Not much to say other than yikes it's becoming a pattern of taking forever in between updates! Enjoy. Characters at Square Enix, story belongs to myself.

In the fading light, Lightning sat and watched Fang expertly flip Rygdea on his back. She ended up settled on his chest, exposed legs wrapped around his torso, one arm pinned between her leg and his body, with the other pinned above his head.

Considering the terrain that would need to be crossed to get to Taejin's Tower, they had set out on chocobos from Sazh's ranch. All day long they had journeyed until the sun had begun to fade from the sky.

Since they had made camp and had come back from hunting, Fang and Rygdea had been wrestling. Lightning had the feeling they wouldn't have so many clothes on if they were alone.

Rygdea had won a few matches, but an overwhelming amount of victories went to Fang. He always put up a good fight though, and never seemed that frustrated when he ended up on his back with Fang over him. Actually he seemed to enjoy it as much as he did when he had her pinned on her back.

As he was right now, a giant grin plastered on his face, eyes shining bright. They were both breathing harder than normal, but he was far more winded than Fang was. She did look wilder than normal though, with her eyes mirroring his in enjoyment.

"Ready ta' give up?"

"Hell no! Let's go again!"

"Ya' don't know when ta' quit."

"She doesn't look too upset about that."

Lightning had to agree with Cid there, acknowledging him with a nod.

"You would think he would realize she has the upper hand by now."

Lightning couldn't really bring herself to look down on him for his general inability to get the upper hand on Fang. Lightning didn't have any disillusions about being able to do so herself. She was strong and would hold her own - but she wasn't in Fangs league and she knew it. More than likely she would be closer to Rygdea - knocked on her ass with only a few scattered victories here and there to boast about. Besides she was much more comfortable with armed combat than unarmed.

"Rygdea is far more at home among Fang's world than he was in ours."

"Gran Pulse is not for the faint of heart.", Lightning agreed.

"No. It's far more beautiful than Cocoon. You can really live here."

"Fang, Rygdea! Honestly haven't you beaten each other up enough yet?"

Lightning didn't think they would ever get enough of wrestling each other, but she sure wasn't going to be the one to educate Vanille.

"Hmm, I think yer roight Missy."

Fang fluidly rolled off Rygdea and helped him to his feet.

That was surprising, Fang never-

"I think it's Light and Cid's turn."

"Excuse me?"

Cid remained quiet, his eyes on her.

Oh this was payback for breaking her time up with Rygdea. Lightning knew it.

"Oh yeah. I think ya' both need ta' lighten up and blow off some steam. What better way than wrestling? You've been undressing each other with your eyes for days."

"I don't think-..."

"Neither Claire nor myself feel the need to come to blows to rid ourselves of any pent up energy."

"What's up Light? He kicked yer ass last time and now yer scared?"

The challenge was there. She knew she should let it go. It would be immature to rise to that challenge. But damn it, that did it. Lightning stood up slowly, turning until she faced Cid.

His gray eyes searched hers, questioning. "Claire we do not need to-"

Lightning smiled down at him. "When in Gran Pulse."

He rose and returned her gaze.

"Do as Pulsians do." He paused then, "Although you do realize there are only two true Pulsians in the world and only one of them is so focused on trading physical blows."

Lightning reached back for her gunblade, flipping it out of its sheathe and placing it on their pile of equipment before waiting on Cid to do the same.

He unbelted his sword and gun and laid them beside hers. Afterward he shrugged out of his thick outer coat and covered their weapons with it.

She decided he should go without it more as she took the time to admire his figure.

"Give 'em hell Light!"

Lightning quickly refocused and tensed in anticipation. She would have time to appreciate his figure after they fought.

Lightning landed on her back, realizing he had softened his attack so it wouldn't be as hard of a hit. She blinked up to see him on one knee beside her hip and a foot settled between her legs. His hand was spread on her abdomen to hold her down.

"Do you yield?"

Lightning purposely relaxed her body until she felt his body relax against her.

Without warning she snaked her leg up around his waist and used his awkward pose to flip him off her. Her knee caught one arm and pinned it to the ground while she slammed his second arm down and held it with her hands. He bucked up against her and tilted her to one side, nearly throwing her off. Doggily she hung on, snaking one arm around his neck and holding his wrist with her arm and pinning the second between her chest and his back, high up so he couldn't use his natural strength.

She must look like hell after that long battle. Her hair had come out of her pony tail and slipped wildly past her face. Her chest heaved from exertion and she could feel the sweat running down her chest.

"Never.", She dragged out in between breaths.

He looked surprised to be where he was, blinking at her from the side of his vision as if to assure himself of what she had just done. Considering he had dominated most of their match - she had fought tooth and nail to stay even with him - this outcome probably shocked him as much as it had shocked her.

"Atta girl Light! Hand his ass ta' him!"

He tested her grip out but she simply tightened her body around him and wouldn't let go until he chuckled deep in his throat.

"I yield."

Lightning let him go and sat back on her heels as he turned to face her, gulping in deep breaths and studying him as he studied her.

"That'll teach ya' ta' underestimate her!" Fang had strutted over and slapped Cid against the back of the head, which he rubbed without expression.

"You're right Fang, I did underestimate Claire. Again?"

Lightning shook her head, still dragging in air even though it was less violently. How long had their match lasted?

"You would beat me mercilessly if we went again."

"Perhaps not."

He rose and offered her a hand, which she reached up to take graciously.

She had won, but she wasn't altogether convinced he hadn't gone lighter on her than he could have.

He pulled her up to her feet more gently than she would have thought possible considering the hellish match they had gone through, which she found she was grateful for.

He didn't release her hand right away and Lightning didn't pull away.

"Light ya' look like hell."

Nothing like being reminded you probably looked like a raging behemoth to ruin a moment

"Thank you for that Fang."

"Yer welcome. Why don't ya' sit down. Dinner is ready!"

Cid finally released her hand, only to gently run a loose strand of her pink hair over his fingers.

"You look stunning. Like you belong here in Gran Pulse."

"I think we both do." Lightning reached up and wiped the smudge of dirt away that had collected in his jaw from the end if their match.

With hair out if place, simple trousers and shirt that now had hints of dirt on them, he looked human.

"Dirt looks good on you.'

His eyebrows rose sharply.

"Perhaps I will start bathing more regularly with dirt."

"Careful, Fang might switch her attention to you if you start looking too rugged."

"It certainly isn't Fang's attention I would seek."

"Scared she'd kick your ass?"

"Among other parts."

"I'm literally right here ya' know!"

"We're aware."

Lightning gave her a wicked look - it served Fang right for all the meddling she was doing.

"Don't worry Cid, I don't plan on assaultin' ya' anytime soon."

"I've got way nicer hair than Cid anyway!", Rygdea chimed in.

"Perhaps for a chocobo looking to nest."

Lightning could tell by the way Fang's mouth dropped open that she hadn't been expecting any sort of wit to come out of Cid's mouth.

"He has been around Sazh quite a bit lately.", Lightning agreed.

Rygdea sputtered for a moment and gestured toward the giant birds. "To get chocobos for our journey!"

She accepted a bowl of stew from Vanille and sat down with an eyebrow quirked.

"You seem defensive.", Cid observed as he settled down beside her, a bowl in his large hands.

"It's okay Rygdea, the chick will grow up and leave eventually. Sazh's did!"

"Thanks Vanille...for that encouragement."

"Anytime!"

Lightning peered up at the stars twinkling across the sky. It was difficult to imagine ever getting used to the view.

Fang and Rygdea had dragged their bedding away from the fire and had settled down together with some privacy after dinner. Vanille had positioned herself on the other side of the campfire and Lightning could hear her even breathing and soft snores.

That left her and Cid close to each other. She could tell he was awake yet, like he could most likely tell the same of her.

"Why did you go easy on me?"

Silence stretched between them for some time before he responded.

"I do not know what you mean."

"We both know you're stronger."

"I was genuinely taken by surprise at the end. That pleased me."

"It pleased you? You're an odd man Cid Raines."

A dry chuckle. "Perhaps. To answer your question...I suppose I am tired of the role that was thrust upon me."

"What role would that be?"

"I've been a monster, antagonizing and challenging those who saved the world for too long, unable to break through the chains that have bound me. It's frustrating being viewed in such a manner. Perhaps I thought...I'm not sure what I thought."

"We all understand why you did what you've done."

"Pretty excuses, nothing more."

Lightning didn't think of anything to say before he spoke again.

"Watching Fang and Rygdea...really all of your group made me crave the easy relationship you have with each other. I was born a leader, placed in a position where those easy companionships were frowned upon. I was a commander of men...that doesn't often inspire freedom to mingle nor gain relationships as your group has so often expressed. I find I'm tired of playing that part. If I had entered our match using every ounce of strength I could muster, it would have done nothing but thrust that wedge deeper. I did not wish that."

"Fang brings her full strength into every match."

"She isn't viewed as a monster."

"I wouldn't be so sure...Fang is pretty close to what I imagine a monster to act like."

A deep chuckle. "I concede to your point."

Lightning turned her head to face him.

"I understand, about feeling like a monster, and I can respect your desire."

"It means much that you do."

"Cid?"

"Yes Claire?"

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Telling me."

"You're welcome."

Silence settled back down over them as Lightning digested his confession. It made sense - and she understood. ...perhaps more than she wished she did.

"When did your father die?"

Lightning was startled by the question.

"Perhaps...if it is too personal-"

"No. It's...it's okay."

She had a feeling she wouldn't be going to sleep anytime soon anyway. Maybe Cid felt the same way.

"Didn't you pull my file?"

"Yes. However i find it rather distant to read about someone on a piece of paper."

Wasn't that the truth.

"I was seven."

"Too young to be without a father."

"At least I remember him. Serah doesn't."

"What was he like?"

"He made you feel important. Like you mattered. Everyone gravitated toward him - wanted his approval. i remember his eyes the most... they were so clever and always seemed to sparkle like you were sharing an inside joke. He was a big man, tall and broad, he seemed indestructible. Firm when he needed to be but never cruel."

"He sounds like a wonderful father."

"He was."

"I'm sorry you had to lose him. And your mother."

"Me too."

A moment passed before Lightning felt compelled to continue.

"The army told us it was an accident. That his airship had malfunctioned and had went down on a scouting mission to Gran Pulse. It's easy to blame something on a place everyone views as hell."

"You think they were lying?"

"I think they watched my family too closely for it to be anything but a lie. He was... different before he left that last time. Short with Serah and me, anxious. I think he uncovered something and someone - Dysley maybe - had him eliminated."

"And then invited you into the army earlier than others?"

"I suppose it was an 'invitation'. I was making trouble for them. I was an angry kid trying to keep her baby sister alive, doing what I felt I had to."

"I assumed you were always...focused."

There was humor in his revelation.

"Focused yes, not always on being a good soldier."

"So they decided they should get that focus on something constructive?"

"Something like that."

"I never would have guessed."

"I even got a belly piercing."

"Now that I certainly wouldn't have guessed."

Lightning smiled, wondering if he was doing the same.

"I was thankful for the opportunity - once I stopped snarling at everything. I could finally give Serah a life I thought she deserved. I worked nearly every moment so she could have an education and material things we had lacked since my father had died. At the time I thought I was doing what I should have."

"Sometimes we do things that we think the ends justifies the means."

"We do."

Lightning got quiet and stared up at the stars.

"I shut everyone and everything out, even my own sister."

"You blame yourself for what happened to her."

It wasn't a question, but Lightning agreed anyway.

"I do. If pushing your sister away when she confides in you isn't a monster...I'm not sure what is."

"You were doing what you thought was necessary."

"Does that make you feel any less guilty?"

He was silent for some time before answering.

"No, it does not."

They were more alike than she had thought. Broken but living with it - trying to overcome their pasts. If only it were easy.

"Do you think we can beat him?"

She hadn't voiced any of her concerns out loud before. There was too much unknown and fear for her to add to it by making it evident that she was doubting.

"I think if anyone can, it's this group. I will aid you in whatever way I can."

Even that simple statement helped to ease her fears of what the future would bring.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

It felt good to have someone she could share her thoughts with that wouldn't cave underneath worry. Felt good to have someone that supported her...when he wasn't trying to kill her she supposed.

"Goodnight Cid."

"Goodnight Claire."

She had a feeling they were both saying more in those two words.