The Man Who Saved Me


"I'm late, I'm late, I'm late! was the first thing Rinoa heard down the hall. She saw her friend Quistis Trepe racing towards the elevator with tons of papers and books in her hand. With a careless trip, they flew out of her arms and scattered all over the floor.

Rinoa knelt down and started helping her organize the mess. Whats the big rush?

They're for Headmaster Cid. He told me to help him arrange some files. I stayed up all night in the Secret Area working on it and even fell asleep. Her eyes suddenly widened and she slapped her forehead. Ah geez! I left one of his letters there! I have to go get it!

Rinoa protested. You go on ahead. I'll get it to Headmaster Cid for you. She quickly ran towards the Training Center before Quistis could object.

Down the corridor, she saw Seifer picking another fight with Squall. He shoved his shoulders roughly and said something inaudible. Squall responded by walking away and ignoring the loutish man.

Whats going on? asked Rinoa. Why are you two fighting?

said Squall. Forget it.

Are you sure?



Ok then... Although she want convinced that it was nothing, she decided not to irritate Squall and continued walking ahead.

Rinoa? Where are you going?

I have to go get something for Quistis.

Ok, I'll see you later for lunch then, he said as he walked away in the other direction.

Seifer, however, followed Rinoa's path.

~*~*~*~*~*~

The Training Center was humid as always. Rinoa opened the first iron doors and proceeded forward. A couple of Grats jumped in her way. She immediately realized that she didn't have her weapon equipped and her only GF Carbuncle wouldn't be much use. With her high magic skills, Rinoa casted a few rounds of fire, annihilating the creatures.

Finally arriving in the Secret Area, she scanned for some letter. On the floor on the right was a white envelope. Assuming that it was what Quistis had dropped, she stuffed it into her pocket and left. Realizing that she would probably have to fight more fiends on her way out and she was running low on magic, Rinoa walked over to the draw point near the wooden bridge and drained around seven blizzards.

That'll do I guess.

Suddenly, a loud roar thundered the Training Center. A huge monstrous creature was summoned right before Rinoa's eyes. She was immediately engaged into a battle with the T-Rex. Rinoa quickly casted the new blizzards she had obtained. The fairly weak spell didn't seem to be weakening the enemy. Instead, it snarled angrily at her. The brute attacked with its enormous tail, sending Rinoa flying backwards. Her body slammed on the ground hard. Her head throbbed with immense pain and blurriness drowned her eyes. The T-Rex was summoning it's strength to attack her again.

She laid motionless as the beast started trotting towards her languid body. One hit was all it took but to her surprise, a bright white flash of a long piece of clothing whipped past her. The only distinctive item Rinoa could make out was a long gunblade.

she muttered faintly.

No mercy! A bright beam gusted through the air and hit its target perfectly. The T-Rex immediately led out a piercing scream of pain and was demolished.

Rinoa noticed that the figure squatted down next to her and shook her body for some type of response.

Blue and green flashes swarmed her body. She instantly regained most of her strength.

she moaned and rubbed her temples.

You ok now?

she asked again with her eyes still closed.

Take a better look, the man answered.

Her dark orbs fluttered open only to come face to face with Seifer.

You alright now? he asked while helping her stand up.

Yeah...I'm fine now. Thanks.

You know you shouldn't be hanging around the Training Center all alone, he smirked. Especially if you're unarmed. He withdrew his gunblade back into it's sheath.

How'd you know I was here? Rinoa questioned.

I followed you, he answered simply.

You...were...following me? she asked him confusedly as he started walking out.





Oh so this is the gratitude I get for saving your life? he smirked again.

No...I'm sorry...but I'm just curious, she said as she increased her pace to keep up with the man.

Seifer just plainly shrugged. You were in trouble so I just helped.

Seifer? Can I ask you another question?



Why are you so nice to me but so mean to Squall?

He shrugged again and continued towards the exit. As the two walked out, they bumped into a very surprised Squall. Seifer, why are you with Rinoa?

Oh no reason, he whistled. Just saved your girlfriend's life.

exclaimed Squall. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Turning to Rinoa, she nodded her head slowly.

Well I think I should leave you two alone now. He walked away leaving a very confused Squall and a very embarrassed Rinoa.

Rinoa, what happened? Are you alright?

"I'm fine. I went to the Secret Area to get something for Quistis and then I ran into a T-Rex. I had no weapon equipped on me, only a few weak spells so I was totally defenseless.

But you're ok now right? Squall asked in concern.



Next time when you're going to the Training Center, tell me to come with you ok? In fact, let me give you some high level spells and GFs.

Squall! Please don't worry. I'm fine, stated Rinoa again. She didn't want Squall to overreact.

he sighed. If you say so... He gently embraced the girl and kissed her soft cheek tenderly. Rinoa smiled but it slowly faded as she watched the man who saved her life walk into the obscure distance.

Seifer......