Lament

Squall clenched his teeth in pure anger, not only at the predicament they were in but for letting his guards down. He should have foreseen something like this. His years of training should have taught him that he should not underestimate the enemy but in an instant of frenzy, he couldn't seem to recall any of the knowledge he gained from Garden. He mentally cursed himself for being so foolish. Honestly, he could care less if they claimed his life right now. He probably deserved it for not being keen but there was a completely innocent woman beside him who has done absolutely nothing wrong. She was a Sorceress and he was her Knight. Her life depended on him, SHE depended on him. He couldn't let the Galbadians win this. There was no way.

His grip on the gunblade intensified although he knew deep down that it was futile to even try attacking. There was no way he could manage to take out all of them and even if he tried to, he would only be exposing Rinoa to the danger. It was a lose-lose situation.

You're out of options Commander! The leader sneered wickedly, laughing in pure delight. His insane chortles were cut short by strident engines overhead. In confusion, he glanced up at the sky as a dark shadow temporarily washed over them all. The huge shadow loomed above their heads, casting away any sunlight. The Sorceress and the Commander were momentarily forgotten as the troops lowered their weapons, mesmerized at the red airship. A torrent of black smoke filled the air as the ship began to descend, finally planting itself firmly on the earth with a powerful thud.

Recovering quickly from the startle, the leader of the Galbadians instantly drew his attention back to his two victims who now remained nowhere in sight. His brows knit in fury as his eyes hastily scanned around. You fools!! he bellowed at his men. Where the hell did they go!? We had them, damn! he cursed, slamming his fist into the closest man's jaw in rage. Ignoring the running blood from the punch, he casted one last look at his soldier in disgust.

Looking for someone? A voice chirped from behind.

He instantly whipped his head around only to meet a small petite girl in a yellow dress smiling at him. Her hands went behind her back, revealing a deadly nunchaku. Just as he thought he could take out the young girl easily, a swarm of SeeDs and fighters emerged from within the forest.

The tables were turned. He was trapped and there was nowhere to run or hide, not that he would ever think about doing that anyway. He would rather die with honor than run like the coward the Commander was. Yeah that's right, RUN! Run like the poor fool that you are! he shouted when his eyes finally rested upon the blue and black blur disappearing into the woods.

Although Squall had heard the leader's uncalled for comments, he just shrugged it off. He would rather be a poor fool' than to let his Sorceress anywhere near danger. He increased his speed with Rinoa right by his side. He would have slowed down if he sensed that she was struggling to keep up but she wasn't. The fear of being captured, or worst, killed only fueled her legs to carry her further away from the enemy.

A familiar blonde suddenly came into view. Gunblade in hand, he stood calmly at the back of the Ragnarok. Beside him, a door was opened, allowing entrance to the lower level of the ship.

Rinoa gasped in between inhales of deep breaths. What are you doing here?

Get in. He replied bluntly.



Just get in. There's no time to explain. Before giving Rinoa another chance to protest, he shoved her inside the door and then turned to Squall. His emerald eyes were fixed upon his azure ones stoically with a hint of urgency. Get her out of here.

Where do I take her?

As far away from them as possible.

What about the others? he asked, obviously referring to his comrades and the other SeeDs who were risking their lives for the sake of them both.

They'll be fine. Now get out of here before more reinforcements come. Don't worry about us.

Squall nodded, despite the fact that he couldn't seem to suppress the cold chill running down his spine. What if something happens to one of them? I can't forgive myself.

Just go. There's nothing you can do here anyway, Seifer said sharply, as if he had just read his thoughts. Come on, go. You're wasting time here.

Thank you... he whispered genuinely to his rival for the first time. He turned around and prepared to head inside the airship when Seifer laid a hand upon his shoulder. He shot him a questioning look, surprised at the sudden kind gesture.

Take care of her Squall. She loves you. You hurt her and I'll personally kill you myself. His lips curved into a small rare grin. The truth hurt but there was nothing he could do about it other than to face it. Lies and deception would only hurt Rinoa and that was the last thing he wanted. He had his chance with her and lost it. His stupidity had costed him practically everything and nearly ended her life. It was time he started repenting and this was the first step to assure infinite happiness for the Sorceress.

Unsure of what to say and how to react, Squall just simply nodded again. Take care of yourself Seifer. You don't have to worry about Rinoa. He stepped inside the door with the perplexed Sorceress behind him. Seifer gave her the biggest grin that he could muster behind all the pain. The shutter started to close in on the gap. His emerald eyes laid upon her chocolate orbs one last time before the door sealed between them and their lives.

A few seconds later, the engines of the Ragnarok boomed to life again as the wind started to pick up, ruffling his blonde hair and his white trench coat down below. He inwardly prayed to Hyne for a safe departure. He would give anything to be the one on that plane with her instead of Squall but logically; he knew it was time to face the truth. Afterall, he was destined to suffer after letting her go the first time. He had to pay for his sins and paying dearly he was. The Ragnarok was nearly out of sight now behind the thick puffy clouds. His eyes remained riveted on the airship, oblivious to anything else around until urgent battle cries reverberated through the fields. The SeeDs were falling as more Galbadians closed in on them. Clenching his teeth, he drew out his slick Hyperion, ready to charge in. By the time he casted one last glance towards the sky, the Ragnarok had already faded into the Horizon and he knew she had made it to safety.

Squall read through the instruction manual carefully one last time before hitting the correct buttons on the panel. This was his first time piloting the ship. Usually, it was either Selphie or Zell who was in charge of doing that. He was quite surprised that he actually managed to get the ship in the air. After correctly activating the settings to Autopilot', he got out of his seat with a sigh.

Rinoa stood not to far away in a small corner just gazing outside the glass windows, hoping to get a sight of the battle raging down below them but the clouds did not permit that. She wondered if they had done the right thing. She was the one they wanted but instead, the whole Garden got dragged into the mess. Squall was the Commander for Hyne's sake and his valuable fighting assets were put to waste because he was with her right now, doing absolutely nothing other than standing beside her. For the first time since she got on the Ragnarok, she whipped her head away from the window and looked him straight in the eyes, exploring its azure depths, searching for the truth'.

Tell me Squall...why are we doing this? They need you more than me and yet you're not with them.

He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and shook his head, unsure of how to answer her. Because I'm selfish and I only want to make sure that you're all right? Because I love you? Because you mean more to me than Garden? Because you're a Sorceress, not by your own free will and you're being punished for something you had no control over? Because I'm assuming the others will all make it through this? No...I can't assume anything. This is as real as it can get. Death can be lurking right around the corners and if the fighters did not see it, Death will claim their lives in an instant. There was no guarantee that they were going to be all right'.

At that thought, he frowned deeply and it was enough to answer her questions.

You and I both know that there's a good chance a lot of the members won't be returning to Garden... she whispered while trying to stifle the tears. She would not cry. She had to be strong. If Garden was fighting for her sake, remaining strong was the least she could do for them. She still had faith in her friends that they would pull through and she was afraid if she cried, the tears would wash away whatever little hope there is.

He nodded and dryly replied, Yes, I know it sounds cold but they know the risks when they accepted their job as SeeDs. I know I did. We took an oath under Cid and it was a pretty long one too.

Rinoa couldn't help but giggle slightly at that fact. She could just visualize a whole bunch of SeeDs congregated before the Headmaster, heads bowed as Cid rambled on and on. The small smile disappeared followed by a heavy sigh. She knew that death was inevitable but how was she ever going to forgive herself if one of her friends died because of her. No, it didn't have to be her friend. It could be one of the hundred of SeeDs residing in Garden. For Hyne's sake, they were her peers, or even younger perhaps. How would she go on living knowing that her life has costed others? Suddenly, the guilt started fading, only to be overwhelmed by anger. How dare her father do something like this? What was he trying to prove? He had said that he was doing this for her mother Julia. She rolled her eyes at that thought. It was probably just some stupid lie to catch her off guard.

That man will pay for what he has done. If he doesn't, I'll be the one to make him pay and dearly of course. Hasn't that man destroyed enough lives already!?





She leaned against his strong chest with her head against his shoulder. Hesitantly, he placed his arms around, enveloping her small frame as if trying to shield away any pain and harm.

I love you...

Rinoa didn't need to turn around to see the small smile tugged upon his lips. Instead, she just smiled herself as she looked out the vast translucent panels praying for the safety of her friends even though it was futile.

Author's Notes: This story is finally coming to an end. Seifer's ending is next followed by Squall's. I'm gonna get both of these chapters out before school starts so this fanfic will definitely be completed before then. Again, thank you all for reading. I really do enjoy reading all your sweet comments and reviews!