"Laguna, you're going to want to see this."

Laguna was huddled over his desk on his personal airship reading a tactical report on the preparations at B-Garden. He barely paid his old friend any mind, there was a big difference between what he usually wanted to see and what Kiros wanted him to see. Besides what he was reading was important, they were painting a very large target on B-Garden with this meeting and while this wouldn't usually worry him Ellone would be there and he had screwed up too many times when it came to her safety.

"LAGUNA"

"WHAT hyne you'd think you are the president the way you're going on"

"Look at this"

"What it's a picture of that princess...Yuna. The one representing Centra."

"Not her. The top right of the picture, captain of the guard"

Laguna could barely stop himself from rolling his eyes, a habit he'd picked up from Raine and never lost. As he started scanning the photo he got a funny feeling in the pit of his stomach and the feeling his sub-conscious knew what was going on but due to the desire to live had run and hid in the back of his mind. Then he saw him.

"Sir Laguna?"

"huh what?... oh sorry Selphie."

"There waiting for you sir"

"Right of course the entrance."

Kiros and Ward took up positions either side of him with troubled looks on their faces and followed out of the room and to the airship exit. As the door opened and the camera flashes started and people started to cheer he smiled. Or possibly grimaced and walked down the gangplank to the podium where he formally greeted Cid and Caraway who had arrived earlier. He then went onto present his aids. When that was done they had to wait for the Centraian delegation to arrive and he found a chance to quietly talk to Cid.

"Did you know?"

"Know what?"

"About the captain of her guard."

"No. What about him?"

Laguna give Cid the picture that he still somehow had a hold of. He watched Cid study it.

"Top right."

".....Mearde."

Laguna watched as the Centraian ship pulled into the dock attached to B-Garden and then looked to the group on his left Rinoa, Quistis, Zell and Irvine. He knew he must have looked funny staring because Ellone who was standing with Edea shot him a Quizzical look which he just shook his head to and thought to himself

'Your brothers back'.

She wasn't nervous

She was a princess trained for this type of event since birth.

She was smart and confident and beautiful.

She had Storm right behind her and that would take the spotlight off.

She was...terrified.

"Relax." He commanded "It'll be fine"

"Which one of us are you trying to convince?"

"...Both. Ready"

"Yes. No. I have to announce you before you can exit onto Balamb."

"...So."

"What do I call you?"

"...Whatever you think is best"

"What if you don't agree its best?"

"This is your show princess. I just follow orders."

"Ok. Be like that, see if I care"

With that he left her alone at the door and sunk into the shadows to its left almost completely concealing himself so as to put the unrevealing off to the last possible moment. A woman no older then herself approached up the gangplank. She had hair cropped at her shoulders and was wearing a yellow dress so short it was practically a T-shirt. She felt an instant liking to the bold confident young woman.

"Your majesty."

"Please just call me Yuna."

"Uhm. Okay. I'm Selphie"

"Hi. I like your dress."

"Really? Most women think it's to short."

"What. No. It's great it really..."

"ahmmm" coughed a voice.

"Oh right the ceremony. Yuna you have to go down the ramp make your formal intro to the higher ups then introduce those that will be staying at Garden with you for the talks."

"There's only one."

"Well just introduce him. What's his name?

"I'm not sure."

"He new?"

"No I've known him for two years."

"He must have a name."

"He has two; he changed it to escape his past."

"Well it's your choice your maj...Yuna, but everyone has to face up to their pasts sooner or later."

"Your right. I just hope he doesn't do anything stupid."

"... I'm right here you know."

"Welllllllllllll, you decided? You ready?"

"Yes let's get this over with."

"Cool"

As Yuna walked to the podium she felt everyone's eyes on her including the pair from behind her. As she made her way up the stairs to the podium she noticed both the Estharian President and the Headmaster were looking at where she had come from and seemed distracted. 'They already know!' She thought as she took the podium and with one last reassuring look back at the ship began her speech.

"I am Princess Yuna til Alexandra of Centra. I am to day representing my people in this plan for long term peace on this planet. We hope that through diplomacy and compromise we can work together to secure the continued security of the world and prosperity of all of the peoples who inhabit it."

This received a wave of applause. She knew that the others had said more or less the same thing, but she had ad-libed a little at the end and people seemed to like it. She knew her mother wouldn't approve but this was her mission and the hard part was yet to come.

"I am accompanied in this endeavour by the captain of the royal Guardians, my friend and protector...Sir Squall Leonhart."