A/N: Sorry this update took long. I forgot to mention that I'd been busy studying for my finals. To lady-rinoa – Ehehe I'm so happy your falling right into my plan, lol. As I mentioned in my other notices, she kinda has a split personality thing going on because of a certain… thing. It's a spoiler. In chapter 14, Rinoa is gonna spill it and everything will make perfect sense. To Spede – I find it strange too that Squall opens up to Rinoa. I guess it's because he thinks she's hot or sumthin, lol. Well in the game he can open up to her so I'm doing the same here. Oh and that thing about Rinoa being something like Men in Black… omg it's genius! Lol, I love the sound of that. You asked why Squall didn't chase after her in chapter 7. He didn't chase after her because he knew she was going to Balamb Garden but I made him accidentally forget about that in chapter 8 because he was so deep into his thoughts.

I'm finally moving in a character I haven't mentioned at all in the story. Also finally we have a little Squall and Rinoa alone time. Oh, oh and I'm going to try making it longer.

Chapter 9 – The scars that binds us....The death that is awaited.

Commotion was all through the hallways. The curtains on the window blew forward over her face as the sunlit it up. Squall was sitting beside her. Quistis had left the room then watched from the other side of the glass wall. She remembered the day she found him here with a fresh scar. She had spoken to the Headmaster and needed to report to Squall. Coming in the room reserved, she said "This mission is extended and you are no longer part of it… Squall, you're removed from your position. You are not to give orders…… I'm… You need to leave the room as we prepare to transport her to Esthar. That is all." She wasn't herself.

Squall watched as she walked away and looked to Rinoa. She seemed lifeless. He thought back on to her last words. "I'll save you… Laguna"

"I need to talk to you." He told Rinoa and left the Infirmary.

Squall glared at Quistis to show his acceptance, dutifully. He didn't question her. Squall stuffed his hands in his pocket, staring that the floor and walked through the halls on his way to his dormitory. Selphie, Irvine and Zell were already waiting for him at his door. When he stopped, they all looked onto him.

"Sorry man, sucks that you can't work on the mission." Zell apologized.

"…I actually wanted to help her" Squall spoke slowly and looked at Selphie.

"You still can." Selphie said reassuringly.

"There's a quiet rumor. General Man wanted an execution but Headmaster turned him down." Irvine reported. "…keeping an eye on this… if anything goes wrong, we know you can save her" He added.

Execution? Squall thought. There were too many things on his mind now. He walked around the three, opening his door. Before walking in, he said "She won't get anything she doesn't deserve" and he walked in closing his door.

--

"Where did I put that extra tranquilizer?" Dr. Kadowaki said.

"What that sedative we used on Rinoa?" Quistis questioned.

"Yeah"

"Maybe when we left the room those who took Rinoa took that too." Quistis answered.

"I suppose your right"

--

The next day bright and early... A click and a clank sounded. So tired…Gradually, a deep breath was taken in. Eyelids slightly fluttered open. So bright…She did not resist and quickly opened her eyes. It was pure white. Ugh... She was placed on a bench. Her back was against the wall and her head dangling to the side, she looked blindly around without moving. Her vision slowly focused and it wasn't as bright. The corner of her eye brought an old friend back to memory. "Seiferrr…" Rinoa wailed with a humor.

"What is my princess doing in here? I thought you'd never stop running" Seifer said as he walked to her.

"I was never running" Unless you were the case… Rinoa turned her head toward him and used all her energy to reach for his face with one arm.

Seifer wanted to pull away but he was drawn to her. She ran her fingers delicately over his scar. He trembled. She had noticed it before… Interesting… Seifer placed his hand on her cheek stroking it gently. This scar... Rinoa thought back to when she first met Squall."Pathetic" She commented. Seifer grabbed her hand that had touched him.

"So you met him… Squall" He said with resentment in his voice.

"He reminds me of you." Rinoa said and laughed to herself. "He's your better half"

-

Changing the subject he told her everything he knew. "Caraway said he was satisfied now that you were captured. He is going back to his own life without any protection. I don't know if it's just me but he seemed upset about how SeeD handled this."

"Hmm, are you helping me?" She asked.

"Caraway wanted me to give you what you wanted. Here." Seifer handed a piece of paper.

Rinoa took the note and opened it. An address… "This is where he is…"

"It all ends there." Seifer turned around and walked out of the confined room. "Hey, it's the new bitch."

"Shut up, jerk-off" He responded. Accessing the restricted room, he stopped in his steps when Rinoa gazed at his face. Squall…You've come.

"Such profanity… It's always like that, right?" Rinoa spoke and smiled with a giggle.

Squall smiled as well. This was the side he knew was her. He walked towards her and sat besides. "I didn't offer you a seat" Rinoa said.

"I don't care" He replied. "…Are you hurt?" He asked there after.

"No, just a little faint."

"If you're hurt tell me"

"…hmm"

"…What are you staring at?" Squall questioned.

"What, you think you're so special?" She mocked.

"…Whatever"

Rinoa giggled. "What's that on your chain?"

"It's a lion. Griever"

"Oh, I like it a lot" Rinoa said merrily and leaned closely to him looking at it.

Squall was alarmed. His face was a bit flushed. Rinoa lifted her head up. Squall was coveted and Rinoa's face filled with curiosity. "What are you doing in Esthar?" She asked.

"It's none of your business."

"Meanie!" Rinoa wailed.

She was keen on what he wanted. He came to Esthar solely to see her. She just couldn't grasp the reason why. There was stillness in the secluded room. That obviously Squall didn't mind. Rinoa's outlook became more stern. "You shouldn't be in here"

"No…"

This peaceful…feeling… "Why? Why do you want to help me? Why keep me alive?" Rinoa wired up with an eager voice.

"I just… I just like you" Squall said. Rinoa nodded her head. She was ecstatic and embracing the serenity he blushed hard as she moved her body closer, pressing to his. He gazed down at her and she placed a big kiss… when withdrawing it only had him wanting more. She smiled and giggled.

"I like you too" She said.

Finally, your time is coming. I'll be the first to know its end.

--

The four of them were sitting on the very same couch as yesterday before the entire catastrophe. The blonde ogled her coffee while she pushed her hair behind her ear. The tension needing to be broken, she spoke "I am sorry about Squall. Please understand his behavior was-"

"Stop, I know. He might seem as some kind of traitor of a sort. I'm upset that he won't be leading anymore but I'm more worried that he has ruined a trust between you all." The other replied. Things were already edgy and uncomfortable without having Zell suddenly become a loud mouth.

"No Way, Ellone! He did nothing wrong! And I'm sure this position removal is only temporary too" He exclaimed as he got up from his seat.

Quistis desolately glared at him about his assumption of Squall's position. Ellone smiled. "I want to apologize for him because I know that whatever he is doing… he felt he had to do. Now, won't you please excuse me Mother Nature calls." She said and walked forth for the bathroom.

"Damn Quistis, I really think it wasn't that big of a deal that you got had to get him into trouble! You could have talked to him." Zell shouted at Quistis.

"She's just trying to enforce the rules." Selphie defended.

"Nah, she's just being a bitch!" Zell replied.

"I did nothing wrong! His judgment on everything would have been clouded!" Quistis yelled at him as he turned back to her.

"You think his judgment is clouded?! Well, look whose talking. You're the one in love. …Don't you trust him?"

-

A/N: Giggles Confused about Rinoa? Now you don't think she was talking about Squall, do you? Hehe, just keep reading the story it'll all explain itself slowly. Remember reviews please. Updates might take awhile. Finals are killing me.