Tainted Sanctuary


Rinoa...I'm coming...

Seifer turned around to make sure no one was behind him. He snickered; amused at the thought that Squall was still stunned by the note to do anything. He however was not going to waste any more time. The sooner he took some action, the better. Pulling out his ID card, he quickly swiped it against the sealed entrance of the hanger. Once it opened, he made his way to the Ragnarok and boarded the huge crimson airship.

Seifer stared in awe at the sight of the airship complex. He had never been in the Ragnarok and the gigantic size shocked him. He made his way down the stairs into a small engine room.

This will do I guess...he thought as he slipped into the dark shadows at the far corner. He had no idea how to pilot this airship and there was nothing he could do except to hitch a ride to the flower fields.

She'll be there...that's our special place...I know I can find her. Squalls definitely gonna head there but that's not going to stop me from reaching Rinoa first!


With a determined look in his eye, Seifer waited until the rest of the SeeD boarded the ship to take him to his destination.

~*~*~*~*~*~

The white piece of paper was still held firmly in Squall's hand. Recovering from the ultimatum Rinoa had just given him, he pulled out his black communication device and dialed Selphie's code. It was picked up immediately on the other line.

Selphie, its me Squall.

Oh thank god Squall! Did you find Rinoa? she asked anxiously.

No...not quite but I know where she is. Listen, can you tell the others to meet me at the front gate. I'll explain the situation to you.

Of course! We'll all be there immediately.

He closed the machine and rushed out of Garden. While running, Squall couldn't help but glance at the note every few moments. Why did he have to be such an idiot and not listen to Rinoa's reasoning and explanations? After she had sincerely apologized to him, he was still so ignorant. He had never ever doubted her words before so why should he now? Before he got a chance to argue back with himself, four figures quickly swarmed him.

Where is she Squall? Zell asked urgently while Selphie and Quistis cut in as well.

Squall unfolded the crumpled piece of paper in his hand and laid it flat, allowing the other SeeDs to see.

Selphie's emerald eyes widened. Hey! You have to go get her Squall! She's there...at-you know!! Matron's! She waved her arms to emphasize her excitement.

I know...I'm going to go there right now but I wanted to tell you guys first. The commander still seemed uneasy about something.

Don't worry about a thing Squall. We'll guard Timber. You just go and get Rinoa back and quick, Irvine said as if reading his mind. I promise, you wont have to worry about a thing. We'll do our best to protect Timber while you're gone.

Squall nodded.

One question though. How do you suppose Rinoa got to Matron's orphanage anyway? Zell pointed out.

Quistis shrugged. She could have taken the Ragnarok or the vessel I guess. These are the only likely transportations. I don't think a chocobo can get that far.

Quistis is right. I'm going back to the hanger to see if the Ragnarok is there. If it isn't, I'll take the vessel.

A hurt expression washed over the instructor's face. His words were like daggers to her heart. She knew he had to find Rinoa fast but why did she have to be the one who was always in the center of attention...his attention. Yeah...you better go Squall, she whispered. You don't want to keep your angel' waiting now do you?

What if I'm not making the best decision here? What if the Galbadians attack Timber again while I'm gone?
He contemplated the consequences to himself. He was the commander. If the others can't withstand the Galbadians, it would be his fault for leaving them in a crisis. What would Cid say about abandoning his mission for going after Rinoa?

Irvine studied his troubled face. Squall, what's wrong. You can't waste anymore time. Its true that Rinoa could be safe right now as we speak but who knows where these Galbadians can be lurking around.

I'm...I'm not sure if this is the right time though. What if they decide to attack Timber right after I leave?

Squall!! Are you forgetting who we are? We're all SeeDs-special forces! We're all prepared this time. Besides, if you leave, we still have another gunblade specialist here. Are you forgetting Seifer? So we'll be fine, really! Selphie reassured.

Zell looked around. Hey where is Seifer anyway? Last I heard he was still inside Garden.

He's still probably wandering in there. Look, forget him. He isn't the most reliable person OK? Just...be careful everyone. I'll be back as soon as possible.

Everyone nodded.

Squall was still hesitant to leave. I'm afraid...I'm afraid I might be making a big mistake here. If Timber should fall...no! I cant think about that. Rinoa needs me and I have to get to her...He turned full way and picked up his speed heading for the hanger.

Quistis sighed depressingly when he was out of sight. We better head back out to Timber.

Zell and Irvine were already on their way. Selphie lagged a little behind them to walk with her friend.

Hey, are you OK? You look so pale.

I'm fine Selphie. The instructor forced a smile.

Are you thinking about Squall...and-

No I'm not. I'm just concerned about Timber, she lied. She didn't want to talk about Squall and how he's off to rescue his princess. Rinoa...why would you do this? Why on Earth would you leave us here looking after YOUR precious' town while you go off taking a break and waiting for your knight in shining armor to come? Quistis angrily thought. She couldn't remember the last time she was ever upset with her beside their encounter at Deling City during the sorceress raid. But this time was different. She was furious inside. Everyone was so concerned about her well being, especially Squall that he would abandon his mission to go after her.

She had to admit she was overwhelmed with grief when she was the woman who had won Squall's heart but that didn't keep her from being happy for him. She truly was pleased that he had found comfort and love after all pain he had suffered for so many years. As long as Rinoa was able to erase all that pain, she was content but her actions for the past few weeks angered her. The thought of her actually sleeping with Seifer while she's committed to Squall only disgusted her beyond any words. She had really thought the wedding was going to be the thing to tie them together and bring supreme happiness to Squall for eternity but it only troubled him even more thanks to Rinoa when she brought Seifer into the picture.

Now everything is just a big mess. Rin...you think you're stressed? What about me? I'm so tired...tired of protecting your town, carrying out your resbonsibilities, seeing Squall in suffering again. You don't know how much it's tearing me apart to witness with my very own eyes that he's giving up on everything and putting you ahead of all of us who were his childhood friends and grew up with him his whole life!!

Selphie stood quietly besides her. The brunette haven't said a thing but decided to try again. Quisty, you sure nothings wrong?

No Selphie...I'm fine. Really. Thanks for asking though... Unlike Rinoa who haven't even bother asking the rest of us how we felt.

No...
Quistis yelled at herself. I shouldn't think like this...I-I sound like some crazy teenager who's madly jealous and trying to break up a couple. For Hyne's sake I'm an instructor and a SeeD. But still......Squall......

Lets hurry to help Zell and Irvine.

Selphie followed the taller woman and picked up a paintbrush and a can of paint, finishing on what she had started earlier. Every few seconds, she would glance at Quistis who had an empty look in her eyes and would just raise the paintbrush up and down lifelessly. Something was definitely bothering her and everyone bone in her body was telling her it was about Squall.

She's probably thinking about him...poor Quisty...

Yo Selphie, Quistis, come here for a sec! Zell waved for them to come over. Irvine was next to him with an impatient look on his face while holding the radio transmitter against his left ear.

Hey, what's going on? He paused and took a deep breath. What!? What do you mean its still there!?

Look, Commander Leonheart took the Ragnarok but the weird thing is that the vessels are still here. Every single one of them, Nida repeated. Now I don't know how Rinoa managed to reach the Centra continent under these conditions unless...

I see your point here Nida, Irvine answered. Did you tell Squall yet?

No, it'll be pointless anyway. He's probably there so he might as well check whether or not Rinoa's there.

I see. Alright, call me back if there's any changes OK?

Selphie looked at him with concerned eyes. What was that all about?

Irvine frowned and placed the radio back into his pocket. We have a problem here guys. It seems Squall has taken the Ragnarok but all the SeeD vessels are still at dock in Garden, he explained.

No way! Zell jumped back. Then how did Rinoa manage to reach Matron's?

"That's what I wanna know...unless she......

Quistis knew exactly what Irvine was thinking and she couldn't help but wonder if he was right. She clenched her long slender fingers into a tight fist. Hyne, don't tell me she......

~*~*~*~*~*~

She's not here

It was a simple statement yet Squall had never imagined it could cause so much agony.

Right after he landed the Ragnarok, the knight ran to the collapsed orphanage with agility he never knew he possessed. The moment he reached the entrance, he screamed out her name but won no response. His spirit subsided a bit but the determination was still fresh in his eyes. He was a fool to think that she might not have heard him and so he ran into the flower fields. He expected to find her standing in the middle in her light blue attire with her raven hair soaring against the light breeze. The loose pink petals would swirl around her and she would gracefully turn her head towards his call and run into his open arms.

Instead, he was greeted by a vast green land with only a couple of flowers that were blooming. The rest remained dull and flat instead of coming to the usual full bloom. She was not there. The most heavenly sanctuary was empty.

was all he could say.

So many emotions struck him that he didn't know what to feel at first. Hurt? Angry? Shocked? Stupid? Never had he felt so empty before. The one place where he trusted the most she would be and she wasn't there. But that was not what had inflicted the most pain on him. The flower field represented their love. It represented everything they had shared and entrusted. They had created it out of their love for each other and that was where their unbreakable promise was born.

To be able to doubt the chained bond we had is just too......I can't even find a word to describe it.

He tried to find some other logical explanation for this but the only one he could think of was that Rinoa had been taken by force IF she had been there but that wasn't likely. The orphanage on the Centra continent was isolated from everywhere else and it was so small. Why would the Galbadians come here anyway?

Still...there's a chance. If Seifer managed to break our wedding and I find Rinoa in his dorm, then anything could happen.

RINOA!? Where are you!? A masculine voice shouted.

What the? Squall immediately whirled around. His eye brows knitted in rage when he found the one man he had least expected to be here. The tall blonde student who wrecked havoc in Garden stood in front of him wearing the usual white trench coat and battle gears while holding the legendary Hyperion lazily in one hand.

he sneered. He shoved the gunblade firmly into the hard ground and tightly gripped the hilt.

Squall hissed. What the hell are you doing here? HOW did you get here?

Seifer's eyes glowed with hatred just as brightly as Squall. Isn't the answer obvious Leonheart? I hitched a ride on the Ragnarok seeing that I know YOU will pilot it to my destination.

Your destination? What the hell are you talking about? the knight repeated again. This time, he pulled out his own weapon from the sheath attached to his belt. The cerulean blade of the Lionheart gleamed deadly.

Like I said, the answer is obvious. I'm here to find Rinoa. This was OUR special place until YOU stepped in!

Squall couldn't believe the words that were escaping from his mouth. Stunned, he staggered back.

You heard me Leonheart. This was our special place where we made OUR promise.

How can this be? Rinoa...never said anything.

Shocked right? he continued. I thought so. Come on what's the matter Squall? You're going to kill me now? Seifer provoked. He snickered and pulled out his gunblade from the earth beneath him.

Squall felt his own gunblade rising in his hands unconsciously. He forced himself to withdraw the weapon. No, as much as I want to, I cant' fight Seifer. Not now. Now when the other needs me. I also have to find Rinoa and get some answers from her.

No. I'm not going to fight you Seifer. At least not now. I have better things to do then waste my time on you.

Seifer took a step forward, blocking Squall from his exit. "What's the matter Leonheart? Are you scared?

Get out of the way!! He tried to shove away his arm but his rival was too quick. In a single flash, he caught his arm and pushed him back roughly.

I don't think so Squall. Ever since when we were children, you just had to take everything and everyone from me right!? You left me with nothing! You had to take away my honor, pride, attention, EVERYTHING!! Everybody thought you were such a saint and I was a sinner. You just had to go and win Quistis's attention and become her favorite student and then win Rinoa's heart and now you're trying to take away OUR special place, OUR promise!? I wont let you Squall! He raised the fatal weapon, pointing it right at his opponent's face. You have robbed me of everything and its about time I do something about it!! And you know what!? I do love Rinoa and I WANT HER BACK!! I WANT EVERYTHING BACK!!

Reeling his gunblade back, Seifer lunged forward; ready to deliver a fatal attack towards Squall.




Author's Notes: Hey everyone! Summers finally here and hopefully I will be updating more often now! I have a volunteer job but that shouldn't be in the way of doing what I love to do-writing fics! =) It was a long time since I had updated huh? I just want to thank everyone so so much for reading this fic. It really means alot to me and all your reviews is what kept me going on this fanfic for over a year now! Thanks so much everyone! I love you all!! =D