DISCLAIMER: Final Fantasy XIII belongs to Square Enix

AN: Quick, older story that I found. Has anyone ever found themselves playing FFXIII and end up in this kind of situation? I have. I also might make this a collection of short stories, of moments I think should've happened in the game, so be on the look out! Enjoy!

I. Competition

Hope knew it was no longer some playful bet; in fact he had known. He knew it was about to become something serious after Fang and Lightning came to his rescue while they were in Palumpolum; later that night Fang taunted the soldier about how she took down that monster with no problem.

"Piece o' cake," gloated Fang, giving Lightning a light nudge. "Too bad ya weren't on your A-game Sunshine, or otherwise I'd believe you've could've taken it down."

"I could've done a much better job than you did," she countered.

"Oh really? Then how about we make a little bet, yeah? Next beastie or soldier we come across, show me that ya can take 'em down. Better yet, I'll give ya a head's start..."

Then came the raid on the Palamecia, and Hope saw how the women tried to one-up the other. If Lightning got the kill in the first fight, then Fang would up her antics and get the kill in the next fight, and it would continue to go back and forth between them. Hope realized that no one stood in their way, and even he was forgotten as they charged into battle, using varying techniques to ensure they got the first win.

Inside the Ark, the competition between the women was more persistent and fiery where everyone saw how determined they were to outdo the other.

"I haven't seen Fang like this in years!" chirped Vanille as they watched the two women race into another battle.

"You mean to say as crazy as soldier girl?" groaned Sazh.

"No not that! I mean feeling like she has competition. She's never had anyone step on her toes like Lightning has! It's pretty funny!"

"Funny? I'm afraid one of them's gonna kill us!" said Sazh, exasperated.

"I've never seen Sis act like this ever," said Snow, jovially. "It's kinda cute to see those two go at it."

"As long as they don't end up tearing this place apart, I'm okay with it."

Hope saw the ceasefire between them after Barthandelus, but he was wrong to assume that their little competition was over completely. The temporary truce ended as soon as they took their first step on Gran Pulse. One unfortunate encounter with a Behemoth King was all it took to reignite that competitive spark. Hope could not understand what it was that drove these women to such extremes, but as long as he was not thrown in the middle of it, he would be okay with it.

"Ya got lucky there," growled Fang as Lightning finished off a Flan. "If it weren't for Lady Luck on yer side, I would've won and ya know it."

Lightning's lips curled deviously as she sheathed her gunblade. "Why don't you just admit I'm the better fighter Fang?"

"'Cause ya ain't, that's why."

"And yet I just took down that last monster. How many does this make it now?"

"Keep on talkin' big Sunshine, and next time, when we fight an Adamantoise, I'll make sure it steps on ya."

"Is that a bet?"

Fang placed her hands on her hips, and gave Light a smirk that said it all.

"Fine," huffed Lightning. "Let's see who can take it down first."

Hope was happy to see his mentor cut loose and have some fun, even if said fun was very dangerous. He could've given Lightning a bunch of reasons not to, but instead settled for having her act like care and worry free, even for just one day. So he quietly trudged after the women, hoping that their competitiveness wouldn't lead to them turning on him.