Clash of the Gardens

My Life
Under the same night sky far away was Balamb Garden. The Headmaster sat at his desk in silence. With no word back from Squall, the old man was beginning to panic. He feared that he was getting too old for his job. His nerves just couldn't handle the new pressures he now faced. He sighed and removed the glasses from his face. I don't think I can bring myself to tell them. There must be something we could do in order to avoid this battle. These young students, no, these young persons have a right to live. I will not stand by and let Galbadia boast its power amongst us. But, what do I do? I have to find a way. There must be something we can agree on.He closed his eyes and laid his head back on the cushions of his chair.

Meanwhile, Quistis had managed to find Xu who had been busy organizing applications for various missions. Quistis folded her arms and walked over to her.

"Xu, how are you holding up?"

"I'm fine, Quistis, thanks for asking. Things are real hectic around here."

"Yes, I know what you mean. Any more news about…you know?"

"The Headmaster was contacted by Trabia. They said that the SeeD, who reported their Headmaster's death, has gone missing in Dollet. Ironically, we've only received one report from our SeeD who was sent to there also."

"And who is that?"

"Dincht."

"Zell? It's just like him to only write one report." Quistis chuckled.

"I agree, but I do hope that nothing has happened to him."

"Hey, wasn't Squall sent over that way?"

"I believe so, but the Headmaster hasn't really given me any details about Leonhart's mission. What do you think he's up to?"

"Who knows what goes on in the minds of either of those men; although, I have to add that the Headmaster is afraid and Squall's just crazy enough to carry out one of his orders."

"I wish the Headmaster could trust me enough sometimes. He never sends me on any real field assignments anymore."

"Xu, you're one of the best. He'll give you your orders just as soon as everything is in turmoil."

"Hey, that's horrible! I don't want to be used as a last resort!"

"Relax Xu, I was only kidding."

"I hope so." Xu sighed. Quistis shook her head and chuckled.

Squall continued to watch the female release her pain and tears onto his boots, and the grass. He could only watch her, and showed no other reaction. Only dying soldiers dropped to Squall Leonhart's feet, but never had they purposely fell to him in tears. He did the only thing he could do to get her away from him. He kicked her off of his boot and turned away from her. She fell away on the ground, landing on her bottom with a loud gasp. Not only was he skilled in combat, he was nothing more than a heartless murderer. She had to know his reasons. She had to know who he was and why he could take the lives of the soldiers, but let her live on without so much as to asking for anything in return. In the midst of her tears, she managed to find the strength to use her voice once again.

"Who…are you?" She was scared to ask, but even more afraid to receive an answer. It was quite clear that he wouldn't harm her, but she didn't know if that meant that her life would be in danger a few moments later. She stood to her feet slowly and took a step back as it seemed to take him forever to give her an answer. He was contemplating on answering her directly and honestly. He would never lie, but he would never tell her the whole truth either. Suddenly, he realized that someone had made a call to the Garden, and arranged for the SeeDs of Balamb to rid the Galbadians from Timber territory. With a sigh of disappointment, he tilted his head to one side as if in aggravation, and then turned back to her to face her again. She was now standing and waiting for his answer.

"I was carrying out my orders. Someone requested SeeD?"

"Yeah, Trabia's SeeD, but they were in uniform. Who are you?"

"You mean to tell me no one contacted Garden about this situation?"
"…Are you with Trabia?"
"No."

"You must be from Balamb. What is your name?"

"Squall."

"Squall…" To hear his namespoken slowly and by a foreigner had entirely freaked him out. He turned away from her and began to walk. "Wait, where are you going?"
"…I think its clear that I have completed my objectives, so I'll be on my way."
"Wait!" She ran behind him and threw herself in front of his tracks. He automatically stopped as she appeared right before his face, and he could only look at her eyes. He switched his focus to a tree, which was rooted on the road through the tiny forest.

"What do you want?" He asked.

"Let me go with you."

"No."
"Please, I have no where else to go."
"Yes you do. Whether you like it or not, your home is still at Timber."

"No! It's not there! Please! You can't leave me here! I'll be in danger if I stay in Timber!"

"I'm sure you can handle those soldiers on your own. You certainly seem to be a tough opponent for those, weak Bast-"
"But I'm not as strong as you are. I couldn't rely on myself in combat! Please, let me stay with you."
"No way."
"Squall!" She yelled in frustration, but he only walked around her. "You have to listen to me. They're not done in Timber. They'll return in full force and kill anyone who is a Resistance Faction Member, and they know who I am. I won't survive if I stay in Timber. Please! If I can just stay with you until I find a good hiding place! I promise, I'll lend you a hand in anything you need help with, and I won't be a bother or a burden to you-"

"You can't promise to not be a burden to anyone. It's a burden just listening to you speak. Get away from me. I have nothing to do with you, and I was never asked to save your life, nor do I need your help!"

He spoke as if he hadn't any emotions at all. He sounded like an android to her, a robot that could never feel anything. Had he ever felt pain? Had he ever had his life pass before his eyes? Did he know how it felt to lose all those around in an instant, and not being able to do a thing about it? Tears rolled down her cheeks, but she wiped them away as he walked. She was determined to stop him, and she would. She aimed her weapon at him and gathered her breath before speaking.

"I lost everything I ever fought to protect! I did everything in my power to protect those I loved, but still they all perished! I watched them die! Do you hear me! I watched them die! Do you know what that feels like? Do you!" He stopped in his tracks and stood in his favorite stance, leaning mostly on his right leg, and a hand on his hip. He looked at the ground and sighed. He had looked upon the same people who were mourning those that were lost to the explosions.

How could he ignore their suffering, their cries? Their was no way to erase the sights he had seen before, but even more, the sights he had seen long ago from battles of the past. He leaned his forehead into his hand and closed his eyes, becoming angrier by the second. For a second, he realized this was the longest conversation he had ever had with anyone. It was the longest, and by far the most annoying conversation he had ever had with another human being. But this person had basically insulted him, told him he himself wasn't a human being.

She stressed the question to him, insisting that maybe he didn't care about what had happened to her. How could he give her sympathy? Giving her sympathy alone would mean that he was being selfish, and maybe the other survivors would want sympathy or pity as well. He didn't want to give her anything but a few Gil and tell her to take a hike. For a split second, that was a good idea…until he heard her click a button.

Then he heard the sound of a blade spinning through the air and heading straight for him. His reflexes forced him to jump to the ground swiftly before any damage could be done. He realized now that he had taken too much time in thought before answering her question. He figured now would be a good time to reply, but before he could do anything else, she stood over him. She looked down at him and wiped her eyes again. She thinks I'm dead? What an idiot. She closed her eyes and knelt down beside him.

"I'm sorry." Those were the only words she could speak to him as he lay on the ground. What else could she say? There were no emotions in this man, and he was a machine running on orders. He wasn't human at all. She stretched out her hand to reach his face, but before it could make contact, he moved his hand and grabbed her neck. Slowly he boosted himself from the ground with the help of his free hand, and looked at the young person who made a threat to his life. He squeezed her neck with one hand, and rose from the ground while she tried to kick him and scream. How could she do that and just say that she was sorry? She acted like I went through and ordered the missiles on Timber, myself.

He was tired of hearing her complaining and nagging about all the things that had just happened, but did she realize that all of this was nothing compared to all the things he had ever seen before? She was too worried about her measly group to realize that she wasn't the only one suffering from pain, and lost. She grabbed his arm as he lifted her from the ground, and she was choking now. Seeing the darkness in his eyes, she was frightened. She almost passed out before kicking him in the stomach. He gasped aloud and let his hand ease on her neck, but he still held her high.

"Do not tell me that you're sorry. You only want pity for yourself. You want to hide from Galbadia, instead of fighting like a true soldier to help defend your people. You do not take your anger out on me!" He looked at her eyes and saw her crying and gasping for air. She had given up fighting. She let her body loosen and her hands had eased the grip on his arm. Seeing that the kick just failed to do anything but make him angrier, she had given up completely.

Slowly, he lowered her down and her feet were finally able to touch the ground. Still, his hand never left her neck. There was something about this woman that was getting to him. Normally, any person or thing to threaten his life would not live to see the next second, but this person…who was she? He let go of her neck and allowed her to gather air. "…I don't know what you think I can do for you, but you'd best fend for yourself. I can't help you." She coughed and grabbed her own throat while crying and looking up to him.

"I don't care what you do to me, just get me out of here!" He looked back at her in surprise, what would it take get rid of her and make her go away?

"…What?"

"I mean it! Whether you like it or not, I am going to follow you until the very end! I want my revenge, and with you, I know I'll be able to fight again!"

"So you want me to fight your battles! Is that it!"

"No!"

"Then what do you want! The suspense is killing me, literally!" He had pointed to her Pinwheel and she raised her arm to see it for herself. She pouted.

"Nobody's more heartless than that scum, Deling!"

In a mad fit, he turned away from her and began to walk. She walked behind him after he was a few feet away, and whether he liked it or not, she followed him. She'd strike me with my back turned? A true sign of a coward. He thought to himself while walking, fully aware that somewhere behind and following was that leech of a woman.

So many thoughts passed through her mind about the man walking before her. She saw now that he would not fall easily. He was her ticket to freedom, at least, that's what she wanted to believe. …He couldn't do it. I wanted him to take my life and still…he couldn't do it. I guess nobody really isn't that heartless. Looking ahead, she noticed that his figure was gone. In a panicky haste, she ran ahead and looked around for him. She grabbed the ring on her necklace and sighed. "Oh no…He's gone."

She fell down to the ground and cried into her hands. "This isn't happening…" Suddenly, a voice spoke from behind her.

"First of all, if you're going to follow me, you'll have to stop crying and keep up. Secondly, everything around you is happening. It was blessing that you're still alive, in your case, a miracle. You should make yourself useful and stop depending on others. Finally, if you fall behind again, I will not wait for you. Do I make myself clear?" She looked back at him and saw him standing with his hands folded and never looking at her. She nodded and answered to him.

"Yes." She stood to her feet and looked at his face. He unfolded his arms and walked around her. They were once again headed in the same direction they had been walking the entire night. After a long silence, he looked at the sky and then down to ground.

"…I'm going to have to go back to Timber anyway. I need to catch a train."

"You're not getting rid of me that easily! The trains in Timber have already stopped running. Mostly because they wanted to stop all ways of any personnel making threats on the Galbadian Army stationed there, you know, people like you? If we were heading back to Balamb, our best bet would be to make it to Dollet and catch a boat there! The lines will go directly to Balamb City!"

"Don't you think I already know that? I just needed to see if the Trains were still running."

"Why didn't you just ask me? Was that so hard to do?" He became silent. "Hey! I'm still talking to you!"

"Yeah, and I'm wondering why." He quickly snapped back at her.

"Why are you that way? You practically squeezed the life out of me with one hand. Did something happen to you, too?" She continued to talk and all the while Squall had ignored her completely. He took out his compass and map and looked around trying to find north. Finally, he found the right way to Dollet. He had begun to walk and still she talked. "I know that you must be annoyed by me, and I know you can hear me. Because whenever I talk, your head shakes a little and it bobs to the side then down. Like it's doing now, See!" Maybe she struck a forbidden nerve of his, because he suddenly turned around and looked dead into her eyes, his face fully red of frustration. The poor girl had nowhere to run.

"SHUT UP!" He still faced her and gave her full eye contact; of course his eyes were red and could scare just about anyone or anything. He didn't know what he would do with her when he saw a little smile form on her lips. The girl had begun giggling at him. He put his hands up as if to choke her again and she stopped immediately.

"…I'm sorry." She said while moving her eyes down to the grass.

"You don't really mean it, so stop apologizing!" He said still facing toward her. And they wonder why I keep to myself!

"Well, I do mean it. It's just that, I have to make myself feel better than I do right now. Don't you see that I need to know that everything's going to be okay?"

"I can't tell you that everything's going to be okay. I can't promise you anything."

"Sure you can! Just say, 'Rinoa, everything will be fine!' exactly like that, okay?" His expression was priceless. His quizzical facial expression caused her to laugh aloud. He was becoming angrier again.

"Then that would only be a lie!"

"Gosh, you're the most pessimistic optimist I've ever seen before in my entire life! You're the ONLY person like that!"

Maybe that's a good thing. Lately, I'm the only person who's sane around here. He turned away from her. "And you're a whiny pest."

"What did you say?"

"You heard me, and I'm not repeating myself to you."

"Why? You scared?" He found himself wanting to laugh at her comment. Squall? Afraid of her? Afraid of anyone else? There was no way he could tolerate that statement without having a slight grin on his face.

"Yeah, I'm scared." He sarcastically replied to her.

"Let's not forget I could've killed you if I wanted to!"

Even you don't have it in you to do something like that. He thought to himself. "So why didn't you?" She became silent and looked at the ground. "Exactly as I thought. You're just an amateur." That statement was one she wouldn't stand down to. No one calls Rinoa Heartilly an amateur, no one!

"I'll have you know, Squall, that I chose not to kill you because I knew I would need you in order to get out of here! Unlike you, I actually planned before I made my move."

"Funny, I didn't see why you never kept your distance after you thought you killed me."

"…I-" She was at a lost for words. She couldn't respond to him. She forgot that after she shot her Blaster Edge, after it supposedly pierced his body…she ran to him to see how bad he was damaged.

"I rest my case."

"It's not over yet!" With hope she continued to defend herself.

"Oh believe me, it is." She gave an aggravated groan, and at that moment, Squall knew he had won for sure.

As they walked through the plains, he noticed the peacefulness of the air. She was more silent than he had ever hoped, maybe even a little too silent.

Author's Corner:
Okay, this update of mine will take awhile. Again, I apologize if anyone was in the midst of reading this story. Please remember to review. Thanks!

StardustRay