A/N Thanks for the reviews guys. Riona, there will be a plot to this, but I'm not telling what it is for the time being. And to the anonymous person, I know Ellone didn't die in the game, but it's an AU fic and she wasn't going to play any part in the story so I thought it would help to explain Squall's character more if she had died.
Chapter 6
"Yo Quistis. Where've you been? We've been waiting hours and there's a storm building up. Squall's getting real grumpy."
"Now there's a surprise," remarked Quistis dryly. "I'm sorry it took so long. It's difficult to drive in stormy weather you know?"
"Was is that bad?"
"Yes, and I think it's heading this way." She needed to shout to make herself heard above the wind.
"You think we should travel in this?"
"No way, but I don't think there'll be any dissuading Squall."
"I'll go talk to him. Go wait inside." She gladly stepped into the shelter of the train, closely followed by Selphie and Irvine.
"Squall?"
"What is it?" he sighed, not wanting any company.
"We really shouldn't travel in this weather. It isn't safe." Zell shifted uncomfortably, waiting for Squall's reply.
"We have no choice. We can't just stop here. The sooner we get to Deling, the sooner we get rid of her." He motioned towards the carriage where Rinoa was.
"Come on Squall. You can't risk everyone's life just coz you don't like some chick we're with."
"We're not stopping."
"Squall, do you want us all to die or something?" Squall was saved from replying by the sound of the storm outside intensifying. "Squall?" A loud creaking sound could be heard above the raging winds outside, followed by a loud crashing sound that rang in the SeeD's ears. "Hey, that came from Rinoa's cabin."
"Get the others out of here," Squall ordered calmly.
"You're going to get Rinoa?" He nodded, opening the door to the carriage. A scene of total carnage met his eyes. One of the older trees from the forest outside had been flattened in the storm, and crashed into the train.
"Rinoa?" No answer. "Damn it." He started to root through the rubble on the floor, with no success. "Rinoa?" Squall thought he saw something move in the corner.
"Did I imagine that?" A second movement dispelled his doubt. Pulling back the branches from the tree, he found Rinoa. She had been hit hard, her head bleeding slightly.
"Squall?" she mouthed weakly.
"Shh. Don't say anything. Just rest."
"Am I dead?"
"No," he laughed slightly. "You just hit your head."
"You laughed?" She smiled at him, running her fingers through his hair, making Squall shiver. Strangely, he didn't pull away. He stared into her deep, brown eyes as if in a trance. A thunderclap brought swiftly him back to reality. He tore off the bottom of his t-shirt and placed it against Rinoa's head, applying pressure gently to stop the bleeding.
"You'll be okay. Just relax." He picked her up effortlessly, holding her close to his chest. "You'll be okay."
"Hey, Squall is she okay?"
"Where are the others Zell?"
"I sent them into the forest to find shelter. It should be safer in there, I haven't seen any lightning." Squall nodded his approval and headed for the forest. "Do you want me to carry her for you?" Squall held her closer, shaking his head. "And I thought you didn't like her."
"She's a client. Do you think I'd trust a client to you?" Zell quickly shut up, sensing he had hit a nerve.
"I'm sorry Squall, this is the best we could find. I know it's not much in the way of shelter, but it's better than nothing." Quistis just stared as Squall ran past her, cradling Rinoa in his arms. He placed her on the ground, carefully examining the wound on her head. "Might as well be talking to a wall," she spat. Squall ignored her, taking off his jacket, and putting it under Rinoa's head.
"Squall. I've got a headache."
"I know. Just try to get some sleep. You'll be fine." She smiled when she saw his eyes filled with concern.
"Hey Squall. What do we do now?" asked Zell.
"We'll have to stay here for the night. Rinoa's in no state to walk anywhere."
"And after that?"
"Don't you remember your Garden Code? We travel to the nearest Garden."
"Which is?"
"Galbadia."
"Do you know the way?" Squall fell silent.
"I know the way," Quistis told them.
"Good. Now get some sleep," Squall ordered. After everybody had settled down, he went to sit by Rinoa. Taking the part of his t-shirt that now served as a bandage off her wound, he saw it was no longer bleeding. She struggled to open her eyes.
"Aren't you going to sleep?" she asked weakly.
"Someone has to stay awake and keep watch."
"Always the leader."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing. Nothing." She shivered. "It's freezing out here." Noticing that her head was resting on Squall's jacket, she groggily sat up. "Here," she handed it to him.
"Keep it."
"But…"
"I said keep it." He snatched it from her and placed it over her shoulders. "I don't get cold."
"Thank you," she said, laying her head on his lap. "Goodnight."
"Night," came the whispered reply.
Big thanks to:
Renegade Seraph
Rinoa Leonhart73
Hiasha
CTHKSI
Krnman
Riona
Rebekka
Anonymous
Angel_wing