Discalimer: Square owns FF8....period.

Chapter 8: The new SeeD's

The next day Balamb Garden was back to it's normal self except for this was the day Squall would return from his vacation. That bit of news somewhat overshadowed the other event happening on this day: The announcement of who passed the SeeD test and the SeeD inauguration ball. The five applicants awaited nervously for the announcement, having to wait till Squall came back and made it all official. Zell may have been the commander-in charge, but the recruits still need Squall's official signature before they can be announced as SeeD's. Out of all of them, Siefer seemed the most anxious to get it over with. Pass or fail, he didn't care...he got his one shot at redemption and that's all that mattered...but still, he would have loved to have been a SeeD. The time ticked away, and then the moment came. The students, faculty, SeeD's, and SeeD applicants stood in front of the station, awaiting the returning commander. Two old men sat there, watching the commotion.

"You know what Chancey?"

"What's that Edgar?"

"This is the most people we've had in this town since we dedicated that statue to Raymond Navarro..."

"I don't know about that Edgar, I always thought that statue was of Caesar Romero."

"Oh yeah...I saw Raymond Navarro on the light night movie show last night."

"Let me guess, he was a pilot lost over an island in the sea."

"What else did he do in movies besides that."

"You got a point there Edgar."

As the two old men continued there discussion on old time movie actors, the train stopped at the station, and out walked Squall and Rinoa to a furious chorus of 'welcome backs' and some 'we missed you guys ' from their closest friends. All those two could do was wave and give slight smiles.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rinoa unpacked her things as Quistis, Xu, Selphie, Nini, and Edea stood in her room. She asked them all in there to tell them the news of her engagement. The four women stood there, wondering why she giggled as she unpacked.

"Alright Rinoa, you have all here and your giving us the silent treatment, don't be a Squall now, what's going on." said Xu. Rinoa giggled as she turned around and showed of the rock on her finger. Selphie squealed in delight.

"YOU MEAN YOU AND SQUALL..."

Rinoa nodded her head... and then all the women squealed and jumped up and down over excitement of their friends engagement, and began to talk about what kind of cake she should have for the wedding.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zell finished his report to Squall as Squall was reading over each evaluators notes for the SeeD candidates. Zell lowered his head and sighed, causing Squall to look at him.

"Think I'm mad don't you..." Zell slowly nodded his head and Squall laughed. "Don't be. It was your first time in charge, remember my first week? We went head to head against Galbadia in combat and got lost at sea... I think drunken students, striking teachers, and the monsters getting loose pails in comparison what I did...so these are the applicants?" Squall said, picking up his pen and signing four of them. He grabbed the microphone on his desk. He flicked the switch on it, and the familiar chime went threw the garden.

"This is Commander Squall...yeah I'm back, whatever...anyways, these are the names of the cadets who have passed the SeeD test, tonight they will be attending the inauguration ball as new members of Balamb Gardens special forces, SeeD. Kinneas, Irvine. Alcamen, Rose. Kawaii, Nini. Almasy, Seifer. Those four report immediately to Headmaster Cids office. That is all." Squall turned off the microphone, and Zell turned to leave.

"So Zell...Seifer really has a speech impediment..."

"Yup...you should hear it man, it sounds like a cat being strangled when he trys to say a Z. When I heard that, blew my mind."

"Ready for you mind to get blown again? You did an excellent job Zell, you really where the guy for the job," Zell smiled, his worst fears went unrealized, "Oh and Zell...I need to ask you another favor."

"Sure, what is it man?"

"I need a best man...want the job?"

"Best man?...You mean you and Rinoa are..." Squall nodded, "Sure man, of course!"

"Seeya tonight Zell."

"Seeya Squall." Zell left the office. He looked to see the four that passed walk by him, each smiling from ear to ear.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cid gave each one of the four there certificate and medal. Out of all of them, Seifer seemed to be the only one about to cry...his dream of being a SeeD had finally come true...but more important, amnesty from last years actions had been granted, he could finally place his past behind him. The four left, leaving Squall and Cid alone.

"Cid..." Squall said rather solemn when everyone was gone, "we have to talk."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quistis sat down to lunch when a hand touched her shoulder, she turned to see Seifer standing behind her.

"Looks like your a SeeD now..."

"Yup...I got a question instructor"

"Seifer, you don't have to call me instructor anymore, just call me Quistis."

"Alright then Quistis, tonight's the inauguration ball, and I have no one to go with..."

"Seifer Almasy, are you asking me out?"

"Well, I do want the prettiest date there...so I guess I am. What's your answer."

Quistis smiled at him. He gave her a wink. He may have toned down a bit, but he was still Seifer Almasy, a little egotistic, but that was his charm. She thought to herself about it for awhile and then though.... 'oh why not'

"Pick me up at eight."

Seifer smiled, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"I won't be late"

Well, we're getting closer, next time, The Anouncement!