The Second War

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VIII is not mine. Nor are it's characters, places, monsters, or anything it created. Thank you.

A/N: Enjoy!

Chapter 4: In Which He is Lectured…

> > >

"So, Squad B and C, do you understand all your orders?" Selphie asked, pacing slowly in front of the SeeDs and looking at each one carefully. They weren't a bad lot, a bit young, but not bad overall. Laguna leaned against a table behind her. He had declined to speak during the mission briefing.

"Yes, ma'am!" They saluted in unison.

"Good, you have the next three days to prepare yourselves before you launch." She said. "If you're thinking of using magic or a guardian force, don't. You all know that they have been forbidden since the start of the war. Some of the older squad members may recall training with them, but that was the past."

There was a muttering, and Selphie knew that some of the SeeDs were unhappy. Using guardian forces and magic made combat much easier and quicker. She tried to ignore this. It wasn't her decision. "Dismissed."

After the SeeDs filed out, Laguna went to stand in front of Selphie. "Are you certain of your plan?"

"No," she responded frankly. "I was never one to organize things beyond festivals and parties. I'm not much of a leader in combat. I was always following orders, sending messages, or acting as a cheerleader."

"What about the guardian forces and magic?"

"Laguna, I'm a SeeD, just like them. Maybe I've earned a higher rank because I've been with Garden for so long, but I'm still just a SeeD. Anything that makes combat easier is fine with me." Selphie said. "I never approved of banning magic."

Laguna raised his eyebrows. This was virtual treason to Ellone, for she had made that decision. "Why not?" he asked mildly. He was merely curious, he had no intention of passing their conversations on to Ellone, and a silent understanding of this passed through them.

"I'm dead set against the Sorceress." Selphie began slowly. "Whatever past we had together, was simply that - the past. Guardian forces and magic…I don't quite see how they relate to her. She can use them like everyone else. It's not like she created them. I do suppose she has much more power in using them. It was a stupid movie of Ellone's to ban guardian forces and magic. They would have helped us, not hindered us. It makes no sense that's all." She looked up at Laguna, embarrassed. "I make no sense, either."

He shook his head. "No, I see what you're saying."

Selphie shrugged. "It's not like my opinion matters to Ellone, anyway." She forced herself to brighten up. "Let's go, I need to check up on the Ragnarok. It's been awhile since I've flown that baby."

> > >

Seifer was waiting somewhat impatiently for the elevator. He wasn't sure if basing Rinoa's supporters in Galbadia hotel was such a great idea, but it was all they had. Using Caraway's money, they practically bought over the place and closed it to the public. Of course, there wasn't much of a public left in Deling. Early battles destroyed half the city, and civilians had fled to other towns, traveling as far as Shumi Village. They also bought the troops they needed with Caraway's money. It wouldn't do to have him dead, inheritance or not. The soldiers, unbelievably, were loyal to Caraway and would serve Rinoa because he asked. If her father were removed from the picture, he wasn't sure if they would remain loyal.

The elevator arrived and he pushed the button for three floors down. Seifer didn't want to admit it to himself, but he was worried. Rinoa still remained on icy terms with her father and would be extremely reluctant to help. He didn't think she understood the balance between herself, her father, and the soldiers.

The doors slid open and Seifer moved out quickly, his coat snapping in his fast stride. He banged on the door of the fourth room. "Open up, it's me." He said.

"Coming, coming…" he heard from inside.

The door swung open, and there was Rajin, grinning at Seifer. "Finally, we get something to do. It's gotten kind of boring here, you know?"

"No, I don't know." Seifer quipped in spite of himself. Fujin rolled her eyes. "You guys know the situation, right?"

"SHAKY." Fujin pronounced.

"Good. I told Mr. Cowboy that you guys were already out on a mission, so he wouldn't send you guys off to do paperwork when I need you." Seifer said. "This Saturday at two, there will be guard switch at Caraway's mansion. Ellone is planning to assassinate Caraway then. You know we can't let that happen. I don't know how it's going to occur, but we know it is." He unconsciously clenched his fists and relaxed them again in a gesture of anxiety. "Mr. Cowboy is trying to convince Rinoa to send troops over, but I don't know how likely that's going to be. I need you guys there to watch over Caraway, alright? They're dispatching some SeeD forces, maybe twenty of them in total."

"EASY."

"Yeah, and besides, they don't even use guardian forces anymore." Rajin snorted derisively. "How stupid is that?"

"You may kill if necessary." Seifer said. "The order that takes priority is to protect Caraway. You guys won't have contact with me, but I trust you. Don't let me down."

"When do we leave?"

Seifer smiled. "Immediately. You guys were bored, right?" he pulled out an envelope from his pocket. "I took the liberty of writing a note to Caraway from Rinoa. You guys will be his bodyguards for the next little while."

Fujin looked at the envelope and recognized Seifer's scrawl trying to imitate Rinoa's. "FAKE."

"Of course it's a forgery," Seifer said impatiently. "But she never writes to Caraway, so he won't know the difference. Good luck, guys."

"NO WORRIES."

> > >

Squall parked the car outside the orphanage and composed himself. With a dry eyes and a set face, he left the car and walked to the front door, ringing the bell. It was Cid who opened the door, and he smiled when he saw Squall.

"Come in," he said without any further greeting. "What brings you here? I haven't seen you for awhile."

"I need to see Matron." Squall said. "I have to discuss things with her."

Cid's genial manner darkened slightly. "Squall, if this is about convincing us to join forces, we already told you that we have had quite enough of this sorceress business."

Squall shook his head. "No."

"Well then, Edea is outside on the beach. Go out and see her. I was just trying to make some dinner. Will you be staying?"

"I don't think so." Squall made his way through the familiar rooms until he was back outside. He slowly approached the lone woman who was sitting on a large rock, letting her feet dangle in the sea while she read a book. She turned around when she heard his footsteps.

"Squall," she acknowledged, then echoed Cid. "What brings you here?"

He opened his mouth to reply when she interrupted him.

"No, I know why you're here." Edea shut her book but remained looking out at the sea. "There is only one reason why you would come back here to speak with me. Rinoa, isn't it?" He nodded mutely, and she looked resigned. "What would you like to know?"

"Cid was…is…your knight, isn't he?" Squall asked feeling like a child once more.

"Yes."

"Are you connected? Do you feel what he does?"

"All the time." Edea smiled to herself. "Right now, he's panicking because he has burnt the chicken he was trying to roast."

Squall was shocked. All he felt from …her…was a vague understanding of her feelings. Matron knew exactly what Cid was doing. "How do you know everything?" He blurted out.

"I don't, Squall." She replied, her eyes taking a faraway look. "I have been in love with Cid for so long that I know his habits, and I know every part of him. I know he's panicking, because that is what I feel. I know he burnt the roast chicken because that is what we were going to have for dinner, and Cid cannot cook. You develop it over time." She smiled wryly.

"I don't want to." Squall said jerkily, thoroughly unnerved. "I want it to stop."

Edea looked troubled. "You bound yourself to her."

"She ran."

"Then you should have run after her." Edea shook her head. "That is why you were her knight. To defend her against anything." Her eyes were sorrowful and disappointed. Squall hated that look. "After you swore to her your love and loyalty as her knight, you made love to her and sealed your promise. You created the bond. I do not know how to end it, because I haven't tried, because I have no wish to."

He was trembling with rage. "Matron, she murdered Zell in cold blood. She ran away. She betrayed me." It took enormous effort to control his voice.

Edea suddenly stood up and was a very imposing figure against the darkening sky. "Squall, how many times must I repeat myself? You were her knight. No matter what she did, of what she was accused of, you were supposed to be there. Were you? Were you there?"

Squall held her burning gaze defiantly. Matron was wrong. She was wrong. There was no other choice but to pursue the decisions he did. "I was there until she ran."

"Then you should have run after her. It's a small difference, Squall. She didn't betray you, you betrayed her."

> > >

It felt good. For a moment, she could imagine she was six years in the past, before any of this began, and the lips touching hers were Squall's.

Yet Rinoa broke away. She stared at Irvine guiltily, struggling to find appropriate words. She didn't know whether she was supposed to be happy, shocked, sad, or angry. Rinoa was still emotionally ravaged from Squall, it was far too soon to start anything with Irvine or anyone else. At least, that was what she thought. He stared at her pink lips until they parted and breathed one word. "Why?"

"Why?" he echoed, furrowing his brow. What he felt was true. He hadn't looked at another girl since he joined up with Rinoa. He felt such fierce loyalty, such an intense surge of caring for her…did it equal love? "I don't know." He said honestly. Irvine took her hands, trying to explain. "I did it because you were unhappy, and Rinoa, not many of us here can stand to see you unhappy. I can't possibly understand what you're going through, but I care…" his voice cracked as he trailed off. "I'll do anything for you. Anything to make you happy."

She nodded, calmed by his words. Irvine was her anchor. "Thank you," Rinoa managed to say. "I do want to forget Squall." It was the truth, and the realization didn't hurt as much as she thought it would. "But if we were to start anything right now…it wouldn't be fair to you. And then there's Seifer…"

"Seifer?" Irvine's head snapped up. "What about him?"

Rinoa smiled at him faintly. "He's just Seifer."

He was still holding her hands. "Just remember that…I'll be here. No matter what happens."

"I will." Rinoa leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. Those were very close to Squall's words, and the words Seifer spoke to her so long ago. Maybe it was time to find a new knight…

There was a quick knocking on the door. "Rinoa?" It was Seifer's voice, drawing out her name as long as he could.

"Speak of the devil," Irvine muttered to himself.

"Come in!"

Seifer looked meaningfully at Irvine, who was ready to kick himself. He had completely forgotten to ask Rinoa about deploying troops to her father's mansion. He tried to motion to Seifer not to mention it, waving his arms frantically.

"So, has Irvine explained the situation to you?" Seifer asked, taking a seat in one of Rinoa's chairs.

"Shit." Irvine leaned one arm against the door and tiled his hat lower to cover his eyes. That way, he couldn't see anybody. Maybe no one could see him. He slouched lower, hoping in vain his rhetoric would work. "Shit shit shit shit shit…"

Rinoa was puzzled, looking over at Irvine. "I think we've worked things out. I mean, we were just talking about it before you came in. But how do you know about it?"

"Zone and Watts have done some excellent reconnaissance work. Naturally, they let me and Irvine know about it. We discussed everything before we brought it to your attention." Seifer said.

She lifted an eyebrow. "You discussed it all with Zone and Watts, who were spying?"

"That's their primary function here, isn't it?" Seifer said, also becoming confused but trying to hide it.

Irvine wished he wasn't so tall, then he would be so noticeable.

"Not to spy on me or Irvine, no." Rinoa said, crossing her arms. She was beginning to look just a little impatient.

"Not on you, Caraway. Aren't you going to send troops over?"

The bomb had been dropped. The shit had hit the fan. Irvine was sorely tempted to leave the room and run, however, that wouldn't reflect well on him. Rinoa was silent, though she looked furious, while Seifer was looking from her to Irvine and back again. A look of sudden understanding passed through his face as he stared at Irvine.

"Oh shit."

> > >

To be continued…

A/N: So that's the end of the redone chapters, you can expect a new one shortly. This is actually the most difficult fic for me to write, because there are so many tangents I want to go off on, but I can't, because…well, because it would get far too complicated. Thanks for reading!