A/N - All Disclaimer's apply (e.g. I don't own Final Fantasy etc) but I do own the rights to Pia and Antony and any other characters I have created.

Chapter 17

Squall walked into his new office and started to go over everyone's evaluations of the SeeD exam when Seifer walked in and Xu rushed in after him.

"I'm sorry Headmaster but I couldn't stop him from entering. He just walked straight past me and came straight in." Xu said as Squall shook his head in disappointment at what Seifer had just done.

"It's quite alright Xu and by the way if anymore of my friends would like to talk to me just let them enter. That is all for now." Squall replied looking at Seifer, who now was laughing his head off.

'Oh Hyne, this is going to be a long journey.' Squall thought to himself as Seifer sat down across from him.

"So Squall what are you going to do with me now that I have returned to Garden. How's Rinoa been since I left? Seifer asked, giving Squall his traditional cocky smile.

"Seifer I am going to do nothing to you because it wasn't your fault at what happened, neither was it's Matron's fault. You asked how Rinoa has been, I'll let you ask her yourself later on." Squall replied, he was trying to figure what Seifer actually wanted.

"Thank you for understanding that it wasn't my fault what transpired two years earlier. So what are we going to do about Pia or should I say Ultimecia?" Seifer asked making sure to sound as serious as possible.

"Antony your sorceress commands you to enter and obey her every whim." Ultimecia said as Antony walked into the room, still showing a little displeasure at what was happening.

"I am here mistress, what would you like me to do for you now?" Antony asked as he knelt down and bowed to her. He was actually hoping that it would involve something physical so he could let some steam off.

"I need you to go back to Balamb Garden and acquire a certain item that I need to bring forth Griever." Ultimecia said praying that she would not have to mention Squall's or Rinoa's name in all of this.

"I do not understand why you would want me go back to the Garden for, if we are wanted then it is dangerous to go back there." Antony replied hoping that she would enlighten him on the reason why.

"Antony, my dear Antony, there is a certain ring I need for the ritual as I said before. You're the only one who can get it because you are my knight and you will have to fight another knight in order to get the ring." Ultimecia replied knowing that Antony knew who the other knight would be.

"So you're telling me that I'll have to go to Balamb Garden and take on Seifer Almasy and get a ring from someone there." He replied wanting to make Ultimecia say the names she hated to say.

"That's not who I was on about you stupid fool. I was on about Leonhart and Heartilly." Ultimecia shouted and then she realised that Antony had played her into saying the names of the people she hated the most.

'Damn him, he's smarter then you give him credit for Pia.' She thought to herself as a grin came across Antony's face.

"Ultimecia, so you realized that I can play the mind games with you as well if needed to. I will do as you say and would you like me to only injure Squall, so you can kill him when the time comes." He replied and all she did was nod in agreement.

"So Rin you think that Ultimecia will go to the Orphanage to acquire Griever then?" Selphie asked, still wondering how they didn't realize it before.

Rinoa just smiled trying to figure out why Pia didn't tell them about the fact that she was a sorceress and that Antony was her knight. She knew it was pretty confusing when you find out you're something that nearly everyone fears.

"Rin are you okay, you seem to be starting the whole business of trying to avoid the subject at hand again?" Selphie asked worried that Rinoa was starting to clam up again.

"Oh Selphie it's nothing like that. I was wondering why Pia didn't actually tell us she was the sorceress. We wouldn't have done anything to harm her, just to help her out." Rinoa replied making sure that Selphie understood what she was saying to her.

"Oh there you two are, I've been looking everywhere for both of you. It looks like Squall wants us to meet in cafeteria at dinner to discuss the plan." Irvine stated seeing Selphie give a look that meant he interrupted something.

"Thank you Irvine for telling us. Can you tell Squall that as soon as I've finished talking to Selphie, I'll be up to talk to him please." Rinoa asked making a mental note to tell Squall that Selphie is still fretting over the little things.

Irvine nodded and waved goodbye, before turning around and heading back towards the elevator. Selphie was still fuming at what Irvine had just done.

Squall was sitting in his chair making sure all the preparations for the SeeD Graduation Party that would take place later that day.

As he finished doing this Rinoa walked in smiling at him in her usual way. He knew by that she wanted to ask him for something.

"Hey Rin, I'll be ready to go in a second, so take a seat while I just finish this paperwork off." Squall said anticipating Rinoa's actions, he knew she was about to say something and he cut her off,

She sat down in a chair, 'damn these chairs are so comfy' she thought to herself as she noticed how big the room was compared to his last office.

"Oh by the way Seifer was asking about you earlier, so don't be surprised if he asks you how you've been over the past two years." Squall said making sure to show Rinoa his face.

She knew that he wanted her to talk to Seifer but deep down she wasn't sure if she could have a lengthy conversation with him after what happened with Adel in Lunatic Pandora.

"You know Squall, I'm not sure about me talking to Seifer." She said and Squall gave her an intrigued look, "It's because of what happened with Adel, I still can't forget what he did to me then." Her eyes were welling up, just thinking back to how scared she was that she was going to die.

"I didn't know you felt that strongly about it. If you want I'll stay with you to give you the support you need." Squall replied making sure to go over to Rinoa. "I won't let him hurt you again I promise."