Author's Note: Before you start cursing me on my other unfinished stories if you're one of the readers following them, I'd like to say that the other stories will still be continued now that this was done, although I'll still probably be slow in updating the other two stories due to my very, very hectic and packed schedule. I seriously squeeeeezed my time out for this because I really wanted to write an ending to LR in the way I depicted it, so hopefully you'd enjoy reading this!

I wrote this chapter based on Yiruma's "Promise - Piano Solo" and "Spring Rain", so a music suggestion for you to listen to while you read it!

Lightning Returns – Where I Belong

Chapter 1

This journey is over now…

As the train came to a complete halt, Lightning waited for the sliding door of the train to open before stepping off the train and onto the platform at a station in White Castle Village. She stopped after a few steps and let the warm spring breeze caress her cheeks and pink fringe, all the while enjoying the warm sunlight as she lifted her face towards the sky with her eyes closed.

I wonder when the next will begin.

Lightning inhaled the familiar smell of the village where she now lives in, and a hand came up to brush her bangs to the side as she opened her eyes to look at the place where she now belongs to. Her cerulean eyes roamed the quiet village as it basked in the warm sunlight, then her eyes fell on a celestial light coursing through the blue sky.

I only know that soon, we'll be together.

A smile came to grace the pinkette's lips as she thought of seeing her friends again soon. Then, Lightning went to her car parked at the train station's car park. Upon sighting her crimson red Rapide S, she gave a gentle smile spotting her favourite car. It may sound silly to some, but to Lightning, she liked giving names to the things that she appreciates, things that she likes, and to things that would remind her of a fond memory. The things that mattered to Lightning's heart will be given its unique name. As she approached her favourite car in a confident stride, her smile grew seeing that her car was doing alright after having parked here for about a month. Lightning mentally noted to thank the guard who was responsible for the security of the train station, as before she left she spoke to the guard and requested him to help keep an eye on the car.

"Glad to see you again, Odin." Lightning said fondly as she reached the car named Odin, which the name originated from her eidolon in the previous universe of Nova Chrysalia. Odin, her capable companion for the past thousands years in the realm of Nova Chrysalia, had supported her well in all the battles faced against various kinds of enemies. Without Odin by her side, Lightning figured that perhaps she would have already died in some of the tougher battles she engaged in. Lightning still remembered vividly the memories of fighting alongside Odin, the way the wind brushed by her skin when Odin carried her on his back, running with a speed no other steed in the world could compare to. Even when he was a chocobo, his speed was still stunningly fast compared to all other chocobos, giving more time for Lightning to complete more quests that were on her mission list. Now, she no longer had Odin by her side, and she had no way of knowing where Odin may possibly be at after being reborn into this New World that they have together fought to obtain from Bhunivelze, perhaps he would be a mortally human, or perhaps he could still be a heavenly knight, but there was no way to know any of this. The only other way for Lightning to remind herself of Odin's precious existence was her crimson Rapide S with white interior decorated with golden linings, with a speed that was considerably to be the most matching to what Odin had provided to Lightning in the past.

After unlocking the car by scanning her thumb print, she opened the door and smoothly slipped into her comfortable driver seat and placed her baggage on the passenger seat next to the driver's seat. Once she was settled, she pressed a button to ignite the engine and allowed the car to warm itself up before attempting to start driving, even though Lightning missed her home she wouldn't risk wrecking Odin up. Since she had a few minutes to spare, she took out her phone from the side pocket of her bag and swiped at the lock screen to unlock the phone. Her eyes dropped to the call button and she lightly tapped on it to reveal a log of numbers with symbols indicating incoming or outgoing phone calls. Lightning's thumb tapped on the 'favourite' tab and revealed two numbers, of which one belonged to Serah. She swiped at the number that belonged to Serah's and then placed her phone against her ear, listening to the sound of the line connecting to the other party as she waited patiently for her little sister to pick up, although usually Lightning won't have to wait long until-

"Claire!" A high pitched voice cut through the beeping sound into Lightning's phone, "Are you back?" Serah asked excitedly, her voice telling that she had missed her big sister big time.

Lightning managed a chuckle even though the high pitch from the younger Farron hurt her ears just a little bit, but she was also happy to hear Serah's excited welcome-home-spirit. "Yes, Serah, I've just arrived at the train station." She replied with a smile.

"Oh good, I'm glad to know that. Will you be coming over now?" Serah asked, her voice hinting a smile.

Lightning briefly shook her head as if the younger Farron could see her, "No, I'll be heading home first. Perhaps I'll come over for dinner."

Serah smiled into her phone at the response, "I was going to get you to come to dinner since you said you won't be coming over now, but I guess you just saved my effort." Her tone changed from one of threat to satisfaction.

A soft chuckle escaped from the pinkette's lips, she wasn't sure if she should faked fear or just laugh at the younger woman's attempt at trying to sound threatening. A smile graced her lips as she continued, "I guess you've me to thank for."

"I do suppose I can thank you with some of your… favourite chocolate tart with a strawberry on top?" Serah said mischievously, hinting her amusement at the older, oblivious Farron.

Just as what Serah thought, Lightning was indeed still oblivious to that mischievous tone of the younger pinkette as she responded with genuine innocence to her sister's offer of her favourite dessert, one whole month without a slice of it was getting its toll on her. "Yes please, I'd love to have some after such a long time. Nowhere else I could get that dangerously delicious tart of yours. Makes me wonder what you put in it."

Serah laughed at her sister's innocent response, it was adorable that Lightning was oblivious, but still extremely funny to her that the usually sharp Lightning Farron couldn't notice the wittiness in her tone as well as the feelings displayed by a certain someone, and also her own feelings for that certain someone. Perhaps Lightning was just really dense in things like these. "Alright Claire, I promise you that you'd get more than just a slice." Serah replied with a warm smile. After so many events that happened in the past, it was pure gold – or perhaps more than gold – that she and Lightning would be talking to each other in such a relaxed manner and could talk about life's little titbits which may be mundane and unimportant. They have truly gone through a lot of trials, and now the fruit of what they have sown in the previous universe is truly sweet and enjoyable for every single one of them, and they couldn't be more grateful and appreciate every single moment they have with each other. Lightning especially, deserved the happiness that she had finally unlocked from within herself in this world, and Serah was oh so glad that she could be here witnessing and share the joy of her sister's happy return.

"Alright, you promised, Serah." Lightning smiled into her phone.

"Yes Claire, I always keep my promises, just like you did." Serah responded warmly as she recalled how Lightning had risked through everything just so she could save her soul. Without Lightning's determination and perseverance, perhaps she wouldn't be here anymore.

Lightning smiled in response, "Good, I'm ecstatic over the idea of devouring that chocolate tart." She said, not knowing what could be deciphered differently by the others.

Even though Serah knew Lightning didn't mean anything beyond pure innocence, she still couldn't help but blushed lightly at the statement made by her sister. This was a problem occurring only to those who knew secrets that the others don't. "R-Right. Oh, and I was going to tell you that everyone else will be coming over for dinner too."

Lightning's eyebrows arched with surprise at the mention of 'everyone' and strangely, her heartbeat seemed to have increased a tad for a reason that she didn't know exactly what. And what was even stranger was that she felt like she missed something that caused the increased heartbeat. She didn't know this in advance. "Oh? That's rather sudden, you didn't tell me anything about it."

Serah giggled at the surprise evident in the other woman's voice, "Of course I didn't tell you anything about this, I just suddenly decided to invite everyone over and trust me, they won't say no to a gathering."

An amused smile crept up to Lightning's face, "That's very… spontaneous of you." She commented.

The younger Farron gave a thoughtful shrug and hummed at the comment, "After living a life where time is precious and anything can be lost at anytime, spontaneity has seem to become a trait of mine now. Why wait and risk losing it since you don't know what the future may hold when you can get it now, right?"

Lightning's amused smile turned into a full understanding smile at that statement, she couldn't agree more with Serah as well. "Right, I agree." She responded and then took a glimpse at the time displayed in her car's dashboard, which read 10:48am. They have been talking for about five minutes now. "And Serah? I think I'll have to go now, I'll see you tonight at your place, okay?"

Serah hummed thoughtfully, "Sure Claire, I'll see you tonight then. Bye!"

"Bye." Lightning said with a smile as she pulled her phone away from her ear and placed the phone in its designated spot. Now that Odin had warmed up adequately, she put her gear to 'Drive' and began easing out of the parking slot. Lightning drove slowly while she was still at the car park, afraid that someone might suddenly walk out onto the road. When she reached the exit, she slipped the car window right beside her seat down to thank the guard before heading off.

The crimson car cruised smoothly along the road at average speed as there weren't any cars at the moment and Lightning wasn't in a rush, so she had chosen to drive leisurely and took her time enjoying the view of the village that she now lives in. Along the way, there were many green patches of fields that were comfortable to the eyes, and many houses that were built along the way as the population in this village increased bit by bit each year. As she drove further, she passed by a beautiful lake with woods surrounding the serene, crystal bluish green lake. Lightning slowed her car down as she took in the sight of the lake that was even more beautiful in the day when the sun shone down, bringing it a breathtaking kind of glittering view as the lake reflected the sunlight. Ever since she started living here a year ago, Lightning had always loved the view of the lake and would take her time viewing the lake whenever she passed by, feeling her memories of when she lived in Bodhum welled up in her mind's eye. Now that she was living in a village with no sea in close proximity, the lake was the only substitute to Lightning's fond memory of the sea back in Bodhum. As the journey back home continued, the lake slowly disappeared in sight and Lightning sped up again as she resumed her full attention on the road.

After approximately 45 minutes of driving, Lightning entered into a neighbourhood with fewer houses around and more trees in the surrounding. Then, she took a turn that led her up a small hill and a bit deeper into what one would call the woods. Even though a lot of trees surrounded Lightning's home, the drive from the main road to her place was short; hence the view of the village at the near bottom was still visible from Lightning's residence. The pinkette had chosen this particular spot as her home due to two reasons: she liked it where she could be slightly above the neighbourhood where she could oversee the place in which she lives in to simply enjoy the view and sometimes look out for danger, and also because it was a bit further in from the rest of the residencies that gave her the peace and solitary silence which she preferred. As her house came into sight, she slowed her car down and then turned into a spot where she parked her car and came to a complete stop smoothly by easing the brake gently over time. Once she had stopped her car, she turned her engine off and grabbed her bag before leaving her car and locking it. Lightning then turned to admire the view of the neighbourhood shortly before heading for her home.

Lightning took the keys to her house's door out of her front pocket and then slid it into the lock. Once the key was all in, she turned it to the right until she heard a click that indicated that the door had been unlocked. Now that the door was unlocked, Lightning turned on the knob and pushed her way into her house. She reached a hand out to the left and turned on a light to light the dim room, and then proceeded to closing the door behind her. Once she was finally in, Lightning looked around the house that she lives in alone to note if there were any changes. When she was satisfied with things staying just as they have been before she went on her trip, she let out a relieved smile and headed inside to place her bag down.

Just as she placed her bag down, a knock came from the door. Lightning turned towards the door with an arched, curious eyebrow, wondering who could be here just right when she was back. She went over to the door and then opened it to reveal a brown bag jutting out right at her face by the visitor. Mildly taken by surprise, Lightning's eyes widened and her mouth went slightly agape at the sight. The brown bag was then being retracted to reveal the face hidden behind it, "Hey Light, glad you're back." The person said with a happy grin upon seeing the pinkette.

Kindly R&R!