The first time it happened, she had been sure that Xu was dead. They were fourteen and vulnerable, no matter what their skill levels for their age, the advanced training mission was far beyond their capabilities.

She was just behind me…

Suddenly the door slammed open and Xu came tumbling in, in a heap of dirt and blood. Quistis rushed over to help her to her feet and examine her wounds. Tears were tracing pathways through the grime on her cheeks. Although her arm was bleeding freely the wound seemed shallow and no other immediate damage was viewable.

"Cura," Quistis shouted, holding her hand over the other girl's shoulder. Then she looked to Xu's face. Their eyes met and locked. The fierceness in Xu's eyes seemed to scold her for even thinking she hadn't survived. But there was another emotion hidden in the gaze and before she could say another word, Xu's lips were smashing into her own. The two girls fell to the floor in a natural but unfamiliar embrace.