Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VIII...

Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews, guys!

Midnight Song

Chapter One

"I see the parts but not the whole
I study saints and scholars both
No perfect plan unfurls
Do I trust my heart or just my mind
Why is truth so hard to find in this world..."

-"Stare At the Sun" Thrice

"MISS Rinoa? Miss Rinoa, please wake up. Your father wants to see you."

Rinoa Heartilly groaned and reluctantly opened her eyes. Rolling onto her back, she was faced with the sight of Nancy, the maid. Right now, she was scowling down at Rinoa and looking altogether unhappy.

"Did I oversleep?" Rinoa asked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

Nancy nodded. "You'd best be getting up. As I said, your father wants to see you. He's waiting in his study."

Rinoa frowned. "Any idea what he wants to see me about?"

"No, the General doesn't tell me anything," Nancy said, still wearing that scowl. "I'll leave you to get dressed, but I would hurry if I were you. You know how your father hates to be kept waiting."

The second the door closed, Rinoa rolled her eyes. Nancy meant well, but she could sure be a grump sometimes. Still, she had been with the family since Rinoa was born; almost eighteen years now. She had had to put up with a lot from both Rinoa and her father over the years, and Rinoa really did appreciate all that she did. Besides, ever since her mother had died, the closest matronly figure in Rinoa's life was Nancy. After all that Nancy had done for her, Rinoa could put up with a little grumpiness.

With a sigh, Rinoa climbed out of bed and grabbed the dress that Nancy had laid out for her the night before. It was a simple number, made of a deep brown fabric that matched her eyes. Still, she abhorred the fact that her father still made her play the part of "the General's elegant daughter." It seemed like she couldn't even be comfortable in her own home anymore. At least she didn't have to get dressed up during her tutoring sessions. Rinoa still didn't know how Clarissa had been able to convince the General to allow her to dress casually during her lessons, but she had. Knowing Clarissa, she had probably fed him something about women needing to be comfortable while studying.

Smiling briefly at that thought, Rinoa quickly finished getting dressed and freshening up. As she exited her bedroom and made her way downstairs, she once again wondered why her father wanted to see her. Had she done anything improper lately? She mentally went through a list of everything she had done in the past week and could not think of a single thing she could have done to offend him. Well, unless he had found out about Seifer. Rinoa froze as that thought entered her mind. How could he have found out, though? They had been extremely careful to hide their relationship, and hardly made any public appearances together. In fact, the majority of their conversations transpired through letters exchanged between the two of them, by secret means, of course. When Clarissa had found out about Rinoa's feelings for Seifer, she had immediately offered to act as a go-between and personally delivered Seifer's letters to Rinoa during their tutoring sessions. Rinoa knew that Clarissa would never tell the General about her and Seifer, so if he did in fact know, he had had to obtain the information through other means.

With that thought in mind, Rinoa took a deep breath and stepped into her father's study. General Fury Caraway looked up from behind his desk as Rinoa entered the room. "You're late," he commented stiffly. "I asked Nancy to call you a good twenty minutes ago."

Rinoa shrugged. "I had to get dressed."

"Very well," Caraway replied reluctantly. "Have a seat."

Have a seat? Rinoa thought to herself. I live here, too! Biting back a retort, Rinoa seated herself in a chair by the desk. "So what's so important that I had to be summoned here?"

"Rinoa, I am afraid that I have some...unsettling news."

The raven haired beauty looked up sharply at the tone in his voice, a sense of foreboding washing over her. The last time she had heard a tone of voice even remotely related to the one he had just used was on the morning she had found out that her mother had been killed in a car accident. She had barely been five then, but even at that young age she knew what that tone meant.

"What is it?" she whispered, afraid to hear what the answer would be.

"It's Clarissa," he said slowly. "She was...attacked last night. They found her bleeding to death in an alley."

Rinoa stared at him numbly. "I-is she...?"

"No," Caraway said, "She is still alive, though she is in critical condition. They're keeping her at the Deling City Hospital."

"I have to go see her," Rinoa said, shooting up from her chair.

Caraway shook his head. "You're not going anywhere, Rinoa. There's a killer running around somewhere out there. I won't have you exposed to that."

"Father, please! I highly doubt anyone is going to attack me in broad daylight. For God's sake, you can even send the guards with me."

"Alright," Caraway finally gave in, sighing. "You may go, but don't be gone long. I want you back by lunchtime."

Rinoa rolled her eyes. "I'm not a child."

"Because your feelings are in a fragile state right now, I will refrain from commenting. You may go now. In the meantime, I will look into finding you a new tutor."

Rinoa's jaw dropped at that statement. "A new tutor?" she repeated. "You can't be serious."

"Your lessons cannot be neglected, Rinoa. You know how the public scrutinizes me. What do you think they would say if I neglected your education?"

"Clarissa was just attacked! I'm sure the public will understand why I don't have a tutor for the time being."

"They would not understand! They would do everything in their power to make me look like a fool!"

Rinoa clenched her fists in anger. "I can't believe you! Do you even care that Clarissa could have died last night? Hell, she could be dying right now! All you care about, all you have ever cared about is yourself. I don't know why I thought it would be any different this time."

"Rinoa, if you opened your eyes, you would see that I am only doing this for your own good."

"My own good?" Rinoa laughed bitterly. "I can't even bear to listen to this anymore. You know what, Father? You can stay here and make whatever plans you want. I'm going to visit my friend."

"Don't forget to take the guards with you," Caraway replied calmly.

His only response was the slamming of the study door. Caraway rubbed his forehead wearily and sighed. Rinoa always insisted on being difficult, no matter the issue. She held so much anger towards him that he doubted she would ever be able to look upon him in a favorable light. However, that attack last night had been no random deed, and despite what Rinoa believed, he only wanted to keep her safe. With a sudden thought, he picked up the phone and quickly punched in a number.

"Hello, Cid? This is General Caraway. I have a favor to ask of you..."

THOUGH it was still early, the Deling City Hospital was bursting with activity. The second Rinoa had stepped through the doors, she felt like she had entered a war zone. Cries could be heard from multiple unhappy children, their parents unsuccessfully trying to hush them. Nurses were hustling back and forth, issuing orders and collecting patients. The waiting area was packed, and it took Rinoa several minutes to make her way to the front desk.

"Can I help you?" the woman behind the desk asked, sounding anything but friendly.

"Um, my friend was brought here last night," Rinoa said hesitantly. "Clarissa Sheridan? I was just wondering if it would be possible to see her."

The woman shrugged. "Hell if I know. You see all those people out there?" She gestured toward the crowded waiting area. "Multiply that by a hundred and you'll get the number of people that come in here each day. You think I remember their names?"

"No, but maybe you could look it up on the computer-"

"Did you hear what I just said to you?" the woman snapped. "I don't know who your friend is, so you'd best be getting on your way."

"Excuse me, but do you know who you're talking to?" Rinoa looked up to see Greg, one of her father's guards, coming to her aid. "That's General Caraway's daughter and I doubt he'd be too pleased to know that you refused to help her."

The woman's eyes widened as what Greg had just said dawned on her. "I-I'm sorry. I had no idea" She turned to Rinoa. "What did you say your friend's name was?"

"Clarissa Sheridan," Rinoa said quietly, feeling extremely embarrassed. She could feel multiple pairs of eyes on her, which only caused her to blush even harder. Damn guards.

"She's in room 212," the woman informed her after consulting the computer in front of her. "Her condition is listed as critical, which usually means no visitors. However, I'm willing to make an exception."

I'll bet you are, Rinoa thought to herself amusedly. "Thank you," was all she said before turning away from the desk and confronting Greg. "I thought I told you and Damien to wait outside."

Greg shrugged. "I was bored. Just be thankful that I didn't drag Damien in here with me."

"I could have handled it myself, you know."

"Oh, sure," Greg said, his green eyes twinkling with amusement. "You seemed to be doing a great job of that when I arrived."

Rinoa rolled her eyes. "I don't have time for your witty comments right now. I'm going to see Clarissa. I really don't care what you and Damien do while I'm gone, as long as you stay out of trouble."

Greg chuckled. "I wonder what your father would say if he knew how you ordered me about."

"Honestly, Greg, if you didn't want to help me, you wouldn't. Now go," she said, pushing him towards the door.

Greg shot her a grin, but did as he was told. With a sigh of relief, Rinoa turned around and headed down the hall containing Clarissa's room. She was almost hesitant to go in for fear of what she would see. Still, she knew she had to see her friend. The door to room 212 was closed, so Rinoa knocked upon it lightly. A minute later, she was staring at the distraught face of Zell, Clarissa's husband.

"Rinoa!" he exclaimed in surprise. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"I'm sorry. I just kind of rushed over here as soon as I heard what happened. I can go if you want me to."

Zell shook his head. "Truth be told, I could use a friend right now. Come on in."

Rinoa walked into the room and was met with the sight of a deathly pale Clarissa. She was laying in the hospital bed, hooked up to several wires and tubes. Her right shoulder was wrapped up in a bandage, causing Rinoa to assume that was where she had been shot. Poor Clarissa, she thought sadly.

"How is she doing?"

Zell looked up at the break in silence. "The doctors don't know yet. They said that the next twenty-four hours are crucial. After that, they'll be able to assess the damage better."

Rinoa's heart broke at the sadness in Zell's voice. He seemed to be fighting back tears. She wished that there was something she could do for him. Although Clarissa and Zell were married, they were still in their early twenties. Because of their closeness in age, Rinoa had been able to form fast friendships with the both of them. In fact, it was Rinoa herself who had played the role of matchmaker between the two of them.

"You know Clarissa, Zell. She's a fighter. She's going to make it through this," Rinoa told him, surprised at how certain she sounded.

"You're right," Zell said, nodding vigorously. "It just really pisses me off, you know? When I find out who did this to her..."

"If you don't mind me asking, what happened? Everything seemed fine last night."

"I don't know what happened. A man found her bleeding in an alley and called the police. They're investigating the attack, but they haven't told me anything yet."

"Do they think it could have been a robbery?"

Zell shook his head. "As far as I know, they didn't take anything from her. I don't know what kind of sick person goes around shooting innocent women, but the second they find this guy, he is going to pay."

Rinoa sighed. "I just wish she had listened to me."

"Listened to you?" Zell repeated.

"Yes. I told her not to go out in that weather last night. Even my father told her to spend the night, but she insisted on going home."

Zell's gaze fell to his unconscious wife. "Why didn't you listen?" he whispered.

Rinoa reached out and patted his shoulder comfortingly. "If it's any consolation, I think that the reason she was so set on going home was to be with you. She didn't want you to worry about her."

Zell found that he couldn't speak. A huge lump had formed in his throat and he knew that if he opened his mouth, the tears he was trying to hold back would fall. Realizing this, Rinoa gave Zell a reassuring hug.

"I'll leave you two alone now. If you need anything, just let me know."

All Zell could manage was a nod before he turned back to his wife, finally letting the tears fall.

BACK at the Caraway Mansion, the General was still sitting behind his desk, his attention now occupied by a hefty stack of papers sitting in front of him. It looked like the Galbadian army was low on funding again. Well, too bad for them, Caraway thought coldly. The Galbadian army was the least of his problems right now. With the attempt on Clarissa's life the previous night, the General couldn't help but feel that Rinoa, too, was in danger. The attack had simply hit too close to home for his comfort. That was why he had had to take immediate action in finding his daughter a suitable replacement for Clarissa.

As if on cue, a shadow fell across the doorway, causing Caraway to look up. Before him stood a man who couldn't have been much older than twenty, with messy brown hair and gray-blue eyes. Caraway gave him the once over before frowning in disapproval.

"You're who Cid sent me?" he asked in disbelief.

The man simply nodded, staring back at the General coldly. "It wasn't my decision to come here."

"How old are you, boy?" Caraway asked, completely ignoring the man's comment.

"Just turned twenty-one," he replied, again with that cold, detached voice.

Caraway rubbed his forehead wearily. "And your name?"

"Squall Leonhart."

"Well, Leonhart, I'll give you credit for speed, seeing as you got here remarkably fast, but I must admit that you're not exactly what I had in mind. You're not much older than my daughter."

"With all due respect, Sir, I don't see what age has to do with anything. I was under the impression that you were looking for a tutor for your daughter."

The General nodded. "That is correct. Would I also be correct in assuming that you believe you are just the man for the job?"

Squall shrugged. "Cid wouldn't have sent me here if he didn't believe I was right for the job."

"I can't argue with you there. Cid has proved to have a sixth sense when it comes to these things." He paused, as if considering his options. "Very well, then. I won't question your tutoring skills. However, what Cid failed to tell you is that you will not only be serving as my daughter's tutor, but also as her personal bodyguard. The pay would be well in your favor, but...skill is required, of course."

Squall shrugged again, expecting that the General thought that prospect would turn him away. "That won't be a problem."

As Squall had predicted, the General's face betrayed his surprise. "Are you saying that you have experience in combat?"

"I would say so," Squall said dryly, "Considering that I'm a Class A SeeD."

This time, the General could not stop his jaw from dropping. "Class A?" He took a minute to compose himself. "What's your specialty?"

Squall suddenly pulled out a massive sword with a lion carved into its blade. His hand grasped the handle and Caraway could practically feel the power and strength that he held as the blade swiped through the air. "Gunblades," he said simply.

"Well, perhaps I underestimated you, Leonhart. Alright then, you are officially hired. Before you begin, I have to lay down a few ground rules. First of all, under no circumstances is my daughter to find out that you are anything but her new tutor."

Squall raised an eyebrow. "You don't want her to find out that I'm her bodyguard."

"Precisely. Rinoa already despises the regular guards that I have stationed around the premises. She has the foolish notion in her head that she can take care of herself, but she is naive in the ways of the world. By now I'm sure that you have heard that her previous tutor was brutally attacked. I do not want the same thing to happen to my daughter, which is why I am expecting you to keep her safe at all times that she is under your care."

Squall nodded. "That won't be a problem."

"Good. There is just one more thing, then. I love my daughter. She is all that I have left of her mother. Now, if I find out that you touch her or hurt her in any way, I will kill you. Understood?"

Squall eyes narrowed at the General's threat, along with the chilling coldness in his voice. He had no doubt that the General's threat was a serious one. "Understood."

"Excellent. I'm glad that we understand each other." The click of the front door could be heard, followed by footsteps down the hallway. "Rinoa?" Caraway called. "Please come into my office."

Squall turned around and was met with the sight of a pretty girl with dark black hair and deep brown eyes. However, those eyes seemed to be filled with a deep anger at the moment, and as such, were aimed directly at her father. In fact, she didn't seem to notice Squall at all.

"How is Clarissa doing?" the General asked calmly.

"She's still in critical condition," Rinoa said quietly. "The doctors won't know anything for sure until tomorrow morning."

Caraway nodded. "I hope you expressed my utmost sympathy to her husband."

"Sorry, Father, but that would be lying, and I was brought up to never lie."

Caraway's eyes flashed in anger. "How dare you talk back to me!"

"How dare you pretend to care about Clarissa when the only person you care about is yourself!" Rinoa shot back.

"Enough! I refuse to have you treat me with so little respect!" He stood up and took a deep breath. "I called you in here to introduce you to your new tutor, Mr. Leonhart."

Rinoa turned around and finally noticed that she and her father were not alone in the room. Although she couldn't deny the fact that the man standing in front of her was extremely attractive, she was still feeling so angry that she couldn't bring herself to be polite. All she could do was stand there with her arms folded, glaring at the man in front of her.

Caraway cleared his throat. "Leonhart, this is my daughter, Rinoa."

Squall nodded and stuck out his hand, which Rinoa hesitantly shook. Neither one of them said a word, making for quite an awkward silence.

"Well, then," Caraway finally said, "I'll have Nancy prepare lunch. In the meantime, you can start your first lesson."

Before either one of them could argue, the General was out of the room, the door closing behind him with a click.