A/N: Finally an update again! I kinda got stuck a little in the middle, but I didn't let another block happen, so I finished the chapter rather quickly! I don't want to keep you guys from reading. Enjoy!

Big shouts outs to my reviewers, you guys are still awesome and keep me going! :D

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

Losing Hope

Fang … is the chosen l'Cie Etro was talking about? How … why … she never told us? Not even Vanille?

"Of all people … Fang … you are the chosen l'Cie?" Vanille speaks, her voice rather quiet, her gaze dropped.

I look at Fang. She nods. "Yes, I am."

The redhead now looks up at her childhood friend, she looks angry and disappointed. Her voice is raised as she accuses the other woman, "And you never thought about telling us?! You never thought about telling me?!"

The dark haired woman sighs, averting her gaze to the floor. The words of the redhead seem to make her feel guilty. At least that's what her features are telling me right now.

"I trusted you, Fang … " Vanille's voice fills the large room again. It is quieter, but shaky. "We've known each other for such a long time now. I trust you with everything, I even told you, right up front, what I feel for Lightning and everything that happened on our journey together."

A soft sob escapes her. I take a step closer to the younger girl. I want to spend comfort, even though I can't move my arms. I feel touched by her words. She didn't hesitate to tell Fang what she feels for me … she is amazing …

Vanille wraps an arm around my waist and lays the other one onto my stomach, careful not to touch the wound. She shortly looks at me with watery eyes, and then back at Fang. "I told you that my intentions are to stop this useless war … but you didn't even think about telling me that your focus is to help me, and not the Gran Pulsian warriors! No … instead you kept trying to tell me that Lightning has me brainwashed and what I feel for her is not real … when I know exactly I love her … and together we want to stop the war."

I stay silent as she talks. Her voice is strong, she's angry, she's disappointed, but she is still convinced of her goal.

She lays her head on my shoulder as she waits for the other woman to reply. Fang seems very uncomfortable at the moment, being accused like this. Vanille's words definitely hit a nerve. I can almost see her brain working hard as she is searching for the right words to say.

"Vanille … " she starts, but pauses again. She still doesn't know what to say. "I'm just … I didn't really … y-you know how much I hated Cocoon … and then Etro chose me of all people to help Cocoon in a way … I'm sorry … I'm just so- "

"Why don't you start with telling us what your real focus is?" the redhead interrupts her. I nod slightly, I want to know it as well. I heard that when a person is turned to a l'Cie, all they see is a very short glimpse of what their focus is. Most of the l'Cie never figured out what they had to do.

Fang sighs and tells us: "What I saw when I was made a l'Cie … my focus … I saw Lightning, and then … like a higher ranked Cocoon soldier. He was raising his weapon. And then I saw you, Vanille … and our people raising a white flag. That was it."

My eyes twitch at the news. What should it mean? Cocoon raising its weapons and Pulse surrendering? That doesn't sound like stopping the war … on the other hand, who knows what happened after the weapon was raised.

"It didn't seem like a symbol of peace, you know? I didn't know what to do. I'm sorry, Vanille." Fang says when neither me or Vanille seem to know what to reply. "But now that Etro herself said that I am the chosen l'Cie … maybe there is more to what I saw in that vision."

Vanille lets out a long sigh, but she seems to relax. She walks up to Fang, stopping directly in front of her. Taking a deep breath, she asks: "Will you help us?"

The dark haired woman smiles a relieved smile at her childhood friend. Vanille has forgiven her. "Yes, I promise, I will."

They share a heartwarming hug. Both holding on to each other for dear life. I feel jealous that I can't hold the younger girl like this because my arms are tied up … but I ignore the feeling. I'm quite glad that Fang will help us from now on.

The dark haired woman now turns to face me, letting go of Vanille again. "Lightning … " Fang says. I raise my eyebrows. "You promise to never hurt Vanille, and I promise to help you."

I nod. I don't even have to think about this. "I promise." I say, looking the woman straight in the eyes, showing her my sincerity.

"Good." She suddenly wears a slight smirk. "Because if you did … I'd personally make sure you'll not be able to set a foot on this land … ever … again."

Is she … seriously joking with me? "Tch … " I would never hurt Vanille … never.

Fang waves me over to them, which only makes me tilt my head in question. I comply, though, since I can't do anything else anyways, wondering what she is planning right now. When I stop in front of her she walks around me and I feel her starting to untie my hands. "What … "

"We might not want to fight to bring peace to our nations, but you might as well use your hands, eh?" the dark haired woman explains. I nod, gratefully. Finally I can move freely again.

As soon as the ropes drop to the floor I stretch my arms with a small smile on my face.

Good …

I look at Vanille to see her beaming at me. She looks relieved and happy. When my smile widens she leaps forwards, into my arms, throwing hers around my neck, holding me tightly. I close my arms around her waist and gently pull her closer.

Very good …

I lift my hand to settle it on the younger girl's head, reassuringly letting it run through her hair. Oh Etro, how I've been wanting to do this … and how I've missed this. I will make sure nobody can take her away from me again.

"But Fang … " Vanille asks, when we break apart again, "How do you know that you are the chosen l'Cie? Is your fal'Cie a different one from the other two?"

Two? So they only have three l'Cie? But I guess with those magic powers they could easily fight a Cocoon army. Our soldiers aren't prepared for attacks like this. Neither was I, as much as I hate to admit it.

Fang shifts her weight from one foot to the other, looking up at the statue of Etro. "I wasn't made a l'Cie at the same time the other two were made l'Cie. Also, I didn't exactly visit a fal'Cie." She shifts her gaze to look at Vanille. "I actually came here after you disappeared. I prayed to Etro … I asked her to bring you back, and that I'd do anything to keep you safe and make sure nothing happens to you … " She looks at her l'Cie brand on her right upper arm. "Next thing I know I was a branded l'Cie, with focus and everything."

She pauses shortly and then looks back at us again. "I asked the others about their focus. Of course they said it's to fight the Cocoon army. They've seen Cocoon soldiers falling, us winning, stuff like that. I lied and said that my focus is the same … "

Yes, there is definitely a difference between Fang's focus and the focus of the other two. Though I still wonder what the raised weapon from Cocoon means.

I feel a hand tugging on mine. "We must hurry back to the others!" Vanille demands, pulling me towards the exit of the shrine. Her eyes are pleading and hopeful. She wants to end this war at all costs … and so do I.

"Let's go." I agree, complying to the younger girl and walking alongside her.

The redhead stops, though, and turns to look at her old friend. "Fang, are you coming?" she presses. We don't have much time to lose. For all I know, the Cocoon Army could be close to the camp. We must be prepared!

"Go ahead without me. I'll catch up with you guys. I need a few more minutes." she says in a calm voice. Her look is a little sad, she still seems to be struggling with her focus. I sympathize. I can only imagine this being one of the hardest decisions to make … also … when she fulfills the focus … she will turn to crystal …

I sigh, and then start pulling Vanille out of the shrine. She's hesitating a little, looking at her childhood friend.

"I'll see you in a bit, Vanille. Go!" Fang calls out to her with a reassuring smile on her face. To this I see the redhead nodding and then finally walking out of this grey building. Off to our final challenge …

ooo

"Light!" Vanille calls out to me. I'm at a quick pace back to the camp. I still don't know how, but I am positive that we can convince the Pulsians and the Cocoon soldiers to stop this war. I am determined.

"Lightning!" Vanille calls out again. No, we can't stop now, we're almost there!

A stronger pull on my hand finally makes me stop. "Lightning, stop!" she demands. I look at her, questioningly. Suddenly she giggles. "Do you even know where we're going?"

I nod. "Yes, of course. I paid attention to the way we walked here." I never get lost. Ever.

Again she giggles. "Okay!"

What's going on? Why is she in such a good mood? "What's up?" I ask her.

Vanille takes a step closer to me, her hands clasped together behind her back and her gaze on the floor. "Uhm … " she presses, but trails off.

I cross my arms and cock an eyebrow. Maybe she needs a break? I've been walking at quite a fast pace. Poor girl, that was selfish of me … I should've thought more about her. She's not a soldier, after all. I have to be more considerate now that we're together.

"You know … " Vanille starts again, this time she's raising her hands to my face, and she finally also lifts her head to look into my eyes. Those rich, green eyes …

Instead of talking, though, she pushes herself upwards a bit to catch my lips with hers. Almost automatically my arms find their way around her waist, supporting her, holding her in place, and my eyes quickly shut. I sigh into the kiss … I feel so glad that I can hold and kiss her like this again. I've missed it … I've missed it even though I've been with her … or maybe that was why I missed it. I couldn't touch her. But now I can … and I'm enjoying every second of it …

We break the kiss after what seems like an eternity, in need of oxygen. Wow … my knees almost gave in … I smile at her.

"I just … thought I … uhm … I should do this again before we go back into the village. It's probably the last time we won't be disturbed … " Vanille tells me with a slight blush on her face, then lowers her gaze again.

I chuckle at the comment. She looks cute when she's flustered. I place my thumb and index finger under her chin to lift her head up again. Gently, I press my lips against hers, but I pull back after a short while.

"It was a fantastic idea." I whisper, which makes her smile again. "Are you ready to go?"

"Always!" the redhead chirps. This time it's her who's tugging on my hand, pulling me towards the camp.

ooo

I'm pressing myself up against a tree and I'm holding Vanille tightly against me. We're at the camp, or, actually a few feet away. But we can see the camp. And we can see what is close to the Pulsian camp … the Cocoon Army.

They were quick. Too quick! I still haven't thought about what to do, how to make them understand … shit!

We're hiding behind this tree so the Cocoon Soldiers won't see us. They still haven't found the Pulsian camp, but they will, soon.

"We don't have time to wait for Fang … " Vanille says, looking up at me.

"No … but maybe you can convince them." I reply, but I'm not so sure if they will listen to her. On the other hand, maybe they will listen to Vanille.

"We don't have a choice, anyways." I can hear the uncertainty in her voice.

"Okay, let's hurry … go, go!" I whisper, giving my lover a light nudge into the camp's direction. We start running as fast as we can, and I keep looking back if the soldiers spotted us, but luckily I don't see anyone. Good …

When we reach the camp Vanille quickly starts calling for attention. We need to speak to her people … I hope we can convince them!

A few of them show from their tents as they hear Vanille calling, but nobody seems to actually come closer. Don't they at leastwant to listen to what she has to say? They all have these horrorstricken looks on their faces.

A man walks up to us, wearing a frown. "Why is the viper not tied up?" he asks in a stern voice. Him and another man then walk up to me and try to grab my hands, but I avoid them easily.

This was bound to happen …

"She can help us, you have to listen to me!" Vanille pleads. Again there is an attempt to capture me, but I escape them. Please, just listen to her!

"Where is Captain Fang?" I hear a woman shouting. Wild talking and chatting suddenly starts throughout the whole camp.

"She should be here shortly, she still had something to take care of!" Vanille tries again … with no luck. They're not listening to her, they all continue their chatting. Why aren't they listening to her?!

I see a guy walking up to me. He has sandy hair, hard features and he's only wearing pants in Fang's sari's color, and he has a l'Cie mark on his chest … oh no … this time it's him who tries to grab me, and with his inhuman swiftness, he manages quite easily.

"Let go of me!" I snap, struggling hard to break free from his grasp. I wiggle my hands and wander around to make it hard for him to hold me. After a few moments of struggling I break free, which only earns me a lot of shocked gasps from the villagers.

Another guy then also runs towards me. He looks exactly like the first guy, they're obviously twins, and he's also wearing a l'Cie mark on his chest. Together, the two men can quickly capture me and keep me in check … great …

"Let her go!" I hear the young redhead shouting. When I turn to look at her I see that she's also held back by a regular man. The blood in my veins starts to boil with anger … he dares to touch her … he's dead …

"Tell us now, Vanille, where is Captain Fang?" one of the two l'Cie asks her. His voice is very deep, and very demanding. I struggle again to break free. I have to get Vanille out of the guy's grasps, she's clearly uncomfortable! But I have no success …

My young lover is also wiggling around, wanting to get away from the man. "I told you, she will be here soon!"

"Stop lying to us! You've been brainwashed!" the other l'Cie says. Lying? What?! They believe this crap, too?!

"Shut up!" I hiss at him, which only earns me an ungentle shove.

"You shut up, viper! What did you do to Fang?" the first l'Cie demands. His tone is threatening, but I'm not afraid.

"I didn't do anything to her!" I snap at him.

"Don't lie to us, viper! You killed her!" the second l'Cie accuses me. "You wanted to get rid of her so you can get rid of this village, admit it!"

"I'm here to help!" I try … but they won't listen …

The second l'Cie laughs evilly. "But I guess you didn't think about the fact that there are two more l'Cie. You can't defeat us!"

No, I can't and I don't want to! I want to help this town! … I want to say it out loud, but I am interrupted by a noise in the distance. The attention shifts from me to whatever this noise is.

When I take a closer look I see people. But they aren't just any people … they're the Cocoon soldiers! No! They found us!

I'm suddenly being shoved brutally again. "You made Fang believe you so you could kill her, and then you lead the Cocoon army to us!"

My eyes widen in shock. They are wrong! They are just so wrong!

"Kill her!"

"Hang her!"

"Burn her alive!"

I just hear the villagers screaming out their wishes how I should die. I don't know what to do … I look at Vanille and only see her screaming something, tears running down her face. I can't hear her. Everything seems to be running in slow motion. How can I stop this? How can I make them believe me?

… Did we lose?

When I'm being shoved around I feel that reality is coming back, time flowing normally again.

"We'll kill her right in front of the eyes of the Cocoon soldiers, so they know what will happen to them!" one of the l'Cie shouts out, which earns him some cheers from the villagers.

I'm being tied up again and thrown somewhere on the ground. Shortly afterwards Vanille is landing right beside me. Tears are streaming down her face. She's scared … and so am I …

… is this the end?

A/N: Oh no, a cliffhanger, grr! Bad bLue, BAD BLUE! … don't kill me, but I thought this is a nice spot to stop xD … now … when the heck will Fang finally show up? If she ever shows up …. Poor Light and Vanille are running out of time! Stay tuned, I'll hurry up with the next chapter! Oh, and this story will have two more chapters, then it's done :) hurray!

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