A/N: Thank you ATK1734 and Lumina for hitting that review button! ^^ I didn't mean to leave you guys hanging, but I was too tired to continue writing at the time and ended the chapter abruptly XD On a completely unrelated note, there's a crazy thunderstorm today, and it knocked all my plants off T^T. Some of the pots broke... my poor babies... so today's update is a short one (because I am in gardening mode XD). Anyway, hope you enjoy it! Here goes chapter 31. :)

CHAPTER XXXI.

Questions

Aerith

The Turks had managed to find them both at the bottom of the forest. When the ambulance staff carried two stretchers towards the helicopter, I finally felt a rush of power shooting through my legs and propelling me forward into a run. The staff lifted Zack out, and he looked fine except his forehead which was bleeding, and some scratches over his face and neck. His coat had been ripped in places, and his shirt was covered in blood, but he was breathing.

"Compress that bleeding, quick!" One of the male nurses shouted as the others gently helped a barely conscious Zack on the stretcher. Another nurse ran over to him and placed a gauze close to the wound on his forehead, and I took Zack's hand, frantically calling for him.

"Ae...Aerith…" He whispered, flinching in pain. His eyes weakly fluttered open and shut.

"Don't talk," Hope advised as he caught up with us. "Aerith, it'll disorient him, just wait," the silver haired male told me and I nodded quietly, giving Zack's hand a final squeeze before letting the ambulance staff carry him away.

"I think she has broken bones!" Reno shouted and I looked - horrified - at Lightning's limp body. Her head was busted open, her entire shirt was painted red, and she was completely unconscious.

"Get her in, quickly!" One of the nurses shouted at full volume, as the others tried to spread Lightning onto a stretcher. The first nurse immediately placed an oxygen mask over her mouth, and I could hear Serah's cries grow louder as Snow did his best to hold her back.

"One person, ride with us, please," the staff requested and I climbed into the back, holding onto Zack's hand. The others followed, and soon the hospital corridor was crowded with our friends, still in their clothes from the wedding. Zack was rushed to the emergency room, but Lightning was carried straight into the ICU.

"Wh-what's going on?" I asked the head doctor, who was currently examining Zack.

"I am sorry, we will inform you as soon as we understand the situation, please be patient." Tifa placed her hand on my shoulder, and the tears started pouring out of me again. I cried quietly, leaning against the cold wall. I glanced at Serah, and she was sitting on the hospital floor, sobbing to herself. I walked over to her and sank next to her, holding her hand.

A few minutes later, the head doctor exited the emergency room. "Mrs. Fair?"

It took a few seconds for me to respond. "Th-that's me!"

"Your husband suffered some minor head trauma, but the bleeding is under control. Except for a concussion, he should be fine. We'll inform you when he's awake."

I sighed in relief, but it didn't last long. Panicking, I looked up at the doctor again, my hands balled into fists. "Wh-what about our friend?"

"Does she have a family member present?"

"Me! She's my sister!" Serah shot up, standing next to me.

"Well, we'll need you to sign… some forms. It's a formality, really."

The pink haired girl tensed next to me, trembling. "What kind of forms…? What's wrong with my sister?"

Cloud and the others gathered around the head doctor. "She's in critical condition, and we'll do what we can but… we cannot take responsibility... in the worst case scenario."

"What do you mean? You're supposed to save her!" I shouted but Serah just nodded, her eyes trailing to the doctor's feet.

"I'll sign it."

Guiltily, I glanced at Serah's defeated walk towards the front desk. Her shoulder slumped, but her hands moved quickly across the paper. As she filled out the forms, I recalled how reckless Lightning had been to save both our lives. It was all our fault…

Cloud hadn't spoken a word through the entire ordeal, and I worriedly glanced at him. He stood there - lifelessly staring at the ICU door.

"There's too many people. We'll get in the way. Some of us need to go back," Hope told the others in our group. The corridor was dimly lit, save the green exit signs hanging above us. Everyone took turns to hug me and Serah.

"Hope… keep us updated…" Vanille wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, squeezing Serah in a tight hug. "Serah… stay strong."

"Stay strong, Serah," Fang and the others repeated.

"We're staying in a hotel so… just call us. We can come by anytime," Yuffie threw her arms around me. "I am so sorry Aerith…"

"It's f-fine." I couldn't even say I was glad Zack was fine, because Light was fighting for her life.

"C-Cloud, do you want to go back?" Tifa asked carefully, but the blonde did not respond.

"It's fine, Tifa," Hope spoke on his behalf as my brunette best friend withdrew from him. It was just me, Serah, Tifa, Cloud and Hope now. We all fell tiredly onto the seats outside the ICU. An hour or so passed, and none of us spoke a word. The silence was crushing us, but we waited, powerless over the situation. A number of shoes squeaked against the tiles, and a hoard of doctors came rushing towards the ICU. We all stood up, witnessing the panic that had replaced the silence in a matter of minutes.

"We're losing her! Everyone, operating room, quick!" The noises from inside the ICU were faint, but I hated being able to make out those words. Hope hugged Serah, placing his hand over one of her ears. "Serah, it's fine. She's fine. She's a fighter. She's fighting." He whispered, trying to reassure her. Tifa's hand stopped in the air, and she couldn't bring herself to touch Cloud.

I reached over instead, touching his shoulder gently. Cloud didn't shrug me away, but he felt distant, cold - the way he had been when we met the first time. He was regressing into his old self, and I could understand Tifa's concern. But I couldn't blame him… not when Lightning was barely hanging on like this.

A few minutes later the doors banged open, and they rushed Lighting out of the room and towards the operating room. The party of doctors and assistants jogged with the stretcher, one of them holding up a hand to stop Hope who tried to reach out to them.

"Please be patient. We're doing everything we can!"

Hope sighed, pulling Serah close again. They both stood there like that, eyes closed. Serah looked exhausted, like she had no more tears left inside her.

"I'll go get us something to drink…" Tifa said softly, before disappearing for a while. She came back with water, but both Serah and Cloud refused to drink. Hope, Tifa and I rehydrated ourselves, and the heavy silence hung over us again. Time passed so slowly, it was like the whole world was moving at a snail's pace. The Turks, who had been at the scene all this time, arrived at the hospital and came running towards us.

"How are they?" Tseng asked. I ran into his arms, and he held me tightly. "Aerith?"

"Zack's fine… he's recovering in the emergency room. Lig-Light's in the operating room right now." I couldn't bring myself to tell him anything else the doctor had said, but Tseng understood the situation despite the brevity of my explanation.

"Rude, Reno, Elena - go back to the office. I will meet you there," he told the three as guided me back to one of the seats, sitting next to me. The others nodded, and Reno glanced worriedly at the operating room as well, before turning around and exiting the hospital - as swiftly as he had come. Tseng stayed with me and I struggled to stay awake. I couldn't imagine what it was like for Serah… and I wanted to comfort her somehow - but didn't know what to do.

Our wedding… It was the happiest day of my life. I thought I would cherish the memories forever…

Why did things have to end up like this?

"Aerith, I'll come to escort you back. Don't leave without me. I am going back to the office to figure out what happened tonight."

I nodded in gratitude, sniffling in Tseng's arms. "Thank you…"

When Tseng was gone, the five of us continued silently waiting. At least two more hours passed, before the operating room's red light went off. The head doctor exited the room, and we all sprang to our feet.

"Miss Farron?" The doctor called and Serah rushed over to him, all of us behind her.

"Your sister's out of immediate danger." Serah nodded, eagerly waiting for the doctor to say more. His pensive expression worried her, but she handled herself well, staying quiet. "The surgery itself was straightforward, because of the substances in her system, we-"

"Alcohol?" Hope asked to clarify.

"Yes, but that didn't pose as much of a problem as the… mako. Her synaptic ability is compromised because of the drug's effects. We have extracted as much as possible, but she's-"

"Mako?" Tifa asked, as shocked by the news as the rest of us. "There must be some kind of mistake. I know Lighting well, and she would never, ever take that."

"Well, there were traces of it in her blood, and it was recent," the doctor informed us, sighing softly.

"She's in a coma?" Hope was following the situation much better than the rest of us, and we all jolted in shock as we mentally caught up with him.

"Essentially, yes. We can't say when she will wake up. The injuries would have healed normally, but the drug's effects will delay it. We will keep her under strict observation for the next 24 hours, and move her to a private ward tomorrow if nothing serious happens. Non-family members can visit her from tomorrow," he turned to Serah, patting her shoulder. "If you'd like to see her, please wait until she's moved to the ICU."

Serah nodded, bowing slightly towards the doctor. "Thank you for saving her life…"

"It's what we hope to do for every patient. Please, hope for the best," he smiled sympathetically, bowing back before walking away from us.

The corridor felt cold, dim lights reflected in polished tiles. The sanitized smell of the hospital was giving me a headache, and I was suddenly acutely aware of my surroundings. Everything felt like it was coming at me, closing in. I felt claustrophobic, even though people were scarce at this time. Lighting was alive… but the thought that she might be there - lifeless, never waking… I didn't want to think about it.

Serah was able to at least see her. We waited outside patiently. When she came out of the room, the color of her face had improved. She surprised us by smiling a little.

"How is she?" Tifa asked. Serah sat down next to the brunette.

"She's asleep… in a deep, peaceful sleep. She doesn't look like she's in pain… I am glad. She'll never leave me behind like this. I know… I believe that she'll wake up. Thank you… everyone. For staying with me."

"Of course, Serah," Tifa hugged her tightly, and I reached out to squeeze her hand as well.

I wanted to apologize to Serah, but I couldn't, not now, and not like this.

"I think I am going to go back and get some sleep. I want to be well rested if Light needs me tomorrow," she told us, getting up.

"I'll take you back," Tifa offered, standing up as well. She looked over at Cloud nervously, who was still deathly quiet. When our eyes met, I smiled at her reassuringly, as if to say 'I got him.' She thanked me with a nod and the two girls left the three of us behind.

"I'll go check on her condition with the doctor, in a bit more detail," Hope's voice sounded as exhausted as the expression on his face. "I'll be back."

"Cloud?" I called out to the blonde when it was just the two of us.

He didn't reply, but closed his eyes tiredly. It's not like I could say anything to make it better… My head hung low, and Cloud moved his hand to hold mine.

We stayed together… praying… hoping as the sky changed color.

Light began to filter in through the tall, glass windows. Both of us finally went home to shower and get a few hours of rest, but when we came back in the early hours of the evening, there had been no change in Lightning's condition.

"Mrs. Fair, your husband is awake."

Both Cloud and I rushed to Zack's room. His eyes were open, and he was staring out of the window. The curtains swayed with the wind, and he noticed us enter the room. He tried to sit up, but Cloud stopped him. "Zack… it's fine. Stay still."

I threw my arms around Zack, happy to be reunited with him. I was crying again, and Zack was comforting me with gentle pats on my head. "Told you I'll never leave your side…" he whispered softly, and I dried my eyes, trying not to hurt him.

"Cloud…" he turned to face the blonde. "Where's Light?"

Cloud pursed his lips, hands balled into fists by his sides. He stayed silent, so I told Zack everything that had happened - how we found them, how they were brought over… and how Light hadn't opened her eyes since.

"It's… it's my fault. I need to see her."

"We can see her when she's moved into a private ward," Cloud informed him and Zack nodded. The head doctor knocked on the door, and the three of us turned to see him.

"Mr. Fair, how are you feeling?" He asked, holding up a clipboard as he took notes there.

"Fine… my head hurts but I am okay," Zack's voice was missing its usual energetic quality, and his expression was absolutely miserable after hearing about Lightning's condition.

"Good. We'll keep you under observation for a few more hours. And you're welcome to go home if you like after," the doctor checked off something in his notes, nodding at Cloud and I before leaving.

"I'll be back. Need to do something."

I stood up from Zack's bed to stop Cloud - gauging by his tone he was ready to kill someone - but Zack grabbed onto my hand, shaking his head slowly as our eyes met. I sank back next to him, watching Cloud disappear without another word.

Yazoo

It was still early in the evening, and I was glad to be off work. The family 'parties' I was forced to go to last month had been exhausting, and talking to people drained all of my energy. It was always the same meaningless conversations, the fake, exaggerated interest in all our lives… like anyone actually cared about what happened to us.

I was hoping to stay home today, not talk at all - to anyone - if possible. I took a sip from the mug next to me, propping my legs up on the table in the living room as I read quietly. Unfortunately, my peaceful reading was interrupted by Loz and Kadaj, who just came back from - well, who cared where they came from. I pushed the book further up, trying to block their faces from my view. This way, I could at least continue to pretend I was allowed to relax.

"Oi, Yazoo. Stop reading, let's go out," Kadaj called out to me, throwing himself back on the sofa opposite me. Loz sat next to him, and I focused on my book, trying to ignore them both for as long as I could.

"Ya-zoo!" His voice was growing more irritated, and times like these I wished I could disappear. There was absolutely no peace in this house. I slammed my book onto my lap angrily, glaring at Kadaj.

"Not interested," I replied coolly, only to be met with Kadaj's annoying laugh.

"You sounded like big brother just now!" Only Kadaj found this resemblance funny - I thought it was natural. I sighed, trying to return to my book.

"Come on, I hate going without you. You know it," he tried a softer approach, and I stretched my neck backwards, closing my eyes. The pleasant evening I was envisioning had vanished from even my imagination. I knew he would never give it a rest, so I closed my book shut.

Before I could answer him, the front door banged open, and the three of us jumped in our seats. Cloud had kicked the door open - and judging by the murderous expression in his cerulean blue eyes - there was no way I was getting in the middle of whatever this was. I quickly withdrew my legs from the table, leaning as far back against the sofa as possible.

Cloud stormed over, grabbing Kadaj by the collar and forcing him to his feet. He said nothing, but his fist collided against the side of Kadaj's face, no hesitation. Loz lunged at Cloud, but he simply moved sideways to dodge him. Loz stumbled as he missed, and turned around quickly, trying to grab our brother. Cloud threw Kadaj back on the sofa, dipping as he dodged Loz's swing that went over his head. He grabbed his arm and twisted it with so much force that it sent Loz spinning straight for the floor. Loz groaned painfully, clutching his arm.

Kadaj used the distraction to throw a kick, but older brother pushed it away with his hand, diving towards and pinning him on the floor. He sat on top of Kadaj, and his punches bloodied his face. I didn't know what Kadaj had done this time, but I was sure he deserved it.

"Have you lost your mind?!" Kadaj shouted, trying to break out of Cloud's death grip.

"You almost killed her." Cloud shouted back, and dread spread over me as I realized who he could mean.

"What are you talking about?!" Kadaj finally managed to grab onto Cloud's fist as it hovered inches away from his face. He gripped it with both hands, trying to push back in a futile attempt at self-defense.

"There's mako in her system."

"What?" Kadaj replied, and it even took me by surprise. I knew Kadaj could sink low… but this was too low, even for him. He was more into intimidation games and blackmailing… but I didn't expect him to hurt the pink haired girl that... viciously.

"I didn't drug her! And I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Fine… I guess I'll just have to beat it out of you…" Cloud's punches were merciless, and I wondered if Kadaj was really going to die today.

"Where is she?" It took a lot of courage for me to ask. I had no chance against big brother without my guns, and I was not allowed to shoot at him. Might as well get my jaw broken but... I needed to know.

Cloud stared into Kadaj's eyes, breathing dangerously. He threw Kadaj back against the floor, releasing his collar as he stood up. "She's at the hospital. And if something happens to her, I am coming back." His threat made the room go cold and I made no movements until he was out of the door. I finally relaxed when he was gone. Our butler - who had been hiding this entire time - rushed in, panicking as he saw my brothers sprawled on the floor.

"Call for a doctor, will you?" I asked tiredly. As much as they annoyed me, I helped them both up to their feet. More servants rushed around them, and I took this chance to make my escape from this mess. I dialed for our driver, holding the phone up to my ear with an urgency. "Cid, what's wrong with her?" Cid knew there was only one girl I would ask him about.

"She's… not doing so well, Master," he answered after a short silence.

"Text me the location, I'm on my way," I told him before hanging up and running towards the driveway. There was no time, and I felt anxious for someone else for the first time in my life. When I arrived at the hospital, big brother was not there, but his blue haired friend was sitting outside the ICU. He tensed as he saw me, but I put both my hands up to dispel his concerns. I was not here for a fight - that was the last thing I wanted.

"Family only, I am sorry," the nurse told me as I tried to enter. I sighed, watching her from outside, through the glass window. I didn't know that glass could keep people away to this extent. I always thought it shattered quite easily, but here it was, between us, separating us. She looked like she was in a deep sleep, but the bruises and bandages around her suggested she had been through quite a lot.

Over the next week, I visited her everyday. The first time Cloud saw me, I thought I was dead. But he didn't say anything as I took a seat next to her. I read silently for a while, and left after the short visit. Everyday, when the others weren't there, I read to her - as stupid as that was. I knew she couldn't hear me, but watching her lifeless body, hearing the strange beeping of the machines around her… I hated it. I hated the needles in her beautiful hands… the hands that could hold a gun with so much grace that it was a compliment to the weapon.

I hated it all.

And if Kadaj was the reason she was like this… I realized that something needed to be done about him, even though he was my own flesh and blood.

When I got home that afternoon, I asked where Kadaj was. Entering the study, I glared at the guards until they left us alone. "Why did you do it?"

He spun around, facing me. "Ha? You too?"

"Come on, Kadaj. It's just us. You can tell me." I tried to coax the truth out of him, but he looked confused.

"Yazoo… I didn't do anything. Sure, she pissed me off, and I want to make her pay for it, play around with her but… mako?"

"Please, you're capable of anything," I lied, even though I knew deep down that this could not be Kadaj's work.

"If Mother ordered me, I would do it. I love watching people suffer, after all. But…"

"But?" I pressed, raising an eyebrow at him.

"It would be a shame… if her eyes lost that lovely color," he cleared his throat, and my eyes widened at his unexpected reply.

"If it's not you then…" I sighed, shaking my head. "I'm going out." I didn't offer an explanation and left the study, even though I could hear Kadaj calling for me repeatedly.

"Cid, I need you to tell me everything that happened," I told our driver, sitting in the basement of Pulse where I knew we wouldn't be disturbed. The old man gave me a detailed account of the events, and I assumed that whoever the culprit was... they were after Zack and Aerith.

"It doesn't make any sense…" I crossed my legs, thinking about it as I folded my arms across my chest. "Let's say this person somehow predicted Lightning would come to save them… but they couldn't be sure. It could've been big brother, or one of his other friends. Someone who would be happy to hurt big brother, or his friends… or Lightning. I can only think of Sephiroth."

Cid pulled out a silk handkerchief from his pocket, handing it to me. "The Turks cleared the site, but I picked up this bullet before they could get rid of the evidence."

I examined the bullet, narrowing my eyes as I studied the design, rotating it between my fingers carefully. "We don't have bullets like these. Not in the whole family."

"That's… what I thought as well, Master."

"Then… let's treat the drugging and the attack as two separate events. Let's assume the drugging is Sephiroth's work, and the attacker is another party. He hasn't been in the country for a while, so how would he know about Lightning? Are there people investigating Cloud?"

"No, Master. Just the family's guards, keeping watch. And Master Cloud has been very careful. There are no images of him and Young Miss in the records."

"No images…? But then… How did he know about her?" I sighed in frustration, trying to understand this situation. "Cid, run a check for Sephiroth's calls."

"Master… I am not authorized to-"

"Cid… please." I couldn't believe I was begging, but I had no choice. I wanted to get to the bottom of this - and fast.

"Yes, Master. I will contact you again when I have more information."

"Can you arrange a meeting with our gun dealer? I am going to dig around for information on the weapon that fired this bullet."

"Certainly, Master. When should I schedule it for?"

"After midnight. I am going to the hospital first…" Rising from my seat, I left the deserted club and drove to the hospital. The room was already crowded, and all of her friends surrounded her. With a lot of her bruises now gone, Lightning looked like she really was just sleeping. I stayed outside the room, watching through the small space in the door. Cloud and Zack were holding both her hands, and I felt like an outsider. But I didn't care. At least she was still breathing… even if she wasn't waking up.

I stayed out of sight until the room was empty. I slipped in quietly, opening the window to let fresh air in. I pushed a few strands of her hair away from her face, pulling out the book and reading to her for a while. After a certain point, I couldn't continue. I hesitated, hovering over her hand before holding it. It was soft, and I caressed it carefully. She felt so fragile, and I despised the role my family had played in making her so.

I lifted her hand, placing my lips against it. It was warm, and I closed my eyes, squeezing it a little more. "Wake up…" I found myself saying, a sharp pang stabbing my chest. This feeling was new too… so different from the sadness I had experienced so far in my life. My eyes shot towards the door, and I saw big brother leaning in the entrance, arms crossed. I quickly released the girl's hands, and he walked in, taking the seat on her other side.

"I'm looking into it," I told him, and my attempt at initiating conversation must have surprised him - judging by his expression at least. "I'll call you when I figure out what's going on."

Cloud nodded, sighing tiredly as he rubbed his eyes. I rarely saw him leave her side, and the dark circles under his eyes suggested he hadn't been getting much sleep.

"It's not Kadaj, by the way. But thanks for beating him up. He had it coming for a long time." Cloud nodded again, and I took one last look at the girl before leaving the room, sliding the room shut quietly.

It was time to put the pieces together.

And I was going to start with a visit to the Turks.

A/N: Yazoo trying his best makes me so emotional T^T Anyway, next update will explain things a little more. Again, so sorry for the slow pace but I am planning to write a lot for this story, so hopefully the readers will forgive me.

Until the next update! ^^