Sorry for not putting the disclaimer on the first page of the story. Here it is:

Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of Symphonia or any of it's awesome characters.

Sheena knocked and entered the door into Chief Igaguri's small cabin. Her grandfather looked up from the book he was reading and beamed at her arrival.

"Ah, Sheena! It is good to see your face as always."

"Thanks, Grandpa." She gave him a sweet smile in return.

"Are you sure you still want to go ahead with this? We could always use your help in the move to Sylvarant."

"I wish I could stay and help, I really do. But mea and Lloyd have a path to follow."

"I understand," he nodded accordingly, "you are a grown woman now, sometimes I forget that."

"Oh, Grandpa," she replied, "you know I'll always come back. I could never leave this place for good. No matter what."

Sheena's grandfather smiled, "well, you know someday you are going to be Chief of this village once I pass on. I am getting old."

"Grandpa!", she said sternly, "don't say things like that."

"But, it's true. One day I will pass all this on to you and that day will be my proudest."

A knock came at the door and Sheena's grandpa allowed the visito to enter. Appearing was Orochi, skilled ninja and Sheena's good friend.

"Sheena!" he exclaimed, "Have you come to help us move?"

"No, Orochi, I won't be staying long."

"So you are still going with Lloyd to find exspheres, I assume.

Of course, she thought, I wouldn't miss it for the world.

"Yes," Sheena said, "that is my plan."

"And I encourage you to do what you think is right, but I think you should know that there are people who think you should be here in your village, not galavanting with some boy they feel you have become too attached to."

Sheena was hurt a little by the comment.

"I'm doing what I think is right," Sheena said angrily, "not because I'm too attached. Besides, it's not like we're...together." Sheena quickly shut her mouth, hoping that what she said didn't sound too affectionate towards Lloyd. Maybe to the people it looked like they were going on a big romantic trip together, but that was certainly the last thing it was supposed to be. Come on, it's dumb Lloyd. When was the last time he was serious about something, especially something like that?

Sheena chuckled to herself. She found it ridiculous how people could assume such things.

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Pain shot through Lloyd's back as the object pierced into his spine. Lloyd shot his elbow from his free arm backwards, catching the threat speaker in the stomach causing him to emit a loud 'oomph'. Lloyd was freed from his grasp and he whirled around to meet his attacker, drawing his twin swords.

To his surprise, his would-be attacker was dressed in the traditional Mizuhoan ninja clothing, meaning that he must be a native of the village. So why would he threaten him? The ninja was no bigger than Lloyd and appeared young from what Lloyd could see of his face.

"Who the hell are you?" Lloyd demanded, still rubbing the spot where the ninja had held the object, a small ninja's dagger that the assaulter now clutched in his right hand.

The assailant only muttered his threat again. "Stay away from Sheena."

"Why should I? Who do you think you are?", Lloyd commanded an answer, grasping his swords, ready to swing in provoked again.

A few villagers minding their own business, now stared intently at the unfolding scene, paused in their errands.

The angry ninja yelled at Lloyd, "We do not want you around Sheena. She belongs in this village and you will not take her away from us! One day, she will become Chief and we do not want her throwing it away for someone like you, who is not of our culture."

"What? I'm not-"

"We ask you to leave here and do not drag Sheena with you. She has been through enough danger and we were so fearful that we would lose her and now she is here to stay and become the next Chief."

Lloyd was confused. Take her away from them? Why would he want to do that?

"Just because I'm not from here, doesn't mean me and Sheena can't be good friends."

"Hah. Your friendship has almost gotten Sheena killed countless times. And just because Mithos is gone, doesn't mean the world is a safer place. We won't let her leave."

"Why should Sheena have to listen to you?", Lloyd retorted.

"You ignorant foreigner-", the ninja had gotten fed up with Lloyd's attitude towards him. He looked ready to charge at Lloyd like an angry monster intent on killing.

"Kugiyama!", a shout pierced through the air, "get away from him right now!"

The surrounding people, including Lloyd and the ninja, looked to see where the shout came from. The crowd parted as Sheena came striding through, her blue bow flowing begind her and a furious look on her face.

"Kugiyama, what the hell are you doing?", she demanded of the surprised ninja.

Kugiyama lowered his dagger and seemed to be frightened at Sheena's outburst. He took a step back as Sheena came stomping towards him.

"You have no right to tell him or me what to do," she exploded, "if you think you can threaten Lloyd and not have to deal with me, then you're in for a world of hurt."

"B-but, Sheena-", Kugiyama tried to explain himself but Sheena wouldn't hear any of it.

Lloyd enjoyed watching Sheena when she got angry. Sometimes he would irritate her just to see her get mad, the look she gives is priceless. Lloyd chuckled to himself watching her defend him. Plus, she was so cute when she was furious.

"Enough. My mind is made up. I am leaving tomorrow," she looked at Lloyd, "Come on, let's go." Sheena turned and walked through the barrage of bewildered looks and Lloyd followed.

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Lloyd lay on the bed in the cabin he was staying in, staring up at the ceiling. He had remained there most of the day, mainly to avoid anymore angry Mizuhoans. Weren't all Mizuho people supposed to be peaceful? Well, other than Sheena's nemesis, Kuchinawa, of course.

A knock came at the door and Lloyd got up as Sheena entered the room. She came and sat on the bed beside him.

"Lloyd, I'm sorry about what happened today. It's just there are a few who don't want me to leave and they are worried for my safety. They aren't bad people, they mean well."

Lloyd let out a laugh. "And I'm sure the guy who tried to kill me just 'meant well' too."

"He wasn't going to kill you," she frowned at him, "he's just a little...protective."

"Protective of what? You? Why would he need to protect you?", Lloyd wondered. "And why did he tell me to stay away from you and not take you away from them? What does that mean?"

Sheena stood up. "It's complicated, Lloyd. Just forget about it." She didn't want to have to explain it to him.

"Anyways, we should leave tomorrow morning," she said as she turned towards the door. "Good night, Lloyd."

"Good night, Sheena."

She left the room, leaving Lloyd by himself to puzzle together what Kugiyama had said.