Final Fantasy XIII: Cursed Past

Chapter 22 of my Final Fantasy XIII story, enjoy.

Reviews

ziel101: Yeah, I'm glad you enjoyed Lightning dealing with Alyssa. As for Serah, wait and see, next chapter.

Lightarcana: Yup, she is, of course there's no way that's possible. Glad you enjoyed it.

TheWarrior12: Thanks, glad you are enjoying it, yes there will be.

SquallRocks: Yeah well, she shouldn't have tried to split them up; yes Dysley is beginning to show more of his true colours.

Jlbean: Thanks, glad you are enjoying it, I don't get mad at silly little things like that. You bet she did :)

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy XIII belongs to Square Enix.

Chapter 22: First Date

It was Saturday 21 August 2 APW, and important day for Lightning Farron and Hope Estheim. It was the day they would be going on their first date. Hope stood in front of the mirror he was wearing his best clothes. The restraunt they were going to was rather classy so he was wearing black dress pants, a dark blue dress shirt and black suit jacket, the collar and cuffs of the shirt were tucked over the collar and sleeves of his jacket. He also wore a pair of black polished shoes, he was nervous of course but also excited, the only issue was of course that he was still learning to drive, therefore Lightning was going to be driving, she didn't mind however, in fact, she insisted. Soon he came downstairs and Nora smiled when she saw him.

"You look great Hope." She said, he smiled, "Thanks Mom."

Right on cue there was a knock at the door, Hope went to answer it. He opened the door and his jaw dropped, he always thought Lightning was beautiful but now he could only describe her as 'stunning'. Her hair had remained the same, although it looked a little sleeker, she also wasn't wearing any make-up except for some light eye-liner. She was wearing a rather elegant dark blue ankle length dress and similar coloured flats. The dress was also sleeveless and exposed the upper half of her back, revealing even more of her scars, one's Hope hadn't seen last time.

"Light?" He wasn't sure what to say, he was curious about her scars but knew she hated talking about them.

She shook her head and he wisely didn't say anything, "Let's get going then shall we."

He agreed and headed out to her car; they got in and drove off, heading for the restaurant.

When they arrived they got out of the car and, linking arms they walked in, after speaking to hostess they were shown to their reserved table and sat down. After they had ordered they sat in silence for a moment before finally Lightning spoke.

"So, Hope," She began awkwardly, "Every time we've spoken, we've talked about you, your past, but you know next to nothing about my past."

Hope nodded, "I never really asked, I could see you didn't wanna talk about it."

Lightning nodded slowly and then sighed, "Yeah, some things I don't wanna about, others…I can't."

Hope looked at her confused so she quickly replied, "It's complicated but, I think I should tell you a few things, I'll just, gloss over the parts I can't talk about."

Hope was surprised at this; Lightning was going open up to him, at least a little bit and tell him some of her past.

"Well, let's see," Lightning began, during the short awkward silence as she gathered her thoughts their drinks arrived. After thanking the waiter, who eyed Lightning much to Hope's discomfort, she prepared herself and began.

"Well, there are some things you know…So, I'll start with stuff you probably don't. My parents died when I was five, Serah was only four. We were cared for by the neighbours, only one sticks out in my memory, a Guardian Crops officer called Amodar. It was from him I learned all about the war."

Hope cringed as Lightning stopped to take a sip of her drink, likely using the time to calm down. The Guardian Corps/PSICOM war was a terrifying event, most of the fighting took place all over Cocoon but in the final three years of the war the fighting was confined to Eden. Yet the tremors from the attacks could still be felt. As he had heard in History, the war ended when the great hero and then Grand General of the Guardian Corps, Caius Ballad, led a small squad of the best soldiers in the Guardian Corps, on a direct assault on the Primarch's palace and forced Primarch Malum to abdicate. That was two years ago, it was then several changes occurred, the legendary hero disappeared from public life, Cid Raines was promoted to Grand General of the Guardian Corps and Galenth Dysley became the 75th Primarch of Cocoon.

Lightning also thought about the History lessons on the war, 'Too bad History is often inaccurate or…misses parts out,' She thought to herself.

She straightened up and continued to talk to Hope about the aspects of her past that she could.

"I…eventually got involved in the war myself." She admitted, Hope stared as she admitted this, "You mean, you were…"

"A child soldier, yeah. I didn't really care what the others thought of me, I only wanted one thing. PSICOM had killed my parents, I wanted revenge…and I got it, using my Father's sword."

After a pause Lightning sighed, "Some things I just can't say, but…that's what I can tell you. After the war I came back home and shut myself off, I felt strangely empty after my purpose was fulfilled."

She then smiled, "But then Serah convinced me to go to school, socialize with people again…and the rest, you know."

Hope smiled and nodded before leaning over the table slightly, suddenly turning concerned, "Light, is the fact you took part in the war…the reason behind your nightmares."

Lightning sighed and nodded, confirming his suspicions.

"PTSD?" She nodded again and he realized his fears were right. Lightning's nightmares were caused by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, relating to events in her past. Before they could say anything else the food arrived.

As they ate Hope pondered briefly before finally decided to speak.

"Light, I know it's hard but, maybe you should get help for it." He said, hesitantly, but Lightning smiled before admitting, "Actually, I've been having less nightmares now, less than before, and they're gradually fading, becoming hazy."

"When did this happen?"

"After the sleepover, when I finally realized what I felt for you." She stated, smiling, "My nightmares were replaced by dreams of you…Although I've gotta admit, the real you, is so much better than any dream."

Hope blushed at the compliment and smiled, "Thanks."

Lightning gave a short laugh and they continued to enjoy the rest of their meal. Finally, after they finished they prepared to leave, Hope had insisted on paying but Lightning insisted on splitting the bill between them, Hope eventually relented and agreed. They left, still smiling, it was getting late, but before the date was over they planned to head to a nearby beach and spend some time watching the waves, just relaxing together.

Unfortunately, on the way they ran into a familiar face, it was Alyssa. She was on her phone and seemed to be arguing with somebody about someone.

"Honestly, what is wrong with you," She stated angrily, "I can see that, you're not here just now, and you're clearly not on your way!"

After listening to whoever was on the other end for a moment she sighed, "You know what, just forget it, I'm going home."

With that she hung up and turned around, seeing Hope and Lightning for the first time.

"Oh, it's you guys," She said, clearly annoyed, "What are you doing here?"

Lightning and Hope shared a look as if to say, isn't it obvious before Lightning clarified, "We're on a date."

Alyssa just rolled her eyes, Hope was relieved however that Alyssa's bad mood was directed at someone else, at least there wouldn't be any real problems with her, especially not tonight.

"And what's wrong with you?" Lightning asked, curious about the phone call, Alyssa rolled her eyes, "None of your business." She snapped before they began to walk off.

"Where are you going?" She asked, clearly unable to believe they were just going to ignore her.

Hope glanced back at her and replied, "None of your business."

Lightning smirked at that and Alyssa just shook her head and stalked off angrily.

"Well, she didn't cause any trouble this time," He remarked, Lightning nodded and smiled, "God, I'd hate for tonight to be ruined."

So from there they headed to the beach.

They both stood at the beach front, just watching the waves, the moon reflecting off the water, enjoying the peaceful calm of the place. This part of the date had been Lightning's idea; she had found this place once and told him about it.

"Almost nobody knows about it, and it's quite secluded, it's always so peaceful here. I used to come here…during the war, when I needed to think."

That was how she had described the place to him and he could now see why she liked it. As they stood he looked up at her and smiled.

"Light, thanks for being open back there, and telling me at least some of the truth." He said quietly, not wanting to break the calm stillness of the area.

Lightning smiled and then leaned in and kissed him. They kissed for a long time until they finally pulled back. It was then Lightning spoke.

"There is…one more thing I should tell you." Hope looked up at her confused until she explained, "My real name…It's Claire, Claire Farron."

Hope smiled, "Okay, thanks…Claire."

Lightning then placed her hand on his shoulder, "Please, don't call me by that name, unless we're alone, the truth is, I haven't been Claire Farron in a long time, I've been Lightning instead." She sighed, "Even around Serah, I've been Lightning, but with you Hope…I fell like, Claire Farron again, but…I don't wanna go back to that name yet."

"I understand."

Lightning thanked him and soon they headed back to the car, after driving Hope home she drove home herself, happier than she could ever remember. As she got out of the car and got inside, she noticed that Serah had actually gone to bed instead of waiting up for her like she usually did. Lightning shrugged and prepared for bed, removing the eye liner and getting changed into her pyjamas. She went to bed, the feeling of elation not leaving her.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please. Expect some serious drama in the next chapter.