TOS Moments: Keaton and Raine

Keaton, in her fox form, groaned as she opened her eyes, and saw that the sun was still rising. Yawning she hopped out of bed, and exiting the room, she yawned. She looked around, and noticed that the lobby, the main area was lite. She was confused, wondering why anybody would be up this early, especially since yesterday was hard and disastrous. They had still been fighting demons that had leaked into the world, and the battle yesterday was tough. Lloyd had a back that has to be patched up, Colette and Marta were recovering from a near death experience, Emil has a broken leg, Tenebrae was back in core form, Genis has a banged head, Sheena has dislocated her right arm, and nearly broken her right leg. Zelos has a broken leg, and a broken wrist, Regal has a broken arm, Presea had a banged head, and broken arm as well, and Raine was able to heal her own arm, but she had to go get items for the others. Keaton herself had major wounds, but being that of a demon, her wounds healed quicker than a monsters or Centurion's. As they waited to Marta and Colette to recover, they stayed in the inn, in one of the biggest rooms. As they would have it, they had the fortune to have a lobby area with their rooms, where the would meet to discuss idea's. Keaton, at the moment, was seeing the lobby lite, but who else would be up besides her. She walked into the main area, and saw Raine was awake, reading a book with a small lamp on.

"Raine?" Keaton questioned, surprised to see her up.

"Hn? Oh, hello Keaton, why're you up so early?" Raine asked, looking from her book to greet Keaton.

Keaton shrugged at her question and hopped on the couch, laying beside the silver-haired professor.

"Just woke up actually, and couldn't go back to sleep. So I decided to just stay up till the others awaken." Keaton explained, and Raine giggled with a smile.

Ever since Raine and Regal got together, Raine had been more open, and slightly laid back. She was still as strict as ever, but she had learned that sometimes, she was way too strict. Being with Regal had made Raine feel complete, and everyone was happy that to two were so happy together. Yet, lately it seemed as though Raine had become depressed, for she had been waking up in the middle of the night, her mind was far away, and she couldn't form a full sentence without looking away, and the only time she seemed at rest was around Regal. Keaton smiled at Raine, happy to see the Professor was still energized. She thought too soon though, as Raines' smile slowly faded away, and the professor sighed. She closed her book, laid it on the table, and then looked at her lap sadly.

"Hey Keaton, can I ask you something?" Raine asked, looking at the golden fox.

"Sure, what is it?" Keaton responded.

"Do you...do you...know what it's like?" Raine asked, and looked away.

'Here we go again?' Keaton thought sadly.

"Know what, what's like?" Keaton questioned.

"To feel as though...your drifting away from your family?" Raine questioned, and looked at Keaton with sad blue eyes.

Keaton gasped, and lowered her head. She may not have an actually family, but Lloyds' family was her family, as were the Centurion's. There had been many times where she had drifted away from Tenebrae, Ratatosk, and Lloyd. For drifting away from Tenebrae and Ratatosk, one time it was when she traveled with Lloyd and the others. For drifting away from Lloyd, it happened many times during their journey, too many times that she not dare recount. She looked at Raine and nodded.

"Yes, both with Lloyds' family, and the Centurion's family. I know what it feels like. You become depressed, solitary, vulnerable, and most of all, the feeling of helplessness takes over." Keaton explained, and she saw Raine nodded, confusing Keaton.

"Yes...and that is happening. I feel like...I'm drifting away from Genis. Ever since the demons appeared, my relationship with Regal, it's become stressful between me and Genis. We've been arguing a lot more and more, we've distanced ourselves from one another, and we barely say anything to one another. I feel like..." Raine paused, tear appearing in her eyes, and Keaton gasped.

The she's seen Raine cry before, but not as she was about to. She had cried when telling the truth to Lloyd that her and Genis were half-elves, when Keaton herself had been hurt, when Raine found out the truth about Keaton, when someone was seriously injured, or when Regal was near death. She had cried, but not been on the verge of an emotional break-down.

"I feel like...me and Genis are slowly tearing apart. Like if things continue, we'll no longer be family. I sometime wonder if he does care about me. I know I care about him, more than life itself as he is the only family I have left." Raine said, the tears slipping past her barrier.

"Raine, Genis does care for you." Keaton said, laying a paw on Raines' hands on her lap.

Raine gave Keaton and questioning, sad look, and Keaton gave a sad smile.

"He does care. I've heard him speak to Presea about the exact same thing. All that needs to be done is to get you two some alone time together to fix your family. But you will have to restrict yourself. When your studying, study less, and spend time with either Regal or Genis. If your not spending time with Regal, spend time with Genis when you have nothing to do. Family is more important than books, and, at certain points, more important than a relationship." Keaton explained, and Raine sighed.

Raine had wanted to spend time with Genis, but between her studies and Regal, she had little to no time.

"Do you want me to set up a time and place?" Keaton questioned, and Raine nodded.

"Yes, please." Raine said, and Keaton smiled.

Next Day, night-time: Raine smiled as her and Genis left the room, both of them talking and smiling. They had agreed to try and spend more time with the other when they had the chance, and talked over what had happened. Raine admitted to Genis that Keaton helped her out, yet Genis found nothing wrong with that.

"See you tomorrow morning Genis, have good dreams." Raine said, and Genis nodded, before running to his room.

Raine smiled, and went to Keatons' room, where the golden fox was waiting, in her fox form. Raine smiled and sat down by Keaton, and Keaton smiled back at Raine.

"How did it go?" Keaton asked, and Raine smiled.

"It went great. Me and Genis agreed to spend more time, and maybe study together as well. I'll have to spend less time studying alone, and less time with Regal, but at least me and Genis can save our family." Raine stated.

"I'm sure Regal will understand. He's a very understanding person, and it's good that you and Genis have made up." Keaton said and yawned, making Raine giggle.

"You seem tired, get some sleep." Raine said, standing, and Keaton snuggled into the bed more.

"Oh, and Keaton?" Raine questioned, making Keaton look at her.

"Thank you, for your help. For making me realize that family is more important than most things. Have sweet dreams." Raine said, and left Keatons' room, making sure the light was off.

Keaton smiled, and snuggled into the bed more. Raine may be a teacher, but at the moment, Keaton was her teacher. Teaching her that family is more important, and from now on that would remain in Raines' heart, and Keaton smiled from that thought. No matter what, family was important, and this small family has just gotten closer.