Chapter 1

Lightning stopped eating her pancake in mid-chew when Serah announced her wedding with Snow. Lightning nearly choked from the sudden unexpected news. Lightning had hoped her sister's relationship with Snow was nothing more than puppy-love. She never would have thought they ever considered marriage. Serah was beaming expectantly at Lightning from across the table, waiting for a response. Lightning gulped loudly, her throat suddenly extremely dry. "Y-you're getting married?"

Serah shook her head yes enthusiastically. "Yep!" she chimed. "Aren't you happy for me Lightning?" Serah asked with a look of discouragement on her face.

Actually, I'm not, Lightning thought glumly. But she would never admit that out loud - especially to Serah; it would crush her happiness. Lightning only wanted her baby sister to be happy, so she responded with the obvious reaction Serah wanted. She put on the biggest smile she could muster as she said gleefully, "Of course I am! Congratulations, baby sis!"

Serah's face immediately lit up and she rushed over to give Lightning a big hug. "Oh, thank you! Thank you, Claire!" she exclaimed as she gripped Lightning tightly.

Lightning felt torn into two. She wanted nothing more than to see Serah happy and smiling, but something inside her gave her a feeling of extreme melancholy.

The next morning, as Lightning came down the stairs, she heard the sound of two voices in the kitchen- one male and the other Serah's. Lightning's heart sunk quickly when she realized the male's voice belonged to Serah's fiance, Snow. She wanted to turn around and go back up to her room, but Serah had heard her coming down and came out from the kitchen to greet her.

"Sis!" Serah cheerfully called out with Snow closely standing on the side of her following behind her.

Lightning halted in her steps and turned back around to face the happy couple. Snow had on his usual cocky smile on his face. He appeared even more obnoxious than usual this morning. Probably because he's ecstatic he successfully bagged somebody like Serah as a wife. Her sister really was too good for the guy, Lightning enviously thought as she took her time down the rest of the stairs.

Serah rushed over to Lightning and gave her a hug. Lightning felt herself blush at Serah's open affection. "Sis!" Serah joyously said. "Snow and I have another surprise for you!"

Lightning had no idea what the surprise could be, but she was dreading it.

"Sis," Serah began, looking up at Lightning lovingly. "I want you to walk me down the aisle."

Lightning didn't know how to respond. She realized that since both of their parents died, the next person Serah would ask to give her away would be her last surviving family member and guardian- Lightning. Lightning had no choice but to play along for the sake of Serah's happiness. "I'd be more than happy to walk you down the aisle," Lightning responded as Serah gleefully hugged her even tighter.

Snow was laughing joyously. "Alright, sis! That means you're going to be wearing a tuxedo, right?" he teased.

Lightning felt her blood boil and her skin crawl when Snow referred to her as "sis". She wanted nothing more than to strike him across his smug face, but knew she couldn't do that to someone Serah (unfortunately) loves. Lightning only smiled weakly at everything.

It was the day of the wedding and Serah was frantically running around getting ready. All Lightning could do was shift uncomfortably around in her tux as she watched her sister rummaging around the room with Vanille.

"Vanille!" Serah gasped. "I think I lost my veil!" Serah was turning the room upside down looking for her veil.

Vanille was looking around under the pile of discarded bridesmaids dresses. "Aha! I found it!" she exclaimed as she waved the veil around victoriously.

"Oh, thank you, Vanille!" Serah gasped as she gave Vanille a quick thank-you-hug.

Lightning stared silently at the two's antics. She couldn't bring herself to be happy. She didn't want Serah to marry Snow. There was nothing she could do about it though - she simply had to buck up and accept it.

"Okay," Vanille said as she gussied Serah up. "All we need to do is get your bouquet. I'll be right back!" Vanille called out as she left the room leaving Lightning and Serah alone.

Lightning fidgeted the collar of her suit - the tuxedo suddenly felt stuffy. Serah was gazing happily in the mirror as she swayed her dress back in forth in a blissful daze. Lightning stared at Serah completely mesmerized - her sister looked absolutely beautiful. Lightning could feel her throat become dry again as she started to feel hot in her tuxedo.

Serah finally turned to face Lightning and smiled gratefully. "Sis, thank you," she whispered.

Lightning didn't respond, she only looked at her sister with a puzzled expression on her face.

Serah walked towards to where Lightning was sitting and sat on her lap. Lightning became flustered at their sudden closeness. Serah giggled at Lightning's hidden cuteness, and she playfully poked Lightning's cheek. Lightning could feel her face becoming rapidly red. Serah was clinging onto Lightning's neck as she laid her head down on Lightning's chest.

She must be able to hear how fast my heart is beating! Lightning worried.

"Thank you for being the best big sister anyone could ever wish for," Serah said suddenly, her hot breath tickling Lightning's neck.

Lightning's heart fluttered uncomfortably at the comment. She didn't understand why she was feeling so uncomfortable with her own sister.

"You know, you look really good in tuxes," Serah chuckled as she caressed Lightning's tie.

Lightning looked down and her breath caught in her throat at Serah's radiant beauty. She looked even more breath-taking up close. What am I thinking? Lightning thought. Lightning stopped her creepy, disturbing thoughts before she could indulge them any further. "I-I think we should get things started now," Lightning prodded.

But Serah refused to get off of Lightning, "We still have to wait for Vanille to come back with the bouquet first," Serah said lazily.

Damn Vanille! How long does it take to get a lousy bouquet anyways? Lightning cursed. She looked back down at Serah and she saw Serah's eyes were closed with a peaceful look on her face. Lightning smiled sweetly at the sight before her as she ran a hand through her baby sister's satiny hair.

Serah opened her eyes and smiled warmly at Lightning. Their faces were only inches away from each other's. Lightning felt her heart skip a beat. Serah was still smiling lovingly at her. Before she knew it, Lightning closed the gap between the two of them and kissed her.