Awaited Reunion


Broadcasters with their cameras quickly moved into the prison once the tiny door was opened. They all swarmed the General with their microphones with hopes of getting him to say a few words before the execution began. The soldiers desperately tried to pry the broadcasters away from the General but Caraway did not seem to mind. He took one of the microphones and stepped up to the podium.

Can you all hear me? He looked directly into the camera and cleared his throat. Tonight, you shall all witness the execution of the Sorceress.

General! Can you please tell us your feelings towards the Sorceress's execution? She is your daughter after all! Please! Tell us! A reporter quickly shoved the microphone in front of Caraway's face but he pushed it away.

I do not wish to discuss my personal thoughts. All the world has to know is that with the Sorceress gone, there will no longer be fear. I would like to present my second in command, Chris, to say a few words. With that, he stepped off the podium and another younger man took his place.

He was dressed in a formal navy suit with a messy tie dangling from his neck. Waiting until the crowd of people quiet down, he began to speak. As we all know, the Sorceress had pulled an attempt to kill the General. You might ask why Mr. Caraway is willing to kill his own daughter. You might think he is heartless but the real question is why did his own daughter try to kill HIM that night!? With the Sorceress gone, the world would be a much safer place.

Taking a pause, he locked his eyes on the crowd. Making sure he had every single one of their attention, he pulled the red curtains behind him revealing the execution bed in the back. A soldier brought in a tray with a single needle on it.

In just a matter of minutes, you will all witness the death of the Sorceress. Do not be afraid. Galbadia is here for YOU and we will not let you down.

A cheer rang out after Chris departed from the cameras. The lens now focused on the execution chamber which will soon no longer be vacant.

Chris signaled for the guards. It's time. Bring her in.


~*~*~*~*~*~

This is it...I'm really going to die...

Rinoa could not even bear to lift her eyes from the floor. The humiliation and shame of being executed in front of thousands of people was too much. She had always feared of being hated and rejected but she felt none of that mattered when Squall stood by her side. He gave her the strength to stand proud and tall despite all the hatred she had to bear from society.

Now, he's gone. The one support she had always counted on was not beside her. She nearly collapsed on the floor if one of the guards hadn't caught her in time.

Hey!! Pay attention to where you're going! he spat angrily.

Squall...

Her eyes widened in horror as the door to the execution chamber opened. She had to close her eyes from the flashes and lightings of the camera. The guards pushed her forward until she stood in front of her death bed. Her eyes shifted from the bed to the crowd. She did not spot anyone she recognized, not even her friends.

Perhaps this is for the best. I don't think they would want to see me...like this...

Her eyes could not hold back the tears anymore. They freely ran down her cheeks and she did nothing to stop them from flowing. Her vision blurred and did not even see one of the soldiers pushing her down onto the cold metal bed.

she gasped.

She tried to break free but the others soon jumped in. They grabbed her wrists and strapped her down. She buried her left side of her face into the hard metal. Her cascading raven hair hid her agony as she softly cried.

Those were going to be her last tears shed.

Hyne no... Rinoa whispered. She scanned the room one last time and saw her father standing in front of the crowd. Not a single emotion was shown on his face. He nodded to the man holding the needle, confirming that it was time. The noisy crowd died down and the only sound audible to Rinoa's ears was a familiar gentle voice. She closed her eyes and felt her mind slowly relaxed.

He was calling her name. He was calling out for her.

Squall...

The tears ceased and all the pain she felt before slowly washed away. His voice was so soothing...

Rinoa...I'll be waiting for you...

she mumbled.

If you come here, you will find me...

Her pulse gradually faded. The last thing she saw was the flower field before her eye lids fell.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Take care of her you here!? Now that the Sorceress is dead, I want you to put her in the coffin we prepared. The crew from the Sorceress Memorial will be arriving soon to take her. I've gotta head back now and give my final speech to the people. Chris gave the soldier one last stern look before he went back to the anxious crowd.

Don't worry about a thing Sir! I've got everything under control!

The soldier carefully picked up the Sorceress's light body and leaned down towards her face. He wished he could feel her tender skin against his but the headgear was in his way. Hugging her body one last time, he made sure the area was clear and then stormed out of the back door.

The cold air of the desert had never felt better. The moon peeked out from the hazy clouds illuminating a faint trail. His heart pounded furiously as he quickly followed the tracks towards the shore. The stars sparkled against the dark night and he thanked Hyne. If it wasn't for the bright heavens, he would probably have not succeeded in reaching his destination.

He could see the ocean thanks to the stars lighting his way. Quickly opening the slide of the vessel, the Galbadian soldier slipped in and laid the women on the floor. Taking on last look around to make sure they were not followed, he shut the door tightly and the vessel set sail from the coast.

Kneeling beside the raven-haired girl, he was relieved that her breathing became stronger. Her chest gently heaved up and down with each intake and exhale of air. He was mesmerized, lost in her beauty. He couldn't even bear to think that she came so close to death.

Taking a quick glance out the window, the coast of the D-District Prison was barely in view anymore. They were now in the middle of the vast ocean, safe from everything and everyone.

Hey! How is everything going on back there? the sailor asked. He stole a quick glance at the duo behind him.

Everything is perfect......

I'm glad. You know, we're very lucky that things turned out the way WE wanted. I would hate to think what would have happened if...

I know. Let's not talk about it right now. What matters is that Rinoa is alright.

The sailor squinted through the misty window. He silently cheered as piece of land slowly appeared as the vessel advanced further.

It looks like we're almost there, he commented. Are you sure this is where you want to be?

Yes. She needs to be isolated from everyone else. They all...hate her again. I can't believe Caraway can actually do this to his own daughter. Besides, everyone will find out sooner or later that her body isn't in coffin. They are sure to send out a search team.

I know...but it's just so hard seeing you two having to go into hiding.

Don't worry about us. You just go and report back to everyone. You have done enough here. Thank you... Slowly picking up sleeping woman in his arms, the pilot opened the door of the vessel for his companion to depart. Landing on the rugged grounds, he shot his friend one last look before heading towards the familiar ruins ahead of him.

He felt a sting of jealousy and anger. Their special place had been tainted.

Carefully setting on her on the soft grass, he took this moment to remove his head headgear and mask. The contact between his sweaty face and the cold wind had never felt better. His gaze returned back to the angel. She let out a soft moan and began to stir. Her dark lashes became alive as her eyes fluttered opened.



Looking up to the man who called her name, she smiled as her eyes met his icy cold ones.

she sighed happily. The grogginess turned into renewed energy as she knelt in front of him and threw her arms around his neck. I thought...I was never going to see you again.

He encircled her small waist with his strong arms, returning her embrace. Hyne, how he missed being this close to her. He softly stroked her hair until she reluctantly pulled apart.

Squall...I missed you so much...

Still unsure of how to respond to that comment, he decided to change the subject. Do you remember anything that happened at all?

Not really...the last thing I remembered was being strapped on the execution bed and you telling me that you would be waiting for me here, in the flower fields. Was it all just a dream or something?

The dose must have been stronger than I thought...

No...it was no dream. I wished it were too...

His statement perplexed her. If it wasn't a dream, then why was she still alive? She remembered the prick of the needle in her arm and felt the injection seeped into her body. He returned to her Knight for an answer. Taking a closer look at his attire, she noticed that he was dressed in a Galbadian uniform.

Squall? What are you doing in that uniform? It really doesn't fit you, you know? she giggled but then her face was serious again. What really happened?

It was the only way I could save you, he explained. When it was announced that you were to be executed by lethal injection, I had to come up with a plan fast. The others tried to save you but failed so I went to Dr. Kadowaki and asked her to give me some of her sleeping drugs. Afterwards, I found a spare Galbadian uniform and managed to sneak into the execution chamber and replace the syringe with the sleeping drug. You were injected with a high dose so that's why you appeared to have been dead in the eyes of the Galbadians.

Rinoa whispered. I don't know what to say......you did all that for me? Her hands traveled up to his face and caressed his cheek. He took her delicate hand, intertwining his fingers with her's.

I had to save you Rin. There was no way I was going to let you die.

I can't thank you enough for coming to my rescue again Squall...after what has happened, I thought you might have never wanted to see me again. After I overheard what you said, I couldn't bear it anymore so I left and decided to stop my father once and for all.

Hyne...that's why she left...

Rinoa...you left because of me? Squall thought back to the day he was raving about how upset he was without even realizing that she could have heard him. True he was upset but he didn't think that one mistake could change their lives forever. You heard everything I said didn't you? he said at last.

Rinoa nodded and looked down, unable to look him straight in the eye. Squall placed his arms on her shoulders and bent down until she was forced to look right back at him. I...I was just upset... he said lamely.

I don't blame you, Rinoa quickly interrupted him. It was my fault. You were upset and you had every right to be. I'm the one to blame for all this. This whole situation is my fault. Instead of handling it the right way like any mature person would have, I went crazy and thought that I could actually sort things out with that man. I...I didn't listen to you when you told me not to even be nearing Deling City...so I have no one to blame but myself.

Rinoa, this isn't your fault, Squall said sternly. I guess...there's no guarantee in the future right? Those were your words...no one knows what tomorrow is going to bring.

So what are we going to do now?

We're going to live Rinoa. We're going to live this moment together...

Leaning against his chest, she sighed. What do you think is gonna happen tomorrow? They all hate me...don't they? My father has the whole world against me now...and what about you Squall? You can't stay with me forever. They're going to realize sooner or later that you were the one who helped me escape. They will kill you if they find out...

So be it then. Not everyone is against you Rin. The people of Timber know better than to blindly follow Caraway. Also, the people of Esthar are siding with Laguna. They're probably trying to find a way to stop all this. Besides, even if the whole world is against you...I'll be by your side until the end. I know we had our problems before but ever since you left, I searched everywhere for you. The love we share still lingers and I don't want to let it fade.

Me neither Squall...me neither...









Author's Notes: Finally another update! I hope this chapter was ok for the Squinoa fans! Seifer/Rinoa chapter is next! Thanks for reading everyone!