Serah's name had been picked at the reaping, and Lightning's heart had nearly stopped, but that did not stop what had come next.
"I volunteer!"
She refused to break down at Serah's cries of protest as her younger sister was pulled away from her arms. She then reluctantly turned to Snow and forced him to promise to look after her, not that he needed any forcing. Still, Serah's safety and survival was all that mattered.
And now Lightning found herself on a train headed to the Capital where the annual Hunger Games awaited. To her left, Fang, one of the district's many orphans sat impatiently, tapping her foot.
"Would you stop that?" Lightning frowned.
Fang gave her a stern look of disdain, "If I stop, then you stop that nail biting."
"Tch."
Surprisingly, Lightning found herself putting her arm down onto the chair's armrest. They both then looked away from each other and out the window, their minds completely somewhere else. They didn't even bother taking in the view, a blur of blue and green as the train sped on.
"Where the hell is he?" Fang growled impatiently.
"Who?"
"Our mentor," Fang huffed. "Think his name was side catfish or something."
Right at that moment, the car door opened and in walked a middle aged man with dark skin and listless brown eyes. His appearance was worse for wear, what with his clothes looking like rags and his expression, grim.
Lightning scowled even further and her lips pressed firmly. Clearly, this was not who she was expecting to be their mentor. She's never even heard of the guy.
"It's not side catfish…it is Sazh Katzroy, and I am to be your mentor for the Hunger Games," He said, taking a seat across from them.
"Wait a minute, how come I've never seen you around the district?" Fang asked accusingly.
"Because I choose to live in peace and away from everyone."
"You mean you're a hermit," Lightning blurted.
Fang snorted at that, making Lightning smirk, if only just a fraction.
Sazh let out a sigh, "Listen, I know I'm not the best, but I will help you." He ran a hand through his unkempt afro. "Just don't be surprised if I'm not enthusiastic about it."
Who would be?
"So what now?" Lightning asked.
Sazh eyed them both closely, "What can the two of you do?"
"You could say I've got strength going for me," Fang said, flexing her arms. "And I'm okay with a fishing spear."
"Oh boy…" Sazh dropped his head. "What about you?" He motioned with his hand, not bothering to look up.
"I've…had practice with a sword," Lightning answered rather shyly.
At this Sazh raised a brow, "A sword, you say?"
"Y-yes, a wooden one," Lightning furrowed her brow as she crossed her arms, looking away.
At this Sazh slumped back into his chair with a defeated sigh, "I've got a strong fisherman and a brooding swordsman."
Little did he know, there would be much more to them.
AN: Hi peeps! This came about in the late hours of the night, so forgive the errors, which I'm sure are many. Anyhoo, this little plot bunny is out of my head now and yeah...let me know what you thought of it.