Sweet Music
Chapter Twelve: A Little Romeo & Juliet
By PasifiKStaR

All Standard Disclaimers Apply: I do not own Final Fantasy or anything associated with it.

Rinoa turned in the covers. Slowly, her eyes opened and narrowed into slits. Hazy sunlight partially covered by clouds filtered into her room. She reached up, feeling the soft blankets around her. 'Rude must've put me to bed...'

Tiredly, she pushed herself up into a sitting position. Her eyes felt heavy and swollen from a night of crying. Upon the realization, she closed her eyes tightly as another wave of hopelessness swept over her. She was trapped. Trapped in her father's house. Trapped in a marriage. Trapped in a life she never wanted to lead.

She slipped out of the bed and slowly walked towards her bathroom. She stopped as she passed her desk and looked at the old pictures still tacked on to the cork lined bulletin board from before she moved to Esthar. 'Selphie...Zell...Quistis...'

"I can make it so they don't exist." her father's voice echoed in her ears.

Rinoa bit her lower lip and turned her head sharply away. Angering her father had never been something she feared, but now...with his threats dangling over her innocent friends' heads, she had no choice. "My life for theirs...it's a simple decision."

She took a deep breath and stepped into her bathroom to change. Slowly, she took a steaming hot shower and washed the make up residue off her face. She changed into a light blue knit sweater and jeans. With black shoes on, she hesitantly exited her room.

Guards were still located where they were, now flanked only by Sephiroth's men. She lifted her chin up proudly as she passed them. Her eyes were narrowed as she grit her teeth. Her hand gripped the railing of the stairs as she slowly walked down the stairs. As she reached the foyer, her father walked out from his study and looked up.

"Good morning, Rinoa."

"Father." she stated curtly. She gave him a small bow her head before walking past him and heading down the hall to get breakfast.

"You will be joining us this morning for breakfast," General Caraway said as he walked behind her. He watched as she stiffened in her step, but quickly composed herself. "We have plans for you today."

They walked into the vacant dining area. Silver serving dishes were lined up against the wall, each holding a different dish for breakfast. Aside from the maid who stood at the side, there was no one else in the dining room yet.

"What kind of plans?" Rinoa said, trying not to sound as angry as she felt. She grabbed a plate and began to walk along the prepared table, piling food on to her plate.

"You will be spending one day with each of Sephiroth's sons who had bid for your hand; Kadaj and Loz," Caraway said coolly. He sat down and was poured some dark coffee. Rinoa sat at the other end of the table. "Try to make a good impression-"

"No." Caraway lifted his head and looked at his daughter.

"There is no argument," he stated simply. "Rather than make the decisions for his sons, Sephiroth has said that they will each spend time with and in the end, whoever believes they are most compatible with you will get your hand."

Rinoa scoffed as she cut through a piece of sausage. "When do I get my choice?"

"This is not something you have a choice in-"

"Not with you threatening to destroy the lives of my friends!" Rinoa snapped. General Caraway slammed his fists on the table, making Rinoa jump a little in her seat.

Behind him, Tseng, who had been entering, gave the maid a look to leave. She nodded her head and quickly exited through the servant's door. Tseng turned around and closed the door behind him. Rinoa glared at her father as he settled his foreboding gaze over hers.

"You have more things to worry about than you friends!" he told her.

"Well, I don't have to worry about my OWN life, do I, father?" Rinoa laughed bitterly. "You've taken care of all of that, haven't you?"

"Damn it, Rinoa! You don't understand!" he yelled, frustrated. Rinoa didn't budge. She was used to her father's yelling.

"You haven't given me any reason TO understand!" Rinoa argued. "All you said is that we're loosing territory! Oh, big deal! We can always gain it back! But we know what this is really all about, isn't it? LAGUNA LOIRE!" Her father gasped as if he were hit in the gut. "I know how much you hate him, but I have no idea why! Your concerns with other crime lords were never supposed to affect me! Even if I was seeing his SON," Rinoa cringed as her heart ripped. "Even if I was seeing Squall...What difference does it make to you? Squall isn't involved in his father's dealings; why should he suffer? What do you have against his father?"

"His father loved your mother!" General Caraway shouted. Rinoa's eyes widened. He gripped his coffee mug tightly. "Loire used to work for our organization-"

"Yours. I don't claim any part in it." Rinoa frowned. Her father wanted to argue, but decided against it.

"Fine..." he said. "Loire used to work for my organization, under my father, just before it was passed on to me. Your mother, Julia, was also part of the organization. She was an informant. Loire was assigned to keep an eye on her. At the time, I had begun seeing your mother, I realized just how close she and Loire were. I told her it was either him or me, but before she could make the choice, Loire left."

"So mom stayed with you," Rinoa nodded. "And she married you and gave you me. Laguna Loire is long gone."

Caraway shook his head. "Do you honestly think that a love like that could die so easily?" he asked slowly. "They were close, Rinoa...and he loved her. He left for her sake. Your mother never stopped loving him. When we were married, we constantly argued about him. Yes, she married me, but where did her heart really lay. I was always afraid...terrified that he would return and take her away from me. Especially after I heard he had risen in the Estharian underground. So I stationed a guard to watch your mother...and one day I found out that she had contact with him at a soccer game."

Rinoa's head snapped up. "Mom's photography booth."

Caraway nodded. "She always loved photography. So of course I let her do it. Anything to make her happy. But that day...I was so jealous. We got into an argument and...Your mother ran out of the house..."

"Oh my Hyne..." Rinoa covered her mouth. "The car accident." Caraway nodded.

"Let me tell you something right now, Rinoa," Caraway said as he locked eyes with his daughter. "While I despise Loire. While I blame him for coming near your mother, I do not blame him for your mother's death... I blame him for driving me to making her last moments filled with anger. Julia was such a peaceful woman. She never should've died...not like that."

"Then why do you hate him so much? Why enough to sell me off to take over his territory?" Rinoa asked in a cold whisper.

"I don't," Caraway told her blandly. "The Loire issue is a cover to gain assistance from the Centra crime syndicates. The Centrans want a slice of Loire's Esthar and rather than side with each other, they are more likely to side with an outside source. They believe my motives to be pure revenge, that I won't want a piece of Esthar after we take it over because I just seek revenge."

"Do you?"

"It doesn't matter. Rinoa," he began seriously. "The reason I have broken my promise to you and dragged you into the dealings of the organization is because we have lost a lot of territory all over Galbadia. We are lacking in man power and smaller heads beneath me have broken off from the syndicate. Small fights have broken out around our borders. They are gathering together to break us apart. If they do and we do not have enough men to secure ourselves, the Caraway Organization will fall."

Rinoa took a deep breath. "You know I do not care about the organization."

"But you do care about the lives within it," Caraway said knowingly. "I told you before, a war will break out and many people will be killed. Tseng has already lost some of his men in Winhill. A good third of our northern border has broken away and are siding with Trabia's ousted leaders. We are crumbling and without this union, we will be crippled and they will destroy us and our members. Can you live with that, Rinoa? Can you live with knowing that lives were lost because of you?"

"Why didn't you tell me this before?" Rinoa asked bitterly as tears welded up in her eyes. "Why? There must be another way-"

"There IS no other way! We have to merge with a larger, stronger organization!" Caraway growled. "Zell's family - the Dinchts. They are at our southern border and you know they have long been loyal to us. His grandfather was a diligent and loyal Turk to MY father. What will happen to them if they are betrayed by those who side with another group?"

Rinoa closed her eyes and cupped her face in her hand. "Why didn't you tell me? You know that while I don't care about this stupid organization, I do care about the people! You know that!" Rinoa shouted. "I could've helped find another way! There must've been another way!"

"There ISN'T! Do you at least understand, Rinoa? It is either you or thousands of other people," Caraway said. "And I would rather have you married off and unhappy than KILLED for being MY daughter. And I know these people, Rinoa. They will not hesitate to off you just because you want nothing to do with the organization or myself."

Rinoa shook her head and dropped her fork on her plate. "I understand..." she said weakly. She lifted her head and glared at her father. "You know that, even if this will save the syndicate members, I will resent you for the rest of my life."

Caraway sat down on his seat and took a deep breath. "I will take comfort in the fact that you will at least have a life," A heavy knock came from the door and Caraway tilted his head to look over his shoulder. "Enter!"

"General," Tseng said as he opened both doors and walked in, before stepping aside. "Sephiroth and his sons."

"I was told that breakfast would be in here," Sephiroth said coolly. He stopped by the breakfast table as his sons began to get plates and proceed with picking food. The silver haired man looked across the table at Rinoa. Her face was flushed and she was looking down. "Are we interrupting anything?"

"No," Caraway said as he stood up. "Nothing at all. Please, help yourselves. I was just telling Rinoa about today's plans."

"Ah yes," Sephiroth said. He sat down and was poured a cup of coffee. "Today, my dear, you'll be spending the day with my eldest, Kadaj."

"You will go to the museum," Tseng said as he looked at the schedule in his hand. "Then go to lunch at a popular bistro near by. Then you shall go to the park to get to know each other a bit more. Rude will be your chaperone. However, you will have dinner alone to speak of personal matters in the evening."

Sephiroth smiled at her as Rinoa looked up and nodded without question. "I do hope you have a good time, Rinoa. I look forward to welcoming you into my family."

"Why can't I go see her?" Squall growled. He sat in a sleek black limousine, across from Vincent. Seifer and Irvine were sitting beside him as they drove over the outskirts of Deling City.

"You can't go see her right now. Not in the day light," Vincent told him sternly. "It's too risky."

"She might not even be home," Yuffie added. "And if she is home, it'll be harder. The Caraway house is like a citadel. Guards, guard dogs, cameras - the works."

"You might as well knock on his door and get shot upon first sight." Vincent said coolly. Squall scowled and glared at them.

"So where are we going?" Irvine asked as he looked out the tinted windows. Being in a limo was nothing special to the group, but Irvine hadn't been in Deling City for a while.

"Quistis' townhouse in the southwest side." Vincent said. Immediately Seifer shot him a deadly glare.

"How do YOU know about Quistis' townhouse?" the blond demanded, obviously jealous.

"She gave us the instructions on where to bring you three," Vincent said, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. "I told you, Seifer, I'm not interested in Quistis. We're just friends. That is all."

Grumbling, Seifer looked out the window and watched the passing streets. They turned into a suburban area lined with neat town houses and manicured lawns. The limo pulled up to the curb and Raijin, who was sitting by the door, opened it and stepped out.

The group climbed out of the vehicle and Fujin went to open the door with a key she had been given. The front door open and from the couch, a beautiful blond woman stood up.

"I was starting to get worried." Quistis said as they walked in. Irvine gave her a little wave and stepped inside, looking around. Squall wandered in, a cold look on his face. He gave Quistis a little nod to thank her. Then Seifer walked in.

The lead guitarist walked in, looking around warily before he stopped at the edge of the living room and locked eyes with Quistis. She stood there, unmoving, and he gave her a weak attempt at his cocky smile. "Well...aren't you going to-ouf!"

He almost didn't see her move. Quistis ran across the room and slammed her body against his. Her eyes were closed tightly, her glasses removed, as she wrapped her arms around his body and buried her face in his shoulder. He watched as her shoulders heaved up and down and smiled weakly as he maneuvered them into a corner and wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

"You stupid man..." she whispered roughly against him as she nuzzled her face in the crook of his neck. "I was so scared..."

"Aww..." Seifer said with a wide smile as he lifted one hand and stroked her hair out of his face. "I'm touched. But you know, I was the one who had a gun pointed at me."

"I'm serious," Quistis replied. She lifted her head and looked at him with tear rimmed blue eyes and Seifer frowned slightly. "I was worried about you."

"I know, honey, I know...I'm sorry to scare you," he told her seriously. He lowered his head and lightly kissed her eyelids as they closed. "Thank you..." he whispered before moving his lips over hers.

Behind them, Irvine fell back on the couch, tired after a long night of travel. As he looked around, a pair of small hands went over his eyes. "Guess who!"

Beneath her fingertips, Selphie could feel Irvine's eyes widen. He grabbed her arms and pulled her forward, making her fall over the couch and on to his lap. Instinctively, her arms wrapped around his neck. "Hyne, Selphie, I thought..."

"I'm sorry," Selphie said with a sad puppy dog face. "I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions, Irvy. I'm sorry.

"So...everything is okay?" he asked. Selphie nodded and Irvine smiled broadly.

Raijin carried in a tied up Reno and dumped him on the nearest arm chair. By the stairs, Squall shifted from one foot to the other. "Quistis, is there a place I can get some sleep?"

"Sure, Squall," Quistis said as she pulled away from Seifer. "Up the stairs make a right, first door on the right. Get some rest...you probably had a hard night." Squall nodded and was about to go upstairs when he noticed Vincent right behind him.

"Where are you going?" Squall asked with a frown.

"To follow you and make sure you don't do anything stupid. Like sneaking out and going to look for Rinoa yourself." Vincent said in a low voice. Squall grumbled.

"There is no point in going to look for her right now, anyway," Quistis sighed. "My contact who is tailing her says that she is going out today to 'get to know' one of the guys who are trying to marry her. Apparently the deal has been changed and so, one of Sephiroth's sons will marry her. To my understanding, they each get a day to spend with her and then it will be decided who she marries. It buys us at least a day or two."

"If she's going to spend the whole day with some jerk, when the hell can I see her?" Squall growled.

"Tonight," Reno said from where he was seated at a weird angle on the arm chair. "She'll have to change into proper attire for dinner, meaning, she'll be in her room for a little while in the evening... before seven, when they have dinner."

"Are you serious?" Selphie asked. Reno nodded.

"When we're not being all formal, that's how it is at the house. But I think that Romeo over there would like to know about the tree outside of Rin's window. It's an old oak with a few big branches, one of which stretches all the way to Rinoa's window. She used to climb down and sneak out when she was younger."

"Wait a second, why are you telling us this?" Irvine asked suspiciously. "You could be setting him up!"

"Well, what can I say? I'm a sucker for a good love story. But, hey, you have no reason to trust me," Reno shrugged. "But if you want to see her," he said, looking directly at Squall. "Then that's your best option."

"It's too risky-"

"Fine," Squall said. Everyone stopped and turned to him with looks of surprise. "I need to see her and talk to her."

Seifer threw his arms in the air. "Fine...once Puberty Boy gets his mind on something, he's set. No use in trying to change his mind." Vincent looked at Quistis and she nodded.

"Then go get some rest, Squall..." Quistis sighed tiredly. "You leave at sunset." Squall nodded and headed up the stairs.

From the couch, Selphie let out a tired sigh. "I still don't get it, Quistis," Selphie said as she looked at the blond female. "Rinoa has NEVER given in to her father's demands before...I don't understand why she is all of a sudden. Why is she accepting this marriage?"

From the hallway upstairs, Squall's hand tightened around the door knob as he heard Selphie's question. 'I don't know, either, Selphie...' Squall thought to himself. 'I don't know, either.'

The door to the Caraway house flew open and a few guards jumped as Rinoa stormed into the house. Her face was a look of utter disgust and fury as she stomped into the foyer. Her father came out of his study and gave her a questioning look.

"How did it go, Rinoa?" he asked. She promptly ignored him as she stomped up the stairs. Both guards and maids who were in her way quickly moved to the side to avoid her wrath.

Kadaj walked in as Caraway looked towards the door. "She is quite a passionate woman, General Caraway," Kadaj said with a smile as he walked past the man. "Just the kind of woman my father would like in his organization." he added, to assure the man that he was not displeased.

"I'm glad to hear that you have enjoyed your time with my daughter," Caraway smiled. Kadaj shook his hand before walking into the house to find his father. Rude walked in after them. "How did it go?" Caraway asked in a low voice.

Rude kept the frown on his face as he headed up the stairs to guard his cousin's door. "Badly."

The sound of a door slamming echoed through the halls and Rinoa fell on her bed. She grabbed a pillow and buried her face into it before screaming. "I hate him!" she screamed, unsure of him meant Kadaj or her father or both.

There was a light knock a the door and Rude opened it slightly. "Rinoa?"

"Don't turn on the lights!" Rinoa barked from her bed. Rude sighed. Rinoa was a environment oriented person. She surrounded herself with her emotions and if she was angry or depressed, she liked to sit alone in the dark and think.

"What did he say to you?" Rude asked. He walked in and closed the door behind him. As he walked over to her desk, he took out a lighter and began to light the numerous candles that decorated her room.

"I told him I wanted to be a teacher and he laughed," Rinoa choked out. Slowly, her cousin's figure came into light as Rude lit a few more candles. "I've worked so hard to try to become a teacher and he just laughed in my face...as if the very idea was stupid!"

"It's not stupid," he assured her. He sat next to her on the edge of her bed. "You worked very hard and it is an admirable goal."

Rinoa nodded, but blinked tearfully. "I don't want to marry him, Rude...but I know I have to..." she whispered. "If I don't...the organization will fall." Rude looked down and nodded. He had over heard the argument that morning.

"You can still be a teacher once you are married." he offered. Rinoa shook his head.

"No...the stupid slave driver wants me to just oversee my father's damn empire," Rinoa spat out bitterly. "I'm just a tool for him to use to control the Caraway Organization. He doesn't feel anything for me. He just wants to use me...and I can't believe he demeaned me!" Rinoa gasped out. "I always wanted to be a teacher! Not a mafia boss! And when I said I still wanted to teach...ugh!" She let out a growl of frustration as she nearly pulled out her hair. "The bastard LAUGHED! I couldn't take his arrogance and ignorance any more, Rude. I just wanted to leave! I'm sorry if I messed anything up-"

"You don't have to apologize," Rude assured her. He reached over and gave her a hug. "We got home early. Go take a shower and cool down before dinner."

Rinoa frowned and took a deep breath to try to calm down. "Do I have to go?"

"You know your father..." he merely answered. Rinoa bit her lower lip and nodded. "Good...just an hour with him, Rinoa."

"But I have to go through the same thing with him tomorrow..." she frowned.

"Then let's hope that his brother is better," Rude told her. He ruffled her hair as he stood up and headed out the door. "I'll stand out here and make sure no one gets in."

The door closed and Rinoa whispered a quiet thanks. She stood up and slowly walked along her candle lit room. A clash of thunder was heard outside and she jumped. Her eyes narrowed as a flash of lightning illuminated her room. Hanging from her closet door was a new dress, still inside a clear plastic dress bag.

Rinoa shook her head. "Even if this is for the good of the syndicate," Rinoa said softly as she raised her hand and ran it down the plastic. "I can't help but think you're just trying to get rid of me, dad..."

"Whoa! Did you see that?" Reno said as his eyes looked over the dark horizon. "That was one big flash of lightning!" Just as he said it, it began to pour. Both Vincent and Squall glared at the red head, who was still tied up. Reno looked at them as his hair began to paste over his scalp. "Don't look at me! It's not MY fault that its raining!"

"Whatever." Squall grumbled.

"Is that her window?" Vincent asked as he pointed up at the room. They were behind a fence, surrounded by shrubs. Just beyond the fence was a large oak tree and as Reno had said earlier, there was a big branch that lead over to Rinoa's window.

"Yep, that's Juliet's balcony." Reno said.

"Why is it dark?" Squall asked. He narrowed his eyes and looked at Reno threateningly. "If this is a trap-"

"Listen, I don't even have the ability to make a trap. I've been tied up since we were on the bus!" Reno told them. "Which, by the way, is rather unfair since when we kidnapped you, we didn't tie you guys up."

Squall rolled his eyes and Vincent grabbed Reno by his collar. "Answer the question. Why is it dark in there?"

"You saw Rinoa storm into the house," Reno said. "Rinoa went up to her room. When she's angry or depressed, she just sits in the dark."

"Are you sure she's there?" Squall asked. Reno nodded.

"99.9 percent."

"There are cameras everywhere...we need to disable them..." Vincent said. He pressed something to his ear. "Yuffie. Yuffie, can you hear me?"

"Loud and clear!" Yuffie piped happily.

"As soon as there is another flash of lightning, count to three and short circuit the electricity." Vincent said. Yuffie was down the street, by a power box.

"Gotcha!"

"Squall, get ready to jump over the fence and climb up that tree as soon as the lights go out. Be careful, the branches are wet," Vincent warned him. Squall nodded and began to wait for the next flash of lightning. Suddenly, there was a roar of thunder and Vincent's eyes narrowed. A flash of lightning lit up the sky. "Yuffie, now!"

"One...two...three!" Three pairs of eyes watched the house as it flickered and finally shut down.

"Squall, now!" Vincent barked. Squall jumped and grabbed the fence. With ease, he jumped over it and pressed himself against the back of the oak. He could hear Rinoa's father's men running around the compound and even a few dogs in the distance.

He grabbed on to the lowest branch and hoisted himself up. "Go monkey, go!" Reno chanted from where he was standing next to Vincent.

Vincent watched as Squall reached the branch that lead to Rinoa's window and slowly began to make his way over it.

Rinoa wrapped the towel around her body and tucked one side in, to secure it, as the lights in her bathroom flickered and turned off. She frowned and looked around. She looked towards her door, there was no light coming from the crack below it.

She walked over, still dripping wet, and opened the door a little bit. Rude still stood at his station diligently. "What's going on?"

"A black out from the storm," Rude said. "The whole block must be out. They're going to try to get the back up generators going."

Rinoa nodded and closed the door. She reached over for another towel on the back of her chair and began to run it through her hair. Then she heard the quiet knock on the glass. Rinoa's head snapped up. She slowly lowered her the towel in her had and then tightened the one around her body.

The knock came again and she narrowed her eyes as she walked towards the window. Rinoa paused by her desk and opened the first drawer. A small handgun was there. Shaking her head, she closed it and continued to walk to the window. She could make out the outline of a person, probably sitting on the branch she had always used to sneak out on.

She grabbed the cord for the blinds and swallowed nervously. Mentally counting to three, Rinoa tugged on the cord and the blinds flew up. Her eyes widened as she immediately saw the face of the man by her window.

Squall's blue eyes widened with surprise as her blinds opened and revealed Rinoa. Immediately, they softened as a small smile made it's way to his lips. His hand, which was posed to knock once more, slowly rested on the glass as a thoughtful look graced his face. Rinoa's eyes teared up as she immediately began unlocking the window . She pulled it open, sitting on the window seat, as she stretched out her arms.

"Squall..." His arms, soaking wet and heavy with rain, wrapped around her flushed body as he pulled himself into her bedroom.

He gathered her into his arms as he sat beside her, not caring that her pillows and stuffed animals were getting wet. He could feel her warm breath against his neck as she buried her face in the crook. Her fingers dug into his wet jacket, desperately holding on to him as Squall stroked her hair.

She could feel his rapid heartbeat against her chest as her bare arms wrapped around him tightly. Squall's head gently rested against hers, for a moment, just holding her. He pressed his lips against the side of her head and took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet scent of her shampoo and soap.

Slowly, she pulled away, her arms slipped between them as her hands rested on his chest. Tear rimmed dark eyes looked up at him questioningly. Squall looked down at her. She was wet and flushed. Her eyes were puffy from tears and her lips were quivering. He smiled intently. She'd never looked more beautiful.

Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight!
For I never saw true beauty till this night...

His hand cupped the side of her face and she closed her eyes as she leaned against him blissfully. Slowly his thumb caressed her cheek and trailed down to her lips. For a moment his fingers lingered there, tracing the outlines of full, pink lips. Slowly, her eyes opened and looked up into his.

Drops of rain water fell from his hair and down the tip of his nose. "Squa-" she whispered, just before he leaned down and placed his lips against hers desperately.

Rinoa's eyes widened as she felt her whole being instantly grown warmer. Slowly, her eyes closed as a relaxing feeling moved over her body. His hands slipped down her shoulders and pulled her against him and wrapping missed warmth around her. Rinoa unconsciously, snaked her arms around his neck, pressing her towel clad body against his rain soaked one. His heart beat intensely against hers, steady and strong.

Squall ran his hand up her back, slowly and deliberately, and cupped the base of her head firmly as his sweet mouth swept over hers, moving in slow, smooth motions. He heard her let out a little whimper as her arms tightened around him. He could feel her holding back the choked sobs as she kissed him back earnestly. He could feel the heat of her breath and the searing caresses of her skin against his.

They parted for a quick breath before diving straight into another feverish kiss. There was an urgency within her kiss, to try to hold on to him as long as she could. Tears were slipping through closed eyes. "Rinoa..." She heard him breath out her name like a quiet prayer beneath ragged breaths.

Soft lips tenderly trailed down her slender neck as she leaned her head back. Sharp gasps of breath escaped her own lips she clutched his head against her daringly. For a moment, she forgot where she was and what was happening outside her door. There was just her and Squall. And that was all that really mattered in the world.

She felt him give her one last kiss on her pale, exposed shoulder before lifting his head up once more. Her eyes opened as she cupped his face and moved her fingertips over his features. Her hand rose and brushed his bangs out of his eyes as she looked up at him with look at begged for reassurance.

"Tell me I'm not dreaming..." she pleaded in an almost unheard voice.

Squall slowly shook his head, never breaking eye contact with her as his hand cupped her chin. "But I think I am..." he whispered back. Rinoa's lips trembled as she pushed herself forward and wrapped her arms around his body.

Squall turned his head, just in time to catch her in another long, breathless kiss as they fell backwards. Even as Squall landed, one arm held out to brace them, his other didn't let go of Rinoa's waist. She laid firmly atop of him, eyes closed and absorbed in the tender motions, unaware they had even fallen off the window bench.

Suddenly, the door opened, interrupting their reunion. "Rinoa? I heard a noise-" Rude burst in and froze by the door. Behind his dark glasses, his eyes opened wide as he saw his towel clad cousin laying across and legs straddling a strange man.

Rinoa's body stiffened as her eyes opened wide. Squall froze and mentally swore. Fearful brown eyes rose and looked at Rude. "Rude-"

"Squall?" Rude asked, his voice deep and full of warning. Rinoa winced and Squall slowly nodded his head. Rude took a deep breath as he narrowed his eyes and frowned. His hand gripped the door knob. "You have twenty minutes until the electricity comes back on...I suggest you sneak out before the security cameras get back online."

With that, Rude closed the door. Rinoa stared at it numbly at the door, expecting it to fly open any minute and her father marching into to lynch Squall. A firm hand cupped her chin and gently turned her head down to meet his.

Squall smiled softly and Rinoa smiled back. She lowered her head and kissed him, gentler than before, without any of the rush they had earlier. It was warm and welcoming, accepting and calming. Slowly, Rinoa pulled her head back and crawled off of him.

Squall sat up and leaned against the side of the window bench. He tilted his head back and let out a heavy, tired sigh. Rinoa stared at him intently before crawling over to his side and sitting next to him.

"What are you doing here...?" she whispered.

"To see you," he replied. He turned to look at her. "You left to get married..."

Rinoa felt her heart ripping apart inside her chest and unconsciously brought her hand up to it. "Squall...it's not what you think-"

His fingers gently rested over her lips to silence her. "Quistis explained what was going on..." he assured her. "Your father sent your cousins after me. Our bus was hijacked..." he smiled weakly. "To keep me away from you."

Rinoa's eyes watered and she covered her mouth. "Oh, Squall...I'm sorry-"

"It's not your fault," he told her gently. He leaned down and kissed her softly. He moved his head away from hers and gently cupped her face once more. This thumb swept aside her tears. "We'll get you out of here."

Almost immediately, Rinoa choked back a sob and shook her head. "Squall, you don't understand..."

"What's there to understand? Your father is marrying you off and you don't want to." he told her. Rinoa let out a muffled sob and drew her knees up to her chest. She buried her face against them as her arms circled her knees.

"But I have to marry one of them..." Squall frowned at the smothered confession.

"What do you mean?"

"If I don't marry one of Sephiroth's son," Rinoa explained in broken words. "Then my father's organization will be torn apart by rivals. It'll cause a huge gang war, Squall...and people will DIE. I can't...I can't let these people die if I can save them."

"What are you saying?" Squall said. He held Rinoa's face with a crooked finger under he chin, forcing her to look up into his eyes. "You're...you're going to go through with this?" he choked out.

Rinoa was crying now. She nodded. "I don't want anyone to die if I could prevent it. Squall, it has nothing to do with us, or you, or your father...my father dragged me here to prevent the deaths of members."

"What'll happen if you merge with the other group?" Squall asked, trying to contain his rising anger. "What if they want to take over another group or get revenge on those who were threatening your father's organization in the first place? What about those lives?"

Rinoa choked on her tears. "I can try to stop it, Squall...I can try to...to..."

"To what?" Squall asked, his eyes searching hers. "Rinoa, no one is letting you have your voice in this right now...what makes you think that you'll have a voice when you're married?"

"No, don't say that," Rinoa cried she begged. "Not you, Squall! I don't need this from you! I just want to see you one more time, no yelling, no arguing...Just once more-"

"No, not once more," Squall gasped and pulled away from her. "This isn't the last time."

"Squall-"

"I won't let you throw your life away like this, Rinoa," Squall told her. Rinoa was crying and Squall grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her against him tightly. Her cries were muffled against his chest as her fingers clawed into him desperately. His hands gripped her so tight, it almost hurt her. Squall buried his face against her head. "I need you..." he gasped out. "Don't do this to me...Please."

"If I leave with you now, people will die and we'll be hunted..." Rinoa choked. "My father will never accept it and I can't ask you to throw your life away for me-"

"Rinoa," a voice said from the door. "Dinner is almost ready!" Rude said. It was a subtle warning that also meant that the lights were going to be on soon. Rinoa's eyes darted to the door and back at Squall.

The blue eyed young man looked back down at her and cupped her face. He gently brushed her hair back and looked into her eyes. "This isn't over..." he said. "I need to see you again."

"Squall, we can't-"

"I love you," Squall told her. "Do you understand me? I won't let you go." Rinoa closed her eyes and lowered her head.

"There's a fountain down in at the back of the garden...At eight tonight..."

"I'll be there," Squall said as he stood up. He headed to the window and sat down on the edge of the sill. He stopped and turned to look at Rinoa as she knelt down on the window bench behind him. "I love you...that will never change, no matter what happens."

Rinoa grasped his head and brought him towards her for one last fleeting kiss before he pulled back. "I love you, too..." She watched as Squall got back on the branch and quickly maneuvered his way down. Rinoa closed the windows and watched through the glass as Squall jumped the fence and disappeared in to the darkness. "I love you so much..." she whispered as she closed her eyes and placed her hand against the cold, wet glass. "That it hurts."

"You're awfully quiet tonight," Rinoa's hand tightened around her fork as Kadaj spoke across the table from her. "Is something on your mind?"

"No, I am fine." Rinoa replied curtly. She had refused to engage in a conversation with him. Instead, she answered only in a few yes or no sentences. Kadaj didn't seem to mind.

"So tomorrow you will be going out with my brother," Kadaj said, once again trying to make polite conversation. "Go easy on him, he's quite temperamental and impatient."

Rinoa merely nodded. Her eyes glanced up at the clock on the wall. She narrowed her eyes. She had five minutes until she was to meet Squall once more. Slowly, Rinoa put down her fork on her dessert plate.

"Kadaj, thank you for your presence tonight at dinner," Rinoa said. "But I am done for the night... I'm going to take a small walk before I go to bed."

"Tonight?" Kadaj asked with a raised eyebrow. "It's raining."

"The sound of the rain helps me clear my mind," Rinoa assured him. She stood up and put her napkin down. "Good night, Kadaj."

Rinoa walked out the door just as Yazoo was passing by. They exchanged acknowledging glances and Yazoo looked into the dining room. "She's going for a walk..." Kadaj said calmly. "In the rain."

Yazoo looked thoughtful. "I like the rain..."

Rinoa came down the stairs a few minutes later, now dressed back in her jeans and sweater. As she headed towards the back door, a hand clamped down on her shoulder and she jumped. "Where do you think you're going." Rinoa winced and turned around.

"I...er..." Rinoa stammered. "For a walk in the rain?" she asked weakly as she lifted up the umbrella she had brought with her.

Rude kept his frown on his face. He reached into his inner breast pocket and pulled out a small umbrella. "Let's go."

Rinoa mentally swore, but knew it was better for Rude than someone else to escort her. They opened the door and stepped out. It was still raining, but not as hard as earlier. They walked down a cement path and down some stairs to the lower parts of the garden. The house was on a hill. As they approached the fountain, which was placed beneath an ivy coiled wooden canopy, Rinoa stopped.

"Err...can I have a moment here? Alone?" Rinoa asked. Rude gave her a questioning look. "I... I want to think." Rude took a deep breath and mulled over the situation. He glanced towards the entrance to the secluded area. The fountain within was dedicated to her late mother. Slowly, Rude nodded.

Rinoa smiled thankfully at him and made sure he was out of hearing range before she walked into the area, past a wall of bushes. She closed her umbrella as soon as she was beneath the canopy.

"Rinoa." a voice said to her left.

The brunette whirled around, a wide smile on her face slowly leaving her face as a feminine looking man stepped out from the shadows.

"Yazoo..." Rinoa said, in slightly annoyed voice. "What are you doing here?"

A.N. - Okay, I've decided that since people want to see Cloud (in a FF8 story no less), he will be making an appearance. As with Tifa (because I like Tifa). And therefore, with Aeris, too, so no one is left out. I'll see what I can do about other characters. --;; Three more chapters...let's see who else I can fit in:)