Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VIII nor its characters and locations; this is merely a hobby and way to waste time when I feel bored… which is all the time. XD
Author's Note: So yeah, I'm going closer to the whole plot of this story. For the next two months I'll be updating more frequently, since there is nothing that can stop me from writing (a.k.a. no school work). I originally had another idea, but as I write another idea popped into my head and I have given the original story, which was written in my notebook, a twist. I started working on it in the last chapter (Chapter 5) and I will go with it all the way to the end. I also want you to forgive me if Squall seems a little out of character in some scenes; although he is one of my favorite characters I can't really portray the cold/mean part of his personality, I can only portray his military/serious part. But I'm still trying my best to do so; I'm replaying the game and studying his lines in a script I wrote of every single line spoken on the game. I really want to get it right. Man, I really left myself go this time. Anyways, please read &review. Enjoy!!! XD
Chapter 6: Strictly Business
They stared at the majestic building in front of them; it was the Esthar Presidential Palace. Aides and other people walked in and out of the building, passing by them and talking about trivial things. Squall walked towards the aide and the entrance. He explained why he was there and they were all taken to the waiting room. Rinoa and Selphie sat on the couch and Angelo lied by their feet. Irvine stood by the window and looked out to the city. Squall was just leaning against the wall close to the door. The aide had gone to tell the president that they were there.
Squall stared at Rinoa; she was giggling with Selphie once again, but this time he did not know why. His serious expression turned into one of sorrow or even pain. He turned to look away and found himself staring into indigo colored eyes; he was face to face with Irvine, who took a step back. Squall's serious expression was back with a glare. Irvine just grinned.
"Are you alright, man?" The cowboy asked removing his hat. Squall stared at him for a second or two before nodding.
"I'm fine; just had a bad trip from Timber to FH." Squall said, closing his eyes and making a dismissive gesture with his hand. Although, it was not what he was thinking at the moment it was true; it had been hell trying to get some rest during the trip, especially with all his thoughts keeping him awake. Irvine stared at him disbelievingly; there had to be more.
"Are you sure?" The cowboy insisted, but, to his dislike, Squall nodded. "Look, I just want you to know that if you ever need someone to talk to I'm willing to listen and I'm sure that so is Zell. Just keep that in mind." Irvine said walking towards the window again. Squall stared at him for a moment. The cowboy had seen through him and knew something was wrong; but Squall could not tell him what it was. He looked at Rinoa again. His face contorted into one of pain again. At that moment the aide walked in and he recovered. He turned to the man in the white robe with green and blue lines. The man looked at him.
"The President will be seeing you now." He said. Irvine and the two girls started to move to accompany Squall, but he turned around.
"You stay here." Squall said, looking at them straight in the eyes. "I'm just going to inform him and we're off." Squall said, turning his back to leave. Rinoa got closer to him.
"Then there is no problem for us to go with you." She said, trying to convince him.
"There is no need for all of us to go in." Squall said and resumed his walk. Rinoa pouted and turned around to face Irvine and Selphie.
"Why is he always like that?" She said walking towards the couch and sitting there with her arms folded across her chest and her legs crossed. Selphie sat next to her and hugged her. Irvine just stared at Squall's retreating form. Something was bugging the commander and whatever it was, was huge.
Squall opened the double doors that led into the presidential office. At the far end of the room a huge oak desk could be seen and sitting behind it was the president. A lot of papers were piled up there and some others were scattered on its surface, covering most of the oak. File cabinets surrounded the walls and only the window behind the desk was free of clutter; it was also the only source of natural light. Squall stepped in and closed the door behind him. At the sound of the door closing, Laguna looked up from the documents he was reading to see Squall standing there. Laguna stood up from his chair and opened his mouth to speak, but Squall beat him to it.
"I believe you already know the President of Galbadia and his intensions with our world." Squall said seriously. Laguna sat down again with a sad expression on his face and nodded as a response. "An attack to Balamb Garden is most likely to happen sometime soon and it would be wise if Esthar stayed out of it and prepared for an attack as well." Squall paused; Laguna had a worried expression on his face. "It is possible that in order to beat Garden they decide to attack Esthar first, but up until now, Garden has been and is their main priority, for we have something they want. They might leave Esthar alone." Squall finished. Laguna ran a hand through his hair and then looked at Squall.
"We should fight together, Esthar can protect Garden and…" Laguna began, but Squall cut him off.
"Balamb Garden will fight alone. This is our fight and we won't have any country involved in it." Squall said with a little irritated tone. "There are many reasons for which Esthar should remain out of it." Squall said with a frown. "One of them being the fact that Balamb Garden cannot enter the estharian territory and if Esthar decided to send the army to where Garden is, there is no telling of what will happen to the unprotected city. Many civilians will die if Esthar makes that choice, which is precisely what Garden wants to avoid." Squall paused to take a deep breath. "This is still just a rumor, so upon confirmation Garden will send a notification to you. Esthar's participation will be limited to its own defense." He added. Laguna frowned at Squall's decision of not receiving help.
"Squall, accept Esthar's help; you will be outnumbered." Laguna insisted. Squall shook his head with a deeper frown than the usual. "Esthar will help Garden, that way we may end the war before it really starts." Squall walked towards the desk and put his hands on it, leaning closer to Laguna.
"You are the president of Esthar, you're priority is your people not Garden; that is my priority. If you send your army, I will feel responsible for their lives and the lives of the people who die in this city. Stay out of it." Squall said the last part was more of a warning. Laguna turned sad again; Squall was pushing him away.
"You're still angry, right?" Laguna asked to which he received no answer. Squall straightened his body and glare at the man.
"The commander of Balamb Garden has nothing against you or your city, but Squall Leonhart does not want anything to do with you; so let's keep it strictly to business." Squall said in a military manner. Laguna lowered his head.
"I'm sorry to hear that." Laguna said with a sigh and a sad expression, but he changed his expression to a neutral one. "Esthar will act accordingly; the city's defense is our main priority and we will stay out of Balamb Garden's battle." Laguna said before looking up at Squall. "Is there anything else?" Laguna asked; he wanted a moment to be alone.
"That is all." Squall said turning around to leave. Laguna stood up.
"Good luck, Commander Leonhart." Laguna said quietly. Squall looked at him over his shoulder and resumed his walk out of the office. Laguna sat down again and sighed while rubbing his eyes; things were not going to get better between them. He turned to look out the window as a single tear ran down his face.
Squall walked through the hallway with a deep frown dominating his face. As if he did not have enough problems already to deal with Laguna. He slowed down and looked out through the glass walls of the hallway. The sun was already quite high in the sky, it still was not noon. He knew he had to start thinking on a battle strategy with Quistis and a couple of other high members of Balamb Garden. Squall sighed and resumed his walk. Things were going to get worst; he was going to be forced to fight again. He was going to be responsible for many deaths. He had to do something. He reached the door to the waiting room and recovered his composure before walking in. His three companions looked at him.
"What happened?" Irvine asked, walking closer to Squall followed by Rinoa and Selphie.
"Esthar will act accordingly; solely focusing on its defense or so we agreed." Squall said, running a hand through his hair. Irvine nodded.
"Let's hope they keep that agreement." Irvine said, putting his hat on his head again. Selphie nodded, but Rinoa said nothing. Squall felt slightly worried about it, it could only mean one thing; she was angry at him for what he said a while before.
"Let's go." Squall said turning to walk away. They all followed, including Angelo. The walk out of the palace was too quiet and Squall was feeling uneasy. He turned around and looked at Rinoa's serious face. They all stopped walking. "Irvine, you and Selphie go ahead; we'll catch up. Make sure to be ready for take-off." He said, not taking his eyes off of Rinoa. Irvine nodded and took Selphie's hand, before walking away. Rinoa tried to walk passed him, but he grabbed her arm, gently but firmly. "I didn't mean to leave you guys out like I did, but I… there is something I don't want you guys to know, something I'm still trying to accept myself." He explained.
"No, you always do that when we come to Esthar, Squall." She said a little exasperated. She turned to face him. "Why do you do it?" She said. Squall just stared at her with a blank expression. "Squall, speak to me." She said softly. Squall just stared at her for a couple of seconds, before he embraced her. She was caught off guard.
"I'm sorry. I'll try to change that, but it's not that easy; I've been like this my whole life." He said slowly breaking the embrace and locking eyes with her. "There are some things I have to deal with and accept before I let you guys in. She smiled sweetly at him.
"Sorry; I overreacted." She said, doing a cute pout and feigning innocence. He nodded and they began walking towards the air station. She looked at him. "What are we going to do when we reach Centra?" Squall looked at her for a few seconds before responding.
"We must prepare a battle plan for when the time comes." Squall's reply came. He looked up at the sky. "I think that any student that doesn't want to be involved is released for the time being and that includes the junior classmen." Squall added. Rinoa thought about it and it made sense; the junior classmen had been sitting ducks during the Galbadia/Balamb Gardens battle. Squall and some other SeeDs protected them. She nodded in agreement. Things were going to get rough and those kids were a little too young to die fighting. Any other SeeD that did not think that it was their battle to fight would have the chance to walk away and return later if Garden remained. It was going to be their choice, but the question is how many would stay by Squall's side to battle?
Author's Note: So there you have the sixth chapter… I'm writing as it comes. Some scenes I have written on a notebook others I don't, but they're turning out quite good. Still, remember that your review is veryimportant; with it I can tell if I'm on the right track or if I'm just way off. XD