Disclaimer: Okay so a lot of you seem to like Noctis with his cat guardian Lightning. So far I have been thinking about that one lately. So here is another treat for you readers. Happy reading!

NOTICE: These oneshot drabbles contain Lightis and some other couples depending on the story, and are in no particular order, nor do they tell a specific tale of just one story. Some of the drabbles might have a second part in later chapters, and if readers become fond of a certain drabble story, that drabble might have the chance to become a new full story.

CHRONICLES

Chapter IX: The Cat's Meow

Rating: T

Genre: Romance/Friendship

Characters: Noctis and Lightning

Pair: Lightis

Noctis ran his hand across Lightning's pure white fur lazily, his mind wandering to nowhere. Lightning leaned her upper body up slightly to look at her owner and partner. He seemed rather distracted with his hand smoothing down Lightning's fur absentmindedly.

Lightning huffed lightly and laid back down.

Finally, Noctis let out a sigh and glanced at his lifelong feline friend. "Hey Light…I was just curious…" Lightning looked at him again, waiting for him to finish his sentence. Noctis' eyes connected with hers. "What kind of breed are you? Just curious." "To be honest, I don't know either." Lightning confessed before she started licking her only black paw.

Noctis stared at her curiously. "Let's see… You've got short sleek fur but you're not a Shorthair. You jump high in the air and act wild just like a Savannah breed, but you go limp when you're being held—by me at least—like a Ragdoll cat, you're also big like a Ragdoll and Savannah put together, you're a great mouser like the Shorthair, you enjoy being in the house like a Persian cat, but you like being outside as well… It's like you have almost every cat breed in you."

Lightning stopped licking herself and leaned up to look up at him.

"You're just full of surprises aren't you Light?" Noctis chuckled. "And just where did you learn all that information about cats?" Lightning asked. Her human partner smirked smugly. "As someone who has a strange talking cat on his hands, knowing a thing or two about cats would be useful." "Right…" Lightning grumbled.

"But in all honesty, you really don't know what kind of breed you are?"

"No."

"What about your parents?"

"Don't remember them."

Noctis frowned slightly then stroked Lightning's soft head. "How young were you when my dad and Fenrir found you?" Lightning thought for a moment. "… At that time, my vision was still kind of blurry."
"So you were still probably a few weeks old. Then that means you stayed with my dad and Fenrir for a while until you were old enough to be given to me." Noctis mused. Lightning's tail twitched a bit. "I guess so." Her human companion stroked her fur again, this time managing to make her purr.
"So, about that dinner later tonight…" Noctis said, rather shyly. Lightning made a sort of annoyed sound at the back of her throat. "Don't worry, I didn't forget and yes I will remember to be in human form."

"That's not it. I was going to ask where you would like to go." Noctis rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

"Haven't thought about it. You know me; I'm not a picky." Lightning purred as she licked her back. Noctis raised an eyebrow. "So that means you like eating salad?" "Yes." Lightning gave him a look. Noctis returned it. "Including broccoli?" "Yes."

"How about a sushi place? I know one." He suggested, knowing how fond Lightning was of those certain treats.
Lightning hopped off the couch they were sitting on and started to roll around on the carpet. "I'll think about it."

It took almost all of Noctis' pride and willpower to restrain himself from picking Lightning up from the floor and cuddle her. Despite the rather wild and fierce demeanor as cat and her cold solitary persona as a human, Lightning had absolutely no idea how adorable she was when on all fours; a reason why unconsciously mall employees actually allow her inside places pets were not allowed in.

Noctis' eyes were glued on the white cat who was rolling around on the floor, enjoying the carpet's softness; her belly exposed with her paws in the air. Lightning let out soft purring sounds as she rubbed her fur all over the carpeting before turning onto her stomach to stretch her legs and claws.
Suddenly she felt herself being lifted up onto Noctis' lap.

The cat sat there with a nonchalant and knowing expression on her face. "… What?"

Noctis kept his face as composed a possible. "You're too fluffy for your own good." One of his hands began stroking Lightning's head like a villain would his evil feline. Lightning sighed. "I should have been born a pigeon…"
Noctis chuckled then scratched his cat's chin. Unable to resist, the white cat purred and nuzzled her head against her human's hand. "Damn him and his expert hands…"

"Who's my special kitty?" Noctis cooed, a playful smirk appearing on his face.

Lightning groaned. "Please, not that again."

"Just be glad you're well loved, Lightning." Noctis chuckled, nudging Lightning up onto his shoulder. She licked her paws clean. "Right." "So far nothing has been happening. No 'paranormal activity', no crazy person loose. Nothing. It's like this day was meant to be a weekend for us." Noctis said while looking out of his apartment window.
Lightning looked out the window with him. "Or…maybe something is just waiting to strike. You never know." "Your mind is always on the job, isn't it Light? Good thing I asked you out to dinner." Noctis joked.

"It's what I was born to do, Noctis."

"Fine, fine. I just wanted to make sure you relax once in a while. After all, your overall welfare comes first to me."

The cat's blue eyes stared into her human partner's darker ones. "… Since when?" "Since the time you jumped out of that birthday present box and became my special kitty." Noctis teased, tickling Lightning's chin with a finger.
Lightning growled then bit his finger warningly. Noctis got the hint and pat her head apologetically. "Sorry, I could not resist." Lightning hopped off his shoulder and landed on her two legs as a human.

"I'm beginning to wonder why I even stayed with you for so long…" She muttered.

Noctis smirked and grabbed her by the waist. "Easy; because we're in this together forever. Remember?" "That little kid wish still prevails I see." Lightning said with a small smile on her lips. Noctis winked at her and buried his face in her hair, taking in her scent.

People always told him to socialize with people more, that he should have other human friends aside from just his cat. But no one knew or could understand what he and Lightning had been through.
Noctis always remembered the times he and his feline friend had gotten in and out of jams.
During his high school days he had been in a stage where, as a teen boy, he wanted to get to know other people and go on dates.
It was a rather difficult task for someone with a mysterious talking and transforming cat as a pet. Lightning followed him everywhere, even in school and even though many people seemed spellbound by the precious feline, Noctis had wanted to have time to be with other humans.

It was when he first had a crush on a girl and even desired to ask her to the prom. Again their world had been invaded by the unknown. Right away Lightning jumped into action, running to his side without hesitation.
Noctis remembered yelling at Lightning afterward, telling her that he wanted to be with other normal people and not just her, a weird talking animal. Lightning seemed offended but stood her ground with her hackles rising. Noctis had crossed the line the moment he said he would rather be with some random girl or group than waste his time battling oddities with a cat. He blamed Lightning for being spoiled for his attention and ruining his best moments. Right then, he kicked her in the tail, tossing her to the side before he left to find his so-called dream girl.

Lightning was nowhere to be found after that.

Noctis came home with no cat at his side or to greet him home. No meows or purrs or growls or yowling. He figured Lightning would return after a while, but after a week of being alone, Noctis felt his heart sink.
He spent as much time as he could with his future girlfriend but was torn by the fact that his precious friend was gone. Lightning never responded to his calls or his pleas for help; she was gone as if she never existed.

Noctis felt as if his heart has shattered and immediately regretted saying those hurtful words to Lightning. It was true that he was a teenager and wanted to be with others his age, but that was no excuse to kick Lightning, hurting her physically and emotionally.
His father had sent Lightning to him for a reason; to be lifelong companions, friends. And he had ruined it.

All the while, Noctis could not smile despite his success in being with his dream girl at the prom. One thing was missing.

It was then another oddity attacked, prompting Noctis to fight on his own. All seemed lost after a while but to his everlasting shock, Lightning had returned.
It was like old times as they fought side by side, boy and cat, lifelong companions. After the battle, everyone was eager to get back to the prom night.

Lightning pulled Noctis aside, climbed onto his shoulder and expressed how sorry she was for holding him back from being with other people; she was only trying to be a good guardian as she was born to be. When she announced that Noctis should go on with his date, he had been stunned.
Lightning ran away once again.

Noctis ran out on his date and found the white cat sitting alone at their special spot in the park.

He had stroked her fur, surprising her with his presence. Lightning tried shrugging him off, and when he refused to budged, she attacked him, both with fists and claws. Noctis refused to leave.
He wrapped his arms around the white cat and nuzzled her fur.
Noctis felt Lightning tense up and meow in confusion. He reminded her and himself about when he first got her during his birthday; they were in it together forever.

Lightning confessed how she did not want to hold him back.

Noctis could only hold the cat up and kiss the top of her furry little head. Confused, Lightning licked his nose, dazedly. She shifted to human form once she was set down on the ground; the look she gave Noctis was that of pure confusion and perhaps a bit of loneliness.
The dark-haired teen embraced her, apologizing over and over again for yelling and kicking her.

From then on, the two grew closer and understood each other more. Noctis now ignored people's opinions on his social life; without Lightning it just was not complete.

"Noctis." Lightning's voice brought him back to reality. "Huh?" "You were zoning out again. At least a hundred thousand miles away." Lightning said bluntly.
"Sorry." He ruffled her hair. Lightning flinched slightly when his hold on her tightened. "Hey, do you mind? This is kind of tight…"

Noctis sighed then released her, but not before pressing his lips on her forehead briefly.

He laughed when he heard the human Lightning let out a true cat purr. Even in her human form she was prone to cat tendencies.
"Hungry?" Noctis offered. Lightning smirked her familiar smirk. "You know me too well Caelum." In a blink of an eye, the strawberry-blonde woman was replaced with the white cat.

"You should stay in human form more often. It suits you." Noctis complimented as he placed a bowl full of salmon-flavored wet cat food. The cat was instantly by her bowl and digging in.

Noctis sat down on the couch and watched her with pure fascination. "I think I now know where all that food goes to and where all that stamina comes from…" Lightning spared him a glance then returned her attention back to her food.
"You've got impressive apatite, kitty." "I'm just hungry…" Lightning stated nonchalantly." Noctis kneeled beside her and rubbed down the fur on her back. "Hey Light…remember the time when a Bloodbath attacked a little kid and you just jumped right in and saved her? You were still a kitten then, older and bigger, but still a kitten."

"You like reminiscing way too much…" The cat commented.

"I just like to remember the times we had. Like that time I…yelled and kicked you. I still feel bad about that." Noctis sighed and played with his pet's ears. Lightning gulped down the last bit of food then jumped onto the dark-haired man's lap, purring in content at her full belly.
"I told you; all is forgiven. Besides, that happened when you were in high school." She said while she busied herself with licking the base of her tail. Noctis frowned and leaned back on his hands. "That was still a shitty way to treat you. I guess I forgot what was important…"

"Don't give me that, Caelum. It's only natural; you were a seventeen-year-old boy who only wanted human friends." Lightning scolded lightly.
Her partner smiled at her warmly and stroked her fur with a surprisingly loving touch, even more so than usual; it surprised her. "You know Light I hate it when you call me by my last name…it makes me feel as if we were strangers." Noctis crooned, making Lightning's ears stand on end. "You're acting odd, Noctis."

"No I'm not. I'm being truthful."

"About what?"

"About you."

Lightning stared at her human partner oddly. "… What?" Noctis laughed and stood up with her clutched against one arm. "Nothing. So, how about we head outside and past the time before we head to Leviathan's Sushi Palace…?"

Instinctively, Lightning's feline side brightened at the words but she shook her head to snap herself from the daze. "That place? Really?" Noctis nodded. "Anything for my special kitty, who I owe so much to." He tickled the furs on the sides of her face, cooing to her.
Lightning meowed a little uncomfortably. "What has gotten into you?" "Nothing. Why?" He said calmly.

"You're acting like a ball of sunshine. It's a little…odd. Coming from you, that is." Lightning admitted. Noctis smiled and placed her on the floor. "Just transform and follow me out. It will be fun."


Lightning was not sure if Noctis had eaten something bad or if he had hit his head during one of their jobs; Noctis had been taking her to places like the park, malls for ice cream, and even to a lakeside. Something was off with her human partner.

Noctis had insisted she remain in her human form for the rest of the day, and week. Lightning's white hoodie hid her red cat collar well from the sight of other humans since it would have been some sort of giveaway to what she was.
The strawberry-blonde watched Noctis cautiously, wondering why he seemed so upbeat. It was as if the sun had risen and set for him and that the world had become the perfect paradise.

"You're worrying me now Noctis." Lightning sighed when Noctis returned to her side with frozen yogurt in his hands. He handed her a cup and grinned.
Lightning stared at him in disbelief, unconsciously licking her yogurt. Her owner laughed. "Light, use your spoon."

Shaking her head from her daze, Lightning did as told.

"You need to relax; as long as you're in that form and you don't let anyone see your collar, you're going to be fine." Noctis reassured, patting her back. Lightning huffed and rubbed her temples. "What has gotten into you? You're being…cheerful." "What's wrong with that?" Noctis asked innocently, making Lightning groan.
"You're not usually like this, that's what." "Lightning, I just wanted to take my special kitty out to dinner." Noctis soothed.

Although he never said it out loud, Noctis found Lightning rather attractive; as a cat she was a precious purring fur-baby—to him at least—while as a human she was an intimidating figure who had an air of superiority about her. But that was what she had on the outside; she was gentle, selfless and kind. Though she may not know it herself, Noctis knew it was true.

He was not sure when he started finding Lightning attractive as a human woman. All he knew was that he found himself wanting to spend more time with her this way, as a human.
What he did recall was that he started becoming more drawn to Lightning when he was in college. He had finally gotten himself his own place to stay and moved out of his mother's house, promising to visit often.

Of course Lightning came along with him when he moved out; wherever he went, she went.

Noctis was to begin college in the next week and Lightning did not seem too worried as she would be by his side the whole time, regardless if the campus staff threw her out or not. Noctis was grateful to her and when his time came to attend college, his little white cat was indeed by his side.
He was forced to leave her outside, as expected, but Lightning still remained close; sitting on a tree branch that hung beside his classroom window and even meeting with him during lunch hour.

Many young women started becoming interested in Noctis and his handsome face. Lightning had been hostile towards them, being the overprotective guardian that she was.

Noctis found this amusing and tried to test something. When he sat down outside during the break, Lightning was instantly beside him, sniffing him and his hands, and his lunch.
College girls threw some flirty looks his way and he pretended to ignore them to observe Lightning's hissing and growling form. He knew Lightning would do the same to males but this was a whole new level.

Next, he shared his lunch with Lightning, completely aware of girls swooning over him and the fact that he was an animal lover. Lightning growled while she ate and Noctis had to laugh. He took a bite out of his lunch then gave the other half to Lightning, noticing how many girls were just staring at them; half of them gushed and wished they could be close to Noctis while the other half just swooned over the 'sweet little kitty' beside him.

What made the day complete were Lightning's annoyed body language and hissing and growling.

For some reason, it made Noctis feel completely special that Lightning would react that way. For effect, he picked her up and placed her on his lap then started coddling her a bit. Of course Lightning never minded coddling when in feline form so it was not a problem.
The people around him gave him weird looks and some muttered about how he might become a crazy cat man in the future while some thought he was sweet to animals.

Many girls wished they were in the cat's place and some were crazy enough to plot a plan that involved killing Lightning off so Noctis would be hers. Lightning was not bothered of course and merely stared at the humans with an untrusting stare.

It was by the end of the day that Noctis found Lightning in human form when he left the building. She explained how she did not want to take chances with those who wished to kill cats so she transformed. Luckily, her hoodie hid her red leather collar from sight.
Noctis smirked inwardly and decided to try one last experiment. He sat down on a nearby bench and invited Lightning over. "Hey, let's sit down for a bit."

Lightning sighed and settled beside him on the bench.

Already the girls from class and others were looking at them, shocked that Noctis had a lovely young woman beside him; and she did not seem to be from the school at all.
With an inward smirk, Noctis pulled Lightning onto his lap. As a cat, Lightning was not bothered by the gesture at all since she always napped on Noctis' lap. Even as a human, she did not seem to understand what it meant when a human male had a female in his lap.

Girls were starting to gasp and mutter to each other worriedly when Noctis made the mysterious girl sit on his lap. What shocked them all the most was when he started whispering in her ear, stroking her head and kissing her hair.
To Lightning, however, it was merely her owner showering her attention and soothing her nonexistent fur down like he always did when she was in her cat form. It was all completely normal to Lightning the white cat, and in return for him praising and coddling her, she licked the tip of Noctis' nose; that too was normal for the white cat. It was her way of saying thanks to Noctis.

Noctis tried not to laugh or make a face at the expressions around him.

The other students obviously thought Lightning was a sweetheart of his, and that made several of his would-be fan girls run away in frustration or tears when Lightning licked the tip of his nose.
It was decided; Noctis wanted to get to know the human side of Lightning more. When he finally stood up with Lightning, he insisted she remain in her human form while they headed home. His companion saw no harm in it and did as she was told.

When they had arrived home, Lightning shifted back and hopped onto the couch to clean her fur and paws.

Noctis was sure that around that time, he must have started feeling some sort of attraction to Lightning, whether she was in her human body or not.
All the same, Lightning did not seem to notice his fancy of her. He had thought about it a lot and perhaps it was odd to fancy a cat. But Lightning was not an ordinary cat after all, and her human form was something hard to resist, what with her goddess-like beauty. It was as if she was not beautiful enough as a pure white feline with a single black paw.

"It's almost dinnertime, Light. Let's head to Leviathan's, shall we?" Noctis offered an arm to her. Lightning sniffed his arm and raised an eyebrow. "Your arm is fine."

Noctis shook his head when she did not catch on to the gesture. He took her hand in his and led her to the sushi restaurant.
Lightning stared at their hands curiously. It was nothing when they were younger, but now at their full-grown adult age, it felt oddly nice and strange. Lightning merely followed behind Noctis as they entered Leviathan's Sushi Palace and took a seat.

Lightning's sensitive nose caught the scents of many delectable foods, and sushi. She resisted the urge to return to her feline body and pounce on the small conveyer belt to grab a sashimi or two; she could not afford to be caught or have people get a glimpse of her true nature.

Noctis noticed her discreet expression and he knew right away that she was eager to eat something; it amused him how Lightning's apatite was probably bigger than a baby tiger's.
The pair looked at their menus but Noctis lifted his eyes to look at Lightning. He did not care if he had an odd love struck expression on his face, just being around the human Lightning made his mood ten times better no matter what.

"What are you looking at?" Lightning gave Noctis a hard stare that was one of caution.

"Nothing. Just…admiring how nice you look. As a human I mean." Noctis blushed. Lightning snorted and turned her attention back to the menu.
She head Noctis sigh in what sounded like relief. After a moment, he asked, "Have you decided on what to eat?" Lightning nodded.

Noctis waved a waiter over and they ordered.

The waiter seemed slightly surprised that the two had ordered more than two people can eat, but noted the orders down nonetheless. Noctis had laughed at the waiter's face; as expected Lightning had ordered pretty much all she could eat. Not that he was any better, Noctis too had a big appetite; keeping his town safe was hard work and it also worked up an appetite in anybody.

"So, how are you enjoying so far?" Noctis asked shyly.

Lightning blinked. "You're asking me that?" "So, are you?" Noctis insisted. His partner sighed and rolled her eyes. "Yes. I've actually had fun so far." "Really?" Noctis' eyes brightened and without realizing it, he gently grabbed her hand and held it in his across the table.
Lightning's eyes widened in surprise at the gesture.

Noctis was unable to keep his eyes off her; he was certain now that he wanted to grow closer to Lightning more than ever, more than owner and pet.
Of course it would be very much abnormal to the eyes of others, but Noctis had grown around strange things and trained to do so. Lightning herself was not a normal cat; her human form made her seem more than just a feline companion and that was something Noctis wanted to grow close to.

At times, Prompto would comment that Noctis seemed more of a dog person instead of a cat person. But with a partner like Lightning, one did not need to be a cat person.

Once their orders arrived, Lightning dug in but remembered to maintain human manners and behavior while doing so. Noctis smiled, remembering the day he had to teach her how to act more human in public. Though Lightning did come with standard knowledge of human behavior, there were still more she had to learn, but she mastered the art faster than Noctis had expected.

Lightning absolutely enjoyed the sushi, even having a mini battle with Noctis over the last piece.


The pair arrived home around ten and collapsed on the couch, full and glowing from their day out.

"… Thanks. For…taking me out today." Lightning muttered, blushing a bright red. Noctis wrapped his arms around her and took in her rosy scent. "You're welcome." He pressed a gentle kiss at her temple and smiled. "Remember our deal? You stay in human form for the rest of the weekend and in return, I'll let you have some caviar."
"Fine." Lightning sighed and relaxed in his arms.

"Alright. Come on, it's time for bed." Noctis suddenly lifted Lightning in his arms and brought her into their room. Of course Lightning did not see any problem with snuggling beside her partner in bed as human closeness proximity had nothing to do with cats.
But with the way Noctis had been acting, Lightning suspected he was up to more than that.

As Lightning settled on the mattress, lying on her stomach, Noctis plopped down beside her and placed an arm around her waist. Lightning could not help but smile at his gentle touch and purred when Noctis stroked her hair and neck.
Whatever he was up to, Lightning had a feeling she would find out what it was about sooner or later.


I hope you all enjoyed this. I had fun writing it. The next chapter will be up soon so hold on tight!

Until then…