AN: Sorry abotu the delay in updating guys, but i have been busy. Yeah sorry, i know it seems like every author says it but i really can't offer any other explantion. Ok, so about Rinoa's off personality. She might be a bit OOC for a while as i begin to get a feel for what she is like again. It has been a while since i played the game, so i am relearning. Also i dont really enjoy rewriting previously written chapters (like this one) as i find editing hard enough.

however i hope that despite any grammer/spelling mistakes that may or may not be here, that you find this enjoyable. This chapter is a bit of fluff cause that seems to be what i am best at :-). Have fun reading and please review.

The week finished without much else happening as the first weekend of the year arrived. The students had been granted passage to travel to the actual city of Esthar itself and enjoy the mechanical marvel in celebration of their first week, knowing that on their return the real work starts.

Just like every morning Squall woke up early and got ready for the day. This time he would wear his normal outfit rather than the SeeD uniform which he was never quite fond of. He took once last look at himself in the mirror with eyes as clear as the unclouded blue sky.

He wore a bleached white shirt that was shadowed by the infamous necklace that held an ornament very near and dear to him. His brownish black leather jacket was outlined near the edges with just a hint of fur, adding a bit of style that Squall never paid attention to. Finally, for a man wishing to make no impression upon anyone, he wore an unusual multi-belt system that slacked to one side.

He entered the same cafeteria and chose the same breakfast, and made his way to the same seat he had last time. And just like last time, the same girl tapped his right shoulder and sat down to his left.

"I thought SeeDs were supposed to be aware of their surroundings at all times."

He continued eating and only spoke when he finished chewing, forcing Rinoa to wait for his convenience. "Heard you coming from several hundred feet back."

If possible, her cheery attitude became even more so "And you didn't run away or move or anything! I'm honored. This will really help us advance our relationship." She spoke knowing fully well how to press his buttons after only a few meetings.

Squall dropped his fork and almost choked on the bits of egg he had just put in his mouth. 'Relationship? What the hell is she talking about? Why is she so pushy? Just pretend you didn't hear that.'

"What are you doing up so early? I thought classes were held later now."

It was Rinoa's turn to be stunned. "Did you just aid a conversation Mr. Squall um…umm, hey you never told me your last name."

The SeeD just shrugged and replied in his usual manner "Whatever"

"Oh ok, Squall Whatever. Funny name don't you think?" She wondered how long she could continue this act before he lost his temper.

The young man sighed and slapped his forehead with his hand. "Leonhart"

"I thought that was the name of your sword?" Maybe it was time for the ditz routine. Other guys loved it. That meant he would hate it.

"No, my gunblade is named Lionhart."

Rinoa had him and she knew it. She had plenty of opportunities to toy with guys in the past, and Squall was nothing more than another mouse to her cheese. 'That ought to teach him to open up a little'. Why or how it would never crossed her mind.

Acting overly ditzy she responded "Oh ok, Squall Lionhart it is!"

"Leonhart!"

She pretended to scan the room. "Your sword? Where? Where? I want to see it!" She was almost sickening herself with how air-headed she sounded.

Squall was obviously starting to get a little irritated by her actions. It was only too obvious that she sought to antagonize him. "My name is Squall Leonhart! And it's a gunblade, not a sword! Its name is Leonhart! I MEAN LIONHART!"

If there was a crowd of people in here, they would have wondered what the noise was all about. Rinoa burst out into a fit of giggles before putting on a scowling face which accentuated her cheeks and rosy red lips. "Didn't have to yell, big meanie."

'She looked kind of cute…ack what am I thinking!' Squall Lionha- Leonhart does not think in terms of cute! 'Don't apologize…don't apologize…Geeze do I actually have to tell myself not to apologize? I must not be feeling well. The stress must be getting to me. I better get a check up in the infirmary.'

"Sorry" he blurted out much to his dismay.

"Was that so hard?" she asked in an almost innocent voice, had its speaker not been thinking malicious thoughts.

"Yes" It turns out these acts might just kill him after all.

"Good! You should be tested every once in a while."

"You didn't answer my question. What are you doing here now exactly?" he asked but wondered why he bothered to repeat his question. He didn't really care what her answer was, did he?

"Silly, if I don't get up early I'll miss our early morning conversations that we love oooh so much." Why did every comment that came out of her mouth either sound cute or sarcastic? Was there no more beloved middle ground?

Squall's emotionless face now raised an eyebrow to that rather odd remark. "This is only the second one we have ever had."

Time to tease the SeeD again. "Aww you're counting the times we spent together, how cute. I didn't realize I meant so much to you!" She overacted a swoon and leaned against Squall who froze stiff, not accustomed to people touching him, ever. 'It's nice though…'

He waited patiently for the young girl to pull herself off of him and return to her usual chatter, but the moment never came. He looked down upon the girl leaning against him and finally realized that she had fallen asleep. 'Great! Why me of all people. Well I can't just leave her here.' He scanned the room only to find that only a few staff members were there at this early hour. 'Good, they shouldn't recognize me. Hyne save them if they do' That was not an idle threat.

Abandoning their trays at the table, he picked up the sleeping girl and carried her bridal style back towards the dorms. He noticed her different clothes as he held her in his arms, the black top and shorts with a blue coat around her. It looked fitting and definitely reminded him that she was in fact a rather shapely girl.

She rummaged around in his arms finding a more comfortable position by snuggling up against his jacket; the fur tickled her nose causing her to wrinkle it like a bunny ever so slightly. He could have sworn he heard a soft little coo from her but couldn't be sure. Its rumored this was the first time the brave commander ever showed his infamous half-grin, but there was no one available to support the story.

In the A wing hallway, something finally hit Squall. He had absolutely no idea which room she belonged to. He sighed and did the only thing he could to improvise. He approached the door and had yet another struggle with the lock, trying to open it while trying not to wake up the sleeping form in his arms.

It never occurred to him that he could just wake her up. Someone so peaceful should be allowed to sleep. After several awkward tries he finally made his way in and placed her on the bed in the spare room leaving a note on top of an alarm clock set to go off 30 min before class. 'Let her get mad at the alarm clock for waking her up.'

Squall left his room but returned with a few parcels of food that he left on the table for her to eat. He had noticed she never got to a chance to touch the food she bought earlier. He felt kind of guilty since it was kind of his fault for pulling her into conversation. He left the room and stood in the hallway for a few moments, his gloved hands covering his eyes.

'Just why exactly do I care anyways? It's not my problem she wanted to get up early or that she didn't eat anything. GAH! What the hell is going on?'

"AHEM!" a voice interrupted his thoughts. He looked up and saw Quistis.

"I'm going to the training center. Prepare for your class instructor." Squall walked away without letting her get a word in. He could only hope she hadn't seen anything.

But fate was not to be kind to the young commander, as she had been tailing her 'little brother' since he woke up that morning and knew who lay sleeping in his room right now. 'Rinoa Heartily eh? Personally I thought he would end up with someone a bit more, ok a lot gloomier. Hmm, Looks like me and Rinoa are going to have a little womanly talk after class today.' The instructor smiled and walked off towards her class to prepare for her incoming students, it was an order from her commander after all.

Rinoa woke up as the alarm clock screeched and looked around in shock wondering where she was. She turned the alarm off and found a note on top of the clock. Curios she opened it and read exactly what happened. Her cheeks blushed furiously as she recalled falling asleep against him.

She honestly hadn't meant to, he just felt so warm…so nice. A strange aura that was emitted from him gave her a strange sense of security that she had been denied for so long. She shook her head a few times, not wanting to be caught up in yet another daydream. Once on her feet she stretched her now well rested body and decided she should leave before she convinces herself to do any snooping around, not that there was much in the room anyways.

She realized upon walking into the living area, that even though he had the larger space, her room was much more filled. His rooms didn't even have curtains, and that was almost a crime! All the furniture seemed standard issue and kept to a bare minimum. 'Well this just wont do. No wonder he is so depressing, his room is just so blah! Ah, no time to worry about that now, class starts in 25 min!' Her stomach growled and reminded her she hadn't eaten a proper breakfast yet. She signed when she realized she wouldn't have time to grab anything before class. 'and on the first full day of classes at that.'

It was then she noticed some food on the table, unopened just waiting for her to partake of it. She ran over to it and quickly devoured what was inside, not caring it was just room temperature. After finishing a small carton of juice she couldn't help but feel all warm inside. 'I knew he couldn't be so grumpy all the time. I think…I think I like him. No, I think I really like him.'

Pleased with her new conclusion she made her way towards class, glowing more so than usual. It took an instructor to break her mood. "Ms. Heartily, I'll need to speak to you after class." No one gave the usual smirks, all well aware how strictly Garden took discipline.

Class ended again and students once again rushed to see who could leave first, leaving Rinoa with her instructor.

"I see you choose the pinwheel as your weapon. Good choice, it should suit you well." Rinoa always nodded, feeling kind of awkward having to talk to her instructor in just the second week of classes. "I see you also seem to be adjusting well. You have become quite popular in the class."

Again Rinoa just nodded, curious what was the point to all this. "And not just inside of class, but I see you have befriended our commander."

This caused Rinoa to look up surprised. "Um, I'm sorry Quistis, but um, I've never even met the Commander. I don't even know what his name is. I heard he wants it to remain a secret for as long as possible so he doesn't have to deal with the media and an entire school after his attention for saving the world. Makes sense I suppose. Maybe you are confusing me with someone else?"

Quistis couldn't help but chuckle a little bit, not overly surprised Squall hadn't mentioned anything about his status here. "Rinoa, you seem like a pretty honest young girl. Can you keep a secret?"

The wheels in Rinoa's head began turning furiously, as she began to formulate her own suspicions, but…but that just couldn't be. "Of course I could."

"Good" Quistis reminded herself that no one had actually ordered her to keep the identity secret. Besides, if she could have that kind of affect on him, it was probably better she know anyway. "I am referring to of course our dear Mr. Leonhart, otherwise known as the Commander to this Garden"

Rinoa stared at her instructor in disbelief despite the fact her very own suspicions had just been confirmed. 'No way! Him? Commander?'

Quistis laughed to herself but was reminded that Rinoa did have to make it to her next class on time "Yes, you have had quite an affect on him. But before things go any further, I think there are some things you should know."

Finally finding the resolve to speak again "Huh? Further? Uh I don't know what you are talking about. We are barely friends." she said flustered though she hid a sheepish smile.

Quistis wasn't buying it for a second. "Come now Rinoa, will you really betray my trust after I just told you a rather big secret? Admit it, you like him." Unlike Rinoa,

Quistis was not the type to hide her true feelings.

Feeling more than a little embarrassed for both being caught in her fib and for being read so easily, she responded while she wrung her hands together behind her back "Ok, I like him. He is cute you know."

Quistis smiled and thought 'not to mention that tight ass' while she nodded in agreement having felt that way just a few years ago. "Good, you got that out in the open. I'm pretty sure he likes you too, though he probably doesn't show it the way you expect. Would you mind meeting me for coffee in the cafeteria after the last class of the day? There are some things we should discuss."

That last statement left Rinoa feeling quite confused. How did she know what Squall was feeling? What did they need to talk about? Despite the questions that danced around in her head, she had a feeling she could trust the instructor, and relying on instinct would be important for a SeeD.

"Ok, sure, the cafeteria in Wing A then. I will see you then. I better run now or ill be late for my next class."

Rinoa politely excused herself and left class, leaving Quistis to stand there and await her next batch of students. 'I can see why he likes her. Hell I just finally really met her and I think she's great.' Suddenly her thoughts where more solemn. 'I just hope she knows what she is getting herself into….'

The training center was covered in a vast lush jungle harboring more threats than could be seen by the naked eye. Despite the evils that lurked there, it always maintained an unusual calmness, an order brought about only by nature. It took man to steal away such piece and bring havoc upon it. In this case specifically, one man.

Squall Leonhart released his mounting tension on broods of unsuspecting monsters who had not instigated any fight. His body fought only through physical reactions, his mind too occupied to aid in the battles.

'What troubles you my young pup?'

The intrusion of another's voice in his head didn't startle the veteran as he continued to hack away at the monsters who screeched in mercy rather than anger.

'I told you not to call me that.'

'But that is what you are. Young, impulsive, reckless, much like a youngling. Such traits often lead to an early demise young pup.'

'I defeated you didn't I.'

'And yet you lack the ability to tap into the full depths of my power. Unlike me you live a mortal life. Besides, who said you fought me at my full strength? Suppose I had let you win.'

Choosing not to further that subject Squall immediately decided to change topics, just as he ran into a T-rexaur which made him smile on the inside. As he taunted the beast he continued his "conversation" with the melodic thick voice that was overflowing with wisdom.

'What is it that you wanted Griever? I am a little busy here' Truthfully he could have fought a horde of these without batting an eye but the conversation was beginning to annoy him.

'I felt something unusual within you. For once thoughts cluttered your usually empty head.'

'That was a pretty obtuse way for calling me stupid. Watch it Griever.'

'The immature should have respect for their elders young pup. You have much to learn. I simply meant you lacked the focus you usually held. Something is troubling you, I merely offer my humble services.' Griever had sounded patronizing just because he knew it would annoy Squall. He was for once, wrong.

'What business of it is yours?'

The answer was delayed, but Squall didn't have time to notice. His opponents were quickly vanquished and returned to the false earth that bore them. His gunblade dropped from his grip as he fell down to his knees from dizziness. He buried his face into his hands realizing what was going on. 'Griever, stop! I did not give you permission!'

'My apologies young pup but we both know you would never tell me otherwise. Your memories provided me with the answers I sought. I can see why you like this one, she is very pretty, if not a tad annoying for my taste.'

Squall now lay on the ground helpless, his weapon just inches from his reach yet still out of grasp. 'Watch it!'

Amused by how quickly and easily he had come to the lady's defense he let out a chuckle that echoed within Squall's head. 'My, to have such an affect on you in a few short days. This Rinoa must truly be someone special. You will have to improve lest you drive her away for good.'

'I don't change and I don't know what you are talking about. You must be going senile or crazy as the years pass.'

Completely ignoring the young warrior's comments Griever continued 'First you must make an attempt to smile more, I believe woman do like that. You do seem to listen to her already, good! That is a rather important trait. I would suggest trying to win over the lady's continued affection with a gift or two perhaps. Something meaningful, but not bold.'

'WILL YOU SHUT UP!' It hurts to yell in your head.

'I see you already did the dinner and dancing routine in a rather unconventional way, splendid, it will keep you remembered. Next I suggest you try something with a bit more talking involved. A getaway into town perhaps? Hmm, you could use some aid in the conversation department.'

The anger that leaked out of Squall's body alone warned inquisitive monster's to stay away. 'How exactly could you know all this? What difference do my actions have for you outside of battle? Gah! Just get out of my head and leave me alone!'

It was time Griever put this youngling in his place. The GF spoke up, but a hint of malicious intent was now embedded in his voice. 'Hmm, she does seem to cause you much agitation. Perhaps it would be best that I simply erase your memories of her from your mind…'

'NO! DON'T!' The GF's laughter that followed had the soldier feeling like an idiot to put it simply, as he realized he fell into Griever's trap. 'Fine, I will admit that despite her annoying chatter, troublesome pushy attitude, and overly inquisitive nature, that she is not exactly…detestable.'

'Fool, we both know you meant to say 'she's beautiful'. You can build a shell around others but there is no barrier strong enough for you to build against me within your mind. DO NOT LIE TO ME YOUNG PUP! Or you may discover my threats were not indeed so idle.'

Trust between a man and his GF was crucial, often meaning the difference between life and death. Griever does have Squall's best interest in mind, but should his ability to fight and call upon his GFs be hampered by lack of trust, perhaps he was better off without this woman intruding upon his life.

'Fine. She's beautiful. I almost like it when she talks to me. Happy?'

'Ecstatic. It is good you have decided to start learning. I suppose I have burdened you long enough. Await my return and heed my words carefully young pup.' Suddenly the voice was gone and the slight ache Squall had felt within his head had vanished. He pulled himself to his feet and grabbed his gunblade making his way to the exit towards his room. Hopefully there he would be left alone to intruders both in and out of his mind.

Well, who guessed right? Yeah i know, that would have been really hard to guess, but oh well. I tried to denote Griever's though a different way, but fanfiction seems to hate me. Anyways, i am really looking forward to reading your reviews, questions, and comments, so please leave them whether they are good or bad. Until next time guys:-)