Disclaimer: Read the Prologue

Scene 2, Act 1: Gran Pulse


Lightning settled back down onto her rock and resumed the polishing of her gun blade.

Hold her hand? I'm not a kid… The pink–haired girl thought to herself, smiling gently.

She paused suddenly, and stared in the direction where Fang had departed.

Perhaps a little walk would do me some good too. She reasoned lamely.

Lightning quickly rose to her feet and slid her gun blade back into its sheath in one smooth motion.

I hope I can catch up to her…

"Not that it matters…" She quickly mumbled under her breath.


"Vanilla–san! You've caught her!" Hope cried enthusiastically, pumping his fists victoriously.

"Yes!" Vanilla cheered, performing a happy little jig.

"Kyu! Kyu!" The chickobo joined in, flapping its tiny wings excitedly.

The auburn–haired teen brushed the chickobo's soft, golden feathers with a finger, and the bird closed its eyes in contentment. Vanilla turned to Hope with a gentle smile.

"Take care of her for me?" She asked lightly, holding out the baby chocobo.

The boy looked concerned.

"Ah! Is Vanilla–san going somewhere?"

"En!" Vanilla replied brightly. "I'll be gone…just for a little while."


"Hm." Lightning frowned, stopping to survey her dark surroundings.

Where did she go?

Her heart sank. Perhaps she had better head back to the campsite – before she got completely lost. Much as the ex–militant refused to admit, Lightning was more than a little intimidated by the vast expanse of Gran Pulse. How different Cocoon was, with its constricted and endless hallways!

Here, on Gran Pulse, she felt her inhibitions melt away. The wild, grazing animals, the grassy fields, the sparkling lakes…how breathtaking!

"But Cocoon's still more civilized…" Lightning muttered, almost defensively.

Where is she?

Her light, expectant mood was quickly returning to her natural dark, depressed state.

"Why am I even here?" She growled at last, in frustration.

Just as Lightning turned to leave, she heard a soft splash in the distance. Her heart leapt.

Fang…?

Lightning stepped guardedly around the rocky walls of the plateau and smiled with relief at the sight before her.

The impressively tall brunette stood ankle deep in the glinting waters of the lake, staring pensively at the glowing orb in the night sky. She had removed her knee–high sandals, which lay strewn on the lush grass.

Lightning's lips parted to call out to her comrade, but stopped.

Fang…

Her dazed eyes drank in Fang's flawless features, beautifully softened in Cocoon's gentle glow. She was too distracted to even notice her quickening heart beat.

All of a sudden, Fang chuckled lightly to herself, causing Lightning to flinch back behind the wall of rock.

"What is she doing…" The pink–haired girl gasped in irritation, blatantly ignoring the awkwardness of her own situation.

She snuck back to steal another look and nearly choked.

A…ah!


Fang sucked in the cool night air and relaxed.

It's good to be back.

She looked up at the silvery orb in the sky in wonderment. Had it always looked this beautiful? The Gran Pulsian's expression grew troubled. Was this what Cocoon really looked like beneath that veil of hate?

I've been blind. Fang admitted silently.

Cocoon had always been beautiful.

Hmph, but it's prettier on the outside. Fang observed critically, succumbing to an age–old prejudice.

The mental image of Lightning scowling at her last remark made her chuckle helplessly.

Light…thank you for helping me see…

Smiling dreamily, she unhooked her leather belt and flung it carelessly over to her sandals. Her hand slid down her trim stomach and gave her sari a gentle tug. The silky blue fabric fell away obediently at her touch.


Lightning nearly swooned, but held on to the rock for support. Her heart skipped as she watched Fang slowly remove her black top…revealing…

She bit down hard on her lower lip.

I…I…should go…


Fang took another step forward, enjoying the feel of the night breeze against her bare skin. Sighing pleasurably, she ran her fingers through her unruly dark hair and gently massaged the back of her neck.

"Mhmmm…"

She waded further still into the lake, and allowed the dark waters to swallow her whole. She held her breath for as long as she could before crashing through the surface, gasping for air.

Lake water trickled down her hair to her shoulders, curving around the heaving contours of her sensuous body.

Fang continued to pant, almost inaudibly now.

"Fang?"


:3