Disclaimer: characters not mine! just messing up the story line! :)
Chapter Five
"So, Squall… you got a knight?"
The three of themhad arrived at Balamb in time to take a ferry to Dollet, they then stayed for two nights in town but Dollet was still under Galbadia and SeeD supervision so they boarded a train bound for Timber. The three runaways were now sitting in the baggage compartment of the Timber RR Train, Seifer had snuck the two on board claiming that it was safe and he did it all the time when he would have rendevous in Galbadia. Squall was pretty sure he did not want to know the nature of these 'rendevous'.
Irvine, being the nosy individual that he is, was going through people's suitcases looking for something to do, namely dirty magazines.
Squall was sitting up against the wall watching Irvine until Seifer asked his question. He turned to face the tall blonde man that was sitting two feet away from him. He tilted his head and gave a small smirk. "Yeah. I do."
"What?" Seifer exploded. "Who is the lazy ass that isn't around to protect you, huh? What kind of knight you got? Wait, do you got a girl? Girls can't be knights! You fool!"
Squall laughed mentally at Seifer's ranting. "He's beyond doubt a man." Squall called softly before turning back to watch Irvine, who had struck gold and was flipping happily through one of his prizes.
A had grabbed his shoulder and spun him around. "Is it Irvine? That little liar, he said he doesn't have any interest in you! Then again he also said he was straight… that little shit, I'll kill him!"
Squall watched the fury burn in his jade green eyes. "Seifer. It's not Irvine." Seifer stopped his ranting and looked down into Squall's silver eyes. He could see an emotion swirling in their depths, but unable to name it. His eyes then trailed down to the slightly parted lush lips that really needed a good ravishing. Squall watched Seifer's eyes slowly darken green and his eyes lose focus.
Squall, not he will ever admit it, had never been kissed. He and Seifer had shared pecks when they were younger but nothing serious or mind blowing, they were simply too young yet. Mentally he told himself that he didn't ever need anyone that way, but subconsciously he knew it was because he refused to be kissed by anyone other than Seifer. Squall subconsciously licked his lips as he watched Seifer's eyes darken in what he presumed, hoped, was lust.
Alas, the moment was ruined as the computer generated voice announced: /Now arriving at Timber Station. Now arriving at Timber Station./
Squall sighed in annoyance at the lost opportunity and Seifer growled softly and scooted away a few feet.
"So why are we headin' into Timber? I could hide us some where in Deling City." Irvine asked, oblivious to the moment that the other two almost had.
"I've got a few friends we can hide with in Timber, besides it small and no one bothers to go there anyway." Seifer responded.
"It's too small, SeeD will find us immediately." Irvine argued.
"It's a good idea." Squall spoke up softly. "Edea knows I hate Timber and Deling City isn't safe for me because of the mall incident. For now, Timber is the safest place to be." Irvine huffed and Seifer smiled triumphantly.
The train slowed into the station and Seifer opened the hatch they originally crawled into from underneath the train. As soon as the train stopped Seifer jumped down, followed by Squall and then Irvine.
They made their way carefully through the small train town, there seemed to be an abnormal amount of Galbadian soldiers patrolling. Seifer prayed to Hyne is wasn't because of them.
"President Deling is coming to this town, something about the TV station." Irvine informed them.
Seifer frowned. "How did you know that?"
Irvine rolled his eyes. "Because I'm from Deling City, twit, they've been announcing it for weeks."
"Did you just call be a twit? You son-of-a--"
"Shut it you two!" Squall hissed as three soldiers, one of them a lieutenant, walked by the alley they were in. The two bickering quieted and settled for glaring heatedly at each other. "Stop acting childish, you two are giving me a migraine." He glared up at them.
"Sorry." Irvine sighed and scratched the back of his head.
Seifer just motioned for them to follow him as they continued on.
The house they stopped at was small, quaint almost, Squall could see children toys laying about and he sent a questioning glance up at the blonde.
"Don't worry." He grinned before knocking on the door.
A plump, older woman answered the door with a aggressive look on her face until she saw Seifer's face. "Seifer? Seifer Almasy? What are you doing here?" She gasped and smiled all at once. "Do come in, Rinoa will be so excited to see you." She ushered the three men in, the main room was a kitchen, dinning room and living room in one and littered in toys of all kind.
'Rinoa... why does that sound familiar?' Dread filled Squall as he saw the dark haired girl leap down the stairs and squeal. Rinoa Heartilly, that annoying bint that tried to molest him the other day. He watched as the girl barreled into Seifer and Seifer returned the hug with a huge grin. Squall narrowed his eyes and frowned at the affectionate display.
Jealous my Lion? a voiced purred in the back of his mind.
Oh no. Oh Hyne no. Squall winced as the familiar tingling in the back of his brain reared up.
Do not fret my Lion, I will not take you now...
Squall gripped the edge of the kitchen counter as his head throbbed.
But I will soon
And then the pain was gone, so suddenly that Squall gasped and nearly collapsed.
"Squall!" Irvine fretted and pouted over his best friend. Seifer frowned as he looked over the boy. "Man, are you okay? Is everything okay?"
Squall nodded. "It's ... nothing." He stood straight and tried to look like nothing had happened.
"Oh my Hyne! I remember you!" Rinoa squealed. "You were in Timber a few days ago!" She bounced up to Squall. "What are you doing here? And with Seifer? Are you a SeeD too? Are you guys here to help the previous team? That's odd, maybe Cid heard about the incident and sent backup!"
"Previous... Team?" Seifer asked with dread.
"Yes, I went to the SeeD ball a few nights ago like you suggested and Headmaster Cid–he's such a nice man– assigned me three SeeDs..." Rinoa drifted off as she took in Seifer's pale look. "Something wrong?" She asked uncertainly.
"Who... Who is here?" Seifer asked urgently.
Squall paled and took a step towards Irvine as he noticed three others coming down the stairs.
"Seifer, you are in big trouble back at Garden."
Quistis's voice filled Seifer with dread. Shit. He turned to face the strict blonde woman. "Instructor." He nodded. "Chicken Shit." He sneered at Zell, who instantly started to shake in fury. "And the new girl..." Selphie looked on curiously. Seifer sighed. The three didn't recognize Irvine or him, Squall noted bitterly. Not that he expected them too.
"Yes, Seifer. I'm afraid as soon as this Galbadia disaster blows over I'll have to take you back to Balamb Garden." Quistis frowned at the taller blonde.
Squall's eyes widened in fear. This couldn't be happening. He just found Seifer again, things were going... sort of okay. No!
"Sure, let's go to Timber, it's safe, I've got friends there." Irvine muttered under his breath. "Seifer, we're getting out of here." Irvine gestured to himself and Squall.
Seifer looked at Squall, who was pale and he could see the fear rolling off of him. He turned back to Quistis. "I'm afraid that isn't going to happen." He stated firmly. Then he paused. "Wait, what Galbadia disaster?" He asked curiously.
Everyone in the room flinched.
"Our mission... failed." Rinoa drooped.
Seifer's eyes widened as he remembered Irvine telling him that the president was coming to Timber. "You didn't... you didn't try to ... kill the president, did you?"
The four nodded.
"You... idiots." Seifer shook his head.
"It started off real good! The trains went flawless! But, there... there was this decoy." Rinoa started. "But that's not the worst of it, soldiers are patrolling the whole town, not letting anyone leave, and they're looking for us... and one of the guards overheard Zell saying something about Garden so they know it was SeeDs." She gushed. "They're worried that Galbadia might lash out at Garden and Deling announced that he has a Sorceress as a diplomat or something..."
"What?" Squall asked sharply. "Sorceress?"
"Yeah, this evil and creepy chick." Rinoa shuddered.
Squall started to panic. "Are they still here? Who is this Sorceress-"
"Squall, calm down." Seifer placed his hand on Squall's shoulder.
"They called her Sorceress Edea-"
"Wait... what? Is that even possible?" Irvine asked. "She was normal a couple of days ago, there's no way she could have moved that fast."
Squall frowned as he thought. "Deling was planning the trip before this mess, I bet... the sorceress can get into other minds... maybe not as easily but perhaps she can influence their decisions, maybe the person isn't even aware of it." Squall spoke quietly. "Well shit." Seifer sighed.
"What are you guys talking about?" Quistis asked.
"We have to get out of here." Squall said firmly.
Seifer nodded. "Whoa, not with out us you aren't." Quistis growled. "You will explain what's going on... Headmaster Cid announced that you ran away from Garden and should be brought back immediately, and so should the two men traveling with you." She frowned as she looked over Squall and Irvine.
"Well, you know me and my penchant for breaking the rules." Seifer sneered back. "Like hell we're going back to Balamb."
Before Quistis could reply Watts burst through the door. "I managed to get tickets for us! The last train is leaving in fifteen minutes and no one knows when the trains will run after this..." He drifted off as he saw the newcomers. "Mr. Almasy." He nodded and backed away from the tall and intimidating blonde. He clutched his stomach nervously.
"Oh Watts that's wonderful!" Rinoa squealed. "How many tickets do you have?"
"Well, I have one for you, three for the SeeDs, and then one for Zone and one for me..." He drifted off as he looked at the three newcomers.
"Well, you all have a good time, we'll get out of here our own way." Seifer sneered.
"Oh no you don't. You aren't going anywhere with out us." Quistis stated firmly with a strong glare. Zell and Selphie nodded.
"Oh Seifer! I'd feel so much safer with you now that I am a wanted criminal. I know you can keep me safe." Rinoa clutched Seifer's arms and gave her best puppy dog look. Squall nearly hurled at her display, but he settled for glaring instead. He wanted nothing more than to peel her off with a crowbar.
"Fine." Seifer sighed and nudged her off his arm. "But this is getting ridiculous. We're turning into a big group, it'll be harder to get out of here now."
"We should head to Deling City, it's big, crowded and I know a few places we can hide and not get caught." Irvine suggested again. Squall nodded in agreement.
"Wait a minute, first of all we want to know who you two are." Quistis stood with her hands on her hips in a no nonsense way.
Irvine took on a swanky grin. "Well, my name is Irvine. Irvine Kinneas. Ring any bells?"
Quistis raised an eyebrow. "Should it? I don't watch Galbadia's most wanted, so maybe you should ask Zell." She hissed.
Irvine shrugged. "Fine. Whatever."
"And you are?" Quistis nodded towards the quiet brunet.
"Squall." He replied icily. It was good to see that Quistis was still the bossy one.
"Squall...?" Selphie hopped up and down on one foot.
"Leonheart." He finished.
"Right! I'm Selphie Tilmit, and this is Zell Dincht... and that is Quistis Trepe." She grinned happily. "Now let's get outta here!"
Rinoa clapped her hands together. "Great. C'mon Angelo!'
Squall and Irvine stared in shock as her as a dog ran up to her. "Can't fight with out him!" She smiled cheerfully. The two exchanged looks of disbelief as the group headed out the door and into the streets.
To Be Continued!
Thanks to: OmegaScorpio (Ah! i can't wait to check out your story!) backlash, angelsobssession, Ravens Quill (I tried to not give Squall too much emotion, i hope its working!), Honey Nut Loop (changed! sorry!), and Grasshopper
Review Please!!