P.O.V. [Name]

I sighed as I watched lightning kick down the door and rushed into the room. I watched in amazement as she managed to take down the guards with ease. It was always so exciting watching her fight. She was without a doubt the best fighter I had ever seen. She had taught me a bit about fighting for situations like this but I wasn't nearly as good as her. As we charged into the room we began to fight several armed guards.

It was a rather easy fight, especially with her there to help me. Once we were done she let out a sigh and looked at me. "Alright, not let's get looking," She said as she looked at me. I nodded hearing this and we began to look through several different things. One of my informants had said there was a chance that there was a chance we'd be able to find Serah here. I was hoping he was right and that we weren't too late.

However, as minutes turned to hours I began to give up hope of finding her here. We looked in all the rooms, any large crates, and even searched a lot of the walls for any hidden passages. "Lightning," I said as I looked at her. However, before I could say anything else she nodded with a rather sad expression on her face.

"Yeah, I know . . . she's not here. Let's go, we've been lucky so far with how many there have been. Let's go before more show up," She said as she looked at me. I nodded hearing this and we began to run out and into the streets of the small town, we were in. As we did we almost immediately disappeared into the large crowd that was in all corners of the streets. Music was playing and several people were dancing.

This was one of the reasons we chose today instead of waiting. All the noise would probably cover up what we were doing. Seeing as how no one seemed to be suspicious I could only assume the plan worked. As we walked through the streets I noticed that Lightning seemed a bit more depressed than usual. "Hey, how about we stay awhile?" I asked as I looked at her. When I said this she looked at me and nodded.

I guess that's one of the benefits of being a friend of the family. Most of the time I knew what to do to make her feel better, I wasn't nearly as good as Serah, obviously, but I was good enough to get her to smile when she was sad and Serah wasn't around . . . like now. I looked around and noticed that there was a stand selling sweets. I know Lightning likes them and while it won't make up for not finding her sister but it should make her feel a little better at least.

As I walked over to the stand Lightning looked at me and I smiled as I purchased a few of her favorite sweets and began to walk over to her. "It's not much I know, but food always makes me feel better when I'm upset," I said with a smile as I held up some of the sweets. Lightning nodded hearing this without smiling as she took a few. Not that I can blame if I was in her situation I doubt I'd feel much better if all I got was food.

I began to walk with her around the festival and eventually she did seem like she was starting to feel better but even so she didn't smile. We eventually came to a stop when I noticed that she was looking at a small stage that had been set up for people to dance on. I could see several people all doing the same dance as a few people around them play some music. I looked at them for several moments before looking at Lightning.

"Would you like to try?" I asked as I looked at the female next to me. When I did Lightning seemed a little flustered as she looked at me.

"No way, I can't. I don't know this dance at all," Lightning said as she looked at me before her attention slowly returned to the dancers in front of us.

"That's not what I asked," I said as I looked at her. She didn't respond to hearing this and after a few moments, I decided to take the chance and grabbed Lightning's hand. When I did she looked at me her face a bit red as I slowly moved towards the stage. However, she didn't resist and soon enough a small smile began to form on her face. This caused me to smile, even if it wasn't much I'm glad she's in a better mood.

Seeing this I tightened my grip around her hand and began to dance along with the rather festive music. I brought her close with a hand at her waist and while she seemed shocked and a bit flustered she didn't seem to be rejecting these advances. After I danced with her a bit I stopped and we separated for a bit and I tried to mimic one of the dance moves I saw some of the others doing.

As I did Lightning chuckled slightly most likely at how silly I looked. After all, I didn't really dance much so I probably wasn't nearly as good as I thought I was. However, after I finished she did the same trying to mimic a move from one of the several others. I can only imagine how strange we must have looked among the others. After she finished I slid forward and offered her my hand which she took as we once again continued to dance.

When we finished I was panting slightly, I had no idea that dancing was this physically demanding. As I panted I looked at Lightning that was smiling brightly now. "I think, I'm falling in love with you," As soon as I said this, my eyes widened. I didn't mean to say that and Lightning's eye's widened as well.

"O-oh," Lightning said as she looked at me.

"S-sorry, I didn't mean to-" I began only for Lightning to cut me off.

"Let's just keep going," Lightning said as she looked at me. I nodded hearing this and began to mentally scald myself. I can't believe I said that out loud! Why! Why would I do something so stupid! I've never done anything like that before! So why now? I guess I should just be grateful she didn't laugh at me or do something ridiculous like that. It wasn't long before the day eventually came to an end and we went our separate ways. At least we're still friends so that's something.

The next few days were trying to say the least. Lightning seemed to have been getting more and more stressed as time went on. Trying to find her sister seemed to really be taking a toll on her. I could also feel some stress starting to build in me as well. It's been a week since I told her my feelings, and I'm starting to get a little worried. She's just been acting as if nothing happened. If this is her way of trying to spare my feelings then I guess I should be grateful.

I guess it's better to pretend nothing happened to keep out friendship intact but even so, I can't help but want a direct answer. I'm not sure what's wrong with me but I'd rather she reject me, and then we pretend as if nothing happened. At least then I'd know how she feels for certain. That's why tonight when we meet I'm going to try confessing again. Hopefully, it's not as awkward this time.

It didn't take me long to arrive at our usual meeting spot and after waiting for a bit I eventually saw Lightning coming towards me. I smiled seeing her and waved, causing her to smile and walk a bit faster. "Hey, so what are we doing today?" She asked as she looked at me. When she asked this I scratched the back of my head a little nervous.

"Honestly, I didn't really have anything planned today. So I guess just walking around is a good start," I said as I looked at her, she nodded hearing this and we began to walk down the streets together. We went to several different places but we never stayed long. As we were walking we came to a stop in front of a lake and I looked at her. The scene here was lovely, and there was no one else around.

This was it, it was now or never. Even if she rejects me, at least I'll have my answer, and I'm willing to accept that. I didn't want to be in the friendzone with her, and I had to let her know that. However, if she doesn't feel the same then there's nothing I can do to change that. I leaned in as I looked at her preparing to kiss her. However, as I did I saw Lightning's face once again turn a bit red and she moved out of the way to avoid the kiss.

As she did I mentally scalded myself once again. How could I be so stupid, of course, her not talking about it was just her sparing my feelings. At least now I got my answer, and while it's not the one I wanted. I moved back and looked at her nervous. I was about to apologize before she spoke up. "S-sorry, I panicked. H-here let's try that again," Lightning said as she looked at me. When she said this I was a bit confused and looked at her.

"I-" I began only for Lightning to cut me off.

"Look, I know it's awkward but just trust me. Ever since you confessed to me at the festival I've been thinking my feelings over. I think I've figured out why I haven't been able to relax, no matter where I go or what I do. I-" Lightning began only to take a deep breath and continue. "I finally figured out why I feel this way it's because . . . I need you," Lightning said as she looked at me.

"Really?" I asked as I looked at her.

"Yeah," She said with a slight smile. "When I'm with you, I feel like I can be myself. It's not a matter of doing my best or not. What really matters to me at the moment, and what really affects my happiness or not . . . is whether I'm with you," Lightning said as she looked at me with a smile. "So . . . about that kiss," Lightning said as she looked at me. I nodded hearing this and leaned towards her a bit slower this time.

She didn't seem to mind at first but after a moment her face turned red and she leaned back slightly. "W-wait," Lightning said as she looked at me and I stopped and looked at her a bit confused. "B-before we do . . . c-close your eyes," She said as she looked at me. Before I could say anything she continued. "It's embarrassing if you look at me," She said as she looked at me. I nodded hearing this and closed my eyes as I once again leaned forward.

After a moment I felt our lips connect together and the feeling was incredible. Even if we were kissing, I still had butterflies in my stomach. It was a warm and passionate kiss, and it almost felt like I was dreaming, and if this was a dream then I didn't want to wake up. At that moment I could feel all my pains, worries, and anxieties disappear. Then after a moment, I came to an end and I heard Lightning giggle slightly.

"Hehe you look cute when you're blushing," She said as she looked at me. I could feel my face heat up even more hearing this and Lightning began to lean into me. "It just feels a little odd that's all. To think something so rare could be easy like this," Lightning said as she looked at me.

"Well I mean, why shouldn't it be? Loving someone should be the easiest thing in the world right?" I asked as I looked at her. I can only hope this feeling will last forever. I can already tell this flame in my heart for her will never die, and thanks to her . . . I now know what true love is.