Ominous


Squall's eyes widened and quickly became alert of what Seifer was trying to do. He raised his gunblade just in time to shield himself from harm.

What do you think you're doing? Squall grunted while trying to hold back the pressure from the Hyperion that Seifer was forcing on him.

The latter didn't say anything but pulled his gunblade back and lifted it above his head with both hands, ready to bring it down towards his target. The blades clashed against each other sending multiple sparks all over the place. Instead of fighting back, Squall moved into a defensive stance and tried to talk some sense into Seifer about this whole situation. They couldn't be taking out their anger out on each other and waste any more time when Rinoa and Timber are in trouble. What kind of commander would he be if he put his personal affairs ahead of his missions?

Seifer stop!! We don't have time for this damnit!!! Squall yelled while shielding himself from another harsh blow that was aimed for his arm.

His rival didn't show any response. Instead, he continued fighting like a possessed demon. His aquamarine eyes burned with a passion to kill the man in front of him.

You are not going to take anything else away from me Squall!!

The wind started to pick up and the sky darkened. Grey clouds replaced tranquil ones and small droplets of rain descended. What was left of the small amount of flowers in the field were only the green stems. The petals were swept into the air and blown faraway. The field was now empty save for the two SeeDs. One who was trying to reason and the other had only one intention-to kill.

Squall ducked and jumped back from Seifer's mad slashes. I am not going to stand here and fight you when more important things are at stake here! Rinoa is in trouble! I thought you cared about her!!

I do care about her! I'll go and find her after I'm done with YOU!! he roared. He began picking up speed and dashed forward with the Hyperion dangerously in his hand and prepared to strike his opponent with a new attack.

The light drizzle slowly turned into a heavy downpour as the rain began to pound furiously. Thunder sparked throughout sky creating a crescendo of chaos.

This...this was just like in my dream...who'd ever thought that this moment was actually foreshadowed? Squall thought as he managed to fend off another one of Seifer's attacks.

Seifer continued to expertly swing his gunblade in rage. His arms were exhausted but he ignored the pain. Sweat rolled down his forehead and he started sucking in deep breaths. His trench coat and the rest of his battle gears were soaked. Water dripped from his damp blonde hair into his eyes blurring his vision momentarily but he roughly wiped them away and stood up tall, holding his gunblade at ease. He pointed it at his rival and roared, What's the matter Squall!? Are you too scared to fight me?

He didn't say anything but kept his gaze locked on the Hyperion cautiously. He could feel the anger inside him slowly rising and found his Lionheart that was clenched between his two hands was shaking in rage. Whatever Seifer said, Squall tried to restrain himself from fighting back...until he whispered his last sentence quietly.

I love Rinoa. She was mine and she's still mine and I'm going to take her back...you'll never have her Squall.

Those words echoed endlessly throughout his head and his merciful features immediately turned into remorseless ones. He gritted his teeth and fury loomed over his icy blue eyes. Seifer's dry laugh was cut short when he received an unexpected wound on his arm. The blade tore through the thick cloth of the trench coat and left a thick red streak of blood.

No one...and I mean no one is going to take Rinoa away ever again. We've been through Time Compression and that couldn't even separate us. You think I'm going to let someone like you step in the way? Squall whispered deadly. He still had his weapon pointed at his rival with blood and a rain dripping at the tip.

Seifer let go of his bleeding arm and snickered. You're fooling yourself Leonheart. We made our promise here right at this very field we're standing on now. I promised her that I was going to take care of her and help her achieve anything she wanted. I promised her that we were going to free Timber one day and I don't ever intend on breaking those promises. Squall, Rinoa's a sorceress and the only Knight she'll ever need is me! My romantic dream is finally becoming a reality...

A mix of confusion and pain was clearly visible on Squall's face for a second before he turned around withdrew his gunblade back into his leather sheath. He looked up to the dark sky where the strong thunder blasted in every direction. Slowly closing his eyes, he let the rain drip from his bangs down his face. Seifer's words slowly began to sink in to him. Had he been deluded all this time that Rinoa was going to be with him forever? That nothing was going to get in their way ever again? Maybe he had been a fool all this time to think that he could ever find love and comfort again. Perhaps he was cursed to be a lone wolf and to be isolated from everyone. Every time he found a great attachment to the ones he love, they always seem to be slipping away and maybe the same thing was bound to happen to Rinoa just like it had been with Ellone.

Squall...you have taken away everything that I have dreamed of. Rinoa, SeeD, Commander, Knight, Attention, Fame!! Everything!! But you know what? It all ends here...right here, right now!! I'm gonna make you suffer...just like how you made ME suffer all these years.

It all happened to fast......

Fire Cross!!

Angry flames surrounded Seifer as he brought up his gunblade. With a swift movement of his hand, he sent an immense inferno towards his target. Squall spun around only to be faced with fire blazing everywhere in front of him. The last thing he saw was a gunblade cutting through the flare. A trigger was pulled and he slumped lifelessly to the hard ground.

Rinoa......

~*~*~*~*~*~

We have arrived at Deling City. This is the last stop off this train. All passengers please get off this train. I repeat, this is the last stop off this train. All passengers
please get off. We have reached Deling City.

Rinoa pulled her blue cloak closer to her body and fixed the hood that was covering her face. She had finally reached her stop after two long hours sitting on the train. All this time, she thought about what she had to do and encouraged herself that it was the right thing to do. She knew this was dangerous and she was breaking her promise to Squall but she was the only one who could stop this insanity. She followed the other people out and took the elevator to the top platform where her home was clearly visible in the far distance.

Deling City didn't change a bit since she was last here with the other SeeDs. Numerous bright lights still filled the city and the stores made it seem extra lively. The only exception was that there were a couple of more Galbadian Soldiers on guard.

Probably ordered by father Rinoa thought.

A rough hand suddenly grabbed her from behind.

Identify yourself, a Galbadian guard ordered.

Rinoa threw off her hood and replied casually. I'm Rinoa Heartilly. Daughter of General Caraway. I'm here to see my father.

Miss Heartilly! The guard nodded. I see. I'll escort you to the mansion. We'll ride that car.

That's fine. Rinoa took a deep breath and opened the door to the car, taking a small step in. Was she going to make the biggest mistake of her life? She instantly remembered what Squall said about how dangerous it was going to be if she went to Deling City, especially going to her father. He was right. Rinoa had no idea what her father was going to do since he barely treated her as his daughter ever since he was the one who was responsible for destroying her wedding.

The guard placed the key into the engine and drove off heading for the mansion.

Rinoa prayed that she wont regret this. She was much more confident when she planned this whole secret mission. She was almost certain that her father wouldn't harm her but now she was beginning to have second thoughts. Caraway was always a man who loved power and politics. Seeing the Galbadian guards at almost every corner of Deling was starting to lead her to think that he would choose his job and position over his own daughter.

The car stopped right in front of the gigantic mansion. A place she once called her home'.

We're here Miss. Heartilly. The general is in his office.

Rinoa stood in front of the door. Her heart started to pound as she reached for the doorbell and gently pressed it. She had no choice but to do this. Her own father is the cause for all the chaos in Timber and she should be the one responsible for everything. She had to take care of this issue on her own, not Squall or the other SeeDs. There was a light buzz and the entrance door was electronically unlocked. It was too late to run for there were a couple of Galbadian Soldiers standing right behind her.

She had no choice but to proceed inside.