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

Once again my A/N begins with my thanks to my reviewers: GCFarron, OscarMerrinoz96, and Crystal (personally, I don't really see Light with anyone, but if you told me to ship her with someone, my definite preference is Hope. xD). You guys rock.

And with regards to those one shot requests - I have them written down on my iPhone, and I will be working on those when I need a break from a chapter. You guys will know when the one that's dedicated to you is up; I'll PM you if I can or you can just lurk my profile.

Anyways, this chapter is character development 101, so I'm sorry to say, no action, and no Eidolons, blah. Finally some deep LightxHope for those who have been waiting for some, though, and I even had time for an RL friend to Beta this again (seriously, Haruka, you're amazing, and I know you're reading this) Enjoy as always!

Chapter 33: Untamed Providence

A starless sky stretched above the deciduous trees, leaves black in the moonless night. Serah twisted the end of her pink ponytail nervously - the only way she could tell there were people around her was Snow's comforting arms around her shoulders and the crunch of footsteps on grass and dried leaves in front of her. Snow couldn't be more than a foot away from her, but she couldn't see his face.

The only source of light was the flickering branch they'd lighted with a Fire spell, held carefully in Hope's left hand. She didn't know how her sister knew where they were going, but she wasn't going to argue. Getting out of Tythell had been no easy task - none of them could figure out how to get off the now half sunk island city until Hope had suggested they freeze themselves a path. Serah smiled privately to herself when she thought of that particular slippery journey, glad that her sister couldn't see her smile.

Snow grabbed the end of Lightning's cape as he slipped on the uneven surface of thin ice. Whipping around, Lightning angrily slapped away Snow's grip on the end of her cape. Grinning devilishly at her sister, Snow refused to get go at the contact.

Watching her sister swear angrily at her husband, Serah hid a smile behind her hand as she exchanged an amused glance with Hope. Snow was trying to dodge his sister in law's furious punches, but he wasn't being very successful - his back hit an uneven ice spire and he stumbled again. Lightning held her fist in front of Snow's face.

"Snow, if you ever touch me like that again, I will-"

"You'll what, Sis? Not afraid of making your sister a widow?" Serah winced - Snow should have known better than to say something like that to her.

She watched, slightly afraid now, as the familiar anger light in her sister's eyes. "Shut the fuck up, Snow. I don't care how much you mean to Serah. Don't. Mess. With. Me." Lightning punctuated the sentence with a Water spell, but she hadn't been expecting one back.

Spluttering angrily, she wiped the sopping hair off her forehead, pulling out her omega weapon. Serah moved forwards the same time as Hope - for a moment she thought her sister was actually going to attack him. Instead, she held the blade barely a centimetre from Snow's nose - Serah saw with relief that he had the decency, or the brains, to look sheepish.

"One more move, Snow..." Serah flinched - that was her dangerous voice and she knew it a little too well. When Snow didn't reply, shooting Serah an apologetic look, Lightning turned, but not before swiftly kicking Snow in the shin, causing the big man to slide back on the frictionless ice into the water.

A scream escaped her lips as the inevitable splash sounded close to them, showering them with muddy, warm water. But what Serah didn't expect was the screech of fury that followed the splash - looking over, Lightning was clinging to the side of the slippery ice with her hands; evidently, Snow had intended to pull her into the water as well. She was cursing angrily, and Serah had to admit her sister did look funny - dripping pink hair that was rumpled to one side, her face was wet, and the only thing that reminded Serah of her usual self was the fury in her turquoise eyes.

"Shit! Snow, you..." Laughing openly, Serah reached down to grasp her sister's wrists to pull her up. She caught the sight of her husband's sodden thumbs up several feet below her and she grinned back.

"Serah! Stop daydreaming and lend me a hand here!" Her sister's irritated voice cut though her reminiscences, and Serah jerked her head up, leaving the comfortable warmth of Snow's coat. Shaking her head slightly to remove the images from them, Serah jogged over to her.

"What, Claire?" Her sister handed her the torch that she'd plucked from Hope.

"Hold this - you're taller than Hope and I need to see." From the flickering flamelight, she could see that her sister had found a cave. How she saw that in the darkness... I don't know. The thump of boots on rock made her jump a little - the thought her going into that cave alone wasn't remotely settling. The fingers of her other hand found their way into her mouth; Serah stopped herself before she could chew her nails off.

"She'll be okay." Hope's quiet murmur sounded beside her shoulder. Looking over at the platinum haired teenager, she wondered how he could be so sure. He has to know it's not safe... He has to care about her... right? Her thoughts must have shown on her face, because a faint smile formed on his thin lips.

"I know it's not safe. But the last thing she wants is anyone worrying about her." He looked away from her carefully, like he was choosing the words one by one. "So... you keep your worries about her to yourself. Maybe it's appeasing her way of thinking, but it's not worth arguing with her over."

Since when has he known her so well? She knew they were close, she knew they had a connection she could barely begin to understand, but Hope's understanding of Claire reached a level Serah hadn't thought her sister would let anyone else reach. And maybe... just maybe, that's a good thing. Serah found her own smile reaching her lips at the thought. I was betting on him to open her up. And it looks like I was right.

As much as Hope's insight bothered her, she knew, instinctively, that he was right. There are so many things not worth arguing with Claire over... I can't even count. Before she could continue musing, the sound of boots on stone grew louder and she knew better than to talk about her sister right in front of her. She could see the distinctive pink hair just a metre or so away underneath her foot level - the cave was partially set into the ground.

"You can come in; it's safe," she reported. Serah waited until Hope had lowered himself into the space between the rock and the earth before she passed the burning branch to him and slid her slender body in between the gap. She barely made it - how Snow was going to get in, she didn't know. I hope Claire doesn't just plan to leave him out there.

A grunt was followed by a shower of damp earth in her hair - squealing, Serah moved away from the opening as Snow landed in the cave, the entrance now significantly wider than it had been before. Hope giggled behind her as she moved forwards to brush the damp earth off his shirt. His appreciative hand brushed her cheekbones before he removed it, reaching around him for the twigs that Lightning had sent him to get when she hadn't been paying attention.

Hope dropped the branch onto the pile that Snow had brought - instantly, the cave bloomed into a flickering orange circle. Sitting down on the cold stone before she went to dig in the backpack she carried for their food, Serah dumped the handful of various roots and greens into the base of the fire before sitting on Snow's lap, her back against his chest. She felt his arms wrap automatically around her.

Ignoring the disgusted look Lightning shot in their direction, Serah made herself comfortable.

"She's just jealous," Snow whispered in her ear, causing her to giggle. Serah closed her mouth the instant her sister shot daggers in their direction before she spread the map they'd stolen from the Oerba Ruins on the ground.

"So." Lightning's voice was as curt as usual. "We've covered the Demonsoul Tower and the city of Tythell. The question is, where's the next one?" Hope leaned over, carefully inspecting the worn paper.

"There's four of them, right?"

She felt Snow shift - taking the hint, she moved off him as he made his way over. There was a long silence as everyone looked at the map of Gran Pulse, trying to think where the next crystal would be. It was only after almost ten minutes of silence before anyone voiced a thought.

"If you were the 'cause' of the Eclipse... you'd want to make sure you were involved in it somehow...right?" Hope spoke slowly, his tone unsure. Serah could see him staring intently at the map, green eyes filled with thoughtfulness.

Snow cleared his throat. "Yeah, but so what?"

Hope glanced at him. "Think about it. If Pulse left the world at Tythell, wouldn't it make sense that a crystal would be located where Lindzei and Etro, the other two fal'Cie gods, left?"

Serah saw her sister glance curiously at him, reaching out a hand to stop Snow from voicing an objection. Snow shot her an exasperated look - Serah knew exactly what he was thinking. He thinks that Claire respects Hope more than him... and he could very well be right. She smiled a little, hoping he'd get the message to just humour them for the time being.

"Well, the two places are pretty clearly marked on the map. Lindzei's shrine is known as Lahrima Castle, and the place where Etro was last seen was the Ice Cliff Palace."

Snow cracked his knuckles, shooting a knowing glance at her before continuing. "Well, that's the best idea anyone's had all evening. I don't see the harm in looking around them - we wandered uselessly plenty the first time we were in this place, right guys?"

When no one objected, Snow patted the back of his bandanna again before making his way back to her. "Alrighty! We'll set off for the closest one tomorrow morning then." His arms came around her again and she readily held him back, burying her face into 'her' spot on his shoulder. "You want first watch, or shall I take it, Sis?" Serah smiled against Snow's broad shoulder - he knew better now than not to ask her.

From what she could see above the line of Snow's shoulder, Serah saw her sister give them a critical look.

"Well, Snow, seeing as Serah can't seem to tear herself away from you at the moment, I think I'll take first watch. Don't worry, I'll wake you if I need a hero to help me with something."

She heard his deep chuckle reverberate in his throat as Serah snuggled against his warmth, grateful for the press of his body against hers. "You got it, Sis."

Lightning listened to the breathing behind her slowly deepen and slow down. Settling herself into a new position just in front of the dying coals of the fire, she wrapped her arms around her knees, ignoring the feel of the cold stone against the back of her bare legs. Fiddling with the edge of the leather of her gloves, she let herself relax a little. Nothing could sneak up on them, and she'd see - and hear - anything else that might come barreling her way.

Soft footsteps on stone made her turn slightly. "Hope, you should be sleeping." Her voice came out more exasperated than she'd meant to, and she saw him flinch a little. Pressing one hand up to her forehead, fingers raking her bangs, she let out a groan. "Urgh, sorry, it's nothing against you... I just..." I just can't get Xue's prophecy out of my head and I don't want to bother you or Serah with it.

She felt a light, phantom touch on her shoulder, and instinctively, she flinched away a little. The touch didn't vanish though, and she forced herself to relax. It's just Hope... I shouldn't be reacting like this. But she knew exactly why her body was reacting like this. I don't know if this is the last time... I'll see or hear your voice. And as sick as it sounds, I don't know if this is the last time I... can be with any of you. And that's what hurts the most: I don't know how much time we have left.

"Light? Are you ready yet? You know... to tell us?"

Lightning let out another soft groan - she definitely did not want to talk about this right now. A part of her told her to let it out at the same time her other half told her to stop being pathetic and weak. I... don't know anymore...!

"Hope." Her voice caught on the one syllable his name lasted. "If I tell you... will you promise not to tell Serah and Snow?" She found herself looking into his intoxicating sea green eyes, both hating and appreciating the concern she saw in their depths. She couldn't see the rest of his features that well in the dying light, but it was probably for the better - she hated looks of pity.

"I promise." He hadn't even questioned what exactly she was hiding. And Lightning realized that was what she liked about him - maybe it was naive of her to be so expectant of his complete trust in her, but on the other hand, and she hated herself for thinking this way, was that somehow, she knew he understood. Maybe I'm just going soft, but I can trust him in a way I can't do with Serah.

She took a breath before she continued. Maker... I really don't want to see... What if he hates me for it? What if... There were so many doubts she didn't think she'd be able to count them and still put on the strong, determined front she knew he'd come to expect from her. Realizing she was trembling slightly, she willed herself to stop - there was no good reason to scare him more than she was already going to.

"Hope. Xue said something to me... right before she died. She said... 'What you pursue will be yours... But you will lose something dear.'" She wrenched herself away from him... afraid to look at his reaction, and afraid of how he would see that. There was a long silence that followed her barely audible words.

"And you're going to take that lying down?" The question surprised her so much she glanced up back at him. What... He didn't wait for her to say something. "Light, you're probably going to hate me for saying this, and I know you hate mushy stuff, but... You're the strongest person I know. It was because of you... you and Snow, that I found the courage to keep fighting. I don't think... No, scratch that. I know I wouldn't have made it back to Eden to fight Orphan if you weren't there. So, don't give up. I know Xue was a Farseer l'Cie. I know she can see the future. But we've changed our fates before. And we'll do it again."

She found herself staring into his green eyes. She wanted so badly to believe it, to believe that they could. And he believes it... so should I... right? Lightning realized her breathing was slowing a little, and she forced herself to relax, to actually think. Yes, they'd changed their fates before, but it wasn't without a cost. The two still crystal figures in Cocoon's amaranthine shell was testimony to that.

A soft touch of fingers met her left hand. Before she realized what she was doing, she found herself holding onto his hand like it was a lifeline. Like it was the only thing she had left to cling before the enormity of the future she'd been presented with crushed her underneath its steel grip. She felt a slight prickle of shame that she'd come to rely on him so easily like that, and if Snow happened to wake up...

But if she was honest with herself, she had to admit that such close contact with another human being... wasn't as bad as she always touted it to be. Especially since she needed the mental support at the moment, especially when she wanted so badly to believe in his words. It was awhile before she mustered the inner equilibrium to speak.

"You think so?" He nodded. Once.

She let out a sigh, looking back briefly behind her for a moment. Snow was fast asleep - she was sure she didn't want him to wake up and catch them holding hands. "Thanks, Hope," she finally muttered quietly. "Since when did you become so mature?" She was surprised at her own question - usually she pushed people away before things got personal like that. But I think... well... I know now that holding certain people at arm's length... isn't the best solution to certain problems. And if I'm honest... if I really have to admit it... I'm glad he's here. I'm glad I met him.

He chuckled softly. "Since you told me to 'toughen up' back at the Vile Peaks. Remember?"

She shot him a glare. "That's not what I meant."

"Honestly, Light, you take everything so seriously. Okay, okay..." he added, seeing the look on her face. "Well... let's see. I think... I knew I needed to do more the night we got you back... You remember, right?" His voice was a little tentative, and she could tell he was trying to gauge her reaction to his words.

Shit. Why did it have to come back to that? Her only other moment of definite public weakness. The same nightmare still trawled through her dreams sometimes, but she had tried her best not to show it.

But he ploughed on, clearly relieved she hadn't said anything yet. "And you're probably going to well, slap me for this, but I think then... well, I think I realized you could cry too, as horrible as that sounds." And funnily enough, she knew what he meant. Am I supposed to feel offended? Somehow, she didn't think she was that bothered by his words - it was true she hid all of that behind an impassive cold mask. "And so... well, I think then, I realized I needed to grow up too. Because, Light... I don't think I've told you, but I know I don't... and I know Serah doesn't... no one wants to see you like that, okay?"

"I get it," she murmured quietly. She didn't want to hear anymore. Why am I... Why do I always break down when I need strength the most? But she also couldn't deny that in this moment, she wouldn't have dragged herself through it if he hadn't helped her convince herself. "Thanks." It felt odd, still, to hear the appreciative word escape her lips. But there was nothing else to say that would express the way she felt. And she didn't dare say anything else lest he take it the wrong way.

Lightning didn't pull away when he rested his head on her shoulder, silver hair tickling her collarbone.

Snow rubbed his eyes to the milky pink of dawn that was beginning to seep through the gap from the earth to the top of the cave. He smiled wickedly to himself - he'd woken up halfway through the night to see Lightning and Hope sitting very closely together, and in fact, they still were - Hope had fallen asleep leaning against her now sleeping form. Snow held back the cackle that was rising in his throat; surprised as he was that Light had let him, he wasn't going to let her hear the end of it for awhile. Sis... you've just provided me with the entertainment of a lifetime.

A few birds sang delicately in the black branches that were silhouetted sharply against the rouge tinted sky. Moving over stealthily, he tickled Serah in the side, clamping his hand over her small cherub mouth when she woke with an indignant fit of the giggles. He saw her look at him questioningly before he pointed behind him. Her expression changed from slight irritation and puzzlement to one of soft affection and happiness.

She pulled his big hand from her mouth. "That's so cute!" she squealed quietly, blue eyes filled with a happiness Snow had rarely seen her with outside of her time with him. He smiled devilishly.

"Sis is never going to hear anything else from me."

This time, it was her turn to press a slim finger to his lips. "Shush. Remember, I told you, if you want to see more, don't say anything." Her happy expression lifted his heart, before he saw her turn her eyes downwards. "And don't give her a hard time, Snow, please. It's hard enough as it is getting her to open up to everyone - if you tease her, she'll stop..." Her slightly forlorn voice trailed off glumly.

He laughed quietly. "Okay, okay, baby, I get it. It's just..."

"Just what?" Her curious smile had returned to her lips.

"Remember when she first met me? And she thought I was too old for you?" He smiled broadly at the memory - Lightning's rage at the time had been so extreme it might have been comical if the situation hadn't been so serious. Serah stopped to stare at him, blue eyes full of playful inquiry.

"Uh huh. So what?"

Snow held both of her hands in his. Leaning down to her ear, he whispered into it. "Well, doesn't she look like a hypocrite? Hm?" He felt her wrench a hand out of his grip before playfully slapping him in the cheek.

"You don't get it. You don't even know that she's... they're... well, you know." Her voice took on a slightly more stern tone. "I don't want to push things with her, and I know you know that."

Rubbing his cheek delicately, Snow stared at the petite face of his wife looking up at him. "You're so cute when you're angry, baby. I know, I know... I'll let them figure themselves out on their own, I don't need you to tell me. It was just a thought." Her smile returned to her lips and her teal eyes sparkled with amusement.

"Just a really mean thought! Even if they were, you know, together... that's still mean. Age shouldn't be a factor if you care about someone, so don't be that way." She paused for a moment, clearly thinking. "They're not even... Urgh, Snow, you're sick, did you know that? She cares about him. In what way, well, we'll all see when we get there; I don't think she knows herself. And the same goes for Hope. So don't even think about mentioning it in front of her, Snow. I don't think she'd take it very well."

This time, his laugh was hearty. "No, I don't think so," he agreed amicably. Snow rubbed the back of his neck, stretching the sore back muscles that had leaned against the curve of the stone cave all night. He felt the smile return to his lips. Guess you're off the hook this time, Sis. Though if you make it more obvious, well, don't blame me if I tease you.

Pulling Serah up to the mouth of the cave again, Snow wiped his hands on the rock before glancing up at the sky. The steadily pinkening sky told him which way was east, and he relished the morning air - the air in the cave had been musty and the fresh breeze of dawn tasted sweet. He set off with Serah into the forest, intending to perhaps fetch some more roots for their lunch when he stubbed his toe on a rock.

"SHIT!" His curse was loud and sent the birds above their heads fluttering away in alarm. Serah giggled as he hopped around on one foot - half of it was for her entertainment, but he hadn't been expecting -

"Snow, what the hell did you do this time?" Lightning's angry voice sounded a little distant. Crap, I woke her up.

She emerged by herself from the mouth of the cave, pink hair slightly disheveled, turquoise eyes full of suspicion. Snow worked hard to hold back the stupid grin he knew was going to spread on his face when he dwelled upon the reason why her hair was messed up - she would figure it out instantly and probably kick him for it. Nonetheless, some form of his amusement must have shown on his face because a skeptic expression crossed her face and she looked at him oddly. Oh shit, please don't figure it out, please don't make it look so obvious...

Luckily, Serah came to his rescue. "Claire, can you give me a hand here? This root is being really stubborn." Snow hid his expression of relief until she turned her back, helping Serah tug out what he assumed was an edible root. Baby, you're the best. A rustle came from beside him - a tousled platinum head of hair popped up by his feet. Snow coughed, trying to cover his barely hidden amusement.

"Morning kid. Ready to hit the road?" He thought he sounded a little too happy, but if he did, Hope didn't notice. He'll need to be a lot more observant to reach Sis's level.

"Yup."

Stuffing the handful of roots Serah pressed into his palm into the backpack, Snow slung it over his shoulders before setting off hand in hand with Serah, thoroughly enjoying the sight of Lightning and Hope walking together in front of them.

Sorry, baby, but if this keeps up I won't be able to help myself.

The thinnest claw of a waxing moon glimmered above their heads. They'd been walking for days now in the direction of the Lahrima Castle, and there was still no sign of it. Hope was beginning to get tired of the sameness to the trees, the sameness to the breeze blowing through the dark green leaves. Summer was coming full on, and the nights were beginning to get hot. Even now - it had been at least an hour and a half that the sun had set and he could still feel the line of sweat at the back of his neck.

A wall of brambles stopped him in his tracks; edging away from the thorny barbs, Hope tried to look for a way around it. Not finding one suitable for someone his size, he tried a Fira. And all the spell did was set the hedge on fire, arguably making it even more unpassable. Quickly, he sent a Waterga at the brambles, hopefully Light hadn't seen...

She had. Giving him an exasperated look, she came over, Serah and Snow trailing behind her. "What the hell... did you just try?"

He shuffled his feet. Clearly the 'moment' they'd shared about a week ago didn't have any bearing on her current temperament. In fact, she acted like it hadn't happened - she was just as blunt as usual. Hope felt a twinge of doubt hook his stomach - he didn't know why he was so bothered by the fact that she was acting this way. He wasn't sure about how he felt about her - she was someone to look up to and to stand with, to protect, that much was for sure, but beyond that... he really didn't know; Hope felt a faint line of heat spread up his neck at the thought. But anything was better than having her angry at him - maybe he was being too sensitive; it wasn't like she hadn't spoken like that to him before.

"Erm, tried burning the hedge so we could get through?" he tried hopefully, looking up at her with an apologetic glance.

She sighed, shaking her head.

Snow cleared his throat behind them. "Well, you can't really say it hasn't been effective. Cause look what's beyond these ugly pricklies." Hope turned around quickly - his spells had worked... to a degree. While there was a now fairly human sized hole in the brambles, at first he couldn't see what Snow was so happy about - all he could see were more brambles and more hedges. He heard Serah gasp beside him, and he followed Snow's finger upwards.

Silhouetted against the dark sky was an even darker shape. And he wasn't an expert at mythology and fantastical things, but he was fairly sure that the shape up ahead, situated on a dark bluff, was a castle.

And he knew all too well what castle it was.

We found it.

So. Wow. I don't think I was lying when I said this chapter is full of character development. Hope and Light, especially, but that was kind of the point. xD We move on in the story in the next chapter though, and I do apologize if some of you found this chapter boring - personally, I thought it was amazingly rewarding to write: exploring character depth not presented in the original XIII is definitely one of the better aspects to writing fanfiction. n_n

That scene with Snow and Serah, with Snow accusing Light of pedophilia, basically, that scene was extremely fun to write. Ha. I really don't know what else to call it. There are some fics out there (namely one of them that does an amazing job) which does explore their relationship as their ages are in XIII. I, for one, actually do cringe a little at the idea of them and their in game ages... and well, you'll see how I work out their relationship.

Anyways, enough of my bumbling about that. Leave love as always in reviews, and I'll see you guys next time! I have work again after class tomorrow, and so don't expect the next chapter before Thursday.

Hearts!