Disclaimer- I don't, in any way, own Tales Of Symphonia. I beg, just don't sue me because I don't have any money and I'm not profiting from this in any way.

Chapter One: Respect for the Dead

Kratos walked along the beaten path that was the sorry excuse for a road. Of course, the world of Sylvarant was in decline, so how could the people afford to make this road better? There were people starving, dieing, too busy to fix a semi-traveled road.

He sighed and looked towards the heavens, where his problems lay. He had committed so many sins, so many wrong choices. Would he ever be able to redeem himself?

It seemed a nice thought, but he knew that wasn't possible. That was his curse, his ultimate problem.

Redemption.

"Stay away from me!"

He heard the shout ahead. Judging from the distance, the way sound carried in this forest, the troubled person would be just around the bend. He hurried his pace, for the voice had been that a young, frightened girl.

He became more in tune with his senses. His blood began to pump, his adrenaline starting up, as the sounds of struggle reached him. There was a crash, a curse, a childlike scream. His hurried pace became a loping gait. Within seconds he came upon the source of the sounds.

Three men, obviously bandits of some kind, were harassing a young girl of about seven. She stood between them and two bodies, what could very well be her parents. She held two wooden swords, determination on her face, but she was still too young to fight, still afraid. He felt a surge of pity for her.

Another thief came to close and she let out a small shriek. A wooden blade hit the ground, causing a line of debris to hit the air and travel towards the thief. The thief was hit full on and fell back several feet, clutching his bloody face feebly.

The two other thieves closed in very cautiously around her. Then, the thief to the right threw a rope, ensnaring the young girl. The other thief closed in and quickly wrapped a cloth into her mouth and bound her feet. They laughed.

The little girl's eyes welled up with tears as the thieves dragged her away from the bodies. One of them kicked her hard and chuckled. The other one made their way for the bodies.

Kratos felt a surge of anger come to him, an emotion, which he had so little of, come faster than he expected. He bit down the rage and stepped into view, drawing his sword and running for the thief closest to the girl.

He came upon the oblivious fool and struck him down. The girl let out a muffled scream, and the other thief turned at the sound, but it was too late. Kratos was on him and cut his throat swiftly. The man fell to the ground, dead within seconds.

He ran over to the other thief who had found the strength to get up, and ran his sword through the man's gut. The thief looked at him in disbelief as Kratos pushed him off the sword and onto the ground.

Kratos took a steadying breath and bent down. He wiped his blade on the clothes of his fallen enemy. He looked over his shoulder and saw that the girl wasn't looking at him, but she had made her way over to the bodies she had been protecting. Sobs shook her small body.

He got up and walked over. He untied the ropes that bound her as well as the gag. She didn't turn around, only mourn for the dead that were before her. Kratos felt bad for the young girl. Awkwardly, he tried to comfort her by bending down and placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Are you all right?" He broke the uncomfortable silence. She nodded and he gave a small smile. "Good."

Finally, she looked up at him. She was a beautiful little girl. She had waist long dark brown hair, a finely sculpted face, and the most beautiful green eyes he had ever seen. That beautiful face, however, was marred by tears and dirt and blood.

She futilely tried to wipe it all away. He pulled out a small rag and splashed some water from his canteen onto it. He cupped her chin in his hand and began to gently rub the grime away. She gave a small smile and nodded her head in thanks.

"Who are you?" she inquired. Her head cocked to the side a little and she peered at him curiously. "My name is Anna Lexington."

"I am Kratos," he answered. "What happened?"

She turned back to the bodies. "I was traveling with my parents and…they died." She bit back a sob. "They had been taken down with arrows. They didn't have a chance. The thieves came soon after and wanted any valuables Mom and Dad might have been hiding." She buried her face in her hands. "They're…gone."

Anna tried to keep the tears down, but it proved useless, so she let them come, rushing down her face. She turned to him again, so small. He couldn't help but feel sorry for her. Sighing in frustration, he ran a hand through the unruly mess of his hair.

"They should be buried," he said.

He looked around for a shovel. His searching proved worthwhile because he found an old shovel on the ground nearby. He went off the road a little and began digging. Anna came over and sat down to watch him.

"It is done," he said. He looked around and saw that Anna had disappeared. He unsheathed his sword, worried. "Anna? Anna? Where are you?"

"I'm here," she called. She came into view, a boquet of wildflowers in her hands. She placed the flowers on both graves. "I thought Mommy and Daddy should have a little something, some respect."

He took out his spare sword and placed it in between the two graves, a marker. She smiled at him, ever so sweetly, and he bent his head down, so his hair could hide his expression.

She clapped her hands together, in a sign of prayer and closed her eyes. Being respectful to her, Kratos turned away and let the girl have the one last moment alone with her parents. She sighed and he turned back around.

"One must always walk the road, never looking back," she murmured.

Kratos shifted uncomfortably. "I must leave," he said.

With that, he began to walk away. Anna, not saying a word, grabbed her two wooden swords and followed after him. She stayed behind him, always four paces, so as not to bother him. The only problem was, was that it was bothering him.

He stopped and looked behind him. She had stopped as well, and was staring at his eyes intently. He frowned and took a step towards her. She took a step back. He took a step away from her. She took a step forward.

"Do you have other family?" he asked. She shook her head. "What about a home, anyone you know?" Again, she shook her head. He sighed. "Anna…you can't travel with me. You're just a burden."

"What did you say?" She pulled her swords out angrily.

"Did you not hear me? Go away! You'll only get hurt."

He walked away and heard her start to walk as well. He stopped. She stopped. He sighed in frustration and began to walk again. He guessed it didn't matter. She could get herself killed for all he cared. Why should he? She was just a…sweet…little girl.

Grumbling about how weak he was, he gave in, stopped, and turned around. She looked at him inquisitively, and he sighed again, running his hand through his tousled hair. Even he couldn't deny such an adorable little face.

"Fine," he said. "You can come with me, but you'll be staying for good in the first town we come across, got it?"

A look of joy spread across her delicate little features and she nodded happily. He couldn't help but give a small smile, his expression hidden by his hair. Even if she was a girl, it was embarrassing for anyone to see him to be so uncharacteristic.

He motioned for her to join him and she skipped up alongside him. They began walking in silence, but then ever so quietly, Anna wrapped her tiny hand around Kratos's own and squeezed it in thanks; thanks for everything.

He felt a twinge of pain.

End Chapter

Author's Notes- So, did everyone like it? Be honest with me, and tell me what could have been changed, so I can keep that in mind for the future. I like constructive criticism. Also, I'd like to know if I stayed close enough to Kratos's nature, quiet, reserved, sometimes a jerk. Was that okay? Well, I hope that this is good enough to keep people reading. What's really nice is now I can see how many people actually read my story! That was a great feature added, or was that already there? I don't know, but I don't care. As always, I'd love some C&C. Until next time. Ciao.