Well here is the next instalment, im unsure of what I exactly want to do with this at the moment, im unsure of whether to split this into two stories or just to carry on with it on this one. Let me know what you would all prefer because if I choose to split this into two stories then this one only has maybe two or perhaps three chapters to go.

Replies to Reviewers:

Ark Navy: I know, i'm sorry I keep updating so quick, it's just i've never felt so enthusiastic about writing a fic before, I guess it feels pretty liberating. I have already finished the entire first part and am currently on a two week break from writing now so I guess i'm just feeling eager to show everyone what I have managed to come up with so far. I have to thank you personally though as being pretty much the only person who has responded with a review to most if not all chapters I have put on here to date. gives cookie

Thanks for any support and advice you can give.


Chapter 9: The Seeds Are Sown

After a long days walk, Lloyd and Presea finally reached the gates to the Imperial city of Meltokio, the sun was just beginning to set over the town and the magi technology lamps were beginning to self-light all over the town, to the first time viewer this was quite a sight in itself but the pair had another goal in mind and that was to find their lost friend. To say that Lloyd had been relieved when they heard Sheena appeared okay had to be the understatement of the century; he was dead set on his goal in reuniting with his companion of the last eighteen months. Presea had remained quiet for the majority of the journey, she had been thankful for saving Lloyd's life before but she couldn't help but feel she was going to lose him anyway and in a much more hurtful way than by his death. No instead she would have to watch him be happy with someone else, she truly wasn't sure if she could take that sort of rejection. After all she knew how it felt to reject someone too and she was terrified she was about to experience it first hand.


One Year Earlier

The Lezarano Company had just finished their reconstruction work of Palmacosta and had been having a party there to celebrate the last brick being laid by herself and Regal. Presea had never touched any alcoholic beverages before in her life but she tried some anyway considering the occasion.

The night slowly drifted into a blur as the music continued to play and the drink continued to flow, she hadn't laughed as much in all her life, of this she was certain, she soon found herself dancing with many employees of the company in the middle of the town square.

She focused trying to remember what had transpired afterwards. Oh yes now she remembered, the final dance for the evening had come on and she had opted to dance with Regal, she vividly remembered the conversation between them.

"Thank you for everything Presea," Regal had began

"It was nothing, I was happy to help," she replied attempting to focus on keeping in step rather than the conversation.

"I used to dance to this song with Alicia many years ago," Regal said sombrely, "you remind me so much of how she used to be."

Presea found her self going out of step as she stood on Regal's foot, "What?" She replied wide eyed.

Before she knew what was happening, Regal had wrapped his arms around her and bent down to give her a long kiss.

Presea felt herself slipping away in that moment before she realised horribly that she didn't want this, and it was horrible for him to force himself upon her without consent. With all of her force she pushed Regal off of her as he threw her a rejected puppy look. The rage and anger bottled up inside Presea from the aforementioned incident and of course the effects of the alcohol coursing through her system had caused the outburst that ultimately drove them apart.

"Stay away from me! When we get back to Altamira I wish to move away to live on my own, I need time to think for myself!" She had practically screamed in his face causing the music to stop and every employee within the square to stop and give their attention.

Without further ado, Presea ran from the town square back to the town's newly constructed inn feeling tears free themselves as she went. She couldn't bring herself to look at Regal after that for putting her in such a situation.


Presea shook herself from her reverie and realised that she didn't want the same thing to happen between her and Lloyd, no she wouldn't let that happen she couldn't let it.

Lloyd suddenly felt himself blushing as he realised Presea had started to hold onto his hand, he looked into her eyes but it almost looked like no one was home, he didn't mind though, in fact he felt comfortable doing so but he was more concerned for the vacant stare that Presea was displaying at the moment.

Suddenly the glimmer in Presea's eyes reappeared and she noticed that she was holding onto Lloyd's hand, she blushed profusely and tried to snatch her hand away but felt both surprise and a small sense of hope when she felt she couldn't take her hand back, Lloyd wouldn't let her.

"Come on Presea, let's go!" he said jovially before walking on pulling Presea by the hand behind him. Presea who seemed overjoyed at this development allowed herself to be pulled along and walked next to Lloyd feeling more secure than she had in a while.

"I think we should head to Zelos' house first, it would seem the most likely place to find her!" Lloyd said confidently. Presea who was content with the situation at the moment and didn't want to ruin it by speaking out of turn simply nodded at the swordsman.

The walk to Zelos' manor had been slow but comfortable, both of them blushed when a couple of kids walking with their mother said how cute they looked together, however that little (in)convenience aside, they finally made it to the door where they let their hands slip apart so that Lloyd could knock on the door.

Once again, Sebastian opened the door and smiled as he spoke "Ah Sir Bud, nice to see you again, I shall inform the master you have arrived."

"Gah! I told you my name is not bud," Lloyd slapped a hand to his forehead and realised Zelos had probably told him to continually call him that.

Presea merely cocked her head to the side, "It bothers you?"

"Not really but it would be nice if he got my name right once when I came here." Lloyd replied as Zelos came to the door.

"Hey bud, what are you doing here?" The cocky chosen inquired before acknowledging Presea's existence as well, "Hey Presea, looking sharp," he winked at the young girl.

Presea felt herself become mildly uncomfortable in Zelos' presence, maybe this is what Sheena felt when the former chosen made his advances on her during the journey.

"Is Sheena here?" Lloyd interjected.

"Yeah she is, she's in the kitchen with Raine just now, come in we're just about to have dinner!" Zelos stated.

"Raine's in the kitchen!?" Lloyd exclaimed with a sense of dread.

Zelos lead them into the living room and set about preparing the dinner table for the two new guests.

Lloyd and Presea sat down and waited for him to finish, however before that happened a set of feet were heard running down the stairs.

"Lloyd!" the voice exclaimed, Lloyd whipped his head round and saw his oldest friend, he stood up and felt some joy when his friend jumped up and hugged him, "Hey Genis, long time no see!" he replied cheerily.

"Yeah, uh hey Presea," he said a little sullenly after he stopped hugging Lloyd, "What are you doing here?" he continued with a pink hue in his cheeks.

Presea looked towards the young half elf "I was accompanying Lloyd during his search for Sheena, how are you Genis?"

"Im uh great, are you staying for dinner?" Genis asked.

"I believe that is the case," Presea replied monotonously.

All of a sudden a high voice came from upstairs, "Genis, where did you go!?" it inquired in a panic.

"Oh no," Genis groaned, "quick hide me, hide me," he looked around in panic.

All of a sudden Seles ran down the stairs and Genis dived under the table in a vain attempt to hide from her. "Where is he?" she demanded as she stormed up to the group.

Lloyd and Presea merely shrugged as Zelos stifled a laugh, Seles glared at her brother, "Zelos where is he?" she roared.

Zelos burst into giggles as he pulled up the tablecloth to reveal a praying Genis under it.

"There you are!" she squealed as she clawed his hand out from under the table and pulled him into a hug.

"I'll get you back for this Zelos!" he glared solidly at the former chosen as he burst into fits of laughter.

Lloyd stood up and walked through to the kitchen, inside he saw Sheena and Raine standing slaving over the stove, he grunted a quick "ahem!" and saw Sheena visibly stiffen.

Sheena turned round and saw the true object of her affections standing scarcely ten feet in front of her and not only was he there, he had came looking for her all the way from Altamira, maybe he did share the feelings that she did she silently hoped as she ran for Lloyd and embraced him a tight hug and kissed him on the cheek.

Lloyd turned a deep shade of beetroot, "nice to s-see you again Sheena," he stammered a little embarrassed at the whole moment.

She pulled back from him and caught his gaze, she was ready to spill her feelings for him now but she was cut off by Lloyd asking the one question that could throw her, "Where did you go? Presea and I arrived in Altamira and you were gone, all we saw was the curry you made spilt over the path.

Sheena tried to hold his cheerful stare but found she couldn't, "I'm sorry Lloyd, I just needed some time alone you know," she stumbled trying to think of a reason when she thought of the perfect excuse, "it was girl problems," she whispered.

Lloyd merely nodded before adding "makes sense I guess, its okay now we are together again."

Sheena felt her heart soar at these words until she heard someone laugh from the living room, she looked over Lloyd's shoulder and saw Presea laughing with Zelos at Seles hugging Genis causing the young half-elf to go a shade of purple from asphyxiation.

"Presea's here too?" she asked with a slightly raised tone of voice.

"Yeah, she helped me find you and she saved my life from a pair of rogues when we were on our way here." Lloyd merrily replied.

"Oh, okay I have something to do Lloyd can I speak to you later?" Sheena asked with a disappointed tone.

"Sure I guess," Lloyd replied cocking an eyebrow at her.

"Raine, I'm sure you can manage to get the curry just right on your own, all you have to do is wait until it's cooked properly and serve okay?"

"Okay, I won't let you down Sheena," Raine replied enthusiastically happy to finally get the chance to cook for the group.

Sheena walked out the side door so as not to alert the rest of the group and walked to a clearing behind Zelos' house. She finally decided now that Lloyd was around her it was time to summon the Sylph to find out all that had happened between Lloyd and Presea during their time apart.

After summoning them, Sephie floated forward waiting to be addressed by her pact maker.

"What is it you request of us pact maker?" Sephie asked.

"What has transpired between Lloyd and Presea in the time we have been apart?" Sheena asked with a genuine curiosity.

Sephie closed her eyes and began to give her account of what she had seen between them knowing that Sheena was not going to like what she was about to hear.


Chapter nine finished and boy what a cliffy for you all to wallow in. What's going to happen next, Thanks for all the reviews so far people, im glad to see im at least interesting some people with this, tune in next time to see a potential explosion in the Wilder Manor.

Oh yeah I just thought I'd add that since I started this fic my one shot that I did a couple of months ago has only received like ten new hits on it, c'mon people it's a good story honest, I'd just like to see a couple more reviews on it.

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to read it.