Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy 8, but I do own a copy of the game.

Please do not flame because this story seems very incestual [because Squall treats Ellone as a sister in the game, but they aren't, so I can make them do what I want! *cackle*] as it is not, and do not flame because Squall is rather OOC in my opinion. Anyway, please review!

Reminiscence

Prologue

Dark, brooding eyes rose towards the stars, thin contemplation shivering beneath them. The quiet breath of the wind weaved through his hair, brushing gently across his face. The young man exhaled, white smoke streaming out from his open mouth. A lazy smile spread across his face as he watched the smoke create twisted shapes.

Silence. How he liked it.

But the silence would not last for long. Children's laughter rippled through the air, interrupting the glorious silence. His trademark scowl blanketed his features again, his eyebrows furrowing in annoyance. He felt his hand slide to the handle of his beloved gunblade, wrapping his fingers around it.

Maybe that could shut them up.

He sneered at the thought. Giving up all hope for any silence, he got up to retreat back to the Garden, his heavy boots landing heavily upon the cement. As he began to walk, he stopped, after hearing a riveting song reach his ears.

Ring-a-ring-a rosies,

Pocket full of posies,
Atishoo! Atishoo!

We all fall down!

Instantly, his eyes tore back towards the children, who were laughing and dancing, over and over again. Their voices beat in his mind, digging up painful and unwanted memories. His gloved hands clutched his head in a weak attempt to stop the trail of thoughts, darkness claiming his eyes and mind for a few moments. But the happy shrieks of children only provoked his mind further. A flash of light ignited his vision, as a familiar scene appeared before his sight.

Squall stood silently, watching his companions play in the sand, chanting a rhyme and dancing hype-actively around the small bonfire. Their faces were alight from the glowing flames, the quiet lull of the ocean slowly comforting them. They all seemed so happy – without him. He turned his head, feeling left out. Suddenly, a voice erupted from the children.

"Squally is alone! He's a loner!"

The voice cackled evilly as a hand pointed towards him, taunting him and further driving him into unhappiness. Squall felt himself gathering strength into his fist, getting ready to fling it at the boy who had just spoken.

"Stop that, Seify! That's mean!"

A second voice was heard on top. This time, it was said much more gracefully. A young girl pulled from the crowd, running and stumbling towards Squall. She finally reached him, panting with effort. She smiled at him, holding out a hand. "Hi! I'm Ellone! But I want chu to call me Sis! Wanna be friends?" For the first time, Squall smiled, slipping his own hand into hers. And then she dragged him towards the fire, making him join her and everyone else in the fun.

***

[1] Rain poured down, matching the saddening emotions deep down in the young boy's heart. He stood alone, glumly staring out towards the horizon, waiting, waiting for a response from his beloved sis. "I miss you, sis..." he mumbled incoherently. His hands waved in vague, unknown gestures, his brown hair fluttering in the wind. He froze, tilting his neck, as if straining to hear something. He smiled.

"I know, sis. I will. I'll stay strong, even if you're not here,"

He nodded, unsure of himself. His hands hung limply at his sides, his body still rejecting the fact he would never see her again.

"Come back, sis..."

He stretched his hands out towards the distance, as if trying to wrap his hands around it all. His face was wet, a mixture of rain and tears. His heart was tearing, even though he was meant to stay strong. He hung his head in shame as he realised he couldn't cope without her. He couldn't stay strong without her.

"I need you so much, sis..."

And then he turned back inside.

Squall's eyes sprang open, surveying the surroundings in front of him. His eyes adjusted to the harsh, bright light. A bird chirped brightly outside, as the soft breeze blew the curtains. He forced himself up painfully, as he saw a jolly, plump woman standing in front of him. Squall immediately realised he was in the infirmary. "Good morning, Squall," Dr. Kadowaki said cheerfully. "Have a good rest?"

Squall immediately jumped up, walking stiffly towards the door. "Why am I here?" he spluttered through gritted teeth. His back was turned on the doctor, who answered his question. "You fainted last night. A young lady brought you in, from the quad," Squall sneered, walking out abruptly. "Stupid Kadowaki..." he muttered. He wandered down the familiar halls of the Garden, staring at the water features around him.

What happened to me? Why did I faint?

He couldn't find any answers, no matter how hard he tried. When he finally reached his dormitory, Zell appeared by his side. "Yo, Squall, what's up?" he said. Zell began battling the air with his fists playfully, his sugar high getting the better of him. "Leave me alone, I'm tired," Squall drawled carelessly. He waved his hands casually and entered his dorm, slamming the door. "Geez, what's his problem?" Zell muttered, scratching his blonde head.

Squall threw himself down upon his bed, retrieving a black notebook and a pencil. Opening it, he gazed upon his sketches of a girl, about his age with short brown hair, clear blue eyes and a happy smile. He had no idea where she had come from, but he gained comfort from seeing her face. Gripping his pencil tightly, he let his imagination flow through the wood, allowing his hand freedom to draw things he was thinking. When completed, he dropped his pencil in shock, staring at his artwork. It was a rough pencil sketch of a stone building, with worn stone steps leading up to a young boy standing alone, staring out toward the horizon.

He remembered what he had seen last night. Was this from the scene? He felt himself being thrown into confusion, as he picked up his pencil again. Scrawling words at the bottom of the page, he wrote:

I can't bear to uphold this-

This façade grows old

No more can I remember
the memories I told,

I stretch my hand

Towards your heart,

I just only wish

For a new start.

He read over these words, surprised such sentences could come from him. He ran his finger over his scar. Damn Seifer. He thought. Maybe his gunblade had grazed his brain slightly, resulting in slight brain damage. Squall laughed bitterly at this. His dark eyes cast gravely over his work, as he slowly swept into a soft slumber again.

[1] I know this didn't really happen in the game, but you know the bit where Squall remembers about him younger and moping over Ellone? Well this is based on it, because I can't really remember what he said ^^;

Thanks for bearing with me and my errors, and reading this chapter to the end. It's a short prologue, so please understand. Anyway, review to tell me if you like it, or if you want me to change it in any way, I would love for some constructive criticism, or any advice of any kind. ^^;;

I just recently finished Final Fantasy X! But the ending is so touching... I think I'm going to write something on that.

Like it? Hate it? Just tell me... review!