Okay,after this chapter,you'll really know who the ???? person is,if you
didn't understand the last chapter...sorry if it's kinda lame!!
Chapter Thirty Five (Rinoa's POV)
~* "Squall....where are you?" I looked around helplessly as my legs took me to no where.I was in a barren like place--a little like the place where Squall was lost during Time Compression."Squall!!" I called out,but no answer came.
After running for a long time,I finally collapsed before my tired legs couldn't carry my body any longer.My hands were on the ground,supporting my weight.Something dripped down onto the soil.I found myself crying in frustration.Where was I?Where was Squall?I wanted him so badly that I felt I could die.
"Squall!!Where are you?" I screamed my head off and burst into tears.I didn't know how long I cried the uncontrolled tears out.I simply cried and cried to my hearts content......
Until....
"Rinoa..."
I stopped crying and froze.Opening my eyes,I saw the very person I wanted to see kneeling in front of me,his blue eyes gentle and loving.He held his hands out.
"Squall..." I whimpered and scrambled to him,but as I threw my arms around him,there was a sudden flash and he shattered into tiny pieces of glass.I shrieked and jumped back,my eyes wide in horror.
*He will die before he can even summon Griever....* Zoan's voice rang in my head.
"No!!SQUALL!!!" *~
******************
"Squall!" I clutched my head and buried it in my hands,waking up from my slumber.~Squall...I want you......where can you be?~ I sobbed more and hugged my knees contentedly."Squall..." I kept whimpering his name over and over again as if doing so would make him suddenly appear beside me.
There was a click at the door and it opened,it's hinges creaking.Slow footsteps echoed in the room.I didn't look up...I didn't want to meet the eyes of that Zoan guy(or should I say,Seifer).I didn't even know what he did to me during our last encounter and I didn't care.I didn't want to see anybody....only Squall...
"Hello,Rinoa..." That voice made my eyes snap open.My head angled up and I stared at the person who came in in utter surprise and shock.
For a moment,I just couldn't say a word.
"Hmm?Not happy to see me?"
"W-w-what..?But...wha....why...how did you.....Xu?!?!" I couldn't explain how I was feeling at that moment.Shocked?Yeah,of course.Astonished?A little.Alarmed?Maybe.Relieved?No...not at all...I didn't know why but I sensed something sinister within her.
Xu smiled and tossed her short brown hair back."So sorry I didn't bring Squall...but he'll be here soon...I know.."
Suddenly,I was filled with anger.I narrowed my eyes and demanded,"Are you the one who did this to me?!"
She continued smiling and placed a hand at her hip."I can say yes.."
"You...you traitor!You and Seryn!I should never have been friends with you both!!And I bet you're the one who brought Seryn into this...she wasn't evil or anything years back!!" I screamed.
"Seryn?Huh....she was merely my little doll,my dear Rinoa.I just used her...she was my advantage..." replied Xu coolly.
"Wha...WHAT?!"
"I was controlling her that night...I wanted to make sure that SHE would be blamed if anyone saw you...and someone did....."
I gritted my teeth and clenched my fist."Who?"
"Just the person I wished for who would...." Her lips curved into a victorious gri and she sarcastically did a SeeD salute."Our dearest Commander Leonhart..."
I was white in anger,wishing I had a sword or anything to stab the hell out of that two-faced,traitorious SeeD.Then I was overwhelmed with regret.Before I knew the truth,I was always thinking that Seryn was the person who kidnapped me...who sucked up to Zoan...
I was so damn wrong...
"When Squall finds out,he'll have you--" I started furiously,but she raised a finger and waved it irritatingly.
"Ah ah ah....when he finds out...the next thing that happens is...he'll die...my master will kill him..." She licked her lips and continued,"He's no match for my mater.The SeeDs will lose..."
"What about you,huh?You're a SeeD too!A rotten SeeD,that is..."
She chuckled as if it wasn't a big deal at all."But I'm special....I serve my master and only him...being a SeeD is just a something I needed to cover my indentity.Everyone would think it's normal.."
"You.....you...." There were just too many words to describe her."Squall won't be killed!He'll come and save me,and when he knows you're the one who kidnapped me,you're dead for sure!!"
"Hmm....confident,huh?I guess we'll just see about that...."
"But...you....how could you do this?After everything Balamb Garden and Cid has done for you?!You were raised there,weren't you?!How could you betray all those people?!?!" I yelled.
"Enough!!Shut up,okay?!I'm simply following my father's footsteps!"
"Your father's....what?"
Xu exhaled heavily."He spent his whole life reading and learning more about my master.He wanted to serve him....he wanted immortality..."
"Immor..tality?"
"Don't you know?Some sort of Sorceress you are..." she sneered."A Sorceror or Sorceress grants immortality to whoever serves her.My father...he was so close in achieving his goal....but..." She slammed a fist into the wall in sudden anger."Something happened to him...before he died...he wanted me to take his place.....he told me to seek the ring belonging to Sorceror Zoan.He wanted me to have immortality so I could avenge him.And I obeyed....I studied withcraft and magic so I could serve my master without fail....so he would be please with my work...but as I was on the verge of searching for the ring,that silly little Professor Vine found it first...." She chuckled."He made my plan easier....my master was able to find me..."
"You...want to avenge your father?So you know who killed him...."
"Galbadian soldiers..."
For a moment,I felt a little sympathy for Xu.But her next sentence made me perk up.
"Galbadian soldiers...led by General Iowe Caraway.That ring a bell?"
"My...my father..?"
"Yes....your father killed mine....I want revenge...."
"But...but I didn't know!How was I supposed to?!"
"No bother.You're set...you're in for some...exciting...torture...later..."
"What the hell..?!Xu,wake up from your stupid dream!You know Sorcerors and people of their kind don't keep their promises!It's all a bunch of lies and empty words!!Do you think that Zoan guy is really gonna give you immortality?!"
Xu's eyes gleamed.She pointed a finger at me."Oh...you forgot you're a Sorceress too?So all the words you said to everyone....to your Squall...they're all lies...?"
~No...~ I had COMPLETELY forgot about that important fact!I hung my head down and said nothing.
"Hmmph....can you imagine a Sorceress and SeeD together?You must have a really good imagination to be able to do that.SeeDs are trained to kill Sorceresses...it's their fate....the path they chose..."
"Shut up..." I muttered.
"Do you remember how they planned to kill Sorceress Edea and Ultimecia?It was without mercy...they didn't care...they just wanted to finish their job..."
"Shut the hell up!!"
"Squall and the others will be the same...they'll do their job...."
"I said,SHUT UP!!Get out!!" I yelled hysterically.Xu grinned and tapped her foot on the floor.
"See ya.Hope your knight comes.Wouldn't want you to be disappointed...."
I couldn't scream at her anymore.I was crying helplessly...crying and thinking...as she opened the door.Before she closed it,she whispered,"Remember their job...remember what they're supposed to do,Rinoa..."
I drew my knees to me and laid my forehead on them.Xu's words rang repeatedly in my head.For one second,I realised how true she was.SeeDs WERE trained to kill Sorceress....it was their main goal...like what Squall told me once,all the missions around the world are simply preparations for the battle with the Sorceress...
And I'm.....the Sorceress....The only reason why Cid had allowed me to stay in Garden was because I was involved with the SeeD Commander,I knew that,though he didn't state so.And the only reason why the other students welcomed me was because I was one of the people who stopped Time Compression...
But still...I can't change the fact that I'm a Sorceress...
~Squall......help me....~
Chapter Thirty Six (Squall's POV)
I stared out of the window,my mind floating around endlessly.Angelo was lying on a rug in my room.Her injuries from the incident nights before weren't really serious,fortunately.She had refused to eat or drink anything,and kept whimpering now and then.I knew she missed Rinoa as much as I did,but there was nothing I could do but to wait for Vine's answer.
Crossing my arms,I tried to think of all the places where Zoan could be hiding.Esthar?The continent's really huge...there're plenty of places to hide there.How about up north near Trabia or the Shumi Village?But I didn't think Zoan would specifically like the cold wheather there.Or maybe he's out in the sea...having a building or castle stuck out from underwater like the Deep Sea Research Centre.Or how about the Galbadia continent?
~Dammit....it's driving me crazy!!Stop thinking!!~ I grabbed my head with my hands and fell onto the bed with a groan.Angelo whimpered again and got up,jumping up to me.Unlike Rinoa,who'd hug her and say loving little words into her ear,I just stared at her and let her lay with me.Truth was,I didn't feel incline to show love to an animal....it was embarassing,I guess...
~Then why isn't it embarassing for me to show love to Rinoa?Angelo and Rinoa....they're both alive and breathing...they're both flesh and blood...what the bloody hell can be the problem and difference?!~
I reached out my hand to stroke the light brown fur on Angelo.She looked at me with those soft,melting brown eyes,reminding me of Rinoa's eyes too.Full of live...full of compassion....full of love.....I suddenly wished that Angelo could talk so she could tell me everything I needed to know about what happened to Rinoa.Frustrated,I closed my eyes and exhaled heavily.
"Rinoa....I'll come and save you...don't worry....." I whispered.
Chapter Thirty Seven (Seifer's POV)
"Hey!!Get me outta here!!!" I yelled as loud as I could.I was in one of my tantrums again,and I gave the door a hard kick,ignoring the pain.I kicked it again and again,shouting hysterically."Ya heard me?!?!?GET ME OUT!!!"
I started smashing into the door with my shoulders,banging hard.Then suddenly,it unlocked and opened,causing me to tumble onto the floor.Breathing fast,I picked myself up slowly,determined to meet face to face with the person who came in.But all the clever and vulgar words I got ready in my voice box got stuck when I saw who it was.
"No wonder you aren't a SeeD....judging by your attitude..."
"Xu?!??!WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!?!?" I roared in fury.Intending to give her some bash ups,partly because I was bewildered,and partly because I wanted to release my anger,I rushed to her but she calmly took out gun and pointed it at me.
That immediately made me freeze in my tracks.
"Clever little boy...."
"What're you doing here?!"
"I've explained too much already." She sighed and yawned."First to Rinoa,now to you,huh?"
~Rinoa....~ "What did you do to her?!"
"Oh?Isn't that supposed to be Squall's line?"
"I don't care!!You little bitch,you're with the Sorceror behind all these,aren't you?!?Just wait till I get my hands on--"
She pulled the trigger of the gun and the bullet flew out,hitting the wall and flying an inch past my shoulder.I abruptly stopped in my speech.
"That's a good little boy...shut up and get out," she said with a cruel smile.
"You bit--"
"GET OUT!" She fired the gun again,this time closer than ever to me.Realising I was in defeat,I gritted my teeth and obeyed her reluctantly.She caught hold of my coat,poked the head of the gun behind my abdomen and shoved me down a cold,long hallway."Get going.Faster!" she commanded.
"Where the hell are you taking me to?Gonna feed that stupid Hixon animal with me?" I smirked sarcastically.She didn't reply,just pushed me harder.Then she stopped in front of a cell and opened the iron door,shoving me inside roughly.I fell face down onto the floor.
"Enjoy each others' company while it lasts,Almasy." Xu laughed and closed the door,locking it.I sweared under my breath and punched the floor with my fist,not caring about what she said.
Then suddenly,a familiar and shaky voice called out to me,"S-s- seifer?"
~Huh?~
Chapter Thirty Eight (Seryn's POV)
~This must be some sort of nightmare...~ I felt cold and lonely in the cell.I was confused too.One moment,I was in my dorm,and the next,I'm in some eerie place.What was going on?
The only thing I remembered was someone opening the door in my room,then a sharp pain seared sliced through my head.Next,I was walking down the Garden hallways,but I wasn't controlling myself.It was as if....I was lost in my body.I found myself reaching Rinoa's dorm,then knocking it and waiting for her to open.And when she did,I tried my best to tell her it wasn't me...my body wasn't mine...but after exchanging a few words,and after injuring her poor dog,something else happened to her,similiar to what happened to me.Scared,I tried again and again to stop myself from catching hold of Rinoa and pulling her to God knows where.
Then everything went black,and I found myself in the cold cell I was in for the last few hours.
And right now,someone opened the door and threw someone else in.In the dim room,I could vaguely see that it was a guy that dropped in.A voice which sounded familiar said,"Enjoy each others' company while it lasts,Almasy..."
~Wait....Almasy?That's...Isn't that...~
The guy muttered something and slammed his fist into the floor.Squinting my eyes,I tried to get a good look at him,but couldn't.I decided to ask,then.
"S-s-seifer?" I couldn't help the nervous tone in my voice.The guy looked up and around.
"Who's there?"
"You're really Seifer?" I scrambled to my feet and approached him.~It IS him!~ My heart screamed with joy,for some reason or other.
"Aren't you...that Cauley girl?Rinoa's friend,right?" he countered.
~Uh,he only knows me as 'that Cauley girl' and 'Rinoa's friend' ?~ "Yeah!"
"Why the heck are YOU here?"
I blinked,surprised."Umm...I don't know..."
"Wait,don't tell me you're with that bitch too!!" He suddenly got up and sprang back.I gaped.~What bitch?~
"Huh?Who?"
"Xu!!!"
"You mean,Commander Leonhart's right helper?" I was shocked.
"I would say Zoan's little bitch-of-a-lapdog!!She's the one who brought us here!And she's holding Rinoa cap--"
"Rinoa?!" I shrieked both in joy and shock."She's here too?"
"What do you think?" He replied sneeringly and began pacing around the cell.It was that moment that I suddenly remembered my crush on him.It had never occured to me at all that we would be this close with each other....alone too....my heart started a wild race for air.
~Did he....get the letter,I wonder?~ I wanted to ask him,then stopped when I realised how embarassing it was to do so.But I was also dying to know what he felt when he read it.
Then he suddenly stopped and gazed at me with a weird look in his eyes."Hey,wait,how did you get here?" he demanded.
I sighed and told him the whole long story and any other details needed.When I finished,I gestured to him,"Well?"
"What?" he shot back.
"How 'bout you?What happened?"
He muttered something I couldn't hear,then started,"I was just going to my room,when I found this lette--" He stopped suddenly.Giving me a piercing gaze,he lifted a finger at me."Hey,you wrote me a letter,didn't you?Saying you've gotta crush on me or something?"
I felt my cheeks burn with blood and I averted my eyes from his.Rubbing my palm together,I nodded slowly,"Umm,well,yeah..."
~Oh please please please please say something about it.....~
Unfortunately,he just scratched his head and then continued,"Well I was reading your letter when somebody called out to me,in my mind,I think.Then I was like you,this pain in the head and all that.And then....."
He stopped again,this time with a haunted look on his face."And then....I walked to Rinoa's room...that Zoan guy was controlling me.....he wanted me to kill her,but I hesitated and just injured her.I couldn't help it,then....I just jumped out of the window...next thing I knew was,I was in this dumb place..." He lowered his blonde head into his hands."And I'm sure everyone thinks that's Seifer Almasy's true face...he just came back for revenge...." His fist punched into the wall.
"No!Commander Leonhart and Headmaster Cid were suspicious.They knew it wasn't you....they knew it was someone else..." I blurted out before I could stop myself.He raised his head and looked at me.
"What do you know?!They may just be pretending or something!Everyone is against me....just because I did a mistake once doesn't mean I'm evil!!" he yelled."And...I guess I'm the only person who knows that....other people look at me and the first thing that crosses their minds is the bad deed I've done...they say 'Look at that Sorceress' lapdog.How can Headmaster Cid allow him back in Garden?' !!" His eyes blazed angrily."YOU tell me what to do!!"
Speechless,I simply stared at him.He breathed heavily and eyed me with this irritated look.I sighed silently and ran a hand in my blonde hair."Why do you care what other people think about you?Just....carry on and live your life..." I said softly."The more you think of their words,the more confidence you loose in yourself.I'm no Counsellor or anything,but if you ask Rin too,I'm sure she'll tell you the same..."
He continued looking at me without any expression.Swallowing,I turned away from his gaze and started rubbing my hands together.I didn't know why,but I felt...nervous...and a little shy too,I guess....that was one thing I admired Rinoa for.She'd never be like me in front of guys...
~Huh....~
"You.....weren't kidding...when you wrote that letter,were you?" he suddenly asked.Once again,I felt my cheeks turning pink as blood rushed to them.My hands were trembling slightly,and I forced them to be steady.How stupid was I?~Cool down!!~ My mind screamed at my body.
"Uh...yeah..." I answered,unexpectedly soft.
A beat.
"You're sure?" His question made me look at him in surprise.~What does he mean?~
"Huh?"
"I mean...it's not everyday that a girl falls for me...heck,the only person who did was Rinoa..."
"I...I didn't....I mean...." That was too much for me.I have the habit of getting a little TOO neervous,and that makes me stammer and say stupid things that cross my mind.That moment,I simply didn't know what to say.I just fidgeted around anxiously.
"You mean what?" His voice was slightly on the edge of irritation.
"Oh God,I don't know!" I broke down and burst into tears.I couldn't help it...I knew I was being childish,but without Rinoa there to back me up or do something,I just wasn't confident with myself.
"Hey..uh,hey..." he began,suddenly nervous."What did I do?"
I didn't answer,just kept sobbing,my face in my hands.I was at lost...I didn't know what I was feeling towards Seifer...and even if I did,how would I explain to him?I wasn't any good at stuffs like that....
~Oh God,help me....~
Chapter Thirty Nine (Seifer's POV)
I stared at the crying girl in shock.Was it something I had said?Or was it something I'd done?But wait,why did I even care about Seryn?Like I had thought before,I wasn't the type of person who cared about other people....only myself.
But something urged me to comfort the girl....the same thing that urged me to keep the letter that night I was back in Garden....
~What am I feeling?~ My heart was telling me to approach Seryn,but my mind was yelling at me to ignore her.I took a hesitant step in front,then stopped,unsure.
*Go to her...* A voice rang at the back of my head.I took another step before pausing again.
*GO!!* That was enough.I walked to her and slipped my arms around her.I could feel her tensing suddenly,her sobs stopping,then she melted into me.I closed my eyes,savouring the feel of somebody in my arms....
The last time the same thing had happened was last summer....with Rinoa....
Such a long time,wasn't it?
As if I was being controlled by somebody else again,I pushed her away from me a little,then tilted her chin up to me,and laid my lips on hers.......
To be Continued.........
REVIEW!!!I knew it's a little lame.....but....ahh,whatever...
Chapter Thirty Five (Rinoa's POV)
~* "Squall....where are you?" I looked around helplessly as my legs took me to no where.I was in a barren like place--a little like the place where Squall was lost during Time Compression."Squall!!" I called out,but no answer came.
After running for a long time,I finally collapsed before my tired legs couldn't carry my body any longer.My hands were on the ground,supporting my weight.Something dripped down onto the soil.I found myself crying in frustration.Where was I?Where was Squall?I wanted him so badly that I felt I could die.
"Squall!!Where are you?" I screamed my head off and burst into tears.I didn't know how long I cried the uncontrolled tears out.I simply cried and cried to my hearts content......
Until....
"Rinoa..."
I stopped crying and froze.Opening my eyes,I saw the very person I wanted to see kneeling in front of me,his blue eyes gentle and loving.He held his hands out.
"Squall..." I whimpered and scrambled to him,but as I threw my arms around him,there was a sudden flash and he shattered into tiny pieces of glass.I shrieked and jumped back,my eyes wide in horror.
*He will die before he can even summon Griever....* Zoan's voice rang in my head.
"No!!SQUALL!!!" *~
******************
"Squall!" I clutched my head and buried it in my hands,waking up from my slumber.~Squall...I want you......where can you be?~ I sobbed more and hugged my knees contentedly."Squall..." I kept whimpering his name over and over again as if doing so would make him suddenly appear beside me.
There was a click at the door and it opened,it's hinges creaking.Slow footsteps echoed in the room.I didn't look up...I didn't want to meet the eyes of that Zoan guy(or should I say,Seifer).I didn't even know what he did to me during our last encounter and I didn't care.I didn't want to see anybody....only Squall...
"Hello,Rinoa..." That voice made my eyes snap open.My head angled up and I stared at the person who came in in utter surprise and shock.
For a moment,I just couldn't say a word.
"Hmm?Not happy to see me?"
"W-w-what..?But...wha....why...how did you.....Xu?!?!" I couldn't explain how I was feeling at that moment.Shocked?Yeah,of course.Astonished?A little.Alarmed?Maybe.Relieved?No...not at all...I didn't know why but I sensed something sinister within her.
Xu smiled and tossed her short brown hair back."So sorry I didn't bring Squall...but he'll be here soon...I know.."
Suddenly,I was filled with anger.I narrowed my eyes and demanded,"Are you the one who did this to me?!"
She continued smiling and placed a hand at her hip."I can say yes.."
"You...you traitor!You and Seryn!I should never have been friends with you both!!And I bet you're the one who brought Seryn into this...she wasn't evil or anything years back!!" I screamed.
"Seryn?Huh....she was merely my little doll,my dear Rinoa.I just used her...she was my advantage..." replied Xu coolly.
"Wha...WHAT?!"
"I was controlling her that night...I wanted to make sure that SHE would be blamed if anyone saw you...and someone did....."
I gritted my teeth and clenched my fist."Who?"
"Just the person I wished for who would...." Her lips curved into a victorious gri and she sarcastically did a SeeD salute."Our dearest Commander Leonhart..."
I was white in anger,wishing I had a sword or anything to stab the hell out of that two-faced,traitorious SeeD.Then I was overwhelmed with regret.Before I knew the truth,I was always thinking that Seryn was the person who kidnapped me...who sucked up to Zoan...
I was so damn wrong...
"When Squall finds out,he'll have you--" I started furiously,but she raised a finger and waved it irritatingly.
"Ah ah ah....when he finds out...the next thing that happens is...he'll die...my master will kill him..." She licked her lips and continued,"He's no match for my mater.The SeeDs will lose..."
"What about you,huh?You're a SeeD too!A rotten SeeD,that is..."
She chuckled as if it wasn't a big deal at all."But I'm special....I serve my master and only him...being a SeeD is just a something I needed to cover my indentity.Everyone would think it's normal.."
"You.....you...." There were just too many words to describe her."Squall won't be killed!He'll come and save me,and when he knows you're the one who kidnapped me,you're dead for sure!!"
"Hmm....confident,huh?I guess we'll just see about that...."
"But...you....how could you do this?After everything Balamb Garden and Cid has done for you?!You were raised there,weren't you?!How could you betray all those people?!?!" I yelled.
"Enough!!Shut up,okay?!I'm simply following my father's footsteps!"
"Your father's....what?"
Xu exhaled heavily."He spent his whole life reading and learning more about my master.He wanted to serve him....he wanted immortality..."
"Immor..tality?"
"Don't you know?Some sort of Sorceress you are..." she sneered."A Sorceror or Sorceress grants immortality to whoever serves her.My father...he was so close in achieving his goal....but..." She slammed a fist into the wall in sudden anger."Something happened to him...before he died...he wanted me to take his place.....he told me to seek the ring belonging to Sorceror Zoan.He wanted me to have immortality so I could avenge him.And I obeyed....I studied withcraft and magic so I could serve my master without fail....so he would be please with my work...but as I was on the verge of searching for the ring,that silly little Professor Vine found it first...." She chuckled."He made my plan easier....my master was able to find me..."
"You...want to avenge your father?So you know who killed him...."
"Galbadian soldiers..."
For a moment,I felt a little sympathy for Xu.But her next sentence made me perk up.
"Galbadian soldiers...led by General Iowe Caraway.That ring a bell?"
"My...my father..?"
"Yes....your father killed mine....I want revenge...."
"But...but I didn't know!How was I supposed to?!"
"No bother.You're set...you're in for some...exciting...torture...later..."
"What the hell..?!Xu,wake up from your stupid dream!You know Sorcerors and people of their kind don't keep their promises!It's all a bunch of lies and empty words!!Do you think that Zoan guy is really gonna give you immortality?!"
Xu's eyes gleamed.She pointed a finger at me."Oh...you forgot you're a Sorceress too?So all the words you said to everyone....to your Squall...they're all lies...?"
~No...~ I had COMPLETELY forgot about that important fact!I hung my head down and said nothing.
"Hmmph....can you imagine a Sorceress and SeeD together?You must have a really good imagination to be able to do that.SeeDs are trained to kill Sorceresses...it's their fate....the path they chose..."
"Shut up..." I muttered.
"Do you remember how they planned to kill Sorceress Edea and Ultimecia?It was without mercy...they didn't care...they just wanted to finish their job..."
"Shut the hell up!!"
"Squall and the others will be the same...they'll do their job...."
"I said,SHUT UP!!Get out!!" I yelled hysterically.Xu grinned and tapped her foot on the floor.
"See ya.Hope your knight comes.Wouldn't want you to be disappointed...."
I couldn't scream at her anymore.I was crying helplessly...crying and thinking...as she opened the door.Before she closed it,she whispered,"Remember their job...remember what they're supposed to do,Rinoa..."
I drew my knees to me and laid my forehead on them.Xu's words rang repeatedly in my head.For one second,I realised how true she was.SeeDs WERE trained to kill Sorceress....it was their main goal...like what Squall told me once,all the missions around the world are simply preparations for the battle with the Sorceress...
And I'm.....the Sorceress....The only reason why Cid had allowed me to stay in Garden was because I was involved with the SeeD Commander,I knew that,though he didn't state so.And the only reason why the other students welcomed me was because I was one of the people who stopped Time Compression...
But still...I can't change the fact that I'm a Sorceress...
~Squall......help me....~
Chapter Thirty Six (Squall's POV)
I stared out of the window,my mind floating around endlessly.Angelo was lying on a rug in my room.Her injuries from the incident nights before weren't really serious,fortunately.She had refused to eat or drink anything,and kept whimpering now and then.I knew she missed Rinoa as much as I did,but there was nothing I could do but to wait for Vine's answer.
Crossing my arms,I tried to think of all the places where Zoan could be hiding.Esthar?The continent's really huge...there're plenty of places to hide there.How about up north near Trabia or the Shumi Village?But I didn't think Zoan would specifically like the cold wheather there.Or maybe he's out in the sea...having a building or castle stuck out from underwater like the Deep Sea Research Centre.Or how about the Galbadia continent?
~Dammit....it's driving me crazy!!Stop thinking!!~ I grabbed my head with my hands and fell onto the bed with a groan.Angelo whimpered again and got up,jumping up to me.Unlike Rinoa,who'd hug her and say loving little words into her ear,I just stared at her and let her lay with me.Truth was,I didn't feel incline to show love to an animal....it was embarassing,I guess...
~Then why isn't it embarassing for me to show love to Rinoa?Angelo and Rinoa....they're both alive and breathing...they're both flesh and blood...what the bloody hell can be the problem and difference?!~
I reached out my hand to stroke the light brown fur on Angelo.She looked at me with those soft,melting brown eyes,reminding me of Rinoa's eyes too.Full of live...full of compassion....full of love.....I suddenly wished that Angelo could talk so she could tell me everything I needed to know about what happened to Rinoa.Frustrated,I closed my eyes and exhaled heavily.
"Rinoa....I'll come and save you...don't worry....." I whispered.
Chapter Thirty Seven (Seifer's POV)
"Hey!!Get me outta here!!!" I yelled as loud as I could.I was in one of my tantrums again,and I gave the door a hard kick,ignoring the pain.I kicked it again and again,shouting hysterically."Ya heard me?!?!?GET ME OUT!!!"
I started smashing into the door with my shoulders,banging hard.Then suddenly,it unlocked and opened,causing me to tumble onto the floor.Breathing fast,I picked myself up slowly,determined to meet face to face with the person who came in.But all the clever and vulgar words I got ready in my voice box got stuck when I saw who it was.
"No wonder you aren't a SeeD....judging by your attitude..."
"Xu?!??!WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!?!?" I roared in fury.Intending to give her some bash ups,partly because I was bewildered,and partly because I wanted to release my anger,I rushed to her but she calmly took out gun and pointed it at me.
That immediately made me freeze in my tracks.
"Clever little boy...."
"What're you doing here?!"
"I've explained too much already." She sighed and yawned."First to Rinoa,now to you,huh?"
~Rinoa....~ "What did you do to her?!"
"Oh?Isn't that supposed to be Squall's line?"
"I don't care!!You little bitch,you're with the Sorceror behind all these,aren't you?!?Just wait till I get my hands on--"
She pulled the trigger of the gun and the bullet flew out,hitting the wall and flying an inch past my shoulder.I abruptly stopped in my speech.
"That's a good little boy...shut up and get out," she said with a cruel smile.
"You bit--"
"GET OUT!" She fired the gun again,this time closer than ever to me.Realising I was in defeat,I gritted my teeth and obeyed her reluctantly.She caught hold of my coat,poked the head of the gun behind my abdomen and shoved me down a cold,long hallway."Get going.Faster!" she commanded.
"Where the hell are you taking me to?Gonna feed that stupid Hixon animal with me?" I smirked sarcastically.She didn't reply,just pushed me harder.Then she stopped in front of a cell and opened the iron door,shoving me inside roughly.I fell face down onto the floor.
"Enjoy each others' company while it lasts,Almasy." Xu laughed and closed the door,locking it.I sweared under my breath and punched the floor with my fist,not caring about what she said.
Then suddenly,a familiar and shaky voice called out to me,"S-s- seifer?"
~Huh?~
Chapter Thirty Eight (Seryn's POV)
~This must be some sort of nightmare...~ I felt cold and lonely in the cell.I was confused too.One moment,I was in my dorm,and the next,I'm in some eerie place.What was going on?
The only thing I remembered was someone opening the door in my room,then a sharp pain seared sliced through my head.Next,I was walking down the Garden hallways,but I wasn't controlling myself.It was as if....I was lost in my body.I found myself reaching Rinoa's dorm,then knocking it and waiting for her to open.And when she did,I tried my best to tell her it wasn't me...my body wasn't mine...but after exchanging a few words,and after injuring her poor dog,something else happened to her,similiar to what happened to me.Scared,I tried again and again to stop myself from catching hold of Rinoa and pulling her to God knows where.
Then everything went black,and I found myself in the cold cell I was in for the last few hours.
And right now,someone opened the door and threw someone else in.In the dim room,I could vaguely see that it was a guy that dropped in.A voice which sounded familiar said,"Enjoy each others' company while it lasts,Almasy..."
~Wait....Almasy?That's...Isn't that...~
The guy muttered something and slammed his fist into the floor.Squinting my eyes,I tried to get a good look at him,but couldn't.I decided to ask,then.
"S-s-seifer?" I couldn't help the nervous tone in my voice.The guy looked up and around.
"Who's there?"
"You're really Seifer?" I scrambled to my feet and approached him.~It IS him!~ My heart screamed with joy,for some reason or other.
"Aren't you...that Cauley girl?Rinoa's friend,right?" he countered.
~Uh,he only knows me as 'that Cauley girl' and 'Rinoa's friend' ?~ "Yeah!"
"Why the heck are YOU here?"
I blinked,surprised."Umm...I don't know..."
"Wait,don't tell me you're with that bitch too!!" He suddenly got up and sprang back.I gaped.~What bitch?~
"Huh?Who?"
"Xu!!!"
"You mean,Commander Leonhart's right helper?" I was shocked.
"I would say Zoan's little bitch-of-a-lapdog!!She's the one who brought us here!And she's holding Rinoa cap--"
"Rinoa?!" I shrieked both in joy and shock."She's here too?"
"What do you think?" He replied sneeringly and began pacing around the cell.It was that moment that I suddenly remembered my crush on him.It had never occured to me at all that we would be this close with each other....alone too....my heart started a wild race for air.
~Did he....get the letter,I wonder?~ I wanted to ask him,then stopped when I realised how embarassing it was to do so.But I was also dying to know what he felt when he read it.
Then he suddenly stopped and gazed at me with a weird look in his eyes."Hey,wait,how did you get here?" he demanded.
I sighed and told him the whole long story and any other details needed.When I finished,I gestured to him,"Well?"
"What?" he shot back.
"How 'bout you?What happened?"
He muttered something I couldn't hear,then started,"I was just going to my room,when I found this lette--" He stopped suddenly.Giving me a piercing gaze,he lifted a finger at me."Hey,you wrote me a letter,didn't you?Saying you've gotta crush on me or something?"
I felt my cheeks burn with blood and I averted my eyes from his.Rubbing my palm together,I nodded slowly,"Umm,well,yeah..."
~Oh please please please please say something about it.....~
Unfortunately,he just scratched his head and then continued,"Well I was reading your letter when somebody called out to me,in my mind,I think.Then I was like you,this pain in the head and all that.And then....."
He stopped again,this time with a haunted look on his face."And then....I walked to Rinoa's room...that Zoan guy was controlling me.....he wanted me to kill her,but I hesitated and just injured her.I couldn't help it,then....I just jumped out of the window...next thing I knew was,I was in this dumb place..." He lowered his blonde head into his hands."And I'm sure everyone thinks that's Seifer Almasy's true face...he just came back for revenge...." His fist punched into the wall.
"No!Commander Leonhart and Headmaster Cid were suspicious.They knew it wasn't you....they knew it was someone else..." I blurted out before I could stop myself.He raised his head and looked at me.
"What do you know?!They may just be pretending or something!Everyone is against me....just because I did a mistake once doesn't mean I'm evil!!" he yelled."And...I guess I'm the only person who knows that....other people look at me and the first thing that crosses their minds is the bad deed I've done...they say 'Look at that Sorceress' lapdog.How can Headmaster Cid allow him back in Garden?' !!" His eyes blazed angrily."YOU tell me what to do!!"
Speechless,I simply stared at him.He breathed heavily and eyed me with this irritated look.I sighed silently and ran a hand in my blonde hair."Why do you care what other people think about you?Just....carry on and live your life..." I said softly."The more you think of their words,the more confidence you loose in yourself.I'm no Counsellor or anything,but if you ask Rin too,I'm sure she'll tell you the same..."
He continued looking at me without any expression.Swallowing,I turned away from his gaze and started rubbing my hands together.I didn't know why,but I felt...nervous...and a little shy too,I guess....that was one thing I admired Rinoa for.She'd never be like me in front of guys...
~Huh....~
"You.....weren't kidding...when you wrote that letter,were you?" he suddenly asked.Once again,I felt my cheeks turning pink as blood rushed to them.My hands were trembling slightly,and I forced them to be steady.How stupid was I?~Cool down!!~ My mind screamed at my body.
"Uh...yeah..." I answered,unexpectedly soft.
A beat.
"You're sure?" His question made me look at him in surprise.~What does he mean?~
"Huh?"
"I mean...it's not everyday that a girl falls for me...heck,the only person who did was Rinoa..."
"I...I didn't....I mean...." That was too much for me.I have the habit of getting a little TOO neervous,and that makes me stammer and say stupid things that cross my mind.That moment,I simply didn't know what to say.I just fidgeted around anxiously.
"You mean what?" His voice was slightly on the edge of irritation.
"Oh God,I don't know!" I broke down and burst into tears.I couldn't help it...I knew I was being childish,but without Rinoa there to back me up or do something,I just wasn't confident with myself.
"Hey..uh,hey..." he began,suddenly nervous."What did I do?"
I didn't answer,just kept sobbing,my face in my hands.I was at lost...I didn't know what I was feeling towards Seifer...and even if I did,how would I explain to him?I wasn't any good at stuffs like that....
~Oh God,help me....~
Chapter Thirty Nine (Seifer's POV)
I stared at the crying girl in shock.Was it something I had said?Or was it something I'd done?But wait,why did I even care about Seryn?Like I had thought before,I wasn't the type of person who cared about other people....only myself.
But something urged me to comfort the girl....the same thing that urged me to keep the letter that night I was back in Garden....
~What am I feeling?~ My heart was telling me to approach Seryn,but my mind was yelling at me to ignore her.I took a hesitant step in front,then stopped,unsure.
*Go to her...* A voice rang at the back of my head.I took another step before pausing again.
*GO!!* That was enough.I walked to her and slipped my arms around her.I could feel her tensing suddenly,her sobs stopping,then she melted into me.I closed my eyes,savouring the feel of somebody in my arms....
The last time the same thing had happened was last summer....with Rinoa....
Such a long time,wasn't it?
As if I was being controlled by somebody else again,I pushed her away from me a little,then tilted her chin up to me,and laid my lips on hers.......
To be Continued.........
REVIEW!!!I knew it's a little lame.....but....ahh,whatever...