Disclaimer: I don't own FF8. I own this chapter. I think ya should read it. And all the other ones after that.

Chapter 9 - Freedom

A little bit of freedom goes a long way.

The next day, Seifer and I drove out to the hardware store for paints, and I have to state that he Seifer insane when it came to the colors. Not only did he pick out horrid colors, he wanted furniture to match. Instead of purchasing the colors he wanted, I picked out more 'people acceptable' colors. In exchange, I let him pick out the furniture he wanted with the only guideline that all of it had to match. I chose a very nice green for the living room, because in my eyes it was not only pretty but 'manly' enough for Seifer, and he chose a new couch and side table.

For the kitchen, I picked out a yellow, which Seifer very much objected too, but I wanted his kitchen to be a little more cheerful. And oh god I was starting to sound like Selphie. So with our new colors we went back to his home and started opening the cans of paints. Our strategy was that I painted low, and he painted high. Even though I wasn't the master of painting myself, Seifer was horrible, if that was even possible. I think he got paint everywhere but the wall we were actually doing. By the time we got one wall done, I was covered in paint(thanks to him), and the tarp on the floor was completely hidden by masses of the green slop.

Although it was fun, I couldn't wait to get the room over with and see the finished product, and by the end of the first day, we had two walls done, the bottom looking much neater then the top might I add. I took the opportunity afterwards to take a long, warm bath and perhaps get the green paint out of my hair. When I finally snuggled into my bed, nice and warm, I felt accomplished.

The next few days were the same - Painting, arranging furniture, several more baths, and making fun of Seifer with his horrible skills. When we had finally finished the living room with a series of coats, a new couch, side table, and Seifer's gift to himself being a TV., we decided to tackle the kitchen, and that was even harder. For the kitchen, I was disgusted with Seifer's countertops, and demanded he got new ones, and he wholeheartedly agreed. The only new appliances he needed was a new stove and microwave, which were outdated beyond belief. When we started to cover up the blank white with the cheerful yellow, Seifer decided to paint the cabinets too, which prolonged our finish. But when I was finally satisfied with the makeover, it was completely worth it.

"You have to admit, the yellow isn't that bad." I forced him to say, and he weakly nodded.

"I think the gray I picked out would have been much better. . ." I rolled my eyes. By the time we had got finished painting, I was ecstatic - I had successfully occupied the two weeks until I got my arm cast off, and finally, I could change to crutches. The whole way to the hospital, I was so jumpy Selphie would be put to shame. Eagerly, I hopped on the seat and waited for the doctor. Seifer casually leaned back against a wall, too lazy to join me in the excitement. When the doctor came in, I nearly jumped out of my seat.

"Hello!" I said to him happily. He nodded his head and returned his eyes to his clipboard.

"Hello, Rinoa. We're going to need to get one more x-ray, and then you can get the dreaded cast off." While he was taking the x-rays, he had to tell me multiple times to stop bouncing, but I couldn't help it. When he led me back to the room, he examined the x-rays and showed me how my bones had healed, but I didn't care. The sooner I got off the cast, the better. Slowly, but surely, the doctor started to take off the plaster, and soon I was free! I waved my hand in the air, relieved that the heavy weight was gone.

Shaking my hand in Seifer's face, he just nonchalantly gave me a thumbs up. Even though I had eight weeks left on my leg, I was thankful for the pair of crutches I was provided. Finally, a little sliver of independence, I could walk on my own, maybe even try to go down the stairs, I wouldn't even have to be carried anymore. No, these weren't just crutches - They were freedom. When we were back into the car, Seifer wasn't quite as joyful as I expected him to be - in fact, the melancholy look that was stuck on his face didn't even look like one he could of had achieved.

"Seifer, what's wrong?" He started up the car and shifted the gears.

"Just wondering, now that you're self efficient, are you thinking about moving out?" Wow, would Seifer actually be sad if I had left? But he was right in a point, I was pretty much self-efficient, I could live on my own now, but it would be hard, and that's what I told him.

"It'd be extremely difficult to live alone for now, I can just barely get around. Besides, where would I have to go? When I'm fully healed, I'll find a place, but until then you're stuck with me for eight more weeks." I laughed, and he did cheer up a bit.

"Well, here's the deal, I'll help you find a place, and help you fix it all up, no charges." I did think about it. I knew although Seifer wasn't a billionaire, he did have quite a high number of funds, but I couldn't totally rely on him.

"Ha, what would I owe you?" He smirked and looked at me.

"Staying with me for the next eight weeks is payment enough." I smiled. Even though Seifer wasn't the most innocent man, he was really sweet sometimes, and I had to admit that hanging out with him was a lot more fun then I had thought it would be. When we got ''home'' I took advantage of my arm and started to make myself lunch, so sitting down the grilled cheese, I applauded myself. . .which I could also do with my two hands. The rest of the day was filled with me doing everything I could finally do now, like clapping, writing, pushing Seifer, etc. At the end of the day, I noticed how much easier it was to slip into my pajamas, and I was very, very thankful. So I went to sleep, once again proud of myself.

The next week slipped by with a blur, being bored around the house, doing puzzles and everything else, until I was sick and tired of being cooped up all day. I forced Seifer to take me to Balamb to visit Selphie, Irvine, and Squall. Hopefully, Quistis wouldn't be there, but I knew deep down that she would, so when we entered the school, the first thing I noticed was that the gossip died down, and I was glad. When I knocked on Selphie's door (with my new, unbroken arm), she gleefully answered. Excitedly she hugged me and forced me into a chair. Insisting me to do a hand clap with her before she could believe it. Seifer and Irvine, who were much more friends now laughed and pointed at us, but I didn't care. I was having fun with my best friend.

All four of us got into a conversation with what had been happening lately, (Selphie scolded me for not visiting sooner) and we got onto the subject of Squall and Quistis somehow.

"Squall got his cast off yesterday, but he hasn't visited us. I'm sure 'the witch' has left him locked in his room still." Irvine stated, taking a sip of his drink on the table, while handing one to Seifer.

"Rinoa kicked the crap out of her, I don't think she wants anyone to associate with her friends, too." Selphie gasped.

"You did what!" Selphie exclaimed, and I was about to talk until Seifer burst in with the story.

"Haha, she lurched out of her wheelchair and pounced on poor Quistis. There was a lot of biting and scratching going on, even with two limbs, and I must say little Rinoa did quite a fine job." He made it sound a lot less civil, then I thought it really was. "I don't think Quistis wants to mess with Rinoa again."

"There wasn't any biting on my part." I had to mention. Selphie laughed, and we continued to talk about the two until it was time for Seifer and me to leave. I received a hug from Selphie, but this time I didn't promise when I could see her next, but hopefully soon. As we were leaving, I saw Quistis exiting Squall's dorm. It was quite funny when I saw the color drain from her face, and her face go from surprise to a glare.

"I thought I told you not to come back to Balamb."

"I didn't know you could think." Seifer laughed and just decided to stay out of it again. He wanted to avoid the rumble at all costs. "I came to see Squall."

"I don't feel like letting you." I smiled.

"Hey Quistis, I have two arms this time. You won't have hair left if you keep pushing it. Now you can get out of the way, let me talk to Squall and hear what you lied to him about this time." Feeling defeated all she could do was let me walk through the door. Squall was sitting up in a chair, looking drowsy and desperate for a nap. When I came in he smiled.

"Hey Rinoa! I see you got crutches now!" He happily waved and motioned for me to sit down. I sat on the bed and laid my crutches to the side.

"How've you been, Squall?" He gave me a face that looked like he was really thinking about it.

"I've been pretty good, and I've started to remember a few things, like my past and Balamb and stuff." I smiled, glad that Quistis told him a few things that are true.

"What else did you remember?" He seemed happy that someone was interested, I imagined he didn't get out much.

"I remembered that I'm a SeeD, and that there was this one sorceress Edea that I defeated, and I remembered GF's, and a few of my friends." I tried the million dollar question.

"Did you remember me?" He frowned, and I knew the answer was negative.

"I remember a little. Not as much as everyone else." I could imagine Quistis refused to speak about me, so all I could do on my visits was push him to remember.

"Do you remember. . .the SeeD dance?" He nodded his head, and I became a little excited that there was hope.

"I was in my SeeD uniform, and Selphie wanted me to join some sort of committee, and I agreed. I was just sitting there, alone, sipping some water, when a girl came and made me dance, and from what I remember, I was horrible."

"Do you remember the girl?" I know I sounded eager, but I was. I needed to make him remember me, because I was still in love with him, no doubt.

"Kind of. I remember her dress, and to mention it, she looked kinda like. . ." He leaned in and inspected my face, and then he gasped. "Were you the girl?" I nodded, and he laughed.

"Finally!" I said, joining with him. At least he knew a little bit more now, and the trip into the room wasn't in total vain. We discussed a few more topics, but I still couldn't get him to remember anything else. Before I left, I put Seifer's number on a piece of paper, and gave it to Squall.

"Next doctor's visit, I'll come with you. Call me." Squall blushed and nodded, and I still prayed that him and Quistis weren't an item. I hugged him goodbye, and it was so sweet to have his arms around me again, although I didn't feel as safe as I once was. It just wasn't the same. Seifer and I left, leaving Quistis in fear of what I might have told Squall. The rest of the day was uneventful, and I couldn't wait until Squall called me. It was a week later until I had gotten to hear from him, and I answered the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Rinoa, is that you?" Once I heard Squall's voice on the other end I jumped. It was finally him!"

"Hey Squall!"

"I was calling to tell you I have to go to the doctor tomorrow, and maybe you would want to meet Quistis and me there?"

"Of course, I'll see you then."

"Alright, great. Bye!" I heard him hang up, and I was a little bit disappointed that we didn't talk longer, but I was still ecstatic that I would see him again. I told Seifer, and he just nodded and agreed.

That night, I couldn't get any sleep, because I knew the next day I would be seeing Squall and hearing the doctor's progress on him. When I finally fell asleep, I woke up four hours later to get ready. I spent extra time on my hair and picking out an outfit, that even though it was just a doctor's appointment, I felt like it was a date. Practically pushing him off his bed, I woke Seifer up and made him get ready. He groaned, looking at the time and told me to leave. I obliged, but came in a few minutes later to see he had went back to sleep. When he was finally ready, we got in the car and drove to the hospital, and arrived way earlier then Squall's appointment. Seifer leaned his head back, and I wouldn't even be able to tell if he was sleeping if it weren't for the absence of rude remarks.

When I saw Quistis come in with Squall, I smack Seifer's arm, telling him to wake up. He jolted up out of his peaceful state and looked at the door. Squall was scanning the room until he saw me and ''crutched'' over.

"Hi Rinoa." His voice was less high-pitched then last time I saw him, and I could tell he remembered a little more because he started to sound more like his lone wolf self.

"Hi Squall. What Doctor do you have?" He answered immediately, unlike last time where he would take his time.

"Dr. Smith."(Woah, Creative name there.) I nodded and the nurse came through the door, announcing Squall's appointment, all four of us, Quistis being a little more apart from the group, headed into the room, where Dr. Smith did a few tests on Squall about his memory. She was constantly adding things to her clipboard, until finally the questioning stopped.

"Well, everyone, it seems Squall is progressing a little slow, but that's alright. He's still on the road to recovering his memory, and he's remembering a few key places and things in his life."

"Is there any way to help him remember?" I already knew a few, but I needed to know more if I wanted him back. The doctor nodded her head, not removing her eyes from the clipboard.

"You can introduce him to areas where significant events happened. There are a few key things that if he thought about or saw, he'd remember more and more things about the past. Any other questions?" We all stayed silent, and she took it as a no, and let us leave out the door. I hugged Squall again for goodbye,(and while doing it, stuck my tongue out at Quistis.), and then me and Seifer left. Squall promised he would call me again if anything came up, and I was pretty happy when we got home.

I had six weeks left on my leg, Squall was remembering me, I beat the hell out of Quistis,and me and Seifer couldn't be getting along better. For the next six weeks, I'd still be at Seifer's until I found my own home, where I could almost be free of the accident. After that, all I needed was for Squall to remember, and that would be enough. Things weren't perfect, but they might as well have been.

There, it wasn't really fast, but I finally typed out this chapter. Next one, Rinoa will finally heal her dreaded leg and I don't have to make her crutch around so much, lol.

Thank you to my reviewers. . .

Blue Jae - Yeah, it was required to make Quistis a jerk in this story, but in future stories, I'll make her nicer, lol

Angel Wings-008 - Lol, I'll make sure people beat the crap out of each other more often, hehe.

Cerulean Crystal - Nah, he didn't promise Quistis. I would make him, but that'd be hard to get him out of, lol.

SavannahX - Thanks for checking out my other story! I'm glad your happy! .

rinnyheartillyizawesome - Yeah, he'll eventually remember him and Rinoa and Quistis will probably end up getting screwed out of the whole deal, lol.