Yesteryear—

In all of Galbadia's glorious years never has another family surpassed the house of Caraway. With a reputation of birthing the bravest and strongest boys in all the land, the Caraway family was destined to govern the nation of Galbadia and eventually came to own that leadership. For seven consecutive generations, the Caraway lineage led Galbadia in what came to be known as the "perfect law" as it remained strong and flawless. When Galbadia's seventh was of age, the people of Deling City were relieved to find that he remained true to his family's strong-willed name. Richard "Fury" Caraway had been born braver and stronger than his predecessors. His intellect was equally as sharp as his battle skills. No one dared to defy him. Only a fool found fault with this perfect government. As the general of Galbadia, his legacy spread abroad Deling City, Timber, and smaller villages in between. Those in Deling City knew of no struggles in life unless they were servants to the great Caraway; however, the same could not be said of those who lived in Timber and the small farming villages across Galbadia, their lives were meant to struggle. Rumors of this mistreatment had been kept silent for years. Those living in Deling City who had heard these rumors turned a deaf ear to them and lived life carefree dismissing them as mere deceitful rumors. They believed only the words from the lips of Caraway, as his words were the only truth in their perfect world.

The only ones who weren't deaf and blind to those rumors were those who had lived and gave testament to these mistreatments. From the days of the fourth Caraway general, an underground congregation began to meet up in hopes of ending the Caraway family's reign as it became corrupt over the years since the first General Caraway's rule. He governed with peace and equality and found favor across all the land. They remembered his words of peace and his determination to see to it that all could benefit from the government no matter what class. Before this faction was formed, the people slowly began to realize that the first Caraway's teachings were becoming increasingly ignored and their world soon turned gray. By the time the fourth Caraway was in office, things were greatly different and there was no tolerance for the poor. A rebellion soon erupted which resulted in changes to the people's livelihood, greater consequences were given to those who disrespected the Caraway family, and they were taxed more than their income could provide. Although the laws had changed slightly for easy living in Timber, some still find it difficult to survive alone. To this day, the faction continues to meet up, but secretly. The current faction is made of up members from all across Galbadia hiding behind masks that represent the animals from the once beautiful Timber Forest that had been destroyed to make way for industrial production for Deling City's profit and comfortable living. While typically nonviolent in recent years, this group has a number of arsenals in wait for the final rebellion against Caraway; however, there are others who generally fight back against the Galbadian soldiers who may cross into their territory unauthorized. Although their diminutive attempts are nothing compared to the strength of the army, the Caraway family inwardly fear the idea of a possible threat. Because of this threat; however, they create a façade of confidence in their unshakeable leadership.

As he grew older, Fury Caraway took a wife, a young and feeble yet beautiful woman blessed with a sweet singing voice. Julia was quite popular throughout Galbadia, and Fury boasted that she had the most beautiful voice in their land. Soon after they were wed Julia became pregnant. He believed that she would most certainly bear a son. He dreamt that his son would hearken to strength under her beautiful voice. She was happy with him and hoped to give him a healthy baby. Suddenly, in the six month of her pregnancy, they received a report of some disturbances that forced the general away on a mission with his soldiers, and it was during his extended absence that their child was born. Because of this, he had missed the birth of his child who was born prematurely in eight months. Although relieved that her baby had survived, Julia was terrified to find that she had given birth to a baby girl. Despite what her husband would think of her, she had loved her daughter and had prepared to receive punishment for bearing a girl to the general, as having a girl would speak ill of his image and he would also be deemed as weak.

One of her trusty servants suggested a plan channeling a way to keep her baby alive. There had been another woman expecting a child, a dear servant to the Caraway house and currently away from work because of her pregnancy. She was rumored as having higher chances of birthing a boy simply because her body type had been bred for rough labor and treatment, and she appeared healthier than the general's wife. If that mother gave birth to a boy and agreed to make the switch, she would be able to keep her newborn daughter alive. Knowing that it would kill her to choose between the life of her daughter or eternal banishment from her life with the general, she decided to follow through with the servant's plan. A few months later, the other woman gave birth to her beloved son, Squall. She and her husband were thrilled with him. Soon after his birth, the new mother was approached by a mysterious duo. The odd visitors were the personal servants of the general's wife, and while they should have explained the situation in full detail in order to entice her decision, they intentionally set out to strip the couple of their baby without revealing their true identities. The young mother was shocked, and even in her weakened state had put up a great fight against the servants who were skilled in combat. On the one night her husband was not there, the worst imaginable had occurred. Because she was still in healing and weaker, the young mother was overtaken and her baby was stolen. She cried out her baby's name continuously before she was knocked unconscious, and the baby thieves fled the scene.

Following this particular night, the young couple's home was ceased by the guards. An item of the general's wife was found in their home, an item that was believed to have been planted there by the baby thieves from before. To speak ill of the government's doing meant death, therefore the couple remained quiet. The young mother had been relieved of her duties from the general's mansion along with a banishment sentence from Deling City because of the apparent theft. Laguna, the stolen child's father had been released from the army without reason. They would fight to defend themselves, but the young mother lacked the strength to do so. A few days later, they were approached by a homeless woman claiming that her baby was a bastard child. The child was hungry, but she could not provide for her. She left them the baby's name, which was Rinoa, and disappeared without a trace soon after. Raine, the heartbroken mother of the kidnapped baby, took this new child and swore to raise her; even so, she would always remember Squall, her baby boy. The young couple had been vexed by grief and sorrow; however, they vowed to raise the little girl as their own and would never tell her any differently until she was ready to know. Raine, the boy's true mother, wondered who could have foiled such a plight against them, and she and her soldier husband suspected foul play within the Caraway household; however, suggesting that someone of such a high stature would stoop so low could definitely have meant their lives. They decided to move away to Timber and live somewhat peacefully. The general returned home soon after and found his son asleep in the crib. As his mother, he too had looked weak and feeble, but he was a boy nonetheless and he would continue to pass along his family's bloodline. This baby boy was kept silent until he appeared healthier, and was eventually proclaimed within Deling City as the new heir. Richard bestowed the gift of naming that child to his beloved wife, who decided to keep the name his true mother had given to him. Under the assumption that his parents agreed to the swap, she felt that she was honoring the boy's mother by retaining his given name. She was told that the couple left Deling City for good in case people became curious about the sex of their newborn. They never told her the truth about that night, and the general never suspected a thing.

As the years passed, the children grew into the homes of the stranger parents. Rinoa was lively and spoke her mind freely, involving herself in matters that were wise before her time whilst Squall was silent and focused, and was more dedicated to the arts of war and combat. The two children made their parents proud in every way. Looking at his son, the general was thankful for the boy's mother, the only woman responsible for birthing such a strong boy. Finally when the boy reached the age of seventeen, the general had never realized how such a small and weak baby boy could grow into a headstrong and brave young man. Rinoa also took a strong interest in the economical affairs that neared them. Forever with an opinion, she braved her thoughts into words, and if it hadn't been for her obedience to her father and mother, would have rebelled against the government for the rights of her people. Even though Raine and Laguna loved their daughter with their hearts and souls, they remained curious about their son. The same could be said of Julia, who had become visibly sickly over the years as she could not live at true peace because of her lie. Still, life carried on as if things were as they were…that is, until fate intervened.

Fate Wild

Present Day—

In the General's Mansion, a building made of hard stone decorated in statues at its entryway where guards of all classes stood on duty, sat the general himself playing a game of chess with his son. In all their years together, his son had never beaten him once. Proud of his flawless record, the general looked upon his son and smiled, "…Squall…you're cornered. There's no possible move for you to take." He said to his son, pointing at the chessboard.

"Not yet…" Squall answered, rubbing his hand against his chin. "…There's always a way."

"…This is chess, son. We've been playing this game since you were seven…and you still haven't beaten me." The general smirked, "It may not be now, but someday Squall, you'll win."

At his words, the boy shrugged. "…Someday."

"In the meantime, I'm going to defeat you every time you challenge me," he said, picking up his Bishop piece and sliding it diagonally toward Squall's king. "…Checkmate." He said as he enclosed the helpless king into a dark space.

Squall's eyes grew red and he stood from his seat quickly. "Sir, I've lost…"

"…A general must keep his temper contained. Spill any ounce of emotion and your enemies will see through you."

"Yes, sir. I'll do well to keep all traces of weakness intact, sir," Squall stated, standing upright as a soldier in the army. "…If I may be excused?" The young man beckoned, receiving a nod from his father and he exited the room.

"…You'll make a fine general someday…" The older man whispered as he watched his son leaving the room in haste. As the boy opened the door, a sergeant burst inside.

"Sir! Urgent news! We've captured messengers of the rebels fleeing from Deling Square. Requesting permission to interrogate the prisoners, sir…" The sergeant saluted the general as he stood upright before the table where the chess game had been spread out.

"At ease…" He said to the sergeant as he rose from the table. Looking toward the doors, he saw that Squall was still inside of the room. "…Son, you were excused…"

"…Yes, sir!" The teenager said as he left the room. Closing the door, he placed an ear to the door to observe the conversation between the two men.

"…You were saying sergeant."

"Yes, sir… We've captured the rebels that were undercover down in Deling Square. They had been delivering messages to and fro about our troops. Sir, it is unclear as to whose been transferring these messages, that's why we would like your permission to continue with the interrogation sir."

"…Anyone who acts in the role of a rebel must be punished. Not only are those rats a threat to us, but to the entire kingdom. See to it that every detail is strained from our prisoner."

"Yes, sir! …And afterwards, sir?"

At this the general smirked. "…Kill him."

"Aye, sir."

"You are dismissed."

"Thank you." The sergeant saluted his superior and turned around for the door. Exiting the room, he was met with the eyes of the young master, the son of the general. "Excuse me, sir."

"Carry on." Squall said, turning about and pacing the hallway. He had been eavesdropping on his father and the sergeant all along. Lately they had been receiving report upon report of uprisings of rebels and bandits in the towns about their homeland. Apparently the people were upset with the imbalance of human rights and laws. Poverty had risen tremendously and the only ones who benefited from the new laws of the land were the troops, those who were able to afford a decent living, and tax collectors. Still, all that the young master had learned from his father's rule were only rumors. According to those living in Deling City and Galbadia, he was hailed the greatest of the Caraways, and his name, Sir Richard "Fury" Caraway would never be forgotten.

Squall only dreamed of having just a taste of what his father had accomplished. Power is a means to whatever a man's heart desires…: He could remember the man's saying all throughout his childhood, and that saying had been etched into his memory. The young man would train until his day would come…someday soon. His only hurdle was beating his father in a game of chess just once.

"You were smuggling these letters across our townships, weren't you?"

"I was only doing what I was told…"

"…Don't lie to me. You were caught red handed; the least you could do is admit it like a real man."

"…Please, I don't know anything!" The man screamed, "I thought it was everyday mail! I didn't know what it contained, I swear!"

"Are you telling me that you played the Good Samaritan to all those people from town to town-do you mock our kingdom? Haven't we already developed a decent mail system for you?"

"Oh yes, yes sir!"

"Then why would you go through the trouble?" The sergeant snarled, "Do you think I'm a fool to believe that you wouldn't crawl right under our noses to deliver tips for an assassination against our General? You thought I wouldn't find you? That I wouldn't eventually catch you and squeeze the very life from your bones!"

"No!"

"Then tell me who sent you! If you don't, I'll find your family and lock them away in prison forever!"

"No! Please don't take my children from me, they're all I have!"

"So, you really are a family man…"

"No…"

"Then you're implying that you lied to me?"

"No, I mean, Yes…"

"Yes, you're a liar?"

"NO! I'm a family man, Yes!"

"Ah, I see….. So you have children… Listen to me rebel…I have control of the census. I can look up every single blood relative of yours and throw everyone in prison: such is the punishment for your treacherous deeds. And I don't have to stop there… I can take away everything you own, even your ability to walk. Would you like that?"

"No! Please! Do whatever you want with me, but I beg you, do not take my family! Leave them be. They had no idea I was involved! Leave them out of this, I beg you!"

"You'll tell me everything I want to know!"

"All that I know!"

"Are you lying to me?"

"No!"

"Good…and if you are, I'll sever your fingers in half so that you'll remember to always be honest when someone asks you for valuable information."

The man swallowed hard, "…I'll talk." From henceforth, their voices carried through the hollow walls.

"Between Timber and Deling City, there's an underground faction that gathers in various places. They're very slippery and their member count is off the charts. They gather most of the time to collect money to fund certain families in need who cannot afford the monthly tax collections. Lately, the taxes have risen tremendously, making it difficult for most of those in Timber to pay… I was delivering messages from Timber to Deling City in hopes of gathering funds so that my family and others as well would be able to survive. That is all that I know…"

"Am I supposed to believe that?"

"It's the truth, I swear!" The man cried, "…Sir, I've told you all that I know…please, let me go home to my family."

"…Hmmm…You're a rebel." The sergeant said. Squall, listening from his place outside could hear them all along. "Being such, you knew well what you had gotten yourself into since the very day you decided to become one. That means you understand the consequences for stepping outside of our rules."

"Please, no, I'll never deliver another message!"

"…A rebel is someone of weaker power who resists the ways of a kingdom… Killing you won't make that much of a difference, but then keeping you alive means that one more of you vermin is still around to mess up our ways of life…"

"Sir….I beg you…The mistake was mine alone, please do not harm my family. They are innocent."

"…Spoken like a true man."

The sound of a gunshot resonated through the walls and silence followed thereafter.

Finally the soldier's voice returned, "Call someone to come and clean this up!"

Squall swallowed his breath hard and lowered his weapon to the ground.

After hearing the death of the rebel, he found himself troubled all afternoon, pacing the floors of his room as the words of the rebel played out continuously in his mind. Could the man have been telling the truth? Were people being punished for the sake of trying to survive? Nonsense, his father was a just man…he only did evil to those who deserved it, right? It was the way things were and had always been. How could a man of his stature, with so much respect and discipline allow the very people under his rule to starve, and then kill them for trying to take the crumbs which had fallen from the table?

The young man was bemused, his mind travelling miles at a second. "…It can't be true, can it?" He whispered. "But…that man was a rebel…it's what he deserved."

It's what he deserved? He questioned his own thinking. He was trying to get funding for his family's needs. Squall shook his head at his own words, "…Something's not right…I have to know what's going on. He'll tell me if I ask," and he paced to his bedroom doors. Upon exiting his quarters and marching down the hallway, he heard soft footsteps making way toward him.

"Squall…" The woman's voice was soft, yet it bellowed through the hallway like that of a ballroom singer's voice.

"Mom..." He said, slowing his pace until he could make out her figure in the dark hallway. Gathering at an area that was dimly lighted from the rest of the hallway, she touched her fingers to his face.

"My, you are a handsome boy."

"Mom…" He blushed, lowering his eyes to the floor.

"Why do you always look at the floor whenever I tell you that, Squall? It's as if you're afraid of compliments."

The young man remained quiet as he lifted his eyes toward her. His mysterious blue eyes were definitely traits from his original family. She had remembered explaining to her husband that Squall had inherited the eyes of his grandmother, which was a lie, since her grandmother whom she barely knew had the same chocolate brown as herself.

"When someone compliments you, you're supposed to thank them," she assured him with a smile.

"…Oh," He muttered. "…Thank you."

"You're welcome, sweetheart." She grinned, easing her hand away from his face. "Now, where are you off to at this hour?"

"… I need to speak with father…I'm troubled."

"…Dear, I'm afraid your father's already asleep. He's had a long week, you know. You better let him rest right now."

"But—

"No buts…I'm sure whatever it is that's on your mind can wait till the morning." She grinned, "Besides, you wouldn't want to get scolded for waking him up from a deep sleep again, would you?"

"…No ma'am." He said, remembering a time when he was younger and had been afraid of a dark shadow in his room. He soon learned that seeing his father's head aflame was more terrifying than any shadow that ever dared to enter his chambers. From that night onward, he realized that shadows were nonexistent in the real world and lived only in his nightmarish imagination.

"Good then. C'mon dear. You've been with your father all day long…why not keep your mother company too?"

He smiled, "Why not?"

As they walked back to his room, Julia Caraway turned to him and grinned, "So, what's on your mind Squall?"

"…It's nothing."

"…When did you start lying to your mother?"

"I'm sorry mom, but it has to do with our country's policies."

"Squall, you'd do better to not bring those up at all."

"…And why not? I should have the right to know; after all, I'm to take his place someday, right?"

"Yes, that's true darling." She frowned, "…But there are things going on that your father wishes to not have you involved in. In time, my son, you'll understand."

"…Do you know what's going on?"

"…Well," she sighed, "…It's a long and painful story, Squall…I'd rather not bore you to tears."

"You should know by now, I have the patience to endure...with added effort."

She smirked and folded her arms, "...I suppose I gave you that sarcasm. If it were up to your father, you'd be as dull as a bat."

The mother and son both chuckled. Finally, Julia turned to her son and smiled, "…All I know is that your father has been receiving threats on his status as general from a rebel group all across the kingdom. He doesn't want you involved in any of it Squall. He wants to protect you by all means. You are to carry on his legacy; therefore, your life is to be guarded at all costs. And that's all, dear."

"…" The young man frowned and sighed inwardly.

"…Look, I know how frustrating it feels to not be included in something major, but believe me…it's not worth it, Squall." She touched his cheek and smiled, "Sweetheart, I'll have a talk with your father tomorrow morning just before breakfast… I agree with you…you're coming of age now. You're old enough to be included in these matters." She grinned, "You're courageous and strong…just like your father."

"…Thank you, mom." He smiled and planted a kiss on his mother's cheek.

"You're very welcome, my dear."

"These houses too!"

"All of them sir?"

"Yes, we're to rid all those suspected of having fellowship with the rebels. We're to burn their houses to the ground in order to draw the rebels from their hideaways!"

"Hah, hopefully they rush out like moths to a flame!" One soldier laughed as he tossed a torch through the window of an old cabin home in a small village near Deling City. Events such as this occurred throughout the Kingdom of Galbadia and stories of such reached the streets of Timber, a town that was miles away from the capital.

"This is horrible! I've never seen anything like it before!" A girl said, reading from a news article in the local paper.

"Honey, put that paper down, it's bad for your health." An older woman said, wiping her dinner table down with a wet rag.

"I'm sorry Mom, I can't help it. I don't like hearing about people losing their lives and homes to the government."

"…Me either and the best way not to is to not read that type of trash."

"Hey, hey, Raine, it's not trash. It's educational!" A man yelled across the room, his voice was intentionally nonthreatening.

"Laguna, I know we need to be aware of what's happening around us and we need to be prepared for anything too, but I can't take hearing another story about something that happened in some town far away from us. Please, the violence is away from us, it's sad, but it's also not us. We should count our blessings."

"I know: Learn from the mistakes of others so that it won't happen to us. Yes, I know! But Rinoa needs to be enlightened about the world that we live in today so that she can make better choices for herself tomorrow."

"Yeah!" Rinoa agreed.

"You stay out of this!" Raine said, flashing a glare at the girl who gasped and looked away, and then turning to her husband to continue, "Rinoa is already a smart girl, and she can make good choices right now if she needed too; however, I don't want her to get used to hearing about these other incidents….otherwise, she'll grow to despise the government and will find trouble with every law in the book."

"Raine, are you saying that I'm turning our daughter into a rebel?"

"Nonsense, I would never even think to say a thing like that!"

"Well you just did!"

"I did not!"

"Did too!"

"Laguna, stop fooling around, we were talking about something very serious now, so cut it out!"

"No, I have to scratch my back! Aaah!" He yelped, sprawling out over the couch to reach the areas of his back that his hand had failed to reach. "Mmmmmm!"

"Stop that!" Raine yelled, running toward him with her wet rag drawn. "You'll leave that mark in my couch, now get off of it! I just dusted it this morning!"

"Noooo!" Laguna snarled being removed from the couch, hissing and clinging to it like a rabid beast. Rinoa laughed into her hands and covered her eyes. It was always funny and scary watching her father throw silly tantrums at her mother.

"You're behaving like a two year old!" Raine yelled, trying to pull her wet rag away from his tight grip.

"Am not, I'm a grown Ad-ult!" He said, reaching up to grab her shoulders. Finally the woman laughed and wrestled against her husband. Their laughter relieved Rinoa, she was beginning to wonder if she'd need to call in help to separate the two of them.

"Well, this rebel's leaving now. I'll be back before supper!" Rinoa called out, heading towards the front door.

"Yeah, be sure to dodge the soldiers! They're everywhere!"

"Rinoa! Laguna! You two stop that right now!"

"Run Rinoa Run!" Laguna shouted, covering Raines mouth while the girl ran for the door and scampered off outside. As she left the house, Raine uncovered Laguna's hand from her mouth and lifted an eyebrow. He laughed shakily, "…Don't they just grow up so fast?"

"…Yeah, I wish I could say the same about you."

He sighed, "But you still love me, right?"

"Laguna!" She rolled her eyes and slapped his shoulder with the wet rag.

"Ow! Hey!" He rubbed his hand onto his wounded shoulder. "I'm gonna need this shoulder later."

Raine's face and voice suddenly took on a more serious tone. "I don't want you filling her head with too many ideas… Don't you know what they're doing to the rebels? Didn't you read that paper?"

"…Of course I did," At her tone, Laguna also became serious. "…but Rinoa's a fighter. Even if I hide the paper, she'll find out from her friends and who's to say what would happen after that."

"Don't you talk like that," She snapped. "…I don't want to lose her too."

"Raine…" Laguna sighed and pulled her closely.

"Hey Rinoa! Did you see the paper!" A tall brunet yelled as he met with the girl in the center of Timber Square.

"Yeah, I think it's a message for all the Faction followers."

"Yep, that message rings loud and clear. Anyone stupid enough to take the oath with them either winds up homeless or dead," He said. "…We're living in scary times."

"…Scary times huh?" She frowned. "….Well I'm not afraid."

"Rinoa, are you crazy?" He whispered, moving in closer to her, "If the guards around here heard you talking like that, you'd be imprisoned immediately."

"So? How long do we have to pretend like nothing's the matter? People are dying out there. Someone's got to stop this!"

The boy snatched her arm, "Don't tell me you want to play hero."

"Zone!" She said, shaking his hold off of her, "What if I am? No one else seems to care!"

"Rinoa, we do care! We're just not that social about it," He replied with a cheesy grin.

"…What do you mean 'we'?"

"I mean…those who are stupid enough to take up the oath…"

She gasped, "Are you saying?"

"Shhh… C'mon! Let's go grab some dessert, Watts is there with more info about the article in the paper!"

He grabbed her hand and guided her down to the pub. There were soldiers gathered at the entrance, apparently exiting the pub after a midday picker-upper drink. Inside, seated in the non smoking section was a short, mildly chubby teenager wearing a blue cap. His nose was inside of the newspaper much like how Zone had left him there time ago. There was a saucer before him smeared with streaks of a pink paste, remnants of cherry pie.

"Waaattts? Don't you do anything else besides read?"

"Reading is good for you, sir. You should do it more often!"

"Hey Watts!" Rinoa smiled, always enjoying Zone's company more when Watts was around to stir things up.

"Rinoa, Hi! –Didn't know you were standing there!" He said, placing the paper down to get a glimpse of her only to have the comics section of the paper fall from his current reading stash. He glanced down at the fallen paper and sighed in defeat.

Zone grinned, "…Reading is good for you, eh? Depends on what you're reading, and I doubt you could learn something from a cat that sleeps and eats lasagna all the time."

"Listen, you can learn from whatever you read, and for your information, that cat happens to know how to live a comfortable life even in bad times, sir…"

"Isn't he the one with the rotten attitude and cusses like a sailor?" Rinoa cut in, "I don't think that's a good example."

"No Rinoa, he means the one that picks on the poor defenseless ditzy dog of the house," Zone cackled, and then stopped laughing for a mere second as if relating that characteristic to their friendship. "Wait."

"Oh where are your imaginations, sirs?" Watts defended his hidden reading pleasure.

"I'm not a sir!" Rinoa argued.

"Well in the military, it's a form of respect, sir ma'am sir!"

"Watts!" Rinoa huffed.

"Relax, I'm just kidding, sirrRinoa—"He silenced himself momentarily. "…Sorry, bad habit."

"Right…" Rinoa answered, unconvinced. "So…I hear you've taken an oath?"

"Zone! You know that's top notch info! You're gonna get it big time, sir!"

"Nah, not unless you tell…"

Watts sighed, "We're hopeless, sir."

"…So Watts, about the article in the paper this morning?" Both of the boys were relieved when she swiftly changed the subject.

"…Yeah." He said, grabbing his cup from beside him and taking a sip. He leaned in from his seat at the table and whispered slowly, "…I heard they captured a small time faction messenger in the wilderness off the outskirts of Deling City. They tortured the guy until he confessed the whereabouts of the faction. The thing is, he only told them what he knew-which wasn't very much, thankfully… Most of the information they got out of him only pertained to those in that area. So far, the troops know of the usual faction activities both here and in Deling City… The only thing that disturbs me though, is how quickly they retaliated and burned those villages to the ground."

"It's horrible." Rinoa said, folding her arms at the table. "…I wish I could do something about it."

"…In time, we'll all stand together and fight, but for right now, we need to lay low and gather any activity the troops are up to," Zone said, "Right now, Watts and I are investigating those four troops we just saw leaving."

"Yeah, but they don't seem to be up to anything much really, sir" Watts cut in. "Just the usual. Or they're doing the very same thing that we're doing now… Surveying everyone in the area and submitting possible rebels to their superiors."

"…That's scary," Rinoa whispered.

"Don't worry, Rin! We'll look out for ya!" Zone said, pushing closer to Rinoa who frowned and pushed him back to his original place on the bench. Watts grinned while picking up his mug from the table again. He knew Rinoa had never been fond of Zone's passes at her.

"So, do you guys know of any other members?"

"Not really, no… Everything's based on secrecy. We're not supposed to know each other, that way it looks less suspicious when we're out on the streets. We remain strangers just as we're strangers in everyday life."

"I see," she said. "…Hmm…I think I want to join."

"Rinoa, it's a very serious oath. You can't take back belonging to something like this," Zone pleaded.

"How could I renounce something so important to me?"

"Yeah, but if your parents knew, they'd kill you, sir," Watts chuckled.

"Watts…Better they kill me than that Caraway scum," She laughed and tossed the comics section across the table to Watts, as if hitting him with the paper.

Squall took a deep breath. The morning hours had passed by sluggishly. Would his mother ever break through the tough barrier surrounding the general's heart? Hearing the couple exchanging words in their private lunchroom at breakfast had sent the boy's nerves to a tantrum. There he stood, folding his arms until all the jitters could be blocked with a tight self-embrace, and finally his mother emerged from the room, her face spotted with red stress marks.

"Mom…" He was surprised at her appearance. Their voices didn't seem to be anywhere remotely as stressful as that which was expressed upon her face.

"No Squall, now is not a good time to enter. Please, let him cool down first, then you must never make mention of what we talked about or about what had troubled you before. It's best if you let it go now."

"Mother…"

"Now!" She yelled, placing her hands at her hips until she made a weak cough. She covered her mouth and looked away from her son.

"Are you alright?" He asked, touching her shoulder, "You don't look so well."

"I am fine…just had a bit of a bout with your father." She said and her voice continued in a whisper, "That man is as stubborn as an ox. Promise me you won't bring it up with him, Squall?"

Squall smirked, "…Okay…I promise."

"Good…now could you kindly escort a lady to her quarters?"

"Yes ma'am." He muttered, taking her arm and leading the way.

As they left the hall, soldiers emerged through the house and entered Caraway's lunchroom. "Sir, sorry to intrude on your brunch, but things have gotten a little complicated out in the outskirts of Deling City."

"I'm listening."

"Some troops found difficulty with a few of the villagers and farmers, apparently, there were a few farmers housing explosives sir. I've sent out backup to the area as we speak sir. At the same time, there could be more farmers doing the same in other places as well."

"…Yes, I know. All right, good work soldier. Continue to fight the rebels at that town and then check every village on the outskirts. I'm sure the scoundrels are blending in and hiding amongst the townfolk. Put up a reward sign for rebel identities and be sure to pay those who hand over our rebels plentifully… It seems the people are in dire need of money, so they'll do whatever they must to obtain it. In the meantime, this will flush them out of Deling City and hopefully draw rebels within Timber from the shadows as well." He turned away from his soldiers, "…I hope to capture every last one of them, and I won't tolerate another report like this one, am I clear?"

"Yes, sir. No more disappointments sir! We'll get the job done!"

"Good, now go and deliver my orders to your men."

"Yes, sir!"

As the men exited, Caraway sighed, "…It seems these people wish to wage war with me…and I'm forced to give them exactly that."

"A promise is a promise…" Squall said, looking upon his gunblade from across the room. It was removed from its case, completely put together in one piece, loaded and ready to go. I won't get anywhere by just staying here… I have to somehow find out what's going on out there.

Just as the teenager began concocting some plan of escape, the doors to his chambers opened immediately. Squall stood upright as his father made his way in the room. The young man saluted his father.

"…Squall, at ease."

"Sir," he said, dropping his hand from his face and relaxing his hands at his sides. The general smiled tranquilly.

"…Your eighteenth birthday is near, is it not?"

"Yes, sir."

"…Your mother and I had a chat today and something came up," he said, turning away from Squall, "…You want to know what's going on?"

Squall hesitated to answer fearing it was a trick question.

"You may answer truthfully Squall."

"…Yes sir. I…heard about the rebels in Deling City and Timber…and about how the people are scrounging for food. I want to think those are lies, but—"

"They are lies, lies from the enemy. Do not take the words from the enemy to heart, for they only wish to throw your focus. Have I taught you nothing? When have you begun to think so weakly?"

"It was just a thought…"

"Weak thoughts are the beginning of a weak mind and heart. They pull these blindfolds over your eyes and already you're lost," Caraway groaned. "…Your mother was right. Shielding you will only make you weaker…" The older man paused for a moment. "I guess I'll have to do better." He looked at Squall again. "…After your eighteenth birthday, I may decide to give you your first assignment outside of Deling."

"…Dad-I mean Sir!"

"I'm glad you want answers son, but I do want you to know that the enemy is after my very life. It's something I'd rather not have you mixed up in."

"I won't fail you, sir. You're my father. Anyone who threatens you threatens me also and is an enemy of mine; therefore they need to be destroyed. I want to get out there to fight for the pride of Galbadia and for our family. I want to end these rumors. Sir, I want to live up to and bring honor to our name!"

"Squall…"

Note Paper:

Hello! How's everyone doing? Here we are, starting a new story again! Why am I doing this again? Actually, this is one of 3 stories I'm working on and I'm infatuated by their storylines so I'm working really hard on them. It's good to have more than one story to work on, that way when I'm ready to return to one, I'll be powered up to just knock it out quickly. I don't plan on having long chapters for this story, mostly between 4000-5000 words per chapter. You don't mind a long intro, do you? I hope not! (This note is just helpless, isn't it? Hah…) You should've expected this from me, as whacky as I am… Oh, and I'm thinking of changing my pen name again…if you've visited my Youtube account, then that guess shouldn't be too hard for you, right?(If not, it's PuftPrin) I like it because it's original, but it almost makes me look like a fluff author, which I'm not. Hehe… I'm not as strict on myself as I used to be, so I don't expect things to be perfect, but legible. I'm relaxed now. This is only the beginning….what else can I say but that I hope you're willing to check out the rest of this story. Thanks for checking it out! Have a good one from me,

StardustRay (I'm being forced to use those bars throughout my story because it doesn't like my little dividers...which is so fake. What a headache, right? Bear with me.)