A great big thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far! I love reading your reviews. Keep it up! Sorry for any mistakes, I didn't have much time to look this one over.
Ch. 4
Colette had summoned everyone to the village of Iselia and so far, Zelos and Sheena had shown up. Neither of the two had been informed of the reason for the unexpected reunion because Colette kept insisting that she only wanted to tell the story once. Currently, the two were fighting just like they used to. Word had been sent out to Presea and Regal at Altamira, and Sheena had people from Mizuho working on tracking Raine and Genis down.
"Look at what I brought you, my cute little angel!" Zelos exclaimed, presenting a box to Colette.
Blushing, she slowly opened the box. Inside was a very revealing outfit, and the first thought that crossed her mind was why wear anything at all if you were seriously thinking about this. When Colette snapped back to reality and realized that Zelos was still there grinning like an idiot, she turned bright red. Meanwhile, Sheena had looked over Colette's shoulder about what the big fuss was and when she saw what Zelos had given Colette, she started yelling at him again.
"You idiot! What were you thinking? You have no respect!"
Zelos, sensing the imminent danger, turned and grabbed Sheena's hand. "My dearest beauty, if I'd known you were going to be so jealous, I'd have bought one for you as well. Shall I go get you one now?"
Any intelligent person would have run at the sight of Sheena's face but Zelos was the exception. Colette winced as Zelos's high pitched scream filled the air. It was at that moment that Regal and Presea came into the room.
"Things are the same, I'm glad to see." Regal said.
"It's Zelos, he'll never change." Presea added.
Zelos, who had taken cover near the corner, ran over to Presea. "Save me, my strong little hunny! Oh, by the way, I have a present for you." Zelos took out yet another box and handed it to her.
"Zelos…" Sheena warned.
"It's beautiful! Thank you so much." Presea said in awe, staring at a gem that looked very similar to the exsphere her sister's soul had resided in.
"Wow Zelos, I didn't know you could be decent at times." Sheena said in shock.
"Now, Presea, as repayment, meet me in my room up – "
Zelos didn't get a chance to finish because Sheena had thrown a lamp at the back of his head.
"Owww…" Zelos put his hand up to the back of his head and it came away with blood on it. "Look at what you did…you evil banshee!"
"Evil what!" Sheena screamed.
Before he was able to come up with a quick reply, a pan flew in the air, following the path the lamp had taken earlier. Similar to the lamp, the pan collided into Zelos.
Once again, another set walked through the door, this time Raine accompanied by Genis. Immediately Raine ran over to Zelos and used a first aid spell. "What is going on here?" She asked surprised.
Zelos opened his eyes and saw Raine right above him. "This must be a dream. My other lovely hunny right next to me, it's been so long. I've dreamed of you every night, so how about we go to my place and catch up?"
Raine slapped him. "I won't have you talking like that or I will further refuse you medical treatment and with the way Sheena is glaring, you are going to need it."
Regal started to laugh and the whole group followed. It was good to be back together again.
"By the way, where's Lloyd?" Genis asked.
"Yeah, I was curious as well." Regal replied.
Everyone looked to Colette. "Well, first things first. Botta is alive, but he is our enemy."
"What!" Raine yelled.
"He kidnapped Lloyd and threatened us, so now we need to go help Lloyd before something terrible happens."
"What are we waiting for? Let's go, Lloyd's in trouble!" Genis cried out.
"Has anyone gotten in touch with Kratos?" Raine asked.
"Yes, I ran into him. He has already gone on ahead and we're to meet up with him."
"Let's go then, the more quality time I have with the ladies, the better." Everyone just glared at Zelos and then he added, "And I guess we should go get Lloyd too."
-
Every little movement caused Lloyd to wince. The pain was unbearable. What he wanted most was to be left alone so that he would never have to move or feel again. It was logical to him at the time he was thinking it. Against his wishes, someone was calling to him and poking at him. Giving into this annoyance, Lloyd reluctantly opened his eyes. A pale-faced Kratos was sitting very close to him. Wait, Lloyd thought, pale?
As his mind processed this information, he couldn't help but stare at Kratos. Kratos was really worried about him. A part of him rejoiced at that thought, but the logical part was telling him that he must be seriously injured.
"Do you think you can sit up?" Kratos asked.
"I'm not sure, with help, maybe. It just hurts to move."
"In order to regain your strength, you need to eat. You've been in and out of consciousness for two days."
Lloyd noticed how he didn't say he would get better, just regain some strength. "Who was that person, or more accurately, what was it?" Lloyd asked.
"Let me help you sit up, then we'll talk. Hold your breath, this is going to hurt." He quickly slipped an arm behind Lloyd's back and pushed him up into a sitting position. The pain seared through Lloyd's stomach and he struggled to keep the pain in check. It also didn't help that Kratos was studying his face the whole time.
As soon as he was sure that Lloyd was not going to pass out or go into shock, he started to boil water over the fire. Within minutes, Kratos was pouring the boiling water into a cup and adding something from a packet he had tucked away. He looked to Lloyd and spoke. "Sometimes, getting stronger is learning when to run. I'm not criticizing you, I'm proud that you stood up for yourself against an enemy that you knew had the better odds. Here, drink this. It will take some of the pain away. When you are finished with it, your wound needs re-bandaged."
The bushes next to Lloyd started to rustle and sway and Lloyd winced expecting to be attacked when Noishe appeared. He went straight for Lloyd and licked his face.
"Hey,Noishe! Yeah, I'm glad to see you too. What are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to stay with dad?"
"Lloyd, I have reason to believe that something has happened to Dirk."
"What!"
"That's not all. Lloyd, we're being followed as well. The night of your attack, Noishe suddenly appeared and that's how we've been moving you from place to place."
"Whoever they are, they will pay!" Lloyd vowed.
"About your question earlier, remember how you said they took away your energy?" Kratos asked as he began to bandage Lloyd's wound.
"Yeah. All too well."
"Well, I believe it has something to do with that. I'd only heard rumors of a cloning experiment using the subject's energy. From there, you just replicate the subject using magi technology. Sheena will probably be able to get you more information."
"What if the clone finds them before us and they think it's me? They could get really hurt!" Lloyd cried out.
"There is nothing we can do until then."
Kratos had finished bandaging Lloyd's wound and helped him to stand up. "We must get moving. There are others approaching."
Lloyd got onto Noishe, with help of course. Then he remembered what he had wanted to ask.
"How long will it be until I'm healed?"
Kratos didn't answer.
It was well into the night before they had to stop. Lloyd had once again passed out and his wound would not stop bleeding. Kratos started a fire and Noishe laid down right beside Lloyd. He needed all the extra heat he could get. Kratos glanced over occasionally, to see how his son was doing. He didn't like how it was looking. His color was pasty white and his breathing was shallow. He went over to his son and just held him for a moment. "Lloyd, don't die on me." He whispered.
-
There's the end of Ch. 4. I've always wanted Kratos to be affectionate with Lloyd…and I guess this'll have to do even though Lloyd will never remember! Oh well, like always, remember to review. Any thoughts, questions, comments? Let me know.