Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, I do not own the places. I don't own anything related to FFVIII, all I own is the plot.
- Chapter ten: Truth -
"Thank you…I know it must be hard on you…Yes? Yes, I'll say hi to everyone. Please hurry, there isn't much time. Thank you. Yes. Thank you, Matron."
Squall hung up the telephone. He straightened his posh jacket and made sure he still had his weapons slipped in his boots.
The others were waiting for him at the door, wearing the same fancy clothes as a few days before.
"Come on, Squall! Fujin won't wait just for us, you know!"
He hurried outside and jumped into the car they had rented. A few days ago he would have complained about fuel costs, but tonight his thoughts were already divided.
The image of a breaking glass kept appearing in his mind while sometimes all he could think about was Quistis' dilemma. She had done well today, keeping Seifer at a distance. But he knew it was difficult for her and his own doubts had also started to grow slowly.
The car drove them straight up to the door of the mansion and a guard opened the door, letting them all out. Quistis had no hesitation in her heart as she entered the building. She had told Seifer loud and clear that there was no chance for them anymore, so there was no way this wedding would be ruined by her presence.
It struck her as odd though that Squall had been so strange all day. He had insisted on them taking along their weapons and junctioning their magic. But he had also insisted on telling them that they wouldn't have to guard Fujin for much longer.
When Zell had asked what the hell was going on, Squall had merely muttered something about 'being out of their reach'.
The first thing they spotted when they entered the hall was the table with the drinks. Quistis drank two glasses of wine before the first song had even started. Squall was drinking too, slower and with one eye constantly gliding through the room.
"Shall we dance?" she asked him when a catchy tune started.
Squall shook his head. "Later. We need to greet Fujin and her father first."
But Fujin wasn't there yet. Her father was seated in his chair once more, glowing with pride as his guests congratulated him with his daughter.
"We wish to congratulate you with your daughter's birthday." Squall said to him in a respectful tone of voice. "We were actually hoping to congratulate her in person. Is she here?"
"She will be down shortly." her father answered. "She is still preparing. But I'm sure she would like to talk to you when she comes down. Please, enjoy yourselves in the meantime."
Squall moved away from the chair, gritting his teeth but keeping his face calm.
"Hey…might I dance with you?" he suddenly heard someone ask Quistis.
Before she could answer, Squall took her hand and lead her to the dance floor.
"Squall? What are you doing?" she hissed.
"You're supposed to be my girlfriend. You can't go dancing with someone else. Besides, I promised you."
"That's just ridiculous. Either you tell me what this is really all about or I'm leaving. You've been acting weird all day and you won't tell us a single thing! Don't we have a right to know what's going on?"
She tried to pull her hand from his grasp.
"Quistis." he said warningly. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Just so you know, our orders changed. They came through today."
"…They did?" Quistis asked curiously.
Her whole stance softened a little. She could understand Squall was a little itchy about new orders.
"Very well, I apologise. Let's just dance and forget all about it."
"Aren't you coming down yet?"
"NO."
Seifer sighed. "Fujin, it is your birthday. Those people downstairs want to congratulate you…doesn't your father want you down too?"
"PATIENCE."
He resisted the urge to break down the door and drag her down the stairs. Instead he just gave up. He had come to this door in all honesty. He wanted to get everything between him and Fujin right. He was able to do that now, now that he knew for sure Quistis was fine and certainly not interested in him anymore, or so he told himself.
Beneath layers of lies and doubts he knew that there was something not right with everything. Slowly he walked to the top of the stairs and stared down at the dancing couples.
Why was this happiness that radiated off their faces an emotion that never touched him? Had he done something so wrong that this was his endless penalty?
He sighed.
He tried to avoid seeing her blond hair, but he failed miserably. Everywhere he looked she seemed to appear. And always was she accompanied by Squall.
'Her new love.' he thought bitterly.
He watched them laugh and flirt with each other. It disgusted him. Had he hoped for her to return to him, just to have to watch her lay it on so thickly with Squall?
He felt angry but suddenly he realised something. They never looked at each other with subtlety. Only with so much obvious fondness that it looked uncanny if you looked to carefully.
Was it all a show? He had to know.
He rushed down the stairs, ignoring people talking to him. He did not let her out of his sight. He had to know for sure.
Quistis looked up and saw Seifer almost lurching towards them.
"Seifer is coming." she whispered warningly, not letting her smile fade.
Suddenly Squall pulled her closer to him and pressed his lips on hers. Her eyes opened wide. What was he doing?
The question jumped through her mind before she had actually realised she was kissing him back. When she pulled back, she saw he was smiling.
"What the hell were you thinking?" she hissed.
He looked surprised. "Apparently the same as you…I-"
"I was confused!" she hissed back. "I don't ever want you to do anything like that again. Don't you dare take advantage of me like that again."
She looked around, trying to see where Seifer was. She saw him struggle towards the doors. This was crazy. Everything was crazy!
First Seifer, now Squall.
She forced her wrist from Squall's grasp and strode away to follow Seifer. Squall followed her hastily.
"Quistis…"
"No!"
"You said Seifer was coming. We had to look convincing. It was for the mission."
She looked back and fought the urge to spit on the ground.
"For the mission? That is the weakest and biggest lie I've ever heard from your mouth. I thought you were a friend. I thought you cared and that I could trust you."
Squall grabbed her shoulders. "I do care. That's why-"
"No, Squall. If you did care, then you would've understood my pain and you would have supported me without thinking about yourself. I don't give a damn about this mission. This is madness. I'm going to talk to Seifer and I'll tell him how I really feel."
She stormed on, Squall tagging along behind her.
"You can't do that!"
"Yes I can!"
"If you do that then you'll endanger the mission."
She turned around once more. "Well that's too bad. But seeing as how you won't tell us what the mission actually is, I don't know how I will endanger it, will I!"
She turned around and wanted to walk on, but bumped into someone's chest.
"Oh sorry, I-"
It was Seifer.
"What mission?" he asked curiously. "You guys aren't here as guests, are you?"
Quistis looked at Squall, but turned back to Seifer almost immediately. "…No…"
"Quistis!"
But she ignored Squall. Seifer knew why she was here, there was no use in keeping this charade up.
"Seifer, I…"
He saw her eyes filling with tears. He finally understood. He didn't care about the people around them anymore. He didn't care that the hall had gone quiet. He closed her in his arms and allowed her to cry.
Squall coughed, but they didn't look up.
"Seifer." he whispered urgently.
Seifer looked up and released Quistis. She looked up at him questioningly, but followed his glance. Fujin's father was now standing and everybody was staring at him.
He smiled warmly and greeted them. "Welcome, glad you all could come."
Seifer pulled Quistis closer to him, taking in the scent he had missed for so long. The people around them cried out for a speech.
He motioned them to quiet down with that same smile.
"Not too long ago our world was divided and it drowned on chaos. Fighting, war and, most of all, sorceresses ruled our daily conversation. I think I represent all parents when I say that we feared for our young children's' lives."
The people in the hall muttered agreeing. They remembered the war all too well.
"But it is because of our children that we have now regained serenity and order. The sorceresses' power was locked away after the valiant struggle delivered by all our SeeD children."
Quistis felt slightly embarrassed as she and her friends were eyed momentarily. Most people knew their faces.
"I am a grateful man." Fujin's father continued. "Grateful to know my daughter is still alive and by my side after all that chaos. And that is why I celebrate her eighteenth birthday with such joy in my heart."
He paused a moment to take a sip from his glass and to clear his throat.
"But this is not all, more happy news is yet to come. As many of you know, my daughter has chosen to engage herself to a strapping and brave young man. A man who will no doubt protect her should it ever be necessary. I feel safe giving him this responsibility, knowing he is a man of his word. That's why I raise my glass to you, Seifer Almasy."
He raised his glass and everyone in the hall turned to face Seifer. He looked down, not able to face them. He smiled weakly and nodded.
"But now I would like to return to her birthday." Fujin's father said, drawing the attention back to himself. "Eighteen is a special age. Some call it the age of becoming an adult, others call it the age of rebirth. I say it's both."
Quistis looked up at Seifer.
"What does he mean?" she whispered.
Seifer shook his head. He had to admit that this speech had more meaning behind it than most others would notice. Beside them, Squall tensed.
"Squall?"
"My daughter will be reborn into adulthood tonight. And with this rebirth, a power that had been asleep inside her has awakened."
The people in the hall seemed confused. Selphie and Zell had managed to join Squall, Quistis and Seifer.
"Squall, what's this all about?" Selphie demanded. "You know. I know you do! You must know something."
They looked back at the old man.
"A power that will ensure that this serenity and order will live on in our world forever."
Suddenly a white clad figure appeared at the top of the stairs.
"Fujin…" Seifer and Squall muttered simultaneously.
Her dress reflected the light from the chandeliers and blinded them for a moment.
"The power," her father said slowly. "of a sorceress."
The hall gasped. Quistis nearly fainted, leaning on Seifer for balance.
"Damn!" Squall whispered. "It's too late."
They looked at him.
"What do you mean?" Quistis asked.
He sighed.
"I'll explain later." he said, motioning them to listen to Fujin.
"A lot of you might be frightened." she spoke
Her voice, normally harsh and short, sounded elegant and sleek. She spoke in away no one had ever heard her speak.
"But please don't be scared. The chaos, caused by those before me, is something I despise. I shall lead this world into the future, a future where order and serenity will rule. And this I shall do with my love by my side. My fiancé and my knight, Seifer."
She held out her hand, motioning Seifer to join her at the top of the stairs.
Quistis pushed him towards her.
"Go. You have to."
"I'll meet you later." he whispered back.
Quistis, Selphie and Zell turned to Squall.
"You knew about this."
He nodded almost invisibly. "Not here. I think we should go back to the hotel."
Selphie muttered something under her breath, but followed Squall and Zell.
Quistis looked sat Seifer. He looked at her, as if he had forgotten all about his fiancée. She raised her had and waved. He smiled and she knew only she was meant to see it.
Well everyone, today was my birthday, and that's why I don't really have the time to thank everyone in person at this chapter…sorry, but celebrations are calling me!
I want to thank everyone though, because I love it when you guys like my story and I hope you don't mind me not naming you personally just this once.
I also celebrate getting my diploma, because I got my exam results last night and I passed all my exams! Yay me! And last but NOT least; I finally got a room! I finally got a place to stay when I go to university! So all in all, I'm really happy.
Yet one thing makes me less happy…I got an email saying that one of my stories (a songfic) had been removed and that I won't be able to update for a while as punishment. I immediately deleted everything that I had ever written that was a songfic in order to keep my account opened. But, because of my punishment, I won't be allowed to update, which I totally respect, but that also includes this fic of course. I don't know for how long this will last, and I know that this chapter will be posted long after today actually happened. But I hope you can all forgive me this slow update and that you understand why it took me so long.
I promise that I will update soon, because I feel bad for not being able to update in a while. Anyway, I hope that some of you haven't given up hope and that you will all remain reading this story! Because to get everything clear, This story is NOT discontinued!
So for your reviews on the 9th chapter, thank you Dark Angels, Firess Ifrit Devil, Matron Raenee, JadeAlmasy, PRODIGIOUS TECHIE, Ayame Sakura.
I hope to see you all again soon.
Love, Raven55