Sweet Music
Chapter Thirteen: A Parent's Will
By PasifiKStaR

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

"Rinoa, what a pleasant surprise," Yazoo said. A sly smile crossed his lips as he turned around. He faced her and Rinoa mentally swore. "Are you out for a walk, too?"

Slowly, the brunette nodded. "Yeah...I thought I could take a small walk...just to clear my head."

"I understand," Yazoo agreed. He turned around and walked over to the edge of the circular fountain that was in the center of the secluded area. Rinoa frowned. He didn't look like he was going to leave any time soon. "You must have a lot on your mind right now."

'You have no idea...' Rinoa thought to herself. "I have enough to think about," Rinoa murmured. Her eyes darted around. Squall would be showing up any minute. "Well, it was nice talking to you. I should get going." 'Maybe I can find him before he gets here...'

"Wait a second, Rinoa, no need to run off," Yazoo said coolly. Rinoa had barely turned around and cringed. "We're going to be family now," Yazoo told her calmly. "If you need to talk to someone, I'm always willing to listen."

"That's very kind of you, Yazoo," Rinoa assured him. "But I really don't feel like talking."

"Oh, non-sense," he said, brushing off her excuse easily. He moved over and patted the cement seat next to him. "Have a seat. You didn't come all the way out here for nothing. You need to clear your mind. Besides, I would think that you would welcome this chance. I'm the only one of my brothers who hasn't asked you to marry him."

Rinoa frowned and turned around. She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Why was that?" Yazoo smiled brightly.

"I don't believe that you should be forced into something. I was just doing my part," Yazoo shrugged, as if it were so obvious. Rinoa's eyes widened. He looked up at her. "I know you don't want to get married."

"I have duties," Rinoa murmured. "I don't have a choice."

Yazoo let out a sigh and stood up. He approached Rinoa and put a hand on her shoulder. Immediately, the young woman stiffened. "You always have a choice..." Yazoo told her. "I admire you. To have the strength to put your duty ahead of yourself. No that many people would do that. Still...I honestly wish you weren't forced into the situation thought."

Rinoa lowered her eyes and nodded. "That makes two of us."

"My brothers, I'm afraid, don't suit you very well," the white haired man mused as he stepped back from her and casually walked back to the fountain. "Kadaj is quite demanding...but that's his strength. He'll make for a fine boss one day."

"And your other brother?"

Yazoo snorted. "Loz isn't going to win your hand. He's not capable of having a relationship with a woman. Kadaj is your best bet."

Rinoa's eyebrow furrowed and she took a step forward. "Why is that?" If she was going to marry Kadaj, she wanted as much information on him as possible.

Yazoo turned around and looked at her sadly. "Kadaj will do anything to get what he wants," the man answered. "He's determined and if you are good to him, he will be good to you. However..."

Rinoa took another step closer. "However what?"

Yazoo smirked and leaned forward. "The men in my family are snakes..." he said coolly. Rinoa's eyes began to dilate as she found herself being drawn into his eyes. "You never know..." his deep voice lulled as his lips grazed over hers. "When we're going to strike..."

Squall slipped through the far wall and slowly moved along the shrubs. He mentally thanked his father for putting him in a military school all those years ago, as the lessons in keeping hidden stayed with him. He quietly crept through the bushes, not making a single sound. He could see the top of the trellis that Reno had told him to look out for. The fountain, he said, was beneath it.

Not caring about his soaking wet clothes, Squall moved closer. He could hear the bubbling of the fountain over the sound of the rain. And voices... Squall narrowed his eyes as he moved closer to a hidden tree line behind the fountain area.

"However..." a deep, masculine voice said.

"However what?" Rinoa was already there. But who was that man with her? Squall slowly moved towards a break in the foliage around the brick lined area.

"...You never know..." Squall pulled back a branch and peered through. "When we're going to strike."

Thunder echoed as a flash of lightning illuminated the dimly lit area. Squall's eyes widened as his heart stopped in his chest.

Amused eyes looked directly at him as Rinoa's head was cupped gently in another man's hands. The silver haired man kissing the love of HIS life, seemed to be enjoying Squall's gaping, disbelieving stare. As Squall stood there, unable to move from the sheer shock of seeing another man kissing Rinoa, the couple in front of him moved.

Rinoa's body suddenly seemed to catch on and shoved him away violently. Her eyes widened as she stumbled back, frozen with shock. "Well," the silver haired man chuckled as he looked past Rinoa's shaking figure. "Looks like we have company."

Rinoa whirled around and gasped. Her pale face became more so as her brown eyes settled on Squall. "Squall!" she yelped in horror. Her eyes watered up as she darted forward. "Squall, it's not what you think!"

Her voice cut through his thoughts and the dark haired man narrowed his eyes into a deadly glare and disappeared through the trees. Silently, he turned around and began to head back to the fence. A rustling behind him along with the uneven panting signaled Rinoa making her way through the foliage. She stumbled out behind him and ran after his retreating figure.

He could hear her voice crying out for him as she grabbed on to his jacket. Squall stopped in his tracks and he could swear that her heart stopped. "Let me go."

"Squall, please, let me explain-"

"I have to go," he said sternly. "Before I get caught."

"Squall, please!" Rinoa pleaded. "Listen to me!"

"I told you that no matter what, I'll still love you," Squall said as his hand lifted and pried her cold, wet fingers off of his jacket. "That still stands."

"But I didn't mean, too...he wasn't supposed to be here! He showed up and we were talking...I don't know what happened!" Rinoa cried as rain poured down on them. Squall took a deep breath and took a step forward. "Squall, I love you!"

He paused in mid step and she watched has his shoulders heaved up in another deep breath. Rinoa silently prayed for him to stop and turn around and talk to her, but it didn't happen. Squall kept his gaze out into the darkness and kept his pack to her. "You can do whatever you want," he told her, sounding colder than he realized. "I'm hurt, but I can't help but still feel the same way. Besides...like you said, it wouldn't work out anyway."

Rinoa's eyes widened as she choked out a sob. "Squall!" The man continued to walk and disappeared into the rainy darkness. "Squall, wait!" Rinoa took a step after him, but her knees buckled and soon, she fell on to the muddy grass. Thick, wet stains of mud splashed up and coated her body as she looked up tearfully. "Squall!"

Her voice was drowned out by the thunder in the distance as rain fell around her.

The front door slammed and Quistis looked up from the table where she was sitting. She was surrounded by maps, documents, her laptop, and two phones. She narrowed her eyes and lifted up her glasses. "Squall, what's wrong?"

"She's not coming back," Squall spat out. Quistis frowned and looked at him questioningly. Squall took a deep breath. "Rinoa decided she has to stay and marry for the sake of her father's organization."

"What?" Quistis asked incredulously. "Impossible! Why would she-"

"Her father's empire is falling apart and if she doesn't get married and seal the agreement between her father and another organization that will increase their numbers, then they will be too weak and rival gangs will get together and take them down. It'll cause a gang war, Quistis." Squall spewed out.

Quistis' eyes widened. "But...what about you and Rinoa?"

Squall gave her a bitter smile and scoffed. "There is NO me and Rinoa. Not any more. She's right. It wouldn't work out. Her father would never accept it. She doesn't want to ruin MY life or put the lives of her father's people at stake."

"So, she's willing to give up her own life and her own happiness?" Quistis asked. Squall nodded.

"I have to learn to accept it. If this is what she wants, then I don't want to stand in her way." he told them.

Selphie, who was walking into the room from the kitchen with a mug of coffee in her hands, placed the mug in front of him. Squall gave her a brief nod and Selphie sat down. "She may want this Squall...but do you really think it's what she needs?"

"What she needs is to be allowed to make her own decisions," Squall frowned. "To do what she wants. And she wants THIS." he insisted as he took a drink from his cup.

"Who are you trying to convince, Squall?" Quistis asked. "Us or you?"

Squall narrowed his eyes and glared at them. "Whatever makes her happy, I will gladly accept." he stated. It sounded forced. Quistis and Selphie looked at each other and Selphie then looked at Squall.

"And where, in your conversations with her," Selphie said calmly. "Has she said that she was happy with this?"

"She's not feeling well," the brown haired woman confirmed as she sat on the edge of Rinoa's bed. Rinoa was laying limply in her pajamas, beneath a layer of blankets. Her eyes were opened, but blood shot, as they stared aimless up at the ceiling. "I'm afraid she's bed ridden for the rest of the day. Has she been eating?"

"Barely, Miss Gainsborough," Rude answered. "She barely touched her dinner last night and I know she only had a salad for lunch."

"Make sure she eats something," Aeris said. She stood up and began packing her things. She was a nurse and midwife that worked closely with the Caraway family. "Don't let her go on without any more meals. She's weak as it is."

"What do you think made her like this?" Tseng asked as he stood beside Rude and looked down at his cousin.

Aeris sighed and shook her head. "I don't know...but she is in shock. Despite the need for her to eat, I believe this is an emotional problem. Watch her closely, as it might lead to depression. Some people tend not to eat."

"Thank you for coming," Tseng nodded. "I'll see you out." Aeris nodded and followed the Turk outside.

Rude knelt down beside Rinoa's bed, so he was as close to eye level with her as possible. "Rin...Rin, you have to eat," Rinoa didn't reply. She continued to stare up at the ceiling. "Rinoa..."

"Rude," another voice said behind him. The big Turk stood up quickly and stiffened. General Caraway stood at Rinoa's door frame. "I'd like a moment with my daughter."

For a brief moment, Rude hesitated, but quickly recovered. He nodded and stepped aside. "I'll be outside, sir." Caraway nodded and stepped into the room. He stood by Rinoa's bed and waited until Rude closed the door behind him.

"Rinoa..." Caraway said in a low voice. "I've canceled your appointment with Loz today..." he trailed off. He looked down at his daughter. Rinoa still hadn't spoken and to his knowledge, she hadn't said a word since the night before. Rude had carried the soaking wet and sobbing woman into the house. Caraway took a deep breath and sat down by her beside.

"I've tried, Rinoa...I've tried to be a good father to you," Caraway said. "Especially after your mother passed on..." he added. "And I never meant to drag you into this. I was happy with you becoming a teacher. It's what your mother would've wanted for you - a life outside of organized crime. A life without blood on your hands. That's why I had Selphie and Zell sent over to be your body guards. That's why I hired the best and most trusted lawyer I could find for you. You probably don't believe me...

"I don't blame you. I wouldn't believe myself, either..." he chuckled sadly. He looked up at the ceiling as well. "If things were different. If we didn't need this merger so badly...I wouldn't have done this to you. But you know I have a duty to my people as well as to you. And this could save their lives, Rinoa. I cannot be selfish with you now. I'm sorry...

He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a small black box. "This was your mother's ring," he said as he opened it and placed it by her pillow. "In her will, she wanted to give it to you when you were married. So here it is..." He swallowed nervously. Rinoa still hadn't spoken and her death like silence was starting to unnerve him. "I'm sorry, Rinoa. I truly am."

He stood up and quickly turned around and headed out the door. As the door closed, Rinoa felt a warm drop slip from the corner of her eye.

Outside, General Caraway walked down the stairs and Tseng met him at the bottom. "Sir, there is someone here to see you."

"Where is he?"

"In your office, sir." Tseng said. Caraway nodded and sent the Turk away as he entered his study. He walked through the doors and closed it behind him. The sound of a door closing caused the man who was sitting on a chair to stand up and greet his host.

"General Caraway."

"Auron," Caraway said. He shook the other man's hand firmly. "To what do I owe the pleasure of the company of one of Centra's former crime lords."

"You know why," Auron stated gruffly. Caraway sat across from him. "Rinoa's engagement."

"What about it?"

"Why are you doing it?" Auron demanded. Caraway frowned and crossed his arms over his chest.

"I do not have to explain the dealings of my group to you, Auron-"

"I already know about the lost territory and the threat that is likely to happen if you do not merge with another group, Caraway," Auron frowned. "But you can't marry off your daughter."

"If you know all of that, you know that there is no other way!" Caraway frowned. "This merger needs to happen."

"What if I told you that there was an alternative?" Auron asked, his eyes narrowed. "Rinoa doesn't have to marry into Jenova. You know as well as I do that they will destroy her!"

"They will do no such thing," Caraway frowned. "They have signed a deal-"

"Don't be foolish!" Auron growled. "Are you forgetting that I made a deal with Jenova before! And look what happened-"

"Your organization falling apart was not because of a merger, it was because of your mismanagement-"

"They killed my sister!" Auron nearly yelled, slamming his palms on the oak table in front of Caraway. "SHE married Sephiroth. SHE gave birth to those boys. And then SHE 'disappeared'! I'm not stupid, Caraway, she was killed!"

"No..." Caraway insisted. "They are not going to kill Rinoa. They are your blood, Auron! How can you accuse them of the ability to do such a thing!"

"They are my blood, but they are also HIS," Auron seethed. "He raised my sister's boys to be killers. All they want is power and more power and they will not stand for you or Rinoa getting in their way. You will be consumed in their organization, just like MINE was."

"I refuse to believe it," Caraway said. "We made a deal-"

"And if Rinoa 'mysteriously disappears', then what?" Auron demanded. "Nothing is holding them from taking over Rinoa's share of the organization - YOUR share. And they will destroy it and those loyal to you."

"What other option do I have?" Caraway said behind gritted teeth.

Auron frowned and leaned forward and said one word. "Esthar."

Outside the window, Yazoo stood up from the bench he was sitting on and smirked. His father had told him to take a walk around the house after he heard his 'brother-in-law' walk in. 'It's a good thing I decided to sit here and take a breather...' Yazoo smirked as he walked away from General Caraway's office window.

Yazoo walked towards the back of the house and headed inside after the body guards gave him a once over. He walked up the stairs and down the hall to his father's bedroom. There, he knocked.

"Enter," a deep voice said. Yazoo opened the door and walked inside. Sephiroth was still laying in bed, reading a newspaper, shirtless. Loz and Kadaj was standing beside the bed. Three sets of eyes focused on him as Yazoo walked towards the bed. "What have you found out?"

"Auron is here and he is speaking to Caraway about a possible merger with one of Esthar's crime lords instead of us," Yazoo reported. He grinned slightly. "Apparently they find us...untrustworthy."

Sephiroth chuckled from his bed and put his newspaper down. "It looks like he's not a stupid as we originally thought," Sephiroth mused. He looked over at his sons. "Loz, you will not go out with Rinoa."

"Why not?" the biggest of the three asked.

"Because as of tomorrow morning, Kadaj will marry Caraway's spoiled brat and seal the merger. It'll be too late to back out once she signs the documents that promise her control of her father's organization after his untimely death," Sephiroth explained. "And then, we'll give her a few weeks...and take care of her. Make her nice and safe like your mother. Then everything will go as planned and the Caraway organization will be known as Jenova Galbadia."

"What if General Caraway changes his mind before then and goes along with Auron's plans?" Kadaj asked.

"We'll just have to speed up the wedding and make sure he doesn't have time to do that," Sephiroth answered coolly. He looked back at Yazoo. "Keep and eye out on the General. Make sure he doesn't give Auron's proposal a second thought."

"Yes, father," Yazoo said. He turned around and headed out the door and narrowed his eyes. He saw a brief shadow move from the crack between the door and the door frame. "Oh dear...it seems I've made a mistake."

"What's wrong, Yazoo?" Loz asked.

"I didn't close the door all the way," Yazoo said. He looked over at his brothers. "Will you two take care of that?"

Kadaj grinned as Loz cracked his knuckles. "With pleasure."

Rude looked up as Tseng approached him, a tense look on his face. Rude frowned. "What's wrong?"

"I need to talk to uncle," Tseng said in a low voice. "I don't trust those Jenova guys. I over heard them talking...and I don't like it. Stay here and don't let Rinoa out of your sight."

"I know-"

"Make sure she's safe," Tseng said. "I have a bad feeling that something is going to go wrong." Rude nodded and watched as Tseng headed to the stairs.

As Tseng reached the foyer at the bottom and turned into the hall, he let out a grunt as he ran into a muscular body. He looked up and saw Loz looking down at him. "Hello," Loz said with a grin. "Do you have a moment? I'd like to play."

"I'm kind of busy right now-" Tseng began, but Kadaj stopped him. Tseng took a deep breath and narrowed his eyes.

"Now, now...you're supposed to indulge your guests." Kadaj grinned. Tseng narrowed his eyes as Loz put his arm around his shoulder and lead him past his uncle's office.

Inside, General Caraway shook his head and frowned. "No," he said. "I refuse."

"Why?" Auron said. "He is much more honorable and trust worthy than Jenova."

"He is MY enemy," Caraway hissed. "He left this organization. He has no ties to us any more!"

"Loire's organization is the strongest one in the world," Auron said. "With connections to practically every major and minor crime family in Gaia. He would gladly help-"

"No!" Caraway shouted, too proud to submit. "I will not have him near Rinoa!"

"Rinoa is safer with him than with Sephiroth or his sons!" Auron argued. "Do not put your petty emotions against Loire in the way of your daughter's life, Caraway. You will regret it."

"The deal as been made," Caraway insisted. "If I back out now, I can expect a backlash from Jenova that will destroy us before anyone can even figure out what happens. And then THEY will the strongest organization. It's too risky."

"You are making a mistake you will regret." Auron said as he shook his head in disgust. Caraway glared at him.

"Is that a threat?"

Auron paused by the door as his hand clenched the door knob. He glanced over his shoulder and narrowed his eyes. "It's a promise."

The double doors were thrown open with ease as Auron swept out into the hall way. On instinct, men who were guarding the halls on both sides stepped out of his way as he headed towards the front door. The front door was open and two blond Turks had finally arrived. They stepped aside after a look of warning from Auron.

A moment later, General Caraway stormed out of his office and paused as he saw Rufus and Elena standing the foyer. "What are you two doing here? What about the bus? And why haven't you called to check in for the last few days?"

Rufus struggled to suppress his twitch. "Sir, the bus was over taken a few days ago," Rufus explained. "Squall and his comrades have escaped."

Caraway's eyes nearly bulged out. "WHY did you not inform us sooner?"

"We were tied up and gagged, sir," Rufus said before Elena had a chance to say something. "They took our phones and wallets."

"And Desperado's son?"

"When we found the bus, it was on the side of the road and empty, sir. They were long gone." Caraway was seething and Elena swallowed nervously.

"They could be anywhere..." he hissed. The General was gritting his teeth and Elena could've sworn a vein was popping out.

"I'm sorry, are we interrupting anything?" a casual voice said from the stairs. Caraway turned and saw Sephiroth walking down.

"No...everything is fine," Caraway said as he shot a glare at his niece and nephew. He leaned forward. "Get out of here and find out where they are," he hissed before looking back up at Sephiroth. "How can I help you this morning, Sephiroth?"

"The wedding," Sephiroth said with a smile. "My sons have decided. Kadaj will marry Rinoa."

"That's...excellent." Caraway stated. Sephiroth smiled more.

"I thought you would agree," he chuckled. "Which is why I would like to move up the wedding to tomorrow."

"Estharian band SCARS has put out an officially announcement that they will be canceling their tour until further notice. This happened after it was confirmed that SCARS drummer, Irvine Kinneas, was injured in a car accident along with fellow band mate, guitarist Seifer Almasy... "

Irvine sat on the couch and sighed. "Well...at least that's taken care of..."

"Irvy, I'm worried about Squall," Irvine looked up and saw Selphie walking downstairs. "He's sitting in the room, with the curtains down, playing his guitar..."

"Oh...that's normal," Irvine assured her. "He always does that when he's depressed."

"Seifer's watching him to make sure he doesn't do anything crazy." Selphie sighed. Quistis was behind them, talking on the phone with someone. She had been the one to order the 'accident' report to explain the missing three band members.

The doorbell rang and Selphie got up to get it. She opened the door and stepped aside as Quistis' Godfather walked in. Upon seeing him, Quistis froze. "I'll have to call you back." she said. She hung up the phone and walked into the living room.

Irvine tilted his head to the side. "Hey...aren't you that body guard?"

"Aren't you supposed to have been in an accident?" Auron snorted.

Quistis rolled her eyes. "Irvine, this is Auron. He's my Godfather. I asked him to play body guard to you guys so he could keep an eye on Seifer."

"On SEIFER?" Irvine and Selphie both piped. Quistis nodded.

"To be honest, I was afraid that he'd be mauled by fan girls, so I asked my Godfather to make sure he's okay," Quistis admitted with a slight blush. "But don't tell him or it'll go straight to his head."

"I tried to talk to him," Auron began. "But he's not listening. He's going to go through with it."

"Damn it..." Quistis frowned. "Men and their wretched pride...fine, on to plan B."

"What was plan A?" Irvine asked.

"To get Rinoa's dad to reconsider the merger with Squall's dad instead. The Loire group is probably the largest in the world. They do some small time stuff, but it's a lot of it. AND they have a lot of allies," Selphie said. "But I guess he still said no."

"So what's plan B?" Irvine asked, this time looking up at Quistis.

"Plan B is LEGAL," Quistis said. "Rinoa's mother had a living will and she had specific instructions for Rinoa in them. They were given to MY mother for safe keeping and when I graduated from law school, she gave them to me."

"What's so important about them?" Selphie asked.

"If Rinoa gets married to a person who is part of an organized crime group, she will be considered illegitimate and therefore, lose any inheritance she has from the Heartilly side."

"Yeah, but we're talking Caraway..."

"Caraway runs it, but it is the Heartilly money that keeps it running," Auron said. "If anything, Caraway is running the organization as a puppet to the Heartilly money. Rinoa is the rightful owner. She doesn't know it, but he knows that. It will only become his IF Rinoa gets married to a non-crime affiliate and denounces the organization and her 'inheritance'."

"Julia Heartilly wrote it to make sure that Rinoa would never be used as a pawn to be married off for the sake of the organization," Quistis explained. "A friend of hers..."

"My sister was married off...and Julia didn't want the same thing that happened to my sister to happen to her daughter." Auron finalized, pain lacing his voice.

"If Rinoa gets married to this Jenova guy," Selphie said. "That means that it'll be all for nothing because Rinoa won't have any ties to it whatsoever."

"AND the money belonging to the organization, which is funneled into an account baring Julia's name, will all be donated to CHARITY," Quistis grinned. "This has been signed by Julia's father-in-law; General Caraway's father and the late leader of the organization himself."

"That'll stop the wedding," Irvine beamed. "Perfect! So nothing will be theirs and it can be contested if they question it!"

"And even if they try to argue it, they've still got to face me," Quistis grinned. "And I've got connections from here to Trabia and back."

"They're not going to marry Rinoa with their son if they have nothing to gain from it," Auron agreed. "The problem is that we're grossly out numbered. We'll never get through during the wedding to try and stop this."

"He's right," Selphie frowned. "If Caraway sees me or Quistis or Squall, he'll send his guys on us so fast, we don't even get past the drive way."

"Don't forget that Sephiroth's men will also be there," Quistis mused. "What we need is an important looking guest...someone who can provide man power and bolster our claims."

"And cover us when Sephiroth and/or General Caraway loose it for crashing the wedding," Everyone looked up at the voice that had piped from the arm chair. They had forgotten Reno was there, in hand cuffs. "They won't be too happy when you come rushing in and destroying this merger."

He grinned and suddenly a small song came from the back pocket of his pants. His bright grin stayed on his face, but they could almost see the sweat rolling down his temples. "Is that...is that 'Thriller'?" Irvine asked with a smirk.

Quistis narrowed her eyes and strode across the room. With one arm, she shoved him to the side and reached into his back pocket, earning her a yelp. "Hey! Hey! Watch where you're touching!"

Quistis ignored him and narrowed her eyes as she looked at the phone. She flipped it open. "Hello?"

"Reno?" Rufus said.

"Who is this?" Quistis demanded.

"Oh, damn it! You're that blond girl with the glasses, aren't you?" Rufus exclaimed. "Listen, let me talk to Reno!"

"And why should I?" Quistis asked.

"Because Tseng is missing and Rude thinks that Rinoa's in danger."

Quistis raised an eyebrow and looked at the faces in the room. "Why do you think Rinoa is in danger?"

She heard a heavy sigh come from the other side. "Sephiroth has asked Caraway to move up the wedding to tomorrow. They've already started the planning. We're a bit suspicious as of right now. Rinoa isn't talking or eating. Tseng is missing, and those three bastard sons of Sephiroth's have been wandering around like they own the place. Something doesn't add up and we need to know where Reno is."

"Reno is with us."

"I got that," Rufus grumbled. "Fine, if we'll come to you. No other people, just me and Elena."

"Why should we trust you?"

"Because things have changed," Elena shouted. She wrestled the phone from Rufus and held it to her ear. "My cousin could be killed. It's not the same deal any more and I want no part of the death of a family member."

Quistis thought for a moment. "I'll send someone to pick you up on the gate on the far east side of the park." She snapped the phone closed and tossed it to Reno. "Congratulations, you're on our side now."

"WHAT?" Selphie gasped.

"Elena and Rufus are coming," Quistis said as she walked back to the table and picked up her phone. She quickly dialed a number. "Vincent? I need you to pick someone up..."

"This is insane," Irvine said. "Aren't they the enemy? I mean...they kidnapped us?"

"In this world, boy, nothing is ever what they seem," Auron frowned. "People who look like enemies can help you and people who want to help you are most likely enemies."

"We're taking a big risk bringing them here." Selphie added.

"Let Quistis do what she wants," another voice said. All eyes turned to the stairs where Seifer was walking. He frowned. "She knows what she's doing."

"Quistis has been running the Garden since she graduated college," Auron said, proud of his Goddaughter's achievements. "Her parents have long since retired. It's been a closely guarded secret or the Garden."

"All this time...all that law firm stuff?" Selphie asked.

"Oh, I work at a law firm," Quistis said as Seifer passed her and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. "I also own it..." She held a phone up to her ear. "Hello? Yes, this is Quistis Kramer. Yes, of THOSE Kramers..." she sighed. "I need to speak to your leader."

"Who is she calling?" Reno asked. Irvine shrugged.

"Hello, sir?" Quistis said. Squall walked down the stairs, looking ragged and with a deep set frown across his face. "Do you remember me? I'm Quistis, we met at Squall's apartment?"

Squall frowned as he stopped on his way to the kitchen and stared at her. Quistis was talking on the cordless house phone. He could hear a male voice gasp. "Quistis, did you hear what happened to their tour bus?" Squall paled.

"Sir, he's fine. He's with us right now," Quistis said. Her back was to Squall and she didn't see him stalking towards the phone's changer. "I need to ask you for a favor - Sir?" Quistis looked at the phone with confusion. "That's weird, it just cut off..." She turned around and gasped as she came face to face with a furious scowling face.

"You are NOT calling MY FATHER."

When Vincent opened the door to Quistis' house, he was instantly bombarded with Quistis' voice, yelling. He frowned as he let in Yuffie, Elena, and Rufus into the house.

"I don't think you grasp the subject here, Squall!" Quistis said. "Rinoa is in trouble!"

"What will bringing another crime leader do to aid this situation?" Squall spat out. "It'll only cause more trouble!"

"We lack the numbers to get in there and help, Rinoa," Quistis said. "She doesn't have to go through with this, Squall! She will loose everything if she does!"

"How so?"

"When they find out that Rinoa has no rights to any of the money, property, or power that is under the Caraway organization, do you think they will just divorce her?" Quistis asked, angrily. "They will be furious and think they were being tricked. They will KILL her for retribution, Squall."

"If Rinoa is married, the Caraway organization is powerless protect her and too weak fight back if they do something to her," Auron explained. "And regardless of the outcome, many people will die."

"How do you even known that her mother's will is going to stand up against some of the most powerful mob leaders in the world?" Squall frowned. "They can make anything happen-"

"Which is WHY we need your father to back us up," Quistis insisted. "His power and influence backing us up will provide us with the leverage we need to get them to back off."

"What about your family?" Squall frowned. "The Garden is one of the most powerful in Gaia, why not them?"

Quistis took a deep breath. "Jenova is more powerful than the Garden," Quistis admitted. "We need a higher, more powerful authority to back us up. The only group stronger than Jenova is your father's group. He has numerous allies. Al Bhed in the desert...Avalanche in the west. If you count all of his allies, he has the biggest group because of it. His own group isn't that big, but when you count all those loyal to him... you have a large number."

"You really have no say in this, Squall," Seifer said as he stood behind Quistis with his arms crossed. "Everyone here is willing to ignore you to save Rinoa's life and, at any rate, you're looking like a whiny baby who is pouting because his daddy has to save him."

"This isn't about you, Squall," Quistis added. "It's about Rinoa. She's like a sister to me and Selphie and Zell. She's the Turks' cousin. If her life is in danger, then we'll tie you up like we did Reno and throw you in the basement while we call your father for aid."

"Either you help, Puberty Boy, or the basement. Your choice." Seifer told him.

Squall took a deep breath. "You don't even known if she'll go along with it," Squall said. He looked up at them from where he was sitting. "You didn't see her that night. She is determined to do this because she believes she'll be saving lives."

"She's just a pawn, Squall," Quistis said. "You know that. We all do. People are going to die if we don't stop this. You have to trust me on this Squall."

"Why the hell should I trust anyone on this?" Squall exploded as he shot up from his seat. "Ever since this whole organized crime thing came up, nothing has been going right! No matter how hard Rinoa and I have tried to separate ourselves from it, it just keeps coming back and messing everything up! And now you're saying that only way to save her is to get MORE crime lords involved?"

"Do not take that tone with me, Squall!" Quistis growled. She snapped her fingers and Vincent grabbed Squall's shoulders and forced him back on the chair. "You listen to me! Your blood, your family, and it's past are a part of you whether you like it or not. And the harder you try to get away from it, the harder it'll fight back. Both you AND Rinoa have absolutely NO idea what the hell is going on in underground right now! If you two did, you would realize that Rinoa doesn't have to do this. You would realize that there are other ways to make deals. If Rinoa had stayed and became a TRUE heir to her father's organization - to HER organization, MAYBE, just MAYBE, she wouldn't be in this mess! But because you two never accepted what you are and ran away from it instead, you're at a big disadvantage now that it's come back to haunt you! Stop your cowardice, stop your ignorance. Stop being a Hyne damned baby about it and accept what you are and deal with it accordingly!" Quistis screamed.

Everyone was silent as they stared at the furious blond. Quistis' face was red and flushing and Seifer came up behind her and put his arms around her. He gently turned her away, whispering something in her ear. She nodded and grabbed her phone before storming into the kitchen. Seifer turned to Squall and glared.

"Do you know why Quistis knows so much about all of this? Do you know why Quistis is happy and doesn't need to run from anyone?" Seifer hissed. "Because even though she didn't like her family's occupation, she took it upon herself to learn everything she could and protect the people that were a part of it. It's not all bad. Quistis has a lot of honor and pride. She'd never let her people get hurt or be used. She didn't run from it like you two did. So stop being a coward."

With that, Seifer turned away and went after Quistis. Squall sat there quietly. He'd never seen Quistis loose her temper like that before. He looked down. "What if she doesn't listen?"

"Then we'll have to make her listen," a voice said behind him. Rufus walked over and knelt down in front of him. "Rinoa...is very depressed right now. We're very worried about her. If she stays like this, they'll destroy her."

"What do you except me do to?" Squall scoffed. "Because you're here, they know I'm not trapped on some bus any more. They're probably going to beef up security."

"They already have," Elena mumbled. "But we can get you in."

"You should talk to her," Auron said. "Prepare her for tomorrow. She's going to get in the way if she's in this zombie like state they're talking about. Who knows what will happen if she's not thinking straight."

Squall shook his head. "She's stubborn and her mind is set." he stated.

"Then you better change it," Quistis said. She emerged from the kitchen and tossed her phone on the table. "Fujin called. The wedding has been pushed up to tomorrow at noon."

"What are you going to do, Squall?" Irvine asked.

The blue eyed guitarist stared down at the table. Quietly, he reached for the phone and began to dial a particular number. Silently he lifted it up to his ear. "Ellone?" he said quietly. "Let me talk to dad."

A.N. - Okay, so now we found a loop hole and we've learned that running away never solves anything and typically makes things worse. Now you know! (And knowing is half the battle.) Thanks to everyone who offered to translate. I finally hunted down someone to do it. Thank you for offering! So...what will happen next? I think it might just be one more chapter instead of two, but we'll see. Will they crash the wedding? Will Rinoa get married? Will Cloud and Tifa ever appear?