Dedicated To You
Disclaimer: Sadly enough, I didn't create Rinoa or Squall, or anyone else in this fic. Well, none of the well known characters, anyway. Shall we continue? ^.^
Chapter 8
~*---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*~
Squall looked around the entrance. 'Where is he?' he thought, 'The General said that our contact would meet us here...' Suddenly, he heard Rinoa shout. He looked over, and saw her waving. A man ran up to her, and hugged her.
" Zone, what are you doing out so late?" she asked him, smiling. She faced the crew. " This is an old friend of mine, Zone."
Zone smiled and nodded. " I'm just on a mission." he replied. " From-"
Rinoa gave him the signal to shut up. 'He was going to say my father...' she thought, tense.
Zone stopped. 'I guess she's a SeeD now...' he thought, laughing. " Well, the moon seems nice."
Squall recognised the code. " It's very bright tonight." he replied, and Zone nodded.
" Please," he said, heading in the doorway, " This way."
~*-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They followed him to a room, where he stopped by the door. He knocked three times, looked left, then right, then knocked four more times. Suddenly, the door opened. A man, who wasn't quite familiar to Rinoa, was the one who opened it. They walked in, and joined the other SeeD who had arrived early.
" I'd like to introduce Apoc." Zone said, allowing the man to speak up. He slightly moved his hand, almost in a wave, but he didn't put much effort into getting acquainted. Zone sighed. " Okay, here's the plan." He pulled out a map. " These forces are heading to the south, in search of the Seaside Laboratory. But, word got out early of their plans, and we know that they're up to no good." He pointed to a location on the map. " This is where they're headed."
" But it's only water," Selphie exclaimed, " There isn't even a speck of land!"
Zone nodded. " There is no land," he replied, " But there is a laboratory, just small enough to be meaningless on a map. Plus, no one else knows where it is, except for us and the Galbadian Army." He paused. " But they plan to steal the research, so then they can dominate every city, every Garden, until they rule everything. That is why we must stop them before they even get out to sea."
Zell scoffed, " Sounds kinda pointless to go after them now. Why can't we wait until they're at least halfway to port?"
" Because it's dangerous to give them that handicap." Zone replied. " Now, we've already set up the other arrangements for groups, but we're going to need your group to split up. Two people come with me, and two people can go with you, Commander."
Squall paused for a moment. He thought hard, and finally came to a decision. " Zell, Selphie, you go with Zone." He turned to Quistis and Rinoa. " You two can come with me."
Rinoa grinned, and Squall had to turn away before he lost his nerve again. Zone cleared his throat, and handed Squall a map.
" I've marked on the map where your group is supposed to wait," he said, and we'll be about three miles or less away from that point. If you need help, shoot off this flare." He handed Quistis a flare gun. " We have one, too, and we'll shoot it off if we need help. Remember, it's only for emergencies." He paused. " Got it?"
Squall sighed. " Yeah, let's go." he replied, walking out of the room. Quistis followed him, and Rinoa started to, also, but she stopped. She ran back to Zone.
" Zone?" she asked. " The...General...he isn't going to...meet up with us, is he?"
Zone scratched his head. " He shouldn't," he replied, " I assured him that I had it all taken care of."
Rinoa sighed. " I hope you're right," she said, running out the door, to catch up with her group.
Zone turned around, facing the SeeD that were still there, talking. " The rest of you will go to your positions, and wait for the signal," he said. " We will meet back here at the end of the day."
The SeeD collected into their own small groups, and left to their positions. It was several miles away from the city, but they were still going to manage to catch the army offguard at the overpass, Zone was sure. He shook hands with Selphie. Zell rubbed his hand on his pants, just in case his hands were sweaty, and waited patiently for his handshake.
" We should get going." Zone said, turning around, and walking out the door. Disappointed, Zell started to put his hand down, when Selphie grabbed it, and gave him a handshake.
" Better?" she asked, grinning, and Zell flashed her a smile.
" Much!" he replied, and they hurried outside to catch up to Zone.
~*-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Squall, Quistis, and Rinoa were walking through a thickett. Quistis was searching for a landmark matching what was on the map. Rinoa tried to find the sky, but the foliage was so thick, that the sunlight could barely penetrate the trees. It was like late evening, when the sun is just barely peeking above the horizon. Suddenly, Squall stopped.
'How are we gonna shoot off a flare walking in this mess?' he thought, scoffing. Quistis stopped, and looked up. Rinoa was still looking up, but she didn't see the others stop. She walked into Quistis, and tripped. Quistis tried not to giggle.
Rinoa looked up, not even faintly amused. " I bet you wouldn't be so giggly if you were the one who tripped!" she shot, huffily.
Quistis straightened up. She started to reach over to help her up, when Squall beat her to it. Rinoa suddenly seemed to brighten up, and Squall started getting fidgity. Quistis grinned, and looked at the map. " Well, we're close..." she replied, " It's only a mile further." She walked ahead of them. Squall looked at the ground, and Rinoa looked at him, hopeful.
" We should follow Quistis," he mumbled, and he looked up. Rinoa was smiling meekly.
" Yeah." she replied, quietly, and she started following her. Squall stared at her for a moment.
'This is dangerous...' he thought, 'She's a SeeD, I shouldn't worry. Who said I'm worried?' He shook his head. " Whatever." he muttered, following Quistis.
Soon, they made it to the end of the thickett, where they were supposed to wait. They crouched down behind some shrubs. Squall looked out, and saw someone signaling them. He signaled back. " Everyone seems to be in position." he whispered, and Quistis nodded. They watched quietly, and waited for the caravan to get into position.
Meanwhile, Selphie, Zell, and Zone were waiting in their positions. Selphie was sitting back, while Zone kept an eye out. Zell, who was too bored to sit down, or watch, started practicing his punches. Each one was almost flawless, and had enough power behind them, that each one made a little popping sound when he stopped short. He grinned. " That's the way, Zell, my man." he said to himself quietly. Seplhie turned around, and put her finger up to her lips.
" SHH!!!" she begged, " We've gotta keep quiet, or the enemy could sneak up on us!"
Zell sighed, and sat down next to her. " Selphie?" he asked quietly. She looked at him.
" Yeah?"
He paused for a moment. " Do you ever worry?" he asked, " You know, like when you're on a mission. Do you ever wonder if you're gonna...come back?"
Selphie stretched, and nodded. " Sometime, I do," she replied, " But you've just gotta believe in your comrads. If you believe you'll make it with all your heart, you'll make it."
Zell smiled. " Okay," he said, " But, have you ever hoped for the sake of someone else? You know, have you ever hoped for someone you...cared about to make it?"
Selphie giggled quietly. " All the time," she replied.
" Who do you hope for?" he asked, a little nervous. 'Probably Irvine...' he thought, hoping he was wrong.
Selphie smiled. " I always hope that Irvine makes it," she replied, " But I always know that I'll see your face again."
Zell brightened up. " Really?" he asked, " You're serious?" When she nodded, he stood up. " Okay, wait a sec, you like Irvine, but then, what about me...?"
" I love you, silly." she said softly, almost like it was the most common known thing to the ends of the earth.
He pulled her off the ground. For a fleeting moment, there was no one else there. Zell was about to do something crazy, when suddenly, Zone hissed, " Get down! Get down!!!" They looked down at him, confused. " They'll see you!" he added, only to be surrounded by four Officers. He held his hands up, only to fall back down. " My stomach..." he moaned.
Zell and Selphie began the fight by attacking the officers. One was cleared out, leaving three. Two of them attacked, but the fourth cast Fire.
" I've got this one under control," Selphie assured them, winking. She cast slow on him, and then freed Zone. Zone attacked one of them, clearing out another. He laughed.
" Try to hold me prisoner, huh?!" he exclaimed, only to trip over his own feet.
The two rolled their eyes, and Selphie attacked. Zell attacked, which cleared out another officer. There was only one left.
" Should I finish him off?" Zell asked, and Selphie shook her head.
" No, can I do it this time?" she asked, and Zell laughed.
" Well, do something quick!" he replied, and Selphie grinned wickedly.
" Then this is for you!" she said, casting Ice on him. The officer was quickly defeated, and Selphie swung her arms around Zell's neck.
" Woo-Hoo!!!!" she cried out, and Zell chuckled. The other two officers that had seen the battle ran off. Zell ran after them a few feet, then stopped, punching the air. " Yeah, want some of this?!" he exclaimed, punching and kicking. Selphie laughed.
" They're gone now." she said, grinning.
Zell turned around. " I know." he replied. The two looked over at Zone. His head was under a bush. 'He's distracted!' Zell thought, 'Now's my chance!' So he walked closer to Selphie. She looked up into his eyes, as he put his arms around her. They drew closer, and closer...
" Just have a near-death experience?" Quistis asked, making the couple jump out of their skins.
" What the hell?!" Zell exclaimed, and Selphie face became redder than sunburn.
Quistis chuckled. " Yeah, well, I have witnesses, don't I, Squall?" She turned around, and Squall stood up. Zell stepped back. " Ah!" he exclaimed, " As if you sneaking up on me wasn't bad enough! What next? Is Rinoa hiding behind a tree?!"
" Actually," Quistis started, turning to face where Rinoa was hiding, but no one appeared. " Rinoa?" she called out. She looked all around her. " Rinoa?!" she called out louder.
Squall started looking around, too, but he ran out towards where they had come from. " Rinoa!" he called out. Suddenly, they heard a scream.
" HELP ME!!!!" Rinoa screamed, as loud as her voice would allow. She was surrounded in a rae and life-threatening situation-five officers AND a T-Rexaur. 'How did they tame that beast?!' she thought, scared. She was the only one in the middle-until Squall jumped in. " Don't be afraid." he said quietly, just loud enough for her to hear. Suddenly, Selphie jumped in. " I'll help!" she said, " I've got a trick up my sleeve."
Rinoa attacked one of the officers. Angelo came close behind, and finished him off for her. " Thanks, boy." she said to him, giving him a treat before he ran off.
Squall attacked the T-Rexaur. Selphie shouted out, " It won't do much good! Wait for me to handle it!!" He paused slightly, before nodding in agreement. 'What are they planning?' Rinoa thought, puzzled.
They attacked the officers a few more times, and finished them off. All that was left was the T-Rexaur. Selphie focused. 'Come after me,' she thought, 'I DARE YOU!'
It seemed to read her mind, and focused mostly on Rinoa. She slowly grew weaker, and weaker. Selphie tried casting sleep on it, but it failed, and it attacked her. 'Yes!' she thought, 'Just one more time!' Squall attacked it, and it went after Rinoa again. She moaned. 'I won't be able to hang on much longer...' she thought wearily.
"C'MON!!!" Selphie shouted, casting sleep on him again. It failed, or so Rinoa thought. When it attacked Selphie, she realized what she was doing. 'I hope this works...' she thought, suddenly feeling another blow. She fell to the ground, the breath knocked out of her. Squall started to run to her, but he stopped for a moment, long enough to see Selphie go into Limit Break. She cast Slot, and suddenly, she cast The End. With a swift and final blow, the T-Rexaur was defeated. Selphie started jumping up and down. " Booyaka!" she shouted. She turned around, and the smile faded. Squall knelt beside Rinoa, who was either dead, or close to it. She ran to them.
" Rinny..." she said quietly. She touched her hand, and, for a moment, felt a sad peace. Then, she turned to Squall angrily. " Why didn't you do something?!" she shot at him, and he gave her a sad look. She moved back, seeing hurt in his eyes, and someting else that she'd never seen before-emotion. "S-Squall?" she said quietly, " I didn't mean...what I said..." she paused. " I'm sorry, Squall." She felt Rinoa's head. " She's not dead yet," she said hopefully. She looked at her chest moving slightly. " And she's still breathing; shallow, but it's breathing. We've got to get her to the First Aid center, fast!" She looked at Squall, who hadn't moved. Suddenly, he did move. He gently moved his hands behind Rinoa's back, and lifted her up. She seemed light as a feather, and Squall saw her almost as close to him as she had been the night before. 'I never even got to say anything when she kissed me...' he thought. He started walking toward headquarters. 'If she makes it, I'll have to tell her.' He sighed. " I don't even know for sure yet..." he mumbled softly.
" Don't know what?" Selphie asked, and he shook his head.
" It's nothing." he replied. Selphie sighed. 'He's sure got his head in the clouds now!' she thought, following close behind him.
~*-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They arrived at Headquarters, and took Rinoa to the First Aid. She stayed under Dr. Kadowaki's watchful eye for several days. But, even when Dr. Kadowaki left, Squall stayed, sitting at Rinoa's bedside, trying to figure out what to say to her when she woke up. He still wasn't quite sure.
One night, as Squall was drifting into sleep (if you could even call it that), a soft hand touched his. He looked up to see Rinoa's weak, but hopeful, smile.
" Hi." she said, squeezing his hand.
He sat up, and leaned forward. " Rinoa." he exclaimed quietly, and she laughed softly.
" Squall." she replied. Her eyes seemed to sparkle. " I'm glad you're safe."
" We thought we'd lost you." he replied.
" We?" she asked, still a bit worn out.
" The entire crew was worried about you." he said.
" Were you worried?" she asked hopefully.
He sighed. 'Of course I was!'he thought, almost saying it. " I'm sorry I didn't do anything to help you sooner." he said.
She paused, suddenly seeming sad. " Don't be sorry, Squall." she insisted. " It wasn't your fault at all. I mean, I could've always cast cure on myself. I just...didn't realize..." She looked into his eyes. " You look so sad..." she said softly. She sat up, and touched his face. He seemed so still, so sad...until, in a split second, he leaned forward, and kissed her. It wasn't just a kiss, either-she felt it from her lips down to the tips of her toes. She kissed him back happily, holding him close. When they pulled away, he looked into her eyes, her deep, brown eyes-and smiled. She looked back at him lovingly. " Wow." she breathed. Squall felt something-it was a strange, different, wonderful feeling. Suddenly, he began to understand. " Rinoa?" he said.
" Yeah?" she asked. He paused for a minute. "I..."
~*---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*~
Author's Note: At long last, Squall's finally opening up!!! And HOW! So, what's your input on all this? Is the Zellphie pointless? Was this all too soon? Was my pathetic description of battle scenes just too stupid? R&R me!!! I wanna thank my loyal readers. Let's begin:
Grace: Fluffy? I hope so! How's your fic coming along? I hope you'll post it soon! When you do, I'll mention the title in the newest chapter on the date! TTYL!!!
Disclaimer: Sadly enough, I didn't create Rinoa or Squall, or anyone else in this fic. Well, none of the well known characters, anyway. Shall we continue? ^.^
Chapter 8
~*---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*~
Squall looked around the entrance. 'Where is he?' he thought, 'The General said that our contact would meet us here...' Suddenly, he heard Rinoa shout. He looked over, and saw her waving. A man ran up to her, and hugged her.
" Zone, what are you doing out so late?" she asked him, smiling. She faced the crew. " This is an old friend of mine, Zone."
Zone smiled and nodded. " I'm just on a mission." he replied. " From-"
Rinoa gave him the signal to shut up. 'He was going to say my father...' she thought, tense.
Zone stopped. 'I guess she's a SeeD now...' he thought, laughing. " Well, the moon seems nice."
Squall recognised the code. " It's very bright tonight." he replied, and Zone nodded.
" Please," he said, heading in the doorway, " This way."
~*-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They followed him to a room, where he stopped by the door. He knocked three times, looked left, then right, then knocked four more times. Suddenly, the door opened. A man, who wasn't quite familiar to Rinoa, was the one who opened it. They walked in, and joined the other SeeD who had arrived early.
" I'd like to introduce Apoc." Zone said, allowing the man to speak up. He slightly moved his hand, almost in a wave, but he didn't put much effort into getting acquainted. Zone sighed. " Okay, here's the plan." He pulled out a map. " These forces are heading to the south, in search of the Seaside Laboratory. But, word got out early of their plans, and we know that they're up to no good." He pointed to a location on the map. " This is where they're headed."
" But it's only water," Selphie exclaimed, " There isn't even a speck of land!"
Zone nodded. " There is no land," he replied, " But there is a laboratory, just small enough to be meaningless on a map. Plus, no one else knows where it is, except for us and the Galbadian Army." He paused. " But they plan to steal the research, so then they can dominate every city, every Garden, until they rule everything. That is why we must stop them before they even get out to sea."
Zell scoffed, " Sounds kinda pointless to go after them now. Why can't we wait until they're at least halfway to port?"
" Because it's dangerous to give them that handicap." Zone replied. " Now, we've already set up the other arrangements for groups, but we're going to need your group to split up. Two people come with me, and two people can go with you, Commander."
Squall paused for a moment. He thought hard, and finally came to a decision. " Zell, Selphie, you go with Zone." He turned to Quistis and Rinoa. " You two can come with me."
Rinoa grinned, and Squall had to turn away before he lost his nerve again. Zone cleared his throat, and handed Squall a map.
" I've marked on the map where your group is supposed to wait," he said, and we'll be about three miles or less away from that point. If you need help, shoot off this flare." He handed Quistis a flare gun. " We have one, too, and we'll shoot it off if we need help. Remember, it's only for emergencies." He paused. " Got it?"
Squall sighed. " Yeah, let's go." he replied, walking out of the room. Quistis followed him, and Rinoa started to, also, but she stopped. She ran back to Zone.
" Zone?" she asked. " The...General...he isn't going to...meet up with us, is he?"
Zone scratched his head. " He shouldn't," he replied, " I assured him that I had it all taken care of."
Rinoa sighed. " I hope you're right," she said, running out the door, to catch up with her group.
Zone turned around, facing the SeeD that were still there, talking. " The rest of you will go to your positions, and wait for the signal," he said. " We will meet back here at the end of the day."
The SeeD collected into their own small groups, and left to their positions. It was several miles away from the city, but they were still going to manage to catch the army offguard at the overpass, Zone was sure. He shook hands with Selphie. Zell rubbed his hand on his pants, just in case his hands were sweaty, and waited patiently for his handshake.
" We should get going." Zone said, turning around, and walking out the door. Disappointed, Zell started to put his hand down, when Selphie grabbed it, and gave him a handshake.
" Better?" she asked, grinning, and Zell flashed her a smile.
" Much!" he replied, and they hurried outside to catch up to Zone.
~*-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Squall, Quistis, and Rinoa were walking through a thickett. Quistis was searching for a landmark matching what was on the map. Rinoa tried to find the sky, but the foliage was so thick, that the sunlight could barely penetrate the trees. It was like late evening, when the sun is just barely peeking above the horizon. Suddenly, Squall stopped.
'How are we gonna shoot off a flare walking in this mess?' he thought, scoffing. Quistis stopped, and looked up. Rinoa was still looking up, but she didn't see the others stop. She walked into Quistis, and tripped. Quistis tried not to giggle.
Rinoa looked up, not even faintly amused. " I bet you wouldn't be so giggly if you were the one who tripped!" she shot, huffily.
Quistis straightened up. She started to reach over to help her up, when Squall beat her to it. Rinoa suddenly seemed to brighten up, and Squall started getting fidgity. Quistis grinned, and looked at the map. " Well, we're close..." she replied, " It's only a mile further." She walked ahead of them. Squall looked at the ground, and Rinoa looked at him, hopeful.
" We should follow Quistis," he mumbled, and he looked up. Rinoa was smiling meekly.
" Yeah." she replied, quietly, and she started following her. Squall stared at her for a moment.
'This is dangerous...' he thought, 'She's a SeeD, I shouldn't worry. Who said I'm worried?' He shook his head. " Whatever." he muttered, following Quistis.
Soon, they made it to the end of the thickett, where they were supposed to wait. They crouched down behind some shrubs. Squall looked out, and saw someone signaling them. He signaled back. " Everyone seems to be in position." he whispered, and Quistis nodded. They watched quietly, and waited for the caravan to get into position.
Meanwhile, Selphie, Zell, and Zone were waiting in their positions. Selphie was sitting back, while Zone kept an eye out. Zell, who was too bored to sit down, or watch, started practicing his punches. Each one was almost flawless, and had enough power behind them, that each one made a little popping sound when he stopped short. He grinned. " That's the way, Zell, my man." he said to himself quietly. Seplhie turned around, and put her finger up to her lips.
" SHH!!!" she begged, " We've gotta keep quiet, or the enemy could sneak up on us!"
Zell sighed, and sat down next to her. " Selphie?" he asked quietly. She looked at him.
" Yeah?"
He paused for a moment. " Do you ever worry?" he asked, " You know, like when you're on a mission. Do you ever wonder if you're gonna...come back?"
Selphie stretched, and nodded. " Sometime, I do," she replied, " But you've just gotta believe in your comrads. If you believe you'll make it with all your heart, you'll make it."
Zell smiled. " Okay," he said, " But, have you ever hoped for the sake of someone else? You know, have you ever hoped for someone you...cared about to make it?"
Selphie giggled quietly. " All the time," she replied.
" Who do you hope for?" he asked, a little nervous. 'Probably Irvine...' he thought, hoping he was wrong.
Selphie smiled. " I always hope that Irvine makes it," she replied, " But I always know that I'll see your face again."
Zell brightened up. " Really?" he asked, " You're serious?" When she nodded, he stood up. " Okay, wait a sec, you like Irvine, but then, what about me...?"
" I love you, silly." she said softly, almost like it was the most common known thing to the ends of the earth.
He pulled her off the ground. For a fleeting moment, there was no one else there. Zell was about to do something crazy, when suddenly, Zone hissed, " Get down! Get down!!!" They looked down at him, confused. " They'll see you!" he added, only to be surrounded by four Officers. He held his hands up, only to fall back down. " My stomach..." he moaned.
Zell and Selphie began the fight by attacking the officers. One was cleared out, leaving three. Two of them attacked, but the fourth cast Fire.
" I've got this one under control," Selphie assured them, winking. She cast slow on him, and then freed Zone. Zone attacked one of them, clearing out another. He laughed.
" Try to hold me prisoner, huh?!" he exclaimed, only to trip over his own feet.
The two rolled their eyes, and Selphie attacked. Zell attacked, which cleared out another officer. There was only one left.
" Should I finish him off?" Zell asked, and Selphie shook her head.
" No, can I do it this time?" she asked, and Zell laughed.
" Well, do something quick!" he replied, and Selphie grinned wickedly.
" Then this is for you!" she said, casting Ice on him. The officer was quickly defeated, and Selphie swung her arms around Zell's neck.
" Woo-Hoo!!!!" she cried out, and Zell chuckled. The other two officers that had seen the battle ran off. Zell ran after them a few feet, then stopped, punching the air. " Yeah, want some of this?!" he exclaimed, punching and kicking. Selphie laughed.
" They're gone now." she said, grinning.
Zell turned around. " I know." he replied. The two looked over at Zone. His head was under a bush. 'He's distracted!' Zell thought, 'Now's my chance!' So he walked closer to Selphie. She looked up into his eyes, as he put his arms around her. They drew closer, and closer...
" Just have a near-death experience?" Quistis asked, making the couple jump out of their skins.
" What the hell?!" Zell exclaimed, and Selphie face became redder than sunburn.
Quistis chuckled. " Yeah, well, I have witnesses, don't I, Squall?" She turned around, and Squall stood up. Zell stepped back. " Ah!" he exclaimed, " As if you sneaking up on me wasn't bad enough! What next? Is Rinoa hiding behind a tree?!"
" Actually," Quistis started, turning to face where Rinoa was hiding, but no one appeared. " Rinoa?" she called out. She looked all around her. " Rinoa?!" she called out louder.
Squall started looking around, too, but he ran out towards where they had come from. " Rinoa!" he called out. Suddenly, they heard a scream.
" HELP ME!!!!" Rinoa screamed, as loud as her voice would allow. She was surrounded in a rae and life-threatening situation-five officers AND a T-Rexaur. 'How did they tame that beast?!' she thought, scared. She was the only one in the middle-until Squall jumped in. " Don't be afraid." he said quietly, just loud enough for her to hear. Suddenly, Selphie jumped in. " I'll help!" she said, " I've got a trick up my sleeve."
Rinoa attacked one of the officers. Angelo came close behind, and finished him off for her. " Thanks, boy." she said to him, giving him a treat before he ran off.
Squall attacked the T-Rexaur. Selphie shouted out, " It won't do much good! Wait for me to handle it!!" He paused slightly, before nodding in agreement. 'What are they planning?' Rinoa thought, puzzled.
They attacked the officers a few more times, and finished them off. All that was left was the T-Rexaur. Selphie focused. 'Come after me,' she thought, 'I DARE YOU!'
It seemed to read her mind, and focused mostly on Rinoa. She slowly grew weaker, and weaker. Selphie tried casting sleep on it, but it failed, and it attacked her. 'Yes!' she thought, 'Just one more time!' Squall attacked it, and it went after Rinoa again. She moaned. 'I won't be able to hang on much longer...' she thought wearily.
"C'MON!!!" Selphie shouted, casting sleep on him again. It failed, or so Rinoa thought. When it attacked Selphie, she realized what she was doing. 'I hope this works...' she thought, suddenly feeling another blow. She fell to the ground, the breath knocked out of her. Squall started to run to her, but he stopped for a moment, long enough to see Selphie go into Limit Break. She cast Slot, and suddenly, she cast The End. With a swift and final blow, the T-Rexaur was defeated. Selphie started jumping up and down. " Booyaka!" she shouted. She turned around, and the smile faded. Squall knelt beside Rinoa, who was either dead, or close to it. She ran to them.
" Rinny..." she said quietly. She touched her hand, and, for a moment, felt a sad peace. Then, she turned to Squall angrily. " Why didn't you do something?!" she shot at him, and he gave her a sad look. She moved back, seeing hurt in his eyes, and someting else that she'd never seen before-emotion. "S-Squall?" she said quietly, " I didn't mean...what I said..." she paused. " I'm sorry, Squall." She felt Rinoa's head. " She's not dead yet," she said hopefully. She looked at her chest moving slightly. " And she's still breathing; shallow, but it's breathing. We've got to get her to the First Aid center, fast!" She looked at Squall, who hadn't moved. Suddenly, he did move. He gently moved his hands behind Rinoa's back, and lifted her up. She seemed light as a feather, and Squall saw her almost as close to him as she had been the night before. 'I never even got to say anything when she kissed me...' he thought. He started walking toward headquarters. 'If she makes it, I'll have to tell her.' He sighed. " I don't even know for sure yet..." he mumbled softly.
" Don't know what?" Selphie asked, and he shook his head.
" It's nothing." he replied. Selphie sighed. 'He's sure got his head in the clouds now!' she thought, following close behind him.
~*-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They arrived at Headquarters, and took Rinoa to the First Aid. She stayed under Dr. Kadowaki's watchful eye for several days. But, even when Dr. Kadowaki left, Squall stayed, sitting at Rinoa's bedside, trying to figure out what to say to her when she woke up. He still wasn't quite sure.
One night, as Squall was drifting into sleep (if you could even call it that), a soft hand touched his. He looked up to see Rinoa's weak, but hopeful, smile.
" Hi." she said, squeezing his hand.
He sat up, and leaned forward. " Rinoa." he exclaimed quietly, and she laughed softly.
" Squall." she replied. Her eyes seemed to sparkle. " I'm glad you're safe."
" We thought we'd lost you." he replied.
" We?" she asked, still a bit worn out.
" The entire crew was worried about you." he said.
" Were you worried?" she asked hopefully.
He sighed. 'Of course I was!'he thought, almost saying it. " I'm sorry I didn't do anything to help you sooner." he said.
She paused, suddenly seeming sad. " Don't be sorry, Squall." she insisted. " It wasn't your fault at all. I mean, I could've always cast cure on myself. I just...didn't realize..." She looked into his eyes. " You look so sad..." she said softly. She sat up, and touched his face. He seemed so still, so sad...until, in a split second, he leaned forward, and kissed her. It wasn't just a kiss, either-she felt it from her lips down to the tips of her toes. She kissed him back happily, holding him close. When they pulled away, he looked into her eyes, her deep, brown eyes-and smiled. She looked back at him lovingly. " Wow." she breathed. Squall felt something-it was a strange, different, wonderful feeling. Suddenly, he began to understand. " Rinoa?" he said.
" Yeah?" she asked. He paused for a minute. "I..."
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Author's Note: At long last, Squall's finally opening up!!! And HOW! So, what's your input on all this? Is the Zellphie pointless? Was this all too soon? Was my pathetic description of battle scenes just too stupid? R&R me!!! I wanna thank my loyal readers. Let's begin:
Grace: Fluffy? I hope so! How's your fic coming along? I hope you'll post it soon! When you do, I'll mention the title in the newest chapter on the date! TTYL!!!