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

Author's Note: Wow, 500 plus hits? It's really amazing to think that so many of you are reading this. I have to admit, though, that with those many hits, it's kind of disheartening to only get two or three reviews per chapter. I'm not going to threaten to stop writing this unless I get more reviews because regardless of the number of reviews I receive, I am having way too much fun writing this to stop. All I'm saying is that I would really appreciate hearing feedback from more of you, even if it's just a few words. Hearing from you guys helps me to become a better writer and know what areas to improve upon, and without reviews, I really have no idea about what you guys really think about my story. Sure, I've had 500 hits, but are those hits from people who enjoy the story, or click it once and hate it? Anyway, sorry for going on about that, but like I said, I'd really, really love it if I hear from more of you. Thank you all for reading, and to those who have been reviewing, you can't even imagine how much that means to me.

Midnight Song

Chapter Three

"Another game of putting things aside
As if we'll come back to them sometime
A brace of hopes
And a pride of innocence
And you would say...something has gone wrong

Again
It seems we meet
In the spaces
In between
We'd always say
"Won't be long"
No, but something's always wrong..."

-"Something's Always Wrong" - Toad the Wet Sprocket

THE next day, Rinoa anxiously awaited the arrival of her tutor. She paced back and forth in her father's study, feeling uncharacteristically nervous. She wasn't sure why, but she was starting to have second thoughts about asking him about Seifer. From her brief encounter with him yesterday, she could already tell that he wouldn't be pleased at her questioning. In fact, if Seifer's reaction the previous day had been any indication, Mr. Leonhart would be very, very angry. Still, she absolutely had to ask him. At this point, she really had nothing to lose. She could either ask him or Seifer, and, well, her questioning of Seifer hadn't exactly gone so well.

Rinoa was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even notice that Squall had entered the room. He was able to set his things down on the table before Rinoa looked up and noticed his presence. For some strange reason, he seemed to wear the look of a deer caught in the headlights.

"Oh, hey, Mr. Leonhart," Rinoa greeted him. "I didn't even see you come in."

Squall narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "You seem...cheerful today."

Rinoa shrugged. "It beats being down, right?"

"I don't know. Maybe I should try it sometime and find out for myself."

Did he just joke? Rinoa asked herself incredulously. Could it be possible that the man actually had a sense of humor? "Yeah, maybe you should," she replied, not exactly sure of what to say.

Squall walked over to the duffel bag he had brought and extracted a heavy looking book. "This book contains all of the basics that you need to know about using magic. Junctioning, drawing, you name it, it's in here."

Rinoa nodded. "I'll bet. That book is huge!"

"When you finish studying the book, you'll be ready for field training."

"Field training?" Rinoa repeated. "Good luck convincing my dad of that one." She paused momentarily to bite her lip. "Although it looks like you'll have plenty of time to work on him considering the size of that book."

Squall looked at her confusedly. "Not really. I expect you to have that book finished in a week."

"A week!" Rinoa exclaimed. "And just how do you expect me to do that?"

"You'll find a way, I'm sure. Besides, it doesn't look to me like you have anything better to do with your time."

Rinoa's eyes narrowed angrily. "Just what is that supposed to mean?"

"Forget it. I'm not here to argue with you."

"Oh, really?" Rinoa asked sarcastically. "Well, you sure do a great job of arguing with me every chance that you get. If you're going to start something, you might as well just finish it."

"Alright, fine. I think you're a complete spoiled brat who has far too much time on her hands. Instead of spending your time shopping around the city or fighting with your father, maybe you should be reading that book."

Rinoa's jaw dropped at Squall's sudden outburst, and she found that she was utterly speechless. Sure, she had taken him to be coldhearted, but the words that had just come out of his mouth cut deeper than she cared to admit. She was horrified to realize that her eyes had filled with tears. All she really wanted to do was run from the room and never see the man in front of her again. However, she absolutely refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing that he had such an effect on her. Instead, she took a deep breath, swallowed her tears, and held her head up with as much dignity as she could muster.

"I'm sorry that you feel that way about me, Mr. Leonhart," she told him in an eerily calm voice. "I usually wait to get to know somebody before I pass judgment on them, but to each his own, I guess. Shall we begin with the lesson?"

Well, she had certainly surprised him yet again. Squall had taken her to be of a much weaker character. Perhaps she was right. Perhaps he should have waited longer to judge what kind of person she was. Then again, should he even be judging her in the first place? He was certainly in no position to, that was for sure. God, he felt so damn confused. Why did she have to make everything so complicated?

"Miss Heartilly, I..." he trailed off, unsure of how to proceed. He had never been good at apologies. "Forget it," he said, shaking his head. "You're right, we should begin."

Rinoa couldn't mask the disappointment in her face at his words. She didn't know why, but for a moment there, she actually thought that he was going to apologize. It was a ridiculous assumption to make, she knew, but that hadn't stopped her from believing it. The sad part was that, had he apologized, she would have immediately forgiven him. It sounded so crazy, but...she didn't want him to think of her as a spoiled brat. She wanted him to...like her, respect her, even. Why she wanted those things was lost on her, but she couldn't deny that she did want them.

Squall took Rinoa's silence as a sign for him to begin, which he did, going into another lecture about magic. Rinoa actually found herself surprisingly thankful for his style of teaching, for it gave her ample time to think. The last thing she wanted him to do was catch her tuning him out, but he wasn't exactly the type to stop and ask if she understood. No, she thought to herself, He's exactly the type that would assume that every word coming out of his mouth is the gospel truth, and therefore universally understood. Ooh, he just made her so mad!

"Miss Heartilly, are you listening to me?"

Rinoa snapped out of her daze with a start. Squall was fixing her with what she had already realized was his trademark look. It was a mix of impatience and irritation, which probably meant bad news for her. "Excuse me?"

"I asked you if you were listening to me," he repeated, his voice once again sounding detached and cold.

"Of course I was," Rinoa snapped back, trying to think of any possible topic he could have been droning on about.

Squall raised an eyebrow. "Then I guess you wouldn't mind telling me what you learned today."

What I learned today? Ha, my pleasure! "Well, I'd have to say that I learned one very important thing." She paused to watch his expression, which looked faintly suspicious. "I've learned that you, Mr. Leonhart, are a real ass-"

"...tounding teacher," General Caraway interrupted as he walked into the room. "Isn't that right, Rinoa?"

Rinoa glared at him. "What are you doing here?"

"This is my home, is it not? I came to see how you and Mr. Leonhart were faring, and it looks like I showed up just in the nick of time." He turned to Squall. "Is she driving you crazy yet?"

Squall was about to remark that he was just about ready to quit, when he saw the look on Rinoa's face. It was one of such smug satisfaction that he couldn't help but turn to the General with a small smile and say, "No, quite the contrary, Sir. Your daughter has been an exemplary student."

"Really..." Caraway said skeptically. "She hasn't given you any trouble at all."

"No, Sir. She's been...quite pleasant to be around."

Rinoa looked at Squall in disbelief. She could swear that he was trying to suppress a grin. So was this all a game to him? Suck up to the father while shunning the daughter?

"Well then, I guess I'll leave the two of you to continue your lesson. If you need anything, our maid, Nancy, will accommodate you."

Squall nodded, and the General was on his way. Once he was gone, Squall looked at Rinoa amusedly. "So I'm an astounding teacher?"

"You know that's not what I was going to say," Rinoa said angrily. "And what the hell is your problem? I'm quite pleasant to be around? Has anyone ever told you that you have major mood swings?"

"So what you're saying is that you don't think that you're pleasant to be around?"

Rinoa clenched her teeth in frustration. God, he knew just how to push her buttons. "What I'm saying is that you don't find me pleasant to be around, so why lie to my father and say that you do?"

"How do you know I was lying?" he asked, a smile playing about his lips. "Perhaps I don't find your company as horrendous as you think."

Squall's words caught Rinoa completely off guard. What game was he trying to play with her? "I'm sorry, but from what you said to me earlier, I don't think my assumption is wrong."

Squall simply shrugged. Where was he going with this, anyway? A simple comment made to spite her had seemed to have completely backfired on him. He wasn't sure why he was stringing her along like this. Was it to make up for earlier, or was this just another way to toy with a so-called "spoiled brat"? Squall didn't have the answers, and he didn't particularly feel like figuring them out.

"Forget it," he said flatly, once again retreating back to his cold demeanor. "Let's just-"

"Continue with the lesson?" Rinoa finished, smirking in triumph. "I'm starting to catch on to your games, Mr. Leonhart. When you're sick of my questions, you always suggest that we get back to the lesson."

"Very perceptive of you," Squall said dryly. "Maybe if you focused that attention on studying that book I gave you, we'd be able to start your field training sooner."

Rinoa's instant reaction was to snap back an angry retort, but she forced herself to take a deep breath instead. She refused to let him get the upper hand once again. "Maybe you're right. Maybe I'm just a foolish girl who's in way over her head, but let me tell you something about me, Mr. Leonhart. I don't give up, and I never back down from a challenge. You think I can't have that book memorized in a week? Give me three days."

"Three days?" Squall asked skeptically. "Highly unlikely."

"Try me," Rinoa said, her voice deadly serious. "Unless you're afraid of losing."

"Losing?" Squall asked, raising an eyebrow. "I don't remember placing a wager."

"You didn't have to. If I win, it will hurt your pride. That's the only wager I need."

Squall shook his head. "Got me figured out already?"

"Yup," Rinoa said smugly, smiling sweetly at him.

"Well, I guess we'll see about that."

"So does that mean you're accepting my bet?" Rinoa pressed.

Squall shrugged. "I would, but...you're not of legal betting age."

Rinoa's eyes flashed angrily. "That's ridiculous!"

"Relax," Squall said, "I was just kidding. I accept your bet, although I still think you have no chance of succeeding."

"Give me three days," Rinoa told him, staring at him confidently. "You'll have to change your mind after that."

SEIFER walked down the crowded streets of Deling City, deep in thought. He wasn't sure how seriously Squall had taken his threats the previous day, but he was sure as hell going to make sure that he did. No matter how many times Squall denied it, Seifer was sure that tutoring Rinoa was something more than a well paying job to his old rival. There was no way that Squall would just show up out of the blue like that. There was something bigger going on, and Seifer was intent on finding out exactly what that something was.

Right now, however, he had to speak to Rinoa. After his outburst the previous day, he knew Rinoa wouldn't be happy to see him, but there was nothing he could do about that. His best bet was to try to keep the peace with her. The last thing he needed was for Rinoa to go running into Squall's arms to make him jealous. Now that he thought about it, that definitely sounded like something Rinoa would be likely to do. He immediately quickened his pace. The sooner he reached the Caraway residence, the better. Squall should have left by now, so if all went well, he'd be able to sneak in and speak to her alone.

As he approached the mansion, he was surprised to see Selphie walking out. He hadn't anticipated her being there, but at least it looked like she was leaving. Hopefully no one else would show up until he had finished speaking with Rinoa.

"Hey, Seifer!" Selphie waved as she spotted the blonde. "Here to see Rinoa?"

Seifer scowled. Why did she always have to be so nosy? At this rate, he'd never see Rinoa. "Yeah, I am. Where is she?"

Selphie shrugged. "Beats me. I just tried to see her, but Nancy said that she's studying and doesn't have time to see anyone." Selphie frowned. "Is it just me, or is that completely unlike Rinoa?"

"Yeah, unlike Rinoa, but not unlike her new tutor. The bastard's probably drowning her in work."

Selphie whistled. "You really hate him, don't you? Wanna tell me why?"

"No. I need to talk to Rinoa. Is Caraway home?"

"Nancy said he had just gone out when I asked her. Still, I don't think Rinoa's going to want to see you. After the way you treated her yesterday, I think you're just about the last person she wants to see. Besides, she seemed pretty intent on studying."

"I don't care how she feels. I'm still going to see her, whether she like it or not."

Selphie rolled her eyes. "Do whatever you want, Seifer. It's your funeral." With a small wave, Selphie took off, leaving Seifer to his own affairs.

Seifer shoved his hands into his pockets and casually walked up to the door, knocking loudly. A minute later, he was met with the sight of a very weary looking Nancy. From the look on her face, she was far from pleased to see him.

Before Nancy could open her mouth, Seifer held out a hand to stop her. "I need to see Rinoa, Nancy. I know that Caraway's not here, so just let me talk to her."

"You know that I can't do that, Mr. Seifer. The General would not be pleased if he found out I let you see Rinoa," Nancy informed him.

"Just tell her I'm here," Seifer persisted. "This won't take long."

Before Nancy could respond, Rinoa herself appeared in the hallway. "What do you want, Seifer?"

"I need to talk to you."

"Sorry," Rinoa said coldly, "But I'm busy."

"Yeah, I heard. Studying? What's gotten into you, Rinoa? It's Leonhart, isn't it? I'll kill him."

"Stop it, Seifer," Rinoa snapped. "I'm studying because I choose to, not because of Mr. Leonhart. Please just leave."

Seifer shook his head. "No. Not until you hear me out."

"You have two minutes," Rinoa told him, her voice not losing any of its coldness. "Better start talking."

"Rinoa, I know you're mad at me, but I'm serious about Leonhart. The guy is bad news, and the only reason he's been tutoring you is to get back at me."

Rinoa narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "What are you talking about?"

"It's a long story. Listen, I've already warned Leonhart to stay away from you. Now-"

"What is wrong with you?" Rinoa demanded before Seifer could finish. "You warned my tutor to stay away from me? Who the hell are you to do that? You don't own me, Seifer."

"I was just trying to protect you," Seifer said angrily.

"I don't need your protection. God, why does everyone think I'm this fragile little girl who's about to break? I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, and the last thing I need is another person trying to control my life. I get enough of that from my father, thank you very much."

Seifer clenched his fists, desperately trying to keep himself from saying something he would regret. "Oh, but I guess Leonhart doesn't try to control you?"

"That is it!" Rinoa shouted, clearly frustrated. "I am so sick of hearing about Mr. Leonhart. You obviously don't want to tell me why you hate him so much, so quit whining about it. Mr. Leonhart is my tutor whether or not you like it, so deal with it."

The look on Seifer's face was one of complete and utter shock. "You're defending him?"

Rinoa shook her head. "I'm sorry, Seifer, but your two minutes are up. Please don't come here again. I...don't want to see you anymore."

"You don't mean that, Rinoa."

"Nancy, please show Mr. Almasy out," Rinoa said coldly, the tone of her voice revealing how serious she was.

"Rinoa-"

"Goodbye, Seifer." Rinoa turned away and quickly retreated to her room. That conversation had taken longer than she would have liked. She had studying to do, after all. Her bet with Mr. Leonhart would never be won if she didn't take her studying seriously.

The thought of Mr. Leonhart stopped her dead in her tracks. Seifer had seemed shocked to hear her defend him, and to be honest, she had been pretty shocked herself. She wasn't quite sure why she had sided with her tutor instead of Seifer. At the time, it had just seemed like the right thing to do. Seifer's obsession with controlling her every move had just been getting to be too much. Maybe she had just wanted to spite him. Yeah, Rinoa thought to herself, That must have been it. She honestly hadn't realized how controlling Seifer was until that moment.

Besides, with Mr. Leonhart out of the picture, she would never have the satisfaction of seeing his face when she won that bet. That alone was worth breaking up with Seifer. He would have just distracted her, anyway. Walking over to her bed, she picked up the book Squall had given her. It was time to get back to business; she had a bet to win.

THE next morning, Rinoa woke up bright and early. She had spent the majority of the previous day completely absorbed in her studies. The subject matter was anything but fascinating, but Rinoa was determined to win that bet. In fact, she had been so serious about memorizing everything in that book that her father had become concerned when she hadn't come down to dinner. She had made no mention of the bet to him when he had asked, but he had been more than happy to see that "her new tutor had finally gotten through to her."

Rinoa rolled her eyes at that thought. She doubted her father would be so pleased to know her real motive for the excess studying. It wasn't like he would ever find out, though. As long as she played the role of the perfect little daughter, he would leave her alone. It was a harsh truth, but the truth nonetheless.

"Rinoa," Caraway's voice called from the study. "Could you come in here, please?"

Wow, he used the word 'please'. He must be in a good mood today, Rinoa thought to herself as she made her way to his study. As soon as she walked through the doorway, she was shocked to see that he was actually smiling at her. "You called me?"

Caraway nodded. "Yes. I see that you're up quite early this morning. Is there any particular reason why?"

Rinoa shrugged. "I thought I'd get an early start on my studying."

"Really?" Caraway asked, raising an eyebrow. "That's very admirable of you."

What is he getting at? "Is there anything in particular you want to speak to me about?"

"Actually, yes. Rinoa, your birthday is coming up in a few weeks. Have you given any thought to the kind of celebration you would like?"

Rinoa shook her head. "I haven't really thought about it. I guess I'll just spend the day with Irvine and Selphie."

Caraway looked surprised. "Rinoa, this is your eighteenth birthday; the year you officially enter into society. As your father, I have an obligation to make sure that your entrance into society is a smooth one."

"Entrance into society? What are you talking about?" Rinoa asked, frowning.

"I mean a ball, of course. It will be the perfect opportunity to introduce you to the most elite members of society. If you play your cards right, you might even be able to find yourself a wealthy husband."

Rinoa's jaw dropped. "Husband? Are you serious?"

"Why wouldn't I be? I won't be around forever, you know. I'd like to know that you're in good hands before I die."

Before he dies! "Dad, what aren't you telling me? Are you...sick?"

Caraway shook his head firmly. "No, of course not. Rinoa, I thought you were familiar with this tradition. It has always been customary to throw an extravagant party when one's daughter turns eighteen. I'll have Nancy set up all of the particulars."

"I have no desire to be put on display in front of Deling's wealthiest, Dad."

"I'm sorry that you feel that way, but you have no say in the matter. This tradition has never been broken, and I refuse to be the first. Now run along and continue with your studies. Mr. Leonhart will be here soon."

Gritting her teeth, Rinoa quickly left the room, holding herself back from starting another argument. She should have known that her father's good mood would only mean bad news for her. There was absolutely nothing she could do, though. The only choice she had was to grin and bear it. After all, she wouldn't want to make good old Dad look bad, would she? With a sigh, Rinoa stomped up to her room and grabbed her book. Thinking about the look on Mr. Leonhart's face when she proved him wrong instantly cheered her up. At least she would still have the satisfaction of seeing that.