pants and his leather jacket. "Are you okay?" Watts as asking her. "We were worried!"
"I'm fine," Rinoa assured them. "Nice and safe. Don't worry."
"Rinoa!" Quistis shouted. She lifted her head and smiled brightly as she saw Quistis running towards her. "Are you okay!? Did he DO anything to you!?"
Rinoa felt her face burn with a blush as Quistis finally reached her. She gave Rinoa a tight hug and then gently pushed her away and studied her to make sure that not a single hair was out of place. "I'm fine, Quisty," Rinoa said. "Just tired..."
"Squall!" a male voice said. Quistis scowled as she heard Seifer's voice. "Made it back alive, huh?"
"Had to use the Escalade," Squall shrugged as he greeted Seifer with a nod of his head. "I was afraid the Jag would get swept away."
"Hey, Squall!" another male voice sounded as if they were laughing. Irvine came down and grinned as he saw the two people.
"You..." Squall said, his eyes narrowed. Irvine stopped a few feet from Squall and smiled weakly.
"Hehehe...uh...have a good few days?"
"You're going to die, Kinneas." Squall hissed. Irvine shrugged.
"I've heard THAT before..." he laughed.
"Irvine, where's Selphie?" Rinoa said as she approached him. Irvine shrugged once more.
"Haven't see her all morning." the cowboy replied.
"She's going to take a shower," Quistis replied. "You can talk to her later. Did you eat yet?"
Rinoa nodded. "Squall cooked breakfast."
"You cooked breakfast, huh...?" Irvine smirked. He crossed his arm and gave a nod of approval. "Nice..."
Squall was about to lunge forward and punch Irvine in the stomach, when a squeal was heard. "RINOA!!"
Rinoa's eyes perked up and a sly smile graced her lips. "You're not going to forgive her so easily, are you?" Quistis asked. Rinoa snickered and shook her head.
"No...but I'm going to make her think I am," Rinoa said as she turned around and waved at Selphie. "And when she least suspects it...BAM!" Selphie rammed into Rinoa and began to apologize profusely.
Rinoa merely smiled and petted her friend's head. Quistis shook her head and started to have flash backs when Selphie had insisted on playing Ninja Turtles and stepped on Rinoa's crayon box and broken a good portion of the 120 colors, including the 'retired' colors that Rinoa had not wanted to use. Rinoa retaliated by beheading Michelangelo and displaying his head on a chopstick. Selphie had nightmares for a week.
*She is one vicious little girl...*
"So..." Selphie said as she and Quistis sat in Rinoa's tent that night. "What happened?"
"The road was flooded and part of it washed away," Rinoa began as she braided her hair into pig tails before bed. "And this car was turned over, so we couldn't get back-"
"Not THAT!" Selphie grumbled. "What happened at Squall's house!?"
Rinoa paused what she was doing as Quistis shook her head. "What do you mean what happened? We waited there until the rain stopped."
"Ugh! You know what I mean!" Selphie piped childishly. She sat at the foot of Rinoa's bed with her legs crossed beneath her. "What are the goods? Did he try anything?"
"Well..." Rinoa blushed and finished tying a rubber band around the end of her braid. She smiled shyly. "He did make heat up food for me."
Selphie's face fell and Quistis chuckled. "Let me put it out there in the open," Quistis said. "Did Squall kiss you?"
Rinoa felt her face grow warmer and her body stiffened. Selphie studied her reaction and grinned from ear to ear. "I knew it!" Selphie said. "What else!?"
*He ...oh wow...* Rinoa flushed more and shook her head. She refuse to indulge Selphie in the details. Instead, she looked up at Quistis. "What about you? Have fun with Seifer?"
Selphie nearly fell of Rinoa's cot and Rinoa turned her head. Quistis shrugged. "Nothing happened. He's the same arrogant bastard that was here when you ran off with Squall."
"I did not run off with Squall," Rinoa said, rolling her eyes. "So I take it from your tone, he hit on you again."
"They were in the shower together!" Selphie shouted suddenly. Quistis' face turned red as Rinoa's eyes went wide.
"No way!"
"Yes way!" Selphie said. "This morning, I went in there, right...and I heard some guy yelling. So I left. Anyway, I just waited at the entrance and then a few minutes later I went it and there were TWO people, Quistis and Seifer, but at the time there was only ONE shower being used. ONE."
"Quisty..." Rinoa mumbled as she turned to her friend. Quistis' face was bright red as she shook it from side to side.
"It's not LIKE that!" Quistis shrieked.
"Quistis! Rin! Selphie!" a voice shouted from outside. The trio turned their heads to the door as Rinoa scrambled out of her seat, cross legged next to Selphie, on the cot.
"Yeah?" Rinoa said as she unzipped the flap of her tent. Nida was out of breath and looking at her with a worried expression.
"It's Watts!" Nida gasped out. "He's not doing so good!"
Rinoa burst into the tent and Squall looked up from where he was sitting next to the bed ridden man. "What's going on!?" she gasped as she rushed over. "Watts? Zone! What's going on?" she asked worriedly as she turned over to the other man.
"I don't know," Zone said as he stood next to them. "All of a sudden, he just started sweating and his breathing got bad...then he began to convulse. So we called Dr. Leonhart."
"Squall, what's wrong with him!?" Rinoa pleaded. She grabbed on to Squall's shoulder and forced him to look at her.
Squall looked up at her and shook his head. "I...I don't know..." he said.
"What do you MEAN you don't KNOW!?" Rinoa growled. "You're a DOCTOR!"
"Rinoa, calm down," Squall said as he stood up, pulling the stethoscope off of his ears. "I think he might have drunk or ate something. It looks like a viral induced sickness that weakened his immune system."
"MEANING?" Rinoa gasped.
"Meaning that his immune system was weak and with the recent rain, just a few drops on him could've trigged advanced forms of pneumonia or something." Squall stated. Rinoa's eyes widened with panic.
"I've sent for an ambulance," Seifer said as he entered the room. "I ordered Zell and Irvine to get rid of all the food and check the water supply."
"What'll we do for food in the mean time?" Quistis asked as she arrived with Selphie.
"A new batch will arrive tomorrow along with new equipment for the kitchen." Seifer stated.
"Dr. Leonhart!" another voice shouted outside. Squall looked up as Xu entered the tent. "Someone else just collapsed!"
"Shit..." Squall mumbled. He looked at the others before reaching into his bag. He pulled out a small pill box. "Give this to him. Does anyone have any bottled water?"
"I have a some in my tent," Seifer said. "How many to do you need?"
"Get some extra," Squall said as he rushed off the tent. "Give Watts some water. And don't drink any of the non bottled water!"
He slipped out of the room and Rinoa rushed to her friend's side. "Watts? Watts, it's me..."
"Rin..." he gasped out tiredly.
"Right..." Rinoa said. "Here, eat this..."
Quistis looked over at Selphie. "Let's go help Seifer hand out water," Quistis said. Selphie nodded and shot out the tent. Quistis looked over at Rinoa. "Rinoa, watch him."
Rinoa nodded sadly, tears rimming her eyes. Watts and Zone were good friends of hers. Almost as good as Quistis and Selphie. She sniffled as Zone forced Watts' mouth opened and she slipped the pill into his mouth. Selphie returned with some bottled water and quickly uncapped it.
Outside, Quistis was carrying armfuls of water and handing one out to everyone. Seifer was running past her, holding a case. "Where did you get all the water, anyway?" Quistis said as she reached over and took some more from the case he was holding.
"I don't drink water that isn't bottled." Seifer replied coolly.
Quistis rolled her eyes, but was silently thankful for Seifer's picky tastes. "Dr. Leonhart!" a voice shouted from across the camp. "There are two more!!"
"Hyne," Quistis gasped as she looked around. People were starting to run around the camp. It was about nine thirty at night and Quistis suddenly felt a sinking feeling in her stomach as she handed out the last of the bottled water in her hand. "What's going on...?"
"What's the count?" Quistis asked as she stood in the research tent with the others. Rinoa was sitting on a chair next to Selphie, who was looking through her notes. Irvine and Seifer stood to one side of the tent. Zell was with a team that was checking their water supply.
Squall was still outside, running around trying to help the people who were sick. Selphie shook her head as she put her note book down. "Twenty volunteers are for sure sick. All five kitchen staff workers also are out of service. Two other researchers were sick, and eleven people left with them to take care of them."
Quistis closed her eyes and let out a quiet swear. Rinoa bit her lower lip. They had a team of fifty researchers, themselves included. The kitchen staff was half of the service workers. "This can't be happening..." Quistis whispered.
"That's thirty three of fifty research volunteers out..." Rinoa mumbled.
"Make that thirty nine from your team," Squall said. The group looked towards the door as Squall stepped inside. There were slight bags under his eyes. He hadn't slept all night and had been running around most of it. "And two members of the service workers also left," He looked over at Seifer. "I think we should close down for a while."
"WHAT!?" Selphie, Rinoa, and Quistis all gasped as they turned to him.
Panic filled Quistis' eyes. "No! We can't!"
"We can get new volunteers!" Rinoa reasoned nervously. "We can't close down!"
Seifer shook his head. "Until we find out what's going on, I don't want anyone else sick," Seifer stated. "I'm going to excuse the rest of the team."
"But all the work-" Quistis began, Seifer held his hand up.
"The ruins aren't going anywhere," he snapped. "With this many people out, nothing will get done anyway."
Quistis narrowed her eyes. "Fine, but if I have to have my food shipped over from town every day, I am NOT leaving!"
"Same goes for us!" Selphie piped as Rinoa nodded beside her.
Irvine looked at Seifer questioningly, wondering what the man would do. Seifer took a deep breath. "Even if I ban you, you three will still sneak in."
"Damn straight." Selphie nodded.
"We can just work on the stuff we already have in here!" Rinoa said. "Like the tablets and stuff! We're not done with them yet!" she pleaded.
Seifer stood at the door way. He glanced over at Quistis, who had a look of desperation on her face. He found his head nodding slowly. "Kinneas, check the documents and make sure everything else is in order. I'm going to excuse everyone from the camp until further notice."
Rinoa let out her breath as she closed her eyes. Quistis let out a sigh of relief. Squall looked at all the girls. "Make sure all the water you drink now is bottled. We'll have all our food brought from town as well."
"I'll make the arrangements." Quistis said as she walked past him to the phone.
"Irvy, are you going to be staying, too?" Selphie piped questioningly. Irvine smiled and nodded.
"Like I'd leave you pretty ladies alone for a second..." Irvine said with a wink.
Rinoa chewed on her bottom lip. She wanted to ask Squall, but at the same time didn't want to. Reluctantly, she lifted her eyes to meet his. He seemed to read her mind as he nodded. "As long as there are people in the camp, I have to stay."
"Well, that makes five of us!" Selphie said cheerfully. "It'll be just like a small camping trip!"
"What's the five of you?" a voice said at the door way. Zell came in, holding a folder under his arm.
Before Selphie could answer, Irvine turned to Zell. "Did they find out?" he asked. Zell nodded and handed Irvine the folder.
"Bacteria from the hill side seeped into the water source," Zell said as Irvine flipped through the folder. "It's contaminated now and we can't drink it."
Irvine nodded in understanding as he handed the folder to Squall. The brunette opened it up and looked through it. His eyes narrowed. "It's like a plague..." he mumbled.
"So, what's the five of you?" Zell asked as he looked at Selphie and the others.
"Seifer is sending everyone home, but he said we can stay as long as we don't drink the water any more," Selphie said brightly. "Irvine and Squall are staying, too."
"Can I stay?" Zell said eagerly. "I'm not sick! I can still help."
"We can use all the help we can get." Quistis said as she held the phone by her ear. She was waiting to speak to a restaurant owner in town.
"Cool!" Zell smiled.
"All right! We have six!" Selphie smiled.
"At least we'll have some help," Rinoa said. "But Zell, we don't want to force you to stay."
"Don't worry," Zell assured her. "I want to stay."
"All right," Seifer said as he entered the tent. He saw Zell standing there. "What did they find out?"
"Read for yourself," Squall said as he handed Seifer the brown folder. The blond opened it and read through it quickly. "The water's contaminated."
Seifer let out a quiet swear and nodded. "Great...just great..."
"Six of us will be staying," Selphie told him. "Me, Rin, Quisty, Irvy, Squall, and Zell."
"I'm staying, too." Seifer stated.
Quistis nearly dropped the phone. "WHAT FOR?" she growled.
"It's MY property," Seifer snapped. "I'm going to stay."
She grumbled as she turned her back to the group and mumbled into the phone. "Then it's settled," Rinoa said. "Seifer, you're going to have to help."
"I would if Professor over there would let me." Seifer snorted. Quistis flicked him off and Irvine and Zell snickered. Seifer shot them a dangerous glare.
"I'm going to make sure everyone clears out and get the rest of the sick into the ambulances." Squall said as he headed out the door.
"We'll help." Zell said. Rinoa, Selphie, and Irvine followed him, leaving Seifer with Quistis.
"Thank you..." she said. She hung up the phone and leaned against the table. Her back was towards Seifer. Her head hung low and Seifer narrowed his eyes.
"Quisty?" he asked quietly.
Her eyes were closed as she removed her glasses and put them on the counter. Seifer saw her shoulders heave slightly and frowned. He put his hand on her shoulder and she quickly pulled away from him. "Leave me alone, Seifer. Please." she stated.
There was no challenge in her voice. Just a simple request to be left alone. He put his hands on her shoulders and whirled her around. His heart clenched in his chest as he saw soft droplets rimming her soft blue eyes. "Hyne..." He held her at arms length as she began to cry.
"Everything is going down hill!" she stammered as she covered her face with her hand. "All this work is going down the drain! Why is this happening!?" she sobbed quietly.
Seifer wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against him. Quistis didn't have the will to pull away from him or to struggle against his embrace. She allowed herself to be held in his arms and hear his heart beat against her ear. She felt him gently stroke her head as he kissed the top of it.
"It's all right..." he told her softly. "This is only temporary, Quistis..." he assured her. His voice was soft and almost intent. There wasn't any hint of his usual arrogance. "The people will get better and they'll come back...don't worry..."
"We've worked so hard on this..." Quistis blabbered against his chest. Her pale fingers clutched the shirt he was wearing unconsciously. "I don't want it to loose all of it..."
Seifer frowned and squeezed her tighter. He pulled one arm back and put a crocked finger under her chin. He lifted her face to meet his. "You're not going to loose anything." he replied. Deep emerald eyes penetrated Quistis' sapphire blue ones right before they closed. Surprisingly, it was Seifer who felt Quistis' lips brush his gently.
As Seifer pulled her tighter against him, Quistis' arms snaked around his neck. Seifer's kisses grew more intense and a light whimper escaped Quistis' lips. At that moment, Rinoa stepped back into the research tent and quickly stepped back out. *Whoa... Selphie was right...*
She quickly walked away from the tent. "Rinoa," a voice called out. She looked up and saw Squall approaching her. "You haven't gotten any sleep, have you?"
"I had a quick nap-" she began, but Squall shook his head.
"Go to bed," he told her. "You're still under a lot of stress and-"
"What about you?" she gasped out. "You've been up all night AND running around!"
"It's my job-" Squall began, but Rinoa shook her head.
"Well, everyone is leaving now, so you should get some rest, too." she insisted. Squall sighed and shook his head slightly.
"I'll get some rest after everyone is gone and taken care of," Squall continued. Rinoa frowned, but relented, knowing his was right. "Now you should go to your tent and get some rest as well."
"But-"
He shook his head. "You need some rest. I'll be fine."
"You look worse than me right now!" she gasped. She narrowed her eyes and stomped her foot on the ground. "Dammit, Squall! For once just think of yourself and not of others!"
"People NEED my help right now." Squall snapped, growing annoyed with Rinoa's stubborn behavior.
Rinoa narrowed her eyes and walked past him. "How can you take care of others if you get sick, too?" She stomped past him, not heading towards her tent. Squall ran his hand down his face.
Rinoa went up to meet Selphie, who seemed as perky as ever even though she didn't sleep the night before either. "Get some sleep, Rin," Selphie said worriedly. "You're still under stress, remember?"
"Grr...that's what Squall said!" Rinoa frowned. She sighed and nodded. "Fine..." Grumbling, she headed back down. Squall watched as she passed him silently and retreated to her tent. He made a mental note to check on her later and headed up the hill.
"That was quite a storm last night, wasn't it?" Quistis asked as she, Selphie, and Rinoa walked down the market place street. "I'm surprised no one closed up for today."
"Well, end of the week mornings are the best time to sell!" Selphie said. "It's everyone's shopping day."
"Which makes me wonder why people still bothered to come out," Rinoa sighed. "There are puddles everywhere."
"Tell me about it! The rain water is seeping into my slippers!" Quistis frowned.
As if to answer her comment, two strong arms swept her up. Her eyes went wide as Seifer seemed to appear out of no where and carry her. "Good morning, my princess!" he told her sweetly as his arrogant smirk graced his face. "Did the lightning and thunder scare you last night? You should've come to palace. I would've let you stay with me."
"Your highness, do you know what 'regicide' is?" Quistis asked as she glared daggers at him. Seifer shook his head. "You're about to find out!" Quistis raised her arms to choke him and Rinoa and Selphie grabbed on her.
"Quistis, no!" Rinoa gasped.
"Hyne, Seifer, let her go," an exasperated voice mumbled behind him. Seifer turned around and saw Squall there, holding a heavy basket filled with vegetables for the temple. "You asked to come with me to the market because you wanted to stalk Quistis, didn't you?" he accused.
Seifer slowly put Quistis down and she shoved him away. Seifer shook his head. "I don't 'stalk', puberty boy, I 'pursue aggressively'," Seifer corrected him. He turned back to Quistis. "At any rate, where were we..." his voice trailed off as Rinoa, Selphie, and Quistis had vanished from where they were standing in front of him. "What the...?"
Squall grinned slightly. "And she just didn't 'reject' you, she's just in 'denial'."
"Hell yeah!" Seifer said. He cut through the thick crowds in the market place, leaving Squall standing there.
He shook his head. "He's gone."
"Whoo! Thank you, Squall!" Quistis, Selphie, and Rinoa all peeked out from behind a stack of carpets. Quistis stepped out and dragged the other two with her.
"You do know, Quistis," Squall said. "That you probably will be our future Queen at this point."
Quistis sighed and rolled her eyes. "Hyne, I pray not."
"C'mon! We still have to go pick up my aunt's vegetables from the farmer's market!" Selphie said. She started running off. "See you later, Squall!"
"Bye, Selphie." Squall waved. Quistis bowed her head to him and quickly went after the young woman.
Rinoa stood there, hesitant to leave. "Um..." she began nervously. Squall smiled slightly and Rinoa blushed. "I-"
"Squall!" a voice shouted behind him. Rinoa stopped in mid sentence. She looked over his shoulder and saw Zell running towards them wearing his uniform from the palace.
Squall turned around and immediately noticed the worried look on Zell's face. "What's wrong?"
"Where's Seifer! We just got a message relayed to us on the water supply!" Zell gasped out.
Squall's eyes narrowed. "He ran down that way...wait, what's wrong?" Squall asked.
"Last's night rain colored the well waters with sediment and other things from the ground," Zell told him breathless. "They're contaminated and we're to send out a warning immediately."
Squall nodded. "I understand," Zell waved at Rinoa before he ran past her to look for Seifer. Squall looked back at the young woman and took his hand. "Don't drink the water, all right?"
Rinoa nodded subtle. "I won't..."
"Good," Squall lifted her the back of her hand and kissed it softly. "I have to get back to the temple. I'll see you soon." Rinoa nodded and watched as his hand slipped out of hers as he ran in the opposite direction.
She let out a heavy sigh and turned around. She barely took one step when she ran into a woman in deep teal robes with black chords. She wore a black scarf over her head and had it wrapped around her neck and shoulders loosely. "Oh, I'm sorry!" Rinoa gasped.
"It's all right," the woman said as she stumbled a bit. Rinoa held on to her so she could regain her footing. The young woman smiled at Rinoa with brown eyes and short, shoulder length, straight brown hair. "Oh...it's you!"
Rinoa tilted her head to the side and slowly recognized the woman's clothing. She was a prophet. Teal with black chords belonged to a certain group of 'gifted' people. The young looking woman smiled warmly at Rinoa. "Are you hurt?"
"No, I'm fine," she said sweetly. "You are with Squall?"
At the mere mention of his name, she felt her face burn. "Uh...how did you know?"
"I'm an old friend," she told her warmly. "Ellone."
"Nice to meet you, Ellone," Rinoa smiled sheepishly. "Are you looking for him? He was heading down that way."
"I'll meet him at the temple," Ellone said. She looked at Rinoa and Rinoa could read the sad emotions in Ellone's eyes as she looked at her. Rinoa knew that Ellone knew her fate as well and her smile slowly left her face. Ellone's hands took hers. "The skies from last night cry for you...something has started."
"Something bad...I know..." Rinoa whispered. Ellone squeezed her hands gently.
"Everything happens for a reason," Ellone told Rinoa softly. "Trust in that."
Rinoa nodded and Ellone let go of her hands. "Oh!" Rinoa said as Ellone began to walk away. "The rains...the water is-"
"Only the beginning," Ellone told her solemnly. A sad smile caressed the other woman's face. "The skies will cry many more times..." Rinoa squinted her eyes as Ellone's dark covered head disappeared in the crowds.
She felt a drop hit her arm and she looked down at it. A wet spots began to appear on her toga and she looked up at the sky. Dark clouds hovered above Centra. Rinoa frowned. "They're crying again..."