Twin Moons

Note: Ok, I said that Last Night Single and I Do would be the title of this chapter, but I was thinking way ahead. Here's the chapter as it is supposed to be.

Rinoa had just returned from the Esthar Garden gym, wiping the sweat off her face and back with a soft towel. Ever since she had been allowed to join the Garden community, she had made it a point to work out everyday to stay in shape. Half an hour of cardio, fifteen minutes of weights, and forty-five minutes in the training center everyday helped her keep her toned form ready for battle in case some random monster would make an attempt on her life. 'I can't rely on Squall all my life…Hyne, even if he is my husband, I'm going to have to stay in shape…for him.'

She put her wet towel in the laundry basket and was just about to head back to the room when he saw the car keys back on the storage compartment. 'Back so soon? Ah, I guess, he's quite fast. This is Esthar after all.'

Rinoa headed towards the bathroom but suddenly stopped when she heard someone laughing in Squall's room. What disturbed her even more was that it was a FEMALE voice. She tiptoed slowly, trying to avoid making any noise, and opened the door a creak. Lo and behold, was a naked woman…with wings? The woman was all over Squall and was licking his face. Rinoa tasted something bitter in the back of her mouth. 'Oh no…no…no!'

She flung the door open and gave Squall and the woman an angry look. "Fine! If that's how you feel about her…" she said before trying to remove her ring, "…go ahead and marry her then!"

She was just about to leave when Squall flipped out a safety pin and stuck it into the woman on top of him, bursting the thing into what seemed like a thousand shreds of latex. He gave Rinoa a mischievous grin. "Gotcha."

Rinoa's mouth hung open from Squall's blatant joke. "I can't believe you would do that! What was that thing you bastard!" she screamed at him before laughing all of a sudden and jumping into his arms.

Squall brought out a foil wrap with an image of a sultry looking woman identical to the one who had been entertaining him earlier and said, "Inflate a succubus. Esthar's latest technology…allows you to create a lifelike gorgeous woman with wings."

Rinoa giggled even more and rested her head on Squall's chest. She felt something quite irregular. She began feeling him, and then asked, "Squall, why do you have boobs?"

Squall didn't say anything, so she slid her hand up his shirt and felt some fabric where his pectorals were. She gasped. "Squall!"

He pushed her gently off him and removed his shirt. Indeed, there was a bra. Rinoa felt her throat going dry, and before she could say anything, Squall removed his pants…and indeed…amongst the hairs and all that was…female underwear.

"Did you not want some lingerie?" he smirked at her before unclipping the bra and giving it to her.

Rinoa's mouth hung open when she received the bra. He then proceeded to peel off the underwear and gave it to her. She blushed at his brashness and his bare form. She couldn't help but feel slightly turned on though.

"EWWW! I don't want this! You put that on and uh…your…you know what was touching it!" she cried out, dropping both articles of underwear on the floor, still trying to avert her gaze from a naked Squall. He just chuckled and put on his boxers and shirt.

Squall wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him. "But my you know what has already touched you…and besides…you have to apologize to me."

Rinoa's legs were feeling light as she gazed into Squall's ocean-like eyes. "For what?" she whispered.

"For your little tricks and all that," he told her before pushing his lips against hers. When they pulled away from the kiss, Squall, dazed by their passion, said, "You smell…musky. You've been training haven't you?"

"Yeah…" Rinoa purred against his neck.

"Wanna shower together?"

"Mmmm…yeah…" mumbled Rinoa while leaning against him for support.

"You go first. I'll follow in…like a minute."

Rinoa walked away from him, dizzy from the contact. "Sure Squall…"

Once she was inside, Squall picked up the "inflate a succubus packet" and smiled. "Hey, thanks."

The woman's face suddenly changed to Storm's cloaked bust. "Inflate a succubus? That has got to be the most absurd idea I've ever heard since…never mind. Anyways, I'm never doing a favor like that for you again!"

Squall rolled his eyes and threw the contraption in the trash. "Hey, don't complain. Look, my woman's waiting for me in the shower and I can't let her wait. At least I let you stay like that for less than five minutes."

Squall chuckled when he heard Storm's voice from the garbage bin. "Five…torturous minutes…"

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The following day, rehearsals were held again, and after everyone had done the tasks assigned to them, they all took a break while Squall and Rinoa stayed behind in the benches to listen to General Caraway and Laguna's bickering.

"Listen William, I know that you want your daughter back in the Western continent for the honeymoon, but I think it they would like it in Balamb!" Laguna argued.

"Balamb? What in Hyne's name is wrong with the people of Esthar and why did they want you as their President? Of course they'd like to celebrate in a nice, peaceful place like Winhill! Balamb indeed!"

"The people of Esthar like me just fine! They love me even, and I think Balamb would be a great place! A friend of mine recently opened a beach resort there and guess what? It's the best!"

"Well, if they wouldn't like Winhill, Dollet is a great place! The city is so elegant that it would be perfect for their honeymoon…why can't you get that in your head?"

"Dollet? Puh-lease! Dollet is the world's MOST BORING city! Like I said, Balamb is nice and it has a gorgeous beach! Plus, all the Fastitocalons have been exterminated so it's safe there!"

"You a such a stubborn mule! That tiny island doesn't have much but beaches! Who on earth would want to tan and swim for their honeymoon?"

"Well who want to go to some place where old people retire?" Laguna snapped back.

"You know, I don't know what Julia saw in you to make her fall in love with someone duller than a polished rock!"

"Oh yeah, well…I don't know how she could have enjoyed a honeymoon in the Western Continent with a guy who thinks like her grandfather!"

"Men! Quiet down!" Edea commanded them both. Despite her tiny physique, her voice was commanding and stern. "Why don't the both of you ask your children where they want to go for their honeymoon? It sounds like you're the ones getting married!" She smiled to herself as she left both men embarrassed at the scene they had caused.

"Well Laguna, I think the woman's right…how selfish of us to do this to our children. Why don't we ask them right now?"

Laguna agreed and approached Squall and Rinoa, both of whom had been holding hands and laughing quietly at their little argument.

"Son…" Laguna began, giving William Caraway a nasty glare.

"Rinoa…" William said, returning Laguna's evil eye with a much nastier one.

Rinoa turned to both of them and said, "We know…what about Trabia?"

William Caraway looked at her daughter quizzically and tilted his head in question. "Trabia? But the continent is a wasteland darling! What would you do in there?"

Rinoa smiled and removed a brochure from her pocket. "Squall and I have been looking over this recently, and it appears that the Shumi people have built this gorgeous castle out of ice and a ski resort beside it recently. What do you think?"

Laguna looked at the brochure over General Caraway's shoulder and mentally agreed that it was indeed a beauty. Everything from the building's structure to the ice sculptures that adorned the interior of the edifice was nothing short of perfect. He also expected a fetchy price for the hotel, and when he saw the five figures, he said, "I'll pay for it…how's that?"

"Oh nonsense Laguna, I have always been a provider for my daughter's interests and I will pay for it."

"I, if you forget, am the President of Esthar, the richest country in the world. I will pay for it," insisted Laguna.

"And I am an extremely wealthy Galbadian who had recently secured great stocks in the market. I will pay for it!"

"Shut up!" Squall suddenly blurted out, silencing everyone. "I will pay for it! And if both of you ever argue like that again, I will…do something!"

Rinoa giggled when she found Squall at a loss for words. Both men laughed to themselves and shook hands. "Listen Laguna, I'm sorry about earlier…I didn't mean to…"

"Nonsense William, it was a good jest."

"I won fair and square though."

"What? Who are you to declare yourself winner?"

"I, Mr. Loire, am a master of military strategies and things similar to that! Of course I can declare myself a winner! And what are you? A hopeless romantic with a smile on his face and a pen on his hand? Hah!"

"Why you…"

Squall shook his head and clapped a palm to his forehead. 'Oh no…there they go again.'

Rinoa giggled and led Squall out of the room, leading him to the church entrance when they saw Edea greeting them.

"My dears," she told them with a warm smile. "I'm so glad that the both of you are getting married."

"Yes, me too," Rinoa agreed, with Squall nodding his head to show that he was happy too.

"Rinoa, thank you so much for helping Squall through some of the most difficult moments in his life. You really are his angel."

She smiled at Matron and placed a hand around Squall's forearm. She leaned contentedly on him and said, "Matron…thank you for acknowledging that. You've been a mother to Squall during his early years and nothing would make me happier than to make him and family happy."

Edea gave her a smile and brushed back the stray locks of her long, flowing black her from her eyes. "Rinoa, can I talk to you for a moment though? It will just take about five minutes."

Rinoa nodded and followed Edea to an empty corner of the chapel. They stopped, and Edea put some coins in a little slot and picked up a candle, lit it with her finger, and placed it along with the other burning candles.

"I believe now is the right time to teach you a few things…when you're ready. For now, just rest. But when you are married, I want to teach you a few spells that will protect you."

Rinoa gave her a confused look. "Protect me from what Matron?"

Edea sighed and watched the flames flicker gracefully in their wicks. "The night we held the celebration for the SeeDs (see Chapter 2), I revealed to everyone except Squall and you regarding a certain prophecy that is to take place in the near future. You see Rinoa, I've been a sorceress longer than you have, and I understand the magic arts and their underlying meanings more than you do. I can also prophecy certain things, and I know that there is something great happening soon. Historians call it the convergence of the double moon."

"The double moon?"

"Yes dear, the double moon. You see, our planet only has one moon, but there will come a time in the future when the moon of an adjacent planet will align perfect with ours, and that I believe, is the time when this shall happen. But that is not the main focus of the prophecy. It states that on the night that this happens, Ultimecia will rise again in an attempt to take over the world, and once she succeeds in this, there is no stopping her. And I believe this whole thing revolves around one person…"

Rinoa didn't want her to say it, so she tried to complete Edea's sentence. "Me?"

Edea gave her a sad nod and continued, "Your powers are beyond her grasp. Only you can satisfy her hunger for her centuries-old battle against those willing to defend the magic arts. It is also a form of revenge to the one who has wronged her…man."

"I don't understand…"

"I don't fully understand it either Rinoa, but I'm telling you what I know. Now, in my understanding, the only way a sorceress can acquire one's powers is if she possesses them and finds another more powerful host to which she can transfer the magic she has gathered. What she does then is she disposes of the mage she has controlled. In my case, I was lucky I was born a sorceress and had the nature in my to survive her possession. In the case of others, if they are powerful enough, they can prevent her from killing them. I am not willing, however, to take any chances. So, that said, I want to teach you a few spells."

"There is just one thing though. If my powers are indeed beyond her grasp, then why did she possess me?" Rinoa inquired the older woman.

"Your powers were only blooming at the time. She could have easily done that to any new sorceress. But I'm being careful. Immediately after the wedding Rinoa, when you are ready, I want you to come to me to train with you."

Rinoa smiled and nodded. "Yes Matron. Thank you."

"Dear, I hope all goes well."

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Squall was pacing back and forth in the church entrance when his phone started ringing a tone different from the one it usually rang. Only one person knew how to access that ringtone, and so he flipped it open and answered the call. "Hello Headmaster."

"Squall, congratulations on the wedding, and I must say that I am gladder for this occasion than for anything else right now," Cid rapidly told him.

Squall smiled, rolles his eyes and talked into the phone again. "Is there a reason you wanted to call me sir?"

"Why, other than congratulate you Squall, there actually is. I'm just not sure if now is the right time to bring this up to you."

"Sir, you can tell me."

"Very well then Squall. It's just that I need you back in Balamb Garden right after the wedding for a mission. It takes place two days after your wedding, and I would need you in the Garden at 10AM. That should give you ample time to enjoy one day after the ceremony. Esthar's airships should be quick enough to send you here in the morning so you can receive the mission briefings by ten o'clock the following day."

Squall paused for a moment and looked at the carved statues of the virgin Mary and other saints around the church. "What is this mission about sir?"

Cid sighed on the other end of the phone before answering Squall. "You remember Centra ruins don't you?"

"Yes sir."

"A private client of Garden wanted me to personally send you, Rinoa, Quistis, Selphie, Irvine, and Zell to the ruins to examine something. I'm receiving a fax transmission from my client later today so I wouldn't be able to give you the complete mission briefings. It doesn't end there though."

"Where else would the mission take us sir?"

"Tear's Point in Esthar, the Sorceress Memorial, and even the Deep Sea Research Center. I don't even understand why this mission is assigned. I am as baffled as you are, if you are baffled at all, and I want you to know that if you ever need any help, Garden will be ready to support you."

Squall paused for a moment to think. "I will accept the mission, but I would have to ask Rinoa if she wants to come along. She is pregnant sir."

"Oh dear! If she is pregnant, then it is imperative that she remain behind! But thank you for being understanding Squall. And by the way my boy, how are things holding up in Esthar Garden?"

"It's much more difficult than Balamb, but the facilities are much better equipped with Esthar's technology. The Training Center is extremely difficult, but what can you expect from Esthar but nothing less?"

"I take it you're enjoying it there."

"It's good but I miss Balamb Garden sometimes."

"Ah, of course. It is only natural that you would miss home sometimes. I will have your suite cleaned and furnished for you when you come back. How would you like that?"

Squall couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, that sounds good."

"Alright Squall, don't forget the schedule. This client of mine is offering a huge sum of money for the Garden and we should never let an opportunity like this go to waste."

"Yes sir."

"Thank you for accepting the mission Squall. I will contact the others immediately."

Squall turned off his phone and looked around the elegant structure of the church. He then saw a statue of the Virgin Mary cradling an infant in her arms. He admired the beautiful marble that the figure had been made of and looked to the face of the Madonna. It surprised him, however, when the face of rock suddenly changed to a familiar face.

"Imogene!" he silently gasped.

Imogene grinned to reveal a row of sparkling white fangs. She hissed at him and gave a guttural laugh that sent chills down the young commander's spine. "The prophecy slowly unfolds! Beware young knight, for the moment of retribution is at hand!" she cackled softly and the statue reverted back to its original figure of the Madonna.

Squall shook his head and began pacing back and forth. 'What was it again that Storm said? How many apparitions again? I should go to the library for this.'

He was just about to leave when Rinoa and Edea came back. 'I guess I'm going to have to do this some other time.'

As he was about to tell Rinoa about the mission, Irvine, Zell, Selphie, and Quistis barged into the entrance.

"Yo Squall! Since tomorrow is your last night single, Irvine and I were thinking that it would be so cool if we guys got together for a bachelor's party!"

"Yeah Squall, I reckon' you're not going to be going out as much anymore, so we're taking you out somewhere fun!" Irvine grinned at him and Squall could only shake his head.

Meanwhile, the girls were urging Rinoa to come with them somewhere to enjoy her last night single.

"Rin! Just imagine us going together for the last wild night of your life! Oh gosh! It will be so much fun!"

"Er…ok…but what place did you guys choose?"

"It's a secret! But we know you'll love it!"

Edea took this time to walk around the church and snuck away in the Holy water vessel when no one was looking. She looked at her reflection in the water.

"Is everything ready Edea?" another reflection called out. It changed from her image to someone else she had known from long ago.

"Yes, of course. And you have informed him too?"

"Yes."

"We must act fast. There's only so much time before the twin moons align."

"I understand. What will you do?"

"I must patiently wait. I must not do anything to jeopardize our situation."

"I see. Be careful Storm."

"You too Edea."

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Another Chapter finished! The next chapter…finally: Last Night Single and I Do. Another chapter follows that of course, but here's a preview of what is to come:

"I thought you were dead!" Squall gasped when he saw the looming figure before him.

"Young man, one such as I will never die. I have existed before civilization was realized and despite my untimely demise, I rise again from the ashes to roam this world again."

READ AND REVIEW PLEASE!