“Eyes on Me”
- Part 2 
“Let me be your fantasy”
By Angelwing


Here’s Part 2 for you, Part 3 will follow shortly!


Quistis awoke with the deafening sound of continuous thumping in her head. She 
slowly opened her heavy eyes and attempted to comprehend where the hell she was and how 
the hell she got there. Realisation hit her like a slap in the face. 
	“Ooh, no!” she groaned, her voice cracked and broken due to a severe bout of 
dehydration. She turned onto her side and nudged Mishka who was next to her and sleeping 
with her mouth wide open, emitting several gasps of alcohol-scented breath. She came round 
suddenly, opened her eyes wide and sat up in bed. Her hair was straggly and knotted and her 
mascara was smudged over her eyes and cheeks.
	“Wha…” she began, clasping her hand to her head and suddenly realising the 
pounding headache she was experiencing, flopped back onto the bed. She lay there dazed for 
a moment and screwed up her face, trying to remember anything that might have left her in 
this state. Visions of drunken dances and the slurring voices of a crowd of people, clouded her 
memory.
	“Q..Quistis…?” she managed. “Where am I?” Her voice was also gravelly and she 
shut her eyes in an attempt to rid herself of the incessant drumming in her head. Quistis 
rubbed her swollen eyes and propped herself up on her shoulders.
	“Deling City,” she replied, only half-conscious. “I think we were drunk.” Quistis 
scanned the room for a clock and noticed a small alarm clock in the corner. The time read, 
‘1130’.
	“Argh!” exclaimed Quistis. “I was meant to be teaching at 0900 hours, you all were 
meant to be in class at the same time. I never reported this morning, Headmaster Cid is going 
to kill me!” Mishka opened her eyes again.
	“It’s not a dimissable offence is it?” Quistis shook her head.
	“I don’t know, I hope not. When Cid finds out about this, we’ll all be in for a session 
with the disciplinary committee for sure!” Mishka groaned at the prospect and tiredly dragged 
her heavy carcass to the shower. She undressed and turned the shower on full power, hoping 
the intense water-action would wake her up and kick-start her brain into action.  The water 
pressure was painful and the tiny drops of water made her back sore to the point of her having 
to move from under it. She popped her head around the shower curtain.
	“Quistis, give room service a ring and ask for two strong, black coffees and two large 
jugs of drinking water.” Quistis nodded and picked up the receiver, relating everything 
Mishka had said to say. Mishka popped her head back round the curtain as an after-thought.
	“Oh yeah, and why don’t you knock on the doors of everyone and make sure they’re 
up and ready. We’ll have to get back to Garden. This is NOT a good way to make a good first 
impression with Headmaster Cid!” Mishka returned to her shower. Quistis went to wake the 
others up and then changed her mind and slumped herself back on the bed, vowing she would 
never even look at alcohol again.

*********************************************
	
“It’s morning already?” groaned Zell as he opened his eyes and squinted up at the one 
who’d waken him up with such force.	
	“Correction,” grinned Irvine, “it is now officially afternoon.” Zell’s eyes widened in 
disbelief.
	“You are kidding me, man! It can’t be!” Zell glanced at the alarm clock and it was 
indeed after 12. He looked back up at Irvine who was still towering happily over him.
	“You’re pretty happy for a guy who’s just woken up with a hangover.” 
	“Actually, I’ve been up, had a shower, and drank a gallon of water, so I ain’t feeling 
too bad now.” 
	“You’ve been up all this time and you never woke me?! Aww come on man, that’s 
not cool.” Irvine held his hands up.
	“Hey, I tried! You just kept telling me you thought you were dying and turning over 
to go back to sleep. What was I supposed to do? Incur the wrath of the mighty Zell?” Zell 
allowed his face to screw up into an almighty frown at Irvine and he threw the covers off 
himself. 
	“I gotta get in the shower and then back to Garden. Is everyone else up?” Irvine 
shrugged.
	“I know Quistis and Mishka are, but I dunno about the others. I guess they are.” Zell 
shook his head.
	“Man, I can’t believe we were all so messed up, Cid is going to string us up for sure.” 
Irvine nodded.
	“Yep, this isn’t good for Mishka and Gabriel either, they just got here. And not to 
mention poor Quistis, she’s an Instructor, Cid is going to have to severely discipline her. He 
doesn’t really have a choice.”
	“That ain’t fair, we were all out there last night, why should Quistis take the blame 
for it?” Irvine laughed.
	“Oh don’t worry, we’ll be in for it aswell. You can count on it.”

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

	A very lethargic Rinoa and Selphie wandered into the reception area of the hotel. 
They were the last ones; everyone else was assembled and ready to head back to Garden. 
Rinoa smiled guiltily at her comrades.
	“Sorry everyone, I guess I’m worse for wear.” Squall walked over to her and gave her 
a hug.
	“Don’t worry about it, we’ve all got hangovers and we’ve all got to go back and face 
the music.” Everyone looked like the dead walking; like extras from the latest Living Dead 
movie. Zell had done his best to arrange himself as he was yesterday but his heavily creased 
clothing was a certain give-away that he’d slept in them. Irvine likewise had tried to conceal 
the fact he’d been drinking by pulling his hat slightly over his eyes to hide the bloodshot 
areas. Mishka and Quistis saw no reason to try and hide it and did all they could to look like 
they’d just crawled out from under a thorn bush….which, wasn’t difficult. Squall looked 
more or less the same, he seemed good at hiding that kind of thing and Gabriel looked 
similarly calm. Selphie and Rinoa looked positively ill, clutching their heads with the 
unfamiliar pain caused by over-indulgence.
	“I’ve been sick,” whined Rinoa as Squall gave her yet another hug. 
	“It’s okay, just put your head on me. Irvine, do me a favour and arrange for a car to 
take us back to Balamb. None of us are in any state to be fighting on the plains.” Irvine 
nodded and wandered over to the telephones next to the reception desk. Within 15 minutes 
the party were on the way back to Garden. Selphie had turned green with the travelling and 
the others had gradually moved away from her, frightened of a sudden outburst. Everyone 
hung their heads and dreaded the fated consultation with the Headmaster. Squall looked up at 
Quistis.
	“Listen, we’ll talk to Cid first and let him know it was our fault. We’ll just tell him 
we wouldn’t let you go back late last night.” Quistis smiled but shook her head softly.
	“No, it’s okay. I don’t think he’ll believe you anyway. I was just as much to blame, 
I’ll just tell it like it is and hope for the best.” Squall nodded and returned to staring at the 
floor. Zell stared vacantly out of the window. This car journey seemed to be lasting forever.

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

	The corridor outside Headmaster Cid’s office was lined with the guilty seven all 
waiting for the inevitable judgement. Quistis was in the office already listening to the routine 
lecture that Cid was obliged to deliver.
	“Quistis, you know I don’t like doing this. You’ve become a brilliant Instructor and 
you’re improving everyday but you must begin to grasp your responsibilities in that position. 
It’s not one to be taken lightly. I allowed you to reclaim your position because you had that 
fire and enthusiasm. You can’t abuse it like this and expect it to be overlooked. ” Quistis hung 
her head in shame.
	“I know that and I’m sorry. I accept full responsibility for my actions with the 
assurance that it will never happen again. I’m sorry. I realise that my actions could easily 
influence what the students accept to be right, but Headmaster, may I just point out that these 
are not cadets but SeeDs the same as me.” The Headmaster sighed deeply and nodded.
	“I know that Quistis, but you are still an example to them as an Instructor, a member 
of the Garden Faculty. Also, you let down three classes this morning by failing to turn up to 
teach them. This was only their second day in Balamb Garden, what kind of impression do 
you think they got?” 
	“I know,” sighed Quistis, “I’m sorry. I will apologise to them all the next lesson they 
have with me and will assure them that it was a one-off occurrence.” Cid smiled.
	“I believe you, but please don’t do this again.” Quistis nodded and left the 
Headmaster’s office feeling like a schoolgirl who’d just received a slap on the wrist. The 
party waiting to be called in looked up anxiously as Quistis returned to the corridor.
	“Well?” asked Zell, urgently. 
	“He’s okay,” replied Quistis with a sigh, “just don’t try to justify yourself and admit 
you did wrong. He should be alright.” Headmaster Cid appeared at the door behind her.
	“Squall, could you come through please.” Squall got up and followed him through the 
door, closing it dramatically behind him.

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

	Irvine lay on his bed and stared up at the ceiling. All he could think about was 
Mishka and what happened the previous night. He remembered her looking at him…or was 
that his imagination? He remembered the way she placed her tired head on his chest among 
all the rabble and stayed there. He saw visions of her short blue dress and her long black hair 
swaying in time with her and the music. He remembered her infectious laughter and her 
ability to move the whole group into doing something they would never have dared to do 
formerly; namely, dancing where there was no dance floor.  He needed to see her again, he 
needed to know if he’d said anything out of line to her, not that she’d remember if he did or 
not. Feeling slightly recuperated from the night before and the ear bashing he’d received of 
Cid, Irvine made up his mind to go find Mishka. Where do I look? He wondered before it 
eventually struck him that she’d be in the Training Centre as per usual. Picking up his weapon 
and straightening his jacket, Irvine proceeded to the place in question. He didn’t know what 
he was going to say to her or what she’d say to him, he just wanted to see her and make sure 
she did exist and wasn’t just a perfect figment of his desperate imagination.

	The Training Centre was relatively empty and lacked the usual group of SeeD cadets 
vainly attempting to knock out a puny Grat and eventually having to give up and run. 
Through the desperately quiet and humid surroundings, Irvine could hear the now-familiar 
sound of Mishka’s battle cry and the sound of the heavy thumps of hand-to-hand combat and 
the occasional slash of a knife. Irvine instinctively followed the elusive sound and came to a 
parting in the trees. Through the dense foliage he could just make out the sight of Mishka’s 
delicate form battling against a Grat twice the size of her. He was about to run down and greet 
her when he noticed someone with her, battling at her side.
	“Come on baby! LET’S FINISH HIM!” Zell’s unmistakable, enthusiastic vocals 
pierced the air and almost hit Irvine square in the face. His heart sank significantly as he 
moved closer and got a better look at the two, thoroughly enjoying their dual-training 
methods. Mishka summoned a semi-powerful ice magic attack to end the battle as Zell did a 
back flip in victory. 
	“WOO-HOO! That’s the way, girl!” The Grat fell to the floor and disappeared before 
their eyes leaving them to exchange high-fives and prowl the area for their next likely 
victims. Finding a group of three Grats, they smiled at each other and ran into combat range. 
The Grats were far from happy to see them and immediately unleashed a sleep magic to 
disable them. Zell was the only one to be affected, leaving Mishka to wreak havoc on the 
offending enemies. She could of course just bring Zell round herself, but she wanted this 
battle for herself and systematically knocked each Grat out of the battle. After each one was 
dead, she awoke Zell from his magic-induced sleep.
	“Hey! Next time use that magic to wake me up DURING the battle!” Mishka giggled.
	“You know, we should do this more often Zell, you’re a great person to train 
alongside.” Zell blushed slightly and held his head up.
	Irvine sank to the floor. He couldn’t believe what he had just heard her say. She never 
said that to HIM when he trained with her. Maybe she prefers Zell… he wondered sadly. He 
saw no reason to stay or rush towards her and demand an answer, she probably didn’t even 
know that he liked her. Let her go Irvine, he thought, unable to release the ground from his 
lonely gaze. Maybe it wasn’t meant to be…if it was we’d be together. You’re a loser Kinneas. 
Irvine’s tortured psyche crept from the conscious world and he drifted into his thoughts, 
blocking out every action going on around him. He could feel a tear forming in the corner of 
his eye, he’d placed all his hopes and dreams onto this person, but she still didn’t know. What 
did he do wrong? What has Zell got that he hasn’t? All those times Irvine had glanced at 
Mishka and noticed her looking back at him and smiling; did that mean nothing? He thought 
that the previous night, Mishka had come to him for love and companionship on the dance 
floor, but was that my fantasy? All of a sudden, nothing seemed important anymore, he’d lost 
her. Get real, you never even had her.
	Mishka glanced over in the direction of the bushes and saw Irvine’s solitary figure 
sitting on the floor, hunched over, his head in his hands. She turned away from him quickly 
without allowing Zell to notice. It’s for the best; she tried to convince herself. You’re no good 
for him. She’d noticed Irvine approaching previously and had purposely directed flirtatious 
comments at Zell in an attempt to quell Irvine’s interest. She paused and remembered last 
night, lying awake, convincing herself that Irvine should never fall for her, for his own good 
and hers too. He’d just end up like the last one… She liked him too much; she couldn’t cause 
him that pain. She turned her head towards him discreetly. You’ll thank me for it one day. One 
day you’ll understand…
	Mishka shook herself and concentrated on the next challenge an over-enthusiastic 
Zell had discovered, T-Rexaur. He was still pained with memories of a humiliating retreat and 
naturally blaming it on the beast itself, silently vowed horrific revenge on its reptilian form.
 “LET’S DO IT!” he screamed.

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

	Rinoa’s face had changed now and her natural colour had gradually returned to blush 
her cheeks pink. Her naïve system wasn’t used to any form of alcohol and she was beginning 
to wish she’d kept it like that. She couldn’t help but feel deeply ashamed when she realised 
the unlady-like way she had been behaving the night before. If her father had seen her, she 
would have been dragged home by the ear and locked in her room for the next three months. 
Squall had been beside her all day, providing her with endless mugs of coffee and constantly 
enquiring how she felt now as opposed to when he asked her five minutes ago. In fact, it was 
starting to really annoy her and she was beginning to wish that his own hangover had been 
significantly worse.
	Squall entered the room clutching yet another steaming mug of coffee. 
	“Squall, really, I feel a lot better now. I appreciate all this but well,” she shrugged her 
shoulders, “it’s really not necessary anymore.” Squall smiled at her sweet temperament and 
placed his hands on her cheek affectionately.
	“I don’t care,” he murmured, “my baby’s more important to me than anything.” 
Rinoa smiled, she couldn’t find it in her peace-loving nature to be angry or irritated with him.
	“Anyway,” he continued, “I’m making up in advance for later this afternoon.” Rinoa 
raised her eyebrows inquisitively. Oh really?
	“You see, I’ll have to disappear later and visit Quistis. I promised I’d call in to help 
her with something.” Rinoa felt the faint twinges of jealousy rise up inside her. She cleared 
her throat.
	“Quistis? Why, what does she need your help with?” Rinoa was careful to keep the  
ever-increasing tones of jealousy and suspicion from her voice as she addressed her 
boyfriend. Squall shrugged.
	“Nothing really, she’s just having some problems with some work she’s preparing for 
some of her younger classes and I offered to help her. She’s done plenty for me, it’s thanks to 
her that I’m a SeeD and if you think about it, if I wasn’t a SeeD, we’d never have met.” Rinoa 
followed this pathetic string of logic but emerged dissatisfied and more than slightly 
suspicious. She smiled despite it and kissed Squall affectionately on the cheek.
	“Okay then,” she whispered softly, “have fun and don’t forget our dinner this 
afternoon. You promised to take me to that new restaurant opened in Balamb.” Squall smiled 
and shook his head.
	“Do you think I’d forget that? I’m not someone who forgets something that he holds 
close to his heart….I’ll be there, I promise.” This repetition of a promise Squall had made to 
her almost a year ago reassured her. He’d promised he would meet her in her dreams, in the 
fields near the orphanage. Despite everything he made it. Time compression didn’t even hold 
him back and he’d trudged wearily in search of the one which he was destined to be with. 
Rinoa was once again confident of his love and smiled at him with renewed faith and love.
	“I trust you,” she whispered as Squall gently pulled her close for a kiss.

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

	“Come on!” screamed a frustrated Selphie, “tell me how you did it!” She leapt to her 
feet in the midst of the crowded Cafeteria and glared at a smug-looking Gabriel. He stretched 
his arms out slowly, relishing the attention he was getting from this pretty, little stress-head 
and with a knowing smile refrained from answering her question. Selphie’s eyes closed in 
defeat and in the fashion of silent submission, she sat back down. 
	“We’ve all got our little secrets, this one just happens to be mine.” He smiled again at 
her but Selphie moodily ignored the self-satisfied expression inhabiting his facial features.
	“I thought you were soo boring,” she moaned, “but now I know you’re just ignorant.” 
Gabriel laughed in disbelief and lent close to her for a more intense response.
	“Ooh!” he taunted, “Big words for such a little girl!” Selphie jumped up once again, 
outraged at this patronising comment.
	“Who you calling “little”!” she screamed, holding her knife menacingly at his throat. 
Gabriel laughed nervously, not knowing whether to take this fiery character seriously. 
“Ah-hah..” he stammered nervously, “t…take it easy Selphie, it was a joke. I…I’m 
ignorant, really.” Satisfied with the results incurred by her empty threats, Selphie took her 
seat once again, triumphantly displaying an expression of gratified victory.  
	“So,” she began, menacingly toying with the handle of a knife, “you gonna teach me 
that one-shot-wonder thing?” Gabriel’s uneasiness settled and he momentarily appeared to 
ponder this request.
	“I…I…I don’t think so!” Gabriel immediately jumped up and ran at high-speed out of 
the Cafeteria, being ferociously pursued by a little girl with a BIG temper.

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

	“Zell!” Quistis spotted the familiar blue shorts greedily carrying their hungry owner 
to the hot-dog counter. Zell turned around.
	“Yo Quistis! How’s it going?” Quistis stopped before him.
	“Zell, I’m so glad I found you. How did it go with Headmaster Cid earlier?” Zell 
shrugged.
	“Okay I guess, he accepted my apology but said he had to stop my privileges for a 
couple of days. That doesn’t bother me though, a 2100 hours curfew ain’t that bad, as long as 
it IS only for a couple of days.” Quistis nodded.
	“I’m relieved for you, I didn’t know what he was going to do, he seemed pretty mad 
when he was talking to me. Listen Zell, I’m sorry about all this. As an Instructor belonging to 
Balamb Garden I should have made sure you were all back before curfew.” Zell took a step 
back and took hold of the distraught Quistis by the arm.
	“Now you listen to me,” he began in ‘big-brother fashion’, “we were all to blame. 
We’ve all got minds of our own haven’t we? We were all conscious of the consequences and 
we all chose to break the curfew. Quistis, as far as we’re all concerned, you’re the same as us 
and we refuse to blame any of this on you. We’re a team.” Quistis tried to hold back the tears 
that were welling up inside her but to no avail. The tears streamed down her effeminate 
cheeks. Zell smiled sympathetically and pulled the blonde Instructor close to him. 
	 “Shh, it’s okay,” he soothed, “it’s over now.” Quistis sniffed and pulled away gently.
	“It’s not that,” she managed between tears, “I just can’t believe how great you’ve all 
been. Squall went into the office and took full responsibility for me. He shouldn’t have, I 
don’t deserve it.” Zell smiled and stroked her head.
	“Of course you do! Listen, we all had a great night last night. Let’s just accept the 
consequences and remember the fun we had on our first night as legal drinkers!” Quistis 
forgot her grievances and smiled.
	“You’re right,” she affirmed, “thanks Zell.” Drying her eyes with an over-used tissue, 
Quistis regained her usual authoritative composure. Seeing that Quistis was now reassured, 
Zell ventured to ask her a question that he’s been pondering all day and hoped she’d know the 
answer.
	“Ah, Quistis?” Zell’s nervousness was blatant and his constant fidgeting with the 
buttons on his jacket told Quistis that Zell was opening up to her and she needed to listen. She 
cocked her head to the side, awaiting this rare confession from the notoriously secretive Zell.
	“Actually, can we go somewhere a bit quieter and less crowded? I…I can’t really talk 
amongst all this.” Quistis smiled and with a nod of the head and a finger beckoning him to 
follow her, she headed out of the Cafeteria.
	Quistis’ room was stereotypically neat and organised. Zell followed her into the 
room, wide-eyed at its luxury in comparison to the regulation SeeD’s room. 
	“Coffee?” she offered, holding up a clean mug.
	“Whoa!” exclaimed Zell, “You can make coffee in here too!” Quistis shrugged her 
shoulders casually and proceeded to make the coffee. She handed it to Zell, who accepted it 
with out of character nervousness and caution.
	“Quistis, have you ever been scared of falling in love?” The question caught Quistis 
off guard and she paused for a moment considering the seriousness of this approach. 
Eventually she nodded and smiled faintly.
	“Yeah, yeah I have actually.” Quistis sat herself down next to Zell and gazed 
thoughtfully at the walls still displaying the melancholy expression on her features.
	“Do you remember the time I confessed that I thought I was in love with Squall?” 
Zell nodded, willing her to go on.
	“Before that, I was scared.” She paused and with a slight laugh, gazed down at her lap 
and at the mug of coffee she was clasping.
	“I was scared,” she continued, “I knew that I was falling for him and I didn’t want to. 
I was his Instructor, he was my student. And anyway,” Quistis’ expression changed slightly, 
“when Rinoa wandered into his life, I…I knew I was history.” She said these last words with 
more than a hint of sadness and regret. Zell looked down, almost feeling guilty that he had 
brought the subject up.
	“How do you feel about it now?” he asked. Quistis didn’t seem to notice this strange 
change that had come over Zell. He was all of a sudden compassionate and her confidant. 
Quistis shrugged her shoulders in resignation.
	“I don’t know,” she whispered, “I can’t really say. I keep thinking I’m over it and 
then all of a sudden I can’t get it out of my mind. I guess I’m just crazy.” Zell put his arm 
around Quistis and squeezed her.
	“You’re not crazy, I suppose I understand how you feel in a way.” Quistis looked up.
	“Oh, I’m sorry Zell. You came here to talk to me and all I’ve done is complain about 
my own problems.” Zell shook his head and smiled.
	“Quistis, I want to hear what’s on your mind. You’re a dear friend of mine and your 
feelings mean a lot to me. Don’t hold back, tell me anything. I won’t judge you and while I 
may not have been in the same position, I promise I’ll try to understand.” This declaration of 
affection was enough to make Quistis feel needed and special one again and taking a deep 
breath she turned to Zell with renewed confidence and strength.
	“Enough about me,” she said, dismissing the previous conversation, “tell me what 
you need me for.” Zell all of a sudden lost his fluency once again and felt his cheeks flush 
pink.
	“Er…I…I guess I need your help with something. Well, your advice really.” A smile 
formed on Quistis’ face, she felt so happy to know that Zell felt he could come to her with 
any problems or worries. It did kinda make her feel like a big sister though.
	“Tell me.”
	“Well, you…you know Mishka?” Quistis nodded affirmatively and gestured for him 
to continue.
	“She’s been really nice to me lately and…” Zell trailed off, unable to finish his 
sentence. He didn’t actually know what he wanted to ask. What DID he want? He just wanted 
Quistis to tell him if Mishka liked him or not. Pure and simple, but how would she know? 
How could he tell her after what happened yesterday? In the Cafeteria he had furiously argued 
his case that he wasn’t interested in love or relationships, but here he was sitting in Instructor 
Trepe’s room about to confess that he couldn’t stop thinking about Mishka.
	“Hm?” she inquired, leaning forward and catching Zell’s wandering gaze. Zell 
focused again and shifted uneasily.
	“Well,” he continued. Man, is this difficult. “Do…you think she likes me?” He said 
this quickly and clearly and without looking up. Eye-contact makes things more difficult. 
Quistis leaned back and considered this.
	“Well, I don’t really know Zell. I’ve noticed that the two of you are getting on well, 
but be careful you don’t translate this just to suit you. She could just be trying to be friendly, 
but then again, maybe she DOES like you.” Zell nodded slowly, contemplating his next 
question.
	“So, what do you think I should do?” 
	“I think you should wait.” Quistis placed her hand on Zell’s and looked at him 
seriously.
	“If she really does like you, she’ll show you that. But…if she doesn’t….I think that’ll 
be pretty obvious too. Don’t jump the gun, BE PATIENT.” Zell hung on her every word and 
considered her statement. After a short while he nodded decisively. 
	“You’re right,” he maintained, “I just have to be…patient.” Quistis nodded.
	“Take it easy, you don’t want to frighten her off if she IS interested, do you?”
	“No way!” Zell exclaimed and then suddenly realised the full extent and the 
implications of what he’d told Quistis. Oh boy. Noticing Zell’s discomfort, Quistis squeezed 
his hand.
	“Zell, look at me.” Zell raised eyes and blinked at Quistis. “This is me you’re talking 
to. I won’t tell anyone if you don’t want me to.” Zell smiled, gratefully.
	“I believe you,” he mumbled and hoisted himself off the bed with an effort. “I have to 
go, I was hoping to wander into Balamb today and visited my Ma.” Quistis nodded and 
smiled at this natural consideration and affection.
	“Thanks for your help Quistis, I knew I could rely on you.” Zell took a deep breath to 
revitalise his system and prepare himself for the monster-ridden journey to the town of 
Balamb.
	“You’re a real friend.”

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

	The walls held infinite interest for Irvine as he failed to muster the will power to draw 
his eyes away from them. He felt he was spinning. Lying on his bed, the floor below him was 
turning round at an alarming speed and Irvine closed his eyes tightly to free himself from the 
motion sickness he was susceptible to. Staring at the mass of colours and blurs on the inside 
of his eyelids, Irvine sadly contemplated where the hell he went wrong. He’d been smooth, 
friendly and she’d paid him considerable attention. He really believed she was interested and 
then Zell blunders along and ruins everything! C’mon Irvine, that’s not fair. Zell didn’t 
encourage it. She likes HIM, remember? This devastating reminder was all too much, 
resulting in a sickness surpassing all regular human illnesses. You see, this sickness came 
from the heart and as much as he tried to deny it, Irvine was in love. His heart had belonged 
to Mishka the moment she leaned forward and kissed him oh so tenderly on his blushing 
cheek. He’d known from that instant on that life was never going to be the same again. And it 
wasn’t. Irvine had changed, his fighting was affected, his relationships with other people were 
affected and his soul was affected beyond reconciliation. He felt that he could never feel this 
way again, not for anybody. Damn it, he hadn’t even felt so much for Selphie. That’s a 
terrible thing to admit, thought Irvine sadly. But in the time he’d known Mishka, he hadn’t so 
much as thought about Selphie. To him, she was the past and he didn’t want to think about the 
past. He wished that he had never so much as looked at another woman before. He wanted 
Mishka to be his first love and his last, he wanted them to be together forever and experience 
everything together and alone. All of a sudden, Irvine felt the destructive feelings of anger 
and hatred well up inside him. He felt betrayed. Zell…I hate you, you’ve ruined my life. I’ll 
get you back for this, just you wait and see. Irvine effortlessly pushed himself up off the bed 
and straightened out his coat.
	“Prepare for trouble.”

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

	Quistis heard the gentle knock at her door and gazed up from her studies.
	“Come in,” she called, nervously. She knew who it would be. She quickly checked 
the mirror to make sure her mascara was right and took a deep breath. Then she stopped, why 
was she doing this? The last thing Quistis wanted to do was break up such a perfect 
relationship as Squall and Rinoa’s. Rinoa was a beautiful, sweet and loving girl, Quistis didn’t 
want to hurt her, but she couldn’t help her confusing emotions. You’re just wondering, she 
thought, that’s all. You’re wondering if Squall would have wanted you if he hadn’t met Rinoa 
aren’t you? You only want it because you know you can’t have it.
	“Squall, hi.” Quistis vainly tried to remain calm, but she could feel the heightening 
nervousness flush her cheeks a healthy shade of pink. Squall noticed this apparent change but 
decided not to acknowledge it. It was probably just his imagination. 
	“How’s it going…” Squalls voice trailed off, unsure of what to say next and desperate 
not to allow for an uncomfortable silence.
	“Great,” replied Quistis. “Okay, shall we get to work?” Squall nodded and sat beside 
Quistis at her table. She handed him a wad of paper and Squall began flicking through each 
sheet casually. Mustn’t show my nerves…
	“So, I thought that with the first years we’d try a REALLY basic course. You see we 
had the problem last year that they were all at different stages and some hadn’t been taught 
the foundation course. So if we make sure the whole year’s up to the same standard…” 
Quistis continued talking, unaware that Squall wasn’t listening, just staring. He noticed her 
beautiful blonde hair, it had a great shine to it in the light. He always liked girls with blonde 
hair. Wow, those eyes were really bright when you got up close to them, they had this certain 
sparkle to them. You know, like sunlight when it hits the surface of blue water, a really 
special and unique glow. Her hands nimbly turned over each page, those sweet, delicate 
hands…
	“So what do you think….Squall?!” 
	“Hm?” Squall’s mind re-entered the atmosphere of reality. He realised he hadn’t paid 
the slightest bit of attention to what Quistis had been explaining and felt guilty. If only she 
knew what I’d been thinking about…Oh God, I’m sorry Rinoa. So sorry…
	“Squall, is this really a good time, you don’t seem to be concentrating on the job in 
hand. What’s wrong with you?” Squall couldn’t believe it, he didn’t really fancy Quistis, he 
just couldn’t stop wondering whether she still liked him or how things might have turned out 
if he hadn’t met Rinoa. Not that he wanted things to change, he loved Rinoa deeply and knew 
he always would, but what if….
	“Ah, nothing Quistis, just thinking…” Squall was cut short by an announcement 
coming through on the Garden’s system. Headmaster Cid’s authoritative voice rang through 
loud and clear. 

	‘Squall Leonhart could you please come to my office immediately.’

	Quistis looked surprised. “What have you done wrong now? You haven’t been for 
another drinking session without telling any of us have you?” Squall grinned. “Wouldn’t you 
like to know…”

	‘The following may join him,” the announcement continued, “Instructor Quistis 
Trepe, Rinoa Heartilly, Irvine Kinneas, Zell Dincht, Selphie Tilmit, Gabriel Langley and 
Mishka Ikari. Please make your way to my office on the double. I have something very 
important to tell you all.”

	Squall shrugged, “I guess that means you too.” Squall and Quistis quickly tidied all 
their papers up and made their way to the door of the dormitory. Squall waited outside while 
Quistis found her keys and locked the door. Unknown to them both, Rinoa Heartilly was 
making her way to the Headmaster’s office and at that moment was passing the dormitory 
opening. She glanced sideways to see Squall and Quistis happily walking away from Quistis’ 
room. She frowned and deciding not to be seen by them both, quickly slipped from view.

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

	Headmaster Cid’s office was lined with the summoned SeeDs, unsure of what to 
expect.
	“Yo Squall!” Zell ran to greet him at the door. “What’s going on man? This is soo 
weird!” Selphie jumped up out of her seat and waved her arms around wildly in an attempt to 
convey her point.
	“I heard that he hasn’t forgotten about what we did and has decided that we need 
stricter punishment! Apparently the other SeeDs complained that we were getting off lightly 
because we were Cid’s favourites and they said that he has to punish us more severely.”
	“That’s nonsense.” Selphie swung round and saw the plump, beaming figure of 
Headmaster Cid, framed in the light being emitting from his office.
	“Don’t believe everything you hear, young lady.” Selphie smiled nervously, unsure of 
whether she was now in even more trouble.	
	“S…sorry, Sir.” She laughed uncomfortably and stood back awaiting further 
instruction.
	“Please will you all step through to my office, I have an offer to put to you.” The 
eight friends entered the elaborate room and being prompted by Cid’s gestures, all took their 
seats. Headmaster Cid stood at the front of the room and smiled	reassuringly at the assembly 
party.
	“Don’t worry,” he began, “I have some news. Now, Trabia Garden has been trying 
for some time to devise an interesting new training method for existing SeeDs. The SeeD 
cadets are content in the Training Centre and for their exam they get to take part in a SeeD 
mission. But the SeeDs are bored. Between missions they are forced to hang about the 
Garden, and the Training Centre is hardly a challenge for them anymore. So they’ve devised 
an interesting plan and they want us to take part in the pilot of it with them. They want to send 
a group of eight SeeDs from Trabia Garden out in the wilderness and on the plains of Centra. 
Then they want a group of eight SeeDs from Balamb Garden to go track them down and 
defeat them in fair combat. So basically, the objective of it is, to help the SeeDs become 
either better at escaping when the need arises or better at tracking down a persistent enemy. 
That’s where you come in. You will be the trackers, you will go out and track down the 
Trabians and defeat them in hand-to-hand combat. There is to be strictly NO GFs and NO 
magic apart from Recovery magic during the SeeD confrontation, when you find them, same 
as in training. Now, how does that sound?”
	Everyone was silent for a moment. They all contemplated what Headmaster Cid had 
said and mulled it over in their heads. Finally Squall stood up.
	“It sounds very interesting Headmaster and I think I speak for all my comrades in 
saying that we would be delighted to help out Trabia in their pilot scheme.” Rinoa rolled her 
eyes, still slightly huffed and more than slightly suspicious of her soon to be estranged 
boyfriend.
	“Speak for yourself,” she grumbled unhappily. Squall didn’t hear this remark but 
Quistis, Zell and Mishka all turned their heads slightly in surprise. Could this be the most 
famous relationship in Balamb garden breaking down? Have Rinoa and Squall had their first 
argument? Quistis gazed down at her lap. Can Rinoa read my thoughts?
	“Excellent,” beamed Cid. “Now you do understand that you will likely be gone for 
quite some time? You will each be provided with a generous amount of gil, which is to be 
spent on food and food only. Do you hear me?” The group nodded. “If you are all in 
agreement, meet here at 0600 hours in the morning, with the appropriate things you will need. 
Quistis your lessons are to be covered by a stand-in tutor until you return.”
	Quistis thought for a moment. “Just one question Headmaster.” Cid nodded and 
willed her to continue. “Why did you choose us to pilot the course?” Headmaster Cid smiled.
	“Of course if the scheme is successful all the SeeDs will take part in it eventually, but 
who can I trust better to try it out than the ones that saved the world from Ultimecia and 
brought my wife back to me!” Quistis smiled but Mishka wasn’t happy with the explanation.
	“So what about me and old Gabriel here? We just got to the Garden the other day.”
	“Yes,” replied Cid, “but I have your recommendation from your previous Garden and 
I had to make a party of eight. You two seem to get on very well with the rest of the group, so 
naturally I chose you.” Mishka shrugged, satisfied.
	“Oh yeah!” cried Zell. “Do we get to pummel the brains out of those puny 
Trabians?!”
	Mishka and Selphie jumped up. “HEY!” Mishka stepped forward and grabbed Zell by 
the throat.
	“Don’t forget who you talking to boy!” Selphie tugged at his quiff, totally bending 
out of shape.
	“Hey! Don’t touch the hair girl! I might just have to break those pretty arms of 
yours.” Gabriel saw that as his cue to join the dispute.
	“You sure about that Chicken-wuss?” Zell trembled with anger at this remark and 
went to lunge for him. Headmaster Cid’s voice boomed though the room, bouncing of the 
walls and hitting Zell square in the face.
	“WHEN you’ve all finished!” He shouted. The four engaged in the fight, stood rigid 
and then carefully and quietly took their seats once again.
	“Alright, first thing tomorrow morning I want you all assembled here. After I provide 
you with the necessary equipment you are to make your way to Balamb town where there will 
be a ship waiting to take you to Trabia. Any questions?” Several shakes of the head followed.
	“Good, let’s get ready to rock and roll people!”

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

“Ooh, this is soo exiting, I’m going home!” Selphie gazed excitedly out of the 
window as they could faintly see the familiar snow-capped plains of the land surrounding 
Centra, on the shore to their left. She’d never shut up since the journey had started and several 
of her comrades had fallen asleep, the rest just pretended to be asleep. Was she ever going to 
shut that huge mouth of hers?
	“Selph…give it a rest will ya?” Irvine bravely spoke for the rest of the group, 
resulting in an almighty scowl from Selphie.
“WHO ASKED YOU?!” she boomed. For someone so small, this girl had a BIG 
mouth. Mishka rolled her eyes.
“C’mon you two, chill out, don’t be bringing up this old love stuff.” Selphie and 
Irvine swung round and glared at Mishka.
	“SHUT UP!!!”

	
The journey from where the ship docked to Trabia was long and fraught with danger. 
A car had been waiting for them once they arrived and on many occasions the party found 
themselves ambushed by groups of wild beasts and unable to steer the vehicle around them. 
When this happened they had no choice but to get out and clear the roadway to allow the safe 
passage of the huge people-carrying vehicle. Some, like Rinoa, refused to get out and just sat 
in the vehicle with her arms folded, complaining.
	“I don’t see why Cid couldn’t have brought us here in Garden. It was HIS suggestion, 
HE should make the arrangements.” Mishka glanced up at the roof of the car in resignation.
	“HE DID! He arranged for us to do it the hard way and go by car. I don’t see why 
YOU’RE complaining, you’ve done nothing. If we were all like you, we’d have been savaged 
by wild Mesmerises a long time ago!” Rinoa scowled at her. She didn’t like being criticised, 
especially not by someone who just joined the group and was now acting as if she’d been 
there since the beginning. Squall silenced the mini-row by raising his hand, everyone was too 
tired to continue it…how much further was Trabia?

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

	The snow-tinted landscape surrounding Trabia Garden looked even more beautiful at 
this time of year. It was a shame that Trabia looked so ruined, it had never quite recovered 
from the brutal attack from the Galbadian missiles and despite the earnest efforts of all 
surrounding people, it wasn’t able to regain its former glory. Nevertheless, to Selphie, Trabia 
was still Trabia, no missiles could change that fact. Okay, so they might be able to severely 
deform it, but the whole atmosphere of her home Garden remained the same. 
	The group drove up to the entrance and disembarked. They were greeted by a young 
girl, she looked to be a student at Trabia and she casually toyed with her Mace as she watched 
the party pull up. She had medium-length red spiky hair, deep brown eyes and she wore an 
extremely bored look on her face. Mishka’s face lit up immediately at the sight of her and she 
leapt down from the roof where she’d been standing, admiring the landscape.
	“Aurora! How’s it going girl!” The girl smiled, slightly surprised.
	“Mishka? I don’t believe it, I thought you’d moved to Balamb. Don’t tell me you’re 
involved in this crappy training thing too.” Mishka nodded.
	“Yup, gotta chase some fellow Trabians across hell knows where. Are we chasing 
you?” Aurora laughed and shook her head.
	“Nah, the opposite in fact, I’ll be joining you in the hunt, the brains of Trabia decided 
you needed someone as a guide through the area, that’s if you don’t mind of course, but first I 
think you’d better introduce me to your friends.” 
	“Sure.” Mishka cleared her throat and arranged her comrades in a line. She flashed a 
wicked grin at Aurora and proceeded down the line.
	“Okay, firstly we have…Squall! This is the hero of every operation, or so I’m told 
and he’s also kinda cute, as you can see.” Rinoa directed a fierce glare in Mishka’s direction 
but she chose to ignore it and mindlessly continued with the introductions.
	“Next we have the wonderfully sweet and gentle Rinoa, this is Squall’s girlfriend and 
you will find them incredibly sickening at times. You know, that icky love stuff. Quistis is 
just great, if you need a mate, she’s the one to turn to. Anyway, next you will see Irvine. This 
guy is cool and smooth, so watch out for him, but he’s also awesome with his gun...” Aurora 
giggled at this innuendo.
	“Are you speaking from experience my dear Mishka or was that a general 
statement?” Mishka shrugged her shoulders casually.
	“It’s just what I heard but you never know, I might get to find out one day!” Irvine 
blushed fiercely. Was someone reading his mind? His mind wandered to thoughts of her and a 
strange nervous feeling began to grow in the pit of his stomach. Why was she doing this? 
Only the other day had she expressed an interest in Zell and here she was flirting with him 
again. Or was she flirting? Is this all in my mind? Irvine hung his head and placed his hand on 
his forehead in confusion. Oh God, Irvine, pull yourself together, get her out of your head!
	“Oops, sorry Irvy, did I embarrass you?” Mishka giggled, perfectly concealing her 
own embarrassment. She hadn’t meant for her statement to be taken in that way, but that was 
Aurora for you. Mishka silently wished that no-one would take this further, it was far too 
close to the heart for her liking. No-one must know… 
	“Anyway,” she continued, “next we come to Selphie, now she is great at times and 
highly annoying at times. In fact if you spent one long car journey with her you’d understand 
the pain we’re all in.” Selphie scowled and turned away, she didn’t want to listen to this any 
longer.
	“Oh you don’t need to introduce me to Selphie.” Aurora cocked her head to the side, 
“we already know each other don’t we Selph?” Selphie shrugged her shoulders dismissively 
and otherwise ignored the question.
	“Alright, now here we have Gabriel, don’t expect to get more than two words strung 
together out of him coz he won’t give em to ya! And last but by no means least, we have 
Zell.”
	Zell nodded his head in acknowledgement at her and Aurora bit her lip. 
	“He’s the best training partner you could hope for and a great laugh if you’re 
fancying a night out on the town!”
	“I can imagine,” was all that Aurora said, causing Zell to fidget uncomfortably and 
stare at the ground. Aurora was pretty nice too, but hadn’t he just made up his mind that he 
liked Mishka? His recent fancy dissolved and no longer seemed relevant.
	“Okay that’s the whole gang for you, what’s say you do you job as a guide and show 
us in!” 	Aurora nodded and turned to walk through the gateway. Mishka caught up to walk 
alongside her.
	“H...hey Mishka…you know that Zell was pretty cute, is he…taken?” Mishka shook 
her head.
	“No, not yet, but you better get in there quick if you want him. There’s a few girls 
around Balamb who’ve expressed an interest, dunno if he’s expressed it back though.” Aurora 
nodded her head, taking in all the information and committing it to memory. She looked up as 
they entered the briefing room.
	“This is it,” she breathed, “one of the Garden Faculty will tell you all what it’s about 
so there’s nothing more for me to do. I’ll see you tomorrow morning at the Front gate…that’s 
when the fun begins!”
******************************************

	The road ahead of them looked long and uneventful and the crew sighed as they set 
off on their mission. Spontaneous yawning was sparked off by an overly-tired Selphie as they 
trudged their weary feet down the well-trodden path in search of something, while not being 
quite sure what it was.  Squall stifled another yawn.
	“Just what do we look for?” he asked, suddenly realising the futility of the whole 
arrangement. Mishka shrugged. She wasn’t sure either.
	“Any signs that they were here recently, I guess. Who were the SeeDs in the ‘hunted’ 
group, Aurora, do we know them?” Aurora stopped in her tracks and thought about that for a 
moment. 
	“You know something,” she began, “no-body said anything about who was being sent 
out or how we were supposed to find them…this is weird.” The gang continued on the road, 
their heads full of doubt and brimming with questions demanding answers. Zell’s ever-
sensitive eyes caught sight of a movement in a group of trees. A flash of white and then 
purple and eventually the huge head of a Snow Lion could clearly be seen. What’s more, it 
was heading straight for them. Mishka reached down to the strap on her thigh and drew her 
knife. 
	“I’ll take care of this one,” she grinned, “anyone care to join me?” Zell immediately 
leapt forward followed by Irvine, determined not to let any opportunity with Mishka slip. 
We’ll see who’s the better fighter now… For some reason, Irvine felt that he must prove 
himself to be superior to Zell…in everything. 
	Squall took a step back. “Okay you guys, it’s all yours! Everyone else make for the 
trees over there. Let’s get a good view…I don’t think I’ve seen Mishka fight before.” Mishka 
tossed back her head, her hair flowing in the wind.
	“Then you ain’t seen nothing!” She laughed. With no further talk, the three leapt into 
combat range, menacingly toying with their weapons, issuing a challenge to the huge beast 
who stood before them. Zell began the fun with a Dolphin Blow followed by a rather potent 
Burning Rave. Mishka rolled her eyes, realising that this beast would take forever to kill like 
this. Using her power of magic she was able to summon Demi, immediately depriving the 
Snow Lion of a quarter of it’s HP. Irvine jumped forward as the creature reeled from the last 
attack. He fumbled in his supply for some Fire Ammo and loaded his gun accordingly. 
Aiming, he unleashed a Flame Shot on the icy brute, severely disabling it, giving Zell a 
chance to begin the summoning of the Guardian Force, Ifrit. He figured that this one would be 
most suited to counteract the Lion’s defences and immediately placed his hand on his head, 
willing him to fight for him. Before Mishka had the opportunity to issue any further attacks, 
the Snow Lion regained its composure and used Blizzaga to weaken Irvine. Irvine fell back 
and frowned, that was it. Closing his eyes, he began to summon a Guardian Force to kill this 
beast. Seeing this, Mishka used her knife to slash the beast in the face. She jumped back 
wiped the blood on the grass, replacing the knife into the sheath on her thigh. Zell’s eyes 
opened and Ifrit appeared to attack with ‘Hell Fire’. As the mighty Ifrit hurled a huge molten 
rock at the vulnerable Snow Lion, Irvine felt the completion of his summon. Mishka opened 
her eyes wide in disbelief as she gradually saw the familiar shape of Shiva arise from a pillar 
of ice.
	“IRVINE! You idiot what are you doing?” she screamed as Shiva’s ‘Diamond Dust’ 
attack hit the Snow Lion. What could be interpreted as a slight smile appeared on its face as it 
felt the energy fill its body once again. Mishka rolled her eyes and Zell punched the floor in 
anger.
	“How stupid are you, dude?!” Zell shook his head as he realised his last attack was in 
vain. Irvine heard Squall shout from the trees.
	“Irvine! Any ice attacks will only heal the Snow Lion! Attack with fire, that will be 
most effective!” Irvine shamefully realised the stupid mistake he’d just made. He felt a blush 
of heat on his cheeks as he felt the eyes of his fighting partners on him. Mishka tried to 
compensate for Irvine’s failed attack with Firaga but the effect was less than satisfying. Zell 
managed to finish the battle by casting Aura on himself thus enabling his Limit Break. 
Several heel drops, Booyas, Mach kicks, Punch Rushes and Meteor Strikes later, the Snow 
Lion slumped to the floor with a heavy and loud thud. Relieved, the three turned back to their 
comrades. Zell clapped mockingly at Irvine.
	“Nice one Irvine, whose side were you on back there?” Irvine flashed an angry glare 
at Zell. He’d just given him another reason to hate him.
	“Who asked you, Nancy boy?!” Zells fists clenched in fury and he shook with anger 
at this remark.
	“WHAT DID YOU CALL ME!!!” He screamed. Angrily, he ran towards him, his fist 
poised for contact with Irvine’s smug face.
	“ALRIGHT, that’s enough!” Selphie brought her Shinobou directly down on the top 
of Zell’s head, sending him hurtling to the floor. An uneasy silence followed; Selphie cupped 
her hand over her mouth and stared down at the body. Aurora shrieked.
	“What have you done!!” She bent down towards Zell and placed his head on her lap. 
She lightly tapped his cheek in an effort to bring him back to the conscious world. 
	“Zell…Zell, wake up…” Zell came round slowly, opening his eyes into slits. As the 
blurred shapes eventually established themselves as solid outlines of people, he was able to 
comprehend that everyone was bending over him. His eyes caught sight of something and he 
gazed, transfixed for a short time.
	“Oh my God,” he exclaimed, “you are gorgeous!” Aurora twisted her hair round her 
finger and smiled, until she realised that Zell was looking past her. He leapt to his feet and 
walked over to Squall. Rinoa pulled a face.
	“You have got to be kidding me,” she laughed. Sure enough, Zell was gazing 
dreamily at Squall. Squall looked startled and stepped backwards, not sure of what to expect 
next.
	“Zell,” he began, “are you feeling okay?” Zell’s gaze remained fixed on Squall before 
he spoke.
	“Never better, my love.” Aurora burst into fits of laughter and patted Zell roughly on 
the back.
	“Very funny!” she giggled and then stopped. Zell wasn’t laughing, his eyes held 
Squall in their gaze; a lump had formed in his throat. Quistis raised her eyebrows.
	“I don’t believe it but it appears that bump on the head has shaken him up a bit…I 
think he’s serious Aurora.” The gang stared at Zell in disbelief, this couldn’t be possible but 
the evidence was right before them. Rinoa folded her arms, her usual happiness and sweetness 
had melted away to reveal the interior of jealousy. Can this get any worse, she wondered. 
First Quistis and now this…
	Selphie squealed with guilt. “I’m soo sorry Zell, I didn’t mean to hit you so hard. I’m 
really, really sorry!” Zell said nothing and continued his examination of Squall. Squall started 
to sweat a little and he pulled at his collar.
	“Er…listen…” he began, “let’s all just keep on walking, we have to find a decent spot 
to rest in for the night.” This suggestion received a unison of agreement and Zell proclaimed 
that he would do anything for his “love”, following close behind Squall. Squall put his head 
in his hand. Oh boy, this operation is doomed from the start.

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

	The day wore on with few events and the team put their trust in Aurora as the map-
bearer to lead them to where they wanted to go. Dusk fell and the bout of yawning was 
sparked off once again. Mishka stopped and bent over, her hands on her thighs.
	“Aurora, come on, we can’t be that far from a camp spot.” Aurora studied the map 
slightly puzzled and looked up to survey the landscape. Mishka opened her eyes wide.
	“Don’t tell me we’re…”
	“Lost.” Finished Aurora. She folded up the map and threw it on the ground. She 
shrugged her shoulders. “Sorry.”
	“Sorry!” shouted Selphie. “We’ve been wandering around this huuge scary forest all 
day and all you can say is “sorry”?!” Aurora shrugged again. Squall rolled his eyes and 
stepped forward to take control.
	“I should know by now,” he sighed, “never send a woman to do a man’s job. Women 
have no sense of direction.” For that remark he received a sharp kick up the butt from Rinoa 
and a knife held to his throat by Mishka.
	“Ha..ha…just kidding girls!” He picked up the map. “Okay I think we’re in…the 
middle of nowhere.” Mishka rolled her eyes.
	“Oh thanks brainiac! That’s your conclusion, we’re lost?” Squall nodded.
	“I think we should camp down here for the night, we’re obviously not going to make 
it to no flash hotels in the city before it’s dark, so let’s just make the best of a bad situation.” 
Zell nodded.
	“Genius as ever. May I camp near you, Squall?” He grabbed hold of Squall’s arm.
	“Ugh! Zell will you just get the hell off me! You’re really starting to freak me out 
now…” The hurt expression on Zell’s face caused waves of guilt to flow through Squall.
	“Aww, I’m sorry Zell, I didn’t mean…” But it was too late, Zell had wandered off 
into some nearby trees. Selphie piped up.
	“You want me to whack him over the head again?” Squall sighed. 
	“I don’t think that’s a good idea, let’s just leave him for now.” Rinoa unpacked her 
rucksack and pulled out the compressed blankets she’d been bearing.
	“Freak,” she muttered under her breath. She was getting slightly sick of all this. Not 
that she took any of this seriously but her relationship with Squall didn’t seem to be as sacred 
anymore. Too many other people were getting involved and she didn’t like it. She watched as 
Zell wandered back to the camp and Selphie approached him holding her weapon in her hand.
	“Zell!! Snap out of it!!” Selphie dealt a vicious second blow to Zell’s now-vulnerable 
head, sending him once again flat on his back and out cold. Aurora screamed again.
	“What is your problem, Selphie?!” Pushing Selphie’s delicate frame to the side, 
Aurora slumped to her knees next to Zell’s crumpled physique. She stroked his forehead. 
Irvine nudged Squall. Squall looked up and smiled a knowing smile.
	“Do you think she likes him?” he asked. Irvine, still believed himself to be the 
authority on women, despite the fact he was still having difficulty attracting his latest fancy. 
He nodded.
	“I’m sure of it,” he grinned. Irvine thought for a moment; if Zell was with Aurora, 
Mishka would be all his. Never think of her as your property, he scolded himself, remember 
she’s got YOU where she wants you!
	Zell opened his eyes again.
	“Selphie,” he groaned, “please give me warning next time you feel like walloping my 
brains out.” Selphie blushed guiltily. 
	“S…sorry Zell, I guess I don’t know my own strength.” Aurora scowled at her.
	“What’s that then,” she mocked, “the power of your mouth?” Selphie clutched her 
weapon hard and pointed it at Aurora.
	“Some people NEVER change!” With that she moodily walked away. Aurora turned 
her attention back to Zell.
	“Are you okay?” She enquired softly. Zell mustered the energy to nod and he slowly 
sat up.
	“Yeah, I guess so.” Aurora narrowed her eyes.
	“Do you still fancy Squall?” she smiled. Zell was enraged at this comment and leapt 
to his feet.
	“I’m no poof!” he yelled. Aurora giggled.
	“I didn’t think so,” she grinned.

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

The gang unpacked their loads and bedded down for the night. Irvine purposely set 
his bed near Mishka’s and she noticed this. Didn’t this guy get the message, or didn’t he care? 
She shut her eyes to conceal her pain, why wouldn’t Irvine understand? He couldn’t get close 
to her, people always got hurt when they got close to her, just look at Jez. She was only 13 
and he’d spent months eagerly pursuing her, eventually she gave in and then what? Within 
weeks he was gone…Irvine, do you really want that? My parents were strict but my 
Uncle…he was brutal. Mishka shook her head as she remembered that fatal night when the 
drunken lout staggered into the mansion and buried a fire axe deep into Jez’ spine. She 
remembered the screams of agony. So many painful memories came flooding back to her, 
memories she’d buried for so long…
“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!” The young Mishka rushed to Jez and cradled his 
lifeless head in her lap. Blood flowed freely from his gaping mouth staining her pure white 
dress the colour of sin. She screamed.
“YOU BASTARD!” She lunged at the killer but his powerful arms prevented her 
from inflicting any damage. He threw her to the floor, laughing at her futile attempts at rage. 
He brought his foot down hard on her chest and she was left gasping for breath. She rolled 
over to the fireplace and picked up a red-hot poker. Running once again over to him she 
plunged the fiery tool into his shoulder. He shrieked a horrific sound and fell to the floor.
“You bitch,” he muttered, “you whore,” he continued, “is this the thanks I get for 
trying to protect your innocence?” Mishka’s chest heaved dramatically as she watched her 
Uncle fold and then stop altogether. She dropped the poker and slumped to her knees. What 
have I done…my life…it’s over… Her mind raced trying to come up with a solution. She 
wanted to run away, she wanted to erase the past two years, since her parents died. She ran to 
the sink in the bathroom and turned on the hot water at full blast. The searing pain scorched 
her young hands and she scrubbed frantically at the blood that stained them. In reality, the 
blood washed off immediately but in her mind’s eye it was stained and the more she scrubbed 
the more it spread. It was spreading quickly, up her arms… Her white dress was now tainted 
with blood that would never wash out. What’s happening to me? The police arrived a short 
time later, alerted by neighbours who’d heard the whole incident. When they entered the 
room they discovered the lifeless body of 14-year-old Jez Everett and the severely injured 
Larry Ikari, a.k.a. Mishka’s uncle. He was rushed to Intensive Care and the corpse of Jez 
escorted to the appropriate location. Police burst into the upstairs bathroom of the Ikari 
mansion and discovered the near-dead body of Mishka Ikari floating facedown in a bathtub. 
She was also rushed to hospital and both she and her uncle made a full recovery. Larry Ikari 
was sentenced to life imprisonment and a shadow of doubt loomed over the head of the 
troubled Mishka. No-one was willing to take on such a disturbed child and eventually the 
decision was made to integrate her as a member of the elite mercenary force SeeD. Two years 
later, at the age of 15, she became an official SeeD and a valuable member of the force. She 
seemed happy, as long as nobody would ever know about her dark past. She never saw her 
Uncle again and she built her whole life on SeeD, dedicating her very being to its service. 
Three years on from that, Mishka Ikari never showed an interest in another boy, believing 
herself to be jinxed. She spent the time running from relationships and friendships and now 
here was Irvine trying his very hardest to become close to her, why? If he only knew her, he’d 
run away from her rather than to her. She opened her eyes and worriedly looked at him, 
smiling politely.
	“I didn’t embarrass you earlier did I?”
	“Nah.” He shook his head firmly. “It’d take more than that to embarrass me!” Mishka 
smiled.
	“I’ll take that as a challenge then!”

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

	The quiet of the night soothed the gang and very soon they were all relaxed and ready 
for sleep in the night air, preparing themselves for the next day when they’d have to get back 
on the trail. Mishka lay awake gazing at the stars, watching them twinkle and shine. My 
Father said I was his star, his ray of light. So why did he die then… 
Zell likewise couldn’t sleep, he tossed and turned for hours just thinking. Aurora was 
so pretty but he couldn’t get the courage to pursue her. Something else was pulling him back, 
something else was occupying his troubled mind, he needed to resolve it before he could 
move on, he knew that. If only he could find the answer… 
Irvine’s mind remained on Mishka, why was she sending him so many mixed signals, 
why couldn’t she just say that she either liked him or didn’t like him? She was messing with 
his mind and he was running out of options.
Selphie, Gabriel, Aurora, Squall and Rinoa were the only ones who were able to sleep 
that night, since even Quistis was pre-occupied with her own mental trauma. Images of Squall 
flooded her psyche and she closed her eyes as tightly as she could to dissolve them. She 
wanted to forget him, to let Squall and Rinoa continue their relationship in perfect peace, but 
a part of her was willing her to pursue him. In her heart of hearts, she knew that Squall would 
always belong to Rinoa but that didn’t stop her longing for a change. A time before, when she 
was the Instructor…no…if she could be another cadet just like him.
A sudden movement and what sounded like a beastly grunt awoke Squall with a start. 
He sat up quickly in his bed. Glancing to his left and his right he saw nothing, but the 
unmistakable sound of monster breath refused to let him go back to sleep. He shook Rinoa. 
She came round.
	“Rinoa,” he whispered, “I think there’s something hanging around the camp.”
	“It’s probably nothing darling,” she murmured, “go back to sleep.” And then she 
heard it too. She sat upright.
	“It sounds like a dragon’s breath.” Squall reached over and nudged Irvine, Mishka 
and Quistis who’d also heard the disquieting disturbance, to help him investigate the strange 
invasion. He pulled his jacket round his shoulders and the others followed suit, silently 
preparing themselves for battle. Following Squall they moved into the trees but they didn’t 
have to go far before an enormous bird-like beast emerged from the foliage. The others who 
were formerly sleeping awoke suddenly and gazed awe-inspired at the strange creature. The 
blood drained from Squall’s face as he comprehended the beast. It had a huge eagle’s head 
with long dramatic feathers swooping from the top of it. It had bird’s claws and elaborate 
white wings spread either side of it. But, it had the feet and bottom-half of a lion; a white lion 
at that. Squall swallowed hard.
	“A White Gryphon,” he muttered, half in a dream. Mishka poised her knife and 
turned sideways to Squall.
	“What’s one of them!”
	“It’s a strange magical beast that only Sorcerers and Sorceresses have the power to 
summon, or so it is believed.” Irvine breathed in.
	“Are you trying to tell me that there’s chance to be a big, angry Sorcerer behind this 
thing?” Squall shrugged.
	“Ancient Lore says ‘yes’ but I’m not so sure. I’m sure he would have showed his face
 first. The Gryphon only usually appears in times of great need.” Selphie threw her hands 
around wildly.
	“Hello!?” she screamed. “Are we gonna kill this thing or not, coz it looks kinda 
hungry!” Squall nodded and walked into the Gryphon’s vicinity. It’s eyes flashed silver as it 
spotted it’s next victims. Quistis followed Squall along with Rinoa. It shrieked a horrible 
noise and lunged towards the group. In Zell’s mind’s eye he saw his purpose. He felt an 
incredible stirring inside him. The silver glints of this magnificent creature entranced him and 
his once-clouded mind now cleared, revealing the path he knew he must follow. There are 
two sides to every story, he thought, his eyes unable to stray from the fantastical form of the 
Gryphon. He took one step forward, good and evil, he advanced again, love and hate… The 
Gryphon turned its head to look upon the advancing figure. That’s right, it leered. An ever-
increasing chasm in Zell’s soul felt as though it was now being filled, slowly. He continued 
walking in his state of hypnosis until the formidable being loomed above him, menacingly. 
Squall drew his gunblade, not sure why Zell was leaving himself so open for attack. Could 
this be another symptom of Selphie’s blow to the head? The Gryphon’s eyes sparkled and 
Zell froze, unable to move. Was this what he’d been searching for…?

TO BE CONTINUED…

Rinoa@angelic.com

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