Disclaimer: I promise to never make promises about swift updates, my promises are futile! Promise!

Chapter 15: Mano a Mano

After a close examination of the feisty client's red sports car, Zell realized the only real problem was its left front tire. When observing the surfaces of the car's upper model alone, it appeared to be flawless; however, the tire was as wrecked as a dirt bike's wheel would be after enduring a rough landing, perhaps landing onto some hard terrain at the end of a high leap. Both Squall and Zell could agree that there would most certainly need to be a tire change.

Zell had climbed underneath the car once again to assure that the damaged tired hadn't affected the car's wheel alignment, which was to be as a straight line at all times.

Although his employee apparently had some sort of unspoken tension with this customer, he would still give his best services, as his lifelong motto stands: Regardless of the situation, business will continue as usual. It was the same motto his father and grandfather lived by, and because of it, they were able to keep to their family business longer when compared to other family businesses around them, whose empires crumbled due to lack of commitment.

Fortunately for Zell, some of his cherished hard work ethics had rubbed off onto Squall as Squall was right beside his boss checking every inch of the car's body. He had hoped to tackle every imperfection; after all, it was the car that was their real customer and not Seifer. The only thing that would keep him from thinking about the car's owner would be to focus intently on the car's needs alone.

Once Zell had firmly identified the problem, they wasted no time in getting to work.

Squall held his hands on the outer rim of the tire's front while Zell used all of his effort to free the wrecked tire so that Squall could slide it off the ledge and lay it to the ground. In the midst of doing so, he caught a glimpse of Seifer acting as if they would puncture a hole into the automobile's side. As if it were a matter of life or death for the car, Seifer sat at the edge of his seat, placing a warily eye on Zell's every move who worked with the large lug wrench in his hand and nearing the car's precious paint. His actions had begun to bother Squall. Squall could have asked him to leave the room, but he figured ignoring the juvenile man would be best for everyone. In all honesty, if he had to choose to talk him at all, he wouldn't do so. Private matters were best kept private.

The second he glanced over at Seifer, he had regretted doing so. A slight distraction caused a whirlwind of problems for his concentration, and suddenly his mind began to wonder about things that were, at the moment, of lesser importance to his work efforts toward the car. His mind replayed their past continuously, and he counted twice in which he was threatened by this driver.

At one time, the man had tried to come across as some sort of guardian to Rinoa, threatening Squall to keep his hands off of Rinoa as if she were his property. And at their other encounter, he had oddly tried to help their situation, promising that he would succeed where Squall failed, but he did so in a rather gruff and barbaric manner, such that Squall could actually agree that he needed that charge of anger ignition, it was the way he had spurred the determination to get Rinoa back without fail.

Although their last encounter hadn't completely gone up into flames, Squall still could not bring himself to spare any words to Seifer. It was then at that moment in which he decided to shut his mind up, focusing on his work once again. The sooner we get this job done, the sooner that flame-head can get the hell out of here. He thought, and his lips formed into a pale, invisible grin.

"Can you grab the spare from the wall over there, Squall?" Zell said, motioning his hand to the sidewall, his eyes had never left the site of the tire. He was sure to check above the tire for any wreckage, but nothing of the sort came up. Only the few expected scrapes of metal across its paint job were visible, something Zell had in every right to ignore; his business only concerned fixing cars, not painting them.

"Sure." Squall muffled against the sleeve of his shirt, ridding his face of the unwanted sweat and possible dust from the car's exterior. He rose from the ground to claim the spare tire Zell had asked for moments ago. Squall quickly realized the workaholic blond had already laid out most of the required tools and pieces they would need to finish work on Seifer's car, if there were any a time he had been known how to organize himself, it was at his workplace.

Squall had finally rolled the wheel over to Zell's care, and Zell finished the job by pushing it into position. "…Anything else?" Squall asked as he placed his hands on his waist, backing away from the blond.

"Anything else after this…?" The mechanic had muttered softly. "…Not really. Guess I better inform our customer." He said, his hands now focusing on wrenching the lug nuts into the spare tire which would connect it properly to the car. He raised his voice to the anxious client, informing the man of the latest on his prized possession, "I wouldn't worry too much about the car if I were you. That tire was the only problem. It was already low on air and was bound to give out soon anyway. You wanted me to check the alignment…well, I don't think the car will drift to the side when you're driving because it's a pretty new model; it's the older ones that lose the sense of direction after a long period of time." Zell said, wrenching the lugs in between, "…And for extra safety, I advise you to contact the dealership where you purchased this car from and buy some new tires. If at all possible, ask for a full tire rotation; that should put some length to the life expectancy of the tires you have now and your car. Other than that, everything else is fine." The blond smiled, wrenching the last lug onto the spare. "Oh! Before I forget…I'll report the pothole that caused this to the City Hall, and they'll get someone to fix the street so that it doesn't happen to anyone else, alright?"

"Good!" Seifer spat, folding his arms and pushing against his chair. He had muttered a few words underneath his breath, none of which were understandable to the naked ear, but Zell and Squall had both shrugged their shoulders, turning their backs to the man once again.

"…It wasn't as bad as I thought." Zell said, clearing away his tools from the car's lower side. "…Here I was, thinking I'd have to bring in the whole gang to remodel this car, and all it needed was a new tire. Talk about being disappointed…" Zell had then glanced back at the angry customer and then brought his gaze to Squall again. He whispered, "To tell you the truth, I was more worried about him!"

"…Yeah." Squall said, combining a laugh and a soft sigh. He walked away from Zell to grab a hand towel from the table that neared their working area. He didn't want to get on the subject about the angry customer, so Squall, at his best, tried to evade Zell's conversation; such would lessen the chances of a dramatic showdown between the mystery man and him.

"Oh well…I'd better get to writing this one up, and then I'll bring out the bill when it's ready." Zell announced to both parties as he walked to the back room, leaving Squall alone with Seifer; exactly the opposite of his wish.

Silence immediately filled the shop. The dullness of the air had overlapped even the bland smell of old oil and engine grit, a smell that could surprisingly leave a metal taste on the tip of a tongue, lingering in ones mouth daylong. Also in the air was the bitterness between the two men, their love for one woman, two tensed hearts battling it out over a woman who had possibly loved both, one to whom held her past, and the other her future. Or so they both presumed…

Seifer cleared his throat, dropping the annoyed customer charade, and relaxed himself in the cushioned seat on the hard-bottom chair. He made a rather cheesy smirk as he suddenly asked, "So have you see her yet?"

Squall continued wiping his hands with the towel. He was disappointed. He had nothing to say to the likes of Seifer. The fact that the man even talked to him had triggered a rampant nerve in his veins. He grunted, wiping tire mess from his hands, however the towel hadn't helped much because it hadn't been dampened. This, of course, had upset Squall further.

Seifer, taking the brunet's groan as a yes, continued his prying, "Well…was it worth it?" His voice resounded throughout the silent room. Seifer hadn't expected Squall to take any type of liking to him, such was the same in his case, but he would have appreciated at least a single answer from Squall, he deserved that much, didn't he? After all, he waspartly responsible for Squall actually getting to meet Rori, so shouldn't he get at least some credit for his efforts? Of course, the blond realized, Rinoa probably hadn't mentioned that little detail to Squall about the truth of Rori's injury. He assured it wouldn't be the greatest thing for Squall to know the life-threatening trauma he had inflicted to Rori's life. He immediately sighed in relief.

However, the room sustained its silence, a kind of silence that growingly prickled at Seifer's nerve. He wanted an answer out of Squall, and he would get an answer, even if it meant making the nastiest comment he could think up, he wouldn't quit until he could end Squall's disregards, "…Must be terrifying for you, coming back from the world and ending up here in this raggedy place…. You went from being single, to having a wife and kid in about a day or so." The obnoxious blond laughed harshly, "But I wonder—are they really worth it? Are they really what you want out of life now?" Seifer waited quietly expecting answers, but found himself trapped in that loathsome silence again. Growing impatient by the second he yelled, "…Why don't you answer the question—is it because I really am making sense to you and you don't love her?!"

Squall had immediately dropped the hand towel onto the table's surface, facing Seifer angrily. He couldn't take it any longer. What right did that guy have to say anything to him? He had managed to keep quiet all for the sake of resisting a physical attack on Seifer. Instead, he responded boldly, "You know, you're one to talk. …So Rinoa told you about what happened four years ago, and that automatically makes you some type of expert on what goes on between Rin and me?! Why do you insist on bringing up my past and using my daughter to intimidate me? If you really felt anything for Rinoa, you wouldn't waste time with me; you'd focus on winning her over. As a matter of fact, I think you pity Rinoa more than you think you love her!"

"I don't feel sorry for Rinoa! I love her! It's fools like you who leave women like her, and leaving her only proves just how heartless and stupid you are. Because later on you realize that you made a bad choice and then you want to crawl back some years later trying to work things out," Seifer spat, standing from his chair abruptly.

"It's heartless and stupid when you only know half of the story."

"Right, like any story could justify leaving your wife! You made vows to her, but you ended up dishonoring her when you left! Then you show up like nothing's changed, lying to her through your teeth with promises you most likely won't keep, and she accepts you!?" Seifer yelled, red veins showering his eyes from top to bottom. He had gazed down at the floor, losing himself in his own madness. It was then that Squall realized that Seifer had only challenged him out of mere spite. The younger man was upset that Rinoa hadn't chosen him. "…But you know what?" Seifer said, his voice carrying less bass in the room, "I don't care anymore. …If Rinoa wants to choose that gutter life, then so be it. As soon as I pay this bill on this car, I'm out of here…no more Seifer!"

Squall paced the floor toward Seifer, stopping at the edge of his personal space between the two of them. He lowered his voice, hoping Zell wouldn't let on to their argument even though he silently admitted that they had gotten higher in volume. "…You're still a kid now, but someday I hope you'd understand what I'm about to say." He paused to recapture the workings of his mind. Squall thought because Seifer loved to make analogies of his past life with Rinoa, it was only fair to give him a taste of his own medicine. While it would probably seem childish, he poked fun at Seifer as he delivered a moralizing message, "I'm standing here as living proof of my future with Rinoa. I am here, working to support my family. I wonder— what would you have done if Rinoa hadn't forgiven me? Would you have moved in with her? …Suppose Rin decided to move in with you, let me guess, there's no space for a family of three in that condo of yours, is there? But I doubt that a big shot like you could last a month in this place; after all, this town is raggedy, right? And let's not forget about this car, geez, I wonder where Rori would fit?—"

"Listen man, you don't know anything about me-" The blond snapped at Squall.

"That's exactly my point," Squall snarled, "…exactly my point! …You've got this idea that I'm here to purposely destroy Rinoa's life. You're thinking that everything I do will never be right and that I'll never make her happy. The truth is that nothing is guaranteed, but I know that our love for one another will survive through thick and thin. Yes, I did leave Rinoa four years ago, but that doesn't mean I stopped loving her! Rinoa knows that, and it's the only thing that matters to her! …It's not about my past mistakes, and it's not about how long I've been away…" He said, his voice falling softer now.

Seifer had looked up from the floor angrily, denying the truth, "But Rinoa's so wrapped up in the fact that you're back! How do you know she feels the same way you do?"

Squall wasn't phased; after all, he had left himself wide open for the attack. He raised his hand and pointed directly at Seifer's heart, "First, stop talking about Rinoa like you've known her for your entire life! You don't know anything about her, especially not the Rinoa I married! And you were never in love with her because you don't know what it means to be in love with someone!" Squall said, lowering his hand slowly.

The brunet stood his ground as every word traveled into Seifer's ears to hopefully make sense of the remnants of his stronghold in their argument. The blond began thumbing his forehead with a rickety hand, his gaze falling farther away from Squall by the second. He sighed heavily and then met Squall's eyes once again, "…I'm only looking out for her and Rori's safety…"

"I know what you're trying do. Any dignified person in your shoes would want to do the same for their friend, that's why I understand your point. But you fail to realize that Rinoa is a very intelligent woman who knows what's best for Rori and her. …It's about time you understood that for you, and moved on." Squall said as turned away from Seifer and walked toward the sink near the backroom. It would rid his hands of remaining dirt from the car wreckage. He had also ended their argument because he heard Zell's footsteps on the verge of exiting the entryway of the backroom.

"Okay, Mr. Almasy!" Zell yelled as if on cue with Squall's timing. He rushed into the room with a stack of papers in his hold, "All you have to do now is sign these three papers. And the bill is attached to that last page."

"…Fine." Seifer said, grabbing the papers from Zell's hands and looking over the contents. As he scanned the paper, his eyes were immediately drawn to the total amount due, "What? You want how much for a tire change?" Seifer exclaimed, staring at Zell with blood-red eyes. He needed a way to vent his frustrations, so complaining about the price on his tab would meet the quota.

"Hey, buddy! You don't know how much these tires cost me on a regular. And, I gave you insight about your car!"

"…Alright, alright, fine. I'll pay the bill…" Seifer said as he took time to calm down, yet he ripped his checkbook from the pocket of his brown jacket. He had signed his name to the last of the documents and moved his pen to the check he would later tear from his checkbook. "…But this is the last time you'll ever see my face here."

Zell had then rolled his eyes and mumbled, "Sure, that's what they all say."

"What was that?" Seifer inquired, looking up to Zell from the documents.

"Oh," The blond laughed, "I said it certainly seems that way."

"Sure…" The young man stated, unconvinced at most, but he focused his eyes to the line on the check where he had written the amount and signed his name.

Squall had laughed inwardly as he scrubbed the last marks of mud and tire rubber from his hands. He knew that Zell was quite the businessman; the mechanic hadn't been filling out the billing information but was listening in on their argument for most of the time. Overcharging someone for a tire change was indeed a dead giveaway that he had heard more than he was willing to tell. With mention of a condo and use of the term big-shot, Squall knew without a single doubt that Zell had pulled a high class scam on Seifer with his pricing. He wanted to pull Zell to the side and tell him to think twice about it, but then again the client was Seifer, and he had apparently given Zell a hard time since he brought the wrecked vehicle into their shop. In some unexplainable way, Seifer definitely deserved the treatment, penance for his lack of courtesy with both of the men.

Not long afterwards, Seifer had gotten into his car and started its engine, preparing to back out of the shop's garage. Squall was standing beside the car, keeping his eyes on the front tire. He was to be certain that their client hadn't left with a poor job after paying such a high price for it.

Because Zell had stepped out, possibly grabbing a drink from a soda machine down the street of his shop, Seifer felt it appropriate to come to terms with Squall. He cleared his throat above the simmering of the engine, breaking through Squall's intense stare at the new tire. "…If it's worth anything," He began, "…I was thinking about selling that condo you mentioned…" The grin had returned to his face, although it wasn't the dark smirk from before. Seifer had hoped to leave on a brighter note. "So tell me because I'm curious… How did you know about it?"

Squall folded his arms and shrugged his shoulders, leaning mostly on his right leg, "It was just a guess. …I'll be surprised if anyone driving a car like this doesn't own a condo or something along the lines of it."

"One hell of a guess…Ah well…If I stayed around here a little longer, you would be surprised." He said, a slight chuckle catching his breath. Finally, he simmered down, "…Squall, you'll take care of them..." Seifer said as he reached out his hand through the window of the car, and Squall slowly met his hand at the grab. The two men had then shaken hands for the first and most likely the last time ever.

"You'll take care of this car…" Squall said, releasing Seifer's hand.

Seifer laughed, moving his hand to the wheel of the car and nodding to Squall. He had then backed out of the garage and pulled away to the streets of Balamb. His young heart eagerly setting on the highway that would take him away from Rinoa's smalltime town. Hopefully, he would never have to pass through Balamb again.

He had looked back at its entrance through his rear view mirror, and bid his final farewell to the woman his heart might have desired, maybe even loved, his first love, Rinoa Leonhart.

Squall had watched his car disappear down the street, turning at the first corner that would lead out of town. For the first time since returning to Balamb and parting from Seifer, he hadn't felt any anger at the sight of that red car. He was glad. He had walked inside of the shop with his eyes low, unable to believe he had finally put a rest to the mystery man Seifer.

Shortly after Seifer had left the shop, Zell dashed inside the shop from out on the street. He had shouted, "Yo, Squall! What's that over there?" He asked in a huff, pointing out at a store across the empty street.

Squall had looked up and faced him quickly, wondering what was happening outside. Once his eyes had met at Zell's inquiry, he answered him tonelessly, "…A building that's been vacant since the last time I was here."

"I know about the building, but what about the sign that's on it!" He yelled, refocusing his pointing so that it evened out with the sign.

Squall focused on the small rectangular sign in the window of the 'would be' new store, and spoke aloud what he had read, "...Sold."

"Sold! Do you see that?! It's sold! But by who!?"

"I…have no idea…" The brunet answered slowly, wondering if Zell had somehow expected him to know the answers to his ridiculous questions.

"What if it's something big, something else this town doesn't need?" Zell ran an anxious hand through his hair, "What if it's…" he exhaled heavily, "Another Auto Shop!"

Squall laughed and pushed his hysterical friend aside, "Zell, get a hold of yourself. You're the only auto shop here and-"

"And that's exactly why competitors would want to come here! They'll ruin me! Maybe that guy really was right. Maybe that will really be the last time he ever comes here! People will go for that new shop in a flash, right?! I mean who wouldn't? I bet it'll be fancier too. Imagine it! An indoor waiting room with AC, satellite television, complimentary popcorn, footstools, you name it!"

"Zell, we don't even know what the store will be, so why don't you forget about it."

"How can I?! It's staring me dead in the face!" He yelled, pointing across the street again.

"Just find something else to do…. You know, you could reorganize your office. The last time I went in there, your papers were all over the floor." Squall informed, folding his arms.

"Squall, you're right! I should redecorate! People like pretty things, don't they?"

"…Some people do." Squall sighed, having no time to sit around and worry about a possible threat. He looked away from Zell and moved his hands down to his hips as he posed, "…Am I off now?"

"No!" Zell answered quickly. Leaving no time for dismay he continued, "You thought I didn't see that, did you?"

Squall's eyes had returned to Zell's almost instantly, "…What are you talking about?"

"Your 'conversation' with that guy you supposedly didn't know…" He smirked, "He was the guy wasn't he? Rinoa's guy…?"

"If you must know, he's just as much of a stranger to you as he is to me. …Honestly, I'd rather not know him at all."

Zell leaned on his left leg, using the other to scratch his lower calf, "…And that's all you had to say." He smiled again, "…Don't worry. I won't tell her."

Squall smirked at the renowned blabbermouth, "Yeah, like I'd really believe that."

"Oh come on, Squall! I can keep secrets too!"

"That's what I'm afraid of," He said. Squall had immediately remembered that Zell had gone along with Rinoa to keep Rori's existence hidden from him. Although the thought hadn't exactly angered him, it hadn't set right with him either. "…You keep them well when you want to, or should I say when you have to. If it were up to you, I still wouldn't know about Rori."

"Hey, I apologized about that one already, and if were up to me, you would've known about Rori the day you showed up here."

"Thanks but it's a little too late for that, wouldn't you agree?" Squall said, throwing in hints of sarcasm, "And what do you mean 'that one'?"

"OH! Wouldn't you like to know…?" Zell grinned, turning away from him as he folded his arms.

Squall groaned, "Whatever. Anything that's in your capacity to tell, I probably already know anyway." He walked toward the wide exit to the shop. "Can I go now?" He asked, purposely pacing toward the door.

The blond sighed, "Yeah, yeah, you're practically outside anyway. And be sure to let me know if you hear anything new about that store? Alright?"

"Yeah, whatever." Squall said, trying not to laugh at his boss, "…Zell, while your at it, the spots on the ground look a little darker than before, you might want to get on it. It's not so appealing to your customers."

"Say what?! Now my place looks dirty?! …Thanks a lot, Squall! I ought to extend your work day and make you clean the ground with a toothbrush."

"Too late, I'm clocked out now." The brunet said as he finally exited the shop, cutting the corner of its wide exit so he could disappear from Zell's view. Even as he made his way farther away from the shop, he could hear Zell's shouts from afar:

"Squall, get back here!"

"Squall!"

"Fine, you jerk!"

"—-see if I hire you again!"

Squall had laughed inwardly before he released a mollifying sigh. No more of the confusion between Rinoa, Seifer and himself. He was blessed with a new beginning, fortunate to have someone as understanding as Rinoa at his side. Not many people could be as forgiving as she could, especially after what he had put her through.

He cherished her whole heartedly because she chose him and the life he could make for her, even with the chance to choose money and support over the little he could offer her. Despite all the old baggage he had carried, she had taken him in, and there was no doubt in his mind that she loved him, an emotion he had definitely felt for her in return.

All he had to do now was make her his once again…and the timing was crucial…

"Squall, I'm keeping your last paycheck!!!"

Squall grinned to Zell's boisterous remark as he whispered, "Whatever."

The Authoress' Corner (I stole that word from Queen000, I'm sorry Queen!)
-Plugs her ears- I don't want to hear it! I know, there should've been an all out brawl in the shop, but I couldn't have them do that. Both men are respectable even though there was a lot of tension built up inside. Maybe the ratings of this story would've gone up in I wrote a few "FF8 boys gone wild" paragraphs inside! lol…I'm sorry! Sorry!!!

Believe it or not, I have the next chapter in my grasp, but I had to put touch ups on this one before I can apply the touch ups to that one, lol. All I can say is (without spoiling anything else) the next chapter sets up the last of the last, so get ready because it's almost done! And then! Then! I'll………take my vacation.

As usual, please leave a little note for me and tell me what you think! Thanks! –tosses cookies around the room-

Reply time! (Do you guys want to me to reply you via email—ffnet's way---or w/ updates---my way!—I'd like to know. I wonder if FFnet is serious about the author replies…it pains me…the agony of clicking a button to reply so quickly after an update, it just takes the fun away! Ah well…let me know, please!)

Amy1: No problems, any time. Whenever I get stuck (which happens a lot nowadays) I'd avoid computers at all cost and allow the tension to write boil up inside me, so by the time I'm back in front of a computer, I'll explode in the word documents, lol…It's really fun. Thanks again!

Ayato: Ah…yeah, Sorry about that. That chapter really didn't sit well with me. I was trapped in between work for my classes and writing this story, and I just snapped in two. Lol. On the other hand, I had to spice up the ending so it could make up for the rest of the chapter. I hope not to do it again, lol... Thanks so much!

Xeifer001: If we were all betting, you would've taken the cup my friend! lol! Yeah, I've been thinking a lot about it. I don't think I'll leave completely, but as for actually writing new stories, I won't do so anytime soon. I have to focus a balance in my life. Use my leisure time to write stories or save that time for me , and the rest of my time to study. (It sucks, but…well…I have to do it. –begins crying like a baby- I don't wanna!) lol, sorry you had to see that. Thank you!!

SavannahX: Lol! I was NOT expecting that review. Lol…Wow, were they really that graphic in the parking lot?! I'm sorry!! I was trying not to make it too intense; after all, I'm not that kind of writer!! Therefore, I sincerely apologize to you and to Rori and Quistis, it's a good thing they hadn't saw that, oh man…lol. That would've been awkward to have to right. (ahh…now I've got images in my head!) lol. Thanks again, Savannah, and I'm sorry this update took SO long…

Cerulean Crystal: Haha, I work fast, don't I? You have been added to the list! lol! Thanks again!

Blue: Personally, I think you're very opinionated! I really appreciate your input AND the picture of the kid, thanks again for that. I have it in the file of my email still. (I'm waiting to get a computer so I can save it directly to my drive. Easy accessibility, in case I run across a Japanese version of the cartoon in the store and I'll be able to know at least one character from it---thereby purchasing or renting the series for the sake of new anime on tv!) –phew- lol. Thanks a lot Blue!

Jayliyah: Hehe…I know, I kinda dragged the saga about their past a bit too much---I think most of it was just a way to remind myself of what had happened before, lol…I felt like I had to mention it again (but this time for myself) in order to recapture where I had left off before. It must've been repetitive for you, lol, I'm so sorry! I hope to move things right a long, though. I can honestly say that they've finally forgiven one another about the past, I can guarantee it! That chapter really did take a lot out of me, but I'm back with another! Thank you so much, it really-really means a lot! I'll try to see about my 'romance' technique, I'm really not that confident in it, but I hope to build it more into my writing. Thanks!

Rinny Leonhart: Ah, I wanted a punch too, but then Squall is older than Seifer (in the story), and if Seifer had hit Squall, he would've hit the guy back, but with more force. Lol, I REALLY-REALLY thought about it, and opted to do so, but then…these guys can be civilized too, so…And, by the time you reviewed, I had already completed the chapter's second rough draft..-sighs- that's why I hope the argument somewhat made up for it. If it didn't, I apologize. (check out Between Heaven and Hell, chapter 7, I think, It's entitled, "Mixed Feelings" the writing's a little sloppy, but there's a short but cool fighting scene in there that might cure your fisticuff rage, lol. You don't have to look at it, though, I'm just kidding!) Thanks!!

Okay, Okay, Yeah…No Rinoa or Rori in this chapter, but they were mentioned a whole lot. Prepare for Rinoa's return in the next (obviously) and also, the return of other faces as well. Again, I hope you enjoyed your read, if not, complain, but don't be so harsh! –tears weld in her eyes-

So like, Thanks for reading, Skimming, whatever, Thank you and I'll update whenever I can! No promises there! (Like I'd really NOT finish this story, I'm so close…)

StardustRay