A/N - All Disclaimers apply. I do own the rights to Pia, Antony and any other characters I create.

Chapter 21

Zell was walking towards his room, when he saw Selphie emerging from Irvine's room. Selphie turned towards him and her face dropped when she saw him.

"Hey up Selphie, I hope you and Irvine were just talking and not playing any little sick games in there." Zell said as he let out a little smirk as Irvine started to walk out buttoning up his shirt.

"Bloody hell Zell are you trying to give someone a heart attack." Irvine said as he noticed Zell after picking his head up after finishing the buttons on his shirt.

"Well it looks like I've got the most juiciest gossip since we wondered if Squall and Rinoa would get together or not." Zell replied as Irvine and Selphie became gob smacked at what he had just said.

"If you think you're going to tell Squall and the gang about this then you're deeply mistaken." Selphie said as she started towards Zell.

"Say what Selphie, the only way I'll tell them is if you don't tell them yourself. I think I'll give you until a week after this problem with Ultimecia has been sorted, I think that is ample time." Zell replied as he started to walk off towards his room once again.

"My sorceress, the preparations are complete. All that is needed is for us to do is to leave here and begin the ritual" Antony announced as he walked into Ultimecia's room.

Ultimecia looked towards him and nodded in agreement with him. 'Griever soon you'll be mine and I will rule this world and Leonhart or Heartilly won't be able to stop me.' She thought to herself.

"Very well my dear Antony, we will leave tomorrow at the break of dawn." Ultimecia said as she looked at Antony who was on one knee and his head bowed to her.

"Very well my sorceress, will I need to prepare for a fight if I am needed to from Seifer and other SeeD's if they are there already." Antony replied, making sure that Ultimecia had covered all bases.

"Yes do that, but we both know that it'll be an easier fight know that Leonhart and Heartilly are out of the way." Ultimecia boomed out loud.

"Squall how are you my son?" Laguna asked as Laguna walked into his office. Squall just shook his head in disbelief at what his father had just done.

"Hyne Laguna, just burst in here and try to frighten the life out of me why don't you." Squall replied in an angry tone making sure that his father had gotten the message.

"Okay Squall, I'm sorry I know I should've knocked but today is the day of your anniversary and I told you before that I had a surprise for you and Rinoa." Laguna commented as he saw Squall recalling what he said when he was on board the Ragnorak on his way to Balamb.

"Okay Laguna, take a seat and let me ask Rinoa to cone up her to her this and one more thing don't ever call me son again." Squall answered, as Laguna sat down.

"Okay Commander Leonhart, take it easy." Laguna replied sarcastically.

"Cid dear I've just received a communication from Squall and the others." Edea shouted to him as he was hanging the washing outside.

"Okay dear I'm on my way after I've finished hanging these clothes." Cid replied as he hung a pair of trousers on the line.

After he had finished hanging the washing he entered the orphanage and saw that Edea was sitting in her favourite chair with a concerned look on his face.

"What is it Edea, what did Squall say to you?" Cid asked, understanding that it was something important.

"Cid my dear, we have to leave the orphanage for a bit and return to the Garden." Edea replied, as she said this Cid's face turned into one of confusion. "This is because this is where Ultimecia will bring forth Griever and they will need us to safe while they are fighting her." Edea carried on.

"Very well dear, if Squall needs us to leave for our safety and the safety of the others then I will go." Cid said and Edea just nodded to her husband.

"So we should go and prepare to leave then." Edea said and Cid nodded before they went to pack.

Squall and Laguna were starting to raise their voices as Rinoa entered the office. 'Oh hyne, I better stop this before anything happens' she thought to herself.

"Okay the pair of you stop it right now" She said as her voice started to rise. They both looked at her and Squall just winked at her. She instantly knew that he was playing with Laguna.

"Thank goodness you're here Rinoa, he threaten to kick me out of the Garden and not let me back in until I started to act like a proper adult." Laguna said as he started to creep towards her.

"Hyne Laguna, don't you know when I am playing around with you." Squall replied as his face developed to grow a grin.

"Damn you Squall, you had me worried there. Now that both of you are here, can I tell you what you're anniversary gift is please?" Laguna asked as Rinoa let out a little snicker.

"Yes Laguna you can tell us, just remember that you're not the only who can act like a child at times." Squall answered and Rinoa nodded at him in agreement at what he had just said.

"Okay I got the picture. Well I've had Odine working on a way to extract the powers from a sorceress safely and he thinks that he has fount a way." Laguna said as Rinoa looked amazed at what he had just said.

"Laguna are you serious, because if you are then how does Odine know that it is non-lethal." Squall replied and as he looked at Rinoa she understood that in his head, he was going through all the possibilities.

"What are you saying Squall that you don't want Rinoa to get along with her father and you two to lead a normal life." Laguna said and then he started to realize that Odine couldn't have tested it even if he wanted to.

"Squall, I'm sorry I never thought about it and you're right. Odine doesn't know if it is non-lethal or not." Laguna replied and Squall nodded at him.

"Laguna I know that you thought that what you did would give me and Squall a normal life bit to be honest with you. I have never gotten along with my father and I accepted that this is who I am." Rinoa said as Squall started to move in on her.

"Hey but couldn't we test in Pia to see if it works or not?" Laguna replied and Squall shook his head in disagreement.

"No Laguna, we can not do that." Squall replied and noticed that Laguna was about to why. "Before you ask why, this is because it is Pia's decision and I have an agreement with Antony that I won't kill her." Squall finished saying and all Laguna could do was nod his head.

A/N - Okay i'm getting to good stuff soon