Chapter Two: Sheena vs. Collette –A Triangle of Lust.

Lloyd. I

The blade came at me, but I managed to roll out of its path. Don't get me wrong, pain still overtook my body. But I couldn't die here –not now.

"Tell me," I said as I slowly stood up. "Just what is dark sand? And I never left Collette alone! Genis and I –"

The angel's laugh interrupted me. "Lloyd, you're extremely dense. You couldn't understand a girl's feelings –even if you tried! All of this is your fault."

I sighed. She really began to irritate me. "Maybe I don't but not even Collette would wish for something like this." I rush toward the angel, "hunting beast!"

The animal shaped pulse of energy collided into her with enough force to make her fall. "You don't know anything about any of my friends." I picked the angel up by her shirt collar. "Now tell me, did Cruxis return?"

The angel smirked. "You're so annoying. First of all, even if they were back, I wouldn't give away such vital information."
Just then, she took on a strange glow.

"Lloyd put her down and run!"

I obeyed Sheena's voice as if it were instinct. Seconds later, an enormous pillar of light surrounded the angel.

"I'm going to return to the chosen one. After all, I am her negative energy."

She vanished along with the light. Even I knew this fight was far from over.

II

Sheena and I simultaneously sighed as we finished explaining everything to Regal. He nodded.

"Very strange, indeed," he said softly. "I wonder what Collette has gotten herself into this time."

"She does trip a lot, but usually good things happen when she trips." Sheena said.

"If her luck ran out this time and she tripped into dark sand…well…there might be a problem," Regal said.

I glanced around his office. Then it hit me. "Personality change! Come on –we have to find her. Regal, we'll handle it from here."

Sheena and I raced outside, boarded the Rheairds, and took off Luin. Shortly after arriving there, we began searching the city. It wasn't long before we ran into Collette at an inn. She was accompanied by a priest.

"Lloyd, Sheena? Is that you –hi!"

Okay… so what…There was this slight possibility that I was completely wrong. The more we chatted with Collette to see if she had changed, the worse I felt. She was completely normal. In fact, she was adorable. I hung my head in shame.

"Lloyd, what's wrong?" Collette asked.

"It's nothing," I lied. I stole a glance at Sheena. From her expression, I could tell she felt the same. This was getting absolutely nowhere. Pestering Collette over something she had nothing to do with was just plain stupid.

"Collette,"

"Yes Lloyd?"

"I'm sorry," I said softly.

Something strange happened at that moment. Collette's blue eyes suddenly turned purple and then a smirk overtook her face. "Why are you apologizing?"

I didn't respond. For some reason, I felt a strange vibe emitting from her. I stole a second glance from Sheena. Maybe she sensed it to –I wasn't sure if she did.

"Hey, let's go to the park," Collette suggested. "That should cheer you up."

III

I was still suspicious of her. If the angel was correct, then at this point, Collette was no longer herself. But if she wasn't, then I could rest easy. Sheena and Collette discussed "girly" things as we approached the park. Okay… so maybe I jumped the gun.

"So Sheena, do you have someone you know… like?" Collette asked. A small streak of invisible sweat dropped from my chin to the ground. I'd never think I'd get a chance to hear a normally "girls only" conversation. I decided not to turn around and you know, remain silent.

"I do actually," she said softly. I think I lost hopes… There was a small possibility that she had fallen for Zelos or someone else from her village.

"Who is it?" Collette asked. Okay, I'd never seen this part of Collette. Her voice was a bit off with that question –almost like she was holding back a snarl. Sheena blushed.

"It –it's a secret," Sheena quickly said.

"Oh really?" Collette said. "Come on. It's just Lloyd and me –we're your friends. We won't tell anyone."

At this point, Sheena's face was as red as a tomato. "It's embarrassing….say...who do you like?"

Collette chuckled. "Fine, I'll tell you when we get to the park."

I sighed. What is exactly Collette trying to prove? Did girls have conversations like this all the time? Even if they did, I doubt they'd have it in front of a guy. There was like a missing puzzle piece –but for some reason, my mind was too foggy to retrieve it.

IV

When we arrived at the park, Collette and Sheena sat on the bench. Kids scurried within the distance.

"I'll give you two some alone time," I said softly.

"No," Collette intervened, "it's no fun when you're gone." She smiled.

"But –"

"Come on, it will be fun."

"Well… to be honest, something like this is a bit private…right Sheena?"

She flinched when I said that. "Yea –yeah," Sheena quickly answered.

Collette smirked. "Are you two hiding something?"

Sheena was blushing. I was… a bit confused.

"Why would we be hiding something?" I asked. Collette seemed angry.

"Yeah, why are you suspicious?" Sheena said.

Collette shook her head. "I know everything. I can sense the connections between you both…" She fell to her knees. "This is so unfair."

"Collette, what are you talking about? What's wrong?" I said.

"Lloyd…after all we've been through…you've never even once considered my feelings."

I gasped. "But…her…you're both in love with each other!"

V

I didn't respond. Neither did Sheena. We both just looked at her.

Just then, a burst of purple aura surrounded Collette. Her blue eyes became purple again and the smirk from before returned. She stood.

"Fine. Sheena, you're not denying because you know if you do, you'd hurt him along with yourself. Lloyd, you're doing the same… I knew it… I just did…." A tear streamed from her cheek.

"Collette I –"

"I should prove myself… Sheena. You and I shall fight. The winner marries Lloyd."

"Collette, just wait a second. You've –"

"Shut up!" Collette screamed. "I refuse to hear any of your lies! Angel feathers!"

Like in our previous adventures, Collette grew glowing wings and unleashed a swarm of mana feathers. Sheena and I dashed out of the way.

"Lloyd…I'll handle this," Sheena said. "I know I can get through to her."

"But –"

Sheena darted after Collette and delivered a roundhouse kick that sent her flying backward, hitting the ground with excessive force.

"Get ahold of yourself!" She snarled. "Whether that's true or not, you should never turn your back on a friend. What are you thinking? Try talking to use first before jumping to conclusions?"

Collette stood up. "You don't know Lloyd, like I do. Pfff. For him to choose you over me… it hurts."

Truthfully, I didn't know what to do at this point. This is exactly what happens when you like someone, but someone else you know likes you.

"Lloyd didn't choose anyone," Sheena snarled. "I mean sure, I like him and what not, but no one has the right to get angry over someone else's natural feelings. And besides, confronting Lloyd is wiser."

Sheena likes me. I felt bad for feeling happy about this, but it couldn't be helped.

"Let's finish this," Collette said softly. "I'm not done with you yet."

"Collette, why –"

"You think you're higher than me," Collette snarled. "But the fight is far from over."