A/N: Another short chapter, sorry. Its actually going to be the next chapter that I try and explain the different character's viewpoints, so you'll have to wait for that! Rinoa and Squall get closer and I've introduced some more characters . . . .

Dinner that evening had been uncomfortable for everyone, excluding Ellie who had spent most of her time filling the silence. Rinoa had eventually drowned out her voice to a continuous tone and just sat with tearful eyes. Ever so occasionally she stirred her soup with the spoon but refused to lift it to her mouth. She could feel Edea's watchful eye upon her as well as the occasional glance from everyone else on the table. The only person she hadn't noticed look at her was Squall, who much like herself was simply playing with his food while refusing to eat. After Ellie ran out of things to say, for which she was secretly glad, the room fell into a deep silence.

Laguna was the first to speak, clearing his throat as if to draw everybody's attention to him. He opened his mouth but nothing came out for some time. Rinoa didn't want to wait for bad news so she dropped her spoon into her soup and pushed the bowl into the table. Quietly nodding she lifted herself out of her chair turning her back on them. Squall's chair was hushed to a halt as he tried to leave the room, Laguna's hand resting on his own. "Leave her."

"Who said I was going after her? I'm not hungry! I'm leaving the table whether you like it or not!" Squall's chair screeched across the floor as he pushed back quickly, snatching his hand from Laguna's grasp. He nodded to their guests, "Night." He left the room in a steady walk dropping his head as soon as he was out of sight.

"Well erm . . ." Laguna rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment, "As I was going to say err . . . the soup's good?"

Although she had taken several walks around the palace she soon found herself, without a doubt, lost. "You look lost." She recognised the voice and looked over her shoulder at him. She didn't want to be mad with him anymore, Edea had made her realise how childish she had been. Taking her anger out on him when all he had done was ask after her well-being was low.

"Everything looks the same."

"I suppose." He shrugged he'd been here so long it didn't even feel big anymore. "You're on the outer edge of the palace." He pointed to a glass wall through which she could see a vast city surrounded by rocky desert.

"What's that?" She leaned against the wall using a rail to support her weight as she leaned forward, looking out into the desert. In the distance she could see a ring of what looked like tombs.

"That's tears point." He moved towards the wall, surprised by Rinoa's acceptance of his presence. He'd half expected to be hit for his earlier behaviour and he wasn't sure he'd have blamed her.

"You know it wouldn't hurt to make this a bit more interesting." She rested her hand on her hip as she turned to face him. What does she want from me? She's asking the questions I'm just answering. "Hello? Earth to Squall." She stood waving a hand in his face while she leaned towards him. He raised an eyebrow at her. "You were in your own world again!" She rested both hands behind her back a swayed from side to side, "Wanna share?"

A cheerful giggle came from down the hall as a girl their age and dressed in a bright yellow dress ran towards them. "Squall sharing feelings I'm there!" She squealed as she skidded to a stop. Squall ignored the girl and looked straight past her to an exhausted young man running towards them. "Irvine. Having fun?"

"This . . . was . . . your . . . idea . . . wasn't . . . it . . ." Irvine spoke through deep panting as he tried to catch his breath, before collapsing against a pillar. The girl giggle, "Come on Irvie we've only done three laps of the whole palace."

"That's three too many!" Rinoa let out a small giggle. "Hey! What's this Squall? Walking around with a girl?" She looked at the ground shyly as Irvine winked and pointed at her. The girl in yellow jumped over to him and hit him round the head. "Hey, Selphie what was that for?"

"Hello, Girlfriend standing right in front of you!" Rinoa smiled at them both while Squall just rolled his eyes. "Well?" Selphie almost demanded Squall's attention, "Aren't you going to introduce us?" He did his trademark frown and sighed.

"Rinoa this is Selphie and Irvine. Selphie, Irvine this is Rinoa." Selphie took her hand and shook it vigorously.

"It's nice to meet you Selphie. Err . . . can I have my hand back now?"

"Sorry." The girl giggled as she dropped Rinoa's hand, "So you're the sorceress, huh?"

"Selphie!" Squall's demanding voice scolded the girl.

"No, no. Its fine squall" Rinoa stepped to the side of Squall, "Yes I am the Sorceress Rinoa." She bowed in a regal style to the girl.

"Whoa." The girl stood in awe as a light spun around Rinoa, her clothing appeared to crack away to reveal a glamorous ball gown. The image lasted only a few seconds before it was reversed and she stood from her bow in her normal clothes. "I wish I could change that quickly." Selphie giggled.

"So do I!" Irvine stated which only gained him another smack around the head from Selphie.

"Oh, hey why don't you guys join us for dinner tomorrow?" Selphie clapped her hands in excitement, "We're going to that new restaurant in Dollet, what do you say?"

"Selphie that was mean to be for just us." Irvine cut in before either Squall or Rinoa could answer.

"Yeah but they make such a cute couple!" Both Rinoa and Squall jumped at the statement, "And think of the publicity it'd give the place! Esther's president's son! So?" She addressed the later part to the pair.

"No, no, no! We're not together, not like that!" They both blurted out exchanging looks of shock. Rinoa shook her head.

"Besides think of the bad publicity they and Squall would get being seen near me." She scuffed her shoes against the floor, "Maybe it's best I don't go." Squall looked at the floor if there was ever a good time to try and help Rinoa with this it was now or loose her forever to hatred.

"No." He blurted out without thinking about what he was going to say.

"What?" Rinoa looked at him with a worried expression while Irvine attempted to encourage Squall but fail to do anything but distract him. "No, what?"

"You shouldn't have to worry about things like that!" She shrugged at him.

"I guess it comes with the territory."

"It shouldn't have to!" Everyone looked at him in shock but he ignored them, "Rinoa, who cares what the world thinks!" He turned to Selphie and Irvine, "We're coming . . . and we'll . . . go as a couple . . . if that's alright with Rinoa." He ignored Selphie and Irvine's reactions and turned to Rinoa, "It is ok with you?" She smile from behind teary eyes of joy and threw her arms around his neck.

"Nobody's ever cared before . . . thank you." A single tear fell as he gently returned the embrace.

A/N: Thank you to;

Leonblade

Lady-Rinoa

AngelRinoaLeonhart

Rinny Leonheart