For You


The heavy solid door slid opened. It was the first sound Rinoa had heard in awhile in her hollow cell. Two Galbadian Soldiers walked in. One approached her and the other stayed by the door in case she tried to pull something to escape.

We're here to bring you news on your father. It seems Mr. Caraway is still in critical condition but it looks like he's going to be fine, at least he's stabilized for now, announced the soldier.

Rinoa glared at him and shook her head. I don't care. Even though he's my father, after what he has done to so many people, he doesn't deserve to live.

We thought you would like to record something for him before your execution tonight. He handed her a tape recorder but she refused to accept it.

I have nothing to say to him.

Well, I guess that's that then. I just hope you won't regret this because you won't be able to say good bye to anyone else. No one is coming for you and if you think those SeeD friends of yours are coming to save you, think again. Even if they do break in here and get you out, the minute you all leave this complex, a trap will be triggered killing all of them.

With that, he and his partner walked away leaving Rinoa cuddled up in the corner again. She hugged her knees tightly and softly cried to herself. She couldn't cry in front of the Galbadians because that would have made her look weak but now since she was alone again, she let the tears trickle endlessly down her cheeks. Was this the end for her? She was positive the SeeDs were already informed where she was already since her attempt to stop her father had probably been broadcasted.

She wasn't scared at all the minute they threw her into the prison nor when they announced she was to be executed because she knew in her heart, she wasn't going to die. She kept thinking Squall wasn't going to let her die, that he was going to find a way to save her and get her out of here but the more she thought about it, she realized it was unlikely going to happen.

The reason she left in the first place was because of his words. She had hurt him so badly.

But still...she thought. Even in the darkest times, there is still hope.

She wasn't going to give up hope. She assured herself over and over again that everything would be fine that she would escape by midnight but after hearing what Galbadian soldier just mentioned, all her hopes were shattered.

It was very possible that they are expecting them to come for her and they probably devised a trap for them. She couldn't allow them all to be killed because of something foolish she did.

That's when she realized she had to be executed...she couldn't leave and risked having them all killed. They all mean so much to her. They were her only family and she would do anything to keep them from harm.

She clutched her chain tightly and closed her eyes. Just gripping the ring in her palm made her feel close to him. Her slender fingers traveled across the ring with a lion etched in it to a slightly larger one.

Seifer

It was still on her chain. She had never removed it. Why hadn't she? She should have immediately taken it off ever since Squall found out what happened between them. It was one of the reasons that were tearing them apart but still...she couldn't bring her fingers to take it off.

Why can't I do it? This chain only has a place for Squall and I...not Seifer.

I love you Rinoa...

Those words kept repeating in her head over and over again ever since he admitted them to her. He wasn't over her and she wasn't sure she was over him either. That passionate summer they shared wasn't something you can just easily forget. It really...touched her heart. He declared his love for her and she could tell it was genuinely real but she was too young and too weak back then to reach out to him...and she lost him.

Squall...I truly love you...and I've never been happier in my life when you finally said you love me too but...Seifer......

Did she love Seifer?

She clutched her head, not wanting to think anymore. Maybe all this time she was running from the truth. Her true feelings.

It won't matter much longer anyway...I'm gonna die tonight...I've caused so much trouble...maybe it was best if I had never met Squall nor Seifer so I wouldn't have had both of them sucked into this mess.

With a look of resolve on her face, the Sorceress was determined to go through with the execution no matter what happens...even if they have come for her. If this was the end for her, the only thing she wished for now was for a chance to say good bye to them...to all of them. She had so much to tell each and every one of them but they probably hated her too.

Hated her because she let her emotions get the best of her, which had driven her into this mess. She could hear Quistis saying the only thing she had been doing was getting into trouble and making the job harder for anyone and she was nothing but right. They were going to hate her because this didn't have to happen if only she was mature enough to do something about what Squall said instead of running off like a fool.

I have no one to blame but myself...

~*~*~*~*~*~

Squall mumbled. He tried sitting up but a sharp pain bursting from his side immediately brought him back down.

Alerted, Dr. Kadowaki bolted out of her seat and gently placed her hand on his shoulders, guiding his head back down on the pillow. She shook her head and gave him a stern look.

Hey hey. Take it easy. I see you seem to have regained conscious.



Squall, you still have many injuries and if you don't take it easy, the recovery process is going to take longer than needed and I know you probably won't enjoy being in the Infirmary. She handed him a cup of water, which he gratefully took and gulped down all the content instantly. He never realized how thirsty he was until the he sipped the refreshing cold water.

How did you suddenly just jump' up like that anyway? A few minutes ago, you were totally out.

She handed the patient another cup of water while he began to talk.

I had a dream, he said.

The doctor raised a brow. A dream? What sort of dream Squall?

I had a dream that Rinoa was all alone in a prison cell...I think in the District Prison. She was talking to herself about how she'll never see all of us again and that she ran away...and I think that's about it. I...I can't remember the rest. She also mentioned something about Seifer but...I couldn't recall what she said.

The woman sat down on the edge of the cot. Squall noticed she became rather quiet.

Was there any word on Rinoa? I didn't find her at the Orphanage and then-

I know I know, she interrupted. Shh...don't talk now. I know everything. Quistis filled me in when she stayed with you in here. You know, you really gave her and all the other SeeDs quite a scare but I assured them that you were going to be just fine.

Quistis was here...?

Yes. She was really concerned about you and everyone else too. You have got to be more careful next time Squall, walking into a trap...that's going to be something very common these days...especially for SeeDs.

What is she talking about?

Whatever...look, was there any word on Rinoa?

Dr. Kadowaki sighed. He was going to find out sooner or later. She reached for a radio on her desk and turned it on. Hear for yourself...it's been on the news all day today.

There is five more hours until Rinoa Heartilly's execution. There was still no word on her motives and the Galbadians are going to interrogate her once more. They promised her motives would be revealed. Also, President Caraway is doing much better. He's onto a very promising recovery thanks to his personal medical staff at the Deling City Hospital. Again, we will update every half hour or so on this special report of attempted assassination.

She turned off the radio and looked at Squall.

he yelled angrily. He leaped up, ignoring the burning pain this time.

Please calm down... She tried to push him down but the SeeD roughly shoved her hands away.

What is going on here!? What do they mean Rinoa is going to be executed in five hours!? TELL ME!

We just found out this morning that Rinoa went to the Deling Mansion herself and she seemed to have threatened her father to hold back his forces. When words didn't get through to him...I guess she had no choice but to try to kill him.

NO! She wouldn't do that! I told her not to go to Deling! I told her to stay away...god...this can't be happening... He buried his face in his hands, feeling angry with himself that he didn't see this coming. He should have known that she was going to go back to Deling and try to get revenge on her father.

I'm so sorry Squall... the doctor whispered. She gently place her hand on his back and rubbed it trying to console him. The SeeDs already left. Seifer came up with a plan and they're going to get Rinoa out before her execution is carried out.

Seifer!? I've got to stop them...why are they following Seifer's plan. They know he can't be trusted.

Squall...the headmaster made him the Commander until you recover and he seems to be the only one who came up with an idea. I have no idea what he's trying to do but I'm convinced he won't jeopardize this mission.

His eyes widened. Seifer!? Commander!? Why would Cid do this!? He shook his head. You know what, I don't care. That's not even important now. What matters is that I have to go NOW! I have to get Rinoa out of there!

"I'm afraid I wont allow you to leave this bed, said the doctor sharply. You are in no condition just to even walk so you can forget about playing a part in this mission. I would leave this to the Seifer and the others. We're almost arriving at the District Prison. They know what they're doing and they WILL get Rinoa out so please just stay put Squall.

Stay put? You're asking me to stay put at a time like this? I can't stay here. I have to go to Rinoa. She needs me! They can't go along with whatever Seifer has in mind!

And just how do you plan to go when you are in such pain.

Look, I can take care of myself alright, he argued back. Rinoa needs me and I have to go to her. I...love her...and I think...this is all my fault...

Your fault? How is all this your fault?

She must have felt that I didn't love her no more but I do love her...more than she will ever know but because of the things I said...that was probably what had driven her to do what she did... A deep look of regret appeared on his face. That's why I have to save her...no matter what. I swear I'm not going to let her die and no one is going to stop me...

Sighing, Dr. Kadowaki gave him a rueful smile. I guess...I wont be able to change your mind no matter what I say to you. If you feel up to it Squall, she conceded finally.

Thank you for understanding, the adamant commander replied.

Just promise me one thing?



You better come back alive with the woman you love.

Squall nodded. That's a promise. I know I'm in no condition to battle or anything so I'll have to come up with a plan of my own in case Seifer's fails... He began standing up and tried ignoring the agony his front and back were causing him. Forcing a smile, he threw his white t-shirt over his bandaged chest and then his black leather jacket over it.

I sure hope you have a plan. You know how difficult this is gonna be since the Galbadians are probably expecting us to arrive.

That just proves I'm needed. Don't worry about a thing. I already have something in mind and I know it will work.

~*~*~*~*~*~

We're almost there, Selphie declared as she looked out the through the glass windows at the bridge.

Good. Nida, make sure you don't move in too much into their range or they will spot us. As soon as you drop us down, get the Garden out of here. I'll call you once we're ready and that's when you come back to get us. Make sure they don't spot Garden or it can be all over, Seifer admonished.

Don't worry. I have everything under control, said Nida.

We're almost there so start filling us in on your brilliant plan, Zell said impatiently.

Well head to the outskirts of the prison. I'm sure there's gonna be a couple of guards there. We'll kill them and take their uniform and key cards and head on in. That's the first step. Once we're inside, we're all going to have to split up. I remember there was a secret exit towards the back but it has to be activated with the key cards. We're all be heading to different routes so pay attention.

He laid out a map of the District Prison.

You see the areas marked with a red circle? These are the area where you have to activate the switch to trigger the secret back door. This was how I got out when I was there with Matron. Selphie, you'll activate the mechanism at the South division, Irvine, you'll take the east division, Zell, you'll take the west division and Quistis and I will focus on finding Rinoa's cell. It's probably located at the top level on the north division and we'll handle the activation there. Also, once you three finish your job, you have to go to another site to do another activation because it requires three card keys. That site is adjacent to the secret passage at the base level. We'll all meet up at the exit.

His fingers rapidly pointed to the different locations on the map and moved them around to specify what he was saying. I planned it so we can all make it to the secret passage in just about the same time.

Just where exactly does this passage lead to? Quistis questioned. If its at the base level, wouldn't it lead underground?

Right. Once the door is opened, sand will pour in but if everything is activated, the sand will disperse and there will be a clear tunnel that leads back out to the desert. From there, we contact Nida immediately and we have to focus on running to the edge, as far from the complex as possible.

I see...I have to admit Seifer...this idea of yours is pretty brilliant. Let's just hope it works, said Irvine.

It will work as long as none of you screw up. He cast a baleful glare towards Zell.

I guess this is it... said Selphie. We're here...so I guess we better get going. Good luck everyone and everything will turn out fine! she encouraged.

Seifer loaded his gunblade with fresh ammunition.

Rinoa...I'm coming.
X20 Vision-HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! HOPE YOU'RE HAVING FUN!! =D


Author's Notes: Well that turned out longer than I had expected but I just wanted Seifer's plan to be revealed but I'm still keeping Squall's a secret. I don't know when the next update will be but I'm hoping it will be out before school starts for me on Monday. Those of you who have to go back to school earlier than me, I wish you the best of luck on getting nice teachers and having a fun year! And as always, thank you so much for your time on reading this. I'm so happy that this fic actually broke 400 reviews and it's all thanks to you guys! =)