I also noticed by habit of putting in past verbs into the parts that are happening at the moment. I am trying to break the habit. So...I know there are probably mistakes in this chapter, but did I at least fix a few better than before? Chapter Dedicated to Nancy and Larken

song inspiration: Pale By Within Temptation. You should really listen to this song. Suits Garnet as well as her struggle in this story.

GARNET:

Sora sprang up like a jack in the box with his jaw wide open.

"You want to join the army?" I stood up next to him.

"Why is that such a surprise? Cause I'm a woman?"

"No, of course not..." he says looking down.

"Then why is it weird for me to join?" I holler.

"I just...don't think..." He let out a large sigh.

"Think what?" I reply, trying to look at his face for answers. Sora looks at me with a serious face.

"I don't think you can handle it."

"I can do anything if I put my heart into it..." I turn my body towards the sky.

"I bet you could . But that isn't what I meant." He let out a large sigh

"Then elaborate." My voice very stern.

"I don't think you're ready to experience the battlefield. Or even heartless enough to kill someone."

Kill someone... Could I handle taking a life? Even if it meant protecting my own? Must we take lives in order to create a change...? Of course...the world has always been this way.

"You're too caring to take a life. You're hands are meant to heal...not wound..." Sora smiles at me, Trying to persuade my decision. Maybe he is right. But how can I truly know what I am capable of until I challenge myself?

"What do you know about me to conclude that I am too caring...?" I reply boldly

"Well...for one...You cared enough to take me in. An ex-soldier from a kingdom that is at war with yours..." He trembles on his own words, speaking as he thought.

"Yeah, so? I don't believe in judging anyone just because of certain circumstances. You aren't a bad person, which is why I care. But I care for you as I would for any regular person. Of course,"

I turn to look at him.

"If you did something to make me stop caring, then that's when my attitude will completely change towards you." He no longer stared at me in the eyes. I face the sky once again and say,

"Don't quickly judge me by what I choose to show Sora." I smile in an attempt to uplift the awkward feeling I created between the both of us. I am being honest but it seems to have came out a bit rude.

"Hahaha! You're right though. Sorry to have quickly judged you." I look at Sora, confused as he laughed and looked back at the sky. This boy confuses me.

"You should do whatever your heart content. I would be a hypocrite to say you shouldn't do something because it may seem difficult." I look down with a smirk on my face and say,

"Though you say that it seems to me like you don't want me to join." Sora turns to me and stared. After a few moments, I felt his eyes remain on me. Creating an awkward feeling in my stomach. My head turned to look at him out of reaction. He sighs, looks down and acts as if he lost the sense to speak.

"I just..ugh...I..." He sighs again and after a while he finally speaks up,

"War changes people. Especially those on the battlefield. I don't...want you..." He starts tremble on his words.

"I just don't...wanna see that horrible change come over you." He says facing me directly.

"I have to stand up to be stronger. I want to create a better future for all those I care for... I've..." I look to the floor and grasp my necklace.

"I've wasted too much time in my life focusing on what I could have done instead of actually doing something..."

NOCTIS:

I slouch on my chair inside of my tent. The oil lamp lit my surroundings. I stretch my feet far down and propped my elbow on the arm of my chair and laid my face against my knuckles. The rage inside remains at a boiling point. We're resting in the middle of no where, far from Sacria, preparing for our next battle. It took us a few days, but we rid of all the soldier's from Scartus out of every town in my kingdom. My eyes closed until the sound of someone walking through the curtain of my tent. I remain in my position but with my eyes open.

"What?" I demanded.

"Your highness, there is a shortage of blankets for our soldiers..." The man hesitates to complain.

"That is all...? My tolerance is slowly deteriorating

"Well...Yes your highness. Our troops are a bit cold."

"Get out and don't ever bother me with such small matters again." I growl. I remain in my position. He slowly left my tent and I close my eyes again. Due to not sleeping for the past three days, I slightly fell into into the darkness of sleep. My mind is at is. But only until Garnet came into my mind. I want to wake up, but my body refused to.

The faint memories of Nigel pointing to Garnet's crystal and her screaming back echoed in my head.

The last face Garnet had shown me haunted my conscious the most. I woke up, shaken.

"Why...is she even on my mind...?" I put my hand on my forehead. I remove my hand and shook my head.

"I must rid myself of these negligible thoughts. There are much more important matters for me to worry about." I softly whisper to myself.

Garnet:

It's next day, and we immediately went to sign up for the army. After a long time, my feet grew very sore because of waiting in the long lines to sign up. I look around and feel at ease and proud that I wasn't the only woman signing up. I will admit that I do feel a bit nervous because this is new to me. But Sora always turn to smile at me, assuring me that there is nothing to worry about. Finally, after a few hours, I am up front, signing the forms.

After, they direct me into another large group, with sora.

"What's going on now...?" I shout to Sora through the loud voices from the dozens of people in the group.

"Hmm...I'm not quite sure. After I signed up for the army, I was told to go home and wait for a phone call."

"Hmm..." I look around with wonder.

"But now is a time of war. They probably aren't going to waste time. They're most likely going to tell us which camp we are going to stationed in and what time to arrive back."

"This quick?" This couldn't be happening. I'm not even over the fact that I signed up yet. Sora looks out into the crowd and says,

"They need to train us, instead of doing an evaluation, they're going to take as much help as they could get. Scartus is a much larger kingdom compared to Sacria any time wasted could make a great difference to the outcome of this war." Anxiety fills my soul and crunches my stomach. The night finally came and Sora and I went home with tickets that included our date to go back to the camp for transportation. The rush went away and I just felt proud of myself.

"So...we're leaving in two days huh?" Sora says out of shock

"I still can't believe it." I exclaim staring at my ticket.

"You're very brave Garnet..." I look at Sora who is smiling at me. The gentleness in his eyes reminds me of Noctis' I face away ashamed at the thought of him and what use to be. It makes me feel weak to be sad over something such as him. When they're other things to worry about.

"That's very flattering to hear..." I stutter, trying to hide my discomfort.

"I mean it. Even a lot of men are scared of war, and avoid signing up at all costs."

"Why must a woman be compared to men to show great strength...?" My voice shown a bit of annoyance.

"Must you take everything so sexist...?" Sora replied exhaustively.

"No, but I am just asking you a question..." Regret. All I feel now. I am still frustrated and stressed out about everything that I'm just striking it at Sora over little things that I never really get offended over.

"Well...for one. The majority of men join the army compared to women which is why I compare you to a lot of men. They are mostly known for joining instead of women." Sora spoke carefully.

"Thank you..." Sora just looked at me out of confusion.

"For what?" He asked

" For putting up with me and actually answering my ridiculous questions." I giggled. Sora grinned and softly laughed to himself.

" I take it back...You're brave and weird Garnet!" Sora says laughing preparing to run away.

"Hey!" Sora starts to run down the street. Laughing, I chase him down the empty road. My smile... real this time.

Eh...I'm going to end it here because a lot of stuff will happen in the next chapter and I don't want to make this chapter super long. I will update really soon. REVIEWS PLEASE