A/N: After going on hiatus for almost… Hm, give or take 8 months? I finally managed to find the time to write again. I really do not know if my writing skills had improved or degraded significantly in those 8 months that I've been away. Anyway, that's not what I'm here for. I'm here to re-launch this fic. The very first fic that I wrote a long time ago. But due to the stress that I was going through during that time, I felt that it was very inappropriate to continue writing and I knew that I had to deal with my stress first. So yes, I deleted all of those stories that I had. I'm sorry for being away so long, my dear readers. I'm ready to take on writing again anyways. To avoid further ado, allow me to present the fic " Second Chances "!

Prologue- The end or the beginning?

The l'Cie had fulfilled their focus at last. And that is to defeat Barthandelus and to save Cocoon. Though it may seem that a lot of people are rejoicing over this fact, there was one who wasn't content with it.

And the most surprising fact was that it was the soldier herself who wasn't content with it. To the others that do not know that well, it may seem that she couldn't have cared less. But for the people whom she's close with like her fellow ex-l'Cie gang and her sister, Serah, they knew what the soldier was really going through at the moment.

Just the thought of losing her best friend after that exhausting battle made the soldier clench her fists tightly. How much longer do I have to feel this way? That idiotic woman, we promised each other together til the end of everything.

"Light?", a certain silver-haired teen knocked on Lightning's door, making her jump slightly of surprise.

"H-Hey. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you.", Hope said as he approached the pink-haired soldier cautiously. Her cerulean eyes were clouded with guilt and pain, the boy had noted as he moved to sit near her.

"No, no it's alright. You just caught me off-guard, that's all.", Lightning replied as she ruffled Hope's her affectionately. He smiled at this slightly and gazed out at the window. The night held some sort of calming effect on the two as they continued to gaze out of the window.

"Tomorrow… It'll be a year since we saved Cocoon.", Hope stated cautiously as he observed the soldier's guarded look. He noticed that the soldier flinched slightly when he said the last part. The boy knew that deep down, Lightning was hurting because Fang and Vanille hadn't woken up yet from their crystal slumber. For a year already.

"I know, Hope. Is this the reason why you came up in my bedroom tonight?", Lightning asked softly as she rubbed at her temples. Slowly, she began to remember what exactly happened on that day. Damn it. I… I don't want to remember everything.

"Yeah…. I'm sorry for mentioning it to you, Light. I- no, we know that you're hurting deep down.", Hope mumbled as he wringed his wrists nervously. Seeing the soldier's face crumble from being carefully guarded into showing pure plain agony and sadness, the boy felt helpless for being unable to help his mentor with her current situation. He wanted to say comforting words to her just so she can spark up a new hope in her life. However, he was at lost at words and so, he only did the thing that he could do right now.

Hope wrapped his arms around his mentor while apologizing.

As that happened, Lightning slowly began to relax and allow herself to put her guard down. She hugged the boy back while reassuring him that it was alright. When the boy had let go after some time, he bid the pink-haired woman good night before leaving her bedroom. Shutting the door close behind her, she went to her bed and went inside her covers. When she made sure that everyone else was asleep and no one was ever going to hear her cry, she did. And while the soldier did, she repeated this line all over in her head until she felt calm enough to sleep.

I don't know if there's anyone out there who'll listen to me but please… Let Fang and Vanille go home, especially the idiot.

A few miles away from the soldier's house, a giant crystal pillar shone in the darkness. We heard ya, sunshine. Just hold on for a little longer. Soon, we'll be there.

Ext. A/N: And here we go. This is simply the prologue, guys. I apologize for the short chapter. But I promise to improve on the length soon. Any comments, corrections to be made or clarifications, let me know. Thanks again!

Farron, over and out.