A/N: Secrets Unearthed, Lightning and Fang get to know each other…but a secret about Rachel surfaces and threatens to put Lightning over the edge. Will Fang save Lightning from herself? This takes place a few weeks after the end of Part 1, and Seven goes by her real name for the rest of the story. Sice will be in and out for the rest of the tale, plus Lid (FFBE) makes an appearance here, she's 16… and this part ends in a cliffhanger. The school Seven and Lasswell attend is a K-12 like school that services New Paddra and Neo Oerba.
Secrets Unearthed
Lasswell HATED sitting alone in the lunchroom. For a young boy having no friends to sit with during lunch time, it not only broke his heart but Fang's too. Oddly enough, the younger Yun quickly got used to being by himself. It's been three weeks since the monthly single parents meeting, and he missed the new person he met. On this day, however, he is too into his train of thought when two girls approach his table, asking if they can sit with him as well as keep him company as they saw he was by himself. When he was asked the same question a second time, he looks up and sees the silver haired girl that he refers to as his big sister and a white-haired girl who joined her, making him smile his very best ever since he started school.
"Hi there…Lasswell, right? From the single parents' meeting a while back? My real name is Seven, but I tend to go by my middle name Michaela. This is Sice, she's in my grade…" Seven introduced herself to the young boy, remembering him from the meeting. She remembered me…Lasswell thought to himself, but was confused as to how two girls, both clearly older than him, wanted to sit with him at his table. "In case you're wondering…the table we sit at…nothing but douche canoes these days, wanted to sit elsewhere…" Sice continued for the pair. The trio ate their lunch in comfortable silence, enjoying each other's company. After Lasswell introduced himself to Sice, a decision was made for them all.
From this day forward, the trio would sit at the same table for lunch, as Lasswell was a breath of fresh air for the pair. Lasswell, Seven and Sice had a group hug before returning to their respective classrooms. Although a mystery, Lasswell felt that Seven's act of kindness was a thank you for the comfort he and Fang gave her a few years ago, as the younger Yun felt that Seven, somehow, remembered him and Fang. For Seven and Sice, they felt like queens for the first time, as they found someone who stood out like they did, which would make a world of difference for years to come, and in the best ways possible.
Both Lasswell and Seven wonder, however, if their mothers have feelings for each other.
XXX
Lightning and Fang are having their weekly get togethers for coffee when their kids show up to the same place. A few days have passed, which both women find out that Seven sits with Lasswell for lunch at school, and with a third person from Seven's class, Sice. This piece of information is what starts the healing process for Lightning and even more so for Fang. For the brunette, she discovers that the silver haired girl's real name is Seven. "I like that name. It suits her, 7 is my favourite number…" Fang admitted, noting that her own name is one that sticks out just the same, making the older Farron smile a genuine smile. "Lasswell…it's a name that suits him as well." Lightning confessed, with a smile that made Fang flash her best smile. This would be the first time in years that Lightning smiled because of something like this. Fang saw Seven's name as being cool like her own, something Rachel never said.
"You were married to Jihl for awhile, Fang? If I was completely honest, that's the last person I would marry..." Lightning began, getting Lasswell's attention, causing him to cry. Seven, without any delay, comforts him, knowing that whenever Jihl's name is mentioned, it brings back painful memories. Fang took the inquiry with stride before replying to that inquiry. "Before what happened that got Jihl life in prison...I was planning on getting a divorce from her, for some time. My clanspeople warned me about her, that she was no good, but I didn't listen to them...and I should have...my clan would love you and Seven, though..." Fang starts, but the tears of sadness and guilt overtake her, prompting Lightning to comfort her friend.
Fucking Nabaat...I wonder what else Jihl kept secret from Fang...and if it involved Rachel...or Seven and I...you don't have a place on this planet to hide from my true wrath, you fucking whore. That is all you are to me, Nabaat...a fucking whore...Lightning angrily mused to herself, causing Lasswell to smile, for there was someone who can relate to Fang's situation well. Lightning paid for their coffee and whatever food Fang, Seven and Lasswell ordered, brigthening up their day. Fang and Lasswell went in the brunette's car to head back to New Paddra, while Seven and Lightning started the walk to their home in Neo Oerba. Fang decided - and insisted - to give the older Farron and the silver haired girl a lift home, which would give the New Paddra residents a glimpse of a brighter and happier future, one that included Lightning and Seven in their lives.
Jihl Nabaat has a couple of tricks left in her sleeve, which one of them would be unearthing secrets that would threaten the four in the car that's driving two of them to a home in Neo Oerba.
Fang's ex-wife would play this trick very soon, and it will take Lightning and Seven by surprise. However, Jihl wasn't as prepared as she thinks she is...for Lasswell made up his mind.
In Lasswell's heart, Lightning is his other mother, and Seven is his big sister. They are his family now, and for the rest of his life.
To the younger Yun, Jihl Nabaat is dead.
XXX
It's the Monday after the monthly single parents group meeting in New Paddra, which Lightning comes home from a grueling shift with the Guardian Corps. Of course, Lightning, Seven, Fang and Lasswell were all there, but this time around, Lightning gave Fang and Lasswell a lift home. The young Major, under the guidance of Amodar, was given the task of investigating a matter that hit home: the circumstances that led to Rachel's death. The older Farron only knew that she was murdered, but finding out that Jihl Nabaat, Fang's ex-wife, was the one who killed her, had her blood boiling. It was after an anonymous tip that a further investigation into this was needed, with the goal to find out if Rachel was the intended target.
Since Lightning is Rachel's widow, she should know certain details... but to the complete shock of her department, the older Farron only knew as much as they did. Her colleagues felt bad for her because Rachel could be hiding something very important from both the pinkette and Seven and that wasn't right by any means. As quick as her namesake, Lightning goes to the room that was set up for Rachel for her work shortly after they wed since it was Rachel who worked from home, so that Seven can be taken care of despite the the fact that Lightning carried Seven in her womb for nine months.
What Lightning finds in that office would one that breaks her heart into pieces - items that prove Rachel had an affair with Jihl, for some time, until her untimely death by Jihl's gun. Why did you hide this from me, Rachel?! And how could you do this to me?! Was I not good enough for you?! Does Seven not matter to you?! Lightning thought to herself, crying uncontrollably because of what Rachel had done. Fortunately, she was in the room by herself and only stopped crying when Seven came home from an after school activity she and Lasswell were a part of alongside their new friend, mentor and ride home - a red haired teen called Lid, someone Lightning and Fang could trust to watch over their respective child at school.
One look at Lightning was all it took for Seven to start placing doubt on Rachel, as the silver haired girl realised that her late parent did something that betrayed her and Lightning both, and that something was huge. The pair comforted each other like there was no tomorrow, now that they know what Rachel was really doing behind their backs. What they don't know is if Fang, Jihl's ex-wife, knew of the affair, but they also know that they would not have met Fang (and Lasswell) at that single parents group if she had any idea of the affair, as the New Paddra resident was without the Yun wedding ring when they met.
However, Fang knew one other item regarding Rachel - it was Rachel's final request for Fang, the one item that would eventually bring Lightning and Fang closer together than ever before.
It would be Rachel's final request that becomes a catalyst for a happy ending that Lightning and Fang truly deserve...a lifetime of happiness, love and joy with one another, and for Seven and Lasswell to complete the patchwork family.
What they need now is patience.
XXX
Fang wakes up earlier than usual on a Wednesday, knowing that she has six weeks before her next expedition, which would last for a month. The brunette had an odd dream (or a premonition in the Yun Clan) that involved Lightning, Seven and Lasswell at Rachel's grave, which felt ominous to put it kindly. Oddly enough, a gentle knock at the door put the New Paddra resident at ease as it was Lasswell, who was woken up by Fang's screaming from the odd but ominous dream she just had. Lasswell, bless his soul, comforted his mother which shocked Fang to no end as it's usually the other way around.
Fang reveals the details of the dream to her young son, which startles him at first before going into deep thought about what they should do next. "Mum...I think we should talk to Mama about this...her and Big Sis are probably hurting and could use our company," the younger Yun says to his mother, who is awed once again by her son being wise beyond his years, which Fang smiles at the thought as she has another person to consider looking after Lasswell while she's on the expedition. "Sounds like a great plan, kid. Now go back to bed." Fang coos to her son while they hug, which helps the brunette go back to sleep.
Once they wake up, the pair have their usual breakfast before watching some Saturday cartoons. It was during a random commercial break that they decided to switch channels until the cartoon came back on. They would get the shock of their lives by an update to an ongoing investigation that involves them - as well as Lightning and Seven. "To Fang and Lasswell Yun, as well as Claire "Lightning" and Seven Farron...I hope this brings you both some closure..." the news anchor began, knowing that this was, in fact, an update on what led to Rachel's death by Jihl's gun. "There is newer information about what led to Rachel Tronco-Farron's death, and I will refrain from speaking about Jihl Nabaat, whose sentence is likely going to be upgraded to the death penalty by hanging, according to official news obtained from Guardian Corps officials. It turns out that Jihl Nabaat had an ongoing and long term affair with Rachel Tronco-Farron up until Rachel's death, but it wasn't Rachel that was the intended target. The intended targets were initially just Oerba Yun Fang and Oerba Yun Lasswell, but Claire 'Lightning' Farron and Seven Michaela Farron were added to the list of who Jihl wanted dead upon finding out that Rachel has a child of her own. Rachel intervened by sacrificing her life to save Fang and Lasswell from Jihl's wrath..."
Fang and Lasswell turned off the television set, both dumbfounded by what they just found out. It would be Fang's mobile phone ringing that brought her back to reality. It was Vanille, who too was watching the news with her husband Hope, checking to see if they were okay. After a few minutes, the call ended, as Lightning and Seven needed them. It would be a few minutes later that Fang recalled Rachel's last words were, for her to look after Lightning and Seven as Rachel no longer could. After getting Vanille and Hope's blessing to visit Lightning and Seven in Neo Oerba, the pair packed a few things and took off, as Bahamut the cat was at the animal hospital in Neo Oerba that Serah and Vanille work at.
It would be a race against time.
XXX
Lightning and Seven make their way to Rachel's grave, which sees Lightning with hurt and fury in her eyes, demanding answers to how Rachel did what she did before her death. It was during the drive that Seven made up her mind and decided that Rachel and the rest of the Tronco family were no longer a part of her life. What the silver haired girl doesn't know is that Lightning brought her gunblade with her, which would terrify her the moment she sees it.
Fang and Lasswell get to Lightning and Seven's house, only for a figure who resembles the older Farron to be there, who was knocking on the door to no end. This must be Serah. Vanille works with her, she's Lightning's younger sister. I hope we're not too late, Fang thought to herself, catching Sarah's attention as quick as Lightning's namesake. "You're Lightning's friend Fang, right?" the younger Farron asked, hopeful that the New Paddra resident would know more of where the older Farron might be.
Sadly, the brunette knew nothing as it wasn't a day that Lightning would be at Rachel's grave, but Fang had a hunch that Lightning would be there to do something to Rachel's tombstone. "It's not the day that she would be at her grave...but something tells me she's there..." Fang starts, only for Serah to cut her off by placing her hand on the brunette's shoulder to think about what to say or do next. After a few minutes of thinking it over, as it was starting to rain outside, Serah motioned for Fang and Lasswell to get in her car so that they could potentially save Lightning from herself.
Speeding to Rachel's grave like her sister would, and she got lucky by nailing every green light on the way, the trio make it to where Rachel is buried...but come across a sight they wished they never came across. Now or never, the trio ran out of the car, not giving a shit if they got sick, and sprinted to where Lightning and Seven are, hoping to stop Lightning from ending her life, as Serah knew that Lightning was the reason why Fang and Lasswell came to see them, as the update mainly came from the older Farron's investigation of the circumstances that led to Rachel's death.
Upon finding out that Rachel made a specific request for Fang to look after Lightning and Seven, Serah welcomed Fang to the Farron family. When they saw that Lightning had already put bullets into Rachel's tombstone, they had to grab Seven, as they saw the gunblade Lightning has in her hands leveled at the older Farron's head. Miraculously enough, Fang got a secure hold of Seven and held the silver haired girl tightly in her arms, whispering a promise to look after her and Lightning - Rachel's final words to her. Seven immediately returned the hug, which Lasswell and Serah joined them, to comfort each other, tears free falling from their eyes as the known sound went off.
BANG!
The four individuals all look at the source of the sound, shocked by what they saw.
To Be Continued...
A/N #2: In The Storm is Here, Fang, Seven, Lasswell and Serah will find out for sure what or who Lightning shot her gunblade at...but will soon learn that Jihl Nabaat isn't done with her scheming just yet.