So wrong, yet so right.

Hola guys! I'm back from Spain! I had a fabby time, and just want to say thanks for all my reviews and holiday well-wishes... or whatever you call them. THANKS!Now... on with the story!

Disclaimer: I do not own tales of Symphonia or any of its characters, settings, etc. I wish I did, but I don't. That's life.

Chapter 7

It seemed like Friday would never arrive. It finally dawned, bright and clear, with hardly a cloud in the unbelievably bright blue sky. Zelos moaned and rolled over in his huge bed as the sun's first tentative rays struck his face. "Five more minutes, Sabs," he groaned as his ever-efficient butler knocked on his bedroom door.

"But Master Zelos," came Sebastian's muffled voice. "You told me to wake you early today. Miss Sheena will be here soon." Zelos's eyes snapped open and he scrambled out of bed, managing to tangle himself in the sheets, and consequently fell to the floor with a loud thud.

"Owww!" Zelos nursed his swollen nose, upon which he had somehow managed to land on. "Thanks Sabs. I'll be down in a sec."

Behind the door, Sebastian shook his head and went downstairs. With Zelos, he had learnt not to ask.

Zelos stood up and brushed himself off. "What to wear, what to wear…?" He moved into his huge walk-in wardrobe. Down one length was an expanse of beautifully tailored pink and black vests. On the opposite side were rows of pristine white trousers. At the back were his shoes, gloves and special-occasion suits and tuxes. He chuckled as he slid on a black wife-beater and buttoned his velvet vest. White trousers and shoes followed. The doorbell rang just as he was pulling on his long gloves. His heart skipped a beat; she was here! He hurriedly brushed his flaming hair until it was as soft and smooth as silk. The finishing touch: a simple white headband to keep back his crimson curls.

He could hear Sebastian welcoming Sheena downstairs. Zelos took one last look at his reflection in the big full-length mirror. Satisfied, he left the room and sauntered along the hallway. Below him, Sheena was admiring the large decorative vase of flowers that stood in the corner of the lounge. He looked around and spotted another vase to his right. Zelos plucked a beautiful red rose from it and tip-toed downstairs.

Sheena leant in and closed her eyes as she inhaled the sweet scent of the lilies she was admiring. When she opened her eyes, a red rose was being held in front of her by a black and pink gloved hand.

"For the rose of Mizuho," Zelos whispered in her ear. Sheena blushed and turned to face him.

"Thank you," she said, accepting the beautiful blossom.

He took her hand and tugged her towards the front door. "C'mon, let's get outta here"

xXx

They strolled through the nobles' quarters of the Imperial City, oblivious of the envious stares they were receiving from young men and women. Zelos ushered her into a large shop, whose glass windows contained beautiful dresses and fabulously tailored tuxedos. Sheena's breath caught in her throat as she gazed around, taking in each gorgeous dress on display. An elderly woman hurried over with a clipboard.

"Ah, Chosen -,"

"No!" Zelos closed his eyes in exasperation. "Zelos! Mr Wilder! Anything but Chosen!"

The lady carried on regardless. "We have put aside some tuxes and suits for you and some dresses for…" she peered over her half-moon spectacles. "… your, er, guest." Sheena flushed and Zelos opened his mouth to protest, but she slipped her hand into his.

"Doesn't matter," she whispered, as the lady called over two young women wearing slinky black dresses and an elderly man.

"You," the woman pointed a long, bony finger at Sheena. "These ladies will take you to go get measured. Chosen," Zelos groaned. "Mr Baxter will be assisting you." The younger women grabbed Sheena's hands and started to drag her over to the women's changing rooms.

"I'll see you in a bit!" called Zelos, as he too was pulled away by Mr Baxter.

The ladies introduced themselves as Veronica and Rachel. They pushed Sheena down onto a plush leather seat and started pulling out all sorts of materials and dresses.

"Would you like to try onsome of the dresses, or would you prefer to have one custom-made?" Veronica asked, holding up a shiny, low-cut, bright gold gown. Sheena wrinkled her nose at the dress and had a flick through the others. She grew progressively paler as she read the price tag of each dress. How in Martel's name does Zelos afford all this!

"I think I'd better have one made. I would be able to fit into any of these dresses. They're so… small!" She bit her lip. "But that would be even more expensive…"

"The Chosen said that price was no object when he came in earlier this week," said Rachel smoothly. "Actually, he asked us to especially put aside this…" she pulled out a roll of beautiful burgundy silk. Sheena gasped; it was the exact colour of her favourite ribbon. She smiled. Now she understood.

"That one!" she cried. Veronica nodded and drew back the curtain of a changing booth.

"We thought you'd say that. The Chosen does have excellent taste after all!" And with that they roughly pushed the young ninja into the booth and forcibly started undressing her.

"What the hell do you think you're doing!" Sheena yelled, as Veronica tried to rip off her large pink sash.

"We need to get your measurements, silly!" Rachel laughedand flicked a tape measure to straighten it with a load snap. Sheena tried not to scream.

xXx

Two hours later, Zelos was still waiting. His fitting had taken about twenty minutes, since the store already had all his measurements. He drummed his fingers on the leather chair he was slumped in and sighed heavily. Sheena finally emerged, tugging at her sash grumpily. Zelos sprang to his feet. "All done then?"

"Yeah," Veronica and Rachel walked past, smiling serenely. "They enjoyed it a lot more than me though," she grumbled.

Zelos laughed softly. "Heh. Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not done yet. C'mon," he took her hand and pulled her out of the door, the bell chiming cheerfully as it swung shut again.

He led her to a very fancy salon further in the city. As they sat Sheena down in a chair and fastened a cape around her neck, Zelos attempted to slyly back out the door.

"Hey! Where do you think you're goin'!"

He jumped and held up his hands in surrender. "I have to go get ready too! Look, when you're done, go back to my mansion. You're dress should have arrived by then."

"But they said it was gonna take three hours! You expect me to sit here for three hours and let them do who knows what to me!" Her nostrils started to flare.

"Er, yeah," he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Sheesh Sheena! I'm tryin' to spoil you! Why don't you let me for once?" Sheena narrowed her eyes until they were mere slits. Zelos grinned. She was so, so cute when she was mad. It was why he always teased her. "I'll drop by at about six. Have fun!" And with that, he dashed out of the door, leaving Sheena screaming his name angrily behind him.


Not my best work, I know. I think I was in a bit of a slump when I wrote this. Never fear! The ball is coming! As is a twist... that's all I'm saying! Please R&R xxx