Title: Memories in the Rain
Pairing: Squall x Quistis (Hints of Squall x Rinoa)
Rating: T
Warning: Violence, Language, and Rinoa.
Disclaimer: The original Final Fantasy VIII, it's characters, and script belong to Square-Enix.
Notes: This story is follows the events of the video game but scenes and dialogue are not directly quoted. I have taken author liberties and added new scenes, changed wording, and in most places I have put in entirely new dialogue. This is for entertainment purposes only. Please do not sue.
Updates: I'm finally editing it. Wow. (3/23/2007).

The sun shimmered through the glass windows of the orphanage. Its rays caressed the little girl's blond hair and face. She held his hand and giggled. The little boy smiled weakly.

"I made you a picture." The girl said softly. She shoved her left hand in her pocket and pulled out a folded piece of white paper. She handed it to the boy. He took the paper hesitantly and let go of her hand to open it. He unfolded the paper slowly. He did not want to spoil the moment. It was the first time anyone had ever given him a present.

His eyes widened in surprise. It was a drawing of a Lion outlined in black crayon and colored in with various yellows, oranges, and browns. All of the warm colors were delicately placed inside the black lines.

"It's a Lion! My favorite animal. Wow. Thank you."

"You're welcome." The little girl grabbed his arm. "Come on, Squally. Let's play!"

"But I need to name him."

"Do it later. Miss Ellone said she's gonna play "Duck Duck Goo--"

"Are you alright? Can you hear me?"

Huh? Who was that little girl? Why wouldn't I be alright?

Squall Leonhart opened his eyes, a circline fluorescent bulb flickered into his direct field vision, and he immediately shut them again.

Dammit. My head burns.

He ignored the dancing blue and white spots as he opened his eyes once more. The potent stench of hydrogen peroxide filled his nostrils. His mouth and throat were dry and his dark bangs felt stiff like straw against his forehead. He slowly moved a pale hand to the center of his forehead and pulled his fingers away. Smudges of wet blood smeared against his skin and rust-colored flakes were already lodged under his fingernails.

"Does your head hurt?" A woman's voice asked gently. Squall turned his head slightly to see the round plump face of Doctor Kadawaki. He was in the hospital wing, obviously. But why? The last thing he remembered was sparring with Seifer.

"Yeah, a little." He finally answered. 'A little' was a complete understatement. He felt like his skull was viciously stabbed with a dagger fifty times, dunked in gasoline, then lit on fire like a bloody menorah.

"Can you tell me your name, please."

"Squall Leonhart."

"And your age."

"Seventeen."

"Good. You know, you're very lucky it is only a scar, Mister Leonhart. A few more centimeters and your right eye would have been punctured. Take it easy next time you are sparring. Now if you will excuse me, I am going to call your instructor."

Whatever.

Squall kept his head turned to the side. Maybe if he kept it still it would stop hurting. He wiped his sweaty palms on his plawhite tee shirt. His black leather jacket with the white fur collar was placed on the chair against a nearby wall. His matching black leather gloves along with a glass of water were on the end table next to the bed. He reached over and picked up the glass. He took a gulp and forced himself to swallow it. Nothing like piss warm water to go along with his already craptacular day.

He put the glass back on the table and gently put his head back into its previous position. He looked at his reflection in the large window a few feet away from him. A flicker of silky white caught his attention. His eyes moved up to see a slender framed young woman. She wore an airy blue top and a fitted white skirt that went down to her knees. She had a kind maternal look about her and soft facial features. Something about her was oddly familiar but it was exactly Squall did not know. Nonetheless, he could not help but feel the bizarre sensation of deja vu. But whatever. It was probably all of the pain killers Doctor Kadawaki gave him.

The repeated clicking noise of boot on floor made Squall bring his attention back to reality. He blinked and focused his sights on his instructor, Quistis Trepe. He gave her a quick once over. He always thought she looked good in her instructor's uniform. It did not matter how many times he saw her in it, day after day, month after month, the sight never grew old.

Her black military boots were freshly polished, her bare legs looked smooth and soft, her dark olive green, knee-length tweed skirt and matching jacket were ironed to perfection. Long whisps of blond hair curved around her face and draped down to her shoulders. The remainder of her hair was neatly tied into a bun on the top of her head. Not a smudge or a speck of dirt on her wire framed glasses. Hell, she even made the ridiculous red tie look cute. Squall swallowed and once more wiped his sweaty palms against his tee shirt.

Quistis took one look at at him and shook her head. Squall sat up slowly.

"I knew it would either be you or Almasy. I'm just glad it's you." She smiled and tossed him a bottle of aspirin. "A gift from Doctor Kadawaki. She said your head should clear up in an hour or two."

Squall made no move to catch it and simply watched it bounce onto the bed. He licked his lips and slid off of the matress. He stood up only to be welcomed by a wave of nausea.

"Dammit." He whispered as he put a hand to his head to steady himself.

"Looks like you need my help afterall." The instructor said playfully. She walked along the opposite side of the bed and swiped the bottle of aspirin. She dropped two pills into her hand, grabbed the glass of water, and finally handed them to Squall once she was close to him.

Oh great. More piss water. Squall popped the pills into his mouth like candy and washed them down.

"Don't report me for sexual harrassment for doing this." Quistis pulled him against her. "Now put your arm around me."

"..." He felt his cheeks grow hot.

"Or you can fall on your ass. It's your choice."

Squall leaned against her. He had never been this close to a girl before.

They reached the end of the hallway before he blurted out, "We have to go back. I forgot my gloves."

"Get them later. I have to get you back to class. You have the field examination today, remember?"

Squall paused. ...Do it later. Miss Ellone said...

He glared at her.

"Are you okay?"

"Uh...Yeah...I just..." He cleared his throat and spoke more forcefully. "I don't need any help. I'm fine." With that he pulled her arm away and hurriedly walked towards the large circular common area of the military academy.