A/N: Late chapter, short, length will probably ruin my plans for the actual length of the whole fic in of itself since the next chapter will probably seem more appropriately like a part 2 of this chapter. I ended up having to re-write this whole chapter, ended up changing the whole setting for it all together because my computer had crashed and I wasn't smart enough to have back ups of the fic. Either way, here you go. Was planning on posting it tomorrow, but I don't want to risk procrastinating that. The next chapter will hopefully be up soon :).
Fall back
Vanille silently sat on the bleachers, blankly staring at her open history book but not reading the words on the open page. The chilling feeling of emanate unknown danger creating a pit of nervous energy in her being.
X-x-x
(Flashback)
"Vanille, correct?" The fact that she was called behind the school during their lunch hour should have been warning enough, however Vanille hadn't been much to consider her own safety, that is, until recent events at least, yet such things were second nature and she never found herself to be in a compromising position at school before. Always keeping to herself when it came to peer politics, that's how she survived her past years.
"Of course.." Vanille nodded slightly at the older boy who had untied her back at the warehouse, "how can I help you?"
He cleared his throat, sending a swift glance over his shoulder as if expecting something to happen right then and there, "I assure you I'm not here to cause any harm to you."
"I trust you.." In honesty, she didn't, but if she hadn't shown any leeway at all she was certain the conversation at hand would get nowhere, "I haven't brought anyone around, though I can't guarantee Fang won't try to find me once she gets bored with teasing Hope.."
Remus cleared his throat, "very well then, I suppose I'll skip the pleasantries." He handed her a curious piece of paper, "I apologize on my partners behalf, he was beaten quite severely since we've last met so he won't be at this meeting, or perhaps any future ones we establish..I called you out her to form a...ah, well, agreement I suppose you could say."
Vanille took the card, reading the print, "a calling card?"
"Your friend and...my friend...are in the same situation, of course, they've both taken different paths to solve their problems." Remus tugged his leather glove, flexing his hand slightly. Vanille wondered if it was nerves that caused him to fidget as such, he didn't seem the type to hold conversations for long. "Of course I wanted to propose a partnership. I provide you with information on the Organization, you help us take down the top dogs."
"No way," Vanille gritted her teeth, "there's no way in hell you're going to use Lightning to settle your own debts!"
"That's not what I'm proposing." He cleared his throat, "I see where the misunderstanding may have occurred, but res assured, we'll be doing our part in this as well. That is, when Kenji has recovered to full potential."
"I'm still not buying this," Vanille crossed her arms, "you're still using us."
"It's unavoidable that you must fight them, Lightning has already gotten her eyes set on the boss. I simply provide the intel. Kenji will provide extra brawn. You'll need us when you reach the, "final level", for lack of a better term." He quickly pulled his sleeve back, checking his watch, "it appears our meeting is over, your friend will be arriving shortly, I'm sure. Just consider the offer, when you contact me I will provide you with your first piece of vital information on upcoming opponents."
X-x-x
Vanille jumped slightly as a hand reached around soundlessly, a soft drink appearing in her vision. She glanced up, catching a glimpse of shocking blue eyes, before she wordlessly took the drink and returned to blankly staring at her book.
Lightning sat beside her, relishing in the silence slightly, her own edge of nerves only slightly relative under her placid mask.
"Can I help you with something?" Vanille finally offered, figuring it odd that the student was actually around her. "I thought you weren't allowed back in school for a while.."
"I came to get Serah, looks like she left before I could make my appearance though. I'll have to take care of that Snow later.." A gleam of vengeful irritation flickered in her eyes. Vanille swallowed. "Besides, thought I'd offer up a peace treaty. I can't have both the girls I have to take care of hating me for no reason."
"Serah hates you?" Vanille gawked, "that's a first! She's usually pretty forgiving. I should know, she always rants at me and then she gets over it."
Lightning shrugged, "That's what it feels like, anyway. We got into an argument about life goals and such."
"Oh." Vanille smirked, "she'll get over it."
"You think so?" Lightning sighed, "the challenges an older sibling faces. I'm supposed to disapprove of every guy she dates.." she brought her knees up to her chest, silently resting her chin on them. "I'm sure you and Fang have these fights."
That was a curious thought, had she and Fang often fought over trivial things? Now that she thought about it, their fights were less about boys and more about what should be for dinner, or what channel they should watch. This thought caused her to giggle slightly, they were less like siblings and more like a married couple, though they weren't siblings at all if you had to be technical about it. Her outburst earned her a curious glance from the other brooding girl.
"Never mind that," Lightning finally sighed, "I heard Fang was running off chasing every gangster she caught site of, want to explain that one to me? She's not supposed to be taking away my only job!"
"Fang's convinced every person that gives her a dirty look is out to kill us now." Vanille sighed, "I suppose it's partially your fault. Ah! Speak of the devil!"
"VANILLE!" Fang swiftly charged up the bleachers, strategically placing herself between the pinknette and the redhead, issuing a slight glare at the ex-athlete. She returned her happy gaze to Vanille, "where have you been? I can only tease poor Hope so much!"
"Should I feel bad for him?" Vanille chuckled, closing her book, "I was just looking for somewhere quiet to study." she quickly added, "the library is closed for the rest of the month, getting new furniture."
Lightning cleared her throat, standing and offering a cold glare in Fang's direction, Fang returned the favor. "Don't you have practice today, puppy?"
"Pu-" Fang gritted her teeth, "you're one to talk, shouldn't you be following Serah around? Or has she finally kicked you to the streets like the stray you are!"
Vanille sighed, pulling Fang back by her shirt collar, and stepping between both teens, "if you two don't knock if off I'm putting shock collars on the both of you."
"I might like that," Lightning smirked, relishing in the shocked, angry looks she was receiving from the girls companion. She lazily blocked Vanille's frustrated punch.
Vanille returned her gaze to Fang, "she's right, though. I don't want you to miss practice just because your preoccupied with my safety. I'm more worried about your safety, you never run from fights...they could hurt you, Fang. Maybe even worse."
The tan girl flexed her hand, as if the word "fight" would summon a platoon of goons, before finally offering a defeated sigh, a look of protest gleaming in her brilliant eyes that was matched with a look of concern and sincerity in Vanille's own. Lightning watched the two silently communicate, slightly intrigued by their link. Fang finally sighed and shrugged, sending a final fleeting glance towards Lightning before she turned and huffed away. Lightning was sure there was a sort of 'pissed off' aura that surrounded the girl.
"What was that about?"she prodded.
"Nothing in particular." Vanille smiled sweetly, before retrieving her book and descending the bleachers, followed closely by a silently pondering Lightning. She herself wondered if she should offer the bit of information she found out to Lightning, yet she shrugged it off and figured she'd take care of it when it was truly necessary for them to discuss it.
X-x-x
Generally, spending time with friends usually means one-sided banters and mindless ramblings about how horrible your day was, or what your teacher did that made you hate him or her even more than before. In this case, they were just silently sitting in a far corner isolated from the rest of humankind, add that to the fact that they just so happened to not be friends. Perhaps acquaintances, but of course Vanille would never get Lightning to admit they were friends, even if they were on such terms. Lightning held a stern look and a regal aura that seemed to read, 'I own this place. I own you.' A look that kept even the bravest boys practically thirty yards away from them. Despite that, she seemed slightly amused at Vanille, who had triumphantly declared to eat every sweet delicacy on the menu.
"You'll get fat." Lightning was leaning forward, elbows propped on the table as she watched the girl eat her sundae. This caused the girl to halt her spoons movement towards her mouth, which was hanging slightly open for the bite, as she stared blankly at the other girl. Almost seeming as if she were debating on whether or not she should chide her for such a comment. The pinknette finally sat back and turned her gaze out towards the busy street, spectating the many pedestrians. "Why'd we come here, anyway?"
"Because you were following me around, looking like a lost child. Plus, I really did not feel like going home so soon." Vanille offered a slight shrug, returning her attention to the sundae in front of her.
Lightning wondered how it was possible for a girl Vanille's age to almost seem like a child. "You like sweets, don't you?"
Vanille grinned, "Fang says they're the source of my energy!" rolling her eyes slightly, she added, "though, really, she's said that about anything I consume that has caffeine as well. What about you?"
"No." Lightning sipped on her coffee, "I have a strict diet set up."
"Oh. That's right." She seemed slightly disappointed, reason unknown. "But of course you had to have liked something, when you were little for instance."
"When I was little?" Lightning pondered the question, "I guess I liked strawberry ice cream the most. But even then, I was on a strict diet. Dad always figured I'd end up in his shoes, so he made sure to start me young."
Lightning pulled Vanille's hand towards her, stealing the ice cream she had scooped up on her spoon, causing the other girl to blush slightly and pout, Lightning smirked, "I lied, I have the occasional cheat day."
"In this very second, your peace treaty has been nullified." Vanille stated flatly.
X-x-x
Fifteen minutes passed in silence after they left the small cafe, when Vanille realized something was wrong with Lightning. The girl repeatedly glanced over her shoulder, as though expecting something appear out of thin air. When their eyes locked, Lightning shrugged slightly and shook her head, rubbing her neck in frustration before returning to silently walking beside the small girl. Vanille thought it funny that Lightning had wordlessly taken up the task of escorting Vanille to her home, which was odd in of itself, Vanille thought. To think a group would be quick enough to send people to attack them so soon after the last encounter. Perhaps in movies, but in reality? Vanille didn't know, she wasn't an expert in such things.
Somewhere in the short time that Vanille had managed to get lost in her own thoughts, Lightning had rushed ahead and taken a defensive stance in front of her, so that when she finally realized where the girl was she collided with her back and stepped back quickly, slightly embarrassed.
"You're the one who was following us, I presume." Lightning gestured at a man clad in black clothing, a helmet obscuring his face. He was leaning against his motorcycle, quietly studying whatever was on the screen of his cellphone. The man shrugged slightly, not so much as moving to glance at the two girls.
Finally, he pocketed the device and stood up straight, causing Lightning to tense slightly. He sighed, crossing his arms over his chest and apparently studying the two girls. "I'm not here to fight." He finally managed, he sounded annoyed with the whole process, like he had other things to do. "I'm simply a messenger. Caelum wants you to go to Seventh Heaven, the time and day is yet to be determined, but if you want to find an end to this, he suggests you go." He moved to sit on his bike, the engine roaring like an uncontrollable storm.
"Seventh Heaven? They don't seem like the type of people to get tied up with him." Lightning stated flatly.
The man paused, before glancing over his shoulder to reply, "I owe him for helping me find the man that ruined my life." With that, he was gone, leaving the two confused girls alone in the streets. Lightning turned to look at Vanille, "I have to take care of something, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Right.." Vanille nodded, watching Lightning walk back in the they had come.
I often found myself watching her back,
even though she was always charging into sudden death,
it felt like she was actually retreating.