Well it's been a really long time but I found this again and I just wanted to pick it up. I seriously doubt any of my readers are still around but it's worth a shot. Here you go guys, all for ya.
Chapter 12: Don't Count Chickens
Fang had slept without tossing and turning, odd a time as it was to be calm, for the first time since Vanille had begun her little side business. Waking up she felt refreshed and quite content knowing that throughout the night there was no rogue wizard that managed to sneak up on them in an attempt to recover the young magi under their watch. Her watch, Fang corrected herself. She could still see Lightning now, pacing every so often with her fingers idly tapping against the hilt of her blade at her hip. The woman hadn't slept all night and the sun was just starting to peak over the horizon, a wonder she still had the energy to pace without her head dipping or a yawn escaping her lips. Then, it was as if on cue her hand raised delicately to her mouth to cover up a yawn as Fang trailed her fingers through her mussed mane of hair.
"Good morning sun..."
"Finish that word I dare you." The princess was back to her cranky self after being so confused by Fang the night prior, it was almost pain how she acted as though it never happened.
"Shine." Fang muttered, pulling her lance from the tree Lightning turned into their lookout post. A fist came towards her face much too quickly for Fang to react to. She turned away from the blow, softening it but it still stung against her jaw. "I thought..." She paused and worked her jaw, a little frown from how much it ached. "We were past hitting the bandit." Lightning simply glared and Fang realized she was wrong. She hadn't gotten past last night and pretended it never happened, she'd settled on being a touch bitter and more than a little angry at the woman. Fang wasn't sure which hurt more, the anger or thinking that she'd forgotten.
The talking between them would have to wait and they both knew that, already returning to silence and moving to wake the young magi that they'd rescued the day prior. Lightning was surprising gently with them even while being frustrated, which made Fang quirk an eyebrow even while she rolled up the small bedrolls they'd packed on their horses. Hopefully the boy they'd sent off returned soon with help because the movement of these magi would be slow without any assistance. Those that could travel could barely help those that couldn't and Fang couldn't carry four young men and women herself. They could walk using Odin for two but she wasn't sure how the steed would respond to someone other than Lightning riding him.
"I'm going to fetch Odin, keep guard and prepare them for travel." It seemed Lightning had the same idea, and hopefully with her guidance the horse would remain calm.
Fang moved around wordlessly when Lightning left, letting her actions speak for themselves as she helped up the weak magi. It tore at her heart to see people not unlike Vanille or herself so ruined for what they were. She'd thought for years that the royal family had done this to people, had sent the orders to gather up all those capable of such feats but she'd been wrong. She'd been terribly wrong seeing as the youngest princess was one of these gifted people. Lightning would never allow her sister to be gathered up and treated so terribly, and as she thought back to the guard that Lightning had slain to save these kids Fang's frown deepened. Something had stirred in Lightning then, something terribly dangerous that Fang found herself just about afraid of. The look in Lightning's eyes when she'd turned to stare at Fang said something that she wished she hadn't read.
"Gather the two weakest and we'll start walking from here." Lightning's orders were direct and Fang found no problem in lifting the two weakest among them. They were so light, so malnourished and injured.
Leave them. Lightning let her fingers flutter to her temple. We need them, let them stay here. Her eyes closed briefly in a wince, shaking her head with an adamant no from her lips. Though it was a whisper Fang had caught it just as she returned from settling Odin with his newest passengers. Her eyes settled on Lightning in fervent worry, furrowing her brow. Would you rather Serah complete our task? Little Serah, she could. Lightning's eyes shot open and she turned her gaze towards fang angrily.
"Take your horse and get back to the castle -now-." Fang didn't question the words, she knew better by now
"Stay safe." Was all she muttered back.
At The Castle
"Serah are you alright?" Snow questioned the youngest Farron princess, his arm not in a sling slid over her shoulders. Serah simply shook her head, rubbing her temples as a throbbing headache had settled in over the past few minutes. The suddenness of it shocked her and it showed. "Let's get you to bed before your big sister clobbers me for not taking care of you."
"She'll 'clobber' you anyway for touching me." Serah whispered, afraid anything louder would cause her head to explode. Even so she was already leaving his hold, muttering things to herself about stupid headaches and how Lightning should have them not her.
Every step of hers felt heavy, sluggish, like she was attempting to wade through molasses on her way up the stairs and her door felt like it weighed thousands of pounds as she shoved it open. Serah. She blinked and spun around, deciding it was a very bad idea as she gripped her doorknob to keep from falling straight to the stone floor below. She decided she was just imagining it, the conclusion coming to her rather quickly before she slipped under her soft sheets to attempt some form of rest. Serah. Her eyes snapped open and she knew she wasn't imagining things.
"Who's there?" She called out, looking to the door that she remembered securely shutting, at least she thought she did. "Snow?" And there was no answer just another Serah. "Stop scaring me Snow!"
For those of you that don't know the saying it's "Don't count your chickens before they hatch." That's how I always heard it anyway, so that's the reference for the chapter name. Thought I'd explain it just in case. Also I know it's a little smaller than normal but I'm trying to get back into it again.
