Author's note: From this point on, updates may take a while. I'm in the U.S Army, and I'm deploying to Iraq tomorrow. I should still have internet access, but like I said, updates will take longer. I ask that readers please be patient and bookmark this story so you'll be alerted about updates, I appreciate your reviews, thank you. I intend to continue this fic to its conclusion.

The story thus far - After a bombing in Galbadia, Irvine Kinneas finds himself a fugitive, suspected of an attempt on President Martine's life. Surviving a run-in with Galbadian lawmen on a train, Kinneas heads to Trabia in hopes of finding his ex-girlfriend and most trusted friend; Selphie Tilmitt. Meanwhile, Duke Fitzer, the face of Dollet's new government, and Bretham - the brains behind it all, plot to crush a lingering insurgency outside of Dollet, one supported by Galbadia. Seeking to show off their power, they agree to summon SeeD to their celebration ball, hoping to show the mighty mercenary unit just how powerful Dollet has become.

Chapter 7 - Heartand Loyalty

Balamb Garden, Headmaster's Office

Squall sat at his desk with an intense look of irritation printed across his face, elbows perched on the desk's surface, while hands had been coupled together and placed just against his jaw, thumbs supporting his head. His eyes glanced between Zell and Quistis, they, evidently, were the source of of his irritation. Zell, who hadn't changed all that much in appearance, save for a longer, wilder head of spiky blonde hair, still possessed that exuberant nature of his. He'd slam a glove clad fist into an open palm.

"This is insane, we've got to stop the Galbadians, you said that the President wasn't going to do anything until Irvine's guilt was proven! Now they're flashing wanted posters all over the place, and offering rewards on television! "

Squall shook his head silently, thinking to himself. Quistis, who was across from Zell, kept a keen eye on Squall. She was concerned for him, he seemed strange to her, almost weaker. As if he'd been drained of stamina, not to mention his bizarre behavior. What had happened between he and Rinoa? Why was he so convinced Irvine had become little more than a killer? Was there something he knew about Irvine that he wasn't telling them? She opted to voice a bit of her concerns.

"I can't believe you fed the President that lead, Squall. What has Irvine ever done to make you doubt his character like that? He's our friend. "

Leonheart, though maintaining an austere expression, was visibly angered by Quistis' comment, his eyebrows drooped just a bit, his version of a scowl.

"Fed? Just what are you trying to say, Quistis. That I've got my hand up Martine's seat, or that I'm placing blame on Irvine to mislead him? Look, I'm Irvine's friend too, but you don't know him anymore, he's dangerous. Believe me, this was the best course of action. I don't want an execution either, which is why I'm personally going to lead a search to capture Irvine alive, but the more people out there looking out for him, the better. We're trying to keep him from doing anything dangerous again, to keep him from digging his own grave. "

Zell didn't seem to understand Squall's reasoning, an obvious look of confusion on his face as he stuffed his hands into his pockets. Quistis arched a brow at Squall, folding her arms over her chest.

"You know something we don't, Squall. Tell us, we deserve to know, not be left in the dark. "

Squall stared at Quistis for a moment, seconds later nodding, submitting to her requests.

"Fine, you deserve to know the truth. My last assignment, it wasn't just a meeting with Lagun--, "

Squall paused, seemingly uncomfortable with the idea of calling the man by his first name, despite the Esthar President's - who was still in office due to public pleading - desire for them to get past formalities and establish a closer relationship, one Squall wasn't ready for. Evidently, despite both men knowing their blood-relation to one another, they'd had a difficult time really developing a father and son relationship, mostly because of Squall.

"President Loire. It was a covert op, he'd asked me to investigate some odd readings Odine had discovered in the Centra Ruins. Odine had gone missing a few months ago, and he may have gone to the ruins. I knew I needed help, but I had to keep this from a lot of people; including Garden. I needed somebody with no ties to any organization, someone who worked alone. "

"Irvine.. "

Quistis spoke out, knowing Kinneas filled that description. He'd never become a SeeD, and even after the war, he seemed content with remaining as he was; a man with no ties or loyalties besides those he shared with his friends and to himself.

"Man, you could have asked me! I wouldn't blab.. Geez. "

Zell pouted briefly, disappointed that he hadn't been Squall's first choice, though it was obvious why. With ties to Garden, he was liable to tell Quistis, or even Xu, and it had been in Laguna's best interest that the fewest amount of people know about Odine's disappearance.

"So Irvine and I met up in a tavern near Galbadia, we headed out to the Centra Ruins. We got there, and we already began to notice things were amiss. That place is a haven for Guardian Forces, yet for some reason we encountered none. It wasn't until we got to the center of the ruins that we found something, I can't explain what, but it felt like something was trying to drill itself into our heads. We both passed out, and when we woke up, whatever was there had vanished. I felt strange, but most disturbing was Irvine, he started, acting delirious. "

Zell and Quistis, by this point, became incredibly worried, engrossed in the story completely.

"I tried to calm him down, but he attacked me. I cut him, not enough to kill him, but enough to slow him down. Whatever we encountered had made us both really weak, sick even, and so I got out of there, I wasn't in any shape to subdue him. I don't think he was trying to kill the President, I think he was trying to kill me. "

Shock was printed across both the Instructors faces, to think that Irvine would try and kill Squall was unfathomable 10 years ago, they'd all gone through so much together, but judging from the story, whatever they had encountered seemed to have wounded Irvine mentally.

"He's dangerous, and I hope that the more people out there trying to capture him, the better. If Galbadia gets him first, I'm going to fight tooth and nail to make sure we can try and treat him. I want to know what happened to him, what got to him, what tried to get to me. But we all can't worry about Irvine right now, we still have a responsibility to these students. "

Clearing his throat, Squall looked to his desk, lifting a piece of paper that he'd been studying for some time now.

"I've received a request from Dollet, a strange one. They want SeeD to attend some ball of theirs, the following day they are to serve as a support unit for some Military operation. Quistis, you're going to take Bravo squad, Zell, you'll manage Alpha. This will be their final exam. I'm going to take care of searching for Irvine, he's probably really confused right now, so if I know him, he'll be heading to Trabia. Hopefully I can intercept him there. "

Despite the orders they'd received, both Quistis and Zell looked incredibly distracted and distraught, obviously still thinking on Irvine's plight. Zell shook his head, running gloved encased fingers through his hair in worry.

"Man, I'm not going to be able to sleep right. What the hell is wrong with Irvine..? "

"Which is exactly why I didn't want to tell you, but I have. I need you two to concentrate on SeeD, we need some fresh talent, and this last exam is going to weed out the SeeD material and what isn't. You've got a couple of days to get ready. "

Squall gave the pair a nod, but after looking around a bit, he seemed to grow a little anxious. Where was she? The little girl which clung to him ever since he'd seen her in Rinoa's orphanage never seemed to leave his side, which was now cause for alarm as she had seemingly wandered out of the office.

"Where's my daughter? "

Training Quad

Sweat coated Mathias' brow, forcing strands of raven hair to cling to his forehead possessively. The lengthy, sharp sword in his possession; Sentinel, was positioned in both of his hands, the ornately designed hilt locked in an unfaltering grip as Mathias focused precise, swift strikes across the whipping tentacles of the living plant-like creatures before him. Rather than seek to overpower the creatures by cutting them down, he let his priority become evasion, and retaliation via masterful strikes that would neutralize his enemy. It was easier said than done, he'd yet to accomplish what he set out to do - slay three of the creatures without incurring a single blow.

Thus far, he'd only managed to defeat them, taking only two or three vine whips to the torso. They didn't hurt all that bad, his clothing, civilian attire he preferred over the uniform, had guarded his body well. His trademark outfit was comprised of black material, the fabric matched that dark head of hair flawlessly in the form of pants and a sleeveless, tight fitting turtleneck of sorts that outlined the youth's fit form well. Though it was, as mentioned, without any sleeves, only the right arm's pale flesh and muscular structure was exposed, the top of his left arm was encased in steel, an armored sleeve whose sole purpose seemed to be to deflect sword strikes if the need arose.

After slicing his targets into mulch, Mathias turned from the scene and toward the exit of the Quad. Much to his surprise, he had an audience, namely, a small girl with blonde hair. The girl from Galbadia; she was with the Headmaster. A smile slowly spread across his face, waving a little at the girl, and when he noticed she was without supervision, his expression turned a little more serious.

"Hey, you shouldn't be in here without somebody watching you. How'd you get away from your daddy? "

Though it hadn't been confirmed by the Headmaster, it was liable the man would never reveal things of his personal life to students, but the rumors of him adopting a girl from his wife's orphanage were rampant. The rumors of troubles in said marriage, due to his decision to continue to guide Garden and her desire to abandon a world of violence were also rampant amongst girls. They were probably hoping he'd be in need of a mistress of some sort.

The girl wore an absolutely intrigued expression on her face, stepping over to Mathias slowly in her slippers. He'd take a crouch, so the two could stand on eye level evidently, and patted her on the head.

"What's so interesting? This? "

He'd stabbed Sentinel into the ground, so that it could stand there without his hand around the hilt. The girl didn't seemed too interested in the sword, but instead, her fascination seemed to be with Mathias' facial features, as well as his hair. She touched his face with childish fascination, as if she were seeing something for the first time. Mathias stood still, noting just how special this child truly was, she had to be if she'd been adopted by someone like the Headmaster.

"You're a curious little girl, aren't you? I think someone's looking for you. "

Mathias looked passed the girl, the Headmaster himself approached down the hall, wearing a look of restrained concern, his hurried gait was proof that he had been worried. Just then the girl, who'd been silent up until now, opened her mouth to speak.

"I found you. "

Mathias, looking at her with a slightly wide eyed look of confusion, stood once Squall arrived. The man instantly scooped his daughter up into his arms, holding her up with one arm, while she perched her chin onto his shoulder. He didn't pay much mind to Mathias, though upon second glance, noticed the youth must have been training as both sweat was present on his forehead, and the blade currently wedged in the ground.

"I'm sorry if she interrupted your training, we'll be going now. "

"It's alright, she's a very cute little girl. She has a sweet voice, too. "

Leonheart looked at Mathias as if he were mad, shaking his head and chuckling a little, as if the boy were simply joking.

"No, she's mute. Well, carry on. "

Squall turned, heading down the way he came, the little girl waved over her father's shoulder as they departed, leaving Mathias waving back with a puzzled expression. She's .. mute? But she just…