In all the ways that mattered, Kain Highwind had known Rosa Farrell their entire lives. He'd been two years old, barely more than a baby himself, when he first held her as a tiny newborn. Peering down into her wrinkled face, he was surprised when she suddenly came alert and looked at him, her eyes big and blue, eerily mirroring his own. He fell in love immediately, as children do, and was fiercely fascinated and enthralled by this new person.

One of his first concrete memories was teaching Rosa, then a toddler herself on unsure legs, how to walk. He just knew that once Rosa was walking on her own, then their adventures could begin in earnest. He held her by her hands, carefully balancing her as she stumbled. At first, she clutched his hands tightly, casting unsure glances back at him after each uncertain wobble. But with his encouraging words, she became more confident, not realizing when he finally let go and she walked on without him.

Kain was right about their adventures. By the time Rosa was four and Kain six, they were running wild together through the streets of Baron, finding mischief around every corner. For most children, the distance of two years and of different genders was too huge to bridge, but it did not deter Kain and Rosa's friendship from developing.

It helped, of course, that their families were so close. Roland Farrell, Rosa's father, and Richard Highwind, Kain's father, worked together in countless military operations, the first as a well decorated knight, the second as the Dragoon commander. Joanna Farrell, Rosa's mother, joined them often as a white mage for support. Thus, they raised their small families together, each supporting the other through difficult times.

It was Joanna and Roland who had been there for the Highwind family when Kain's mother died shortly after his birth. While she had survived the delivery, she'd lost too much blood and was weakened, and did not make through the winter cold and its usual illnesses. Kain was three months old when they buried his mother and Richard found himself alone raising an infant.

Kain had fond memories of Joanna and Richard, bringing over meals to share while Joanna fussed about his clothes and how quickly he was outgrowing them. She didn't try to mother him, not overtly, but her maternal presence was still felt, and it was often Joanna's hand behind Kain getting what he needed throughout childhood: clean clothes, new books, a haircut, a gentle reminder to scrub under his nails more thoroughly, and a tight hug whenever they parted.

More than once, Rosa and Kain had been mistaken for siblings, someone remarking how much their coloring matched, but both shrugged it off easily. Blonde hair and blue eyes were not that uncommon – but it was a nice daydream, at times, to pretend they were all one family. Kain and Rosa could stay up all night planning their adventures, then waste no time getting to them once it was morning. For now, though, Kain would have to settle to running over to her house once he'd wolfed down his breakfast.

Baron children were all offered access to education, starting at the age of eight, for those whose families could survive without their labor. A general education in reading, writing, basic arithmetic, and history was provided until the age of thirteen. King Odin's policy was that an educated citizen would be a more loyal one, as they would know of Baron's mighty presence in the world, and it would help fuel their patriotism.

Thirteen-year-old children could then choose to pre-enlist in Baron's military, joining a cadet rank until they reached their majority. From here, their education continued. Academically, they learned more advanced concepts, such as political science and how Baron influenced current world events. Students also received general combat training in all weapon types, chocobo riding lessons, and general survival and field skills. As they grew older and developed more sophisticated skills, more specific training was offered to students who showed an aptitude.

By the end of their student career, a cadet would have been assessed and tested by recruiters from each interested division. These divisions would make offers to the newly graduated citizens. If no offers were made, the citizen would have to return to civilian life and figure out another path.

For Kain, starting school was both exciting and terrible, because it meant his world opened, but it did so without Rosa. Every morning he left her behind, trying not to imagine her eyes on his back as he walked, feeling somehow disturbed by it. He would spend the day taking meticulous notes, writing down every word from the lectures, paired with detailed drawings.

Every afternoon Kain would return home to an eagerly awaiting Rosa, who poured over his notes and asked endless questions about the content. Teaching her helped reinforce the material for Kain, who grew a reputation for being a smart, sharp boy. By the summer of her eighth birthday, just before she was to finally start school herself, Rosa could already read faster than Kain, had neater handwriting, and could do sums without her fingers.

As an adult, Kain would reflect that summer as the most perfect one of his life, and the last true summer of his childhood. It was the last time they would be together as just themselves, partners, arm in arm against the world.

Then, they met Cecil.

On the morning of Rosa's first day of school, Kain's father stopped him just as Kain was leaving the house.

"I want to talk to you about something," Richard started, sounding uncertain about his words. Kain turned away from the door, looking expectantly at his father, who looked unusually awkward. "I know you're close with Rosa," Richard continued, and his nervous energy made Kain suddenly anxious himself, unsure of what would make someone as brave as Richard act this way. "And it's good that you are friends. But I want you to keep something in mind."

"Yes, Father?" Kain prompted when Richard had gone quiet.

"I only want to ask..." Richard said, his voice going soft and serious. "If you ever feel something more than friendship, I want you to come talk to me."

"What do you mean?" Kain asked, not grasping the meaning of what his father asked.

Richard drew in a deep breath, steeled himself, then spoke again, this time more firmly, "I only mean that as you get older, you may start noticing girls in a new way. That's a normal thing, but it's different with Rosa. She's like your-"

"My sister!" Kain interjected excitedly, romanced as always by the notion of them being one large extended family.

Richard looked relieved, some of the tension went out of him. "Yes, your sister," he echoed with a deep exhale. "And you must always think of her that way and protect her."

Kain drew himself to his full ten-year-old height and squared his shoulders, his chest puffed up. "Why would I do otherwise?" he asked in earnest, not understanding where this sudden conversation was coming from.

Richard considered Kain for a long moment, then smiled, though it was small and sad. "It will be something you'll understand more as you get older." Richard clapped his hand to Kain's shoulder, gripping him tightly but fondly. "We'll talk more when I get home from Eblan in a few days."

"You're leaving this morning?" Kain asked.

"First airship out," Richard confirmed with a new smile. "Joanna will keep an eye on you while I'm gone." Richard reached past Kain, opening the door to the outside. "Make sure you focus on your studies and training."

"I will," Kain promised, giving his father one last smile before slipping out the door.

Rosa was waiting for Kain when he emerged from his house. At first, he was surprised to see her, then, he was surprised to see what she was wearing.

"Are you wearing a dress?" Kain asked, incredulously. She had always worn trousers, making it easier to run, climb, and keep up with him. It was a simple red dress, with a practical apron tied around the front. It was just like the dresses the girls at school wore, Kain realized with dawning horror. "You don't have to, you know, just because you're a... girl," he said the last with disgust, as if the taste of the word on his tongue was off-putting.

"Maybe I want to," Rosa replied, smoothing out the material with the palm of her hand. As her hair moved, Kain noticed something red flashing within the uncharacteristically neat blonde strands. She saw the line of his gaze and touched her fingers to it in a self-conscious gesture, and Kain realized they were matching hair ribbons. "Do I look bad?" Rosa asked, her voice small.

"No," Kain said, some unknown emotion squeezing his heart, making his words tight. He knew then he might lose her today, that she might find a better friend than him, someone she liked more. Worse, she might find one of the groups of girls and suddenly be an actual girl, somehow alien and terrifying. "You look very nice," he finally managed. His father's warning came inexplicably to mind, and the impossible idea of his feelings about Rosa changing seemed suddenly closer.

Rosa smiled, unaware of Kain's inner turmoil or the precipice of change they now stood upon. Somehow, the sight was a balm to his troubled soul, and he felt his heart ease. Richard's words became a distant thought.

In the colder dark months, eligible children gathered at the castle's main hall, and learned letters and other lessons by the hearthside, for both light and warmth. They were given a hot meal, and for the poorer children, it was their only meal of the day. As they grew older, it was common for those living in poverty to enlist just to keep the stability of daily meals and shelter.

Rosa's face lit with wonder as they entered the castle, clutching at Kain's arm for security. It was not the first time she'd been to the castle. She'd often come, to attend one ceremony or another for her parents, but it was her first time without them and Kain could sense nervous energy radiating off her.

"I bet you won't be the only new kid," Kain said, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the dim light of the castle's interior. "I'm guessing more are back in town now that the harvest is done."

"You think so?" Rosa asked, sounding hopeful.

"Yeah," Kain agreed easily, glad to see her perking up. "In fact..." he continued, as they entered the main hall. He looked around quickly, sorting through all the familiar faces, until - "Him," Kain declared with determined certainty, then pointed. "He's new. I don't know him. I bet there are others, too."

The boy in question stood off by himself, looking uncertainly around him. He had an odd look to him, a soft paleness in his gray wispy hair and faraway eyes. He wore similar clothing to Kain – a simple blue tunic and trousers but lacked any of the usual tears or worn-out spots that usually characterized boys' clothing.

Rosa peered ahead, then her eyes went wide. "I know of him," she said with a conspiratorial whisper. "That's Cecil Harvey. I heard Mama talking about him. She said he's King Odin's heir and it's supposed to be a big secret, but everyone knows."

"Why haven't we seen him before?" Kain asked.

"He grew up on the Harvey estate but doesn't have any family. The last Harvey of any rank died without issue, so Cecil is supposed to be some long-lost cousin," Rosa answered, still whispering. "I suppose if he's here, the King is preparing him to be declared the heir."

"How do you know that's him?" Kain scowled in skepticism.

"Apparently he looks odd," Rosa replied, then frowned. "But I don't think so much odd, just... unusual." Her frown faded as she looked back to the boy named Cecil, and a slow smile emerged. "Almost beautiful, in an eerie sort of way."

Kain turned to look back at Cecil with Rosa's new perspective. Something hot clawed at his guts, sinking greedy fingers into his anxious belly. "I think he looks weird," Kain said as his scowl deepened. "I want you to stay away from that freak." He tugged at her arm, to lead her away and toward one of the large hearths against the long walls but found her resistant, holding firm against his pull.

When Kain looked back at Rosa, she was still watching Cecil, and he recognized the fascination on her face. The uncomfortably hot feeling migrated up into his chest, squeezing hard on his heart, and Kain Highwind felt his first pang of envy.

Kain watched Cecil from a distance all day, while a new fury boiled within him, made only worse whenever he caught Rosa also looking Cecil's way. Kain resolved, several times, not to care, and to only focus on the lessons and helping Rosa through hers. But soon after, he'd find his traitorous eyes wandering, and they'd find Cecil again, like a sore in his mouth he couldn't leave alone.

At some point, Rosa left, to find more parchment, and Kain found he could no longer ignore the roar of his own angry blood. With tight fists at his side, Kain approached Cecil from behind, who stood off by himself, as he had been all day.

"So, you're Cecil," Kain announced. He stood tall, with his legs braced apart and his arms at his sides.

Cecil turned to face Kain, genuine curiosity on his strange features as he asked, "Who are you?"

"I'm Kain," Kain blurted out, suddenly awkward in the proximity of this new person. He couldn't quite get over how Cecil didn't quite look human, there was something uncanny about Cecil's features and coloring. "Kain Highwind," he corrected, then added spontaneously, "My father is Sir Richard Highwind." When that prompted no response from Cecil, Kain continued, "He's the commander of the Dragoons."

Cecil could not have missed Kain's palpable hostility, but still, he maintained a neutral expression, then said quietly, "Pleased to meet you."

"Don't think you can be friends with me," Kain spat, then turned away dismissively, but continued in a mutter, "Just because the king treats you like you're special."

"What did you say?" Finally, there was some emotion in Cecil, a new anger making his voice go high. Kain heard the steps as Cecil quickly approached.

Kain turned to meet Cecil. "Want a fight, do you?" Cecil stopped short before Kain, but had his fists raised up. "What's a soft, spoiled little boy like you going to do to me?" Kain asked, drawing his own fists up.

"I'm not spoiled!" Cecil protested, looking somehow both hurt and angry.

Kain lunged forward and grabbed Cecil by a handful of his shirt, while raising his other hand in a fist over Cecil's head. "Talk back to me, will you?" As the taller and older of the two boys, Kain loomed over Cecil. This was a new feeling for Kain, this satisfaction of being better than someone. He was surprised to find how much he liked it.

"Stop!" Rosa shouted from nearby, making Kain's blood run cold.

"Rosa!" Kain exclaimed in shock as he released Cecil. Kain turned to face Rosa and her serious glare. His stomach dropped as he saw her approach, as he saw not anger on her face, but disappointment.

"'Men of Baron do not fight without just cause.' That's what His Majesty has taught us, isn't it?" Rosa asked Kain, the question sounding gentle.

"But he's the one who-" Kain started, unsure of what he was going to say next. He's the one you can't stop staring at.

"Dragoons don't make excuses," Rosa said, reminding Kain of what his father often said. She knew it, too, spoke it with that expectation because she knew him so well.

"I know that!" Kain shot back, trying not to sound defensive but failing.

"I started it," Cecil said unexpectedly from behind Kain.

Rosa looked beyond Kain to Cecil, taking the opportunity to frankly look Cecil up and down. Once her assessment was made, her serious expression softened as she smiled, "You're an honest one, aren't you?"

"See?" Kain nudged Rosa with his elbow, trying to get her attention back. "It wasn't my fault."

Rosa looked between the two with new amusement in her eyes. She stifled a giggle with her hand unsuccessfully. "I guess it wasn't," she concluded through a laugh.

Kain wanted to ask what was so funny, but one of their tutors, finally noticing their absence, called out sharply for Rosa and Kain. As they trudged back to their spots, Kain cast one last curious glance back at Cecil, who, strangely enough, smiled back at Kain.

"I don't want to see him," Kain said with a sulk to Rosa, as they walked out of the castle.

"Too late!" Rosa said with a perky energy that inexplicably irritated Kain. "I already told him to meet us at your house and where to find it."

"Why my house?" Kain asked, feeling exasperated.

Rosa scowled at the question. "My mother is suddenly worried about me and boys. Especially you. I don't know why she's so concerned because that stuff is gross." She rolled her eyes; it was a new expression she had recently learned. Then, she said more seriously, "But I don't want to worry her more by bringing another boy around."

Kain had more questionsabout why Joanna would worry about him and wondered if it had anything to do with the conversation with Richard. What stuff is gross? He wasn't sure but decided to leave the questions unasked for now.

Cecil found them outside Kain's house, where Kain and Rosa were waiting.

"Hi," Cecil said with an awkward wave to both. "Listen," he continued with a small sigh. "If this is just to get me alone so you can beat me up, just let me know now. I don't want to..." Cecil paused, looking distant. "Just don't pretend to be my friend."

"It's not that," Rosa said quickly, looking between Kain and Cecil. "We want to be friends, don't we Kain?"

Kain only grumbled in reply, but it was apparently enough to convince Cecil. The strange boy's whole face lit up with genuine joy. "Really?" Cecil asked, not trusting himself yet to believe. But at Rosa's eager nod and Kain's indifferent shrug, a huge smile broke out across Cecil's mouth. "What do you wanna do?"

"Do you spar?" Kain asked, before Rosa could make her helpful suggestion of showing Cecil around Baron. "Most kids don't begin weapons training until they enlist at thirteen," Kain said matter of factly, then, his tone more casual, "Except royalty, of course. They have a weapon in hand as soon as their hands can make a grip."

"And commanders' children?" Cecil asked as he stepped forward, crossing his arms over his chest.

The question made Kain crack an unexpected grin. "Yeah, I guess. Wanna have a go?" Kain nodded back toward his house. "My father has a small training yard set up in the courtyard. The real weapons are locked up, but the training swords are out."

While Cecil considered the proposition, Rosa rolled her eyes again. "Are you two really going to fight?" she asked.

"Spar," Kain corrected her. "There's a difference."

"Are we allowed to do this?" Cecil asked carefully. "Will your father be upset if he finds us?"

"Both of our fathers are out on a mission," Rosa offered. "They're airship bound for Eblan. Something to do with increased monster activity around the Tower of Zot."

Cecil looked between both Rosa and Kain, then shrugged. "Why not?"

Kain led them both inside, then into the open courtyard. Two straw dummies stood opposite each other, and a rack of practice weapons sat upright against a low garden wall. Kain crossed to the rack and pulled out a wooden sword, twirling it experimentally in the air.

Beside Kain, Cecil picked up another. He took several steps away, and began testing the weight of the weapon, trying out its balance. Cecil practiced a few thrusts, and his form was perfect, the evidence of hours of diligent practice. Cecil looked collected and calm as he did so, and his utter perfection infuriated Kain in a way that was breathtaking.

"Are you ready?" Kain asked, trying to sound annoyed instead of distracted.

Cecil took a practiced inhale, then sighed it out with a nod. "I am ready."

Their swords met in a chaotic whirlwind of wooden clacks, with Kain as the aggressor from the start. Kain pushed hard into Cecil's defenses, whipping the wooden sword back and forth, trying to catch the new kid off guard. Cecil surprised him, however, and Kain recognized the strength in Cecil's defense and how sturdy he stood against Kain's attack.

As the fight wore on, Kain found his anger growing instead of shrinking. Usually, sparring allowed him to clear his head, to push aside the troublesome thoughts and only focus on his breathing and the movement of his body in concert with his weapon. But today, his anger cast a red haze over his concentration, and Kain found himself increasingly infuriated with each blow Cecil blocked.

Kain's technique soon grew sloppy, making desperate lunges and leaving himself unguarded. Cecil took advantage, pushing forward to land a hard blow on Kain's forearm, forcing Kain's grip to loosen and he dropped his sword. The worst part was that Kain knew in that instant that Cecil held back and softened the attack, not striking Kain's arm as hard as he could, and that was somehow more enraging than being defeated in the first place.

"Again," Kain demanded as he bent to retrieve his dropped sword. "You hold too much back," Kain said as he took up position opposite of Cecil.

"And you push too hard," Cecil countered easily.

"You're both stupid," Rosa remarked from the sidelines.

As Kain raised his wooden sword to attack again, a sudden commotion sounded from inside the house. Both he and Cecil lowered their weapons as two Baron soldiers entered the courtyard.

"What's going on?" Kain demanded, pulling himself up to his full height. With his father gone, Kain was the man of the household, and all who entered must answer to him.

"Rosa and Kain, you need to come with us," said one soldier, whom Kain recognized as a friend of both Richard's and Roland's, often visiting the two families. His face was oddly pale and drawn, harsh lines evident in his grave expression.

"Lord Harvey," said the second soldier, recognizing Cecil and falling into a quick perfunctory bow. "Forgive the intrusion, my lord, but I should escort you back to the castle."

"And these two? What's going on?" Cecil asked with easy authority and an expectation that he'd answered. Somehow, Cecil taking charge in Kain's own home only further fanned the flames of his resentment.

Worse yet, the soldier answered. "There's been an emergency afield." Then, the soldier shook his head. "The rest will have to be explained later. Please, come with us."

The seriousness of the soldier's request made a creeping finger of dread crawl up Kain's spine. "Come on, Rosa," Kain said, dropping his wooden sword carelessly to the ground. He took Rosa's hand in his, possessively clutching it; she was his only lifeline in the face of the oncoming uncertainty.

"What's going on?" Rosa repeated the question in a hushed whisper, as if Kain had more insight than her.

"I don't know," Kain answered honestly. He didn't spare a glance for Cecil but trusted the second soldier would take him back to the castle, and Cecil could go back to the pampered life which awaited him, while Rosa and Kain faced whatever terrible news was waiting for them.

The soldier guided them through the streets, and Kain became acutely and uncomfortably aware of other villagers stopping to point and whisper as they passed by. He could vaguely pick up bits of conversation.

"I heard it crashed over the ocean-"

"... a mechanical failure in the engines..."

"-no survivors so far, but they're still searching the wreckage-"

And the snippets made him clutch Rosa's hand even tighter.

Joanna was waiting for them when they entered the Farrell home. Immediately she crossed the room to them and embraced Kain and Rosa, one arm circled around each. The tightness of her hold terrified Kain and he knew then that something was very wrong.

"I'm so sorry," Joanna said through muffled sobs into Rosa's hair. "Your father is gone..."

"Whose?" Kain demanded, pushing back from Joanna, to watch her face for any indication of what she might mean. "Who is gone?" In a moment that he would feel guilty about his entire life, he selfishly wished it were Roland. Rosa could endure, as he had, with only one parent. But without Richard, Kain would have no one. Hoping, his breath held, he watched Joanna for a reaction.

Joanna looked haunted, her eyes red and hollow, as if she might cry out her entire soul. She circled her freed arm around Rosa, holding her daughter now with both arms. "Both," she whispered, and it was barely audible, but Kain saw the shape of it on her mouth.

Kain could only stand there, staring numbly as Rosa began to wail, clutching to Joanna as she sobbed.

Kain found the details didn't matter, and they offered little insight into their fathers' deaths. All that mattered was that there was an accident while their airship was over the ocean, and it sank before any rescue crew could arrive.

That night, Kain stayed at the Farrell home at Joanna's insistence. Rosa cried herself to sleep in Joanna's bed, clinging tightly to her mother before she finally succumbed to exhaustion. Kain found himself relieved to no longer hear her sobs through the thin walls.

Kain stayed in Rosa's room, awkwardly too long for her narrow child's cot. Still, he arranged himself on the bed as comfortably as he could, tucking in his legs to make himself fit. Sleep eluded him, however, and he found himself staring at the dark ceiling. He thought about the day and how it had started so innocently but had gone grown at every opportunity.

The thought of Cecil, so calm and perfect, became a thorn in the corner of Kain's mind. No matter how he tried to leave the thought alone, it always came back, needling at his soft vulnerable parts. Kain knew, objectively, that it was not Cecil's fault that Kain's father had died, but Kain couldn't help but associate the worst day of his life as the day he met Cecil Harvey and all went wrong afterward/

"It's his fault," Kain told the darkness of the room.

The darkness had no answer. At least, not yet.