He had held her hand and helped her climb aboard the Phantom Train. Her eyes were glued to him. He was like a magnet, compelling her towards him, like gravity pulling her in. She couldn't help but take in his breezy scent. She longed to snuggle against his coat, and breathe him in, and inhale the scent that reminded her of home.

The Phantom Train bore walls of crimson, with a matching velvet red carpet. Blue, old-fashioned seats were lined neatly in the carriage. The seats held a metal headstand, with intricate carvings and filigreed texture. As the train took off to its next stop, Yuna could see the mist swirling against the windows, finger-like streaks twisting over each other.

The experience was surreal to her. It was as if she was floating inside a dream, one with no particular meaning. The hazy, bizarre atmosphere drawled over her. She pinched her cheek, it stung. It couldn't have been a dream, but it contained all the features of one.

"Is this your first painting class?" Bartz asked her, looking down at her with a gentle smile. She could only nod, speechless.

He clasped his hands together enthusiastically, his grin growing wider on his face. "Excellent! The more the merrier."

"…Thank you," She told him, for no particular reason at all. His aura soothed her nervousness from earlier. The Phantom Train was no longer menacing now that his presence ruled her vision.

"Huh?" He perked a brow, "For what?"

"For having me."

"Ah, no. Thank you for coming here. Take a seat anywhere. There's one more stop before we start the lesson."

Meekly, Yuna paved her way to where Lightning sat. Golbez sat opposite him, smiling softly at them. Lightning was unimpressed. She was eyeing the interior as if it was covered in slime, grimacing all the while. There were canvas stands in front of them, separating them from Golbez. He was sitting alone, Yuna noticed, so she glanced around the carriage for Cloud.

The ex-soldier had seated himself further away, alone in a corner. His elbow rested along the pane of the window, his fingers pressed into his cheek. His eyes were staring ahead, at some memory that he couldn't grasp.

"Cloud doesn't sit with you?" Yuna turned to Golbez, who was already separating paints onto a large ivory palette.

"There is usually someone else that he waits for," He explained, examining the paint that slipped onto his thumb.

Lightning let out a derisive snort. "He was always such a pansy."

Yuna's eyes widened with shock. How could Lightning freely express herself about another soldier? They must have known each other in the past, but she wasn't genial about his status. Lightning caught her stare, her smirk faltering. She sighed, running her gloved hand through her silky blonde strands.

"I used to work with Cloud back in Midgar," She said, her icy eyes surveying the ex-soldier far away, "You might'nt believe me when I say this, but he was happy over there."

The urge to embrace Cloud struck Yuna again. Sometimes, she loathed her maternal instincts, but she wanted to see everyone smile. Life was too precious to hide from. Time was too valuable to brood over.

"We could…Call him over to join us," She suggested, earning another scornful chuckle from Lightning.

"Doubt he will," Lightning waved a hand in the air, as if to dismiss her offer.

"I have tried many times," Golbez proposed, setting his palette aside, "But he is a reclusive man, who speaks with but one person on this train."

"Bartz?" Yuna questioned but to her astonishment, Golbez shook his head.

"No, not even Bartz's bright spirits could penetrate that man's soul," He then stared at Cloud, who was oblivious of their conversation, and of the world, "That man had fallen into the darkest pits of hell. Time cannot heal him alone. He must first learn to forgive himself. Only then can he climb back up."

Lightning grunted at his response, clearly annoyed with Golbez's judicious speech. She crossed her arms, watching the train reel through an endless misty forest. Yuna drank in Golbe'z words. Her heart reached out to Cloud.

How could she have not seen the pain in his eyes? There were moments when his dark exterior dissipated to reveal an anguished soul. He needed help, humane compassion, but like all humans, he refused to share his emotions with anyone.

She saw Bartz stroll his way over to Cloud, chatting with the morose delivery man animatedly. His arms akimbo, and his eyes squinting with laughter, Bartz managed to extrude a few words out of the usually silent Cloud Strife. For a brief moment, the ghost of a smile flitted across Cloud's lips.

"He's very nice," She said absentmindedly.

"Cloud is not nice," Lightning hissed, "He's just another sore loser."

Golbez chuckled, "I think she meant Bartz."

"Oh," The blonde blinked the shook her head to erase her absurd outburst, "He doesn't seem to have a care in the world, huh?"

"Far from it," Her moonlike companion laughed, "He's a free soul. No earthly chains ensnare him."

Of course, Yuna thought to herself. Bartz must have also lived a sheltered life, loved dearly by both parents. The harsh tentacles of sadness hadn't squeezed him. His happiness hadn't been tainted by the sorrow of death, or losing a parent, as Yuna had.

She thought of her mother, an atheist who married her father. Despite their religious beliefs, they expressed a love that transcended boundaries and faith. They were the ultimate example to her, and she longed to honour her mother's memory. Bartz obviously had the perfect life right now, with both parents supporting him, since he sported a personality brighter than the sun.

"Do you write poetry or something?" Lightning quipped through gritted teeth, "Cut the poetic crap, please."

"But…I like his poetic words," Yuna interjected, and Golbez let out another low chuckle.

"I hate his poetry as well," A foreign voice intruded their conversation.

They faced a stern man, with dirty blond hair that was tousled and unruly. He was unshaven, eyebrows perpetually furrowed together, creating a crease above the bridge of his nose. His eyes were squinting with undeniable anger. Yuna couldn't guess if this was customary for him, or if he simply hated them for existing.

He stood from his seat, which was across from them, and trudged his way over in his bemired boots. His grey shirt was missing a few buttons, and was carelessly stuffed into his trousers. Yuna hadn't noticed him before. It was as if he appeared out of thin air. Perhaps, he got on a stop before them.

"Nice entrance," Lightning quipped at him, rolling her eyes, and muttered, "Great, now I'm stuck with an idiot who thinks he can rhyme, a delivery pansy, and someone who escaped from the asylum."

Yuna noted that Lightning had excluded her and Bartz from the complaint.

"You cannot judge me!" The unruly man remarked, teeth bared like a feral creature.

"Gabranth, no one here judges you, but yourself," Golbez admonished him.

"You can't imagine the pain that I've suffered!" Gabranth hollered, his voice quivering from sadness or ire, Yuna couldn't tell.

"Right…A psycho riff-raff," Lightning sighed, rubbing her temples, "Someone please remind me why I came here." She then snapped out of her harsh mannerisms, and glanced at Yuna apologetically.

Yuna gave her a reassuring smile. Then she realised that another man sat from across the conversation breaker. His dark brown hair and piercing cerulean eyes reminded her of Bartz, but a more sadistic version of the latter. He could have been his relative, for all Yuna knew. The Bartz clone tilted his head, and that was when she noticed the scar that cut deep from the edge of his left eye, and up the bridge of his nose.

"Lightning?" The newcomer, or rather new person that recently existed in her perspective, stated.

"Squall Leonhart," The blonde soldier acknowledged through gritted teeth, "Boy, something tells me that is gonna be a long night."

"Didn't think you'd be into painting," Squall jeered at her with a sardonic grin.

"Funny," Lightning laughed mirthlessly, "I was about to say the same about you." Squall's grin faded.

"It's nice to meet you too," Yuna interrupted, hoping that she could remind them that she existed.

"Whatever," Squall murmured rolling his eyes, striking a chord within her heart. His remark was so insulting, she couldn't understand why he'd address her in such a way. Then again, he reminded her of Lightning, who was also that rude.

The only difference being was Lightning actually refrained herself from spewing her insults towards Yuna. It was as if she was careful not to hurt the girl.

"You…Are not very nice," Yuna stammered, and Squall raised his brows until they vanished into his dark strands, "You…You shouldn't be so mean, if someone is trying to talk with you."

"Like I care," Squall cut in, "If you want to talk, then go talk to a wall."

"Squall!" Bartz had skittered his way over to them, "Watch your mouth."

"That is no way to address a lady," Golbez reproved Squall with a stern expression.

"Or next time, you can talk to my fist!" Lightning hissed, raising the said fist towards the younger man.

There was no hint of regret in Squall's lazy blue eyes. He rolled them again, and scoffed, "There's no need to get so worked up. Stop ganging up on me."

When the crowd backed away, Yuna avoided eye contact with Squall. She could almost feel his piercing eyes burning a hole through her head. She concluded that she disliked the taciturn man. His comments were harsh, making her bow her head with inferiority.

She heard Bartz argue with Squall in the background. She wasn't one to eavesdrop but found herself straining her ears to hear them out.

"Come on, what did I say about being nice to people?" He remarked, disapproval evident in his tone.

"What? Are all of you her guardians or something? She can stand up for herself, you know," Squall backlashed indolently.

"Yeah, but remember what happened to Quistis?" Bartz reminded him, "Don't deny that you scared her off."

"It could have been the Phantom Train."

"Squall! Perk up sometimes, okay? You gotta stop scaring off newcomers."

"Are you okay?" Lightning's voice pulled her back to reality.

She met Lightning's apprehensive gaze, and nodded. "I'll be fine."

It was rare that she met a man, or anyone, that challenged her mentally. She had lived a sheltered life, with people who knew nothing but kindness in her little village. Her sudden encounter with Squall left her heart beating with inexpugnable anxiety. She would tense whenever she caught him glare, and shrivel up like a flower in the wind. He must have been brought up in of those areas that reared hooligans.

"That punk's got attitude," Lightning told her, "Don't mind him too much. He thinks he's cool but he's been a jerk from the get go."

Yuna swallowed the knot in her throat, nodding again to reassure the blonde that she was fine. However, she didn't feel fine. She wasn't at ease now, as the Phantom Train slowed to a halt towards its next stop.

Bartz instantly jogged to the carriage door, stepping out to greet his students. He returned with two new figures by his side. One belonged to that of a girl with a doll like face. Her large eyes were always cast to the floor. She pushed back her light blonde hair, which was tied with a fancy red ribbon and beads. She was very skinny, to the extent where it made Yuna think she was under fifteen years of age, but her features told otherwise.

The second person was but a young boy, with unruly ginger hair spiking out from a red cap. He was still dressed in a burgundy school sweater and grey pants. His tie was undone, one end trailing down to his waist. He carried his rucksack over one shoulder, eyeing everyone with a sly expression.

"We got two new lassies joining us today," Bartz told them boisterously, "Ladies meet Yuna and Lightning."

"Hey! Quit picking on me! I'm a man," The boy groused, reaching to give Bartz a punch across his arm.

"Ow!" The painter cried, rubbing the sore area, "I was only messing!"

"Amusing," Lightning added, though she was not amused by the whole situation.

"Right…Yuna, Lightning, this is Terra" Bartz introduced the timid blonde girl, "And this brat here is Luneth, but we like to call him Onion."

Yuna let out an impulsive giggle. The boy appeared distraught and opened his mouth to talk but Squall interrupted him with a snide remark about onions and stinky feet. Luneth growled, waddling his way towards Cloud, while making sure that Squall's canvas stand was knocked to the floor. He accidentally whacked Gabranth's canvas stand with his rucksack instead.

"Why do you hate me so?" The unruly man exclaimed, glaring daggers at Luneth, whose cheeks were red with shame.

Terra greeted both Yuna and Lightning with a faint smile, before she too glided her way towards Cloud. Her feet bounced softly against the carpet, creating no sound. Cloud had a glint of a spark in his cold eyes upon seeing her. He straightened himself in his chair, greeting Terra with a smile. Yuna's eyes widened with shock.

Did she just witness Cloud smile? It wasn't the grimace sort of smile that he often gifted her with, but it was genuine, and dare she say, caring. Who knew that Cloud was actually capable of feeling such emotions? Otherwise, he was a just another empty vase. Terra seated herself beside him. They were chatting, which only increased Yuna's shock.

Cloud was keeping up a conversation. He was the man who spoke nothing, but here he was, speaking with a girl as if she was his long lost childhood friend. Terra must have been the person Golbez had mentioned earlier. Luneth, on the other hand, glared at the ex-soldier, despite sitting opposite him.

Bartz cleared his throat at the end of the carriage to catch everyone's attention. His canvas and stand were prepared, as was his painting palette. Dollops of different oil paint colours aligned the canvas. His took the palette in one hand, and a stout paintbrush in the other. Yuna watched in awe as he gracefully dabbed the large paintbrush into a jar of water. Once the bristles were moist, he washed his canvas with a light aquamarine hue.

"Tonight, we're gonna try and create a perfect tree," He started, stepping away from his canvas and grinning with the same smile that threatened to make her swoon.

"Question!" Luneth raised his hand, "Why a tree?"

"Because…"Bartz's eyes narrowed in scrutiny and he rubbed his chin with his fingers, "Uh…Slipped my mind just there."

"Isn't it got to do with that tree you planted in the Great Forest of Moore?" Squall called out.

A flicker or recognition flashed through Bartz's features and he clicked his fingers. "Oh yeah! Thanks Squall!" He then crossed his arms, brows furrowed with apprehension, "But that tree looks so evil now. I want us to paint a happy tree, not an evil one."

Luneth let out a facetious snort. "How could a tree look evil? That's just illogical and stupid. You're stupid, Bartz, and your motivations behind each painting is stupid." Bartz merely gave a silky shrug and sighed in frustration.

Luneth let out a yell when Terra smacked the back of his head. His red cap scrambled across the floor. It slid near Squall's feet, who stomped on it before Luneth could reach for it. The boy protested for his hat but to no avail did Squall return it to him. Gabranth berated them for the ruckus. He was engrossed, like Golbez, in his painting. The latter had already sketched the outline of his perfect, happy tree.

"Well, what are you all staring at?" Bartz said glibly, "Get started."

Yuna stared at her palette of colours, unsure of what to do. She watched Bartz choose colours from the corners of her eyes, memorizing each paint that he collected with his many paintbrushes. She proceeded to emulate him. Art was never her strength, but it was not her weakness either.

She had the urge to draw the best tree in the carriageway, if it meant impressing her teacher. The latter had left his work, walking from one seat to the other, and gazing into everyone's attempt at creating an immaculate tree. He stopped to give advice, particularly to Squall, who stared at a blank page. Yuna suppressed a giggle, as she listened to Squall moan in silence.

"I can't do this," He murmured, when Bartz was out of hearing range, "This really is stupid."

"You are merely ignorant in the arts, Squall," Gabranth scoffed, as if Squall was a just a petulant child, "I still cannot believe that you joined these classes when your skills at art are below average."

Squall rolled his eyes. "I was forced into this. Bartz can sure shove his opinions down people's throats."

"Or you're too gullible, boy," His scruffy partner dictated, flicking his paintbrush elegantly over the canvas.

Yuna beamed to herself. She was definitely better at painting than Squall. Then she paused, giddy with childish excitement. She hadn't been this competitive since she played 'summoners and guardians' back in her childhood village. The scene was refreshing. For once in her life, she was glad she took a step for herself.

She was always out aiding others, making others happy, being the pillar of strength for those who needed it. She never treated herself, or any of the like. Now, she was delighted to have boarded the Phantom Train. Golbez had been right all along. She was growing accustomed to the people around her, to the Train's low howls, and to the painter that painted smiles on their sorrowed faces.

Then he was by their side, surveying their canvases. He broke into a wide grin when he came around to Golbez, praising the man for his work. Yuna longed to peer over into Golbez's canvas, to determine how great it was. A twinge of jealousy burned inside her. She wanted her work of art to be praised by Bartz as well.

He scurried over to Lightning, and stopped in his tracks. The colour was drained from his face, his eyes were wide with idiosyncratic confusion. Lightning lifted her paintbrush, scowling at him for staring so dismally at her painting.

"What is it?" She growled.

"Umh…That's doesn't resemble a tree," Bartz said honestly.

Since Lightning was sitting beside her, Yuna took a peek at the soldier's art. She almost dropped her brush upon seeing it. An uneven straight brown line was carelessly smudged in the middle of the page. Streaks of more dark brown extruded from that line, making it appear like a thin, crooked pencil with bad hair day. Green paint was fatly decorating the ends of the streaks.

Yuna restrained herself from bursting with laughter. Lightning wasn't joking when she said her painting skills were feeble.

"Come on, you gotta put more soul into your art, Lightning," The painter concluded, striding towards Yuna's side instead.

"Put more soul into it? As if such a thing exists," Lightning quipped sardonically.

"Let's see…" Bartz leaned in beside Yuna, and she almost gasped at their closeness.

His breezy scent infiltrated her nostrils again. He was so close, she could reach out and touch the smoothness of his face, the sharp curve of his jaw and the tip of his nose. His eyes were almost a golden blue-brown underneath the luminous light of the carriage hall.

He looked at her with a smile, his mouth moving, but his words melted before they could reach her ears. She was captivated, drowning into the oceans of his eyes. Then he was gone, like the wind, and all Yuna could do was let out a shaky breath of air.

Lightning fidgeted beside her, and moaned, a visible nerve throbbed on the side of her forehead. "This is not working."

"I know," Yuna breathed. She was afraid of her the way her heart fluttered when it was in close distance with the painter. Her face was warm. She didn't understand what was happening to her.

"But Bartz said your tree looks good," Lightning complained, smacking a palm on her forehead. She instantly regretted it since a streak of brown now covered her peach toned skin.

Yuna became engrossed in her painting. She mixed colours together to achieve different shades of hues. She paid attention to detail. As soon as she started on the leaves and blossoms, an hour had passed.

"Time's up!"

She looked up, disappointed the class should end so soon.

"We are getting off at the Evil Forest," Golbez explained to her, upon seeing her mesmerized, "Here, we take the train back to Zanarkand."

"But what about the Phantom Train? Is this the last stop?" She queried.

"No, each night, the Phantom Train travels to a new location, which is why we get off here to return."

Everyone was returning their unfinished pieces back to Bartz, and tidying up their painting stands. When the Phantom Train's wheels, screeched to a halt, they began leaving one by one.

Yuna realised that Bartz was still examining the paintings, a hand over his chin.

"Umh…" She approached him shyly, but he didn't heed her, or perhaps he didn't hear her footsteps.

"Bartz?" She asked again, but he was still busy scrutinising the paintings.

"Bartz!" He jumped, whisking around to face, and apologising hastily.

"It's okay," Yuna reassured with a giggle, and holding her hands behind her back, staring at the floor timidly, "Umh…Thank you for the class today."

He grinned at her. "You welcome. I hope it wasn't stupid."

"No, no, of course not," She said, shaking her head, "What happened to your tree back in the Moore Forest?"

"The Great Forest of the Moore," He corrected, "Well, that tree grew tall, and started sucking up all the light like a greedy geezer. I call him Exdeath whenever I pass by that place. Really, I feel as if I'm getting sucked into some vacuum near him." She was giggling again, her hand over her mouth, and he waved his arms enthusiastically, "No, I swear! It's like he has the powers of a void, or something."

"I see…I hope Exdeath will lose his evilness soon," She offered, and he let out a short laugh.

"I doubt that," He said firmly, and placed a hand on her shoulder.

She jolted upright, electricity sweeping from his fingers and down her arm. His mouth was moving once more, but her ears had muffled out all sounds. She only heard the pulsating beat of her heart, forcing blood to pump to her head. Her ears throbbed with the rush of blood, her face was warm with heat.

"See you tomorrow then," He ended the conversation, and her smile faltered.

"You are not getting the train back?"

"Nope."

"How come?"

"Cause I want to see what's at the end of this road."

"Oh…" He was intriguing, she thought. She wanted to ask him more but Lightning's voice echoed from outside her, calling her. Reluctantly, she stepped out, glancing over her shoulder once more to wish him goodbye.

::::::::::::

The Evil Forest was the same as any forest that Lightning crossed during her life time. Trees and vines spread as far as the horizon, their shadows obscuring the train tracks and the sorry excuse of a rickety, old wooden station. Clutter of leaves fluttered above them in the nightly breeze.

Lightning shivered, not used to the cold at this hour of the night. The chill crept up her spine, and she breathed out misty vapour. She should have expected that, since she chose to wear a long sleeveless blouse and a brown miniskirt.

"Would you like to take my scarf?" Yuna had pulled out a woollen hat, matching pink gloves. She held out her scarf to Lightning, but the blonde shook her head.

Her eyes widened when Yuna stood on the tips of her toes and wrapped the scarf on the older woman's neck.

"Uh…Thanks," She stammered, staring at the ground in embarrassment.

She was certain that this Yuna was her beloved childhood friend from the past. It was funny, Lightning never believed in fate. She always sought to write her own fate, but her chance encounter with her lost friend amazed her. She didn't want to believe that it was fate. After all, fate was the one that stole her parents from her, and gave her and her sister their tough life.

After all the years where she considered herself to be brave, she was afraid of telling Yuna about their shared past. What if Yuna wasn't the same the girl? What if she didn't feel any spark of friendship with her? The Yuna from her childhood home was like another younger sister to her. She didn't want that perfect image of the girl to be burdened by a present Yuna who shared no connection.

However, she had to try.

"Yuna," She said, clearing her throat.

"Yes?" Yuna was busy fixing her hair into her hat. Her snub nose was flushed pink. She appeared so meek, and innocent, just like her sister Serah.

"I was thinking," Lightning began but some hard object whacked against her face, causing her to bend to her knees.

"Ugh!" She was sure that there was a bruise on the left side of her face. Snarling, she glanced the rag tag group of people for the culprit.

Luneth was staring at her like a deer caught in the headlights. His arm was extended, with his fingers shaking with trepidation. Squall had a cruel smirk plastered on his face.

"Are you alright?" Terra and Yuna gasped.

Lightning stood back to her feet, a feral grimace on her crimson face.

"I-I meant to get Squall," Luneth blurted, his voice squeaking like a frightened mouse.

"I apologise on his behalf," Terra cut in, stepping in front of the boy like a vanguard.

Lightning took the details of Luneth's school before getting on the train back to Zanarkand. Luneth was sandwiched between Cloud and Terra in the back, appearing distraught and scared. Lightning had threatened to report his nightly activities to the principal of his school. Now, the poor boy was biting the nails off of his fingers.

Lightning didn't like Squall either. She decided to wait for an opportunity to put that punk in his place. She used to be an instructor for his class a while back. It was one of the worst experiences during her military school. Squall in particular, was a reclusive introvert who carried a ridiculously sarcastic demeanour that frustrated her to her very core.

When Terra and Luneth had gotten off their stop nearly an hour later, Cloud came to sit beside Golbez.

"Hi," He greeted them, and Yuna beamed at him.

Lightning didn't understand how Yuna could confront every single person on the street with that radiating kindness. Not even Squall's blistering personality had cut through her. She was intriguing, Lightning concluded.

"Did you enjoy the class?" Yuna asked Cloud, and Lightning rolled her eyes.

"No," He stated and the girl frowned.

"How come?" She asked, but Cloud stared at his shoes and shrugged.

It was as if Terra had taken the caring Cloud with her and replaced the empty shell with the broody Cloud once again. Lightning stared out the window, uninterested in talking with either Golbez or Cloud. She didn't even wish to glance over at Squall and Gabranth's direction.

The heavy weight of sleep took over and she soon drifted to sleep. She dreamt of the Phantom Train, howling louder than the winter wind. Its wheels screeched against the metal train tracks. She was standing in the middle, waiting for the train to knock her down.

Before it did, she awoke with a jolt. Her head was resting on Yuna's shoulder. She quickly straightened herself and apologised. The girl shook her head with a smile.

They stepped out in the train station, which was now bustling with crowds of people. The insidious mist from two hours before had dissipated into the shadows, leaving the moonlight to stream through windows and paths.

Lightning removed her keys from her purse, and turned to Yuna. To her irritation, the girl was busy conversing with Golbez. Cloud had already vanished into the shadows. She didn't even see him leave the train after her nap.

She decided to wait for Yuna and Golbez to part. When five minutes had passed, and they were still deep in conversation, the soldier was growing impatient. She was about to interrupt them but two figures caught her eye.

One had premature grey, he was tall, wearing an old fashioned suit and tie, holding a cup of dark hot chocolate in his hands. Beside him stood another tall man, with silvery hair that gleamed like moonlight. He appeared to be anaemic with his brilliant, ivory skin and purplish lips.

A surge of anger washed through her at the sight of the first man. It was the Warrior of Light himself. She didn't know why he was still awake at this hour. The man relished in his beauty sleep, and was an early riser, much like herself.

"Claire, what a pleasant surprise," Light greeted her, and she forced herself not to tear his spine from his throat.

"That's Captain Farron, to you," She corrected him through gritted teeth, "We are always soldiers, whether in the barracks or outside."

He blinked at her with an expressionless face, "I agree with you but there is no need for such formalities outside our professional careers. You have permission to call me Zest outside the barracks, Claire."

"A woman in the army?" Light's companion said beside him. Lightning's right eye twitched with ire.

"Oh right!" The other man said, "Claire, this is my assistant, Cecil Harvey."

Lightning flashed Cecil a disdainful look, yet the anaemic man displayed no fear. Rather he was unaware of her burning hatred. If Zest called her Claire one more time, Lightning was sure she would lose control of her patience and go berserk.

"Claire," He said again, and she restrained herself from punching him across the face, "Where is your assistant? We didn't see you two after lunch."

"What?" She cried, "I thought you weren't starting your training until tomorrow."

"Whoever said such a blasphemous thing," Zest said with an artificial chuckle, "Cecil wished to commence his training today, Claire. He hopes that I should get the promotion. Of course, it comes down to the best of us to achieve it."

Lightning clenched her fists by her side. They shook with potent fury, threatening to break free of her will and smash themselves over the Warrior of Light's face.

"Zest, let's return to the barracks and train for another hour before I head back to my house," Cecil told his tutor, who instantly agreed, to Lightning's annoyance.

He wished her a goodbye. She said nothing in return but seethed with anger when they left. She hated Zest Light with a fierce passion. The old-fashioned young main caused her blood to boil beneath her skin. She hated being compared to him, but the other Generals often compared their skills.

It took Yuna two clicks with her fingers to snap Lightning back to reality.

"Get in the car," The soldier growled, and Yuna frowned, slightly shaken by her sudden harsh tone.

"Sorry…" Lightning added quickly, but glanced at Yuna's hand. It appeared different. Wasn't she wearing a wedding ring before they boarded the train?

She knew Yuna had married some nameless soccer player that Lightning didn't give a damn about. The jewel was no longer sitting on Yuna's delicate ring finger. She must have removed it, for reasons unknown to Lightning.

When they entered her Mercedes, Lightning pulled out her phone and dialled Firion's number. She drove down towards Yuna's house like a crazy boar. Not even Yuna's whimpers eased her discontent emotions.

Firion's trembling voice answered the phone.

"I need you at the barracks, rag-head. Now!"

When Yuna had gotten off, Lightning drove eccentrically towards the army barracks. She then realised the pink scarf still woven around her neck.

Her fingers slowly circled around it. It was warm and soft under her touch. It had Yuna's scent, lilies and cherry blossoms. How come every girl had a flowery scent? Her sister smelt like lavenders, while her mother used to smell like jojoba.

Then she thought of the Phantom Train, and how it smelt like frost, mint and bittersweet despair.