(A/N: I said it before that I have a really good grasp of where I want this to go. I'm riding this cloud…yes that's right I said cloud…don't think too much on it…until it stops. Let's go)

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or Tales of Symphonia


3rd Person pov

Zelos' house

After about 45 minutes of waiting, if Kiku had been around she would've declared it 46 minutes and 27 seconds, Zelos and Cyrus returned. Lloyd was with Zelos, looking different than normal. He was dressed as he had been described by the bartender at the Ashwood Tavern: black tank-top and black pants. Where his usual gear was, was anyone's guess. Lloyd still had his swords sheathed at his side though. His bare arms had a little bit of muscle on them. It seemed being Vargus' gopher had proved useful to some extent.

"Lloyd!" Emil was happy to see him.

"Oh, Emil, you're here. Zelos didn't tell me who had shown up," Lloyd said, "Good to see you."

"Lloyd, are you ok, did Colette really get kidnapped?" Genis asked.

Lloyd's face hardened, "I'm going to get her back. Vargus is going to pay for what he did."

"Say Lloyd, what happened to your red outfit?" Emil asked.

Lloyd folded his arms, "I usually wear this shirt underneath my red outfit anyway. It's hard enough earning back the trust I lost, no thanks to Decus. If other people found out I was working for a person I swore I'd bring down I'd become the one thing I hate the most."

"A criminal?" Emil cocked his head.

"A hypocrite," Lloyd responded. "I have my reasons, but that wouldn't be enough to spread rumors. I know the bartender at Ashwood, I collected some Exspheres that had been stored in the back room when I first started looking for them. He knew something was amiss when Colette wasn't with me. Thankfully I don't think many other people have recognized me yet without my red outfit."

"Yeah, it does make you stick out like a sore thumb," Genis remarked.

"So I know who Lavirna is, but who's this other guy?" Lloyd wanted to know.

"He's my big brother I told you about," Lavirna responded.

"Oh so this is Cyrus," Lloyd turned to face the tall mercenary, "Nice to meet you."

"Likewise, I'll be looking forward to see just how true the legends are about the world's hero," Cyrus told him.

"Heh," Lloyd seemed like his usual self.

"So why did Vargus kidnap Colette in the first place?" Lavirna asked.

"He's desperate," Lloyd responded, "He knew I wouldn't act if Colette was taken from me. What pisses me off is that he didn't have the courage to fight me face to face. Instead he does the cowardly think and takes Colette. I'm not going to forgive this."

"Lloyd…you've changed," Genis said.

"What do you mean? Changed how?" Lloyd asked.

"Well, from the sound of it, do you plan to…kill Vargus for taking Colette?" Genis asked.

Lloyd folded his arms and closed his eyes, "I'm still hoping it won't come to that. I just want his Exsphere horde and Colette in one piece. Just because I won't forgive him doesn't mean I rescind his right to live."

"That's good. Still I think this is the first time I've ever heard you say you won't forgive someone," Genis said.

"Because this is something that can't be forgiven. This isn't like when Mithos split the worlds, or when Brute rose up the Vanguard, or when Richter tried to revive Aster, Vargus has no reason for doing this than to keep me from getting to him and keeping his Exspheres all hoarded up. He and his goons already tried to hurt Colette once before when we fought out in the town square."

"It still sounds to me like you won't forgive him because of what he's done to Colette," Genis stated.

"Wouldn't you act the same if it was Presea?" Lloyd asked Genis.

"Th-that's not fair Lloyd," Genis shot back.

"Look this is getting us nowhere, we can talk about the question of to forgive and not to forgive later, right now we have more pressing matters to attend to. Like stopping Vargus," Zelos stated. "Yo, big guy, you find Vargus' hiding hole?"

"I did, it was rather easy. Only cost me 500 gald to get the information I needed. Vargus is hiding out in a small unmarked building at the west corner of the slums. It's underground and the hatch leading to it is hidden by dirt," Cyrus said.

"If only I were still bonded with Ratatosk, finding the hatch would be a cinch," Emil bowed his head.

"And if Ichigo or one of the Soul Reapers were here they could just sense Colette," Genis whined.

"Hey, we knew there'd come a time when we'd be unable to rely on them. We can do this," Lloyd declared. "With our own strength we can save Colette and stop Vargus." Genis and Emil's moods brightened up on the spot.

"Well you talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?" Cyrus asked Lloyd.

"Huh?" Lloyd was confused.

"Never mind, follow me," the mercenary urged and made to push open the door.

"Wait," Lloyd said.

"What? What's the hold up?" Lavirna asked.

"We're really going after Vargus right?" Lloyd asked.

"Yeah," Lavirna said.

"I'll be right back," Lloyd ran up the stairs and into the guest bedroom. He came back down the stairs a few minutes later wearing his iconic outfit. Emil, Zelos and Genis all smiled. "Let's go."


Meltokio Slums, lower west side

Cyrus led the group to where he had bribed Kaven into telling him where the entrance should be. There was dirt everywhere. If there was a hidden hatch, it wasn't being found anytime soon.

"Well that's just great," Genis through his hands up in the air.

"Couldn't you blow away this dirt with magic though?" Lloyd asked Genis.

"It's not that simple," Genis said, "Using wind blade would be like searching for a needle in a haystack and Air Thrust wouldn't be subtle enough."

"Allow me," Cyrus stepped forward. He brushed aside the right side of his trench coat, revealing a golden plated weapon in a holster at his side.

"That's a…wait, what is that?" Lloyd asked.

"It's a special product of magitechnology," Cyrus said drawing it out. "There's no real name for what it is. I wanted a weapon that could use my body's mana the same way a crossbow can fire arrows, but to increase the lethality and remove the need for ammo. I call it, Caster." Cyrus aimed the weapon at the ground. "Watch and learn," he flicked a small lever on the back of the weapon and clutched his finger against the trigger. "Wind blast." A mighty blast of compressed air shot out of the barrel of the weapon like nothing Lloyd, Genis, Zelos or Emil had ever seen before. Cyrus proceeded to fire several more shots at other areas on the ground. Dirt was getting blasted away like bacteria out of a healthy body. After 7 shots Cyrus revealed the hatch and put Caster away. "Done."

"Nice job Cyrus," Lloyd praised and ran over to the hatch and yanked. It opened no problem.

"Ladies first!" Lavirna called out and jumped down the hole. Lloyd followed in after her, followed by Zelos, Genis, Emil and then Cyrus. When the group was all together they were in some kind of tunnel. Ichigo would've described it as an 'old Wild West mine'.

"Which way?" Lloyd asked Cyrus.

"Kaven didn't say, but he was really happy to have five-hundred gald in exchange for selling out his boss," Cyrus said. "Still it can't be hard to find there's only one way forward."

The group proceeded down the hallway where sounds of drunken laughter could be heard. Past the next archway was a clearing, but the door was blockaded off. Lavirna made a small hole with her arrow tip, down low so that she could see inside.

"What do you see hun?" Zelos asked her.

"There's a bunch of guys in their all laughing and drinking. Some are playing poker and…oh dear god what is that?"

"What, what is it?" Lloyd asked.

"Zelos, aren't smoked herb sticks illegal in Meltokio?" Lavirna asked.

"You gotta be kidding me. Oh man this is gonna be one hell of a bust," Zelos stated.

"Wait what are smoked herb sticks?" Lloyd asked.

"They're not crunchy treats, I'll tell you that much. Professor Sage could probably explain it better than I can, but to keep things simple all they do is screw with your mind and create this awful smelling smoke. Your breath stinks, your IQ goes down, and eventually you can't live without them," Zelos stated.

"But then why use them?" Lloyd asked.

"Some people just wanna forget things, same reason people drink alcohol. At least the worst you'll get out of that is a bad liver. SHS can literally turn your brain to mush," Zelos explained.

"That's terrible!" Genis declared.

"Easy Genis, keep your voice down," Cyrus told him.

"Lavirna, do you see Colette anywhere?" Lloyd asked her.

"I…"

"AHHH! NO! GET AWAY FROM ME!" Colette's voice was unmistakable.

"So much for reconnaissance," Zelos said, "Hun move!"

Lavirna got out of the way. Zelos drew out his trusted sword and with both hands on the blade cut the door down in half. "Yo, party's over! Pack your bags and leave!" Zelos declared. "The great Chosen Zelos demands it!"

No one seemed intimidated, "Well, well, well, pretty boy actually bothered to show up."

"And lookie here, he brought Lloyd with em."

"And me," Cyrus said stepping into the room. Now people were intimidated. Someone as flamboyant as Zelos and as idealistic as Lloyd didn't scare these hardened criminals, but they knew that if Cyrus was pissed at you, he'd rip out your innards and wear your stomach lining as a hat. "Get out."

The criminals didn't have to be told twice and many of them were fleeing for their lives in different directions out different doors. There were three connecting into the room the group was in. "Well now what?" Genis asked.

"Let's split up and search," Zelos decided.

"Then, I'm going with Lloyd," Emil stated.

"I'll go with Lavirna then," Genis stated.

"Guess it's just you and me big guy," Zelos said to Cyrus, who didn't seem very pleased about the notion. Lloyd and Emil headed down the door in front. Cyrus and Zelos went left and Genis and Lavirna went right.

As Lloyd and Emil ran down the tunnel pathway they heard Colette again, "NO! LEAVE ME ALONE!"

"Colette! Just hang on! I'm coming!" Lloyd declared.

At this time Colette was in her imprisoned chamber with a rather horny Vargus. Colette's jacket and shirt had been slashed open and she was missing a boot. Vargus was holding a knife. He was a burly man, much like Kaven. He had spiked blue hair, and red eyes. His crimson peepers were currently aimed at Colette's body. He had been lusting after her ever since she got here. He had agreed to leave Colette in prime condition if Lloyd held up his end of the bargain, but he figured one time with the blonde couldn't hurt, especially if Lloyd never knew. "Come on Colette, don't be like this. Just relax, don't think anything of it. What's the problem?"

"I won't let you do this to me. You promised me you wouldn't hurt Lloyd or me if I didn't try to escape. Neither of those things have happened to leave me alone," Colette told him.

"Ah, c'mon, I'm not gonna hurt you. This knife is just to get all your clothes off and so you'll think twice about fighting back. I'm not gonna damage your pretty face," Vargus told her. "Now come here!" Vargus ran after Colette. The angel dodged Vargus assault but he managed to get his knife hooked on her bra strap as she ran by. Colette ran into the corner and Vargus met her there, towering over her. She was trapped.

"No! I won't let you do this to me!" Colette shouted. Over the sound of her own heart pounding she didn't hear the sound of approaching footsteps or the doorknob turning. "My first time will be with Lloyd!"

The door opened to reveal a battle-ready Emil, and a dumb-struck Lloyd. "C-Colette."

Vargus heard the swordsman. "What? Lloyd Irving? But how?"

"It's over Vargus," Emil declared, "Let the Chosen go!"

"And who the hell are you?" Vargus asked Emil.

"I'm Emil Castagnier of Ratatosk's Rangers. Vargus, it's the end of the line!" Emil shouted.

"Ah no fucking way! I haven't come so far just to get caught by the Vanguard's spiritual successor!" Vargus shouted.

Lloyd regained himself after hearing Vargus. "You're not. Emil's here because of me. It's over Vargus! Hand over the Exsphere stash and let Colette go!"

"Or what?" Vargus asked. "I'm not afraid of you or prison. I'll bust out and be back to selling illegal goods on the Black Market before I've served even a month of my sentence."

"Lloyd?" Emil looked at Lloyd.

"Now then," Vargus grabbed Colette's head forcefully and held a knife up to her throat, "Unless you want to see your girlfriend's blood accent the carpet. Leave now and I'll pretend this was a whole misunderstanding."

"Lloyd," Colette looked over to the person she loved. In any other situation Colette would've told Lloyd to leave and save himself, to come back for her later or something. She always put her needs ahead of everyone else's. However, for the first time, she was so frightened, so happy Lloyd had come for her, so scared of being hurt she put her desires first. "Help…me…" tears fell down from Colette's frightened face.

Colette's words struck a chord in Lloyd that wouldn't stop vibrating. Now Colette decided to lean on him, at a moment when he himself was too scared to make a decision. Vargus had the knife against her throat and what Colette had said earlier had already thrown him for a loop. He wanted to protect Colette, but there was only one way to do it.

At that moment he recalled a conversation he had had with Rukia.


Flashback

Lloyd's pov

"So Captain Kuchiki would protect you from anyone who endangered you?" I asked Rukia.

"Nii-sama said he told you about why he protects me. He knows I can take care of myself, but during the Winter War, as it's known in Soul Society, nii-sama told me about the enemy he faced. It said that he told nii-sama that Soul Reapers have no right to rescind a hollow's rights to life for devouring humans. However, nii-sama said that he didn't kill the enemy in line of his duty. He did it because the enemy threatened to finish me off," Rukia answered.

"So would Captain Kuchiki protect you from anything? He'd attack anyone who hurt you just like that?" I asked Rukia. Of all the things I respected Captain Kuchiki for, I didn't like the fact that he would just kill people like that. There are people you hate, like Kratos and I hated Kvar and made him pay for what he did to Mom, but he was a Desian. He made his decision to be what he was long ago, or maybe I was so mad that I didn't care. However, everyone has a right to life. At least that's my philosophy. "Is that why he killed the pope? Because his men threatened you?"

"That's part of it, but don't forget that we thought this world was virtual Lloyd. Nii-sama said he had no reason to hold back," Rukia told me.

"Just how far would he go to help you?" I asked Rukia.

"Before I met Ichigo nii-sama was more than willing to see me put to the sword, conflicted by the promise he made to my sister and the promise he made at his parents grave. However, now I think he'd go above and beyond to protect me. That's just the kind of person he is. That's the kind of person any decent sapient being should be," Rukia answered. "You went against the world to protect Colette."

"There's a difference I was looking for a way for everyone to be happy!" I shot back. I never gave up on Sylvarant. Ever.

"Well…even so. Even if it goes against everything you stand for protecting those you care about is the righteous thing to do. Look at Kratos, he hid information from you to protect you. Didn't you say he told you not to die on several occasions? Like nii-sama to me, he trusts you to look after yourself, but he's still there to help you when you need it the most, just like Nii-sama's there for me," Rukia explained. "Nii-sama holds the law in the highest regard, but…if it meant protecting me, even if it meant the doom of the Kuchiki clan and nii-sama's exile, and possibly the fall of the Kuchiki family, he'd protect me."

End Flashback


3rd Person pov

Yeah, I think I get what you were saying Rukia, finally.

"Well Mr. Irving, what's it going to be? Do I kill the girl or do you walk out?" Take a single step towards me and she dies.

Lloyd raised his weapons slightly. There's no social justification for what I'm about to do. Genis was right this is about Colette. Rukia was right too. Sometimes you need to betray your ideals to protect those you care about. Martel forgive me for what I'm about to do.

Lloyd's foot pushed off the ground. Before Vargus could blink, before Emil could utter a word. Lloyd was behind Vargus, Flamberge drawn. A large gash was formed down Vargus' back. Lloyd looked at him with compassionless eyes. Flamberge dripped with Vargus' blood, hungering more. Vargus let go off the knife as the stinging surge ripped through his body, caused by Lloyd's attack. Colette fell to the ground and crawled away.

"L-Lloyd…" Vargus looked like he was about to heave a gout of blood, but instead his eyes became frenzied with rage and he turned to strike Lloyd with his fist. "IRVIIIIIIIIING!"

STAB!

Lloyd plunged Flamberge into Vargus' chest and the sword stuck out on the other end, covered in theman's blood. The Vorpal Sword was drawn, but not used. Vargus looked at Lloyd, breathing hard, "You would…you would…really…kill…me? Doesn't that go against everything you stand for? Don't I have a place in everyone's world?" Vargus chuckled.

"I never thought it would come to this, but you didn't give me a choice. You gave me a decision between you, Colette, and me by threatening Colette's life. I already couldn't forgive you for kidnapping her. This isn't for the Exspheres, this isn't for Meltokio, for the good of the world, for making me your lackey and this isn't for kidnapping Colette either. The moment you threatened to kill Colette, was the moment you pushed me to this end," Lloyd then dropped the Vorpal Sword, put both hands on Flamberge and swung down and to the left, hacking his sword out of Vargus' body as opposed to just withdrawing the sword and letting him bleed out. Vargus' blood splashed Lloyd and began pooling out everywhere. Lloyd then put Flamberge away before picking up the Vorpal Sword and sheathing it. He looked at the ground and closed his eyes. He took a deep breath as if absorbing into his soul what he had just done and then opened his eyes before walking over to Colette. "Are you ok?" he asked her.

"Uh huh," Colette nodded.

Lloyd extended a hand down to the blonde, "Here, let me help you up."

Colette took his gesture and when she got to her feet pulled herself into Lloyd and began crying. Lloyd wrapped his arms around Colette.

"Shhhh, Colette, it's ok now. I'm here. It's ok," Lloyd told her.

Emil smiled at the sight, happy that everything had worked out.


A few hours later

Meltokio Castle

After Colette got a change of clothes and Lloyd washed his off the group met up with the king to explain to him what had happened.

"I see, so Vargus is dead," the king spoke.

"Yeah, pity he couldn't be dragged in for questioning to lead us to the rest of the underground he worked for, but you're the ones who issued the orders dead or alive. What matters though is that all his exspheres have been shipped off to Lezareno to be destroyed and we managed to rope up the rest of his goons," Zelos answered.

"Yes, you are right Chosen," the king agreed. "Lloyd Irving, step forth!"

"Yes," Lloyd stepped out into the middle of the throne room.

"On behalf of Meltokio, I thank you for what you've done for us," the king told him.

"I…thank you…your majesty."

"All of you may leave unless there is further business to be discussed!" the king declared. No one did so everyone left the building.

"Looks like it's back Exsphere hunting for Colette and me," Lloyd said once everyone was outside, "Thanks again for your help Zelos. I couldn't have done it without you."

"Oh come on, you would've done fine without me," Zelos danced around Lloyd's praise.

"Can't you take a compliment for once?" Lloyd asked.

"Lloyd's right, thank you so much for helping us Zelos," Colette told him.

"Ah, it was nothing my darling Colette…really. You're welcome," Zelos answered. Lloyd sighed and Genis rolled his eyes.

"Ah wait, Lloyd," Emil called out. "Lavirna and I still need your help!"

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot," Genis realized.

"What? What's the problem?" Lloyd asked.

Lavirna spoke up, "Well, you see…"


One Explanation Later

"Hmm, all right, then let's head back to Iselia to see if the Professor's done with the contract, it wouldn't make sense to go to Sybak without it right?" Lloyd asked.

"That's true and even if Rachel had gone on ahead to Sybak on her own, it wouldn't hurt to drop by. You and Colette deserve some rest after what happened," Emil spoke up.

"So it's settled we'll go back to Iselia," Lavirna said.

"You guys have a good time then," Cyrus began walking away.

"You're not coming with us?" Lloyd asked.

"My brother isn't the travelling type," Lavirna stated.

Cyrus stopped walking, "Lloyd, if I find any information on the underground hording exspheres or just the exspheres in general I'll be sure to pass the knowledge along."

"Thanks Cyrus," Lloyd said happily. Cyrus just smirked and headed back to the Ashwood Tavern.

"Right then, let's head out of Meltokio and head to Iselia," Emil declared.


Iselia

Upon arrival in the village the sun was already starting to set. Raine was still drafting the contract and said she'd be done by the time Lloyd and the others would be ready to head out tomorrow. The group parted ways. Raine and Genis rented out their spare room to Rachel so she could look over the contract when Raine was finished, since she was the one who had been helping draft the contract. After a bit of pleading from Genis he managed to convince Lavirna to stay for dinner while Emil went to go rent two rooms at the inn and send Terremotto off with a letter to Marta, Serina and Kiku explaining what had been happening.

In the meantime Lloyd went up to his place to let his dad know he was all right and also to restock on supplies for him and Colette to head out again.

After it got dark though, very early in the night, Lloyd returned to Colette's house to see how she was doing. Phaidra let him in and Lloyd went to Colette's room. The Chosen was staring out the window at the night sky when she heard Lloyd come into her room. She turned around and spoke to him. "Oh, Lloyd, I didn't even know you were here."

"I came to check up on you. Are you ok?" he asked her.

"Thank you, but I'm fine, ok?" Colette said brightly.

Lloyd shook his head, "It's not ok. You got kidnapped Vargus was going to kill you. I…I failed to protect you."

He was going to do more than that. "But you saved me in the end so it's ok. Ok?"

Lloyd still shook his head, "No it isn't. If I hadn't let you gotten kidnapped then things wouldn't have…"

"But that's not your fault," Colette told Lloyd shaking her fists up and down, "I heard what you said when you ran Vargus through. You did it for me. And it's not your fault, you have nothing to be ashamed of. Just like when you and Kratos killed Kvar for what he did to your mother, Vargus…crossed a line didn't he?"

"Yeah," Lloyd walked farther into the room, "There are some things you just don't do."

"If anything, I should be the one…feeling sorry," Colette said.

"What are you talking about you dork? You didn't do anything wrong," Lloyd told her.

Colette disagreed, "When Vargas grabbed me and threatened to kill me, I knew you would save me. I should've been concerned for your safety, but I…I just wanted you to help me. I was…selfish."

Lloyd got cross and took two more steps into the room, "That's not selfish. That's perfectly normal, and besides, even if you had told me to save myself, I wasn't about to walk out of there without you, regardless of whether or not I lost the exspheres in exchange. If anything, I'm the one who's selfish." There was a wispy silence.

Colette broke it. "Lloyd…you heard what I said, right? Right before you opened the door? I saw the look on your face." Lloyd nodded. "I…did you know what I…" Lloyd nodded again. "You…did?"

"Uh…yeah," Lloyd scratched the back of his, "I…anyway…it's not important. I…Colette…do you want to…"

"I…I don't know. I mean…I've…this would be my first time. I want that to be with you…but I…I don't know. I'm not sure what'll happen," Colette said.

"Sheena and Ichigo have done it though haven't they?" Lloyd questioned.

"I…think so," Colette stated. "I think Marta and Emil have as well. I know Rangiku and Zelos have…"

"Zelos doesn't count," Lloyd exclaimed. Colette giggled. There was another silence until Lloyd walked towards Colette and unhooked his sword holster from his belt and put them on Colette's dresser. He then held Colette in his arms. After a few moments of staring at each other's eyes the couple kissed.

When they broke away, Colette giggled. "You're getting better at that."

"Colette…are you…sure about this?" Lloyd asked.

"You heard me right? My first time will be with you. Just like your first time is with me," Colette said. Lloyd smiled.

"Colette," he whispered her name and drew her in for another kiss. The pair began making out and eventually they tumbled onto Colette's bed. Lloyd undid his suspenders and removed his red shirt and his gloves. The black tank top the others had seen him in earlier was flush against his body. It was the first time though that Colette had seen him with the increase in muscularity he had gained from doing all that heavy lifting. Lloyd didn't take his red shirt often, even when the two were travelling alone, usually only when it was hot out. Whatever the case, Lloyd hadn't looked so…drool worthy last time Colette had seen him. She put a hand up and pressed it against his built up torso. She was in awe at her hero's impressive figure. Lloyd leaned down and Colette's elbow bent back and she let her arm go slack. Lloyd reached for the zipper on Colette's dress and began pulling it down. Colette didn't care, if anything she wished Lloyd would stop being so slow about it. With her dress off Lloyd could see the white bra Colette was wearing.

Colette realized that she forgotten to replace her bra when she changed her clothes before the group met the king to tell what had happened. The broken strap was still there. Lloyd touched it. A strike of horror ran through Lloyd when he realized just how much worse the situation had been when he arrived. "Colette…Vargus was going to…"

"I didn't want to say it. I didn't want to think about it," Colette said, turning her head to the side. "He was though…at least until you showed up. When he put that knife to my throat he was going to kill me, but everything up to that point…" tears started to flow into Colette's eyes, "…that's why I said…mmph!" Lloyd got Colette to stop talking by turning her head and kissing her. He wiped her tears away with his thumb. "It's ok. It's over now. So don't cry ok. Everything's going to be all right."

"I know," Colette smiled, "Because you're there to make it better."

"Colette," Lloyd whispered her name and kissed her again. When they broke away, he removed Colette's bra. It was easier thanks to the broken bra strap, not that Lloyd was too thrilled about that. Still it made things less frustrating. Lloyd then pulled down Colette's black tights and her panties followed. Lloyd then saw it, her pink, unused, unshaven pussy.

"P-please don't stare," Colette turned red in the face.

"I-I'm sorry," Lloyd apologized.

Both were still nervous. Neither could believe this was happening. Colette was more nervous than Lloyd though, especially when Lloyd finally got his third sword out. Still, she relaxed her body and just let what was going to happen, happen. She wanted Lloyd and he wanted her. Colette kept her voice down so she and Lloyd didn't disturb her father and grandmother, but what was happening to her, what Lloyd was doing to her, was amazing. She never felt anything like it before. It was a feeling too good to describe and Colette knew that she would only ever let this feeling be shared between her and Lloyd. When it was over Lloyd and Colette lay down together.

"Isn't Dirk going to wonder where you are?" Colette asked as she laid her head against Lloyd, her eyes fixated on the window.

"Even if this didn't happen I was planning to stay the night anyway," Lloyd told her. "I was going to stay up all night and watch over you."

"I…" normally Colette would've said something like 'that's not necessary' or 'you don't have to worry about me' or something showing that Lloyd was putting her first, but instead she just said three words, "Thank you Lloyd."

Lloyd turned Colette over towards him so that she nuzzled into him, "Your welcome." There was another silence between the couple. This time Lloyd ended it. "By the way, Colette."

"Yeah?"

"I love you," he told her.

She giggled, "I know, and I love you too Lloyd." The couple then fell asleep together as a shooting star went streaming across the night sky.


Omake

Byakuya returned to the Kuchiki house, not even a quarter of the way through the paperwork Talbumosuke had given him. He was eager to get home and just relax, perhaps pull out a lawn chair and relax in the sunlight in the garden. He went out to his favorite garden consisting of all the rare and exotic plants the Kuchiki clan had acquired over the ages. However, when he opened the door to exit out into the gardens the area looked as if a storm had just blown through it, only the storm had four legs, buck teeth and was the size of a human being. Byakuya knew this, because the culprit was laying against the fence, patting its balloon belly. Rukia was at its side with a glass of water. She saw her brother and spoke to him.

"Cotton got a stomach ache from eating so much so I brought her tonic water and some pet medicine Captain Unohana prescribed," Rukia stated innocently, not even addressing the fact that her pet had run completely rampant through Byakuya's gardens.

Byakuya closed his eyes and counted to ten in his head, shaking with anger, but keeping his voice calm. "Right…I think I'll just go back inside and go to the library to read. I think I'll look up a recipe for Lapin Au Vin while I'm at it," he walked back inside and shut the door.

"What's Lapin Au Vin?" Rukia wondered. She got out her phone that her Soul Pager and connected it to the internet. She then looked up what Lapin Au Vin was. Her eyes grew wide with terror and she ran for the door to the house. "Nii-sama no! Don't do that! Cotton didn't mean it!"

End of Chapter 4


(A/N: Despite all the angst and the drama built up throughout the chapter we finally get a happy end, but things won't stay quiet for long. Lloyd and Colette have each made it through some rather difficult character development and I am NOT talking about that. I refer to what happened in the underground hideout when Lloyd killed Vargus. Anyway, this is not the end of my inspiration streak. I still have an idea for what Talbumosuke plans to do with Raine, but I'm going to take a short break, maybe a twenty four hour one, before I do. See you guys later. Also, yes, Cyrus' gun is named after the weapon in Outlaw Star)