Yep! I'm back! I'm sorry it took so long to update this, I hate myself for not updating as much as I should. I do, again, apologize. I hope you enjoy this chapter, this took quite a bit of a thought process to do because it's a little filler before they reach Altissia; I really tried! Love you my readers!<3

~

Day Five

Bella and Kirara, in her small form, were walking around Lestallum during a nice day. It was around eight in the morning, so it was staying cool in the town. Around ten, Bella noticed, is when it started getting hot. She figured it would take a little bit before they headed out towards Caem. Bella then looks at the horizon seeing something in the distance, wondering if she should head there. She walks down towards the Lookout and leans against it, looking back towards the Thoroughfare seeing hardly anyone there.

Bella brings her hand up to her hair that was currently back in its half-pony, her bangs framing her face as she begins stroking her hair.

"What's on your mind, Bella?" asks the nekomata once more, looking at her.

Bella looks at her then back in the distance. "I feel like getting away from Lestallum for a few hours, maybe going on those rocks," Bella points at the Stone Arcs in the distance. "I need to clear my mind, especially after what happened with Ravus..."

Kirara sighs, rubbing her face against Bella's cheek and nods, looking back but mews quietly as she jumps on the edge. Bella raised a brow at her then her eyes widened when she heard his familiar voice behind her.

"What'cha up too?" asks the King standing beside her.

"I was thinking of heading towards the Stone Arcs to go clear my head," Bella told him looking back at them.

Noctis leans against the railing and looks over at them; "How come?"

Bella lets out a small breath of a laugh, looking down. "I always had this thing that when I'm way up high, my head seems to clear up and I can think clearly. And everything that seems confusing or messed up suddenly becomes clear."

Noctis smiles at her, touching her hand with his. "It makes sense," he tells her making her look at him. "Would you mind if I join you?"

Bella looks at Kirara who mews, the young woman looks back at Noctis and nods. She grabs his hand gently guiding him to the edge of the Lookout.

"Whoa!" Noctis gasps out. "What are you doing?"

Bella giggles, keeping a tight hold on his hand, looking back seeing no one looking at them. She looks back at the King and continues to smile. "Do you trust me?"

"I guess..." He was skeptical but in truth – he did. "Why?"

Bella brings him with her when she jumps off making him freak out, Bella giggles happily when she feels Kirara catch them half-way down. Noctis behind Bella who laughs loudly as Kirara takes them to the Stone Arcs.

"You're insane, Bells!"

"I've been called worse," Bella giggles looking back at him as his arms tighten around her waist gently. She blushes a little bit and giggles once more, looking ahead.

Noctis finally calms his breathing as he looks around seeing the beautiful scenery from the sky. "I can see why you like flying on Kirara, this is breathtaking."

Bella nods, as Kirara approaches the Stone Arcs, carefully landing on them. Noctis jumps down first looking around while Bella jumps down as well taking in the breathtaking sight before them. Bella moves to sit down while Kirara roams around the Arc, ignoring behind her. Before Bella could sit down, Noctis touches her arm making her look at him.

"Listen, about Ravus, I should've protected you from him," Noctis sighs, keeping his firm, but gentle grip on her arm. "He's dangerous,"

Bella shakes her head. "You're fine, I knew what I was getting into when I signed up for this," She informed him. "Besides, he's not the first pretty boy I've fought," She puts her other hand on his gently gripping it. "You don't need to protect me, Noctis, I can fight."

"I know you can," Noctis said, stepping in front of her so their chests were touching once more. "I just – get so worried that if you get injured, it'll somehow be my fault." His hand leaves her arm and puts it on her cheek gently. "I can't risk that,"

Her bright orbs stare into his own dark orbs, her smile never leaving her face. "You don't ever have to worry about me, Noctis," She said putting her own hand against his. "I'm never going away – not for a while, I'm gonna stay here, and help you become the True King,"

Noctis smiles, leaning his head down and his forehead touched hers gently, she could feel his breath on her face as they both clothes their eyes, enjoying each others company. Opening her eyes, she saw his open.

"Noctis..." whispers the young maiden as they lean close, their eyes closing once more as she stands on her toes to feel just a little taller.

Their lips touched in the gentlest way; his lips felt so soft against her own. Noctis brings her closer as their bodies hugged one another, their lips pressing more against one another. It was a deep kiss as if their feelings were pouring out in one single kiss. It was magical, she never felt this way before and she doesn't know if Noctis felt this passion she's feeling.

Noctis felt his stomach explode in butterflies, his veins shooting lightning strikes throughout his body. Why was he doing this? He's supposed to be married to Luna, but – he can't deny his feelings towards the woman in front of him. Was this wrong? It didn't feel wrong at all in fact – it felt right. So right.

After breaking the kiss, they both look at one another, their cheeks dusted in bright pink. Bella removes herself from the hug and then looks into his eyes.

"What are we doing, exactly?"

"To be honest, I don't know," Noctis responds quietly, watching her back up a little more looking in her bright eyes. "I can't help what I'm feeling, you know?"

Bella slowly nods as she glances down to his hand, taking it in hers. "We mustn't let this get out," She looks up him. "You can't risk it right now, especially since you're going to be married,"

Noctis nods in agreement as they stood there in silence enjoying each-others company for a little while longer before they had to go back. They both knew this was wrong, but when you're in love – it's hard not to act on the feelings and it's like destiny was pushing them together, they tried to push the feelings down, but it was hard. They just had to make sure no one knew, or it could end badly for both parties involved, it was their little secret;

But secrets have a way of getting out – one way or another.

~

Day Seven

Back at Lestallum, Bella and Iris were filling up the Regalia, Kirara on Bella's shoulder as they ignore the talking around them.

"So, are we all set to go?" questions Iris as Noctis turns to her and nods.

Bella looks at Kirara as Kirara mews gently jumping to the ground. "Bella, remember the plan?" asks Ignis as Bella nods. "Alright, we'll meet you at the first stop,"

"You got it," Bella grins as Kirara grows into her bigger size as she hops on Kirara as she adjusts herself. Iris's eyes widen at this but were also impressed. "I'll meet you there,"

"You're not riding with us?" asks Iris looking at everyone while they pile in the Regalia and turns her gaze to Bella wondering what she was planning.

Bella chuckles and smiles her way; "With both of us in the car, it'll be impossible for me to get comfortable," Bella responds touching Kirara's head as looks back at Iris. "So, Ignis and I came up with a plan to have myself travel ahead and meet you at Cape Caem, but with it being so far, I'm going to meet you at the first rest area,"

Kirara adjusts again, letting a small growl. "We'll meet you there, Bells," Prompto said with a smile as she smiles back. "Be careful,"

Bella nods once more, and then Kirara takes off quickly before anyone can see her.

~

It took almost no time to make it the campsite, River Wennath she believes it was called, she hops off Kirara as she shakes her fur sitting down in the dirt, wondering what Bella should be doing. Bella stretches her back a little bit seeing the river down below.

"Are we in the right spot?" asks Kirara standing up looking down at the river as well, Bella shrugs a little bit.

"I think so," Bella answers walking down to the river, touching it gently. "This is peaceful," Kirara nods in agreement as Bella stands up looking at Kirara as she gently grabs her muzzle hugging it towards her. Kirara purrs loudly, loving this. "I had a dream a week ago about Cloud and Tifa..."

"You did?" Kirara asks leaning back and looks at her partner as Bella flops on a rock putting her hands on her head. "What about?"

"They couldn't hear me," Bella sniffs a little bit. "I told them I'm home, I tried to touch them, but they couldn't hear or feel me..." Bella takes her hand wiping her eye. "I told them that I could be home soon, but I had to help Noctis first..."

"And who knows how long that'll take," Kirara reminds her. "You really care for the man, don't you?"

Bella shameless nods, tears falling down her face. "I can't help it – something is pulling me to him, I don't know if it's just my heart or it's stupidity thinking I could – I don't know... Feel good about myself..."

"You deserve happiness after everything that's happened to you," scolds Kirara taking her head nudging Bella off the rock making her say 'oof' in pain and glares at Kirara, "You know I'm right,"

"Yes, yes, I know," Bella groans laying on the sand looking up at the sky. "And Noctis... He makes me feel that happiness that Zack felt towards Aerith," Bella sighs, her chest falling down as she did so. Her phone began ringing interrupting her thoughts, she sat up grabbing her phone out of her pocket seeing an unknown number calling her. She slides the call button.

"Hello?"

"Oh, good, your number works," says a familiar voice over the phone. "It's Prompto,"

Bella lets out a sigh of relief. "Good lord, you scared me, what's up?"

"So, we're gonna be held up for a little bit, Noctis said go ahead and go towards Caem and we'll be there in the morning tomorrow,"

"Oh, alright," says Bella pushing her hair over her shoulder. "I'll head there, be careful, all of you."

"We will, later, Bells,"

Hanging up the phone, she sighs, looking at Kirara who nods as Bella hops on as they quickly head towards Caem.

Making it there, Kirara and Bella land on the ground as Bella hops off while Kirara shifts to her small form quickly shaking her fur quickly. Bella smiles, picking up Kirara heading towards the Lighthouse. She could smell the ocean and feel the crisp breeze it was feeding off. Letting out a breath, she continues her climb up to the Lighthouse. Grabbing out her phone once more, she sees it was around three-thirty in the afternoon.

"Well, I see you made it early!" Bella heard Cindy's voice from the house, Bella stops, putting her phone away and sees the young woman walking towards her. "Where's the boys?"

Bella smiles; "They're on their way, they got – held up," Bella told her as Kirara jumps down stretching herself. "I left early to get here because they have Iris,"

Cindy laughs a little bit; "Well, the ol' girl can only hold so many people," Cindy touches Bella's shoulder gently. "Paw-paw's up there workin' on the boat, why don't you head up to the house and take a shower, I brought some things for you,"

Bella smiles widely, thanking her quietly walking up to the house with Kirara behind her. When she approached the house, she saw Talcott walkout; "Hey, Talcott,"

"Bells!" He calls out running to her and hugs her waist, making her chuckle. "You made it! Where's Prince Noctis?"

Bella pulls away and touches his head; "He's on his way, he'll be here tomorrow, okay?" Talcott nods as he runs outside to play around after shouting that he's looking forward to it.

Bella walks into the house and locates the bathroom quickly with Kirara's help, she walks in while closing the door, it was an average-sized bathroom, small bath with a showerhead, curtains, and two towels. Kirara jumps for joy as Bella smiles walking to the bathtub and starting the shower, she takes a step back and strips off her clothes, turning in the mirror seeing how the bruise was doing. It was slowly fading away from sight, sighing once more as she walks in the shower quickly washing her hair and conditioning it.

After being done with the shower, Bella walks out of the shower after shutting it off drying herself quickly as she begins putting on her usual outfit. Walking out of the bathroom, she dries her hair seeing no one in the house, she pulls out her phone seeing the time.

"Five o'clock, maybe they're getting hungry, I should make something for them."

Kirara mews loudly, happy that Bella would be cooking something for them. It's been a while, but – Bella could figure it out. Bella looks around the kitchen to see what was there. Smiling, she gathers the ingredients. After setting the ingredients on the counter, she began cooking some white rice with some red curry and meat. Kirara saw that Bella put some raw meat and some vegetables on the ground for her as she began eating them.

~

After everyone got there, they walked in seeing food on the table for them; it was still steaming so that told them it was still fresh, everyone was looking for Bella and Kirara, wondering where they went. They heard someone running to them.

"Prince Noctis!"

Noctis turns around seeing Talcott running to them with a smile on his face.

"Hey, Talcott, where's Bella?"

Talcott began thinking and pointed to the ocean; "She said she wanted to be alone until sunset, said she'll be back up here then." Talcott then continues to smile. "But that's not it, she made all of you food, so you had energy when you went to Altissia,"

"Well, that was nice of her," Prompto said walking up to the food and sitting down. Everyone follows his lead and they grab the utensils beside the plate. "Good food!" Prompto grins after taking a bite.

"This taste quite extraordinary!" Ignis compliments, "I have to ask her for the recipe when I see her next,"

Gladio smiles as he keeps eating his food.

~

Sitting by the ocean against Kirara in her sabertooth form, Bella heard the waves crash against the sand. It was peaceful, the wind was gently blowing as the sun continue setting in the distance. Bella smiles leaning against Kirara more.

"This is magical," Bella whispers to Kirara as she closes her eyes. "If I'm being honest with myself. I don't think I ever want to leave here,"

"I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to leave or stay," Kirara told her, taking a deep breath letting out a small sigh. "You've made a family here, that's what matters."

Bella sighs and smiles.

"Bella!"

"Hm?" She blinks looking up at the hill seeing the four standing there, Prompto waving in her direction. She stands up and looks up at them.

"Are you ready to go?!"

Smiling wide, she looks down at Kirara who looks at her; confidence shining bright in her eyes. Kirara nods while Bella looks back at them.

"Even when I do go back, I hope to never forget them."

Kirara nods once more; "I agree,"

Both Kirara and Bella run-up to the men who stood there waiting for them.

~

A/N: Hope you like this part! I'm hoping to write the other part tomorrow(: enjoy!