A/N: I just wanted to say I'm really sorry about spelling Squall's last name wrong. I kept writing Lionheart instead of Leonheart. I tried to catch all of the mistakes in this chapter but if they slipped through, sorry!
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Rinoa looked at Squall as they stood there in his bedroom. His brown eyes stared back at her. What was he thinking, she wondered. Was he happy of what they just done? Or was he repenting the long and passionate kiss that had passed between the two?
None the less, she knew how she felt in her heart. She was happy to be with him, and she could only hope for the same feeling on Squall's part.
Both just stood there looking at each other until Rinoa moved closer to him. She put her head on his chest and he touched her back in the most comforting way he knew. She hugged him tight and said,
"I think I love you, Squall."
Of course, she didn't receive a response. He stroked her black hair and looked her in the eyes. Then, kissing her sweetly on her forehead, he turned away. Walking towards the bathroom, he turned to Rinoa and smiled before closing the door.
That was such a rare thing for him to do. People don't seem to realize how much they take small joys of life, like a smile, for granted. But being around Squall made Rinoa appreciate them.
After he shut the door, Rinoa walked around the room. She never felt such warmth from it before. It always seemed like another boring room in daddy's mansion to her. But now it was special, it held a dear spot in her heart. It was where she and Squall first admitted feelings fore each other through a kiss.
Squall came out of the bathroom without Rinoa noticing. He watched her for a moment. He examined her beauty, grace, and elegance. Never did he feel such love in his heart. He couldn't help but walk over to her and grab her waist from behind, giving her little kisses on her neck and cheek.
Her heart was beating faster by the minute, and her soul filled with pure joy and delight. Was it possible to feel this good around someone? Was it normal to light up when that person you loved so dearly walked into the room?
"Mr.Leonheart, please open up, I have orders to clean the room.
Rinoa whipped around to face Squall with fearful eyes.
"Hide." He whispered.
She dropped to the floor and crawled under the bed. If Kiki found out about her and Squall she'd bolt down the hall to find Caraway, dropping everything in an instant.
Without permission she entered. Upon her arrival she gave a face of disgust as she examined the tossed sheets on the bed and everything else basically upturned.
As she was collecting the sheets she spotted Rinoa's post-pet bag shoved in the corner of the room. Glancing at Squall to see if he had noticed, which he did not, she quickly finished up and left.
Rinoa crawled out from under the bed brushing off dust from her flouncy babydoll shirt.
"I better get out of here. I'd really prefer if Caraway didn't find out, okay?"
"Sure." He said giving her a kiss before she took leave.
Everything seemed strangely perfect. Besides the newspaper, she was at peace with her surroundings.
As Rinoa made her way down the long, extravagant hallway she heard whistling from around the corner.
Closer and closer until Selphie popped up.
"Hey, Rinny!" She merrily skipped towards Rinoa and squeezed her tightly in her little arms.
She had a pair of dark washed denim cropped pants on that faded into a collage of studs at the bottom. On top she wore a Puccie halter top that tied at the side and she had a pair of pink Chinese slippers on.
"You look really cute today, Selph."
"Oh, thanks, you too!" She said with her usual giddy voice. She was all smiles so Rinoa was figuring that she must have worked things out with Zell.
"Oh, Selph, you know what time we're leaving?"
"Nope. Sorry, Rin." With that, she hopped down the hall and was soon out of sight.
As she proceeded down the hall she felt a hand on her arm, pulling her to the side. When her eyes met the other she found out it was Kiki. She yanked her arm harder and took her into her bedroom.
"Kiki, what are you doing? Have you gone mad?!"
"No, Miss.Heartly, I have not gone mad. But perhaps you will once I tell you what I've seen."
"What?"
"Oh, yes, I saw you and the young Mr.Leonheart. I saw your bag in his bedroom. And why would you be hiding from me if you hadn't been a very naughty girl." She said tapping her finger with the other, as to say shame on Rinoa.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I won't talk……… for a price."
"Ha, you think I'm going to PAY you to not talk! I'd rather tell Caraway."
"I don't want you're money you spoiled brat! All I want is for you to……… to leave!"
"What? You want me to leave! Oh, how terrid, how shall I go on without father!?" She said rather too sarcastically, remember this girl could turn Rinoa in at any moment.
"Just promise me you'll be gone of this place by tonight."
"Oh, with pleasure my dear Kiki."
Everything was going fine so far. Thankfully.
Rinoa ran up to Quistis' door and knocked impatiently.
"Hello?" She was so perky for some odd reason.
"Hey, Quisty." She said entering the room.
"You're not even dressed. What's up with you?"
"Guess I was just feeling lazy."
Rinoa walked over to the suitcase filled with clothes. First, she yanked out a black, long sleeved shirt, ………… tossed it. Then, a black halter, ………… tossed that aside too. Next, came a black tank-top, ……… sadly tossed that.
"God, Quisty, don't you have anything BESIDES black!"
"I happen to like the way black makes me look."
Rinoa soon caught a glimpse of color buried under the black collection of clothes.
She pulled out a yellow, mesh-y shirt. The lining around the breast was all ruffled as well as the lining of the short sleeves, too.
"Aw, how cute!" Throwing it in Quistis' face she quickly grabbed a black, flowy skirt out and closed the suitcase. Looking around the room for shoes she spotted a pair of denim, stiletto, sling backs.
"Ooo, Quisty, I didn't know you owned these." She said picking them up and looking at their marvel.
Quistis quickly snatching them away replied,
"That's because I knew you'd want to 'borrow' them, and end up keeping them forever."
"O.k. o.k. just get dressed." She said heading for the door.
As she closed the door behind her she felt someone brush up against her back.
Turning quickly to identify who exactly it was, her eyes met a familiar face.
"Seifer." She said awkwardly remembering their last encounter and how emotional it was for her.
"Hey there, princess." He said bowing before her. She let out a laugh, it was good he decided to not bring up what happened the night before. It made their current conversation easier to carry on.
After seeing Rinoa and how happy she appeared after leaving Squall he tried getting rid of the images of revenge he had planned out. If Squall made Rinoa this cheerful and brought this much joy to her life, he didn't want to take it away from her. No matter how much it pained him to see his beloved angel, the reason for his mere existence, with his arch-nemeses, he didn't want to ruin her happiness because of his selfishness. If she was happy, then that was all he could ask for.
She could kind of sense what was running through his mind. She never knew how to explain it, but they always had this weird connection of some sort, like a strange bond. She could tell when he was down, or happy, or just anything. Maybe that's why she knew if she went with Squall, it would be all over for him. He would never find another girl again because she was his soul-mate. He could never love anyone as much as he loved Rinoa. It just couldn't be asked of him. And it wouldn't be asked of him. Not on Rinoa's part, or anyone else for that matter.
"Guess we're leaving soon, huh?" He asked. He didn't really know what to say to her. He wanted to shout to the world,
"I LOVE RINOA HEARTILLY!!!"
He hated the way she made him feel. Powerless. He'd do anything for her, even if he didn't necessarily agree with it, he'd still do whatever it was. That's what he hated most. Not having control of his emotions.
But on the other hand, she brought out his sweet side. His loving and caring side. And she was the only girl that could manage to do so.
There was a lot of meaning behind their eyes as they stood there staring at each other. A lot of feeling could be gathered, even though they weren't actually using words. After all, actions speak louder than words, and right now the action lied within both of their eyes.
Rinoa could feel them start to swell up with tears. She always found herself about to burst into a thousand tears and more when around Seifer. He just stirred up so many old memories she held dear to her heart.
Just then, Quistis walked out looking rather sexy. She saw Seifer and Rinoa and thought perhaps they were on the brink of reconciliation and she had disrupted them.
Rinoa, quickly turning around, wiped a tear that had trickled down her cheek.
"Seifer, could you go and get the rest of the bags?"
"Sure." He said, disappearing into the dark of Quistis' room.
"Hey, Quisty, I'm just gonna run downstairs. I'll be waiting for you there."
She hurriedly flew down the hall and into the main lobby. She sat down on the settee crossing her legs, and began to reflect on what occurred in the past day.
Now that Squall and her had kissed, and their feelings for each other were now obvious, even to themselves, what would happen? Would they start a relationship, she wondered? How could she, when emotions for Seifer came pouring back into her worn out heart every time she laid her eyes on him?
That was it, she decided. She couldn't be with Squall, if she was going to think about Seifer, and she couldn't go back to Seifer if thoughts of Squall would lurk in the back of her mind. She couldn't be with either of them if she was only going to love them with half her heart, and secretly love the other's rival with the remaining half. She would never find happiness again, as she found in being with Squall and Seifer, but it was something she had to sacrifice.
She saw Quistis and Seifer walking her way.
"Do you know where Selphie and Zell are? We have to leave soon, and the rest of the students are already on their way to the train. Edea said it was o.k. if we caught a later train, but that doesn't give us the right to linger around here as long as possible."
"Do you think I want to stay here another moment? God, no so don't be lecturing me." She was agitated at everything for some reason, and felt perhaps she shouldn't have snapped at Quistis in that manner. But the moment passed and so did her sympathy.
Pretty soon Irvine and Selphie came into view. He seemed to be badgering her as to why she's been avoiding him recently. Then she spotted Zell, dragging his feet behind them. What was up with that threesome, she wondered. Everyone had come down except for Squall. Where was he?
"Rinoa, could you go and look for Squall? We have to get moving."
Seifer interrupted.
"Why does Rinoa have to find him? Why don't you look for him Quistis?"
"Well, um…" She didn't really no how to respond to his remark.
"It's o.k. I don't mind, Seifer." She said trying to calm him down.
She walked down the corridor and soon found Squall. At the sight of Rinoa's body he rushed towards her direction and, taking her into his arms, bestowed a many of kisses upon her delicate face. How could she tell him she was going to end their relationship before it ever got started? How could she be so cold hearted? But what about Seifer? He loved her to, and he would be just as hurt as Squall would.
But she had never witnessed Squall this open before. He wasn't reserved and he didn't hold back. That's what Rinoa had been trying to do ever since the day they met. And it all started when she asked him for a dance. If only Seifer didn't have old emotions he once felt towards Rinoa reoccurring, if he had just left the past in the past and tried living out the present, then maybe none of this drama would be going on.
Rinoa simply smiled at Squall after being released from his arms and they walked back to the lobby together. As they entered she caught sight of Seifer's face. It was twisted with anger that only she could detect.
She tried to stay as far away from them as possible for the duration of the ride back to Balamb. So she sat squashed in between Selphie and Zell. Irvine still breathing down poor little Selphie's neck to find out why she was ignoring him. And Zell constantly sending nasty glares the cowboy's way.
Before they knew it, the train was pulling up into Balamb. Zell had fallen asleep and his head was propped up against Rinoa's shoulder. He was snoring away like a baby. Selphie had fallen out, too, but wasn't dependent on anyone for support. Rinoa caught Irvine staring at Selphie every once in a while with anxious eyes, and the tension between Rinoa's two lovers grew enormously. Quistis seemed to be the only happy one. Very odd, Rinoa thought to herself.
The screeching of the train's brakes woke Selphie and Zell. Selphie rubbed her eyes and jumped back at finding Irvine practically on top of her.
"What are you doing?" She said pushing him back with both hands.
"I heard you moving around. Thought maybe something bad happened."
"Like what? We're on a train cart and Rinoa's right next to me. It's not like anyone could-"
"Could what?" He questioned eagerly.
"Nothing. Never mind."
The first words out of Zell's mouth when he came to were,
"Yes, please, I would like some more hotdogs." Saying so, he reached over for Rinoa's arm, lifted it to his mouth, and bit her.
"Ow!!! What, are you crazy, Zell? Do I look like a hotdog!?"
He still wasn't quite awake.
"Holy freakin' crap, that damn hotdog's talking!" She smacked him upside the head, abruptly waking him.
Looking him straight in the face, she sternly said,
"I am not, nor will I ever, be your hotdog! Understood?"
Shaking his head yes to what he did not understand, he quickly found something to fixate his eyes on. The floor. Seifer was still out cold, otherwise, Zell would have probably been rushed to the hospital as a victim of cannibalism.
Rinoa stared down at her arm, she could see his teeth marks imprinted on her skin. Rubbing her arm, she gave Zell a look of a little disgust, but mostly pure shock.
He returned her look with one that told her he didn't know why she kept staring at him. He was just as lost as she was. She put her hand on his back, took it away, then placed her hand once again on his back and patted him.
Cautiously she remarked,
"I-It's o.k. Zell. I still love you." She gave him a hug and playfully bit the lobe of his ear.
Being that he was asleep, he still hadn't the slightest clue as to what she was rambling on about.
"I'm really, REALLY confused. And why did you bite my ear?"
"Oh, forget it!" She said crossing her legs and shifting her weight toward Selphie, who was so desperately trying to avoid Irvine.
Soon, all of them were off the train and on their way to Balamb Garden. Except for Zell, who was excused to visit his mother back in town.
Upon entering the Garden they met a crowd of students running to take exams or just walking aimlessly about the facility.
Quistis, taking her hair out of the clip and letting it fly loose glanced over the SeeD's and began walking towards the elevator. Turning around she said,
"I have some business with Cid, so I guess you have the rest of the day off. But remember, all rules are back in effect tomorrow, so if you're late, you're late. No excuses."
She said shrugging her shoulders. She seemed eager to arrive at her destination.
Before the elevator brought her up she had one last order to give.
"Ahh yes, let me not forget. All of you are to report to Cid's office at 9:00 P.M. tonight. Something only SeeD's should know about."
The elevator doors closed after the order was given and she was gone.
"I'm really tired guys. I think I'm just gonna crash in my dorm for now. See ya later." Rinoa couldn't be happier to be out of there. It was so awkward when Squall, herself, and Seifer were all in the same room. She didn't like tension, and was happy to escape from it.
Pretty soon it would be time for her to see them again, though. BOTH of them. When they were going to be called up for whatever was going on with Cid. What was going on with Cid, she wondered. Her mind started drifting off thinking of all the possibilities that could be awaiting her in Cid's office.
Her eyes started to feel heavy, she could barley open them. All noise from the exterior of her dorm was blocked out, she was completely lost in thought, and soon enough, a slumber overtook her body.
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A/N: Ooooooo, I hope you liked it! This chapter kind of let you in on what the characters were thinking more than anything. And the outfits they were wearing, too! Anyway, there is a pretty big surprise next chapter. I was even surprised, I only thought of adding this bit while I was writing this chapter. Pretty please, review! I love getting reviews, they are so much fun to read! So please leave one. Thanks!
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Rinoa looked at Squall as they stood there in his bedroom. His brown eyes stared back at her. What was he thinking, she wondered. Was he happy of what they just done? Or was he repenting the long and passionate kiss that had passed between the two?
None the less, she knew how she felt in her heart. She was happy to be with him, and she could only hope for the same feeling on Squall's part.
Both just stood there looking at each other until Rinoa moved closer to him. She put her head on his chest and he touched her back in the most comforting way he knew. She hugged him tight and said,
"I think I love you, Squall."
Of course, she didn't receive a response. He stroked her black hair and looked her in the eyes. Then, kissing her sweetly on her forehead, he turned away. Walking towards the bathroom, he turned to Rinoa and smiled before closing the door.
That was such a rare thing for him to do. People don't seem to realize how much they take small joys of life, like a smile, for granted. But being around Squall made Rinoa appreciate them.
After he shut the door, Rinoa walked around the room. She never felt such warmth from it before. It always seemed like another boring room in daddy's mansion to her. But now it was special, it held a dear spot in her heart. It was where she and Squall first admitted feelings fore each other through a kiss.
Squall came out of the bathroom without Rinoa noticing. He watched her for a moment. He examined her beauty, grace, and elegance. Never did he feel such love in his heart. He couldn't help but walk over to her and grab her waist from behind, giving her little kisses on her neck and cheek.
Her heart was beating faster by the minute, and her soul filled with pure joy and delight. Was it possible to feel this good around someone? Was it normal to light up when that person you loved so dearly walked into the room?
"Mr.Leonheart, please open up, I have orders to clean the room.
Rinoa whipped around to face Squall with fearful eyes.
"Hide." He whispered.
She dropped to the floor and crawled under the bed. If Kiki found out about her and Squall she'd bolt down the hall to find Caraway, dropping everything in an instant.
Without permission she entered. Upon her arrival she gave a face of disgust as she examined the tossed sheets on the bed and everything else basically upturned.
As she was collecting the sheets she spotted Rinoa's post-pet bag shoved in the corner of the room. Glancing at Squall to see if he had noticed, which he did not, she quickly finished up and left.
Rinoa crawled out from under the bed brushing off dust from her flouncy babydoll shirt.
"I better get out of here. I'd really prefer if Caraway didn't find out, okay?"
"Sure." He said giving her a kiss before she took leave.
Everything seemed strangely perfect. Besides the newspaper, she was at peace with her surroundings.
As Rinoa made her way down the long, extravagant hallway she heard whistling from around the corner.
Closer and closer until Selphie popped up.
"Hey, Rinny!" She merrily skipped towards Rinoa and squeezed her tightly in her little arms.
She had a pair of dark washed denim cropped pants on that faded into a collage of studs at the bottom. On top she wore a Puccie halter top that tied at the side and she had a pair of pink Chinese slippers on.
"You look really cute today, Selph."
"Oh, thanks, you too!" She said with her usual giddy voice. She was all smiles so Rinoa was figuring that she must have worked things out with Zell.
"Oh, Selph, you know what time we're leaving?"
"Nope. Sorry, Rin." With that, she hopped down the hall and was soon out of sight.
As she proceeded down the hall she felt a hand on her arm, pulling her to the side. When her eyes met the other she found out it was Kiki. She yanked her arm harder and took her into her bedroom.
"Kiki, what are you doing? Have you gone mad?!"
"No, Miss.Heartly, I have not gone mad. But perhaps you will once I tell you what I've seen."
"What?"
"Oh, yes, I saw you and the young Mr.Leonheart. I saw your bag in his bedroom. And why would you be hiding from me if you hadn't been a very naughty girl." She said tapping her finger with the other, as to say shame on Rinoa.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I won't talk……… for a price."
"Ha, you think I'm going to PAY you to not talk! I'd rather tell Caraway."
"I don't want you're money you spoiled brat! All I want is for you to……… to leave!"
"What? You want me to leave! Oh, how terrid, how shall I go on without father!?" She said rather too sarcastically, remember this girl could turn Rinoa in at any moment.
"Just promise me you'll be gone of this place by tonight."
"Oh, with pleasure my dear Kiki."
Everything was going fine so far. Thankfully.
Rinoa ran up to Quistis' door and knocked impatiently.
"Hello?" She was so perky for some odd reason.
"Hey, Quisty." She said entering the room.
"You're not even dressed. What's up with you?"
"Guess I was just feeling lazy."
Rinoa walked over to the suitcase filled with clothes. First, she yanked out a black, long sleeved shirt, ………… tossed it. Then, a black halter, ………… tossed that aside too. Next, came a black tank-top, ……… sadly tossed that.
"God, Quisty, don't you have anything BESIDES black!"
"I happen to like the way black makes me look."
Rinoa soon caught a glimpse of color buried under the black collection of clothes.
She pulled out a yellow, mesh-y shirt. The lining around the breast was all ruffled as well as the lining of the short sleeves, too.
"Aw, how cute!" Throwing it in Quistis' face she quickly grabbed a black, flowy skirt out and closed the suitcase. Looking around the room for shoes she spotted a pair of denim, stiletto, sling backs.
"Ooo, Quisty, I didn't know you owned these." She said picking them up and looking at their marvel.
Quistis quickly snatching them away replied,
"That's because I knew you'd want to 'borrow' them, and end up keeping them forever."
"O.k. o.k. just get dressed." She said heading for the door.
As she closed the door behind her she felt someone brush up against her back.
Turning quickly to identify who exactly it was, her eyes met a familiar face.
"Seifer." She said awkwardly remembering their last encounter and how emotional it was for her.
"Hey there, princess." He said bowing before her. She let out a laugh, it was good he decided to not bring up what happened the night before. It made their current conversation easier to carry on.
After seeing Rinoa and how happy she appeared after leaving Squall he tried getting rid of the images of revenge he had planned out. If Squall made Rinoa this cheerful and brought this much joy to her life, he didn't want to take it away from her. No matter how much it pained him to see his beloved angel, the reason for his mere existence, with his arch-nemeses, he didn't want to ruin her happiness because of his selfishness. If she was happy, then that was all he could ask for.
She could kind of sense what was running through his mind. She never knew how to explain it, but they always had this weird connection of some sort, like a strange bond. She could tell when he was down, or happy, or just anything. Maybe that's why she knew if she went with Squall, it would be all over for him. He would never find another girl again because she was his soul-mate. He could never love anyone as much as he loved Rinoa. It just couldn't be asked of him. And it wouldn't be asked of him. Not on Rinoa's part, or anyone else for that matter.
"Guess we're leaving soon, huh?" He asked. He didn't really know what to say to her. He wanted to shout to the world,
"I LOVE RINOA HEARTILLY!!!"
He hated the way she made him feel. Powerless. He'd do anything for her, even if he didn't necessarily agree with it, he'd still do whatever it was. That's what he hated most. Not having control of his emotions.
But on the other hand, she brought out his sweet side. His loving and caring side. And she was the only girl that could manage to do so.
There was a lot of meaning behind their eyes as they stood there staring at each other. A lot of feeling could be gathered, even though they weren't actually using words. After all, actions speak louder than words, and right now the action lied within both of their eyes.
Rinoa could feel them start to swell up with tears. She always found herself about to burst into a thousand tears and more when around Seifer. He just stirred up so many old memories she held dear to her heart.
Just then, Quistis walked out looking rather sexy. She saw Seifer and Rinoa and thought perhaps they were on the brink of reconciliation and she had disrupted them.
Rinoa, quickly turning around, wiped a tear that had trickled down her cheek.
"Seifer, could you go and get the rest of the bags?"
"Sure." He said, disappearing into the dark of Quistis' room.
"Hey, Quisty, I'm just gonna run downstairs. I'll be waiting for you there."
She hurriedly flew down the hall and into the main lobby. She sat down on the settee crossing her legs, and began to reflect on what occurred in the past day.
Now that Squall and her had kissed, and their feelings for each other were now obvious, even to themselves, what would happen? Would they start a relationship, she wondered? How could she, when emotions for Seifer came pouring back into her worn out heart every time she laid her eyes on him?
That was it, she decided. She couldn't be with Squall, if she was going to think about Seifer, and she couldn't go back to Seifer if thoughts of Squall would lurk in the back of her mind. She couldn't be with either of them if she was only going to love them with half her heart, and secretly love the other's rival with the remaining half. She would never find happiness again, as she found in being with Squall and Seifer, but it was something she had to sacrifice.
She saw Quistis and Seifer walking her way.
"Do you know where Selphie and Zell are? We have to leave soon, and the rest of the students are already on their way to the train. Edea said it was o.k. if we caught a later train, but that doesn't give us the right to linger around here as long as possible."
"Do you think I want to stay here another moment? God, no so don't be lecturing me." She was agitated at everything for some reason, and felt perhaps she shouldn't have snapped at Quistis in that manner. But the moment passed and so did her sympathy.
Pretty soon Irvine and Selphie came into view. He seemed to be badgering her as to why she's been avoiding him recently. Then she spotted Zell, dragging his feet behind them. What was up with that threesome, she wondered. Everyone had come down except for Squall. Where was he?
"Rinoa, could you go and look for Squall? We have to get moving."
Seifer interrupted.
"Why does Rinoa have to find him? Why don't you look for him Quistis?"
"Well, um…" She didn't really no how to respond to his remark.
"It's o.k. I don't mind, Seifer." She said trying to calm him down.
She walked down the corridor and soon found Squall. At the sight of Rinoa's body he rushed towards her direction and, taking her into his arms, bestowed a many of kisses upon her delicate face. How could she tell him she was going to end their relationship before it ever got started? How could she be so cold hearted? But what about Seifer? He loved her to, and he would be just as hurt as Squall would.
But she had never witnessed Squall this open before. He wasn't reserved and he didn't hold back. That's what Rinoa had been trying to do ever since the day they met. And it all started when she asked him for a dance. If only Seifer didn't have old emotions he once felt towards Rinoa reoccurring, if he had just left the past in the past and tried living out the present, then maybe none of this drama would be going on.
Rinoa simply smiled at Squall after being released from his arms and they walked back to the lobby together. As they entered she caught sight of Seifer's face. It was twisted with anger that only she could detect.
She tried to stay as far away from them as possible for the duration of the ride back to Balamb. So she sat squashed in between Selphie and Zell. Irvine still breathing down poor little Selphie's neck to find out why she was ignoring him. And Zell constantly sending nasty glares the cowboy's way.
Before they knew it, the train was pulling up into Balamb. Zell had fallen asleep and his head was propped up against Rinoa's shoulder. He was snoring away like a baby. Selphie had fallen out, too, but wasn't dependent on anyone for support. Rinoa caught Irvine staring at Selphie every once in a while with anxious eyes, and the tension between Rinoa's two lovers grew enormously. Quistis seemed to be the only happy one. Very odd, Rinoa thought to herself.
The screeching of the train's brakes woke Selphie and Zell. Selphie rubbed her eyes and jumped back at finding Irvine practically on top of her.
"What are you doing?" She said pushing him back with both hands.
"I heard you moving around. Thought maybe something bad happened."
"Like what? We're on a train cart and Rinoa's right next to me. It's not like anyone could-"
"Could what?" He questioned eagerly.
"Nothing. Never mind."
The first words out of Zell's mouth when he came to were,
"Yes, please, I would like some more hotdogs." Saying so, he reached over for Rinoa's arm, lifted it to his mouth, and bit her.
"Ow!!! What, are you crazy, Zell? Do I look like a hotdog!?"
He still wasn't quite awake.
"Holy freakin' crap, that damn hotdog's talking!" She smacked him upside the head, abruptly waking him.
Looking him straight in the face, she sternly said,
"I am not, nor will I ever, be your hotdog! Understood?"
Shaking his head yes to what he did not understand, he quickly found something to fixate his eyes on. The floor. Seifer was still out cold, otherwise, Zell would have probably been rushed to the hospital as a victim of cannibalism.
Rinoa stared down at her arm, she could see his teeth marks imprinted on her skin. Rubbing her arm, she gave Zell a look of a little disgust, but mostly pure shock.
He returned her look with one that told her he didn't know why she kept staring at him. He was just as lost as she was. She put her hand on his back, took it away, then placed her hand once again on his back and patted him.
Cautiously she remarked,
"I-It's o.k. Zell. I still love you." She gave him a hug and playfully bit the lobe of his ear.
Being that he was asleep, he still hadn't the slightest clue as to what she was rambling on about.
"I'm really, REALLY confused. And why did you bite my ear?"
"Oh, forget it!" She said crossing her legs and shifting her weight toward Selphie, who was so desperately trying to avoid Irvine.
Soon, all of them were off the train and on their way to Balamb Garden. Except for Zell, who was excused to visit his mother back in town.
Upon entering the Garden they met a crowd of students running to take exams or just walking aimlessly about the facility.
Quistis, taking her hair out of the clip and letting it fly loose glanced over the SeeD's and began walking towards the elevator. Turning around she said,
"I have some business with Cid, so I guess you have the rest of the day off. But remember, all rules are back in effect tomorrow, so if you're late, you're late. No excuses."
She said shrugging her shoulders. She seemed eager to arrive at her destination.
Before the elevator brought her up she had one last order to give.
"Ahh yes, let me not forget. All of you are to report to Cid's office at 9:00 P.M. tonight. Something only SeeD's should know about."
The elevator doors closed after the order was given and she was gone.
"I'm really tired guys. I think I'm just gonna crash in my dorm for now. See ya later." Rinoa couldn't be happier to be out of there. It was so awkward when Squall, herself, and Seifer were all in the same room. She didn't like tension, and was happy to escape from it.
Pretty soon it would be time for her to see them again, though. BOTH of them. When they were going to be called up for whatever was going on with Cid. What was going on with Cid, she wondered. Her mind started drifting off thinking of all the possibilities that could be awaiting her in Cid's office.
Her eyes started to feel heavy, she could barley open them. All noise from the exterior of her dorm was blocked out, she was completely lost in thought, and soon enough, a slumber overtook her body.
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A/N: Ooooooo, I hope you liked it! This chapter kind of let you in on what the characters were thinking more than anything. And the outfits they were wearing, too! Anyway, there is a pretty big surprise next chapter. I was even surprised, I only thought of adding this bit while I was writing this chapter. Pretty please, review! I love getting reviews, they are so much fun to read! So please leave one. Thanks!