Grasshopper, Cherichicola, Aeris Deathscythe and Oblivion Viruses: Thanks guys for checking out this fic as well!  You all are awesome!!  ^_^

Mr. Nice Guy: If you couldn't tell we don't like Irvine very much.  ^_^ Hehe. 

Taming the Lion: Chapter Two

            "Sae!  Arisu!  Cut it out!" Selphie yelled.  The headmaster approved of the papers and she was ready to leave, but the two girls had blocked her way out of her dorm.

"You can't leave!" Sae pleaded as she nervously tucked a strand of brown hair behind her ear.

"This is so stupid!  All this over one guy!?" Arisu yelled, throwing her arms up.  "Let me tell you Selph, he isn't worth all this!"

 "Arisu is right.  Don't leave!  You've only been here for a year!"
Selphie's eyes welled up and her lip trembled as she began to argue.  "What about my other friends?  The ones I left in Trabia?"

At this statement, the girls were at a loss for words.  They looked at each other, then back at her.

"Fine, we won't stop you," Sae sighed.   The golden haired girl that stood next to her looked appalled.

"You're letting her leave!?" Arisu exclaimed.  The brunette elbowed her in the side and shot her a glance that stated 'I have a plan'.  If Selphie noticed, then she pretended not to.

"Just promise you'll visit."

"I promise," the SeeD smiled and hugged her friends goodbye.  Then, picking up her luggage she walked off.

Truth be told she didn't have much to carry.  A lot of the items she owned she ended up throwing away.  Everything seemed to remind her of 'him'.  When she got to Trabia she would start completely over.  Or, that was the plan.

"…Are you sure you don't need help!?" Arisu called after her, but Selphie was already almost out of eyesight.  After she disappeared completely, the blonde turned to her cohort.  "So, what's the plan?"

"I said we wouldn't stop her," Sae smiled.  "So, we'll get someone else to."

"Who?"

"I don't know yet.  I guess whoever passes by that knows her."

"Well…that's blunt." Arisu stated, rolling her eyes.  "But I still like the way you think!" They gave each other a high five.

"What time is it anyway?" Sae asked as she leaned against the wall.

"Almost time for curfew…"

"That means someone will have to pass by soon!"

As suspected, the girls didn't have to wait long before someone came strolling down the hallway.  Though they weren't sure if they could convince him.  "Commander Leonhart!" they squealed simultaneously.

The SeeD looked down at them momentarily before answering with a simple, "Hmm?"

"We have terrible news!" Arisu exclaimed.

"We tried to stop her, but she wouldn't listen!"

"What happened?  Who wouldn't listen?" he asked, confusedly.

"Selphie!"

"She's transferred to Trabia!"

"What!?  Damn…"

"You have to go after her!"

"Why don't you do it?" he spat, then he continued to walk to his dorm.

"Because we told her we wouldn't!" Sae explained.

"Whatever…" he shrugged, opening his door.

"So, you're just going to let her run off!?

"I never said that," he reappeared, only this time with his gunblade.  "Is she catching a train in Balamb?"

"Yes, thank you so much commander!"

"I'm only doing this because I know you won't leave me alone if I don't," he explained as he sheathed his weapon.

Arisu giggled, "Hell no we wouldn't!"

I'm not going to be back in time for curfew…he thought as he walked to the Parking Lot.  To make matters worse, when he got there he saw that the Garden car was missing. 

"I'll have to get a cab then..."

*          *          *

Selphie sat on a bench in the Balamb train station.  The night was chilly, and you couldn't even see the moon behind the thick clouds.  "Great, that's all I need.  Rain…" she thought out loud as she looked skyward.

"Those departing for Dollet, please assemble on Platform three.  Your train has just arrived.  Also, last call for Deling City!" the loud intercom droned on.

Sighing, Selphie looked down at her ticket stub.  The train for Trabia wasn't even due at the station for another hour, and if it began to storm then it could delay it even more.

"Where are you going, dearie?" an elderly woman asked as she sat down on the bench too.

"Trabia, you?"

"I'm going to visit my grandbabies in Winhill," her wrinkled face formed a smile.  "But I have to stop at Timber first, then take another train to Winhill."

"Oh…that's a pain…"

"What are you going to Trabia for?  It's awful cold up there.  A skinny thing like you would freeze to death!" the old woman pinched Selphie's arm as if to prove a point.

"Uh, to visit friends…"

"Don't lie to me.  I'm no fool," the elderly woman smiled again.  "You're running away from something…or someone."

"But how did yo-?"

"In your eyes, dearie.  Your eyes say it all.  Do you want to talk about it?"

"It's a long story…"

"Dearie, I'm eighty-five years old.  I don't mind long stories.   But I won't force it out of you either."

Just as Selphie opened her mouth the intercom interrupted.  "The train to Timber has just arrived, please gather your belongings and head to Platform seven.  The train to Trabia is due late.  Last call for Dollet!"

Glad that she wouldn't have to retell the story, Selphie helped the woman to her train.  "You'll have to tell me the story some other time.  Don't freeze in Trabia, you hear?" she called out the window as the she waved goodbye.  After she left, Selphie walked to the ticket booth.

"When is the train to Trabia due?"

"The ride to Trabia has been delayed due to a blizzard.  It may not be here until morning at this rate," the man said.

"Oh…" she sat back down on the bench.  The streetlights were the only source of light.  The moon and stars still were not visible at all from behind the blanket of clouds.

"The train to Dollet has departed," the intercom informed as lightning struck in the distance.

"Oh, this is swell," Selphie said sarcastically as it started to sprinkle.  If worse came to worse, she could always stay at the Dincht's house, but she was hoping it wouldn't come to that.

The rain got heavier, and before long she abandoned her bench to stand under the overhand that the train station provided.  The wind blew, occasionally lifting the spray off of the streets, thus drenching the SeeD even more.

Now she was wet, tired, cold, and extremely miserable.  Her teeth chattered, but she refused to take her coat out.  It wouldn't be of much use if were wet anyway.

All thoughts of staying at the Dincht's vanished.  It was late and she hated to wake them, but she didn't have enough gil for a hotel either.  She spent most of her money on the train ticket alone.

As the storm worsened, her tears fell heavier, though looking at her you couldn't tell she was crying.

"Selphie!?" a gruff voice yelled over the sound of the rain slapping the road.  She looked up to see Squall; he was just as wet as her if not worse.  "I'm here to 'stop you'."

A part of her was relieved, but the other part remained stubborn.  "Sorry, but I'm going ba-a-ACH-OO!" she rubbed her red nose before continuing, "…back to Trabia."

"No you're not," he said, stepping forward.  "You're in no condition.  I'm taking you back to Balamb."

"I'm not going.  A-ACHOO!"

"I'm taking you anyway," he stated.  Taking another step forward he reached out and pulled the petite girl over his shoulder.  Too tired to fight, she gave in and allowed him to carry her off, though once in a while she would hit his back weakly with her fist.

Only the constant bouncing motion kept Selphie awake.  The feeling of her feet touching the ground jolted her back to reality.  They were now standing outside the town and Squall did not look pleased.

"Damn," he grumbled, kicking at a nearby puddle.

"What's wrong?" Selphie asked, rubbing her arms vigorously to try and keep as warm as possible. 

"I had a cab waiting, but I guess he took the money and left."  It was silent between the two as they pondered their options.

"S-s-so what's the plan?" she asked as she sat down on top of her suitcase, still shivering.

Squall sighed and looked down the road.  "I suppose we could always hitch hike…"

"Will we get there faster?"

"Yeah, it's probably our best bet."

"…Whatever…ACHOO!"

Squall looked at her suspiciously.  That was his line!  He had never seen Selphie act this way, and it almost worried him.

"Hey!  I think I see some headlights!" she announced pointing to Balamb.  Sure enough a car was coming their way.  Squall walked to the side of the road and held his thumb up.

The car slowed down and a teenager poked his head out of the window.  "Right on dude!" he smiled, giving him a thumbs up.  Then, he peeled out and Squall was soaked even more by the tsunami that followed.

His dark hair stuck to his face and he spit the water out of his mouth.  "I think we need a different approach."

"I have a-ACHOO!  …An idea."  Selphie stood up.  "It always works." She put her foot on top of her suitcase and started lifting her skirt.

Before Squall stop her, someone pulled over.  "Need a ride?"  They gazed at a semi truck with a label on the side reading 'Al's Fish Transport'.

"Yeah!  Could you take us to Balamb Garden?" Squall yelled over a boom of thunder.

"Sure thing.  I'm on my way there anyway."

"Yeah…where else could you go?" he mumbled.  Luckily the trucker didn't hear him.

"Hop in…"

Squall walked around to the other side of the truck and climbed into the passenger seat, whereas Selphie decided to climb over the driver.  First she grabbed onto the nearest object to pull herself up.  That just so happened to be the chain that activated the horn.  As the horn blared, she managed to make it inside the vehicle.  After that much was accomplished, she began to crawl over the man driving the truck.  This, in turn was disastrous as her boot got stuck in the steering wheel.  Embarrassedly, Squall pretended to be very interested with a dead bug on the windshield.  Finally, the sopping wet girl managed to dislodge her foot and she sat between the two men, finally relaxing.

"That's it!" the driver roared.  By this point he was infuriated.  "If you want a ride you'll have to ride in back with the cargo!" He jerked his thumb behind him.

Selphie groaned and began her journey back out of the car.  Not wanting to lose the ride completely, Squall grabbed the back of her dress and pulled her out through his door.

The two walked to the back of the truck and Squall started to fumble with the latches.  It wasn't long before he threw the door open, exposing the cramped up space that they would be staying in for the next half hour.  The area was cold and several fish carcasses littered the ground.  Not to mention the stench was horrible.

Squall gave Selphie a boost so that she could actually get inside without hurting herself or anyone else.  When Squall successfully got in as well, he shut the door behind him.  For a while they sat in the darkness until the driver switched the lights on.

Squall's attention shifted to Selphie.  It appeared that the smell had caused her to start retching.  "Hyne, Selphie!  Please don't throw up!  Not in here!"'

She turned to look at him.  Her face was pale and she looked disgusted.  Instead of saying anything, she sat down next to him and shoved her nose into the fur of his jacket.

"Selphie…that's my jacket…"

"It reeks in here!" was her muffled reply.

"But it's still my jacket."

"Fine.  Then I'll just throw up all over myself and all over you…is that what you want?"

Well, he didn't' really want that to happen, but there was still one thought that bothered him.  "Selphie…your nose isn't running, is it?"

He saw her quickly try to wipe her nose.  "No…" she answered uneasily.

Sighing, he brought his hand to his forehead.  "Damn, I'm going to have to get this coat washed…"

"Sorry, this is all my fault…" she began to sob uncontrollably.  Normally he would have said something cold, but he couldn't help but feel sorry for her.  How many things could go wrong in a single night?  She must have shattered the record.

A few minutes passed and her sobbing slowly vanished.  The poor girl had cried herself to sleep.  She was still wet and goose bumps had sprouted all up her arms.  Because she was asleep and probably wouldn't notice his act of kindness, Squall carefully removed his jacket and draped it over her.  This action caused her head to slide down his chest and land in his lap.

The sound of rain slapping against the tin roof was almost peaceful and Squall found himself relaxing.  Selphie sneezed in her sleep and switched positions, causing her wet chestnut hair to fall in her face.  She looked so childish when she slept, so innocent.

Nonchalantly, he reached down and brushed the hair out of her face.  When his fingers came in contact with her forehead he realized that she was running a fever.

"I guess we get to visit Kadowaki…" he said under his breath.  Surely the ride wouldn't last that much longer?

Squall himself dozed off but was awoken when the door lifted.  "We're at Garden," the man announced.  Slowly, the commander's eyes adjusted to the light that the Garden provided.

"Selphie, we're here…" he whispered, but she didn't answer.  She was fast asleep.

As carefully as he could, he sat her up.  He then wrapped her legs around his waist and piggybacked her into the building.  Waiting for them in the front was Sae and Arisu.

"You have her!" Sae squealed happily.

"Shh!" Squall let go of one of her legs to put a finger to his mouth.  "She's sick."

"Oh, sorry," they whispered in unison.

"I need to get her to Kadowaki's office."

"No can do," Arisu interrupted.  "First of all, the infirmary is closed.  It's past midnight!  Second of all, everyone thinks she's gone," she pointed to the sleeping Selphie.

"Yeah, you'll have to sort things out with Cid before you let anyone know she's here," Sae continued.

"Well, I can't take care of her and come up with an explanation for Cid!" he whispered harshly.

"That's what we're fore," the brunette beamed.

"Yeah, we'll take care of Cid while you take care of Selphie."

"Alright.  How long do you think it will take?" Squall asked.

"A few days…" Arisu said reluctantly.

"What!?  Why that long?"

"Well, we need to do some research for a good alibi, then Cid will have to get her file back on the Balamb network.  I'm sure he's already mailed them to Trabia…" Sae explained.

"So, I have to keep her hidden in my dorm basically for the rest of the weekend?"

The girls looked at each other, then back at him nodding.

"Sorry commander.  We would let her stay in our dorm, but we don't have enough room."

"B-but SeeDs get their own room!"

"We aren't SeeDs," the blonde stated, smiling.

"We're afraid of going into battle and not making it out alive."

"So…why are you attending Garden?"

"Because it's fun!" they answered simultaneously.

"Whatever…" he mumbled.  "You two better start your research first thing in the morning."

"We will!" they said, saluting him.

Without so much as a goodbye, he left, still carrying Selphie on his back.  He had to dodge the Garden faculty, but he managed to make it to his dorm without being caught.  If someone found out that a member of the opposite sex was staying in his dorm it could mean expulsion.  Not to mention the fit Rinoa would throw.

Trying to look as unsuspicious as possible, Squall quickly shut his door and locked it.  As he was setting her down on the floor he realized something he didn't before, they had left Selphie's suitcase on the side of the road near Balamb! 

"Wake up Selph," he whispered as he shook her.  Slowly one of her eyes opened.

"You need to change out of your wet clothes.  I have some clothes you can use."  He rummaged through his dresser until he found a plain white shirt and some baggy pajama pants.  "I don't my bed all wet."

At the last sentence Selphie looked nothing short of horrified. "Y-your bed!?

"Shh!  Keep it down!"

"Squall…why am I in your room?" she whispered.

"You transferred, remember?  You don't have a room." Her expression didn't chance.  "Don't worry, I'll sleep on the floor.

"But that's not fa-a-ACHOO!  Fair."

"You're sick.  I wouldn't be fair if I made you sleep on the floor.  Now, go get changed." He jabbed his thumb in the direction of the attached bathroom.

Still looking troubled about everything, she did as she was told.  While she changed, he busied himself with looking for extra pillows and blankets.  He finally found some in the closet; so then he started working on a makeshift bed.  Before long, Selphie walked out of the bathroom.

It was amazing to Squall just how small she was.  His clothes were way too big.  The shirt was like a tent on her and she was stepping all over the pants.  IT was very comical just to look at.

He walked to the light switch and stopped to look at the brunette.  "Do you need anything?" She shook her head 'no'.  "Okay," he flipped the switch and lay down in his make shift bed.

"Thanks for everything Squall…" she yawned. "Good night."

"G'night," he mumbled into his pillow.

*          *          *

"Arisu!  Sae!  Please pay attention!" an instructor scolded as she threw down the book she was reading out of.

"Sorry Instructor Daly," Sae blushed and tried desperately to hide the papers she was reading.

"What exactly are you doing that is more important than using curative magic?" the instructor asked, crossing her arms.

"Uh…" Arisu stated nervously.  "We're doing research on the human brain under heavy mental stress."

"Arisu!" Sae mumbled, nudging her.  The instructor still didn't look happy.  "I'm sorry Ms. Daly, but do you think you could let us see Instructor Trepe?"

"Yeah, we've been meaning to talk to her anyway."

The brown haired instructor looked appalled at this request.  "You two, come to my desk.  Everyone else, talk amongst yourselves."  The classroom was now full of noise as the girls made their way to the front of the room.

"What is this all about?" she asked as she sat down in her seat.  "Why are you doing research about stress?"

For a moment Sae and Arisu looked at each other.  They couldn't tell her the truth.  Arisu was the first to speak.  "Uh, you see…" she pondered a moment, "Sae here is very stressed!" the blonde slapped her friend on the back.

The instructor raised her eyebrows, "Is this true, Sae?"

"Uh…oh yeah!  I may even be dangerous…"

Arisu hit herself in the forehead to try and keep herself from laughing.

"Well, if that's the case then I want you to go to your dorm and get some rest.  I suggest you go see Kadowaki also."

"Yes ma'am!"  They saluted her.

"You both are excused then."

"Thanks for understanding, Instructor!"  The two girls then ran out of the classroom and straight for the library.

*          *          *

"Are you done yet?" Squall asked through the bathroom door.  From inside he could hear retching and the toilet flushing.  "…Guess not…"

"This is so disgusting!" Selphie whined, she sounded as if she was on the verge of tears.

"Do you need help with anything…"

"Uh-huh…"

Reluctantly, he opened the door.  The short girl was sitting on her knees with her face hovering over the toilet bowl.

"If you don't stop throwing up you won't have anything left to throw up!" he sighed.  The SeeD commander stood behind her and held her hair out of the way.  She vomited a few more times before sitting up.

"I think I'm done now."

"Good." Squall said letting go of her hair.  He didn't know how much more he could take.  "Why don't you lay down and I'll see if someone can bring us something to eat.  Soup for you." Selphie nodded and walked back over to his bed.

"Aren't you going to work today?" she asked, reaching for the box of Kleenexes. 

"I'll call Cid and tell him I'm sick."

Squall was amazing her more and more.  This was most uncharacteristic of him.  I guess what Rinny said was true.  He really isn't all that bad. 

While she got comfortable he picked the phone and started thinking about who he should cal first.  He decided on Kadowaki.

"Hello, doctor?  I have a question."

"Yes, what is it?"

He paused for a moment.  How could be word this without sounding suspicious?  "What disease exhibits the following symptoms?  Vomiting, sneezing, runny nose and high fever…?

"Why Squall, are you sick?"

"Um, yes.  Very."

"It sounds to me like the flu.  Stay in bed, get as much rest as possible, and drink your fluids."

"Thanks doc.  Oh and do you think you could call Cid and tell him I won't be working for a few days?"

"Of course I will.  Get well soon!  And come see me if you need anything!

Sighing, he hung up the phone. "Well Sefie, I think you have the flu," he mumbled to the already sleeping girl.  Shaking his head he picked the phone back up.

"Zell?  Could you do me a favor?"

"Sure thing, Squall.  Whaddaya need?"

"I have the flu and can't leave my dorm.  Doctor's orders," he lied.  "Could you bring me something to eat?  Preferably soup?"

"Oh, okay.  I'll be there in a bit."

 As he waited, Squall began to straighten up the room.  He started with his 'bed'.  Casually, he bent down and folded the blanket up then placed it in the closet with the pillow.  He had just moved to his bedside table when there was a knock at the door.

"Coming," he announced as he quickly transferred some used tissues into the trashcan.  After this was accomplished, he walked to the door.  Sure enough, it was Zell standing there with a tray of food.  There was a bowl of soup and a hotdog.

"Uh, if you don't think you can hold down the hotdog, you can always give it to me," Zell said, pointing to his favorite food. 

"I think I can manage," Squall rolled his eyes and shut the door in his face.

"O-okay!  I just didn't want you to feel like you had to eat it!" the blond called from the other side of the door.  The commander couldn't help but chuckle at him.  That boy would do anything for a hotdog!

"Selphie, food's here," he announced as he sat down on the floor.  The brunette stirred and lifted her head.  Her trademark flipped-out curls had long since straightened, so her chestnut hair was sitting at her shoulders, making her look much more mature.

"What kind of soup did he get?" she asked groggily.

"It looks like chicken noodle to me," he said as he took a bite out of the hotdog.  She nodded and got out of bed before plopping down beside Squall.  Neither of them spoke much.  Selphie still didn't feel good, and Squall was preoccupied.  He wondered how long everyone would fall for this.  He rarely ever got sick because all of his exercising had built him up a very strong immune system. 

"Squall…" she said worriedly.  This brought him out of his train of thought long enough to look at her.  The younger SeeD had cupped her hands over her mouth and had started getting up for the bathroom again. 

"Damn!" he said under his breath as he followed her.

*          *          *

"Good afternoon Cid…" Sae stated as she entered his office.  Arisu was by her side, and she was holding several documents.

"Oh good God…what have I done?" he muttered.  Seeing these two meant one thing: trouble.

"We have come to speak with you on behalf of our friend, Selphie Tilmitt," the blond beamed.  Cid still looked horrified.

"It has been brought to our understanding that you recently gave your consent to Selphie, upon hearing her request to transfer back to Trabia Garden."

"We have been specially selected by the first rank SeeD, Selphie, to make sure you eliminate all evidence of that decision.  We are also here to provide you with Selphie's most recent decision to stay a member of Balamb Garden."

Sae took a big breath before starting her next line, "Her decision to transfer back to Trabia was made while she was under heavy mental stress.  According to Dr. Kadowaki's college research paper on the psychology of the human brain under heavy stress, we can safely say that her rash decision was made due to this stress.  It is also proven…

"Okay!  Okay!  She stays!  I GOT IT!  I can't take any more information!!" Cid yelled, as he began to rub his temples.

The two girls exchanged glances and evil smiles crept across their faces.  They absolutely loved to torture the guy.  "That could also be due to stress sir.  Sudden outbursts like that would make one suspect that you have problems managing your anger." Arisu explained.

"You two, you aren't SeeDs are you?"

"Nope!" they answered in unison, sporting huge cheesy smiles.

"Well, if you are able to strategize this well and retain this much information…just to drive your enemy insane then I'm led to believe that the both of you could make outstanding SeeDs."

"Nooo!" they began to cry.  "How could you do such a thing!?"

"Did I mention that you get a 2000 gil salary for starters?" he added in tactfully. 

Sae and Arisu looked at each other again and a more evil smile spread across their face.  "Money…"

"And your specific position as SeeDs would be interrogators.  We'd get all the information out of them"

"Yes, sir.  It sounds great sir!" Sae saluted.  This was getting better and better by the minute!  "But, um.  How soon could she come back?"

"I've already sent her profile and records into Trabia.  It will take about three days for them to come back.  Where has she been staying all this time?"

Uneasily, Arisu answered this one.  "In the Balamb hotel."

"Oh, that's good." Cid looked back down at his papers.

The friends started out the door, but just as they were opening it, Cid stopped them.  "Oh, speaking of transferring.  We have a transfer student from Galbadia Garden.  Will you show her around?  She should be downstairs with Xu."

"Yes sir!" they said together, then left the room.  Normally, they would have spent a few minutes riding the elevator up and down, but they decided to find the transfer student. 

*          *          *

"H-hey, Quisty.  Can I talk to you for a minute?" Rinoa asked uneasily as she poked her head through the classroom door.  The blond instructor nodded and placed her book down.

"Class, read page 326 to yourself while I talk to Miss Heartilly outside," she said, then shutting the door behind her, turned to her friend.  "What's wrong Rinny?"

"I'm just so confused!  When's your class over?"

Looking at her wrist watch she stated, "About another fifteen minutes…"

Now Rinoa looked as uncomfortable as ever.  This wasn't very characteristic of her, Quistis knew that for a face.  "What do you need to talk to me about?"

The dark haired girl looked around making sure no one else was paying attention.  "…It's about Zell…" she finally said, then she stopped.

Sighing, Quistis rolled her eyes.  "Are you going to tell me or not?"

"Promise you won't tell anyone?  I mean, it's really awkward…"

"I promise," Quistis reassured.

Still looking uncomfortable, she continued.  "I guess that Amy was sent to work at Esthar Garden and Zell was upset.  I sat an comforted him and…he kissed me." At this last statement Quistis' jaw dropped.

"He WHAT!?"

"No!  No, no, no!  Not like that!" Rinoa added in, holding up her hands as if to stop the instructor if she decided to charge.  "He kissed me on the cheek!"

"So?  What are you getting at?" she didn't really like where this conversation was going.  What would Squall do if she broke up with him for his best friend?

"Does Zell…like me?" the younger girl eventually blurted out.

"You know what Rinny?  I'm sorry but you'll have to wait.  We'll talk after class."

The raven head looked upset as Quistis walked back inside the classroom.  She stubbornly sat on the floor next to the door and waited.

*          *          *

"Um…this is the parking lot!" Arisu said, pointing happily to the facility.

"I think I could gather that much from the sign that said 'Parking Lot'," the transfer student said in her thick country accent.  She had short brown hair with hazel and jade mixed eyes.  Her name was Renee.

"Are you sure?  Study it!  You never know when it's subject to change!" Sae added.

"Does it change frequently?"

"…No…" both girls said in unison.

"At least not as long as we've lived here..." Arisu finished.

"How long have you been here?" Renee asked.

"Most of our lives…I was six when I got here, Arisu was seven."

"Look, can't we do something fun in our spare time?  I mean, do we hafta tour the Garden?  It aint much different from Galbadia Garden…"

Sae and Arisu looked at each other and grinned.  "To the cafeteria!" they exclaimed.  Together the group of three sprinted in the direction of the cafeteria.

When they got there they saw something they didn't quite expect; Irvine.  Apparently they didn't expect to see them either because he dropped his tray at the sight of them.

"Ya did it again, Kinneas," Renee smirked, folding her arms.

Blushing, the cowboy quickly covered up the wet spot on the front of his chaps and ran off.  Both girls looked at their comrade with new respect.

"How'd you do that?" the blond asked excitedly.

"He's been 'fraid o' me ever since kindergarten," she laughed.  "I've beaten 'im up a few times fer bein'…himself."

"O Great One!  Teach us your ways!" they bowed together.

Renee laughed again, "I will later…" It seemed as if she was going to finish, but something else caught her attention.  "Who's that?" she whispered, jerking her head over to one of the many occupied tables.

"Oh?" Sae followed her eyes and saw a blond boy sitting and enjoying a hotdog by himself.  "That's Seifer Almasy."

"Why's he sittin' all by his lonesome?"

"Well…err, you see…" Arisu began.  "During the whole Time Compression scare he aided the sorceress.  He was lucky to get back into Garden.  Everyone thinks he's a traitor."

"Oh?" Renee's eyes softened as she studied him.  "He has no friends at all?"

"Well, yeah.  Fujin and Raijin still stick by him, but they no longer attend Garden.  I think they were too embarrassed to come back," Sae explained.

"I'm gonna go talk to him!" the transfer student explained as she began to march over to him.  As she got no more than five feet away she tripped over a protruding foot from a table.

"Renee!  Are you alright!?" the blond cried as she and her friend ran to their fallen comrade.

"I'm fine," the brunette reassured as she stood up, rubbing her head.  Looking over at Seifer's table, she realized that he had left.  All she could see was his gray cloak swishing as he walked through the door.  "…But I will talk to him someday," she declared.

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Whew…that was a long chapter!  Sorry it took us so long to update, hopefully the long chapter will make up for it!!.  We're lazy most of the time.  ^_^ I know, some of the things Squall does may seem out of character, but we're trying to keep him as close to his character as possible.  So, don't be to angry with us.  Review please!