I'll be here Waiting...For you [Squall]

Despite the warnings of an impending war, Leon had left Radiant Garden.  This is what was most important to him.  This is why he needed to come.  He found himself wandering in the open fields near Edea's Orphanage, wandering for what seemed like ages.  This is where they'd found themselves after the battle with Ultimecia, and it made a lot of sense for her to be here, waiting for him just as he had back then.

For three days and three nights Squall had stayed at the orphanage, positive that she would come here.  He wasn't sure what it was that told him to stay, but he was one hundred percent sure that this is where she wanted him to come.  After lunch on the fourth day, Squall had decided to wander through the field.  Part of him thought that maybe he should scope out Balamb Garden or Deling City for her, but he didn't think she would go to either place without him.  She might however return to Timber, so that may be a good place to check in.  The Forrest Owls were hopeless and needed all the help they could get.

As Squall walked outside, staring into the vast field of pure white and golden yellow flowers, something caught his eye.  Could it be...

He stepped forward slightly, into the open field as he saw a figure in a blue sweater rise, grabbing a feather as she looked around.  ...Rinoa? 

Squall leaned forward, stepping every so slightly toward her as he did.  He stumbled through them as her face found recognition in his eyes.  Is it really her? 

He took another two steps forward, this time at a normal pace.  The realization of her return had began to dawn on him, and he pushed himself toward her step by step.  It is her.

Now, Squall turned into a full on sprint toward her.  After all these years, it really was Rinoa back.  He hadn't seen her at all since they'd teamed up working for Materia.  He wasn't sure if she remembered that or not, but that wasn't important.  She was home.  He rushed towards, picking the long black haired woman up into his arms as soon as he was within reach of her.  He didn't say anything, but held her tight into his own body.  She's really back...

He still couldn't believe it.  After all these years, Squall had finally found Rinoa again.  She immediately dug her face into the side of his neck, throwing her weight into him.  He didn't say anything as she expressed her joy and took in the observation that he'd changed slightly over the years.  It was true that he'd let his hair grow out over time.  He did find it odd that in all these years, she hadn't changed a bit.  Actually, it added a whole extra layer to the mystery behind it all.  Where had she been, anyway?

"I finally found you..You haven't changed at all.. It looks like you haven't aged a day."

Squall noticed Rinoa's legs begin to buckle, and he quickly picked her up by putting his left arm under her shoulder blades and used his right arm to scoop her up by her legs.  It was apparent that she needed to rest, and that her body was in no shape to travel right now.  As he did, he heard her say that her mind was fuzzy and that she thought she might have hurt someone else.  That wasn't possible.  Ultimecia was dead and, along with her, so was her ability to possess sorceresses.  Although, that hadn't stopped Chaos and Spiritus for finding an incarnation of her to bring to their side.

"No, you've been missing since we fought Shinryu.  ...I couldn't find you."

Squall was making his way back to the orphanage as he talked.  He felt the grass and vibrant flowers crunch under his feet as he walked.  He was going to lay her in one of the empty beds until she could move on her own.  Edea and Cid were both away, but he didn't think they would mind if the pair rested here for a couple days.  Squall would try to figure more out about what had happened to her and come up with a plan of action during the downtime.

"I don't think you hurt anyone.  Ultimecia is gone."

Leon quietly made his way toward the Orphanage with Rinoa in his arms.  He felt warmth as she clung to him, and it wasn't just his body heat causing it.  This reminded him of his walk to Esthar.  That was a massively long walk he shared with Matron as he sought out a way to heal Rinoa from the Sorceress Ultimecia's hold over her.  Of course, that only led to a boat load of more problems for Squall, but, eventually, they were able to overcome it.

This felt right.

As Squall crossed the threshold on the stone building, Rinoa finally spoke up.  She stated that she was okay to walk on her own now.  He looked at her with his scarred eyes for a moment before lowering her down to an upright position.  He was extra careful, just in case her legs got wobbly again and she needed carried again.

"...You okay?"

He meant that in more ways than just physically.  She had just showed up after years of being who knows where.  He didn't say it, but it could have been something related to her sorceress powers.  It scared him to think that another had arisen and could be responsible for this, but who could it have been.  Had Ultimecia returned after the wars as well?  He would have to answer that question sooner rather than later.

Squall had set down Rinoa, and listened intently after he asked her if she was ok.  Apparently, she had felt panicked.  Leon stayed silent for a moment, but his mind was racing.  He was trying to figure out what it was that had her so worried.  Only one thing had really came to mind, and it kind of made sense to him.

"It could be because you've been gone so long.  Rinoa, its been several years since you disappeared..."

He didn't know how else to say it.  Sure, he hadn't softened the blow of it by beating around the bush, but she needed to know it, and it made sense that she'd felt scared, because she could be going through the shock of reappearing after being gone so long.  He'd have to keep a close eye on her just to be safe.

"...You should lay down.  There's a lot that's happened that I need to tell you about."

Leon then walked to the nearby room, inside of which was a series of small beds.  He sat on the edge of one and waited for Rinoa to join him.  He would hopefully had talked her into resting, because he was sure she needed it after being through whatever it was she had experienced.  He had no true idea where she'd been, but, if he could talk her into going back to Radiant Garden with him, he might be able to ask Merlin for advice.