Chapter Four! Wow, I didn't think that I'd get such great feedback from such a half-brained story! More responses for reviews, thank you sooo much!
Wolf- Thanks, buddy, glad you like this one. Better than the last one, isn't it?
Kitsu- Thank you, have any suggestions or ideas? I'm open for pretty much any idea.
Ej- His scare? And no, I don't think they'll know each other like that, but… they all do have a connection, and they'll go to their sorta 'friend group', or as I put it, later in the story. The other kids at the orphanage are sort of random-ish.
Here we go; thanks for reading and keep reviewing!
Chapter 4: Inner Thoughts and Danger
"And that's what happened. I couldn't come home any quicker, do you really think he would have let me go? 'I'm sorry, but my father wants me home. Can we pick this back up tomorrow?'" Her voice dripped with sarcasm as she yelled into the man who called her daughter's face.
"So, how'd you get away? Pray tell, O wise daughter, who can never be guilty for anything, because she always has an excuse," General Caraway yelled back at her. Rinoa stared at him, ice frozen over from her stare. The room itself seemed to get colder as the two stared at each other.
"A man was able to distract him, draw him away from his prize," she said, trying to be metaphorical so that he wouldn't understand. Instead, Caraway seemed to swell with pride.
"Ah, was it that handsome cowboy, Irvine Kinneas, I think? He works around here sometimes, fine young man," he said. Rinoa shook her head, her eyes cast downward.
"It was… a stranger to this town… his name was Squall…" Caraway snapped out of his state and looked at his daughter with a hard glint in his eye.
"Leonhart? That wanderer? Rinoa, he's dangerous! If that robber hadn't hurt you, spend one more moment with that boy and he would have hurt you too for a little gold! He is not one that should be reckoned with!" Rinoa couldn't listen to her savior take any more discredit.
"Oh, yeah? Then why didn't he kidnap me and take me away to a cave where he could hold me ransom, because as we both know, 'dear father', anyone would be willing to kidnap me if it meant some of your estate. And besides, Selphie, Quistis, and Zell haven't yet decided to snatch me away, have they?" Caraway sunk into a chair, rubbing his forehead. Rinoa could just hear his thoughts: why was he stuck with such a pig-headed daughter? Why was she intent on going near dangers when it was too perilous for a seventeen year old girl, or in his eyes, child?
"Rinoa, if you see that man again, turn him in to the authorities, or just refuse to speak with him. If he comes near you, yell. I just want what's best for you," he said, reaching his hand out to touch her cheek. She pulled herself away before his hand could meet her skin.
"Well, let's put it this way: if it wasn't for 'that man', you wouldn't have a daughter tonight. Think about that," she snapped, stalking off to her room. The door could be heard several hallways away, as she slammed it shut and snapped the padlock into place. Groaning, she paced the width of her room, fuming in her thoughts and occasionally kicking her dresser. She finally decided that she couldn't stay anymore. Though they stayed in a stately ranch-house, filled to the brim with farm-hands and servants, it was late at night, so she was able to plot her escape. She pulled her boots back on and shoved a change of clothes and whatever money she had laying around or in her secret stash into a pack. Her window was greased, so it eased open without so much as a squeak. Rinoa used the window often; this was not the first time she had attempted escape. Finally, she had a space big enough to fit through. Her feet touched the ground before she was even fully out the window, and she shut it silently as well.
"For she's a jolly good fellow, for she's a jolly good fellow…" The song continued, and Rinoa recognized it as the congratulations song for a new mother cow. Hoping she wouldn't get caught, she made her way over to the horse stables, reading the only slightly-visible metal name plates on the doors of the stalls. After reading several horses names, she came to her favorite horse, Angelo. He was still saddled and bridled, having only been home for half-an-hour. The stall door creaked as she opened it and swung herself into the saddle, pack still firm around her back. The horse silently reared and began the mile-long journey to the town, hoping that Selphie or Quistis were still awake.
-change point of view- (AN- sorry, this is the only way I can think to change story views, so you know what it means now. Darn, I swore I wouldn't put these in my story)
Squall's head pounded, his heartbeat quickened. He was lying on a bed inside the local inn, known as the "Diablos' Hangout". The name seemed to suit the place well; it was hotter than hell in here. His cloak hung limply on the bedpost, the rest of his clothes still on his body. He didn't understand it… he had faced countless people, numerous outlaws, and every single one he had been able to take down. Today, with that Seifer guy, it had been different. He had been scared out of his boots. Speaking of which… Squall looked down and realized he still had his boots on. Kicking them off, he went back to his thoughts. What had made it different? Her… that Rinoa girl. Yes, of course. This was the first time a person who Squall had fought, or come close to fighting, that had taken a hostage. Then again… she was the first girl who had caught him like this. Her chocolate eyes had held his own cold ones fixed. Shuddering to himself, he ran a finger along the flaw along his face. A scar, stretched across his face from the right to left, top to bottom. Surprisingly, Rinoa hadn't cared.
"Why do I care?" he asked aloud. "No one's ever cared about me… nobody my age, anyways…" He felt like he was in a psychiatrist's office, this wasn't the time or the place to evaluate himself. He thought to himself… challenged himself to think of one person that was at least close to a friend… Selphie. He groaned and rolled over. Girls don't count, he told himself. Squall corrected himself, girls did count. So… one. He wouldn't mind becoming friends with that Rinoa… no, shut up, shut up! He sat up and physically hit himself this time. She was high-class, he a roamer, a ranger. It'd be best to stay away from her… for her good. His finger went to his hand for his ring, and realized with a jolt of his stomach that he had left it with her. Once more, a groan escaped his lips, and a passerby knocked on his door.
"Sir? Are you all right?" a female voice asked. Squall nodded, and then realized that she couldn't see him. He yelled out a response, in this case a yes, and laid back down, flat on his back. Now he had to go see her… he should tell her it was a mistake, that he needed that ring back… it had been his mother's, and it was special to him. This time, Squall stopped himself from sighing and thought up reasons, knowing he was purposely coming up with excuses to go see her. Turning over on his side, he abruptly halted his thoughts and slowly fell into a fitful sleep.
Alright, in my own personal opinion, this part was a little crappy, but I'd still like to hear what you people out there think! Special shout-out to the people who reviewed, and my two friends who had the heart to read this without yelling at me. I'd still like it if those people who were reading and are just skipping that review button would just take the time to write me a 'good story' or 'it sucked' note. Trust me, I won't hunt you down.
Seifer: Yes she will.
greiverwings:
You're not in the story right now!
Seifer: Oh, yeah… whoops.
Thanks for reading, ideas are still open; I'm not like J.K. Rowling, I have an open mind as to what can happen next. Sorry about the Squall part being so short, by the way, I'm running short on stuff to say and different ways to say it. Thanks again!
-grieverwings
