"Rush! Over here!" Selphie said loudly, waving her arms in the air. The crowd was deafening and oppressive; hundreds of SeeDs and cadets filled the hall. Selphie had a hard time even saving the seat next to her for Rush.

Rush smiled in the direction of Selphie. She waved back, making her way progressively through the storm of people. Instructors were hard pressed to keep their students in line while SeeDs stood at attention around the hall. "I hate this uniform," she muttered to herself. She tugged at it, it was already beginning to wilt. She did not know why there was such a fuss about a visitor. Rumour had it that she was somebody very important, to SeeD and everything it represented. She was to make a speech and Rush found herself feeling uneasy despite everything.

She gave a sigh as she slid in the seat next to Selphie. She felt vaguely sorry for those cadets who were still wandering around trying in vain to find unoccupied chairs. She smiled at Selphie who said, "What took you so long? It was hard keeping that seat for you. We're you brawling last night? Again?" Rush simply laughed. She flung her hair which fell luxuriously around her shoulders. She batted her eyes at Selphie. "Why would I do something like that? I was just catching up on some beauty sleep."

Selphie jerked her thumb at Zell, "He does enough for the both of us…"

Rush giggled. Zell had zero enthusiasm for anything that made him sit still or confined to one place. His head lolled to the side and his mouth was slightly open; and he snored softly.  He looked comical with his uniform, like a undisciplined soon – to – be SeeD candidate dropout.

Rush felt a rush of affection for this boy. If anything, she owed him the life she was living now.

            The room suddenly went very quiet. An escort of strange coloured guards entered and all heads turned. A young woman was in the midst of them. She dressed unremarkably, a clean – pressed white blouse and a longish skirt with a soft green shawl draped across her gently sloped shoulders. Her face was pretty in a gentle manner and she walked with grace. Rush stared at her; she looked very, very familiar. I've seen you somewhere…

            Selphie in turned looked at Rush, she was sitting very still now which was out of character for her. Her face had turned grim and she looked confused. Rush Olsen was an exceptional student, intelligent and brave as well as a loyal friend. With her fragile memory problems she was torn between two distinct modes of behaviour. The strictly military and the wildly anti – authoritarian. Nevertheless, it was both Rush's and Selphie's impulsive behaviour that consequently made them friends from the word 'go'.

            After a few moments had passed Rush let loose a long suppressed breath she did not realise she had been holding, she mentally gave herself a shake. She sensed Selphie's eyes on her, she had worried her. Rush lifted her head and gave Selphie a smile, then jabbed a finger into Zell's midsection making him jump half – way out of his seat with a loud: "What the – !"

            It echoed throughout the silent hall, and the lady that had just cleared her throat at the microphone looked up in surprise then smiled. She gave an introduction, her voice was soft, yet powerful. Many found themselves listening to what she had to say. Rush found herself beginning to listen. The topic itself was strange: mystics and sorcery, though at the moment the speaker strayed from the topic. She seemed to be recalling something, all the while looking straight at Rush.

            "Though evil can manifest itself within us and we can also carry it unknowingly, there are some things that can make it difficult for even the most powerful spells to work at its optimum." Rush felt her uneasiness begin to mount, she disliked this subject but it gave her the utmost feeling of enlightenment and she had no clue to why.

            "A charm," Rush's fingers grasped the ring that hung from her necklace. "It can be as simple as a friendship band, a mother's gift, a loved ones possession. A loved ones possession… Something that symbolises and weaves truth, love and purity; it is a great ward of evil for evil has no understanding of the simplicities of the human heart."

            "It is there that evil lies and grows, where there is distrust, doubt and confusion. Do not let bonds between friends break or lovers grow apart for it is these ties between people that are most important." Selphie sneaked a look at Zell and Rush saw it with a look of amusement, she could have seen it coming. "The stronger is, of course, better. In your case, Seeds – trained to defeat magic and evil in Sorceresses, notice I do not say to battle the Sorceresses themselves. There is no room for mistrust, jealousy or even petty rivalry. Remember when I say that trust is essential, even when you feel hurt or betrayed."

            Rush wondered if the woman had come to speak personally to her, by the way she had her eyes placed on hers. Yet, she noticed that once in a while, her eyes would glaze – as if remembering something, a hard earned lesson she did not want others to have to go through. "Truth and Love come hand in hand, there is no one without the other. With the dawning of love, the truth will emerge. Love itself, a simple something to feel, is enough to clear clouded and doubtful minds and should it be pure enough, to break the most stunningly crafted illusions."

            The speaker gave a small laugh. "I make this sound simple, no? I will admit – yes, I once thought that there was nothing simple about love, but you all will see that when the time comes that there is nothing complicated about it at all; your emotions will guide you as steadily as a calligrapher graphs his art." She looked down into her hands, the act bellied her age and suddenly she looked very young and vulnerable. The ending of the speech was made hastily – and she left quickly, as if she was there to reply a short message.

            The Instructors began to direct the orders to dismiss, the SeeDs standing ground until lower junior student and cadets could get out in an orderly manner. Selphie turned to Rush, "Me and Zell are heading to Quistis' dorm after this. I'll meet you in the training centre at noon, okay?"

*          *          *

            Her twin daggers had served her well these two past years. Initially, she had specialized in a long ranged weapon called the 'pinwheel'. Later, she decided that long range fighting just wasn't her thing, she wanted something more direct, so that she could be in the battle itself – blood and steel mingling. The rush of heat in battle just wasn't there while you were shooting cover, Rush had reasoned with the weapons instructor.

            Selphie still had not shown up for their practice. The field exam was tomorrow, Squad C would serve as backup reinforcement for SeeD infiltration of some shadowy illegal mess in Deling City. Cadets weren't told the details, they were just given orders. "Fifty – five… that's a lot of Grats… fifteen T-rex's…" Rush gritted her teeth. She had killed so many that she had so run and find them instead of them ambushing her. They would have to restock, definitely. "Enough… Cid will have my head for this, again…"

            Rush didn't bother to change or bathe. She walked up, determinedly to the Instructors quarters. She slowed down when she reached the door. She heard voices coming from the inside.

            "Quistis, it's been four years. You were the last person we expected to lose hope…"

That was definitely Selphie's voice and she sounded distressed, which was rare for Selphie. She wondered what they talked about, it sounded more serious than 'chilling' in Quistis' room.  They had done it for as long as she had known them; they would always tell her where they were going when they were going, but they would never say exactly why nor would they ever invite her. She thought it best to leave them alone at these times as she was never asked. Except for now… I just have to know…

            Rush stood closer to the door, giving a quick glance to see if there was anyone standing in sight, who might see her eavesdrop, she was relived to see there weren't any. "I can't be doing this…" She said underneath her breath, "There's something going on, and I should know about it…" Rush turned her head to the side, closing the space between her and the door, battling her conscience all the way. She was surprised when she saw someone standing directly in front of her. Heat rushed to her face, and she quickly jumped away from the door.       

"It's been a while now, hasn't it? Do you still miss him?" Rush sucked in a breath, she pretended she didn't hear it as she looked at the young lady, putting on a false pretence of pleasantry. She didn't have to, for the lady spoke first.

"I don't think you know my name…"

Huh? So what if I don't know her name? "I don't…"

"I know… you weren't listening then." She was beautiful up close. Her skin was smooth and creamy, her brown eyes were warm and her lips faintly smiling. "When I agreed to make the speech for educational purposes on requests from your Headmaster… I didn't know I would find you here."

Rush simply looked confused. This person acted like she knew her. "Who are you?"

"My name is not important, but if you wish to know; it is Ellone. It was though seeking what I have sought that bought me here, the request was convenient. Yet, I have only half my answers."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Rush…" she gave a giggle, "We all have something that needs to be found. Why are you only wearing one earring?"

"I… I lost the other during practice." Rush lied. Ellone seemed to pick up on it. "Oh, really? You are as lost as my brother…" She's mad… Her brother?

Rush stumbled on her words. "Ellone… what are you seeking?"

"The same thing you seek…" There was no malice in her voice, her voice was just matter-of-fact like. She smiled as she said it.

"I am not lacking anything…" Rush whispered, knowing it for a lie the moment she said it. To her surprise, Ellone reached up and tucked a stand of her hair behind her ears in a sisterly way. Rush was baffled, Ellone seemed to really care about her. Rush was not comfortable and she turned away slowly, not wanting to hurt her feelings. There was a muffled scream, and again she heard Quistis' voice, "Where the hell are you, Squall?"

Squall… Squall… Squall…

Rush turned around, suddenly hypnotised by the way Ellone steadily stared at her. Those eyes… they held answers, and images. The brown of her eyes exploded in a multitude of colour and as suddenly turned very dark. There was movement in the darkness, fumbling silently, never making a sound. A flicker of light and the small room lit up dimly. A young man sat slowly upon the pile of dirty mush that was his bed. His hair was matted and long, silky strands tied at the nape of his neck. His face was thin and his movement seemed to be from years of habit.

A spark. He was sharpening something – a long sword, peculiar looking with a barrel instead of a handle or butt as swords usually have. He moved the stone across the edge, sharpening it. Steadily as his breathing, he continued to do this for a long time. Rush felt a stirring deep within her. I know him…

Finally, at long last he was done with the blade. He turned it, flexing his arm; admiring the way light glinted across its surface. There was an intricate carving upon it, a lion in flames. He gingerly touched the edge of the blade and immediately withdrew his finger, hissing in pain as the blade cut his skin, blood crept slowly from the incision and he studied it intently as it slowly ran down his finger. Rush must have made some small sound for suddenly he looked up directly at her. She gasped. There is something here… let me touch this. This is the answer, this was the beginning of everything…

Rush slowly reached toward him, unaware of the chasm she crossed. She needed to and she didn't know why. And he continued to stare. But slowly, very slowly he put down his blade. Time seemed to stretch as one movement he made took so slowly to accomplish. He stretched his arm toward her, seeking something in the darkness. Rush suddenly dropped her hand, a stinging pain burst in her head; something akin to keening could be heard, it made her head spin and Rush knew, really knew pain. Rush knew agony.

She staggered back, weakly. She swore she could see stars as the hallway expanded and shrunk. Ellone was not far, she swung for a few seconds before regaining her footage. "That was not expected, what power could disconnect me?" Ellone said under her breath. Rush sat down with a thump against the door, cradling her head in her hands. The voices on the other side ceased immediately. Rush felt something moist press against her cheek. Ellone… she kissed me?

 "Be careful, Rinoa Caraway." The voice came softly behind her, it was said in a tone of a warning – a plead for caution.

Her head made contact with the floor. She stared uncomprehendingly at three pairs of hardened polished boots. Rolling her head upwards, she saw three worried faces staring down at her. Their faces were one and sometimes two, if she wasn't in so much pain she would have laughed at the image. The darkness took over and she could hear panicked voices distantly. So far…

"Rush!" Quistis yelled, "What's wrong with you?" She attempted to shake the limp girl to awareness. Selphie bent down towards her, taking a hand and holding it with hers. Giving it a light squeeze she felt Rush's forehead, it was clammy and very, very hot.

"Zell! You've got to carry her to the infirmary, now!" Selphie cried, she had no idea what was going on. Something strange definitely. She felt a pang of guilt twist her heart, she was to have met her at the Training Centre and she had not come. Had Rush somehow been thoroughly poisoned for a length of time? Was she injured internally? Damned!

            But Zell was already picking Rush up, "You don't have to tell me twice!" He cradled her gently but firmly as he carried her as fast as he could. "Hang on, Rush…"

*          *          *

He stared as he had stared for the past hour. The darkness was overwhelming, he hoped a light would shine – as it did just then. His eyes never wavered, maybe… he thought, maybe it will reappear and someone would save him. Reach down to his rotten self and cleanse him. Rid him of the filth that he carried, that he lived with. That he could not live without.

For the first time since he could remember. He prayed. He did not know to whom and he did not know how but he prayed with all his heart that he could see an angel again.