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

Once again, much love to my supporters: thewhitespirit, That One Reviewee (and awh, thank you! I do read every single letter of every review I get though, haha!), Erifrats101, H-thar (if I were Lightning... I'd be worried now. xD), and Zapper90! Thank you so much for all your support - NR hit 20K hits sometime last night, and wow, thank you all SO MUCH! As always, hearts to LadyAlaska~

Enjoy as always!

Chapter 56: Entangled Yearnings

Their progress through the crystallized Sunleth Waterscape was faster than what Snow had expected it to be. Unhampered by monsters and enemies alike, Snow wondered where all the clones had gone as he looked around the blue crystal meshed almost perfectly with the lush landscape of the Waterscape. Some of the plants and trees had been untouched, though they were starting to wither without the fal'Cie care. For now, though, it seemed that this part of Cocoon was untouched by Ragnarok's ire, though he wondered to himself what the place would look like in a few decades when the drought and lack of care would impact the Waterscape like nothing else. There was still the sound of running water that splashed into streams and lagoons, but the rest of the humidity would get eaten up quickly by the sheer size of the location. Snow found that the thought was somewhat disturbing. This place hasn't really changed since Cocoon's fall... but in a few years, this place'll be unrecognizable.

Casting a cursory glance behind him, he was somewhat relieved to see that Lightning, at least, was managing to keep up with him. They'd all seen her reaction the moment her feet had been planted steadily on the crystal ground of Cocoon, and seeing her react like that had almost made him want to cave - it had been only through sheer force and will that he'd managed to stop himself and go over to her. Because she's right. The last time we were here, fighting for this place, Serah was still with us. She still existed. The thought was impossibly heavy, like a burden that held up the world, but Snow was determined to fight through it. It's like I told Sis... we have to keep going. Baby, tonight... tonight you'll see the end we all wanted to see. I swear. The thought was empowering, and Snow cracked his knuckles. We'll make it.

The shattering of crystal somewhere off into the distance instantly made him jerk his head up as Snow instantly turned to the direction of the sound. He heard something being unsheathed beside him, and he could hear the shorter breathing of Hope just behind him. Squinting through the mess of crystal leaves and trees, he tried to discern where the sound had come from. That definitely hadn't sounded natural, even more so in the unsettling silence of the Waterscape that was encased in crystal. The bright moonlight from above was dimmed and diffused through the intricate web of crystal that Cocoon's shell was made of, but midnight couldn't be far away now.

"There," he heard Lightning hiss. Snow followed her gaze, seeing a slightly caved area several ledges downhill from where they were standing. He'd been about to leap from their current ledge when a rough tremor sent them all crashing to the ground as the crystal and verdant world of the Sunleth Waterscape shattered around them, raining down crystal shards and leaves - he winced when a splinter dug into his cheek. In the silence left by the death of the fal'Cie that monitored the Sunleth, Snow heard and felt a wind beginning to blow past his face, billowing his coat behind him as he closed his eyes to the unbearably chaotic world that had erupted around them. What the hell?

When he felt it was safe enough to open his eyes, he noticed the conglomeration of crystal and leaves alike in the once-lush forest paths, sprayed with mist from the lagoons and streams that had been disturbed by what he thought was an explosion. There was moisture on his cheeks and Snow winced when his thick fingers brushed the shard of crystal that had been driven beneath his skin. "Is everyone okay?" he rasped out, glad to hear that his voice sounded steady enough.

"Yeah." Hope's reply was a little distant. "But it looks like this place isn't." Snow looked up to see that both he and Lightning were already struggling to stand in the slippery mess left by vegetation and crystal alike as he followed the direction of Hope's gaze. Where the shattering of crystal had come from, there was now a large, dark blue half transparent dome... thing. It looked like some sort of barrier, but he couldn't be sure from their vantage point. Pushing himself up with a small jump, Snow pressed two fingers against his left cheek until he'd removed the small crystal splinter, caught with several specks of blood, crushing it between his fingers.

"What is that?" he asked quietly, hissing the words between his teeth.

"We're finding out sooner or later, aren't we?" Lightning's quiet reply from his right made him look sharply at her. Her bare arms were also sprayed with water droplets as she shrugged her cape behind her again. Snow noticed her right hand tighten around her weapon before she visibly tensed, snapping her head up. "Get ready-"

She didn't have time to finish her sentence before a flare crashed into the ground in front, knocking them all back several feet. Rolling over on his back, Snow pushed himself up in a heartbeat, raising his fists in front of him. He didn't need confirmation even in the flickering flame that cast odd shadows on the Sunleth trees and crystal shards when he saw the single wing silhouetted in the diluted moonlight from above.

Bastard.

Lightning drew her right arm back the moment she saw who it was, forcibly pushing down the rush of emotions that were inevitable the moment she laid eyes on him. Serah... She felt like being sick again, the feelings that had haunted her the last time they'd met coming back full force as she tried not to back away into a tree. I can't... I can't keep reacting like this. Not if I want to protect him. She heard Snow snarl something just beside her, as the burly fighter drew up his fists. A small pressure pushed against her right side - it was Hope's elbow, but he wasn't looking at her this time. He was staring at Yorun, the green glint in his eyes reminding her of-

No! That was the look he'd worn in the Gapra Whitewood, the look he'd worn in Palumpolum. This time, it wasn't Snow he was mad at. She knew perfectly well why he was looking like that... and it was precisely what she didn't want. This is why... this is why I can't be close to anyone anymore. Because... because of this. Because they all want to protect me. Taking a breath, she held her gunblade up to shoulder height, her resolve dissipating the earlier indecision and pain twisting her interior.

"Looks like we want to fight this time," Yorun remarked smoothly, smiling at her. "Tell me, Lightning, how does it feel to fail someone you so dearly cherished?"

Shut up... shut up! Resisting the urge to cover her ears with her hands, Lightning knew she wasn't winning when the words drove a pained gasp from her lips and she staggered back a step or two, clinging tighter than ever to her weapon that had dropped limply to her side. Closing her eyes, she tried to assuage the storm of emotions that was ripping her apart inside again, hating herself at the thought that one simple question was enough to eradicate the sense of purpose that had taken her weeks to recover. Why... am I so pathetic? If it wasn't for Hope who had grabbed her left wrist, she was quite sure she would have sunk to her knees, before she remembered that she was no longer supposed to be welcoming his support and the warmth it provided. I can't... I can't see you end up like Serah... Twisting her arm out of his grip with a hoarse gasp, she caught his look of surprised hurt, but there was no time to explain things to him. If you even would understand...

"You fucking-" she heard Snow growl, before the sound of a spell crashed into the ground and she opened her eyes to the sight of the Waterga that caught the ground in its embrace, wiping out the last vestiges of the flare attack that had scorched and burned crystal and leaves alike. Lightning saw both Snow and Hope glance to her before visible frustration and anger crossed Snow's gaze. "Relentless Assault!"

Letting her body automatically go through the motions, Lightning tried to detach herself from reality by letting only the most primal, most instinctive part of her soldier sense take over. It was easier to deal with this way when she let that override her emotions, especially when something to do was right in front of her. Her omega weapon caught the blow of the spear full on, as the man moved away from them in the light of their attacks. Hope's Firaga caught the edge of the wing, burning off the tips of several flight feathers, but the man seemed ultimately undaunted as he continued to move away from them, spreading the single wing as he moved in the direction of the dome-like barrier that he had to have set up.

"Catch me if you can," he smirked in their direction before his wing took him out of range of their attacks. Hearing Snow's heavy breathing as the big man paused in his assault of the man, she stopped as well, dropping her right arm to her side again, weapon dangling limply from her fingers.

"Light? Is something wrong?" Hope's tentative voice sounded scared beside her, and she knew he had to be thinking of the way she had all but ripped her hand from his earlier. Hope, I didn't mean... Just like before, with Serah, she couldn't tell him the reason why she'd done it. With Serah, she had been scared that her sister would never accept the meaning of the prophecy, but with him... I need him. I know that. But if it means he'll be safe, then I don't matter. She'd find some other way to keep living... if it came to that. The thought was terrifying and undoubtedly painful, but... But some things in life... you just do. Clenching the fingers of her left hand together, Lightning looked up at the very top of Cocoon's shell that was blocking out most of the stars and the moon, not surprised when the silent cold blaze of silver light did nothing to calm her feelings and uncertainties.

"No... I-I'll be okay." Her voice came out shaky, especially when she caught his glance. She wanted to tug away when he slowly closed a hand on her vest, but Lightning pushed down the urge. I can't... Hope's emerald gaze was serious and it held both concern and pain.

"I don't believe you," he murmured quietly, platinum hair dusted with shards of crystal that sparkled in the filtered moonlight. "Light..." Her name was somewhat of a whine as he looked expectantly up at her.

How do I even begin... Doubt suddenly twisted at her again, and she forced herself to look away from him. I'm sorry... "Hope... please." She sounded more pathetic as ever when the words came out akin to a pained whimper and she saw alarm cloud his expression. "I promise... I'll be okay. Just... stop worrying about me, okay?"

Lightning saw him open his mouth to say something else before clearly thinking better of it, and she saw him push away the confusion and pain in his green eyes. "Alright. But, Light? You have to tell us... if something's really wrong, alright?" She couldn't give him an answer other than nodding at him, watching as Snow gently dragged him by the arm to follow Yorun down the sloping hillside of the Sunleth Waterscape. Pushing her body into a weak run, she tried not to hate herself more than she already did.

Maker... I know I care about him... romance, love, whatever the heck this is supposed to be. And it hurts... it hurts to push him away like that. I never expected myself to feel so close to someone else that that would hurt like that. It had been a long time before she finally let herself admit that, even past the awkwardness and obvious inappropriateness of those feelings, even past the doubt that tore at her at the thought of letting someone else in like that. But... because he means so much... I can't let him end up the same way Serah ended up. I can't let him get hurt because of me.

And so, this is the only way to go forward... even if it means hurting for the rest of my life.

Hope tried not to let Lightning's odd reaction to his gesture of comfort get to him more than it should have, but he couldn't help it - it nagged at him even as he ran after Snow in the moonlit Sunleth Waterscape, hearing her footsteps crunch through crystal and fern fronds alike behind him. She's never pushed me away before... he thought miserably, unconsciously tightening his hand on Nue at the thought. So why...

He thought she'd understood. It wasn't necessary to voice every feeling to make someone else understand, and he thought that in their one moment of unbroken connection by the window, on that rainy day, she'd understood, even reciprocated those feelings. That moment had been impossibly warm, impossibly touching, so he didn't understand why she was reacting this way now. Like... like 'we' never existed. Like that moment didn't happen. Why... Light?

It hurt to think about it, but underneath it, he knew she had understood. He knew that she had known. Should he have been more careful and observant? He'd noticed the flicker of doubt and pain that had crossed her gaze when he'd linked hands with her when they'd just arrived on Cocoon, but his selfish side had told him it was just because she was reacting to the location... not him. But when she had torn herself away... that was when he stopped understanding and started doubting. Hope felt like shaking her until she told him exactly what was wrong, but he knew it wasn't the time for that. It seemed impossibly selfish that he was concerned about this when there was still... When there's the whole world still at stake.

The barrier like dome grew larger in his vision as they crashed through the Sunleth Waterscape towards it. If the Eclipse comes to pass... the way he wants it... the Door of Souls will open, and the fal'Cie dream will come true. That thought was terrifying, but ironically, Hope felt almost used to the fact that there was someone out there who wanted to acquire something from others' pain. Has that... really changed?

"Hold up," he heard Snow snarl in front of him - skidding to a stop on wet leaves as the forest in front of them opened up into a lagoonside, lined with smooth marble and various electronic devices that no longer worked now that Kujata no longer existed. The burly fighter extended a thick arm, stopping him from moving any further when Hope saw what Snow was staring at.

Yorun was waiting for them, the tips of his feet touching the surface of the water of the lagoon, spreading small ripples in the large pool, spear in hand. "You made it." The words were smooth, but he found it impossible not to look at the man without feeling the duality of both fear and anger bubble up inside. "Our Eclipse is just about to pass... will you wait here, and see the new world arise the moment the people outside this hovering orb are devoured by the darkness and its ensuing chaos, or will you try to stop me?"

"What d'you think the answer is, creep?" he heard Snow snarl just ahead of him. The metallic click of a weapon told him that Lightning had caught up with them, as the pink haired soldier moved in front of him to stand beside Snow. Hope could see the flash of her omega weapon as she slowly raised it to shoulder height again, her right hand trembling slightly.

A small chuckle. "Of course. You want to fight. Well then, shall we get started?" The first flash of the soundwave swept over them, only to be blocked by a Steelguard as Snow raised his arms in front of him. Hope could still feel the attack as it pushed against him, but, blocked mostly by the defensive act, it was much less potent and much less damaging.

"Delta Attack, Sis," Snow hissed in front of him, and Hope raised his left hand in preparation for an Aeroga, still partially shielded by Snow. The wind spell crashed into the ground, whipping up a tornado of water, but several flaps of the wing took Yorun out of range as he prepared to throw the spear at them. His heartbeat leapt into his throat when he saw that the tip of the sharpened metal stake was aimed at him.

"No!" he heard Lightning screech from somewhere behind him as her Ruin blasted aside the weapon before it could hit him. Turning slightly in her direction, Hope caught the panicked, terrified expression in her blue eyes when she locked gazes with him. He didn't have any time to say anything else to her before the spear vanished from where it was left pinned uselessly into a tree, and Hope saw it reappear in the man's hands, unscathed. The smirk was evident in the moonlight as he watched Yorun glance curiously from him, to her, the smile widening as he evidently figured out why she'd sent the Ruin where she did.

Forming a ball of energy in his hands, Hope watched as the man sent the attack not at them, but towards the sky, blasting away the crisscross of crystal stems and columns that lined the interior of Cocoon's shell, sending thousands upon thousands of crystal shards raining down upon them. The bright photons of light gathering in his hands again told Hope exactly what attack he intended to use next while they tried to avoid getting hit by the crystal rain. He heard Lightning's sharp intake of breath just a few feet away from him, and Snow's determined grunt as the blond brawler steeled his fists. "Combat Clinic."

The command came at the very last few moments that anything could be heard above the roar of wind that accompanied the initiation of the attack as wind pushed around him, churning cold into his extremities, yet, Hope could feel the warmth being broadcast from the flare that was about to be launched at them. Fighting to stay standing, he raised his left hand, his right clutching his weapon, so he could begin casting the cure spells the moment the attack hit them.

There wasn't even that chance before the megaflare hit them. Even weakened by Snow's Steelguard, even though he felt curing spells wash over him the moments in between impact with something behind his back and the initial burn and force of the flare, the attack was still enough to knock them all back as blackness washed over his vision.

"Serah, no. You're not going out again tonight."

Her sister stared at her with puppy dog eyes, sapphire blue eyes full of pleading as she held her hands behind her back. "Pleeeeease? I promise I'll be home before ten." When Lightning didn't give in, Serah fixed her with a look that might have melted a weaker heart. "Claire... I'm not a little kid, okay?"

She scrutinized her sister for a few long moments, watching as Serah played with the pink strands of hair that dangled down the left side of her head in the ponytail pulled together with the sparkly hair tie. "You're not going to meet that... Snow again, are you?" Her sister instantly looked down the moment she mentioned 'Snow' and Lightning caught the blush creeping up her cheeks. "No. Absolutely not."

Serah took a few steps towards her, but all Lightning felt like doing was cross her arms over her chest. Her sister had noted the disapproving look on her face, and a small sadness entered those familiar blue eyes. "Claire," she murmured quietly, her voice sad and wistful, "Why don't you like him?"

"Huh. Serah, why don't you tell me why I don't like him? Who does he think he is, running around with a bunch of kids, swinging around defective weapons? Maker, I don't think I've met someone more irresponsible than he is." Turning around, she refused to look at her sister, instead, directing her glare to the wall opposite. "The answer is still no."

Somehow, Serah squirmed her way in front of her again, small hands finding the exposed skin on her arms her uniform didn't cover. "Claire... that's... He saved me."

Her sister always seemed to find the most vulnerable spots to pick at her from. The trouble was, as much as she disapproved of Snow, Lightning couldn't but not admit the exuberant man had indeed, done the very thing she'd vowed to do: protect Serah. Still, that didn't mean she had to give in. Shrugging Serah's grip roughly off of her, Lightning buried her face in a hand. "I know that!" she snarled. "Isn't that enough... Maker, Serah, you spend half your waking time with him. How do I know that the next thing you're going to tell me isn't 'Sorry, Claire, I'm not going to university in Eden anymore and I'm going to stay with Snow'? He's going to ruin you, Serah, irresponsible as he is."

Her sister had flinched when she mentioned the possible scenario, and Lightning saw pain and doubt cloud Serah's normally bright and happy outlook. "Look, Serah, I didn't mean..." she began, unsure of how to start and unsure of how to even begin expressing how she felt. Amodar's words came back to her: 'Your sister wants to protect you too.'

She was caught in an unexpected, and admittedly undeserved embrace as Serah slowly pulled her arms around her middle. "Claire... I know. I am going to university... I promise. I won't disappoint you."

Lightning knew she was going lose this when she realized she couldn't continue to see Serah look at her like that. "Alright, alright..." She gave a sigh of both resignation and frustration. "But if you're not home by ten... sharp, I know who to look for." Serah gave her a happy hug, planting a soft kiss on her cheek, which she felt like recoiling from, if the sight of a happy Serah didn't mean so much to her.

"I promise, Claire! We're just going to the Bodhum Ruins - Snow said he'd meet me there later, but we're going to explore!" Serah shut the door loudly behind her. Palms pressed against the cool glass of the window, Lightning watched her happy sister skip her way down to the beach, finally vanishing from view as trees and other assorted flora obscured her view of her.

"Serah..." Closing her fingers into a fist, Lightning tried to push down the unsettled thoughts. "That idiot had better take care of her..." she muttered under her breath, before walking away. There was housework to be done and a pile of bills waiting to be paid. She couldn't resist casting one last glance at the sunset outside the window.

"Stay safe... alright?"

Lightning opened her eyes to a world of both brightness and dark, her back pressed against something cold and hard. Raising a hand to the back of her head, she found no trace of blood - still, it was a few moments before she pushed herself to her feet. Her world spun for a few agonizing heartbeats before her vision and breathing settled, and she allowed herself to look around.

Yorun was nowhere to be seen, and in the wake of the megaflare he'd launched at them, the entire lower expanse of this part of the Sunleth Waterscape had been blown apart, revealing marble, stone, and crystal alike in the absence of the lush plants. Her heart pounded wildly for the fraction of a second before she spotted both Snow and Hope, the latter's distinctive platinum hair noticeable even in the mess of earthen elements and crystal fragments. It was only when she slowly, tentatively held her hand against his cheek, and was reassured that he was breathing that she allowed herself to relax. You're safe...

The relief and warmth was impossible to ignore, and Lightning let herself bask in that moment for a few heartbeats before she pulled the contact from him, taking a breath as she stood again; right hand fingering for her weapon, pulling out the gunblade. She knew where Yorun was - hidden away inside the barrier he'd created for himself, and she knew she had to go.

But she didn't have to take them with her. The fingers of her left hand were tangled in his platinum hair before she even realized what she was doing. I don't have to drag you down with me. Serah... Forcing away the sudden onrush of pain, she fought to control her emotions, trying to keep them steady and under control for the fight she knew was still ahead.

"I'm sorry..." The words escaped her lips as she watched him sleep, undisturbed at the moment in the land of dreams. Even though she knew that the attack had knocked them all out, Lightning realized she couldn't contain the errant thought that trawled across her consciousness. You look... peaceful, when you're asleep. That's how you should always look.

Tearing herself away, she couldn't look back, trying to use her breathing to steel her emotions and will as she picked her way through the crystal and stone to the place where she knew he was waiting.

I can't take you with me... Because, in the future that I want, you have to exist. No matter what.

*sits in silence* Amen, Lightning, amen. Way to pull one of 'your' moments when Hope basically admitted that he needed you to be there. I can't imagine a better wake up slap for him when he does... Oh well. I must say, though, 'old Lightning' was amazingly refreshing to write: finally something I can have a baseline to work with! xD

Anyways, leave love as always and I'll see y'all tomorrow!

Hearts!