It figures I really get back into writing and my computer decides it's going to die on me. Good news though, here's the next chapter. :3 Anyways, soon I'm going to have a poll on my profile for the next fic I should work on. Let your voice be heard!
Thank you kindly for all the comments, and welcome to the new readers who pop up every so often! :3
Purr beta'd! 3
Closer
Hope
Hope groaned as he was tossed to the ground, at some point during the trek to the PSICOM camp, the man had decided it would just be easy to carry the boy. Hope hadn't been exactly appreciative of being carried like a ragdoll, the man's arm had been pressing up against his chest the entire way.
Once I can breathe… Hope inwardly grumbled as he forced himself off the ground and staggered. I'll show him exactly what I can-
"Sazh?" The boy questioned blankly, managing to hurry over to the dark-skinned man. Sazh looked at him curiously, glancing behind the boy towards the path the morning sun was just beginning to light.
"Hey, kiddo." He looked back at Hope. "Where's everybody else?"
Hope winced as he sat down next to his friend, nervously eying the soldier who had carried him here.
"They're um…" Hope didn't quite know how to put this. Lightning and Snow had tumbled off a cliff, Fang had jumped down after them and hopefully survived, and Vanille had been blown clear off the path by a spell. "Delayed."
"Delayed?" The pilot raised an eyebrow at the explanation. "Well it's grand you guys took your time, I was beginning to wonder if anyone was comin'."
"They're coming." Hope took in a sharp breath as he shifted position. "Don't worry."
"Oh, I'm done worrying. Worrying is something you do when you're first captured. I've been their prisoner for a couple of days now, now it's extending into boredom."
The younger of the two had a bewildered expression at just how calm Sazh was being. Hope would've expected the man to be panicking; he had complained and worried through most of the journey before this. Maybe he was just getting used to being in peril. That this sort of thing wasn't worth his time anymore.
"You're oddly calm." Hope stated, watching all the PSICOM people move around.
"I'll worry when the situation arises." Sazh shrugged, crossing his arm. "Currently, the situation is normal."
"Normal?" Now it was Hope's turn to raise an eyebrow. "Being captured by PSICOM, and probably brought to Eden for execution.. That's normal?"
"Yep." Sazh stretched out his legs. "These guys, they're either waiting until they have all of us, or they're not typical PSICOM."
The boy blinked, scanning their captors again. They moved differently, he had found that about the few he had fought. They were tougher, as if they had a full understanding of what they were facing. Of course they were still beatable but four of those guys had given the group reasonable trouble.
There was about twenty or so soldiers here, not including that giant man.
"Who's he?" Hope gestured to the soldier in white.
"Who big guy? He's called Raiden or somethin'. In charge of this lot, answers to some woman though."
"Woman?" Hope narrowed his eyes. "What woman?"
"Dunno that, son. I talked to her briefly, very in-command. Sounded familiar but I couldn't place her."
He frowned. "What did she look like?"
"All clad in that fancy, flex-armor you see some operatives wearin'. Didn't get to see her face."
Oh, well that's just great. Hope's frown disappeared but his mood stayed the same. He winced again as his ribs ached.
Eyes to the sky he sighed, watching as another sky tank began to lower down. Some of the soldiers paused as well, glancing up and then at themselves as the ship hovered above the ground before the pilot landed it with a soft ka-thunk. Normally, this wouldn't have caused alarm to either of the l'Cie, but the fact their captors seemed surprised by the new ship concerned everyone.
Sazh shifted, watching as Raiden stomped over to the lowering ramp, arms crossed.
"Who authorized this?" He growled to the nearest commanding officer, who quickly saluted and handed him a data-pad.
"Lt Colonel Rosch." The soldier stated flatly. Raiden snorted, and shoved the pad back into the man's hands.
"Go back to the Palamecia. We don't need reinforcements."
"He believes otherwise." Again the reply seemed to have an undercurrent of disrespect. Hope shuffled uneasily. "You haven't checked in since the loss of the Behemoth." The soldier spotted the two captives and gestured to them. "Are they l'Cie?"
The gargantuan man nodded. "They are."
"We need to take them to the Eden, for execution."
"We don't have them all yet." Raiden snarled, hand slowly traveling down to the hilt of his sword. "I thought his Excellency wanted all the l'Cie?"
"It's two less we have to worry about."
"… Perhaps I am not making myself clear…" With that Raiden swiped upwards, once massive swing that sent two halves of the soldier flying in separate directions. Hope's stomach lurched and he looked away, gritting his teeth. "You are not taking the prisoners. Not until she gives the clear."
Raiden's eyes fell on the shocked troopers still in the ship.
"Kill them."
Sazh was gob-smacked; he had suspected they were different organizations within PSICOM themselves but this… This implied something else entirely.
Just who had captured them? Because he was sure as hell now it wasn't the same PSICOM he had encountered before.
"So…" Snow tilted his head as Lightning led the way. "We don't have a plan."
"Not really." Lightning threw back, unaware that two of the three people following behind her were admiring her form.
"Plans are overrated anyways." Vanille shrugged bounded off to keep pace with their leader. "Right?"
"Tch." Lightning looked away, crossing her arms instinctively. "Every other plan we've had, has fallen to pieces." She had a point and the girl acknowledge it was a nod. "What would be the point of wasting my breath coming up with another one?"
Fang smirked, playfully watching Lightning's hips sway. "Well, not to be a bother, but without a plan exactly how do you intend to get Hope and Sazh back?"
"Shoot every PSICOM soldier who gets in my way."
"Ah," The tribeswoman rolled her eyes and hurried forward. "So, that giant soldier Vanille told us about."
"I'll shoot him too."
Snow decided to offer his opinion, much to Lightning's display. "I see a big flaw in your plan, Light."
"Well, seeing as it's not a plan, I see a fault in your previous statement."
"Somebody's touchy today."
She stopped then and turned around to face the two, or rather Snow. Grinding her teeth she stomped up to him, fists clenched and eyes burning with fury as she stared the ogre down. Snow have expected to get knocked flat on his ass again, it was something the woman before him seemed to like doing. But the punch never came.
Lightning had finally snapped it seemed.
"They have Sazh and Hope, and we only have a day to catch up and rescue them both. We don't know what we're up against past the fact there's a man that is somehow taller than you, who happens to be a damn l'Cie.
Exactly what plan would you like me to come up with? That Fang and I go charging in, guns a' blazin'? With you rushing in from the side to steamroll any sorry soldier who gets in your way? And what would Vanille do? Stand up on an overhanging cliff to rein spells of destruction down from above?
Because if you haven't realized it yet, those are all schemes from previous plans that went to hell faster than we are!" For emphasis she grabbed his arm and pressed her thumb down hard onto his brand. Snow didn't wince though, just kept her stare. "There is no plan Snow, because we've tried them all. Short of summoning the Shiva sisters and Odin for a big fireworks display, we don't have any options left other than to charge them head on."
Fang and Vanille had actually distanced themselves from the two. Vanille clung to her friends arm desperately, biting her lip as the two others continued to glare death at each other. The tribeswoman clicked her tongue, choosing to stay out of this one.
"Right, Vanille and I will scout ahead. You two work on a plan…" She paused when Lightning's fist somehow clenched tighter. "Or something that resembles a plan. Sound good?"
"Yep!" The girl chimed, bounding off to lead the way, Fang following close behind.
Snow didn't exactly feel safe, being alone with Lightning. She looked ready to murder him, and it was understandable. Things had undoubtedly become weird between the two since that kiss a couple nights ago and last night. He didn't dare move a muscle as her features stayed twisted in that expression of rage, something akin to when he had vowed to stay behind and break Serah's crystal form free from Lake Bresha.
Against his better judgment, he placed one hand on top of hers that was still clutching his brand fiercely.
"It's not your fault, Light."
It's not her fault?
Of course it was.
How dare he even play at understanding what I'm feeling. Stupid son of a bitch-
Her fist flew before she could even finish her thought. She felt it connect hard into his cheek and him recoil from the sudden smash but he didn't fall. He stayed standing, eyes shut tight as he took in the pain from her punch. His hand managed to stay on top of hers too, something she hadn't expected or wanted.
The anger began to subside into guilt. Maybe if she had just moved faster then they all would've been there. She could've saved Hope, countered that man's magic with her own or something.
You're some guardian. You can't defend your sister, and you can't defend Hope either.
Her expression lightened, as did her grip. His eyes opened slowly, worried another hit was about to meet his face.
Tearing her hand away, she stared at it like it was a foreign limb.
Pull yourself together now. Soldiers are not weak; they don't fall apart when an ally is taken.
"We need to catch up to Fang." Lightning stated, as stone-neutral as a computer.
Snow nodded, following close behind. "We also need a plan, we can't take on however many soldiers there are and the l'Cie too."
Lightning's expression didn't change much, but there was a hint of contemplation on her features as she led the way down the path. "Maybe we can use the sisters. If we can ambush most of the soldiers, the others should be in disarray, leaving us with the lone warlord."
"If they're all distracted, Sazh and Hope could escape on their own." The man offered. "Even the odds a bit if any soldiers do manage to gain a footing."
She nodded quickly. "We need to hurry and find the others, come on." She waved to him as she broke into a run.
Snow smiled in secret and ran after her.
"So…" Vanille led on, eying Fang with a sly smirk. Her friend merely glanced at her before going back to scanning the area. "Something happened between you two."
"What?" She countered, looking at the girl. "What gave you that idea?"
The girl shrugged and giggled, poking the woman in the side. "It's all over you. You're distracted."
"Ah, yes, the girl who counts clouds calls me distracted.."
Vanille broke into laughter. "Be as defensive as you like, Fang, but I know. You should just tell me before I ask Lightning."
Fang rolled her eyes. "Uh huh…"
Secretively displeased her taunt hadn't worked, the girl pouted. Crossing her arms defiantly she marched up to her friend and stopped her in her tracks. Fang's eyebrow lowered in curiosity as she watched Vanille pout and frown, varying between the two before a gleeful smile broke through and she clapped.
"You kissed her!"
"You already knew that."
"You did it again," Vanille narrowed her eyes as Fang took a step back and scratched behind her head. It wasn't like the woman to get embarrassed, but there was that simple, yet telling gesture. "You did too! Sly dog! Did she slap you again?"
Fang rolled her eyes. "No."
"Awww, maybe she's beginning to realize how madly in love with you she is!"
The tribeswoman began to walk again, glancing over her shoulder at her younger friend. "Comin'?"
"Wait for me!" Vanille yelped, hurrying. "Did she taste the same?"
"Vanille-"
"Did she? Did she?"
"Oh come on-"
"Tell me!"
Fang huffed, glaring at her close friend with slitted eyes. "Yes."
Vanille beamed, she was practically radiating gleefulness. "Sooo when is the famous Yun Fang gonna make a real move on her?"
Fang nearly choked on the air she was breathing when she heard Vanille ask that. She swiveled around, amusement and surprise written on her face as the girl broke in hysterics. The older crossed her arms, watching with a small, yet happy smile as her friend giggled and gasped for air.
"Aww, Fang, you're too much at times."
"Appears so, I'm just a barrel of fun aren't I?"
"What's so funny?"
The two looked over as Snow questioned the sudden laughter. Lightning was next to him, looking much calmer than before. Fang and her exchanged glances before they all turned their attention to Vanille, who was trying to wave them all off.
"Nothing, don't worry about it." The girl reassured them, smiling innocently. "We have people to save remember?"
"Aye, that we do." Fang looked over at Lightning. "Do we have a plan?"
The sergeant nodded. "Vanille, you and I will take on the l'Cie."
"What about Snow?" Vanille questioned, blinking.
"Don't worry about me," he grinned confidently, raising his branded arm up. "I'll be there soon after I take care of some things."
Fang gave him a suspicious look, but she supposed a plan, even if it involved Snow disappearing, would be better than no plan at all. Her gaze fell upon Lightning, who seemed to be quietly mulling over the details she had yet to reveal. Even with the situation turning dire as it was, she couldn't help but let her mind drift back to the second kiss, and how the sergeant hadn't slapped her.
She was out of it. Fang admitted to herself. The thought brought on a small tinge of doubt, but Lightning had been oddly coherent for someone who had crashed into the ground. Or maybe she's more open to the idea than she'll admit.
Hope, it always seemed to be the thing driving this ragtag group onwards. Whether it was figurative and masked the need for somebody, or a young boy who insisted on causing issues to their once well-laid plans.
"You ready then, Sunshine?" Fang crossed her arms and puffed herself just a tad, looking much more dominant than before. "Or is it all up to Vanille and I?"
Lightning's left brow rose in the slightest and a small, yet challenging smirk appeared on the woman's lips. She simply nodded to Fang.
"Alright then," Snow nodded, begin to part from them. "Let's kick some ass!"
Admittedly, Hope was surprised when Raiden had ordered one of the medics to heal him. He hadn't objected, not after seeing the monster slice a soldier clean in half. He didn't know if he should be thankful or not, Raiden's actions seemed to hint that they wanted the l'Cie for another purpose. As grateful as he was for that not to be a public execution, he was horrified to think what they wanted him for.
Because apparently she wants me… Hope's mind drifted back to seeing Vanille fly off that cliff, and he found himself praying to the gods she was alright. He couldn't stand the thought of anyone being killed or severely injured due to him. Vanille was up there with Lightning for people he cared about. I wonder if Light's okay…
Sazh stretched, yawning loudly. Hope looked at him, sullied. He wanted nothing more than to go home, back to Palumpolem and off this foolhardy quest to save, or end, or whatever they're supposed to do to Cocoon. He would give anything to hear Snow's bellowing laugh or see Vanille's welcoming smile. Or maybe even see Fang and Lightning duel again, because apparently they had when Lightning had stormed off that time…
His thoughts took a slight turn for the worst, and Hope found himself turning red. He looked away, hiding his embarrassed gaze from Sazh as he tried to picture something… Not like that.
So they were sweaty, there is absolutely nothing attractive about that…
Oh, was he ever lying to himself.
At least it was something to deny thinking about as he sat there, completely silent.
The boy's eyes went to Raiden, who was shooing away one of the lessers who were reporting to him. The boy's eyes narrowed as he summed up some courage.
"Excuse me," He was oddly polite, hoping that it would get him more answers than Sazh's method. "Can I talk to you?"
The warlord paused, his mistrust hung in the air as he approached the boy. "What is it?"
"Who's she?"
Raiden stayed quiet, either he didn't know who Hope was referring to, or he simply didn't want to answer.
"The woman you talked about, at the gorge. You said she wanted me."
"Hmm." Raiden crossed his gigantic arms. "I recall."
"Who is she?"
"She'll be arriving here shortly." The answer chilled both prisoners. "I assume that will satisfy your curiosity?"
Hope looked down at the ground as Raiden marched away. Sazh nudged him, trying to comfort the younger man with a smile.
It didn't work. "We're dead." Hope grumbled, kicking the dirt.
"Nah," Sazh waved off the idea. "Come on, our luck may be bad, but every time we're in a pinch somethin' good happens."
"Uh huh…"
"You know for a kid, you can be as miserable as that sergeant at times."
Hope frowned. "Light's not miserable!"
"Sure, and next you'll be tellin' me she smiles and dances under the stars." The pilot laughed at the thought. "Face it, kid, the only person who can beat you in misery is her. Only difference is she hides it."
"I thought…" The boy fumbled with his words. "She was strong, a warrior."
"No doubt she is, but I'm old. Seen things, people exactly like her." Sazh shook his head, staring at the ground. "Outside they're as strong as a behemoth, but inside… Inside they're all pieces. Been torn apart so many times they don't bother puttin' themselves back together anymore."
"Way to lighten the mood." Hope rolled his eyes, receiving a nudge from his friend. The boy shivered then, rubbing his arms. "Huh…"
"What's up?"
Hope exhaled, watching his breath as it was expelled as mist. "Did it… Get colder?"