Forgotten Fall

Chapter Five

I need a breather please

Disclaimer: I sadly don't own Final Fantasy VIII! -sarcasm- But anyways. I own no songs. Thank goodness we're allowed to add them in our stories or I wouldn't have any readers! Don't worry I wouldn't put you through the pain of my song writing ;)

Well thank all you readers for being patient and not flaming me for my lateness of update! I do so appreciate it and for all your supportive comments for the things I've been through these past months. I still haven't got my computer but within two weeks or less I will! I'm pretty sure. I'm using my sister's computer, which yes I ruined yet again somehow (but recently began to work again). Hahaha. I hope you enjoy this chapter. I had a whole different one but it got deleted on my old imac I mentioned sometime ago.

Enjoy!

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The warmth of the fireplace in Caraways mansion was incomprehensible as Rinoa sat near the source of heat. She was reflecting on the previous night's catastrophe with Seifer. Who was still showering in her room. The awkwardness made her flee to the downstairs' domain of guest rooms. She stared down at her trembling hand... The broad made a tightened fist. 'Just how stupid was I to give into that situation! Sure the alcohol consumption was no help; but Hyne I sure screwed things up with Seifer... Mom please don't think badly of me..." Her frown was the atmosphere of the room. She barely even noticed the sound of the door opening.

"Are you hungry for lunch yet?" It was Seifers voice. There was no discomfort as he spoke to her. Maybe he didn't recall last nights rendezvous. Rinoa wasn't the only one drinking.. She decided to look up at his face; it wasn't as bizarre as she thought it would be. Seifer was grinning at her as he dried his wet hair with her towel.

"No, I don't have much of an appetite right now. Sorry." He nodded slowly while looking to the floor. She didn't realize the blonde was just wearing his briefs again until she glanced at his lower half; she blushed at her deviant thoughts. He noticed her gesture and laughed to himself as he walked toward her. "Um..." She closed her eyes as he approached. "About last night-" The girl cut herself short. She was blushing madly at the thought. Seifer leaned to give her a kiss but choked as he did. "What were you thinking...?"

The youth was hesitant. "Well..." He quirked his right brow and his lips turned into a straight line of thought. Rinoa panicked. She didn't mean to sound rude.

"I didn't mean it like that! I'm sorry I'm just really confused, Seifer." He remained silent as she figured out some details in her head. "I mean why did you do it? Not that I was against it at the time or anything. Honestly I don't remember much..." The girl mumbled the last parts to herself, uncertain if he heard it or not. At this point they didn't have many secrets left.

"Truthfully?" She nodded. "I did what I felt like doing, not like you're an object to me! I meant what I said and you acknowledged it." The broad was still embarrassed to even speak to him. 'Does that mean he has feelings for me yet? Oh come on! Why would he allow that to happen if he didn't?' She gazed at his eyes and he felt so affectionate. Just his stare made her feel fuzzy; but then it felt so wrong too. "I must say I enjoyed it quite a lot actually." The boy laughed mischievously and she turned red and looked way rather quickly.

"You really know how to make a girl feel at ease!" Rinoa stood and walked to the door. "I have to get dressed, just give me a couple minutes and we can get some lunch." He smirked at her comment and held the door open for her.

"If you're looking for your clothes from yesterday you may need some help finding them. I think we got lost on the way to your bedroom." He laughed as he put his arms around her slim waist.

"... Seifer, I have to get ready." She shrugged him off of her and walked up the stairs to her room.

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"Hello? Ellone, its Squall. I decided to come home early... things weren't going so smoothly at the Kramer's so I booked an early flight. I'm home now so call me when you get this. Bye sis." Squall Leonhart sighed as he lit up a lucky strike cigarette. They seemed to pack more tobacco; maybe it was the no filter that made it seem so. The smoke filled his lungs and he exhaled; his throat feeling at ease now that he had a drag. He even lost his appetite. He sped down the countryside rode in attempt to get to his apartment quicker. Squall wasn't looking forward so much to having Kinneas as his roommate. Roommate... his thoughts differed to Emily.

'She was probably unpacking her things at her new place in Galbadia. Or working, hah. What a drag.' He thought as he signaled a left turn. The brunette was close to home. The cold air wisped around his car as he opened the window. 'I'm glad all that crap with Emily is over with... all the media bullshit. It's been almost four months since we originally broke up but... Quistis insisted we kept saying we we're a couple and that would boost Laguna's fund donations to Esthar Garden. Surprisingly it did for a time... Now I can go back to living my life.' He rolled up his window as he heard his phone ring. Leonhart picked it up instinctively.

"Hello?"

"Squall? It's Zell!"

Surprising... He took another puff of his cigarette before he answered. "Oh. What can I do for you?"

"I just wanted to call you up and see how things are! How's Centra?"

"I left early. Cid wasn't so welcoming... I'm about ten minutes from my apartment. I'm driving into Esthar city now."

"Oh. Hey man! I'm in Esthar with President Caraway. We're staying at the fancy Esthar Moon hotel. Well, I'm here with him as a bodyguard. I could probably leave him alone for an hour or so! How about lunch, or something?"

"Huh? Sure, why not. Where should we meet up at?"

"How about that coffee bar, with the deli with those hot dogs I like?"

"Sound's good. I'll meet you there.-" The youth hung up his phone and made his way to the bistro. It would be interesting to catch up with his cousin. It was a rather unexpected call.

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Everything seemed to according to plan for Nida and Xu's wedding banquet. 'I can't believe they keep moving up the day for the party. At this rate I should just rush the job in case they want it tonight!' The blonde broad sighed in her thoughts. All the tables were arrayed correctly and all the colors and flowers Xu had chosen were at their advised location. The color of the tables was a coral color. It was darker than they expected. The flowers were yellow lilies and a few red ones in each vase. The bar was also decorated according to both colors. The flooring was solid burgundy. All the colors mixed together nicely. The stage for the band playing was mahogany. Everything looked very elegant. The only thing left to do finish was to place the mahogany walls over the white ones. 'For just a wedding clambake it sure is over the top. Good thing they're also having the wedding after party here. Almost a few thousand dollars wasted.'

"Alright men, I have to attend to a meeting with the president. By the time I came back I would like the wall you're working on to be finished. Ellone will be here some time while I'm gone to check on your progress." Quistis waved off the workers and opened the doorway to see the person she last expected to see. "Laguna! I didn't anticipate you would be here. I thought we had a meeting in thirty minutes." The man smiled rather densely.

"Oh we do," he let himself inside the building, "this place is all coming together pretty awesomely!" He ensued around the tables before him. Tapping his fingers; for no apparent reason. "But I needed to come by and speak to you." He re-did his pony tail and the nape of his neck. 'This must be something important then..' Once finished he patted his forearm and looked a little baffled. "You know the president of Galbadia is in this very city. Business trip I guess! But I found this out when I got a call from our construction team, the legal office, not the actual construction team at the site. They said Caraway had made a meeting to see the progress of Esthar Garden!" He continued pacing with his arms behind his back. Looking up every once in a while.

"But Mr. Loire!--" Quistis began.

"I'm well aware the construction has been slowed down ever since his daughter left, in hopes of her coming back to continue her job. But when he called he also scheduled a meeting with us. I cancelled our meeting at three thirty and we will be meeting the president at four o'clock. I think this conference with him will greatly depend on the future of Esthar Garden's funds." Laguna paused for a moment. Giving her the chance to ask any questions she had.

"And if we do get someone from Galbadia to help oversee the construction it should be finished within six months time. Maybe a bit longer." She rubbed her chin with a smile. "This seems like a fine plan, president! It will strengthen our relationship with Galbadia as well."

"Yup! So I need you as my spokeswoman. Ellone won't be there, she'll take over this job. And we should call Squall so he can attend the meeting!" The blonde quirked her left brow. "Oh that's right, I forgot to tell you! Cid Kramer called and told me Squall left early. Actually, he should be in town now. So I'll leave you with the duty of calling him. I'll see you at the meeting Ms. Trepe!" He waved to his main secretary and made his way out the door with his bodyguards. 'Great,' she rolled her eyes, 'I have to call Leonhart.' She dialed his number and held the phone to her ear without much enthusiasm.

"Hello?"

"Squall its Quistis. Laguna needs you at a meeting withhim and me. It's urgent. I expect you to be there at four sharp."

"Alright...-click-"

'He's always so curt! Dear Hyne why does it bother me so much? It's like I'm his older impatient sister.' She sighed as he adjusted her glasses with closed eyes.

---

Squall shut his phone and re-opened it. He typed in Zells number. "Dincht, its Leonhart. I can't have lunch; I have a meeting to attend to. Spur of the moment. Call me back later if you want to get dinner. If not I'll talk to you later... bye." The brunette tossed his phone on the passenger seat and brushed back his hair sighing. He turned up his music.

Will you walk straight, I'm not like them, to fool them in, make it seem like you're in trouble. Make a sound, fake it enough, what made you so scared? Maybe you're mistaken for someone who cares.

He sighed as he lit up a cigarette. What a dreary mood he was in. Maybe the crave he had would ease it.

If you remember, remember, I've been trying to get back to the center, I'm sure, it's not like it was before.

'Life, what a letdown...' Three drags and nothing seemed to change much. He continued driving toward his father's home. Still, no one seemed to understand him. Emily was great for a time... but then it turned out to be another disappointment.

To make them drink, tell 'em its only water, no one leaves till we figure this out, what made you so scared? Maybe you're mistaken for someone who cares. If you remember, remember, I've been trying to get back to the center, I'm sure its not like it was before.

Squall tossed the bud out the window as he made a left turn. He was just a few moments away from the manor.

Patience, both we and our words are over produced by an influence, I'm only asking if you remember, remember, I've been trying to get back to the center I'm sure it's not like it was before...

He turned off his stereo as he drove up to the palatial estate. A few men gathered around the entrance, media it seemed. The camera men gave it away. The youth glanced at his digital clock. Just eight minutes till four. He had a few minutes to kill. 'I should really just take the back door...' He sped around the garden and headed to the back of the residence. There he noticed Quistis waiting for him. She seemed to be enjoying a drink on the patio; overlooking the majestic looking garden. He parked in the carport and unbuttoned his coat. "And I was thinking I wanted to end the night quickly." The brunette teased. She stared up and rolled her eyes.

"If only life was so simple." The blonde broad stood and entered the house, Squall followed closely behind. They entered an elevator. 'Wonderful... I just wanted to spend alone time with Quistis.' He lit up a cigarette; he was having a lot of those lately, and exhaled into the air ventilation. Leonhart looked over at her... she was doing that thing were she just stared at random things while in deep thought. But the woman was ever so aware. "So, how was it, Centra?" She inquired knowing he was glaring at her.

"Hostile." He explained bluntly.

"That dreadful? I have a hunch Emily has something to do with it?"

"Yes." He shook his head and sighed. "Something related to engagements and scum." He frowned at the thought.

"I didn't see that one coming..." He exhaled with grief. 'At least he's talking to me.' She thought warily. "Anyway," they stepped out of the elevator and walked toward the conference room, "I think I should give you a memo on this meeting." He nodded in agreement and threw away the bud of his cigarette into a nearby ash tray. "It's under the category of funds for Esthar Garden. Old news you think?" He shrugged. "Well President James Caraway is offering even more assistance and money." The brunette youth rubbed his chin unsure of what to think. "I assume there's a condition of some sort. Last time his daughter was in charge. In all honesty I can't understand why he would waste such an opportunity to send his child here."

Squall mumbled at this. "I'm not certain but... I think his late wife proposed the idea."

"Well in any case I'm glad she left Esthar. Though I do feel badly for her..." She pulled out her identification card and handed it to a security guard, normal routine. The guard gave them the okay and they continued walking down the corridor. "Especially being friends with such an egotistical dick!" Squall raised his left brow in wonder. 'I have a feeling I don't want to enter this subject...' He opened the door to the meeting and let her enter before him. "Good afternoon everyone." The room mumbled or nodded their head in response.

---

Selphie sat at a bed in a freezing apartment, with no heater but an open oven door. She wore numerous sweat pants and sweaters, an addition with a beanie on her head. Dirty clothing took over the entire carpet as well as strangely arranged boxes with wording on them to determine what was inside. This depiction is of a sloppy teen that has just moved into a two bedroom apartment and has no plans for the night but sit and stare at nothing specific. The brunette sighed as she lay back in her cozy bed.

The phone rang after what seemed like an eternity. She scuttled over to the telephone, which home was a box full of clothes she wouldn't wear any time soon. "Hello?" She asks diligently. She'd been indoors all day except for a mission to the local market for soup. The female's eyes shined with bewilderment. "Irvine Kinneas???? Uh..." She slapped her forehead as he made flirtatious remarks of her and how he undoubtedly remembered her. "Ohhh yeah! Hey Irvy." She beamed into the phone. "Yeah, yup! I've been pretty bored here too..." She glanced at her clock. "Fifteen minutes? Sure thing! Bye-bye!" The broad hung the phone up and scattered over to her closet looking for an outfit appropriate for coffee with Irvine. She settled with jeans, uggs, and layers of shirts and an under her coat. And her brown patterned beanie.

She grabbed her purse and ran out of her door and locked it. She didn't own a car; and was far too broke for a cab. Selphie would have to walk to her destination. It was eight minutes till she was supposed to meet him at a local coffee bar. 'I should've asked for a ride!' She groaned and continued on her way. Four minutes left. The girl was almost there. There was Irvine parking his car real suave-like. He gandered to the sidewalk and there she was. The auburn haired boy looked happy. He beckoned her over with a gesture of his hand. She waved and leaned on her knees, panting. "Hey, good looking!" He shouted. She approached him and gave him a tight hug. The youth kissed her cheek and walked to the door of the shop and held it open.

They hastily grabbed a table, and left one of their properties as evidence it was taken. The young man made his way to the counter winking at the cashier. "I'd like a hot cup of choco. And," he gazed over to Selphie, "what would you like darling?" she twirled her hair in thought.

"Same!" She smiled. He grinned and handed the cashier the money. "So how do you do, Irvy?" The auburn boy shrugged a bit and grabbed the two cups. They continued to walk toward their table. "Not so good?"

He pushed his lips up. "Things are okay. I've just been a bit… bored." He stated blandly. "So I figured I'd give you a call! Check up on you and all." He beamed. "It sure has been a while. It's been weeks, or months." He laughed at his bad memory and took a sip of his drink. "How is your friend, Rinoa?" She also wondered this.

"Last I've seen her was when I took my trip back to Galbadia. When I went back for a weekend, a few months back or weeks… I don't remember." She shrugged. "I haven't seen much of her, or spoken to. From what I hear though, Seifer and Zell are her best friends now." She sighed at this. "I can't really blame her for it. We both… have a lot on our plates to deal with. I guess we went our separate ways from her mother's death."

"I'm sorry to hear that, babe." He said comfortably. 'Always a bit too bold.' He laughed on the inside.

"Yeah, well. Its likes she changed in a way. She left her old self for something new. Considering what she went through its hard not to change. Ah, I'm sorry I'm getting too serious." She huffed.

"No worries, sweet face! I don't mind at all." He smiled and she buried her hands in her face with a blush. "It's the truth, puddin'." She waved her hands.

"You're embarrassing me Irvine!" The youth glanced around the room. His loudness was apparent and the couple was receiving looks. "You want to leave?" He made a hushed 'huh?' "We've finished our drinks, and all this attention is making me nervous!" She heard him chuckle.

"I always do that to women my love." Before she could reply with her hand, he grabbed hers and headed out the door. "To the car!" Selphie frowned, and tightened her grip, 'Why am I getting depressed? Of all times…', then sighed. She wasn't aware he was caressing her hand with his thumb while the other was opening the passenger door. She blushed once again. "There you go." He let go and watched her sit in the car, he closed the door and continued to the driver side. Once he entered he turned off the music and started the car. "Where should we go?"

"Um… what's your place like?" He turned to look out the window, with his let hand clenched and a silly smirk. 'And that ladies and gentlemen is the Kinneas' charm at work!' he turned back and still had that mischievous smile about. "Oh it's nothing too fancy. Television, food, bed, ya know… the works." The female was quiet for a moment.

"… Do you have a roommate?" His jaw dropped with both ends of his lips curved and his eyes squinted with joy. 'I knew there was something special about this girl!'. "I mean not to be weird or anything!" Her face was very red so she looked away with an even stranger face than Irvine. 'Hyne! I must sound like an idiot!!'.

"Not at all!" He said all too cheekily. "I mean, I understand not wanting to meet people at… certain times." She was quiet once again. Too quiet. But then she turned with a smile.

"Exactly," She beamed and turned on the music, "so your place!" Irvine revved the engine and sped to his apartment. 'I am in love with this girl already, oh Hyne!'.

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The End! Sorry I do apologize, I really did plan on making this longer! So, please don't give me too much of a harsh time TT

But yes, next one… I absolutely promise will be so much quicker to update. I didn't get my computer until two weeks ago, and I've been busy studying for school. And my sister's computer had yet again crashed! I know my luck eh? But I always saved on that one and sent it to my email! Half of this was done on my sister's computer and the other half on mine.

I figured you'd want some then none sooner. Sorry to everyone who reads this, I am disappointed with my flakiness. But, for a reason. Thanks for those who read my "explanations" which I deleted. I figured I'd sum it up at the end of this chapter. A lot of people I knew died last year, all of which I was very close too and then the whole deal with my computer. That is why I am so late with updates. I was depressed and didn't care much to continue but now I am doing much better!

Also I realize this chapter wasn't what I said it would be. I'm very sorry… jeez, and the wedding is in the next one too! Gah, and it will be long. Much longer than this!

Thanks again! And please, review. Tell me what I'm doing wrong, haha. And I try to be humorous but I can't tell if it's really funny or not? I usually laugh at anything... so yeah haha.