Sazh Katzroy, first Lieutenant and pilot for the Sanctum military, was starting to get fed up with the Sanctum and their mysterious motives. He was sitting in his apartment when he heard the news over the TV. 'A sanctum patrol near the border has gone missing, presumed dead.' I flew that mission. I took those men to their deaths. The guilt tore at him. If he had known what he was signing up for he would never have taken that mission in the first place but he had and now here he sat, face to face with it. His phone rang and he slowly got up to answer it. "Katzroy? The General needs to speak with you."

"I'm not exactly ready to go..."

"A car is waiting downstairs for you. It's urgent."

Sazh knew what the word urgent meant to the Sanctum. Interrogation. They want to know what happened. Sazh threw on his combat fatigues and his favorite green jacket and headed downstairs. As told an unmarked Sanctum car was waiting for him downstairs. Two armed men stood next to the door. One of them opened it for him. He entered the car with a bad feeling.

When it stopped it was at the administrative building of the Bodhum Air Base. The two guards led him up the long stairs to the top floor and through a set of ornate double doors into a well decorated office where a large, attractive man sat behind a massive wood desk. He was sat down across from him. A plaque that sat on the end of his desk read, Cid Raines, General of the Armed Forces of Bodhum.

He leaned forward to get a better look at Sazh. "Lieutenant Katzroy, it is a pleasure to meet you." Though the circumstances said otherwise Cid wasn't overly hostile, nor was he overbearing. He smiled an almost friendly smile as he spoke. "It has come to my attention that you were the one who flew the recon team to the border."

"Actually sir, the mission wasn't to take them to the border, sir. The mission was to..."

"The mission was handed down by me, I know what the god damned mission was." Cid grew irate, losing his friendly smile in favor of an intimidating stare. "So tell me how you could screw up a simple drop and how our men ended up miles into Pulse without a clue?"

Sazh raised his hands, as if the gesture alone proved his innocence. "All I know is what I was told, sir. The drop zone was changed at the last minute."

"Who changed it?"

"I have no idea. I just receive my orders, sir."

Cid let out a sigh at this. I wonder what strings he's tugging at? What tampestry he's trying to unravel? "Do you know how many men were in the squad?"

Sazh knew this much. He had watched them board through a camera in the cockpit. "Five, sir."

A look crossed Cid's face. "Five, you say? Then explain this." Cid slid several photos across the desk to Sazh. Sazh took them and examined them. They were photos of a jungle setting, four Sanctum soldiers lay dead with Pulsian arrows jutting from their bodies in all directions. They must have gotten ambushed. "If you dropped five soldiers then why are there only four bodies, Liutenant?"

"I'm not sure, but I do know that there were five squad members, sir. I watched them board. Perhaps one was taken prisoner?"

Cid shook his head. "The Pulsians don't take prisoners, certainly not ours." A thoughtful look took over Cid's face. "Something isn't right here." His gaze wavered around the room before it settled back on Sazh. "You're sure about that? Five soldiers?"

Sazh took another look at the photos and saw that the men on the ground were indeed men. There was something he had noticed about their squad leader, something that seemed important. "She was a woman."

This caught Cid's attention. "Who?"

"The squad leader. I remember because I found it odd. I don't see her in these pictures but I know she was there."

"Interesting..." Cid gathered up the pictures on his desk. "Until this matter is resolved I'm putting you on paid leave. Naturally, should you speak to anyone of this matter you will be charged with treason. Understand?"

"Yes, sir."

"Dismissed."

Sazh stood and walked out of the door, his escort remained behind. As soon as the doors closed behind him he exhaled and slumped against the wall. What the hell is going on? If even General Raines doesn't know what happened then who does? How high does this go? These thoughts ran through his head as he found his way back to the ground floor of the administrative building and called a cab that would take him back home.

Over the next week more details would spill out about the failed mission and the dead soldiers. Sazh watched eagerly and would eventually learn the name of the female soldier involved, Claire 'Lightning' Farron. He would also learn that she was pronounced dead at the scene, although he knew otherwise. A Sanctum coverup. Not much of a shocker there.

The Sanctum would use the dead soldiers as fuel to add to a fire against Pulse. Sanctum officials would call for action against Pulse for their transgressions into Cocoon lands. Sazh knew that was wrong too, those soldiers had been killed deep inside Pulse. Now they want to incite a war with Pulse. Not for the first time had he wondered just why the drop coordinates were changed at the last minute, and apparently right under the nose of General Raines. Something smells fishy here.

His phone buzzes. A message from an unknown source simply reads, 'Sanctum lyingcorrupted dataLightning Farron still alivecorrupted dataOerba Villagecorrupted dataNORA, before it is too late'.

NORA? Where have I heard that name before? Sazh's research found that NORA was an anti-Sanctum group based in Bodhum and that was currently being led by a man named Snow Villiers, a man who was currently looking for any information of Lightning's disappearance. Whoever left me that message must want me to tell them. This may be my only way to learn the truth.

Finding NORA was quite easy, but getting them to trust him turned out to be something different. Only after mentioning that he had information on Lightning was he allowed in to their warehouse base. It was there that he spoke to Snow Villiers.

"I'll do you one better. I'll tell you where she is."

Snow's eyes widened at the news. "She's alive?"

"Alive and taken captive by Pulsians. Oerba, a town near where the squad was dropped, is where she is."

"Does the Sanctum have plans to rescue her?"

Sazh smirked and let out a chuckle. "They declared her dead. What do you think? They're just trying to start a war with Pulse, that's all they care about."

Snow, who was not adept at hiding his feelings, openly seethed. "That's such bullshit." An idea hit him and his face perked up. "Why don't we mount a rescue?"

Sazh shook his head. "A few problems with that. First, you'd have to find a transport and those are getting hard to come by outside of the Sanctum. Two, Oerba is situated at the base of a mountain and at this time of year will be nearly impassable from the snows. Three, even if you managed to get yourself there they aren't just going to welcome you in. Remember, these people hate us as much as we hate them."

"We can't just do nothing." Snow paced around anxiously. "There's gotta be a way."

"Why do you care so much?" The question stopped Snow in his tracks. "I can understand wanting to help people but this sounds personal. Do you know her? Is she your lover?"

Snow laughed sarcastically. "No, but her sister is." Snow's face turned grave. "She's been crying non stop since she found out. I will do whatever it takes to bring Lightning back."

The strength of his words, the conviction with which he spoke them, moved Sazh. He thought of his own son, Dajh who was currently staying with his mother, Sazh's ex-wife, and what he would do to bring him back. While he understood the danger, he also understood that he was in a unique position to help him. "I can help you. I think I can find us a transport."

"And a pilot?"

"You're looking at the best." Sazh stood and stretched his already tired limbs. "Now it'll take me some time to get that going, I have to call in a few favors."

Snow clapped him on the shoulder. "You're doing a good thing here, friend."

"Yeah, well I can get us there. What happens after that is beyond my control."

"Don't worry, buddy. I've got that covered. Just let me know when we're ready to leave." Sazh walked away. "Hey," Sazh turned around, "thanks a million."

Sazh merely smirked. "Don't thank me yet, cowboy."

-SAVAGE-

Lightning made her way through the darkened streets towards, what had become, her training spot beneath the now scarred tree. She carried her sword, even though she had no intention of practicing with it, today. When she arrived she saw a familiar dark-skinned Pulsian waiting for her. She was leaning against the tree and watched her like an eagle. "What took ya?"

Fang pushed off from the tree and the two of them circled each other, eyes watching the other's movements carefully. "I couldn't see you out here. You blend in too well."

"Is that a dig, sunshine? Well you're practically a torch you're so white. I saw you leaving the Mother's from here."

"Nice one." The two continued to circle each other, each looking for an opening. "How many Pulsians does it take to screw in a lightbulb?"

"What's a lightbulb?"

Lightning struck first and the two of them sparred until neither had the energy. This had become an almost nightly ritual for the both of them. The sparring brought them closer together, gave them a common interest and helped divert Lightning's mind from work. Fang enjoyed fighting with someone on equal footing as her, enjoyed fighting someone who didn't care for her status or reputation. Neither of them ever truly won, they just tired each other out.

This time was no different. Both of them lay on the grass afterwards, catching their breath. "I've noticed a lot of decorations going up in the square. Why is that?"

"That's because of the winter festival. It's tomorrow. We worship the goddess Etro," Fang explained, "and legend says that Etro goes to sleep for half the year and that's why the planet gets cold. We hold a festival on the same day every year to commemorate that."

"So in the spring..."

"Etro wakes up and we hold the spring festival."

"Ah. Makes sense." A hell of a lot more than the Sanctum. Thinking back on it, she couldn't think of any rhyme or reason for the things the Sanctum did. At least the Pulsians made sense of their beliefs. "It's actually kind of nice."

Fang chuckled. "Don't tell me you're converting."

Lightning joined in laughter. "It wouldn't really be converting. I don't have any beliefs."

"You should come to the festival. It'll be fun. Vanille will be there."

Lightning let out a sigh that misted the cold winter air. Vanille, now there was a sore subject. "It does sound like fun, and I probably won't be able to work tomorrow anyway."

"Atta girl." Fang hopped up onto her feet. "I had better get home before Anya scolds me for spending too much time out here." Lightning made a sound like a whip. "It's worth it, Lightning. Believe me, it's worth it."

A festival, huh? What could it hurt.

-SAVAGE-

The next morning saw the town square change from a marketplace to a place for celebrations. The usual stalls displaying wares had been moved leaving the entire area open, the snows had been dug away and taken to another part of Oerba, a large stage had been set up for a group of musicians to play and the area was ringed by large stacks of wood for bonfires. Food had been donated by most everyone in the town and tables upon tables of it were being set up in preparation for the evening's events.

The festival started as the sun went down, denoting the fall of their goddess into peaceful slumber. Much as the sun rose in the morning and set in the evening did Etro rise in the spring and fall in the winter. Vanille had heard the story a thousand times by now and it meant little, she just enjoyed the celebration.

Vanille spent the better part of the day preparing for it. She took a long, hot bath and picked out her favorite dress and furs. She even took out a bottle of perfume that she saved for these occasions, it had been a gift from her mother and was somewhat rare in Oerba, and dabbed some around her neck and wrists. She looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. This is going to be a great day.

When she felt ready she made her way down to the living room where her family was waiting for her. "Are you excited, Vanille?" Her mother knew of her love for festivals. She noticed that Vanille was dressed up and smiled. "You look great."

"Thanks, mom."

Her father was at the door talking to someone she couldn't see. He closed the door and walked solemnly into the room. "It seems that Jago has taken ill. He and his family won't be able to attend the festival tonight."

His face was solemn, his voice was downtrodden. Vanille, however, merely shrugged. "So?"

"So?" Her father was taken aback. "He's your fiancé, Vanille. Are you really going to the festival while he is bedridden?"

"Yes."

Her father was shocked. "You're going by yourself?"

"No, I'm going with my family."

"Faren." Her mother scorned her father. "The boy is with his family, let Vanille enjoy the festival."

Her father sighed. "Fine. Let us go, it will be dusk soon."

-SAVAGE-

Lightning had done all the preparing for the festival as she could. Now as she stepped out of the Mother's, wearing a pair of black trousers with a white shirt beneath her thick winter jacket and a pair of boots she had purchased recently, she noticed that the sun had nearly set and the glow of the bonfires lit up the town square. Mother Reyna took her arm, she was accompanying her down to the festival grounds, and they walked slowly down the hill towards the square.

By the time they got there, nearly twenty minutes at Reyna's slow pace, the bonfires that were strategically placed around the marketplace were all lit and Lightning realized that she didn't need the jacket. She took it off and set it down on a table set aside for them as they entered the crowd that was growing by the minute.

As soon as they entered the crowd Reyna left Lightning's side to mingle with the crowd. Voices droned around Lightning and she couldn't understand any of them. She looked over to the stage where many sets of drums and other instruments were being set up. All around her the crowd was growing thicker until she felt like she might suffocate.

Lightning stood amongst the crowd and yet had never felt so alone. Yet, as she looked around she found the only other person in the crowd who was feeling as lonely as her. At the edge of the crowd, standing by herself, stood Vanille. Why is she standing by herself? Her body moved before she consciously thought it, weaving through the crowd towards her.

Wait. She remembered her previous conversation with Vanille's father where he had all but threatened her if she went near his daughter. She stopped in mid step, caught between wanting to talk to Vanille and not wanting to incur her father's wrath. Her eyes wandered back to Vanille, standing by herself, a look of sheer loneliness on her face. It broke her heart. To hell with her father.

She shoved through the ever thickening crowd. As she neared, Vanille's eyes met hers and Lightning got a better look at her. She was dressed up for the festival, the dress she wore was elegant on her and she could tell that it would be quite expensive, her hair was loose and fell elegantly down her shoulders. She looks gorgeous, but why is she alone?

She shoved her way through until she stood in front of Vanille. They stood like that for a while, asking questions without words. "You look great, Vanille."

"Thanks." Vanille bit her lip as she looked Lightning over. "I'm surprised to see you here. It's been a while since we talked."

"I know."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to involve you in all this."

"Hey." Lightning reached out and touched her shoulder. The contact sent a spark between them that Lightning felt acutely. "It's not your fault." Her hand lingered over Vanille's shoulder for a moment before she pulled it back. "So why are you here by yourself? Shouldn't you be with your fiancé?"

Vanille cast her gaze to the ground. "I don't to talk about that."

"Well isn't your family here with you?"

Vanile gestured to where her father and mother stood talking amongst the older men and women towards the outside of the ring close to one of the bonfires. "Mom and dad are talking with the older people." She gestured towards the throng of people that were in the center of the square. "My brothers are in there. They both got asked to dance." She sighed. "No one will dance with me since they know I'm engaged. No one wants to risk the family's wrath."

You'll get that chance, Light. Soon, I think. Fang's words ran through her head. Everyone else in this town may be too scared, but I can't just watch her be miserable like this. "I'm not scared." Lightning held her hand out to Vanille. "Will you dance with me?"

Vanille's face scrolled through emotions like moving pictures, shock, confusion, embarrassment and finally happiness. She smiled up at Lightning then took the hand offered to her. "I'd love to."

Lightning led Vanille deeper into the now packed marketplace just as the band on the stage took to their instruments. "I don't really know how to dance, though."

"It's easy. You just let loose and have fun. Just listen to the music and you'll know exactly what to do."

The music started, heavy drum beats filled the air and shook the ground. All at once everyone in the marketplace started moving. Vanille started gyrating and Lightning watched her until she realized that she could never copy the girl's moves. The music pounded through her veins, the base hit in her chest and before she knew it she was moving to the beat.

Between the bonfires holding back the chill winter air and the crush of people all moving together Lightning quickly found herself sweating. She threw her head back, her hair flying around her head in an arc. She was feeling exhilarated, the energy was flowing through her now. Vanille started dancing close to her, much closer. Vanille pressed herself against Lightning, their bodies moving with each other as Lightning put her arms around her.

They danced together, a raw, primal dance that left Lightning exhausted yet energized. Something about these people, people she had considered savages less than months ago was starting to appeal to her. Their way of life was simple yet satisfying, primal and deep. They lived close to nature, both their own and the one around them. After only a month in Oerba, Lightning was starting to like it here.

The music slowed, the pulsing beats changed to a soft melody, and Vanille threw her arms around Lightning's neck. Lightning wrapped her arms around her waist and held her close, softly swaying to the rhythm. Something about their proximity awakened something in Lightning, something instinctive. She buried her face in Vanille's shoulder, her scent sent shivers down her spine. Vanille's breath was warm on her neck. Before she knew it their lips were close, very close. Lightning became aware of everyone around them, imagined eyes watching them carefully. Vanille was close now and she wanted it, she wanted to kiss her. It was there waiting for her, all she had to do was take it.

Vanille turned her head at the last minute and Lightning regained her composure. They stood together for a time, until the music dropped and the exhilaration left Lightning's body. She didn't know what had happened to her there, as she regained her senses, but she liked it. Vanille was struggling to catch her breath, though from dancing or from the tension between them she didn't know. "Let's get something to eat."

Lightning shoved their way back through the crowd as the music started to play again. She hadn't realized how hungry she was until she saw the tables laden with cooked meats and cheeses. She grabbed a drumstick and devoured it, tearing the flesh from the bone until it was nearly white. She heard a chuckle from beside her as Vanille snacked on her own drumstick. "I guess dancing makes you hungry." She chuckled as she took a small bite off the drumstick. "You were great out there."

"Thanks. You too." Lightning grew pensive. "I'm really starting to like it here. Life is so much simpler here than in Cocoon. It really speaks to me."

"Fang told me that you've been working at the smithy. I'm happy for you."

Vanille smiled up at Lightning. Seeing her smile brought up a host of feelings she wasn't yet ready to face. "It's great. I love working with my hands. I even made myself a new sword."

Lightning devoured two more drumsticks before Vanille took her hand sending a jolt up it that Lightning felt strongly. "Up for more dancing?"

"Yes" was Lightning's simple answer.

-SAVAGE-

Vanille couldn't remember having a better time with anyone as she did with Lightning. Something about the way Lightning moved, the power in her body, was enthralling to her. She found herself wanting to touch that body, to explore it, to claim it. They were dancing together, close enough now to touch. Vanille slowly reached out and put a hand on Lightning's waist, surprised when the other woman didn't reject her.

She put her other hand on Lightning's waist and felt her own body heating up. They were dancing close now and Vanille was very aware of the other woman. Lightning had her from behind, her arms draped over Vanille's shoulders as Vanille moved her body against her. Her body was hot enough to melt steel. Her hands were on Lightning's thighs and she felt the power within them. She felt a heat build up in her core.

The music slowed and then stopped. Vanille had to catch her breath but she noticed that Lightning did too. I wonder if she felt it like I did. They had been dancing for hours and she was starting to feel tired. She yawned, Lightning took her hand. "Getting tired?"

"Mhmm." Vanille nodded. She spun around and looked up into those crystal blue eyes. "Will you walk me home?"

"Sure."

The two of them made their way through the crowd. Once they passed the circle of bonfires they were struck by the cold winter air and Vanille shivered until she felt a warmth envelop her. Lightning threw the jacket she had recovered over Vanille's shoulder and they walked in silence to the Dia's house. This was the first time Lightning had ever seen it and she was impressed, while not large the house was made of sturdy red brick with a brick chimney and expensive looking silk curtains. They looked new.

Lightning walked Vanille up to the door and they stood in front of it facing each other. "I had a great time tonight, Lightning."

"Me too. Thanks for dancing with me."

Vanille giggled. "You're welcome."

The two stood together alone as a moment passed and all of the tension Vanille had been feeling rose to the surface. She reached out and put her hand on Lightning's arm. The air turned serious. Vanille moved closer until there was no space between them. "Lightning..." Lightning's arms moved around her shoulders and pulled her close. She leaned up, their lips moving closer.

When their lips touched it felt like an explosion to Vanille. Lightning hugged her close as they kissed. The tension that Vanille had been feeling exploded out of her and she closed her eyes in bliss. The kiss lasted only a moment but to Vanille it felt like minutes and when they seperated she wanted more.

Vanille leaned up and stole another kiss. Lightning didn't resist. Afterwards they looked into each other's eyes. Vanille didn't want this moment to end. "I changed my mind. Can we go to the Mother's?"

Lightning, who didn't know what to make of what had just happened, agreed. "Sure."

They walked hand-in-hand toward the Mother's, Vanille was getting more nervous with every step but she found herself more excited than anything else. The kiss had been amazing and she wanted more. They entered the darkened house and Vanille led Lightning to her room. When they were both inside she dropped the jacket and threw herself at Lightning who caught her in an embrace. They kissed again and settled back onto the cot. Lightning, who at first had been more passive, was now getting into it. She wrapped around Vanille and kissed her passionately. Vanille's mouth eased open and Lightning's tongue entered. Vanille's hands wandered Lightning's body, her back, her waist, her abs before finally settling on her breasts. Lightning moaned when Vanille pressed on them. The room was getting hotter and Vanille was in extasy.

Lightning broke the kiss, leaving the two of them out of breath. "Wait." Vanille was completely in the moment and didn't want it to end. She started kissing along Lightning's neck and jawline. Lightning let out a moan. "Wait, stop." She shoved Vanille away. "I-I can't do this."

"But..." Now that they had stopped Vanille suddenly felt cold. She knew what she wanted and it was right in front of her. "I want you..." Vanille's eyes started to water from the feelings that were ripping through her. "I've always wanted you..."

"You're engaged, Vanille. We can't do this."

"I don't care about him." Vanille's voice trembled. "It's you I want. Please..."

"I..." Lightning wanted Vanille, she knew that now but there was a lot going on. She was still practically a prisoner here, this culture wasn't her own, Vanille was engaged to another man, her family hated her and might react violently but there was one thing that stuck out in her mind. "I've never done this before."

"Me neither." Vanille lightly kissed her on the neck and felt Lightning shiver in response. "We can take it slow. We have time."

Vanille's lips continued their assault on Lightning's neck, stoking the fire that raged inside her. She moaned, her breathing increased. She tugged at Vanille's blouse until she lifted her arms and pulled it off of her. Lightning stripped out of her shirt then took Vanille's lips with her own. Vanille gasped when Lightning started gently kneading her petite breasts.

Lightning's pants were the next thing to go, Vanille undid them and Lightning kicked them off the cot. Vanille's skirt soon followed suit leaving them in their bras and panties. Lightning straddled the smaller girl and looked town at her, her hair splayed across the bed, her skin glistening with sweat, her skinny arms reaching out to her waist, those green eyes alight with mirth. "You're beautiful. Do you know that?"

"Yes," Vanille smirked, "but I love hearing you say it."

They continued to make out and explore each other with their hands, though they never went further than that. Lightning lay her head on the pillow with her arms wrapped around Vanille who was spooning beside her. Vanille was exhausted and by the time her head hit the pillow she was nearly asleep. She felt a gentle kiss on her neck and heard a soft whisper in her ear. "Good night, sweet thing."

"Good night, Lightning." Vanille drifted off to sleep in Lightning's arms. I knew this was going to be a great day.