Clash of the Gardens

Determination

The docking harbor of Dollet seemed to be empty, not many souls had gathered out at sea. Galbadia had been run out by the town's militia, which formed after Squall's run in on the Thieves' Guild. The town was awarded the possession of all of the thieves' materials, which were all stolen of course, in order to protect themselves from future attacks. Dollet's Militia was heavily armed and Galbadia only sent a handful of troops. The vehicle was sent along just to cause the people of Dollet panic and fear; but there wasn't any other use for it.

Things were beginning to settle down. More and more people were seen at the harbor again. The town had begun to carry on like it did before. The militia was especially thankful for the two SeeDs that were present, and helped to move out the Galbadian Troops. They were offered a free room and board, a good meal and free tickets for the boat ride across the seas.

The petite figure stretched and took a deep breath. "Sure was a long day."

"You can say that again, Selphie!" A loud boy said while tapping his foot and looking up the road.

"Hey, Zell! Is your headmaster really as nice as you say he is?"

"How many times do I have to tell you?"

"Right, right. I'm sorry! I'm just so…nervous."

"Don't be, it'll be okay."
The two were talking as if they'd known each other for a long time. They had been stranded at Dollet for days, well not stranded, but being ordered to stay in one place for a long time…things just start to seem that way after a while. He took a seat on the ground and sighed. "Any time now! Once I receive my orders that it's safe to go back to Balamb, that's when we'll be able to get on that boat. It'll be home sweet home."

"In any case, I won't be going home so soon, I bet." She looked at the ground.

"I'll see what I can do! I'm sure that Headmaster Cid will get you there without any worries!" He said with a confident grin.

"I hope your right. Thanks!" She giggled.

"No probs!"

Selphie had traveled to Timber in order to escape the wrath of Galbadia, it was by Dollet that she contacted Trabia and gave the horrible news. She was then ordered to stay where she was because Balamb had its watch over Dollet, and they were not the targets of Galbadia. She abided by her orders and stayed in Dollet.

Zell was sent to Dollet to ensure the safety of the Civilians. He was also sent to get a list of stocks from the local food stores just incase Dollet was losing it's sources and needed fresh trades with FH. He was there to keep watch, and report if there was any disturbance whatsoever. He accepted this mission, for every opportunity to see the world had his favor.

Not faraway in the distance traveled a man, woman, and a canine. When they were finally within running range of Dollet, Squall was surprised to hear Rinoa cheer and jump up and down; but then, he could've pictured her doing something goofy like that anyway. He shook his head and quickened his pace.

"Oh you're no fun! Come on, Angelo!" They ran ahead and entered Dollet. Looking around, Squall could see that there was no sign of Galbadia anywhere. The soldiers they encountered were on their way out, and heading back to Galbadia, all of them. He sighed in relief, and then looked at Rinoa who seemed to be waiting for his orders like a SeeD, herself.

"I'll go find us the next boat out of here."

"You surprised me. I thought you'd only include yourself for the ticket."

"You can buy your own, if you like."

"No-no-no! It was just a thought. Go on, but don't leave me here! Okay?"

"I won't." He said while parting with her at the entrance. He headed the Harbor area and looked around for a Vessel scheduled to leave soon; and if there were one that was leaving now, he'd be out of there!

Rinoa walked around Dollet, mesmerized by the statues that lined the city. It looked similar to Timber, small and cluttered, but it was more appealing and felt more pleasing to the eye than Timber. At least the air wasn't bad. In the air, one could taste the salt from the water nearby. She could feel the light breeze and occasionally see the trees that were lined up on the streets blowing in the wind. Dollet was truly a nice place to be. While walking around, she noticed that Angelo had disappeared from her side.

"Angelo!" She called out, and after a few seconds, her faithful companion caught up to her, but a tiny girl ran behind.

"Hey, wait lost doggie! I'll find your home!" The girl never looked at Rinoa, but her eyes seemed to focus only on Angelo. Rinoa smiled.

"She's not lost! "Rinoa said while grinning. The girl looked up with a fright.

"Oh! S-sorry!" She laughed. "I guess that's solved! Are you the owner?"
"Yeah, and her name's Angelo."

"What a pretty name! Angelo!" The dog instantly barked. "That's funny, she did the same thing when I called her Fluffy!" Angelo barked again. "See!"
Rinoa laughed while the girl patted the dog again.

"She really likes that name. You can call her that if you like." Angelo instantly made a frown, and a whine to go along with it.

"Oh, suddenly, I don't think that's a good idea. Poor thing. Well, she seems to be very smart."
"She is! Watch this!" Rinoa took pride in showing off Angelo's abilities. The two girls were all caught up in laughter and excitement created by Angelo, and Angelo enjoyed all the attention given to her by her own eras well as the new friendly face.

Squall had found a vessel that was scheduled to leave late a night. The seaman switched his time schedule after the threat of Galbadia. He had rather travel and arrive back home by morning, just in case the soldiers had tried to make another attack on Dollet the following day. Squall saw a problem in the man's plan, but opted not to say anything fearing the price for the two tickets would double. Squall seriously thought he should tell him that Galbadia was known for striking at night when the enemy least expected, needless to say they are known for extreme cowardice.

After purchasing the tickets, he turned away and walked down the boardwalk of the harbor. Looking out into the sea, he sighed softly into the wind. He was almost back to Balamb, and his little adventure would be over; right when it was just starting to feel like it had begun. He felt himself become a little depressed, but before he could act on his emotions, there was a loud voice to call out to him.

"Squall! Is that you!" Zell yelled to him from behind. Squall turned around to face him, and simply nodded. "It's good to see you here, man!" Zell ran to Squall and grabbed his waist, but Squall quickly pushed him off. Zell paid no mine to him, as he was used to the cruel treatment from Squall Leonhart.

"You must be the SeeD Cid was talking about." Why didn't he just tell me it was Zell?

"Yeah, I was stationed here. Didn't you hear about that? I told everyone I was going on a mission! Do you know how long it's been since I last had a mission? I'm tellin' ya, things got so cool when you were suspend-I mean-uh...haha…" He quickly turned away. Squall walked around him. Zell looked at him. "Hey, don't be that way! I'm just so excited to see you! Do you know what this means?"

"No." Squall replied unenthusiastically.

"I get to go back! Finally! You have no idea how long I was here, man!"

"I think I'm beginning to get the idea…"

"You don't change, do you? Oh well, it's not like you're bad or anything."

Says who? I almost killed Rinoa, and she's innocent-What the…what am I saying? He shrugged and continued to walk.

"Are you here with anyone? Where are you going? Are you heading back to Balamb?"

"I'm going to Balamb, and someone's following me."
"What do you mean? Should I knock 'em out, I'm dying for some combat!"

"No, it's no one dangerous…well….kinda…but.."

"huh?"
"Forget I mentioned it." Squall sighed and walked back into town. Zell had followed behind and saw Selphie up ahead playing with a dog.

"Selphie!"

"Hiya, Zell! Come check this out!" She answered. Zell ran by Squall's side and nodded his head toward Selphie.
"I'm here with someone. She's-"

"The SeeD from Trabia?" Squall had returned to his serious dutiful mode.
"Yeah. So Garden knows what happened?"

"Pretty much."

"So, what are you doing here?"

"On a mission."

"What kind of mission? Come on Squall, I'm a SeeD, too. You can tell me!"

"...Fine. I was sent to exterminate the leftover Galbadian soldiers in Timber, and also to sneak around the place a bit."

"What did you find?"

"Nothing, really."

"Hmm…wonder what's happening on the outside world?" Zell asked himself aloud before running to Selphie and the dog.

He sure has been here for way too long… Squall thought to himself. He looked at Selphie and the dog she had been petting. Oh, great. She found the mutt… So where's its owner? Rinoa was standing on the side watching the dog being pat and adored. He was surprised she hadn't shown off the dog's skills. If the dog was so wonderful, why couldn't 'it' escort her to Dollet? Squall grunted slightly, figuring he might as well join them.

"She's so adorable!" Selphie squealed. Squall sighed. Great; yet another hyper case.

"Yeah, she is!" Zell said.

"Rinoa! Show Zell that trick you made her do!" Selphie shouted in a kiddy voice.

"Okay!"
Why am I not surprised? Rinoa already showed off the mutt to her. Squall mentally sighed, followed by Zell's gasp as if the dog was performing a life and death trick. Angelo rolled over and barked.

"That's pretty cool!" Zell exclaimed.

This? This was all the excitement! I've seen Chocobos jump through rings of fire! But this! This is absolutely-- "Ridiculous!" He hadn't meant to speak it aloud. He didn't know why, but he suddenly became embarrassed when the three of their heads turned simultaneously toward him. He scratched the back of his head and sighed, "Whatever."

He walked away, listening to their snickering. Finally Zell overcame the goofiness and looked at Selphie.

"That was Squall. Don't worry, that's just the way he is."

"He seems like he doesn't care." Selphie added.
"I think he does care." Rinoa said. "He just doesn't like talking about it much."

"Whatever." Squall said loud enough showing them he could hear them, but the laughter only became worse that time.

"Yeah, he's always been that way for as long as I've known him. How do you know him Rinoa-oh…you must be..." Zell stopped, remembering Squall's comment.
"! Who?" She seemed to become nervous. Zell thought he was offending her.

"He mentioned you just a little while ago. Said you were following him, or something." Zell smiled as she sighed in relief.

It's good to see that he's honest. She laughed a little, almost embarrassed, "Well, I tagged along because there wasn't much for me to do in Timber."

"OH, you're from Timber! Duh, Zell!" He slapped himself. "Where else would you be from? The only other towns over that way and north are both Winhill and Deling City."

She felt herself give a little gasp as he spoke, and Zell noticed, "Huh, did I say something wrong?"

"N-no. I'm sorry. I'm just tired from all the walking we did today. To tell you the truth, I'm a little hungry."

"Hey! You're hungry? Come with me, they let me and Zell eat all day for free, and we'll sleep all night for free, too!" Selphie exclaimed proudly.

"Really! How?"
" 'Cause we helped clear out a few people from Galbadia." She chuckled in between, "Gave 'em a big scare!" They all laughed and showed Rinoa around.

After Rinoa had eaten with Selphie and Zell, they took her to the hotel where they all decided to rest for the day. Squall was too worried about the upcoming trip to rest. He found himself daydreaming and sighing into the water. How in the world was he supposed to explain to the headmaster that he'd taken a survivor with him?

Once again, he sighed to himself. I guess all I have to do now is let the man sail us over to Balamb City. I wonder if Balamb is okay, and the school? Cid seemed to be a little worried about something. What was he trying to tell me? He hadn't looked that way since Esthar launched its attack and we engaged in war. I wish he'd inform me of things more…it seems like I'm always the last to know. The last to know about Esthar's threat toward us, my suspension…the entire Garden knew about that before me! I'm pretty sure Zell's mom heard through gossip that I was suspended before I ever knew that, myself. If I'm not the last to know…everything just feels so awkward. Why do I always end up doing this? I feel like I can't go on whenever I sit around and think, but as soon as I speak aloud, all of that energy appears valuable…If that just made any sense at all." He picked up a rock from the ground and threw it into the water. "This sucks…"

"Wow, so you can talk like them." Rinoa's voice interrupted him.

"Rinoa? What are you doing here?"
"I caught up with all my sleep this evening. Well, not all of it. I couldn't sleep, actually." She laughed, "I remember Zell saying that he saw you buy tickets from a man that's heading out tonight-"

"You thought I'd leave you here?"

"…Yeah." She smirked and looked at him. He looked forward, but had smiled to himself. He slowly shook his head.

"Well…I won't lie to you, I did think about it. Perhaps you should stay-"
"Not here! I'll stay in Balamb City. That way, I'll be safe from Galbadia."

"You can't guarantee it. Dollet is under our control, and look at what happened to them. It was because of their Militia that the Galbadians turned away. Balamb doesn't have a Militia…pretty much, they rely on us to do the job."

"Well, it's almost the same."

"Not really. It takes a while to get there. By the time we arrive, the violence may already start and damage is inflicted."

"But even so, it would be better if I lose myself there in the crowds. I could hideaway!"

"No way! As soon as you get into trouble, you'll come following me again!" He begun to sound angry, and she found herself smiling.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing, I just don't want you complaining to me!" Still he was angry.

"If there's something you want to tell me…Spit it out!" She turned to face him directly, but he couldn't dare face her. He continued looking forward.

"It would be better if you go some place where many people could watch over you."

"Where you could watch over me?" Quickly, his face turned toward hers.

"What!" He found himself embarrassed and blushing slightly. He moved away from her. What was happening to him? What was she doing to him?

"I'm sorry, I was just joking!" She said while laughing.

"R-right." He cleared his throat and faced forward.

"How long before the boat ride?"

"Half an hour, I'll go wake up Zell and Selphie."

"Not now. They looked tired, just give them some time."

"…" He stood silent and finally replied, "Alright, but only a few minutes." She found herself smiling again. Squall was becoming so easy to toy with. Slowly, little by little, she was going to get him to talk to her.

"Why aren't you sleeping? You haven't been asleep since I met you."
"I'm not tired." He said plainly. She sighed.

"Neither am I." Squall looked at her as she watched the night sky, and for a split second, found his shoulders relaxing. He looked at his ring, realizing he hadn't given it its daily turn. Quietly, he played with his Griever ring, and he hadn't noticed that Rinoa watched him with great interest. "What is that?"

"...A ring."

"Yeah, I know that, but what shape is that?"

"…" He stood quiet, contemplating if he should give her an answer or not.

"Whatever it is seems to have powerful jaws. I can tell that much by its design. Hey, you know, it looks similar to that pendent you're wearing around your neck, too-"

Finally he gave a sigh, "It's called Griever, a great lion." It symbolizes pride and strength. This ring gives me strength as I face my opponents, everyday.

"Lions are strong and prideful, but mostly, they lay around lazily until threatened by hunger or enemies."
"Who asked you?" Squall wanted to tell her, but kept it inside.

"I see why you wear it. I think it's a wonderful role model."

"...He's not like other lions. He's not lazy." He said. She smiled and looked away from him. Placing her hand on the ring around her neck. He heard the chime of the ring as she held it away from her chest and watched it sparkle in her fingers. He tilted his head quizzically, and she understood his mental question.

"This is my mother's ring, she gave it to me…I don't know why, but having this ring here makes me feel like I'm not alone-"

"Like she's right beside you and guiding you?" He turned away from her.

"Yeah." She smiled. "Always have felt that way, ever since she died…I can still feel her presence."

Died? Must it always turn that way? The people you grow up with or those who help you always die. I don't like it, I don't like when people die. I don't like it when they get too close to me, just to die the next day! I hate the way the world works. How am I supposed to accept her when I'm not certain that she'll leave, too? Squall thought while looking into the water. She saw his eyes twinkling, but nothing fell from them. It was a sad sight.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought that up." She stood to her feet. "I'll go awaken Zell and Selphie." Before he could respond, she was running back to the hotel. Not that he wanted to respond to her.

During the boat trip, Zell and Selphie were out on the deck looking at the night sky; both yawning and forcing to keep themselves awake. Squall, on the other hand, was wide-awake as he had previously been. Rinoa wondered why he always had to be so serious. At this point, she may not be able to help him, and only find herself ticking him off just a little further than she already had. Selphie yawned and stretched, "…I don't think I can keep this up. How about you, Zell? Zell?"

"Zzzzzz ...Oh-huh!" He jumped up quickly. Selphie laughed at him and shook her head.

"That's a shame. You don't think he'll get mad if we go to sleep, would he?"

"I don't know, you can go ask him if you want." Zell wasn't consciously aware that he just Selphie into the snake pit.

"Sure, why not?" Selphie happily ran to a secluded area where Squall had barricaded himself away from the others. "Hey, Squall!" He looked up from his train of thoughts. When she saw that she'd gotten his attention, she smirked. "Zell and I are still a bit tired, do you think it's okay that we go to sleep, or do you still need us to help keep watch?" Selphie asked sweetly, the sweetness was to her disadvantage because Squall just couldn't handle it. He looked away from her and grunted. She tilted her head down and sighed. "You still need us to watch, I guess."

"...Do what you want, you're not my responsibility." He finally answered. He remembered the Headmaster's request. He was supposed to make sure the SeeDs were okay, but that didn't mean he had to order them around. He was happy to see the girl had cheered just as Rinoa would do, and ran off to tell Zell; no doubt in Squall's mind that Zell was probably well aware that he would go easier on Selphie.

After a few moments, Zell and Selphie were sound asleep within the cabin. Squall remained where he had taken his seat out on deck, fiddling around with is pendent. He hadn't been to sleep in what felt like months. Never did he feel the need to sleep, he had seen too much in his short life. And his dreams were nothing more than nightmares. He would wake up in the middle of the night dripping in cold sweat. Most of the nightmares were war scenes, and they often felt real. He was always involved in actual combat.

Battles were his favorite sport, but to be involved in combat within a dream was a nightmare. He was forced to run around without his Revolver, wandering aimlessly on the plains of what seemed like Esthar. Every soldier approaching him, but he could never attack them. It was total panic, and it scared the life out of him. He would occasionally have other dreams too, but this was one of the worst dreams ever. He closed his eyes and thought about another dream he had had before when he accidentally let himself fall asleep.

As his eyes were closing that night, all the faces of the men he slaughtered rushed past his eyes. He heard their screams and pleads, but they were tuned out with the sounds of war all around. He looked down into his hand and saw his gunblade, but it was bloodier than it would turn out to be after a few battles. It dripped with blood that slowly leaked to his feet. He dropped the sword and looked around to see only that of darkness. He was alone, and had killed all those around. He saw the blood trail touch the tips of his boots, which formed a huge puddle that quickly evolved into an ocean.

He felt himself drowning, and the hands of those he had slain before were pulling him down. He screamed out and yelled but no one could hear his calls. Suddenly, he saw her face at the edge of his ocean of blood. He didn't understand how she was there. She looked at him and sobbed quietly. Even though he was drowning, he couldn't bring himself to call out to her. He couldn't bring himself to get her help. She was already too weak anyway, what else could she do but sit and watch him struggle within his own sins?

Finally, he called out to her, but it was too late…she had already begun walking away from him. He felt himself getting the urge to cry. His eyes were burning and he called out once more. He was surprised to see that she turned around to look at him.

"Squall…" She spoke softly. It was too real for him. He sat up in a panic and found himself panting, breathing abnormally. "Squall! Are you okay!" Rinoa said in panic.

He wiped his face and turned away from her.

"You were trembling…"

"…Trembling? I must have fallen asleep."

"Yeah. I thought I should wake you up. I'm sorry if you didn't want to be bothered." He wasn't upset with her as she thought, he was thankful that she'd waken him up. The dream felt so real, and one day it would probably be real. She sighed and took a seat beside him. "What were you dreaming about, you want to talk about it?" She smiled.

"No." He stood and walked away from her immediately. "It looks like we're almost there." He saw the shorelines, and then Balamb's harbor. Rinoa found herself sighing.

"That's good…" Rinoa was unhappy to see the shore.

"How long was I asleep?"

"Well…a few minutes, I suppose."

"…Okay."

"Hey, Squall. Once we get to Balamb Garden, don't leave me okay?"

"It won't matter where you are in that place, it'll be safe enough."
"If I get into trouble then I'll tell them that you said it was okay. I'll say, 'Squall…um.."

"Well?"

"They won't believe me if I don't know your last name."
"Leonhart."

"Squall Leonhart told me it was okay to do so."

"Stop panicking so much, you're giving me a headache."

She laughed and walked away from him. After docking, they headed into the city and rented a car. Thus, they were on their way back to Balamb.