BTW ANs and responses come at the end.

Chapter 3 – Unexpected Twists

The next morning Squall decided to wear the red pants, oxford shirt, jacket and collar assemble. Following his usual routine he walked down the hall to the cafeteria. Deciding on something light, he picked up a bowl of cereal and an apple. All too soon his friends entered and were once again shocked at their friends sudden change of dress. Squall weathered their comments and questions. Finally, when they were done with the bombardment, Squall gave them the answers they sought.

"Well I figured I needed a change of pace and I feel comfortable in this." He gestured to his outfit. He noticed how Quistis eyes roamed over his figure and he met her gaze with a questioning yet innocent glance. She quickly averted her eyes; quiet a feat for one who never backed down from anything. Squall was silently pleased by her response. Good, now all I have to do is get Rinoa out the picture and I can continue. His sights then zeroed in on Selphie. I can maybekill two birds with one stone.

"Selphie, I have a favor to ask."

Selphie was more curious than anything and nodded her head rapidly for the young man to continue.

"I would like to join the Garden Committee, in fact I would like to put on a few shows."

She began to bounce in her seat exactly and talking rapidly to no in particular. "Really, it'll be so grand. I'm sure if you join others will follow and…" Stopping suddenly she leveled an anger glare at him. "You're not playing with me are you?"

Following her previous example, Squall shook his head solemnly causing his dark locks to sway back and forth. Selphie squealed in delight and quickly rounded the table to envelop the newest Garden Committee member.

He tolerated the hug before pulling back and giving a small smile that caused his friends to wonder about his mental state. The other three members of the Orphanage gang shared a look. Is he okay? Squall rarely smiles. They didn't have much time to ponder that thought when Rinoa entered the room and quickly ran over to them.

"Hello everyone, Squall… what are you wearing?"

Squall just regarded her coolly before standing up and allowing her and everyone a complete view of him.

Irvine couldn't resist a jab at the Commander. "Bondage pant, looks like Squall's not the only kinky one around here, eh Instructor Trepe."

Zell began to laugh loudly, before he was punched in the arm by the mini tornado of terror that was Selphie.

Quistis eyes widen slightly before narrowing dangerously. "Watch it cowboy, leather isn't only used for clothes."

"Is that a threat or a promise?"

After hitting Zell, Selphie gave Irvine a firm smack in the back of the head.

"Stop playing around you goof."

"But Selphie darling, I was just messing around."

Turning from Irvine, she grabbed Quistis hands in her own and gave them a small pat. "Ignore him, his brain has been fried from one to many chili peppers."

Rinoa clearing her throat stopped the group from their senseless banter. Once things were settled down, she took a seat next to Squall. "I really like your outfit Squall it suits you."

Grabbing his previously forgotten apple, he took a bite and nodded his head in acknowledgement to the compliment. While his friends engaged in varying conversations around him, Rinoa sought to continue her previous seduction attempts by running her finger nails lightly over his leg. Squall just continued to eat his apple, appearing oblivious and unmoved to her ministrations.

Rinoa was a bit perturbed and increased her efforts by inching her way closer along his thigh but was startled when a hand enclosed around her fragile wrist in a move that was neither too tight to bruise, but not loose enough to escape. Looking up she noticed that Squall had finished his apple and his gaze was locked on her, but she couldn't read him. Suddenly I don't think that was such a good idea. His unrelenting focus was a bit unnerving to the self proclaimed Princess. However she didn't have much time to re-think her actions when Squall used his other hand and grasped her chin between his nimble fingers. He gently stroked her cheek his thumb before lightly tracing his fingers down her neck before stopping at the chain that held his ring. Fingering the ring in his grasp, he pulled back and looked deeply into Rinoa's eyes.

"Maybe we should retire to my room?" His voice was but a bare whisper but somehow Rinoa heard the words. Her head was swimming and she couldn't believe Squall's demeanor. It may be different but I definitely like it.

"Uh huh, that'd be nice." She stood up quickly and waited for him to stand.

A light chuckle escaped his lips, but he too stood up a gave a curt nod of his head to say goodbye, before he hooked his arm around Rinoa's shoulders and guided her to his room.

Rinoa giggled softly to herself as she pranced into the room while Squall came in seconds behind her and shut the door. It looks like all my charms are finally paying off; Squall is finally acting more appropriate. I was wondering if I should get him some Viagra or something because he never wanted to do anything before.

Squall walked past Rinoa and laid back on his bed with his legs dangling over the edge. Rinoa smiled brightly and threw herself onto the bed next to Squall and moved in to kiss him senseless, when she noticed she never made it that far because was holding her thin frame inches away from him.

Oh this some kind of new game I wonder?

Squall just looked at the figure above him, secretly enjoying her cluelessness.

Clearing his throat he locked his stormy eyes on her before once again trailing his gaze to the ring that dangled in front of him. "I have some things I would like to discuss with you."

Rinoa was slightly confused and saddened by the turn of events but agreed to his request. Squall set the girl down next to him and he leaned forward a bit and propped his form up using his elbows.

"Don't interrupt me."

"Okay."

"I feel that we need to take our relationship more seriously. However there are forces that make it difficult for me."

Rinoa tuned out Squall's words as her own thoughts took precedence. I knew it, he does need that prescription. Maybe I can use my Sorceress powers to help. I'll get that libido working into overdrive.

"…I think you need to chose between him or me. He's causing a lot of problems. I feel you attention is divided between the two of us and I need you more, because you are the women that holds my ring."

Her eyebrows scrunched together and lines appeared across her forehead in mild confusion. Wait hold on, what and who is he talking about!?!?

"It's very special." He then lapsed into silence awaiting her reaction. Internally he was curious as to how Rinoa would handle this new turn of events.

"Squall honey, um, who is this guy you're talking about?"

Cocking his head to the side slightly, he spoke with total confidence and not hint of mirth. "Angelo."

"Angelo? MY DOG?!"

"Yes, he's been vying for your affection for so long I fear that you have no room for me."

Her head snapped painfully to the side as she turned to look at the man before her. He can't be serious. However his demeanor didn't betray anything but an air of seriousness that was classic Leonhart. Oh Hyne he is serious.

Hours later found Rinoa crying bitterly while talking to Quistis and Selphie in the Instructor's apartment. Sniffing quietly, she finished her tale of Squall's recent admission, leaving out a few thoughts that were better left unsaid.

Selphie was caught between being shocked and wanting to laugh, while Quistis tried to fight down the feeling of satisfaction at the possibility that Squall wasn't totally unobtainable. "I don't know what to do guys, I mean he's worried about a dog of all things."

"Well how serious are you about this relationship?"

"I don't know, I love him, well at least I thought I did. I mean I don't know."

Quistis mentally added her two cents. Sounds like lust to me. "What else did he say?"

Rinoa sniffed once before wiping away some stray tears. "Something about his ring."

Trying to gently coax the distraught girl into revealing more about the situation she carefully worded her next few questions. "Rinoa honey, this may be important what did he say about it?"

She lamely offered his last few words. "He said it was very special."

"That's good, but do you recall something else?"

Suddenly a light bulb seemed to switch on above her dark brown highlighted hair. "He said he needed me more because I held his ring!"

Quistis mentally sighed in defeat. If the ring is any indication of Squall's devotion then I'm sorely losing to Rinoa.

Selphie on the other hand, pouted at this sudden mystery. "Maybe he was just testing you? I don't know. Try spending more time with him instead of Angelo. Make him think you're changing."

Rinoa impulsively hugged the shorter girl and smiled threw her tears. "Change is good."

The instructor nodded sagely before giving some advice. "Change is good, but it isn't all ways necessary. You could very well loose yourself in trying to please others and ultimately make yourself unhappy."

TBC

AN: Another chapter down and one of my favorite chapters is coming up next! I would just like to take this time and say, I'm not a Rinoa basher/hater. Also I wish I had answered reviews in my other fanfiction… My personal quote – I'm not evil, I'm just conscious of what I can do.

For some strange reason kept deleting my Italics from the document but left the Bold text alone. I wonder why? Anyone know a way around this? I uploaded at a Doc and html.

Pisher – Thanks for R&R, I changed the mistake, thanks for pointing it out.

Zer0 Touma – Thanks for reviewing! I'm happy you're enjoying it so much! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. There's more to come and the insanity continues. BTW Thanks for reviewing Frustration, I appreciate it. One of my favorite songs to kill papers to is End of the Century or Rhythm and Police. XD

Phoenix-of -the-darkness – I'm glad you're enjoying it! This fic was a creation of too much caffeine at 3am while talking on the phone with my best friend. I wanted see/do a fanfiction where Squall went a tad bit crazy without losing his true self, something to freak everybody out. I hope it works out like that… :D? About the prank? Well everything concerning that is a secret for now. I'll reveal more in the last chapter.

FloralBlackMoon – Thank you, the humor does indeed come in later chapters starting here and continuing throughout the fic. It just has to pick up some steam that's all. I hope you enjoy the later portions. Though I did try to balance things out so there's still a decent story underneath the jokes.

Hanh – Thanks, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Squall is going to have a field day with the Gang.

GothicAngelEyeS – :D! I'm glad you love it! As for the Squall and Quistis interaction, well let's just say I had a lot of fun with it. Check out my personal quote. XD Like I said, everything about the prank is a secret for now. I guess it's just best to think that Squall's just having a lot of fun as a result.

cows are funny – That was a really unique response. Thanks for the R&R.