Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction / Fan Fiction ❯ Akirame Norwen ❯ Balamb Garden ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimer: I own copies of the video games FF8 and FF7, but not the companies who made them. I don't own stock.

(A/N: To all of you who are immediately expecting a SquallXRinoa deal, sorry. Instead I have replaced Rinoa's name, not character or anything else. Except for maybe how she looks. Her name will now be Vanchessca Locke. It was a request made to me by one of the people who pre-read this story. No flames about that. Now read the darn story!)

CHAPTER 4

BALAMB GARDEN

When we had entered the campus, I looked all around. There were people of various ages in school uniforms all over the place, talking, heading to classes, having mock duels with each other, using all sorts of various weapons.

I craned my neck to observe a duel that a crowd had gathered to observe. The two duelists were guys about our age (all of the sudden has everyone in the world magically turned 16, 17 and 18?!) One was a blonde, his hair hacked short in an almost military style. The other was a brunette, his hair longish, swishing about his head as he swung what looked like a cross between a revolver and a sword to block his enemy's identical weapon.

"Oh no, they're at it again." Irvine said, walking over to join the crowd.

We followed him and tried to peek over the shoulders of the spectators, grateful when they moved around, allowing us to get in close enough to see.

Both men looked exhausted and soaked in sweat as they continued to swing and block each other's moves. Finally the brunette ducked down to avoid a blow to the head and swung his leg out, sweeping the blonde off his feet. The brunette leapt back up and held his sword, ready to strike a mock death blow. "Finish him Squall!" A female voice suddenly said, catching the warrior off his guard.

In the split second it took for the brunette to regain his concentration, the blonde speedily leapt up and brought his sword down, stopping just mere inches from his opponent's neck. The two men then shook hands and swapped compliments. A beautiful girl then stepped out of the crowd to swing her arms around the brunette's waist and gently kiss him on the cheek. "You did a great job Squall." She said.

Squall seemed to be somewhat cold and aloof, but hugged the girl back and gave a slight smile. "Thanks."

"Squall, you and Seifer are at it again, eh?" Irvine said in a joking voice, walking over to greet his friend.

"Irvine! You got back. So, how was your little `vacation' over in the Destiny Islands?" The girl cheerfully asked, still keeping one arm around Squall.

"It was pretty good. Lots of girls over there. In fact, I brought a little souvenir back!" Irvine said, pulling Jerdania over to meet them.

"Irvine, not again! Every time you meet a girl you just have to drag them all the way clear over here and then annoy us with your continual flirting, don't you?" The blonde fighter they called Seifer asked, approaching them, still mopping the sweat off of his forehead with a towel someone had given him.

"No, this one came on her own free will, didn't ya, Jer?" Irvine asked, looking down and smiling at her.

Everyone rolled their eyes as Jerdania smiled and flirted back. "So anyhow, let me introduce ya to the others that came with her."

We stepped forward to greet Irvine's friends. The girl wrapped in Squall's arms introduced herself as Vanchessca Locke. "But you can call me Vanna if you want." She sweetly told us. In fact, her entire personality seemed to be like honey. She had a heart-warming smile and deep blue eyes that glistened, off-setting her deep tan and dark hair, which she had pulled back into a ponytail that swished down to her waist.

"Be wary of her in battle," Irvine said, leaning close to us and whispering so she wouldn't hear us. "She may be a short 5'4" and be as sweet as a kitten, but when it comes to fighting, bang! She's a real tiger! That's why we sometimes call her Tora!"

"I heard that!" Vanna gently scolded him in a sing-song voice.

"Oops."

Squall rolled his eyes before turning to look at small original party of islanders. "So, where'd you all come from." He said in an almost cold and expressionless voice.

"Destiny Island." Riku answered, stepping behind me. I hate it when he does that! Has to be all protective of me…

"Hmm. I suppose that Irvine gave you a ride out here. So Irvine, what was in it for you. You've never been the charitable type."

"I uh… well…" Irvine looked awkwardly at Jerdania, hoping she would explain it.

"We left our island in hopes of discovering some freedom. Besides, we have our own personal missions that we need to finish. Irvine apparently wanted to come with us." Sora told them. Boy, now even Sora was really getting into this whole silly "Journey of Fate" junk.

"Oh. So in other words, Irvine is bored here at school and wants to sneak out and play hookey." Seifer summed up.

"Aw, come on ya'll. It's summer. We have all of summer off! It just so happens that we live here 24/7 and drown our boredom in summer classes!" Irvine told them.

"Well, at least he's right about that. Well, now that's he's already dragged you all the way here, there's no real reason to make you go back." Squall resigned.

"So, do you guys have a place to stay?" Vanna asked.

"Actually, no. We were planning mostly to rough it." Riku said.

I screamed mentally. Riku had to be nuts! I was not going to sleep in the dirt! "I bet ya'll can stay here! We've got a couple extra dorms and we can also bunk together. Jerdania can stay in my dorm!" Irvine immediately suggested.

"Well, we'll have to talk to Quistis first, and Irvine's not getting anyone." Squall said.

"No! Please!" Irvine knelt down in front of Jerdania, took her hand and looked up at her with big, sad-puppy eyes, sticking out his lower lip. He really did look like he was on the brink of tears.

Jerdania looked back at him with the same look and they both turned to look at us and Squall. I felt sick as I watched Irvine trying to pierce through Squall's steely eyes. A mental battle was starting to break Squall's will.

Squall made a noise that sounded like a cross between a groan and a growl. "Why me," he whispered under his breath before speaking up. "I'd really hate to do this to you guys but…Jerdania, you can board with Irvine, but only if its okay with the instructor. The last thing I need is Irvine following us around all day whimpering like a sick dog."

I could easily have sympathized with Squall. "Now that that most unfortunate decision has been made, let's take you guys to Quistis and see what she thinks." He said.

Squall turned away and we followed him into the school and down various halls and up different stairs. I had to admire the school, how the doors on the outer rim of the school building faced toward the walls that were made of curved glass, allowing tons of sunshine to come in and giving a great view of the beautiful campus. I couldn't help but notice how Riku kept walking as close to me as he could, or kept right up behind me, occasionally bumping into me and smirking.

We finally stopped in front of an office door. Squall signaled for us to stay as he knocked and entered. We could hear Squall briefly conversing with a female voice that had to be Quistis. Finally the door opened again and Squall invited us in. "Hello, I'm Quistis, Squall & Co.'s instructor." A young blonde said, absently pushing her thin, nearly invisible silver-rimmed glasses up her nose, her pale blue eyes scanning us.

"Miss Quistis, These people are from the Destiny Islands, apparently on some sort of business trip," Vanna began to explain.

Ha! A business trip? That was a great way to explain trying to escape from an island that was a personal prison, in search of…honor and glory, or some sort of junk like that. Actually, now that I thought of it, I wasn't entirely sure why we had left home in the first place.

"…so they need a place to stay, and we were thinking that it might be possible to board them here for a while, and possibly bunk with some of them." Vanna finished. I had missed most of her explanation while mentally mocking the situation.

Quistis looked at, making a mental judgment before speaking. "Well, it would be a 40-mile walk for them to get to Balamb city, and it's already in the middle of the afternoon. I don't see any harm in it, but they can't possibly stay for much more than a week. The only obligation you're going to have is making sure that they get some proper training, and that they don't wander off anywhere without a partner. It's easy for newcomers to get lost on this campus. You already know the off-limits areas."

I sighed. I already had a pretty good idea of who I would forever be stuck with. But, being strong-willed, I was not about to resign to being stuck with him without a fight. "I'm with Jerdania!" Irvine quickly rung out, grabbing her hand.

Quistis sighed. Apparently she felt the same way as Squall did. "Fine. But Irvine, just, please, try to control yourself! I swear, if I hear a single complaint about you in reference to the girl from anyone, I'll personally see to it that your summer here becomes a living nightmare." she bent over to whisper in Jerdania's ear, thinking we couldn't hear her. "Irvine has a problem with girls. You'll have to stay on your guard and make sure he doesn't take advantage of you. All you have to do is just push him away and say no. That usually works."

"I'm with Sor---"

"Me." I quickly said, cutting Kairi off.

Kairi looked at me with a strange look, then she looked at Riku, who was looking rather disappointed. For a moment she thought she understood, but the whole idea of Akirame and Riku…she dismissed the idea as quickly as it came to her. It couldn't be possible. She had to be going nuts to think Riku could ever have a thing for anyone, and especially Akirame. "I really wanted to go with Sora." She whispered to me.

"Please no. Besides, isn't kinda improper to go boy-girl anyway? It would be so…awkward." I whispered back to her.

Kairi thought it over. "You're right. I guess Sora will have to go with Riku."

"Okay then," Quistis said. "that means Riku and Sora can go with Red, Kairi and Akirame here can stay with Vanna." She told us.

Well, at least I wasn't going to be stuck with Riku. I couldn't help but sigh and relax my shoulders. "Come on, Akira, it'll be fun! I'll show you the whole place!" Vanna cheerfully said, taking my hand.

I had to admit, Vanna was definitely turning out to be a fun person to hang around. I guess that meant for the time being I'd have to loosen up and get back in contact with my girly side. Oh joy. But I'd try. "Now that that's settled, Red, show Riku and Sora to their room and make sure they get a map of the place. You SeeDs are to watch them. Now, get out of here and go somewhere else. By the way, you all are to report to the weapons room by 1500 hours. Now get out!" Quistis told us, pushing us out of the door.

We all stood in the hall for a minute, looking at each other and trying to decide what to do. Finally Squall spoke up. "All right guys, you heard her. Show them their rooms and make sure they get to the weapons room at 1500 hours. By the way Vanna, I'll need to talk to you after they're done training tonight." He said before leaving.

Riku suddenly stepped up to Vanna and whispered something in her ear. I strained to hear what he was saying, but all I could hear was "for me." Then again, I don't think I really wanted to know what he was saying. Vanna simply smiled reassuringly at him. You just had to adore the way the light splash of freckles across her nose made her look so cute and playful. Darn natural beauty! Darn it all!!

Vanna finally took my hand again and started to lead me away, just before Riku turned to tell me something. I quickly turned my head to look at him as I started to walk away. "Akira…I…uh….I'll see you later. To discuss. Things." He said, trying to keep his sensitive side from showing to the others.

I nodded and walked away with Kairi, Vanna in front of us leading the way. As we walked down hallways and ended up outside heading toward the dorm building, I tried to figure out in my mind just why Riku was always trying to hide his sensitive side from everyone else. Squall seemed to be the same, trying to hide something from the world that he could only reveal to Vanna. Hmm…

After walking what seemed to be a mile, we (FINALLY!!) stopped in front of a door and waited while Vanna fumbled with her keys and unlocked it. The dorm was simple, but quite adequate. It was about the size of a regular bedroom, with blue carpeting, a desk with a chair and lamp, simple white walls, a bathroom with a shower, a window overlooking the view of the sea that now looked not so far away, a regular bed and a bunk bed with a wooden frame. "I got bottom bunk!" I quickly shouted, hastily racing Kairi to it, barely beating her by tossing myself onto it and hitting my head on the wall it was flanking.

We quickly unpacked our things into drawers built into the bunk. When we were done I looked at my watch. "Hmm… it's only 2:15. We still got 45 minutes. Now what?" I asked.

"Well, I can take you on a quick tour on our way to the cafeteria! The others are probably there too. There's fortunately not a whole lot to see, besides the training facility and the gardens." Vanna brightly told us. "But first, I think you we all should probably change our clothes into something we can fight in later."

We quickly took turns using the bathroom to get cleaned up. After waiting what seemed to be an eternity (6 whole minutes!) Kairi stepped out and finally let me in. As I changed into tough blue jeans and a blue violet T shirt I suddenly looked at myself in the mirror. My straight blue hair was beginning to turn red at the tips, especially my bangs, which now hung down in strands around my face. I had never noticed that before. The way that the red and blue began to bring out the color of my eyes, making them look like…blue diamonds. An evil grin quickly crossed my face. Poor Riku. No wonder.

I straightened my self up and quickly rejoined the others, putting on the cool new brown leather hiking boots she had given me. They felt sort of weird, the way they came up to my shin as I laced them and tightened them. I hoped they wouldn't affect my movement. We then all followed Vanna towards the cafeteria, as she brightly pointed out and named people, buildings, flowers and other things. The cafeteria itself was heaven. I couldn't believe that I could actually cross a room, grab food and join my friends at a table in 0.00006 seconds. "Aw man, I haven't eaten all day!" I said, quickly picking up my sandwich and tearing into it like a predator devouring its prey.

The others were eating just as rabidly, completely oblivious to the amazed stares of the SeeDs. After a while we finally slowed down and began to eat at what one would call a "normal pace" taking time to talk and discuss everything. "So, what was that thing that attacked us in the grass field?" Sora suddenly asked, changing the subject of our easy-going chat.

The SeeDs suddenly lowered their heads. "We don't know." Vanna said, her voice changing to dark and serious.

"I've been all over the world practically, but I have never seen anything like that before." Squall added.

"Don't you think we should be worried about it? It could hurt other people." Kairi said, looking to them.

"I've already told Quisits. She's going to handle it. We shouldn't worry about it." Squall told us.

"We need to lighten up a little, I mean, whatever that thing was doesn't concern us now. Besides, It's already 2:45. We gotta head over to the weapons room!" Irvine said, his voice lightening up a little.

We quickly finished up and followed the SeeDs to the weapons room, which was, ultimately, a room full of weapons. Squall led us over to a table covered with everything from crossbows to rifles. Riku eagerly began to sift through swords, while I took a sudden liking to the various bows.

Jerdania quickly picked out a pair of long knives and a wicked looking boomerang. Kairi found a pair of fighting gloves rather to her liking and took a couple practice punches while Sora pulled out a rather interesting shield that had a razor-sharp edge.

I finally had to admit I had fallen in love with a totally awesome crossbow I had found, and Riku finally pulled out a long, shapely two-edged sword that gave a strange singing sound as it sliced through the air.

"So, have ya'll found your weapons yet?" Irvine asked, holding a long shotgun and aiming it at some invisible target.

"Sure have." Sora said.

"All right then, I guess we'll take you to the training center now to see if you can handle yourselves." Vanna said, who now looked almost exactly like Lara Croft, complete with the guns in holsters strapped to her legs, and an ammo belt around her waist.

Jerdania had strapped the sheaths for her knifes likewise around her sporty black pants, and the boomerang was in its own sheath on a belt around her waist. Looked to me like Lara Croft was only one out of a set of triplets.

We followed our guides out of the room and over to a different building. We walked through the entrance into what looked like a lobby, with a desk to sign in, and a single door that had a glass window beside it, allowing us to view the two Seeds that were already in there, battling against a strange tiger-like monster that had a pair of huge teeth and wings.

Riku and I watched in awe as the skilled fighters began to give the monster mighty blows, and was confused when I saw a the number 120/360 appear above the monster's head, and then drop to 60/360 after it took another blow. Two more hits and instead of the animal dropping dead to the floor like I would have expected, it merely disappeared. "What was that?" I asked, turning to look at Riku who looked like he had already figured it out.

"It looks like its some sort of holographic training program." He tried to explain to me.

"Holograms, huh? Well, whatever it is, I don't care as long as I can't get killed."

The two SeeDs inside the room exchanged complements, putting away their weapons as they walked out the door. Squall walked over to us from the table where he had finished signing us in. "All right now, I'm going to start you off with a fairly easy monster, just to see if you know what to do with the weapons you picked out. Just so that it's fair, I'll send you in pairs, just so I can check out your teamwork skills."

Irvine suddenly gave a short laugh. "Ha, you're the one to talk about teamwork."

Riku and I looked at each other and shrugged. Apparently an inside joke of sorts. "Okay, Riku, I want you to go in with Akirame." Squall said, walking over to a computer in the wall and typing in something.

"Why me and Riku?" I asked, turning to look at him.

"Because you're closest to the door. Now go."

I sighed and walked into the large, white empty room. We waited a moment and then watched as a door opened in the wall and a creature that was half lion, half wolf walked out and growled at us. The number 500/500 appeared above its head, and above our head were the numbers 300/300. "Darn, that thing's stronger than we are." I said, pulling out the crossbow and stepping back several steps. "This thing's meant for long-distance battle. You stay in close and I'll cover you from back here." I said, taking a few more steps towards the back wall and pulling an arrow out of the quiver I had conveniently strapped to my waist, following the waist-strap fashion fad.

*********WARNING********

(A/N: The following scene has been rated R for intense violence and may contain material not suitable for children. The end of this scene will be marked off with asterisks.)

A loud buzzing sound marked the beginning of the battle. The creature roared and quickly leapt across the room and landed on Riku, pinning him on his back. I quickly loaded my crossbow and pulled the trigger, sending an arrow directly into the monster's shoulder. I couldn't help but feel a little woozy as blood began to trickle from the wound. This was far too realistic. The monster turned to look at me and gave a roar that sounded like a tea kettle releasing steam. I hurriedly loaded another arrow and shot it into the monster's side. The animal finally stood up to oppose me, releasing Riku, who took the sword he held in his hand and plunged it upward into the horrible animal's stomach. A tiny stream of blood trickled down the sides of the sword, and splattered onto Riku's face and clothes as he quickly withdrew his sword. The animal gave another ear-splitting roar. I quickly looked up at the animal's number. 200/500. "It's getting weak! Don't give up!" I shouted to Riku, loading another arrow.

The animal angrily growled and leapt over Riku's head and began to charge towards me. I panicked as I shot off an arrow and narrowly missed the animal's head. I backed up and hit the wall. I closed my eyes and screamed as I felt the animal's claws plunge into my shoulder as it knocked me over. Suddenly I heard a loud cry come from seemingly out of nowhere. Was it me? I opened my eyes that were flooded with tears and saw Riku flying through the air, his sword held downward in his hands. He yelled in anger as he violently plunged the sword down into the monster's back. "GET OFF OF HER!" He screamed as he jerked his blood-streaked sword back and prepared to strike again. The animal shrieked and leapt off of me, giving me the perfect shot of its belly. Unable to load my crossbow in time I took a arrow out of my quiver and in what seemed to be slow-motion I took it arrow in my hand and leapt upward, ramming it as far into the animal's stomach as I could, blood rushing pouring down my hands and arms, making me feel sick, but somehow avenged.

The animal stopped just short of Riku and turned to look at me, obviously weak, but looking for revenge. It looked quickly at both of us and for a moment I could have sworn I saw a wicked grin cross its face. It began to rush me, and I prepared my crossbow for a death strike. The animal suddenly stopped and made an impossible leap backwards and buried it's claws in Riku's back. I never heard myself scream. It was obscured in Riku's own scream of pain as the animal drew its arms back, ripping through my friend's shirt, skin and flesh. I angrily aimed the crossbow and pulled the trigger, sending my fury directly into the animal's neck. The creature gave a loud moan and swaggered off of Riku. I watched as the animal's eyes rolled into the back of its head and fell over. Why didn't it disappear? The carcass still lay there.

A million questions crossed my mind as I rushed over to Riku, who still lay face-down on the floor, blood turning his torn white muscle shirt a dark crimson. "Riku, Riku!"

I began to cry as I gently lifted him up by his waist and tried to get him to sit up, gritting my teeth as the pierced muscle in my shoulder seemed to tear. I held him upright in my lap, supporting his head with my arm. His eyes were still closed. "Riku!" I screamed, gently shaking him.

To my relief his eyes opened half way, searching my face. "Come on, your injuries aren't fatal." I said, hoping he would try to stand.

"You're hurt." He distantly said, seeing the blood that was all over me.

"Most of it's the monster's." I gently told him. "You need to try and stand, I don't think you have any broken bones."

Riku nodded. I stood up and gently helped him up, anger towards the disgusting beast I had slain burning in me as he winced, a hissing noise escaping his clenched teeth as he tried to stand. I let him put his arm over my good shoulder and lean against me for support as we walked toward the door.

*****************************

When I opened the exit door, I saw our friends were sitting in the lobby, busy practicing and preparing themselves, looking up and gasping when they saw us, both blood soaked and Riku trying to not cry out in pain. "Squall! I though this was a hologram!!" I yelled as they rushed towards us to help.

"Squall, you blockhead, you released a real monster instead of a hologram! They could have been killed, and Vanna, you were supposed to be watching them!!" Irvine shouted, taking Riku.

"First of all, you yell at Vanna again and you die! Secondly, I made sure that it was a hologram, I double-checked it! There's no way this could have happened! It's impossible for this machine to get a glitch! Let's hurry already and get them to the infirmary!" Squall angrily shouted back.

There was much more shouting and yelling as Irvine scooped up Riku and looked at me. "You able to walk?" he asked me as he got ready to head out the door.

The pain in my shoulder had increased tremendously, as well as the bleeding. I quickly placed my hand over the wound, trying to make the bleeding stop. "Yeah, I think I can make it." I told him, my voice hoarse.

"The rest of you, see to it that the battle room's cleaned up and get the rest of them training!" Squall shouted at them as he ran to alert the medics at the infirmary.