A/N there might be a few words that might sound similar to some… cookie to whoever sees it I feel like the story is getting a bit slow so ill try to hurry things along. Please Review. Thanks.

Zack had eagerly met the light of a new day with a smile on his face. He had to smile because today he was going to help out his buddy Kunsel! He was determined to help him rise through the ranks. He just knew that Kunsel would make an amazing First Class.

Together there'd be no stopping them! They'll be heroes together!

Zack went through the motions of his daily routine. He left the room in his usual uniform and he stopped in front of the room his friend was in. he wanted to go wake him up but he knew that the other valued his privacy. So he'd do the next best thing.

Breakfast.

He grinned as he made his way to the kitchen. He'd make breakfast for the others. Goddess knows that they need it. Sephiroth was a workaholic. Angeal could forget to take care himself sometimes (really rarely) and Genesis could be even worse. Besides, it was a nice thing to do for them…

But then there was the problem of him not really knowing how to cook. Huh. Oh well, he'd have to improvise then. It wouldn't be too hard, right? He yanked open cabinets as he eyed for anything that he could make. Pancakes wouldn't be too hard… or omelets or something. Ugh, where was everything around here? Fuck, when was the last time anyone brought any food here?

He grumbled as he saw what was available. What the hell could he make with these ingredients? Sure he could cook but he was no expert.

"Zack?"

He whipped around only to see Kunsel there, already fully clothed in his uniform. He had his swords strapped onto his back and they shined under the kitchen light. He was sure that if it was his imagination or not but the uniform on his friend looked different… it made him stand out before which was weird because Kunsel in a SOLDIER uniform had always been inconspicuous.

Zack blinked at the other. He could feel the questioning look being thrown his way. He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "I, ah, wanted to make breakfast so I came in here and I tried to see what I could make."

"You cook?" Kunsel crossed his arms as he strode forward to see what the other had gotten out. Eggs, butter, sausage, potatoes, a few other veggies and assortments of food. "You have an idea on what to make?"

"Uh… no. I was going to make pancakes or something but we didn't have any of the instant stuff. So then I was going to see if I could make some eggs or something."

Kunsel shook his head as he took the liberty to rummage around the kitchen. He wasn't sure whose apartment it was but he didn't really care right now. He hummed as he took out a few pans as well as a few cooking utensils. "Do you mind if I help?"

Zack grinned at the other, a mild feeling of relief crept on him. "Sure!"

"Good, because knowing you, you'll probably end up destroying it." Kunsel grinned as he felt a jab on his side.

"I would not!" Zack said, indignant. "I mean I'll probably just make a mess but that's all!" He sighed but then he eyed his friend, a series of questions already forming in his mind. He wanted to ask a lot of things but there were some things he knew that would just not be answered so he'll go for what will.

"Where'd you get the tattoos?" Zack asked as he looked curiously at the winding designs up his friend's arms. He had noticed them before yesterday but he just forgot about them in the protective force that rose in him for his friend. Zack wanted to know what the new additions to his friend was… after all it seemed that in his absence Kunsel had changed and he wanted to know why and how… who knows, maybe he'd go around and ask Kunsel's friend or something.

Kunsel glanced down to his arms as he placed the pans on the stove and turned on a few of the matches into various levels of heat. He deftly located the knives and made to wash a few vegetables. 'What do I tell Zack… hm, I thinks it's best if I just tell him I got drunk or something.'

"Well, I had gotten back from a mission and I was just back in my bed," he glanced at Zack and saw that he had taken the liberty to sit on top the counter, "but then I had been really bored. I was… alone too and well I felt a bit stressed out, you know? I wanted to just relax so… I got drunk and well…" Zack gaped at Kunsel and the other just rolled his eyes in response.

"You got drunk!"

"Don't give me that look, I can drink if I want to and I was just in the mood. Anyway, I woke in the morning with them so I figured I must have gotten them when I was just drunk as fuck." Kunsel waved a hand in the air. "And the rest is history."

Kunsel started to slice the vegetables with quick ease. It was a fun thing to do, cooking. It was one of the few hobbies he had picked up, with him being alone all the time… he had to pass the time some way right? If he had more friends back then, or had actually had the guts to approach Cloud's group then he would have spent the time with them…

Zack took the chance to snatch a piece of bacon. Kunsel playfully smacked his hand away. "Where'd you get the swords?" Zack asked as he handed the other a ladle.

'Those swords remind me of Seph's but they're way different from his and I have to admit… they're a work of art too' Zack thought as he took in the details of the swords, which were still placed on his friend's back.

Kunsel mixed the veggies in a bowl while he set aside the cooked bacon on a separate plate. Zack attempted to steal another piece but Kunsel slapped away his attempts again. The other pouted at him. "Wait for the others. I'm sure they be getting up soon enough," Kunsel reprimanded as he heard footsteps behind him, "see, you don't even have to wait too long. The food is almost done and the others are already heading up here."

Zack grumbled but then he grinned brightly. "Hey Seph! How was your sleep?"

Sephiroth strode in looking immaculate as always. He was dressed in his usual leather and Kunsel had to wonder how he always wore it. Wasn't it uncomfortable and hot?

The General looked at them for a moment before searching for who knows what. "Adequate." He replied in a curt and even tone. He rummaged around the cabinets and Kunsel was curious as to what he was looking for.

"What are you looking for Seph?" Ah, thank you Zack for voicing everyone's thoughts.

"Coffee."

"Uh, actually I'm not sure if we have any left."

Sephiroth stood stock still before green eyes zeroed in on Zack. "Are you certain Zackary?" A frown was forming on his face and he did not look pleased at all.

Kunsel sent a questioning look at his friend. Needs coffee, energy Zack mouthed and Kunsel nodded in understanding. He grabbed the milk from the fridge and looked for some chocolate but there was none so he settled for the strawberry mix he found, and he grabbed the honey and cinnamon. He heated up the milk to a boiling temperature and he poured it in a cup mixed in the strawberry syrup and added a few spoon fills of honey and a dash of cinnamon.

Zack looked curiously at Kunsel and wondered what he was making. Whatever it was it looked good. He could see that Sephiroth was getting a teensie bit frustrated though and that as bad. Seph usually had a couple cups full of coffee in the morning or something sweet. The guy was a huge sugar addict and he was always looking for something to stave off his sweet tooth.

"General," Kunsel called out gently as he held a he mug filled with steaming liquid, "it's not coffee but it'll wake you up and give you some energy." He didn't flinch at the unnerving stare that the General unconsciously gave. Really it was something he was used to, what with him being around a lot of emotionally deficient people.

The General grabbed the cup offered to him and he took in the scent. 'Strawberry, honey, cinnamon,' his mind quickly identified its contents as he saw that there was no attempt to poison him. It was better to be cautious after all. He took a small sip before savoring the taste. He nodded to the other and Kunsel smiled a bit before turning away to make more. Good then, a cup would not be enough.

Zack blinked at the interaction a bit before he shrugged. It was a bit mind boggling though, to see that someone was actually interacting on that level with Seph. Sure it was Kunsel, but still. He had expected the other to be nervous or even idolize the others a bit but here Kunsel was acting so damn casual about meeting one of the world's most powerful warriors and making them a drink.

"You're weird Kunsel, you know that?" he muttered and Kunsel laughed at him.

"I get that a lot." Kunsel went back to cooking as he set aside a new batch of warm milk. He took the General's already empty cup and quickly returned it with a newly offered drink. The other took it without a word and the General hummed at the taste. It was something he hadn't tried before and the fact that it tasted sweet was a bonus to the General.

"Do you need help Kunsel?" a new voice cut in and they turned to see Angeal and Genesis walking in, both donned in their usual gear. Angeal was running a hand through his hair as he looked like he was still trying to stave off sleep but he looked better than Genesis though. The red clad male still looked half asleep as he sat on a chair in the middle island of the kitchen.

Genesis groaned as he laid his head down on the marble counter. How the others could walk straight was beyond him. It was such an ungodly hour to wake up to.

Kunsel chuckled to himself at the sight. Who would have thought that the legendary self-proclaimed hero was a grouch in the morning? Then again, Genesis had a flair for the dramatic and he took care of his looks so no doubt he'd need his beauty sleep.

Angeal sighed at the sight. Genesis always had to have his attention. "Genesis, really, how can you be this tired when we went to sleep at the same time? Wait did you even go to sleep?" Angeal said reproachingly as he raised an eyebrow at the other.

"Angeal, my friend, you simply have no idea how much it takes to make my image. My friend the fates are cruel." The others could practically feel the eye roll.

Kunsel looked up at them as he almost finished up the breakfast to be served. Of course he had made it in vast quantities as SOLDIER appetites… were beyond normal, not that he had that problem. Kunsel for some reason never had that problem.

"Hm. There are no dreams, no honor remains. The arrow has left the bow of the goddess. My soul corrupted by vengeance…" Kunsel said to himself absentmindedly as he cracked eggs into a pan. He understood now. The Loveless poem that was mysterious to many. The story of three friends who embark on a quest. It was eerily similar to the Shinra Trio and it might as well have been about them.

'Did the Goddess place the poem here? Was it a prophecy of sorts?' Kunsel was startled out of his thoughts by two hands that gripped his shoulders and spun him around. He came face to face with red hair and bright blue-green eyes.

"You know Loveless?" Genesis asked, his voice clear of any sleep and he now look startling coherent. Zack groaned at the questions. Here they go. Now Genesis would go off on a tangent about the damn poem and he'd never shut up about it.

"Uh, Yes?"

"Wait, since when do you read Loveless anyway Kuns?" Zack asked as he furrowed his brows in thought as he tried to remember if he ever saw his friend reading it but he couldn't really ever recall Kunsel in anything recently. It just goes to show how long it'd been.

Kunsel shrugged. "It's a recent thing and I've had some fee time so picked up a few hobbies. This is one of them."

Genesis hummed. He shifted his eyes towards the other occupants in the room. Sephiroth was filling in paperwork, no doubt reports and missions of the like. Angeal was getting plates and serving juice while the Puppy entertained himself watching them. He turned to the Second. "What do you think about it?"

Knowing how obsessed and seriously Genesis took the poem, Kunsel had to be careful in the way he responded. 'Wait, maybe if I can word this right I can make it look like I have an interest in Loveless too so then maybe we'd have something in common to talk about… a common interest.'

Kunsel hesitated slightly, debating whether to appeal to Genesis' version of Loveless or whether he should just state his own opinion. He sighed as he took out the last few omletts he had made. The kitchen was alive with savory smells now.

"Honestly… I think Loveless is tragic."

"Tragic?" Zack asked, confused. He didn't really know much about Loveless. He only knew what Genesis spouted off at them from time to time (which was all the time) and honestly even then he thought that the poem was hard to understand. It just wasn't his type of thing but he wondered why Kunsel responded why he chose that as a response.

"That is a new way to look at it." Sephiroth cut in as he placed down his pen, seeming to be done with his work. Green eyes looked as calculating as always. Sephiroth was not in the best of moods as once again he was debating on how to handle the problems between his friends. This has been an ongoing internal struggle for a long while and he never showed it. He was unwilling to show weakness but also he did not know how to show weakness.

"Wait how is it tragic? This a story about a hero, for a quest for his goddess." Genesis frowned. "It is a poem that is unlike any other, a story so moving that it's unbelievable. So then, how is it tragic? Just make me understand here." Genesis ran a hand through fiery red hair as he gazed quizzically at the Second Class.

'Wow, just imagine if anyone else was here in my place. I bet that there's a high chance that they wouldn't even be able to speak at all.' Kunsel thought amused before he became serious. He needed to answer Genesis' question. He had thought about it before, when he had been alone for a while in Arieth's church. He always had moments like those when he would just sit there and reflect on how drastically life had changed…

"The poem or more like a story… it's about three men who set out to find the Gift of the Goddess. I don't know what the gift is and I'm sure everyone has their own interpretation of it and that the Final Act of Loveless is missing… but what I makes it tragic to me is that the three men just separate… they're friends. It shouldn't have happened that way. They should have stuck together because to me there's just nothing more important than your friends."

He sighed, feeling the weight of his words as he remembered all those times he had with his friends or friend in his case. Not many liked him after all. "My friend, do you fly away now? To a world that abhors you and I? Do you hear the words? It's like one of them is just running away ad that's not right… because why would they? Because of some problem? That's no reason to leave. You have your friends right there, what more do you need? They can help. They're your friends, that's what they're there for all you have to do is ask and they'll do it. That's all there is to it… and honestly Commander Rhapsodos…" Kunsel gazed directly at the Commander, his gaze seeming to pierce even through his visor. "I think… I think you're the Prisoner." Kunsel said, his tone portraying a bit of sadness.

Genesis's eyes widened in shock. "What." No. the Second was absolutely wrong.

Angeal was shocked. No one had ever dared to contradict his friend for many reasons. Either because either they feared or respected him, he never knew but they always just agreed with him. Zack was just as stunned and the General was listening intently, his stare boring a hole on the countertop.

"What makes you think that?" Genesis hissed, anger rising in him as his eyes flashed in warning to the other but Kunsel wasn't deterred. Who did this this low class think he was?! He was one of the Commanders of Shinra, a being with great power and a lot of connections.

"I don't mean to offend you sir… it's just…" Kunsel sighed in frustration. 'I'm just making things worse. This isn't good but maybe if I just…' "Can I tell you the truth sir?"

Genesis scoffed. He'd know if the Second even thought about lying to him he'd know the second he did it. "I would accept nothing but honesty, SOLDIER."

Kunsel plated the food into four separate plates. He wasn't too hungry himself. A nice warm cup of milk with honey would be all he needed. 'I should be more nervous about this.' Zack was no doubt waiting on his answer as well. Maybe this could be a lesson of sorts for the First Class.

Zack couldn't believe what he was hearing. The words Kunsel was saying was just amazing and so inspiring. Angeal was thinking along the same thoughts. Sephiroth had his brows furrowed. He had heard and read Loveless before but he had never heard anything of what Kunsel was referring to. It was puzzling.

"The Prisoner?" Zack says more to himself than the others. Angeal glances his way and he thinks of what Kunsel was talking about. He's never heard of the Prisoner but it looks like Genesis has judging from his reaction and by how intense it is then it must be serious.

"You're a prisoner to your pride. You hold a bitterness towards the world and you're unable to accept your friends and you even rejected the one who tried to help you…" Kunsel said sadly. He felt sad for Sephiroth and Angeal.

Genesis eyes widened in shock and he felt like his breathe had been taken away. Kunsel's words rang in his head like a haunting mantra and he would be sure that they would haunt him for a long, long time. 'Just who is he? Does he know?... The wound that Sephiroth gave me…' One of his hands moved without his consent to his shoulder.

"Of course… what do I know? This is all just a thought… nothing more Commander Rhapsodos." Kunsel placed a plate in front of the four as he took a glance towards the clock. It was about time he left. He already outstayed his welcome. "Commander Rhapsodos, Commander Hewley, General…" he nodded towards them, "it was a pleasure seeing you and I thank you for letting me stay here, but I believe I have overstayed my welcome here. I hope you like the meal."

Zack panicked and he jumped off the counter and he blocked the exit of the kitchen. "No! Stay. Please Kunsel… I just you made this food and you're not even going to eat some of it?" He wracked his mind for a suitable reason for his friend to stay. He wasn't sure what that was, the conversation with Genesis, but he wasn't about to let his friend go like that.

"Zackary is correct… stay. I apologize, I asked for your opinion and I reacted wrongly towards you. It was not my intention; it was just surprising." Genesis stated as he seemed to have mellowed out and there was a contemplative look on his face. His eyes were different Sephiroth realized but he didn't know how.

Kunsel hesitated. There was training he needed to do and he needed to scope out the state of Shinra and see what was happening around the world, after all he wasn't sure what time Arieth had dumped him in but he'd have to guess that it was near the Wutain War. Before or after he wasn't sure.

"Stay. Kunsel was it?" Angeal said, his voice deep and comforting as always as he smiled slightly at the Second. "You need to eat. A good SOLDIER needs his energy. Zack," he motioned his head towards a seat and his student got the memo and the violet-eyed SOLDIER grinned happily. Zack went over to Kunsel and pushed him into a seat, still grinning widely as he did so.

"But my training " Kunsel protested but Zack waved him off.

"Dude, you have the superiors of your superiors right in front of you and they asked you to stay. Don't worry about it Kuns." Zack told him reassuringly but he could see that Kunsel was still worried. "It's fine Kunsel."

"The Puppy is right. If not, then they will answer to us then." Genesis said, his voice more like it usually was and his usual flare seemed to be returning. 'I forgot to ask…' "Kunsel, where did you hear about the Prisoner, the Hero and the Traveler? Was it at a play?"

Kunsel blinked at the question before he looked away from the red-haired male. "Ah, no… I heard it from my mother."

"Your mother?"

"Yes… she used to tell me about a lot of legends and a whole bunch of mystical stuff for stories when I was younger. She seemed all-knowing to me when I was kid and everything she told me just stuck with me." Kunsel replied wistfully as nostalgia creeped in. His mother… oh, he hadn't thought about his mother in years and he felt bad for not doing so but remembering her… it brought horrible memories with it. His entire life was just one bad memory.

"Oh? Are you going to visit her if you win the tournament then?" Zack asked curiously as he took a bite of the delicious food. Genesis took a sip of his drink

"My mother is dead."

And promptly sprayed it all over the table while Zack choked on his food. Zack coughed as he wheezed and slapped his chest trying to not die via food. Angeal eyes widened in shock before his brain kicked in and he patted Zack's back to try to help him while Sephiroth did the same to Genesis.

"What!" Zack exclaimed in shock as he looked to his friend. Kunsel shrugged.

"My mother died when I was young."

/

His mother screamed in fear and hysteria as the front door to their quaint home break open in a shower of splinters. She ran over to a young seven-year-old Kunsel. The little boy had been playing with his pet dog, more like a wild wolf, before he heard his mother scream. His eyes widened in fear. They could both hear yells outside.

"They're there!"

"Get the she-witch and the demon!"

"Find them!"

They cried out in fear before Kunsel's mother snapped out of it as she snatched her child up in her arms. She held him close as she ran up the stairs with the dog at their heels and headed to the bedroom. She slammed the door closed and she set Kunsel down. She shoved the things off the dresser before she began to push it in front of the door. She put everything she could in front of it to block the intruders out.

She turned to the frightened little boy. She knelt down in front of Kunsel, her beautiful blue eyes bright with tears and her curly black hair tumbling down her back in waves. Her breath hitched as sever footsteps were heard. There were crashing sounds and no doubt destroying everything in search of them. She turned back to Kunsel and she placed slim hands on bony shoulders.

"Kunsel listen to me. Y-you hide and you don't come out no matter what you hear, you understand?" Kunsel nodded in fright as tears ran down his chubby cheaks.

"Momma what's happening?"

"Don't you worry about it Kit. You just hide! Just know that Momma loves you okay? Momma loves s-so very much!" She sobbed as she chugged her son for what would be the very the last time she saw him. She cried out louder as they heard a slam on the door and the dresser shook but still held in place.

"Hide!" She shoved him under the bed and she turned towards their dog, Baha, and petted him one last time. "You protect him, you hear me?" she whispered as she moved him under the bed and he moved faithfully, black fur melding with the shadows and ears pressed down to his skull. She hurried to the window and opened it just as the door slammed open.

Kunsel slapped tiny hands over his mouth as he whimpered in fear. He held in sobs and he watched as booted feet came into view.

His mother screamed out the window, pretending to wave someone off. "Run Kunsel!" she screamed in fear once again as hands clutched her shoulders and slammed her against a wall. She cried out in pain but was silenced with a fierce slap to her face and she fell to the floor.

"Where's your demon child witch?!" A huge man stinking of alcohol and who knows what else asked, his face held back in a sneer.

"Out there!" a few of the intruders went out the window, seeing as there was nowhere else to hide. They weren't a very bright bunch but very dangerous.

"What do you want from us. We have done no one harm!" His mother was slapped again and there was blood running from her mouth this time.

"Don't think that we don't know witch! Your sorcery is the source of all the misery here. You are not human, for there has been no one with your looks here ever!" A hand gripped her hair and she cried out in fear as she saw one of them come close with a knife.

Kunsel's eyes widened and he shook with fear. 'No! Momma!'

"The Goddess will punish you! The gods shall have no mercy for your sins!" His mother said fiercely with no fear for herself but for her son. "My Lady will protect me. I have faith in Lady Minerva!" she said fiercely with bared teeth. "We've done no one wrong. It is merely your fear of unknown taking over."

They sneered at her and a woman stepped towards her. She was young and beautiful but standing next to the 'witch' it paled in comparison. Her beauty was further marred by the ugly scowl in her face. Her eyes were narrowed down to slits as she stopped in front of her. She pointed at her.

"This is her. Kill her." With that she left the room, her heels echoed in the sudden silence.

His mother screamed in rage this time as she struggled to get out of their grip. "Vile vermin! This will not go unpunished! You're committing a crime against an innocent! I am guilty of nothing!" They silenced her with a kick. "My son. You will never find him!" she said defiantly.

"Shut up!"

They cut away her and something in Kunsel broke. His eyes were wide and he wanted to look away but he couldn't. He couldn't look away from the sight and it would burn in his mind for years to come. She screamed in pain as they beat her and they shoved her to the front of the bed and she was suddenly facing Kunsel. Her blue eyes were dark with pain and sorrow as she looked into her son's eyes and suddenly there was a knife impaled in her back.

I'm sorry, she mouthed the words as she cried and silently she wept for having to put her son through this torture.

The floor was stained red with blood and the pool of crimson was growing big and Kunsel didn't even noticed that it had reached him as well. He pressed down on his mouth harder to try to prevent the sobs he could no longer hold back be heard. He never looked away from his mother's eyes as the life was slowly but surely drained from them.

Mavis Valkyra Cain died and the last thing she saw was her son stained red with her blood and blue eyes filled with fear and tears.

/

"Kunsel?"

A hand laid on the Second's shoulder and Kunsel blinked. Zack was looking at him worriedly and with sadness. "You okay man? You spaced out there for a second."

Kunsel blinked again before he willed his hands to stop shaking under the table. He looked at them and for a moment he thought that they were dyed red but they were pale clean the next. "Ah. Yeah. I'm fine. I was just remembering something." He shrugged casually as he picked up his own drink as he inhaled the scent of honey.

"I'm sorry Kunsel "

"You don't need to apologize Zack. You didn't know." Kunsel smiled reassuringly but it fell in the next second. "She was happy, Zack." His friend hesitated and Kunsel knew what he was going to ask next. "My dad died too, when I was younger. It was before my mother died and yes, I'm an only child Zack. I didn't have any other family that I knew of either."

"Ah." Zack looked away from Kunsel before he noticed that the other three were looking at them. Angeal had a pained look on his face and Genesis had a scowl. Sephiroth regarded them with calculating eyes as he took in the shifting emotions.

"We apologize " Angeal started but Kunsel waved him off with a hand. Kunsel tried to reassure them as well. They had nothing to be sorry for. They didn't do anything. Kunsel takes in a breath.

"They were both happy, right until the end. I know they loved me and I loved them. Nothing will ever make me doubt that no matter what anyone says, because that's a parent's job." He looks meaningfully at Sephiroth and Genesis but the helmet covers where he looks thankfully. "My mother was a nice woman and she never remarried. My dad had eyes only for her too. They were both very religious too now that I remember." He smiled, remembering their loving smiles and devotion to one another.

Zack rested a hand on Kunsel's. "I'm sure they were great parents, Kuns… I would have loved to have met them." Kunsel laughed, remembering his mother's weird quirks.

"I'm sure that you would have gotten along with them just fine Zack. And about your earlier question Commander Rhapsodos "

"Genesis." The fiery male cut in, his voice softer than it was before, and it would have been hard to notice is one didn't know him and judging by the looks Zack, Angeal and Sephiroth gave him, they noticed. Genesis promptly ignored them. "We are at home. Such titles are not needed here."

Kunsel quirked his lips at the sight. He'd been around enough emotionless people that he could pick up expressions from a rock.

"Oh, Kunsel! You need to eat!" Zack frowned as he noticed his friend had not been eating anything. All he had was something to drink. "You need your nutrients and all the good stuff!" Zack reproached as he pushed his plate towards the other and he frowned even more as he saw the other shake his head in response.

"No Zack, I'm fine. I'm not hungry." Kunsel pushed back the plate towards the other with a pale tattooed hand. "Besides I made it for you."

"Eat it!" Zack pushed the plate back and Kunsel remained silent before a wicked idea came into his head.

Kunsel stayed quiet for a moment before he turned to Zack, making sure that the First Class was looking at him. His lower lip trembled a bit and he said, in a dejected and sad voice, "You don't like it?"

Zack's eyes widened before he panicked and he took the plate back so fast it nearly fell off the table. "Ah, no! I mean, yeah of course it's great Kunsel! I appreciate your food!" he took in a spoonful just to prove his point. "It's great!" he said, panicked and eager to make his friend happy again. His friend had looked near tears.

Kunsel stayed quiet before he shook and Zack thought that it was because of tears. He panicked again before he looked at Angeal and he gaped at the sight of amusement in his mentors eyes as well as Genesis's eyes. The asshole was shaking with giggles.

What the hell were they laughing for? Couldn't they see there was a crisis!? Kunsel was upset! "Don't listen to them Kunsel! Your food is great! I could eat all day!"

Kunsel couldn't help it. He burst out laughing. He heard Angeal and Genesis laugh as well, Genesis more hysterical than the other. Zack looked at them confused before he scowled. "Kunsel you ass! To think I was worried for a moment too!"

Kunsel snorted. "My feelings won't be hurt that easily Zack, especially by something so trivial. I mean Zack I know it's not five-star restaurant material "

"It was quite well cooked, actually. Ah, may I have another cup as well Cadet?" Sephiroth spoke for the first time in a while. Kunsel was stunned for a moment before he grinned and nodded at his superior.

"Of course sir." He took the cup offered to him and he speedily made another drink for the General.

He didn't know who thins Second was, to have made his friends laugh but the General appreciated in a way he could not express. Perhaps this was the answer he was looking for, for the way to repair the fractured friendship of the group. Perhaps Sephiroth could learn a thing or two… the way the other spoke… His voice, the way he held himself… it wasn't so clear to the others he was sure, because he almost didn't pick up on it either, but it spoke of hardships, a person who has gone through hardships and overcame them. "Sephiroth."

"Ah." Kunsel nodded politely. He handed the steaming cup to the General before stting aside another batch, just in case he wanted another one. He looked at Genesis again, before debating with himself. He reached over the island and he took pale hands into his own. Genesis was startled at the action and Angeal was worried, judging by the intake of breath.

Kunsel looked at green-blue eyes, just as he did before. 'This could be my chance.' He thought determined, and beneath his visor, pale blue eyes sharpened and became more piercing than ever. Had anyone looked at them they would have backtracked. Enemies have hesitated and others would be awed at the strength they held.

"Genesis, what I said before… I meant it. You are the Prisoner but you're capable of being so much more." Kunsel said in a quiet voice that was stronger than any loud noise could be. "You are capable of being a Hero and I know" Kunsel stressed the word, his voice spoke no lies but only hard truth, "you can become the Hero. You're so strong Commander, all you have to do is just let go and confide… and I know that you can do it for you are beloved by the Goddess." Kunsel gripped the hands tigther with every word, an anchoring grip to this world and away from the darkness that was surely encroaching on the other's mind, slowly but surely.

Genesis couldn't believe what he was hearing. He didn't know this person but it seemed that the other knew something. How he wasn't sure. Or maybe he could just be assuming things about him because he had been taking extra care to hide his secrets. He was sure that no one knew. But what this Second was talking about… all he ever wanted to be was be the Hero and he honestly thought that would never be possible with Sephiroth always taking the glory and he always beat him… His strength was no where near the others and people had considered the silver haired warrior the Hero he was sure but the way Kunsel spoke… he sounded so sure and it was like he had faith… in him!

Genesis eyes pricked with heat and his brows furrowed. He gripped the hands that held his with the same strength, if not more. "You believe that I…"

A beautiful smile was offered to him, with pearly white teeth, and it was one of the most remarkable things he's ever seen and it stole Genesis's breath away at the sincerity that it showed. "I know that you can. Hero of the dawn, healer of worlds."

Genesis made a strangled noise and before he realized it he wrapped his arms around the mysterious Second that accomplished a feat that not even Angeal and Sephiroth had accomplished. "Thank you" Genesis whispered and he felt a hand run reassuringly through his hair and for a moment he felt like all his troubles had been stripped away.

Kunsel broke away before he smiled at the stuned looks the others had, Sephiroth's significantly less noticeable. "I need to leave now. I have to go train if I want to win the tournament. Ill see you later Zack and it was great talking to you, Angea and Sephiroth." He nodded towards them and ruffled Zack's hair as he left.

Zack was too stunned to stop him from leaving.

A/N: Okay from now on there's going to be more involvement from Shinra and Kunsel will begin his epic mission of turning Shinra around. DUN DUN DUN.

Okay so tell me what you think. It might be going too fast as far as friendships go, but Kunsel needs to at fast. Degradation isn't going to stop but ill elaborate later on, on the relationships and all that. They all won't be buddy buddy, I realize that but just stick with me and keep on reading okay?

Anyway… that's it.

Please Review!