So hey guys, and thanks for tuning into the next chapter of NR! :3

I got it done earlier than expected - I got more of this chapter done than I thought I would yesterday, and so here it is! (:

A big thank you to my reviewers again, OscarMerrinoz96 (and yes, same here, it is definitely the age difference that gets me) and Mylaervain! You guys rock, and I really appreciate the time it takes to write a review! ;D

So anyways, moving on to the chapter - this one is a little lacking in action, as a emotional piece is the centrepiece of this chapter. (And hopefully I got it right - suggestions to said emotional piece appreciated!) Enjoy as always!

Chapter 19: What Doesn't Kill You

Birds chirped in the slender branches above his head as Hope blinked his eyes open to the pale morning sunlight. He gave a surprised start when he realized he'd been leaning on someone in his sleep... and that someone was Lightning. Pulling himself up quickly, he brushed out the wrinkles in his clothes - Light wasn't going to be happy if she woke to find out he'd been leaning on her while they'd been asleep.

Snores cut through the serene morning light, and he allowed himself a smile - Snow wasn't ever discreet, not even when he was asleep. At least I don't have to sleep in the same room as him. A burst of birdsong made him look up - flocks of candy pink birds were nestled above him. I wonder if...

The tree branches weren't terribly tall, and the trees themselves didn't look hard to scale. His black gloves gripping the bark, he was surprised to find them rough but easy to grip. Perfect for climbing. Remembering all the trees he'd climbed in the childhood he'd left behind not too long ago, Hope set his eyes on his goal: a clump of nests about twenty feet up.

Going up was easy enough - the birds had fluttered off with alarmed cries the moment he cleared five feet. Triumphant, Hope stuck his head above the nest line, and sure enough, he was greeted by the sight of several large blue eggs. He wasn't quite sure what kind they were - he'd never seen them before, but who cared? Eggs are edible... right?

"Hope! What the hell are you doing up there?" Lightning's irritated voice sounded a little distant as he was so high up. Closing a fist around the fat eggs, he slid them into his pocket and looked down. Her pale heart shaped face was barely visible through the foliage, but her pink hair glistened in the morning sunlight, and even from where he was he could see the scowl on her face.

"Erm, nothing." Maker, he sounded pathetic - exactly like a kid who had been caught doing something he wasn't supposed to be doing. He saw her glare at him disbelievingly.

"Right. Because nothing told you to climb twenty feet into the trees." She let out an irritated huff. "You'd better get yourself down here, because I'm not going up to fetch you." The sound of boots on dead leaves told him she was leaving, and branch by branch, Hope slowly lowered himself to the forest floor, careful not to jostle the bird eggs in his pockets. A fist closed on the back of his shirt.

"Now. Tell me exactly what you were doing so high in that tree." Lightning - she was the only person who could sneak up on him like that. He held out the eggs in response. Hopefully she won't be too mad when she sees these...

He heard an exasperated snort as she glanced up into the trees again. "Well, I can't exactly stop you from being an egg thief, but honestly Hope, that was dangerous..." He felt her flick him in the back of the head.

"Ow! Okay, Light, I'm sorry!" When she didn't reply, he risked a glance at her. She still looked a little angry, but there was an expectant expression on her face. "Uhm... I promise to ask you next time?" he ventured.

She turned around as she went to drop some twigs on a bare spot on the earth, teal eyes glinting with amusement. "You'd better."

Snow woke to Lightning's boot in his side... again. Springing away with a yell of indignation, Snow tried to glare at her. It wasn't easy when she was glaring back with a dangerous look in her eyes.

"Snow, do you know what time it is?" Not bothering to wait for him to reply, she continued. "Ever heard of getting up early so we can get a head start?"

"Uhhh, no, Sis? Honestly, if you wanted me up earlier you could have kicked me." He tried to make his voice sound friendly - but it was first thing in the morning and Lightning was already mad.

"Tch. I don't have time to baby you. Look, Serah's the only one who can baby you all you want - why don't you ask her next time?" She didn't bother to wait for his response, turning away while stuffing her weapon in its holster. Speaking of Serah...

His wife was nowhere to be found - he assumed she was with her sister, and sure enough, when he stumbled after Lightning he found her kneeling next to a small fire with several eggs and more than a few birds. She looked up from cooking when she saw him though, and a radiant smile lit up her face.

"Snow! You're up!" Her slender arms wrapped around him, and he eagerly returned the embrace. Pressing a kiss to her forehead, Snow was just about to...

"How many times have I told you I don't want to see that first thing in the morning?" Lightning's irritated voice broke them apart and he noticed the blush on Serah's cheeks as she stared at her sneakers and put her arms behind her back.

"Claire... that's kind of mean. I mean, we're married and all... You don't have to be so uptight." Her older sister didn't seem to think so though, as she let out an angry huff, shooting a venomous glance at Snow. She thinks I started it, doesn't she?

"There's a difference between doing whatever you do in private and right in front of me, okay?" She paused for a minute, using the time to glare at both of them - then she cast a glance at the fire behind her before turning away. "By the way, Serah, the eggs are burning."

Serah broke away from his embrace, bounding for the small fire, poking the eggs away from the coals with a long stick. She held one up with slim fingers, and offered it to him. Snow looked at it suspiciously - the blue shell was a little blackened, and it wasn't an egg he recognized. His wariness must have showed on his face because Serah giggled.

"Snow, it's just an egg, you know. Eat it!" Carefully plucking it from her fingers, Snow rolled it around in his hand.

"Anything for you, baby."

Lightning unrolled the thing that Xue had given her the night before on a flat rock. Snow and Serah were still giggling and laughing over the food, and she shook her head. Why did I bother to go hunting for them? Next time they want to waste food, they can hunt for themselves. Hope had settled himself beside her knee, looking on intently.

The thing in question was what she had suspected it was - a map. And at first, she couldn't understand it - the writing wasn't Pulsian and it gave her a headache, looking at the funny lines and symbols. And then she recognized one landmark - one that wouldn't be easy for her to forget: Cocoon. Quickly glancing northeast a few inches, sure enough, a tall mountain was sketched in. And just to the north of that one was a cave... with a Pulse l'Cie symbol in the middle of it. A finger jabbed it the moment she put her eyes on the spot.

"Light, that's... That's what Xue was talking about, isn't it?" Hope's voice was hushed.

"I think so... and we shouldn't be too far from it. Why, you think it's worth taking a look?" When Hope suddenly stood up, she was a little startled - something was definitely up.

"Light, not to offend you or anything, but it's well, not fair that you do most of the fighting." She stood up too, aware of what he was implying. "I, well, I don't mind becoming a l'Cie again. If it means stopping the Eclipse. And I'm sure Snow feels the same way."

Shock and horror. That was all she could feel at the moment. She knew exactly what he was talking about now, and... I swore... I would protect you. And you, becoming a l'Cie again is...

"No. Out of the question." She could feel the initial shock of the question giving way to anger. "You're not." She put on her best stern look and scowled at the teenager, hoping he could see the anger in her face and forget the craziness he was suggesting.

But he glared right back at her, suddenly reminding her of the teenager in the Gapra Whitewood and Palumpolum - the one who was ready to do anything for revenge. "No, Light! It's like Serah said, you try doing everything by yourself and you end up getting hurt. You might have promised to protect me, but remember, I promised to look out for you too."

Lightning pretended not to have heard his last sentence. "It doesn't matter if I have to do things by myself! You're not running around with a brand again. You heard what Xue said, if-"

"That's exactly why I'm suggesting this! You think I, no, make that any of us want to see you turn into a C'ieth? That's why you gotta let us help..." The sounds of the giggling somewhere behind her had stopped, but Lightning didn't care anymore. She didn't want to reply, didn't want to give in. Like I'm trapped between fire on one side and hell on the other. Trying to control the involuntary shaking that had taken over her body, she tried to control her voice, tried to keep the utter anguish out of it.

"I know that. I know that you care. But I care too, okay? And you don't need to be a C'ieth because of me." Her fingers instinctively found her weapon - it was her comfort thing whenever she felt threatened. Closing her slim fingers on the omega weapon's handle, Lightning tried to glare at him. But she couldn't - not when he was looking at her like that. She felt hands close around her shoulders.

"Light! You're not going to make me change my mind. Other people care about you just as much as you care about them. So accept it, okay?" She angrily shook his hands off her shoulder, backing away a few steps.

"Listen, Hope, I don't care what kind of personal agenda you've got - I don't agree." She turned around, flicking her cape behind her, and crossed her arms. Lightning tried to calm the tumultuous emotions raging inside her; tried not to show it on her face or in her actions. But she couldn't. I can't... let them do this. And I'm sure of that much, but...

She hadn't given much thought to Xue's words the night before, but Hope's words had brought it up again. What if I do end up getting another Focus? Or what if... As much as she didn't want to think about it, she couldn't deny that there was a possibility that she could end up in crystal stasis again. And if they really managed to reawaken whatever that had woken them up last time... The possibilities are endless, really. But she still wasn't ready to let him... even if her efforts were pointless in the dark, twisted road ahead, she had to try.

She knew they cared, and if she was honest, she felt the slightest touch of warmth whenever she realized that they cared. But no matter how much they cared, it wasn't going to change the fact that she'd promised to protect them all. And...

"Claire?" Serah's hesitant voice sounded somewhere in front of her. Lightning brushed back pink hair that had fallen into her eyes, and she let out a small gasp when she felt the sweat on her forehead. She tried to fix her gaze on her sister, but one glance at the look of pity in Serah's eyes brought the anger back in less than a single heartbeat.

"Serah, save it. I know you're only going to spout the exact same things Hope did, and I don't want to hear it." Her voice shook on the last few words, and she knew that even if it didn't, Serah knew exactly how weak she felt emotionally at the moment.

"Claire, we say these things because we care, like I already told you." Her sister's voice was gentle. "But you can't - You can't stop us from trying to protect you, just like we can't stop you from doing things by yourself." Serah moved closer to her, gently wrapping fingers around her upper arms, shaking her slightly. "We all want to do what we can to help. Claire, you know as well as we do that if those people really get what they want, it won't matter what we are. So let us help... okay?"

Lightning felt her sister's arms slip as she realized she was sinking to her knees. "Serah, I..." She felt her sister brush back her hair, and somehow, the gesture reminded her of the childhood that she so willingly threw away.

"I know, Claire. But you can't do everything alone... okay?"

Serah, that's so easy for you to say. And I do admit that it feels, well... nice to be cared for by everyone, but I still can't... I can't let... I promised to protect you for a reason.

"Light, please let us help..." Hope sounded desperate for her to agree. "Even if anything goes wrong, no one blames you, okay?"

Lightning forced herself from her knees, trying to glare at Hope, but knowing any attempt would be fruitless - it was too obvious she was so vulnerable at the moment. She saw the puppy dog eyes of her sister, and the expectant expression of Hope - and she knew with a sinking heart she had to give in, even if it wasn't what she wanted, even if she didn't agree, she knew they'd just do it anyways. If this causes some argument that lasts... and they do it anyways, it's not worth it. None of what I say will be worth it. Lightning pushed the emotions down, taking a deep breath as she gripped her gunblade, trying to rationalize the situation. She was glad when her next words sounded stronger and more assertive.

"Fine... I can't stop you, since you look so determined to help. But just... don't-" Even so, her voice quavered on the last sentence, when she really assessed what they were going to do. Damn, why do I have to be so weak? I could have been stronger, could have just ignored Serah and Hope and refused, but every... single time... When it comes to them trying to persuade me, I feel like every part of me is being stripped away before them. She heard Hope move closer to her, and he cut her off gently.

"We know, Light. We know." Hope's voice was even. And she didn't pull away when his arms circled her waist.

Snow hid a snigger behind his hand.

He'd stood quietly to the side while his wife and Hope tried to console Lightning into letting them help, and he almost stepped in when he saw her sink to her knees. But now, well, the scene in front of him was just too cute not to smile at - Lightning letting Hope hug her. She wasn't exactly hugging back, but he stored the moment in his mind - he'd tease her about it later.

"Alright, guys, time to go, okay?" He hoped his voice was assertive enough - if Lightning heard the amusement in it, she was sure to come over and punch him. Hope awkwardly detached himself from the soldier at his words, blushing a little. Heh. The kid too?

Lightning, on the other hand, clearly hadn't missed the amusement in his voice. Her eyes were still glazed with the same pain and indecision they'd had earlier, but she managed to shoot him a piercing glare nonetheless. Swiping the map off the flat rock they'd left it on, Snow glanced down at it for the first time. The scrpit didn't make any more sense to him than if it had been speaking monster, but he could guess.

"Aight, Sis, let's go." She shot him another glare, but plucked the paper from his loose fingers and strode quickly ahead of him. Again, Snow marveled at how quickly she was able to shut down her emotions and turn from the terrified, almost hysterical young woman to the stoic soldier he saw ahead of him. Sis knows how to internalize her emotions better than I ever will. And maybe that's what made her such a ruthless fighter - not because she was more skilled or had more strength, but because she was able to put the compassionate part of her tucked away, while...

While I can't. The Hanging Edge, Palumpolum. Shaking the memories from his head, Snow allowed Serah to link her arm with his. It wasn't hard to guess why she still looked a little down, and he smoothed her pink ponytail, hoping the gesture was enough to let her know he knew.

"Hey baby..." She smiled a little. "It's okay now... right?"

"I hope so..." Her voice was lower than it usually was, and he realized it was because she didn't want Lightning to hear. The soldier was far enough ahead of them though, that he didn't think so. "It's just... I sounded strong earlier, but that was only to convince Claire... I didn't think she would take it like that..." Her quiet voice trailed off, and Snow gently moved his hand down to her cheek, pulling it up a little. He was looking right into her sky blue eyes now.

"Don't doubt it - Sis would never have come to the conclusion if you didn't help her. It was the right one, and it's about time she realized that. Okay? So don't feel bad, baby, you and Hope did the right thing."

He felt her lean against him, burying her small face in his shoulder. His gloved hand trailed around to her back.

"I know... it's just... It hurts to see her like that. It really does. Snow... I don't ever want to make her feel like that again." He chuckled a little.

"Oh, I know you won't, baby. Sis is tough - she'll be fine. Remember? What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and Sis is a survivor."

He felt her nod against him, humming a small murmur of agreement.

"Are you two going to set there and dawdle all day, or are we going?" Lightning's angry shout sounded from somewhere ahead of them, and he heard Serah give a little giggle.

"Come on, Snow, we'd better get moving before Claire gets angry at us for something else." Pulling his hand, she walked faster forwards. Laughing, he followed her, admiring the way the sun made her pink hair glisten like pearls.

And I'll follow you anywhere. You know that.

It was nightfall when the mouth of the cave loomed into view. Set into a mountainside, the opening was nearly covered by dark green pines, but the yawning black mouth of the cave was even darker than the night itself. Serah felt Lightning stop in front of her, tensing. Her sister's fingers went right for her weapon, and Serah saw the flash of gleaming metal in the moonlight as she drew it.

Her fingers tightened around Snow's hand, and she felt him squeeze back. No one needed to say it, but the cave had a sinister feeling about it - like the mouth was the mouth of a monster just waiting to devour them in the darkness.

"You sure this is it?" Even Hope's quiet whisper seemed too loud for the obviously deserted canyon this cave was located in, and Serah half expected monsters to leap out at them at his words. She waited for Lightning to snap back that she could read a map.

But she didn't, only humming to show that she was sure.

She caught Snow's cocked eyebrow of surprise at her sister's lack of a reaction, and she shrugged back silently. An angry look entered Snow's eyes, and she held back a giggle - she knew exactly what he was thinking at the moment. More than likely very angry that had it been him, Claire would have chewed his head off already.

Serah watched as her sister took the first tentative step into the mouth of the cave - her boot echoed on the stone and she saw her sister wince. But nothing else seemed to be there, and for some reason, the silence was almost as unnerving as if monsters had appeared. It's too quiet. Even I can see that there's no way monsters don't live here. And if they're not here, that just begs the question... 'What's here then?'

"Let's go," Snow murmured quietly from beside her. This time, she let him pull her into the darkness of the cave. The only thing she could see was Hope's platinum hair and her sister's weapon, reflected off by the moonlight that streamed through the entrance that was now behind her. Every footstep seemed too loud for the thick silence in the cave - even the sounds of nature were muted by the rock walls. Straining her ears, Serah could hear drips of water, but her eyes struggled to adjust to the total darkness that engulfed them. She couldn't imagine what it was like for her sister right now in the lead - Snow was right beside her holding her hand and she was still scared.

The deeper they went, the more suffocating the darkness seemed to be. The tunnel was narrowing; Serah's sneakers bumped the sides of the cave a little too often, and the only way she could know that there were other people there just beside her was the sound of breathing and footsteps. The air was cold, but not in an unpleasant way - it tasted fresh. Is this a tunnel?

She bumped into someone ahead of her, and she heard Lightning hiss.

"Why did we stop?" Snow's voice was somewhere beside her, and Serah groped in the darkness for his hand. Finding it, she gripped his gloved fingers and squeezed them tightly. She felt him hold her back, and the small gesture made her feel slightly more relaxed.

"I think we're here," came the quiet reply. When her sister moved, Serah realized she could see the pale pink strands of her hair highlighted by some eerie blue tinged glow. It wasn't enough to see anything else by, but she let out a quiet sigh of relief. Everything's gonna be okay, right?

Her next step downwards took her into a puddle, and she let out a small shriek as the cold wave of water washed over her sock. Instantly, she felt Lightning's steel grip close on her arm.

"Claire, it's okay... I just panicked, that's all." She gently pushed her sister's grip off her arm, and prodded her forward. The eerie blue glow became brighter the more they walked - she couldn't see over Lightning's head, but there had to be something there. Her sister and Hope's silhouettes were now clear in the darkness - something up ahead was causing shadows to dance on the wall behind them, and Serah thought she could hear the whistle of a faint breeze.

"Are we outside?" Clearly, Snow thought the same.

But the question didn't need answering, because the tunnel opened up into one of the most visually stunning places Serah had ever seen. And I'm from Cocoon, the supposed 'floating paradise'. There was a lake in the middle of the large cavern, but it couldn't really be called a cavern. The top of the cave was gone, and it opened directly into the star spangled sky. Some sort of luminescent plant life grew on the sides of the walls, which were weeping water that fed the crystalline lake in the middle.

Serah ventured a foot into the cave that dipped downwards. Somehow, in this place that opened to the sky, her footsteps didn't seem loud anymore. We must have been climbing... We entered at the bottom of a canyon, and now the sky looks so close, I feel like I could touch it. Lightning and Hope were standing at the side of the lake, peering intently into the bottom of it, and Serah made her way to them, carefully picking her way around stalagmites and stalactites.

The blue glow was coming from the centre of the lake, and deep down in its clear waters, she could see the symbol of a Pulse l'Cie etched in the same glowing lines. The bottom of the lake was smooth, unnaturally so. I wonder why that is? This place looks like nature carved it with the work of centuries, but maybe not?

Suddenly, the click of a weapon echoed through the empty cavern, and Serah tensed when her sister whipped around - turquoise eyes blazing, omega weapon drawn. She felt Hope flinch beside her, and her line of vision was quickly obscured by Snow's large form.

"Looks like our l'Cie friends finally made it, hm?"

You guys already know about my penchant for cliffhangers, ha!

Well, you'll just have to wait and see what happens next, wheeee~ I did promise some l'Cie action for the next couple of chapters last chapter after all. I wonder who was lying in wait? Well, correct guesses as to who it is - there are so many people after them now! D: - gets you a special shoutout! 8D

I'll most likely have the next chapter up tomorrow evening, so leave love in reviews as always, and I'll see you guys next chapter! :3

Hearts!