Final Fantasy XIII: Cursed Past

Chapter 21 of my Final Fantasy XIII story, enjoy.

Reviews

The Warrior12: Yup, they're together now, the Love and Bonding Arc has begun, hope you enjoy it:)

The Light to all Fears: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it, yeah I thought it would be funny to have them mess with her, I actually planned for it to be like that so that Alyssa would think 'What the hell is going on, what are they up to' which is important for some of her dialogue in this chapter.

ziel101: Yup, they're finally a couple.

bookgirl111: As I said, the Action Arc has plenty, but there is still some action in this Arc, namely chapters 23 and 24.

XCyberOtakuX: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it so much :) Well to be honest no, he won't, his disappearance will be explained in a later chapter.

Lightslighting: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

Lightarcana: Thanks, glad you are really enjoying it, here's the next chapter, have fun :)

Beloeved Nightmare Union: Thanks, glad you are enjoying it, yup, we are, and to be honest it was a coincidence since I had forgotten about the Aya Brea outfit :)

Whish Promise 99: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it, yeah, they're officially a couple now :)

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy XIII belongs to Square Enix.

Chapter 21: Together

It was Monday, Hope sat on the train heading for school, for once he was actually looking forward to it. The reason behind his good mood was simple, He finally had a girlfriend, and not just any girlfriend but Lightning Farron. After nursing a long crush on her his feelings were finally returned, despite the drama that had led up to their relationship truly beginning they were both looking forward to meeting up that day.

"We are now approaching Bodhum Central Station; we will arrive at 08:41 AM, Eden Standard Time."

He smiled, the announcement that used to fill him with dread now gave him nothing but joy, soon the train stopped at Bodhum Central Station and he got off before walking to school. He spotted Maqui, Yuj and Lebreau instantly along with Vanille and Fang who had obviously come to drop Vanille off. He walked over them and greeted them, they replied and continued to wait for Serah, Snow and Lightning to arrive.

"Well, someone's looking pretty cheerful," Fang commented with a smirk as she looked at Hope. He blushed but still smiled and replied with a simple, "Yeah, I am."

The NORA crew were confused at this but Fang and Vanille smirked, they knew what was going on. Soon enough Snow's car drove in and he got out with Serah and Lightning. Snow walked around and linked arms with Serah and walked towards the group, Lightning walked along side them, smiling when she saw Hope. Ignoring the smirks from Fang, Vanille, Snow and Serah Hope stepped forward to meet her halfway and without hesitating they kissed, in full view of anyone watching. There were gasps of surprise from the NORA crew, as well as a few other students, Fang, Vanille, Serah and Snow's smirks grew wider as they watched the happy scene.

They once again lost track of time it wasn't until a shriek reached their ears that they drew apart. Lightning smirked as she noticed it was Alyssa, who was looking at them enraged beyond reason. She stalked over to them as they stood, finally the tables were turned, she was angry yet they stood there smiling serenely, Hope had his arm around Lightning's waist.

"Hope, what do you think you're doing?" Alyssa screamed at him, he smirked and replied casually, "What does it look like, I was kissing my Girlfriend."

As he said the last word Alyssa looked scandalised, the NORA crew again gasped in shock.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Alyssa screamed, Hope continued to smirk, "Just what I said, Lightning's my girlfriend."

"Since when…!" Hope cut her of, "Since yesterday, like that matters to you," She continued to glare but couldn't say anything else as the bell rang, she growled and then turned and stalked off. Fang said her goodbye to Vanille and then headed back to her car

Lightning laughed and then kissed Hope again.

"See you in Physics," She said, he nodded and they both headed off to their first class.

Lightning walked to English still smirking. Serah and Snow walked with her smiling, Noel wasn't in for some reason, he simply called and said he wouldn't be in school today.

"Hey, Light," Snow called to her, she looked over at him, "Congratulations."

Lightning gave a casual shrug, "Thanks," Serah laughed, "I think it's great you guys sorted everything out."

Lightning nodded in agreement. They finally arrived at English to see the rest of the class already there, along with a very pissed off Alyssa.

Alyssa rounded on them as they arrived.

"You." She growled at Lightning, glaring at her with hatred.

Lightning raised an eyebrow at her, "Yeah, something wrong," She remarked, knowing it would rile her up even more.

"How dare you do that, I don't know who you think you are, stealing Hope from me, but you have no right!" Alyssa yelled, not caring about the fact she was making a scene," You have no right to kiss him when it's meant to be me he's kissing got that!"

Lightning rolled her eyes, "First of all, I didn't steal Hope from anybody, he wasn't ever your boyfriend and secondly, he's allowed to kiss anyone he wants and he's the one who kissed me, got it." She explained calmly, decided to keep her temper in check and prove it was Alyssa who was the crazy jealous one here.

"Don't you dare lie!" Alyssa shrieked, "Oh my God, I knew it, you're forcing him to sleep with you, aren't you. Admit it, that's why he's acting like this, you're sleeping with him aren't you, you slut!"

Serah was suddenly worried that Alyssa had gone too far, Snow had taken his arm away from her shoulders so he was standing in a better position to retrain Lightning. But to their surprise, Lightning simply smirked again.

"Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not, I love Hope, he loves me, no sex involved," She then added coyly, "At least not yet," Alyssa went scarlet and spluttered before Lightning shook her head, "You should learn, not all girls spread their legs when they want a guy, like you."

Alyssa glared, her face beet red as she screamed and then threw herself at Lightning, trying to attack her, Lightning stumbled back but kept her balance and before Alyssa could try again the teacher, who Lightning had already seen approaching, yelled out.

"Alyssa Zaidelle, fighting is not tolerated in school; go to the Principal's office at once!"

Alyssa turned to him, glaring, "But…"

"Now!" The teacher snapped and Alyssa turned her glare back to Lightning and muttered "This isn't over," before storming off to the Principal's office.

The teacher turned to Lightning.

"Are you alright Miss Farron?" He asked, concerned. Lightning nodded and confirmed she was fine and they entered the class, several of the students were whispering about what had just occurred but Lightning ignored them, despite the fight with Alyssa she was still happier than she could ever remember.

Eden

Dysley sat at his desk reading over a report about Cocoon's energy reserves and expenditure. As many people had realized, since the building of Nautilus, Cocoon was expending more energy than ever before. However their energy reserves were still high enough that it seemed unlikely that an energy crisis would occur, at least, not during his office term as Primarch.

'All the same, the limitless energy resources on Pulse would end this problem indefinitely,' He thought to himself, before smirking, 'It makes for a nice excuse when I make my move to invade it.'

He looked over at the shadowy 'Grand General' who stood near his desk.

"Have there been any further developments?" He asked, the 'Grand General' nodded, "We may have lost our market in Bodhum, but, every place has its dark corners, the problem with Bodhum was the civilization level meant that the disappearances were easily noticed."

"So we need a means to extend the time it takes to discover the loss," Dysley summarized, the shadowy man nodded and then replied, "Maybe a place like Nautilus?"

Dysley nodded, "I will give it some thought."

The 'Grand General' saluted and then a door opened and the shadowy woman known as the 'High Inquisitor' stepped into the room. Dysley nodded to her and then asked.

"How goes our progress with the boy we extradited from prison?"

The High Inquisitor, who aside from interrogations was also in charge of PSICOM's experiments and weapons development, consulted the clipboard she held.

"He's responded to implant chip and the augmentations really well," She explained, "He should be ready to be put into action along with the other two with him around late September, 1st of October at the latest."

Dysley nodded and after saluting the 'High Inquisitor' and 'Grand General' left.

Bodhum High School

The first two classes passed by well and Lightning was on her way to Physics with Maqui, she was looking forward to meeting up with Hope. As they walked Maqui turned to her.

"You and Hope are really…?" He began to ask but trailed off, Lightning smirked, she had been hearing it a lot today and, unlike other questions, she wasn't annoyed at constantly being asked it.

"Yeah, of course." She replied, Maqui smiled and replied, "Cool, well, I'm happy for you guys."

Lightning smiled and they then arrive at the Physics class and she stopped dead, unable to believe what she was seeing. Alyssa was standing outside the class, dressed in a way that could only be described as 'trashy'. Her skirt was much shorter and now only reached to mid-thigh, her blouse was now rather tight at the chest area and the top buttons were undone, giving a good view of cleavage. If Lightning was to hazard a guess she would say Alyssa was also wearing a push-up bra. Finally her knee socks and shin high boots had been removed and were replaced with nothing more than a pair of red flats, showing an almost obscene amount of leg.

'Oh God, she actually thinks that'll work.' Lightning thought with distaste as Alyssa turned to her smirking.

Alyssa walked over and Lightning noticed that she was also wearing heavier make-up than usual too.

"I hope you're ready to say goodbye to Hope, Lightning," Alyssa remarked venomously, "Because I know he's gonna ditch you pretty fast when he comes."

Lightning rolled her eyes, "You called me a slut? You must be pretty desperate if you think that's gonna work."

"Of course, Hope's gonna come running to me when he sees what he could have. I mean c'mon, how could he not want this?" Alyssa remarked arrogantly.

"At least I show a little skin, what's the problem with you, scared." Alyssa taunted eyeing Lightning's clothes critically. A pair of faded black skinny jeans, a plain white T-shirt and a grey unzipped hooded sweatshirt along with black combat boots. In all Lightning's hands, neck and head were the only parts of her body not covered with an article of clothing.

'If you only knew,' Lightning thought ruefully, 'Well, who cares, Hope's already seen my scars…some of them at least.'

With that Lightning shrugged and turned away, ignoring Alyssa. Then, acting nonchalant as if she wasn't thinking about it, she pulled off her hooded sweatshirt and tied it around her waist; the scars on her arms were now in plain view. There were stunned gasps and frantic whispers from everyone; they had never seen her scars before except for the girls who were in the same gym class as her. None of them knew the story however, her friends knew part of the story but only Fang knew the whole truth. She glanced out the corner of her eye and smirked, Alyssa's eyes were practically bugging out as she stared.

Before Alyssa could make some comment about it Hope arrived. Alyssa immediately turned to face him, thrusting her chest out and smiling, batting her eyelashes, Lightning resisted the urge to puke. Hope blinked a few times and then sighed and rolled his eyes before walking over to Lightning, leaving Alyssa looked shocked and horrified.

"Hope!" He sighed and turned around, "What?" He asked, clearly irritated.

"How can you possibly go to her, I mean look at me, how can you not want this?"

Hope gave her a disgusted look before replying, "Very easily, It's not the slightest bit attractive Alyssa."

"Neither is she," Alyssa snapped back, "At least I have flawless skin."

"So, Lightning's got scars, big deal." With that Hope turned around and immediately walked up to a smirking Lightning who pulled him into a delicate kiss.

They parted and Hope smirked, "I was waiting all day for that."

"The kiss, or putting that bitch in her place?" Lightning asked, Hope's smirk grew as he replied, "Both."

They headed into the classroom as the teacher and the rest of the class arrived. After Physics they headed to lunch, ignoring a disgruntled Alyssa, at Hope's insistence Lightning pulled her sweatshirt back on as they entered the cafeteria.

They ignored the buzz of speculation and the shocked stares from the other students and joined their group at their usual table.

"Hey lovebirds," Vanille greeted them, "Having a good day?"

They both replied positively and soon the conversation turned to the new couple's first real date, which was coming this Saturday. The others were helping them plan it, decide where to go, what to do, they were both looking forward to it, a chance to be together and enjoy each other's company without their friends teasing, or Alyssa's constant death glares. By the time the bell rang to signify the end of lunch the date was all prepared and they headed to their next class, wanted desperately for Saturday to come quickly.

Eden

Dysley sat in his throne, pondering the one thing that had been bothering him for some time. The reason for the loss of their market of test subjects in Bodhum, according to the 'Grand General' it was a single teenage woman who was responsible for shutting it down and killing nearly all those involved. Since then Guardian Crops patrol's had doubled in the area making their task impossible there. Finally however as he and the 'High Inquisitor' waited the 'Grand General' returned to the room.

"Your Excellency, I have good news," He stated, "I have positively identified the woman behind our failure in Bodhum."

With that he placed a folder on the desk, already open, it was a dossier, Dysley looked at it and narrowed his eyes.

"Are you sure," He asked, the 'Grand General' nodded.

The 'High Inquisitor' smiled as she read the dossier, "Sergeant Lightning Farron, how I remember her well."

Dysley sighed, "One of Caius' squad, a rather…complex nuisance." He paused for thought and then an idea came to him,

"High Inquisitor, when the boy and those other test subjects are ready, send them out to…deal with this Farron girl, hurt her…on a personal level."

"Yes your Excellency," The 'High Inquisitor' replied before she left the room with the 'Grand General'.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.