Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction ❯ SeeDs, Ronins, and Scouts ❯ The Evening Arrangements ( Chapter 14 )

Ronin Warriors, Sailor Moon, and Final Fantasy VIII do not belong to me. They belong to Sunrise Inc., Toei Animation, and Squaresoft respectively. PLEASE DON'T SUE ME!!!!!!!! Only the plot of the story and any new characters, such as Blaze Fields and Axel Jones belongs to me.

"The Evening Arrangements"

Chapter Fourteen

Saturday morning, February 12, 2006:

The Scouts woke up around 7:00 a.m. to clear and sunny skies. They decided to workout that morning before grabbing a bite to eat from the Cafeteria. After the girls finished their seventh lap around the inside track of the Garden, they spotted Ryo and Rowen exiting the Dormitory.

"Hey! I haven't seen you guys in a few days," Rowen greeted as he approached the group of five.

"I know and we apologize for that," Serena declared as she draped a small towel around her neck.

"We needed some time to think about some things," Lita stated as she wiped her wet bangs off her forehead. She slowly made her way through the Dormitory entrance. "I don't want to be rude or anything, but I have to go and freshen up before I eat breakfast. I'll see you guys later," she responded over her shoulder to the guys.

Mina followed her best friend. "I'll meet you guys in the Cafeteria in about twenty minutes," she replied over her shoulder to the girls.

"I better go also," Serena commented. She placed her hands on Amy and Raye's shoulder. "I'll leave you guys to talk things over." She quickly made her way to her room before either female could protest.

Amy adjusted the royal blue sweatband on her forehead and sighed quietly. "So…" she began meekly, "how have you guys been?"

"We've been doing okay," Ryo answered before glancing at Raye.

"We've been trying to live a normal `teenage' life," Rowen added as he spotted Cai coming from the Parking Lot exit. "Hey Cai!"

Cai looked in the direction where he heard his name and smiled slightly. "Hey guys! What's going on?" the native Estharian greeted as he approached the individuals with three grocery bags in his hand.

"Nothing really Cai, but you just missed Serena," Raye informed as she jerked her thumb over her shoulder. "She's supposed to have breakfast with the rest of the girls in twenty minutes."

"Why don't you guys join us?" Amy asked the three males softly. "If you see Sage and Kento, please extend the invitation."

"I'll tell Kento and I'll see you guys there," Cai commented as he adjusted the bags in his arms. "I better drop off these bags. I just hope that Kento doesn't eat all the food this time." The small group of individuals laughed softly.

"Well, I'll tell Sage as soon as he comes back from his morning runs and meditation," Rowen stated before glancing at his blue-haired counterpart. "Can I speak to you in private?"

Amy braved a glance at his face before looking away shyly. "Okay." He gently tugged her by the hand and walked back towards the Dormitory.

"Well, that was interesting," Raye said quietly as she raked her fingers through her wet ponytail.

"So are you sure that you're doing okay?" Ryo asked as he stood mere inches from her. He slowly and softly glided his knuckles across her cheek.

"I'm okay," she murmured quietly as she held his hand to her cheek. She looked up into his face and gave a small smile. "Thanks for asking."

"No problem sweetheart." He returned a small smile. "So what are your plans for this evening? Are you gonna be busy doing something?"

Her eyes twinkled mischievously as her smile widened. She tilted her head to the side. "And what if I do have something planned?" she asked smugly, humor lacing her tone.

Ryo saw her intention in her eyes and played along with her game. "Well," he began as he wrapped his other arm around her waist, "I think that you should cancel them."

Raye arched an eyebrow and let out a soft, feminine laugh. "Well luckily, I don't have any this evening," she answered truthfully. "So why'd you ask?"

"I was just curious," Ryo admitted as his thumb stroked her chin. "Besides, I wanted to spend some time with you. So…wear something nice and I'll be by your room later." He kissed her softly on the lips before heading in the direction of the Parking Lot.

Raye looked at the retreating figure and sighed. She then turned to look at Amy and found her friend involved with a chaste lip lock with Rowen. `Interesting,' she thought quietly to herself. She slowly walked closer to the kissing couple and cleared her throat. She watched and stifled a giggled as the two individuals jumped back, each sporting a rosy hue across their cheeks.

"Um…Rowen, I'll see you at the Cafeteria. Don't forget to tell Sage and Kento also," Amy blurted out nervously. She quickly grabbed Raye's wrist and both sprinted to their respective rooms.

Rowen looked at the two figures and chuckled softly. "Well, I just hope that everythin' will go right this evening," he prayed as he headed towards the Quad.

Cafeteria:

The girls stood patiently in line, waiting to be served. The dining area had only a small crowd of junior cadets. They hoped that there were still waffles, French toast, and pancakes available once they reached the front of the line.

"Do you think that the guys remembered the invitation?" Raye questioned her friends as she grabbed a plate.

"Of course they remembered the invitation," a male voice teased from behind the group.

The girls looked over their shoulders and spotted Kento and his friends.

"So what happened to you two earlier this morning?" Mina interrogated, poking her counterpart in the chest while eyeing her `brother' Sage. "We ran into Ryo and Rowen earlier and Raye spotted Cai a few moments after that."

"I was still asleep," Kento said sheepishly as he picked some fruits. He then handed an orange to her.

"And I was out on my morning run outside the Garden gates, then I stopped to reflect upon some matters in the nearby forest," Sage admitted as he placed his hand on the small of Lita's back and reached for a plate of waffles.

The group of teens took fifteen minutes to allow the Cafeteria lady to serve them breakfast. They walked over to another section to fix their desired drinks. Lastly, they selected a table that was near the windows and sat down.

"So what are you guys gonna do on tomorrow?" Lita inquired before she sipped her water.

"Nothing really, but I heard there's a Spring Festival being held in Balamb City," Rowen informed the group as he placed butter on his pancakes. "There's gonna be some games, rides, and live entertainment."

"It will be a good outing since we don't have side missions to embark on during the weekends," Raye stated casually before enjoying the sweet taste of a red grape.

"We can easily go to the festival if you guys aren't too busy tomorrow," Ryo suggested before stealing a grape from Raye and popping the fruit in his mouth. He smiled smugly at her startled protest.

"So it's settled then!" Serena confirmed happily before she sipped her apple juice.

After talking amongst each other for twenty minutes, the group of ten left the dining area. During the conversation, Amy informed the group about the communicating devices she's worked on since her return to the Garden. She stated that she finished one of the gadgets and was nearly done with the other. Rowen offered his assistance in the project. They decided to meet each other in the Quad and finish the mechanical work.

Kento decided to visit his relatives in Balamb City. Mina wanted to accompany him on the small trip. He welcomed the company and decided to leave the Garden around noon.

Ryo told Raye that he was studying to take an exam to increase his SeeD rank. Raye wanted to help him ace the exam before she left on Monday. She insisted that they should study quietly in the Library. She also suggested that he should study the guides about GFs, junctioning magic spells to a SeeD's defenses, and the function of the powerful items and tonics in a SeeD's utility belt.

As for the remaining Scouts, their counterparts wanted to talk to them briefly.

Lita and Mina's Room:

Lita sat on her bed, towel-drying her wet locks. She sighed quietly and glanced at her alarm clock. "It's just 11:28. I thought it would have been much later," she muttered darkly before walking to the small kitchen. She wrapped her damp tresses in the dark green towel, deciding to unload the groceries she bought earlier.

She spotted the note that was placed on the refrigerator. The yellow paper contained Mina's scribbled handwriting. Lita continued to decipher the short message. "She just left three minutes ago," she pondered out loud. She smiled softly. "I have to thank her for putting up the groceries."

Suddenly, the emerald-eyed female heard a knock on her door. She assumed that it was Mina coming back to retrieve something. Lita continued looking at the note as she opened the door. "I declare that you're always forgetting something," she chided jokingly.

"Oh really and what would that be this time?" a male voice responded mischievously.

"Sage!" she gasped at her discovery. The blond male grinned at her. "I am so sorry! I didn't know it was you! I thought you were Mina coming back for something." She stepped to the side and he entered her room.

"Were you busy?" he asked as he surveyed the room and her appearance. "If so, I could come back later."

"No, of course not," she remarked softly as she closed her door and tossed the paper in the trash. "Is there something wrong?" she asked as she reached up to unwrap the towel from her head.

"Nothing really. I just wanted to ask you something."

She walked past his figure and sat cross-legged on the bed. He walked over and sat on the bed with his arms crossed over his navy Polo shirt. "So…what is it you wanted to ask me?" she asked while draping the towel on a nearby chair.

"What are you doing this evening?"

She stood up and walked over to the dresser and picked up a bottle. "Nothing really. Why'd you ask?" she queried as she squeezed some of the contents in her palm. She then rubbed her palms together and ran her hands over her tresses. She wiped her hands on the nearby towel.

He walked over to the dresser and stood mere inches from her. "There's this restaurant that I heard has pretty tasty food. I was wondering if you wanted to go."

Lita looked up from her task and stared at the male before her. She smiled genuinely as she tilted her head to the side. "Sage Date, are you asking me out on a date?"

He tucked a few of her wavy tresses behind her ear and lightly stroked her jaw. He chuckled softly and returned a handsome smile. "Why yes I am, Lita Kino," he murmured quietly.

"Is the attire casual or semi-formal?" she questioned as she held her right hand over his left. She stroked her thumb over the back of his hand, which was still stroking her right cheek.

"Casual," he replied simply, "even though I wouldn't mind seeing you in that black dress you wore earlier this week." He embraced her in a hug before she could utter a retort.

She retaliated by biting him lightly on the neck. He groaned lightly in her ear. "I think that one time was enough," she murmured softly.

He nipped her ear lightly and heard her soft gasp. "Careful there," he warned huskily as he placed his hands on her hips. "You're really testing my self-control." She looked up at him with an expression of innocence, but emerald eyes full of mischief. He closed his eyes and sighed dejectedly. "As much as I want to go `that' level with you, I have to leave."

She slid her arms around his neck. "Well since you have to leave now," she pouted adorably, "what time are you gonna pick me up?"

"Probably around seven," he affirmed before his lips brushed across hers. He kissed her thoroughly before reluctantly backing away towards the door. "Like I said earlier, I would definitely accept your `invitation' but the time and place isn't right. I'll be back here around seven, so be ready."

"Okay." She giggled softly and watched as he closed the door behind him. She smiled giddily as she raked her fingers through her hair. "I know Sage. I feel the tension between us," she sighed yearningly, before she resumed the lengthy task of fixing her hair.

Near Balamb Garden's Front Gate:

Serena sighed quietly as she perched cross-legged on the edge of the water fountain. A few minutes ago, she just spotted Mina and Kento leaving the Garden. The brunette wished the couple safety while they traveled to Balamb City.

She smiled slightly as she resumed watching the small school of goldfish that swam languorously in the tepid water. Her mind still replayed the images of Pluto stopping by to inform the group of heroes and heroines some bad news. She felt the tears threatening to spill from her eyes and down her cheeks. `I just hope that we won't be gone for a long time,' she thought miserably, closing her eyes.

The brunette heard footsteps approaching her direction. She blinked back the sting of tears and tried to mask her dismal emotions. She secretly sensed the person's aura, then smiled heartily once she recognized whom it belonged to. "Hello again Cai," the brunette greeted the individual, warmly.

"Hey." He looked at the small smile on Serena's face and returned one of his own. `Hyne, don't let me be nervous. This is my chance…' "Um…Do you mind some company?" he asked hesitantly.

The brunette shook her head slightly and patted the spot next to her. She watched as the native Estarian carefully sat on the fountain, two feet away from her. "Silly, I'm not gonna bite you," Serena laughed softly. "You can move closer." He carefully scooted over until his right shoulder touched her left shoulder. "So what brings you out here?"

Cai leaned forward and braced his elbows on his knees. He clasped his hands together and stared at the scenery. "I just wanted to take in the view."

"It's beautiful isn't it?" she returned softly as a warm, spring breeze blew some of the dandelion seeds across the Garden. She closed her eyes and smiled brightly.

Cai reached over and grasped her left hand in his right and intertwined his fingers with hers. He heard her soft gasp. "Yes it is," he whispered distantly as he gazed into her startled azure eyes. He held her gaze as he held up their entwined fingers and placed a kiss on the back of her hand.

Serena stayed in shock as her mouth parted slightly. "Huh? W-What?" she squeaked nervously. `Was he talking about the scene or…? Nah, it couldn't be…'

The auburn-haired male chuckled lightly as he faced her. The brunette before him blushed slightly as she turned her gaze to the small fish in the fountain. `It seems like we've switched characteristics for this moment,' he pondered in his mind. He reached up with his free hand and turned her gaze towards him.

Serena couldn't look into his calm sea-green eyes, but found their clasped hands interesting to stare at. "Cai, I'm so confused," she replied, vulnerably. She closed her eyes, fighting back the tears.

"Don't be, love," he murmured tenderly as he caressed her cheek. "Serena, look at me." The female tilted her head to the side and her vulnerable blue eyes gazed at him. "I wasn't talking about the scene earlier."

"Then what were you talking about?" the brunette asked, quietly.

"You," was the simple response as he continued caressing her cheek. Her eyes widened as she gasped softly at the admission. "You are a beautiful person, not only on the outside, but on the inside."

She closed her eyes and felt a tear cascade down her cheek. "Cai, I don't know what to say," was the honest reply.

He wiped away the teardrop with his thumb. "Well," he chuckled softly, "you may find it more difficult to say something once I tell you more later on this evening." He watched the brunette opened her eyes and arched an eyebrow quizzically. "It would give me great pleasure if you'd join me this afternoon for a picnic."

Serena, for the life of her, couldn't form a coherent thought. The current situation, as well as her departure for her `home', had taken a toll on her mind. She nodded helplessly and watched the native Estarian returned a handsome smile.

He grasped both of her hands and helped her to her feet. "Well, I better be off. I realized that I forgot to pick up a few things from the store," he explained as he cupped her face. He gazed intently in her weary azure gaze. "Besides, I promised myself that I would make this picnic enjoyable for you."

"Cai, I want you to have fun also," she scolded lightly. "This isn't all about me."

"No love," he returned sternly as he grazed his lips over her cheek, "it is. I want you to enjoy yourself tonight. My happiness depends on yours." A tear slowly slid down her cheek and he kissed it away. He felt her quiver against his frame. "I want you to cherish the time we have together."

Serena was about to make a remark when Cai's lips brushed over hers before claiming them. He held her by the waist and kissed her slowly and thoroughly, revealing so much love and passion towards her. She wanted to cry from the intense feelings he displayed openly to her.

She braced her small hands on his chest and pulled back from the kiss. The brunette stared deeply into his passionate gaze. She closed her eyes as she tried to calm down her racing pulse. "I…I had no idea that you felt this way about me," she confessed gently. She returned her gaze to his face and saw him blush lightly.

"I know," he groaned softly, "but I'll try to explain this afternoon while we're at the picnic." He glanced at the watch-bracelet and sighed dejectedly. "I better go. Just meet me at the Parking Lot around 6:45 p.m. in something comfortable and casual."

Serena kissed him lightly before he quickly headed back to the Garden. A warm breeze gently caressed her arms and cheeks. She tucked a wayward strand that waved in the light wind behind her ear. She turned back to the water fountain, a blush and bright smile on her visage. She sighed dreamily as one thought came to her mind. `I love you too Cai…'

Author's Note:

I think I'm getting too emotionally attached to my story. *sighs wearily* I didn't think that writing chapters like these could be this difficult, and emotionally involved. Moving on…I need to know which couple's evening out you would like to read next. Just email me at LaFemmeNastasja02@hotmail.com or just leave a review. Remember, all comments are welcome!!