I DON'T OWN ANYTHING FROM FF VIII. But Ariadne's mine.

Well that's out of the way. Thank you to my first reviewer, druggo-frog, and to all who are reading this.

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My POV

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Things changed in the years I spent in this world. As an amnesiac, they didn't know what to do with me. Everyone was convinced I had been injured because of the students of the Garden and I…forgot to say otherwise. I wasn't that stupid.

I shut up, marvelling in how it only took a change of worlds to learn to do such a thing, and agreed when they asked me if I wished to enrol. Hell, what could I have said? I prefer the orphanage? No, thanks. So, I entered Galbadia Garden, and started to work as much as I could to catch up. I could clearly see they didn't believe I would be able to make it but I surprised them all. Almost killed myself doing so, but I showed them. And shocked them to Trabia and back while doing so. From my ideas to my choice of weapons, I was too foreign and it took quite a while for them to accept me. But they eventually did.

I graduated at sixteen only three years after I had arrived and was sent almost immediately on a mission. Full-fledged Seeds were needed everywhere and, even a newbie such as I, were deeply needed. It didn't mean that, a trip to Trabia in the middle of the Winter, was something I wished to experience.

Martine really is an idiot. Placing his soldiers in danger, just to protect a rich boy wishing to see other cultures. I would have kicked his ass if he wasn't my headmaster. Only the knowledge that he would be getting his ass royally kicked in a near future stopped me from doing so. Something far worse than expressing my displeasure for my comrade's injury, caused by the pretty boy's demand of a monster's horn.

But time passed, as it would have had if I had stayed home. My hope resided in the fact that I knew my family would go on without me. I would never have forgiven myself if they were hurt because of me. Or quitted being a family. I love them too much for that.

So I grabbed my new life with both hands and struggled, as I knew they would want to see me doing. I made friends. I even got a new family, in the form of the doctor that had helped me that first day. And those first months. Christine Summers. She became my aunt and very protective guardian. Figures. I attract this kind of people. First my brother, then her.

Oh well…no use crying over spilt milk. Anyway, right now I am a full fledged Seed and, if not cared, at least I'm respected. I had just returned from Centra, where I had made a small visit to Odin while fulfilling the stupid whim of an idiot of Deling. Someone that suddenly wished to exercise his taste for adventure after reaching seventy-five years. Why the hell did he think getting chased by Marboros is exciting beats me. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I'm not from around here...

Nah, the guy was just stupid.

I was thinking in getting some rest done for a while, when Stephanie informed me of the headmaster's calling. Something told me that this would be interesting. Very interesting. And after four years in this place I learned to trust my gut feeling. It can save my own ass sometimes.

So, I grabbed my equipment and tried to reach the place on time. I was curious about what the idiot wanted, who could blame me? And yes, I wanted to annoy him as well. He is too easy to riddle and, one thing that didn't change, was my ability to shock him to silence when I open my mouth. And the fun I still have with it.

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3rd person POV

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The party from Balamb Garden was still looking at their leader with curiosity, waiting as he read the orders the headmaster had sent them. Squall had frowning, a hand clenched in the paper as he thought about whatever was written.

"The orders say 'by means of a sniper'. And it is required a stealth specialist," he declared to the headmaster. "We have no one with those skills." Martine just nodded.

"Don't worry about that. We have an elite sharpshooter lined up from Galbadia Garden. Let me introduce him. Kinneas! Irvine Kinneas"

A tall brown haired man stood up from the grass and approached, slowly and deliberately. He was wearing brown entirely, trench coat, hat and pants, the only exception being the white shirt underneath his jacket. His pace was suddenly changed when someone slapped him on the head and he stumbled.

"Stop acting like a bloody idiot, Kinneas. No one is buying it." A girl appeared behind him seeming pissed. She ignored the curses he was saying with practiced ease and walked to the headmaster, saluting him quickly.

"At ease." She relaxed before turning to the group, a smirk taking her lips when Irvine joined her. Some members of the group seemed to be hiding snickering as they watched the unknown woman. She had very long brown hair, caught on a braid, and light green eyes as well as slightly tanned skin. Tall and slim, she was wearing black pants and brown mountain boots and well as a dark blue tank top. Two sheaths were strapped to her back, their black leather forms shining in the sun.

"This will be your stealth specialist, Ariadne Beckerman" She saluted them formally, the smirk still failing to face from her face. She seemed…amused. "Now do try not to kill Kinneas, Beckerman."

The headmaster seemed close to beg, something too strange from what he had showed till the moment. Ariadne just rolled her eyes.

"Do not worry headmaster. I will make sure he will be alive to fulfil the mission." He just nodded, knowing she would do as she had said. The way he had ignored the rest of her saying "I won't take responsibility for him afterwards however." Had been probably to ease his mind, before leaving altogether.

"So, what's our mission then?" She asked calmly, as if nothing had happened. Everyone's looks turned to their leader, at the moment the only one completely undisturbed with the strange reunion.

"Our next mission... This is no ordinary mission. This is a direct order from both Balamb and Galbadia Garden. We're to... assassinate the sorceress." The dark haired man looked directly at her when he didn't see any reaction. Ariadne raised an eyebrow slightly.

"We're to shoot her from afar. Kinneas here will be our sharpshooter. We're to support Kinneas to our fullest. Should the sniper fail, we're to attack head on. Ariadne will be his backup and our guide in Deling." Their eyes were fixed on the two galbadians.

"That's nice. I'm being sent as his bodyguard. Lovely. " Drawled the girl, pointing vaguely in her companion's direction. "As you wish then. Can you guys introduce yourselves first or will I have to call you there for the rest of the mission?" Silence was her answer before anyone moved. A small brown haired one was the first to advance, hand outstretched for her to shake.

"I am Selphie Tilmitt," She pointed to the black haired girl by her side " this is Rinoa Heartilly," Ariadne had the impression she had elected herself as the spokeswoman, either the other wished it, or not. Her hand almost hit the blond woman as she continued. "And Quistis Trepe."

"I have heard of you from my aunt Chris." Ariadne said, giving the older woman an appraising glance. "She speaks highly of you." If Quistis had been anyone else, she would have blushed.

"Christine is too kind." She said simply "This is Zell Dintch," the instructor continued, taking the man's hand with a faint smile. "And our leader Squall Leonhart."

The two looked at each other for a moment but none made a move to acknowledge the other. After that, Ariadne merely shrugged before taking her original place. She didn't seem to be uncomfortable with the situation.

"Well then," interrupted Irvine "We'll have to decide on a party for the trip to Deling City." Ariadne felt someone grab her shoulders and found herself at Irvine's side. "How's this for a team?" He asked with a grin.

Before anyone could say anything, she had sunk her elbow into his stomach and was, pretty much, controlling herself not to break her promise to the headmaster before they had even left the Garden.

"Touch me again and I swear, what I did last time you tried this, will seem like heaven." – There visible tension between the two galbadians, leading every member from the Balamb party to wonder just what Martine had been drinking before assigning them both to the same mission.

Squall frowned, his voice cutting through the silence before she could fulfil the threat. "Selphie and Ariadne, you're with me. The rest, go with Quistis. You lead them instructor."

And without more words, all Seeds did what had been ordered, halting only when Ariadne's name was screamed over the brunt of the students' sounds. On the entrance was a small group of mercenaries waving. Ariadne turned back, a smile crossing her lips and a hand waving in silent goodbye.

"See you soon Aria." Screamed Stef when she saw her friend follow the others.

In her hand was a letter written in Ariadne's handwriting. No one noticed how the brunette stopped once more, her eyes flicking with some unreadable emotion before she left the Garden. No one heard her mumbled answer as she did so.

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And here ends the second chapter. You know the drill people! REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!

Next chapter: Disclosure on a bit of the Irvine/Ariadne relationship. Anyone's interested?