Chapter 5 is up. Chapter 6 is written, I am going to go through and edit it and it should be up soon. I am sorry I promised Forcystus in the chapter, but you will have to wait until the next chapter. This scene came to me last night and I had to add it.

Warning: Contains spoilers. Rated T for violence and Mild language.

I do not own Tales of Symphonia. If I did, you would have found out how Zelos and Sheena met.

This story is brought to you by: Insomnia. Because who needs sleep?

CHAPTER 5: A Rat

~ 12 Years Later ~

Yuan glanced around to make sure no one had followed him as he approached the hidden door that led to Hall of the Great Seed. He scowled at himself. This was shameful, sneaking around like some low-life vermin; like a rat. Why should he feel ashamed to go see Martel in the Hall of the Great Seed. He had never felt ashamed before.

Oh yes, it was because this time he was going there in betrayal.

He was going there to try to find a away to release Martel.

That would be betraying Mithos.

No wonder he felt like a rat.

He pushed his own accusation out of his mind. After making sure no one was there, Yuan took out his sword and thrust it into the wall; The illusion withered away, causing his blade to fall heavily to the floor. Yuan picked it up casually and began to walk towards the door. A great gust of wind began to slip through the door, blowing Yuan's hair out of his face. Yuan stepped quickly through the makeshift wind tunnel and entered the dimly lit room.

His heart broke within him as it did every time he saw the beautiful woman trapped inside of the great seed. His chest seared with pain as his arms ached to reach out and touch the soft curve of the woman's cheek; to run his fingers through her silky hair. But he remained still, his arms folded cold determination. He knew that it was merely a spirit lodged in that seed, not the woman herself. Her body was gone, her consciousness barely existed. Yuan shook his head, tearing his view away from the woman who simply looked lost in peaceful sleep.

But really she was dead.

What a torturous existence he had allowed her to remain in.

He had to end it, even if it meant-

"Yuan." A voice as light as falling snow called to him, it was Mithos. He was in his child form, the form he preferred when he was alone… when he was with her. Yuan suppressed his surprise at seeing the youth in the room; Yuan had thought he was elsewhere… Yuan calmed himself, folding his arms once more.

He bowed at the boy.

"What brings you here?" Mithos asked.

Yuan couldn't say it was because he wanted to see Martel; that he wanted to find a way to release her from this terrible prison he created. No, if he did that, Mithos would go billistic, have him locked up in some cage somewhere like some wild creature – a rat.

Mithos took another step closer in response to Yuan's silence, "Well?"

Yuan resisted the urge to take a step back. No! He would not be cornered like some shamed low-life being. He would not be a rat.

Yuan smiled, a thought coming to his mind.

Well, perhaps he was some kind of rat…..

"It's Kratos, sir." Yuan explained, bowing lower to Mithos.

"Kratos?" Mithos asked, "What about Kratos?"

Yuan put on his best pained expression as possible, "It seems that he is… distracted."

"What do you mean?"

"Well…" Yuan stated slowly, "I think he has taken notice of… the girl."

Mithos lips spread into a thin, un-amused smile, "He has always taken notice the girl. It because she too, is human."

"No," Yuan continued, glancing down at the floor once more, "I mean, I believe he see's her… as a woman."

The tight smile that was lightly painted on Mithos lips began to spread. He youth let out a twisted laugh that echoed around the hall, booming off the walls and landing heavily on Yuan's ears. The sound was horrifying, a sick twisted echo what used to be a boy's innocent, cheerful laugh. Now it was heavy with sorrow and betrayal – years of agony and torment. Yuan grimaced as the boy continued to laugh, turning to the soul of his dead sister.

"Did you hear that, Martel?" The blond boy asked, "Yuan thinks that Kratos has noticed someone… as a woman. You know, as in is taken by her. The boy let out another shrewed giggle as he turned back to Yuan; as soon as their eyes met, Mithos laugh stopped, his face dropped into a scowl, "Kratos doesn't see women." Mithos stated firmly, almost bitterly, "Kratos see's irritations."

"Even so, My Lord, I do believe that Kratos has taken an interest in her."

"Nonsense," Mithos stated, turning and waving his hand dramatically in the air, "He barely even talks to the girl."

"That's what makes it so obvious." Yuan muttered under his breath so that MIthos couldn't hear. It was true Kratos was a silent man. He rarely talked to anyone. And when he did, it was sharp, pointed, and direct. But Kratos took pains to avoid the human girl. If he did talk to her, Yuan could hear trace of tenderness, which long ago, used to frequent Kratos' deep voice much more often than it did now. Kratos used to refer to her as "the child" whenever he would inquire about her; but recently, perhaps for a year or two or so, he started to slip up and would call her by her name; this never happened when she was near. No, whenever he was speaking to her, which was rare indeed, he always addressed her with "Lady Irving," and never once did he approach her first. Yuan knew that it meant he saw her; yes, he was sure Kratos saw her as more than just a child. Why else would he try to avoid her in such earnest?

And yet, though he avoided her, Kratos was also always working behind the scenes to ensure the human's comfort. He was the one that issued a request for the girl's key crest. Kratos was the one that petitioned for the girl to be let out of Welgaia with an escort. Kratos had been the one to command that the other angels and Desians address her as "Lady." And it was Kratos, who made sure that Kvar never went too far out of hand with his abuse. He avoided her, stayed out of her life, and et ye was so deeply involved in it. More than she should ever know.

Perhaps it was guilt.

No, Yuan was sure it wasn't guilt. It was a different emotions, affection perhaps.

Yuan continued, pressing his subject, "Sir, if you watch Kratos around her, I think you would see."

Mithos tilted his head remaining silent for a moment; he continued to stare at Yuan, who kept his eyes low and on the ground.

"Fine. I will observe, as you recommend." Mithos finally assented, "Then, when I prove to you that I am right, you'll finally shut up about this. And, I am right. Kratos does not see women."

Yuan bowed deeply, "I earnestly hope that you are right." Yuan stated.

But that wasn't entirely true. If Kratos did indeed… fancy… the human girl, it would make his life a lot simpler. Mithos would focus on Kratos, while he could research the nature of the great seed. Yuan smiled to himself triumphantly.

"You may leave now, Yuan." Mithos stated.

Yuan nodded and quickly left the room, stealing one last look at the woman inside the Great Seed before he exited. His eyes lingered on her lips before he wrenched his eyes away, leaving the dark room. He walked down the hall, the illusion wall returned to it's place, becoming hard once more, locking the door to the Hall of the Great seed.

Yuan walked slowly, his steps were measured. His boots scrapped against the floor; the echoes reverberated off the purple walls; to Yuan, it sounded like small claws, the claws of vermin, scraping across the floor.

It sounded the scurrying rats.

Yuan smirked to himself. Yes, well, it turned out he was a rat after all. He had ratted out Kratos out just to save his own tail; Kratos, the closest thing he had to a friend, and he had just set the prying eyes of Mithos to turn upon him; all so he could attempt the impossible.

It's for Martel... Yuan thought in his mind, it was his way of apologizing to Kratos, though Kratos would never he the actual words.

He hoped Kratos would forgive him.

Yuan knew he would.

After all, the man was human.

Yuan smirked once again at himself.

Yes, Kratos was human….

Not a rat like himself.

Whew! Done. I secretly really like Yuan, even though he is always moody. When a guy like that loves, you know it's hard core.
Like I said, currently editing chapter 6. Should be done soon.

For those concerned about Anna's key crest - yes she has one... it will be explained in the next chapter or the chapter after the next how it does not hinder the experiment.

Please stay tuned for more of "The Fallen." Comments are appreciated (keeps me motivated! ^.^)... but you know... you don't have too...

Till next time!