Hello everyone! Yep, I suppose there are a lot of persons asking just why am I updating this soon and the answer is quite simple. My net went back to be an annoyance again which means that I can't update at home. Yay…not. For me it means total isolation from the world. For everyone that's actually reading this it means an earlier chapter. So I'll just do the disclaimer thing and then I'm off (pushes Thanatos in front of everyone) Speak!

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Thanatos: Reyavie doesn't own anything at all in this story…and now that I think about she doesn't own anything. Period.

Ariadne: She owns me.

Sasha: And me.

Alexander: And me.

Stephanie: And m…

Thanatos: I got the point. So she owns all the OCs her deranged mind has made up and some other random things.

Reyavie: Like the right to choose to buy Christmas gifts or NOT.

Thanatos: That too (gulps

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A.N – Anyways just to remember everyone that bypassed last week's warning that signed reviews will be answered by FFnet's messaging system while nonsigned will be answered via RAC in the end of my profile. So anyone that does review will have their answers and comments back. Thanks again and go on now (bows and skips away humming random Christmas song)

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Welcome to the fortieth-forth (this so has to be wrong) of Second Life. Back in about 16 pages.

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Ariadne groaned lightly as she began waking up only to ask herself why she was doing so.

– "No Sacred yelling in my mind. That's always good…" – She thought slowly – "I'm comfortable, ditto, no headache around, Thank Hyne for small miracles…and disasters, I hear no explosions in the Garden…Garden! SHIT!"

Sea green eyes opened in alarm as she turned abruptly in search of her watch forgetting something on her way…or rather someone. A grunt told Aria she had just dug her elbow into Squall's stomach in her haste to grab the clock.

– "Opps" – Blinking red numbers showed 7.20. A sigh in relief escaped her lips before she turned to the men by her side.

– "Sorry?" – Squall was clutching one arm to his stomach, only one eye fixed on her, a slightly pained expression on his face.

– "Thank you for the wake up call" – He said, voice vaguely chocked – "I would prefer it less painful next time" – Ariadne bit her lip not to laugh.

– "What I would give for a camera sometimes"

– "Why don't you start laughing already?" – Squall asked dryly – "I am quite sure that is what you're attempting to prevent" – And she did. The situation was just too surreal not to. The only thing that was missing was a pout to make it completely unbelievable.

– "The day I see that I can consider myself nuts" – Her mental trail of thought stopped for a moment before – "Well completely." – With a smile Aria freed herself of an arm she wasn't quite sure if how it had appeared around her waist and stretched before her eyes rested on Squall once more. He was watching her, a concerned frown on his face.

- "The guy just can't let it rest for a while can he?" – Her hand touched his face gently – "He wouldn't be him in any other way"

– "Now as much as this is amusing" – Aria began as stood – "I really have to get moving or I'll have everyone knocking…wait" – She smiled wryly remembering her days on Galbadia Garden where her room seemed almost public.

– "They don't knock. They enter." – The movement she attempting was stopped as Squall pulled her lightly behind.

– "My idea of a greeting is not an elbow on my stomach Aria" – He informed sternly.

– "Next time I'll make sure I aim for more sensible areas" – Aria conceded seriously – "Or not. Last time I did that the guy didn't look at me again. When he did, he ran away after." – Idiot plus jailed cranky Seed plus annoyance equals idiot in pain. The only math she didn't need to think much to do.

– "You talk too much" – That was his only comment before he kissed her without too much warning. The last thought she had was that anyone with limited capabilities of speaking and that used them on a daily basis would talk too much for the Commander.

Ariadne had never had too much experience with guys. Making out, yes sure, dates every now and then, normal for a girl her age. But waking up next to someone she had deemed as off-limits?

A very different situation.

One that she found herself enjoying immensely. Aria had not lied when she had told him that she would have regretted leaving without giving it a shot. The doubt, the what-if would always be with her if she hadn't done something about it.

Besides, from what Aria had gathered, with him one needed to be very direct. Zell-kind of direct. She backed away and allowed her head to fall next to his on the pillow while his arms went around her. For a really non-talkative, non-association guy Squall seemed to enjoy just staying like that with her.

– "Where are you guys going after we leave?" – The Galbadian asked

– "Balamb – Well, she should have seen that one coming – "Most of our people want to go back home. Are you going directly to Deling?" – Aria pulled herself upwards, one hand pulling her hair out of her face in a careless movement.

– "Not stupid enough for that" – She answered gravely shaking her head – "The council agreed that it's best for us to gather information first. The one we got for FH is too frail to act upon." – The girl stood silently and began gathering her clothes absently.

– "I thought that maybe my old instructor could help" – She continued – "He taught me all about espionage and had a great working network. He hated being uninformed. If we can't find him then we'll have to go to Zaed and look for Alex's uncle. Zaed is the main source of Deling's food supplies. I'm sure they will know something there." – The sound coming from her bed told her that Squall had sat.

– "If you go to Zaed with the Garden you are bound to get unwanted attention" – He declared. Ariadne nodded as she placed her katanas on the desk.

– "Small team and one of our cars" – Squall was a good strategist, she would have to admit that. But Aria had been thinking about those same questions in the entire time she had spent trapped in the infirmary and after so…she was bloody tired of thinking in all the different ways how they could screw things up.

– "I was thinking in leaving the kids there too but I think it would be too suspicious." – Aria scowled, eyes locked with her blades – "Not to mention the lack of funds we are going to be faced with. Galbadians aren't in position to give charity…even to their own" – Gaia wasn't a perfect world, not by a long shot, and she had seen the horror and filth that was hidden most of the time. – "And Winhil…it's too small for so many people...especially kids that cannot help, economically speaking."

– "You have given this a long time of thought" – She gave her companion a dry look that pretty much screamed understatement.

– "It will pass" – Squall murmured. Ariadne raised an eyebrow in questioning. Dark blue eyes with an understanding glint met hers.

– "The fear of failing" – He answered.

A smile slowly appeared on her lips. Squall had just reminded her exactly why she liked him. Some could read her, her expressions and moods, some knew her, personality and behaviour. He understood her, actions and paths of thought…at least most of the time. The times he didn't were caused by the wonderful guilt complex he would probably die with.

– "Was it that hard to you?" – Aria inquired, wincing slightly as she remembered how she had not been helpful those particular days…months. A part of her was begging not to have someone like her under her own command. If Squall noticed he didn't comment.

– "It still is." – At least Ariadne could count on him being bluntly honest – "But there is always a way to follow. I have learned that in the last months." – Another pause that neither broke.

– "You should go now" – Said Squall after a while standing up – "I believe your friends will come for you soon." – Ariadne nodded while grabbing the bundle of clothes that she had gathered. Her Seed uniform.

– "No crazy stunts" – He ordered firmly when she turned to him. Aria rolled her eyes skyward.

– "Yes daddy" – Her sarcastic drawl was cut short before she smirked – "And for some reason that sounded so wrong right about now" – Her smirk faded before she hugged him tightly – "You take care of yourself…I'm not the only one that disregards dangers…" – Squall said nothing and even if he had…he would have been stopped by the knocking on the door

– "Oi Aria!" – The Galbadian groaned loudly, the sound muffled by his chest.

– "Does he have a bloody detector or something?"

– "Wake up girl" – Continued Josh's voice – "Everyone is getting ready to take off and we are still going to have breakfast here."

– "Josh" – Ariadne called sweetly – "Why don't you go jump off a cliff?"

– "Cause I still hate heights. Thought you knew." – Came the prompt answer – "Now move it." – Her eyes were on the door, a dry look on her expression

– "I really like him and all" – Ariadne whispered, eyes narrowed – "But sometimes I could really kick his ass."

– "He means well" – Squall murmured with something in his tone that denoted some degree of respect. Aria had the feeling she was losing a part of the story.

– "Oh. Almost forgot" – Continued the Trabian's voice behind the closed door – "When you two finish making out we'll be in the cafeteria. Don't take too long cause the food won't wait. See ya." – Anyone that saw the pair would have burst out laughing with the shell-shocked expressions both Seeds were sporting.

Well, Aria's at least. Squall's could barely be seen unless one had known him for a while.

– "That's it" – Her voice brought them both out of her stupor – "I'm going to freaking kill him!" – And she would have if an arm hadn't stopped her.

– "Later" – A single word was the prelude for the action Joshua had expected. Aria barely noticed the slight opening of the link with her GFs.

– "Are you going to take long?" – Asked the younger guardian.

– "Piss off Taur" – Was the only answer he received.

Minotaur decided then to follow his brother and went back to sleep. One thing Sacred knew well was when he was not wanted around.

Taur really hated when his brother was right.

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- "Everyone ready?" – Ariadne appeared from the front gate of Balamb Garden with a calm expression on her features. One few people would connect to her normal self.

She was using her formal Seed uniform, the dark blue contrasting vividly with her still light skin, while her hair had been braided trailing behind her like a long rope, katanas carefully sheathed on her back. The silver Celtic cross shone gently on her neck above her jacket.

Waiting for her were all her companions from Galbadia Garden, the group from Balamb joined by both Josh and Peter. They would leave at the same time on the Ragnarok.

- "1500 Gil in how they will never get in that with Selphie again" – Said Minotaur

– "Sure. Why not?" – Drawled Sacred – "How do you plan on getting the money? Or why would you or I need it?"

– "Aria can borrow it."

– "Not" – She mumbled

– "And for the same reason those little monsters need it" – Aria sighed mentally. It seemed that her guardians were making up for the time they had lost in making her crazy.

– "And why is that?" – She could almost see the frown on Taur's face as he thought the answer to his brother's question.

– "You know" – He mused thoughtfully – "I have no idea. They like shiny things?" – She fought the urge to groan out loud. It stopped when Sasha saluted her formally. She knew how much Ariadne hated the ceremony gained from military instruction but it didn't seem to stop her.

– "The students have already returned to the Garden and are in their positions for the departure" – She informed tonelessly as the rest of the group continued the preparations.

Aria could see Stephanie and Lara talking quietly between themselves and Alex speaking in low tones with Squall. Eliza was laughing softly about something Selphie was saying. Somehow the last one didn't bound well.

– "Alex will be driving this" – Ariadne raised an eyebrow with the put-out expression that took over Sasha's face, something that went totally against her professional attitude barely moments before.

– "They said that I wouldn't drive unless I was the last student in the Garden" – She stated moodily – "After the kids! You destroy one bloody car and they never forget it. I was bloody eleven."

– "I think that it is because you were eleven Sasha" – Replied Aria fighting her laughter. Sasha had managed to transform a car that was supposed to hold on through wars into a mass of junk and leave without a scratch. None of the mechanics had been able to discover just how.

– "Have you spoken with my aunt?" – Sasha gave her a small evil smile.

– "She wants you in the infirmary as soon as we take off. Full check-up."

– "And don't you even try to escape it" – Added Sacred with a do-it-or-die tone.

– "You'll probably live through it" – Commented the other Galbadian still grinning – "Now go say goodbye. We're leaving as soon as you're done with this." – Even with the flippant tone in her voice her silver eyes were kind as she patted Ariadne's arm gently.

Yes, she had made friends within the Balamb crew but they were barely more than acquaintances and only Aria had really connected the two groups. But for the sea-green eyed girl it was very different. If something could make persons bond was death battles and mutual protecting. But the bonds that had been forged on the months before seemed almost too strong for such a small length of time.

– "Aria" – The girl turned to Edea not before giving Sasha a visibly strained smile.

– "Give me just a few moments alright?" – She asked softly. Sasha's hand touched her shoulder in an unspoken show of support.

– "Take your time." – Was her only answer. The sorceress was waiting for her, a gentle smile on her lips. It didn't take long until Ariadne found herself in the older woman's arms.

– "I will try to delay them" – Edea whispered – "But as soon as I feel you in danger I will not stop any action." – Aria frowned lightly as she pulled away slowly

– "Feel me?"

– "Don't tell me that she's still a sorceress" – Grumbled Minotaur.

– "Get away from her you witch!" – Yelled Sacred. Ariadne winced with the loud voices in her mind.

– "She can't hear you two" – She said with a hint of exasperation – "But I can. So can you please stop giving me headaches for a second so I can understand what the hell is happening?" – Silence

– "Thank you" – Edea's smile seemed knowing, almost as if she had heard the mental conversation. Ariadne hoped she didn't. Ultimecia and Hyne's presence in her mind had been quite enough for her.

– "I was a sorceress for a long time Aria" – She explained – "That changed my natural magic, made it stronger and you…remember what I told earlier, about your aura?" - Brown-golden eyes narrowed for a slight second. – "It is like a beacon for that part of my magic even in long distances. But do not worry. You aren't the one I can feel and right now it comes quite in handy don't you think?"

– "It depends on the point of view" – Sacred almost spat.

– "Red, please." - The guardian muttered something unintelligible before quieting. Apparently Sasha wasn't the only one sulking.

– "Aria!" – That was the only warning both women had before Selphie had literally catapulted herself to the Galbadian and began crushing her in a hug.

For such a small frame she really had a lot of strength...and one hell of a death grip as Ariadne could attest…or would have in case she managed to get some air into her lungs.

– "Ease it a little Selphie otherwise you're going to choke her to death" – Zell was definitively grinning as he pried the smaller girl off her.

– "I'm just hugging her you moron" – Complained the Trabian – "And you" – She continued turning towards Ariadne and almost trusting a finger on one of the girl's eyes – "Don't you even dare to get hurt. You still have to help me with the Garden Festival."

– "That's not a good way to convince her to come back" – Muttered Irvine's voice from somewhere near.

– "What did you just say?" – Both Zell and Aria winced as Selphie turned to the cowboy with a look that promised all sorts of bad things. Edea just smiled as if seeing that was normal.

– "It probably is" – Commented Minotaur – "And besides she's almost as scary as you in a bad mood. Where's a camera when you need one?"

– "The surveillance cameras should be getting this" – Declared Sacred calmly. Ariadne stilled with that before smirking lightly. That had been a very…interesting suggestion.

– "You gave her ideas" – Stated the younger guardian – "Good one Bro." – Zell looked at her with a roughish grin as if unsure of what to do so Ariadne made the decision for him, throwing her arms around his larger form.

– "Take care of yourself you hear?" – She whispered steadily – "And don't let her get away. She's a good girl. Oh…too many hot-dogs are bad for you" – The expression he got after that last comment almost seemed she had just condemned him to death.

– "They're not!" – Aria raised an eyebrow as she let go.

– "How many Esunas did it take for you to get rid of yesterday's indigestion?" – She inquired dryly. Zell mumbled something that could pass as an answer. The Galbadian crossed her arms waiting.

– "Two" – He repeated morosely. An amused smile tugged her lips slightly upwards. It seemed everyone around her was sulking.

– "He's lying" – Intervened Quistis's voice. The blond girl had come closer while they had been distracted, her dark Seed uniform diverging deeply with her pale features, a small smile, if somewhat forced, on her face.

– "It took four and two pills" – She corrected – "The cooks are forbidden to give him more than two each day now." – Ariadne levelled him with an amused look, enjoying the pout he was sporting. Sometimes she wondered if people would trust Seed so much if they saw these displays. The way they acted among themselves…

– "You still wonder that?" – Mock-surprise filled Minotaur's tone.

– "We gave up on that long ago" – Finished Sacred wryly. Aria gave them no answer. Her thoughts were all on the sad blue eyes in front of her. Sad and concerned.

– "It's not like I'm going away for good sis" – Quistis's smile became even more painfully forced making Zell, even as oblivious as he normally was, realize that the moment was a good one to leave. With a subtle wink he walked towards the place where Selphie was still forcing Irvine to learn that pointing out anything wrong with the Garden Festival was a bad thing. For him.

– "I know enough to wish I could go with you" – Quistis stated quietly.

And Hyne knew, literally, that Ariadne also knew that. But it was something that she would do everything in her power to prevent. They had been through enough to battle in a fight that was not their own. They had their home to rebuild, their ties to renew, their life to go back to. She could not ask help to them…neither could she allow them to give it willingly.

– "This is not your battle Quis" – Aria said soothingly yet firmly – "It's ours. Besides we aren't going to all out civil war. The rumours are often exaggerated."

– "And you are lying through your teeth." – Interrupted Sacred – "Think she will believe it?" – The dry glance Quistis was giving the younger girl clearly said "no way in hell".

- "I will believe those words" – The blond Seed made a meaningful pause – "For now."

– "And guess what's behind door one? Yes, it is trouble" – Ariadne really needed to shield those TV shows from Taur.

– "Be careful alright?" – Requested Quistis gently. She would not say anything else about the matter. Aria knew that.

An argument breaking out behind her took her from her worry and she hugged Quistis paying no mind to Stef's pissed off voice barking at the two idiots. It seemed she would have to put a stop to it before everyone went nuts. At least that was what Stef had begged her to do when she had first witnessed one of the confrontations.

Begged wasn't an understatement.

– "Aria! We gotta go" – Someone whined.

– "'Liza!" – Lara chided – "Leave her alone."

– "But…"

- "No buts" – Continued the calm voice of her friend – "It's not like we're in a hurry."

– "But I'm hungry" – Someone snorted while another commented something like "female Zell". Said wrestler began demanding loudly the explanation to that statement.

– "Dear Hyne" – Muttered Ariadne releasing her sister – "How did they manage to begin a massive argument in less than thirty seconds?" – Both turned to the arguing group with similar dry expressions.

– "Too much tension?" – Asked Quistis.

– "Or they are all just plain idiots" – Opposed Aria – "HEY!" – Her shout broke through the loud voices that silenced immediately, turning all eyes to them.

– "Wasn't that smart?" – Minotaur's tone could have drowned her mind in sarcasm. Ariadne ignored him in favour of getting the confusion under some order

– "Stef, take those two inside before I go crazy." – She ordered in a don't-mess-with-me tone – "Josh, go with her because I have no patience for whining right now"

– "Love ya too Scylla"

– "I'm going to bloody kill you if you call me that again Gavrie" – She replied without even looking at him. If she had she would have seen his visible wince at the name his father had inflicted on him.

– "Alex, can you please go ahead and start preparing the Garden to leave?" – Aria requested in a calmer tone as the first group followed her command – "Eliza, go with him please. Lara…"

- "I'll wait with you" – The girl interrupted – "But we must hurry" – Ariadne nodded before turning to Quistis to hug her once more. Pale green had begun to show in her sea green eyes.

– "Be safe" – Was the only think her sister said as she let go once more.

Rinoa was the next one Aria turned to. Their goodbyes were shorter than any of the others. It seemed that anything above a small degree of friendship had been destroyed the day Ariadne had explained exactly what did being a Bearer meant.

And the fact that Rinoa had her sights clearly fixed and locked on Squall didn't exactly help the situation any. Nevertheless the smaller girl hugged her with a bright smile, too bright in Taur's opinion as he began muttering something about junkies and people-too-happy-for-their-own-good, and said her goodbyes.

Aria realized then how strained Rinoa's relation with her father was for her not to understand what the man was probably facing at the moment. But she didn't comment. It wasn't her place to do so. Just then dark eyes shone with a hint of vulnerability.

– "She knows" – Aria thought in a flash of insight.

– "And she's afraid" – Finished Sacred. Aria just returned her smile calmly.

– "He will be fine" – And that was the only thing she said. Seconds after she was being hugged by Irvine, with a strict glare from the several females in the vicinity for him not to dare to even think about he knew what. He didn't act upon it and only Hyne knew if he had thought anything in that particular line of thought. It wasn't like anyone would ask him.

– "You guys call if you need us alright?" – He half stated and asked.

– "And Selphie will call me if you…" - A small pause marked by a threatening glance – "Get out of line." – He winced as some snickers were heard. Then Aria turned to the last person of the group. Squall was in front of her, an unreadable look on his blue eyes.

– "Make it short Aria" – Counselled Sacred calmly.

– "Or else you are just going to screw up" – Ariadne just loved Minotaur's kind inputs. The Commander made the decision for her just like she had done for Zell, holding his hand for her to take. She could have kissed him right then.

– "Wait a sec…bad thoughts Aria" – She scolded herself mentally with a wince – "That's what's not supposed to happen. Hyne, I'm turning into a freaking love-sick idiot." – The Galbadian shook his hand formally choosing to ignore Quistis's exasperated expression. She seemed to be buying the act. Seemed being the key word.

– "Take care Squall" – Aria stated coolly with a stern nod.

– "Likewise." – Was the only thing he said.

– "Aria" – Interrupted Lara feeling that it would be a good idea to step in – "We really have to leave." – Ariadne nodded again, ready to leave, but the hand in hers hadn't let go.

– "Your promise" – Squall continued – "If you need help…"

- "You guys will be the first to know" – He let go and, with a last wave to all, Ariadne joined Lara. She didn't look back, eyes firmly glued to her path, before she found herself in the Entrance Hall of Galbadia Garden.

– "You alright Aria?" – Pale green warred with sea green for dominance as she turned to Josh.

– "I will be" – Emerald began appearing in the mist of colours before she punched his shoulder – "I said no interfering you idiot." – Josh winced but didn't appear to be worried. The sigh and the muttered "thank you" he heard as he hugged her told him it had been worth it.

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And it's done for this week. So as always I ask for comments, suggestions, randomness, something to read that's more interesting than my life, the rights for FF and a loaded bank account. If you can't give me the last then settle for the first three ok? (grins innocently). So REVIEW EVERYONE! I like these words.

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Next chapter: A search for approval from someone that we haven't met yet…

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See ya next week

Reyavie