(I do not own Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, or any of the places I use in here. Nor any of the NPC's from the games. OC's are mine. But what they are based off of is not.)

So hiatus…blah blah….

Here's the next chapter. ;)

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"I could've came sooner kupo, but I had no clue where you guys were!"

"That's not a problem; you have found us after all. That's the only thing that matters." Canestre told the mail moogle after he took the mail from the white fuzzy creature.

"I'll be sure to keep an eye on you guys more frequently so I know where to find you!" The moogle replied with a flop of his bon bon. "Well, I'll see ya later kupo!" The little moogle gave a little flap of his wings and ran off into the crowds towards the exit of the town.

"Funny little creatures aren't they." Kayle said as he walked next to Canestre while he chewed on a piece of bread.

"Yeah, they really are." Canestre replied as he sorted through the mail.

"Did he finally deliver our mail?" Kayle asked with a raise of his eyebrows.

"Yup, it seems to be all here. Let's go inside and wake everyone up with their letters." The Yuke replied with a wave of his feathery arm.

"Actually, I thought of a different way of waking them up." His counterpart said with a sneaky smile.

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"God dammit Kayle! I swear if you do that again you'll have to be sent home in a box!" Ele Yana screamed as she pulled her Clavat friend across the room by his hair.

"I'm sorry! I swear! Just take a joke!" the boy cried as he finally got away from her grasp.

"Yeah Ele! Just take a joke. It was pretty funny to be woken up by chickens this morning." Giza said as he sat down on the bench of the nearest table. Before they woke up, Kayle had gone to the chicken pen behind the inn and stolen some of the owner's chickens. He had then put them into the room the caravanners were sleeping in. It didn't end well. The chickens had run amuck flying around everywhere. Leaving feathers and other bodily projections everywhere.

"Funny? One almost pecked out my eye!" Naiya said as slammed her small fist on the table.

"I'm still picking feathers out my hair…" Ryden Koe said with a sigh as he inspected his long hair for other feathery intruders.

The rest of the caravanners gathered around the table waiting to be served their breakfast.

"Listen, I know we're all upset with Kayle, but we must finalize the plans if we want to make it back with the myrrh on time." Malik said with an authoritative air. Kayle gave a sigh of relief, and everyone turned to Cross, their new appointed leader.

Cross seemed a little nervous with everyone relying on him. He scanned over their faces, all ready to hear from him. He took a sip of his water before addressing them all.

"The plan right…." Cross began as he cleared his throat. "Well, obviously we know that Kayle, Viera, Naiya and Ryden Koe will be staying back to take care of Alie…."

"Yeah, we know that." Giza interjected. "Get to the important stuff."

"If you'd shut your pie hole he'd be able too!" Tanyia protectively replied. She patted Cross' back for him to continue.

"Thanks Tan. Now the rest of us will head to the Mines. It won't be too long of trip there. It will only take about two days. But we will be in the mines for at least that amount of time." The caravanners shivered. Not looking forward to spending that much time underground. "Canestre luckily found a map, and he, Malik and I have reviewed it to find the best route to the myrrh tree. But that doesn't make it any less easy to get lost down there. We have to be careful not to wander off of the route, or we could easily end up back at the beginning."

"With that being said…" Canestre politely spoke "The route will still be long, so we will bring plenty of supplies to survive. We will also be setting up a camp at least once down there. Joi and I will be carrying supplies on our backs for all of us to use." Joitieu nodded at her friend, with a hidden smile under her mask. Viera glared at her behind her own mask, before turning to Malik who cleared his throat to begin talking.

"We have to be constantly on our toes down there. We haven't faced these strong of monsters yet. These won't just some wimpy goblins and plants. We're talking about orcs tall as trees, with hammers bigger than a man."

"What about the ogres?" Joitieu quietly asked. "What would happen if we faced one?"

"An ogre hasn't been seen in the Mines for years. The merchants around here say they left for a more suitable place." Malik answered.

"But what if we did find one? Could we kill it?" Ele questioned, with a worried tone in her voice.

"Let's hope so." Canestre answered gravely. The air was thick with fear. The caravanners were all quiet, fearing what could be waiting for them in the Mines.

"Come on kupos! Don't fear! You have Mog here for protection!" The fuzzy Moogle yelled as he floated above the table. They all giggled, and smiled at their winged friend.

"Yeah! Let's get you all packed so you can get that drop of myrrh!" Kayle said with a smile and a clap of his hands. Everyone stood up from the table and went to retrieve whatever they needed to pack up the Caravan.

"Hey Cross! Wait up!" Kayle said as he grabbed his friend's sleeve. Cross turned around and faced the older Clavat. They looked at each other, until Kayle extended his hand to the boy. "Good luck out there. Don't worry; you can lead them straight to the myrrh tree. Just don't second guess yourself. Go with your gut."

"Thanks Kayle. I'll be sure to be just as great a leader as you." Cross said as he shook hands with him, and walked off to get Palpei ready for departure.

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Walking through the crowded street of Marr's Pass would be hard for any person carrying supplies, but for Lilties it's extra complicated. Since you are half the height of everyone else, it's hard being noticed while carrying a heavy load. Naiya was happy that her twin was helping her carry her things to the Alchemist's house. She was also glad she could ask some questions that had been on her mind.

They arrived at the house and started setting Naiya's things down in the living room. Luckily it was empty so Naiya could talk in private with her sister.

"Are you nervous about the Mines at all?" Naiya asked her sister. She didn't want to just jump right in her questions.

"Not at all." Her twin answered quickly. "Cross is a great leader. If he's there, nothing can go wrong."

"Speaking of Cross, what's up with you two?" Darn it Naiya thought to herself. She wished she hadn't jumped right out and asked.

"That noticeable huh?"

"Just a little." Naiya teased.

"I'm not exactly sure what to call it yet. We just have fun together. We're friends, but sometimes I feel like we're kind of a bit more than that." Tanyia started to blush as she spoke. She sat on the couch, where her twin joined her.

"Already? I know you haven't just met, but it seems you haven't been hanging around each other for too long."

"So? We have fun together. And that's all that matters. He makes me smile, laugh, and happy. I'm actually thinking about asking him out at the festival this year."

"What?!" Naiya stood up in astonishment. "We haven't even been caravanners for a year yet…and you're already thinking about relationships. You should be focused on the myrrh Tanny, not Cross!"

"You sound just like mom when you talk like that Nai-Nai. It's only dating, not marriage."

"But what will everyone think? What if you two break up? That'd be awkward for everyone! Don't do it just yet. Just wait Tanny. Give it time!" Naiya was frustrated with her twin. She should realize that it'd hurt the Caravan if she did this. Especially if they had a hard break up that ended their friendship with one another. She didn't want to see her sister hurt. She cared for her.

"Naiya, this is my life. If you don't like what I'm doing butt out! I figured you would understand more than anyone. But I guess I was wrong." Tanyia stood up and walked towards the door. "I'll see you when I get back." She opened the door and started to leave. "And don't tell anyone about this Naiya, or you'll prove to me that I can't trust you anymore." Tanyia slammed the door, and Naiya stared at the large wooden object. Tanyia never talked to her like that before. Was it Cross that was changing her, or the Caravan? Naiya wasn't sure though. She wasn't even sure what to do. She felt like crying, her and twin never had a real fight, until now. She turned and looked at Alie, who was lying on the hospital bed near the staircase.

"What should I do Alie? I've never had to deal with anything like this before." Alie didn't answer. She couldn't, and it didn't help Naiya any. "I wish you could help Alie, you'd know what to do." Naiya sat on the chair beside her friend's body. Maybe she should take Alie's unspoken advice, and just keep quiet about it, until she could talk to her sister more. If she could get Tanyia to talk about it again that is. Naiya knew she had to do something though.

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Alie was sitting down, staring at what was in front of her. Which was nothing, she was surrounded by nothingness. It stretched over everything, even threatening to extend its dark hand over her. The Voice had even left her, she was alone. And had been for what seemed like a millennium. She was about to stand when she heard a whisper to her left. She turned but of course nothing was there.

She heard another whisper that was a bit louder this time. It sounded like her name, but she wasn't sure. She wondered if it was the malicious creature, but it was softer than its voice. It sounded like it belonged to a small girl. She walked in the direction of it and felt the darkness get thinner as she moved on.

"Alie…." There! She heard it again! It was her name being called! "Alie….please help…." She walked faster towards it. She definitely recognized the voice. She'd heard it many times before. It continued to call her name, and the darkness got lighter and lighter. Soon the voice sounded like a scream. Alie started to run towards it, making sure to not lose track of the voice. Then she stopped. The darkness was gone, and she was surrounded by light. The voice was all around her. Speaking her name, and asking for help.

The voice belonged to Naiya. It had to. Alie could recognize her friend's voice anywhere.

"Naiya! I'm here! What do you need? I came to help!" The voice started to leave, and the darkness was returning. "Naiya! Don't leave! Don't leave me Naiya! I need your help too! I need you!" Alie was running in a circle. Running anywhere she heard the voice. It soon left, and the Clavat was left alone in the darkness again. She started to cry. She couldn't escape. She heard laughing, followed by slow sinister breaths.

"Poor little Alie, left all alone: a little girl who was forgotten by her friends. No one here to comfort her, and she's left alone for dead." The voice came closer, repeating its sinister words. Alie gave up and welcomed the voice in defeat. She felt the pressure of the place change and compress her. And she welcomed it. She wouldn't put up a fight anymore.

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Cross was packing up his bag in the room at the Inn. Checking he had everything. His ax, food for the road, extra for the mines, maps for the journey, and anything else he could remember. As he was digging for his compass a scented breeze of flowers came into the room. Cross was perplexed as to where the smell came from. But then he sensed someone else in the room, and turned around.

"I wondered how long it would take for you to notice me." It was Ryden Koe. Not really who Cross was expecting at the moment.

"Your smell finally gave you away." Cross said with a small smile as he turned around to shove more items into his bag. "Whatcha need Ryden? Shouldn't you be tending to Alie right now?"

"Viera just checked on her, and Naiya's watching her." The blonde Selkie said as he sat down on Cross' bed, and picked up his missing compass.

"Oh…well that's good." Cross said softly as he looked through his bag more, looking for an unknown item. The two boys were quiet, just listening to Cross' rummaging through his bag.

"Did I do something to upset you Cross?" Ryden asked the Clavat, finally breaking the awkward silence between the two boys. Cross was surprised by the question, and took a minute to answer.

"No….why would you think so?"

"Just the way you've acted towards me whenever you're around Tanyia." Cross decided he had packed enough and started to walk away, when Ryden suddenly grabbed Cross' hand. "If you're dating her, you can tell me. As your friend I just want to know."

"Who do you think you are?!" Cross said with a raised voice as he pulled his hand away. "I barely know you Ryden! And you're acting like we've been friends forever! Get over yourself! You're not as great as you think you are!" Cross took a deep breath. Realizing he had yelled a bit too loud at his friend. He felt sorry, and wanted to apologize.

"Ryden I'm sorry but I need to get to the Caravan." Cross said as Ryden walked towards him.

"Do you really think that about me Cross? Am I just a silly boy who was only your friend when you had no others?" Ryden asked as he walked closer to the boy, where he eventually backed Cross into the edge of a bed. Cross was a little nervous, and didn't know what the Selkie boy was thinking. "I don't care how you feel about anyone else. If you like a certain someone or not. It's not my job to judge you."

"Ryden, I'm…." Cross started to say but Ryden hushed him with a finger.

"Listen, if you want Tanyia. Go for her. She's great. But just listen to me for a second." Ryden put his lips right next to Cross's ear spoke in a soft whisper. "If you ever yell at me like that again. I will personally see to it that you won't be able to have children with that little Lilty." Ryden then pushed Cross who fell onto the bed. Ryden walked out without another glance at the other boy. Cross was shocked; Ryden had never acted like this before.

Cross figured he must have upset the boy pretty badly if he had reacted like that. Cross realized he was still on the bed. He started to get up when Ele Yana walked in.

"Come on lazy butt, we got a Caravan to finish packing!" Cross laughed at his bossy friend, and walked out with her. He was honestly ready to get away from this dreaded Town.

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The caravanners finished packing the caravan by mid-afternoon, and were gathered around the back of it.

"Well, I wish you guys a safe trip, and a fast return." Kayle said to the others. Everyone was gathered around him, Naiya, Ryden and Viera, who were staying back.

"Be careful down there. And protect each other. I won't be there to heal you." Viera said in a nice tone.

"We will. Don't worry about us." Malik assured as he went to take the reins at the front.

"Yeah we'll tell you guys all about it!" Ele called from inside the caravan.

"We hope everything goes well with Alie." Canestre said as he loaded his pack on his back.

"Don't worry, everything will go smoothly." Naiya said with a smile.

"Well we better be off!" Cross said in the most authoritative tone he could muster. Everyone went to their spots in the Caravan.

"Giza, wait!" Ryden said grabbing his fellow Selkies arm. "Be safe and kill some orcs for me okay?"

"Don't worry Ry. I'll kill plenty of them. I'm even hoping for an ogre." The older boy replied with laugh.

"Just don't get yourself killed." Ryden said with a wink before walking towards Viera and the others. Cross looked back at the ordeal before sighing.

"Come on Cross. Let's get some myrrh." Tanyia said reassuringly as she patted her friend's arm.

The caravan took off down the road, and left the others to wave at their disappearing image.

"Well it'll be a lot quieter around here without them." Naiya stated as she continued to wave.

"Which is good, because we have a lot of work coming up this week." Viera stated. "We should be able to relax for the rest of the day though. I think I'm going to shop a bit." The tall Yuke gracefully walked away from the group.

"I think I might go for a swim. It's been a long day." Ryden announced as he walked in the opposite way.

"I think I might take a nap." Naiya said with a yawn. "I'm really tired." The tiny Lilty walked back towards the Inn, leaving Kayle by himself. He turned his back to the road, and looked at the alchemist's house.

"Don't worry Alie, we'll help you. You'll be cured soon." The Clavat walked towards the house before entering it for the day.

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Well that's it! The Caravan is now on its way to the spooky Mine of Cathuriges. While some are staying back to help Alie!

What do you think of this chapter? The relationships started and ended? What's going on with Alie? And is Cross about to lose his first friend?

Tell me what you think in a review!