Rinoa's heartbeat began to quicken at his words and his approach, her brown eyes watching him as he got near to her. She didn't push him away as he held her, even though she felt like she should have. It just felt so very nice and familiar to be held by him and her brain just seemed to shut down as her body enjoyed his touch. At some point, her eyes had slipped closed as she breathed in his both familiar and new scent.<br/><br/>After a moment, her eyes opened and she locked gazes with him, her cheeks beginning to turn pink as she waited for him to speak. When he did, she listened attentively, her skin seemed to burn from his touch in a pleasant kind of way. "I was very grateful for your father's kindness. He really helped me out when I had no one to lean on."<br/><br/>She fell silent again as she listened to him speak, still marveling over how talkative he had gotten in her absence. In a way, it stung because she had wanted to be the one that got him to open up fully. She had managed some but not to this level. Had he found someone while she was gone? A sudden pain struck her and she inwardly winced, not liking the idea of him potentially being with someone else, even if it was doubtful with the way he worked. But what if someone he had worked with? Perhaps Quistis?<br/><br/>She knew Quistis had feelings for him, but how did Squall feel about her? Had his feelings towards her changed? She shook her head slightly to rid herself of those thoughts, focusing once more on his words. "It hurt when you didn't try to stop me. My mind was made up because it was something I felt needed to be done, but you let me go without even a protest, Squall." She paused, trying to think of how to continue speaking.<br/><br/>"I knew you were involved heavily in your work which was another reason why I felt like I needed to go. We were both so young and we needed time apart to grow. It wasn't easy but I'd like to say I've become a better person now." She paused, not sure about what else to say. She wanted so bad to be with him again, but she wasn't sure if he still felt the same way.<br/><br/>"I never wanted to be a burden to you, Squall, and with my powers, I needed time to learn to control them so I didn't hurt anyone. I couldn't do that sheltered in your Garden. I needed to get away. I'm sorry if it hurt you. It hurt me too, being apart from you. I never wanted to leave."