Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Snow Drift ❯ It hurts when your eyes see it. ( Chapter 21 )

Vwwwwiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

Kait, who's laying on the couch, is watching television but his attention is continually grabbed by the sounds of this new contraption, his father bought a day ago. He told him that its called a vacuum cleaner and its used to pick up filth and what not from carpets; another new thing in their tiny home. Squall and Kait stayed in a hotel so the carpet company could place a thick blue carpet throughout the entire home- minus the kitchen- and when they got back in the boys eyes lit up. He thought the floor grew a beard. He was then taken to the Allmart where they purchased the machine and came home to use it. Kait, unfortunately, has diarrhea and can't move around much without feeling the need to use the potty. So he's laying their watching television glancing, repeatedly, at the halls entrance when the vacuum comes down that way. He wants to watch it so badly!

"Daddy... Daddy..." He calls over the noise.

The engine died away and Squall appeared at the entrance way.

"I wanna watch, can you do it when I feel better?"

Shaking his head, he walks into the living room to take a seat on the couch. Rubbing the boys back he informs. "I can't, sorry. But I haven't done the living room yet, so if you can stay awake a bit longer you can watch me vacuum in here."

Squall can tell the child is doing everything he can to stay up as it is. Watching that show Little Bear tires him out almost instantly. You'd swear it was a tranquilizer. Squall has sat through an episode or two with his son and it does seem to bring out restlessness; they both ended up taking a nap that afternoon. Squall had to wonder if it was because they spoke so slowly and most of the show consists of music while the talking animals did things.

"I'll try."

Squall could only smile at the yawning child; there was one mini-episode left in the half hour of two- sometimes three shows- and Kait was a goner.

"Hows come we have to clean and carpet?"

"Because we have a guest coming, remember?"

"Imari?"

"Irvine."

"Oh, right." He nods closing his eyes, soothed by the caresses on his back from his father's hand.

He watched the child in his near doze off then asks quietly. "Do you need to use the bathroom?"

"Mhmm."

"Don't you think you should get up and go?"

"Mhmmm... But it hurts..." He takes in a deep sigh in order to keep his eyes open but it didn't seem to aid him one bit as he conked out.

'It would suck if he shit on the couch.' Standing, he walks to the bathroom removing the potty chair, bringing it into the living room. Shaking the child he lifts him, bridal style, from the couch setting him to stand on dead legs. "Here, I'll help you." He pulls the childs pants down for him, glad that Kait became alert enough to take a seat and go without assistance.

Heading into the kitchen he grabs a box of Medialite from the fridge to give to the boy to calm his stomach from having to be emptied for the third time that afternoon. Kait didn't even really want to eat, out of fear that he'd have to go to the bathroom again. But he's got to eat; he's already so thin, the boy doesn't need to be anorexic from diarrhea. Kait takes the juice box but sets it on the table for after he wipes up. Squall was back with a bundle of toilet paper for the child and a bit for himself for the follow up. You don't want to know what a bad job a kid can do when it comes to the runs. The horror.

Kait pulled up his pants, sitting carefully on the couch, juice in hand. "Daddy I like apple?"

"Yup."

He nods and drinks from the straw. "Little Bear is silly, he always plays in the bathtub with mermaids."

Looking at the television Squall had no comment but as the smell in the room wafted up to his nose he picks up the potty to empty it into the bathroom's toilet. Looking at the small mess left behind he takes the seat apart then grabs the toilet cleaner from beneath the cabinet to clean it out. Rubber gloves cover his hands before he does anything, then he shakes the can and sprays away.

Grabbing Jojo from beside him, Kait brings his straw up to the clowns mouth, making slurping sounds for the lifeless doll. "Aaaww. That was good, huh, Jojo?"

The door bell rings and the child hops off the couch; he feels a bit better after going to the bathroom, and through the mail he places the clown into view. "Who is it?" He asks.

Imari kneels down a bit, smiling at the toy. "Why hello Jojo, are the Leonhart's home?"

"Let me see."

The slot dropped and after a moment it lifts again revealing Kait's big blue eyes. "Who goes there?"

"Imari Karver or the Shumi tribe. May I come in?"

The boy disappears in a fit of giggles; unsure of what happened Imari's surprised look changed when the front door opened revealing Squall, holding Kait on his hip. "Irvine... what are you doing here? You said a week?"

With a shrug he replies, though he's a little stand-offish about being called Irvine, he knows that Squall can't really help it. "I realized that staying for a week would only result in me going back on my word, so I wrote some letters, mailed them off, and here I am."

Squall can only look at his lover, who's dressed very much unlike himself. A white tank, long black shorts, and yellow and green sneakers are so not Irvine Kinneas.

Embarrassed at the long look, he says casually. "I was under the impression that I was invited to stay here."

"R- right, come in." He steps aside. Setting his son down he walks straight for the kitchen to retrieve a can of air spray. "Forgive the smell."

"You kidding, I own a very large bird I hardly notice any smells anymore."

Pal didn't take kindly to that comment and pecked his owner on the ear without clipping.

"You don't mind if he stays here too do you? He's my best friend and I wouldn't know where to keep him-..."

"Its okay." Squall waves off the explanation. "You can put your luggage in the bedroom off to the right. Its the first one."

"My room is the other one." Kait says following the man so quickly that Imari had to lift his leg to avoid stepping on the child. "Do you wanna see it?"

"Okay."

Squall followed the two, into the hall then Kait's room they go. The young boy walked over to his toy chest opening his arms as though there's an entire spread about the area. "This is all my toys!" He said happily, then opens the chest. "Aren't they fun? I keep them in here from the bandits that want them."

Imari takes in the sky colored walls, the wispy clouds and the flock of birds flying through the air, a single willow tree painted near the closet. He can smell a sort of cinnamon scent coming from the carpet and with the streaks it must have just been vacuumed. "Its so clean. Its not what I expect when thinking of a four year olds room."

"Clean helps you to know where your stuff is." Explains the boy with a shake of his head, as if Imari is such a novice about reasons why things are tidy.

"Ahaha. Okay."

"Wanna see my daddy's room?" He takes the man's hand. "Its this way." He charges out of the room.

When they enter the room Imari isn't the least bit surprised at the decor. Squall's outer physique doesn't match the inner person he saw back at his home. Imari had to wonder if Squall had an unknown identity crisis or perhaps his inner self constantly conflicts with his outer self. Steal colored walls, a cherry colored bed set and curtains to match, black furniture. The most noticeable thing are the large swords with guns for a handle, showcased on the wall. They're beautiful. With that in mind the woodsman cocks his head in gesture of the room.

"I'm not sure if you noticed but, the room you're offering me is your room."

"I know." Squall walks up to stand before him. "Like I said, Irvine and I are a couple, so this to us is what we do. ...Imari, just because you don't remember your life as Irvine, it doesn't mean that its forgotten. Irvine left a lot of people behind who love him, and miss him. You can't take his place in our lives, and we also can't stop you from wanting to leave us to live yours. Which is why... you have to remember."

Imari's face registered as hurt by that comment. 'These people don't care for me at all and apparently they won't even try to. They're just murdering dogs of the military, anything that stands in their way they take it out. Now they're going to do the same to me under this guys order.' He suddenly felt a lot less inclined to be a willing participant in restoring his memories. He's not going to have all his love erased because these people want back the person they love.

Sighing, Squall shrugs. "Imari, if you're uncomfortable sleeping with me then I'll share Kait's room."

"I can't have you do that."

"If it will make you stay then it must be done." Squall said rather tightly. "Besides, Kait sleeps in my room countless times, its not a big deal. Right, Kait?" Looking to his son he's surprised to see that during his conversation with Imari the child had laid down on the floor and fell asleep.

Smiling, Imari says. "There's always the floor for me, Kait seems pretty comfortable."

Squall scoops the sleeping child into his arms then carries him into his own bedroom to lay him in his bed. Returning to his room he takes a seat at the desk watching Imari unload his luggage into the closet and drawer. His movements tight, angry almost. "If you're having second thoughts, you should spend time with us ...you'll change your mind. Everyone wanted to have a dinner or lunch together with you, as a group, so we could talk with you and try to open a part of Irvine."

"Seems to me that Irvine is your only interest." He bites out.

"Its true. I love Irvine and miss his love in return; you can't cling to a body that isn't yours forever. Imari," He stands. "I've been thinking about what you said before, about dying, I really don't think that you'd be considered or even feel dead because you don't really exist. Like a machine, it doesn't feel anything when you pull its plu-..."

Squall landed on his butt after a good right hook met him in the jaw. Hand coming up to his face his about to stand and retaliate when Imari shoves him back, pinning him to the floor by his wrist, and knees on his feet.

"Damn you! Damn all of you! I will not by treated as though I am no one just because you don't want me. Just like Irvine there are people out there that do know me and want me! I'm agreed to come here and allow Irvine's memories to return, if they chose to, but I'm not going to be ignored and treated as someone else because you all think its better to not acknowledge me! If I'm truly going to be nothing to you than maybe you should consider keeping Irvine deceased while I go about my business in Winhill. ...Don't love someone so much that you ignore all else, it makes you rude, it makes you a bastard ...I won't be ignored..."

Squall's gaze would have chilled and broken anyone else but Imari kept his hold on the male until it wavered, so for ten minutes both men said nor did a thing, just stared. Squall, surprisingly was the first to drop his tension, he cast his icy glare downward to Imari's bare shoulder.

"Irvine was never effected by 'stare downs' either, he would look at you like you were mental and laugh the tension off." Releasing a sigh he shoves the man off effortlessly, coming to a stand; Imari remained on the floor sitting on his legs, looking up at the man he'll be boarding with.

He can see why Squall has the nickname Lion of Balamb, with murder eyes like that he could do anything to anyone and not flinch or so much as feel anything. Like a lion in the Savannah, when its prey, you must kill. But Imari will not be prey. He may have been raised by peaceful people, but he is also his own person and will not become a push over by anyone's command. He can imagine he'll be butting heads with Squall a lot.

"Imari... you will be acknowledged for who you are, but I can't say that the care for Irvine won't be there." His dual colored eyes became peaceful for the briefest moment before hardening again. "You are a ghost in his shell, to me and probably the others, you will be nothing more no matter how we are with you- happy- upset, we'll only be looking for Irvine's return. ...If you can't handle that than maybe you should go; but prepare for our advances to get Irvine back for as long as you live."

A dry smirk appears on his face. "You make it sound so damned welcoming."

"That was my intention."

"...Very well. The conditions are the same, I won't allow my flashes to be looked at as nothing... but in the meantime." He noticed Squall's raised brow. Must not be used to people making conditions for him once his word of law has been passed. "You can't make any passes at me."

"Excuse me?"

"I'm not Irvine; that kiss in my home was..." He would have said great but that wouldn't help the matter one bit. "It was what it was and it can't happen again. You're not giving love to Irvine, you're giving love to me."

"Fine. That being said, so long as you're occupying my boyfriend's body you won't be loving anyone either. Got it."

"Got it."

Turning to the door, he waves his hand for the man to follow him. "The date might have been set for your actual arrival but I'm sure the others can rearrange their plans and meet us somewhere."

Imari watched the mans departure with a sad expression. 'A ghost in a shell, huh? Its not like I asked to be in this body- Hell, most days I don't even like it. This hair for starters... If Irvine's memories do return, I have to make a way to have myself remembered at least by some people. A diary to bury like a time capsule- I have a diary but I'm not gonna bury it because I wouldn't know where to do it that it will be found.' Looking to his animal companion he smiles. "You'll remember me, won't you?"

The bird kawwed before pecking under its wing.

"Thank you." Leaving the room he steadies his nerves for the oncoming pile up of people. He hopes they're friendly, of course, compaired to Squall, who isn't?

"Its true!" Selphie leaps onto the man into his arms. "Irvine, you're alive!"

It only took the small group ten minutes to get to Squall's home when he told them that Imari had arrived early. They've all be dying to see if Squall was telling the truth and sure enough, the man standing before them is Irvine.

Imari wrapped his arms around the tiny girl offering a friendly smile. "Sure, I guess."

"Selphie," Shoving a hand between Imari and the girl Squall pushes her away. "Irvine is Imari Karver, remember."

"Ohhh, right, the amnesia- sorry." She backs away as though she'd just violated the man in some way.

"Its okay."

Slapping a hand to her breast, Selphie says. "I'm-.."

"I already know all of your names, Squall showed me some pictures back at my house." Holding out a hand he adds. "Its nice to meet you."

"You too, what's up?" Wiping his hand along his shorts, Zell shakes Imari's hand.

"Not much. I've got some piled up work that needs to be done eventually but other than that just living."

"That's right, Kait said that you gave him too wood carved things. They looked so real! You know, I'm a bit of a hidden talent myself." He pokes himself with his thumb. "I happen to make excellent jewelry."

"No kidding!? How good are you, I might like a new pair of earrings someday."

Slapping a hand to his scarred forehead, Seifer gives it a shake. "And so the Tweedles have re-united."

'Is it Irvine coming through, or just Imari getting along with Zell?' Wonders Squall.

"So where should we go to eat?" Quistis asks cutting between the two's boastful conversation about their hidden talents in life.

"Let's go to Captain Seas!" Selphie lifts her fist into the air.

"I don't mind seafood." Rinoa says watching the two men with a smile on her face. Their noise level made it seem just like old times.

"Where's little bird by the way?" Asks the energetic brunette. "Does he know his friend is here?"

"Kait fell asleep. He's got diarrhea and its got him feeling sick a bit."

"Mmm."

Overhearing, somehow, Zell says. "I can call Ma to come over to watch him if you don't want to wake him up."

"He'd murder me with the silent treatment if we left him out. I'll wake him up."

Seifer moves over to Imari the moment his rival was out of sight. "Admit it, you're faking because Leonhart fucked up somewhere and you're punishing him for it."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Imari shakes his head. "and besides, what kind of ass hole would fake his death just to punish someone for doing something wrong? I'm not that kind of guy."

"Mhm." Seifer rolls his eyes.

"Mhmmm." Imari mocked. Its a wonder Squall isn't going out with Seifer, they're so much alike in personality. He shuddered at the thought of the two being a couple. So much rudeness gathered into one place would surely cause an earthquake.

"What's your birds name?" Asks Rinoa.

"Pal." With a shrug he explained. "Because he's my pal. He was with me when I woke up in Shumi and has been with me since. He was only a little thing when I first saw him, though."

"He's beautiful." She admires the multiple colors of its plummage.

"It seems a bit strange, though," Quistis holds her chin between finger and thumb. "I've never seen a tropical bird with colors like that."

"I thought the same thing but, I've haven't exactly been everywhere to know." Imari furrows his brows. "With monsters in the world, why not funny colored birds, ya know?"

They nod.

"Everybodies here." Kait walks into the living room; pajamas off and now fully dressed in a baseball uniformed short sleeve shirt and a pair of blue jeans. "We're going out, are you coming?"

"Yeah we are," Zell tousles the childs hair. "We're gonna get some seafood."

"Can I have a cheeses burger?"

Squall, who's handing the child his sneakers, nods.

Kait made a grand show of hopping over to the couch before sitting down to slide his feet into the, blue and green decorated, white sneakers. As the crowded moved to the door, exiting one after another once Squall and Imari passed through the gunblader felt his hand twitch to grab onto his lover's until he recalled that the man is infact not Irvine. Its just like after he'd left Garden as a commander. He would get twitches and urges to rejoin and be on the throws of the battlefield or even to just escort someone somewhere with his blade at his side for just incase but, in time, that wore off and, in time, so will these urges- at least until his lover his back.

...

Squall joined the table after buying something else for Kait to eat at the local burger place. The small group has been talking to the man's ear off about this and that and Imari has been doing the same. It was so weird, with Irvine you could hear his voice a good yard or so away but with Imari, well, you wouldn't even notice until you were right up on him.

"So you really don't remember any of us?" Quistis asks.

Imari shakes his head, eating a bite of onion ring.

She makes a saddened sound then waves it off. "It will come back to you." She sips her iced tea. "Like that time we all went to Deling for the winter festival and you- um, Irvine ended up as king of the festival."

The man shakes his head.

"Or when he and me got into a hot dog eating contest and he lost because he chose to do it with all supreme dogs." Zell laughs.

"Imari doesn't remember anything about Irvine." Says Squall. "Its a waste of time asking him."

"Not a waste, something might be jogged by the stories." Says the man.

Selphie snaps her fingers. "When we were kids, you used to follow me around alot. Do you remember that?"

Imari thought it over, trying to picture the tiny girl even tinnier but no images came. "Sorry."

"Imari's staying with us for a while, Zell" Kait looks to the blond. "what's a while?"

"Its like a commercial break."

"Then that's a long time." He blows into his straw causing the Seven Up inside to bubble away.

"Was it weird living with the Shumi tribe for a year," Selphie shakes her head with a displeased look on her face. "its so boring there, waaay to much peace."

"No, I actually really liked it; you know that you won't be jarred awake by sudden noises of the city or something."

"You must like quiet to live in Winhill." Comments Rinoa wiping her hands on a napkin.

"Out of all the places we made deliveries too that one grabbed me the most."

Rolling his eyes Seifer gets up from the table storming off. He's had enough. Squall follows him quickly.

"How can you stand that crap?" Seifer asks when he's sure they're out of earshot. "If a pop to the head fucked him up, surely another pop or two will bring him back."

"I wish it were that simple. ...Can you believe he doesn't even kiss like Irvine?"

Seifer cocked a brow of disinterest. "Yyyeah. Anyway, how'd you get the bruise? Don't tell me there's already trouble in paradise."

"We got into an arguement and he socked me." Squall shrugged. "Not like it hurt."

"That guy's an asshole, I mean Kinneas was a show boat but this guy gets under my skin and I only just met him."

"Tell me about it."

Snickering, Seifer gives his rival a shove. "Couldn't wait to get your paws back on the guy could you?"

"You kidding? Four years without sex, I would have fucked a picture at some point."

Seifer laughed gaily. Squall never admits things like that. "So fresh for a man with child."

"Well incase you didn't know, Kait's technically not my child. Besides, it only came up when he was away or sleeping." As if it dawned on him suddenly he says. "Why the hell am I telling you this anyway?"

"You're an idiot; you know this news will be all over Garden by the end of tomorrow." He smiles to show he's teasing. "Figure out what you're going to do about the imposter?"

"I'm hoping that spending time with us, in familiar places, will eventually jog his memory. You know, like recreating moments in our lives."

"Well count me in for anything. I want that guy gone and soon."

"Why Seifer, I've never seen you so passionate about anything other than becoming, SeeD,"

"Which I've done."

"Annoying kids that have done practically nothing wrong in disiplinary."

"Best pass time of my life."

"And of course loving your favorite emotional punching bag."

"True, Dinky is good stuff."

Imari couldn't help but cast a bit of attention towards the two males. Leaning in he asks "Since when did those two become so close?" in a voice very unlike Imari.

The entire table wide-eyed when hearing their friend speak. Was he back?

Daring to be the first to answer, Zell says. "They kinds always were close, they only don't mind showing it so much now that they spar over weekeds."

Voice like Imari's, the man says. "Mmm. With those blades with gun handles. I saw Squall's hanging on the wall in his house, they're gorgeous."

"You've got some pretty sweet guns yourself." Zell goes on. "The one you took out on that mission before..." He trails off. "Sorry, I probably shouldn't mention things like that."

"Its all right, but, I've been kind of curious about it anyway... What happened to Irvine that everyone thinks he's dead?"

Quistis glances at Kait who seems to be in his own little world, playing with the toy that came with his kids meal. She says in a clipped, quiet tone. "Irvine had a mission out in the plains, he was only supposed to supervize a new group of cadets and help out if things got out of hand. From what the captain of the team says there was a strange G.F. with the Sorceress worshippers, but when Irvine tried to make a contract with it he vanished."

Selphie chimes in with a sad tone. "We looked everywhere for him but had to give up. He was declared dead."

Imari frowns. "Wow... that's kind of bad."

"Hey! I'll bet that if you're taken back to the place where it all happened, you'll get your memory back!" Zell stands up, fist clenched in cheer of his brilliance.

"What place?" Asks Seifer walking up; Squall behind him.

"The place where Irvine went on the mission." Zell scoots from the table; gripping Seifer's arm. "It may jog his memory since its the last place he was."

"I don't know, Zell." Squall says shooting a glance at his emptied lover's face to see what he thinks.

"No, it might help. I'll go." Imari stands. "When can we leave?"

Hopping up from her seat, Selphie claps her hands. "The Ragnarok is out in the woods twenty minutes from here. If we hurry we can make it there and back before bed." She cocks her head Kait's way.

"We're gonna fly!?" Kait joins the converastion.

"No. You're going to visit with Mrs. Dincht while we take a short trip."

"Aaaa," He groans.

"You can come another time." Squall tousels the boys hair.

"Okay." He's hoisted into the air by his father.

"This is important, okay. Be a big boy, and be good for Mrs. Dincht. I'll get your drink boxes so your stomach doesn't hurt."

"Okay. Bye bye." He wraps his arms around his father's neck after waving goodbye to everyone.

"We'll get the ship ready while you're dropping him off." Selphie drops gil onto the table, paying for the entire meal, before walking away with the others behind her.

Squall heads in the other direction towards his home to grab the child's things. He was sure to have Kait use the bathroom before he brought him over, explaining to the woman about his situation and she said she was good to handle it. Zell's gotten a bad case of it once or twice since she's adopted him. Kait waved goodbye to his father before joining the woman in the living room. Squall didn't walk far before he saw the giant ship's shadow covering the ground. The ramp lowered, not enough to touch the ground but Squall easily got on either way walking up to the deck with the others. He has his doubts but it just might work.

"Oh shoot! We're gonna have to make a quick stop at Garden first." Selphie turns the ship around.

"What for?" Asks Zell.

"To pick up the team. Imari won't remember if we tell him because we weren't there to know exactly what happened. We just heard a story."

"Right."

"It won't take long."

The cadets could not believe their eyes, it was like looking at a ghost- literally. Imari didn't care for the stares but he knew that he would have to get used to it if he looks like Irvine.

The ship ride was a silent one. Everyone had something to say but no one really wanted to say it. Even with the male sitting right there with them returning to the place where the whole mess began just brought back those familiar painful feelings of misery and despair. Eurydice, Phinneas, Luna, and Rakuta felt it most of all since it was they who lost the man in the first place. Can this look-a-like really be Irvine? How is it possible? They found items of clothing; but no, this blessing from Hyne cannot be questioned. So what if he has amnesia, Irvine isn't dead and they should all be thankful.

"We're here." Selphie says as the gravity in the ship changes as it prepares itself for landing.

The area is dry and baron as usual. A hard wind blows in every direction it can through the group. Imari looks about the area with empty eyes while the others can barely stand the sight of it. Eurydice's mind is over-run with four year old memories of that day, stepping forward she says in a low voice.

"Um... we arrived and, Commander Kinneas offered us a stick of gum- to keep our mouths moist in the heat."

The other three cadets- once cadets now SeeD, nod. The others listen carefully while watching Imari for any type of recognition to go by.

"He and I used scan to look out over the area." She points. "We got into a small arguement about-.."

"Junctioning." Phinneas cuts in. "Luna, had a strong magic junctioned when she wasn't allowed."

The girl nods.

"It was then that-..."

Imari's eyes look far away as he speaks. "It was then that a woman screamed... it was so loud and frightened." He started to walk over to where Irvine stood four years ago. "There were men holding her as she flailed madly to get free. Everyone got into position and a battle broke out."

Squall swallowed his voice back, he couldn't say anything, it might break the man's concentration. But he's remembering! He could kiss Zell, why didn't he think of this. To bring Imari back to the place he had disappeared, was genius!

"The battles lasted forever it seemed." Luna said. "They had some sort of machine that they tied the woman to and above her-..."

"Was a large monster..." Imari's eyes flash with Scan. The shock of the green lines covering his vision, the computer like screen shaded the rest as if it were a heavy day dream. "Wh- what is this!?" He calls out paniced at never experiencing magic before. "My eyes! What's wrong with my eyes!" He cried out.

"Get him, hold him!" Squall commands; joined by Zell, the two grip his arms, holding the man's hands to keep him from scratching his eyeballs out.

"Get away from me! Get awaay!"

Before he could duck out of the way a large white light blinds him. Imari released an ear piercing scream before he blacked out.