The Beginning of an End

-Two months later-

And we are now...finally liberated.

The crowd cheered as Rinoa blushed faintly from embarrassment at the podium. She looked at Squall who stood proudly besides her. She gave him a small grin and returned her attention back to the crowd in front of her. Descending from the podium, she stood among her own people and hugged familiar friends and strangers. Children cried in joy as adults lauded her for her heroic deeds but the truth was that she did not do this alone. So much had been sacrificed for Timber's liberation. She could not take credit for all this and she didn't. She placed the microphone against her lips once more and concluded her speech. I know that this is such a happy moment for all of us but we must not forget all those who had died...for Timber's liberation. She could feel her black eyes getting misty as speaking became harder and harder for her. Squall walked beside her and place a gentle hand on her shoulder, silently encouraging her to go on. Nodding, the Sorceress continued. A lot of SeeDs had died for this day...and one very special person who had sworn to protect this town two years ago. We must...honor their valor. Therefore...a monument shall be built in the center of this town so...they will be remembered for their bravery.

The cheers faded as the joyous atmosphere was replaced by a dreadful one. The residents of Timber bowed their heads. They knew the sacrifices the SeeDs made in order to save the precious town. Rinoa bowed her head as well in a moment of silence as she recalled the horror. The last thing she remembered was hugging Squall on the Ragnarok when a huge blast exploded beneath her. The force was so powerful that it shook the airship even when it was high in the air. At that moment, Rinoa's heart froze. The loud explosion violently reverberated in her ears as she came to the realization that many of the SeeDs and her friends were probably caught in the destruction. Tears spilled from her eyes as Squall solemnly held her close to him. She could tell that he was scared too although he did not show it.

At that point, Squall turned the Ragnarok back around. Rinoa urged him to land the airship. She had to go down and witness the horrific scene and find out if her friends made it out alive. However, she regretted her action.

The moment she stepped off the ship, she was faced with dead bodies sprawled all over crimson snow. Bodies among bodies tarnished the white land as she made her way across the field. She cried at the sight of innocent young cadets whose lives had been taken so unfairly. The scent of death and gasoline tickled her nostrils, almost making her vomit but the sight of the dead would forever remain in her mind. Squall trailed across the field slowly. He keenly searched for any signs of life. Rinoa was relieved to find that a great number of SeeDs managed to escape the field in the time of the explosion. Most of the victims were Galbadians but she could not forget the ones who were adorned in Balamb Garden uniforms. They were all so young and innocent.

One particular face caught her attention. It was General Caraway.

Rinoa didn't know what to feel. Her father laid wounded beneath her. She could tell that he was still alive since he was having trouble breathing. His thick coarse fingers reached out for her, begging her to help him but she just stood there motionless. She watched her old man suffer in agony and within a few minutes, he was dead too. She did not reel remorse or pain for watching him suffer. She was in too much of a shock to even help him. Now, she will never find out why her father attacked her and Timber. Was it a big deal anyway? Did she want to know?

Maybe there was a good reason?

She doubted that. The only explanation that she could come up with was that her father's heart was filled with greed but that could not be confirmed. She didn't care. He took the life of so many of her friends and Garden cadets. She didn't care if he had the best reason in the world.

Shortly afterwards, Balamb investigators landed and discovered that the shrapnel used was property of the Galbadian government. Rinoa scoffed harshly. Of course. Who else would do such a thing?

Hours passed but one good thing did happen. Squall returned to her with her best friends following behind him. Quistis, Selphie, Irvine, and Zell all looked as if they had been through hell and back. Their clothes were in ruins, dirt covered their faces, and the fact that they were limping showed that they were in great pain. She remembered Selphie's weak smile as she whispered, It's over...we won.

However, right after she said that, she fainted into Zell's arms. Rinoa's heart skipped a beat as she rushed to her friend. She was so scared that Selphie was going to die right in front of her eyes but luckily, Garden landed and she was rushed into the infirmary where Dr. Kadowaki was able to treat her wounds. For that whole night, the rest of the SeeDs searched long and hard for their missing comrades, especially for Seifer. Rinoa dashed out into the cold night looking for her Hyperion soldier but she found nothing. The rest of the gang returned with a look of distress on their faces. No one found Seifer.

Eventually, the cold nasty truth hit her and she accepted it.

Seifer Almasy was dead.

Rinoa blinked. She was back in reality again. Squall wiped the tears that trickled down her face as the Timber residents showed their condolences towards the female. A plump old woman spoke up from the crowd.

Don't worry honey. All...the dead will be honored. We will never forget what they have done for us...especially that young lad, Seifer.

Rinoa gave her a small smile. Thank you... she said in between tears. Um...well...I guess this is all I have to say. I just want to thank you for all your support. Timber is finally ours again!

The crowd erupted into long rounds of cheers once more.

You wanna get out of here? Squall asked. He was truly concerned about her well being at this point.

Rinoa managed to choke out. Let's go...I wanna go there.

Fresh vibrant petals danced in the wind as the Ragnarok descended onto the grounds of the flower fields. Rinoa was welcomed by a warm gentle breeze as the pink petals glided around her. The light scent of the flowers made her smile as she took one small petal into her hand and then released it, watching it disappear into the blue sky. She tightly clutched the small bouquet of white roses between her hands as she walked towards a large tomb protruding from the earth. The rest of her friends quietly followed behind her holding a small bouquet of white roses as well. When they arrived at the tomb stone, they dispersed and stood around it. They were all uncomfortable and unsure of what to say. Eyes scanned each other for support but Rinoa's orbs only pierced at the name Seifer Almasy inscribed across the stone.

Finally, Zell decided to start his small speech.

His words were inaudible to Rinoa. All she could picture was the explosion and the moment that she was told that Seifer was dead. It just wasn't fair. Why did he have to die? There was so much that she wanted to tell him. He was so honest with his feelings and she wished she could've had the chance to do the same. She wanted to tell him that he was very special to her but she could not love him, at least not in the same way she loved Squall. She wanted him to know that she cared about him deeply even though they could not be together. Now, Seifer would never hear her words or know her feelings. He probably died thinking that she thought he was insignificant in her life. She wanted to prove that wrong so badly...

It felt as if an eternity had passed when Rinoa realized she was the only one left to say her farewell. She stepped forward and gently kneeled before the tomb stone. She didn't want to announce her speech out loud so she closed her eyes and silently told him through her mind. They always had a strong connection so she hoped that he could hear her through his heart and not his ears.

She gracefully dropped her set of flowers beside the grave stone as Squall helped her back up to her feet.

How...do you feel?I'm not sure, she admitted truthfully. But I am glad that I got everything off my chest.Rinoa, he will always be remembered... Selphie said in an attempt to sound optimistic.

Of course he will.

An awkward silence followed afterwards. No one knew what to do.

Squall took this chance to pull Rinoa close to him and whispered something that was only meant for her ears. So...do you think that this is a good time to tell them?Perhaps...we do need something...more...joyous right?Are you guys keeping something from us? Irvine spoke up as he raised a questioning brow towards the brunette couple.

Squall started. This may not be the best time to bring it up but we do need something cheery.Oh, and what would that be? Quistis asked.

Rinoa grinned slightly as a small blush tinted her cheeks. Well...Squall and I...we're going to get married...again.

Selphie's emerald eyes widened in excitement as she jumped up and down. OH boy! Why didn't you say so sooner? She rushed over to Rinoa and pulled the woman into her arms for a tight hug. Rinoa laughed softly as she patted Selphie's back. We just didn't think it was the right time to bring it up with all the funeral...burial.That's completely understandable. Congratulations... Quistis said sincerely. She was genuinely happy for them. After all the turmoil, she needed Squall to be with Rinoa. Seeing a couple so perfect for each other brought her a sense of calmness and Hyne knows she needed an over dose of tranquility right now.

Irvine and Zell both grinned as they slapped Squall's back, exchanging their sincerity.

SO so so! When's the wedding? Selphie chirped.

Rinoa smiled. We're thinking at the end of this month. I hope it isn't too soon.Not at all! exclaimed Selphie. She became serious. We all need some happiness...and this will do it.That's what I had in mind... said the Sorceress. This wedding does not only represent my love for Squall but..hopefully, it will help erase our sorrow even though we can never forget that...dreadful day. It is also a reunion between the Galbadian government and Garden. Since my father is dead, I am next in line to rule the government but things will be different. Galbadia will be used for good, not evil. With Squall as the leader of Garden and me as the leader of Galbadia, we will joined the two forces together and bring peace forever...so that those who have died...will not have died in vain.

Yes, this is the beginning of an end.

Fin

Author's Notes: I AM SO SORRY for not updating sooner. I know it has been months...so if you are mad, I totally understand. Summer is here so now I finally have time to write more. I just want to thank all of you for helping to break 500 reviews. After more than two years, this fic is finally done! As an author, I hoped that I have improved from each chapter because I started this fic when I was in 8th grade and now I just finished the 11th grade. Time really does fly. Once again, it was a blast to write a love triangle although there were times when I do get frustrated and therefore, I lack the motivation to continue on. Thank you all so much! I could not have done it without your help and much thanks to the reviewers who kept pushing me to finish this fic! Haha, you guys kept me going and I am so grateful to you all!