Wow, I did it again, seems I'm really sticking with "Eifreet". I like the way it sounds. Anyway, I know where it came from. If any of you have ever played tales of symphonia, eifreet's name is spelled exactly that way in that game. Recently, I've been lacking inspiration, since I listen too much to anime, as Rurouni Kenshin and Tales of the abyss. I recently tried to listen to Code Geass, but mysteriously, it just made me want to watch tales of the abyss again. The blame is on the voice actor, of course.

Ha, I just went on ffxiii versus website to check the characters, just for fun, and Noctis' friends don't have name. Gunshot's guy, Driver and Scarred man. Wow. I'll stay with Shawn, he really is one of my favorite. I hope he will be one of the playable character. As time goes by and I play more and more on FFXIII, it seems I can't see any other character then Hope. I'm trying to make him a good commando –a lost battle, of course- and he's been my team's leader for a while now. I love Pulse. It's too big, there are too many monsters and they're all jumbo size as Snow would say…

Somebody asked if Vanille and Fang will ever appear in the fic. Of course they will. But, you must keep one thing in mind. I don't like Fang. And I don't really like Vanille that much. Just when Hope makes fun of her. He's the best ever, that's for sure. I'm getting to like Snow. And Sahz is my third favorite, right after Lightning.

Glad you liked the way I presented Noctis. I mostly wrote hard stories and I'm used to sending my characters to war against impossible odds. Still, I never skipped the war before to see what came after right away. It did the job. Of course, Noctis is human. I think that's one of the best part of FF XII, the characters looks way more human than Vaan and co in FFXII –I still like FFXII, but hey, I spent 135 hours fighting and leveling up before to go beat the boss, and at least 5 hours listening to the cut scenes- alright for the playing time, but hey, where was the story line? Why did I think that Drace's death was the most emotional moment of the game? I know, I'm getting far from the subject. Just guess I'd entertain you a bit before the chapter this time. Have a nice time reading.

Associate till death do us apart

One night in Cocoon

Lightning was acting strange and was trying to look as happy as she could to get Noctis back to who she thought he was. The prince soon realized that she was forcing her smile, and that was why she seemed so strange to him. Nevertheless, he decided to wait for them to be in private to ask her what was really on her mind. He won the race, handling his chocobo as if he was born on a chocobo.

Anyway, when the cheering crowd realized that Noctis was the prince from Pulse, they ran away as they understood that the threat from Pulse was right in their face.

"Okay. Guess I should never tell my name to someone from Cocoon. Am I really that scary?" he asked Lightning, who was the only left in the plaza.

"Well, you're a fal'cie killer. I guess that ought to be scary."

"Ah ha, very funny…"

"We really should find a way to look less as royalties if we want this trip to be fun. And you certainly should change your clothes for something more… Cocoon-like."

"Huh, okay. As long as I don't look like a caterpillar or something, I guess it's alright."

"Noctis!"

He had to tease her, somehow, to feel more normal. Lately, everyone had been treating him as a monster. And he felt so down as he tried to smile at her. Maybe I really am a monster. Otherwise, Stella would still be alive, he thought.

…

"You can't be serious?"

"What's the problem? I think it suits you well. For once, it won't hurt you to wear some colors."

"What is it supposed to mean?"

"You're always dressed in nothing but black. It looks cool alright, but…"

"I'm an easy target like that.", he complained.

"Why are you so uncomfortable? You look good."

"But I don't look like me at all."

"That was the purpose we wanted to achieve, Noctis."

The prince was wearing a close-fitting pair of blue jeans, a messy shirt and a white leather jacket. Lightning had tried to comb his hair, to his great displeasure and he felt really weird. He looked like a rogue. Well, more than he usually did when he was fighting. His mother would have a heart attack if she'd see him like that.

"Say Lightning, is your attire really Cocoon-like? Most of the girls we saw in Nautilus were…"

He bit his tongue when he realized that this comment could lead him to another fight with his wife.

"So you saw them. I thought you were too busy mourning over your war to even look around."

"Are you angry or something?"

"No. You've got a point. Most of Cocoon girls are quite daring in their choice of clothing. It's just normal that they caught your eye."

Saying that, she tried to put some order in his bangs, combing his hair with her fingers.

"What's wrong with my hair?"

"If only there weren't those spikes behind of your head. Spiky hair isn't really common on Cocoon, you see."

In her attempt, she kinda ended up stroking his hair and massaging his head. He held back a moan. Her breath in his neck felt so warm. He tried not to look at her in the mirror. Ever since that war, he wanted her even more then he did before… He gulped, feeling guilty.

"Ah well, this is the best I can do. Now then, I should find myself one new attire too I guess. If people recognize me, we won't have a minute for ourselves. To be fair, you will choose my clothes, alright?"

Better be cautious. She might get angry if I point out something too revealing, he reminded himself.

"Okay… Fortunately, there aren't dresses in this store."

She frowned at his comment.

"If there were, you wouldn't…"

"No, I wouldn't dare to even suggest that you try on a dress. For today, I'll stick to the classics, I guess."

A moment later, Lightning was wearing a tight pair of black shorts, long brown boots, a white top and a crimson blouse opened on her shirt. Her only belt was the one tying her short and she was looking at herself in the mirror with disbelief.

"It's…"

"Wait, there's something missing."

"Wha… hey!"

He untied her hair and made them fell around her whole head.

"There, you look more natural."

At first, Lightning wanted to protest. She was always tying her hair in case she had to fight, but the playful smile on Noctis' face shut her up. He hadn't made her dress up in provoking clothes; on the contrary, he'd choose nice ones, in which she felt both comfortable and pretty.

"Wow, your boyfriend's got taste! But still, I think that the high heels would look better.", the vendor remarked.

"Maybe, but it wouldn't be convenient if we had to run or something. And she would look taller than me."

Noctis was taller than Lightning, but not that much and she smiled at his comment. His final decision over the boots' heels was practical for her and to protect his own pride.

"Will it be everything?"

"I don't know. Light, you have a swimsuit, haven't you?"

"Why should I need one?"

"Because next week, I'm taking you to the sea."

"In Bodhum?"

He shook his head, his eyes turning gold and she understood he meant Pulse.

"Oh right. I'll choose my swimsuit myself anyway.", she decided.

"Wow, you're so lucky, a travel to the sea? Are you two on vacation or something?"

"In a certain way…", Noctis replied.

"Well then, we should pay and try to go out. Where would you like to go, Noct?"

"I'm not sure. I don't know this city so well. And, you're sure you wanna go out like that? You don't want anything else for your attire? A necklace or a bracelet?"

"I'm not into jewels, you know it."

"Well, I wished you were. Might help me find what kind of gift I could give you?"

"What do you have to make me a gift all of a sudden?"

"I still haven't given you our wedding gift, haven't I?"

"What?"

"Oh, so you two are married?!"

"Huh, yeah, we're kinda on our honeymoon.", Lightning replied, blushing.

"How sweet!"

Why does every girl we meet react that way when they learn anything about us? Why do I feel like I'm the only woman in both our world that lack romantic sense? They look so stupid when they do a fuss over it… ,the princess thought.

Noctis heard her and couldn't help himself but smile. There was his Lightning.

"Guess we'll talk about the gift later. Come on."

He led her out, even if she was the one knowing exactly where they should be going. He waited till the door closed behind them to exchange a sly smile with his wife.

"Will you always turn red when I mention that we're married?"

"I'm not…!"

"I was serious with that present.", he cut her off.

"Well, that was sudden. What is it so important now? You could have ask about it before the war and everything."

"I was trying to find it by myself. But with your switch of moods, I'm really at a loss when I try to picture what you could like. And you sister already gave you a knife."

So the only thing he can think of buying for me is a hunting knife or something? What kind of impression do I give to people to make them think I'm only after practical things ? , she despaired.

He smirked when he heard her thoughts. He was growing used to this. Hearing her now and then. He felt bad a bit, even if he couldn't control that power, just as every power the light had gave him. It wasn't right that he was able to know what she thought while she couldn't, but still, she was quite complicated. Then again, she was a woman. Noctis had never met a woman who wasn't complicated, but still.

"Well, I won't help you, you'll have to find that present yourself."

"Alright. Guess I'll ask Heather then."

"What?!"

"It seems she became good friend with you during the last weeks."

"That really isn't the point! Anyway, she would probably tell you to buy me a knife or another sword. She don't…"

"A new sword? That's an idea."

"I don't need one!", she retorted, blushing with unease.

Why was he so persisting over this idea of giving her a present for their wedding all of a sudden?

"Alright, forget that I ever mention it. You could tell me what's on your mind instead of making such a deal for it."

"There's nothing on my mind. What should there be anything? Come on, it's running late, there's not many places that's going to be open now."

They had been walking for only a few minutes in the streets of Nautilus when a girl yelled in surprise and ran to drag Noctis in a bear hug. Lightning stood back, her mouth gaping with shock. The girl was at least sixteen years old, had bright orange hair and was dressed with a strange skirt and a very tight top that was showing off her every curve. And she seemed to know her husband a lot, for someone from Cocoon. Then again, Lightning had never see any girl from Cocoon dressed like that…

"Noctis, is it really you? I've never seen you dressed in something else than black. You look good!"

The girl had a strange accent and Noctis gently pushed her away, to turn back to Lightning. Her mouth was still hanging wide open.

"Huh, this is my cousin, Vanille O'erba." , he explained to her.

"Oh, and that must be your wife, Lightning Farron!" Vanille exclaimed.

People turned their head to them, some frowning, others just looking puzzle. There was only one Lightning Farron in Cocoon, and it was their queen after all.

"Could you tell your cousin to keep it down." Lightning angrily whispered.

"Hum, right. Vanille, Lightning and me, we're trying to go unnoticed and to enjoy ourselves as normal people. You see, if anyone realize who we are, we won't get a chance to go anywhere without a crowd on our heels."

Or running in fear I could show them my monstrous side or something, Noctis thought.

"I see. Sorry about that. I was so surprised to see you here."

"Well, I'm surprised too. What are you doing in Cocoon?"

"Isn't it obvious?! I'm running away from Fang to have fun with nice people! She keep on telling me that I must realize my focus."

"Well, you should get to it."

"I wanna have some fun before to get turn into a crystal again."

As she said that, Noctis' face contorted with sorrow. He didn't really like to talk about l'cies' stuff. It always reminded him about his poor Stella.

"You know, you shouldn't be talking that loud over anything involving l'cie around here. And be sure to hide your brand, otherwise, this Fang you're fleeing will look as nothing compared to what the citizen could do or say." , Lightning warned her.

"Oh, that's right! Thank you, Lightie!"

"How did you call me?"

"There you are, Vanille!" Fang shouted, jumping down from a building, her lance held out, making the few people still out running in fear.

"Oh no, I'm found. See ya Noctowly!"

Vanille fled and Fang pursued her.

"Okay… That was just the weirdest time of my life." , Lightning commented.

"Sorry about that."

"Why are you apologizing, Noctowly?" , she teased him.

At least, this awkward moment wasn't a total lost for her if she could make fun of him.

"Oh no, please, don't call me that, I hate it."

"Is it supposed to sound cute?" she asked.

She wasn't looking at him as she asked, but behind him and as he threw a brief gaze over his shoulder, he saw a giant screen showing the latest news. He thought he'd recognize someone in the video playing, but before he could understand what was saying the commentator, Lightning had cleared her throat.

"Is it really?"

"No idea. But I really hate it.", he said, turning back all his attention to her.

"Alright, I guess we should find a place where no one will be able to recognize us!"

They smiled, before to laugh a bit.

"Still, you shouldn't mind Vanille. She's always like that."

"I don't understand how she can be your cousin."

"Neither do I."

"That's mean."

"What do you say we find that place where no one could recognize us?"

…

Noctis thought he was getting to know Lightning, but when she stopped before a bar, he wasn't too sure that he did know her so well. Anyway, the bar was more a club than a bar and people could dance as much as they could drink. The place felt a little out in Nautilus, but every dreams were permitted and the one involving clubs weren't automatically nightmares.

"You can't be serious?!"

"What, don't tell me you've never been in that kind of place. It ain't that bad. And anyway, we're just here to have fun."

She's getting stranger with each passing minute…, he despaired.

At first, the club still seemed to be a nice idea. They danced a bit, even if Noctis had to drink three shooters to feel comfortable enough to hit the dance floor. The music and the lights were unnerving, but with a few bears and shooters, they were able to take it in with a laugh. Between each dance, they drank, at first, just for fun, but soon, Noctis realized Lightning was overdoing it. The more she danced, the more she wanted to drink. And the more he tried to stop her, the more she was good at convincing him to keep it up.

After three hours, the music was getting frantic and Noctis felt a bit dizzy. Lightning was far gone herself, she had to grab to him to stay on her two feet.

"That's about enough fun. Let's get out of here."

"You're maybe right. But I still feel good."

"Wait till tomorrow, believe me, it won't last."

She laughed a bit, while he managed to make his way through the crowd, holding her next to him, one arm wrapped around her waist. He didn't know what had gotten to her, but he wasn't going to abandon her like that.

It took him half an hour to find his way in Nautilus' streets and to a hotel. He rented a room, under the suspicious gaze of the service man, who certainly thought he was going to take advantage of the woman still grabbing onto his jacket to keep herself steady. As she stumbled on the way and almost throw up in the elevator, Noctis swore to himself that he would never ever let her take him in a bar again. He was angry, but at the same time, he was sure there was something behind all this. Since he had come back from his war, she had been too soft, too joyful, she had forced her smile too much and it really felt fake.

"Hang on, we're almost there."

Lightning was both laughing and crying as he half carried half dragged her into their room and he had one hell of a time when he tried to get her to bed. At first, she said she was going to be sick and couldn't find a position in which she felt comfortable. Then, she suddenly tried to make a move on him. Noctis was patient and understanding, but his patient was still worn off by the war. After trying to talk sense into her, he tied her up with the covers and decided to sleep in a chair next to the bed. When she finally fell asleep –after saying a whole lot of stupid or incredible things coming from her-, he untied her and tried to find sleep again. But he was restless. He couldn't fall asleep right after what had happened. So he switched the television on and looked at the news. He recognized the same pictures and video than last time, right after their brief encounter with Vanille. And suddenly, it hit him.

Why Lightning was acting so strange. Why she'd never told him many things about her fighting the monsters here, in her home.

"The family of the little boy who was slain by monsters in Palampolum is beginning the funerals as we speak. The mother still believes it to be our queen's fault, since she was supposed to have killed every monster that was proving a threat for the citizens. The boy was attacked and killed in front of Lighting Farron, and rumors are saying that she didn't move an inch to rescue him. Tell me, Jill, what do you think?"

"Well." The blond scientist replied, replacing her necktie. "It's clear for me that the queen couldn't do this job alone. And she wasn't. Soldiers from both Cocoon and Pulse were with her. Still, it seems that the queen has changed since she's married with this Noctis guy. The Lightning we knew would never had let a kid be killed if she could do something. So there are two possible explanations. First one is that she couldn't do anything. Second one is that the Pulse's soldiers interfered or gave the wrong orders. After all, why should Cocoon's people should be important for them?"

He shut the TV of. He couldn't believe it. All this time, Lightning was hiding this to him?

"Shit. It can't be... She would have told me. She should have told me. A kid? Anyone would be shaken from this."

He turned to look at the shape of Lightning, who was sleeping as a rock now. It certainly explained a lot of things.

"Were you hiding it because you thought it wasn't as important as my war or something? Or was it you that wanted to flee the politics for a while, to have a chance to take it in?"

He lied down next to her, shaking his head. She shivered in her sleep.

It was my fault. My entire fault , she thought in his mind.

"Lightning…" he sighed.

To be continued

The ending of this chapter is bad. The whole little kid slain by monster thing is bad. But it does explain everything. Anyway, Vanille's appearance was weird, but I'm trying to get to the nice part of the story. I'll try to update you again by Wednesday. The next chapter is really going to be better than this one, I swear. Anyway, I liked the way Noctis always ended up saying: You can't be serious?!

Man, you're talking to Lightning, crazy, mourning or just normal, she is always serious about everything.

Anyway, it's awfully late, must get some sleep. Hope to see many reviews. Ah, and just to mention, at first, I thought the kid that died would be Hope, but finally, I decided I couldn't be that mean. He's my favorite. He must live. Sorry for my total lack of enthusiasm. Too late to feel really into it. Comment please.