Disclaimer: I don't own final fantasy 8, but I did own the game and I LOST IT! Gahhh, gonna have to buy it again off Ebay or something.
Chapter 11 - I Saved My Knight
A night under the starry skies . . .
Seifer had already eaten as quickly and as much as he could, so he was napping on the couch, snoring away. He had earned a break from everything after all he did for me. While he was asleep, I took the cordless phone and I left into my new bedroom. Sitting down on the pink, fluffy bed, I dialed Squall's number, waiting for him to pick up. After three rings, I heard another voice at the end, and I knew it belonged to Quistis.
"Hello?" She said in a clear voice.
"Um. . .Hi. It's me, Rinoa." I practically felt the hesitation on the other end of the line.
"Uh, Hey. You called to talk to Squall?" There was least some kindness in Quistis' voice.
"Yes, please." The muffled sounds of passing one phone to another were heard at the end, and Squall's deep voice came on.
"Hey." He said, sounding a little more like himself.
"Hey Squall, how've things been."
"Pretty good, and yourself?"
"I've been doing great. I even got my leg cast off, and you'll never believe where I'm living now." It sounded like we were old friends again.
"Oh, you moved? Where?"
"To Edea's orphanage!"
"Where's that?" I felt a twinge of ignorance, as I realized that of course, Squall wouldn't remember where it was. God was I an idiot.
"Oh, Quistis will know. I was wondering if you guys wanted to come down and stay with me for maybe a week?"
"I'll ask Quistis if she wants to. . " I cut him off.
"Can I talk to her instead?"
"I guess so. . ." Once again, the muffled sounds were heard.
"Hi."
"Hey Quistis. . .look, I really want Squall and you to come and spend a few days with me. Maybe we can talk, you know?" There was silence for a moment, but Quistis replied.
"That sounds good, where are you staying?"
"Edea's orphanage."
"Yeah, we can make it down there tomorrow, is that good for you?" I peeked out the door and saw that Seifer was still sleeping, hoping he and Quistis wouldn't clash tomorrow. Actually, I hoped Quistis and I wouldn't clash tomorrow either.
"Sounds perfect."
"Great, see you then!"
"Bye!" She hung up, so I too put the cordless phone back on the receiver. Seifer was still sleeping by the time I decided to go to bed, so I put a blanket on him, and went to sleep in my new room. I was so glad that I could finally get dressed in under a minutes time. I had lost a lot over the past few months, and I finally had the chance to earn it back, and make amends. I thought I could barely get to sleep from the excitement, but exhaustion beat it and within minutes I was out.
The next morning I woke up, and Seifer was already awake watching the news, when I told him some of my own.
"We're going to have guests today." I plopped down on the couch next to him. He looked at me.
"Oh my God." He said, I looked at him uneasily.
"What!"
"You have wild bed hair!" He laughed at my reaction, and I hit him after he scared me out of my wits. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding, you are a beautiful sleeper. Who's our guests?"
"For one, how would you know I'm a beautiful sleeper, creep. For two, Quistis and Squall." Seifer sarcastically gasped.
"Oh my!" I rolled my eyes at his inability to be serious. I spent an hour getting ready, to look perfect for our guests. I didn't want either of them to think I didn't take care of myself. When my appearance was finally satisfying, I left the bathroom and opened the door to see an eagerly waiting Seifer.
"What took you so long!" I moved out of the way of the door. Yes, it was true that I heard yelps, asking me to please just get out for a second. I guess I just ignored them. After that, I went into the kitchen and started to make anything that was edible for the soon-to-arrive guests. In middle of it, the doorbell rang and I jumped.
"Seifer, take care of this! I'll get it!" He grumbled and went into the kitchen, just as I ran out and answered the door, worrying of course, in the process. When I fiercely grabbed it open, Quistis and Squall were both in front of me, each holding a suitcase.
"Hi guys!" I practically yelled. Quistis provided a small wave, while Squall said a simple, "Hey." I called Seifer, who like a slave, grabbed their suitcases. Of course, I insisted on providing a grand tour of my home, until finally showing them into the guest rooms, that Seifer neglected to sleep in last night. Seifer took Squall into another room for a "man talk" or so he said, leaving us, the feuding women, alone.
"So. . ." I tried my best for conversation.
"Yeah . . ." I knew it was necessary to apologize, so I might as well of thrown it out quickly.
"Listen Quistis, I'm really, really sorry about what happened at Balamb. I mean, I shouldn't of ya know. . .pounced." Quistis looked away and she too was thinking of some sort of apology.
"I'm sorry too, I mean I shouldn't of taken advantage of such a situation like that it's just. . ." She paused for a moment.
"Go on. . ."
"Well, it's hard being 'the teacher,' to everyone. I always thought I had a chance with Squall, I mean we were both young, intelligent people that worked together often. It was just weird to see that someone could make him open up when I had failed so many times. I thought I had loved him, and. . .it took the better of me, and I apologize for that." I smiled at her, even though we both knew we weren't really that sorry. She had gotten what she wanted, temporarily, may I add, and I would have done the same thing over again. But for now, it was good to be on pleasant terms.
"I really have to tell you something, though."
"Alright, I'm listening." I took a deep breath.
"I love Squall, with all my heart, and nothing could change that, honest. I think I can find a way to make him remember me, whether it sounds crazy or possible. But I know that he might have developed feelings for you, and I guess I'm afraid."
"Afraid of what?"
". . .That he won't love me after everything."
"That's ridiculous."
"No, it's not at all. He's learned to forget me and obviously he's doing fine. Do you think it's alright. . .if I have a talk with him about it?" I could tell Quistis was thinking really hard about it, but after our apologies, it was impossible for her to deny my request.
"Of course you can. It's not like I own him." She said with a small laugh.
"Thanks, Quisty." I hugged her, honestly, because I was that happy. It was a while since 'Quisty' came out of my mouth, but it just flew out, and I couldn't stop myself. Seifer and Squall came back into the room, Seifer sitting between us on the couch, putting his arms around us.
"Hello, ladies. And how are you two doing after your womanish talk?" I giggled and pushed his arm off.
"We're doing fine, and how was your manly talk?" He made a heroic pose.
"Filled with manly subjects that you females wouldn't understand." Quistis pushed him away.
"Oh yes, poor us, what would we do without your manly ways? We better stick to the kitchen we're we really learn." She was laughing as Seifer fell over. "You had to live with this thing?"
I nodded and laughed, walking into the kitchen of course.
"And stay there." Seifer called out from the other room. A few obscenities left my mouth when I took all the food and started preparing it on plates for everyone. I set it all on the kitchen table, and called to everyone. I was very proud of how well I had made everything, and it was a perfect chance to show off. When Squall and I were together, I cooked for him all the time, but of course he wouldn't know that. It was the first time in months since I've eaten at a dinner table with more then two people, and it felt especially good that it was my own. However, I did cook a little too much food, and even Seifer told me he was full while I tired to pile more onto his plate.
It was a few minor conversations and even more awkward silences later, I asked Squall.
"Hey Squall. . .Can I talk to you for a sec?" We went outside where the beach was, and I hoped Squall would somehow find it a little familiar, but it wasn't part of the master plan. I sat down at the place where you could put your feet and have the waves just gently crash over them. He sat a little higher up to avoid getting wet, but I didn't mind. The only thing that was different was the new kind of silence - Before we could sit like this forever, it was the comfortable kind of silence that didn't need to be interrupted, but now it was strange, because I was urging to say everything.
"Squall, I have a question for you. . ." He looked at me and nodded. "Shoot."
"Well. . .I know you don't remember me. . .or us. The last few months have been. . .scary." I was sounding more like my old self when I was around him. "I'm afraid that it won't happen again."
"So where's the question in that?"
"Are you and Quistis. . .together?" He looked at me strangely.
"Define together." I turned back around and stared at my feet. "Together as in dating." I didn't even know if I really wanted him to reply to it.
"It's a weird thing. At first. . .I guess you could say we were, but lately, she's been kind of far apart." I looked at him hopefully. I knew that meant yes, they were dating, but it wasn't what I wanted to hear.
"Do you think we have a chance?" I said so softly and inaudibly I was afraid the waves would have washed my words away.
"I don't know, Rinoa." I felt my stomach tighten up, and we both knew the conversation wasn't going where I was hoping. I was used to his comfort, not his doubt. Even though I hated it, I felt the sting meaning that the tears were going to come soon if I didn't hold it in. "What makes Quistis so different?"
I didn't know if I was saying it to myself or to him, but he stayed silent for a moment.
"I'm sorry. . ." He started. I held my hand up and waved him off. He didn't need to explain himself.
"Don't be sorry. You didn't do it on purpose. . .But you don't really understand." My voice was cracking, but I entered the state where I couldn't hold it in. "I'm losing you Squall, and I'm scared. You were. . .my knight, and now you're gone." I could tell he pitied me because he scooted down to be right next to me, but I looked away. The last thing I needed was for him to see me crying.
"But I'm not gone. I'm right here." I shook my head.
"You don't know how it is though. You're not here, not the Squall that I know. If the Squall I remembered was here, I wouldn't be here, like this. Last time I was falling apart, last time I was afraid, you stayed by my side."
". . .From all of us at Ground Control, we wish you godspeed."
We just confirmed that we were safe.
"Thanks."
I was so relieved. . .
Squall motioned for me to sit in my seat, but once I took a step, I went flying in the air.
"Hey!"
At first I was surprised, but it felt. . .nice.
He even got out of his seat to get me.
"Go sit over there. Put your seatbelt on."
Of course I didn't listen. I sat on his lap instead.
"We'll be home soon?"
I was worried again. I didn't want to go home.
"Hopefully."
I still wondered how he could hope to go home. He obviously didn't know what was going to happen to me.
"Now go sit down."
I couldn't. I was too afraid. . .
"Just a little longer."
I just wanted him to let me stay. I wanted to be with him and him only.
"Why are you holding onto me like this?"
I had my arms wrapped around him. I guess he was uncomfortable. . .
"You don't like this, Squall?"
I held on tighter and leaned into him.
"Just not used to it."
He's never been close to someone before.
"How about when you were little? Didn't you feel safe and secure being held by your parents?"
It looked like it was painful for him to answer.
"I can't remember anything about my parents. But Ellone was there for me. Ellone was there to hold my hand.."
He was opening up to me. Just a little, but it was enough.
"Made you feel safe and secure?"
Just like I felt at that moment. . .
"Sure. But she left. Just disappeared. I'm afraid. . . Afraid of having that feeling of comfort being taken away."
It seemed like right there, everything clicked about Squall. I would never, ever leave him, I had decided.
"You were afraid of losing us? Is that why you kept your distance?"
He was afraid. Just like me.
"I was always alone. . ."
I won't make you feel alone.
"Squall. . .You missed out on all the good things in life. . .You've missed out on so much."
I held him tight to me, almost wanting to cry for him because I knew he wouldn't. I made sure to hold on, just so he knew I would never let go.
"Maybe."
He still couldn't admit it though. . .
"Definitely. I like it like this. I liked having my mom hold me. My dad too, back when we got along."
And now I had him . . .
"I'm not your mom."
Smooth way to say it Squall, smooth.
"No, of course not. But now, Squall, you're the one who gives me the most comfort. Comfort and happiness. . .and annoyance and disappointment too!"
Of course I could predict his next words. . .
"Whatever."
We said it in unison, and I giggled. That annoyance part. . .
"You should get back in your seat now."
But the disappointment part. . .You've never disappointed me. . .until now.
"Just a little longer. . ."
I probably didn't have much time left.
"We're gonna make it home, right?"
It was better to hear him say it.
"We can only hope."
I guess that was enough assurance.
"When we get back. . .We won't be able to stay together, huh?"
Didn't he understand, I wasn't safe?
". . .Maybe."
Maybe was just another word for no. . .
"No one can predict the future, there are no guarantees."
No guarantees, only guesses.
"Those were your words, Rinoa."
Only he could use my own words against me. It was one of the only phrases I didn't want to hear then.
"That's not what I meant."
Couldn't he of just told me I was safe? But it was enough just to have him hold me. For a while, the rest of the world didn't exist.
"We'll figure out what to do once we get back."
I guess I did need to sit in my seat.
"They'll all be. . . angry at me."
I could hurt them. . .
"Angry?"
Yes, Angry. Or maybe even intimidated.
"This is Airstation. Ragnarok, please respond."
Great, they had interrupted.
"This is the Ragnarok."
If only we hadn't said anything back, maybe they would have left us alone.
"We have some questions for you."
I just wanted them to stop talking. To just stay away. . .
"We're collecting escape pods. We have a good idea of what happened. I hear no one from Lunar base on the Ragnarok. How many of you are there?"
Two of us. . .and they were going to take me away.
"Just two."
It was our first alone time in a while. . .
". . .Your names?"
Once they hear 'Rinoa. . .'
"Squall. I'm a SeeD from Balamb Garden."
Trying to be professional.
"And the other?"
Rinoa.
". . .Rinoa."
Here it came. . .
"Rinoa? The Sorceress? She's on the ship?"
They were afraid of me.
"I've . . . become a sorceress. I can't stay with you anymore, Squall."
And the thought hurt so bad. . .
"Respond, Ragnarok!"
They probably thought I hurt him.
"I don't want the future. I want the present to stand still. I just want to stay here with you."
He saw me starting to go into tears. . .but I wasn't ashamed.
"Respond Ragnarok!"
I wasn't ashamed to cry in front of him.
"Nobody would want to be around me anymore. . ."
I thought he couldn't possibly save me.
"The sorceress will be seized upon arrival. Be sure to follow the crews instructions."
I thought even my knight would fail.
"I'm. . .scared."
Even for a second, I doubted him.
"Squall do you copy? Is the sorceress listening too?"
Great, I wasn't Rinoa anymore. I was 'the sorceress,' but Squall still knew it was me. . .he still trusted me.
He even came to comfort me. . .
"I don't wanna go back."
He still stayed there to hold me, for what I thought would be our last moments together.
It was then when I knew he was my knight.
Forever.
I remembered it so clearly, and it only made me cry harder. All of our struggles, all of our words were lost, and he couldn't even find them! He couldn't even wipe away my tears.
"Can I show you something?" He nodded, most likely out of feeling sorry for me, and I took his hand to the field. Our field, to our promise. I stared him in the eye and he looked out into the open. The flowers were swaying slowly and I let him take in the surroundings for a moment. We were under the heavens, on a cloudless night, it was breathtaking. He took his hand and wiped away my tears.
"If you come here. . ." I started softly.
"You'll find me." He whispered.
And then he collapsed to the ground.
You have no idea how long that took to write, but it was a PRETTY LONG CHAPTER. Hehe, I found the video of that on YouTube, sent it to Reality Trance, and then included it in my story. It was always my favorite moment. . .Anyways, I really hope you enjoyed this. BY THE WAY, I found a very funny FF8 song. The link's at the bottom of my profile under Funny. Thanks to my reviewers. . .
TopOfTheWorld - Wow, thank you very much! I hope I'm still your hero :)
AngelWings-008 - Hehe, I couldn't think of any regular people name so I was like Hmmm. . . Lol, thanks for reviewing!
Linette - I know exactly what you're saying, I just needed her to be a little mean, but she's going to get progressively nicer and more likeable in further chapters. I'm not a Quistis hater, I just needed to use her as a mean person for a bit.
Cerulean Crystal - Hehe, Seifer is a sweetheart. Thanks for reviewing!
SavannahX - I'm on a LOT everyday, lol, but with school out and everything, I've taken to typing. Can you guess how fast I type, lol? Oohf, and by the way, you're good at guessing, hehe.
RealityTrance - Hehe, Seifer is a hunk. I sent ya the URL to that movie, and I couldn't help but include it into this. Ya know how I am.