Among The Red Sand

Author's Note- I do not own any of these characters, so please don't sue me.

This story from Rinoa's POV while she is in the memorial.

I enter the memorial slowly, cautiously, like a bird on its first flight. And I know that this will not only be this bird's first flight, but its last as well. All because of Ultimercia… I will not have a life. I was a bird, free and proud, who flared her wings all over. But now… my wings will be clipped…

Forever.

The people who work here look at me like I am a bird; sorrowful, but barely pained to see me shot down. The headman below tells me that I will not feel any pain, yet, I have already begun to feel it striking me. Not only pain to my body, but mental pain. Is this what Squall had to go through when he was in the prison? Or is this worse? Now, as the people glare at me full of hatred, I realize that they never did care if it hurt me. All I was was a little bird, a vulture to them. One whom must be shot down and never fly again. All I want to do now, before I die, is yell out his name for all to hear. But, if I do so, they would find him as a traitor. I would never, in my whole life, do such a thing as to hurt him.

Pain.

That is all I feel, and it cases me over, like a vulture flying over her prey on a cold winter's day. Yet… the people in front of me told me that I wouldn't feel anything. They not only told me, but promised me on Hyne's word…was that a lie? If so, for what? Because they fear me? If I were younger, I would laugh at the thought. The pure irony of this whole situation made me wish to laugh. And I would have, except for the fact that a spasm of pain struck through me that instant, causing me to scream.

Lies.

The people below me are keeping their distance, not moving, just staring at me, as if I was a monster and not the true human I am. But another thought strikes my mind- am I? Am I human? Or just someone born to carry out a mission, then die for that cause? If I'm human, then why am I here, being treated like an animal? Why am I here among the red sand of this desert? Noises from farther down the lengthy corridors interrupt my thoughts. Is it… can it be...? I think… I think that I can hear the sound of joy again.

Squall.

He leaps toward the glass that separates us and shatters it. The tight bonds that have held me for so long now are broken, and I am falling… falling… falling to the one I love. I realize it now, how much I do love him, more than anything, more that even myself. From the first time I saw him, in that tiny little ballroom and he saw me, I knew that I loved him. Not only a small thing like that fling with Seifer during his SeeD test last year in Timber, but the real thing. He has never shown me that he loves me, but now, he is running to catch me. Why is he here? I told him that I would be safe but… does this mean…

He loves me?

He has never shown it, but can it still be there? If he didn't, then why is he running to me? Now, I am falling into him arms, and I know. I know… I know… I know… he does love me. His arms wrap around me, and I feel safe, for the first time since I was a child, wrapped in my father's arms. He holds me tighter, and I begin to cry. If it was anyone but him, I would feel ashamed to be crying, but he understood. He just holds me closer. I rest my head on his shoulder, and begin to cry harder. I can see the others in the background, cheering. Squall looks to them and smiles. He faces me, and I look into his eyes. I see not only the kindest person, but also the one that I want to be with forever. The one who I belong with.

My love, Squall.

Now and forever more, I will be the bird. Flying free, and never ceasing to go higher, faster, and quicker.

I am Rinoa Heartilly, the sorceress of the wind.