Chapter 3

"You started talking about summoning?" yelled a blonde girl with long braided hair.

She sat on the couch of an apartment next to Yuna. Yuna laughed then began talking.

"Rikku don't worry I didn't bore him. He was actually interested in what I had to say. He even asked if I wanted to hang out sometime"

"Well that's good. How's he look?" asked Rikku.

"Oh he's so cute! Beautiful eyes, smile, and a tan he's gorgeous!"

Just then Yuna and Rikku's other roommate Paine walked through the door.

"What are you two so giggly about?" asked Paine as she walked in and closed the door.

"Yuna is telling me about this guy she met yesterday. He's a new player for the Aurochs" said Rikku.

"Oh? Well spill it" laughed Paine as she sat down on a love seat.

"Well he's originally from Zanarkand and he is really sweet and good looking and…"

"Wow, looks like she's really sprung on this guy" laughed Paine.

"I know I just hope he calls…" said Yuna.

"You know guys; they always try to wait a few days before calling so they won't look too interested" said Rikku.

Yuna was about to speak but her cell phone on the coffee table started ringing.

-Ring Ring-

"You don't think that's?..." said Yuna puzzled.

"Hurry up and answer it!" yelled Rikku.

Yuna picked up her cell phone and answered it.

"…Hello?"

"Hey Yuna it's me Tidus."

"Oh hey Tidus how are you?"

Yuna smiled brightly and Rikku and Paine began smiling as well.

"I'm good. Say I was wondering if you wanted to hang out sometime tomorrow? I get out of practice with the Aurochs tomorrow around 6:30 pm so are you free around that time?"

"I have an evening class tomorrow that ends at 7:00 pm so anytime after that I'd love to hang out" said Yuna.

"What class is it?" asked Tidus.

"It's Aeon Control 501"

"Awesome! Well let's say we meet up at Square Park at around 8 pm? Is that good? I'll need a little time to take a shower and get dressed after practice." said Tidus.

"That sounds great. I'll meet you at the statue of Ramza. Ok?" said Yuna

"Ok that's fine. Well I'll see you then. Take care" said Tidus.

"Thanks you too" said Yuna.

Yuna hung up the phone. Rikku and Paine looked at Yuna with bright smiles.

"We have to pick out what you're going to wear!" yelled Rikku.

"Uh oh it's time for another Rikku makeover. Brace yourselves" said Paine.

"To the closets!" yelled Rikku as she jumped up from the couch.

(Next Scene)

"So where do you want to go tonight Rinoa?" asked Squall.

He walked out of an apartment building with his arm around a young woman with dark hair and brown highlights. She was shorter than Squall and she ran her fingers slightly through her hair as she smiled. The sun began setting over the horizon of the city.

"There's a bar called "Fate" I wouldn't mind checking out. It's over on Dog Street.

"Oh I've heard of that place. I heard it attracts a pretty rough crowd. You sure you want to go?" asked Squall.

"I'm not worried I got my big strong SeeD man with me"

Rinoa gave Squall a quick peck on the cheek then snuggled closer to him. Squall and Rinoa got into Squall's car and made their way to Dog Street. They continued to talk in the car.

"I picked my dress out for the SeeD ball today" said Rinoa.

"Really?" asked Squall.

"Yes and I'm not going to tell you what it looks like. I want you to be in awe of my stunning beauty!" laughed Rinoa.

"Hmm I can't wait for that" laughed Squall.

"Quistis and Selphie are working so hard on the ball. Aeris is providing the flowers and decorations for it I heard" said Rinoa.

"So Aeris will be there? Cloud, Aeris, and Tifa all together in the same place, this will be interesting" said Squall.

"Oh leave Cloud alone. I think he has deep feelings for both of them and that just makes him confused. You had problems expression your emotions when I first met you so give him a break"

"I have no idea what you're talking about" said Squall.

"Sure you don't… oh there's Fate over there" said Rinoa.

Squall parallel parked the car about a block away from the bar. Outside the bar a very large bouncer stood. He had several tattoos, piercings, and even had demon horns grafted into his forehead. Soon a shorter bouncer with brown hair walked through the door.

"Volt it's your turn to watch the inside" said the brown haired bouncer.

"Ok Sion" said Volt as he went inside.

Sion was a lot shorter than Volt but he seemed to be in shape and more than capable of handling the door by himself. Rinoa and Squall stood in the small line to get inside and it wasn't long before they got in.

"Enjoy yourselves" said Sion as Squall and Rinoa walked inside.

"I think Zell told me he used to train with that Sion guy" said Squall to Rinoa.

They entered the Bar and saw that it was a pretty lively and animated place. On the right side of the bar several booths were aligned along the wall. On the left side was a bar and toward the back that was a staircase that led to the balcony where a few pool tables stood. Squall and Rinoa made their way to one of the booths and prepared to flag down a waitress. Little did they know up stairs someone was watching them from the balcony.

"I can't believe she's still dating that little loser" said a young man holding a pool stick.

He was a fairly tall young man with blonde hair. He wore a long grey coat and on his face was a scar similar to Squalls only it pointed in the opposite direction.

"Seifer you should teach him a lesson ya know?" said a dark skinned young man that stood beside him. He was very muscular. He took his shot and completely missed the cue ball. There was a short white haired girl with an eye patch standing beside him.

"POOR" was all she said.

"Leave me alone Fujin ya know?" said the young man.

"Raijin I think you're right. I think I'll go pay our good friends a visit" said Seifer to the young man. He set his pool stick on the table then walked down the stairs"

"Wait for us Seifer! We're a posse we roll together ya know?" said Raijin.

"AFFIRMATIVE" said Fujin as she and Raijin followed Seifer down the stairs.

"I'd like a Maiden's Kiss" said Rinoa to the waitress.

The waitress looked really young. She had a blonde pony tail and on her shirt was the name tag "Dominique".

"Ok and what drink will you have sir?" asked Dominique to Squall.

"I'll have a Hero Drink" said Squall.

"Ok I'll have that for you soon!" said Dominique as she bounded off cheerfully with the orders.

"This is a nice place" said Rinoa.

Just then Seifer, Fujin, and Raijin walked up to the booth.

"Maybe I spoke to soon" said Rinoa.

"Well looky here if it isn't the SeeD man and his woman. Having a little date?" said Seifer.

"Seifer don't start anything. Don't be a jerk just go back to what you were doing ok?" said Rinoa.

"Jerk? I'm hurt Rinoa. You didn't think I was a jerk last summer when you and SeeD boy here broke up"

Seifer moved closer to Squall and whispered.

"We got really close that summer if you know what I mean. Really, really close" laughed Seifer.

Without hesitation Squall pushed Seifer as hard as he could. Seifer was knocked back a bit and Squall stood up from his booth. Seifer and Squall stood in each others face.

"You wanna play chicken wuss? C'mon bring it you little punk. I'll put another scar on your face!" yelled Seifer.

Then Volt and another bouncer with long black hair and a black full body tattoo showed up.

"Kou grab the other guy I got Seifer" said Volt.

"Ok" replied Kou.

The two bouncers held Seifer and Squall away from each other.

"Seifer I'm getting damn sick and tired of you and your cronies coming in here starting fights!" yelled Volt as Seifer struggled in his arms.

"Let go you big ox! I'm out of here. Suddenly this place isn't as cool as it used to be since you let losers like him in. Fujin, Raijin let's bounce!"

Seifer, Fujin, and Raijin left the bar. Kou let go of Squall and Volt walked up to him.

"I saw the whole thing. I know it wasn't your fault. That Seifer guy is always causing trouble. We should have restricted him and his crew from the bar a long time ago. If you want to stay here and keep drinking you can. I'm not going to kick you out" said Volt.

"One things for sure, I've never seen any of the guys in here actually stand up to Seifer" laughed Kou.

"Thanks but I don't think I'm in the mood for drinks anymore" said Squall.

Squall walked toward the door.

"Squall wait! Wait!" said Rinoa as she ran after him.

Squall began walking to his car down the street and Rinoa followed him. The sun had finally finished setting and first dark had arrived.

"Squall please wait!" yelled Rinoa.

Squall stopped near his car and turned around.

"What?"

"Baby I'm sorry" said Rinoa.

A little over a year ago Rinoa and Squall had a few problems in their relationship. They took a little break from each other and Rinoa hooked up with Squall's worst enemy Seifer. It was a blow to Squall that he tried to overcome but in truth his blood boiled whenever he thought of Seifer and Rinoa together.

"You've already apologized for last summer" said Squall.

"I know but I know it still hurts you and that kills me" said Rinoa.

Rinoa walked up to Squall and hugged him tightly. She then looked up into his eyes.

"Squall I love you so much. I was hurt and confused back then. I was just on the rebound and Seifer happened to be there. If I could take that all back I would but I just want you to know that what happened then means nothing to me. You're the one I want to be with forever" said Rinoa.

Rinoa and Squall started kissing passionately. Rinoa then snuggled close to Squall as he embraced her.

"Squall I want to be Mrs. Leonhart one day" said Rinoa softly.

"Now that'd be something" said Squall.

"We'll never get there if you don't trust me now when I say you're the only one I want" said Rinoa.

"Yeah.." said Squall reluctantly.

"So let's go back inside. No use in wasting those drinks" said Rinoa.

(Next Scene)

Ring Ring

The phone rang in Clouds apartment. Cloud got up from the couch and answered it.

"Hello?"

"Hey handsome what are you up to?" asked Aeris on the other end.

"Hey beautiful what's up? I'm just watching a little television" said Cloud.

"Oh. Say, are you going to the SeeD Ball?" asked Aeris.

"Yeah I am. Are you?" asked Cloud.

"Yep. I'm providing the flowers and decorations. I was just wondering if you wanted to be my date?" asked Aeris.

"Um ok sure Aeris" said Cloud.

"That's great! We'll be the best couple there. I'll talk to you later Cloud"

"Ok Aeris"

Cloud hung up the phone and started walking back to the couch when the phone rang again.

Ring Ring

Cloud answered it again.

"Hello?"

"Hey Cloud it's me Tifa" said Tifa on the other end.

"Hey Tifa what's up?"

"Well I was wondering if you had a date for the SeeD ball?" asked Tifa.

"Well yeah I just told Aeris I'd take her…" said Cloud.

"Oh…I see…ok well… that's nice Cloud. I was going to suggest going together but you already have a date…"

"Oh I'm sorry Tifa. Aeris just called me and…"

"Ha ha it's ok Cloud you don't have to explain anything to me. I'll just find someone else. Talk to you later Cloud"

"Later Tifa" said Cloud.

Cloud hung up the phone and walked back to the couch. As he watched television he began to think.

"Maybe Squall was right…Maybe I am in a love triangle…."

(Next Scene)

Quistis walked into her apartment. It had been a long day working at the Garden and preparing for the upcoming SeeD ball. She got comfortable in her apartment and went into her bedroom. She changed into some grey sweat pants and a pink tank top. She then sprawled out on her couch and began watching television. A small black cat wearing a crown and riding a giant stuffed Moogle appeared on the TV screen.

"Hey everybody it's time for the Cait Sith comedy hour!" said Cait Sith

"Nothing can end the day like watching a stuffed cat riding a Moogle do sketch comedy" said Quistis.

Quistis had been thinking about the night before all day. Who was that mysterious man that saved her?

"If it hadn't been for him…."

Quistis replayed the events in her head. She started flipping through the channels until she came upon the news. The blonde newswoman began talking about something rather interesting.

"Hello this is Sue Shillingsworth reporting for your 10pm news. It appears that Square City has its own super hero. There have been several reports of a mysterious man in a red cloak traveling across the rooftops. This mysterious man helped save a young girl from an apartment fire last night in Sector 7. Our reporter Rick Rodney Rickenbaugh got a chance to talk with Calle the young girl today."

The camera then shifts to a middle aged dark haired man talking to Calle. She was a young girl with dark tanned skin and brown hair.

"Hello Calle how are you?" asked Rick.

"I'm fine Mr. Rickenbaugh since that man saved me. He's my hero!" said Calle.

"What did the man look like?"

"He was really tall and he had long black hair. He wore a red cloak and his eyes were glowing red too. Normally I probably would have been afraid of a guy like that but he was so gentle and warm" said Calle.

"Well, what would you like to say to your hero if he is out there watching?" asked Rick.

"I want to say thank you so much! I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you Mystery Man!"

"Hmm Mystery Man…. That's kind of catchy" said Rick.

"It was him" said Quistis.

The mystery man that saved her last night had also saved that little girl. Quistis decided to get ready for bed. She walked into her bedroom and was about to get in bed when she saw a shadow outside her window.

"What the?"

Quistis walked over to the window and opened it. She looked out on the fire escape and there was the Mysterious man.

"Normally hanging outside a girl's window could get you branded as a stalker. I'll make an exception this time and not call the cops. You did save me after all."

The mysterious man looked at Quistis for a moment then spoke in a soft calm voice.

"I wanted to make sure you were alright" said the man.

Quistis felt a warmth about this man despite his dark appearance. His glowing eyes were gentle and kind.

"That was great what you did for that little girl……they call you the Mystery Man you know?...what's your real name? asked Quistis.

The man was silent for a moment then answered.

"I'm Vincent. What is your name?"

"I'm Quistis….how did you know where I lived?"

"I followed you last night but I saw the apartment fire in the distance and decided to help" answered Vincent.

"It's cold out. Come inside" said Quistis.

"It might be best if I did not. I only wanted to make sure that you were doing fine."

"Why did you run off last night? You left before I got a chance to say thank you" said Quistis.

"…the Shinra."

Quistis thought for a moment and she remembered a Shinra Inc patrol unit passing through at the time she was attacked.

"The Shinra? Are they after you?" asked Quistis.

"I must go. I don't want to endanger you"

Vincent turned away and prepared to leave.

"Vincent…can you come back this time tomorrow night?...I really would like to talk to you again"

Vincent looked back for a moment.

"I can't make any promises" said Vincent.

"Vincent….please keep helping people like you did for me and that young girl. You can do a lot of good" said Quistis.

Vincent looked down and didn't answer. He then leapt off the fire escape. He seemed to almost float to the other side of the street and landed on top of a building. He then ran off into the darkness and disappeared.

"I think he likes me" smiled Quistis.

(End Chapter 3)

Wow this chapter had a little more cameos than the other two. First the bar called Fate and Sion, Volt, Kou, and Dominique are characters from a game created by Squaresoft called The Bouncer. I know they aren't Final Fantasy characters but I couldn't resist putting them in for a quick cameo. I may even bring them back later on in the story but I haven't decided yet. Also the reporters in the news cast, Sue Shillingsworth and Rick Rodney Rickenbaugh, are my original characters that I have used in some other stories. Just figured I'd let them in for a quick cameo. Calle is a minor character in Final Fantasy X and X-2. Well as always let me know what you think and I really hope you keep reading.