The Ironic Things in Life
Disclaimer: I'm tired of repeating this...but for the fear of getting sued, I'll keep on saying it! It's not mine!
Edit in chap 8: The first thing that I changed is the thing about Squall hiring Zell two months ago. It's now been changed to three months ago. Also, I put in Julia's surname as Heartilly. I've changed that to Caraway. And there's just a slight change in the way Squall was standing with Rinoa in the photo. But only my most dedicated readers would notice these things. :)
---
Raindrops fell from the sky, connecting up with eachother and then finally landing onto ground into tiny pools that grew larger with each drop. However, things like that never interested Seifer Almasy and instead he engraved his initials in different styles onto the wood panelled wall with his gunblade.
'Squall came to Galbadia two months ago with me and Laguna to shoot that stupid movie,' Seifer thought, 'Squall had a fight with Laguna and stayed on in Galbadia with me and Irvine."
Seifer recalled the eventful night two months ago that had followed Laguna's cancellation of his movie.
"Squall, be reasonable," Laguna pleaded.
"Reasonable! The only reasonable thing is that my father's a complete moron!" Squall yelled.
"Squall, don't say that. Just come home with us," Laguna begged.
Squall shook his head.
"You killed her! You killed my mother!"
Laguna sighed.
"Squall, please don't bring this up again. There was nothing I could do."
"You abandoned her!"
"Squall, I…"
"Don't lie! I know everything!"
Laguna glanced around the room and met Seifer's eyes in desperation.
"Seifer, make him understand! There was nothing I could do about Raine!"
Seifer walked over to Squall and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Let it go, Squall and let's go home to Esthar."
Squall shook his head stubbornly.
"No, I'm not going back to Esthar! I hate Laguna! He betrayed my mother for Julia!"
Squall ran out of the apartment and Seifer glanced at Laguna curiously.
"Julia…? Who's Julia…?"
Laguna just shook his head and sighed.
Seifer continued to scratch away at the wall and paused for a brief second.
'Who was Julia…? If I can just find that much out, I'll have everything else figured out.'
-----
Irvine walked along the busy street of the Galbadian shopping district. He knew exactly what he was looking for, but was a little scared to actually go and buy it. For the seventh time, he walked past 'Yuna's Boutique' and almost kicked himself for not going inside.
"Pull yourself together, Irvine," he muttered to himself, but walked past the boutique again without going in.
'Imagine the good that will come out of this. Yeah, I'm doing this for the good of someone else, and possibly for the good of mankind.'
Irvine straightened up at the thought.
'And I'll probably go down in history as the extremely attractive cowboy who was never afraid to get in touch with his feminine side.'
Irvine sauntered towards the boutique again.
'And then there'd be the ladies of course. Oh yeah, the hot lil' ladies.'
A low whistle escaped Irvine's lips as he pushed open the boutique's door and walked into the shop.
'And imagine Sefie gazing up at me with her bright eyes and telling me what a hunk I am. Yeah, that's it. I'm so gonna do this.'
Irvine walked up to the counter and winked at the extremely attractive brunette standing there.
"Hello," he drawled, in his sexy western Galbadian accent.
The girl smiled slightly at the handsome man standing in front of her.
"How can I help you, sir?"
Irvine took his hat off and rested it on the counter, smiling in return.
"I was wondering if you could help me pick out a few dresses."
"For your girlfriend?" the girl enquired.
Irvine shook his head as he loosened a button on his shirt.
"No, for me."
-----
"Zellie, wait!" Selphie Tilmitt exclaimed.
Zell froze on his way to the front door at the sound of the tiny brunette's voice.
"Yeah…?"
Selphie quickly jumped off the sofa and hurried towards him.
"New rules! Everyone has to be inspected before they leave the apartment."
Selphie pulled something out of her pocket that frightfully resembled an iron poker. Zell jumped back in surprise and his body went rigid as he balled up his fists.
"…the HELL?"
Selphie smiled brightly as she waved it around proudly.
"TA DA!"
"What are we getting inspected for?" Zell dared to ask.
Selphie scratched her head as she pressed a little button on the handle that caused the tip of the poker to spark up.
"I saw on the news that people are getting Geezard droppings stuck to their skin and can cause a rash in the most obscene places, so I'm here to make sure that nothing comes in and nothing goes out!"
A crease appeared on Zell's forehead as he eyed the poker warily.
"And exactly what are you going to do with that thing…?"
Selphie hopped on one foot to the other impatiently.
"Why, jam it up your…"
The rest of Selphie's words were drowned out by Zell screaming.
"AAAH! QUISTIS, HELP!"
-----
It was 1 pm and Squall Leonhart was still in bed. He had had a fitful night of tossing and turning, and had decided sleeping in. Irvine's words also echoed in his mind.
"And don't forget that the premiere of your movie is coming up soon and you need a date."
Squall sighed. Who would want to go on a date with him…? Flashes of memory clouded his mind, and he recalled what had started this entire mess with Rinoa.
Squall jogged down the street and towards the bus stand. He couldn't believe that he was finally free of Laguna, and had even managed to secure himself a role in a low budget with some unknown director. He even felt as if he had the whole of Galbadia to himself this early in the morning.
His ears perked up at the sound of a cry, and he quickly pulled the hood of his jacket over his head. Just ahead, a girl was standing at the bus stand and had managed to drop everything from her purse onto the ground.
Squall quickly slowed down and concealed himself in someone's driveway, as he watched the girl gathering up her things.
'She's beautiful,' he thought.
Dark hair fell down her face and chocolate coloured eyes complimented her pale skin. Squall didn't know why he felt so drawn to her. There was something surreal about her, but he couldn't put his finger on what that was exactly.
As her bus arrived, the girl hurried onto it and Squall continued on his early morning jog.
-----
Quistis eyed herself in the long mirror as Zell held it for her.
"A little to the left, Zell…" she ordered, and Zell heaved the mirror in the direction that she had instructed.
"Are you done yet, Quistis…? My arms are about to fall off…" Zell whined.
"Patience, Zell," she said, leaning forward and applying some red lipstick to suit her figure hugging red dress.
Selphie was sitting on Quistis' bed, emitting little bounces on the mattress as she watched the gorgeous blonde getting ready.
"ZELL! YOU MOVED IT!" Quistis cried, causing Zell to turn red.
"I-I…"
Quistis furiously rubbed off the red lipstick that had stained her white teeth as Zell scratched his head.
"ZELL, STAND STILL!"
-----
Seifer actually smiled genuinely as he saw the leggy blonde sway into the restaurant and look around for him.
'Yow, she's a hot piece of ass,' he thought as Quistis Trepe slinked over to him.
"Hello, Seifer."
Seifer stood up and looked her up and down, admiring the way her dress clung to her perfect curves. He had never seen a more gorgeous woman in his life.
"Hey, Quistis," he leaned forward and planted a kiss on her cheek.
Quistis chuckled into her hand as Seifer continued to stare at her. The two blondes sat down and Quistis gazed into Seifer's green eyes.
"So, why did you move out?"
The spell between them broke in an instant, and an annoyed look took over Seifer's handsome face.
"God, I told you not to ask me that!"
"But I have to ask. So many things are going on and I can't make head or tail of them."
Seifer leaned across the table.
"Well you've gotta try harder. Don't trust anyone, not even your closest friends."
Quistis tilted her head slightly, anxiety creasing her smooth brow.
"I know," she whispered, "Zell…"
Seifer shook his head quickly.
"Not here! But all I'm going to say is that he's the likely suspect."
"The likely suspect to what, Seifer?"
Seifer played with the onyx stone ring on his finger and shook his head slowly.
"To a master scheme that I don't even understand yet."
-----
Rinoa clutched the photo to her chest, sobbing as she thought about the only memory of her mother she could remember thanks to this photo. Every single other photo of her mother had been burnt by her father but this was the only one that he hadn't known about. She closed her eyes tight, in hopes of seeing her mother more clearly.
"Rinoa! Don't get too close to the road!" Julia Caraway cried, as Rinoa's soccer ball rolled away from the park and towards the busy Galbadian highway.
Of course, Rinoa was too far way to make out exactly what her mother was saying, and she ran as fast as her chubby 5 year old legs could carry her towards her ball which was hurtling towards the road. Julia ran after her daughter but knew she wouldn't be able to reach the road in time.
"Oopsie daisy," a tall man said, stopping the rolling ball and causing Rinoa to abruptly come to a halt and glare up at him.
"Hey mister, that's my ball!" she exclaimed, staring up at him through her thick fringe.
The man smiled goofily and handed it to her, just as Julia reached them, clutching her heart and completely out of breath.
"Ria Caraway! Don't you ever think of doing that again! You gave mummy such a fright."
Rinoa ran into her mother's arms for comfort.
"Sowwy, mummy," she said in her cute voice.
"It's alright, Ria. Just don't…"
"Julia…?"
Julia jolted and quickly looked up at the man standing in front of her. Rinoa easily became distracted by her soccer ball and missed this part of the conversation.
"Laguna…" she whispered.
Laguna nodded and ran a hand through his long hair, than glanced back towards the way he had come as if searching for someone. His face relaxed as he saw the small boy walking towards him at a snail like pace and scowling as usual.
"Hurry up, champ," he called out and Julia stared at the little boy, no older than Rinoa, who was the splitting image of Laguna.
"Is he…?" she asked, holding a hand to her face.
Laguna nodded brightly as the boy reached them.
"Yes, this is my son."
Squall looked up at the dark haired woman in front of him as she leaned down and looked at him intently.
"Hello, I'm Julia. What's your name, young man?"
Squall scowled and looked up at Laguna for directions. Laguna laughed and messed up the boy's hair.
"Go on, you can tell Miss Heart…"
"Why do you always forget, Laguna? That's not my name anymore. It's Caraway now."
Laguna nodded as if to correct himself.
"Yeah sorry, just haven't said your name for 6 years now. Guess I just forgot."
Julia bent down to look at Squall again.
"Why don't you go over there and play with my daughter while I talk to your father?"
Julia pointed towards the solitary girl who was kicking a soccer ball further along the park as Laguna gave Squall a gentle push in her direction. Squall blinked and scowled before making his way towards the tiny girl at a sloth like pace.
Laguna laughed and turned back to Julia.
"He's a bit antisocial."
Julia smiled warmly and her chocolate coloured eyes lit up.
"Reminds me so much of his father," she teased.
Laguna laughed nervously and ran a hand through his hair again, as he felt a twinge in his leg.
"So I heard you became the president of Esthar."
Laguna nodded in reply.
"At least I can give Squall all the things I never had growing up."
Julia laid a hand on Laguna's arm.
"And I heard about your…um…"
"That was a long time ago. Before Squall was born, and I'd rather leave it in the past."
Julia nodded in understanding.
"And I heard about Raine too. I'm sorry."
Laguna simply nodded.
Not far away, Squall had finally made it to the little girl who had been his destination. He stood there a while, staring at her before she took notice of him.
"Hey! Where'd you come fwom?"
Squall looked back towards Laguna and Julia.
"Oh, is that your daddy?"
Squall nodded. The girl stepped closer to him, studying his face with her large dark eyes.
"I'm Ria, what's your name?"
Squall blinked at the sudden introduction and folded his little arms across his chest.
"Not telling…" he muttered.
Rinoa looked surprised at his reaction, but pushed it aside.
"Wanna play?" she asked, holding up her soccer ball.
Squall blinked and just stared. Rinoa leaned in closer to look at him properly.
"Are you sad?"
"…"
"My mummy always gives me a hugsie when I'm sad."
Rinoa wrapped her arms around the boy, who backed away from her as if he'd been stung.
"There you two are," Laguna said, as he and Julia walked over to the pair.
Julia clasped her hands together.
"Awe, Laguna don't they look adorable together?" she exclaimed, as Laguna laughed.
"…I don't like girls…" Squall muttered, walking over to his father.
Julia laughed and held out her hand for Rinoa to hold.
"Don't worry, you will one day and I won't be surprised if it turns out to be my little Ria."
Laguna laughed at that and suddenly all four of them were blinded by two flashes of light. The local park photographer had unknowingly snapped their photos.
"Take them for free," he said, handing one to Laguna and the other to Julia, "I've never seen a more perfect family."
As the photographer walked away, Laguna held out his hand for Julia to shake. Instead Julia leaned forward and planted a kiss on his cheek to which he blushed.
"It was lovely to see you again," she said softly, as Squall scowled.
Laguna only nodded, as his leg started to cramp up, and watched as Julia hurried away with her daughter, stuffing the photo into her purse.
"Mummy, who was that?" Rinoa asked, as she ran to keep up with her mother's long strides.
"Oh, just a man I used to know…" Julia replied and then whispered to herself, "…and love."
"Mummy! There's daddy!" Rinoa shrieked, racing at full speed towards her father who was leaning against their car.
General Caraway crossed his arms so that Rinoa remembered to stop and not hug him.
"What took you so long?" he asked Julia as she reached him.
"N-nothing, Paul," she said, getting into the car.
Rinoa scrambled into the back seat and pushed the girl already sitting inside.
"Move over, sis!"
Rinoa held the photo out in front of her eyes and wished she could remember who the boy was. In this photo he had his eyes closed and she couldn't really recognise him. Her eyes moved onto her mother Julia Heartilly, whose maiden name she had borrowed. There was no in the world that she had loved more.
"Mummy, I miss you," she whispered, tears sliding down her face.
A/N: Can't believe I'm already putting in the finishing touches to chapter 10 at this time. I was going to update with chapter 9 and 10 at the same time, but I thought that I'd wait for chapter 9 to get at least 10 reviews. As soon as I get that amount, I'll update with chapter 10, and I don't care if it takes me another year to get 10 more reviews; I'll wait. :)
This chapter mainly consisted of flashbacks, but I'd have to say that I loved Rinoa's one the best. Sorry it was so long though. Once I started on the relationship between Laguna, Julia, Rinoa and Squall I couldn't stop! They're just so sweet together.
And my worst fear would have to be Selphie playing around with something that dangerously resembled a cattle prod. :p
Well, it's about time I stop talking and start getting ready. I'm gonna go and watch 'King Kong'. Bai Bai, and enjoy reading. :)
And thanks to my reviewers too!
Cerulean Crystal
Luis (my forever faithful reviewer)
PsychDragoonX
FinalBattle
shinigamilenne (I hope I spelt that right)