Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of Symphonia or Namco. …Or maybe I do. Except I don't. So there you go.
Author's Note: Bwaaaaaah!!! I'm so so so so sorry! Deep bow. Please forgive me, those of you who still care a little bit about this fanfic. I love you for it, and appreciate it greatly. Yes, I am still concerned about Yuan's welfare, and hopefully, this is a happier chapter. I am, again, so very sorry for the delayed release; I've been very distracted lately. But I hope you enjoy, and please leave a review if you remember. And a very giant "thank you" to Darknite, Hatori, Kappa, Wandering Rurouni, and Nakago. You guys turn my world, and definitely inspire me to write more of this fic. Thanks for your badgering, from the bottom of my heart!!! Enjoy the chapter!
The Act of Shattering Peace
Chapter Nine:
Lost and Found
The moon had already risen.
With sluggish footfalls, a young man dragged himself through the familiar woods, loosely trailing a large weapon behind him. He stared blankly in front of him, blue-green eyes vague and unfocused, strands of blue hair escaping the ponytail at the nape of his neck. His hands were limp, raw, and blistered from hours of training against an enemy that had defeated him already. An enemy that had sent him packing only hours before.
Yuan brushed the back of his hand across his face as he slowly plodded away from his town. He didn't know how long he had been walking, his eyes set unwavering to whatever destination lay before him. The forest had grown dark around him, the stars and moon casting oblique shadows of trees and unspoken thoughts and dreams, and whatever else became alive at nighttime. Namely bandits, thieves, and homeless people.
Yuan stopped, his boots crunching on the pebbles that littered the shore of the river. Looking around, Yuan realized that his setting was unfamiliar. He smiled grimly, and nodded to himself. This was the way it should be, surely. Lost and alone in a strange place. It wasn't as if he hadn't done it before.
Raising his hand again, he pressed his sleeve against his eyes.
There was a rustling in the woods behind him.
Yuan swung around, clenching his weapon tightly in his fist. He narrowed his eyes, ignoring the blistering pain shooting up his arm. Muffled footsteps were quickly approaching. Someone was coming after him.
Who? Yuan found himself thinking. It better not be Kratos, he's supposed to be with Martel…Kharlan help him if it's him, I'll rip the bastard apart. What else do you want, Heimdall? I've gotten the hell out, so you send someone after me? His knuckles grew white on the handle of his blade, and he began to shake, his face contorted with fury. Fine. I'll fucking kill whoever's coming, I swear to—
He only saw a flash of gold before the "whoever" had latched themselves onto his torso in a bone-breaking hug.
His weapon slipped from his fingers and fell to the ground with a metallic clang as he stumbled back a few paces from the force. It took him a few moments to realize that the arms wrapped around him and the muffled crying on his shoulder both came from Martel.
"M…Martel?" he croaked.
She didn't respond, continuing to cry as she tightened her hug.
"Shh," he whispered to her, wrapping his arms firmly around her trembling form. "Shh…Martel, it's all right. Everything's fine."
But even as he said this, even as he reassured her that he was fine and everything was going to be all right, he found himself crushing her in his embrace, trying to bring himself as close as possible to the only one who wanted to be near him when everyone else wanted to stay away.
----
Kratos entered Martel's house with heavy steps, closing the door with a sigh. Yuan was surely going to kill him the first chance that he got, but all things considered, Kratos didn't think he had much of a choice when it came to Martel; she was someone who, once she set her mind to something, would rather die than settle for less.
Mithos was still sitting at the food-laden table, his eyes wide and concerned.
"Kratos?" he said. "What's going on? Where's Sis?"
Kratos sighed again. "She will be back soon," he said, running a hand through his burgundy hair. "I will be staying here with you until she returns."
"Oh. Okay," Mithos said, looking down at his plate. "Is there anything wrong?"
Kratos opened his mouth, considering how he should respond.
"Nothing that won't be sorted out shortly, I assure you," he said finally with a small smile.
Mithos nodded, brushing his blonde hair out of his eyes.
"Okay," he said.
"Now eat," Kratos commanded, nodding at Mithos' plate. "I quail at the thought of your sister when she arrives home to find that you haven't finished your dinner."
Mithos giggled, nodded, and began to eat, a wide grin tugging on the edge of his lips.
----
"Shh…Martel, it's all right. Don't cry."
Yuan's hand ran even strokes up and down her back, as he softly kissed the top of her head, acutely aware of her ever-present scent. Something unnamable, yet pleasant, sweet, and intoxicating.
"Do you remember," he whispered to her, "when we were little…the first time we met Kratos?"
In between her sobs, he felt Martel nod.
"He had gotten a ride with some circus performers," Yuan continued in a whisper. "You remember? And he was riding on the very back of the last wagon with a scowl on his face that I was sure could kill a person."
Martel nodded, listening to him, her crying quieting.
"And then Mithos," Yuan said, a smile twitching on his mouth as he remembered the occasion, "being that fearless kid he is, went up to him…how old was Mithos? Must have been around six? Came up to Kratos, and asked what he did in the circus and if he could do a trick for him."
Martel nodded, and laughed breathlessly.
"I think only Kratos can give that dirty a look to a kid," Yuan said, laughing quietly himself and shaking his head. "But can you imagine? Kratos in the circus? No, no, let's not. It's a scary thought."
Martel laughed again, and nodded vehemently. Gently pulling away, Yuan tilted Martel's head up to his and wiped away some of her stray tears with his thumbs. "Although, Kratos isn't good for much else," Yuan said with a small smile. "I told him to keep you safe."
Martel shook her head and looked down, her hands still fists in Yuan's shirt.
"I needed to see you," she said brokenly. "It isn't his fault. I needed to see if you were okay—"
"I'm fine, I'm fine! I just don't want you to get hurt," said Yuan, smoothing some golden strands behind Martel's ear. He frowned, examining her for injuries. "You aren't, are you?"
Martel shook her head, and Yuan smiled.
"Good," he said. "But you can't make these midnight trips into the forest a habit, you know." He tried to laugh lightly. "There are monsters out here, and you're—"
"I know," Martel said, "but I don't care." Her fists grew tighter in his shirt. "If it's coming after you, Yuan, it doesn't matter what time of day it is."
Yuan opened his mouth to say something, but found himself quite speechless. He mouthed wordless for a moment, then kissed Martel full on the mouth. Her lips were warm, soft, and now more than ever, Yuan felt consumed by her intoxicating scent.
Several moments passed before they broke from their embrace.
"Come back with me," Martel said quietly, looking down and tugging on Yuan's shirt. "Come back home."
"I can't," Yuan finally croaked, his face burning in the dark.
"Why not? Come stay with Mithos and me."
"I can't, Martel," said Yuan again, "I…." He sighed, looking down at the ground for a moment before returning his gaze to Martel's. "They don't want me there, Martel. They've made that very clear. If I go back, they're just going to drive me out again and if they see you with me—"
"That doesn't matter, Yuan," Martel said hurriedly. "You can't live out here in the woods forever—"
"It's not safe to be around me," Yuan said, desperate that she understand. He would never forgive himself if anything happened to her because of him. "If they see you helping me, you'll get hurt, and I…I couldn't…I can't let that happen. Please, Martel."
Martel fell silent, staring at the forest floor.
"Then I'm staying here," she said.
"S…Sorry?!" Yuan sputtered.
"I'm staying here," Martel repeated, looking up at Yuan. "I refuse to let you stay here alone. So if you're not coming back, I'm going to stay here with you."
"But…no, you can't!"
"Why not?"
"Well…what about Mithos?"
"Mister Kratos is with him," Martel said assuredly.
"Are you sure?" Yuan said, raising an eyebrow and smirking. "Because Kratos apparently doesn't know how to do what he's told."
"I have faith in Mister Kratos," Martel said firmly. "So I'm staying, Yuan, and there's nothing you can do about it."
"Nothing?" Yuan repeated helplessly.
"No. Nothing."
He sighed, looking down at Martel's determined gaze. He smiled weakly at her, brushing a strand of golden hair behind her ear. Pressing his lips lightly against her forehead, he whispered, "Thank you."
----
Yuan awoke the next morning to sunshine, and a particularly annoying bird.
Squinting against the light, he sat up, looking around him for a suitable projectile to hit the only bird in the forest who seemed to think that squawking loudly at an unholy hour was absolutely necessary. Before he could find a big enough rock, however, Martel came walking briskly into view.
"Good morning!" Martel said cheerfully, a basket under one arm.
"Hey," Yuan said sleepily, his eyes still half-closed. He frowned. "Where—"
"I just dropped by the house to say 'hello' to Mithos," Martel said, kneeling down beside Yuan. She set the basket down in between them. "And to get breakfast."
"You're an angel, Martel," Yuan said with a grin, leaning forward and kissing her on the cheek. Martel only smiled, blushed, and proceeded to unpack and distribute the said foodstuffs. "Was Kratos there?"
"Dutifully sleeping at the table," Martel said with a small laugh. "Poor Mister Kratos. He was very kind about it all, though. Told me he would be following me shortly."
Yuan frowned. "What about Mithos?"
"Mithos has his studies today," Martel explained.
"Oh," Yuan said simply, and he smiled. "How educational." School for Mithos either consisted of Kratos' training, or sessions with the village elder. Yuan looked forward to both such occasions, but the latter most of all, because it was the only instance in which both Martel and Kratos were free from Mithos' annoying little clutches.
"He seems to enjoy learning very much," Martel said. "He's always so excited when he goes to these sessions."
That's one thing we have in common, Yuan thought, smiling pleasantly. "Remember when we had to go to those?" he said.
Martel laughed, and nodded.
"Yes," she said. "You would always fall asleep."
"Not always!" Yuan said indignantly.
"Most of the time," Martel said, and she grinned mischievously. "The girls used to braid your hair while you were asleep."
Yuan flushed scarlet.
"Wh-what?!" he said. "Wh-wh-why'd they do that?"
"Whether you know it or not, you were a very cute kid," Martel said knowingly. "And besides, none of the other boys had long hair."
"That's not true!"
"Well, none of them were nearly as cute," Martel said. Yuan felt the heat in his face intensify. "Or asleep."
"Oh, yes. You were one adorable little boy, Yuan," came Kratos' sarcastic voice. "I could have just eaten you up."
"Kratos!" Yuan roared, leaping to his feet to find his friend leaning against a tree, his arms crossed and a smirk plastered to his face. "Whaddareyadoinhere?!"
"Good morning, Miss Martel," Kratos said genially, bowing slightly in her direction. "I saw Master Mithos safely to his lesson."
"Thank you, Mister Kratos," Martel said, bowing her head in return. "I greatly appreciate all your help. Would you care to join us for breakfast?"
"Kratos, what the hell makes you think you have the right to—hgk!"
Yuan choked as Kratos moved forward and grabbed him by the throat.
"Mister Kratos?!" Yuan heard Martel say in alarm, but Kratos said nothing, only looked over Yuan's face with squinted eyes. He proceeded to examine his friend, grabbing both his arms, examining Yuan's palms (at which he tutted in annoyance), leaning over Yuan's shoulder to check his back. At last, he let Yuan go.
"Wash up," Kratos said. "You've got soot all over you."
"That…that's it?!" Yuan said breathlessly, rubbing his throat. "Kharlan, Kratos, I thought you were going to kill me!"
"No that comes later," Kratos said mildly. He turned to Martel. "Your friend has passed inspection," he said. "I am pleased to see that he did not attempt anything idiotic concerning his house."
"Idiotic?" Yuan said. "I didn't do anything!"
"As I said," Kratos said with a nod. "You kept yourself alive and safe. Admirable job."
"Oh, thanks," Yuan said sarcastically. "Now I get praised for just staying alive. Am I really that much of a dunce?"
"Yes," Kratos said assuredly, nodding his head. "As proven by your hands."
"Oh, yeah. Those," Yuan said sheepishly.
"What? What's wrong with your hands?!" Martel said anxiously, jumping to her feet and grabbing Yuan's wrist.
"It's not a big deal," Yuan said, making a fist to conceal his raw palm.
"Open your hand Yuan!"
"Fine," Yuan said with a sigh, letting his hand go lax. Martel gasped at the raw skin.
"I appreciate your sentiments of devoting yourself to extra hours of training," Kratos said. "But wouldn't it be a little more productive if you did not rip your hands to shreds, thus disabling you from practicing any further?"
Yuan frowned. Had Kratos been spying on him or something? "How did you know I was training?" he said.
Kratos smiled serenely. "I can think of no other thing you would devote yourself to."
"Oh, go to hell."
"We need to wrap these," Martel said anxiously. "They look painful."
"They aren't, I prom—ow!" Yuan said as Martel poked her finger in the middle of his palm. She raised her eyebrows.
"I'm going to get some bandages," she said. "I'll be right back. Will you look after him, Mister Kratos?"
"Unwaveringly," Kratos said with a smile and bow. Martel smiled at Yuan, brushed a strand of his blue hair behind his ear, then left at a swift walk.
Yuan turned to look flatly at Kratos.
"This is your fault," he said grumpily, moving to sit down by the river.
"My fault? Dear me, Yuan, you seem to have forgotten rule number two!"
"Does it look like I care?"
"Never anger your instructor," Kratos recited dutifully. "That rule is a particular favorite of mine."
"What'd you have to brainwash her for?" Yuan said moodily, picking up a pebble and throwing it into the river.
"If you have not noticed, she is worried about you," Kratos said. "As am I." He sighed, moving to sit by Yuan. "I told her about that guard's comment the other day."
"Yeah?" Yuan said raising his eyebrows. "What did she say?"
Kratos frowned. "Nothing, she seemed more worried about you. Are you feeling all right?"
"What?" Yuan said. "What are you talking about?"
"You seem…almost happy. What's wrong?"
"What?" Yuan said incredulously, but he felt a grin tugging at his mouth, true and strong. "I'm fine."
"You're happy," Kratos said, a grin creeping onto his own lips as well, "that those people burned down your house."
"What?!" Yuan said disbelievingly. "You're insane, Kratos." And yet, he couldn't stop grinning like an idiot. That was just because Kratos had suddenly become dumber than he was, surely.
Kratos laughed. "I would have never guessed you had it in you," Kratos said. "I thought for sure that you'd brood for days."
"What in Kharlan's name are you talking about, you moron?"
"You're happy," Kratos said, nodding. "You're happy that you don't have to live there anymore. I understand."
"Oh, you understand. Well, that makes everything clear now."
"For longer than this has begun, you've been unsatisfied with living in Heimdall," Kratos said. "You've been waiting for an opportunity to leave, but it never came, because you had Martel keeping you there. But even you couldn't stand it, all the ridiculous prejudice against you, since you were a boy. You were considered a freak—"
"Thanks."
"—But you never once complained," Kratos continued. "Not even when I was beating you in the face with evidence. But that was because you already knew!" Kratos sighed. "Ah, I see. Forgive me, friend, I understand now. I can now appreciate how frustrating that must have been."
"Uh…sure," Yuan said, with a nod. "Yeah. I forgive you." He couldn't help but think that Kratos was making a big deal out of nearly nothing. He was just happy because Martel stayed with him. And that Kratos wasn't beating the shit out of him because he had been fighting a tree with a professional weapon. But Kratos' interpretation was good too. "But you should be sorry."
"I apologize," Kratos said, bowing his head. "I will never do it again in the future."
In fact, Yuan quite liked Kratos' interpretation.
"Yeah, well," Yuan said dismissively, looking up at the blue sky. "We all do stupid things sometimes."
"Speaking of which," Kratos said, lifting his head to glare at Yuan's hands. "Who were you sparring against?"
Yuan swallowed. Damn it.
"Uh, no one," Yuan said vaguely. "Just at shadows…and a tree…."
"A what?!"
"Hey, you emotionally scarred me!" Yuan said defensively as Kratos leaned over to grab Yuan's weapon from the ground. "I was just trying to get out of Heimdall!" Kratos said nothing, only examined edge of the curved blade. Grabbing a large stone from the shore, Kratos threw Yuan a dirty look and began to sharpen the weapon.
"You're doing it for me?" Yuan said, stunned. "Why?" He had thought for sure that Kratos was going to beat him into a gooey pulp.
"Your hands are currently not suitable for the task," Kratos said airily, expertly whetting the blade. "Aside from that, I would be disinclined to ever let you touch this weapon again."
"Hey, it's my gift, dammit!" Yuan said, but made no effort to snatch it back from Kratos. If he wanted to sharpen it, more power to him. Besides, his hands were still throbbing.
Yuan grinned, falling back on the shore and staring up into the brilliant blue sky. It really wasn't all that bad, this living in the forest thing.
"To be honest, friend," Kratos said after a moment. "I'm glad that you're alive."
"How generous of you," Yuan said dryly. "I suppose it's good that you're alive too."
"My reason being," Kratos continued, completely ignoring Yuan's comment, "that I believe I have identified your attackers."
Yuan sat up. "What? Who are they?"
Kratos sighed.
"The arsonists themselves," Kratos said, "are a group of three, from Mizuho."
"Mizuho?" Yuan said. "Where's that?"
"It is a secret village," Kratos explained, "of ninjas."
"How do you know that the arsonists are from there?" Yuan said.
"They revealed themselves to me, after you had left," Kratos said. "They then proceeded to demonstrate skills which only those trained in Mizuho possess. You look troubled."
"No," Yuan said quickly, shaking his head. "Just surprised."
"Why?"
"I thought it was the village," Yuan said. "I thought that it was them, not some random arsonists—"
"These events are not random," Kratos clarified. "In fact, they are explicitly linked. The village did want you out, it is true. That is why they employed the help of some arsonists. These arsonists are the same ones who burned down my own location of residence, not too long ago. From what I have concluded, these arsonists used the village's hatred for you as an excuse to get to me."
"Get to you?" Yuan said, astonished. "Why do they want to get to you?"
Kratos gave Yuan a look. "Over my life I have unfortunately and unavoidably made many enemies," he said lightly. "I can only suppose that these attackers are more of the same."
"So how did they use the village to get to you?" Yuan asked, a weight sinking in his chest. It didn't seem to be his battle at all, and now a part of him sorely wished that the arsonists had skipped over him entirely and gone straight to Kratos. Maybe then, he'd still have a home.
"They told me that they had made a deal with someone," Kratos said, his eyes narrowing. "A young man, they said, asked them to burn down your house, in return for information on my whereabouts." Kratos frowned at Yuan. "You haven't been abusing the local children, have you?"
"What?" Yuan said. "What are you talking about?"
"The arsonist unwittingly revealed that it was a 'young man' who made a deal with them," Kratos said, continuing to sharpen the weapon. "Have you been doing anything to offend any of the young people in Heimdall?"
Yuan laughed. "What do you take me for?" he said, shaking his head. "Of course I haven't. The only kid I know who hates me is Mithos."
Kratos' hand froze on the blade, his brown eyes suddenly wide.
A sense of foreboding rose in Yuan's stomach. "No…wait, you're not saying…." Yuan swallowed. "That's impossible, Kratos. Mithos…Mithos wouldn't do that. He couldn't. A-And he's a half-elf too!"
"No…" Kratos said, his eyes swiftly narrowing as his gaze darted to and fro. "No…I suppose you're right. Mithos would not do something that rash." He swallowed, and for the first time in a long time, Kratos looked severely troubled.
"H-Hey," Yuan said, in an effort to cheer Kratos up. His friend's somberness was scaring him. "I'm sure someone just told their kid to go to these guys. I mean, what kind of a kid would have the guts to do something like that on his own?"
These words didn't seem to have any healing effect on Kratos. If anything, his expression darkened further. Yuan couldn't blame him; he was feeling pretty wary himself. After all, Mithos was Martel's brother. If it was him—
But it's not, Yuan assured himself. It's not. It can't be. If…if Mithos did that, he'd be endangering himself, because he's a half-elf too. And…and Martel is too! No, it can't be Mithos. Mithos would never endanger his sister. Yuan swallowed, and opened his mouth to tell Kratos this, but Kratos cut him off.
"I think," he said, getting to his feet, "that it is about time I taught you something."
Yuan swallowed. Now was he going to beat him into a gooey pulp? Dammit, and he still has my weapon, Yuan thought bitterly.
"Wh-what is it?" Yuan asked cautiously.
Kratos extended his hand to help Yuan from the ground, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Mana manipulation."
----
A/N: Thank you for reading! Hopefully, the fic will pick up from here, if I ever get around to updating it again. But I will! So stay tuned; Yuan and I appreciate it! Thank you!!!
MT
