Author's Note: We got a new horse today! How exciting!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my characters.

Chapter One: The Aftermath of Murder

Twelve year old Kiri sat in front of Headmaster Cid, arms crossed stubbornly in front of her chest. Next to her sat her brother Einar, looking on with disinterested boredom. Briar would be arriving later in a car that would take their luggage. After their parent's death, Einar had come to live with Kiri and Briar in Esthar with their grandfather. He had returned at ten four years ago, and Kiri had joined at ten as well. Briar was still in Esthar at only nine, but they would be traveling to Esthar from Balamb with him. Finally after what seemed like and eternity to impatient young girl Cid leaned forward and spoke to both of them.

"I cannot say I am happy about what you have all chosen to do. However I know from dealing with your parents that there is no point in arguing with you. I just want you to know that if you ever change your minds there will always be a place for you here, and I do expect you to visit from time to time."

Kiri nodded abruptly, and stood up. She walked out of the office, pausing at the door just long enough to thank Cid for his understanding. Her brother followed after, taking his cues from her.

How strange, mused Cid, it was always Einar that used to be in charge. But ever since their parent's death, all three share equal responsibility, instead of just one being in charge.

Out in the hallway Einar headed immediately for his rooms to pack up their stuff. Kiri on the other hand wandered absentmindedly towards the Training Center. It was a big move they were making and she had not entirely expected it to succeed. She needed a moment to collect herself.

Not far within the Center she discovered Caden battling two T-Rexaurs. Well that was just his luck wasn't it? Kiri found the sight of him defending himself against the two monsters highly amusing. After watching for a couple more moments she had seen enough, and cast an Ultima spell to help him out, and then joined in the battle. Working as a team the two of them made short work of the T-Rexaurs. Caden stabbed his gunblade into the ground, and leaned on it.

He's definitely his father's child, Kiri mused, noting the resemblance between Caden and Seifer, but they're so different. It was true. Even though Caden shared his father's blonde hair, build, and faint freckles across the nose, the differences in their appearances mirrored the ones in their personalities. Caden's blonde hair was not combed back but lay unruly in his eyes. Caden was also much more laid back then his father, not to mention having a far more agreeable disposition, and stayed within the guidelines a little more. He had no qualms about breaking the rules however.

"So?" he prompted, "How'd the meeting with Cid go?"

"We leave in an hour, at the very most. He wasn't happy but he knew we would've gone no matter what he said." Kiri smirked slightly. She and her brother had been doing whatever they wanted ever since they arrived at Garden. They utilized their being orphans to their very best ability. They had most everybody under their thumb. Caden and his family, along with all the other children they had grown up with had many of the same benefits as they did, running rampant under the Leonhart children's protection.

Caden studied her for a brief moment, meeting her storm blue eyes with his intense silvery-green ones, "You know I'll miss you. We all will."

"And you were all offered the opportunity to go with us. All of you said no. However when you all get sick of the rules, and realize how truly lost you are without us, we may consider letting join with us if you beg long and hard enough." Kiri retorted, grinning playfully at one of her closest friends. Caden laughed at her, he had expected something like that. Grabbing his gunblade he started to walk out of the Center, Kiri walking with him. They ran into Einar, already packed, along with the rest of their friends outside of the dorms.

Einar, who at fourteen already had a reputation for going through girls like he went through socks, placed one arm around Zarina's waist and whispered briefly in her ear. She just rolled her eyes and pushed him away, continuing a conversation with Nel and Genova. Einar shrugged and began to talk to Remo and Seto. As they neared the group, Caden started talking with Roatsen, and Kiri was practically tackled by Catten. The girl was near tears, and Kiri hugged her best friend.

"You're not really leaving are you Kiri? You're not really going to do it are you? You're not seriously leaving us, please say you're not!"

"Catten, why would I go through the trouble of talking to Cid if I wasn't going to do it?" She indicated for Catten to go with her so she could pack. "You know you can still come with us."

"I know I can. Doesn't mean I will though." They both chuckled knowing that Catten would go crazy out in the wilds the three Leonhart's would be traveling through. They wanted to go through something that would push all of them to their limits, and a six month camping trip where they brought only the bare essentials, and found their food in their surroundings while surviving each other, seemed to be a good idea.

Kiri hurriedly shoved some clean clothes and toiletries into a bag, then shoved everything else into the rest of her bags to be sent ahead to her grandfather's house in Esthar. Grabbing her bag she and Catten walked back to the rest of the group chatting the whole time. Final good-byes and hugs where exchanged all around and with promises to contact the others once they reached their destination the Leonhart children left.

Three years later…

Caden walked into Headmaster Cid's office, slightly worried. He could not think of anything he had done wrong lately, but one never knew.

"Caden, thank you for coming to see me so quickly. I received a note today from Kiri and her brothers. As you know you and your siblings, along with Ramone, are the only ones still at Garden out of the group that was invited to join the Leonharts. And I do appreciate that you chose to stay. I don't know if you have heard, but the Leonharts are founding their own mercenary force, which is rumored to be called Angel Guard. They are announcing it officially a week from now, but they wanted to see the rest of you here first. I believe they want you to join them. And I want you to know I think all of your talents are slightly wasted here, and would be put to better use with the Leonharts." You will all leave tonight. Is this clear?"

"Yes sir, perfectly." Caden said, amazed that Cid would be willing to give his family up to another organization, "I'll tell the others and we'll prepare to leave immediately." Caden saluted, and then walked out of the office. It had been about six months since he had last seen any of the others. The Leonharts had come to visit, and succeeded in taking Roatsen and Zarina with them. Now Caden and his family were the only ones left. But it seemed like they would be leaving too, if the others had their way. He'd be lying if he didn't say he was excited. After all, Kiri had matured very well, and the scenery at the Leonhart's Esthar base was amazing.

Even in the newest flight craft given to Garden, the ride to Esthar Airstation took a very long time. Ramone lay sleeping, as did Tiauni and Fudoo, all of them lying in a heap on one of the seats. Caden lay staring out the window, watching the scenery pass by in a blur before his eyes. Not that he was paying much attention. He was more focused on what lay before them when they got to Esthar. He was so focused that he only vaguely noticed Genova coming to join him at the window.

"Caden? I wanted to talk to you."

"What about?"

"Kiri. Caden, I saw how you looked at her the last time they visited. Just don't get too involved. I can't place exactly what, but she hasn't been right since her parents died. Just be careful, alright?"

"Genova, I'm sure there's nothing wrong. And what do you mean 'she hasn't been right'? She's totally normal."

"I think that's what bugs me. How many people would be that normal after seeing their parents murdered right in front of them. Especially when they're that young. Most people would grow up with some serious issues."

"Well Kiri isn't most people!" he snapped at his sister, irritated. There was nothing wrong with her. She was just stronger mentally then most people were. That's why she had recovered so well. He walked away in a huff, deciding to walk off his anger at his sister. She was being totally irrational. Turning around for a moment he yelled, "Gen, who's driving this thing!" She yelped and ran back to the pilot's seat. He grinned for a brief moment at his sister's incompetence, but scowled at her harsh words once more. He spent the final two hours of the flight walking around the ship sulking and refusing to speak to anyone.

When they finally reached the Airstation they found none other than the three Leonhart children themselves waiting for their arrival. Greetings and hugs were exchanged, and Caden found he was unable to tear his eyes away from Kiri. Built neatly with her tiny height, long legs, and slender form, she had grown incredibly beautiful, far more than her mother had been. Raven black hair gleamed in waves that cascaded straight to her shoulders, and her storm blue eyes glinted from her pale ivory skin. She seemed as interested in Caden as he was in her, taking in his well developed muscular structure, unruly blond hair, and silvery-green eyes. Noticing the two's fascination with each other Einar caught Genova's eye. The look that passed between them was clear: both knew any relationship between Caden and Kiri would be nothing but trouble.

I'm done with this chapter! Please review my story please!