Exhile87:Alooha!!Back again for my 4th fanfic!!!
!~ENJOY~!

Chapter Four:Haunted
The weeks went by peacefully.Seifer proved to be an excellent student
and Cid was very pleased with him.Eventually the other students treated him 
like he was one of them,even Zell.
Squall wasn't very enthusiastic with Seifer,though.True,he talked to 
him,but without showing much interest.Seifer replied coolly,but he alwasy 
tend to lose it when Rinoa was around.He still hadn't told anyone about her 
help during the SeeD exam.
'Oh God!It's killin' me!I HAVE to talk to her!But how?Squall'll notice 
and he'll give me a good bash-up...not that I'd resist...' Seifer thought.
Finally,one night,he decided to sneak into Rinoa's dorm and confront 
her.He only hoped Squall wouldn't be there or around.
"Hixon," Seifer whispered the name of the GF he had caught a few weeks 
ago in the Balamb Forests.A small ray of light shone and a beautiful Falcon 
appeared.
"You called,master?" Hixon said in a hollow voice.
"Yeah.I want you to go look for Squall and tell me where he is.Don't let 
him see you."
"Very well." Hixon disappeared into the thin air.Seifer sat down on his 
bed and waited impatiently.After about 10 minutes,Hixon reappeared.
"Well?"
"He is with his comrades in the cafeteria."
"Is Rinoa there too?"
"No.He was only with Zell,Irvine,and Nida."
'Boy talk,eh?And I wasn't invited...' Seifer inhaled."Thanks,Hixon."
"A pleasure,master," Hixon replied and changed into a wisp of 
smoke,entering Seifer's body.He made sure the GF was properly junctioned,and 
then went out of his room.
Walking to Rinoa's dorm and making sure nobody saw him,he hurried his 
steps and stopped in front of the certain room.He could hear Rinoa laughing.
'I just hope she's in there alone.But what person laughs by herself?' 
Seifer thought,waiting for a while to identify the other person's voice,but 
no sound was heard.He knocked lightly on the door.
"Yeah,come in," came Rinoa's voice.
Seifer took a deep breath and one last look around him.Then he placed his 
hand on the bolt and opened the door without a sound.
Rinoa was lying contentedly on her tummy,hugging a pillow.Angelo was 
taking a nap on a rug,and a blueish figure sat beside the bed.
Seifer stopped as he closed the door.'Shiva?Why is SHE here?' he thought.
"Seifer!" Rinoa seemed surprised.She sat up and smoothed down her blouse 
awkwardly."What're you doing here?"
"I...I wanted to talk to you about something." Seifer glanced uneasily at 
the Ice GF sitting quietly there.
Rinoa took his hint."Oh," she said and turned to Shiva."Say,umm,can you 
leave us for a second?"
"Certainly,my mistress." With that,Shiva disappeared,leaving some snow 
flakes on the floor.
"Yeah?" Rinoa prompted Seifer.Angelo woke up and stared at him before
moving to his mistress.She cuddled him.
Seifer ran his hand through his blonde hair slowly."It's about what 
happened during the SeeD exam."
Rinoa's expression turned to concern."What about it?"
"Oh dammit,Rinoa!You tell me what I'm supposed to do!I can't keep it much 
longer without telling anyone!" Seifer went hysterical and almost 
shouted.Angelo growled softly but became quiet when Rinoa gave him a gentle 
slap.
"I'll try to tell Squall--"
"You'll TRY?You mean you haven't?"
"No.Everytime I start either someone interrupts us or he says he's got to 
go."
Seifer exhaled heavily and placed his hands on his hips."So what're we 
supposed to do,Boss?"
Rinoa thought for a moment."It's either Cid or Squall..."
"I'm NOT going to Squall," Seifer said hardly.
"Then I'll do it."
"Oh right,yeah,go on....you'll TRY.." Seifer replied sarcastically.He
turned to Rinoa and glared at her."You know,I still don't get it.Why did you 
help me?I almost got you killed months ago!If you had just stood there and 
stare,I wouldn't be in this mess!"
"What?You're blaming me?"
"Yeah,I'm blaming you.I could have taken care of myself.That Malboro was 
no match for me," said Seifer with pride.
"I can't believe you're saying this!Seifer,you could have gotten yourself 
killed."
"Isn't that what you SHOULD want?Have you forgotten the chaos I caused?"
Rinoa stopped for a while."How can you say that?I just wa--"
"Well it's true,isn't it?If it wasn't for Headmaster Cid and 
Matron,Squall'd have the whole Garden against me.Everyone...including 
you..."
The last few words pierced her heart painfully.Rinoa stared at him in 
disbelief.She looked away as her eyes formed tears.
A silence.
"Do you remember our summer together,Seifer?" asked Rinoa quietly.
Seifer's eyes widened slightly.He didn't respond.
"And fo you remember what I said?"
Memories from the past flowed into Seifer.His mind played it all like a 
VCR--the happy moments he and Rinoa had,how he joined Balamb Garden,his 
fight with Squall....
And Ultimecia.There she stood,right in front of him,smiling evily and
beckoning to him.
*Come,my knight,you're close to fulfilling your dream.*
And then Adel...Adel breaking herself free....reaching out for Rinoa.
*Come,my knight.* Ultimecia was calling him again.*Come,come,come...*
"NO!!"Seifer screamed and clutched his head hard,so hard that his 
fingernails dug into his skin."Get away!Don't touch me!!"
*Come,my knight,come to me!*
"GET OFF!!!"
"Seifer?" Rinoa was alarmed and she approached him in concern.Angelo 
started barking but Rinoa hurriedly hushed him."Seifer,what's wrong?"
"No!!Get away from me!" Seifer ran to the door,opened and slammed it 
shut.He took off to his room,his heart beating as if he'd run 1000 miles.
*Come to me,my knight.....*

Rinoa stood and stared at the door after Seifer left her room.She sighed 
and sat back against the wall,pushing back her raven hair.Angelo whinned and 
rubbed his head on her arm,but for once,she didn't notice.
'Oh God...how'd I ever get myself into such a mess?' she thought.
Suddenly,she felt cold fingers touching her arm.She turned just in time 
to see Shiva appearing with a cool breeze.
"Wha..?" Rinoa gaped in surprise."You were here all along?"
"Yes,mistress."
"Oh great...so you heard our conversation after all..."
"What's worrying you,mistress?" Shiva asked,sitting herself down and 
keeping a certain distance away from Rinoa to as not to freeze her.
"Uh,it's nothing.Just promise me one thing,though,Shiva.Promise me that 
you won't tell anybody about this,okay?"
Shiva studied her for a while."You have my trust.."
Rinoa nodded.Then her thoughts gradually shifted to her Big Problem.
She groaned again.

Chapter Five:A New Friend

A Cockatrice pecked the road hungrily.As it looked for some bugs,a 
distant sound was heard.The Cockatrice looked up and around.The sound became 
louder,and was clearly heard as a powerful engine.
A motorbike dashed pass the bird,which squawked and quickly ran off. 
Clocking the speed of nearly 200 km per hour,the motorbike sped on.The rider 
seemed cool and held on tightly onto the bike.
When it reached the front gates of Balamb Garden,it stopped.The rider 
swung off from it and took off her helmet,looking at Garden with a pair of 
sunglasses hiding her eyes.Her long blonde hair was tied up neatly and two 
thin plaits with a feather on each end flowed freely behind.She wore a 
sleeveless orange top with buckles at the sides,an orange and yellow belt 
which hung loosely at her hips and a green pants.
Two green rings were around her upper arm.
She gazed at Balamb Garden for a moment before entering the school 
compound,leaving her motorbike outside,unprotected.Walking coolly to the 
Lobby,she looked around and some students stared at her.
Taking no notice of them,she proceeded to the lift and went up to the 3rd 
floor.Although she heard voices in the office,she boldly knocked the door 
and opened it just as an answer came.
Cid was there,talking to Squall.Both of them looked at the stranger in 
surprise.The girl took off her sunglasses,revealing a pair of mischevious 
but intelligent green eyes.She smiled slightly.
"Headmaster Cid?" Her voice was cheeky and melodious,clearly mirroring 
her playful nature.
"Ah yes.And who may you be?" Cid asked slowly.
"I'm Rikku.My father told you about me,didn't he?" the girl said,going 
nearer to the table.
"Oh,indeed.But I thought you're coming next week?"
"Change of plans."
Cid turned to Squall,who was silent all the while."Squall,I'd like you to 
meet Rikku.Her father is the new Mayor of FH." Then he turned to the smiling 
girl."And Rikku,this's Squall,the Commander of SeeD."
"Hey!Nice meeting you!" exclaimed Rikku,but she made no move to shake 
hands.
"Hello," replied Squall stonely.
"Well,then,Squall...we'll continue later,okay?I'll have to arrange some 
things now that Rikku is here," said Cid as he placed the paper he was 
holding into a file,closing it.
"Right,sir," said Squall.He got up,saluted,and walked off,nodding at 
Rikku.Behind him,he heard Cid inviting her to seat down.

"A new student?" Quistis echoed,leaning back on her chair.
"Headmaster Cid didn't say anything about her in the meeting with all the 
instructors yesterday."
"Nope.She was supposed to be here next week.Said something 'bout change 
of her plans..." answered Squall,drinking his soda.
"What's she like?Her name?" asked Xu.
"Rikku.Her father's the new Mayor of FH.She seems okay to me,though a 
'lil playful.Hey,Selphie,both of you will make a perfect couple!" Squall 
joked.
"Hey,hey,hey,she's already got me!" protested Irvine.
Selphie laughed good-humouredly and gave him a big hug.Then she looked up 
when something caught her eyes.She paused for a while,then said,"Oh!Is that 
her?" She pointed somewhere.
Everyone;Squall,Rinoa,Irvine,Xu,Quistis,and Zell looked at where she 
pointed.Rikku stood by the entrance of the Cafeteria,her blonde hair 
reflecting the light from the sun.Her sunglasses were hung at her collar as 
she looked around with her high-spirited emerald eyes.
"Whoa!She's pretty hot!" remarked Irvine and got a playful slap from 
Selphie.He laughed."Hey,I'm just saying!"
"Hey,Irvine,I agree.Look at that outfit,isn't it cool?" said Zel with 
interest.
"She seems lost....Squall,don't you wanna see if she's okay?" asked 
Rinoa,looking at Squall.He grunted and muttered,"She can handle herself."
"Well,I don't think she can," Selphie said as she got up.Before anyone 
could say a word,she approached Rikku,who turned to her as she advanced.
"Hello there!I'm Selphie.You lost?"
"Hi.Rikku here.Not really,this place just seems kinda big," Rikku replied 
with a smile.
"Big?It isn't,actually.I'll give you a tour if you want.I'm kind of new 
here too.Just came here 6 months ago."
"Thanks.I'll appreciate your help."
"Wanna come meet my friends?They're over there." Selphie pointed to her 
comrades' table.Squall groaned softly.
Rikku noticed him and raised her eyebrows."Isn't that the SeeD 
Commander?"
"Yep!"
"You're friends with him?"
"Yepo!He's nice,you don't have to be scared of him.He was the one who 
took me around Garden when I transferred here from Trabia.Come one, let's 
go!" Selphie led Rikku back to the table.The others,except Squall,
smiled.
"Hey everyone.Meet Rikku.And Rikku,this's Irvine,my boyfriend,and 
Zell,and Xu,and Instructor Trepe,or Quistis as we call her.And you've 
already met Squall,right?This's his girlfriend,Rinoa."
"Hello," the others chorused,but Squall remained silent.Rinoa nudged him 
fiercely and he mumbled,"Hey."
Rikku seemed amused."Wow,you're all like one big happy family," she 
remarked.
"Sometimes..." said Quistis."Do you want to sit?"
"Oh,thanks," Rikku responded as Zell pushed her a chair.She sat down 
beside Selphie.
"So,er,any intro?" asked Xu after a pause.
"Whaddya wanna know?" replied Rikku cheerfully.
"So like,you INTRO?Name,age,where ya from,blah blah..." chipped in 
Irvine.
"Oh." Rikku laughed."Well,you all know my name.I'm 16 and from FH. 
Fisherman's Horizon,if you don't know..."
"So like,you're a pro in fishing or what?"
"No!I hate it!But I love bike riding."
A pause.
"Bike riding?" repeated Zell,unsure.
"Yeah.You know,motorbikes and stuffs like that.My father designed and 
developed my very own bike.It's in the Parking Lot if you wanna see it..." 
Rikku stated proudly.
"Uh-huh." Zell nodded."I'll go check it out later."
"Uh,wait." Rinoa held up her hands."You came ALL the way here from FH on 
a motorbike?"
"Well,my father had a small vessel to send me here,and I brought along my 
most treasured possesion with me.That's Hicom."
Another pause.
"Now who's Hicom?" asked Selphie,confused.
"That's the bike."
Zell raised his eyebrows."You NAMED your bike?"
"Uh-huh.What's wrong with THAT?"
The others blinked at her.Xu looked down and whispered to Quistis,
"Weird girl.."
"Hey,guys!" Nida's voice sounded.They turned.He was walking to them with 
a big smile,but he slowered his steps when he saw Rikku.His smile faltered 
and his eyes widened.
There was a pause for a few seconds.
"Rikku..." Nida said quietly.
"Hello,Nida," replied Rikku casually but coolly.Her voice changed from a 
playful one to a slightly-cold tone."It's been some time."
"Uh,wait a minute!" Rinoa held up her hands again."You know each other?"
Rikku turned and said,"I've got to go.See you later." As she stood up and 
left the table,giving Nida A Look,Selphie called after her.
"Hey,wait!What about the tour?"
"I'll be alright." was the answer.
Nida looked after her even as she went out of the Cafeteria.When she 
turned back to the others,they were staring at him menacingly and slyly.
"What?"

Rikku leaned against the wall,exhaling deeply as she ran her fingers 
through her long fringes.She closed her eyes and lowered her head.
Nida....sure,she'd heard that he studied in on of the Gardens,but surely 
not Balamb Garden,the same place she would be staying?Though she acted cool 
and calm in front of him and his friends,deep down in her heart,she was 
still hurt and pained.
True,what happened had passed....but she couldn't put it behind.
She never will.

"Now,spit it out!" Irvine said as Zell held Nida onto his chair tightly.
"Spit WHAT out?" Nida argued.
"How do you know RIkku?" Xu answered promptly.
"And how does she know you?" added Quistis.
After a few minutes of pestering,Nida finally gave in."Alright, 
alright,I'll tell!Stop clutching me,Zell!"
"Heh,heh..." Zell released his grip on Nida and dropped himself onto his 
chair.
Nida took a few seconds to compose himself.Squall grumbled impatiently 
and said,"Well?"
"Okay!You all know I can here when I was about 16,right?Before that,
I used to follow my father to FH everyweek 'cause he had some business to do 
there." Nida paused as his brown eyes gazed dreamily at the sky.
"I remember...I was 15 when I saw this girl.Blonde,cute....she was the 
daughter of the Deputy Mayor.That's Rikku...." He stopped again."I got to 
know her,and we gradually fell in love...and that love led to something more 
intimidting.Err..you all know what I mean,right?"
The others stared at him before they widened their eyes.Zell sat back and 
slapped his hand on the table."Man!Don't tell me it's what I'm thinking!"
"Shut up,Zell," Rinoa said."Um,it's nothing wrong about that..." Her eyes 
lingered to Squall,who gave her a small smile.
Waving her hand at the others to stop them from talking,Selphie prompted 
Nida,"Go on."
Taking a deep breath,Nida continued,"And then there's this other 
girl....I don't know what happened,but I fell for her too.So there I 
was,torn between somebody I called my girlfriend and another girl.I was a 
fool....Rikku saw me kissing her,and she broke up with me.I tried to tell 
her...it was a mistake and I just needed another chance,but she wouldn't 
listen." He sighed and rested his head in his hands."You don't know how 
guilty I felt,but there wasn't any use crying over spilt milk."
Rinoa felt her heart pumping harder.*You don't know how guilty I felt* 
The sentence sliced through her heart.Secretly,she answered Nida in her 
thoughts.
'Yes,I know how it's like,Nida,because I feel just as guilty as you were 
before now..."
Squall,surprising everyone else,gently patted Nida on the shoulder.
"Hey,it's the past.Forget about it,okay?"
"Yeah,Squall's right,Nida," said Xu sensibly."Rikku seemed all cool 'bout 
it.She wasn't upset or anything when she saw you."
Nida lookwed up and smooth back his hair."I guess..."
"Hey,hey,listen to me.Girls tend to forget 'bout things quickly,ya 
know?Right,Sefie?"
"Uh-huh," answered Selphie."It's true,Nida."
Rinoa mumbled under her breath,"Not all girls..."
"Rinoa isn't like that..." stated Squall slyly and got a faked glare from 
his girlfriend.
But in her heart,she knew he was right....

!~THE END~!
There's the 4th fic!Gonna come up with the next one soon!The usuals, send it 
to exhile87@hotmail.com