"Eyes on Me"

                                      - Part 4

                                   "We're a Miracle"

                                     By Angelwing



Well here's the fourth and final instalment of the saga. I'd like to dedicate it 
to everyone who's contacted me with suggestions and views. Especially those who 
have written just to boost my ego a little! I've had many e-mails to say that 
they hate the Irvine and Selphie break up...hope this reaches a satisfying end. 
Thanks for the direction and enjoy the conclusion!




	Squall shook his head as he reached the point where the group had 
disappeared. He gazed down at the open space and felt anger well up within him.
	"IDIOTS!" He hissed, punching a nearby tree, ignoring the blood that 
ensued as a result. Rinoa walked over to him and placed a comforting arm on his 
shoulder. He brushed it away and his fiery eyes gazed on in anger.
	"I'll kill them when I find them."

	"You'll never beat me you FOOLS!" With a swift and clean movement the 
Great Heresetus waved his hands and a searing pain swept through all members of 
the group. Zell clutched his stomach in agony and fell heavily to the stone 
floor again. He screamed in pain as several droplets of concentrated blood 
issued from his stomach and made a tiny pool below him. Mist began to fill the 
room where the group was and a hazy flash of purple light caused a resounding 
cry of confusion on the part of Mishka and Aurora.
	"Aurora!" screamed Mishka, "Duck!" Aurora leant down as a flash of 
lightening hurtled across the room, catching Irvine in the stomach and sending 
him crashing against a wall. Mishka's eyes opened in realisation as she watched 
a bolt of dangerous light pierce Irvine and as he caught the wall...he vanished. 
Mishka watched...Zell clutched his stomach in pain and then he disappeared... 
Aurora screamed as the mist enveloped her and she faded away. Mishka raised her 
arms and watched as her arms began to vanish, she slowly became nothing, her 
body disappearing. Within seconds the team was vanquished, all that was left was 
a proud and victorious sorcerer, plotting his victory.

	Through the darkness of the cold cell, Aurora put her hand out and grasped 
hold of a leather-gloved hand. She didn't care whose hand it was, she needed 
comfort and she found it. She gripped it hard and grabbed hold of it with her 
other hand aswell. 
	"It's okay Aurora," came a melancholy voice, "we'll be okay..." The voice 
trailed off and Aurora gasped. It was Zell's voice.
	"But..." she stuttered, "how did you know it was me?" If there had been 
light in the room, she would have noticed a smile form on Zell's lips as he 
rested his head back against the wall.
	"I imagined..." he begun, "I imagined your touch would feel like this... 
soft and gentle..." Aurora's cheeks flamed and she giggled nervously, it wasn't 
like Zell to be so...so smooth.
	"It could have been Mishka," reasoned Aurora happily. Zell shook his head.
	"Maybe, but she wouldn't put her hand out to me, I was hoping you would." 
Aurora's mind raced as it fought to think of what to say next, to draw him out 
and make him realise her feelings. Her mind went blank. All she felt she could 
do was giggle insanely and hope that would break the ice.
	"What are you laughing at?" grinned Zell. Aurora smiled her cutest smile 
and shook her red locks.
	"Myself," she sighed, "I...I dreamed of this moment since I met you and 
now it's here, I find myself lost for words and even...actions!" Zell smiled and 
caught hold of her round her waist.
	"You know, I really am grateful to you guys for coming out here to rescue 
me like this, I know you tried your best." Aurora gazed up at him through the 
darkness.
	"Is he really your father?" she whispered softly. Zell's grip on her 
relaxed slightly and he looked away.
	"I think so...I can't explain how I know, I just know, it's like I've felt 
his presence with me for a while, he's been watching me, I felt his Eyes on 
Me..." Zell's voice trailed off as he let out another exhausted sigh. Aurora 
followed his confused gaze down to the floor and thought for a moment. She 
didn't know what to say or how to say it. She wanted to tell him everything was 
all right, that they'd soon beat this wicked sorcerer. But how could they? He 
was incredibly powerful and...He was Zell's father.
	"Listen," she began, "I don't understand what's going on here but I know 
this, whatever happens your friends are going to be with you and are going to 
stand by you through thick and thin. I consider myself one of those friends and 
I'd like to help any way that I can. Whether this man is your father or not, we 
have to stop him, we can't let him take you away from us." Zell looked up at her 
determined face. Her eyes were earnest and searching, she wasn't kidding. Her 
open honesty and genuine concern softened his heart and he nodded decisively.
	"Thanks," he whispered, "you have no idea how much that means to me. This 
may be my father but if he will not resign in this, then we must destroy him, 
it's the only way." Aurora hung on his every word and nodded in agreement, 
squeezing his arm affectionately and smiling.
	"Do what you believe to be right, that's all anyone expects of you." Zell 
pulled her a little closer and leaned forward. As their lips touched, what felt 
like an electric current passed between them. Aurora opened her eyes wide at 
first, not used to the intense feeling and ecstasy, but she soon relaxed and 
enjoyed every moment of the long-awaited kiss of love. Zell's hands wandered 
down her back as he pulled her ever closer. He pressed her into him by the small 
of her back, his eyes closed and the mystic tattoo darkening one side of his 
perfect face. Aurora reached up and ran her slender fingers through his hair. 
She replayed the dreams she had of this in her mind, there were so many things 
she wanted to do, but at the moment she was quite happy to allow Zell to take 
the lead. Love emulated from the two interlocked individuals as they fell into 
an embrace that promised a beautiful future.

	"Damn this fricking darkness!" Mishka punched the air and put her 
impatient hands on her hips. Irvine rolled his eyes and went to grab hold of 
Mishka before she collapsed into another of her rages again.
	"Chill," he breathed, adjusting his hat and winking at the infuriated girl 
beside him.
	"How can I?" she screamed, desperately spinning around, looking for some 
kind of light as an indication as to where the hell she was. Her gloved fist 
punched her hand as she narrowed her eyes at the nothingness.
	"I'm gonna kill that son-of-a-bitch!" she screamed again. "I don't care if 
he IS Zell's father, he'll die like the rest of them!" Irvine gave up and 
slumped back down on the floor.
	"Maybe it's a good job we're alone together in the dark." Mishka swung 
round, fire in her eyes, glaring at Irvine.
	"WHAT THE HELL IS GOOD ABOUT IT?!" she yelled. Irvine raised his hands in 
the air and begged for calm.
	"I think we have a few things to talk about and I want that to happen now. 
You don't seem to realise it but my battles have been affected by something 
that's messing up my mind...I need to find out where I stand and what happens 
next." Mishka immediately understood what he was talking about and the fury in 
her eyes gave way to their natural blueness as she sat herself down on the floor 
next to Irvine. She took a deep breath.
	"You're right I guess, there's some things we need to clear up." 
	"I'll start," murmured Irvine reluctantly, "I really like you Mishka, I 
think about you constantly, I've thought about nothing else." Mishka shifted 
uncomfortably on the floor, she had a feeling she wasn't going to like how this 
conversation ended.
	"I...know," stammered Mishka. 'Dammit, this is the first time I've ever 
been lost for words...think of something quick, no uneasy silences.'
	"I...think there's something I should explain to you Irvine and you have 
to promise to listen and understand what I'm saying." Irvine nodded earnestly 
and arranged himself into a position to confirm that he was in fact listening. 
Mishka cleared her throat and took a deep breath.
	"Okay," she breathed, turning to Irvine and staring hard at him, "here 
goes. When I was younger, my parents died and I was left in the care of my 
closest relative, my uncle. He was a drunkard and would beat me often. I could 
stand that though, as long it was me he hurt and no-one else...but..." Irvine 
watched as she screwed here eyes up tight, a hot tear flowing down her cheek. He 
caught hold of her hand and squeezed it tight. Mishka opened her eyes and 
continued.
	"I had a boyfriend called Jez, we were in the house on our own one night 
when my uncle came home early, bottle in hand. He caught sight of me and Jez 
sitting on the sofa and automatically assumed we'd been up to no good. And 
then...he lost it completely. He went mad and killed Jez...he stabbed him in the 
back with a fire axe." Mishka's tears began to flow freely as her voice wavered 
with pain and sadness. "I just remember cradling his head in my arms, blood was 
pouring out of his mouth and his eyes were open...they were looking at the 
ceiling and yet they saw nothing, he died the moment the fire axe made contact. 
Then, it was my turn to lose it; I lunged at my uncle and stabbed him with a hot 
poker. He survived but I died...in my mind I died there and then. I longed for 
death, I could never trust anyone again, and I was always afraid of getting 
involved with boys, I didn't want them to meet the same fate as poor Jez..." 
Irvine shook his head in disbelief and disgust at this shocking tale.
	"Mishka," he whispered, "I'm so sorry...I had no idea about any of this, 
that's terrible." Mishka dried her eyes with her hand.
	"The point is Irvine, I can't get involved with you, I'm not ready. It's 
not that I don't want to. I do like you but I don't think it's enough to build a 
relationship on. Besides..." Her voice trailed off slightly as she managed a 
knowing smile.
	"I know that Selphie still holds a torch for you, I can see it in her 
eyes." Mishka leaned forward, "She still loves you Irvine and I can tell that 
you still love her too." Irvine dropped his head as he realised that this was 
probably true. He didn't want to admit that Selphie had always been at the back 
of his mind, but he couldn't deny himself the truth of it for much longer.
	"How can you tell that Sefie still loves me?" Mishka grinned her wickedest 
grin through her tears.
	"Call it female intuition if you want, but I just know, okay? I've seen 
the way she looks at you, when she thinks no-one's looking. Why do you think we 
don't get on very well? Huh? She's noticed the attention you've been giving me 
and she doesn't like it!" Irvine made way in his mind for realisation and opened 
his eyes slightly wider.
	"OH!" he laughed, "I see..." Mishka's expression changed to one of a 
concerned and well-meaning friend.
	"We fight well as friends not lovers Irvine," she smiled, "let's keep it 
like that. You and Selphie were made for each other, everyone can see that, I 
won't ever come in the way of that because I know that you love her deeply and 
that has never changed."
	"But," stammered Irvine, "she was the one to end it, what does that mean?" 
Mishka shook her head.
	"I guess she got the feeling that all us girls get once in a while. 
Sometimes we feel a little trapped and want to be 100% sure that we'll never 
want another. It's called personal space, maybe she just wanted to make sure 
that she loved you and could never live without you. It happens more than you 
realise, women have to be sure in their minds. We could never love by halves, we 
need to make sure our hearts are wholly bound to a person." Irvine took all this 
in. Up until now, he thought that wasn't a thing anyone could tell him about 
women. Maybe he wasn't as knowledgeable as he thought he was.
	"I feel kinda silly," he grinned sheepishly. Mishka shook her head lightly 
and smiled comfortingly.
	"Let's view this as a test. A test of your love for Selphie. I know you 
love her with all your heart. You don't love me, you needed the break too and 
now you've had that break maybe yours and Selphie's relationship will be even 
stronger than before!" Irvine smiled. He felt refreshed, enlightened, renewed 
and ready to take on the world.
	"Thanks Mishka...we're friends forever. Let's go help that other friend of 
ours. Zell needs us."

	Rinoa approached the sitting figure of her enraged boyfriend with caution, 
when he was angry he was like a bear with a sore head and she definitely didn't 
want to be the one to incur his wrath.
	"Squall?" she ventured, "are you okay?" Squall kept his eyes transfixed on 
his gunblade, which he had laid across his lap. He ignored her question and got 
to his feet. Swivelling the enormous gunblade around in his hand, he carefully 
replaced it in its sheath by his side.
	"Get everyone to pack up their belongings, we're going on the move." Rinoa 
couldn't think of what to say in reply to this and blurted out a confused, 
"WHY?" Squall shot her a stern look.
	"We have to find the others soon. Something big is happening and they 
can't do it without us...lord knows they deserve it," he spat. Rinoa nodded her 
head slowly and turned towards the camp. Then she turned around and walked over 
to Squall. She kissed him lightly on the cheek. Squall turned away, unimpressed 
by this affection. Rinoa sighed and wandered to the camp ready to give the 
instructions to the crew. Quistis looked up as she saw Rinoa approaching.
	"Any luck?" Rinoa shook her head.
	"He wants us to move camp, think he's hoping for another encounter with 
the Gryphon but I'm not sure it'll return a third time." Quistis shook her head.
	"We best do what he says or else he may end up just going on his own. You 
know what he's like sometimes. The old 'I stand alone' attitude." Rinoa pulled a 
face and nodded.
	"You know I really thought that had left him, he seemed so happy with me, 
I thought he'd left his old insecurities and attitudes behind." 
	"I think he's changed significantly Rinoa, but you can't expect him to 
change altogether. Don't forget his nature is built on the fact that he's always 
been alone and there's always been an element of betrayal and desertion in the 
back of his mind. I think you've worked wonders for him, but a leopard can't 
change his spots and Squall could never change completely. Don't worry about 
him, just stand by him, that's all he wants I think. He needs you." Rinoa's 
eyelids were heavy as she listened to Quistis' theory. That was an awful lot of 
pressure on her. She loved Squall with her heart and mind, but sometimes he 
returned to his former self and that scared her. He was inconsistent and 
reserved. But Quistis was right, Squall needed her support right now, and she 
was gonna give him it no matter what, even if it did drive her crazy...

	Aurora's hand stroked the icy blonde hair on Zell's head. He continued to 
kiss her, slowly and then a little faster. Aurora could no longer feel the 
floor...she was flying above it all, above the clouds and up to heaven. 'My 
heaven' she thought. Finally, only for the sake of having to breathe, the two 
parted. Aurora's eyes were half-closed and she clung to Zell's arms, unable to 
release him from her loving grasp. Zell smiled.
	"I think," he began, "I think that if you fight by my side, I can 
accomplish anything. I can defeat Heresetus and can get us home. You give me 
strength." Aurora opened her eyes fully and raised her eyebrows.
	"Heresetus?" she repeated, "What happened to 'Father'?" Zell sighed.
	"There's more to being a father than helping to conceive. He has never 
been a father to me. My father is Mr Dincht of Balamb town NOT the Great 
Heresetus. Even if he is my biological father, he's still doing wrong and my job 
as a SeeD mercenary is to put a stop to wrong and promote good. I can't allow 
the small matter of family come in the way...it's for a higher purpose." Aurora 
was a little shocked about the use of the word 'small' when referring to the 
importance of family but nevertheless, she understood what Zell meant and nodded 
in agreement.
	"If you want to defeat Heresetus then I will do everything in my mortal 
power to help you. You mean too much to me now, just to let you go face this 
alone. I think I speak for Mishka and Irvine too."
	"Hey! Didn't your mother ever tell you it's rude to talk about people 
behind their backs!" Aurora and Zell spun round to see the smiling figures of 
Mishka and Irvine approach from the darkness.
	"Mishka! How long have you been there!" Mishka grinned.
	"Long enough," she retorted, "don't worry, we weren't listening until we 
were sure you'd got the important stuff out the way!" Aurora rolled her eyes but 
Mishka raised her eyebrows suspiciously.
	"Well well," she smiled, "it seems that you and Zelly-baby are getting on 
rather well." Mishka managed to dodge the heavy punch that was aimed her way and 
continued laughing.
	"Listen, forget the lovey-dovey Squall-Rinoa thing until we get back to 
Balamb. Irvine and me have been checking the place out. We're in a circular 
stone room, we were at the other end and it's incredible, it's huge, we didn't 
even know you were here. Anyway Zell, I think that your father in his infinite 
wisdom has forgotten what an incredible fighter you are. I think with a bit of 
patience you could punch through these walls, or at least one hole small enough 
for us to squeeze through. So, what do you think?" Zell thought for a moment and 
then nodded, punching his hand with his fist.
	"I'll sure as hell try," he replied. Irvine grinned.
	"Great!" he retorted. "Me and Mishka have been tapping walls for ages and 
I think we've found what is the wall covering the door. The door is magically 
sealed, but hey! There's no substitute for good old-fashioned violence!"
	"Right on!" shouted Aurora and Mishka in unison, causing Zell to take a 
timid step back from the two fiery women.
	"Okay then," confirmed Mishka, "we'll show you the place and you can give 
it a damn god kicking or a damn good punch up!"
	The wall proved more of a challenge than the gang anticipated but the 
final punch rush was the breaking blow and a hole was created large enough for 
them to creep through one by one.
	"Alright!" Shouted Aurora, punching the air. "I knew you could do it 
Zell!" Mishka put her finger quickly over her lips and beckoned for silence and 
Aurora put both her hands over her mouth, realising that the Sorcerer could be 
watching them. They cautiously crept down a narrow, seemingly endless corridor. 
Zell got a fit of the sneezes half way down and had to be jumped upon by the 
girls, in order to stop the walls around them from tumbling from the noise. The 
long route along the side of their holding chamber led to a huge open 
auditorium, lined with mystic runes, magic staffs, what could have been books of 
magic and in the middle of them, a tired looking sorcerer.
	"Heresetus!" began Zell boldly. Aurora squeezed his hand supportively and 
beckoned him on. The old man looked up in surprise and horror. Mishka decided 
that Zell was taking too long so she stepped forward and filled in for him.
	"Heresetus! We have come to put an end to this once and for all. What you 
are doing is wrong and you can't make our friend give up his life dream and 
follow your path. We care about him deeply and are here today to stop you. Your 
powers will NOT be passed to our friend and if you resist you will die." The 
gang stood open-mouthed at Mishka's boldness but after quick contemplation they 
realised that she had put in a nutshell what they all wanted to say. Heresetus 
looked unimpressed and raised himself off his seat.
	"I do not bow to threats," he stated bluntly, "I will fight you and if you 
fail to defeat me, my powers shall be passed to Zell and he will take my place 
as the most powerful sorcerer of his time." Heresetus began to grow in front of 
them and they watched, mouths gaping as a flash of light emitted from behind 
him. Aurora swallowed and glanced quickly up at Zell, who was visibly fighting 
back the tears. 
	"Zell," she purred, "it's okay, remember, do what you believe is right. 
We're all here with you and we're not gonna leave you." 
Zell gave a barely noticeable nod, keeping his attention fixed on the growing 
form of his estranged father. Irvine aimed his shotgun at the figure and fired, 
a physical bullet penetrating the magical defences of the sorcerer and hitting 
him hard. Aurora placed her figures around her mace and swung it powerfully in 
the direction of the old man. She caught him perfectly around the face, gashing 
it significantly. 
	"Your turn," urged Mishka to Zell. Zell took a step forward and then 
lunged at the man, unleashing his trademark fighting combo. The man was thrown 
off slightly, but quickly regained his composure and straightened himself up 
tall.
	"Behold..." he began menacingly, "the glory of the legendary GF!" His arms 
seemed to be conjuring up the beast as he spoke.
	"All tremble before the White Gryphon!" Heresetus promptly disappeared, 
making room for the immense mythical wonder to materialise. A brilliant flash of 
white light began the process and slowly the light formed the shape of a huge 
bird with lion's feet and an eagle's head. The group stood back in wonder as the 
bird opened its mouth and squawked an incredible sound. They placed their hands 
on their ears as the Gryphon used it's attack 'Glittering Glass'. It opened its 
mouth again and from it shot a stream of sparkling ice. It covered the party, 
freezing them in place and then slowly melting. As the gleaming ice melted, 
three of the four figures slumped to the ground, fainted. Zell was the only one 
left standing. 'Good job I always have ice junctioned to my Elemental Defence' 
he breathed silently. Before he had the opportunity to use 'Full Life' on any of 
the fallen party, Heresetus attacked with fire, sending Zell reeling. He 
straightened up, weakened from the attack and realising that the only attack 
that could harm Heresetus was a physical one. He knelt down to Mishka and took 
the dagger from her small sheath. He wandered back to the battle just as 
Heresetus used 'Firaga' on Zell, weakening him to the point of fainting. 'One 
chance,' thought Zell, 'gotta make it a good one.' He straightened himself up 
and indulged in his potent limit break. Booya began it, followed by Dolphin 
Blow, Punch Rush, Meteor Strike and Heel Drop. As Zell's ability for this Limit 
Break came to an end, he felt it in his power to deal one more blow to the 
offender. He summoned 'My Final Heaven' and attacked the sorcerer. As the attack 
neared its end, Zell took the knife he had taken from Mishka and plunged it 
through the heart of Heresetus. The sorcerer screamed a horrible scream as dark 
red blood poured from the open wound. He fell to the floor in an instant, as 
green smoke rose from him, making it's way to the stone ceiling. Zell allowed a 
tear to flow down his cheek.
	"I'm sorry father," he whispered, dropping the bloodstained knife to the 
floor as he followed it, knocking himself out on the cold stone floor. 

	Selphie trailed behind as the group began their journey once again. They'd 
only just began walking and Selphie was already moaning that she was tired and 
bored. Squall ignored any commotion, as far as he was concerned he was going to 
find this bloody Gryphon with or without their help. Rinoa watched the floor as 
she walked. She kept silent too. She was trying to do what Quistis had suggested 
and support Squall, but he was making it very difficult for her. She watched the 
floor sadly as the group trundled along. Dusk was starting to settle on the land 
before them and they were already yearning for a bed to sleep in. Gabriel seemed 
unaffected as usual and walked on mindlessly. He wasn't sure if he liked the 
group he was assigned with. Selphie was okay, but even HE could tell that she 
was on the rebound and didn't attempt to make a move on her. Even he wasn't that 
insensitive. He realised that Selphie belonged back with Irvine and was even 
willing to help if the need arose. Quistis was also equally silent. She was 
still thinking. She wanted to talk to Squall alone and let him know about what 
she felt but... 'What do you hope to accomplish by that?' She didn't know what 
she wanted to happen but she realised that the safest kind of love in this 
situation was unrequited love. In her mind she decided to ignore her feelings, 
maybe they weren't that trustworthy anyway. She glanced up at Squall and Rinoa. 
Rinoa was bearing a great load on her back both in a physical sense and in a 
metaphorical sense. She was carrying the burden of supporting the one she loved; 
despite the fact that she believed he was doing wrong and being unreasonable. 
'She's doing a great job' smiled Quistis. 'How could I ever dream of coming 
between them? Maybe my thoughts should stay in my head and this weird love 
feeling stay in my heart. I don't want anything to come of it anyway. I felt 
this way before and dealt with it, I can do the same now. Squall loves Rinoa, 
simple as that. I can handle being on my own until the right person comes along 
for me. Squall isn't the right person for me, my soul mate's out there 
somewhere...it's just a matter of finding him... Quistis stopped short in her 
thoughts as she heard a strange flapping noise in the trees off to her left.
	"Squall," she said urgently.
	"What is it," he retorted blankly.
	"I think the Gryphon's back, over there." She pointed to the trees as 
Squall dropped the rucksack he was carrying and ran for the trees. Rinoa looked 
weary but she'd already resolved in her heart to help him no matter what so she 
followed suit. Gabriel, Quistis and Selphie decided to follow for back up and 
made their way for the trees. There they found Squall, gunblade drawn in the 
direction of the now-familiar form of the White Gryphon. The Gryphon made no 
form of attack; instead it unrolled its wings and let two figures fall from each 
of them. With that, it disappeared once again and that was the last the White 
Gryphon was ever seen by mortal man. Squall's eyes widened as he and Rinoa 
rushed to the blood-soaked bodies. Zell's once-perfect hair was coated with 
blood and he had a bruise down once side of his face, in symmetry with his 
tattoo. Aurora lay outstretched, her red hair laid out on the grass and her 
delicate frame covered in bruises and cuts.  Irvine's hat lay a metre away from 
him and he still held tightly to his gun, as if still involved in battle. Mishka 
had bust her lip and the blood tricked down her chin. An empty sheath lay by her 
side and her fighting gloves were ripped on her hands. Squall shook his head and 
took a step back. After four equally potent 'full life' spells, the four managed 
to clamber to their feet, still looking slightly dazed and confused.
	"Whoo! We're back!" screamed Aurora excitedly. Mishka smiled, her eyes 
only half-open and spoke.
	"Squall...before you say anything. I know that we have a lot of explaining 
to do and we will, just as soon as we get back to Balamb. We all want to go back 
to Garden and not to Trabia, we can just get Cid to give em a bell and tell them 
what's happened." She moved closer to Squall and lowered her voice so that they 
were out of earshot of Zell.
	"Zell's got something going on in his mind right now. Please let's leave 
all explanations till we get back to Trabia. There's a lot that's gone on here 
that you don't understand, in fact that a lot of us don't understand!" Squall 
sighed and nodded.
	"Alright, are you all fit to walk, if we can get back to Trabia we can get 
a vehicle home as soon as possible. If we start walking now we can get back 
before the night's through and we can be home by tomorrow." He narrowed his eyes 
at the newly arrived members.
	"What you did was stupid and reckless, you weren't fit to handle it on 
your own." Aurora frowned and stepped forward.
	"Hello?" she spat, "we're here aren't we and...I don't call going to help 
a friend in need reckless and stupid!" Squall decided not to argue and folded 
his arms. He was going to wait for a full explanation when they returned to 
Balamb. There had BETTER be a good explanation...

	The ride back to Balamb was uneventful and the whole gang slept the whole 
way back. Selphie's snoring kept a couple awake. Aurora sat grumpily; 'If it's 
not her damn talking it's her snoring.' She kicked Selphie in the leg.
	"Quit it!" she shouted in a whisper to which Selphie snorted and turned 
over, continuing to snore. Aurora rolled her eyes and sat back against Zell's 
strong chest. He had his arms around her and he was sleeping off the events of 
the past few days. She couldn't help but notice how incredibly cute he looked 
when he slept. 'I wouldn't mind waking up to that in the morning,' she smiled as 
she snuggled in and closed her eyes.

	Balamb looked exactly as they left it. It's warmth and familiarity 
welcomed the travellers back with open arms and the nine reluctant wanderers 
made their way to Headmaster Cid's office to relate the events and perhaps come 
to an understanding of what happened themselves. Squall was still waiting for an 
explanation from the four that took off during the night but he was sure that in 
Cid's office they would reveal all and everyone could be in full understanding 
of what happened. 
	Cid raised his eyebrows.
	"So the Gryphon transported you back to the forest again?" Zell nodded.
	"As far as I can remember, Squall said that he saw it appear and drop us 
four on the ground in front of him."
	"Amazing," mused Cid, "that means that the White Gryphon is now free 
again. That creature has not been free for 5,000 years and now with the death of 
its master and the fact that no one was there to take his place, he is as free 
as the wind. It must have been the Gryphon who transported you home, it did it 
willingly because there was no-one there to order it." Cid sat down in his chair 
and shook his head in amazement.
	"I still can't believe it," he laughed, "THE WHITE GRYPHON! Experts have 
searched for that legendary creature for centuries or at least the one who owned 
it. Now that the owner is dead, I doubt the Gryphon will materialise into this 
dimension again. Last time it did that it was captured. I dare say that you nine 
will be the last humans ever to catch sight of that magnificent creature ever 
again. Incredible isn't it." The group looked at each other smiling; it WAS 
quite incredible but boy were they glad to be home again.
	"Anyway," said Cid, regaining his composure, "I realise that the nine of 
you have endured quite a traumatic time, especially you Zell, so why don't you 
all take a week off and recuperate. Quistis the substitute tutor can continue 
filling in for you so don't worry." Quistis nodded gratefully.
	"Right," concluded Cid, "I think that's everything. I'll contact Trabia 
Garden and inform them of the situation, so don't worry about that. So if that's 
all, you're dismissed." The group about-turned and left the Headmaster's office. 
Squall caught up to Zell who was staring at the floor in a melancholy way.
	"Zell," breathed Squall, "a quick word." Zell acknowledged him and Squall 
continued. "Listen, I realise that what happened was hard for you and I want to 
apologise for making it worse back there. I was a little angry that's all, 
nothing to worry about." Zell smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
	"Don't worry about it man, we all get like that sometimes. I guess I'll 
just need a few days to think about what happened." Squall nodded and patted 
Zell on the back.
	"Yeah, you get yourself away, just remember to come back!" Zell nodded and 
Squall dropped back with Rinoa. Aurora looped her arm through Zell's and smiled 
her cutest little pixie smile.
	"You okay?" Zell nodded.
	"I am now. Listen do you wanna go out for a meal or something tonight. We 
can go on to a club or something. Just make sure it's just me and you, I'd 
rather we be on our own, I'm a little uncomfortable with the rest of them." 
Aurora nodded as her beautiful red hair flopped over her face.
	"Sure thing," she beamed, "I've got just the outfit."
	Mishka walked lonely back to her dorm. She could make out the distant 
figures of Selphie and Irvine chatting ahead of her. She smiled satisfied, that 
little white lie about her not liking Irvine had done the trick. At least it had 
made him realise that he was still in love with Selphie. 'Mishka will be 
alright' she smiled sadly, 'I just gotta wait if I want the man of my dreams, 
and he isn't the man of someone else's dreams!'

	Squall raised his head as he heard the soft tapping at his dormitory door. 
He recognised it as Rinoa's and immediately pulled on his white shirt.
	"Come in," he beckoned. Rinoa timidly pushed through the door and smiled 
warmly at the sight of her boyfriend.
	"How you feeling?" she ventured. Squall shrugged his shoulders.
	"Okay I guess." Rinoa nodded her head, searching for something to say. 
Then she remembered the conversation a couple of days ago.
	"Squall, remember when we camped out in the forest and you said we needed 
to talk when we got back to Garden? Well, we're back and I'm ready to talk if 
you are." Squall looked up at her, his face expressionless. He sighed in 
resignation and nodded.
	"Yeah," he muttered, "I'm ready." Rinoa filled with glee and sat down on 
his bed, patting the place next to her for him to sit on. Squall sat next to 
her.
	"So," she began, "what's been happening?"
	"What do you mean?" Rinoa rolled her eyes.
	"C'mon Squall," she complained, "I'm not stupid, something's been 
happening in your mind lately and you won't tell me what it is. PLEASE just tell 
me, I promise I'll listen and try to understand." 
	"Okay," Squall began, "it's Quistis." He looked up quickly to catch the 
reaction to this. Rinoa tried her hardest to keep her face in the same 
expression and not to let anger and jealousy inhabit her features.
	"Go on," she whispered. Squall took a deep breath and decided that the 
easiest thing to do would be to just tell Rinoa everything, from start to 
finish, not missing out a detail and praying she would understand.
	"Alright," he croaked, "this is how it is. You remember during the 
Ultimecia war when Quistis confessed that she used to be...attracted to me? I 
was just thinking about that. I don't know why my mind even thought about it 
but...it did. I wondered if she still felt the same way. I wondered what would 
have happened if you and I never met...Gods Rinoa, believe me I'm glad we did. 
Hah! That was the understatement of the decade! But anyway, if you and I had 
never met would I have started to feel the same way about Quistis? What would 
have happened if I wasn’t with you. Rinoa please, I know this all sounds crazy 
but please try to understand. My mind was pretty messed up and I was just 
wondering that's all." Rinoa attempted to conceal the hurt that was rising up 
inside her but to no avail. Within moments she was reduced to tears. Squall 
looked devastated and held her in his arms, tightly.
	"Rinoa..." he soothed, "I'm so sorry, it was stupid stupid thoughts. You 
know that I love you and I could NEVER ever live without you. You are my world, 
my reason for being. Without you I'm nothing, you gave me a reason to keep 
going. A light from the shadows, a shining beacon through the fog and mist that 
is our lives. Please Rinoa...don't hate me for this. I don't love Quistis, I 
never have loved her and I never will. I love you..." Rinoa knew this all to be 
true and she couldn't find it in her heart to hold it against Squall.
	"I think," she snivelled through tears, "I think Quistis may still like 
you though." Squall looked down at the floor.
	"I know," he affirmed, "I thought she did, but please Rinoa believe me 
when I tell you that I never did anything to encourage that interest." Rinoa 
eyed him suspiciously.
	"So when you went to help her with some work, you WERE actually helping 
her. Nothing happened at all?" Squall stood up quickly off the bed in disbelief.
	"WHAT?!" He got down on one knee and held Rinoa's hand tightly.
	"Rinoa, my love, how could you even think that? I told you they were just 
some stupid thoughts! They never materialised themselves and if they did, do you 
think I'd be here? I would have thrown myself off the nearest cliff and let you 
find someone who deserves you and will be faithful to you. No Rinoa, I still 
don't believe I deserve you, but if I ever hurt you like that, I could never 
forgive myself. I could never let myself hurt you like that." Rinoa's tears gave 
way to a smile. She threw her delicate white arms around his neck.
	"Oh Squall," she laughed, "I knew it, I knew you wouldn't do anything like 
that! They were thoughts that's all, curiosity! I'd be lying if I said I'd never 
done the same! You silly thing, you had me so worried thinking you'd done 
something seriously wrong!"
	"Rinoa, to me this IS seriously wrong." Rinoa shook her head and giggled.
	"There's no harm in wondering if she likes you, I mean, did you ever wish 
you could be with her?" Squall shook his head in outrage.
	"No way!!"
	"Then that's all that matters. You and me Squall...we're a miracle, we'll 
always be together. Now lets' forget all this nonsense and start enjoying our 
week off!" She jumped onto Squall, both collapsing with laughter and relief.
	Quistis sat on her bed, in her room, on her own. She sighed. It was for 
the best, Squall and Rinoa would be happy forever and a day. For some reason she 
found herself ecstatically happy, she had never even attempted to come between 
the two star-crossed lovers and she was now relieved for that. She would find 
her own man and leave the ones that were attached alone. To Quistis, Squall and 
Rinoa were as good as married, because they were unbreakable and solid. Their 
love never visibly wavered, at least in public it didn't. No one knew what went 
on behind closed doors but they knew the couple well enough to relax. Quistis 
started as a familiar voice came over on the telecom.
	
	'Like er testing or something...' Mishka's voice was loud and clear. 'Erm 
hi everyone...could the following people please make their way to the cafeteria 
for a slap-up meal...Squall Leonhart, Rinoa Heartilly, Quistis Trepe, Zell 
Dincht, Aurora Emerson, Irvine Kinneas, Selphie Timmit, Gabriel Langley, and 
Mishka Ikari. Oh wait, that's me...haha...just ignore what I said. Yeah anyway, 
to the rest of the SeeDs of Balamb Garden, I'd like to announce that these nine 
brave dudes have seen the White Gryphon and defeated yet another crazy sorcerer. 
So let's hear it for them! Hip Hip....' 

	Quistis listened as a resounding 'Hooray' echoed through the Garden. 
Squall put his head in his hands as he heard the announcement, but Rinoa 
giggled. Zell and Aurora who were already at the cafeteria joined in the 
'Hooray.' Irvine and Selphie scowled, they'd just got back to their dorm and 
were gonna talk things over but were now being beckoned away. Gabriel was 
walking down the dorm corridor as the announcement was made and passing a group 
of giggling girls, stuck his chest out and held his head up high. 
	The Cafeteria was soon bustling with well wishers and the assigned SeeDs. 
Mishka wandered in and sat herself down next to Aurora and then noticing the 
fact that she was holding hands with Zell, nudged her friend roughly and winked. 
Rinoa looked all around her.
	"Where's Irvy and Selph?" Mishka remembered that the two would probably be 
talking things over.
	"Er...I think they said that they'd be along in a minute." She leaned 
forward to address her friends quietly. "I think a reconciliation may be on the 
horizon." She popped another cherry in her mouth and spat out the pip at Gabriel 
who was annoying her for being so quiet. A mini party had been started in the 
cafeteria and some music was coming through on the Tannoy. Mishka jumped up and 
began to sway in the heaving group of bodies, loving every second of her freedom 
and desperate to hold onto it.

	"Selphie...the truth is...I've missed you badly." Selphie glowed inside 
but on the outside she attempted to appear indifferent. She loved it when Irvine 
grovelled; it made her feel powerful despite her only being 5'1". She nodded as 
she listened to Irvine's confession.
	"I know you were the one who called it off," he continued, "but I'm asking 
you to reconsider. Is that what you really want? I still love you..." Selphie's 
smug façade faded and she broke out into a beautiful smile before throwing her 
arms around the one she loved.
	"I love you too Irvy..." Irvine hugged her back with all his strength, but 
being slightly afraid of breaking her.
	"So are we on again?" He smiled as she pulled away. She nodded, her hair 
bouncing as she moved.
	"Sure," she grinned, "we could never be apart for long. These last few 
weeks have proved that to me, I've missed you so badly!" She hugged him again. 
Irvine grinned as he gratefully welcomed the hug.
	"My Sefie..." he sighed, "I've got you back."

	Mishka looked at her watch, Selphie and Irvine still hadn't showed up and 
it was getting late. The party would be finishing soon. Mishka was hoping to go 
out afterwards partying.
	"Hey!" she shouted across the dance floor, "Aurora!" Aurora turned round 
and smiled.
	"Whassup Mishka?" Mishka grinned.
	"Er...sky, trees, clouds, aeroplanes...." Aurora rolled her eyes.
	"Oh please, not that AGAIN Mishka." Mishka laughed and shook her head.
	"No it's okay. Listen are you up for a night out tonight? Apparently 
there's this great club in Deling City and I wanted to check it out..." Aurora 
shook her head sheepishly and interrupted her.
	"S..sorry Mishka but me and Zell had kinda already arranged to go out 
tonight for a meal and then to a club or something, just the two of us." Mishka 
was taken aback and she put her hands on her hips.
	"What? You're gonna leave your life-long friend for some bozo you just 
met? Hah! Well that's just FINE! You two will be an old married couple in no 
time, mark my words." Mishka shook her finger at Aurora.
	"Don't be so daft Mishka! You know me, I'll never be old!!" Mishka 
grinned.
	"Yeah, it's up to me to keep y'all young! Okay then Aurri, you go enjoy 
yourself but go easy on old Zelly-baby, I know what you're like when you get 
going!" Aurora laughed.
	"Yeah! I get that from you! Don't worry I'll be gentle but, I'm gonna give 
him a night to remember!"
	"Hey! Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" Aurora raised her eyebrows.
	"Well that sure narrows it down doesn't it...NOT!"
	"Very funny...go enjoy yourself, leave me with the rest of the sad single 
SeeDs!" Aurora flashed her a wicked grin and disappeared in the crowd again. 
Mishka sighed; sometimes being single really sucked. She spotted a good-looking 
SeeD out of the corner of her eye. 'Then again...' she grinned, 'being single 
can have its advantages.' She'd barely had time to flirt properly when Aurora 
returned, holding onto Zell.
	"I knew you'd get bored of each other's company soon enough!" Zell 
laughed.
	"Listen Mishka, I felt really guilty about your dagger, I know it was 
special to you." Mishka shrugged her shoulders.
	"Don't worry about it," she smiled, "I'll get another one eventually."
	"Well I still feel guilty so me and Aurora went to see a good friend of 
mine in Balamb and I managed to get you this." Mishka's eyes opened wide as Zell 
handed her a beautiful knife. The handle was crafted metal, gold and it was set 
with an astonishing silver carving of a Gryphon.
	"That's the White Gryphon," smiled Zell, "I got my friend to carve it for 
you, he's amazing when it comes to things like that. I hope you like it, it'll 
remind you of our first adventure together as a new and enlarged team." Mishka's 
eyes filled with tears as she gazed at the beautiful knife she held in her 
hands.
	"Oh Zell, it's absolutely gorgeous, thank-you!" She threw her arms around 
Zell and then Aurora.
	"You two are brilliant, now I can slaughter in style!"

	Irvine and Selphie walked through the door to the Cafeteria, Irvine with 
his arm around Selphie's slim shoulders and Selphie reaching round and taking 
hold of his waist. They joined the table of friends and chatted for a bit, 
explaining that they were once again very much together. Squall patted Irvine on 
the back and smiled. Rinoa began chatting to Selphie and Selphie bubbled over 
with enthusiasm. Mishka spotted a lonely Quistis and left the guy she was 
dancing with to go speak to her.
	"Hey Quisty," she smiled as she approached, "I bet you're busy tonight 
aswell aren't you?" Quistis shook her head.
	"On the contrary, I'm gonna be bored outta my mind, why you wanting to go 
somewhere?" Mishka nodded enthusiastically.
	"Do I ever!! You wanna check out the new club in Deling City a bit later? 
Us single girls have got to stick together!" Quistis laughed.
	"You're on, I'll go get changed." Quistis and Mishka wandered out of the 
bustling Cafeteria, confident that men do not equal happiness.
	Outside Balamb Garden, flying high amongst the midnight clouds, a White 
Gryphon leaves the mortal world. No one sees it leave and no one ever sees if it 
returns again. The legacy of this incredible beast lives on and many eager and 
persistent travellers seek to track it down. The White Gryphon could never be 
caught...it flies high amidst the stars and disappears in the light of the 
silvery moon.

	And so the book cover closes on this contented scene and our story ends 
here...for now. Squall and Rinoa remain in their beautiful and inspiring 
relationship and others know not to intrude. It is almost as if they both wear 
an invisible ring on their finger and everyone sees it, knowing that this 
relationship is one to be revered and honoured. Irvine and Selphie have learnt a 
lot about living without each other and decided that the only way to get by is 
to follow their hearts and their hearts lead them to each other. Zell and Aurora 
are lost in each other; both silently knowing that this is the beginning of 
something special. Zell must cope with the meeting and then the destruction of 
his natural father but he is confident that with Aurora by his side, he can get 
past the pain. Gabriel decides to make a move on the giggling girls he passed 
earlier and one of them agrees to join him on a date, confident that she can 
give him an attitude adjustment. Quistis and Mishka try their hardest to forget 
the two men who are in relationships and go out for a sensational night on the 
town. Squall and Irvine seem happy and they see no reason to be miserable over 
it, after all as Mishka quite rightly said...being single has its advantages...!


THE END



There's the finale...all done. Thanks to everyone who sent me suggestions and 
tips, I really appreciate your interest and hope that conclusion was how you 
wanted it. I will be writing future stories that will carry on from Eyes on Me, 
using the same characters that I introduced. Anyway that's it for now...if 
you've got a comment or suggestion for a future story, direct it to:

Rinoa@angelic.com