Protecting the Lion

Chapter Twenty-Four
The Hunt Begins

Having learned from experience, Squall wasted no time. His first action would be to enlist the help of his closest friends. While there were many capable and able bodies within Balamb Garden, he had yet to personally assess their skills or trust them. Besides, none of his friends had ever let him down, which meant he turned to them on the rare occasions he felt inclined to.

Within the familiar conference room with the long glossy table and comfortable leather chairs, Squall waited.

Seifer was to his right, glaring and sending insults with his mind.

In the few minutes that passed where it was just the two of them, Squall couldn’t help but smile a little at the effect he’d had on the blonde. It was so rare that he managed to annoy Seifer and not the other way around. Now, the tall man was brooding and pouting, refusing to speak.

It was the prolonged silent manner in which the knight sat that made Squall waver briefly. Under any circumstances it took a great deal to shut the blonde up. The man wasn’t a loud mouth, just ostentatious. So, he wondered for a moment whether he might have gone too far.

Granted the blonde had deliberately neglected to inform him about the new development of Fenrir’s death, but did that warrant what he’d done? It wasn’t all that bad, giving the blonde a hard on and then leaving him high and dry?

A silent chuckle jostled him in his seat as he recalled the confused expression on that handsome face.

His amusement did not go unnoticed by Seifer, who shot more daggers at him before turning away.

Squall studied the structured profile of the knight’s face before rolling his eyes. The last thing he needed was for any rising suspicion from anyone. If Seifer pointedly ignored him throughout this then someone, probably Irvine, would ask questions.

That reminded him, Irvine had been acting rather strange lately. Very strange, actually. The cowboy’s outburst yesterday was, well, it wasn’t normal. Not that the gunman was known to only act one certain way, but still, no matter how flirtatious or even drunk the man always retained a collected demeanor.

Discarding the idea of Irvine’s behavior, Squall concluded that in light of his own changes in the past few days he couldn’t hold any expectations to anyone else. He was screwing Seifer Almasy for Hyne’s sake. This alone won the prize for the largest post war character change. War always changed people, and in the case of old rivals, it made them want to fuck each other senselessly.

Regarding Seifer’s structured profile, Squall was about to say something when the door opened.

Quistis rushed in, looking rather concerned.

“What is it?” Squall asked, praying there hadn’t been anymore ‘new developments’, such as the rise of another sorceress or a declaration of war on Esthar by Dollet.

The instructor walked across the room towards the pair. The restrictive skirt she wore hampered her long strides, but she managed with practiced ease as each step brought her closer.

Standing to meet his second in command, Squall didn’t know what to expect. His heart was racing a bit and his stomach was tied in knots as he prepared for the worst. ‘Hyne, Esthar didn’t send that missile on purpose, did they?’ he wondered.

With the ruffling of a long black trench coat, Seifer stood tall and imposing behind Squall, while the shorter man faced the approaching instructor.

Quistis had her glasses pushed to the top of her head and her eyes looked tired with the beginnings of shadows beneath them. Having just recently turned nineteen she looked at least ten years older now.

It hadn’t just been the stress from running Garden, which was considerable even after doing it for only three days, but from the news of Squall in Dollet. Too preoccupied to visit him, she’d been worried sick over his well being.

Now, she hesitated looking up into searching blue-gray eyes. Something was different about him. Still pale and tired looking, he seemed more rested and healthier. There was a long ways to go before the brunet would be back to normal, but for now she felt her troubles abated. Seifer was a miracle worker.

Reaching out a hand, she warmly cupped his cheek and said, “I was worried about you. Dr. Kadowaki wouldn’t tell me a thing.”

Sighing in exasperation, Squall felt the knots in his stomach unwind a bit. He should have known the cause for her expression. Short of reprimanding his trusted friend, knowing she hadn’t meant to worry him, he gave a small smile. He let it fall from his lips after a moment, he wasn’t used to smiling so much. “Patient confidentiality,” he spoke softly.

Huffing, Quistis rolled her eyes. “I know, I know.” Moving her hand to feel his forehead, she commented, “You feel a bit warm, are you alright?”

Before Squall could answer, he found himself pulled backwards abruptly. Colliding with a soft thud against a hard chest, his feet were the last part of him to move. The tall knight, who was supposedly giving him the silent treatment, now held him tightly with an arm angled over his torso.

“He’s fine,” Seifer bit out tersely.

For a minute, Quistis didn’t know what to make of the two before her. An odd sort of feeling told her that Seifer was being down right possessive and the glare in those green eyes was telling her to back off. But, that was ridiculous. Still not sure of what to make of the blonde’s weird behavior, she shrugged and settled for the not so reassuring affirmation of Squall’s health.

Wrenching free of Seifer’s tight one-armed grip, Squall was a little riled to discover the difficulty he had in doing so. If prying the blonde’s one arm off of himself was this hard, then every time before now, when he’d pulled away, had only been possible because Seifer had let him. It was disconcerting to realize this.

Unable to find any words to reprimand the blonde with, Squall sat back down. It wasn’t like he could say, ‘Seifer, not in public!’ That would confirm suspicions that Quistis hadn’t even formed yet.

It was some consolation to know that the sulking knight couldn’t stay mad at him for long, or at least ignore him. Apparently the blonde’s possessive nature wouldn’t allow it. If he didn’t have the aspirin like pills working to abate his migraine, then he’d surely be having another. Out of habit he pinched the bridge of his nose and gestured to the empty chair on his left.

Just as Quistis sat down, the door opened once again. Before Squall could turn to see who it was, a cheerful greeting was called out.

“Squall!” Selphie cried, skipping forward to the back of the leather chair in which the brunet sat. Reaching over the cushioned seat, she wrapped her arms around the pale man. “You feel a bit warm,” she commented while letting go and walking around the table.

“So he’s been told,” Seifer said.

“Better too warm than freezing to death,” she chirped merrily. Only Selphie could have made light of the condition Squall had been in only a matter of hours ago.

Although Squall was reluctant to reiterate any of what he was going to say, he was also a bit impatient to get down to business. So, he started off with only the two women present. “What are the details on Fenrir’s death?”

Sky blue eyes studied his for a moment before answering, “Two gun shot wounds, to the head and chest. Irvine reviewed the photos for me. He estimates the distance to be within fifteen feet, but said he needed some time to review the rest of the photos.”

Nodding in acceptance, Squall was fine with waiting for the gunman to arrive. “Any suspects?”

“There hasn’t been any statements given to the public, but the news is already speculating the involvement of Esthar.” She ended her statement with a grimace.

“As well they should,” Squall conceded. It would take a fool not to suspect some connection with the dead governor and the country that launched a missile within hours of the assassination.

“But Laguna didn’t do anything,” Selphie defended.

“I’m not blaming him for anything. I have my doubts, but I don’t think the missile was sent with the president’s knowledge,” Squall assured the flustered girl.

Settling back in her seat, Selphie smiled. “That’s what Laguna said.”

Gray-blue eyes watched the green eyed girl expectantly. When she made no further addition to her comment, he shifted in slight annoyance before asking, “What else did President Loire say?”

“Oh,” Selphie jostled in her seat, as if just realizing she should elaborate. “Dr. Odine was the only one on call at the missile base. They found him, along with all the guards knocked out. The doctor had the access key on him, so whoever launched it used that.”

“Has a formal statement been issued?” The faster they made it clear that Esthar was not attacking anyone, the greater the chance of everything being resolved smoothly.

“No,” answered a voice near the doorway. Zell strode in with an unusually solemn look on his face. “We each tried to reason with Laguna, but he insisted that coming here and checking up on you was more important.”

‘Shiva give me strength,’ Squall prayed. How did that man manage to run a country for nearly eighteen years without driving it into the ground. His father’s brash actions might be a result of running a country that was hidden from all prying eyes.

Taking a steadying breath, Squall looked to Quistis. “Get on the phone with him right now. The last place we need him showing up is here.” What message would it send if Balamb Garden not only signed a treaty with Esthar, but played host to its leader only hours after the small incident of a missile detonating in Dollet.

“We tried to stop him,” Quistis replied, unsure whether she could convince the determined ex-soldier from arriving.

Sighing, Squall turned to Selphie. “Get me a direct link from here.” It was at least some relief that the hyperactive girl jumped up immediately and set to work.

Seifer leaned back in his chair passively. This was the first time he’d watched the brunet act this way. Commanding and sharp witted with every word. It was no wonder most the world looked to him as some prodigy leader.

After a moment, the knight shook his head, remembering that he was still pissed off with the sexy minx. He wasn’t supposed to be admiring the guy, he was supposed to be plotting revenge.

Squall kept his focus on Quistis. “Were there any witnesses? Who found the body?”

“No witnesses, the security guards were found dead and the cameras disabled. Obviously a professional hitman. A janitor found the guards and the police found Fenrir after being called in.”

“Or hitmen,” Selphie suggested, leaning nearly flat along the table’s surface as she tinkered with a cord of banded wires coming directly out of the tabletop. “How many guards can one person take out on their own?”

“Seven, not including our dearly departed,” drawled a smooth voice near the door. Irvine walked in holding a burgundy colored folder in one hand while tipping his hat in salute with the other.

Taking a seat next Zell, Irvine oozed with relaxed composure. Setting the folder in the center of the table he slid it towards the Commander. “Semi automatic handgun, I can’t tell what make or model without a bullet. The shot to the chest was a direct hit to the heart, roughly ten feet away. Shot to the head was point blank. I’d say it would have been perfect aim even if you multiplied the distance by a hundred. Bit cold blooded to say the least.” In a fair fight he’d shoot down any enemy, but not some old man who had no defense. He wasn’t a sharpshooter on a regular basis, just when evil sorceresses needed killing.

“The guards were all killed in the same manner,” Quistis informed before Squall could open the folder.

Tapping the top of the folder with the tips of his fingers, Squall thought for a moment. “The Reaper’s Angel,” he finally said, almost to himself.

Looking up through uncombed and choppy chocolate colored bangs, Squall scanned the three across from him. Neither Zell or Selphie seemed effected by his conclusion, but Irvine was staring pointedly at him. Those violet eyes searched his for a moment before the gunman sat back a little and gave a subtle nod.

There was a knock on the conference room door. Several heads swiveled toward the source of the disturbance, and then to Squall. They wondered who else was coming and why they would be knocking.

“Come in,” Squall called out.

Raijin’s large frame filled the doorway, blocking from view the two that followed him. Fujin and Rui followed the burly man further in.

Before Squall could mention anything, not necessarily about Raijin and Fujin but about Rui, Selphie exclaimed, “All set!”

Squall reached across and took the hand held transmitter from the technologically savvy girl. “Go ahead and send a signal.”

“Already did,” she chirped before leaving her seat to greet Rui.

While waiting for the other end to pick up, Squall watched with amusement as Selphie bounced over to Rui and swung the boy around in a tight embrace. The desperate look on the raven-haired boy’s face was quite funny.

Calling his attention back was the image of a dark skinned man with braided hair. “Ambassador Seagill,” Squall greeted.

With features delicate enough to rival those of the Balamb Lion, Kiros tucked a few thin braids behind his ear before setting the hand held communicator on a stand. For a man in his forties he had aged well, just like his goofy friend with a heart of gold. “Commander Leonhart” He gave a curt nod.

“Squall?” sounded an alarmed voice in the background.

Squall watched as the video feed scrambled a bit and the view shifted about with a clatter. It would seem the communicator on their end fell.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Squall watched as a clumsy Laguna grappled for the device and appeared to be falling forward after leaping over the front seat in some transporter ship that he couldn’t recognize.

“Squall? Squall?” His end scrambled at the sounds of a hand hitting the hard plastic device. “Kiros,” the longhaired man whined, “I think I broke it.”

“Laguna,” the dark skinned man reprimanded, grabbing the transmitter, “Next time don’t jump into the front seat and grab it.”

After a moment Kiros passed the transmitter back, but not before grumbling, “Next time just call on a phone, that’s about all your dad can handle.”

“Are you okay?” The concerned face of Laguna came into view again.

Squall opened his mouth to answer, but he was cut off by the flustered president. “You look pale. Why aren’t you resting? I’ll be there in half an hour.”

Biting his lip to keep silent, Squall fought the to keep himself in check. “No,” he managed to interject, though a bit harshly. “You can’t come here.”

“Listen to your son,” Kiros sounded somewhere out of view.

The President of Esthar turned his head to regard his friend, acting as though Squall couldn’t hear every word spoken. “He’s hurt! Of course I’m going to see him.”

“Laguna,” Squall growled, “You can’t come here.”

“Why not?” Soft green eyes looked at him pleadingly, almost as if they were about to tear up.

Flexing his fist, Squall scrunched his brows up and pleaded with himself for the patience to deal with the man. “Do you know that Governor Fenrir was assassinated?”

“Yes. Do you know that you should be in bed?” the man countered, losing his precarious balance and falling forward with a grunt.

Seifer, who had leaned over to watch the small monitor leaned closer to whisper in the brunet’s ear, “You share his genes.”

Glaring dangerously out of the corner of his eye, Squall squeezed his fist even tighter.

Seifer grinned, relishing in the feel of angering the brunet. It would never get old. Tilting his head a bit, so the camera and the rest of the people present in the room wouldn’t be able to pick up exactly what he was doing, he nipped at the seething man’s ear. “Just think how our kids are gonna turn out,” he joked with quick lick.

“Seifer,” Squall hissed, only a moment away from tackling the blonde and taking their little jibe session to the next level. It took all his will power not to jump at the sudden feel of Seifer’s tongue on his ear. It only made it worse that he couldn’t start hitting the blonde, lest he make a big deal out of what the others hadn’t picked up on.

Leaning back, Seifer chuckled and let the brunet deal with dear old daddy. Briefly he wondered how Squall would react if he started calling Laguna ‘dad’. Squall would kill him, which was exactly why he made a mental note to do so in the near future.

“Kiros,” Squall called, “We both know why he shouldn’t come here, so please, stop him. I don’t want to ban you two from entering.”

“I’ve tried, but he’s stubborn.” The president’s advisor and long time friend swam back into view as Laguna handed the transmitter over with reluctance. “He won’t stop short of seeing you in person.”

“Then go to Dollet. I’ll meet you there.” Gritting his teeth, Squall forced out, “Is that alright with you, dad?” The term of endearment was like sandpaper on his tongue and the moment he said it, he regretted it. With an awkward moment of silence on the other end and within the conference room, Squall vowed never to use the word again.

Kiros’ dark eyes stared at him for a moment, before another face pushed its way over. Green eyes stared with glistening adoration. “Okay!” Laguna agreed happily.

“No formal entrance. If you can, don’t let anyone know who you are. Go to a bar called The Harold.” That was the most goodbye Squall gave, before disconnecting.

Silence settled in as seven pairs of eyes stared at him. Clearing his throat self-consciously, he was reluctant to say anything pertaining to his father.

“AWKWARD,” Fujin said from several seats down.

Scoffing, Seifer crossed his arms and brooded again. “Way to give the puppy hope. Now he’ll be planning a father-son three month vacation with just the two of you shacked up in Winhill.”

“Quistis, I’ll ask you to continue taking care of everything here.” The brunet ignored the matter all together, moving on to the most important problem.

Nodding solemnly, Quistis agreed. She wasn’t looking forward to the heavy workload, but if Squall could do it for over six months, then she could manage a few more days at least.

“Zell, Fujin, Raijin” He regarded the three on the other side of the table. “Help Quistis out here. Fujin, if you could keep public access under control. Zell and Raijin, I know you have classes to teach today, so I won’t ask you to leave now. But, I would like you two to get out to Esthar as soon as you can find the time and check out the missile base for yourselves.”

Jumping from his seat, Zell boxed the air a bit before agreeing, “No problem, just leave it to us!”

“AFFIRMATIVE,” Fujin complied, earning a disapproving glare from Seifer.

Raijin grinned confidently, first to Fujin and then to the fragile looking commander. “Don’t worry about a thing. We got it covered, ya know?”

“Since when do you take orders from Princess?” the blonde asked a little miffed that his best friends had more than one loyalty.

Rui, who had watched the entire display with confusion and attentiveness, took a quick jab at the brute of a knight. “Since you became a pervert!” As a precaution, he took refuge in the lap of the happy go lucky girl.

No one seemed to understand what the boy meant, or who he was for that matter.

For once, Squall enjoyed Rui’s jibe, since it elicited an enraged glare from Seifer. “This is Rui Valdez. He’s a new cadet and will accompanying us to Dollet.”

“No,” Seifer argued sternly.

“Thank you, guys.” He nodded dismissal to each person he’d given orders to.

“Commander!” they intoned, saluting before the four of them left.

“He’s not coming.” Seifer slammed his fist onto the table.

“I’m coming,” Rui countered, elated at the idea of tagging along.

“Selphie, if you could get Ragnarok ready,” Squall suggested.

Squeezing the dark haired boy tightly for a moment, she let the kid stand up and out of her lap. “Aye, aye cap’n!” She saluted animatedly and skipped off.

Squall was emotionally drained. And pretty soon, he’d have to deal with Laguna. “Irvine please get ready. We leave in ten minutes.”

“I’m ready now darlin’,” Irvine drawled, gazing suspiciously at the knight beside his leader.

“Then, could you make sure the ammunitions’ lock is still active on Ragnarok. I don’t need Selphie blowing anything up.” Frustrated, he rubbed his eyes.

“You got it.” The gunman gave a wink and relaxed salute before striding out.

Rui suddenly looked like a dear caught in headlights, when the knight glared at him and there was no longer a room full of witnesses. He could run to Commander Leonhart, but that would take him closer to danger at the same time. “I think I’ll follow the guy with the hat,” Rui offered as explanation before bolting to the door.

The empty room felt all too constricting with the intense gaze Seifer was giving. Squall couldn’t separate one emotion the blonde gave off from the other.

“Don’t argue with me on this,” Squall whispered, not wanting to deal with Seifer’s foul temper at that moment. “If The Reaper is involved, we’ll need Rui. That kid knows Dollet better than any of us, and he’s likely to have a few inside connections.”

“I’ll tolerate the thief if you forget about the Fenrir incident,” Seifer offered.

“Done,” the brunet accepted a little too readily, betraying just how much he wanted to get by without arguing.

Seeing the slight sag in the brunet’s shoulders, Seifer felt his anger whither away. Leaning forward, he kissed the pale beauty before him. “Come here.” He broke away, gesturing for Squall to sit in his lap.

When the brunet seemed reluctant to comply, he assured, “I don’t bite Leonhart.”

Standing up, Squall allowed the blonde to wrap strong arms around his waist and pull him close. “I beg to differ. I have the marks to prove it.” Straddling the blonde’s lap, he let the chuckling knight pull him in for another kiss.


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