Savior
By Leanne Ashley


Quick summary: (AU) SeeD battles Ultimecia & her followers. When a prophecy foretells the coming of a savior (Sorceress Rinoa) SeeD, led by Squall, is ordered to protect her from Galbadia's assassins as she journeys to defeat Ultimecia. Squall/Rinoa

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Chapter 18: Back To Where We Lasted
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Almost immediately, Rinoa's eyes fluttered open in surprise as if awakening from a nightmare-driven sleep. Before returning to its natural brown vibrancy, her eyes flashed a tint of serpent-like gold before being restored. Her sorceress abilities had once again assisted her in a quick recovery.

Squall stared down at her in bewilderance. "Rinoa!"

"Heyyy!" Selphie squealed. "You're okay!"

With some uncertainty, Rinoa glanced around and propped herself up against her arms. She looked tiredly up at Squall with a rather doubtful expression. "…When is it?"

He exchanged glances with the others before looking back down at her. "You weren't passed out long. It's still a day before the alignment."

"Rinoa, what happened? Did you get hit by one of those blue orb things?" Zell asked.

She blinked rapidly and placed a hand to her forehead. "Yeah… I'm okay. It just got a little intense…"

Squall frowned at her. "Are you sure?" You look exhausted…

Forcing a smile, she waved a hand casually in the air to dismiss any unneeded severity on the matter. "I'm fine," she assured. "I've wasted time actually… I'm sorry."

"Nah, don't be sorry!" Irvine laughed. "Could've been any one of us!"

"Although we probably wouldn't have survived," Quistis pointed out.

"You're great in these situations, Quisty," Irvine said shaking his head. "Real optimistic."

Squall turned his back and began rubbing the back of his neck. There it was… that uncomfortable feeling again. His natural defense system began fighting off the rush of feelings he had felt while Rinoa was unconscious. Combined with the earlier conversation with Irvine, the stress, and the doubt… things started to feel a bit…hazy. He didn't know how to stop himself as he opened his mouth to speak. "You shouldn't have wandered off on your own anyway, what the hell were you thinking?"

Everyone looked up at him in shock of his sudden sharpness towards her. Rinoa; however, raised an eyebrow, but didn't look the least bit surprised. "I'm sorry," she repeated.

Way to speak out your ass, you moron… "Fine, whatever. Just stay close," he said with a faint hint of sincerity. With that, he marched back towards the Ragnarok.

Rinoa simply stared after him as Quistis and Zell helped her to her feet. "Rinoa, remember what I told you…" Quistis whispered.

"'It's just the way he is sometimes.'" Rinoa quoted tediously. "It's alright, you guys. I've got a fairly good understanding of him now…"

A rather odd smile took over her lips as she proceeded back to the Ragnarok.

Placing her hands on her hips, Selphie glanced back at the others. "Did anyone else just find that really weird…?"


It was the night before the final alignment. The eve to Ultimecia's forthcoming. A matter of hours before the unimaginable. The stars didn't seem to mind as they continued to shine their brilliance throughout the night sky. Or perhaps they knew…and it was their last balled of hope to all those justifying their freedom. The night felt so calm and perpetual, who would've thought that an apocalypse was so dangerously close?

While everyone else sat around the campfire, Rinoa stood off to the side staring up into the infinite darkness. After traveling deeper into the island, she now knew where the Gates of Time were located. They were all close enough to pursue it at daybreak. There was no turning back.

The tension began to build, particularly around Zell as he spontaneously punched Squall in the shoulder. "So what the hell was that, huh?"

"What's your deal?!" Squall growled angrily. "Are you not getting this whole 'mind your own business' thing?"

Zell glanced behind him quickly to make sure Rinoa wasn't listening before he turned back to argue further. "All I'm sayin' is that your anger management issues couldn't have come at a worse time!"

"Zell, please…" Quistis warned quietly.

"It has to be said!" Zell hissed. "This might be it for Rinoa and you're bitching about some pretty goddamn awful things right before! Is that really helping either of you?"

Squall simply shrugged and looked away without speaking. Guess there IS some wisdom in that bantering jackass…

Rinoa turned and approached them, obviously provoked by the detection of cataclysm. "Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine, Rinoa." Quistis said as she shot a warning glance towards Squall and Zell. "Don't let us bother you."

She nodded and wandered back to where she was alone with her thoughts.

Squall stared after her until only her darkened silhouette could be seen against the moonlight. Sighing angrily, he leaned over and placed a hand to his forehead. What the hell is wrong with me? Why am I pushing everything away like this? One minute I can't stay away from her, and then the next…

He glared out at himself. I really did get screwed up after Rin left…Everything I feel has to be mixed with something else; there can never be anything solid. What a fucking barrel of laughs.

Lowering his hand from his forehead, he looked over to watch Rinoa. He had no idea what she thought of him now…it worried him actually. Maybe I should apologize…he thought hesitantly. But then what am I suppose to say? Sorry I snapped…? Sorry I said I didn't love you when… He continued to watch her in silence. I don't love her…I can't love her… Squall shook his head in frustration. God, I don't know anymore…

Uncertainty was the only thing he knew for sure.

"Well!" Selphie announced as her perky voice broke the silence. "Think I'll catch a little shut-eye. Wouldn't wanna fall asleep during time compression."

"I hear ya," Irvine agreed. He lay down and tipped his hat over his eyes. "See y'all in the morning."

"Rinoa!" Zell called. "We're hittin' the hay!"

She turned and smiled with a wave of her hand. "You guys go ahead. I'm not tired."

As Quistis and Zell soon fell asleep along with Irvine and Selphie, Squall was still left awake by the fire. The soft crackling and faint ember fireflies did very little to fill the void. Not that sleep felt like an option… he figured he would stay up and keep watch considering they were in the middle of a monster-infested island.

He would glance up occasionally at Rinoa who still remained so fixated on the night sky. She seemed so strong and yet… fragile at the same time. With the weight of the world on her shoulders, the fate of her destiny just hours away…with everything staring her in the face…she was still so brave. So serene.

He narrowed his eyes in a discombobulated manner when she began to walk farther away than he would've liked. Considering she had her blaster-edge with her, she probably would've been fine on her own. But Squall, without thinking twice, grabbed his gunblade and ran after her anyway.

"Hey!" he called. "Where are you going?"

Rinoa glanced back at him and stopped abruptly. "Oh, I just wanted to see the view from the edge. I'm sorry if I woke you."

"I was awake," he said as he propped his weapon against his shoulder. "It's dangerous out here. I told you to stay close to me."

She smiled and brushed away the strands of hair that fell against her face. "Care to join me then?"

He glanced around, half expecting her to have been speaking to someone else. "Fine…" he sighed with typical reluctancy. "You just wanted to look over the edge?"

"Right in that clearing up ahead."

He shrugged. "Lead the way."

When they approached the clearing, Rinoa sat and hugged her knees at the edge of the cliff as she quietly resumed stargazing. Squall, unsure of what to say, awkwardly sat down next to her and helped her watch.

He knew he owed her an apology… or some sort of explanation at least. But she didn't seem the least bit angry or upset. Perhaps it was just her way... Forgiving. Of course, she had other things to think about. That was obvious.

"Rinoa…" he began mildly. "Look, about what I said…"

"How strong are the monsters out there?" Rinoa interrupted quickly.

Huh? "What?"

"Out there," she said as she pointed behind them. "Behind us. How strong would you say?"

Is... she toying with me? "Well… the stronger monsters are down below. We're higher up so the ones up here wouldn't be too difficult to kill."

"Good to know…" she said as she got up quickly to her feet.

He watched her with confusion as she began to fasten the weapon that was attached to her arm. "So… same wager as before?" she asked.

What is she…? Oh, right… Squall couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head. "We still never wagered anything…"

She laughed with him and grabbed his arm to force him to his feet. "Then you remember…I'm glad. C'mon, let's go. I probably won't get another chance."

Even though the air was slightly disturbed by her last sentence, he got up willingly and fought beside her. Back to back, just the way they always had back in the training center. Squall with his gunblade, Rinoa with her blaster-edge. Competing against each other to mask the fact that they were actually working together. A team. A friendship. But she was distressingly right… perhaps there wouldn't be another chance?

What if I won't get another chance…

As another monster charged at him, Squall ripped his gunblade through its chest and pushed it off before calling out to her. "Rinoa!"

She was busy aiming her weapon but glanced up at him. "What is it?"

"We-" Squall paused to duck from the swinging tail of another monster. "We have to talk!"

"What did you say?"

"I said-!" he was stopped again when the monster took another swing. The aggressive blue dragon was starting to get on his nerves. "Hold on," he said as he slashed his gunblade across the dragon's side. It roared in fury and tried again to lash its jaws at the young boy. Squall dodged it and brought his weapon down hard on the dragon's neck, ending its life instantly.

Tired, he wiped the sweat from his brow and watched Rinoa successfully kill the last monster that could be seen in the area. Breathing heavily, she caught her metal disc in midair and attached it back to her arm. She smiled softly at him before giving a slight nod of gratitude for his company.

As Rinoa left to return to the clearing, Squall moved quickly infront of the raven-haired girl and slammed his hand against the closest tree, blocking her escape with his arm.

"We have to talk," he repeated in a more forceful tone. His bold move surprised her as she timidly looked up at him.

"Okay…" she answered quietly.

He looked away and sighed. This was going to be tough. "What I said to Irvine and Zell… I didn't…" It took all of his strength just to look her directly in the eye. "… I didn't mean it."

Rinoa's eyes remained placid as she stared up deeply into his. When he opened his mouth again to actually apologize, she stopped him by resting a finger against his lips. "I know…" she said as she maneuvered around him. He could only stare after her-completely speechless from her understanding demeanor.

"Hey!" Rinoa called suddenly. Her voice broke the trance and he quickly made his way back to the mountain's edge where she waited.

"You missed the shooting star!" she exclaimed when he arrived.

"So…?"

"Well, excuse me for being excited," she pouted. "The last time I saw one was…that night at the celebration banquet." She turned to smile at him coyly. "Right before I got you to dance with me…"

Squall smirked and folded his arms. "You just had to, huh?"

"I was trying to get you to talk to me," she reminded. "SeeD members dance quite well, don't they?"

He shook his head. "It's not part of my job description."

She laughed and he let himself give her a half-smile. Turning his back to her, he stared out over the edge and watched the perpetual twilight shine around him. It really was something so rare and unappreciated.

"A lot's happened since then," he said in the midst of his gaze. "That all feels like it was years ago…"

"I kinda miss how it went on forever…" Rinoa admitted softly. "Now it feels like nothing's slowing us down."

It was that fatal realization again. That tormenting possibility. It was quite possibly his last chance to be honest.

"Rinoa…" Squall began as he lowered his eyes. "I don't wanna lose you after this…"

She could only watch his back with glassy eyes as he lowered his head somewhat mournfully.

I don't want to lose you either…

Without speaking, Rinoa walked slowly forward and clutched him from behind. As she wrapped her arms tightly around Squall's waist, he could feel her warmth while she buried herself against his back. Setting his mouth in a firm, unwavering line, he placed a hand upon hers as she continued to hold onto him for dear life.

As she rested the side of her face against Squall's shoulder blade, she prayed that he couldn't sense the tears that slid from her eyes. She had wanted to tell him so much that night. It was almost torture to not speak her heart and soul just as he had…but her true feelings would only sadden the both of them more so then now. And 'now' was too late. All she could do was cherish what was left and what they could remember together.

I love you, Squall…you'll know everything soon enough…

She couldn't utter a word as she cried silently against his back. The sun was rising.

It was finally time.


Authors note: Gah.. lol okay I can't reveal anything but this is another VERY important chapter to come back to after you read the ending. Anyway, this was another "relationship-development" part obviously.. kinda boring i know lol I had actually intended to have them cross over the Gates of Time in this chapter but it just kept going :) Okay but enough of that! The next chapters are all blood, violence and evilness in general lol Ultimecia's castle is next... (Thanks for the reviews! You're all swell :D)