Other Fan Fiction ❯ Lives in Choosing ❯ New Trend ( Chapter 5 )

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters to Final Fantasy VIII. I wish I did..... it would be really nice, but no, no I don't.

< Quicker update this time than last. Can't believe I came up with something in so short of time. Unusual next to my regular blank stare at the computer screen. Well I hope you enjoy this chapter!>

Yori Kiri: Quistis is in this story and she plays a pretty important role really. She'll make her debut later, so just wait. ^_^

SoulSwhispers666: Thanks for the story suggestion, I know exactly how you feel. Personally I don't think there are enough of those moments in Squinoas. But I guess that's only some people (the really mushy ones like me!). That kind of situation has been considered and I've decided to add it later, maybe at a better, more conflicting moment.

 

Well, here's chapter 5....

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Chap 5: New Trend

Night conflicted its chill reputation with unusually warm winds. They flowed above the water and over the sandy beach before twining into the Galbadian camp. Rinoa sat beside the tent she usually was tied to. Apparently they weren't concerned with her loss anymore. Let her die, what did they care... what did he care. No, he'd rather torture her. She grinned to herself and chuckled spitefully. This was all like a huge nightmare- come to destroy her from the inside out.

She sat with her knees to her chest, rocking back and forth slowly. Her attention was turned to the ocean's horizon. The moon, a grand sphere of ivory, touched the tip of the water, melting and draining its silvery essence into the sea. It rippled into the blackness of the waves, creating a long, holy streak of light that brushed the shore's edge.

An almost inaudible cough caught Rinoa's attention. Behind her stood Squall, dressed in grey breeches and a plain, white tunic. Over his simple attire he wore a long black trench coat, giving him an aggressive appearance. His brown hair was wet from bathing and his long bangs were stuck together in several masses hanging over his tired eyes. He looked down at her with an unreadable expression- stoic, yet full of emotion.

Rinoa was silent under his gaze, studying his features in the fire's light. He looked dark and shadowy under the shade of his hair and coat. Through his eyes she could only catch herself in the mystery of his soul. He seemed almost... handsome. Very handsome, really. It was almost painful she realized, to gaze that deep and long. She lowered her gaze, focusing her attention on the plate he held in his hand.

Leaning over, Squall set the dish onto the sand next to her. He turned to leave, but he felt a light resistance. He looked down to see a small pale hand gripped tightly on the corner of his coat.

"Wait," Rinoa whispered barely above a breath. She watched his reaction, but no new emotion dared disturb his stone eyes. He made no move to leave, yet he wasn't exactly making himself comfortable for conversation either. "Um," irritation now stole his features. "Never mind," she sighed.

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Dawn torn the black veil of night and poured sunlight over the lands, warming the body and soul. The small army moved on like it had been for the past two weeks, trudging through forest, heading south. Winter seemed impossible just as spring had days before. The party was constantly stopping under trees or in a clearing for rest. There was no particular destination besides Trabia, and that wasn't going anywhere. It seemed the smarter strategy to keep the units well rested for the abrupt attack soon coming.

About midday the forces stopped at a small patch of meadow, green with new grass. The clouds were light and the sun warm, making it a pleasant break for leisurely walks or naps. Rinoa found herself wandering off into the scatter of trees that brokenly bordered the meadow. She walked with her head down, lost in thought.

`Gods Rin, this isn't right,' she scolded herself. `He's the enemy for crying out loud! He tried to starve you!' Though for the past few days she had been surprised when Squall had been offering her more food than she could consume. `I've got to find a way home! This is insane..... but I did ask for it...."

Rinoa was snapped into alertness when she almost stumbled over someone. She had to swing her arms in large loops for balance before she fell hard to the ground. In front of her was the man with red hair, lazily stretched out on the grass. He spoke to her from his not-so-matching cowboy hat. "Watch your step there."

"Sorry!" she rushed and hastily got to her feet. She began to stumble away, but he called to her.

"Hey, wait! What's the hurry?" He got to his feet and started to follow her. He caught up and lightly touched her on the arm to make her stop. Rinoa instinctively flinched and jerked away. But this time she stopped and turned to face him, fear in the edge of her eyes.

"What is it?" she snapped.

Irvine shrugged. "I just wanted to apologize for being so harsh with you."

Rinoa gained a moment of courage. "Yeah, well you didn't have to tackle me! It wasn't like I was trying to escape. You really pulled out my shoulder, you know!" Defiance took over the fear.

"Hey I said I was sorry," Irvine put up his palms innocently shook his head, the ponytail swinging in protest. "Its just my job... but apparently the commander feels a little somethin' for you. I've seen how he's been treating you lately... and even the fact that he bothered to let you live..."

There was a long awkward silence for a long time. Rinoa vaguely wondered how being fed more and `having the privilege to live' was even slightly considered affection. Meanwhile Irvine sat down again in the soft grass, resting his back on a small tree. He took the time to look her up and down. "Nice clothes," was all he said.

"Huh?" Rinoa was again thieved of her wandering thoughts.

"I said I like your clothes."

Rinoa looked down at herself. The clothing she wore was still the same- a dirty white shirt, now quite revealing with so many tears and holes - with ripped breeches, once tan now shaded with a darker, muddy brown. There was an absence of shoes and Rinoa's feet were caked with mud and blood. She never really took the time to examine herself, but now she blushed terribly at her appearance. "Well its not like I have anything to change into. And I haven't seen any stores out here, have you?"

Irvine just laughed. He got up and took off his hat. With an outstretched hand he said, "I'm Irvine. And you're Rinoa I believe."

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Night captured the sky, imprisoning it in the darkness of its realm. Stars stretched across the black canvas, trailing a map of the gods. The moon was bright again this night, reflecting its soft blue glow onto the sleeping planet below. The Galbadian encampment set out under another clearing later found from earlier that day. The familiar brisk winds had returned, whistling from the north.

Several bonfires were made and groups were formed before the evening meal. Rinoa was startled to find herself surprised by the humane acts of these dogs of people. Their sounds of laughter were a strange comfort to her ears and she relaxed into the atmosphere. Three major groups were made around three different fires. Each consisted of about twenty men. Did more join them? She wondered at the amount, as there seemed less when she first encountered the units.

Rinoa stood back from the site for a moment, playing with the tips of her hair. The feeling of all these men and no families still put her on the edge, delaying her to jump so carelessly into the laughter of this evening. Instead she headed back to the commander's tent, hoping he had set out a separate meal for her by her pallet.

When Rinoa reached the inside of her tent she was mildly surprised to not see Squall at his little portable desk, writing away. The tent felt empty now that she noticed the unfamiliar absence. By her pallet there was no dish, but something did wait for her there.

A small pile of clothes were bunched up in the corner of the mat. A tiny smile graced her lips as she thought of Irvine. She came to kneeled by the pile and carefully unfolded and examined each particle. With a slight hesitation she freed herself of the old clothes and pulled on the new ones. All of it being the army's accessories, the shirt was three sizes too big and weighed heavily, defying the term of empty pockets. The pants were baggy and sagged, even with the leather string that had been provided to work as a belt. The boots put up a fight against her stride, so she decided to leave those off for the time being.

Once fully clothed again the girl looked down at herself. She looked like a child lost in a bag, but at least it covered her whole body and kept her warm. Even the smell wasn't half bad, only the slight scent of mildew lingered. She left the tent with hopes of not tripping over herself. Approaching one of the fires, Rinoa studied the faces around it. She caught sight of Irvine and he gestured her over. Men looked at her as she passed- some looked a little confused while others laughed.

"Well they don't exactly fit, but thanks anyway," Rinoa sat down in the small space Irvine made next to him.

He looked at her and smiled, laughter on the edge of his lips. "No, I suppose they don't. But don't thank me, I didn't get them for you."

"What? You didn't? Then you mean it was..." Her gaze travelled over the faces around her until it hit one sitting far on the other side of the fire. The man looked lost in thought, chewing absently while staring into the embers.

"Yeah. I just brought it to his attention. Sometimes he's too busy to notice it on his own," Irvine laughed and took a bite of crusty bread. He offered her some of his rations, but she refused, too busy chewing her hair and playing with the seams of her new clothes.

"I want to go home..." she whispered to herself.

"Hm?" Irvine looked at her, mouth full.

Rinoa didn't answer, but a single tear ran down her cheek and fell into the dirt between her feet. This was such a monstrous mess. Why did she even think of getting herself into this. You can't be a hero if that's what you strive to be, she realized. Now she stood, wiping the tear from her dirty cheek. But that won't stop her from being the victor. She walked with a firm and determined stride back to the tent.

Things would be different. No longer would she linger on the submissive side of herself. Boldness and bravery were the only things that could get her out of this mess. She lay down on the mat and curled up, pushing back the nag that told her it was that that got her here in the first place.

 

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The forces were up early the next morning, eager to conquer the next trail. Trabia should be in site by the afternoon and the soldiers were becoming anxious for action. The sun only caught a glimpse of the sleeping camp before they were off.

Rinoa had a rude awakening, almost being packed up with the tent. She waited outside in the brisk of dawn with half lidded eyes. She felt a light shifting to her side and turned to see Squall, dressed in his usual attire of black pants and a plain white shirt. He handed her a soft round object without even looking at her.

Rinoa looked down into her open palm, grinning in delight at the sight of a violet plum. For a moment she knit her brows together. "Squall," she asked, "where'd you get this? They don't grow anywhere up here. This is a delicacy where I'm from..."

Squall turned to her, his eyes a mirror barrier. His frown deepened as he replied, "Just eat it and quit asking so many questions."

The black haired girl looked down at the plum again and chewed at her bottom lip. "Thank you for the clothes."

"Its the smallest size we have," he snapped back.

This time Rinoa looked up at him with an upraised eyebrow. "I didn't ask."

Squall made short of a growl and a snort. "You were going to."

Rinoa merely giggled as she bit into the plum, savoring the taste of sweet juices that had left her senses for dried meat. Squall glared at her from behind his bangs, as if waiting for a response... or another question. The girl looked back, confused.

`Why does he always look at me like he wants to kill me?' she thought. `It creeps me out...' She took a step back. "Thank you, its really good."

Squall sneered- a devilish growl mixed in with the baring of teeth. He appeared mad... or upset, but then when didn't he?

"Commander!" The call was distant, but Rinoa thanked for Squall's distraction and escaped his invisible prison. She fled into the heart of the packing camp, searching for the familiar red head. Her breath eased when she found him tying bundles together.

"Hey there Rin, what's up?" He paused his task and wiped sweat from his forehead.

"Nothing, I just think something's up with Squall..."

Irvine laughed- an open, booming chuckle. "There's so much about that man that you don't know. Just try to stay off his hide, will ya? We end up getting the head of his fury." He wagged a finger at her.

"But I didn't even...." she began.

"Just let it go and try to ignore what he does. You'll only get yourself into a deeper mess." He returned to what he was previously doing. "Just stay with me on the trip to Trabia. I'll explain what I can."

Rinoa sighed in relief and glanced once more around her. "Sounds great," she responded and accompanied it with a wide grin.

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A/N: This story is kinda progressing a little faster than I expected. Sorry if the relationship is moving right into it... that's why I still have Squall all mad and stuff ^_^. Irvine had to interrupt there too, but this is not a Rinoa/ Irvine!!!!! It is, behold, a Squinoa. Rinoa just seemed a little lonely so I had to give her a friend.

 

R+R please!! Suggestions welcome!