A/N: Well, I have two firsts on this one. It's my first FFVIII story and my first non-humor story. Not to say that it has no humor what-so-ever, it's just that humor isn't the prevalent genre this time around. I'm not really sure how to classify it, but it's a bit romance, adventure, and drama. Possibly other things as well, but who knows. Anyway, this story deals with the premise that Squall had never become a SeeD. I hope no one has used this idea already, but if they have, then I'm truly sorry for taking it. Please enjoy.

- Thoughts are italicized. In this chapter, all thoughts belong to Squall.

Disclaimer: I don't own FFVIII or any of its characters. They belong to the Square Enix Company.

Rating: Rated T for now. Mostly for violence and a small kiss scene between two men. It will go up in the future to an M rating. Seifer x Squall.

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A Twist of Fate

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It happened in a flash. There was no cheering, no being greeted by the masses. The mission had ended with the Galbadian forces retreating out of Dollet leaving only the communication tower that was now repaired and ready for broadcasting what need be if necessary. Nine candidates for SeeD had been dispatched for the mission, and only a few would become a member of SeeD. If any at all, for that matter. One team consisted of the members: Squall Leonhart, Seifer Almasy, and Zell Dincht. They were to isolate the Galbadian forces and liberate them from the city. Easy enough. However, the squad leader, Seifer, was a true non conformer, and he led the other young men under his command to partake in activities that were not specifically specified by Garden. And while Zell protested, Squall followed Seifer's orders as if they were absolute. But what was the point of going into this battle if a few risks couldn't be taken? Problems arose and conflicts ensued, but, in the end, it turned out to be a victory for Balamb Garden.

Now it was time to find out which of these eager students would become a member of the illustrious specialized forces known as SeeD.

Squall made his way back to the Garden in silence. While the others who partook in the operation went on ahead, Squall lingered behind to dwell on his thoughts. It was a warm day with a cool breeze that tickled the back of Squall's neck. Gazing down at his feet, he wondered to himself, "Did I do the right thing? I was following orders as I was told, but . . . I feel uneasy about the whole thing . . ." Glancing back up, he put a hand to his forehead and traced the newly formed scar he received only a few days prior to the mission. He got it in a tiff with his rival, Seifer Almasy.

Ah Seifer. Squall had always been rather fond of the well-built, blond haired man. Of course, he was the complete opposite of Squall in every way. While Squall enjoyed being alone and keeping his thoughts and feelings inside, Seifer enjoyed the crowds and the general excitement of life. Consequently, Seifer was also a bit of a bully. And he got to everyone . . . except Squall. But the more Seifer pushed Squall, the more Squall pushed back. And so, a rivalry started. A rather infamous one at that. Everyone presumed that both the young men hated each other. And, sure, they did have a sort of animosity that showed quite openly whenever they were around each other, but their relationship was more complex.

While their spirit to bring conflict to each other's lives was prevalent, Squall had deep seeded feelings for his rival. He didn't want to admit a love for Seifer, he choose to think of it as more of a confused feelings sort of thing. Like he misunderstood anger for lust, or something like that. But the problem was, he felt this way all the time. Never bringing these feelings to the surface, he confided in his thoughts to comfort himself that it was normal to feel the way he did around Seifer. But that didn't stop him from mentally slapping himself back to reality.

Shaking Seifer from his mind, Squall decided to reflect back on the mission he had just screwed with. "Whatever," Squall said aloud lowering his hands to his sides and sighing, "No use in thinking about it. If it happens it happens. Fate always has a way of sorting things out, and there's no use in me trying to change that. I'll either make SeeD or I won't. Simple as that."

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Making his way into the academy, Squall heard the distant murmur of students chatting idly in the distance. What they talked about was of no concern to him, however, and he made his way deeper into the school. Trying to get to his dorm quickly so he could lie down for a bit, his plan was foiled when a very vibrant Zell came running up to him. Slapping him on the back, Zell said, "Hey, Squall! How's it going?! Man, I am so nervous! What about you? I mean, there's just so much pressure, you know? We shouldn't have anything to worry about though. Especially you! You were pretty much amazing out there! I bet you're not even worried. You're always so calm! I just don't get it. I wish I could be that calm in a situation like this, but all I want to do is panic and eat hot dogs. Ohh!! Hot dogs!! That sounds good! I'm gonna go get some, you wanna come with?!"

Bombarded by the loud excitement of Zell's voice, Squall was at a loss for words. Not like he let him get in an answer anyway, but when it looked like Zell had finally halted his blabber in order to receive an answer, Squall gave him a slight shake of his head and said, "No, I'm not really hungry. I'm going to go lie down, alright." And with that, he walked hastily away from Zell. "Well," Zell sighed waving to Squall's back, "I guess I'll see you later then!"

Attempting to get as far away from the cafeteria as he could, he was stopped by another. However, this person was far less annoying . . . but Squall was so determined to get to the silence of his room, that even the presence of Quistis Trepe seemed to bother him. Walking up to him with a large smile on her face, Quistis exclaimed, "Congratulations! You did so well!" and ushered Squall toward Xu and Headmaster Cid.

" – it seemed that the Galbadian forces were planning to use that communication tower in some way, but we're not exactly sure what their intentions are at this time. Ah, Squall! Good job today!" Xu said enthusiastically. Squall only nodded thanks in return.

"He is my best student," Quistis said with an air of pride.

"Well," Xu continued, "He did very well."

"Good show, Squall," Headmaster Cid said with a laugh. "You know, I've always wanted a gunblade specialist, and you and Seifer seemed to be perfect choices!"

Nodding in thanks once again, Squall excused himself from the group and continued making his way to his original destination. "Don't forget," Quistis called after him, "to listen for the announcement!" Giving a little flip of his hand as if to say he had heard her, Squall rounded a corner and ran into yet another person. However, he wasn't nearly as annoyed to see him.

Seifer came up to Squall patted his back gingerly. "You did pretty well out there, Squally. But I still think you were a tad scared." Backing away from him, Squall merely gave a huff and turned his head to the side a bit. Laughing, Seifer continued, "But you know, we could've been heroes. Heroes dammit! If not for that evacuation order, we would've been able to stop those Galbadians ourselves."

"You know, Seifer. I think you were just looking for a fight," commented an angry Quistis coming around the corner, "I think you just wanted to kill some soldiers out there. Am I right?"

"Heh, you think you know me so well, don't you my dear instructor? Well, I think you're wrong. The leader is supposed to make choices that help support the success of the mission. And I did just that!"

"You are no leader," Xu added coming into the conversation, "And you will never make SeeD, Seifer. You're far too rash. You only think of how things will better suit you in the end. Merely a child in a grown-up world. Face it Seifer, you tried and failed miserably."

Shaking in anger, Seifer thrust his body violently to one side and clenched his hands into tight fist. Gnashing his teeth, Seifer did not watch as Xu and Quistis made their exit. Now alone with the angry man, Squall couldn't help but look at him. He had seen Seifer angry before, but never like this. His eyes were squinted dangerously thin and his cheeks were a bright red. Squall thought it looked like he may cry, but Seifer never cried, so he doubted that would happen.

"How could Xu say those things? Sure he didn't follow orders precisely, but his decision did do some good. Hell, it did a lot of good. Because of Seifer's orders, we were able to discover that they were using the communication tower at all. So, where would we be without that? I mean, would it even have been a successful mission?" But Squalls thoughts were cut off when Headmaster Cid came ambling around the corner. Glancing back at Seifer, Squall realized that no matter what the headmaster said, it wouldn't change a thing. The damage had been done.

Cid stated that Seifer was going to be punished for his actions. But, with a follow up, he also commented on how he wants his students to be able to think and act for themselves. Thinking how hypocritical the headmaster's words were, Squall took the defensive in place of the fuming Seifer too angry to stop shaking. "Headmaster. You're wrong."

Both turned to look at Squall. Cid looked absolutely dumb founded, but Seifer looked at Squall with a mixture of "What the Hell are you doing?" and admiration. Not being deterred, Squall followed up, "I'm sorry, Headmaster. But you're wrong. Punishing him is one thing, but punishing him for the reasons you just gave is unacceptable. You want us to think and act on our own, not always following orders. So, Seifer did just that: he acted for the good the mission. He saw the chance to do something better, bigger, more vital. And now, you say he must be punished? I don't understand. That is very hypocritical of you, sir. I know Instructor Trepe and Xu thought he merely wanted a fight, but I didn't get that. I got the feeling he wanted to do something greater. To be a part of the success in the end." Stopping momentarily, Squall saw the disbelief in the Headmaster's eyes. Seifer, on the other hand, looked grateful. Deciding to wrap this up quickly, Squall finished by saying, "And if you must punish Seifer, then punish me as well. I followed those orders and fully accepted them without so much as a second thought."

Without saying a word, Headmaster Cid made his way back up to his office. Sighing deeply, Squall ran his hand slowly through his hair. Flinging a few strands from his face, Squall looked down at the ground with mixed emotion. Had he done the right thing? Of course he had. He truly believed everything he said to be just. Once again Squall's thoughts were interrupted when Seifer's voice cut through the silence with a, "Thanks, Squall." Lifting his head to look at him, Squall merely nodded. However, noticing the serene smile on Seifer's face, Squall blushed and quickly commented, "It was nothing. Don't worry about it," while looking sheepishly down at the floor once again. "No. I really want to thank you," Seifer said briskly. Shaking his head and never making eye contact, Squall whispered, "It's alright. Really."

In the next instant, however, Seifer had grabbed Squall's shoulders and turned him so that green gazed into hazy blue. Squall felt the heat in his cheeks rising again, and he turned his head away from Seifer. However, Seifer caught Squall's chin and tilted his head up to look back into Seifer's eyes. Nervous, Squall's breath started coming in short gasps and the heat on his cheeks was beginning to become overwhelming.

Smiling at him, Seifer lowered his head slowly and captured Squall's lips with his own. Blushing even more madly, Squall stood in shock. Wrapping one arm around Squall's small frame, Seifer rested the other hand on the back of Squall's head and pressed him closer, deepening the kiss. Seifer's strong arms on him, holding him, caused Squall to melt into the larger teen's body, returning the kiss. After what seemed like an eternity, Seifer parted from Squall and whispered, "Thanks, Squally."

Jumping back to reality, Squall quickly made a space between Seifer and himself. Crossing his arms and looking at Seifer with a blush staining his cheeks, Squall retorted, "Whatever," and made his way back to his room. As he was walking away, he could hear Seifer's strong laugh following him. But his laugh wasn't one of maliciousness or contempt; it was a laugh of true laughter and thanks. Smiling to himself slightly, Squall made his way back to his room with no interruptions.

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Blood was dripping from the fresh wound he had just received in his shoulder. Gripping it tightly, Squall began looking around frantically. Searching for something, someone. Calling out a name, the sound of Squall's voice was muffled by the sound of the crashing thunder. Rain poured down in thick torrents and caused the blood from his shoulder to drip down his body and stain his clothes a dark crimson. Breathing heavily, Squall began running deeper down the stone structure, his only light was the few candles glowing silently from the walls of the room he had just exited. Screaming raggedly into the thundering darkness, Squall eventually caught up to two figures scrambling wildly against each other in the darkness. Moving closer, he saw Seifer be thrown backwards and into a wall. Screaming in rage, Seifer recovered quickly and lunged at the ghastly figure cackling wickedly at him. Catching Seifer's gunblade in It's hands, the figure flung the weapon out of Seifer's hands and sent him flailing to the floor. Leaning over him, the figure hoisted Seifer into the air by grabbing his throat with both hands. Hacking, Seifer turned his eyes away from the creature, and noticed Squall standing there, his gunblade held tight in his hands. "Squall! RUN!!" Seifer screamed.

Sweating, Squall awoke from his dream trembling. Holding tightly to himself, Squall huddled his knees close to his chest. Feeling something wet on his face, Squall put a hand to his cheek and noticed it was tears. He had been crying. Sighing deeply, Squall put a hand to his forehead and, deciding he didn't have a fever, lied back on his bed. Breathing harshly in the silence, Squall told himself, "It was all just a horrible nightmare. I should just try to forget it. I'm probably nervous or . . . something."

Ding-dong: "Students who took the field SeeD examination today, please report to the 2nd floor hallway and await further instructions. I repeat, all students who took the Seed exam please report to the 2nd floor hallway. That is all."

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As Squall made his way to the designated area, he was abruptly slammed into by a very hyper flash of something. Looking down, Squall notice that Selphie was currently latched onto his arm and rubbing her head along his arm. Shaking her around a bit, Squall tried loosening her grip; it seemed like a complete waste of energy. She was on there pretty good. Smile beaming, Selphie chirped, "I'm so excitied! Who do you think made it? Hmm?! Oh well, let's walk up there together, ok?!" And so the rest of the trip to the 2nd floor hallway consisted of Selphie going on about things Squall couldn't care less about. And what should have about a five minute trip at most, seemed like years had been taken from Squall's life.

When they arrived, Zell and a few others who participated were already waiting. Seeing familiar faces, Zell calmed down visibly and raced over to them. "Oh man," he sighed, "Am I glad to see you! This is torture, man!"

"What, can't take the pressure, Chicken Wuss," came a mocking tone from behind Zell.

"Arg, Seifer. Just shut up and leave me alone."

"But why would I want to do that? You're so easily riled up, aren't you Chicken Wuss." A few laughs rang out which belonged to Raijin and Fujin. Shaking his head, Squall mentally commented that Seifer could say anything and those two would laugh. Seriously . . . anything.

Deciding to fume off in a corner, Zell slumped down unceremoniously and crossed his arms indignantly. While Selphie went over to him to calm his rage, Squall locked eyes with Seifer. Seifer caught Squall's glance and gave him a seductive wink. Blushing, Squall hurried over to "assist" Zell as well.

"Ah, what's wrong with me? Why do I keep blushing?! And why did he kiss me before? I don't . . . understand him. Surely he can't have the same feelings that I have for him. Wait, no . . . I don't have feelings for him! Right? Oh, who am I kidding!! I have got to pull it together. Maybe if I ignore him or . . . hmm, well --" But Squall's thoughts were cut short again when he felt a tug on his shoulder. "Squall?" asked Selphie cautiously, "Are you ok? You look kinda pale." Nodding his head, Squall told her that he was fine. And leaving it at that, the little discussions continued until a Garden faculty member came waltzing in from the elevator.

"Dincht. Zell Dincht," was the first thing the man said.

Pumping his fist into the air and exclaiming, "OH YEAH!!" Zell made his way down the corridor and stood next to the faculty member. The next person who passed was named Nida. He took his acceptance much more calmly than Zell did, and he, too, went and stood beside the Garden faculty member. Announcing that only one more person would make SeeD, Squall felt the whole room tense up. Breathing nearly came to a halt, and then the man addressed the last person to make SeeD . . . Selphie Tilmitt.

Squeaking in glee, Selphie hopped to the front and stood by Zell. Smiling, she looked at Zell and noticed that he looked stunned. Cocking her head sideways, she noticed that Squall wasn't standing among them. And then, it hit her.

As Squall stood there, he felt all eyes on him. Staring at the ground, he remained silent. Finally, the Garden faculty member spoke up, "That is all," and he began walking away. "Wait!" Zell screamed frantically into the silence, "Squall didn't make SeeD? Are you sure?! Check again!"

"Mr. Dincht," retorted the faculty member, "The list I have here is absolute, and nowhere on it does it say Squall Leonhart. I'm sorry, but your friend did not make SeeD."

Hearing the words said out loud was almost worst than not having his name be called. All that he had worked for, all the training and studying. For what? And as the newly appointed SeeDs made their way down the hallway and towards the elevator where Headmaster Cid would inaugurate them, Zell could be heard pleading, "But I don't understand! Please, check again with the Headmaster, come on man!!"

The hallway became silent once more. Only one person dared to make a sound and that was Fujin. "SHOCK," was all she could say. Squall didn't dare look at his fellow classmates. He didn't want to see the pity they held for him. As he stared at the ground, his vision started to become blurry with either tears or rage. Assuming it was the former, Squall thrust his head violently to one side. With his body shaking and teeth clenching, Squall didn't hear Seifer approach him. "Squall," he said placing a hand on his shoulder, "It's gonna be alright." Twisting out of Seifer's grasp, Squall looked right into his eyes, his own filling with tears, and yelled, "I'm fine!" Turning from Seifer completely, Squall began racing down the hallway and thinking to himself, "I didn't make it. I'm not a SeeD."

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End of Chapter 1

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A/N: Well, I hope you liked the first chapter. Reviews are greatly appreciated. I'd really love to know what you think! Thank you for reading!