Facing The Tempest
The night faded in the horizon as streaks of bright orange and yellow washed over the sky. The rays of light beamed straight through the crevices and cracks of the orphanage vexing those who needed more time to sleep. Fortunately, neither Squall nor Rinoa was in any mood to kick back and rest. Fear was constantly on Rinoa's mind, engulfing her after the successful rescue mission. She wanted to stay up the whole night and just stay close to Squall but his persistent orders didn't allow that. He was adamant about keeping an eye on their surroundings while she got some rest. Without much of a struggle, she gave. She had no idea that Squall was right. She was indeed exhausted.
Adjusting her eyes to the sunlight, she slowly opened one of them and found Squall standing in the corner looking through the windows of the orphanage. He was learning against the wall and had his arms folded. His keen hearing instantly detected movement. "Had a good sleep?" he asked without even turning back to look at the shocked angel.
"Squall, do you have eyes in the back of your head or something?" she giggled softly and then stretched her legs across the musty bed. He just shook his head without a comment.
With a sigh, she got off from the bed and walked up to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Don't tell me you have been standing in this corner for the past six hours."
He took her hands into his and held it lightly. He finally averted his eyes from scanning outside the window to the beautiful face in beside him. Rinoa blushed slightly as he fixed his glance on her, unsure of what to do or say. She looked down at her feet until Squall gently placed a finger under her chin and tilted her head until their eyes met. His icy azure orbs stared right through her, into her soul. When she was incarcerated in the District Prison, all she could envision in the darkness of her cell were his blue eyes; the blue light of hope that she prayed would guide her through the chaos. She feared more than anything that she would never get to see that pair of eyes that held so much emotions-anger, sadness, rage, love.
"It's nothing compared to having you back in my arms again." He unconsciously stroked her hair and tucked a loose strand behind her ear before drawing her body closer to his chest. She leaned her head against his shoulder and glanced out the orphanage window into the flower bright flower field watching the vibrant colors of the petals dance silently in the wind. An exceptionally strong breeze brought a shower of petals through the window. Rinoa caught a small pink one in her palm and rubbed its soft surface with her slender fingers. "But what are we going to do now? I mean, you know my father won't let you get away with this. He will even wage a war if he has to. I'm scared...scared that he will not only tear us apart but everything else. Garden, Timber...maybe even Esthar if he finds out Laguna is he helping us."
He held her tighter in the protective embrace and placed his chin on top of her head. He let out a sigh as she gradually started to relax. "So let him wage a war if he wants to. I'm going to fight not only for Garden and the world but for US too. You have no idea how I felt when I was on the brink of losing you. Hyne...I would rather face Ultimecia all over again then to experience the pain and fear that you were going to die before my eyes."
"I'm gonna fight too Squall. As long as you're by my side, I'm not afraid of anything." She couldn't believe that the man, better known as her father that she once spoke of to everyone with great veneration when she was a little girl was now the opponent she must face for the sake of her life. "Everything changed between us after my mother died," she muttered petulantly. "I really don't know what happened between us. I remember when I turned sixteen, I fled the mansion and never once regretted it or looked back I started a new life by fighting for Timber. Maybe that's why it means so much to me...it was the first real accomplishment that I was proud of."
He loved it when she spoke right from her heart. Many people would chastise her for speaking her mind so candidly since not everything that came out of her mouth were all sweet and nice but Squall could care less. He found it extremely fascinating that she could speak her mind with ease while this was something new and foreign he had to learn and it was much harder and challenging than any skills a SeeD had to absorb.
"And I'm proud of YOU Rinoa. That's why we're all going to the best we can to save Timber and we will."
"I have the best friends in the whole world and the most formidable knight. How can we lose?" She giggled before tracing his scar with her fingers. Then, more quietly, she asked, "What are our plans now?"
"While you were asleep, I contacted Balamb Garden and informed them that we were fine. I'm sure Caraway does not know about this place. After we were dropped off, the vessel was abandoned and destroyed so no one can pick up on our lead. Another vessel from Esthar should be here shortly to pick us up. The Garden is currently stationed at Shimi Village right now and we will discuss our next move once we arrive."
"Always well prepared aren't we?"
"Of course. A SeeD must always be prepared to handle whatever may come."
"You know, I just hope we can end this. I thought our lives were finally on track again after Ultimecia but obviously, there is always more in store for us..." she whispered sadly and sighed while keeping her eyes set on the shorelines for the vessel. "I was really looking forward to our wedding but that too was destroyed by my father. And then with Seifer..."
At the sound of his name, every muscle in his body tensed. A part of him wanted to tear his rival from limb to limb but then there was also another part of him that somewhat sympathized with him for losing Rinoa. At this point, Squall honestly did not know what he would do if he had lost her. She was his savior; his guardian who had weaved back together his shattered life and fragmented past. Perhaps it was not Seifer's fault that he was trying to hold on to whatever sanity he had left in him by calling out for her. The truth was simple but he just refused to perceive it.
It was pure jealousy and fear of losing her.
She stopped after uttering the name Seifer and frowned slightly. "Squall, I know what you're thinking. You're thinking that Seifer might come between us right?"
For once, he decided not to hide his feelings. Solemnly, he nodded.
"I don't think you have anything to worry about. I think...I'm finally starting to come to term with my feelings. I think I'm starting to understand myself a little more and where I stand with Seifer."
"And...where will that be?"
She opened her mouth, about to answer but then saw the tip of a blue vessel weaving through the waters, heading for the shore. Her eyes lit up with hope with excitement at the sight.
"You'll find out soon Squall." That was her brusque reply. She tugged on his arms and pointed to the window. "Look, they're finally here!"
He turned around and gazed out the crack and sure enough, he made out the vessel with its surface gleaming under the scorching sun heading their way. He prayed that Laguna's men knew what they were doing and that Laguna hadn't mess up on the coordinates. Knowing Laguna, he could easily screw up any menial work. Perhaps it was better if he and Rinoa awaited them outside. That way, they surely can't be missed.
"All right. But once everything is settled, you're going to tell me everything right?"
"Of course Squall."
"OK, let's get going then."
She took off after him, following his lead through the rubbles and ruins outside the orphanage. Before leaving, she casted one last glance back at the flower fields to the side. Swarms of petals still flowed gently with the breeze. She stood frozen in place, mesmerized at the beauty. "This just might be the perfect place..."
"Rinoa?" Squall turned around when he realized he was the only one walking towards the entrance of the orphanage. He slowly walked up beside her and followed her gaze to the flower fields. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he gently whispered, "What did you say before?"
"Oh...nothing. Just thinking out loud that's all."
"Not talking to yourself I presume?"
She turned around and laughed sweetly before grabbing his hand and walking out.
Yes, indeed this is the perfect place...
He chuckled and this time, he took her lead. He thanked Hyne that when they arrived outside, the vessel was there. That can only mean that Laguna had actually given the precise coordinates. Laguna was an intelligent man. One of his biggest flaws however that he was extremely careless and sometimes, everything would just go into one ear and out the other.
"Commander Leonheart?" A young man clad in a white navy suit bowed his head in respect.
"Yes, that's me. This is Rinoa here."
She politely waved at the crew and then waited for their next command.
The team straightened themselves alongside each other and gave the traditional SeeD salute. Squall groaned softly. Not this again...how many times do they-wait a damn minute!!
Instantly, Squall pushed Rinoa back behind him and with a single fluid motion, he drew out his gunblade and held it defensively in front of them both. His eyes were fixed deadly on the crew, watching their every move keenly. The men look at the Commander, confused and baffled at his actions. Before any of them could utter a word, Squall hoisted up his weapon until the gleaming wicked blade directly met one of the man's necks.
"Who the hell are you? Identify yourselves."
"I don't know what you're talking about! We were sent by Esthar to escort you," one of them yelled, his face filled with anger.
"That is not the salute you perform if you are affiliated with either SeeD or Esthar. Show identifications right NOW."
The shipmen looked at each other, exchanging silent words using brief facial expressions. He knew something wasn't right and for the first time, he was grateful for the formal salutes. He really didn't understand why it was so essential until now. Memorizing every movement, every gesture of the hand and posture had indeed given him an advantage in this predicament. He unconsciously tightened his grip on Rinoa's arms while waiting for some proof.
It doesn't look like he was going to get any.
One of the men's lips curved into a malicious grin as Squall's eyes widened at the sight of a Galbadian style rifle visible beneath his long white suit. As the gentle wind surrounded them, the flaps of his suit fluttered about, allowing him full vision of the protruding the gun. All eight of the members suddenly broke into uncontrollable laughter. The man who was threatened by the gunblade suddenly whipped around behind Squall seeing that his defenses were down. He motioned for his other partners to disperse, circling the Commander and the Sorceress.
"Ready to die?"
Author's Notes: After months, I am finally back from school! This is Squall's chapter and Seifer's is out next. I think this fic is going to come to an end pretty soon but since there will be more than one ending, there's gonna be more than one outcome so I guess that will somehow make it longer. Once again, thank you all for reading and I will try to get the next chapter out as soon as possible.
