lightning and denzel have no blood relations, but she will become a guardian.
in this, it takes place before FF7, and just a little after Crisis Core. truth to be told, lightning won't have much, if any role in FF7, this focuses more on Denzel's story, though chapters of this appear, they might be by chance, haven't decided yet.
Stray
They first met before the fall of Secor 7.
Truth to be told, they would not have noticed each at all; if his mother did not see her. Following her gaze, Denzel saw her for the first time. He didn't think much of her the first time he saw her, truthfully. She was hidden in the shadows of an alley, with a dark cloak hanging loosely around her. She would have blended well into the shadows, if it wasn't for her glowing blue eyes, peeking out occasionally to eye every passing person.
Then, he didn't fully understand what it meant to have glowing eyes. But his mother did. She tensed by his side; now, he understands that she was torn. Torn between giving the shadow the help she always gave, or just walking on and forgetting that that shadow was ever seen. He didn't know what it meant to have glowing eyes; he didn't understand the whispers of abomination and monster were breathed on everyone lips.
He didn't know who those words were directed at; who people were even talking about.
All he could tell was that the stranger's eyes glowed in the darkness around them, and that everyone avoided it or didn't even dare casting a passing glance at the stranger. Denzel has wondered, time to time, what would have happened if his mother just went on, ignoring the stranger.
Would he be where he was now? He didn't know and had no way of knowing truthfully.
He doesn't regret her decision then, though.
When his mother finally decided, she dragged him home, heated up the soup they were having for dinner, she gave him a bowl, and told him to give it to the shadow they saw earlier.
Before he left, she made it clear that they were not to tell daddy. Uneasy and confused; dad didn't mind them giving food, what made this stranger with glowing eyes so different?
He really understands now, he really does.
His mom didn't answer him, she never did, or even got the chance too. She had gently ushered him out the door and towards the stranger, watching intently from the window. Nervous by his mom's unease, he walked unsteadily towards the cloaked stranger. The stranger's head shot up at his approached, and cold, pale, glowing blue eyes watched him as he got closer, with each, unsteady step. When he was before the stranger, seeing those glowing eyes clearly, he almost dropped bowl mom gave him by the intensity of those eyes.
Emotions swelled over those eyes as they stared and judged him. They were curious and patient, but tensely guarded. There was also sadness, and an emotion he didn't understand or know at the time. Nostalgia. A feeling he would understand in time.
Licking his lips nervously, he offered the bowl to the cloaked stranger. Those blue eyes flickered to the bowl, watching the steam rise form the rim. The cloak shifted, and aged black gloves reached out, gently taking the bowl from him. In a soft, hoarse voice, the stranger bid a gentle, "Thank you."
Denzel offered a small smile, settling down before the stranger to wait. Steadily, he watched as the stranger ate, struggling to see the details through the dark cloak around the stranger. But he could only make out pale skin and a pointed chin. The skin around the eyes he could see a little bit as well. The glow of the eyes cast a dim light around the skin. But even then, through the light, he could scarcely see the details of the face.
With only a puddle of broth left in the bottom of the bowl, the stranger offered it back to him, nodding gratefully; the glowing blue eyes dimmed from tension to relieved neutrality. "Who are you," Denzel wondered aloud, taking the bowl from her. The glowing eyes flickered to him, blinking slightly.
Denzel quickly realized what he just asked. Flushing darkly, he stammered, "I, I'm sorry! I, didn't mean to ask, I, I was just thinking. You don't have to-"
"My name was Lightning."
He paused, not really expecting her to answer at all. He stared up at her, blinking wide eyed. "Lightning?" he repeated.
The hood of the cloak titled forward in a small nod.
"What do you mean was?" he wondered.
The cloak didn't answer, those eyes dimming as the stranger merely shook the hood in a mute, sad no. The phantom eyes opened again, staring at him.
"Maybe another time," came the reply.
"How long will you be staying?" he asked.
The cloaked shrug. "I don't know," came the honest reply.
Denzel offered a small smile, "Maybe," he offered, "we could talk again tomorrow?"
The hood tilted, those pale blues eyeing him. The hood tilted forward, and he could hear the smile in the shadow's voice when it said a gentle, "Perhaps."
"I'm Denzel," he said, offering her his hand.
A larger hand slipped out, but smaller and leaner than his father's; it was similar to his mother's. Was the stranger a woman?
"Thank you Denzel, and tell your mother I say thanks as well," the hood said. Denzel noted that the cloaked figure's voice really did have a feminine touch to it. Smiling at her, he turned away, wandering back to his house, pausing suddenly. He turned back to her. "So, I'll see you tomorrow?" Denzel asked.
"Perhaps," came the calm reply. Denzel smiled, curiosity filling his eyes. He was eager to learn about this new stranger. Despite how wary his mother was; and how his father might not like it; he was curious and eager to meet this new character that had slipped into their neighborhoods.
Or, as often as the few patrolling soldiers and gang members would say: "Look, another stray."
Some strays though always found a home.
Despite what his parents think or feel; Denzel wanted this stray. He has seen it before with a few of the other kids and neighbors.
They strays they've found have always become some of their greatest companions.
Denzel had a really good feeling around this new stray.
it doesn't end here, more about story will appear.
