Chapter Thirteen
Author's Note: Hi, everyone. Here's the next chapter! I have another big test coming up, so the next update might take a while. I hope you like this one! :)
Disclaimer: If I owned FFXIII, I assure you that there would be no question as to whether or not Fang x Vanille is canon. Enough said, I think.
Vanille awoke with a pleasant sigh as a beam of golden sunlight slipped between the curtains and washed over her face. She stretched, groaning softly, and gave a start when she felt a warm body lying beside her. Her eyes fluttered open, a brow arching in surprise, as she turned her head to the side. Fang was still curled up next to her, her strong arms wrapped around her abdomen and her head nestled against her shoulder. Vanille bit her lip, a faint smile rising to her features as the slightest hints of pink covered her face.
Had any of their roommates seen them cuddled together?
A quick survey of the room provided that everyone else had already awoken and left. There was no reason that any of them should spy on her in the morning, so it was doubtful that anyone would have noticed, especially because of the way that Fang rested against her half buried in the blankets in spite of the arrival of the warmer seasons.
As she snuggled back into the covers, she struggled to think of a reason why Fang should still be lying beside her when the sun had risen hours earlier. She would have remembered if Fang had been given a vacation day, and besides, Fang was so used to waking up early that she never slept in any more. Another matter of concern was the morning hunt. If Fang had not gone, that meant that the hunt was canceled, but there were no upcoming festivals and Chief Torren would have no business to attend, so had Fang merely played hooky? Vanille simply could not imagine that.
Finally giving up, she decided to let Fang tell her what was going on as she nudged her shoulder.
Fang's eyes blinked open, her lashes fluttering against Vanille's shoulder, and she lifted her head to look at her. A sleepy, lopsided grin covered her features. "Good morning, gorgeous."
Vanille grinned in spite of her confusion and poked Fang in the ribs. "What're you still doing here, Fang? Shouldn't you be with the other hunters?"
"Forgot what day it is?" Fang raised her brow playfully as she leaned forwards and brushed her lips against her cheek.
Giggling as her skin tickled, Vanille mumbled, "What day is it?"
"Nothing you're gonna be excited about," Fang murmured sympathetically, her lips bearing a delicate smile. "You really don't remember?"
"Just tell me," Vanille demanded, growing frustrated.
"Vanille, you've been worrying about this all week." Fang tilted her head to the side. "How'd you forget?"
The pink-haired girl's eyes suddenly widened. "Oh! I-I dunno how..."
Fang ran her fingers through her hair and caressed the side of her cheek. "You'll be fine. You don't think I'd let anything happen to you, do you?"
"Did Chief Torren change his mind?" Vanille gasped hopefully.
"No, he still won't let me go," Fang huffed, rolling her eyes. "Says I'll interfere with your hunt. I dunno why he thinks so. I'd let you do everything yourself."
"O-Oh." Vanille pouted, casting her gaze away. "I thought maybe..."
"Disappointed?" Fang chuckled lightly, reaching for her hand beneath the covers. "I'll still find a way to protect you, so don't you worry."
Vanille peeked over her shoulder one last time to make sure that there was no one in the room with them before she turned on her side and cuddled close, burying her face in Fang's shoulder as she wrapped her arms around her. "I don't wanna go. Why does everyone have to do this? I'll never be a hunter. I hate hurting animals, and I'm not that strong."
"You're a lot stronger than you think," Fang pointed out, poking her in the side for emphasis before wrapping her arm around her waist and holding her close.
"I hope so." Vanille sighed anxiously and nuzzled into Fang's embrace, soothed by the warm tingling feeling in the pit of her abdomen. "I should've known what today was when everyone was up already. No one usually wakes before the morning bell."
"No one but me," Fang reminded as she rested her cheek against the top of her head. "We should get out there. Nothing'll start until the morning bell, but it's still better to be a little early."
"I don't care." Vanille pouted and leaned up to brush their noses together as she insisted, "This is making me feel better, so I'm not moving."
Fang laughed and leaned forwards to peck her lips. "Fine by me."
They rested in each other's arms until the morning bell rang at which time Vanille pulled reluctantly away and sat on the edge of the bed. A twisting feeling clenched her gut and she felt as though she would be sick. Even after all of the training that Fang had given her, she was still absolutely terrified of her first hunt. There were monsters in the forest that she had never had to face, colossal creatures that she could not even begin to imagine, and in spite of Fang's assurance that the hunt would take place in a safe part of the forest, she remembered what had happened on Fang's first hunt.
"You'll be fine," Fang repeated as she sat at her side and wrapped her arm around her shoulders. "Now, hurry up and get dressed. We're late, and if you miss the hunt, they'll call you fourteen for another year."
"Really?" Vanille gasped.
Snickering, Fang shook her head. "Nope. They'll just come get you and Chief Torren'll be mad about the delay."
Vanille smiled faintly, leaning up to kiss Fang's cheek. "We better go then."
With a nod, Fang stood and dressed in her usual sari. Meanwhile, Vanille dressed as quickly as she could, fumbling with her clothes because she was nervous.
Fang looked her over as she finished changing and chuckled. "You're going hunting in that?"
"So?" Vanille looked herself up and down, studying one of her usual skimpy outfits. "You go hunting all the time in that thing."
"This thing? You don't like it?" Fang smirked, teasing, "Besides, you're more undressed than dressed."
"Are you complaining?" Vanille replied with a giggle, biting her lip and blushing faintly.
Fang raised her brow playfully and shook her head. "Never."
Another bell rang and suddenly Chief Torren's loud voice drifted through the hallways. It was difficult to know what he was saying, but Fang could be certain that he was starting to lecture the new hunters about what their experience would hold.
"Come on. We don't wanna miss his speech, now do we?" Fang smiled faintly.
Vanille turned to face her, all semblance of a smile escaping her as her lips trembled nervously. "Fang..."
The older girl tugged her into her arms, holding her close and pressing her cheek to her hair. "I promise you'll be fine."
"I know I'll be okay." Vanille snuggled against her, her fingers gripping tightly to the fabric at Fang's lower back. "I just don't wanna go."
Fang weaved her fingers through her soft hair, breathing in the sweet scent of her, before she finally released her. "Come on. If you miss all the announcements, Chief Torren'll yell at me."
"Why you?" Vanille blinked, tilting her head.
Fang laughed softly, cupping her cheek in her hand. "He'll know I was the one who kept you from getting there on time in the first place."
Vanille managed a faint smile as she turned away from Fang and drew in a deep breath. Before leaving the room, she was sure to reach for her weapon, a binding rod that would help the other hunters more than it was likely to help her. She had chosen her weapon while thinking about how difficult it might be for her to kill. Every hunting class to prepare her for the ceremonial first hunt that everyone in the village experienced had served as a reminder that she did not feel comfortable taking a life. She had never stopped hoping that Chief Torren would eventually cave and allow Fang to join her. Thus, she had taken the binding rod hoping that she could hold a monster down while Fang stole the glory and killed it for her.
Knowing that the other girl would not be there, Vanille hoped that her choice of weapon would not put her in danger. Would the older hunter partnered with her make the kill for her or would he force her to prove that she was capable of functioning as an adult in their village?
"You ready?" Fang inquired gently.
Vanille nodded nervously, not sure that she was being honest.
The two of them walked down the hallway, Fang's arm still draped around her shoulders, as Chief Torren's voice grew louder with each step. When the younger girl paused hesitantly in the doorway, Fang placed her hand on her shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Her action prompted a grateful look from Vanille, who briefly hugged her even though others might be able to see them. Then the pink-haired girl slipped through the door, disappearing into the crowd of matrons and fifteen-year-olds from the orphanage and the village alike.
Fang chose to hover in the doorway, leaning against the frame and watching Chief Torren as memories of her own first hunt filled her mind.
"Today is the day of your first hunt." Chief Torren studied all the young villagers who had turned fifteen that year with a discerning frown. "As some of you may have heard from older members of the village, we will spend this entire week in the woods. As long as everyone does what the older hunters say and no one tries to hunt on their own, everyone will be perfectly fine and safe. Each of you will be assigned one experienced hunter who will help you track your kill, but it will be your responsibility to strike the final blow. No one is to be on their own at any part during this hunt. Is that understood?"
A few brave voices of dissent rose among the teenagers and Fang smirked nostalgically and hoped that no one would be foolish enough to follow in Konnor's path.
"Obviously some of you don't understand, so I'll explain." Chief Torren narrowed his eyes faintly. "A few years ago, someone almost died because two of the new hunters decided to go out on their own. The two of them ran into a King Behemoth that almost claimed their lives."
"Did they defeat it?" Someone gasped excitedly.
"No. They were able to run away—a miracle," Chief Torren replied with a tight frown. "Anyone who behaves that way will be banned from becoming a hunter, but that's the least of your worries if you decide to go out on your own. Survival is key during the first hunt, and stupidity is no way to survive."
Chief Torren suddenly met eyes with Fang perched in the doorway and she smiled innocently, laughing when he rolled his eyes. By the time that the others had turned to see who he was looking at, Fang had already disappeared into the hallway. After all, Vanille had been so nervous in the morning that she had forgotten two extremely important things. Fang hoped desperately that she would not need anything to save her life, but one could never be too careful in the woods.
By the time that Fang returned from their bedroom, the hunters new and old had already begun the trek to the edge of the village where the parents of those who were not orphans and the matrons would wish everyone goodbye and whisper prayers to anima begging for the protection of their young. In older times, it was much more common for new hunters to die, but under the last village chief things had changed drastically.
Fang broke into a brisk walk, doubting that she would need to run to catch the group of them, and felt relieved when she saw that Chief Torren had decided to give them yet another lecture on safety before they actually left the village. As he spoke, parents were suffocating their young in tight embraces and wishing them well. Vanille stood by herself glancing around apprehensively, gently biting her lip, and Fang could not help but watch her for a moment with a warm smile on her face. The other girl wanted to see her before she left.
Eventually, Fang came up behind Vanille, tapping her on the shoulder as an amused grin lit her features. Vanille immediately jumped, startled, and turned to face her with a slightly angry look on her face.
"Where were you?" The pink-haired girl pouted. "I thought you wouldn't say goodbye."
"I had something to take care of," Fang replied vaguely.
Vanille, ignoring the presence of the others all around them, immediately wrapped her arms around Fang's waist, hugging her tightly, and whispered, "Can't you come with me, Fang? I'm scared."
Fang gave her a squeeze before placing her hands on her shoulders as she pulled away from her. Looking her in the eyes, she murmured, "I said you'd be fine, didn't I? I'd never lie to you, Vanille."
"Do you promise?" Vanille pouted.
"Yes, I promise." Fang squeezed her shoulders gently before untying a pouch and a dagger from her waist and pushing them into Vanille's hands. "You forgot these after I went to all that trouble sending you to find them on your birthday. These'll keep you safe, but don't do anything dangerous, hm?"
"I won't," Vanille promised, giggling as she tied both the drawstring pouch and dagger at her belt. "I better listen to Chief Torren."
"I'll see you when you get back then." Fang smiled warmly before disappearing into the crowd. She waited until Chief Torren had finished his speech before she pulled him aside, placing her hand on his arm and frowning seriously. "Keep her safe, will you?"
The chief nodded, a look of surprise flitting across his features. "I expected you to demand to go."
"I already tried that, remember?" Fang placed her hands on her hips. "You threatened not to let me be a hunter if I didn't shut up and leave you alone."
"And you told me you didn't care about becoming a hunter if it meant keeping Vanille safe," Chief Torren reminded her with a smile that was half-amused and half-respectful. "Fang, I partnered myself with Vanille so that I could look after her. I know how important she is to you."
"Thanks." Fang sighed, looking away. "I really wanna go. I'll spend the whole week worrying anyway."
"I know that, but you can't watch her every second. If you're going to be a hunter, you'll be leaving the village for weeks at a time sometimes," Chief Torren lectured, placing his hand on her shoulder and squeezing it gently. He lowered his voice, adding, "I know how you feel about her, Fang, but she needs to be able to take care of herself, too."
Fang's eyes widened and she looked nervously at him. "I..."
He laughed lightly, interrupting her, "Most of the villagers have their suspicions, but after the fire, I know. I won't let anything happen to her, so don't worry all week."
A relieved sigh passed through her lips.
"You're my favorite student, you know," Chief Torren added offhandedly.
Fang scoffed. "Funny way of showing it."
"Consider protecting Vanille my way of showing it." Chief Torren tilted his head to the side. "Is that okay with you?"
"That's the best way you could show it," Fang replied, smiling sincerely for once. "Take care, Chief. I'll see you when you get back."
He nodded, retracting his hand from her shoulder, and scolded, "By the way, don't think this week will be a vacation, Fang. I've instructed Head Matron Solstice to keep an eye on you and if you're not out training every single day at the crack of dawn, I'll make you wait an extra year before you become a full-fledged hunter. Got it?"
Fang laughed wryly. "I was wondering when the real Chief Torren would get back. I thought maybe the Cocoon fal'Cie had screwed up your brain or something."
The chief chuckled and gave her a nod of acknowledgement before he turned his attention back to the young hunters, who were all eagerly awaiting his command. As Chief Torren motioned for everyone to follow him out of the village, Fang met eyes with Vanille. The younger girl's smile was nervous, but it was clear that she was trying to put up a brave front. Fang chose to offer her the best reassuring smile that she could muster, suppressing her own worry because there was no way that she could help her this time.
The very thought of Vanille out there without her made her stomach twist uncomfortably, but as Chief Torren had said, she could not be there for her all the time.
xxx
The first and second day of the hunt were relatively uneventful. Those two days were used to allow the new hunters time to accustom themselves to the forest and review tracking. Vanille, who had received many lessons from Fang over the last few months, excelled in both technique and style. She was pleased, feeling that she had probably impressed Chief Torren, until he began to comment on the way that her techniques resembled Fang's.
On the third day of their ceremonial first hunt, the new hunters were divided into groups of three new hunters and each of their experienced escorts. Vanille was not surprised to be paired with Chief Torren after the way that he and Fang had talked directly before her hunt began, but she did find it strange that he was so friendly with her. He frequently joked and told stories, mostly about Fang, and Vanille came to realize that the chief was actually quite fond of his apprentice against what Fang had always told her.
Vanille felt a little bit better knowing that she would never be on her own during the hunt, and the other members of her group showed promise. The two new hunters who joined her were Temion Kora, a strong girl with a good sense of direction and very sensitive ears, and Etha Pol, a boy she knew from her classes. The two experienced hunters were Kun Ecko, the medical man, and Talon Mak, possibly the second most experienced and revered hunter in the village.
"Tonight we'll each choose a kill," Chief Torren explained as the six of them huddled around a small fire. The heat of the crackling flames was pleasant against their faces as dusk fell around them. "We'll stay together at all times in order to make sure that you're all protected, but each new hunter will be able to make their own kill with the help of their partner. The others will remain nearby to help."
"Can I go first?" Pol demanded excitedly. "I wanna be a hunter."
Chief Torren nodded, smiling faintly. "That's fine."
The bushes suddenly rustled, the sound of leaves brushing together almost like a whisper of laughter in the wind. The older hunters tensed just in time for half a pack of wolves to pounce, drooling hungrily as snarls escaped from their wide jaws.
Chief Torren's reaction was immediate. He had already killed two wolves with arrows through the skulls when he shouted, "New hunters, get behind me!"
Pol and Kora immediately dove behind him, both of them raising their weapons, but Vanille's reaction was delayed because fear gripped her heart. Her breath was trapped inside of her by the time that she finally came to her senses and stood from the wooden bench. As the older hunters took on three of the wolves, Vanille stumbled toward the others. Her foot caught on a root and she landed on her stomach with a shriek of surprise, gaining Chief Torren's attention. For his concern, he was rewarded with a long scratch down the side of his face as the wolf facing him reminded him to focus.
Vanille turned over and scrambled backwards, adrenaline rushing through her as a large black wolf padded toward her, a sinister smirk revealing all of its sharp teeth. She began to hyperventilate as fear filled her, and the only thought running through her mind was that she was about to die and there was no one there to rescue her. Then suddenly calm washed over her as she realized that she was not defeated yet. It was just a wolf. Even if it was dangerous, she had so much training and she knew the woods so well.
With an urgent gasp, Vanille stood, twisting out of the way as the wolf pounced at her, and raced through the trees. Her heartbeat was throbbing so loudly in her ears that she did not hear Chief Torren's panicked voice shouting after her.
Vanille was so entranced by her terror that she did not notice Chief Torren bursting through the trees after her. She did not realize that the wolf had fallen with one arrow lodged in its hind leg and one arrow in its throat. The loud, frantic chirping of the insects all around her and the adrenaline coursing through her veins seized her, confusing her, and she ran and ran.
Finally she stopped running.
Breaths left her in deep gasps as her chest heaved, and Vanille looked around, her eyes widening as she realized that she did not recognize her surroundings. Darkness had fallen, painting the world in hollow grey tones, and she was not even sure that she had escaped from the wolf. Assuming that it would explode out of the bushes at any moment and tear her throat out with its sharp claws, Vanille could not slow the frantic beating in her chest and thought for certain that her heart was going to erupt.
"Anima," Vanille whispered gently, daring to cover her eyes with her hands. "Let the others find me."
A low, rumbling growl shook the earth behind her and Vanille felt her heart drop into her stomach as her entire form quivered with fear. Even though she wanted it to end quickly, just like a nightmare fading into the darkness of her room as she cuddled into Fang's arms, she had to turn around and look her fate in the eyes.
A staggering breath was released painfully from her lungs as her entire body became so rigid that she shook. Standing in the shadowy mouth of the cave was a giant bear, its pelt shimmering chestnut in the light of the moon. It stood on its hind legs, beady black eyes locking with hers as it stood at its full height, lifting its arms above its head to strike her and roaring so powerfully that she felt the wind rise up behind it and attempt to blow her over.
Vanille did not hear the scream erupt from her own lips as she ducked under its blow, covering her head with her hands, and then turned to race away. The bear's footsteps thundered, causing the ground beneath her feet to quake, as it gained on her. Her two short legs could not carry her far, and it was not long before the bear had her cornered against a tree. The moon seemed to shine blood red in the sky and tears trembled down her cheeks as she glanced around desperately. There had to be some escape.
The bear came closer to her, its mouth opening wide as it released another earth-shaking roar. She felt its breath and spit on her face and watched in petrified horror as it lifted one arm to strike the final blow. She barely ducked out of the way in time, and the force of the bears claws tore the bark from the tree. It slashed at her again, and that time she had no choice but to drop completely to the ground and roll out of its grasp. It attempted to stomp on her, but she was too small and quick for the loud creature.
Vanille immediately raced behind the tree, pressing her back to it as she listened to the bear. It would have no choice but to search for her, and no matter which side of the tree it peeked around, she would be ready to run in the opposite direction. Bears were fast, but her adrenaline was now rushing so fast and her heart was pounding so hard that she felt as though she were dreaming. There was no pain or exhaustion, only fear and survival.
The bear roared loudly, swinging around the tree so quickly that it almost snapped its jaws around the side of her face. She ducked out of the way just in time and released another series of shuddering breaths as she tore across the clearing. Her only instinct was to reach higher ground, so she immediately grabbed the lowest branch of the nearest tree and swung herself up onto it with strength that she did not know she had. Another minute saw her scrambling up three more branches before she realized that she could not reach the next branch above her head.
Immediately, the fifteen-year-old looked down to make sure that she was safe as she allowed herself to hope that the bear would quickly give up and leave her alone, but a surprised squeak escaped her lungs as she realized that the bear was quickly scrambling up the tree after her. Her hands began to shake as the end flashed before her eyes, but suddenly her body reacted with a mind of its own. Her fingers groped for the binding rod on her back and she held it over her head in both hands, allowing the power of the strike to build up, before she flung it at the bear. Thick coils sprung from the binding rod and wrapped around the bear, twisting around its arms and legs and causing it to drop from the tree with a snarl of surprise.
Vanille, not accounting for the bear's weight, gasped as she was tugged out of the tree and tumbled to the ground. At the last moment, she was able to roll and avoid breaking her neck. Her fingers gripped the binding rod tightly as the bear thrashed, struggling to stand but unable to do so. Vanille immediately ran around the tree, looping the cords of the binding rod as tightly as she could in hopes that the bear would be held still. As the coils secured the bear to the tree, it became unable to move as it thrashed more violently, roars of fury escaping its mouth as it bared its sharp teeth.
The pink-haired girl felt the breath returning to her as she attempted to calm down. She knew that the bear would escape from its hold eventually, and there was no way that she could just leave her weapon in the woods. Every weapon was hand-crafted and presented to the new hunter as a ceremonial gift. She was expected to keep the binding rod in her home and bless it at the festivals in order to ensure the continued protection and safety of their village.
Reluctantly, Vanille removed the knife at her waist and moved toward the bear. It roared furiously, its beady eyes focusing on the blade, and Vanille jumped back a step, surveying the creature as she attempted to figure out what to do. The sharp cords from the binding rod were cutting into its skin, agitating the beast as they caused tremendous physical pain. Vanille convinced herself that ending its misery was the right thing to do, because with wounds such as that, other predators would be attracted to the bear and kill it anyway.
Taking in a deep breath and searching for bravery inside of herself, Vanille stepped forwards again. She ignored the bears strained noises of fury and moved around the back of it, hoping to cut the back of its neck where it might not be able to bite her. However, whenever she came close, the bear thrashed violently, almost succeeding twice in biting her arm off no matter what direction she approached from. With a nervous frown, Vanille backed away and bit her lip. There was only one way that she could think of to kill the bear, but if she was unsuccessful, she would have to run away with no weapons.
With another delicate step backwards, Vanille recalled Fang teaching her how to hit a bullseye with a knife. She aimed at the bears forehead, willing it not to move, and imagined Fang's hand on her waist, steadying her, as her other hand guided her throw. She had released the blade before she even realized that she was ready, and a gasp escaped her lips when her aim was true. The blade struck the creature right between the eyes and although it continued to twist and thrash for a few moments, its movements eventually ceased.
Suddenly rustling in the bushes cause Vanille to realize that she was completely defenseless without either of her weapons on her and she turned to race into the forest again.
"Wait!" Chief Torren cried, driving out of the bushes, an arrow strung through his bow and pointed at the bear. When he realized that it was dead, he smirked and motioned for the others to follow him out of the bushes. "Vanille, you did this on your own?"
Vanille nodded, still shaking from the panic.
"Congratulations," Chief Torren voiced, smiling proudly. "This is your first kill."
The pink-haired girl merely nodded, unable to form words.
"You should consider becoming a hunter," Chief Torren suggested as he surveyed the bear and moved forwards to retrieve her binding rod.
A slightly hysterical giggle escaped from Vanille's lips. "I-I don't think I'd like that much."
Kun Ecko crossed the clearing and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Are you all right, Vanille?"
She nodded, sighing with relief. "I'm sorry, everyone. I didn't mean to run. I just panicked."
"That panic probably saved your life," Chief Torren praised.
xxx
"You said you would protect her," Fang lectured, her hands placed on her hips. "Then I find out she got chased into the woods by a wolf and then attacked by a bear. How is that protecting her?"
Chief Torren rolled his eyes, sighing in exasperation. "It's not my fault she disappeared into the woods after I killed the wolf, Fang. I was shouting after her but she didn't listen, and she's a fast runner."
"Yeah, and she had to kill the damn bear by herself. Some protector you are, Chief Torren," Fang replied, crossing her arms as a faint smile twitched onto her lips. "Maybe I should be someone else's apprentice, huh? I thought you were a good tracker. How'd it take you so long to find her?"
Vanille sat on a bench nearby, blushing because everyone was watching. The amused looks of those passing by left her feeling rather embarrassed.
Chief Torren laughed lightly and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Fang, she killed a bear on her own. That's something to celebrate, so relax and go enjoy the celebration."
The slightest smirk rose to Fang's lips as she glanced at Vanille. "Yeah, I'm still trying to work out how that's even possible."
"Fang!" Vanille whined, standing and skipping to her side. "You're the one who said I was stronger than I think I am."
"Yeah, I said that to make you feel better," Fang replied teasingly, patting the top of her head and grinning. "It looks like you're even stronger than I thought you were."
Vanille grinned proudly, pleased by the compliment.
"Either that or it was a really weak bear," Fang added with a chuckle.
Everyone still around them burst out laughing and Vanille crossed her arms, a pout covering her face. "Fang, that's not nice."
"I was just saying," Fang replied dismissively as she grabbed her hand and waved to Chief Torren before beginning to tug her away. "Come on. We're missing the party."
"It's your fault," Vanille informed her. "You were the one making a scene."
"No one told you to stand around and watch, now did they?" Fang murmured, grinning.
Vanille glanced around, noticing that Fang was not actually leading her to the party. "Where are we going?"
"Don't worry. We'll go before the party's over," Fang replied with a grin.
The older girl tugged her toward the orphanage and Vanille felt a nostalgic smile form on her lips. "We came here after your first hunt, too."
"Yeah, but I was way more injured." Fang looked her up and down. "How'd you fight a bear and get away with just some scrapes on your hands and legs?"
"I'm very talented," Vanille replied, twittering with laughter.
Fang merely grinned as the two of them entered the bedroom they shared. Vanille peeked at the other beds to make sure that no one had decided to skip the party before she crossed the room and joined Fang on their bed.
"This is so comfortable," Vanille murmured excitedly, lying on her back and squirming against the mattress. "I didn't like sleeping in the woods."
"No?" Fang lay on her side, propped up by the elbow so that she could look at her, and ran her fingers through her pink curls.
"Nope." Vanille shook her head and beamed up at her. "I wished I could sleep here."
Fang laughed lightly and kissed her cheek. "I'm proud of you."
Vanille bit her lip. "Really?"
"Yep," Fang smirked down at her. "I never expected your hunt to go so well. You killed a bear by yourself!"
"I know." Vanille's smile dimmed faintly because the memory was still frightening. "Chief Torren said they'll make a skirt out of the fur for me so I have proof or something."
Fang traced her fingers down the side of her face. "I'm glad you're safe."
Vanille peeked up at her curiously.
"I was worried about you all week. I couldn't sleep much," Fang murmured gently leaning down to press a gentle kiss to her lips.
"I'm here now, so you don't have to worry anymore," Vanille murmured gently, wrapping her arms around her neck and drawing her into a deeper kiss.
The kisses shared between them were slow and tender before Fang pulled away and wrapped her arms around her, hugging her close in a rare display of vulnerability. Vanille nuzzled against her, holding her tightly.
"Now you know how I feel all the time," Vanille whispered close to her ear, their cheeks brushing together. "Every time you leave for a hunt I'm scared."
"Sorry about that." Fang smiled sympathetically and pecked her lips. "Being a hunter's all I'm good at."
"I know," Vanille teased, grinning devilishly as her fingers weaved through messy hair.
"Why you little... I'll have you know I'm good at a lot of things!" Fang smirked cruelly as she tickled her sides.
She squealed and attempted to escape, nearly diving off of the bed before racing across the room. A peal of giggles escaped her lips as Fang chased after her, cornering her against a wall and placing her hands on her hips. Vanille expected another onslaught, but instead Fang pressed herself against her, bringing their bodies together and leaning down to capture Vanille's lips in a passionate kiss.
Vanille moaned against her lips and her tongue, a flush rising to her cheeks as Fang's fingers traced the line of her abdomen. She shivered as those strong hands climbed higher in search of sweet skin not yet explored, her own fingers sliding down Fang's neck.
xxx
A while later, Fang had to leave to speak to Chief Torren, which left Vanille to her own devices. She did not want to sit in the orphanage by herself, so she decided to attend the party, which generally lasted all night. Whenever anyone asked where she had gone, Vanille repressed the blush that rose to her cheeks and pretended that she had been at the celebration for the entire night. She spent a few hours listening to her friends gossip about the hunt, discussing who had done well and who had not, before she spotted her friend Aria wandering through the crowd.
It had only been a few months since Aria had left the orphanage to marry, but Vanille had not really had time to speak to her since. She was eager to know whether or not her friend was enjoying her new life, so she immediately sough her out, appearing at her side with a grin on her face.
"Hi Aria!" Vanille chirped excitedly.
"Vanille!" Aria smiled happily and embraced her. "How are you? I heard you killed a bear all by yourself. I'm so impressed!"
Giggling, the younger girl exclaimed, "Thanks. I'm okay. How're you?"
"Oh, everything is so wonderful," Aria replied, her features illuminated. "I just love my husband so much, and life outside of the orphanage is like a dream. We have so much privacy and everything we own is ours! Oh, Vanille, you have to get married and move out of the orphanage as quickly as possible so you can know what it's like."
Vanille bit her lip, seeking to change the subject. "Do you like making money?"
Aria giggled, patting her shoulder as though she were naïve. "Of course, I do. We have a garden, so I sell fruits while my husband is working for the carpenter. Business is flourishing right now, so we can afford everything we want."
The younger girl's eyes gleamed excitedly. "I'm so happy for you."
"I can't wait to have kids," Aria gushed, biting her lip to hide the grin blossoming on her features. "Oh, Vanille, being a wife is so wonderful. I finally feel like I can do whatever I want. You'd like being married. You never have to sleep alone and there are no matrons to boss you around."
Vanille shifted uncomfortably but maintained her grin. "It sounds wonderful, and kids are so cute. It must be so exciting to plan the rest of your life."
Aria patted her shoulder again. "Don't worry. You'll find someone you like soon and then the two of you will get married and have kids, too."
"I guess." Vanille shifted on her heels. "So, can I visit your house?"
Aria eyed her with a faint frown. "Are you still turning down all the boys, Vanille? You have to stop being so shy or you'll never find anyone."
Vanille's eyes widened as she wondered why her friend had not allowed her to change the topic. "Well, I-I guess I am just really shy. Maybe I'll become a matron or something..."
"Don't say that!" Aria gasped. "You'll find someone, I swear. You should probably stop spending so much time with Fang though."
"What?" Vanille lifted her head nervously, her eyes searching her friend's gaze.
"Well, you know, people are always whispering about you two," Aria replied awkwardly.
"What do you mean?" Vanille's eyes widened.
"You can't really blame them when the two of you are always disappearing together," Aria replied with a sympathetic sigh as if she was too naïve to understand. "Everyone thinks the two of you are...you know. I tell everyone I can that I used to live with you guys and it's not like that between you, but no one believes me since you guys are always hugging and stuff."
"We've always been like that," Vanille insisted, a part of her feeling ashamed for wanting to hide and a part of her twisting with fear. There were too many what ifs. She could not know that they would be safe.
"Yeah, but you two are grown up now." Aria raised her brow, noticing that Vanille seemed very upset. "I'm just saying that if you wanna have a good marriage, you can't keep turning down the boys or everyone will think you and Fang are really like that. Sometimes I even believe the rumors."
"Y-You do?" Vanille squeaked.
"No, of course not, Vanille." Aria placed her hands on her hips. "I mean, sometimes I wonder, but I know you're a good girl." She looked away. "It's Fang I worry about. Vanille. Sometimes I think she really might feel that way about you. She's never dated a guy, and I found out that she kissed a girl a few years ago. It was a bet or a prank or something, but still..."
Vanille tried to think of something to say.
"The most conclusive proof is that she still lives in the orphanage if you ask me," Aria grumbled, crossing her arms. "With the way everyone talks about you two, you'd think the matrons would have the sense to move her in a room by herself."
"What do you mean?" Vanille narrowed her eyes. "Fang cant leave yet. She's not a full hunter. She wouldn't have the money to buy anything."
"Did she tell you that?" Aria demanded, looking exasperated. "Vanille, that's a lie. Fang could've asked for a house as soon as she realized she was going to be a hunter. They don't make any money anyways. Everyone just gives them whatever they need out of respect."
"Really?" Vanille blinked, momentarily forgetting her fears as a warm feeling released the tension.
Aria's plan was backfiring, because the thought that Fang had delayed leaving the orphanage to stay with her filled her stomach with butterflies. She wanted to giggle happily, but she guarded her expression because she could tell that Aria would not take the news of their relationship well and did not want the girl to confirm everyone else's suspicion when she had no idea what it would mean for the two of them.
"Anyway, that's why I think you should be careful around her." Aria glowered at the ground as she clenched her fist. "The idea that she would take advantage of you like that, making you think she can't leave yet, that's the most disgusting part of all of this!"
"Disgusting?" Vanille gasped, feeling hurt.
"Yeah, Fang's disgusting." Aria crossed her arms. "I can't believe any girl agreed to kiss her. They're both so gross!"
Vanille began to feel queasy and excused herself from the conversation as quickly as possible. As she stumbled away from Aria, she realized that this was the first friend she was going to lose. Perhaps she would be the first of many disapproving faces from which Vanille would need to turn away. She was not willing to give up what she had with Fang for anyone. Marriage meant nothing to her, because she had cared for Fang her entire life and she could not imagine wanting to be with anyone else. It had not been a lie when she told Fang that she wished they could lie in the flowers cuddling together forever. Settling for a marriage with someone else and maintaining secret relations with Fang was out of the question, both because it was unethical and because it would kill her, so she knew that she would never marry. It would not be long before Aria—before everyone knew the truth.
What would happen to them?
Lost in worried thoughts, Vanille wandered away from the party. Tears welled in her eyes as her feet carried her against her will into the woods. She found a fallen log and began to cry, hugging herself and allowing her tears to fall freely as she wondered if there was something wrong with her. Was she really disgusting or was Aria the one who was wrong? It was not her fault that she was different. Her feelings for Fang were the truest thing she had ever felt.
"Vanille, are you al right?"
Vanille gasped, startled, and wiped the tears furiously from her eyes. "I'm okay, Head Matron Solstice. Sorry I left the party like that. I just...I..."
Head Matron Solstice seated herself beside the younger girl, the lines in her face illuminated by the moon as a warm smile covered her face. "There's no reason to keep anything from me, Vanille. Why don't you tell me what's wrong?"
"I-I can't tell you." Vanille looked away. "I'm fine anyway."
"Now, now, don't lie." Head Matron Solstice patted her shoulder. "Does this have something to do with Fang?"
Vanille felt the tears slipping down her face and refused to look at the elderly woman who had taken care of her for so many years.
"You know," Head Matron Solstice murmured gently, placing her hand on her back as a comfort. "I knew from the start the two of you would end up together."
Vanille gasped, meeting eyes with her as her cheeks flushed.
"Oh, we all knew, dear." Head Matron Solstice laughed lightly. "We all know."
"I-I didn't realize..." Vanille squeaked, fear overtaking her as she turned away.
"Oh, come now, it isn't as though you ever hid your affection for each other, especially when you were younger." Head Matron Solstice smiled faintly. "In fact, I knew for sure that something had changed between the two of you after your birthday because you started trying to look less affectionate in front of others. It was then that I realized you'd finally found the strength to admit your feelings to each other."
"Did you tell anyone else?" Vanille gasped fearfully.
"I didn't have to, dear." Head Matron Solstice rolled her eyes. "Would you believe that some of the younger matrons took bets on when you'd finally get together? The nerve of those girls, but they really just get bored so easily..."
"Head Matron what's gonna happen to us?" Tears filled her eyes. "Will they throw us out of the village? Are we gonna be hurt?"
"Of course not. What would make you think so?" Head Matron Solstice furrowed her brows, her eyes narrowing. "Vanille, has someone said something cruel to you?"
"Well, Aria—"
"Ah, Aria. Now that does not surprise me." Head Matron Solstice interrupted, her brow furrowing. "Aria has an interesting situation, Vanille, because she is not an orphan. She lived in the orphanage because her mother has been sick for many years and could not take care of her without her father, who died in an accident when she was young."
"I don't understand," Vanille murmured.
"You will, child," Solstice interrupted as she lowered her eyes. "I remember when her mother was a young girl. She had a very close companion, a girl. I imagine that they were as close as you and Fang. When her parents discovered what was going on, they would not allow the two of them to be together. Aria's mother was convinced by her own parents that she was sick and what she had done was wrong, and then she was forced to marry a man that she did not love. Rather than coming to hate her parents, Aria's mother began to hate herself. I imagine that she transferred that ideology to her daughter to keep her from following the same path."
"Does that mean that everyone doesn't agree with Aria?"
"Of course not, Vanille. Don't you think that someone would have said something by now if that were the case?" Head Matron Solstice rapped her head gently. "I thought I taught you girls to use your heads to solve problems."
Vanille flushed faintly.
"Besides, you and Fang are not the first two girls in the village to care for each other. I'll admit that it's a bit rare, which is the reason that it always becomes such a subject of interest to everyone..." The head matron smiled faintly. "Really, though, it's silly for the two of you to keep hiding it so. Everyone in the village either knows or wonders."
Vanille furrowed her brows. "Did you say that we're not the first?"
"Yes, I did say that." The head matron laughed lightly. "Talon Enabel and Donno Anna get along quite well."
The pink-haired girl gasped. "The two of them are...together? I never knew!"
"It's difficult to miss when you're my age." The head matron smiled knowingly. "It's unusual for two unmarried woman to live together for so long. Everyone in the village knows about the two of them, but I have only ever met a few who let someone else's personal business bother them."
Vanille bit her lip. "Is that really true?"
"Vanille, you and Fang have nothing to fear." Head Matron Solstice patted the top of her head. "For all the talk of having a good husband to care for you, as long as the two of you both have careers, you will be able to support yourselves. And honestly, with Fang as a hunter, everything that she needs would be provided to her anyway."
A warm smile began to blossom on her lips. "Thank you, Head Matron. I-I feel a lot better now."
"That's what I'm here for, my child." The head matron grinned, squeezing her shoulder. "Now, return to the party with me. We must celebrate your first kill."
"I hope it's my last kill, too," Vanille giggled.
"I imagine it will be." The head matron laughed lightly as she stood. "Come along then. I think Torren will keep Fang occupied for quite some time, so you have nowhere to sneak off to."
Vanille blushed. "R-Right..."
She wiped the last of the tears from her eyes as she skipped behind the head matron, a bright smile growing on her features. The moment that she saw Fang, she was going to throw her arms around her, and for once she would not be worried what everyone around them might think.
The idea that it might be completely fine for the two of them to live with together and be open about their relationship left a warm feeling in the pit of her stomach. The future was no longer something to fear.