Author's Note:

Reeve: Wow. Tyramir killed off a character!

Reno: It was only Nida. Who cares about him? Besides, he's killed off characters before. Remember?

Reeve: Oh right. I suppose a couple people did die in SFtPO. But not you.

Reno: Tee hee. I know. It was awesome.

Reeve: I hate Tyramir so very much right now. Tyramir doesn't own the rights to Final Fantasy or any of its characters. Now try to enjoy the story.

Chapter Six

Leaving

"So that's it? Just like that?" Zell asked, his tone louder and harsher than he had intended. He winced, upset that he might be coming off as a bad guy.

"Yeah, Zell. Just like that," Rinoa responded, her face tear-stained and covered with a self-mocking expression.

The two of them were in Rinoa's quarters, a small guest room just outside the main SeeD barracks. It was larger than a student's room, but not quite the size of an actual SeeD's room. The living area had barely been used. Rinoa had barely had any time to settle into her new surroundings, and already she was packed up and ready to leave. Her bags were on her bed, awaiting someone to pick them up and move them off the Garden, along with her.

"But... why?" the martial artist asked. He was completely bewildered by the situation. Just a few minutes ago Nida had come to him and told him to look after Rinoa, while he went to 'deal with something.' Zell had had no idea what to expect, and Rinoa's preparation for departure came as a shock.

"Because this is a school that teaches people to hurt one another. Because Timber needs me. And because Squall..." she choked back a sob.

Realization hit the martial artist, and he sympathized with her. Squall was never the best of people. He was the best of warriors, the best of leaders, the best of many things... but as a person, he left a lot to be desired. He wasn't as bad as someone like Seifer, but he certainly wasn't someone like Cid.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Rinoa. I ... I thought things would work out between you two. I didn't think Squall would mess it up. I figured he'd change. But... are you sure? I was sure..."

She looked up into his eyes, hers filled with tears, and nodded fiercely. "We're finished. Or I think we are. I need time to think. I already spoke to Cid. We're stopping on the old rail line before we reach Esthar so I can get dropped off, then I'll be headed for Timber. I might come back. I... I just need time."

"Okay. I get that. Time. Yeah. But, you are coming back, right? I mean, we're your friends."

A sigh came from Rinoa, and her head slumped down. She glanced at her bags, then looked about the room, then shifted her gaze back to Zell. "I'll come back. One day, I will. But not until I'm ready."

And with that, the girl grabbed her bags and hurried past Zell before he could say anything further. He turned to watch her leave the room, then stepped out into the hallway, and watched her flee down the hallway. Not quite running, but most definitely not walking. She was determined to get away from Balamb. Away from Squall. What had Squall done to her that had produced this mess? Zell's hands clenched into fists.

He really wanted to hit something.

"What was that about?" a voice asked from behind.

Zell whirled about, and took a step back, almost instinctively taking up a fighting stance and preparing to strike the person who had snuck up on him. When he realized it was only Irvine, he let out an exasperated grunt, and then slumped forward.

"Woah there, Spaz Master," the cowboy said, a grin on his face. "No need to get all jumpy around little ol' me. What's goin' on? Why're you so upset?"

Zell didn't like Irvine. He couldn't understand why most people tolerated him, and why most of the girls always seemed to fawn over him. It never made any sense. The puffed up sharpshooter was nothing but an overdressed man-whore. Zell felt sorry for Selphie. She seemed so caught up with this Galbadian fool, and he was almost certain that Irvine was already, or would in the future if he hadn't by now, cheating on her.

"Rinoa's leaving."

Irvine nodded, as if the statement made perfect sense, and was expected. "Figured as much. Girl like that's got too much love in her, and gave it all away to the wrong chump. Thought Squall would break her heart. Don't get me wrong, I like ol' Fearless, but a guy like that? You gotta realize that he's not in the business of keeping people close to him."

Zell almost agreed with him, but found himself getting angry instead. Irvine had expected this? And he hadn't said anything to anyone? This might have been prevented? It occurred to Zell that Irvine might just be blowing smoke, trying to act like some sort of know it all. He grunted in response.

"Too bad, too," Irvine said, continuining with his little speech. "Rinoa, she's one fine piece o'..." He stopped abruptly, coming quickly to attention. Zell turned to see what had brought him up short.

Selphie was running towards them, looking for all the world like everything that had meant something to her had just shattered.

"Hey, Selph," Irvine called. "What's up?"

Zell wanted to snap at Irvine. Was he completely blind? Something had obviously upset the girl. "What's going on? Are you okay?"

She hurried past Zell and dove into Irvine's chest. The cowboy's arms encircled her, and she let out a wail. "It's Nida... and Squall."

"What about them?" Irvine asked.

But Zell already knew. Nida had gone to confront Squall over Rinoa. What had happened to make Selphie this upset, though?

"Nida came... and I saw..." The girl had trouble getting the words out between sobs. "They argued... and... and then Nida... and Squall... drew his gunblade... and then... so much blood... and..."

The words straightened Zell's back, and hist fists immediately clenched again. His senses sprang to alertness, and it was then that he noticed that Selphie's arms were covered in blood. What had happened? But he knew. Somehow, he knew.

Separating Selphie from Irvine was difficult, both physically and emotionally. Zell know that Selphie needed Irvine to hold her right then, but he also knew what had to be done.

"Selphie," he said as he managed to pry her away, "what did Squall do? Where's Nida?"

"Squall... he... Nida's dead!"

The words were like a blow to the pit of Zell's stomach. Irvine let out a sound, almost like a grunt, as if he, too, had been struck.

"Where?"

"Second floor... outside Quistis' class room, near the balcony."

"Listen, Selphie... I need you to get to Xu. Or Quistis. Whoever you see first. Tell her what happened. Can you do that?"

The girl choked out a sob, then lifted her head and looked Zell in the eye. She nodded, a brave look coming over her. She was distraught, most definitely in shock. He should be sending her to Doctor Kadowaki, not to find Xu. But he would have to be quick about this.

"Go, then."

Selphie nodded again, then turned and hurried toward the elevator. When she was on it and the shaft began moving upward, Zell turned to his companion.

"Irvine..."

"Way ahead of you," the cowboy said, pulling his rifle from underneath his coat. "I'm already loaded up. We waiting on anyone else?"

"No time," Zell responded, shaking his head. "We have to find and restrain Squall before he can hurt anyone else."

Irvine nodded, and then the two of them were also hurrying down the hallway, ready to fight an opponent deadlier than any either had ever faced before, a man they dared called friend.

Author's Notes:

Hmmm... Zell may have been a bit out of character here. Throughout FF8, he was one of the few characters who actually grew somewhat. At the beginning of the game, Squall refused to trust Zell to command any mission (See the assassination attempt on Edea), but towards the end, he matured and calmed down enough to be entrusted to protect Edea. I'm not sure if I took the next step in his growth cautiously enough, though, or if I just leaped and brought this out of nowhere. But right now, as a writer, I realized that Zell would have to be the heart of the group, just as Quistis will now have to be the brain. But I'm getting ahead of myself. See you next time.

And I changed it from 'pull Squall down' to 'restrain Squall'. So don't worry. Irvine's only planning on shooting him in the leg or something.