Second life Chapter 8: Snooping down memory lane, a final fantasy viii fanfic

And yet another chapter is updated this week. A small act for the delay of last week. As always I still don't own anything and I still need some reviews from you guys. So write what you think at the end ok? Enjoy

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Welcome to another chapter of Second Life…

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- "How are you feeling now?" – Ariadne's eyes opened slowly to see kind brown ones looking at her. It was a middle-aged brunette woman, dressed all in white. She was smiling gently. The girl sat on the bed noticing that she was now dressed in a hospital gown and that her ache was gone as well as her exhaustion.

– "I'm great" – She answered with a grin, happy that she was finally saying the truth and feeling her body pulse with barely contained energy – "Whoever you are, you are a miracle worker." – The woman laughed heartily.

– "I wouldn't say that." – Her expression sobered – "You had a still closing wound on your shoulder and internal bleeding. Thank Hyne that you came here after the fight. I was able to help before it got too serious." – Ariadne didn't comment on that.

It wouldn't be her to say when she had been injured.

– "I just fixed that and gave you a bath. Sorry for the last one. I was worried with all the dirt and blood near your wounds." – Ariadne's grin returned with a vengeance.

– "Are you sure you are not my guardian angel or something? Because I couldn't be more thankful." – She stuck out her hand – "I am Ariadne Beckerman. Pleased to meet you."

The doctor took it with a smile. – "Megan Kadowaky. Pleasure." – The older woman took her hand and gave her a sheepish look – "I am sorry but your clothes were pretty much out-of-commission. I asked some new for you but it will take a while. I had a Seed uniform brought for you though and your weapons and boots are on the chair if you wish to leave." – Sea green eyes looked at her bedside finding the mentioned items

– "It's official. You're an angel." – Megan laughed again with the girl's antics

– "Do you want me to call your friends?" – Ariadne jumped out of bed, the grin never leaving her face, and flipped her long honey brown hair out of the way.

– "Don't bother Doc. Right now I am going to do something that I have been itching to do for some time." – Her laughing eyes locked on the doctor who couldn't help but smile as well – "You wouldn't believe the frustration you can get when you are in suicide missions" – She declared lightly while gathering the clothes on her arms to change – "If Quis comes looking for me, or Squall and Rinoa for some freak accident of nature, I will be at the training center kicking something's ass. Thanks again Doc. I will visit soon."

And with that she slipped to another cubicle leaving moments later already dressed, sheaths secure to her back, hair spilling behind her trapped on a lose ponytail and a smile on her lips. Megan shook her head amusedly following her with her eyes – "She sure is something."

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My POV

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I am alive. I actually survived this. I guess I should be proud of myself after all we have been through but right now I am too happy for that as my mind is solely focussed on my relief in being able to walk freely. And the feeling of safety that it's filling my hearth only helps the equation. I missed it. Damn I really missed it.

Mom was right after all. We only realize how good some things are until we lose them. And that is a rather sore topic for me. I still miss them like hell. They were everything to me and to lose them like that…it wasn't easy. Even if I am seeing this place as home now. And it is good to have a place to belong like this and even if it isn't Galbadia is damn close.

If there's something that everyone should understand, and that I know pretty well, is that there are no such thing as finding a place in life. That is getting harder and harder by the moment. We gotta grab our chance and fight because there are no such things as "vacant" signs. And I'm happy I did just that. Hell, I feel as if I'm high or something. I wonder if the doc gave me sugar…or coffee…or both.

It's been a while since I've been on a hyper mood. Last time I ended up laughing hysterically with Stef for no reason at all and damn it's good to be able to do so. I am alive and that's all that matters for now.

I am alive.

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3rd Person POV

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- "You know I can picture you doing this on a first date" – Declared Rinoa – "You are so romantic. Ok next." – Squall ignored the comment with a barely contained roll of eyes and was about to leave the center when a voice stopped him. A very familiar voice.

– "Try not to come here alone again ok?" – Ariadne appeared in the entrance leaving the center, her hand placed on a little boy's shoulder in student uniform

– "Not a good idea when there's T-Rex around." – The boy smiled and waved while running outside – "Thanks Aria." – The Seed just shook her head amused.

– "Don't mention it kid" – She turned to them and smiled. Her caramel brown hair was falling from a messy bun, framing her face in a delicate disarray and the Seed uniform seemed too formal to her attitude. A single katana shone on her hand.

– "Good morning" – She half-yelled coming closer – "Whatcha up to?" – No answer followed and her eyes narrowed in confusion while the two arrivals just look at her – "Are you guys alright?"

– "Where are your clothes?" – Rinoa blurted out. An eyebrow rose in the galbadian's face and a smirk crossed her lips. For some unknown reason Squall placed his head on his hand for a moment.

– "Rinoa" – Started Ariadne calmly – "You do realize that my clothes were bloody, dirty and covered in mud don't you? And I am a Seed after all. What's wrong about me using the uniform?" – The silver reddish katana was placed once more on its sheath with an abandon born from experience. She didn't get an answer and she smiled again. Not a smirk but a smile.

– "You didn't answer me" – She commented disentangling the almost destroyed bun and placing her hair in a more secure one. – "What are you doing here? I thought that you would be resting" – Squall glared at her for the veiled admonishment

– "As should you." – He hissed. She just waved off his statement.

– "Slept enough for decades fearsome leader." – She didn't notice the frown that crossed his features for a second – "Your Doc is amazing. I don't know what she did but she help me lots. She will even get me some clothes so I won't have to have a sign on my back reading "Hey, I am a Seed. Shoot me". Pretty nice. But I am kinda getting out of topic. You still didn't answer me and I don't want to keep you."

She turned to the door preparing to leave when a voice stopped her – "I am giving her a tour. You should join us." – Rinoa didn't seem happy and Squall remained just as emotionless as ever. She smirked yet again.

– "Why not?" – She asked rhetorically while shrugging – "Just promise me you will show me the cafeteria. I'm starving. Then I'm going to try and find Quis. I hate being inactive."

– "We've noticed" – Informed Squall somewhat dryly. – "Let's go then." – He took the front and Rinoa followed both unable to ignore the galbadian's "Yes sir".

– "She's more trouble than she's worth" – He mumbled before leading them to the library. When they entered Rinoa scrambled to somewhere and the female Seed just followed him to the study area where she distracted herself by reading some of the book covers and running her hands through the spines with something akin to respect. She stopped however when she noticed that he was stepping away from a brown haired girl with a lost expression on his face that disappeared when she came closer.

– "Hey Squall, you ok?" – She asked gently. He nodded briskly – "Can you wait for me a minute then while I speak with someone?" – An eyebrow rose making her understand that he was probably thinking who she knew if she was not from Balamb.

– "I will be outside. Don't take long" – And he left not seeing the two pairs of eyes that were fixed on him.

– "You are not helping him." – The girl's blue eyes turned to her sharply and Ariadne did the same only hers were quiet and controlled – "He's confused and even more with what you're doing. You can't change the past." – Confusion showed on the girl's face. She was older than the Seed but seemed so more innocent.

– "How do you know?" – Ariadne shrugged and came closer – "I know a lot of things. You are hurting him." – A sigh was heard.

– "I have to try. I simply have to." – A nod was her answer before silence fell between them but it wasn't a totally uncomfortable one.

– "You are lost aren't you?" – Asked Ellone looking at the younger girl – "I can feel something misplaced on your aura. Something…I don't know…different" – Ariadne's smile turned slightly pained as if thinking of something far away

– "Not lost. At least not anymore. I found my place but yes…I am different." – She let go of the desk she had been supporting herself on and shook her head – "I must go. They are waiting for me." – Ellone just watched her as she left the library. Another puzzle had been shoved into her hands.

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Their eyes were locked to the remains of Norg that was still on the devise where he had lived. – "Bloody hell. Can't we have a moment of peace?" – Ariadne's question summed it all even if it had been followed by a "Language Aria" from Quistis that still hadn't given up in trying to put some reign on her friend's matter of speech

– "We must go talk to headmaster" – Said Squall turning to the elevator. When he approached however he faltered in his steps and started to fall. Ariadne's eyes widened in surprise and she braced herself to catch him. Rinoa had to do the same as Quistis soon followed

– "It's happening again." – She whispered to the awakened Seed – "This happened in Galbadia." – Ariadne nodded distractively to her comment. She knew that but…something was very wrong. She wiggled a bit to adjust Squall's head on her lap, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.

– "It can't be" – She thought. – "She wouldn't dare" - Unfortunately a comment made its way to her mind in the calm voice of Sacred confirming her suspicions – "I am sure you're right. Your aura is being used." – "Want some help afterwards?" – Asked Minotaur with an angry edge in his tone.

She didn't answer. She was numb. Just like that day. But her GF's knew her enough to know that that would pass when she got her bearings back. And that would not be a pretty sight.

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Squall opened his eyes slowly to his surroundings. It seemed yet another of the strange dreams that had been plaguing him for the last months but this time it was different. No Laguna in sight for example. He was in a room. A large room painted in soft blues and filled with dark brown furniture. In all a resting and calm decoration.

Dark blue curtains covered the window and a similar mantle rested on the bed almost invisible due to the pile of pillows that were on it. A desk could be seen to one side serving as a supporter to books and notes made in a round but fluent handwriting. Frames could be distinguished in literally every surface and he approached seeing a blond haired woman and a black haired man in several of them. In others he could see a dark brown haired man, maybe with his age, accompanied by a honey brown haired and sea green eyed girl.

– "Ariadne?" – He looked at the other pictures and without a doubt it was her. Younger and more innocent looking but it was her. – "What in Hyne's name is this?" – His eyes analysed the place he was in more carefully. It was so peaceful and yet there was a feeling of life underneath it all. A door was opened somewhere near without any discretion

– "I'm home" – It was Ariadne's voice but it was at the same time different – "Hi sweetie! How was your day?" – Asked a kind voice back.

A laugh was heard in answer. – "The same as ever mom. But if Lugh comes over don't tell him I'm here." – The room's door opened to give entrance to a twelve, thirteen, year old Ariadne. She was dressed casually in jeans and a red shirt and was carrying a backpack while walking with the help of crutches.

– "What did you do to him Aria?" – Came the voice of her mother while the girl placed a crutch against the desk oblivious to his scrutiny

– "Not much" – She answered manoeuvring the cast that she sported on her leg – "He will need a new change of clothes though. Teach him to be a bloody overprotective prick" – The last part was whispered so that only she could hear. And her unknown visitant. He felt like he was intruding.

– "Shit" – She cursed when she almost lost her balance while trying to take the bag from her back – "I don't care about dad's strange notion of courtesy. I am going to kill Josh when I get him. Why in the seven hell's did we allow him to drive?" – She tossed the bag to the desk and hopped to the closet to look for something.

A ring broke the silence –" It's yours Aria" – Warned her mother. Ariadne cursed while hopping to the phone and pressed a button before going back to her original place.

– "Aria? That you?" – Asked a male voice. Squall saw her roll her eyes skyward.

– "Obviously Phil. Who did you wanted me to be? Santa? So…what's up?" – She sent back while rummaging her closet.

– "Nothing special. Just to ask if you arrived well." – Her head emerged and she hopped back to the desk with a shirt on her hand.

– "Yeah sure. Matt gave me a ride." – An ooohhhh was heard on the other side of the line.

– "He did? That's a very interesting fact" – She rolled her eyes again.

– "Bite me" – A laugh was heard.

– "Aria, you should stop saying that." – He commented as if it was the most obvious thing in the world – "For your sake at least, as young men might start to take it to the letter" – She raised her eyes from the shirt she was folding to the phone as if she could see the one she was talking to.

– "Phil, you do know that you're a bloody pervert don't you?"

– "Hell yeah" – Was the answer

– "Did your brother catch you?"– She laughed heartily

– "As always. But he must still be yelling for me to appear wherever he thinks that I disappeared to. The usual." – A door was opened with as much discretion as Ariadne had used before hers followed to give entrance to the black haired man Squall had seen in the pictures. He was even taller than him with tanned skin and a kind smile on his face. His eyes were a dark green that seemed all too appropriate to his complexion and he was using a black pants and a dark green sweater.

– "Hey Daddy" – Acknowledged Aria turning to the phone – "Gotta go Phil. See ya tomorrow."

– "Sure thing Aria" – Answered her friend – "Goodbye Mr. Beckerman" – The man smiled.

– "Goodbye Philip." – The line died and he came closer enveloping the girl in a hug – "I presume you are the reason for your brother being dripping wet yelling your name on the edge of the park right?" – She smirked cheekily.

– "Not my fault dad. He practically mauled a friend of mine." – The man shook his head in amusement and then placed a hand on her head caressing the light tresses

– "As normal. Now come on. I will take you to see Joshua. He is still at home, isn't he?" – Ariadne nodded.

– "Can I hit him just once?" – A pointed look was sent her way and she shrugged

– "At least I tried. Let's get out of here before Lugh appears." – She stood again and grabbed a jacket, throwing the shirt she had on her hand to the bag. She turned to follow her father that was holding one of the crutches for her but stopped for a moment while looking around. Her eyes narrowed slightly, the emerald Squall had seen before making its appearance, and he almost flinched when they seemed to stop where he was.

– "Aria? Are you alright?" – The soft question took her from her trance and she shook her head, a grin etched on her lips.

– "Yeah. Let us go then." – She grabbed the crutch and with a last look left the room. The last thing Squall heard was an enraged male's voice – "Ariadne" – And her own in answer. –" Now's a good time to run dad." – After that he didn't see or heard anything else.

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The first thing Squall realised when he returned to consciousness was warmth. Something warm was by his side. He opened his eyes slowly to see an older Ariadne. The one he had met for the last three weeks. It was hers the warmth that he was feeling as his head was resting on her lap, a pale hand touching his forehead softly. Her eyes were frozen, lost…hurt…and he couldn't even begin to wonder why.

– "Quistis is waking" – Warned Rinoa's voice from somewhere near. Ariadne turned to the place where the two other girls were presumably and smiled forcefully

– "Cast a cure in case she hurt herself when she fell, Rinoa." – She advised coolly. Too coolly. – "It's better be safe than sorry."

Her eyes turned to him and he inhaled sharply. He had noticed the changes but now they were impossible to ignore. He had seen her eyes shining with laughter with the colour of the sea, he had seen them clouded with anger, brimming with a dangerous emerald tinge. He was now seeing them dead, a pale green nothing more than a shadow

– "Hey Squall. You alright?" – He nodded a bit and she helped him to sit. A cure was placed on him and he had no doubt of who had cast it.

– "We better go" – She continued in that calm tone that was almost painful to hear from her – "The headmaster must waiting" – She rose from the floor slowly and silently offered her assistance so that he could do the same. For once he didn't refuse it and just allowed some of his weight to support on the smaller girl. If she was noticing the look Rinoa was giving she simply ignored it. – "Quis?" – The instructor smiled but that dimmed as she to saw her friend's anguish.

– "What's wrong Aria?" – The girl didn't answer again. She simply helped the man to the elevator and let go. Her eyes were staring into nothing but her hands gripped the support bar with a death grip. Her knuckles were turning white and then…Squall, that had been watching her, frowned when he saw a very familiar colouring appear in her eyes.

Someone was in deep shit.

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And another chapter done…one of my favourites I might add. Feedback will be greatly appreciated so REVIEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

Desperate writer here is begging…..

Next chapter: Consequences of snooping on another's business and sisterly help…

See ya all next week

Reyavie