Chapter 5

"Squall, where are you going this time?" Yuffie wanted to practice some more.

"I just want to make sure Irvine and Litta aren't hurt."

"I'm sure their fine, and Irvine has magic anyways. We came out here so we could practice. Now come on, practice!" She charged at him and kept him busy, but his mind was elsewhere.

"Litta, did I hit you?" He finally came up beside her. "I'm sorry, maybe it was a bad idea to aim for one another. Hold on. Curaga." Nothing happened. "Hey, what gives? Oh no, I'm out. Come on."

He picked her up and ran threw the forest. He headed in the direction of Vincent and Zell, wanting to avoid Squall. He came to where they were fighting and called Vincent.

"What happened?" Zell and Vincent asked in unison.

"We were practicing aiming at each other like a game. I figured whoever got hit, I would use my magic. Only when I tried to use it on her, I found out I had already used all of mine up. Can you heal her Vincent?"

"I'm afraid my materia is over with Yuffie and Squall. Zell?"

"I've been out of magic for weeks now. We better get her to Squall quick." Irvine picked her up again and took her to Squall.

Litta had been thinking while everyone talked around her. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea, is that what he said? I told him that from the beginning! Why wouldn't he listen to me? Did he plan on killing me? No, I'm overreacting. He didn't mean any harm by it. He was just helping me practice. I'm sure he feels bad. It was just a game. He couldn't have known he was out of magic. I'll ask him about it later. They came up to Squall and Yuffie.

"Irvine what did you do!" Squall screamed.

"It was just a game. I was going to heal her but I'm out of magic. It was an accident, I swear."

"Shooting her was an accident?" Squall was furious. Irvine stopped trying to explain.

Squall took Litta from Irvine and set her gently on the ground. Everyone else left them, not wanting to embarrass Litta any more than necessary. Irvine especially didn't want to face her, afraid she too would be furious with him.

Squall used Curaga on her and her wound healed. He helped her sit up slowly. She didn't say anything for a while, so they sat in silence.

"Thank you," Litta said after a while.

"Your welcome. How are you feeling?"

"Ok I guess. A little tired, but I'll be fine. Where is everyone?"

"They left."

"Why?"

"Probably so they wouldn't embarrass you."

"Oh. How's Irvine?"

"He's worried about you. He seemed pretty upset by what happened. What exactly did happen anyway?" Not that I really want to know, he thought.

"Well, he had been teaching me different things and helping me improve things like my stance." I remember that clearly, Squall thought. "Then he thought we should try shooting at each other to practice shooting at people. So we tried and I almost hit him, but he was a second quicker and got me first. He tried healing me but he was out of magic so-"

"I know what happened from there," Squall interrupted. "Did you enjoy working with him?"

"I guess so. He taught me a lot of good things. You seem almost angry about my being taught by him. Do you have something against Irvine?"

"No." Only his touching you and being that close to you, especially since you seem fine with it. "I'm just upset at what happened, that's all." He paused to think for a minute. "Why don't we go back to the hotel and you can rest up a bit. When you feel up to it then we can come back out for some more practice."

"Sure. Should we go find the others?"

"Yeah." He helped Litta to her feet. "Can you walk all right?" She seemed a little unsteady.

"I think s-" She fell into Squall before she could finish her sentence.

"I guess that answers my question." So he picked her up and carried her. Then they went in search of the others. Once they were together, they headed back to the hotel.

When they got there, it was already five in the evening. Zell and Yuffie went in search of food, while Vincent pulled Squall aside to talk about some things. Irvine put Litta into her room and stayed to talk with her.

"I'm really sorry about what happened. You aren't mad at me are you?"

"No. I know it was an accident about the magic. At least Squall had some. You helped me learn a lot of important things today. I appreciate that."

"Well I'm glad I could help. Any time you want some pointers I'll be glad to comply."

"Thanks." Maybe he's not so bad after all. He couldn't have meant to hurt me, that wouldn't make sense. But there seems to be some sort of friction between him and Squall. Maybe just Squall. I don't know.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Oh nothing. So what are we going to do the rest of the day?"

"I'll go ask Squall." He left her alone for a few minutes. Then Squall walked in.

"Where's Irvine?" Litta asked him.

"Vincent wanted to give him a few tips, that's all. Irvine said you wanted to know what we're going to do now?"

"That's right. I don't feel like sitting here all day."

"Well we can go practice some more if you like, but I just figured you would want to rest."

"I did rest, while you carried me over here."

"You could have told me that."

"But it wouldn't have been as fun." He gave her a scowl. "So can we go practice some more?"

"Sure. Let me go tell Vincent." He walked out of the room. When he came back in a minute later, Litta was on her feet and ready.

"Let's go."

"Vincent is going to come with us. Irvine went to catch up with Zell and Yuffie to find some supper."

"Ok. Are we going to the same spot?"

"Probably." They walked back to the forest, but Vincent went off to practice with himself or something, they weren't sure.

"Litta, I want you to fire a few shots at me and I'll block them with my blade. Then you can practice firing and dodging bullets." She fired three shots. She dodged three shots. "Good. Try more than three." She tried six. She barely missed being hit by the last one. "Now try continually firing while we both move." She did and found she had to move more to fire and then dodge the bullets. As she was firing, one of her bullets grazed Squall's arm. She stopped firing.

"Are you all right?"

"I'll be fine." He used his magic to heal himself. "See?" She remembered her question from earlier.

"Can you teach me how to use magic?"

"It's not hard. When you fight a monster, draw magic from it. There aren't many areas now where there are monsters, but they're still around. For now, I'll give you some of mine." She didn't really see anything happen, but she felt something enter her in a way. She couldn't explain it.

"But how do I use it?"

"Say you were hurt, like I was. Just say Curaga or another healing medicine, and you'll heal yourself. Or if you were fighting something you could say Firaga, and a fire ball would hit your enemy. But once you run out, you have to draw more or else you're out for good."

"I see." She thought about all this new information. "Can I draw from people?"

"You can, like you could draw more magic from me or trade me magic, but most people won't let you. You mainly get it from monsters."

Suddenly, they heard the rustling of the leaves and saw Sephiroth coming towards them. They sky was starting to cloud over and thunder could be heard in the distance. Rain drops started falling softly.

"It's good to see you again Litta," he said. He stood right in front of them.

"What do you want Sephiroth?" Squall asked.

"This does not concern you Squall. This is between my daughter and me." He looked past Squall at Litta and continued talking. "Why did you run away from the Shin-Ra building?"

"I didn't want to be around those Turks. They don't do anything but hurt people."

"They were only doing what I asked them to. They wouldn't have hurt you." He talked in a soothing manner, but she stayed aware of what he said.

"What do you want?" Litta wasn't even sure.

"I want to talk to you."

"About what?"

"Many things. I need to explain some things to you to help you understand things that are going to happen soon."

"I don't want to talk to you."

"I'm afraid you have no choice. I am your father; you will do as you're told."

"And if I don't?"

"I'll force you."

"You can't force her to do anything," Squall said.

"I'll advise you not to interfere with things that do not concern you."

"Litta is my concern, so I have every right to interfere." What does he mean I'm his concern?

"Is that so? Well, can you protect her from me?" He pulled out his masamune. Squall already had his blade up and ready. Litta loaded her gun.

Sephiroth made the first move. He swung his blade at Squall, but Squall blocked. They fought hard and moved around too much for Litta to get a clear shot. Then, from out of nowhere, Vincent sent a shot off that would have hit Sephiroth, but Sephiroth stopped it.

"Nice to see you again Vincent."

"Too bad I can't say the same for you." Sephiroth caught Squall off guard and cut his shoulder. "Pay attention. You might get yourself killed." Squall healed himself and charged at Sephiroth. They went back and forth exchanging attacks, every once in a while Vincent getting a shot in.

Litta watched but felt helpless. I can't even help my friends. I'm no good in a battle. Maybe I never will be. Isn't there anything that I can do to help? She thought of her magic. She quietly said "Firaga" and a fireball hit Sephiroth, but it also hit Squall.

"Watch where you aim!" Squall shouted.

"I see you have obtained some magic, but still need to learn to use it," Sephiroth said. "I could help you master your magic."

"No thanks. My friends can help me with that."

"I see." He went after Squall again. This time Squall was prepared. He dodged and quickly sent a blow to Sephiroth's back. It hit perfectly. Squall was breathing hard, though. Everyone could see it.

"You're tiring out," Sephiroth pointed out.

"I'm doing just fine." Litta knew he wouldn't last much longer. So did Sephiroth. He took a swing at Squall, knowing he would dodge. When Squall did, Sephiroth swung at his back. Litta could see the blood from the gash. Squall fell and did not move. Litta ran to his side.

"He just wasn't prepared." Sephiroth shook his head. Vincent was furious. He doubled over in pain, and Litta heard him mumble something like, "Not now."

"Why can't you just leave me alone!" she screamed at Sephiroth.

"I will leave you for now then, but I will be back for you. And when I come your friends won't be able to keep you from me." He began moving off and Litta looked back at Vincent. She noticed he had changed since she had last looked at him. He was starting to look like an animal. He no longer looked like Vincent now. He looks like a monster. He started moving, and ran off after Sephiroth.

Litta turned back to Squall. He still hadn't moved since he had fallen. She didn't remember her magic. Why did this have to happen to me? I finally find some friends, and now my father has to come and ruin it all. I even found a guy that I like but my father has to kill him. I can't heal him so I get to sit here and watch him die. Why? He and I get along and he seems to understand me. He's the first person who's actually gotten to know me. He seems to care about the way I feel. I know I care about him. Squall started moving, which pulled her out of her thoughts.

"What did you say?" She realized she had said that last part out loud.

"Uh, I, well, nothing. I didn't say anything," she sputtered.

"Could you use," he paused for a gasp of air, "your magic?"

"Oh, I forgot." She watched as his wound slowly healed up. He sat up.

"Really, what did you say?" She looked up him. He didn't look upset, nor like he was teasing her.

"I just said, that," she breathed, man this is hard to say, "that I care about you."

"Really?"

"Yeah." She wouldn't look into his face.

"I wasn't sure how you felt so I never told you my feelings." Now she looked up.

"Your feelings?"

"For you."

"Feelings for me?" He nodded. He looked around for a second realizing he hadn't seen or heard Vincent. He still didn't see him.

"Where's Vincent?"

"Oh, I completely forgot about him." She tried to stay calm when he changed the subject. Will I ever find out how he feels about me? "He," she thought about what she had seen. "He, changed, into a, well, into a monster. Then he ran off after Sephiroth."

"Oh no."

"What?"

"Vincent should be the one to tell you this, but right now we need to go find him. Which way did he go?" She pointed in a direction. "Come on," was all he said before he started walking.

"Why do we need to find him? What's wrong with him?"

"I'm going to let Vincent explain that to you when we catch up with him." He said no more, not even to her further questions. So she stopped trying to talk to him.

They walked for half an hour before they saw a figure lying on the ground up ahead. Squall sprinted to it, and Litta followed. It was Vincent.

"What's wrong with him?"

"Nothing. He's at perfect health. He's just unconscious." Vincent started to stir and move around. He groaned and looked up at Squall.

"Guess I couldn't control it this time."

"What happened to Sephiroth?" Squall asked.

"I don't know. I don't remember anything after," he looked at Litta. "Did you tell her?"

"Not yet. I thought you should be the one to."

"Thanks."

"What are you guys not telling me?" Before they could answer, Zell, Irvine, and Yuffie came running up.

"We came running when we saw the fireworks," Zell said. "What happened?"

"Sephiroth attacked." Vincent explained.

"What happened to you?" Irvine asked Vincent.

"Just got knocked out, that's all." He caught Yuffie's eyes on him and nodded. She knew exactly what had happened.

"Where did Sephiroth go?" Zell asked. "I want to get a chance at him."

"If I couldn't stand up to him, what chance do you think you'd have against him?" Vincent asked. Zell made no comment.

"Vincent, could I talk to you for a second?" Squall pulled him aside. "I think you should tell Litta. She's going to keep asking if you don't."

"I don't want to scare her and have her run away again, especially when Rufus and Sephiroth are both after her."

"She saw you change though, and she needs to know what she saw. If you don't, then Sephiroth will when we meet him next time."

"When he comes back we'll be ready for him."

"Oh really, and what is your plan oh brave and fearless leader."

"I never said I was any of those things. I'm not sure what we should do now, but I know we need to keep moving," Vincent stated.

"It won't do any good no matter where we go until that tracking devise is out of Litta." Vincent thought for a moment.

"We'll have to worry about that later, right now-"

"Right now is no good if Rufus and Sephiroth can track every step we take. That tracking devise has to come out, now."

"And how do you plan to take it out of her Squall? Do you know how to surgically remove it? Do you even know where it is?" Squall shook his head. "Why don't you talk to Litta and I'll tell the others what happened."

"Fine." When they rejoined the group, Vincent started telling everyone what had happened and Squall pulled Litta aside. Irvine noticed this but said nothing.

"What?" she asked.

"When you were at Shin-Ra, and they put the tracking devise in you, do you remember where they put it?" She really didn't want to remember and had been trying to forget about that, but now she thought about what had been said.

"Rufus said something about putting it in the same shoulder. I guess that's where they put it, but I have no idea which one."

"Well at least we know it's in one of two places. Now we just need to figure out which shoulder, and then how to get it out of you."

"Nobody in our group has any experience with surgery though, am I right?"

"Yes, and that's the problem. Rufus is the only one who knows anything about this chip, and he probably has some sort of defense mechanism programmed in case anyone tries to take it out." Litta didn't want to hear that.

"So what exactly are you going to do? I mean, what can you do?"

"I don't know really, but I know a few people that might be able to help you, or at least know someone else who can help you."

"I don't want to go from one doctor to the next. I want to get this thing out. If we can figure out which shoulder it's in, shouldn't we be able to just cut it out?"

"We probably could, but if my guess is correct something might happen. This devise will do something to keep it from being removed or destroyed."

"But it's only a piece of metal, it's not like it can think or anything. Can it?"

"I don't know. That's why I want to take you to a doctor."

"Will everyone go with us?" I don't want to drag everyone into my problems. Shouldn't they be able to live their life without having to save mine time after time?

"I'm going to try to get Irvine and Zell to go home. I think they're tired of saving the world and fighting all the time." Why does he always seem so intent upon getting rid of Irvine? It's like he has some sort of a grudge against him. But what for? Squall headed back towards the group and Litta followed.

"So we basically missed all the good stuff," Zell complained.

"If you consider getting beaten good stuff, then yes."

"If I had been there, Sephiroth would have been the one on the ground, not you Vincent."

"Maybe, but that is still to be decided." He noticed Squall and Litta had come back to the group.

"Any thoughts?" he asked Squall.

"I need to talk to Zell and Irvine alone for a little bit." He pulled them over to the side.

"What's up Squall?"

"Zell, Irvine, I think you guys ought to go back to Balamb."

"No way!" Zell shouted. "We're not leaving right when things are getting interesting. Isn't that right Irvine?"

"I'm getting tired of the fighting Zell." Zell looked shocked. "Someone's always the enemy, someone's always the good guy, and there's always someone else to defeat. It never ends. I want to retire and live my life."

"I think that's a good idea Irvine."

"Of course you do Squall. You would do anything to keep me away from Litta. Well it looks like your plan worked this time. She's all yours. I'm heading home." He walked off without another word. Zell looked at Squall for an explanation.

"Is there something between you three that I've completely missed?"

"No. Irvine meant exactly what he said. The fighting will never end. There's always someone still out there. I just thought you would want to get away and live your life."

"Right. You mean stop fighting and let you take all the credit. I don't think so."

"It's only going to go downhill from here Zell. And I mean that to the gravest degree."

"I know what you mean. I want to keep fighting; only half of me is with Irvine."

"So why not go with him?"

"I don't know. I want to stay, but I just don't want this fight to be my last; especially when I have unfinished business with some bullies back home."

"You always have unfinished business."

"I think maybe I'll go with Irvine. Maybe I'll change my mind. I don't know for sure. I guess I'll see you later Squall." Zell ran to catch up with Irvine. Well at least I know they're out of danger, for now. And that's less people I have to worry about keeping track of. He headed back over to Vincent.

"They're going home?"

"Yeah. They want a break from the fighting or something like that." Litta guessed there was more to the story that Squall wasn't telling, but said nothing.

"Where's Yuffie?" Squall noticed she was missing.

"She went back to see if her town was ok," Vincent explained. "She wanted to make sure Sephiroth hadn't been there yet, and to warn everyone. So for now it's just us three." Squall nodded.

"So where are we going now?" asked Litta. She was pretty sure she already knew though.

"That question is for Squall." She looked over at Squall.

"I think we'll head back to Esthar. I know Laguna, and he can probably help us the most right now."

"Who's Laguna?" Litta asked. Vincent also looked at Squall.

"I know the name but don't know who to connect it to," he added.

"He's an old friend. It's hard to explain, but I'll tell you while we walk."