Hello everyone! Thank you for the reviews! They inspire me to write some more, and also, thank you so much for the constructive criticism. I actually haven't gotten around to editing, but I did reread the chapter and found the errors. I just need to find the time to fix them. But thank you very much.

I love you guys already. Now chapter one is up, and please I hope you do enjoy. :3

10 years later

"Hey ! Wake up we need to get out of here fast!" He could barely open his eyes, but he managed to open them halfway. He glanced up.

"I couldn't make it...I'm sorry...for everything...But if you could hear me..."

"Happy Birthday...Claire."

Her eyes shot open and she sat up on her bed glancing from side to side. She rubbed her forehead sighing. "It looked like him...but why today out of all days?" She shook her head. She couldn't let her emotions get to her. The past, was past. She discarded it for her future. She looked over to her side. The clock read 10 am. She had overslept. She wasn't one to wake up late. She was always up two hours earlier to go out on her daily runs. So that way she could get a fresh and early start to her day. She sighed again, getting herself out of bed.

It had been two years since they moved back to Cocoon. It was a lively city. She had no complaints about it, if it meant that Serah would live a happy life. Lightning yawned a little. She still felt tired.

Once she was done readying herself for work, she headed down to the kitchen, where she found a plate full of pancakes that read 'happy birthday sis.' It wasn't rare to see Serah up earlier than her. This had all happened as of recent. Since she started dating that idiot of a man, called Snow. She absolutely detested him, but it was Serah who would make Lightning bite back her tongue and refrain from insulting him further. Lightning sighed, eating the pancakes that were made specially for her, and after that; off to work she went.

Though there was not much to do. She was assigned to kill some monsters outside the city. That were being a nuissance to the tourists that came to the city. She had her own squad with her. Each eliminating the monsters with efficiency. They had no trouble at all. But for some reason, more and more came up and about, as they killed one after the other. She groaned in frustration, trying to find a way to rid them all when the boss of all of them came up and about, heading straight towards her. Lightning gathered her Squad, and each one of them had a go at the large beast. Bullets, and magic were shot at it, and though it took a while to finally take it down. It was finally gone, thanks to the last bullet that Lightning had shot from her gunblade.

"Awww. I wanted to have a go at them" She heard a very familiar voice from behind her. It was him. The man she disliked the most. Snow Villiers. She turned herself around to face him. "Tough luck. This is my job not yours " She glared at him.

She turned her back to him again. "Where is my sister?" She could feel him giving her that stupid grin of his. It irritated her to no end. "She's back at the Nora cafe with Lebreau. Is there a problem?" Lightning turned to face him again. "I want her home by 6 pm." She was getting annoyed even more, but she wouldn't let him see that. She acted calm. She wouldn't let anyone see how she felt. "Ouch, aren't you being a little to strict?" Lightning glared at him. "My sister and I have plans at that hour, and your not included in any of them." She was being direct, and downright mean to him. Snow couldn't help but grin again. "Alrighty." She had her back turned to him. She walked off, and she figured that he probably did the same as well. Each to his own direction.

She knew it would be a long day. She ended up going back to Headquarters. "Ahh Lightning. Good thing you're here. I have another assignment for you." Great, more work. She listened attentively. "Yes?" She looked back to her Commander. "Well...lets just say you were promoted. You were chosen among the few to protect Princess Stella of Tenebrae." At the mention of Tenebrae Lightning felt hatred. She didn't know how she would do it. How she could protect the ones responsible for her parent's deaths? It was going to be hard, but she had no choice. "I understand." She replied to him. "You start in two days, so pack your bags, you'll be going to Eden for a while. Don't worry, we've got everything covered here." Lightning sighed. The only good thing about the trip was no more Nora, or Snow. She would be alone with Serah. She was glad because Serah left for Eden as well. That was the only thing that soothed her. She saluted her Commander. "You will meet up with Commander Raines at the Palace." She couldn't figure out why she was the one that had to go. But the bright side was, that she would see Serah more often. Lightning smiled back at her Commander and left for home.

Serah was enjoying her free time at the Nora Cafe while waiting for Snow. She smiled at the antics of the customers. The place was lively at all times. Serah drank some of her pop. "Hey didn't Snow say he would be here earlier? Where is he?" Lebreau was sweeping the floor. When she noticed Snow barge in. "Looks like I spoke to soon." She shook her head. "But still, Snow, its rude to keep a young lady waiting. " Snow glanced back at her and grinned sheepishly. "Well, Serah ready to go?" Serah popped out of her seat and Snow took a hold of her hand. He grinned at her and waved to Lebreau. "Later!" He led Serah out of the cafe.

"Where too?" Serah smiled. "Well...I was thinking the mall. I haven't gotten Lightning her gift yet...so...wanna help me search?" Snow took her by the hand again and led her away to the mall. Both went to many different places. First it was the market place. Serah was in awe at all the jewelery in the shoppes. One of them caught her attention. It had the insignia of the Royal Family of Cocoon. She picked it up examining it carefully. "You like that one Serah?" She turned around to face Snow. "No its just that...I wonder how sad the people must have felt to loose their entire Royal family. Especially the young Queen to be..." She indeed wondered what the people must have felt after having them believe that the two last members of the family were killed. Even though it was a lie, Serah knew that to them it wasn't.

"Yeah...Although I only saw her on the news from time to time..that girl for such a young age..she was so mature...I felt bad for her.." Serah blinked. "Why so?"

"Because imagine..being ten and not being able to have fun at that age must suck. Deprived of all your freedom, because people judge you. Being told what to do, how to act, what to wear..." Serah smiled at him. If he only knew that they both had a lot of fun when they were young. But she couldn't tell him that. She instead listened closely to him. She knew how her sister was. She seemed mature for those in public, but deep down she was stubborn, and bratty.

"Not necessarily" A voice came from behind the shop. A man appeared before them. He was tall masculine. But not as tall as Snow. He seemed so young. He had brown hair with spikes at the end, and he wore a soldier type of outfit. "Her young highness was actually a brat. She hated when things didn't go her way. Man was she one grumpy kid. Stubborn to boot." Snow's eyes widened. "You knew her?"

"Well of course. Me and her old man go way back!" Serah got a hold of Snow's hand, she squeezed it tightly. This man knew her family. He spoke with such familiarity, she wanted to hear him. "You were friends with his late Majesty?" She asked out of curiosity. She just had to know more.

"Well of course! Cloud wasn't a ladies man. He was shy quiet and stubborn as hell. That's why at least one of his kids turned out that way. Like the saying goes, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." He grinned. Serah smiled happily. He was right. Lightning acted exactly like her father. "But..the other little princess was just like her mother, gentle, bright, and very cheerful. You know, the queen was my girl before she married Cloud." He grinned proudly. Serah mother dated this man? She leaned in. "You dated the queen?" Snow was also surprised at this. "Woaaaah. You did?" Snow stared at him in disbelief.

"You see. When her Majesty was in her teens, she used to sneak out to sell flowers, disguised as one of the common folk. I was a young soldier then. I met her when I fell into a church. Man...I went unconscious...I opened my eyes to see her...I" Both Serah and Snow listened carefully. This man sounded as he was still infatuated with the queen. "She told me. "You fell through the sky" From then on I used to visit her, we used to go out on dates. I even helped her sell flowers. But then I was assigned to another location. We instead, used to write to each other..all the time."

"Then what happened?" Serah wanted to know more about her parents. "Then I met Cloud. He ranked lower than me in the army...but..he was a great guy . We used to go out on our free times. But boy he was really shy. He wouldn't speak to anyone but me. But he was stubborn as hell. But as time passed Both of us were assigned to the same team during a battle. We were capture by the enemy. He was so weakened. I had to get him out before me. I couldn't let my best buddy die. So I had him escape. I stayed behind. In that time, I stopped writing to her. She moved on and met Cloud. Every time I think about it, I bet he must of messed up a lot of times to get Aerith to marry him." He laughed. "I finally got out of my prison, my buddy came for me. I knocked him on the head for that. He risked his life to come get me...that idiot..." The man gave a sad sigh. "You sure know alot about The King and Queen." Snow added.

"Yeah..they were my close friends."

"And today its , Princess...no..her Majesty's Claire's 21st birthday...if she were alive...she would have been just like her old man, righteous, stubborn, proud, but at the same time...a great ruler..." He uttered. Snow looked down. "I'm sorry.." He replied. Serah looked away. It must have caused everyone a great pain to lose both princesses. But in this case, her sister was to be crowned queen. Serah felt sad, even though she knew her sister was alive and well, she wished it was Lightning on the throne instead of Tenebrae taking over. She didn't want anyone to suffer because of them, and she was sure Lightning felt the same way. She only wished her sister wasn't proud and stubborn as the man had said. She wished Lightning would talk to her more. She imagined the pain her sister felt, knowing she would be queen, and knowing that she would still be powerless.

Snow noticed the sadness on Serah's face. "Serah?" He asked, Serah squeezed his had lightly. She was lost in thought, but when she heard her name she perked her head to look at Snow and smiled. "Hmm?" Was the only reply he got from her. "You okay?" He asked again worried about his girl. She only shook her head. "I'm okay!" She smiled to turn her head facing the man again.

"Oops, I told you a story without even telling you my name...I'm Zack, Zack Fair. Nice to meet you." He extended his hand for a handshake. Snow shook his hand. "I'm Snow." Serah eyed Zack carefuly. "I'm Serah"" She smiled.

"Well what do you know, her young highness was also named Serah."

"Yes...I get told that often." Serah played along, even if this man was a familiar person to her, she couldn't reveal to anyone who she really was.

But this man. He was a great person. He was the best friend of her father, and mother. Zack Fair. She remembered him. He used to give her piggy back rides when she was little. He was the one who would always annoy Lightning back when they were kids. Serah smiled and she went to take a little look around the store. Behind Zack she saw a blade. Her eyes widened. It looked like the type of blade Lightning her sister would use."Um...Mr Zack?" Zack chuckled. "Aww..just Zack, Miss Serah. I'm not that old you know." Serah giggled ."Actually, I want to have a look at that blade behind you...if thats okay..." Snow glanced up at the blade that was behind Zack. It was rather large blade. He wondered how Lightning could wield something that huge.

"Well...its not really for sale...It used to be the king's..." Serah looked down. Now that she found out that it was her father's she wanted it more than anything in the world. She knew it would make her sister even happier. "Oh...I see..." Zack looked at the expression on Serah's face. He felt bad for her. "So what would a fine lady such as yourself want with a blade that big?"

"It was for my sister's birthday. She turns 21 today." Snow looked at Serah again. He grinned to himself. He was older than Lightning by a couple of months. He was going to have alot of fun teasing her, he thought. Serah really wanted that Blade. Zack could see it in her eyes.

"Your sister, this might be a little to heavy for her..." A woman could never wield it. It had taken Cloud a couple of years to learn, he doubted that a young woman could learn in seconds. "My sister can. I assure you. She's an officer in the Guardian force." She was also proud like her sister at mentioning what Lightning did.

"You say its her birthday today...huh. Thats something. First..you have a name exactly like the young Princess, and second..your sister's birthday is today..Just like princess Claire...Thats really weird. And weirdly enough, it makes me feel...better..." Serah stepped back a little, and she smiled at him nervously. She hoped the secret wouldn't get out. She hope he wouldn't find out. She also especially didn't want Snow to know. "Well...since you really want it...its yours...you don't have to pay for it." Serah clasped her hands and she beamed brightly. "Oh thank you!" Snow scratched his chin. "Serah...how are you going to carry that thing?" Serah turned to him. "Me? No Silly, you're going to carry it. That's why you came along." Snow blinked. "Whaa? That's no fun!"

"Well since you're so strong I'm sure you can!"

"Oh..man..."Snow groaned. Before giving the Blade to Snow, Zack picked it up with ease. "Its called a gun blade. It used to be a buster sword. But the king had it upgraded before he passed away.." He packed it up nicely inside a box. "Here ya go." Snow took the box from him, and he headed out the door. He waved at Zack and walked out. Serah stayed behind. "Thank you so much..." She said softly. "Ahh no problem. Just go on.." Serah waved, at him. "Good bye Zack, I'm glad to have met you. Tell me more about the King and Queen at a later time, Kay?"

"You bet! Oh and before you go, here take this." It was the locket Serah had looked at before. The one with the insignia of the Royal family. She looked up in question, but he only gave her a thumbs up. Serah placed it into her pocket. She said her farewell to Zack and she headed out the door, where Snow was waiting for her. "Hey...you know he was a nice guy."

"Yeah...he was...He's a soldier with a lot of internal wounds..." She added. Snow looked down at Serah. "Yeah...it must be hard to lose your best friends. I don't know what I would do if I lost everyone at Nora...and If I lost you..." Serah looked up at him. She gave him a gentle look, but she smiled and walked up a little ahead of him. "Dilly dally shilly shally." She muttered. Snow looked up at her. He heard her utter some words to him but he couldn't hear her well. "What did you say?" Serah giggled. "Nothing Silly. Just quit Dilly Dallying. Lightning will tear off our heads If we don't hurry!"

Snow grinned at her, he picked up his pace to catch up to her. He wanted to walk by her side. "Serah?" She glanced up to him at the mention of her name. "Hmm?" Was her reply. "No matter what. I will always protect you..." He added. Serah smiled softly at him. "I know..." She replied.

"Think Lightning will like this gift you got her?"

Serah nodded her head. "Yeah, I'm sure of it. " She was sure. That once she told her sister that this was the sword that belonged to their father. She would take it as her own. Because she knew that Lightning missed him more than anything in the world. She knew that today was the day she would make her sister happy.

Claire Farron Strife discarded her name for Lightning. But that didn't mean she discarded everything. She was a proud, stubborn fool. But she was human. Her heart ached the most. Serah was sure of that.

It's my turn, Claire. This time I will protect you. This I promise. Serah swore to herself as she walked along with Snow, heading back home to celebrate her sister's 21st birthday.

I feel tired. Well how was it? I would love some more reviews. Chapter 3 will come up soon, because its like, halfway done. Also, again, I appreciate the constructive Criticism. If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all.

Yes so I introduced Zack in this chapter. He will appear later on. Someone else might appear too. But I wont say. I assure you, Zack will be one of the first to know about Serah and Lightning. Just not now. Chapter 2 will be up either this week or the next. I promise.

If you don't like it, don't flame. If you like it and have something to say to correct me of my wrongs, I will happily accept your advice, and I will try to go back and revise. I am aware t hat the first chapter has some errors. I will fix it soon. My internet is just killing itself and it won't be fixed until the technician comes in next Tuesday.

Other than that, Read and Review! Have a nice day!