Rinoa stared at her clock for at least the 10th time in the last hour. 5AM almost on the nose. She groaned and turned away from her clock, rolling onto her stomach covering her head with her pillow. She had woken up almost 4 hours ago with a deep feeling of anxiety which just would not go away.

With a determined sigh, Rinoa stood up and put on a robe over her nightgown. Angelo was lying on her side, heavily sleeping. Rinoa stared down at her dog smiling slightly, watching as her legs jerked around slightly like she was chasing something in her sleep. No matter what though, the feeling of anxiety would not leave her.

The raven-haired woman got a glass of water from the bathroom before walking to the window and opening the shades. The magnificent view of Galbadia City greeted her on the other side. Her eyes went from the shopping arcade to the lighted clowns of the palace, then swept onwards to the city gate. She paused there, flashbacks of Squall getting pierced by Edea's ice bolt. She sighed again, feeling suddenly weary, and closed the shade. After finishing the glass of water, she opened her diary and turned to near the beginning, to the picture of Squall that she had looked at last week.

A tear formed in Rinoa's eye as she looked at the picture. She ran her hand over the glossy surface, hoping to feel Squall's face underneath her fingers but was disappointed. Her mind traveled to the day she left Garden, and she found, to her surprise, that her longing for Squall was greater than her anger towards him.

Rinoa slammed the book closed with a sudden jolt. The sound of metal clinking together indicated she had woken Angelo, who presently made her way towards her master to nuzzle in her hand. Rinoa's thoughts however, distracted her enough that she did not notice. I can't forgive him. He ruined my birthday that year. Every year. With these conflicting emotions running through her, she moved back to her bed, scratching Angelo on the ear before lying down. Sleep overcame her before she knew it.

It took Rinoa a moment to recognize where she was. The fish fountains were certainly familiar, but the entire second level was different. Instead of one classroom, there was a full suite of classrooms and teacher offices. She was standing next to the elevator, and the sign did not make sense either. The top read, Command Deck, followed by Classroom Deck, Main Deck, Gym Deck, and Storage Deck. The decorations around the main hallway were still mostly the same, but still different enough to nag at her mind.

She stepped down the stairway and turned to the right. One glance at the Infirmary told her that it was much larger than she remembered. The Quad also looked different. Before she had left, it was undergoing remodeling to repair the damage that was done during the battle with Galbadia Garden. She tentatively walked down the hallway to the Quad. Sure enough, it was an enormous expanse of fresh air. The stairs down had been widened, and split off in two different directions. To the left, she could see the stage, and knew for sure what she was seeing. She remembered sketching designs of a possible new stage with Selphie, and now she was looking at that stage that they agreed upon.

Straight ahead, she saw a grassy expanse that was large for something the size of Garden. She saw pine trees lining the sides and scattered around, with a trail and several benches running along the length of it, but her eyes were drawn to the middle of the small park. There, stood a great oak tree surrounded by a ring a few feet wide of flowers. It was the tree that she and Squall had planted the Christmas she was there. It was larger to be sure, but she could still make out the carving that Squall made on the trunk with his gunblade. The flowers she recognized from Edea's orphanage. Rinoa frowned at this. I don't remember anything about planting flowers there. She stepped closer to the tree and stopped only a few feet away.

It was then she noticed something on the other side. Stepping around Rinoa saw a person in black leather sitting on his legs and holding a flower in his hand. Squall quickly noticed her approach and stood up, shock written on his face. Both stood rooted in place while staring at each other. To Rinoa, Squall seemed older, his face more defined and manly, a light stubble covering most of his face, making it look like he had not shaved in a few days. His hair was still the same that she remembered. Gazing into his eyes, she saw surprise and immense pain in the stormy orbs which normally were emotionless.

They stood there for an eternity, or a second, staring at each other, looking into each other's souls. nothing existed past them, yet, everything that did not exist seemed to make the other more real. Squall took a tentative step towards Rinoa, raising his hand slightly. Rinoa's eyes flooded with tears as she backed away from him a few steps, then turn and ran. "Rinoa!" Squall's cry could be heard as she ran up the steps of the Quad. Squall watched as she ran out of sight, rooted in place, not believing what he saw.

Squall woke with a start. "Rinoa!" He sat up and looked around, not recognizing his surroundings for a moment. As everything came flooding back to him, he fell back on the pillow and covered his eyes. That dream seemed so real. It was almost like she was really there. Her features were even more well defined than that poster he saw less than a week ago. He groaned and rolled out of bed. Inside the bathroom, he splashed water on his face, trying to shake the image of Rinoa horrified at him. Looking up, he stared into his face and saw stress marks on his face. He wiped off his face with a towel and turned his attention to the beard forming on his face. He hadn't shaved in a few days, and it was starting to grow out. He reached for his razor, but stopped when a knock sounded on his door.

Squall opened the door to find a positively beaming Zell staring back at him. "What do you want?"

Zell smiled "Hey man, you sleep good?"

"...Whatever"

Zell snickered "Well, just wanted you to know that I tested Natalie. She is pretty damn good" Zell worked his jaw and rubbed a bruise that Squall noticed only then. "She passes the requirements with flying colors. She could take a field test tomorrow!"

Squall narrowed his eyes. "How did you test her so quickly?"

Zell rubbed the back of his head with his right hand "Uh... Squall.... I have been testing her for 5 hours."

Squall stared blankly at Zell "5 hours?! what time is it?"

Zell continued to rub his head. "Uh... Squall.. its half past noon."

Squall stared dumbfounded. 12:30?! I've never slept past 8 before in my life! Except the day after my birthday after Rinoa and I..... Squall shook his head banishing those thoughts. His dream was still fresh on his mind, and it disturbed him greatly. Squall rubbed his eyes and ran his hand down his face, over his slightly grown beard. "I'll be out in a minute"

Squall closed the door and stepped back into the bathroom. Staring at his shaver, he dismissed it. Not enough time, I need to get to work. He turned on the flow of cold water and splashed some on his face, before going for his toothbrush. Five minutes later he was dressed and stepped out of his room.

All three of his companions were standing outside waiting for him. Irvine smirked and winked at him "Have a good night Squall?"

Squall leaned against his now closed door and stared at the floor "........."

Zell slapped him on the shoulder "Come on man, you never sleep in! you must have had a really nice dream to keep you in bed all that time!"

Squall turned his gaze to the right and put his hand on his waist "............"

The other two SeeDs sighed and Zell threw his hands up in the air in defeat. Natalie smirked at the exchange but kept silent for another moment. "Lets get some lunch, I know this very nice cafe only a few blocks away. Its a nice day for a walk."

Irvine agreed, as did Zell. All three turned to Squall, who eyed them uncomfortably for a moment before responding himself "...Whatever"

Five minutes later, they were outside in the fresh air walking away from the hotel. Squall decided to occupy his mind with his friend's conversation, though he made sure to not look like he was paying attention and certainly did not enter the conversation. His dream last night was disturbing to say the least. The second dream I've had in the past week that seemed more real than some parts of my life. Am I going crazy?

This thought hung in the air as he looked up and stopped cold in his tracks. In front of him, was a grass covered hill with a white brick path that screamed for recognition, though he had no idea from where. The image danced in his mind for eons and seconds while he tried to recall where he saw this. A hand on his shoulder brought him back to reality with a jump.

Natalie looked into his eyes, a frown etched on her face. "You alright?"

Squall did not answer her, instead looking back at the hill. Natalie followed his gaze. "If you want, we can go this way, its only like five minutes longer, and is much more scenic. This is one of Galbadia City's most prized places."

With a nod, Squall stepped onto the white brick path, his companions close behind. the trek was only just beginning when he came to the top and stopped dead in his tracks. I HAVE seen this before! My first dream! Laid out in front of him was the park from a few nights ago. the path continued onwards, but right there, less than 50 feet away was the bench, with the oak tree behind it. Surrounding it were flowers which this time around he instantly recognized.

Slowly, Squall approached the tree, marveling how like his dream it was, and how it was like the oak tree that Rinoa and he planted 3 years ago. At about 20 feet away, he noticed a woman with black hair, wearing a tee shirt with an angel on the back, and a white skirt standing in front of the tree, looking at the tree in the same manner as Rinoa had in his dream and had her back towards him. Squall's heart leapt and he quickly approached the woman, grabbing her by the arm and spinning her around.

His heart fell into his stomach.

The woman was not Rinoa, not anywhere close. Her face contorted in rage, and Squall backed off, muttering apologies to her before walking away. He rejoined his friends while covering his face with his hand. "What was that about?"

Squall looked up at Zell through his fingers, his death glare showing through clearly. "Lets just get to the cafe."

Squall sat in a round booth approximately midway from the stage, with his back turned to the stage. Irvine and Zell sat at the booth as well, with Irvine facing the stair case across the room from him and Zell facing the stage. All three held various drinks in their hands, taking sips from them at regular intervals. Squall checked his watch in annoyance, noting that the performance would be starting very soon. He was getting tired of sitting here, wishing that he were back in the Training Center or at least sleeping.

Squall paid little attention to the conversation that Zell and Irvine were having, being content to watch the patrons come in and seat themselves. He scanned them for any signs of weapons under their clothes, keeping a mental file on which people he thought were dangerous. It took a few minutes to process the fact that Irvine and Zell had stopped speaking and were looking at him. He turned irritably back towards his companions. "What?"

Irvine and Zell looked at each other for a moment before Irvine spoke. "Listen, man. I know you were wantin' to be left alone regarding Rinoa, but after the incident earlier today, I reckon I should ask you again. When are you going to move on? Its been three years. She is avoiding you, or else we would have heard SOMETHING about her by now."

Squall covered his face praying to Hyne that they would drop the subject. Unfortunately, Zell decided to put in his two cents "Yea, man. You cant let the fact she ditched you keep eating at you. You need to move on and open up again. Were your friends, we will not leave you flying in the breeze."

Squall's eyes slowly came out of his hand in a death glare "You think that I am just going to go on like she never existed? She left me. Everybody leaves, it eventually happens. Every time you open yourself, you will get hurt. Its better that you just...."

Before Squall could continue, Applause erupted in the room as several patrons stood to stand. Squall presumed that Natalie and her partner were walking onto the stage now. Irvine continued over the noise of the applause. "Look, Squall. You cant keep everything buried inside yourself like this. Its bad for your mental health to keep this buried inside. Your either going to explode or go insane if you don't..."

Zell hit Irvine on the arm hard. Irvine turned his attention to Zell, annoyance written on his face "What...." Irvine saw Zell's face, one of total shock, staring at the stage. Irvine looked to see what had him so shocked.... and his mouth dropped. "...the hell?!"

Irvine half stood in his seat gaping at the stage for a moment before he was able to speak. "Squall..."

Squall, annoyed by his friend's earlier lecture, was not watching their reaction, and was oblivious to his sudden change in demeanor "Irvine I don't care about whether or not I loose..."

Irvine cut him off "No, Squall... Look!" He had sit down, but his eyes were still glued to the stage, and he was pointing a finger at it.

Squall sighed "Irvine, I told you, I don't care about..."

The music started, cutting Squall off as the crowd quickly died down and returned to their seats. Natalie's partner began singing, and Squall recognized the voice faster than a flash of lightning.

And his heart stopped.

Author's notes: I'm sorry about the wait guys, I just finished moving back to college. Things are gonna be a tad sketchy while I start classes, dunno about how much time on gonna have to devote to this... esp class time lol. Anyways here is chapter 7, and chapter 8 will follow shortly, but ill probably have to pause after that... and besides... the end of 8 is a good place to stop... you'll see