I got 5 reviews? I must be doing something right.
First of all, in case you haven't already guessed. The ending of the last chapter tries to explain why Squall had no wound from the Ice Spear. It was Ultimecia, not Edea that sent that attack. When Edea saw Ultimecia attack one of 'her children', she had an adrenaline rush that allowed her to momentarily regain control of her mind to do whatever she could to save Squall's life.
Second, since nobody was able to answer my question about Laguna's last name, I'll allow it to continue. I'll even give you guys an extra hint. Just like his first name, His last name also has something to do with Water.
JadeAlmasy: A lot of me? Cool! People want me.
jasmine32: Keep reading, I'm having fun writing this.QueenAdreena: I knew I heard the name "Zoidburg" before, I just couldn't place my finger on it.
ranchgirlmalon: I guess I should've been more specific with the Question the first time. What I meant was how the Company decided on 'Loire' as his last name. I know what it's like to be busy with work. I thought I wanted a career once, but it turns out that all I really wanted was paychecks.
Griever Weapon: I can see how Rinoa can be annoying at times, but that's what makes her character. I haven't planned on a sequel, but we still have a long way to go before this is over.
CHAPTER 20: MONSTER HUNTER
Once again, Squall was left with unanswered questions, was he alright, and did the whistling sound in his head send him back into Laguna's mind? He saw the clothes he (or possibly Laguna) was wearing. Brown pants and black combat boots. A white shirt and a blue jacket rolled up to his elbows. A voice soon filled the room he was in.
"Uncle Laguna, there's someone here to see yoo." Said a little girl, who only looked like she was maybe 4 or 5 years old. Squall wasn't too fond of Laguna, but for once, was glad to be in his mind.
"Huh? Me?" Laguna asked. "What's this person look like?"
"He was wearin' funny clothes." The little girl said, "He's tawking to Raine right now."
"Hmm, is he at the pub?" Laguna asked.
"Yep, that's why I came over to get you, Uncle Laguna," She said. "Am I a good girl?"
"No, you're not." Laguna said. "It's dangerous to be out there by yourself. What if a monster comes and attacks you?"
"It's only next door," the little girl whined. "It's ok."
"It's still dangerous." Laguna said. "And since you're such a cute little girl, the monsters will especially be after you! They'll catch you and suck all your blood out. If anything like that happens, Uncle Laguna's gonna cry."
"I'll be OK, I'll just call you Uncle Laguna, you'll come save me, right?" With that, the little girl ran out the door.
"Hey, Ellone, wait!" Laguna called, grabbing his machine gun. He ran downstairs to find the little girl, known as Ellone, waiting at the front door, playing a joke on him.
"I waited," She said, "Am I a good girl now?"
"Yes, a good girl." Laguna said, ruffling her hair. Laguna stepped outside and looked to the sky "Dear Ellone's mother and father, Ellone's been a good girl today, right?"
"Right!" Ellone squealed. She stood at the front door as Laguna walked towards the pub next door, keeping his guard up in case a monster appeared. Once he was at the front door to the pub, he called out.
"Okay Ellone, now's your chance!" He called.
"Cha-nce!" Ellone squeaked as she ran full speed to the pub. Squall took a wild guess and thought maybe Laguna was in Winhill. After all, this town wasn't very big. As Ellone walked in, Laguna held back for a few more seconds, keeping an eye out for any monsters that might have seen her. Once he was satisfied that there was none, he walked inside, where he saw who Squall could have guessed to be Raine, giving Ellone a lecture on going out alone in a monster infested town like this one. Squall couldn't place his finger on it, but there was something about Raine that made him feel...comfortable.
"You understand Ellone?" Raine asked. "Now go to your room and play." Raine walked back behind the bar to continue whatever it was she was doing.
"I got in twouble." Ellone said to Laguna.
"That's cause you broke your promise," Laguna said. "Too baaad."
"Laguna." Raine said to him, "Use proper English when speaking to Ellone."
"I got in trouble." Laguna said to Ellone.
"Tooo baaaaddd." Ellone said back as she gave a little laugh. Laguna looked around and saw someone sitting at the bar. A dark skinned man wearing red clothes and body armor.
"It's been a while, Laguna." He said.
"Kiros!" Laguna said, exited to see his friend after so long. Laguna bent down to talk to Ellone. "He's Uncle Laguna's friend. He dresses funny, but he's not a bad guy." Laguna walked over to Kiros and tried to make conversation with a man he hadn't seen in many months.
"You seem well." Kiros said.
"Yeah, you too." Laguna replied. "Hey, how long has it been since our grand escape from Centra?"
"I think one would usually call that being chased out." Kiros said. "But I'd say about a year or so."
"I was bed-ridden for nearly six months!" Laguna said. "It felt like every bone in my body was in pieces."
"They might as well have been," Raine said, "You were in terrible shape when you showed up here."
"Thank you for taking care of Laguna." Kiros said. "I was able to recover in about a month or so. Ever since then, I've been searching for you."
"Why?" asked Laguna.
"After leaving the army, well, just killing time I guess." Kiros said. "Life's pretty boring without you for entertainment.
"That's a pretty harsh thing to say," Laguna said, "I've been living a pretty productive life here."
"I think I know what you mean though." Raine said.
"How's Ward doing?" Laguna asked.
"Ward quit the army too," Kiros said, "He got a job and he's working pretty hard."
"What's he doing?" Laguna asked.
"He's a janitor down at the D-District prison." Kiros said. "It's a job that's hard to like, but it pays well."
"Wow, can't picture him moppin' floors," Laguna said. "But I'm glad he's doing well."
"He never got his voice back," Kiros said, "You can tell what he wants by his facial expressions. By the way, your girlfriend got married."
"Girlfriend?" Laguna wondered.
"You know, Julia." Kiros said.
"Oh!" Laguna piped up. "I guess I forgot all about her."
"I never thought that was possible." Kiros said.
"Why is that?" Raine asked.
"Laguna always used to see her at the night club in Deling City." Kiros said.
"Who'd she get married to?" Laguna asked.
"Some army General. General Caraway or something." Kiros said.
"Well, enough small talk, Time to go to work." Laguna said. "So, you gonna stick around for a bit?"
"Would that be okay?" Kiros asked Raine.
"You work for what you eat," Raine said, "If that's Okay, you're more than welcome."
"Come back soon!" Ellone piped up as Laguna and Kiros left the pub.
"So Laguna," Kiros said once they were outside. "What exactly do you do here?"
"It's like this," Laguna began. "All the men in this town were sent off to war."
"For Galbadia or Esthar?" Kiros asked.
"Galbadia, Sorceress Adel has enough troops." Said Laguna, "The only ones left are women, children, dogs, cats, chocobos, etcetera. But with the men gone, Monsters have invaded the town, keeping everyone inside. So when this town took care of me when I got hurt, I wanted to repay the favor and mad it my duty to get rid of the monsters. You're looking at the monster hunter of Winhill!"
"So you work for your food?" Kiros asked.
"Yeah, This town is small enough that I don't really need money." Laguna said. "The army sent me my discharge check for 3,000 gil, but I just use that for potions and stuff. I don't think I'll need it today though, cause I think the faeries are here."
"Hmm, yeah I guess so," Kiros said. "My head is buzzing a little. Like when we were in Timber, then again in Centra. I'm looking forward to the battles."
"Anyway, our job is to patrol the town up to the entrance, then back." Laguna said. The only monsters in town were Caterchipillars and Bite Bugs. They came across a few of each before reaching the town entrance.
"Alright, our first patrol of the day is complete." Laguna said. "We are to report to the commander."
"Commander?" Kiros asked. "You mean that woman at the pub?"
"Her name's Raine, OK? She saved my life." Laguna said. "And the Assistant Commander is Ellone."
"She seems like a nice person," Kiros said, "Though easily taken in by a hotshot."
"Whatever," Laguna said, "Let's get back."
"So are you doing this patrol thing every day?" Kiros asked.
"What are you callin 'thing?'" Laguna asked.
"Weren't you aiming to become a world-traveling journalist?" Kiros asked. "You've heard of Timber Maniacs, right? I had a talk with the chief editor, and he says he's interested in any article relating to world travel."
"Cool!" Laguna said, before letting out a long sigh. "Umm, it'd be OK if we stayed here for a little while longer, right?"
"You need time to gather more material?" Kiros asked. "You're gonna write about this place first, aren't you."
"No way, this place shouldn't become famous." Laguna said, "Too much publicity and the tourists and stuff."
"You're worried someone might come and take Raine away?" Kiros asked. "Laguna, you've changed."
"Hey, is that a monster?" Laguna asked to change the subject, and that there was a Caterchipillar standing at the front door to the pub, which Laguna took out in one shot. Laguna stepped inside and saw Raine and Ellone weren't there. He could hear them talking upstairs.
"Girl talk," Laguna whispered to Kiros, "Let's come back later."
"Something tells me to listen in," Kiros replied. Laguna just stood there and listened to Raine and Ellone talking.
"Raine, aren't yoo gonna marry Uncle Laguna?" Ellone asked.
"A guy like that?" Raine asked. "He was carried in here crying like a baby, and I had to take care of him. Every time I try to have a serious conversation, he avoids it, I can't stand his snoring, and he talks in his sleep."
"But he's really nice, I really, really like him!" Ellone said. "Raine, Uncle Laguna, and Elle should all be together!"
"But you know, I think what he really wants to do is travel all over the world." Raine said. "I don't think he has it in him to live in a small quiet town like this one. Ouuu, it makes me so mad."
"Yoo don't like him?" Ellone asked. Raine looked over and saw Ellone sticking out her bottom lip in a rather cute pout, how could Raine lie to her?"
"I feel the same as you do, Elle." Raine said. Laguna decided that enough was enough, and to go up now.
"Yay, yoo're back!" Ellone squeaked.
"Here is my report on today's monster extermination." Laguna said. "Including Buchubuchu's and Bunbuns that Assistant commander Ellone oh-so-hates. I've exterminated 17 monsters."
"Thank you," Raine said. "Shall we eat before you get started with the next patrol?"
"Sure, maybe after a nap." Laguna said.
"OK, I'll call you when it's ready." Raine said. Laguna and Kiros then left the pub and went back to the house next door, where Laguna was staying.
"Shall we rest up a bit?" Laguna asked, his voice losing enthusiasm.
"What's wrong?" Kiros asked.
"I get scared." Laguna admitted. "Scared of waking up somewhere else, scared of not seeing Ellone."
"Scared of not seeing Raine?" Kiros asked.
"What's happened to me?" Laguna asked in a whisper. "Please let me be in this room when I wake up..."
