Disclaimer: I own nothing in affiliation to Final Fantasy VIII. (Has anybody memorized that by now?)
Did I ever mention my great reviewers?
Ecstatic chick-I'm glad that you found it so funny=). Yup, Laguna's one of my favorite characters, if you can't tell that already. I didn't think that much of Squall sleeping in Rinoa's room, but your comment gave it a brighter light. Thanks bunches for your consistent reviews!
Liliangel-First of all, I think your English is really good! I'm so honored that you reviewed my fic even though you aren't fully confident of your English. Being bilingual is amazing! (*secretly bows* ^_~) Anyway, of course I forgive you! Even though I'd love it if you reviewed diligently from now on, you can just keep on enjoying the story and I'll be pleased. Thanks so much for the review!
Heikaru-Another person that thought it was funny. ^^ Yeah, no matter what's happening, as soon as Laguna comes in it's party time! Thanks for the compliment and review!
Angelprinczess29-Yupo! Laguna's so funny. Are you a Laguna lover, too? I found this really cute picture of Laguna holding baby Squall... Have you seen it? I should sent it to you! Thanks for your enthusiasm and review!
Keiry-I took mostly everyone by surprise when I updated, including myself. ^_^ Hey, when are you gonna update your Misguided fic? I think it's really good. Thanks for understanding and an extra thanks for the review!
Anonymous-The monthly call was my favorite part, right next to Laguna fainting. Seifer the meanie! Yeah, I had planned to have Squall beat the shiznit outta him, but this seemed a bit better. Thanks for your constant reviews!
Monny-chan- ...You got me. I found the whole 'perfect love' scenario far too unreal. Things had to change and they had to change quickly, otherwise I'd (along with other readers) get sick of this fic. Besides, it needed a problem in there. You live in Mexico?? Where? I'm going to Chihuahua! Do you live around there? Do you know of the store called 'La Mini Super Viky'? That's la tienda de mi abuelito! (Spanglish here) Oh, it'd be so cool if you lived near there! By the way, are you gonna update your comedy (Final Fantasy VIII Lo que la historia no te dijo) fic? I really love that. Anyway, thanks for the review!
Renegade Seraph- Yup, Seifer's dead! Slap Squall? Ah, yes, I went through that already, hence the parts where he shoved his own head into the closet=). Squall will WANT to take care of Rinoa, but certain things will stop him from doing so... Thanks for the review! Oh, and I hope you had fun in London!
Hiasha-Again, I know that you didn't exactly review, but you included me in your Author's note on your latest update. I suppose that's kinda like reviewing, and I appreciate every bit of it. Thanks a lot!
Okay, I'm sorry to say that this chapter won't be as humorous as the last. I suppose some might call it a plot twist, but I think that what happens next is probably what would happen in real life shoud this same situation occur.
Here it is!
Chapter Seven:
Wrongful Punishment
Bianka-chan
Squall's POV
My dad was lying on the couch, surrounded by maids that would constantly dab a wet cloth to his forehead. I decided upon staying with Rinoa and the bipolar maid (A/N: Hereafter referred to as 'Nana'. Am I the only one who thinks that's cute?) in Rinoa's/Dad's room. When Nana left to retrieve some more bandages, I took my chance to condole Rinoa.
I bent down beside her bed and placed my hand on her forehead, separating her bangs into two raven rivers. Her face had been properly cleaned at this time, and it was pleasing to see her looking peaceful.
Feeling sorry for all I had put her through just before, I kneeled down to plant a kiss on her forehead. Before I could do so, Rinoa's eyes fluttered open. I immediately bolted back, knowing that she couldn't see me but sense me instead. She smiled and lifted her fingers from her sides at the bed, brushing my bare arms with her feathery touch.
"Squall, I have to go to the bathroom," she said softly, her smile never leaving her face.
I completely froze, a deep blush turning my face entirely red. Rinoa went on. "I can't go by myself, you know..."
If possible, I blushed even deeper. /Just what the hell is she asking me to do?/
She pushed me tenderly away and got up from the bed, staggering back and forth. "Come on, just lead me there. You don't have to help or anything."
I sighed and placed an arm on each of her shoulders, leading her to the far end of the room. "How long have you been holding this? Two weeks?"
Rinoa laughed and leaned against my chest. "I had maids to help me before, and Quistis would direct me to the bathroom over at Seifer's house. Now that neither maids nor Quistis are here, you've gotta be the one to help me."
My feet started to turn into stone at the mere thought of being in the bathroom with Rinoa. Ignoring that, I dragged Rinoa and myself into the restroom. Taking her hand, I put it on the lid of the toilet. "There's the toilet; I'm glad I could help. I hope it all comes out well."
Those three sentences came out about a mile a minute, making Rinoa burst into a fit of giggles. /She may be the handicapped one, but she's always got the upper hand./ With a nervous wave, I closed the door of the bathroom as I left.
I let another sigh escape my lips as I sat down on the edge of Rinoa's bed. "That girl's gonna be the end of me..."
A loud crash erupted from the restroom, followed by a small screech. I jumped up from the bed and ran to open the door to check on Rinoa. I stopped myself before I did so, suddenly afraid that I'd find her in an odd situation, if you know what I mean.
"What's wrong, Rinoa? What happened?"
Rinoa groaned and scraped her nails along the door. "What kind of door is this? It doesn't have a knob..."
I chuckled for the first time in several days. "Oh, yeah, that's right. Dad had the thing given a special bolt. Some of the maids used to barge in on him when he was in here."
Striding along, I slipped a card through the slit in the door and lifted Rinoa up by her shoulders. "Dad was never good with bolts..."
As Rinoa's feet met the ground, she threw her arms out in front of her. "Come on, Squall. Give me a hug; it's the least you can do."
My eyes widened. "Uh, Rinoa, we shouldn't. You're still hurt; you can hardly stand by yourself. Besides, the ambulence--"
I cut myself off when I noticed that Rinoa was bringing her face closer to mine. Feeling helpless as I watched her angelic face begging to be kissed, I neared as well. Just as our lips were about to lock...I heard my father scream.
Reluctantly, I brought my face back and gently picked her up. "The ambulence probably scared the wits out of my dad. Let's go get you taken care of."
I saw the pouty look on her face and ignored it, afraid that I might give in right there and then. /As soon as she's better, I'll get her that operation she needs--even if I have to give her my own eyes./ From that moment on, I practically flew out of Rinoa's room and across the long corridor. But I froze as I reached the top of the staircase...
There was an infantry of policemen and a small set of soldiers piled in my living-room. And at the head of them all was...Quistis.
"Quistis, what the hell's going on!?"
Quistis got up on shaky feet and pointed a finger at Rinoa. "Sh-she killed my husband!"
That simple sentence is what tore Rinoa away from me again, breaking my world in half. The angel's eyes widened, and she looked as though she wanted to run away. I wanted to run away, too, but I was locked in a cage of no escape. The only exit was downstairs, and if I left it would be without Rinoa.
The men flew up the stairs and ripped their guns out of their sheaths, ready to fire at me should I decide to attack. The supposed leader spoke up first, his gun raising to aim at my head. "Give us the girl."
After fighting my heart to convince myself to get her back, this happens. I wanted to scream so badly at them for ruining Rinoa's life. But I would have to shout at myself the most. If I hadn't questioned her trust, this whole predicament wouldn't have arisen.
"What the hell is your problem!? Give us the girl!" shouted the lead soldier, his gun now only inches away from my forehead.
I honestly would have let them kill me if Rinoa hadn't spoken up. "Put me down, Squall..."
"But, Rinoa...!"
She shook her head. "Quistis is right; I killed her husband. Now, let me go."
I let go of Rinoa and placed her securely on the ground. The small army immediately took both of her arms and raced back down the stairs, never re-sheathing their guns.
Even as they reached the front door, I didn't move at all. Slowly, I went down the stairs, more than eager to take her out of their grasp. However, she took my heart with her, and that was irreplaceable.
They opened the door. And that that moment, my shock was replaced by desperation. I dashed down the stairs, craving for the kiss that we never got to share. I was getting so close, so close...
The lead man turned around and glared at me. "You cannot follow us. You will be contacted once the trial begins. For now, she'll reside in jail."
The door was shut in my face. I lifted my hand and punched the door. "Jail... Jail!? What the hell's going on!? Why!?"
Nana came behind me, putting her arms around me in an attempt to comfort me. I pounded the door again before I turned around and embraced her tightly.
"Nana, please! Don't let them take her away! Don't let them..."
She silenced me by humming softly and rocking me back and forth, as if she was the mother that I never had. It was then that I simply drowned in all my sorrows, streams releasing themselves from my red eyes...
_______________________________________________________________________________________
A/N: That was a bit shorter than I expected. I think it was really sad what happened =(. Thanks so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed it.
Stay tuned for the next chapter: Trial of the Heart! It should be coming out soon. If not, you know where I'll be. Sorry!
Please, please, please review! Have a nice day! ~Bianka-chan