((AN. Hey guys X3 I guess I have started my fanfic updating spree! Whoop whoop! Thank you for all the great reviews! I love you all glomp Oh, and to Saotome Jin I hope this chapter is more to your liking. Actually, instead of giving me your half ass thoughts, how bout giving me some constructive criticism. You know, something that will actually HELP me write better. If not, then just leave me alone. Anywho :3 now that's out of the way, I present to you...chapter 2! W00t!))

Ch 2

Friendship

Kain thrashed around on the tiny bed upon the Lunar Whale. He awoke abruptly; a thin film of sweat covered his face. He sat up and rubbed his temples. Even after being saved again from Golbez's control he still had nightmares and doubts about his behavior. On one side he swore up and down he was free, but on the other, he wasn't sure if his thoughts were his own anymore. Kain remembered the last time he thought he was free; he just ended up beating Cecil up and stealing the crystal. Kain shivered at the thought of doing such a thing again, he doubted Cecil would be merciful a second time around. Cecil, there was nothing he could do to repay the man for his endless kindness and forgiveness; even if Kain thought he hadn't deserved it. Kain stood from his bed and walked over to where Cecil was turned on his side with his face to Kain. He smiled slightly and walked over to where his best friend slept and crouched down to face level. Kain lightly brushed some loose strands of Cecil's hair from his face. Kain had to admit, Cecil looked so much better without all that dark armor covering up all his beauty. Kain's hand froze as he heard Cecil groan and crack an eye open.

"Mmm...Kain? What are you doing up?" Cecil asked in a groggy morning voice.

Kain sprouted the first answer that came to his mind. "I...had to...use the restroom. But I don't know where it is." Kain hopped the darkness hid his slight blush that he felt forming on his face.

Cecil allowed a small smile and he sat up. He stretched and pointed down the hallway to his right. "Head straight down that hall and turn right. You can't miss it." Cecil explained.

Kain stood up and nodded. "Alright, thank you Cecil." Kain turned and walked to the doorway before he did something else stupid. Kain shivered as he walked down the hallway, he rubbed his arms in hope of getting some heat on his chilled skin. "Why the hell is it so cold on this thing..." he mumbled to himself. He walked on in silence, the only noise being his bare feet against the cold metal and the random sounds of him rubbing his arms. He shook his head. "God that was stupid...I had to go and touch him. What would have happened if he woke up and found out I really didn't have to go to the bathroom...what the hell would I say then?" he sighed and leaned against the wall. "Why do I have to go and think all these things now...why did they even come in the first place?" He leaned his head back against the cool metal. "Maybe, maybe I am just mistaken...like I was with Rosa. I thought I loved her. But it seems I don't. Maybe it's the same with Cecil. Is it even love? Envy? God I don't even know anymore." He lulled his head to the side. "I mean...I do get that warm, happy feeling when I am around him...but that could just be because he has shown me so much kindness...but...Cecil was always like that." Kain smiled at the thought of them back during training school.

"Hey Kain!" A young 17 year old knight trainee with light purple hair came running up to Kain a huge grin plastered all over his face. "I passed the first test! And I don't think I would have been able to do it without your help." Kain waved his hand.

"Congratulations Cecil. I knew you could do it...even without my help; but you know I will help you whenever you need it." Kain smiled back.

Cecil twiddled his fingers a little. "Yeah, well...umm...I kinda need your help again...I need to study for part two."

Kain laughed and rustled Cecil's hair. "Yeah yeah, you know I will. Just swing by my room later and we'll get on some of that studying."

Cecil smiled and hugged Kain. "Thanks Kain! I knew I could count on you. You really are the best friend anyone could have."

Kain felt another blush tinge his cheeks. It was a good thing that he didn't have these feelings back then...otherwise it might have turned out to be more than a study night. Kain blew a slight puff of air and continued to the bathroom. He flicked on the light and cringed at the iridescent green glow. He looked at himself in the mirror as he turned on the faucet and stuck his hands under the cool water. He splashed some water on his face and scrubbed at it. He repeated this a few times before blindly groping for a towel. He found one and dried off his face.

"There, now at least I feel a little better." He hung up the towel and turned the light off. Kain walked down the hall back to the beds and his comrades that slept in them. "I need to be more careful about what I do...things could get pretty ugly if this gets out of hand." Kain sighed, he didn't really want to keep it a secret, he would like nothing better than to sweep Cecil off his feet and tell him how he feels. Unfortunately, for the sake of things, it would probably be best if he didn't. Walking back into the main room Kain walked directly to his bed and sat down on the side. He allowed a ghost of a smile to grace his lips before lying down on his side to face Cecil and slowly drifted off to sleep for the second time that day.

Kain awoke the next morning to Rydia yelling at Edge to stop flirting with her and that she wasn't interested in his silly games. Kain rolled over and sat on the edge of his bed like he had the night before. He glanced around the inside of the ship and saw Cecil messing with some controls in the front with Rosa chattering away at him. Kain stood up and walked pass Rydia and Edge to get over to where Cecil was.

"Hey, so what are the plans for today?" Kain asked running his fingers through his tangled blonde hair.

Cecil looked up at Kain and thought for a moment. "We are going to head back to Kokkol so I can pick up my new sword he said he would make for me, and then we are going to head back to the crystals and go through the Lunar Subterrane to beat Zeromus."

'He speaks like this is going to be an easy fight...but I guess optimisum is a good weapon to have on our side.' Kain thought

"So how long are we going to have before we go meet Kokkol?" Kain asked.

Cecil shook his head. "Not long at all. We are actually almost there already. So you should get out of your bed gear." Cecil gave Kain his normal childish looking grin.

"Yes mother." Kain replied before grabbing his armor and preparing himself for the days...adventures.

They received Cecil's sword with no trouble, the Dwarf had it waiting for them when they arrived. As they were leaving Rydia received a call from a summon in near by Baron. So with Cecil eager to use his new sword they all traveled to Baron to search for the lost summon. Eventually it turned out to be Odin hiding in the form of the King's ghost down in the basement of the castle. The five defeated it without too much trouble, there were a few close calls but thanks to Rosa and her powerful cures and reflect spells; Odin was now at Rydia's mercy. Once they all were back on the Lunar Whale Cecil called a meeting in the front of the ship.

"Ok, I want you all to make sure you have all your weapons and armor in top notch, because once we go in. There is no coming out. So we either win or loose." Cecil eyed the other four members as they checked through their inventory.

Rydia, Edge, and Rosa all were ready. Cecil looked over at Kain.

"Kain? Is everything there?"

Kain looked up at Cecil. "Yes, I have all my items with me. We can leave whenever you are ready." Kain sat his satchel down and waited for Cecil's command.

"Alright! We are on our way!" He touched the crystal and the ship took off for space once again."

The five warriors arrived on the moon in no time. They battled through all the strange alien creatures that inhabited the moon. They all arrived safely in the cave with only a few minor injuries in which Rosa could fix in no time. Cecil maneuvered the group through the caves and out to the final stretch to the Crystal Castle. Once they stepped in the castle all their wounds were healed and they were all at full strength. Cecil turned to the group.

"Ok, this is your last chance to turn around if you are not willing to go through with this," Cecil said and then waited for any responses. Edge was the one to speak up.

"We are all going to stick with you Cecil; there really would be no point in turning around now. So lets just go and show this guy who is boss!"

Cecil smiled. "Alright, here we go" They all stood in the center of the crystals and waited to be teleported. The room started to flash and each heard a voice of the crystals in their heads. Eight different voices telling them about power and darkness. Soon the room went black, and the next thing anyone saw was a large cave with no way back.

Cecil stood up and began walking into the cave with the others following at his heels.

"This is the beginning of the end..." Kain whispered to himself.

((W00t!! ch 2! Yay. I don't know if I liked the ending that much...so maybe later I will go back and fix it. But I have it up and that's all that matters right??? Right XD Well I hope you all enjoyed. Cuz the more you love me the faster I will get the next chapter out. Love bunches Clari-sama))