Thanks for waiting! Hope you guys like this chappie, most of it is made up.
I don't own FF8 or LadyHawke. Yay for me. *cries*
Memories
Seifer scanned the wolf fur in front of him disdainfully. He growled as he shoved the last one out of the way with his blade. "Useless, all of them." Seifer glared at the hunter as he walked away. In the deepest part of the dungeons they were in a room that dimly lit by a few torches as Seifer moved throughout the room, disappointed. In front of him, was a table with various wolf skins but much to Seifer's displeasure, none of them was the one he wanted.
"My traps are full." The Hunter croaked. He was somewhat tall, but his clothes were absolutely filthy and his face was covered in dry mud. His hair was completely disheveled and his voice was raspy. "I can't kill every wolf that lives." He picked up a large fur coat and put in on like a coat.
Seifer glared at him as he walked up a sat of stairs. "Humph."
"There's been a large number of wolves in just this last month." The hunter said. "They've been reproducing at an alarming rate. Since the Crusades there have been more wolves than men."
"There is a woman..." Seifer muttered.
"Sir?" The hunter looked at him with an odd expression.
"A beautiful woman..." Seifer said in a trance-like state. "With porcelain skin, chocolate brown eyes..." He paused for a second as he looked at the ground. "She travels by night, only by night."
The hunter had no idea were this was going, but he listened anyway. "Her sun is the moon, and her name is..." Seifer faced the hunter. "Rinoa."
The hunter raised an eyebrow. "What about this, Rinoa?"
"Find her and you'll find a wolf. The wolf I want." Seifer hissed. "The wolf who...loves her. A black wolf." Seifer walked out of the room with the hunter looking absolutely baffled.
He couldn't help but find himself staring at her in awe. She was truly a breath taking sight, even more so in her sleep. She had a large sheet draped over her as if it were a dress. Zell shifted on the large fluff blanket as he watched the raven haired beauty sigh in her dreams. Rinoa, was her name. Rinoa Mirielle Caraway Heartilly. Zell wondered how Rinoa and Squall could live through this last two years with this curse.
She mumbled something in her sleep and turned to her side, facing Zell. He gulped as her features registered in the dim candle fire. She open her gorgeous brown orbs and smiled softly at Zell when she spotted him. Zell smiled back, and she tried to get up slowly but Zell stopped her.
"Don't, you might start bleeding again." He said quietly. She stopped and she laid back down immediately and sighed.
"What's your name?" She whispered.
"Zell Dincht." He replied. Rinoa's eyes widened slightly. "I'm the Duke of the Eastern Kingdom, The Drake Kingdom."
"I thought so." She looked at him curiously. "So that means that you're Princess Quistis cousin, right?"
Zell gave a crooked smile. "Yeah..."
Rinoa said nothing as she looked up at the ceiling. "You're traveling with him, aren't you?"
"Squall?" Rinoa nodded. "Yeah, been traveling with him for a while." Rinoa smiled as she turned to look at the room around her.
Shit, she looks so sad...What should I say?
He thought of how Squall had been so panicked when the hawk had been struck the previous day. And now Zell knew why. It wasn't because his bird was hurt, it was because the love of his life was in danger. He looked at Rinoa. He figured that she and Squall haven't spoken in years...
"'Y-you must save this hawk,' he said." Zell said quietly. "'For she is my life, my last reason for living'." It doesn't matter that I'm lying, I'll just say what she needs to hear the most. I'm sure that Squall would say these things to her anyway...
Rinoa didn't turn to face him, but he knew that she was paying every bit of attention. "And then he said, 'One day we'll know such happiness, as two people dream of, but never live.'"
Man, that sounded cheesy! He frowned. She's not gonna buy that shit.
However, Rinoa turned to face him with sparkling eyes. "He said that?"
Oh Hyne...C'mon, Zell! Think!
"I swear it on my life." He mentally slapped himslef at his own corniness. Rinoa didn't seem to mind, she smiled radiantly at him. Zell grinned back at her as she turned her whole body to face him. Zell hadn't meant to look at her body, but he noticed that she was cold. He got up and grabbed another blanket from a nearby chair and draped it graciously around her feminine figure. She smiled softly at him.
"Thanks." She said. She brought out one of her hands and Zell took it.
"Can I ask you somethin'?" He said hesitantly. Rinoa nodded. "How-how did this happen to you? I mean, Cid told me a bit, but...How did you two ever meet...? I mean, it's okay to..."
"You want to know more." She said knowingly. "It's okay, I'll tell you. I've known Squall my whole life. Ever since I can remember, I always spent time with him and his sister, Ellone."
"Ooh..." Zell looked at her. "Did you ever meet my cousin?"
"I met Quisty a long time ago."
18 years ago
"Fury!" Called a sweet voice. The woman had shoulder length dark brown hair, hazel eyes, carmine red lips, and she wore a scarlett dress that came to her shoulders. She was holding hands with a tiny little girl with big luminous brown eyes, a powder blue dress with white sleeves, and a large blue ribbon in her silky raven locks.
"Yes, my dear?" Said a gruff looking man with a heavy jaw, a General's uniform and a stern gaze. However that gaze fell as his daughter ran to his arms and giggled happily as he picked her up.
"Are you about ready? The King and Queen are expecting us." His wife smiled as she took a large floral box from the dresser near her.
"More than ready, Julia dearest." Caraway smiled. He looked at his child and she put a finger by her lower lip. "Are you ready to go, princess?"
"Yup!" Said the girl.
The family left their home and entered the large castle as many people had gathered to celebrate Princess Ellone's 8th birthday. The Banquet Hall was filled up with Lords and Ladies of every extent of Centra, even the Queen of the Drake Kingdom and her daughter were present. Caraway put down his daughter as he and his wife made their way to the thrones were the jovial King Laguna and his gentle wife, queen Raine.
"Welcome Caraway!" Laguna boomed as he eagerly shook hands with the General. "How are you, my good man?"
"Very well, Your Excellency." Caraway replied. He bowed at the queen and smiled as the king greeted Julia. "Your Majesty, it's a pleasure to see you again."
"Likewise, General." Raine smiled. She looked down at the little girl holding hands with her parents. "Hello, Rinoa!"
Rinoa blushed as she curtsied. "Hello, Yoor Majesty." Rinoa said politely.
"Rinny!" Laguna grinned broadly. "How are ya?" Rinoa giggled at Laguna's eagerness.
"Oh Hyne." Raine mumbled. "Honestly Laguna, sometimes I think I have three children instead of two!"
Laguna pouted as the Caraways laughed. Rinoa looked around and spotted a girl with short bown hair wearing a mint green dress surrounded by a flock of kids. Rinoa decided to leave the grown ups alone and walked over to the small mob of kids.
"Princess Ellone!" Rinoa called as she neared.
Ellone turned around and her eyes widened happily at the sight of Rinoa. "Rin!" Ellone gave Rinoa an immense hug and sighed happily. "You're here!"
"Of course!" Rinoa smiled back. "Oh, my mommy has yoor gift."
"What did you get me?" Ellone said slyly.
Rinoa raised her eyebrows. "I'm not telling yoo! It's a surprise!"
"You could still tell and I'll pretend to be surprised!" Ellone said brightly. Rinoa shook her head and Ellone pouted. "Boo, you're no fun."
"She never is." Grumbled a boy behind him. Rinoa narrowed her eyes as she looked over and saw a boy with cobalt blue eyes and a mop of chestnut brown hair that fell over his eyes slightly. He was dressed in a small navy blue royal suit and wore a bored look.
"Be nice, Squally." Ellone said. His cheeks inflammed slightly as the other kids around him laughed. "Why do you always pick on Rinny?"
"Cuz she's always here." He said simply.
"Don't listen to him, Rinoa." Said the boy next to Squall. He was a little taller than Squall, he has blonde hair that was neatly combed with emerald green eyes. He wore a suit similar to Squall's, but this one was grey. "He's just being a loser."
"A loser!?" Squall hissed. "I just beat yoo three times in a row at Hide n' Seek!"
"So?" The blonde hissed back. "I let yoo win."
"No, I won fair and square!" Squall snapped. "You're just acting different cuz Rinoa's here, Seifer!"
"What's yoor point?" Seifer snapped back. "I am behaving like I should; a gentleman. Some prince yoo are, can't even say nice things to a lady!"
"Rinoa's not a lady!" Squall scoffed. "She's just a girl!"
"Hey!" Rinoa snapped. "And yoo're a big meanie head!"
Squall stared at her in confusion. "That doesn't even make sense!"
"Yes it does!" She countered. "Yoo're a meanie head!"
"Yoo're so stupid!" Squall spat.
"I know yoo are, but what am I?" Rinoa said in a sing song voice.
"I just told yoo!" Squall said incredulously.
"Nuh-uh!" She said.
"Yeah-huh!" He said.
"Nuh-uh!"
"Yeah-huh!"
"Nuh-uh!"
"Yeah-huh!"
The two kept going at it as some of the other kids rolled their eyes and Ellone shook her head at them. "You know..." She said mischievously. "If you two keep fighting like that, it means that you like each other."
Squall and Rinoa stopped bickering and turned to glare furiously at Ellone who shrunk back.
"No way! Gross!" Rinoa said loudly.
"I'd rather eat a snail!" Squall snapped.
"Excuse me." Said a soft, elegant voice.
The others turned to see a small girl with blonde silky blonde hair and sapphire blue eyes smiling nervously at them. "Are you Princess Ellone?"
Ellone smiled at the girl's formality. "Yes, I am."
The girl curtsied as she picked the sides of her frilly pink dress. "I am Princess Quistis. I come to wish you a happy day."
Even Squall, Seifer and Rinoa raised their eyebrows at Quistis manners.
"O-oh! Why thank you, Princess." Ellone curtsied. "Um, would you like to play with us?"
"It'd be my honor, Your Majesty." Quistis curtsied again.
"Please, just call me Ellone." Smiled the older girl. Quistis looked a bit surprised, but nodded anyway. "How old are you Quistis?"
"I am five and a half years." Quistis replied.
"Oh really? That's the same as my baby brother!" Ellone pointed to Squall. "That's him, Squall."
Quistis eyes softened at the sight of him and she curtsied at him. Squall frowned but bowed anyways. Seifer followed and Rinoa curtsied.
"That boy next to him is Seifer," Ellone said as she pointed at him. "And on the other side is Rinoa."
Rinoa smiled brightly at Quistis, who smiled back. Rinoa took Quistis by the hands and walked part the two boys. "Where are yoo from, Quisty?"
Quistis giggled at her new nickname. "The Drake Kingdom. And you?"
"From this one!" Rinoa pointed at the ground. " I forget what it's called. Pandarora, or Peter Pan, or Panflora..."
"Pandora?" Quistis smiled.
"Yeah, that!" Rinoa giggled.
"I told yoo that yoo're stupid." Squall said from behind her. Rinoa turned to face him with narrowed eyes.
"Shut up, MEANIE HEAD." She hissed.
"Leave her alone already!" Seifer said. "Or else!"
"Or else what?" Squall hissed. He walked to Seifer so that the two of them were face to face.
"Yoo'll see..." Seifer hissed back.
"That's how I met Quistis." Rinoa said. "When Ellone turned 8."
"Wow, you and Squall sure didn't get along very well!" Zell grinned as he leaned against the wall. "You guys were real cute."
Rinoa smiled. "I've always liked him, since we were kids...I would do almost anything to be around him, get into trouble even."
"Even that asswhole acted differently around you." Zell muttered. "He was obsessed with you back then, too."
"I think that Seifer was in love with me at some point." Rinoa said quietly. "But after I came back to Pandora after the Sorceress Crusades, he was different. Technically, we all were."
"How old were you when you left?" Zell asked as Rinoa leaned in closer and placed her head on his lap.
"I was 10 when my mother and I left to the Narshe Woods." She replied. "I came back ten years later, when the Crusades were over."
"Is that when everything started going down the crapper?" He looked down at her.
"Yes..." She wrapped the thick blanket around her tightly as Zell shifted in his place. Outside, the distant howl of a wolf was heard and the two of them turned to face the window and looked to the dark night sky.
"When I came back, Squall and Seifer's rivalry was worse than before. They had always competed in everything, sparring, horseback riding, Hyne, they even competed in ballroom dancing. They weren't the best of friends when we were kids, but they were friends nonetheless. They competed for my attention at times, too. Seifer would use magic to amuse me...he'd conjure flowers, make birds appear in his hand, things like that. And Squall, he'd get my attention by ignoring me! I wasn't used to him ignoring me, he'd always tease me before, but I found myself being drawn to him by his aloof and stoic attitude."
She sighed as memories began to plage her mind.
2 Years Ago
The sounds of galloping hooves thundered across the dry leaves scattered around the forest as the two men riding their steeds egged on their horses further. The large black one had a slight advantage over the cinnamon steed. The larger animal's rider had a fierce look in his cobalt blue eyes. While the cinnamon's rider had an angry and frustrated look in his emerald green orbs. The tall blond man kicked his steed's side and the animal responded by surpassing the chestnut haired young man.
"Eat my dust, Puberty Boy!" The blond man laughed as he sped off.
A third rider came up behind the angry brunette and sighed. "Any idea of where we are?" Rinoa asked Squall from her white horse. Squall let out a slight growl as he looked at his surroundings. Rinoa sighed as she pulled on her horse's reins and the two of them moved forward. "I wonder if Seifer knows where we are."
Squall scoffed. "Seifer has been living in my castle his entire life and he still gets lost there."
Rinoa looked at him. "What is with you two? What are you trying to prove? Your machismo?"
Squall said nothing as she followed him. They kept on in silence, with Squall stealing a few glances at Rinoa when she wasn't looking. Little did he know, Rinoa was doing the same thing. She glanced at his chiseled profile, how loose strands of hair fell in front of his eyes. Rinoa noticed that his eyes kept trying to glance at her direction and she grinned.
"What are you smiling about?" He asked.
"Oh nothing." She said. "Just admiring the scenery."
She winked at him. That set his cheeks aflame as he looked forward and Rinoa giggled. "Oh come on, I'm sure you get compliments from girls all the time."
Squall's cheeks went brighter. She clickled her tonge at her horse so that she and Squall were side-by-side. She smiled brightly at him and leaned in to kiss his cheek before riding off, leaving a confused Squall. He rubbed the spot where she had kissed him and found his lip curling into a smile.
By the time that they had reached the castle stables (without Seifer) Squall dismounted his horse as he then helped Rinoa down. It was in that moment that in his arms, directly looking into the deep pools of is eyes, Rinoa realized that she wanted more than friendship with the Prince. When her feet touched the ground, she found herself unwilling to let go of his sleeves. Feeling his strong muscular arms around her slim waist, her chest against his, his face looming in front of her...Rinoa couldn't resist wanting to kiss him. But she had never kissed any one before. What if she was no good? What if he pulled away from her for slobbering too much on him? Rinoa looked down in embarrassment and Squall cupped her chin, making her look back at him.
He leaned in closer and Rinoa could feel his breath on her face. She closed her eyes as her lips neared his-
"Duke Almasy! How was your ride, sir?" A soldier greeted.
Squall and Rinoa pulled apart before Seifer entered the stables. Squall eye's refused to meet hers as he entered the castle through a nearby door. Rinoa stared at the door as she felt a wave of disappointment. When Seifer dismounted of his horse, he grinned brightly at her as she smiled weakly at him.
"Are you okay?" He asked concernedly. Rinoa smiled and nodded.
"I'm just tired, but I'm okay."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
She couldn't sleep, no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't sleep. The image of the scene at the stables kept flashing in her mind. Rinoa took her pillow and punched it to a more comfortable shape. She had known him for many years, since they were kids! But he wasn't a kid anymore, and neither was she. She got out of her bed and looked at the large mirror by her bed and looked at her reflection. She truly was a woman, her body didn't lie. As she continued to look at her reflection, she noticed something odd in her the reflection of the balcony behind her. She turned and noticed that the curtains were flowing freely in the night time wind. Rinoa walked pat the curtains and looked at the beautiful hills and valley infront of her. She saw the vines that were growing on the side of her balcony, it's pretty white flowers shining in the moonlight. She wrapped her arms around herself as she looked up at the stars above.
She watched a star cross the sky and sighed happily, thinking and wishing that her Prince were by her side. "Squall..." She whispered dreamily.
"What?"
Rinoa jerked her head back and looked for the direction of his voice. And then she saw him; he was climbing up the vine growing on the side of her balcony. He was wearing a white ruffled-sleeve shirt, dark pants, and a cloak lined with fur at the hood. He grabbed onto the balcony's ledge and pulled himself up. When he stood directly in front of her, Rinoa swore she was dreaming. And then she realized that she was still in her night gown; her bodice was hugging her body tightly and her skirt split in the middle, bearing her long legs. Her chest was rising with her breathing and she attempted to cover herself in any way she could.
"W-what are you doing here?" She gasped.
"I think it's obvious." He replied. He placed his arms around hers and pulled her against him. "I came to see you." He whispered in her ear.
Rinoa shuddered slightly as she looked into his eyes. "Why?"
"I owe you something." He said as he cupped her face and flickered a few strands of her with his thumb. Rinoa blinked in confusion at his response.
"You do?" She whispered as he slowly brought his face closer to hers. The earlier moment in the stables came into her mind all over again.
But this time, there were no interruptions, this time her lips met his. And she savored the sweet taste of his lips on hers, she felt his silky locks on her fingers, her tongue brushed against his. She had no idea if she was kissing him properly, but she sure as hell was enjoying it. She could feel his hands lowering down to her waist as she moved her body closer to his. They broke apart briefly and smiled crookedly at each other, before their lips met again and this kiss held more passion and fire than the first they shared.
Rinoa looked at Zell and smiled gently at him before she moved to the side and closed her eyes. Zell watched her fall asleep before he got up, grabbed a blanket, wrapped it around himslef and walked out of the room. He stepped outside into the chilly air, he looked at the horizon and saw that dawn was approaching slowly, time had passed by while he was listening to Rinoa. Zell looked down at the stone steps and saw Cid sitting there, holding a cup of wine in his hand.
"Does she know?" Zell asked Cid as he pointed to the room where Rinoa slept with his thumb.
"Know what?" Cid asked as he took a hearty gulp of wine.
"That you're the priest that betrayed them." Zell said.
"Hyne has declared a way to end it. He has given me the knowledge to undo what I've done." Cid said as he got up and walked to Zell. "After two years, the holy father has brought us together once again."
Zell frowned at him. "Could you say that again with half the syllables? 'Cause I have no fucking clue as to what you just said."
"I have found a way to break the curse." Cid said simply. "And the time has come for Squall to face Seifer, and for him to live his life with Rinoa."
"Y'know he inteds to kill Seifer with his ancestor's sword." Zell told him.
Cid looked terrified. "No, he mustn't do that! If Squall kills Seifer the curse will never be broken!"
Zell opened his mouth to say something when he heard Griever neigh at the castle ruins entry. Zell looked at Cid as the two of them heard galloping hooves and the distant echoes of male voices. Cid looked at Zell. "Go, look after Rinoa, I'll hold them off."
"But-" Zell protested.
"Go!" Cid urged him. He walked down to the entry as Zell ran up to Rinoa's room. Cid looked down at the three armored riders as they stood in front of the gates.
"Open up in the name of Duke Almasy! We're looking for a woman!" Yelled one of the soldiers.
"Be of with you, this is the house of Father Hyne, not a brothel!" Cid hissed.
"I said to open up in the name of the Duke Almasy!" Repeated the soldier.
"I've met the Duke, you blasphemous lot!" Cid barked. "And you look nothing like him!"
The soldier growled and he turned to his soldiers. "Break it down!"
"Yes, sir!" The others dismounted their steeds and began to push against the wooden gate. One frowned and picked up a large rock and began hitting the gate instead. The wood didn't last very long and came crashing down. The three men entered the ruins and ran up the stone steps when they met Cid, a small wooden bridge was the only thing in their way. He was grinning the three men from ear to ear.
Meanwhile Zell entered the room to watch the slender wisp of a girl cruled up on her side. Zell knelt down next to Rinoa and gently tapped her shoulder. "Milady, wake up." Zell whispered. "Milady!"
Rinoa's eyes fluttered open as she looked at him confusedly. "What is it?"
"Don't ask, just come with me." Zell whispered urgently as he helped her up.
Outside, the three soldiers were walking across the bridge when Cid pulled a cord and the bridge went crashing down. "Sorry, I am a priest, not an architect!" He smiled at the soldiers who were struggling to get up. Cid then quickly walked away to the other larger wooden bridge and waited for the soldiers to catch up.
Cid looked behind him and he saw Zell and Rinoa run quickly to one of the other towers. Cid smiled as he turned back and saw a soldier approach him. "This way, my good chum. Straight through the main doors." Cid pointed at the room where Rinoa had slept in. The soldier raised an eyebrow but walked in the direction anyway. "And remember, walk on the left side-"
He didn't finish his sentence as the soldier fell through the weak planks and fell into the moat underneath. Cid grinned as he watched the soldier sputter out water. When Cid strainghtned up, another soldier came up shoved Cid out of the way as he proceeded to the ruined castle. The soldier ran to the castle side, were several towers intertwined. The soldier looked up right as Zell and Rinoa ran out of one of the towers. Zell realized who the soldier was as they back inside the tower they came out of.
"Who is he?" Rinoa gasped as she held on to her injured arm.
"His name is Wedge." Zell told her. "He's one of Seifer's lackeys."
Rinoa made an 'O' with her mouth as Zell took her right uninjured hand and they ran up a spiral staircase to the highest tower. There was a small trap door and Zell pushed it open. He helped Rinoa climb out. She looked over at the twilight skies and looked at the side of the high tower. If the sun came out anytime soon, she'd transform. But they were trapped; the only way down was to climb down the tower and the way down was a rocky mountain slope.
"We must be over 500ft." Rinoa murmured. "What are we gonna do?"
Zell looked looked at her as he tired to get up when a hand gripped his right foot. "HEY!! LET GO!!!"
"I gotcha!" Wedge said triumphantly. Zell kicked him with his free leg and Wedge staggered slightly, taking one of Zell's boots with him. Zell finally got up and tired to close the lid of the trap door as Rinoa looked at him anxiously.
"Zell, it's me they're after." She told him.
"Don't flatter yourself." Zell muttered as he looked around wildly for something to block the trap door with. As he passed by Rinoa Wedge opened the trap door and Rinoa let out a gasp, Zell jumped on the trap door and remained there. Wedge pushed the door and Zell fumbled to stay afoot, he tried to gain balance, he almost hit Rinoa while his arms waved wildly. Zell noticed a small lock on the handle of the trap door and tired to latch on the lock. As he fumbled with it, Wedge drove his sword through one of the gaps. Zell jumped away from the blade and pushed Rinoa off one of the tower's ledges.
"ZELL!!" Rinoa screamed.
Zell reacted quickly and grabbed onto her forearms as Wedge kept on pushing on the trap door. Zell tried pulling her up, but his hands were so sweaty that her right hand fell through his. She screamed in reaction as tears escaped her eyes.
"Zell!! I'm slipping!!" She cried. Now he was holding onto her injured arm. Although the actual wound was right above her left breast, the pain went all the way through her entire arm. Zell tried to pull her up with both arms, but began to lose hold for himself and was going down with her. He grabbed onto a nearby ledge, trying to pull Rinoa up as hard as he could.
Rinoa let out a scream as her arm kept on slipping and her hand touched his. Then the only thing he was holding onto were her middle and index fingers. "ZELL!!!"
"NO NO!!!"
She was falling down, screaming to the top of her lungs into the cloudy skies as the sheet around her flapped wildly into the air. He watched helplessly when he felt a strange warmth caress his cheek. He looked to see that the sun was breaking through the clouds. Rinoa's screams changed, her pitch became higher and when Zell looked at her, his pale blue eyes widened.
Her raven hair was becoming lighter, turning into brown. Her hands and legs were slowly disappearing, and in the blink of an eye, the large brown hawk appeared as the sheet fell to the mountain slope. Rinoa's screams were gone, instead the hawk chirped loudly into the skies. Zell grinned and let out a sigh of relief as he watched Rinoa flap her wings.
The thumping on the trap door continued and finally Wedge broke the trap door open. He looked around and didn't see neither Zell or the raven haired girl. He looked over one of the ledges and saw a sheet spread out on the floor. Wedge frowned as he kept looking over the ledges until he saw Zell trying to climb down the tower by using the some of the bricks that were sticking out of the tower.
"You!" Wedge yelled at Zell. "Where's the woman!?"
"She flew away." Zell replied casually.
"Hyne dammit, where's the woman!?" Wedge roared.
"I told you, she flew away!" Zell snapped. Wedge growled as he drew his sword again and was about to strike Zell when an arrow hit Wedge in the side. Zell's eyes widened as he watched Wedge fall off the tower and crash onto the ground. Zell held his breath until he found a dark clad young man with silky chestnut brown hair, cobalt blue eyes, a scar across the bridge of his nose and his brow standing in a small hill nearby. Zell waved at Squall as Rinoa flew over to Squall and landed on his shoulder as Squall waved back at Zell with his crossbow.
Zell looled up at the sky. "Hyne, did I ever tell you that I love you?"
Cid was sitting down on a stone step rubbing his neck slowly as his eyes locked with cobalt blue eyes. Squall nodded at Cid in recognition and Cid smiled. Squall however, frowned. He pulled on Griever's reins and the horse came to a halt.
"I thought you might have been dead, Kramer." Squall said. "There was a time that I wanted to kill you myself. But I'm very grateful for this." Squall looked at Rinoa who was perched on his arm cleaning her feathers.
"No, it is I who should be grateful." Cid said as he stood up and walked down a few stone steps. "To have the chance to redeem myself, to save you and Rinoa."
Squall said nothing as he looked down at Rinoa.
"Because Hyne has shown me how the curse can be broken." Cid smiled.
"You betrayed us once...I'm warning you right now." Squall practically growled. "If you dare try to pull of anything..."
"In three days from now, you and Rinoa can confront Seifer as a man and a woman." Cid said quietly. "And then the two of you will be free!"
"Impossible." Squall replied.
"As long as there is night and day, no." Cid said wisely. "But in three days, there will be a night without a day, and a day without a night."
"Go back inside, old man." Squall said bitterly. "Go back to your drink."
"You think I'm drunk!?" Cid gasped. "Hyne has shown me! He has forgiven me!"
"He hasn't forgiven you, he's made you mad." Squall snapped. Griever snorted slightly.
"HEY MAN!" Zell came running up to them with a wide grin on his face. "How are ya, man?"
Squall nodded at Zell as Rinoa chirped happily. Squall clicked his tongue at Griever as the horse trotted away to the ruined castle entry. "Hey, how's your shoulder?"
Squall looked at his previously injured shoulder, then at Rinoa. "I'm in your debt, Zell."
"Me? Nahh!" Zell smiled as he walked alongside the large steed. Zell thought quietly for a moment before turning back to face Squall. "She wanted me to tell you something."
Squall pulled in Giever's reins as the horse came to a stop. He turned to face Zell, giving the young Duke his undivided attention.
"She says she still has hope and faith in you." Zell smiled. I sure hope he doesn't realize that I'm lying. But he needs these words, too.
To his surprise, Squall glanced at Rinoa and smiled at her as she flapped her wings briefly. "You're free to go." Squall told Zell.
"I know that, man." Zell grinned. "So you and Lady Hawke will be going to Aquila still?"
Squall frowned slightly as his brows furrowed. "'Lady Hawke'?"
Zell grinned sheepishly, and Squall nodded. "Look, I know I said I didn't want to go along with you, but I changed my mind."
"Why?" Squall looked at Zell curiously.
"Who's gonna keep you and Rin company?" Zell smiled. Squall's eyes softened and he looked down.
"Go get your things, I'm leaving." Squall said quietly.
He pulled on Griever's reins as Zell ran back to the ruins, he looked at Cid. "We're leaving right now, so follow us." Zell began to walk away before he came to a halt. "Oh, and leave the wine." Cid laughed as he watched Zell run back to Squall.
Squall smiled as Rinoa chirped in his arm. "Hm. Lady Hawke."
Ta-dah! Hope you guys like! read and review!! =D