A/N: Yeah, another chapter! And yeah, I wrote it in a day again, I'm getting quite good at this! I sure hope I'm inspired to quickly write a new one for Storm Driven. I'm sorry if I kept you waiting, I was busy with my final exams, but I finished studying now (successfully), so I finally have time now =D There's going to be a lot of Lanille-action in this chapter ;)

Shout-Outs to my reviewers: Major Mike Powell III, Harteramo, Goobah, Yunner, BrokenBone and Lightarcana! You guys always make my day with a review and keep me going!

Disclaimer: I do not own the game, Final Fantasy XIII, or the characters used in this story! They all belong to Square Enix.

Storm Driven

a Final Fantasy XIII Fanfiction. (slightly) OOC, (slightly) AU, Lanille

Illogical

I'm sitting a little further away from the camp, watching the sky turning from almost black to a pinkish orange. The sun is probably just about to show itself. I sigh. I haven't slept much last night, I almost sat here the whole time, thinking, trying to sort my thoughts, trying to think everything through. Everything that happened last night …

I can feel Vanille's tongue carefully tracing over my lips. Is she asking for entrance? Is she trying to take control? I don't know if I should let her take control of the kiss … on the other hand, I feel so excited when I think about her dominating me … after a few more minutes of debating I comply, slowly opening my mouth, letting her tongue slip past my lips, finding mine … okay, okay … this feels really good …

I kissed her … she kissed me … I liked it … she obviously also liked it … but why? Why all of a sudden? I mean … I felt that there was some kind of something between us when I first looked into her eyes. At first I thought I just find her eyes pretty, but when I look at her now … it's more than that. And it's not that she is just pretty on the outside … the things she does and says, they're adorable. It's hard to believe I'm even having thoughts like these right now … she is so intriguing to me …

The way she is kissing me right now, the way her hands so innocently and gently seem to explore parts of my body, it all seems to trigger this primal want in me to just claim her, right here, right now … of course I can contain myself from doing so, but I don't think Vanille knows what the hell she is just doing to me … she then suddenly starts undoing the leather belt around my uniform, and also the straps, all which are holding the jacket securely around my upper body. Soon, it opens and the redhead doesn't hesitate to just push it over my shoulders, shamelessly letting it drop to the ground …

I blush at this certain flashback. Her actions were so delicate, her touch sometimes so innocent. I never complained about anything she did last night because she did it so well. I still try to put logic into everything that happened ever since I agreed to helping her finding her people. I don't think it has any. I just want to make things right. And our system is just so wrong, killing innocent people, that I couldn't help but agree. And it had nothing to do with the fact that I happen to find the slightly younger girl very attractive. I turn my head to look at her peacefully sleeping form. When I got up I used my cape as a blanket for her. She's snuggled into it, and I can't help but smile at the sight. I don't know, this doesn't seem to need logic.

I think the moment she started to trace my stomach with her fingers my brain shut off. I want more, and I want her, and I'm on the best way of just doing so. Inwardly I beg for Vanille to stop touching me like this, since it is actually turning me on, a lot, on the other hand I'm telling myself to stop being a pervert and just enjoy what she is doing. In the end I decide to find a healthy balance between those two options, I carefully lean forward until she loses her balance, but I still hold her with one arm and catch her, so she doesn't hit the ground, I softly lay her down in the grass. We broke the kiss in the process and I now find her smiling up at me, cupping my cheeks. She pulls my face back down to kiss me longingly again, as if she couldn't get enough of it. I place myself halfway on top of her, so I don't squish her with my weight. I support myself on one arm and let my other hand wander around her upper body in return …

She looks so innocent, yet she seemed to be knowing quite well what she was doing last night. I shake my head, trying to shake off the thoughts and pictures from what happened and what could've happened if we hadn't stopped ourselves. Kissing is one thing, but sleeping with her would've been too much. My cheeks start feeling even warmer and I now shake my head. Stop thinking inappropriate thoughts, soldier, now is not the time …

I wonder what Vanille is thinking, though. Maybe I should ask her when she wakes up. I know I'm usually not the curious person, but if I hadn't opened my mouth yesterday, I wouldn't have kissed her … and I don't regret one second of last night … not a single bit. The only thing I still have to get aware of are my feelings. Is she just a crush? An object of lust? Has it been too long that I kissed someone? Or is this more? It is still hard to put it into proper thoughts … even though I tell myself that whatever this is between us doesn't need logic, it still too illogical for me to understand.

The bright light of the rising sun brings me back to reality. I squint my eyes so the light doesn't blind me. When I get adjusted to the brightness of the day I reopen my eyes fully and take in the sight of the beautiful landscape right in front of me. We camped near a waterhole again and the sun is reflecting on the surface, making the water sparkle, and the sparkles dancing in the light. This land … it's so beautiful … why is the Sanctum out to destroy it? Somehow, it makes me feel sad …

I lower myself to connect my lips to her stomach, I place kisses all over her bare skin, wandering upwards, slowly and steadily. Quiet sighs and moans escape her lips every now and then, letting me know which parts of her body are more sensitive than others. I feel her fingers digging into my hair, gripping it slightly. She obviously doesn't know what else to do with her hands, and that makes me smirk. I move one hand and carefully cup her breast with it, giving it a light squeeze. This time I get a louder moan out of her and I'm finding it harder and harder to contain myself. Maybe … maybe I should stop before we do something we might regret … even though this feels so good right now. I leave her stomach and move back up to kiss her lips again, this time in a soft kiss … "Maybe … we should stop for now … " I whisper. She opens her eyes and meets my gaze, then nods. She looks fine with my suggestion.

"Good morning, Light." Vanille's voice brings me back out of my thoughts. I can hear her footsteps coming closer and then she sits back down beside me. For now I don't look at her, I'm still quite fascinated by the pretty sunrise in front of me. "Morning."

A silence then hangs in the air. A comfortable one, I might add. I'm still not sure if I should talk to her about what happened yesterday. But I should figure this out before I continue with this task, right? I should focus on the ultimate goal and get rid of every distracting thought … and yesterday was a little distracting, I guess. At least I couldn't sleep because of it. To break the silence and maybe also to ease the mood I decide to say something that has nothing to do with us two: "You never told me that the sunrises here on Gran Pulse are so beautiful."

I hear a soft giggle beside me. A sound that could make me smile even in the darkest days when it comes from her. "My apologies … but this one today is exceptionally beautiful, to be honest." she replies. I finally can tear my gaze away from the horizon and look at her, only to find her smiling, and also staring into the far distance. Talking about exceptionally beautiful … she looks absolutely breathtaking right now. The bright light shining in her face, making her eyes sparkle and twinkle with the water in front of us. The light smile on her lips … those soft lips I kissed so long yesterday … this is driving me insane, I must confront her, I must ask her about this. "Hey … Vanille?"

She blinks and then turns her head to look at me, meadow green eyes meeting mine, eyebrows slightly raised, giving me her complete attention. My heart seems to be melting at this look and I start feeling all warm inside. What is she doing to me, seriously? This isn't normal …

I suddenly feel a hand on my cheek, a thumb slowly stroking the skin there, her look is reassuringly now. Can she read my thoughts? "What's up?" she asks in a gentle tone, matching her actions. I start growing nervous now. It is always hard to talk about stuff like this, but I must know. "Do you regret … uhm … what happened yesterday?" I ask her. I hate talking without preparing. I'd much rather form the sentences in my head first. But I can't hesitate with this conversation. For a reason I have the feeling that I don't have too much time left to ask her.

"No, of course not. Do you?" she asks in return. Her features turn worried, even though it's hardly visible. Since when did I get good at reading expressions? I reply without hesitation in order to stop her worrying: "Not one moment." I'm honest. For a weird reason she means something to me … she means a lot to me. Ever since I found her in that abandoned house, surrounded by monster that wanted to kill her. She gives me a broader smile this time, and she also looks relieved. Before I can say anything else I feel her lips on mine again in a short and soft kiss, almost catching me off guard. I don't complain, though, and kiss back until she pulls back again. A slight blush on her face and she's giggling. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help it."

"It's fine." I say, now also smiling. Maybe I should seriously stop thinking about any logic in my, her or our actions. They won't ever make sense. For the first time, after my parents' death, I feel content again. I have a task, protecting the younger girl I happen to have feelings for. And if Serah were here as well, I'd probably be the happiest person on Cocoon .. or Gran Pulse … but there's still something bothering me. "But what does this make us now? What is … this?" I motion my hand between her and me, trying to make her understand my question since I am at a lack of words.

She smiles again, taking my hand with both of hers and guides it to the place on her chest where her heart is situated. My eyes widen a little at this. "You should stop thinking so much and just let your heart continue to guide you. What do you think that it is that we have?" she says and puts her right hand onto the same place on my chest, holding my hand in place with her left one. I seriously don't know what to say. I feel overwhelmed with questions … no, scratch that, with feelings. Feelings that make no sense at all, but at the same time I just enjoy that I am feeling them. I hate to admit it, but … "You're right." I should stop thinking and for once enjoy my life. I smile … that girl gives me hope.

Suddenly I feel lightly tackled to the ground from the side and I fall on my back. Vanille straddles my waist. I look up at her with a puzzled face. "What was that for?"

The redhead giggles and then also pins down my hands, even though I didn't defend myself or anything. I have the feeling I'd let her do anything to me. Yes, she's that special. "You didn't answer my question." she says, still grinning down at me.

I just raise an amused eyebrow at her and respond: "Neither did you." I then start wriggling my hands a little to get out of her grasp, but Vanille keeps me pinned down. "Answer me." she demands, now smirking mischievously. I continue my attempt to break free. I'm still not sure what to reply, I don't have an answer. She can't seriously ask for a reply now, can she? Vanille then giggles again and I try harder to get out of her grasp, without hurting her. I manage to get one hand free and my first action is to tickle her in order to let me go. She stays very persistent, though, and just laughs, trying to bend away from my hand and then manages to pin me down again, putting more pressure onto me so I'm having an even harder time to move. "I said, answer me."

I stop trying to break free as I realize I have my answer already. Looking into her eyes again it's as clear as glass. "You're special."

To this she looks a little surprised and she loosens her grip, almost as if she didn't expect this as a reply. I smile and move my hand, which is free again, to cup her cheek. "I don't know why, and I don't care anymore … but you're special to me. That matters." I tell her and then sit up. She gives me an even broader but very warm smile now and we kiss again, lingering for long moments and also getting our tongues involved.

After we break apart I say: "I hate to ruin the moment but … " The redhead shakes her head and continues for me: "I know, we gotta get moving again." She then finally – or unfortunately – gets up and off of me, even helping me up. Before we start walking back to the camp she grabs my uniform and pulls me in for one, last kiss. Yes, this was the right reply … she is special.

ooo

The chocobo we found yesterday was still around and we used it for transportation again. Vanille is quite convinced that it is a tamed one since it is practically seeking out our presence.

We also just now stopped again, it's afternoon and we were quite hungry. Lucky for us we ran into one of those Ceratosaurs again and with remarkable teamwork we managed to bring it down quickly. Vanille cooked another fabulous meal again, and now I'm resting up, my back leaned against a tree. The younger girl is currently climbing up a smaller rock, wanting to take a look at what is behind it.

I look up at her to make sure she's not about to fall down. "Be careful!" I call up to her, making her look back at me and giggle. "I am!" she replies and continues climbing. I watch her until she is up there, safe, then I ask: "Anything there?"

After a few moments of silence I can hear a gasp. "Yes!" I jump up on my feet, not expecting this reply at all. "I can see smoke!" she sounds excited. She then climbs down hastily from the rock and almost slips and falls at the last few feet, but I catch her.

"Hey, I said you should be careful. I don't want you to get hurt, especially now that we found something." I say, checking if she has any bruises or scratches, but it only makes the younger girl giggle again. The broad smile on her face makes her excitement even more visible. "I'm sorry, I'm just so glad right now!"

I put my arms on her shoulders and look into her eyes. I know she's happy and everything, but just seeing some smoke doesn't mean that there are actually people there. "Just don't get your hopes up too high, okay?"

She takes a deep breath and then nods. We talked about this before. I just don't want her to be disappointed when we don't find anything there. It might be a village, it might be a group of survivors, but it also might be a soldier's camp. I sure hope it's not Amodar and his people, I'll be dead. And I also don't want to think about my job right now. I want to make Vanille happy, that's my ultimate goal. And helping her is part of this goal.

I know she's trying to hide the disappointment right now, I can see it, so I decide to be a little more optimistic, and I reassure her: "We'll find your people. I promise."

"Yes!" she agrees with another smile and then cups my cheeks with her hands, her gaze suddenly turning very gentle and … lovingly. "Thank you, Lightning." she says in all honesty and gratefulness.

I smile. I must admit, I'm glad that I saved her. I'm glad that I decided to join her and help her find her people. Because without all that … "You're welcome." I reply.

She leans in again and kisses me, a lot more passionately than in the morning. I start moving forward until her back is pressed up against the tree. She grabs my jacket and pulls me in even closer, so that my body is pressed up flush against hers, not leaving any space in between us. I smirk into the kiss at that and I boldly settle my hands on her butt, giving it a squeeze which, in return, gets me a cute but muffled moan from her.

Because without all that … I wouldn't have felt like this … I wouldn't have known what it feels like to fall … to fall in … "Vanille … " I say, shutting off my mind, letting my heart completely take over. When we lock gazes I see her green eyes are a deeper shade right now, probably from arousal, but I still have her attention. "Vanille, I love- "

"Get your filthy hands off of her, you viper!" I suddenly hear another voice. A huskier woman's voice with a similar accent to Vanille's. We both turn to look at the person who just interrupted the probably most intimate moment I have ever been in, which, frankly, pisses me off right now. The woman is slightly taller than I am, she has dark hair, and sort of a blue sari, which is held together with a belt around her waist, and she is holding a double-bladed spear which she is pointing straight at me right now. Clearly, she is a Gran Pulse inhabitant, when she calls me viper.

"Fang!" I hear Vanille exclaiming beside me, and I can practically see her smile and feel her relief. So we did find survivors. This is the person Vanille always talked about. And she seems less than pleased to see me, a soldier from Cocoon.

"Get over here, Vanille. Let me deal with her." the dark haired woman orders, her gaze still fixed on me. The redhead then walks a few steps away and starts: "No, Fang, you don't understand, she- "

But the other woman doesn't seem to care and as soon as Vanille is a few feet away from me, she strikes. Luckily I have very quick reflexes and I draw my gunblade to block the incoming blow. I think I heard something crack inside of me and I grit my teeth. Damn, that woman is strong. I shove her back with all my force and get into a fighting stance. This is going to be more difficult than I thought.

"Fang, stop it! She is stronger than you! She's a soldier! Listen to me!" Vanille tries again, but it doesn't even seem to reach the other woman. She darts at me again, swinging her lance almost gracefully, knowing exactly how to handle the weapon. I have to play it safe and can only dodge a her attempts, leaving me no time to strike back, but then I feel a sharp pain in my stomach, and I fly back, as if the wind was striking me. I sink to the ground, holding the spot that was just injured, and I can taste something metallic. Blood. How did she manage this? And what the heck was this?

I hear a devilish chuckle from above me. "They could send out their whole army. It's nothing a l'Cie can't handle." the woman named Fang says. L'Cie? Oh no … this wasn't an ordinary strike right now … this was magic. She isn't an ordinary human … at least not anymore. I heard l'Cie are chosen, they get inhuman strength and the ability to cast spells. It fits …

"You're a l'Cie?!" I hear a shocked exclamation from the redhead, then a chuckle and a reply from Fang. "You knew I was going to volunteer to become one."

I suddenly hear hasty footsteps coming closer and then gentle hands on my back. "Lightning … are you okay?"

"Get away from her, Vanille, you know what we do with the vipers!" Fang stretches the last word, as if it were something disgusting. "But maybe we should take this one hostage in order to get some more information."

I turn my head to look into Vanille's concerned face. This isn't over … but for now … I'm beat. I give her a reassuring smile. "I'm just glad you're back with your people." It came out more as a whisper, but Vanille herd me. I'm having a hard time talking, since the dark haired woman literally knocked all of the air out of my lungs. "Light … hold on … we'll make this happen." she whispers back, making sure that Fang didn't hear her. The next thing I feel is a sharp pain on the back of my head and the world turns black.

A/N: Bad Fang! Bad, bad Fang! Just when Lightning was about to confess, you had to show up? *sigh* … xD

I'm sorry guys, but this had to come, right? I actually planned on putting in Fang a little earlier, but I thought … I should grant our two main characters a chapter, with lots and lots of fluff (I know, it's way too much fluff … but … but … they're so cuuute!) before big meanie Fang shows up and knocks Lightning out cold. There are only a few chapters left for this one, like I already mentioned, but a new one will be posted as soon as this one is finished ;) (and it's definitely going to be a long one, I promise!)

Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, I had a lot of fun writing it ^^ leave your thoughts =)