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The Longest Road.

"




Chapter sixteen; Lion Hearts reunited.






"Rinoa Heartilly is dead...., I repeat...." The announcement went out through Balamb garden and hour after the abrupt end of her speech.

Selphie Tilmitt sat down on a free seat in the cafeteria and wept openly.

Irvine Kinneas removed his hat and held it above his heart in respect.

Quistis Trepe stopped motionless in the doorway of the classroom she was about to exit, a tear breaching the fortress set against her emotions to roll down her cheek.

Zell Dincht bit his lip and saluted one last time to a fallen comrade.

Squall Leonhart, seated on the bed in his quarters raised two fingertips to his lips to kiss them, then blew the kiss away on the wind, a final admission of love. He could think of no words better than these; "You have my word. Farewell Rinoa, we will meet again."



The ringing of his vid-phone a few minutes later startled him and, thankful he had been presented with a voice operated one, called out "Voice link only."

"Hello?" A familiar male voice croaked.

"I am truly sorry your loss General Caraway." He whispered barely loud enough to hear. "I feel as though this is all my fault."

"You were freed from your oath of protection when she left you almost a year ago." The general coughed. "They still haven't located the sniper."

Squall sat up again. "Would you like SeeD's help?"

"No, no. It's alright....." He paused as though remembering something. "But..., there is one thing I would very much like for you to do for me....?"

"And that is?"

"Ayden...." He whispered. "It is no longer safe for him here. I want you to take him. That way, he will always be protected. Even if I..."

"Sir, you shouldn't talk like that."

"Squall..., my doctors have informed me that the pressure put on my heart was too great and I..., I will be dead by tomorrow. Will you take him or not?"

Hearing the insatiable need in his voice Squall answered, "I'd take him in a heartbeat. You didn't even need to ask."

"I was hoping you'd say that.... He is on his way there already with one of my more faithful friends from Galbadia Garden."

Squall gave a half laugh. "I should have guessed you'd do something like that. It'll be one of my SeeDs no doubt...."

The general's voice suddenly became very solemn. "Take care of him Leonhart. Do Rinoa and I proud."

"Always sir." He swore upon his honour as a SeeD and as a Leonhart. "Always."

The call was cut off.

"Poor kid." Zell whispered from somewhere behind him.

"Loosing his mother and soon, his grandfather too....... I know." Squall replied as he shook his head, hair dancing and shimmering in the half light.

"Actually...," Zell continued as he sat on the bed behind his lover and kissed the back of Squall's neck. "I was referring to you. This has been a rather busy week, even for you."

"It's been a while since I was referred to as a 'kid'..." He sighed. "And right now I feel like I'm a hundred years old." He felt Zell's fingertips begin to work the tension from his shoulder muscles, trailing paths of electricity along the back of his neck.

"Ayden.., he'll be your youngest ever student."

Squall nodded. "And to think a few days ago, I said 'If the boy ever sets foot in a garden I want it to be mine and mine alone!' to Ri...." His voice faltered at her name. "And now..., she's dead." He put his head in his hands. "Another one gone.... All those who I loved leave...."

"Squall!" Zell shook him to bring him back. "This is just the shock talking..... Don't let it get to you!"

"But............."

"I promise you this. I'll never leave you, or Ayden."

As Zell's strong arms encircled him, Squall whispered: "Thank you Zell. Zell."





An while later, Squall Leonhart's presence was requested, no, demanded at the front gate. One of the more naive students decided to take the visitor on and was left in urgent need of treatment for a broken arm. Naki Keza recognised the person and immediately delivered them to Squall's office, where the lion was already waiting.

"SQUALL."

"So," He said as he kept his back to them. "You are the trusted friend.... I didn't think you would leave your garden for such trivial things headmistress."

She ran a hand through her silver hair. "Save it Sir." And Fujin smiled. "It's been a while, hasn't it Leonhart?"

He swung around in his chair and faced her. "That it has Fuu."

She fell silent for a moment, reminiscent of her old days at Balamb garden. "PAINF..." She coughed and corrected herself. "Is that painful?" She asked sincerely, referring to the bandages that covered his eyes, as one hand rose absently to the patch residing over her own sightless eye, lost too many years ago to remember but recently enough to still hurt like a mother whenever the weather was dry..

"I barely notice it now. Take a seat." He waited until the creak of the leather chair opposite his desk signified she had.

"I take it that the child really is yours.... That Caraway really was telling the truth?" Squall nodded slowly. "Seifer would have had a field day with that!"

Squall decided it best all round if he didn't tell her of Seifer's latest escapades. "Where is Ayden?"

She pulled a mobile phone from her pocket and dialled a number. "Raijin has him, I'll get him to bring him up for you. I just wanted to know for sure."

Squall nodded, understandingly. "And how is business in Galbadia Garden these days?" He asked briefly.

"Wonderful....." She paused to give Raijin his instructions. "And again Squall, thank you."

He shrugged. "Don't mention it. We needed a head for the Garden and if someone like Seifer looked up to you, you should be more than perfect." They were silent until the gentle giant appeared to present the baby to Squall like a prize.. "You are welcome to stay the night if you wish..."

"Sorry Squall should be gettin' back ya know? Or Fuu will get cranky."

Squall nodded, knowing the pressures of running a Garden.

"But next time you're in the area, give us a visit! And bring the baby, ya know?"

"AFFIRMATIVE!" Fujin added and blushed a little. "Anytime."






Authors notes. A VERY mixed up chapter because I am trying to write at 3 am when my mom and dad are in the next room asleep. They'll kill me if they catch me. please forgive me. comments?

Cheers.