Fray Of The Lion Hearted

After receiving his pay from 'the good kid', Maxwell did not delay to head over to his office where his bustling secretary was most likely waiting with tons of messages. He was a renowned real-estate, most likely to go to hell for his pride. Some considered him self-centered but it was only arrogance. He was a self-important bastard and he acknowledged that with a grain of salt.

So, being the conceited asshole he was known to be, it displeased him to see the good-natured Ellone, upon his arrival, was awaiting his council without the slightest trace of an appointment, "Good day, Mr. Maxwell … I was wondering if you could grace me with your knowledge of the recent buys and sells of the residential market? Of course, I won't take 'no' as an answer …" Ellone smiled and strode into his private bureau.

He emitted an annoyed growl from the back of his throat, "You never take 'no' as an answer." He replied and shut the door so the conversation could be private, "What is it now, Miss Ellone? What … false hooded story are you going to type up about my agency this time? That we charge too high a commission and our deals are of mediocre quality?" Though he tried making his vocabulary graceful, his harsh, southern accent did not leave him.

"Why no, no …" Ellone looked shocked at his hypothesis, "Now, why would I do that to such a dear, old friend?" She faked a look of sympathy that instantly hardened, "Well, taking aside the fact that you sold my poor, dying mother a house that, five months later, had a caving roof, leaking pipes and sinking floors. Let's not mingle with the past, I think it'd be safer for you." She finished off quickly and proceeded to the real reason why she was here, "So, had any big buyers lately?"

Maxwell smiled as pleasantly as possible, "This is a prestige real estate agency, Miss Loire … we have nothing other than big buyers. Well, your mother was an exception and she should be grateful for what she did wind up with. This isn't charity, you know."

Ellone scornfully snapped back, "Well, she can't exactly appreciate it, she's dead. Save your condolences, I'm not really sure I want your sympathy … that is, if you've got any to spare." Her eyes blazed as she continued on, elegantly stringing her words together, "No, I've come here for other reasons. If my instincts have led me on correctly, and they always do, you've recently had a customer with a fistful of money named Mr. Leonhart … Squall Leonhart. Do my senses deceive me?"

Maxwell leaned back in slight surprise. How had she known? He brushed off his curiosity as usual and managed to respond sophisticatedly, "I'm not in liberty to discuss the bargains with my previous or present clients. All my customers retain privacy on their buys and sells … it's a policy here, Miss Loire, to keep out pesky reporters from interfering with the lives of whomever affiliates themselves with us."

Ellone smiled victoriously, "So, he happened to drop by today, hmm? Excellent … now if you'll just jot down his new address for me and I'll be on my merry way." She tossed him a pad of paper from the corner of his polished rosewood desk.

His eyes shifted from the paper to her, "I don't know how you came upon the knowledge that Mr. Leonhart bought himself a domain however, under no circumstances, will I sell out his address to someone as nosey as you. If that's all, I'll gladly show you to the door …" He heaved himself form his chair and opened her pathway for an exit.

Ellone sat, unmoving in her seat, "You can close that, I'm not half-way done with you. I refuse to leave until you give me that address, Maxwell … and call the cops, by all means, go ahead … of course, then I'll have to let it slip that maybe this isn't such a nice, comely, innocent enterprise and there's actually a lot of fraud and robbery involved. So how about it? You wanna … talk business?"

IRVINE CAUTIOUSLY STRODE into his stepsister's messy office. Papers overflowed the desk with pens weighing them down as she had opened a window to let the cool breeze in. She was standing, a chair pushed aside, leaning over work using her arms as strong pillars of support. Occasionally, she would follow a given line with her index finger. Irvine cleared his throat to announce his presence.

"Yes?" She asked absent-mindedly, drowning in the mass of contracts.

Irvine casually sauntered to a chair and plopped himself down, "I was just wondering how everything was going …" He trailed off without aim, "You know … well, how did you sleep last night?"

"With my eyes close." She responded nastily, "How the fuck else am I suppose to sleep?"

Irvine blinked in surprise but was quick to recovery. He was used to these moods by now. The poor stepbrother had dealt with them for eight years and counting. "Ah, good point. Forgive me." He remained silent until another icebreaker would come to him. His eyes watched her closely as she studied the papers. Finally, he spoke again, "What was Ellone doing here anyways, if I may ask?"

"She came to see me, is there a problem?" Her face rose from her desk and her eyes locked on his, "Ellone was here to discuss some matters with me, is all. Would you like a word-on-word review of the conversation or can you be satisfied with this blurb of information, like any good man who can mind his own goddamn business?"

"Woah, ok, sorry I asked." Irvine raised his hands in surrender, "I'll back off on your 'private matters' … I was just asking what she wanted. Anyways, I wanted to apologize again for earlier this morning, I was just a little bit emotional. I hope you won't hold it against me …" He left his sentence hanging, refusing to outline the question that was behind it.

"Of course not." Rinoa sighed and returned to her papers, "Meanwhile, if you can get me a cup of coffee, I'd appreciate it. Oh, and while you're at it … might as well get me Nicholas on the line. Tell him it's urgent."

SQUALL PICKED UP the clothes that Rinoa had bought for him, packed up what little possessions he had, and left the Diabolos HQ, once again thanking the big boss and assuring him that if he ever needed any services, he could always call upon him. The Diabolos wished him luck and he was overjoyed at the prospect of having his own little place to call home again.

On the way back to his apartment, he decided to drop by a mall. It had been a while since he had gone 'shopping' and he generally had bad memories about it. Shopping with Rinoa had never been an enthralling experience, strategically covered with questions like 'Do you think this would fit me?'. You always had to be careful with those questions. If you answered 'No', you were a dead man and if you answered 'Yes' you had to make damn well sure to look genuine or else.

Men and shopping simply did not mix, or so he thought. As much as he liked seeing Rinoa trying on different outfits, he feared the asking of his opinion and the hole it left in the bank account. He was used to removing the clothes, not picking them out for her. There was a gap of difference.

His trip to the shopping center was short and sweet. He dropped by a sports store and picked up a pair of running shoes, and then he proceeded to a dressy men's wear boutique. Rinoa had forgotten to include 'fancy clothes' in her gift. He picked out a white shirt, black dress pants and a clean-yet-casual jacket. No ties were necessary; he didn't know how to knot them properly. To complete his clothes selection, he bought a pair of black shoes.

Thinking that he had enough shopping to last him through six months (at least), Squall headed towards the exit but was stopped short when he saw, through a glass panel, tiny, newborn, furry little kittens, playing with yarn balls and being exposed symbolically to pleading children, "Mommy, please I want that one!" A short, curly blond haired girl tugged on her mother's purse.

Squall approached the glass and watched the cats pounce and tumble around. Some were sleeping, others were prowling around toys. He nearly caught himself thinking, "Aw, aren't they so adorable?" Fortunately, he stopped himself in time. His eyes fell upon a particular little kitten, raven in color with big, bright blue eyes that resembled large, glowing marbles. It was doing a great job of leaping onto the other kittens' backs. "Can I help you, sir?" The clerk standing next to him asked.

"Yes." Squall shocked himself with his answer, "I want that one." He pointed at the ebony kitten, "Just … pack up all that comes with it … I'll take him." After his declaration, he stopped himself to think, "Did … I just buy a fricken' cat?"

The clerk smiled and opened the expository cage. He reached for Squall's choice kitten and carried it over to the cash where he dropped it in a box. He closed the box, retrieved a bag of cat food, the odd toy, a litter pan and the special sand that went in the litter box. The cashier packed up the paraphernalia and announced the price for everything. Squall reached into his wallet and paid, sending the salesclerk into a great speech informing the new owner that this cat was fully treated, it had been neutered, and how much it should be fed a day. Squall half-listened, still wondering why he had decided to suddenly own a cat. A cat. Why not a dog, a parrot, a fish … a hamster?

Clutching the box and shopping bags, he numbly went back to his car. He threw the bags in the back seat and set the box in the passenger's seat. He drove silently back to his apartment, occasionally jumping at the incessant meows coming from the carton. After much pawing and pushing, the kitten was able to poke his head through the top of his card boarded cage. "What the hell are you doing?" Squall snapped at the cat.

The kitten let off a loud meow and Squall, still watching the road, hissed back at it, "What the hell was I thinking? Christ, what was so special about you anyways?" He let off a sigh. "Well, now I've got my own pain in the ass … just like old times." It then hit him like a pillowcase filled with bricks. Why had he so impulsively purchased this bundle of fur? A raven kitten, playfully pouncing on its brothers and sisters … purring, giving him cute looks. Rinoa.

He groaned in frustration and slammed his head down on the steering wheel when he came to a red light, "YOU!" He pointed to the cat, "ARE THE WORK OF THE DEVIL!" He felt a tiny kitten tongue lick the tip of his accusatory finger. "CHRIST, YOU ARE EXACTLY LIKE HER!" He then progressed to accusing himself, "Such a goddamn, fucking weak asshole! What is wrong with you? Why can't you forget her? What the hell made her so fucking special?"

He parked in his private garage and headed to the elevator that was located right in the parking lot. He pressed for the 20th floor, carrying all his possessions. Squall entered his new cozy home and threw everything everywhere. The bags of clothing were tossed in his room, the cat was let loose and he proceeded to settling his new roommate in. He filled one bowl with cat food, the other with cold water. He set up the litter box in the laundry room and then collapsed on the couch.

The kitten seemed to smile at him from atop the coffee table and Squall could only glare in return, "What the fuck are you looking at?" The kitten tilted his head to the side and meowed, "Now I suppose you want a fricken' name, eh?" Squall glowered darkly at the animal, "How does 'Peanut Butter' sound? Or 'Miffy' … 'Fluffy' …" His list continued on sarcastically, "Or … oh, I think we have a winner, how does 'FUCKER' sound? Or maybe 'TRAITOR' … or 'BITCH'." He stopped himself short.

The cat had done nothing wrong. Though it resembled Rinoa in its mannerisms, it was a kitten. A kitten that he had purchased at 'Purrfect Pets'. Why was he taking out his anger on a poor, innocent creature, "Sorry." He began to sound crazy, even to himself, "You know, lots of emotional strain lately. Are you a guy or a chick? 'Cause you know, there was this chick … maybe you know what I'm talking about, but you don't look old enough. Anyways … there was this … gorgeous, amazing, smart girl that I thought … I thought that maybe … maybe … she was in love with me. I'm … I'm sure was in love with her." He shook his head, "This is ridiculous … I'm talking to a cat- I'M TALKING TO A FUCKING CAT!" He exclaimed loudly and jumped from the couch.

There was a knock at the door and a terrible feeling struck him that he may have been overheard. He answered the call and saw someone he never wished to see again, "Oh, no … not you!" Squall snapped and slammed the door shut. Another knock was heard, "GO AWAY!" He yelled back but the knocking persisted, "ELLONE, I DON'T WANT TO FRICKIN' SEE YOU!"

Since he realized that she would obviously not walk away from his door, he swung it open again just as she was about to deliver another knock, "What do you want, and make it quick." He greeted through clenched teeth.

"So … you were talking to a cat?" Squall glared at her reproachfully but she objected, "Oh, if you want to continue your conversation, feel more than welcome to. I'll just wait in the other room." She slipped into his apartment and he shut the door behind her, "How's my favorite little brother doing?"

Squall rubbed his temples, knowing she wasn't going to leave any time soon. "Nice place …" Ellone complimented and looked around, "So like you … to take it fully furnished. I mean, I expected no less from someone who sucks at decorating without tearing down the walls."

"What do you want, Ellone?" Squall repeated impatiently, "And how the hell did you find me in the first place?"

Ellone plopped down on the couch and pet the kitten that only purred in return, "Oh, interesting story … I went to see Rinoa today and at my inquiry of your whereabouts, she mentioned that she had paid off her debt to you. Now, I know the first thing you'd be looking for is a home and so I went directly to Maxwell. It took some threatening but I was able to weasel out your address. I shouldn't show my face in his office again unless I want his revolver to be aimed at my forehead."

"Good for you, Ellone." Squall sighed and didn't make a move to continue the discussion.

"Rinoa was looking kind of down … perhaps you would know why she looked so gloomy and sad?" Ellone asked innocently.

"Why the hell would I know?" He snapped angrily, "And what the hell were you doing in her office anyways? Still the greatest friends, I see."

"Yeah, some things'll never change, what can I say?" The young journalist replied calmly, "But anyways, you're ok, right?" Ellone didn't even wait for him to answer, "Of course you're not ok, silly of me to ask. By looking at you and overhearing the conversation with this lovely kitten has more than convinced me of what needs to be done." Squall looked at her in angry shock but she twittered on happily, "You know, this is the opportune moment, Squall … you shouldn't bury your past relationship or dismiss it … you should try and renew it. Sow back the loose ends."

"Are you stupid?" Squall blurted out in a blind rage, "SHE SHOT ME IN THE FRICKEN' SHOULDER! Then, then she told me that I was smalltime. Then, she bailed me from jail, handed me .5 of a million and told me to go fuck myself! Opportune moment, SHOVE IT UP YOUR ASS!"

Ellone shook a warning finger at him, "Tut, tut, my broken hearted sibling. The girl has very good reasons for what she's done. Actually … they're so sweet. I mean, she didn't tell me these reasons but I have a gift for the guess. It's unimaginable how cute her reasons are … I mean, it's … just so adorable."

Squall looked at his sister as though she was insane, "Adorable? Her … her reasoning … her reasoning behind setting me up is … cute …" He stared at her in total disbelief, "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?"

"Don't scream and look at me like that, Squall Leonhart. You seem to forget that I'm still the elder here." Ellone pouted and crossed her arms, "You are completely ignorant of her reasons so don't tell me I'm crazy. You're being utterly childish here! How can you dare accuse her of treason when you don't know the logic behind it all? As unbelievable as this may seem to you, don't you think she may have very valid explanation? You falsely accuse her, my dearest little brother."

Ellone took a deep breath and resumed her lecture, "Innocent until proven guilty, though don't think I'm saying she's as pure as the Virgin Mary. You deserve to hear her excuses and then I will allow you to make a full judgment on her. She owes you the answers to all the little questions that swarm within that thick skull of yours. So all I ask of you, is to take up a rendezvous with her, and that will certainly not be a problem."

"Listen, Ellone, I won't ever see Rinoa ever again. It's finished." Squall's voice was even and calm. It was like ice shards through his sister's heart.

Contrary to Squall's, her voice was beginning to quaver, "So you're just going to mark her with a black cross like you did with me and mom?" She tried to swallow back the tears that stung her eyes, "How can you do that to her?" Ellone's voice rose in anger, "Mom loved you, Squall. I love you! She loves you more than anyone else on this fucking planet! Has it ever occurred to you that maybe, maybe you're just not making it any easier on us?"

Squall dismissed the fact that his sister was on the verge of tears, "Mom fucking loved me, eh? Go to hell, Ellone! Mom wanted me to be fricken' perfect, 'Oh go to Balamb Garden, Squall … so many fucking opportunities!' What a goddamn lie! All mom was hoping for is that I'd marry some goddamn rich bitch and get the family out of the fucking slums! I may be selfish, but I certainly got it from her. All mom wanted-"

"All mom wanted is for you to be happy!" Ellone yelled back, "She gave the best of her to you, Squall … she did what she thought was right and still she died, helpless and alone without your pardon. Not that she needed your pardon; you're the one who needed the pardon! She would have forgiven you for everything you've said to her but now it's too goddamn late!" Ellone stopped to catch a sobbing breath, "Now, I'm trying to help you … I'm trying to help you reconcile with the only person who can save you."

Squall roared back, "SAVE ME? She's the only one who can 'save me'? Save me from what? What do I need to be saved from? I can take care of my own goddamn self."

"Hasn't it ever occurred to you … that you're the problem in every fricken' relationship you've ever had?" Ellone questioned viciously, "Has it ever occurred to you that maybe Rinoa was trying to love you, as afraid as she was to actually fall in love, and you just ended up making it worse? You're so fucking unlovable! You've got these mood swings, sometimes your approachable, sometimes you're repelling, sometimes you feel like joking around, sometimes you feel like ripping someone's heart out! How do you expect her to be sure that you love her? How do you expect her to deal with that? She tried … but coping with her problems and yours was too much."

Squall remained bitterly silent so Ellone continued shakily, "I'm not sure if you can figure out what her own problems out … which I doubt because it's not like you asked. I just wished you'd understand. I won't make you … but whether or not you realize it, she's the only one who'll ever love you like that. Really love you. You just have to run a part of the mile and tell her to run her part as well. But you know, fuck it … you two can just stay where you are … and you can die alone … just like mom. The only difference is that she didn't deserve it." Ellone picked up her purse and showed herself the way out of the apartment, slamming the door on her way.

I took their smiles and I made them mine

I sold my soul just to hide the light

And now I see what I really am,

A thief, a whore and a liar

I run to you,

Call out your name,

I see you there, father away

Squall fidgeted with his hands before slamming his fist on the nearby wall. He entered his room, threw himself on the bed and glared at the ceiling above. "The only one who can save me from myself … the only one who can love me like this … why do I believe it?"

MEANWHILE RINOA HAD resolved to simply sitting in her chair, massaging her temples in an attempt to ease the migraine that simply would not leave her. It was impossible to concentrate on the contracts and Nicholas could not yet be reached. She was in no mood for work.

The Syndicate's head woman sighed and whimpered slightly. "If Squall were here he'd let me sleep and do all the work." She gave a little pout, "Why the hell was I so affected with what Ellone said? Fine … what if … what if I hypothetically admitted that once upon a time, I loved him … probably more than any other man in my life. What would it change now? Even if once upon a time, I … depended, wait … no, wrong word, I don't depend on anybody … even if I did … rely … damn, same thing." She groaned, "Hell, no one's around to hear my thoughts except me …"

I'm numb to you ... numb and deaf and blind.

You give me all but the reason why.

I reach but I only feel air at night

Not you, not love, just nothing.

I run to you,

Call our your name,

I see you there, father away

"Fine, I was once very dependent of him. I missed him after two days and he was as important as oxygen. I was in love with him, though it scared me, I couldn't help what I felt … and what about now? After knowing that he probably hates me now … do I still love him? I mean … does my thinking of him all the time instantly label me as 'in love'? I thought I had let go … maybe, maybe it's just physical love." Her thoughts were strung together painstakingly.

Try to forget you,

But without you I feel nothing.

Don't leave me here, by myself.

I can't breath,

I run to you,

Call out your name,

I see you there, farther away

She felt suddenly very angry, "How can I promise myself not to fall in love and be independent of every man? How do I keep such a stupid, impossible promise? So fine, I was in love with Squall Leonhart, I was dependant of his presence, his touch, his everything. It scared my half to death, I did what I did to save myself, let's turn the fucking page, move on up and forget him because I can't start dwelling on the past."

But Rinoa Heartilly had dwelt in the past her entire life. Her mother had been far from forgotten and Squall Leonhart wasn't even buried. Love was never forgotten. It faded, dissipated, died … but never was it obliterated from memory. Her 'dependency' had tied her down too deep throughout her life. Her mother, the alcohol, the drugs and Squall Leonhart all belonged in one category. To separate from chemicals was something she had been strong enough to do. Could she cut the threads with individuals? Then again, she had been carrying her mother for seven years and counting.

I run to you,

Call out your name,

I see you there, farther away,

Farther away,

Farther away,

Farther away,

Farther away,

… Farther away …

Note: Well, I'm slightly afraid to say this because I think it may discourage you, but I'm very pleased with the reviews I've been getting lately. Thank you all very much for the feedback but PLEASE … don't stop there. I need to improve and to do that, I need your opinion on my work. So … PLEASE REVIEW … I love you, all … really …

Additional Disclaimer: The song used in this chapter is called 'Farther Away' and it is sung by the omnipotent band 'Evanescence' … everyone bow down to their amazing music and the stunning vocals.