Careworn Lives

Summary: It's been two years since defeating Ultimecia and Laguna still has yet to reveal to Squall who he is to him. However, while trying to reach that point Laguna is met with challenges that may speed up or hinder that process. A new threat is brewing somewhere to the north and not just Laguna needs to watch out for it.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters that were not made by me. No canon was harmed by any of the OCs within this text. (In other words, the few OCs that are in this aka. The bad guys will not have any love interests, or be super omega powerful. I strictly hate any and all mary-sues and gary-sues. You will not find any of them in this story.)

While Reading: Please note that all speech will be surrounded by quotes ("") but all thought speech will be surrounded by apostrophes (''). Some people do it, some don't… I just like doing it this way.

-Chapter 2-

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The underground labyrinth was buzzing with bird songs and the crocking of frogs. Water swirled down tiny streams and into larger rivers that finally emptied into a large centralized lake. Resting deep into the heart of the planet, the shumi tribe dwelled, however it wasn't as quiet and calm as it generally use to be.

"Members of the high council. I, Elder Rubison, come to you with a pledge." The youngest shumi elder raised his voice to the older elders of their tribe. "We have all noticed the steady decline in the great mother's life force. We Shumi, being so closely connected to the giver that protects us, can feel her scream." He paused as he turned to focus on the other row of elders. "And who is it that is creating this travesty? Who continues to reap our great mother's riches?" Rubison declared as he slammed his large hand down on the podium he stood at.

"Why, the surface dwellers of course." Came one elder's weak voice.

"Exactly. The surface dwelling humans, who have no connections to our great mother, who don't feel the pain she feels, continues to spend her energies on their meaningless lives." Rubison argued as he spread his arms out wide. "If the humans continue to be allowed to exploit the great mother's resources, she will disappear along with the rest of us."

"Elder Rubison, what you seem to be declaring is war. Our race is a gentle and loving people. You can not just expect us to run to the surface and try to fight the humans. Their powers are great, and their numbers far out weight our own." One of the elder's explained.

"Your admiration for the mother does not go unnoticed. We have already been in dealings with Master Laguna concerning the mother's welfare. He has seen to new sources of cleaner energy to help replenish what has been taken. Surely we can not begrudge his trials." Another elder spoke up in addition to the first.

"But Master Laguna has only done so much and his country reaps more of the mother's strength than any other human country on the surface. While their population continues to grow, the mother's time depletes. We must act in helping fix the destruction the humans have committed, as time will only continue to speed up the process." Rubison demanded from his post.

"Again, Elder Rubison, even if we were to interfere with the humans. What good would it do? The wound is still too large to be healed over night. These things will still take time, and trying to bring about change through fighting will only deepen that wound." A separate elder spoke.

"We will review your proposal over the coming day." The final elder finished signaling the conclusion of the meeting.

The light's dimmed plunging the youngest elder into darkness and to think about what the high council had said. He turned and left the council chambers to enter the sunlit grotto, located far from the main town.

'Well, I can't say I didn't try to make them see my way. Shame, I was really hoping it wouldn't come down to this.'

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"Daddy! Daddy! You have to come see this!" The young girl cried from her father's feet, waving her arms in the direction of the front door.

"What is it sweetie?" The father asked as he cleaned his latest catch of Balamb fish.

"There is a huge dragon outside!" The girl cried excitedly, which finally grabbed her father's attention from the cutting board, with an exclaimed, "WHAT!"

The father bolted to the door with the young girl at his heels. Grabbing a pistol from the top shelf of a nearby closet he ran out the door only to be greeted by packed streets with pedestrians all gazing up at the giant red-

"See, Daddy! I told you there was a dragon!" The father calmed some after realizing that the dragon his daughter was talking about was in fact the Ragnarok, which sat hovering above the town of Balamb.

"Is it going to eat us, Daddy?" The girl asked tugging at her father's shirt.

"No, sweetheart. That dragon is actually an airship from Esthar." He said as he leaned down to his little girl and picked her up. "What I would like to know is why is it here?" He said under his breath with a worried tone.

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"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" Kiros exclaimed as the mighty airship rocked forward and back precariously as Laguna messed with the controls.

"Ahh, well, see I usually have a pilot along with me to do all the landings." Laguna laughed weakly as he rubbed the back of his neck to his friend's irritated sigh.

"Well if we're going to at least attempt to land, we should maybe do it somewhere that isn't directly above a town filled with innocent bystanders." Kiros pointed out as he looked down to the small town of Balamb. Laguna followed his gaze and with an exaggerated, "Oh", slowly moved the goliath airship out of harms way.

"By Hyne's word, you honestly didn't know you were hovering over Balamb." Kiros stated as Laguna brought the Ragnarok around a small forest and to a larger clearing, still out of sight of Balamb Garden.

"Wha- of course I knew we were! I was just looking for a good place to bring her down." Laguna stated as he looked over the dashboard in hopes of a single button that said 'Land'.

"And you wondered why we never let you drive while we were in the army."

"I drove!" Laguna countered as he finally located the landing gear instruments.

"You drove until we got that huge ticket from the general because you decided to leave the rover parked in the middle of the street back in Deling." Kiros stated as Laguna finally brought the Ragnarok to rest, if a rather shaky one.

"Wait-" Laguna turned to Kiros at this, "We were ticketed over that?" Kiros nodded as Laguna's face went into shock only to be interrupted by a racing Moomba from below deck.

"Yeah, we're here. You know what to do." Laguna smiled to the fiery red creature who cried in acknowledgment and quickly ran from the bridge just as fast as he had arrived.

"What are you having the Moombas do?" Kiros questioned, albeit surprised that Laguna had planned ahead after his disgruntled performance before they left Esthar.

"I'm having them go grab Rinoa and bring her back here. If I walked into Balamb Garden, Cid would have the entire SeeD welcoming committee out there for me, and then there would be no way for me to avoid Squall. Let alone drop the bomb about me being his father and how he contracted a deadly disease because of me." Laguna sighed as he turned and watched the red dot chase across the landscape.

Kiros shook his head and decided to change the subject. "They're not going to like those moombas running in there like that." Laguna shrugged at this as he reclined back, trying to work out his words in hope he could get through to Rinoa and hopefully in turn get through to Squall.

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"Laguna! Laguna!"

"Woah- what?" Rinoa spun around in her seat in the Garden's library as the loud cry broke the usual silence. Two moombas bounced up and down before the girl as three of Balamb's new security team came running in, out of breath, trying to catch the unexpected guests.

"We're sorry, Miss. Heartilly. They came in through the front gate at full speed. We weren't ready for them." One of the guards saluted. "We'll take care of them for you." The guard moved to one of the moombas which in turn made the tiny creature dart around him and under his legs, dropping the weary guard to the floor.

"OW! You damn little-"

"Please, sir. It's alright, I'll take care of them." Rinoa stood up, addressing the three of them as the fallen guard got back up to his feet.

"But, moombas are not permitted in the garden." The guard announced, trying to stick to his duties.

"I understand, but I can take care of them. Thank you for your help." She nodded to the three. The guard sighed and turned to his comrades and nodded. Once they had left, and Rinoa was alone with the two moombas she brought her attention to them.

"Now, what is this about Laguna? He's in Esthar, not here." Rinoa stated as the same moomba who had knocked down the guard jumped up and waved his large clawed paws in the air, exclaimed Laguna's name some more. The other moomba darted back and forth from the door to Rinoa trying to explain what they wanted.

"Do you want me to follow you?" She asked, walking the path the moomba was running into the ground.

"Laguna!" Was the same cry from the other as she began to follow the racing creature out into the hall.

"I should get Squall first and have him come see what the problem is." Rinoa chimed as she began to turn to the main elevator.

"Grrr- Nnnooo" The moomba cried, completely taking Rinoa back at the English. "Laguna!" It cried once more as it took hold of her arm and began to try to drag her back to the main gate.

"Okay- okay. I'll follow you." She then picked up her pace as she followed the two moombas. She passed the three guards from before and waved to them as they watched her run after the red creatures with a stunned stare.

Finally reaching the plains, Rinoa looked around for some sign of, she guessed, Laguna.

"So what exactly was it you wanted to show me?" She asked looking down at the excited moombas. One of them cried out in a long high cry, and over the banken two more moombas came up with a chocobo trotting behind them. She gave a slight laugh and thought, 'I'll have to keep this in mind next time we want to catch a chocobo.'

Once the two moombas and the chocobo reached them they waved their arms and cried Laguna's name for the twentieth time. Rinoa shrugged, and with her shooting star at the ready, what harm could really befall her on the small continent. Climbing on she moved the large bird into full speed as the moombas darted off to where they had come from. While without much effort, the large aircraft came into view almost instantly. Rinoa had to wonder why all the trouble to get her to the ship.

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"You know what I just realized-" Laguna paused as they waited in the passenger's seating below the bridge. "What if she drags Squall out here with her. She wouldn't really follow moombas out of the garden like that unattended."

Kiros stopped and looked at his friend, "You mean you didn't write a letter to help explain to Rinoa that you were out here waiting?"

"Well- no... but I've been teaching them English so I figured she should be able to tell." Laguna twiddled his thumbs as this sounded even worse to Kiros.

"The only thing they've ever said has been your name. You really thought they could relay a message." Laguna half shrugged at his friend's remark, leaving Kiros to just sigh and shake his head. "Although, I wouldn't put it past Rinoa to just run out here anyway. She was with a Resistance Group in Timber after all."

"LOOK! They got her!" Laguna stood up excitedly from his seat and pointed like a child at the golden and red dots heading towards the ship. "Quick, let's go greet her!"

"Laguna, you need to relax a little. Remember why you came here." Kiros struck on, bringing Laguna back to the severe reality that they were facing. He had practically forgotten why they had come. The thought of seeing Rinoa and than Squall was just far too exciting for him. He hadn't talked to them since they destroyed Ultimecia... but he didn't really have much of a reason to. There were to many problems in Esthar that he needed to contend to. No matter how much he wanted to be with his son and to finally get to know him, his duties to his citizens had to come first. After all, he thought he had plenty of time to see to the son he had neglected his entire life.

Before Laguna could say another word, the automatic doors slid apart revealing the young beauty with her four furry escorts. The moombas all cried Laguna's name in unison followed by Rinoa's own, "Laguna!", as she bounded into the room and hugged him tightly.

"H-hi there, Rinoa." He said as he awkwardly patted her back.

She stood back, a smile across her face as wide as the Ragnarok itself.

"It's so wonderful to see you!" She looked over Laguna's shoulder to notice Kiros standing aside quietly. "And Kiros, wow, this is quite the treat! How come you didn't come inside the Garden? You know you're all welcome anytime." She asked as she stood back, still grinning from ear to ear.

"Ahh, well, it's a bit complicated." Laguna started as he rubbed the back of his neck and averted his gaze to the floor.

"Not interested in all the attention you'd get?" She winked to Kiros who smiled slightly at Rinoa's jest.

"More like a certain someone's attention I didn't want." Laguna stated as he brought his gaze back on the young girl. Her smile quickly faded with Laguna's cold tone as he motioned for her to have a seat.

Rinoa didn't like this at all. For the period she had known Laguna, and from the stories Squall had told her, Laguna was always a very cheerful person. She had never heard of Laguna showing any sort of signs of regret or fatigue, even now as he was getting older. Perhaps things in Esthar were finally wearing on him and he was here searching for help. Or Rinoa could hope it was just his mid-life crisis.

"I avoided going directly to the garden knowing that if I did, Squall would be at the doors immediately wanting to know what I wanted. Well, what I have to say can't be expressed as easily as I would like it to." Laguna paused as he took a seat of his own, knowing his leg would begin to cramp any minute. "I needed to talk to you, and only you, Rinoa, because I know you can talk to Squall for me. He trusts you and I know if I brought this to him myself he'd probably throw me out of Cid's office window." He tried to crack a smile at the mental image but quickly lost it as the lingering presence of his dread neared. Kiros walked up behind him and rested a hand on his weary friend's shoulder. Knowing Kiros was beside him gave the president strength and he pressed on.

"I really don't know how to say this, but to put it bluntly-" He paused, his mouth had gone dry now as he starred at his clasped hands on his lap. Suddenly another pair of hands were on his which brought his attention upwards and looking into the eyes of his soon to be daughter-in-law.

"Laguna. Whatever it is, no matter how hard or absurd it may be, we're here for you. Everyone considers you, Kiros, and Ward like family. And like a family, we stick by you one-hundred percent." Her eyes were soft and warm, her smile was comforting, trying to give Laguna the strength he needed. "Trust us, like you would trust Kiros and Ward." She said as she brushed his bangs away from his face.

Laguna sighed, which only made Rinoa squeeze his hands tighter. Finding an ounce of courage within himself, Laguna straightened up and looked the young women in her eyes. "I'm Squall's father."

Rinoa's hands continued to rest on Laguna's as a quizzical look crossed her face. "You're- his father?" She questioned, her grasp loosening.

Laguna began to feel himself breaking out into a sweat. "Yes, Rinoa. I am Squall's biological father. His mother was Raine Leonhart." Rinoa had stood up and taken a step back from Laguna as he continued. "She passed away after giving birth to him. I had been traveling searching for Ellone who had been taken to Esthar. I went there and finally found her. I sent her back to Winhill to be with Raine, but Esthar was in need of help." Laguna quickly began to talk faster now as his emotions began to stir. How many times had he gone over this story in his mind, knowing that if he had only been there for Raine he could have saved her, rather than staying in Esthar. "After helping seal away Adel, I was asked to be the president. Esthar was in need of serious guidance so I agreed. Hyne, I was so stupid! Because of me, Raine died giving birth to Squall. To which him and Ellone both went to Matron's Orphanage." Laguna looked at his hands as they shook. His palms had grown clammy. "I was just so busy with rebuilding Esthar that I forgot about the people who were closest to me. It wasn't for a long time before I learned of what had happened."

Rinoa had remained quiet and listened to Laguna's story. Kiros had still remained by Laguna's side, his hand grasping Laguna's shoulder tightly, trying to calm his friend down. Kiros knew how hard this was for him, and he had seen Laguna break down many times to the point where he thought Laguna would never recover. The only thing bringing him back was his duties to his people.

"But why now? Why wait so long if you knew your son was alone?" Rinoa's eyes glistened with oncoming tears. She could only think about the years Squall had lived through, alone and missing out on so many things life had to offer him. And then the tragedy that sat before her.

"I honestly thought I was going to bring the truth with me to my grave." Laguna began, his hands still shaking. "After I met Squall, he was so much older, and had lived so long without any parents that I figured he would probably be better off without knowing he had one still alive. And besides, who would want a beaten down old man like me for their father." Rinoa was back in front of Laguna in a split second, her hand colliding with Laguna's cheek in one swift movement. The ringing sound from Rinoa's slap was all that lingered in the room as word's escaped everyone.

"Don't you dare say such a thing." Rinoa blurted out, her hands doubled into fists, while tears streamed down her cheeks. "You should show pride in yourself for just knowing you're the father of that brilliant young man. He would rather know he had a father who was strong and someone who never gave up, then to find his father had been beaten by what life threw at him. Show some respect for your son by first showing respect for yourself." Her words were angry and they clung to the air like webs that quickly trapped Laguna within them. He was a fool, and she was right. What right did he have to act in such a way, after everything Squall had went through and continued with everyday.

Laguna stood, and looked straight at the wonder that was before him. Her face, wet with tears, still showed such strength and determination. She hadn't backed down. She hadn't run. Just like she had said, like a family, she was there for him even if times were at their hardest.

"Thank you, Rinoa. You really are your mother's daughter." Rinoa looked at him with a slight confused look in her eyes. "But sadly, such news isn't even the hardest yet to come."

A/N: The end of chapter 2! Poor Laguna, and he thought telling her he was Squall's father would be tough. Now try to lay down the news that her fiance, soon to be husband, just might die before they even begin their new life. I hope you're enjoying it so far, and please drop a review on your way out and tell me what you think. I hope to have the next chapter up real soon. :D