Disclaimer: I don't own anything from FF VIII. And that applies to the
other chapters (oops)
Authors Note: Here is another chapter. Hope everyone likes it.
Rinoa opened her eyes and realized that she was still in Squalls arms. A warm feeling went through her as she realized that he had spent that whole night with her. She turned her head around carefully and looked at Squall, he seemed so peaceful and there was no look of worry on his face at all. It then dawned on her that last night was the first time she had slept through the night without waking up or having one of the nightmares.
Rinoa gazed into his eyes, leaned forward and kissed him on the forehead. This gentle movement caused Squall to open his eyes slowly and he was met with a grinning Rinoa. "Morning, Sleepy head."
Squall didn't say anything, he just felt so happy but didn't know how to put into words. Instead he pulled Rinoa closer. "More sleep." He muttered. He too had, had the first night where dreams hadn't plagued his sleep. He wanted it to last as long as possible.
Rinoa nodded in agreement and closed her eyes relishing in his warmth. She was just on the verge of sleep when a sudden crash brought her back to reality. She pushed herself to a sitting position and noticed that Squall was doing the same thing. Standing in the middle of the room, was Selphie puffing and panting, barely making audible noises. "Rinoa...come...quick." She managed to get out. For the first time since she had entered the room, she looked at the bed and saw Squall sitting on it, his arm still around Rinoa. "Oh...didn't realize you...had company." She said giving Rinoa a sly look.
Rinoa glared at her friend, and jumped out of the bed. "It isn't what you think. Nothing happened."
"Whatever you say." Said Selphie winking at Squall. "You sly dog."
Squall rolled his eyes and got out of the bed, realizing that her mind was already made up and arguing with her wasn't going to help the situation.
"Hey Selphie. Squall isn't in his room." Came a voice from down the hall.
"It's OK Irvy, he's in here!" Yelled Selphie.
It didn't take long for the cowboy to reach Rinoa's room and he came in with a big smile on his face. He was jus about to open his mouth and say something but was stopped by Squall. "Just don't bother." He warned. Irvine put his hands up in defense motioning to the fact he wasn't going to say anything about the situation he found the two of them in.
"So what is so important that you need to disturb our sleep for?" Asked Rinoa, who was looking at the evil glare that Squall was sending in Irvine's direction. "Before I tell you pack up your things, we are getting out of here." Ordered Selphie. Rinoa was about to protest but saw the look of worry on her friends face told her that something was wrong. Rinoa just gave her a puzzled look and pulled out the suitcase from under her bed piling clothes into it, without much care at all.
Meanwhile Selphie began to tell the story. "You see me and Quistis headed down to the town to get some early morning shopping done for these boys." Indicating Irvine and Squall with a jerk of her thumb. "They have no clothes and we are assuming that the hotel they wee staying in will be swarming with either the police or the army. Well it is not just their hotel, the whole town is full of soldiers all looking for them, and they were looking at everyone really suspiciously. It gave me the creeps. Anyway, when we were in a line for buying coffee, we heard two of them talking. They are almost positive that they are still in Trabia somewhere and they are planning a search of the whole city, every house. You know Squall, you must be very important to them. They are going to a lot of trouble just to get you."
"What Selphie is trying to say" Said Irvine "Is that we need to get out of here as soon as possible? Who knows when this will be there next stop?"
Squall just swept back his hair form his face and sat down on the edge of the bed trying to take in all of the information. "We are going to Esthar...." He paused for a second as if something had just dawned on him. "Hold on why is Rinoa packing. You girls on not coming with us you have no reason and you will just slow us down."
Selphie began stomping her feet. "We will not. Besides I am going wherever Irvine goes and nothing will stop me."
Rinoa looked up from her suitcase. "I am following Selphie, she is like a sister to me."
Irvine gave Squall a helpless shrug. "Don't bother mate, I have already had this conversation with Selphie and Quistis and nothing is going to persuade them not to come. And why are we heading to Esthar?"
"We can't exactly use the trains, as there will be a watch out for us. We take the car and head down over the mountains, south to Esthar. I...know someone there who might be of some help."
Selphie clapped her hands. "To Esthar it is! Here Squall," she said handing him a bag full of clothes. "I picked these up for you downtown"
Squall said thanks and looked through the bag finding to his relief a couple of outfits very similar to the one her normally wore. There was even a leather jacket. As well as the clothes there were all the bathroom essentials that he would need for the next few days. "I'll pay you back when we get to Esthar I promise."
"Nah it's ok. Just think of it as a thank you present for letting us come along. Come on Irvine, we should get the car ready, whilst they change." With that Irvine and Selphie left the room. Rinoa stared at Squall for a few moments. "Well..." she exclaimed.
"Well what?" Questioned Squall
"Well aren't you going to leave so that I can get changed?"
A blush rose to Squall's cheeks as he left the room, closing the door behind him. In a few minutes after getting changed himself he arrived back at her door, taping lightly. After he heard heard a small voice say enter he let himself in. Rinoa had changed and was just brushing her long dark hair.
"Need some help with your bags?" He asked.
"Yeah, sure there is only the one. If you could take it down for me that would be great."
Squall walked over to the bed and picked up the plain black suitcase. As he grabbed the handle the identification tag on the front caught his eye. "...Heartilly"
"It's my mothers name. I go by it sometimes. Mostly when I am upset with my father. Is something wrong?"
"No..Nothing." Said Squall trying to avoid all of the questions.
"Squall, you aren't telling me something." Glared Rinoa.
Squall started walking out of the room with the suitcase. "We haven't got time now. I promise that I will explain it to you later. Right now I have some things to sort out in my mind. None of is making sense."
Rinoa frown but just followed him out of the room. She trusted him to keep his promise so did not bother him about it anymore. They reached the front of the lodge and saw Irvine, Selphie and Quistis waiting for them. "Where's Zell?" She queried.
"Stocking up on hotdogs for the trip." Said Irvine disdainfully. He opened up the trunk and packed all of Rinoa's stuff into it. "Right then all ready?" Everybody nodded their agreement and packed themselves into the car. "Come on Zell" screamed Irvine.
Just as the words came out of his mouth a very sleek silver car began to pull into he driveway. "Shit Zell hurry up! Looks like they are already here." Irvine jumped into the back as Squall took the drivers seat starting the engine, getting ready to leave at any moment.
Zell came running out of the house as fast as he could, heading for the open car door. By now the silver car had stopped in the driveway and out of it stepped a young man with blonde hair. Squall Slammed the door shut and locked the doors cursing Zell and his hotdogs. The blonde man casually walked over to the parked car before could get there and smashed the window with his fist. After moving the glass away he poked his head through it. Squall had already pulled out his gunblade and was pointing it at the man.
"Whoa, now I am not going to hurt you!" The blonde exclaimed.
"Seifer!" Yelled Rinoa from the back seat bring her head forward between the seats. "What the fuck are you doing here?"
"Can't I come and say hello to my girlfriend here?" He asked leaning forward attempting to kiss her. Squall's gunblade was too fast for him and it pushed him back nearly out of the window.
"You are not my boyfriend." Said Rinoa through gritted teeth.
"Have it your way then." Said Seifer casually "Blondes were always more my thing anyway." He said sneering at Quistis.
Quistis pushed Rinoa out of the way so she could be I the front and spat on his face. "You pig!"
Squall who had already taken an instant disliking to the man pushed the blade slightly harder against him. "Leave, or this goes straight through you," he warned.
"Now, now, I ma not here to pick up a fight. In fact I am just here to deliver a message to dear Rinoa here. Daddy wants you home as soon as possible. He missed you."
"Like hell he does." Said Rinoa. "Lets go." She ordered Squall.
"If you'll be excusing us." And Squall lifted the blade up to Seifer's head and brought it down across the front of his face leaving a deep cut down his forehead. Seifer leaped back in pain cursing him as he headed back to his own car. Zell came up from behind and kicked him in the shins for good measure. And he hopped into the car.
As soon as Zell was in the car Squall sped out of the driveway and drove towards the mountains.
Seifer was left standing alone in the middle of the driveway, and headed back into his car desperately trying to find a tissue to stop the blood. Once he had got it sorted he grabbed his cell hone from the dash board and punched in a number.
"General, it is me"
"Ah, Seifer, did you find her?"
"Yes sir. She was here alright and it seems like she has made some new friends."
"Please don't say...."
"Yes, it looks as if this Leonhart fellow is with her."
"Are you sure?" groaned the general.
"The description matches alright. And he had a gunblade."
"Shit!"
"And sir....It looks as if they are leaving Trabia."
"Where?"
"Well I cannot be sure but they were heading towards the mountains and the only habitable place in that direction is..."
"Esthar."
"Would you like me to follow them sir?"
"No it is quite alright Seifer. They are just running right to me. Just get to Esthar as soon as possible and you can head them of from this end. I have to go now Seifer and talk to this moronic president."
"Speak to you later then sir." And Seifer heard a click on the phone. He put the phone away and slammed his fist into the dashboard. Squall was going to pay for what he had done to him.
**************************************************************************** **********
"Are we nearly there yet?" Whined Selphie.
"Darling it is going to take us a few days to get there not hours."
"But, I need to stretch my legs!" Everyone in the car rolled his or her eyes.
**************************************************************************** *******
"Are we nearly there yet?"
Irvine slapped his hand to his forehead. "Selphie the answer is still the same. The best we can hope for is tomorrow night.
"But..."
She was cut of in mid sentence as Squall swerved the car to the side of the road and came to an abrupt stop.
"I can't take this any more!" Irvine was afraid that this was going to happen and just slinked into his seat.
"If you aren't going to quit the incessant whining, you have to get out of the car. I am not going to listen to you ask that damn question again." Squall yelled.
Selphie squeaked. "Yikes Squall I didn't know it was bothering you hat much. I won't do it anymore, I promise."
"You better." And Squall pulled away from the edge of the road and carried along the winding road, which was taking them through the mountains.
**************************************************************************** ****
"Are we...?"
"Yes" screamed all the people in the car.
"Look" Pointed Irvine. "See those lights in the distance?" Selphie nodded. "That's Esthar."
"Woohoo" yelled Selphie. "So Squall, who are we going to find?"
"The man who claims to be my father."
"Claims to be...you mean you don't know for sure?" Asked Rinoa, surprised at his answer.
"Oh no, I know he is. It is a long story but it ends with me at an orphanage and being forgotten about for 17 years. A year later he "discovers" my existence."
"You mean, you think he knew all along?" Rinoa said looking puzzled not quite understand the story.
Squall just stared at the road for a few moments trying to arrange his thoughts. "I don't know. Whatever happened he is trying to make it up to me, but I just cannot stand the sight of him."
"Then why are we going to see him now? How could he possible help us?" Piped in Quistis.
"He is the president of Esthar." Said Squall successfully stunning everyone in the car to silence.
Authors Note: Here is another chapter. Hope everyone likes it.
Rinoa opened her eyes and realized that she was still in Squalls arms. A warm feeling went through her as she realized that he had spent that whole night with her. She turned her head around carefully and looked at Squall, he seemed so peaceful and there was no look of worry on his face at all. It then dawned on her that last night was the first time she had slept through the night without waking up or having one of the nightmares.
Rinoa gazed into his eyes, leaned forward and kissed him on the forehead. This gentle movement caused Squall to open his eyes slowly and he was met with a grinning Rinoa. "Morning, Sleepy head."
Squall didn't say anything, he just felt so happy but didn't know how to put into words. Instead he pulled Rinoa closer. "More sleep." He muttered. He too had, had the first night where dreams hadn't plagued his sleep. He wanted it to last as long as possible.
Rinoa nodded in agreement and closed her eyes relishing in his warmth. She was just on the verge of sleep when a sudden crash brought her back to reality. She pushed herself to a sitting position and noticed that Squall was doing the same thing. Standing in the middle of the room, was Selphie puffing and panting, barely making audible noises. "Rinoa...come...quick." She managed to get out. For the first time since she had entered the room, she looked at the bed and saw Squall sitting on it, his arm still around Rinoa. "Oh...didn't realize you...had company." She said giving Rinoa a sly look.
Rinoa glared at her friend, and jumped out of the bed. "It isn't what you think. Nothing happened."
"Whatever you say." Said Selphie winking at Squall. "You sly dog."
Squall rolled his eyes and got out of the bed, realizing that her mind was already made up and arguing with her wasn't going to help the situation.
"Hey Selphie. Squall isn't in his room." Came a voice from down the hall.
"It's OK Irvy, he's in here!" Yelled Selphie.
It didn't take long for the cowboy to reach Rinoa's room and he came in with a big smile on his face. He was jus about to open his mouth and say something but was stopped by Squall. "Just don't bother." He warned. Irvine put his hands up in defense motioning to the fact he wasn't going to say anything about the situation he found the two of them in.
"So what is so important that you need to disturb our sleep for?" Asked Rinoa, who was looking at the evil glare that Squall was sending in Irvine's direction. "Before I tell you pack up your things, we are getting out of here." Ordered Selphie. Rinoa was about to protest but saw the look of worry on her friends face told her that something was wrong. Rinoa just gave her a puzzled look and pulled out the suitcase from under her bed piling clothes into it, without much care at all.
Meanwhile Selphie began to tell the story. "You see me and Quistis headed down to the town to get some early morning shopping done for these boys." Indicating Irvine and Squall with a jerk of her thumb. "They have no clothes and we are assuming that the hotel they wee staying in will be swarming with either the police or the army. Well it is not just their hotel, the whole town is full of soldiers all looking for them, and they were looking at everyone really suspiciously. It gave me the creeps. Anyway, when we were in a line for buying coffee, we heard two of them talking. They are almost positive that they are still in Trabia somewhere and they are planning a search of the whole city, every house. You know Squall, you must be very important to them. They are going to a lot of trouble just to get you."
"What Selphie is trying to say" Said Irvine "Is that we need to get out of here as soon as possible? Who knows when this will be there next stop?"
Squall just swept back his hair form his face and sat down on the edge of the bed trying to take in all of the information. "We are going to Esthar...." He paused for a second as if something had just dawned on him. "Hold on why is Rinoa packing. You girls on not coming with us you have no reason and you will just slow us down."
Selphie began stomping her feet. "We will not. Besides I am going wherever Irvine goes and nothing will stop me."
Rinoa looked up from her suitcase. "I am following Selphie, she is like a sister to me."
Irvine gave Squall a helpless shrug. "Don't bother mate, I have already had this conversation with Selphie and Quistis and nothing is going to persuade them not to come. And why are we heading to Esthar?"
"We can't exactly use the trains, as there will be a watch out for us. We take the car and head down over the mountains, south to Esthar. I...know someone there who might be of some help."
Selphie clapped her hands. "To Esthar it is! Here Squall," she said handing him a bag full of clothes. "I picked these up for you downtown"
Squall said thanks and looked through the bag finding to his relief a couple of outfits very similar to the one her normally wore. There was even a leather jacket. As well as the clothes there were all the bathroom essentials that he would need for the next few days. "I'll pay you back when we get to Esthar I promise."
"Nah it's ok. Just think of it as a thank you present for letting us come along. Come on Irvine, we should get the car ready, whilst they change." With that Irvine and Selphie left the room. Rinoa stared at Squall for a few moments. "Well..." she exclaimed.
"Well what?" Questioned Squall
"Well aren't you going to leave so that I can get changed?"
A blush rose to Squall's cheeks as he left the room, closing the door behind him. In a few minutes after getting changed himself he arrived back at her door, taping lightly. After he heard heard a small voice say enter he let himself in. Rinoa had changed and was just brushing her long dark hair.
"Need some help with your bags?" He asked.
"Yeah, sure there is only the one. If you could take it down for me that would be great."
Squall walked over to the bed and picked up the plain black suitcase. As he grabbed the handle the identification tag on the front caught his eye. "...Heartilly"
"It's my mothers name. I go by it sometimes. Mostly when I am upset with my father. Is something wrong?"
"No..Nothing." Said Squall trying to avoid all of the questions.
"Squall, you aren't telling me something." Glared Rinoa.
Squall started walking out of the room with the suitcase. "We haven't got time now. I promise that I will explain it to you later. Right now I have some things to sort out in my mind. None of is making sense."
Rinoa frown but just followed him out of the room. She trusted him to keep his promise so did not bother him about it anymore. They reached the front of the lodge and saw Irvine, Selphie and Quistis waiting for them. "Where's Zell?" She queried.
"Stocking up on hotdogs for the trip." Said Irvine disdainfully. He opened up the trunk and packed all of Rinoa's stuff into it. "Right then all ready?" Everybody nodded their agreement and packed themselves into the car. "Come on Zell" screamed Irvine.
Just as the words came out of his mouth a very sleek silver car began to pull into he driveway. "Shit Zell hurry up! Looks like they are already here." Irvine jumped into the back as Squall took the drivers seat starting the engine, getting ready to leave at any moment.
Zell came running out of the house as fast as he could, heading for the open car door. By now the silver car had stopped in the driveway and out of it stepped a young man with blonde hair. Squall Slammed the door shut and locked the doors cursing Zell and his hotdogs. The blonde man casually walked over to the parked car before could get there and smashed the window with his fist. After moving the glass away he poked his head through it. Squall had already pulled out his gunblade and was pointing it at the man.
"Whoa, now I am not going to hurt you!" The blonde exclaimed.
"Seifer!" Yelled Rinoa from the back seat bring her head forward between the seats. "What the fuck are you doing here?"
"Can't I come and say hello to my girlfriend here?" He asked leaning forward attempting to kiss her. Squall's gunblade was too fast for him and it pushed him back nearly out of the window.
"You are not my boyfriend." Said Rinoa through gritted teeth.
"Have it your way then." Said Seifer casually "Blondes were always more my thing anyway." He said sneering at Quistis.
Quistis pushed Rinoa out of the way so she could be I the front and spat on his face. "You pig!"
Squall who had already taken an instant disliking to the man pushed the blade slightly harder against him. "Leave, or this goes straight through you," he warned.
"Now, now, I ma not here to pick up a fight. In fact I am just here to deliver a message to dear Rinoa here. Daddy wants you home as soon as possible. He missed you."
"Like hell he does." Said Rinoa. "Lets go." She ordered Squall.
"If you'll be excusing us." And Squall lifted the blade up to Seifer's head and brought it down across the front of his face leaving a deep cut down his forehead. Seifer leaped back in pain cursing him as he headed back to his own car. Zell came up from behind and kicked him in the shins for good measure. And he hopped into the car.
As soon as Zell was in the car Squall sped out of the driveway and drove towards the mountains.
Seifer was left standing alone in the middle of the driveway, and headed back into his car desperately trying to find a tissue to stop the blood. Once he had got it sorted he grabbed his cell hone from the dash board and punched in a number.
"General, it is me"
"Ah, Seifer, did you find her?"
"Yes sir. She was here alright and it seems like she has made some new friends."
"Please don't say...."
"Yes, it looks as if this Leonhart fellow is with her."
"Are you sure?" groaned the general.
"The description matches alright. And he had a gunblade."
"Shit!"
"And sir....It looks as if they are leaving Trabia."
"Where?"
"Well I cannot be sure but they were heading towards the mountains and the only habitable place in that direction is..."
"Esthar."
"Would you like me to follow them sir?"
"No it is quite alright Seifer. They are just running right to me. Just get to Esthar as soon as possible and you can head them of from this end. I have to go now Seifer and talk to this moronic president."
"Speak to you later then sir." And Seifer heard a click on the phone. He put the phone away and slammed his fist into the dashboard. Squall was going to pay for what he had done to him.
**************************************************************************** **********
"Are we nearly there yet?" Whined Selphie.
"Darling it is going to take us a few days to get there not hours."
"But, I need to stretch my legs!" Everyone in the car rolled his or her eyes.
**************************************************************************** *******
"Are we nearly there yet?"
Irvine slapped his hand to his forehead. "Selphie the answer is still the same. The best we can hope for is tomorrow night.
"But..."
She was cut of in mid sentence as Squall swerved the car to the side of the road and came to an abrupt stop.
"I can't take this any more!" Irvine was afraid that this was going to happen and just slinked into his seat.
"If you aren't going to quit the incessant whining, you have to get out of the car. I am not going to listen to you ask that damn question again." Squall yelled.
Selphie squeaked. "Yikes Squall I didn't know it was bothering you hat much. I won't do it anymore, I promise."
"You better." And Squall pulled away from the edge of the road and carried along the winding road, which was taking them through the mountains.
**************************************************************************** ****
"Are we...?"
"Yes" screamed all the people in the car.
"Look" Pointed Irvine. "See those lights in the distance?" Selphie nodded. "That's Esthar."
"Woohoo" yelled Selphie. "So Squall, who are we going to find?"
"The man who claims to be my father."
"Claims to be...you mean you don't know for sure?" Asked Rinoa, surprised at his answer.
"Oh no, I know he is. It is a long story but it ends with me at an orphanage and being forgotten about for 17 years. A year later he "discovers" my existence."
"You mean, you think he knew all along?" Rinoa said looking puzzled not quite understand the story.
Squall just stared at the road for a few moments trying to arrange his thoughts. "I don't know. Whatever happened he is trying to make it up to me, but I just cannot stand the sight of him."
"Then why are we going to see him now? How could he possible help us?" Piped in Quistis.
"He is the president of Esthar." Said Squall successfully stunning everyone in the car to silence.