A/N: This chapter I've not even had the time to proof read so I'm afraid it's probably full of mistakes, for which I apologize in advance. I only thought it right that I get this next chapter up as quickly as possible because of the readers feed back, and its only today that I've been able to read my e-mails. I probably could have spaced this out better over 2 chapters but never mind it's done now.

Ellone glanced to Rinoa once again as the Ragnarok made its decent to land at Esthar's space port; dark rings had developed under her eyes replacing the red circles her tears had earlier caused. She was worried for the last hour of their journey not even a silent tear had slid down her check, all she had done was sit in silence staring at the floor.

Laguna turned back to check on the girls, Ellone smiled at him warmly her eyes indicating her worries for the silent girl next to her. A slight jolt rocked through the ship as they landed but Rinoa still did not move. Standing up Ellone held out her hand for Rinoa to take, she still did nothing. "Rinoa? Rinoa its time to get off the ship, we have to get off now." She whispered slowly trying to get her friend to react in anyway possible.

Rinoa mentally shook herself back to reality only to see Laguna step up to Ellone before she walked away. Laguna stood at the end of the seating his had outstretched for her to take, "Its late Rinoa, we should all try to get some sleep as soon as we reach the palace." I do feel tired I guess, and my head "oww" it hurts! She nodded her head slowly while reaching out for his hand. The last thing she remembered was her own hand brushing past Laguna's as she slipped into darkness.

When she awoke she found herself in the middle of a large bed, covered in all assortments of expensive fabrics, it had to be said the presidential palace in Esthar was much grander than the one in Deling city, she felt so out of place. She looked down realising she was still dressed in her blood stained pyjamas. Quickly she rose from the bed and made her way to the door.

It hadn't taken her long before she'd found the bathroom. Despite the fact she'd been about 6 when she last visited, she had found it hard to remember where anything was or who live here. She turned the handle on the tap, hot water poured out. She made patterns in the water as she dragged her fingers through it, while waiting for the bath to fill.

Squall, president Laguna's real son, wondered down the hall to the nearest bath room. He hated waking up in the middle of the night needing the toilet but that was life, or so he guessed. As she approached he saw the steam gently sway out from under the door, he groaned as he realised Ellone was probably taking a late bath after coming home with his dad. He knocked on the door, no answer. That's funny she'd usually have shouted by now, disturbing her peace and . . . whatever. He thought to himself and he knocked louder on the door. As he tried again he heard a loud crash as if something had smashed against the floor.

"Ellone, Ellie? Ellie are you alright?" He twisted the handle, the door opened as he pushed hard enough to have taken it off its hinges thinking that it had been locked. As he ran forwards into the bathroom he heard the glass splinter and crack under his feet. As he looked down he saw droplets of red hit the floor from a hand that gripped her side of the bath tightly. He ignored the glass that cut into his souls as he ran to the bath and pulled back the curtain.

Sat with her knees up to her chest and one arm wrapped around them as the other steadied herself was a complete stranger and yet one that looked so familiar. He was shot back into reality when he realised she was sat there still fully dressed and swimming in what appeared to be slightly diluted blood, he could even smell it as it tumbled to the floor from her fingers. Dark Raven hair shifted as she turned to face him, tears ran down her face as her body shook with sobs. Next he did the only thing he could think of, lifting her out of the bath and into a towel he had snatched from the side he grabbed her and checked for cut marks as she cradled against his chest.

Realizing she hadn't cut herself he carried her out of the bathroom and sat her on the floor. Thinking about his own cuts he sat against the wall and lifted his foot up as he began picking at the glass now imbedded in his feet. "I could do that for you." She said in a small voice only just loud enough for him to hear her. "No, I've got it." He said as he looked up briefly before pulling out the last bit of glass.

"Squall, are you alright?" Asked Laguna as he ran down towards the pair the lad nodded his head as he stood up. "Fine!" Laguna eyed the boy suspiciously before turning his attention to the rather soggy Rinoa, "And I suppose your fine as well then?"

"I'm ok." She said in a weak and teary voice as she used the wall to help herself up. "I don't know you kids these days I just don't get you." He said as he threw his hands up in the air, "Whatever." Both of them replied in unison.

Thank you to;

Naysaysfire

Zornoid13

DreamCherry66

And any anonymous reviewer(s)

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