The Lost Blue Butterfly

AN: First of all, I want to apologize to everyone. It took quite a long time to revise this chapter. My lovely beta, WishingDreamer5, will not beta my fic again. It's disappointing, but I have to understand.

Once again, I'm not a native speaker. I'm sure there are a lot of mistakes in this chapter and I'll appreciate it if you could point out my mistakes.

Thank you very much and please enjoy reading.

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VIII. It is copyrighted by Square Enix and all other associates

Second Mission Revealed

"All of it was lies, all the cries I despised. Crystallized – How could you leave me?

Deep down in the lies I despise, to inhale paralyzed?

Stabbing love into her…"

- Path of Golconda: Stabbing Love into Her –

Mist was now enveloping Deling City. Although it was not as thick as in Balamb, it made the temperature of the whole city drop drastically. Despite of it being a crowded and polluted city, the atmosphere of that night was deadly hushed. It was as quiet as a cemetery.

A luxury car was parked in the Shopping Arcade area. It was the only vehicle there. A mysterious man got out of the car. It was hard to make out this man's identity because of the mist. A beeping sound was heard from the car, indicating that it had been locked. He then continued his destination toward a small house at the end of passage.

Although the temperature dropped until several Celsius below normal, the man ignored the cold breeze that hit his face. A thin frost covered his face, making his entire body shiver, but he didn't care to brush it away. He proceeded his way until he reached his destination, a small, cottage-sized house. He couldn't understand how she was able to live in such a small place, whereas she had spent her childhood in a huge mansion.

He checked his surrounding and lowered his cap, making sure that no one could identify him through his disguise. Without wasting any time, he knocked on the blue oak door. A few minutes passed, but he still didn't hear any sign of movement inside the house. Getting impatient, he knocked louder this time, but not loud enough to disturb another house nearby. He had received a phone call from General Caraway to evacuate her as soon as possible. The ticking sound was coming from his watch took a lot of his patience away, but he still didn't hear any sound inside the house. Trying to ease his restlessness, he told himself not to break into her house. Time was running out. He had to take her to the dock before dawn.

A loud shriek was heard near the door. A young woman appeared, rubbing her eyes sleepily. She nearly started shouting when the man immediately covered her mouth, preventing her from making any sound. After blinking her eyes several times to reduce her blurry vision, she made out the man's identity. She tapped the man's hand lightly, signaling him to take his hand away from her mouth. Realizing that his hostage was in a compromised state, he took his hand away.

Regaining herself from the sudden surprise, the woman whispered, "Oh my Hyne, Seifer. What are you doing in this…" She glanced at the clock that hung on the wall in her living room. "past mid-night." A hint of annoyance was evident in her voice.

"We have to go now," Seifer instructed with a stern voice. Rinoa was slightly confused because of his sudden demeanor. Gaining no respond from her, he grabbed the raven-haired woman's hand and dragged her out of her house. Rinoa's mind was blank. She was trying to put it together; Out of the blue, Seifer appeared in front of her house at three o'clock in the morning, dragging her out of her house. If it was another person, she would have called it abduction.

"Wait a minute, Seifer," she said in between breaths. "Where are we going?" she asked, trying to keep up with her kidnapper's pace.

Seifer didn't care to face her. "I'll tell you after we're out of the city." He made several turns to different alleys, passing some buildings before reaching parking lot.

After making sure that they were not being followed, he opened the passenger door of his car, gesturing her to take a seat. She could tell that he was in a rush, so she complied silently without any complaints. After that, he immediately closed the door and proceeded his way toward driver's seat. Without fixing his safety-belt first, he hurtled the car out from Delling's shopping district.

They travelled silently. No one muttered a single word to another; Rinoa, who was afraid to break the silence between them and Seifer, who was deep in thought, concentrating to reach their destination in time. An hour passed and still, neither of them spoke. Rinoa was getting uncomfortable about the situation. Noticing her discomfort, Seifer broke the silence between them. "We're heading to Dollet's dock." He could tell that she was casting him a puzzled look. "You will go to Trabia." As soon as the words came out from his mouth, he was rewarded by snort chuckle.

"Pardon me?" she asked in disbelief.

Seifer remained silent. He glanced briefly at her, noticing a hurt expression emanated from her dove hazel eyes behind her disfavor expression. She turned her head, facing the road. "It's not what you're thinking, Rinoa." He didn't get a respond from her, but he perfectly knew that she was upset. "Look, everything is-"

"I can help, you know," she cut in. Her voice was hoarse, a hint of hurt lingering her next words, "Stop treating me like a child. I'm not coming here to look for protection."

An utter silence was filling them once again. Seifer once again broke the silence between them. "Who says you're not helping?" he tried to comfort her. "A sudden twist occurs and makes everything go against us. It's the best to send you away for awhile." The blond glanced at her briefly. He thought that it was better to let her alone.

After making the last turn, they finally arrived at the dock and the ship was ready to depart.

"Don't worry, there's someone waiting for you at the border," he said, noticing her anxiety. "She will accompany you to Trabia Garden. It's an out-ranged place, you'll be safe there."

They got out of the car. Before Rinoa headed to the ship, however, Seifer held her hand, making her stop. Her hand was frozen and her usually porcelain face was not emanating a radiant she usually possessed. It looked as if she was a lifeless mannequin and it tore his heart into two. Pair of sad eyes were staring at him, questioning his gesture. Somehow, it soothed him. Although she looked so fragile and easily broken, her orbs always radiated the same serenity he always admired. It was the tranquility of which only could be obtained from Rinoa Heartilly. Seeing this, he softened his gaze.

"Don't talk to anyone on the ship, okay?" he said softly, patting her head affectionately as if he was talking to a child.

As he turned his body, Rinoa grasped his hand, making him face her once again. "Please make sure nothing happens to my father, Seifer," she begged, tightening her grip. Tears were pouring down of her almond orbs. Seifer cast a solace gaze and hugged her tightly.

If only we were in the different circumstance,…

A whistle was heard, signaling that the ship would depart in a few minutes. Seifer broke the embrace and held her face in his palms, brushing the remaining trek of her tears away.

If only…we'd never be parted before…

He held her face closer, touching their foreheads together. Her tears had stopped, but he could hear her faint sob and her uneven breaths. He knew that he was her only hope. That's why he had to survive.

…I would make the world exist only for you and…

"I promise."

This time, Rinoa broke the contact. Seifer let her hand slowly slipping from his grasp as she started making her way to the ship. Casting his sincere smile last time…

…I'd never…ever let your hand go.

he let her leave.

Early in the morning, Squall woke up, feeling slightly numb all over his limbs. It wasn't because of the hard mattress. Well, he understood that the city was very poor, especially during Galbadia Campaign last year, but he couldn't sleep at all. Rinoa had plagued his mind ever since Seifer told him her status. Frankly, the rendezvous was useless. Seifer left him when he was about to ask about her relation with President Vincent and the attack of Dollet.

The young commander jabbed his fingers to his hair and let out a frustration sigh. His blonde rival wasn't change at all; he was still an arrogant bastard. Since he didn't get the answer about his main query, it meant that the puzzle remained unsolved. Moreover, he even left him alone in the stranger's house last night, saying he got something urgent to do. It was classic, but also a poor excuse.

Although Timber was very cold in the morning, Squall had to resist the shivers that ran down his spine in order to catch the first train to Balamb. About eight o'clock, he arrived at Balamb's Station. He saw his car, parked near the locket. Recalling that he had rushed to catch the train last night, he realized that he didn't park his car in the proper place. The attractive man then jumped to his car and drove it to Balamb Garden before security caught him for breaking the rules.

During the journey to Garden, his mind was full of excuses about his sudden disappearance last night. Of course, Cid would yell at him, scolding him for his irresponsibility. No, actually it was understatement. He even didn't give a speech last night. He could imagine Cid's face when he called him to the stage, but noticed that he was missing; well the Headmaster could think that his proud commander actually didn't come to the ball at all. But then again, since when he had interest in social meeting like that. He came, greeted the guests, and then he left. For him, it was nothing more than a social courtesy.

The journey to Balamb Garden was quite short. He could feel the salty breeze of Balamb Sea. It was cold, but calming. Unlike in Timber, the cold breeze of Balamb had a certain effect to him. There was a feeling of calmness that he could only find in here. But, there was also an unnatural feeling lingering his mind as soon as he was out of the city. The mist was different. It could be the diffused of twilight, but somehow he couldn't find the similar placidness.

An anxious feeling was rambling inside Squall's heart ever since he entered Balamb Garden's gate. As he walked closer to the lobby, his suspicion was rising. The entire hall was a mess; it was as if a disaster had occurred last night. The crystal lamp which usually hung in the middle of the hall was splattered across the floor, all of the glass windows were broken, and there were many injured cadets lying on the floor and some people carried them to Infirmary. It was messier than the Norg incident three years ago. He then quickly ran to the Infirmary and noticed Quistis soothing a cadet for her loss. He quickly approached her.

"Quistis, what's happening?"

Quistis swiftly wiped the shocked expression that crossed her face. The older woman then dragged him outside the Infirmary and faced him. "Where have you been!?" she hissed angrily. "Galbadia attacked us last night, but you were nowhere when we needed you. What's on your mind, Squall!?" she scolded, not caring that they were near the Infirmary.

Squall was taken aback at Quistis' sudden outburst. The scowl on his instructor's face told him that he had made big mistake. The prepared excuses about his disappearance last night were evaporated immediately.

The commander looked around the mess. He was so confused and absolutely had no idea about the disaster. After regaining his composure, he asked, "Where's the headmaster?"

A sad expression was written on Quistis' face, making the brunet confused once again at her sudden change of expression. "What happened?" he asked nervously.

Quistis looked at him sadly. Tears were pooling in her eyes. She whispered almost inaudibly, "He's… dead, Squall."

Squall's mind went blank. He felt that his surrounding was spinning. Unable to stop the dizziness that was clouding in his head, he dropped himself on the nearby bench.

"Just tell me, Squall. Where have you been last night?" Quistis said softly as she sat beside him.

Squall was trying to appease his shock. After putting himself together for the second time this morning, he answered, "I went to Timber." The brunet dared himself to look straight to her eyes, "…to meet Seifer."

Quistis was shock hearing his confession. She didn't expect Seifer would be up in this matter. Anger was visible in her face. "What the hell is wrong with you? Are you out of your mind!?" she practically shouted. The blonde tore his gaze away from him and pulled her long bang to appease her fury. "Do you understand what you're talking about? You can't trust him. He is involved in Galbadia Campaign and we know nothing about his allegiance." Quistis pointed her finger accusingly, "You can be accused as a traitor, Squall, and you knew it. You are cooperating with an-"

"For Hyne's sake, can you shut your mouth?!" Squall shouted, making his ex-instructor close her mouth immediately. The Lion was ruffling his hair, expressing his frustration.

Rapid steps were heard along the corridor. Xu was coming toward them. She was relief seeing her commander coming back, but also nervous at the same time. There were many things she wanted to report to him.

Giving him a salute, Xu said, "Glad, you're alright, Commander. I'm ready to give report." Ignoring his silence, she continued speaking, "Some SeeD already cleared the mess. We got some help from White SeeD as soon as I called for emergency. They also have prepared the evacuation." Still gaining no respond from the young commander, she patiently waited his next order. A couple of minutes passed, but Squall still stayed quiet. Xu was getting impatient. Garden was in its vulnerable state, so they needed to take action fast. "Commander-"

"I know, Xu," Squall cut weakly. He let out a long-sigh. "Just…give me a second to think. Everything just mixed up and I've known Seifer's involvement in Galbadia Affair since last night. So, please-"

"You met Seifer?" Xu asked disbelief.

"…Yeah, just please, let me alone for awhile. I need to think first." Squall walked away, leaving the two women behind.

The only sound heard there was a moan from inside the Infirmary. Xu was slightly confused of her commander's behavior. If he did meet Seifer last night, then he should have known about General Caraway's involvement in the mission. But, it looked like he knew nothing. This matter was really confidential, that's why this mission was kept as top secret, even from the commander as well. But, it would become a double-eyed knife if he knew only parts of it. She had to tell him as soon as possible, before it was too late. After Cid dead, the one with authority was no one other than the Commander, right?

Xu was ready to tell Squall everything, but as soon as she put a step toward his direction, she was stopped by a sudden force behind her. It didn't take long for her to realize that Quistis had pulled her shoulder hard. The dark hair woman winced; sure that it might leave a bruise.

"Wait!" she warned.

Xu was slightly confused at her friend's action. She lifted her eyebrow, asking her through the silent gesture.

"You can't tell him," Quistis said, shaking her head. This time, Xu gave her full attention. She gulped, preparing herself to answer her friend's silent question. "…about the mission," she paused for awhile, "…and General Caraway."

Xu was really confused now. She was thinking, letting the blonde's words sink in her head. Then, she looked at her with fixed eyes, realizing where the conversation head to.

"How'd you…," she squinted her eyes suspiciously. "How much do you know about this, Quistis?"

Quistis took a long breath, and she answered cautiously, "…All of it." The blonde gave her earnest gaze and said, "At least, don't tell him about it right now. You do know why headmaster assigned Rinoa to the mission. All he did is to protect Garden. And now, Garden needs protection," she said truthfully. "She'll be all right. She has her father's back and entire Galbadia Army to protect her," she emphasized her point. It made the other woman speechless. "Believe me, Xu. If headmaster was still alive, he would do the same as I did."

It was the third time Squall Leonhart entered his office limply. He was thinking to resign as being commander. Last time, when Cid pointed him as a commander all of sudden, his worry to take responsibility to other people's life was simply troubling him. But, being a good diplomat he was, the ex-headmaster could convince him to take the position easily. Now, when Garden was attacked, he was the one who was responsible to assure everyone's safety.

Squall was starting to get sick every time he looked at his desk. Sensing that nowhere in the room was as comfortable as his leather chair, he laid himself there while putting his hand on the side of his tired face. He exhaled soundly, recalling how upset he was last night when he didn't meet Rinoa and then in the next morning, witnessing Garden in mess and Cid's dead. He wondered if there was a worse day than today.

He had nothing to do. Doing paperwork would solve nothing right now, but still he turned his computer on. A new email without subject caught his attention. He clicked on it and then scanned the contents. His stormy blue eyes widened. He reread the files to make sure that his eyes didn't play a trick on his already bewildered mind. After he read the entire content for several times, he slumped deeper on his chair, as if his limbs going numb.

It was merely a report, a report of Galbadia's ambush to Garden, but the thing what made him that way was the person assigned in the report. It was none other than Rinoa Heartily.

Dozens of photographs were attached to the files, strengthening the proof of the report. As hard as he tried to distrust the suspicious report, each photograph was pointing her as the guilty one. Mostly, they showed about Rinoa and Vincent, just like the previous ones that Cid handed him, but later they were about Rinoa and Seifer looking too close for his comfort; these simply enraged him. It was impossible that she cheated on him, right? They were madly in love! If Seifer was telling the truth, then she was merely a victim of both parties. But, there was no reason he should trust Seifer, either. He had never met him until last night.

A dark thought crossed his mind. He now was wondering why his rival wanted to meet him all of sudden. If he recalled back at that moment, he was supplying an ordinary explanation and avoiding some of his questions as if he wanted to buy time. He also kept insisting their rendezvous in Timber, far from Garden, let alone on the night of Graduation Party, exactly at the night of Galbadia's ambush as if he knew it. Are they framing me up? He quickly erased that though. No way! Rinoa wouldn't stab his back! But, what proper account could explain this situation? The logic side of him kept resisting that those two had a secret affair, but his heart was rebelling at the same time.

They were working together, but for what and who?

Squall pinched the bridge of his nose, thinking how to deal with this. This report was dangerous. If this whole information leaked out, Rinoa might be executed. She was a Sorceress and the mass would find their way to take her into death penalty. Now, that the only person who knew about the whole mission was dead, he wasn't sure which one he should believe.

Xu was pacing around Quistis' office. A worried expression covered her face. Now that the headmaster was dead and there was an unfinished mission going on, she no longer had any confidence. She couldn't take the mission. It was too much, too much for her to bear such burden. One step wrong could result the war between nations. In extent, it could lead the world war since Sorceress was involved.

"What now?" the shoulder-length haired woman muttered to herself. "What should I do now, Quistis?" she said louder, too louder for her companion's comfort.

The blonde woman leaned coolly at the edge of desk, crossing her arms and thought seriously. Despite of showing frantic expression like her friend did, she was terrifyingly calm and steady. Quistis Trepe was a strategist; a back-up planer. She was trained to always use her head to any possibly conditions in field.

The instructor tore her attention off of floor and stared at the frantic woman soberly; already made her decision. "We should disclose this matter to Squall."

Xu was about to protest when Squall barged in, causing the two women jolted in surprised. He walked calmly toward her but never broke his shuddery gaze.

"I demand explanation about this," Squall said, holding a folder on Xu's face. It was labeled as top secret at the back of the envelope. The familiar folder was kept in Cid's office. It seemed that the commander had visited Headmaster's office before barging here. His demeanor was spine-chilling, making his command irresistible. Her fingers were trembling when she took the folder from the commander as if she'd already known the content.

The brunet's eyes were peering sorely at hers. She wanted to tear away from this younger's intense gaze, but found herself unable to do so.

She swallowed hard, nearly choked, "…I-I"

A slender hand tapped on her shoulder, pushing her body aside from the brunet's preying gaze.

"We can talk about it…calmly," Quistis said, stepping herself to ease the tension between the two. Her voice was dreadfully calm yet commanding.

The three were sitting in the headmaster waiting room. Xu arranged the photographs over the desk. She breathed deeply, trying to ease her nervous since she was dragged in this dim room. She was trying hard to compose herself, but the intimidating blue eyes never let her go. She felt towered, even though Quistis was there to help her, she was covered by thick atmosphere around her. Then, she started to talk.

"It began with the vacuum ascendency of Galbadia Republic. After the Second Sorceress War was over, there was political warfare about Galbadia Presidency. The strong candidate at that time was General Caraway. He has power in military and friend of Headmaster Martin. Their friendship isn't merely a business relation. It's no doubt that the headmaster will help him seizing the chair. But, even though the general has Galbadia Army as well as Galbadia Garden on his back, a mysterious group carrying a warrant from the late President Deling appeared. And, the presidency chair was seized by this current president, but-"

"But, because the warrant's authenticity cannot be confirmed yet, Caraway's trying to seize what he thought was his," Squall cut curtly. "Tell me something I don't know."

Xu cleared her throat, ignoring the cynical retort from the brunet.

"Some politicians were sure that the warrant was a fake, but then they brought a letter written by Mrs. Kramer, a Galbadia ruler during the Second Sorceress War, to the parliamentary. Then, the issue spread to Balamb Garden, the Garden which holds Mrs. Kramer as custody."

"…custody?" Quistis asked, confused.

"Yes. Mrs. Kramer is still a Sorceress to the world and the Garden is trusted to confine her. But, there is a problem."

A pregnant silent filled the room, making the air thick and suffocating. Xu glanced briefly at Squall, trying to read his mind, but a stoic expression was still covering his face, making it hard to guess this brunet mind, but she knew he already had had the answer.

"…Rinoa," Quistis muttered quietly.

"Yes," Xu nodded. "We hide another Sorceress in the Garden. It's just the matter of time Rinoa's identity will be revealed. And…Garden will be accused to raise Third Sorceress War."

"That's why Cid sent her on this mission. To protect Garden from harm; to avoid the non-exist war," again, Squall cut curtly. His face grimaced with disgust.

Xu shook her head, opposing his statement. "There's where you're wrong, Squall. At first, headmaster was going to evacuate Rinoa to White SeeD, but one day she came to us." Xu studied his expression. His face was blank, no slight of emotion's written. Then, she continued, "…She was offering herself to this mission. She was offering herself as a spy."

Again, the grief silent was enveloping the room.

"She was so determined that she could do the job and then the headmaster sent her. But, a week later another mission came," Xu paused a brief moment. She was starting to reveal the secret. The key of this madness was not Rinoa's mission, but the next one; the affair of two nations that could lead to the non-exist war, as Squall claimed.

She gulped, preparing herself of this confession. "…from General Caraway."

At this, Squall raised his eyebrow. It looked like the brunet was not expecting the news.

"He was so mad," Xu whispered, lowering her gaze.

"…Well, that's understandable," Quistis said in the matter of fact.

"Since the mission could not be withdrawn, the general asked of her protection and if Rinoa was hurt," Xu blinked several times, then said in almost inaudible voice, "Galbadia would flap the war against Garden."

Quistis nearly fell from her seat. "…so, the ambush was…. It could not be…"

Xu shook her head. "The connection was lost because of the ambush. We cannot contact the general. After all, we cannot be sure about the ambush yet," Xu informed.

"It could be the mission was leaking to the third party," Squall said. His eyes glinted dangerously. Meaning that Rinoa is in danger.

"Then, Garden would be in danger," Quistis said, concerned lingering to her voice.

Squall stood up abruptly. He was wearing his mask again. He was pulling himself back to his former self. The hard expression of his face gave a horror to both women.

"Garden in danger is Cid's foolish mistake. He should've declined her offer from the beginning. He should've gone with his first decision, but he didn't. He was so damn stupid to protect his beloved Garden." Squall eyed both women. His gaze was intimidating enough to make the women looked everywhere but his. "In the end, he brought harm to the Garden…by sacrificing innocent people."

Quistis saw Squall proceeding to the door. She understood; the man was not referring to the victims, it was far from that. His emotionless face was a fake as well. He was lying to remain strong, but inside he felt betrayed, he was furious. He…didn't trust anyone.

"Squall," she shouted, making the brunet stopped from his track. "What should we do now?"

The brunet turned his back to her. "We need to talk to General Caraway. I will flight to Galbadia tomorrow."

With that, he exited the room.