(AN) "I had to change my legend around a little, dang now I have to edit! Any contructive crtisisim is wanted now!!!!! Go to the prelude to see changes. No, lemme just tell you. ()()()()- signifys diffrent time place or person. (Example)- Still means voice action or AN. ''''''- Is the new sign for flashbacks. Again, editing is taking course so PLEASE give all corrections or critisim now. Cuz, later I'll just get pissed.

Selphie Kinneas

Roses

The Fugitive's Rose

Chapter Three-Four Words Replied

Selphie tried hard to concentrate but only one thought filled her mind. Don't be dead! She blew softly as Instructor Linra babbled on and on.

"So, did anyone try our experimentation?" Selphie raised her hand remembering the test was to junction as many G.F. she carried for the first time ever. "Well Ms. Tilmitt, did it prove difficult to control?"

"Extremely."

"Well worry not, control and limit their power for few more weeks and they should start respecting you." Selphie shrugged as she listened to others recall using their G.F.'s for the first time.

Squall, who was no longer concerned over Irvine Kinneas, spent his class time actually paying attention. Selphie occasionally took notes but really she began looking over the web for clues on Irvine. He isn't dead, I KNOW HE ISN'T! She wasn't the only one who believed so. Galbadia had fell and took Irvine's abandoned rifle as a sign Irvine was no threat, and was not alive. Esther was much more keen and kept searching. They found no traces of him coming anywhere near Esther for a long time. G-Aero members may have come unnoticed, though.

A picture of Irvine hadn't been taken for awhile. So Squall was right, so no one could trace him, he never took a picture of himself. Selphie tapped a few keys before Linra stopped her.

"Are you quite occupied Ms. Tilmitt?" She asked bitterly.

"Quite… hehe."

A store alarm blared in the out streets of Balamb. Two shops had been robbed. One a simple flower shop, and the other a typical weapon shop. The flower shop had recorded a bouquet of roses had been damaged, and possibly a few stolen, but nothing more. The weapon shop lost a great deal of expensive ammo and new rifle. City authorities surrounded the plaza where the two shops sat. They slowly began their search. Irvine breathed quietly as he watched the numerous vehicles park along the curb. Oh ho ho ho, no way! I've been trained my whole life, there is no way in hell they're gonna catch me. He grasped his small prize, a wooden plated valiant, and gripped the fire escape. He climbed up and flipped onto the roof. He crept through the shadows until he was free from Balamb town. The endless green blew gracefully in the wind. Irvine scouted the landscape in search of a temporary haven.

The forest of Balamb, that resided nearly five miles away, was large dangerous and unpredictable. No one was crazy enough to camp there. It was perfect. Irvine dived into the long sea of grass and started towards the soaring trees in the distance. Once he found the heart of the forest he threw himself into the soft silt and breathed heavily. The roaring of monsters laid behind him. He closed his eyes as he loaded his rifle.

Once his eyes were peeled two bug bites buzzed overhead. Irvine slid on his back aimed, he shot the two fiends and yawned irritably. Irvine rested his head as he gazed through the thin fissure of leaves that allowed sun to pour through. He needed to find a way to travel overseas without being seen. Balamb being a continent alone had only one train track out but plenty of harbors. He couldn't rent a boat, certainly not highjack one, so could build one but he didn't have enough time. How was he going to get out?

Quistis rambled on and on about triggers and how to upgrade a weapon. Selphie dozed off, as Seifer would push her back into class from time to time.

It wasn't long before the bell rang and class was dismissed. Selphie exited the class and breathed the free air. Students crowded the second floor hallway, while downstairs was as empty as could be. Slowly students marched their way to the lunch corridor. Selphie gazed that way, but refused to eat anything. She ignored the student body along with her friends as she absent-mindedly departed the Garden.

The golden-lit sun began to sink into the sea. This was at a slight disadvantage for Irvine who at the moment depended on the sun for light and warmth. Balamb's merciless winds would soon howl and invite themselves into the grand forest leaving Irvine with nothing to use as support. He had kindled a small weak fire which did not produce much smoke, exactly what he aimed his sites for. A single whiff of the cool night's air stream and the sparks surrendered. Irvine helplessly hugged himself to protect himself. He closed his eyes as he wandered upon his most prized thought, Selphie. Pleadingly he gazed into the starry black night.

"This is… crazy." Irvine shivered. He released his arms and retrieved the first items his fingertips felt. Two small stone with sharp ends appeared in his palm. "Worth a damn try." He collided the two stones together, to his very surprise small sparks flew form the sharp ends. Irvine's eyes widened around his small yet miraculous miracle.

He collected the remains of his first fire and produced a stronger one. His sober face loosened, as his eyes grew hazy and restless. His head fell onto the hard ground.

Selphie rubbed her arms, the chilly air wrapped itself around her as she coughed. Not even realizing she had walked a great distance from Garden, she spotted the forest. From the ceiling of the forest… there was a thin line of… smoke?

"Now I'm hallucinating." She groaned followed by a long sigh. She gripped her weapon ever so slightly as she advanced towards the comforting warmth. She felt no heat left in her body, though she lived her whole life in Trabia, she couldn't stand he frigid winds placed heavily on her shoulders. Tiredly her nimble knees feel into the ground of the forest.

"WHOS'S THERE?" A voice roared. Selphie turned in fright towards it, her mouth gaped as she set eye upon the producer of the sound. Irvine Kinneas, fully devoured in filth and dirt neighboring a comfortable fire stood there with his eye sharp. Selphie felt her throat go dry as she gagged her next word.

"Irvine!" She screamed, in a more joyful manner. Irvine's sharp eyes slithered and soon became the same graceful eyes Irvine Davinsen had shared with Selphie. "Irvine…" Selphie repeated with a sigh. Irvine took a slow step towards her, his arms weren't controllable as he embraced Selphie dearly.

"Selphie!" He cried happily. Selphie replied not in words but kept herself in the embracement. Selphie pulled away now with shimmering tears streaming down her flawless face.

"I thought… you died. I prayed you weren't, but no one saw you for the longest time. It's been nearly a year Irvine!" Irvine grimaced as he patted Selphie softly.

"I had to keep on my toes." He said.

"Irvine…. "Where Did You Go?" Tell me please." She pleaded. Irvine sat down and placed Selphie beside him. He laid his arm around her as he slowly began to tell his tale.

"After Squall revealed me, I ran from Garden as fast as I could. I rushed all the way to the northern harbor. It's abandon now since so many monsters live there in the mountains. Well, while I was there, there was a boat. It looked like it worked then I found Mary."

"Mary?" Selphie asked curiously.

"Mary Adervachen. Also called Bloody Mary in the G-AERO. She's been my partner for a year or so. She said the boat was kinda shambled, she sailed it all the way from our base. We spent a half a month on the boat repairs. I was then able to give you the rose. Anyways, we took the repaired boat and sailed someplace north of Esther. The boat hit some reefs and broke down on us and we're stuck in the mountains and huge forests that roamed the vast areas. We were stuck there half past summer until we were able to make a new boat. Then again we made a pretty poor one.

"This boat took us to the Trabian mountain range. Weren't too far from that campsite so it wasn't too cold. Since it was WAY harder to find material to make a new boat, it took till a quarter through fall. In that time… I decided to quit the G-AERO. Stupidly, I told Mary. Well, her reaction wasn't that nice." Let's see, a long kiss and a threat. I wasn't expecting the first part.

"Anyways, I left her and went my separate way. Mary, Hyne knows how, got the G-AERO to save her. I took our pitiful raft and tried to get away. Mary is pretty stubborn though, she had the G-AERO catch me. And that's...the story." Irvine concluded with a deep breath and gazed over to Selphie. Quietly she placed her arms through his and closed her eye while leaning her head on his shoulder.

"You… you can't quit." She quivered. Irvine's eyes widened in awkwardness. "I mean… where can you hide? You have to go back. I beg you."

Disclaimer: "Where Will You Go?"/ Evanescence

You're too important for anyone
There's something wrong with everything you see
But I, I know who you really are
You're the one who cries when you're alone

"I can't Selphie. You don't understand, I really can't." He argued soundly. Selphie pulled Irvine tighter.

"NOW WHAT? LET THE SOLDIERS FIND YOU AND HAVE YOU KILLED!?!" Selphie broke into tears as Irvine patted her kindly.

But where will you go
With no one left to save you from yourself
You can't escape
You can't escape

"You won't make it, I'm dead serious. YOU HAVE TO GO BACK!" Selphie shouted.

"THEY TRIED TO KILL ME DAMNIT!" Irvine shouted. Selphie went quiet and pale. He breathed heavily as he regained his strength. He looked to the sky and back on the ground, his eyes went wet. "They tried to kill me."

You think that I can't see right through your eyes
Scared to death to face reality
No one seems to hear your hidden cries
You're left to face yourself alone

Selphie bit her lip. "I'm sorry, I didn't know." She said comforting voice. Irvine stopped himself from tearing in front of Selphie and supported a small smile.

"It a'right. You know I'll be okay."

But where will you go
With no one left to save you from yourself
You can't escape
You can't escape

Selphie wanted to smile, it was too hard though. Instead she threw her arms around the sullen man and kissed him tenderly. She moved away and stared into his sapphire eyes, ones she'd never witnessed.


I realize you're afraid
But you can't abandon everyone
You can't escape
You don't want to escape

I'm so sick of speaking words that no one understands
Is it clear enough that you can't live your whole life all alone
I can hear you in a whisper
But you can't even hear me screaming

You've always been wearing colored contacts, ever since I met you. Selphie stepped back from Irvine. His unruly hair met his shoulders and his clothing was far from clean. Irvine himself stared at Selphie, who had also changed through the year. Her brown hair rained large curls at their ends and her eyes looked more mature, and cold.

But where will you go
With no one left to save you from yourself
You can't escape
You can't escape

Irvine turned his head sharply and suddenly cupped his hand over Selphie's mouth, trampled his fire, and pushed her and himself low to the ground. A moment later he gripped Selphie's shoulders and returned her to her feet.

"I thought I heard someone." Irvine explained. Selphie squinted her eyes into the pitch darkness. Irvine's hand still held hers. "Here, I need to give you something." Irvine said lowly.

An object occupied her hand, yet she couldn't see it. She felt velvety petals, a rose bud's petals. "Oh Irvy…" she started. Instead she collapsed in his arms and whispered into his ear. "I love you… Irvine Kinneas." Instead of the reply she'd first heard before, the four words she'd been desiring to hear were replied.

"I love you too."


I realize you're afraid
But you can't reject the whole world
You can't escape
You won't escape
You can't escape
You don't want to escape

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Awwwwwwww! Heheh… umm I'm not crazy stop looking at me like that! HEY WAIT WHERE THE HECK ARE YOU GOING!? PRESS THE REVIEW BUTTO… connection failure.

Curse you all!

READ AND REVIEW! PLEASE

(For God's Sake! Wait… you guys DO have a god, right? Damn I might have offended someone. Prolly someone who worships Buddah. HEY NOT THAT THAT'S A BAD THING. Or is it?)