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Angelo sprinted away from the mess with his tail between his legs. Squall ran after the scared dog as fast as he could. Angelo was much faster, but Squall was able to keep him in view. The dog ran through the training center first, then through the library, and finally hiding himself somewhere in the dorm area. He put one of his paws over his nose.
Squall called to him, "Angelo! Come here boy!" He breath in and out heavily.
Angelo's ears raised, but he didn't move.
"Angelo, where are you?" He groaned and sat on the ground. He shook his head, thinking maybe he was just seeing things. He closed his eyes and thought about Rinoa.
Angelo barked and Squall stood up quickly. He continued to look for the collie.
"Come on, boy! Come to Squall."
Angelo barked again, he was just playing with Squall.
Squall followed Angelo's bark and when he got close, Angelo took of again, with Squall following closer behind him. "Damn you, dog!"
The two of them ran down the halls of Balamb. Selphie tried to stop, Squall.
"Hey, Squall! What-"
She grabbed his coat and Squall pulled away, "Sorry, I can't talk now, Selphie." He stumbled away from her trying to get back up to speed.
Angelo ran back through the party and onto the balcony where he slowed down and sat next to a girl wearing a light blue duster. She patted him on the head and smiled, then continued looking into the sky. Angelo started to wag his tail and watched his master.
Squall dodged Zell and Irvine, running back into the quad. He looked around and frantically spun around in search for Angelo. He ran into a couple dancing and then into one of the table.
"Sorry…" He backed away from the glaring crowd. Quistis walked up to him and placed her hand on his shoulder. He jumped a little and then smiled pathetically at her, before he turned and looked around again.
"Squall! What are you doing?" Quistis yelled at him.
"I saw Angelo! Didn't you see him run past here?"
Quistis finally came to the conclusion that Squall had officially lost it and shook her head, "No, are you seeing things? If Rinoa were here, wouldn't you think one of us would know? Settle down and have a drink with me."
Squall refused the drink and walked around the party. He walked past the doors to the balcony and saw a wagging tail. He quickly walked over to the door and opened it wide, seeing Angelo next to the girl in the blue duster. His heart skipped a beat, not believing that she actually came.
"Rinoa…?"
Angelo turned and looked at Squall, barking happily. Rinoa turned and looked at him. She smiled and turned back, looking at the sky. She felt like jumping into his arms, but she wanted to see what he would do first. Squall wasted no time walking up behind her and wrapping his arms around her shoulders. Rinoa was a little surprised, but smiled, bringing her own hands to his fore arm. He was so warm.
He continued to hold her from a few minutes, making sure this was real.
"I missed you so much, Squall." Rinoa smiled and Angelo watched with his tail going a million times faster than before.
Squall pressed his face against her dark raven hair and held back the pain from many years of loneliness which were pushing there way out slowly. Rinoa wasn't trying to be strong, she let the tears fall at an even pace. Some of them came in contact with his fore arms and he quickly apologized to her for everything he did and didn't do in whispers.
Squall released her so she could turn around and face him. She smiled, with tear still streaming down her face. Squall smiled back and mouthed more forgiveness to her. She lifted her hand and brought it to his face. He followed her touch and closed his eyes for a moment. He held her hand and kissed her palm softly before she could bring it back to her side. She didn't though, she wrapped her arms around his neck and held him closer to her. He held on to her waist and swung her around.
She laughed and Squall just didn't want this to end. When he set her down again, she wobbled from dizziness and smiled at him.
"So, Mr. Leonhart, you seem happy to see me!" She put her hands together and leaned on her right heel.
Squall smiled and nodded. She looked so beautiful, all he wanted to do was hold her, touch her, and be with her. " I thought you weren't coming, then I saw Angelo…" Her hair was a lot shorter, stopping in the middle of her neck, her eyes were the same dark brown, and she was wearing similar, yet different clothing. She also had his ring on her necklace.
Rinoa admired Squall's new look, "I like your hair! It's longer than mine now!" She laughed. She looked at his new jacket and lifted it up at one of the corners. Squall lifted his arm so she could check him out, or whatever she was doing. She walked around him, admiring the designs on his jacket and the many shinny belts.
She smiled and put her arms around his waist, letting her head rest on his back. She breathed in and noticed his familiar smell. Squall tried to look back at her, but she was to short to see.
"Some things never change…" Rinoa smiled bigger and held him tighter.
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Wow, that was fun! Maybe another chapter soon…
Tomoe
