Chapter 8 Memoirs
Author's Note: Thanks so much to people who supported this fic, I love you all!!! As I promised, this is the next chapter. Please enjoy, and if you have something to say, please review!
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Water dripped down in steady drops, and he opened his mouth wide, trying to catch as many droplets as possible. Never mind that it was mixed with dirt and tasted rusty – it was still water. The cool rain dripped onto his worn body and stung at the wounds on his arms and back – marks of the recent torture they had so generously given him. Perhaps it's the last, he thought. He overheard the guards saying something about disposing him... maybe the idiot General finally realized keeping him was not worth the risk of detection. Well, he welcomes Death now.
He watched as a solitary drop made its way down his arm, and his eyes fell on three parallel scars; almost faded, but still visible. All his scars have a story, but this one beats them all. Because this is the only scar given to him by a woman...
The news came like a clap of thunder. He was in Centra, tracking down a runaway political enemy when his assistant, Lulu rang him. "A ransom call came for you," She had said in her cool voice. "An unnamed Mafia group got Rinoa. They want you to come. Something about an old debt."
Dammit, he cursed. He didn't have the time for this kind of thing! But Rinoa...
"Want me to go?" Lulu inquired and Squall bit his lip. There's no doubt that Lulu can get Rinoa back, but if they kidnap her again, it might not be for ransom...
"Never mind. Tell Vinzer Deling that I'll cash in a little late."
"Gotcha."
Abandoning his prey was something he disliked, but having assured himself that his target was not going anywhere fast, he caught a flight to Deling.
The Mafia that caught Rinoa was dumb, dumb enough to leave trail for him to follow all the way to Timber, to an abandoned warehouse on Mandy Beach. The place was near a recreational part of the beach, so he decided to wait until nightfall, when there was no one around. He disliked killing unnecessarily.
However the task of hunting his prey, and then rushing to save Rinoa took its toll, and he fell asleep, unaware that night had fallen.
"Rinoa, you're not leaving me, are you?"
They were sitting on the beach, a pair of five year olds facing the wide, wide world.
"We're moving to Deling, Squall," Rinoa finally answered.
Rinoa. She was his only friend in this place. Rinoa lived nearby, the only child who was not an orphan in that area. She always came to play, and they had become fast friends. He liked her bubbly personality, her easy laughter and curious nature. And now she too, was leaving him.
"You're not going to come back?"
She was uncertain. "I don't know Squall. But I'll try to come and see you, okay?" She brightened up but it didn't help. "How long will you be gone? What if I don't see you again?"
"Of course we'll meet. We're friends, right?"
"What if I don't recognize you?"
"No," She firmly held his hand. "I know, we'll memorize each other's face. See, I'll remember your eyes – they're really pretty. And your hair."
Squall nodded. "I'll remember your face." he said sadly. "I'll find you, Rinny. No matter what."
When he awoke, the moon was already high in the sky, and he mentally cursed himself for the momentary lapse. Dreaming of Rinoa...
A hoarse scream of terror followed by the splutter of a machine gun jolted him out of his thoughts however, and he frowned. Stealthily approaching the building, he peeked in through a grimy window – and instantly ducked when a bullet smashed through the panel, showering him with glass. In that instant, he saw a black-clad figure firing from two guns; and rather well, he thought. So Caraway must have hired somebody... not knowing that the Mafia had baited him. Figures. So let the guy finish all the work. He was about to leave when a girl's cry reached his ears. "Rinoa?"
"Let go of me you big oaf!!!" The guard grinned stupidly as the petite girl tried to wrench her arm free of his grasp. Her diminutive strength was no match for his muscles, and he proceeded to drag her through the thicket, unaware that someone had heard her screams. Dang, he thought as he lumbered through the leaves. They were waiting for Storm, he remembered. But some chick came instead and killed the Dancho with a throwing knife. Everyone else had their brains blown out by bullets. He had escaped with the girl, and now he needed to find a hiding place...
He faltered when he saw a shadow blocking his path. "Get out of the way!" he growled, but stopped dead when Rinoa squealed in joy; "Squall!!!"
A single bullet pieced the guard's neck and he collapsed to the ground, gurgling noiselessly. Rinoa ran into Squall's arms, laughing happily. "You came!!!"
He smiled as he hugged her with one hand, the other still grasping the gun. A slight rustle caught his attention and he instantly ducked, narrowly missing a knife that embedded itself into the trunk of a nearby tree with a loud 'thunk'.
"Let go of her." A deadly voice intoned, and he looked up. That voice was oddly familiar, and his heart gave a jolt of recognition. That girl...
"No!" Rinoa yelped and hid behind him, clutching his arm. He gripped her hand, his eyes never leaving the girl standing a few feet from him. "Quistis Trepe."
She was shocked, he could see that. The knife she had been holding dropped to the ground, but just as quickly as it happened, her hand was on another one and was poised, ready to strike. "Give her to me."
He too raised his gun. He felt the familiar rush – the rush of adrenaline when he found a worthy opponent. How many years ago was it? "So we meet again."
"You did a mistake when you didn't kill me," She answered and took out a pistol with the other hand. "I don't know why you're here, but I'm bringing this girl back."
"Her father sent you?"
"I assume he sent you too?"
He grinned; a maniacal, crazy grin. She didn't change much, physically. The same blonde hair was tied up in a knot, leaving two locks to frame her heart-shaped face. He saw her flinch. "Get past me, and I'll hand her over."
Her eyes narrowed. In the moonlight, they were silver-blue, ice cold. "You asked for it."
She fired and he ducked, pushing Rinoa into the bushes. "Keep low!" he growled to her, and she nodded, frightened.
The rumors of the uprising assassin was true, he thought as he dodged another knife, and then another bullet. She was fast. No longer was she the same girl he tried to kill that fateful night. Lulu had warned him of this one, but he didn't pay heed. Who would've known...
He growled in anger when his gun clicked - empty. Damn! But he could tell she was out of ammunition as well. Time for combat...
He came from behind her and attempted to execute a swift chop to her neck, but she was faster. Ducking low, she swept his feet from beneath him and tried to smash-elbow his neck, but he rolled away in time and got to his feet, only to shield a powerful high-kick. A chance, he thought sharply when she jumped back. In that single instant, her guard was lowered and he lunged forward and tackled her to the ground, choking her. She grabbed his wrists, glaring furiously at him and tried to struggle free, but he had locked her legs and had rendered her immobile. A pity, he thought as he panted from the effort of subduing her. She put up a fair fight...
"Bastard..." She growled harshly, but she knew that she was running out of time. Already white spots were dancing in front of her eyes, and her lungs felt like they were on fire. She can't die here... Had she escaped death only to die at his hands again?!
The frustration of the situation came upon her like thunder, and in fury she grabbed his arms and dug hard before sharply raking her fingers downwards. She didn't hear his yell of pain, but his loosening grip told her that whatever she did, it worked. With superhuman effort, she pushed him away and got to her feet in a defending stance, panting for breath. "You..."
Squall grimaced in pain, cursing women and their long nails. His arms were bleeding – she had practically torn through his leather jacket and ripped his flesh! Blood was running freely now, and he head was spinning.
"Squall!!!!"
Rinoa was at his side now, tearing her blouse and using the cloth to bandage his left arm. The left wasn't so bad – he could tell she was right-handed by the strength of her hands. "Get away, Rinny, it's not finished..."
"Please!" Rinoa desperately looked at Quistis. "Please stop! I'll go with you – just stop fighting!"
Quistis looked undecided, but finally let down her guard. She stood there, watching as Rinoa bandaged his bleeding arms. He had several other cuts too, and she could tell he was very tired. She couldn't understand everything, but perhaps...
Quistis looked down at her bloodstained fingernails and shuddered slightly. Who knew they could be so deadly? She looked up again at the two, and sighed.
"Take her back." She said finally.
Rinoa looked up, surprised. 'What?"
"Storm will take you back," She said coldly and looked at him. "I've repaid you for last time, I think that's enough."
Squall grit his teeth as she reached inside her trousers and took out a small bottle. "Pour some on the bandage so it'll soak to the wounds," She said sourly. "I'll leave you here, just don't cheat me out of my pay."
He saw her again after that, he remembered. She came to his trial, and he saw her, staring at him with a mixture of emotions. Was she sorry that he had to die? Or was she sorry that he was betrayed by the one person he trusted most?
Seifer. He was a bright man. Squall saw the potential in him and took him in, teaching him all the skills a professional hit man should know. Lulu didn't trust him though. She said his eyes held something she didn't like, and she never spoke to him unless necessary. He should have listened to her. Lulu had been with him ever since he began his life as a hit man, and she had never turned her back on him. They met during Ellone's wedding – one of the worst days of his life. Later she joined his as his assistant and became like an extension of his presence. Only she alone knew of his exact whereabouts – until Seifer came into the picture. A ripple of anger coursed through him as she remembered. He had been an idiot!!! If he could find a way... he'd make that sonofabitch pay... And Caraway too. He didn't care if the man was Rinoa's father, the man didn't know his daughter was friends with an assassin. What he doesn't know will hurt him; bad.
Be patient, a voice in him reminded. As long as you hold on, there will be a way...
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Yuna crept through the forest, feeling more and more foolish as each moment passed. She knew she was bored, and maybe Quistis was trying to humor her, but finding a Catcherpillar! That was idiotic. Not to mention the Balamb Reserve Forest was filled with those gigantic bugs. At least they told me the thing's wearing a collar, she sighed. The darkness didn't bother her much, except that there were other monsters as well in this damned forest. She had to get back, fast. Looking up, she decided that a higher position would help. She climbed up a tree and squinted in the dark. Putting on night-vision glasses, she spotted a bloated thing lumbering up front. Let's hope this is the one, she groaned and jumped from branch to branch, making sure not to make a sound. Luckily T-Rexaurs have really bad hearing and even worse eyesight – She jumped over the head of one and it didn't even turn.
As she approached her target she realized that she wasn't alone. There were a couple of men surrounding the unfortunate Catcherpillar who; unfortunately, wasn't helpless. In fact, the men were entangled in the Catcherpillar's Sticky Web. What luck! She laughed silently.
"What are you doing here?!" A deep woman's voice demanded and Yuna stifled her laugh. Approaching the hapless men was a tall female in a black sweatshirt, looking angry. Part of her hair fell over one eye, but Yuna was sure that didn't obscure her vision. "No hunting is allowed in the Reserve!" She said sternly and wrenched the gun out of one of the men's grasp. "Tranquillizer darts?" She looked at them questioningly and they laughed weakly. "The little tyke is ours, see," one tried to explain. "We took him out for a walk and he sorta broke free, y'know?"
"No, I don't know," The woman retorted scathingly. "You just stay here, I'll call the police."
"No you don't!" the bigger of the two poachers tore free of the web and lunged at her, but before anyone else could figure anything out, the man collapsed to the ground. She shot the gun, Yuna realized with surprise.
The other stood stock still. "Okay, Okay, I'll stays till, don't shoot," he said soothingly but the woman seemed pissed off. "Of course, and I'll make sure you do," She said sweetly and shot the tranquillizer dart into his leg. She smiled in satisfaction and stood there, staring at nothing. The Catcherpillar was moving about nearby, munching on leaves happily. Yuna furrowed her brow. She'll have to keep the thing in sight –
"Well, are you coming down or do I have to shoot you out of the tree?"
She nearly fell out with shock. She looked down and saw that the woman was looking up at her, the gun aimed and ready. What a fierce lady, she thought before jumping down from the branch and standing up. "I'm not poaching."
"I don't think you are," The woman said after a moment. "But you're after the Catcherpillar, aren't you?"
She nodded, not sure of what to say. Who is this lady?
"If you leave now, I'll let you go," She turned around, but not before breaking the tranquillizer gun into two.
She didn't know what made her do it, but she suddenly blurted out; "Just let me have a look at the Catcherpillar."
The woman looked at her oddly out of one eye. "And why?"
"Please, there's something I should get before I leave."
"...Fine."
Yuna furrowed her brow as she approached the happily munching insect. How was she going to get this thing out of here?
"Are you supposed to get the Catcherpillar?"
"Er... yes, but – "
"I think all you need is the collar," The woman came up to her and gently laid a hand on the Catcherpillar's bulbous neck. "It's an uncommon accessory, especially on an insect so repulsive as this."
"My client is eccentric," Yuna said apologetically. She remembered the directive printed in the folder; Bring it back with everything on it. So what's important is really what it's wearing. Gently she reached around its neck and unhooked the collar, then pocketing it.
"A retrieval expert?"
She turned to look at the woman. "...yes."
She looked amused. "Come now, retrieval experts don't creep on trees. What are you?"
Yuna blinked. This woman had piercing eyes that seemed to see right through you, right into your soul. "I'm an assassin."
The woman looked highly amused now. "Well, I haven't seen one for a long time. Since you're not killing anybody, I'm not in danger am I?"
This time Yuna could not contain her curiosity. "Who are you? Why aren't you afraid?"
She merely smiled. "Your name?"
Yuna treaded water for a moment before answering; "Yunalesca."
"Ah," The woman's eyes glinted strangely. "You must be new. I don't remember you."
"What do you mean?"
She merely smiled. "The name you gave me must be an alias. My name is Lulu."
Lulu... the name seemed to trigger a faint memory, but she couldn't grasp it. She patted the bag. 'Thank you for your co-operation."
"Yes," Lulu smiled softly. "I hope we meet again. It's been so long since I've seen an assassin..."
Author's note: Well? Be kind to me and say something, please?