Me: And again here's another chapter of TU:RooS!

Jiniasu: -blinks- you're really on a roll aren't you? Three chapters in one night…

Me: Hah, well, I've really got nothing (had nothing) better to do so…

Jiniasu: -nods head- I get it.

To Understand: Redemption of one's Sins

Part Six: Weird Occurrences

By Harmony283

Reviews:

Cheea5-I already sent you a PM about the flame. But I'm glad Part Five made you feel better -hugs- and here's the next chapter!

Chiyanaski-Yup the fluff, I just had to put it in there XD as for the doing something serious later on, we'll see...-cough- now here's the next chapter, enjoy!

Lyurri-Well I can actually say this now but no the fluffy bits aren't embarrassing to write at all--I've officially written something more embarrassing. As for what Feral's doing with Mitosu and Jiniasu, you'll find out in Part Nine (really you will there's Mitosu's POV in the end of that chapter). Well you CAN get to Reti'thera through the OtherWorldly gate, but the only time you can do that is when there's a crescent moon out, and it's nearing daytime when they actually leave. Eh, well, you'll see how they get to Reti'thera now on with the next chapter!

LittleLinor-I'm glad you like the A/N conversations, I'm still not entirely sure if I'm keeping them both In Character for them but oh well -shrugs-. Yup the fluff, I'm not as embarrassed writing it as I sometimes am (like for Part Five that didn't bug me at all). But really I'm glad you like it, and here's the next chapter! Enjoy!

Jiniasu: So in this chapter…they finally get to Iselia?

Me: yup

Jiniasu: Things really are going to get interesting aren't they?

Me: yup.

Jiniasu: Well then I suppose new interesting things deserve new interesting disclaimers so: You would think 67 chapters into the TU Trilogy that Harmony283 would at least own something from Tales of Symphonia. But she doesn't. The only thing she's stuck with is using them for fanfiction.

Authors Note: And I'm just fine with using them for that purpose. Which reminds me, I had a strange dream once about Tales of Symphonia—or a movie-sequel to Tales of Symphonia. But enough about that and on with the mini-summery of this chapter! As you all know in the last chapter Genis found out from Mitosu and Jiniasu that Feral was 'captured'. But then you have to wonder. Who is Jade? And what happens when Genis, Mithos, Raine, and April get to Iselia only to find that something odd happens? Or rather that odd things have been happening for the past few days?

Jiniasu: Yeah…odd…the dream was interesting though.

Me: How do you know about my dreams?

Jiniasu: Because I'm psychic? Or that I'm constantly in your head?

Me: …oh…

Mithos' POV

I couldn't believe it. I just couldn't believe it.

Feral was gone? She was taken away—or kidnapped—again?

"H-how…?" I asked, "How do you know that wasn't just some dream?"

Genis shook his head, still staring out the window, "I just knew. Mitosu and Jiniasu both said they brought me to…wherever they were. They said they didn't tell Seiji where they were. And then they told me they captured Feral. And that I wasn't going to get her back."

I clenched my fist, "Did they say anything else?"

He shook his head, "no. But I told them I didn't believe them. And I really wish I believed myself when I said that." Genis let out a sigh, turning to face me, "So now all we can do is go to Iselia."

I nodded my head, "That seems to be the case but," Genis tilted his head to the side, "but what about Raine? Do we tell her?"

Genis' eyes widened and he immediately shook his head, "No! That'd just make things worse!"

I sighed, "Yes I know, but don't you think she already notices by now? She knows we want to get to Iselia quickly, and she wants to know why. She asked me about it outside."

His eyes narrowed, "what did you tell her?"

"I told her that Feral knew the answers--that I wouldn't tell her anything until I knew more. Of course as you can see that will backfire--she'll want to know what's going on immediately when she realizes Feral isn't here."

Genis groaned, "You're right. Raine--sis--isn't dumb. But how do we fix this?"

I shrugged, "You know Feral better than I do."

Genis groaned again, "Yeah I know that Mithos. I'm just trying to figure out…what else could Feral have possibly been keeping from us? How much more could she have known that she wasn't telling us? We need to figure that out first."

I nodded my head, "I know that too. But look," I waved my arm around the room, which was still dark, "it's still night time. All we can do is sleep on it. Besides, who knows? What if you have a weird dream again?"

Genis scowled, "I sure hope I don't. Which reminds me, you obviously weren't asleep when I fell asleep. And you just walked in now so…where did you go for the past fifteen minutes?"

Well I definitely wasn't expecting him to ask me that. And I…really didn't want to answer that question either. It would most likely either result in me being harmed in some way or another, or it would result in Genis kicking me out of the room.

The least thing that would happen would be for him to blush. And I really wasn't counting on that happening.

But…

"Well? Are you going to tell me or not?" now he sounded annoyed.

I shrugged, "Why does it matter? I just went to use the bathroom."

And just then I knew I said the wrong thing. Or at least in my opinion I did. I had to wait for it to register in Genis' sleep-clouded brain before anything could really happen.

But, to my surprise, nothing really did happen. At least it didn't immediately.

Genis just stared at me, one eyebrow raised. Finally, after what felt like minutes--which really was only seconds, I knew, but silence had a way of making things seem longer--he spoke, "I see."

He said that in the same tone Raine did when she found out about something that interested her, but she didn't want anyone to know it interested her.

Then, to my surprise, Genis walked back over to the bed and sat down. Glancing back at me as he slid under the covers he smiled, "We should be getting back to sleep."

Wait, what?

"Genis?"

Genis lifted his head from his pillow, "Hmm?"

'If I say something now…I could be wrong. I should wait,' I sighed, "Nothing."

He scowled, "Well if it's nothing then get over here." He patted the bedside next to him and I more than willingly walked over to it and sat down. I watched him as he snuggled back into the blankets. Once he closed his eyes I knew it was safe.

I sighed out loud, muttering, "That was close." Under my breath before slipping underneath the covers as well.

Once I closed my eyes, though, I knew something was wrong. How did I know? Well…Genis scooting away from me was a big hint. I turned to face him, "Genis?" he shook his head, gripping the sheets tightly around himself.

He looked upset.

"Genis?" I asked again, this time moving closer to him.

"Don't get any closer, pervert." He muttered, shaking his head from side to side.

I had to force down a blush that crept up my face, "Wh-what?!"

Genis was glaring at me now, "You know you are. Did you…do anything to me when I was sleeping?"

I immediately shook my head, "Genis you know I wouldn't!" I kept my voice at a loud whisper--I really didn't want to wake up Raine.

Genis looked away from me, "Really?" his voice was bitter.

"Genis just because you're upset about Feral doesn't mean you can take it out on me. And for the last time, I didn't do anything to you in your sleep." I let out a sigh when Genis didn't seem to believe me. Not only was he not looking at me, he was moving farther away, "And if you move anymore you'll fall out of--"

Too late.

Genis had moved to the very edge of the bed and he seemed not to notice. I quickly reached out and grabbed his hand, trying to prevent him from falling. But of course nothing ever works out the way you plan it to and we both wound up on the floor in a tangle of blankets.

"Oww…"

And somehow I ended up on the bottom and Genis on top. How did--

"Mithos? Mithos are you hurt?" Genis asked suddenly in a hurried whisper. I sighed and tried to sit up, but my feet were caught in the blankets. And apparently, so were Genis'. I struggled a bit more and managed to sit up, "I'm okay."

"But…it sounded like you hit your head."

I nodded my head, wincing slightly in pain, "Because I did."

Genis shifted around on top of me and soon I felt something warm and slightly moist press against my forehead. I blinked a few times, trying to see through the blackness around us only to have the feeling immediately go away.

"Do you feel better now?" Genis asked, his voice even softer. He didn't sound mad like he had earlier. Now he just sounded tired and apologetic. All I could do in response was nod my head, "Yeah I feel better."

I could tell he was smiling even though I couldn't really see it, "Wow, kisses do make people feel better after they get hurt."

So he kissed me? I smiled, "Yeah usually it does. Are you feeling better now?"

Genis blushed and nodded his head, "I-I…yeah. I'm sorry though. I just, um, I-I can't exactly say why I'm so mad at you but…are you…what were you doing in the bathroom?"

I could feel myself blushing again, "Using the bathroom because I had to? You know nature calls every once in a while."

Genis' face just got even redder, "O-oh…"

Then I had a great idea, "Even if I was doing something else," I leaned in closer to him, "You should feel flattered," I ran one hand underneath his shirt, using my other one to keep him steady.

He just squeaked and whispered, "O-okay I g-get it! L-let's go back to bed please!"

If we could get out of this cocoon made of covers…

"And how do you suggest we do that?" I asked, "We're stuck, or at least I am, and you aren't moving."

Genis gasped, "I would if you'd," he grabbed my wrist, "take your hand and…a-and…um…just m-move it…?"

I smirked and pulled my hand back from under his shirt, "Okay."

It took a few minutes but finally we had successfully untangled ourselves and remade the bed--or remade it with us sleeping in it.

'Hopefully this time we can get some actual sleep.' I thought as I petted Genis' hair. He just curled up closer, nuzzling his face into my chest before his breathing slowly started to slow. He was fast asleep in less than two minutes.

And I was asleep shortly after.

Genis' POV

I stifled yet another yawn as we walked into my childhood home. I would not show Raine that I was tired. She'd make me go to bed immediately. And I didn't want to go to bed, especially when it was only 4 o'clock in the afternoon.

"Okay you two already know where you're sleeping." Raine said--also sounding, as well as looking, exhausted--as she sat down on the lone couch in the livingroom, "So put your stuff up and then you can go outside to see Colette."

I blinked, "See Colette? Why did she say something…? Because I didn't see her."

Raine shrugged, "She was hiding behind a building, but she looked worried. That's why I just now came in." she stretched out on the couch, laying her head in April's lap, "now shoo."

And we did. I ran up the stairs, followed by Mithos, and once we reached my room I nearly slammed the door. Mithos immediately went over to our bed and laid down. He smiled over at me and patted the place next to him. I smiled and shook my head, "We can't relax now. Colette wants to see us."

Mithos scowled, "I know, but…she'll understand if we relax a little, won't she?" I tried not to roll my eyes, "Because she'd probably worry about me--us."

He actually seemed to think about that, "You…oh fine," he sat up and made his way over to me, "but after she talks to us we're definitely going to relax m'kay?"

I nodded my head, "Yeah, relaxing would be nice."

"We could even take a bath together."

I glared at him, "No!"

He looked really hurt by that and honestly, right then Feral would've said something but…but…

'She's not here. She's gone. Maybe…maybe Colette knows something about…?' I mentally shook my head, 'No she wouldn't know anything about her would she? Yes she's connected with Martel--or the Goddess since she's the Chosen, or used to be the Chosen, and their mana signatures are similar but…'

"Genis?"

I blinked and looked up at Mithos, "huh?"

"You're thinking about Feral again aren't you?" I nodded my head and his eyes softened, "I see. I know it's…odd but…that's why we need to relax. We need to be able to think clearly about what happened."

"And how is a bath going to settle my mind? Especially with you in it?" I shot back.

Mithos just grinned, "Why I'm flattered Genis." He kissed me lightly on the forehead, "it's not like it'll be any different from when we went to the hotsprings."

This made me blush, "Yeah well it's not like you could do anything to me or else Raine and the others would've woken up. And back then they didn't even know we were dating."

Mithos shrugged and pulled away, "Well they found out right after that and," he smirked again, "I could've just told you to be very quiet."

I gasped, "Wh-what?!"

"I just have a feeling you'd be very quiet, when we do…that."

Now I picked up the nearest thing to me and I threw it at his head. Thankfully it was just a book--and not a paper weight like Raine had thrown at him last time we were here.

"Oww…"

While Mithos was rubbing his head I hurriedly walked out of the room, not wanting to catch Raine or April's attention, and locked myself in the bathroom. About two minutes later someone knocked on the door, "Genis? Please come out…I was kidding! I swear!" Mithos whispered from the other side of the door.

I sighed, "Yeah well don't kid like that. Okay? You said…" I looked in the mirror, but I didn't have to, to know that my face was turning a bright shade of red, "You said you knew how far you could go with me. And that I could t-trust you."

Mithos sighed and muttered something under his breath that I couldn't quite hear, "Look Genis I'm…sorry. Yes I did say that. Which is why you should trust me when…ah…just come out and we can finish unpacking." He sounded nervous now.

"Raine's probably wondering what we're talking about…and she'll think whatever it is it's his fault and she'd probably throw something at him. Oh wait, I already threw something at him. Crud.' I opened the door to the bathroom slowly and slipped out.

Naturally I was pinned against the wall before I could say anything else, "Huh?"

"Please trust me? You said you would."

I gulped and nodded my head, "I…still…no. I'm sorry but no."

Mithos smiled this time, "I see. Okay I understand. Now lets go finish getting unpacked."

I nodded my head again and followed, well it was more like me being led, Mithos back into our room. A few minutes later and nearly everything was put away, "Hey Mithos?"

Mithos looked over at me, "Hmm?"

"Do you think," I paused, shutting the dresser drawer where I had folded my extra pair of shorts, "That…Colette…would know anything about Feral?"

I could tell Mithos was thinking and, when I looked over at him he shrugged, "There's a possibility yeah. I can't say it's a large one but…maybe."

I bit my lip, "I hope so. But I guess I'll just wait till she brings it up. I don't want to worry her."

Mithos chuckled at this, "She'd worry about almost anything when it comes to you and Lloyd. She'll probably ask you if you've been drinking enough milk because of your height."

I grimaced, "Ah…yeah maybe…" I let out a sigh, "I really haven't changed that much have I?"

Mithos walked over to me and hugged me, "Well you have grown maybe an inch or a half an inch. That and you've gotten more…tolerant and caring since you last saw everyone."

I blinked, "More caring? How is that possible?"

Mithos shook his head, "Anything's possible. Remember, you're only fourteen--and you've only been fourteen for what, two days? You hardly know what you want to do with your life, much less what you'll be doing for the rest of it. Right now I'd say you're developing your personality."

Well that made sense, "Weren't you my age when you started to travel around with your sister?"

Mithos sighed, "Maybe. I don't really remember once. We were kicked out shortly after mom died--meaning I was about seven years old. When she met Yuan I was about thirteen. Then she…d-died…and I was fourteen and that's when I decided to experiment with my mothers Cruxis Crystal. I realized that it stopped aging me--or that it could stop aging me--around that time."

I nodded my head, "R-right. So you didn't really get a chance to 'develop' a personality?"

Mithos laughed, "I suppose I didn't. But I'm glad that you decided to listen when I opened up to you. When I became friends with you."

Now I was laughing, "Okay Mithos, don't get all sentimental and emotional on me, please." I pulled away from the tight hug he had me in, "Let's go, okay? Colette's probably worried sick about us by now."

Mithos nodded his head and followed me as I made my way out the door, down the stairs, past Raine and April who were still on the couch, and through the front door…

And we nearly ran into Colette.

"Ah Colette!" I reached out and grabbed her hand before she could fall over, "you came over to get us?"

Colette blinked and looked down at me, surprised, "You knew I wanted to see you?"

"Well," I looked back at Mithos, who closed the front door immediately, "Raine said you kept staring at us but you wouldn't get near us when we were walking around town."

Colette nodded her head, "I-I see. I'm sorry for worrying you, but, um I couldn't wait to see you again."

I nodded my head, "It's nice to see you too Colette. Have Lloyd and Zelos stopped by?" She shook her head, "Sheena or Presea then?" she nodded her head then shook her head. Then Mithos butted in, "What about Martel and Yuan?" Colette nodded her head, then stopped.

She abruptly turned around and beckoned us to follow her, and we did. We made our way out of the village towards the old Church. We made it to the steps inside before Colette turned around. She sat down on the steps and stared up at the ceiling, "It's nice and cool in here isn't it?" she asked, briefly glancing back at Mithos and I.

I nodded my head, "Yeah it is. Colette? What's wrong?"

Colette let out a shaky sigh, "Um well, I just had a bad dream is all."

I flinched, "A bad dream?"

Colette nodded her head, "Yes. A-a lot of people died. There was," she bowed her head, "blood everywhere. And…and you were there. You and Mithos."

I blinked, "And? Anything else?"

"F-Feral…you were saying Feral…and I was wondering…is she okay?" now she was looking me in the eye and I had to wonder.

Why had I been right?

"Actually…ah…I…I…sorry…" I muttered, looking away.

Colette let out a sad sigh, "She's gone isn't she?" I gulped and nodded my head, "I-I see…that explains why I thought she died in the dream. But I'm not worried just because of that." I looked down at her, she was staring at the ceiling again; "I'm not the only one who's had this dream--this dream of so many people dying. Sometimes the people change but it's almost the exact same for some of the older people in the village. Most of them know you're the Summon Spirit of Deaths seal. They think you have something to do with it."

"They think I have something to do with it?" now I felt angry, or at least extremely upset, "has anything else been happening?"

Colette nodded her head, "The people who died when the Desians destroyed Iselia have been appearing as ghosts."

Mithos made a noise from behind me, "Are you sure they aren't just seeing things."

Colette looked over at him, "People can't normally see ghosts. Genis, you're the only one I know who can."

I flinched, "I…what did they look like?"

Colette shuddered, "Some looked awful. I managed to calm them down since they last remember me as the "Chosen One". Some looked absolutely fine though."

Mithos walked over and sat down next to Colette, "Maybe Feral disappearing caused this to happen?" he looked over at me, "what do you think?"

I shook my head, "I think that I want to visit the graveyard. Can we?"

Colette bit her lip and shook her head, "It's not safe right now. There was…so much rain recently that the soil is wet and people have been sinking in. Some of the guards are taking care of that problem--or at least the ones who have magic are. It should be fine by sometime tomorrow. You could probably go there then."

I looked down at my feet, "Yeah I think I might do that. If Feral's causing this, then maybe they know where she is?"

Mithos stood up and helped Colette to her feet. She gave me a smile that I knew was almost entirely forced, "I hope you can help though. I'm so worried but…I didn't think you'd care so much and…you usually never visit the graveyard. Do you want me to come with you?"

I shook my head, "Ah, no. Mithos can come with me but…you've done enough Colette." I hugged her, "Thanks for telling me."

Colette patted my head with her hand and sighed, "Yes…I think…I have. I don't' feel like much now that I'm not the Chosen. It's been two years since I've given up that title."

Mithos laughed, "So daily life is starting to get old?"

Colette blushed, "N-no! It's just people don't ask much of me anymore. They say I should relax and enjoy life and I am but…it's boring. Only when Sheena comes do I feel like I'm anything special."

I nodded my head, "I can kinda understand how you feel. We've been going around talking about half-elven freedom and sometimes when my sister gets on stage to speak I feel like I'm just…not doing anything. That I'm not helping at all." I smiled, "But I'm sure you're helping in your own way, even if no one's saying you are."

After that Colette just stared at me. Then, what felt like a few minutes later, she gave me a small smile and a nod, "Yes you're right. Thank you Genis." She hugged me once more and, surprisingly, hugged Mithos as well before waving to us and walking out of the church.

"Going from being someone important to no one at all, is really hard." Mithos said, coming up to stand next to me, "You said the right thing--I think she was impressed."

I laughed, "No really Mithos?"

Mithos nodded his head, "Really. And, if I might ask, are you really planning on not going to the graveyard until tomorrow. It'll kill the effect, you know, going during the day."

I grimaced, "that's the whole point. I don't like graveyards because you see ghosts there. But they're harder to see during the daytime."

"But don't you want to see them?" Mithos questioned and again I grimaced, "let's just get out of here. We'll talk about it in the morning." Mithos gave me his traditional half-smile before we walked out of the Church and into the setting sun.

It was so beautiful.

Shortly after the sun dipped below the horizon I felt a shiver run up my spin. Something…something told me that that was going to be the last sunset that I'd see here in a while.

But what could that mean?

Me: Another chapter done with. And honestly sorry for the mismatched beginning--I was dead tired when I typed it up and I'm dead tired now.

Mitosu: It's past -checks clock- 1 AM of course you'd be tired.

Me: -groans- I need sleep…okay then -yawns- R&R please! Oh and since someone said I should mention this (on dA)--I update after getting 5 reviews. I got 7 for Part Four so only getting 4 for this chapter is fine. Just thought you'd like to know as readers