My Farewell


It was an hour later. The worn out fighters were sprawled all across the hallways and in the Infirmary where the most injured ones were being treated for their wounds. Irvine and Quistis, who happened to be in the best conditions, helped Dr. Kadowaki. Headmaster Cid and Matron questioned a few students that were capable of speaking. The whole Garden was restless.

Seifer sat on the floor while Dr. Kadowaki came over and cleansed out his deep gash.

I don't know why the Galbadians would do such a thing, she sighed and bandaged his bleeding opening.

I don't know either Dr.

How are you feeling? Do you need anything else?

My back and shoulders hurt a bit but I'll live. You should get back to the others.

all right, call me when you need me to come over.

Selphie carefully placed medicine over her bruised arms, wincing at every sting. she cried. Not only did we destroy the Galbadian Soldiers, the whole Quad was destroyed as well. No more band, instruments, stage, and garden Festival! Mega Bummer!!

I'm sure it wont take as long as you think to get the Quad fixed, Irvine reassured with a small smile. We'll get through this.

You think so?

Of course!

Thanks Irvine!

Rinoa lay silently on the cot and closed her eyes. She crashed her head hard on the ground when Squall pulled her away and now her head was spinning. This has had to be the worst day of her life. Half of her dress was covered in dirt while other parts were ripped. The tail of the gown had been lacerated to almost nothing. Forget the dress, her whole wedding was ruined. The one special moment in her life had been shattered all because of her father's commands.

Who does he think he is!?

She clenched her fist in pure anger.

He's going to pay for doing this!!!

She stopped thinking of violent thoughts when a cold hand rested on her forehead. She slowly opened her eyes and found Squall staring down at her. He looked extremely worried and concerned.

Hey...how are you feeling? he asked quietly.

Tired and a little dizzy....... she murmured.

Squall gasped in alarm. Do you want me to get help?

No no...I'll be fine. How are you doing?

Almost the same as everyone else.

Quistis walked over to the couple. She rested a hand on Squall's shoulder. "I'm sorry that you're wedding had to be turned out like this. I mean, it was bad enough with Seifer interfering like that but to have a whole army attack us!? The instructor shook her head in disgust.

We'll just have to forget about it right now until everyone recovers, said Rinoa. She pulled her self up and leaned her back on the wall. I just hope no one was injured severely.

Seifer...I still have to settle something with him...

Squall spotted the Headmaster at the entrance of the Infirmary. I'll be right back! He left the two girls to talk alone and walked up to Cid.

Squall! How are you doing?

Fine Sir but there is something I want to discuss with you.

Well...what is it?


What Seifer did back there was totally unacceptable. Even if the G. Soliders didn't attack us, he would have still ruined the wedding. I don't know what went over him. I know he has feelings for Rinoa and all but I thought that was all in the past.

Cid looked a bit confused. Yes, I understand how you feel but what are you saying?

"I'm saying that I want Seifer thrown out of Garden! I can never forgive him for what he has done! NEVER! And I can never be calm as long as he and Rinoa are under the same roof.

Thats's a rather harsh thing to do. Where will he go? What will he do? You have to think this out carefully!!

I've already given it some thought. I really don't give a damn what he will do. He didn't give a damn about how important this night was suppose to be for me!!

The headmaster seemed to be deep in thought. Finally, he said, I know how you feel and I know that Seifer isn't exactly the easiest person to deal with so I guess I have no objections to what you want to do. He's a great warrior and can protect himself so at least we don't have that to worry about. He's not a little child anymore...

Right...so you're not against this are you?

No, but I do trust that this is your best judgment. If this has to be done...then it has to be done. I'm going to go back to my office right now and check on Matron. We've already prepared the Ragnarok for you so you can leave anytime.

Squall saluted. Thanks Sir. I'll get going as soon as I'm finished over here.

So...you planning on kicking me out eh? a voice spoke in back of him.

Turning around, the knight found no one other than Seifer Almasy. He showed no emotions and feelings about the Commander's decision.

So I see you overheard us talking...

How else would I have known?



I'll be glad to leave if that's what you all want but keep one thing in mind Leonheart...you will NOT have her!!

GET OUT!! yelled Squall. The whole Infirmary looked up. Rinoa was beside him in an instant as soon as she heard the loud commotion. She glanced at Seifer and then back at Squall, wondering what they were up to now.

Guys...stop fighting!! We have other things to worry about now! She sensed the quarrel was about what occurred earlier. She still couldn't grasp the fact that Seifer had confessed that he loved her. It just didn't seem real. It was as if he was telling someone else those three words, not her! But right now, there were other more important issues at hand.

Neither of the men spoke.

What's going on?

Seifer's banned from Garden. I'll speak to Nida before I leave for Esthar to drop him off at the nearest land. I could care less where it is!

Rinoa turned to her boyfriend, eyes widened in shock.

He has gone too far this time!! I will not have him meddling between us!!

Squall, please reconsider! Look at him, he's injured right now!!

He'll be fine, replied Squall coldly.

"Don't worry about me Rinoa. I'll be all right. No matter where I am, my feelings for you will remain the same, he said firmly.

She gaped at the floor, unsure of what to say. Where did all of this come from!?

Squall's muscles tensed at those words but he said nothing. He decided he'll let him say whatever he wants since he'll never have to deal with him any more in the future. The Sorceress looked deeply saddened by his brusque decision but he knew what he was doing. It was for the best, not only for them but also for everyone else.

Well Seifer...then...I guess this is good bye... said Irvine. The rest of the SeeDs nodded, almost feeling sorry for the man.

Yeah...good bye it is. Gunblade in one hand, he walked out of the room. Rinoa seemed as if she was going to go after him but then stopped.

Before his depart, there was still something he needed to do......

~*~*~*~*~*~
Making sure the coast was clear, Seifer slipped into Rinoa's unlocked dormitory. He didn't even bother going to his own dorm to pack. Bringing all his gils was enough.

Her room was kept nice and tidy but there was no time to marvel it. Moving quickly to her desk, he found a pen and a piece of paper. He thought for a while on what to write on the blank sheet. Before he knew it, the words just came to him...

Dear Rinoa,

I know you think I must sound insane telling you that I love you but it's true. I don't know what possessed me into those feelings. Perhaps it was there all along but I just didn't realize it. They just keep coming to me. No matter how much I wanted to avoid it, it was inevitable. Anyway, I want say I'm sorry if you felt that I had crashed your special night in some way but I just couldn't let you marry him! Sorry if I sound selfish. I guess I wont see you as much anymore. To tell you the truth, I don't care whether I leave or stay just as long as you know how I feel about you...Take care! I'll miss you.

-Seifer

He set the pen down on the desk and reread what he wrote. It was such a lame letter. There was still so much more he wanted to tell her but in time, he will. He slid off his silver ring with the fire cross etched on it and placed it on top of the letter. He wanted to give Rinoa something that she could at least remember him by.

Now...it was time to leave...

Out on the bridge, his rival awaited him there. A gust of wind swept through his hair as Nida piloted the Garden to the nearest land......

~*~*~*~*~*~

The dark haired couple walked to the Garden's hanger, hand in hand right before the sunrise. They stopped in front of the huge red airship. Squall noticed that the whole way there, Rinoa didn't say much.

What's wrong?



No, there's something wrong...what is it?

She rotated small circles with her feet, eyes locked on the ground.

It's just.......was it really necessary to do that?

The knight was taken back by her question. You wanted him to stay?

I didn't really mind whether he stayed or not. I just feel sort of bad...you know?

Rinoa...you always have to feel bad and be so nice to everyone...

Well, you should get going now. You don't want to keep Laguna waiting! she said when he didn't reply back to her.

Yeah...Oh! Before I go, I'm still worried that the Galbadians might come back so I want you to have Eden...just in case.

Are you sure? Maybe you might need it more than me!

He thought back to the time when Seifer had rescued Rinoa because she didn't have a proper GF equipped. Never did he want that to happen ever again.

"I'm sure. Squall closed his eyes as he transferred his junctioned GF to Rinoa. He kissed her softly on the top of her head. I'll be back as soon as possible. He pushed a red button and the sliding doors of the Ragnarok welcomed him in. Before he marched on, he turned back to the raven hair girl.

What is it?

Theres still something on his mind. Something he desperately needed to know.

"Can I ask you something?



The words were so hard to release. He folded his arms across his chest and avoided eye contact. He didn't know how else to act in this situation. D-do...you l-love Seifer?

Rinoa smiled and ran her hands through his silky strands. She rested her head against his shoulders and played with the fur on his collar. There's only one man that I love and that's you Squall. You and you only. No one else can ever take your place.

Those words melted his heart. He breathed a sigh of relief and embraced the girl tightly. I feel the same way Rinoa...I'm sorry our wedding was destroyed.

It wasn't your fault though!!

I promise once we get through everything, we'll have another one...and this one, it'll be PERFECT!

Well...we'll start planning it later. Right now, you REALLY have to get going. Laguna wants you in Esthar in the morning so you only have a few hours!

"Right!! Squall quickly slipped through the sliding doors.

Rinoa's hair glided with the strong wind as soon as the airship picked up and ascended up to the sky. She waved until it was out of sight...