Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from Final Fantasy VIII (Squaresoft) or Weiss Kreuz. This story is from my head and there is no way they would think of doing this with their characters.

Genre: Crossover, TWT, Romance, Angst

Warning: Spoilers, shounen-ai, shoujo-ai, mild language, violence in later chapters

Rating: R

Eventual Pairings: Squall x Zell, Aya x Youji, Quistis x Rinoa, and various others

Author's Note: I want to thank Trasgapoca for her excellent beta work on this story. I'll be very surprised if any one reads or remember this but it came to me and I had to write it.

Eyes closed Seifer tried to control the nausea that was burning like fire in the pit of his stomach, he felt terrible and if there is one thing he hated doing, it was puking. And he especially refused to do it in front of his rival Squall. Pulling the vial out of his trench coat pocket, he flicked the cap off, slinging the contents down his throat.

Feeling the tingling sensation that ran through him he relaxed and straightened his body to stare at the two surprised males, his trademark smirk now in place.

"I know you are so happy to see me." Seifer chuckled, his eyes resting on Zell, "hey chicken."

Before Zell could answer him, Squall stepped in front of the little blonde protectively, glaring at Seifer. "Where is the Headmistress? Why are you here?" If there was one thing that Squall hated more than anything, was change, especially when he was expecting someone else. He had nothing against Seifer himself, he just expected to see Quistis.

Seifer had to bite his lip hard before he said anything that could get him into trouble, even though he thrived on it; Squall was the Commander whether he liked it or not. Besides, what was happening at home was very disturbing and Seifer wasn't sure if Squall would believe him, but Quistis had given him the holograph sphere with her personal message to Squall from her.

Taking a deep breath Seifer looked squarely at Squall, his face serious, "Quistis was unable to return because of something that had developed back at home. She has a coded message for you Squall." Seifer frowned, "you aren't going to believe what has happened."

Squall nodded his head briskly, "Is Balamb safe?"

"So far it is, whatever is happening seems to be starting from the Island closet to Heaven, and the crater in Trabia is somehow connected with it."

Zell stepped forward to stand beside Squall, "Is Selphie alright?" Zell had shivered as he spoke her name, an omen that he could feel in his gut. He was changed somehow and Ifrit was close, very close. He didn't quite understand the change with himself and his Guardian Force but they felt things…sensed things in the Uni…

No! Shaking his head Zell knew he wasn't ready for this revelation and blocked it from his mind and quickly looked at Seifer and wished he hadn't. The tall blond's frown had deepened, "Listen to Quistis' message first," was all that he said making Zell feel dread.

Squall reached out and took the sphere from Seifer and turned towards their makeshift dining area sitting down placing the sphere in front of him. He made sure Zell sat right next to him before he keyed in the code. Seifer sat across from them.

With quick precision Squall pressed the right symbols in correct succession, straightening up as the sphere lit up and unfurled like a rose blooming, the golden petals seemed to melt together forming a square, a bright light flickered then Quistis face appeared.

Squall could see concern and a frown on her face, putting him on guard immediately.

/"Squall I apologise for not being able to return, but I'm afraid that is the least of our worries. Something has occurred here in our world, and I have decided that you and the others are not to return back here until further notice. I have advised Doctor Odine that the Gateway that we have been using is to be closed down until we further investigate a problem that has arisen on the Island closest to Heaven. It seems to have links with the crater not far from TrabiaGarden. Squall, I have a bad feeling about this and Odine has just confirmed it today. There is another gateway somewhere on the Island closest to Heaven./

Squall sat back in his seat frowning, he didn't like where this was going…wasn't that where Selphie, Nida and Alexander were sent on a mission. Giving Zell a sidelong glance, Squall could only wonder how the hell Zell knew that it concerned Selphie. Shaking his head he filed it away for later and listened to the rest of the message.

/"Dr Odine with the help of Ellone detected a coded frequency that was alien, foreign. Squall it was this that made me decide that the Gateway Odine created wasn't to be used. Who knows what and who discovers it and uses it to transport from here to there where you are or vice versa. I have sent with Seifer extra security systems that Odine has been working on that are far superior then the one you are using now, also I have sent items which could be sold at pawn shops so that you will be able to get some form of currency."/

"Shit how long are we going ta be here for?!" Zell couldn't help himself; the way Quistis was talking, it was going to be one very long mission.

Squall shook his head, feeling the same way. Maybe they would have to trust Aya and his team more than he wanted to. But the danger that they could put them in, they worked in a flower shop for goodness sake!

/"I know you have already worked it out Squall, that this ties in with Rinoa, it has to, but Selphie I fear is somehow involved with this mystery as well Squall…she has disappeared. Nida and Alexander returned to Garden this morning around 0600 hours and they can't remember anything not even Selphie."

Quistis image shimmered as she paused, her eyes full of worry, "Squall I'm afraid for our two friends and have decided to give you full authority to use whatever means necessary to find them…even magic. Odine has informed me that there has to be another sorceress, one we know nothing about and that she is very powerful."

"The crater from the lunar tear one hundred years ago has some kind of power energy that has been tapped into, we don't know yet how it is generated or when it started, Odine has someone working on it now. I will let you know as soon as I get the information. As for the other Gateway we have no way of closing it or opening it, all we know is that it exists."/

Squall couldn't believe what he was hearing, but stayed silent.

Zell clasped his hands together, his knuckles going white as he listened to the message. He was afraid for Selphie.

After the break up with Irvine, Selphie had changed, become a little more serious. Zell knew that Irvine was her first and only love, and that the break up had hurt her more than she let on. It was a bit like…yes…Rinoa when Squall broke it off with her.

"Zell?"

Zell quickly looked at Seifer, "Huh?!"

"Are you alright, you look a lil pale." Zell was touched by Seifer's concern, Squall on the other hand found it hard to listen to Quistis as he glared at Seifer.

Zell smiled, "nah I'm fine, just thinking." He then looked back at the hologram of their headmistress.

Seifer wasn't convinced but shrugged his shoulders, ignoring the glare coming from Squall, the guy really needed to relax, better yet…get a clue.

/Your new mission orders: You will search for the two missing SeeD members Rinoa Heartilly and Selphie Tilmitt by whatever means possible and this will be your top priority. I give you permission to use whatever means possible just use your discretion commander. Zell, Seifer and Irvine are to answer to no one but yourself unless you state otherwise and Squall, try not to involve anyone else but those you have already contacted, also the less information given to them the better commander.

Quistis took a deep breath as she clasped her hands tightly together. I will contact you again one week from today, 1800 hours through the gateway. I'm afraid it's the only way. Good luck Squall, guys and may Hyne keep you all safe.

Headmistress Quistis Trepe signing off./

The image fuzzed then disappeared, the sphere sitting in front of them.

Sighing Squall stood up looking down at Zell. "Get ready, we will go in search of Irvine, he's late in returning." He looked towards Seifer. "We will pawn the items you carried through with you so we can buy food rations."

Both blonds nodded.

"Right, let's get to it. The sooner we meet with Aya and his team the better, Quistis' message changes everything and we have two friends to find."

Zell smiled at Squall's words…friends. He loved that word coming from the lion; it was so easy now for Squall to finally say it out loud that they were his friends, warmth filling his heart.

The little blond made his way towards his own tent where his clothes were, deciding on wearing his jeans instead of his shorts. He then began the painstaking process of spiking his hair and was grateful that Squall allowed time for him to do this. Once he was happy with the way his hair stood up he winked at his image in the mirror and his smile dropped. Ifrit was very close he could sense him in his every movement, it was like they were one but Zell knew this to be impossible trying not to panic at his thoughts.

"Hey chicken you ready, the boss man is getting impatient."

Zell chuckled and opened the flap of his tent. Wouldn't be Squall if he didn't. "Yeah yeah Dick head, I'm coming."

He moved with catlike grace and began to bounce on his feet and he felt different. It hit him just like that and he almost stumbled forward as the thought hit him, his body charged with fiery energy like never before, his head flashing with images and he saw Seifer fighting with the rest of the gang in a strange place, his stare burning intently at the taller blond.

Seifer could only stare at the petite blond not sure what to think and the look Zell gave him, unnerved the hell out of him. "Zell?" Seifer was almost embarrassed at the way his voice cracked on his name but it couldn't be helped, the look was serious and looking through to his soul, seeing things that Seifer didn't want anyone else to see. "Zell?"

Zell froze as the images kept coming, faster and faster and he took it all in, not missing anything and then it all stopped with a snap…the last image so clear, staring at him, the words, 'face the demon to destroy the demon'. The picture was of Ifrit and Shiva and they were different, he just couldn't describe in what way.

He felt someone touch his arm gently and he gasped as he exhaled then breathed in deeply, not realising he had held his breath. Zell turned to see Squall looking at him with concern, his hand tightening around his arm for reassurance.

"You alright Zell?" Squall was afraid and he was glad to know he wasn't the only one. Seifer had called out to him and he was shocked when he saw the tall blond looking worriedly at Zell.

"I'm fine Squall, I just--"

Squall frowned. "Don't lie to me Zell, what is happening. Shiva will tell me if you don't."

Chuckling Zell nodded his head, "k. I saw images which started with Seifer." Biting his bottom lip he put the images in order, making sure not to reveal all, some of them he wasn't able to understand and until he did he wasn't sharing them with anyone, not even the man he loved.

"What about Seifer?"

Seifer moved closer still a little unnerved with what had happened but he'd heard his name and that was enough for him to want to know more.

"He was fighting beside Aya, myself and Omi in a castle."

A quick nod from Squall prompted him to carry on.

"Squall, you were with Youji, Ken and Irvine. I think we split up but that's not important, the castle; if I can get a picture of all the castles here I will be able ta find the one we need ta get to."

A twitch of his lips let Zell know that Squall was pleased with this and it made him happy too.

"Well done Zell…" he was about to carry on but a scraping sound put them on alert and they relaxed when they saw it was Irvine.

"Howdy there pardners…" he stopped, raising an eyebrow at Seifer, "whatcha doing here blond boy?"

Smirking Seifer turned his back on the cowboy, Zell's behaviour playing on his mind. Something wasn't right…it was like Zell wasn't here with them and it was kind of freaky. He had to admire the nerves of steel Squall had in these situations but then again, the idiot was in love with the petite blond; it was a shame he didn't use his nerves of steel to face his feelings because he was definitely afraid them.

"That's not important Irvine, what have you learned from the flower shop." Squall was now in mission mode, he was worried about the two girls and whatever was happening to Zell.

Irvine chuckled shaking his head, "Besides there being a very cute brunet named Ken, there is something seriously happening." They all nodded and were quite surprised at how Irvine quickly became serious. "Omi said the castle that Aya and Youji were investigating was supposed to be where unusual sightings were happening. Creatures like they have never seen before, now Omi said he couldn't describe anything because the people who sighted anything keep disappearing without a trace. You know what that means commander."

Squall nodded, "We will have to check it out for ourselves. Aya and Youji don't know what they are looking for and if they happen upon anything it could be dangerous for them."

Zell agreed the images still vivid in his mind but what he couldn't understand was the one he had of Squall's GF. Shiva was different, just like Ifrit, the two GF's had evolved into something Zell couldn't explain even to himself. He wanted to tell Squall but not until they were alone. Something was happening and Zell knew it had to do with their mission.

But that wasn't the only thing bothering him, he saw a young man with dark hair wearing glasses, and what unnerved him was the fact that the young man was looking back at him with curiosity and surprise. The words coming from the young man, "everything is being set in place", for what…Zell had no idea…

The Flowershop

Omi and Ken filled in the two elder members of their team on the arrival of the tall cowboy and Youji smirked when Ken gushed on about him and how he had unusual coloured eyes.

"Yes they were blue but with a hint of violet, not like Aya's no his were deeper and more blue and he--"

"We get the picture Ken," Aya said dryly, he was actually amused about how the brunet seemed to have a crush on a stranger.

Blushing Ken lifted his chin, "well it doesn't hurt to be descriptive you know."

Omi chuckled turning back to Aya, "what did you learn?"

Youji told them that they found nothing out of the ordinary and in a way he was disappointed that they didn't have anything to help Zell and his friends. He was glad that they would be here soon; maybe they had news instead and from what Omi was saying, Squall was actually a commander, yes he had taken a lot of note of Irvine's slip up.

Were they military, this went through all their minds, Youji didn't think so and had a feeling that they were like them. Assassins, mercenaries he wasn't sure and if he could spend more time with Zell he knew the young blond would tell him.

He sighed because the other thing bugging him besides everything else was the creature named Leviathan that had visited him in his dreams and he had a fair idea it was on Aya's mind as well. He quickly glanced at the redhead and the faraway look on Aya's beautiful face confirmed this notion.

Youji swallowed hard and quickly looked down at the floor, he couldn't deny it any longer…he had feelings for Aya and they went beyond friendship. It was a futile emotion however, only because Aya just wasn't interested in him that way.

He shook his head, no time for thoughts like this they had a job to do. Abruptly pushing his emotions to one side he thought of their personal mission, he would wait until he saw the petite blond alone so he could get some answers, and Zell might be able to help with Leviathan, his instincts told him so and the little blond wouldn't be afraid to give him answers. When they were in that strange place where they were visited by Rinoa, a bond had been forged between them, he was not sure why but it was there now and very powerful, nothing could break it.

He smiled to himself, for once in his life he wasn't so miserable with his life and that somehow Zell would understand him. The deaths he was responsible for weren't haunting him all night and day like they used to. Since meeting Zell and his friends and the strange creature Leviathan had made its presence known, Youji felt content and Leviathan was like a companion, a protective companion and for once in his life he felt…needed, wanted; his face glowed at this wonderful thought.

He was brought out of his thoughts by Aya, the redhead watching him intently, his emotions unreadable. Not that that was a surprise to Youji, he was always unreadable, it was just the look he was getting now made him tremble and it wasn't with fear…it was with something more…seductive…

Youji's heart started to quicken and he blinked as he tried to get his emotions to settle, then he felt it…The liquid warmth running through him, calming him and he smiled softly, his emerald stare shining brightly, he looked up as Aya's breath hitched.

Watching as the redhead frowned; Youji was surprised to find that Aya was nervous and could only watch in awe. Aya nervous…but why?

/He does feel you know./

Youji froze; the voice was from inside his head and he clamped his mouth shut as Aya looked at him with a perfect raised eyebrow. Turning away from the violet stare of his team-mate he tentatively thought out words of his own. This is not a good time.

Liquid warmth rushed through him. /Don't be afraid Youji, I would never hurt you…I'm here to help you…to join with you./

Alright this was crazy; Youji was not ready to hear this and said so.

/I'm sorry but…there isn't much time. You will need to talk to Zell, he will explain./ With that the voice left and the liquid warmth settled, slowly disappearing.

"Youji you alright?"

He shook his head saying softly, "Aya we have to talk--" he looked at Omi and Ken then back to Aya, "alone."

Aya sighed heavily, "fine. It's our turn in the shop anyway."

Relieved Youji followed Aya trying to figure out how he was going to tell Aya what he had been told. He closed his eyes and chuckled, hell he was going mad…in a way he wished he was then everything that was happening wouldn't be making him uneasy.

Watching as Aya opened the door he went in and listened as the door clicked shut. He could see they had a few orders to do and quickly put on his apron grabbing the first order he laid hands on, Aya doing the same.

"Well?"

Youji rolled his eyes trust Aya to get straight to the point. "I…did…has…"

Aya smirked. "Is this going to take long?"

Not amused Youji frowned, redheaded prick. "The water creature Leviathan, he spoke to me again." There it's out, now to see what Aya's reaction is and he was disappointed as the old stoic one didn't even flinch, no he carried on doing his arrangement with his usual precision, a little furrow between his eyebrows. He actually looked cute when he did that. Youji immediately slapped the side of his head mentally and did it again for good measure. Keep on track.

"I see."

Spluttering and throwing the pink rose down Youji could only look at Aya with disbelief. "I see…" he spluttered again, "is that all you can say, I see."

He nearly fainted when he heard a soft chuckle coming from the redhead, his eyes wide blinking at his younger team-mate.

"Calm down Youji and tell me what he said…now!"

Knowing not to piss the redhead off, he told him what Leviathan had said and smiled with satisfaction when Aya stopped working on the arrangement, frowning.

"So they do have something to do with these creatures." Moving from the counter Aya paced the shop restlessly. Why ask Zell? He stopped in his tracks as the creature known as Diablo's made his presence known, black electricity running through his veins making him aware of everything, strange and universal.

/He is the only one that will tell you at the moment. Squall is like you in many ways Aya-Ran, he trusts no one but only those he calls his friends…just like you./

Aya nodded. /So we have to wait for Zell?/  His body tingled as Diablo's energy shot through him again.

/Yes./

/And the joining?/

/It's best that Zell tells you but be warned, Squall is very protective of him./

Aya nodded again. /Warning noted./

"Well?" Youji's golden hair flicked back with his impatient shake of his head.

Smirking Aya shook his head, Youji was so damn good looking when he was impatient. "We'll wait for now. Zell is the key and Youji, Squall is very protective of him so don't get too close to him."

Aya ignored the part where he didn't want Youji too close to Zell anyway. He had feelings for Youji yes, he will admit that but now wasn't the time to explore them, they had work to do and after hearing what Diablo's said about Squall, he wanted to help him. Being a leader wasn't easy and trusting others was even harder.

Besides Aya wanted some answers and he would get them.

Somewhere…

The tall figure of man walked as if he owned everything, his immaculate suit of white, tailor-made to fit his muscular body perfectly. His impassive handsome face was deep in thought, his dark eyes behind the glasses searching, and scanning all the faces he walked passed.

A young boy was haunting him, and he had to know if he was real because it was driving him crazy. Since the vision hit him he couldn't stop thinking about him. He didn't know why, all he knew was that the young boy was different or…was it the way the boy had looked right through him…to his soul. He shuddered at this, goose bumps crawling up his arms.He lifted his hand to brush through his dark hair as if to rid himself of the feeling.

He would know him when he saw him, how could he not. He had a distinctive tattoo on the left side of his face like black flames, intense blue eyes, and short golden hair spiked upwards. He was very attractive in an innocent naïve way, but his eyes told him differently…they burned through him with age-old wisdom and Crawford knew that something dark and evil was on its way…

Was it because of the boy? He wasn't sure, his vision only showed him so much…but the boy did have something to do with it and he wanted him.

Crawford had no illusions; it was all about power and wanting to tap into it. The only thing he cared for was Schwarz and his team members. They may be a strange lot of team mates but they fitted perfectly in what he wanted from them.

Stopping abruptly he decided to head back to their hideout, a plan wasformulating inside his head. Schuldich had a knack for finding trouble and that trouble usually led to Weiss Kreuz.

Briefly smirking, a twitch of the perfect lips, Crawford walked with his usual confidence. Youji was standing right next to the golden-headed boy, so where Aya and his team were, that's where the boy would be…

TBC - The next chapter is already started and it has a touch of shoujo-ai in it.