Hey, there!
So, about this chapter, I don't personally think it came out great since I tried some different approaches and all, but what I really care about is what you guys think! So, lemme know.
Disclaimer: I don't own Square. I own Triangle, instead.
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Chapter 3 ~ Nothing But Memories
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Among the oldest memories that Fang had was one that repeatedly lasted her whole childhood. A smaller, perkier version of Vanille would always wake her up in time to see the sun rise above the rooftop of their orphanage, much to Fang's dismay. She could remember clearly her dislike for the activity, standing not totally conscious and not totally asleep, watching the same thing day after day with Vanille on her back for her to get a better view. The girl used to say they wouldn't have the possibility of doing that forever, so they should enjoy it while they could. Along the course of the time they spent together, Fang never had the time to thank her enough for that.
As she lazily opened her eyes and lifted her hand to shield them from the strong morning sun, her thoughts drifted back to those particular memories once again. She gazed at the endless green fields and remembered her life when she she was young, keeping Vanille out of trouble and walking barefooted on the grass. More than never, she just wanted to stop this whole crazy mess and spend the rest of eternity there on Pulse. She had found Vanille; her mission was more than complete. They both had been through the whole thing once before, why couldn't they just go?
Fang sighed heavily and lowered her gaze to the sleeping form on her shoulder. Lightning was throughout exhausted after their long walk the day before, and any hope she had of standing guard was sure drifted away to deep slumber by her sore limbs and troubled mind. Fang could hear her breathing in rhythm with the rise and fall of her chest, her whole form holding on tightly to the coat she intertwined between the two. Her hair had fallen to her eyes making her look five years younger, much like her sister, and as naïve as Vanille.
Fang rested her head lightly atop of the light-pink haired one and wished for a moment that Lightning could be as peaceful as she looked right there. None of this was right, to any of them. Why should they get involved in a fight that wasn't ever theirs to begin with? From what she overheard Vanille talking to Snow, she had lost her parents early and joined the military to raise money for Serah to go on with her life. And now, her sister was gone; taken away from her without a reason, and now she was left to wander the world for clues until she ran out of time.
'Such a heavy burden on her shoulders and she takes it all alone', Fang thought. If she can keep her head straight and fearless, the others will have less trouble doing so. She has enough willpower to keep not only herself going strong, but all of their companions as well. It was so amazing….
Fang closed her eyes and sighed for the second time, leaning her head against the wall once again. She knew damn well where this going. She knew she would have probably kissed Lightning the day before if Lady Luck hadn't sent a storm crashing down at their heads right at that moment. Her early admiration for the young girl's attitude quickly grew into a quite concealed crush for her, although Fang would never think her feelings would get the best of her; she knew better than that. Lightning sure had far too many things on her mind to be unnecessarily angry or upset about something, and her teenage feelings would die out eventually.
She knew things were better left alone. She knew it deep inside her; whatever path it took, it could only go into trouble for both of them. But still, every time she caught Lightning with her defenses down she would fight the urge to lean down and kiss her right on the spot. To embrace her tightly and keep everything harmful out of her way. Fang's gaze drifted back to the girl's sleeping form on her shoulder and, almost without realizing, brought her hand up to brush away softly the faded pink hair from her eyes.
Lightning hummed in her sleep and slowly opened her eyes in the direction of Fang, who watched as she slowly recovered all of her senses and noticed she had the cutest expression on her face when she woke up. The girl's sharp blue eyes stared at her green ones and Fang knew she wasn't Sgt. Lightning just yet. She wasn't the guide to six hopeless souls; that would only come after breakfast. First, she was Serah's sister and Hope's mentor. Then, she was Fang's biggest trouble.
'Trouble'. 'Trouble'. 'Trouble'. The word echoed loudly inside Fang's head as she leaned closer towards Lightning. It seemed like mere seconds, and she already knew the relationship they had was ruined from that moment on. Fang shut her eyes close her eyes in the same way she wanted to shut herself out of world, not caring about the consequences of her acts, much to Vanille's pride due to her 'follow your heart' speeches.
Lightning didn't push her away at first, nor did respond to the presence of Fang's lips on her own. Fang kissed her again lightly, not forcing herself on her in the least; quite on the contrary, she was almost asking her permission. Lightning would never be so sure as to why, but she clearly remembered kissing her back that day. She kissed Fang, and she lost herself; no longer a leader or a sister or anything, just Claire.
Truth be told, they kissed for a very brief time before Lightning came back to her senses and angrily pushed Fang away. She gathered her coat and got up to her feet in one fluid motion while Fang looked up at her with hurt in her eyes, getting up soon after.
Lightning immediately left the cave that had been their shelter and walked a few steps into the grassy fields, shooting her hand up in the air and causing the same explosion she showed to the others the day before. Not long after that, a series of similar explosions came from not too far away and didn't cease, probably the work of Hope and Vanille's combined efforts.
The soldier had already begun walking when Fang grabbed her shoulder from behind, pinning her in place.
"Light, please lis-", the warrior started with an unusually serious and concerned voice until she was cut off by the sound of Lightning quickly drawing her sword and turning back, pressing the blade against her neck.
Lightning stared at her with focused eyes like when battling, not revealing a single trace of her emotions. Fang didn't conceal the deeply upset expression on her face as she felt the blood dripping down from her cut, and allowed her head to drop to the ground. The cold blade was taken back from her neck and the soldier unceremoniously walked away, leaving Fang behind without a word.
Fang eventually lifted her gaze to Lightning's back, who was now well ahead of her, and also started making her way to source of the bright bangs up in the sky, only one thought in her mind.
'What have I done?'
PS: Sorry it was so small, I'll make it up to you!
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Please, review.
I really need to know this time…
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