A/N: So a couple of days ago, I decided to try my hand at writing a Kratos/Zelos fic. Two days later, this fic was the result. My butt hurts from constant contact with my desk chair.

Let it be known that, despite the initial premise, this is not an emo!Zelos fic. The plot is more intricate than it seems at first glance.

Either way, this is my first time toying with these characters, so concrit is greatly appreciated. I rather like my Kratos, if I do say so myself. XP

Oh and I can't believe I forgot to mention this first...this story does contain spoilers, so I recommend you only read it if you've played the game through at least once. Also, I took some liberties with the plotline: I assumed Zelos was the one who got temporarily possessed by Mithos in order to save Lloyd, but then he decided not to go with Lloyd to collect Exspheres. Also, for the sake of simplicity, I assumed Kratos decided to stay behind and live with Lloyd in Iselia, rather than floating off with Derris-Kharlan.

This fic is also posted at my LJ.

That's all then; enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of Symphonia or any of the characters.

THESE LIES WE TELL: CHAPTER I

Iselia had always prided itself on being a quiet town. Its cheerfully arching entranceway, simple yet sturdy wooden buildings, and general aura of homeliness would easily have fooled many a traveler into thinking the town saw very little action.

Of course, any traveler who was even slightly informed these days knew that Iselia's history was far from quiet and inconspicuous. It was here in Iselia, after all, that the last Chosen had been raised, and it was here, also, that she and her companions, now heroes who had saved the world—both worlds, in fact—had returned almost a year ago to live out their lives. And despite Iselia's wish to remain under the radar, its inhabitants had nevertheless erected a small token of their gratitude to the Chosen and her sacrifices: a tall statue of the Chosen and her companions now stood firm and stately in the middle of the town square, and it was toward this landmark that the single Rheaird turned.

Most of the villagers were used to Rheairds by now, but some—mostly the very old or very young—still looked up in awe and wonder as the sleek white machine made its gradual descent, kicking up dirt and little eddies of dust as it slowly set down in the middle of the square. Its single rider slid quickly out of the cockpit with the ease of one who had repeated the ritual many times before, straightening her clothes out a bit before marching with purpose down the town's main road.

She looked neither left nor right at the curious villagers as she made her way steadily toward a modest—if very familiar—house at the border of the forest. Coming to a stop before the door, she seemed to take a deep breath, squaring her shoulders before raising a hand to knock.

There came rustling sounds inside the house, followed by rapid footsteps and a distinct female voice. "I'm coming! Just a minute, I'm—" Crash! "Ouch! Oops, I'll fix that later…just a moment!" The door swung open—blonde hair, blue eyes—

"Sheena!"

Sheena Fujibayashi smiled, though it was strained. "Hi, Colette. How've you been?"

Colette Brunel quickly scooted aside to allow room for her friend to enter. "Everything's been great—it's quieter here without you guys, of course, but that's a blessing we can all be grateful for—Lloyd! Mr. Kratos! Sheena's here!"

There came the thud of boots on hard floorboards and moments later Lloyd Irving appeared at the top of the landing. "Sheena! Long time no see!" the young swordsman said, grinning as he came to join the two girls in Colette's sitting room.

At the sight of her friend and one-time love interest, Sheena managed to force some more heart into her smile, though not much. "Hello, Lloyd. Sorry to drop by on such short notice."

"No, not at all—you know we're always glad to have you here," Lloyd answered, as Colette hurried to the kitchen.

"Coffee, Sheena? Or tea?"

"Oh no, really, you don't have to—listen, I came because I—"

"You have bad news for us."

It was not a question but a statement, and Sheena turned to the auburn-haired man now standing at the foot of the stairs. "Kratos," she said, with a nod of acknowledgement. "I see you're as perceptive as ever."

Colette blinked. "Bad news?" she repeated, fingers half-clasping an old tea mug. "What does that mean?"

"It means I'm not here for a friendly chat," Sheena said, and paused for a moment. "Listen, guys, I need your help. First of all, I need to know: has Zelos contacted you at all? Letters, house calls, anything?"

Lloyd shrugged, frowning. "You know it's difficult to get in touch with you guys," he said. "Rheairds are hard to come by, at least in Sylvarant."

At this, the purple-haired ninja sighed, sinking onto the sofa. "You might want to sit down for this then," she said. Lloyd and Colette immediately moved to obey; Kratos remained where he was, impassive and silent.

Sheena took a deep breath. "I don't know how I should go about this, so I'll just say it plain and simple," she said. "Two nights ago, Zelos threw himself out his bedroom window. He was four stories up."

Colette gasped, and Lloyd just sat there frozen for a moment, staring at Sheena as if she had suddenly turned into a Katz. It was Kratos who broke the silence. "Is he alive?" the one-time mercenary asked, voice as disinterested as ever. He might as well have been discussing the weather.

Sheena nodded, slowly. "He hit a railing and then a tree on his way down; they broke his fall somewhat," she said. "So he's alive, but in pretty bad shape."

Kratos frowned. "But you didn't come here just to tell us that, did you?" he asked.

Sheena was silent for a moment, looking down at her hands working in her lap. At last, she looked up. "He refuses to talk about the incident," she said finally. "He says he was standing near the window and slipped, but frankly, I think that's a load of crap. He's always been unstable; you know that." Lifting her head, she looked straight at Lloyd. "I want you to come with me, to see if you can get the truth out of him, and find a way to help him."

Lloyd opened his mouth to answer, but Kratos beat him to it. "Zelos made the choice himself," the Seraphim said. "What makes you think anything we say will change his mind?"

At this, Sheena sprang up from her seat as if she had been stung, deep purple eyes flashing. "So what, you'd rather us not do anything and just wait for Zelos to walk off another building? Would seeing his guts splattered on the sidewalk make your day or something? Or maybe you've forgotten that he did sort of help us save the world, and that he nearly died to keep Mithos from taking over your son's mind?"

Kratos had the sense to look embarrassed. "That wasn't what I meant," he said, and continued before Sheena could reply, "Zelos, despite his…behavior…is a good fighter and a good man. I am only asking whether or not it's right for us to interfere in something that is obviously his own personal decision."

"Either way," Lloyd said, rising from his chair and speaking quickly, "We don't know enough about the situation as it is. I say we go with Sheena and talk to Zelos. We can figure out what to do after that."

"I agree with Lloyd," Colette said.

"Hn," Kratos said, before turning to Sheena once again. "Do you have another Rheaird? There won't be room for all of us."

Sheena gave him a look that was decidedly skeptical. "You're coming too? I thought you didn't care."

At this, Kratos smiled, a sad, nostalgic upturning of his lips. "The trouble with me, as Mithos once said, is that sometimes I care too much," he said.

Sheena watched him for a moment longer before sighing. "So you'll help him?"

"I will try."

"That's good enough for me." Reaching into her travel bag, the ninja extracted a small device that Lloyd instantly recognized as a Wing Pack. "No worries; Mizuho ninja never come unprepared!"

Colette sprang to her feet and headed for the stairs. "In that case, we'd better get packing—wah!" Crash! "Oh no, Grandma's lamp! What am I going to do?"

Lloyd sighed, Sheena laughed, Kratos smiled, and just for a moment, all was right with the world.