Time and Again

(Final Fantasy 8 fan fiction)

by Yuu Mizuyuki

Disclaimers: FF8 isn't mine and you know it! -waves her mighty pen- ... uhh ... right, sorry. Squaresoft owns Final Fantasy 8. I have no money, so don't sue me ... or else ... you feel the wrath of my evil pen thingy!

'It's over...' Squall thought as he placed his arms at the back of his head and lay down on his bed.

'Everything was over ...' He thought again; they had fought the most powerful sorceress and he wasn't that ... apprehensive. Now, he had a new sorceress in his midst, no one else feared her but himself. He was terrified of her, because she can look into his heart and even her smile can penetrate his cold demeanor.

'Rinoa Heartily...' He banged his palm onto his forehead. "Why is she tormenting me slowly like this ... Damn!" He cursed. He stood up and walked out of his room, wondering around blindly in the halls of Balamb Garden.

He froze; there she was ... "Rinoa ..." He looked away, hoping that she'd go away. He looked back again to notice that she had disappeared. He sighed and quickly stepped back as he saw Rinoa appear in front of him.

"Hi Squall..." She smiled; he stiffened.

A few seconds past, no answer.

"Squall? Are you alright?" She waved her hand in front of Squall's face.

He snapped out of his trance, "I'm fine, go away ..."

'What am I doing?'

"Squall ..." That was the last thing he heard before she gave one pained look and turned away. He stopped, stiffened.

She started to walk briskly away from him. 'Why?' She asked herself. 'Why does he have to be so cold.'

' ... If only she knew how I really felt... Rinoa …'

With that, he looked down. 'What should I do? Damnit!'

He had to make a choice. Surrender his cold bearing to tell how he felt about someone or lie to himself and watch her suffer in the process. There isn't much choice. Yet, he had to make one.

He paused and gave a small smile to himself. 'This is what I want to do.'

He made his choice.

He went towards Rinoa, grabbed her wrist, and turned her around. He stared longingly into her eyes and embraced her. Softly, he whispered into her ear, "I love you."

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Author's note: Yup, a bit of weirdness in me when I wrote this. But hey! I wanted you guys to enjoy this ^.^ ... R & R!