Prologue

Far away on the other side.
Caught in the middle of a hundred and five
The night was heavy and the air was alive
But she couldn't find how to push through
Carried away by a moonlight shadow
Carried away by a moonlight shadow
Far away on the other side
~ Moonlight shadow

Claire Farron slipped out of her bedroom window on the first floor and landed softly in the garden. She paused for a moment, listening for signs that any of her family had stirred. It was very unlikely that they would have. She had been sure to make no noise at all and they were all heavy sleepers. Besides, they hadn't ever woken up all the times she had snuck out. Sure enough, she heard nothing. But for once, she wished someone had woken. She wished someone would see her, ask her where she was going, tell her to come back in, that she shouldn't be out so late.

She paused again at the top of the stone wall that bordered the small garden, hesitating. She wanted to go back, crawl back in and curl up underneath the covers. But that wouldn't be fair. Not to herself. Not to Fang. Shame washed over her for even thinking of such a traitorous action. She allowed herself one last wistful backward glance and sealed away the rest of that weakness.

She made the rest of the journey without any other second thoughts, though her dread increase with every step. There was nobody around, there never was. She used to love the silence. The way it seemed as if this time was especially for them and only them. Now it seemed oppressive, threatening to smother her. At last, she reached her destination, the very edge of Oerba where the waves from the lake lapped at the stone foundation. She leaned against the barrier, looking up at Cocoon. The source of all her troubles. She sighed. Moments later, she heard soft footsteps before strong arms wrapped around her waist and a low voice whispered into her ear.

"What's with the sigh, Sunshine?" An accented voice teased her lightly. She remained silent, heart pounding whilst she tried to find the words to tell her. "Claire?" The voice asked, worried. She bit her lip. It broke her heart, but she disentangled the arms around her waist and pulled them way. Turning around, she pushed the pulsian away gently.

"Claire?" Repeated the taller girl. She moved to take a step forward, but the pink haired girl held up a hand to stop her. She tilted her head, expression anxious, but respected the other's decision.

"We can't-I-" The Cocoon native struggled to find the words, hating herself. This was their time. Now she was spoiling it, tainting it. "I'm moving." she finally said. "Back to Cocoon." The words hung in the still night air, echoing slightly through the lonely late night streets. She could see the millions of thoughts racing behind those sparkling emerald eyes as they struggled to comprehend her words, to understand what it meant, what it would do to them. Had this been another time, perhaps Claire may have teased her about actually thinking for once. But it wasn't another time. It wasn't a time like their previous moments together shared in laughter and smiles. Finally Fang swallowed.

"When?" She didn't ask why. They both knew why. The tensions between Gran Pulse and Cocoon were rising. It was just small fights breaking out before. Naively, they thought I had nothing to do with them. But now those fights were steadily getting more and more serious. Serious enough for the Farron family to have to leave, however much Claire wanted to stay, however much she prayed they could stay.

"Tomorrow." And they stood there in silence that followed her words, heads hung and thoughts in memories. Suddenly, Fang crossed the distance, wrapping the smaller girl in her arms.

"Claire." the word sounded strangled, choked. Her shoulders shook and Claire realised she was crying. The ever strong, loud mouthed, arrogant, annoying and beautiful Oerba Yun Fang was crying. The gravity of the situation hit her fully, hit her hard. She was leaving. And Fang..Fang was crying. Suddenly, she couldn't bear to be there. Panic and confusion filled her along with irrational urge to escape. She had to get away. Now. She pulled away.

"I'm sorry."

"Claire?" Fang reached for her.

"I'm sorry," she repeated, hardly knowing what she was saying. "I'm sorry." She backed away. "I'm sorry, Fang." She turned and ran.

"Claire! Wait!" She could hear the raw desperation in that usually smooth voice. It scared her. She wasn't strong enough for this. She didn't stop. Footsteps followed her. Fang called out again. "Claire! Watc-" A shot rang out over her words, followed by a gasp of pain. She spun around to see Fang standing strangely. Bent forward slightly as if in the act of falling, but time had decided to freeze just for a moment.

"Die Cocoon scum!" the drunken slur came from somewhere to her left. She looked, shocked to see a man there. A man with a gun, illuminated in the moonlight. He stumbled a little, raising it again.

"No!" she heard a dry rasp from Fang as the girl moved in front of her. She couldn't do anything, caught off guard by the blur of events as another shot rang out and the force of the second bullet sent her spinning to the ground with an empty thud. Suddenly, she heard shouts of others and some villagers appeared, drawn by the sound of gunshots. Suddenly the night was alive, the usual empty peace they sought was shattered by the presence of too many people.

"Fang!" she knelt at her side, cradling her head. Blood was soaking through her sari.

"Claire." came the weak reply. "You waited." this statement was followed by her trademark smirk, albeit slightly frail.

"Idiot." she sobbed.

"Hey, hey. No crying," she reached up clumsy hand to wipe away the tears. "Geez. You're as bad as Vanille, ya know?" Another shaky breath. "I'll be okay. Oerba Yun Fang is invincible!" the proud proclamation was marred by a wheezing cough.

"Stop talking." Claire scolded gently, still half crying. She gripped her pulsian's hand tightly.

"You're still crying." Fang pointed out. "It ain't fair for such a pretty girl to cry, eh? Smile, Sunshine." She tried to, only managing a shaky replica of one. "That's good." Fang whispered, eyes fluttering. Claire's heart lurched as Fang's grip slackened.

"Fang!" She fought to keep her eyes open.

"Promise...you'll wait for me? I'll find you...when this is all over..."

"I promise. Fang..." she was crying again. "You'd better not die on me.."

"I won't." bright emerald eyes found blue sapphires.

"How do you know?" She couldn't understand how she could be so positive. But then again, that was Fang all over. Fang smirked, whispering her answer. "I'll hold you to it, Snaggletooth."

"I wouldn't expect any less." Her eyes closed and Claire stepped back to allow the villagers to carry Fang away.

She would walk in the opposite direction, and wander the streets, dazed and blank until she finally got her bearings. By then it would be morning and her family would be shocked at her bloodshot eyes and bloodstained clothes. They would ask her endless questions. She would answer none. Eventually they would leave her to shower and change so that they could be on their way out of Gran Pulse. Just as planned. By three in the afternoon, the train would pull into Cocoon. And only when she disembarked and exited the station, stepping out into the artificial planet would she allow herself to think of Fang's answer.

"Because when prayers turn into promises, nothing can stand in their way."

And hope.

My brain told me I had exams soon. Unfortunately, my common sense was on holiday and my idiot sense was standing in. Naturally, it ignored my brain. They aren't on good terms. Anyway, R&R please.

(v)
(-.-) Unamused bunny demands you!
(" ")*