"Sooooo…"

Luna tightened the grip she had on the fabric of her pants. It had already been a few hours since her relationship with Amber took a bit of a…drastic turn. And neither one of them was sure how to handle it now. Luna, for her part, couldn't get her face back to its normal color. She had a permanent blush that only intensified each time she so much as glanced in Amber's direction.

Amber, to her credit, would at least make an attempt to hold Luna's hand, only to pull back upon realizing how sweaty her palms had gotten. She could only look at her blushing companion with a visage full of confusion. She couldn't stand situations like this…it made her feel so vulnerable.

Fortunately for both of them, when Obaba came home that night, she had the decency to not ask them any questions, even though it was quite clear that something DID occur. The fact that the old healer didn't try to embarrass them was actually pretty amazing. Though she may have just been too tired to bother…or was secretly saving it as ammunition for a later scenario.

"…Some storm last night huh?" Amber tried breaking the ice again. "I mean, it was more like heavy rain, not an actual storm. Or if it is, it's…uh…" She decided to just give up. That was absolutely horrific…

Still, it seemed to have a positive affect on Luna. The younger woman inched closer towards her, until she was able to lay her head on Amber's shoulder. "…Thanks for trying dummy."

"You're welcome." Amber felt the corners of her lips tugging upwards as Luna pinched the skin on her forearm. "So how exactly are we going to go about this Luna…?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well…I don't think our relationship is the type everyone will have a positive reaction to. Besides the fact that we're both female, I'm still a SeeD you know…."

Luna frowned. They were talking about something at least. "It's not like we're going to flaunt it around everywhere Amber." She paused for a moment. "And…I'm not so insensitive that I won't take your position into account."

Amber raised a brow, an incredulous look on her face. "That's a change in tune right there, considering how frustrated you seemed to be about it before."

"I just wanted you to acknowledge your feelings!" Luna argued. "You know, so we wouldn't be in this constant push-pull scenario…I wanted 'us' Amber…." She tugged on the older woman's sleeve, a hurt look on her face.

The soldier heaved out a sigh. "Alright, I get it. There's no need for you to be doing that 'kicked puppy' impression. I'm sorry." Her good hand subconsciously caressed Luna's thigh, soothing her. When they didn't actually think about it, the physical intimacy came quite naturally….

"Good…" After all the arguments and insults, Luna was thrilled that they had managed to get this far. Sure, it clearly wasn't going to be a smooth transition, but she didn't mind. At least they were together now.

"…Amber?"

"Yeah?"

"What do you think…your friends will say about us?"

"You mean becoming a couple?"

"…Yes."

Amber contemplated that for a minute. She always considered what the student body in general would say about…well, any move that she made, regardless of what it was. But, how the closest people to her would react, particularly Victoria…she never actually considered it.

"Well, Amy never struck me as the judgmental type, at least not in this sense. Jackson will probably take the longest to get used to it, but I don't think he'd really mind. Instructor So-I mean, Victoria…I know it feels strange…wanting her approval and all that…but I hope that she does."

"Hmmm…"

"What?" Amber blinked rapidly. "Was it something I said?"

Luna giggled, a little amused as she noted how Amber's insecurities were easier to spot now. She was defrosting. Slowly, but at least it was happening. "You really care about them, that's all."

"H-Huh?"

"Don't play dumb! It's the way you spoke just now…it held such fondness to it. Especially when you mentioned Victoria."

"Look, it's just…ah, . I-I didn't have the best childhood alright? I never really had a solid…parental type figure. At least until Victoria came along."

Luna shifted uncomfortably, feeling as though she may have touched upon something personal without really meaning to. "Amber, wasn't there…anyone? Anyone at all that you could rely on?" She hoped that she wasn't pushing her luck.

"….."

The soldier was aware that Luna's heart was in the right place, but the ONE person to come to mind before Victoria came into the picture…she could barely remember her face.

"I'm sorry Luna, but I'm drawing a blank here. And even if I did remember something, I don't know how far I'd be willing to talk about it. It just…feels weird, you know?"

"…Does it hurt?" Luna got the feeling that this was as far as she was going to get with Amber for the time being, but one more question shouldn't be too bad. "Not being able to recall her?"

"….Yeah. Like…I'm grieving for a stranger, but it really hurts to think about it."

The admission came quietly, and without fanfare. Amber quickly lapsed back into silence, and Luna took that as a sign that they were officially done with the topic.

__________

"Instructor, you lied!"

"How so Amy?"

"You said we were almost there!"

"…We barely left camp. Calm down drama queen."

"What do you have against me Jackson?!"

As Jackson and Amy continued to squabble, Victoria pressed on ahead, like always. The familiar sound of people going about their day was getting louder. Despite Amy's previous string of complaints, they really were almost there.

"We wouldn't be in this mess if it wasn't for you!" Amy shoved Jackson away with her shoulder.

The blond mimicked the movement, shoving her right back. "How is this my fault? You always have to blame me for everything!"

"Well who else is there to blame?"

"You-"

"Hush," Victoria interrupted. "We're here."

"Here where?" The two younger SeeDs questioned in unison.

"The village." Victoria pointed to the large wooden gates that served as the entrance to the modestly sized community. It was open, with the townsfolk coming and going constantly. "Busy little place isn't it?"

"YEEESSS!!!" Amy ran towards the gates at top speed, with not a care in the world. "CIVILIZATION!!"

Several of the villages hurriedly stepped out of the way as Amy nearly barreled through them.

"Man, another weirdo within the span of a few days," One man said to another. "Obaba still has her hands full with the last couple of folks to come by here."

The other villager nodded in agreement. "Yeah, but I think she said the tomboy has gotten better though. It's the girly one that looks like she barely gets any sleep. I saw her outside with Obaba not too long ago. The bags under her eyes were damn deep…"

Victoria, who couldn't help but overhear their conversation, perked up. A glimmer of hope ignited within her soul, but she didn't want to get overly excited about it quite yet. She could be wrong…

"Excuse me, gentlemen?"

The two men turned to regard the raven-haired beauty. One of them smiled, greeting her with a wave, while the other one took off his straw hat and did a slight bow.

"Welcome to our humble little village ma'am. How may we be of service?" The one with the straw hat asked.

"Well, I apologize…but I heard snippets of your conversation. You see, we're looking for our comrades. And, well, the people you described…could you tell me more about them?"

The men looked surprised, but were nonetheless willing to cooperate. They could tell that the newcomers were an odd bunch, but they didn't seem to mean any harm.

"Sure thing ma'am," the balding villager without a hat spoke this time. "We'll help you out."

"Thank you," Victoria said, sighing in relief. "Now, could you tell me more about them? Like what they looked like? Anything?"

"Hmm, well…the girly one with long hair was a lovely lass, though she was a bit on the nervous side. I guess she was stressed out. You see, by the time they got here, her travelling companion, a more tomboyish youngster, was in pretty bad condition. The kid had an ice cold pair of eyes. Looked like they could pierce through your soul. It was pretty unnerving, but we figured she was a warrior of some kind. We thought they'd get some medicine and leave within a day. But….things got worse for them within minutes of their arrival. Long story short….their stay got extended."

"Hey, don't forget that strange blade she was carrying with her," the straw hatted man chimed in. "Now THAT was a beautiful weapon!"

"Ah, yes! The sword! It was such an odd looking thing. Had this curved hilt that looked like a gun, trigger and everything!"

That was all Victoria needed to know. The gunblade was such a unique weapon…and judging by their descriptions, there was no way that the wielder was Krystal.

"Thank you so much gentlemen. Say, you wouldn't happen to know where I can find these two travelers now would you?"

"Huh? Oh!" The balding man pointed to a small hut at the top of a hill. "That's where our village healer Obaba resides. She's been taking care of the girls ever since their unfortunate mishap."

Victoria bowed her head. "You have my deepest gratitude. Thank you again!" She ran towards the hut, now absolutely certain that it was Amber and Luna.

Jackson, who had been busy sampling the local cuisine with Amy, saw Victoria run right past them. "Huh? Instructor?"

"Both of you! Follow me!" The older woman yelled out.

Amy and Jackson looked at each other, shrugging.

"What's gotten into the Instructor?" Jackson asked curiously, a piece of meat still hanging out of his mouth.

"No idea, but it must be important!" Amy hopped off the bench they were sitting on, and started following after Victoria. "Come on! We've gotta go!"

"Okay, okay!"

__________

Amber had slipped back into the warmth of the woolen blanket, feeling tired again. Her body was still rather sore, but at least she was making some progress.

Obaba came in not too long ago asking Luna to help her gather more herbs. While they sprang apart when Obaba opened the door, Amber was certain that she saw them cuddling. The old woman STILL didn't say anything about it and now Amber was getting paranoid…

"Ugh, maybe the old lady plans to embarrass us in one go…"

Just then, a loud knocking on the door startled Amber out of her thoughts.

"Hmph…Obaba doesn't need to knock…" She reached for her gunblade, being as quiet as possible as she climbed out of bed. The knocking was growing more desperate.

"Amber?! Luna?!"

The soldier froze up.

"It couldn't be…" Amber wanted it to be them. More than anything at that moment, she wanted it to be them.

"V-Victoria?" her voice came out shaky and frail. It sounded nothing like her at all. "Is that you?"

"Oh my-Amber!" The woman on the other side of the door was screaming now.

Amber couldn't take it anymore. She quickly unlocked the door, swinging it open so hard that it could have flown off its hinges.

Standing there was a wide-eyed Victoria Song, and right behind her…an astonished looking Jackson and Amy, who seemed to be on the verge of tears.

Victoria was the first to move, hugging the wounded soldier, but being mindful of her injuries.

"Aw, man," Jackson wiped a stray tear that rolled down his face." I'm gonna need a group hug now!" The young man was the next to envelop Amber.

"M-ME TOO!!" Amy bawled out, running up to the three SeeDs.

Amber's gunblade fell to the floor with a 'clang.' She could hardly believe that they were really here, safe and in one piece. "Y-You guys actually found me…" She could feel the tears rolling down her cheeks, but she paid them no mind. Amy and Jackson…she had grown to care for them so much in such a short time, even if she was reluctant to admit it. And Victoria…probably the first person closest to her age to make her feel genuinely welcome when she had first arrived in SM Garden. "But…how? And why?"

"The hell is going on in here?!"

The group's heartwarming little circle of tears was disrupted by a confused voice.

Peaking over Jackson's shoulder, Amber realized that Obaba had finally arrived, with an equally confused Luna in tow.

Amy was the first to spring away from the group hug, as if to prepare for a fight. "We're taking Amber whether you like it or not old lady!"

"Amy!" Victoria scolded. "I think…that's Lady Obaba."

"Oba-what?"

"Amy," Amber tried not to laugh. "Obaba is the village healer. She's the one who helped me out with my injuries."

"Oh! …" Amy gave Obaba an apologetic look, suddenly feeling awkward. "Hehe…sorry about that. And kind of…sort of threatening you."

"Way to make an out of yourself Amy," Jackson snickered. "Beat up an old woman. How heroic."

"Rrrgh, shut it Jackson! It was an honest mistake!"

"I take it that these numbskulls are your friends?" Obaba asked, her tone rather dry. "I'm getting too old for this…"

"Uh…"

In the midst of all the verbal sparring, Luna shyly made her way to Victoria.

The older woman, who at that point left Amber to deal with Jackson and Amy, finally noticed the young freedom fighter.

"Luna! Thank goodness you're safe as well! Are you hurt at all?" Victoria looked over the younger woman, spinning her around to check for any obvious signs of damage, much to Luna's amusement.

"I'm fine, thank you. And I'm glad you're all safe." Luna smiled at Victoria, then at Amy and Jackson, who finally noticed her presence.

"Luna! You're okay!" Amy cheered. She gave the girl a tight squeeze, hopping up and down as they hugged.

"Man, no lie Luna…I mentioned this to the Instructor and Amy, but…haha, I thought our squad leader here ended up killing you or something!" Jackson grinned, ruffling the short woman's hair. "Seriously glad you're safe though!"

"Hehe…" Luna laughed nervously, throwing a cautious glance at Amber, who's expression became unreadable.

"Tch, kill her huh?" Obaba snorted. "Out with it twerps! Go ahead and tell your pals over here that you've been spending your time getting on my nerves and playing tonsil hockey when ya think I'm not looking!"

While Luna was once again doing her impression of a tomato, Amber groaned, shaking her head. She knew Obaba was just waiting for the right moment…

"T-Tonsil hockey? What??" Jackson eyed the old woman suspiciously. "Is something wrong?"

"HA! Ask them boy. Go on." Obaba headed into the kitchen, a satisfied smirk on her lips.

Victoria's eyes twinkled with understanding. She already knew what they were going to say. It was a feeling that had been gnawing away at her gut ever since she them together in the ballroom. Destiny was such a strange thing…

Though Amy was less oblivious than Jackson, she wasn't as certain as Victoria, despite Obaba's rather colorful choice of words. They HAVE discussed the possibility of a romance between Amber and Luna before…but it was just talk. And yet here they were…for once, the quirky SeeD wasn't sure what to say. She would be happy for them, no matter what. That much she was sure of. But, rather than jumping the gun, she would wait for Amber and Luna to outright confirm it themselves.

"You want to go get Obaba and just make her do all the talking?" Amber whispered to Luna.

"Amber…" Luna gave the soldier a disapproving glare. "After what she just said….you know she's just going to make everything sound dirtier than it is…"

"Eh, good point…"

"So…tell them." Luna decided to stand behind Amber, as the blush on her cheeks returned with a vengeance. "You've known them longer…I think they'll take it better from you."

"But-"

"I'm the client. Remember?"

Amber fought off the urge to do a facepalm. She didn't know her creed would come back to bite her in the like this. Still…her pride as a soldier simply wouldn't allow her to go back on her word.

"Listen everyone," Amber addressed her fellow SeeDs. "When we got separated, a lot of things happened. Some…weird things, confusing things, bad things…" She took a second to turn around and look at Luna. "…And good things."

"Uhmm…" Jackson was still at a loss.

"Shhhh!" Amy felt like she was being left in suspense, as if their life just turned into some sort of soap opera.

Victoria still hadn't said a word, her lips forming a small smile.

"Look, the dynamic of my relationship with Luna has changed. She's no longer just some annoying client-" Amber winced as Luna stepped on her foot. "S-She's my…girlfriend. And just so there's no misunderstandings…we're romantically involved. Not friends who are girls…actual GIRLFRIENDS."

The room was silent, minus Obaba's insane cackling from the kitchen. Amber groaned again. The old healer was enjoying this too much.

"Wooooohoooo!!" Amy broke through the silence with a deafeningly loud cheer. "Instructor Song was right the whole time. I can't believe this!"

"Wait…what?" Amber stared at Victoria, curious. "What's Amy talking about?"

"You're not surprised at all?" Luna piped up.

Victoria chuckled. She had to admit that their shock was rather endearing. "Was I supposed to be? There was always something about the two of you…when I spotted you at the ballroom, I mean. I've never seen Amber look so mesmerized before. If only she paid at least half as much attention in my class as she did to you in that one night, then maybe I wouldn't have had to yell at her so much over the years. Hehe, you were practically her scenery that day Luna…"

Luna didn't know how to respond. The night they first met, she never realized Amber had been staring at her THAT intensely…

"I-I caught you glancing at me a few times, but I figured you were just looking at everybody. I didn't think that…." The shorter woman felt the heat rising to her cheeks for the umpteenth time that day. She pressed her face to Amber's back in an attempt to hide it.

"…." Amber, if it was even possible, was blushing harder than Luna. She was glad that the younger woman was behind her. "…Your dress stood out. That's all. Way too many fancy outfits and graduation uniforms. You stuck out like a sore thumb….."

"…It's not because you thought I was attractive?"

"…You already know the answer….why do you want me to say it out loud?"

"Because it would be nice to hear once in a while…." Luna gently wrapped her arms around Amber's mid-section, her smile widening as she felt the soldier's body start to relax.

"Man…" Jackson pulled at his hair, still trying to wrap his head around the whole thing. "This is a LOT to take in you guys…I mean, we barely just found you, a-and now all this? It's all moving so fast!"

"Shush Jackson!" Amy said, annoyed. "Look at them! They're adorable! Don't be such a hater!"

"I'm not hating!" Jackson argued. "I'm stressed out over here! I'm not a sponge. I can't just absorb every bit of info thrown at me right away!"

"It's okay Jackson," Amber said. "Just take your time with it okay? I know this wasn't tactfully explained, and you have every right to be upset. I'm sorry."

"Listen chief…it's got nothin' to do with you liking girls," Jackson reassured her. "It's just…so out of the blue. You guys were fighting like cats and dogs last time we saw you. Are you really sure that you like each other that way? It wasn't just because of all the you went through by yourselves?"

"You're such a killjoy Jackson!" Amy pinched his ear, earning her a high-pitched yelp from the young man. "Stop dwelling on the negative so much!"

Luna finally chose to step forwards, wanting to give her two cents on the matter. "Jackson…I know me and Amber haven't known each other for very long. But I assure you, our feelings are genuine. If anything, the hell we had to endure just caused us to realize things sooner rather than later…."

"…I want to believe that, I really do." Jackson muttered quietly.

"Well…" Amber approached him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Hopefully in time, we'll be able to prove it to you."

Jackson was silent as her stared at Amber. He then looked to Victoria and Amy, who nodded their heads slowly. Though he still felt conflicted about the whole matter, he could feel something akin to a spark of hope in his heart.

"Thanks chief…"

__________

Lengthy Note Time: First off, I apologize for not updating this sooner. I'm trying to adjust to a new job. Adding to that, there was also the news regarding Amber and SM, which had left me feeling cheated (understatement). I didn't want to write for this story again while that issue was still floating around, and so I ended up turning my attention to my Wattpad story instead. I just started it, so I wanted to put SOME time into it.

You're all free to check it out if you feel like it. My Wattpad username is the same one as it is here. I also have Vermilion Trails posted on there for the hell of it, though I don't have all the chapters up for it yet.

And...as a citizen of the United States....I can't help but say that I sincerely hope we don't get a WWIII. The 'fascist hamburglar' stresses me out every single time he does something...

Anyway, hope you all enjoyed. Sorry for the long note. Later folks.