A.N: Hello kind potential readers.

Before I say anything else, I would like to apologise if this fic doesn't quite come up to scratch, but I did my best. Basically, this is my first Tales of Symphonia and romance fic. A bad combination, I know, but as I said earlier, I've tried my best.

I hope you enjoy this first, rather short, chapter.

Bare Fear, Bare Flesh

Rejection

Warmth.

Sunlight filtered down, warming barely covered bodies as they moved under the sun's gaze. The faintest breeze caught the tips of waves, knocking off the tops as a child would knock down a sand castle. Water whispered, gathered up, furled and released in a gentle cascade. Sand slid under bare feet. Voices cried out in laughter. Light-heartedness…happiness.

Kratos' eyes flicked open, adjusting to the brightness of the sunlight that was beaming down onto the beach he was sat on and he shifted slightly, allowing his other heightened senses to fade back into normality as his eyesight took precedent again. He smiled slightly, barely more than a slight curve of lips, at the sight in front of him.

The Symphonia crew, as Lloyd had named them, were gathered on the beach of a tropical island, enjoying each others company for the short time they were together, before they had to return to everyday life. It had been a year or so since they had defeated Mithos, re-united the worlds and then gone their separate ways. So now, after a year, they were having a reunion of their own. So far, it was turning out pretty well. Everyone was here for a start. Lloyd and Zelos had made very sure of that, pestering everyone (except Kratos) for months, in the form of letters, messengers or quick visits, all to ensure that they could all get together for this one week. Kratos himself had not borne witness to this pestering, or been subjected to it himself. Largely because he had only returned to earth about 3 days ago and only then because Derris-Kharlan seemed to be caught in the earth's gravitational pull again and didn't seem entirely keen on moving off any time soon. A fact which Kratos had been assured of many times, was mere coincidence, and had nothing whatsoever to do with 'a-certain-summoner-requesting-a-large-gravitational-pull-from-a-certain-summon-spirit-on-a-certain-floating-mass-of-mana-at-the-request-of-a-certain-18-year-old-boy-whose-father-happened-to-be-inhabiting-said-chunk-of-mana.' He didn't care. The exspheres on Derris-Kharlan had been discarded into space in a relatively short amount of time, and the 'holy ground' was taking care of the problem of its own existence – it was gradually breaking down having been floating in space for so long, and all the mana it was comprised of had been drawn to the nearest planet. Earth. Plus side to this was that Earth was now receiving all the mana that was slowly siphoning off.

Thus the planet was basking in its golden days.

There was plenty of mana, peace, and discrimination between the races was slowly being eradicated. After all, change is inevitable.

The attitude of the group of warriors gathered on the beach was proof of that.

Lloyd, Colette and Genis were involved in a furious game of tag, the older two easily keeping away from Genis who was, unfortunately, 'it'. Despite the growth spurt that the young half-elf had gone through in the year that had passed, he was still the shortest male of the group.

Presea was wading through the shallows of the sprawling ocean laid out before them, picking off occasional bits of seaweed that decided to attach itself to her pale blue swimming costume.

Sheena was lying face down on a towel in the middle of the beach, sleeping, sunbathing contentedly, completely unaware of the menace creeping up on her.

Said menace was the former Chosen of Tethe'alla, Zelos, sneaking up on the ninja as she slept (wearing only his tiny purple Speedos - Kratos noticed with a shudder – 2cm less of material and the swimsuit would be a thong) with the intention of untying the bow that held her rather skimpy red bikini top on.

He was suddenly pulled away, however, by a mildly irritated looking Regal, who had noticed the red-head, and was now dragging him away from the oblivious sleeper.

And then there was Raine.

Perched on a rock that over looked the sea at the far end of the beach, pouring intently through her book – her new obsession – and ignoring the sea below her.

It would have been quite a beautiful sight, if it were not for the rope that was tied around her waist, anchoring her to the rock that she sat on.

Kratos shook his head, wondering why she would sit so close to a body of liquid which she was terrified of.

"That would be quite a perfect sight if only she would remove that rope."

Kratos turned to the owner of the voice. Regal. He had approached the seraph, having instructed Zelos to go and cook dinner, and was now gazing in the same direction as Kratos had been formerly.

The mercenary nodded his agreement.

"May I join you?"

Kratos nodded again, shifting over slightly to allow the larger man to sit down beside him.

"I would have thought she would wish to get over her fear of water, considering the marine life that she wishes to study," Kratos commented "But she doesn't believe anyone can help her conquer her fear."

"Perhaps you could assist her in that."

"Why me?"

Regal looked to the angel. "You have more experience than anyone here in life and I imagine you'd be aware of how to help her."

"I'm afraid I don't really agree with you. I've never been good at conquering my own fears. I would be hypocritical to try and help her."

"Your fears?"

Kratos smiled slightly and shook his head, indicating that he wasn't going to share.

"Then yes, you are a hypocrite…in that you deny that you have fears."

"True….but humans are flawed."

"That's not an excuse."

"No...it isn't…I will conquer my fears one day…if the right person should choose to help me." He turned his gaze back to Raine.

Regal made a noise of thought as he watched Kratos, smiling as he read the seraph's face.

"Perhaps you should go and keep her company. I'm certain she wouldn't object."

"I shall do." The auburn haired mercenary stood up, brushing the sand off the back of his dark pants.

"Dinner's in an hour!" Regal called after the man. Kratos raised a hand in acknowledgement as he walked away.

The blue haired man shook his head at his friend's behaviour, knowing that he wanted to be with Raine, but understanding his only fear.

Rejection.

Ok, once again, I apologise if that was no good. Please feel free to e-mail me for whatever reason. And don't forget to review...my birthday is tomorrow so review as a prezzie, please. bats eyelashes