*Still don't own Final Fantasy. *
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*Chapter 3 – Where Happiness Can't Live*
Rinoa opened her eyes. She could tell it's still early. She looked beside her, there he was, her protector, holding her in his arms. She realised that she could stay there forever. She closed her eyes and fell asleep, a small smile escaped from her lips.
A small ray of light woke her. She looked at the clock; it was 7:47. Rinoa decided to get up and take a shower. She got up trying not to wake him. She took a quick shower and wrapped a towel around herself. She looked at her sleeping boyfriend. ~ He looks so sweet when he's asleep. ~ She smiled to him.
She dressed up and went to the balcony. The sun was rising up above sea. It was beautiful. She closed her eyes. She could hear seagulls, waves crushing on the rocks and birds singing, welcoming new day. She could feel warmth on her face, soft breeze playing with her hair, and... his hands around her waist.
"Morning baby." He whispered.
Rinoa turned around smiling. "Morning."
He kissed her passionately.
Somebody yelled in the hallway.
"What's happening?" Squall looked toward the door.
"I don't care." Rinoa said and pulled him gently back to her.
"WOOF! WOOF!"
"Angelo!?"
They both rushed out.
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A li'l cat ran in front of them, Angelo following right behind her.
"WOOF!"
"Angelo!" Rinoa yelled ~It's useless. ~
"Come on, if we go on the other side we'll be able to stop them." Squall took her hand and led her toward the Training Center.
Lily was right in front of them, when she stopped and turned around, facing Angelo. Angelo stopped and he woofed happily. He looked at her for a moment, came closer and waved with his tail.
Elly came trying to catch breath. She looked toward new made friends. She came closer and took Lily, who was now playing with Angelo, in her arms.
"What happened?" Rinoa asked her.
"I was walking toward Cafeteria with Lily, when Angelo came out of nowhere. And now, after I ran all around the garden, worried about Lily, I realized it was all a game to them." She smiled. "But it was a good morning exercise."
Rinoa returned the smile. "Squall, you can go and wait me in Cafeteria, I'll go to se how this BAD boy..." She looked angrily at Angelo, but he couldn't be fooled. Her eyes were happy so he waved his tail. "...Escaped from my dorm."
"See ya there then." He kissed her gently on her cheek and went away.
"If you don't mind, I would come too. I'm curious how he managed to escape." Elly asked.
"Why not."
They went toward Rinoa's dorm. The door weren't closed ~ I must have forgotten to lock them yesterday, it wasn't hard to get out, he only had to jump on the door. I should be careful from now on; he has done quite a mess. ~ "Looks like it is my fault," She said to Elly. "I forgot to lock the door. Sorry. "
"It's okay, never mind."
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When two girls entered in the Cafeteria, their friends were already there, laughing about something. ~I wonder what did Zell come up with this time. ~ Rinoa thought, but when she came closer she realised Squall was the one who was blushing. Everyone was so into it, that no one noticed two girls. They heard Irvine teasing.
"Hey you lover-boy-wanna-be, you're ruining my reputation. I'm a lover boy of this garden!"
Everyone, except Squall, laughed.
Rinoa came and sat on Squalls lap, hugging him. "Hello my lover boy." She kissed him. Squall gave Irvine a who's-the-boss-here look. No one skipped that, they laughed till tears.
Zell noticed Elly who was standing near their desk, not really knowing what to do. He shoved her to come and sit next to him. She sat and gave him a smile. She liked him, it wasn't love, yet, but he was nice. Everything was so easy when he was around, and she was relaxed when he was near.
"Wanna hot dog?" He offered her one of his hot dogs.
"Thanks." She took one.
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It was five minutes till eleven. They were all at the Front Gate, all except Seifer. Squall was mad, while Rinoa tried to calm him down.
"I'm sure he'll be on time."
"..."
"Don't let him upset you, it isn't worth."
"You're right." He put a hand around her.
It was 11:00, Ragnarok landed. Everyone was looking at Squall. President of Esthar was waiting for them at 15:00 exactly, and if they don't hurry up they're going to be late. Irvine was first to take courage and ask.
"Commander?" He didn't have to say anything else, Squall was the one in charge, and he knew he had to decide to go without Seifer or stay and wait for him, risking being late. He saw Rinoa looking at him, her look telling him to give Seifer another chance. He realised that, no mater how much he wanted to let him here, he knew that everyone, even Seifer, deserves one more chance.
"You guys go in, I'll wait here for him few more minutes." He said. ~ It would be so much easier if he stays here. I don't really need him with me while I'm around Laguna. ~ He sighed.
Squall already wanted to enter in Ragnarok and go without Seifer, when he shoved up running toward him. To his surprise he wasn't angry or mad because he shoved up; actually he was kinda pleased, though he didn't know why.
"You're late. I hope you have a good excuse." Squall asked calmly.
~Actually I ... who cares. ~ "No I don't have one."
~Right, like if you came late on purpose. How can somebody be so stupid? ~ Squall slapped a hand to his forehead. "So you came late on purpose?"
"No, I woke up five minutes ago." Seifer entered in Ragnarok not trying to explain any further.
Squall sighed and went in.
`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´~Three hours ago~`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´
Seifer was walking trough main hall. He was thinking about their mission; he felt there's something wrong going on there. ~I have a bad feeling about this. ~He was so into his thoughts that he didn't even noticed Elly coming toward him.
"Hello there." She heard few things about him, mostly from Selphie and Rinoa. She wasn't sure what to think about him. She knew he was a knight of an evil sorceress, but she heard Squall saying he was possessed and didn't know what he was doing. She knew Squall didn't like him, but Zell told her that they were rivals even before this entire sorceress-knight thing. Rinoa was tense when he was near, because of some things he had done in the past; she didn't know what, but she knew that this happened during the second sorceress war. Altogether she realised she didn't know enough about him. He didn't seem to be a monster or something, so she decided to let him show her who he really is.
"Hi." He looked at her surprised. He remembered her from meeting. He looked at her better. She was cute, she had a cat in her lap, and she was one of few who even tried to talk with him. ~She could tell me something about that mission. ~
Lily jumped from her lap and came closer to Seifer sniffing around him. He petted her. She looked satisfied.
You're not afraid I'll kill you or something? 'Cause you're the first one ho didn't avoid me since I came back. ~Except Fujin and Rajin. ~ He added in his mind.
"No, I'm not afraid, because to kill me you would have to be evil. Animals don't like evil people, and it looks like my Lily likes you." She explained like if she is explaining to a little child.
He smiled. "You're funny, ya know?"
"Sure do." She smiled back.
"So what's happening in Esthar? Cid is sending a lot of SeeDs, it must be something serious."
"Murders, people disappearing and things like that." She didn't like the subject and he noticed that."
"I should go now, see ya later." He didn't want to bother.
"See ya." She took Lily and left.
Seifer was going toward the Library when he heard somebody calling him. He turned around and saw Fujin and Rajin.
"HI."
"Hi guys, need something?"
"No, we saw ya and wanted to see how you're doing, ya know."
"I'm fine thanx, I'm going to the library to find out some things about the mission."
"HELP?"
"Why not, come if you want, it's always better in company." He hoped that they'd come; he really missed them.
It was five minutes till eleven. Seifer and his friends were into their books, trying to find something interesting, when Fujin looked at the big wall clock.
"LATE!"
"What...? Gee I'm late! Sorry guys, I have to hurry. He rushed to take his Hiperion, hoping he won't be late.
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Ragnarok landed. Irvine ran out of it followed by trying-to-be-angry Selphie.
"Okay, okay, I give up. You're an excellent pilot! You are so great that everyone want to fly with you!" She gave him a suspicious look. "If they want to suicide." He added in a low voice. But it wasn't low enough because he could feel her bag on his back
The others were already out. Watching the couple and smiling. No matter what Irvine said, the flight was pleasant. They were all in a good mood, smiling and joking, although Zell fricked out every now and then.
"Next time I'm flying this thing." Zell said merrily.
"Squall, do you mind if I go home by train?" Irvine asked while giving Zell a frightened look.
"You have something against me flying Ragnarok?" Martial artist showed his fists.
"No, nothing. If I'm not on it." Irvine answered.
"Alright my children," Squall looked toward Irvine, Selphie and Zell, who was shivering from anger. "We should be going; we're already late."
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They entered in Presidential Estate. After the second sorceress war Laguna had more time so he dedicated it to himself and his family and friends; Kiros, Ward, Ellone, and...Squall. He built the Esthar Garden where Ellone worked as an instructor, and an estate where four of them lived. It was a beautiful and big place.
Few days after the final fight with Ultimecia, Laguna came to Balamb Garden, to talk with Squall. Squall kinda expected him, before the time compression Laguna said he had to talk with him. What Squall didn't expect, was what he had heard. Though he knew that Laguna know who his parents are he didn't expect HIM to be his parent. Squall fist freaked out and left, but then Rinoa calmed him down and he came back to hear what Laguna had to say. After it, he was glad he listened, because Laguna had explained him everything. He said his mother Raine died a year after his birth, and that he didn't know he has a son till few years ago, when he came back in Winhill. When he found it out, he went to orphanage, where a woman told him that all children went to Balamb Garden. So he went to the Garden and realized that Squall had a life on his own. Laguna was afraid of Squalls reaction so he decided to wait the right moment to tell him, but the right moment was seventeen years ago, so he decided that if they survive the war, he'd tell him. So he did.
Their relationship wasn't one of father and son, but it was better than before. Squall didn't think of him as a moron anymore. He was doing his best to respect and understand him.
The group went toward Laguna's office, where two guards expected them.
"You are?" One of guards asked. He was tall with dark hair and dark eyes. He didn't look friendly at all.
"Commander of Balamb Garden, and those are SeeDs. President Loire is expecting us."
"ID cards."
Squall sighed. He was putting out his ID card when Kiros came out of office.
"Finally, we were already worried about you guys. Damien why didn't you let them in?"
"I...asked them..." The guard wanted to explain but Kiros interrupted him.
"Come on in guys."
Laguna was sitting behind a big desk with Ward on one and Kiros going on the other side.
"Squall! It's so nice to see you, my son." Laguna hugged him.
"It's nice to see you too, father" Squall has never called him dad, but Laguna was happy with "father".
"Rinoa! You're beautiful as always." Laguna kissed her hand. "As all of you are." He kissed Quistis' and Selphie's hand too. The three of them giggled silently.
"Irvine, Zell." He shook their hands.
"I don't think I know two of you?" He looked toward Seifer and Elly."
"Actually you saw me once. I was the first Esthar SeeD." Elly said.
"Elly, dear, it so nice to see you again. Ellone told me you were an excellent student. No surprise you're on a mission with the best Balamb SeeDs."
"I'm flattered that you remember me." Elly blushed.
"I'm Seifer Almasy." Seifer said politely. He and Laguna shook their hands.
Squall was glad Laguna didn't recognize his name. He wasn't in the mood to explain Laguna how Seifer finished here.
"..."
"Ward is saying that our guests are tired. So Laguna, if you have finished with your...whatever it is, we could show our guests where they're staying and serve the lunch. I'm sure they're starving."
"He said all that?" Laguna asked puzzled.
"No he said: Laguna, damn it, let them go eat."
"Oh... Yes." Laguna stayed speechless.
"We don't want to bother. We could stay in a hotel as well." Squall said. "We are off to a mission tomorrow early anyway.
"No, you're not bothering at all. We have enough rooms, and this house is too empty with only three of us." Laguna said, "I insist."
Squall nodded.
"DAMIEN!" Guard entered. "Would you please show our guests their rooms?" He turned back to them. "The lunch will be at 16:00 hours."
"Sir, yes sir! This way please."
They all exited, following the guard and suppressing laugh.
"Sir, yes sir!" Rinoa whispered to Squall with a giggle.
"I know, I know." He smiled back.
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A small ray of light woke Rinoa. She looked at the clock; it was 7:47. She smiled to herself. ~Tell me about deja vu. ~ She smiled again.
"What so funny?" She hard Squalls sleepy voice.
"Nothing."
"You don't want to tell me?"
"Nope."
"Then I'll have to tickle you till you confess."
"...whatever."
"You wanted it." He said and started tickling her.
"OK, ok, I'll say everything." She laughed.
"I'm listening."
"Everything."
Squall gave her a puzzled look, and then started to laugh. "You li'l..." He kissed her.
"We should get up." She said. "Breakfast is at eight."
"We'll be there at eight." He kissed her again.
She smiled.
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It was nine o'clock. They were all in front of Laguna's estate. All except Zell and Seifer.
"One night with Seifer and you can't came on time anymore." Irvine smiled. Laguna had three guest rooms, but Ellone was in Esthar Garden, so he had four empty rooms. Squall and Rinoa couldn't be divided as well as Selphie and Irvine. Quistis and Elly took Ellone's bedroom, so Seifer and Zell had to stay in a room together.
"I just hope they're still alive." Squall said "I don't know how would I explain this to Cid.
Sir here's my report: The mission is done successfully but with loose of two SeeDs, who killed each other during the night."
"No, they're just fine, little furious, but fine." Elly said.
Others looked at her puzzled, except Rinoa, who giggled.
"She's telling truth, believe me." They both giggled.
The others didn't have enough time to ask questions 'cause in that moment Zell and Seifer rushed out.
"Umm, we've got lost." Zell muttered with his head down.
Squall slapped a hand to his forehead.
"No, YOU have got lost. YOU insisted to go to kitchen and take one more hot dog, and YOU went to bathroom instead of going to kitchen. I only tried to drag you here on time." Seifer was furious.
Girls were trying to suppress laugh.
"Lets get going." Squall said and disappeared in Ragnarok.
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Ragnarok landed on the small field near Elron. As they came out they saw a beautiful nature surrounding them, huge trees and bushes full of berries, but something was wrong. Not a single sound could be heard, not even birds or wind, just creepy silence. They couldn't see a single living being, not even butterflies could be seen although there were lots of flowers.
"I feel something evil around here." Rinoa was nervous.
"You feel it to? I started to feel it when the murders started, but it was never as strong as now." Elly said. "Even the animals can feel it." The other looked around trying to feel this "thing" but all they felt was a light breeze.
"We should get going if we want to finish today." Seifer started to walk toward the village. The others followed him. They entered in the village. It was kinda nice, in a creepy sort of way. The houses were in good condition, the gardens were full of flowers, and the water was still flowing from a small fountain, but there was no living soul. It looked like if the village is living for itself.
Elly went further and now was staying near li'l fountain. Rinoa went toward her and noticed a single tear falling down her face.
"Elly? You okay?"
"Um? Yea, I'm fine." She turned around, to the others. "I'll show you the waterfall where happened one of the murders." She looked down.
They all entered in a forest that Elly showed them. She and Rinoa were in front of the others. They were all quiet.
~Poor girl. Don't worry, you're not alone anymore, you have us. ~ Rinoa looked toward Elly.
"Thanks." Elly said sadly without turning to Rinoa.
"What?"
"Thanks for telling me I'm not alone." Elly turned to Rinoa with a slight smile.
"I never said that, I only thought about it."
"You were probably thinking at loud, 'cause I heard you."
Rinoa stopped and looked Elly in her eyes. ~You hear me now? ~
"Yes I do!" ~Can you hear me? ~
"That's great!!" Rinoa said walking further. ~Try to think about me; maybe I can hear you too. ~
"I've tried, but you didn't hear me, you are much more stronger than I am."
"Um...girls, I don't know if you two noticed, but few more steps and you'll be few steps to close to waterfall." Zell came in front of them. Girls smiled. Elly felt guilty, she's never thought that she could smile in this place again.
The group sat down on the grass, and listened to Squall's orders.
"We'll divide in four groups; Rinoa, you're coming with me. Selphie and Irvine you two can go together..." They both gave him a thankful look. "....Zell, Seifer, I'm not putting you two together, 'cause I don't want you two to get killed, so Zell you can go with Elly...." ~YEA, yea, yea! ~ "...And Seifer you go with Quistis. Alright with everyone?" They all nodded. "Lets go then, well meet here in three hours. And...guys, don't get lost."
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Squall and Rinoa were walking trough the forest for more than an hour, but they still didn't saw anything except all kinds of different plants. Soon they came near a big cave. Squall heard some voices in there.
"I'm going to see what's happening, you wait here. I'll yell if I need help."
"Take care!" Rinoa shouted as he went in. She had a bad feeling about this.
As soon as Squall entered, a huge gold-green dragon appeared in front of cave with a laud growl.
"RINOA!" Rinoa could here Squall shouting inside of a cave. Without thinking she rushed in the fight, using her strongest magic.
"RIN!" She heard his laud cry.
"SQUALL!" She lost her mind; she was using her magic without thinking, she didn't know for herself. She felt dragons claw in her waist, but she didn't feel pain, she felt only fear, fear for Squall. It all felt so unreal. She continued with fight till she lost all her strength. She cast her last Ultima and fell down.
~Help! ~
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A/N: I know it's quite a cliffhanger but I'll hurry up with next chapter, so you won't have to hang too long. ^_~
Thanx a lot for reviews!! This is my first fic and I'm so happy you like it! I've tried to write this as fast as I could, just for you! ^_~ Love ya guys!
**Angelprinczess29: Thanx for reviewing, I'm glad you like it.
**Exhile87: You don't have to be sorry, I'm happy you like it. For now I'm not planning to do anything between Quistis and Seifer, but you can try to change my mind if you want. ^_~
Yea, you inspired me. After reading "Sometimes" I decided to write my own fic. (NOTE: read "Sometimes" – it's great) Actually without you I wouldn't even know about fanfiction.net. And pleease continue soon with "Guarded Terror"!
**Phoenix Blade: Thanx, you're so sweet! I can't believe you guys like my fic so much! And I love Different Worlds – please make it a squinoa!!
**Lady Aliena: When you find some mistakes, fell free to mail me, so I won't repeat them. I wonder what would my English teacher say if she knew that I'm writing a story. ^_~ - Happy you like it!
**Dark Raion: Yea, you're liked ^_~! About Seifer: I can't guarantee for Squall and Zell, but others will accept him, with time. Sorry about all that mail confusion, and thanx for reviewing.
I would be happy if you write an opinion of what happen' in the cave! I already know it but I want to know what's going on in your minds. LOVE YA!
Rinoica