A/N: Ok another chapter done, I know the last few have been a bit rushed and I do apologise. Hopefully you won't think the same of this chapter. The main aim of this chapter is to gain an understanding of Rinoa's torment over her powers and I hope you get a feel for it because it's important in the understanding of this story.
Also one reader has pointed out that I've made it appear that Squall and Rinoa are cousins, there not! Rinoa just refers to Laguna as Uncle Laguna because of how well he treated her in earlier life. Maybe I'm just weird but I refer to some of my parents close friends as uncle and aunt because of how much they were around when I was little, the same applies for Rinoa and Laguna.
Rinoa sat in the spot she had found earlier that week, only now the flowers didn't seem so vivid and the animals and smells no longer pleased her senses. She sighed and looked down to Angelo who rested her head in Rinoa's lap, she whimpered slightly and Rinoa patted her softly. She stretched her legs out on the bench and dipped her fingers into the water but she felt nothing her whole body was numb and she just wanted to stay that way. "By my own hand?" Her whispers only reached her own ears and her eyes began to fill with tears. Angelo licked Rinoa's hand and she smiled briefly at the dog, "This is all my fault! I wish I could just die and make it all stop!"
"Come in." Squall appeared behind the ornate doors of Laguna's office.
"You wanted to see me?" Squall kept his head down, even his general appearance was filled with discontent for the man in front of him.
"Yes, I though we might err . . . be able to talk about last night."
"You hired SeeD to kill the girl you promised to protect. What more is there to talk about?" Laguna shifted uncomfortable under his son's heavy stare.
"Wait! I don't want Rinoa to get killed!" His voiced filled with shock that Squall could have even thought such a thing. "They are merely a necessity should she become dangerous."
"Rinoa isn't dangerous." Laguna dropped his head into his hands he could tell this wasn't going to be easy.
"I'm not saying she is, although she did break that glass lightshade, but what I am saying that the sorceress trying to control her is." He looked his son directly in the eye, "If she is possessed again like when her father was killed then, and only then, will SeeD have to kill her."
"Did Rinoa agree to this?"
"No. But . . ."
"That's all I wanted to hear. Sir!" He saluted Laguna before hurriedly exiting the room.
It hadn't taken him long to find Rinoa, who was sat in the exact spot she had been several days ago. He watched her for a while, leaning against the doorway for support. How could something so beautiful be so dangerous? Just as it had not taken him long to find her it had not taken long for Angelo to notice him, bounding over to his side. "She likes you." He didn't respond he just stoked Angelo's head as she leaned against him. "I suppose you know then?"
"Yeah." She kept her face turned away from him. "How did it happen?" She turned to face him her eyes lacked their usual fire and there was no longer even the trace of a smile.
"The details aren't great; I think I was about 5. There was a big party for my dad's promotion or something, all I remember seeing were flashes of people running and screaming. Someone wanted my mum dead, they managed as well." She looked saddened at the mention of her mother yet bitter towards her mother's killer. "I just remember Edea standing there over me as the figure turned on me. She hadn't been able to save my mother but she'd be damned if she wasn't going to save me. Next ting I knew," She paused and shrugged slightly as she continued, "Edea was on the floor in pain I couldn't understand what was going on, I felt so dizzy. I woke up in Odine's lab weeks later, screaming for my mum. When she didn't come I screamed more." She sighed heavily. "It was Laguna that got me out of that horrible place." Squall stayed silent for a long time after that, it was apparent Rinoa didn't feel much like talking either.
"I only found out that Edea had passed her powers to me when I reached 7." She quickly fell silent again.
"Why didn't you tell anyone?" his voice was bitter and she was quick to pick up on the tone.
"Anyone or just you Squall?" She wasn't mad with him and she hadn't meant to make it sound that way but it really wasn't any of his business. He didn't answer her question, which only irritating her more because hewas probablythinking the answer but not voicing it. "Laguna already knew! Who else should I have told? Everyone?" Her temper threw her to the verge of tears as well as pushing the limits on her powers, "What would I have told them Squall? What?" Her voice grew louder as she spoke. He lowered his head almost ashamed of his actions but it only made him appear more callous. "Oh yeah, by the way, I'm a sorceress! Hide all your children and run in fear? What would I have said?" She bit down on her lipto calmed herself but also to fight back the tears. Her next words were spoken in a saddened voice, "What could I have said? It's like telling everyone the apocalypse is coming. Is it such a crime to want to be normal, to be just like everyone else?" He was aware of how harsh the next thing that came out of his mouth would be but he just couldn't muster up the strength to comfort her.
"Whatever . . ."
"Yeah Squall, whatever . . ." She spoke through gritted teeth as silent tears fell down her cheeks. He knew he had upset her, he didn't need to hear the bitterness in her voice or see the tears roll down her cheeksto know that much. Knowing that his presence would do nothing but anger her he left. Glancing silently over his shoulder and he turned the corner, seeing Rinoa cuddle her dog for the only comfort she had left in this world.
Her earlierconversation with Squall had driven her to the point of madness and she could see no other way to vent her anger than to take it out on her surroundings. Fortunately Edea entered the room not long after Squall had left. "Rinoa? What are you doing?" Edea stared at the flowers Rinoa held in her hand, coated in a thick layer of ice. As Rinoa threw them to one side they shattered against the hard floor but she ignored the noise. She couldn't, however, ignore her sudden need to destroy everything that brought the world happiness and joy.
"Everyone wants me to act like a sorceress, why shouldn't I?" She traced her fingers over the fountain and watched the ice creep throughout the room, climbing up the walls like ivy consuming a building within minuets.
"Rinoa stop it!" Edea screamed at the girl, "Rinoa if you carry on like this you will end up like every sorceress before us!" The girl turned to her with saddened eyes.
"At least then people would have a reason to hate me." Edea felt a deep sorrow and understanding for the girl, rushing to her side she took her into her arms.
"Rinoa you have to understand people just aren't ready for people like us, let them hate you, if they can only judge you by stereotypes then it is them who are loosing out on life not you. You're a promising young girl with a real future ahead of you don't let them get to you, don't let them destroy your dresms" She felt the room return to normal as Rinoa took away the ice coating,
"I just wish people would understand."
"I know child. Believe me I know." Rinoa broke into tears falling further into her mentor's grip.
"I just wish I could be normal again." Her pain was present in her disjointed words and Edea could do nothing but hold her and rest the blame firmly on her own shoulders.
Squall hung his head having caught most of Edea and the sorceress's conversation, no! She wasn't a sorceress to him she was just Rinoa. So why couldn't he have told her that, wouldn't it have helped? So he could have helped after all. I wish Rinoa, I wish . . . that I could be there for you but . . . I just don't know how. . . I'm sorry.
A/N: Sorry for the long author's note and another short chapter. But as usual enjoy the chapter and review. I've not been home the past week which is why you've had to wait for this chapter.
Thanks to;
DBZ Fanfiction queen (who's reviewed a few chapters.)
Rubymuto
Leonblade (who reviewed all current chapters and I don't think has been mentioned before.)
Heartillyangel
