Author's Note: I decided to write this fanfiction as it merges two of my favorite story/ characters together (Final FantasyVIII and House of Flying Daggers) I think the love triangle that was hinted at between Squall, Rinoa and Seifer would suite an ancient China style setting!
Disclaimer: I don't own any aspects of Final Fantasy VIII...Shame!
The persistently falling snowflakes lightly coated all elements that made up the beautiful land of the north. It created a thin pallid layer on his exquisite garments, unevenly coated his russet hair and softly clung to his flawless face before slowly dissolving. As Squall meandered through the great Bamboo Barrier thoughts bustled through his mind, drowning out the soft creaking of the towering bamboo as it swayed slightly and the crisp sound of his footsteps on the thickly snow covered ground. His thoughts were of her or what he could recall of her. It had been countless years since he had left the great empire of Qin to receive training in combat from the Wux monks. Though he had emotionally distanced himself from her in order to achieve certain aspects of his life, such as his constant studying of Wushu, he was now beginning to regret being cold towards this lighthearted beauty.
The Qin Empire was one of the larger kingdoms that fabricated the northern continent, however even though being one of the more dominate kingdoms it often suffered assaults from rebel alliances of the smaller realms. This constant threat of civil war concerned Qin's Emperor, who established an army in hopes to defend his land as well as construct the great Bamboo Barrier that enclosed the Qin Empire.
Amongst the warmth of Qin's citadel Rinoa fumbled with the shutter's latch, attempting to open it. The shutters sung open and the harsh, icy winter winds flurried in. Her lips formed a content smile. She could feel the soft flakes of snow, brush against her finely structured face, the wind gently rake through her flowing, dark hair. It were times such as these that she wished her eyes could witness the snow slowly descend from the grey heavens and fall upon the tiled rooftops of the empire's wooden houses yet she saw only darkness.
"Miss! Please, you shouldn't open the window!" Came the girlish voice of her maid, Noriko, as she hurriedly crossed the floor of Rinoa's room to shut out the bitter wind. Once she had secured the shutters Noriko turned to her mistress. "Look at you, covered in all that snow. You're going to end up getting a head cold if you keep opening that window." She informed brushing the remaining flakes of frozen water from Rinoa's hair.
"I don't mind..." Rinoa commented quietly as her useless eyes fluttered from the window to Noriko's facial region. The warmth slowly returned to the room. Seeing that her mistress' content smile had saddened slightly, Noriko decided to change the subject.
"Come, let's get you ready for the banquet, hmm?" She asked in her usual upbeat tone. Rinoa happily nodded.
She was dressed in traditional silk top that's strapless design tightly hugged her torso and loose-fitted trousers as well as a long, beautiful overcoat that hung freely around her shoulders yet became more tapered towards her small waist, it's long material touched the floor, and due to it's length and the trousers beneath it, it appeared as if it were a fine dress with a petticoat. All the items of clothing had embroidery of intricate designs in gold thread. Finally, Noriko scrapped back Rinoa's hair into a complex braid and threaded the white flowers that littered the citadel's gardens through it. She then began to apply a thin layer of make-up. Conventionally, the upper-class women wore a ghostly white base and painted their thin lips a vivid red to contrast against the paleness of their skin however Rinoa's complexion was already fair and didn't suite such drastic applications of make-up.
"Done." Beamed Noriko, pleased with her efforts. Rinoa lightly ran her fingers along her braided her, the contented smile revisiting her lips. "Don't fiddle with it, it'll come loose." Noriko advised, retrieving a long wooden stick that owned stunning carvings in its form. She kindly took Rinoa's hand and placed the stick in her palm. Rinoa grasped it and turned it vertically before rising from her seat.
"Thank you Noriko." Normally if a household member thanked her, Noriko would have bowed graciously, yet this gesture was wasted upon her blind mistress so she had to express her gratitude verbally.
"Your welcome mistress."
"How many times do I have to tell you? If there's no one else is around you should call me 'Rinoa'" giggled the young woman cheerfully at her maid's politeness.
"Right! Well I imagine you will be summoned soon so we better make our way to the banquet hall."
They slowly walked along the maze like corridors that were decorated in rich shades reds and golds. Rinoa used her staff as a guild, while Noriko strolled along at her side. The two's relationship was more of a friendship kind, than the servant and mistress role it should have been. Even though Noriko was the same age as Rinoa she would tell colorful tales of what was beyond the citadel's walls as well as banter about her abundance of relationships she had experienced and Rinoa would listen intensively with fascination, interest and the slightest intimation of envy. Noriko lightly grasped her mistress' right arm and aided her in descending down the vast stairway to the immense banquet hall. Guests had already arrived, been seated and were enjoying drinks while chattering about subjects of interest. Seeing that she had arrived, Seifer, one of the Qin army's finest solider, rose from his seat and went to greet her.
"Rinoa, you look well."
"Thank you, I imagine you've been busy keeping all the rebels in line, commander Seifer." She smiled, recognizing his voice.
"Yes. And what have you been up to?" He questioned, yet before Rinoa could answer the voice of Qin's Emperor could be heard.
"Has Lady Rinoa graced us with her arrival?"
Seifer turned to see Emperor Jinn making his way towards them; most of the loud banter had subsided out of interest. All three bowed respectfully. "I know this is a social gathering, however I was hoping you'd perform for us, Rinoa." He implied.
"Of course, Emperor Jinn, it would be my pleasure." Answered Rinoa
"Wonderful! Maid, please go bring forth the musicians!" Noriko bowed lowly and hurriedly, dashed from the hall. It wasn't long before a long line of musicians all dressed in indigo attires marched into the great hall single file before seating themselves on a long row of sits. Seifer and Emperor Jinn took their seats, while Noriko obtained her mistress' staff before briskly walking to the doorway from where the musicians had emerged.
Rinoa, though ill of sight was a gifted performer. People would flock from neighboring villages to marvel at this talented young woman dance; this tourist-luring act helped the Qin Empire obtain a substantial amount of income. She stood, ready for the musician's instruments to fill the hall with their song.
He trudged through the streets cold and sodden from the snow, which had transformed into a grey sludge on the cobbled streets. Squall pulled the long fur lined coat further around his shivering form in hope that it could warm his icy limbs, yet the attempt seemed ineffective against the sub-zero temperature. He came to a measureless flight of stairs that lead to Qin's citadel and let out a sigh of relief, which caused a pale cloud to materialize from his lips and rapidly vanish as quick as it had been formed. He was home.
Noriko stood in the attendant's doorway leaning slightly on the decorative doorframe, watching her mistress perform a traditional dance to an old folk song. Her graceful movements complemented the song and captured each person's attention effortlessly. Her clear, pleasant voice filled the hall's environment as she sang,
'A rare beauty in the north
She's the finest lady on earth
One glance from her
The whole city goes down
Second glance
Leaves the nation in ruinsThere's no city nor nation
That has been more cherished
Than a beauty like this.'
Suddenly an attendant tapped Noriko on the shoulder, interrupting her observations.
"What is it?" She asked the young male, who looked anxious.
"Erm…there's a gentleman outside..."
"So?" Replied Noriko becoming impatient with the boy.
"He say's his name is Squall Leonhart, miss Noriko." Noriko's face transformed from annoyance to shock, how could he be back? Rumors that had been in circulation after his disappearance, declared that he had died, but then again such things as rumors were never really correct. Noriko left a harsh, aggravated sigh escape from her lips before addressing the boy with her desired actions.
"I shall deal with this, go back to whatever task you were assigned to tonight and tell no one of this man's arrival. Understood?"
"Yes miss Noriko!"