a/n: I'm back. Spent so much time playing Final Fantasy XIII-2 and now I realize that my portrayal of Lightning is similar enough to her depiction in XIII-2, she has learned to ask for help and whatnot, knowing she cannot do things alone. I just wish there had been more Fang…but oh well.

~XIII~

Lightning awoke to the dull thrum of thunder and the brilliant flash of lightning, the origin of her name. She marveled at its beauty, its danger, watching it lash the sky before fading. Yet the dull thrum of thunder wasn't the only thing that had awoken Lightning, there was a searing pain in her leg and a dull throbbing in her shoulder, where Fang had pierced her earlier. She had almost forgotten about them in the wake of all this surrealistic castle drama.

Slowly, she rose from the bed, head spinning and a wave of nausea rolling over her. What had happened to her? Was she that hungry? Lightning had gone days without food when she was a member of the Guardian Corps…hunger did not feel like this.

Had it been the black thorn bush she cut her skin against? Thinking back on it, it had left an odd cut that darkened immediately. She began moving, slowly this time and testing her limits. What would happen if she collapsed? There wasn't anyone around, and she had no clue where Vanille was. She would take her chances, and if worst came to worst, she'd crawl if she had to, to acquire medical assistance.

Her door seemed so far away, and it was work enough to cross the room. There was numbness in her leg, and Lightning knew time was short. If that thistle had been doused in poison, then wasting any more time would screw her over. Lightning began making her way down the corridor, using the wall as a support as she moved slowly, so as not to jostle the infected leg.

Her progress down the corridor seemed to take ages, and she hated not having mobility. She wasn't dependent on anything, or anyone. She had grown up that way. But Lightning supposed she could make an exception, if it meant losing her life to a bit of poison. She neared the corner, almost rounding it before colliding with a solid force that sent her staggering back. Looking up, she met green eyes.

"Lightnin'…" Fang's accented voice broke the silence first, and a flash of concern was evident in her eyes. "Lightning…are you all right? Etro, you don't look so good…"
"F-ang…Fang. I need an antidote." Lightning's voice was shaky, and grew shakier the longer they stood there. "Fang! Now!"

Fang snapped to attention before nodding, and running back down the way she came, shouting behind her, "I'm getting Vanille."

Lightning nodded weakly, her health put in the care of Fang. Fang, who had one of the worst first impressions Lightning had ever seen; Fang, who didn't know charming from obnoxious; Fang, who barely knew who Lightning was. It was odd to help someone she barely knew, and Lightning was curious as to who Fang was in her previous form.

A new wave of nausea wracked Lightning's lithe frame, and she collapsed, her vision growing bleary and faint…and she saw Fang's paws come into view, and Vanille's shoes…and then black.

~XIII~

"She's lucky…Black Dhalia Brambles, nasty stuff. They're laced with natural poison, strong poison…it's a wonder she wasn't dead earlier." Vanille's voice cut through the dark fog that entombed her consciousness.

"But…what about her shoulder? I feel bad, Van…" Fang's voice this time, riddled with guilt.

Did she care?

"Hey…that'll be fine. Might leave some scarring, but it could've been worse…you could've dislocated the shoulder."

Vanille needs to work on her consolation skills, Lightning mused silently, and her eyes still shut against the dim light of the room.

Perhaps I should let them know I'm awake…that might ease Fang's guilt a bit. Slowly, Lightning let out a false groan of grogginess, raising herself up on a weak arm. "Wha-what happened?" She raised a hand to her head, clutching at it, as if that would make the newly formed headache disperse.

"Hey, you're quite the soldier." Vanille said, bouncing over to the rose haired woman's side, a potion in hand. "Here, drink this. It'll help."

Slowly, Lightning took the vial in hand, raising it to her lips with a shaky hand, and tossing her head back as she downed the contents. A cooling spread throughout her body, and eased the aching of her shoulder and the throbbing of her leg.

"Thanks…what happened to me?" Lightning glanced down at her wrapped leg, a faint bloodstain bleeding through already.

"You ran into Black Dhalia Brambles on the way here, didn't you? They're the black thorn bush things throughout the forest." Vanille explained upon seeing the slightly confused look on Lightning's face.

Vanille took a quick glance in Fang's direction, noticing the quiet nature of the usually outspoken woman. Taking that as her cue to leave, Vanille said, "Well, I suppose I should go wake the others. It's almost time for their jobs." And with a quick smile and wave, the cheery redhead bounded out of the room, leaving Fang and Lightning alone.

~XIII~

Fang watched as Vanille bounded from the room, her green eyes following the exiting form of the young Pulsian, before turning to Lightning.

"How're you feelin'?" She asked, scooting closer to Lightning's side. Her tone was laced with concern, and her green eyes were widened slightly with worry.

Lightning gave the Pulsian a faint smile. "I'm…fine. Thanks, Fang." Lightning's voice was soft, quiet, and she looked at Fang with her arctic eyes. "A little weak, but, that's expected." The woman gave a soft laugh, coughing slightly when she did.

"Take it easy, Lightning. You just got rid of a poison in your system, don't push yourself." Lightning gave Fang a quirk of her head, her blue eyes soft, and a difference from their usual iciness.