Chapter 2

Tifa stared intently at the face in front of her. Lips, hair, eyes, clothes. All were the picture of perfection, at least, that's what Annri kept assuring her. However, to Tifa, her lips were too plump, almost to the point of being fat, she was sure. Her hair seemed too straight, too dark, too ordinary. She glared enviously at Annri's curly, bouncy, and very blond hair. Some girls just had all the luck... Turning back to the mirror she began fuss at her garments now. Today's dress, or robe rather, was made of pure black silk with silver edging. A red silk vine design that ran through the black on the left side matched perfectly with the sash that pulled it all together.

Even though this was her favorite garment and she was usually quite sure that it brought out all her best features, Tifa just didn't think it was good enough, at least not for today. But, as Annri had already pointed out a full thirty minutes before, this was the only gown left out of the numerous others Tifa had already rejected. Sighing heavily, Tifa returned to the vanity so that Annri could finish her hair.

"My, if you aren't making quite a fuss over your appearance today, Mistress Tifa. You've been fawning over yourself for a whole three hours already! You do know that the wedding isn't for three more days yet?" Tifa's pretty face bunched itself up into something of a scowl. "Of course I know that," she snapped as she watched her maid place the last few red and silver pins in her black hair. "But today is special. Today... Today, Annri, Sir Squall Leonhart is going to be returning to Zanarkand. So, I should like to look my best, if that's at all possible." Standing up, she smoothed her silken robes. "That is, if it's okay with YOU, of course." Rolling her eyes, Tifa didn't wait for a reply as she swept out of the bedroom and into her living room. "Oh, Lady Tifa! Are you certain?" Annri asked as she rushed to help her mistress with her shoes. "That would be a most wonderful surprise. I'm sure Lady Ellone will be very pleased to hear such wonderful news."

Tifa bit her lip and looked away slightly. Ellone. She'd forgotten all about her... Of course Ellone would be happy to hear about her little brother's return, but she probably wouldn't be happy to know what Tifa was scheming. If there was one thing Tifa was sure of, it was Ellone's sense of propriety. There was no way she'd ever understand or forgive Tifa for standing up her fiancé, especially when her fiancé was a maester...

"Tifa? Mistress Tifa?" With a start, Tifa realized that Annri had been speaking "I'm sorry, Annri. What did you say?" "Should I have a room prepared for Master Leonhart?" the blond repeated. "No, no, Annri. I'm sure Lady Ellone will want him to stay with her while he's here." The younger girl simply nodded and she finished helping Tifa into her slippers. "Of course, Mistress."

Tifa turned and walked quickly toward the door that lead out of her apartments. She took a deep breath as Annri rushed to open the door for her. Today would most likely reveal her destiny, she knew. And she hoped that it would be most agreeable.

The house that loomed before Squall and Quistis was most impressive. In all actuality, it wasn't a "house" at all, but a mansion, and it belonged one Squall Leonhart VII. Yes, it belonged to Squall, yet he stood before the tall oak double doors with his hand poised to knock. It was absurd, really to knock on the door of your own home. It wasn't something he'd Squall had actually ever thought about until just then, but it was absurd and peculiar all the same. At that moment, another thought occurred to Squall Leonhart. No one knew he was here. In his haste to catch the last train to Zanarkand from Galbadia, he'd neglected to call ahead and tell Ellone he was even coming. And now, there they were, at seven in the morning, with a hand poised to knock on his own damned door.

But before he could actually knock, Quistis, who had been standing behind him for the last five minutes watching him stare down the wood door, took matters into her own hands. "Oh, for Christ's sake, Squall!" she muttered as she pushed past the brown haired man and rapped curtly upon the door. Almost instantly the door was answered by a very old and very stuffy looking gentleman who looked to be a butler of sorts. "There, see? You don't have to open the damned thing with your mind..." "May I help you?" the older gentleman asked, looking them both up and down. "You should know that we're not currently looking to hire any... "help"..." Instead of answering directly, Squall simply lifted his necklace from under his jacket, giving the man a good look at the medallion bearing the Leonhart family crest.

"Oh, my! Master Leonhart!" The old butler, obviously flustered at not knowing his own benefactor at a glance, quickly stepped aside. "My apologies, my lord!" he said, quickly ushering them both into the grand foyer, "It's just been so long. I hardly recognized you!" Behind Squall, Quistis scoffed, "'Hardly'? How about not at all..." but Squall ignored her. Instead he turned to the prostrating butler, fixing him with a cold stare. "Save it for someone who cares. I'm not interested in excuses. I only wish to see my sister." "Yes, yes, of course, Master." The man agreed, bowing profusely, "And I shall have your rooms readied immediately." Squall tried to stop the man from preparing rooms, but before he could even open his mouth, the servant was gone. In a moment, two maids had sprung up in the old butler's place to take Squall and Quistis' coats as well as their luggage.

"Well now, this is what I call service. I had no idea you came from so much money, Squall. Why on earth would you ever leave all this to live like a pauper in Balamb?" Squall shook his head and said nothing. Presently he and Quistis were lead into a magnificent dining room where a breakfast unlike any other was waiting for them. "Oh, my gods! Look at all this food!" Without a moment to lose Quistis grabbed two plates and loaded them with as much food as she should fit and more. Squall said nothing. Walking over to one of the dining room windows he looked out over the courtyard, the stables, the garden... This was his estate. This was his inheritance. Immediately the memories of his time spent here with Cloud, Tifa and their friends all returned and once again Squall was reminded of how much he hated it all.

"So, it's true. The Prodigal Son has returned at last." Turning quickly Squall faced the woman who stood in front of him. She laughed lightly as she moved his hair from his face for a better look. "Ah, Squall. Has it been so long? Has your heart completely turned to stone?" She smiled at him and he remembered to breath. "Hello. Ellone." Yes, it was still Ellone. She was the same person she'd been when he'd left her, and yes she seemed... "Older." Ellone quirked an eyebrow. "I'm sorry?" Blushing slightly, Squall averted his eyes before he continued. "You look... Older. Older than I'd remembered." Ellone paused for a moment and then, she laughed. It was a deep, rich sound that seemed to fill the whole room. "Well, of course, silly. It's been four years. What did you expect?" And with that, she flung herself into Squall's arms and squeezed him as though she was afraid he'd fly away.

Quistis, who had been steadily eating, watched the exchange with avid interest. So this was Squall's older half sister? She could definitely see the family resemblance. Same light brown hair. Same handsome good looks. Same pale, almost translucent skin... Yes, they were definitely two peas in a pod. The only difference Quistis could see were in the eyes. Squall's eyes were a deep cobalt blue. Ellone's were brown with flecks of gold.

"I'm so glad you came back. I've missed you terribly, you know." Ellone murmured, pulling back. As Squall looked down at her, he felt his heart wrench. As he watched Ellone trying uselessly to stop the tears that now flowed freely, he was struck by a sudden realization. Ellone..." Glancing up slowly, Ellone tried her best to keep her voice steady. "Yes, Squall? What's the matter?"Looking up slowly, Squall finally met her gaze with eyes filled with pain. "Ellone... You look just like Mom..."

AN: Well, this chapter got finished alot sooner than I'd anticipated. I guess that's just more to love sooner, eh? Oh, and just for fun (and because I'm a geek?) if anyone can guess what video game (non-FF related) I got the name for Annri from, you'll have my undying love. Hm... Oh yes, I almost forgot. Just incase anyone was confused, I've set it up so that these stories run exactly parallel. In other words, if it's 7 a.m. for Squall, it's 7 a.m. for Tifa too.

But, I guess that's about it for me. See you in the next chapter!

Blazing-Soul