Chapter 3

"No Mr. Caraway, she is not in the garden. No one has seen her since earlier this afternoon. "

General Caraway stopped pacing around his office and looked in disbelief at the man who was standing in the doorway.

"Well, where is she? I hired you to look after my daughter, and now I find out you have not a clue as to her whereabouts. You imbecile! Unless you return her to me safely, consider yourself fired! Guests will start arriving any moment and my own daughter is out wandering the streets like some homeless vagrant! I order you to take some men and go to town right now to retrieve my daughter! I suspect she is at the Galbadia Café with Zone and Watts. Find them! I'll deal with her myself later… As for them, arrest them immediately! I'll have them thrown in jail for treason! I've had enough of their mindless conspiracies!"

"Sir!"

"Now get out of my sight before I throw you out!" Suddenly Caraway started laughing but his laughter didn't foretell a pleasant outcome to the situation.

Terrified at this sudden change of heart and not realizing that the General was mocking himself, the guard quickly backed out of the doorway, and only when he was out of the General's sight did he allow himself to relax.

Left again in solitude, General Caraway continued pacing around his office. His already aging face now looked worn out which gave it an especially haggard appearance. He looked at the antique clock that was hanging above the portrait of his late wife.

It's after seven already. Another half an hour and Rinoa's absence will be noted among the guests. Just let me get my hands on those half-witted fools! Someone ought to clear out that Galbadia Café once and for all! And to think my own daughter mixed up in all this nonsense! It quite ridiculous… I command entire armies with brilliance and precision yet I was outwitted by a sixteen-year-old child, my own daughter, who hates me more than the plague itself... If only I had remarried while I still could. Rinoa definitely lacks maternal care…

His thoughts were interrupted by a light knock on the door.

"Sir?" called a young woman's voice.

"Not now, Nailah."

"It's important, sir. Margie sent me to tell you that Lt. Khan of the Galbadia Army has arrived and would like to speak to you."

"Is everything in order for the party?"

"Yes sir. Everything is ready. Your uniform has been cleaned and is waiting for you in your sleeping quarters."

"You may go now Nailah. Let Lt. Khan know that I will be joining him just as soon as I take care of some business."

"Should I let the guests that Rinoa has taken ill and will not be attending your party?

"No, I will have that taken care of. Rinoa will be attending the party. You just make sure she looks, as a general's daughter ought to look. Go now. I have to get ready."

"Yes, sir."

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Rinoa was indecisive; accept the consequences of my actions and forever lose my freedom or trust this stranger to get me home. The question was driving her mad. She hated him; hated herself for allowing him to have the upper hand. He could take her anywhere and do whatever he wanted. She was powerless. She lost control. She touched her blaster edge as if it could give her some form of reassurance but the metal edge just felt cold against her burning skin. Her confidence had left her; this man was obviously an experienced fighter.

He wouldn't dare try anything. I am the General's daughter after all. She smiled. Quite ironic to think of her father at a moment of need. A part of her wanted to be back behind the walls of the Caraway Mansion yet she forced herself to calm down. No, I am not giving father the satisfaction of being right. I got myself into this mess and I will get myself out. She touched the blade of her weapon again; it felt good.

Seifer sensing her indecision offered helpfully, "The RENT-A-CAR is just around that corner. Maybe they still have something available for tonight."

His arm accidentally brushed against her shoulder causing her to unwillingly shrink back a bit.

"And here I thought you liked me," said he smiling at her.

Their swords have crossed once again.

"Like you?" she said raising her eyebrow at him. "We've known each other for an hour! What kind of a girl do you think I am?"

"Well, maybe you should ask me what you want to know instead of treating me like some kind of a criminal looking for a cheap thrill."

For a second he almost sounded hurt but then he added sarcastically, "I am really quite harmless."

He is mocking me. He was really beginning to annoy her.

"Your attitude is intolerable! I never should have agreed to let you escort me. I probably would have been safer among the criminals and the thieves. If your sense of respect was half as big as your ego you'd be much easier to get along with."

Seifer was taken aback by her directness. For a moment, he stared at her in disbelief. No woman has ever talked to him like that, not even Fujin whom he considered to be one of his closest friends. However, being at a loss for words was never his weakness. He now replied calmly, "Harsh words for someone in need of assistance."

The sarcasm from his voice was nearly gone.

"I suggest you be nice to me if you want me to help you. That is unless your highness prefers to be left in the streets of Deling City by herself among the criminals and the thieves. I am sure they'll be more than glad to make your acquaintance. Need I remind you what can happen to a pretty lady like yourself left to wander the streets alone at dusk?"

His words did their job; Rinoa at once saw that she was being foolish.

"You wouldn't do that, would you?" Now her voice trembled slightly with fear. She looked around her with uneasiness. For a moment Seifer said nothing. He looked at her closely, studying her features. Suddenly he smiled.

"No, I wouldn't, sweetheart. Who would protect that pretty face of yours if I did?"

Rinoa understanding that he was making fun of her moment of weakness winced but remained silent. Seifer smiled. This time he had won.

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Ten minutes later and conveniently freed of a burden of 3500 Gil, Seifer and Rinoa were finally on their way to her father's grand estate.

"You said the party starts at 8, right?"

"Yes, which means we only got half an hour more. Oh why can't they go any faster?!"

"What, not enjoying my company?"

"Oh shut up!"

"Never mind that. Know of any shortcuts? I don't intend to be crawling to your house slower than a snail."

"Take a left at that intersection. It'll take us pass Galbadia Café."

"Whatever you say, princess. Hold on!"

"Don't call me thaa..!!!! Before she could finish, Seifer took a sharp left turn into the oncoming traffic barely missing a collision with neon colored taxicab.

"Now where is this Galbadia Café you were talking about?" he asked in an even, slightly amused voice.

"Are you crazy? You barely missed that guy!"

"Any more complaints? Or are you gonna give me directions to your house?"

Suddenly Rinoa ducked under the seat causing Seifer to give her a confused look.

"You lose something down there or are you just that grateful to be alive that you want to…"

"My father's guards!" she cut him off completely disregarding his rather crude joke. "Father knows I am in Deling!" Her voice was quivering with fear and emotion.

"Well, it looks as if they have found someone who interests them more than you."

Rinoa peeped from under the dashboard to see whom Seifer was referring to.

Zone and Watts!!!! Father must have sent them after Zone and Watts!!!

"Stop the car!"

"What??"

"I said stop the car, please!!!"

"Fine."

The little gray car came to a screeching halt on the opposite side of the road to the Galbadia Café.

"We gotta do something! They are gonna arrest them!"

"I take it you know these people." His voice was clear and calm.

"Stay here. And don't show your pretty little head to the guards. I'll be right back."

With that he opened the car door and stepped onto the sidewalk. His mind was working rapidly for away to divert the guards' attention from the two men who as far as he could tell were two of Rinoa's friends.

Suddenly Seifer's eyes lit up; he had an idea. He walked briskly past the guards, without giving the slightest indication that the events on the opposite side of the road were of any concern to him. As soon as he had cleared their view, he crossed the street and headed for a side alley adjacent to the café. There he stopped and looked around, his face gleaming with pleasure. Just as he had suspected the alley contained a backdoor to the café as well as a big round window. Like a flash of lightning, he drew his sword and struck the glass, causing it to shatter into a million tiny shards.

At that moment he yelled loudly enough to be heard by the guards, "This way Rinoa! Go! Now!"

Just as he had predicted, the guards confused by the sudden commotion and not wanting to lose their jobs, left Zone and Watts to chase after the phantom Rinoa, leaving the men with only one guard to handle, which they managed to do with great ease. Meanwhile Seifer didn't stick around to see the dumbfounded faces of Caraway's guards. He quickly returned to the car and started driving away, ignoring Rinoa who was looking at him wide-eyed. He waited for her to regain the ability to speak before attempting conversation.

"Can we get going now?"

"Thank you," she whispered.

"Trust me, angel, you'll have plenty of time to thank me."