Exhile87:Hiya!!Back again from the last fanfic,The Return(Part 2)I'm 
continuing here...
!~ENJOY~!

Chapter Three:The Inauguration Party

"Here're the candidates who passed the SeeD field exam and are qualified 
to be a SeeD.Please step up if your name is called," said Squall as the 
students gathered in front of him.Cid,Edea,and his comrades were also with 
him.
"Prest Connoville from Squad C.Hene from Squad A.Rack Jondor,Squad 
D,Maxell Henington,Squad D,and...." Squall paused."Seifer Almasy."
The students clapped as the names were read out.Rinoa sneaked a glance at 
Seifer,who wasn't expressing anything at all.Guiltiness overwhelmed her 
again.
"Congratulations," said Cid and Edea.Then Cid edged closer to Seifer and 
said in a low voice,"Hmm,well done.I'd like you in my office after 
this,please."
Seifer froze for a second and thought,'Is it about....about Rinoa helping 
me?I hope not....oh God.....' He nodded without a word.

"I'm impressed,Seifer." Cid looked at the stoned teengaer in front of 
him."You've done well in your exam although it's been a while since 
you...changed..."
"Thank you,sir."
"Here's your report." Cid held out a file.Seifer took it and opened 
it,reading quickly.
'Phew!Nothin' in here 'bout Rinoa....but...should I tell him the 
truth?No!I can't!Then he'd disqualify me and I won't be a SeeD!And then 
Squall...and the others..they'll laugh their ass off!' Wild thoughts 
disturbed Seifer.
"I hope you'll give full cooperation to Squall,Seifer.I know both of you 
aren't in good terms with each other,but he IS still your Commander," said 
Cid,breaking Seifer's thoughts."Is that clear?"
Seifer swallowed."Very,sir."
"Good.Now get along to your room and change for the inauguration 
party.You're dismissed."

"How do I look?" Squall asked anxiously as he smoothed his uniform."Do I 
look okay?"
Rinoa laughed." You look fine," she said as she corrected his 
collar."Stop being nervous,Squall."
"How can I?I'm supposed to give a speech in front of everyone!You know 
how I hate doing that..."
"Well,do you want me to do it for you then?" complied Rinoa,but Squall 
quickly shook his head.
"It's okay.I can handle it."
As he took out a comb to brush his brown hair,Rinoa considered telling 
him about Seifer and the SeeD exam.
"Umm,Squall....there's something I ne--" she started but a knock at the 
door interrupted her.
"Yo,Squall!Hurry up,man!The party's gonna start!" came Zell's voice.
"Alright,I'm coming!Come on,Rinoa,let's go," Squall held out his hand.She 
looked at it and sighed silently,then slipped her arm through it.
"Okay.."
'I was so close!' she thought.

The inauguration party began.All the students attended it,some with 
dates,and some without.Cid and Edea were also there.
"Hello,Squall,Rinoa," said Cid with a smile when he saw the couple.
"'Evening,sir."
"Are you ready for your speech?"
"I guess," Squall replied with a shrug.
Cid chuckled."Good.Then you're up after me."
"Yes,sir." Squall and Rinoa left him.Rinoa caught sight of Seifer and her 
heart did a double take.
He was in his SeeD uniform,his blonde hair shining.He was standing 
alone,a glass in his hand.
'He looks so much like Squall when we first met!' Rinoa thought and 
smiled slightly.She turned back to Squall when they bumped into Nida and Xu.
"Hey,Squall," said Nida cheerily.
"Oh,hey," replied Squall.
"Wow,are both of you....?" Rinoa trailed off,eyeing Nida and Xu 
clearly.Xu laughed.
"No!Of course not!"
"She's waiting for Prest.Wanna congratulate him," Nida answered.
"Ahh," Rinoa leaned forward."That's interesting."
"Oh come on!" Xu said."Don't you know that he's my fourth cousin?"
Rinoa blinked and looked at Squall sheepishly."Is he?"
"Yep," Squall replied."Old news..."
"I can't believe you didn't tell me!" complained Rinoa."Then I wouldn't 
be so embarassed now."
Squall chuckled softly as both of them left Xu and Nida.Just as they were 
about to sit down,Quistis came rushing to Squall.
"Squall!What're you doing here?You're supposed to be starting the 
inauguration!"
"Huh?Now?"
"Of course now.Come on,Headmaster Cid is waiting."
Squall turned to Rinoa,who nodded."Go on.You know he doesn't like 
waiting," she prompted.
"Right.Sure you'll be okay here?" Squall asked,concerned.
"Yeah," Rinoa replied."Get going,Squall!!"
The inauguration started,though not without some hesitation from Squall 
at first.Cid gave his speech,then Squall,who stammered and paused throughout 
his words,then at last the new SeeDs.
Seifer was the last to talk.He stood on the stage for a moment and looked 
around.A few students averted their gaze at him and coughed awkwardly.Squall 
said nothing and placed his hands in his pockets.
Seifer looked down,then up again.He opened his mouth,hesitated,then 
started.
"I'd like to thank Headmaster Cid and Matron for giving me another 
chance.Raijin and Fujin,you're the best pals I've ever had." He stopped for 
a while."To someone out there,you know who you are,thanks for youre help 
earlier."
Rinoa froze.She looked slowly at Seifer,who glanced at her.She exhaled 
and kept her face a mask.
"And to my Commander,Squall Leonhart," Seifer looked at Squall."I thank 
you for whatever you've done for me.May we be able to 'click'... more..." 
Seifer's eyes gleamed as he smiled slightly.
Squall muttered something under his breath and took over.
"Thank you for your speeches.Err...the party continues,so have a great 
time,everyone."
The crowd of students melted away.Squall hurried over to Rinoa,who looked 
rather anxious.
"Hey,anything wrong?" asked Squall in concern.
"Oh,nothing." Rinoa shook her head and smiled."That was a nice speech."
Squall returned her smile."Like to dance?" He nodded towards the dance 
floor.
Rinoa looked at where he nodded and her eyes gleamed slyly.
"I trust your skills are better?"
"Well,I guess.But you can always teach me more."
Rinoa smiled and took his hand,pulling him to the dance floor."Come 
on,Commander."
Squall chuckled and allowed Rinoa to get him ready to a dancing 
position.His mind flew back to the time he first met her.It was just like 
this--she pulling him to the dance floor and forcing him to dance.
As they slowly swayed to the music,Rinoa murmured,"Mmmmm,you're getting 
better,my dear knight."
Squall didn't answer.He edged closer to her and bent his head down.
His lips yielded softly onto hers.
Rinoa responded for a second before she pulled back a little."Squall
don't forget we're not alone.What'll the other students think if they see 
their Commander kissing a Sorceress?"
Squall pulled her closer and replied,"I don't care."
He continued to kiss her.

From a secluded spot where he was standing,Seifer watched them silently.

!~END~!

Well,that's that!Sequel comin' up!Hope ya enjoyed it!!
*The usuals--->send it to exhile87@hotmail.com*