Rush wrinkled her brow, "We're not going to get far dressed like pansy cadets." She wryly stated. "We need a change of attire." Selphie gave a laugh and said, "But Zell likes them, said they make him look 'manly', I believe was the term he used."

            Zell jokingly puffed up his chest, and was about to flex his muscles had Selphie not punched him in the stomach first, he winced from the soft blow while she laughed, "Just then you looked like an idiot rooster getting ready to crow! I saved you the embarrassment." Zell swung a lazy backhand, with a  sarcastic ha-ha. Selphie giggled while she easily dodged the arm.

            They were still walking the sewers, Rush seemed to walk as if she knew them by the back of her hand. Her other two squad members had no objection, for as long as they were out of danger, they were indebted to her. Rush was thinking quietly, about everything.

           

            "Squall Leonhart." He glared down at her, reaching out a hand to grab the front of her collar, roughly shaking her to emphasize his menace. "I need to know his whereabouts!"

            "And... he too called me Caraway..." Rush quietly mused to herself. "Why would he think I knowing anything about his whereabouts?" There was something wrong with her returning to Deling City, she felt that she should have never come. The mystifying feeling she had felt when she had looked into that attackers eyes, the sinking and overwhelming rush of memories she could not remember had her feeling sour. She briefly heard the bickering beside her. Zell had tripped Selphie, or something like that...

            She turned to face them, her eyes grave. They took one look at her face and their light humour vanished. Zell took her arm, "What's wrong?"

            "Who is Squall Leonhart?" Rush asked, trying to keep steady from the burst of feeling that flood through her at just the mention of his name. Beside her, Selphie gasped in surprise before her face clouded in grief, Zell quickly turned pale. Noting their reactions, Rush quickly said, "You know him..." Selphie miserably nodded, but it was Zell who asked, "Why did you suddenly ask that? How could you know about him?"

            Rush was quiet for a while, turning around and starting to walk slowly again. So they knew him... Is he dead? Is that why they had looked so grieved? What had her capturer been called? What had the woman called him? Seifer...

            "What about someone called Seifer?" At the mention of that name, the hatred came swiftly. The narrowed eyes and downward turning mouths. Selphie spoke, "Um, yeah... we knew him too. He was a student at our Garden, but dropped out shortly after you came." Selphie's pink lips opened, to question Rush but Rush had already raised her hand. "Ask me later, when we're nice and dry in some coach on a train to Balamb, just one thing – don't mention any of this to Quistis, promise me."

            "Why - ?"

            "Just promise!"

            Zell shrugged, "Okay, promise..."

            "You too, Selphie." The small girl nodded. For Selphie, there was no question there, between Quistis and Rush there was no doubt whatsoever.

            Rush inwardly groaned, this was turning into an unravelling of the whereabouts of missing persons. Rinoa Caraway, Squall Leonhart and Seifer...

            "It's here, up there." Rush pointed. There was a trapdoor over a sewer hole. "Zell, think you can manage that?"

            "Yup, leave it to me." Zell said before proceeding up the ladder to push the trapdoor upwards, to slide it open. "It's as hard as – " Zell gave a grunt before trying again. He tried numerous ways of loosening the door, using shoves and punches. The trapdoor remained shut tight. Sweat already poured down the sides of his face. Already at the brink of saying that it couldn't be opened, his pride kept him hammering at it.

            "For goodness's sake, Zell. Just use your limit break! I bet even my grandma could open that with one hand!" Selphie shouted upwards.

            "Goddamn, Selphie! How long do you think this thing has been shut?" Zell gritted out.

            "Awwh, someone's not capable!" Came the singsong voice.

            "Shut up, Selphie!" Zell said, loosing his temper, punctuating each word with a furious blow to the trapdoor. "You! – think that this – is – whoa!" Zell almost lost his grip on the ladder, then when he looked up again, he gave a small knowing laugh. Selphie knew how to press the right buttons alright. "Hey guys, it's open!"

            Rush gave a laugh. "What are you all waiting for? Let's go!"

            "Ahh, fresh air! I wouldn't want to know what I smell like right now." Selphie said, looking dismayed at the muck upon her uniform, especially her boots.

            "I'll tell you what you smell like..." Zell started, "But you smell the same!" Selphie yelled back.

            "Alright, enough you two!" Rush hissed; although amused by the banter, she was not in a good mood. Get through this, and then bicker. "Selphie can you pick the lock?"

            "Aye – aye, capt'n!" Selphie bounded over to the door. Fiddling around in her pockets to take out her picklock kit. One of the other cadets had a look of mild surprise on his face. Those things were not allowed in Garden and were considered immoral and not honourable for a SeeD or student to carry around. But then, he shrugged; this was not a night to be questioning, he was glad to be under Rush's leadership – she had kept them alive and had shown her knack for it. Zell and Selphie, although students just as him and the other girl with them, had shown none of the clumsy, tumbling actions of students during apt exam. They were all exceptional, and bore up under the pressure and deserved more than anyone to become SeeD's. It was a pity they would probably fail this final exam because of the confusion and slaughter – no SeeD final exam had been like this, he was sure. There was betrayal somewhere at hand.

            They had walked to a deserted part of town, the night was still cool and there were no passer – bys. 'Clothes Store' Rush read out, then snorted. No wonder no one wanted to shop here, the name was as unoriginal as any she had ever seen. They would have a change of clothes, then take a train to Galbadia Garden.

            Selphie worked efficiently at the lock, it was only a few seconds before they all heard an audible 'click'. A grinning Selphie looked up, "Done!"

            "Quick, everyone – change into something! Wear like city dwellers." She looked at the two other cadets, they were unsure of what to do. Rush looked at the girls, name tag, "Alena, find something not too striking, " And then looked at the boy's, "Quickly Nida, a t – shirt and shorts should do fine." They both hurried into the store. Rush took several seconds to pull out an outfit. It should do for the time being. It had arm warmers too, that should be good since she was freezing. The sleeveless black top clung to her like a second skin, and the shorts were cut above her knees, also black. The outer material was blue, and soft and went over the top while draping down to her boots like a misfit jacket except that it had no sleeves. It looked pretty good though, for all it's difference from the clothes back at Balamb. She pulled the yellow uniform SeeD ribbon from her hair, letting it down just past her shoulders.

            Selphie had chosen something completely suited for her, although the choice of colour was striking, Rush had to admit it looked good on her. Selphie bounded up to her, "Hey, Rush... nice outfit!" Rush mumbled a thanks, but Selphie was already twirling in front of her. The sunflower yellow dress that Selphie wore, looked so damn cute... if it hadn't screamed to an abrupt halt just past her crotch. Zell seemed to notice that too, as he came up to them, wearing a pair of humongous blue shorts with a short, black jacket. His eyes widened as he took in the image, Selphie looked like a doll, innocently sexy one at that.

            "C'mon, we have to move." Rush said. Nida and Alena appeared, wearing ordinary clothes, and dark colours, they had obviously taken her words seriously.

*          *          *

            "Where are you? I need you, to see you..."

            There would sometimes be images, of a lovely chestnut haired girl. She looked a little like him, with wide eyes and delicate bone structure. In his dreams he would see her, looking for him; calling his name. No matter how he screamed and yelled for her, she could never hear him, never see where he was. He could never hear her either, and throughout the emptiness... the memory of her searching kept him alive. For somewhere, somehow... she was waiting for him.

            But nowadays, his thought's and dreams were haunted by another girl, a darker haired one with the face of an angel. He shuddered when he thought about how close he had been to splitting her open, letting her blood soak the floor of his sanctuary. That would have probably desecrated it... but that wasn't his reason for letting her go. He had seen her once, in a vision. Vision? He wasn't sure what it was, but he was sure it was the same girl he had duelled with.

            He sat below a musty bridge, a steady pain increasing in his head. She was calling. This was routine, she was call and he would resist. The pain would increase until he could bear it no longer and would allow himself to be summoned to wait upon her pleasure. And every time, he would promise that he would not submit. But what are promises to oneself on the brink of excruciating pain like fire in the head? One day, he would be free. That he promised himself.

            The pain grew, and agony clutched him. Yes, she was calling.

            "When will you learn that you cannot resist me? Hmm?" Sorceress Edea a staggering image of beauty, with long dark hair that bordered on black that reached down to her knees; if you could look past the deadly coldness within those features, the hatred in those yellow eyes. "Where do you go, when I cannot reach you? Will you not tell?" She stepped in closer and put one hand on his shoulder, feeling it go rigid underneath. She wanted to tease him, to taste him, so she stepped in closer, bending her neck to his, letting her breath tickle before licking the salty skin. Felt him go tense, she smiled; her lips still at his collarbone. She roamed her hands about his body before stepping back to inspect him.

            The basement of the large house was gloomy and hardly any one entered. A good place to train the boy during his younger days. He was fluent in over six languages, could do mathematics like a breeze and could recite history and poems like a scholar. But he was yet to learn his own.

            The years had done much for Squall Leonhart. Edea sighed; at eighteen, the boyish figure had grown into a deliciously manly one. The shoulders were broad and hardened, the face a delight. He was so handsome, she thought, with the light brown hair and the faraway eyes. But then a hatred burned in a heart, he was SeeD. She would bed him just as she would kill him. What better way to slowly destroy SeeD, than to use their once most promising students? He had done better under her tutelage, merging magic and strength together. It still troubled her that he still resisted, but discipline would take care of that.

            "We have a slight problem," Edea purred.

            "Yes, mistress." Squall automatically said.

            "The SeeD's have failed their mission." She continued. Squall's eyes narrowed at the word. But he could not remember anything about it, just that it had an effect on him. "Seifer is still alive, and searching for you. He knows the truth, and must be eliminated."     

            "Yes, mistress."

            Edea's smile crept toward feline, "Good, but take care of that later. For now, look." She waved an arm in the air and Squall felt a shiver run upon his skin as he felt magic at work. "Look, I said."

            He glanced at where she had indicated. An image appeared, as if a wall had opened between two areas. There were five people, walking quietly but quickly. They spoke in whispers to each other and were dressed outlandishly. Except for the girl in quiet blue. They way she spoke, her movements showed differently. And her hair flowed like a midnight river past her shoulders. She was – ! Her again!

            "Hmm, she looks familiar." Edea said, her voice sounding thoughtful. "She's very young to be leading them. It's not a big wonder why they failed. It was a mistake to hire SeeD's to dispose of one of their own, but Seifer really is getting too close to the truth. I have a suspicion he has mentioned some of it to that girl, but for now, it is not important. She will have to go sooner or later. We will make it later, hmm?"

             Squall was still watching. The other girl, the one in yellow. Looking at her made him feel something, as it did when he looked at the young man with the spiked blond hair. They, we're somehow, in his past maybe... he felt like he knew them, though the practical side of him said that it was impossible.

            "Their mission must be compromised, whatever they are doing. They are not doing as ordered now. They are following the orders of that idiot girl." Edea played with her hair. "No, we should not kill her. Not yet, anyway. We should break her. One of her comrades should go. There the blond one who stands so protectively next to her."

            Squall felt himself relieve a breath, "Why do you look so tense?" Edea said, peering into his face, "Surely you have done this too many times already."

            "Yes, mistress. Consider it done." Edea fluidly moved close to him again, "Yes, I know. Think of all I've done for you. I've kept you after I found you, abandoned, left on the General's doorstep. Cared for you and raised you as my own."

            She lies...   

            Squall forced his thoughts and emotions deep. They should not interfere with her orders, but then he felt her move away, the exotic smell of her drifting lightly in the musky air and his mind screamed as she whispered, "Why not dispose of them all?"

*          *          *

            They were heading silently across rooftops of buildings. The train station was within sight now, and all their spirits were rising. The trail was narrow so they were travelling in lines of one and two. Selphie and Zell had begun to bicker again. Rush sighed, "What now, guys?"

            Selphie spoke, "We were supposed to get back to Balamb on Garden vehicles, but of course, since everything's gone wrong and we we're captured. Probably assumed dead. So, we don't have any gil to get tickets. Then, I suggested that we steal a train." Selphie visibly brightened up at the thought.

            "And I said she was crazy. What kind of trouble would that put Garden into? Stealing trains from Deling City, of all the ideas!" Zell said, with slight exasperation creeping into his voice. "There has to be another way." Beside him, Alena nodded her head in silent agreement. She was beginning to become attached to Zell, something that Rush had not failed to notice.

            Rush thought a moment. "But we're not in SeeD uniform..." Selphie broke into a large grin. Rush returned it almost laughing, but then it faltered. She felt a presence nearby, one she had met before. What's happening to me? Am I getting premonitions now? It's him, I can feel it...

            Selphie's voice was tired, but edged with fear as she whispered, "What is it?"

            "We're being watched, can't you feel it? Selphie take rear guard for a minute, take Alena and Nida with you. Zell, you're here with me." Selphie shuffled quietly away, taking the two cadets with her.

            "Are you crazy now? We should be running by now, not waiting to be attacked! Look, there's the station. Let's go, steal a train if me must!" Zell had a grip on one of her arms, she understood his concern. But... would she fight and run again? No, she had questions of her own to ask him. She would ask him, even if she would hear the answers in his gasping last breaths.

            "Rush, what's wrong. I've never questioned your judgement, until now!"

            "Quiet! He's here somewhere." Rush said.

            "Who's here? Leaving you here is out of the question, but disobeying you could result in me not becoming a SeeD. C'mon, Rush. Just give the order and we'll steal the train, uniforms and all." Zell was halfway to pleading.

            The shot was clear. The young blond man was talking to a figure he couldn't quite see. He was standing dangerously near to the side of the building.  His arms moved furiously as he talked, trying to look even convincing to himself. The man shifted, and suddenly Squall had a perfect view and confirmation of target. The tattoo was strange, that was true… but he wasn't asking any questions. Squall still had to question himself on why he chose tranquilizers instead of just plain bullets. He aimed carefully and released the shot. It flew true to target and Squall could mentally hear the 'thud' of the tranquilizer burying in flesh. What he didn't expect was, naturally – what was to happen.

            Rush stared at the strange network of expressions upon Zell's face. His mouth was partially open, as if he had some important question or statement but could not word it. Her confusion turned to alarm as Zell lost his footing and began to spiral downwards; he would fall.  She ran towards him with her arms outstretched. No matter how fast she tried to go, it only seemed she went slower as time stood still and Zell fell over the side.

            "No! Zell!" She yelled, her knees buckled as she crumpled to the ground; half sobbing and half in shock. Her arms gripped the sides, she crouched looking downward, seeing his unmoving form laying upon the dirty roadside. She crouched, unable to believe what just happened. 

            Squall had never felt so transfixed in his life. He was rooted, he couldn't move. He watched as a girl had run, her beautiful face scrunched in anguish. She had run too late, she had known to be wise while hiding in the shadows, but he knew now that she was cursing it. Each footstep she took vibrated in his head, he was intoxicated with the way her hair blew wildly behind her, dark as a crows wings flapping in the night. He had done what he had come to do – but he could not tear away.

            She looked down for a very long time, contemplating her next action when her face suddenly went white. She realized she was in somebody's view. Very clever…  Squall felt a stirring somewhere deep within, and knew for a certainty that nothing in the world would make him take a second shot. From where he stood he could feel her. He imagined skin upon skin, her hands upon his body... the way her hands had touched his face, the shared breath between kisses...  

            No! He would not allow those images to cloud his mind. This girl was dangerously alluring. Everything would go back to normal later. He would think of that later, he would question himself later. Who else was there to ask?

            "Selphie!" She managed to choke out.

            A clatter of feet came, "What – ?" Selphie looked at Rush and then peered over the edge, her eyes brimming with tears. "Oh no, dear gods. Zell." Then she quickly shook her head, she couldn't lose hope now. They were so close to getting out of here. "No, it can't be. He's not dead." Selphie bent over and roughly taking Rush by both arms, she gave her a rough shake. Seeing the despair in Rush's eyes had anger seething in Selphie's.

            "Alena, Nida. Quickly, you need to secure us a train out of here. Steal one, bash the guards, just do it – SeeD honour be damned. Both of you have had enough training. Rush and me will be over with Zell. Understood?"

            Both of them nodded, but doubt still clouded their eyes as they moved to getting about it. Selphie had seen it and yelled out after them, "Just do it! I know you can." Then her voice softened as she looked down at Rush. "Have faith, I believe you can."