A/N: It's been a while since I uploaded something but I wanted to wait a little. Also, I got injured at work and the doctor diagnosed me with golfer's elbow that almost turned into bursitis. I have to apply ice and wear a bracelet until it heals completely and that means being careful not to make sudden moves that could worsen the injury. I can't type much either so writing's on hold for now and it really frustrates me. First the Muse was on vacation and now that she's back, I can't have a good time with her. ;)

Anyway, this chapter has no smut but I hope you'll still enjoy reading it. We all need a break sometimes. Too much is like not enough. We get to know Fang's family a bit more. There are some parts in the chapter that are based on real events.

There's a review from an anon guest saying that this chapter was a repost and it was seen on AOE ages ago. I'm sorry but that can't be possible. First of all, I don't know what AOE is. Second, before posting here , I posted my stories on Deviantart and nowhere else. This chapter was posted on May 26th 2013 on DA so I don't know where that person got the info. The characters are Square Enix property but this story belongs to me.

The sun filtered through the curtains, splashing colours behind her eyelids and waking her up. Lying on her back, she frowned before opening her eyes and squinted, half blinded by the bright light. Where was she? This wasn't her bedroom...

Then she remembered.

She patted the place next to her and met only crumpled sheets, which were cold to the touch. Fang was nowhere to be seen and with that, last night's events came back to her mind.

Her cheeks became a nice shade of crimson.

She rolled onto her right side and with a groan, sat on the edge of the bed. Eden! Her body was so sore, she felt like she'd just come back from a two week mission in the Gapra Whitewoods. She hurt in places she never thought she would. If she got a hangover it would make sense.

But no, she had one of the best, if not THE best night of sex in her entire life, and she was completely sober.

She rubbed her face and pinched the bridge of her nose before letting out a long sigh. The memories came back way too clearly than she would've liked. She thought of Fang's body, her touch, how she tasted. Her mind continued its little stroll down the gutter, without her consent. She remembered what the Oerban did to her and the way she had reacted to her caresses. She had even let her touch her in places where no one had touched her before. She felt the heat come back to her cheeks and someplace else.

She had never been that daring in bed with a woman and she had liked it. Fang had opened a door to a world where letting go brought pleasure like she had never felt before.

But letting go also meant losing control and without control, Lightning was lost.

Behaving like that was so unlike her that the thought scared her. It meant change and she was resistant to it.

There was no other solution but to close the door to that world of bliss and forget about it.

She sighed again and stood up. Her legs couldn't support her and she fell back on the bed with a groan. If one romp with Fang led to a state like this, she was seriously out of practise.

But she didn't plan to repeat the exploit so she had nothing to worry about.

She had the brunette's scent and her own all over her. A shower would be more than welcome and it would clear her confused head. Thank Eden she had left her bag in Fang's bathroom and would be spared the embarrassment of trying to find where her clothes had landed.

When she saw her reflection in the mirror, she gasped and blinked a few times, not believing the image that was thrown back at her. Her hair was a mess, pink strands pointing in every direction, like she had been struck by a Kalavinka Striker. Eden. But what made her stare like an idiot was the big bruise on the left side of her neck. She took a closer look. What was that? Teeth marks? Fang wouldn't have dared...

She touched the bruise and winced and with that, more memories came back teasing her brain and leaving a nice hot feeling in her lower belly. She definitely needed a shower; a cold one. But first, she needed to cover this or Serah would have the time of her life trying to find out where she had spent the night.

Because we all know that Lightning never spends the night at a stranger's place, or anywhere else for that matter.

Feeling refreshed and in a presentable state, Lightning followed the sound of pots and pans, which led her to the kitchen...

... and Fang who was only wrapped in a white towel, her damp black hair cascading on one side of her shoulder, leaving her back bare. She hadn't heard Lightning come in, too busy preparing breakfast. The Cocoon soldier stood in the doorway, watching her closely or let's just say her eyes were glued to the scratch marks running along the Oerban's back. They were a dark pink and she could even see scabs on some of them. All in all, they looked nasty. What made her die of embarrassment was the fact that she was turned on again. Her clit pulsed like it had a life of its own and all she wanted to do was to take the Pulsian back to the bedroom and ravage her again, and again, and again.

"You can stop staring now like you've been doing for the past five minutes. I can practically feel your gaze burning through my back," Fang said before turning around. She crossed her arms over her chest and smirked. "What? Did you think I wouldn't hear ya?"

Lightning's gaze traveled to the three bandages on Fang's right arm and she even noticed the faint reddish marks the scarves had left on her wrists. She might be sore but the brunette was the one who bore the scars of their savage lovemaking.

She swallowed hard. She couldn't believe she had done that and the only thing she could do was looking away in shame.

"Aw come on! It looks worse than it is." But the Oerban couldn't help teasing her Cocoonian lover. "Cuts, scratches... I'll have to wear a long-sleeved shirt today or my family's gonna wonder what happened to me, especially Vanille and who knows what might come out of that big mouth of hers."

Lightning's cheeks became red. By the Maker it was becoming a habit! She put her hands in her pockets and stared at an invisible dot on the floor.

"Seems like I'm not the only one who's gonna wear scars Sunshine," Fang said, a smirk curving her lips.

She reached out to touch the other woman's neck but Lightning backed away, much to the brunette's surprise. The soldier's body language indicated stress and mistrust. It was obvious she was uncomfortable around Fang.

"Don't call me that," Lightning replied dryly.

In a matter of seconds, the atmosphere went from lukewarm to deathly cold. The change was drastic and Fang couldn't help but arch her eyebrows up to the roots of her hair. Confusion etched on her face. She didn't understand Lightning's sudden mood change. She was so distant from last night; it was like two different persons. Gone was the passionate woman who had let go. A stranger with no emotions stood in her stead.

"Okay... Would you like some breakfast? I can whip up a kick-ass Chocobo omelet and..."

"I'll see myself out. Thanks for the sparring session last night," Lightning said as she walked out of the kitchen, towards the elevator.

Sparring session? And what about last night's romp? Fang thought. It took a few moments for the Oerban to come back to her senses.

"Well if you want to do this again you know where to find..."

She heard the familiar 'ding' as the elevator's doors slid closed.

Once in her car, Lightning leaned her head back on the driver's headrest, closed her eyes and let out a trembling sigh. She knew leaving like that was totally uncivilized but she couldn't do otherwise. The night with Fang had been too good, too perfect. It scared her because she would've wanted another night with her, then another followed by many more. But it was better this way. Feelings were not for her; they put her at an emotional disadvantage and it was something she didn't need. And besides, Fang would forget about her and move on to the next girl, right? Isn't that what Vanille had said? That her older sister slept around? Lightning was probably just another conquest for the insatiable Pulsian. But all that musing didn't help her one bit because she could still remember her scent, her touch, her taste.

She wanted to smack herself.

She opened her eyes and stared at the building where Fang lived. She so wanted to go back in there and she had no idea why.

"This is stupid," she mumbled before starting the engine.

When Lightning arrived at her house, she was surprised to find her front door unlocked. Suspicious, she opened it and quietly deposited her gym bag and the casing containing her gunblade on the floor. She walked in on tip toes, ready to knock the intruder out senseless when she heard a familiar voice coming from the living room.

"Don't worry it's just me," Serah said.

Her older sibling let out a sigh of relief but the feeling was short lived. Serah sat on the couch, one leg crossed over the other with her hands resting on her lap. The pose looked casual, relaxed and her face was unreadable. Only her narrowed eyes and pursed lips betrayed her frustration.

"What are you doing here?" Lightning asked, suspiciously.

Serah tapped her index finger on her chin and looked up, as if she were in deep reflection.

"Let's see... If I recall correctly, we were supposed to go shopping for Snow's birthday present and since you're very busy with work, I preferred to let you sleep in a bit. If I had known..." There was a slight hint of mockery in her voice.

Shopping for Snow's birthday present? Lightning couldn't care less. She had agreed to go with Serah so she would stop pestering her. Her little sister could be very persuasive and annoying.

"I'm sorry if I missed it. Maybe we can go tomorrow?" She mumbled half-heartedly, before turning on her heels. She felt a hand close around her wrist.

"You could at least try to do better than that," her younger sister hissed. "You're not even sorry and we both know you don't give a damn about Snow."

Lightning's gaze stared indifferently at Serah's hand enclosed around her wrist. "Then I believe there's nothing more to say on the matter."

Serah's eyes traveled upwards and settled on her neck. Her hand let go of Lightning's wrist and reached for the bandage covering the wound. "What's this?" She asked, intrigued.

Like Lightning had done with Fang, she backed away from Serah's touch. "I got hurt during a drill." It was obvious she wouldn't say more.

"Is that so?" Serah wasn't convinced one bit.

Lightning became defensive and crossed her arms over her chest. "Is there something else you wanted to tell me?"

Her younger sibling took a few steps back. "No. Like you said, maybe we can go tomorrow. I'll call you later when you'll be more receptive."

She didn't have the energy to argue so she let it go. Eden she was so tired of her night of rough sex that she needed some sleep or she would pass out right here on the floor.

Halfway up the stairs, she heard Serah's voice dripping with disgust. "And Lightning, I don't care whose bed you wake up in so why don't you try telling me the truth next time? You lie through your teeth."

Her sister closed the door so hard on her way out; it almost rattled the house's foundations.

It had been only six months since Fang had decided to move from Gran Pulse to Cocoon and as soon as she arrived, she took driving lessons and bought a car. Still, driving wasn't her thing and if she could walk, that was her first option.

When she arrived at her parents' apartment, her fingers hurt from holding the steering wheel and her teeth seemed soldered together from stress. She walked shakily to the front door and pushed the doorbell's button.

A few minutes later, Vanille answered the door wearing a mischievous grin on her face.

"So, I see you made it in one piece..."

"Yeah...,"Fang replied between clenched teeth and made quotes in the air. "And every time I visit, you always have that 'I have fun at your expense' look."

Vanille couldn't help giggling as she invited her in. "Welcome to our humble abode my queen."

"Pffff. Spare me," the brunette replied, waving the air away in front of her as she walked inside.

The petite redhead watched her sister's every move. "You look like someone who hasn't slept much."

Fang turned towards her younger sibling and arched a fine eyebrow. "And what makes you say that?"

Vanille looked at her innocently though she couldn't help a mischievous grin. "Oh let's see. Maybe those dark circles under your eyes give you away?"

By Etro that girl was far too observant for her own good. "I haven't even been inside for five minutes and you already interrogate me."

Vanille followed her. "That's because I want to know everything you did last night."

"Oh really? And what makes ya think I'll tell you?"

"Because I'm persuasion incarnate and I'll bug you so much you'll have no choice but to cave in."

The younger Pulsian let out a yelp when she felt strong arms wrap around her upper body and pressed against Fang's chest. Her older sister ruffled her copper hair until it looked like a Chocobo's nest and only then, did she let her go.

"Faaaaannng!" Vanille whined and rewarded the brunette with a death glare.

She chuckled lowly and winked at her. "That's for trying to be nosey. Come on, let's go meet the parents."

Dinner at the Dia/Yun home was a weekly activity that no family member wanted to miss. It was a way of catching up on the latest events and it helped reinforcing the bond between them. Life on Cocoon was different than on Gran Pulse. The sense of community was practically nonexistent here. Cocoonians were more individualistic and private and tended to be more introverted. Blood ties were not as strong or as important to them as they were to Gran Pulsians, which was sad in Fang's opinion. The Oerban also looked forward to that family reunion once a week because it meant true Gran Pulsian cooking with enough salt and just the right amount of spices. She wasn't a bad cook but nobody could do a behemoth pot roast like her mother.

After finishing her second plate, Fang sat back comfortably and rubbed her full belly with satisfaction. She didn't need to tell her mother how good it had been; a smile of bliss was etched on her face.

"So Fang," their dad said. "How's teaching?"

"It's pretty good actually. More Cocoon students are interested in the Yun style and word gets around. Business is booming."

"That's my girl," he replied. There was a note of pride in his voice.

But Fang didn't smile. In fact, she frowned as she stared at her father's half-full plate. He had barely touched his dinner, which was very unusual since he was a man who had a big appetite. Her eyes went to her father's hands, then his upper body until they stopped at his face. All this happened in a matter of seconds but it seemed like an eternity for the brunette. He seemed thinner. Way thinner then she could remember. His skin color looked like a sickly yellow now and his cheeks were gaunt. His eyes were sunken deep in their sockets and his gaze wasn't as sharp as it used to be. She never noticed it before and she was there last week! Vanille had said his treatment took a toll on him but she never thought it would be that extreme. Was she worrying too much or did she have a good reason to be? She looked around her as the rest of the family made idle conversation but the words didn't reach her ears. Nobody seemed to notice how ill he looked. Her mother and Vanille acted like nothing was wrong.

Vanille's voice cut through the haze of her thoughts. "...Lightning."

Fang blinked several times and looked at her sister. "Say what?"

"Who's this Lightning?" asked their father.

Fang had been so lost in her own musings that she had missed the entire conversation and she was the main topic! Before she had time to answer, Vanille interjected.

"Lightning Farron is Fang's new prospect. Though she's from Cocoon, she's nice and beautiful and they're so cute together and..."

"Vanille!" Fang couldn't believe it.

"I didn't know you had a girlfriend..." She heard her mother chuckle next to her.

Fang crossed her arms defensively over her chest. "That's because I don't. Little missy here has no life so she has to invent stuff to make it more interesting."

"That's not true! I can feel it here," Vanille said indignantly, pointing at her heart with her index finger. "She would be perfect for you. I know she's the one you've been waiting for so long."

"Will you stop?"

"Your sister only wants what's best for you, as we do all," Fang's mother said softly.

"Well, she can start by minding her own business."

Their father stood up slowly, too slowly for Fang's taste. He leaned against the wall to rest a moment.

"Girls, girls," he said in a worn-out voice. "No bickering under this roof. Vanille, your sister is an adult and what she does with her life is her own. Fang, Vanille is just concerned about you – and I have to admit that your mother and I feel the same way but there's no need to be defensive."

"All right," both sisters grumbled and looked away in shame.

"Good."

"Where are you going?" Fang asked. It was unusual for their father to leave the table so early after dinner.

He shuffled his way towards the master bedroom. "I'm a little bit tired tonight so I'm going to turn in early."

Fang frowned at Vanille and her mother, confusion evident on her face. She noticed they looked somber and avoided her gaze.

"What's going on?" She inquired, suspicious.

She didn't get the answer she expected.

"Vanille, help me with the dishes," her mother replied softly.

A feeling of foreboding seized Fang's mind as she set foot in their parents' bedroom. The small lamp on one of the nightstands offered no warmth or comfort. The room was too dark and the brunette felt like death roamed around, watching and waiting to make its final move.

Her father was lying down on his stomach and seemed to be sleeping. Fang sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to wake him up. She crossed her hands on her lap. Her gaze traveled along his body and a look of concern passed over her face. He looked so fragile, so vulnerable, so unlike the man she knew.

"Fang...?"

She almost jumped out of her skin when she heard him say her name. His voice sounded so dull and exhausted.

"Sorry, I didn't want to wake you up," she said lowly.

"It's okay, I wasn't asleep yet. I'm trying but my back hurts like hell. I feel like an Ugallu used me as a chew toy."

"I'll let you get some rest then. I just wanted to know if you needed anything."

As Fang got up, she felt her father's hand close around her wrist. His grip was surprisingly strong.

"Stay. Talking will do me some good."

"All right." She did as she was told and sat back down on the edge of the bed.

"Would you mind rubbing an old man's back?" He asked, pointing to a jar of ointment resting on the nightstand.

"Sure but you're not old."

He sighed loudly. "I sure feel like it lately."

She took the jar, opened it and by the smell she knew right away that it was a special mixture of herbs imported from Gran Pulse; something a shaman would make. It was expensive and it confused her more because if her dad's treatment helped him, he wouldn't need to use this since it was considered a last resort's solution.

The sense of dread returned stronger than before and it made her clench her jaw.

Her father turned towards her and smiled weakly. "Usually, your mum's in charge of rubbing my back and she does a pretty good job but lately, it has less effect. Your strong touch should do the trick though."

"Dad, are you sure you're alright? What about your treatment?"

"It's effective and I'm getting better. The mass has shrunk considerably so don't you worry."

She hiked his shirt up to expose his back and was shocked by the view. Two lines of permanent ink crisscrossed his back. Starting from the top of his right shoulder down to where his kidney was, it went from left to right across his ribs. A circle was drawn under his shoulder blade, looking like a target. The sight of it made her uneasy. She wanted to wipe it off.

She scooped some of the ointment, applied it on his back and started rubbing the upper right area. He groaned in satisfaction and relaxed. A lump of sadness and anguish started to form in Fang's throat. She could feel his ribs beneath her palm and fingertips and couldn't believe how much weight he had lost. Why didn't she notice it before? His skin felt thin and tight, like there wasn't enough of it to cover his frame and it would rip apart at any moment. She wanted to remove her hand, afraid she would catch his disease, which was totally ridiculous and irrational.

Fang's jaw was so tight; she thought it would break under the strain. She swallowed loudly but the lump was still there.

"So, care to tell me more about this Lightning Farron?" She thought she heard a small chuckle.

"Daddy..."

"Your sister seemed to say she's nice..."

"It's no big of a deal; I've seen her only twice so I barely know her."

"You should bring her next time."

Fang scowled while she kept rubbing the ointment in. What did Vanille say to him to make him insist about inviting Lightning?

"Why should I invite someone I don't even go out with?"

A tired sigh escaped his lips. "Fang, you've been chasing women like a Gorgonopsid chases its own tail. Don't you want to settle down?"

Her hand froze. Chasing women like a Gorgonopsid chases its own tail? That was something new. Was she that prolific in that department? Thank Etro the room was poorly lit or her father would have noticed how red her cheeks had become. She really needed to have a serious talk with Vanille. It was one thing to be concerned about her love life but there were limits.

Her father rolled over onto his back. He locked gaze with Fang and for a moment, it pierced her soul.

"Fang, I'm not going be here forever. I just want you to be happy."

"I know...," she mumbled, looking away.

He smiled weakly. "Thanks for the backrub. Go see your mum and sister or they're going to wonder if you haven't disappeared into a black hole."

She stood up and squeezed his hand in hers. "You take care, okay?"

He nodded. "I will."

Fang left the room more confused than ever. Her father would never lie to her. If he said he was getting better, then she had no choice but to believe him. Still, something kept nagging her in the back of her mind.

The Oerban walked into the kitchen where her mother was busy putting away the rest of the dishes.

"Where's Vanille?" She inquired.

"Oh, she went outside. She's probably sitting on the back porch."

"Mum?"

"Yes dear?"

"Is daddy all right?"

"Of course, why wouldn't he be?"

The way her mother answered her, like there was nothing to worry about, it was too much for the Pulsian. She just snapped.

"Am I the only one who isn't blind here? He's sick! By Etro open your eyes! He's getting worse every day!"

Her mother turned around sharply. "Don't you think I haven't noticed?" She hissed. "I can't go to his doctor and wring the truth out of him; your father would never forgive me." Her voice cracked and her eyes became watery. "He says he's fine and I can only take his word for it. I have no choice Fang. It's the only hope I have left..."

It was only then that Fang noticed how tired her mother looked. The dark circles under her eyes, the lines of worry creasing her brow, her pursed lips. She didn't try to deny the reality of her husband's illness but rather, did her best to support him and get through it without going insane.

She wrapped her arms around the older woman and held her tight. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean to..."

Her mother clang to her like her life depended on it. She cried in her daughter's arms, something she hadn't permitted herself to do in a long time.

Vanille was lost deep in her thoughts and she didn't notice Fang's presence until her sister sat next to her.

"Hey...," the brunette said softly.

"Hey," Vanille mumbled as she scratched at an invisible stain on one of her shoes.

"I... Ah... I had a good talk with dad."

"Yeah?" She replied without much enthusiasm.

She nodded. "I have to admit I was worried at first but he explained to me how his treatment works and even though it exhausts him, the results are promising."

"So... He's getting better?" Vanille wanted so much to believe her older sibling.

"Yeah so no need to worry alright?"She smiled comfortingly. By the gods! How could she lie so easily to that little redhead who meant more to her than life itself? Oddly, she felt like she needed to reassure her and by doing that, she reassured herself. It worked for now and it was all that mattered.

And it seemed to work for Vanille too since she smiled back, although it barely touched her lips. Fang ruffled her hair and was rewarded with a death glare.

She winked. "That's for trying to match me with Lightning."

"There's no need. I saw the way you stared at her while I was talking to her. You had this look of hunger; that same look you have when you're about to eat some Thanksgiving stuffed Chocobo."

The brunette's eyes got as big as saucer plates and her mouth hung wide open in shock. All in all, she looked plain stupid.

"I did not!"

"Did too!"

"Did not!

"Did too!"

She knew they could go on forever. "Come here you little imp," she grinned mischievously and imprisoned Vanille in a tight hug.

Her little sister giggled and responded in kind, eliciting a groan of pain from the dark-haired woman.

Vanille let go of Fang suddenly, as if she had been burned. "Show me your back," she ordered her face completely neutral.

When the other complied, she hiked up her long sleeved shirt and gasped in horror.

"By the goddess..." she traced the scratches running down her sister's back. "Don't tell me Lightning did this to you?"

Fang pulled her shirt down and turned around. Her stupid grin and look of bliss said it all.

"It's a night I'll remember forever," she said dreamily.

"Fang... Now you're scaring me."

The brunette grabbed the redhead's shoulders and practically shook her. "You don't understand Vanille. It's the passion. The passion that woman can conjure when she let go..." She finished her sentence with a low moan.

"Tell me everything."

And Fang did, to Vanille's greatest satisfaction. She knew her sister would cave in because she was unable to keep something like that to herself.