Bittersweet Dreams


In the shallow areas of the cool ocean, Rinoa sat on a large stone, watching the waves crash against the shore. She stared out into the horizon ahead under the starry night. Detecting a presence behind her, she didn't bother turning around, only going back deep into her thoughts.

Dark boots entered the shallow water and walked up behind the still girl. He placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't touch me Seifer, said Rinoa harshly without even facing back.

Surprised by her order, he obediently retrieved his hand and retreated back a step.

Two tears were burning against Rinoa's eyes. They soon escaped when she couldn't hold them back any longer.

Seifer whispered softly. Whats the matter?

You tell me. You don't care about me do you? All you do is hurt me...

What are you talking about?

You left me for your stupid dream and sided with evil. You even fought against me because you were too blind to realize the truth and then... she sighed. Then you nearly killed me by sacrificing me to Adel! Seifer, how could you do this!? You didn't even bother apologizing for your mistakes...

Rinoa looked sadly into the ocean and watched as her tears made tiny ripples as they fell from her eyes. Her words hit Seifer in an unimaginable way, shattering his cold barrier. She was right. She was right about everything. They had been so close and now they were so distant. He was so deluded that he had nearly killed her! Painful memories rushed back to him. Guilt was clearly shown on his face. She had done so much for him and this was the way he had treated her.

How could you do this!? I loved you Seifer......or at least...I thought I did...

Did he hear right? Did she just say that she loved him?

Rinoa...I'm sorry...I'm so sorry...for everything that I have done. I never wanted our relationship to turn out this way, whispered Seifer.

Rinoa shook her head. But it did!! It's too late... Those were her last words before she vanished with the final clash of the waves.

Emerald orbs burst open to be greeted by total darkness.

Rinoa? Where was she?

Seifer rubbed his eyes and slammed his fist down on something soft. A bed.

Bed?

That must've been a dream... he mumbled. he sighed tiredly. He craned his neck to his right to check the alarm clock. The digital numbers read 3am. He yawned and tried to get some more rest but he felt wide awake.

he murmured. The same rush of guilt from his dream now raced through his heart. He remembered every single word clearly.

All you do is hurt me...

That sentence repeated over and over in his head. That was just a dream though. Did she really felt that way in reality? How would he know? He never asked her about it nor did he apologize for his mistakes. All he did was went back to being his cold hearted self and tried fitting in with the others instead of doing what he should've done in the first place.

How could you do this!? I loved you Seifer......or at least...I thought I did...

Was that true too? If so, did he love her back?

He thought back into his past when he first set his eyes on her. There was just something about Rinoa that made him infatuated with her. Soon after, everything he did was almost all for her. Bringing her to the flower fields, being there when she needed him the most, promised her that he'll help her liberate Timber, contact Cid to make arrangements for SeeDs, going to Timber to help her and the Forest Owls. Did that count as love?

~*~*~*~*~*~

The sky was clear and beautiful. Multi colored petals spun and whirled freely, spreading its magic and glory everywhere it traveled. In the middle of the flower field stood a tall man dressed in black leather pants and jacket. His brown hair flowed gently with the light breeze. His piercing blue eyes gazed into the obscure distance, as if for searching for someone. Heart racing, the man waited for her in anticipation.

He stopped scanning when his keen eyes locked onto a pair of chocolate brown orbs. It was her. She was finally here. The young woman in blue let out a huge sigh of relief and smiled happily at her knight. Her raven hair swayed back as she ran forward to the man she love. Squall spread his arms wide open, waiting to embrace his angel.

So close...so so close......

Suddenly, a huge streak of lighting flashed above. Immediately, the cool breeze turned into frigid wind. The heavenly sky was now filled with dark clouds, which summoned a huge downpour to Earth. The colors of the petals slowly began to fade to dull shades of black and gray, its aura and radiance robbed from the chaos. A crescendo of the storm filled the atmosphere.

Squall tried to reach Rinoa as quickly as possible but her form seemed so distant. No matter what distance he ran, she was never in his reach.

he yelled as rain splashed on to his face, causing his vision to drown.

The flower field was no more. Instead, a hard rocky ground filled the terrain.

What's happening?

Rinoa stood in fear watching a blazing trail of flame soar through the air. It transfigured itself to a burning red cross.

Squall tried running to her again but something erupted from above. It struck the earth between them and quaked in the process sending the two crashing to the ground hard.

It was a silver gunblade. The fiery cross swiftly began to emerge with it. The flames dispersed only to be replaced with man in a white trench coat who towered over the sword. He gripped his gloved hands on the hilt and locked his eyes coldly on Squall who laid there totally defenseless. Seifer picked up his gunblade with extreme ease and raised it high above him. With a sudden and quick motion, he brought down the deadly blade and slashed the flaccid body.

Rinoa shrieked.

Then, everything faded.

Squall bolted straight up from his bed. His heart racing madly inside of him and beads of sweat dripped from his forehead. He breathed heavily and wiped away the precipitation.

Just a dream...it was just a dream...

Damn you Almasy

Finally, when his heart began to return back to its normal pace, he laid back down in his bed with one arm over his head.

What the hell was all that?

For the rest of the night, sleep did not come for Squall.