Sisterly Love Chapter 10: First Impressions, The Great Escape, and One Giant Sleepover
Everything seemed to be going okay with the l'cie base destroyed and the inhabitants of it likely dead Lightning, Cid, and Yaag started to make their way over to the airship but the rumbling of the
ground stopped them. "What the hell is that?" Lightning asked looking around the now deserted village.
"I don't know but let's get out of here." Cid said beginning to jog to the airship. Just then a big monster broke through the surface of the ground right beneath the airship and destroyed it before
landing in front of the group. "Ah fuck!" Yaag cursed retreating a couple steps back followed by Lightning, and Cid.
"So this is what the l'cie were planning to attack us with." Lightning said absent minded while gazing up at the great beast that towered over her by a good fifteen to twenty feet.
It resembled a dragon with it's red scaled body and big black wings which had a wingspan of about fifty feet it was a giant to say the least, as Lightning stared dumbfounded at both it's size and
unique beauty it had to it the dragon began to advance upon her. "Light get back!" Cid yelled to her as Lightning shook her head as she regained control of her body and thoughts.
"Okay okay." She snapped back running towards Cid.
"Alright what do we do?" Yaag asked the others frantically searching for an escape rout.
"Um...it's got us cornered...were trapped." Lightning said seeing the beast blocking the one and only path out of the village.
"Shit we can't fight it the thing is too big." Cid said looking back at the beast which began to throw it's head back.
"Oh shit it's going to blow fire," Lightning said her eyes wide as she sprinted to the nearest house and just jumped behind it when it blew the fire, luckily the others had the same thought and
also took cover. "What the fuck are we supposed to do?" Lightning screamed angered at how the dragon was dominating the fight, and as it threw it's head back again Lightning whirled out
from her cover while drawing Blaze Edge and switching it to gun mode and began just firing several bullets into it's mouth. The effect of this attack stunned the dragon temporarily and Lightning
wouldn't let the opportunity slip by as she sprinted towards the giant and jumped up high in the air as she got a few feet from it and snapped her fingers to defy gravity as she leaped up onto
it's head and and began stabbing her sword down on it to see if it had an effect. The beast staggered a bit and began shaking it's head violently trying to throw the young girl from her tactical
position. Lightning sensing that she wouldn't be there for long slid down it's tail on her feet and sprinted out of the gate and forced the dragon to turn around allowing her team members
could advance towards the gate without being fried and they are able to escape the village.
"Hey Light!" Lightning snaps out of her memory to see Fang leaning against the wall across from her saying her name over and over to get her attention.
"Mmmph?" Lightning moaned realizing that her legs are once more tied at the ankles immobilizing her.
"About time you came back you've been daydreaming for a while now." Fang said looking at Lightning's dazed eyes.
"Mmfg mmpf." Lightning growls out of frustration from testing her binds to see that there was no slack what so ever in them.
"Don't even try Light the only way were getting out is if you can seduce Cid to untie you." Fang said. "But I don't think he would fall for that." She finished.
"Maybe if you gave him some puppy dog eyes though...you always were good at that." Fang said as the thought came to her causing Lightning to blush at her comment.
"Okay guys it has been far too long for them to have been out just hunting." Sazh said walking out from the trees where he was peeing on a tree.
"Alright then what do we do?" Snow asked as Sazh took a seat on a nearby log.
"Well were pretty much fucked because either we leave and they come back and were separated again or we stay here and wait but if something really did happen to them then we'd
be waiting for a while." Sazh said looking out across the forest.
"Guys!" Serah ran yelling from where she was taking a walk tears in her eyes.
"What?" Snow asked alarmed at the thought of what might be wrong.
"I found something." She sobbed turning and running back in the same direction she came from. Once there Serah showed Snow, and Sazh the big area of pushed down grass that
resembled the size of an airship. "Okay so I think it's safe to say that they were kidnapped." Vanille said kicking a nearby stone.
"Well let's get out of here." Sazh said starting off in a direction as Snow brought Serah into his arms as she wept.
"Hey don't worry she has Fang with her this time she'll get out easily with her by her side." Snow comforted his fiancee.
Lightning and Fang had been sitting around waiting for something to happen. The boredom caused Lightning to think back at her first encounter with Fang.
It was a year ago just after Lightning had left PSICOM for becoming a l'cie and the fact that they would either kill or capture her on sight depending on their mood. Lightning was running through
the Darkwood Forest near her hometown of Bowdam desperately trying to escape the trailing PSICOM forces that were chasing after her. She luckily came up on a factory used for making various
military related weapons and items. Lightning decided to take refuge inside of it and ambush the approaching forces, she was aware that they were being led by a very experienced woman who
had done a good job on tracking her position. "My cape probably gave me away." Lightning muttered to herself as she ran into the abandoned facility and climbed the stairs onto the catwalk where
she was hidden in the shadows. The factory was ideal for the element of surprise because it had no power what so ever running to it and was completely dark except for a couple of slivers of light
resonating from the windows. Not long after Lightning took her position did the woman confidently walked into the building carefully scanning the top floor for any movement, but Lightning knew
her eyes haven't adjusted to the dark yet so she creeped farther out of sight undetected. As Lightning had anticipated the woman had outrun her comrades leaving them in her dust, this worked
perfectly into Lightning's plan because she had intended on isolating the stronger girl to fight her alone. Lightning carefully made her way to the control panel to the facility and pressed a button
which caused the giant metal doors behind the tanned woman to slowly close and lock so the other soldiers could not get inside.
"All right then how about showing yourself." Fang called out to the hidden girl. "You know." She said pausing. "You and me are allot alike." She said walking around the large open space beneath
the catwalk. "You know Cid? he's my brother though I can't say were exactly close." Fang laughed while shaking her head. "So how about you give me a good fight it's been a while since I've faced
a worthy opponent prove your mettle to me." Fang said trying to draw Lightning out of her hiding spot, Lightning closed her eyes and took a deep breath in before quietly drawing her gunblade and
jumping over the catwalk. Lightning striked down on her but Fang quickly drew her spear and blocked the attack and pushed up flipping Lightning over her head only to have the strawberry blond
land elegantly on her feet. Fang jumped at Lightning and the two then began a complicated series of expert attacks and blocks that went on for a good ten minutes. "Well you certainly are as good
as Cid says." Fang said as the two women's weapons collided and locked together in a struggle for dominance. "What's wrong why don't you say anything? cat got your tongue or are you just shy?"
Fang taunted as she was able to get her spear under Lightning's sword's hilt and flip it up out of her grasp. It landed far out of Lightning's reach so she back flipped out of the reach of Fang's spear
but also put herself in a corner with her back to the wall, the two women could barely see each other and the accuracy of their attacks was a testament to their great skill and abilities.
"Name's Fang by the way." Fang introduced herself slowly closing off Lightning's chance of escaping the corner. "How about begging for your life it would be music to my ears." Fang said moving
closer to her opponent. Lightning's eyes quickly darted from side to side looking for a way to escape. Fang began twirling her spear in between her two fingers radiating confidence, both women
were glistening with sweat and the shines from their bodies were basically the only way to see each other. "I'm surprised you haven't said anything yet Cid always talks about how you've got a
smart mouth and sweet voice. But sadly I guess he'll never get to hear it again *sigh* but I guess if he wanted anyone to kill you it would be his little sister." Fang said raising her spear above her
head but before she could strike, Lightning formed a fireball in her hand and threw it at her. It connected with her wrist the searing pain was enough to cause Fang to stumble giving Lightning the
opportunity to kick her spear out of her hands. Fang recovered and the two engaged in hand to hand combat which consisted of them throwing punches and kicks which were blocked each time,
this continued for a good five minutes until Fang threw a punch that Lightning dodged by quickly falling to her knees that she followed up by performing a sweep kick that knocked Fang to the
ground. Lightning attempted to land a shot flush on Fang's face but the older woman grabbed her by the wrist and flipped the younger girl onto the ground. At that moment the soldiers that Fang
left behind arrived at the factory and began attempting open the door but failed miserably. Lightning was dazed from her head colliding with the hard floor and could had trouble getting to her knees.
Fang was able to jump to her feet and grab the younger girl and pin her to the wall. Lightning weakly attempted to break free but was unable to, her head still in a foggy haze of what was going on.
"Well you are certainly more skilled than I could have imagined." Fang said breathing heavy from the intense fight. Lightning got her senses back and took in the situation, Fang had her pinned to
the wall holding her wrists above her head and pressing her body against Lightning's immobilizing her. Just as Lightning was accepting defeat the big iron doors exploded from the soldiers outside
causing Fang to lose her balance and release Lightning who fell to the floor due to lack of strength and seconds later she passed out. A couple weeks later Lightning awoke in what appeared to be a
hospital she took in her surroundings to find that her right wrist was handcuffed to the bed. "Shit." Lightning muttered then held her head as her headache let itself be known, a moment later
the door opened and the raven haired woman entered and took a seat beside her bed. "Hello it's nice to see you awake at last." Fang said looking Lightning in the eyes.
Lightning responded by groaning and rolling on her side to face the opposite direction. "What do you want?" She asked not facing the other woman.
"Not a proper introduction huh." Fang said smirking causing Lightning to turn and face her.
"Oh I'm sorry it's so nice to meet you I'm Lightning." She said sarcastically causing Fang to laugh.
"You know I like you." She stated watching the strawberry blonds flustered reaction.
"Where am I?" Lightning asked the older girl.
"In Eden." Was her short answer. "You know you've been out of it for quite a while." Fang said watching Lightning gaze around the room as if she were searching for something.
"Really." Lightning replied not paying attention.
"Yeah a couple weeks." Fang said before grabbing Lightning's chin and turning it to face her. "If your looking for this." Fang paused holding up Lighning's Blaze Edge for her to see. "It's right here."
Fang finished releasing Lightning's chin from her hold, Lightning went to grab it but Fang moved it away. "Not yet Lightning." Fang said as if she were her mother.
"Wait a couple weeks?" Lightning asked surprised at how long she had been out unconscious, Fang nodded in response while placing Lightning's sword well out of her reach.
"Yes. Now I hope your well rested." Fang said as Lightning let out a long yawn.
"Well not really being unconscious doesn't really qualify as sleep." Lightning said laying her head back down on the pillow.
"Alright then I'll be back in a bit." Fang said standing to leave.
"Wait!" Lightning called out causing the woman to stop just before exiting the room. "Why are you being nice to me? I mean were...enemies." Lightning finished.
"It's easy. I have respect for you, your a very head strong and independent girl that's a very rare quality...and you made a good first impression. Now get some sleep alright?" Fang said before
leaving Lightning to contemplate what she had said. Shortly after however she came back in the room. "Oh yeah and I forgot to mention...I don't think of you as my enemy." She said leaving
once again. A short while later Lightning fell fast asleep as her fatigue caught up with her.
Serah, Sazh, Snow, and Vanille had been walking for quite some time just trying to find a way to escape when they came across a strange noise coming from within the woods to their
left. Sazh, and Snow slowly went to check it out leaving Serah, and Vanille alone on the path,Serah nervously fiddled with Lightning's survival knife her eyes darting from side to side
at the slightest sound. Snow, and Sazh went deeper into the woods to try and locate the sound and as soon as they disappeared two PSICOM soldiers jumped out from behind Serah,
and Vanille and rendered the girls unconscious. The soldiers quickly scooped them up and retreated to their airship taking them away.
Lightning awoke once again to the raven haired women walking into her room, she slowly opened her eyes and gazed up at the woman. "Hi." Lightning greeted sitting up rubbing her eyes.
"Hey rested?" Fang asked as Lightning nodded her head.
"Yeah a little so what's up why do I need to be rested?" Lightning asked focusing on Fang.
"Um..the Sanctum mainly Jihl wants to test your strengths." Fang said taking the same seat from before.
"How is she supposed to do that?" Lightning asked with a confused look on her face.
"She wants to put you in an arena and have you fight a monster about ten times your size with only your gunblade and basically have you fight several of them over and over until you lose." Fang
said as Lightning's expression turned terrified. "Um..she can't do that." Was all the younger girl could say in denial of what her fate was to be.
"Sorry hun but basically what she says is the law. She has the whole Sanctum backing her." Fang said convincing Lightning that she was all but dead now.
Lightning hung her head in defeat as Fang smirked. "But all is not lost. I'm going to help you escape." Fang said lowering her voice so no one passing the room could here.
"But why?" Lightning asked surprised that the wild haired woman would help her after their fight.
"Two reasons my first one being that I can't allow the Sanctum to just kill such a gorgeous girl out of cold blood. And two they are after my little cousin Vanille because she is a l'cie too." Fang
whispered into Lightning's ear. "Thank you." Lightning said before making a point of her handcuffed wrist. "Now please take this thing off it's pretty tight." She said moving it up and down so it
made a clanking noise from grinding against the bedpost. "Alright." Fang said taking out the key and freeing Lightning's wrist from the restraining device.
"Alright let's get out of here..I hate hospitals." Lightning said staggering to her feet as Fang handed her Blaze Edge, Lightning quickly holstered it and stumbled over to the door resting against it.
"What's wrong with me I can barely walk." She asked looking out the door to make sure it was clear.
"Jihl had us drug you so it would make your escape that much harder." Fang said walking over to the girl, who was swaying uneasily.
"Shit I don't feel so good." Lightning said stumbling over to the bathroom in the corner and proceeding to throw up into it. Fang walked over and held her hair back.
"I don't think your ready yet." She said as Lightning continued to spill her innards into the bowl.
"What the hell did that drug do to me?" Lightning asked before throwing up again.
"Oh right. It makes it hard for you to walk and if you walk for too long I think Jihl says it will cause you to throw up." Fang said remembering what the woman had said.
"Damn I can hardly feel my legs." Lightning said wiping her mouth with a nearby towel before flushing the toilet.
"Yeah it'll do that." Fang said helping Lightning over to the bed. "Listen I don't think your ready to try and escape." She continued pushing Lightning back onto the bed.
"Let's just go it should wear of along the way." Lightning said trying to get up only to have Fang push her back down.
"No it won't I heard it's long lasting as in days and weeks that kind of long." She said taking the same seat from before.
"Um...I can't wait that long can I?" Lightning asked the older woman.
"No." Fang replied as Lightning sat back up.
"Then why are you forcing me to lay hear instead of attempting an escape?" Lightning asked.
"Because whether you like it or not you won't be able to get out in your condition." Fang said as Lightning looked down as in a deep thought.
"Then get Cid to...I don't know carry me." Lightning said looking back up at Fang.
"I guess he will help. He's always talking about how close the two of you are." Fang said crossing her arms before standing up. "I'll go see if he can help." She said before leaving.
Lightning decided to take a little cat nap until Fang came back hopefully with Cid. Later on in the day Lightning's eyes fluttered open to see a figure sitting in the chair to her right.
"Wakey wakey dear." A familiar voice spoke. Lightning turned her head and flinched upon seeing Jihl sitting there with a smile on her face.
"What do you want?" Lightning asked weakly and sleepily causing Jihl to laugh.
"You always were really groggy whenever you woke up." Jihl reminisced while staring into Lightning's piercing blue eyes.
"Answer my ques-" Lightning fliched as Jihl's gloved hand started stroking her cheek. "Okay can you let me go now?" Lightning asked coming back to her senses.
"No.I enjoy your company too much." Jihl said playing with a strand of Lightning's hair.
"Too bad I don't enjoy yours then." Lightning said coldly pulling her face away from Jihl's hand.
"Oh come on dear you know I love you." Jihl said causing Lightning's eyes to widen.
"Then let me go and if I come back then I'm yours to keep." Lightning said making Jihl laugh.
"We both know you won't though." Jihl said laughing. "And plus I like having complete control over you." She finished once more petting Lightning's hair.
"Ha too bad you can't control what I say." Lightning laughed bitterly causing Jihl to smile.
"But I could. But unfortunately I don't think you would much enjoy that. However much I would." Jihl said making Lightning shiver.
"Leave me alone you sadistic lesbian." Lightning snapped pulling at her cuffed wrist in an attempt to escape the restrainment device that was holding her to the bed.
"Now now Lightning. Didn't your parents ever teach you that there's nothing wrong about being who you are?" Jihl asked as Lightning stopped attempting to get out and turned to her.
"Please leave." Lightning said tired of Jihl's presence mocking every word that left her mouth.
"As you wish my dear. You see Lightning all's you have to do is ask politely." Jihl said as she left the room. A few hours later Fang, and Cid had managed to get Lightning out of the facility and into
the saftey of her own home.
Lightning was snapped out of her reverie by the sound of the door opening, she looked up to see Cid, and Yaag leading Vanille, and Serah into the cell with their hands tied behind
their backs. Lightning growled at the two her eyes blazing with rage as Serah ran over to her.
"Oh my God Lightning are you okay?" She asked sobbing pressing her body up against her sisters as a sort of hug.
"Mmmf mmm." Lightning moaned resting her head on Serah's shoulder as Fang glared at Cid.
"For crying out loud Cid will you take that thing out of her mouth yet?" She asked glaring at her older brother.
"I can't it's Jihl's orders to keep her quiet." He said looking over at Lightning who was badly wanting to talk with her baby sister to comfort her.
"Oh come on have a heart." Fang said trying to convince Cid.
"Fine but only for a little while...baby sister." Cid said causing Fang to flinch upon hearing her title, Cid walked over to Lightning, and Serah as Vanille took a seat beside Fang.
"Hey Light." He greeted as he knelt down and tugged the ball loose and removed it from her mouth letting it fall to hang around her neck.
"Ah!..um thanks Cid." Lightning said looking up at the dark looking man before looking down at Serah. "I'm fine Serah." She responded to Serah's question.
"Good. How did they catch you?" She asked looking up at her older sister.
"We were surrounded at our campground." Lightning told her before looking at Cid. "Can you give us a little privacy?" She asked angrily.
"Sure babe." He said making Lightning frown at what he called her before walking over to Fang, and Vanille. "I'll find a way to get you girls out of here." He told her before standing and
leaving the room.
Half an hour later after discovering that Vanille, and Serah had been taken too Sazh, and Snow were trudging moodily through Pulse trying to find a way out when they heard a twig snap
behind them. Sazh whirled around pulling out his guns as he did so, Snow did the same readying an ice spell in the direction of the sound. Out of the shadows stepped a man with dark hair
and wore a white suit that immediately screamed sanctum to the two l'cie. "Who are you?" Snow asked, the man's response was walking into the dimming sunlight.
"Cid?" Snow asked as he saw the man he knew from a couple years ago. "Lightning's friend?" He finished staring at the other man before him.
"That is correct." Cid spoke walking towards the two with his hands raised. "I am here to help you." He spoke calmly as Sazh reluctantly holstered his guns as Snow canceled his spell.
"Alright so start helping wheres Lightning?" Sazh asked not very kindly as Cid stopped a few feet from the two men.
"She is on a flying fortress along with your other female friends. It will be quite difficult to rescue her." Cid spoke as Sazh grinded his teeth in anger.
"So what do we do?" Snow asked wondering how in the world they would be able to save their companions.
"My plan is to sneak the two of you aboard on my small airship that the PSICOM don't have authority to search because of my high ranking upon them." Cid explained his plan.
"And once aboard the two of you can change into regular PSICOM armor that covers your face allowing you to discreetly infiltrate the fortress. But getting them out is the hard part."
"What do you mean? it should be easy enough." Sazh cut into Cid's explanation angered that it would be difficult to save Lightning who he secretly has a crush on. But I do think Serah
has figured it out by now Sazh thought thinking back to when Lightning was leaning on his shoulder and Serah came running out and stopped in front of them with a big smile on her face
and said something along the lines of "I told you Lightning." was that it? Sazh hadn't noticed that they had already began walking in a direction and before him was an airship like the
one he used to fly. The three entered the ship and Sazh started it up and flew off towards where Cid said the flying fortress was waiting.
Lightning's ears felt as though they were about to fall off. The last half hour had consisted of Vanille, and Serah making nervous small talk while occasionally humiliating her with their
questions directed towards her that she could not answer since Yaag had returned and gagged her again which just added to her anger and frustration with the current situation.
"So Light how do you feel about the economy lately?" It was Serah who asked this only to tease her.
"Gmmr." Lightning growled in response trying to tell Serah to shut up, and that it's not funny.
"Come on now Serah leave your dear sister alone." Fang said smiling at Lightning's reaction to the constant barrage of questions Serah, and Vanille were assaulting her with.
Jeez why is everybody in a good mood? Were being held captive for crying out loud! kidnapped! do they even know what the word means. Kidnap: To take away to a undisclosed location against
one's will i.e to seize and detain unlawfully. I mean is it really that hard to understand it's in freaking Webster for pete's sake! not really the kind of situation to be happy in. God I'm tired I guess
I'll take a little nap. Lightning thought before closing her eyes and falling asleep.
Sazh expertly maneuvered the airship into the now open hangar of the flying fortress that held his, and Snow's friends. "So what is this thing called?" He asked looking back to face Cid.
"It's called the Doppelganger." Cid said walking over to a closet before taking two PSICOM uniforms for Sazh, and Snow to change into.
"That's an odd name why is it called the 'Doppelganger'?" Snow said the name of the fortress in a mocking manner while making gestures with his hands.
"You see how it is shaped like a sphere." Cid said handing the two men the armored uniforms.
"You mean it is a sphere." Snow corrected cutting Cid off.
"Whatever." The dark haired man said quickly waving off Snow's statement before proceeding. "It got it's name because it is sort of like a duplicate of Cocoon there for makes it a replica-
a doppelganger." Cid explained before ushering off Snow, and Sazh to get changed. Five minutes later they were exiting the airship in full disguise ready to find and save their friends.
"Okay it seems fate is on our side." Cid said pausing as the three passed some PSICOM soldiers. "They are shipping out some civilians that had come in contact with Pulse so if we
hide Light, and the others in the robes worn by these people it should make it easier to get them out of here." Cid explained picking up the pace they were walking at to hurry up their
'operation'. "Wait they bring the infected people here?" Sazh asked surprised that the Sanctum would risk an epidemic in their own multi-million gil facility.
"Yes they are confident that they can handle anything thrown at them." Cid said turning down a hall that was heavily guarded. "Okay here we are." He said leading them to the door with
the most security. Cid nodded to the two guards on each side of the door as they started to unlock it.
"What brings you here Brigadier Raines?" The man on the left spoke after he finished unlocking the cell door.
"Jihl has ordered that the prisoners be transported to a more secure location." Cid responded opening the door and walking through it.
"What do you want?" Fang snarled as soon as he entered.
"I'm here to get you guys out." He said quickly walking over to a drawer hidden in the corner of the room. Opening it he pulled out four collars linked together by a leather strap.
"So why aren't your goons doing anything?" Fang asked staring at the two men standing in the entrance. Snow, and Sazh responded by taking off their helmets to reveal their identities.
"You goofs really?" She asked laughing at the two mediocre-in her eyes-fighters. Sazh went over to Lightning and shook her awake from her deep sleep.
"What? huh? Sazh what are you doing here?" Lightning asked groggily as he took the ball out of her mouth.
"What I wanna know is how you can sleep like that." Sazh said untying her legs before going on and doing the same for Serah, while Snow untied Fang, and Vanille's legs helping them to
their feet. Cid came walked back over to the group with the collars in hand, Lightning gulped loudly as Cid came over to her and put the first one on her. Next in the line was Serah
followed by Vanille, and ending with Fang. "We have to keep the appearance of you guys being prisoners up so they don't get suspicious." Cid explained as he walked back over to the
drawer. He pulled out four black bags made of heavy material and put one over each of the captive's head. He paused in front of Lightning smiling.
"Sorry Light but this needs to go back in just in case we run into Jihl." Cid said taking the large ball in his hand. "Open wide?" He asked, Lightning reluctantly opened her mouth allowing
Cid to push it back into her mouth causing Lightning to gag because of the size of the thing. Cid then locked it in place before placing the final bag over her head, he could hear her
muffled growl through the thick material as he took the leach in hand. The collars linked the four women together so they couldn't make a break for freedom.
"Hey I can hardly breath in hear!" Serah complained as Cid was leading them through the cell door followed by Snow, and Sazh.
"I thought you were going to disguise them." Snow said walking up to Cid's side.
"I thought it would be faster this way." Cid said as he led the girls down another hall, the task proved to be tricky for they couldn't move to fast or it would cause the girls to lose their
balance. But they eventually made it successfully back to the hangar where their airship was already turned on and ready for them.
"What's going on?" Sazh asked worried about who might be in their airship. A man with shoulder length brown hair stepped out of the aircraft upon seeing Cid's return with the 'prisoners'
"Rygdea how's everything?" Cid asked the man which calmed Sazh, and Snow down upon learning the two were acquainted, however the girls showed no change in behaviour for they
could not see what was going on. "Everything checks out fine." The man Rygdea spoke in a calm deep voice as he stepped aside to let the intruders onto the airship.
Once aboard Cid took all the collars off of the captives and removed the sacks from their heads, in unison all three of them took in a gasp of fresh air except Lightning who's mouth was
pretty full at the time. Snow, and Sazh entered the ship and took off the uniforms so they were wearing their normal clothing, Sazh went over to Lightning and relieved her of her gag
which caused her to go into a coughing fit before taking several deep breaths. Then Snow, and Sazh each untied two women each finally relieving them of their much hated bonds.
"Okay let's get out of here." Rygdea said firing up the airship and then flying it out of the hangar. "It's all yours." He said stepping aside to allow Sazh to take the controls.
"So where to?" The dark skinned man asked the group of people behind him.
"I don't know about you guys but take me home I need to sleep in my own bed tonight." Lightning spoke up recovering from her coughing fit.
"Okey dokey." Sazh said setting the auto pilot to the nearest station to Lightning, and Serah's home.
Serah saw Lightning looking around frantically for something and approached her. "Don't worry hear it is." She said handing Lightning her Blaze Edge in it's holster.
"Thanks Serah." Lightning said letting out a sigh of relief before hugging her sister tightly.
What seemed like a couple hours later the airship was pulling into the airport of the sisters hometown, the group quickly got off the airship and made their way to Lightning's home.
Lightning unlocked the door letting them all inside and made their way down the hall and into the living room where Cid confessed his love for her.
"Nice place you got here." Rygdea said as he looked around the rather large room which consisted of a white bar to the left of the room and a t.v surrounded by two love seats and a
couch on the right side of the room. "Thanks." Lightning, and Serah chorused before looking at each other with amusement in their eyes.
"So what's the plan?" Fang asked flopping herself down on the couch.
"Well you guys are welcome to spend the night if you wish but tomorrow I would like to do something about that flying fortress." Lightning replied while yawning although it was only
six thirty in the afternoon. "You mean the doppelganger." Snow said once more waving his arms around making fun of the name.
"Whatever." The strawberry blond snapped back at the older man, as she walked over to the couch and sat down as Fang made room for her. Serah, and Snow took a seat on the love
to the right of the couch while Cid, and Rygdea sat on the opposite seat and Vanille sat on the couch beside Lightning. The seven of them watched t.v for a little while until it was dark.
"Well I'm going to bed." Lightning stated yawning and stretching her arms.
"Wait what about sleeping arrangements?" Snow asked causing Lightning to stop in front of the stairs leading to her, and Serah's rooms.
"Oh yeah that's right Snow you'll be sleeping on the floor." She said jokingly causing Fang, and Serah to burst out laughing.
"Touche Lightning you got me there." Snow admitted while chuckling himself.
"Okay but seriously...um I'm sleeping in my bed obviously..uh we'll have to share beds Serah can share with-" Lightning was cut off by Snow.
"Me right?" He asked like an excited puppy.
"Vanille. That's right Snow I don't trust you but I will be kind enough to allow you to use the guestroom I guess you'll share with Rygdea since I don't know him well and it would be rude to
not give him a bed in my own home. And I guess I'll share with..Fang sorry Cid you got the couch." Lightning finished giving Cid an apologetic look.
"Not a problem." He replied while getting nested in for the night. The rest of the lucky people who have been chosen to sleep in beds for the night made their way up the stairs.
Lightning, and Fang entered Lightning's room and kicked off their boots. "So why didn't you pick to share with Cid." Fang asked as she climbed into the bed.
"I still don't trust him." Lightning said as she stripped down and got into her pink nightgown that went to her mid thigh.
"Yeah I don't blame you." Fang said as the other woman made her way over to the bed. "Which side do you want?" Fang asked as Lightning grabbed a couple of extra pillows from the
dresser beside her bed. "Um...I'll take the right." Lightning said climbing in the right side as Fang shifted over.
"I didn't think you wore pink." Fang said as she eyed Lightning's gown, Lightning shrugged at her statement.
"It was a gift from Serah." She said sitting up in the bed. "The bathroom is over there in case your wondering...I don't think you've ever been in my room." Lightning said pointing at the
bathroom door in the far corner of the room before she turned off the lights. "Alright and no I haven't been in here before...it's nice very large and clean." Fang said gazing around the
now dark room, her eyes falling on her younger friend, "You know that gown is longer than your skirt." The tanned woman said smiling, Lightning turned a shade of red before responding.
"Shut up." She said playfully before laying her head down on the pillow, Fang laughed before doing the same. Five minutes later as both women were about to fall asleep they started to hear
some murmuring through the wall behind their heads. "Vanille, and Serah talking go figure." Lightning said tossing her legs over the side of the bed, slipping her feet into pink bunny slippers
and walking around the side of the bed towards the door. Lightning abruptly turned around upon hearing Fang's laughter. "What?" She snapped as Fang kept laughing.
"Bunny slippers? pink bunny slippers?...really?" Fang said between laughs.
"Another gift from Serah! and plus their nice and soft." She said turning red once more, before leaving the room and walking down the hall to Serah's room where she lightly tapped the door.
"Come in it's open!" Her dear little sister called from inside the door. Lightning opened the door and stepped inside shutting it from behind her.
"Okay you two you may not notice it but we can hear your oh so sweet little voices through the wall so if you two could just quiet down a little bit or even better go to bed it would be greatly
appreciated." Lightning said trying her best to sound sweet, and it appeared to work for Serah, and Vanille just stared at her.
"Wow I thought Serah was joking when she said you have a soft and sweet side." Vanille said seriously looking at the beauty before her.
"Hey your wearing the gown and slippers I got you!" Serah said excitedly pointing at said objects.
"Um..yeah I always do." Lightning said turning red, and walking over to the girls where she kneeled by their bed. "So can you guys quiet down?" She asked daringly batting her eyelashes.
In response Serah, and Vanille just stared at her for a bit shocked and stunned at the fact that she actually just did that, and how beautiful it was.
"Sure sis." Serah said getting her wits back.
"Thanks baby." Lightning replied before exiting the room, she then went downstairs for a glass of water. Feeling the cool air on her exposed skin the strawberry blond retrieved her red satin
robe that rested at the end of the railing of the stairs where she left it the last time she slept in her own bed. Putting it on and tying the front the robe came down just past where her gown
ended. Lightning walked up to the bar and began pouring a glass, turning on the sink she heard a shuffle from the couch.
"Lightning?" Cid asked sitting up to get a better look at her.
"Yeah?" She responded turning the sink off.
"Can you come over here for a minute?" He asked making room for her on the couch, Lightning reluctantly made her way over and sat down with her water in hand.
"So what do you want?" Lightning asked crossing her legs. "And before you say anything these bunny slippers were a gift from Serah, and their nice and soft." She said before taking a drink
from her glass. "Oh they look good on you." Cid said causing Lightning to cross her arms across her chest and narrow here eyes slightly.
"So what do you want? it's kind of late." Lightning said her eyes glancing at the clock of the DVD player which read 1:35.
"Um..I was wondering if you thought about what I said." Cid confessed looking into Lightning's captivating blue eyes.
"No I haven't it hasn't been on my mind seeing as you kidnapped me..you..you..you gagged me God Cid do you know how humiliated I was?" Lightning said angrily towards the man.
"I'm sorry Light, but I also helped you out." Cid said trying to get through to the younger girl.
"True but...God I don't know. Wait what were you even going to do to me in Eden?" Lightning hissed remembering the events of him slamming her against the wall.
"I...was lustful I thought you would never date me so I was going to take what I yearned for." Cid admitted finding it hard to look her in the eyes.
"...You were going to rape me?...take my innocence?...I..I can't believe you!" Lightning yelled the last part before promptly standing up and slapping him hard across the face leaving a red
hand print where she connected. "You are nothing but a monster." She stated before going back to her room.
Damn what have I done? Cid thought as he held his head in his hands. I can't believe I actually thought of doing that to her. He continued as his concious basically ate him alive.
Lightning slammed the door to her room shut as she began to pace the length of floor beside the bed to try and burn off some of her rage, Fang looked up at her still awake.
"What's wrong Light?" She asked but received no answer as the woman continued to pace. "Lightning." She said seriously causing her to stop.
"Your brother." Lightning snarled at the thought of him. "He's a fucking animal." She hissed grabbing her gun blade from the dresser raising it above her head before stopping herself from
breaking something. "What happened?" Fang asked calmly hoping her demeanor would calm the woman down.
"He..argh..back in Eden you know when I was first kidnapped. Well I didn't get out by myself I somehow tricked him into untying me.. and well..he..I." Lightning suddenly found it hard to
get the words out. "It's okay babe just stay calm and the words will just roll off your tongue." Fang said patting the place beside her so that Lightning went and sat there.
"It's just that he had me in a pretty compromising position. And just now downstairs he admitted that he planned on taking my virginity..he was going to rape me." Lightning said taking
deep breaths to calm down, Fang took the sword from Lightning's trembling hands and placed it on the dresser.
"Hey it's okay." Fang said sitting up on the edge of the bed beside the fuming girl while putting an arm around her shoulders and giving her a light comforting squeeze.
"But you gotta learn that the fact is that is most men's first thought when they see a beautiful young lady such as yourself...it blows there mind to where it's all they think about." Lightning
smiled sightly at what Fang had said turning to face her. "You know your pretty good at this." She said giving Fang a hug. "Thanks Fang I don't know what I'd do with out you." She said
making the older woman smile. "Lightning? what's wrong?" A sleepy Serah had made her way into her sister's room unnoticed.
"Um..nothing Serah go back to bed." Lightning said not wanting Serah to know about the topic at hand.
"Nothing my ass Lightning. You don't just slam the door to your room and not tell me why." Serah said waking up.
"Watch your mouth Serah!" Lightning repremanded surprised by Serah's use of foul language that she never used.
"Well I'm sick of you never telling me things that obviously hurt you deep Lightning, and you won't even tell your own sister." Serah said expressing her suppressed feelings.
"...I'm sorry Serah." Lightning said ducking her head. "But I really don't want to tell you this." She admitted looking up at her little sister.
"Lightning I'm your sister if you can't tell me then I don't know how you can tell anyone." Serah said taking a seat beside her sister.
"I'm sorry Serah I guess I'll start opening up to you. I had no idea how much it affected you. And that's why I didn't tell you so I wouldn't worry you. But it seems that's what I was doing all
along." Lightning said unable to hold Serah's gaze so she instead focused on the smooth hardwood floor.
"Hey how about starting now." Serah said softly gently grabbing and turning Lightning's face to look her in the eye.
"Hey I'll leave you two alone I'll sleep with Vanille tonight." Fang said rubbing Lightning's back before leaving the room.
"Okay I'll tell you." Lightning breathed. "You know Cid downstairs? When I was in Eden he untied me, and I attempted to fight him off but still being weak from lack of food, water he was able
to pin me to the wall in a compromising position and-" Lightning stalled finding it hard to speak.
"It's okay just relax your mind." Serah said rubbing Lightning's leg to help calm her.
"And he just told me when I was downstairs that he planned on...r-raping me. Taking my innocence." Lightning finished immediately hugging her sister suddenly overwhelmed with emotion.
"It's times like this that make me really miss mom. Wish she was here." Lightning choked out as a few of her tears fell onto the floor.
"Claire." Lightning's eyes snapped up to Serah's at the mention of her true name.
"Yes?" She asked softly upon hearing her name after all these years.
"It's okay to cry. I miss her too, but just think if she were here she would be extremely proud of you." Serah said smiling sadly at the memories of their mother.
"Thanks Serah." Lightning said giving her sister another hug.
"Now." Serah said leaning back. "Tell me more." She said laying down on the bed pulling Lightning down beside her.
"Fine." Lightning sighed. That night Serah was able to pull Lightning from her shell in her vulnerable, and emotional state making Lightning tell her about all her troubles from the past year
causing Lightning to cry more that night then she did her whole life since her mother's death and she took on the adopted name of Lightning. The two sisters fell asleep hugging one another
in a comforting way with Serah finally content that Lightning finally opened up to her and spoke of her fears, and worries. And Lightning glad that she had gotten all of her troubles off her
chest, and happy to of finally opened up to Serah, and admitted her fears and what scared her most- losing her little sister even if was only her being married to Snow, and that is why she
has been bitter towards him since the day they met. Her most guarded fear was also the most unavoidable.
Oh yes and gagboy Jihl is a lesbian in this story, and is going to come onto, and make passes at Lightning.