Ya-haw! Sry been inactive lately due to the World Cup opening! ^^ I'm actually rooting for the underdogs of the game and was practically cheering for the South Korean games! Yay! Nyway' new chapter up! Hope u guys who r reading this do review and give your views! Kinda rhyme lol ^^ anyway enjoy! Ya-haw!


CHAPTER XII: Repeated Mistake

After the settling the dolls business, a fresh, new morning awaits the stoic leader, Lightning. BEEP! BEEP! The alarm clock buzzed. As usual, Lightning threw her pillow to it and it fell to the floor, shutting itself off. Lightning had also expected to find Rikku in her bed and lo' and behold, the foreign girl was chewing away on her hair. She pulled her hair forcefully and straightens the wet exterior, making her fingers sticky with saliva. She had also expected her second alarm clock to appear...one that wouldn't shut off even if she threw the entire bed at it. Here goes...3...2...1...

Her door slams open and Snow's voice boomed throughout the room. "Sis! Rise and shine! Wouldn't want the bedbugs to bite now do ya'?" He chuckled and opened the curtains.

"Ugh...You say that only when I'm about to sleep idiot! And close the curtains, I got the day off today! I wanna sleep in a few more hours..." Lightning muttered.

Something fell lightly on top of Lightning and bounced energetically on her. "Wakey Wakey Lightning-Sis! Don't be a sourpuss in the morning now!" Mini-Lightning said happily. "Here, I brought you a wet towel to wipe your face!" The little doll held out a towel in front of her.

"Thanks..." Lightning muttered and sat up. She wiped her face and gave the towel back to Mini-Lightning, which she happily took and put it in Lightning's dirty laundry bag.

The little doll jumped back onto the bed and pushed Lightning up. "Upsy daisy! Wouldn't want to miss breakfast now do you?"

"O.K. O.K., I'm going..." Lightning sighed and got out of bed. She turned to Snow. "Tell Serah I'll be downstairs in a minute..."

"Sure thing Sis ha ha." Snow laughed and slides downstairs.

"How many times have I told you not to slide on the railings? And I'm not your Sis!" Lightning said irritably.

"Not yet." Snow replied.

"Déjà vu ..." Lightning muttered and closed her door. She yawned sleepily and unbuttoned her pajamas. As she threw her pajamas into the laundry bag and stared at her towel she couldn't help remembering last night's incident. To think that I was only in my towel in front of Cloud... She blushed furiously at the thought. I hope he didn't see anything...then again...

"Lightning-Sis, Serah-Sis gave you a new hair conditioner just now. She put it in front of your room." Mini-Lightning told her.

"Oh, I'll get it..." Lightning said and opened her door. "Where did she put it-" Lightning stopped talking. Cloud was directly in front of her, in his leisure shirt and holding a bottle of milk. He stared at Lightning and she stared back at him. Lightning froze on the spot.

Pink bra... "Uh...Hey, morning..." Cloud mumbled. O.K. this is bad... He expected Lightning to yell at him in embarrassment but to his surprise, her face immediately turned deep red, she clumsily bends down and took a bottle on the floor, and she slammed her door shut. Cloud scratched his head and went downstairs.

Lightning was breathing heavily inside her room, holding the bottle of conditioner tightly. H-He saw me in my underwear... Lightning dropped the bottle and pushed her cheeks with both her hands. I hope he didn't see anything...Maker what he thinks of me now...

She felt her energy drained away and supported herself by leaning on the bathroom door. Calm down Lightning...Go take a bath first and then explain to him properly... She unclipped her bra and reached out for her towel.

Suddenly she heard a knock on her door and the doorknob clicked open. "Um, Claire..." She heard Cloud's voice.

Wait, wait! Lightning frantically reached towards the door and lost her footing. She stumbled and fell face forward. "Ungh...Ouch..." She massaged her head lightly and focused her eyesight. Cloud was staring at her, mouth hung open. She was lying on top of him, half-naked. She felt something touching her chest. A hand...Cloud's hand...On my breast...

Of all the days for her to come and wake her sister up, Serah chose the wrong moment to walk into Lightning's room. "Claire wake up! I know you're on leave today but-..." her words drifted off as she looked at the scene. She froze in front of the door. Cloud...Claire...Breast...

"S-Serah, it's not what it looks like!" Cloud moved away his hand quickly and looked at the younger girl in panic.

Serah stared at them. "Um, I-I'll leave you two alone..." She squeaked and closed the door.

They heard her ran off while saying "I didn't see anything, I didn't see anything..."

Lightning merely watched the door for awhile and then turned to Cloud. Take a deep breath... "K-!" She screamed.

Downstairs, Fang was having toast with Vanille.

"Fwat' wash' that?" Vanille asked curiously while munching on her toast.

Fang stared at the ceiling. "Meh, nothing I'm not used to by now." She shrugs as she spreads butter on her toast.

XXX

"I can't believe you touched my..." Lightning muttered off darkly as she steered her hovercraft.

"I'm sorry..." Cloud apologized again, bowing deeply behind her. He had been apologizing profusely since they left the house.

"Hey lovebirds! Don't do anything kinky over there now he he..." Fang shouted from another hovercraft.

"Shut it Fang!" Lightning bellowed, face turning red.

The morning was chaotic as usual, although for the first time it was due to Cloud. Fang squeezed the details out of Serah and Lightning would've given almost everything she owned for Serah to have told someone else instead. Fang had been teasing them since breakfast and they have been awkward with each other. In truth, Lightning wasn't really mad the whole thing happened, she had knew it was an accident and it had been her fault, but she wished Serah hadn't seen it. Now she has the impression Cloud and I did it...

"I'm sorry..." Cloud mumbled again.

"Sigh* Stop apologizing Cloud, I'm not angry with you..." Lightning sighed. Poor guy has self-esteem issue now...

"B-But..." Cloud tried to apologize again but Lightning waved him off.

"I-It's no big deal, really." It's a HUGE deal actually... Lightning thought truthfully. She didn't want Cloud to be nervous around her and she certainly didn't want him to distance himself because of this.

"Seriously?" Cloud asked her.

"Seriously." Lightning repeated, turning around to smile at him.

He smiled back and returned to his usual demeanor. "So...where are we going?"

"To buy groceries, why else?" Lightning looked at him.

Earlier in the morning Serah had discovered that they were out of food supplies and their item stocks could use some resupplying. Lightning had immediately offered herself to buy the groceries, wanting to make amends with Cloud alone. However Fang and Hope offered themselves too, each with their own agenda. As there were only two hovercrafts in the house and Sazh hadn't arrived, only the four of them went out.

Glad she cheered up. Cloud smiled to himself and chatted with Lightning about the items they were supposed to buy.

On the other hovercraft, Fang was chuckling to herself as she watched the two and Hope was simply dumbfounded.

"Blimey those two are really tight...I never knew Light would let anyone to hug her from the behind like that." Fang eyed them gleefully.

Hope gaped at the two. "S-So do you think they're together or something?" Hope stuttered as he speaks. I've never seen Light laugh like that...

Fang understood where Hope's getting at through his intonation. "...Yeah I guess so. Light really has the hots for him y'know?" Fang said without hesitation. Better not give him any false hope...

"I-I see..." Hope said, looking downcast.

"Well anyway how are you and Rikku doing?" Fang changed the subject tactfully.

"Rikku? We're doing fine I guess, she's teaching me how to speak Al Bhed." Hope said, cheering up as Rikku was brought into the conversation.

"Al Bhed? Her language?" Fang egged on.

"Yeah, mind you it's very complicated. But at least I can..." Hope went on by himself.

Fang looked at him, satisfied, and steered the hovercraft to follow Lightning's.

"So I was wondering Fang, who're you dating?" Hope suddenly asked her.

Fang jerked a bit and looked at the young boy. "Dating? Me?"

"Oh sorry...Bad question?" Hope looked at her apologetically.

"What do ya' mean by that? Anyway I'm not dating anyone. I already have my hands full handling Vanille and you lot. Adding a guy into my life would have disastrous results ha ha." Fang laughed at him.

"Oh I guess you have a point. Ha ha, I can't imagine you with a guy Fang..." Hope laughed.

"Got that right. No need to be hasty with pickin' a mate now." Fang winked at him and concentrated back on steering the hovercraft.

XXX

They parked their vehicles in the sky parking lot and Lightning swiftly makes her way to the supermarket, not wanting to waste time. Hope walked quickly to catch up with her while Cloud and Fang idled behind.

"Hey if you guys don't hurry it up all the fresh vegetables will finish by the time we get there!" Lightning said impatiently to the two.

"And since when did you become a housewife?" Fang joked while Cloud merely chuckled.

Lightning gave her an 'hmph!' and strode off.

"Blimey that Light really needs to loosen up. She treats everything like a war." Fang shook her head.

"Well, that's just how she is though." Cloud gave a small smile.

Inside the supermarket there were a number of people doing their shopping. Hope was pushing a trolley cart while Lightning was busy skimming through the shopping list.

"Let's see now...Eggs...Butter...Flour...Etc... Alright let's get to it guys." Lightning looked at them seriously. "Cloud, you go get the meat supplies. We need ribs, tenders and sirloin meats."

Cloud nodded and went towards the butcher's aisle.

"Fang, get the fruits and vegetables. Make sure to ask the lady with the hose to give you the fresh ones." Lightning looked at Fang.

The raven-haired woman chuckled and left.

"Finally...Hope!" Lightning looked at him seriously.

"Yes Light!" Hope straightened his back and looked at her hopefully.

"Follow me to the dairy products. I want you to taste test their new artificial milk. I think it's not poisonous." Lightning turned and marched off.

Hope stared at her back fearfully and whimpered as he pushed the trolley cart to follow her.

XXX

Cloud studied the meat selection carefully, remembering that Lightning wanted the finest parts. So should I pick cow, sheep or goat? What are they anyway? Unfamiliar with the names of the animals, he pondered on their tastes.

As he debated with himself, someone whispered behind him.

"Psst! I'll get cow's meat if I were you. Their sirloin tastes the best."

Cloud turned to see the female waitress from the cafe smiling at him. He remembered her from his first date with Lightning.

"Thanks, I'll take that then." He took the meat and put it in his basket.

"So, out shopping for food?" The black-haired woman asked him.

"Yes..." Cloud had forgotten her name.

"Lebreau." She helped him, offering a handshake.

Is she psychic? "Right. Cloud." He introduced himself and shook her hand.

"Hmm, so where's your doll, stud?" Lebreau looked around.

"Oh, Claire's somewhere around..." Cloud answered her.

Lebreau raised her eyebrows. "Claire? What happened to Lightning?"

"Um, they're the same person actually." Cloud explained to her and told her Lightning's real name.

"So Lightning's real name is Claire? Wow, I didn't know that." Lebreau nodded appreciatively.

"What I don't know is why everybody wouldn't just call her Claire. I mean, only Serah calls her that." Cloud shrugs.

"Well since a long time ago she's been makin' us call her handle name, so it's kinda a culture shock to be callin' her Claire now." Lebreau snickered.

"Yes, well I need to choose the meat well or she'll definitely scold me." Cloud smiled slightly.

"So I heard from Snow the other day...You guys livin' together?" She grinned at him.

"Claire has been kind enough to offer me a room. Although I must not overstay my welcome more than I should." Cloud looked at her thoughtfully.

"Geez, you sound like some corny guy with a weird accent. Hmm, I've said it before though, you're not so bad lookin' yourself stud...much handsomer than the guys I roll with I'd say." She smiled at him seductively.

"Uh...thanks?" Cloud thanked her doubtfully, not sure if it was a compliment or not.

Lebreau took out a piece of paper and wrote down her number. "Look here's my number, I'm not hitting on ya' mind you! Lightning can be a handful, ask anybody. So anytime ya' need help to catch her heart jes' call me kay'?" She said as she passed him the paper.

"She is a spirited one I'll say." Cloud nodded in agreement and took the paper.

"Right, if ya' need any help jes' holler me up kay'? Although if she broke your heart ya' can call me up too, I'll be there for ya'." Se winked at him mischievously.

Cloud merely smiled at her.

"Best for me to be off then, I got three kids to feed at home. Maker, they're useless without me and there's a lot I need to buy too." Lebreau sighed.

"If you don't mind I'll help you out." Cloud offered his assistance.

"You sure? How bout' your gal then?" Lebreau looked at him.

"I've finished my chores, I'm sure she wouldn't mind me doing a detour." Cloud winked.

"You're a lifesaver, let's get crackin' then." Lebreau gave him a sigh of relief and took out a really long list from her skirt-pocket. The list touched the floor and rolled around them.

"That's a long list." Cloud raised his eyebrows.

"What can I say? The guys are lost without me." Lebreau laughed.

The two chatted away as they looked around the supermarket to finish the list.

"Hel~lo there, what do we have here?" Fang whistled as she watched the two, holding a basket full of greens.

XXX

Lightning stared at the box of milk suspiciously, shaking it slightly and looked at Hope. "You sure this one is alright?"

Hope was sprawled on the floor and was forcing his mouth shut with his hand. He nodded slowly and covered his mouth with both his hands so as not to vomit.

Satisfied, Lightning grabbed a couple of cartons and put it into the cart. "Right, that's done. What're you doing down there Hope? Let's go." She pushed the trolley cart to the cashier as Hope followed her slowly. "Now where are the others?" She looked around.

Fang spotted them and made her way to the two. She added her own stuffs into the cart. "There ya' go o' great leader. Got the freshest greens too." She chuckled.

"Great. So where is Cloud?" Lightning glanced across the aisles, but she couldn't see the spiky blond-hair anywhere.

"Oh, uh...He's a lil' bit busy right now." Fang said. Don't need to say anything, no unneeded trouble caused...

"He's with Lebreau." Hope croaked, stabilizing himself with the help of the trolley cart. "Saw him passed by us just now..."

"What are you talking about Hope?" Lightning frowned at the younger boy. Behind her Fang was silently mouthing and shaking her head at him not to say anything.

"I dunno what they were doing though...He was laughing and she was laughing..." Hope mumbled as he massaged his forehead.

Lightning stared at him for a moment, and then she turned back and headed towards the inside of the supermarket.

Fang smacked her own face and Hope merely groaned as the raven-haired woman pulled him to follow Lightning. "Just can't keep your lid closed now can't ya'..." Fang shook her head and sighed.

XXX

"Ha ha seriously? You know a guy like that?" Lebreau laughed.

"Yep, he can talk and swear at the same time. You ought to meet him, Cid's a character alright." Cloud nodded his head while he too was laughing slightly.

Lebreau's list was finished in short time as both of them had swiftly covered the whole supermarket and filled her trolley cart in record time. Cloud had seen Lightning together with Hope in the dairy products area, although the little guy looked slightly green to him.

"Thanks a bunch stud, now I can kick back and relax the whole day!" She thanked him happily.

"No problem..." Cloud replied, pushing the trolley cart for her.

"Time." a sinister voice hissed.

Suddenly Cloud felt a dangerous aura lingering in the air. He looked around, alarmed. He felt his body grew heavy and felt as though time had slowed down. What the hell, what the hell. Everything else seemed to have stopped moving. He looked at Lebreau, she too seemed to have difficulties moving and was breathing heavily.

"C-Cloud..." She gasped.

"Something's not right... Hang on!" He scanned the area.

Out of the corner of his eye he could see a number of thin, long missiles forming at the edge of the aisle. Without warning, the missiles were shot towards them.

Move! With all his might Cloud jumped towards Lebreau and pushed her down, safely avoiding the missiles. It hit the floor but to Cloud's surprise it didn't even explode or cause a dent.

More missiles were shot out of nowhere and Cloud carried Lebreau in his arms hurriedly as he dodged them. Where the hell are these things coming from? A row of missiles appeared right in front of his eyes. Unable to dodge, Cloud braced himself for the hit.

"Tch, don't give up now!" Lebreau yelled and shot at the missiles. They exploded and Cloud side-stepped out of the way. Lebreau gripped her gun tightly. "He he, never went out without it..." She winked at him, but Cloud knew that she was strained under the unknown pressure.

"Thanks..." He muttered to her and dodged another set of missiles. Need to find the source... "Hold on tight." He told Lebreau as he unsheathed his sword.

Cloud stopped in his tracks and surveyed the motionless supermarket. Lebreau put her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. "Here goes..." He exhaled deeply.

As another row of missiles appeared out of thin air, Cloud slashed the air around it. "Cross-slash!" He performed a set of sword moves and Kanji words emerged from his sword, stopping the assailant from moving.

"...You're better than I thought..." The invisible attacker muttered.

Before Cloud could say anything the environment immediately returned to normal. The enemy had disappeared and the people around the two started moving as usual.

Lebreau gasped for air and Cloud held her, slowly sitting down. "T-Thanks stud..." She muttered as she breathes in and out.

"Try not to stand for now, I got you so don't worry..." Cloud told her. Another problem arises it seems... Cloud thought gravely.

"Thanks..." She thanked him again and leaned her head on his chest, panting heavily. "D-Did you get a glimpse of him?" Lebreau asked him.

Cloud shook his head. "He was invisible, probably wearing a veil to hide himself." He said.

"Probably guys from PSICOM..." Lebreau muttered to herself.

Cloud wanted to ask her about PSICOM but just then he felt another kind of dangerous aura. He turned back slowly to see Lightning frowning at him.

"C-Claire..." Cloud stared at her.

"So what are you doing there Cloud? Having fun?" She said in a dangerous voice.

"N-No, you see there was-" His words were cut short by Lightning.

"I left you for just an instant and I find you being cozy with her!" Lightning stared pointedly at Lebreau.

"I wasn't being cozy with anybody!" Cloud protested.

"Oh, and I suppose you're hugging her just for fun then?" Lightning challenged him, her temper rising up drastically.

"L-Light, this was an accident... We were..." Lebreau tried to explain but Lightning was having none of it.

"Save the excuses... Really...that's pathetic Cloud..." Lightning sighed and looked away, not wanting to look at Cloud.

"Claire..." Cloud stood up and touched her shoulder but she shrugs him off.

"Don't you Claire me you-you..." Lightning muttered, and hugged herself tightly. "Go away...I don't want to see you again..."

Fang looked at her in alarm. No-no, don't go saying that Light!

Cloud looked downcast and backed away from Lightning.

"It was stupid of me to think you were different..." She went on. "Some idiot I am, believing you were ever sincere with me..."

"Claire..." He mumbled, hurt by her words.

The atmosphere was getting tense and neither of the two said anything to the other. Cloud stared at her while Lightning looked away determinedly.

"Now listen you!" Lebreau suddenly yelled. She stood up and glared at Lightning. "Don't let your emotions get the better of you! Try to calm down for one sec and listen to him for Maker's sake!"

Lightning stared at the woman. "What's there to listen?" She scoffed and looked away again.

"You-" Lebreau began angrily but Cloud held her shoulder. He shook his head and Lebreau desisted.

He looked at Lightning for a moment, wanting to explain things to her clearly, but he sensed something odd was about to happen outside. I can beg for mercy later...Now... "If you want me out of your hair...fine...I'll go..." he didn't want to say it like that but it was the only way he could walk out of the situation quickly.

"Cloud!" Lebreau protested.

He smiled slightly and made his way out, Fang and Hope stared at him silently. Lightning wasn't even looking at him.

After he left Lebreau grabbed her trolley cart and paid for her groceries. She gave Lightning one final look. "You'll regret pushing him away like that hun..." She sighed and left.

Lightning stared hard at the floor, scowling. Fang stared at her silently.

"What?" Lightning asked her angrily.

"It's really not my position to say anything...but you shoulda at least hear the poor boy out...Blimey, that was really cruel, even for you Light." Fang shook her head and walked out.

Hope groaned again and looked at Lightning. "D-Did Cloud do anything wrong? I-I felt kinda sorry for him..."

Lightning scowled at the silver-haired boy and he cowered from it, slowly making his way following Fang.

Lightning stood there all by herself, thinking hard. She knew Cloud wasn't the type to do something like that but... My jealousy got the better of me... Lightning winced from remembering her own mistake. First Serah...now Cloud... "Why am I always so emotional...?" Lightning muttered to herself.

XXX

Lightning left the supermarket alone and carried the paper bags into the house. After putting the stuffs in the kitchen for Serah to sort out, she walked into the living room. Fang was sitting alone on the sofa, not looking at her. Lightning sighed and sat down beside her.

"..." Fang stayed silent, concentrating hard on the television even though it's switched off.

None of them said anything to each other. Fang was adamant on keeping quiet and Lightning was getting unnerved by her determination. Usually she'd make fun of me in these kinds of situation...

Lightning twiddled with her finger and finally broke the silence. "Sigh* Let's hear it now...I was wrong wasn't I?" She sighed and looked at Fang worriedly.

Fang merely nodded curtly, still frowning at the television.

"I know I shouldn't have brushed him off like that...and I shouldn't have said all the other craps that I did..." Lightning continued.

Fang nodded again.

"Fang! Say something, anything!" Lightning exasperated.

The raven-haired woman sighed and frowned at Lightning. "What am I supposed to say Light? I'm not even in the mood to laugh at you or make fun of you. Back then you handled the situation poorly, and you're supposed to be a soldier for Maker's sake!"

"I-I know..." Lightning said, biting her bottom lips.

"Blimey, that's the first time I see you get so emotional! Between your outburst and your fist, I'd rather take your punch again!" Fang continued. Even though she was unhappy with Lightning's attitude, she was speaking with a calm and rational tone.

Lightning had no reply for that so she stared at the floor guiltily.

"Look, I know you think he was flirting with her but..." Fang ruffled Lightning's hair gently.

"He's not that kind of guy." Lightning finished for her.

Fang stared at her in surprise. "So what was all that then?" She frowned again.

"I-I dunno, I just kinda, lost control when I saw them together..." Lightning said in a small voice.

"Oh boy, you need to work out your envy girl..." Fang shook her head.

"So what should I do now?" Lightning asked her for advice.

Fang thought for a moment. "Firstly, call Lebreau and apologize. Second, go and look for that boyfriend of yours and apologize to him.' She said seriously.

Lightning made some weird noises but Fang gave her a 'tut-tut'. "You're in the wrong and you should hear their side of the story. Now go call her up, after that I'll help you look for Cloudy Boy." Fang said seriously, and then ruffled Lightning's hair again. "Sigh* The things I do for you lot." She sighed.

Lebreau had been waiting for Lightning's call. She had happily accepted her apology and also told Lightning to go look for Cloud. Lightning hear Lebreau's explanation of what had happened in the supermarket.

"Seriously I'm not lying Lightning! It's like time stopped all of a sudden!" Lebreau said determinedly.

"Alright I understand...Maker, I look like a fool right now...Cloud..." Lightning muttered.

"I'm sure he'll understand hun, he's not the type to hold a grudge. Now go get your guy!" Lebreau assured her.

Lightning gave her a quick 'thank you' and ended their conversation. As she made her way back into the living room Fang had switched on the television. An emergency broadcast was put on air.

"-and the two figures are still fighting with each other. Their battle is destroying the New Bodhum Park and nobody knows what started it. The Guardian Corps had already been dispatched but it seemed they were unable to stop or interfere in the battle. So far there are no casualties yet reported..."

Lightning stared at the screen. Two small figures are fighting with each other. She didn't recognize the man carrying the gun-like sword, but the other one was- "Cloud." She gasped.

Cloud was bleeding profusely and Lightning could see that he was injured badly. He's hurt... She couldn't hear his words from the television but he was shouting something towards his foe.

Lightning had a sudden flashback when Serah was captured by the fal'Cie. Lightning remembered that she was the one who had chased Serah out of the house and inadvertently led to her capture.

"He's out there...because of me..." Not wanting history to repeat itself, Lightning quickly made her way to the garage, Fang followed swiftly.

Wait for me Cloud... Lightning thought desperately as she switched on her hovercraft's engine.