FFXIII:: Vow to Protect 1

The little chocobos scurried past the village of Oerba, flapping its wings to its owners. I watched them with a smile across my face. The children in the orphanage laughed and screamed inside before you could hear the mother of the orphanage yell. The children laughed again. Without anymore fusses, I saw young auburn hair colored female holding an adult’s hand. The young one was crying before she stopped before me. I stood and held my hand out. “Ya lost, little one?” I asked. The light auburn haired female sniffled and nodded.
“There was an incident a few days ago... only the young one survived. So she didn’t have any parents anymore,” she said, “mind showing her the orphanage and reveal her to Mother?”
“Yes Ma’am!” I saluted and took the little girl’s hand. “C’mon.. no need to be scared.” I reassured. But instead, the girl pulled back and started crying again. Just after, Mother came through the door. “Hello?-- Ohh...” I heard her say as the little one sniffled and hiccupped. “Mama...” she whimpered. Not long, Mother lifted her and rocked her gently. “There, there, youngling,” She reassured, then turned to me, “Fang, if I remember correctly, you don’t have a roommate.”
I simply nodded.
“Okay. Please take her to your room, she’ll be your roommate from now on.” She smiled before she headed into the house. Mother put her down and once again, the youngling started to cry. I panicked and held her hands. “Okay... okay, young one... Let’s take you to our room.”
“Make sure you fix the room before she lies down on the bed.” Mother reminded me. I sighed before my hand held hers. “So, what’s ya’ name?”
I didn’t hear her clearly.
“Vanilla?”
“N-no...”
“Then what, Squirt?”
“I-It’s not Squirt either...”
“Violin?”
“No...”
“Ah! Viola!”
“No...”
“Then what?”
“Vanille...”
“...Oh! I was close!” I grinned in triumph.
“...Viola was not close to Vanille...”
I chuckled and entered the room. Of course, as Mother said, it was messy. But! I grabbed them all and tossed them to the corner. “There!” I grinned before dusting off my hands. “Sorry, my room only has one bed...--” I began, but stopped short as Vanilla sat on the bed and rolled all the way to the other end, near the wall. The little one snuggled against the corner and looked at me, slightly blushing. “What’s your name?” the newcomer asked.
“Fang.”
“Fang?... Like those animals with sharp teeth?”
“Ahaha, yes, like those.”
“Ohh...” She awed in amazement before my feet dragged me over to the bed. My body collapsed beside her and yawned. “You want to nap?” I asked. She gave way for more space, it seemed. I smiled and stroked the young girl’s hair. Poor kid, she’s got a long road ahead of her. But no matter, I-- Oerba Yun Fang-- vow to protect her until my death!

Several years had passed. I sighed at Vanille who gave me a goofy smile. “Faaaang.” She called and nuzzled my cheek with her own, “Mother wants us to hunt for food.” I stared at her with annoyance, but smiled when she gazed upon me. “Alright, Vanille. Let’s go.”
She gasped and grabbed my hand, quickly pulling to the exit of Oerba, remembering the tower just beyond. “...Are you sure we’re goin’ to the Taejin Tower?” I asked, scratching my cheek. The girl stopped for a minute and looked at her, “Why not? The fal’Cie won’t be there.-- He’s probably scavenging for food.~ C’mon!” she grinned and ran towards the elevator. I sighed and smiled at her.
“So you’re saying we’re going to the Steppe?”
“Yep!” She shouted with glee before stepping out of the elevator. She tugged me down to the next elevator and not long, we reached the first tier. The Mánagarmr didn’t seem to bother us, considering they were too busy eating off the scraps of their own brethren’s flesh. I sighed before turning towards the door leading outside the gate-- one of the Mánagarmr was fighting the other, snarling and scratching-- certainly in need of food and liquid to survive. Vanille and I secretly passed the brawling animals and dashed off for the route to Archlyte Steppe.

As we reached the familiar area, we smiled at one another. “C’mon, Vanille-- time for some game.” I said, looking about for something to take home. The Adamantoise stepped freely about the area--all except one. Who stood still in front of a small hill. My hand scratched my head, I don’t think bringin’ these guys are a good idea... I thought to myself, and looked about again. Wait... where’s Vanille? I flinched and looked around, looking for any signs of Vanille.--
Swoosh!
All of a sudden, a long string flew across the sky making contact with a big ol’ Megistotherian. The monster snarled and struggled. My body flinched in fear, “Vanille, watch out!” I screamed, running for her. Vanille looked over, then back at the so-thought Megistotherian. The white beast had it’s arm up, ready to blow the ginger. I ran faster and the claws made contact with my right arm, deep enough to make it bleed. I winced and attacked, swinging about my spear before tearing it into three parts and hit the edges at the chest.
The monster yelped, and struggled, throwing me away against the nearby lake. I heard the younger female gasp The girl ran toward me. “Fang!” She called out, pulling me out. I winced and slowly sat up, enraged by her foolish actions.
“What were you thinking!” I screamed, “You almost died!”
“I’m sorry, Fang!” She apologized, soon started to sob in front of me. But despite the tears, she wiped the blood that ran down my arm away, healing the cut. “I-I’m sorry...” She sobbed and sobbed. “I thought I would help you, you were looking at it...”
“I was thinking of getting us, at least, a small one that we can take home!” I argued, which had caused the younger female to cry once again. I sighed and wrapped an arm around her. “...Okay, I’m sorry for yellin’, Vanille...” I apologized in her ear, before looking at the desolated Megistotherian. I sighed with a relieved smile and kissed the other Oerban’s forehead, “...I thought I was going to lose you Vanille... Don’t surprise me like that.”
“O-okay...” She whimpered, sobbing against my sari. My hand stroked her tails and stood, putting her on my back. “... Looks like I’m going to drag this one.” I stated. The green eyed female flinched and backed off, grabbing the paw of it. “I’ll help you...” She begged, which I just couldn’t refuse. I made a sigh, but let out a smile. So, then, we decided to take it home right away, considering it was big enough for the orphanage.

When we finally took it home, Vanille was exhausted and lied down on our bunk. My body rested beside hers and sighed, holding onto my shoulder. The pain on my shoulder had subsided after feeling gentle strokes on it. I looked at the younger female and she had smiled at me. I couldn’t help but smile back-- those curved lips made me reply likewise.
The sun slowly drifted away from our window as it became dark. “...Vanille, no matter what, we’ll always be together okay?” I caressed her cheek with my hand and her ears with my voice. The girl made a soft smile and took off my sari. I chuckled and helped her, then wrapping it around us. We huddled close for warmth, wrapping arms around one another. Not before long, I heard Vanille hum in her sleep. My lips curved once again and my fingers stroked her hair after I took off those handcrafted bead hair ties. My eyes wandered about, gazing at her face.
It was beautiful-- no-- it’s always been gorgeous. A girl like her will someday find someone-- certainly not me-- to care and love her. Marry her like everyone else... But where does that lead me? Where do I go after Vanille leaves...? I’ll be just like the men, and no man in our tribe like those types...
I let out a sigh as my arms pulled her closer to me protectively. “...Vanille,” I whispered, technically talking to myself, “...I’ll take care of you. No one will take my place.--” I let a long bit of silence run through me, “Right?”