. . . . . . . .

Fujin and Raijin stood at attention in front of Headmaster Cid Kramer. The older man circled the two, studying them, like a hawk watching its prey. The two dropouts had come flanked by four of the six heroes of time compression, who had spoken calmly and confidently that the two should be allowed to re-enroll, their actions during the recent debacle forgiven, and a new chance at a bright future granted.

Cid had been shocked to say the least. Shocked that the two were even on board, and shocked that four of the people who had battled against them time and time again would stand in their defense. Cid studied the two intently, contemplating what to do with them.

"So," he finally spoke, coming to a stop in front of them. "You two have stolen aboard Garden." He paused as he waited for a response. The two former cadets nodded silently. "You've come alone, and you wish to re-enroll at Garden as cadets." He paused again and they nodded again. "You two, who have abandoned Garden once before, following a tyrannical ex-student, and doing his bidding fighting my SeeDs." He peered at them over his spectacles. Fujin's lips tensed into a thin straight line as she looked straight ahead and nodded. Raijin did his best to appear strong, shoulders drawn back, and head up as he, too, nodded. Tiny beads of perspiration had appeared and begun trickling down the side of his shaved head. "And now you want to come back, alongside those very same SeeDs you fought, and stand with them as comrades?"

"Yes, sir," Fujin spoke.

"Yes, sir," Raijin said in kind.

"And just how can I be sure that the same won't happen again? Hm? How can I know that betrayal doesn't run as thick in your blood as it runs red?" He paused, waiting for a response. Accepting these students back would not be a frivolous allowance. If he couldn't trust his SeeDs, he might as well close the doors of the academy now and whisk himself and his wife away to live a quiet life back on Centra.

"Sir," Fujin began, "We were wrong, and we know that now. There's no excuse for what we did. We can only hope that we can show our loyalty to Garden by starting again and becoming SeeDs." Raijin nodded his head in agreement, his shoulders broadening again in determination.

"I see. So I am to let this kind of behavior go without punishment?" He watched the two teenagers squirm as they realized forgiveness wasn't that simple.

"We'll take our punishment, ya know," Raijin said, body seizing up at the slip of his trademark casual phrase. "I mean… we'll accept our punishment..." He bit his lip as he struggled to keep in those last two syllables.

Cid couldn't hide a tiny smirk. He felt the genuine regret in the two former students, and he did like to think of himself as a kind and compassionate man.

"Well," Cid began as he turned to stand squarely in front of them once again. "I'd like to think of Balamb Garden as a place where second chances are granted. To those who are worthy," he continued, emphasizing the last point. "Don't think for a second that I'll ever forget your actions during the Second Sorceress War," he said sharply like a father scolding his children. Fujin and Raijin felt the full effects of his words as they looked to the ground in mutual shame. They regretted their actions, of course, but at the same time, they were proud to have stood by their friend. Loyalty was hard to come by in this world, and for a time, they seemed to have that in spades. But after a while, they came to realize that though they had been loyal to Seifer, his loyalties to them were fading. His goals had changed. His dreams had morphed into something dark. And though they tried, they just weren't able to bring him back.

"Alright then," Cid clasped his hands behind his back as he looked at the two teenagers in front of him. He had a feeling that this time, they wouldn't make any mistakes. "Welcome back."

Fujin and Raijin let out light sighs and shared a relieved grin.

"Just one question," Cid began, as the two cadets stood at attention. He crossed his arms as he formulated his thoughts. "Do either of you… have any idea where Seifer is?"

Fujin was honestly surprised that hadn't been the headmaster's first question. "No, sir," she replied honestly.

"Yeah, no, sir, ya know," Raijin repeated her sentiment.

Cid nodded as he turned to his desk, reaching for a bauble and shifting it a few degrees. "When did you last see him?" Cid inquired further.

The duo shared a look, before Fujin spoke, "Balamb Harbor, sir. He disappeared unexpectedly." She'd never forget the feeling of loss when they woke up in their Balamb hotel room and Seifer was gone. After all their years together, and how Fujin and Raijin had stuck with him and had his back and returned to him after everything, he still abandoned them. He didn't even say goodbye.

Cid nodded as he contemplated her response. "And do you have any idea where he might have gone?"

The two friends looked at each other before responding. "We can't be sure, ya know, but we think he mighta gone to FH," Raijin said.

Cid nodded slowly, grateful for one small clue to finding Seifer. "Alright. Thank you. You are dismissed. Talk to Instructor Durrow about your new dorm rooms," he instructed as he walked behind his desk.

"Oh, and one more thing..." he stopped, raising a finger. The two waited, afraid that their door of opportunity would come slamming shut. "I may require special help from you sometime in the upcoming weeks. Be prepared for my orders. That is all."

. . . . . . . .

Squall waited patiently as Cid's secretary alerted him of the commander's arrival. Squall had barely finished his lunch when he was requested to the headmaster's office. He wasn't quite sure what it could be about. He'd already given the necessary reports and was nearly done with the paperwork. It couldn't be a new mission already. As per protocol, a SeeD is required to take a week's absence from missions after completing one. During that time, the SeeD must have mandatory meetings with the Garden psychiatrist, as well as get a check-up with Dr. Kadowaki or another available doctor to ensure no contamination or sickness was acquired during their mission. The SeeD should continue to train as usual, but not push themselves in case of post-traumatic stress. Perhaps it had something to do with the re-stationing of Garden in Trabia or the World Conference.

"Squall, thank you for coming. Please, have a seat," Cid greeted Squall as he gestured to the seat in front of his desk. Cid's new office was a bit smaller than the last one. After the bridge popped through the middle of the headmaster's old office, he'd had a new one scrounged up. It looked like it might have been an old storage room. Squall tried to keep his eyes from wandering toward the metal walls and dark gray ceiling. He saluted Cid formally and took the seat he'd offered. Cid smiled and sat down opposite him at his own desk. He placed his hands one on top of the other and looked at Squall.

"So. How are you, Squall?" He began casually. Squall held in his annoyance at the pleasantries.

"I'm fine, sir, thank you… And you?"

"Oh, fine, fine, of course. But I mean more than just 'how are you'. I mean… How are you? Emotionally? With time compression, Rinoa, and your knighthood and all that. Well, I guess it's all still new so maybe it hasn't quite sunk in yet," Cid jabbered. Squall did his best to listen attentively and politely. The truth was it hadn't sunk in yet. They'd only just gotten back. It'd been a little over a week since he offered his services as a knight to Rinoa. Although it wasn't official or anything, but how does one make such a thing official? Was he supposed to get down on one knee and bow his head while Rinoa tapped his shoulders with his gunblade? He decided to take a stab at honesty and spoke.

"Honestly sir, I'm not sure. It is still a little new. We're still settling back in at Garden and recuperating. Mostly, I'm just glad it's all over." Squall surprised himself. He didn't know it could be so easy to lay his feelings bare, especially to a man he'd simply considered a figure of authority for so long.

Cid nodded, brows furrowed in contemplation. "I see, I see. Well, in regards to it all feeling too new to be sure, that's understandable. The two of you haven't really gotten much time to spend together. And that is what a sorceress-knight relationship is about, really. You must spend some time together and learn to understand each other's thoughts without even speaking. It's in the eyes," Cid said as he tilted his head down and stared at Squall for emphasis. "I think you should try to find some time for just the two of you to get to know each other better. Nothing too serious," he added quickly as he shook both of his hands in a defensive motion. "Just… take her to dinner or out dancing."

"You mean like a date, sir?" Squall's eyebrow lifted involuntarily. He never expected to be getting dating advice from his headmaster.

"Well, yes, I suppose. You could call it that." Cid stopped a moment and removed his glasses. His demeanor changed from one of paternal adviser to wise authority figure. "As for the second part... I'm afraid you're a little off the mark. It's not over yet…" he trailed off as he stared at one of the knick-knacks on his desk. Squall waited patiently for a moment… then looked intently at Cid's face. Something wasn't right. Cid's eyes held something foreboding in them.

"Sir?" Squall said sharply, snapping Cid from his reverie. Cid's frosty blue eyes flicked up at Squall, unabashed. He went on carefully.

"The world council meeting is pivotal in Rinoa's future. I just received an email from President Loire regarding the topics to be discussed. The new sorceress, of course, is of special significance. I'm not sure if you've been watching any broadcasts these past couple of days," Cid paused for Squall's answer. Squall shook his head. He'd been pretty beat and devoted his time to resting, eating, and… resting. "A lot of talk has gone around. It's common knowledge that Edea is now without Hyne's powers. But it's also common knowledge that a sorceress' powers do not simply evaporate into thin air, but they pass on. The world knows that there is a new sorceress out there. And due to the circumstances of Edea's loss of powers, they know that it can only be someone from either Balamb or Galbadia Garden." Squall listened attentively. After all the time that had passed since the Battle of the Gardens, he never stopped to think about what a civilian's reaction might be. And given the circumstances of the very recent war, a new sorceress would only inspire fear in the hearts of the populace.

"Sir, who all is aware of Rinoa's powers?" Squall asked, careful to keep the fear and anger from rising into his speech.

Cid spoke calmly, understanding the turmoil the young man must be going through. "Well, in Balamb Garden there are the six of you, Rinoa included, Edea, myself, and Dr. Kadowaki. As far as the student body goes, they know only that Rinoa was injured and held in the infirmary for a few days. In Esthar… Laguna had a list made and promised that they were all sworn to secrecy."

"How many?"

"Around 30." Squall took an involuntary breath. "Some are from the palace, and the majority are from the Sorceress Memorial and the space station."

"Sir," Squall started, afraid of the answer. "What's going to happen to Rinoa?"

"If all goes as planned, nothing. Laguna feels certain, as do Edea and I, that we can persuade every nation that Rinoa is not a threat."

"Her identity is to be revealed," Squall stated, realization dawning.

"We don't have a choice. The other nation's leaders are aware that we know who she is. If we refused to divulge the information it would seem like we were covering it up. She'd become a target simply for the fact that we refuse to reveal her. It's the safest choice."

"… What's the best case scenario?" Squall asked.

"Best case scenario… she'd live a normal life. Her identity kept secret by those who attend the meeting. We at Garden would likely be expected to keep some kind of tabs on her-"

"So she'd still be a prisoner. Followed around, always being watched." Cid sighed at Squall's response. He knew it'd be hard to hear, but it was better that he hear it now from him, than later when he might not be able to control himself. "What's the worst case scenario?" Squall asked, ready to accept reality no matter how ugly it might be.

Cid swallowed, unwilling but obligated to tell the truth to the young knight. He suddenly feared for his burgeoning snow globe collection on his desk. "She'd be taken back to the Sorceress Memorial."

Squall stood suddenly and quickly, his chair pushed back a few inches from the force. Cid stood in kind, ready to do his best to restrain the boy if need be.

"Squall, I understand it's-"

"I understand, sir," Squall said simply, his voice low and tense at his attempt at control. Cid was concerned, but walked around the desk to face the boy. Squall stared straight ahead, his jaw clenched.

"Squall, I want you to come to the conference." Squall turned to look at the headmaster. Cid looked straight back at him, conveying as best he could that he was serious. "There's not a doubt in my mind that Rinoa will be free." Squall held in his comment. She wouldn't be free. Even if they let her be, she'd never be free. Not now. "Laguna, Edea, and I will not let anything happen to Rinoa. You have my word." He paused and waited for a reaction. None came. "If you come, Squall, you may be able to help Rinoa's case. You're only teenagers for Hyne's sake. If they can see that, maybe it'll appeal to their merciful side."

"Understood, sir," Squall saluted the headmaster as he readied himself to walk out of the room while he was still able to control himself. He began to turn as the headmaster called to him.

"Squall. Don't tell Rinoa. She doesn't need to worry herself about such a thing, not in her condition. Tell her that she's free to stay at Garden for as long as she wishes… It's going to be fine, Squall." Squall nodded and walked out of the room.

Cid sighed and rubbed his head. Their talk had gone a little bumpier than the headmaster had wished, but still. It was over. Cid never considered himself a cowardly man, but when it comes to a knight and his sorceress, it's hard to tell how they'll react. But he knew. Squall would tell Rinoa. He'd have done the same.

. . . . . . . .