A/N: This chapter is dedicated to everyone who is reading this (LOVE YA!), and especially to Phoenix Blade who was the first one to review this fic, and whose review made me really happy!

*Nope, still don't own anything. *

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*Chapter 4 – Loosing Your Heart *

Zell and Elly were walking through the forest. They still didn't find anything interesting. Not even monsters could be seen. But they weren't bored. Zell was joking all the time and Elly felt so relaxed. She could feel sun's warmth and a light breeze on her face. She was back, in the forest she liked so much, the forest she used to call home, and she wasn't alone.

"Ya heard that?" Zell stopped.

"What?"

"Something is moving in those bushes."

"I didn't hear anything, you sure you didn't just imagined it?"

"So-mething is in th-ere, ouch! I'm sure." Zell was trying to go trough the bushes.

~Help! ~ A frantic yell reached Elly's mind. ~Rin? ~

"Zell! Come! Rinoa is in trouble, we must find her!" Elly was terrified; the desperate scream echoed in her mind. It was horrible. Something was really wrong. ~She is a sorceress; she has power! What if...she disappeared too? ~ "Zell hurry, we must go!"

"What's happening?" Zell came out of bushes. "You're ok? You look like if you saw a ghost!"

"We have no time for questions, we must find Rinoa! They're...I remember, they went toward Green Cave!" They were both running like mad. Zell didn't understand lots of things in this moment, but from Elly's frightened eyes he could understand that something serious is happening. Her eyes were worried and terrified.

Elly she was faster than Zell. She grew up in these woods and Zell almost fell over the rocks or plants few times. She wasn't far ahead, but he tried his best to reach her. She climbed on a small hill, from where the cave could be seen, Zell was right behind her, catching his breath. First thing they saw was a giant gold-green dragon lying on the ground covered in blood. The dragon was so huge that he blocked the cave entrance. ~Where is she? ~

"RINOA!" Zell yelled.

"SQUALL!" Elly went further. She stopped, shocked. She shook her head few times unconsciously, like if she didn't want to accept the sight in front of her. The image she saw was terrifying. Below her, in front of the dragon, laid Rinoa. She was cowered with dragon's crimson blood. She looked so small and unprotected in front of the giant dragon. ~Rin...no...~ Elly ran toward her. Zell want to see what was Elly looking at. ~Hyne...~ Zell couldn't believe his eyes. ~ It can't be...we can't be too late. ~ He slowly walked toward Elly, who was now kneeling in front of Rinoa.

"She is breathing!" Elly turned around smiling slightly, with tears in her eyes.

"Squall..." Rinoa muttered. A small tear showed up in a corner of her eyes.

"Shhh, everything is going to be fine." Elly wanted so hard to comfort and help her, but she didn't know how.

"Something must have happened to Squall!" Zell was looking around, worried. "He would never leave her unprotected... I'm going to look around."

Elly was holding Rinoa's head in her lap; a small tear was still in her eyes. "I'll stay here with her." She looked at her watch. "We should already be at the waterfall, the others are probably looking for us."

She didn't even finish her sentence when she heard Selphie yelling.

"Irvy they're over here!!  Heya guys!" Selphie ran playfully toward them, without a single idea of what has just happened. "Where did you ... Hyne... Rin? ...Is she ok?" She stopped, as petrified.

"I don't know ... I hope she is." Elly said quietly.

Irvine appeared behind Selphie. He already opened his mouth to say something when his facial expression changed. "Gosh, what...what happen'?" He ran toward Elly and Rinoa. Selphie followed him slowly; it was obvious she was shocked.

I don't know. We found her here, all bloody. Squall is nowhere to be seen. Zell went in to the cave to look after him." Elly was still under shock.

"I'm going to help him!" Irvine ran toward the cave. Selphie went to console Elly. She knelt down and hugged her.

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"Seifer Almasy! For the hundredth time, WE'RE LATE!" Quistis was loosing her temper. "The others are probably looking for us." Se added for herself.

"Calm down my lady" Seifer grinned, "They would be worried if I'd come on time." ~Like if I'm doing this on purpose, just for being late! I just wanna be sure that my suspicions aren't true. ~ 

"What are you looking for anyway?" Quistis looked at him. She decided to give him a chance, but when she saw his satisfied look, she regretted her decision. "Not that I care." Se turned off of him.

"I found few books in Garden library, in which stays that this woods are hiding an ancient power. One of them says that somewhere around here is placed a cave called Green Cave, in which lives an ancient powerful and evil GF. It worships anyone who is enough evil and powerful. The book says that this GF is almost immortal, only an extraordinary will and power can kill him. I also found a myth, which says that, long time ago, Elves lived in these woods, and that people who now live here have some kind of a power."

"Why do you think that has any importance for our mission."  Quistis asked.

"I have my reasons." Seifer continued with his search. ~ I hope it hasn't any importance. ~ 

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Zell was trying to enter the cave. It wasn't an easy task; cause the dragon blocked the entrance. After few minutes, which seemed few hours for him, Zell finally managed to find a place where it wasn't impossible to enter. He moved the huge tail and in front of him appeared a green light. He slowly entered, looking around. The ceiling was covered with green crystals, which caused a green light flow trough the cave, and colour the mist in green. It looked like if the cave was full of green misty fire. ~ At least now I know why they call it Green Cave. ~ Zell shivered slightly, the cave was creepy and cold. He felt helpless and small, the place was drifting all strength and happiness from him. Zell went further, seriously thinking of going back, but the thought of his friend in trouble gave him strength to continue.

He didn't have to walk for long, after few steps he could see a body lying on a green floor.

"Squall?"

Zell went near him and knelt to touch his pulse. ~He's alive!~ Zell made a sigh of relief.  

"Squall, wake up! Squall!" Zell tried to wake him.

"Hey!? Zell? Squall? Anyone?" Irvine's voice echoed trough the cave.

"Irvine! We're over here!"

Irvine appeared trough the green mist. "Is he okay?"

"I hope so, help me to get him out of here. This place surely can't help him."

"You're right," Irvine was saying as he went to help Zell. "This place sure is creepy."

They lifted Squall putting his arms around their neck, and went toward the exit as fast as they could.

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Seifer and Quistis were at the waterfall. Quistis put off her shoes and now was walking trough the water.

"Don't ya think we should look around? Maybe they're in trouble." Seifer looked at Quistis, not believing that she could be so calm when they didn't know where the others are. Actually, she was worried as hell, but she would never admit it to him. First she wanted to be an optimist and she said that they must be near already. Then Seifer said that they're probably in trouble, and she didn't want to agree with him, so she refused to go looking for them.

"No, I'm sure they're going to be here any moment." ~Guys please come as soon as possible! ~ She pleaded in her mind.

"And then you say that I'm always late!" Seifer wanted to make her fight. He didn't know why was he doing that.

"It's cause you are!" She didn't want to give him the pleasure.

There was a silence for few moments. With every second their worries increased. Quistis couldn't stand it any more.

"Maybe we should look around?" She asked silently.

"No, I'm sure they're going to be here any moment." Seifer teased.

"Gee Seifer! OK, I give up, they could be in danger! Please, could we go now!?"

"However you wish milady." He grinned.

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Zell and Irvine showed up carrying unconscious Squall. They were never so glad that they left some place as now. The feeling that cave gave was everything but pleasant.

"Is he okay?" Selphie stood up, terror showing up in her eyes.

"We don't know." Irvine answered.

"What happened here?" They saw Seifer running down the hill, followed by Quistis.

"Don't know." Zell answered after log silence.

Quistis was silent, shocked.

"We must take them both to Ragnarok as soon as possible." Irvine said quietly.

"Lets go than." Seifer said and took Rinoa in his arms.

They went toward the Ragnarok in silence.

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It was calm and sunny afternoon in Esthar. Sun was shining trough the white hospital window, but no one noticed it. Selphie was sleeping in Irvine's arms. She was exhausted. He hugged her, as if he is afraid of loosing her. Elly was sleeping too.  She unconsciously put her head on Zell's shoulder. A small tear could still be seen in a corner of her eye. Quistis was sitting on one of chairs, and Seifer was walking from side to side trough the hall. They were all silent, buried in their thoughts. So many things had happened, and they still didn't know anything. It was too much for all of them.

The doctor came out. Seifer stopped. Elly woke up and raised her head. Quistis and Zell stood up. Irvine gently woke Selphie up. They were all looking at the doctor.

"Are you relatives of..." The doctor looked at his paper. "... Squall Leonhart or Rinoa Heartilly?"

"No, but we're their close friends. How are they?" Zell was the first one to talk.

The doctor stood there for a moment, thinking of what to do. He wasn't supposed to inform anybody except relatives about patient's condition, but he saw these people when they came, they really cared about their friends.

"The guy, Squall,  is still unconscious, but should wake up any moment. Physically, he's fine, but something had to shock him quite well."

"What about Rinoa?" Seifer asked.

"She... she has a bad wound. We've done everything we could to help her. Now it all depends on her."

"Can we see them?" Elly asked quietly.

"I'm sorry, no one can see Rinoa till her condition become stable, and I can't let you to see Squall without a permission of a family member."

In that moment Laguna came, running trough the hall as if he was ten years younger.

"What happened? Is Squall okay?" Laguna was out of himself.

"Are you his relative?" The doctor asked.

"Yea, I'm his father, is he okay? Can I see him?"

"Calm down sir, your son is going to be alright, you can see him. Come with me." They both left, leaving the six friends confused.

"I'm... I'm going to inform headmaster Cid of our current situation." Quistis stood up and left.

Five minutes later the doctor came again. "You can come to see your friend, he woke up, but don't do anything to upset him." Everyone except Seifer entered.

Squall was pale and he looked exhausted. His eyes were distant and without emotions. He looked sad, even desperate.

"Hey, how do ya feel pal?" Irvine asked silently.

"I'm fine ... I guess." He answered slowly.

"Ya scared us pretty well." Zell smiled slightly.

"What happen'?" Selphie said her first words in last few hours.

"I ... don't remember."

"You have to leave the patient, he needs sleep."

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"Anybody wants some coffee? " Seifer asked.

Zell nodded.

"Yea, I need some right now, and bring some tea for Selphie." Selphie looked at him thankfully. Seifer looked at Zell.

Zell nodded. He didn't want to wake Elly, who fell asleep again, with her head on his shoulder.  Zell put his arm around her, like he wanted to protect her, and he did.

"I'll bring some tea for her too, she'll need it when she wakes up." Seifer said silently and went toward the canteen. He stopped on his way to ask Laguna if he need something.

"You noticed that Squall didn't ask about Rinoa?" Selphie whispered.

"Yea, but you've heard the doctor; he's under shock." Irvine said.

"Still, I think it's strange," Selphie wasn't convinced. "You know that she is always first thing on his mind, you were the one who teased him about that."

"Like that time when Nida rushed in the Headmaster's office in the middle of a meeting to report about a monster that escaped from Training Centre, and before Nida could even open his mouth, Squall stood up asking worriedly: Is Rinoa okay? " Zell added.

"Yea, I was making fun of him next two weeks." Irvine added with a slight smile.

They were so into their talking that they didn't even noticed Quistis coming toward them.

"I've reported what happened to Headmaster. The Garden is coming toward us. They'll be here in an hour. Headmaster insist on moving Squall and Rinoa to Garden Infirmary." She said and sat down.

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Selphie, Irvine, Elly and Zell were in infirmary. Seifer once again excused himself, telling that Squall for sure doesn't want to see him right now, and Quistis was in Headmaster's office, giving a report.  Four SeeDs were chatting with Squall. He still didn't show any concern about Rinoa and the others didn't know if they should mention her or not. They all talked with doctor Kadowaki, but Rinoa's condition still didn't get better, so no one could see her. Doctor Kadowaki promised she'd inform them about any changes in her condition. In the other way, Squall looked completely healthy, though it seamed that he closed himself in again. They didn't really worry about it; he passed trough some kind of shock, it was a normal thing, wasn't it? Still no one knew what happened out there. It seamed that Rinoa was the only one to know the secret, but she couldn't reveal it.

After some time, Selphie couldn't resist any more. She decided to tell him about Rinoa, she thought it's the only right thing to do. She took a breath and...

"Squall?" He looked at her. "While you and Rinoa..." She looked to see his reaction on Rinoa's name, but there was no reaction. "... were in woods north of Esthar, something happened. We've found you unconscious, but Rinoa wasn't as lucky. She was badly wounded." Still no reaction. "She is now recovering, doctor Kadowaki said that only time will tell if she'll survive or not." Selphie was almost crying, but no change could be seen on Squall's face. Everyone was looking at him, expecting something, anything.

"I hope she'll recover." He said.

~That's it? He hopes she'll recover? What's happening here? ~ Elly was lost. Her friends had similar questions in their minds. ~Maybe he lost his memory? ~

"Commander Leonhart, you are free to go." Doctor Kadowaki interrupted silence. His friends and doctor Kadowaki left him to change. 

"One of you can visit Rinoa, but only for few minutes. Her condition is better, but she must not be upset. I don't think Squall should go see her yet." Dr. Kadowaki said as they left Squalls room. It was obvious that she had heard Selphie's conversation with Squall.

"I would like to go, if you guys don't mind?" Elly asked silently. They all nodded, they weren't so sure that they want to be there when she asks about Squall.

Elly entered and sat on a chair near the bed.

"Hey Rinny." She whispered.

Rinoa opened her eyes. She looked weak and scared.

"Squall?"

Elly knew she's going to ask about him. She expected that Rinoa's first thought would be about him. ~I must talk to him as soon as possible. ~ She decided.

"Don't worry, he's okay. Try to sleep; you need rest.

Rinoa closed her eyes and fell asleep. She dreamed about their flower field, about their promises.

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Once again thanx a lot for your reviews! I would like you to write what do you think had happened in the cave!! ~Still interested of what's going on in your minds.~

**Dark Raion: Elly didn't know Seifer before that entire Ultimecia thing, so she was nice to him and gave him chance to show who he really is. She and Seifer are going to get along pretty well in next chapters, but I don't think it'll be 'cause of love. They'll just have a "mission" to carry on together. For now I thinking about Elly/Zell but we'll see. Hurry up with your fics; we're all counting on you!!

**Exhile87: ^_~ Yea, pretty much mixed up! I've found myself few times typing Lauren instead of Elly, and it's all Ashbear's fault! (Just kidding) I'm so into "Crimson Lies" and Lauren kidnapping li'l Allison that I can't even write my fic properly 'cause of it. You see what's happening when you're reading too much of ff fics? Still love Guarded Terror!!

**Phoenix Blade: Hope you like this chapter. Thanx for reviewing! 

**Crystal Angel Kairi: About Seifer – believe me, you'll see. I'll be happy to check out your fic, let me know when you post it! I'll definitely put Zell and Elly together, I still don't know about Seifer and Quistis – you're the first one to vote for them. Thanx a lot for reviewing.