Triple Foul

Title: Triple Foul
Author: Vice
Email: ladymika42@hotmail.com
Category: Post Game/AU
Warning: Language, violence, mental torture(on Rinoa's part...>=)
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Disclaimer: Final Fantasy 8 doesn't belong to me(I wouldn't dream of owning it) soase ase don't sue. I made no money off of this...although the thought would be nice...
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'.....' Normal thoughts
[.....] Mental Conversation(only, with Rinoa)
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Chapter 1

"So Rinoa...I heard you're hanging with us for a while!" Selphie laughed as she and Rinoa strolled down the halls of the mobile Garden, just passing the cafeteria. "What are you gonna do while you're here? Keep Squall in check?"

Rinoa chuckled. "Yeah, but that's not all. I wan bec become a SeeD. I really don't have a circle of friends anymore, especially since I can't find Zone and Watts nowadays. Plus, I want to be active around here...to compensate for the trouble I caused when we had to deal with Ultimecia."

"Oooohh...well, it's not your fault for what happened ya know." Selphie added strongly. She patted Rinoa on her shoulder, and offered one of her brightest smiles. "But it's cool to have you around! One more person to talk girl stuff with!" There were several sudden chimes over the loudspeaker. Every student visible stopped to listen. Cid's voice filled the halls.

"Selphie, this is the Headmaster. I need you in my office as soon as possible. This goes for the rest of the instructors as well."

"Oh shoot." she kicked the ground in emphasized frustration. "Probably about the instructor schedule for the next semester. I might get another junior class." she shrugged and smiled brightly. "Oh well! Thems the breaks I guess."

Rinoa frowned lightly. They're always so busy...if it's not a mission, it's something about being an instructor. I hardly see Squall anymore...maybe if I... "Hey Selphie, before you take off...how can I become an instructor?"

Selphie gasped excitedly. "You wanna be an instructor too?? Super cool!!" she went solemn suddenly. "Oh...but gottgotta be a SeeD first to be an instructor...sorry." she smiled again. "But you're already in the next class who's taking the upcoming SeeD exam, so if you pass you just might become one! Well...I'm running late! Cid will kill me if I'm late again. See ya!" She trotted off in the direction of the elevator, leaving Rinoa to her own thoughts and devices. She folded her arms in silent contemplation about what she was just told.

Pass the next SeeD exam, become a SeeD.
comecome a SeeD, go out on more missions.

Go out on more missions, get the experience to become an instructor.

Become an instructor...get closer to Squall.

It all made perfect sense. And passing the exam should be easy, considering the fact that she is a Sorceress and all. Rinoa finally smiled and made her way to the library. If she was to pass that exam, she had a lot of studying to do, Sorceress or not.

Selphie trotted into Cid's office, joining the ranks. Quistis cut her a mild glare. "You were almost late again Selphie!"

"Sorry...me and Rinoa got caught up." she whispered in response. "Plus, the elevator is still acting up since the whole...'Ultimecia Incident'. I couldn't help it! Anyway, what's this about?"

"The Headmaster's probably paranoid, but he thinks that the threat of a Sorceress is at hand." Squall said cooly. "The only Sorceress we know is Rinoa...and we all know that she's totally harmless. Who knows what he could be talking about."

"Well, if there's another Sorceress out there, let's go kick her ass!" Zell exclaimed...only to be hushed and to salute sharply when Cid walked in. He waved a hand.

"At ease." he folded his arms behind his back and began to pace. "You all know why I called you here right? ...I spoke with Edea just this morning. Apparently, she's retained some of her powers from when she was a Sorceress...and she claimed she sensed the 'evil' of another sorceress approaching. As we all know, Rinoa is the only Sorceress present at this time to our knowledge. We will run an investigation worldwide-"

"Pardon me Headmaster..." Irvine cut in smoothly. "But wouldn't that take a chunk out of funding?? And we don't even have nearly as many SeeDs as we used to before the Ultimecia incident. Alot of them were killed during the fight with Galbadia Garden."

"Not only that, if we do hold a worldwide investigation it could take months..even YEARS before we get any decent leads on another sorceress." Quistis said strongly. "If someone's a Sorceress, they're going to go through Hell and back to make sure they're not discovered."

"Which is why you're taking Rinoa with you." Cid countered. They all frowned. "Allow me to explain. Rinoa and Edea share the same abilities, despite the fact that Edea is no longer a Sorceress. Rinoa will be able to sense the presence of another Sorceress, and then, you'll hold an interrogation. If Rinoa says they're harmless, we'll leave them alone. If they're not....you know what to do."

Squall frowned. "...Wouldn't that lead to a high death toll of the women on this planet?"

"We can't afford to take any chances. We might've stopped Ultimecia, but it doesn't stop history from repeating itself...literally. Squall, you're leader. Put who you think will be best for this assignment on at least 4 teams and dispatch them. I want four of YOU, in an initial team including Rinoa. I trust your judgement Squall. That's all. Report any findings."

After saluting Cid's departure, Quistis frowned heavily at Squall. "I don't like the sound of this. He's never sent us on a wild goose chase before."

"I know that Quistis." Squall shook his head. "I don't like it either. Something...just isn't right about it at all."

Selphie scratched her head. "...He seemed pretty adament about it...so it must mean something. I say we find out what it is. It could be a false alarm!"

Irvine frowned and shook his head. "But given the nature...he might be right. And if Matron can tell if something's wrong...then something could actually be wrong."

"Talking about it apparently isn't getting us anywhere...let's just get started already!" Zell jammed his hands in his pockets. "I mean...something's bound to turn up once we start looking around. And whoever this Sorceress chick is, she's not doing too good a job of keeping herself a secret if Matron of all people can still tell if she's around, ya know?"

"Alright then...Quistis, Zell, you two will come with me." Squall turned to Selphie and Irvine. "You two, will stay here and speak with Matron. If she finds out anything else, make sure you let us know."

As the group made their way towards the elevator, Quistis tugged on Squall's jacket. They both paused. "What if Rinoa refuses to go with us?"

"She won't." he said, sounding quite sure of himself. "After all...she's got the next SeeD exam coming up. If she passes, she's going to want every last piece of experience she can get her hands on."

I know that....and that's what worries me... "And if she doesn't pass...?"

"...You heard the Headmaster. We take her anyway, whether she likes it or not." Squall said, his emotionless tones returning...momentarily. "Her feelings don't matter in this situation. We'll wait until the results for tomorrow's SeeD exam, then take her with us either way."

Quistis nodded in agreement, and followed him towards the elevator once more. Inside, Quistis was troubled. Edea knew something wasn't right. Rinoa is the only Sorceress present, as far as they knew. Edea knew something wasn't right and it involved a Sorceress in this day and time. It seemed to fit a little too well, and it bothered her. But she couldn't come up with wild accusations, no matter what they found out. Hopefully, this sudden...and extremely vague investigation will uncover something. Until then, she held her own suspicions about Rinoa and this entire investigation to herself.


[The following day]

Rinoa was sitting in the infirmary, having a wound on her arm tended to. She would've done it herself, but she had to keep her powers under wraps. No need having the entire student body knowing that she was a Sorceress. As far as most of the instructors knew(Quistis, Irvine, Selphie, Squall and Zell not included), she had intense magical ability. And that was all they needed to know. Dr. Kadowaki smiled and placed a strip of tape to hold the gauze wrapping in place.

"There. Just take it easy, you hear?"

"Thank you." Rinoa slid off the exam table, and pulled her uniform jacket on slowly. "When will the results come out?"

"Just wait upstairs by the elevator. They should pass an announcement." the Dr. folded her arms. "I'm sure you did well. Many of the instructors speak quite highly of you."

"Well..." Rinoa turned light red and looked away. "I just...do what I can. That's all. It's nothing special."

The good doctor chuckled and patted her good shoulder. "Well whatever it is, it's turned you into the talk of the Garden since you returned from your exam. You'd better get upstairs, or else you'll miss the results."

Rinoa couldn't help but smile widely to herself. Her plan was working quite well. Well...of course it did, considering the fact that she's a Sorceress and she cheated using the higher classes of spells to fight off the monsters. But what did it matter? She had one foot in the door...she just had to wait for the door to open wider. And then Squall would be on the other side, waiting with open arms. A wistful sigh escaped as she entered the elevator, and pressed the button for the second floor.

Rinoa felt a light shock in the back of her head. [Well now...look who's on her to gto getting a tighter hold on her man!] A faint clapping followed the cold, biting voice that sounded much like her own. [Smooth genius, really smooth. I'll be laughing my ass off once your little plan backfires!]

Another voice, lighter in tone spoke. [You know Naori, you shouldn't be so hard on her. She does try you know.] That same light tone, became malicious. [Even though she automatically had the upper hand because she's a Sorceress. She cheated, either way you look at it. And cheaters never prosper.]

[It's about damn time you agreed with me, Niora!!] Naori laughed loudly. Rinoa forked a hand through her bangs and began to shudder.

"Stop it."

[Uh oh...the little princess is getting mad at us!] Naori teased. [Should we keep teasing, or back off?]

[I don't know...she is a cheater after all. Cheaters shouldn't get away with their ways.] Niora sneered. Rinoa shook her head.

"Leave me alone!"

[Come now Rinoa. It's the truth. You cheated, so you could pass the exam, get on the good side of your instructors, ant clt closer to Squall. It's alright. Everyone's going to find out, when they figure out you're the evil presense that tramp Edea is sensing.]

"I said leave me alone!!!" Rinoa shouted in the elevator, just before it opened to the second floor. Thankfully, no was in earshot of her shouting. Everyone was at the end of the bridge to the classrooms, pacing, chatting lightly, or just standing and waiting in anticipation. She pasted on a light smile, and walked across the bridge. Just when she thought she shook them off, Naori and Niora began to taunt her again.

Oooohh...thought your little shit fit got rid of us huh?? Naori laughed. Think again! We've been with you since you became a Sorceress...and we're never, EVER going to leave you.

That's right Rinoa. We'll always be with you...like sisters.

The two voices began to cackle incessantly, replacing Rinoa's false smile with a look of contempt and anger. The students who were already there, were ready to greet her with a smile...but instead, were taken by her suddenly grim appearance. One moved to question if she was alright, only to receive a stiff glare in his direction. Rinoa moved herself to a dark corner of the hall, leaned up against the wall and folded her arms. Who knows how long it was going to be before they called her name. That is, IF they called her name. In the meantime...Naori and Niora, would be there to keep her company.

And make her miserable in the process.


Squall ran a clean rag along the sharp edge of his Gunblade in silence. Within the next few hours, himself, Quistis, Zell, and Rinoa would be heading out to Balamb. It was a small town, and a good place to start. From there, they would get on the train and head for Timber. Then Deling City, and Winhill. They'd prob hav have to return to the Eastern Continent, just to go to Trabia and Estar...he frowned lightly. We have to cover a whole planet in the shortest amount of time to stop a threat that probably doesn't even EXIST. If this isn't a wild goosechase, I don't know what is....

There was a knock on his door...he gave the word to come in. ...And in strolled Quistis, with a sheet of paper in hand. She handed him the paper, a concernook ook on her face. "Read this."

Putting his Gunblade and rag aside, he took the paper and began to scan it's words. His light frown went heavy. "...So she cheated."

"We're the only ones who can tell that. The other instructors think she's got intense magic ability." she folded her arms. "I think it's a crock of shit. And quite personally, I don't think Rinoa should've been eligible to become a SeeD just because she's a Sorceress. She has that automatic ability over everyone else."

"But what would we tell her though?"

"The truth!"

"Quistis, we both know that wouldn't fly." Squall said strongly and rose to his feet. "It's Rinoa we're talking about here. She's extremely stubborn. You know that. The minute she hears 'no', she's ready to tear the world apart to have her way."

Quistis sighed heavily. "...You don't have to remind me. In anycase, she passed...given due to the aforementioned. The celebration is tonight, but she won't be going. She'll be told right after she sees the Headmaster and gets her rank report."

"Yeah...Zell's going to tell her. We'll be dropped off near Balamb, and the mission starts from there." he handed the paper back to Quistis. "Where we'll go after that, is completely up in the air. We can go to Timber first, then Deling City and then Winhill."

"Shouldn't we go to Dollet first? It's right off the coast of Balamb."

"Damn..." he shook his head. "I...am NOT used to this last minute type of thing. Normally, everything is planned out in advance!"

There was another knock on his door. Rinoa bursted in and stopped dead in her tracks, when she spotted Quistis in the room. She folded her arms lightly(in a 'Quistis' fashion) and said in blunt tones: "So...what have we here? A little conversation? Or the aftermath of 'quality time'...?"

Quistis narrowed her eyes. "Knock it off Rinoa. Did Zell tell you about the celebration."

"Oh yeah! Zell told me about that." Rinoa said, now in her regular bright tones. Quistis raised an eyebrow, while Squall gave her a questioning look. Rinoa however, kept going. "He told me that we had some kind of important mission. He couldn't tell me while we were upstairs, so he told me to come down here and ask you. So...what's up?"

Squall sighed heavily. "...Edea still has some powers from when she was a Sorceress. The Headmaster said, that she sensed an evil presence and that it could be another Sorceress."

Rinoa smiled thinly and waved a hand in dismissal. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. Imean, I'm the only Sorceress in this general area so it's natural she'd sense a Sorceress. But why 'evil'? I'm not evil, am I?"

Quistis was on the verge of saying "I wouldn't be surprised.", but Squall gave her a look that kept her silent. Squall shook his head. "Not that we know of. But in anycase, orders are to go out and hunt down this 'evil presence'. Cid is hellbent on the idea that it could be another Sorceress besides you, but who knows what it could be. He says that if Edea can pick it up, so can you."

Rinoa frowned innocently. "...Well, I'm still getting used to my powers but...it's worth a try. When do we leave?"

"In a few hours." Quistis said cooly. She looked her up and down. "You may want to change out of your SeeD uniform. We don't know if this person...if it IS a person...hates SeeDs or not. We'll be dropped off outside Balamb, and we start from there. Just meet us at the front gate."

"Alright!" Rinoa ran up to Squall, kissed him on the cheek and trotted off. Quistis rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"I don't see how you put up with it."

"Jealous?"

"More suspicious than jealous. I'll see you later." Quistis walked out, leaving Squall to himself. He shook is head and moved to retrieve his Gunblade. He held it up before him, staring at his reflection in the polished blade. He could tell by the look of concern on his face, that this was going to be one hell of a mission. With arguements to boot. Sliding the weapon into its sheath, he made his way out of his room and towards the front gate.
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Author's Notes: Thus ends the first chapter. If you take a look at the two voices that harass Rinoa, their names are variations of the original 'Rinoa'. I got the idea for Naori and Niora, from a story my cousin wra wha while back about a man losing his wife and the proverbial good and evil representatives on his shoulders. This fic is meant to explore the dark side of those we deem 'innocent'. Rinoa, is no different. And no, this fic isn't solely about Rinoa. The fic has it's own plot, but it's somewhat centered on her and her two little demons that push her every step of the way.>=D
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Comments? Questions? Email me!

By the way...it's getting colder and colder this time of year. Any flames, will be used to keep me warm during the cold winter months. >=)